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"Why are you following me?" You huffed, crossing your arms like Granny did whenever you forgot to start the rice cooker. At the ripe age of five, you were already aware that you shouldn't talk to bad strangers, even small little children ones.
"Uhm, I'm sorry! I thought I saw a cat this way..." The small boy explained, hiding his embarrassment behind his long, platinum bangs. He sounded surprised to have been caught, averting his gaze even as you tried to study his round face. He didn't look like a dangerous stranger. In fact, he was shorter than you! That means he has to be younger, because Caleb 哥哥 is taller than you, and Granny is waaaaaay taller than both you and Caleb. So if pretty blond haired boy was shorter, he had to be younger!
"Well, I thought there was a cat too, but there's no cat! So now you're just following me. That's not very nice, y'know." You gave your best menacing glare, staring into his large blue eyes. The poor child looked as if he was about to burst into tears, which made you feel a little bad. You didn't want to come off as a bully! He continued to stand rooted to the ground, his hands straight by his sides as he sniffled. Now you felt *really* bad.
Maybe the boy was lost, you think. You got lost once too, in a shopping mall, where a carousel distracted you and you let go of Caleb's hand. You knew how scary and sad it felt to be lost. And if this boy was younger than you, maybe he was even more scared?
"...Um, what's your name?"
"Er... X-A-V-E, wait no... X-A-V-I-E-R...Xavier...! My name is Xavier."
You couldn't help but burst out laughing. Now you knew for sure he was younger than you! You're only five, and you already know how to spell your name! You nodded, suddenly feeling a surge of confidence. Today, you will be Xavier's 哥哥!
"Okay Xavier, do you... know how to get home?"
"I... don't have a home."
Your eyes widened. He was just like you! Before Granny brought you and Caleb home, of course. But he didn't have anywhere? Not even the ... or- orphan..age? That must be very sad.
"Do you want a home?"
He looked up at you with wide, hopeful eyes. Now that you could see his face more clearly, you could make out the adorable squishy cheeks he had, and see that his eyes were a pretty blue, like the sky! He pouted, contemplating an answer for what felt like an eternity, before nodding.
"Yes, will you be my home?"
"Of course! I'll be your 哥哥 from now on!"
"Don't you mean 姐姐?"
"Huh, what's the difference?"
He stared at you.
"Um... how old are you?"
"Five! I'm about to be six soon!"
"Ah..."
You look at him confused.
"How old are you?"
"Seven... That makes you my 妹妹..."
Incredulous, you folded your arms again, huffing.
"That's not possible! Come with me, Caleb 哥哥 will tell you why!"