Dinner was being made by Ukyo, who had assured her that he could handle the rest of it.. Lately he's been kicking her out of the kitchen more often, and she wasn't sure how she felt about that.. Rather than brood over it however, she was in the living room with the other boys, Azuza, Masaomi, Kaname, herself, Hikaru, and Wataru respectively along the couch at comfortable distances. The topic of the hour was, of course, the idol, though she was too occupied in flipping through the binder of texture samples that she'd been sent from the publishing industry.
"It's not a laughing matter-!" Yusuke berated the male sibling's laughter at his expense, "You have no idea what a shock that was-!" "Was it seriously that surprising?" Natasha asked after they'd calmed some, "I mean he does like to rile you up.. I'm actually not that surprised.."
"Futo must have kept it a secret on purpose," Hikaru lounged delicately against the back of the sofa, "Being his usual charming self." "Sorry," Azuza contributed after a moment of reverie, "It didn't occur to me that you two wouldn't know.." "Nah, it's fine," Natasha waved him off absently, eyes trained on the pages in front of her as she bit her bottom lip, "It's not that big of deal, anyway, since he'll be at work more often than not.." At the brief pause, she added, "I'll make notes if I have to," Natasha spoke monotonously, "But the second I get bombarded with fangirls the offer is off the table.."
"Hm?" Kaname hummed, looking to his right to see Masaomi looking through a light lavender camera, "What's that Masa-nii?" "Oh," he smiled, brightly, holding out the camera for him to see, "Photo's from the entrance ceremony that she took.." Kaname took it in his hand to inspect it, his tone turning pleasantly surprised, "Oh? That's a nice shot.." "Toyed around with the idea of a freelance photographer," Natasha waved it off absentmindedly, eyes stuck on two different samples with something akin to hopeless irritation, "Didn't realize the drawbacks until after I'd taken the seminar.. Oh well.." He smiled at her passive response, taking the chance to scoot closer to her, leaning in so she was forced to turn and look up, "Imouto-chan.. Make me the subject of your photos sometime.." His hand was at her ear a moment later, shielding his words from the other and she stilled in surprise. "If it's just you and me.. I wouldn't mind going the extra mile for you.."
"Suit, tie, dress pants.." she raised an eyebrow at his curious, surprised look a second later, "Cosplay, candid and surprise shots?" The last one brought an evil smile to her face as she planned the possibilities, his less than innocent innuendo soaring over her head once more.
Juli's immediate hiss had him leaning back in surprise, as if he'd just noticed the fluffy ball of decoration adorning her left shoulder.
"I wanna see the photos Onee-chan took, too-!" Wataru cheered, leaning forward closer in an attempt to see, Kaname held it out of his reach however, and the child slyly plopped himself between the two, whining in displeasure as he huffed, "Come on-! Come on-! Photographs-! Photographs-!"
"Okay, okay, here," Kaname conceded, holding it out to him carefully, "Just don't break it."
"Yay-!" Wataru cheered, on his feet in an instant, with Juli suddenly materializing in his arms, "I'm gonna go look at them with Juli-!" Juli trilled in panic as he disappeared into the distance, Natasha giving the door he left through a long, final look before she resigned herself to be scolded later, but she needed to get this done..
"I have to say," Masaomi spoke after a moment, "only a girl would be so thoughtful. Without Mom around, it doesn't occur to anyone to take pictures of a siblings entrance ceremony." "I always have the camera on hand," Natasha stated smoothly, though she was a bit preoccupied, she lifted her eyes to him with a slight smile, "I was thinking of getting everyone a hard copy, actually, with the wedding and cherry blossom ones, too." "Oh," he smiled pleasantly, moving to get to his feet, "Then in that case, shall we put them up in this room?" "Would that be okay?" Natasha asked suddenly, a furrow lightly grazing her brow. "Of course," Masaomi nodded, "We should have a couple of Mom's picture frames, so how about I go look for them?" "Need help?" she smiled, closing the book with a snap and setting it on the table as she moved to follow him to the cabinet beside the television. Hikaru eyed the book she had set down with a raised eyebrow, reaching over to grab it once her back was fully turned, blinking owlishly at the logo of a rather mediocre publishing house on the face as he opened it, looking over the less than satisfactory print options and cover options..
