Silly Sister

"Hey, sis, what's so fun about sitting here?" Ryuki asked, glancing at his sister.

"Huh? What are you saying? It's fun. Just sit beside me, and you'll see," Saki replied, pointing to the swing next to her.

Today, their mother had gone to her new job, leaving Ryuki and Saki alone at home. Things got boring, so Ryuki suggested they go to the park. He didn't really get why Saki found the swings so entertaining, but he shook his head and sat on the swing beside her anyway.

"Look at me," Ryuki said, pushing off and swinging back and forth. The cool breeze felt nice against his face. It had been a long time since he'd last ridden a swing.

"Like this?" Saki asked, trying to move her swing. She only managed to shift it a few inches.

"Wow, this is so much fun!" she shouted, her voice full of excitement.

Ryuki thought kids must find joy in everything. Maybe he was too old—at least in his mind—to feel the same way.

"Look, little bro, I know how to have fun on this swing thing… uh… what… yay! How did you learn to do it?" Saki said with a proud smile.

Playing along, Ryuki answered, "Oh, it's like this. Well, sister, I just figured it out."

"Call me elder sister," she corrected.

"Okay, my elder sister," he said with a grin.

Then Saki's attention shifted. She pointed to the side and said, "Now come with me, let's go there."

Ryuki thought, Her interest switched to the slides fast, just like any kid. He followed as she raced to the slide and started climbing.

"I hope she doesn't fall," he muttered, staying close behind her. He wasn't sure he could catch her if she slipped, but he'd try anyway.

Luckily, she made it to the top without trouble.

"Haha, it's fun, little brother! Climb up, climb up!" she called, urging him on.

Ryuki sighed, She's definitely having fun just climbing. He shook his head, climbed the slide, and joined her at the top.

Once beside her, he pointed down and said, "You have to slide down too."

"I know, I know," Saki replied. She slid down quickly, landed on the ground, jumped up, and patted her bum. Looking at Ryuki, she said, "Little brother, it's fun! You should do it too. Hehe, I'm going again!"

She grinned and ran back to the stairs.

"I don't remember Saki being this silly," Ryuki thought, rubbing his head. "Come on, Ryuki, she's only five. Why expect her to act grown-up?"

Shaking his head, he noticed Saki was already back at the top, standing behind him.

"Come on, little brother, you should go down too," she said, giving him a push. Caught off guard, Ryuki lost his balance. The ground rushed up, and he hit it face-first.

"Little brother!" Saki's voice rang out, followed by a scream. Ryuki pulled himself up and saw her on the ground. She tried to stand but fell again, tears filling her eyes.

That's when he saw it—a scratch on her head with a little blood. She must've fallen too.

"Idiot, she fell because of me," Ryuki scolded himself. He stood up but winced as sharp pain shot through his knees. Looking down, he saw they were scraped and bleeding too.

"Damn it," he muttered. Ignoring his own pain, he ran to Saki, pulled her into a hug, and patted her head. "It's okay, you don't need to cry," he said softly. "Close your eyes and imagine a fairy taking the pain away."

The childish trick worked. Saki stopped crying, though she still sobbed a little.

"Let's go home," Ryuki said.

She nodded, her eyes red, and held out her arms. "Carry me."

Ryuki smiled, hoisted her onto his back, and started walking. His injured knees hurt, and carrying a five-year-old with his own five-year-old body wasn't easy. Still, he pushed through with sheer willpower until they reached home.

Inside, he set Saki down. She clutched her dress tightly, tears welling up again.

"What's wrong? Does it still hurt?" Ryuki asked, worried. She burst into sobs.

"Bro… *sob* *sob* sorry… sorry," she cried, apologizing over and over.

Ryuki didn't get why she felt bad, but he patted her head gently. "Don't say sorry. It's not your fault. The slide made me fall, not you."

Still sniffling, she asked, "Saki's not bad? Is it the slide that's bad?"

"Yes, yes, the slide's the bad guy, not you," Ryuki said, nodding like a kid.

"I… I'll call the good guys *sob*… they'll catch the bad slide," Saki said through her tears.

Ryuki found it funny despite her crying. He patted her head again. "Yes, the good guys will catch the bad slides," he said, smiling.