YOU KNOW, I'VE THOUGHT THIS A LOT, BUT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS OF THE FACT THAT YOU CAN BE HAPPY OVER THE SMALLEST THINGS, MORISAWA-KUN.

I didn't really want people to know that I was crying.

I really let my guard down... Mm, I'm alright. It's not like something sad happened. I wasn't bullied or anything -- who do you think I am?

You see... My big sister is going to have an omiai soon. But she's one of those bookish, diligent people who study all the time. She told me that she didn't even have the clothes to wear for it, and that she had no idea what to talk about with the opposite sex...

I couldn't just stand there and do nothing, so this morning I helped pick out some stuff for her and gave her some advice. And that meant skipping school, of course... She was mad at me about that for the entire time. But missing out on a day of school is manageable -- if you mess up your omiai, your entire life can change, you know?

In my place, my big brother and sister have to live a serious, plain and boring life. I really feel bad about that, but I'm also grateful and respect them too.

So I really wanted to help, even if it's just a little.

Although after all this time, it might've just been meddlesome of me.

While she was nagging me the whole time, we went around here and there. Well, she's my big sister, after all. She's naturally good-looking, and with some make up and some nice clothes, she really is beautiful. I got her to realize that, and we got her omiai photo taken.

We took all the trouble to pretty her up, but my sister -- she said "I'm sorry, Kaoru-chan"... and she started crying, ruining her make up. I mean, why was she apologizing to me? Me, who shoved all the heavy burdens onto my big brother and sister and simply just ran away.

After that, I, well... I don't really get it myself, but...

I guess I panicked and the endorphins in my brain started leaking out or something -- I started crying too, and I couldn't stop. That's why my eyes are all red and swollen.

Nonsense, right? Sorry for talking about something so weird... I couldn't get it together by myself, but I didn't want to keep thinking about it, so I decided to go out and play together with my classmates.

Well, after enjoying myself and having some merry fun, I'll go to sleep and forget all about it the next morning.

maluridae.