August 1998

Mum sent me and Waka to the super market to go get some stuff cause our fridge was totally empty. It wasn't our fault being grounded and stuck in the house you gotta do something, we ate like ten times every day mum even started to get worried so she ungrounded us.

Right now we're on our way to the store to go get some groceries.

"Can we get those cereal with the stars in them?" They were the best I've ever taken but mum only bought them once and that was when I was four, it's been to long.

"No" Waka response sounded so cold what a jerk

"Why??" I said crying out like a child. Why wouldn't he just buy me some, I mean it's just one box right.

"Mum already told me everything we need to get and plus she already put the prices as well" he looked at the list mum gave us and explained to me but still can't we just get at least one.

"What exactly did mum want us to get Waka?" I looked up at him as I counted the money in my hand, I  wonder why she gave us this much it's like Three thousand yen.

"Just normal groceries milk, eggs, some vegetables and some other stuff" he shrugged as he stared at the list. Soon we reached the store I took a shopping cart, strolled it and started running around the store laughing. Suddenly the cart went out if control and started speeding down the aisle.

"Waka! Help!" I yelled

"Stop messing around brat! You'll hit someone" he ran after me. The cart was speeding down the aisle almost reaching the end I saw a familiar face.

"Y/n?" And with that I crashed into him. "Ouch my head" it was like the world was spinning around me, on the plus side the cart didn't get destroyed hurray for that but my head.

"Y/n!!"

"Oh hey Waka"

"This kid" he facepalmed himself "are you hurt?" He actually seemed concerned about me that's, new.

"Yeah I'm fine" I looked to the person behind me feeling totally guilty "Are you alright Manjiro?"

He was lying there on the floor like some lifeless doll, he should at least say something. Is he trying to make me feel guilty?

I shook his body vigorously "Manjiro! Say something"....."Stop shaking me!!" He's alive Thank God(╥﹏╥).

"Aghh that cart hit me right in the face" 'that must hurt'. I should be feeling bad but he deserved it.

"Y/n. How may times do I have to tell you be careful"

"Sorry Waka I'll try harder next time" I felt someone grab onto me

"Manjiro!! Don't grab onto me like that" I slapped the back of his head out of instincts

"Ouch that hurt".

"Serves you right" I folded my arms as I looked away from him. A familiar blonde girl ran towards us with a black haired male trailing behind her.

"Manjiro? What happened to you" the little girl giggled at her brother who's hair was messed up. I laughed akwardly as I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly. Manjiro was staring daggers at me like it's my fault he was in my way.

"Why don't you ask Y/n over here" an irk mark formed on his face ask just pretend not to know anything about what happened.

"Manjiro I told you don't run off like that" Shin who caught up with them complained about his little brother's recklessness. He was already tired of having to put up with him I guess. I'm pretty sure Waka feels the same way about me(╥﹏╥).

"SHIN!!" I smiled as I ran up to him hugging his legs. Waka just waved at him as he took out another lollipop and out it in his mouth. He always takes sweets but never gives me any, where does he even get them cause I'm pretty sure mum doesn't buy sweets.

"Ah Y/n how have you been..it's rare seeing you two around here what's up?"

"Shopping" Waka bluntly replied him he wanted to be back home as soon as possible he doesn't really like people.

"Yeah mum asked us to shop for groceries since we kinda finished everything thing in the refrigerator" my sweat dropped just remembering how mum yelled at us, she even called us fat."Shin what are you guys shopping for?. Are those party hats?. Ah are you guys throwing a party?!" My eyes lit up with excitement.

"Yes we are and you're not invited" Manjiro said narrowing his eyes and pointing a finger at me. "Why not?!!" I pouted "And who said you get to decide. I'm invited right Shin" I looked at him with puppy dog eyes.

"I really can't say Y/n. It is his birthday after all"

"Who's birthday?"

"Me of course and you're not invited" Manjiro stated proudly with his hand pointing at me and sticking out his tongue 'So annoying'

"When is your birthday Manjiro?" Waka asked clearly not interested in his party

"It's on the 20th of this month why?"

"Shin can she come please I have things to attend to that day" he glanced over at Shin only to receive a nod from him. "Okay that settles it then, but be good brat and don't cause Shin-chan any trouble got it?" He cautioned me strictly like a dad.

