Xuan's biological clock roused her from sleep. As always, the morning household chores and breakfast preparation fell on her shoulders. For Xuan, she was not only an older sister to Hong Shuangyu but also fulfilled the role of a mother.
After their parents' death, Hong Shuangyu was the only family she had left. But despite her vow to protect her brother, she couldn't prevent those horrific events. Since then, guilt had haunted her relentlessly, and Xuan never allowed herself to relax.
She strived to be the perfect sister. In every aspect—so that her brother could live a fulfilling life.
Looking at Hong Shuangyu's pale, sickly face, Xuan noticed they had clung tightly to each other in sleep. With effortless grace, almost weightlessly, she brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen across his face and gently stroked his cheek.
…
Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The streetlights had dimmed, and the faint chirping of birds broke the morning silence.
Xuan gazed at Hong Shuangyu with boundless tenderness. Unable to resist, she leaned down and whispered, her lips softly brushing against his. The kiss lasted only a few seconds before she pulled away.
Her snow-white face flushed with a faint blush, her breathing quickened, and her gaze grew hazy.
"Ha… ha…" she exhaled.
No… I mustn't wake Little Yu… I have to hold back… Xuan thought, desperately suppressing her desires.
Suddenly, Hong Shuangyu stirred slightly. A small gap in the blanket let in a cold draft, and his body instinctively sought Xuan's warmth. Due to their height difference, he nestled fully into her embrace, his lips accidentally brushing against her neck.
Though Xuan was accustomed to sleeping with Hong Shuangyu in her arms and familiar with his scent—the same shampoo fragrance as hers—the sudden closeness and his breath on her skin shattered her fragile self-control. The rationality she clung to crumbled.
Her right hand slowly, almost imperceptibly, slid toward her lower abdomen. Tilting her head slightly, she inhaled his familiar scent. Clinging to the remnants of her reason, Xuan moved with barely noticeable motions to avoid waking Hong Shuangyu.
After her "morning ritual," Xuan quietly slipped out of bed. Carefully tucking Hong Shuangyu back under the blanket, she tiptoed out of the room.
Tomorrow, I absolutely won't do this. No, never again! she resolved firmly to herself.
But yesterday, Xuan had thought the same thing.
After such an act, sweat inevitably coated her body, and the sticky sensation was unbearable for her. Hong Shuangyu was meticulously clean, almost to the point of obsession, and Xuan wouldn't allow anything impure—including herself—to be near him.
After showering, she tidied the house, washed, and hung the laundry. Clapping her hands, Xuan glanced at the clock. Her timing was impeccable—Hong Shuangyu was due to wake any moment. Her flawless time management allowed her to complete her tasks without rushing.
Returning to the room on tiptoe, she saw Hong Shuangyu still asleep. Xuan carefully climbed onto the bed, lay beside him, propped her face in her hands, and gazed at him tenderly.
…
When the hour hand of the alarm clock reached seven and the minute hand hit one, Xuan blossomed with the purest, most radiant smile.
"Good morning, little Yu~" she said.
"…" Hong Shuangyu slowly opened his eyes.
"Good morning… sister," he replied.
Xuan didn't notice the slight twitch at the corner of his lips.
The morning and the walk to school passed as usual. Classes dragged on in their monotonous routine, and Hong Shuangyu, as always, sat lost in empty contemplation.
When did it start? he thought. I've started thinking so rarely… But isn't this the calm, warm life I wanted? With such a perfect sister…
Yet something felt wrong. As if something was missing…
…
"Ding!" The bell for the break snapped him out of his thoughts.
As usual, Xuan politely declined classmates' invitations to eat together, took her meticulously prepared bento, grabbed Hong Shuangyu's hand, and led him out of the classroom.
They ascended to the roof of the administrative building. It seemed to have rained the previous night, and today the sky was an unusually vivid blue. The air carried the fresh, pleasant scent of foliage.
Autumn weather was Hong Shuangyu's favorite.
But this time, he didn't immediately join Xuan for lunch. Instead, he walked to the edge of the roof. Small puddles remained on the ground, reflecting the sky and gentle gusts of wind.
"What's wrong, little Yu?" Xuan asked, preparing the bento. She was surprised to see Hong Shuangyu not sitting obediently beside her, waiting to be "fed."
Hong Shuangyu stood motionless, gazing into the distance. The wind and sky, the buildings and students, the forest and mountains…
An unfamiliar feeling gripped his mind. Hearing Xuan's question, he turned to the most important person in his life.
"Sister… I…" he began, but the words caught in his throat, as if something blocked them.
Suddenly, a faint bitterness stung his nose, and tears welled up, streaming down his cheeks.
His unusual behavior and sudden tears threw Xuan into a panic.
"What's wrong, little Yu?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Are you feeling ill? Did you remember something bad? Don't scare me, little Yu!"
The usually calm and confident Xuan paled with fear. In her flustered state, she forgot about a handkerchief and began wiping Hong Shuangyu's tears with her hands. Then she touched his forehead.
"Do you have a fever? Or a cold? Is your nose stuffy? Or are you tired? Let me take you home to rest, okay? Don't frighten your sister!"
Such behavior from Hong Shuangyu was new to her, and she was utterly at a loss.
But Hong Shuangyu gently shook his head.
"Sister… no… I…" he mumbled, lowering his head, still unable to explain the reason.
"Little Yu, don't scare your sister! Tell me what's wrong? Maybe you ate too much this morning and feel unwell? Let's eat less for lunch then, I won't make you finish everything," Xuan said, her voice trembling with tears.
She was afraid. Afraid that Hong Shuangyu was unhappy, tired, or not eating well. But most of all, she feared seeing in his eyes the despair that had once nearly pushed him to the edge.
Hong Shuangyu shook his head again. Suddenly, he stepped toward Xuan, spread his arms wide, and hugged her, like a child throwing himself into his mother's embrace. His face buried into her chest.
Xuan froze in surprise. A strange thought flashed through her mind.
Could it be… could it be… the legendary…
Sibling indulgence?!
My adorable little brother wants hugs—isn't that indulgence?!
Aaa, how cute!
Her panic instantly evaporated, giving way to these fantasies. But soon, she noticed her clothes were damp from Hong Shuangyu's tears, and reality snapped her back.
Xuan hugged him tightly, one hand gently stroking the back of his head.
"It's okay… your sister's here… your sister will always be here…" she whispered.
…
Under the blue sky, the brother and sister embraced.
…
"Hey! I'm here, little Xuan!" a cheerful voice rang out.
"…"
The sudden appearance of a girl shattered the warm atmosphere between the siblings. An awkward silence hung over the roof.
"Oops… looks like I came at a bad time," Kinugita Taoko said, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment.