Alpha glanced at Omega in the rearview mirror of her black Ferrari and frowned. "I'm sorry we couldn't get ice cream scoops, Meggie. I didn't realize that most places don't sell them in the morning during this time of year."
Omega shook her head and unzipped her green winter coat. "It's fine, Onee-chan. People were looking at us weird anyway."
"That's true..."
It had been a while since Alpha had gone out without the others, so she forgot just how people usually stared at her.
She sighed and said, "Sorry, Meggie. I hope you didn't mind the attention."
Omega shrugged. "There's nothing to be sorry about. It's not Onee-chan's fault that she's so beautiful."
Alpha smiled and said, "Thanks, Meggie! And I'm sure that you'll be even more beautiful than me in a few years."
"I don't know about that..." Meggie frowned and fidgeted with her coat's zipper. "Onee-chan's Dad's Magnum Opus and Sister Betty is just so elegant..."
Alpha shifted her gaze back to the road and said, "Just you wait, Meggie. I promise you that in just a little while, you're going to be the one who everyone stares at when we go out."
"...I don't think that's really a good thing, Onee-chan. But thanks."
Alpha giggled and turned the corner at an intersection, driving back towards Myth Inc. HQ.
Omega leaned against the car door and looked outside the window, staring at the passing buildings. As she did, she frowned and said, "What do you think Dad's doing right now?"
"Papa?" Alpha changed lanes towards the next exit and said, "I'm not sure. Probably work?"
Omega scoffed and turned back towards the front. "As if. Leaving like that while we were all still confused... What, is he trying to hide something from us or something? Why didn't he just tell us?"
"It's just a prank, Meggie."
Omega crossed her arms and said, "Well, I expect better from Dad. Someone in his position should be more mature than that."
Alpha shrugged and said, "Papa is Papa. And it's better that he's a childish and warm than mature and cold. At least, I think so."
Remembering how her father was so considerate now, calling her in the morning to wake her up, checking in on her at random times just to tell her that he loved her...
Alpha smiled and said, "I really like Papa like he is now, even if he's a bit silly."
Omega shook her head. "Onee-chan is too nice."
Alpha glanced back at Omega through the rearview mirror and said, "Do you not like Papa like he is now?"
Omega blushed and averted her gaze. "I-I didn't say that! It's just... different. Seeing Dad care so much is weird."
Silence, with the low roar of the car engine and the sounds of light traffic. Before long, the office building of Myth Inc. HQ came into sight.
Seeing that, Alpha glanced back at Omega again and said, "I'm sorry again that we couldn't get fresh ice cream, Meggie... but I think Betty said the convenience store around the corner from the office sells some ice cream cups. Would you like that?"
"It's up to you, Onee-chan. I'm just happy to spend time with you-" Omega paused, instantly turning red and said, "I-I mean that it doesn't matter! It's not like I have anything better to do."
Alpha let out a sly smile and said, "Oh? Then maybe we should just head back home. I really should get things ready for the other girls before they arrive."
Omega froze and then said, "B-B-But...! I-I mean..." The young girl bit her lips, struck with indecision.
Alpha giggled and said, "I'm just kidding, Meggie. We can stop by the shop to buy some ice cream cups. I want to eat some too."
"...Meanie."
"I can't help it. My imouto is too cute when she's pretending to not care."
"Hmph."
Alpha drove the car into the parking lot behind the office building and parked the car. That done, she walked out and opened the door for Omega.
The young girl hopped out of the car and then stuffed her hands in her pockets, pouting.
Alpha smiled and closed the door before locking the car. Tucking the keys away in her coat pockets, she started walking.
Omega followed after her, sticking close to Alpha's side.
As the sisters made their way around the building towards the sidewalk, Alpha glanced at Omega and smiled. "You know, if you keep looking like that, Big Sister won't buy you a treat."
Omega huffed and said, "I am not a child!" She pulled her hands out from her pockets and then crossed her arms, glaring at Alpha.
