We woke up around nine AM the next morning, and Issa, Sayu, and I left the house together.
I considered saying good-bye to Sayu’s mother, but Issa stopped me.
“She seems to be sleeping well today, so let’s not wake her,” he said.
That was when I remembered him telling me that she always stayed up late, which may have been a roundabout way of saying she had insomnia.
The source of her recent troubles must have been Sayu. She was probably sleeping soundly now that things had been sorted out. In that case, it’d be best not to disturb her.
Besides, I was sure Sayu’s mother and I had already said everything we needed to say to each other. We’d both benefit from leaving things on a clear note. There was no need for any unnecessary conversation.
And so we climbed into Issa’s car just as we had the day before and made our way to the airport.
I’d initially offered to call a taxi for myself, but both Issa and Sayu had been quite firm in stopping me, and the three of us ended up heading to the airport together.
“You don’t have to go all the way to the airport…”
“We couldn’t let you leave without giving you a proper send-off,” Sayu insisted.
“That’s right, Mr. Yoshida. You’re like family to Sayu now.” Issa paused there for a moment before adding, “If you have time, we’d love for you to come and visit Sayu again.”
I couldn’t think of a response to his offer.
“Ha-ha, right…,” I answered vaguely.
I was sure this would be the last time I saw Sayu.
I got the feeling that if I met up with her again, I’d only get in the way of her progress.
Suddenly, I sensed somebody looking at me from the side. I took a peek in that direction and caught Sayu swiftly averting her gaze.
She fidgeted with her hands on her lap as if she had something to say. But in the end, she kept quiet, looking out the window instead.
As I wondered what she might have been thinking, I happened to take note of her outfit.
“Hey, why are you wearing your uniform?”
Sayu awkwardly turned back toward me and smiled. She looked like I’d caught her out.
“Hmm, I’m not sure… I don’t really have a reason. I just thought it’d be nice.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ha-ha. You tell me! I have no idea.”
I felt like she was hiding something from me. Still, I didn’t feel the need to press her for answers, so I let it go.
After that, the two of us said nothing.
Once we reached the airport, that would be it. We’d say good-bye for real… And yet, Sayu, I, and even Issa spent the rest of the long journey in silence.
There was a lot less tension than the day before, and the car ride felt much shorter.
Before we knew it, we’d arrived at the airport.
I’d booked the flight on my phone in the car, so once I picked up the tickets, all that was left was to fly home.
Sayu followed me all the way from the car to the lobby in silence, a blank expression on her face. Issa was smiling, but he didn’t say anything, either.
As soon as we reached the lobby, Sayu turned to Issa and said hesitantly, “Sorry, we were in the car for a while. I’m going to have to use the restroom.”
“Sure, go ahead.” Issa kindly obliged, pointing her in the right direction.
After looking at Issa and me in turn, Sayu trotted off toward the facilities.
Issa watched as she disappeared, then looked back at me.
“Take this, Mr. Yoshida.”
“…What is it?”
Issa removed an envelope from his breast pocket and handed it to me. It felt pretty heavy.
“Cash for the ticket home,” he stated casually.
“No way,” I said, shaking my head. “Paying for my ticket here was more than enough! Besides, I only booked a seat in economy.”
I made a point of mentioning the economy ticket because, judging by the weight of the envelope, it seemed safe to assume he’d included enough for business class.
“But we owe you so much, Mr. Yoshida. This is merely a show of our gratitude.”
“No, trust me. I can tell you’re grateful. But I’m an adult with a full-time job, so let me handle this.”
Issa was trying pretty forcefully to hand me the envelope, but I somehow managed to push it back.
“If you insist on giving up the money, then please spend it on some new clothes for Sayu,” I suggested.
Issa blinked at me in surprise, then burst out laughing.
“Mr. Yoshida…,” he began. Then he shrugged, looking a little taken aback. “You really have fallen for Sayu, haven’t you?”
I scowled, practically on reflex.
“How could I? She’s a high schooler!”
“Really? I don’t think age matters when it comes to love.”
“I prefer older women.”
It felt strange to say this kind of thing to Sayu’s brother with a straight face, but I didn’t want him to think I was romantically interested in his sister. All the trust I’d worked so hard to earn would go up in smoke.
I thought Issa understood our situation. Why was he teasing me about it now?
As I was pondering this, Issa spoke up again. He was still smiling, but he looked much more serious than before.
“It would be a huge relief to an older brother to know that his little sister was with a man like you, Mr. Yoshida.”
“……”
It definitely didn’t sound like he was joking. I was at a loss for words.
Immediately, I thought of what had happened the night before.
Sayu had proposed that we have sex as a kind of final memory together. There had been something different about her then, and for a moment, I’d almost imagined what it would have been like.
Of course…in the end, I couldn’t envision it. That was the truth. Whatever the case, I simply didn’t see Sayu in a sexual light. Thinking she was a cute girl and embracing her as a lover, as Issa was suggesting, were two very different things.