My alarm rings, telling me that it's 6pm in the evening already, so I shut my textbooks, stack them together and pile them into my desk drawer. Nee-san doesn't like it when I leave my books and papers scattered about, so I've started to clean up after myself a little. Dad's staying in her room with Mai-san right now, so she's sharing a room with me.

It's a bit strange, living with someone I don't know, but Mai-san...she's kind. She greets us with smoothies and a smile every morning and comes up the stairs to peek through our bedroom door and wish us a good sleep every night. It's a bit cramped in the kitchen during breakfast, and I have to wake up early if I want to catch the bathroom while it's still empty, but...she loves him.

My father.

She loves him.

I can see it in the way she gets mad when he lazes around too long and in the way she shoves him aside when it's too hot. In the way she sings his favorite songs while they work in the kitchen and in the way she drags him to bed at the same time every night so that he doesn't oversleep the next day.

She really loves him, and watching them together makes me smile, and that makes me realise that I love him too, and I think I'd forgotten that.

So it's nice having her around.

I haven't had to go shopping or work the bills with Nee-san at all since she got here, because she and Papa take care of everything. It's left me with more time on my hands than I know what to do with, and it's a little strange, not having to glance at the clock every ten minutes, because our uniforms won't dry in time if I don't wash them soon or the store closes at 9 or Nee-san isn't back yet, should I make dinner?

More than once, I've startled awake after dozing on my desk all night, scrambling down the stairs to the kitchen in a rush, thinking oh no, I'm late, I'm late, only to walk in on a table laid with steamed rice, grilled fish and miso soup.

A gentle hand on my back, Mai-san always sits me down, handing me a pair of chopsticks. "I wouldn't touch the fish if I were you. Your father made that," she playfully warns once in a while. Papa feigns offense everytime, and they start to bicker, while I simply stare down at the food, an ache in my arms, my legs, my soul, because...I've been tired. So tired.

But I know what it's like now, to be taken care of. This sort of warmth, it's been a long time since I've felt it.

It's quite nice.

The door to my room creaks open. "Akito? You done?"

I turn in my chair and smile, stretching my legs out. "Yes."

"Great! It'll still be a while before Rubi and the others get here. Wanna finish organising the cupboard in the meantime?"

"Sure," I say, standing up with a yawn, and she steps into the room, closing the door behind her. We kneel before the cupboard together, and she helps me move some of my boxes around to make room for the rest of her clothes, humming all the while. It makes me smile, because it's a song she's picked up from Mai-san.

I glance sideways at her as a thought that's been weighing on my mind all day tugs at me again. Debating, I look back down at the box in my still hands. "I want to ask Ren on a date this weekend," I blurt after a moment. Nee-san stops moving. A seed of doubt pokes out in my chest, but I make myself continue. "I think it's about time, but...I'm not sure where to take him." My lips purse together. "I want it to be memorable, our first date."

"O-Oh." She stares at me, mouth still slightly agape, then averts her eyes to the roof, recovering enough to think on what I've said. "How about a shrine visit? Or a picnic in the wild bird park?"

I shake my head. "Ren doesn't like crowded places."

She studies me for a second, then sets the dress she's holding aside to touch my hand. "Akito, it's your first date. It's bound to be memorable, no matter where you go or what you do. It only matters that you're doing it together."

"So...anything would do?" I ask doubtfully. "But I want it to be special."

"Why don't you sit down with Ren and figure out where you wanna go together," she suggests, pushing closer, the beginnings of a bright idea in her eyes. "That could be your first date! To get together and brainstorm what to do for your second date over dinner. What do you think?"

I laugh. "It's not a bad idea."

"So you'll ask him?"

"I'll ask him."

Nee-san smiles to herself, satisfied, and goes back to folding her dress, but the more I watch her, the more her smile grows, so wide now that she has to bite at her lip to keep her face in control. Looking at her makes me laugh again, and I have to ask. "What is it?"

"Nothing." She just shakes her head, smile still twitching. "Nothing. It's just...it's just that you've never talked to me about things like this before."

My smile slips. "Oh."

