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It’s the first day of summer break and I’ve come to the train station for a certain reason. Ani has never had any reason to come here as well, so I’m seeing a lot of new things. Not that I plan to buy anything.

“Still, why now, all of the sudden?”

The reason I came here is to pick up Ane’s childhood friend. Yesterday, mom suddenly contacted me and asked if I could let my childhood friend, who’s coming here from America for summer break, stay over.

“I guess it’ll be less stifling in my apartment than at the Kisaragi home.”

In childhood, we didn’t really care about social standing and the largeness of the house. However, after growing up and experiencing the world, it might feel like a pretty stifling place. That’s how it usually goes.

“Let’s see, the meeting place is…”

I came in casual clothes, and even though it’s July, the heat wave is rough. I have a hat on to shade against the sun, but it’s still making me sweaty. The water I have with me is slowly but surely running out.

“Still, to think such a small girl like her would grow to be this conspicuous.”

Her father is American and her mother is half-Japanese. Her mother and mine were friends, so we played together frequently during childhood and even fought some, so we were pretty close back then. We parted ways on bad terms, though. Seeing the photo sent to my smartphone, I felt a rush of nostalgia.

“Now I see why I was told that I’d know when I see her.”

How do I describe it? Her aura is completely different. She’s one year older than me, with blue eyes, blonde hair, and a height that’s similar to mine. She has a large chest, thin waist, and a shapely butt. She could probably pass off as a model.

“Ame.”
“?”

I tried calling her, but she only looked around confused. Her first name is Amelia, but Ane calls her by the shorter Ame, so I followed suit.

“It’s not polite to ignore people, don’t you think?”
“Eh, Kotone? Eh, really? This?”
“Well that’s a rude thing to say immediately after seeing someone. I am aware that I’ve changed a lot, though. ”

I tried copying Ane’s fashion, but I went too hard on the lady-like look and couldn’t recreate it with the clothes I had around. Because of that, I went with the clothing that Ani bought, which resulted in a more boyish look. Vastly different from Kotone’s younger days.

“It’s normal for us to look different from before. Years have passed since we saw each other.”
“Rather, I’m surprised you even changed the way you talk, Kotone.”
“A lot happened, okay. A lot.”

I can’t explain it. So much happened in a span of a year, my personality even changed several times. I’m aware it’s far different from a regular person’s life. And it painfully reminds me of the present which I’d rather not think about.

“Well, let’s move. We don’t have any reason to stay here.”
“Eh~, what about sightseeing?”
“If you can tolerate the people constantly trying to pick you up, then feel free.”
“Yup, let’s go to your house.”

I guess she’s been hit on already. Not only one or twice, from her reaction. I imagine her easily shaking them off without a sweat. From how Ane and her quarrelled, Ame seems pretty strong-willed.

“Still, what brings you back to Japan?”
“It’s been so long since we left and I was feeling nostalgic. I got done with my university admission, so I’m visiting to treat myself.”
“Then you should’ve at least prepared a place to stay.”
“I didn’t have enough for my budget, you see. As expected, I couldn’t save enough money for a month’s stay somewhere.”
“Eh? You’re staying for a month?”
“Ah, that’s a reluctant look. One of my goals was meeting up with you, you know?”

No, the only reason I looked reluctant is because I’ll have to take you in for the entirety of the month. Mom must’ve known that I’d be against it, so she didn’t tell me how long Ame is staying. I assumed that she’s here for sightseeing, which would only last around three days.

“So, where’s the car?”
“We’re taking public transportation, so we’re riding the bus. The bus, you hear me?”
“Nono, for a lady of the twelve families to be taking the bus… Eh? Are you serious?”
“I’m in my third year of high school, so I’m living alone, you know? Taking the bus is normal.”
“Ah, what? I honestly need some context right now. Did you run away from the Kisaragi residence?”

I suppose I should give a brief explanation. I left home, but I should omit the details until then. Telling her I fought with my father and got temporarily kicked out of home would make it more persuasive. There’d be no end if I explained everything.

“And so I’ve reconciled with the family, but living alone has been fun, so I’m continuing it.”
“I find it hard to believe that they’d allow you to suddenly live on your own. Still, you can do most things by yourself, so I can imagine you being at least capable of cooking.”

Ane has been capable of most things from a young age, so it adds to the credibility of my words. In fact, if Ane ever tried to live on her own, she probably would manage somehow. As for Ani’s case, he’s too familiar with it.

“Still, Japan is so hot. It’s nice that the bus has good air conditioning.”
“Stop exposing your cleavage. I understand the feeling, but still.”
“It gets hot the most, you know? And even if I want to wipe the accumulating sweat, I can’t really do it in public. It’s not an issue otherwise.”

The reason I chose to travel by bus is due to the heat. If not for that, we could’ve gone by foot instead. Heatstroke is no joke. And I might get scolded by Akane, too.

“Actually, I’ll even allow you to get your hand between by breasts and wipe it dry.”
“Like I’d ever do that.”
“That’s one thing that hasn’t changed since.”

Yeah, yeah, Ane tended to scold Ame to hide her shyness whenever Ame would pounce for a hug. She immediately figured it out though, since Ane’s face would go bright red.

“I’m relieved to see some things staying the same. I was starting to suspect that you might be someone else who just looks like Kotone.”
“A whole lot of things happened, okay. And because of it, I’m having a hard time right now.”

It’s reached the point where doing activities as Unknown has been integrated into my summer break schedule. Because of the wedding, a part of my contract has been voided. It hurts that the portion that’s written to protect me has now gone poof.

“I’ll say it in advance, but while I’m also on my summer break, I am actually busy.”
“Che~, I was thinking of asking you to show me around the place.”
“I have other things to do outside of my part-time job, you see. Sorry, but I can’t be with you that much.”
“Seriously? You’re also working a part-time job?”

I knew she’d react that way. It takes me back to Ani’s first days. What’s wrong with a rich family’s daughter working a part time job to supplement her financial needs? That makes it sound like the family went bankrupt.

“I didn’t ask for a large monthly allowance. Honestly, I might not have enough to take in a freeloader.”
“Wait? I’m not an actual nuisance, am I?”
“I’m kidding. I actually received funds to support your stay. Thanks to an overprotective mother.”
“Which mama are we talking about here?”

Probably both. Thanks to this, I’ve gotten enough excess to play around during summer break. Seriously, their sense of money is really different from normal folk. When I updated my passbook for confirmation, I ended up seeing an absurd amount of cash.

“Still, are you really staying here for a month with no concrete goal in mind?”
“I genuinely did come here to sightsee. But if I have to say, I’m also here to think about my future employment. It’s not a bad idea to consider the job opportunities both here and in America.”
“See, so you do have a proper objective.”
“A month’s too long to just have fun, you know. But I’m sure it wouldn’t be if I had someone to have fun with.”
“I’ll try to keep you company as much as I can. It’s my dear childhood friend’s request, after all.”
“That’s my childhood friend!”

It seems like I’ll be busy for this summer break as well. Ani left me trouble to resolve and Ane left me the responsibility for her childhood friend. I didn’t think I’d have to handle both at the same time.

Damn you, Ani and Ane. You could have at least left only one of them instead. Do you really enjoy having me suffer!?

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