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Chapter 13
At Miyazawa’s Residence“Nee Jun, how was Rena?”
The older threw the question casually to his brother who sat in front of him; The Miyazawa brothers were having a dinner together, well it’s their daily routine after all. Even though their parents aren’t with them for the time being, the tradition still needs to carry on. Today’s menu is meatball spaghetti made by chef Sae; Jun’s favourite dish of all time.
“Heha-han?” The younger stopped munching his food, as his hand movement stopped in the mid-air.
“Geez… You shouldn’t speak while your mouth is full!” Sae flicked his lil bro’s forehead.
A grunt escaped from the younger, clearly wasn’t pleased with Sae’s treatment. Quickly he took a sip of water to help him swallow the food, “Rena-chan? Fine I guess?” He shrugged his shoulder, not interested to continue the topic.
“Is that so? That’s good..” Sae smiled, as his hand resumed what he did before; shoving another spoonful into his mouth, he was so relieved that his brother didn’t seem to hate Rena like the last time they talked about the same topic. “Look… She isn’t as bad as you thought before, right?”
“Well….”
Yeah, Sae was right. Maybe like two weeks ago, Jun was really annoyed with this new girl. Despite Rena and Jun sharing the same class right now, he still can’t believe his brother has his eyes for that type of girl. It’s not like Jun didn’t allow Sae to finally go out with a girl. Of course at first he was happy, finally Sae talked about girls for the first time. It was unusual for him to talk about a certain girl with such excitement. That’s perhaps he was curious about this girl named Rena.
One more thing, Sae always said that Rena is pretty and Jun who hadn’t seen her in person believed in his brother’s words. Much to his surprise, Rena is somewhat an ordinary girl; i.e so-so in many ways. Before Sae mentioned her name, he didn’t know Rena existed in his class. Well, Jun isn’t the type to get to know others than his circle. You know what, if Sae isn’t his brother, maybe he will think either Sae is out of his mind or Rena poisoned him with a love potion. Since that day his eyes were always searching for Rena’s presence. Like what she did, what she wore, who are her friends. Because he needs to understand why Sae is interested in that girl.
His brother is famous in Akiba High, without a doubt Sae could get any girl if he wants to. When Jun talked about “girl”, what he meant is like high-popular girl in Akiba, more like Kashiwagi Yuki type. The younger already knew his crush is from high-class family, smart and she is….pretty; different level with Rena of course.
Anyway, that was before he and Rena talked, now they both had befriends. He started to believe that Rena is indeed a good girl, even wanting to take back about “not-pretty” thing. She is somewhat a natural beauty? Anyhow, she is…..pretty.
“She’s not…..bad.” Jun was mumbling when he said the last part; almost in whisper, as his eyes fixed on the plate.
Unfortunately, the room was silent enough for Sae’s ear to catch what the younger said before, “Deshou? Just give her time, I bet you’ll love her if you get to know her better.” Sae ruffled his hair, beamed the his infamous smile.
“L-Love?
NO!” Without realizing, Jun hit the dining table with his right palm.
“Hahaha I was joking, Jun. Why are you so serious?” Sae laughed over the silliness of his lil-bro.
“Mou… It’s not funny!” Jun pouted, “Anyway, How was the study? Is Kashiwagi senpai’s house good?” Jun tried to divert the topic, deep inside he was seriously curious about anything related to his crush; Kashiwagi Yuki.
“How did you know Yuki is my partner? I don’t recall telling you about it...” Sae arched an eyebrow.
“Y-You’ve told me before!” Jun crossed his fingers behind his back; Lied.
“I did?” Sae was lost in thought, he might not have the best brain but he knew he could count on his memory. Clearly, he didn’t recall talking much about Yuki to Jun. Before Sae could say anything, Jun countered him with another line.
“You told me that you have group task and paired with a smart girl in your class. As far as I know, Kojima senpai is the smartest among the girls in Senior…. But the other day, Yuu-nii told me that Kojima senpai is his partner...the only option left is… Kashiwagi Yuki senpai, am I right?”
