Days passed and the Asahina family grew closer than ever, due to a single addition. There were less bickering among the childish brothers and more family time. Even the usual busy people, like Ukyo, Fuuto, the twins and Subaru took time off their hectic schedules.

Having Ayako around, seemed like it made the people in the household loosen up a lot and grow closer than before. Ema immediately noticed the sudden yet slight change in the atmosphere around the house. She knew why and it didn't bother her one bit. The girl was actually happy to see her new-found siblings acting like this.

But what was bothering her is the fact that everyone seemed to bother her less or was she just over thinking it? Maybe it was the latter. It's not as if she needed to have their attention all to herself anyway. They all needed to spend more time with Ayako anyway since she was away for a long time. Still, it worried her a bit.

Tsubaki was acting less mischievous and more mature. Fuuto doesn't act snobbish, like how he usually is towards her and smiles more often, especially when Ayako is around. Kaname's acting less like a flirt and more of a brother to her (not that she minded). And oh, let's not forget about Iori who seemed to be unsocial the first time she came; but now, he could be seen either hanging out with Ayako in the garden often or talking to one of his brothers, and even laughing sometimes.

The rest... well, they were the same as always. But it was obvious that they were paying more attention to Ayako than her. And for the umpteenth time, if you asked Ema if it was bothering her, then no, it doesn't... at least, that's what she thinks and what she wanted to think.

"Aya-nee!" Wataru, the youngest jumped into Ayako's arms and hugged the girl tightly, which the blue-haired girl returned affectionately. She kissed the top of his head before nuzzling his nose with hers. In turn, Wataru giggled heartily.

'Even Wataru-chan is with Ayako-san more often lately.' Ema thought to herself as she peeked through the kitchen counter, to the living room where the two siblings sat on the couch, while preparing tea for everyone.

"Yo!" Someone called out from upstairs and she instantly recognized the voice as Tsubaki's. Ema could hear his rushed footsteps as he descended down the stairs as if he was in a hurry.

"Oh, Tsuba-nii! You're home already? I thought you'll be home late?" She could hear Ayako inquire to the fifth oldest from the kitchen. Ema's ears immediately perked up at the information.

'Was Tsubaki-san supposed to be working all day today?' She thought and felt somewhat lost at the fact that she didn't know such thing. However, knowing that Ayako knew what was going on in the house made her feel somewhat... discouraged? Worried? She decided to shrug off her pointless thoughts for now.

"Eh? How'd you know, Aya?" Ema could imagine the white-haired guy, tilting his head to the side with a slightly surprised expression. The sound of the kettle whistling, signaling that the water is boiling, brought Ema back from her train of thoughts. She quickly turned off the stove and put some water into the teapot.

"You and Azu-nii are famous voice actors. It's not hard to imagine what your schedules look like." The brunette girl could hear the confidence and certainty in the blue-haired girl's voice. She gripped the handle of the kettle tightly, pursing her lips as she concentrated on her work. It would be bad if hot water were to spill on the floor and onto her. She'd be bothering a lot of people if that happened.

The older girl, who was still busy preparing the tea, could hear Tsubaki laughing loudly before praising Ayako for being such a good little sister. Ema nearly dropped the teacup that she was holding onto because of his comment.

'Focus, Ema! It's not like everyone don't treat you the same way as Ayako-san, do they?' She continued with her work, her mind slightly wandering. She poured green tea in five tea cups before carrying the tray into the living room where Wataru, Tsubaki and Ayako were comfortably sitting on the couch.

"Tea, anyone?" Ema asked and set the tray down onto the coffee table. Ayako smiled at her which she gladly returned. Tsubaki gratefully took one cup and sipped on it, sighing in contentment as he watched Ayako and Wataru interact beside him.

"Ema-nee, are you excited for the upcoming ski trip?" Ayako excitedly asked her, which actually surprised her. She looked so bright and excited that Ema felt guilty for having such indirect, negative thoughts towards the said girl earlier.

"Well, I do feel excited. It's going to be my first time coming with the whole family, at least." Ema explained to the blue-haired girl as she sat down, before sipping her tea.

