Hello thanks to those who reviewed and shows their love of the story. Also, someone did ask a question for me, of why I am still continuing this with so little followers or something like that. Well, my answer is, 'because I like it?'. Not everything is about followers or readers but how I am motivated enough to continue my story with how long the hiatus is. No one reading this or not, I have no problem with that; it simply is my goal to bring forth my story into the internet. Nothing's wrong with that, right?

Even if her day have been quite a ride of discontent and anticipation, Yuzu have always taught herself to not bring school affairs into her home. Having lived with an impaired sister before, she knew that returning with a bad mood will disturb the already depressed mood of her twin. And thus, without fail Yuzu schooled her features into a joyful countenance, born out of habits. With the disturbing events pushed at the back of her head, the blonde opens the door with a smile wide and open, shoulders slumping as the smell of home and warmth fill her lungs.

" Tadaima~!" greeting her new home with cheer, Yuzu's heart squeezed in happiness as she heard footsteps approaching her destination, knowing someone is there to accept her return.

"Ah, Yuzu!" Ume exclaimed, pleased to see her daughter after the hard labor she's been doing with. Having been moving everyday as to maintain order into their abrupt move was quite a difficult task to do alone, so the presence of her daughter arriving have been a reprieve for the growing pains of fatigue. Seeing as her daughter were putting down belongings at the corridor, she approached Yuzu with a box between her arms, edging to give it. "I thought you'll be late than usual."

"I promised to sort out things, am I?" Yuzu replied, taking the box after putting down her school bag on the floor. "Hope you didn't pull stuffs for two, Mama. Yonee-chan will have a fit if she heard I let you."

Smiling to herself, Ume felt grateful to have such loving girls be her daughters. She will admit of brimming with guilt, as there were times that her actions seem to always brings her children to adapt into certain things and mature earlier than expected. Even more self- depreciating is how much as if her children were the one taking care of her needs, the exact opposite of what a mother should do. And yet, Ume do not regret letting them grow into independent young woman that they are today, especially that she knew Yozora will not let her little sister astray with teachings she always heard Yuzu mumbling about.

"Nothing I can't handle myself, Yuzu."

"Is my new Papa in here?" testing the word on her tongue feels strange with how long Yuzu and Yozora had none. Looking at spacious room, the blonde can't help but fail to hide the disappointment as her mother shook her head.

"You see…" Ume chuckles nervously, putting one hand on one cheek. "It seems that he has the urge to see the other side of the earth, so he won't be back for a while~."

Keeping her jaw from hitting the floor, Yuzu let out a confused hum at the back of her throat, wondering if her mother has been scammed of life insurance just by that phrase alone. Is her new father a scammer or just plain weirdo just like the people she encountered in this city? It seems to be the common trend of the people she saw so far. However, her frown has turned into wide grin as her mother continues, now the matriarch sports the confused frown and Yuzu, a nervous grin.

"I mean, the last time I heard of him, he told me he found Yozora once again or something along those lines. Yozora more or less confirmed he is there when she called me this noon."

"Well, if he's around Yonee-chan again then I guess he's a great guy…" Yuzu laughed, knowing that Yozora accepting their new father would be a difficult process with how distrustful she is with men. Long story short, men doesn't want to be around Yozora for the second time, and hearing their new father went and stayed on Yozora's presence is great indeed.

"I don't like the sound of your laugh…" Ume murmured, now growing agitated of the husband's whereabouts. "Now that I think about it, Yozora might do something with Sho like she did with me…"

"Ma, Yonee-chan's just looking over for you." Yuzu giggles, having learned that Yozora have thoroughly berates her mother for marrying a man before she could tell her daughters. Safe to say, their mother has been pretty apologetic and Yozora have become quite adamant with her calls as much she is at Yuzu's. If she didn't know any better Yuzu might truly enquire who's the matriarch on the family with how their Mama is so wrapped into Yozora's fingers. "If you tell her you're happy with him then nee-chan won't be so cruel with Papa as we thought. Now that's a question I want to ask; are you happy with him, Mama?"

"Geez, you two. Of course, I am!"

"But are you content just the way it is?" getting the message across, Yuzu's mother chuckles at her daughter's determined gaze. Yuzu might not have the sharp focus of her sister's but a serious Yuzu is not one to be trifled with the same way Yozora is rarely infuriated.

"I am, darling. Knowing Yozora- chan is safe and you and Papa's daughter are well, that's enough for me to be happy."

