kept on sleeping. Nothing happened— or maybe something did happen and nobody knew about it. Ever since then, as long as he had time, Kazuto would go visit the hospital every three days to see that person. Suguha could see it clearly. Kazuto, sitting in front of that sleeping person, holding her hand just like she once held his, calling out to them tirelessly. As soon as she visualized that image, a feeling that couldn’t be described floated to the top of her heart. Her chest tightened painfully, and every breath felt difficult. She hugged herself tightly with both hands and directly sat down at where she was. She wanted Kazuto to keep on smiling. Since he returned from that world, Kazuto had become a lot more open than before. He began to talk more with Suguha. He even got gentler and no longer made any unreasonable demands. It felt like they’ve returned to their childhood days. Therefore she realized just how important that person was when she saw her brother’s tears. At that point she began to persuade herself. ——But, I’ve, I’ve already realized... As Kazuto closed his eyes to reminisce about that person, Suguha felt like her heart could not stop hurting, as if she was trying desperately to hide another feeling. As she watched Kazuto pour milk into a glass on the table and then gulp it down, Suguha whispered to herself within her heart. ——Hey, Onii-chan. I, I already know. The siblings of before had now become cousins; yet even Suguha did not understand how it ended up like this. But something did change. Although she hadn’t really thought about it up until now, a small secret continued to flicker within her heart.