Sunday morning, and the rain from yesterday was gone, replaced by clear skies.

“Big brother, I’m going shopping for a bit.”

Ruka called from the living room while I was lazing around.

“Shopping?”

“Yes. We’re out of rice, and I need some seasonings too.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“But big brother, you can just relax at home.”

“No, I can’t let you carry heavy bags by yourself.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Ten minutes later, I was waiting at the entrance when Ruka appeared, wearing a light pink cardigan and a white skirt.

“You look really ready for this.”

“Huh, it’s nothing special. It's just normal.”

She blushed slightly as she put on her shoes.

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

We left the house and headed toward the shopping street. As we walked, some women passing by kept glancing at us.

“Oh, a boy.”

“Is he a high schooler?”

I heard them whisper quietly, and a sigh slipped out of me.

“Big brother, are you okay?”

“I’m used to it by now.”

I could say that, but there’s honestly no way I’d ever get used to it. I was never the type to stand out.

When we got to the supermarket, a few women turned to look at us at the entrance. Pushing the cart, we made our way to the vegetable section.

“And we also need tomatoes and basil. I want to make a marinade.”

Ruka was checking the shopping list when I overheard a group of young women nearby, probably college students, and they were talking.

“Hey, that boy is really cute.”

“Should we go talk to him?”

“But he’s with someone already.”

“Oh, that's true.”

Ruka’s hand froze. Her face turned a little red, and she looked down.

“Do we… look like a couple to them?”

“Well, we two don’t even look alike.”

I guess.”

Ruka's expression looked a little complicated.

“Ah, I don’t want people misunderstanding this. I’ll tell them you’re my sister.”

“Huh? No, it’s fine! And it’s not like I mind or anything…”

Ruka shook her head nervously.

“If you’re okay with it, then it’s fine.”

She looked a little relieved after that.

Once we had all the ingredients in the basket, we headed to the register. A young female cashier seemed a bit nervous while helping us… Am I really that unusual?

“Your total is 4,480 yen.”

After paying, we left the supermarket. On the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the woman who had turned to look at us.

“I'm sorry about this, Ruka.”

“Huh? About what?”

“Being with me draws so much attention.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Really?”

As we walked and talked, someone appeared coming from the other way. When she saw me, her eyes widened, and she stopped.

“Saotome-kun?”

I recognized her face. She was Tanaka, a classmate from middle school.

“Tanaka?”

“Wow, you’re really alive... I’m so glad!”

“Ah, yeah, I guess.”

Tanaka looked genuinely relieved. Then she looked at Ruka.

“Um, who is she?”

“My sister.”

“Wow, Saotome-kun, you have a sister?”

Tanaka waved lightly at Ruka, and Ruka gave a small bow.

“Wait, we haven’t exchanged contact info, right? Let’s do that.”

“Ah, I'm sorry, I don’t have my phone with me right now.”

“Oh, right. Then wait a second, I’ll write down my ID…”

Tanaka pulled a notebook from her bag.

Just as she was about to start writing, I stopped her.

“No, not that… I don’t have a smartphone at all.”

“Oh, really? That’s unusual.”

“Well, there’s really no one I need to contact by phone these days.”

“I see…”

Tanaka’s expression clouded a little.

“Ah, I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything gloomy.”

“It’s fine. Let’s talk properly another time. Bye-bye.”

Tanaka waved and walked away.

Ruka looked up at me.

“Was she a friend of yours?”

“No, just a classmate from middle school.”

“She was really pretty.”

“Yeah. We were on the same committee, but I don’t really remember talking much.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yeah. If this world didn’t exist, she probably would never have spoken to me.”

I said that with a small and bitter smile.

“That’s kind of complicated.”

“Yeah.”

We walked in silence until we got home.

But somehow, today felt different from usual.

I noticed Ruka glancing at me every now and then, then quickly looking away.

I still couldn’t find the right words to describe what that look meant.

Chapter 3: "Why Is Everyone Watching Me Just Because I Went Shopping?"