Warm.

That's the first sensation that makes its way up to my senses as they come back to life.

Weird.

I cannot hear the sound of falling rain anymore, but I am certain there's no way in hell the weather will change that drastically from the night to the morning.

And last time I checked, my apartment was cold as hell…

I try to move, but no avail.

Oh, right.

Opening my eyes, my vision is met with darkness.

That smells nice…

Oi, what.

Lifting my head a bit to get out from the mass of hair, I look at the position we're in.

And there she is, this damn girl, the main cause of many of my headaches this past month. Completely asleep, her back pressed up against my chest, strays of her hair covering her eyes, and her hand holding mine firmly.

Her chest rises and falls slowly, the soft sound of her breath echoing in the quiet room.

So beautiful… yet terrifying.

This feels so unreal. To think things have gone this way…

What did I do to end in a predicament like this?

She doesn't seem to mind though. And that confuses me.

That's not how nice girls act. Nice girls act dumbly, but in the end, they are very intelligent. They build up a false facade in order to make the dumb males fall into their trap. They can act clumsily, but in the end, all they are looking for is for an advantage in their favor. And then, they strike.

I fell for that trap. More than once. I actually think a good part of my interactions back in high school fell into that category. I didn't do something about it though.

But there's something I am certain of, and that is, I won't fall into that trap again.

But I am unable to think of Saki following that strategy. Nice girl or not. I always believed that any girl would be disgusted at the sole thought of being anywhere near me, much less sleeping in the same bed as me.

My self-deprecating thoughts get interrupted by the sound of the doorbell, followed by a series of knocks coming from the front door.

I see… so that's what woke me up in the first place.

Strange she didn't wake up as well.

It's Sunday, and I never have visitors. Hell, besides my sister, who would be actually visiting me?

Clumsily, I slowly untangle myself from the sleeping girl, as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb her slumber.

Groaning irritably, I head to the front door opening it without hesitation, ready to snap at anyone who dared to bother me on a Sunday morning.

''Oi, what do you w-''

…Of course.

''Onii-chan! That's not how you welcome your little sister!''

God help me.

''Yo, Komachi.''

She pouts, hands on her lips as if waiting for me to apologize.

Seeing my lack of response, she sighs softly.

''Cold as always, onii-chan.''

''You know me too well. Come inside.''

She enters, making herself at home. After taking her coat off, she yawns softly, looking at me.

''Oi, you know I don't really mind you being here, but why didn't you tell me you were coming? And why so early, on a Sunday morning?''

''I told you. Did you even read my text?''

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.

But I have an excuse.

''That was a month ago.''

''Hehehe… I guess now is when I got some free time.''

I don't really have the right to blame her. She has been very occupied recently since this is her first year at university.

''Besides, why do you care?''

Oh, she got me. I already told her I didn't mind her being here. Even if she came so early in the morning, she was always welcome.

''Hoh…?''

Well…shit.

That look. I know that look. That accusing smile she gives me when she knows I'm hiding something.

''Onii-chan… are you perhaps-''

As if on cue, the sound of a throat being cleared interrupts our conversation.

Saki stands there, in her sleepy glory, leaning against the frame between the hallway and the living room entrance, arms crossed, hair completely straight down her back, looking at us expectantly with a raised eyebrow.

The way she leans against the wall makes some parts of her body stand out pretty well.

I'm dead meat. How the hell am I supposed to explain this?!

Komachi just stands there, her jaw almost hitting the floor, looking as if she has just seen an alien.

Fear comes in two variations. There's the most common one; the one we get to feel most frequently. Fear of heights, fear of cockroaches, or not passing a test, fear of being alone.

And then, there's my favorite one.

And that's the kind of fear that hits deep inside, telling you only one thing:

Get your sorry ass out of here and run for your life.

But my poor feet won't move. I know I can't escape from her anyway.

At last, Saki relaxes, and smiles warmly at my sister, much to my surprise.

''Hello,'' she says, ''Sorry for the heart attack.''

Her mocking tone makes me wonder if she's sorry or not.

''It's nice seeing Hikigaya's sister again,'' she adds.

After some moments of tension, Komachi sighs, and…smiles.

''Yes, I am this deadbeat's sister,'' she says with fake disappointment.

Oi!

And then, just like that, they smile at each other. All the tension and surprise is just gone as fast as it appeared.

I won't even bother.

''So, are you two okay now?'' I ask with slight disinterest.

''Yes, we're fine; don't act so bubbled up."

''I am not. Don't bother me.''

They just stare at me with bored faces for a few moments before starting to talk with each other, heading to the living room sofa, completely ignoring my presence.

My stealth mode works by itself.

Deciding to not bother any further, I head to the bathroom to wash my teeth and splash some water on my face. I notice Saki's wet toothbrush, meaning she already made her routine.

Then, I go into my room in order to work with some assignments on my laptop due on Monday, leaving the two girls to talk about… girl things.

Fast forward an hour later, and you find me lying on my bed, legs crossed, working peacefully on my laptop, about to finish the last of the assignments.

