Crucible of Ideas

To be honest, I didn't like standing face to face with tall people all that much.

People looking down at me gives me a complex about being so tiny.

But in big brother's case, I didn't mind it at all.

On the contrary, when big brother looked at me it gave me a ticklish, warm, happy feeling.

"Thank you for taking care of the shop. It must have been hard all on your own."

As he voiced his gratitude, big brother narrowed his eyes and looked hard at me.

Faced with his slightly apologetic expression, I hurriedly shook my head in denial.

"No, not at all. It's been just as you see," I added with a smile, indicating the empty shop, and big brother flashed a little wry smile back.

"I suppose so. Actually, that's not something to laugh about, is it?"

"Ah ha ha. I guess you're right. Oh, will you take a seat?" I offered him a chair in front of the counter, and he took it. While I poured tea for big brother, who sighed, I asked:

"You're early. What happened?"

He'd told me he'd be back late, so I'd been sure his business would take him until nighttime.

But he'd returned while the sun was still high, so I naturally had questions.

Maybe he had concluded his business early.

Maybe that was why he'd come home so early.

But if that were the case, he ought to look happy.

My hope must have shown on my face.

Big brother turned towards me with a look of discomfort.

"Ah, no. Sorry, the business isn't entirely finished. The actual procurement is done, but I still have to go meet with the client firm. I just ended up with some time on my hands, so I came by to look in on you for a moment."

"I see," I replied, although I still felt inwardly disappointed.

If my wilted hope showed in my voice, I think it's understandable.

To be honest about my feelings, I wanted big brother to stay in the shop with me like this always, but there was no way I could interrupt important business with my own selfishness.

That being the case, the most I could do was to keep my eyes on big brother's face and put up with it.

I quietly shifted my gaze to that face with its calm expression.

In an effort to distract myself from my feelings of loneliness, I tried to burn big brother's face into my memory anew.

I am not sure if he noticed that or not, but he took one look at me and chuckled.

"What's the matter?" I asked, my head tilted slightly to one side in concentration.

"Oh, nothing," he answered, smiling. "I was just thinking that you're always staring at me, Lilia."

"I, is that so? Sure it's not just your imagination?" I hurriedly denied his words, aware that my face had grown hot again.

It must have been dyed crimson.

In spite of that, I tried to preserve as much of my usual expression as possible so as not to be found out.

I pointed to his empty teacup, hoping to change the subject even if I had to force it.

"Oh, look at that. Would you like more tea?"

"Hm? Sure." Big brother looked where I was pointing and nodded.

"Got it. It'll only take a moment," I said, picking up the teapot and pouring black tea into his now empty cup.

The rising steam was accompanied by a faint aroma that tickled my nose.

It was the aroma of our favorite brand.

We always kept plenty in stock so that we could drink it any time.

"Here you are."

"Thank you." Big brother smiled as he accepted the cup I offered him.

"You're welcome." I returned his smile and poured tea into my own cup as well.

I picked up the steaming teacup and brought it to my lips.

The liquid was just a wee bit too hot on its way down my throat.

"Ah!"

"Heh heh... Don't rush; sip it slowly, okay? There's plenty more where that came from."

"Yeah. Thanks," I smiled at big brother, and he grinned again in return.

We made idle chit-chat for a little while longer.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

"Well, it's about time for me to get going," big brother said, taking advantage of a pause in our talk.

The sound of his setting down his empty teacup on the counter resounded in the quiet shop.

"Already?"

"I've already stayed longer than I meant to. They're sure to be angry, and they'll have a right to be if I'm any later than this."

I followed big brother's gaze to the clock on the wall, and sure enough quite a lot of time had passed.

I wondered bitterly why fun times go by so fast.

"I guess you're right. It'd be awful if you were late." I understood that, but a note of loneliness still crept unconsciously into my voice.

Hearing it, big brother looked a little distressed, and opened his mouth:

"Come on, don't be like that. I'll come home as soon as I possibly can."

Rising to his feet, big brother came up beside me, laid a hand on my head, and stroked it gently, as if to give comfort.

I narrowed my eyes at the feeling of his warm hand combing through my hair and nodded.

"Okay; I understand. I'll save dinner for you, okay?"

"I'll look forward to it. Well then, see you later."

"Yeah. Later."

At my words, big brother's hand withdrew.

Feelings of loneliness filled my breast.

I could bear it.

I called after him in spite of myself.

"Big brother."

"Hm?"

When he looked back, I clutched the hem of my apron and forced myself to smile.

"Ah, I mean... Take care."

"Thanks. Well, I'm off."

Flashing a smile at my words, big brother left the shop.

I watched his retreating figure, unable to completely deceive myself about the feelings growing in my breast.