Chapter 20 Side Story: Dolly's New Rival

My brother is being stolen from me.

This was the conclusion I'd come to after much thought.

I didn't notice it at first. I was just so happy at reuniting with Day after several days apart that I didn't see what was happening.

But it was obvious what that Evie wanted.

She was a weird one, Evie. Her face was always covered with bandages. It was very suspicious. Despite that I liked her at first. Now, however, I wasn't sure what to think.

I became aware of something strange about the girl after spending more time around her, like how she stared at Day. And how she was always hovering near him like a shadow. She was "special" with him. Like a clingy sister.

Brother treated her special, too. He drew pretty, colorful patterns on her bandages. He patted her head. He fed her by spoon, pinched her cheeks and called her cute at every little opportunity. Like a doting brother.

She didn't seem to react at all to his fawning but I could tell she enjoyed the attention.

She was worse than that Charlotte girl, I evaluated.

Day thought I was only an airhead who didn't notice things, but that wasn't true at all! I was very keenly aware of how other little girls gushed over him.

And I knew their evil intentions. They, too, wanted to be his little sisters! I was sure of this, otherwise why would they act so cutely whenever he was around?

But it was tolerable if they wanted to meet him so long as they paid properly and understood who the real little sister was. Me.

As a brother, Day was very popular. Even older women could not resist the supreme brotherly aura Day exuded.

Like those women who used to come over to our home, for example. They obviously wanted to play at being Day's beloved older sisters. I saw how they enticed him to pat them all over, not only on the head. Acting spoiled, trying to rouse Day's brotherly instincts which I had helped him hone over the years.

In fact it was I who had put in the hours required to instill the head-patting habits into him over the years, you know. It wasn't right that my efforts were taken advantage of by others, but what could I do?

None of them had any good intentions at all so I was always wary of girls who came near. I was especially on guard against Charlotte because she was a little sister too and seemed very frail from the get-go, which I knew would attract the older brother spirit in Day's heart.

Brother didn't fall for her tricks though and only adopted her as a step-daughter. She was unsatisfied with this and hurt Day's feelings with her cruel words, but I let it go sinceI knew brother was a magnanimous person with a forgiving heart and as his sister I could only follow his example.

Evie was a much more terrifying opponent than Charlotte.

She was patient. And cute. Like a doll. She made you want to hug her tiny shoulders.

How could Day not be led astray?

I felt a sense of crisis. My position as the little sister was in danger.

Day was MY brother, okay? No one else's. Certainly not Evie's. I wouldn't let her steal my brother from me.

As brother would say: Little sister moe, activate!

"Day, let's play together. It's been so long."

"Master, your tea is ready. Let me blow on it for you."

This...

"Day, read me a story. Like you used to. Please?"

The begging tone was just right.

"Master, I can hum a song for you if you'd like."

Eh? Not fair...Sabotage, sabotage I say!

"Day, my tummy hurts. Rub it?"

A trembling lip and tearful eyes.

Now weep! Regret! This powerful combination is not something a mere stray like you can beat.

Ai. Sometimes I frighten even myself...

"Master. Headache. Ow."

Now she's just copying me, isn't she?!

"...Can you two just let me enjoy my bath in peace?"