"Wake up Fuyuki! We're going to be late again if you don't get your butt out of bed!" Shouted Natsumi.
"Five more minutes." Moaned Fuyuki
"Fuyuki.." unsatisfied with Fuyuki's response, Natsumi approached his bed until she overlooked him.
"If you don't get up now, you're going to regret it." She threatened.
"J-Just a few more minutes please." He pleaded.
"Alright… you asked for it." She grinned.
"Thank you, I'll be- h-hey!" Fuyuki was interrupted by the sudden shaking.
"Wake up you dork! Let's go!" Natsumi bellowed.
"A-Alright! Alright! I'll get up, so stop...it?" Still half asleep, Fuyuki raised his arm in an attempt to stop Natsumi, as he did so, the palm of his hand pressed against something… soft.
'Squish'
Squish?
As he looked up, his eyes met with Natsumi's, her expression was nondescriptive. As he looked down to where his hand was, his questioning look altered to one of panic.
He immediately removed his hand, and jumped out of bed. Now fully awake, he assumed the seiza position and profusely apologized.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" As he looked up, only to see a continued unreadable expression.
A few moments passed as Natsumi stood there looking down at her kneeling brother. Finally she was able to say something.
"Get up dork… just.. just forget about it okay? Let's try not to be late today." She managed to say.
"R-Right… sorry again." With another moment of groveling he stood up.
"I'll see you downstairs." As she was just about to exit the door, she turned to him.
He was in the middle of gathering his uniform when he noticed her at the doorway. He turned his attention to her, and waited for her to say something.
"You owe me though, no matter what I ask… got it." Was what she said with a slight threatening tone.
"O-Okay." He said, anxiety raising as to what exactly she would ask of him in the future.
"Good." She smiled
And with her declaration finished, she exited.
Still standing where he was when she left, Fuyuki was left taking in and processing the events that transpired.
Well fair is fair… I did touch… her…um…. Fuyuki shook his head, while it still was on his mind, he still had to prepare for school so, despite his mind elsewhere he continued to carry out his morning routine.
As Natsumi was walking downstairs, externally, she seemed to not dwell on what had just happened, however similar to Fuyuki , her thoughts were also on the incident that occurred. The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she became.
Not how I picture my morning starting she shook her head.
-Line Break-
Soon, Natsumi was entering the kitchen. As she sat at the table, Keroro soon joined her and sat diagonally from her.
Seeing she was not her active aggressive self, Keroro wondered if something was wrong.
Kero? She is awfully quiet this morning….
While feeling a bit concerned, Keroro decided to prod Natsumi.
"Gooood Morning Natsumi-dono! How are you this fine morning?" Keroro asked, in a cheery voice.
"Hm? Oh good morning Frog." She absentmindedly responded.
"Kero? Natsumi-dono… is something the matter?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
Natsumi was still recollecting what happened when she woke Fuyuki, the surprise of contact, the jolt from feeling, and the increased heart rate when he… pressed on her.
When hearing Keroro her demeanor shifted to an animated state in response
"Nope! Absolutely nothing! Hah-hahaha." She laughed painfully awkwardly.
Images from before still flashing pass her mind.
As she was finished laughing, Fuyuki walked into the dining area, and sat in his usual spot across from Natsumi.
"Hey sarge!" He greeted Keroro cheerily.
"Good morning Fuyuki!" Greeted Keroro.
As Fuyuki turned to Natsumi, his greeting was less enthusiastic and more anxious.
"M-Morning sis" he greeted shakily, his gaze turned away from her in embarrassment.
"Morning bro…" she turned away from Fuyuki due to the same reason.
The room turned a palpable awkward as the two sat quietly while eating their breakfast.
Okay, this seems totally wrong
As Keroro was contemplating the situation between the two, he saw something curious.
Natsumi and Fuyuki both reached for the same biscuit and unintentionally their hands connected.
As if they had their hands burned, they quickly pulled away to their sides.
"S-Sorry!" Quickly spouted Fuyuki.
"N-No, it was my fault." Reacted Natsumi
Their faces both exhibited a slight hue of red.
"Are you two okay?" Asked Keroro.
"Yep never better!" Fuyuki stated.
