HS Chapter 14: The hopeless sister goes flower viewing. (Part final)

“Isn’t Koma a bit late? What is she doing?”

It has been over 5 minutes since Koma left her seat. That’s what Aunty mumbles about Koma who hasn’t returned yet while pouring for me to drink… This is problematic. I think that Aunty is starting to realize that something is strange.

If she says “Let’s go look for Koma”,  then it’s going to ruin our plans. I have to fool her until the time comes.

“Or more precisely, where did Koma decide to go and do what in the first place? Hey, Mako do you know anything about it?”

“Aaah, un. I do know. I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten to talk about it… Before we left home, we got a phone call…”

“Tch!? A-A ca…call, you say!? (*Mumble*)… Impossible, I thought I disconnected the phone line…?”

I answered Aunty’s question while pouring a drink for her. Aunty immediately froze at my words.

“A, ah, *Cough*. Well, Mako? Who was the phone call from?”

“An acquaintance of mine and Koma’s called my cell phone… What’s wrong with it? You seem somehow anxious, but… Is there something wrong?”

“Is that so? An acquaintance… It was just Koma’s acquaintance? I’m glad… Hahaha, there’s nothing wrong! I’m okay!”

When I tell her with a composed face she shows a frank relieved expression… Un, I didn’t lie.

“So? What does a phone call from your acquaintance have to do with Koma getting up from her seat?”

“Aah, the truth is. They said that they were in the neighbourhood so they wanted to come and visit us. So when we arrived we got a call and they said “To take them to where we were staying.”. And that’s why Koma has gone to pick them up. Do you get it?”

Maybe she thought it had no relation to her so Aunty replied blankly and drank her drink without any interest…. You fool. She doesn’t know that her negligence is going to be fatal.

“More importantly, you’re going to drink again, right? Give me your cup, Aunty.”

“Ooh, aren’t you being more thoughtful than usual today? Thank you, Mako.”

I’m going to make sure Aunty stays here while pouring her a drink. Okay, this seems like it will work. 

Under the graceful cherry blossom tree, I poured alcohol in Aunty’s cup until it was full.

And then a single fluttering cherry petal falls in the cup and becomes a boat floating in the sea of sake.

“Oooh… sakura sake. This is very elegant, isn’t it?”

“I wonder about that. I don’t think there’s anything elegant about paper cups.”

“Muu… Aunty is being boring, again.”

“Other than that, another round, please.”

“Yes, yes.”

While having a conversation, Aunty gulped the sake with the cherry petal and asked for a drink again. I gave a wry smile to her fast pace while pouring for her.

I finish pouring for her and then I look around to catch my breath… I can faintly hear voices a little further away from us but there is nobody around me and Aunty so it’s very calm and quiet. The mild weather makes for a pleasant feeling and I’m able to admire the cherry blossoms in silence.

… I’m saying this again but this place is really a good place to sit. I guess it can be said it’s a secret place.

“Hey, Aunty.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Thank you.”

“Ha? Ouh! That was close!”

We still have time and it’s just right since Koma isn’t here. As if being influenced by the gentleness of the sakura, I answer honestly to Aunty about my feelings which I usually don’t express to her.

Aunty was so surprised by the sudden words of gratitude that she had spilled the cup she was holding.

“Thanking me out of nowhere… What’s wrong with you? Did you eat something bad?”

“No, I’m being serious…”

“You being serious… Oi, oi, don’t tell me you have a fever?”

This is what you say when I’m being serious for a time… Rude. I’ll just ignore her for now.

“I’m grateful for this flower-viewing, Aunty.”

“For flower-viewing?”

“I think that 90% of it is for yourself, however. Around 10%, Aunty planned this flower viewing for Koma, right?”

“…”

At my words, Aunty looks away and drinks her drink without saying anything. It seems I hit the bullseye.

…For Koma it’s her taste disorder. I’ve already explained before that I’ve been trying to cure Koma’s taste disorder for the past six years. And then… The same goes for Aunty.

“You must’ve done a lot of research this time, haven’t you? Whether there were still cherry blossoms in bloom nearby and where the best spot would be.”
“Who knows.”

