It's 20.30, and we have already had dinner. My younger sister, Erika, has been in her room for half an hour, I stand in front of her bedroom, blocked by the door, should I go in? I'm her brother, so I can, right? I should knock before coming in. "Erika, can I come in?" She replies with a yes. Then, I twisted the doorknob, pushed it, and the door slowly opened. I see Erika doing her homework on the study table with a study lamp lighting up only the books area. She seems so focused on her work, maybe that's why she never disturbed me when I stream around this time. Am I interrupting her work if I come in?
"Big bro, do want something?" Ack, she notices me. "Uhh... nothing. I just want to see if you want any help with your homework. You know... if you need help." She looks at me like she can't believe I just said that. Why? Did I say something wrong? "Big bro, if I need help, I would seek you in your room. Do I look like I need help right now?"
"No..."
"Exactly. So, please do something else, I need to finish this." I never she like this before. Did something happen? Maybe I shouldn't ask her, I don't want to get on her nerves. Wait... I never ask her about her ambition. "Erika, I never ask you this, but what do you want to be in the future?" I shouldn't have asked her, she just told me to not disturb her. Since when did I have a sloppy mouth?! But, I really do want to know her ambition, though. Risk has already been taken.
She's paused her work, but she doesn't answer either. She just looks down at the books, silence, her mouth not moving. Just after I call her name, only then she snaps to reality with a bit of shock. "Are you okay? Do you need a glass of water?" I ask. She looks at me with a smile, a 'fake smile', and said that she was okay and rejected my offer kindly. Suddenly, she gets up from her chair, walks to her bed, and sits on it while making a hand-calling gesture. Did she ask me to sit with her? I enter the room, close the door, and sit on the bed next to her.
"What's up?" I ask her.
"Big bro, did you have an ambition when you were in school?" Why is she so suddenly asking me this? Whatever the reason, she looks like she wants to say something. "Yeah, when I was in high school, I always want to be a businessman, you know. I find it interesting and I want to try it. But, you know what happened to make me change it." She nods.
"I... never know what I want to be, big bro. I always study hard and did all the homework teachers gave me, but... what is the point of it if I don't even know what my ambition is." I never know about this. I should be with her more. Now, I have to answer and comfort her.
"It might seem pointless to study hard but don't know what our goal is but that is the point of study, going to school, and making friends. All of this will guide us to finding our goal, to seek our purpose in this world, and to make us happy with the choice we chose. You're still 12, Erika. You have a long journey ahead of you, waiting for you to walk on the path you chose. It may be filled with harshness, bitterness, and hardness but remember, at the end of your path, you will find the ending with sweetness, happiness, and regretless. In the end, it's all in your hand, Erika, you have to choose the path you want to pursue, but no matter what you choose, I will always be by your side, and support you from behind because this journey is yours, not mine." I say while hugging her on her side. I hope she will learn anything from me since it has been a long time since the last time I said something like this.
"...Okay, big bro. I'll think about it, thank you, big bro. Now, get out of my room. I have to finish my homework and you disturb me from doing it." Wha... Her moods change so quickly, like a rollercoaster! My sister is dangerous. Lucky for me that I am her brother.
"Okay, okay, I go. Don't push me! Why are you so strong, huh!? Did you do a secret workout or something!? Ouch, that's hurt! I can go by myself!" I really need to spend time with her more to find out her secrets. Even I, a fighter feel hurt by that. When I step out of her room, she immediately slams the door and creates a bit of wind into my face. *Smiles* She has come back to her usual self. Now that she's okay, I want to stream today, they have been asking for a new one. I enter my room and close the door.
Meanwhile at Rina's house...
"Rina-chan, do you want to try this strawberry cake~? I buy it from the bakery store nearby. It looks delicious, so I buy two for you and me." Ayaka enters her younger sister's room with two plates of pieces of strawberry cake and two cups of tea. She wants to spend time with her sibling since she got lucky to be back from work earlier than usual.
Rina is doing her homework right now like Erika, her best friend, although she got stuck with mathematics, not like her best friend. She notices her sister and stops doing whatever she's doing and immediately sits with her. Then, she picks up the small spoon and went for it. Before that, she thanks Ayaka and God for the food. At least she has manners.
Both of them are on cloud nine when they eat the cake. You can tell it just by looking at their face, filled with pleasure and gratitude to be able to eat this cake. Suddenly, Rina asks her sister about something, "Onee-san, are you in a relationship right now? I have never seen you with any man before." The question makes Ayaka almost choke. She pats her chest to let the food go through her throat. Phew, almost die, she thinks.
"I'm sorry, Onee-san. Are you okay!?" She grabs Ayaka's cup of tea and gives it to her. Ayaka takes it and drinks it slowly since it's still hot. "Thank you." She said.
"So..., do you?" Rina is still curious and wants the answer from Ayaka.
"...Yes, I have."