「この勝負はまだまだ始まる。」
This game is just beginning.

***

Chapter is dedicated to ChienoHime 😊

***

For the next few days, I enjoyed work. I lived my regular life with a larger grin than I had when I first started my adulthood and it seems that Masaomi noticed that too.

"You look awfully happy." Masaomi said as we were all eating dinner together. Well, except for Natsume and Fuuto. Natsume never comes here and Fuuto has a concert as usual.

"H-Huh? N-No, I don't!" I rejected the thought.

Then everyone laughed at me.

"By the way, does anyone have plans this weekend? I was hoping we'd all go to Osaka." Kaname-san said.

"Why Osaka?" Ukyo-san asked.

"I heard that there's going to be more things to look forward to for the summer festival this year." Kaname replied.

"What's the occasion?" Yuusuke asked.

"Nothing really." Kaname-san said.

"I'll go! But, I'm driving!" I declared then munched on my tempura.

"Me too. I don't have any plans." Ema said with a smile.

"I can't. I have remedial classes." Yuusuke said.

"I have work. Sorry." Masaomi said.

"So do I." Ukyo-san said.

"I have a practice match." Subaru said.

"I have to work on my novel~" Hikaru said.

"Azusa and I have a recording session." Tsubaki said.

"Sorry, school field trip." Wataru said with a pout.

"I'm free. My plans got canceled." Iori said as he came downstairs from his phone call.

"I'm free as well. My appointment for Saturday got canceled." Louis said as he closed his phone.

"Great! I'm happy that the beautiful ladies of this house are free." Kaname-san said.

The rest of the boys laughed and face-palmed at Kaname-san's comment.

"Maybe Natsume can come. Fuuto called me this morning and said that he'd be touring until next week." I said.

"He can't. He has a business meeting on Saturday." Subaru immediately answered.

That's weird. It's like he's being defensive or something. I must be hearing things.

After dinner, Kaname-san called me to talk outside.

"What did you need, Kaname-san?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you'd like to share a room with me for the trip." He said as he took my hand and kissed it.

"Yeah— no." I replied.

"Just kidding. I just wanted to ask how you were doing. How's living in the residence so far?" He asked as he leaned on the porch.

No PoV

"It's great! I enjoy spending time with all you guys. These past few weeks I got to hang out with most of you guys and I'm glad to know what your usual schedules are. In fact, I even learned a bit about your childhoods. Masaomi said you were extremely outgoing, but now that you've become an adult, you're more outgoing than ever." She said with a laugh.

"Hehe. Maybe I am a little outgoing." He said with a laugh as he scratched the back of his neck.

"But I think you being outgoing is what makes you, you. It's like your special thing, if you know what I mean." She said as she looked at him with a smile.

"Thanks. I'm glad that you see it that way." He said with a smile.

"I think all of you have special things like your skills and personalities, but I like the fact that you're all approachable." She said.

Kaname smiled, but was definitely sad inside. He couldn't believe that she considered every brother as an equal. He couldn't really accept that, but he let it slide for the meantime. The two bid each other good night before going inside and heading to their separate rooms.

After the last few days of regular work and school, the weekend finally came. Everyone packed beforehand and was ready and excited for the trip to Osaka.

"Haruna-san, will you be able to manage driving the entire day?" Ema asked as she dragged her luggage to the entrance.

The two were dragging their bags to the car.

"Of course, I'm wearing glasses after all. I got enough rest since I came home early yesterday. I'll be fine, Ema." She replied with a reassuring smile as she was trying to carry their luggage into the back of the car.

"Hey, Stronghold, you think you can carry that all by yourself?"

"Very funny, Yuusuke." Haruna said sarcastically as he took the luggage from her and pushed it in.

"Thanks." Ema said.

"Have fun on the trip. Stay safe." Yuusuke said as he closed the back of the car.

"Thanks, we will." Ema said with a smile.

As she was about to get into the driver's seat, Yuusuke grabbed her arm.

"Hey-"

He kissed her cheek then said, "Drive safe, okay?" He was blushing, but looking directly at her.

Haruna blushed then laughed at his cute expression. She kissed his cheek then replied, "Yes, sir."

