Carrying the groceries, Ayame enters the kitchen, and is greeted by a very cross Ema.

"Aya-nee!" She yells out abruptly, her eyes narrowing, "Where in the world were you? I might not be able to bake it in time now!"

Ayame awkwardly laughs, as she anticipated this reaction.

Although her sister was usually peaceful and gentle, in moments of stress, she had the habit of becoming overemotional.

"I'm sorry for being late, but you've still got some time-"

"Some won't cut it! I need all the time…!" She cries out, almost on the verge of tears. She then whimpers, "…If I don't make the perfect cake, Subaru-san will continue to feel awkward around me…"

Finally breaking down, Ema hunches onto the ground, sobbing silently.

Seeing where her sister's stress was coming from, Ayame sighs resignedly, and rubs Ema's back comfortingly.

"Ema, calm down. He's not going to have a hissy fit over a measly cake. Instead of needlessly panicking, how about you start making it? You've got no time to waste, right? I can help if you want-"

"No." She sniffles, immediately rejecting the offer. Ayame takes little offense, as thinking rationally she would only bring her down.

"Roger. Now you get going." She pats on her back encouragingly. Ema looks up, and notices her sister's dripping attire, and gasps loudly. "Aya-nee, why are you so wet?"

"Hm?" Ayame looks at her drenched self, then replying, "Oh, this? It started to rain hard, but I ran home quickly so the ingredients are most likely fine. It's not a big deal, so don't stress.

Ema looks down at the kitchen tiles guiltily, feeling bad for having an outburst at her sister who ran so desperately through the harsh rain in order to deliver the ingredients.

"Aya-nee, I'm sorry for having a rant at you. I'm just feeling a little tense…" Ema continues to look down while fiddling with her fingers, feeling ashamed of her emotional instability. Ayame lifts up Ema's face, wanting her sister to be more self-confident.

"Ema, don't apologize. After all, it was my fault for taking my time. Now you go hurry with the cake while I go get dressed, yeah?" Ayame smiles reassuringly, then slapping Ema's cheeks lightly.

"…Yeah." Ema mumbles shyly, then smiling graciously at her dear sister, "Thanks, Aya-nee."

"You're welcome." She smiles back, and then places the ingredients on the kitchen countertop, though struggles slightly. She sighs in relief upon successfully placing the ingredients without mishap, and then excuses herself. "Well, I'll be going now. See you at the birthday dinner."

"Ah, wait Aya-nee!" Ema stops her abruptly, to Ayame's curiosity. Tilting her head, Ayame stares at her sister patiently as Ema proceeds to grab something from the drawer.

She quickly returns, carrying a small lilac tea towel. "Here. It's not the most suitable of towels, but it's the best one I could find. Thank you for buying the ingredients."

With a genuinely thankful smile, she passes Ayame the tea towel, to Ayame's gratitude.

"Not at all, I'll go get dressed now. " She smiles, waving her sister off.


Arriving at her door, Ayame swiftly unlocks it, but then stops upon hearing the eerie creaking of another door. Curiously, she peeks up, and is greeted by the sight of Kaname coming out of his room. Kaname quickly notices her presence, and winks at her flirtatiously.

"Hello, Ayame-chan. Are you here to see your big brother?" He teases with a playful smile.

Ugh.

Her face scrunches up in revulsion.

In her book, Kaname was the most unlikable brother of the bunch, even more so than Fuuto. Fuuto was bearable, in a way that he wasn't often at home, which was a relief. Plus, she was able to look back at his flirtations and not have the urge to punch him in the face.

But Kaname? No.

Ayame wonders if she liked younger people, as she generally clicked with the younger ones better, which perhaps is due to her motherly nature.

Noticing her unimpressed expression, Kaname sulks disappointedly. "Ayame-chan, your big brother will die of loneliness if you continue to be so cold."

"Get your lady friends to cure you of your solitude then." She sighs tiredly, knowing that nothing pleasant would be born out of this conversation.

"It's no good if it's not you." He purrs seductively, reaching over her body, trapping her slender frame. Ayame glares at him, sending off strong indications that she didn't appreciate the more than necessary body contact.

"Please get off. It's, unsettling." She requests in a firm voice, staring at him warningly. Kaname retreats, hands in the air, but then stops in his tracks abruptly upon noticing a certain detail. Finding his bedazzled expression unnerving, she inquires him.

"What is it?" She crosses her arms with an uncomfortable expression, which for some reason makes his eyes go even wider.

"…Well, Ayame-chan, how should I say this, but your attire is…"

"Drenched? I know." She frowns, feeling stupid for getting worked over something that she already was aware of. However, she quickly perks up upon hearing something unexpected.

"That too, but…" He grins widely, "More specifically, in a certain area."

Kaname's eyes leer illicitly down to her top, which was now translucent thanks to the rain. Realizing on what he meant, Ayame immediately covers up her chest, blushing furiously.

Why didn't Ema tell me?

"Nice pick." Feeling calmer that she now knew, he whistles suavely, referring to her blue lace bra. Ayame, who was wondering on whether to thank or punch him, quickly decides on the latter.

In an effort to slap him, she raises her hand, but stopped by Kaname's tight grip on her wrist.

"That's no good, Ayame-chan…Trying to slap your big brother like that." He whispers seductively, then pulling her into a tight embrace. Ayame instantly scowls aggressively at this action, and attempts to writhe out of his embrace, but to no avail.

"Kaname, I'll shout." She threatens, glaring icily into his hazel, sultry eyes. Kaname smiles naughtily, a mischievous gleam in his sexual gaze. "Will you be able to if I do this?" He whispers, coming closer to her peach-coloured lips.

Ayame, learning from her previous experience with Fuuto, quickly recognises this situation as dangerous, and quickly plans out her next course of action.

She swiftly clutches onto Kaname's jacket, and uses her body weight to bring him down to the floor, slamming him to the ground hastily- though bringing herself down also. She arrives on top of him.

Kaname groans in pain with the sudden attack. She glares at him ominously.

"I swear. You just don't learn, do you? Can't you learn to at least respect my body? It seems that you view me as someone to sexually toy with, and frankly, I think that's absolutely putrid." She whispers harshly, holding back the urge to punch the golden man.

