Amai Sato Café, 4:03 pm.

“Hitomi! You ready to go?” I heard Kensuke call my name from downstairs as I prepared myself for a visit at their house. Today is Christmas Eve and Kensuke successfully convinced me to attend that mini Christmas party our cousins held for us. I’m not really close with my other cousins besides Kensuke but he still managed to make me go because he said Mayu’s going there as well. I took a last quick glance at the mirror before heading downstairs, taking my hoodie with me. “I’m coming” I called to Kensuke who was waiting for me at the entrance of our café. “Hitomi you’re slowly turning into a girly girl. You made me wait for 10 minutes” Kensuke complains receiving a hit at the shoulders from me. “C’mon! Is that the only present I get from you~?” he pouted, clinging himself on me. “Yeah why?” I answered monotonously.

“So mean Hitomi~! And here I bought you a complete set of Shiraga Riyu-san’s debut manga volumes!” he proclaimed pulling it out. Oh my god!!!

“K-Kensuke you really bought me this?!” I shrieked as he handed me the volumes, placing it onto of my palms. I feel like I’m holding a treasure. I-It feels so good just holding these sets! I’m in love. Sorry Himuro, I found someone new~ Wait, what am I saying? “Thank you so much Kensuke!” I beamed at my older cousin who looked taken aback when I smiled at him. He scratches his cheek sheepishly and then grinned. “Wow Hitomi, it’s so nice to see you smile at me again” he says that makes me dumb founded. Has it been a while since the last time I smiled at him? Well it doesn’t matter. I’ll smile whenever I feel like it. But based on Himuro and Kensuke’s reactions when I smiled at them, it seems true that I seldom show my smile to everyone. I must look like that grumpy cat meme all the time.

“Ah… your welcome?” I didn’t know what to reply to Kensuke and just followed him to his bicycle that was latched at the sidewalk. Their house, which is the venue of the Christmas party isn’t far from here. You can actually just walk to reach it but since I’m bringing some pastries over at theirs, Kensuke had to bring his bike that had a basket in front. “Here” I gave the pastry pack to Kensuke who placed it in the basket. I nervously sat at the back of his bike while he positions himself on it. I clasped on him nervously as he began to pedal ahead. Kensuke noticed the shivering of my hands that was attached on his back. He chuckled. “Relax, Hitomi. You won’t fall” he assured me but I just gripped on tighter. Sorry for being a scaredy cat, but I’m not fond of bikes. I remember when I was a kid I rode on one when a childhood friend of mine taught me how to ride on it but I end up falling and scratch both of my knees. I couldn’t stop crying after that and my poor friend was scolded by his mother. I wonder how he is. Mayu and I used to play with him when we were little. He also lived in Tokyo.

“Ne, Hitomi. Who did you pick as your secret Santa?” Kensuke asked, glancing over his shoulder to look at me. It made me panic. “F-Focus on the road ahead idiot!!!” I chided as we swerved along the road making me shriek. “K-Kensuke!!!”

“Whoa!” he laughed regaining complete control of the bike. “Idiot!” I smack the back of his head as he steadily pedaled for us. “So, who did you pick?” he repeated his previous question, now converged on the wide cemented road. “I don’t know. Some little girl named Maya” I answered. I’m not really familiar with my other cousins anymore. But Kensuke seems so. “Oh Maya-chan! She’s our baby cousin! Remember she was born when were like… I don’t know 10?” who? I don’t recall. “Oh well, I guess for the whole time of the party you’ll be hanging out with Mayu, ne?” his statement made me look at him curiously. “Aren’t you gonna hang-out with us?” I wondered as he gave me a questioning look. “You want me to?” “Idiot. You’re the only cousin I’m close with there. Don’t leave me and Mayu alone!” I smack his head again as he apologized. He laughed sheepishly. “S-Sorry about that Hitomi. I thought you had enough of me since I always tease you” what is he saying? This idiot. And why isn’t he calling me “Tomi-chan” like the usual? Kensuke’s been acting strange since… since I met Himuro. I huffed and yelled the word idiot at him again.

“Why would I have enough of you? You’re special to me Kensuke. You’re the only cousin that’s been close to me ever since mom and dad died. You and Mayu are the only ones who never left my side so stop giving me that crap” I told him truthfully, hugging him from behind. “You’re like an older brother to me, you know?”

Fukui was startled when Yoshio wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face on his back. Hearing her call him that just made his heart the happiest thing on earth. Slowly, he thought that Yoshio was turning back to her old self. He smiled and continued pedaling to their home. “Tomi-chan’s like my little sister too” he says and grinned at Yoshio who smiled back at him.

When we arrived at the Fukui residence, several relatives of mine came greeting me which half of them I don’t even recognize. I made sure to stay close with Kensuke as we passed by in between many people. “Ne, Kensuke, where’s Mayu?” I whispered, asking Mayu’s whereabouts. Kensuke looked at me and smirked. “She’s with someone. She already arrived here a few minutes before I came to get you” really? Then she must be alone right now. But Kensuke did mention she was with someone. Maybe a friend of hers? Or her boyfriend perhaps? “Ne, Kensuke, who’s she with?” I asked Kensuke who already found Mayu with a friend. “Mayu—” I paused when I saw the person she was with. “H-Himuro?”

