A New Morning

“Ah…”

Waking up felt terrible. His arms were heavy and sore, and his stomach, neck, and thighs felt like someone had viciously trampled all over them.

April 8, Tuesday.

Spring break had ended yesterday, and today was a school day. He had played a little too hard at Qin Yage’s birthday party the day before, and hadn’t expected to sleep so deeply.

Qin An rubbed his bleary eyes and let out a low groan.

Only then did his sister realize he was awake. The little girl who had been stomping on his stomach turned to face him, her green-and-white elementary school uniform fluttering with the movement.

Her twin ponytails swung left and right as her round eyes stared straight at Qin An. Her pouted lips could have hung a wine bottle.

From Qin An’s angle, he could clearly see her underwear. Not just a glimpse, her pleated skirt had flipped all the way up, exposing the blue-and-white striped panties completely.

“Yage, you’re showing.”

“Brother, what are you talking about?”

Qin Yage didn’t move her feet, answering like that.

“Nothing. Yage, you’re so heavy! Get off.”

“No way. Look at what you did first, you perverted little-sister-obsessed weirdo!”

Qin Yage threw off his blanket. Curled up in the crook of his arm was a sleeping girl, her small body tucked in like a cat, making soft snoring sounds.

“This is Xiaochan. She crawled in last night on her own.”

“But didn’t you say siblings can’t sleep in the same bed?”

“Xiaochan is still a child, so it’s fine.”

“Children aren’t allowed either! I’m a child too, so I want to…”

Before Qin Yage could finish, the cat-like girl slowly sat up, squinting, her body wobbling as she searched for support with her hands.

Qin An quickly steadied her. She half-opened her eyes and said, “Good morning, big brother.”

Then she gently kissed his cheek. “Good morning, big brother.”

She turned to Qin Yage. “Good morning, big sister.”

“I’m not good at all.”

Qin Chan closed her eyes, raised her forehead, and said in a babyish voice, “Big brother, a return gift for the good morning kiss.”

“Big brother, I want a good morning kiss too…”

Qin Yage blushed but still leaned her forehead in.

“Um, can you both get off me first? You’re heavy.”

“Stupid brother.” They actually spoke in unison for once.

*****

This was a three-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Ever since that woman brought them to Japan, they had been living in this place called Kamikawa City for three years.

She had prepared everything: the house, enrollment procedures, adoption paperwork. But she hadn’t taken care of herself. The living room was littered with empty wine bottles. She was slumped over the table, her long black hair spilling onto the floor like the night.

Qin An shook her shoulder. “Yuqing Jie, go back to sleep. It’s cold here; you’ll catch a cold.”

“No, no, I want to drink more.”

Helpless, Qin An took off his own jacket and draped it over her. As he turned to head to the kitchen, he felt his legs suddenly heavy. He looked down and saw Qin Yuqing’s long legs wrapped around his feet, murmuring, “Little An’an, don’t go, don’t go.”

“Alright, alright. I’m going to cook. What do you want to eat?” He stroked her hair.

“I want fried egg rice.”

“Okay, got it.”

Satisfied with the answer, Qin Yuqing sank back into a sweet dream.

Qin An, wearing an apron, chopped vegetables at the stove while his two sisters fought over the remote control.

“I want to watch fortune-telling.”

“No, Xiaochan wants to watch Magical Girl.”

“You hogged the TV all day yesterday, and haven’t you watched this Magical Girl five times already?”

“Hmph, how could a mere mortal understand the true meaning of Magical Girl? Xiaochan is going to be a Magical Girl when she grows up. Not missing a single episode is the most basic requirement.”

“Are you an idiot?”

“You’re the idiot, big sister! Magical Girl is the best.”

“Do you want me to eat all your milk candies?”

“Then I’ll eat all your lollipops! Hmph!”

“Qin Chan, today I’m going to make you taste what it means to be a big sister.”

“Hmph, big sister, it’s time for you to witness the true power of Magical Girl Xiaochan!”

“Aren’t you two going to wash up? Breakfast will be ready soon. Otherwise, you’ll be late.” Qin An reminded them, watching the two playing around.

“Big sister, you’re the older one. You go brush your teeth first!”

“No way. Things like that, you should let the younger sister go first.”

Qin An grabbed them by the collars, dragged them to the bathroom, and ordered, “Brush your teeth and wash your faces together.”

This scene played out every single day.

“Yuqing Jie, I put the fried egg rice in the fridge. Remember to heat it up when you eat.”

Qin Yuqing just nodded groggily and fell back asleep on the floor. Heaven knew how much she had drunk yesterday.

After giving his instructions, Qin An left the house with Qin Yage and Qin Chan. But the elementary school and middle school were in completely opposite directions, while Qin Chan’s kindergarten was in the same direction as the middle school.

“Big brother, be careful on the way with Xiaochan. And pick her up right after class, okay?”

“I know.”

“And Xiaochan, don’t make him carry you all the time!”

“I know, big sister!” Qin Chan made a face at Qin Yage, then said to Qin An, “Big brother, I want a piggyback ride.”

Qin An had to squat down and let Qin Chan sit on his shoulders.

“Yay, Brother Express, departing!”

Qin Yage watched them and could only smile helplessly. Maybe she had been like that once. Maybe she should act more mature. Oh no, she forgot to bring her lollipop.

*****

Qin Chan’s kindergarten was a fairly ordinary one, a small private kindergarten. It only had one slide. What the kids liked most was probably the abandoned sandpit next door.

“Remember, don’t play too rough. Don’t get your skirt dirty. Wash your hands before eating. Don’t make the teacher angry. Get along with your classmates.” Qin An gently stroked Qin Chan’s hair as he instructed.

“I know! You always sound like an old lady at times like this, big brother. Xiaochan isn’t an ordinary girl. Xiaochan is a Magical Girl.” Qin Chan took out her magic wand from her small backpack and said with conviction.

Qin An remembered that Qin Chan had first seen a Magical Girl on TV last year. She had said she wanted to become one then. Qin Yage had scoffed at the idea, but Qin Yuqing had gone all out to cultivate her into a Magical Girl. He had no idea what she was plotting.

Maybe there really were Magical Girls. You never know.