"Here they are," Masomi grinned slightly as he handed them to her, before leaning back in to pull out an armful of light green books, "I also found some other great things.." "Jackpot," Natasha grinned, eyes lighting up at the sight of the word 'Memory' on the spine.
"I'm home.. Oh, what's going on, you look like you're having fun.." a voice called above, startling the female to look up from her picture inspection with a smile, "Yo, Tsubaki-! Welcome home-!" She went back to the pictures with a gusto as he started down the stairs to join them, "Check it out-! Masaomi-nii found your photo albums-!"
"Oh?" Tsubaki smiled, sitting beside Azuza on the couch as she flipped through the pages, before stopping abruptly, eyes wide, "Isn't this.. Masaomi and Yusuke..?" "That's right," Masaomi nodded. "H-Hey-!" Yusuke sat up from his slouch quickly, his blush intensifying by at least three counts, "Don't look at that stuff-!"
"Aww~!" Natasha squealed, picking up the album for a better look, "Yusuke~! Look how cute you were as a baby~!" "Seriously, stop~!" he groaned, tugging at his hair with his fingers while she giggled.
"What about me? What about me?" Wataru cheered, leaning over her shoulder while she flipped through a more recent, unfinished one, "I think you're in this one.."
"What?" he pouted, his tone disappointed, "There aren't that many photos.." "Because you haven't been alive that long," Hikaru teased cooly, Wataru's answering pout disappearing as Natasha wound her arms around him tightly, burying her face into his hair with a giggle, "Don't worry, Taru-chan.. I'll take a lot more pictures of you if you want-!" "Yay-!" he cheered, turning in her arms so he could bury his face tightly into her chest, "Onee-chan's the best-!" Natasha pet his head a little more before grabbing another album, pausing as another photo fluttered from between the pages and onto the table, "Huh?" She reached for the blurred out picture with surprise, her eyes tracing the photo carefully, "Whose is this one..?"
"Is it Tsuba-bro?" Yusuke asked, confused, and Natasha voiced her confusion with a startled, "Huh? How is that Tsubaki? His hair is white-!" Yusuke blinked slowly at her, while the others looked to her in wide-eyed silence. Natasha blinked slowly at them, glancing away briefly, before meeting their eyes again, "What?"
"Tsubaki's natural color is black.." Yusuke stated slowly, choking a little as he narrowed his eyes, "I.. never got around to asking, but…" he hesitated to speak, but she waited patiently as he cleared his throat, "I mean.. What's your natural hair color..?"
Natasha blinked at him slowly, and there seemed to be a thick tension clouding the room in her silence, before she took a deep breath in, and sighed, tilting her head to him as she stood, holding up a finger up for patience as she went to find her bag. "Give me a minute.."
"What the..?" the boys were crowded around a small, wallet-sized flip book, that held only about six photos, each one with a tiny, white haired little girl with twin pigtails or a frizzy white hurricane of cotton candy on top of her head, always smiling at the camera or at something else her attention was divided to. "Your hair is really white?"
"Yeah." she sniffed slightly, bored by the topic, before she reached for the other photos, "Those are the only ones I have.. But I can't remember any of it.." She stared solemnly down at the blurred photo of Azuza with a slight smile, curled up on the couch as she traced the figure, "I'm.. kind of jealous.." She lifted the photo back a little, taking it in with fresh eyes as she looked over the details, trying to imagine the day it was taken, "It must be nice.. To be able to have so many happy memories recorded and put together.."
"Do you want that photo?"
