I stirred awake as I could feel a large source of warmth tightly wrapped around me. I could hear soft snores coming from this source. As I opened my eyes, I saw Mami as she held me, her pigtails having been undone. Her hair seemed surprisingly long. I stroked my hand through her hair. It felt so soft… I was able to wrestle myself out of her hold without much trouble… Though as I separated from Mami, I heard her whimper as her arms pulled back. She wore a very pretty nightgown, pinkish orange with flower decorations on them.

I gave her a tight hug as her eyes opened up.

"Morning Shane…" She gave a smile.

"M-morning, Mami…" I said to her. I let go as Mami got up from the bed.

"That was a really nice sleep I had. Did you have a good one as well?" Mami asked.

"Yeah..." I looked at how beautiful Mami had become. Her body had grown up in all the right places...

Focus! She's your cousin!

"It must be embarrassing sharing a bed with a family member at this age," especially if said family member has a huge rack, "but if it makes you feel any better, I really enjoyed it."

"M-me too…" I can't help but admit that I was very comfortable sleeping in Mami's arms.

"I'll go make breakfast. In the meanwhile, you should shower up." Mami said. I nodded and went.

The shower and subsequent breakfast were quick, all things considered, though it wasn't without reason. Mami wanted me to check out the new school I was to be transferred to. Our trip was a rather long one. It started out okay, though I felt like I was in a bliss-like state. It wasn't helped by the fact that Mami held my hand throughout the walk. I didn't mind that as much as sharing a bed with her, since that was a sign of her taking responsibility for me.

We stopped at Mitakihara Middle School. It looked like a masterpiece of glass sheets layered to make a wall. It shimmered like diamonds. My jaw dropped.

"You like it, huh?" Mami asked me with a smile so serene that I forgot for a brief moment that she was even my cousin and instead a beautiful idol that I would see on YouTube.

"Y-yeah!" I said. I began to jump up and down. "I can't wait to come here!"

"E-eh-easy!" Mami chuckled. She looked at me and smiled a bit.

After we looked at the school, Mami walked me over to some other places of interest, though the most strangest place was the park. Nothing too crazy, but when Mami and I passed by a grassy area, I noticed she tensed up.

"Something the matter?" I asked her. Mami shook her head.

"N-no… It's fine." I know when a facade is put up. At the same time, I didn't want to press on.

"We've been walking for a while…" My head pointed to the benches. Mami squeezed my hand before she nodded. Now I knew something was up. Whatever it was, Mami seemed to not want to be at this place. I sat next to Mami on a bench by the water fountain. It looked so colorful and beautiful, but now that I mention it, it's starting to be a commonly used word throughout the city. Everything was great. I curse God for not putting me here sooner.

Mami just sat there, her eyes fixed to the grassy field. My head, meanwhile, slumped over onto Mami's arm. She felt so comfortable. I'd rest on her lap, but that'd be taking it too far. Mami just hummed and held me close to her.

"I won't let go of you, no matter what, okay?" Mami asked. It sounded so out of left field...

"Mami… Did something happen?" I asked.

"N-no… I just love you that much is all." She replied. Love… In a way, I loved her too. She was there when I was lost in Tokyo, and during my visit to Japan back when I was young, she devoted so much to help me learn how to get around Tokyo. I even remembered a time when it was just me and her riding on a subway. She never left my side during the ride when the crowds got too much and the darkness filled the train.

Perhaps that's why I sharing her bed. Perhaps I had developed a crush on her… No! What am I saying? She's my cousin! I can't have thoughts of incest! And yet… She's so beautiful… So kind… So caring… I can't help but fall in love with her…

I can't help but fall asleep on her shoulder…

I soon woke up on Mami's back as she carried me.

"You're a light sleeper." Mami said.

"H-how long was I out for?" I asked.

"Fifteen minutes… You're very cute when you're asleep." Mami's voice right now was so soothing that I wouldn't mind going another five minutes had it not been for her putting me down. "Now…" Mami took out a purse and dug into it before she pulled a few yen notes. "I'm going to be busy for a bit… Why don't you treat yourself to something nice at the mall?" As she said that, I looked around. Sure enough, we were in the middle of a picturesque shopping centre. The surprise of its beauty had waned thanks to everything else in Mitakihara. Mami knelt to me and smiled.

"I'll be back, don't worry." With that, she got up and left. I looked around… What the hell was I gonna do in a shopping center? Unless...

My eyes picked up a music shop ninety degrees to my right and I made a bee-line. In the years between my first trip to Japan and now, I had picked up a taste for a certain kind of music. One as equally soothing as Mami's own presence: classical music. Particularly the kind played with violin. There was an allure to it that I can't quite grasp. I've been looking for a new CD after I wore out the last one on my walkman… Yes, I still use those.

Grabbing one should be easy. Just look for a good enough cover and title, aaaaaand…

Grab!

Only, my hand touched something other than the CD case. It was another hand. My head quickly snapped to whoever it was beside me and immediately it was like a romantic comedy about to ensue.

She had short blue hair, gorgeous blue eyes, looked to be around my age, and wore a plain white shirt, blue jeans, and a blue jacket. I took notice of her hairclips, which looked cute on her. I immediately retract my hand.

"S-sorry…" I blushed. She just blinked at me.

"You… Like classical music as well?" She asked me.

"W-w-well, y-yes… B-b-but you got it first, so it's all yours." I said to her. She picked it up.

