It was Saturday, and Ayumi was bored out of her mind.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, sighing dramatically. "Ughhh... there's nothing to do."
She rolled over, then back again. Then she sat up.
"Maybe I should visit Kota..." she muttered to herself.
It wasn't like she wanted to see him or anything! She was just... checking if he was home! As a good friend! That was all!
She quickly got dressed and walked to Kota's house, ringing the doorbell.
Silence.
Ayumi frowned and rang it again.
Still nothing.
She pouted, crossing her arms. Did he have plans today? He never mentioned anything. She felt a little disappointed.
Just as she was about to leave, a sleek, luxury car pulled up near Kota's house. Ayumi blinked. Huh?
The car door opened, and out stepped—
Toru.
Toru paused mid-step when he saw Ayumi standing in front of Kota's house.
"...Ayumi?"
Ayumi tilted her head. "Toru? What are you doing here?"
Toru cleared his throat, trying to look casual. "Uh... I just came to return Kota's notebook. He left it at school."
Ayumi sighed. "That idiot. He's so clumsy. How did I not notice?"
Toru scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... well... guess I'll just leave it with Max later."
Ayumi looked at him curiously. "Wait, why are you the one returning it?"
Toru internally panicked. Be cool, be cool, be cool.
"Well... uh..." He shrugged, forcing a nonchalant smile. "He's my friend, and friends return lost items?"
Ayumi stared at him for a second, then nodded. "Hmm. True."
Toru let out a breath of relief.
They talked for a bit—mostly about school, Kota's dumb antics, and Ayumi teasing Toru about his fashion choices.
Toru, on the outside: "Hah, yeah, I totally planned this conversation."
Toru, on the inside: WHY AM I SO NERVOUS?!
Eventually, Toru left, and Ayumi sighed again, making her way back home.
She flopped onto her bed, once again bored.
"Ughhh... what do I do now?" she groaned, putting an arm over her face.
Then—
Click.
She heard the front door open.
Her eyes widened, and she shot up from the bed, rushing downstairs.
Standing there, holding a bag of groceries, was—
"KEITO!"
Keito barely had time to react before Ayumi tackled him with a hug.
"Oof—! H-Hey, what's this all of a sudden?" Keito laughed, balancing the grocery bags.
Ayumi grinned. "You're home early!"
Keito ruffled her hair. "Yeah, something happened at the office, so they let us go early." He lifted the bag. "I got your favorite snacks."
Ayumi gasped dramatically. "YOU'RE THE BEST BROTHER EVER!"
They sat down together, munching on their food and catching up.
After eating, Keito leaned back on the couch. "So, Ayumi..."
Ayumi, stuffing chips in her mouth. "Mmph?"
Keito smirked. "Got a crush on anyone at school?"
Ayumi choked.
Keito patted her back, laughing. "Ohhh, that reaction was very suspicious."
Ayumi coughed. "I do not have a crush!"
Keito raised an eyebrow. "Not even Kota?"
Ayumi turned bright red. "WHAT?! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Keito leaned in. "Ohhh, that was a very strong reaction. You sure about that?"
Ayumi's face burned. "SHUT UP!"
Keito laughed harder. "Uh oh~ Someone's getting defensive~"
Ayumi grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Keito caught it effortlessly, still grinning. "Hey, I'm just saying, I wouldn't be surprised. You and Kota are always together."
Ayumi grumbled, crossing her arms. "We're just friends."
Keito leaned back. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing."
Ayumi glared at him. "Good."
But then Keito's expression softened. "Honestly, though... It's fine if you like someone. You're at that age where crushes happen. It's natural."
Ayumi blinked, surprised by his sudden serious tone.
Keito continued, "I know Max too. We're neighbors, and sometimes we'd have dinner together. Kota's a quirky kid, but he's a good guy."
Ayumi listened quietly.
Keito smiled gently. "I just want you to focus on school first. Your generation... kids want to fall in love so early these days." He chuckled. "I just want you to enjoy your childhood, okay?"
Ayumi nodded. "I know, I know."
Keito suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.
Ayumi blinked in surprise. "Wha—?"
Keito sighed. "Ayumi... I know Mom and Dad aren't here anymore." His voice grew heavy. "And I know you've had to endure a lot with that small mind of yours."
Ayumi's heart clenched.
Keito's grip tightened. "I'm sorry that I'm not always there for you."
Ayumi pulled back slightly and saw it—
Tears.
Keito was crying.
Her strong, reliable brother... was crying.
Keito's voice wavered. "But always remember... I will never leave you again. Okay?"
Ayumi felt a lump in her throat.
Keito smiled through his tears. "As your brother, I promise you that."
Ayumi wiped his tears with her small hands.
"...Promise?" she whispered.
Keito nodded. "Promise."
Ayumi held out her pinky. "Pinky swear?"
Keito chuckled, wrapping his pi
nky around hers. "Pinky swear."
They sat there for a moment, locked in a silent promise.
CHAP END 🫠