For the next day, and the day after that, Yuno never asked me about that night.
She remained as aloof as ever, acting as if nothing had happened.
That night—I had leaned in, trying to kiss her.
A mere housemate. And while I was drunk, no less.
Every time I remembered what I’d tried to do, the tips of my ears burned.
The night she kissed me while comforting me, the night I tried to kiss her after coming home drunk—I couldn’t ask about any of it, nor could I speak of it.
It was convenient that Yuno said nothing.
I prayed that she had forgotten everything.
Saturday morning, the fifth day since Yuno had moved in.
“Sigh…”
As we sat facing each other for breakfast, Yuno let out a deep sigh.
“What?”
“I failed another part-time job interview. I have to start the search from scratch again.”
“Where did you apply?”
“A convenience store.”
“You seem friendly enough; I’d think you’d get it.”
“Maybe it was bad that I said, ‘I’m not very good at calculating money’?”
“That’s because you’re stupidly honest.”
“Oh, I guess so.”
Seeing Yuno’s sudden realization, I let out a small, exasperated sigh.
After sipping her soup, Yuno spoke softly.
“So, Big Sis… would it be okay if I stayed here for a little while longer?”
She looked up at me. Her lowered brows and slightly moist eyes—the way she looked so crestfallen was distractingly cute, and I instinctively averted my gaze.
“…Fine, I get it. Just hurry up and find a job.”
I muttered while staring at a spot on the wall and took a sip of my coffee.
The slight, itchy feeling in my chest at her words “a little while longer” was probably just my imagination.
After clearing the breakfast table, I sat at the bedroom dresser and began my makeup.
Suddenly, I heard Yuno’s voice from behind.
“Are you going out, Big Sis?”
“Shopping. I want some spring clothes.”
Without glancing back at her, I layered brown eyeshadow onto my lids, staring into the mirror.
“Hmm,” Yuno murmured. After a short pause, she asked, “Can I come along?”
“No.”
I turned to answer her immediately.
“Eh?! Why? I won’t buy anything. I just want a change of scenery.”
“It would be a pain if I ran into someone from work or a client. I don’t want any weird misunderstandings.”
When I spat that out, Yuno pouted.
After a moment of silence, she crouched down beside me while I was applying red rouge to my lips.
Then, she tightly grasped my hand with both of hers.
I could feel the warmth of her skin seeping into mine.
My heart gave a sudden thud at the unexpected contact.
She tilted her head, looking up at me.
“Please… I’m begging you.”
Those moist eyes and those tightly pressed lips. They pricked at the small amount of conscience I had left.
…Ugh.
Faced with that spoiled expression, I found myself speechless.
“…Sigh. Fine. As long as you can pretend you don’t know me.”
Yuno gave a secret victory pump with her fist and narrowed her eyes happily.
Looking at her face, I sighed.
I felt my lips start to soften into a smile, so I hurriedly covered it with a cough.
I rummaged through my closet, but I didn’t own any decent clothes that would fit Yuno.
Still, I felt awkward taking her to a department store looking completely worn out, so I lent her a random dress.
As for my own outfit, I settled on a black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, and sunglasses to complete the look. I thought to myself that it was a look that effectively kept people at a distance.
Sensing a gaze, I looked at Yuno. She was staring intently at my clothes.
“You look kind of cool, Big Sis.”
“Whatever. It’s just normal.”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, I turned away.
Yuno continued.
“But how do I put it? You look like a mafia member.”
“Huh?”
“Like you’re carrying a pistol.”
“Right, got it. I’m not taking you anymore.”
“Ahhh, sorry! Take that back! Forget I said it!”
Exchanging light banter, we walked toward the department store.
The store was located in front of the station, about a ten-minute walk from the apartment. I had chosen this place for its location, and I loved that almost everything I needed was within walking distance.
I walked with my hands shoved in my leather jacket pockets, the sound of my heels clicking on the pavement.
Yuno followed slightly behind, trotting along with short steps.
Pretend we’re strangers, pretend we’re strangers, I told myself, but I couldn’t help glancing back.
And then—
I saw a bicycle barreling down the sidewalk at high speed from behind Yuno.
Yuno hadn’t noticed at all.
At this rate, they were going to collide.
My body moved before I even realized it.
I rushed to Yuno’s side and instinctively yanked her arm toward me.
The bicycle zoomed past us at a terrifying speed and disappeared.
“Tch, what the hell was that? Apologize, you jerk!”
I clicked my tongue, glaring at the retreating cyclist.
Yuno looked bewildered for a moment, then let out a little giggle.
“Thanks. That was close.”
“This isn’t the time to be laughing. You’re seriously reckless.”
“You really are kind, Big Sis.”
“No, I’m—it would just be a pain later if you got into an accident. I just pulled you out of reflex.”
I spoke brusquely, let go of her arm, and turned back around to keep walking.
Then, a soft voice drifted from behind.
“Hehe. My heart just skipped a beat.”
Yuno said it with a slightly mischievous smile.
I replied with a “Huh?”, but despite that, my heart leaped of its own accord at her smile.
Once inside the department store, I headed straight for the third floor. I was looking for a spring trench coat.
I don’t like spending time agonizing over choices, so I always go to the same shop. I found the trench coat and bottoms I had envisioned and finished my shopping in less than ten minutes.
Yuno stared at me, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
“…Why don’t you buy something too?”
“I have no money, and I’m not picky. Will you pick something for me, Big Sis?”
“Why should I?”
I sighed and kept walking.
As I casually scanned the surroundings, my gaze stopped on one particular item. My feet stopped naturally.
Fluffy loungewear with cat ears on the hood. It came as a set with short pants.
Before I knew it, I was imagining Yuno wearing it. Unconsciously.
Yuno must have followed my gaze, because she looked in the same direction and burst out laughing.
Then, she peeked at me with a smirk.
“Hmm? So that’s your taste, Big Sis? Do you want me to wear it?”
“N-no. I was just looking. …I mean, you said you didn’t care what it was.”
“You love kitties, don’t you, Big Sis? Fine, I’ll wear it. Buy it for me?”
Realizing I was being teased by a girl several years my junior, my face flushed instantly.
Yet, pathetically, as I paid for the item, I found myself imagining it again.
Yuno wearing those kitty loungewear clothes.