Yuriko was waiting in our agreed-upon spot in front of the station. Her signature bangs that normally covered her right eye were swept to the side and held in place by a cute brooch in the shape of lily. She was wearing a really cute outfit that seemed specifically chosen for the occasion, striking a perfect balance of form and function. I didn’t know much about fashion, but even I could tell that she had put a lot of thought into it.

  I should probably compliment her, but I don’t know how without coming off as weird.

  ‘You look really cute.’

  ‘Officer! This man right here! He was sexually harassing this young girl!’

  ‘Buddy, freaks like you belong behind bars. You’ll never see the light of day again.’

  THE END

  What the hell am I thinking about...

  I should just greet her.

  “Sorry for making you wait.”

  “It’s okay. I just got here.”

  Don’t say something so cliché!

  “Let’s get going.”

  I proceeded into the station and onto the train platform, with Yuriko following behind.

  While waiting in line for the train, she muttered something from behind me.

  “You’re really not going to say anything?”

  I guess I really should have complimented her earlier.

  I turned around to face her. She was looking down at her feet.

  “Umm, it looks like you put a lot of thought into your outfit.”

  I didn’t know how else to say it. It would be too embarrassing to say something like ‘You look really cute,’ even if it was true, and I didn’t want to add any more fuel to the fire.

  She shuffled her feet without looking up. I was taller than her, so I couldn’t see her face with her looking down like that.

  “This is the first time I’ve worn something like this. I picked it out especially for today. Does it look like I’m trying too hard?”

  Her voice was really quiet.

  I don’t like this date-like atmosphere at all!

  “I’m sure Fuyuko would have loved it.”

  It would have been too embarrassing to say something like ‘Well, it really suits you,’ even if it was true, and I didn’t want to add any more fuel to the fire. So, I went for an indirect response.

  A few seconds of silence passed before Yuriko jerked her head up to look at me, her face completely flush.

  “Don’t misunderstand, okay! I didn’t wear it just for you! I bought it specifically to show it off to Fuuko today! It would have been a waste for me not to wear it, even though she wasn’t able to come!”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t misunderstand. You’re just my little sister’s best friend—there’s nothing between us.”

  She dropped her head again.

  “Yeah...there’s nothing between us...”

  It felt like my brain was turning to mush. She might have said even more for all I knew.

  I turned back around.

  It’s all because of that stupid thought I had this morning. The tsundere rating thing started as a joke, but now I can’t stop reading into everything she says. It’s probably just a misunderstanding like she’s saying, but what if it’s not? What if she really does like me? What should I do then?

  She’s two years my junior, a middle schooler, and my sister’s best friend. She’s undeniably cute, but I just don’t think of her that way. She’s nearly as untouchable of a concept in my mind as Fuyuko is. I really hope I’m just misunderstanding something, because I don’t want to have to hurt her by turning her down.

  Hopefully what I said was enough to cool her off.

  The train had two seats on each side. The original plan had been that Fuyuko and Yuriko would sit together and I would sit next to a stranger on another row. With only two of us, it made the most sense for us to just sit next to one another.

  Yuriko took the window seat, so I sat near the aisle. I read a light novel I had brought while Yuriko stared at the passing scenery. We didn’t say anything to one another for a good portion of the trip until Yuriko spoke up about halfway through.

  “I was thinking that maybe we should exchange phone numbers.”

  “?!”

  You have to give me some kind of warning before you say something like that!

  “...Don’t misunderstand! I mean in case we get separated at the venue or something! We need some kind of way to get in contact with one another!”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  See, it was nothing. I’m freaking out over nothing.

  I closed my book and we pulled out our phones to exchange phone numbers.

  The first number of a girl who isn’t a relative in my phone.

  It should have been exciting, and yet...

  I let out a sigh and opened my book back up. But before I could take out the bookmark and continue reading, Yuriko spoke up again.

  “There’s actually something else I wanted to talk to you about...since Fuuko isn’t here.”

  My heart started pounding as I closed the book again.

  “Hmm, and what do you want to talk about?”

  It’s nothing. Just stay calm.

  “Love...”

  “!!”

  Her voice trailed off.

  What about love? I’m dying here, Yuriko! Don’t leave me hanging like this! Should I just ask her if she likes anyone? I don’t really want to have this conversation right now, but this seems like a good opening.

  “So, is there someone you like, Yuriko?”

  “Ah, don’t misunderstand—it’s about someone else.”

  That’s what they all say...

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “There’s actually this boy in our class...”

  “Do you like him?”

  “I don’t dislike him—he’s one of our friends—but...umm...”

  Get on with it! I can’t handle this vague shit!

  “Did he say he liked you?”

  “No...the thing is...you know what, never mind. I don’t really know what I’m talking about. I’m probably misunderstanding something. Forget I said anything.”

  She turned away to look back out the window.

  This girl is going to be the death of me...

