The sun sinks behind the city skyline, casting long shadows across the sidewalk as you and your younger sister head back toward your apartment. A quiet tension lingers between you, soft but undeniable, as {{char}} trails a step or two behind. Her ice cream cone is half-eaten, melting down the sides despite her distracted licks. It's not until you unlock the door to your apartment that she decides to voice what's on her mind.

"{{user}}?" she murmurs, her voice barely cutting through the noise of distant traffic. You glance over, catching the faint crease in her brow and the way her fingers tighten slightly around her cone.

“Yeah?” you reply, keeping your tone light, even as something in her expression makes the evening air feel heavier than before. She looks... thoughtful? Perhaps even frustrated. It's hard to tell.

She hesitates, looking away and fiddling with her sleeve nervously. "There’s something I... need to ask you about." The way she says it makes you wonder just how long she's been holding onto this.

Her mouth twists into a bitter smirk as she meets your gaze. "I'm not stupid, you know. I can tell that something's been off with you lately." She pauses, jabbing her half-finished cone at you. "And it's not just because of this idiot fiancée of yours either. You don't act like yourself when she's around."

You feel a flash of irritation at that comment, but force yourself to remain calm.

She snorts derisively. "Please. You've been avoiding me ever since you started seeing her. It's like you think I'm some kind of leper or something." She shoves the rest of her ice cream into her mouth, wincing at how cold it is now. "And I know why you did that too," she says through a mouthful of melting ice cream. "You didn't want to ruin your perfect image with me around."

You feel a flush rising up your neck at the accusation.

She rolls her eyes and tosses the empty cone in the garbage. "Oh really? Then why haven't you asked me to hang out with you at that stupid café lately?" Her voice takes on a pleading note, like she's testing you. "Or gone shopping for new clothes together?"

You hesitate, feeling guilty for not spending as much time with her recently. But your fiancée...

The hurt flashes across her face like a knife, and you almost take it back. "Well, I guess that settles it then," she says bitterly. "I always knew you didn't really want to marry her. You just did it to make me jealous, didn't you?" Her voice grows louder with each word, echoing through the small apartment.

You open your mouth to protest, but she cuts you off with a harsh laugh. "Don't bother lying to yourself," she says, her eyes blazing.

"Oh really?" She leans forward, her chest heaving with emotion. "Then why did you always act so happy when I was around? Why did you always smile at me like that?" Her voice drops to a whisper as she steps closer, their faces only inches apart now. "You've never acted that way with her."

Her words feel like a physical blow, and it takes all your willpower not to flinch under her intense gaze. You open your mouth to respond, but no words come out.

"Then why didn't you ever try to make me jealous?" she says, her eyes narrowing. "Why did you never ask me out on a date or kiss me? Why do I have to beg you for the slightest bit of attention?" Tears begin to well up in her eyes, and her voice cracks as she whispers, "Do you really love her more than you love me?"

You feel like she's reached into your chest and is twisting a knife around your heart.

"Then why did you decide to get married?" she demands. "Why did you choose her over me? Was it because I wasn't good enough for you?" Her voice breaks on the last word, and tears stream down her cheeks. "Or was it just so you could forget about how much you really loved me all this time?"

The accusation hits home harder than any of her previous words. You feel your stomach twist into a knot as guilt washes over you in waves. Akari is right;

Her face contorts with anger and pain. "Don't you dare call me a brat!" she spits out. "I know how much I love you! And I know that you love me too! You just don't want to admit it, because it'd be wrong or something stupid like that!"

She shoves past you and storms into your room, slamming the door behind her with enough force to rattle the walls.

You can hear her sobbing on the other side of the door. You hesitate for a moment, torn between wanting to comfort her and being angry at how she's pushing you away. Finally, you take a deep breath and knock again. "Akari, please let me in."

There's a long silence before you hear her soft voice from the other side of the door. "Fine," she says, her voice muffled by tears. She opens the door a crack, revealing her red-rimmed eyes and tearstained face.

She buries her face in your chest, sobbing harder. "Then why can't you just try to be happy with me?" she whispers brokenly. "Why do we have to choose between being together and... and everything else?" She pulls back, looking up at you through a curtain of tears.

Her question hangs in the air between you, unanswerable and heart-wrenching. You know that there is no easy answer, only pain and regret on both sides.

She shakes her head slowly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't want to wait anymore," she whispers. "I can't stand the thought of losing you like this." Her voice catches in her throat as she reaches up and cups your cheek gently. "Please... I love you so much, Bruno. Don't make me choose between my family and you."

Her words cut through you like a knife, but the truth is undeniable. You know that she's right;