The Sakamaki Sister (OG character)

Chapter VI - The Siblings are Together Again

"I'm so happy to finally meet you Onii-san"

Reiji's hand was still caught between the two smaller ones of his sister.

She called me 'Onii-san'...

The word turned over and over in his head. It was of course unfamiliar to Reiji to be referred to in this way. His brothers hardly, if ever, addressed each other with fondness or warmth. In spite of that, Reiji had decided he liked it. If it was her, then he felt he could accept any mode of address.

"Tadaima!"

So the others have finally arrived.

Haruna's face lit up as she turned once again toward the door leading out to the hallway. Before she let go of Reiji's hand, Reiji stopped her once again. "Perhaps we should find you something more suitable to wear before you meet the others."

Haruna released his hand and stepped back, looking down at her thin, loose white gown that she had worn ever since she fell into her slumber. The right sleeve of the gown had slipped down a bit to reveal her shoulder and collar bone. She also realized that she was barefooted; her ankles and calves naked and exposed.

She quickly turned away from her brother, mortified at her lack of proper clothing. She hugged her arms across her chest in a feeble attempt to cover herself and felt her cheeks grow hot.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"

"It's fine."

Truth be told, Reiji found this display of embarrassment quite... alluring. He quickly shook these useless thoughts from his head and made his way to exit the bedroom.

"I'm sure there are still some women's clothing around here from the mothers. Give me a moment to find you something."

Before Haruna was able to thank him, an excited and impatient knocking on the door made her jump.

"Reiji-saaan~, is nee-chan awake yet? Kanato and I got her some cute clothes and I want to help her try them on!!"

Reiji's relaxed mood was wiped away in an instant and replaced with his usual mood of stoic-with-a-hint-of-irritation. He opened the door roughly and snatched the shopping bags from Laito and Kanato. Before the two other brothers could object the door was slammed shut in their faces.

"Oi you can't keep her all to yourself, you bastard!"
"Neh Reiji let me see nee-chan!"
"Ooo Are you doing something shameful in there Reiji-san?"

The triplets continued their protesting but were ignored by their grey-haired older brother.

Reiji set the bags on the floor in front of Haruna. She still had her back toward him, not wanting to accidentally reveal herself, but she was looking over her shoulder at her older brother as he set down the bags of clothes that Laito and Kanato were kind enough to bring her.

"Take your time getting changed. I'll gather the others in the parlor and we will wait for you there."

Haruna now found herself alone in the bedroom. Before she even thought about getting dressed, she noted to herself how Reiji wouldn't look her in the eye as he left.

I hope I didn't offend him with my appearance.

Deciding there wasn't much to be done about it now, Haruna began searching through the shopping bags.

After all this time, I finally get to meet my older brothers.

To her despair, she found several of the items Laito and Kanato had picked for her didn't suit a more modest style which she would have preferred. In fact, some of these clothes were downright... provocative.

Surely they didn't mean to pick such revealing items...

She selected a blouse and a skirt that would have to do for now. The top was a white knitted sweater with a high neck line (thank goodness for that) and the skirt, though still a bit short, was one of the lengthier choices; black with a slip beneath it. Somewhere in the bags was also a pair of black heeled boots that she slipped her small bare feet into. She tucked the bottom of the blouse into the skirt and sheepishly examined herself in a beautiful standing mirror in the corner of the room.

"This will have to do."

It was odd to see her own reflection. She has grown since before her slumber and seeing the difference now was almost overwhelming. There were curves that weren't once there; though her facial features still had a youthful innocence about them, they were more shapely . Her fingers felt her own cheeks and lips.

It's still me but... different.

She turned her face from side to side and slowly approached the mirror for a closer look.

I look a bit like Mama.

The thought both warmed her heart and saddened her at the same time.

"I shouldn't make them wait any longer."

Thoughts raced around her mind so that when she started hearing the muffled voices of several men she realized she had already made her way to the parlor but couldn't quite remember how she got there.

Her hand paused on the beautiful, ornate doorknob that would lead her to her brothers. They're only steps away.

And here I am too frightened to go in.

Somehow, after what felt like hours of standing outside the parlor, Haruna forced herself to be brave. She turned the knob and heard the click of the latch as the muffled voices inside went silent.

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"Neh Teddy, nee-chan is taking too long."

Kanato bounced his Teddy on his lap and kicked his feet back and forth. He was sitting next to Ayato who was also growing increasingly impatient.

"Ore-sama won't keep waiting like this. If she doesn't come down soon I'll go get her. I don't care if she's ready or not."

"You will do no such thing."

Honestly, Reiji thought to himself, he has the patience of an infant.

Off to the side, Subaru clenched his fists in anger. "How much longer are we supposed to wait??"

"Quiet. It hasn't been very long."

Shu spoke from where he laid on the opposite end of the room, never opening his eyes, much to Subaru's and also Reiji's frustration.

Laito sighed lustfully, bringing his hands up to his reddened cheeks dramatically. "I can't wait to see what outfit she picked out! The thought alone excites me!"

Before Reiji could chide his inappropriate younger brother, they all heard the latch of the doorknob click and slowly swing open. The silence and anticipation within the room was tangible.

Each of the brother's eyes focused hard in the directed of the noise. Even Shu's eyes were glued to the door rather than the backs of his eyelids as usual.

"Ohayō Gozaimasu." Haruna hesitantly stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. All eyes were on her and she felt the weight of each one.

She balled up her left hand and pressed it firmly to her chest while making her way towards her brothers to face each of them properly. Bending at the hips, she gave a perfect bow.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Haruna."