A/N: Updated this chapter a bit. Made a few corrections in spelling, grammar and some missing words. I think I accidentally uploaded an older version of this chapter and not the current. Sorry about that.

Kyousuke:

"I'm home." I finally return home after a long, somewhat depressing walk from the library and earlier's event. My usual cheery tone replaced with that of a melancholy one. I'll get over it though, I'm actually looking forward to seeing Kirino tonight.

"Ah Welcome back hun. Dinner is almost ready. Care to guess what I've made? Hehehe?" Says mom, looks like she's finishing up her special dish she mentioned to me earlier...hmm *sniff* *sniff*...Hey...that smells kinda good...

"Uhm...uh..."

"I'll smack you if you say curry." She says with a pout. She'll make good with that threat and with a frying pan still in her hand, my survival instincts tell me not to say curry...

"Uhm...curry?"

*PANG*

"OW! Come on, mom...the frying pan?!" Thank goodness it wasn't the one she was cooking with.

"Hmph! That's for being a jerk. Can't you see your mother is very happy about her achievement in the culinary arts?"

"Yea yea, my apologies master chef." That was so worth it though.

"And you know I'm bad at guessing, but I do smell...shrimp?"

"Hehehe, you're right about that part, but you'll have to wait until dinner to find out what it is. Also, Kirino is upstairs, haven't heard a peep from her since she's gotten back which is odd. I think she was looking for you earlier though."

"R-really?" My face turns red after hearing that...either because of excitement or pure dread I'm not sure.

"What did she want?"

"I'm not sure. Go upstairs and find out, hun. In fact bring her down for dinner. It's almost ready."

"Ok, mom." I begin to head upstairs, feelings of happiness from hearing my precious little sister wanted to see me, and those of terror for the possible threat of bodily harm running through my head. Although I'm sure I haven't done anything wrong right? Let's see...uhm...oh crap...that eroge she gave me 2 weeks ago...I didn't finish it yet. Yup, I'm going to get my ass kicked.

*knock knock* "Hey..Kirino? You in there?" I don't hear anything, but the door is locked, so I know she's in there. I hope she doesn't have her headphones on playing eroge.

*KNOCK KNOCK* "Hey! Kirino? Can you hear me?!" I knock harder, after a couple of seconds I decide to give up and turn to walk away when I hear her door begin to creek open slowly. About a few seconds, Kirino's head pokes through and I can see her face in the hallway light. Her room is dark, and judging from her looks, she may have been napping.

"What do you want Aniki?" She says while opening her door completely, with such a drone out tone in her voice that it doesn't even sound like a question. Oh well, it's better than how she use to greet me years back when she used to slam her door open right into my face, showing not a care in the world for my obvious discomfort. Oh hey, she doesn't sound mad! Maybe she won't ask about the eroge.

"Hello to you too, sleepy head. Mom asked me to come get you for dinner. She also said you were looking for me earlier?"

"Gross. Why would I be looking for you, idiot?" She says while crossing her arms. Yup, same old Kirino even after all this time. Though I've gotten used to it to point where I actually get a small kick from it. It is...after all part of her I fell in love with. Damn I'm such a masochist.

"Eh? Well excuse me! It's not everyday mom tells me my perfect little sister was looking for me."

"Oh? I bet you got all excited too, huh? You sis-con. Well, now that you've rudely woken me up, where were you all day?" She says now shifting her hands on her hips, trying to look upset. Heh, no matter how much she tries to deny it, she never realizes that her body language tells me other wise. I hope she never figures that little aspect of herself out. It's too cute.

"Library. Still deciding on what to do for next year as far as university goes."

"How about going to butler school? Since you've been such a good slave to me. Following my every whim and wish." She says with a smirk on her face. I feel my eyebrow twitch from that comment and decide to retaliate.

"Hmm, maybe I should. Though I'd only want to be YOUR butler exclusively, so that I cater to your every desire and needs, milady." I complete my tease with a wink. I think she got the hidden message on the get go as she's now blushing mad and averted eye contact with me. Victory is mine this round.