Kaname stares at her in shock, as he never ever heard those words from anyone- let alone a woman.

"And by your face, it seems that nobody's ever told that to your face." Her face scrunches up in distaste, wearing an exhausted yet sardonic smirk. Just as she was about to get off of him, a creak of another door stops her in her movements.

Warily, she looks up, and then hitches her breath softly. There was Iori, in a new change of clothes, staring at them with wide eyes.

Ayame's face pales upon realizing what this situation would look like to Iori. Ayame, scandalously on top of Kaname, and both looking quite dishevelled. Not the most innocent-looking situation, to say the least.

For some reason, her heart pangs, as if a needle was just injected into her arm. She quickly shoots off of Kaname's sculptured body, staring at Iori anxiously.

Iori's face quickly turns expressionless, no longer seeming shocked. He coolly stares down at an awkward looking Kaname, who was on the floor. "…Am I intruding?"

"A little." Kaname replies, grinning flirtatiously. Ayame quickly stomps on his face, fearful of a misunderstanding, and attempts to explain more clearly.

"I was teaching this 'monk' a little lesson." Faking confidence, she lifts up her chin with a confident grin, though secretly anxious for him not to get the wrong idea. To emphasise her point, she kicks his head, earning a grunt from Kaname.

"Ow…! Ayame-chan, please refrain from abusing your big brother like that!" He begs, clasping his hurting head with a frown. Ayame completely snubs his presence, not meeting eyes with the monk.

Though seemingly unperturbed, Iori's guarded expression melts slightly. She sighs in relief, noticing his fortified expression thaw.

However, she freezes up upon realizing an important detail.

If Kaname could to see my bra…doesn't that mean Iori can also?

Blushing heavily, she reflexively covers her chest with the purple tea towel, earning a teasing grin from the knowing Kaname, and an unknowing stare from the unaware Iori.

Realizing that if she stayed long enough, he would eventually notice, she anxiously searches for an escape route. She notices her open door, and sighs in relief.

"W-well, I'll be going now…" She stutters, desperately hiding her damp chest.

"What, already? Ayame-chan, don't be so hasty~" He teases, grinning widely, but quickly shuts up upon the threatening glare he receives from the girl. Just as she enters the room, she peeks out, smiling softly. "See you later, Iori-kun."

He smiles back, just as gently. "See you later, Ayame nee-san."

She nods her head, then closing her door quietly.


After taking a rewarding bath, Ayame thoroughly hunts through her closet for a suitable outfit for the birthday party. After rummaging through her closet for awhile, she finds a satisfying mint green dress, which was not too formal, and not too casual. Perfect for a family birthday dinner.

She hums happily, trying on the pretty outfit. She looks at the mirror, and wonders if she should also do her hair. She crosses her arms ponderingly, staring at the ceiling with a speculating expression.

Ayame decides against it, as she wasn't feeling bothered enough. She sighs, then walking towards her desk with the intention of studying. However, she stops curtly, her good hearing picking up the sound of approaching footsteps.

To make sure that she just wasn't hearing things, she curiously creaks open the door, glancing at the hallway. Unexpectedly, she spots Louis, with a curler in his hand. Feeling a little proud her good hearing, she huffs her chest, then goes to greet her older brother.

She greets him welcomingly. "Louis-san, hello."

The gentle man looks up upon the mention of his name, then smiling softly at the dress-donning girl.

"Hello, Ayame-chan." He greets, then raising the curler. "Can I, do your hair?"

Ayame blinks at his straightforwardness, but chuckles softly nevertheless, feeling amused at his straight-to the-point ways. "Sure."

Ever so slightly, his face lightens up, looking very excited.

"I, am really happy…After all," He reaches out to caress her silky hair, "Ayame-chan, has such, beautiful long black hair. And, it's really well-cared for."

He smiles warmly, reminiscent of a child pleased with his Christmas gift. Although the sight of him smiling so blissfully was really cute, Ayame couldn't help but worry if he were going to turn her into his little experimental Barbie doll.

She gulps nervously upon imagining the thought.

"Thank you for your praise, Louis-san." She smiles politely, "Now, let's get started, shall we?"

He nods excitedly, looking very keen. Ayame chuckles tenderly, finding the sight of an adult man to be so eager about styling hair to be rather amusing.

They enter her room, and Louis works his magic.


"Finished." Louis huffs with satisfaction, seemingly very proud of himself. Ayame smiles gratefully as he provides her with a mirror.

Upon seeing her reflection, she blinks a couple of times, surprised with the end result. She actually looked quite nice. Her hair was done in a messy low bun, with her fringe curled, and crystal hair pins scattered across neatly. It was a nice change from her usual straight, loose hair.

"Wow, Louis-san, this is really pretty. Good job!" She laughs cheerfully, praising him heartily.

"Not at all. I still, have a long way to go." Louis humbly refuses the praise, though looking secretly proud, nodding to himself with a small smile.

"Nevertheless, thank you very much for doing my hair. It's very beautiful." She smiles at him warmly, to which she receives a kind smile back.

Wondering about the time, she checks her watch, and frowns.

"We should hurry, there's only a few minutes until Subaru's supposed to arrive home." She says, getting off of her chair. She grabs his birthday present from under her table, then exiting the room together with Louis.


They arrive in the unlit and dark living room area, and are greeted with the sight of their nine brothers and one sister, all huddled together behind the couch, trying to hide.

Tsubaki, being the first to notice their presence, swiftly gets up and grab their wrists, hauling them behind the coach.

"Yo, my dear little sister and brother~!" He whispers happily, the trio now squatting down on the floor.

"Hello, Tsubaki nii-san." Louis greets, smiling softly.

"I'm guessing he hasn't arrived yet?" Ayame asks the other twin, looking towards the direction of the entrance. Azusa nods his head, then getting out birthday crackers. "Nope, but he should be arriving soon."

He flips out his phone, which displays a text message from Subaru.

'I'll arrive in a few minutes, but why the fuss?' It writes, earning a soft giggle from Ayame, as Subaru was clueless of the upcoming surprise he was going to receive.

"Are you going to answer?" She asks in a whisper, shuffling closer to him in case he couldn't hear. Azusa shakes his head with a small smile, earning a soft chuckle from Ayame.

