Chapter 426: I’ll Take Responsibility

Rinji made an absolutely lavish dinner. The siblings enjoyed every bite.

Although there weren't any extravagant ingredients, the quality was far beyond what they were used to. And with Rinji's excellent cooking skills, the meal was an absolute treat.

"Rinji-kun, you're amazing at cooking. Did you learn formally?"

"Sort of. I picked it up from my old man back in the day. Enough to get by," Rinji said as he started cleaning up. "Hina probably already told you a bit about me."

"Yeah… she said you want us to move to Minato with you."

"That's right. I can't feel at ease leaving you two alone here. But I also know you must have a lot of friends at school. Asking you to leave them is a big deal, and that's why the choice is yours."

"Just like you said, I've got a lot of friends at school. Leaving would be tough…"

Nagi let out a bitter smile.

"But... I also don't want to see Onee-chan continue suffering like this. If we can live better in Minato, I don't mind going there. It's just that I'll need time to get used to living there."

Both Hina and Nagi were far more mature than kids their age—probably a result of the pressure life had forced on them.

"You really don't need to feel pressured," said Rinji, taking out his phone and opening a map. "If you want to keep living here, that's totally fine. After all, it's still Tokyo—only a matter of subway distance. I just worry about you walking alone as a grade schooler."

He pointed to a spot on the map.

"There are three houses for sale right next to your elementary school. I've already bought one. You guys can move in there."

"...You can just buy a house like that?"

Thinking it through, Nagi realized this high schooler who was close to his sister's age was a student at Shuchiin—of course he must be rich.

But still, to buy a home in Tokyo as a student?

"Really, don't stress about it. I'm not here to force you into a life you don't want—I came here to take care of you two. If you're set on staying here, I'll consider moving over instead."

"You really don't need to go that far for us..."

After years of hardship, suddenly things felt like they were turning around today.

After finishing the dishes and hanging up his apron, Rinji checked the time.

"It's getting late. No need to decide right away. I'll be coming back over the next few days—think it over and let me know."

He opened the door, preparing to leave for his own place.

"I'll walk you out," said Hina, hurrying over to his side and slipping on her shoes.

---

Night fell, and the rain still hadn't stopped.

It had been raining since morning with no signs of stopping, grounding many flights in Tokyo.

Rinji and Hina walked side by side under an umbrella, the sound of raindrops tapping the fabric.

"Rinji, thank you for today."

"Don't say that. I only did what I was supposed to do," Rinji smiled. "In fact, I should be thanking you. If I hadn't found you, I don't know how much longer I would've lived in guilt."

"Still, thank you. Even if it's because of Dad, your help is real."

Once crushed by the pressure of surviving alone, Hina's life changed the moment Rinji arrived.

As someone who had to start working young to support her brother, she had experienced Tokyo's cold indifference firsthand. At her age, she never should've had to bear such cruelty.

Rinji was the first person who ever made her feel genuinely cared for.

"By the way, your ability—you don't use it anymore, do you?"

"Yeah. Ever since you told me to stop, I haven't," said Hina. "Though... sometimes I still feel a little unwilling."

"What do you mean?"

"I got this power a year ago, right after Mom passed away. The ability to clear the sky. I thought if I could use it to help people, that would be something really beautiful."

"I see..."

Rinji looked ahead.

She was so kind—completely unlike him.

If he had gotten such a power, his first thought would've been to militarize it—turn it into a weapon.

"There were times I'd see kids who wanted to go play, or elderly people wanting fresh air, all stuck inside because of the rain. And I just couldn't help but wish to make the sky clear."

She smiled softly.

"I know it's childish. And using the power would probably just cause trouble for you. So... I thought I'd stop."

"Hina."

Rinji, who had been silent, finally spoke and gently placed a hand on her head.

"I take back what I said before."

"Huh?"

"I don't know where your ability came from, but if you want to use it—then use it," Rinji said. "Telling you not to use it is the same as putting you in a cage."

"But you said—"

"Back then I hadn't really figured things out." Rinji smiled. "I was thinking, 'What if I lose you too?' In the end, that was just me running away. I thought pretending to be a normal person would help avoid trouble. But... it's unnecessary."

He turned to face her, speaking earnestly.

"Whatever you choose to do, I'll support you. And if one day things go wrong—I'll take responsibility."