In response to my questions, Aunty drinks disinterested with a blank look on her face… I’m trying to heal Koma’s dysgeusia from a nutritional and physical point of view and Aunty is trying to heal it through a mental point of view.

This is what Koma’s doctor-in charge told me before,

“It’s not rare for people to get dysgeusia from side-effects of medications administered for treatment or high fevers, but… I had listened to her story, her everyday stress, then the shock of not being helped from her parents and the fear of wandering between life and death—–In short, the number one cause is mentally.”

In other words, the chance of Koma’s dysgeusia caused by psychological reasons is very high. Naturally, my support is not worthless but they told me that the key to overcoming her dysgeusia is to get rid of her mental trauma and improve her mental condition.

Since I took their advice I’ve been proactive in helping Koma with her problems and Aunty also organizes events like this several times a year for me and Koma. 

And it’s always an amazing experience that you will remember for the rest of your life… Even as a junior high school student I could understand she has done preliminary research and spared no expenses for it.

“That’s why, today… No, it’s not just today. Always for Koma… Thank you for what you’ve done for us twins! I’m grateful.”

“… You’re saying things out of your character. We’re a family so it’s just of course. This isn’t like you, Mako. The flower viewing, today… We didn’t go flower viewing just for Koma.”

“Un, I understand. Even so, I still wanted to say thank you, Aunty.”

“……Is that so.’

While being awkward she accepts my thanks… Usually, It’s hard to talk about this because I’m embarrassed when I’m with Koma but I really appreciate it, Aunty. Thank you.

“… With that, I’m going to end the serious mode around here. You’re right, Aunty it’s not like me to talk about it!”

I finished saying what I want to say, and it’s about time Koma came with that person. I don’t like heavy moods that much so I say something lightly to change the topic.

“That’s so. You saying your gratitude obediently is so out of character eerily creepy and makes my drink go unsavory. Aaah, I got goosebumps.”

“Just shut up and listen, you’re really rude! What do you think of me!?”

… I know I said I don’t like heavy moods, but I’m not sure I want to be in a light mood so quickly. I’m really annoyed that this hag says so many unnecessary things.

I was about to talk back at her but two figures appeared at the corner of my eye just at the right moment… Oooh, nice timing. Looks like I don’t have to keep Aunty here anymore.

“Just perfect. Well, since the time has come I’m going to tell you a story that’ll make your drink worse, Aunty.”

“Aah? What time are you talking about? And then making my drink worse? What are you on about?”

“I’m certainly grateful for you organizing the flower viewing and for the location and provision. However, you know. That is that, so I’ll tell you one thing. It’s about Aunty’s work.”

“….”

Aunty’s work. As soon as I said that word, Aunty’s cheeks that were red and drinking merrily, suddenly she turned pale and looked sick.

“Hahaha. Oi, Mako, let’s not talk about serious things at this fun place. It’ll make my drink go bad, seriously…”

“Just answer me. Aunty, yesterday you did say that today was the deadline, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know much about it, but Aunty you’ve been acting strange today and yesterday. Did you properly meet the deadline?”

Aunty looks at the distance at my interrogation and after gulping her drink, she says.

“Fuu… Sigh. Mako, didn’t you hear me? When you came home yesterday, I properly told you.”

“Hou? What?”

“‘Aah, un. It’s okay. I finished.”, I said.”

… That means.

“This slacking hag! As I thought that’s what you meant by finished!? I see that you couldn’t meet the deadline so you had no choice but to run away!?”

“Alala, I don’t hear you, don’t hear you.”

I thought something was wrong when I noticed Aunty getting upset and acting strangely since yesterday… As I heard earlier, Aunty proposed to me and Koma ‘Let’s go flower viewing’ in order for Aunty to escape her editor because she couldn’t meet the deadline. 

Well, she didn’t lie about planning the flower viewing for me and Koma but then again, she planned it to escape… It’s not for me to say this but Aunty is a hopeless person, too.

“Aah, I’m worn-out… Don’t you have any shame as an adult and a person of society?”

“Isn’t it fine? I’m not annoying anybody.”

“At the very least, the editor who’s in charge of you is in trouble. I mean, they’d be absolutely angry? Don’t you feel bad for your editor?”

