Natsumi's phone let out a ring which she quickly answered. "It's a message from Saburo" she announced. "He got her there in time, but he won't join us again until she gets out" she finished with a hint of sadness. Everyone sighed in relief and continued with their day.
Natsumi fell back onto the couch with teat in one hand and a cookie in the other. Thankfully, she had no school that day so she could slack off. At least until she had to make dinner for everyone. Natsumi couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at how the day started. One moment, Saburo was holding her close, then she was chasing Giroro around. Finally, they all met up with Saburo's long lost sister. The pain she saw in him so something she'd never seen before. His name escaped her lips in a whisper. She hardly even noticed until Giroro pointed it out.
"worried about him?" she heard him ask. Sitting up, she saw the red frog sitting across from her, arms folded. "Giroro…I guess I am a little worried…I never knew…" she trailed off. Her eyes glazed and he thought she would cry at that moment. She surprised him with a smile and the next few words, "I'm sorry for earlier…" Giroro flushed res as he remembered himself loosing control and running off. "I-I should be the one apologizing…I shouldn't have reacted that way…" he said looking bashfully at the couch. "Why did you?" Natsumi asked. He froze. How could he tell her something like that? How could he tell her he felt utter defeat under Saburo's actions earlier this morning.
"Nee-chan! The curtains caught on fire!" they heard Fuyuki shout. Quickly, Natsumi sprang from the couch and took down the curtains. Tiny embers had caught her sleeves and tips of her hair, but she would deal with that in a second. Taking the curtains she drenched them in the sink and then quickly proceeded to swiping her shirt off and dunking her head into the water. Luckily, she had a tank top underneath her burnt shirt so she didn't have to worry about exposing herself to the males in the room. Turning around, she glared at Fuyuki and Keroro who were now bowing down and begging for forgiveness. "Next time, be more careful!" she shouted as she proceeded to leave the room. "Nee-chan, where are you going?" Fuyuki managed to ask. "The bath, after this I need one to get rid of the ashes" she said coldly and slammed the door behind her.
Behind the door, Natsumi's eyes glazed once more. "Those idiots…" she whispered. If she hadn't of been home, who knows what might of happened to the house, or worse to her little brother. She knew she shouldn't of been so cold, but she couldn't help it. The always found a way to worry her, and she had to be mean in order for them to understand they had to stop…
Giroro
I was thankful for the little fire incident. It saved me from explaining my feeling to Natsumi…I recalled her actions during the fire and blushed a little. 'W-why are you blushing soldier? You shouldn't think of that!' I thought to myself. I knew I couldn't help it, she made me crazy with love…I sighed. Why is it so hard to tell her? Shouldn't I have the same chance as anyone? And then I stopped in my tracts. I looked at my reflection in the glass doors. That's why. I'm different. I'm nothing like her, I'm not worth her time to even consider. I'm an alien…she's a pekoponian…it would never work. I couldn't give her what she wanted or might want in the future. Come to think of it, I have no idea what she wants…other than Saburo. She could never want me…why would she? All I've done is cause her so much trouble these past few years. Saburo came first, I was second…maybe…maybe I have lost this war…maybe, Saburo had won a long time ago and I had no idea…
Natsumi
I warm water felt amazing on my skin. All of my worries were being washed away. The earlier events were in the past and I'd make sure to find a way to apologize to Fuyuki and the stupid frog. I had forgotten what me and Giroro were talking about. It tugged at my mind since I couldn't remember and it seemed so important. But what was it? I remember him turning away as if he couldn't answer me, but I didn't know why. Gah! If only I could remember then I could ask him about it. I couldn't help but sigh, I was hopeless at times like these. It had gotten harder to talk to anyone since I couldn't pay much attention to what they were saying. And yet, I'm still top of my class even though I daydream in class. Daydreams…why does it feel like I had one today…and then it struck me. I began recalling mine and Saburo's encounter this morning. I considered it a daydream and began babbling about it. "Sab-saburo-sempai held me so close" I babbled as I steamed from joy. But it ended so quickly because Giroro had-! That's it! It wasn't a daydream, it was real life and it was what me and Giroro had talked about. He never answered why he ran away. I jolted from the bath, wrapping myself in a towel and dashed to where Giroro was. He was still sitting on that couch like he had earlier. Good. "Giror-!" I called out as I began slipping forward from my still wet feet. I couldn't balance myself and ended up toppling over the couch. Gripping the side of my head from hitting it as I landed, I noticed Giroro had turn bright red. He quickly got up and turned away from me. I thought he was angry, but then I realized I only had a towel on so he was embarrassed to see me. It made sense, but I couldn't go back to my room now to change, I'd forget what I had to ask him. "Giroro," I began as I pulled him by his arm, "Tell me why you ran off toady" I demanded. He was blushing madly as he looked back at me, still toppled over the couch, but I didn't care for it, I just wanted an answer.
Giroro
N-Natsumi…did she even realize she was barely clothed right now? How could she torment me like this? Wait, she asked me something, what was it? Oh shit! She remembered already. I thought I'd have more time to come up with a lie. I had to turn away from her before I could even speak, but it was so hard to not look at her. But I managed to turn away, my hands clenched into a fist and…she was hugging me? Only a single towel separated me and her- GAH! Don't think about that! I was practically glowing red from her touch. Her skin was still moist from the bath, her hair was wet and still down. I needed to escape from her in order to think normally. "N-Natsumi! W-what are you doing?" I managed to sputter. "Don't run again…" she whispered as she held me close. She was afraid I'd run away again…she was actually caring about me…Eventually, I had to tell her, eventually this was going to lead to me telling her everything. I couldn't let that happen, at least not yet. She had let me go at that moment, but she didn't leave. She just laid there, waiting. I could tell she was determined to find out the reason…I-I couldn't look her in those beautiful, amber eyes that stared back with such concern. "Natsumi…it just…shocked me is all…" I told her. It wasn't a lie at least. But she wasn't satisfied with that answer and pleaded that I tell her the reason. I couldn't help myself, it began coming out on its own…"Natsumi…it hurt...it really hurt to see-"
Keroro
"Master Natsumi! What is the meaning of you leaving the tub full of water and tracking puddles in the house?" I shouted. I was NOT going to clean up after her, especially after she had yelled at me earlier. I then noticed the scene in front of me. Natsumi was wearing only a towel, what looked like she was groveling at Giroro's feet…kerokerokero~ This is the perfect blackmail! I finally had blackmail on Master Natsumi! Now I could make her obey every command if she didn't want anyone knowing about this moment! Kerokerokero!
Natsumi
Shit, I knew that face too well. He was planning something, and this situation wasn't helping. I was more pissed that someone had interrupted Giroro once again just as he would reveal his reason for running away. "Stupid frog…if you know what's good for you…you'll go away and not try anything suspicious…" I told him, soul set on fire. He could tell he'd better not try anything and nervously walked out of the room asking for forgiveness once more. He was seriously getting on my nerves. I turned my attention towards Giroro once again but noticed he had disappeared. Dammit…I'd get him to spit it out one way or another…