Her phone beeped before she could get into her seat.

From: 棗、昴 Natsume, Subaru
To: はるな Haruna
Subj: トリップ The Trip

気を付けて Take care

She smiled at their message then replied.

From: はるな Haruna
To: 棗、昴 Natsume, Subaru
Subj: トリップ The Trip

ありがとう Thanks

Everyone soon got out of the house and hopped in. The car ride was pretty quiet. Well, everyone was asleep and had very cute positions as well. Kaname, who was in the passenger seat, was leaning towards the window. Louis, who was sitting behind him, was leaning on Ema's shoulder. Ema, who sat in the middle, was leaning on Iori's shoulder. And Iori, who was sitting behind Haruna, leaned on Ema's head. Haruna then honked her horn to wake them all up.

"Good afternoon, let's have lunch!" She exclaimed with a shady grin.

"Uhm, excuse me, but what time is it?" Ema asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"It's way past lunchtime... I've been staring at your sleeping faces for more than an hour..." Haruna said with a gloomy aura.

"Yes, yes. Sorry about that. Now let's get down and look for a good place to eat, hm?" Kaname said as he put a hand on Haruna's shoulder.

***

After lunch, the ride continued. They stopped again for dinner then got on the road once more. They arrived at Osaka by 11 pm. Everyone was tired and sleepy as they arrived at the hotel they were staying in.

"Come on, guys. We have to check in." Kaname said.

"Yeah. I'm sharing with your cute little sister." Haruna said as she placed an arm around Ema.

"I guess two rooms would do. One for us and one for the girls." Iori said.

They then went up the elevator and went to their separate rooms.

"Good night." Haruna and Ema bid as they went inside their room.

Haruna got ready for bed as Ema started unpacking her stuff. By the time Ema was done freshening up...

"Today was a pretty tiring day, wasn't it, Haruna-sa-"

her roommate was already asleep.

"I can't believe those boys, Chii. They're so crazy about this girl." Juli said.

(A/N: Yes, if you haven't noticed, he was on her shoulder the whole time xD)

"I don't think they're crazy. I think they just like her." Ema said.

"Just like her? Wait til those other pesky boys attack her. We'll see who's crazy." Juli said as Ema simply shook her head then bid him good night.

The Next Day...

The two girls woke up early and took a bath then changed into casual house clothes (typical shirt and shorts). As they were having some small talk, they heard a knock on the door.

"Chii-chan, Chii-san, may I come in?" Louis said.

"Yes." They both answered.

Louis then entered the room with a smile. He held out two boxes.

"I got you guys yukatas. Please wear them. I'll arrange your hair and put on some makeup on you afterwards." He said with a smile.

***

The two girls wore their yukatas and got styled by Louis. The two were grateful and satisfied.

"Thank you, Louis." Haruna said with a grin.

"Thank you, Louis-san." Ema said.

"You're welcome. Now let's hurry to breakfast. Kaname-nii-san and Iori are already downstairs waiting for us."

***

They all had breakfast together at the hotel lounge then headed out to the festival.

"Wow. So this is what a festival looks like." Haruna said as she was wowed by all the stalls.

"Shall I tour you to each stall?" Iori asked as he extended his hand out to her.

"Lead the way, escort!" Haruna said as he accepted his gentleman-like gesture then they both went back to where all the stalls started.

"I guess today's not our lucky day." Kaname said as he placed a hand on Louis' shoulder.

The two then turned to Ema who gave them a half-hearted smile.

"Ooohhh~ look at that fish! Is that shaved ice? Look there's tons of stuffed toys! Oooh, masks! Oh cool, an accessory stall! Good luck charms?! This place has everything!!" Haruna exclaimed as she roamed around with Iori.

Iori laughed at her reactions then spoke, "I'm glad you're enjoying and appreciating the place."

"Yes, I am! I've never been to anything like this!" She exclaimed again.

The smile on her face. Iori always wanted to see that.

Haruna was grinning from the bottom of her heart. These past few weeks, she was certainly happy to get to know all of the Asahina brothers better and have a little fun as well. But it's time for each brother to show that they're different. It's their turn to individually stand out.

Published: April 25, 2017; 9:53 pm