After ending the call with her parents, a shy flush appeared on Mahiru's face. She turned to Yuki, looking a bit awkward and embarrassed.
"Sorry, Big Brother Yuki, my parents are just like that sometimes. Please don't mind them."
Yuki, keeping his eyes on the road while driving, shook his head.
"It's alright. Parents worrying about their children is a normal reaction."
"Especially for a girl as pretty and cute as you, Mahiru. It's normal for them to worry about you being taken advantage of."
"I understand!"
These few simple words dissolved the awkwardness in Mahiru's heart.
Particularly hearing Yuki call her pretty and cute, a shy blush bloomed on the young girl's cheeks, and an unconscious sense of joy welled up inside her.
As the car continued to race along the highway, Mahiru saw many of Tokyo's famous landmarks flash by the window.
Whether it was the towering Tokyo Tower or the vast expanse of blue that was Tokyo Bay... even though she had seen them many times before, at this moment, they gave her a completely different feeling.
Perhaps this sense of difference was because of the person accompanying her right now!
Thinking this, Mahiru stopped looking at the scenery outside. Instead, her gaze kept drifting towards Yuki. She found herself deeply captivated by his handsome profile, her eyes unable to look away.
Although Yuki was driving, given his current abilities, he didn't really need to watch the road. He could drive with his eyes closed. So, while he was driving, Yuki had actually been aware of Mahiru in the passenger seat the whole time.
Sensing the growing infatuation in Mahiru's eyes, Yuki gently turned his head, a faint smile on his face.
"What's up, Mahiru?"
Yuki's sudden question snapped the girl out of her reverie.
Coming back to her senses and noticing Yuki's gentle smile directed at her, Mahiru's heart skipped a beat. Flustered, she quickly shook her head, trying to regain her composure.
"N-no, nothing!"
"Big Brother Yuki, watch the road! It's scary when you turn to look at me like that!"
The girl hurriedly changed the subject, urging Yuki to look away.
"Alright, alright."
Hearing this, the corner of Yuki's mouth lifted slightly. He agreed and turned his head back, pretending to focus on driving.
Mahiru, having collected herself, thought for a moment and then started a casual conversation to ease the mood.
Her gaze fell on the imposing Tokyo Tower nearby, and she asked:
"Big Brother Yuki, have you ever been up the Tokyo Tower?"
"I have. Why do you ask?" Yuki promptly answered her question.
Back when he first transmigrated here, about a month later, after getting familiar with the Itsuka family, Yuki had visited Tokyo Tower once with the Itsuka couple, Mio, and Kotori. The ticket price wasn't particularly expensive, but there were many tiers. The more you paid, the higher you could go.
"No, I was just asking," Mahiru shook her head, indicating there wasn't any special meaning.
"My family went up once before. But back then, both Kaede and I were a bit afraid of heights, so we didn't dare get too close to the windows."
"Kaede and I were pretty funny back then..."
Mahiru then started telling Yuki about past memories, even accidentally letting slip some of her and Kaede's embarrassing moments.
The two chatted happily, filling the car with a cheerful atmosphere.
As they talked, Mahiru suddenly steered the conversation back to the topic Kaede had brought up at school, about asking Yuki to be their brother, which Kotori had interrupted.
"Actually... when Kaede saw how much Kotori has a brother who dotes on her so much, she felt really envious."
"She's always wanted a big brother in her heart."
"So what she said that day... Kaede was actually serious."
After saying this, Mahiru slowly turned her head, her gaze fixed steadily and earnestly on Yuki.
Hearing this, the corner of Yuki's mouth curved upwards. He turned to give Mahiru a meaningful look before turning his attention back to the road.
"What about you, Mahiru? Haven't you ever wanted a brother in your heart?" Yuki turned the question back to her.
Mahiru's heart began to race violently at his words, pounding as if it might leap out of her chest.
"I... I, of course, would want a brother too..."
Mahiru's voice carried a hint of shyness. She lowered her head slightly, whispering as if somewhat embarrassed.
She and Kaede were twins. Perhaps because of that, they seemed like two halves of a whole from the start. Not only were they in tune with each other, sharing similar hobbies, but their attitudes towards emotions were also identical.
For example, Kaede's desire for a doting older brother was mirrored perfectly in Mahiru.
The day she met Yuki, her inner thoughts were the same as Kaede's: 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if Yuki could be our brother?'
However, compared to Kaede, she was more reserved about her feelings, not often showing them outwardly.
Hearing Mahiru's soft words, Yuki chuckled and then agreed:
"In that case, I'll be your brother then!"
"Just like Kotori, from now on, you'll both be my adopted little sisters..."
Yuki calmly announced this news.
Beside him, Mahiru's expression first froze in surprise, then realization dawned, and an irrepressible smile instantly spread across her face.
"Really?!"
"Of course, it's true!"
Yuki nodded. Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he moved his other hand slowly to rest on top of Mahiru's head. Then, he gently ruffled her soft brown hair.
Feeling Yuki's gentle touch, Mahiru's cheeks were instantly painted a shade of pink.
Her shy eyes held a glimmer of happiness and joy as she couldn't help but lightly nuzzle her head against Yuki's hand.
And just like that, Mahiru officially became Yuki's acknowledged adopted little sister.
She and Kaede now had their own brother too.
"On... Onii-chan!"
Mahiru tried calling him, her voice tinged with a hint of bashfulness.
"Mhm! Your brother's right here!"
Yuki's lips curved into a smile, and he gave her head another gentle ruffle.
Instantly, Mahiru looked like a satisfied little kitten, a blissful smile on her face as she continued to nuzzle against his hand.
Meanwhile, back at home, Kotori, who was sitting sucking on a lollipop and watching TV, suddenly sneezed.
"Achoo!"
"What's going on? Allergies?"
Kotori rubbed her nose, muttering to herself in confusion.
Beside her, Sawa Yamauchi, concerned, picked up a box of tissues and handed it to her.
"Ah! Thanks."
Kotori thanked her, took the tissue box, pulled one out, and dabbed her nose. A strange look still lingered on her face, though.
"That shouldn't be. I'm not allergic to anything, and I haven't had a cold since becoming a Spirit!"
"Could something be happening?"
"I heard from an elder before that if something unfavorable is about to happen to you, sneezing can be an omen," Sawa offered with a light, graceful smile, explaining to Kotori.
Hearing this, Kotori shook her head.
She couldn't think of anything bad that could happen to her.
With the protection of the Infinity Gems, aside from her own brother, no one in this world could harm her. So, in theory, there shouldn't be any 'unfavorable' events.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it."
Kotori shook her head. Since she couldn't figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it.
After all, if something did happen, even if she couldn't handle it herself, there was still this whole group of women at home... and her big brother to back her up.
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