Chapter 8: A Nigh With Two Sisters

At the apartment, while Akie explained about Akari's second year of middle school and how things might have changed after the incident…

— "So you're telling me that this incident may have led Akari to change into the person she is now?" I asked, leaning slightly forward.

— "Exactly. And it has the highest possibility," Akie nodded, her expression serious.

— "Well, spill the tea already then." I crossed my arms, trying to sound casual, but the curiosity was clear in my tone.

She took a deep breath, held it for a second, then exhaled slowly, preparing herself.

— "So listen, it all started the next year after we moved to Tokyo. I was in my last year of elementary school, and Akari was in her second year of middle school. At that time, we still didn't know we were half-sisters."

— "So this is the year you finally found out? And you told me it was because of you, right?"

— "Yeah, but it was unintentional," she muttered.

— "Unintentional?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

— "It was just… a random day of summer," she said dramatically.

I couldn't help it—I choked on my own breath trying not to laugh at how seriously she said it.

She narrowed her eyes at me, already annoyed.

— "What's so funny, huh?"

I turned away, trying to hide my grin behind my hand.

— "It's just the way you said 'a random day of summer'—like you're a narrator in a drama or something."

— "Would you please be serious? Or I'm not telling you anything," she huffed.

— "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. You continue, I'll shut up now." I mimed zipping my lips and sat straighter.

She took another breath, then continued.

— "So that day, my dad was home. He doesn't usually stay at the house because of work, only comes back on off-days."

I listened carefully, nodding now and then.

— "He was sitting with my mom in their room. It was just a little after noon."

— "Could you please stop with the unnecessary details and just get to the point?" I said with mild annoyance.

— "This is important, you know! Can you just listen without interrupting every five seconds?" she snapped.

I sighed, reluctantly motioning for her to keep going.

— "They were talking about how much me and Big Sis had grown up. It was a wholesome conversation. I was at the dining table, kind of eavesdropping, when I heard something totally unexpected."

— "What did they say?"

— "My dad was commenting on how alike me and Akari looked, and then my mom said something like, 'Even after being half-blooded.' They both laughed it off… but I heard it all."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

— "So that's how you found out you were half-sisters? Damn. What were you feeling in that moment?"

— "Nothing," she replied flatly.

— "Huh?"

— "I felt nothing because I didn't even know what 'half-blood' meant."

— "Seriously? You act more mature than your age. I thought you'd get it right away."

— "Ohh, thanks," she replied, a little smugly.

— "It wasn't supposed to be a compliment," I muttered.

— "Anyway, since I didn't know what it meant, I had to ask Akari," she said, crossing her legs.

— "Oh hell no. So that's how Akari found out—and it was because of you."

— "Stop spoiling the explanation!" she sighed, rolling her eyes.

— "So I went to Akari's room. She was studying at her desk. I walked in and casually asked, 'What is a half-blood sister?' She looked at me and said, 'Why?' I just said I was curious."

Akie leaned forward a bit as she spoke, recalling everything clearly.

— "She thought for a second, then replied, 'It's like sisters who only share one parent. You won't understand it now.' I didn't really get it, so I asked again, 'Are we half-blood sisters?'"

— "She shook her head and smiled, 'Why would we be half-blood sisters? Did you watch something weird on TV or something?'"

Akie's smile faded as she continued.

— "Then I told her what I overheard—'Earlier, Mom said to Dad how we look alike even after being half-blood.' And the moment I said that, I saw her expression change. Her smile vanished instantly."

She clasped her hands tightly together.

— "She blinked a few times and asked, 'What?' I told her again, and then she just stood up from her desk and walked straight to our parents' room. I followed her."

I imagined the scene in my head, heart tightening a bit.

— "She stormed into the room and said, 'Mom, what is she saying?' Both of them looked confused and panicked. Then Akari said, 'Are we half-blood sisters?' Mom looked shocked—like frozen. She tried to avoid it, but Akari pointed at me and said, 'She wouldn't lie about something she heard. She's not like that.' Then… she took a deep breath and asked, 'Are you even my real mother, Mom?'"

