Miko was reluctant to invite me into her home.
However, I had already made arrangements with her parents.
When I convinced her that resisting now was pointless, a look of despair crossed her face, and she reluctantly nodded.
After transferring trains twice, we arrived at Miko's nearest station.
Her house was a detached home in a quiet residential neighborhood.
With barely any dirt or wear on the exterior, it was clearly a recent build.
Several years had passed since we went our separate ways, and seeing this made it truly sink in that we had spent that time living completely different lives in places unfamiliar to one another.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by a refreshing scent.
Miko's parents, Satsuki-san and Jun-san, came to welcome us.
"Welcome, Subaru-kun."
"Long time no see. Look how big you've gotten."
"Yes. It's only for one night, but thank you for having me."
I had already sorted things out with the two of them over the phone.
Since they had apologized to me about the past countless times before, I had specifically asked them to treat me normally when we met.
I thought that might make it easier for Miko to open up, but...
"Come on, Miko, don't just stand there. Say something."
"...Welcome."
Satsuki-san offered a wry smile at Miko's cold reception.
Biting her lip the entire time, Miko looked stiff as a board.
"Sorry about that. Miko doesn't mean anything by it; she just seems awfully nervous. She's acting like this, but I'm sure she's actually thrilled to see you, Subaru-kun."
"Geez, Dad, Mom, stop it!"
Seeing Miko snap back with a bright red face made me chuckle.
Somehow, having a conversation between the four of us like this brought back a wave of nostalgia.
Exchanging small talk, I was shown to the second-floor room where I would be staying tonight.
Miko trailed behind us, keeping her head down the entire time.
The room I was using was a spare guest room.
Next door was apparently Miko's.
That was when something struck me.
There were quite a few rooms.
Since Jun-san and his wife had their bedroom on the first floor, that left an extra room up here.
Was it a storage room?
Then, I finally noticed that Satsuki-san's stomach was slightly swollen.
As if catching my gaze, Satsuki-san gently patted her belly and let out a soft "Ah."
"We're expecting a new baby. There's going to be quite an age gap between this one and Miko, though."
Jun-san's expression melted into a proud grin.
"Even before we got married, we promised each other we'd have two kids, but we weren't blessed right away. But Satsuki hung in there, and well, here we are."
"Is that so?"
"I was so excited I went ahead and built a whole house. Miko's really happy about the pregnancy, too. Thanks to that, she's seemed a lot more energetic lately."
"You don't have to tell him all that!"
Holding her head in her hands, Miko groaned in frustration.
That Miko, becoming an older sister...
In my mind, Miko had always been the one who needed looking after, so it felt remarkably surprising.
It was hard to wrap my head around.
Still, if she was happy about it, that was what mattered most.
"Good for you, Miko. You're going to be a big sister."
"...Y-Yeah."
Jun-san and Satsuki-san watched our exchange with fond smiles.
This atmosphere was nostalgic as well.
It was decided that I would join them for dinner at their house.
It was a home-cooked meal made by Satsuki-san.
"Really, Subaru-kun, you're our guest, so you can just relax."
"No, if my father found out I made a pregnant woman wait on me, he'd give me an earful."
"That sounds just like Hiroshi-san."
"You're the one who should be resting, Satsuki-san."
As I helped dish up the food and briskly set the table, Jun-san rubbed his chin in admiration.
"Your efficiency is as incredible as ever. It takes me back to how you effortlessly handled anything you set your hand to, even as a kid."
"Anyone could do this much."
"No, I still have my doubts that you and Miko are actually the same age. You were practically her guardian ever since kindergarten. Satsuki and I even had a serious discussion once about whether you were an old man on his second playthrough of life, retaining memories from a past existence."
What kind of discussion was that?
They made me sound like some sort of anomaly.
"Here, Miko. If you've got time to stand around, lend a hand."
I handed a served plate to Miko, who was idling by.
She didn't take it immediately.
When I pushed the plate toward her again, she let out a resigned sigh and began actively helping from then on.
The food was delicious.
I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Jun-san and Satsuki-san, too.
After all, I didn't harbor the slightest shred of resentment toward them.
Keeping the trip down memory lane within reason, I listened to them talk about their current lives, which I hadn't known about until now.
Even through all of this, Miko remained completely silent.
Well, I had expected as much, so it wasn't a problem.
"W-Well, I have studying to do, so..."
Naturally, there was no way I was going to let her slip away.
After dinner, I caught Miko by the arm as she hastily tried to retreat to her room.
"We're going for a walk."
"...G-Go by yourself."
"Not happening. This is an errand that requires you, Miko."
"Why?"
"We're doing a continuation of that fake confession you gave me on the rooftop back then. Except this time, it won't be a lie—it's going to be a real confession."
"!?"
Now then, this is where the real business begins.