He then hands her and Louis birthday crackers, an item necessary for the surprise. They lay in waiting fretfully, anticipating his soon arrival.

Shortly, Ayame's good hearing picks up on footsteps, and hastily goes to inform the siblings.

"Everyone, he's here." She whispers as loud as she can get away with, and receives a dozen nods. Everybody anxiously prepares their crackers, nervous drops of sweat dripping down their clammy skin.

Eventually, the birthday boy arrives in the room, speaking to himself, "…Huh? Why's it so dark…?" He wonders with crossed brows, then searching for the light switch.

The siblings look at each other conspicuously, waiting for the right moment. The ring leader of the event, Ukyo, readily puts up his fingers, counting down to zero. The other siblings watch carefully, eyeing their brother.

As Ukyo's finger count becomes zero, Subaru switches on the light, and the brothers excitedly shoot up from behind the coach, popping the birthday crackers, creating consecutive 'bangs'.

"Happy birthday, Subaru!" They all yell, with content and happy smiles splashed across their faces.

"Wah!" At all the sudden noises, Subaru yelps shakily, his body turning stiff from the unexpected attack of surprises.

Finding his shocked face to be funny, Tsubaki cheekily takes a pic, then speedily stuffing his cell phone into his pocket.

"Happy Birthday, Subarun!" Wataru greets with a gleeful smile, giggling at his usually stoic older brother's funny reaction.

As the sensation of surprise and fear settles in peacefully, Subaru's stiff posture eventually melts into one of relief, sighing heavily.

"Surprised, I see!" Ayame laughs sincerely at the athletic man, gradually walking closer to him. Subaru turns slightly pink upon her approaching figure, looking down timidly with wandering eyes.

Noticing his discomfort of her advancing self, she huffs disappointedly, but nevertheless kindly stops in her tracks. With a circular wrapped gift in hand, she throws it to him from a distance.

"Happy birthday, Subaru-kun." She smiles tenderly.

Being a basketball player, Subaru easily catches the circular object. After feeling around the edges for awhile, he quickly realizes that the spherical gift was a basketball.

"A…basketball?" He mutters to himself, looking at it quizzically.

"I heard that you're a basketball player, so I got you one." Her friendly smile then turns apologetic, "Do…you not like it?"

"Ah- no! That's not it…" He quickly replies, feeling anxious, "I actually needed a new one…Thanks." He mumbles, looking down again at the ground bashfully. Spotting his reddened ears, she giggles quietly.

"That's a relief." Sighing, she presses her palm to her chest, and then turning her head back to face her siblings, "Well then, does anybody else have any presents?"

They all look at each other, with a few turning to smile cheekily at Ayame.

"Nope!" Tsubaki energetically announces, speaking for everyone in the room. Ayame stares at them quizzically.

"Wait- absolutely none of you bought him a present?"

"Nope! Why would I waste money on Subaru? I would much rather use my own money on my cute little sisters. Right, Azusa?" Tsubaki reveals rather callously, resting his arm on Azusa's shoulder.

"Don't involve me in this. Plus, I have a proper reason. Work got too busy, so I had no time to buy anything." Azusa explains coolly.

"The truth is, me too…" Masaomi joins, awkwardly laughing while rubbing the back of his head embarrassedly.

"Disappointingly so, me too. I'm very sorry, Subaru." Ukyo reveals with an apologetic look.

"I was busy with the cake, too…Sorry, Subaru-san." Ema also voices, looking down at the ground shamefully. Subaru nods, acknowledging each reason.

"…And I'm guessing the rest of you have reasons also?"

They all nod guiltily.

…Quite the depressing 20th birthday. She thinks to herself, and then looks back to Subaru, who was just staring at his brothers apathetically, as if he were used to it. However, upon feeling Ayame's stare on him, he immediately averts his gaze, his eyes darting around.

She grumbles, feeling slightly uncomfortable for being the only one to buy him a present. It was as if she was his faithful girlfriend, buying him a present that he wanted.

Wataru speaks up, dissipating the awkward mood. "Hey, Ma-kun~? Can we eat the cake now?" He asks in a begging tone, tugging at his older brother's cotton sweater. Masaomi looks down to Wataru and smiles fondly, and pats his babyishly soft hair.

"Wataru, it's Subaru's cake, not yours. He's the birthday boy, after all. We'll eat when he wants to." Masaomi scolds with a contrasting kind smile. Wataru pouts a little, but quickly goes into cutesy begging mode.

"Subarun…" He leers at Subaru with an adorable beam, pleading his brother while fiddling with his fingers.

"Okay." Subaru smiles gently at his younger brother, happily granting permission.

"Yay! Subarun, you're the best!" He cheers, squealing victoriously. Masaomi sighs, wondering if they were all spoiling the youngest too much. However, he quickly forgets the thought as Wataru comes squealing at him, looking at him with a sweet smile.

He smiles back, and pats his head.


The horde of siblings all huddled around the cake, with the exception of Subaru, who went to sit himself down on the coach.

Wataru, upon laying eyes on the sweet goodness, excitedly went to comment.

"Wow! The cake is so big!"

The next brother to comment was Tsubaki, who nods in agreement with a big smile, feeling proud of his new younger sister. "It looks delicious!"

"That's amazing, Imouto-chan." Kaname praises.

Ukyo nods, seeming very impressed. "A magnificent creation…"

Iori adds in praise, smiling warmly, "It's almost a waste to eat it."

Ema nods meekly, shyly looking down with a small smile, contrasting to Ayame who was humming proudly.

"As expected of my little sister, you pulled it off. Good job." She smiles warmly, lovingly sweeping a stray strand of hair from her eyes.

"Thank you for your praise…" Ema continues to look down shyly, fiddling with her fingers.

Wataru, still feeling excited, perks up again. "Amazing! It's really, really amazing!"

Masaomi walks up behind to Wataru and bends down to meet one-to-one with the young boy, preparing to teach him a moral lesson. "Wataru, this is something your big sister made for Subaru. You shouldn't be happier than Subaru, okay?"

Wataru looks down seriously, seeming to be taking his father figure's advice to heart, and promptly goes over to where Subaru was, bowing apologetically at his older brother.

