That night, I couldn't sleep.
The image of that boy confessing to Aoi replayed over and over in my mind.
Her gentle rejection. Her smile as she grabbed my arm. Her words—
"Because my heart already belongs to someone. Isn't that obvious? You, dummy."
I lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, my chest pounding.
If I stayed silent… if I kept pretending…
Someday, someone might appear who could steal her away for real.
And if that happened… I'd never forgive myself.
I couldn't lose her. Not Aoi. Not the girl who had always been by my side, who had always loved me no matter what.
I had to tell her. Even if it scared me. Even if it broke every rule.
---
The next morning, as we walked to school together, I stopped in the middle of the quiet street.
"Aoi."
She turned, blinking at me in confusion. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath. My hands were trembling, but I clenched them into fists.
"There's something I need to say. And if I don't say it now, I'll regret it forever."
Her eyes widened, lips parting slightly.
I stepped closer, looking straight into her eyes. My heart felt like it would explode.
"Aoi… I love you."
Her breath caught.
"Not just as your brother. Not just because we grew up together. I love you as a girl. The only girl I've ever loved, and the only one I ever will."
Her hands flew to her mouth, her cheeks turning crimson. Tears shimmered in her eyes.
I kept going, my voice shaking but determined.
"You've always cared for me more than anyone. You made me laugh when I was down, you stayed by my side when I was sick, and you never looked at anyone else even when they confessed to you. All this time, I thought I was the one protecting you… but the truth is, you've been the one protecting me."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she whispered, "Haruto…"
I reached out, gently brushing her cheek with my thumb.
"I don't care what the world thinks. I don't care if people call it wrong. You're the only one I want. You're my sister… and you're the girl I love."
For a moment, silence hung between us. Then Aoi suddenly threw her arms around me, burying her face in my chest.
"Idiot…" she sobbed. "You should've said that sooner… Do you know how long I've been waiting?"
I smiled, holding her tightly, as if I'd never let her go again.
"I know. And I'm sorry. But from now on… I'll say it as many times as you want. I love you, Aoi."
Her arms tightened around me, her tears warm against my shirt.
And in that embrace, I finally felt free.
Because the words I had been afraid to say… had finally found their way home.