She then wrote her full name and then turned towards the class. Her position made it difficult to read her family name but nobody cared. The boys were drooling already. I am sure they have already formed a fan club by now.

"Hello, my name is Yuki. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Henceforth I will be in your care. Please take good care of me.", she had a soft smile on her face which soothing to the heart.

"Miss Yuki, if you don't mind me asking, what is your family name?" Haruto, sitting on the first bench asked in the most straight forward way possible.

"Well……...actually I was keeping it as a surprise, to see if he remembers me", she hesitated with a smile that said ‘I am so embarrassed'.

I was the least interested person in the class about the ongoing conversation. Miss Hinami, our math teacher had given some practice sums. Math is my favorite subject as it needs all the elements that a good detective needs to solve a case. I love puzzles that involve logic and not just knowledge. When I was dwelling in my math-adventure, the conversation had moved forward and for some reason, it had become quiet, not that I care. Suddenly I felt I nudge near my left elbow and when I turned my eye towards Yuuto, I saw him signaling me to look forward. I was a bit confused, so as why should I when I am enjoying my math here. ‘Let's just get it over with', I told myself and without thinking for a second or preparing myself, as I usually do and turned forward. HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!! The whole class had their eyes on me. Some of them were of jealousy while others were of sheer surprise and astonishment. As for me, I didn't know what was going on!.

"Well, what do you know. You were always an enigma to most of us but I didn't know that you had so many cute secrets up your sleeves.", she said it with a scary smile.

I was still figuring out what was going on. I felt insecure cause I am always a step ahead of everyone but in this situation, I was totally clueless. The transfer student still was in the front and had the same embarrassed look on her face. I was feeling like an idiot for not paying any attention and letting my guard down near a foreign entity. But for some reason, I didn't feel like I had to be cautious around her. Well, I learned my lesson very well.

"I think he doesn't remember. I don't blame him for that as it was a long time ago.", she said it with a small sad tone.

"That is no reason for such irresponsibility", Miss Reiko replied with a stern voice.

What the hell are they going about, somebody please fill me in. I was in the worst situation ever possible. All these years I tried not to attract attention. All the effort and sacrifice destroyed by one transfer student in a single moment. How rotten is my luck.

"I know a way to remind him of the past because I know you would never forget your cute little sister. Isn't that right onniiiiiii-tan?" she smiled mischievously.

A chill spread down my spine when I heard the last word. It felt like all the feelings like surprise, astonishment, confusion jolted into my brain all at once and hence giving me a headache but metaphorically off course. I looked at the board and saw it. It was written ‘Yuki Arai'. The girl from my childhood, her name was related to her hair colour or at least that's how my brain had remembered it. Could it be that Miss Yuki is actually the girl from my childhood?

"We used to play all the time when we were small. Onii-tan was very shy and kind of nerdy back then. But it was very cute though. He was very kind to me.", she had that pretty smile on her as she revealed my disastrous past and was on the verge of destroying my future.

"That was enough chatter. Miss Arai takes the empty seat in the last row next to Mr. Arai. Mr. Arai be kind to her as you were back then and show her around. Miss Arai feel free to contact me in case you need any help regarding studies or anything else.", Miss Reiko said in a professional tone.

I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that it was the same girl whose last memory is of five years ago and if that wasn't enough, she was also my cousin sister. Then why did she live in the room next door and she never came when my parents were around. What if she is staying near my house again? I mean now my parents live in India as my dad works there, she could insist on coming over. The only reason I didn't go was that it would disturb my studies and it would be a big hassle for me to get used to the environment. When I am happy living alone. But now I think it's going to work against me. So many years, I had worked hard to build my ‘average fun-loving high school boy' image in front of others and I can already it crumbling right before my eyes. I looked over to my right and saw her staring at me with a sweet look of admiration. How much I enjoy it to be stared and admired by a cute girl, this was not the time or the place.

I looked forward and started concentrating on the class. I told myself that I could worry about that later. Soon time passed by and it was lunchtime. I usually go to the cafeteria to buy something or sometimes Yuuto and Hinata come over and cook something for me the previous night and also pack something up for the next day's breakfast and lunch. They have always been kind to me and hence it's my highest priority to deal with the misunderstanding I foolishly created before it gets out of hand.

During the lunch break, I knew Yuki will try to approach me but I had an advantage. Since it was a cute, kind looking transfer student who was a girl, she would be flooded with people who wanted to be friends with her as soon as it was break time. And that is what happened, just the way I had predicted. This was my chance and I ran like hell. By the time I reached the rooftop, I was fully out of breath. I didn't want Yuuto to see me in this pathetic manner so I stopped and caught my breath and then proceeded to open the door.

When I opened the door I saw Yuuto on the right side, around the edge of the wall. I thought myself that my look was not that rotten after all, I mean I didn't have to waste any time waiting for him unlike my other rendezvous with Yuuto, when  I had waited even for an hour. That day I had almost concluded that Yuuto was dead. There was a sigh of relief when I saw him there but he had a concerned look on his face as he looked away from me. He didn't notice me and continued to look in that direction. I called out to him and started explaining before he interrupted me.

