"Hmm, hmm, hmm… hmm, hm, hm, hm, hmm…"
Time is quick to come and go, and alas, a new day arises. Unfortunately, it's already in the evening. The school is usually packed and busied with the students roaming about and the teachers who sometimes watch the hallway for any nosy students. And fortunately for the students, the school day is over, and most of the students go to their respected clubs. Unfortunately for the teachers, they need to work until the late evening to check the assignments and other stuff to do.
The current evening has such nice weather. There was a lack of orange sunlight due to the cloudy day, but at least a bit cold for everyone. What's more of a better evening that the students don't have to suffer a hard rain on their way back home? That, of course, the fresh, breezing winds that flow throughout the school's exterior and open windows. And even then, there's a specific green leaf flying by itself throughout the sky.
The floating leaf eventually makes its way up to a few floors to enter an open window, to which then the leaf lands by itself upon the table. A person then grabs the supposed leaf and heads back to the window before sending it flying out. Before she then returns to her seat, returning to her reading on her phone as she waits. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air coming through the window.
Sakurako is currently entertaining herself in the Student Council Office by reading some stuff on her phone. She doesn't have to deal with the paperwork because she has done her duties as best as possible, along with Rise Matsumoto, who sat quietly on her individual desk. Well… Sakurako wasn't able to finish all of the paperwork due to her unfamiliarity with some specific paperwork, and some papers require Ayano's signature.
Nevertheless, she waits for the others to arrive. The current topic she's reading is the specifications of a few numbers of rifles and pistols she might want to buy from Shiba. And that's considering how much money she got from her last job. She won't have such intention to tell her friends or family about the money she got. The last thing she wants is to arouse them any suspicion about where she got the money.
It feels like a few minutes have gone, the other Student Councils have just arrived at the office, including Ayano. Of course, Sakurako almost expected that the whole Amusement Club is here, because all of them are here, including that bumbling Kyouko. Ayano, Himawari, and Chitose, per usual, procure a mesmerizing smile on the stacks of paperwork before them. The Student Councils and the club members greeted the two before the Student Councils then sit down at their table. Himawari puts her bag beside her table and sits next to the previously dumb blonde.
"Did you finish all the paperwork by yourself?" Himawari asked with a raised brow.
"Not all," Sakurako then lowered her phone. "There are some papers I'm not familiar with, and some of them need Ayano-senpai's signature. I have compiled three different stacks to make the job easier for you."
"Really?" Chitose asked as she looked over the three stacks at the corner of the table. "Thank you for your hard work, Sakurako-chan."
"You should thank Rise-senpai as well. She helped me a bit to arrange these papers," Sakurako added.
The girls are stunned by her words at the moment before Ayano turns at Rise. "T-thank you, Seito Kaicho."
Rise's reply was inaudible except for her mouth gestures, to which then Sakurako translates it. "She said 'no problem, Ayano-chan.'"
The girls are satisfied with the translation, whereas Yui is still impressed by her translation. "I'm still wondering how you could understand what she said."
"Aw, didn't I tell you that she has telepathy, huh?" Kyouko playfully stated as she is clinging onto Yui.
"Hey, we have said that's not it," Ayano responded with an empty stare.
"And would you stop clinging to Yui-senpai!?" Chinatsu added with a spark of irritation and obsessed anger at the annoying cheerful blonde.
"So… what are you doing here?" Sakurako looked up at the Amusement members. "I thought you're going to spend some time at your club?"
"We really wanted to hang out with you guys," Akari happily replied to Sakurako. "But we did hope we can help you with something."
"Well… I'm afraid we don't have anything else that needs your help," Sakurako replied as she looked over the stacks of papers. "Aside from those papers, I'm not familiar with."
"I-I see… I hope we're not bothering you," Akari replied with an innocent smile but also a bit concerned.
"Don't worry, we're happy with your company, Akari-chan," Himawari assured her before looking over to Sakurako. "Isn't that right, Sakurako?"
"It is," Sakurako agreed with a nod. "But just make sure Kyouko-senpai doesn't make much of an antic than she should."
"Eh? What do you mean by that?" Kyouko pouted like a child as the girls stared at her with a spark of perplex. "Ain't I'm a good girl?"
"I don't know," Sakurako carelessly replied before staring at her with a straight face. "Did Yui-Senpai throw a bucket on your head because you're annoying her?"
They stare at her with mixed reactions. Akari and Chitose keep their concerning happy smile, Whereas Himawari stares at her with bewilderment. Yui, Ayano, and Chinatsu had a dark gaze while Kyouko looked pretty surprised than she should. Rise is the only one who is pretty indifferent to the conversation.
"Sakurako, that's uncalled for!" Himawari scolded her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was antagonizing her," Sakurako apologized with sincerity.
"Even that I liked your choice of word," Yui replied as she tilted her head. "How come did you know I throw a bucket at her head once?"
Sakurako only shrugs. "It's just my best guess considering how close you are with Kyouko-senpai."
"Aw, you hear that, Yui-chan?" Kyouko then is clinging back onto her arm. "We're so close."
"Oi, stop clinging to me already," Yui said as she pushed her face back.
"Kyouko, give her some space," Ayano added with a pouting look.
"Um… Kyouko-senpai, I think you should let Yui-senpai go," Sakurako stated, still keeping her straight face. "Because Chinatsu-chan looks like she wants to kill you."
They stare at her for a moment before turning her head at Chinatsu. Sure enough, aside from the dark eyes she had, the purple aura throughout her body is so evident. They even shed a sweat excluding Sakurako and Rise.
"Ehehe…" Kyouko slowly backed away from Yui as she awkwardly laughed and closed her eyes.
"By the way," Chitose then looked over to Sakurako. "What are you doing there, Sakurako-chan?"
Sakurako didn't bother to look up from her phone. "Reading classified files."
"Ah, I see," Chitose replied happily with her eyes closed.
It takes them for about a few seconds to realize what she just said and simultaneously reply. "Eh?"
Sakurako could notice the dreaded eyes they had. But she didn't even feel bothered about it.
"Erm… Sakurako-chan, did you do something bad?" Akari had to admit that she's keeping her false innocent smile.
"Actually, I'm reading one of the fictional files here," Sakurako replied, to which then everyone sighed in relief.
"Don't freak us out like that," Chinatsu commented with a hand on her chest.
"What kind of files are you reading?" Himawari asked the blonde, who is fazing on her phone.
"Files from a website called the SCP Foundation," Sakurako replied with a little high tone. "Describing contents concerning anomalies, objects, persons, and even locations that considered strange and defied the laws of physics."
"Sounds scary," Akari was the bright one to say it. "It's fictional, right?"