Akie lowered her voice at the last part.

— "They immediately shut the door, locking it, leaving me outside. I don't know what they said to her. But later… I found out we were half-sisters."

She paused, her eyes a bit distant.

— "Looking back now, I think I understand what Big Sis must've felt then."

I stayed quiet for a while, letting her words sink in.

— "I know how it feels to realize the father you've trusted all your life… isn't really yours. That kind of truth breaks something inside."

— "For me, it was just finding out that my sister isn't fully my sister. But for her… she questioned everything. Her family, her identity, her past," Akie said softly.

— "I used to think Akari turned into some arrogant, bratty girl. But now that I'm seeing things clearer… I want to understand her. I want to know what changed her so much. The girl she used to be…"

A flicker of a memory passed through my mind—our childhood days. Her laughter. Her old self.

— "Nobody changes without a reason. And if I'm going to live with her for six months, I want to know that reason. I'll do anything to know that reason."

Akie blushed faintly, her eyes flicking away for a second.

Why is he suddenly acting so cool?

She shook the thought out of her head and replied quickly.

— "I get it. You want to understand her. But to do that, you'll have to be around her more. Get close. But Akari's not easy to open up."

I let out a tired sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.

— "That's the problem. She's so hard to get along with but I'll find a way."

Just then, the battery on Akie's phone gave out with a dull beep.

— "Ugh, crap. I was scrolling all day," she groaned.

It suddenly hit me—we'd been talking all this time, but I hadn't asked what her main reason for coming here even was.

— "By the way, I never asked—why did you even come here?"

She blinked, as if just realizing how long she'd been waiting.

— "Right! I also just remembered—where the hell is Big Sis?!"

Meanwhile, beside the subway station… inside a taxi

Akari sat quietly in the backseat, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag.

Her eyes stayed fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, but her mind was racing.

Oh no. I'm getting way too worried now. But I just can't trust anyone I barely know. Yeah, he was my childhood friend or whatever… but it's been six years since then. We're strangers now.

I should probably call Akie 

She reached into her bag and quickly pulled out her phone, unlocking it with haste. She dialed Akie's number.

The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable…

Her screen flashed the message: Phone powered off.

— "What…? Her phone's dead?" she whispered, now visibly more tense.

Akari bit her lip, her eyes scanning the road outside again.

Akie, please be safe…

Her heart pounded with every second.

Back at the apartment again…

— "So you're saying she told you to wait till 3 PM at the apartment? It's 6 PM already!" I said, a little wide-eyed.

— "Don't you know where she is?" she asked, glancing at me.

— "Well, I last saw her at…" I paused, remembering the café scene. The embarrassing moment flashed across my mind, and I quickly shook it off.

— "I saw her with a friend of hers at a café. Maybe they went to hang out—they'll be back."

Akie looked down at her phone and frowned.

— "Time passed way too quickly talking to you. I totally forgot the reason I came here… otherwise I would've called Akari a long time ago."

She rolled her eyes and then noticed the phone in my hand.

— "Hey, why don't I just call from your phone?"

I glanced at my phone and held it out instinctively.

— "Yeah, sure." But just before she could take it, a sudden realization hit me. I pulled it back quickly.

— "Actually, you shouldn't."

— "Huh? Why?"

— "I don't think it'd be appropriate to call her number using my phone without her permission."

Akie narrowed her eyes at me.

— "It's not that big of a deal, you know. You're being too hypocritical."

— "I know it's not… but Akari is the kind of person who can get mad over small things."

— "Okay, I'll delete the number after calling," she said, trying to convince me.

— "But she'll get the wrong idea. She'll think I gave you my phone to call just to get the number."

— "I don't think she'll think that far."

— "She can think that far."

While the argument was heating up, Akari was already outside the building. It had started raining all of a sudden, the downpour heavy and unexpected. She quickly got out of the taxi, pulled her bag close, and ran up the apartment stairs.

The sky had been clear just moments ago, and now it was pouring like crazy.

