I'm a 17-year-old high school freshman.
I lost my parents in an accident when I was young.
To me, Miyuki is the only family I have, and she is my precious little sister.
She waits for me by studying until I get to her school.
I'm so proud of her because she's the top student in the whole school without asking me anything.
When I arrive at the gates of Seoryeong Middle School, I see my sister Miyuki waving from the third-floor window, ready to come down.
Miyuki comes running across the schoolyard with a big smile on her face!
"Big brother♥!"
"Yep. It's Miyuki. Have you been waiting for me?"
"No~! I waited happily enough! Heehee."
Since I went to high school, this happens a lot since high school ends later than middle school.
On the way home, we buy two meronas at the supermarket and eat them together as we walk.
"So, what happened at school today?"
"Mm-hmm."
It's spring, not too cold, not too hot.
You arrive home to your sister's chatter.
A modest-sized detached house with no lights on.
A thud.
I hear the door slam shut, and before I can even take off my shoes, Miyuki slams into me from behind.
"...Miyuki, get a grip."
"I can't stand it! I don't want to leave your arms for even one second♥!"
What would you do if you were her?
If your sister is in love with you in a rational way.
Even if it's a little too much....
"Miyuki. Wake up."
I say in a low voice, and Miyuki jerks awake with a start.
"Oh, sorry. I passed out again. Heehee."
"...Let's wash our hands and change our clothes first. Don't you think we should eat?"
"Haha, big brother. You're so sweet. I love you so much. I love you so much. I love you so much."
Miyuki clings to me again.
I pat her back, soothing her.
As if this is the way it should be.
As if I'm used to it.
After ten minutes of this, Miyuki realizes that I'm on top of her, and she blushes and sits up.
"Uh... sorry."
"It's okay ...."
"I'll be right out after I wash up.... Ha."
Miyuki breathes out sweetly and goes back to her room.
Seeing Miyuki immediately let go of the opposite sex when she saw me in a place where no one else was around, I thought a lot.
'This isn't a normal sibling relationship,' I thought.
However, my sister is currently at the age of adolescence, when emotions are highly volatile.
I came to the conclusion that I shouldn't hurt Miyuki's feelings when I didn't know if this was just a passing fling or not.
I walk into the living room and sit down on the couch.
This house is my parents' legacy.
It's not a lot of money, but it's enough to see us through to adulthood.
We just need to make sure that Miyuki grows up well....
That's the problem....
"I just got out of the bath. You should wash up too."
"...Okay."
You put your sweaty clothes in the laundry basket and walk into the bathroom.
You've been running the water for a while.
I notice a black afterimage sneaking into the laundry room without making a sound.
I sigh and open the door a crack to call out to Miyuki, who is sniffing my clothes.
"It's Miyuki."
"...Big brother♥"
"Wake up.... Put my clothes down and...."
"Yeah♥ just a little sniff♥ haha."
"Stop!"
Miyuki comes to her senses at my yelling.
"Uh... sorry."
"It's okay. Go rest in the living room, I'll wash up and get dinner ready."
"I'm sorry.... big brother."
Miyuki leaves the laundry room with a sullen gesture.
This is not the first time this has happened.
I shouldn't be used to it, but I am.
Should I yell at her harder?
Or should I keep it light, like I am now?
I don't know what the right answer is.
I wish my parents had been around when this happened.
Then Miyuki wouldn't be as dependent on me as she is now....
With that thought in mind, I wash up, dry myself off, change into new clothes, and leave the bathroom and the laundry room in between.
Miyuki was wearing an apron and preparing dinner first.
I stroked Miyuki's hair and said.
"Making something?"
"Uh-huh. Miso stew with anchovies, my brother's favorite!"
"I'll make the rice. Thank you. Miyuki."
"...Hahaha."
After letting out a strange groan, Miyuki concentrated on preparing the meal again.
After eating the rice, simple cold dishes, and miso stew, it was time to call it a night.
In the living room, Miyuki is sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Watch as much as you want and go to bed early. Miyuki, you go to bed first."
"...Yes."
She replied well, but as I walked into the room, Miyuki turned off the TV and followed me in.
Miyuki was already in her pajamas.
"Sleep with me... again tonight.... Big brother...."
"...."
I can't refuse.
The hurt on Miyuki's face when I refused once broke my heart.
"Okay. Come here. Let's sleep together...."
"You're so sweet. I like you so much. I love you so much."
"...."
I hug and soothe my sister as she sobs in my arms, seemingly lost in her own thoughts again.
It will be a long time before she falls asleep.
I gradually drift off to sleep, feeling my sister in my arms.