Chapter 21

~Teiko Days~

Shirane's POV

"…"

After closing the door to my home, I just stood behind the door in a daze with my face flushed. I just couldn't believe what happened today.

"Jun?"

My mum called out to me as she appeared from the hallway. Since I was still in a daze, I didn't respond to her.

When my mum was about to step closer to me, she noticed the expression on my face. As if she knew, she rushed to the window.

Realizing my mum was heading to the window, I snapped out of it and tried to stop her.

"No!"

I shouted at her, trying to block her view with my face still flushed. However, my mum caught a glimpse of Kise from his back view as he walked away.

"So that's the guy. I can't see his face but he is rather tall."

My mum was tiptoeing, trying to get a look at his face. Luckily shortly after, Kise got out of her view.

Having a look of disappointment for not being able to see how he looks like, my mum quickly sighed and grinned at me. I didn't like that funny look on her face. I back away, knowing what was coming after this.

"So, who is he? Your classmate?"

My mum grabbed my hand, making sure I did not escape.

"Erm…"

I was getting nervous now. I knew if I didn't answer, she will keep asking me non-stop until I do.

"He's… from the basketball club…"

"Senior? Junior?"

"Same year…"

The pressure on me was intense. My mum eyes were twinkling with interest. I could feel myself sweating.

"How long?"

"Erm… Just today…?"

"Today?!"

My mum grabbed my other hand and brought my hands up. Her eyes where twinkling brightly at me.

"Finally! I have been waiting for this day!"

"Eh?"

I was confused. What did she just say?

My mum let go of my hands and place her hand on her face with a dreamy look.

"I was so worried that you wouldn't be able to find a guy because your somewhat anti-social personality and violent side of you."

Even though it was true, those words stabbed me hard for some reason. It is that bad?

"If you were more like Shun, then I wouldn't be that worried."

"…"

Somehow, she's comparing me to Shun. I am getting a bit annoyed now.

"So, is the guy good looking?"

My mum leaned forward, with her face close to mine. I got nervous again.

"Erm… You could say that…"

I am immune to good looking people, so I wasn't quite sure.

"Is he someone I know?"

"I guess so…"

It is true after all. My mum had those magazines that Kise had modeled for.

My mum thought hard for a moment and scratched her head.

"But I don't recall ever seeing one of your friends that tall and with yellow hair…"

While my mum was still thinking, I fled to my room.

Closing the door to my room, I dropped my bag on my desk and fall on to my bed. It was a tiring yet an eventful day.

Turning to my side, I heard my phone ring. It was my message ringtone.

Sitting up, I reach my hand out to the pocket of my bag to grab my phone. Once I had it, I flipped open to read the message. It was a message from Kise.

My face was blushing once I knew it was a message from him. I shook my head and told myself that it was just a message before proceeding to read it.

From: Kise

Subject: Hey Shiranecchi~!

Hey Shiranecchi~! I thought I should send you a message to see if I key in your number correctly. Reply to me if it did. (≧∇≦)/

Looking at the emoticon in the message, it looked silly to me. I giggled a little as I typed a reply to him. When I was about to send, I realized the way I typed it seemed like I was too eager. Therefore I cancelled the message that I wrote and retyped it again.

To: Kise

Subject: Re: Hey Shiranecchi~!

Yeah, it did. You should focus on walking home instead of messaging me.

After checking what I wrote, I hit the send button. A few moments later, he replied back.

From: Kise

Subject: Re: Re: Hey Shiranecchi~!

Shiranecchi is still as strict as always… (┳Д┳) But okay, I will message you again once I get back home. Later then! ヾ(＾∇＾)

Smiling to myself, I closed my phone and placed it on my desk.

It was dinner now. All of us were sitting at the table having our meal, quietly when my mum spoke up.

"Did you know that Jun has just started dating?"

I choked while my dad and Shun stopped whatever they are doing and stared at my mum.