"O-Oh, Akito! Don't feel bad," she scrambles to say at the expression on my face. "I know-"

Guilt lashes at me. "No," I say hoarsely. "I've...been a jerk to you." It comes rushing back to me, all those days she greeted me at the door in the evenings, all those days she came to get me from school, all those times she asked me, how was your day? or is everything okay? And all I gave her in response was a dismissive fine.

All I've ever really shown her is my back.

She's always been here. Right here. My sister. And I couldn't see it.

"I've never thought that," she says, and she sounds so sad.

"No," I say again. "I should have at least tried-"

She tightly grips my hand. "Akito. Hey. Look at me," she says quietly.

I do.

"I've never thought that."

I stare at her face, her eyes so sincere and so kind, and I take a deep breath. "Baa-san," I whisper.

"Baa-san?" she repeats. She's confused, but her voice is tender.

I nod. "Back when I still lived with Baa-san, I'd come home, and I'd tell her all about my day. She..." I smile a little, but it's painful. "She could tell you the name of every teacher I've ever had and every classmate I didn't get along with. It was so normal, back then, to have someone care enough to ask about all the little things happening in my life. It was so...so normal, and I...I was so stupid. I didn't understand a thing." Tears spring to my eyes. "I didn't realise-"

"Akito, hey," she says, shifting closer. "It's okay, you really don't-"

My breath hitches, and I shake my head. I have to apologise. "After school, each time you asked about my day, I just...I couldn't. It just...it was too hard. I'm sorry, Nee-san. I'm really sorry."

She pulls me into a hug, and I let myself break just a little in her arms, tears wetting her shoulder. "I'm sure Baa-san was very happy she got to spend the last of her days with you," she whispers, and the rise and fall of my chest slows, because the thought is comforting.

"But you know what?"

"What?" I ask, my voice muffled.

"It's my turn now."

I laugh, my throat all choked up and wet.

She pulls back to look at me, smiling. "Sheesh baby bro, you're a mess. Let me get you some tissues."

She stands up, heading for the door, and as I watch her, they suddenly take on a new meaning. Words like sister, and family. They contain so much more than their dictionary definitions could possibly convey. A very specific type of pain swells in my chest then, bursting free from a corner of my heart that I've been suppressing for a while now, because I kept telling myself that it wasn't something that should concern me, that it didn't matter. "We have a brother," I say all of a sudden.

Nee-san pauses, turning to look at me quizzically.

I sit up straighter, fingers digging into my palms. "I...I ran into Mother a few weeks ago. At the grocery store. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Her face changes, the light in her eyes flickering to a muted shade. "O-Oh." She looks down at the floor, a flat sort of laugh escaping her. "Well, it's good to know she's alive, I suppose." Her shoulders quickly rise a little, lips pressed together. "I'm sorry, that's not what I-"

"It's okay," I say calmly. "I get it." I don't really know how to feel about our mother either. She just hasn't been a part of our lives. It hurts a little when I think about how she left us, but those scabs have long since healed. There just isn't anything left to feel anymore.

"So...we have a brother?" she asks softly, dropping down to her knees before me again, a mixture of wonder and disbelief is her eyes.

I nod.

"Oh, wow," she says, a breathless tremble in her voice. "What's...what's his name?"

I swallow. "I don't know."

She's quiet for a minute. "This...this feels wrong," she finally says, something burning in her gaze. "We should be in his life."

I perk up immediately, nodding. "Yes. Yes, I think so too. It's actually...it's been on my mind a lot."

Nee-san nods too. "We need to talk to Mom," she says resolutely. "Let's get Papa to set up a meeting."

"O-Okay."

We stay sitting there like that for a while, facing each other, and then she smiles at me, and I smile right back. I can't believe I didn't see it before. She's been here this entire time.

Someone who understands.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

When the doorbell rings, I quickly answer it and usher everyone in with a smile, grabbing Ren's hand and pulling him aside. He curses under his breath, fumbling to kick his shoes off at the foyer before stumbling in after me. Once we're out of earshot, I take both his hands in mine, and I'm about to open my mouth when I realise that his eyes are still directed towards Rubi and Irina who are standing by the door, talking to each other through smiles as they leisurely take their sandals off.

