Haah..." he sighed deeply before slowly reaching out and opening the door.
Behind the door stood his sister, Elena.
Her snow-white hair cascaded in gentle waves over her shoulders, a beautiful contrast to her blue eyes, which were as deep as the sea. Her eyes were wide and bright, and her slender, graceful body was emphasized by the elegant, classic sailor uniform she wore. Her skin was soft and pale.
"..." Miyata was unable to speak.
The moment Elena's eyes fell on his face, her bright expression shifted to one of confusion and surprise. Usually, it was their mother who answered the door, so seeing him stand there himself was completely unexpected.
"Oh, Miyata-kun... Are you alright?" she asked in a soft voice, her expression full of concern. "I already sent you your allowance on your phone, so... there's no need to worry."
Her words felt like a whip to his heart. She had immediately assumed he opened the door to ask for money, as he always did. Miyata remembered how the original owner of the body used to blackmail her and pressure her into giving him large sums of money, taking advantage of her kindness and love for him. The feeling of regret weighed heavier and heavier on his shoulders. He felt disgusted with the original owner of this body, as if every sin he committed had now become his own.
Elena tried to walk past him and enter the house, heading towards the kitchen, but Miata reached out and gently took her wrist. The pressure was not strong, but it was enough to stop her.
"Elena... I'm sorry."
Elena froze, unable to believe what she had just heard.
Miyata was silent for a moment, then repeated himself in a stronger voice.
"I'm sorry... for everything."
Elena was completely convinced she had heard wrong. Maybe the sound of the doorbell was still ringing in her ears, or perhaps she was hallucinating. She tried rubbing her eyes with her free hand to see if she was dreaming.
"This isn't a dream... I'm truly sorry."
When she heard his voice for the second time, Elena realized this was not a dream. She slowly turned to him, her wide eyes filled with shock and suspicion. His face was full of remorse, and faint tears glistened in his eyes.
"A-Are you really serious?" she muttered in a voice barely audible. "Is this... is this really you, Miyata-kun?"
"I am serious with every meaning of the word. I'm sorry for everything, for all the insults, for every time I shamelessly asked for money. I promise I'll change, I'll try to be a better brother..."
His words were sincere, but they were too heavy for Elena. She had grown accustomed to a version of her brother who knew only selfishness and hatred.
Elena moved slowly, gently pulling her hand from Miata's grasp, then quickly ran to the kitchen where her mother, Rita, was standing.
"Mom! Mom! Something's wrong with Miyata!" she said in a loud voice, her expression full of panic and confusion.
"What are you saying, Elena-chan?" Rita asked in surprise, stopping her work.
"He... he's saying strange things! He's apologizing! And saying he's going to be a good brother! Is he alright? Is something wrong with him?"
Despite Elena's shock, Rita couldn't help but laugh softly. Her gentle laughter filled the kitchen, a sharp contrast to Elena's panic.
"My goodness, Elena-chan! Nothing is wrong with your brother!" Rita said, shaking her head gently, a warm smile gracing her face. "He truly wants to be better, that's all."
Elena stood there in shock, her eyes wide as she looked at her mother, then at Miyata. She pointed a trembling finger at Miyata and said in a voice barely audible, "But... but Mom, he's talking about changing! Don't you see? It seems he's gone crazy!"
Miyata felt embarrassed by his sister's words, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He sighed in despair and began to move slowly towards the door, not wanting to embarrass himself further. But before he could leave, he heard his mother's calm and firm voice.
"Miyata! Elena! Both of you! Let's go and sit at the table now. We'll talk later."
Then she turned her gaze to Elena: "Go and wash your hands, my dear, dinner is almost ready."
Elena responded instinctively, still in disbelief at what was happening. As for Rita, she returned to the stove with a genuine smile on her face, and began to put the dishes on the plates.
A delicious aroma filled Miata's nose. The dishes were varied and appetizing: shiny teriyaki chicken coated in an attractive brown sauce, perfectly cooked white rice, and a warm miso soup that smelled of seaweed, in addition to small side dishes of pickled vegetables and an omelet. Everything looked as if it had been prepared with love and care.
Miyata sat in his usual chair, a plate of food in front of him. He took a spoonful of the warm soup, and its delicious taste made him forget all the tension he had been through. As he ate, he felt a sharp gaze boring into his head. Elena was sitting across from him, staring at him with narrowed eyes, as if she was trying to read his thoughts or uncover some trick.
Miyata didn't raise his eyes, but he felt her presence. Her cautious gaze was full of suspicion and doubt, as if she couldn't accept that the person sitting in front of her was her real brother. She ate very slowly, her eyes never leaving him, making every bite he took feel as if it were under a microscope. Miyata ignored her stares and continued eating, determined to prove to her over time that the change that had come over him was real.
The meal ended in heavy silence, broken only by the sound of the dishes clinking together. After everyone had put their utensils down, Rita stood with a calm smile on her face, and began to collect the dishes.
"Now... that we have finished our delicious meal," Rita said as she carried two plates, "I think it's time for us to talk quietly."
She quickly took the plates to the kitchen, then returned and guided Elena and Miyata to the living room. She sat on the sofa, and gestured to the two chairs opposite her.
"Sit here," she said in a warm, reassuring voice.
Miyata sat on one of the chairs, while Elena sat on the other, her eyes still holding a great deal of suspicion. She sat on the edge of her seat, poised as if ready to run away at any moment.
After Rita made sure they were both comfortable, she looked at Miata with a look full of love and understanding.
"Miyata-kun... my dear," Rita began quietly, "I am so happy, and indescribably happy that you have decided to change. I have waited for this moment for a long time."
Elena gasped softly in shock, but Rita continued her speech without taking her eyes off Miata.
"Elena is worried about you, and I know that this change may be sudden and confusing for her."
Rita paused for a moment, then took a deep breath before asking the question that was on everyone's mind.
"So, would you like to tell us... what is the reason for this sudden change?"
Rita looked directly into Miyata's eyes, as if searching for an answer in the depths of his soul. But her expression quickly changed to something softer and more affectionate.
"But..." Rita added, "if you don't want to answer, that's okay. Don't force yourself."
Miyata thought for a few seconds before opening her mouth to speak."....."
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You will find a picture of his sister in the comments.