「僕と兄弟達は同じじゃないだよ。」
My siblings and I, we're not the same.

***

It was already a month when I started living here with the Asahina Family. I've grown fond of their company. Unlike my previous neighbors in my old apartment, this family treats me more than a neighbor. Today was a Sunday and I was planning to stay home. I got ready then went to grab breakfast by 8 and saw Azusa and Tsubaki who were still eating by then.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Good morning, there's pancakes on the kitchen counter." Azusa said.

"Thanks. Don't you guys have work today?" I asked as I grabbed a fork and plate then put a pancake on it.

"Not today. Our company gave us a day off." Tsubaki answered as I walked to the kitchen and sat next to them.

"How about we go hang out somewhere?" I suggested.

"Sounds great."

"Why don't we visit the nearby zoo?"

"Alright. You guys go ahead and get ready, I'll catch up." I said as they bowed and stood up then left.

"Looks like you're close with everyone now, hm?"

"Masaomi...stop scaring me like that!" I exclaimed irritatedly.

"Hehe, sorry, but it's true." He said as he stood up from the living room couch and walked over to the dining table.

"Well, everyone is so friendly, kind, and caring. You're all alike because you're brothers." I frankly replied.

"I'd have to disagree about us being alike." He said.

"Well maybe not exactly, I guess only a few particular things are the same."

Masaomi simply laughed then walked back to the couch and said, "We'll see."

***

I got ready after eating breakfast. I took a bath and changed into a white shirt, red long-sleeved plaid polo, thigh-high jean shorts, and black sneakers. I grabbed a small black sling bag and went out of my room to see Tsubaki and Azusa already waiting for me.

"Sorry, did you guys wait long?" I asked.

"No, it's just been a minute or two." Azusa replied.

He was wearing a simple white shirt and a blue polo, tan shorts, and sandals. Tsubaki on the other hand wore a pink long-sleeved shirt, black shorts, and flip flops.

"Let's go! I'm driving!" Tsubaki exclaimed, but I couldn't stand for that.

"No, I'm driving!" Azusa and I simultaneously exclaimed.

Natsume then arrived at the doorstep and walked towards us. He was wearing a green shirt, a gray jacket, half-length beige pants, and penny loafers.

"Alright, I'll come with and drive. Where are we going?"

***

"Hey, stop pouting. It's like you guys are children who didn't get what they wanted." Natsume said with a laugh.

I was in the passenger seat, Azusa was in the left rear seat, while Tsubaki was in the right rear seat. We were all pouting in our seats. My arms were crossed, Tsubaki was looking out the window, and Azusa was sighing.

"Hey, Tsubaki, Azusa. You should thank me, you know? If she drove, you guys would've got burned." Natsume said which made me blush.

I never had anyone compliment my driving before.

"What? You're the one who should be thankful, Natsume. Be thankful that you don't live with us! Her cooking can totally beat yours!" Tsubaki exclaimed.

"Both of you should be thankful. You guys should be thankful that you havent entered her room. Her anime merchandise collection is more than yours, Tsubaki, and so is your game collection, Natsume." Azusa said.

"Alright, alright! Let's just all admit that I win against all of you! Hahaha!" I kidded as we all laughed and chatted more throughout the entire car ride.

We soon arrived at the destination, but conflict arised once again.

"I'm paying for the tickets." Natsume stated.

"No, I believe I am." Azusa declined.

"Hey, I should pay!" Tsubaki argued.

"Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I'm paying." I said.

"No." the three boys said.

In this situation, I can't tell if they're being gentlemen or they just want me out of their argument.

"Guys, calm down. Let's divide the expenses. One of us will pay for tickets, one of us for miscellaneous stuff like merchandise, one of us for lunch, and one of us for the rental cart."

A/N: The rental cart is like a golf cart. It's the thingy that people ride, but it has no doors or windows. You can search on the net xD I am not capable of describing it haha

"Dibs on the rental car! Haha!" I exclaimed with a grin of triumph as I handed money to the guy operating the carts.

