Raising his eyelids, looking at the girl, who was talking nonsense in a serious tone,
Although Sasaki wanted to laugh, he still pretended to be like, "Sister, you are so nice." While putting his arm around her slender waist and cheek close to her ear.
In response to his coquettishness, Yuuka smiled like a little fox who had just eaten the chicken, and gently stroked his hair.
The afterglow of the setting sun in the distance was gradually swallowed up by the dark horizon.
But before the red sun completely disappeared, the red light still dyed half of the sky red.
Under the yellow halo, the streets at dusk on a holiday were infinitely elongated by the hazy shadows that appear.
The whistling of the wind caused by the passing vehicles on the nearby road and the curious glances from passers-by on the sidewalk brought Yuuka to her senses, snapping from her joy.
"Hey, that's enough, silly brother, how long do you want to hold me?"
Patting the arms around her waist with her sweaty palms she reminded the boy shyly:
"We should go now. I don't want to be nagged by my friends for being late."
It was only 6:10 when they came out.
Even if they walked one step at a time and stopped one step at a time, they could still arrive before 7 o'clock.
How could they be late?
Thinking this in his heart, Sasaki loosened his arms around her waist, scratched his head and said embarrassedly:
"Sorry, I can't help myself."
Seeing his shy and reluctant look, knowing that this might be his first time hugging a girl, Yuuka's face became serious and she warned him:
"I don't mind anything, I'm your sister after all. But you can't just hug a girl like this without saying anything in school. You'll be considered a pervert!"
Of course, with Sasaki's face, the probability of being mistaken for a pervert was low, but it was precisely because of this reason, he should be warned even more.
Not getting a response, she punched him hard:
"Did you hear me?"
Putting her hand that was clinging to his palm into his trouser pocket, Sasaki looked at her like a fool and rolled his eyes helplessly:
"Sister Yuuka, I don't talk much at school, but I'm not an idiot. Why would I hug a girl for no reason?"
Thinking of how he remained indifferent to her hint, the girl muttered under her breath:
'You might not be an idiot, but you're not far off either.'
"It's best if you don't.
In high school, your main focus should be studying. High school romances just end after a while and are meaningless.
Wait until you get to college, then you can find someone. I'll even help you..."
Because she couldn't monitor Sasaki's high school life.
Tachibana Yuuka, who trusted him but not his good looks, walked beside Sasaki, using her words to wash away the yellow waste that arose in his puberty.
Sasaki knew what she was up to, so he whispered disdainfully:
"You haven't even found someone yourself, and you're saying you'll help me?"
The girl, who was walking side by side, wasn't deaf, so even though his voice was low, she still caught it.
The moment she heard it, Yuuka bristled like a cat that had its tail stepped on:
"What did you say?!"
Stopping in her tracks, she twisted Sasaki's ear with her free right hand, and with a kind expression, she asked:
"Say that again, I didn't hear you clearly~"
'Why do you think I haven't found someone, you idiot, blockhead, loser!'
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and the angrier she got, the more she thought.
Tachibana Yuuka's chest swelled with fury.
Although she wanted to teach him a severe lesson, she held back her burning anger when she saw passersby.
At home, she could freely vent her anger on Sasaki because their families were as close as relatives, so it didn't matter how much they fought.
But outside, she had to consider Sasaki's face.
He was so tall now, being scolded by a girl in public would definitely be embarrassing for him.
Although Yuuka was arrogant and willful, she was still sensible.
So after twisting his ear a few times, she let go, pulled Sasaki, and continued walking towards their destination:
"I'll let you off this time. If you disrespect your sister again, I'll tear your ear off!"
"Oh~"
Hearing his weak response, her suppressed anger flared up again.
'He started this, and when I scolded him, he felt wronged?'
'Does he really think I have a good temper?'
Though she wanted to say this, she thought of how he agreed to go to the party with her without a word, and she exhaled slowly.
Shaking the hand he had put in his pocket, she pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and asked:
"Are you mad?"
"No."
'You obviously are.'
'Pursing your lips and sulking, it's written all over your face.'
'Really, so many people at school chase me, and I end up liking you, this fool, who angers me and makes me coax you.
