-
~Mitsuho's POV: Flashback~
I looked at my brother who was in the kitchen talking to our parents. I couldn't hear much of what they were saying since they were talking in private and they didn't want me listening in. 'What exactly is it that they don't want me hearing?' I asked myself mentally while still listening. The quieter I got, the more I could hear what they were talking about. "It'd be in her best interest Hibiki. We already have a hard enough time as it is taking care of ourselves and you, then with Mitsuho added to everything it's harder for us to manage." I heard my mom say. 'Wait a minute. What?' I asked myself mentally and I continued to listen. "That doesn't mean you have to send her off to live with Grandmother and Dad's step-daughter! Her boyfriend isn't exactly the best person to have children around!" Hibiki pointed out. "Your Grandmother wouldn't let anything happen. The same goes with Airi." their dad spoke and Mitsuho heard Hibiki scoff. "I know Grandmother wouldn't, but with Airi so busy all the time and her boyfriend always there, you never know!" he then said. 'Hibiki, you know about Airi-neechan's boyfriend? I thought I only knew about that because Grandma always told me to watch out for him when I came over. .' I thought to myself and I sat on the ground. Continuing to listen to the conversation her older brother and parents were having. "It's in her best interest, Hibiki. I don't want any of us ending up on the streets and with our income lately that seems the case. I don't think you'd want to see your sister on the streets, would you?" she heard her mom ask. The room got silent for the longest time before a sigh was heard. "Fine. Have it your way. I see your point." Hibiki muttered under his breath before walking out of the kitchen at a brisk pace, not even noticing Mitsuho sitting there. 'Why didn't they tell me that they were having money issues? I would've understood. .' I thought to myself getting up off the floor to go find Hibiki who was in his room. I knocked on the door lightly. "Hibik?" I asked in a quiet voice.
~Hibiki's POV: Flashback~
I sat in my room. I couldn't believe what our parents had told me. I understood that they were going through a bit of money issues, but to want to send Mitsuho to live over at Grandmother's where Airi's abusive boyfriend is? I wasn't going to stand for that. I didn't want her sitting on the streets either however, so I wasn't sure on what I wanted to do. I let out a sigh and layed back on my bed. I heard a small knock on my door, then a quiet voice and I let out a small smile. "What's up, Mitsuho?" I then asked once I saw her peak her head inside the door. "I-Is there something wrong? What did mom and dad want from you?" she then asked me, clearly worried and I shook my head. "It's nothing too important. I'm sure that they'll talk to you about it soon." I replied and Mitsuho looked confused. "You always keep things hidden from me! It's no fair!" she then said and I chuckled. "That's how older siblings work, right?" I said once I got up off my bed. I walked over to my door and patted Mitsuho on her head. 'It's for the best I suppose.' I thought to myself before walking out of my bedroom leaving Mitsuho standing there looking slightly confused. As if on cue, I hear mom yell her name. "Mitsuho! Could you come in the kitchen for a second?" and Mitsuho jumped slightly before responding. "C-Coming!" she yelled back racing to the kitchen. I sighed, then walked outside to get some fresh air.
~Mitsuho's POV~
I went into the kitchen where both my parents were sitting with looks on their faces that told me they had something important to tell me. Even though I already knew what it was, I decided to play along and pretend not to know. I sat down beside mother and across from father. "Yes ma'am?" I then asked. I saw mom and dad look at each other before looking back at me. Mom then sighed. "Look honey. You know we love you very much. It's just gotten to the point where if we don't start picking up on our jobs, we could possibly lose this home. Neither your father nor I want you living on the streets, so we've come to the conclusion that it'd be best if you were to stay with your Grandmother and Airi. They'll be able to provide a lot more for you than we're able to." she then said and I looked at her with a confused expression. "I understand, but. . what about Hibiki?" I asked, waiting to see what they would say about him. "He argued the point, so he's staying with us. We just don't want anything happening to you." my dad then said and I looked at them with blank expressions. "So what you're telling me is that, you're seperating Hibiki and I. .?" I asked. The looks on my parents faces made my heart wrench. They looked guilty and I sighed. 'They're doing it for my sake, so I'll just have to endure what that man might have to throw at me.' I thought to myself. "Fine. . When am I supposed to be leaving?" I then asked. "Sometime tomorrow afternoon." my mom then said. I nodded, then stood up to leave the kitchen. "I'm going to go pack the things I need." I said, then excused myself from the kitchen.
The next morning I didn't wake up until I heard a knock on my door and it stirred me from my sleep. I blinked, then yawned. "It's open!" I then said and saw Hibiki enter. "Nii-san?" I asked, slightly confused, but happy to see him. "I just was seeing if you were awake yet is all." he said sitting on my bed. "How come you're staying here, Nii-san? I understand that mom and dad need support, but they seemed like they wanted to get us both out of the situation." I then asked, looking at him straight in the eyes. Hibiki let out a small smile. "I told them that I wasn't going to go anywhere. That I'd help out with stuff around the house so they didn't have to worry about much when they got home and such. I tried the same with you, but they put their foot down on that matter." he replied with a sigh and I stared at him more. "Please tell me I'll be able to see you guys. right?" I said and he nodded. "It's not like they're abandoning you or anything Mitsuho. They're just making it to where it's in your best interest is all." he said and that caused me to smile. "Well, if that's the reason then I'm okay with it!~" I replied before tackling my brother in a hug which he returned.
A few hours later, Airi-neechan and her boyfriend arrived at the house. My parents were of course eyeing the man and Hibiki looked as if he wanted to give the man a piece of his mind. He noticed that I looked a little on the uneasy side and he took my hand. "It'll be okay. Just be yourself and don't let anything that man might say to you get to you. Got it?" he said and I nodded. I saw Airi-neechan walk up the steps while her "boyfriend" stayed by the veichle. I smiled when I saw her and she returned the smile. "You ready, Mitsu?" she asked and I nodded my head before getting my stuff. Before I could follow Airi-neechan down the steps I felt my brother hug me from behind and I glanced behind me before sticking my tounge out. "Love you guys!" I said, hugging Hibiki back, then hugging my parents and finally ran down the stairs of the apartment to where Airi-neechan and her boyfriend were waiting. I watched the man warily as I got in the backseat of the veichle. 'I wonder how all of this is going to turn out?' I said to myself mentally as we drove away from the small apartment I called home.
-
A/N(again): I felt it better to get that out there before anything. The second chapter will have surprise in it, but not as long as this I can promise that! xD