"Isn't that right Jun?"

Everyone's eyes were on me now. I panicky looked down to avoid their gazes and blushed.

"It's a miracle."

Shun's comment made me pissed at him now.

"I only saw the back view of him though."

My mum sighed.

"Well, as long as the guy is nice."

Ending the topic, my dad continued with his meal. Thanks dad.

"Oh yeah, I have a Photo Shoot tomorrow afternoon so I won't be back for lunch."

Shun reminded my mum as I went back to eating again.

"Okay, I will be sure to get that magazine you feature in! By the way, do you know if there are any models doing the Photo Shoot with you?"

My mum asked, eyes twinkling at him. Shun thought for a while before replying.

"If I remember correctly, there's this guy called Kise Ryouta."

I choked again.

"Kise Ryouta?!"

My mum eyes were sparkling ever so brightly. Usually all of us would treat it as a normal thing but what just Shun said shocked me.

"Shun!"

My mum held onto Shun's hand.

"Get me an autograph from him!"

My mum's obsession with handsome young guys is too much to for normal people to apprehend.

"I'll try…"

"You have to!"

I quickly snapped out of it and hurried with my food. Finishing it, I put down my rice bowl on the table with a loud thud, catching the attention of my family.

"I finished my meal."

I got up and hurried to my room.

"That was fast."

Shun commented, looking at the direction I just left. My mum giggled, thinking that she understands what was going on.

"Someone is in a hurry to talk to her boyfriend."

As soon as I entered my room and shut the door, I took my cell phone and dialed Kise's number.

After a few moments of beeping, Kise finally picked up.

"Shiranecchi? I didn't think you actua-"

"You have a photo shoot tomorrow right?!"

"Eh? How do you know?"

"So it's true…"

I muttered to myself.

"What's going on Shiranecchi?"

Kise asked, sounding worried.

"Shun is going to be in the Photo Shoot too."

"Huh? Who's Shun?"

Kise sounded confused. Oh right, I haven't told Kise anything about my family yet.

"My brother."

"Wait, so let me get this straight. Your brother is going to the same Photo Shoot as me?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's a bit too early to meet your family but I guess I should introduce-"

"That's the problem!"

I quickly cut in.

"Eh?"

"If Shun knows, he will tell my mum and my mum will…"

I shivered as I thought about it.

"Will what?"

"You… don't want to know."

"Okay…? Then why don't you ask your brother not to tell your mum?"

"Erm… I can't. Shun is bad at this kind of things."

I remember the last time, I told Shun to keep quiet about me working late at night to work on the training regimes. However, Shun forgotten about it and slip it out of his mouth. I got apprehended after that.

"Okay then. I will keep quiet about it. Don't worry."

I sighed once he said that.

"Thanks."

"Shiranecchi?"

"What?"

"I am happy that you called me."

My face reddens when he said that.

"Are you an idiot…?"

I muttered softly. Kise just laughed over the phone.

Kise's POV

It's the day of the Photo Shoot. I entered the studio with high spirits as I greeted everyone in there. After changing and having my make-up done, I headed to the shooting area.

"Ah! Kise-kun! There you are!"

One of the staff called me. I walked over to find a guy who was as tall as me standing with her.

"Kise-kun, this is Shirane Shun. Shirane-kun, this is Kise Ryouta."

It's Shiranecchi's brother! Somehow he is in a totally different level in terms of looks compared to Shiranecchi. Not that I don't find Shiranecchi cute. Are they even siblings?

"Nice to meet you, Kise-san. This is my first Photo Shoot so I hope you can guide me along."

Shiranecchi's brother bowed at me. I waved my hands in panic.

"You don't have to be so formal with me. Kise will do."

"Right, Kise. Then you can call me Shirane."

Shiranecchi's brother smiled at me. At least their smiles are the same.

"Kise-kun, Shirane-kun, please get ready, we are about to start."

