Love Advice for First Heroine, Asuka

Saki sat on the desk, swinging her little legs as she looked at Asuka. "Asuka… do you love your brother?" she asked.

Asuka sat straight in her chair. She'd asked Saki many times not to sit on the desk, but the younger girl kept doing it, ignoring the request. Over time, Asuka got used to it. She still mentioned it now and then, but it wasn't a big deal anymore.

It had been a year and a half since they became friends. Their bond had grown strong, like a flower opening up. Now, in their second year of elementary school, they were in the same class. They spent more time together, becoming best friends. But even though they were so close, Asuka never admitted she loved her brother. She always badmouthed him instead. So how did Saki figure it out?

"What… what are you talking about? He's an idiot. I don't like him," Asuka said, her cheeks turning slightly red. She tried to keep a straight face.

"But how's he an idiot? He always gets first in exams," Saki pointed out.

"No… he… he's only good at studying. Other than that, he's an idiot," Asuka shot back. Her embarrassment grew with every question.

"How? He's the best at sports, he's cute, and lots of girls talk to him. How's he an idiot? I don't get this about you," Saki said, shaking her head.

Asuka's face turned even redder. She felt cornered and shy.

"You don't have to lie. Your eyes look like mine when I look at my brother," Saki said.

"Huh?" Asuka froze, stunned by Saki's words. "But that's wrong," she argued.

"Well… yeah, it's wrong," Saki admitted. She went quiet.

"Saki," Asuka said, her face sad. She knew her own feelings were wrong too.

"Saki… can you help me with something?" Asuka asked, her voice soft.

"With what?" Saki replied.

"Help me fall for another guy," Asuka said, looking at Saki for support.

---

Ryuki and Saki were at the park. It was their first time back since that day they fell off the slide. As soon as they arrived, Saki ran to the slide and kicked it. Then she turned to Ryuki with a shy look. "I'm sorry. I didn't know we were supposed to slide, not run. That's why we fell last time."

"I'm surprised you still remember," Ryuki said with a laugh.

"Of course! I'll never forget that as long as I live," Saki said, her cheeks pink. Then she spotted someone behind Ryuki. "Oh, Asuka, you're here!" she called out.

"Well, you invited me," a voice said from behind Ryuki. He turned and saw Asuka—a cute girl with red eyes and long black hair flowing loose. She wore a dark top and pants.

Ryuki glanced around for Takeru, the protagonist, but he wasn't there. Did Asuka come alone?

"Little brother, I invited Asuka today. She wants some advice," Saki said, stepping beside Ryuki.

Ryuki looked at Saki, then at Asuka. Her face was bright red. He wondered what was up with her. Since Saki and Asuka were in the same class, they got along well. Ryuki hoped it stayed that way. He didn't want them to suffer like they did in the game. He'd make sure nothing like that happened. Thinking of his dreams sent a chill down his spine. After that first dream about Asuka, he'd had more—each showing the awful things that happened to her. He feared the next one might be about Saki. He didn't want that.

"Urgh… it's… embarrassing," Asuka mumbled, struggling to speak. Her face stayed red. She took a deep breath and blurted, "I love my brother so much. Even though he's my brother, I want him more than anyone. It feels so weird. So… I want you to help me fall for another guy." By the end, her face and ears were dark red. She looked down, eyes closed, too shy to meet their gaze.

Ryuki was caught off guard. He knew Asuka loved her brother, but this early? They were only six years old. Did kids that age even understand love? Was it the influence of TV and the internet, or just how this game world worked?

In the game, Asuka never questioned her feelings. She knew it was strange but kept it hidden. She acted like it didn't matter. One of her famous lines was: "Even if my brother falls in love, gets married, has kids, and grows old without loving me, I'm okay. I'll just love him. I can't imagine myself with anyone else. I'll carry this love in my heart until I die."

But now, in real life, she doubted herself and wanted to move on. What should Ryuki do?

After thinking for a moment, he said, "You love your brother because he's the only guy you really know and trust. If you talk to other boys, you'll see there are lots of good people out there. You might find someone else eventually." He hoped this would help.

Ryuki and Takeru were best friends. Takeru wanted his sister to end up with a great guy. He'd even visited Asuka's class, talking to all the boys, but couldn't find anyone better than Ryuki to be her future husband. Takeru was already trying to pair them up. At this point, he wasn't a sister-obsessed guy like he'd become later. That's why Ryuki gave Asuka this advice. He hoped she'd meet other boys, realize they weren't special, and see her brother was the best. That might make her love him even more.

"Thank you," Asuka said. Then Saki suggested, "Let's play a game together!" The three of them played in the park for a while. Before they left, Saki kicked the slide a few times again, making Ryuki and Asuka laugh.