"P-pervert! Hitting on your little sister. Hmph!" Kirino walks pass me in a huff and heads down stairs quicker than lightning. I feel my face damn near pulling itself apart with my victorious grin. I follow behind and make my way to the dinner table. I see Kirino has sat down, still a bit flushed much to my amusement. I sit at my usual spot and avoid looking at her for now. My grin is still plastered on my face. Mom comes around and notices my expression almost immediately.

"My my, what's got you so happy all of a sudden, Kyousuke?"

"Er...nothing, mom." Quickly wiping my dumb grin off my face and attempt to change the subject.

"So, what's this you've made?" I look down at my plate to see this completely new dish of food, steam rising up and going straight into my nose. I see three large pieces of fried shrimp battered in a buttery sauce mixed with vegetables and white rice. Holy crap this looks...good!

"It's called Tendon. I got the recipe from a magazine. Go ahead and try it!" She says putting on a big smile on her face. We waste no time and dug right in. After a few chews, my mouth is in total bliss right now. I can't believe my mom actually made something good that's not curry! I look up at her and see she now has a hopeful look on her face. I know what she wants to hear and I'm more than happy to tell her.

"Mom...this is great!"

"Hah? Really?! Be honest!"

"No really this is amazing!"

"I agree with Aniki, this is really good mom! Jeez I might gain a couple of pounds after I ask for seconds." Kirino jumps in to help me get through mom's skepticism. Looks like it worked as mom takes a sigh or relief and smiles brightly.

*Sigh* "I'm so happy. Thanks you two. I wish your father wasn't working tonight so he could be here to taste this. I really wanted to surprise him."

"Oh? Daddy's working late again?"

"Yes. He's been called into overtime recently, but he promised me he'll take a week off for our anniversary next month." Oh yea! I almost forgot about that! Mom and dad has been married for almost 18 years now coming May. Lucky she mentioned it, I gotta get her those two a gift. Thank goodness for my job.

"Anywho, Kyousuke. I've meant to ask, whatever happened to Manami? I haven't seen her in a while." Damn near choked on my food from that question. Crap, of all times she could have asked that, it had to be when Kirino is around. I turn my eyes to her general direction and noticed she's not looking at me, instead content on eating her dinner. Still, I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that's telling me not to say a word. Oh well, I can't leave mom hanging.

"I think she's been busy with her studies mom. Probably why I haven't seen her in a while, but I did run into her at the library. Gah!"

Suddenly I feel sharp pain on my left ankle. I turn towards Kirino to see she's still eating contentedly. Eyes closed and everything. I'm not going crazy here am I? Pretty damn sure someone kicked me just now.

"Oh nice! Did you have some time to study together? Maybe Mana-chan can help you decide on what to do for university."

"Nah, we didn't study. She actually was buying some books before she left Chiba for university."

"Huh? She's leaving Chiba? How come? I thought you two were going to university together."

"Ow!" I quickly turn to my left and Kirino is once again eating without a care in the world. Goddamnit I know it's you. Cut that out already!

"N-no mom. I mean...we were...I guess...but I think she just had a change of heart and wanted to go traveling maybe? I don't know."

"Oh...I see. I'm disappointed, I thought you and Mana-chan were going to get married at some point. You both were always together since you were kids. It's a shame to see her go now."

I turn my eyes to see Kirino grinning devilishly at mom's comment. Yes yes, I know what you're thinking you little brat. Manami is finally out of the picture. That doesn't make me feel good. Not that it matters anymore anyways...

"Ugh mom, how many times I have to repeat myself? Manami and I were just friends. We don't feel that way for each other." Although after last month, I can only speak for myself.

"Hmph! Such a waste of all that time! She would have made the perfect wife for you. She was always taking care of my boy."

Wait for it...

"Ouch! Would yo-" Jeez, that one hurt more than the last two, but I shut myself up quickly before saying too much. Mom looks at me with the most confused face I've ever seen.

"Kyousuke? Are you ok?"

"Yea mom...I'm fine. I just bit my tongue." I avoid looking at Kirino again while hearing her mocking giggles under her breath. I'll get you later for this.

"Oh ok...oh well I'm sure going to miss little Mana-chan. Alright you both enjoy your meal. I'm going to watch some TV now."

