"Yeah, I'd say she's definitely your sister," Mion whispered as she looked at Nao.
Nao and Maria were currently taking a nap on Rena's bed. Rena put pillows around them, hoping they wouldn't roll off the bed.
"They're both so kyute." Rena smiled as she also kept quiet. "I want to keep them both."
"Let's not get any ideas." Mion nervously laughed. "I'm pretty sure Rosa and your mom would have an issue with that."
"I guess just having to babysit them is good enough." Rena giggled.
"You know, you're great at taking care of them." Mion smiled as she turned to Rena. "Maybe you should try being a babysitter."
"As long as it's for Nao and Maria, I'd say yes." Rena smiled at her.
"I guess that's a start." Mion sighed. "You know, hearing Rosa put her foot down with your parents is still hilarious to me."
"Hilarious?" Rena raised an eyebrow.
"Well, she's never had to do that with us," Mion shrugged. "Even when we annoy her, she seems to put up with us."
"True." Rena frowned. "I still feel bad she had to do that for me."
"She did it cause you've been helping her so much." Mion smiled as she patted Rena's back. "I'd do the same if I was her."
"I guess." Rena smiled.
"Rena!" Satoko yelled as she ran in. "We're here!"
Rena and Mion jumped as Maria and Nao both started to cry.
"Satoko…" Mion facepalmed.
"They were asleep?" Satoko frowned. "I didn't know."
"It's fine." Rena groaned as she picked up Nao and rocked her. "I'm sorry, sis."
"Oh, let me get Maria." Satoko rushed over and picked her up before Mion could. "I'm sorry, Maria."
"Is everything okay?" Rosa said from down the hall.
"It's fine." Rena started walking to her. "Nao and Maria just got woken up by Satoko."
"Told you she's our little troublemaker." Mion smiled as she followed behind her. While they were gone, Satoko looked down at Maria.
"You're not mad at me, are you?" Satoko frowned. Maria only sniffled back. Satoko looked at the bed, saw Maria's bear, and smiled as she grabbed it. "How about playing with your bear? That always cheers you up."
Maria took it as she started to calm down. Maria began to smile again as she hugged it.
"There's that cute smile." Satoko sat on the floor with Maria. "You know your mom brought you up when we talked earlier."
"Mama?" Maria looked up at Satoko.
"She said I like having you around 'cause I'm not the baby anymore here." Satoko giggled. "I guess that's good, but I just like you both being in our lives now. She also said I remind her of when she was younger."
"Did you really say that?" Shion whispered to Rosa.
"I did," Rosa whispered back. She and the others were outside the room listening to Satoko talk to Maria.
"Rosa must be really tough that Satoko reminds her of back then." Rika smiled.
"We also joked that my big sis, Shion, has trouble caring for you." Satoko giggled again.
"Shion," Maria said back.
"Yes, my big sister." Satoko nodded. "She almost passes out whenever she has to change you. Good thing I'm tough enough not to worry about that."
"Why does she have to say all that in front of Maria?" Shion slumped as she listened.
"Because Satoko is getting you back for picking on Rosa so much." Mion giggled.
"Satoko is such a great girl." Rosa giggled as Shion frowned.
"But Rena is the best around you, though." Satoko frowned.
"Rena." Maria smiled.
"Yeah." Satoko nodded. "She makes it look like taking care of you is easy and always hogs you."
Maria frowned as she looked up at Satoko. Satoko noticed and sighed.
"I'm sorry." Satoko nervously laughed. "It's just I like watching you too, but I never get that cause Rena immediately grabs you, and I think everyone thinks I'm too small to take care of you."
"I didn't know Satoko wanted more time with Maria." Rena frowned as she cradled Nao. "I wish she would have told me."
"I'm happy I can talk to you though." Satoko smiled. "Everyone views me as the little sister that needs to be protected, but you don't seem to do that."
"Ss… Sss…" Maria started to make noises.
"Do you want Shion?" Satoko raised an eyebrow as she leaned closer.
"Sss…." Maria kept repeating as Satoko's eyes widened.
"Are you trying to say my name?" Satoko smiled. "Rosa! Maria is about to say another word!"
"Another word?" Rosa giggled, acting like she just walked over. "What's she trying to say?"
"Listen." Satoko stood up as she dragged Rosa closer. Maria was still making the same noises.
"Another name?" Rosa giggled. "I guess that makes sense."
"Is Maria really learning another word?" Rena smiled as she walked in with Nao. "Maybe that can help Nao learn words."
"Rena, she's not even a year old yet." Mion giggled. "She has a while before she'd be ready for that."
"Sis is right." Shion giggled. "But I'm sure Maria will rub off Nao in the future once Rosa moves here."
"I…" Rosa started to say but stopped. "Oh, never mind, you kids will never stop."
"Come on, Maria." Satoko smiled as she sat in front of her. "Say, Satoko."
"Maria saying Satoko would be adorable." Rika smiled.
"I'll help you." Satoko giggled. "Just repeat after me. Sa-to-ko. Sa-to…"
"Sister."
Satoko dropped her smile as her eyes went wide. She saw Maria smile as she reached out for her, repeating the same word.
"Sister."
"You think I'm your sister?" Satoko continued to stare at Maria as she walked over to her. Satoko slowly hugged her as she got closer.
"That's so kyute." Rena smiled as she hugged her sister.
"Satoko is the perfect big sister." Rosa smiled as she sat next to her and patted Maria's head. "Not only is she tough, she's also dependable. Especially when it comes to making sure you're safe."
"You really mean that, Rosa?" Satoko looked up at her.
"Of course." Rosa giggled as she then patted Satoko's head. "You also don't threaten to take my daughter away for yourself."
"I can't help it." Rena frowned. "Her and Nao are just too kyute."
"That doesn't make it okay, though." Mion sweatdropped.
"Anyway," Rosa said, still looking at Satoko. "You're still the toughest girl I know, and I'd be proud to have a daughter like you."
Satoko smiled as she continued to hug Maria. She then leaned against Rosa's side.
"Thanks, Rosa."
"You're welcome." Rosa smiled as she hugged Satoko.