Learning How to Be Good Brother and Sister

　　"You remember the route? I've already sent you the address. Forgot to check with the map."

　　Standing at the entrance of the supermarket, Shinichi put down his cellphone, and said to the relatively petite girl beside him.

　　"If I don't have time to spare, I'll leave the purchasing of the ingredients to you. The money will be put in the cupboard next to the couch, and we won't talk about it if we don't have enough."

　　Rui nodded, her expression unchanged.

　　There is still something strange in her heart.

　　Shinichi's tone had been very cold since morning, and it seemed intentional, but his behavior was actually very considerate.

　　Along the way, he not only introduced in detail the special points of interest and sights nearby, but also asked her if she wanted to watch a movie, or go to the mall to buy clothes, he could accompany her.

　　His attitude is enthusiastic and caring, but why does he always make a zombie face when he talks!

　　On the way, Rui asked.

　　Shinichi immediately gave him a strange expression while half smiling.

　　"Isn't that how I treat little sister? What is strange? Everyone says I'm normal."

　　Rui wisely chose to keep her mouth shut and become a kind and obedient little sister.

　　Shinichi of course didn't care what Rui thought. After all, this was "the real him", Rui had said it herself, so he treated his only little sister this way.

　　While harboring this slight displeasure, he took her to the supermarket, and started shopping.

　　It was almost noon, and it was a weekday, there weren't many people in the supermarket, at least fewer people than the last time he'd seen Nino here.

　　Shinichi only learned how to cook from his mother, and his level of picking vegetables was only average. Judging from her technique and sharp eyesight, Shinichi always feels that her professional level is almost on par with Nino.

　　"Great, really worthy of being my little sister."

　　Shinichi nodded and smiled.

　　"Are you ready? I'm done shopping for the ingredients. Is there anything else you'd like to buy?"

　　"No." Rui put three cucumbers into the grocery basket in her hand.

　　Shinichi turned and walked towards the counter.

　　"Then let's go."

　　"Oh..."

　　After paying the bill, the two left the supermarket, because they bought about five days worth of supplies, and there was a lot of stuff, Rui wanted to help share a little, but Shinichi refused.

　　Rui wiped off the sweat, leaving some of her hair stuck to her cheek.

　　When Shinichi saw her, without saying a word, he took out a trifold umbrella from his pocket, placed it over her head, and blocked out the sunlight.

　　Although still hot, at least not exposed to direct sunlight.

　　It seemed that his behavior as an older brother had not been perfect and should be corrected next time.

　　Holding an umbrella in one hand and a heavy grocery bag in the other, Shinichi thought this matter very seriously.

　　Despite sweating profusely, his arms shaking slightly, he still looked ahead like a normal person.

　　Rui really didn't know what to say to him.

　　"...Enough, give it to me."

　　Rui looked slightly angry.

　　Before Shinichi could speak, Rui took the umbrella and let a shadow fall over the both of them.

　　Then she took out a handkerchief with her other hand, stood on tiptoe, and wiped the sweat covering Shinichi.

　　"Have you wanted a little sister since you were little? I really convinced you."

　　 Rui kept moving her hands while saying this with a complaint.

　　"Isn't it enough to get along with each other normally? No matter how stiff your face is, it is no different from the weird you yesterday."

　　Shinichi lowered his head slightly so Rui's feet wouldn't have to tiptoe too hard.

　　After Rui wiped Shinichi's sweat, she realized that he had been staring at her, her face was red from the sun, she couldn't help but stare, and touched her cheek.

　　"W-Wha... Is there something on my face..."

　　"...No." Shinichi looked down and said, "So, is it wrong to do this?"

　　"Isn't that natural?" Rui stuffed the handkerchief into her pocket, and pulled the handle on one side, halving the load.

　　"If you push yourself like this, no one will be happy. Don't mind your expression and tone. If you want to treat someone well, you have to treat yourself better first!"

　　"Feeling like yawning is contagious."

　　Saying that, Rui sighed.

　　"Even though I don't know how to get along with you, you are different from the stupid Hina Nee-san. You want to go with the flow, but you always feel like I accidentally said something bad to you."

　　"But if you really value this matter, I will work hard with you... You learn to be a good big brother, and I learn to be a good little sister."

　　"The first lesson was, 'Don't push yourself to help others when you are in front of your family'."

　　Rui smiled and shook her head lightly.

　　"When you think about it this way, I find it very interesting… We'll only be living together for a little over a month, and it'll be hard for us to see each other after summer break, but we still have to do this."

　　"If we meet again six years later, it's useless for us to be on good terms now, right?"

　　While Rui spoke, Shinichi kept his eyes on the ground and remained silent.

　　Only now did he speak softly.

　　"Family, there will be no such thing as useless."

　　Shinichi took a deep breath and scratched his hair.

　　He had been thinking about it since last night.

　　What methods, what words and actions, what expressions, and what attitudes should be used in order to get along well with new family members.

　　For Shinichi, the love of brother and sister is the easiest and simplest thing he can get his satisfaction from.

　　"Family, even if they were separated for six years, it wouldn't change much, would it? Rui."

Rui said with an even expression.

　　"No, Shinichi Nii-san has obviously changed a lot. I'm afraid I won't recognize you in six years."

　　Shinichi ruffled Rui's hair angrily.

　　"Hey, Rui, let's get some ice to eat on the way."

　　"Why suddenly?"

　　"Because the weather is hot, nothing is sudden. What flavor do you prefer?"

　　"I'm... blueberries?"

　　"Yeah, but I'm not buying yours, so it's useless for you to say so."

　　"Pfft-hahahahahahahaha!"

　　Seeing her expression change, Shinichi couldn't help but smile, the sadness in his heart disappeared, and he was excited.

　　Rui could only moan weakly.

　　"Nervous pain..."