Around ten minutes pass after Ayame's leave, and Subaru was sitting down on a couch, waiting patiently for his bespectacled sister. A 'ping' of the elevator snaps him out of his daze. Subaru looks up, an expectant yet nervous gleam to his eyes.
As promised, the elevator doors open to reveal Ayame, sporting a simple pale blue single matched with black spandex shorts. Wearing a friendly smile, she exits the elevator, walking towards the basketball player. Subaru, although hesitant, hastily gets up.
Now arrived in front of him, Ayame stares into his eyes, making him gulp nervously. His gaze robotically scoots down to his old friend -the floor.
"Sorry to have made you wait. I came across a little dilemma." Ayame says, letting out a few polite chuckles. Subaru faintly blushes at her presence, feeling strangely relaxed by the sound of her voice.
"N-not at all." He mutters. Involuntarily, he finds himself taking a sneaky peak at her cleavage, though quickly averting his gaze up to her face. Sometimes, it was both a blessing and curse to be tall. However, to his surprise, he finds himself noticing that a certain important feature was missing -her glasses. The black-rim eye-helpers that she diligently wore everyday were nowhere in sight. Though, it wasn't that surprising, considering that the specs would probably just get in the way during their jog.
"Are you...okay without your glasses?" He says -surprisingly not muttering. Ayame smiles reassuringly, then pointing to her eyes.
"I've got contacts on. Glasses just get in the way." She explains.
"I see," Subaru mumbles, nodding, "You look...different, without glasses."
"I get that a lot." Ayame says, scratching the back of her neck, "Leaving that aside, let's go."
Subaru nods, and the two exit the residence. The sight and smell of apartment buildings and car gas greet their senses, to Ayame's distaste. Brushing it off quickly, she starts stretching.
"So, I guess I'll just follow you for the route?" Ayame says, bending her arms. Subaru nods, stretching also. Ayame smiles, soon finishing her stretch.
Subaru, also finishing, glances expectantly at Ayame.
"...Then, we'll start?" He says. A friendly smile on her face, Ayame nods.
"Ah, that was a good run!" Ayame gasps out, sitting on a park bench. Subaru nods in agreement, a small smile creeping up.
"You're...pretty fast." He pants, seemingly impressed. Seeing Ayame pat the bench, he takes a seat next to her.
"Never underestimate a former soccer club member is all I can say," Ayame says, then taking a drink from her water bottle.
Subaru turns to looks at her, a curious glint in his black pearl eyes.
"You...played soccer?" He utters, slightly surprised by the revelation. Though not meaning to be stereotypical, she more studios than athletic. Though, it wasn't just her glasses that gave him that impression. After a few weeks of observing her, he noticed a natural aura of diligence around her. Every movement she made was prompt and quick, and certainly didn't feel rushed.
'...She would make a good worker,' He often found himself thinking when he, eh-hem, was watching her.
Water chugging down her throat, Ayame merely nods. After a few seconds, she gasps satisfiedly, closing the bottle off with a lid.
"I suppose it is a little surprising due to my appearance, but I'm pretty athletic. Though, it's not like I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I suck artistic subjects." Ayame says, then remembering the time Yukina asked her to draw her. It ended up with Yukina looking genuinely offended with her incompetence, frustratedly trying to teach her the basics. Yukina just ended up looking pissed the whole evening, unable to understand why Ayame couldn't get it.
Prodigies will never truly understand normal people, Ayame thinks, a smirk creeping up. Though slightly intimidating, it was amusing to see Yukina so genuinely stupefied, seeing as it was a rare event. She usually just spent her day going, 'Aya-chan~, Aya-chan~!' like she was some love-sick puppy, hugging onto her arm persistently as if it were a daily ritual...which thinking about it, kind of was.
"...Um," Subaru hesitantly mutters, snapping Ayame out of her daze. Ayame turns around to face him, giving him an obligatory smile.
"Oh, sorry I dozed off there. As you were saying?" Ayame says. Subaru fiddles with his fingers before continuing, sweat dropping down, perhaps because of the jog or out of something entirely different. Ayame, now reluctantly used to his awkward ways, waits patiently. A few more moments pass before Subaru finally speaks up, although muttering.
"There's...an ice cream stand over there." He mumbles, looking down to the grass.
"Mhm?" Ayame hums, patiently waiting for him to continue.
"This is just an idea but, do you...wanna get some before we head home?" He says, his ears flaring red. Ayame chuckles at his shyness.