I could hear some distant soft laughs from time to time coming from the living room, so at least I could tell they were having a good time.

But knowing my sister, she must be having some pending questions, that including what was Saki doing at my apartment, in pajamas, on a Sunday morning.

I pause for a moment, taking a breath and letting my hands rest for a bit.

What are those two doing right now? It sure looks like they got pretty entertained.

It's has been just a few weeks since Saki and I first met after all these years. Barely over a month. Yet, we act like we have known each other our whole life. Whatever is out of pity, necessity or just plain desire to be under each other's care is hard to determine.

I recall one of the many times Hiratsuka-sensei gave me advice back then. Oh, Hiratsuka-sensei. Probably the only person who really tried to understand me back then.

''We, as humans, always need a reason to exist. It's what keeps us going after all. We need someone else to take care of us, while we take care of them at the same time. We need to be corrected, to be yelled at when we do something terribly wrong, to be comforted when we feel there's just no way out. I think I am the best example of what happens when we don't have that someone. That's why… Hikigaya… if you ever have the luck I never had… if you ever find anyone capable of taking care of you… you need to treasure that person with all your might.''

I chuckle softly to myself.

I'm glad you finally found happiness sensei. Better late than never.

I sigh softly.

After a few seconds, I realize someone's presence on my peripheral vision.

Saki stands there, arms crossed, leaning against the side of the doorway, pretty much the same way she did this morning.

A soft expression adorns her features, her eyes reflecting a serene look, along with a beautiful smile.

Luck… huh.

''Lost in your own thoughts again?''

''You got me,'' I replay lowly, glancing briefly at my laptop, ''Where's my sister?''

''She's fixing us something to eat. I came to get you, however, you look pretty comfortable there.''

''Just getting some assignments done,'' I reply, closing all the programs on the computer and putting it to sleep, ''Got carried away for a little while.''

She walks slowly towards me, hesitating, giving me a worried look. I sit on the edge of the bed, ready to stand up as she arrives at the bedside, but she motions me to stay in place. After doing as she wishes, she then puts her hands on my head and starts petting me softly.

I sigh, deciding to let her do as she wants.

It feels kinda nice though…

''What were you thinking about?'' she says, looking down at me worriedly, not stopping.

What should I say to her? There's no way…

''Saki... what exactly are we?'', I ask, looking numbly ahead, realizing what I had said too late.

Her pause makes me feel anxious for a second. But then, she relaxes, resuming her work at my head.

''Does that really matter?''

''I…do not really care about it that much. But I know my sister is just saving her questions for later. When you look at it, she found me with a girl at my apartment wearing my pajamas on a Sunday morning.''

She chuckles, ''Just tell her we're friends with benefits,'' she adds jokingly, finishing with my head and putting her hands on her hips, smiling.

The look of pure mortification all over my face must have done an effect on her because she then starts laughing softly.

''Don't worry about that, you'll come with something. Besides, it's not like we have anything to hide from her.''

She has a point. It's Komachi anyway. Whatever I do or whatever decision I make about my life, she will always be happy and proud of me.

''Come on,'' she says, finally letting go of my head, ''Let's go now, or she will have more questions.''

''Fine,'' I reply.

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''So, are you two like a thing?''

I choke slightly in my own slice of ramen she made for us, and proceed to look discreetly at Saki.

She seems at a loss for words, and just plays with the utensils on her plate, before looking at me.

The looks she gives me doesn't really help in this situation.

Hey, she's your sister. You talk.

Looking at Komachi seriously, or at least trying to, I tell her, ''We're just friends.''

''Oh, really? I see. You two must be very close. I mean, I could see she slept here and all.''

''I had a lot of work due Monday and she came here to help me. We finished late, so I allowed her to sleep here.''

My sister makes this ''I don't believe a shit about what you're saying'' look, but, surprisingly, doesn't question me any further.

''Ahhh, that's so cute! The old oni-chan would prefer to walk the girl home instead of letting her stay at his place. You really have changed.''

''Yeah, yeah.'' I wave nonchalantly, as I don't wish to go further into the matter, increasing her suspicions much higher than they actually are.

Komachi looks unconvinced, but, to my own gratefulness, she drops the conversation for the moment, setting just for finishing her plate.

Saki has also decided to continue with her food too, giving me a dismissing look as she does, so I do just the same.

A few minutes later, after we have already finished our dishes and cleaned up, both Saki and I are taken off guard with a sudden question as we head to the living room.

''Well, how about we go out somewhere for the rest of the day?''

''Huh?'' I say almost instantly, slightly annoyed that I'll be probably forced to get out of my comfy apartment.

On a damn Sunday, no less!

''Oh, come on, oni-chan! We have not gone out together in like, forever!'' exclaims my sister, a slightly pleading look on her face.

But, as much as I love my little sibling, I'm not giving up so easily.

''I'm not up for it. Besides, why do you want to go out so suddenly?

As Komachi is about to retort, she gets beaten to it by Kawasaki.

''I…''

We both listen to her expectantly, eager about what she has to say about this.

