Something was pushing me. No, shaking me.
There was talking. A high-pitched whining. I only caught some of the words.
“… up. Wake… Wake… up.”
I groaned, shutting my eyes tighter and curling up. The futon felt nice and comfortable. There was something big and soft in my arms.
“Big Sis~,” her voice clearer, begging. “Wakeee uppp~!”
“Let me sleep…” I murmured, wrapping my arms harder.
“But Father told me to get you!”
The name jolted me awake. I abruptly lifted my head and got up on one elbow. Looking around deliriously. I was blinded as my eyes adjusted. My head ached from getting up too quickly.
I looked around for Father, but didn’t see him. It was just my sister and I in the room. Both of the bedroom doors were slid open. The room was shaded, but the grass outside acted as a mirror for the sun. A hot summer breeze washed my face, making me drowsy again.
Hotaru lifted her hands off my shoulders. I must have surprised her. She leaned forward, over my twisted back. “What is it?”
I gathered myself. I was exposed, hugging my pillow, the blanket pulled down to my feet. Hotaru must’ve pulled them off of me. Or I kicked them away while I slept. It was awfully hot again. I let my head fall into the pillow, then lazily propped myself up onto my elbows.
“Nothing.” I rubbed my eyes. “How long was I asleep?”
“It’s lunch time! Come eat!” She got up and ran out of the net enclosure. I heard the thump thump of her little footsteps grow distant. I grunted, then let out a hot yawn.
When I got to the table, Hotaru and Father were already seated. They were not eating yet. Father looked concerned.
“Are you okay, Aimi?”
“Eh?” I could feel my face growing red. “N-nothing.”
“Come here.” He held out an arm. I panicked, but forced myself to comply. Once I got closer, he raised his hand toward my head. I shut my eyes and braced myself.
I felt his hand touch my forehead. Gently. His voice patient but concerned. “Are you okay? Did you catch a fever?”
“N-no. It’s… just hot. I was hot.”
“Are you sure?’
“Yes,” I insisted.
He dropped his hand. “If you feel dizzy, let me know immediately.”
“… Yes.”
Father began to scoop out the rice. I quietly went to the other side of the table and sat down. I looked up and realized Hotaru was now staring at me.
“W-what is it?”
“Did you pee yourself?” she suddenly asked.
I reddened. “Wha— What kind of question is that?!”
“But you look really embarrassed!”
“Only you pee yourself in bed!”
“No I don’t!”
“There there, girls.” Father set down bowls in front of us. “Don’t argue at the table.”
I turned away from my sister in a fit, grabbing my chopsticks. I almost dug in before I remembered to give thanks for the food.
Later that day, Father was in his room, fixing a window screen. We sat in the room with him, as it was on the shaded side of the house for that time of day. Father was sitting cross-legged on the floor, removing the rubber holding the broken screen to the frame.
I sat backwards in his desk chair, arms hanging limp over the backrest. I shifted left and right every once in a while, cooling off my armpits on the smooth wood. Hotaru was lying chest-flat on the floor, her chin buried under her arms. She was napping.
I stared out the open window, wondering how the screen broke in the first place. The heat made my eyelids heavy. I yawned and turned my head to the side, cheek pressed against the chair.