“Wow….” Sae’s mouth turned to O shape “..If you aren’t my brother, I’ll take that as you are indeed one of Yuki’s fans.” which the younger one only replied with an awkward smile.
“Fyuuuh, Safe… Luckily Yuu-nii told me that before.”Though Sae was still unsure about it, but when Jun mentioned about Yuu, he can’t help but to believe it anyway. Moreover Jun is someone who never lies - well that counts as his first.
“K-Kashiwagi senpai is famous for being a smart student!” Jun pile up another lie in his list. “So, how was the study?”
“To be honest, I didn’t quite remember what we did. You know right, I was never good in studies to begin with. But I never thought I am
THAT bad.” Sae laughed, Yuki’s ‘i-am-so-done-with-you’ face came to his mind.
The older one began to talk about how at first, Yuki was kind enough to explain the formula; step by step. But after 5 minutes…. 10 minutes…..30 minutes… Sae was struggling with the same formula, meanwhile the ojou-sama lost her patience. The cycle kept repeating for countless time until Yuki told him to stay aside; clearly giving up on him. The rest of the group study was more like Yuki doing the task by herself, because Sae dozed off halfway. Awoken by something touching his scar on his forehead, his eyes fluttered, wide awake just to find his classmate observing his scar. None of them were moving as they just stood there for the next seconds, until Sae laughed and apologized for falling asleep. It was a strange feeling, a familiar vibe? That can’t be, right?
“Well.. yeah she is a smart fella indeed. Jun, you have no idea how big her house is!” Suddenly Sae got excited talking about his study time with Yuki, to be honest it wasn’t a pleasure to Jun’s ear. “Anoo saa... I never thought Yuki belong to a rich-family. Though I’ve heard a rumor before, I never paid attention to it. Because we can’t trust baseless allegation, can we?” Sae finished his meal, up from his seat to the kitchen.
“You know what Sae-nii, you can depend on rumors sometimes. If there is a rumor going around the school there must be a reason behind it.” Jun responded in cold way, still unhappy about the group study’s chit-chat.
“Like what?”
“Like………-”
*Kring Kring* Sound of Jun’s ringtone interrupted the conversation’s flow, the younger took a look on phone screen
‘Kashiwagi Yuki’ . Jun was so surprised to that extent he almost drop his phone; still in daze because of his crush calling him.
“Aren’t you going to answer that, Jun?” Sae shouted from the kitchen.
“Y-Yeah!” His brother’s voice broke Jun’s trance. Then with one hand covering the phone, “Moshi-moshi?” lowering the volume, because the last thing he want is Sae to know about this.
[Jun-kun? Is it okay to call now?”] The senpai noticed how Jun talk in whisper.
“It’s okay, let me go to a quiet place first.”
Jun told her, as his head peeked at the older one who was still busy washing the plate. He tiptoed out of dining room to his bedroom. After successfully retreating from the scene, he made sure to lock his room; just in case Sae suddenly barge in.
“Done, Fyuuuh.” Jun let out a sigh, relieved.
[Did something happen?] Yuki seemed so worried about her partner in crime.
“Nothing, I was with Sae-nii just now. Anyway, do you need something from me?” Jun left the door and soon finding himself sitting at the edge of the bed
[Can we meet now?”] “NOW?” For the 2nd time, Yuki made him standing up because of shock.
[You can’t…..?] Yuki couldn’t hide her disappointed tone
“Is it something important? Can we talk on phone instead?” The kouhai really didn’t want to turn down his crush, but he doesn’t know what to say to Sae.
[No, I just….. I just want to meet you.] a bit stuttered to finish the line.
“E-Eh?” This blunt confession from the older girl made Jun’s heart beating fast all of sudden.
[It’s okay if you don’t want to, we can meet tomorrow in school. Bye] Yuki was ready to end the conversation
“S-Senpai!! Wait! Where do you want to meet?”
[You can?? How about the Konbini near Shin-Yokohama station?] You could tell how different Yuki’s tone after Jun agreed to meet.