Alpha's smile dimmed and she quietly said, "I know. But my cute little sister is only going to be this way for a little while longer. I didn't get a chance to play with you when you were smaller, so I wanted to make up for some lost time." She lowered her gaze and said, "But if you don't want me to... I'll stop."
It would be a little sad since Alpha would miss out on that time period of Meggie's life, but if her little sister wanted her to stop, she wouldn't push it on Meggie.
"...I didn't say that I wanted you to stop." Omega glanced at Alpha and then lowered her gaze, blushing.
Alpha gasped and then pulled her little sister into a hug. "Thank you, Meggie! I love you!"
"O-Onee-chan!" Omega squirmed, trying to escape. When she did, she huffed and said, "That's not something you should be saying so freely!" She glanced around, as if checking to make sure no one heard. Only when she saw that no one was around did she turn her attention back to Alpha.
Alpha nodded. "I know. But I really do love you, Meggie." She smiled and said, "My cute little sister that's so talented in everything... Big sister can't help but love you. And nothing will change that."
Omega flinched and then grabbed her chest. "...Onee-chan is really unfair."
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
The sisters walked along the sidewalk, heading for the convenience store around the corner. As they did, a few stray pedestrians looked their way, but they also quickly looked away.
Alpha blinked and looked at Omega. "Meggie..."
The young girl quickly tucked her hands away and huffed. "What? I didn't do anything."
Alpha sighed.
Omega averted her gaze and said, "Anyway... What about Betty? Isn't she Onee-chan's younger sister too?" She frowned and said, "Why don't you treat her like me?"
"Ah, that's..." Alpha blushed and said, "It's true. But... Well..." She lowered her gaze and said, "Betty is more of an Onee-chan than I am, isn't she? I love her as much as I love you, but calling her a little sister is a bit too much. Not to mention her appearance..." As she said that, Alpha frowned and glanced down at her shirt.
Omega noticed and said, "Don't worry, Onee-chan. Big chests are no good anyway."
Alpha blushed and said, "I-I didn't mention anything about that! A-And what do you know? You're still growing!"
Omega nodded. "I might not have grown up yet, but I know a lot about it. Mom worries about it a lot, but I still think it's better to be her size, like with Onee-chan. Auntie Xuannu's are huge and she always gets thrown off balance when we spar because of them."
Alpha's blush deepened and she said, "L-Let's talk about something else."
"Hm?" Omega blinked and said, "It's just-"
"You mentioned Auntie Xuannu, right?"
Omega frowned, clearly not satisfied at the abrupt change in subject. But she sighed and nodded. "That's right." She smiled and said, "Auntie Xuannu's nice. She always tries to make some time for me and helped me train when Mom was busy." She paused. "Though it seems like Mom didn't know about it..."
Alpha frowned as well and said, "I hope Mama can get along with our Aunties soon. I miss spending time with them."
"Should I tell her to?"
Alpha blinked. "Huh?"
Omega shrugged and said, "If Onee-chan wants me to, I can tell Mom to let them visit. Even if she doesn't want to, she'll allow it if I ask."
"Really?"
Omega smiled and puffed out her chest. "Of course! Mom loves me a lot, you know?"
Alpha shook her head. "It's fine." She smiled and said, "Mama loves us now, and that's all that matters."
The past was the past. It might have been a bit awkward at times, but they were a happy family now. And that-
A sudden warmth in Alpha's left hand. A small hand grabbing her own.
Alpha blinked and looked down.
Omega glanced at Alpha and then shifted her gaze down to where their hands were connected. After that, her face turned red and she averted her gaze. "D-Don't misunderstand! I just... didn't want Onee-chan to feel sad, okay? It's not like I l-love you too or anything."
Alpha giggled and then patted Omega's head with her right hand. "You're so cute, Meggie. And it's okay if you don't love me. Big Sister will always love you anyway."
Omega's eyes widened and then she lowered her gaze. "...Stupid. How can I not love Onee-chan when she says something like that?"
Alpha smiled and then picked up the pace. pulling her little sister along. "Come on, Meggie! It's not too far from here."