"Yes…" Sakurako then paused as she blankly stared forward. "I hope so…"
Their relief slowly turns into a dread one, turning their heads back at her. "You… hope so?" Ayano asked in such a low voice.
"Well… whoever wrote these files and articles really made it look real," Sakurako replied, still keeping her indifferent tone.
"Saa-chan, can I borrow it?" Himawari asked, to which Sakurako gladly do so before reading what is on the phone. "Let's see. Description… SCP-106 appears to be an elderly humanoid, with a general appearance of advanced decomposition. This appearance may vary, but the "rotting" quality is observed in all forms. SCP-106 is not exceptionally agile, and will remain motionless for days at a time, waiting for prey…"
Himawari stares at the phone at the moment. For all she knows, just reading the texts itself was enough to send the shiver into her mind. She looks up and notices the mixed expression of discomfort and slight horror on their faces, most noticeably Chinatsu, who is clinging onto Yui with such crying puppy eyes. Whereas Rise… well… she might be looked disbelieve, but she couldn't tell that because of her innocent straight face.
Himawari then looks back at Sakurako. "Are you reading some sort of horror creature?"
"Yes, and that's just one of them," Sakurako replied with a nod. "There's more than about a thousand of them; not all of them are horror, sickening creatures, locations, and objects."
Imagine the too sour expression Himawari had that she wouldn't dare to read further and decided to return the phone. "I'm not going to read more of that."
"Wise decision," Sakurako complimented before continue to read further for a few seconds, that… until she reached the bottom of the page. "Oh… that's…"
Sakurako decides to look up from her phone as her hand automatically exits the browser. "That image won't leave my head."
Ayano only stares at her, sharing the same expression as Sakurako's. "Whatever you just saw. Don't Eiffel it at my face."
Hearing the unintended joke in the last sentence, Yui and, surprisingly, Sakurako chuckle at the expression. "Should I tell you a bedtime story about it?" Sakurako joked with a sincere smile.
"Aw, yes, please!" Kyouko interjected and leaned onto the table before her. "Gimme a story! A story about how Chinatsu gave her first kiss to me!"
"Hey! I'm still here!" Chinatsu scolded with irritation.
Sakurako lets out a sigh to the cheerful girl. "That will cost you 800 yen."
"EH!?"
"Pfft!"
You could say she just trolled her. She has the whole girls trying to stifle their laughter at the obliviousness of her answer, including Himawari and Chinatsu.
"Since when I have to pay for bedtime stories?!" Kyouko pouted playfully at the unfazed another blonde.
"Since you asked for it," Sakurako calmly replied.
"Ceh, nevermind then," Kyouko pouted as she looked away and crossed her arm.
"Well, maybe you should stop fooling her like that next time," Yui responded with empty eyes.
"We can play after I deal with these papers first, alright?" Ayano stated before grabbing a stack of papers. "It's already piling up like Everest here."
Yui just can't help but keep smiling. "Do you need… 'a hand' to help with that?"
Ayano stares at the short, black-haired girl with a snicker before Sakurako adds in. "I'm sure you can do better than that."
Yui smiles back at her. "I'm glad you understand what I meant."
While they don't know what they meant, Himawari decides to change the subject. "Do you want to walk home with me this evening?"
Sakurako seems to consider for a moment before turning her head to her. "Gladly. But…"
"But… what?" Himawari asked with a raised brow.
Sakurako then leans her back against the chair. "I want to go somewhere first."
"And where is that?" Chitose asked curiously.
Sakurako leers over a couple of girls that are standing before replying. "Do you know a place where I can buy a video game?"
"Eh? You want to buy a video game?" Akari asked in surprise. The other girls, including Himawari, showed the same surprised expression.
"You're in luck, Saku-chan!" Kyouko happily replied with a nod before leaning to Yui. "Yui-chan here is a hardcore gamer."
"Hey, I'm not that hardcore," Yui responded with an annoyed sigh and then turned at the other blonde. "But I know a particular game store."
"Can you tell me where it is?" Sakurako asked with a raised brow.
"How about I lead you to it after you guys finished with the Student Council's job?" Yui suggested with a tilted head. "I also want to buy a game as well. I've been waiting for a sequel of the Adventures of Torakari."
"Hm…" Sakurako pointed her sealed mouth upwards and then nodded. "Deal."
Ayano, Himawari, and Chitose continue to finish up their paperwork with all that plan set as Sakurako waits.
The evening walk is so perfect. Like what stated previously, the day is still cloudy, and the breezy wind is a little cold. Enough to condition and fresh up the girls who are currently on the street. They have left school on time and are on the way to the game store. Yui is currently leading the group with Chinatsu next to her. Akari, Kyouko, Ayano, and Chitose are having a fun chat with each other. At the same time, Sakurako and Himawari are silent along the way.
Himawari still can't come up with a topic to talk about with Sakurako. Either that or wait for Sakurako to talk about something. Himawari is undoubtedly happy to see Sakurako smiling back in the office. And what makes it interesting is that Sakurako gets along so well with Yui aside from Ayano and Chitose. But her minor antagonizing against Kyouko? Rare.
Despite that, Himawari noticing Kyouko's antics to embarrass the purple-haired student. She somehow feels that she misses Sakurako's antics. But then again, that might not be a good idea because she knew how 'devastating' her antics are. Well… that's assuming Sakurako is still okay to do that kind of stuff.
"I know dark clouds… will form around me.'"
Himawari caught wind of her voice. She widens her eyes to the oblivious but singing blonde.
"I know my path… is rough and steep.
But heaven fields… emerge before me.
Where God's redeemed… shall ever sleep…"
Sakurako stops short on her song. Himawari, yet again, feels so touched by her singing. What's more surprising was that Himawari fails to notice everyone is staring at Sakurako because of how distracting and harmonic her song was. They kept moving on, but silence fell over them.
Sakurako then realizes that everyone is watching her. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Waah," Akari awed to her. "I never heard you sing like that before."
Chitose puts her hand on her chin. "Ooh. You should sing more often, Oomuro-san."
"Was that a folk song, Sakurako-chan?" Chinatsu asked curiously. "I'm not familiar with that song."
"That sounds like an American song, isn't it?" Kyouko asked as she leaned forward beside her. "I'm kinda familiar with the song's accent."
"Yes, it was an American Folk song," Himawari replied with a nod.
"That's new," Ayano commented with a raised brow. "
"But… why does it sound a bit foreboding?" Yui asked with a frowned forehead. "I mean… the tone you just sang in sounds heavy."
"It's because the song is intended that way," Sakurako's only reply on the matter.
They stare at her for a moment, waiting for another answer from her mouth. But it seems that's all she can say for the matter.
