57 Why Did You Leave Me? - My Little Sister Is Only Ever Cold to Me, Yet Recently She’s Been Strangely Clingy

Chapter 57: Why Did You Leave Me? Ren was always absorbed in club activities, leaving me with a sense of loneliness during the day. But at night, as if to overwrite that loneliness, she would come to my room every day. There, we would do nothing but cuddle and share kisses. That's how I spent my slightly unusual summer break. Today, however, Ren was especially clingy. She kept hugging me tightly, rubbing her cheek against my neck more frequently than usual, seeking more physical contact than usual. Even now, she’s lying across my lap, her hand tightly holding mine, our fingers laced together like lovers. "What's up? You're being really clingy again today." "I have an Onee-chan deficiency." "Eh?" "I said I'm lacking in Onee-chan." With those words, Ren buried her face in my lap. Her warm body felt comforting against my chilled skin from the air conditioner. I stroked Ren's head with my free hand as I asked her. "But we're together every day." "...It's not enough. I want to be with you all day, not just at night." After saying that, Ren sat up and looked directly into my eyes as she murmured. "Hey, say you love me." "What brought this on all of a sudden?" "If you say it, I might feel a bit less Onee-chan deficient." She pleaded, using her usual upward gaze that was impossible to refuse. Despite her mature elegance, she could become so endearingly cute when asking for something. It's unfair. The moment she looks at me with those kitten-like eyes, the idea of ​​refusing completely slips out of my mind. "...I love you." I declared, staring intently at Ren. Even as I said it, she didn't react, maintaining her usual composed expression as she replied. "More." "I love you." "Say it again." "I love you, Ren." I felt like my face was about to catch fire. Unlike the casual 'I love you's that spilled out during kisses, saying it deliberately felt unbearably embarrassing. But Ren seemed satisfied, suddenly hugging me tightly. She launched herself with such fervor that I couldn’t brace myself, and we tumbled onto the bed, tangled together. Lying there, the world tilted, and our height differences became irrelevant. Ren's face was right next to mine, its beauty laid bare in front of me. With a straight face, Ren softly declared to me. "I love you too, Onee-chan." Her tone was as calm as the surface of a still lake, but my heart pounded loudly. Ren continued, almost chasing after my rattled heart. “When you tell me you love me, it makes me happy. And when I get to say it too, it makes me happy. Just being able to tell you… that’s what makes me happy.” "I feel the same way." I said as I stroked Ren’s head. Truly, I was happy. When I think about how we once went through a time when we couldn’t even say a single word to each other, it feels incredible how far we’ve come. Not only have we made up—we’ve gone beyond that. We sleep together, hold each other, kiss each other. We tell each other “I love you.” But the more time I spend with Ren, the more words, touches, and kisses we share… the more afraid I become. Afraid that someday, Ren might leave me again. That fear eats away at me, and I try to fill the gap it leaves with comfort, with pleasure, with guilt—and every time I do, the fear just comes back again. "Onee-chan..." "...What is it?" "You look like you're spacing out." "I was just thinking about something." When I answered, Ren shook her head almost immediately. "You can't." "Eh?" "When you're with me, you can't think about anything else but me." Saying so, Ren embraced me tightly. Clinging to me. Wrapping her warmth around me. Her sweet scent and smooth, comfortable touch, her childlike gestures contrasting with her mature beauty —it was all so cute. Even after countless times, my heart still raced. I was happy to realize that Ren's heart was beating the same way. I loved everything about Ren. Because I love her so much, it still hurts. "You're the only one I think about, Ren." In our solitary room, my weakly voiced plea trembled the air. Ren studied me intently, searching for truth in the sweetness and painful undertones of my words. Then, she spoke again. "I've only been thinking about you, too, Onee-chan. Ever since the day we made that promise." She spoke softly, as if to confirm something. As if it were an obvious truth. But at that obviousness, my eyes widened. Trying to mask my confusion, I inquired, mimicking Ren's usual calm tone. Carefully, seeking a specific answer. "A promise...?" "The promise that when I grow up, I'd marry you, Onee-chan. I promised to always be by your side so you wouldn't feel lonely or cry. You might not remember anymore, but..." Saying this, Ren entwined her little finger with mine in her embrace. Drawn in by her fingertip's warmth, words escaped my lips. "I remember too. There's no way I'd forget." Hearing my words, this time, Ren's eyes widened. "Really...?" "It's true. Because that promise saved me more than anything." "I'm so happy." Ren whispered, hugging me tighter. Her body was warm; her heartbeat was fast, reminding me of times when we snuggled together as children. "I thought you might have forgotten, Ren." "I would never forget. I've always remembered. I've kept it treasured in my heart. That's why... I'm so happy." Ren's eyes sparkled, more animated than usual. I felt happy too. Just knowing that Ren remembered our promise made my heart race. My cheeks grew hot. So all I had to do was tell her honestly. It should have been enough to just express the joy that our feelings were united. Should have been. And yet, what spilled from my lips was... "Then why didn’t you stay with me forever? Why did you leave me in middle school?" The moment the words left me, Ren's gaze wavered.