"I...I didn't bring anything," Ren says suddenly, a little nervous. Hm? I stare at his doubt-filled gaze for a moment, before looking back at Rubi, quickly realising that what Ren has been eyeing this entire time is the box of sweets in her hands. "Should I have...?"

I don't immediately answer, letting my eyes trail down his body, taking in his blue button down and black trousers, my chest growing tight, because he looks good. So good, and when I think about how he got all dressed up to see my family, it makes me so incredibly happy that I almost don't know what to do with myself. "Ren, you look so nice," I say, my voice soft with love.

He finally looks at me, eyes momentarily growing wide. "Um. Thanks. You look nice too."

This makes me laugh, because I'm only wearing a pair of clean sweat pants and one of my father's old sweaters. "We didn't expect you to bring anything. Don't worry," I assure him. He makes a small noise at that, his shoulders relaxing a bit, and I think about kissing him then, because when I kiss Ren it feels like I'm alive and dreaming at the same time, and it's...it's the best.

"Can I ask you something?"

He gives me an odd look, but nods.

"What should I introduce you to my family as?"

His shoulders stiffen again, ever so slightly. "What...what do you want to introduce me as?" he finally lets out.

"My boyfriend." My heart starts to beat a little quicker.

"Fine," he says.

I eye him, then shake my head. "But...we haven't made it official. I haven't asked you yet."

He looks straight at me then, cheeks red and eyebrows stiff, an expression that says okay then, ask me and get it over with. He's cute. He's so cute.

"Well, actually, I was sort of hoping you would ask me," I admit. Ren gives me the reaction I was expecting. An expression of something like shock blows his eyes open, deepening the red across his cheeks, and he quickly tears his hands from mine, stepping back. "Fuck no. That's way too embarrassing."

"Please?"

"N-No!"

"Ren-"

"I said no, forget it."

My shoulders slump.

"Is it...is really that embarrassing?" I ask, dejected.

"Fuck, o-of course it is!"

"But..." I mumble, trying to catch hold of his eyes. "If we do start dating, we'd have to do things that are a lot more embarrassing, right? And..." I trail off at the look of utter exasperation on his face. This is wrong, I think sadly. I shouldn't force him.

I give up then, and I'm about to ask him the question myself, when he aggressively fixes his eyes to mine and blurts, "Oh fucking hell you fucking - be my boyfriend!"

A wide smile breaks across my face, my heart lighting up. It's not quite the confession of love I was hoping for, but...it's okay. "I'd love to," I say, taking his hand again. I know that Ren will tell me about his feelings in due time. And we have a lot of it. Time.

"Good," Ren grumbles, and I stand there and just let myself look at him, because I really like looking at him.

Someone yanks at the back of my sweater, breaking me away from Ren, and I turn my neck around to see Irina, looking patiently at me. "Let's go, your parents are waiting," she says. Parents. A knot of disbelief tightens in my throat. "O-Oh, yes. Let's go." Rubi smiles at me, and I smile back, leading them into the kitchen. Once we're there, she greets Papa and Mai-san familiarly while Irina gives them a small bow, introducing herself. Ren stares at her for a second, before attempting to follow her example.

"Ren Ichijou. I'm...I'm your son's...boyfriend. It's nice to meet you, Mr...Mr. Kai," he manages, with a small bow of his own, and Mai-san's eyes pleasantly light up just as Papa shoots me a look of surprise.

Nee-san giggles, and I'm left a little dumbstruck, because I didn't expect him to go ahead and call himself my boyfriend like that. My face heats, but I manage a smile, shrugging awkwardly. Mai-san makes me promise to tell her all about Ren, before calling everyone over to the counter to serve dinner - egg fried rice and gyoza.

The five of us carry our plates to the living room because the kitchen isn't big enough for everybody, while Papa and Mai-san stay back to make dessert.
We chat about everything and nothing as we eat, and once we're done, Nee-san and I clear the plates away before the five of us head upstairs and pile into my room.

Ren quickly clambers onto my bed, sitting atop it cross-legged, and the sight disrupts my breathing a little, because... Ren on my bed. Ren on my bed. "What?" he asks, looking up at me from where he's perched, and I just shake my head, smiling. "Nothing."

"Weirdo."