  16 - Meet and Greet

  Once we arrived at the venue, things went smoothly. Outside the venue were life-sized cutouts of Mia that you could take pictures with. Yuriko made me take a picture of her with one before forcing me to take a picture with one too. ‘We need to take a bunch of photos to show Fuuko how good of a time we had,’ she had said.

  Once the concert started, Yuriko seemed to forget about whatever had been worrying her. I was a fan of Mia, too, so I also had a good time. We were both able to forget about our troubles for a little while. I guess that’s the power of music.

  Once the concert was over, they began announcing the winning tickets for the special, mystery meet-and-greet event. Winners were determined by the seat number on the ticket. Everyone with a winning ticket would get to meet Mia backstage, as well as bring one guest with them. Every time a winning ticket was announced, a flurry erupted around the winning ticket holder as they had to figure who would be their plus-one. Many bonds were forged, and many more were broken.

  Is this some kind of cult? Did I accidentally join the cult of Mia?

  The announcer listing off the winning ticket numbers continued, oblivious to all the chaos they were causing. Finally, the last ticket number was called.

  A commotion arose around us as the nearby attendees searched for the winning seat. But it quickly died down as they realized the unfortunate truth. The seat was empty. They wouldn’t be able to bring a plus-one.

  Yuriko leaned in and whispered something to me.

  “It’s Fuuko’s seat! She won!”

  I hadn’t been thinking about it, but we did have the ticket for the seat next to us. That meant we could both go. I guess that’s the power of Fuyuko.

  Although, technically it was my seat, but it was much more magical to think of it as Fuyuko having the winning ticket, so I wasn’t going to tell Yuriko that.

  The meet-and-greet was carried out in the order that the winners were announced, which meant that we were last in line. It was late, but Yuriko didn’t seem sleepy at all. She was pacing around in small circles next to me, her eyes lit up with excitement. It didn’t seem very Yuriko-like—it was a very Fuyuko-like thing to do. This was a side of Yuriko I normally didn’t see.

  I unconsciously smiled.

  She was pretty cute.

  Maybe it was because I was tired, but I let my guard down, and ‘it’ almost came back up.

  I quickly looked away, the smile vanishing entirely from my face.

  Don’t think about it.

  Luckily, I managed to keep it bottled up.

  “Next in line.”

  “Come on, Akio-san. It’s our turn.”

  I was still spacing out after what almost happened, but I began moving my feet at Yuriko’s words.

  “Sorry.”

  Before us stood Mia—not a life-sized cardboard cutout—but the flesh and blood, real deal herself. The light dancing off of her unnaturally silver hair made her look so angelic I couldn’t look away. One might think that her promotional photographs and marketing materials were digitally altered—and they probably were—but she was just as enchanting in person.

  Apparently, the reason why it was called a special, mystery meet-and-greet was because you never knew whether she would allow autographs, handshakes, photographs, or anything else. This element of mystery was one of Mia’s gimmicks. Fuyuko probably told me about it at some point, but I was just a casual fan who enjoyed her music—I didn’t care about her culture or whatever.

  “Akio-san. Am I dreaming?! It’s really Mia! I get to experience Mia’s fabled fan service!”

  Yuriko was really excited and Mia took note.

  “Why don’t we start with the little lady? Ladies first, after all.”

  ‘Little lady’? Aren’t you only like a year older than her?

  Yuriko shuffled over to Mia.

  “I-It’s an honor to meet you, Mia-sama. Uhm, my name is Shiina Yuriko.”

  “There’s no need to be so formal—an idol is nothing without her fans, so I like to think that we’re on the same level. It’s nice to meet you, Yuriko-chan.”

  “Yes, Mia!”

  Mia giggled.

  “You look super adorable in that outfit. Are you on a date with your boyfriend?”

  I wish I could compliment girls so casually like that—it’s just different between girls.

  Never mind the other part.

  “No! There’s nothing between us. He’s just my best friend’s older brother. Unfortunately, she got sick and couldn’t make it today, so it’s just us.”

  “That’s terrible to hear. I wish she could have made it. I bet she’s just as cute as you are—what a shame.”

  How can you say things so freely like that?

  I looked up at the ceiling and started counting all of the lights to try and distract myself from their conversation.

  “Fuuko is super cute! She’s far cuter than me...”

  “You two seem like good friends.”

  “Yeah...we’re best friends...”

  Five.

  Six.

  ...

  “Onii-san. It’s your turn...unless you don’t want to shake my hand?”

  Mia’s voice pulled me out of my reverie.

  I didn’t know where Yuriko was; she seemed to have gone off somewhere.

  Also, what the heck did she just call me?

  “Ah, my name’s Matsuda Akio. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Onii-san.”

  You’re still going to call me that?

  “Akio is just fine.”

  “I understand, Akio-onii-san.”

  You get off on this, don’t you...