"We're fine toad… Uh make sure to clean the dishes today okay?" Natsumi deflected.
"Will do Natsumi-dono!" Saluted a shivering Keroro.
While Keroro and Nastumi were conversing, Fuyuki glanced at his watch, and was alarmed at the time.
"Crap, look at the time." Panicked Fuyuki
"Let's go! I do not want to serve detention" Nasumi added.
Both quickly moved from their seats and rushed for the door.
"A-Ah, you first." Fuyuki offered.
"T-Thanks." Natsumi slightly stuttered.
After this brief pause, they exited the door.
"Just what the heck has got those two acting like this?" A seriously baffled Keroro wondered.
-Line Break-
The way to Kissho academy was a quiet one, while usually a light banter between the two would start, this time around there was no such pleasantry.
While they walked side by side there was a noticeable distance between the two of them, something that was decided consciously.
As they trodded along, they walked rather rigidly. They continued to do so, looking ahead.
This occurred for a greater duration of their route when still in one of the suburban blocks, students from behind were bicycling on the sidewalk at a quicken pace, as they cyclists were coming quickly behind the two, they seemed not to notice.
When someone did notice the cyclists was coming behind them, and quickly to boot, it was Natsumi, and her response was, automatically pulling her brother closer to her so the cycles would miss him.
"Sorry!" The cyclists shouted in passing.
"Watch where you're going." She barked.
As she watched them go, seething in anger.
Her mood shifted when she was soon made aware of the intimacy she and Fuyuki had currently.
She had one of her arms pressed firmly against his side, forcing them closer and as a result his face was awfully closer to hers as well.
He was staring back, with a slight look of discomfort, but also a hue of red.
She released him moments afterward.
"A-Ah thanks." He stated with slight embarrassment, his hand behind his head.
"Don't mention it." She responded, an awkward smile plaster on her face.
Both experience a foreign sensation in the pits of their stomachs. Their pulses increased as well.
Once readjusted, they continued on their way, albeit a bit closer together than before.
-Line Break-
As they reached the gates, they started to split
in their separate paths.
"See you later sis." Fuyuki gave a quick wave.
"You too dork." She reciprocated with a flash of a smile.
While both were still feeling a bit awkward around each other, it seemed their initial embarrassment had subsided. However, when they were together for a time, slight peculiarities surfaced in feelings and at times thoughts.
As they parted, Natsumi was almost immediately flanked by Koyuki and her other friends.
While walking and chatting she glanced at Fuyuki briefly.
She saw that while Fuyuki was seemingly isolated, Momoka slowly approached him and eventually was able to greet him. They then began to walk in tandem to their class.
Natsumi found herself clutching her briefcase a little too tight after seeing them together.
What the…
As soon as she began to shift her gaze away, Fuyuki looked toward her direction. Their eyes both met, and briefly locked.
Almost instantaneously, they jolted their heads in opposite directions in slight embarrassment of being caught looking at one another.
Wait… why did I turn away? We just looked at each other. What the thoughts that were present in both their minds.
"Uh hello?, you there natsumi?" Questioned Sayori.
"Huh? Oh sorry, could you repeat that?" She asked.
"What's wrong Natsumi?" Asked Koyuki
"Oh, nothing, nothing is wrong." She waved away the concern.
"Hm… if you say so…" stated a skeptical Koyuki.
Eventually, they reached their classes and both of their days had started.
-Line Break-
Time went by quickly, and the bell for lunch was soon rung.
"Natsumi! We should sit together! Hehe." Koyuki came walking toward Nastumi's desk with a beaming smile.
"Uh.. yea sure, okay." Was her response as she was fiercely hugged by Koyuki.
As they entered the cafeteria, and gained their food, Natsumi scanned the room for a place to sit.
Upon her scan, she saw Fuyuki sitting with Momoka. Most days this was a common occurrence, and while she usually thought nothing of this, today she felt… slightly irritated, just like that morning.
She found herself approaching Fuyuki's and Momoka's table without thinking.
Koyuki followed suit.
"Oh! We're sitting with Fuyuki and Momoka today? Nice!" Koyuki beamed.
