*Well, I'll text you later!*

*Bye bye Hinata-kun!*

"Hah…" For how long is this going to keep going?

"What's the matter Nanami-chan, way are you sighing?" Said Komaeda, now standing behind me.

"Hinata-kun's been sending me text messages that don't really go anywhere. He always says he's going to text me back, but he never does. It's weird…" I haven't seen or talked to Hinata-kun since Saturdays events. I don't want to rush him, but I'm a bit worried… "You don't have to keep hanging out with me, Komaeda-kun."

"Don't worry, I also enjoy being with you. Although, the fact that I also want to see Hinata-kun is also correct…"

"Sorry for making the both of you go through all this, it's all because I rejected Hinata-kun's feelings…"

"You don't have to apologize for the way you feel, you were being honest."

"When will things go back to the way they were before?"

"Well, Hinata-kun is really sensible, but I think he's overcoming rejection just fine. Give him some time, have some hope in him." He smiled trying to cheer me up.

Seeing the change of attitude of Komaeda-kun towards me and the way he was smiling to me now, made me feel a lot better.

After that Komaeda-kun and I continued to eat our lunches quietly.

"Haaah…" I dropped my backpack on the floor as soon as I entered my room.

"AAH! Stop it already! You've been sighing all week, it's creeping Monaca out!" Monaca screamed on the other way of the hallway. I doubt my sighs are that loud.

"…" Ah, yes, it's been a whole week and Hinata-kun and Nanami-chan haven't seen each other. I saw him Monday after school, but still…What is Hinata-kun thinking?

"Stop spacing out! Monaca wants to take a bath." She said angrily. Now standing right in front of me.

"Is it really necessary for me to bathe you? We spent a lot of money to make this house 100% accessible for you, bathroom included."

"Monaca doesn't care, it's too much of a hassle, and it's much easier if you do it."

"Aren't you embarrassed to let me see you naked?"

"Why? You are Monaca's brother?" I'm your brother just when you feel like it… "Are you implying you won't do it?!" She screamed at me "This is all your fault! I'm like this because of you! You have to obey Monaca!"

As she kept screaming, unpleasant memories started flooding my mind, making my head spin. I just wanted it to stop…

"Okay, I'll do it! Just…stop screaming, please." I pleaded pressing my temples.

She smiled smugly "You know you aren't able to say no."

I can't remember when the first time I gave Monaca a bath was. Probably a long time ago, when she was still able to walk, but recently she started asking for it again. I don't know what's her motive behind this…Maybe she wants to humiliate me or make me feel embarrassed? Ha, what a joke. As I help her undress, and carry her to the bathtub...Just having a short glimpse of her naked body, it's enough to make me feel sick…What a disgusting person.

As I bathe her, dry her body with a towel and dress her up again, not a single word is exchanged. Only when I plan on returning to my room, she speaks again.

"Monaca's hungry."

…

After finally dealing with Monaca, I was able to return to my room once again. I wanted to go to sleep as soon as possible. Tomorrow Monaca's going to be out with Enoshima Junko and it's going to be the perfect opportunity to do some housecleaning. But I want to talk with Hinata-kun about Nanami-chan first. I've never called him myself before, and I know he said I'm overthinking but I can't help but feel nervous.

I grabbed my phone and stared at the screen for a while, building my courage up. With a deep breath, I started writing Hinata-kun's number. I've written it so many times I memorized it. But this time must be different! I will call him! I pressed the dial button.

It rang 1...2...3 times…How many times should I let it ring? Am I being bothersome for letting it ring too many times? Maybe I sh-

"Yes?"

"AH, G-GOOD EVENING HINATA-KUN!" I was so nervous I ended up screaming at him.

"Y-yeah, good evening" He sounded a bit annoyed by my scream, not that I can blame him.

"I'm not interrupting anything, right?"

"Nah, I was kind of bored actually."

"Good." Lifting that weight off my back, I can go directly to the point "Hinata-kun, there's a reason for me calling you. Have you told Nanami-chan about your decision?" I already knew the answer to this, but I wanted to hear what he had to say.

"…N-no."

"Why?"

"I don't know how to approach her."

"Just talk to her like you normally do."

"But, it's been only a few days since I confessed, she'll feel uncomfortable around me!"

Oh, I see it know…

"Hinata-kun, don't worry, she will not act differently towards you."

"How can you be so sure about it?"

"Because I have talked to her."

