Chapter 5 – Towards a New Life

I stayed quiet during the entire journey towards the airport.

I wasn’t really in the mood to make small talk.

Anna and Rina were fidgeting in their seats, feeling uncomfortable with the awkward tension that was in the air. Yuria would some times look back at us, wearing a worried expression on her face.

My father on the other hand was completely quiet, driving the car like nothing was happening.

Once we arrived at the airport my father left us deal with the last arrangements for the travel or so he said, leaving me alone with Yuria and her daughters.

I don’t know how much time passed in that uncomfortable silence, probably just a few minutes, but at some point someone finally said something.

“I’m really sorry Takashi”

Hearing her words I looked at Yuria, who was wearing a very sad expression.

...Why is she apologizing?

“It seems that I caused a lot of pain. I tried to convince Takagi-san to let your cousins to live with us, but he was adamant to bring just you with us. I’m really sorry for what just happen” she said in an apologetic tone.

...Ooh...

Apparently I caused the impression that I was blaming her for my current situation with my cousins. I get why she was thinking that, since I barely spoke with her since she introduced herself. I spend most of my time with my cousins and even than I talked a little with Anna and Rina.

I better fix this situation.

“Don’t worry Miss Yuria, I know it’s not your fault. You don’t need to be concerned about me”

“...are you really alright Takashi?” she asked, with worry still on her face.

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m actually the one who should apologize”

“Apologize? For what?” asked Yuria with a questioning look.

“I should be calling you ‘mom’ now, shouldn’t I?”

Yuria’s eyes bulged a little in surprise and then she smiled in a pleased manner.

“Hehehe, if you’re okay with it I would love for you to call me mom” she said.

“Right mom” I said smiling at her.

She clearly was happy that I called her mom since her smile just got bigger.

“You really aren’t mad with us Taka-chan?” asked Anna in a concerned tone.

“Of course not Anna-nee” I answered her with a smile, trying to reassure her about my answer.

She seemed to feel that I was serious since she sighed in relief from my response. At some point over the last days I started to call her ‘Anna-nee’ and she called me ‘Taka-chan’ . I don’t know why, but it just seemed to be natural.

“Hehehe, that’s good. I didn’t wanna to make Taka-chan sad” said Rina with a relieved smile.

“No no Rina-chan, that’s not right. His your older brother, you can’t call him like that” admonished Anna-nee.

“But Onee-chan, he’s smaller so I’m the oldest” protested Rina.

She had being insisting that I was the younger brother, even though both Anna-nee and Yuria had made perfectly clear that I was a few months older. Just because I was a little shorter.

I mean, why would height have anything to do with who is the older one?!

Okay that’s it, I’m putting my foot down!

“If Rina don’t start calling me Onii-chan then I won’t talk to you anymore”

“Ehhhh... That’s unfair! I want to talk with Taka-chan more” complained Rina.

I crossed my arms an avoided eye contact, making it clear that I was serious about it. Rina tried to make me look at her, but every time she tried to look at my face I just turned to another direction.

“Hey Taka-chan”

“...”

“Taka-chan!”

“...”

“Please Taka-chan, look at me”

“..”

We continued with that little play for some time, until finally...

“...Onii-chan”

...Rina gave up.

“Hum, I’m the Onii-chan and I’ll call you Rina” I said with a smile of my own and starting to pat her on the head.

Rina just crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks, clearly pouting about my win. Despite of that she wasn’t resisting and was even blushing a little bit. Maybe she was just embarrassed but I think she wasn’t completely dissatisfied with our little play.

Maybe she wanted to be a big sister?

She was the youngest of her family so perhaps she got excited with the idea of becoming the big sister of someone. I could understand that. I was always the youngest at my old house, so now I was actually a little happy to be someone’s big brother.

Anna-nee and Yuria were both showing warm expressions on their faces, clearly enjoying our little banter.

By the time father returned we were in a much more relaxed mood. While walking towards the plane we engage in casual conversation, knowing each other a little better. Father stayed quiet during the entire time, speaking only he had to inform us something related to the flight or the moving.

Once our plane had finally take flight I couldn’t help myself but look at the window and gaze the city that I have lived for as long as I could remember. I was going to a much bigger place with no idea of what awaited me.

I still had many questions that needed answers.

What kind of life I had before?

How exactly the system worked?

Were my cousins really part of a story from in my previous life?

What about my new family? Were they too?

I was feeling so many things, from apprehension to excitement, that was impossible for me to be sure what was the more predominant emotion.

But one thing I new for certain.

A new life is in front of me.