The cameraman called out to us.

"Got it!"

After a couple of clothes changing and shoots, it was time for a break. I have been giving pointers for Shiranecchi's brother to help him out. Surprisingly he was able to execute things perfectly. Now we were resting at a corner having a friendly conversation.

"I always thought that people like you are probably selfish individual that only care for themselves but I guess I was wrong. Kise is a really nice person."

"That's a mean way to put it you know but thanks for the compliment."

"Kise, you are younger than me right? I am in Year 3 of Middle School."

Shiranecchi's brother asked me as I drank my bottle of water.

"I am in Year 2."

"Then you are in the same year as my sister then."

I choked on my water.

"…Sister?"

Oh no, I shouldn't have said that.

"I have a younger sister in Teiko Middle School. Come to think of it, I heard that you are in the same school as my sister right?"

"Eh? Yeah, but how do you know?"

"My mum told me. She is a fan of models like you and she reads about your interviews before."

I had a bad feeling when he said that. I finally understood why Shiranecchi didn't want me to tell him now.

"I see. I guess I must have gotten too popular that even older people like me huh?"

I sheepishly laughed.

"Oh right! My mum wanted an autograph if it's okay with you?"

"Sure."

Taking the photo book of me from him, I signed at the cover page.

"There you go."

"Thanks Kise. My mum will be happy once she gets it."

Shiranecchi's brother said as he kept the photo book away.

"So what made you want to work on this modelling job anyway?"

I asked him, curious. A guy like him would have been scouted long ago yet he didn't do any modelling jobs until now.

"I was short of money this month due to my literature club event. I was looking for a part time job at that time when they scouted me. So I thought I should give it a shot."

"I see, but once this magazine is out, your popularity will be rising."

"Yeah, I know. The situation in my school is bad enough."

The both of us laughed, understanding each other.

"Thank you for today, Kise."

Shiranecchi's brother bowed at me. We had finished the Photo Shoot.

"I told you not to be formal with me."

"Looks like I forgotten about that."

Shiranecchi's brother scratched his head, laughing sheepishly.

"Well, I hope I can work with you again if I ever decide to do another modelling job again."

"Sure."

Bidding each other farewell, I went to get my bag and check on my phone. There was a message from Shiranecchi.

From: Shiranecchi

Subject: How was it?

How was the Photo Shoot? He didn't find out did he? If he did, I will pound the basketball in your face.

Smiling to myself, I replied to her message. The message that Shiranecchi worryingly typed was just way too cute.

Family troubles. Haha. Well, at least Kise met Shun. I wanted Shun's personality to be the opposite of Shirane's. Since Shirane is somewhat anti-social and violent in certain ways, Shun is sociable and gentle. Shirane is respected by others, Shun respects people.

On the next chapter we will be starting with the main plot again.

Reviews now. XD

ResyaAfhirsa00018 6/3/13 . chapter 20

Thank you for finally making Shirane go out with Kisecchi! Your knowledge about Japan is awesome, ne? Yeah fangirls. What will you do Kisecchi? Also, I really want to know about how Shirane came to hate basketball and I love angst so don't worry about it.

By the way, if Shirane loses her love for basket, then will she loses her love for Kise? You don't need to answer this one cuz I don't wanna a spoiler mmkay?

Haha. Thanks. I been to Japan before so I know how things are like there. Did you know that the people there even sweep the sidewalk in front of their shops? I woke up very early in the morning and saw them doing it. Haha. Also, I research about things when I am not sure.

PhoenixRage92 6/4/13 . chapter 20

Akashi won't be happy about this :D

Is he? Then Kise will have a hard time. :0

hlflores 6/4/13 . chapter 20

i'm looking forward to ryo-chan's meeting with shi-chan's brother. please update as soon as possible.

How did you know I was planning to write about them? Haha. There were hints in the previous chapters weren't there? Try predicting the next chapter then. :D