At the sametime Riyuu entered the room, bringing with him a plate of freshly grilled steak, Shouta's and Ichika's face were bewildered.
Both questioned the half-awake Sara.
"You're the one who wrote and sang that song?!"
"You made it to an actual song?!"
"You two are loud… annoying"
Sara stood up. As she did, Riyuu sat down next to Shouta, he too watched Sara as she walked across the room and to Ichika's side. There, she sat down and placed her head on her head, without Ichika's consent.
"Sara…"
"It's okay, Kazehaya"
"Oh… sure"
Mia's interview was still airing on the tv and it was still Mia's turn.
Suddenly, thunder made everyone, except Sara, jump. Ichika nearly screamed. Shouta's heart beat went faster with each passing second. Riyuu almost dropped his steak but he saved his food with quick response and a plate.
If a thunder that loud suddenly struck, there must be a storm tagging along with it.
And a storm it came.
The sound proof walls blocked the sound of the thunder and the heavy rain. The interview still went on without a sign of stopping. Mia was cheerful as ever as she answered more questions from the interviewer.
"Last question, Miss Kazehaya"
"Yes!"
"The fans admire your work and they would want to know—"
From behind the tv screen, Shouta watched as he wondered what the next question would be. Would it be a good question, leaving Mia happy and smiling. Would it be a question that leaves Mia confused and wordless.
"—is there someone you like?"
After hearing the question, Shouta's mind took a sigh of relief. It wasn't a big question. Shouta knows, as her big brother, Mia doesn't have someone she likes. He has never seen her bringing boys back to his house. He has never seen anyone—
"—y-yes… I do"
A cute girl said with a beet red face, facing the ground, tapping her fingers together. For others, who were watching the interview, her actions were cute. But to her brother, Shouta, it was an action that has left a mark on his mind.
Can my sister do that??
The moment after the question and answer struck his mind, at the same time, Shouta Kazehaya went silent.
"Judging by your face, you don't know that your sister has someone she likes, huh?"
"...I-Im- Impossible. Is she keeping it a secret from me?!"
"Calm down, Kazehaya! Your sister probably has more se—"
"—no she doesn't"
፠
"Shouta"
"Yeah?"
"Look what I've made!"
"...what's that?"
"A drawing, idiot"
"I'm asking about what the drawing is!"
"It's a character from a manga"
"Manga?"
"Manga is a comic, drawn by dedicated people—"
"—I already know that!!"
"Do you think it's good?"
"Mmm… Yeah, it's definitely good"
"Don't lie"
"I'm not lying!!"
"Then why are you saying that my work is good?"
"H-huh?"
The young Shouta looked up, Sara was looking down at him, sitting down in his chair.
As young Shouta set eyes with Sara, he felt a sudden glance filled with sadness. Her eyes were shimmering as if it was reflecting the light from the sun.
"S-sara?!"
"I-... why are yo- you telling me… that m-my art is good?"
"Because it is!!"
"NO IT'S NOT!!!"
You've always been a disappointment.
—Father would say that.