The sudden attention she receives makes her stutter for a bit, playing with her fingers and looking at the floor.

''I won't mind if w-e go out and hang out at the mall for some time. It can't be that bad,'' she pauses, taking her time to look at me with a disapproving look, ''Don't be such an ass, Hikigaya.''

Oi, I don't deserve to be treated like this! And you side with her, too?! Wait, do you even like going to public places?!

My silent turmoil must have made me look like a retarded person, since my sister and Saki both look at me with raised eyebrows, the latter probably laughing mentally at me.

I sigh lowly, knowing I don't really have a say in the matter anymore unless I want to deal with an angry Komachi and an annoying Kawasaki.

''Fine. Let's go.''

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I never liked shopping malls.

I don't know. Something about being in such big and crowded place full with a bunch of people mindlessly wasting their salary into things they probably won't need and clothes they'll only use one time for a fancy concert and then put them in the far corner of the closet for the rest of eternity.

All of this just to satiate their need for following the trend of consumerism.

It's funny actually. I can count the clothing combinations I own with the fingers of my both hands. Heck, the khaki set of pants along with the red long-sleeve jacket I'm wearing right now is one of my nicest ones.

Proud Hachiman. Always simple.

But worse than having to silently watch all of this, is having to seat on a random surprisingly comfy sofa, arms crossed, at one of the dozen stores we have already visited, a strong desire to fall asleep slowing consuming me while Komachi eagerly wanders around the aisles, firmly clutching Saki's hand, to find the next set of dresses to try on.

Although slightly nervous, she seems… to be enjoying herself.

She doesn't complain a bit about my sister's excitement, and I could see the small trace of a smile adorning her face.

I could find myself enjoying the view for a second.

When Komachi finds a new dress she likes for both of them, they select their respective sizes and immediately go back to the changing room.

The few giggles emanating occasionally are enough for me to tell they are enjoying their time.

Good for them…

Smack.

'Wha…?'' I groan slightly, my dreams disrupted.

''Wake up. We leave you on your own for a few minutes and you pass out like a lazy bear in hibernation.''

''You left for an hour and a half,'' I reply to Saki, rubbing my sore eyes.

''Whatever,'' she says dismissively, disinterest apparent on her voice.

Don't go twitching on me, left eye. Don't you dare.

''…Are you both done already?''

''Dunno. Your sister is trying something else. I just really liked this one and wanted you to… take a look at it,'' she says, being shy while finishing her words.

I actually focus on her appearance for the first time since she woke me up, glancing at her in detail.

It was a simple, yet beautiful, long gown-type black dress, with a few flower-like designs going down her legs.

''…H-ow is it?''

''It's beautiful. I have nothing else to say.''

Did I just say that?

Crap. How the fuck did I end up saying that?!

The slight blush evident on her face effectively confirms my fears.

''Thank you,'' she says softly, turning around almost immediately, and jogging back to the changing room.

The rest of the afternoon passes without much inconvenience, with Saki coming back to me a few times to judge her appearance, with some of the awkward tension still remaining between us.

We set on having some dinner at the food section of the mall, and the atmosphere gets a lot better. Saki and Komachi are enjoying their girl time together (with me on their heels, of course) and one has to be an idiot to not notice the new friendship building up between the two.

It surprises me, to say the least. She looks genuinely happy...the pure smile and satisfaction present on her features makes me feel glad for her.

After that, we start heading back, and Komachi separates from us to get to the train station, not before saving Kawasaki's number first.

As we near my apartment, she breaks our comfortable silence.

''I… enjoyed this day lot. I would like to see her again very soon,'' she mumbles quietly, glancing at me.

''That's Komachi for you. I am glad.''

''I enjoyed your presence, too,'' she finishes, glancing at me with her signature tender look.

''Well, that's a first. Someone actually enjoyed going out with me.''

''Don't ruin it.''

''Yeah, yeah.''

We arrive at my apartment to get her things, and I decide to accompany Saki to her home.

While we talk, we talk about mostly menial things, just enjoyed our little time.

That includes her mocking me about my monologues of course.

As she's about to get inside, I make a resolution.

''Saki.''

''Hmm?'' she replies curiously, turning around.

''Let's go out sometime. A proper… date, you can call it. Just us.''

I am bloody nervous, of course, I can't help but look at the floor in shameful disgrace.

That's until her soft hand grabs my chin, lifting my face.

Her tender voice is all I want to hear at this exact moment.

''I would love to,'' she says, releasing my chin and giving me her most genuine smile.

We finally separate when she gets inside her home, not without her saying goodbye to me.

And kissing my cheek again, for four solid seconds.

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…Hello. Yes, you can hate me if you want to.

Things have gone increasingly better these past weeks. I still have a lot to go, but I'm heading in the right direction.

Not a lot to say really, just that I am NOT abandoning this story. I won't promise anymore when the next chapter will be out since I don't want to disappoint anyone again with that. I'm also in college now and got a lot of work to do. That and I am also doing some things to improve my life.

That's all. Until next time.