A/N: It's Raine again with more Ryuuko-centered stories. This one kinda came to me on a whim, but its not angsty or heavy as One More Time, One More Chance. I hope you enjoy this new story, and give me any feedback to improve on.
Tired.
Annoyed.
Disappointed.
This is how Ryuuko felt as her fingers found the familiar button, shutting off the annoying alarm that intruded on her dreams too soon. She didn't get up, or make any attempt at kicking off the blankets. Instead, she just laid in bed, contemplating whether she should leave the comfort of her bed or get a move on. She really, truly wanted to do the former, no questions about it. But really, where would that get her? Probably a long lecture about the importance of going to sleep early, followed by the question of WHY she has remained awake until very late, then she'd be made to go to school regardless of how tired (and/or late) she is. Perhaps she could try appealing to Ragyo's motherly instincts? She could plead that she's too tired to handle this day, but then, this will only take her back to the why and— Whatever. Between Ragyo and Satsuki, she barely stood a chance when her mother and older sister were on the same page. Which, in this case, was the expected scenario.
Grumbling to herself, Ryuuko kicked off the covers and hopped on her feet, figuring that she can go to school for now, and figure what to do later. It was only Tuesday, a long week lay ahead of her. At least, later this evening Mako was going to pick her up and they'd go to hang out and eat. There was that to look forward to, at least. They won't go after school directly, Mako would come over to pick her up an hour or so after school is out. Giving her enough time to work on her homework ( again, Satsuki's idea, not hers ), that's how she was allowed to go out during the week. Homework first, fun later. She wanted to object, she did actually, but she only ended up using her vocal cords to repeat a mantra that was unheard. At the end, it was either accept Satsuki's terms, or there was no going out for her at all.
"What a damned dictator, not even giving me a choice to make, ugh." She kept grumbling as she finished getting dressed, picking her school bag and leaving the room, whining loudly and feeling miserable all over.
As she walked through the halls that would lead her to the main entrance of their estate, she spotted the basement door, locked as usual. It was no secret that the lower levels of the Kiryuuin mansion hosted a giant lab; Ragyo spent an awful lot of time down there, with a bunch or scientists or something. Ryuuko didn't know much of it, since she was not allowed down there, hence the door being locked all the time. It wasn't fair, as Satsuki would go there sometimes. Ryuuko would object and argue, but the door remained locked, and something would be said about her safety yada yada yada. As if she would do anything to endanger herself! She only wants to take a look at what's down there, nothing else.
"One day…" She mumbled, eyeing the door viciously.
"What are you so worked up about?" Ryuuko nearly jumped at the sudden presence of her sister.
"Satsuki— Where did you come from?"
"I did not materialize out of thin air, you don't have to look at me as such."
"You did sneak up on me, and that's basically the same thing."
"Sneak up on you? I believe you were being too absent minded to notice my approaching."
"I wasn't— Ugh fine! Whatcha doing up so early anyways? You don't hafta to go to school anymore, so what gives?"
"I'm going to campus to work on some research."
"Why? You can work on it from home." Ryuuko couldn't fathom why would anyone want to wake up this early willingly. Satsuki has graduated high school few months ago, and have started attending university, leaving Ryuuko alone in a boring high school.
"I could, but I won't. Besides, I could drop you off on my way out."
"Drop me off…You don't have to—"
"Hm? I think I do. You've been quite needy lately, I didn't know my presence at school was so important to you."
"It's not! The hell'er ya on about? Who's being needy? You're the one burying herself in books for days at a time then you remember that you have a family outside of that office you lock yourself in and come looking for me!" If only she could've gone through this sentence without stammering and a heated blush creeping up her face.
"I suppose this would explain how a certain someone would sleepwalk into my bed every now and then."
Damn it!
"I dunno what you're talking about."
"Must be a ghost sister only I can see, then."
DAMN IT ALL.
"Whatever! It's not as if I can't get through school without you around. Things have been going well so far…" She trailed off as realization slowly crept to her mind.
Crap.
