Gimai Seikatsu's
Chapter 5's
Morning time. Together with Akiko-san, the four of us sat around the dining table. Since Akiko-san came home late yesterday, or rather this morning, she should still be sleeping at this moment.
“Summer solstice is near, not ~”.
He apparently woke up because the sunlight was too bright. Therefore, I thought it might be a good idea to install shade curtains in their bedroom. Since my father probably never thought about it, I'll tell him later.
“I will sleep again later,” said Akiko-san, but still standing in the kitchen.
At the same time, since my father did not have to leave for work early, he was able to casually read the news on his tablet. The four of us will eat breakfast together.
“This, Well, take care of it.”
“Woke.”
I gave him a cloth to wipe the table. Smiling, he wiped his own part of the table, as well as Akiko-san's part. After everything cleared up, Akiko-san and Ayase-san started bringing breakfast today. Perhaps because both are cooking, we have more variety today. Lastly, they seemed to be preparing an omelet roll, on top of a skillet made for egg roll (taken by Akiko-san, as we previously did not have it), as they rolled the egg using long chopsticks. It looked like the master's work, because I didn't even see the egg inside the finished omelet. Even while tasting miso soup, Ayase-san stared at Akiko-san's craft.
After we all cupped our hands together, praying for food, we began to eat it. Of course, we all grabbed Akiko-san's rolled omelet first. When I bit her, a juicy sauce filled my mouth. It's different from the taste I expected?
“It feels good. But... wait, this isn't... omelet roll? ”
“It's special Japanese style.”
Although Akiko-san made it, Ayase-san gave me a response.
“Japanese-style rolled omelette?”
“Roll omelette usually tastes like an egg, right? If you want salt, just add it, and those who like sweet can add a little sugar to it. ”
“Gula?”
“Do you not like sweet foods? Then I won't make it next time.”
“Ah, no... I am not a picky person. It's just, you can even make a sweet rolled omelet, huh. ”
“Eh..”
“Hm?”
Even if you look at me like an alien, I can't give you a different answer…
“... You took cooking lessons, ‘kan?”
“Y-Yes. But, we never made an omelet roll. The menu is always eggs clap.”
“Hmm. But yes, the Japanese-style omelet roll you make by adding soup broth in it. ”
“Kaldu soup... So it's like noodle soup?”
“We do it with white soy sauce, mirin, and sugar most of the time.”
He looked towards the kitchen, into a certain white bowl. I see, since we only use salt, soy sauce, and sugar here, she, or rather, Akiko-san might bring the seasoning with her.
“That's why it tastes more like soup broth than eggs. Of course, sometimes it's a little saltier. If you want to be sweeter, use mirin. You can also use soy sauce, but rolled omelet does not retain its yellow color.”
“You know a lot.”
“Saki-chan can make it too, you know. Maybe you can make it for Yuuta-kun because he likes the taste?” Akiko-san commented.
“I can't do well..”.
“Personally I prefer eggs ceplok.”
“...So yes. I'll make it if I want.”
Basically, this is what happened behind Ayase-san and my conversation. “You don't need to do anything else outside the deal. I don't mind at all ', that's what I said, and was responded by Ayase-san with “Thank you, I'll make it if I have time '. As a result of that, our own desires and opinions can be perfectly conveyed. It is much better than using some secret code language, as it can lead to misunderstandings.
But not realizing the intention behind our conversation, my father continued to praise Akiko-san's food until the end of breakfast time. Calling it 'the most delicious in the whole world' might be too much if anyone asked me. Are you just trying to flirt? Even if there are still your children? You really ruined my motivation today.
I was looking for another topic to change the flow of the conversation, when I remembered something.
“Oh yes, this week it is my turn to wash duty, but can I take Akiko-san and Ayase-san's clothes as well?”
“Ah, the ..” Ayase-san wanted to talk, but ended up swallowing it again.
I tilted my head in confusion. It is rare for Ayase-san to be so speechless. Did I say something strange?
