Birthday Date
The closing ceremony ended, and spring break began.
March 30.
My sixteenth birthday.
A day to completely spoil myself with my brother.
Now then… what should I have him buy me?
He’d been in special prep classes for incoming seniors until yesterday and had come home looking exhausted, so I’d let him sleep in. But we’d promised before the break, so it was time to wake him up.
“Come on, get up. We’re going out.”
“Just a little longer…”
“What time do you think it is?”
I yanked off his blanket. He curled up tighter.
Honestly… I leaned in close to his ear and shouted, “Wake up!”
“So annoying…”
You’re the annoying one.
“Prepare yourself.”
I went straight for his side and tickled him hard.
He twisted, trying to escape—but too bad, big brother. I know all your weak spots.
I wrapped my leg around him and clung to him, tickling him nonstop. He squirmed and struggled, but I didn’t let go.
“Okay, okay, okay, I get it!”
“You give up?”
“I give up, I give up!”
Finally, he got up.
I made him eat toast while he was still half-asleep, cleaned up the dishes, and got dressed.
In front of the mirror, I tied my hair back and slipped in my daily contacts, then stepped outside.
Yesterday’s rain was gone; the sky was clear, the air crisp. Cherry blossoms brightened the whole town.
Ahh… it feels amazing.
I was stretching in front of the gate when I made eye contact with Mr. Harumiya walking his dog.
I hurriedly greeted him.
A little embarrassing.
My brother came out of the house.
I couldn’t help laughing.
“What is that outfit?”
What do you mean, what’s wrong with it? It’s completely wrong. Seriously, what kind of taste is that? If I weren’t around, who knows what he’d walk outside wearing.
I grabbed his hand and dragged him back inside, then stripped off everything he was wearing, top to bottom. He just stood there, completely unbothered, letting me do whatever I wanted.
Heh. Cute.
“And you don’t need the camera.”
“I was going to take pictures of you.”
“If you bring something that huge into town, it’s just going to get in the way.”
“This Minolta 85mm is an amazing portrait lens, you know.”
I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
“Then take a picture now.”
If I let him carry a camera, he’ll just keep taking random shots and forget why we’re even spending time together.
“See? It looks great, right?”
On the digital display was just… me, as I am.
“Look at the detail in your hair—crazy resolution. And the background blur? Beautiful, right?”
Yeah, yeah, amazing camera. But you’re leaving it behind today.
And honestly, don’t say it looks great—say it’s because the model’s good. Why can’t you say that?
We stepped out of the house again.
Locked the door. Walked to the tram stop. Got on the streetcar. Sat side by side.
It was all just like usual—but today I wasn’t in my uniform, I wasn’t wearing my glasses, and I’d dressed up as much as I could. It felt completely different.
The world, filled with sparkling spring light, seemed to be celebrating my first birthday since becoming a high schooler.
We got off at the Matsuyama-shi station.
Honestly, I kind of wanted to go somewhere like Kobe.
Walk side by side along the harbor, lined with stylish shops.
Have tea with elegant cakes.
Look out over a glittering night view from the mountains.
Matsuyama’s too small. We’d definitely run into someone from school. I don’t mind being seen—but I don’t want our time interrupted.
Seventeen and sixteen, walking through the city.
I remembered what Zumii had said during finals.
“Did we really look that much like a couple?”
“Well… yeah. You seemed really close. It just felt natural.”
I glanced at the profile of the person walking on my right. Well-shaped features. A composed expression. I’m so used to being with him, I don’t really notice—but from the outside, maybe he does look cool, just like Shion said.
But you know… if you seem that way, it’s because I’m here. That thought made me smile.
Without making a big deal of it, I slipped my arm through his.
“What’s up?”
His gentle eyes.
I shrugged a little, gave him a small smile, and said, “It’s nothing,” as I leaned closer.
There were couples everywhere in the city during spring break. They all looked so happy.
I wonder if we look like that too. Walking this close, arms linked—it wouldn’t be strange if we did. But we’re actually brother and sister, you know. Not like those ordinary couples—we’ve got a bond you can’t just cut apart.
…Why am I getting so worked up about this?
We looked at clothes, then shoes, then bags, then accessories, then stationery.
“Hey, do you think this would look good on me?”
“Which do you like better, this one or that one?”
“This one’s kinda plain, don’t you think?”
Hey, are you even listening?
Come on, look properly.
Oh, this is cute. It’d be perfect for lounging at home. Oh, this one feels so spring-like. Cute, right? Maybe I’ll try it on. Okay? Wait here a second.
I stepped into the fitting room, changed, and checked myself in the mirror from every angle.
Yeah… this might be good.
I pulled back the curtain and called out.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. What do you think?”
“Yeah, it looks good.”
