The Lie and What Follows

The week after my date with Haruka.

Nothing particular had happened since then, and we, as siblings, were living peacefully. However, that wasn’t entirely true either. Ever since I admitted to myself that I loved her, a slight distance had formed between us due to the tension in Haruka’s physical closeness.

I love my sister.

I know this feeling isn’t socially acceptable. I’m aware of it. But once I became conscious of these emotions, I couldn’t just discard them.

———————————-

Friday.

After classes, Ninomiya-san stopped me as I was about to indulge in my usual after-school routine.

“Endo-kun, want to walk home together?”

“Sure.”
I had no reason to refuse. We left the classroom and walked towards the exit.

“By the way, how are things with your sister?”

…Esperta Ninomiya-san seems to know everything.

“They’re okay, I guess. I think I’ve become clear about my feelings.”
I couldn’t tell her that I loved my sister.

“Hmm, okay.”

Was she seeing through me again? How much did she understand my feelings?

“Sorry, I can’t explain it well.”

“It’s okay. Siblings are complicated, right?”

…Does she know everything? Did I give anything away? That’s kind of scary.

“But I won’t deny it.”

Fine. Let’s just talk as if she knows everything.

“Thanks. But it’s difficult, you know. Because we’re siblings.”

We’re not just legally siblings. We’re genuinely blood-related. This relationship will always follow me.

“Everyone is different, Endo-kun, aren’t they?”

Her clear eyes looked right through me, but I couldn’t meet her gaze.

“But, it might be forbidden, right? Haruka might find someone she likes eventually.”
Saying it out loud made me sad. My love is romantic, but Haruka might just extend it as sibling love. The barriers seem too big.

“It’s fine. Be together until then. I won’t deny you, Endo-kun.”

Her smile offering comfort. She said it before, she won’t deny me.

“Even if it’s not allowed?”

Siblings. Forbidden love. No becoming a couple. Definitely not becoming spouses.

I know all this without being told. Even if there are limits to our love, I’ll love Haruka within those boundaries. I chose this path.

“…Even if the whole world doesn’t forgive us.”

Because Haruka is the one I love.

“I love Haruka.”

That’s one thing that won’t change.

———————————-

After school.

As Ninomiya-san and I left the school, Haruka called out.

“Brother.”

Turning to the voice, there stood Haruka, not in her usual home style but dressed neatly for going out. She looked like she was waiting for someone.

“No student council today?”

Usually, she’d be at the student council at this time.

“I thought I’d go home with my brother today.”

She glances at Ninomiya-san.

“Oh, am I intruding?”

Not at all. I was about to suggest we all walk home together, but,

“Oh, I just remembered I forgot something. Mind if I go ahead, Endo-kun?”

It was obviously a lie. I wanted to say we could walk home together, but,

“It’s important to have time together. I’ll go ahead.”

“Sorry, Ninomiya-senpai.”

“Okay.”

Ninomiya-san waves and heads back. She’s being considerate. I call out,

“Ninomiya-san…!”

She turns her head.

“I’ll prioritize my happiness.”

“Okay. Good. Fight on.”

Her smile was beautiful.

“We were considerate, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Walking home with Haruka, an event that never happened until today.

“I want to walk home with you before I graduate.”

Haruka’s voice is soothing. The 20-minute walk home flies by, just talking about the day’s events. This simple time makes my heart warm.

“Welcome back, Tooru.”

Haruka greets me as I enter the empty house. Her gesture feels endearing.

“Why are you smiling?”

Slightly annoyed, Haruka makes me smile more. She probably wanted to reverse our usual roles. Understanding without words makes me happy.

“Welcome back, Haruka.”

…Today, I’ll tell her.

After dinner, we sit on the sofa. The TV’s noise feels distant. I’ve sorted out my feelings; it’s just about expressing them now. Even if Haruka rejects me, I’ll accept it. I can’t keep turning away from my feelings.

I speak to Haruka beside me.

“Hey, Haruka.”

“Yeah?”

“I like you, Haruka. Not as a sibling.”

“…What?”

Surprised, she looks at me.

“I know it’s weird, but I like you, Haruka. Really like you.”

“Stop it… You have someone you like, right

?”

Probably thinking of Riko-san. But my feelings are,

“I like you, Haruka.”

“Stop… I like you too.”

Tears in her eyes, Haruka says,

“More than Adachi! I always prioritized you! Why…!”

Tears fall on the sofa. Haruka’s mixed emotions are evident. I pull her close.

“Why? Because I fell in love. I want to be with you.”

I want to be with her forever. That’s what my heart says.

“…We’re siblings.”

“Yeah.”

“Forbidden.”

“I’ll prioritize my happiness. By Ninomiya-san.”

“Still forbidden.”

I know, but we’ll love within our boundaries.

“…Even if the world doesn’t forgive us.”

Because Haruka is my love.

“I love you, Haruka.”

Always.

“Unfair.”

“Sorry?”

“I’ve loved you more. For so long. Everything about you.”

Haruka’s confession pours out.

“I love you too, Haruka.”

Sincerity in my words.

“…I’ve been holding back. You’re mean, Tooru.”

Her pouting is dear to me.

“I’m sorry.”

“I wanted to say it for so long.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Haruka.”

“Yeah?”

“I like you.”

“I like you too, Tooru.”

We became lovers.