"Y-Yea, nice." Momoka shakily stated.
While Fuyuki facing away from Natsumi and Koyuki, Momoka internally became agitated.
What does that Hussy think she's doing? This is Fuyuki and mine time. Buzz off
As they approached, Natsumi opted to sit next to Fuyuki, as Koyuki sat across.
"O-Oh, hey sis." He said with slight surprise.
"W-What's up?" He questioned
Unsure exactly what to say, after a short moment she quickly came up with something light.
"What? I can't sit with my little bro and his girlfriend." She ruffled his hair.
"W-what? Girlfriend? No… Momoka and I are just friends." He brushed off Natsumi's jibe.
He turns to Momoka.
"Right?" He smiled.
Natsumi slightly grinned, seeing Momoka frown.
"R-Right… just friends…" she managed to squeak.
With the initial banter over, a light jovial conversation began with the group. During their conversations, Fuyuki, unbeknownst to him, was edging closer to Natsumi as they talked. Nastumi was not aware as well, and both seemed to miss that their sides were nearly touching one another.
While Koyuki did not notice as well, it did not go unseen by Momoka.
W-What's going on here, d-do they not realize they're almost t-touching each other?
While cross, Momoka just kept up with the conversation while trying her hardest not to be affected by the two's closeness.
Lunch soon came to an end, and movement toward afternoon classes shifted.
Natsumi and Koyuki got up together as Momoka and Fuyuki did the same as well.
"See you later Fuyuki." Koyuki smiled.
"See you later Momoka!" She continued.
"See you later." Whispered Momoka.
" see you." Said Fuyuki.
The then turns to Natsumi
" see you later sis." His smile widened
"See you later Fuyuki." She moved to ruffle his hair, something she had not done in some time.
Instead of resisting, Fuyuki found himself smiling.
After this, they went back to their classes. While Natsumi found herself humming, Momoka found herself seething.
-Line Break-
The ending bell rang, and classes were over, Natsumi traveled over to the sports field for practice as Momoka joined Fuyuki for the paranormal club.
-Line Break-
"Im home" a tired Natsumi opened the door to the Hinata Household.
She promptly dropped her bag, and collapsed on the couch, taking a moment to rest.
"Welcome home sis, woah, you seem tired." Fuyuki entered the living room with a few snacks that he had made.
Fuyuki thought it would be nice for a change if he made an afternoon snack instead of Natsumi making them. While he tried his best they did not come out as great as he wanted.
He travelled over near Natsumi and sat the plate down on the coffee table, then took a seat near her on one of the chairs.
"Oh, sweet." Upon noticing the sweets, she promptly took one and popped it in her mouth.
Her eyes lit up a smidge as she turned to Fuyuki.
"Woah, did you make these?" She asked.
"U-Uh, yea… they're not as good as yours but, I thought I would try making something today." He smiled.
"N-No, they're delicious." She grabs more.
"Aw, thanks." Fuyuki turns red.
The two sat, and enjoyed their evening, chattering away shifting from topic to topic, while enjoying each other's company. It was one of the few times that it was just the two.
As the two sat idlely and chatted, while the television was on, a familiar program started its opening theme, where it grabbed the attention of the two.
"Ah, cool! It's ponyo! I remember when we saw that in theaters. His eyes lit up as he turned to Nastumi."
"Yep, I remember, back when we did more things together." She smiled.
"Say, let's watch it, to see if it's as good as we remember." She suggested.
"Sounds good to me." He reciprocated her smile.
As they both turn to watch, Nastumi notices Fuyuki's somewhat uncomfortable position as he turns to watch the movie.
"Y-You could sit over here and watch it, for a better view." She stated.
"Oh, uh.. pardon me." As he shifted over to the couch she scooted over to make room.
While initial a person away, as the movie continued, they edged closer to one another without notice.
As the movie ended, he turned to her.
"That was a good movie."
"I totally agree."
When the turned to face each other, the distance between them was minimal.
"Oh uh… hey there sis." He meekily said.
"Hey…" she said uncharacteristically.
As the moment was silent, and the two froze, the door open and in came Aki.
"Hey Kids! I got off early today and… when she turned she saw something that was to say the least, unexpected.