“Well, if you agree with that, then I want to take care of the laundry together, Yuuta-kun.” Akiko-san added.
“Eh? I can't do that.”
After we decided to stay together as four people, we split the task of cleaning up the house. A lot of things have changed there, but I can't just burden him with a lot of responsibility…
“But, washing clothes for four people must be difficult, right?” Akiko-san pressed further.
Seeing how desperate he was, even I started to understand something. Now that I'm so aware, asking a guy to take care of a woman's clothes to wash them, isn't that so insensitive? But, since I was too busy trying not to burden her anymore, I completely ignored that point. Just barely. Before I could retract my statement, Ayase-san was forced to explain it to me.
“Letting my underwear on Asamura-kun is a little..well... Da-Dan too, they need special treatment compared to ordinary clothes. Do you know which one to put in the laundry net? ”
“Which ... what?” I added, but looked into her eyes to apologize for making her say that.
“If you just wash the bra, the shape of the bra will change shape, and the hook can get stuck in other clothes, right? That's why there are special laundry nets for bras. If you have a — ********* which is funny, smaller decorations on it can get stuck with other clothes as well. ”.
Even in the midst of this awkward atmosphere, Ayase-san carefully explained the problem. Thanks to that, I understand how complicated it is to wash women's clothes.
“Add again, instead of you separating out clothes that are stronger and weaker colors? You put clothes with three-dimensional objects into different nets, right? Otherwise, they will peel off.”
“Three-dimensional objects, you mean like a picture or logo attached to the fabric?”
“Yup, which is it.”
“Ahh, so that's why they peel off every wash finish.”
Hearing my words, Ayase-san held her head. But he quickly picked it up again, and announced.
“With this level of knowledge, I cannot hand over my clothes to you, Asamura-kun, so I will wash them myself.”
“Ah, yes... Understood.”
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Akiko-san spoke with a gentle smile.
“After all I will take care of Taichi-san's clothes, so why don't you wash your clothes too, Yuuta-kun?”
Listening to these words, I imagined the sight of him passing through my laundry basket. Akiko-san will... wash my panties? … Impossible.
"... I really understand how awkward you feel, Ayase-san.”
“Really?” He sighed.
Yeah, I understand it very well. Sorry about that.
*****
When I opened the front door, I was immediately greeted with the roar of rain hitting the windows and the guardrail. We're going to go together, that's what Ayase-san said, and leave the house with me, leaving me confused by what happened. All this time, he had always insisted on leaving first. I mean, since she's my half-sister, my little sister in this context, walking together to school isn't a strange thing? I find it strange for siblings who are on their way to and from high school. Or am I just thinking too much about it?
“There's something I want to talk about.” Inside the elevator, on the way down, Ayase-san suddenly said that.
So yeah. That makes sense. Of course, I don't know about what, but it's very similar to Ayase-san's always straightforward nature.
“I want to apologize.”
“...Apologies?”
Wh-wh-what for? I was thinking about the conversation we both had this morning. Did he do anything worthy of apology? Instead, I'm the one who should apologize, for saying something so sensitive ...
But, Ayase-san remained silent even after we came out of the apartment. We walked along an almost empty street, our umbrellas lined up to protect us from the rain. It was a good time to talk about something more personal, at least until we were close to school.
Rows of buildings were confirmed through the rain that fell on it, because we both had to be careful with the cars that passed, so as not to make us drenched due to the puddles of rain on the side of the road. After stopping once because of that, Ayase-san slowly started walking again, as her face stiffened a little.
“Something discriminatory, even unwittingly, is something I hate. Therefore, I'm sorry.” He said with a serious expression.
My face looked straight at him, and I knew that he saw this as an important conversation. He took a deep breath, and took it out.
“It is not impossible that you will wear underwear from expensive brands.”
This is highly unlikely.
“Although I always try not to fall under the view of gender role bias ..”
“Wait, Ayase-san.”
