「彼女は...面白いだな？」
She is very interesting isn't she?

***

Haruna's PoV

I slept for the rest of the afternoon from the time we came back from the zoo. It was enjoyable alright, but too tiring. When dinner time came, I decided to go out to have a drink outside since no one was home. I changed into a red shirt, aqua hoodie, jeans, and boots. I suddenly felt really chilly ever since we came home from the zoo. I grabbed my phone and wallet then headed out.

As I walked out, Hikaru was about to walk in.

"Oh, hi. I was just heading out for a drink. You wanna come with?" I invited.

"Sure. Let me just leave my things." He said as he entered the residence.

In a few minutes he came out. His long hair was tied and his jacket was tied around his neck like a cape (as usual).

"Let's go." He said.

***

We walked to a nearby restaurant. Hikaru said that he goes here most of the time. He and I sat across to each other. We quickly ordered some food and two bottles of sake then chatted.

No PoV

The restaurant was very lively. Everyone chatted with each other and laughed, but there was dead air between Haruna and Hikaru.

She felt awkward, but spoke up, "Tell me more about your brothers."

"Why would you want to know more about them?" Hikaru asked as he folded his hands and placed them under his chin, leaning on the table.

"I don't particularly know, but.. I feel like we share a bond.. all of us. It might sound crazy, but everyone is more than a neighbor to me." She said.

Hikaru was shocked and his eyes widened, but he kept his composure as always. A smirk formed on his face, before he spoke.

"I see. So that's what you feel, huh?"

"Yes. I want to talk to everybody and find out more about them. They've been really nice and I wanna be nice to them too." She stated.

"Alrighty. Then let's get to know each other better." He said with a smile.

Haruna felt that it was so normal talking to Hikaru. It was as if she knew him before. The two casually talked and laughed.

"Seriously? You're the writer of that short novel? I don't believe it." She said.

"Nobody does." He said.

"I don't know why, but I connected to that story very well." She admitted.

"Thanks. That means a lot to a writer." He thanked.

"Yeah. That's why people write. They want to connect to others and let them relate to our stories. They want to give a great impact to the reader, give them hope, make them happy, let them enjoy and-"

"Touch their lives, right?" Hikaru said.

It was as if he read Haruna's mind.

"Exactly... are you.. sure we haven't met before?" She asked.

"Maybe we have, maybe we haven't." He said with a smile.

She was happy to get to know 4 of the brothers better than before, but she was not happy that she overslept the next day.

Her screams from the phone call that she was having could almost be heard by the entire neighborhood.

"Are you crazy?!? Giving my shift to someone else?!?" She yelled into her phone.

"I had no choice! She was practically throwing herself onto me! I just wanted her away from me!" The man replied.

"Just make sure that none of my patients will be charmed by that... blech seductress." She said as she made a disgusted face.

"Can we even call her a doctor?" He questioned.

"I don't think we can even call her a person. Just make sure that all my patients are alright. If anything goes wrong, you are to blame, Mr. Yoshioka." She threatened.

"Yes, Ms. Shiomi. I will take care of it right away." He bid then hung up.

Haruna's PoV

I kept my phone then entered the residence and pulled my hair. It's fun to relax, but next time you should remember your work, Haruna! Darn it. I do have the day off, but my salary for the day is off of my check.

"G-Good morning." Subaru said.

I just stared at him for a moment. I was pulling out my hair and I was just wearing a lavender shirt, jean shorts, and sandals, while he was all prepared and ready to go to school. Wait. School? This is my chance! I can offer him a car ride and talk to him.

"Good morning." I said with a half-smile.

I tried fixing my hair after speaking.

"Uhm, don't you have work today?" He asked.

"Well, no. Someone apparently took my shift." I replied.

"I see."

"You want me to drive you? I've got nothing to do anyways." I offered as I grabbed my keys from the car key rack.

"M-My classes don't start til 9 so I was planning on eating out." He said as he blushed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Alright, let's go. My treat." I said as I grinned then grabbed my gray jacket and walked out of the residence.

Haruna, you are a genius! Your plan is working right on mark!

3 hours later..

Yes. Yes. You are so smart, Haruna and that is exactly why I hate you. WHY DO YOU ALWAYS FAIL WITH SHY PEOPLE?!?!?

I entered the residence as bummed out as ever. The car ride was so silent. When we arrived at the restaurant, he suggested to order takeout instead.

Masaomi then called out, "Ema?"

"Hey, Masaomi." I greeted as I walked downstairs.

"Oh, hi. I thought you were Ema. She said that classes were canceled today so she and Yuusuke are heading home."

"Oh. I enjoyed having no classes when I was in high school, even though I only studied in high school for a year haha." I replied as I sat on the couch.

