What If My Brother Is Too Perfect? chapter 3
Amelia quickly grew familiar with the house. It was situated on a floating fragment island within the archipelago surrounding New York. Shaped like a spacecraft, the house was large and beautiful. Its only flaw, if it could be called one, was the slight emptiness stemming from it being just the two of them living there. Having spent so long in their cramped old home, she’d never lived in such a grand place. Ethan really made it big, haha.
"Brother, let's go out and play," Amelia announced once she’d fully claimed the house as her own territory, feeling bold enough to explore beyond it.
Spotting Ethan standing by the window, she bounded over and launched herself onto his back.
Ethan caught her with one hand to keep her from falling, the other pressed to his ear. Only then did she notice he was on a call.
"Understood. Send it to me once it's compiled. I'll review it then." Ethan in work mode was different—his tone steady, carrying a quiet, inherent authority. Amelia tilted her head, studying his face. Their time together had fully acclimated her to this grown-up version of him. He treated her no differently than before, allowing for a seamless transition where she hardly noticed the change. Only moments like this, with his 'work persona' activated, reminded her that he had truly become an adult, a working professional.
"Where do you want to go?" Ethan asked, ending the call and glancing sideways at her.
"The supermarket. Shopping. To buy things!" Taking advantage of his secure hold, she reached up and playfully pinched and pulled at his ears. "Have you really lived here long? Why is there nothing in the house? How did I ever put up with living with you before?"
"You only visited occasionally before. New York is far from our old home. Our little special police officer was busy saving the world," Ethan said, gently setting her back on her feet.
"Did you miss me? Like I missed you when you went away to university?"
Ethan turned to lock the door, a faint smile touching his lips as he looked at the handle. "Yes. I missed you. Always thought about you, wished you'd just stay here, with me."
Amelia scrunched her face. That feeling again. She often sensed something indescribable about the grown-up Ethan—times when he seemed to be smiling, yet somehow also… sad. It felt like he carried a heavy weight inside, a burden he tried to hide but which she could still faintly perceive.
"Well, it's perfect now. I can be with you every single day. You should be grateful, Ethan." She didn't understand it, chalking it up to 'adult worries,' especially since the feeling always vanished as quickly as it came, just like now.
"Alright. Thank you, the best sister in the whole world," Ethan turned around, and that elusive, heavy aura dissipated instantly.
Leaving the floating island's docking station, they were met with bustling crowds. The unfamiliar environment and sights sparked a flicker of panic within Amelia, until a large, warm hand enveloped hers. She looked up at Ethan beside her.
"It's crowded. Is holding hands not okay?"
"Hmph. I'm just afraid you'll get lost. Consider it a favor," she pouted, unable to suppress the grin tugging at her lips.
Ethan just smiled, not replying. His broad palm completely encased her hand. Walking side-by-side, weaving through the flowing masses, Amelia suddenly felt no fear at all.
With a high-ranking Air Force Marshal footing the bill, Amelia no longer had to penny-pinch. She dared to eye all the pretty clothes, launching into a full-blown shopping spree. Ethan's role was simple: follow behind, pay, and carry the bags.
Watching him—laden with shopping bags, yet still patiently checking out at the counter—Amelia remembered it had always been like this. The allowance he saved, the money from his part-time jobs in the past, most of it had ultimately been spent on her.
"What are you grinning about? Looking a bit silly," Ethan walked over and ruffled her hair.
"Stop that! Patting my head stunts my growth," she swatted his hand away. "I'm not taller now because you always patted my head before!"
"Oof, my shoulder is so sore."
"What? Are the bags too heavy?" Amelia frowned, realizing she might have bought a bit much. She reached out to take a few bags from him.
Ethan sidestepped her easily. "This stuff isn't heavy. I was referring to the giant pot you just saddled me with," he sighed with mock exasperation, shrugging his shoulders. "I worked so hard as your personal chef, raising you all these years. No credit, but I get stuck with this blame."
"E! THAN!" Realizing she'd been teased, Amelia clenched her fists and shook them in front of him. But seeing him loaded down with packages, she couldn't bring herself to actually hit him. Instead, she leaped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. "If it's not heavy, then you can just carry me home too."
"Good heavens. I pay for your things, carry your bags, and now I'm your personal steed?"
"Serves you right for teasing me."
"Let heaven and earth bear witness. Let's find anyone to judge who's really bullying whom here," Ethan complained lightheartedly, but he bent slightly, hooking his arms under her legs to secure her as they walked on.
Amelia overheard a passerby remarking on what a sweet young couple they were. Her face flushed with a mix of pleasure and a flicker of anxious curiosity. "Brother… won't this… hinder your chances of finding a girlfriend?"
Ethan's steps faltered almost imperceptibly. "A certain little rascal seems to have forgotten how she once cried and demanded I not get a girlfriend."
"What? Me? When did I ever…" The realization hit—this was in her lost memories. "I really demanded that? Was it when you were in university?" Ethan didn't answer, but she didn't press, a grin spreading across her face as she continued, "I must have had a reason. They say a son forgets his mother once he gets a wife. You, Ethan, would definitely have forgotten your sister if you had a girlfriend. Otherwise, why would I…"
"There never was one," Ethan stopped walking and turned his face toward her. "I never had a girlfriend. I won't have a girlfriend. I've always remembered my promise to you."
"Well, you better remember it forever. After you've…" she mumbled the next part indistinctly, "...how could you even think about getting a girlfriend."
"I won't. There will never be anyone else."
His resolute words sent ripples through her heart, filling her with a unique sense of fulfillment and security that belonged to her alone. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her ear pressed against the warm skin, listening to the steady, strong pulse of blood flowing through his artery. Lulled by the rhythm of his steps, she grew drowsy on his back.
"Sweetheart, I'll only ever love you."
The sudden words jolted Amelia fully awake. She lifted her head sharply, staring intently at Ethan's profile, confirming the words had indeed come from him—not a figment of her sleepy imagination.
"Having you is enough for me. It will only ever be you."
The unexpected confession left her utterly flustered. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly before she finally gave up, burying her blazing red face deep into the fabric of his shoulder.
Contents：
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 1）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 2）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 4）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 5）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 6）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter 7）
What If My Brother Is Too Perfect（chapter8）
