A/N: Another male fic, another shitfest.
Enjoy.
Everyone knows Yazawa Nico.
A happy and upbeat character who never fails to put a smile on people's faces.
Underneath that image though is an aggressive girl who often approaches tedious situations with a huge scowl.
However, once in a while, she can be a genuinely nice person. Well, once every blue moon that is.
Almost three months after the event in Akiba Dome, she now resides with her family in Tokyo as a retired School Idol and college student.
She lives with her two parents, two younger sisters and little brother in a small, yet peaceful apartment building.
This is what everyone knows about Yazawa Nico.
However, there was one thing not a lot knew about her.
"Sei-chan, wake up! Look at that!"
I wasn't sleeping at all, though.
My hood covered the upper half of my face and my right cheek was glued to the window , so I couldn't blame him if he thought that.
As for what my uncle wanted me to look at, I would be lying if I said it wasn't worth my time. Overlooking the cloudy sunset was the Rainbow Bridge of Tokyo, which glowed in all its radiance, its colors reflecting the water underneath it. It made me smile a bit. It has been a while since I've seen it.
"It looks the same as ever" I comment.
"Isn't that a good thing? Hahaha!"
"Probably. It's not like I've gotten used to seeing it"
"Take it from someone who sees it every day. This is a sight you just can't get used to"
"Huh, I'll have to agree"
My name is Yazawa Seishirou. 16 years old, second year high school.
Before I moved to Tokyo, I lived with my uncle. Due to financial problems, my parents were only able to handle the needs of four kids if they were to move to the big city where they would need to work all day long. Now, seven years later, it seems working full time earned them a new apartment, enough money to enroll kids to private schools and a place for their 16 year old son.
Though it may sound like I was abandoned, it's not like that at all. Every other week, my mom visits the house and grabs onto me like a sea urchin would an unfortunate man's leg. And every day, she would call me and ask all the same 'mom questions'. 'Are you okay?' 'How's school?' 'Do you have any problems?'. As for my dad, he visits more often than mom and we talk occasionally.
It's almost as though they never left at all, which makes me both happy and embarrassed. Just try having your mom who's working on the other side of the country calling you in the middle of classes.
However, the same can't be said about my siblings. The last time I saw any of them was about three
Let me start with the youngest.
I didn't witness Kotarou's birth nor have I made any sort of impact in his life. The last time I saw him was in a family photo five years ago on his first birthday. From what I've seen in pictures, he's wearing my sister's old clothes, which I used to do before I realized the difference between boy and girl. Funny, he looks almost like me when I was his age.
I find it doubtful that my parents, as they are, haven't shown him any pictures of me. Well, not much has changed anyway, since then. My hair is still a mess, my eyes are still dead-looking as ever and my voice still makes me sound like a Shonen Manga protagonist going through a state of depression.
Though, I can argue, I look pretty good when I try.
Kokoro and Kokoa were like Yin and Yang. A calm, well-mannered young lady and a rabid wild animal; or so that's what it was like in my babysitting days. At the time, they were both still very young. Though they probably remember me, I highly doubt anything's changed with these two. From the looks of things, they still seem to be the same pair of little devils I used to take care of and give baths.
Now that they're about nine years old, I don't think I'd need to help them wash themselves.
Lastly, there was Nico.
Though it would have been great to see how much she's changed over the years, the media made it almost impossible. The last time I saw a picture of her was about six seconds ago on a billboard and the last time I heard her voice was about several minutes ago on a radio interview.
Ever since she debuted as a School Idol, my classmates wouldn't stop pestering me to get them an autograph from her. I became fabulously known as 'Yazawa Nico's Little Brother'. I sometimes wonder if the other three go through the same thing every day of their lives.
Though being a school idol is tough, so is being related to one.
The last time I was in Tokyo was during a vacation to visit our relatives to celebrate Christmas.
I don't remember most of what happened but I remember we toured along the streets. I remember walking down certain paths I'm seeing as the car drives closer and closer to the Yazawa home.
Do I feel nervous? A little. I mean, they haven't seen me for almost five years, the four of them. Sometimes, I think about what they think of me. Being gone for a good chunk of their lives must have taken a toll on their view of me as a brother.
Maybe I should be a little bit more nervous, but someone like me can't really argue if they've created some kind of barrier and removed me from the picture.
Okay, that sounds a bit too cruel, but hey, anything can happen!
That is literally, the worst thing that could happen, if they don't even like me anymore. That's something I can't blame them for after being gone for so long but I'm sure they'll understand.
Hopefully...
Ugh...
"We're here, kiddo!"
The apartment building looked fairly old but it was cozy, in its own way. I wouldn't mind renting out a room here when I get older.