"I'm sorry, Subarun." He apologizes earnestly, earning a pat from the smiling Subaru.

"...He's a good kid." Ayame whispers to Masaomi with a calm smile, feeling reminiscent of the times she taught moral lessons to her sister when they were young. Masaomi laughs softly, feeling proud of the praise his youngest brother was receiving.

"…Siblings sure are nice." Ema comments with a heart warmed smile. Ayame gazes down at her younger sibling, then hugging her neck playfully. "What, not satisfied with me?" She teases lovingly, a playful smile creeping up to her lips. Ema shyly shakes her head, feeling shy with her sister's public display of affection.

"N-no…" She shyly denies, taking glances at the brothers who were staring at them with warm smiles.

"Thought so." She grins contently, still attached to Ema. Ayame feels a gaze rest upon her, and raises her watch to meet with it, and is surprised to find Subaru stare at her with a memorised gaze. However, he quickly averts it, a pink blush forming across his cheeks.

Feeling suspicious, Ayame stares at him for awhile but then turns her attention to Yusuke, who was looking at the cake with troubled eyes.

"You…made this all by yourself, right?" He mumbles, glancing at the vanilla cake miserably.

Ema cocks her head, "That's right…"

"For Suba-nii…you..." He mutters, looking quite desolate.

"Hm?" Ema hums, not hearing his words.

Yusuke looks down with a complicated gaze, "I…can't eat this."

"Why? Do you not like cake?" She asks, her brows lowering in disappointment.

"No, that's not it! You made it, and I would feel bad for not eating it, and I want to eat it but-" He responds fretfully, then looking away to avoid her puzzled gaze, "…but somehow...I can't eat this."

To control her urge to burst out laughing at how awkward yet how honest he was acting, Ayame hurriedly nuzzles into Ema's shoulder, trembling.

Ema notices her sister's muffled laughter and tilts her head backwards, her brows furrowing in wonder. "…Aya-nee?"

"Nothing." She mumbles while trembling, still leaning into Ema's curve.

Of course, Ayame isn't the only one in the room to notice Yusuke's transparent attraction for Ema, as Tsubaki leans on his adorably awkward brother's shoulder, a mischievous smirk plastered across his face.

"Ah, I see. So Yusuke won't eat it. Then I'll have your share~!"

Yusuke gasps panickingly, gaping despairingly at his brother dearest.

Tsubaki closes in on Ema, "After all, it's a cake filled with my adorable little sister's affection! I feel like I can eat it all!"

Ema, feeling quite nervous with his escalating close proximity, only manages to mumble timidly. "Um…"

Tsubaki grins playfully, "Or do you prefer being the one that's fed?"

Tsubaki grabs a strawberry from a nearby bowl, nearing it to Ema's face.

"I'm fine with that too." He says with a domineering tone, the strawberry nearing Ema's cherry lips.

Sensing her sister's discomfort, Ayame takes it upon herself to stop his teasing actions.

She grabs Tsubaki's hand, guiding it to her own lips, and then crunching into the sweet fruit, flavour bursting into her mouth. Tsubaki turns his attention to Ayame, his once grinning lips now open.

"Sorry, but they're my favourite." She smiles playfully, chewing on the fruit. Tsubaki shortly snaps out of his daze, then smiling just as playfully as she.

"As expected of Ayame-chan, you're good~" He whistles, seemingly impressed. She humbly accepts his praise, "Thank you. Now let's leave it at that, okay?"

"Okay~" He obeys cheerfully, then looking over to the sofa, "Even so, it seems like the person who the cake is for isn't too happy."

Upon being mentioned, Subaru looks up.

"Is that true?" Ayame speaks up for the both of them, separating herself from Ema.

Subaru whips his head at her, panic creeping up on his features. "That's not…"

He attempts to explain, but upon the stress of the horde of siblings staring at him expectantly, he shrinks back.

"Subaru-san…" Ema mumbles worriedly, earning Ayame's motherly attention.

Noticing the ill at ease expression's of the girls, Kaname places his hands on their two shoulders comfortingly –though earning the warning watch of Ayame.

"It's alright. He's not sick." He assures, then mumbling, "…Wait, maybe he is."

The two girls tilt their head at his vague message. Turning his watch exclusively on the matured sister, Kaname smiles slightly. "One that even a doctor can't cure. I, too, have this illness."

He wounds his arms around Ayame's waist, eliciting warning signs from the college girl.

"…I believe that I have already spoken to you about this." She whispers silently, inaudible to the surrounding siblings.

He winks with a confident smile, "I know, but it takes a long time to tame a wild beast."

Ayame sighs wearily, on the verge of giving up, but is saved by a knight in shining armour –or rather, prince.

"You're bothering her, Kaname nii-san." Iori coolly interrupts, seizing Kaname's hand. Kaname stares at Iori for a few seconds before eventually backing off with his hands up.

"I'm sorry, Ayame-chan."

"I accept your apology. Now, shoo." She dismisses his apology before waving him off, feeling worn out by his continuous attacks.

Kaname places his palm to his heart with a counterfeited hurt expression, then ultimately going away to be entertained by his other siblings.

I feel like this is becoming a very common pattern. She sighs, rubbing her temple. Iori looks at her apologetically, "I'm sorry about him."

She looks up to her handsome younger brother. "Don't apologize; if someone needs to apologize it's that perverse monk over there."

Iori smiles at her, but then his smiles stops, hinting curiosity. "May I ask you two something?"

"Sure." Ayame smiles welcomingly. He reaches out, grabbing a lock of her silk-like hair while staring at her curiously, making Ayame strangely nervous.

"Why did you two change your hairstyles?" He asks.

For once, Ema takes charge and replies for her sister, "Louis-san did this for us. He said that it was 'for the party.'"

"So it's like that…it really suits the two of you." He smiles kindly at the girls.

Ema blushes faintly, feeling shy with his kind praise. "Thank you very much."
On the other hand, Ayame chuckles softly and smiles faintly at the prince-like high schooler.

"Thank you."


The siblings sit on the chairs, staring at the birthday boy expectantly.

Ukyo speaks up, smiling at Subaru. "Now, let's have Subaru blow the candles."

