Project B.H. Already Started

The sound of the door opening echoed from the living room. Following that, the steps of someone walking towards the room where William was lounging on the sofa, watching a movie on television, could be heard.

"Brother, I'm back."

"Hmm."

"Your sweet Maria is back!"

"Hmm."

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Hmm."

"..."

"..."

Silence fell between William and Maria, who had just returned. Maria looked at her brother and sensed that he was deep in thought. She smiled. Then, she went to the kitchen to grab a cold drink and some snacks, along with a canned beverage. After that, she ran and jumped onto the sofa where William was sitting.

With enthusiasm, calling out to her brother, Maria acted like a little child, hoping to bring her brother back to his usual self.

However, William simply smiled and was kind to her, making Maria realize that William was slowly returning to his old self. She was happy about it, but also sad because she knew that her brother's current actions were just a facade.

A thick mask was on her brother's face. Even though it wasn't visible, Maria understood that he was trying to close his heart again for the second time.

But that's why she knew that she, as William's little sister, wouldn't be able to reach his heart at this moment. That's why she chose to remain silent and make the atmosphere as natural as possible. Because she believed that human hearts would draw closer when both were being honest with themselves.

That's why Maria chose to discard the mask she had created for years and started asking, "Is something wrong, brother?"

"..."

"Not answering, huh? I figured. That's a pretty clear answer for me."

"..."

"It's okay. It doesn't mean I can solve your problems. Especially if you can't, there's no way I can."

William smiled, not out of happiness, but because he felt he was being mocked. He knew it was just his own thought, so he hid it by saying, "You think very highly of me."

"You've known that from the beginning."

"Yeah."

"It's not just me, even Mom and Dad do."

"I know, I wanted them to be proud."

"They're already proud of you."

"You're right, but..."

"But?"

"That pride is directed towards William the genius, the intelligent one. Not William the disaster who can't control his own powers."

"That's just the past, forget it, brother. You are who you are. The past is the past. the present is where we live. Besides, regretting something in the past is just a waste of time. I know you're aware of that."

"Yeah,i know that from the beginning. And I'm not the genius or the disaster, I'm just human."

Maria smiled at her brother's words and started resting her head on his lap, swaying it back and forth as she pleased.

This made William smile and say, "Are you back, my sweet little sister?"

"Ehehe, your smell is so comforting."

"We use the same shower gel."

"But you're different."

"What's the difference?"

"Because you're my brother!"

"What kind of logic is that?"

"Love doesn't need logic! Feelings can't be learned! Feelings can only be realized!"

"Yeah, you're right. To know feelings, all you have to do is realize them."

Maria rolled around more and more, and after she was satisfied, she lay down, looking up at her brother's face, which was staring at the television with a smile. Maria's smile disappeared instantly. Without realizing it, her hand had moved to hold William's cheek.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" William asked.

"You've changed, haven't you, brother?"

"Changed? What do you mean?"

Slowly, she removed her hand from William's cheek, saying, "No, maybe it's more accurate to say you've come back."

"Come back?"

"Yes, the you that was there after you revealed yourself to me that day."

"Oh."

"You told me you didn't understand your own feelings, right?"

"Yeah, I can understand how other people act, but when I try to understand myself, I can't do anything about it."

"..."

"I realize it's also my fault for closing my heart, but I had no other choice. It was the best way for everyone."

"No, you're wrong."

"What's wrong?"

"For everyone except yourself, right?"

"..."

"You know, brother, there are a lot of people who care about you, even when you're not aware of it. You're not alone in this world, not even for a second."

"Yeah, I didn't know before, but now I'm starting to realize it."

"Isn't it enough?"

"Enough for what?"

"Isn't it enough with this 'running away' game?"

William smiled and stroked Maria's head, which was asleep on his lap. Maria also smiled happily at that.

"Yeah, enough. I want to be myself."

For a moment, Maria stopped smiling and looked at her brother in the silence. The sound of the television no longer mattered to her because of her intense focus. Soon after, she made a decision in her heart, and her gaze became very serious.

But it didn't last long. William started eating the snacks he had brought and offered some to her as well. This made her smile again and say, "Feed me!"

"Ehhhh...? Do it yourself, it's right there in front of you on the table."

"Don't you want to feed your sweet little sister?" Maria said with a pleading face.

"Damn it! If you were a boy, I would have punched your stomach a long time ago."

"Thank goodness I was born a girl, right? You're grateful, right?"

William fell silent for a moment after hearing that before he said, "Just your presence is enough to make me grateful to be exist."

Those words brought Maria's serious face back. But when William's gaze met hers several times, she showed a smile again, like her sweet little sister.

Deep down in Maria's heart, she had made a strong decision. It was just that there was a doubt that had been bothering her all this time, a doubt about her brother himself. But after talking with her brother, who was being honest without any pretense, her determination grew stronger, eliminating the doubt in her heart.

"Brother, do you love me?"

William looked at Maria in confusion and asked back, "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

"Just answer."

"What for? You're already know my answer right?"

"You're so stubborn! Answer quickly! This is just a trigger, so be the trigger."

"Trigger?"

"Yeah, a trigger for my courage."

"Courage for what?"

"For the future of someone precious to me."

"Ha? Did you find a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, that's right, so answer me. Do you love me?"

"Yeah, I love you."

Maria looked surprised and said with a confused face, "I thought you were going to lie for my own good like you usually do."

William sighed and said, "Why would I lie to you? You would have known in a flash. But you're right, it crossed my mind to lie so you would hate me. Even though it's impossible, I had considered that possibility."

"You could have tried it."

"Besides, your trust in me is at a level where you wouldn't even doubt any of my actions. Besides..."

"Besides what?"

"I've made a decision this time. but my love for you is as family! So it has nothing to do with your boyfriend, right?"

For a moment, Maria just looked at her brother's face, then smiled and replied, "Your decision is that strong, huh?"

"Yeah."

"If that's the case... I think it's the time."

"Ha?"

"Actually, I didn't want to... But... Project B.H. already started," Maria said, smiling with a gentle gaze at William.