After the interview, Dad drops Honoka, Chinatsu and me off at the house and heads to work. We call out to Mama when we enter, but the house is dark and quiet. Looking around, we find a note on the table saying she went grocery shopping.

I first head to the bathroom to take care of some business. When I come out, Chinatsu is waiting for me, and we head upstairs to go change into something more comfortable. When I get to my room, I find there are easily two dozen boxes and several garment bags inside. ‘It’s about time,’ I think to myself when I see them. I know we had to basically order me a whole wardrobe all at once, but wow, I didn’t realize we ordered so much for me.

I don’t really feel like dealing with this today. All I want to do is get comfortable and snuggle with my favorite person, but Mama will have a fit if I leave all this in the boxes. Not that I blame her, as this does represent a rather large sum of money and a lot of it is silk, satin, or linen.

Sighing, I walk over to Chinatsu’s room, tap on the door and stick my head in. Chinatsu is in the middle of changing, so she is standing there in her bra, panties and stockings. Reminding me, yet again, just how beautiful my little sister is.

Shaking my head to clear away my random thoughts.

“My clothes were delivered. Would you mind helping me put it all up?”

“Not at all. Let me get dressed and I will be right over.”

“Thanks Chinatsu. I really appreciate it.”

Closing the door I head back into my room and take off my dress so I can hang it up. Opening my closet, I hang up my dress and look for something comfortable to wear. I soon see the linen taupe-colored, sleeveless, v-neck, mini dress that Mama picked out for me the other day. It has a gathered waist, but it isn’t tight. It was rather light and comfortable when I tried it on. Plus, I look cute in it on top of everything else. I’m still amazed at how good my new body looks.

Anyway, I believe I have a pair of light tan ankle socks to go with this. I strip off my stockings, roll them neatly, place them back in my drawer and take out the ankle socks.

After I dress, I start opening the boxes. The first one is full of shoes, quite a few pairs truthfully. I think Mama went overboard ordering me clothes and shoes, but I suppose I’ll wear them all eventually.

I look at the door when I hear someone tap on the door, and it opens to reveal Chinatsu as she comes inside, closely followed by Honoka. “Backup has arrived Sora-nee! Honoka volunteered to help as well.” Chinatsu announces energetically which makes me smile. I wish I felt as energetic.

“Thank you both. I really appreciate the help. Mama would have a fit if I left everything in the boxes and you already know how bad I feel. I’m not complaining, but I’d have thought you’d have gone home by now, Honoka.”

“Your dad didn't tell you?”

“Tell me what?” I ask Honoka with a puzzled expression.

“Sora, I’ll be living here from now on.”

“Huh? Why? Uh… It’s not that I have a problem with it, but I don’t understand why. I suppose my main question is are you okay with it?” I ask her while I’m putting my shoes in their cubby holes.

Honoka begins opening boxes and sorting things as she answers me. “Of course I’m okay with it, or I wouldn't have agreed to do it when your father asked me to stay here. There are several reasons why. One, so I can be here to watch over you. Two, I get to spend more time with you. Three, it’s a lot easier for me to stay here with you than run back and forth all the time.”

I stand up to get another box and move out of Chinatsu’s way, who has just finished putting up my new underwear. Honoka continues as she starts hanging up the clothing she has unpacked.

“Although, for me, the second reason is the most important. I really do enjoy spending time with the two of you. For your father, the first reason is most important. Even after this is settled with Akiyama, there are still plenty of very dangerous people in this messed up world that would gladly hurt you to get your nanites. You know that already, so I don’t need to explain it to you.”

“I know. It would be a whole lot easier if they just asked. Dad said I owned the rights to these, so I want to help everyone. That said, until we know what they will end up doing I don’t think it’s a good idea to do anything with them.” I answer as I put up the ankle socks, stockings, and thigh socks from the box I opened. I look up at her and state, “I still want you to remember your promise to us. I know you said I’m more important, but you are just as important to us too. I would never be able to forgive myself if you needlessly got yourself hurt.”

Tears being trickling from my eyes and dropping onto the socks I’m putting up as I imagine her getting hurt. I’ll be very glad when I gain some control of my emotions. This rollercoaster has to stop at some point, right? I hope so at least, I hate that I cry over almost anything since my change.

I feel arms slip around my waist and Chinatsu’s voice in my ear. “Are you alright Sora-nee?”

“Mhmm. Simply a little overly emotional right now. Nothing out of the ordinary lately, right? I think I have cried more in the last two weeks than in the last thirteen years. I cry when I’m happy. I cry when I’m sad. I cry when I’m angry. I cry when I’m scared. Crying seems to be my default state since I woke up in the hospital. I understand the doctor said my hormones were to blame, but still…”

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out as I place my hand over hers. “I’ll never understand how the simple act of you holding me can calm me down and make me feel better. I have no idea what I would do without you. I don’t mean since my change either, I mean all the way back to when we first met.”