"Even though we just ran? Those calories aren't light, you know." Ayame jokes, her lips forming in a playful smile. Subaru, taking it literally, looks down dejectedly.
"S-sorry."
"I was just kidding, Subaru-kun. Now, let's go get some ice cream." Ayame says, wearing a reassuring smile. She gets up and looks back to Subaru expectantly, "Okay?"
Taking her hint, Subaru gets up hastily, following Ayame to the stand.
"Hm...what should I get?" Ayame wonders, staring at the menu pasted on the stand intently. Noticing the specialty 'octopus ice-cream', her eyes shine with child-like wonder, as does Subaru's.
"Octopus and ice-cream? Really?" She says, her mouth gaping wide open. Subaru nods in agreement, wearing a small smirk.
"Yeah, that's kind of rare." Subaru comments, then letting out a snicker, "...Maybe even ridiculous."
Ayame laughs loudly at his comment, forgetting to hide it.
"...Well, sorry about that." The ice-cream lady grumbles, lazily flipping through a newspaper.
Realizing that she had been listening in on their conversation, Ayame gulps, averting her gaze to the ground, as does Subaru.
Pretending not to have heard her, she continues the conversation, "So, uh, have you decided on what flavor?"
"U-uh, yeah. Green tea. You?" Subaru says, avoiding the leer of the shopkeeper. Ayame nods hastily.
"Vanilla."
With their orders set, the two go up to the lair of the irritable employee.
"Um, one green tea ice cream and vanilla, thanks." Ayame says, putting on her best smile. The woman merely nods, then walking over to the ice cream machine. After a few seconds, she returns, passing Ayame the delicacies.
"500 yen." She mutters. Subaru pays the money, to Ayame's relief.
Two ice creams in hand, the two walk off.
"...So green tea's fine, but not octopus? Kids these days..." The woman grumbles, probably not intending to be heard. Catching her comment, Ayame's brow twitches.
...Well, sorry about that. Ayame thinks, an inevitable irritated scowl crawling up.
She peeks at Subaru, who was nonchalantly eating his ice cream, oblivious to the ice cream lady's comment. Ayame sighs.
I guess I'll let it pass.
Arriving in front of the park bench, the two sit down, devouring their treat. The two stay in silence, focusing on eating, with the occasional comment from Ayame and short reply or nod from Subaru. Finished with her snack, Ayame relaxes into the wooden bench.
"Despite her attitude, it was rather good." She comments, nodding to herself with satisfaction. Subaru nods in response, eating the ice cream. Ayame curiously watches him as he eats. Feeling her strong gaze, Subaru looks down to the pebblecrete ground, his eyes scattering about nervously.
"I-Is there something?" He mumbles, his cheeks quickly gaining a pinkish tint. Sensing his cute discomfort, Ayame smiles against her cupped cheek, feeling a little amused by his quick to be nervous demeanor. Her smile still present, she replies casually.
"Just wondering if your ice cream's better than mine. You seem rather happy eating it, after all." Ayame says, noting his small, content smile he was wearing when devouring the treat.
At her comment, Subaru's already reddened cheeks shine even brighter, his mouth slightly parted in a clumsy attempt to retort to her interpretation.
Finding his reaction adorable, Ayame laughs heartily, then stopping after hearing his dissatisfied grumbles.
"Sorry, sorry." Ayame says, flapping her hand. The sight of the green tea ice cream enters her peripheral vision, making her focus go from Subaru to the sweet treat. She gulps, her stomach yearning for it. Apparently, her ice cream alone wasn't enough to satisfy her inner Godzilla.
"...Hey, can I have a bite?" She asks, though not hopeful.
"...Eh? Eh!?" Subaru gasps, his eyes bulged in bewilderment and mouth, parted widely.
Subaru turns the deepest shade Ayame had ever witnessed, earning an amused chuckle from the girl.
"Pretty please?" Ayame says, watching him with a mischievous smile. Subaru had always never failed to awaken her inner sadist.
"But- but...if we did that..." Subaru stutters heavily, struggling to get out the words as if he were speaking a foreign language.
"'If we did 'that', what?" Ayame says with a small smile, cocking her head slightly to the side. Subaru hesitates before answering, his words only coming out in breathless sounds. Noticing her strong yet amused watch, he takes a big gulp, and staggers out the words.
"...It'd, it'd be an indirect kiss..." He whispers, his gaze stubbornly fixed on the ground. Hearing no response of laughter or even a soft chuckle from the girl, he slowly raises his head, curiosity controlling his actions. Upon seeing her blank yet completely stupefied expression, Subaru instantly returns his watch to the ground, regretting his actions from telling her to raising his head.