I’m interrogating her like I’m blaming her. However, Aunty laughs and then replies with a serious philosophical look.

“It’s fine. It’s fine if they get into trouble from time to time. They’re always nagging me.”

“You’re really the worst… What are you talking about, when you’re always barely meeting the deadline and annoying them… Apologize to your editor!”

How dare you speak like that to the person that has been taking care of you… I’m really sorry, editor… I could hear the footsteps of two people approaching the dumbfounded me and the merry Aunty.

Now, Aunty. Unfortunately, this is where your freedom gets curtailed. They’re going to be mad for all the fun you’ve had till now.

“She’s probably yelling “Sensei, come out!” infront our empty house…Hahaha! I’m so happy!”

“Goodness gracious… Isn’t it cruel to say bad things about your editor who’s been helping you, while you are skipping work? You’ll definitely get divine punishment.”

—–In fact, you’re going to receive it very soon. Aunty, behind, behind.

“It’s fine, I tell you. There’s no way he’s going to find where this place is and come here, so I can complain as much as I want…”

“Hohou? You have a funny way of saying that, Meiko-sensei. Who won’t be coming here?”

“*Buhuah*!?”

At those words, Aunty blurted her alcohol out. A young man was right behind Aunty and calls Aunty ‘Sensei’ and his veins are showing while menacing. And then… (TN: Fuck, I was really hoping the Editor-san would be a female, but apparently it’s not. It’s a young man. Time to change the bio.)

“I’m back, Nee-sama and Aunt.”

“Ywes♪ Welcome back, Koma! I’m sorry I left you in charge.”

“No need to be sorry, Nee-sama.”

Next to him was my lovely and cute Koma… With this, all of the actors have arrived.

“Why… Why are you here!?’

“Aaah, long time no see Editor-san. I’m sorry for Aunty always causing you trouble.”

“Yes, it’s been a while Mako-san. Thank you for always taking care of Sensei, too! Thank you very much. And then, thank you Koma for guiding me here!”

“No, no. No problem, Editor-san.”

“I’m glad knowing you two are doing good. Flower viewing is also another elegant thing.”

“Isn’t it? I’m happy that today’s weather was good for flower viewing. It just so happened that school was half-work today.”

The one who greeted us twins with a smile—-That’s right, it’s the Editor-san who’s in charge of Aunty.

He ignores Aunty’s who is panicking from the sudden appearance of the unexpected person and greets us and makes small chat. We’re much younger than you but as always you’re polite and nice…

After greeting us, he turns to Aunty and he makes an angry look once again. 

“Getting to the topic at hand. Even though I said today is the deadline, you’ve got lots of time for drinking while flower viewing, Meiko-sensei, don’t you? As I recall, today’s meeting was supposed to be held at Sensei’s house as planned, not at this park.”

“No… Tha… That is…”

“And… I had listened to the conversation you had with Mako earlier, and I heard ‘Didn’t meet the deadline’, and ‘Skipping’, and ‘Ran away’…  I’ve heard these keywords and I wondered if you could explain them to me, sensei.”

“Wa, wait, wait a bit! Before that, how did you know where this place is!?”

She was certain that this place absolutely won’t be found. Aunty is really shaken up by the appearance of her editor. Well, I guess I don’t need to hide it anymore so I’ll say it like it is.

“Oh my, I’m sorry Aunty.”

“Fufu, I’m sorry too, Aunt.”

“Ma-Mako? Koma? Why are you two laughing…? What the heck is happening?”

“The truth is I did say earlier that I got a call—–It was from Editor-san.”

“Eeh!?”

◇　◇　◇

~Before leaving home~

“Ooh? It’s from someone unusual… Koma, I’m sorry. I’m gonna go for a bit.”

“A, okay… Feel free.”

It wasn’t Aunty who called, but someone else who has been taking care of us. I have to answer this person’s call. I apologize to Koma and answer it.

“Thank you for waiting, it’s Tachibana Mako.”

“Ah, I’m glad it went through… Hello. I’m Meiko-sensei’s editor. It’s been some time, Tachibana Mako.”

“Yes, it has been some time.”

As I thought, the call is from her editor. We haven’t had a chance to see each other for a while now, and we’ve been just emailing each other, so it has been some time since we talked.