"Thanks for the meal, mom." I watch her leave out the kitchen and enter the living room. As soon as she sits down, I turn my attention to Kirino, eyes glaring directly down at her, and of course, she's acting like she hasn't got a care in the world.

"Hey! What the heck was that all about, Kirino?" She looks at me in the corner of her eye, then looks back at her food.

"You didn't tell me you've met up with the plain girl earlier."

"I didn't think I needed to since I know you dislike her. Why does it matter to you now anyways?"

"Mhm...Thought you guys weren't friends anymore."

"We're not...well I mean we are but...not as much as before...it's not like we hate each other you know?"

Silence fills the kitchen area for a moment. She's still not looking at me, but I see she's stopped eating now and is just playing with her food, twirling the last piece of shrimp in her bowl as if it was a crank. It's a couple of seconds before she breaks the silence.

"D-do you regret it?" She asks hesitantly.

"Huh? Regret what exactly?"

"Do you regret not being as close to her anymore?" Ah hell. Now that's a dangerous question to answer, and I know Kirino won't let it go unless I do. Do I regret not having Manami around as much as before? Yes and no. Yes, of course because I've known Manami since we were kids. She's like family to me and thus a part of myself I can never let go. She was always there for me, especially during Kirino and I's cold war. I tell you, I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't around during that time. I think I would've killed myself as extreme as it sounds. Manami helped keep my sanity. No, because in a way, I felt myself drifting from Manami the moment I've found that damned eroge 2 years ago. I unconsciously began to distance myself from her while attending to Kirino's needs and in the end, I re-established my role as a big brother to her and I haven't been this happy about it in a long time. While Manami was essentially my rock in a storm, Kirino gave me something Manami couldn't: A light at the end of the tunnel, a reason to move forward and do my best, and of course...a purpose. I hate to admit but...I think I'm a lot happier being close to Kirino than I was to Manami, though still...Manami will always be as dear to me as she was before.

"...A little." I answer truthfully. I wait a bit to study her reaction before continuing.

"But it's fine, because I'm closer to you now, and I couldn't be happier with that." I finish with a smile despite her not looking at me. She finishes up the rest of her meal before responding:

"Idiot." She mumbles. Well then...not exactly the response I was expecting but it's her trademark I suppose. She then gets up, places her dishes in the sink and walks off, not even looking at me. She looks a bit irritated...should I have not said anything?

"Come to my room when you're done...I'll be waiting, so be quick about it."

"O-ok..."

Now that was even more unexpected...but nonetheless I finish up eating quickly and place my silverware in the sink as well before wishing mom goodnight.

"Good night mom, love you."

"Love you too, sweety. Good night."

I began heading upstairs with thoughts of what's to come running through my mind. What could she possibly want from me? Does she need more life advice? Or maybe she wants to inquire more about what happened between Manami and myself earlier. I sure hope not, that whole conversation really ruined my day, and just reminded me of how much I've really failed Kirino as an elder brother and how it never concerned me for 3 years. Although now our relationship is much better now, I can only imagine how things could have been if I was more...reliable.

Ah anyways, I shake the rest of my thoughts out of my head and arrive in front of Kirino's door. I can see the lights are on so she's definitely waiting on me.

*knock knock* "Hey, Kirino. I'm here."

"Come in." She says with a semi-serious tone, but her face doesn't match. She seems worried about something. I walk in without hesitation and stand in my usual spot, in the middle of her room. I hear the door close and turn to face Kirino. She hesitates for a minute before finally starts to speak.

"...Did you complete that game I gave you?" Ah crap. I knew she would bring that up eventually, but something tells me that's not what she originally wanted to ask.

"Uh...well..."

"You didn't, did you?" Gotta think of an excuse fast.

"Wellllll...I mean I finished half of it maybe? I finished up Aysu's and Chizu's route, now just starting up on Tigi's ro- Oof!" In a blink of an eye, I feel a pillow slam right into my face, knocking me on the floor. God it felt like a freaking boulder at the speed she threw it at.

"You idiot! That's only like a quarter of the game! You've had it for over 2 weeks and only completed a quarter? How slow can you be, baka?!

