Makoto absentmindedly flipped through the channels, trying to find something that interested her.
"Ugh, why isn't anything good ever on at 2:00?" she complained out loud to the television. She sat there, one hand resting her head and the other tapping away at the "change channel" button, until a familiar sound caused her ears to perk up. It was the school bus. Kyle was home from high school! Brushing her long, brown hair aside, she hopped up off the couch, and scurried to the door.
"Hey there, Lil' Bro!" she cheerfully called out as she swung it open. Makoto stood there smiling her usual big sister smile, expecting Kyle to come bounding into her arms for a welcome-home hug, like he usually did. Instead, however, her smile faded as she watched Kyle slowly trudge up to the door, hands in his pockets and his head hanging low.
"Um... Kyle?" she concernedly asked as he passed her by. Without even so much as looking in her direction, he depressedly climbed the stairs to his bedroom.
"Kyle? You okay, Lil' Bro?" she repeated, again garnering no response as he walked into his room, closing the door behind him.
Makoto looked ahead as she closed the front door. Something wasn't right. She and Kyle had practically been best friends ever since childhood. Makoto was the first child in the family, who came around before their mother had her first divorce. Their first father was Japanese, so he was responsible for Makoto's name, as well as her fluent grasp of the Japanese language as well. And while Kyle came around as a result of their mother's second marriage, that didn't make him any less important. He was still family, and family were meant to help each other!
Following her big sister instincts, she followed Kyle's path up to his bedroom door, and gingerly knocked on it.
"Who is it?" Kyle asked in a somber, flat tone. Makoto could hear the faint sound of the television from the other side of the door.
"It's me, Makoto," she answered. "Can I come in?"
"Sure. The door's unlocked," came the reply. Turning the
knob, she pushed it open, walked in, and closed it behind her.
Everything in Kyle's room was in order; nothing broken or on the floor, and Kyle was laying on his bed in the far corner of the room, watching TV. Walking over to his bed, she smiled at him and sat down on the edge.
"Hey, Kyle." Makoto said.
"Hey, Makoto," he responded.
"So, how was your day?" she asked.
"Mmm," Kyle grunted apathetically.
Makoto thought to herself, trying to think of something she could use to get a reaction from Kyle.
"What'cha watchin'?" she asked, looking at the TV.
"Some sitcom," Kyle replied, his voice and expression still refusing to change.
"Ah, interesting," Makoto muttered, trying to sound surprised. "So, how was school?" This was her chance to find out what was troubling her dear little brother. "You seem kinda down. Is there someone picking on you?" she continued, quizzically leaning in towards him.
"What? Er, no, there's nobody picking on me," he answered surprisedly, finally snapping out of his morass.
'Success!' Makoto cheered herself in her head. Now she only had to figure out what the problem was.
"Really?" she mused. "Then what happened?"
Kyle sighed to himself as he listed his series of grievances, counting them off on his fingers. "Well, first someone stole my lunch money, then I failed a quiz in Geometry, then I accidentally broke my phone case, and finally, I left my Government project at home." Kyle finished his list with another discontented sigh as he shut off the television.
"Man, that sounds rough." Makoto sympathized, offering her two cents as she reassuringly patted his shoulder. "Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just wasn't at my best today." Kyle responded, beginning to smile as he looked at Makoto. "I'll be back in the game tomorrow, just you wait and see!" he added, lightly chuckling.
That was the face that Makoto wanted to see. Her little brother, smiling his usual, sunny smile at her. Her adorable little brother, whom she loved more than anyone.
Makoto looked back at him, taking in what she saw. As she did, she remembered all of the reasons why she cared about him. He was smart, had an amazing sense of humor, was always optimistic, and was always ready to take a bullet for anyone he cared about. He was everything a big sister like her could hope to have.
Everything, and more.
Then Makoto had an idea.
"Say, Kyle..." she spoke, breaking the silence. "If you're still feeling down... I think I know something that might cheer you up."
"Oh? Is it a new car?" Kyle jokingly inquired, his interest piqued.
"Nuh-uh," Makoto answered, shaking her head. "Even better."
"Ooh, now I really wanna know!" Kyle was becoming increasingly interested, sitting straight up on the bed.
"Ah, ah, ah!" she interrupted, waggling her finger as she giggled. "First... cover your eyes."
"Aww, man! Okay." Kyle responded in fake annoyance, covering his eyes with his hands.
"And keep them covered until I say so!" she added. "No peeking~..."
Kyle perked up a bit at this last adage.
'Did her tone of voice change?' he thought to himself. He couldn't put a finger on it, but it almost sounded... playful. Teasing, even.
He didn't dwell on it too long, though, as he heard Makoto start humming to herself. He also faintly detected something else that sounded vaguely like rustling, but he couldn't be too sure, what with his eyes being covered and everything.
After about twenty seconds, Makoto spoke up, again with her playful, teasing voice.
"Okay, it's ready! You can look now..."
Kyle excitedly uncovered his eyes...
Only for his jaw to drop along with his arms.
Makoto was standing there, just like before he covered his eyes, only now, her pink shirt and jeans lay in a crumpled pile on the floor, leaving her standing there in front of him, wearing nothing but her white cotton bra and panties.
"So, Kyle? What do you think? Does this cheer you up?" she teased with a sexy giggle.