Do you really mean that? Hey, don’t just say it without thinking. Is it cute? Really? Then maybe this one’s fine… but are you sure? Is it really okay?
After going through that about three times, I ended up choosing the first outfit I tried on.
We lined up at the register. My brother paid. The shop assistant handed me the bag.
“You’ve got a wonderful boyfriend.”
He’s not, though.
But I didn’t correct her. I just smiled, took the bag—
and slipped my arm through his, pressing close against him.
He bought it for me. My birthday present.
I love you, big brother.
We stopped by a little gift shop.
There were lots of matching items.
Hey, what about this mug? Should we use a pair? Matching would be nice, right?
I even found a set that formed a heart when you put them together.
What do you think? Kind of lovey-dovey, right?
I wouldn’t mind using it, but it doesn’t look like it holds much… probably not enough for my big-eater brother.
We had crepes, licked soft-serve ice cream.
For lunch, we even went all out and hit a hotel buffet.
Hey, that’s way too much on your plate. See? It’s spilling, it’s spilling.
You’ve got rice on your mouth. What are you, a little kid?
Oh, that cake looks good. Chomp. I’m stealing a bite from your fork! What? It’s fine—today’s a special day. Mm, this is really good! This pudding’s pretty great too. Here, you should try some.
Hey—again! Now you’ve got cake on you. Here, here—no, not there. Seriously, hold still.
I reached out and gently wiped the corner of his mouth.
What, you’re embarrassed because we’re in public? Honestly, getting food all over your face is way more embarrassing. I laughed, licking the cream off my finger.
He’s honestly so cute.
“Huh…?”
I suddenly felt someone watching me.
A girl with braided hair was staring at us from a table across the room, her hand covering her mouth.
It was Zumii.
There were three people at her table—probably her family.
See? Ran into someone we know. Matsuyama really is too small.
Still… better it was Zumii.
I gave a small wave with my left hand. She quickly looked down, like she’d seen something she wasn’t supposed to.
Heh. Cute.
“Did you see someone you know?”
“A classmate.”
I said it casually, then reached over and stole a bite of cake from my brother’s plate. Mm—this one’s good too.
Later, when Zumii got up to get more food, I left my seat as well.
“Hi.”
When I called out, Zumii looked up at me, startled.
“Soto-chan?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not wearing your glasses today.”
Oh… right. I hadn’t worn them. That must be why she looked so surprised.
I just kept talking.
“What a coincidence, running into you here. Are you here with your family?”
“Yeah.”
“Same here. They’re celebrating my birthday.”
“Huh? Today’s your birthday?”
“Yeah—wait, don’t tell me yours is too?”
“…Yeah.”
That honestly surprised me.
“Really? I’ve never met someone with the same birthday.”
Zumii looked down and said quietly,
“Must be nice… being you.”
“Why?”
“Getting your birthday celebrated by such a wonderful boyfriend.”
“…What?”
“I told you before, didn’t I? He’s not my boyfriend.”
Zumii looked up, suddenly realizing.
“Oh, right—you said he’s your brother.”
“Exactly. Same as you—I’m just here with family.”
“I see… but still, you’re lucky. Having such a nice brother.”
“Nice?”
“I’m an only child, so I’ve always wished I had a kind older brother.”
“Well, even if you do, it comes with its own hassles.”
“But today… you look really beautiful.”
“…What?”
“I mean it—you’re glowing. That smile… you only show it to your brother, don’t you?”
“… ”
Was I getting a little too carried away?
I guess I can’t act the same way I do at home.
After enjoying the buffet to the fullest, we left before Zumii’s family did, giving her a small wave on the way out.
As we were about to leave the hotel, I saw a bride in a pure white wedding dress.
Beautiful.
She was surrounded by smiling people, all celebrating her.
How nice…
So this is how a bride is blessed by everyone.
I reached for the hand of the person beside me. He squeezed back.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.”
I glanced at his face—but he didn’t seem particularly interested.
After that, we went to see a movie.
We sat side by side, eating popcorn. We laughed, even teared up a little.
When we stepped out of the theater, the city was bathed in the evening sun. The gentle light painted the blooming season in shades of orange. I spotted the Ferris wheel on top of a building near the station.
“I want to see the ocean.”
I said it while looking up at it.
“Now?” he asked, a little surprised—then, after a brief pause:
“Want to go to the harbor before it gets dark?”
To the harbor? Now?
This time, I was the one surprised.
He took my hand, and we headed to the station, boarding a train bound for the port.
I don’t usually ride this line, so it felt a bit like traveling. My heart started to race at the unexpected turn of events.
After running through residential areas for a while, the train suddenly opened up to the seaside.
“Wow—look! Look! The ocean!”
I was the only one getting excited. People around us glanced over.
