Ruriko pulls Agnes and me.
This way
Reika spreads the leisure sheet which was loaded in the van on the sandy beach.
Yeah, thanks
Agnes, Ruriko and I take a seat.
It’s great that the wind is calm today. If the sea breeze is strong, and sand would fly around, and it’s problematic
Reika stands behind us as she speaks.
Edie’s the only one running around laughing. She took off her leather-soled sandals, and run around the wet beach with her foot. Does Agnes want to go to the waves too?
I asked.
I like it here, desuno. Together with Papa, desuno
Then, she clings to me.
She’s overwhelmed by seeing the ocean for the first time. Hey, how long are you going to stay here? This is boring
Yukino tells me from behind.
She’s sitting on a concrete block. She drinks the pet bottle she bought from a vending machine on the way. That’s from the 3000 yen I gave her.
Even though she bought the cheapest sandals, she doesn’t care about the prices of drinks.
I don’t get her sense of money. Onii-sama, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a beach
Ruriko speaks to me to break my conversation with Yukino.
It was summer last year when we went to our villa in Hayama
Oh, the Kouzuki house’s villa?
However, I’ve never entered Japan’s sea. I was only allowed to enjoy the scenery in Hayama. It’s my first time coming to a beach
Oh.
Misuzu mentioned it. There’s a private beach on the southern island? Yes. That’s the only island where we can wear our bathing suits and soak in the sea. There’s a bay there so you can never peek from outside
Yeah. The daughter of Kouzuki house cannot swim in a crowded beach.
Onii-sama, do you like the sea?
I
No, actually, this is my first time coming to a beach too. Of course, I’ve never swum in the sea Huh?
Ruriko’s surprised.
Agnes also looks into my face. No, but of course I’ve seen the sea from the windows of buses or trains. But, this is my first time coming down to the beach and take it easy
I pat Agnes’ head.
I’m the same as Agnes.
Agnes looks puzzled.
Papa too? Yeah Did your school not go to the sea?
Reika asks from behind.
Oh, Reika also doesn’t know about me. We didn’t. Or rather, we’re not allowed to Huh? We have that kind of home Was your house poor?
Reika asks worriedly
No, it’s normal, I think. My father was an average office worker; my mother managed a shop Then, your parents were busy?
Ruriko asks this time.
Err. That’s not it, both of them weren’t interested in me. Especially my mother. Therefore, they feel regretful spending money for me That’s!
Ruriko’s surprised
I never went to play somewhere with my family ever since I was a kid. Therefore, I never went to the sea. I went to a public pool alone before, but;
I look at the horizon.
Wide. Then, waves come one after another from that horizon. The waves ripple. The scent of the tides; Seabirds are flying. A beautiful day, blue sea under the blue sky. Oh, a yacht floats in the distance. This large scene spreads over my sight. Oh, so the sea is like this. I’ve seen it on television, but I knew it would be different when I come here. It’s amazing
I speak out my honest thoughts.
Yes, it’s incredible, desuno
Agnes says as she cuddles to me.
How far does this go?
Hm, Agnes?
It’ll go very far. It’s connected to a distant foreign country
Ruriko answers Agnes with a smile.
Foreign? Yes. America, the place where Edie was raised is beyond this sea
That Edie is playing tag with the waves alone,
Kicking around, splashing. She’s having fun. Even I won’t enter the sea around here
Yukino said from behind.
I usually go to Hawaii on summers and winters. Papa owns a condo in Hawaii. That’s why we spend our time there. I can’t enter Japan’s beach because it’s filthy
Then, she sighed.
I can’t go to that condo anymore. Even though I liked it over there, Dammit!
Yukino speaks hatefully
I’ll go to Hawaii again. I will take back that condominium. I will regain everything you took away from me. That’s decided, it will happen, kuh!
I won’t answer that.
Even if Yukino’s crying under her sunglasses; Yeah, looking at the sea, I feel like I’m being sucked in. Above all, it feels melancholic
The waves wash my heart.
But, it’s not lonely, Onii-sama’s with me
Ruriko said.
She’s holding my hand tightly. Ruriko will hold Onii-sama’s hand so Onii-sama won’t fly far away. Agnes, please hold onto Onii-sama too Yes, desuno
Agnes hugs me.
What’s wrong, Ruriko?
Ruriko looks at me with moist eyes.
I have misunderstood Huh? Onii-sama’s always so firm, hugging me tightly, that I misunderstood that Onii-sama’s a strong-hearted person
Ruriko?
Onii-sama’s the same as me. No, you were able to live with restrictions beyond me Nono, that’s wrong. In my case, my parents merely ignored me, don’t Misuzu and Ruriko have it harder? Carrying the Kouzuki house’s name and live under the gaze of people. Mine’s not a big deal No, we received attention, but we’re never ignored. Furthermore, we always received the best hospitality. Above all, Kouzuki-sama loves us Ruriko Being far from him makes me understand. Grandfather really loved us
Ruriko called Jii-chan as Grandfather for the first time since she became my slave on her will.
Onii-sama never had a family that loved him, am I wrong?
I
I did, before. Grandma. But, she’s already dead Is that so? But, it’s okay. I have everyone now
This time, I hug Ruriko and Agnes.
Onii-sama? There’s a lot who love me, and I have a lot I love, it makes me happy I prefer to love than to be loved. I love everyone, everyone’s precious to me
The sea in front of us.
The thoughts deep in my mind surfaces. I prefer to love than to be loved, what a beautiful speech. Ruriko wants to be like Onii-sama too
Ruriko
I adore you. I love Onii-sama
Ruriko kisses me.
I love all of Onii-sama
She looks at me with moist eyes.
You genuinely push yourself to the limit but, you smile kindly not to let us worry. Ruriko does not want to be loved by Onii-sama only anymore. I also want to love!
Then, Ruriko looks at Agnes.
Agnesan, I like you too. I want to treasure you as a sister. I think of that from the bottom of my heart
Agnes is puzzled.
Oh, some things won’t take shape unless you say it. I swear. I will protect Agnesan’s life with Onii-sama. I want to be your Onee-sama Onee-sama? That’s right. Please be my little sister. Please. Agnesan!
Agnes looks up at me.
Agnes, do you hate Ruriko?
Agnes shakes her head.
Do you like her?
She shakes her head nodding.
Then, say that you do. If you don’t say it, it won’t reach her, by saying it in words, it pleases the other. That’s how it is
Agnes;
Uhm, Agnes likes you too, desuno
She looked at Ruriko and said.
Say I love you
I said
I love Ruriko-oneechama
Ruriko smiles at Agnes.
Me too, Agnesan!
Then, Agnes;
I like Papa too. I love you
Agnes;
I like Agnes-chan too. I love you!
Agnes shouts at Edie who’s running around the beach like a puppy
Edie looks this way, showing confusion. Also, I like Rei-chan too! I love you!
Reika’s surprised from Agnes’ sudden remark.
me?
I.
Agnes is a smart girl, so she’s been watching us talk all the time, and she’s able to think for herself. On top of that, she knows that Rei-chan’s a good person I think so too. Fujimiya-san