"Then I'll pay for the tickets. For 4 please." Azusa said as he handed money to the man in the stall.

"I'll pay for the meal. I just got my paycheck." Tsubaki said.

"So that means I'm on miscellaneous. Ok. Haruna, hand me the—" Natsume was about to ask me to hand him the keys, but I already started the cart. He simply walked over with the other guys then laughed, "never mind."

***

No PoV

Haruna parked the cart near the comfort room of our first stop. The three boys already got off before she parked so she ran to catch up with them; however, she tripped on a rock. On that split second, the identical twins grabbed each of her arms preventing her from falling any further. The twins looked at each other in surprise then let go of her arms when she balanced herself again.

"Thanks." Haruna said.

"Sure." They both replied while still staring at each other.

Natsume's worried look turned into a stoic expression. "Looks like my guess was right. Those idiots really are identical." He thought.

***

Haruna's PoV

"Haha! This cat looks like Tsubaki!" I pointed.

"Go take a picture with it!" Azusa said as he pushed Tsubaki next to the cat.

Natsume quickly took the picture then we all laughed.

"It's nice to get a break from work and chill like this." I said as we walked towards another group of animals.

"Sure is." Natsume agreed.

"It's good to see that the two of you are relaxing with your free time since you two work more than 8 hours a day." Azusa said.

"I'm a doctor. I shouldn't have days with off duties, but I can do my job well even if I don't go to work for a week. If I were a full-time working doctor, I'd never come home. I might live at the hospital or something." I replied.

"I'm a programmer. It's normal for me to have no breaks, but since I'm a head of the company, I can go to work and go on breaks when I need to." Natsume added.

"Hard working people." Tsubaki teased.

"Yeah, yeah." Natsume and I replied.

"Let's have lunch. It's already one." Azusa said as he looked at his watch.

"Really? Pretty early if you ask me." Natsume and I said at the same time which made me blush.

We exchanged glances then quickly looked away. So it was decided. We went to a jungle themed restaurant that was beside the penguin habitat. Obviously it was very cold there. I shivered as we entered the place.

"Here." Natsume said as he placed his jacket around me.

"I-I'm fine. I don't-"

"It's all good." He cut me off as he took a seat.

I sat down next to Tsubaki and Azusa then the waiter handed us menus.

"Have you decided on what to order yet? I recommend the bitter pear. The bittergourd soup here is delicious." Tsubaki said.

"Thanks, but I don't eat bittergourd. I don't really like it." I respectfully rejected.

"I think the tomato sukiyaki would be nice." Azusa said.

"No thanks, it has corn. I don't really like that." Natsume said.

"Really? If you want, you can order that dish then pass me the corn so you can try it." I said.

"Sure, thanks." He replied.

"So we're all ready to order, right?" Tsubaki asked as we all nodded in response.

"Ok. Waiter!"

***

After having lunch, we continued our exploration. It was fun to hang out with the triplets. I got to bond with them all at once. I found out about their interests and dislikes. I'm really glad to see that I have people who like hanging out with me.

No PoV

"Hey, Haruna! Let's go feed those rabbits!" Tsubaki yelled as she was running towards them.

She caught up then stood in front of the three, closed her eyes then smiled, "Sure!"

At that same moment, the three twins' eyes widened then their expressions softened into calm smiles.

"That's the smile that I was waiting for." They all thought.

"Great! Let's go!" Tsubaki said as he grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the rabbit section.

"Hh." Natsume and Azusa both said which surprised each other.

Azusa pushed up his glasses then spoke, "Are we all on the same target?"

Natsume shoved his hands into his pockets then nonchalantly replied.

"Seems so."

Haruna never noticed that Natsume and Azusa were lagging behind because just enjoyed the time that she shared with them. She was happy that she learned more about them as they learned more about her.

Published: March 21, 2017; 8:09 pm