Shion's repeated requests for five more minutes of sleep and Reiji's inability to refuse her had caused both of them to turn up late for dinner. It bothered him more than he would care to admit, he was always a stickler for formalities and manners. But he didn't worry that any of his brothers would comment on it, because they were in for a surprise. A new sister would be plenty for them to think about.

When the doors opened to reveal Reiji, no one paid any attention. No one even noticed the bumbling girl standing behind him until she pounced on Shu, grabbing his face and kissing him on the lips. They stared at her, too surprised to even respond. Laito recovered first and mockingly complained, "That's unfair, give me a kiss too." But no one seemed to hear him because of Shu's response.

"Shi?" It was only word but the turmoil of feelings was clearly heard. Disbelief, happiness, despair, all rolled into one. It wasn't until Shion nodded with conviction that it was indeed her that he smiled. It was so brilliant that it lit up his eyes. The phenomenon was so strange that the half-brothers' curiosity only deepened.

"Oy, who is this?" Ayato asked.

"Mind your language, Ayato, and that is onee-sama to you." Reiji walked over to break up Shu and Shion's reunion. With a hand on her back, he guided her to the centre of the room, ignoring Shu's scowling expression. "This is Shion Sakamaki, the firstborn. She will be staying with us."

The unexpected revelation triggered a few different responses from the brothers. Ayato and Laito were utterly surprised that the little thing was older than any of them, Kanato was whispering to his Teddy, and Subaru just glared at the appearance of yet another offspring of that man. Shu seemed to have recovered from his earlier burst of emotions and had retained a poker face.

Shion bowed a little, her white dress fluttering with her movement, and smiled so sweetly that she instantly won over Laito, and though he wouldn't admit it, Ayato. "Please take care of me." Despite her display of affection earlier, she had always been shy in front of strangers. She didn't know how to deal with brothers who didn't know of her existence until minutes ago, whose reactions were so different from one another.

"Oh I'll take good care of you, alright." Laito winked at her.

"I'm not calling you onee-sama."

"Teddy, there's a new doll in the house…"

Reiji nearly burst a vein, these brothers of his had no manners at all. He gave a stern glare at the three who spoke earlier, shutting them, before ushering Shion to her seat, between Shu and himself. Shion picked the utensils with all the grace of a well-bred young lady, something that pleased Reiji immensely. At least someone has manners in this house.

That was until he noticed she was picking at her food, eating only the meat and putting aside the vegetables. He frowned. "Shi, eat your broccolis," he ordered. "No," she answered shortly. He nearly knocks over his glass of water. Was his darling sister defying him? "They're good for you," he tried to convince her. What he didn't know was that she was so well-acquainted with the damned broccolis from her doctor-approved diet that she wouldn't touch one with a ten-feet pole if she could help it. Even if it meant going against Reiji. "No." Her answer was firm.

Reiji sighed and decided to let it go. The others, save for Shu, was paying attention to the siblings' conversation. It was odd, even strangely satisfying, to see Reiji defied. He had always acted his part as the master of the house, filling in for the irresponsible Shu. The sister of theirs was beginning to gain some cred in their eyes.

"Shu-chan, why are you not touching your food?" Shion turned towards Shu.

Shu met her eyes briefly, then turned away. "I'm not hungry." With that said, he abruptly stood up and left. Reiji was so surprised that he didn't even complain about his brother's lack of manners. He would have expected Shu to be glad, happy even, to know that his twin returned. There was nothing out of ordinary during their last visit either. What was going on?

"Shu!" Shion stood up and ran after him. "Shu-chan!"