“It’s not too far from my house, but is it okay for you to go outside at this hour?” Jun saw the clock showed 7.30 pm already.
[It’s okay, my chauffeur Sata-san will drive me. So, see you then?]“Okay, See you.” Jun waited for Yuki to end the phone call.
After he heard nothing on the other side, his body flop to the bed. Thinking about meeting his crush, Kashiwagi Yuki for the first time outside school.
“Wait, isn’t it a date?” Jun realized, immediately freaking out. “What should I wear??” as he ran towards the cupboard but nothing caught his eyes. The younger Miyazawa’s mind was occupied at the moment, not noticing a pair of eyes observing him from the door.
“Are you going somewhere, Jun?”
“Uwaaa!!” Jun dropped a bunch of t-shirts to the floor, “S-Sae-nii? How did you get in??” Sae successfully gave the younger a heart attack, though he didn’t mean to scare Jun.
“Door?”
“Grrr...I know! but I locked the door already!” Jun retorted.
“You were the one who broke the lock yesterday, remember?” Sae shook his head.
“Oh shit! I forgot about that.” Jun facepalmed himself, “Forget about it, how long have you been there?”
“Since you were mumbling to yourself and freaking out then threw your clothes everywhere? What about it?”
“.........”
“Enough question for me, now you need to answer. Where are you going?” Sae leaned his back against the wall.
“Etooo…...
What should I say?.....Ah! I need to go Airi’s house to pick up something.” Now Jun felt guilty because he’s been lying a lot tonight. Gomen Airi…..
“Hmmm.. I see.. But can you buy soy sauce later? We are running out of it.”
“Of course!”
Then he randomly pick the hoodie on the floor, really just wanting to escape from the scene. Sae gave him money, having no doubt that he was deceived by his little brother.
“I’m going!” Jun closed the door behind, rushing to the next destination.
-at Konbini-There was a young girl sitting inside the konbini, casually take a sip of coffee from a paper cup. Her eyes were roaming out from the large window, then turning to her watch. By that look, people already knew she was expecting someone. When a familiar figure came from the right side, she immediately waved her hand energetically. The other party noticed and waved back, dashing to where she was.
“Did you wait long?” Jun took a seat beside her, still calming his breath.
“Hm-mm, I just ordered my coffee.” Yuki showed her coffee was still hot.
“I see… so what’s wrong?”
“Wait a moment, kay?”
Jun was about to say something when Yuki abruptly left her seat, disappeared somewhere but still inside the konbini. For some reason he was still thinking about why Yuki suddenly want to meet him. About his brother again? But Sae didn't say anything weird about her crush, so… what? Just when he wanted to think deeper, something cold made contact to his left cheek, making him flinched.
“Hahahaha why are you so easily freaked out? Here, I didn't know what to pick so I just choose mineral water and eclair for you. Is that okay?” Yuki handed him a plastic bag stuffed with mineral water and two packs of eclair just like what she said.
“You don’t have to actually, but thanks.” Jun opened up the lid, drank until the half of it; he was really thirsty after sprinting from his house.
“Well…..So how are you? We haven’t meet lately in the music room.”
“Totally fine, what about you senpai? Was the group study fun?” Jun smirked, teasing the older girl.
“It
WAS.” She sticked out her tongue, hiding her embarrassment
“Oh, really? Tell me then.”
“No, I won’t. Because we won’t talk about me this time.”
“So, what?” Jun was taken aback, because for the first time his crush isn’t interested talking about his brother.
“About you of course!”
“Huh? Me? Why me?” Jun pointed his finger at him, disbelieved.
“Tell me about your crush! What’s her name again? Hmmmmm….” Yuki eyes furrowed.
“Rena?” such lazy answer came from the younger.
“Sou! Rena, Matsui Rena right?” Her excitement increased when she finally got the name.
“Why do you want to know about her suddenly?”
“It’s not fair, since I am the only one telling you everything meanwhile I never heard anything from you.”