“Ah, Hitomi there you are!” Mayu chirped giving me a hug. I hugged back a few seconds because I was still surprised that Himuro was here. “Happy with your surprise?” she smiled at me while I was just dumbfounded there looking like an idiot. I blinked my eyes and confirmed that indeed Himuro was right in front of me.

“Merry Christmas” he greeted me with that happy smile of his.

“What… What are you doing here…?” was my muttered reply when I realized I wasn’t hallucinating that he was here. Or maybe I just miss him too much that—“Kensuke-senpai and Mayu-chan invited me over” huh? Kensuke… and Mayu…

“Oh, while you guys talk, we’ll get you some drinks!” Kensuke volunteered and ran off with Mayu leaving me alone with Himuro. HEY! They were already gone when I called after them and just brushed it off. I just focus to welcome Himuro since this is my auntie’s home. “U-Uh… Merry Christmas…ssu…” my late reply was sent to Himuro who just smiled at me. “W-Would you like to sit down?” I offered, unconsciously fidgeting my hands. Why am I getting nervous all of a sudden? Himuro just nodded so I let him sit with me on the couch just by the fireplace. Kensuke’s home is pretty big. There are a few people around us so I guess most of my relatives are assembled at the backyard.

“Nice house, this your place?” he asks which was obviously no. “Why are you asking me that? You already know where I live, moron” I sneered without looking at him. “I’m just messing with you, you know?” he jester. D-Damn you Himuro. “Why did you come here anyway? Don’t you have your family to celebrate Christmas with?” I asked without even thinking.

“My parents are working abroad. I’m currently living alone in my apartment” Oh.

“S-Sorry about that”

“Don’t worry. But you can change the fact that I’m living alone. If you know what I mean” he winked at me cheekily making me face all red again. “I’m not going to live with you” I reject before he could even ask me. It made him pout that I found so adorable that I restrained myself from pinching his cheeks. “Eh? Well there goes my chance of cuddling with you every night” he sighed disappointingly. “IDIOT! I’ll never cuddle with you! EVER!”

“There she goes again…” Fukui watched Yoshio and Himuro talk from afar. He was holding drinks for him and Yoshio while Akihiro just beside him also had two, for her and Himuro. “They look like a couple from here” Akihiro smiles, sipping a drink from her cup. “I’m glad Hitomi has someone to talk to now. I’m glad you invited Tatsuya-kun, Fukui-senpai”

“Mm” Fukui hummed nodding his head. His eyes were set on Yoshio and Himuro. Akihiro wondered the look on his face and asked. “What’s wrong, senpai?” Fukui shook his head at her question and approached the two to give them their drinks. Akihiro watched her senpai with a worried look on her face. “Fukui-senpai…”

“Tomi-chan, here you are!” Fukui handed Yoshio her drink, same with Akihiro who handed Himuro’s. Yoshio was about to drink it when she sniffed the smell of the drink and reacted. “OI! THIS IS VODKA! We’re underage!” Fukui waved his hand carelessly. “Don’t worry about it. We have adults in the house. Speaking of which, my mom’s calling for me so see ya later~”

“Eh? Oi Kensuke, why are you leaving me with him again?” Yoshio complained but Fukui already left the room. “Ah, I better go with him as well!” Akihiro followed Fukui leaving Yoshio confused. “What’s up with those two?”

“Beats me” Himuro shrugs.

Fukui turned to a corner and soon slid down on the floor, leaning on the wall and continued gulping on his drink. Akihiro who was on his tail watch him sit on the floor, putting her hands on her hips. “Fukui-senpai you’re such a liar. Mrs. Fukui went out to go buy some ice a while ago. She left the same time you fetched Hitomi” Akihiro stated, wondering why Fukui acted like that. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Fukui shook his head. “Nothing. I’m okay” Fukui says but Akihiro knew that it was a lie. “Does this concern Hitomi?” the blonde guessed, sitting beside her senpai and joined him in drinking. “Are you jealous that she’s more close to Tatsuya-kun than us? The people whose always been by her side”

“I don’t want to feel unappreciated. I know Hitomi cherishes me like an older brother but…” Fukui stared at the ground sadly. “I just… I feel sad that we can’t be close like we were when we were kids, you know?”

“Senpai…” Akihiro trailed staring at him. She smiled and leaned her head on the wall. “Then, we’re just the same, senpai. I’m starting to think Hitomi’s getting farther and farther from me. Sometimes I thought it was a bad idea to introduce her to Tatsuya-kun because she’ll be distant to me. But then I realize, if we didn’t, we wouldn’t see Hitomi turning back to her old self. Although our closeness can’t be brought back”  

“Sorry for being selfish Mayu…” Fukui apologized, his head down. Akihiro smiled patting his shoulder. “No, it’s okay. I understand how you feel. I think like that sometimes but in the end, it’s all for Hitomi that I’m doing all of these. I love her so much, that I want her to be happy” Fukui raised his head and smiled at Akihiro. “You’re a great friend, Mayu”

“You’re a great cousin—I mean, brother as well, Fukui-senpai!” Akihiro smiles back.

