Sometimes, boys wondered if having a little sister would have been better.
But the next second, he would shake his head.
No.
Whether it was a little sister or a little brother, it was all the same.
He was just a useless older brother.
Who would like a useless older brother?
After Dad and Mom had a little brother, they sighed at him and lectured him much less.
At first, he had been relieved.
Later...
Only then did he realize... had he been... given up on?
He had never been willing to think too deeply about that question.
Because it would hurt too much.
It hurt so much that he curled into a ball on his bed.
Even after biting his lip until it bled, his eyes still grew red.
He was like a fish out of water.
But he didn't dare gasp too loudly.
"She's Plum Blossom Woman."
Xiao Xiao's voice shattered the boy's chaotic thoughts.
The boy lifted his face.
"...Huh?"
He knew she was Plum Blossom Woman.
Eldest Brother Xiao had just mentioned her name.
Oh.
Was this a proper introduction?
The boy suddenly understood.
He, too, gave Plum Blossom Woman a slight, formal bow.
"Hello."
"My name is Wei Yu Chen."
"..."
The boy received no response.
He looked up.
To his surprise, the girl was nowhere to be seen.
Huh?!
The boy hurriedly looked around.
"Eldest Brother Xiao, Plum Blossom Wom—"
His voice cut off abruptly.
He saw Plum Blossom Woman standing opposite Eldest Brother Xiao.
His mouth fell open.
His face was full of disbelief.
When?!
When had Plum Blossom Woman climbed down from the tree?!
How had he failed to notice again?
He hadn't noticed her climbing up.
He hadn't noticed her climbing down, either.
What