“Asamura-kun, I can see how you take care of your body. Even yesterday, you directly put the soaked clothes into the washing machine. I've never seen you wear lip gloss or foundation powder, but you seem to be the type of person who is very aware of it.”
“Please first, Ayase-san.” I walk in front of him.
In order to stop his increasingly strange thoughts, I needed to stop his movements, so that he could only focus on me. Thanks to that, Ayase-san stopped, and looked at me from under the umbrella.
“... Okay, I've calmed down.”
“Even if you prefer women's clothing, it doesn't mean you will actually wear it.”
Gawat, he's not calm at all.
“Take a deep breath, and think about it. You saw my laundry room, right?”
“Hmmm...” Ayase-san was lost in thought. “Um... well, I saw shaving cream and razor. I don't find cosmetics for women. ”
“True, ‘kan?”
“But, your eyebrow shape is very good.”
“Hah?”
“You must have taken care of them in some way. I don't see a comb, but you might visit a beauty salon— ”
“Ke barber shop anyway, yes.”
Do you think a guy like me can take a leisurely stroll to a beauty salon? Although we live in the city of young people - Shibuya – does not mean everyone is obsessed with cosmetics and brands. I saved up to buy a book.
“Eh? Then, is the shape of your eyebrows natural?”
“Yup, indeed.”
Ayase-san.
“I can't believe .. I'm so envious ..”
“Me-That's as amazing as that?”
“... How annoying...” With these words, Ayase-san started walking again.
I kept quiet, and walked after him.
“Hey, listen to me first.” I spoke up.
“What?”
“About what you just talked about. You know, gender roles and such.”
“Ya.”
“Gender role is, role acting depends on its gender.”
Simply put, men act like men, and women act like women. That is what gender roles refer to. What acts are 'like' this or that gender is unfortunately decided by hallucinations and shared imaginations that are called public, and we as small individuals cannot influence such logic.
“True. But, there is no set limit that there can only be two genders, instead you agree?”
“Yes so.”
Of course I know about it. As long as you read a book, you become aware of all sorts of things, whether they are intentional or not. And, the issue has often been in the news lately. I think on Facebook social media, you can display up to 58 special genders right now. It's been a hot topic lately.
Besides, you can't just label yourself as a man or a woman with just DNA. Apparently, Ayase-san was thinking the same thing as me.
“Human distinction occurs with the use of chromosomes, ‘kan.
“X chromosome and Y chromosome.”
“Yes. There are X and Y chromosomes, and by mixing the two, you get sex. XX means female, and XY means male. It is one chromosome out of 46 that we have as humans, with variations of X and Y. What percent of all the genomes are?” ayase-san said with a regretful tone.
“Well, obviously if the difference is not too big.”
“Due to that small difference, we are forced to play a role.”
Amidst the heavy rain, only his voice reached my ears.
“This is the same as self-identification. There are people whose gender is given to them through a different gene than the original one, and this is slowly becoming more in the public eye.”
I know the logic that Ayase-san is talking about. But, I was born as a guy, and in my mind, I am also a guy, so it is a bit difficult for me to understand fully.
“The same goes for love. Man's love, woman's love, both love, and neither. Romantic feelings are not normal, can not be predicted naturally. It all goes back to the clothes we decorate ourselves with. According to genes, you are a woman, you see yourself as a woman, and you like men, but when it comes to the opposite sex clothes, it is not uncommon for women to like it. At the same time, it is not strange if a guy is interested in wearing women's underwear.”
“Yah, indeed heck.”
“However, at that time, I completely ignored that possibility.” Ayase-san said in a regrettable tone.
Is this the same as I thought? The majority point of view may be correct, but sometimes you can see the difference when diving deeper into minority areas? Just because half of humanity is like this means that this person must be like that as well — such thought paths are very wrong.
Even if I was a man who wore women's underwear every day, there was nothing different, like we were sisters who washed our underwear. If I had to guess, Ayase-san might not be bothered with her underwear being washed by her mother. However, this morning, when she imagined I was washing**************, the shame that biologically inflicted colonized her.
