Short, but I guess you can look at this like a filler chapter. Hope you enjoy.
-Zero
Secret - Ch. 10
All of the members of the Idol Research Club were standing in front of a traditional styled home. The summer heat was causing all of them to sweat even though they stood under the shade of the nearby trees. They had all been asked by Himawari and Honoka to meet up here (Hiroshi was absent due to the fact that he got sick), but they weren't really sure why.
"So, what are we doing here?" Nico asked. "You two aren't up to no good, are you?"
"Well...actually Ushio-kun called us to get everyone together to meet as his house." Honoka replied.
"But we're not so sure why either. Although from the sound of his voice from last night, he did sound desperate."
"Why didn't Ushio-kun contact me?" Kotori was a little upset that she was let out of the loop.
"He called us around midnight...so you were probably asleep by then." Honoka tried to reassure her that she wasn't left out on purpose.
"But why did he sound desperate?" Maki was confused.
"Well..." Honoka began.
"Wait, Himeko don't run around the house! Daichi that sword is not a toy! TAMAKI!" Ushio's voice could be heard from the outside of his house. Everyone cocked their heads in confusion at the frantic voice he was using and the unfamiliar names her shouted out.
"I guess we'll have to find out ourselves." Himawari finished.
Everyone was amazed by the size of Ushio's home (except for his childhood friends). For most of the members, this was their first time visiting the bluenet at his house. They arrived at the front door and rang the bell. Kotori and the others could hear footsteps making way towards them, but when the door swung opened...
"Ah! Daichi, weird people showed up!" A little girl, no older than four, greeted them.
"They must be sided with the blue monster! Get away from them Himeko!" A young boy around the age of seven grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her away. Not long afterwards, the group of girls heard the two children scream. "Quick, the blue monster's going to get us!"
Around the corner, Ushio staggered his way to the front door. A child, no older than two, was in his arms pulling on his blue locks. If they were to describe him with one word it would be exhausted. The bags under his eyes were heavy and he looked like he was ready to collapse (his face also seemed to have blue marker drawings).
"Thank goodness you're here." Desperation could be heard in his voice. "Please help."
Honoka and the others excused themselves for intruding before entering the house. As they made way towards a room, Ushio tried his best to get the other two children under control. It was clear that the three of them were siblings; they had dark hair and eyes of the same shade. He explained how the three were his neighbor's grandchildren and how they were currently under his care since his neighbors had some business to attend to with his parents thar required them to be out for two days.
"As you can see, I have my hands full...with more than I can handle right now..."
"My~ Ushio-kun, why didn't you ever tell us you were a father of three." Nozomi teased.
"I'll let you know when I have my next one then." Ushio gave Nozomi a smile. "Unless you want to want to make one with me."
Everyone blinked at the comment. There was a good five seconds of silence before the words were able to seep into their heads. Even Nozomi, who was now flustered, didn't know how to respond.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE REAL SONODA USHIO?!" Nico stood up abruptly and shouted to break the silence.
"I am me and that won't ever change." He state with a blank face.
"What is Maki's favorite phrase?" Nico was still unconvinced.
"Hold on Nico-chan!" The redhead shouted at the smaller girl, a blush present on her face.
"What with that? I understand you." Ushio replied blankly.
Everyone looked at the bluenet. Was he that tired to the point where he just didn't care anymore? Honoka wanted to test this theory out.
"Bread."
"Honoka, eating too much is bad for you."
"Rice."
"Hanayo, are you eating more rice again?"
"Nico Nico Nii~"
"Nico, how many times have I told you that that won't get you out of studying?"
"Nya."
"Rin, please pay attention to what is being said."
"Washi washi max."
"Nozomi, please keep your hands to yourself."
"Hima-chan."
"Eating too many sweets will give you cavities."
"Hmm, Eli-chan." Honoka decided to change things around.
"You should rely others more when needed."
"Kotori-chan."
"Is spoiling Honoka again."
"Maki-chan."
"Loves tomatoes."
Maki's cheeks were brightening at the mention of her love for tomatoes. She never told him, so how did he know?
Honoka wasn't completely satisfied with the last answer, but before she could continue the children decided to have their own fun.
"Hey blue monster, which one of these girls is your girlfriend?" The older boy known as Daichi grinned mischievously. The question had some of the girls blushing.
"It's rude to ask such a question Daichi." Ushio lightly hit the boy's head before he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry if I was acting weird. These three have been here since yesterday afternoon and I haven't slept since."
All of the girls huddled together and whispered to each other.
"I think we should have a tired Ushio-kun more often." Nozomi commented. "He seems to be more open."
"I disagree." Maki quickly chimed in. "Look, are we going to help him or not?"
They all turned their heads back to the boy. He was currently trying to keep the two older kids occupied while holding the two-year-old.
"Since he asked, I think we should." Kotori answered.
"I agree." Eli nodded. "One person watching three kids is a little too much for a person who barely knows them. And besides, since there's more of us, how much harm can three little kids do?"
"Faster! Faster! Faster!" The little girl known as Himeko was currently on the back of Honoka, riding her like a horse. "You're slower than Onii-chan."
"Hold on Himeko-chan...give me a short break..." Honoka said in between breaths.
The ginger ended up looking after Himeko with Hanayo and Kotori. Nozomi, Rin, and Himawari were playing with Daichi. While Eli, Nico, and Maki looked after Tamaki (although the little boy refused to let go of Ushio).