"...Subaru." Ayame says, staring at him with incredulous, bulged eyes, "Stop it. We're in college."
Subaru groans softly, digging his hands in his hair. Why, oh, why?
Ayame crosses her long legs, staring at the distressed and embarrassed boy with a pitying yet entertained gaze.
"You know, I bet you've never even kissed a girl, let alone dated one." She says, earning a flinch from Subaru. He quickly defends himself, his pride as a man hurt.
"Basketball's all I need to focus on. I don't need a girl to distract me." He retorts, staring into her almond eyes. Ayame stares back into his determined eyes, observing his thoughts. With a sigh, she relaxes into the bench, resigning for the day.
"Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't understand where you're coming from. I don't date either, to concentrate on college. Love can come after." Ayame says, adding in a light sigh.
She'd receive confessions, but would never let it go any further than that. A rare few would persist, but in the end, they would retire with broken, tired-out hearts. She would frown, feel a little disappointed, but then remember the next assignment was due in a few weeks, then scatter off to throw herself in work. With the way her life has always been, perhaps it wouldn't change, even after graduating from university. Perhaps she would die alone, in a large mansion, filled with nothing but material goods and no warm presence. Remembering a certain woman, Ayame bites her lip, her eyes unintentionally narrowing.
Ironically, I'm guess I'm just like her.
Not noticing her glower, Subaru suddenly mumbles, interrupting her inner monologue.
"...I've kissed a girl before."
Hearing his quiet protest, Ayame raises a brow, feeling doubtful of his sudden claim.
"Oh? Really? Who, then?" Ayame says, grinning slyly, staring at him with an amused gleam.
Subaru hesitates before replying, his complexion gradually turning redder and redder, resembling a growing tomato. He takes a deep breath, then turns around to face Ayame. Ayame shuffles back instinctually, feeling slighty apphrehensive about his strong gaze. She gulps, her instincts speaking to her.
...I have a feeling that-
"...You. Remember?"
...Knew it.
For once, the tables turn, with Ayame introduced to Subaru's old bestie -the ground- and Subaru, staring at her with a shy yet resolved gaze.
"Oh," Ayame mumbles, then continuing upon feeling his expectant stare, "Oh yeah, that did happen."
Subaru nods, slightly hesitantly. Their frenemy, awkward silence, knocks on the door and strolls in, then making itself completely at home, eating the last pizza slice while casually watching T.V. Ayame sighs, irritated that it had become a commonplace in every conversation they had. Sick of it, she reluctantly carries on.
"Though technically it was an accident, so we can't really count it," Ayame says, adding in a small, awkward chuckle. She turns to face Subaru with a smile, "Other than me, have you-"
"-That...wasn't an accident." He says, his cheeks warming up as he says the words.
Hearing his words, Ayame instantly loses her smile, frozen in her spot. Staring at him with bulged eyes, his words sink in.
"That...wasn't an accident."
His words were implying he had, 'kissed', her on purpose. But for what purpose? Only one idea arises in her mind.
The shy, 'little' basketball player had a cute crush on the biology student of a prestigious university.
Her face loses colour.
No. This was not happening.
What had she done? What had she done to make him like her? All she knew was that she greeted him cheerfully every morning, but that was about it. Sure, she'd seen his beautiful abs, but so did Ema! What differentiated her from her feminine little sister? Were his blushes not of shyness, but of actual, natural human reaction of seeing your crush?
Denying reality, she forces laughter, trying to brush his confession off as a joke.
"...Haha, that's rare for you to joke. What's up, Subaru-"
"-I wasn't joking." Subaru says, cutting her off. A gulp slowly travels down her throat.
"And I'm sorry about that. I- I shouldn't of have done that. I, just wanted to come clean before anything." Subaru says, looking down to the ground. Ayame joins in also, becoming quite well-aquainted with Mr. Floor there.
"...It's been bothering me for a while, even though we talked about it, and sometimes...it affects my performance in basketball. That's why, I had to tell you. Sorry if I made you feel awkward or uncomfortable by saying so."
"...Don't worry, you're a frequent offender." Ayame sighs, smiling bitterly. Seeing that she at least had the heart in her to joke, Subaru smiles appreciatively.
"Sorry."
"Apology accepted." Ayame says, no trace of bitterness left in her smile.
"So, can I assume that the reason why you did so as...?" Ayame says, purposely trailing off. A dark, honest blush spreads across Subaru's cheeks. With a shy smile, he nods slowly.