“I don’t really want to talk about it……”
“Eh why???” Yuki suddenly closing their distance until their face just inches away
“N-No reason.” the more Jun leaned his back over, the more Yuki came closer. “Senpai, c-could you please stop coming closer?” His hand halted the crush from making young puppy get a heart attack.
“If only you promise to tell me….” Yuki kept coming closer, and closer.
“Mou, Alright! I will tell you anything.” Jun gave up, his head dizzy.
“Yeaaaay~~~” Yuki raised her fist to the air, humming happily.
“So, what do you want to know?”
“Hmmmm…. Did you manage to talk to her?”
“Yeah… Actually we’ve become friends now.” a soft chuckle escaped from his lips
Jun remembered the first time he and Rena talked. That was probably the dumbest incident ever in his life, where he hid himself behind a tree to observe his classmate. Rena is indeed cute, her obsession with flowers too. Without him realizing, a smile formed on his lips due to the recollection of memories.
“Ara..? Looks someone is really in love.” Yuki teased.
“H-huh?” the younger saw the smirk and finally grasped the situation “N-no, it's not like that!”
“It’s fine, it's fine!” Yuki patted his shoulder, didn't buy any of his words.
Soft sigh came as result, he didn’t get why everyone tonight asked him about Rena; first his brother, and now Yuki. The pestering from his crush stopped when a middle-aged man in suit stepped in.
“Ojou-sama, we need to go now.”
“Damn…. Time flies so fast when you’re having fun.” Yuki took a glance on her wrist and found it was already late.
“Do you have to go now?” Having this casual talk made him don’t want to end this night-date.
“I am afraid yes, or Papa will deploy his men to find me.”
“Deploy? Is your father in military or something?”
“Hahaha close enough!” The ojou-sama turned to her chauffeur, “Sata-san please go first, I’ll catch up later.”
Sata-san nodded and made his way to the black car outside.
“Jun-kun, tomorrow is perhaps the last day for group study. I’ll do my best to get closer to Sae and please do your best as well, okay?”
Yuki was ready to leave the seat when her foot knocked a chair and stumbled. Before she fell, Yuki grabbed the nearest object which happened to be Jun’s hand. The younger wasn’t ready to catch Yuki so they both ended up falling together like sandwich.
“Ughh….are you ok-?!!”
The younger’s question stopped midway, realizing something warm was pressing his cheek. His jaw left agape when he found out what it was; Bingo, it was his crush’s lips. Jun, as if turned into stone, didn’t move at all. On the other hand, Ojou-sama who hasn’t grasped the situation began to open her eyes.
“Kyaaaaaa!!” A loud shriek came. Without thinking, her hands pushed the younger away.
The voice of Ojou-sama didn’t go unnoticed, as Sata-san with others barged in the konbini in a flash with daggers on their hands. Just 5 seconds was enough to fill the konbini with men in black suits.
“Yuki ojou-sama, are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
The ojou-sama quickly shook the dust off her skirt, she didn’t have time to be shocked since making a big fuss here will be her loss and add another restrictment from her father. Her heart was still beating fast, because it was her first time getting physical contact with someone other than her family and of course, Sae. It was strange.
“OI KID! What did you do to our Ojou-sama?” Sata-san wasn’t letting this off easily.
“Sata-san! I said I’m okay! Do you not
trust me?” Yuki glared, the air became heavy instantly.
“F-forgive me, Ojou-sama!”
“Let’s go or Papa will get mad.” Yuki turned her heels leaving the scene, just before the exit, she took a look at her partner in crime “If you dare to tell this to others…..You know the consequences right?” She pointed out to her guard outside the konbini.
Jun’s eyes saw the bunch of men in black theme outfits, It didn’t take a genius to know those guys are…… dangerous. They could beat anyone into pulp in seconds. He gulped a big saliva, not saying anything but nodding furiously.
“Okay then, bye.” Yuki smiled, waving her hand toward her kouhai who lost his soul already.
