The next morning.
Yuno had apparently worked the night shift again; she was curled up in a small ball, fast asleep on the sofa. Her steady, rhythmic breathing echoed softly through the quiet living room.
Since I had worked overtime yesterday, Yuno had already left for her job by the time I got home. Lately, we had been missing each other like this more and more.
I stepped softly toward the sofa and peered down at her sleeping face.
Her long eyelashes cast slight shadows, and her lips were parted just a fraction. She looked completely defenseless.
I felt a strange, warm surge of protectiveness bloom in the depths of my chest, and I quickly looked away.
Tiptoeing, I opened the refrigerator.
Cereal again, I guess.
The memory of the pancakes Yuno had made a few days ago crossed my mind. Those were delicious.
Then again, maybe it was because I had someone in front of me looking so happy while munching away.
Mechanically, I poured cereal into a bowl, added milk, and brewed some instant coffee.
Just then—
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
An alarm went off. It was Yuno’s phone.
“…Nnh…”
A sleepy voice drifted from the sofa. Then came a long yawn, followed by the sound of her rustling as she sat up.
“Mm… Morning, Big Sister.”
Yuno stepped off the sofa, turned around, and gave me a soft smile.
Her eyes were moist, as if she were still lingering in a dream. Her hair was a mess of bedhead sticking out in every direction.
Faint dark circles clung to her eyes, yet when she smiled, her cheeks took on a soft, rounded glow.
My heart gave an involuntary ache.
“…You were up late. You should have just kept sleeping. You could’ve used the bed,” I said brusquely, glancing toward the bedroom door before turning back to my cereal and eating in silence.
“Nope,” Yuno replied, opening the fridge. “I felt like I didn’t get to talk to you yesterday. So, I just wanted to see your face when I woke up.”
Her voice dropped slightly at the end.
My heart let out a distinct thump.
What is that? What is she doing? What does she even mean by that?
“Right. Do whatever you want.”
It was frustrating, but she was so cute.
Despite my feelings, only prickly words came out. I hated myself for it.
I was the one leaving for work first today. Spring had already arrived.
I slipped my arms into my trench coat. This was the one Yuno had helped me pick out when she came along to the department store.
As I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door—
Tug.
Someone pulled my sleeve.
I turned around to find Yuno standing there, still looking half-asleep. Her hair was still a disaster, and her eyes were barely open.
“What?”
“Hmm?”
“I said, what? I’m trying to leave.”
Just as I turned to walk away, she did it again.
Tug.
“…What is it?”
“Hehe. I’m imitating you from yesterday. When you’re at work.”
Yuno narrowed her eyes with a mischievous glint.
I remembered the incident in the president’s office yesterday.
Sweat broke out all over my body. I felt hot. My ears were burning.
“…Shut up! Yesterday was… I wasn’t in my right mind. That’s all.”
That’s right. It was because Yuno had left me hanging at a weird moment the night before. That was the only reason.
“How about you do it today, Big Sister?”
She tilted her head to the side, the corners of her mouth curling up. She looked up at me through her lashes. Despite her sleepiness, her eyes were sparkling with playfulness.
“Do what?”
“You know exactly what.”
She gave my arm a playful little poke.
It was unbearably cute, and my heart hammered against my ribs.
I slowly leaned in and pressed my lips against Yuno’s.
The moment we touched, the kiss deepened. I tangled my tongue with hers, pulled her closer, and went deeper and deeper.
My mind went blank. I couldn’t think of anything.
I don’t know how much time passed.
“Hehe.”
Yuno let out a small laugh against my lips.
“What?”
“I just think it’s funny that a ‘see-you-later’ kiss lasts this long. That’s all.”
“Huh?”
“You really love kissing, don’t you, Big Sister?”
“…Ugh, shut up! I’m leaving!”
I hurried out the front door. A small voice reached my back: “Have a good day!”
Spring was supposed to be a season I hated because everyone around me got so flighty. And yet today, the warmth of the air felt strangely pleasant.
When I arrived at work, I found that Saeko, who had been away on a long business trip, had finally returned to the office.
Carrying souvenirs, she was making her way from desk to desk, her bright laughter filling the room. Just having Saeko there seemed to instantly brighten the atmosphere of the entire office.
Saeko approached Matsuyama’s desk and held something out. “Here, Maho-chan. A souvenir for you.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Did you miss me while I was gone?”
“Hwah?! No, I… I mean, that’s not the case…!”
Teased, Matsuyama’s face turned beet red in an instant. Saeko chuckled and gave her head a familiar, affectionate pat.
I watched as Matsuyama’s expression practically melted.
I suppressed a smile, thinking that the girl probably wouldn’t be able to focus on her work for the rest of the day.
In the conference room, I had a briefing with Saeko.
When I heard about the results of her trip, I froze in surprise.
She had secured contracts with six different companies, all of them large-scale deals. The expansion of sales was proceeding at a pace far exceeding our projections.
“This is really all thanks to you, Saeko. Thank you.”
The words came out honestly. Saeko gave a small nod and smiled quietly with gentle eyes.
I felt that because of Saeko, not only were the company’s numbers improving, but my own motivation was being lifted as well.
She was truly an asset.
I was so glad Saeko had changed jobs to join us.
In many ways, I knew I couldn’t compete with her.
I felt that from the bottom of my heart.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a sound at the door.
The door opened, and the cleaner—Yuno—stepped inside.
Feeling my expression soften, I quickly looked down.
“We’re in a meeting right now. Can you do the cleaning later?”
“Understood.”
Yuno used a formal, distant tone, employing honorifics she wasn’t used to.
Suddenly, Yuno’s gaze drifted toward the table.
In the next instant, she froze.
Yuno’s eyes widened, and her expression tightened with tension.
“…Eh?” A faint, almost voiceless mutter escaped her.
At the end of Yuno’s gaze was Saeko.
Yuno hurriedly pulled her cap down lower. With her eyes hidden, her expression became completely invisible. Then, she turned on her heel to leave.
Across the table, I felt Saeko stand up smoothly.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s finish the meeting later. Let her clean. I just remembered I have something to take care of.”
As she spoke, Saeko headed toward the exit of the president’s office, crossing paths with Yuno.
—At that moment.
“Good luck with the cleaning.”
Saeko peered slightly at Yuno and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. Her expression was kind, her voice calm.
Yuno’s back stiffened instantly.
Click.
Even after the door to the president’s office closed, Yuno remained frozen for a while.
Then, she finished the cleaning in a blur and left the office quickly, without saying a word.