003

"Oh, Reo-chan, I didn't expect you'd come over this early." Mom said, her palm resting on her cheek.

I glanced at the door from the sitting room. Reo stood by the door with mom, smiling at her while handing over some fruits.

"You shouldn't have."

"No, aunty, you've done a lot for me."

I turned back to the television, focused on the movie playing.

Reo always came to visit in the morning, and then she'd stay over till late in the evening before leaving for her apartment. Her parents weren't always home, so she sleeps over sometimes.

"Miko." She called, sitting beside me on the sofa.

I shifted farther from her, adjusting my singlet to cover up my skin.

"Oh, how you both have grown." Mom said, walking into the sitting room with a tray of snacks.

I let my legs down from the couch and leaned towards the table, "Oh! Thanks for the snacks."

"I remember when you used to call Emiko big sister. Looks like you both have grown." She smiled.

I paused before I could reach for a snack. I never really remembered when that happened. Just hearing it from Mom brought back the memories.

"Reo-chan, why don't you try calling me big sister?" I had said the first day it started.

It was meant to be a joke. I was just trying to tease her. But then, she didn't even waste any time to call me...

"Onee-chan...?" She called as if asking whether that was alright.

I immediately turned to her. This wasn't me reminiscing. She actually said that this time.

She smiled softly at me, picking up a cookie from the tray.

"Oh, my. That's the same way you addressed her in the past."

"Why aren't you eating anything?" She asked in a whisper.

Her expression looked tender and kind, in contrast to how she always looked at me when things weren't going the way she wanted them to.

I took a sharp yet short inhale before turning back to the television. I hugged my knees and buried my face inside.

I hate her. I hate her with everything in me.

Mom had taken a leave from work that week, so she decided to prepare a feast for dad's birthday and our return home. Well, she might've said our, but it was definitely for Reo.

"Reo-chan, can I trouble you to join Emiko to buy some things in the convenience store?" She asked.

She looked sorry for suddenly asking Reo to leave with me. But of course, Reo wouldn't have refused her offer. She's always trying to look good in front of others.

"It's no trouble at all, aunty. What do you need from us?"

"Hey, shouldn't you ask me whether I'm okay with this first?" I asked from the sitting room.

"Come here and take the list, Emi!" Mom called.

I grumbled as I stood from the bed and walked to the kitchen.

"You guys shouldn't stay out too long, okay? I need to prepare this before dad comes back." She said.

"Yeah, yeah." I sighed, then I turned to Reo. "Let's go."

"Are you leaving dressed like that?" She asked, leaning towards me.

"Ugh, can you not nag me? It's too hot, let me wear whatever I want to." I raised my voice, then walked out of the house in a hurry.

"Don't be sad, Reo-chan. She's always like that."

"I know, Aunty. I've been with her for a long time, after all."

...《BEHIND THE MASK》...

After a while, I noticed Reo walking quietly behind me. She didn't try speaking to me like she always did.

Well, that was for the best. I wasn't in the mood to speak to her anyway.

The streets looked as familiar as they were some years back. The park where kids had fun at, the stores we walked past whenever we went to school together, the neighbours who we always greeted and received fruits and vegetables from, everything looked the same as it always had.

I kicked a pebble while walking down the street. It was quite boring walking without having Reo pestering me.

"Oh, that's right. Aya said she returned home a few days ago. Maybe I'll call her to hang out." I said to myself, taking out my phone.

Then I paused when her name appeared on my screen.

Aya and I became friends in high school. We were really close initially, but then she suddenly got obsessed with Reo. We didn't talk for a while because she thought Reo and I were an item. I did explain myself, and I asked Reo to do the same, which she did. After that, Aya apologised for acting that way. Even though I forgave her, it took a while before we went back to how we used to be.

I glanced at Reo, who still walked a little farther from me. As soon as our eyes locked, I turned away.

"Maybe I shouldn't call her..."

Just as I was about to switch off my phone, my ringtone sounded.

I stared at the caller ID for some time before glancing at Reo again. She was still far away, so I was safe

"Hey." I said, placing the phone on my ear.

The caller chuckled softly, "Hey... it's Kazuki. The guy who got your number earlier..."

He paused, then continued, "Ah... I bet many others must have gotten it after I did. I mean, who wouldn't want to?"

He chuckled again.

"Thanks for the Flattery, but I do remember you. The guy from the aeroplane, right? I saved your number before." I twirled my hair while hastening my steps.

"Is that so? I'm so glad."

I didn't listen to Reo. She could threaten me all she wanted, but I wouldn't pass the chance to try out a cute guy. And it's not like she'd find out anyway.

"I just settled in today. I was wondering if you'd want to get some drinks sometime?" He asked, almost worried about my reply.

"Hm...? You can text me. We'll figure it out then." I answered.

"R-really?! I mean, that's cool. I'll text you soon."

I giggled, "I'll speak to you later."

"Yeah, goodbye."

"Who was that?" Reo asked, walking closer to me.

"It's none of your business." I frowned.

"Emiko..." She called, and then she sighed softly.

She didn't say anything more even after we left the convenience store.

After buying everything on the list, she asked to carry everything we bought on her own, and of course, I agreed. Sometimes, it's good having someone like her around. Just very few times, though.

When we got home, we received a big surprise. One I wasn't expecting at that time.

"You're back! I've missed you, Emiko!" Aya called, running towards me.

"A-ya?"

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