I turn around to hug her. “Telling you that I love you and that you are my favorite person in the world doesn't even begin to express what you mean to me. I couldn’t stand it if I lost you. I know there is something wrong with me because I need you so much.”

“Enough Sora-nee. There is nothing wrong with you. Well, if there is, the same thing is wrong with me. Come with me. Let’s go wash your face, your mascara is running. Honoka, we will be back in a few minutes.”

Honoka says “Okay” with a smile, and continues unpacking.

Chinatsu helps me stand up and leads me by the hand toward the bathroom. Once we reach the dressing room, she wets a washcloth and gently begins to clean my face.

“Sora-nee, I don’t quite understand what is going on with you. I’ve told you over and over that I love you. You’re my favorite person. Truthfully, there is no one I love more than you. I. Will. Never. Leave. You. I know you know this already. Please stop worrying about something that isn’t going to happen.” She tells me while staring into my eyes as if she is trying to read what I’m thinking. She then seems to come to a decision about something. “Sora-nee, we are going to pretend we aren’t sisters for a little bit, okay? Now close your eyes.”

I’m confused, but I close my eyes and a moment later I feel something soft and warm touch my lips for a few seconds. I open my eyes as she takes a step back from kissing me and I touch my lips with my fingers.

“Sora. You are supposed to give your first kiss to the one person you love the most. I gave you mine because I love you more than anyone in the whole world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Please, believe me, I will never leave you.”

Drawn not only by her words, but also by the look in her eyes, I reach out to gently pull her to me as I slip an arm around her waist and one around her shoulders. My heart speeds up as she closes her eyes in anticipation. Every point of contact between us is warm, yet tingly. I slowly lean in toward her lips and the soft, heady floral fragrance of the body wash we use envelops us. Gently, I touch her soft lips with mine as if they are made of glass and I’m afraid I’d break them. Chinatsu slides her hands up my back, sending shivers up my spine, as she pulls me even tighter against her crushing our breasts together, seeming to want more from me.

I’m unable to think coherently and no longer care. The only thing I care about is the girl I hold in my arms. Parting my lips, I tease her lips with the tip of my tongue. She instantly responds to me by pinning me to the wall behind me, parting her lips, and invades my mouth with her tongue, gently exploring. I slide my hand to the back of neck and pull her even tighter against me, demanding an even deeper kiss as we twine our tongues while our hands explore each other.

Several minutes later, time seems to restart and we simply hold each other. She gently nuzzles my cheek and whispers to me, “I love you Sora. I always have and I always, always will. I need you just as much as you need me. If you were st... ~ahem~ a boy, I’d marry you. I’ll never, ever leave you, so please, stop worrying over something that will never happen. Can you see that now?”

“Mhmm.”

She leans back to look at me, reaches up and gently caresses my cheek. She leans back in and softly kisses me again. Smiling, she brushes my bangs out of my eyes.

“We need to get you some hair clips or start braiding the top as well, your eyes are simply too gorgeous to hide.”

She steps back, takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and slowly lets it out. When she opens her eyes again, the girl who kissed me disappears and my little sister is standing there in her place. She takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Come on Sora-nee. We need to finish unpacking your clothes.”

She leads me back upstairs where it takes about twenty minutes for the three of us to unpack the multitude of clothes Mama bought me. There are quite a few outfits I don’t recognize though. I can only guess that she added to the order later. This only leaves the garment bags hanging on the wall hooks.

I unzip the one in front and gasp as I see what’s inside. “Oh my! It looks even better than I thought.”

Curious, Honoka and Chinatsu peer over my shoulder at the lavender, silk, off the shoulder, cape dress Mama picked out for me. Simply put, I’m stunned, it looks so much better than what I saw online. You couldn’t see the intricate patterns in the silk then. I so want to try this on!

“Chinatsu would you grab the black ankle strap heels out of the cubby for me?”

I ask her as I’m undressing as quickly as I can. Ah, I need a strapless bra for this. I walk over to my dresser and open it. Finding what I’m looking for, I unhook my bra and drop it on the dresser.

“Sora-nee, you damn sure aren’t shy anymore!” She says grinning.

“Huh? Should I be? You two have seen me nude before. Uh, is this a problem?”

Honoka smiles and shakes her head.

“Of course it isn’t, I was just commenting on how you aren’t shy anymore. There’s nothing wrong.” Chinatsu tells me with a grin.

“Umm, okay.” I say while I’m putting on the new bra.

