Matsuura Rikka always thought that the four of them are
siblings - her kind older sister Miki, handsome Yuu, then, she and younger
brother, Hajime. But actually, their family is quite complicated. When Rikka is
6 years old, she asks her mother when would her older siblings come and play.
Her mother says that currently, the two are busy at work so they can’t for the
meantime. Rikka complains that it is boring. Her mother asks if she cannot play
with Hajime and didn’t she buy a new game for her. Rikka complains that Hajime
always wins and he is obviously the younger brother, younger by 7 months, but he’s
too aggressive[/arrogant]. Her mother asks if she actually thought that Hajime
is her younger brother. Rikka freaks out over this and asks if Hajime is
adopted. Her mother nervously says it isn’t like that and she misunderstood.
She asks Chiyako [Hajime’s mother] if it is time to properly explain things to the
kids. Chiyako agrees since they are already in elementary. Rumi [Rikka’s mother]
calls Jin and Youji [the fathers] to come. They explain that: “The Matsura
family = Youji and Chiyako who had Yuu. The Koishikawa family = Jin and Rumi
who had Miki. When Miki and Yuu are in first year high school, Rumi and Chiyako
exchanged because of some complicated reason. Afterwards, Rikka and Hajime were
born. So, it became like this: both parents divorced so, after re-marrying, Rumi
and Youji had Rikka while and Jin Chiyako had Hajime.” The four adults ask if
they understand it. Rikka is confused and to her surprise, Hajime got it. Rikka
shouts, wasn’t it like four parents had four children type of family. The
adults sweatdrop and laugh as they say she actually thought it is like that but
it isn’t though it cannot be helped since they are raising them all together.
Soon, Rikka is moping in her room. Hajime comes in her room and gives her kappa
doll that she forgot. It was a blow to Rikka to know that they aren’t
blood-related family. Hajime tells her that they are still family even if they
aren’t blood-related. This cheers Rikka up and says that’s true. She thinks
that even if it is a bit messed up, but their family had a harmonious
relationship which everyone likes so this is fine! Soon, they are 12 years old.
The two ‘siblings’ prepare to go to Toryou school as first year junior high
students. Hajime asks if Rikka is ready. Rikka says that she’s coming. And,
while they are walking, Rikka tells Hajime to hurry it up.
While walking at the school hallway, Rikka tells her friend,
Eri [guesswork from 笑里] about her real
relationship with Hajime. Then, she greets a teacher named Gin[ta] who tells
them to hurry for the bell has rung. Eri asks how come she knows him. Rikka
says that that her older brother and sister know Gin. Also, when she was young,
it seems that she would frequently see him. Eri comments that Rikka’s older
siblings also graduated from this school. Rikka says that’s right, she had
heard a lot about the school that she is eager to go there and it’s great that
she and Hajime got in the school. Soon, it is raining after school dismissal.
Rikka laments over why it is raining when it was just sunny a while ago. She
had been engrossed talking with Gin at the office regarding her older siblings’
very interesting past. Since Hajime and Eri went home already, she wonders if
she ought to make a run for it. To her surprise, a boy smiles and gives her a
folded umbrella. He urges her to use it if it’s okay with her. Rikka blushes
and thanks him. She wonders who he is and he looks very beautiful. She is
surprised when the boy starts walking in the rain. She shouts where his
umbrella is. The boy tells her that he only has one. Rikka wants to return his
umbrella but he claims that he likes the rain and it isn’t really raining hard.
She insists for he’ll catch a cold and radiation. The boy laughs and says that
it is alright. “See you.” Rikka is captivated by him as he runs in the rain.
She is surprised that she was lost in thought while watching him off. She looks
at the umbrella and notices a label ‘Aoi’ on the handle. She wonders if it is
his name. The umbrella isn’t black but a beautiful pale grey which totally
matches his image. The next day, Hajime gets a note from Rikka that she’ll be
going ahead first to school. Hajime mutters that this is quite rare. At school,
Rikka waits for Aoi to come. Upon seeing him, she thanks him for lending it to
her for it has been a great help. She asks if he didn’t catch a cold. He tells
her that there’s totally no problem at all. He asks if she waited for him early
in the morning. Rikka says yes, because she doesn’t know his name. Aoi smiles
and thanks her for specially waiting for him. Blushing Rikka says that there’s
no need for that, she should be the one thanking him. After they wave each
other goodbye, Rikka realizes that she forgot to ask his full name and she
forgot to introduce herself. While she berates herself for being stupid, Hajime
asks her what’s up with her [expression] and does she know Namura. Since she is
puzzled, Hajime says that the one whom she’s talking with is, Namura Aoi, his
classmate. Blushing Rikka mentally says Aoi’s full name. And, Hajime is looking
at her.
Comment: Okay,
time will tell if this will be another indirect ‘incest’ story since Hajime
seems to be intrigued/concerned about this development. For Rikka, she does
seem to purely view him as a younger brother. As earlier mentioned, Rikka
reminds me of Chitose and Hajime reminds me of Subaru in both looks and
personality. For now, it does seem Aoi is like Yuki. ^^; I find it amusing though
that the characters that this mangaka is writing is getting younger because she
had written more adult series in the form of josei before. But then, this
magazine is considered josei. ^^;; Hm..it makes me wonder if it is in a josei
magazine because the adult characters would have a bigger role later on. Scans
by 红莲汉化组.
Word of the day:
The value of family, friends, and faith points us to the
realization that what matters most in life is all wrapped up in people and the
Lord. ~ Our Daily Bread