"I see…" Yui awkwardly replied with a concerning sweat. "Am I bothering you?"
"Not at all," Sakurako shook her head. "I just… don't speak much."
Yui bows her head a little as she stares at her. "If you say so, Oomuro-san."
They spend about the next minute walking before they finally reach the place Yui mentioned. Sakurako takes her time to observe the exterior. What she sees is this building is a second-story building colored in a mix of orange and cream. Two gaming wallpapers are glued below the windows, another two gaming signs on the building's sides, and the last wallpaper gaming in the middle of the second floor. There's the store's title above the entrance; it's called "Heavenly Game Store."
Sakurako raises both of her eyebrows. "What a nice place."
"Well?" Yui asked with a raised brow and gestured her hand at the entrance. "Come on, then."
They enter through the entrance composes of glass doors and behold the sight before them. Sakurako can guess Yui will have a fantastic time to sort through all of these racks of games, considering what Kyouko has stated that she's possibly a hardcore gamer. Like what she expected, Yui went ahead of them to find that particular game she's waiting for. From what it seems, she's pretty much a happy-trigger, which is pretty much a bit out-of-character for the cool-headed girl.
Of course, the girls are all staying in one group as they follow Sakurako and Yui around one aisle. Ayano, Kyouko, and Chitose are curious to look over the racks on their right side. Akari and Himawari look over to the left racks ahead of Sakurako. She glances her eyes left and right over several games. But still… she hasn't had any interest in the games she just saw.
As they look over the games, Sakurako then hears a call. "Sakurako-chan?"
She turns her head down the aisle, along with the girls as well. Much to Sakurako's surprise, her three friends from Nagibara school are here. "Misaka-chan?"
"Oomuro-san!" the slim four-eyes girl, Saoki, happily called as they walked over to them. "I'm glad to see you here!"
"Saoki, Furoda, Misaka-chan," Sakurako greeted with a bright smile. "It's good to meet you again."
The girls with Sakurako show their surprise to the strangers at which Himawari asks her. "You know them?"
"These are my friends from Nagibara Middle School," Sakurako then pointed to each of the girls she introduced. "This is Misaka Kirata, Saoki Tatsuya, and Furoda Mitsuzu."
Sakurako then points her hand at each of the girls in her group. "I introduce you to my friends, this is Akari Akaza, Kyouko Toshinou, Yui Funami, Chinatsu Yoshikawa, Ayano Sugiura, Chitose Ikeda, and lastly, Himawari Furutani."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Misaka warmly said as they three bowed to the blonde's friends.
"It's our pleasure to meet you too," Ayano politely replied as they bowed back. "Erm, how did you first meet each other?"
"I met Misaka when we were doing a shopping run," Sakurako answered with her hands clasped below her tummy. "As for Saoki and Furoda… I met them when I visit her school after the school day."
"I see," Himawari stated with a raised brow and a tilted head. "I hope Saa-chan is not bothering you much."
"Don't worry. In fact, she's so nice to talk with," Misaka admitted with a smile. "And you must be Sakurako-chan's childhood friend."
"Eh?!" Himawari turned her head at the previously-dumb blonde. "Did you tell them about me?"
"Every detail I can think of," Sakurako expressionlessly replied.
"Must be troublesome to have Sakurako around, isn't it?" Furoda asked curiously. "She told us about you being her rival."
"Erm… I'm not sure about that," Akari gave a concerning smile. "But they're close together."
"No, no, we're not that close, Akarin," Himawari denied with an open palm and eyes closed.
"I object to that statement," Sakurako responded flatly. "We've been close since childhood."
Himawari was about to object before Kyouko interrupts. "Hey, she's right, you know? But you must've some fun when you both are fighting with each other."
"Oi, you may be right," Yui then glared at the long-haired blonde. "But the last sentence is not true."
"I agree with Yui-chan," Ayano added with a nod.
"So, are you here to look for a game as well?" Chinatsu curiously asked with both hands on her chin.
"Ah yes, I'm looking for an adventure-type of game," Misaka replied with a nod but then frowned a bit. "But, I don't know where to look for one. It's our first time to visit this store."
"Have you visited the second floor?" Yui asked her. "That's where the adventure-type games are in."
"Oh, we haven't," the orange-yellowish-haired Furoda replied with widen eyes and leaned back a bit. "Can you show us where it is?"
"Sure," Yui then looked over to the rest of the girls. "You guys want to go up?"
"Umm, I think I'll stay on this floor," Chitose replied.
"Me too," Ayano replied as well. "I think I saw an interesting game somewhere."
"I'll stay here as well," Kyouko added with a smile. "Don't wanna keep Ayano and Chitose-chan alone."
"W-what?!" Ayano stuttered sheepishly. "I don't mind if you tag with Yui-chan."
"Yui's no fun," Kyouko pouted before hugging onto the shy Vice-President. "It's more fun with you~!"
"T-Toshinou Kyouko!" Ayano is startled by the hugging, and of course, she's too embarrassed to tell her to back off. "F-fine, but don't cause much trouble."
While the others find those two a bit adorable, Chinatsu then turns at Yui. "I'll go with you."
"I'm with you too," Sakurako then turned at Himawari. "Do you want to tag along?"
"Well, I promised to walk with you, didn't I?" Himawari responded with her arms crossed.
"Alright then, let's go," Sakurako replied, to which then they head upstairs.
Therefore, lays before them is another video game rack. Much to her surprise, there are also mangas and DVDs on the second floor. Yui eventually leads the Nagibara and Nanamori students down to a specific aisle. That aisle is filled with games that its primary genre is adventure type of game.
Yui gestures her hand to the racks on their right. "Here they are. Choose what you like."
"Ah, arigato, Funami-san," Misaka replied with a smile.
They begin to look over the games as Misaka comments. "Oh my, I'm not even sure what to pick."
"Take your time, Kirata-san," Himawari replied as she looked over the exciting games.
Chinatsu also takes her time to look over the games before glancing over to Himawari. "Are you interested in games too, Himawari-chan?"
"Well, yes," Himawari admitted, leaning forward a bit as she looked over the adventure games. "But, I'm not that much into gaming."
"It's not hurt to play games once," Saoki responded to her statement.
"Yeah, but it would be bad if I play too much," Himawari stated out of her concern.
"It's not too bad to play too much for once," Yui assured her. "But, it's better to make a schedule about when to play."
"I agree," Furoda agreed with a nod. "It would be a problem if you got addicted to it."
"That's what I like to avoid," Himawari added before leaning away from the racks. "But aren't you addicted to games, Yui-senpai? Kyouko did say you were a hardcore gamer."
