As the dust settled down with her issue with me, Setsuna-nee soon showed signs of calming down. She stopped huffing like a rabid dog and simply stayed silent not far from me. We also stopped staring at each other. Only looking ahead to wait for Satsuki and Juris return.

Suggesting we look for them was probably a good idea but after thinking about it, we managed to settle our differences quicker than how I was expecting this to go down. She didnt make it too difficult to understand.

Most likely, Satsuki and Juri also never thought it would be over like this. Although I probably wouldnt say that the problem was resolved, its still better this way.

In any case, since it felt like we were swimming in a sea of awkward silence, I rested my back on the bench and relaxed my posture for a bit. Setsuna-nee glanced at me but didnt say anything. She did copy me though.

And then, we both cracked a smile.

Dont copy me, idiot.

Im not. Youre the one who copied me. Isnt it relaxing?

Psh. It is but it will be more relaxing if Satsu-chan is here, not you.

Ah. I agree. It will be better if shes here and not you. You do look alike but... I still prefer her.

What the? What do you mean by that?

I mean it as it is. Shes my girlfriend, no? Of course, Ill prefer her more than you, nee-san. Am I wrong?

Ugh. This is why I still find you annoying. You act like youre tolerating how unreasonable I am but most of the time, I can sense that you dont really care at all. I get it. Its all for Satsu-chan... That one time you did show some genuine concern was when we were here and you listened to me...

Upon saying that, Setsuna-nee pointed at the peak of the other hill. Although its impossible to see that clearly from here because of the trees blocking our views, its easily understandable for me. Thats the day we settled our differences. She also climbed to the peak to clear her head and when we found her there, she was already like a different person. And when we returned to the cabin, I listened to her telling me that it was difficult for her to trust any other guy again after that incident in the past.

Was that really the only time I acted genuinely concerned for her?

Yeah. Maybe shes right. I mean, my mindset about her was simply to get along with her because shes Satsukis older sister.

And before that moment when she let go and promised me shed stopped her unreasonable grumpiness towards me, she didnt want to accept my apologies for teasing her or talking back at her.

Did that also influence how I never thought of apologizing to her for forcing her to stay in that room? I dont know.

Ugh. I can also attribute this to how Im mostly focused on my girls. Ive never given that much thought about other people and that includes this woman...

Yeah. I will never be perfect with my imbalanced priorities. 90% are aimed at those close to me while the rest are split between other lower-ranked priorities. Wait, 10% might not even be accurate. Maybe its split to 95 and 5. In any case, thats that. Thanks to her words, I was able to identify this flaw within me.

I have no defense to that. Thats all I can say after concluding that long, contemplative overthinking.

Im not blaming you for that. I can even say that its great that youre having Satsu-chan as your highest priority. Take my words here as my selfishness... Selfishness thats also becoming annoying to my little sister.

Setsuna-nee let out a gloomy sigh as she raised her head, her back firmly resting on the bench.

The sun was still covered by the clouds but it was still shining its rays down, casting the shadows of the trees to bring us to their shade.

I dont think Satsuki will be annoyed at you at all. Tired, yes. But thats all. You havent acted that annoying when youre alone, right?

Are you comforting me? But youre wrong, I often bring you up when were together. Even to Ryou... I cant help it when your annoying mug keeps on popping up in my head.

Ah. That confirms what I pulled from Sakuma earlier. Shes badmouthing me because I keep running in her head? Thats not normal, is it?

That sounds like shes not annoyed by me but by the fact that she kept thinking about me...

Sorry, Setsuna-nee. I have no solution for that. Should I give you a photo of me? That way, you can curse at me using it. Youll stop thinking about me after you vent out your frustrations.

... Idiot. What are you suggesting? Do you think I cant get you out of my head?

Youre the one who said that, not me. But is that not the case if we ignored the fact that youre annoyed that it kept on happening?

Her mouth opened and refused to close as a dumbfounded expression once again rose on her face. Sure enough, shes probably trying to dig up her memories to find out if thats truly the case.

After a minute or two, she clicked her tongue. She then straightened her back and raised her head to match my gaze.

With her narrowed eyes and a face that seemed to convey her disbelief and acceptance, she said, I hate to admit it but youre right. I cant get you out of my head.

Alright. I wont say anything else but when does that start, Setsuna-nee?

I dont know... I cant recall. I told you. I cant see eye to eye with any other guy apart from Ryou.

I see... So, is it safe to say that I became similar to him in your eyes?

Of course, were probably not the same in her eyes. Shes comfortable around him while shes just restless around me. I dont think were already past the part of seeing eye-to-eye. Were just in a compromise for Satsukis sake. Or at least, thats what I can assume after pooling in and evaluating everything that happened.

Setsuna-nee bit her lips. Her eyes seemingly started becoming shaky.

In hindsight, yes. But not so similar. I have a favorable view of him. As for you... I dont know.

Heh. Favorable view, huh? Hell be overjoyed if hears that.

Nevermind! Lets not talk about him. This is about you, idiot.

No. I think thats also important, Setsuna-nee. Youre aware of Sakumas feelings for you, right?

Important as in... I need to hear her thoughts about that guy. That way, we can identify what I am to her or why I became a resident of mind.

Of course. Im not dense or oblivious.

And you dont feel the same way?

Wait. Why are you suddenly asking that question?

I told you. This is important. Dont we want to find out why I cant seem to leave your head?

I pushed on. However, Setsuna-nee didnt look like she wanted to give her answer on it. Shes probably still on the fence.

Huh? When did I say I want to find out the reason for that? I can just shut you down.

Yeah, right. As if you can do that. Dont lie to me, Setsuna-

nee-san. Do you wanna hear my thoughts about this?

What?

You dont have to agree with me but I think youre just conscious of me. Maybe its because I hugged you to keep you in place back in that restaurant.

Right. Thats the only significant event between us apart from her leaning on my shoulder weeks ago.

Setsuna-nee didnt reply right away but looking at her expression, shes recalling that day. Little by little, her face gradually turned red as it seemingly started to heat up.

By the time her ears also took on the same color, her hand swung in front of me, hitting my shoulder with a weak punch.

I could hear her groaning silently but she couldnt form the words to say. But well, its already written on her face.

I was right. Or maybe half-right. That hug didnt just squander whatever progress we made, but it also threw her out of the loop as its probably her first time in a while to be embraced like that by a guy.

That needs a separate apology, right?

No... Just, forget about it. You apologized when I asked you to. You dont have to repeat it. She swiftly replied, dismissing my words. And although her voice sounded forced, it was probably because she held back her emotions from screaming out her bottled-up embarrassment.

What should I do here then? Pray that Satsuki and Juri return soon? But if that doesnt happen... Should I just give her some space? I have no idea. On one hand, I dont think I have any solution here other than to wait for her to calm down and never bring it up again. But on the other hand, I also cant help but have this urge to push her further to help her understand what shes feeling.

Thats a tough choice to make.