Chapter 19 Younger Brothers

Machi's POV

"I should probably get going home", Jiro revealed. "It was nice to meet you Machi."

"It was nice to meet you too Jiro", I stated.

Jiro smiled before turning around.

He was about to leave when Ayame walked in.

"Oh", he started. "Is the meet and great over?"

"Yeah", Jiro replied. "I've gotta get home."

"Well then", Ayame started. "It was an honour to meet you young suitor!"

"Suitor", Jiro asked.

Then, he turned around to look at me.

"Bye Machi", he greeted.

"Bye Jiro", I greeted.

Then, Jiro left, and as soon as he did…I began to cry.

"Machi", Ayame said concern before rushing to my side and kneeling down besides me. "What is wrong dear sister-in-law?!"

"It's Jiro", I replied.

"Speaking of Jiro", Ayame started changing the subject. "I noticed that he had the same last name as you. Is he a relative of yours?"

"He is", I replied. "He's my younger brother."

"He is", Ayame said excitedly. "My dear sister-in-law. You have a younger brother too?!"

"I do", I replied.

"Oh", Ayame started. "This is wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

After Ayame said this, he noticed that the expression on my face did not match his current mood.

"What is wrong dear sister-in-law", he asked.

"Well", I started. "You see…Jiro doesn't know that I'm his older sister."

"What", Ayame exclaimed. "But why?"

With that…I told Ayame about my family situation.

"How dare they", Ayame asked angrily when I was done. "How dare they accuse my dear sister-in-law of attempting to lay a hand on her dear younger brother?!"

"Well", I started. "They did."

After I said this, Ayame suddenly pulled me into his arms!

"Fear not my dear sister-in-law", he stated. "You need not pay any attention to that so called family of yours, for you now have a new family! And about your dear younger brother. I believe that you should tell him the truth!"

"What", exclaimed. "I can't do that! My parents would be furious with me!"

"I told you to pay no attention to that so called family", Ayame reminded.

"I can't", I stated. "They're financially supporting me."

"I would be more than happy to cover your expensives", Ayame revealed.

"What", I exclaimed. "I can't just take money from you!"

"Then work in my shop", Ayame suggested.

Then I looked down and began to ponder what he said.

"Machi", Ayame started. "Do you know about how my relationship with Yuki was not good when we were younger?"

"Yeah", I replied. "He told me about that."

"It was my own fault", Ayame stated. "Mother clearly preferred Yuki, and I let that effect how I treated him. But I realised that I was wrong, and I fought to mend my relationship with my younger brother!"

Hearing Ayame say this was honestly moving.

"You must do the same Machi", he stated. "You must fight for your relationship with your younger brother!"