"Are we seriously doing this?" Subaru mutters as he watches the candles flicker disgruntled, feeling embarrassed to do such a childish activity at this age.

Ukyo stubbornly answers, "Yes."

He grumbles with discontent, tasting the bitter feeling of defeat, but agrees to do so anyway.

"I'll take the picture!" Ema perks up happily, readying the camera.

Subaru intensely blows out his candles, earning satisfied responses from his siblings. Seeing no need for the darkness, Ukyo turns on the lights.

After distributing each cake piece, Ayame, Ukyo and Masaomi sit down to indulge in their meal.

Being the most excited of the group, Wataru continuously comments on the delicious cake with a satisfied grin. "It's so delicious~! Onee-chan's cake is the best in the world!"

"The best!" Tsubaki agrees with a blissful smile, then expectantly peeking at Yusuke. Upon noticing Yusuke's cake was still untouched, Tsubaki cheekily grins, seeing it as a good opportunity to tease. "Hey, Yusuke, if you aren't eating it, I really will eat yours~!"

"I'll eat it!" Yusuke quickly protests, fighting off Tsubaki's fork with his own.

After successfully warding off his teasing older brother, he cuts up a small piece of the cake, then tastes it.

Upon the delicious sensation of bursting flavour, he calls out loudly in bewilderment, "Delicious!"

The siblings laugh at his pure response.


After a few hours, the party was mostly over, with entertaining chats coming to an end, and photo sessions with Ema the photographer over, but not for the adults. The night was still long, and they were planning on having a drinking party, with the underage siblings shooed off by Masaomi to their rooms, including Ayame and Ema.

The two girls were in Ema's room, looking pitifully at their estranged pet squirrel, Juli.

"Aya-nee..." Ema says with empathetic eyes, "I think we should release him soon."

Ayame sighs, in thinking mode. "I want to, but I'm still worried for the brothers' safety."

"But still...I feel bad for just leaving him in a small, metal cage." Ema reaches out her hand into the cage, scratching Juli's tiny little head. Ayame frowns, looking at the animal who was squeaking at her appealingly. It was hard to believe that an adorable little fluff of fur could be so violent towards males.

"...Maybe soon then." She sighs, though earning a delighted squeal and squeak from Ema and Juli.

"Thank goodness…" Ema presses her palm to her chest with a smile, then mumbling, "…Now he'll stop complaining at night…"

Hearing her statement, Ayame burrows her brows in confusion. "Who's 'he'?"

"Oh, nobody." Ema smiles nervously. Ayame notices her unnatural smile, but lets go of her doubt anyway, hesitantly nodding. The two continue to stare at Juli, with the occasional scratching and patting. As Ayame searches for solutions, a less than merciful one pops into her mind.

"…Ema?" She says, earning her sister's attention.

"Yes?"

"I've been doing some thinking for awhile but, should we get him desexed? Maybe that'll stop him from getting all competitive with young males-"

"You can't!" Ema suddenly shoots up, looking uncharacteristically distressed.

"Eh? But-"

"You can't! You just can't! She yells frantically, and is quickly joined in by a very frightened Juli.

"Kiiiiiiiiiiiii!" He screeches, looking very distressed, banging his head profusely on the metal bars.

"Ema, you're making him panic, stop yelling-"

"But you can't! That's just too cruel!" She shouts, then noticing the camera on her bed, "Ah, I know! Here, let's look at the photos! Fun, it'll be fun! Please, let's look!" She begs desperately, wanting to distract her sister from the idea.

"…Sure." Ayame nods slowly, freaked out by her sister's sudden outburst. Ema wipes her sweaty brow, seeming relieved, as is a certain squirrel.

She then plops onto her bed, looking through the photos.

"Ah, here's one of you." Ema says, smiling somewhat mischievously. Feeling suspicious, Ayame bends over her head to look over, and is surprised to find a photo of her feeding Iori a small piece of her cake with a fork.

"E-Ema!" She gasps, faintly red, trying to grab the camera out of her sister's grasp. Ema giggles at her sister's desperate attempt to delete the photo, and scurries over to Juli's cage, passing it to the intelligent squirrel, and covers the opening with her back.

"Ema, delete it!" She says, trying to force the stubborn Ema off the cage. Ema scoots her ears closer to the cage, taking in what her pet squirrel was squeaking at her.

"You got this, Chi? Compromise with Ayame! Say 'In exchange for Juli's much needed freedom, I will delete the photo!'! And don't forget about the de-sexing part, I will never be able to look at myself the same way if that ever happens!" Juli demands, unbeknownst to Ayame.

"In exchange for Juli's much needed freedom, I will delete the photo! And you must promise not to desex him!" She repeats, grinning triumphantly, as she knew her sister was weak against blackmail.

"I got it, I got it! Just give me the camera!" She begs desperately, reaching for the camera.

"Okay!" Ema moves her body away from the opening, then putting her hand in to grab the camera from Juli, secretively receiving a thumbs up from the animal.

Ayame impatiently grabs it away from her sister, quickly deleting the potential blackmail material. Still feeling uneasy, she decides to check through all the photos, earning a giggle from Ema.

"Be quiet, young lady." She scolds, checking the photos.

"It's not that bad, you know." She giggles, "…But still, you two are sticking closer than glue, aren't you?"

Ayame briefly pauses from her checking, tilting her head while staring at her sister with suspicious eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well…it's just that the two of you are getting along very well. After all…"

"After all?"

"You brought him a cake, and not any for any of the other brothers."

"…Wataru?" Ayame sighs, not seeing where Ema was going.

"I can assume that was just pity cake." Ema explains. Ayame gulps, as she hit bullseye.

"And you're point is?" Ayame says. Ema becomes quiet, seeming to be thinking deeply.

"…Well, that you're very close?" She tilts her head, not seeming sure of her own answer either.

Ayame chuckles at her sister's unsure reply, then going back to checking the photos.

Ema sits in silence, waiting for her sister to finish. Feeling bored, she decides to fiddle around with her phone, but then realizes that it is nowhere to be seen.

"Ah…" She gasps, eliciting Ayame's attention to her.

"What's wrong?" She questions, separating her attention from the camera.

