"It's been a while, Onee-chan."
Her eyes lit up as soon as she heard me address her as 'Onee-chan'. Because that's how i have always called her throughout my life.
"How have you been Ken? It really has been a while. Come, sit."
She beckoned me as she pulled another chair next to hers.
I was hesitant but i slowly sat down, not creating a scene.
Although i was pretty close to being a blabbermouth, i contained the barrage of words into my throat. In the end, they never came out. All that exited my mouth were some pleasantries.
"I have been good. And you?"
"As you can see, i am doing great!"
"Yes. You have already fulfilled your dream job. Of course it is great."
"You remember that too? Well that is a bit embarrassing. Hahahaa.."
Her cheeks flushed red as she twirled her pinky finger around the end of her long black silky hair playfully.
That tell of hers hasn't gone yet, i see.
"You are still the same since the last i saw you, Onee-chan."
"Really?" Her eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"Yeah, soooo ambitious."
And soooo ignorant...
"Thank you, i worked really hard."
"Undoubtedly you did."
She lowered her head a tad bit and smiled while reminiscing some past memories. Then, relunctantly, she spoke with a lower voice than usual.
"....You have changed, Ken."
"Is that so?, " I was a bit appalled by that statement, prompting me to inquire why she thought of it like that, "Why do you say that?"
With a pause, she couldn't look straight into my eyes but still answered me.
".....You were more...hot-blooded.."
"Heh."
Unintentionally, a chuckle escaped my mouth.
Is she trying to be respectful because she is a teacher or doesn't she know the word 'troublesome' or 'problem child'?
In the end, no matter what kind of words she is using to describe me, this sister of mine does not understand everything. She never really did understand me, nor does she intend to try to.
Maybe she is right from her perspective. It could be that even i can find my behaviour to be 'troublesome' if seen from other's point of view.
But seeing it from a perspective and living it is 2 different matters.
That is why i do not expect her or anyone to understand me or what i am going through.
Losing all of that motivation to be on the same level of understanding, i completely shrugged the matter off, giving it no importance whatsover
"I am just trying to stay out of trouble."
"Really? You have....grown, Ken"
"You could say that."
I generously smirked, knowing that comment of hers has no veracity in it.
I am still the hot-blooded little brother that you always knew. None of this 'growing up' or 'evolving' type of bullshit is present in here.
That kind of progress only happens after coping and fixing the problems after a long period of time.
Changing in such a short time is not possible, unless you are a mentally unstable person who can change multiple times.
Anyway, i did not want to interact with her anymore so i gave myself the permission to leave.
"If there is nothing else to discuss, then i will go back to my class."
"E-Eh? Right now?"
"Yeah."
"But we haven't caught up ye-"
I stood up from my chair and prepared to leave the staff room
"Ken wait!"
She grabbed my arm, not releasing her grip so easily.
'What is up with her? Is there something important that she needs to talk about?'
"Can we meet up after? So we can talk more comfortably?"
"Huh?"
"Did i say something wrong?"
"You just said something that you wouldn't usually say."
Now she was the one that was stumped with confusion.
"You really have changed, Onee-chan. Before, you wouldn't even listen to the things i said. And now?"
I mockingly raised the corners of lips, showing how much that gesture made me sneer uncontrollably.
I lightly removed her grip from my arm and gave her a condescending stare back straight into her surprised face.
"Stop being so considerate and understanding now. It is too late."
"....Ken."
"Now that you have become a teacher, you must have realized how much of a mistake you made. Back then you were too focused on one thing. You made your decision and i made mine. It is already done."
"Ke-"
"And acting like a pathetic victim that is trying to understand the actions you did are not going to work on me."
Her body language became more tense. The radiant aura that surrounded her depleted upon hearing my piercing words.
She lowered her head and fidgeted anxiously.
I did not raise my voice at all however, the tone i used were intimidating to say the least.
"You already failed as my sister in my eyes so i won't give you the benefit of being forgiven. Let's not be in each other's path too much and do not worry, i will not cause you any trouble. I'll be going then....."
She clenched her hands together as i put the last nail in the coffin for this matter.
"...have a good day, Yukimura-sensei."
Her eyebrows twitched but that is all i noticed since i veered my head and proceeded to exit the room.
I opened the sliding with a bit of pent up anger that was still left after i blew my steam at my sister.
*Swoosh*
"Woahh!! You scared me. What the he-WOAHH!!...Oh....it's you Morikawa-kun..."
Well..., this a bit of a déjà vue but in a reverse role.
"Why the double take, Hayashi-san?"
"Oh that? Hahaha.....the door was a surprise but your expression was also more of a surprise."
"....I see."
I calmed myself down, breathed in some air and exhaled slowly.
Hayashi Rika tilted her head, trying to process what is going on.
"What happened? Did a teacher give you some warnings?"
"...W-Well...something along that line yes."
I couldn't say the exact reason so i tried to play it off.
"What for?"
"...Because of my........study..."
"What? Are you struggling academically?"
"..Kind of...Haaha..but do not worry. I am trying my best. I am going to be more attentive during class."
For now, i think that i did well in diverting the issue elsewhere.
Time to get out of here now.
"Then i will get going. Later, Hayashi-san."
"Wait a minute!"
Swiftly, she grabbed my hand and i could not escape in time.
"Y-Yes? What is it?"
"If you are really in trouble, i can offer you a helping hand."
"Meaning?"