"Oh come on, give me a break! You know I've been busy with my job and university planning for next year. Plus that game is way more advanced than the games you used to make me play! Not only do I have to collect items, I have to give it to the right sister at the right times! How the heck am I suppose to know who to give what to?"

*Sigh* "You're so useless. Maybe if you read the story you would know that! Read the bright-colored highlighted hints, dummy!"

"But then that would take too long, and you always put a time limit on me. It's not like I can finish these games in one day like you can, Kirino."

"Tch. Excuses, you're just slow." She huffs out going into her trademark pose of crossing her arms and turning her head away. I don't know how she can do that and be so cute at the same time. My little sister is just something else.

"Ugh, ok ok, I get it. I'll finish it this week. I still don't know why you force me to play these games, ya know? I already understand you better than anyone."

"Hah...really. I doubt that..." Sigh, not this again. I thought we were pass this after all we've been through these 2 years.

"I suppose you're gonna say 'Don't talk to me as if you know me' right?" I retorted back.

"Do you?" It was at that point that I knew for sure something was bothering my little sister, and it had nothing to do with eroge. It's been a while since we've gotten into a small argument like this and now, all I want to do is avoid it. I just rise up from the floor and dust myself off. I look her straight in the eyes and replied.

"I would like to think so, but if I don't I wish you'd let me. We came a long way from 2 years ago, Kirino, and while I may not know every detail about you, I think I do know most of what makes you tick. I know I wasn't there for you those 3 years we weren't talking, but I'm here now, and I would love to get to know more of my little sister...as a big brother should." She says nothing after that, just stares at the ground a bit. I take that as my cue to leave and go to bed.

"Anyways, I'm going to bed now. Good night, Kirino." I walk passed her and laid my hands on the doorknob when I felt a small tug on the back of my shirt. I turn around to see Kirino, not looking up at me. I already know what this means. 'I want to talk.'

"Yes?" I say as I turn around to face her. I hear her mumble something but didn't quite get it...

"Hey speak up a little. I can't hear you." I say carefully as to not sound like I'm provoking her. She slowly looks up to me, ocean blue eyes locking with mines, blushing a little in the process. Whatever she wants to say to me must not be easy for her.

"Are you...happy?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Are you...happy with...you know...our agreement? Our promise?"

My eyes widen up and I barely keep my mouth from dropping. So that's what's bothering her. But I don't understand...why is she asking me this? Wasn't it her idea to begin with? Wasn't she happy that I agreed with it? Isn't that what matters? I wonder why now she's bringing it up. It's been two months since then.

"Huh? What's the matter? How come you're asking me this?"

"Just answer the question...please." *Sigh* What can I do now? She's not gonna let me leave unless I answer, let alone bug me about it later. If I don't, she'll probably stop talking to me, but how can I answer this? 'No Kirino, I'm not happy with the agreement. I only said yes because I thought that's what you wanted.' She would throw one hell of a tantrum if she knew I've practically been lying to her this whole time. I mean, yea I'm happy in general...but my heart is wailing for her love right now. I can't just shut it off...I don't know if she can either. With that thought, I decide to do the most logical thing possible in this situation:

"Y-yea...I'm happy." Yup, that's right. I'm going to lie. Seems like the best option in this situation, although it's not easy in any way.

"Hah...really? I'll hit you if you're lying." She inches closer to my face and attempts to stare me down, glaring at me with those cold blue eyes. I already know what she's trying to do. Kirino is really good at reading lies, especially from me. I'm guessing I have a tell or something I haven't figured out yet, or maybe I'm just a bad liar, but I can't let her shake me down this time. I take a deep breath, calm my nerves and smile while placing my hand on her head while trying not to make direct eye contact with her. I know this makes her feel at ease...whether she admits to it or not, I know my little sister enough to know what relaxes her.

"Yea. Really. I am. I regret nothing that happened between us, and I don't regret where it brought us. I'm just happy I have my precious little sister back."

Oh yea! That was smooth, Kyousuke. I could fall for myself from that. She seems to have calmed down now, I better take this opportunity to leave now before she starts having doubts about my sincerity...but first...

