XLVI

August 14th, 2021

It's unedited, so I'll probably go back later and fix any mistakes. Sorry :((

<<Skip to Isuma>>

Isuma regretted not bringing a jacket.

If she went back to get it now, she wouldn't be able to leave again. After a quick debate, she walked to the nearest convenience store, which was usually full of people. She sat down on a low brick wall, away from everyone. The small heater the owners had set near the tables provided a little warmth. Her eyes landed on a couple not much older than her; they were holding hands and laughing, sipping coffees. She looked away from them.

'What the heck was I thinking back there?!' Isuma rubbed her forehead. 'My hair's probably so messy... they're going to be so pissed off when I get home. That was such a risky thing to do... I'm terrified. What if-'

"...Isuma-chan?"

She looked up, surprised. Kita was gazing at her, the two bottles in his hand forgotten. He was wearing a long black trench coat with gold latches that went past his knees. Unlike her, he'd planned on being out in the cold. "What happened to you?"

Her once long hair was short and uneven in certain places, and she was wearing a sleeveless shirt. He'd be lying if he said she didn't look seriously cute with short hair. Isuma didn't respond for a few seconds. 'He's the last person I want to see me like THIS; what should I do?'

"Isuma, what happened?!" Kita repeated. She hesitated. "...my aunt and uncle are over. I kind of... stormed out on them. At dinner."

He didn't react at all. He simply said, "Tell me."

So she did. There was no point in leaving anything out; he would be able to notice the gaps in her story right away. Kita didn't say anything the whole time she spoke. Isuma buried her face in her hands when she finally finished, not wanting to face him and hear his criticism.

It didn't come. Isuma was suddenly enveloped in warmth; she looked up, startled. Kita had draped his coat over her. "You're going to catch a cold."

His tone was impossibly soft and understanding. He sat down next to her and asked, "What're you going to do?"

"Not go home, that's for sure. Even my brothers can't shield me from their anger right now." Isuma's voice was shaking slightly; her hands were gripping his coat tightly. Kita didn't say anything for a few moments. "You could... come over to our house. Hishari-chan wouldn't mind."

Isuma looked at him, surprised. "...I can't. She doesn't know about me. I don't want to tell her..."

"She'll understand. Her life hasn't been exactly normal either." Kita answered

"...still. What if-" Isuma stopped herself. She really wanted to say yes. She'd only met Hishari for a few minutes, but she gave off such a natural sisterly vibe it was impossible not to love her. "What if her opinion of me changes because of it?"

"It won't." Kita leaned forward. "I won't force you to. I'll walk you home right now if that's what you want. I won't argue if you want that.

"Trust me, though. Hishari's opinion of you won't change. She's a lot like me. Did I act differently towards you when you told me?" He asked. She hesitated. "...no."

"Then she won't either. I promise." He stood up and held out his hand to her, his other hand in his pocket. Isuma reached out, but her hand curled into a fist and she retracted it slightly. 'Why am I scared of Hishari's opinion... I don't even know her very well. It shouldn't matter to me.' But her hand went back to her lap. Kita didn't say anything for a moment. "I'm not leaving you out here alone. Come on, I'll walk you home."

Isuma didn't move. The word 'home' made her flinch in fear of her aunt and mother's wrath. She grabbed Kita's sleeve just before he turned. "Wait."

He glanced at her; she was steeling herself to contine. "I- I'll go with you."

<<Skip to the Kitas'>>

Note: Kita will be referred to as Shinsuke during this scene

Isuma paused slightly when they arrived at the Kitas' home. It was a two-story, traditional Japanese house that seemed to have been built a thousand years ago but kept in perfect condition. From the outside, it looked a heck of a lot nicer than her apartment. Beyond the small gate and wall was a modest garden; it was full of trees that bore flowers and fruits in the summer. She could pick up the faint scent of long-gone flowers. "It's beautiful."

"Thank you. My sister does most of the gardening; she loves plants and nature." The house's doorway was beyond two pillars and a small porch. Shinsuke went ahead without a second thought, but Isuma paused at the base of the steps. He glanced back. "I'll go in first."

