Author's note: This Is my first fanfiction and I want to check if I'm capable of writing romance story or not. I hope you will enjoy the story and any review is appreciated (Though more reviews will give me more reasons to write faster)
Warning: English is not my main language.
"..." Normal chat
ABC Thought
CHAPTER 1
Tokyo Present days
The Sogo's family mansion
At 7 A.M in the morning
I step down from the wooden stair's steps and walk to the hallway, having my daily school uniform on, which is a grey skirt, white shirt and a blue coat with red ribbon near my neck, carrying a white schoolbag in my hand. I still keep yawning and spacing off into space while walking as have never been a morning person.
Though if I don't hurry now, I'm sure is going to be late for school.
"Good morning, Shiomi-sama. Did you have a good sleep?" The old butler greets me as I try to hold back the urge to yawn and nod back to him "Good morning, Shinobu-san. And yes I did have a good sleep until the clock woke me up."
"Ho ho. That's good to hear Shiomi-sama. We have prepared breakfast for you at the dining room. Please enjoy and I hope you will have a good day." He says, bowing to me as I quickly make my way to the dining room, "Thank you Shinobu-san. You too."
"Good morning, Shiomi," My mom who is sitting at the left side of the dining table, greets me.
"Morning mom, by the way where is Dad?" I ask, finding Dad's seat is empty
"Oh, your dad still has some work unfinished at the hospital so he left early this morning." She smiles and I nod, moving toward to my seat on the right side of the big table, next to another figure. Putting down my bag and sit on the chair.
I guess it sound pretty normal now since dad is always a busy business man. After all, he's someone who owns a hospital, named Sogo, near here. Establishes a company near there that provides medical equipment in order to boost his business performance. While my mom decides to become a housewife to enjoy her peaceful life at home, though she really wants to help him with his work yet doing business is really not her thing.
One of the maids rushes over to my spot and puts down a plate full of food along with a knife and a spoon. "Thank you," I nod to her in appreciation as she bows at me and steps away.
"Hurry up, my dear little sister. Or you're going to be late for school." The figure sitting next to me shifts her head to my direction. This is my older sister, Sogo Megumi (19) a college student at the University of Tokyo, studying in medical major. She's around my height, 1.7 meters. Her hair straight down to her back and has it dyed blond right after she graduated high school. Despite dad's objection of course though I find blond hair suit her more than black.
"Onee-chan, would you please stop calling me little? We're having the same height and only 2 years apart." I pout. And then there is me, Sogo Shiomi (17), currently a high school student. Straight black hair (kinda obvious since I am Asian) down to my shoulder and brown eyes like any other people. Living a normal life here together with my mom, dad and my big sister. "I'm not a kid anymore, you know."
"But you will always be my cute little sister. Wait! Don't tell me you hate that?!" She gaps, pretending to be shocked greatly and leans to the back. "Oh no…My sister hates me now! What should I do?! Is this the end of the world~?"
Watching her overreacting sure is a great way to start the day, as always... "I definitely don't hate it but I sure don't like it either. And please onee-chan, keep that melodrama to yourself and give me a break. It's only morning…" I answer with a sigh.
"Hee hee. I know you luv me, honey." She grins and blows me a wind kiss. Of course, I successfully evade that malicious thing like evading a plague.
"Yes, of course. Onee-chan," I respond sarcastically.
Once finally done with the food in front of me, I stand up from my seat and grab my bag, heading to the front door. Only to be greeted by a smaller figure yet really, really heavy.
"Woof! Woof!" It barks and waves its tail happily at me. Almost jumping onto me and pushing me down to the ground. "Woah! Now now. Mina, you know i can't play with you right now. So be good okay?" I ease her and pet her head. Mina is a Berger which has stayed with us since I was 10 and at that time it was still a little pup.
"Shiomi-sama. Are you certain that you don't need a ride?" the butler asks and I shake my head, refusing the offer. "I will be fine Shinobu-san. Beside walking is also a way of exercising."
Then I stop petting Mina and stand up. "Okay. I gotta go, I'll see you later."
"Yes, as you wish," he responds with a nod, watching me run through our garden to the main gate from afar.
Seeing the young owner coming close, the guard quickly opens the gates for me to get through. Not forgetting to greet me with a bow. "Please be careful, Shiomi-sama!"
Shiomi's school
Phew! Looks like I'm on time. As soon as I stepping into the school's ground, whispers of the other students (both male and female) can be heard all over the place.
"Hey look! It's Sogo-senpai!"
"Uwah. Sogo-san is as beautiful as always."
"I don't see the limouse. Did she walk here on her own?"
"Oh no, she's looking this way. Is my face look alright?!"
Then I spot a group of girls in uniform below my grade at my side that is also looking at me, and smile at them.
"Kyaa! She's smiling at me!" One girl squeals.
