Can I please catch my breath? God if you're listening, please give me a break already.
The past few months of my first year in high school had been so eventful that I felt like the protagonist of a comedy show — one where the universe itself conspired against me. Seriously. Either that, or some higher beings were sadists who took pleasure in seeing me suffer.
First, there was the Cultural Festival Committee work, which took up a big chunk of my summer break. Then, I went and stabbed my own palm with a pair of sewing scissors like a madman. Which then led to the current situation with Natsukawa. There were also the applications to join the Student Council, and Shinonome's request from the other day.
My head felt like it was going to explode.
And now, my dad sat there, about to deliver the final blow by adding one more thing to my pile of problems. It's not that I couldn't refuse him, but that I didn't want to. He'd never asked me or Big Sis for favours before, so I didn't want to turn him down on the first occasion.
I decided to hear him out, and that I would genuinely help if I could.
Sitting at the dining table, he scratched his chin, as if deep in thought. He then cleared his throat and said:
"There's a... family celebration of sorts, that's hosted by my new company. I was given an extra invitation card to bring someone along. I think it would be a good idea to attend. Well... I'm probably expected to anyway."
"I... see. So you'd like to take one of us with you?"
"That's right" he nodded.
"Kaede has to prepare for her college entrance exams. I could ask for time off at work, but I fear for the state the house would be in if you two are left alone for a long time." said Mom.
"A long time? How long is this ceremony anyway? Isn't it just a one-day thing?"
"Nah, it's at a vacation house in Kyoto. You'll be there for a few days. It'll be early next year," said Big Sis.
Wait, I will be there?
I shot her a look, then turned to Dad, then to Mom. Judging from the way they all stared back at me, it seemed like it'd already been decided that I would go with Dad. And it's early next year, huh? Guess it's not something I had to worry about now.
I got up from the edge of the couch, walked over to its cushions, then plopped onto them with a sigh. The fabric was slightly worn but familiar, moulding around me like it had memorized my shape over the years. The cushions let out a small puff of air, as if sympathizing with me.
Oh well, it couldn't be helped. I would feel bad if Big Sis flunked her entrance exams because of this. And Mom had work and household duties to do. It only made sense that I would- wait... Did he have to take someone along with him?
"Dad, can't you just go alone? It's not like you have to take someone with you, right?"
I honestly didn't see why I had to go. It's a work-related event so, if anything, I'd probably just get in the way. I thought it'd be better for Dad to go alone. That way, he could focus on leaving a good impression with the new company's management, without me being there to distract him.
"Dear, it wouldn't be good for them to get the idea that our family situation isn't stable" said Mom, destroying my hopes with a single sentence.
I groaned. Right, of course. Corporate politics. Public appearances. All that stuff.
Though thinking about it thoroughly, it wasn't such a bad thing. I'd never been to Kyoto, as my Middle School trip was elsewhere. So, I thought it might end up being a fun experience.
With that thought in mind, I heaved a sigh.
"Alright, fine." I agreed. However, I decided that I would push this out of my mind for now. It was something the future Wataru had to handle.
After Dad promised to fill me in on more details later, I headed back to my bedroom, trying not to think about anything. I spent an agonizing few minutes attempting to change out of my outdoor clothes without hurting my left hand. After that, I sank into my bed.
I wasn't feeling too well, both physically and mentally. So I decided to take a nap till dinner time. However, just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard a knock at my door.
"..."
I decided to ignore it.
I already have one foot in dream-world after all. So surely... I can just...
My thoughts dissolved in my brain. The world around me softened. It became distant and muffled, as if I were sinking underwater.
Knock knock knock
Three knocks sounded again, louder than before. They yanked me right out of the warm bliss that I was slowly sinking into.
She's not going to leave, is she?
I got out of bed and opened the door, greeting Big Sis with a frown. But when I saw her face, my annoyance vanished. She had a complicated expression on her features - a mix between anticipation and concern.
"What's up?" I asked, tilting my head with curiosity.
She invited herself into my room and sat down on my bed, crossing her legs. She then motioned with her head and mouthed the words 'close the door'.
I nodded. She invaded my privacy, but I was getting pretty curious, so I decided to let it slide. After closing the door, I turned back to her.
"Judging from your reaction to the news earlier, you haven't got a clue what Dad's new job is and what it means for us." She whispered, despite the door being closed. She was acting differently than she usually did. Was there more to Dad's career change than I initially thought?
