A series of drabbles between the members of the Kisaragi Household as well as the relationships with the other characters.

Title: Cluelessly Regretful

AU: Normal

Genre: Family | Hurt/Comfort

Suggested Pairings: ShinAya

Warnings:
• There's hurt (maybe?) but no comfort.
• This is the day how I imagined it to be when Shintaro becomes a NEET.

I remember that day vividly… when I came home after school I heard mom shouting at Shintaro. I was clueless on why she was shouting, she was just screaming, 'get out of your room this instant' and things like that.

My uncle came to visit, an hour after I got home; he's been visiting us every since dad died. I heard him ask mom what was wrong, but after hearing what she said, I was ashamed by my brother, the same smart older brother of mine that I even looked up to!

"He's dropping out of school!" mom seemed to shriek.

"Just give him some time, I'm sure he isn't actually going to quit," he had said, staring at mom with disbelief.

I ran to Shintaro's room, opening the door and staring at him as he sat in front of his computer with a blank expression.

The door was open the entire time yet mom didn't even bother to open the door?

I didn't pay much attention to that, I was also angry, "Big brother…" I frowned, but I was honestly surprised at how harsh I sounded. "Are you actually going to quit school?!"

He sighed, "I'll tell you what I told mom," he sounded tired, as if he went through the worse thing in his entire life. "I don't want to go to school anymore. I already turned in the withdrawal notice into the school today."

I felt angry, annoyed and horrified, "Are you an idiot!?" I shouted angrily. "Why are you quitting?! You can't just drop out without giving us a better reason! You could've gotten a scholarship!"

He sighed, shaking his head and murmured something along the lines of: 'you wouldn't understand.' He didn't bother to look at me when he finally talked.

"Just leave me alone. No matter what you say, I won't be changing my mind."

After that one peculiar day, my brother never took a step out of the house. We've tried and tried, but in the end we gave up within several weeks.

"Momo is such a kind young lady," one of mom's friends smiled. "I'm sure she has a boyfriend by now," she said with a giggle.

"Yes, she is, but I think having a boyfriend would be unlikely, she has to focus on her studies after all!" mom nodded. "She helps me with the chores and cleaning, she's my pride and joy."

I smiled politely, "excuse me, I need to go finish the rest of my homework."

"Alright," the kind woman nodded and smiled as I exited the room, only to hear: "Oh, and what about your son Shintaro?"

"Oh, would you like some tea?" mom ignored her question.

After walking to my room, I let out a sigh.

How could Shintaro deal with listening to them talk on and on and on? I'm surprised he hasn't gone crazy… then again, he always was close-minded sometimes, maybe he didn't pay attention?

I still remember that day. I remember seeing her crying in her seat in the empty classroom. I was confused.

Something in my chest seemed to ache at seeing her cry. I didn't know what to do. How should I have acted? was what I was thinking.

If I did something, or said something to her… would she still be alive today?