CHAPTER 3 : What's with this Encounter?!

B-Brother? Is she Kise's sister? I have heard about Kise's two elder sisters...

Kise raised his upper body, leaning against his one elbow. 'Oh. Ryouma-nee?' he spoke.

Ryouma? Isn't that his sister? Why does she possess such name?

Ryouma took off her sunglasses and walked towards her blonde brother. She touched his forehead. 'You're burning up, did the nurse not give you anything?' she asked, worried.

'I'm fine, really.' Kise smiled. I backed away a few steps.

'Ryouma, did you lock the car?' a voice said. We looked up and another woman walked in, closing the door behind her. She averted her gaze from her phone and looked at us, freezing on the spot.

She has straight similar blonde hair to Kise that barely reached her shoulders, sunglasses over her eyes, a beige shirt and black skirt, black leggings, and a pair of sneakers. She saw me and waved. 'Hi, you must be Sorano.' She smiled.

I bowed my head. 'Yes, I'm Sorano.'

Ryouma looked at me and to the blonde sister. 'She was about to kiss Ryouta when I came in.' she said.

I gaped. 'No, no, no! I couldn't hear what he said so I wanted to—'

The blonde sister laughed. 'Are you two dating? A manager and a model love line is interesting too.'

Kise joined the laugh.

'What are you laughing for, yellow prawn?!' I chided.

'Yellow prawn?!' Ryouma sounded angry. I inflated my cheeks and looked away.

Kise sat up properly. 'Ryouma-nee, calm down, she's my manager, not lover, we have no secret love or whatever, and I'm proud being called a yellow prawn.'

Ryouma sighed and sat on the bed. I leaned against the wall watching the three talking to each other. My phone vibrated and I answered the call, exiting the ward.

'Sorano's here.' I spoke.

'Akayuki, we need you as early as 8. Can you do it?' a familiar voice spoke.

'Eight? What's the big deal?'

'I-don't-know-who wanted to throw a party and we were paid to prepare for it.'

I tilted my head. 'Have you asked Himuro?'

'I did. He's busy with exams coming up.'

'Um... how about Reina?'

Hajime chuckled. 'Akayuki, if you can't come, just tell me.'

I bit my lower lip. 'Kise is sick and I don't know if I should go there or accompany him.'

'Then go accompany him.'

'Okay.' I said and he cut off the call. I waited outside. Another call came.

'Sorano's speaking.'

'Hello Sorano-san! This is Yuri calling from Gen Drinks. Is Kise alright?'

'Oh, he's fine but he needs to rest for a few days. Are you cancelling the shoot?'

'No, no such thing! I'm asking if you're free on Monday at 3pm, we can do the shoot that day.'

'Of course!'

'Thank you, Sorano-san!'

'You're welcome and sorry for the inconvenience I've caused.'

'No problem!' she said cheerily and cut off the call. I sighed and sat on the chair. I was scolded earlier this morning for not completing my presentation and I have a test coming up the day after tomorrow.

I sat on a bench outside the room and was about to doze off until I heard footsteps approaching. I shook my head and looked up. My eyes widened in surprise. I quickly stood up. 'Oh! Kiyoko-chan!'

The black spectacled girl of my age in a nurse uniform with black hair reaching her chest had the same reaction as mine then she quickened her pace towards me. 'Sorano-chan!'

We hugged each other. 'You're here for?' I queried.

She pulled away and pointed at Kise's room. 'This man.'

'You're Kise's nurse? Wow, okay.'

'You're his manager, right?'

'Yeah. His sisters are in there, though. You're still going in or...?'

She slid the door open. 'Still going in.' she smiled and stepped in. Soon after, the two sisters exited the ward and the blonde patted my shoulder.

'Thank you so much for taking care of my brother! We're indebted to you.' She smiled sweetly.

I shook my head. 'He got sick because of me, I'm sorry.'

'Don't mind. Ryouta's a strong boy. He'll get better in two days at the very least.' Ryouma spoke. I looked at her.

'Ryouma's right.' The blonde said.

I nodded. 'I'll try my best. He's a good boy.' I chuckled.

'He is. Don't try to kiss him behind my back again, got it?' Ryouma warned.

'Like I said, I wasn't trying to k—'

'Ah! Would you come with us this Saturday for lunch? I'm looking forward to knowing you more!' Ryoura interrupted me.

