29-88

EP.88 Before the Festival 

“Wahaha! This is way better than I expected! Hey, Akari, you’re filming properly, right?” 

A hot afternoon sun blazed down. 

On the round sandy track inside the ranch, Daiki, riding a small pony, shouted in an excited voice and waved at me like a child. 

“Yeah! I’m filming just fine, don’t worry!” 

Standing outside the fence, I waved back with one hand while holding my phone’s camera in the other. 

Even though the ranch owner was walking the pony slowly by the reins, Daiki posed as if he were a jockey galloping across a vast prairie. 

“When was he disappointed there weren’t any racehorses, and now look at him.” 

He looked a bit ridiculous on the pony, given his size, but seeing how much he enjoyed it made the reservation worthwhile. 

Just then, Yuu, standing next to me, tugged my sleeve. 

“Sis, when do I get to ride a horse? I want to go soon…” 

“After Daiki’s turn, you’re next, so just wait a little longer, okay?” 

“Okay!” 

I patted Yuu’s head and turned my attention back to the phone camera. 

“Oh my, look who it is!” 

The ranch owner’s wife, who was carrying milk cans inside, spotted us and approached cheerfully. 

She’d been close to our family since Yuu and I were little. 

“Hello, ma’am. How have you been? I should have visited sooner, I’m sorry.” 

“Oh, don’t say that! It’s not easy coming all the way out to this rural corner from your busy city life.” 

She laughed and patted my back warmly. 

“And my, you’ve become such a beauty. City air must be good for you, dear.” 

“Oh, come on, ma’am… You’re still young yourself!” 

“Oh? Your wit’s gotten sharper too, I see. Hohoho.” 

As we chatted, Daiki’s startled scream rang out from the track. 

Looking over, I saw the previously calm pony suddenly acting up. 

“Uh, sir, help! I’m going to fall!” 

“Don’t panic, calm down. If you get excited, the horse gets more startled too.” 

The owner quickly calmed the pony, and Daiki, gripping the reins tightly, exhaled in relief. 

“Whew.” 

“Ha ha, a grown man shouldn’t be so scared, you know?” 

The owner’s hearty laugh made the ranch wife gesture at Daiki. 

“Is that young man your boyfriend? He’s handsome, but a bit of a chicken for his size. Hohoho.” 

I couldn’t help but laugh at her joke. 

“And that kid next to you… Is he a relative? Up close, he looks just like your little brother did as a child!” 

My smile faded instantly. 

My heart dropped for no reason. 

“Ah, haha. He does look similar, right? I get confused sometimes too.” 

“Yuu used to ride horses so well and was such an active kid. It feels like just yesterday he was running around here. Time flies.” 

“…Yeah. He was.” 

I managed to answer, but couldn’t look her in the eye anymore. 

Unaware of my complicated feelings, she kept talking warmly. 

“How’s Yuu doing? I thought he’d come today.” 

“Well, he’s had a bad summer cold lately.” 

“Oh dear. Summer colds are tough. But it’s lucky you’re here now, Akari.” 

“Yeah, I guess so. Haha…” 

Each answer felt like it took a year off my life. 

Meanwhile, Yuu just smiled, watching the track. 

“Oh, I almost forgot! I need to finish moving these. Have fun, and before you leave, make sure to try our fresh milk and homemade cheese they’re delicious.” 

“Thank you, ma’am. I will.” 

She left, carrying the milk cans. 

“Sigh. That was nerve-wracking.” 

If this ever became a village rumor, it would be a disaster. 

But Fumika said Yuu would return to normal soon… 

“Ah.” 

A thought crossed my mind, and I glanced at Yuu, gazing past the fence. 

Yeah. 

Yuu would return to his original self soon. 

That was a good thing. 

‘…But if he returns, will he remember everything? Even all the things we did at night?’ 

If so… what would I do then? How could I face him? 

Could we really go back to being just step-siblings, like before? After all that? 

Maybe… 

“Sis!” 

Yuu’s loud voice pulled me from my thoughts. 

“I’ve been calling you why aren’t you answering?” 

“Oh, sorry. What is it?” 

He looked around, then whispered, 

“…I need to go to the bathroom.” 

“What?” 

That wasn’t just about the bathroom. 

After the past few days, I knew exactly what he wanted. 

And my suspicion was confirmed by the obvious bulge in Yuu’s pants. 

“You… even here…!” 

I was speechless. 

Here I was, seriously worrying about our future, and this shameless kid… 

“Can’t I?” 

