A Bond Beyond Blood

I looked out toward the sun rising outside of the kitchen window, breathing a discomforted sigh while cutting the vegetables needed for both breakfast and lunch. Perhaps I yearn for being able to spend just a little more time at home, after not having had a moment to myself since yesterday.

The buildings opposite our home obfuscated the warm glow exuded by the sun. It felt uncharacteristically cold, despite it still being the beginning of summer. Looking over at Chiori, she seemed to be a little under the weather as well. I doubt it’s because of the movie we watched.

“I wish summer vacation would arrive sooner.” She bemoaned.

“Even having another weekend would be good. Last one was gone in an instant.”

To my dismay however, it was only tuesday.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep that affected us, but neither me nor her showed much luster despite having been full of energy hours earlier.

There were few clouds remaining in the sky, so at least there will most likely not be any rain today. After making Chiori a ham and lettuce sandwich and handing it over to her, I started on our bentos. Despite not being in the mood for it, I refused to cut corners while making them. Since we’re tired, it’s all the more reason that we need a good meal later. Some excuse like that kept me going.

“Onii, can you help brush my hair again when you’re done?” She shyly speaks out, as if afraid to pressure me

“Fine, give me a minute.” I reply to her while staring blankly out into the street. 

Usually, at this point, she’d walk off into the bathroom to get her brush. This time, she decided to remain by my side until I was done.

After finishing the lunchboxes and stuffing them in our bags, I went upstairs alongside her. As usual I had her sit on top of a small chair in front of the mirror while I stood behind her, gently brushing and combing her hair. Somehow that had also become my job a while ago, as I did it so much better according to her.

Maybe I’m less like an older brother and more like a servant in actuality. But her getting compliments about it does fill me with pride. Unlike with my hair, that just seems to prefer doing its own thing, hers can basically be modeled however wanted. Whether braided, put into a ponytail, kept loose, or some combination of those things. Usually she prefers more unique ways of getting her hair done.

Though for me it’s also rather relaxing, playing around with her hair and getting to touch it as much as I please. Or, that would be the case. But when I glanced back into the mirror I saw her fidgeting and blushing, so I quit messing around. She’s probably okay with me doing that, but I’d rather not have a weird atmosphere between us first thing in the morning.

“So? Is it good like this?” I asked her impatiently.

“Yes, onii-chan, thank you.” She nodded, shaking her hair around in the process.

We spent some time changing in our separate rooms. Chiori seemingly felt a lot more relaxed after our usual daily ritual. As we grabbed our bags and got back down, suddenly the bell rang. 

“Do you know who it is?” Chiori asked.

I replied with a shrug and went to check. When I opened the door, Kinoshita and Ayato were at the door, smiling at us.

“Today you’re not running away from us, Takumi-kun.” Kinoshita loudly proclaimed in a voice mimicking one of an anime villain.

Before I could say a word they already dragged me outside, with Chiori meekly following behind.