'I... will find the time.' I answered hesitantly.

'Number?' Ryouma demanded as she withdrew her phone.

I told her my number and they left. I exhaled sharply and Kiyoko stepped out of the ward. 'How is he?'

Kiyoko nodded. 'As the doctor had said, he'd get better in three to four days. Try to keep him away from vigorous activities, alright?'

'I understand, thanks a lot, Kiyoko-chan!'

'You're welcome. Are you going home tonight?'

'Maybe I should stay with Kise for a while or he might do something stupid.'

'Okay.' She said and walked away.

I rushed inside the ward and sighed loudly. Kise chuckled. 'What's with the sigh, Sora-cchi?'

'Your sister was scary.' I commented.

'Ryouma-nee? Yeah, maybe her name affected her attitude. Dad thought she was a boy when she was born so he confidently named her Ryouma.'

I sat on his bed.

'The blonde was Ryoura. She's the eldest. Ryouma's the second. I'm the youngest.'

'And I assume Ryouma is...'

'An actress,' he cut in. 'Her stage name is Iroha.'

'Oh, and the one who got you into modeling?'

'Ryoura-nee.'

'She's sweet.'

'A demon when she's angry though.' Kise laughed.

'I can imagine,' I tilted my head then checked my phone to see the time. 'Kise, I uh, am going to a shopping mall tomorrow to buy some things so—'

'I want to follow you.' He interrupted.

'You what?'

'I want to follow you.'

'Why?'

'Don't ask. You have work at 10, right? I want to follow you there, too.'

I shook my head vigorously. 'You can't! You're to put under surveillance of the hospital! I can't bring you out!'

'I'll have Kiyoko-cchi give me the permission.'

'Who?' I frowned then realization hit. 'WAIT—Kiyoko-cchi?! Are you talking about Shimizu Kiyoko?! Oh my God, Kise you were hitting on her just now?! And you're calling her first name already?!! With –cchi at the end!?!!' I yelled.

Kise stared at me, wide-eyed. 'W-Why are you so mad, Sora-cchi?'

'I don't know!'

Kise blinked repeatedly. I took a really deep breath and let it out.

'Ask her if you want to go out badly.' I said and exited the ward to go to buy a drink.

∞

I came back from the vending machine and turned at a corner, heading towards Kise's room. I shook the can of coffee on my right hand while reading the nutrients table from the can of cold green tea. Suddenly, I heard voices and clicks.

I recognized it right away so I looked up and gaped at the sight of approximately 30 reporters and cameramen, and more than 50 fans with flowers and cards flooding in front of Kise's room. The door was closed so I guessed Kise was safe from the crowd. I grabbed a facemask I always kept in my pocket and wore it.

I crept my way to the door, slowly and quietly. Oh God what is this test? As I neared the entrance, I saw Kiyoko trying to hold them off the room.

'Please! The patient is not in a condition to answer your questions or whatever you're going to do—oh, wait, cards? Sure! I think his manager would allow these—oh Sorano-chan!' she saw me.

I nodded and everyone gave way. The reporters and cameramen focused on me. I handed the cans to Kiyoko and she went inside to give them to Kise. I faced the people.

'Are you the manager of Kise Ryouta?' someone asked.

I nodded in reply.

'What made him sick?' another asked and a click was heard.

'Fatigue.' I answered, voice slightly muffled by the mask.

'Was his schedule too tight?'

I froze and looked away. Before I could answer, the door slid open and a hand grabbed my arm, dragging me inside. Kiyoko exited at the same time. 'I've requested for the police to shoo them off.' A voice said.

I looked up and saw Kise. He grinned.

'Get back to the bed.' I instructed and he did.

'By the way, Kiyoko-cchi agreed to let me follow you.' He informed.

I sighed. 'You're such a baby. A big one.'

He giggled.

'Get ready in 10 minutes,' I checked my watch. 'We're going there by car.'

Withdrawing my phone, I called Hajime.

'Akayuki?' he answered.

'I'm heading there in 20 minutes.' I said.

'Oh but I've called—' he was about to say something but I had cut off the call and gaped. 'Oops.' I muttered.

∞

'Welcome back, Akayuki!' a cheerful voice greeted me. I sighed and looked up to see Izumi grinning at me.

'Not even glad to be back, Izumi.' I replied, waving a hand. Kise stepped in.

