A/N Thanks for reading and adding this story to their favorites. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We regrouped and returned to the vacation home. Ukyo-san welcomed us back and had already prepared a wonderful dinner.
"Thanks for everything!" Kaname-san spoke happily as he enjoyed his can of beer "And the festival was really bustling too. Thanks to you too Fu-chan." Kaname-san said to Fuuto-kun who was sitting in the corner of the room.
"Don't force me into a booking just because we're brothers. It causes problems for my agency"
"But Fu-tan you were really cool!" Wataru-chan chimed in
"I'm glad that everyone had enjoyed themselves. "
"You should have come too, Kyo-nii."
"How utterly insincere." said Azusa-san
"You said it." Natsume-san replied in agreement
"Don't go saying the truth like that."
"Things are lively as ever when we brothers get together." said Hikaru-san "Have you gotten used to this atmosphere imouto-san?"
"Yes. I love this liveliness. Which is why... I want become a part of this family even more than before."
The lively atmosphere turned into a brief moment of silence as everyone looked surprised at my comment.
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"You're already our precious sister." said Masaomi-niisan
"That's right Onee-chan."
"I just felt like I had to say it. These are my true feelings."
"Did you achieve some kind of enlightenment at our temple?" Kaname-san asked
"That is a secret." I replied.
After we had dinner, I went outside to stargaze a bit. I got a clear view of the stars. I am glad that I went on this trip. Any weight in my heart that I had was gone. I felt refreshed and my resolve had gotten stronger. I will make it through my college entrancce examination and give my reply to those who confessed to me.
"Can't sleep?" Kaname-san joined me
"No. I just wanted to see the stars. The starry sky is beautiful. You can see this kind of sight when you're in the countryside."
"That's true. You don't get to see this often in Tokyo. I like it too."
"Thank you for the invitation. I had fun."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Then how about a favor in return?"
"What kind of favor? Depending on your answer I will have to refuse."
The only response I got was being pulled into his chest as his arms wrapped around me tightly yet gently.
"Let me stay like this for just a little while."
Kaname-san was acting unusual. I noticed the tattoo on his chest. I've seen it a number of times.
"This is a sword right?"
"Yeah. Do you know the saying that the pen is mightier than the sword?"
"It means that communication is a more effective tool than direct violence."
"But in this world, there's something that is even more powerful than pens or swords. And that is love." He cupped my face in his hands "Your feelings on family came across loud and clear. So now, it's my turn to take action. Thank you for coming today. I'm the one who should be thanking you." he kissed my forehead "Good night our precious imouto-chan." Kaname-san said and went inside. He too must have his own worries.
"Ayaka-chan" Iori-san came outside "You were here."
"Is something wrong Iori-san?"
"No, I just wanted to talk with you but you weren't in your room." Iori-san joined me "The night sky is beautiful."
"Yes it is."
"Abut what you said at dinner" I turned to Iori-san who was contemplating then he faced me wearing a gentle smile "I will support you. I want you to be happy."
"Thank you."
The next morning, I got up and went out for a walk..
I breathed in and out "The morning air is the best." I stretched my arms and walked around the plank carefully
"Ayaka" Subaru-san ran up to me
"Good morning. Were you jogging?"
"Yeah but…Well, do you have a minute?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Do you know that Japan has a pro basketball league too?" I nodded "I've actually been scouted by one of the league's teams."
"Really? Then the phone call you got yesterday?"
"Yeah, if I say okay to them I can become a professional athlete."
"That is amazing!" This is amazing, Subaru-san is going to become a pro!
"But the offer is from a team in Kyushu. So even though I want to go pro, if it's in Kyushu…I won't be able to see you anymore. You're studying for entrance exams. There's no way I can ask you to come with me."
That's right. If he accepts the offer, that naturally means that he will leave home. It will be months before we will see each other again. But… "Can you put basketball ahead of me?" he looked at me "I don't want you to quit and live with regrets. Besides, I like the Subaru-san who plays basketball and gives it his all."
Subaru-san was surprised but then he smiled "I see. I'm glad I got to hear your feelings on this. Thank you. I'll think about it a little more."
By the time I got back to the vacation house, everyone else had woken up. It seems that Fuuto-kun returned to his agency.
"We'll have breakfast once Subaru gets back."
"I'll make breakfast."
"Thank you. Also…There's somewhere I'd like to drop by on the way home, would that be all right?"
"Yes"
I wonder where we were going. Masaomi-niisan did not reveal the location but he had the directions. We eventually came to a stop. I got out of the car to see before me a cemetery. We walked for a few minutes until Masaomi-niisan stopped in the middle of the path.
"This is it. The grave of your parents."
"What? My parents" I looked to see a tombstone engraved Minori Nagami and Yukino Nagami. So this is the resting place of my parents...
"We found out from Rintaro-san. Because we wanted to pay our respects too."
I was touched. Tears came and fell but I am not sad. Once I wiped my tears away, Masaomi-niisan handed me the bouquet to me and I carefully placed it on the grave. To my birth parents; even though our time together was cut short, you loved me. I want you both to know that I am not alone. I'm living with a set of wonderful brothers. I have Rintarou who is my second Father, Miwa-san my second Mother, Juli, Eri and her family who are also part of my family. I do not know what the future has in store for me. It will not be easy, but I will not waver. Thank you Father and Mother. You had me and I was able to meet everyone. I'm truly happy.