"Now, good night Kirino. We'll talk more tomorrow." After saying that, I lean down towards the side of her face and softly kiss her cheek and I see her start to blush madly. I must have done this a ton of times for the past month after I had done it the first time on our way to the Otaku girls offline meeting. Although she seemed mad at the time, she really wasn't, just flustered from not seeing it coming. Still seems to have that effect though, much to my enjoyment.

"Idiot." She says softly. "I thought I told you to quit doing that." I couldn't help but chuckle at that. Yea, she's told me to stop multiple times, but I know she doesn't mean it. She could easily stop me herself but never does.

"Hey, it's normal for siblings to kiss each other on the cheeks right?" I reply, smirking a little. I've really gotten bold over the past 2 years. Kinda feels...familiar. Natural even. Like it's been a part of me all along...

"Hmph. Again, using that excuse to try to do perverted things to your little sister. Have you no shame?" She says while putting her hands on her hips, but I notice on the side of her lips a smile beginning to form. I chuckle under my breath and reply:

"Hey hey, it's nothing like that. I don't have any ulterior motives alright?" With that said and done, I turn back to exit Kirino's room. I hear her door silently close behind me and look back just in time to see a crestfallen expression on Kirino's face through the closing crack. As much as I wanted to turn back and comfort her, I decide I better not, as I still don't know what to make of it.

I head back to my room and flop my back on the bed, staring up at the white ceiling. The moon is shining brightly tonight, beams of light peering through my shades enough to illuminate my room a bit. It helps me relax after that whole ordeal.

"Seems like she hasn't completely moved on from us yet either..." I say to myself. The very thought of it makes me smile a bit and in some strange way, gives me some form of hope in my mind. I thought Kirino was satisfied with our agreement back then, it's kinda shocking she would bring it back up all of a sudden. I'm almost sure I haven't done anything to warrant her to question me about whether I was really happy with the decision to break up with my precious little sister. Isn't it something we just had to do regardless of how we felt? Or is there more to it? I don't know, but the sudden inquiry of it really makes me wonder if she herself was happy with the decision. Maybe she didn't want me to agree with it at all, maybe she wanted me to scoop her up and elope with her some place where we could be happy together. Ah dammit now I'm just mixing reality with those cursed eroges of hers...there's no way we can do that...right? I toss the thought out of my head and begin to drift to dreamland, looking forward to the possibility of re-living a fantasy that I can probably never have in real life.

Kirino:

He's lying. The jerk, I know he is. Kyousuke was always bad at lying, especially to me because he has a tell when he tries to be calm and reassuring to me at times: He can't look at me directly in the eyes. Why would he lie all this time? If he really wasn't happy with our promise why didn't he object? Did he just say yes for the sake of my happiness? Ugh, that really pisses me off! He's always bending over backwards for me and putting up with my selfishness to please me. It's the part of him I both hate...and love the most about him: His kind, selfless and gentle heart makes my own yearn for him so much. It makes this whole thing even harder to bare with, having to acting as if we never loved each other.

I would've kicked him in the gut for lying to me just now, but I decided to just let it slide...after all, regardless if he was telling the truth or not, he's holding his end of the promise. This is just how it has to be, right? We just can't throw everything away to be together. What about our friends? Our public lives? God, even our parents! They would never approve of it, no matter how much we tell them we love each other, dad would be the first to react without hesitation and would probably beat the life out of Kyousuke. He trusts him with me so much, it would crush him if he knew, and now that mom and I are getting much closer now, I just can't bear to see her cry at the revelation of her kids in such an...immoral relationship.

But...what about us? What about Kyousuke and I's happiness? Shouldn't that come first? I'm focusing so much on everyone else's best interest and not our own. Ugh, I hate society sometimes! I hate all the rules and expectations that's been placed upon me. Why, why is it wrong for siblings to fall in love with each other? We're hurting no one! Yea, maybe it is weird, but is it really such a terrible thing? Is the freaking sky going to fall?!

"Ahh, I'm doing it again...calm down, girl. You're gonna wreck your nerves this way."

