One day, it was a weekend.
Miyuki insisted that we go shopping, so we walked into a shopping center.
Miyuki stopped at a men's store to buy me some clothes and held them up for me to try on.
"Wow, you look good."
"...I don't need clothes."
"But I want to see more of your handsome brother!"
"...."
I am extremely plain.
If Miyuki's bean-pod eyes were real, she would have picked up a number on the street like her sister.
They're too different aesthetically to be called siblings, and there's not much resemblance between them.
"Let's buy this, brother, I think it's the coolest thing!"
Miyuki shows me a light blue shirt and green plain pants.
I simply nodded and bought the clothes.
"Heehee. Wear that next time you go on a date with me!"
"...."
The next time I went shopping for my sister's clothes.
Two guys in black suits that didn't match the sunny spring weather approached us.
I sighed inwardly, wondering if it was them again.
"Hi, sir. We're these guys."
I take their business cards and recognize the familiar name of the agency.
"Are you a couple or friends?"
"Family."
"Oh, right. Your image fits the kind of idol girl group we're looking to cast...."
Miyuki cut him off and shook her head with a stern face.
"I'm sorry, it's an agency, I don't want to go in."
The man replied, confused.
"Wait, it's a coffee shop, maybe you can go inside and listen to the story and then decide...."
"I'm sorry."
Miyuki dragged my arm and walked away.
The place was filled with men asking for numbers and people trying to cast her.
But Miyuki's reason for turning them down is always the same.
"I don't have enough time to spend with my brother as it is, and these people are so intrusive!"
Miyuki throws her arms around me with an angry look on her face.
I stroked her hair and said.
"Where shall we go? It's Miyuki."
"Enough of looking at my clothes, I'm offended. How about we eat and watch a movie?"
"Sure. Let's do that."
"Heehee. Hey, big brother. I love you♥"
"...."
I already know that the sweet whisper means something rational.
I can't answer.
Maybe I never will be able to answer.
....
*****
After a quick bite to eat, we head out to the movie theater.
There wasn't much to choose from, so I picked a romance movie that Miyuki wanted to watch and sat down.
There weren't many people there, but Miyuki whispered in my ear.
-So it's like we're real lovers. Right?
"...."
I shook my head.
"Miyuki, you can't think like that."
"Why?"
Miyuki stares at me closely.
I took one look at her slightly fluttering eyelids, her sharp features, and her whispering red lips.
I said.
"You're family.... What are you talking about?"
"You're a special family member to me."
"So am I. It's Miyuki."
"No. You're a very, very special, very special family to me, as much as you think of me, and more."
"...."
"Because I had you, I grew up with enough love to make up for the loss of my mom and dad, and I didn't get picked on by the kids. I'm so proud to have you in my life. I love you so much. I love you so much."
"...."
The movie plays.
But Miyuki's gaze remains fixed on my face.
"Brother. Look at me."
Miyuki sticks out her lips.
I shake my head and hold out my palm to answer instead.
"Really...."
Miyuki pouted.
But she didn't bother to unclasp her hands, instead leaning her face against my shoulder and watching the movie.
"In romance movies, love does come true in the end...."
"...Miyuki."
"I don't mean to force it, I sometimes lose my cool too, but since you treat me so kindly... maybe I'm just letting my guard down...."
"You're self-aware."
"I may be a pervert, but that's only for you!"
Miyuki's voice got louder for a moment.
People's sharp gazes turned to us and back again.
Miyuki laughed.
"Heehee. Sorry."
"... Let's watch a movie. It's Miyuki."
"Yeah. Big brother."
"Huh?"
Miyuki whispers with all her heart, as if she's about to cry.
-I love you, I really do. I can't live without you♥ I'll always wait for you to accept me.
"...."
Again, I can't answer.
He can only hope that Miyuki will be different when she grows out of adolescence and becomes an adult.
*****
The evening at the end of the weekend.
As I enter the room, Miyuki opens the door to my visit, her hair slightly damp from having just gotten out of the shower.
"Hey, big brother. Let's sleep together."
"...Yes."
Miyuki whispers as she falls into my arms.
"I'm so happy right now, so happy that I feel like I'm going to cry."
"...."
"Can I be this happy? Won't mom and dad hate me?"
"They won't, Miyuki."
I said, wrapping my arms around Miyuki's head.
"I'm sure your mom and dad want you to be happy."
Miyuki said in a low voice.
"Even though they're close?"
"...."
Again, I can't answer.
Miyuki continued.
"What does your brother think of me?"
"What do I think... She's my precious little sister."
"I'm always flirting with you, how can you not flirt with me? You look like a man from the way you stand in the morning...."
"Hey!"
Thump!
I hit Miyuki with a honey chestnut, and she rubbed her head in pain.
"Ouch. I'm sorry, but I can't help how I feel."
"...Don't ever say that again. Aren't you going to sleep with me?"
"I'm sorry, big brother. I can't do that!"
"Then let's get some sleep. We have school tomorrow."
"Okay."
Miyuki puts her hand on my waist, wrapping her arms around me.
"Sleep well. Big brother. I love you."
"...."
I wonder if we'll have to have a serious conversation someday.