"I think I forgot my cell phone in the living, I'll go get it." She stands up, brushing her skirt. Remembering that the brothers were currently drinking right now, Ayame decides to go, worried for her well-being. After all, when people were drunk they would things that they usually would never do.

She gets up, "Actually, I'll go. They're probably drunk right now, I feel unsafe sending you there."

Ema pouts, feeling unhappy with being treated like a kid. "I'm sixteen now, I can go alone."

"No." Ayame refuses firmly with crossed arms. Ema sighs, as when her sister her sister had her 'firm' voice on, it was usually game over.

Ema sighs, reluctantly retiring back on her carpet floor. Ayame, seeing that she had given in, exits the room to find her sister's cellphone.

After Ayame closes her door, Ema hastily scrambles towards the camera, which was on the floor. Sitting cross-legged, she goes through the camera's leftover photos, checking for any other interesting photos. She frowns, as unfortunately, the other picture of Ayame wiping off cream off of Iori's cheek had seemed to be erased of existence.

"How boring..." Ema pouts, her cheeks reminiscent of Juli's. Juli, seeing her reaction, disses her opinion.

"'Boring, you say, Chii?" He grumbles, taking a nibble of a nut, "Rather, it's ludicrous! What is Ayame thinking...getting taken with a wolf! It's his face, I tell you! He's totally her type, I know from experience!"

Ema giggles softly at her pet's reaction, which she could only take ever so seriously. "But maybe it'll be good for her? Getting closer to another person other than family...though he'll technically will be in a few weeks."

"Perhaps...but it doesn't need to be a wolf!" Juli retorts. Ema sighs, seeing that he still considered her new siblings to be 'wolves'.

"You know, it's exactly because of that stubborn attitude of yours that you got locked up in a cage..."

Juli huffs his chest, seeming to be proud. "If it's to protect you two, I don't care what sort of torture I have to go through!"

Ema stares at her pet blankly, then going back to her camera.

"Hey...what was that look for? Chii? Chii!"

As she goes through the photos with Juli's persistant squeaks in the background, she notices a certain detail.

In every photo Ayame was in, Iori was always in the background, looking at her.


As Ayame nears her destination, she hears the brothers engage in conversation. Though somewhat far, she manages to catch their words.

"Then, what do you think of them, Subaru?" Tsubaki wraps his arms around Subaru's shoulder, grinning impishly.

"…What do you mean?" Subaru mumbles, meekly avoiding Tsubaki's prying watch.

"So you can't say? See? You are interested, after all!" He lets go off Subaru's shoulder, crossing his arms with a nod. Tsubaki goes closer to his ear, "…Let me guess, the older one? You were staring at her a lot today, after all…" He whispers into Subaru's now reddened ear.

Tsubaki grins devilishly, feeling satisfied with his transparent response, and persists with his harassment. "Nice~! So Subaru likes girls in his age group, huh?"

Seeing as Tsubaki was up to his teasing ways yet again, Ayame sighs.

Hopefully, it won't be too awkward when I intrude... She thinks, taking a step closer, before stopping at Subru's reaction.

Pissed off by his teasing older brother's continuous pestering, Subaru clenches his fist, an irritated scowl creeping up. "That's not it!"

Tsubaki looks over curiously at Subaru, "Then how is it different?"

"Like I said, that is…" Subaru timidly mumbles, then roughly yet hesitantly replying, "To be frank, they're both a nuisance!"

In shock of his words, Ayame's eyes slightly widen, then returning back to normal. After all, they both knew that Subaru wasn't too keen with the idea that two girls prancing into his life. It was understandable, though slightly discouraging. Her lips turn downwards.

Subaru, not realizing that he was just digging his own grave even deeper, carries on insolently. "I-it's been just us guys, then suddenly these girls just suddenly come into the picture…Since they came, I have to be careful when I take a bath, and I can't even take off my shirt for training."

Her lips crease even further. Even though it was to be expected, it still kinda hurts to hear the words in in person...

Tsubaki stares at the birthday boy, sipping at his alcoholic beverage. "You can't lie to us, Subaru. Your innocence shows and tells us all. There's no denying it, you like-"

Subaru bangs his glass against the coffee table, causing Tsubaki to stop.

"Like I said! They're a nuisance! Especially the older one!" He yells out, distressed by his brother's persistance with the issue. "She's, really, really annoying!"

Annoying? Ayame's brows furrow. She didn't consider herself annoying, though a little stubborn.

"For example?" Tsubaki says, his palm resting on his cheek.

"It's annoying how-" Subaru abruptly stops, seeing as his example would just raise brows.

It's annoying how my heart beat increases whenever I'm around her!

"How, uh...how she..."

He blushes heavily, turning into a tomato. Tsubaki watches Subaru's increasingly red face, grinning silently.

This is ridiculous... Ayame sighs to herself, just about fed up with the situation, I guess I'll have lie to Ema about her phone...

She turns on her heel, slowly walking away.

"…I'm going to wash my face." Subaru whispers tiredly, only audible to the brothers.

He walks up the stairs, but halts abruptly; shocked by the presence of Ayame, who was walking away.

"Ah...!" He gasps out, realizing on what he had done. Ayame stops in her tracks, looking back to face Subaru.

He shivers at her icy yet saddened stare, then rushing to apologize, "Ah, I'm really-"

"-I'm not going to call you insensitive, because that would just be hypocritical." She whispers. At her sad tone, Subaru feels even guiltier.

"...After all, I was also uncomfortable with moving in with the opposite gender, and I'm sure that also applied for you too. I don't really mind that you think I'm annoying, I really don't at all. However," She looks down, "It's seems that you also have an issue with our little sister also. That, I do have a little problem with."

She pauses. "For the past few days, she's been worrying consistently about how you view her. She's been feeling bad and guilty that you haven't been able to relax around us, so she's been trying to make you feel comfortable around us, thus the cake."

Ayame raises her head, meeting her eyes with his. "She tried hard to make you a perfect cake, you know. She went around to ask a few of our brothers on what sort of cake you'd like, thinking of your taste-buds, and even consulted a professional baker for advice. Which, in my opinion, was a little excessive." Ayame smirks sadly, thinking of her perfectionist sister. "...Though, to her disappointment, you didn't seem to be very esctatic, even after her hard work."

