Now that I think about it, I remember Hime telling me this.
"Please marry my sister"
She was pleased when I said that I loved her like a little sister, so she suggested it. If I were to marry Kiyoshi, Hime would indeed become my sister on the family register, and our bond would become even stronger than it is now.
She loves me so much that she wants that.
I'm honestly happy about that. It's not that I've been recognized by such an amazing person as Hime, but rather... regardless of my title, I feel comfortable that such a cute girl has become attached to me.
However, how should I put it... I wasn't sure if Hime's feelings towards me were the same as those towards my brother.
(Is it possible for them to be siblings with this kind of distance?)
We were currently sitting side by side on the bed, but Hime was leaning against me. Her knees, shoulders, and arms were pressed together, and her small fingers were resting on my thigh. It's no exaggeration to say that there was no sense of distance between us.
This sense of distance makes it seem like they're lovers... but is it not impossible for close siblings to do this? Or rather, is it possible that it's precisely because they're siblings that they can stick together without any hesitation?
Hmm, I don't know.
I have an older sister, but I don't have a younger sister, so I can't make a judgment. However, when I thought about my niece, I finally found some light on my worries.
My sister has a daughter. I think she's six years old now. She's an active and lively girl. She often comes over to my house to play.
Now that I think about it, that girl is also very close to me. If there's anything she'll immediately touch me, hug me, or follow me around.
Hime is eight years old, but you could consider her roughly the same age as me.
Maybe I'm at an age where I become defenseless with people I trust. If that's the case, maybe I don't need to worry too much about this closeness.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel a little strange, but maybe Hime has grown attached to me like an older brother. That's why she occasionally hints at the idea of "marrying Hijiri-san" as if she's remembered something.
This girl seems to think that the greatest happiness would be for me to be united with Kiyoshi.
Of course, that would be a happy thing for Hime...and for Hijiri as well.
"Only a caring, tolerant, generous, and gentle person can be put up with a troublesome, stubborn, small-minded, and troublesome older sister."
Hime, I think you're overestimating me.
And he's a bit merciless towards Kiyoshi. That's why he seems to think they get along well.
"Wh-why did you say 'lazy' twice? Hime-chan, I'm not that much of a sloth."
"...If you want to make that claim, at least stand up and say it."
Well, I guess I am a sloth.
Even now, as he lay in bed refusing to move, it seemed even more so.
"That's so mean. Hime-chan is always making fun of me like that. I wish you'd praise me sometimes too. I'm the kind of girl who thrives when praised, you know?"
"I think that if you praise me, I'll end up not doing anything..."
Even as she said this, Hime might have thought deep down that she had gone too far.
With a slightly apologetic look on his face, he added:
"But she's always smiling and cheerful, so being with her really cheers me up. When I'm next to my sister, all my little worries seem silly, so I think it's wonderful that she's so generous."
...She's such an honest girl.
Hime is often a little harsh towards Kiyoshi, but she must also know a lot of his good points. Kiyoshi's sulky expression disappeared in an instant as she praised him so easily.
"H-Hime-chan... I love you!"
He has a big smile on his face, looking happy.
It's easy... but I can understand how you feel.
For some reason, I feel really happy when Hime praises me.