There was instant silence as the boys stopped gushing over the tiny booklet, heads snapping to Azuza in surprise as he met Natasha's startled eyes. "Oh," he jerked a little in embarrassment, smiling a little, "That's not what I meant, right? Sorry.." he bowed his head a little, but she was looking back at the photo with an unreadable emotion, "That was weird of me." "Can I..?" she asked softly, and it seemed a second vacuum had come to steal any remaining breath from the bystanding males, "Can I keep it..? I mean.. It is your photo.." He looked shocked, to say the least, before his face broke out in a warm smile, "Of course, if you want that thing."
Natasha smiled warmly as Tsubaki attached himself to Azuza's side, an arm around his shoulder as he grinned, "Hey, what's this..? Is this you trying to steal a march?" "What does that mean..?" Natasha honestly wondered aloud, glancing own to the photo, a smile suddenly breaking out across her lips, ignorant to Tsubaki's teasing as she ran her thumb along the glossy print.
Natasha returned to her room, making sure to give Juli a few extra walnuts for his patience with Wataru, having gotten scolded for about fifteen minutes before he finally gave up, resting on her bed while she flipped through the small pictures of her as a toddler.. The ones her "nanny" had taken before she was discharged...
"Don't stay up too late," Juli called, exhausted, while she merely nodded, "I wont."
She spent the next hour or so going over her manga manuscript for imperfections before she slipped it into the manilla folder, licking the seal closed with the order form and manuscript tucked inside safely. She set it aside for a minute, knowing that she'd turn it into the post office tomorrow as she yawned, checking to see Juli was completely knocked out as she nodded to herself, feeling the clothes shift against her skin before her uniform materialized in clean, folded piles at the foot of her bed, in their place being purple silk pajama pants and long sleeve shirt.
She fell asleep to thoughts of slim hands on a piano and feather hats..
Natasha yawned as she neared the Sunrise Residence, clicking through her texted conversation with Kuroma-san about the school festival coming up in an undetermined amount of time. She swore to god, if she wound up with cat ears she was walking out..
"What are you doing here?"
Subaru's voice cut through her thoughts before she rounded the gate, pausing at the edge of it as her curiosity won out over polite indifference.
"Even I have things that I need to come home for. And I had a delivery to make, too."
It was Natsume this time, and her ears perked up, peeking her head just around the wall of stone like a ninja as she glanced to the duo currently having a staredown on the porch.
"How have things been since then?" Natsume asked politely, but Subaru's indifference shut him down pretty quick. "That's none of your business."
Natasha felt her heart beat faster as she heard Natsume sigh, his tone turning honestly remorseful and apologetic, her face flushing as she wondered what the hell brought on the memory of him apologizing to her.. And why the hell it felt like a good memory..?!
"I understand that you're unhappy with me because of the past. There's nothing I can say about that," he sounded so firm and honest she wanted to blush, why- oh why- did she have to have a thing for voices-?! This is like torture-! "But this is your problem.. If you're planning on pursuing basketball seriously, focus your full attention on it. Don't get distracted by unnecessary things." Natasha felt a little off at that part, but brushed it away, holding her breath as if she would be able to hear them better, Subaru's voice much sharper and finished with Natsume, "Unnecessary things..? What would you know?" He huffed, irritated, "And besides, why should I have to take this from you?!" His tone turned much more defensive, now, and she was tempted to peek again, but held herself in check, barely, "Maybe it's not really me you're thinking about, but her-!" Natasha flinched at the intensity, but stayed absolutely silent.
She heard Natsume's conflicted grunt, silence stretching for a few seconds before he sighed, and she inhaled sharply, retracing her steps back a few feet as his footsteps neared, her eyes lighting up in greeting and embarrassment as Natsume rounded the corner, looking shocked, to say the least, as the high schooler hugged her big black jacket around her tightly. "You- uhh.."