"Okay okay fine, but what 'things' are you attending to exactly?" I asked him raising an eyebrow. I don't remember him having anything to do on that particular day or maybe he's just trying to get rid of me(╥﹏╥). Mum will be leaving for a business trip for the rest of the year so it'll be just me and Waka. It's gonna be fun.

Manjiro looked at me frowning "You have to get me a gift then" he smirked 'what a weirdo'

"In your dreams Manjiro"

"I mean it!"

"She doesn't have to get you anything as far as I'm concerned" Emma stated shrugging her shoulders as she walked down the aisle I swiftly ran towards her accompanying her to get the things she needed. She such a sweet little girl I wonder how she puts up with that jerk Manjiro all the time.

"Oh that looks cute" Emma suddenly stopped and was staring at something on one of the shelves.

"Hm?" It was some pink teddy. I'm not really into the colour pink but I like plushies. She seem to like it so much. "Emma!! Y/n!!" Manjiro called out for us at the other end it seems like they were done shopping even Waka. "We're coming! C'mon Y/n let's go" Emma started walking towards them as I followed her from behind as I walked past a shelf I saw something.

'Hm... could I maybe get him this?' I said to myself. Emma had already gone ahead of me.

"Y/n C'mon already"

"Coming Waka" 'maybe I'll come back later.

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We were having dinner back at home just me and Waka though mum isn't back from work yet. That thing I saw earlier was still on my mind so I decided to tell Waka about it.

"Say Waka"

"What?"

"What would you get for Shin as a gift?" He looked at me clearly confused at my question which came out of nowhere

"What do you mean?"

"Let's say it's his birthday today what would you get him?" He pondered deeply thinking exactly what he'd get him but it seemed quite obvious to me. Shin really likes bikes and stuff so maybe he'd get him something related to that kind of stuff.

"I'd probably get him this one engine he's always wanted" he shrugged as he took another spoon of his meal looking up at the ceiling with those lazy eyes of his.

The silence between us was really deafening. I had to speak up at least "So-" he returned his gaze to me. "Yeah?"

"What do you think should get Manjiro, y'know like a gift or something"

"Do you know what he likes?"

"Not exactly, we aren't exactly that close. I have no idea what he likes doing or eating"

"Maybe you should ask Shin-chan"

"You think so?"

"He is his little brother after all" he stood up and walked towards the kitchen, dropped his plate in the sink and returned back.

"You should give him a call after you do the dishes"

"Why can't you do it?!" I've done the dishes for three weeks now this lazy jerk.

"Don't feel like it" and with that he started walking towards the stairs then he turned his head back at me "Tell me when you're done okay?" He walked upstairs to his room and I heard the door lock.

Sigh, I only I had a workaholic as a brother instead I got that lazy ass. I stood up already tired of sulking and went to the kitchen to do the dishes. I noticed something on the table. "Hm what's this" I stared at the photo for a while "Whoa is that Shin?!" My voice filled with amusement and curiosity "And Waka's there to" I tilted the picture again a little, there were these other two guys beside them.

Woah Waka actually has friends that's so shocking or.. maybe they're Shin's friends. I looked closely at the picture, why does this guy have such a huge scar and that other big guy, he looks scary help(╥﹏╥). I saw Waka actually smile he looks happy. I smiled unconsciously, it's good to know he has good friends.

"What the hell are you smiling at?"

"Ahh! H-how long have you been standing there?!" I flinched and threw the picture by mistake.

He looked at me suspiciously "what's that?"

"T-this oh nothing" I hid the picture behind my back.

He started walking towards me and I moved backwards be kept going until I hit a wall. "Okay Waka take it don't hurt me" stretching out my hands to hand him the picture. He stared at it blankly for a moment.

"I've been looking for this picture, where exactly did you get it?"

"It was on the coffee table why?". He snatched the picture from me and flicked my forehead "ouch!"

"How many times have I told you not to touch my stuff". He didn't have to hit me so hard that hurts.

"But Waka" I whined

"No buts"

"Hmph! Anyways who are these guys" I asked him pointing at the two unfamiliar guys.

"That's Takeomi and the big guy is Benkei" They look really scary that's for sure, why did he even make friends with these guys

"Are you guys friends?"