Jun who didn’t dare say anything back, just waved without any feeling. The waving continued even after his crush’s car was no longer at the konbini’s parking lot. His hand cupped where Yuki’s kiss planted, re-winding the scene on his mind; daydreaming. However, a light tapping on the shoulder broke his trance and familiar voice came soon after.
“How long are you gonna continue waving? She’s gone already.”
His body jolted as a result, soon replaced by a relief expression.
“Mou….. It’s just you, Rena-chan…” Jun rubbed his chest, as if he lost 10 years span of life. “Wait! How long have you been there?”
Jun was scared if Rena was long enough to hear about Yuki talked about his crush on Rena (which is totally untrue right?). No one knew the fake-crush thingy except Airi. It would be awkward if Sae or especially this girl in front of him know.
“Long enough to see the never-ending waving moment.” Rena imitated how Jun was waving without a soul.
“Yokatta…..” Jun didn’t care about the sarcasm as long as Rena didn’t find out anything.
“Heee…..I didn’t know you are dating our senpai?” Rena smirked.
“I’m not! We...we are just friends!” Jun retorted
“Aaaah…. So it’s just one-sided feeling?” Rena hit the bulls-eye.
“Yes, I have crush on her. Satisfied now?” He blurted the fact, because he was so sure Rena was going to tease him again; basically the younger Miyazawa was enough with today. “Anyway, what are you doing here?” Abruptly change the topic.
“Shopping? I think we are in konbini now.” Rena facepalm herself.
“Aisssh…. Youuu….” Jun gritted his teeth, really restraining himself not to strangle his brother’s possible crush.
*Kring Kring*“Wait a sec.” Rena halted Jun to say anything, “Hm… Sae? We just talked 20 minutes ago.”
“My brother?? Just don’t tell him you and I met.”
“Why?”
“Because I told him I went to Airi’s!” Jun panicked because his life was literally on Rena’s hand.
“Aaah…. I am craving for ice cream…” Rena gave a look to the ice cream’s section.
“I WILL BUY IT FOR YOU!”“Deal~” Rena made an O sign with her fingers.
“Then answer now!”
“Moshi-moshi, Sae? What’s wrong?”
[Nothing, just want to hear your voice.]“.........” Even though Rena knew Sae was half-joking, the sweet talk out of nowhere successfully made her blush.
[Rena? Are you still there?]“...Huh? Yes!”
[Where are you now? Because it’s too noisy.]“I am at the konbini now, my mother told me to buy something.”
[Alone?]Rena turned to her classmate, who clasped his hand as his eyes pleaded not to blow out his lie. Her eyes gave you-owe-me-this-time look to Jun. “Yeah, I am alone now. Why?”
[Nothing, just curious that’s all.] “Is that all? I need to go home now, bye.” Rena was about to press the red button.
[R-Rena wait!]“Hmmm?”
[I miss you…..] Sae said it softly, wanting to make sure Rena know his feelings.
For the second time, one of Akiba’s trio made the glasses-girl blush; this time even redder than before. As much as she wanted to reply with the same words, she couldn’t do so. Not in front of the little brother; she could die in embarrassment.
“.....Me too….” Rena managed to said small reply.
[Be careful on your way home, bye] Sae didn’t fail to show his caring side even on phone.
“Bye….” Rena was still stunned, even after Sae ended the line already.
“Hello??? Rena-chan??” Jun waved in front of the glasses-girl.
“Huh?”
“Look who's face is getting redder by phone talk only?” This time, Jun had the upper hand. Rena was like deer caught in the headlights.
“S-Stop! Don’t forget I just saved your life, and! You still owe me an ice cream.” Rena shot the boy down by one sentence.
“Damn! Alright… alright.. Just pick whatever you want.” Jun gave up, perhaps tonight wasn’t his night after all.
“Yeaaaayyy~.” Rena skipped towards the ice cream section happily.
“So childish, happy over ice cream.” a faint smile drew over the younger Miyazawa.
Topic: Brave Enough - Sae|Jurina|Rena|Yuki| & Others | Finally... Chapter.13 [16/3/17] (Read 65475 times)