"...Yes, but if you can, please turn the other cheek."
Ayame sighs heavily, sinking into the park bench.
"Anything for a sibling, I guess."
At the word 'sibling', Subaru frowns slightly, but quickly replaces it with a genuinely, grateful smile.
"...Thanks, Ayame." He says, meeting her eyes with his.
Surprised, Ayame blinks a few times before a small, faint blush briefly treads across her cheeks.
...He really does have a nice smile.
Ayame and Subaru enter the complex elevator, with complicated feelings filling their hearts.
"So, what floor do you want?" Ayame asks, her finger brushing across the control panel.
"Oh, the fifth. Thanks," Subaru replies, shortly adding in a small smile.
Seeing him flash a smile, Ayame flinches. For some reason, after he had confessed of his wrong doings, he got more friendly and honest with her. If she cracked a joke, he wouldn't just nod. No, he would greet her with a big, hearty laugh and even add in some banter, which she would reluctantly return.
It was, frankly, eerie, especially after noticing his feelings towards her. Usually, in these type of situations, she would just brush off the guy coolly, but in this case, it was difficult. He was apart of her new family, and who was she to be cold just because he had a small, little crush that would probably just die away in a few months, or even a few weeks?
Due to the complexity of the situation, Ayame could do nothing but tell herself it was just a short phase that would eventually fade away with time.
Truth be told, she preferred the awkward, shy Subaru over the casual one who would stare at her deeply with a faint blush whenever there was a gap in conversation. It made her nervous, having him suddenly open up like a butterfly from a chrysalis.
"Roger. I'm going to the fourth floor, by the way. I need to change, cause I stink." Ayame says with a laugh, fanning herself with her hand.
"...You smell fine, like citrus." He whispers, a faint blush spreading.
Pretending not to hear, Ayame pushes the buttons with haste, feeling Subaru's gaze rest on her.
...That was so corny. Ayame groans mentally, blushing heavily at his cheesy statement.
Answering her call, the elevator moves up. The two stay silent, with the only noise made being the elevator going upwards. Suddenly, it stops at the second floor. Ayame cocks her head to the side, her ponytail swaying with her.
I'm pretty sure I didn't press the button to the second floor...
Her doubts are put to rest upon the opening doors revealing a certain male, whose presence made her sigh in relief.
"Ah, Iori-kun. Good afternoon." Ayame greets, an inevitable wide smile giving way. Iori enters the elevator, pleasantly surprised with her presence.
"Hello, Ayame nee-san," Iori says softly, smiling tenderly. Upon spotting Subaru, his smile slightly wavers, "...Subaru nii-san, too."
Subaru nods in response, gulping down water. Spotting the two's sport gear, Iori completely drops his smile.
"...Were you two, out together?" Iori asks quietly.
"Yeah...Just, jogging." Subaru replies, then a faint blush paired with a small, shy smile appears after thinking about today's events. Ayame awkwardly shuffles around, feeling uncomfortable with his manner.
Noticing his expression, Iori's narrowing eyes rest on Subaru, observing him. After a few seconds, he stops staring, with Subaru slowly snapping out of his daze.
"...I see," Iori says, then standing in between the two, making Subaru forcefully having to shuffle sidewards. He turns his head to face Ayame exclusively, curling a warm smile.
"So, did you do anything, other than that?" Iori says, staring into her eyes.
"Well..." Ayame grins triumphantly, huffing her chest up, "I went to a job interview this morning, and I got the job."
Iori blinks a couple of times, before a small, proud grin worms its way up.
"Congratulations, as expected of Nee-san." Iori chuckles, applauding her softly, "Where is it at? Is it near?"
Ayame nods her head, staring into his alluring, hazel eyes.
"Yep. It's a cafe, library, jazz club at night. It's pretty, varied, to say the least. It's called, 'The Elderly's Place'."
"Huh? Isn't that..." Iori mutters, his brows narrowing upon the mention. Ayame tilts her head to the side, wearing a small smile.
"Oh, do you know it?"
"I think so. Is it the one where you have to go through the alleyway near Akamichi Shopping District?" Iori asks, tilting his head to the side.
Ayame smiles, "Yep."
At her carefree answer, Iori's lips form a small frown.
"Don't you think that's a little dangerous? Maybe you should reconsider, there are some reports of molesters near that area, after all..."
Previously unaware of the news, Ayame gulps nervously. Though, she couldn't back off now. She needed to have a stable income, and she wasn't going to let this chance pass just because of a few perverts laying their hands on girls.