"Hey.." she laughed awkwardly, lifting a hand to rub the back of her neck, "Sorry that I overheard.. I just.." she slid her eyes to the ground awkwardly, closing the golden orbs in guilt, "I.. I didn't really want to get hit with crossfire, actually.. Sorry about that.."
"I'm glad I got to see you," he admit after a moment, and she looked up in surprise at his light, relaxed voice, her cheeks pink in embarrassment but eyes lit up with curiosity as he continued, "I was about to go home without giving you this.." He held out a white and orange envelope, and Natasha took it with wide eyes, raising an eyebrow in confusion, "Personal delivery? You sure you're not a gopher, pumpkin?" she asked casually, his startled look to her teasing melting into a warmer smile, "Hmm.. I wonder.." He hesitated, as if finding words, and her patience gave him the confidence to continue, "Listen, about what Subaru said.. Don't let it bother you. He was just upset." "Don't worry about it," Natasha smiled, nodding her head with a sigh, "I used to be the same way, after all.. Took me eight years to get over it, too.. So I can understand where he's coming from."
"You know.." he murmured, watching as her gentle smile infected his own lips, pulling them lightly at the corners as she looked up to meet his eyes with pure an unadulterated honesty, "You're really good-natured to smile, even at a time like this.." "Life's too short to be a worry wart," she shrugged, giving him a grin as she giggled, "I prefer seeing things with a positive light.. That way I have more good memories than bad.. Something I took to learning after the eight years of Tsundere.." He laughed openly at that, loud and unrestrained as he put a hand to his face, much to her pleasant surprise as she put a hand to her hip, waiting until he calmed so he could give her a smile, "I need to go.. But, if you need anything," he met her eyes with a serious gleam in them, and she gave a nod as he continued, "You have my number.. Use it." "Yes, sir," she smiled, his blinking eyes shutting briefly as he nodded his dismissal, before turning to go, "I'll see you around." "Bye pumpkin~!" she sang loudly, hearing his surprised scoff as she burst out laughing, moving to go inside before he could reprimand her about saying it so loudly. As she got inside, she smiled, wiping the slight tears in her eyes as she leaned against the door jam.
"Welcome home," a voice called, and Natasha looked up to see Iori in the breezeway, his comfy clothes on and his hair ruffled just so it looked naturally stylish. "Oh, hey Iori," she sighed, leaning against the wall as she waited for the elevator, she felt too lazy for the stairs right now..
"What are you sighing about?" he asked curiously, her suddenly startled expression causing him to smile, though she was quick to try changing the subject, much to his suspicion. "Were you out in the backyard?" she asked curiously, and he nodded slightly, his tone firm. "Yes, I was watering flowers.. But nevermind that." her expression flinched in guilt, so he relaxed the firmness a bit, "Did something happen?" "Well.." Natasha started slowly, the elevator opening behind her, but she paid it no mind, "It's just.. Natsume and Subaru were.. Arguing I guess..?" "Something happened between those two?" he guessed calmly, and at her pensive silence, he sighed, giving her a gentle smile, "Don't worry, they're brothers. They're bound to get over it at some point.."
Natasha let out another, heavy sigh, before she glanced away, "Iori.. I just don't know.." She heard footsteps, and felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up to see Iori giving her a warm smile, his expression sweet and caring. "Hey.." she met his eyes carefully, and nearly lost her breath at his honest concern, "Smile, would you..?" she felt heat creeping up her neck, radiating heavily from the spot where he was comforting with his hand, "I'll get you more gorgeous flowers sometime, alright?" Natasha smiled, nodding her head firmly as she agreed, "Alright."
Natasha excused herself to her room before the elevator left, waving once before the doors closed, and she was left ot her thoughts. Depositing her onto her floor, she trudged the rest of the way to her room, intent of starting the next issue of her manga manuscript while she waited for the make-or-break call from the agency.
She was startled from her thoughts for the countless time that day as she reached her door, this time by Azuza, who held a package in the crook of his arm, waving as he gave her a warm smile. "Welcome back," he greeted, her answering smile tired, but happy, "Good to be back."