"Yeah" he responded shortly. He must really not like them I've never even seen them visit before. If you think about he never brought them up either.

"You don't seem to like them very much though" he was sitting in the living room and I was in the kitchen.

"It may not seem like it but they're some of my best friends"

"Really huh" he may always have that lazy look in his eyes but he truly cares for his friends. I hope I make some great friends to.

After I was done washing I went to the living room to see Waka watching tv and licking a lollipop,who takes candy right after dinner. I sat at his feet and he stared down at me. "All done?". I nodded in response and stared back at the screen.

"Waka"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I'll grow up to have great friends like yours" He nodded and took the lollipop out of his mouth.

"You already have great friends kiddo, treat them right okay" he ruffled my hair and got up. "Are you still down for calling him?"

I nodded in response and got up. Waka phoned Shin, they talked for a while then he handed the phone to me "it's Manjiro" he wisphered and left.

"Hello?" I heard from the other side of the line.

"Hi Manjiro"

"Y/n what's up? Why'd you wanna talk to me all of a sudden?"

"Well I actually wanted to talk to shin but you'll do"

"Really?!" I just laughed at how betrayed he felt

"Haha. Well anyways How's the preparation for your party coming?"

"Shin says we can have it at the dojo cause it has so much space, he even said he'd get me a strawberry cake and some taiyaki" he voice filled with excitement as he spoke about the preparations for his birthday, he's so full of energy.

"That sounds awesome, I've never had a big party for my birthday. I'm so jealous, I'll make sure to steal some of your presents hehe" I smiled mischievously.

"Yeah right like I'd let you". He laughed from the other end of the call.

"Oh I have an Idea"

"Hm?"

"We could make Keisuke dance in a fairy costume" I smirked with little devil horns popping out of my head.

"Oh good thinking, we can make him our horse as well" Mikey grinned mischievously I guess we do have some things in common.

We talked and laughed together for a while.

"Okay Shin-nii needs his phone back I'm gonna hang up now, bye"

"N-no wait!"

"Hm?"

"I was wondering what kind of stuff you like"

"Oh well I don't exactly know how to put it" he said with a sweat drop "But I like motorcycles".

"Anything else maybe like Pokemon or even Doraemon, y'know like normal kids(╥﹏╥)"

"Well I do like Doraemon, it's so entertaining"

"Yeah I like it alot to".

"Y/n I need my phone!" Waka yelled from his room.

"Well I guess our time's up huh"

"I guess so" I was actually upset I wanted us to talk more.

"Good night Y/n" he said cutting me off from my thoughts

"G-good night Manjiro, sweet dreams, tell Emma I said hi"

"Okay then, bye" he seemed reluctant to end the call

"Bye" I ended the call and handed Waka his phone

"How'd it go kiddo?" He stared down at me.

"He says he likes motorcycles what do I do now" he actually didn't help at all what was I supposed to do get him a motorcycle.

"We'll think of something tomorrow now go to bed"

"Mum isn't back yet?"

He shook his head in response and flipped open his phone "Now go to bed sis, Good night"

"Good night Waka" I took a shower first then went back to my room. Staring at the ceiling and thinking to myself

"What do I get him know huh?" Suddenly a memory flashed across my mind, my eyes lit up as if there was still hope. 'Yess'

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Manjiro's POV

She hung up the call and I have Shin-nii back his phone. It wasn't really hard for him to talk to her she was actually fun to talk to. We should talk more often.

I left the living room and went to see what Emma was doing. I peeked behind her door to see if she was still awake.

"Manjiro? Is that you?"

"Oh sis you're awake" I walked into her room and she sat up on her bed. Her expression softened which was really surprising

"Yeah it there something you need?"

I was hesitant for a moment but spoke up "it's about Y/n"

"Oh is that who you were talking to on Nii-chan's phone?". I nodded in response.

"You two seem to be getting closer to each other" she smiled at that, ever since Y/n visited she'd always bring her up when we talk

I shrugged my shoulders "we're just getting used to each other for the time being". She nodded her head "good good".

"Hey Emma"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think she likes someone?"

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Author's note

Hey guys

I hope you're all enjoying the story so far(╥﹏╥)

Thoughts?

See y'all in the next chapter 😗