Big Brother, Little Sister

*Omi*

She comes here every day. I don�t mind. She doesn�t cause trouble. Ayame just comes around to see me. I wonder why.

�Hey Ayame,� I said one evening.

�Hm?� she asked. I finished watering the roses.

�How are things at home?� I asked. She paused as she trembled. I noticed that she wasn�t smiling. In fact, the color drained from her face.

�Fine!� she yelped. �Just fine!� I gave her an odd look.

�You sure?� I asked.

�Yes!� Ayame said. I still didn�t believe her. I gently touched her on the shoulder.

�Ayame, hey,� I said. �If you want talk about it�� She slapped my hand away.

�No!� she shouted. I backed up startled.

�Ayame?� I asked. She shook hard.

�Don�t touch me!� she yelled.

�Ayame��

�Stop! Just stop!�

I went quiet. She took in heavy breaths. Ayame lowered her head.

�Forgive me,� she mumbled. Ayame sank to the floor. I hurried over to her.

�Are you okay?� I asked. That poor girl shook her head. That poor girl shook her head.

�Want to talk about it?� I asked. She shook her head again. I sat down next to her. Ayame leaned her head on my shoulder. My stomach turned as I heard her sob.

�I�m so sorry,� I whispered. She tried to pull herself together.

�It�s okay,� Ayame whispered back. �Can I stay like this for a moment?�

�Sure,� I said.

�Thanks,� she whispered. �I�m so tired.� I nodded. I had never seen her like that. Something must be that bad at home. I patted her on the head.

Maybe she�ll tell me one day. I don�t want to push her. I looked and saw her sound asleep on my shoulder. I couldn�t help but to smile. She reminds me of a younger Ouka in a sense. Just her face though.

Ayame comes to the flower shop every evening. I don�t mind. She doesn�t cause any trouble anyway.