"Ren?" We turn our heads in sync to look at Rubi. She locks eyes with me, something meaningful and fragile in her gaze, and I immediately understand. Nodding encouragingly, I move aside to lean against my desk as she stops to stand before Ren, a little hesitant. "There's something I need to tell you."

The bed isn't big enough for everyone, so Rubi lowers herself to the carpeted floor, folding her legs underneath her. Nee-san and Irina settle down on either side of her, for moral support. Ren frowns, glancing at me. I simply motion towards Rubi with my chin. Listen.

Her shoulders bunching together, she finally tears her gaze from the ground to look up at Ren. And then she tells him. Slowly. She tells him everything.

Fate. Red strings. It all sounds so weighted and magical when Rubi talks about it. But I don't know, it doesn't feel like magic when I'm with Ren. It only feels...normal. Going to school with his hand in mine, sitting across from him during lunch, walking over to him to compare answers after every math test, that's not...that's not magic. It's just normal. It's just Ren. A calm settles into my heart. Ren is...he's my normal.

"And I just...always felt like this was my sole purpose, you know?" Rubi goes on as Ren listens quietly, tugging at the cuff of his pants. "So I wanted to do something for Akito. But at the time, it really did seem like you were the only one for him, and I didn't-" Ren looks at me at that, a light smirk on his face, and my cheeks burn a little as I pointedly tell him to pay attention with my eyes. "That's why I put us all in the committee together." Rubi's brows furrow slightly. "Ren. Are you listening?"

Ren turns towards her again. "Yeah."

"So?" she asks impatiently. "Aren't you going to say something?"

He blinks. "What do you want me to say?"

Uncertainty flickers across her face. "I don't...I don't know." Her voice loses some of it's force. "Don't you have any questions?"

He stares at her for a moment. "You're still coming over to help me with the move tomorrow, right?"

"Ye...yes," she answers, confused.

"Okay then," he says simply. "That's all I had to ask. None of that other stuff really matters."

Rubi looks taken aback. Her frown deepens, then softens a little, mouth opening and closing like she doesn't know what to say. Nee-san starts to look a bit worried. "Ren, come on, don't be rude-" she starts, her eyes darting between the two of them, before Rubi softly touches her hand, quieting her down. "It's...it's fine." She looks at Ren again. "I just wanted you to know. And now you know."

Ren nods.

"You believe me, right?" she asks, and she sounds so fragile that I start to feel a little nervous.

Ren frowns. "That's a stupid question."

And there it is. I was worried over nothing.

Rubi smiles. "Okay." She lets out a massive breath, her posture relaxing all at once, and turns to face Nee-san again. "That was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Could I get some water?"

Nee-san beams at her. "Of course. We've got guava juice at home too. Would you like to try some?"

"Yes please," Rubi sings, chipper once more, standing up after Nee-san to follow her down the stairs. Irina gets up too, heading for the door before pausing with her hand on the knob to look back at us. "I'm going to make sure they don't come back here," she says, unhurried. "You can thank me later." And then the door falls shut with a click, leaving me alone in the room with...

Ren.

"Hey," he says, voice low. "They're gone."

"Mm," I say.

He turns in the bed to look at me. "Are you going to keep standing there?"

My heart squeezes, and I wordlessly crawl onto the mattress to sit next to him. "Can I kiss you?" I whisper, reaching for his face.

His expression turns troubled, a flush spreading to his ears. "Why do you have to ask like that everytime? It's-" Before he can say embarrassing, I press our mouths together, moving his restless hand away from his ear to place it on my waist. He fully leans into me, and with each kiss, I fall more and more in love with his warm body and his cracked lips and his loud breaths. With the soft bumps on his cheeks. The sticky way his hair stands up once my fingers get through. The way he grips my shoulders so hard it hurts. There's nothing not to love about this. About him.

I tangle our fingers together once I pull away, looking into his eyes. "Do you think it's true?" My voice is tender and quiet.

"What?" he asks, looking at me funny.

My heart squeezes again. "Do you think it was fate that brought us together?"

He stares at me for a second, then breaks into a grin. "Nah. I'm pretty sure it was Rubi Amari."

END OF CHAPTER