Crap.
Crap.
CRAP.
"Umm Sats?"
"What is it?"
"I have something to show you. But you gotta keep it a secret!"
"What sort of trouble did you land yourself in this time?"
Shit.
"N-Not really trouble! Just… Kinda sorta got into a fight with an asshole and— ineedsomeone'ssignaturetobeallowedtogotoschooltoday."
"YOU DID WHAT?" Her older sister thundered. So much for keeping it a secret.
"Keep it down, jeez!"
"Ryuuko…"
"It wasn't my fault! I was leaving class when that douche ran into me and demanded an apology! Like hell I'm gonna do that! He kept pushing until I had to punch him and things kinda took off from there."
"Control your impulses, child."
"Satsukiiii!"
"Where is that slip of paper?"
"In my bag."
"Say I hadn't caught you this morning, what were going to do?"
"That's…"
"Skipping school?"
"I haven't thought that far!"
Standing here working her little sister up was fun, but the clock was ticking, and she has to drop this brat off at school on time. They have to move now to avoid getting caught in the morning traffic.
"We don't want you being late, come."
"Yeah… Hey, where is mom anyways? I haven't seen her since last night." Early evening more like it.
"Probably still downstairs."
They stepped into the bright courtyard, both walking side by side towards the shiny silver car the belonged to her sister. It was a gift from Ragyo as her eldest graduated high school. Ryuuko enjoyed going on rides with her sister, it sorta made up for the lost time now that Satsuki was busier.
"How come I'm the only one not allowed down there? It's not fair!"
"We don't want you to get hurt if you accidentally run into something or touch something. Your curiosity can be troublesome sometimes."
"I'm seventeen now! I can control my impulses just fine."
"Just like you did yesterday? Is this why I have to sign this note before you're allowed back to school?"
"Ugh! Just drive already!"
The car was comfortably silent for the fifteen minute drive to the high school. As Satsuki parked, she took the note and read it thoroughly, realizing that Ryuuko's version was the watered down version of the events that happened the previous day. The punch seemed to have developed into a brawl, taking place in the far backyard with a not so small group of spectating students.
"Ryuuko…"
"What? He challenged me! I had to defend myself and my reputation!"
"How would you like it if you got suspended from school?"
"It won't get that point!"
"It will, if you keep up this behavior."
"Satsukiiiii, I'm sorry." She didn't want to have her sister so disappointed in her, not when they were about to part ways.
"Be more mindful of your reactions, silly child." Really, Satsuki couldn't stay mad at that adorable frown, even when she pretended that she was.
"I will."
"Good. Now take this note to the principal before the day starts, we don't want you being late on top of everything else."
"Mhm, I'll go. See ya later, Sats!"
"Have a good day."
Satsuki remained in the parking lot until her sister disappeared through the main doors of the school. She wouldn't admit it, but she kind of misses having Ryuuko around her all day long. With her changing schedule from day to day, Satsuki had less time to see her sister since she started attending university. Ragyo was still as busy as ever, and between the two of them, Ryuuko was spending a lot of time on her own. She will bring up the topic with her mother the next time she sees her, as she is sure Ryuuko's latest brawl was an attempt to draw some attention to her, as she must have been feeling neglected.
"That child…" Satsuki was amused, more than anything else. She hoped that the day would pass without further incidents, school related at least, and hopefully by the next day her and Ragyo would work out a way to moderate their working time and family time. Despite her early start, Satsuki has only three classes, which means she can leave campus earlier than usual, if she is to carry out her plan. She could stop at Ryuuko's favorite pizza joint, get her the greasy cheese she loved for some reason and spend a quiet evening with her. As Ragyo has always been busy, Satsuki spent a lot of time with her little sister; but since graduation, their time together only decreased. Oh well, not all is lost. She will work on making it up to Ryuuko, while getting Ragyo to spend time with her youngest for a change. Really, working non-stop in that lab would have its effects on her. She texted said busy mother her plan for the evening, getting her on board would surely cheer up her grumbling sister.