Now Yuzu is quite sure she cleans her ears that day well, as her eye twitched at her mother's words, as if the connection on her head troubleshoots in an agonizing seconds of torture. "…. What do you mean Papa's daughter?" taking the words out of context, she gawked at her mother's stomach, expecting the unexpected. "Don't tell me you got pregnant already!? You're not even married a month yet! Ma, that's just-!"

"Oh, cut it you!" Ume blushed, cutting her daughter off in embarrassment. "We're not-! I don't-! What I meant is Papa's teenage daughter! Geez, Yuzu!"

"Oh, thank god!" huffing a terrible breath of relief, the two women laughed at their misunderstanding. "I really thought I have a sibling on the way, Mama! Don't' get me wrong, I love a new sibling, but you caught me by surprise!"

"At least I knew that you're up for it if it happens…" Coughing at her hand, Ume hummed, tugging her daughter inside as they have stayed too long simply standing there when there are still things to do. "Technically, she's going here to live with us. Your Papa requested I invited her, since Papa's daughter seems to be living alone for a long time."

"It must be rough. When will she come?"

"Tonight."

"But we're short of room, though…"

"That's why I'm asking you first if it's alright making Yozora's room hers first or…" hearing such ridiculous notion, Yuzu denied that option quickly. It is the only room where Yuzu is assured of Yozora's presence and promise of return. By giving it to another is a betrayal on Yuzu's part. Yozora is part of the family even if she's far away, not someone to be replaced just because she's physically absent.

"No, don't touch nee-chan's room! That is not an option, Mama." putting her foot down, Yuzu huffed. "She can… I don't know- have my room or share it with me. I can stand to change my comfort but she will not have the room designated for Yonee-chan. I'm down for anything but that."

"Alright, calm down darling. You two will share a room then." Comforting the girl's discomfort, Ume then tap the box, ushering the girl deeper into the apartment, towards the door Yuzu is quite sure she locked before she went to school. Noticing her daughter's slight glare, Ume waved her hand to the scattered box lining the frame of the door, chuckling at her daughter's frown, aware where that head flies off to. There's just this thing about Yozora that Ume and mainly anyone not Yuzu that admittedly knows to blow the fuse of her eldest daughter. While peculiar within itself, Yozora is obstinate to not let anyone beside her twin to fix, fetch, touch or even enter her personal haven even if she's far away. Not even their own mother, or the promise of cleaning Yozora's room or simply putting the laundry inside can bend the twins' wills. Somedays, Ume could only glimpse the immaculate inside of the mysterious room before Yuzu locked it herself and let the tradition of her sister be respected even with how much Ume baited to be let inside.

Nonetheless, Ume have learned not to be curious of the contents of her eldest's chamber, simply as it does no favors when Yuzu have ignored her for a month due to her tricking Yuzu to unlock the door and discovering the very westernized and modern monochromatic theme inside. It doesn't help either that Yozora is very possessive of her things and Yuzu so willing to please the other, defending Yozora's honor as if a guard dog. "You and Yozora's paranoia…" Yuzu heard her mother murmured before she resumes, "I didn't open Yozora's room, if that's what you're concern about. I already fixed the living room and the kitchen, so you might as well start with Yozora's room while I rest before we tackle yours so we can fit two of you. You might see a few boxes outside of your room after, it is for Papa's daughter, so don't open it without permission first, okay? I want to get it done tonight."

"Okay, Mama." Conceding to her mother's orders, the blonde have made sure her mother's back is turned away before she opened Yozora's room, discovering the lined frames, sweep flooring and opened boxes she started arranging before she went to get ready to school that day. While still overseas, Yuzu do not forget to always clean her twin's place in hopes she will return home one day, opting to always remind her sister that she never let even a dent of dust lined up in the bounded documents or even a cobweb in the ceiling.

Succumbing to the rhythm, the time passes by engrossed to make the room immaculate as it is, while thinking on what scenarios would occur if the other daughter happens to ring the door. Having only her elder twin and Matsuri as a basis, Yuzu do not know what kind of reaction must she express to the other party. Will she need to act as if she is happy? Yuzu is happy, but it seems quite fake when there's only a few hours to let the thought sink in that she now has a half- sibling. Yuzu doesn't know them yet to be that accepting too. Or cold. Or indifferent. Or angry.

Come to think of it, what's the normal approach in this type of thing? Quickly fetching the phone on her pocket, Yuzu send the question to her twin.

" !"

"Eh?" Too deep on her mind, Yuzu suddenly snaps her head to regard the door, contemplating if her mother is calling or not. "Mama!?" she called out, straining her ears as the last box were stock piled. Within a short moment, a notification pops on her screen, making her smile at Yozora's concrete answer before shutting the screen off. Listening and confirming that she is being called many times, the blonde then exits the well cared haven and locked it behind.

