Beta: Ichigo1010

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Chapter 2

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Lunch time came, Erin had already left for her "date". She left us some "lunch" on the table. If you consider a few loaves of bread and some butter as lunch, that is. And you're probably wondering why I used the term "us". No, I did not make a grammatical error there (though there are probably a few somewhere within my story). Anyways. . .

I took my usual seat. Across the table sat my "brother" Natsume. His crimson eyes were calm and his hair was its usual messy perfection. You're probably curious how he came to reside here. You see, it's really a long story but I'll try to keep it short. . .

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This took place when dad was still with us.

When Natsume was still very young, his parents and his older brothers and sisters left for America, leaving him alone, thus he was left to be taken care of by my mom. And how could a selfish woman such as she ever take in an infant that wasn't hers? Was it because she was nice? No. The answer to that question would have to be: bribery. Natsume's parents paid my mom a huge sum of money, she just couldn't deny.

When he came of age, my mom sent him to school since it was the request of Natsume's parents. He was a very bright boy and got a full scholarship. My mom let him continue his studies since she didn't have to pay for his tuition and school materials. She didn't even need to bring him to school or hire a bus service. He always walked to school everyday, even during heavy rains and storms.

Then I was born.

My mom – too distracted enjoying life - made Natsume take care of me until I grew older. He taught me all that I needed to know, since my mom was too greedy to send me to school. And even though he had to do all of that, he never complained. He rarely talks crap as far as I know.

And even over the years, Natsume's parents never came to visit. Not even once. They didn't even send letters or anything or ask if he's happy and well. They act as If they never even had a son.

When he needed something, he took the money from the ones he earned from his part time job as a tutor. He also once told me about his ex-girlfriend. Her name was Hotaru or something. She only used him to get money from him, and to earn fame among her peers. She dumped him before they've even been together for 2 weeks, but I guess he never felt shame. It wasn't like he was a bad boyfriend or that he was found disloyal to her.

When he graduated from college, he went up the stage to get his diploma and awards by himself. He didn't have any friends. So he kinda supported himself all throughout his life.

But now he's having a hard time landing a good job while my mom, being the total bitch she is, demands a large part of his salary. It was to be payment for all her "hard work" and "dedication" to supporting him in his times of need and the "sacrifices" she made for him. As if! I think SHE should be the one owing HIM for taking care of her daughter and for all the meals HE cooks and pays for.

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"I finally found a company willing to hire me. I'm supposed to have an interview later, so I won't be home until later tonight," Natsume whispered, not bothering to look at me.

I sighed. It seems that I'll be alone again for today. Not that I'm surprised. I'm almost always alone all the time, so I should be used to it by now. But why do I feel disappointed? Strange.

"But I guess we can still hang out tomorrow. We can talk about stuff, you know. . . and we can spend some time together," he said suddenly.

I brightened up a bit at the idea.

"Yah, I'll look forward to that!" I agreed happily.

He gave me the smallest of smiles. Even that most miniscule of smiles brought warmth to my cold heart.

By the time he left, I noticed a note lying on the kitchen counter.

Clean the whole house. I wanna see it spotless by tomorrow when I get back. It's your responsibility now. -Erin

I was furious.

How the heck did it become my responsibility?! SHE's the one that makes all the mess in the first place! And she expects ME to clean up after her?!

I crushed the note in my fist and threw it into the trash.

This is why I always keep to my room, to avoid having to do all her chores for her. That woman is so pathetic and unreliable. I swear, if I DID clean the whole house, she wouldn't notice it. And if I DIDN'T, she would whip me and pull my hair and do horrible stuff to me. It happened once before, and I've developed serious trauma for it.

So I did what she told me to do. I cleaned the house. Sometime during the time that I was scrubbing floor did it begin to drizzle outside and eventually break into a hard rain.

To keep myself motivated, I made myself to think that I was just doing this for my sake and Natsume's, and not for that wicked woman. After I dusted, swept, mopped, and tidied up the place, I took out all the laundry and began to wash them. What I found laying beneath all the clothes, you can only guess: A MAN'S UNDERWEAR! And I'm pretty damn sure it's not Natsume's. So gross!

I tell you, my mom is such a total bitch, one day I'm gonna kill her. I swear. I threw the (dirty) underwear in the nearest trash can I could find. Oh, how I wanted to burn the darn thing. But I didn't.

I looked at the dusty old wall clock; it seemed I still had enough time to make dinner. I opened the pantry and took out the only remaining food I found in there: a can of sardines. I guess it was enough for two people. Then I tried to cook some rice. I'm gonna skip all the cooking mumbo-jumbo and accidents I caused and try to save myself the humiliation, ok? So I set the table and placed the "more than slightly burnt" sardines and undercooked rice. I have to admit it: I never was good at cooking.

I just finished setting up the table when the front door opened. Natsume entered, looking really tired. His raven locks were wet from the rain and water dripped off the ends. He was completely drenched from head to toe.

He took off his coat and put it in the closet, then he loosened his tie. He actually looks different when he wears formal attire. It was the first time I saw him wearing something like it. I never did realize that I was blushing at that moment.

I handed him a towel without a word, and after he dried his hair well enough, he sat down on his usual seat on the dining table while I sat opposite from him.

We ate in silence, but it wasn't awkward as you might think. We're used to this kind of silence. It was kinda comfortable actually, like we had a special connection that only the two of us could comprehend. His mere presence provides comfort to my tortured soul. When I'm locked up in my room, he was the one who brings me my meals. He isn't like my mom who wouldn't give a damn even if I starved to death. Even as I grew up, he still took good care of me, like a real older brother would. He didn't care if I never repaid him. He just acts like he never cares about anything, but I believe, real deep inside, he's a very kind and gentle person with a caring heart. He deserves much more than this. . .

I didn't notice I was staring at him until he pulled back his chair and stood up, carrying his plate to the sink. I was shaken out of my thoughts. Now fully aware, I felt embarrassed at my actions.

"I'll wash the dishes," he said over his shoulder.

I just blinked, stunned. It wasn't like him to be doing the dishes and more so, telling me he would. Usually he would just disappear into his room until dawn. I didn't know what to think. My thoughts were a blur. So I finished eating real fast and brought the plates to him. I'm pretty sure I looked dumbfounded as he took the plates from my hands.

Unsure of what to do now, I slowly walked to my room. Looking back every once in a while, not sure if I should continue walking. When I reached the door and put a hand on the door knob, I stole a last glance back at Natsume. I felt uneasy as I entered my room. I paced back and forth in rhythm to the beating of my heart. For what seemed like an eternity to me, I was still laying awake. Restless, I walked to my door and opened it a few inches. I peered outside. A dark silhouette stood motionless in front of the sink. I had this feeling that something was troubling him. A part of me wanted to go to his side and comfort him, but the other part told me it would be better to leave him alone for a while.

The door swung and shut itself close with a soft thud. . .