"She's just exaggerating," Yui replied with a sigh. "But I do get serious when playing games."
Chinatsu then looks over to Sakurako, who's still inspecting over the racks. "Found anything you like, Sakurako-chan?"
"Not yet," Sakurako disappointedly replied as she looked over. "The genre itself doesn't fit my taste."
"Really?" Yui asked with a raised brow. "What kind of genre are you looking for?"
"A specific action genre," Sakurako replied.
"A… specific action genre?" Misaka awkwardly asked. "That's new."
"Not really new, to be honest," Yui disagreed. "What kind of game are you looking for?"
"Hmm… something realistic," Sakurako vaguely replied.
"Ah…" Chinatsu's brain ran into an error for the moment. "As in, so real?"
"You could say that," Sakurako replied with a nod. "And something tactical."
And they all blankly stare at her with disbelieve. A teenage girl asking for a 'tactical' game is not something you hear every day, even for a middle-school girl.
"What the heck do you mean by that?" Himawari asked the unfamiliar word.
"Hm?" Sakurako stared back at her. "You never heard that word before?"
"No, we never heard that," Furoda replied with her eyebrows frowned and scratched her left.
Yui seems to understand what she meant. "Do you mean a game that has military in it?"
"Something like that," Sakurako replied with a nod. "But more focused on Law Enforcement unit. Like the American SWAT."
"Oh, I think I've seen some somewhere," Yui then frowned her eyes. "But why do you want to play that kind of game?"
"I want to find a new perspective," Sakurako replied as she looked away from the racks. "And see if I could learn something from that game."
"I doubt you learn something from a game that focuses on shooting people," Himawari commented with a sweat of concern. "And isn't that kind of game is violent?"
"Violent, maybe," Sakurako responded with a flat tone. "But also, not everything is about shooting people dead, and that's it."
Himawari and Chinatsu widen their eyes at the answer. "That's…" Chinatsu is at a loss of words for the moment.
"I'm… surprised, Saa-chan," Himawari had to admit that. "I never thought you would say something like that. You're always the type that you don't care what the essence of the game is and jump straight to it."
"Well, you're not wrong about that," Sakurako admitted truthfully. "Except for this one."
"If you're looking for that game, we need to get back to the ground floor," Yui then turned around at Misaka. "You have found your game yet?"
"Yes, I found one," Misaka showed them the game she's interested in. "Let's go back downstairs then."
They waste no time to head back downstairs. And it seems the rest of their friends are still looking for a game. Well, Kyouko and Ayano, in that matter. They meet up together before heading off to the aisle on the very left of the store. From there, they saw a row of racks filled with action-genre games. Well, they stop at the very beginning of that aisle to see games that might depict Sakurako's interest.
"These are the games that might pique your interest, Saa-chan," Yui then pointed at the said racks with an open palm. "I'll help you look for one as well."
"There's no need, Yui-senpai," Sakurako replied dismissively. "I can look for one on my own."
"Well, if you say so, Sakurako-chan," Yui replied with a bit of uncertainty. "I'll just go ahead and look for my game."
"Okay, Yui-senpai," Sakurako nodded, to which Yui left to find that game.
"Isn't these games are shooting games?" Chitose asked curiously.
"Looks like military games," Ayano stared at the games for a moment before looking at Sakurako. "I don't think this is your kind of game…"
"I want one," Sakurako replied nonchalantly. "I'm just picky about it."
"Why do you want one?" kyouko asked. "Isn't these games is all about having fun shooting people? Why don't you go look for a love game or something?"
"That's what you think," Sakurako responded with a sigh. "I have my reasons."
"Hmm… I'm not sure," Furoda is not confident with the games' age requirement. "You're not that old to play these games."
"I know," Sakurako then sighed. "I should give a call to my sisters after I found a game."
"You should," Chinatsu agreed. "My parents scolded my sister once for playing a game above her age."
Sakurako keeps looking over the games until she found one that interests her. The cover depicts two officers breaching a room, dressed in full black tactical gear and armed with rifles. There are the words POLICE on the front of their Kevlar Vests. Alas, there's no help but for her to grab the box game and flip it around. Some images depicting the gameplay are shown on the top left of the cover. She then finally looked over the title, it's called: "Knock-Knock."
Sakurako then smiles at the title. "Suitable title."
"Knock-Knock? Hahahaha!" Kyouko laughed at the title. "What a silly title!"
"It may look silly, but that's how police work," Sakurako replied with an upset look.
"I'm not even if that's how police work," Himawari is uncertain on that topic.
"Hey, Saa-chan!" Kyouko playfully called with her hand lifted in the air. "Say knock-knock!"
Sakurako half-shut her eyelids. "Why should I say that?"
"Just say it!" Kyouko insisted. "Say knock-knock."
The girls are sure enough; it's one of her antic again. Even the Nagibara students think the same.
"Here we go again," Himawari thought with little irritation.
Sakurako didn't really want to complain, so she gets along with it. "Knock-knock."
"Who's there?" Kyouko responded.
"Sakurako," she replied.
"Sakurako who?"
"FBI OPEN UP!"
She screamed that straight to her face. That action alone recoiled everyone in fright, and Kyouko nearly stumbled herself backward. Himawari could see that Sakurako is currently felt irritated. But the way she is irritated was out of character.
"N-nani?! I have my hands up, don't shoot me!"
Her words tricked even the owner of the store. Whatever tone she had was too firm to be true.
Everyone manages to calm down and puts their hands on their chest. "S-Sakurako, did you really have to shout like that?" Saoki asked lowly.
"You freaked us out, Saa-chan!" Chinatsu is already hiding behind Himawari.
"My apologies," Sakurako politely replied, suddenly returned to her composed self. "I was merely irritated by Kyouko's antics."
"Erm…" Furoda pointed her thumb behind her. "I'll tell him that you were irritated."
"Go do that," Himawari replied, at which she left, before turning her head to Sakurako. "Let's… forget about what you just did. Did you check the age requirement?"
"Mm…" Sakurako then looked at the bottom of the cover. "It says 13 here."
"Sounds fine for me," Himawari replied. "But I should call your sisters to see if they agree with this game."
"Go ahead," Sakurako replied with a nod. "I'm going to ask the clerk first about this game."
"Alright," Himawari replied before pulling out her phone.
Sakurako and the group headed off towards the cashier, where they could see Yui and Furoda are waiting. Apparently, Yui has bought the game she's looking for, whereas Furoda has explained what had happened back in that aisle. She's glad that the store owner is not mad. But frankly, he was just surprised.
"Oh, it's you who screamed," the shopkeeper replied. "Don't ever do that again."