"Hey don't be angry I remember what you said but………………", he held his hand massaging his head with a weird smile on his face, as he started explaining himself. It was clear that he had messed up something.

But I couldn't care less and all I wanted at that moment was to clear up the misunderstanding and hence I interrupted and started explaining with an affirmative tone.

"Wait, let me say first, I will listen to your mess later", I took a deep breath "See earlier when I stated that Hinata should stay away from me, I didn't mean that Hinata was a pain. In fact, she is a wonderful person who is kind hearted and smart and beautiful. To be honest, when you first befriended me, I was kind of concerned for your friendship with Hinata and I thought that it would be ruined just because of me. But, I was totally wrong. She coped with my weirdness and hell, she even cooks for me now and then. She is the best person to hang around with, I like her and I don't want her to get hurt or be bother to her. See, there is no way I would consider her as a trouble, instead, she has helped me a lot and I have no means to repay her and on top of that, I didn't want her to get on the wrong side of the people just because she hangs out with me. See, that's all I wanted to say. Now tell me what you were about to say.", after running my eyes in all of the directions while I was making the speech, I finally looked at him and asked him to continue what he was telling and also apologized for interrupting him before.

He had this weird grin on his face again. Looking at his face always gets me worried. I hesitated to ask him but I still made an effort.

"Hey…. what happened……you were about to say something when I arrived……...spit it out already", I asked him hesitantly. I started to stammer as no good has ever come to me when he makes that face.

"Well my friend, it's too late for that", he said that with the same face looking away. He did not make eye contact either.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

This is bad, really bad. I started retracing my steps.

When I came up there was nothing wrong and Yuuto was also pretty serious. I shut the door behind me as I entered the roof. As soon as I started Yuuto wanted to tell me how he messed up and I am sure that was it. I am pretty sure his story was useless as he was going to cry about how he messed up and then beg for my help (Just like the last time). Wait, last time he asked me for a favor he was already on the verge of crying but instead today he was smiling. That doesn't add up. Then I had a second revelation. When I reached the rooftop Yuuto was looking the other way but his line of vision was very absurd. It was as if he was gazing at something on the floor. Unless he was looking at someone!!!! But I told Yuuto to come alone and not tell anyone and Yuuto is normally the person you can trust your secrets to be safe with. Unless he was confronted by Hinata herself. That idiot couldn't keep his act together around and she might have suspected something was wrong and this idiot spilled everything. if this all is true then that means the person behind the wall at whom Yuuto was gazing is…………. I peeked around the wall, onto the other side from where Yuuto was standing.

"Shit", I said with a low tone as I knew my newly found school life was doomed as of today.

There stood the grim image of Hinata, with her eyes cast downwards. Her face bright red, my best guess: she is very angry and she just wants to kill me. I started shivering, after all, I had pissed off the school idol by spouting some nonsense for the past five minutes. Although I said nice things about her, she still might suspect that I was lying and deep down I still think that she is a bother. I don't blame her, I mean it was foolish of me to bring that up and that too in front of her best and childhood friend. It was as if I was trying to conspire between them and break their friendship. I have already accepted my fate. I will listen to whatever she has to say as a final courtesy.

"I..I…..I don't consider you as a bother either, Arai-Kun", she replied with polite, flustered and a shy voice.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa……. What just happened? Well, this is one of those few occasions when my intuition and speculations fall right of the cliff. Human relationships and socialization are two of those areas where I don't have any success when it is connected with myself. When I try to resolve matters by thinking and taking action strategically. I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. Well, everything happened for the best. Now it's best in my interest to finally apologise once to Hinata too.

"Miss Takanashi, I am very sorry for causing such a big misunderstanding. It was foolish of me. I hope you will forgive me.", that was the first formal apology of my life and for some strange reason, I am kind of happy that it was Hinata.

"So is it fine if I come and cook dinner for you today? Think of it as an apology from my side for misunderstanding you.", she asked with a polite voice without making eye contact and a bit of shyness sprinkled on top as usual.

"Sure, why not if it's not a problem for you. I mean it's not really necessary. You have really been very kind to me and your friendship is all I ever want.", I said with a smile on my face and a sigh of relief inside my head as it was finally over.

I headed back to class and took my seat. It was odd as Yuki wasn't there on her seat. The bell rang and the teacher entered. Suddenly there was a thud of the back door opening. There she was, gasping in panic. Yuki was searching for someone. It was easy to tell the way she was gasping and since she doesn't know anyone around. Aah…. ‘doesn't know anyone around', it resonated inside my head. Does that mean she was searching for me? She suddenly looked at me then sighed with relief. Crap, she was searching for me. She apologised for being late and took her seat. Now that I think about it, I felt a bit guilty. After all, she transferred to this school at this odd time of the year just to meet me. That means she badly needs my help and if her story really checks out, then I, her brother abandoned her in her time of need. I am a crappy brother. Well, that's nothing new. I was selfish and lost in my own world. I will apologise to her later, and ask her the true reason for her arrival. And the whole day passed by. Nothing interesting.

It was evening, I stood up with the intention of apologising to Yuki as half the class left after hearing the last bell. As I came closer, a swarm of girls and boys rushed and surrounded her. They all wanted to hang out with her since the classes for the day ended for today.

