Book 5: Prologue: Asamura Yuuta
That day, I, Asamura Yuuta, was strolling around Suisei High’s cultural festival. It was the second week of October, the time of day a tad bit past noon. Upon looking outside the window, I was greeted with the sight of a clear sky and the trees rustling with a cool breeze. Wherever you looked, you would encounter signs that fall had come upon us. Despite the sun still standing tall in the sky, you couldn’t help but crave something warm to drink away the chilliness settling onto your skin.
When I directed my gaze downward, I spotted a large number of people making their way up a small hill from the school gate, entering the school building like ants entering their nests. It didn’t take much detective work to deduce that Suisei High’s cultural festival was in full bloom this year, too. Us students were excited about this special day of the year, and the occasional cheers or applause filled the cozy air.
It wasn’t too rare to spot either unfamiliar school uniforms from distant schools or other adults such as guardians or parents and the like. Some of the children running around screaming in excitement were periodically reprimanded by their parents. Amidst the chaos, I spotted a boy and girl holding hands. I hadn’t seen either of them before. And despite that, the way they kept their bodies close to each other, spending time in absolute bliss, caused me to find myself unable to tear my eyes from them. Boldly holding hands in front of other people must be something that only those who openly admit to dating are permitted to do.
I personally don’t perceive this as something the two of us should be doing in front of others, let alone so confidently. Along with that thought, the appearance of a girl came to mind—Ayase Saki. My little sister… or rather, my step-sister.
About four months ago, the two of us became siblings through the act of our parents’ marriage. Since I had lived through hell with my biological mother, I’d set my mind on not expecting anything from women in general. Ayase-san experienced something somewhat similar and acquired a dry and distant attitude. Despite this grand rift between us, for the sake of our parents’ happiness, we decided to work with each other, to adjust to each other, and to try to be the best kinds of siblings the situation permitted.
However, through certain events, I’d begun to see Ayase-san not as my little sister but rather as a woman I might or might not be romantically interested in. At the end of September, Ayase-san and I revealed our feelings to each other and adjusted accordingly. We certainly hadn’t reached the status of a clearly-defined lover’s relationship, but instead we arrived at a decision that would let us meet halfway. We’d continue as siblings the way we’d done before, although being a bit closer and more intimate than an average brother and sister, which will allow us a certain level of physical intimacy that we won’t be too quick to show in public. It’s a mysterious and confusing secret life, that’s for sure.
Walking around the festival, holding hands while doing so… For a couple like those two, it was something they didn’t have to think twice about, but my current relationship with Ayase-san won’t permit something like that. At the very least, not in front of other people. Naturally, I’ve given up on keeping secret the fact that Ayase-san and I are siblings. During our parent-teacher meeting, both of us decided that it would ease the burden on our parents if we chose not to attempt to keep it secret any longer. However, that very fact makes it exceptionally difficult, as nobody is allowed to see us as lovers. Brothers and sisters are not societally permitted to become lovers.
The law states that, as long as we’re not related by blood, there are no hurdles standing in our way, but the view of the world and its perceptions is an entirely different matter of conflict. I don’t know how strict the laws are, or to what extent they cover our specific case, and the people who don’t bother considering our circumstances and feelings will most likely raise the cry of immorality in the blink of an eye. That in itself seemed far too much to deal with, and we wanted to avoid it.
I bought two bottles from the class that was selling drinks, one of them being coffee, the other black tea (both hot), and quickly made my way away from the noisy hallway. Next I made my way to the special classroom building’s highest floor, specifically to a certain corner thereof. Upon opening the door there, I found myself on the emergency stairs. There I was greeted by a solitary female student who was standing next to the wall in boredom: Ayase-san.