Subaru returns her stare with wide eyes, not averting his gaze as per usual. Upon her sentence sinking in, he looks down shamefully.

"...I'm really sorry." He mutters. Now that she had gave him a piece of her mind, she feels bad, and works up a weary smile.

"No, it's fine. I'm making this out to be a pity-Ema fest, aren't I? I'm sorry, it's a habit ever since I was little." She says, smiling sadly. "...Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a little tired out."

Ayame walks off silently, leaving Subaru to be alone.

"Ah..." Subaru gasps out, his arm reaching out for her disappearing silhouette. With Ayame gone, Subaru looks down to the wooden floor, his mistake begining to torment him.

"...Dammit it all!" He whispers harshly, his fists clenching. As if he were chasing after the ball, he runs off, chasing after her.

Seeing that they were both gone, Tsubaki and Azusa speak up from the stairwell, as they both went up after hearing Subaru's surprised gasp, and the words of a certain female's voice.

"...There goes Subaru's lovey dovey springtime." Tsubaki grits his teeth, feeling a teensy bit guilty for ruining the possibility of Subaru courting his probable love interest.

"I suppose," Azusa nods, his arms crossed. He looks over to Tsubaki, who was wearing a slightly worried expression. "...Do you want to go after them?"

"...Sure, for my socially awkward brother." Tsubaki replies. Receiving his answer, Azusa nods. The two walk out of the space, towards Ayame's room.


"Haa..." Ayame sighs, resting on her bed. Guilt was starting to waft over her. He probably didn't mean it, although around 60% was probably true. As she lay on her autumn themed cover, a prompt knock on the door interrupts her thoughts. Though not clear, it was either Subaru, who had came to apologize, or Ema, who was wondering on what took her so long. That, she knew.

Sighing heavily, she gets up from her bed, walking towards the door. She prepares a smile, just in case it was Subaru.

She opens the door, and, as she predicted, is greeted by the sight of the apologetic looking birthday boy.

"Hello," she greets, "Here to apologize, I see?"

Subaru looks down awkwardly and nods. She smiles, "There's no need. You did apologize earlier, after all."

To her surprise, Subaru whips his head up, desperation and determination flashing in his eyes. "No!" He yells out, a bit too loudly to his liking. Embarassed, he averts his gaze, his eyes flicking around. "...W-What I mean is, uh...I'm, really sorry. I didn't mean it -at all." He pauses, taking a small breath. Ayame waits for him to continue.

"...What I want for you to get out of this is that, I don't think you're annoying or a nuisance at all -and neither is your younger sister. I...was just a little tipsy. Not that I'm trying to make up an excuse..." He mumbles, looking down in shame. Ayame stares at him. His apology was genuine yet awkward, which was a little charming in it's own right.

Finding his apology to be kind of cute, Ayame chuckles at him softly, covering her mouth with her hand politely. Subaru stares at her bewilderedly, secretly panicking on the inside. Was his apology laughable? Did he screw up somehow? He found himself full of those thoughts. Girls were mystical beings that he never understood, even as a young boy. As she continues to giggle, he finds himself to be strangely entranced by her chuckles, which were now sounding quite...endearing.

He tenses up, the thought tormenting him. Endearing? Why would I think that?

"Uh...um," He mumbles, unsure on what to do in such a situation. Ayame stops her soft laughter, looking up to the taller man.

"How about we compromise?" She says, looking up to him with a cheeky gleam.

Subaru tilts his head, "C-compromise?"

She smiles at him, "Yes, compromise." she repeats, placing her hands behind her back. "In exchange for my forgiveness, you must promise to less awkward, more friendly and more comfortable around us, especially Ema. For example, if you see her, greet her first. Show her that her hard work wasn't for nothing."

Subaru stares at her for a few more seconds, then nodding. "S-sure."

Ayame smiles contently, placing her hand on his shoulder. He flinches at her touch, a faint blush emerging across his cheeks.

Smiling, she thinks to herself, I guess we'll have to take babysteps.

Realizing that Subaru was staring at her, she widens her smile encouragingly. Immediately, his blush deepens, and he reflexively walks back, but, being the clutz he was, he trips over his feet. In an effort for him to not fall over, Ayame tugs at his hoodie with all her might. However, instead of saving him from falling, all she manages to do is change the direction of his fall -which was towards herself.

"...Ugh!" She grunts, and braces herself for impact, tensing her body expectantly. With a loud 'bang', Subaru's sluggish body arrives on her slender one, squishing Ayame in between his arms.

"Ooo..." She groans. The sudden pressure of having a seventy-kilo basketball player's weight was not pleasant. "...Subaru-kun, are you okay?"

He raises his head sluggishly, his eyes looking drained out. Suddenly, his head drops, landing his lips on hers. Ayame's eyes widen, her face turning blue. Was this what she thought it was?

Frozen, she lay there, emotionless, unable to process what was going on. Howver, the voice of two men and one girl make her snap out of it.

"Hey!" Tsubaki yells out. Azusa shortly appears behind him, with an expression of disapproval on his face. Behind him, was Ema, with Juli in tow. Juli squeaks crazily from Ema's shoulder, seeming to be enraged.

"See? I told you, Chii!" He squeaks angrily, stomping on her shoulder, looking ready to pounce on him at any moment.

Ema, not wanting him to be locked up again, quickly traps him in between her hands, to Juli's anger.

"What are you doing?" Azusa says. The twins haul Subaru off of Ayame while Ema offers her hand to her sister. Ayame accepts her offer graciously. Now standing, Ayame looks down to Subaru, who was sprawled across the floor, carelessly sleeping.

She sighs upon the sight. Ema looks over at her sister, "Are you okay? I got worried because you were so late..."

Ayame wearily shakes her head, her hand resting on her forehead. Ema stares at her for a few seconds. Blushing faintly, she speaks up, "U-uh, Aya-nee?"

"Yes?" She says, tilting her head slightly.

"...W-were...you two k-kissing?" Ema's words turn whispery, her cheeks flushing darker. Ayame's cheeks synchronizes with hers. "N-no!" She replies in a whisper.