“I forgot. I wanted to give this to you as a present, Hitomi” Himuro remembered, pulling out a small box from his pocket. I stared at it curiously then at him who just smiled at me. He reveals a silver heart necklace placed inside the box after lifting the lid and proceeds in putting it around my neck, locking behind me. “H-Himuro, w-why did you buy me this…” I know I sounded stupid but—it’s the first time a guy gave something that can be special. Ye know. Himuro chuckled at my shocked flustered expression and gave me a peck at the cheek. “As you can see, there’s a half heart attached on the chain” he pointed at the heart, hanging from my neck. Now that he mentioned it, it was half. The heart was half. “Are you telling me I’m half-hearted?” I gave him a glare which he chuckled. “No” he replied and showed half of the heart that was around his necklace. I stared at it eyes widened. “Don’t tell me…” “The other side of that heart is right here. Which means, our heart can’t be whole without each other, and that our hearts are connected, Hitomi” he explains making my heart pound faster than usual again. O-Our hearts are connected? What kind of dumb shoujo anime did you get that from Himuro? S-Saying romantic stuff like that…

I didn’t say anything to him and just hid my face in my hoodie again. “Why are you hiding your cute face?” Himuro chuckles, removing the hood of my jacket from my head. “There, I get a better view of you” he slowly leans down to brush his nose against mine.

“H-Himuro…” I stammered as he hummed back, staring into my eyes. His lime green eyes are gorgeous… w-what. “I-I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you a present…”

“Hm? That’s okay Hitomi. I only need you as a present” he assured.

“IDIOT! I just forgot it at home! I didn’t think I’d see you during the winter vacation so I was planning to give your present, alongside Yumi and the others’ on January! And I ain’t a present!” I hollered, scooting away from him on the couch. THIS GUY. WE ARE IN MY AUNT’S HOUSE YET HE DOESN’T EVEN MIND THAT HE’S FLIRTING WITH ME. the nerve of some perverts!

“Hitomi got me a present?” Himuro smiles at me while a frown.

“I-It’s just a plain s-shirt you know… nothing special…” I trailed, looking away from him.

“What are you talking about? As long as it’s from you, it’s special” damn it, shut up. I felt him stroke my long hair and lean on me. “Could I have a temporary Christmas gift?” he requested and by the way he looks at me, I guess I know what he wants. I gave him a quick peck on the lips before standing up from the couch to look for Kensuke.

“There done” I stated, walking away from him. I feel embarrassed right now. I can’t believe I pecked his lips. That was so… gahh…

I turned to a corner to see an already drunk Kensuke and Mayu just by the drinks bar, who was singing around like two lunatics, their arms draped on each other’s shoulders. I told them we’re underage. To stop them, I took the cups from their hands first and pulled them away from each other. If Kaichou hears about this she’ll explode. I asked help from one of my cousins who let Kensuke nap on one of the couches while I took care of Mayu. “Mayu, you’re drunk and you’re still 17” I sighed on how irresponsible she was. “C’mon” I took her to the bathroom to wash her face so she can be a bit sober. “Hitomi…” she slurred, grabbing hold of my leg and starting to snore. Ugh, it’s only just 5:44 and they’ve already dominated the vodka here. I bet Kensuke will get scolded again. “Hitomi is my best friend, my best friend~ Hitomi is my best friend~ I love her sooooo much~~~!!!” she started chanting weird songs about me. “Hi-To-Mi-chan~! Hi-To-Mi-chan~!” She’s starting to creep me out… “Hitomi, did you know your name means ‘apple of the eye’?” now she’s giving me trivias. I let her stand up and let her sleep in one of the guest rooms here. “Which means Hitomi is the apple of the eye of everyone~!” she cheered. I sighed and took her shoes of so she could lie down properly.

“Oi take a rest and I’ll wake you up when the party starts. Damn you and Kensuke are so rash” I groaned, putting the covers on her body.

“Hitomi is an important person to everyone…” she mumbles and drifts off to sleep. I bet she has no idea that she’s telling me this. Either way, I appreciate it. I smiled and patted her head.

“Idiot. You and Kensuke are important to me too. And also to everyone. So don’t give me that crap. You’re talking like Kensuke” I told her even though I know she’s asleep.

If there are people important rather than my parents, it’s you and Kensuke you pair of idiots. 

Allooooo!!!!! :D Another chapter of HeartStrings mina! <3 So I state that this is a  Kensuke and Mayu appreciation chapter!!! :DD C'mon guys show those two some love, they cherish Hitomi too much <3 So yeah, hope you love this chapter! And I hope you'll love all the side characters here :D 

so vote and comment below! :)