A Sister’s Approval

The hug between Mahiru and Anna lingered for a moment, filled with unspoken understanding. When they finally pulled away, Anna quickly wiped her face, trying to regain her usual mischievous composure.

"Ugh, you better not tell Sam I cried," she muttered, crossing her arms. "I have a reputation to maintain."

Mahiru chuckled, wiping her own eyes. "I won't tell if you don't."

Anna smirked. "Good. I can't have him thinking I'm going soft." But then her playful expression softened. "I mean it, though. If you're serious about my brother, I'll support you."

Mahiru smiled, her heart swelling at those words.

Anna suddenly grinned. "But that doesn't mean I'll stop messing with you guys."

Mahiru sighed, laughing. "I expected nothing less."

As the two walked back through the shopping district, the heavy air from earlier had lifted, replaced with something lighter.

But then, as they turned a corner, Mahiru suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar figure standing near a bookstore—Sam.

Anna followed Mahiru's gaze and blinked. "Oh, hey, what's he doing here?"

Mahiru quickly turned to Anna. "Wait, does he know—"

But before she could finish her sentence, Anna grinned wickedly. "Ooooh, this is perfect!"

Mahiru panicked. "Anna—"

Too late.

Anna cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "OI, SAM!"

Sam, who had been casually browsing through a store window, turned his head toward them. The moment his eyes landed on Mahiru and Anna together, his entire body froze.

Mahiru groaned internally. This is not how I wanted him to find out.

Sam blinked, his gaze shifting between the two girls. "Uh… what's going on?"

Anna skipped over to her brother with a devilish grin. "Oh, nothing much. Just had a nice, long chat with Mahiru. You know, bonding and all that."

Mahiru stood awkwardly behind her, trying not to look guilty.

Sam's eyes narrowed. "…What did you do?"

Anna put a hand over her heart, feigning offense. "Me? Do anything? Come on, I'm your sweet, innocent little sister."

Mahiru had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.

Sam sighed and turned to Mahiru, his expression filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "Mahiru?"

Mahiru hesitated before finally sighing in defeat. "Anna… might have asked me some things about you."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Asked you things?"

Anna smirked. "Oh, you know, just the usual. Your deepest, darkest secrets. Your tragic backstory. Your embarrassing childhood moments—"

"Anna!" Sam groaned, covering his face.

Mahiru giggled, feeling relieved that Anna had shifted back into her usual teasing mode.

Anna winked at Mahiru. "Don't worry, I only told her the important stuff." Then she turned to Sam and patted his shoulder. "But hey, bro, I gotta say—you picked a good one."

Sam stiffened. His face turned a shade of red Mahiru had never seen before. "A-Anna, what are you even—?!"

Anna was already skipping away, waving over her shoulder. "Anyway, my job here is done! Later, lovebirds!"

Sam looked like he wanted to disappear on the spot. Mahiru, on the other hand, was laughing at his flustered reaction.

He groaned, rubbing his face. "I can't believe she…"

Mahiru smiled softly. "She cares about you, you know."

Sam sighed. "Yeah, in the most annoying way possible."

Mahiru tilted her head. "So… are you mad?"

Sam looked at her, his eyes softening. "No… Just surprised." He scratched the back of his head, glancing away. "I mean, Anna doesn't usually warm up to people this fast. She must really like you."

Mahiru felt her heart skip a beat. "You think so?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah. And… honestly, I'm kind of glad."

Mahiru's face warmed.

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other. The chaotic whirlwind that was Anna had left as quickly as she came, but something had changed. The air between them felt lighter, freer—like a new door had opened.

Mahiru took a small step closer. "Well… since we're already here, should we go somewhere?"

Sam blinked before smiling. "Yeah. Let's go."

And with that, they walked side by side, a new kind of warmth settling between them.

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