Chapter 73 From now on
Later that day, after the two sibling just finished eating their lunch, Haru who was observing his sister this whole time, suddenly let go a deep sigh.
"What’s wrong?"
"Uhh... Nothing, I’m just feeling quite relieved."
"For what?"
Davi stared intently at her little brother for he suddenly looked a little indifferent even though he was smiling pleasantly as usual.
"I’m just happy... whoever your husband is, I think I wanted to meet him and say my thanks."
A line appeared between Davi’s brows as soon as she heard his statement. She looked puzzled that as if a big question mark just appeared above her head. An expression that caused Haru to smile even wider.
"Sis... ever since I was young, you’re the only one I have. You gave me everything. You worked really hard for me. You gave up too many things for me. You---"
"Haru, what are you saying?" Davi cut through his little brother’s words. It was because she suddenly felt strange listening to him. And this is the first time he talked that way towards her, as though he suddenly turned quite mature. Leaving Davi puzzled on what he’s trying to say.
Seeing her worried and confused face, the young man stood and hugged her gently, causing Davi to feel even more doubtful.
"Haru... what is it? Is there something wrong?" she asked worriedly and the boy let go of her as he stared at her with serious eyes.
"Sis, listen to me. Honestly, I always wanted to tell you this for a long time now but I kept thinking it’s still wasn’t the right time, but now please allow me to say what I feel."
"O-okay, I will listen. What is it?"
"As I’ve said a while ago, you already gave up lots of things for me. And I’m sure you even did more than what I can imagine. You even suffered along with me when I was sick. Honestly, during those time, the only thing I was holding unto was just not to leave you alone. Truth was that... It’s really painful for me watching you suffer for my sake for a long time and I couldn’t even do a thing about it. I couldn’t even help you."
"Haru..." For some reason, tears suddenly flowed down her cheeks. She didn’t know why he’s suddenly telling her all those things but seeing his earnest eyes made her remained silent as the boy continued.
"That’s why, I’m truly glad seeing you being happy on your own. At first, I’m really worried to death when you told me you’re already married, truth was I couldn’t believe it at all, but as time goes by, you became happier. You may not know it but lately, you’ve been dazzling like never before. Truth was, I felt really relieve seeing you doing things for yourself. Sis... I’m really happy to see that your world doesn’t evolve only around me anymore."
Davi’s tears didn’t stop as she listened to him even though the boy was smiling earnestly at her as he caressed her back as if he was a really gentle mother. Haru never opened up to her like this before. She didn’t know that he was observing her to that extent and that he was in pain secretly.
"Listen sis... You will always be my only family, I never longed for a mother or a father because I have you. You became my parent since I was just five and that will never change, that’s why I want you to stop worrying about me now."
"Hey... what do you mean by that?"
"Sis, I’m not telling you to leave me okay? I’m not telling you to stop supporting me either. I’m just saying that you’ll stop prioritizing me. I want you to prioritize yourself from now on. Especially now that you have a husband and I’m already quite old, I’m not a kid anymore."
"H-huh? You’re just eleven."
"Listen, I’m already a man, I’m no longer your little baby brother and I will prove you that soon. This is just a little injury and I can now manage myself so I want you to go back to him. Don’t worry about me, I promise I’ll be careful from now on, I’ll call you every time. Please, trust me. I will be fine."
That moment, Davi realized just how much she made this sweet little brother of her felt those kind of pain and worries on his own. She didn’t even have any idea that he actually felt pained that’s why even though it’s painful for her, she was truly glad he finally told her what he felt, or else she would have never known.