"No way! At me!" The other girl in the group protests.
"Back off all of you! That's obviously aiming at me!" Another girl shouts, pushing the other school mates aside to stand in front. So that her passionate cheer can be seen by her favorite upperclassman. "Good day to you, Sogo-senpai!"
Perhaps having done something I shouldn't have, I quickly my way into the school's door and toward to my shoes locker. While changing my shoes into Uwabaki (School's slippers), I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder and I turn my head around. To find Hana standing right behind me.
"Morning, Shiomi-chan!" My female friend grins brightly. She has long straight brown hair just below her shoulder a bit, wearing the same uniform as mine and carrying a blue schoolbag.
"Morning, Hana-chan." I greet back.
"Hey guys" Another female friend walking toward us. Also wearing the same uniform, black hair tied into a high ponytail and carrying a black schoolbag "Hello, Kasumi-chan."
"That was some entrance you got there, Shiomi-chan!" The girl in ponytail grins mischievously as she snugs my shoulder, while I myself don't even find that situation any amusing "What entrance are you talking about now? I was just trying to greet them. That's all."
"Yeah I know. But anything you do to anyone would end up being a big fuss." Kasumi shrugs while Hana nods in agreement, having her arm around my arm. "That's what you get for being famous."
Then the two laugh, as if having watched an interesting comedy while I can only sigh. "I don't remember ever asking for any of that. I don't even know how that even happens in the first place."
"You already know it's unavoidable, right? Who told you to be born into a rich family, and yet beautiful and study well. Having good performance in clubs and many other things." Kasumi lists out while Hana pouts. "I know right, you're always ranked 1st at school ever since starting elementary. How unfair."
Even so, being rich and born pretty are not something that I can control. Those are what I am received from my parents and not truly belong to me.
Deep down inside I really admire Kasumi of her talent in sport and Hana, whose paintings can capture so many souls for the first time seeing. Unlike them, there is nothing I can be extraordinary at. I have no hobby, no passion to do anything and not even good at making friends. Witnessing Hana and Kasumi practicing day and night in order to achieve their dreams, I wish for one day that I could be able to do that too.
Not wanting to be left behind, I tried so hard at stuff I could do in order to realize my worth. From studying to school activities and many more. Just like that, time keeps passing by before my eyes and even up until now. I still not be able to figure out what I am seeking for...
After school
"See you tomorrow, Shiomi-chan." Hana and Kasumi wave to me as we separate into the opposite ways. "See you."
After walking a bit more. I stop at the high staircase on my right side and absently look up, admiring its height. These white steps lead to the Higurashi shrine, aren't they?
Even though passing by this place many times before, this is the first time I actually *notice* it.
Somehow I have a feeling that there something up there attracts me, calling out for me. But what is it exactly?
Maybe I should drop by and get myself some lucky charms, for mom and onee-chan too, not like it's going to hurt to try. I create myself and excuse and decide to take the first step onto the stairs up the shrine. Gulping at the effort that I am about to spend to get to my goal. This is going to be so much painful for the legs though...I'm sure of it...
After endless amount of running, whining and resting nonstop, I finally be able to reach to the shrine's gate. Gasping for air and wiping the sweat away from my forehead, I quietly cursing the shrine's owner. Damn it, what did they have to build this place so high for?! Did the seriously thinking that they would kill demon with extreme climbing?!
This area sure is empty when there's no special event, huh. After wandering around for a while yet still unable to find the spot that selling lucky charm. I take a seat onto a chair nearby, getting bored as my eyes dart around the place. There's nothing but several small houses, white tiles. Still, what shines above them all is the humongous tree they have. I wonder why it is sealed? How strange, why does it give me such so nostalgic feeling? Even though i have never been here before.
Soon after I spot a straight long black haired girl, wearing a school uniform with green skirt and white blouse, standing not too far away and having her back facing me. But what catches my eyes the most is her costume. Huh? That uniform looks so familiar.
"Uhm. Excuse me," Assuming that she knows something about this shrine, I approach the girl from behind to ask and she turns around. "Yes?"
Now that I can finally have a clearer look at her, the uniform she is wearing is definitely from my junior high school. Green sailor-styled collar with red necktie.
We stare at each other for a short moment before the girl starts gasping in shock. "W-wait! Aren't you Sogo-senpai!?"
"You know me?" I raise my eyebrow in confusion and she flusters. "O-of course, everyone would. I-I mean we studied under the same school before and senpai was really popular back then. You see, I was 2 grades below you"
"Anyway my full name is Sogo Shiomi. It's nice to meet you." I chuckle at her cuteness and offer her my hand. Without hesitating, she takes it and shakes gently, not forgetting to introduce herself. "Ah! My name is Higurashi Kagome. But you can call me Kagome and nice to meet you too. Sogo-senpai"
"Higurashi? So this is your family shrine?"
