Juntaro wasn’t mad, but he was still peeved. He wasn’t sad, yet he felt hurt. He knew that Ryuuko didn’t mean anything by what she said; however he couldn’t help but still feel ticked off.

“Dammit.” He cursed, as he sat alone within the electronic network of his workshop. The sound of machinery were buzzing all around him. Usually they were just white noise but right now, they were so loud that it was pissing him off.

“She said, that I make her uncomfortable. That she’s not used to such familiarity. Hmph...what’s wrong with trying to be friendly?” He asked himself. Of course he knew the answer, but it was still hard to swallow. He had hope what happened earlier was over and done with, but...

“I guess it isn’t so easy when it comes to real people. Ugh...”

He was tired.

He felt weak.

The noise of all the machinery was really annoying the hell out of him.

Through his network, he suddenly dialed a phone number. He did not know what to do but whenever that happens, he would just do this unconsciously. After all, although he didn’t want to admit it, he was troubled.

“Hello? Who is it?” Came a bubbly voice on the other side of the phone.

“Hey, it’s me!” He replied in the happiest tone he could muster.

“Ah! Big brother!” The voice excitedly chimed. “Where are you right now?”

“I’m at club. Umm...I’m going to be late today, Kirika.”

“Eeeeeh? Really? And I was going to be cooking your favorites tonight. You’re the worst big brother!” She whined playfully.

“Please don’t say that. You’re going to make me cry.” He also replied playfully, yet at the same time it did not felt like a lie. But he found himself laughing. His little sister was the same as ever and hearing her voice calmed him down, just a bit.

“Is something wrong big brother? You sound strange. Did something happen?” Kirika suddenly asked.

“Huh? No, no! I’m fine! Same old, same old! Haha!” He replied quickly, trying to play it off.

“Hmmm...I don’t believe you. Something is wrong. Are you being bullied again?!” She gasped. “Tell me who it is! I’ll make them pay!”

“N-no! I’m telling you I’m fine! It is just...” He paused, trying to think of what to say. Carefully, he asked;

“Kirika, do you think I’m a terrible person?”

“Of course I do.” She replied immediately without a hint of hesitation.

“EH!?!”

“You’re loud mouthed, arrogant, mean spirited, and insensitive to everyone but yourself.”

“H-How could you say all that?!”

“I’m just telling the truth. You are the absolute worst. If I could give you a rank...hmm...you would be somewhere between garbage and scum. No, maybe a little lower?”

Juntaro almost fell over. It was too much. He knew that she wasn’t wrong. No, she was absolutely right. Yet to hear her speak so bluntly really hurt. Every word she said stabbed him like a knife. He almost felt like bursting into tears.

“But...” She continued. “You’re my big brother, and I still love you.”

A smile spread across his face as he heard those words.

“So, what happened? Tell me, don’t try to lie. I’ll know!” Kirika demanded.

Juntaro chuckled. He really can’t hide anything from her. Taking a deep breath, he began to talk.

“Recently, I got to know someone. I said some things and...well, I thought that it would be all done and over with, but it turns out now they think I’m making them uncomfortable.”

“Were you being your usual self?”

“...Yes...” He responded shamefully.

He heard his sister give a weary sigh. “Big brother, why must you be like this. Let me guess, the person you spoke to was a girl? Do you like her?”

“What?! No! She was a girl, yes but...”

“Good! Because you remember our promise was that you are not allowed to be with another girl unless I approve of her!” She declared.

“To me she’s just a kid. She’s not my type.” He quickly reassured her. “But, she is someone I’m going to have to work with on a...err...project. It’s important that we are to be able to work together but I don’t know what to do to make everything less awkward.”

“Muuu...why must you be so terrible at interacting with other people. Now tell me, did you apologize to her?”

“What? No, of course not! I did nothing wron-“

“You are such an IDIOT!!” She suddenly screamed, nearly sending him flying. “This is why I say you’re insensitive to everyone but yourself! You’re calling her a kid but you’re the most childish one here!”

“But...but...!”

“No buts! Apologize to her! Then treat her to some mint double chocolate chip ice cream and actually pay for it yourself!”

“I don’t think she likes mint chocolate ice cream...”

“I’m hanging up now! Make sure you do as I say. And come home as soon as club is done. I’ll wait for you.”

“...Of course.” Juntaro replied, feeling a lump in his throat. "I love you..."

"I know, big brother."

BEEP

He sat there in silence as he thought about all the things his sister said. Despite it being against his character, he knew she was right. She was always right. He let out a weary sigh at her perceptiveness and the thought of how he is such an idiot.

“It never gets easier...lying to you.” He mumbled, as he felt the tears running down his cheeks.