Part I: Chapter 2
If there was anyone Mei adored as much as Kiku, it was her big brother Yao. Her mother often sternly reminded her that she shouldn't have favorites in the family, but of course she would prefer her older, kinder brother to the two smelly, mischievous terrors that charged around the house. He was a model child and felt very responsible for his three siblings, especially Mei. He patiently helped her with her homework where their mother had thrown up her hands in exasperation and grudgingly let her play with his overlong hair. He was fiercely protective of her and after first grade, the boys learned not to mess with Mei Wang.
Mei was stubborn, but sensitive and the one thing that made her feel the most insecure was her ethnicity. She had never had that issue before she went to elementary school; she'd always considered herself to be the same as all of the other children. Her first day at school changed that.
A group of boys made sure that she knew right away that she was different. They poked fun at her round face and almond shaped eyes and tugged on her long hair when the teacher wasn't looking. She spent the whole recess in the bathroom crying where they couldn't see. The cycle continued, but even though by the end of the first week she felt she couldn't bear it any longer, she was too prideful to tell any adults. So she told her brother who wrapped her up in his arms.
"Why do I have to be different?" She sobbed, clutching her brother's shirt.
"God made us all different, Mei. Some people just don't see that."
"But I want to be like them."
"No you don't," he said sternly, hugging her tighter. "You're perfect just the way you are."
"But they'll still laugh at me."
"I'll take care of it, Mei."
"Don't tell Mama or Papa!" She said at once, pulling away with wide eyes. Her long hair still clung to her tear-stained face. "Or the teachers!"
"I won't." He promised.
"What're you going to do?"
He smiled mischievously. "You'll see."
Sure enough, the next Monday the boys could hardly look her in the eye and when they went out during the recess, they refused to go out onto the playground where the third graders were playing as well. Yao grinned conspiratorially at her from where he sat with his friends and her heart swelled. She never knew what exactly it was that he did to the younger boys, but they never made fun of her again. In fact, she never had problems with any boys afterward. Yao was definitely the best big brother in the world.
A/N: Yay for sibling fluff! Sorry it's so short, but there's more coming soon (fingers crossed lol) ^^