"I am deeply sorry but I have some important matters to attend today but I will take a rain check", she said forcing herself to smile and left in a hurry.

There goes my chance to apologise. Soon Hinata came to the class door and I left with them as Yuuto started spouting nonsense again.

On the way, Yuuto and Hinata were arguing so as to what to cook for dinner. I was just happy that I was getting a homemade meal so I was happy and didn't butt into their conversation or argument, whatever it was. They planned to stop by the convenience store on the way and buy the required groceries. As we neared the convenience store, I saw a familiar figure leave the store. Oh, it was Yuki, but why is she here? Didn't she have something important to attend or, something like that? She stopped and started waving at us. Was she waiting for us?

"Reo, over here", she screamed, still waving.

No, she was just waiting for me. Anyway, this was my chance. I told Yuuto and Hinata to go ahead and finish the shopping and I will be waiting outside. Yuuto was about to say something idiotic with his same old nasty grin when Hinata shoved a fist into his stomach and dragged him into the store. Then I turned towards Yuki and pointed at the bench and asked her if it was alright if we sat there and talked. She agreed instantly and we headed in the direction. As we headed I took a quick sneak-peek at her and she was quiet delighted. It didn't look as if she was in troubled. But then again, it was not my area of expertise when it comes to reading people's intentions off the battlefield.

We both sat down. I started with my apology.

"Sorry for earlier. I wasn't trying to avoid you but I had to take care of an urgent matter and I didn't care to ask about you or your well-being. That was rude of me and I am truly very sorry for my behaviour this afternoon. But honestly, I am confused. What is with this sudden appearance? I mean, I have no problem but my parents usually give me prior information about matters like these, especially when someone from abroad would be visiting. (Not like I have regular foreign guests)", I said with an apologising yet concerned tone while I looked straight into her eyes.

She starred for a second and then giggled and clung to my hand. I was taken aback with surprise and shrugged by mistake. She instantly looked at me when I shrugged, loosening her grip around my arm and went a bit distant from me, a little near her original seat on the bench. Crap, I messed up again. What kind of an idiot am I?

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to…..", I started apologising while searching for a good excuse for acting like an ass, again.

"No it's fine", She interrupted "I know we haven't met for a long time and you have a lot of questions. But the thing is I am running out of time", she said with a sad voice.

Running out of time? Wait, is she sick? If yes, why did she approach me? and I don't have that load of money or know a good doctor. What happened to her parents or her other relatives? Did they just abandon her? While I was thinking about this, I noticed tears rolling down her cheek. She might be pretty desperate, that she reached out to me of all people. ‘At least do one good thing in your life, you useless asshole', my inner voice cried to me. Well, I will try my best to support her. Whatever it is, I will be there for her.

"Reo, we are all done. You coming?", I heard a distant call from Yuuto, waving at me.

Before I could answer, Yuki suddenly pounced at me. I was flat on the bench with Yuki over me, pinning me down. She was very light and I could overpower her with ease but I couldn't. Probably because she was literally crying. I possibly couldn't say no to that face. What could go wrong? Anyway, I had already decided to support her so no biggie. ‘Whatever happens, we shall face it together', I convinced myself.

"Please……. HELP ME. You are the only one I can rely upon.", she begged with a desperate tone.

"Stop crying. You called me brother and it is the job of a brother and sister to help each other in their time of need. So don't worry I will support you and try my fullest to get you out of the trouble you are in", I said, looking all cool and everything.

I wished Hinata was there to see me now, in my heroic moment. I am a lost cause, taking advantage of my sister's position. When I realised, she was still crying but those tears were no more of sorrow but of sheer joy. I was relieved to see her smile. It's good that the street was empty or else I would have a hard time explaining myself. I am sure that Yuuto and Hinata saw it too, I will explain it to them later. They will believe me when I tell them, I am sure of it, after what happened earlier today. Maybe they might even consider help me.

"Thank you, so much brother. There is a lot that I should have explained but there is very little time and I can't risk waiting anymore. I hope you will understand. But I am sure you will figure it out like you always do.", she said smiling but yet tearing.

Yeah, no kidding. There is a lot you should explain, but, wait, what do you mean by ‘less time' and ‘no time to explain' and ‘me figuring out'. What.... are you leaving or something? But I kept those questions for later and tried to console her for the moment.

"I am your brother after……. Mmm…Mmmm", I tried to look cool again, when suddenly I felt suffocated and obstructed like something was blocking my mouth.

It was soft, like ice-cream. But it was warm like hot chocolate. It moved like an eel and although the feeling was a bit strange and new, I couldn't let go of it. Eventually, I came back to my senses when I realised, what was actually happening. WHAT THE HELLLLLL!!!!!! What am I doing? Kissing my own sister and that too on the lips, I would never be able to explain this. But why would she do such a thing? A moment ago she was weeping and now …….

All of a sudden I started feeling drowsy. I didn't know what to do. My limbs felt light and lifeless, everything started to slow down around me. I was losing consciousness. If I had to explain it in a single word, then I think that I was DYING.