Shinobu stretched her arms behind her head, a lazy smirk lingering on her lips. "You know, I never thought I'd hear you say 'Onee-chan' again."
I sighed, setting my tea down on the table. "Yeah, well… I guess I should've said it sooner."
Her expression shifted slightly—just enough for me to notice. Something softened in her gaze, but only for a second before she masked it with her usual attitude.
"Hmph. Took you long enough."
I exhaled, shaking my head. "I know."
A comfortable silence settled between us, one that felt rare.
Then, after a moment, Shinobu leaned back on the couch, crossing her legs. "So… why now?"
I stared down at my hands, running my thumb over the rim of my mug.
That was the question, wasn't it?
Why now?
I had spent years keeping my distane. We never talked about what happened. Never acted like we were really siblings. She was just Shinobu, and I was just Yuki, and that was it.
But today, I had called her Onee-chan.
"…I don't know," I admitted. "I just—" I exhaled slowly. "I didn't want to pretend anymore."
Shinobu clicked her tongue. "Then don't."
I looked up at her.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze unreadable. "Yuki, do you remember what you told me when we were kids?"
I frowned, trying to recall. "You're going to have to be more specific."
She smirked. "You said you'd always protect me. That no matter what, you'd never let me be alone."
My throat tightened.
I remembered.
I remembered saying that when we were just kids, when I still believed in promises, when I thought I could be strong enough to protect what mattered.
But in the end, I had left her alone.
"…I broke that promise."
Shinobu stared at me for a long moment.
Then, without a word, she reached forward—and flicked me on the forehead.
I flinched. "Ow—what the hell?"
She sighed dramatically. "You really are stupid, huh?"
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
Shinobu leaned back, crossing her arms. "You distanced yourself. Yeah, that was messed up. But you're here now. And if you really want to fix things, stop acting like everything is already over."
I stared at her.
She had every right to resent me.
And yet, here she was, scolding me like an older sister should.
I let out a breath. "So what, you're saying I should just—what? Pretend like none of this happened?"
She rolled her eyes. "No, dumbass. I'm saying that if you're serious about not shutting me out anymore, then prove it."
I hesitated.
"…How?"
Shinobu smirked. "Start acting like my little brother again."
I blinked. "Huh?"
She shrugged. "You're my idiot little brother, whether you like it or not. So start acting like it."
My first instinct was to hesitate.
I wasn't sure I deserved that kind of invitation.
But then I saw the way she looked at me—how, beneath her teasing tone, there was something else.
Something vulnerable.
Something that told me that, even if she wouldn't say it outright—
She didn't want to be alone either.
I swallowed hard.
"…Alright."
Shinobu raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
She studied me for a second longer before huffing a small laugh. "Well, don't expect me to start babying you or anything."
I smirked. "I wouldn't trust you to do that anyway."
She gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I would be an amazing big sister if I wanted to."
"Sure. And I'm a well-adjusted, completely normal person."
We locked eyes—then both burst into quiet laughter.
And for the first time in years—
It felt like I had an older sister again.
The night stretched on, quiet except for the occasional hum of the wind outside. For once, the silence didn't feel heavy.
Shinobu was still sitting across from me, her smirk lingering, but the usual sharpness in her eyes had softened.
"So," she said, swirling her now-cold tea. "You gonna tell me what finally made you talk?"
I hesitated.
I had already told her everything about our parents. The expectations. The suffocation. The moment I snapped.
But this part…
I exhaled, leaning back against the couch. "I told my friends."
Shinobu stilled for a fraction of a second.
Then she scoffed. "And they didn't run for the hills?"
I let out a dry chuckle. "Not yet."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"…I don't know." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Maybe because they're idiots."
Shinobu hummed, watching me closely.
Then she leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table. "Kane was there, wasn't she?"
I tensed.
Shinobu's smirk widened. "Ohhh. That explains it."
I frowned. "Explains what?"
She tapped her fingers against the table. "You care what she thinks."
My face felt unnaturally warm. "I care what all of them think."
Shinobu raised an eyebrow. "Mhm. But her opinion matters a little more, doesn't it?"
I clicked my tongue, looking away. "You're annoying."
She cackled. "That's what big sisters are for."
I sighed, but my lips twitched up slightly.
Shinobu leaned back again, her expression thoughtful. "So? What's next?"
I looked at her. "What do you mean?"
She shrugged. "You told your friends. You're talking to me. You're obviously trying to… I don't know, live again."
I swallowed.
Live.
