"That was fun!"
"Yeah, it is."
My little sister is smiling brightly and skipping in her steps. I watch from behind and spread my arms in case she trips while going upstairs. Instead, she stops at the top of the stairs and stops talking.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?"
"That... Someone is in front of our door."
"Stand behind me. I'll go check."
"Okay... Be careful."
I can't see their face because they are covering them with their arms. Is this person homeless? Is that why they sit in front of our door? Based on their uniform, this person is probably a high schoolboy. He is probably around our age.
"Hey, you are in our way. Move."
The said person looks up, I immediately recognise that face. It's the same face as a young boy who likes to follow me around. That was a few years ago though. It's been a while since the last time we met our relatives.
"Shun-chan!"
Yep. It is him. Our cousin, Yukio. That bright face doesn't change at all. Only his body grew big and gotten this tall.
"Yukio? What are you doing here? Aunty will get worried if you don't go home. It's getting late."
"Huh? Yukio-chan? Long time no see! You have gotten taller!"
My little sister peeks over behind me once she heard me calling his name. He is not a stranger to us and not a dangerous person because his mother is our mother's sister.
"Please let me stay here!"
Huh? Did this guy just beg me to let him sleep here? Ugh, that face. Why is it easy for him to let out tears?
"I told you aunty will get worried!"
"She won't! She's the one kicking me out! She's very pissed at me!"
"You fought with your mom? Go home and apologies to her!"
"I already did! She said she don't want to see me! So I don't have anywhere else to go but here!"
I sigh after getting the gist of his situation. I'm fine with it but I don't want to be the only one deciding without asking for my little sister's opinion. I was staring at my little sister for too long that I didn't notice she is staring at me back with a questioning look.
"Are you alright with him staying with us? Just tell me if you feel uncomfortable. I will kick him immediately."
"Eh? Don't be too cruel on me, Shun-chan! I'm Yukio, your beloved little brother!"
"Who said you are my beloved little brother? I only have a beloved little sister and that's Aimi!"
I had to push him away because he clings to me tightly. He is very desperate! He won't let go!
"I'm fine with it. Let's go inside, it's cold out here!"
My little sister unlocks the door and enters without looking back. She seems sulky. I wonder if she is truly fine with him staying with us or not. Even after Yukio heard her, this guy still won't let go of me!
"Let go!"
"No! I need your warmth!"
"Then, get inside! I don't need your coldness!"
"Let's go inside together like this! Ah-choo!"
"Tch! Did you catch a cold? How long have you been sitting out here?"
"An hour ago, I think? Hehe!"
"You brat! Aimi, can you help me prepare the hot bath for this guy? I think he catches a cold!"
I heard an okay from inside. Without waiting for too long I immediately pull him inside and lock the door behind me. Once the heater is on, I go to my room and take out a blanket, tossing it to him.
"Cover yourself with this and wait until she is done preparing your bath!"
"Yes..."
I go to the kitchen to boil the water. At the same time, I prepare a warm dinner for the three of us. My little sister helps out with side dishes while Yukio takes a hot bath. Once he is out, with the spare clothes I prepare for him, I invite him to eat dinner with us.
Aimi goes to her room right after dinner and locks her bedroom's door so no one can disturb her now that Yukio is staying with us. In the living room, Yukio is watching a show. The blanket is still covering his whole body and sometimes I see him shivering underneath it.
"Oi, go to sleep."
"No!!! It's getting to the interesting part!"
"Sick person must sleep early."
I turn off the television and pull him by force to my bedroom. With him still resisting, I drop him onto the bed, throwing the sheets over him. I pull several sheets from my cabinet and cover him again making sure it's not too heavy or hard to breathe. I touch his forehead with my palm comparing mine with his temperature.
"Not good. Rest for now."
"This is your room, right? Where will you sleep, Shun-chan?"
"I will sleep outside. Just go to sleep."
"Then, I will sleep outside."
I hold him down so he can't get up. How can he still think about others when he is the one getting sick?
"Sleep here. I will not let a sick person sleep on the sofa. Plus, you are our guest. Now, be a good boy and go to sleep."
"Ugh, I'm sorry... Because of me, you had to sleep outside and give me your bed."
"Don't be sorry. You are my precious little brother after all."
I turn the light off and close the door. Getting comfortable on the sofa, I fell asleep almost instantly. In my dream, I see my parent's faces when I play with a young Yukio. He likes to stick with me everywhere I go. I call out to my parents to help me get rid of Yukio from hugging me, but they only smile at me and get further.
When I woke up, I realize it was only a dream the moment I step into reality. The bead of sweat trickling down my forehead and my back is wet too. It's still early, I choose to go back to sleep.
A few hours later, lights sipped through the curtain and hit my face. I groan and gets up. The door opens and Yukio walks out, yawning.
"Morning, Shun-chan..."
"Morning, Yukio. How's your cold?"
"It's gone! Thanks to you!"
He gives me a thumbs up and enters the toilet. My little sister's door clicks open and she also yawns tiredly, rubbing her eyes and walking to the toilet.
"Ah, Yukio is inside."
"Oh... I forgot he's here."
"Want to help me prepare the breakfast?"
"Sure!"
She smiles brightly the moment I said that. She was sour a moment ago when I said the toilet is occupied with Yukio using it before her. Just like our usual routine, I help her with her hair and do her necktie.
"Knock! Knock! What are you two doing?"
Yukio peeks inside after opening the door without knocking first. He is still in casual clothes. His school is far from here. He should be getting ready and leaving now or else he will be late.
"Getting ready. Why are you still in t-shirts? I washed your uniform yesterday. It's on the balcony."
"I ditch school. Hehe!"
"What a rebel."
He grins and keeps watching me helping my little sister get ready. She cannot sit still with Yukio still watching us from the door.
"You never change, Shun-chan. You always take good care of Aimi. Aimi, why don't you do your tie yourselves?"
"Stop bothering us! Our discipline teacher is very strict about it, that's why I need help!"
They start bickering about the tie. Yukio will not back down until my little sister gives up. She also doesn't want to let him win. This also happens when we were children. They always bicker whenever I choose one of them.
After what seemed like hours, my little sister and I get ready to leave for our school while Yukio stay at home. I tried to convince him to go home but he is being thickheaded and will not listen at all.
"Fine. Take care of the house while we are out."
"Sure~"
"Don't burn the house, got it?"
"Don't worry~"