'Wow, so this is where you work?' he said in awe. Izumi tilted her head and gave me a questioning look.

'Um, Hajime?' I asked.

'Here,' he appeared from the kitchen then when he saw Kise, he halted and frowned. 'Whoa—who's that?'

A figure appeared behind him. O-Oikawa! I gulped and pointed at Kise. 'Kise Ryouta,' I introduced. 'A model I manage.'

'Oh!' Oikawa exclaimed. 'Aren't you Ryouta-kun?!'

I frowned. 'Um. Yeah? I just told you he's Kise Ryouta.' I mumbled to myself.

'Oh!' Kise beamed. 'Tooru-cchi!'

I almost choked and looked at the blonde. 'You know Oikawa-san?'

'We modeled together once and he was splendid!' Kise told me, he was clearly happy.

'When you were in high school?' I questioned.

Kise hummed in reply and Oikawa approached him. They had a friendly hug and as they talked for some time, I went to Hajime. 'What's the big occasion?' I asked.

'A birthday party for a college student.' Hajime retorted, wiping a glass clean.

'And Oikawa?' I whispered.

'Well... Himuro is not available, so is Reina. The others are still on a leave. Izumi and I alone are not enough to finish the preparation by 12am. I had to call him since he's free and all.' He replied.

I pouted and turned away. Hajime touched my shoulder and leaned against my ear. 'I know you liked Oikawa when you were in high school.'

I turned and smacked his forehead. 'Shut up! That's an old story!' I chided.

'Sora-cchi!'

I looked at Kise. He went to me and gave me that look. I sighed and pointed at Hajime. 'This is Iwaizumi Hajime, our captain for Team Alpha.' I spoke.

'Captain? Team Alpha? Are you guys soldiers or something?' Kise frowned.

'Japan's Special Forces.' Hajime cut in. Kise's eyes widened.

'He was kidding. We're bartenders managed by an ex-soldier.' I said then pointed at Izumi.

'Shino Izumi.' I told him.

'Tooru-cchi works here too?'

'Nope. He's a temporary worker... hired by Hajime.' I answered.

'So only the three of you manage the bar every night?'

'No, we have 5 people in Team Alpha and 5 people in Team Delta. And before you ask, we only have Team Alpha and Team Delta.'

Kise chuckled. 'So what's happening right now?'

Hajime smiled. 'Let's get to work,' he turned to Oikawa. 'Trashykawa! Come with me!'

∞

'Wow, Izumi you're perfect when it comes to decoration.' I complimented and patted her shoulder.

She grinned. 'I know.'

'Izumi, come here for a second.' Hajime called from the kitchen. She spun and walked away. Hajime was the only one in the kitchen and my imaginations ran wild. I giggled to myself.

'Sorano-san.'

I gasped in surprise and turned around to see Oikawa behind the counter. Our faces were merely inches apart. 'Drop the –san, please.' I spoke.

'Sure,' he shrugged. 'Sorano.'

'Yeah, what's it?' I asked.

'About last night...' he trailed off and went silent for a long while. I watched him then smiled.

'Don't mind that. We all have that day.'

Oikawa nodded. 'Did you ask Iwa-chan yet?'

'N—'

I couldn't continue as we realized Kise was next to me, stifling a cough. I turned to him.

He looked up. 'L-Last night?' he asked in a low voice.

I pinched his cheek. 'Don't let your imaginations run wild, Kise.'

∞

'Yeah what's wrong?' Izumi closed the kitchen door behind her. Hajime was leaning against the counter. The arrangement of the kitchen was H, and he was against the middle counter.

'Come here.' Hajime called, his hands folded across his chest.

Izumi did as she was told and approached the boy. She stopped right in front of him. Hajime smiled and his right hand reached for her hair and tucked it behind her right ear.

'Good work for today, Izumi.' His hand travelled to her nape and pulled her closer.

Izumi giggled. 'Since Manager asked us to call each other by our first names, you calling me "Izumi" is not a big thing to fuss about.'

Hajime's smile didn't falter. 'You did great today, my girl.'

She blushed. 'You did it better, Hajime-kun.'

'A reward for today.' He whispered and leaned forward. Their lips met.

**** WRAPPED ****

A/N: 

Yeay, I just like Iwaizumi. He'd be my ideal brother.