"I'll keep that in mind," Sakurako then hands over the game. "And… can I ask you about this game?"
"Ah, Knock-Knock," the shopkeeper smiled at the game. "I must say you have chosen the best choice of an action genre."
"Best choice?" Akari asked with a perplexed look.
"It is," the shopkeeper nodded. "This is a game that simulates the reality of the SWAT police force against criminals and alike. You get to choose your gears and weapons. You get to plan out how to deal with criminals and save innocent people. And this game needs your tactical skills to avoid any surprises or unnecessary loss."
"How realistic is this?" Sakurako asked him.
"Realistic enough even with the good graphics," the shopkeeper replied with his hands on his hips. "So, whaddya say?"
Sakurako purses her lips to consider this game. From how it looks and what the shopkeeper has to say, this game is worth buying. Sakurako looks up to him with such a delightful smile.
"I'll buy this one," Sakurako replied. "How much is it?"
"7000 yen," the shopkeeper replied. "It's a nice price for this game."
The girls doubt the cost, and even Yui had to comment. "That's quite a lot. I don't know if you can buy this one."
"Don't worry about it," Sakurako pulled out her wallet and gave out exactly 7000 yen to the shopkeeper. "I hope this is enough."
"One moment," the shopkeeper took his time to count the money. "Yep, exactly 7000. You can have it now."
Sakurako then grabs the game with a soft touch and a smile. "Arigato, Tenshu-san."
"No, arigato, for visiting my store," the shopkeeper humbly replied with a bow. "Have a good day."
"You too, Tenshu-san," Sakurako stepped away from the counter before looking over to Himawari, who's about come over. "So, what did they say?"
"They said it's okay for you to buy that game," Himawari then pockets her phone away. "But they like to see it firsthand."
"That can be arranged," Sakurako replied as she slipped her game into her bag. "Looks like we're going home now."
"Erm, Sakurako-chan?" Misaka sheepishly called. "Can we come over to your place?"
Sakurako raises an eyebrow to the question, while the rest has a curious look. "Aren't you afraid that you would return home late?"
"Actually, we really want to visit your home," Saoki replied with her hands clasped together. "We want to know where your home is."
"Are you sure?" Sakurako doubted if she wants to keep them longer. "Why not tomorrow?"
"We'll be busy to visit your house tomorrow," Furoda replied with a slight frown. "I hope we're not bothering you."
"Hmm… now that you said it," Kyouko then hugged onto Sakurako from behind. "We wanna come to your place as well!"
Now Sakurako is slightly surprised by this development. "Who do you mean by 'we'?"
"Well, that's all of us, Saa-chan," Akari answered, happily leaning to the side with her eyes closed. "We want to come over to your place."
Sakurako stares at her like a statue. "Are you joking?"
"No, not at all," Chitose happily replied like a granny. "Let's visit your home."
"But I don't have a sleepover yet," Sakurako is starting to get confused for the next seconds.
"Don't worry about it," Himawari already looked so suspicious to say that as she began to push Sakurako towards the entrance. "Let's go home, Saa-chan."
"Why are you pushing me?" Sakurako asked but didn't resist her action.
"Wait up for us," Misaka then paid for the game before leaving the store. "Arigato, Tenshu-san."
The whole group proceeds on their walk after leaving the store. Oh, how everyone is so delighted on the walk. Misaka is happy with her game. The silent Sakurako is satisfied with her game. And Yui… well… looks like she barely hops in public with excitement.
Huh, guess Yui's a hardcore gamer after all.
The group becomes divided into three smaller groups. Sakurako was at the very front with Himawari, Ayano, and Misaka. From how they see it, Saoki and Furoda are pretty happy to converse with Chitose and Akari. Kyouko and Chinatsu, on the other hand, look like fighting a little with each other as they cling to Yui.
The silence soon ends with Himawari's question. "Did you ask for money from your mother?"
"Pardon me?" Sakurako misheard.
"Did you ask for money from your mother?" Himawari asked again.
"Oh, no, I didn't," Sakurako shook her head. "That was my savings."
"Really?" Ayano asked with a surprised look. "Since when?"
"A week ago…" Sakurako admitted doubtfully. "I think."
Sakurako knew that was a lie. But considering the current behavior she had, the girls seemed convinced of her answer.
"Is that a part of your habit?" Yui asked curiously.
"No," Sakurako shook her head again. "I did it because I want to buy this game."
"I see…" Himawari paused for a moment and then smiled. "I'm happy you finally bought it for yourself. But, I doubt a little that your family is okay with it."
"We'll see about that," Sakurako replied flatly. "But, I'm still wondering why everyone is coming over to my place."
"Don't worry about that," Yui replied with a smile. "We'll tell you when we get there."
Sakurako raised an eyebrow at Yui. "You can tell me now. We're not even there yet."
"That would be too soon, Saa-chan," Himawari assured her with her eyes closed. "Be patient."
The blonde stays silent, but of course, begins to feel uncomfortable. "Are you planning something ominous?"
The three girls with her then stare at her with concern. "N-no, we're not!" Himawari answered awkwardly.
"We never plan something like that, alright?" Yui assured her. "Just like Himawari-chan said, we'll tell you when we get there."
"I see," Sakurako didn't want to push further and instead stared forward. "Alright, then."
"Oh, Misaka-chan," Himawari leaned forward to see her. "I was wondering. Can you describe how it was like to meet Sakurako for the first time?"
"Erm, you don't mind me telling her, Saa-chan?" Misaka asked with doubt.
"I don't really mind," Sakurako replied before pointing her head to the side to Himawari. "Go on ahead."
"Okay," Misaka then turned at Himawari. "She so cheerful the first time I talked to her. But, I think she's a bit exaggerating as well when she talks. Like how proud she is as a part of the student council."
"Really?" Himawari raised an eyebrow before frowning her eyes at the blonde. "I guess not in the way you expect to hear from her."
"You're right," Misaka then let out a sigh. "I had my disbelieve to know she's just lazing about as a Student Council. And I heard that you were her rival."
"That's true," Himawari nodded. "For no reason. But…"
Himawari then looks over to the blonde. "She's been so helpful for this week. Somehow."
"What's with the last sentence?" Sakurako raised an eyebrow, slightly tilting her head to the side.
Himawari pauses to consider an answer. "Well, the way you behave as of now. It's just…"
"Peculiar?" Yui suggested awkwardly.
"Y-yes, peculiar," Himawari then looked over to the oblivious blonde. "So…"
Sakurako stays quiet for a moment before she straightens her back. "It seems you both can get along well. Oh, Himawari. Misaka-chan is also a student council."
"Really?" Himawari asked with a surprised smile.
