And she’s practically custom-tailored to suit all of Taichi’s little-sister preferences... He probably spoils her rotten... Being around her probably sates all of his little-sister needs... which probably explains why he never wants to hang out with me anymore...
No... I don’t want to be replaced!
“Nnnn... You know, ma’am — I mean, Rina-chan — I really envy you. It must be nice to hear Taichi-senpai’s sexy voice all day, every day... I wish I was his little sister, too...”
You want to be... his sister...?
OVER MY DEAD BODY!
“Take that! Hyah!”
“Wh-What the?! Ow! ...Okay, it doesn’t really hurt, but still! Stop hitting me with your popsicle stick! Th-That tickles!”
“You’ll never be better than me, you fake wannabe sister!”
“—Hey! Rina! The hell is going on in here?!”
△▲△
Before long, it’s time for the CRC to go home. Taichi leaves the house to walk them to the train station, and when he returns, he summons me to the living room. Hesitantly, I step inside. Then I walk up to him... and slowly look up at his face.
It’s not often Taichi gets really, seriously, majorly mad at me. But today’s one of those times.
“Rina, do you know why I’m upset with you?” he asks, and I can tell he’s not in a joking mood.
What do I do? He’s scaring me!
“I was already planning to introduce you to everyone at some point — at the end of the day, or maybe sooner. But you didn’t know that, so instead you tried to talk to them on your own. That I can forgive.”
But before I can breathe a sigh of relief—
“However,” he continues, “you made them uncomfortable, and that’s not okay.”
“I... I didn’t make them uncomfortable!”
“You forced them to play your little game. You argued with Inaba. You even hit Enjouji — and yes, I know you didn’t hit her very hard, but still! Not only that, they saw you grading their performance! All of that made them uncomfortable! Sure, they were willing to forgive you since you’re my kid sister, but I’m warning you now: Not everyone’s going to be that patient with you. You’re not a child anymore, Rina. You’re nearly in middle school now.”
“B-But—”
“No buts!”
Tears spring to my eyes. He’s really, really mad at me.
“I’m sorry...”
I hate crying in front of other people, but as I apologize, a tear rolls down my cheek.
“I was... just... worried about you... because... you’re my brother...”
All I can see is the hardwood floor and a sliver of Taichi’s feet.
“Worried?”
“Yeah, because... you hardly ever talk to me anymore...”
Wait, what? Is that what’s bothering me?
“You’re always leaving the house, or... in your room, or... on the phone with someone... and you’re busy with school... and it feels like I’m... not as important to you anymore...”
Wait. Wait, wait, wait. What’s going on? Why do I sound like a spoiled little baby? I’m not a baby!
But... now that I think about it... that was my first time seeing my brother surrounded by so many people I didn’t know. Almost like he was a stranger, too.
It feels like I’m going to lose him. I mean, I already have to share him with everyone else as it is... It feels like they’ll take up more and more of his time until eventually he forgets all about me... and then he’ll leave...
“You big dummy.”
The next thing I know, Taichi’s feet are right next to mine, and a big, warm hand is on my head, stroking my hair. It’s so embarrassing, being treated like a little kid. But his hand is firm and strong and makes me feel safe.
“You really think I’m gonna stop caring about you? As if! You know I’m not that kind of jerk, right?”
Trembling, I nod my head as I stare down at the floor.
“You’ll never be less important to me, Rina. I mean, there’s no ranking. ...Actually, maybe this isn’t the best way to explain this.” He pauses to think for a moment, then continues, “You’ll always have a special place in my heart that no one else can fill. You know why? Because you’re my one and only little sister.”
Ugh, this whole conversation is so cringey. Normally we’d never talk about this stuff. But... right now, I need to hear it.
I take a step forward and wrap my arms tightly around his middle. Then I bury my face in his chest. No words. Just love.
“Somebody’s a needy little baby today, hmm?” He gently pats my back.
“Just for today.”
Yeah. I just happen to be feeling dramatic today, that’s all. Starting tomorrow, I won’t be so clingy and obsessed anymore. If anything, he’s the one who’s obsessed with me.
Sniffling, I wipe my tears on his clothes. Hmph! That’s what you get for making your little sister cry!
Then I let go, take a few steps back, and collect myself.
“Taichi, you really hurt me, and—”
I start to launch into another lecture, same as usual, but then I decide against it.
“B-But... you’re special to me, too. Because you’re my one and only brother.”
At this, his face lights up with a big smile, and he nods happily. “Cool.”
Ugh, I’m so mortified, I want to die! Why are we talking about this? Is this just how siblings are sometimes?
“You know, I didn’t realize how attached you were to me,” he continues cheerfully. “I mean, obviously I knew you loved me, but... I really appreciate hearing it, you know? Anyway, uh, I have some free time until dinner, so if you want, we could do something together, go somewhere, or—”
Out of the blue, my cell phone starts ringing.
“Sorry, one sec.”
“Sure thing.”
I check the caller ID. It’s—
“Oh, it’s my boyfriend!”
I wasn’t expecting him to call me over the weekend, so this is a fun surprise. Yay!
Meanwhile, Taichi’s smile instantly freezes over, like he’s been cast down into hell. Not my problem, though. I switch from Sister Mode to Girlfriend Mode.
“Well, I gotta take this. See you later, broski.”
“Wh-... Hey! You’re just gonna leave me high and dry?!”
“Sorry, but these things happen. Obviously I’m going to prioritize my boyfriend.”
Not like I can date my own brother!
“H-How am I less important than he is?! What happened to ‘You’re my one and only brother’?!”
“Bye now!”
And with that, I head off to my room.
“RINAAAA!”
He screams after me like I’m his ex-wife or something. Pathetic. I ignore him and run up the stairs.
Just like that, a single phone call from my boyfriend has cheered me right up. Now that I think about it, maybe that’s why I was feeling so dramatic today. I really missed him!
Then again... I do think Taichi had something to do with it, too.
So, since I’ve caused enough trouble for one day, I’ll just keep this one last thing to myself:
You’ll always be my big brother, you got that?!