Asahina...?

...!

Asahina...

You had your hand on your forehead just now. Are you by chance not feeling well?

I was...

Pardon me.

Oh...

...

Hm...?

You don't seem to be running a fever...

(I knew it...

So, did I imagine that light and foggy feeling just now?)

I'm sorry, Hinomori.

I was just trying to move my bangs out of the way.

Huh...? I-I'm so sorry!

I didn't realize! I completely jumped to the wrong conclusion and...

It's okay. I really appreciate your concern.

Really? If you say so...

Yes, you're so moth... It's like having an older sister.

Oh, hang on. Hinomori, you actually have a younger sister. Is that how you usually check to see if she's running a fever...?

Yes, but Shii hardly ever catches a cold, so I've only ever done this a few times with her...

I see. Still, you show concern for others in a way that makes you seem like an older sister.

I can't help but admire that since I'm an only child.

Hehe. Thank you.

But I believe that you'd also make a wonderful older sister, Asahina.

What, me?

Yes. From club to the student council, you do such an incredible job of looking after all your juniors.

You're always willing to lend them your ear and they always seem so relieved after consulting you.

I believe it's proof that they trust and think very highly of you.

Hehe. I sure hope that's the case.

However, high expectations mean having to produce good results, which makes me a bit nervous.

Have you ever thought that being an older sister is too tough?

Hmm... Too tough...?

No, I can't say that I really have.

When we were little, I was a little worried about Shii since she had some trouble making new friends. Luckily, she ended up meeting some wonderful companions.

If anything, on more than one occasion, I felt rather feckless...

You, Hinomori? Feckless?

Yes. In particular, after I started working as an idol, my hands became full with managing what I had to do.

I couldn't be there for her when she really needed me, which must've made her feel so lonely. On top of that, she had to plan things around me being an idol...

Honestly, I found the way Shii always stayed true to herself really encouraging.

I wouldn't have guessed...

It felt like I was being given so much, while I gave Shii so little.

However... One time, she said, “You've given me so much”...

That made me incredibly happy.

I see...

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to do all the talking.

No, that's okay. Again, I'm an only child, so I really enjoy hearing stories about what it's like to have siblings.

Also, you made it clear just now that your younger sister means the world to you.

Yes, she does! She's the apple of my eye!

Hehe. That's so nice.

I wish I had an older sister who could say things like that about me.

(Siblings...)

(Ena's like Hinomori...

She's an older sister with a younger sibling...)

(She calls him a “little brother with attitude”, but they seemed really close.)

(That reminds me...)

(She shows a clear concern for others from time to time... That's usually when she seems the most like an older sister.)

(Oh, Mizuki also has a sister... But she's much older, lives abroad and hasn't seen her in a while...)

Siblings...

...

I should head back to class...