"…"

"Hah…Listen Hinata-kun, Nanami-chan isn't going to avoid you or anything…In fact, you are the one that's been avoiding her. "

"I wasn't-!"

"She misses you, we miss you."

"…You do?"

"Yes, we both want things to be like they were before."

"…Guess I've been overreacting again…" Hinata-kun sounded a bit embarrassed.

"You just need a little push from time to time."

"Ha ha, I guess…I'll talk to her on Monday after school then."

"Good."

"Soo…Did you miss me too?" Was he trying to tease me?

"Yes." Sorry but that's not going to work on me.

"!" He sounded surprised by my honesty.

"Did you miss me?"

"I-I missed you both."

"Heh, that was sneaky Hinata-kun." I bet he's flustered right now. Hinata-kun can be so cute sometimes.

"…Changing the subject, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"I was planning on doing some house stuff. You know, cleaning, mowing the lawn, the usual…Why do you ask?"

"Just asking…And you're going to do all that by yourself?"

"Yeah, the house's not that big and cleaning is the only thing I'm good at so, it's not that hard."

"If you say so…"

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"The guys and I are going to hang out…Actually I wanted to introduce you to them."

"Y-you want me to meet your friends?"

I can't believe it. Hinata-kun wants me, to meet his actual friends? This is the first time I've experienced this. I feel so…so…happy. My voice couldn't stop shaking. I know I should not let him keep getting so involved with me, for his own good. But things like this make me want selfishly not let go of him. Fooling myself thinking this time things will be different. I'm such a disgusting piece of garbage.

"Yes, I don't really think you'd actually get along but, I want all my close friends to know each other."

"I-I…" He even called me a close friend! I guess I could clean on Sunday…No, what are Hinata-kun's friends going to think if they see him associated to trash like me? I'll ruin his social life forever. I cannot accept "I'm sorry Hinata-kun, but I really should not." It's better like this.

"I understand. Maybe next time?"

"Yeah, maybe…" I've let Hinata-kun down yet another time.

"…"

"…Um, I'm sorry Hinata-kun, I wish I could keep talking with you but I'm a bit tired and I want to wake up early tomorrow…"

"How early?"

"Maybe 6:30, I also have to go buy breakfast..." I wish I could cook, that would make things so much easier.

"Wow, 6 in the morning on a Saturday…Well, then I'll leave you so that you can get enough sleep."

"Ha ha, thank you."

"Bye."

"Good night."

And he hung up.

…Well…I'll take a shower before I go to bed.

Haah…Time to make some phone calls then.

…

"Sorry for canceling on the last minute, Souda."

"Dude, no prob. Stop apologizing!"

"Thank you."

"And don't worry about bocchan. I'll tell him."

"Do you think he'll get mad?"

"Nah, he'll understand. Have fun on your family trip!"

"Y-yeah, see you on Monday."

…

I went to the living room, my mom was sitting on the couch watching TV. She looked at me when she heard me approach her.

"I'm going to sleep." I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"What?! This early?!" She was genuinely surprised.

"I'm waking up early tomorrow."

"What time?" She kept asking questions, frustrating my plan to leave. That's a mom for you!

"Six o'clock."

"Why so early?"

"I'm going over to a friend's house."

"You're going to wake up the entire house! It's a Saturday, surely everyone will be sleeping that early in the morning."

"They're going to be awake when I get there."

"Are you sure?"

"…If I tell you why I'm going, will you stop asking questions?" I really don't want to tell her…

"Deal."

I turned around so I was ready to leave as soon as I finished talking "I-I'm going to help him do some…house cleaning…" Agh, this is so embarrassing to say!

"Aaaw, Hajime-chan there's no need to be embarrassed! That's very noble of you."

She hugged me from behind by surprise "H-Hey! What are you doing?!"

"My Hajime is such a good boy!" She said while nuzzling her face against my back.

"Mom, stop…this is embarrassing…"

"You're so cute! You make me want to keep hugging you!"

"…" Why does everyone enjoy teasing me? "…Mom?"

She softened the grip of her hug "Yes?"

"Could you please let go?"

"You're so cold to me sometimes…" Finally, I was released.

"Also…I'm going to need a favor…" I'm dying, for real.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"C-can I borrow some gloves and an apron? I don't know if I'll be needing them but-"

"Yes!" She hugged me again. "I'll let you borrow the spare ones."

"…" She let go and moved around so she was face to face with me. She looked in to my eyes appearing rather serious compared to how goofy she was minutes ago.

"Can you wear them now?"

"Mom!"