That was a strong word for someone like me.
But—
"I guess…" I took a slow breath. "I just want to stop running."
Shinobu didn't answer right away.
Then, she nodded once. "Good."
That was it. No lecture. No unnecessary words.
Just a simple acknowledgment.
And somehow, that meant more than anything else.
I stood up, stretching. "I should get some sleep."
Shinobu waved me off. "Yeah, yeah. Don't expect me to make you breakfast or anything."
I snorted. "I'd rather not risk food poisoning."
She threw a cushion at me, and I barely dodged it.
"Goodnight, Onee-chan," I said, just to mess with her.
She froze for half a second before glaring.
"Go to sleep before I change my mind about forgiving you."
I chuckled, making my way to my room.
And for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel like a ghost in my own home.
The morning sun streamed through the window, painting golden lines across the floor. For the first time in years, waking up in this house didn't feel suffocating.
I stared at the ceiling for a while, letting the quiet settle over me. No nightmares. No waking up in a cold sweat. Just… a normal morning.
I wasn't sure what to do with that.
A knock on my door made me sit up.
"Oi," Shinobu's voice called, followed by the sound of her knuckles rapping against the wood. "Get up before I drag you out of bed."
I smirked. "You could at least say 'good morning.'"
"Good morning," she deadpanned. "Now move."
I sighed, pushing off the blankets and stretching before opening the door. Shinobu stood there, arms crossed, giving me a once-over.
"You look like crap."
I rubbed my eyes. "Good morning to you too."
She rolled her eyes and turned, walking toward the kitchen. "You eating or not?"
I hesitated.
This was… new.
Normal.
I followed her, sitting at the table as she placed a plate in front of me.
Breakfast.
Made by my sister.
I stared at it for a moment before picking up the toast. "…I thought you couldn't cook?"
She scoffed, sitting down across from me. "I can do a lot of things. You're just never around to see it."
I took a bite, chewing slowly. It wasn't bad. Not amazing, but definitely edible.
She watched me with an expectant look.
I sighed. "It's… good."
A smirk tugged at her lips. "Damn right it is."
We ate in silence for a while. It was comfortable, in a way I hadn't realized I missed.
Eventually, Shinobu leaned back in her chair. "So. What's your plan for today?"
I thought about it.
"I don't know." I tapped my fingers against the table. "School, I guess."
She raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you sound like you want to go?"
I shrugged. "I don't. But… I think I should."
Shinobu studied me for a moment before nodding. "Huh. Guess miracles do happen."
I rolled my eyes, finishing my toast.
She stood up, grabbing her coat. "I'm heading out. Don't burn the house down while I'm gone."
"No promises."
She snorted before stepping toward the door. But just before she left, she paused.
"…Yuki."
I glanced up.
She didn't look at me, her hand resting on the doorknob. "You don't have to keep proving yourself."
I blinked.
Then, before I could answer, she was gone.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the empty space she left behind.
Then, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.
Today, for the first time in a long time, felt like a fresh start.
The walk to school was quieter than usual.
Not in a bad way—just… different.
The air was crisp, the sky a shade of blue that wasn't too bright or too dull. Just enough to make the day feel normal.
I adjusted the strap of my bag, my mind drifting back to breakfast.
Shinobu's words lingered.
"You don't have to keep proving yourself."
It wasn't that simple.
I wasn't trying to prove anything.
…Was I?
I shook my head. Thinking about it wouldn't change anything.
As I neared the school gate, familiar voices reached my ears.
"Yuki!"
I turned just as Kane jogged up beside me, grinning. "You're actually early today? Is the world ending?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's called time management."
"Yeah, sure." She smirked. "You just didn't want to miss seeing me first thing in the morning."
I sighed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Sayoko appeared next, adjusting her bag strap. "Morning."
I nodded in greeting.
Haru wasn't with them today.
We walked toward the building together, falling into an easy pace.
Then Kane nudged me. "So? How did it go?"
I glanced at her.
She didn't have to specify what she meant.
"…Fine," I said after a moment. "Better than I thought."
Kane raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Sayoko, however, studied me for a moment before speaking.
"You look… lighter," she said. "Like you're not carrying everything alone anymore."
I blinked.
Lighter?
I hadn't even noticed.
I didn't respond, but something about her words settled in my chest.
The bell rang in the distance.
"Come on," Kane stretched her arms. "Another thrilling day of school awaits."
We stepped through the school doors together.
For the first time in a long time, it didn't feel like just another day.
It felt like something new.