"Yes, I am," Misaka replied with a nod. "Saa-chan told me you're a student council as well."
"That's right," Himawari bowed slightly. "Chitose-senpai is also a Student Council. But, Ayano-senpai is our Student Council Vice-President."
Misaka stares at her with surprise before looking behind her. "I didn't think almost the whole Student Council are here."
"That is something we like to call convenience," Sakurako summed up, still in an indifferent tone.
Yui slightly chuckles at the statement. "That's one way to put it."
Himawari then smiles at Yui. "I agree."
Misaka looks forward before turns at Sakurako. "Are we there yet?"
"Nearly there," Sakurako then pointed her open hand forward. "Just a couple of blocks left, and we're there."
"Great!" Misaka happily said with eyes closed. "I can't wait to see your house and meet your family!"
"Who knows?" Sakurako responded with a shrug and a soft smile. "Maybe you get to meet with Hima-chan's family as well."
"Is that so?" Misaka-chan asked with a raised brow.
"Actually, Himawari-chan is her neighbor," Yui answered her question. "So they get to each other's house that often."
"You both must be so close since childhood," Misaka stated out with her tender voice.
Himawari blushes a bit to the statement, to which she frowns her eyes a bit and looks away. "N-no, no, we're not that close."
Sakurako then stares at her, unconvinced. "Why would you deny that?"
Himawari was taken back by the response. "It's not that I- I-."
The three girls are still staring at her, at which Himawari looks down with embarrassment. "D-don't mind about me."
Misaka then looks over to Yui with confusion, and Yui assures her. "Don't worry, she's usually like that with Sakurako-chan. Well, they both were like that at the time."
"Ahaha, I see," Misaka awkwardly chuckled with eyes closed and shed a sweat.
A few minutes have passed, and they have reached Sakurako's house. They stop at the front to let Misaka and her Nagibara friends admire the house. Misaka tilts her head at the lovely house. The girls could tell that she's so comfortable to live here.
"What a great house," Furoda complimented as she turned to her.
"Well, it looks normal for me," Sakurako replied with a genuine smile. "Come on in."
Sakurako was the first to enter the house, followed by Himawari, Misaka, and the rest of the girls. Before stepping onto the wooden floor, they release their footwear. Sakurako then announces their presence throughout the house.
"Tadaima!"
She waits for a reply, but there was no response.
Sakurako raises an eyebrow at the silence. "Nadeshiko, Hanako, Okaa-san?"
Saoki shows the same confusion as well. "Looks like your family isn't here."
"Odd," Sakurako then turned at Himawari. "They were still at the house when you call them, right?"
"Yes, they were," Himawari replied with a concerned nod. "They're probably still upstairs."
"Ah, no matter," Sakurako then turned at the girls. "Let's go to the living room."
Sakurako walks ahead of them as they follow her down to the living room. The blonde second sister expects her family to relax in the living room with their ears plugged with headphones or earphones. But her expectation comes to ash when they reach the living room. It's certainly an odd sight for her.
The living room, along with the kitchen, passes the room, which is empty. Not only that, both rooms are dark. There were no illuminations, save for the lights coming through the windows in the kitchen. Sakurako grows suspicious as she enters the room along with the Nagibara girls. She only gives a glance to her dark surroundings.
"Something's… not right," Sakurako continued to glance about the room.
There was nothing in the darkroom, not that she couldn't see in the dark. But she's beginning to wonder if something happened to-
*CLICK*
*POP*
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAKURAKO!"
…
…
That was unexpected.
Sakurako is already freaking out on the floor. Yes, she's literally on the floor, ducking down and has her hand covering her head. Like she didn't expect there's incoming gunfire in her direction. She didn't realize at the time that was the sounds of confetti popping all around her. Yet, she looks pretty tensed down there.
The mother, Nadeshiko, and Hanako – hiding behind the couch with confetti cannon in their hands – stare at the panicked girl with such disbelieve. While the Nagibara students are standing in shock, the rest of her friends are also holding their own confetti cannons. To be honest, they did not expect her to react like that. Just seeing her reaction was enough to make them feel guilty.
"Sakurako?" Nadeshiko called, putting away her confetti.
"E-erm… S-Sakurako?" Himawari lowered her confetti cannon slowly and leaned close to the tensed girl. "A-are you okay?"
Sakurako then turns her head up to her carefully as she can be, albeit still tensed. "I… I'm fine."
Akari walks over to the panicked blonde and looks at her face. "Calm down, Saa-chan. We didn't mean to scare you."
Sakurako stares at her with sharp eyes. "T-then what was that sound?"
"We were popping confetti cannons," Ayano then walked over to Sakurako on her other side. "We're sorry, we didn't think you'll be scared like that."
The girls of Nagibara didn't say a word. But from the looks of it, she must've mistaken that confetti sounds with a gunshot. Well… it did sound like a gunshot. What a poor girl. The blonde must have not able to get her mind off that shootout.
"Okay, easy, Sakurako," Akari held her shoulders. "Stand up now."
"Okay…" Sakurako stood up as she patted her chest with Akari's and Ayano's assistance. "Thank you."
"Saa-chan…" Hanako called, looked so guilty with her innocent eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Sakurako replied with a nod.
"We're sorry for scaring you," the mother apologized with a frown. "We just wanted to give you a surprise."
"It's okay," Sakurako paused for a moment but then stared at her as if she forgot something. "Wait, today is my birthday?"
Chinatsu and the rest smile, whereas Chitose laughs kindly at her remark. "Yes, it is, Sakurako-chan. You didn't forget your own birthday, right?" Chitose laughed it off as she covers her pure mouth.
Sakurako pulls out her phone and checks the date of today. Surely enough, today is 7th September, which is Sakurako's birthday.
"I can't believe I didn't pay attention to that," Sakurako then looked up to her sisters and mother. "Is this the other reason why you withdrew my punishment yesterday?"
The mother lets out a sigh, and it was a blithesome one. "Yes, Saa-chan. We don't want to see you continue on your punishment right on your birthday."
"And..." Sakurako then turned towards the girls. "You didn't say anything because you wanted to make a surprise birthday for me?"
"Ehehe, yes we did!" Kyouko cheerfully replied as she scratched her head. "It's so funny to see you scared like that, you know?"
"What is so funny about that?" Chinatsu glared at her. "Don't laugh!"
"You're one step away from Yui having to strangle you, Kyouko-senpai," Sakurako reminded with oblivious eyes.
"Haha, no way," Kyouko arrogantly crossed her arms with pride. "Yui won't dare to make that move on me because she loves me."
"W-what!?" Chinatsu is already screaming panic there. "Y-Yui-senpai!?"
"Sakurako, try to hold back for a moment, will you?" Himawari advised to the dislike of her statement.
