Is This Your Love, Sister? (これは貴女の愛ですか, 姉?)

CHAPTER SIX

The sun peirced through the windows and on to his face, forcing him to roll out of bed. It was almost eight O'clock, Rui would have normally woken him before then.

He quickly rushed through his morning duties and made his way downstairs. That's odd, he thought. Rui would have had breakfast ready by now. Where is she anyway? He slung his tie over his shoulders, he had no idea how to tie it himself so Rui had always fixed it for him but right now he couldn't find her.

Masato dropped himself on the couch, he had searched everywhere for his sister yet no sign of her. How am I suppose to get anything done now? He took a deep breath and was about to shout her name when he remembered the one place he had not check.

He raced back up the stairs and was about to knock on her bedroom door when he heard whimpering... a girl's whimper. Hesitantly he opened the door, a dark look crossed his face when he saw what was on the other side.

Rui was in the corner, her knees up to her chest and her eyes were red, a sign she had been crying for a long time. The night dress she wore was ripped and stretched in places. Across from her on the bed lay that dirty bastard, his clothes were scattered across the room and he just lay there sound asleep.

"Rui," he called and rushed over to her. He slid on his knees and grasped her. She was burning up and she was shivering, he needn't an explanation to know what had happened but he asked anyway. "What happened?"

The tears came running a lot more at the sight of him and the girl couldn't bring herself to speak.

"You should be more obedient if you want to be a good wife." Masato looked up to see Naofumi grinning, seemingly pleased at what he did. "I can't tolerate objections."

Rui said nothing but just stormed out the room. "You bastard!" Masato shouted while charging him. He managed to knock him to the ground and let loose a fury of blows. Naofumi endured his fury but soon knocked him off and gave him a solid kick to the abdomen.

"I'd go off to school if I were you," Naofumi said, his voice sounded way more calmed than angry. "You're father wanted me to do this so it's no use complaining to him." He grabbed his things and without another word, left the room.

Masato sat there holding his stomch. Dad would never allow such a thing... After sitting there for some time, he was again joined by Rui who was fully ready to go off to school.

"Don't worry." She held his face and smiled. "No matter what, I'll still live you."

He finally broke from the strain and the tears he held flowed down his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Rui." He wrapped his hands around her and squeezed her close to him. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help you."

Rui's face brightened and her head went back as he brought himself to kiss her. Their tongues wrapped around each other and he put his hands on her waist. "Rui, I love you," he whispered softly.

She ran her ran her fingers through his hair and made pecks at his neck. "I love you too." She got up and pulled him up with her. "Come on, we're gonna be late."

Her radiance soon got through to him and he took her by the hand. "Lead the way, big sister."
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"Hey, Ma-kun!"

Masato saw Sora running towards them as they entered the school yard, dragging along a deeply annoyed looking Akari.

"Morning, Isayama-san," tbe girl said brightly, still clutching Akari's hand and looking up at Rui.

Rui wasn't smiling but she gave a slight wave. "Good morning."

Akari pulled her arm away from Sora and gave Masato a dark stare. "I thought boyfriends were suppose to be a lot more caring."

Masato's entire body sank. "Umm..."

Sora chuckled and tugged at Akari, prompting her to stop. "It's fine, really."

Akari's stare didn't cease. "You promised you'd meet us at the station this morning."

Rui was completely lost to the conversation but what Akari said bothered her. "What do you mean 'boyfriend'?"

Sora laughed nervously. "I thought Masato would've said something to you about it." The girl smiled and wrapped her arm around Masato's. "But I'm his girlfriend."

Rui's entire figure froze for a moment then she pulled Masato from her grasp. "No... you're not." She sank her face into his chest. "Maso-kun already has a girlfriend."

The three stood in a noisy silence as students and teachers passed them without turning an eye. "Rui," Masato started but stopped when he felt her grip on his arm tighten.

Sora exchanged glances with each other. "Masato..." Sora's eyes saddened. "If you already had a girlfriend why did you..."

"I don't," Masato replied. He looked down at Rui clinging to his arm. "Rui, now's not the time for this."

The girl squeezed unto him tighter. "No." All of them turned to her and a frown crossed her face. "I'm already Maso-kun's girlfriend, Ishikawa-san. I won't let you have him."

Akari and Sora both looked in shock at them. "Aren't you his sis..."

"So what?" Rui cut Akari off. "What is so bad if we love each other?"

Tears were already building up in Sora's eyes. "Masato, please tell me this isn't true."

He looked away from her. How would he answer that? He thought for a moment then pried Rui from his arm. "Of course it isn't." He moved away from her and closer to Akari. "Rui, I know we've been together all our lives but right now you're just embarrassing yourself."

Rui's expression changed. "Maso... kun."

He took both Sora and Akari by the hand and without looking back started walking away. "Just go to class, Rui."

Rui's face went blank and she fell to her knees. "Masato..."