“No, no… I’m sorry for constantly getting help from Mako and Koma… You’ve been helpful in many ways…”

“Not at all, we’re sorry for having you take care of that person…”

Besides, what’s wrong with Editor-san? Does he have some business with Aunty?  But, if that’s so then he doesn’t need to call me. Our fixed phone… Or he could’ve called Aunty’s phone.

When I was wondering about it, the editor humbly asked me about something.

“Ehm… I’m sorry to call you unexpectedly, Mako-san. About… Senpai— No, is Meiko-sensei there? I’ve been having trouble contacting sensei since a while ago…”

“Eh? Right now? No, currently that person… She suddenly said “I want to go flower viewing.” So, today she’s flower viewing…”

“Flower viewing, is it? So that’s it… Hohhou…”

“…..?”

When I answered him, I could feel his anger transferring through the call. Eh? What? What did Aunty do?

“About her, Mako-san.”

“Ah, yes? What’s wrong?”

“Today is the deadline for the novel your Aunt has been writing… I planned with her to have a briefing session at your house, didn’t you girls know?”

“….Ha?”

◇　◇　◇

“And that’s the phone call I’d gotten from Editor-san before coming here.”

“Truly, you’re cruel, Aunt… I can’t believe that you neglected your deadline and the promise with your editor…”

“So, the call was from the editor!? More importantly… How!? How did the editor get in touch with you!? I’m certain that I disconnected the phone line beforehand!”

“Oi, just wait right there!”

What the hell is she doing… When I come back home, I’ll have to make sure the phone line is connected… 

“No, nothing to it… Both Koma and I have exchanged numbers with your editor.”

“Haa!? Why did you…”

“I gave them my number for emergency contact for times like this where you are skipping work, sensei.”

“Besides we are e-mail friends with Editor-san. From time to time we update what Aunty is doing and have idle chats with him.”

“This is the first time I hear of this!?”

As Koma says, the editor is also our e-mail friend who occasionally helps us with matters related to our aunt and other trivial problems. Editor-san is in charge of our selfish, annoying, troublesome Aunty.

“So, back to the topic at hand. After I heard the story from the editor, I was so surprised that I explained to him the location of Aunty, who had skipped her work and ran away, and then I kept Aunty here until the editor came so that Aunty wouldn’t escape.”
“Also… It was me who guided Editor-san here.”

“You traitors!? You knew about this before you came!? You betrayed me!? You heartless girls!”

“No, we did nothing of that sort…”

Isn’t it Aunty who betrayed the editor-san by skipping her work, drinking merrily in daytime, and not keeping her promises and deadline.

“Ha, I’m the one who offered you the place for flower viewing, you know!? Why didn’t you read the situation and protect me!? Let’s have a fun flower viewing just the three of us as family!”

“I’m sorry… Please forgive us, Aunty. It was painful for us to give up Aunty, but we hardened our hearts and did it for the sake of your work.”

“That’s right. Aunt, you have to get your work done.”

“You liars! There’s definitely another purpose— Aaaah! Then, I hope you two didn’t sell me out to him just so that the two of you can be alone!?”

“…Hahaha, what do you mean?”

“…Fufufu, I have no idea.”

I can’t deny that.

“I had been thinking that something was strange since yesterday but Aunt… I’m really sorry, Editor-san. For the trouble our Aunt has caused to you…”

“Koma has nothing to apologize for. Sensei, why are you criticizing Mako-san and her, it’s immature. And then… I really hope that you have an excuse I can accept.”

“*Grrr*… Since it became like this!”

“””Aah!”””

As if she couldn’t stand the gaze of the Editor-san while protecting us, Aunty stood up suddenly and then.

“Like I’ll be apprehended! See ya! Farewell, you guys!”

“””She ran away…”””

Like saying that appearance and shame don’t matter, Aunty grabbed a few bottles from this place and started to run away. What a dumbfounding scene, as her niece I’m embarrassed a lot.

“What a sore loser Meiko-sensei is…”

“Really… I’m sorry, Editor-san. Our Aunty is unseemly… I’m sorry, Koma. Can I ask you?”

“Leave it to me, Nee-sama. Then—I’m going!”

