“I trust my dad.”

Only then did Dad smile so brightly that he couldn’t see.

“Okay.”

“Okay then. I’m tired. I’m going to sleep now. Stay next to my mom… and you’ll take care of her, right?”

“Of course.”

I watched my dad say in a firmer tone than before and stuck to my mom. I still felt uneasy. I was afraid that my mom, who’s breathing now, would suddenly stop breathing. I was afraid that I’ll lose my mom and live that nightmare again.

But I decided to trust my dad rather than my anxiety.
“Bebe, I’ll pat you until you fall asleep.”

“Okay! I think I’ll fall asleep soon. I’m very, very tired today.”

“Sweet dreams.”

Looking at my dad patting me, I held my mom’s hand tightly. Being like this, I felt like my dad and mom were connected, so I felt better without realizing it.

My mom was sick, and I didn’t know what was going to happen to her, but I felt better like a fool, so a smile spread across my face.

I wasn’t sure if it was because I was relieved, but I fell asleep before I knew it.

***

Whether it was because I cried my heart out or because I had put down my burdens, I had to wake up the next day, struggling.

Cecilia, who was looking at my mom all night, belatedly found me not feeling well as my eyes widened. Eventually, the doctor came to find out I was ill.

Later, my dad came to my room and made a fuss as the doctor treated me in a sweat. He said it was because of overwork, which did not suit my age, and said it was okay if I rested for a while. The disturbance at dawn ended only after my dad got angry, calling him a quack.

It was over, but I couldn’t sleep.

Even when morning came, I had to lie still in bed. I wanted to get up, but I couldn’t. I laid next to my mom and blinked.

“Cecilia…”

“No, you can’t get up.”
Somehow, Cecilia knew my heart so well that she stopped me before I could even speak properly.

“Tch… Don’t say that. I’m not good at that.”

“Your toes have been wriggling for a while. You want to get up, right? But as you know from what he said, you need to rest for a while.”

I hugged my penguin doll as hard as I could and pouted. I was happy to be with my mom all day, but it’s frustrating to just lie down.

I looked at my mom, who laid still, at a distance.

“Didn’t he say anything yet?”
“Yes, don’t worry. You can do anything. That’s what happened yesterday, so please wait a bit. I’m sure something good will happen.”

“Ahhh…”

“Don’t worry, My Lady.”

She put a cool towel on my forehead.

“It’s cold.”

“Because you have a fever. Ahh… how long have you been…”
At that time, just as Cecilia was about to nag, the door burst open.

“Sister! My little sister!”

It was Allen who appeared splendidly. Even if I didn’t see him, I could tell just by hearing his voice. I knew it was my pony brother who entered the room. But unlike usual, he didn’t come running to me. He was amazed at the sight and slowly raised his body upright.

My brother whimpered and dragged a bundle much larger than him.

“Brother…?”

“Yes, Brother is here!”

As soon as I called him, Allen put down the bundle and quickly approached me. He smiled and approached again with the bundle.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

“You’re tired…? What did you bring?”

“Ahem… It’s like 100 special gifts to win the heart of my beloved sister?”

Just hearing him already makes me feel tired.

As if it was the same for Cecilia, Cecilia let out a deep sigh as her expression hardened.

“I’ll go change the water.”

The towel that Cecilia put on my forehead was definitely cool, but Cecilia avoided looking at me, saying that the water seemed warm.

“C-Cecilia!”

Don’t go. He’s weird. 100 kinds of gifts…

But even though I looked anxiously at Cecilia, she shook her head from side to side. As if she knew it wouldn’t stop Allen, she quickly disappeared with an expression of defeat.

In the meantime, my brother took out the items one by one from the large cloth.

“Ta-da! Look at this!”

“…Yes, I’m looking.”
“What do you think? Isn’t it cool? Isn’t it the best?”

“…What is it?”

“Ah, I brought my portrait so my sister can see me whenever she wants! That’s not all. There’s still 99 more.”

Brother, I know you always care about me, but I don’t think this is right.

But Allen didn’t stop there.