After spending the entire morning digging bamboo shoots, the group headed to the Miyauchi house, the closest home to the bamboo mountain.
They set the bamboo shoots down in a corner of the yard and washed their hands. The water here came from a mountain spring, and it felt especially icy to the touch.
After that, they arrived at the entrance to the Miyauchi house.
Slide.
Miyauchi Renge pushed open the sliding door.
As she did, she turned to explain to everyone, "Mom and Dad went out early this morning. They said they were going up the mountain to plant trees. I don't really understand why they cut down trees that finally grew up, only to plant new ones afterward."
"I just think it's a shame because the trees worked so hard to grow. Last time I went with Dad to take a look, the mountain there had already become completely bare. But there are also some mountains where little trees have started growing again."
"They said they wouldn't be coming home for lunch, so only Onee-chan is at home."
Hearing that, Miyauchi Hikage shrugged.
"Onee-chan has to study, you know. If they didn't cut down trees, there wouldn't be any money for my tuition or living expenses. And your tuition comes from that too, Ren."
Miyauchi Renge froze for a moment before revealing a shocked expression.
"Nani?!"
But the shock on her face gradually faded. Lowering her head, she muttered,
"Then it would be better if Hikage-oneesan just planted trees instead. Anyway, she's not good at studying, so fewer trees would have to be cut down."
Pfft!
Sato, standing behind them, could not hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
The others reacted similarly. The one laughing the hardest was Koshigaya Natsumi. She pointed at Miyauchi Hikage while clutching her stomach, laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face. It almost looked like she might laugh herself out of breath.
Miyauchi Hikage's face darkened like the bottom of a burnt pot as she looked at Miyauchi Renge, feeling that her little sister was anything but adorable.
Other families' little sisters were warm, comforting little cotton jackets.
Her family's little cotton jacket leaked air.
Annoyed, she said, "Alright, alright, what's so funny? Hurry up and get inside so we can make lunch. I'm starving!"
Sato glanced at her and shook his head.
"Whose fault is that? You and Natsumi were making such a huge fuss. You could've just dug normally. Instead, you had to throw dirt everywhere."
"Don't you know that bigger movements use more energy?"
"Urusai!"
Miyauchi Hikage snapped back in embarrassment.
"But speaking of which, where's Kazuho-oneesan?"
Fujimiya Konomi looked into the house curiously.
They had all been standing here talking for quite a while, yet there was still no sign of Miyauchi Kazuho.
The house was completely quiet.
Everyone craned their necks to look inside.
The hallway stretched inward in silence. After waiting for quite a while, no one appeared, nor was there the slightest sound.
"Hey, Hikage-oneesan, where's Kazuho-oneesan?"
Koshigaya Natsumi nudged Miyauchi Hikage with her elbow.
Miyauchi Hikage rolled her eyes.
"How would I know?"
But after looking at Natsumi, she suddenly felt much better.
So other families' little cotton jackets leaked air too.
Compared to Natsumi, her own little sister was actually pretty adorable most of the time!
Miyauchi Hikage's mood instantly brightened.
She squeezed through the crowd onto the entrance step, took off her shoes, and stepped onto the hallway.
"Forget about Kazuho-oneesan. Everyone come inside and rest first."
"Excuse us!"
A chorus of greetings immediately sounded at the doorway.
After taking off his shoes and stepping into the hallway, Sato suddenly thought of a possibility. With a rather strange expression, he turned to Miyauchi Renge.
"Ren, go check Kazuho-oneesan's room and see if she's gotten up yet."
Miyauchi Renge nodded before turning to Kanna.
"Kanna-chan, you all go to the living room first."
Then she looked up at Miyauchi Hikage.
"Hikage-oneesan, don't forget to bring out the snacks."
Miyauchi Hikage sighed weakly.
"I know all that. I'm your oneesan, you know, Ren!"
At least have a little more faith in me!
Miyauchi Renge calmly replied,
"None of the older sisters in our family are reliable."
"..."
"Hahaha!"
The hallway instantly filled with laughter once again, leaving only Miyauchi Hikage wearing a bitter expression.
...
Slide.
Opening the sliding door, Miyauchi Renge looked calmly at Miyauchi Kazuho, who was fast asleep on the floor.
Swish!
She abruptly pulled open the curtains, and dazzling sunlight immediately flooded into the room.
"Eh..."
Still asleep, Miyauchi Kazuho frowned slightly and quickly covered her eyes with one hand.
Then her completely unmotivated voice drifted through the room.
"Is it morning already? Let Onee-chan sleep just a little longer, Ren."
"Kazuho-oneesan, it's time to get up."
Miyauchi Renge walked over and gently pushed her.
Miyauchi Kazuho simply rolled over, turning her back toward the sunlight with a contented smile on her face.
"Just let Onee-chan sleep a little longer. Just a tiny bit."
Miyauchi Renge stood up and let out a sigh.
Why are all my older sisters so lazy?
"Kazuho-oneesan, it's already noon! Everyone's here!"
"Isn't it still ear... huh?!"
Miyauchi Kazuho suddenly sat upright.
Her half-closed eyes were filled with confusion.
Noon?
She slowly took the phone from beneath her pillow and looked at the time.
It was already past twelve.
Looking back at Miyauchi Renge, who was watching her expressionlessly, Miyauchi Kazuho scratched her head awkwardly and smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, Ren. I accidentally overslept. I'll go make lunch for you right away..."
"Why's it so noisy downstairs?"
She suddenly stopped to listen, surprise appearing on her face.
Miyauchi Renge answered calmly,
"Everyone came over. We're having lunch at our house today."
"Huh? Everyone's here? That's troublesome."
Miyauchi Kazuho immediately looked distressed.
Even after sleeping for so long, she still looked completely drained and utterly lacking in motivation.
"Hey, Onee-chan."
Miyauchi Renge suddenly looked at her without any expression.
"Were you just planning to make me instant noodles and brush me off?"
"Th... that's definitely not what I was planning!"
Our little sister is way too sharp...
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Miyauchi Kazuho's forehead as she thought that with lingering fear.
"Then hurry up and get out of bed. We dug up lots of bamboo shoots this morning, and Sato niichan and Kanna-chan are here too."
"Bamboo shoots?"
Miyauchi Kazuho's eyes lit up.
She immediately climbed out of her bedding, flexed her biceps confidently, and declared,
"Today I'll let you all taste Onee-chan's cooking. Go get the cured pork hanging behind the house."
"Mm."