Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5612jg/41/
“My little brother has been acting cocky lately, what do you think I should do about it?”
When the two of us were copying each other’s summer vacation assignments at Kinako’s house, she suddenly said something like that.
Miyu was not attending the meeting because she was going to do it alone.
“Like punching him once?”
“Kaour;s idea is scary～”
I don’t like being told such a thing.
I don’t have a brother, let alone a younger brother.
“It’s normal for me～, but it’s really hard on my mom～”
“How old is your little brother?”
“He’s in sixth grade.”
“That’s normal for a boy of that age.”
“That’s true, but～”
He seemed to be more distressed than I had expected.
It can’t be helped.
Let me take a step back here.
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Even during summer vacation, there is no such thing as a daily schedule.
There is always free time.
This is the time to get a part-time job and earn money.
This is another step toward independence.
“Hmmm…”
Sasagawa, who is also working part-time, is standing next to me, and ever since she came to work, she has been groaning while thinking about something.
“What’s wrong? Something bothering you?”
I don’t know if I can solve it, but sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone.
“It’s not about me?”
“Then whose is it?”
“Kinako.”
Hearing that name makes me nervous for a moment.
It is because it reminds me of what she said to me a few days ago.
Since that day, Ayaka and I have been slightly awkward.
Well, it’s not that we were originally close…
“What’s wrong with Wado?”
“She said that his brother’s attitude was too harsh. It’s normal for his age, but Kinako is troubled.”
Sasagawa, who can be so sincere about other people’s problems, is a saint after all.
I wish she would stop being late for work because of it, but….
“Is your family close, Kenchi?
“My dad and I don’t get along.
“How about your mother?”
“I don’t know about my mother.”
With my stepmother, it’s normal, but I don’t even remember what my real mother looks like anymore.
I don’t even have a picture of her, so I can’t remember her.
“What about you and Ayaka chan?”
I could not answer that question immediately.
If it had been right after I entered high school, I would have said we didn’t get along without hesitation.
But what about these days?
I think we have been having more conversations.
“…Not bad?”
I gave her a half-hearted answer.
“That’s a weird answer. I mean, what do you mean you don’t know your mother?”
“I have a stepmother now. Formally.”
“Eh !? Is that so !?”
I’m not hiding anything from her, so when I tell her about our relationship, she is truly surprised.
“I don’t see her as a mother, but I don’t really dislike her, so I’m honestly not interested in her.”
“Wow, Kenchi must be a surprisingly hard worker~”
I don’t have that much trouble, but, well, having your mother switched three times, does that mean you’re having a hard time?
“What about Ayaka chan? Is she your stepmother’s daughter?”
“Yes, she is. I’m just saying that she’s my sister for formality.”
“What do you mean by formality?”
“I mean it as it is. She’s just my sister formally, but in reality we’re strangers.”
That line has to be drawn.
“Hmm. That being said, you’re still very close.
“It just looks that way.”
Yes. It just looks that way.
I don’t know about Ayaka, but I almost never talk to Ayaka about my true feelings.
I’m a stranger to her.
There is no way we can understand each other.
“Don’t you wanna meet your real mother?”
“I don’t think so.”
I used to think about it.
But I had no love for a mother I couldn’t even remember.
Once I realized this, I naturally lost the desire to know.
“I mean, why are we even talking about this? We’re talking about Wado’s brother, right?”
“That’s right.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Kinako said that he has a cold attitude, that he often comes home late after going out to play, and he stays over at a friend’s house every day. she asked him which house it was and he wouldn’t tell her.
But she said it sounds like the other kids are with him, and he comes home the next morning, so I’m worried, but I don’t think it’s an incident or anything.”
When I heard that, I had a bad feeling.
My heart beat faster and I could picture that woman’s face.
I have no reason to believe it.
But I can’t help but see her face.
“Kenchi? You don’t look so good.”
“…..I’m fine. I think they should give Wado’s brother a stern talking-to. I’m sorry, I feel a little sick, I’m gonna go rest.”
“Uh-huh.”
I got the owner’s permission and went to the staff room to lie down.
All the while, that woman’s fearless smile was stuck in my head.
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