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"Ena, can I tell you a secret?"
"Eh? I didn't think you were the type for those kinds of things. Hm, I suppose you learn something new every day."
She kicks Ena in the foot during that first sentence. It's not atypical sibling behavior, so the latter shrugs it off. Nonetheless, Ena's eyes widen as she scoots closer to her sister, desperate for answers.
The air nips at Ena's neck and she shudders. The thermostat ought to be lowered soon, but that can wait. She's sure she's not the only one feeling it too. Cold, it is cold.
What else, what else. She's looking down now, hair hanging forward, evading eye contact. Is she shaking? Damn, she's really not doing good. Something's weighing heavy upon her shoulders.
"I.."
"Take your time. If you don't want to tell, yet or ever, then don't, 'kay?" Airi told Ena that before. Sitting together during break, scowering magazines for saplings of noteworthy information. They got more engrossed in looking at models wearing trendy clothes, but that's beyond the point.
"…Promise to not think I'm weird?"
She's uncharacteristically quiet. So far removed from that boisterous passionate kid Ena knows. It's a plea, really. A candle with top notes of nervousness and a desire to 'belong,' heart notes of shame and a child's sorrow, the bottom notes read of isolation and whisper "please don't leave me."
"Mhm, it's okay. And besides, I think I have plenty of other reasons to do so already."
A jab in the elbow, ow. Maybe Ena should have more tact, then again they both are lacking in the department. She loks Ena in the eye.
"I think I'm a boy."
Honestly, there could have been much worse things to have been said. Ena doesn't find such an idea foreign. She's never had a firsthand experience until now, but it's not too hard a concept to fathom.
"So you're my brother now?" Double-checking, just in case.
"Yeah, your brother." He's her brother. The words fit together like jigsaw pieces Ena didn't even realise were in the wrong spot, though it feels so obvious now.
He's her brother. He, it sits right in the brain. Ena will have to keep that in mind.
"Do you want to be called something else?"
"I haven't told Mom or Dad yet."
"Mom and,—" Ena winces "—Father, say, anyone else?"
"You're derailling the conversation."
"There you are!"
"..A friend who also likes music stuff. I don't think you'd know him."
"Mhm, I'm not going to stop you from having friends, you know? What kind of sister do you think I am?!"
"Jeez.. an annoying one."
"Hey, listen up, you—"
He murmurs something and Ena pauses her sentence. "Oi, you're mumbly, repeat that?"
"A-ki-to." The syllables are languid in his mouth, like he's uncertain he wants to be called that. His nose crinkles at the stare Ena gives. "That's my name."
"A-ki-to." She parrots in curiosity. "Suits you." He rubs the back of his neck.
"Thanks."
"Welcome!" Ena grins at Akito who returns with a small smile.
"C'mere." She yanks Akito to give him a hug. It's a rather rare occurance, then again the whole sibling tenderness thing is as a whole. He deserves it.
Akito.
Her brother.