She nodded, relieved. Shinsuke slid the door to the right and looked inside. Hishari was cooking, while Takahiro and Karu- who came over for dinner almost every day now- watched something on Karu's phone. They all looked up when he entered. "Oh, hey Shin-chan. What took you so long?"

"I met someone. Um, Hishari-chan... I brought them with me." Hishari looked up, surprised. "Who?"

Shinsuke looked back at Isuma, who hesitantly came forward. Hishari and Karu exclaimed, "Isuma-san?!"

They looked so eager and pleased Isuma relaxed. "Sorry for coming without telling you beforehand."

"No, it's totally fine!!" Hishari wrapped an arm around her and pulled her inside. "I've been wanting to meet you again; you were so sweet the first time we met!"

"Thank you." Isuma pulled off Shinsuke's coat and Hishari whisked it away before she could hand it to him. "Have you had dinner? Do you want to freshen up or anything?"

While Isuma answered Hishari's dozens of questions, Karu's eyes swept over Isuma. Her hair was choppy and uneven, and while she looked cute with short hair, it looked like she'd cut it in less than a minute. Her clothes weren't meant for the cold weather, and she'd been wearing Shinsuke's jacket when she'd come in, meaning she'd rushed outside without planning to. It didn't seem like the right time to bring up her appearance, but he still thought, 'Is she okay?'

He edged over to his cousin, who was texting someone. "What's wrong, Karu?"

"Is she okay?" Karu lowered his voice. Hishari was still talking enthusiastically with her. Shinsuke shook his head. "I'll tell you later."

"...alright." Karu glanced at his phone. "Who're you texting?"

"Her brothers. They'll probably start panicking if they don't hear from her soon."

"Don't you think they'll panic more if you tell them she's at your house?" Karu asked. Shinsuke considered it. "Better than them thinking she's out there in the cold."

"Is it, though?"

"Don't make me second-guess myself." Shinsuke glanced over at his sister and Isuma- only she wasn't there. "Where's Isuma?"

"In the restroom. I'll go check on her. Could you watch the stove for me?" Hishari asked. "Sure."

Hishari walked into the depths of the house and walked into her room. Isuma was looking at herself in the mirror; she turned around when Hishari entered. "Sorry. I was just... looking at my hair. I didn't really plan on a haircut."

"I see." Hishari didn't question it but smiled so warmly Isuma's problems seemed to melt away. "Come. Sit."

Hishari sat down on the edge of her bed and patted the area next to her. Isuma cautiously sat down, as if Hishari was a landmine. "I've been taking care of Shinsuke and Takahiro since they were little. I'm good at reading people. I can tell if something's bothering them. I won't ask you to open up to me, but I'll listen if there's anything you'd like to say."

Isuma didn't say anything for several long moments. Hishari studied her: physically, Isuma looked the same as the first time they'd met- save for her hair- but there was a certain emptiness in her eyes. "...my family isn't exactly fond of me. My brothers too, but they usually ignore Atsumu and Osamu."

She didn't know why she was telling Hishari- hadn't she been afraid of her opinion?- but Hishari radiated such a caring vibe Isuma suddenly wanted her to know. Hishari gently asked, "And what about you?"

"...my aunt..." Just thinking about her aunt made Isuma flinch. Hishari placed her hand on Isuma's to calm her. "You don't have to tell me. But sharing a burden will lighten it, Isuma-chan."

Hishari was a good listener.

Isuma told her everything that had happened over the years without leaving anything out. Hishari didn't interrupt her and just listened attentively. When she finally finished, Isuma watched Hishari anxiously for her reaction. She'd remained completely passive while Isuma had talked, but now, Hishari's lips were pursed as she considered everything she'd just heard. "...so that's why Shin-chan brought you here?"

"Yes." Hishari didn't look up. "Isuma-chan, you don't truly take to heart anything your aunt says, do you?"

