It's morning.
I open my eyes and find myself in bed in my room.
"Did Miyuki bring me here...."
I look at my right wrist, and it's better healed.
Miyuki must have done a better job.
I walk out of the room and sit on the couch in the living room.
Miyuki's room is still firmly closed.
By the way, today is the weekend....
I've been so busy, I don't even know when I have a day off.
"This week has been so crazy."
Once I got involved with Kaori and Miyuki, one incident after another happened.
I should have handled myself better, but I was also overwhelmed with pity.
At least it's over now.
I should have been more decisive now. ....
Chulkuck.
I heard the door to the room open.
Miyuki walked into the living room with an awkward expression on her face.
"Are you up?"
"Yeah."
"Are you okay? You lost a lot of blood."
"I'm fine after sleeping, thank you for the hemostasis."
"No...."
Miyuki sat down next to me, but she didn't cuddle up to me or whisper her love like yesterday.
She just looked at my right wrist warily.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure now that I've been in your shoes, I realize what a crazy bitch I was last night."
"...."
It's backwards logic.
You don't realize how ridiculous you've been until it happens to you.
Miyuki's case was more extreme, but it got the job done anyway.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
"But it doesn't make the love go away."
"...Of course not."
If a person's heart can be controlled at will, how can it be a person's heart?
"...But. I'll take care of myself."
"Mmm."
"I'll be a good little sister to my brother. So... please don't hurt yourself like you did yesterday."
Miyuki sobbed quietly.
I took out a tissue and wiped her tears.
"Okay. That's enough. I don't want anything more, Miyuki, if you can get closure on your feelings."
"...Yes."
"That's it. Miyuki."
We hugged each other as our hearts connected.
The warmth washed over me, and I felt a rush of happiness.
The peace of home and family that I want to protect.
Only by protecting it will I be able to face my parents in heaven.
Thank God.
I'm so glad. I thought to myself.
*****
I spent Saturday at home.
I didn't see any of my friends because of the effects of the blood loss.
"I've been drinking porridge, take care of yourself."
Miyuki handed me porridge in the living room.
"Thanks. I'll eat well, Miyuki."
"I'm sorry. Big brother."
"You can stop being sorry. I'm glad my Miyuki still listens to you."
"...."
Miyuki quietly sat down next to me.
"Do you want me to feed her?"
"I'll take care of the food."
"...Okay."
I ate the porridge.
It was chicken porridge.
Miyuki said quietly.
"Big brother.... I love you."
"...."
"But... I'll be a good little sister and keep quiet."
"...Yes."
"But you forbid me to show affection and be in a relationship. He also forbids me to have a girlfriend."
"...."
I remembered Kaori.
I promised her I would meet her secretly.
Now I can't go back on my word.
I've seen Kaori's behavior with my own two eyes.
Besides, didn't I make the first offer?
I offered to take care of Kaori.
"Big brother...?"
Miyuki looks at me with a questioning gaze.
I nod, unable to help myself.
"Okay, Miyuki, I'll do it."
"Fufu. Yeah."
Miyuki leans her face against my shoulder and wraps her arms around me.
"Ah~ I'm happy."
"...."
"It's kind of creepy, but I feel cool inside."
"Is that so?"
"Yep. I know what you're feeling, I guess. The only time I go black is when my brother betrays me."
"...."
My appetite drops.
I suddenly didn't want to eat porridge.
"Yeah...."
"Big brother."
"Huh?"
"You're not hiding anything from me, are you? You made a deal with that kid from our school, right?"
"That, yes."
Let's call it that.
After all, if you fix Kaori's problem quickly enough, she won't notice.
"Okay. I believe you."
Miyuki remains silent and closes her eyes.
She seems to be enjoying the moment.
"She's calming down.
I'm glad.
Just when I thought so.
Ziiiiiiiiiing.
My cell phone rang.
It rang in my pocket.
Jeeeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeeeee.
"...."
I ignored it silently and ate my porridge, and Miyuki asked me curiously.
"Looks like someone's texting you... Can I not see it?"
The porridge is hot.
"Kukkukk. It's probably an advertising text. I want to eat it quickly while it's hot."
"...Do you get texts like that all the time?"
"...Porridge is delicious."
I ignored the awkward atmosphere and continued to eat the porridge.
But....
Jiyiyiying.
Jiyiyiying.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
Jeeeeeeeee.
"Wow, you're obsessed. Just like me...."
Miyuki looked at me with sharp eyes.
I put down my now-empty bowl and told Miyuki the truth.
"Yesterday, there was a rumor at school. That's why my classmates were texting me."
"Then can I see the texts with you? What they said?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't look at Miyuki's phone either. We should keep our privacy."
"You can look at my phone all you want."
"...Yes, that's how you've been acting all this time. What are you suspecting, Miyuki?"
"Hmph."
Miyuki shrugged.
"Whatever, I'll take it, you wouldn't lie to me."
It wasn't half a lie, but it pricked her conscience.
"I'll trust you. Like I said."
"But."
"You can't betray me either. I've told you many times, this is."
"...."
Miyuki got up from her seat and went into her room.
I sighed quietly and checked the contents of the text.
'The work never stops.'
I have one more thing to deal with.
What to do with Kaori.
If possible, we must keep her out of her sister's sight.
I must.