"Ushi~!" Tamaki held onto the blue haired boy for dear life.
"Come on now Tamaki-kun, Ushio needs his rest so play with Nico Nii~" The third-year gave the two-year-old one of her bright smiles.
"NO!" The little boy shouted at Nico and tighten his grip around Ushio's neck.
"Tamaki..." Ushio managed to pull himself out of the little boy's vice grip. "Why don't you go and play with them. I promise I won't go anywhere."
"Ushi..." Tamaki looked back at him and then back at Nico. He let go of Ushio sleeve and to Nico's hand pulling her to go and play with some of his toys he had brought along with him.
"He really likes you doesn't he Ushio." Eli giggled at how cute Tamaki was acting towards the second-year.
"And he's the whole reason I haven't slept in the last eight plus hours." Ushio replied with a sigh. "He wouldn't go to sleep since his grandparents or parents weren't around."
Eli gave the bluenet one last smile before walking off with Maki to help Nico. Is wasn't long before Ushio's eyes became heavy as he leaned against the wall and sleep took over his body.
INSERT LINE BREAK
It was around five in the afternoon when Ushio woke up. When he did so, he found Tamaki snuggled against him, but what surprised him more was the redhead leaning on his shoulder. Red spread across his face at her sleeping face. When he looked up he found three amused members of the Idol Research Club. The three people he never wanted to be found in such a situation: Nozomi, Honoka, and Himawari.
"W-what?" He didn't like the grin on Nozomi's face.
"Nothing~." The older girl replied in a singsong voice. "We were just checking on the sleeping children."
"Where's everyone else?" Ushio tried to avoid any eye contact with them and change the subject.
"They had to leave for home. So us three decided to watch over the other two until you woke up." Himawari explained.
"Yep, after playing with them all day they seemed to have listened to us a little more." Honoka puffed out her best proudly. "Although my back does still hurt a little."
"Okay...so mind explaining why Maki is currently sleeping on my shoulder." Ushio tried his best to not look at her sleeping face again.
"Oh that." Nozomi spoke up. "Tamaki-kun seemed to have taken a liking to her too and wouldn't leave her side like you. Eventually they both fell asleep with you when Tamaki-kun dragged Maki-chan her along."
A smirk appeared on Honoka's face. "You know see you three like this makes you look like a family of three."
"H-H-Honoka!" Ushio whisper shouted at her.
"Now now, Ushio-kun, you'll wake up the sleeping children." Himawari intervened.
Before Ushio could say anything else the doorbell rang. Tamaki shifted in his sleep and woke up rubbing his eyes in an adorable way.
"Ushi..." He called out, sleep still present in his voice.
"Jii-chan~ Ba-chan~!" Tamaki perked up at the shouts of his older siblings and ran towards the commotion. The other three followed after the young child.
Ushio was left behind with a still sleeping Maki on his shoulder. In all honesty, he had no idea what to do without waking up the younger girl. But, luckily, it wasn't long before the redhead began to stir in her sleep.
Lilac eyes slowly fluttered open as a yawn escaped her mouth. Maki stretched in place and lifted her head off Ushio's shoulder. Moving her stiff neck, she turned to her right and and made eye contact with amber gems.
"You're awake." Ushio stated. Her face went redder than her hair in such a short amount of time that Ushio would have missed it if he blinked.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine." Ushio gave her a knowing smile. "Nozomi and the others explained to me."
He got up and stretched his body before holding out a hand for Maki. Still red in the face, she took his hand and muttered a thank you. The pair made their way to where the rest were and came face to face with their smirking friends and the family consisting of the grandparents and grandchildren.
"Bye bye Ushi! Maki!" Tamaki waved at the two before taking his grandmother's hand and walking back to their home.
It wasn't long before Honoka and the others decided to leave for home too. Honoka left by herself while Himawari and Nozomi left together. When Maki said she was going to leave it was starting to get dark out.
"I'll walk you home." said Ushio.
"Ueh?" The statement caught Maki off her guard.
"It's getting late. Besides it's the least I could do since you helped me out today."
"I-I was free today so don't mention it." She began twirling her finger in her red hair. "B-besides, I wasn't the only one who helped out today."
"True, but I still can let a girl walk home alone this late." A gave her a 'just let me do it' smile.
"D-d-do as you like!" Maki walked to the front door and put on her shoes. Ushio followed, not far from behind.
They walked together under the lights of the street lights. Awkward silence followed them all the way to Maki's house. It couldn't be helped since the two never really knew what to say to each other. Ushio stopped at the gate of Maki's house and waited for her to go inside. Maki opened the gate and was halfway through before abruptly turning around.
"U-um Ushio..."
"What is it?" He gave her a confused look.
Maki grabbed his shirt collar from the side and used it as support to help her on her toes. Ushio felt soft lips pressed against not only his cheek, but also the corner of his mouth. Wide eyed, Ushio madly blushed at the contact.
"M-M-Maki!" He tried to look for an answer from her averted eyes.
"Thank you...Ushio." She was just as red as he was. And with that, the scarlet haired girl left the flabbergasted boy at the front gate of her home.
That was my first kiss right...I mean her lips touched mine...
Ushio walked all the way back home with the thought in his head and how to act the next time he saw Maki.
So what do you think? Would that be considered a kiss or not? Like it or not it happened.
Don't forget to vote.
Until Next Time…