chsdbacks Page 110
Page 110
"Sister..." Sato Miwako felt a sense of unfamiliarity upon hearing these words.
After all, she rarely hears those two words anymore.
"Mm." Fujita Maiko nodded slightly to Sato Miwako.
At that moment, Sato Miwako seemed to understand something. "I understand. You want me to recognize you as your sister, right?"
Upon hearing this, Fujita Maiko was slightly taken aback at first, and then her shoulders trembled slightly as if she had been tickled.
The laughter, initially suppressed, gradually became clearer, carrying a hint of helplessness and indulgence, spreading in the slightly cool air.
"Sato-senpai, you really are... as always, unable to grasp the main point." She turned her head, her eyes filled with amusement, looking at Sato Miwako beside her, who was even more embarrassed by the misunderstanding.
The blush on Sato Miwako's face hadn't faded when a new confusion arose. She blinked, "Could it be... that's not what you meant? You meant younger sister, older sister..."
“It’s not that I’m recognizing you as my younger sister,” Fujita Maiko said, her smile fading and her tone becoming gentle and serious. She reached out and gently grasped Miwako’s slightly cold fingers. “It’s me. Without realizing it, I’ve come to regard you as a very important older sister.”
"So, seeing that... well, indescribable atmosphere between you and Takada-senpai, I felt that subtle feeling, and I viewed it with the heart of a younger sister."
Fujita Maiko paused slightly, as if searching for a more accurate word, "I'm a little happy for my sister, and a little... a little jealous of the fear that my sister will be taken away?"
That's roughly the feeling.
"Sister...?"
Sato Miwako repeated the word softly, and it struck her heart again, bringing not unfamiliarity, but a heavy, warm feeling.
Since her father passed away, her personality has become more independent and assertive, and the role of "older sister" has been almost entirely absent from her life trajectory.
She is used to taking care of others and being the one they depend on, but she rarely has the opportunity to do so.
Or rather, I rarely allow myself to experience the feeling of being able to relax a little or even occasionally rely on my "older sister".
When did Fujita Maiko, this junior, this colleague, this girl who always appeared beside her with a gentle smile, quietly fill this void?
She grasped Maiko's hand in return, slightly increasing the pressure.
“Maiko, thank you…” This time, Miwako Sato didn’t address her by her full name. “I think… I understand what you mean.”
Her gaze passed over Fujita Maiko's shoulder and fell upon the streetlights that were beginning to illuminate the park, their glow appearing exceptionally gentle in the deepening twilight.
"I'm sorry, I was... too slow."
“It’s alright.” Fujita Maiko smiled, her eyes crinkling. “When it comes to feelings, whether it’s friendship or… love, Miwako-neechan can be a bit slow sometimes. It’s kind of cute.”
"Hey!"
Sato Miwako glared at her, feigning anger.
But there was no displeasure in his eyes; instead, a sense of ease shone through.
The heavy burden on my heart seemed to have been lifted considerably because of this conversation.
Sato Miwako was silent for a moment, as if she was organizing her thoughts, and then slowly spoke, her voice trembling slightly: "Takada-senpai... actually, I can't really explain it either."
"I just feel very safe when I'm with him."
"She is serious and reliable in her work, and very patient with her juniors. Sometimes she can understand what the other person needs with just a glance..." Her words were somewhat fragmented, trying to describe that hazy feeling of affection, but she always felt that she couldn't quite express it.
“Look, here we go,” Fujita Maiko said with a mischievous smile. “Only when talking about someone you like would you try so hard to describe how good they are.”
This time, Miwako Sato didn't refute, but simply sighed softly and acquiesced.
"But I don't know what he's thinking. And... are we... a good match?"
"How will you know if it's suitable or not if you don't try?"
Fujita Maiko softly encouraged, "Takada-senpai is a very good person, and so are you, Miwako-neechan. In my opinion, the scene is incredibly harmonious when you stand together."
She paused, her tone tinged with reminiscence, and said, "Do you remember when we first met last night?"
"Actually, there's something I haven't told you yet. Last night, I saw you and Senior Takada hiding behind us."
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Sato Miwako immediately became anxious and awkward. "But I clearly remember you saying last night that you didn't see the two of us!"
"Well..." Fujita Maiko said somewhat awkwardly, "I know about the relationship between you and Yumi-senpai, so I told Yumi-senpai a little lie last night."
"If Yumi-senpai finds out about this, things will get complicated."
"So I pretended not to see anything and went back. After that, I think you two probably know that I was dragged away by Yumi-senpai."
Seeing Sato Miwako's nervous expression, Fujita Maiko reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this."
"Besides, I'm telling you all this in the hope that you can see yourself clearly and have a deep understanding of yourself."
"So you were here so early..." Sato Miwako was somewhat surprised.
“Observation and intuition are my strengths.” Fujita Maiko raised her chin with a hint of pride, then said seriously, “So, Miwako-neechan, don’t be afraid.”
“If you like someone, try to get closer to them and understand them. No matter the outcome, at least you won’t have any regrets. And…” Fujita Maiko squeezed Sato Miwako’s hand, her voice firm and warm, “No matter what happens, I will stand by your side. As your sister, and even more so, as your close comrade-in-arms.”
