Hayashi Megumi and her housemate

While Yamamoto was taking a bath, I heard something unbelievable from his little sister.

Yamamoto and Shiho-chan have different fathers.

I never would’ve imagined such a thing.

Sure, there’s a big age gap between Yamamoto and Shiho-chan. But siblings with that kind of age difference aren’t uncommon, so I never thought much of it.

Yet, hearing the details from Shiho-chan like this, I couldn’t help but think, Oh, I get it now.

Shiho-chan’s expression told me everything.

The reason Yamamoto didn’t want to go back home.

And it’s not just that.

I can’t help but feel this family situation has shaped Yamamoto’s entire outlook on life.

For example—

The way Yamamoto sometimes talks about “changing your mindset.”

Or that detached, almost philosophical way he thinks.

Maybe those ideas came to him precisely because he’s always been a bit of an outsider in his own family.

“…I try not to bring up that topic with Onii-chan.”

Shiho-chan said, her voice tinged with loneliness.

“Mom and Dad got married after Onii-chan was old enough to understand things. So, of course, he knows about it, but I don’t, right?”

Shiho-chan was born after their parents got together, so that makes sense.

“Onii-chan probably doesn’t know that I know about it.”

“…I see.”

“Onii-chan’s never once brought it up with me. So I figured it’s probably better not to talk about it either.”

“…Yeah.”

“Meg-chan, he hasn’t told you anything about it, has he?”

“Nope. He’s never mentioned anything like that to me.”

“…What’s Onii-chan like at home? At our place, he’s always cleaning, you know. Sure, he’ll humor me with some banter, but… I always felt a bit of distance.”

“Don’t worry. He’s pretty much the same over there.”

“…I see.”

I told her the truth, but it seems Shiho-chan didn’t quite believe me.

Seeing her look even lonelier, I understood.

“Thanks for telling me, Shiho-chan.”

For now, I decided to thank her.

Yamamoto probably found it hard to talk about his family situation, even with me.

That’s why the only way I could’ve learned about it was probably through Shiho-chan.

“Stop it… I just told you something awful, that’s all.”

“That’s not true. I’m glad I got to know a bit more about him—and about you, Shiho-chan.”

“…You don’t seem like a bad person, Meg-chan. That’s why I thought it’d be okay to tell you…”

“Thank you.”

Smiling more gently this time, I thanked Shiho-chan again.

I moved a bit closer and softly patted her head.

Shiho-chan looked down, a little embarrassed.

Honestly, I was shocked.

I always thought Yamamoto was hiding things I couldn’t even imagine… but this? So that’s how it was.

Well, now I understand why he turned out the way he is.

I’d never say this to Shiho-chan, of course, but… he probably felt a bit alienated at home. That’s why he threw himself into his studies, learned to do housework, and moved to the city to become independent as soon as he got into university.

…Suddenly, I remembered the culture festival from our first year.

Kakko-chan once told me—

That only one person was truly serious about the culture festival back then.

It was Yamamoto.

Hearing that, I decided to change my attitude toward him a little.

Back in high school, I used to dislike him one-sidedly, but I realized he was actually kind and had a lot of guts—a good guy.

That’s why I started thinking.

Or rather, spending more time with Yamamoto and getting to know him better made me think—

Why was he so invested in the culture festival?

He’s supposed to be a pretty detached guy, after all.

When I was struggling with domestic violence, he helped me, saying it was “for his own sake.”

When I was disowned by my family, he helped resolve it, again saying it was “for his own sake.”

Sure, he ends up helping people in trouble, but his reasons for acting don’t really come from himself.

He helps because someone asked him to.

Even if it’s inconvenient for him, he’ll help if someone relies on him.

But a guy like that, who doesn’t act on his own initiative, is—true to his word—pretty self-centered.

Yet, with the culture festival, he took the lead and dove in headfirst.

Deep down, I always wondered why.

…And now, I think I understand, just a little.

He was probably…

Probably trying to prove something.

Through the culture festival, he wanted to prove it.

I can do this much on my own.

I can live on my own now.

That’s what he wanted to show, I’m sure.

“Does Onii-chan resent me?”

Shiho-chan murmured.

Those words came from her, someone who’d figured out why Yamamoto was so driven to stand on his own.

The more I skip one day, the more I think it’s fine to skip two (grinning).

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