She rushed to the second floor, her footsteps echoing lightly on the wet concrete. Reaching the door, soaked and annoyed, she immediately rang the bell.

Just when the bell rang we both froze,

— "It's your sister, alright," I said, getting up from the couch and heading to the door.

— "If it's not Big Sis, then we're calling with your phone," she smirked.

I looked back at her mid-step.

— "I don't bet on stuff like that.

Akari Smakced the door one or two time,

— "What the hell is taking you so long?! What are you doin—"

I swing open the door before she could even finish her words,

She stopped mid-sentence as she saw me standing there. Her eyes met mine for the briefest moment before she rolled them and brushed past me to enter the apartment.

Her gaze shifted to Akie sitting comfortably on the couch, completely fine.

— "I'm so sorry, Akie. I totally forgot about you being here."

— "It's okay. I was worried about you. I'm just glad you're alright."

I watched the scene unfold from behind, leaning slightly on the wall.

So Akari does have a soft side..For Her Sister 

Akari let out a breath of relief, then asked:

— "Why was your phone dead?"

— "I've been scrolling since morning. It died like 20–30 minutes ago, and I totally forgot to call you," Akie replied with a sheepish grin.

— "I'm so ashamed I forgot about it. It must've been pretty boring for you."

— "Nope! I didn't feel bored at all. Thanks to Kazuma-senpai."

Akari turned to look at me. I instinctively looked away, still not ready to face her after the café mess.

She smiled quietly to herself.

He proved me wrong again.

Turning back to her sister, she said:

— "Well, I guess that might be true. But he didn't do anything stupid, right?" she asked, giggling.

— "Yeah… sometimes," Akie replied, laughing.

From the back, I let out a dry smile.

— "Yeah, so hilarious," I muttered and looked away.

Suddenly, Akie stood up.

— "Anyways, where's the washroom?"

In perfect sync, both Akari and I replied:

— "Right over there, beside the kitchen."

We blinked, glancing at each other awkwardly before immediately turning our eyes away.

Then, again in sync:

— "And don't forget to lock the door."

Akie raised a brow and chuckled.

— "Okay, okay!" she said, walking off.

Akari walked past me again. I wanted to say something—maybe apologize—but I hesitated. It didn't feel like the right time.

But then she stopped mid-step, not turning around.

— "Hey, Kazuma."

I turned, unsure why she was addressing me.

— "Yes?"

— "Thanks for taking care of my sister today. I appreciate it."

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

— "She was a guest in the house. It was my responsibility."

— "I figured," she replied simply, then quietly entered her room and shut the door.

Akari slammed her head onto the pillow, totally exhausted. It was her first official day in this "new life."

She reached for her phone but was too tired to even lift it. Rolling over, she stared up at the ceiling. All she could think about was Kazuma.

Why does he always act like such a good guy? It pisses me off.

I feel like he's pretending.

Like he's faking it.

And yet… why can't I prove it?

She shook her head and tried to push the thoughts away.

— It's not like he's staying in my life forever, she muttered to herself. Just six months… and we're strangers again.

Meanwhile, Akie stepped out of the washroom. The first thing that caught her eyes was Kazuma standing in the kitchen.

She casually walked over to him.

— "You're searching for something to eat?"

— "Searching for something to cook," I replied, scanning the cabinets.

Her eyes widened.

— "You know how to cook?"

— "Well, I do know how to make most dishes."

— "That's unusual. It's rare to see a boy who actually cooks."

I raised an eyebrow.

— "Yeah, maybe. But I've loved cooking since I was a kid. It just feels good to know how to take care of yourself… and maybe others too."

She leaned in a little and whispered like it was a secret.

— "You know, Akari doesn't know how to cook."

At that exact moment, Akari stepped out of her room—and heard the tail end of that.

— "Hey! Who doesn't know how to cook?"

She walked into the kitchen area, arms lightly swinging by her sides.

— "You don't know how to cook. And that's true," Akie replied bluntly.

Akari tried to defend herself, a little flustered.

