Hey all! As the summary states, this is going to be my version of Brothers Conflict with some twists here and there. I'm going primarily off the anime because I can't seem to find a decent copy of the manga and all my attempts at finding a translation for the light novel have come up blank. This is as much for me as for you guys so let me have a little leeway ;) I'm probably going to be adding and taking away from the anime's dialogue on a regular basis and changing situations around a little because I really hate how completely blank and submissive Ema is in the anime and I want her to be more of a likeable character to the readers and not just to these brothers. Also, forgive me if your favorite brother is not the same as mine... I'll probably make my preference known eventually but for now I really will try my best to keep the interactions between all the brothers as equal as I can so that everyone can enjoy their favorites without feeling like they haven't been done justice. So this isn't quite a translation of the novel and it isn't quite an elaborate play-by-play of the anime either, but I hope it's close enough in accuracy to the story to still be enjoyable. I will be writing names the way they'd be written in English, so just a heads up. I'm starting this out in present tense narration, but it's not my go-to writing style and so if it ends up needing to be changed I'll go back and rewrite. Let me know how I do! Diving right in -

"Remember, you have to keep your guard up against those wolves! There are thirteen of them after all. You can't trust them!" I pull my gaze away from the sight of trees speeding by the train window to look down at the little grey squirrel sticking out of my bag. Juli's been repeating these words for weeks, ever since I first found out I would be moving.

"I know, Juli," I reply, petting him behind the ears. "I got it the first twenty times you said it." I give him a smile. He knows I'm only teasing, but I can see his front paws cross indignantly over the bag's zipper.

"I don't know what your father is thinking, letting you move in with so many men you've never even met before. It could be dangerous for you there!" His voice is squeaky with irritation on my behalf. I have to love the little guy, even with his constant nagging. He does it for my safety.. and with Papa always working or traveling Juli has been the closest thing I've had to a family for as long as I can remember. My mother died giving birth to me and while I know Papa does the best he can to care for me, he's also a famous explorer. He can't really stay at home for long periods of time.
A few weeks ago Juli and I received the news that Papa would be remarrying. And his bride-to-be is none other than the clothing designer Miwa Asahina! I don't know her very well, but she's beautiful and has been very kind. Papa seems happy and, really, that's all I want for him.

"You know as well as I do that Papa and Miwa are busy. I can't live with them. I'd be interrupting their work... not to mention their home life. And they wouldn't send me somewhere unsafe. I'm sure all thirteen brothers are lovely." In a way, I think Juli's constant mantra of safety tips is calming me down. It's kind of nice knowing I'm not the only one who's nervous. But unlike him, I have another feeling bubbling under the nervousness. I'm excited! I'm on my way to a place I've never been before and when I get there I'll actually have a family. Not just any family, either. I'll have thirteen new brothers to live with and grow up around. I'm not too sure how other families work, but I feel like getting so many new siblings makes up in some large way for living by myself for so long. I stroke the back of Juli's head again to quiet him down a little and try to ignore his little squeaks and "Hmph!" noises as he mutters about what animals these men must be.

I have to smile and bite my lip to keep from laughing or pointing out that Juli is an animal and that surely that can't really be an insult. I lean my head back against the plastic of the train seat. Even with all the nervousness and the worries of my little companion, I only have one real wish:
I hope they like me.