the gray man who wants to be honest

call starts.

[beako, I'm sorry.]

[What's the matter all of a sudden?]

[As promised, would you like to go to a cafe with me?]

[Are you really serious?]

[Of course, I'm serious. Do you think I'm joking?]

[If you want to do it for the same reason, then you don't have to invite me. I'm on a diet and avoiding sweet foods.]

[Please... I want to talk to you about something. I'll be honest, for the first time.]

[...]

[Hey beako? Are you still mad at me?]

[I'm not mad...]

[If that's the case, do you want to go?]

[You're really persistent... Alright, I'll go. But you seem very serious this time, what do you want to talk about?]

[I'll tell you when you arrive. I'll send you the place we'll visit later.]

[Sigh... Alright, what time?]

[10 o'clock, you have piano lessons at 2, right? I don't understand why you want to have piano lessons on a holiday.]

[There's nothing else I can do.]

[Hmm... You've told me that multiple times. Anyway, as long as you enjoy it, that's enough.]

[Uhh... Your charming mouth is so smooth.]

[Stop teasing me like that.]

[You're funny, you even started calling me "beako" again after so long. What's up with you all of a sudden?]

[I just don't want to keep lying to myself.]

[Ha? I don't understand what you mean. But I'm looking forward to it tomorrow, good night... Will...]

[Good night... Beako... Before that, can I ask you something?]

[What else? I already said good night to you! You're ruining the moment!]

[I don't understand what moment you're talking about. But I want to ask this now, I don't want to worry about it all night.]

[Well... Alright, just ask.]

[Are you still mad at me?]

[I've already said I'm not mad at you! How many times do I have to say it?]

[I'm sorry... I just wanted to make sure, so my heart can feel at ease. Even if it's a lie, at least I wouldn't know and could feel at ease. Thank you...]

[I'm not lying! You're getting more annoying! Anyway, good night, I'm going to take a shower before bed.]

[Yeah... Good night, beako. Or good shower?]

[You're annoying! I'm getting irritated! Bye!]

[I'm sorry...]

Call ends.

 **********#**********

Morning has come and I start to wake up from my sleep. Opening my eyes, I am immediately greeted by my younger sister sitting on my stomach. Her long black hair covers my face. Her face being so close to mine makes me a bit uneasy.

"Good morning, my dear brother!"

"Maria... What are you doing there? Get down right now, I can't get up."

"You're asking me what I'm doing? Of course, waking up my dear brother and also this sleepyhead. Don't you like being woken up by your beloved little sister?"

"Not because that-"

"Hah! So you do like it, right? Finally, you're honest with me, your beloved little sister."

"Listen to me until I finish!"

"Wow... Surprising, since when can you get angry?"

"I'm not angry, it's just that today I want to do something."

"Wow... Surprising, my lazy brother wants to do something! What do you want to do?"

"Before you ask that, can you get off my body first? You're heavy..."

"Even though you can be honest if you like this."

"I'm not..."

My sister looks sulky, but she starts to get off my body. Suddenly, she smiles as she remembers something and shouts, "oh! That's right! I almost forgot!"

"What?"

She immediately kisses my left cheek, her long hair covering my face. Then she returns to her original position, smiling and saying, "morning kiss done!"

"Can you get down now?"

My sister looks sulky hearing that, but she still obeys me and gets off my body while grumbling, "your cute and adorable sister woke you up! You won't get this treatment from any other girl!"

"Well... you're right..."

"In that case, smile and at least enjoy it!"

"I do enjoy it, I'm happy too."

"Huh? Really?" She sits beside my bed, looking at me seriously.

"What's up?"

"But you didn't smile at all. Are you really happy with this?"

"Yeah... I'm happy."

"Hmm...," she smiles and says, "if that's the case, I'll keep doing it every day."

"I don't mind, but can you stop kissing my cheek every morning?"

"Ehhh? Why? Don't you like it?"

"To be honest, it's a bit disturbing for me."

"Why? It's a form of my love for you! Why are you bothered by that?"

"Even if you ask me that, I don't know. I just feel very annoyed every time you do it."

"Why? Is it because your face is covered by my beautiful hair?" She says while holding her long hair with a sad expression.

"I'm amazed you can brag about your hair while looking sad."

"Ehehe... I'm good about this, right? Why don't you join the drama club too? You can do this too! I'm sure you can do it easily if it's you, brother."

"I won't join..."

"Huh? Why? Are you doubting your abilities? Don't worry, you can cry in my arms when that happens!"

"It's not that... Quite the opposite."

The smile on my sister's face slowly fades, leaving a thoughtful expression.

"Are you... still thinking about that?"

I smile after hearing that and reply, "how did you know?"

"Of course I know, we're... family, right?"

"Hmm... You're right."

"And also..."

"And also?"

My sister suddenly smiles broadly and exclaims, "you just smiled! You smiled, right?"

"Really? Oh, maybe... Maybe you're right."

"I'm sure I saw you smile earlier! Is that a genuine smile? Or fake? Which one is it?"

"I don't know."

"Hmm... So that's it, you usually would be honest with me and say if it's fake. But now you look confused. That means...!"

"That means?"

"That means your smile this time is a genuine smile!"

"Is that really true?"

"Of course it is! Something you didn't realize when you did it must have been done without any intention! You just honestly told yourself without realizing it."

"Hmm... I hope you're right."

My sister starts to stand up from my bed and says, "I'm satisfied with what I got this morning. Thank you, brother... I'm going to take a shower now, I'll go first!"

She starts walking towards the door of my room. But before she disappears completely, I unintentionally call her name.

"Maria..."

She stops and looks back, asking, "hmm? What's up, my beloved brother? Isn't my love enough to make you satisfied? Do you want a hug?"

"Not that."

"Hmmpph... Disappointing, quickly say what you want," she looks sulky.

"No... I just want to say something to you. Or maybe, reveal my true feelings to you."

She looks surprised, then smiles and suddenly excitedly says, "you can't do that, brother. I do love you, but we shouldn't cross the line! Don't continue your words to me or I will-"

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for waking me up as usual and not getting tired of doing it every day."

"Eh? You're not usually honest like this, what's up with you all of a sudden?"

"Nothing happened, I just want to be honest. I thought by being honest, maybe my world could change."

She smiles gently at me and replies, "I'm also thankful to you, brother. Thank you for being patient with every cute act of your sweet little sister."

"It's a bit annoying when you say that shamelessly."

"But I'm just stating the truth. Am I wrong?"

"No... Your right,You're cute."

"Ehehe... Thank you... Bye bye, my beloved brother, I'm going to take a shower."

"Yeah..."

Although my sister seems very annoying, she is actually one of the colors in my life. Maybe she is the color yellow, because she is always cheerful. Or is she the pink color that symbolizes love?

All of that is not important, because what's important is that she is my cute and very annoying little sister. But if her annoyance brings color to my days, then I don't mind being bothered by her every day.

I look at the clock showing that it's already 7 o'clock. I'll have breakfast and then head to meet Beatrice.

But there's still time after breakfast and it's quite a while before the appointed time. In that case... maybe I'll visit that person.