Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 10

What defines a classic sightseeing experience?

Food tours are certainly one of them—no doubt about that.

Visiting temples and shrines might be another. Spots like the Great Buddha of Kamakura or the Nikko Toshogu Shrine attract tourists from all over Japan.

But there’s one more thing.

Something no Tokyo local should forget when it comes to must-see destinations.

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“Come on, let’s go, big bro!”

“Alright, alright. Just stop pulling me!”

I chuckled at Haruki’s usual pushy enthusiasm as she tugged on my sleeve.

After we’d filled our stomachs a bit, she suddenly declared she still wanted to play.

So we discussed where to go next—and ended up choosing the Yokohama Marine Tower.

Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yokohama’s port opening, the tower offers panoramic views of the city, the sea, and the harbor.

It’s not only a popular tourist attraction but is also officially recognized as a “Lovers’ Sanctuary,” making it a perfect date spot.

Normally, trekking out to the tower would feel like a chore.

But if you frame it as a date? Suddenly, it doesn’t sound bad at all.

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“Hurry up, big bro!”

“Alright, alright. Calm down, will you?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

If she was looking forward to this so much, then honestly, that was enough reason for me.

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“Wow! You don’t get to climb something this tall every day!”

“Maybe not…”

Though, for the record, Tokyo—where we both live—has a broadcasting tower three times taller and a structure called the Skytree that’s six times the height of this.

But hey, some things are better left unsaid.

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“We’re here!”

“Whoa…”

Standing at the base of the Yokohama Marine Tower, I was struck by how beautiful it was.

The surrounding greenery, the ivy on the exterior walls—it created a peaceful, soothing atmosphere.

The interior was just as clean and modern, offering a fresh contrast to the tower’s long history.

We bought tickets to the observation deck and boarded the elevator.

It was one of those types where you could see outside through the steel beams as we ascended, the ground slowly shrinking beneath us.

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“Wow, look! The ground’s getting farther and farther away—we can see everything, big bro!”

“Try not to get too excited in the elevator, okay?”

Her cheerful reactions made me chuckle.

Even so, I didn’t feel like pulling away from the hand Haruki was holding so tightly.

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“So pretty…”

“Yeah, it really is.”

“Hey, can we stay until the sun sets?”

“Sure.”

After all, what’s the point of coming all the way up here if you’re not going to enjoy the night view?

I understood that feeling completely.

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…

My hands were trembling.

It felt like the fried chicken and meat bun I’d eaten earlier were rising back up my throat.

But it wasn’t from overeating.

And I definitely wasn’t afraid of heights.

I felt bad thinking about it while I was with Haruki, but… I couldn’t help it.

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What if I had come here with Fuyumi instead?

Maybe it was pointless to dwell on “what-ifs,” but I couldn’t stop myself.

A cute, flashy girl and an average college guy—

To an outsider, we might look like a couple.

But to me, there was only ever one person I could truly call a partner.

How many places like this had we visited together?

How many meals had we shared?

How many times had I seen her smile?

How many times had I thought she was the cutest person in the world?

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“Why…?”

Fuyumi—

She was no longer by my side.

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“Ah—”

I felt her grip tighten around my hand.

And just like that, my thoughts snapped back to the present.

When I looked beside me, Haruki was gazing at me.

No—she had probably been watching me the whole time.

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“Big bro, let’s just enjoy the view, okay?”

“Y-Yeah…”

As I looked at Haruki’s gentle smile, I noticed the sun had already set.

My trembling had stopped without me even realizing.

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“It’s beautiful…”

“Isn’t it?”

The world looked completely different now than it had before sunset.

The sea, the harbor, the parks, the cityscape—

Everything shimmered with light.

And—

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“Hey hey, is that where we were earlier?”

“Hmm, maybe.”

Haruki’s eyes sparkled as she pointed into the distance.

That sight, more than anything, was probably the most beautiful of all.

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“Ahh, this is so fun! I wanna keep playing—”

“Spring break’s almost over, isn’t it? Don’t you have a curfew?”

“Ugh…”

As Haruki glanced away, clearly not wanting to deal with reality, I took the opportunity to let go of her hand.

It was already six.

By the time we got home, it’d be around eight.

Just barely within the safe range for a high schooler.

Since I knew where her house was, I figured I’d walk her back. It’d be safer that way.

Just as I started walking—

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“Big bro.”

I froze.

Not because of her trembling, sorrowful voice—

But because she physically stopped me.

She was gripping my sleeve tightly.

Her ocean-blue eyes shimmered with tears, her cheeks flushed, and she looked up at me with a mixture of fear, vulnerability… and determination.

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“W-What is it?”

I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.

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“I… I don’t want to go home yet.”

“You mean…”

A boy and a girl… alone at night…

The meaning behind those words was obvious.

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“…”

We said nothing.

Only silence filled the space between us.

And it was Haruki who broke it first.

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“Is it okay if I… stay over tonight?”