Now, do remember that Yuzu do not let her school affairs get in the way when it comes to her home. Guaranteed that it is a place of tranquility with her loved ones and wrapped in the bubble of their own nirvana, Yuzu's naivety did not expect to be punch in the face the moment she steps out of that door. Staring with incomprehension at the violet eyed girl she rescued and improperly told Yuzu to fuck off, the blonde is wondering why Aihara Mei is sitting on the table, holding that mug Yuzu is absolutely certain belongs to her. Or why is mother smiling so wide and gesturing her to come over. Or why that violet eyes looks as if baiting her to act stupidly as she drew near.

'Shoot, why is she here?' Like an idiot, the blonde thought Aihara is there to report her to mother, on the first day of transferring to school.

"Ma? Wha-"

"You took your time cleaning up darling, I thought you fell asleep." Ume complains, unintentionally cutting her daughter for the second time, unaware of the growing tension between the two. She put a hand to Mei Aihara's shoulder, as if presenting her like a gift. "She's been here for a while, but it's not too late to introduce your new sibling. Yuzu-chan, meet Mei- chan, she's Papa's daughter we were talking about and apparently, she's a few months younger than you, so treat her well, alright?"

'I must really be an idiot…' Yuzu thought to herself, completely ignoring her mother's words to deeply gaze into that unreadable eyes.

[ Just heard Papa's daughter otw. How should I approach her if we meet?]

Most of the time I have always been reminded that some people are not quite aware to the fact that they are well versed to adapt into the situation and not overrun it with complications. Seeing as my sister have texted me at the ongoings at home, I cannot help but indulge the slip, even if it is unnecessarily frank that she needed not an opinion to simply verify first impressions.

It is a complicated occurrence indeed, to be presented an extension of a family not derive of our own blood. However uncommon it is to hear joined families such as Ume's and Sho's, it simply is the choice of the members on how they should proceed on their interaction. One can't simply plan how to act before they can meet; that's the purpose of the encounter, and one that Yuzu should respect without making any easy situations bigger than it should be.

At my previous life, this also occurred to me for many times the sperm donor introduced siblings he is hiding for years. For one, you can't eliminate an existence that is already there. Second, the fault or the action of the parent is do not imply the child's burden. And in my defense, acknowledging we are connected doesn't equate that I need to love them just because we shared the same runner. Cordiality is the acquaintance of understanding, but it will not force a person to act responsible of the other's well- being. Acknowledgement is not accountability, it's merely stating a fact, not an opinion to force one to react. We're sisters? Alright. Simple as that.

[ Two words: be yourself.]

Is what I replied, opting to rationalize that not everything should be picture perfect for anyone to get along. It's the morality of the person that basically confound the strings. When I gained consciousness of my whereabouts on this world, have I not seen my twin and mother simply strangers proclaiming relatives? Too riveted on hatred and too succumbed to sorrow, that reaching to them have become a harrowing task to simply blend in. My first impression goes into the hole of why am I going to do from now on, not what will I interpret my expression as. And by portraying my real emotions, did the surrounding adapt, not the other way around.

Quickly finding this occurrence a strange one just because I'm alive confirms that in one way or another, the world isn't the same as I have seen in manga. So, with little to no decision did I let my device went off, playing with fire as it is.

Not to mention, I am sure for a fact that in some way or another, a catalyst wouldn't alter. Yuzu and Mei will have that bond with them that they may not expect when they first laid eyes on each other. As the reader, it forces me to invest on their relationship, impatient as I was before. Now that I am part of this world and is indirectly aware of the ongoings, made me embarrassed enough for mistakes to ignore them for the time being and went on my life. Not to say I do not have one as demanding as Yuzu's, but more in an area of realistic options, financial stocks and late-night conversations with Sho.

Well, presume to continue working on my own problems anyway, courtesy of someone I have been harboring irritation as she opens the apartment we shared.

"The door, Cebele." I reminded dully, knowing she would forget it all the time.

"Are you still mad at me?" Yukari asked and I decided not to answer the obvious question as I lift the lid of my laptop, typing away. I am not one to be a bully of all things, but I find amusement of seeing that once I spout nicknames, my companions know I am not in a delectable mood to be around. Fortunately for my secretary, I named her to a goddess of mountains, or she would suffer to be called 'seaweed head' if I am that merciless enough.

"Your actions my dear, speaks your jealousy louder than words."

"And it seems to me, dear friend, that you interpret my silence in a context benefitting your assumption." I replied back, dissuading her, continuing to ponder my options at crypto before buying stocks and jumping into an unfinished file on my folders.