I shake myself out of my emotional war and flop face first into my bed. I don't even bother changing into my pajamas. I just want to sleep this night away and take comfort in the moonlight. I always find peace in it, ever since I was a kid, as if to reassure me that everything is going to be ok. As I hug my Meruru body pillow against my body, I look towards the wall and wonder if Kyousuke had went to bed yet. I wonder what he's thinking about after our conversation. Is he upset that I brought it up? Probably not, but I wish sometimes the idiot would just be honest with me instead of telling me what he thinks I want to hear. But hell, who am I to talk? Out of both of us, Kyousuke is the most honest and open. I always had a hard time telling my true feelings without being pushed into it, a thought which briefly brings Kuroneko and a certain incident at a hot springs to mind. He even confessed to me first despite the possibility of me rejecting him and never speaking to him again. I envy his courage...and in many ways, he's more brave than I am. He broke through my wall I've built around myself through years of hard work, pain and loneliness, and he's touched my heart so many times. It really makes me wonder why things turned out like this. Was it fate that I would fall in love with my brother? I don't know, but as I finally shut my eyes to retreat into the safe haven of my dreams, a place where I can live a life I truly wanted, I think to myself:

'I wonder how things would be like now if we didn't make that promise...'

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BE-*

"Huwaaaah...That was a nice dream, fuhihi~."

I wake up to a beautiful Monday morning. It's the first of May and it couldn't be more perfect. The sun is shining, birds singing, all that mushy stuff. Normally I appreciate mornings like this, but I'm too focused reminiscing on the wonderful dream I just had. I can't remember it fully, but I recall the mock wedding Kyousuke and I had last couple months and the kiss we've shared. Dammit, it's all his fault for kissing me on my cheek last night...but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.

I get up and stretch my whole body, arms, legs and back. I seemed to have grown a few centimeters recently. Out of curiosity and to my slight embarrassment, I rub my...chest to gauge if they've grown or not as well.

"Hmm, they feel a bit bigger, definitely softer thou- what the heck am I doing!?"

I quickly pull my hands away and rise up from my bed. I must be going daft. I blame that pervert who lives next room to me...you know..speaking of him...I wonder what he thinks of my boob size. That neighbor girl he was always with had freaking melons for chest. Bet that's why he spent so much time with her...ok seriously, why am I thinking of this now? I must not be getting enough to eat lately.

I shake my head out of my weird moment, get up out of bed and do my daily routine. After my shower I get dressed in my school uniform, finish putting on my make up and head downstairs into the kitchen for breakfast. I turn to see mom already sitting at the table, but as I observe the table, I see that there's only 2 plates of food made...that's odd...

"Morning mom...where's Kyousuke and daddy?" I ask curiously.

"Morning honey. Your father and brother had to leave early this morning. Kyousuke left about an hour ago, his boss called him in early as well to help with inventory. Poor boy, I'll be sure to make him a huge sandwich when he comes back home."

"Ah, I see. I guess the idiot is actually making himself useful to someone." Mom chuckles under her breath at my comment. I'm really happy that we've become so close. I decide today I'll sit down in Kyousuke's spot since he's not here and dig into my food. After a few bites, mom strikes up a conversation with me.

"You know...I'm really happy you two are getting along so good again. It reminds me so much of when you both were kids." I stop chewing my oatmeal to respond.

"Hah? Where did that come from mom?" I ask in confusion. I already know mom's been happy with Kyousuke and I's repaired relationship but she's never brought it up in a conversation before.

"Hehehe, it's nothing hun. I'm just happy! It's like you two are kids again. You know you and him used to be inseparable in your childhood?"

"Hmph...not really." I say while staring down at my food. I'm obviously lying here, but I rather not remember the times I've had a wonderful Onii-chan around.

"Well I do. You two were amazingly close, I absolutely loved watching you two play together. The time I had bought you two a small swimming pool when you turned 5, how you two would go to the park all day long and Kyousuke would blow bubbles for you just to make you laugh. Oh! And how you've always wanted to take a bath with Kyousuke and he would try to run and you would have to force him? You were so adorable!" Her face lights up with glee that would put Miyabi-chan to shame. Damn you mom, must you really bring up those embarrassing memories?!

"Y-you're exaggerating! I would never want to take a bath with that gross moron! I'd rather bathe in a pool of acid." Mom bursts out laughing.