"There's no need to say that, Hima-chan," Yui replied with a slightly raised hand. "Besides, I kinda agree with Sakurako."
"Eh!?" everyone responded, at which Kyouko jokingly asked. "You're not going to do that, right?"
Sakurako and Yui then slowly glance in her direction with such dreadful eyes and somehow emit their dark aura. Eyes full of nothing but black.
"Ah… hai…" Kyouko trembled as she slowly raised her hands with utter defeat. "Okay, okay…"
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt," Furoda awkwardly stated. "But shouldn't we get to the cake now?"
"Ah, right," the mother then headed off to the kitchen. "I'll get the cake. Sit down at the table."
The girls sit down at the table straight away, including Sakurako's sisters. They have gathered around the table with Sakurako, Himawari, and Hanako sat in the middle. Oh, birthday. Everyone is smiling, so charmed, but can't say the same for Sakurako. She's looking… awkward, at best. This birthday is usually celebrated by only both families, or just Sakurako and Himawari. But celebrated with all of her friends, including the new ones, is a bit uncomfortable in her opinion.
Finally, the cake is here; the mother sets it down before in the middle of the table. Candles have been set alight similar to a shrunken sun—the cake covered in white and yellow cream. The top of the cake has been decorated with Cherry Blossom flowers, similar to her name's meaning. Instead of the usual pink blossoms, the flowers are replaced with the same color of the blonde's hair.
Everyone then begins to clap with joy. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"
It didn't take long for her to smile finally. And then, everyone begins to sing and plead her to blow the candles out. Of course, she feels obliged to do so. She blows out all the candles in a single try. Everyone stops clapping but retains their smiles.
"Make your wish, Sakurako," Akari encouraged with her hands clasped together.
Sakurako looks down with doubt. "I'm not sure what I want to wish."
"Take your time, Saa-chan," Hanako assured her.
Sakurako takes about 10 seconds to come up with a wish. "I wish for our friendship and family to bloom together, and no such horrible fate befall upon us."
The girls all widen their eyes at her words. Her family, on the other hand, lean back a bit with such wonder at how she phrased it.
"That sounds a bit poetic, don't you think?" Nadeshiko referred to the last part of her sentence.
"It was?" Sakurako asked with a raised brow.
Kyouko grins as cheerful as ever. "Come on, what are we waiting for? Let's cut the cake!"
"Here's the knife," the mother said before she proceeded to cut the cake.
The birthday party went smooth as silk wool. What they find funny is that Sakurako is only eager to eat a piece of cake, and that's it. She wasn't gluttonous for once, and instead, she wanted everyone, primarily Himawari and her new friends, to get a piece of the cake. Thankfully, the whole lot of people was enough to get their pieces of the whole cake. And Sakurako is thankful that she doesn't have to eat much.
Sakurako spends her time to talk with Himawari, her sisters, and the Nagibara students. Of course, she didn't forget to introduce her new friends to the sisters. Nadeshiko and Hanako are glad to see Sakurako is making new friends along the way, and they are from the other school, no less. Still, they can't believe that Sakurako first met Misaka during her shopping run while she's grounded.
As the party progresses, Sakurako had excused herself to go upstairs for a moment. She didn't say why, but they let her go. Thanks to the antics Kyouko made to Ayano, Yui, Akari, and Chinatsu, and the party is lively as ever. Chitose and Himawari talk with Nadeshiko and the mother. Hanako just sits there, staring at the certain fluffy, pink-haired girl, and hold the urge to rub her hair.
A few minutes had passed when Sakurako finally came back down to the living room. She already changed her clothes into a yellow T-shirt and red shorts. Sakurako comes over to Nadeshiko, Himawari, Misaka, and her mother. They are happy that she's back, but they can't help but notice that her eyes are frowning a bit. Also, they notice her hands are holding something, but they can't tell what it is.
"Is there something wrong, Sakurako?" Nadeshiko asked with concern.
"I was wondering, Onee-chan," Sakurako began and then paused for a moment. "How much did it cost?"
"Hmm?" her mother looked at her with confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"The wares you have bought after my careless stunt," there's a sense of guilt in Sakurako's tone. "How much did it cost?"
Himawari, Misaka, and the mother then look back at Nadeshiko, to which then she replies in discomfort. "It's… 75000 yen. Why?
She didn't reply but proceeds to show them a sum of cash. "Here. Eighty thousand yen for the trouble I have made."
"Nani?!" – Himawari and Misaka
"Huh?" – Nadeshiko and mother
Their surprise grabs the attention of the others in the room, including Hanako. On the second sister's birthday, the time when she should be happy to celebrate her new age along with her family and friends. A small moment of it is replaced with her atonement of 'sin' with 'gold' as the price. From how Nadeshiko sees it, this is the wrong time to do it. But then again… she's somehow generous of it.
"Sakurako… how did you get this money?" Nadeshiko asked slowly.
Sakurako pauses for a moment until she comes up with an answer. "Won a money lottery."
Himawari starts to wish she could drop her jaw more comprehensively. How in God's name did she win a money lottery?
But she holds her urge to ask that question when the mother responded with a sweat of concern and awkwardness. "S-Sakurako, you should hold onto that money for the moment. This is not the right time."
"I know you would say that," Sakurako was not surprised. "I'm afraid I have to insist on this one."
They fall speechless at Sakurako's choice of words on the last part. Himawari and Nadeshiko wanted to tell her to hold it. But the look on her face was a begging one. Misaka could see that in her eyes that spells trouble in her mind. Everyone in the room even says a single word to the spectacle. Hanako barely wanted to walk over but decide against it.
Nadeshiko stares at her eyes for the longest time before she's finally giving out a sigh and accept the money. "Alright, we accept the money."
With the money in the family's hand, they watch Sakurako finally sighs out in relief. "Arigato, Onee-chan."
Despite the upsetting moment, the party went smoothly. So smooth that it's already in the late evening, at which all of her friends then returned home.
22:00 PM.
Hanako is in the kitchen all on her own. Sometimes before she goes to bed, she gets herself a couple of glasses of milk to help herself to sleep. And most often hoping that Sakurako doesn't snoop into the fridge to still her bloody pudding like she has done many times before. It is also most troublesome to notice that Sakurako steals a pudding that is exceptionally expensive to buy. Therefore, frustrating her to the fact that she didn't get to eat, and most of all, to taste that expensive pudding.
But for today, that is not the case.
Hanako could say that Sakurako hasn't been her true self for these few days. It was jaw-dropping to see Sakurako is giving generous money to compensate for her action on her birthday. She could guess that she wanted her guilt away as fast as she can. But from how she sees it, Sakurako didn't have to do that. She had served her punishment. So why would she compensate for her action if the punishment was a compensation itself?