The sky had long been swallowed by inky blue.
The lamplight cast long, intertwined shadows of the two people.
A night breeze blew by, carrying with it the scent of fallen cherry blossoms and earth, gently ruffling their hair.
Sato Miwako sat quietly, feeling the warmth from her hands and the unwavering support of those around her.
A frozen corner deep within my heart seemed to be quietly melted by this warmth.
She is not alone.
She has a younger sister who is happy for her, worries about her, and calls her "older sister".
This realization filled her with even more courage than she had imagined.
"Thank you, Fujita Maiko." After a long silence, Sato Miwako said softly, her voice regaining its usual clarity, but with a soft firmness, "I think... I know what to do."
"What are you planning to do?" Fujita Maiko asked curiously as she leaned closer.
Sato Miwako tilted her head slightly, a sly glint in her eyes, like a cat finally deciding to strike. "First... I need to find an opportunity to thank him for taking care of me all this time. I can't just keep pretending I don't remember, can I?"
"Wow! I've got it!" Fujita Maiko clapped her hands exaggeratedly, attracting curious glances from passersby not far away. "I hope what I just told you will have a happy ending for you."
“Haha…” Fujita Maiko chuckled softly, looking at Sato Miwako, “It’s almost like you’ve asked for a favor.”
"Because I cannot make any choice for you in this matter."
"I'm sorry, I saw your embarrassing situation last night."
"Keep your voice down!" Sato Miwako quickly covered her mouth, and couldn't help but laugh herself. Later, tears welled up in her eyes unintentionally. "That's not true at all. So nothing happened between me and Takada-senpai last night. Please don't misunderstand me."
"Maiko Fujita, thank you so much."
Seeing tears falling one by one from Sato Miwako's eyes, Fujita Maiko reached out and gently stroked her head: "I understand your feelings perfectly."
"It's so wonderful to have fallen for Takada-senpai." Sato Miwako wiped away her tears, mustered her courage, and reached out to give herself a boost. "Okay! I'll do my best. To avoid regretting it in the future, I'll listen to you and try my best to pursue Takada-senpai."
Chapter 133 A Chance Encounter at the Bookstore
"As expected, this is the Sato-senpai I know." Fujita Maiko looked at Sato Miwako, whose eyes were shining, and breathed a sigh of relief: "I should also move forward quickly."
Sato Miwako gently leaned against Fujita Maiko's chest and slowly fell asleep.
However, after the two of them returned to the hotel, Sato Miwako overheard others commenting on Takada Yuki and Miyamoto Yumi: "Did those two do something unintentionally? Why do they seem a little strange?"
Looking at the scene before her, Sato Miwako hesitated for a moment. Although she felt that something was strange, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
……
Time flew by, and the next morning, after saying goodbye to Fujita Maiko and the others, Takada Yuuki and the others returned to their respective apartments.
"No, I can't." Miyamoto Yumi was skillfully tidying her clothes and said softly, "After that, I think about what happened that day every day."
Immediately, the extremely intimate scene with Takada-senpai last night unconsciously surfaced in Miyamoto Yumi's mind.
"Oh no..." Miyamoto Yumi blushed and lowered her head. "Why did I do such a thing? Luckily, I'm not in the same department as Takada-senpai, or I would have been in big trouble."
In fact, Yumi Miyamoto understood because she was also quite anxious at that time.
As they talked, they unconsciously recalled those moments from last night.
Even though there were some things that Miwako didn't tell her, Miyamoto Yumi understood that Takada-senpai and she definitely had a relationship that she knew about.
Yumi Miyamoto went outside to the balcony, hung up the washed clothes, and pondered.
After all, Takada-senpai is Miwako's superior and they work in the same department, so it's possible that they might have some kind of complicated feelings for each other.
Strictly speaking, I am actually the outsider.
"Damn it, what should I do now?" Yuuki Takada sat on the bed, unable to help but recall what happened last night.
Surprisingly, Yumi Miyamoto took the initiative to kiss him back then.
She didn't seem to mind.
To be honest, that feeling did make him a little excited for a moment.
However... he still tried to dissuade Miyamoto Yumi.
In the end, Yumi Miyamoto kept apologizing to him.
Yuuki Takada simply said, "Go back."
So, what exactly was Yumi Miyamoto thinking?
Why would she do something so unusual?
Right now, Yuki Takada doesn't know what to do either.
Forget it, forget it, I'll just clear my head and go out to buy a coffee to perk myself up.
A gentle breeze blew through the early summer morning, carrying a hint of coolness that dispelled the slight restlessness in Yuuki Takada's heart.
He walked aimlessly down the street, his hands in his trench coat pockets and his head down.
This time, instead of going to the 24-hour convenience store near his apartment, he went further afield.
His mind was still a mess, and the image of Miyamoto Yumi's blushing face and her eyes filled with complex emotions kept intruding into his thoughts.
He shook his head, trying to banish those images and focus on the road beneath his feet.
Soon, Yuki Takada spotted the vending machine and walked straight towards it. He glanced at it through the glass window and picked up a can of black coffee with a clear purpose.
As he inserted the coin, a can of black coffee slid slowly down the track to the exit with a clang.