Normally I would forget about it with 'No problem', but Ayase-san seemed to care about that. He always fights. Facing gender roles publicly continued to encourage others, she wanted to think things through carefully one by one. To me, who let everything happen normally and was being indifferent, that trait of hers looked extremely enchanting.
“Well, if you're going to say that, then I should also apologize to you. I feel embarrassed when I think of Akiko-san washing my panties.”
“This is not a matter of other people's feelings. I can't forgive myself. That's why I want to apologize.”
“Hmmm...” I thought about it for a moment.
I agree with his thoughts, but this diligent path of thought might just make him suffer in the process. Is there a more comfortable way of thinking that does not deny his idea? I'm curious.
I could see the school gate in the distance. That means the number of students around us will increase, and we cannot continue to talk like this.
“... It's like a reflex, yes.”
“Reflex?”
Sometimes I can't follow Ayase-san's line of thinking at all. But that in itself is pretty fun.
“Like, when you act before you have time to think. That reflex.”
“Ahh, that one, yes.When your knee hits something, or your leg moves, something like that?”
“Yup.”
There are times when people act before their brains can compensate. When something flies towards you, you will reflexively close your eyes. When you touch something hot, your hands pull back before you tell them to.
“Humans have evolved to let their brains handle thinking. So, why do we have this mechanism inside of us, that's what I often ask myself. ” I looked towards Ayase-san.
“It... If they use the time to think during an emergency, they have little time to act, ‘kan?”
“Yes. When your life is in danger, your body reacts faster than your own brain can. I agree that we as living beings need this mechanism.”
“What is it... Ah, right.” The wise Ayase-san reached a conclusion before I could even explain it completely.
But I still decided to continue.
“Basically, it's like the majority or the shortcut button in the app.” I said, and Ayase-san giggled.
“A very interesting parable.”
“Easy to understand, so I like to use it. However, sometimes there are cases where even the majority cannot do anything. If you don't know that fundamental logic, you can't add a new one.”
“True.”
“'I did it by accident — has aspects that can not help, I think. I'm sure there's something to be gained even from reflexive actions.”
“But, prejudice will give birth to discrimination, right?”
“Then fix your view? You reflect on your own actions. Therefore, I don't think you need to worry more than that. I feel like you will be able to be the one who can learn from this reflexive act, and get better. ” I said in a light tone, and smiled.
Only now did I realize that Ayase-san was not walking beside me anymore. I turned around and saw her feet frozen on the ground three steps behind me.
“Ayase-san?”
As her face was facing downwards, I became a little worried, and called out to her.
“Asamura-kun, you ..” His voice almost vanished amid the sound of rain. “—You understand me so much.”
So.. said she? He raised his head, and ran past me, not even bothering to glance at me. He walked through the gate, into the school, and quickly disappeared from my sight.
“What's wrong, Asamura?” Until Maru patted me on the shoulder, I stood still, just staring at Ayase-san coming in.
Surprisingly, the part of the shoulder Maru patted felt cold, even soaking wet. Even so, my mind was still filled with Ayase-san's back that I saw just before she disappeared.
Even as the final bell rang, the rain still did not stop. Today is Wednesday, the day I have to work. Therefore, I have to go home first, and then go to the bookstore in front of the train station. Doing that in the rain makes it even more annoying many times over. Maybe I should take the uniform to school, and head straight there.
I looked out the window and admired the heavy rain. Of course, I don't really like June's rain like this. All the smells during the rain make it feel like summer. It's just that, on rainy days like this, I'd rather not carry a lot of luggage. Therefore, the uniform from the work that I always take home, because our policy is that you wash it yourself when it is dirty, I leave it at home.
I could see a shoe locker in front of me. As I walked there, my gaze involuntarily moved left and right. When I realized my own behavior, I shook my head. No, no, no, where could he be standing here again. He brought an umbrella today.
“He may have gone home.” I muttered, and opened the big umbrella in my hand.
Seriate
