It was now Saturday morning, the very next day after the fight between Mom and Lily had taken place.
I was in the middle of getting dressed when Lily barged into my room. She didn't knock, and she didn't even greet me; she just flopped onto my bed and let out a sigh that must have been building since yesterday.
"Mannnn, that was rough."
I didn't need to ask what she was talking about. Obviously, she was referencing yesterday's fight.
Despite her complaining, however, she didn't seem as small or vulnerable as the last time it happened. While part of it may be bravado, that still didn't make it any less impressive.
"C'monnn Hoshinooooo, why are you ignoring meeeee?" She leaned over the edge of the bed and began poking my back.
"Heyyyy, talk to me goddammit! I was really scared, you know? So be a good Brother and comfort me!"
What the hell is wrong with you? One moment, you can fight Mom, and the next you're begging for attention? And I never allowed you in my room anyway!
While my sister was being extremely annoying, I still ended up giving her a celebratory pat on the head regardless.
"There," I muttered. "Are you happy now?"
She closed her eyes and childishly snuggled herself closer to my hand. "Hihihi! Thank you!"
What a spoiled brat.
Still, I let her stay like that for just a little while longer before pulling away.
"Okay, now go away. I need to finish putting on my hoodie."
"Aww, but I was just getting comfortable…" she complained with a dissatisfied pout.
"I'll get you some sushi on the way home if you leave."
Lily instantly jumped off my bed, giving me a wide, overdramatic, militaristic salute. "That's a promise! No take-backs! I'll be seeing you after school then!"
With a big wave, she skipped out of my room just as quickly as she had intruded. Once she was finally gone, I let out a loud sigh.
Just how quickly does her mood change? There's no way that's healthy...
I was now left alone in my room. With no one there but me, it should have been completely silent. Yet, if one listened closely enough at just the right time, a small, almost non-existent chuckle rang out.
I hope that stupid sister of mine doesn't change.
After that, I finished getting changed, grabbed my phone, earbuds, and wallet, and then proceeded down the stairs.
The living room atmosphere was exactly as you would expect—a vacuum of tension. The air was so heavy it felt like wading through deep water.
Yet Lily managed to skip down the stairs with a light hum, as if it were no big deal. I'm sure it was just for appearances' sake, but that went a long way.
Mom was serving Dad breakfast. Her soft, angelic smile had returned, just like she did every day. Except—she didn't speak. Dad didn't say thank you. And they didn't bother to acknowledge Lily and me.
It was still a little early, but I wasn't in the mood to linger in this suffocating room any longer.
So, I grabbed my bag, put on my shoes, and left the house. Lily followed shortly after. Our parents didn't even see us out.
Without wasting any time, we began walking down the usual path we took to school.
As the house faded into the distance, Lily let out a massive sigh of relief. When I didn't say anything, she did it again—louder, more dramatic. I still didn't say anything.
Irritated, she jabbed me on the elbow. "Ugh! This is where you ask what's wrong!"
What are you, my girlfriend? I don't have to ask things I already know the answer to.
"Well, I know what's wrong," I said flatly, giving her as little attention as possible. "There's no point in asking."
Lily let out a loud, exasperated scoff. "Are you kidding me? I want you to ask! So hurry up and ask!"
"Fine..." I sighed. "What's wrong?"
Lily crossed her arms, satisfied. "Good! Now, allow me to explain. Wasn't it so awkward this morning?"
"No shit. What did you expect? That you and Mom would just go back to talking all buddy-buddy?"
I knew my sister was stupid, but I didn't think she was this slow. Not everyone has the gall to walk up and talk to the person they fought with the day before as if nothing happened. It should've been so obvious.
Lily hit me again. This time, with her foot—and a lot harder. "Do you think I'm stupid?! I know that—and it isn't what I meant."
"I dunno," I said, as if truly ignorant. "It's hard to tell with you."
"Oh, shut up!" Lily snapped her head away from me and flicked her hair in my face. Or at least, she tried to—but the wind blew it back in her face.
I laughed out loud—in a way that was possible to ignore—as she struggled getting it out of her face and mouth.
Once she finished, Lily cleared her throat, desperate to move on from what just happened. "Anywayyyy, I meant Mom and Dad. I knew Mom would be avoiding me, and by extension, you as well—but Dad? Did something happen?"
That's right, she didn't know. By the time Mom and Dad had their little scuffle, Lily had already holed herself up in her room.
I responded with a simple shrug, my voice as monotone as always. "I don't know. Mom's in a bad mood, so Dad is probably just giving her space. I'd do the same thing if I were him."
"Wowwww, is that so? What an understanding husband!"
Of course, that was a lie. I couldn't tell Lily that Mom and Dad were fighting. The guilt would eat her alive. One of Lily's biggest fears is Mom and Dad fighting, so I had no choice.
"Don't overthink it," I said. "Things will get normal eventually."
"I know."
That's what she said, and yet, when I glanced over at her, she was gripping her arm with a troubled expression.
Instead of probing, I simply remained quiet and allowed her to start whenever she felt like it.
"If I'm being honest," she said in a slightly hushed tone. "I'm not that mad at Mom anymore. I'm still annoyed, obviously, but it's just... awkward now."
"Well, that's pretty normal," I assured her monotonously. "It was the same way whenever we fought back then. Except sometimes we would ignore each other for days—or even longer."
Lily shivered. "I don't want to think about that. Those were dark times."
I couldn't agree more. To be honest, I didn't want to think about that either. Lately, my relationship with Lily—while not as simple as it was when we were kids—has been getting better.
I liked where it was right now.
"Then don't think about it," I said, ending the topic. "Just move on."
Lily burst out laughing. I looked at her, wondering if I'd accidentally said something funny. Seeing my confused face, she only laughed louder.
"...What's so funny?" I grumbled.
"Hahaha! It's nothing, it's nothing," she replied, wiping a tear from her eye as her laughter gradually died down. "It's just—that was such a you thing to say..."
Suddenly, as if losing her footing, Lily began to wobble until she coincidentally found herself leaning her head against my arm as support.
I instinctively tried pushing her off, but she wrapped her arms around mine too quickly.
Words of protest rose in my throat, but seeing her satisfied face, what came out instead was a resigned sigh.
...Whatever.
We continued walking forward in silence while staying as we were.
But that silence didn't last too long.
"...Except—I can't forget," Lily said softly, her eyes focusing on something far off in the distance. "I'm not like you. So…"
Then, she turned to me with a bright smile on her face. "I won't!"
It sounded like just another typical "Lily" thing to say. But for some reason, a part of me felt like I was missing something.
But before I could think too deeply about it, Lily let out a childish giggle.
"Sooo, what sushi are you gonna get me?"
"Avocado rolls, probably."
"Hihihi, those are my favourites!"
"Yeah, I know. You've told me this a million times."
"And I'll tell you a million more if you keep complaining!"
I couldn't help but sigh with my same neutral expression.
We continued on our way to school with our usual banter, leaving the unnecessary things behind.