At that time

Wakaba was troubled.

Even though she was a child

girls grow up too fast.

She understood Daiki’s mother’s story to some extent.

“The uncle who was with Daiki’s mom today liked Daiki’s mom!

However, Daiki’s father forced her hand and took her away.”

It is somewhat right.

“That’s why Daiki’s real father

is the uncle who was here today!”

Since they didn’t know how to have children, it was a matter of feelings, and they judged that the father was not the same.

Still, she was well aware of Daiki’s shock.

“I will protect Daiki!”

She promised herself

“I’m like a big sister.

It’s only natural for me to protect my little brother!”

Is what she thought.

Since neither Wakaba nor Daiki had any siblings, Wakaba was like the older sister and Daiki was like the younger brother.

Wakaba was trying to protect him as if she was his real sister.

She also grew up to be a good, bright and kind girl with a strong sense of justice.

At that time, she had no idea about romantic feelings, and she really thought that protecting Daiki was her role as a big sister.

With these thoughts in mind, she went to sleep that night.

The next day, as usual, she picked Daiki up brightly and cheerfully and headed off to school.

As they headed to school, she said to Daiki

“I know yesterday was tough.

I’ll take good care of you.

Don’t worry, Daiki!”

She encouraged him cheerfully.

“Thank you, Wakaba.”

The reply was a bit lackluster, but that was enough for Wakaba, who had decided to protect him.

“I just need to be there for Daiki so that you can be your normal self.”

She thought

After arriving at the school, they talked by gender as usual, but today she tried to talk to Daiki as much as possible.

Daiki was also able to smile and talk as usual by talking with Wakaba.

Seeing Daiki enjoying talking with his male friends, Wakaba felt a sense of relief.

“He’s laughing as usual!

That’s good!”

she thought.

That day, school ended without incident, and they left together as usual, talking happily as they went home.

“No worries!

Put your luggage down

And let’s go to the park!”

Wakaba cheerfully told him and urged him to enter his house.

He didn’t seem to be here today, but Daiki came out in a hurry.

He ran to the park to get away from the house as fast as he could.

When he arrived at the park, he caught his breath and started to play in the park.

Daiki had been a little down since he left his luggage at home, but he started to play happily as usual.

Wakaba felt relieved too.

On this day, she played with Daiki more than usual to keep him from thinking bad things.

“So glad to see Daiki having so much fun!”

Wakaba looked satisfied.

When she returned home from the park, she was worried again.

“Daiki will be fine if he does as well as he did today!”

Wakaba thought.

From the next day, she talked to Daiki as much as possible at school, and they spent more time together.

She became more friendly with everyone in the class and the atmosphere in the class became better and better.

Daiki was also laughing and having fun at school.

“As a big sister.

I can rest easy now!”

She thought to herself.

She became too aware of herself as Daiki’s older sister and began to think that she had become his real sister.

Because of this, she mistakenly believed that she had no romantic feelings for Daiki, and began to believe that she and Daiki were like real siblings.

Wakaba’s feelings for Daiki began to drift apart.