Re: Date a Singularity

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Patch Note:

- New Chapter (Brand new)!

Chapter V - Prelude V

With a drop of white, the world fades to grey in remission of past events, leaving the present momentarily behind:

3 years ago.

The first time Sawa had seen Ikari was during their third year of middle school.

At the time, she was a transfer student and happened to end up in the same class as Kurumi.

Naturally, Sawa had tried to befriend Kurumi. 

Despite her cheerful personality, she found it almost impossible to approach the reserved and elegant girl who carried an air of refinement, making her seem untouchable.

It wasn't only Sawa herself, even the classmates, and teachers likewise thought so.

But that day, everything changed.

Like Kurumi, Sawa had packed her things and prepared to leave the classroom when Ikari entered.

He exchanged a few words with Kurumi before the two left together, walking side by side. 

That single moment etched itself into Sawa's mind.

It wasn't just Kurumi who left an impression on her—it was Ikari.

Though she found the idea of love at first sight cliché.

Though the typical love at first sight was cringe, however, she did fall for Ikari at first sight.

That day, her thoughts couldn't help but be occupied by the two. Ikari especially.

She had gone home like that, in a dazed state in contrast to the lively expression she always had.

"Oh my! You're home! How's school, dear?"

Yamauchi Miho had asked her fourteen-year-old daughter that day when she returned from school.

However, for the first time in many years, she saw her daughter with a different expression today.

Dazed? Lost? Awestruck?

Miho tilted her head, observing her daughter's expression, but no matter how much she tried, Miho couldn't tell. However, what her daughter said next stunned her.

"Mom. I think I'm in love."

Sawa had said that in a daze as she locked gaze with her mother.

Miho, who was holding a kitchen utensil, dropped it with a clatter, her jaw practically hitting the floor.

"HAH!?"

This was the first time Miho had heard such words from her daughter. 

For a moment, she wondered if Sawa had lost her mind, no, it was rude of her to think that, and—no! Her daughter was perfectly sane.

But regardless, back then, Miho had even tried her best to convince Sawa about thinking twice; however, no.

Sawa didn't agree. Rather, she couldn't convince Sawa. And with no choice, Miho would have to give up, even though Miho wasn't satisfied with it.

But there was almost nothing she could do. It wasn't like she could force Sawa into giving up. And that was when she'd taken that approach, to simply wait and see.

Eventually, she hope either her daughter would snap up from her dreams, or the other...

At least, that was what Miho had thought back then. 

The next day. Sawa had tried interacting with Kurumi, and all went well. 

She knew it was extremely rude to try to use Kurumi to get to Ikari; hence, she changed her motive, her approach.

Instead, she resolved to befriend Kurumi genuinely.

Much to her surprise, they had quite a few things in common, which made conversations easier.

Over time, Sawa grew close to Kurumi but respected her space, especially after school, when Kurumi always left with her brother.

It wasn't until after one day Sawa took the courage to ask, during lunch time, at the rooftop of their middle school.

"Uhm… Kurumi-san, that person… is he your brother?"

To which Kurumi had answered.

"Oh? Brother? Ah yes, I believe Sawa-san already knows though~"

Kurumi had tilted her head slightly and had given a knowing glance to Sawa which made the brown-haired girl swallow hard.

Sawa froze. That look—Kurumi had already figured her out, hadn't she?

After all, that was how it looked.

"Kurumi-san! Forgive me! I can't continue to lie to you anymore—"

Sawa was just like that.

In her usual straightforward manner, confessed everything.

That day, she told Kurumi she liked Ikari, but more importantly, she wanted to remain friends with Kurumi.

Heck, that day, she had expected the worst—a harsh rejection or even ridicule from Kurumi; however, it never came.

"Ufufu~ You're not the first to tell me this, nor the last, though I must say, I never thought Sawa-san would be that bold~"

"E–ehh? You're not rejecting me."

"My~ Why are you making it sound like you're confessing to me?"

"T-that's not—I mean, no! No! Yes! Argh!"

Sawa had crouched down, burying her face in her arms as she sulked.

However, perhaps because Sawa was too innocent for her own good, Kurumi had decided to humour her.

"Sorry, you're late; my brother already has a girlfriend."

Kurumi had said such back then, shattering Sawa's heart. 

The girl in question, burying her head into her arms, had let out a low whimper.

Her feelings were mixed up. She had thought that this was her punishment for using Kurumi to try to get to Ikari.

"I see… I was too ambitious, huh…?"

She had said something along the lines of that, dejected, when Kurumi suddenly spoke up.

"I am my brother's girlfriend."

"Eh? EHHHHH?"

Sawa, who was already sulking, suddenly shot her head up to look at Kurumi, who was smirking at her.

"Oh! It's a joke!"

"No, it's not."

Sawa had let out a wry laugh, rubbing the back of her head; however, hearing her next words made her jaw drop.

Kurumi's expression looked serious also.

"That can't…"

"What? Sawa-san doesn't believe siblings can love themselves like that? Unfortunately, it's pure love that my brother and I have for ourselves, and if you feel disgusted, then go ahead."

Certainly, the concept was both morally and culturally questionable.

No doubt most would feel disgusted by such a thing. And it was because of things like this both had kept to themselves over time.

It's best not to have a lot of people around them to avoid this.

However, just because of something like that, was she really willing to give up?

More so now that Kurumi, the girlfriend of her brother, knows of her—Sawa's—feelings towards Ikari.

"It doesn't matter."

One of the few times, Sawa had become unwittingly stubborn. And that would be whenever it comes to Ikari.

"If Kurumi-san is telling me this, that means I still have a chance."

"??? Excuse me?"

"Kurumi-san. Your brother. I'll not give up on him, no matter what you think of me."

This was their first standoff.

Both had stood on different sides and looked at each other. 

At this moment, Sawa herself had thought of Kurumi as her greatest obstacle.

And for Kurumi, perhaps, it was worthwhile.

Unlike others who were weirded out, Sawa had accepted this. 

Of course for the people she had told, in the end, Kurumi had eventually told them she was joking.

"I will—"

"You will—"

The grey world fades to white as the world returns to its present, leaving behind the past:

Both Sawa and Kurumi were seated on Sawa's bed, chatting and reminiscing about their shared past.

Miho, on the other hand, was outside the door, listening in on their conversation.

"Then from there, we've become rivals, haven't we?"

"Haah. To think Sawa was the type to fall in love at first sight."

"H-hey, Kurumi-san! You promised not to bring that up anymore!"

They bickered back and forth, ending with Kurumi giggling while Sawa was left exasperated.

But amidst the teasing, Sawa's tone softened.

"There's just something about Ikari-san that reassures me a lot. And, I like that, a lot." [1]

Kurumi nodded in agreement, the two of them staring off into space for a moment, their thoughts clearly aligned.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Hai! Hai! I know, Ikari-chan is awesome. But in case you forgot, you're both keeping your man waiting downstairs, so hurry it up!" 

It was Miho who announced that, stepping into the room with a smirk.

At that as both girls blushed. Crimson making its way up their face.

"M-mother!"

"Ufufufu~"

While Sawa was a tad bit embarrassed, Kurumi simply giggled.

With Miho being here meant talks with Ikari had already ended.

The two girls quickly scrambled to gather Sawa's things for the sleepover, dashing out of the room with hurried steps.

As she watched them trail off, Miho leaned against the doorframe, releasing a wistful sigh.

"Haah. Youth."

"Ika dear, do your best, mother is routing for you~"