Never Meant by American Football
"Dammit Futaba! How long are you going to ignore our rules?!"
It was a typical day for Futaba Otohiro and it isn't getting any better. He lost count of how many times he was sent to the staff room for one little broken rule; constantly reminded to uphold the schools good image instead of tarnishing it with his bleached hair. The boy merely shrugged it off but to no avail as the staff member continued his cavil backlash.
"It's hard to believe you're the younger brother of that honor student."
'This again...'
Of course he had to bring her up again. The beautiful, smart and beloved student council president; a perfect role model to everyone in school.
His older twin sister: Futaba Neiko.
*Tsk* "Whatever... I'm going back to class."
"Hey! I'm not done with you Futaba!"
The blonde slammed the door behind him, frustrated that he had to repeat this antagonistic loop all over again. If only he and everyone else saw her. He knew better than anyone that underneath the brilliance and magnificence of this so-called role model student lied a much more sickening personality. Every time: At home, in school and the public places be it the park or the mall she would always...
*RIIIING!*
'Huh? Class is over already?'
"Oto-kun!"
The boy instantly felt arms wrap around his neck and two soft orbs squish against his chest. Hampering his face was the blissful scent of shampoo and conditioner alongside smooth yet soft black hair. This was the normal routine regarding Otohiro and his overly affectionate sister. Her brocon tendencies bothered him and whenever he tried to stop her antics...
"Dammit Nee-chan! I told you to stop doing that!" Otohiro shouted in annoyance while pushing her away.
"Oh don't be like that Oto-kun~ I know how much you like my hugs~"
"No I do not!"
She can't take a hint. A blunt one at that.
No matter what he does he's always subjected to her "Loving Playtime". The elder Futaba sibling finds an opportunity to make amatory eye contact, discuss about their nonexistent romance, giving hugs from time to time and in bolder, more rare cases a kiss on the cheek. His sister is an affliction to his dignity and to his student status. Teachers belittle or contrast him for not being alike to Neiko, fellow schoolmates (specifically male schoolmates) see him as the truest of enemies because of his existence around everyone's big sister and to one particular person who saw them along with their usual antics...
"You really gotta stop with this pervy siscon stuff Futaba-kun."
Standing in front of the twins scheduled classroom was a disturbed girl with short pink hair. Ninomiya Maiko, a close friend to Neiko and the only witness to the consistent shenanigans these twins always make.
"Ninomiya! No! it's not like that!" The blonde vehemently tried to explain the situation. Even with him alleviating the situation it didn't stop her from sarcastically replying.
"Sure, sure... I believe you."
"I'm serious! You have to believe me!"
"Hmm. Yeah gotcha." She then gestured the two to come inside the classroom before going inside herself. "We'll continue this another time Futaba-kun. Class is starting."
Otohiro groaned in defeat, seeing as he couldn't affirm his abhorrence of Neiko's advances and reassure the pinkette that he isn't this incestuous debauchee who follows his sister like an obedient dog in heat. It's a creepy notion that both he and Maiko agree but because of his sister spewing these defaming stories about him being an obsessive sister lover while she gladly fell into her clingy brocon habits and make a misunderstanding that he couldn't pry away or defend himself it was hard to make her or anyone else for that matter to see the bigger picture behind all of this. The boy then felt the satiny touch of his sister's hand grasping his own.
"Mai-chan's right Oto-kun. We'll continue this after class okay~" She gave him a wink and in response he cringed while ripping his hand away from hers. Going to his assigned seat Otohiro dug his head down on the desk while wrapping his arms around it. Even though class has already started he was tired, tired of all this. Tired of this wretched loop of denigration and perversion, tired of having everyone going at his neck while also repelling his sister's unacceptable desires for him.
It's a dysphoric cycle on repeat.
He wanted it all to end.
'Why couldn't my life be normal?'
'I feel for him, having an older sibling like this...'
Maiko saw the distraught form of Otohiro having his head planted against the wooden board and instantly felt sympathy for the poor guy. Like him, she too the younger sibling of a twin who on sight mentions many of her shameless and embarrassing moments she has done since she was a child. What's worse was that he has this abnormal interest on wearing female clothing more specifically hers and he continued doing so even after he was told not to years ago. Whenever he gets the chance he would steal her clothes from her closet or laundry and have the audacity to not even wash them once he was done using them.
Of course she loves her brother to death but the pros and cons are leaning a little more towards the latter than the former. It's his indelible tomfoolery that is to blame. She can at least see the reason as to why Otohiro died his hair from what Neiko told her. Underneath the fabricated stories she kept telling to the pink haired girl she pinpointed the purpose behind this one delinquent act:
Futaba Otohiro is not Futaba Neiko, that much was obvious.
Still the question remains: What's the context behind all of this? Why did he resort to become the school's lone rebel? Obviously he doesn't like this type of polarizing attention yet he couldn't bring himself to become a model student like his sister. He wasn't an idiot, far from in fact and he could go to a different school given all the negativity surrounding him though he chose to stay. Why, why all of this? Maiko's thoughts were interrupted by the passing of quiz papers. She grabbed the small stack and saw a little addition taped on one of the papers.
"Futaba-kun. Quiz." The girl whispered to the rising boy who lazily grabbed the last piece. Maiko immediately read the note stuck between the papers.
And what she read was disgusting.
"Get out of this school delinquent!"
"You don't belong here!"
"Go join the Yakuza, rebel bastard!"