“Ugh.” 

But as he tilted his head innocently, my irritation faded and a warmth spread in my belly. 

I was annoyed at myself for this. 

“Sigh. Just this once, okay?” 

Even as I said it, I laughed at myself. 

How many times had I made this promise? 

I was scared by how used to this I was becoming. 

“Okay!” 

Yuu nodded brightly. 

I really didn’t know anymore. 

I’d just deal with it when the time came. 

“Daiki! Yuu needs the bathroom, so I’ll go with him!” 

Daiki just gave an OK sign from the pony. 

Was it lucky or unlucky that he didn’t care? 

Half resigned, I took Yuu’s hand and headed to the small, secluded clearing behind the ranch’s bathroom. 

My steps were a little faster than usual. 

After the horseback riding and our secret tryst at the ranch, we hurried home. 

The sky was glowing with sunset, and the village was busier than usual with festival preparations. 

Colorful lanterns were already strung up, and the sound of flutes made my heart flutter. 

I’d never experienced a Japanese festival before. 

I was looking forward to it. 

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much, but it was way more fun than I thought. Maybe I’ll try a racetrack when I get back to Tokyo.” 

Daiki, surprisingly pleased with the experience, chattered about the ranch. 

He must have been dopamine-deprived in the countryside. 

“I’m glad you had fun.” 

Akari, keeping up with Daiki’s chatter, kept clearing her throat probably still sore from what she’d done with her mouth at the ranch. 

She kept shooting me annoyed looks. 

It wasn’t my fault she told me to finish quickly, and I did. 

“Hey~!” 

Just then, I saw Honoka waving at us from a distance. 

She wore a revealing tank top and hot pants that suited her curvy figure. 

Daiki couldn’t take his eyes off her, even with his girlfriend right there. 

“Hey, sis! We just got back from the ranch horseback riding.” 

“Oh, sounds fun.” 

She didn’t seem that interested. 

“Where are you coming from, leaving the shop?” 

“Oh, I had to order some things for my festival booth.” 

“You’re running a booth? That’s unusual for you.” 

“Fumika and everyone else think so too. I don’t really want to, but someone has to.” 

Akari seemed to get it and smiled awkwardly. 

“Anyway, I can’t just sell store-bought snacks. I’m thinking of making something the kids will like.” 

“What’s on the menu?” 

“Secret. You’ll have to come to the festival to find out.” 

“That makes me more curious.” 

“I’ll give you a special service if you come.” 

Then, Honoka looked at me with a sly smile. 

“Hey, Yuu. If you’re free during the festival, help me out.” 

“Help?” 

“Yeah. I don’t think Fumika and I can handle it alone. We could use a boy to help.” 

She walked over and hugged me tightly. 

“Just what I needed.” 

Her sweet scent and soft, ample chest pressed against my head. 

But before I could enjoy it, Akari quickly pulled me to her side. 

“Tch, too bad.” 

“Oh?” 

“Honoka, Yuu’s still a kid he’d just get in the way. Maybe you should find someone else.” 

Akari’s voice was sharper than usual, and Honoka just grinned. 

Sparks seemed to fly between them. 

I watched with interest. 

“Really? He seemed strong enough when we played at home. Even I was worn out.” 

“Work stamina is different. What if he messes up?” 

“It’s just moving things and keeping us company. Easy.” 

She pulled me back to her side. 

“And I’m not making him work for free. I’ll pay him with something special.” 

She whispered in my ear, her voice full of temptation. 

“But… he’s still a kid…” 

“When did you start doting on your little brother so much?” 

“That’s not it! I just…” 

“Uh, Honoka?” 

Daiki suddenly interrupted. 

I was enjoying the tension, but he just barged in. 

“If you need help, I can do it. I’m strong.” 

He ogled Honoka’s chest. 

Akari glared. 

Honoka waved him off. 

“Oh, I think Yuu’s enough. And you should be with Akari during the festival, right?” 

She politely but firmly rejected him. 

Akari looked anxious, like a child afraid of losing her favorite toy. 

“Well, there are still two weeks until the festival. Think about it.” 

Honoka ruffled my hair and walked away. 

Akari watched her go, looking uneasy. 

“Sis, can I help Honoka at the festival?” 

I asked brightly, and she snapped, 

“Do whatever you want! You don’t need my permission!” 

She stomped off home. 

Her feisty but cute back made me smile. 

Just thinking about the festival night made me excited already.