"And judging by your expression, this isn't just about being financially better off, is it?" I hazarded a guess.
She nodded.
"I never liked the students in the West. They're stuck up, arrogant and selfish. But you can't deny their capabilities."
Whoa, hold on! What did they have to do with this? She was taking this conversation in a direction I didn't expect at all.
"It's just a guess but... in your 2nd or 3rd year, you may need to..." She paused, looking me in the eyes with a serious expression.
"...take a step West."
"..."
I really had no idea what she was talking about, and wished she would stop being so cryptic. Was she implying that our social standing was going to increase at some point? I really didn't care about any of this.
"Look, weren't you the one who wanted to keep me out of the whole East versus West ordeal? Don't go dragging me into it now"
"You're so dense. How are you even my brother" she shook her head, as if disappointed. Also, that was my line!
"I'm not dragging you into anything. I'm giving you a warning. Because, from here on out, you might inadvertently get involved in those things more often" she explained.
"I... see. Okay then, thank you for the warning."
Big Sis didn't know it, but I'd spoken to Shinonome about this over lunch yesterday. I still had no intention of getting involved... Maybe. Unless my hand was forced. I had mixed feelings about what Shinonome had said to me, so it was something that I was still trying to process and think deeply about. Big Sis didn't need to know about any of this though.
"Oh, and one more thing. Dad's new company. Do you know who... do you know anything about it?"
"No" I replied. I hadn't asked Dad about it during the discussion earlier.
Big Sis looked deep in thought. Then she shook her head.
"Never mind. You should stay out of this as much as possible" and with that, she left my room.
For what felt like the hundredth time today, I let out a sigh. Putting my previous wish to be with Natsukawa aside, the one other thing I wished for was a peaceful, youthful high school life.
But apparently, that was too much to ask for.
I went back to bed, hoping sleep would come again. I stared at the ceiling, thinking of all that I just heard. Big Sis was acting strange. Though it made sense why this development in Dad's career would trigger a strong response from her.
That incident back in Middle School forever changed... her outlook of... life...
My thoughts turned to mush once again, as I drifted off to sleep.
*
I was woken up by Mom for dinner at around 7pm. I had only napped for about 30 minutes, but it was enough to make me feel much better. I didn't wanted to nap for longer anyway, as that would've affected my sleep schedule.
When I got to the kitchen, I saw that Dad wasn't at the table. When I casually ask Mom where he went, she said he had left for a work dinner.
"..."
On a Saturday? I thought to myself. He must have accepted the new offer a little while ago, if he's already started working extra and going out with the new management. His career progression was going to be tough, from the looks of it.
After dinner, I received an angry message from someone that I hadn't texted in a while. How did I know it was angry? Because it was followed by 4 angry yet cute-looking stickers
"I saw Sajocchi cheating *grumpy stickers*"
Huh? What did she mean by that? We had no exams or class quizes last week. So I shot her a response:
"Ashida, what do you mean?"
"We saw you with Ichinose-san at the shops yesterday"
Ah, she meant cheating in that way. That made more sense. Wait, no. That made absolutely no sense!
"I was buying you-know-what. Also, do you even know what cheating is? Who was I cheating on anyway?!"
"Dummy" she replied.
I then realized that she said 'we saw you'. Did she mean Nastukawa was with her?! When I asked her that, she got back to me almost immediately.
"Yep~"
"..."
I didn't want her to find out I was buying a present. But she probably thought I was helping Ichinose with buying a bookshelf. So she wouldn't have guessed... right?! Moments later, Ashida put my concerns to rest.
"Jokes, I made sure she didn't see you. Isn't there something you want to say to me?"
"Thank you very kindly, Ashida-sama" I was grateful to her, truly. I even sent her a cat sticker with its hands put together, it's head bowing slightly.
"Hehe. Anytime! So did you end up buying the ring?"
"Yes, but not just any ring. It's a unique accessory. You'll get to see it soon"
Natsukawa's birthday was on Tuesday. So 3 days from now. Just thinking about it made me nervous. But I was determined to give it to her and pull out all the stops. I had to make her cheer up, no matter what.
"Oo okay! Looking forward to it" she replied.
Just when I thought our text exchange was over, Ashida sent me another message.
"Also, you probably didn't notice anything but..."
She took a moment to follow that up with another message.
"...you were being followed at the shops yesterday."
We were... being followed?
A cold shiver went down my spine.