Episode 17 Fight with a kind childhood friend

I sat down on the couch and was offered a cup of tea. I took a sip and said simply.

Two of them came to apologize.

Runas expression moves with a jerk.

I see.If you came to my house, did you have an argument with her or something? If youre uncomfortable, you can come stay with me again. Towa, you said you were going to leave after high school graduation, so you can stay with me until then.

The old me definitely would have done that before.
I was spoiled by Runa, never saw my sisters, and was allowed to stay in the house all the time.

Towa?

After several seconds of silence, I had found the right words to say.

Runa
Yeah?
Thank you for always looking out for me. And sorry..Because theyre both my siblings

Despite my thoughts, I respond in a dismissive manner.

These words alone would have conveyed the meaning.

Runa says in a voice that is sincerely surprised and trembling.

What are you talking about Towa ? They abused Towa a lot, didnt they? They did terrible things to you, didnt they?

First frustrated face Ive ever seen.

Everything Runa is saying is correct.

I just heard why.
Why?
They said they liked me so much that they were cold to me on purpose.
Thats not, thats not a reason! Just because they like you is no reason to be cold!
Runa is right. But I dont think I could have done anything about it if they had confessed to me that they had fallen in love with their sibling before they became cold. With me left with no answer, the two of them would be cold dislike each other, and maybe the result would have been the same.
That may be so, but . Towa is too kind. You can blame others more, you know? You can say that its not your fault, you know?

Sadness and anger flashed across Runas face. It seems I have made her angry. Naturally?

Ive been thinking a lot about . What kind of relationship would I have been satisfied with before they went cold on me? I wanted a normal sibling relationship, sometimes friendly, sometimes fighting. They were very sorry for what they had done, but that did not mean that they had forgiven each other from the bottom of their hearts. But I thought I should give them a chance to start over. So I forgave them.

Runa heard my words to the end this time. She turned her face down and clenched her fists as if enduring something.

Eventually, she slowly opens her mouth.

I see. If Towa is okay with it, Im fine with it.

Runa looked up and smiled sadly.

(Runa POV)

Human bonds are fragile.
No matter how thick and strong the thread is, it can be easily broken just by someone getting in between.

As a matter of fact, I have seen that moment many times.

I thought the connection was irrelevant, that it was love, or trust, or bonding, or family.

When I denied it, I detected a faint hint of anger in Towas eyes. It was as if he was saying, Dont speak ill of my precious Sibling.

Ah, I realize thats true.
After all, you cant beat siblings from the standpoint of a childhood friend.

Sisters who are much more than such childhood friends that it is natural to know them and to be next to them .

, but I wont give up.

I breathed in as much as I could and put all my thoughts into my heart.

Tomorrow, I will confess.