Chapter 7 Reconciliation
"I was just... scared that my existence might no longer be needed by you..."
"That's not true. This past year, I've realized it painfully. I'm a man who can't do anything without you... I don't even know how to interact with children."
"Me too... I convinced myself I no longer had a place here, but I still couldn't leave your side. I took out my frustration on Yumie... I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. I'm the one who should apologize."
The conversation continued as I desperately held back my tears. It seemed that, for now, these two were fine.
"I have no idea what you two have been talking about since earlier..."
Elder Brother, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up.
He pulled me into a tight embrace and shouted toward our parents.
"No matter how you were born, Yumie is still my little sister!! Dad and Mom... shouldn't they be the first to apologize to Yumie?!"
"Elder Brother, I'm okay..."
"How can you be okay?! Even if Dad and Mom made up, if Yumie is sad, it means nothing!! Yumie is already... my precious family!!"
Tears that I had been holding back overflowed again, not just mine, but Elder Brother's eyes were filled with tears too.
"Yumie, I'm sorry for everything until now...! From now on, no matter what happens, I'll protect you. I'll work hard to be a proper big brother, making up for all the times I couldn't! So..."
Elder Brother tightened his embrace, almost painfully. But right now, that strong grip felt strangely comforting.
"Please don't say you'll leave... stay by my side, always... show me your smile, Yumie..."
"...!!"
Haha... Elder Brother is such a fool. He's easily tricked by the smile I "made" just to be liked by him.
If he keeps this up, he'll have a hard time with girls in the future.
But... I can't fool my own heart. To hear Elder Brother call me family... to be told to stay close, to keep smiling. I'm so happy, it feels overwhelming.
"Neil is right. ...I'm sorry, Yumie. I kept making excuses about not knowing how to treat you, and I avoided being involved with you. I'm really sorry."
Dad crouched next to me, bowing his head in remorse.
I jumped into his chest.
"You don't have to apologize. I understand how much trouble you went through just to bring me into this house. I only feel gratitude towards you, Dad. But... but..."
I lifted my face, looking up at my father with tear-filled eyes.
"From now on... even if it's just sometimes, can I lean on you like this, Father...?"
"Ah, of course!"
My father hugged me tightly. His strength, even greater than Elder Brother's, was so overwhelming that I felt like I might actually be crushed. It was suffocating.
It was Mother who rescued me from the overpowering embrace.
"Are you trying to crush Yumie? You need to hold back a little."
"Uh... s-sorry."
At my mother's scolding, Father shrank back, looking small. His rare display of weakness was amusing, and I couldn't help but smile a little.
Then, my mother turned to face me.
"Yumie... I'm sorry from my side too. You haven't done anything wrong, yet I've treated you so badly for so long. I know saying sorry isn't enough, but... you might really hate me now, and that's understandable..."
For the first time, I saw my mother's frightened expression. As she gently reached out her hand toward me, it trembled reflexively, and she quickly pulled it back.
Still, she managed to speak her words.
"...Could you give me another chance to be your family?"
"Sniff... Waaaah...!"
Tears overflowed from my eyes again.
This really... isn't something that can be resolved with an apology.
Crying in front of the whole family is a lifelong embarrassment. I'm sure I'll remember this and cringe for the rest of my life.
But... at least when I think about this moment in the future, I hope it will become a funny story.
Please, love me properly as your family...
"Despite all the unpleasant things, I can't bring myself to hate you!! Mother...!!"
As I voiced all the feelings I had as "Yumie," I hugged my mother with my tear-streaked face.
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