Ayako nodded and looked down at her teacup which she was holding. Her expression became reminiscent and filled with longing. "Actually, I missed going to the ski resort with everyone. When we were younger, our papa would always bring us on a family trip when everyone's not busy. It's one of the things we looked forward to so much during vacations."

Tsubaki's eyes glazed over as he also remembered the times that they spent together with their father – their real father. He knew that just by mentioning or recalling memories of their father would make Ayako heartbroken. It had been ten years since he had passed away. She had been gone for almost seven years and was not able to visit his grave even once during that span of time.

"By the way neesan, why can't I remember you? Masa-nii told me that you were still here when I was two years old until I was four... So, why can't I?" Wataru looked up at the Ayako curiously. The three older people currently present were speechless at the innocent yet perturbing question from the youngest.

Ayako felt Tsubaki beside her. She noticed how the arm which was slung around her shoulder felt so strained. His fists have clenched tightly until it turned white and she knew that he was holding himself back from lashing out at Wataru.

Gently, the girl patted his thigh to make him calm down. It would be bad if Tsubaki were to lose his temper in front of Wataru. The kid might get a heart attack – or worse, he'd be too scared of the said twin to even approach him later on.

"Neesan, why is that so?" The young child asked once more when no one responded to his inquiry. His eyes gleamed in eagerness. Ayako just pursed her lips, preparing herself to answer him in the most understandable way for a kid.

"W-Well, neesan was caught in an accident seven years ago so I wasn't able to come back. Also, neesan became a member of a family she didn't want. So, I was only able to find mama when I was a bit older." She smiled, although it was forced. Ayako still smiled, despite the prickle she felt in her chest as she vaguely explained what happened to her seven years ago.

"Eh? I don't really get it, neesan–"

"Wataru! Don't ask Aya about that anymore!" Tsubaki reproached the youngest. Wataru jumped at his tone and the loudness of his voice. His face was pale and his pair of brown orbs were glistening with tears. On the other hand, the white-haired male was trembling in both guilt and annoyance for telling off their youngest sibling in that way.

"Tsubaki-nii!" Ayako emphasized his name, knowing that she rarely uses his whole name. It was a sign that she was serious and indeed she was. She was seriously disappointed in him for acting that way. Her deep blue eyes clearly passed him the message.

On the other hand, Ema silently watched in her seat. She was actually quite shocked to see Tsubaki act so frustrated over the situation. The usual happy-go-lucky guy was replaced with a serious-looking one right now. Still, she decided that it might be best if she wouldn't interfere, especially when she doesn't know what's going on except that Ayako's past is a touchy subject for everyone. And it was not a subject to be touched unless Ayako, herself, was the one who'll willingly tell them.

"Go outside and cool off your head, Tsubaki-nii." The dark blue-haired girl ordered rigidly, her expression frosty including her voice. Tsubaki seemed to snap back from his earlier emotional turmoil. He stood up from the seat and headed outside in the balcony to do what Ayako had told him.

"...Sorry." Tsubaki looked ashamed as he apologized before leaving, realizing that scolding Wataru harshly like what he did was a horrible thing to do when the latter only innocently asked Ayako that question. However, the older male still felt that it was also horrible for the girl to be questioned like that when she didn't even want to recall what happened.

"Are you alright, Wataru?" Ayako asked, rubbing the back of the youngest. She was trying to comfort him from his earlier scare. He'd probably avoid going near Tsubaki for a while, after what happened. "It's alright. Tsuba-nii didn't mean to scare you, okay?" She kissed the top of his head and she felt the child stiffen less in her arms.

"By the way, Ema-nee." Ema averted her eyes away from Wataru who was cowering and seeking comfort in Ayako's arms. She had an inquiring expression on, waiting for the said girl to continue her words.

"Do you know where Kyo-nii is? I needed him for something." Ayako sheepishly explained as she cradled Wataru in her arms, pulling him on her lap before hugging the said child.

"I think he's in his room?" The blue-haired girl nodded, deciding that she'd pay their second eldest a visit to his room later. She also mentally reminded herself to bring something for him later.

'Kyo-nii is most probably overworking himself as of right now.'


Author's Note:

What's up? TheWhimsicalNoirette here. :)

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