"It's funny. Normally, people wouldn't expect me to be a big fan of the classics." She smiled. Her voice was nice and peppy, always keeping you engaged in what she had to say.

"Same with me. I mean, I use it to help me sleep and all that. A-any reason y-you like it?" I blushed.

"... It's… Well, I'm really buying this for a friend." The bright smile she had waned into a frown. "He was in a nasty accident about a week ago. Doctors tried as much as they could, but…" I frowned as well.

"I'm… sorry for your loss." I said. She blinked and her frown turned into a scowl.

"W-what!? No! I mean… His…" It was for a brief moment before she returned to being sad. "He was really great at the violin. Like, the best at it. His skills were the stuff of legends. But… after the accident… He… lost the use of his hands." She held onto the case tightly. "I don't want him to lose hope, so I'm going to give him music to help him."

"He must be really lucky to have a friend like you." It came out of my mouth like vomit. I didn't even realize what I said until it was too late.

"Yeah. We were friends back when we were children." She gave a soft smile and a blush. The same kind of smile and blush I had when I was with Mami.

"You like him?" I asked.

"Yeah, I… H-hey! Mind your business! We don't even know each other!" Her face went red as a beet and pointed at me after she stepped away.

"W-well, my name is Shane," I kept a smirk, as she looked super adorable.

"... My name is Miki." She said.

"Nice to meet you, Miki." I gave her my hand. She looked away before she grabbed a CD and gave it to me.

"Here. The songs here are pretty great. I especially like Track 8." Her eyes drifted away a bit, though she looked at me. I took the CD and grinned.

"Thanks." I said. I looked at the CD and smiled… In front of her. As I went to purchase it away from her, I frowned. If only she didn't see her friend that way… The feelings I had for Mami lingered into me, that cloudy feeling of love. I needed to take my mind off it.

I took out the CD and put it in my walkman. I sat down at a bench and played the walkman. I thought about Mami being next to me and I mentally replaced her with Miki. A small fix and admittedly a little dumb, but anything to take the mind off my thoughts of incest. I went to Track 8 and true to what Miki said, it was beautiful and not in the same regard as Mitakihara's place. Rather, in the form of it being so beautiful, I broke into tears. My emotions were in full swing now.

Miki was so adorable, and yet she crushes on another… Mami cares for me, yet she is my cousin… I immediately understood the theme of the song: a broken love life. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

"Shane?" I woke up and saw Mami lightly shake me.

"Y-yeah?" I asked.

"How long were you sleeping there for?" I looked at my phone… I was about 1:00 PM when I left the store… Now it was 5 PM. The mall was in the process of closing down for the day. "Come here…" Mami picked me up and carried me, all while I heard Track 8 going on repeat.

By the time I fully woke up, we were back at her place. Mami set me by the couch as she sat next to me. She picked my head up and had it lay onto her lap as she brushed my hair.

"It's jetlag, isn't it?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"You're jetlagged. That's why you slept at the mall." Her voice seemed a little distant.

"I… guess so."

"Don't worry. You'll adjust soon." As Mami cracked a grin, I knew something was up.

"Mami, did… something happen at the park?" I asked her. Her combing stopped and she just froze. "M-mami?" I asked. She sighed.

"I…" She grabbed my hand. "When my parents died… I… I felt very lonely. I couldn't focus on my emotions though… I had to put a face on and tough out whatever fears or pains I had. But… when I'm alone… I have only tears." Mami grimaced as I saw tears well up. "But… then you came over. I became so happy because I'm not alone anymore. I had someone who can help me get through the tough times." She dodged my question.

"What happened?" I asked again, this time clearer. Mami struggled to speak. She bit her lip.

"You… wouldn't understand. L-let's just say I…" There was a pause. "I don't want to scare you."

"You're scaring me right now." I got up and straightened out.

"... I nearly died again." Mami said.

"Again?" I muttered.

"Once when I was in that car accident… The other time was last night at the park." Mami said.

"What. Happened?" My tone became serious. Mami trembled and her eyes waved over bit by bit. I realized my tone was harsh and sighed. "No… It's okay. If it's traumatizing, then you don't have to answer… Sorry just… I'm concerned for you." I said.

"... You don't have to be. I'm fine." Mami frowned.

"No. You're not." I gave her a hug as her trembling became full on tremors.

"T-this is embarrassing… I'm supposed to comfort you…" Mami cried.

"You did that long ago. Now it's my turn to comfort you." I grabbed Mami by her hands. "I won't let go of you as well. I'll stay by your side for as long as it takes." I smiled. She smiled back as we stared into each other's eyes…

She then leaned into kiss me softly and sweetly on my mouth. As our lips touched, I immediately blushed.

"Did you like it?" She asked. I just sat there for a moment before I nodded. "I'm glad… I love you, Shane." She gave a smile. Damn it… She's so beautiful! So lovely! So… lonely… I felt obliged to express my feelings, even if it felt wrong.

"I… love you too." We gave each other a hug, though no kiss resulted from it.

"Did you enjoy my bed?" I nodded. "We can sleep on it if you like."

"That… would be wonderful." I gave a genuine smile as we headed up to her room. Our sleep was less awkward than last night. We cuddled together, Mami wearing her nightgown and me wearing just a loose pair of boxers. As much as I hated to think about it, as much as I tried to switch my mind on it, I had to admit the truth:

I'm in love with my cousin. My cousin is in love with me. And we're okay with that.