Sensing the dipping cushion next to me, I bundled my discomfort as I prepared to accept the affectionate gesture of a soft head on my shoulder. Mind you, I am still maddened, but not unwomanly enough to jerk away to prove my point. Not even time could curve my sensitivity to touches after the incident with my father.

"You are aware it's merely business, correct?"

I do, and she knows that. Uncle Frederico have briefed me on this venture, as to cleanse the bugs and scums trying to make Verona looked sullied as it was before. Yukari, and most of the women employed on Aunt Diana's cause have been tasked to lure the cretins out while investigating certain aspects of the system implied to have holes. Many relatives are still out and about speaking traditions and what not, but the most threatening of those revolt were not the inner circles, but of the commoners trying to enter through marriages to take financial supports and assistance designated for Verona's expansion.

Now I truly hate supremacies and elitists, but seeing as the fruit of labor cleansing their reputation be corrupted once more by the wannabe leeches is not one I am acquaint to see. They are free to have marriages outside per se, as it is not something I have control over, but Verona's tastes are high and born out of cautiousness since they were young; it truly never is against the commoners, but the paranoia of tradition deep into the Verona's blood.

I am not convinced enough that Yukari have to be part of that clause. I cannot be angered that well, due to my health in jeopardy. So I sat and mull, frown and ignore objects making my blood boil and succumbed in my thoughts unable to be voiced out to the world. Jealousy, she says? More like a friend worrying over someone dear to me.

She's here, safe and out of Verona's rules, and Yukari came stumbling back anyway, deeming it as a possibility to assist me in the future. I asked of that cryptic future, but she did not respond, saying it is for my own good as well, with Uncle Frederico backing her up for some unknown purposes.

What am I supposed to do, but be annoyed? Because even if I do act upon it, if Yukari is determined to pushed into this joke, I'll either be an obstacle on the way or she'll walk this path alone, leaving me behind worrying over.

I cannot have that, and Yukari knows that.

She is just too stubborn to just stay by my side just I like her to be. But I'm no boss of her, and as a friend, I will respect that decision, albeit with protest.

So without motivation, I simply lean my head a little to rest upon hers, accepting it as it is but still, with that urge to fought back I simply hummed in silence.

Fine.

If she's so devoted then I will let her be.

I'm having a conversation with my uncle the next time we meet.

Yuzu is pretty sure sisters don't do this.

Let it be put this way, that her night is as much bizarre as it is that day. Quickly schooling her features at their kitchen like a nervous fool, Yuzu excused herself to bath thinking it would be the only solution to her nervous breakdown. It is, fortunately. As she is given respite down her thoughts to be settled in an organized manner that she can process clearly, and take into consideration that there's a new human being on the house that can make or break her peaceful life with her family.

She can be a sister, clearly Yuzu have dried that title too many times, and yet, to be called the older one has taken a toll on her apprehension. How to be the bigger sister truly? It seems too much of a hassle to be one, knowing that her only role model in that area have done quite so many things in her life that shape the person Yuzu is today. To Yuzu, Yozora is the big sister she is lucky to have; the calm support that doesn't suffocate nor spoiled, the friend who listens and bluntly speaks Yuzu's mistakes, the rival who gives her aim to attempt and let failures be a lesson of morals, and the embodiment of a devoted older sister, who cares for Yuzu more than anyone could understand.

Not a moment in her life that Yuzu have find Yozora to not do her best and impart with her great things in life. She's the perfect blend of stern and generous, soothing and scathing, and have never once witnessed to break character despite her own pain and discomfort. In short, Yozora have put Yuzu's comfort above others, even above her own self. That, is something Yuzu is worried about; knowing that dedication, the loyalty, and the love Yozora have poured to her is not one she could willingly give to Mei.

Yuzu is afraid that she's too emotionally scattered to understand what it means in the end, to care too much of a person that she will give it all to make them happy that is. Is she afraid she is not up to expectation? Absolutely. Uncomfortable to be punched with the sudden responsibility? Of course. Vexed that it is Mei Aihara that she needs to be cordial with? Maybe that's the reason Yuzu is hesitant, seeing as they do not have a good impression towards one another.

But it is not something she can avoid, is it not? She's there at the moment and Yuzu will be damned with guilt if she did not graze even one ounce of effort to be the bigger sister at the end of the day. Even if such little sister is a pain in the butt. Who is also insensitive. A jerk. Ungrateful. Enemy material. With an irritating character that made Yuzu want to crush her skull just by the sheer irritation of it.

'Is this how you felt when I act up, Yonee-chan?' Yuzu thought to herself depreciatingly, already regretting her past actions just by these things alone, guiltily recalling her sister's silent disapproval and almost hurtful words back when Yuzu is still a little kid wanting to seek attention.

