I was sitting in my room with a textbook open.

I had planned to study for next week’s final exams, but I just couldn’t focus. Matsumoto-senpai’s words from yesterday and Ruka’s complicated expression kept running through my mind.

There was a knock on the door.

“Big brother, can I come in for a moment?”

It was Ruka’s voice. When I turned around, she was standing there with an apologetic look on her face.

“What is it?”

“Um… I wanted… you to cut my nails.”

She made a small gesture while holding out her right hand.

“Did you hurt your finger or something?”

“No, it’s not that… I just… I don’t know… Is that a problem?”

She asked and looked up at me with those eyes. I couldn’t say no.

“…Well, alright.”

I closed my textbook and invited Ruka into my room.

She handed me a small nail clipper. I sat at the edge of my bed, and she sat next to me.

I took her hand and placed the clipper against her nails.

It had been a while since I’d looked at her hand this closely. Small, pale, delicate hands. Her nails were neatly grown, and I almost felt bad cutting them.

“Let’s start with your right hand.”

“Yes.”

I carefully started cutting her nails, beginning with her thumbs.

“Big brother, you’re good at everything.”

“Am I?”

“Yes. I’m clumsy, so I really envy you.”

Ruka smiled a little while looking shy. Her expression was so cute that I quickly looked away.

“Your left hand now.”

“Yes.”

I moved on to her left hand. After finishing smoothly, I held out the nail clipper.

“All done.”

“Thank you!”

Ruka looked at her nails happily.

“They look so neat. As expected of big brother.”

“You’re exaggerating. Are you done now?”

“Yes.”

She nodded with satisfaction. But then she suddenly remembered something.

“Um… actually, I’m a little worried about my toenails too… could you do them?”

“…Huh?”

I was surprised. Ruka shrugged slightly.

“I-Is that not okay?”

She looked up at me with those eyes again. I scratched my head.

“…Well, alright.”

“Yay!”

Ruka sat back on the bed and started taking off her socks. Every time she slipped them off, I felt a little awkward and wanted to look away.

“Alright then, put your foot here. It’ll be easier to cut this way.”

“Oh, yes.”

Ruka moved in front of me shyly, holding down her skirt, and placed her foot on my knee.

“Like this… is it okay?”

“Yeah. Try not to move.”

I held her toes carefully and brought the clipper to them. Her skin was thin and soft, and I felt even more nervous than before.

Every time I touched her, she twitched a little.

“Does it tickle?”

“Just a little…”

I carefully cut each nail, one by one.

To break the awkward silence, I spoke up.

“…But why your nails all of a sudden?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve never asked me to do this before.”

“…I don’t know, I just felt like it.”

Ruka answered, a little blush on her cheeks.

A short silence passed, and then she seemed to gather her courage and spoke.

“U-um, big brother.”

“Hm?”

“Did I do something to upset big brother?”

Her question made me stop moving for a moment.

“Huh? You didn’t. Why do you ask?”

“Lately… I feel like big brother has been avoiding me.”

There was a hint of worry in her voice.

“Why would you think that?”

“Whenever I look at you… It seems like big brother has always been making a troubled face.”

I didn’t know how to answer. Ruka was perceptive. The truth was, lately I had been feeling some complicated emotions toward her.

“You’re overthinking it.”

“Am I?”

Ruka didn’t seem fully convinced.

I finished cutting her last pinky nail and put the clipper down.

“Yes, all done.”

“Thank you.”

Ruka put her feet down and pulled her socks back on.

“Big brother.”

“Yeah?”

“I really like you, big brother.”

Her sudden words made my heart jump.

“So if I ever do something to upset big brother, please tell me.”

“I’ll never stop liking Ruka.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Ruka’s face lit up instantly.

“I’m glad. I’ll see you later, then.”

She stood up and started heading toward the door.

“Ruka.”

“Yes?”

“If something’s bothering you, tell me.”

“Yes!”

Ruka nodded happily and left the room.

I let out a deep sigh. Ruka’s words, “I really like you,” kept echoing in my mind. Was it just a sister’s love or something more...?

I tried to open my textbook, but I couldn’t focus at all.

Chapter 12: "My Stepsister Asked Me to Cut Her Nails"