I quickly covered my mouth with both hands. Beside me, he remained calm as ever.
I could feel my ears turning red.
The train stopped.
A small but beautiful sandy beach stretched out right in front of the station.
The ocean really is better up close than from afar. The view felt so fresh.
The next stop was the last one.
The retro station sat in the shadow of the setting sun, carrying a faint, lonely atmosphere.
We switched to a shuttle bus and headed to the sightseeing port. It was basically right there—we got there in no time. Honestly, it almost felt like we didn’t need to pay for the bus at all.
We went up to the observation deck on the second floor of the terminal.
Right in front of us was the Seto Inland Sea, with islands scattered across it like shadows. The setting sun was so bright it made everything shimmer. The salty sea breeze drifted in, carrying that ocean smell.
The two of us walked slowly around the observation deck.
A high-speed ferry to Hiroshima was out there, rocking gently on the waves, waiting to leave.
It would be kind of amazing if we just got on that boat and crossed the sea like that.
As I imagined it, I realized my face had softened without me noticing.
Without saying anything, we both stopped and stood side by side, leaning against the railing, just looking out at the sea.
The wind came and went, messing up my hair. It was a little cold. I held my hair back with my hand and watched the waves reflecting the sunset light. Looking at the quiet, gentle movement of the sea, I felt like my heart was slowly matching its calm rhythm.
A sudden wave of nostalgia washed over me.
Nostalgia?
Huh?
What am I feeling?
The sun was sinking over the inland sea. The islands were slowly losing their color.
The quiet sound of the waves. The wind brushing my hair. The scent of the tide.
Wait…
This view.
I’ve seen it somewhere before.
What?
When have I ever come to a place like this?
A school trip?
When?
When?
I can’t remember.
I can’t remember, but—
I’m sure I’ve been here before.
When?
It feels like something from a long, long time ago.
“Miko.”
“Yeah?”
“Have we ever come here before?”
He turned to look at me.
“I feel like I’ve seen this view before. But when? I don’t remember coming here on a school trip, and we haven’t come anywhere like this since Grandma moved in, right? Did we come when I was little?”
He didn’t answer.
I looked out at the sea. A large island lay ahead, the rippling water glittering in the sunset.
There was something about this place… like it was hiding something important.
Then—
A loud rumbling noise.
A high-speed boat suddenly roared to life. Its white hull glowed orange in the evening light.
The wind shifted. I felt the chill on my cheek.
Backing away from the harbor, the boat slowly turned its bow toward the open sea.
“Oh—”
Watching the boat pull away, something clicked.
“A boat! Miko, I’ve been here before—I came here on a boat!”
He stared at me.
But I was too busy chasing the memory.
When did I ever ride a boat? If I came by boat, that means I was traveling somewhere, right?
There’s no way I’ve been on one since Grandma came to live with us.
So it had to be before that… but I just couldn’t remember.
“When did I ever ride a boat…”
If it was when I was little, I should’ve been with my family.
“I’ve never been on a boat with you,” he said.
“Really? Then who did I go with?”
Maybe… just me and Mom?
Was there a picture like that in our albums? I don’t remember.
Mom always carefully made photo albums, so if we’d gone on a trip like that, there should’ve been some kind of record.
…
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s head back. It’s getting cold.”
“Yeah.”
We walked to the station.
I wanted to walk along the sea—maybe something would come back to me.
But nothing did.
Even on the train home, I kept digging through my memories
Outside the window, it had already gone completely dark. My brother didn’t say a word.
Only the steady clack-clack of the tracks echoed through the nearly empty car.
In the end, I couldn’t remember anything about the boat.
We had dinner at a slightly shabby Chinese restaurant my brother sometimes goes to with his swim team.
After finishing an absurdly large plate of fried rice, we got home a little past seven.
I took the new spring outfit out of the bag and tried it on right away.
“Hey, Miko—hey!”
I struck a pose in front of him as he sat on the sofa in the living room.
“Well? Cute, right?”
He gave a faint, almost lonely smile.
“Yeah. Very cute.”
“What’s with that half-hearted answer? Hey, I want to go somewhere wearing this—take me out again, okay?”
I spun around. My skirt flared softly.
“Oh! We could even go to Kobe, couldn’t we? It’s still spring break—we could make it!”
“Yeah… maybe.”
Wait—does that mean yes?
“Then how many nights should we stay?”
“How many nights?”
“You said we’re going to Kobe, didn’t you?”
“Huh? We are?”
“You just said ‘maybe’!”
In the end, the travel plans just faded away.
That night, we took turns in the bath, changed into our pajamas, and lay down as always in the tatami room, our futons side by side.
And just like that, my fun, wonderful birthday came to an end.
…Or at least, it should have.