With actions concluded and bath ending with finality did Yuzu decided to be the bigger woman, opting to surrender to her fate and act to understand, forgive and start over when she have face Mei on their shared bedroom once more, saying along the lines of a clean slate or what not.

"It might be something I will have difficulties doing about, but I promise I will try to be one, alright?" she said that time, only to regret that humble apology once again when the brat simply walked passes her as if she's an air.

Well, that's a first at least. Even Yozora is respectful enough to indicate she's not in the mood to talk rather than disrespect Yuzu like Mei did to her, pretty girl or not. Maybe that's why the annoying thirst to antagonize Mei have burst due to that arrogance, and Yuzu have failed to recall what on earth is her mouth spouting about in the end, too offended by Mei's action to even see reason to cease. Moments, hours or even years, Yuzu may not realize how much she's invested on the rant to find or even process what comes next.

Well, until the thing happened and Yuzu have come back to reality, thrown on the bed, arms trapped on a forceful grip and a fucking tongue on her mouth that her latest thoughts came back at the forefront of her mind.

'I am absolutely sure sisters should not be doing this!' she internally screamed, battling into the heat on her mouth and the body pressing her on the bed. Yozora kissed her once on a blue moon and that's just a lip touching lips for farewell and comfort, not with tongues and spit exchange! Just what on earth is with this girl?! Is Mei a female predator!? Just what the hell did she said to have Mei attacked her like this!? Her chastity, goddamnit!

"Hmmmph!!??" with all self- defense training in motion amidst her obvious panic and embarrassment, Yuzu coils her legs at Mei's and used all the force on hips to tip the raven-haired girl sideways, startling her to loosen the hold on Yuzu's arm and for the blonde to put a tantamount shove on Mei's chest, making her tumble sideway and out of the bed.

"What on earth are you thinking!? Hell!" Yuzu yelled in a sheer voice, blushing as red as tomato, scrubbing her tingling lips with her shirt as Mei slowly sat away from the undignified position of being thrown on the floor, hair ruffled and surprised dancing in those dilated violet eyes. "What did you do that for!? What the hell is that!?"

Already reverting back into that unreadable calm even with such twisted expression of shame and frown, Mei's response is one Yuzu's not sure she'll understand, whether it be explained multiple times. "That's what kissing is." Simply saying her piece, Mei left the room in haste, hands undeniably trembling before Yuzu can clarify the notion.

"Y-You-! Ge-get back here, you perv!" Yuzu yelled, not caring if her mother will hear the outburst. "You act so high at school preaching how to behave properly when you're the exact opposite! Ugh! Aihara Mei!"

Too angered and humiliated by such blunt reply, Yuzu could only throw a pillow at the closing door and folding loose to scream on the crook of her arm. Mind too jumbled, and fingers unknowingly clutching her tingling mouth, Yuzu sobs her frustration as she picked up the phone on the nightstand, tears of unknown origin trying not to fall down her cheeks.

Just an hour of being an older sister and Yuzu already hated it.

"Pervert," Yuzu whispers to herself, frowning at the screen like a kicked puppy. "Taking my first kiss… doing that to me… what a big hentai."

[Nee-chan, I've been defiled. By our new sister!]

I looked at the text and wonders if my eyes are deceiving me. Then, with all the tact I can do, pinch my nose in exasperation, both ashamed to realize Mei have done lewd things to my twin and underwhelmingly happy to see there's a progress on their part.

However, I need not to be informed such things first thing in the morning. And god let it be, that Yuzu will learn to not share her more sensual experience with me.

"What's wrong?" catching the whip of the coffee being pass to my bedside table courtesy of Yukari, I let her grab the phone on my hand as I put mine on the mug, invested to be awoken by its aroma.

Hearing her laughter is one thing, but when I realize the tapping motion of her fingers on the screen did I glared at her with all my might, still cradling the coffee on my hand.

"You better be not saying anything inappropriate." I warned, seeing her giggling all the while.

"Why must you always think of me horribly?"

"For you have not gave me reason to think otherwise. Don't think I did not see you sending things which get me in trouble far too many times, Cebele."

"Fufufufu, you really did not pull punches, darling. Oh, but do not worry~ I take full custody of my actions to Yuzu-san. See~?" turning the screen at me, it only takes a second to make me choke on my drink as I heave a great breath of disbelief.

"Yukari!" I barked, unable to resist exploding at her stupid response at my sister.

[Congratulations, my dear~ It's a common occurrence to our family, join the club. -Yukari]