I walk back over and take the dress out of the bag and unzip the back. Slipping it on and situating it, then Chinatsu zips it up for me. I slip on the heels and kneel down to buckle them around my ankles.

Standing back up, I turn to look at myself in the mirror. I’ve said before that Mama has great fashion sense, but honestly, I have to say that I look absolutely gorgeous in this. The only thing that might make this look better is if my hair was in an updo. Turning around, I look over my shoulder at my reflection in the mirror. Wow! I smile at the image.

Turning to Chinatsu and Honoka, I ask, “What do you think?”

“Simply stunning Sora. I’d never guess you’re thirteen.”

“I agree, you’re beautiful Sora-nee. Honoka is going to have to use a bat to keep the men away from you!”

“I know, right?” I say excitedly agreeing with Chinatsu which makes both of them start giggling.

I knew I looked a lot better than I used to, but I never truly admitted to myself I was really pretty until just now. The skirt of this falls about a third of the way down my shapely thighs and slightly hugs my curves from top to bottom. The cape shows some cleavage while hinting at the treasures hidden underneath. Simply wow is all I can say. Thank you Mama!

“I’m home!” Mama announces herself from the front door and we head downstairs to show her how I look. I take it slow on the stairs, after all, I’m in 7.5 centimeter heels.

I’m smiling radiantly as I walk into the dining room and ask, “Hi Mama. What do you think?”

“Hi everyone. Oh my, Sora! It suits you so much better than I thought it would! You look fabulous in it!” Then she notices I’m in heels as well. “Did you have any problems walking in the heels?”

“No Mama. I shouldn’t have any problem. After all, this isn’t my first time wearing heels. Well, these do have a taller heel than I’m used to, but it wasn't an issue.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. How are you feeling?”

Ha! I was so excited when I saw this, I totally forgot about how bad I felt.

“I’m fine at the moment. I totally forgot about it when I saw this dress to be honest. I’m glad you got home when you did, I wanted to show you this. Anyway, I’m going to go change and then lay down for a while if that’s alright.”

“Sure it is sweetheart. I’ll come let you know when it’s time for dinner.”

“Thanks Mama.”

Taking Chinatsu’s hand, I head back up to my room. Once we are back in my room and the door is closed, I take off the heels and put them back up.

“Would you unzip me please?”

“S-sure.”

I take off the dress, rehang it, and close the bag. Unhooking the bra I’m wearing as I walk to the dresser, I put it back in the drawer and put my other one back on. Taking my other dress off the hook I put it back on and sit on the bed to put back on my ankle socks.

When I look at Chinatsu, she has a complex expression and is acting a little anxious. I pat the bed beside me and she comes to sit down beside me.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“I-I’m not nervous.”

“Okay, then what is it?”

She blushes and looks away from me. I take her chin and force her to look at me. “If this is about what happened in the dressing room, I'm fine with it.”

“...But I forced myself on you.”

“Oh? I suppose you forgot I grabbed you to kiss you as well? I think I understand why you did it since I know quite well you don’t like girls in that way. Myself? I dunno one way or the other. I do know most of the boys at school can drop dead for all I care. I know I love you and I lost myself in our kiss. It made me happy that you gave me your first kiss. By the way, you were my first kiss as well. Regardless, I believe the reason you kissed me was to prove to me in no uncertain terms how much you love me. Please, don’t let that make things weird between us. If it does, then the kiss you gave me was a lie because right now you are farther away from me than you’ve ever been and I don’t want that. More than anything else, I want and need you beside me, always.”

“...But what if I kiss you again or worse?”

I giggle and lean my head against her shoulder. “I think I can handle you kissing me, if it happens, but as I said I know you don’t like girls in that way.”

I raise my head back up to look at her. “We both know in the long run nothing can happen. We have to get married and have children. We don’t have a choice in the matter. Although, to borrow Mama’s words from the other day, that is a long way off. Either way you decide will be fine with me. I know now you won’t abandon me. Thank you, Chinatsu. You continually amaze me at the lengths you’ll go to for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve having someone like you love me, but I’m thankful that you do nonetheless.”

I yawn. “Regardless of anything else, my dear little sister, I’m tired. Very tired actually. Starting my period and the interview were very draining for me. I want to snuggle with my favorite person and take a nap.”

“When was the last time you took the meds Honoka got you?”

“This morning when she gave them to me.”

She glances at her watch. “Then you are overdue, I’m surprised you aren’t having cramps again.”

“I have been before we even got home. I had planned to take some when we got back and take a nap, but, well, you know.”

She gets up to go to my desk and gets two pills out the bag. She comes back with the drink I had on my desk and holds them out to me. I take them and set the drink on my nightstand.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Sora-nee.”

I lay down on my side and pat the bed. When she lays down, I pull her close to me and close my eyes.