I must be dumber than you.'
Having never comforted anyone before, she wanted to console him but didn't know what to say.
So after struggling for a while, her fair and delicate face turned red, and she finally blurted out:
"Sorry~"
---
...
It was rare for Tachibana Yuuka to apologize.
Sasaki had seen her apologize before, but that was only under Aunt Kyouka's coercion, and she did it reluctantly.
For her to apologize voluntarily today...he was quite surprised.
The sun slowly dipped into the sea, the western sky turned a crimson red, and birds returning from foraging flew in the rosy light, their black and graceful silhouettes like cut-out paper shapes.
Light and darkness intertwined, the whole city seemed to be covered with a hazy filter, and the rose-colored light enveloping the girl's beautiful face, combined with her bashful gesture of tucking her hair, made Sasaki feel like he was seeing a red rose swaying gently in the sunset.
Seductive and passionate, but thorny.
But this beautiful rose was trying hard to retract its thorns, and her effort made him even happier.
Rubbing the small, smooth hand in his pocket, Sasaki met her cautious glance and shook his head with a smile:
"Really, I'm not mad. In Sister Yuuka's eyes, Am I the kind of person to angry that easily?"
With a reminder, the girl blinked, suddenly realizing.
Indeed.
This silly brother, though slow and annoying, had a good temper and never seemed to get angry when she bossed him around.
Otherwise, if he had a temper like hers, they would have long fallen out.
Knowing he wasn't really mad, the girl pretty face, bathed in rose light, furrowed her brows:
"If you're not mad, why're you sulking? Do you have an issue with me? If you do, just say it. I'm easy to talk to!"
'With your menacing look, you say you're easy to talk to?'
'That's like a tiger licking its paws, saying it doesn't eat meat.' Ridiculous, who would believe that?
Knowing he couldn't reason or argue with her, Sasaki avoided her provocation and instead spoke of her kindness to him:
"Sister Yuka is so good to me, how could I have an issue? You helped me with homework, fought for me when I was little. It's okay if you scold me a bit."
Hearing him mention their childhood, Yuka's furrowed brows relaxed, and like a cat licking its mouth, calming its arched back, she smiled:
"Hey~ I didn't spoil you for nothing. At least you remember."
She even reached out to ruffle Sasaki's fluffy hair.
Without resisting her cat-like petting, the boy only shook his head after a while, fixing his tousled hair:
"Sister Yuuka remembers too, doesn't she?"
"I'm older than you, it's normal for me to remember."
Seeing her turn away, Sasaki didn't point out her insincerity and instead talked about their childhood fun.
Her enthusiasm for reminiscing was higher than he expected, and her chatter didn't stop until they reached the izakaya.
Arriving at the door, Yuuka restrained her playful smile, adopting a cheerful elder sister demeanor.
"Hu~"
Exhaling, adjusting her clothes, she turned to the curious Sasaki:
"First time here, right? Foolish brother."
"Sort of."
Not refuting her, the boy responded vaguely.
It was his first time in this place since he arrived here.
But in his past life, who hadn't been to a restaurant?
At most, the decor would seem novel.
The two-story building looked narrow but clean and quaint, giving off a cozy vibe.
Following Sister Yuuka inside, Sasaki heard the clinking of glasses and the greetings of staff, mixed with lively chatter and laughter.
The laughter was light and genuine, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Passing through the entryway, Sasaki and Yuuka, walking side by side, entered the main area.
Under the warm lights, rows of men in cheap suits, faces flushed with drink, were drinking at the bar.
Despite the steam from the chef's cooking, their eyes weren't filled with the workday's confusion.
There was only the pleasure of drinking and the joy of venting about work with colleagues.
Nearby, young women with still youthful faces were chatting and drinking.
The mingled sounds of conversation, pouring drinks, and sizzling meat blurred away the day's worries, bringing a sense of unwarranted lightness to the new arrivals.
Walking beside the girl, Sasaki smelled the mixed aromas and followed her to a private room.
Opening the door, he barely had time to look inside before classmates already seated, saw Yuuka beside him and greeted:
"Our tennis princess has arrived."