The bedroom was hushed in the dead of night. The stepbrother stood frozen, gazing at Miki as she slept peacefully in bed. Usually, she was a bright and friendly older sister. Faced with her defenseless sleeping face, a whirlpool of indescribable emotions churned within his chest. "...I can't." He whispered softly, clenching his fist. No matter how much his heart wavered, there was a line that must not be crossed. The time they had built together as a family and the trust he held for his brother could easily shatter on the other side of that line. He gently adjusted the edge of the duvet, pulling it back up to her shoulder. At that moment, Miki rolled over and faintly opened her eyes. "...Who is it?" Startled, the stepbrother took a step back. "Sorry. The light was still on in your room, so I just came to turn it off." Miki nodded sleepily, murmured a small "thank you," and began to breathe quietly in sleep once more. The stepbrother turned off the light and quietly closed the door. Stepping into the hallway, he let out a deep breath. The feelings hidden in his heart would not vanish. Even so, he told himself that to keep anyone from getting hurt, he had no choice but to live on while carrying this secret burden.