“If you’re worried about something, won’t you talk to your big brother? If you call, big brother will come like the wind.”
The top of my head was gently stuck as a calm voice followed. When I slowly looked back, my big brother was smiling.
Why is he here I thought about it for a moment, and it’s because Makoto apparently met him this morning. I suppose he would’ve been nearby.
However, this was so sudden that my mind couldn’t catch up. If he hadn’t met her…this was lucky, though.
I have to say it..Should I settle it? I need to be honest.
“Th, Thanks a lot. You saved me. Big brother…”
While looking up at him, I said it, but from embarrassment, I quickly turned away.
“How many years has it been since you thanked me? Your big brother is happy…”
His tone was calmer than usual. However, it caused to be to tremble a bit.
———
Without humiliating myself, I was able to peacefully walk out of the convenience store with my brother.
My brother, who was saying nothing as he walked beside me with a grin, was wearing a different suit and jacket from when I last saw him,
I have to say something. Due to the tough decision of being honest, I have to settle the past, even if it’s just a little.
But in spite of being up to it, I don’t really know what to say.
During my thought process, we arrived in front of an unusual park.
What is this park? We’re way out of my apartment area, so I’m not really sure.
I may have passed that area on some level, but I don’t go out this far to know the area.
“Aoi, do you have time? If so, I’d like to speak with you. Is around this park fine?
My brother paused and looked directly at me.
In embarrassment, I turned away and gave a silent nod.
“If you have something to do, we can do it another time…”
My brother gave a worried tone.
“I, It’s fine….”
I forced a smile with my reply.
“I, In that case…”
Facing the other way, his voice trembled and we began to enter the park.
He would usually turn away and smile saying, ”That’s good.”
Is he perhaps angry? Angry because I didn’t answer precisely? Maybe I gave attitude?
No, it’s impossible for my brother to get upset over that. But even if there was a possibility, the anger he would have slowly gathered from me would cause him to explode right then and there.
In a hurry, I dashed right behind my brother.
If I were stubborn, I could’ve made an excuse and ran away, but honestly, I’m uneasy.
When thinking about how he looked at me, I become afraid.
Becoming honest is difficult.
———
The park was much wider and had a lot more different kinds of trees than I had thought. That may be the reason why it was so hard to see this from outside.
Perhaps I can use this for Makoto’s outside training.
My brother, who’s walking along the garden path, just continued going deeper.
He didn’t stop. He went on silently without looking back.
Chasing him, I looked around restlessly.
The day sky has started to darken. Nevertheless ,not a single shadow is present under the outdoor lamps.
Children do seem to play during the day, but as one would believe, it’s dangerous for them to be out at this hour.
On another topic, normally it’s Makoto and Satonaka who have to compensate for their shorter legs. In other words, they have to chase after me.
But in this case, my brother is taller than me. In addition to that, he’s speed walking, so even with my desperate trot, it’s like we’re separating.
But in spite of how I may look, I toned this body somewhat. This speed is nothing.
———
After a while walking in the garden, we arrived at a corner bench in the park after a struggle. A thicket was behind the bench, which also had a fence
This means it’s a place away from public notice.
I think it was designed for couples to flirt secretly.
But now the lamp right behind this bench was lit up.
“Sit down and we’ll talk.”
My brother finally broke the silence with his back turned away.
“Y, Yes.”
I gave an answer as he sat down on the bench.
I then sat down as well, which prompted him to move a bit from me.
Perhaps he’s avoiding me?
There is no helping it. After all, I kept avoiding him for how long.
But in that case, why did he deliberately come and meet me?
...
As it is, I’m not liking this distance even after not returning the kindness he bestowed upon me.
I pushed him away with a resolve to hate him. But as anyone can see, I just ran away.
After repeating that several times, my brother drove me into a bench corner and now I can’t run.
“A, Aoi…”
My brother, who blocked my escape, called my name while turning the other way, not meeting my eye.
“Y, Yes.”
Even with my decision to stay and listen to whatever he said, I answered tensely.
I hate this forced distance. I could just say I have somewhere to be, but I won’t give up.
Being my big brother for how many years, he continued to greet me even when I avoided him.
Compared to my brother’s pain, mine is useless.
“L, Let’s talk…”
While facing the other way, his voice trailed off.
I held in my desire to say I wish to leave and gave a seemingly adult response.
As expected of my brother, I feel like I can’t win.
“B, Before that, can I go, first?”
I could hear my heart beating. At the same time, the tightness in my chest felt like it would cause me to explode.