— "That's not true! I do know how to cook… well, a little."

I crossed my arms, amused.

— "What can you cook, then?"

She looked at me for a second but avoided direct eye contact.

— "Well… I can make tea. And rice. And um… some small snacks."

— "Those aren't considered real cooking," Akie said with a smirk.

— "They do count!" Akari rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

She suddenly shifted the topic.

— "So, Mom sent you here to give me what?"

Akie blinked, remembering.

— "Oh, right! She told me to give you this."

She handed over a full tiffin box—most likely dinner, still warm.

I stood behind them, thinking, So that's why she came? She could've just told me that earlier.

— "Mom was worried that you wouldn't eat anything from outside, so she asked me to give you this," Akie explained.

— "Thanks… but doesn't that mean you'll have to come here every day to give me food?"

— "I guess I have to…"

She suddenly turned to me.

— "Wait, Kazuma-senpai knows how to cook, right?"

Both girls looked at me, and Akie grinned.

— "Why don't you be the cook?"

— "Me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

— "Akie, why would he be my cook?"

Akie rolled her eyes at her sister.

— "I mean, you guys live in one apartment with only one kitchen. Why not live like proper roommates?"

— "Together?" we both said at the same time.

— "Yeah. One does the grocery shopping, one does the cooking, and one does the dishes. It'll make your six months way easier."

We both paused, thinking. She had a point.

Akari suddenly blushed as a random thought popped into her head, but she quickly shook it away.

No, no. It's just practical. That's all. Roommates, nothing else.

I looked at Akie and she winked at me, I Know exactly what she's doing 

Then I looked at Akari with a calm expression.

— "It's simple. You can do the dishes, and I'll cook for you."

She looked the other way, trying not to seem too agreeable.

— "Fine. I don't mind."

Akie laughed. Before saying

— "Anyway, I guess I have to leave now. It's already 7:30, I've got a train to catch."

— "Hey, there's heavy rain outside," I said. "And the trains to Shibuya are delayed until 10 PM."

— "What?!" She quickly pulled out her phone.

— "Oh no, how am I supposed to leave now?"

Akari walked up and placed a hand on Akie's shoulder.

— "I'm not letting my little sister head out this late in the rain. Just stay here tonight. You can sleep next to me."

— "For real?"

— "You can even stay in my room. I don't mind taking the couch for a night," I offered.

— "Nope! She's staying with me! It's been so long since we've slept together like this."

— "Thank you so much, you guys," Akie said, beaming.

Then she looked at me with playful curiosity.

— "Since I'm staying here, I wanna know—what dishes can you actually cook? Show me!"

— "With pleasure."

She joined me in the kitchen, while Akari stood at a distance, watching me quietly.

How… how can someone be this nice all the time? He makes it too easy for people to get attached. Something I could never do.

I know I can't trust people easily… but something about him is different. He's nothing like the people I've known before..

It feels like I can trust him without hesitation 

The flashes of her middle school classmates came flooding in—those painful, mocking eyes. The kind of damage that doesn't heal easily.

She shook her head, trying to erase the images.

Suddenly, she saw Kazuma standing in front of her, looking into her eyes.

— "Don't you wanna learn cooking too? Could come in handy."

She looked away, flustered.

— "I don't need your help for that."

— "You could still learn a dish or two, y'know."

— "Like I said, I don't need your help."

I smiled and turned back to Akie to continue prepping the food.

A few seconds later, Akari slowly walked over and stood beside Akie.

I looked at her and almost laughed.

— "Didn't you say you didn't need any help?"

— "Big sis, you really need to learn a thing or two from him," Akie said with a cheeky smile.

Akari crossed her arms and looked away.

— "I'm just here to see how pathetic your dish turns out. Not that I care."

— "Yes, yes. Watch closely," I replied, grinning.

Me and Akie laughed while Akari stood there, looking half-annoyed and half-intrigued.

And just like that, me, Akie, and Akari were all under the same roof for the night.

But the night wasn't over yet…

It had just begun.