Childhood Period: I am here part 1

- "Your father was hit by a truck; the driver was drunk, and the brakes stopped working."

-"I still don't understand how that would make me feel better, adding that my mother could have died in the same accident; he preferred to take her off the road before anything happened to her."

-Nii-nii.

Lowering his gaze, Masaki squeezed my hand tighter, pulling me out of my thoughts.

-You look distracted.

-Don't worry, Maki-chan, I'm just easily distracted.

-Oh, you can't do that; you have to take care of me. Daddy will be mad if you don't take care of me.

-Yes, you're right.

-When will he be back? In which country did he travel? Will he bring back any souvenirs?

-I think it's uncertain to tell you now, Maki-chan, but I will take care of you until he returns.

-YAY! But you'll see, today at school, we will...

-"She still doesn't understand the concept of death; she's only 4 years old, but it hasn't been long since I turned 5, and as I promised, I'll accompany her to school from now on."

Holding back the urge to cry, I look ahead at the road while listening to my little sister talk.

-"What am I saying? I don't have the mindset of a 5-year-old; I'm much older than that..."

~Come, come~

-Nii-nii, look.

Looking to the side, there was an elderly woman with white hair and a wrinkled face, dressed in an apron and a brown sweater, distributing books with many children around her.

-Children, don't be shy, come.

The woman signaled while my sister pointed in her direction. We decided to approach.

-You can take anything from the box.

Being close, the diversity of colorful books in the box was noticeable. Masaki didn't take long to find a story she liked; it had a picture of a woman riding a gray unicorn.

-'The Princess of the Mounts' is a good book for bedtime. Good choice, sweetheart.

-AYE.

My sister took the book and hugged it quickly.

-Don't you want something from here, kid?

-No, thank you. If my sister wants something else, she can take it from my turn.

-Are you sure?

The old lady stood up, searching through things in another box, and pulled out a thick book.

-You seem like a very smart kid, so I'll give you something to spark your curiosity. Take this; it's a 'Reptiles' guide, although only the pages about snakes are clearer.

Opening the guide, she showed a color photo of a real cobra.

-Old things don't matter how much time passes; many of them have the same meaning, kid.

Handing the book to me, the old lady leaned in to caress the side of my face.

-But everyone must know how to interpret them.

-Sure...

-In your case, you should know that this guide costs ¥770 yen ($5.5 USD).

Looking at her with a confused expression, raising an eyebrow, and curving my face, I see the old lady.

-It's a joke; you just paid me with that expression, kid.

-I love my nii-nii.

Hugging me on the side, the girl showed a sincere smile.

-"How beautiful innocence is, but above all..." I also love my sister.

-"I also love my family, and I must show it."

Cradling my sister's head, I lower my head a bit in front of the woman.

-Thank you.

-Don't worry, kid.

.........

Wearing a sock in hand, he imitated a man's deep voice.

-Then princess will you yield to me the honor of wearing it?

-Mr. Kaze (風) you must honor your code and obey your princess.

When I heard the door open my younger sister got up from the floor where she was sitting followed by me.

-I'm back

-Welcome Kizuna

-Nee-chan

 The sky was dark and my older sister left her backpack at the entrance, although she was still as expressionless as ever I could not detect any attempt to be calm.

-Hello Kai, Masaki

-"Since a week ago this 'routine' became my new daily life she started to call me just Kai".

My sister taking off her shoes to enter left her things at the door.

-How were your classes with Saeko?

-Good

-"When I started exercising and being in Karate plus learning a new language for our father my sister wanted something for her she couldn't keep up with us when we went out."

- "Apparently she was an old acquaintance of Saeko's mother and my sister Kizuna had a good voice besides learning to play the violin she was in extra lessons with Saeko"

Kizuna hugged Masaki bending down before she spoke

-Masaki calm down daddy won't come again today

-Ehhhh why?

-"I must say that she's stronger than she looks, even though she's in the fourth grade, she's starting to look like a young lady"

-She has earrings

-Do you like the dinner mom prepared for us?

-Yes

Nodding Kizuna let go of Masaki so she could stand up.

.........

~Thank you for the food.~

-*yawn* Nii-nii...

-Be calm Maki-chan before you sleep you should take a bath.

Lifting Masaki from her chair, I carried her in my arms while she rested her head on my shoulders.

-I will give Maki-chan a bath, the water got hot while we were eating, Kizuna please make yourself comfortable.

Nodding he got up from his chair leaving the dishes in their place.

-"Even though I've been with her for five years I have a feeling she wants to tell me something."

*****************************************************

POV Kizuna

Passing another plate in the sink, the soap falls off the plate and is clean.

-"This is so heavy I'm a big sister too but..."

With no more dishes to wash I was just cleaning the remaining dirt with a stream of water.

-I don't have the courage, I'm not trustworthy enough either!

-I'm out

Looking back I see a boy with a short stature and bright gray eyes giving me a smile. 

- "It's my little brother" uhm....

-Oooh, you did the dishes thank you.

Coming closer I notice that he's only wearing a light fashion of clothes, his clothes are a bit wet.

- "Masaki is very energetic even when she's half asleep" uhm....

-You can take a bath now Kizuna, I have to pick up what Maki-chan threw away.

The boy after nodding walked to the side to make way for me.

- "Since I know him he can do anything I should start taking that step too" uhm....

-Excuse me

Turning away from my sight he looks at the boy from behind.

- "Look at me too I need to tell you something but I want you to look at me" uhm....

Not being able to make any gesture I start to despair clenching my hands.

-Is something wrong?

The boy turned in my direction before leaving the room.

- "I must clear things up I must tell him that I can be of help too" uhm

-Sister, if you have something to tell me you are free to talk to me.

The boy changed his route to my direction as he walked I lowered my head.

-No...

-You know, I know when you lie and this would be the first excitement in a week so you can talk to me.

-No...it's...nothing

-Don't you trust me anymore?

Raising my head I look at the boy in front of me.

-"That"... is playing dirty Kai-chan.

-So do you have something to tell me?

Nodding I moved closer to the boy

-"Although you are only as tall as my chest, you are bigger than me..." You see....

-Kizuna speaks

-I want to take a bath with you

My face could not express that emotion of relief at that moment however the boy rounded his eyes more at my request.

-Please