"I can tutor you if you want."
I know that Hayashi is smart in her studies. So an aid of hers can be actually useful for my academics. I am not saying that i am constantly on the edge of a failing grade.
However, being able to go up a few points is not a bad idea.
Especially in this school where it can be competitive in our sophomore year. Alas, i still do not want to get too attached with Hayashi for that matter.
For that reason, i searched for a response to turn her down.
"..I am not sure that you will have the time to tutor me since you have club activities."
"Oh right. You do have a good point Morikawa-kun. The arts club senior is not going to be so lenient towards me skipping club."
"Yes, i appreciate the offer but i will manage."
Again, i turned to return to my classroom. Yet that grip remained the same on my hand.
"Wait Morikwa-kun! If not at school, then i can tutor you in a library or at my house after my club finishes."
Why is this girl being so persistent? It is difficult to determine what she is trying to achieve by offering me a helping hand.
With my brain working in full gear, i shot down both her ideas.
"I doubt that any library will be open till late and your house is out of the question so please, do not worry about my situation here."
I equipped a wry smile and tried to force my way out but that hand of hers was tight as hell.
She interlocked all of her fingers with mine and effortlessly put me in a standstill.
"Why is my house out of the question?"
"I would not want to bother you or your parents so late. It would be selfish of me to use your place and your guidance without any compensation so i am sorry."
"Are you sure it isn't because that you are too shy to come to a girl's house."
There it was, that usual catlike expression accompanied with a teasing tone.
"No seriously, it isn't because of that so you can let go of my hand!"
"I can notice you are getting redder and redder with embarrassment~"
"That's because you are not letting me go! For god's sake, how strong are you!"
"How rude!! Saying a cute girl like me to be strong."
I used all of my strength to get my hand out of her grip but still in vain. Exasperation took over my head because of how strong she was.
"Haaa.....Saying that you are cute yourself is quite strong on your part.
"Oh you. You and Jun-kun are the same. Are you two trying to say that i am an uggo or something like that?"
"....No, you are definitely pretty."
"Then what's wrong with stating the obvious?"
Oh well, the confidence she exuded made me quit trying to make her agree otherwise.
"Besides, about my proposal, you do not have to worry about any compensation. Me and Jun-kun were already in your debt the first time we met."
Her curled lips showed a meaningful gratitude as she did not hesitate to extend a hand towards me in trouble.
"So that is why you do not have to worry about being a bother to me or Jun-kun. Instead, it would be our pleasure."
All of that positive emotion directed towards me is all great to be showered with. If the person concerned was not Hayashi or Tobiyama, i would have accepted it without having to agonize so frequently.
Every time those two shows positive emotions towards me, i always remember that one night that i always regret to this day.
After all, that one eventful night got me in the middle of Hayashi and Tobiyama's matter.
"S-Still Hayashi-san, i don't think that it would be a good idea. I mean, inviting me to your house, wouldn't that cause any trouble to Tobiyama-kun?"
"What is this about me?"
"Woah!?!"
That scared the living shit out of me!
Who the hell does he think he is? Some kind of ninja or assassin??
"Ah Jun-kun~ Perfect timing! Listen here, Morikawa-kun is in a pinch here."
After his girlfriend happily called out to him, Tobiyama's sight fell on her hand.
"Why are you holding hands with him?"
Shit. I forgot i was still in Hayashi's claw.
Bad timing!
If Tobiyama got the wrong assumption here that me and his girlfriend are having some more than friendly moments here, he would stupidly but reasonably think that i am trying to get with Hayashi.
Quickly!
Before this idiot starts getting suspicious and putting wrong ideas onto that thick skull of his.
However, before i even attempted to clear this misunderstanding, Hayashi readily explained to her boyfriend.
"I am holding him prisoner. He was trying to escape."
"Haaah!??"
I was baffled.
Such an odd and peculiar truth that had no hint of lie in her voice.
I didn't even try to refute her.
"Why was he running away?" Tobiyama got even more confused.
"Well let me explain then."
Hayashi took the reins and led the conversation.
.............
*Ding* *Dong* *Dong* *Ding*
"Oh is that so? Then i think that this is a good idea. Hell, i will even join in from time to time."
Tobiyama grabbed around my neck and ensured that her girlfriend had put forward a great plan.
"That is great Jun-kun. I knew you would understand me. Now that you heard Jun-kun himself, what do you say? Or do you have any other problems?"
Us three were walking down the hall since it was time to return to our classroom.
On my right side, Tobiyama enveloped his arm around my shoulder and walked beside me as if i am his little brother.
On my left side is Hayashi, still not letting go of her hand onto my now sweaty hand.
The students around us kept looking at me with strange stares.
Well i mean i understand that this is quite the sight to behold.
Nevertheless, i feel like both of them are carrying their prized possession whilst strolling through a park.
I was exhausted emotionally so i had a defeated expression.
With no energy left, i relunctantly agreed to Hayashi's proposal. To which she released her grip and gave me a cute happy-go-lucky grin.
"Then i'll let you know when i'll tutor you. Okay?"
"...Yes, thank you."
"Mention not, this is just a small portion of a payback. Heehee~"
Even Tobiyama patted me on my back and emcouraged me.
"Let's do our best together then."
"...of course."
I saw those two off into their classroom before i walked towards mine. I sighed big time, not satisfied with my current situation.
'Trouble comes to me now.'
Flipping great!!