Tokyo Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 17

"Saori..."

Her name slipped from Shiratori Seiya's lips as an image flashed unbidden across his mind—a slender figure gripping a long sword, eyes blazing with fierce determination.

"Seiya, I'm trying really hard."

"Saori isn't stupid, you know."

"I'm going to marry you!"

"You're leaving... but you'll come back, right?"

"Seiya..."

The girl's clear voice rang in his ears alongside her face, and Seiya's brow furrowed; the calm he'd carefully wrapped around his heart began to unravel.

Why would Shione look for her?

"Brother-in-law?"

"Brother-in-law—big brother?"

On the phone, Hojo Suzune called him twice without an answer. She pursed her lips.

Drawing a deep breath, cheeks puffed, she shouted, "Shiratori Seiya!"

The girl's petulant cry exploded in his ear, startling Seiya so badly he nearly dropped the phone. He rubbed his ear, annoyed. "What? Why are you yelling?"

Catching the irritation in his tone, Suzune's mouth drooped. "Sorry..."

"But what were you doing? I kept calling and you didn't answer..."

"Nothing. Just thinking about something."

"Oh."

Something you can't tell me about?

Suzune narrowed her eyes in silent complaint, then shelved the question for later. In a sweet, wheedling voice she asked, "Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

"What about what?"

"I want to go to Tokyo too..."

"You're still in your third year of high school. If you want a decent university there, you should be swamped with prep right now."

"What's the rush? I'll just follow big sister and take the special talent exam. I'm aiming for Tokyo University of the Arts anyway..."

Seiya wasn't surprised by her plan. He went along with it. "Then shouldn't you be spending every spare minute at the piano? Also, do your parents know you're skipping the regular entrance exams? Have they signed off on this path?"

"Whether they agree or not makes no difference—they don't exactly supervise me."

Lying on her bed, Suzune rested her white-socked legs against the wall and let her long hair spill over the edge. Staring at the ceiling, she muttered, "When big sister applied to art school they didn't say a word. If I ever become famous they'll brag about how it's all thanks to their genes... even though they can't read sheet music without getting dizzy."

Seiya listened in silence. She wasn't wrong. Compared to their daughters' musical genius, the Hojo couple were tone-deaf; the only explanation was some cosmic genetic mutation.

Shione's mother taught junior-high math, and her father worked at—Seiya couldn't recall the company's name—some electronics firm, he thought. Long hours and business dinners had once fueled constant arguments between them.

No wonder Suzune had run away from home.

Seiya's mind wandered to their first meeting in Hokkaido. So much time had passed; she was nearly finished with high school. When they'd met she'd been tiny—well, she was still tiny. Most girls stopped growing after junior high.

He pictured her in a pleated skirt and smiled unconsciously.

Suzune, unable to see his expression, fidgeted. "So, will you say yes, big bro~?"

Back in the present, Seiya sighed. "Even if you call me sweet names, I can't just let you come here."

"But you promised before."

"My memory's not as good as yours, but two days haven't erased everything. I never agreed."

"But..."

Cornered, Suzune tried a different tactic. "But my birthday's next week. Have you forgotten?"

Seiya blinked. He hadn't marked her birthday on any mental calendar.

Silence stretched; Suzune's mouth curved downward, eyes stinging. "I knew it. You never forget my sister's."

Seiya rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Look, my memory's shot—early-onset old age. I barely remember your sister's either."

"Oh really?" Suzune's voice dripped skepticism. "You dated her for what, two years? She only had two birthdays in that time. I remember every detail—fireworks, candles, flowers, the new song you wrote for her..." She recited them through clenched teeth, knuckles whitening around the phone. "So romantic."

Seiya held his tongue; sometimes playing dead was safest.

When he didn't deny it, Suzune dropped the subject before it ruined the mood. In a pitiful whisper she begged, "Big brother, I'm turning eighteen. Can't you grant my wish to 'visit Tokyo'?"

For a heartbeat Seiya almost said yes. Then caution returned. He exhaled. "If we're talking wishes... fine. I can agree—"

Her eyes lit; legs swung down from the wall as she sat bolt upright. "Really?! Then—"

"On one condition."

"..."

"Your sister and your parents have to approve. All three of them."

He doused her excitement with cold water. In the lamplight her face visibly paled; her lips drooped again. "That's the same as saying no..."

Mom and Dad were easy—she could bat her lashes and get her way. But Hojo Shione was another story. First, she'd never allow a Tokyo trip; she was stricter than their parents. Second, if Suzune mentioned visiting Seiya, Shione's jealous streak would surface—she wouldn't even try to persuade her; she'd just give that icy smirk and leave Suzune to read the silence.

Suzune bit her lip. Telling Seiya how much her sister had changed felt risky. If he started feeling sorry for Shione, her whole scheme might backfire.

Listening to her wordless grumbling, Seiya added, "It's not unreasonable. You can't just sneak off to Tokyo alone. What if something happened? Besides, coming-of-age ceremonies are meant to be celebrated with family, right?"

Suzune pouted, eyes reddening. "You're just bullying me..."

"You were there for your sister's..."