I forgot to add suffix "-chan" at Maki's name when Kotori addressed her.

Here goes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Love Live!

"Kotori, this woman is the one I'm marrying with." Said my mother, introducing the figure presented in front of me.

The red-haired woman stared at me while giving her smile. I noticed that she was a bit nervous, even though there was no reason for her to be.

Since having a second mother didn't sound bad to me.

"..Nice to meet you step-mother." I returned her smile. Her expression which was tense even with her putting up a smile relaxed a bit. "Thank you, Kotori." She said. I smiled even brighter with her calling me by my name.

But then she seemed notice something, and she looked behind her leg.

"Maki, come out now, don't hide your face in front of your big sister." My stepmother said. The small girl called Maki peeked out behind her mother's leg. She looked at me with her big violet eyes. And we stared at each other for a while.

So cute..

Maki looked down, and I saw her grip on her mother's pant tightened. "M-My name is Maki. Nice to meet you."

Huh? I knew I ought to reply her. But I felt something which made me freeze and think what was going on.

"Kotori?" My mother called me out. I snapped out and hurriedly bend down so that I could take a good look on her.

Maki looked up, and again, stared at me with her clueless look. Something felt a bit ticklish, since I couldn't help but chuckle before smiling at her.

"Nice to meet you too, Maki-chan."

.

.

"So... you're saying that the two of you is too distant as sisters?" Honoka restated my problem as a question. I nodded at her.

"Why is that?" Umi asked.

"Well, when I'm around her, I always feel like I couldn't be myself. I couldn't stay calm. And Maki also wouldn't talk to me if I didn't start it, so I couldn't help but felt like that." I said. "Not to mention, I've never experienced of having a sibling before."

"Maybe that's because of it!" Honoka said, showing that she got the point of my problem.

"What is it, Honoka?" Umi asked, clearly asking for an explanation for her. I joined her and looked at Honoka, waiting for it as well.

"I mean, Kotori can't be herself because she doesn't know how to act around Maki-chan! If she learns how to act as an older sister, she can take care of Maki-chan easily!" She explained. I widened my eyes and shocked that what Honoka said might be true.

"I guess.. Honoka-chan is quiet correct."

"Right~?" Honoka beamed happily. Umi in the other hand still thinking about something. It only took a few seconds before she joined in the topic. "But then, who is the figure we can ask for help?"

I looked at Umi who just said a good point. She looked at me back. It was as if we got the answer at the same time, because we looked away from each other, only to focus our eyes on the grinning orange-haired girl.

"Leave it to me!"

Was what Honoka said, but something still didn't feel right for her as the main source. Anyhow, I was grateful since I got helping hands from my best friends.

And so, I learned one thing from Honoka.

"You should try to show more affection! I always do that to Yukiho!"

Showing more affection, huh?

I was picking Maki up from a kindergarten. Since both of my mothers had works to do. My mom as a housewife (after school has finished) and my stepmother as a doctor.

After I reached at there, I found Maki who was standing alone at the entrance's gate. I walked a bit faster so that she wouldn't pass any more time of being alone.

"Maki-chan." I called her after I stood nearby her. Maki looked up and widened her eyes. I smiled at her cute reaction for being surprised as I patted her.

"Did you wait long?"

She shook her head.

"Then, shall we go home now?"

She nodded.

I walked first before Maki started following me from behind. I recalled what Honoka said about showing affection, but I still couldn't figure it out.

C'mon Kotori, think, think...

Couldn't find a good idea, I looked behind me, finding Maki who was actually staring at my empty..

Oh right.

"Maki-chan." She startled a bit, before looking at me, who already bent a bit before her. "Here." I said as I offered my right hand to her. Maki smiled softly before accepted it and held it tightly.

I hope this counts as one.

But Honoka's advice only worked once. After that, I tried to do as she said. Such as, "Be reliable!". In the first place, I didn't have any good points or talent to begin with. I had only taken interest in fashion. And I gained my sewing skill from that.

But Maki is a 5 years old kid, so holding a needle is a no-no.

And then there was "Cuddle with her!"

But I failed, I was too nervous and I ran away from Maki who only gave a bewildered look.

Even the simplest one that even Umi came up with. "Buy a thing that she likes."

I took her to a convenience store and I lead her to the food's area. I asked her what she wanted and she pointed out a snack. I took a good look at the flavor.

Tomato & Garlic

Alas, I had hate garlic ever since I was a kid, and I ended up rejecting her by saying that I actually forgot my purse. I learned that Maki actually liked tomato. Just like the color of her hair.

But that wasn't the point here.

I need more clue about how to act properly as an older sister.

Maki who noticed me staring at her tilted her head. "Is there something wrong?" She asked quietly. I was surprised that I actually let myself lost in my train of thoughts in front of my little sister.

"Nah, it's nothing Maki-chan." I told her. And she stared at me before nodding as an understanding as she watched back the TV in front of her.

It was Sunday. And without school and stuffs, I ended up alone with Maki at house, since my mothers had decided to have some fun together. Only the two of them.

I wonder what should I do with her.. I thought. Again, I felt uneasy. I kept thinking about how to act before her, how to entertain her, how to accompany her

How to be a good older sister for her.

Sighing, I rub my forehead, trying to release some stresses that had been in my small head for a long time. While at it, I actually thought of something good.

"Say, Maki-chan." I called Maki who was watching the TV quietly. "Yes?" She said, looking at me with those violet eyes. I always found that it was amusing to see them sparkling every time I called for her.

"Want to come over to my friend's house?"

Soooo, I decided to keep the updates short. More of this and I'd be stressed out on thinking how to keep up their personalities. Sorry if you guys found that they're a bit OOC.

I will keep trying to keep their character in place.

See you in the next chapter!