When I saw the gate to school, I bolted. Even though I'd just realize that it might actually be nice to have her as a stepsister, I wasn't sure I wanted people in school to know.

"I-I forgot I needed to do something. I'll see you later." I called before her and sprinted to class.

I was already in the classroom when she arrived. She walked in and gave me a 'Where'd you go?' look but her friend Mahoko immediately greeted her and talked to her nonstop. I was actually relieved. I wasn't sure how to explain it to her.

When class ended, and after my supplementary lessons, I found her sitting on the stairs doing some of her homework.

"Oy, what are you doing there?"

"Ah, Yuusuke-kun!" I took note of the change of address. She used to call me Asahina-kun. Now, she was actually calling me by my first name.

In a span of a few days, I'm closer to her already. Maybe destiny - or fate - did intend for our parents marriage to happen so that I could be closer to her.

She gathered all her things and placed them in her book bag, "I was actually waiting for you. I hope that's okay. You disappeared so suddenly this morning, I worried if everything was okay."

"Sorry about that." I said sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I'm not sure how it normally worked among siblings, but I figured we could go home together. Do siblings do that? Mahoko goes home with her brother when they don't have club activities…"

"I didn't really go home with my brothers - at least the ones my age. We hung out with our friends mostly…then we went to different schools."

Ema's smile faded.

"B-but, I'd be happy to go home with you - WAIT, that might have come out wrong - Going home together makes me happy!" Man, I sound like a dork.

But she giggled and I guess it's worth looking silly in front of her from time to time if it means I get to make her happy.

"Who was in school with you growing up?" She asked as we headed to the train station.

"Well, Rui-nii, Suba-nii, Iori-nii, and Fuuto. We're the ones closest in age. We went to the same elementary school."

"I'm surprised you aren't very close even with the ones closest your age."

"Yeah. We were different. Rui-nii is very aloof. He doesn't get rowdy like the rest of us can be. He likes to just watch everybody. He doesn't look like it but he is a workaholic and he was very studious as a kid. I think he works harder than any of us because he really wants to master his craft. Now he's a hairdresser and he wants to revolutionize his industry. Did you know that he is recognized in the entertainment industry for his unique methods? But I guess also because of Fuuto."

"And then Suba-nii, actually I'd say, I'm closer with him. Though ever since I can remember, Suba-nii has had nothing else on his mind but play basketball. His life has evolved around the sport from his elementary days, to high school and now college. He and Natsu-nii are very close for that reason. He is very focused on his sport and seems not interested in anything else beyond that. He and I were roommates when we were younger - in our old place. We talked a lot about basketball before bed and I'd watch games with him on the small TV we had in our room. I would also tag a long sometimes and I always watched his games when I could. I remember there was a time when he would go to the temple everyday just praying that he would grow tall. He'd ask me to pray for him too, and I did. And look at him now, he's tallest among us."

Ema giggled, "It seems your prayers worked."

"Y-yeah, it appears it has." Hopefully my other prayers will also be answered.

It was late, so the train wasn't very crowded when we got there. We stood on opposite sides of the door. Ema held onto a pole while I leaned back against a priority persons seat.

"What about Iori? You're born a year apart."

"Iori-nii is very mature for his age. He knew what he wanted early on. He always talked with the grown ups. He always wants to be well-rounded and know how to do a little bit of everything. He didn't play with us as kids, always focused on carving his future, mastering a new skill, etc. He is very nice though, I didn't fight with him too much in spite of how close we are in age. He is always giving and always wants peace and quiet. I've probably seen Iori-nii lose his temper once or twice and that was usually when our rowdyness got in the way of his projects. Or he was in the zone thinking about something and we were all too loud…"

"Iori sounds like my papa. Papa is focused like that and always wants to learn new things. I wouldn't be surprised if Iori leaves Japan someday to venture out into the world."

I cocked an eyebrow, "Huh...he speaks of that sometimes. Of going to Africa and volunteering or learning art in Europe…"

She smiled knowingly, "That's the seed right there."

Kami-sama, she's so cute.

"Well more so now since she passed. See, Iori's girlfriend died last year and he has been a wreck. I no longer know how to act around him. He's been very delicate. He's only started to recover recently."

"I see. He's the sensitive type. It must be very hard on him."

"It is."

"If you didn't fight with Iori, did you fight a lot with Fuuto?" Her question was so innocent. I am half ashamed of having to reveal the long history of animosity between me and my evil brother.

"Don't even say it. Fuuto gets on my nerves the most. I admit, I admit, he is talented but he also likes to gloat about it in my face. Everyone loves Fuuto. He is always center of attention. Very outgoing and has always had a lot of friends growing up. Didn't take long for the studio to take notice of him and make him their star. He was a natural at selling himself because that's the narcissist that he is. Be careful with him, he has a sick, sick sense of humor. He was always teasing and pranking me because he doesn't have the guts to do it to any of the other brothers. He figures he can't hurt me. Yes, he is my brother but I think he is slightly demented."

She hummed to herself, "Even when your words are laced with anger, I can tell that you have a bit of fondness, pride and admiration for him still."

"HA-H?!" I growled angrily out of reflex. "That suggestion is so disgusting I'm going to throw up!"

She giggled, "Sure, sure, I take it back." She said, half-heartedly, almost sarcastically. For a second, I was taken aback-I didn't realize she was capable of sarcasm.

I scratched my cheek, "I guess...It is still pretty cool to be related to a pop star."

Her smile widened.

"DO NOT TELL FUUTO I SAID THAT!"

She laughed harder and I can't help but feel so content in this moment.

We got off the train in time for Ema to recover from the Fuuto revelation. She turned to me again as we made our way home. Kami, I hope she pours her attention on me like this everyday.

"Are you close to Wataru at all?"

"Mm...he's our baby brother and we're all quite fond of him. He was so cute when he was born and we loved watching him try new things. I play board games with Wataru sometimes and he often asks me to help him with his homework."

"Why you?"

I feigned offense, "What's that, do you not have faith in me or something?"

"No," She waved her hands in front of her, "I just wondered why, out of all the brothers...what makes Yusuke-kun stand out as the ideal tutor?"

"Stand out?" I shot back at her, I hadn't really thought about it like that. "It's nothing special. The older ones have work, and the younger ones have club or other activities. I stay at home mostly-and even among those who are at home a lot, they claim to have been out of school for too long to remember how subjects normally go. So then it ends up being me. But I don't mind it, doing elementary school work makes me feel smart."

Ema smiled, "But you are smart and I think that's really cool of you."

My chest felt like fire and the heat rose to my cheeks.