"Heheheh! But it's true, Kirino! You and him were that close...I remember how you and Kyousuke would nap on the sofa after playing all day. He would be face down on his stomach, and you would lie on his back. It was the most adorable thing I can remember...I would grab you two some snacks and leave it on the table for when you both woke up...I really miss those days.."

Ah geez, now I can't help but blush at that. I remember how clingy I was with him and used to smother him tremendously. Back then I was my brother's girl, and I thought no one could ever take my place by his side...then...

"But..." Mom interrupts my train of thought to continue. "I noticed you both starting to drift apart as you both got older. I guess it was normal though, with Kyousuke growing up now and spending time with little Manami, I guess he couldn't dote over you as much anymore. However as the years went by, I saw you two becoming more and more distant to the point where you didn't even talk to each other anymore. I was so concerned. For a while I wanted try to do something about it...as a parent I should have done something, but I didn't know what to do...I didn't know what was wrong...so I just let it go on in hopes it was just a phase and you both would come back talking again..."

Yea mom...we did...3 years later. Ugh why is she bringing this up now? The last thing I ever want to be reminded of is that painful memory of growing up without a brother to look up to. Being left behind for that plain girl. But since she brought this up, I want to know one thing:

"Why didn't you attempt to do anything mom? If you felt something was wrong. For 3 years we never said a word to each other. You must have sensed that was abnormal right? What if we were still not talking to this day, or even in the future? What would you have done?" A part of me always resented my parents for passively ignoring Kyousuke and I's cold war as if it was a completely normal thing. I always wondered why they never attempted to do anything or even talk to either of us...truth be told, I had always hoped my parents would help. Maybe they could have knocked some sense into Kyousuke for his sudden change. How could they not? It was such a dramatic shift in personality. How can one go from being ambitious, active and dependable into that of a worthless, lazy slacker who seemed to be on the verge of committing suicide? If I wasn't so young and angry at him I would've been worried! For dad, I can probably expect him not to really pay any mind, as he really doesn't care much for anything unless it affects the whole family or its "reputation"...but mom? She loves us too much to let something like that happen...why didn't she then?

"I didn't know what to do, hun...I thought... maybe it was normal for siblings to grow apart eventually in their lives...but even so...it was so hard to watch you both drift apart. It hurt so much to see my boy shut himself out from everyone. He seemed so apathetic about everything, like he just stopped trying, but I didn't know what to do..."

Oh no, I think I went a little overboard. Mom looks like she's ready to cry...

"Am I...a bad mother?" Oh no...now I feel even more terrible. I get up from my seat immediately and go around my distraught mother, draping my arms around her neck from behind and hug her tightly. There's no way I'm going to let this wonderful woman cry.

"No mom, you're an amazing mother. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't around. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, you're not at fault for what happened between Kyousuke and I. We just grew apart...but now everything's fine, ok? So please, don't remind yourself of the past." I give her a light peck on her head and squeeze her a little more tightly. She holds my arms in return and leans against me.

"Thank you Kirino. I promise from this day on, I'll be more supportive of you two." I smile at her warm words.

"It's alright mom...besides, it was only a matter a time before Kyousuke came running back to me. He's too much of a sis-con." We both laugh at my jab towards my idiot brother. I'm really glad could share this moment with my mother now. It feels like we both made an unspoken apology to each other: Her for not stepping in during Kyousuke and I's cold war, and me for becoming so distant from her. I've always loved my mom, regardless of what happened and that will never change.

"I'm gonna head out to school now mom, see you later." I give her another kiss on the cheek.

"Have a good day, sweetheart. Love you."

"Love you too." I grab my bag and head out the door, waving a last good-bye to my mother. On my way there something that mom said kept jarring itself in my head:

"I promise from this day on, I'll be more supportive of you two."

In some weird way, this gives me a bit of hope. I know what she meant by it, but I wonder if Kyousuke and I were still together, would she support us? Albeit reluctantly? Most likely not, the woman has her common sense even if she's a loving parent. Still, I feel those words will come into play in the future somehow. For now, I'll just focus on the present: I have Ayase back as a friend, so I look forward to catching up with her.