"Yes. My grandpa is this shrine's priest and my family lives here."
"Oh my... Such a coincidence," I sigh in awed as Kagome chip in. "By the way senpai, is there something you're looking for?"
"Oh right. I came here to buy some lucky charms but couldn't find them anywhere. Can you help me?" Clapping my hands in realization, I ask Kagome and she nods. "Of course, I think they're inside my house. Do you want to come inside?"
"It's alright, I have to go back home soon so maybe another time." I refuse her offer since today isn't possible, even though I would love to. Perhaps I should bring some gifts next time coming to visit.
"Okay. You're welcomed here anytime, senpai. By the way, how many charms do you need?" She smiles and asks for the amount of charms.
"Around three." I say, gesturing 3 fingers and Kagome nods in confirm. Quickly make her way to the charm booth. "Alright, I'll be back soon, senpai. So wait here"
"Sure," I nod back and find a place to sit down.
After Kagome's gone into her house for a while, a white fox suddenly appears right in front of me.
Eh? Where is it coming from? Is it Kagome's pet? I stare at the weird fox as it is also staring back at me. Such bright red eyes, is it normal for a fox to have that color?
"So you've finally come." such an unfamiliar voice then appears inside my head and I jump in surprise, almost falling out of my seat. "Huh?!"
Quickly, I spin around to check but there's nobody in sight. Just houses and trees.
"W-Who's there?" No response.
"Anyone there?" No response.
"What was that all about? Someone's weird prank?" I turn back to the fox, to see that it's still sitting there looking at me. Could it be that the voice was coming from it? Did it just talk to me?
Nah, It can't be. I must be having hallucinating. I shake my head upon how wrong that idea is, even to the point laughing at myself like an idiot. Thinking that perhaps my older sister had somewhat influenced me with one of her craziness.
Perhaps getting bored with me, the fox leaves toward to a small house with white decoration not too far away. Once there, it runs straight into the house, passing through the closed door and vanishes right in front of my eyes. Not believe what I've just seen, my jaw drops. What the!? Did that thing just go through the door?!
I rub my eyes several times, bonus some slaps to the face to make sure that I'm not daydreaming. First some weird voice in my head and now this?! Did i drink too much caffeine?!
Hesitating for a while before deciding to follow it out of curiosity. I make my way to that small house and notice a small board standing nearby.
It says Bone-Eater's well.
Bone-Eaters huh? Remind me of Mina somehow, I chuckle at the thought, imagining how she's waiting desperately for me at home right now. Maybe i will buy her some treats on the way home. She's going to be so happy.
And just as I about to open the door, I hear Kagome's voice from behind calling for me, "Senpai!"
She runs to my spot and hands over the 3 charms. "Here are your lucky charms."
"Ah, thank you so much, Kagome-chan. How much do I have to pay for them?" Accepting them from her, I ask for the payment though she refuses it. "Considering it's a gift from me!"
After seeing my unpleased face, she adds. "Please, senpai. I insist."
"Fine, if you say so," I smile back in surrender. "But that doesn't mean I will let it slide. Okay?"
"Hee hee. Okay." She beams, seems to be really happy seeing me put the charms into my pocket.
Just then that fox's image pops up in my head and I decide to ask. "By the way, Kagome-chan, are you having a white fox as pet by any chance?"
"A white fox? Hmmm...No, I don't have one and never seen one too, actually." She tilts her head in deep thought, "And I don't think fox likes civilized places though. But why? Is there something wrong, senpai?"
"Oh no, it's nothing." I shake my head in response, half in doubt and half not. But then again I'm sure Kagome won't be lying to me for this simple kind of stuff. So it was just an illusion? But it looked too real to be one.
"Okay. It looks like I have to go back now. I'll see you soon, Kagome-chan." Looking at the watch on my hand and notice that it's already late. I decide to take my leave and Kagome bids me goodbye. "Yes. Take care, Senpai"
Quickly, I make my way down the staircase and hurry home before everyone gets worried.
After returning home, I give each charm to my big sister and mom and keep one for myself. Then again, big sister goes overreact and jumps onto me, kissing my check while saying thank you nonstop. And it is really hard to get out of her grip too.
Shiomi's room
At 9 P.M
Shiomi is now lying on her bed. Staring at the lucky charm in her hand while thinking about what happened back at the shrine.
Kagome isn't just cute but also kind too, Recalling back to our unexpected meeting, I smile and that fox comes across my mind once again. Such a mysterious fox. And what's with the voice I heard inside my head when it's there with me? Are they really connected? Or was it just some kind of a trick?
After questioning myself with many un-answered questions, I soon fall into a deep slumber yet decide not to turn off the bedroom lamp. Perhaps being afraid of something would come after me when I'm unconcious.