"Wow. What a hard working student. Well, since now that you're a grownup, you are in charge of taking care of the little children that will be in this house. I have work and so does everyone else. Ema, Yuusuke, and Wataru are the only ones who'll be around. You make sure that they get what they need. You can start off by making breakfast for Wataru. He'll be coming downstairs soon. I'm off! Thanks!" He bid then walked upstairs then ran out.

I put my things on the coach then proceeded to making ham and eggs for Wataru.

***

"Wow! Ha-tan is here! What are you doing here Ha-tan?" Wataru excitedly exclaimed as he rushed down the stairs.

"Woah, calm down. Someone took my shift at work so here I am now." I explained.

"Did you cook breakfast?" Wataru asked as he jumped up and down from anticipation.

"Mhm." I said with a giggle. He looked too cute.

"Here." I said as I plated his food for him and placed it on the table.

"Wahhh~ It smells so good!" He said as he sat down and inhaled the juicy smell.

"Do you want some milk or orange juice?" I asked as I walked over to the refrigerator and opened it.

"Juice, please!" He replied as he grabbed the fork beside him and started chewing on the ham.

I took the orange juice and grabbed a glass from the kitchen counter then filled it up. Looking at him reminds me of how I wanted my childhood to feel like, but.. it's too late to look back now. I just have to focus on doing everything the way I want it. I'm tired of regrets.

As I was thinking of life, Ema and Yuusuke arrived.

"We're home." They greeted.

"Hi. I'm the only one here today. You guys hungry? I made some ham and eggs." I said as I brought Wataru's juice over to the table.

"Sure! I'm always up for Haru-san's cooking!" Yuusuke exclaimed.

"Let me help you set the table." Ema said as she grabbed the rest of the glasses on the counter.

"Thanks!"

***

"Ha-tan~! Please help me with my homework!!" Wataru yelled as he dragged me to his room.

"Ok. What seems to be the problem?" I asked as I stood next to him as he took his seat in front of his desk.

"I don't get why the answer is 24!" He said.

"Hm, let's see... aha! It's because you forgot to take away one here." I pointed out.

"Take away one? What's that?" He asked.

"Well, you have to take away one from two because you made zero a ten." I explained.

He scratched his head in confusion then replied, "I'm sorry, but I still don't get it."

"Oh, Wataru."

***

After helping Wataru with his math homework, I went downstairs to get lunch ready. Yuusuke was sitting on the couch, playing video games.

"Hey, could you ask Masaomi if anyone else is coming home for lunch today?" I requested Yuusuke as I washed my hands then started to prepare some of the ingredients.

"I already asked. He said Louis-nii and Kana-nii will be arriving before noon." He answered.

"Alright. I guess tonkatsu and curry would be alright, yeah?" I asked.

"I'll help!" Wataru exclaimed as he ran down the stairs and stood next to me.

"Alright, let's start!"

Kaname-san and Louis arrived soon afterwards and we had lunch. The rest of the afternoon went by fast. That was because I was sitting next to Wataru. He was on his bed trying to sleep. Eventually, I fell asleep watching over him. I woke up by six pm and hurried to the kitchen to make dinner. I was going to wake Wataru since he said that he was going to help me prepare dinner, but he was sleeping so soundly so I decided not to.

I made some miso soup, hamburger steak, plain white rice, and pickled vegetables.

"We're home." Hikaru said as he, Iori, and Subaru were walking downstairs.

"Welcome home." Yuusuke and I replied.

"Where are the others?" Subaru asked.

"They're in their rooms. Kana-nii is doing some meditation thingy, Louis-nii is trying out new hairstyles on Ema, and the kiddo's fast asleep." Yuusuke replied.

"I wanted to wake him up, but he looked too cute. He was sleeping so soundly; I couldn't bring myself to disturb him." I admitted with a shy smile.

"I'll wake him then. I'm not vulnerable to his cuteness so everything will be fine... just not for him." Hikaru said with a sly grin.

No PoV

As the rest of them were setting up the table, they heard a loud scream.

"OOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!"

"Oh boy." Haruna said with a face-palm.

"WHY DID YOU PINCH MY NOSE?!?! YOU COULD'VE JUST SHOOK ME!"

Wataru's voice could be heard by everyone in the house. He ran downstairs with Hikaru chasing him.

"Hikaru." Haruna said as she crossed her arms and looked at him.

"Hehe sorry." He said as he scratched the back of his neck.

Wataru then cried and hugged Haruna. She crouched down and patted his back.

At that moment, Hikaru and Wataru exchanged looks and glared at each other, creating a declaration of war.

Haruna definitely got to know those two better.

Published: March 28, 2017; 6:58 pm