"No need. There's another path I can take, so it'll be fine." Ayame says, trying to reassure him with a confident smile, but to no avail. Iori shakes his head, rarely looking quite determined.
"That one's not too far from a bar. Are you working night hours?"
"You're...quite familiar with the area, aren't you?"
"There's a good stationary shop nearby which I frequent, so I know the area pretty well." Iori says, giving her a short-lived smile, "But that's besides the point. Nee-san, if you work night hours, you could ask them to change your shift."
"I agree with Iori for this one. It's dangerous," Subaru says, suddenly joining in the conversation.
"Even you?" Ayame whines, then sighing deeply, "Like I said, it's fine. I'm careful, I will be a-okay."
"But-"
Irritated, Ayame grabs Iori's cheeks, squeezing them tightly. Iori stares at her in daze, though quickly resigning, used to her cheek attacks.
"No. Buts." Ayame demands, then slapping his cheeks lightly.
"...Okay." He sighs, rubbing his sore cheek.
Watching his silent sulk, Ayame involuntarily gulps, staring him with a faint blush.
...He's cute.
Embarrassed by her inevitable thought, she lightly slaps herself on the forehead, grumbling under her breath. However, sensing somebody watch her, she raises her head.
"Are you still up for a protest? Well then, prepare to receive the wrath of my cheek-squeezers." Ayame says, flapping her hands towards Subaru. At her assumption, Subaru flinches, then meekly shaking his head.
"N-not really."
"'Thought so." Ayame huffs, then letting out a soft chuckle. Hearing her laugh, Subaru blushes, then lowering his gaze down to his sneakers. After that, the trio fall in a small silence, waiting for the elevator to reach their destination.
"...But, it looks like you'll be busy," Iori suddenly mutters, destroying the silence, looking down to the floor. Ayame tilts her head to the side curiously, staring at the handsome boy. After a few short seconds, he raises his head, facing Ayame with a small, sad smile. "...It'll be lonely."
At his sudden comment, Ayame blushes heavily, feeling her heart tighten at his warm yet lonely gaze.
"A-ah, is that so..." She mutters, averting her eyes to the ground. Upon seeing her flustered reaction, a small smile creeps up Iori's lips. Remembering a certain promise that he made a few days ago, Iori speaks up.
"Ah, also, Nee-san. About that book you wanted to borrow..."
At the mention of 'book', Ayame raises her head.
"Oh, 'Scandals in Venice'?"
Hearing the familiar name, Subaru perks in.
"Huh? Isn't that Hika-nii's-"
"-I've finished reading it, so I can lend it to you now." Iori says, cutting Subaru off, unclear whether on purpose or accidental.
...Why do I feel strangely cut off from this conversation?
Oblivious to Subaru's sour expression, Ayame excitedly chirps up.
"What, really?"
"Really." Iori says, nodding.
"I see. Thanks, Iori-kun." Ayame says, messing up his soft, feathery hair. Feeling her warm touch, he smiles under his fringe. The 'ping' of the elevator interrupts her, as she turns to look at the opening door. Seeing as she had arrived at her destination, she says her goodbyes with a smile.
"I'll be going now, see you!"
The two nod in acknowledgement as she exits the elevator with a wave of her hand.
With nothing particular to talk about, silence hangs in the air, though not an uncomfortable one, as the two were used to their individually silent ways. After a few seconds or so, the elevator lands on the fifth floor. The doors open as routine.
Just as Subaru springs off the elevator wall, Iori turns around to face his older brother, revealing an empty expression.
Slighty creeped out by Iori's vacant eyes, Subaru shuffles backwards, raising a brow at his younger brother.
"...What?" Subaru mutters, staring at Iori.
"...Subaru nii-san, it's a shame, really." Iori whispers cryptically, wearing an eerie smile.
"Huh? What do you...?"
"Nothing, nii-san. Now, let's go."
Iori departs the scene, leaving behind only a cryptic message and an enigmatic smile, to the puzzlement of his older brother.
Subaru scratches his head, staring the distant back of his younger brother.
"...What was that all about?"
A/N:
Octopus ice-cream? That shit real, yo.
And yes, yes, I know this was late. My excuses include: In Australia, it is summer, and Australian summer's are always humid, and combined with the fact my room gets hot very easily, it makes it very hard to concentrate with the room turning into a sauna. Other excuse, procastination.
Te-he!
I'll try to get back to schedule, but don't fear, I have absolutely no plans on dropping this!