  She lifted up her hands, and pulled off the glove on her right hand. She wiggled her bare fingers before holding out her hand for a handshake.

  “Come.”

  “!!”

  I nervously extended my hand until our palms touched. She wrapped her delicate fingers around my hand and held tight. Her grip strength rivaled Fuyuko’s.

  “You seem like a kind older brother, trying to prevent her birthday present from going to waste.”

  I didn’t know how much she knew, because I wasn’t paying attention to their conversation earlier.

  “Well, I try my best.”

  “Unless...you had some other motivation for accompanying her here?”

  What is she getting at?

  I laughed nervously.

  “I’m also a fan of yours, so I still wanted to come.”

  “You don’t feel anything for Yuriko?”

  I shook my head.

  “Like she said, there’s nothing between us.”

  She smiled while patting the back of my hand.

  Why are we still holding hands?

  “That’s good. I’m sure your little sister loves you very much—she would be heartbroken if you had feelings for some other girl.”

  What exactly does she think is going on between Fuyuko and me? Does she have a sister complex? Brother complex? Or, is she just toying with me?

  “She’s the best family a guy could ask for.”

  She looked deep into my eyes.

  “Hmm, is that so...”

  Her eyes are pretty...

  I couldn’t look away.

  What is she looking for?

  What do I look like through her eyes?

  Don’t think about it.

  “This is a long handshake, isn’t it?”

  She released me, and I let out a sigh of relief as she put her glove back on.

  “I really wish I could have met this little sister of yours. I feel bad about her missing the concert.”

  “She was really looking forward to it...umm, if it’s not too much to ask, maybe you could do something special for her?”

  She smiled again.

  “You really are a kind older brother. I’ll think of something.”

  After that, Yuriko returned and we took photos with Mia. Right before we were about to leave, Mia stopped me.

  “Could I get your little sister’s number?”

  It seems she decided on what she wanted to do.

  I reluctantly gave it to her and Yuriko and I left.

  I couldn’t help but feel like Mia was up to something.

  17 - Returning Home

  On the train ride home, Yuriko was looking pretty tired. Her excitement from meeting Mia was finally wearing off and her eyelids were starting to droop. I thought talking would help keep her awake until we got home.

  “Hey, Yuriko?”

  “Hmm?”

  “What’s Fuyuko like at school?”

  I got to see a different side of Yuriko today, and it made me think about the sides of Fuyuko I’ve never seen.

  “She’s friends with everyone, and everyone loves her.”

  I could see that.

  “Does she ever cause trouble with her, you know, antics?”

  Yuriko shook her head.

  “No, she’s actually much less, uhh, crazy(?) at school. I guess you wouldn’t know, because you only see her outside of school.”

  My little sister seemed like an airhead, but she was actually very attentive to those around her and adjusted her behavior based on the situation.

  “That’s why I was wondering.”

  Yuriko nodded.

  “Although, she still has her moments.”

  A faint smile spread across my lips.

  Even my little sister wasn’t perfect.

  “I hope she’s feeling better...”

  “Me too...”

  “...”

  “Akio-san, you love Fuuko, right?”

  Where’s she going with this?

  “Of course. She’s my little sister. What kind of older brother would I be if I didn’t love her?”

  “How would you feel...if I was your little sister...Would you love me too?”

  Why does everyone think I have a sister complex?

  “...”

  “...”

  The conversation died there, but I didn’t know how to respond, so we just sat in silence.

  “...”

  “Zzz...”

  I felt a sudden weight on my shoulder. I turned to see that Yuriko had fallen asleep, her head now resting on my shoulder.

  “...”

  “Zzz...”

  I thought about moving her head off me, but I didn’t want to wake her up now that she was already asleep. It seemed contradictory—earlier, I was trying to keep her awake, and now I was trying to keep her asleep. I guess what I really wanted was just to keep things the same.

  “...”

  “Matsuda...”

  She was talking in her sleep. I had no idea what she was dreaming about, though. It had been a while since she’d called me ‘Matsuda-san,’ thanks to ‘Operation Buddy Buddy.’

  “...”

  “Matsuda...Yuriko...”

  “!!!!!”

  Her cheeks were slightly flush and there was a faint smile on her lips.

  I carefully lifted her head off my shoulder and rested it against the window. Then, I fished through my bag and took out my book.

  Don’t think about it.

  Of course, I couldn’t help but think about it. I had opened the book some time ago, but I hadn’t read a single word. My thoughts were a complete mess.

  This is too much for me. I don’t know what kind of expectations she has for me, but I don’t think I can live up to them.

  Why shouldn’t I? I want a girlfriend, don’t I? Well, there’s a girl right here who likes me.

  Unless you’re misunderstanding something.

  Now that I think about it, this was probably what Fuyuko was hoping for with ‘Operation Buddy Buddy.’ I don’t know if Yuriko told her or if she just intuited Yuriko’s feelings herself. Either way, she was trying to get us together.