Chapter 50s: Snipping of Strings
They are all crawling all over my hand, now.
That's two of those citrus swallowtail caterpillars. And four of those owl butterfly caterpillars I asked Nii-san to help me find.
Oh no. That's another one of those citrus swallowtail caterpillars.
Why so many, Nii-san? I just wanted to look at one.. but he is just lifting them up from the plants and dropping them off in my hands.
Oh no, little one.. don't go on the back of my hand. You'll fall off!
Awkwardly, my hand shifts to try and keep all the caterpillars somewhat upright but those stubborn little things might fall off soon.. they are so tiny and fragile, how could they survive the drop?
"Enough, Nii-san... they're going to fall..!"
He's holding another two caterpillars in his hands already... where is he finding them so quickly?!
And now that dopey look he's giving me. Why? I didn't say anything wrong!
After a moment or two, he puts those caterpillars he holds back on the plant, taking all the care possible to make sure no caterpillars were hurt. I follow his motions and also begin to put my own collection away on a variety of leaves, because they are all little gluttons according to the sign.
I don't get it; why do people keep suggesting Nii-san is dangerous? He isn't like that. Not at all. He is soft and tender and compassionate and...
"Setsuka."
Hmmmm?
"Yes..?"
I probably sound a bit distracted, but in my defense, he is looking at me with a bit of a lost expression himself. Oooh, he is so damn cute sometimes. Why doesn't he have a girlfriend yet?
... but just vaguely, I can tell he's hurting a bit inside.
I've been able to tell that all day.
It's not like he'd tell me what's bothering him, though.
Those stupid older siblings and their secrets!
"Do you know what you'll say..?"
Oh. Is that what's bugging him? _That_ is bugging him? What, does he think I'm just full of fibs and half-hearted promises?
"Of course I do! Of course I'll com-"
"Don't."
I blink, finding myself instantly out of steam as I want to yell at him for saying something so stupid.
"... Don't?"
I repeat, finding myself completely offguard.
He nods. "Don't."
I blink again. Tears are filling my eyes. God no.
"Nii-san, stop joking! This isn't funny!"
BULLY! I don't want to deposit tears and snot all over my face in front of you! Why are you making me look like such a little kid by saying such mean words!
"I'm not joking.."
I punch him with my hand- OW. Damn bully, who told you to have so many sturdy muscles and hard bones!? Still, he's pushed back a bit, and I can see he too hurts.
BUT I DON'T CARE!
HE IS THE ONE WHO STARTED THIS!
YOU DESERVE IT, YOU BAKA, BAKA... BAKA~~!
BAKA!
As I turn away, he starts to make excuses. Something about Jenny. About her feelings.
I DON'T CARE!
JUST GO AWAY!
But he isn't going away.
So instead, I run. Away from Nii-san.
Somewhere inbetween all those tears and the pain, I realize... this is the first time I ran away from his embrace.
YOU STUPID BAKA!