I asked her with a few words, and Koma immediately understood what I meant and took the start stance you see in track-and-field events… Look at the crouching start—Koma made a vigorous start and started chasing Aunty. Let’s start a game of tag, Aunty VS Koma.

Now, I know I’ve been nagging with my explanations since a while back but, Koma is also athletic. Koma has won several awards from running events, and in our school there’s nobody who can match up with her. On the other hand, Aunty is a recluse all year around and doesn’t exercise much. And above all, she drank a lot today.

“Let me go, Koma! I beg of you, let me go!?”

“I can’t do that. Don’t make trouble for the Editor-san. Now give up and surrender.”

—Drunkard old middle-aged woman hikikomori (Who’s a old middle-aged woman, oi!?) VS Physically athletic, young junior high school student. Well, I knew the outcome before I saw it. Less than 30 seconds later, Aunty came back to me apprehended by Koma

“Okay, I get it! Why don’t we make a deal, Koma? I’ll give a present to you, it’s a picture of Mako waking up from sleep, next time! That’s why… Please let me off the hook for today? Okay? It’s not  a bad deal, right?”

“…U~n. That’s a bit tempting, but… Even so, it’s not good. You have to do your work, Aunt. (*Mumble*)… Besides… If it’s a picture of Mako’s waking up face from sleep… I’d take them myself… That’s more fun…”

“Not good enough? In that case! That’s right! Then a sneak picture of Mako changing her underw—”

“Aunt. That’s something only I can view and photograph… I will not tolerate such foolishness even if it’s you, Aunt… I will not tolerate it…”

“Ge… Damn, stepped on a landmine…”

…Tch. Anyway, you Aunty… Those two were talking happily back and forth in the distance, but I couldn’t hear what they were talking.

More precisely, I’m jealous of the way you’re apprehended by Koma… That looks so nice. Must be fun… I also like to be apprehended by Koma like that…

“Then, Editor-san. Here is my Aunt. I don’t need your stamp.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it. Thank you for your time, Koma-san.”

“Oi, wait a minute, you’re treating me like a delivery item!?”

Aunty seemed like she was struggling desperately but she couldn’t escape from Koma so she got handed to the Editor-san. She’s given us a lot of trouble but the matter is finally settled.

“Ah, Editor-san. You’re going to have a meeting at our place for the finishing touch of the novel, right? If so, you can have these. This is a duplicate key of our house… And this is a sakura chiffon cake I made. You can eat it if you like.”

“Ooh… It’s magnificent. I truly thank you for the help Mako, also for including the key. I’m sorry, but I’d like to come up in your house.”

“”No problem, no problem.””

“No, it’s not okay at all!? Why are you two giving our house’s key so readily to a stranger!?”

I don’t know why you are asking… I have more faith in Editor-san than Aunty. I gave it to Editor-san beforehand since I thought there might be a chance for trouble at home without it in a last ditch effort. I’ll leave everything else to you Editor-san.

“Then, Koma-san, Mako-san. I’ll borrow sensei for a while. I know this is not a substitute… But I’ll take the finished obentos to your house and wash them. And then, I’ll return this trash home. I hope you two enjoy your flower viewing… Aah, if you’re planning to come late, please contact me. I’ll give you a ride home. It’s dangerous at night.”

“”We understand.””

Editor-san pays mind to voluntarily bring home our luggage and all the empty cans and bottles that my aunt put out. This will really help us take the bus home more easily. What a gentleman.

“Can you share some of that kindness with me, Editor-san!? At least, let me have a bite of Mako’s chiffon cake!? Also one more sip of alcohol!”

“Now, I’ll excuse myself, Mako-san, Koma-san… Let’s go, sensei, walk. Prepare yourself to do your best to finish it.”

“For today… I think that we aren’t going to finish it…”

“What are you saying. It’s 1:50 pm and we have over ten hours left— There’s nothing you can’t do if you’re prepared to die.”

“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!?”

Koma and I waved goodbye to our Aunty who was being dragged by Editor-san. Goodbye Aunty, I send you good luck.

Don’t worry, I’ll enjoy flower viewing and flirting with Koma for your part too, Aunty.

“How can I be caaaalm!?”