Chapter 20: The Visit of the Shiina Mother and Daughter
"Alright, since everything's fine, I won't disturb you two siblings any longer."
In the hospital room, watching Hikigaya Komachi peeling an apple for Hachiman Hikigaya, a trace of imperceptible envy flickered in Aragaki Takiya's eyes, but he quickly hid it and brought up his departure.
"Oh right, it's getting late. Aragaki-nii, let me see you out..."
Realizing the time, Hikigaya Komachi hurriedly handed the peeled apple to Hachiman Hikigaya and checked her phone; it was almost seven o'clock.
"Don't worry about it. Komachi, you should stay and look after your brother. I'm worried he might die of boredom without your company~"
Seeing Hikigaya Komachi stand up, Aragaki Takiya politely declined and walked toward the door. It wasn't until he reached the entrance that Hachiman Hikigaya's voice came from behind.
"Um, take care on your way back."
"I got it~"
..."Kaede, are you sure Papa's home is here?"
At the same time Aragaki Takiya was leaving the hospital room, inside an Apartment building, Shiina Mahiru had arrived in front of a door under her daughter's guidance. After looking around carefully, she didn't find any useful information, so she confirmed with the Little Loli beside her again.
"Don't worry, Mama, it's definitely here. I grew up here."
Shiina Kaede looked at the surroundings. Although there were some significant changes compared to the future, she recognized it at a glance. To convince her mother, she quickly ran over to the door frame.
"It's right here. This is where Papa and Mama used to measure my height..."
Shiina Kaede stood by the door frame, pressing her back against it, then looked at her mother expectantly and hopped a little.
"Alright, be careful. Since we're here, let's knock. And don't forget what I told you just now."
Looking at this unfamiliar door, a complex feeling welled up in Shiina Mahiru's heart. However, she took a breath and prepared to face reality, but not before reminding Shiina Kaede of their agreement.
"Don't worry, Big Sister, I remember everything."
With that, Shiina Kaede blinked, her cute appearance easing Shiina Mahiru's nervousness as she raised her hand.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
The knocking echoed in the empty corridor. Before long, a sound came from inside the room, though the slightly frantic footsteps made Shiina Mahiru feel a bit apprehensive.
"Click~"
The door opened, but the person who opened it wasn't Aragaki Takiya; it was a cute blonde Little Girl.
"Eh? Who are you..."
Seeing strangers at the door, Aragaki Moeha immediately pulled the door almost shut, leaving only a crack. If Shiina Mahiru hadn't been so beautiful and accompanied by a girl her own age, she would have closed the door completely.
"Wrong door?!"
This was Shiina Mahiru's first reaction upon seeing Aragaki Moeha, but remembering Shiina Kaede's confident look earlier, she chose to ask first.
"Excuse me, is this Aragaki Takiya's home?"
Hearing her father's name, the wariness in Aragaki Moeha's eyes diminished quite a bit, but she still didn't open the door fully, instead asking her own question.
"Do you have some business with my brother?"
"Brother!"
Hearing this word, Shiina Mahiru was visibly stunned and looked at Shiina Kaede with an inquiring gaze.
"A sister? How come I didn't know Papa had a sister like this?"
Looking at Aragaki Moeha holding the door, Shiina Kaede felt a bit doubtful. She did have an Aunt, but the other person didn't have blonde hair.
"It's like this: Aragaki-san gave my sister an umbrella yesterday, and we came to thank him today."
Shiina Mahiru explained, showing the items she was carrying—a black umbrella and a box of snacks.
"Is that so... Then please come in. My brother went to visit a friend and will be back in a while."
Thinking of how her father got soaked yesterday, Aragaki Moeha believed Shiina Mahiru's words and led the two into the house. However, she didn't smile after that. Indeed, even though Aragaki Takiya had taken the initiative to lend the umbrella, Aragaki Moeha was still unhappy. In her mind, if Shiina Mahiru and her sister had brought their own umbrella, her father wouldn't have gotten wet.
"Yes, it's here, it's definitely here!"
After entering the Living Room, although Shiina Kaede appeared calm on the surface, her small eyes were constantly scanning the layout of the house. Although it was very different from the future and even the furniture was different, she still found some small traces she recognized.
"As expected, it's still there..."
When she saw a flowerpot on the balcony, Shiina Kaede's eyes lit up instantly. As if to verify her guess, she turned to look at a corner of the flowerpot. Upon seeing that tiny chip, her eyes instantly narrowed into a smile.
"Kaede, come here. You have to be polite in other people's homes..."
Seeing Shiina Kaede head straight for the balcony as soon as they entered the Living Room, Shiina Mahiru felt a bit embarrassed, even though only Aragaki Moeha was present. To her, this behavior was impolite, and she would stop it even if no one else was around.
"Okay, I understand."
Even though she was stopped by Shiina Mahiru, Shiina Kaede was still very happy because she had found her home, her mother, and her father who hadn't returned yet. Although they didn't know each other yet, Shiina Kaede believed that with her help, they would surely be able to live the happy life they had before.
Unlike the happy Shiina Kaede, Aragaki Moeha just sat quietly on the sofa. Although she found Shiina Kaede's behavior a bit strange, she didn't say much. On the contrary, because she was usually home alone, Aragaki Moeha was mostly happy about Shiina Kaede's arrival. After all, they were about the same age, and peers always find it easier to get close.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Just as Aragaki Moeha was spacing out, a knock sounded at the door. Hearing the knock, Shiina Kaede stood up immediately to open it. She had a special premonition that the person outside must be the one she wanted to see.
"I'm back, Moe... Eh? Why is it you?"
The Apartment door opened. Aragaki Takiya had intended to tell Aragaki Moeha about what happened at the hospital, but he didn't expect to see the Little Loli he met yesterday.
"Hello, Big Brother. My sister and I came today to thank you."
Seeing her father in his youth, Shiina Kaede suppressed the urge to throw herself into his arms and explained her purpose for coming.