Chapter Three: Second (Forced) Encounter

Sayuki's P.O.V

Today I was going to hang out with the guys at the court again. I bit down my hair band as I wound my hair quickly and tied it. I was wearing a dark green sleeveless top with a black jacket tied around my waist and comfortable grey Aladdin pants.

Sasayan was tying his shoelaces, over and over again, and what usually took him five minutes took him half an hour to prepare. I blew out an exasperated sigh and knelt in front of him. He was shocked but I ignored him and quickly unwound the mess he made and tied the laces neatly.

"Thanks, Imoto…" I heard him muttered and I looked up. He looked so troubled, I almost cried.

I sat down in front of him and placed my hands on his knees, looking up into his eyes, "You okay? You don't look good." I asked softly and he smiled gently, patting my head. "I'm fine, Sayuki… Just a little tired."

I frowned at him and shot back, "I'm your sister, Sōhei Sasahara, do you seriously think you can trick me with that lame excuse?" He smiled again, only more wearily.

"Go on to the baskets. I'll bring the others there to meet you up later, okay? I need to go get them first."

I was reluctant to get off him but he just leaned down and wrapped me in a older brotherly embrace, "I'm fine, imoto…Hurry up." I sighed and hugged him back. "I won't leave till I see you, got it?" I felt him smile into the curve of my neck.

"Yeah."

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Sasayan's P.O.V

I watch my little sister walked out of the room slowly, giving me a backward glance before closing the door behind her. I waited for her footsteps to move away from the door and the muffled close of the front door. I peeked at the window and saw her make a right to her usual basketball court that was nearby KaimeiHigh School.

When she was finally out of sight, I groaned and flopped onto the bed. Sometimes, I really hate my sister for being so sensitive to my moods. But I was like that to her so I can't really blame her. Both of us are so close. I sighed and rolled to my side, flipping my phone open.

Well then, time for an all out emotional war.

Sayuki's P.O.V

I walked across the street and called out to the boys. They waved upon seeing me and I grin. I waited for a car to pass and ran across the road.

Sohma had walked to the front door and opened the latch and let me in. They were eating breakfast consisting of fried chicken.

Seriously, this guys. Eat as much as a bull and stay skinny like a stick.

I popped a small popcorn chicken from a box another boy was holding into my mouth. He exclaimed with an annoyed shout but I laughed it off casually and ruffled his hair. "Well then, Hyosun-kun. It's your treat~" And I ran off, snatching a basketball from Sohma.

He laughed and chased after me for it.

Sohma was a distant friend of mine during kindergarten but after we both liked basketball and played with each other more, we grew even closer, up to being the best of friends. Sohma is a tall, slim boy with wavy hair that he likes to tie it up into a messy ponytail.

He managed to snatch the ball from me and ran swiftly towards the other side of the court. I grin and chased after him. I snatched the ball but he caught me by the waist and I laughed as he pulled me down to the ground. "Oi, baka! That's a foul!" I scolded playfully and ruffled his hair. I was used to his hugs anyway since we were played basketball. Sohma likes to hug everyone and often gets misunderstood by girls.

He laughed and I rest against his chest.

A few boys wolf whistled and some were cheering, "Go, Sohma! Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

I waved at them cheerfully. "Don't be idiots and get over here!" They laughed but no one came over.

Sohma laughed into my hair and muttered, "Well, then. No one can save you, now Sayu-chan."

My heart began to beat a little faster and I felt a blush creep up onto my face but I just laugh casually. "Oiya oiya, your body heat is getting annoying, Sohma. Get off." He sighed and breathes in my hair.

Reluctantly, he obediently removed his arms around me and stood up. Reaching down to me, I accept his hand and he pulled me up. I smiled up at him and he sighed wearily. "I'll go get you some water." Letting go of my hand, he walked away. I watch him for awhile and sighed.

My instincts tell me that he might like me in a romantic way but I'm not prepared to give him my heart yet. I bend down and picked up the basketball and stared at it.

I know I'm being unfair but I can't risk falling in love.

I sighed again when suddenly voices called my name. I look up and saw the four weirdoes waving and shouting for me. I shook my head and chuckled. Make that three since Blondie over there isn't giving me much of a glance.

What a bunch of cuties. They are like attached little pets to me. Even though it can be annoying at times but at least they're kinda good-looking.

Well, might as well make friends instead of enemies, right?

I waved back at the three screamers. Fanboys remind me of an army that would do anything for you. I giggled at the thought.

I gestured for them to come in through the front and walked towards the door.

Tomio grinned at me as I let them through. "Neh, Sayu-chan~ Are you free next Saturday?" I raised an eyebrow at his expectant eyes and frowned, "No. I can't go out with you. If that's what you mean." I continued quickly before he could protest. "I've got an assignment to do."

I turn around and gestured to some seats nearby the court. "You can sit there if you like." I look at them over my shoulder and grinned, "Mah, I'll see you during the breaks~" And jogged off.

Yamaken's P.O.V

I watch Sayuki trotted off to the court as the game began. Tomio and the others dragged me towards the sidelines where they can ogle their perverted eyes on Sayuki.

We watch as Sayuki played but unfortunately, her team lost this time. She panted and fell on the ground on her bottom.

"Hey, you guys aren't being fun at all!" She scolded jokingly and some of them laughed. A boy with wavy hair that was tied into a ponytail came over to her. "It was your turn last time, Sayu-chan~ Don't be a sore loser." She grinned boyishly up at him and he smiled.