"Do you have a second?" he asked as she pulled out her keys from her skirt pocket, her confused expression only lasting a moment before she nodded, "Sure thing, what's up?"
"Well, it's not that important.." he started casually, holding out the package to her with a slight smile, continuing as she took it into her own hands and started to open it. "I just came to give this to you.. You said the other day that you didn't have a photo album, so if you'd like, I hope you accept it." Natasha blinked slowly at the cover of the book, taking a deep breath in before she let it out slowly, pressing the book back into the paper as she looked up into his eyes, "Azuza.."
"This is my way of thanking you," he nodded slightly to her, her hands tight around the package as she looked confused. "For what?" she muttered, completely lost. He put a hand to his chin lightly, embarrassment peeking in his tone, "That anime project is starting to get going in earnest.." He lowered his hand to look her in the eyes, a deep, heartfelt emotion in them as he continued, "I caused you anxiety in a lot of ways, so I wanted to thank you, properly." "Azuza, seriously," she murmured, feeling the first sting of tears in her eyes as she forced herself to keep a stony face, hard smile on her lips as she struggled not to cry, "You didn't do anything wrong.. You're probably the most stressed out between the two of us.."
"No," he murmured, softly, and she bit her tongue at his sullen look, "without you, I wouldn't have been able to do that role.. I think I would have ended up deeply hurting Tsubaki." He turned to face her straight on, his head bowed slightly in thanks, "It's because of you that I was able to change. Thank you." "Please.." Natasha tilted her head down, biting the inner lining of her lip, "I just.."
His sudden apprehension was clear on his face, while he wondered if she would push away the praise, again. All of his worries were dashed, however, when her arms wound around his waist, and her head knocked into his chest, embracing him tightly as she kept her eyes down. His arms went behind her back out of reflex, and he couldn't help but smile as he heard her quiet, mumbled, "Thank you.." she whispered, eyes closing tightly as she held the tears at bay, "I really appreciate this album.. And having brothers that care for me.."
She pulled back with a deep breath, flicking her bangs to the side as she composed herself and gave him a smile, his surprise still on his face, though now he just seemed pleased, "Come to think of it.. I feel as if this is the first time I've talked to you like this.." He chuckled a little and she couldn't help but match it, "I've always got that rowdy one with me, after all.." He reached his hand back up to rub the back of his neck, looking away in embarrassment, "We've been living together for quite a long time, already, too.." He laughed a little, "What have I been doing, right?"
"Hey," Natasha called softly, and he looked over slightly at her soft look, slowly lowering his hand at her gentle wink, "It doesn't feel like is been so long.. Time flies when it's fun, right? So, that means it's been good. So-" she stood up straighter as she smiled, bringing up two finger to her forehead in a mock salute as she tilted her head, "-In conclusion, I appreciate the gift. You are a cool brother, and I wish you the best with your work-" her tone turned briefly annoyed as she looked at him, and he struggled to repress a smile, "But so help me god, if you overwork yourself and get sick, I'm going to be playing doctor on you to the point of suffocation.."
"Noted.." he smiled, nodding at her as she sighed, relaxing into the wall on her shoulder. "I should.. Get going," he muttered after a minute, giving her a smile as several white strands fell into her eyes, turning his head ignore it as he cleared his throat silently, "Good night." "Night, Azuza," she smiled, catching his attention before he could leave as she sent him a warm, gentle smile, "Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams," he wished back, turning to go back toward the hall to his room. Natasha stopped briefly in her room to get the things she needed, focusing on the supplies for a scrapbook. She grabbed stickers, construction paper, paints, glue, decoupage and even soft texture prints. Inside the package Azuza had given her were the copies of a large number of the photographs of the brothers, as well as copies of the picnic, the wedding, and Subaru's, Ukyo's, Wataru's, and her birthday, as well as the triplets birthday and Louis' birthday as well..