Lily was leaning back on the bed, propped up by her elbows as she stared at me with wide eyes. A drop of sweat rolled down her face as she asked, "W-what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" in a cautious whimper.
My face remained neutral, yet my words came out in an unrelenting barrage. "Who asked you out? How many of them? How old are they? What were their names?"
Lily stuttered as she struggled to process my outburst, but I didn't care at the moment. There were more important matters to talk about.
"Why are you stuttering? Hurry up and answer." I pressed.
Lily flinched. "I–uh–"
I leaned in closer. "You what???"
Lily shut her eyes tight, then shoved me back with a frantic, desperate strength. "Okay, okay, I'll answer! Just give me time to think! God damn!"
She pushed me hard enough that I fell back into my chair.
Lily took a deep breath.
"Geez, what is with you?!" she muttered through gritted teeth.
"What do you mean?" I answered flatly.
Lily sat straight, wrapping herself in my blanket. "What are you getting so worked up about? This isn't like you."
I crossed my arms. "What is that supposed to mean?"
The way she phrased it made it sound like my concern was completely unjustified. I think as an Older Brother, it was only natural that I'd worry over the idea that my little sister might get into a relationship.
She cocked her head to the side, calming down. "Well, it isn't like you to care so much. I didn't think it was a big deal; some guy just asked for my number."
The corner of my lips twitched ever so slightly.
Are you just stupid or what?
I took a quick, quiet breath through my nose, composing myself. "Okay, first of all, it wasn't just 'one guy', you said there were five," I stated matter-of-factly.
Lily shook her head. "Yeah, there were five people, but only one wanted my number. He was too scared, though, so his friend had to ask for him."
Okay. This is much better.
I leaned back against my chair, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible. "Okay, and did you give him your number?"
I tried asking like it was no big deal, but every second that passed without an answer felt excruciatingly long.
Lily chuckled loudly.
I tilted my head, confused. "What's so funny?"
Lily's chuckling gradually died down until no sound remained. Then, she lowered her head, a serious expression forming on her face. It wasn't every day I saw Lily serious.
"Of course. I didn't give him my number," she spat heartlessly. "If he can't ask for it on his own, he doesn't deserve it."
As a guy, I felt kind of bad for him. It was hard to ask a girl for her number, so I could understand why he'd rely on his friend.
But as Lily's Brother… I couldn't have been prouder!
She's damn right! If you can't ask on your own, you don't deserve it—especially if it's my sister!
An unknowing, proud smile crept onto my face as I nodded supportively. "Yep, that's right. You did the right thing, good job."
Lily simply shrugged. "What else would you expect? Just because I'm not as egotistical as you doesn't mean I don't have any pride at all."
Okay, you didn't have to word it like that, but everything else I agree with.
"Anyway," I said, moving on, "what happened to the other four people?"
Now that the serious part was over, Lily collapsed back into bed. She snuggled in until she got comfortable and replied, "Oh, them? They tried asking Yuka and me, but I turned them down. Yuka got all their numbers, though."
A surprised "Huh," slipped out of me. I didn't think Yuka would actually say yes. I knew she just liked having fun and everything, but accepting all five was insane.
"Did she find any of them attractive?" I asked.
"Nope," Lily replied instantly.
…What?
My eyes narrowed. "Then… why did she agree to it?"
"Because she just wanted to mess with them," Lily replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Suddenly, her face hardened, and she went completely stiff. She muttered something under her breath, which I couldn't hear.
"Uh, you mind saying that a little louder?" I asked.
Lily let out a loud groan before repeating, "Yuka says that if it's not you, then she isn't interested!"
My mind blanked. I could already picture a smug Yuka sticking out her tongue and winking. A cold sweat ran down my back.
"You need to do something about her…" I whispered in a low voice.
Lily sank dejectedly into the bed. "I've tried, but she doesn't listen. I think I'm close to giving up."
Then it's just over for me!
"Anyway!" Lily exclaimed as she energetically climbed out of my bed and ran to the door. "I'm bored, so I'll get going now. Goodnight, stupid Brother!"
Without giving me a chance to defend myself, she slammed the door closed and retreated into her room.
I rolled my eyes.
You always have to be so dramatic.
Now that Lily was gone, the silence returned. For the first time, it was sterile. It was... different.
I pushed myself off the chair and climbed into bed. I usually liked it when it was cold and untouched, but the warmth right now… wasn't so bad.
...I guess it's a breath of fresh air once in a while.
Without even bothering to get up and turn off the lights, I closed my eyes. I told myself I'd get up in a minute, but before I even realized it, the consciousness faded away, carried by the lingering warmth.
***
Dad POV:
It was around 11:00 p.m. by the time I arrived upstairs. My schedule for the past six years had always been the same. Wake up at 7:00, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, eat dinner, spend time downstairs for a while, and repeat.
I would have loved to spend more time with my kids, but they were at the age where once they finished school, they either hung out with their friends or stayed in their room. As a Dad, I felt both proud—but also a little regretful.
I wish… I could have spent just a little more time with them before they grew up anymore.
But I reaped what I sowed.
I should be happy that I even get this much…
As I reached the top of the stairs, I noticed a faint ray of light that stretched along the floor. I followed it, which led to my Son's room.
I couldn't help but shake my head. I've told him over and over not to stay up too late—since it wasn't good for him—but I couldn't force the issue.
Still, maybe I could just check on him. Maybe… I could talk to him—just for a moment.
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped at the thought of it. The fact that I had to use parenting as an excuse to talk to him… how sad was that?
Still, I'd take what I could get. Just one more talk. Just one more conversation. If it were for the sake of that, then I'd keep doing it.
I quietly walked over to his room and opened the door. The blinding light burned my eyes, causing me to squint. When they finally adjusted, I glanced around his room.
For a boy, his room was unusually clean, even cleaner than mine. I guess that was what happened when your Mom is my wife, though. If she ever found a single speck of dirt in his room, he'd never hear the end of it.
My eyes scanned the surroundings until they landed on the bed. He was knocked out cold, almost like a child.
An indescribable feeling of warmth and tightness blossomed within my chest. My Son always looked so cold, so detached, but right now, he seemed calm—almost satisfied.
It made me happy beyond words—but that only made the plague of guilt in my heart all the heavier.
I bit the inside of my mouth.
It's… all my fault.
I knew it was too late. I knew I couldn't erase the past. But still, I would keep trying.
...Because I'm his Dad.
I took a deep breath, then smiled. I knew he wouldn't see my smile, but that was okay. He'd see it when he woke up tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after that.
My gaze lingered on him just for a little while longer until I lifted my hand and flicked the light off.
"Goodnight."
With that, I turned around and headed back to my room.