Character Story 7: The Purpose of a Big Sister
Scene: A street in Landsol.
Shizuru
Yoo-hoo, it's your big sister!
Shizuru
What a surprise! Are you shopping?
Shizuru
Me, too! It's like our sibling bond is growing! Our schedules are becoming similar, hee hee...
Shizuru
(Heh... It's a coincidence, a coincidence. It was by chance, so there's no problem.)
Shizuru
(It's not like I came here because I thought I would see him. Let's go with that.)
Shizuru
(I'm not supposed to interact with you often.)
Shizuru
(But your big sister knows. Every rule has a loophole.)
Shizuru
(I've gotten familiar with my little brother's daily routines...)
Shizuru
(And if I just happen by chance to go somewhere where you often go, and see you that way...)
Shizuru
(Then, if the guild master gets upset with me, I can just say it was a coincidence. Perfect!)
Shizuru
(The chance of seeing you is only about fifty-fifty, but I count that as a victory.)
Shizuru
(Of course, I won't keep him for too long. I'll just see his face for a bit, and have a quick conversation.)
Shizuru
(If I were to accidentally go too far with him... I don't know what might happen.)
Shizuru
(Even Rino has been patiently doing what she can to avoid seeing him too much.)
Shizuru
(If she finds out that her big sister has been secretly meeting him, it would be really inexcusable.)
Shizuru
... Hmm? Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something.
Shizuru
Your big sister has a lot of troubles on her mind, you know.
Shizuru
You're still young, so you don't really understand these kinds of grown-up thoughts yet.
Yuuki
1. "If something is bothering you, then you can talk to me about it."
2. "What are you buying?"
Option 1.
Shizuru
Ahh! Were you worried about me?
Shizuru
I'm so happy! You're such a nice child! I'm so proud of my little brother!
Shizuru
I'm okay! As long as I'm with you, I'm ultra happy!
Option 2.
Shizuru
Well, I finally found a place to live that feels all right, so I've started living on my own...
Shizuru
So I've been buying everyday items, furniture, those kinds of things.
Shizuru
I've been trying to find cheap but quality items, and I've spent quite a bit of time and money on it, so it's gotten pretty tiring.
Shizuru
The prices on high-quality items basically scare me to death.
Shizuru
But, one by one, I've been filling my home with things that I like...
Shizuru
I don't know how best to put it, but it's a happy feeling.
End of branches.
Shizuru
What are you buying?
Shizuru
Are you okay on your own? Do you want me to come with you and give advice?
Shizuru
Hmm hmm. I've been buying a lot of things from around here lately, so I'm pretty knowledgeable about the stores.
Shizuru
I can show you all around, just like when we were younger.
Shizuru
When we were little, I always used to hold your hand and lead you to all kinds of different places.
Shizuru
Well, you don't remember, but...
Shizuru
Because you were a boy, you didn't really like shopping very much.
Shizuru
But you always came with me without complaining. It really made me happy.
Shizuru
The cheap toy rings and other things that we bought together back then... I still treasure them even now.
Shizuru
Even if I'm living alone now, I just can't bring myself to throw them out.
Shizuru
... Sniff... I-I'm sorry. Somehow, I started tearing up...
Shizuru
Hee hee. I must have gotten something in my eye from the wind.
Shizuru
I'm all right, so don't worry about it. Your big sister is pretty strong, you know.
Shizuru
Since you used to be quite the crybaby, I was always in the position of looking after you.
Shizuru
Oh? Why are you hugging me all of a sudden? You big softy...
Shizuru
You don't really know why, either? I'm your big sister, so it's okay, but... You can't go hugging other girls so casually, you know...!
Shizuru
Whoa, that was close. I almost gave you a nasty headbutt.
Shizuru
That's a bad habit of mine. I've always been quick to violence.
Shizuru
You know, my parents always had to tell me not to punch or kick people.
Shizuru
So I thought, I'll just headbutt people. That way, I'm not punching or kicking anyone.
Shizuru
As I'm saying all this, I'm realizing that I really was a mischievous little kid. And to think that I was trying to act like a responsible and clever big sister...
Shizuru
If I had been less sensitive to what other people thought of me back then, if I'd been less of a show-off... Then, even if I wound up crying, I might have gotten more of what I wanted...
Shizuru
I was really a dummy.
Shizuru
Hee hee. Sorry, just talking to myself...
Shizuru
I'm not really feeling well today, so I'm going to go home.
Shizuru
Watch your step, okay? And be careful not to get lost.
Shizuru
Ha ha, you think I'm worrying too much? You don't want me to treat you like a kid? So feisty, how cute!
Shizuru
But, worrying about their younger brothers, looking after them... That's the purpose of a big sister.
Shizuru
Hee hee. If you ever run into trouble, you can call on me anytime.
Shizuru
Your big sister will brave fire and rain for you...
Shizuru
Or rather, I'll always be by your side.