Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3174ip/13/
The way back was relatively calm.
There was no sudden encounter like in the morning, nor was there anyone to talk to.
Ordinary daily life. A normal way back home. It’s the end of an ordinary day.
Alice and I boarded the train for the return trip, just feeling the eyes of people on us. Perhaps because we left school early, there weren’t many students around yet. There weren’t many people who looked like office workers on their way home from work. I feel like there are more people in casual clothes than in suits.
“There are empty seats.”
While I was looking around, Alice seemed to be looking towards the seat.
It seems that she found an empty seat for just two people, so she took my hand and started heading towards it. Of course, my permission is ignored.
“Alice, you don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
“No, no. This is because it is an early winner.”
Alice quickly walked towards her seat without hearing me stop her.
There’s something childish about the way she looks like she can’t wait. Maybe it’s because I’m the older brother that I feel like there’s a gap in these gestures, even though she usually have a fantastical atmosphere.
(Come to think of it, Alice has always been the one who never said anything selfish…)
Perhaps there was a burden for being taken in.
She was always obedient to my parents and listened to everything they said. Even if it is clearly a blatant thing.
She went to cram school for piano, swimming and violin. Many other lessons were taught by my parents.
Before Alice came, I was forced to take many lessons, but mine was nothing compared to hers.
Because Alice was a genius and a very talented child. That’s the only reason. They wanted her to be able to do more things because she could.
That’s all. Parental ego. No, even though they are not her real parents in the first place, they kept putting only one-sided expectations on Alice.
She does whatever she is taught, and her motor nerves are outstanding.
It can be said that my parents who were originally keen on education became obsessed with Alice.
Coupled with her fairy-like appearance, my parents doted on Alice, or rather, they were obsessed with raising her.
The expectations imposed on Alice were as heavy as lead.
But Alice was doing the task silently, as if nothing had happened.
My parents praised Alice and fell in love with her. They add more challenges.
There was a vicious cycle that could only be called a negative chain.
I could only watch Alice like that.
“Sit down, Nii san.”
I come back to my senses when I hear Alice’s voice speaking to me.
“Ah….yeah, that’s right.”
The train starts to move with a loud rattling sound.
It is not large enough to be called a platform, but a large car body slides out from the station.
“When you are sitting, the impact isn’t that big.”
“That’s right.”
“Besides, we can also see the scenery slowly.”
Her big eyes looked out the window.
As if drawn by Alice, I also turned my attention to the scenery outside, but what I saw was a residential area appearing and disappearing. Honestly, it’s not very interesting because of the repetition. It’s a city with no particular development, so the scenery remains the same.
“I like it. To see the scenery flowing in this way.”
Alice might have felt my boredom.
Keeping his gaze fixed on the outside, she muttered something to herself.
“Is that so?”
“I didn’t have many chances to look outside like this.”
“……I see.”
I can’t say anything anymore if you say that.
Even if it was a strange sight for me, it was different for Alice.
“And now I have Nii san next to me.”
I felt the heat in my hands. Alice wrapped her arms around my hand, which was still being held.
“Because that alone makes me happy.”
At the same time, the scenery outside became invisible.
The train slides into the next station and the brakes are stepped on. The train stopped slightly shaking.
“So, I do not want to lose this happiness…..forever.”
It was a faint voice that was drowned out even by the arrival announcement, so I couldn’t hear it clearly.
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