Chapter 9

"Sure, what is it?"

Since the other side maintained a serious demeanor, he decided to respond seriously as well.

Suna lowered her head slightly, took a moment, then suddenly raised her face, looked straight into his eyes, and smiled.

"Thank you always. I love you, big brother."

She said this abruptly, without any pretense or embarrassment.

Although he was a bit surprised by the suddenness, Yuki was used to it and didn't let it show on his face.

He smiled back and replied in a gentle tone.

"I love you too, Suna."

"Yep. I know."

However, her response was rather casual.

Suna nodded and puffed out her chest proudly.

"I know everything about you, big brother."

"What do you mean?"

When asked, Suna sniffed as if to say, "I'm glad you asked."

"Even though Mom is gone, Dad is still the same. But I know you're working really hard."

Suna's statement seemed incomplete, but Yuki understood what she was trying to say.

Their father had always left everything to their mother and prioritized his work, but he was genuinely busy.

Yuki knew his father's job at the trading company was demanding. After this business trip, he might have to go to Asia.

However, because of this, Suna didn't get along well with their father.

Once, Suna teased him by saying, "At least the salary is good," and he complained to his father, "Maybe I should change jobs."

But Suna was just mimicking their mother's old catchphrase and didn't really understand the situation.

Everyone had suffered after their mother's passing.

Yuki was told by his mother, who was nearing the end of her life, "Support your father. Be kind to Suna."

It was like a last will. Yuki took it seriously, trying not to worry his father and doing as much as he could around the house, including taking care of Suna.

When his father asked if they would be okay during his next business trip, Yuki thought it might be a bit tough but replied, "We'll be fine."

"That's why, thank you, big brother."

Suna, sitting formally, placed her fingertips on the floor and bowed respectfully.

Then, she slowly raised her face.

"Thank you for trying to cook for me, even though you're not used to it."

"Yeah, but you usually leave something behind, don't you?"

It was difficult to cook for both of them, especially when trying to cater to Suna's tastes.

"Even though you're lazy and clumsy, I know you try hard with cleaning and laundry."

"Then, why don't you fold your own underwear?"

Suna's undergarments were often left hanging on the clothespins in her room.

"I'll try to do more housework too!"

"Just don't start a fire."

Honestly, he didn't want her touching the stove.

Last time, she burned the carpet with an iron.

"So... please always be my big brother."

"It feels like the final episode. On a completely normal day."

"Huh, what's wrong, big brother... are you crying...?"

"No, I'm not crying."

She was trying to create a touching moment, but it was hard to do with one side in a shirt and nothing else.

Besides, it was out of context. He wondered if she had called him just as he was about to take a bath.

Finally reaching her limit, Suna puffed out her cheeks and started waving her fists.

"Grr! Yuki, you always tease me!"

"I'm just stating the facts."

"Anyway! Yuki, you're going to change from today!"

"What do you mean?"

"Because you couldn't make any friends or a girlfriend because of me."

Suna, who claimed to know everything about him, had a strange misunderstanding.

He couldn't say he had never been able to make friends, but he wished she wouldn't say he had no friends at all.

"Because you prioritized me over everything... poor you."

"No, that's not true."

Honestly, without those things, he and Suna could do most things together, so he didn't feel too deprived.

They went shopping and played together. The same was true for Suna.

Suna was very noisy at home but extremely shy outside. She never brought friends home or talked about anyone.

When she proudly said, "Hehe, I didn't speak a word at school today!" he got a bit angry.

But he couldn't really criticize her either.

"I understand you love Suna a lot, but that's called siscon. Siscons have no human rights. You'll be looked at strangely by the neighbors and it will be bad for your job prospects."

"Really?"

"So, you should start distancing yourself from your sister. Suna will try to make friends, so you should try to get a girlfriend."

"No, that logic is flawed. Why do I need a girlfriend?"

"Because you're a big brother, you have a handicap."

"That's a huge handicap."

He was being harshly criticized, but she was completely serious.

Suna leaned forward on her knees and looked at Yuki with great interest.

"Hey, do you have a girl you like right now?"

"Your phrasing again."

"Someone you're interested in!"

For some reason, Yui's face came to mind.

Actually, she was the only girl he had any contact with. He had talked to her more today than with any other girl during his high school life.

"Well, even if I like someone, they don't even notice me. We're just on different levels."

"So, there is someone!"

"No, that's not it, it's not like that."

"Hee hee."

Suna nodded with a grin.

It seemed fun for her, but if she misunderstood, it could get complicated.

Before she offered to help, he quickly said,

"No, I'm happy as I am. Just seeing Suna happy is enough for me."

"If you're that happy, you'll explode when you get a girlfriend."

"...Why would I explode? I'm really happy just knowing you care about me. That's enough for me."

"Really? That makes me blush, hehe..."

Suna scratched her head, looking embarrassed, which was rare for her.

He smiled, and she turned around 180 degrees, leaning against him.

When he hugged her, she twisted her neck to look at him and smiled.

"Big brother, I'm doing well."

"Really? That's good."

"I'm fine now. If you're happy, I'll be even more energetic."

Suna, who had been depressed after their mother's passing, had become so lively.

She didn't eat properly, didn't talk to anyone, and stayed in her room, not going to school...

Yuki had patiently watched over her, as he had promised their mother.

When she cried, he would hug her gently, stroke her head, and stay with her until she smiled again.

So, he wanted Suna to always be happy and smile.

"Maybe a 2D girlfriend would be okay."

"No way. Anyway! Yuki, you're going to change from today. Happy Brother's Day!"

"Brother's Day is a bit off, isn't it?"

Yuki gently stroked Suna's hair as he said this.

Still, it was a difficult task.

Would he be able to win Yui back next time?