When I returned to the living room, I saw Suzuna slumped on the sofa, looking exhausted.
It seemed that, just as Wakana had anticipated, the tension had really taken a toll on her.
“Are you enjoying cooking?”
“I don’t know… I’m still in the middle of it.”
“I see.”
When I sat down beside her, Suzuna glanced at me briefly before quickly looking away.
Following her gaze… it appeared she was looking at the bandage I’d put on her.
“Did you maybe want a cuter one? You know, one with a character on it?”
“How old do you think I am? Anything’s fine.”
I might have annoyed her a little.
But, somehow, it felt nice.
“Suzuna, your tone’s softened a bit.”
“Huh?”
“Look, you’re using casual language. You’re speaking more naturally.”
She was probably too tense from cooking to keep up the formalities.
“Oh…! So-sorry—no, I mean, my apologies!”
“Why are you apologizing? I actually prefer it when you talk to me casually.”
“But I…”
“You know, we used to play together sometimes at family gatherings, right? If you could relax and talk to me like back then, I’d be happy. You don’t need to hold back just because we’re family or anything.”
“Ugh…”
Suzuna looked down, troubled.
Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to say it directly.
But, sometimes, if you don’t put things into words, they don’t get across.
“If speaking formally is easier for you, I won’t force you to change. But, cooking is new for you, and with Wakana here, you’re a bit tense, so you let your guard down and showed your real self, right? This is your home now. At least at home, you don’t have to keep your guard up.”
I clearly conveyed what I was thinking—or rather, my hopes.
It wasn’t a lecture, just gentle words… or so I tried, but I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
The experiences from my past life came along with memories. Not all of them were pleasant.
In a full life, there are both successes and, naturally, failures.
It’s not just about repeating past successes; avoiding past failures is crucial to living a fulfilling life.
That’s why, when something feels like it might end in failure, I hesitate to jump in recklessly.
Opening up and speaking honestly… if that always went well, no one would have any problems.
But even if I’m speaking genuinely for someone’s sake, they might see it as imposing or intrusive… it can sometimes be taken negatively.
Unwanted meddling. Being overbearing.
There are times when I feel that way myself and don’t want to impose those unpleasant feelings on others.
Experiences with failure can eventually lead you to desire calm, smooth relationships. Just one misstep, and you risk being accused of harassment or having personal information spread online, causing backlash.
The “smart” approach is to hide uncomfortable truths and only say inoffensive things, blending seamlessly into society.
That’s what growing up as an adult means—sealing away past mistakes as “youthful indiscretions.”
I don’t intend to deny that growth or those experiences.
But… right now, they’re holding me back.
If I act unconsciously, those experiences stop me in my tracks.
In that case, I’ll just have to consciously step forward.
“Relax a little more. Even if you show your true self, neither I nor Dad nor Mom would dislike you for it.”
“…Even if I suddenly go on a rampage here?”
“Yeah. I’ll stop you with all I’ve got, though.”
“Even if I commit a crime and get arrested?”
“I’d definitely stop you, but if it happened, I’d visit you every day.”
I knew she was joking, but I answered each question with serious sincerity.
Suzuna looked at me and gave a faint, but unmistakable, smile.
“You’re such an idiot.”
“No, I’m not.”
Family. Little sister. I held back from saying those words now.
If that label was a burden to Suzuna, I wanted her to trust me as a person, not as a family member, even if just a little.
With that in mind, I gently took her hand.
“I’m on your side.”
“…”
Suzuna’s eyes widened.
And then, slowly, tears welled up at the corners of her eyes—
“Th-this is… just the onions! It’s just the onions left over!”
“Right, of course.”
Suzuna quickly pulled her hand away and turned her whole body to hide her face.
“Suzuna-chan, Eiji-san, shall we get back to it soon?”
“Y-yes!”
Wakana’s well-timed entry into the living room eased the tension.
Suzuna responded energetically, subtly wiping her eyes, and hurriedly left the room, though she paused suddenly to glance back at me.
“Thanks… for the bandage.”
She showed her left ring finger wrapped in the bandage.
Maybe she’d been holding back a “thank you” all this time.
“Y-yeah, let’s get going.”
“…Right.”
Could I take that as her response to my honest words?
The casual words she spoke deliberately.
It made me happier than I expected.
“…Seems like the onions got to me too.”
I couldn’t stand up right away, trying to hold back the emotions welling up inside me.