"Yeah... I'm here..." We climbed up the elevator carrying my things and made our way to the front door of the apartment. It was already late at night, about 7pm yet my palms were sweating just a bit. Spring had just started but the cold air did nothing to calm down my nerves.
"What, don't tell me you're nervous? They don't even know you were coming!"
...
They don't what!?
"W-Why are you telling me this only now!?"
"Well, your folks wanted it to be a surprise for the kids! Right now, the kids think you're me, coming over to live with them for a bit"
Are you kidding me!? My own siblings who I haven't seen in five years aren't expecting me to come through this door!?
It'll be beyond humiliating if they don't even recognize me! Heck, they might have even forgotten they had an older brother! Oh, god why!
And wait, are you saying they agreed to have my uncle stay over!?
Ugh, snap out of it, Sei. Thinking negatively will get you nowhere! "Who thought up this plan, anyway!?"
My uncle raised his hand and gave a shy smile. "Hehe, I did."
I paused and let my stress flow right through me and out before I said something else.
"I hate you, uncle..."
"Hahaha! Don't look so down!"
"This is the kind of news you tell me on the way, not here of all places" I pout.
"Well, shall we?" He clasps his hands on the knob, looking at me with a smile, as though asking me if I'm ready.
I don't know. Was I ready to face my siblings again?
Seeing their faces is one thing, but actually meeting them was another.
I really have no choice but to suck it up.
As soon as I straighten my back, Uncle knocks on the door. I hear almost instantly someone rushing over to open it up.
He opens the door, and my vision is filled with a bright glow.
I heard several voices I haven't heard in a long time.
As soon as the door unlocked, Uncle barged into the room with a haughty laugh, leaving me behind out in the cold. 'Stay here and wait for my cue', he told me. It was hard not to when the harsh post-winter wind is freezing my entire body. if they were going to pull this kind of surprise, they better do it quick! There is a possibility I could die, you know!?
Okay, I might be complaining too much, but no one can really stand cold this bad.
When I looked over at the open door, I saw them; three very familiar little kids rushing to the old man.
"Oh! Uncle's here!"
"Uncle! Good evening"
"Hun...cle...?"
Kokoro, Kokoa and Kotarou.
I tried to hide my grin under my scarf. The last time I saw them together was far too long ago. They had rushed to my uncle and gave him a big hug, altogether pushing him downward. The strangest thing was they all look about the same as in every photo my parents showed me, which was creepy, but kind of cute, too.
Over my uncle, I saw my parents standing, trying to hide their obvious excitement. It's hard to believe none of them were suspicious of the two.
I tried to look over, my parents spotted me immediately, only getting more excited. How can anyone be more excited, you ask? My mother is now hopping up and down, hiding her face. That raises some pretty serious questions. However, my siblings were all focused on my uncle now.
"Aye! How have you kids been? My, you're all so grown up!"
"We grew tall too!" Kokoro said putting her hand over her head.
"Except for Onee-chan, hehe" The other girl snickered.
"Shhh! Kokoa, don't say that!" Kokoro howled, putting her hand over her mouth.
Speaking of Nico, I heard she'd be here too. There isn't a sign of her anywhere. Though, I knew she was here somewhere, and this is totally not because there are six pairs of shoes visible after the front door. Call it brotherly intuition.
With a clap, Mom steps in to stop all the ruckus. "Alright, everyone. Let's not get too excited"
"Ehhh? Why? Uncle is living with us, right?" Kokoa questioned. "Shouldn't we be excited?"
Mom put on a huge grin and put her hand on Kokoa's cheek. "Well, here's the thing, Kokoa. Me, dad and uncle here have a special surprise for all of you so you can save your excitement for later"
"What kind of surprise?" Kokoa tilted her head, confused. She turned to uncle, who seemed like he was also trying to hold back a smile. Can't really tell if I can't see his face. The other kids seemed confused as well
Still trying to suppress her excitement, she pat her head and gave the child a warm smile. "You'll see, honey" she told her with a sweetened tone to her voice.
"When?" All three asked in unison, probably getting impatient. I can't blame them. A child can only wait for so long, especially these three.
Just as Mom was about to speak, a familiar girl came out from the corner. It's a girl I've seen on TV, posters, billboards and online; adored by thousands, probably millions of people. However, instead of her usual nonchalant smile, she looked like she was ready to strangle someone. Her face was full of green oil and a few cucumber slices covered parts of her face.
I've seen this before; one time a few years ago, the rest in my nightmares. Even now, I feel like running away and calling for the police.
"Mouuuu, what's all this ruckus about?" She complained, crossing her arms.
"Ah, Nico! You're just in time for the big announcement!" Mom said, folding her hands.
"Hah? Is this about the move-in? Cause I can clearly see uncle standing right there" She turns her head to the man standing in front of me, apparently surprised as well by Nico's Hulk look.