Realizing what she's thinking right now, she pushes that thought away by shaking her head. But thankfully, Hanako was able to play with Chinatsu's fluffy hair thanks to her second sister's encouragement. It was so enthralling to touch Chinatsu's hair. She would like to meet her again to touch her hair. That's assuming Sakurako invited them to the house again.
Anyway, she planned to drink her glass of milk. Oddly, she was compelled to drink once. Hanako had to admit that she didn't feel like drinking her milk twice after watching Sakurako's excessive compensation. She then stores away the milk and places the empty glass down in the sink. After making sure there was no spill on the table, she then heads back upstairs to her bedroom. Rubbing her eyes
She is already halfway towards her bedroom.
*BYUUR*
And she stopped near the bathroom upon hearing the sound. She hears the toilet shuts, and a person steps out of the bathroom. It was Sakurako in her pajamas. She already has her hands clean after finishing up her business. Sakurako then turns to notice Hanako.
"Hanako-chan? You're still awake?" Sakurako asked the second sister.
"I was about to return to my bedroom to sleep," Hanako replied. "I drank some milk first."
"I see," Sakurako replied with a nod.
Hanako then notices that her eyes are not sleepy, somehow. "You're not sleepy yet?"
Sakurako softly sighs to the question. "Still can't sleep yet."
"I see," Hanako replied, eyebrows frowned a little. "Are you heading back to your room?"
"Yes," Sakurako awkwardly looked behind her and then to Hanako. "Emm… Hanako?"
"Hai?" now she wondered what she had in mind.
"Can I…?" Sakurako cleared her throat for a moment to rephrase her question. "Is it okay if I sleep in your room for today?"
Hanako slightly leans her head back with surprise. "Why?"
Sakurako then looks down for a moment. "I want to see if I can sleep with you."
Usually, Hanako rejects her request after knowing how much trouble she caused to sleep in her room. That's mainly about stealing the bloody yogurt. But as far as she could tell, she hasn't done anything wrong and yet annoying to her family. Save for the hugging and skin-ship, however. She doubts if it's okay to let her sleep in her room.
But then again… she doesn't cause much nuisance for Hanako. "Alright, you can sleep in my room. Just don't annoy me."
"Arigato, Hanako-chan," she can see Sakurako is smiling like an innocent child.
Funny, why 'innocent child' was the first thing that came into Hanako's mind?
Anyway, Hanako leads her sister towards her bedroom, and thankfully Sakurako didn't try to rush in carelessly. Hanako wanders forward as Sakurako closes the door behind her. Not a word is voiced out while Sakurako looks around the pristine little sister's bedroom. Sakurako turns to look at her little sister to see her already at the bed. Sakurako steps forward to the bed and stands by it.
Sakurako didn't know what to say next when Hanako is already underneath the blanket. Hanako stares at her for a moment and is confused as to why she stands there. But it takes her enough time to realize that she might've forgotten something.
"You didn't bring your futon, did you?" Hanako asked with her sleepy eyes.
Sakurako stays silent for a moment. "To be honest, I want to sleep in your bed."
"No, you're not!" Hanako exclaimed with disagreement. "You're sleeping on the futon."
"But…" Sakurako decided against disagreeing with her and instead sighed in defeat. "Okay… I'll get my futon."
Sakurako weakly turns around and makes her way towards the door. That action alone is enough to widen the little sister's eyes. Hanako didn't mean that badly. She just made Sakurako feels discouraged.
"Wait, Saa-chan," Sakurako immediately stopped in her tracks after the call. "I'm sorry I didn't mean that. I was selfish."
Sakurako then turns around, having a sad look on her face. "Does that mean I can sleep in your bed?"
Hanako lets out a sigh as she frowns at her expression. "Yes, you can sleep in my bed."
Sakurako turns at the door before the bed. After a nod, Sakurako walks over to the bed and lies beside the sister. Hanako shifts to her left until she hits the wall. The second sister gets herself beneath the bed and faces her redhead sister. Hanako then tries to close her eyes but then turns her body at Sakurako. At that time, she saw Sakurako's eyes staring at hers.
What it feels like for about ten seconds to finally feel discomfort on Hanako's account. "C-could you stop staring at me like that?!"
"Actually… can I ask for one more thing?" Sakurako asked with such doubt. "I'll promise this will be the last one."
"Then say it," Hanako tried to hold herself from complaining to the second sister.
Sakurako yet knows she won't like this. "Can I hug you?"
Hanako begins to blush at the question. "N-nani?! Why?"
"To see if it would help me to sleep," Sakurako replied. "And… I want to feel not alone."
Hanako purses her lips nervously before turning around facing the wall. "Okay, if it helps you to sleep."
Sakurako didn't say a word but to stare at her little sister. Since her little sister has permitted her, she carefully circles her arms around the sister. And then, she tightens herself against the sister's back. A bit tight in Hanako's opinion, yet somehow too comfortable and delicate. But still, Hanako is agitated and felt so embarrassed to be hugged by her older sister. The redhead sister is noticeably fidgeting a little to the embarrassment.
Sakurako notices her behavior and lifts her head a bit. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"N-no… it's just…" Hanako paused for a moment. "It's embarrassing…"
Sakurako didn't say anything, and instead, she smells onto her hair. "H-hey, don't sniff on my hair…"
"I'm sorry…" Sakurako quietly replied, sounded as if she just became weary. "I can't help it. I'll just… start to sleep."
Sakurako remains true to her words. She didn't continue to sniff, save for the soft breaths breezing against Hanako's neck. Alas, she never releases her hug from her adorable little sister. A grunt emitted from Hanako's mouth to stifle her extreme mortification. Her hands unconsciously hold onto her hugging arms, feeling her smooth and elastic skin. Her blush reddens from the long period of her embrace, and she didn't say a word.
What it feels like three minutes have passed, the redhead sister suddenly feels Sakurako's arms loosen. Hanako takes notice of it and wearily looks over her shoulder to her sister. She could see her face, and evidently, Sakurako has already fallen asleep. She takes her moment to watch her sleeping sister and finally smiling at the sight. She… can't help but admit how cute she is while she sleeps.
With the blush aside, Hanako turns her head to face the wall as she feels comfortable by the embrace of her kind and loving sister. When she begins to feel her eyes become weary, she slowly closes her eyes and sees nothing but dark. Gradually but surely, they both begin to drift into their Neverland of dreams. She hoped to see Sakurako walking alongside her in peace.
Author's Note:
I'll be taking a break for the next chapter. I'll be busy drawing something after this.