"Who cried like a baby when he lost in the finals? Who's the sore loser now~?" She teased and he smacked her head, "Watch your mouth, kiddo!" And the boys started laughing.

I watched all of this quietly as Mabo started complaining, "Why does she stick with Sohma so much?" I blinked and looked towards Mabo. Tomio watch Mabo curiously, "Who is Sohma?"

My thoughts exactly. I thought but stopped to check myself. Why am I interested in this again? It's really none of my business. But, it doesn't hurt anyone to be a busybody once in a while so I listen to Mabo's gossip.

"Sohma is that dude over there." Mabo pointed at the boy with the ponytail. "He's her best bud since kindy. That's what Hyosun told me so far." He frowned. "That guy's sure lucky." Joji look over and retorted, "But, it doesn't seem like they're in a relationship much." Tomio nodded his agreement but Mabo just shrugged.

"Oi, Sayuki! Sasayan's here!" Someone shouted at the top of his lungs and they all looked towards the source of the voice. A grinning black haired boy was standing beside a very familiar person.

My mind worked as all the pieces began to fit together about why Sayuki looked so familiar.

She was Sasayan's sister.

Behind a sheepish Sasayan was Mizutani Shizuku. My hopes lifted and suddenly it crashed. Again.

Why? Because Haru's there. That's why.

Sayuki's P.O.V

I laughed and got up to brush my backside before jogging up to my brother. He smiled at me and I jumped into his arms to hug him briefly. "Onii-chan~!" I laughed and removed myself from him, "What're you doing here? You need something?" I cocked my head at him.

Am I a good actress or am I a good actress? He smiled.

Yeah, you are.

"No, nothing much. I needed to tell you that Mom just called." I blinked. This is news. "Mom said she and Dad will be going to a trip to the States for the job, so it's just gonna be the two of us." I grinned, "And Kurosaki."

He nodded and laughed, "Oh, yeah. And that fat cat."

"Oi, Sasayan. Who is she?" A voice piped up. I cocked my head and look behind my brother. A boy with dark wavy hair was watching us curiously with his hands laced behind his head. A girl with light copper brown hair tied into twintails watch us with a bored but curious expression. Another girl standing with them had light mahogany brown hair tied stylishly, with a cute, dumb expression. "Did she say 'Onii-chan'? You have a sister?"

Sasayan grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I do. I don't really talk about her much so a lot of people at school don't know her." I frowned at him, "Yeah, and only a handful of friends that ever come over know me." He petted my head and grinned. I grinned back and look curiously over to them. "Well, aren't there gonna be any introductions? Or am I supposed to ignore them?"

He smiled knowingly and turn to them, "Guys, this is Sayuki, my little sister."

He gestured to them, pointing to the boy, "This is Haru."

Then, he pointed politely to the copper-brown haired girl. "Shizuku-chan."

Then, lastly, he gestured to the cute waving girl. "And this is Natsume-chan."

I grinned at them, "Yo~ Nice to meet you! You must be Onii-chan's new friends~ He told me about you but he never mentioned your names before." I looked up thoughtfully, "Except for Nagoya, though." I giggled, "What a good chicken."

Haru beamed brightly at me, "You got that right! Nagoya's the best!" I laughed and look down the shopping bags in their hands. "Wood? Nails? Are you guys gonna build a house for Nagoya?" I guessed and they nodded. "Yup, we're gonna make the best one yet!" Haru stated simply…and loudly.

"Oh, studybug, Haru! And Natsume-chan! You're here too!?" I hear shouts yelling at the top of their voices and turned to look. Mabo, Tomio and Joji were waving like a bunch of little kids that saw Pocoyo and friends come to real life.

I rolled my eyes as they came over. Blondie suddenly came over and wrapped an arm around Shizuku-chan, attempting to charm her but got socked by Haru. I giggled as he rubbed his face briefly from the pain. He looked at me and scowled. I just gave him a grin and turned to Haru, "Haru-kun."

He stopped leering at Blondie and looked over to me, "Yes?"

I sling my bag over my shoulder and smiled, "Can I help with the chicken coop? I want to play with Nagoya~"

He grinned at me, "Of course, the more the merrier!" He turned to Shizuku and grinned wider, "Can we bring her along?" She watched him indifferently, "Why are you asking me?"

"Because if you don't want her to come along, then I won't let her." I sweat dropped. Well, that's kind of overboard. I cocked my head at Shizuku, "Well, your call, Shizuku-chan~" She nodded, "Why not?" Mabo grinned while watching a frightened Natsume, "Let's go along, shall we? Neh, neh, Natsume-chan~?"

I thwacked his forehead and he fell backwards as a vein popped up my head, "Don't ogle like that. It's rude, baka!" I scolded and he rubbed his forehead. I placed my hands on my hips and looked over my shoulder at him, "If you want to come along, then behave." He frowned and retorted with a grin, "I'm a bad boy, I do what I want."

"I think bad boys are stupid, arrogant stuck ups that are too spoilt for their own good." He blinked stupidly at me and I smirked.

An awkward silence fell on us after I said that.

I broke the silence with a cheerful grin, "Well,then. Shall we?"

Haru and Sasayan grinned back at me. "Yosh, let's go!" Haru said as I hooked my arm around Natsume's arm. I tilted my mouth nearby her ear and whispered, "If they ever trouble you, tell me. I'll make sure they get punished." She blinked and smiled at me gratefully, "Ok~!" I smiled gently back at her and blinked.

I looked over my shoulder and laughed, "Well, are the four of you coming or are you gonna stay there till the moon comes out?"