Episode 4

I left the apartment with Alice.

Then we walked side by side to the station.

The nearest station is a reasonable five-minute walk away. I think I should have chosen a place closer to the school.

“I hope the train is free today.”

“I think it’s best not to get your hopes up. We left home at the usual time.”

The train line that we use is quite busy, and it is always reasonably crowded in the morning.

The train is not as crowded as the ones in the city, but there are enough people on it that there are no seats to sit on, which is a bit depressing when you are tired.

Many students wearing the same school uniforms also use this train, but I always feel a little cramped on my way to school. The reason for this goes without saying. I glanced at my step-sister walking next to me so that she wouldn’t notice me.

 “Right. I think there have been a few more people here in the last few days.”

Alice puts her finger to her lips and wonders why.

Even I, who should be used to seeing this gesture after spending so many years together, think it’s adorable. At the same time, I sigh inwardly.

(It’s definitely because of Alice…….)

Even I, her brother, feel this way, and I can imagine how strangers would feel about this beautiful, silver-haired girl who they would rarely see.

In fact, the businessman I just passed was staring back at Alice.

I pretended not to notice that he crashed into a telephone pole, but there is no doubt that Alice’s attention span is outstanding.

“Maybe it means there are a lot of new students who are getting used to school by now. If they don’t have morning practice for club activities or something, I can understand why this is about the right time for them.”

“Oh, I see. That may be true.”

I don’t mention Alice’s appearance, and I try to make up some random reason, but my sister agrees with my opinion without question.

It seems like she doesn’t even think that there are many people who want to take a look at her.

(……I think it’s okay to have a little confidence in yourself.)

I’m not saying she should be arrogant, but Alice’s self-esteem is a little too low.

Well,it can’t be helped. I don’t think I could have told her that they are trying to catch a glimpse of her because she is so cute. If she thinks I’m creepy and siscon, I might cry.

“Shall we leave the house a little early tomorrow?”

“Ummm, no, I don’t think so…..Well, we’ve arrived.”

We were having a reasonable conversation, and soon arrived at the station.

We stopped talking and went through the ticket gate to the platform, but there were even more people than usual today.

It seems that we arrived just a little earlier than the train’s arrival time, and it was not a good thing that we arrived just before the train.

“Hey, she’s here. That’s the new student……”

“Wow, she’s even prettier than she looks in the picture.”

“Eye candy……”

But there was something even worse. The moment Alice showed up, the buzz on the platform increased.

“Go call out to her.”

‘No, the guy next to her is in the way…..”

I hated the morning train for this reason, though I was almost collateral damage and attracted a lot of attention.

Malice from others. Strange eyes. The frank opinions of others. I felt them with my whole. body 

To tell the truth, I don’t feel good. But I can’t show it to the world.

“……Onii san, please don’t leave me.”

Alice mutters quietly as she grabs the sleeve of my still brand new uniform.

“I know. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

I replied, but Alice didn’t say anything.

The only thing I feel is that her grip on my sleeve is getting tighter.

“You know, Alice……”

[The next train is arriving. Please be careful.]

I was not sure if I should say something to reassure her, but the train arrived just in time, and we quickly boarded it.

As expected, there were no empty seats, but it couldn’t be helped. I tried to catch myself on the strap, but there was a problem.

“Um, Alice?”

“What is it, Onii san?”

“No, I can’t hold the strap if you’re holding my hand…….”

Alice still would not let go of the sleeves of my uniform.

I can’t raise my arm because she’s gripping it so tightly. In other words, the train was about to start moving, and I was standing still without holding on to anything.

“Yes, I know that much.”

“Let go of me, will you? The train is already moving.”

If she didn’t let go, the law of inertia would cause my body to tilt.

I said I wasn’t going anywhere, and I nodded that I wouldn’t leave, but that was that, and this was this.

“I don’t want to.”

Eh…I got a clear rejection. Why not?

“If things continue like this, I’ll end up getting hit by a train and stepping on a tatara.”

“Then why don’t you just grab me? I can catch you with my whole body.”

“No, that’s not the point.”

I don’t want to be held by my sister.

You’re already the center of attention, but if you’re not good at it, you’ll be treated like a molester. I can’t stand the thought of a brother being caught hugging his sister.

“I’ve been working on my core strength, so I’ll be fine. The swaying of the train is not enough to knock me off balance.”

“No, no, no, I’m not asking you to prove that you can catch me.”

“Do you not want me to be able to catch you?”

“No, no, no, you’re changing the subject. In the first place, I just want to grab the strap, so there’s no need for that.”

Apparently, my sister wants to be receptive to me, but that receptiveness is clearly not necessary at this time, this place, and this scene.

I’m the type of guy who likes to observe time, place, and occasion. However, Alice is stubborn when it comes to this. I’m at a loss, what to do…..

“I think I’ll just use my free hand then.”

“Oh, sure.”

That was a bit of a blind spot.

As soon as I grabbed the strap with my opposite hand, the train started moving. Just in time. 

“I’m sorry, thank you…….:

Relieved that I didn’t have to expose myself to the shameful act of being hugged by my sister, I turned around to thank someone who had told me about the train.

But.

“As always, there are some things that are a bit lacking, Hidetaka kun.”

I gasped when I saw her smiling at me.

“Amane……”

“Yeah, good morning Hidetaka kun. It’s been a while.”

The name of the girl there is Ayagawa Amane.

She was my childhood friend and ex-lover.

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