I look at you, and you are smiling. Do you realize how surprising that is? We have seen you look at me, at us, with love in your eyes, but you were never happy... How is it that this _guy_ has made you so? You would deny it, if I ever had the nerve to ask you... but I know what I see.

I thought that Serika would die, when she found out with me who it was that you truly cared about- loved. Kouji has always been her idol, her dream. But I wonder if you know how much she loves you... if you know that she loves you more. He is still her idol, but he is now yours... She wouldn't touch him- now.

I don't know... but for some reason, I felt betrayed, when I saw... It's embarrassing- you and him, together like that... No- I have to admit it. It wasn't really him, though I don't understand why. Why him? He's a known womanizer... there are so many stories about him and women- if he was just using you, I'd...

No. I know that he's not. He loves you so much... so brightly. I can see that. How can I deny you that love? I- no, we- my sister and I, we have been the center of your love for so long. Now, it seems like you're drifting away. There was a time when you would be so concerned over our everyday lives, when you would have known in a matter of days that I was interested in Miki, or that Serika was dating that boy.

Now? Now, you are so confused and you seem so terrified. Terrified because you are happy... terrified that it will go away, be taken away from you again. Why is it that you are the one that must always fear for everyone else? Why? I had never realized how much you had feared for me, had endured for me. It wasn't until I really looked back that I saw...

You had always been my protector, trying to keep me from harm whenever you could. You have always been the rock on which I have depended on. I took it for granted for so long, and sometimes even felt a little smothered. But now that you are gone, I miss it. Isn't it funny?

I have grown to treasure these times you have left open for us. Just the three of us, walking, talking. You, trying to keep in touch with our lives... but now, it's harder. You have your own life now. A life so full of pain, love, joy, anger... such power and energy. How could you have time left for us?

We have tried to let you live your own life. We are old enough, Serika and I, so that we can manage without dominating your life, as we once did... Is this growing up? Maybe. But we are willing to, if it makes you happier, less desperate. I know that you need him so much.

But that guy... Kouji. If he hurts you... if you don't want him anymore... I swear that I'll get rid of him for you... I won't let him hurt you. You've been hurt so much- too much. But I see in your eyes that it won't ever happen. Somehow, he needs you as much as you need him...

He is the reason that you are smiling before us as we walk in the park. Once, I would have been so jealous of that... and I am, a little. But now I see that you need this happiness, this one joy that you have. Without him, you wouldn't be complete- "Yuugo! What's wrong with you? We're going to go on without you if you keep stopping like this!"

My sister is far along the path, with my older brother. He is waving, smiling with my sister as they gesture for me to follow. I see the glint of a ring on his left hand. I wonder why he's wearing that. No, I won't wonder. It's his business. Just because I'm embarrassed because of the two of them... Embarrassment... as I look into his smiling face, it doesn't seem quite so bad.

---Finis---