Ema looks down bashfully, mumbling "T-then, what were you doing?"

Ayame gulps. Technically, that was exactly what they were doing, but it felt strange to call it that. Hesitantly, she replies, crossing her arms. "B-brushing lips."

Ema gasps, her face as red as red can be. "S-so you did...!"

Ayame grumbles, trying to hide her embarassment.

Sighing, the two twins turn back. Their lips crease into a warm and comforting smile.

"Listen-" Azusa starts off, then continued by Tsubaki, "-forget about what Subaru said."

Ayame freezes. Were they going to talk about it in front of Ema?

She looks over to Ema, who seemed completely calm and knowing of the situation. Ema, noticing Ayame's nervous glance, smiles reassurringly. "...Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san told me."

Ayame stares at her for a few seconds, before returning her attention to the twins.

"Everyone thinks of you guys as important siblings." Azusa confirms.

"It's because I kept on teasing him like that, he said those words. He doesn't actually think that." Tsubaki says, taking the blame.

Ayame shakes her head, "There's no need to soften the blow. After all, I doubt those words were all lies."

Tsubaki laughs awkwardly, as he too knew that Subaru wasn't completely lying.

Azusa turns his gaze to the unconscious Subaru, "But still…why did this happen?" He wonders.

"Yeah," Tsubaki says, then looking at Ayame, "Did Subaru come on to you?" Tsubaki asks, debating on the inside whether Subaru had the actual guts to do such a thing- even if he were drunk.

Ayame sighs before replying. "No, he just had a little fall. I think he drank too much."

"Yeah...Subaru's not too strong with alcohol, despite his looks." Tsubaki nods his head, sighing in agreement.

"So basically, an accident…?" Azusa concludes, his hand on his chin. Tsubaki turns back, hand on hip, grinning mischievously. "Well, just because it was an accident, he'd better not think that all is forgiven."

"Tsubaki-san…" Ayame sighs, and receives a playful grin from Tsubaki.

"Okay, okay. Well, good night. We're gonna go throw this idiot out. See you~!" He grins, then grabbing Subaru's legs, and Azusa, his arms.

They say their goodbyes, leaving the two girls to themselves.

Ema peeks at Ayame, a small, cheeky grin creeping up. "So…did you enjoy it?"

"Ema!" Ayame immediately scolds with a dark blush, slapping her sister on the shoulder lightly


Morning comes, and Ayame arrives in the living, feeling refreshed after a hot shower. Surprisingly, the living room was mostly bare, the only presence seeming to be Azusa and Tsubaki.

"Good morning." She greets. Tsubaki smiles cheerfully, "Good morning~!"

"Sorry about yesterday." Azusa says, apologizing for Subaru. She shakes her head, "Not at all."

"We made sure to get revenge for you, so you can rest in peace." Tsubaki cheekily grins. Ayame frowns slightly, as she had requested for him to do nothing.

"What did you do now?" She sighs. Tsubaki chuckles lightly, "I don't think you would want to see it, but if you wish to witness my masterpiece...he's behind the coach."

Ayame peeks at the edge of the lounge, where two long legs were sprawled out. Sighing, she goes closer, and gasps at the sight.

It was Subaru, yet not Subaru, with his face almost unrecognisable. His face was covered with profanities and vulger imagery, such as the genetalia of the human reproductory system. She glares at the two,"You two..."

"It was all Tsubaki, I was just the witness." Azusa coolly lies. Tsubaki, who was not happy to be treated as the only perpatrator, quickly goes to his defense. "Hey, Azusa~! Don't lie, you drew all the-"

Tsubaki stops his sentence as Subaru grumbles, seeming to be waking up. He peeks his head over, "Oh, is Mr. Sleepyhead finally waking up? About time, if you ask me."

Ayame quickly croaches down to Subaru. "Subaru-kun? How do you feel? Do you have a hangover?"

Ayame supports him as he rises up with a groan. He seperates his hand from his face, then meeting Ayame's expectant stare. He flinches at her unexpected presence.

"Y-You?" He mumbles, looking at her with widened eyes.

Ayame smiles kindly, "You fainted last night after drinking too much. Do you remember anything?"

He looks down, memories stubbornly not popping up. However, after awhile of digging through, his memories start to come back quickly, evident by his increasingly darkening cheeks and nervous expression.

Ayame looks at him awkwardly, as she could tell that he remembered a certain memory that frankly, they both wanted to forget.

"I-I-I...!" He fails to muster the words, so instead, he goes on his knees, bowing his head.

"I-I'm really sorry!" Subaru yells from the ground.

Ayame pats him on the back. "It's okay, Subaru-kun. You can raise your head."

He raises his head, though still maintaining his pose. "B-but..."

"It didn't really bother me that much, Subaru-kun, so there's no worries." She smiles comfortingly. After all, it wasn't as if it was her first kiss, so what gives? It was also accidental.

"...Eh?" Subaru mumbles, his expression dropping, seeming to be disappointed by her apathetic reaction. Suddenly, a new voice enters the mix.

"Ah, Ayame-san. Good morning." Ukyo greets, carrying a basket full of sheets and clothing. Ayame looks back, greeting the lawyer with a bright smile. "Good morning." She pauses, taking note of the basket, "Are you about to do the laundry?"

Ukyo smiles back, "Yes. If you can, can you hang these for me? I've got my hands quite full this morning with breakfast, you see."

"Of course. The rooftop is where you hang laundry, right?" Ayame happily accepts, then getting up. Brushing her jeans, she says her goodbyes before walking off with the basket.

"Well, see you later, Subaru-kun." She smiles warmly.

Subaru stares at her blankly as she exits the room together with Ukyo, who was going to the kitchen.

With a frown present, his expression turns dark.

...So she doesn't care about it at all, huh?

Tsubaki, who observed the interaction between the two the whole time, whispers into Azusa's ear. "...I think he's friend-zoned."

"...Or rather, brother-zoned." Azusa whispers back secretively.

Feeling slightly depressed, Subaru looks out to the window desolately. Upon seeing his reflection, he gasps loudly.

"What the-"

Oops. The twins think, then sneaking out of the room like ninjas, leaving Subaru alone to cringe at the fact he was talking to her with a dick on his cheek.