Uncle yelped. "W-Well, kind of, Nicocchi" He explains, nervously scratching his head. "It's more like a surprise, for you and the kids here"
"Surprise?" She turns to mom. Now everyone was looking at her.
"Well, since you all can't wait, let me do a bit of explaining" She stands up and starts talking again. "You see, Uncle will not be moving in with us!" Everyone appeared confused, yet none of them spoke and allowed mom to continue. "Someone else will be taking his place! Someone reeaaally special! So try now to guess who-!"
"Onii-chan?"
I hadn't noticed that Kokoro was peeking behind uncle. I stood frozen, watching the girl stare at me with wide eyes. They seemed to be shaking, looking like she was about to cry. "I-Is that really you...?" She asked me, who stood silent. I was nervous, I'll admit, but maybe because it was so unexpected that she'd peek behind uncle.
"Huh!? Onii-chan!?" Kokoa rushed to Kokoro's side, and now two pairs of eyes were looking right at me.
I had no choice but to speak. "L-Long time no see, you two. Ahehe..." I tried to put up my best smile but the cold air was tickling my hands. Or was that just my shaking? "M-My, you guys have really grown u-" I suddenly feel my body fall over as two small girls tackled me down.
"O-Onii-chan! It's really you! I - *sniffle* - mwissed you!"
"Onii-haaaan!"Tears and drops of snot fell on my jacket as the two of them pinned me down. It made me realize how selfish my thinking was. The fact that I even thought they'd forgotten or would belittle me was all from stupid fear. I never stopped and thought about how much I would mean to these two, who spent most of their childhood under my care. The very thought of having someone they care so much about, yet so far out of reach. I wonder how long they've been wanting to see me again.
I would cry with these two if the situation weren't so hilarious. My own stupidity and their reactions were so out of this world, or rather, my world. I could do nothing more but just hug them back and say, "I missed you guys, too"
"Sei..."
It didn't take me too long to notice the facial oiled girl standing in front of us. I put the two girls down and stood to face her. She looked a bit grumpy but, nonetheless, looked at me with wide eyes.
"Hey, Nico-nee. I-It's been a while-"
"Five years" She interrupted. "Not a single word from you. No postcard, no letter, no email, no nothing. You don't even visit on holidays. So, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"E-Ehhrmm..." Nothing. I had no excuse for my lack of initiative to try to contact them. I always told myself I would but the next day but I always hold back. It's too unexpected, I would tell myself. But seeing how my sisters felt just now, I feel too guilty to even make up an excuse. "N-No excuses, really. I-"
This is the first time my body's been tackled twice within several minutes.
"Stupid... You let your siblings wait five years because of some dumb reason" Her green oiled face was sticking to my shirt but I didn't mind, really. "The next time you do that, I won't forgive you"
I put my hand on her head and lightly caressed it. "I missed you too, Nico-nee"
"So! That was the plan! At first, anyway"
As we were having dinner, Dad tried to explain the entire plan of telling everyone that uncle was moving in when, in fact, it was me. Just so everyone knows, I did not agree to the plan. It sounded too corny, overused and just lame. But I couldn't really complain since they were so excited about doing it.
Well, what's done is done.
"Lame" See, even Nico agrees. "You could have been a bit more creative, and you had to have uncle involved, huh?"
"I just played along, hehe"
"Well, it seemed fun so we wanted to try it out" Mom said with an awkward smile. "We didn't know it would backfire the way it did"
It didn't really backfire. It would have been probably the same reactions.
"So, why again is Sei living here?" Nico asked.
"Well, there are two reasons" Mom begins to explain. "One, Sei-chan here took a special test and got a scholarship for a school here in Tokyo. And two, since you're moving in with Eli-chan and Nozomi-chan for college, we thought maybe he could use your room instead of renting out an apartment"
"Huuuh? Isn't that a bit too... convenient?" I thought the exact same thing, Nico-nee. Fate works in mysterious ways, or so hey say it does.
"Oh, and I never asked! Sei, since you're starting next week, which school were you enrolled to?" She asked me. Wait, so they don't even know which school I'm going to attend!? Just how much did Uncle cover up?
"UTX Academy" I said.
And at that moment, everyone but Uncle and Kotarou spat their drinks out.
And so that's that. The story will exclusively revolve around Sei's perspective as it is, well, Yazawa-kun and not Yazawa-kun and Friends.
Of course, the rest of Muse will make an appearance and a few may, in fact, make an impact on Sei's new life in Tokyo. And if you haven't noticed, the story is set post-movie, but there will be no spoilers (As there is nothing to spoil about the film, really, and almost all the jokes in the series are re-used in the film)
So, I hope you stick around and follow me on this shitfest! Feedback is always appreciated, negative, positive or possibly death threats.
Y'all stay safe wherever you are! Hanoomaly out.