Onii-chan?

When I enter the kitchen, Mom is handling the frying pan, a delicious smell of fish and vegetables tickling my sense of smell.

We're not having curry again?

I take care of the table while Koyori throws a horribly oversized apron over her canary dress. Eagerly, she's observing Mom prepare the fried fish, and the woman shows her the magic of cooking just as eagerly. Their interaction feels so natural that I'm beginning to doubt it's their first time meeting.

It's like Koyori is part of the family already rather than just a visitor. What are they keeping from me?!

Soon, the food is served. While the prospect of having Mom's fried fish activates my salivary glands preemptively, I just can't help but say it out loud.

"We're not having curry again? Did you let it spoil or what's up here?"

"Oh, don't you love my fried fish recipe just as much?" Mom jeers at me nonchalantly, quickly initiating the usual 'thank you for the food' chant before elaborating.

"The curry is still fine. You can eat it instead if you prefer."

That's not what I meant, Mom.

"Then why did you make fried fish if we still have leftovers?" I specify while sampling the fish. Naturally, it's delicious and it's showing on my face.

Mom exchanges a meaningful glance with Koyori before she answers my inquiry.

"Koyori really wanted to learn a thing or two about cooking. Besides, there was a generous amount of money in the envelope."

There was WHAT?!

I can't believe it, my shocked expression meeting Koyori's bright expression as if demanding validation.

"Yori-chan isn't cheap, oh no no no," the girl explains, chuckling at my dumbfounded face. "Since she's staying here for a good while, Mommy gave her money so Yori-chan doesn't make Kei-kun's family poor."

While her response registers in my mind, I still can't believe it. How long is she going to stay here? I HAVE to find out.

With a sense of dread, I look up from my meal to utter the weirdest question I've ever asked.

"Mom? Enough with the secrecy! If we're going to adopt her, I need to know for several reasons!"

The two females are exchanging confused glances. Then, Mom settles on a hilarious answer.

"Well, I didn’t know that you wanted a sibling all this time, Kei."

Yeah, that's, like, the first time I've EVER heard about it!

As far as roasts are concerned, Mom's a reliable source of them. Outwitting her equals the challenge of asking Koyori to marry me right now, right here. In other words, not happening. I'll let her have this one.

"Me? Kei-kun's little sister?" Koyori suddenly inquires with a silly face. "Well, I love the thought of it!"

Part of me feels like having her as my little sister wouldn't be too bad but, considering the fact that she's an extremely attention-hungry girl, I'd hardly ever get a moment for myself anymore. Besides, it'd suddenly be weird to like each other for entirely different reasons…

"Well, I'm not sure if I want a sibling," I explain matter-of-factly to discourage Koyori from it. Unfortunately, the trap had already been laid out for me.

"Kei-kun! Does that mean you don't want Yori-chan to stay forever?"

Yori throws an exaggerated pout across the dinner table. I can feel Mom's gleeful grin on me as I struggle to save my face.

"Well, you know…"

I fail terribly at explaining myself. Koyori's pout soon changes somewhat into a pleading face.

"Pwease let Yori-chan be your cute little sister."

Wait, is she serious about this?!

When I don't answer, she attacks me with pure, concentrated force.

"Onii… Chan?"

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

The word hits me like a shuriken going straight through my heart. I literally fall from my chair in a most dramatic fashion, earning a round of laughter on my expanse.

Koyori, don't ever call me that name again! I might not survive the heart attack!

Grumbling, I return to my seat, murdering the remaining fish on my plate and deciding to ask Koyori in private later. After all, there's just so much I don't know about her.

*

"Just to clarify," Mom speaks to me as I help her clean up. "Koyori is naturally just visiting. Why'd you think we're adopting her?"

Koyori has left for the bath. Her getting to use it first is just one of many tell-tale signs that Mom is treating her like a daughter. I mean dang, she's at least ten times nicer to her than she is to me!

"Just a hunch," I reply, my voice barely mumbling as I sort the plates into the dishwasher.

"She's a very bright girl and she's really fond of you for some reason," Mom states matter-of-factly, completely seeing through my half-honest words. "I'm just doing my part. Make her feel at home too, will you Kei?"

"Mom, what's that supposed to mean?" I sigh in annoyance, shoving the door of the dishwasher shut quite audibly in my irritation.

"It means that I think both of you need each other a lot more than you think, Keiichi," she elaborates, continuing with an expression that lingers between amusement and worry. "When was the last time you brought a friend over?"

Ugh, I didn’t talk to you just to be lectured.

Mom's not done though, taking note of my annoyed expression.

"Well, I'm just saying. You know her background. This may be the only chance to see her in a long time so use it well."

Her background, that's right.

Begrudgingly, I have to admit that Mom isn't just trying to toast me for being the kind of kid that I am.

"I know she's quite a handful but I'm sure you'll end up helping each other a lot more than you might think right now."

… which doesn't change the fact, though, that she's hiding something from me. Honestly, it doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

Mom is trying to smile at me though she doesn't have enough faith in me to make it seem convincing in the slightest. There's something concerning Koyori and her stay here she's lying about. I can't ignore this feeling any longer. Putting my serious face on, I interrogate her.

"So what's up with her sudden visit and that envelope for real?"