The old lady froze for a moment. Yuigahama, quickly returning to normal, set down her teacup and accepted the game controller as if flattered.
"Th-thanks… But it's my first time playing this game. Won't I hold you guys back…?"
"What a coincidence."
Rarely, Sora smiled at her with a hint of pride.
"This game is just like that. It's no fun if no one's holding you back."
(So she's looking for someone to be the weakest link and increase the game's difficulty.)
Realizing this, Yuigahama gained confidence. She immediately said with enthusiasm, "Great! Then I'll show you just how bad I am! This isn't bragging, but I rarely ever win at games!"
"That's not something to brag about…"
The winter sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, scattering pale golden fringes across the tidy living room.
With different feelings, the three-person kitchen team's battle officially began at that moment—
But not long after.
"Shrimp! Hurry and give me the shrimp! Stop using rice!"
"Shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp… Where's the shrimp! How do I prepare it?!"
"It's in the box next to it, then press the A button in front of the pan. Didn't I just teach you? Hurry, time's almost up!"
"Sora-chan, I'm done! Remember to take it over there~"
"As expected of Yuu… No, you idiot Yuu! If you have time to wander around, help me teach your friend! Why's it gotta be me?!"
"Oops, I've got other stuff to handle. Keep it up, Sora~"
"Nice! Sora-chan, I've got it done! Now I'll pass the plate… Ahhh, what if the stuff falls into the water?! I have to remake it!"
"…Big chest, no brain."
"That's so mean!?"
"Indeed, big chest, no brain. Emotions can't be equated with IQ…"
"Even Yuu-kun's saying it! You siblings are too cruel, sob…"
"I knew you were bad, but I didn't think you'd be this bad… My stomach hurts."
From noon to afternoon, Yuu's house was filled with chaos. The desperate roars of the little girl and the panicked wails of the teenage girl mingled, occasionally interspersed with the light, pleasant laughter of the teenage boy.
After struggling to earn three stars in three levels, the game controller fell to the floor helplessly. Sora collapsed exhausted onto Yuu's lap, her gaze vacant as she stared at the ceiling.
"I didn't expect playing a game with a newbie could cause this much physical and mental damage… Good thing I don't play online games."
Sneering in frustration, Yuigahama said weakly, "I got better toward the end… Besides, Sora-chan, you said not to worry about being bad and just follow orders… I tried my best!"
"Alright, I was too naive back then." Sora sighed. She seemed too lazy to say anything more, rolling over like a lazy cat.
As she rolled, her face ended up right in front of Yuu's stomach.
Her body stiffened slightly. Her nose seemed to catch a scent. Her pale ears turned red instantly, but she didn't intend to move away. She only shifted her head as if nothing happened, getting even closer.
Before her entire face buried itself in his stomach, Yuu pushed Sora off and stood up.
"It's getting late. I'll walk you home."
"No need! It's close, I can go back on my own."
While refusing, Yuigahama neatly placed the game controller on the table. She grabbed her jacket and bag from the side.
However, the suitcase she hadn't had time to take home was already picked up by Yuu.
"It's almost dark. Better be safe."
Without giving Yuigahama room to refuse, Yuu nodded to his sister and pulled her suitcase outside.
"Ah, wait for me…" Just as she was about to follow, Yuigahama paused, unable to resist looking at Sora, who was tidying up and turning off the game on the sofa.
After hesitating, she still spoke to her: "Um, Sora-chan."
"What?"
"Next time, can I come over to play again?"
"…"
Her movements halted mid-action. Sora fell silent.
She seemed to be weighing the pros and cons or guessing Yuigahama's true intentions. Her small, pale face showed no expression. Her glance briefly landed on Yuigahama's ample chest before she quickly looked away in disdain.
"Only if it's for playing games."
Saying that, Sora turned her back, tidying the items on the table.
"…Okay!"
The corners of Yuigahama's mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile. She waved cheerfully. Even though Sora wasn't looking, she still said brightly:
"Then next time, let's play Overcooked again!"
Sora immediately refused: "No. Pick a different game."
"Eh? Why?"
"I just recovered. I don't want to get sick again from being too annoyed."
"I-It's not that bad…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After leaving the Tenkuji residence, on the way to Yuigahama's house, the melancholic singing of a sweet potato vendor echoed.
Crows perched on utility poles. People walked slowly to their own melodies. Though no one was in a rush, in an instant, they vanished into another scene.
Under the sunset, the street clearly separated their two shadows.
"Congratulations. You've achieved a milestone: coming to my house and playing games with my little sister—the number one legendary achievement worldwide."
Walking slowly in step with the girl, Yuu teased her with a laugh. His dark eyes were tinged with half the hue of the sunset.
"Legendary, my foot. Who even wants an achievement like that? So conceited." Yuigahama wrinkled her nose, complaining. But she couldn't hold back her laughter. Her steps became more spirited.
"But for me, this kind of experience is a first too, you know? Even though Sora-chan chewed me out during the game, by the end, I felt like we really became friends! Even though she's younger than me…"
"Don't mind it too much. As long as you're happy, isn't that enough?" Yuu patted her dango-styled hair. He smiled, squinting. "Thanks a lot for playing games with my troublesome little sister… I hope she didn't give you too much trouble."
"Of course not. If anything, I should be thanking you guys."
Yuigahama smiled and shook her head. She looked at the footprints walking in sync with hers. Her voice was soft: "This was originally just my selfish wish… After getting such an unexpected outcome, how could I accept thanks from you?"
Yuu fell silent. He let her words drift with the wind, not holding them back.
"…Next time, can I come over again?"
Facing Yuigahama's hesitant gaze, Yuu pondered for a moment, as if observing something.
"If there's time, letting Sora talk more with people other than me is a good thing."
"Pfft." Yuigahama squinted her crescent-shaped eyes and chuckled softly. "Sometimes, you siblings talk in the same stiff way~"
"I don't think so." Yuu shrugged, speaking casually. "That kind of stiff tsundere character is outdated. I'm me, a firework whose character can't be pinned down."
Yuigahama stuck out her tongue: "Bleh~ I don't get what you're saying."
"Then give some of your chest to Yukinoshita."
Her face flushed, and Yuigahama covered her chest. "Pervert! I'm telling Yukinon!"
"Go ahead." The corners of Yuu's mouth curved into a mischievous smile. His steps unconsciously quickened. "I'm curious what theory she'll come up with to prove to me that chest size has nothing to do with intelligence."
"Ugh, Yuu-kun, you're hopeless…" While muttering complaints, Yuigahama looked at his back. She slowly lowered her hands from her chest. Taking a deep breath, she wanted to say something.
(What he's thinking, whether he can keep liking her like this, if he'd go on a date with her, or who he likes more between her and Yukinon…)
There were so many things she wanted to ask him. So many things she wanted to tell him that this one street wasn't enough.
But as she opened her mouth, before any sound came out, the boy in front of her turned around.
With a faint smile on his face, standing at the edge of the sunset-lit street, he and Yuigahama locked eyes.
"Yui."
"Yuu-kun…?"
The sunset began to fade. The stars of the night started to appear.
At that moment, Yuigahama suddenly understood—
What Yukino and Sora meant by that deeply sad expression.
"Right now, do you still like me, the same as you did three years ago?"
Yuu asked calmly.