My name is Haruto. Nineteen years old, college freshman, and—if you ask anyone in my neighborhood—the "perfect" older brother.
At least, that's what people say when they see me walking home with my little sister, Aoi.
To me, she's just… Aoi.
"Haruuuuuto! You walk too fast! Wait for me!"
A familiar voice rang from behind. Turning around, I saw Aoi jogging toward me, her shoulder-length hair bouncing with every step. She was in her high school uniform, cheeks puffed out like a squirrel.
"You have legs, don't you? Use them," I teased, slowing down just enough for her to catch up.
She glared at me, then tugged at my sleeve like a child. "You're supposed to wait for me. What if some creep talks to me on the way home?"
"You say that like I'm your personal bodyguard," I replied, though my hand instinctively patted her head. "Besides, who'd dare? With that scary glare of yours, they'd run away before even saying hi."
"Scary—?! Hey! I'm cute, not scary!"
I chuckled. This was our daily routine. I teased her, she pouted, and somehow, it always ended with her clinging to me all the way home.
Truth be told, I didn't mind. I'd been like this ever since we were kids. Aoi had always been a little fragile, easily flustered, and hopelessly clingy. Maybe that's why I ended up spoiling her more than I should.
"Haruto…"
Her voice suddenly softened as we turned the corner to our street. I glanced at her, expecting another complaint, but instead found her looking down, fiddling with her fingers.
"You… really are always there for me."
I blinked. That was oddly sincere. Normally, she'd just whine about snacks or complain about school.
"What's with that face? You sound like you're about to confess your love or something," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
To my surprise, her cheeks instantly turned red.
"…What if I was?" she whispered.
My heart skipped.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Did she just—? No, no, no. That had to be a joke. A slip of the tongue. Aoi was my little sister. My clingy, annoying, adorable little sister.
Right?
I laughed awkwardly and ruffled her hair. "Don't say weird things, idiot. You'll make me think you actually like me or something."
But as she buried her face against my shoulder to hide her expression, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe… just maybe… she wasn't joking at all.