A/N:
I'm guessing you are here because of the latest chapter. Yeah that's why I wrote this. I was super affected by those last few pages of poignant sweetness between Kyoko and Izumi that I spend the last two days thinking what my reinterpretation of Chapter 37 will be like.
Here's the final product.
If you are craving for more, I have a couple of works under this fandom. Feel free to check them out.
Warning: Spoilers from Chapter 37. If you haven't read the entire manga, please read them first before proceeding with my attempts.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.
Permission
"Here."
Eyebrows raised in puzzlement, I looked at Souta's clenched fist extended towards me. I briefly wondered what is it.
"What is it?"
Souta's teeth showed as he gave me a goofy grin. "You forgot it."
I studied his face, smiling too brightly. Extending my hand to meet his, palm facing up, he dropped a thin, wrapped foil.
My heart stopped, fingers automatically closing over it. I swallowed slowly. "Ah, my school insignia. I dropped it?" I could almost feel a cold sweat forming on my forehead and back of my neck.
"Yeah."
"Thanks." I wonder where? Should I be relieved that Souta is the one who picked it up instead of Kyoko's mom? Or even her dad?
The image of her dad picking it up made the bile rise to my throat. I stifled the urge to shudder. Kyosuke Hori might kick me out of the house in one move.
"You came to our house last Friday night, right?" Souta's voice interrupted the train of my thoughts. My eyes can barely focus on his bright, beaming face.
Hmmm? Last Friday night. It was… raining so hard.
And the late afternoon sky was so dark it feels like it rained in the middle of the night.
Yet, all I could think about was her fingers caressing my skin so…intimately.
That.
And a flurry of shirts, socks, sweater and a skirt being tossed over my head in succession.
That.
And a lot of deep murmurs against my ear. Sharp teeth nipping my skin.
My hot tongue gliding on her babysoft skin which never see the light of day.
I hardened immediately. My face grew warm in remembrance.
Blinking rapidly, I saw Souta peering at me very closely.
"That's when I found it." He said softly, a resigned look on his normally playful expression.
I was supposed to use this.. I even kept one inside the hidden pockets of my bookback. Just in case.
And it so happened that the just in case scenario was on that Friday. My fingers clenched even more tightly, crumpling the lone packet with my fist. But I never got the chance to use it.
I tried to cover it up.
"Uh, last week huh?" I mumbled. Really awkward, Miyamura. Really awkward.
"Are you guys always doing stuff like that?"
I froze. Souta's expression seemed too knowing. For an eight year old kid, he is unusually sharp and perceptive in certain situations best kept for adults. However, he, Izumi Miyamura, not being an adult too, should have known better than to be careless. It's okay to be intimate, but there should be a proper time and place to indulge in such activity.
And always, always practice complete discretion. He and Kyoko are still in highschool, after all. Ahhh, the perils of being in highschool and getting frisky at the slightest provocation.
"Souta?" Kyoko's tone of voice seemed beguiling today-indulgent, relaxed and less stern.
Both I and Souta did not answer immediately. Though my eyes flickered on the direction of the sound of her voice.
"Souta? Is that Izumi-kun?"
A pause.
"Let him in."
Kyoko's last words seemed like a magic password being uttered by a generous fairy, or a supernatural maiden giving permission to let him in a garden of forbidden delights.
It unexpectedly brings flashbacks of that rainy Friday night, where they spend an unusually long time entangled into each other's arms, as they listen closely and quietly on the pouring rain outside. If I close my eyes, I can almost hear her beating heart next to mine, feel all the feminine curves snuggled next to me. Bare skin to bare skin.
I glanced back at Souta again. Her younger brother tries so hard to be generous; but it's obvious in his eagerness to reassure me it's "ok" with him that made me feel pinpricks of guilt even as my heart started beating so fast in remembrance.
It's imperative that he understands I am not abandoning him for his sister. I love him like a real brother. In fact, I'm not just truly, deeply and madly in love with his sister alone. I love him and the rest of his family as well. They are more than generous with their acceptance of me as part of the family. Which is something I could never ask for more. As an only child, my life brightened considerably since I entered into their lives.
"Not always." I said.
Souta tilted his head, not understanding clearly.
"Are you worried that I'm going to take away your sister?"
His eyes became two bright.
Suddenly, it became a little moist.
My heart melted a little. Ahh. This family. I will never get tired of loving them so.
"I wont." I gave him a reassuring smile. "She's your big sister."
Souta raised his elbow up, covering half of his face in reply. "What about you?" he asked, voice trembling a little.
I couldn't help but smile. I wanted to ruffle his unruly hair affectionately, but I let my hands stay on my sides. Souta is growing up and trying to be as mature as he could be. I should let him be.
But my hands seemed to have a mind of its own. And I found myself pulling him closer to me in a tight bear hug. His sweater warmed my heart a little more. I could even smell his Kyoko's scent on his clothes.
After all, it's thanks to him that I properly met his sister in the first place. And I wouldn't be here if it weren't for that fateful day.
"I promise I won't take your big sister." I told him.
I could feel his head nod a little in acknowledgement.
I let out a sight of relief.
"But can I have Kyoko?" I asked him. After all, a brother is a brother. Even thought he is younger than her, he feels he is obligated to protect her. Even from me. So I can understand his worries, and the importance his sister plays on his life. It would be rude and remiss of me if I don't properly ask permission. Man to man.
Besides, it's easier to obtain approval from Souta than Kyosuke Hori. That man, despite being their biological father, is an impossibly weird father. I am not looking forward to a painful interview yet.
"Ok."
I stopped. I almost forgot I asked his permission.
Burying my face into his sweater again, I could not help hiding my grin.
"Thank you."
Kyoko. There. I've said it. And it has never felt so good calling her name like this.
A/N: Let me know what you think.