"Sometimes it's hard. I've heard it so many times part of me starts to believe her." Isuma admitted. Hishari finally looked at her, her eyes filled with an emotion Isuma couldn't quite grasp. Pity? Sadness?

No. Compassion.

Hishari wrapped her arms around Isuma and pulled her into a hug. Isuma's first instinct was to push her away, but her body relaxed on its own. Hishari's embrace was so comforting and such a motherly gesture, something she'd been missing her whole life. "Next time you need someone, call me, okay?"

"...okay." Isuma's hands were shaking; part of her wanted to cry, but that was a luxury she usually couldn't afford. Instead, she blinked out her tears. Hishari broke away, flashing a comforting smile. "You're an amazing person, Isuma-chan. I'm glad Shinsuke has someone like you."

A second passed before Hishari realized what she'd said. "Um, nothing implied!!"

"It's fine." Internally, she wasn't okay, but she managed a smile. Hishari leaned forward. "But since we're talking- and you totally don't have to answer- do you like my brother?"Isuma hesitated. She was quite sure Hishari would know if she fibbed, but she didn't want to admit it well. Hishari seemed to understand anyway and smiled. "If I may ask... what do you like about him?"

Isuma thought for a moment. "Your brother probably doesn't even remember how we first met, but it meant a lot to me. He was the first person besides my brothers to look at me with concern. It was a first for me. I didn't want to join the volleyball club, but he convinced me to. It was the best decision I've ever made. I can't begin to describe everything he's done for me. I owe him a lot."

Hishari was surprised; she'd assumed Isuma liked her younger brother, but she hadn't realized how deep and meaningful her feelings were. She didn't simply like Shinsuke for being attractive or talented; she liked him because he'd helped her when so many others hadn't. 'Shin-chan, you and Isuma better be married ten years from now.'

Before she could say anything, Shinsuke knocked on her door and hesitantly looked in. "Dinner's ready."

"Right! Um, Isuma-chan, you go on. I need to speak with my brother." Isuma nodded and walked out the room, shutting the door behind her. Hishari looked at her brother for a few moments in silence. "How much did you hear?"

"...enough." He vaguely replied. Hishari shook her head before sitting back down. "She's an incredible person. I never would've guessed..."She changed her mind and didn't finish her sentence. "Anyways. I can see why you like her. At first, I was surprised that you liked a girl, but it makes sense now."

"Ari-chan, not so loud!" He glanced at the closed door. Hishari didn't give any indication she'd heard him. "What I don't get is why you aren't telling her? What's your reason?"

"I just... I can't. Isuma... I already know she's going to accomplish a lot after high school. If we're in a relationship, I'll hold her back. She's never been one to knowingly hurt people. She won't be able to stand it." His voice was drawn and- Hishari didn't dare assume- slightly bitter. She asked, "So you'll make her wait? Shin-chan, listen to me."

Hishari took her brother's hands, forcing him to face her. "Isuma's much stronger than you're giving her credit for. Don't do this. Let her have at least until you graduate. She'll handle it; I promise you."

"Also... I don't know if I can handle it. I don't want to risk it." His eyes trailed down and locked on their still entwined hands. Hishari didn't answer for a few seconds. "...alright. Let's go have dinner, okay?"

"...yeah."

Dinner took longer than it should have because of Karu and Hishari's constant questions. Isuma would be uncomfortable with most people, but talking with the Kitas' and Karu felt different- natural.

Shinsuke didn't talk much- at all, really- but watched his siblings talk with Isuma. She laughed and smiled during those thirty minutes more than she had since he'd first met her. 'Of course... she's never experienced this. This is new to her.'

When Shinsuke checked his phone after dinner, he'd received dozens of panicked texts from her brothers. "Isuma, you should get home. Your brothers are getting worried."

Her smile faded for a moment. "Right..."

"What?" Karu frowned before grabbing his phone. "We've got to talk again, Isuma-chan. Here's my phone number."

All three of them insisted on giving her their numbers- even Takahiro, which was surprising because he had less than ten people in his contacts. Exasperated, Shinsuke finally said, "Okay, she's got them. Isuma-chan, let's go!"