"Neiko Onee-sama isn't yours to have, creep!"
Without any of the ones responsible for this small compilation of slurs directed towards the blonde seeing that she was one holding the sliver of paper the pinkette crumbled it before storing it away and directed her anger to the quiz in front of her. This school has a reputation of producing and recruiting ideal students to which they constitute the boon of civilization. What she saw here wasn't that. It was petty bullying from elitist snobs who don't like the younger Futaba sibling simply because he's "stealing" the attention of the most desirable girl in the school. The fact that this school prides itself of having perfect students and yet here she sees bullying and slander coming from said students...
No wonder Otohiro is having a rough time here.
'This is going too far.'
*RIIIING!*
School day's finally over and for Ninomiya Maiko she is not going to be relaxing for today.
A combination of after school activities and a chat with the student council president made her stay behind for a bit. Even after subjecting herself to help assist her friend who in between of their usual conversations managed to include her brother stories the pinkette received another task. This one unfortunately came in a phone call.
From her older brother...
"Mai-chann~" A high pitched, can be easily mistaken for a girl's voice joyfully yelled.
"Mmrgh-" 'Play it cool Maiko.' "What is it Anii..."
"Mom said we ran out of milk!"
"Okay? Go get some then."
"Whaa~ No way! I'm already back home!"
The girl's face faulted when she heard that.
'Are you kidding me?'
"You get it Mai-chan~!"
"Huh?! Hey! Hold on-"
"Oh boy! There's my favorite show! I'll see you later Mai-chan!"
"Wait a minute! Anii? ANII?!"
He hung up on her.
'Dammit...!'
Guess she had no choice then.
It's a good thing that she has her wallet with her. The household rarely have a shortage situation and today was one of those days. Doesn't mean she likes doing these one in a hundred runs. She could've been in her room giving her feet the much needed rest but now they have to stay up for a little bit longer. All of this walking when she's obviously tired of it to just get a carton of milk.
'Come to think of it. Wasn't there a new market in town?' Maiko recalled a few posters planted all over the place. Something about a new organic grocery store opening up with the quality of the food being the focal point of the establishment. Her sights then lead to one of those posters in front of a store but something was different about this particular piece of advertisement.
Whole N' Organic
Grand Opening
Business Hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
'Well, what do you know.'
Fortune smiles on her as she enters the brand new shop. It exuberated a home by the countryside atmosphere with its bright lights and colorful products. They weren't kidding when the company said that their goods are top notch. Even at a distance without trying one of the fruits or vegetables she could tell that these were high quality.
'Now, where's the milk?'
The store wasn't immense enough to make her wander around just to find the dairy isle so it was easy for her to just grab the carton, pay for it and be on her way. By the time she did Maiko saw a group of women heading towards the other side of the store where another larger group stood in front of a makeshift kitchen. Traversing through to the front she asked one of the onlookers next to her.
"Hey what's going on?"
"Some cute boy is taking part in a cooking challenge. If the judges think his food delicious then he wins a grand prize of 50,000 yen!" She said enthusiastically.
'...That's a lot of money.'
Curiously, Maiko made her way forward to see who specifically was participating. By the time she got there it was clear who was cooking. A blonde haired boy wearing the male version of her school's uniform with an apron fastened securely around his body. His fluid movements are complimented by his laser focus intensity on the food. The attention he's giving to the dish, from the cutting to mixing of ingredients while also prepping it for the judges was like that of celebrity chefs on magazines. Once he was done the girl managed to get a better look of the participant and she gasped on who this boy is.
"Futaba-kun?!"
"Ah! Futaba-san! This looks delicious!" The announcer proclaimed at the boy's steaming hot dish. She had never seen a beautiful plate of food like his before. The audience were also amazed at his skill in the kitchen and the result of it. It was like looking at their future husband cooking for them with a smile on his face. Soon they vocally showed their wonderment.
"Wow! It does look delicious!"
"It smells good too!"
"He must be a pro at cooking if he made that."
Otohiro blinked at the positive commentary he's receiving. Admiration like this was unexpected to the lone boy and this led him to blush extensively all over his cheeks.
'I don't believe it... I've never been praised like this before...'
"Alright everybody! It's time to meet the judges!"
"Wait... What?"
Coming out of the store's kitchen were a trio of beautiful women with jaw-dropping figures in surprisingly modest clothing. They seemed enthusiastic when the curry hit their noses with it's enchanting scent. With a spoonful of curry and a side of rice they all took the pleasure of eating it; as soon as they did a wave of flavor struck them unexpectedly.
"Wow! This is so good!
"It's super tasty!"
"I can eat this all day!"
While the all female audience looked on with glares of jealousy and pouts seeing as they can't try the alluring food in front of them Otohiro on the other hand froze in place. Their faces and voices plaster the cities all over Japan so it was a big shock for the blonde to know who these girls are.
'They're Gravure Idols!'
"Hey! Are you really the one who made this yummy food?" One of the girls asked Otohiro.
"H-Huh? Er... Yeah l did."
"Amazing! You really know how to cook!"
"This is like something out of a restaurant."
"You can really taste everything here!"
'It's just curry with rice.' His face turned a brighter shade of crimson by the ongoing stream of compliments. It's as if he couldn't get anymore embarrassed than this.
Unfortunately for him it can.
He felt his arm being intertwined by a pair of arms before a pillowy sensation enveloped his whole limb. The boy looked to the side and saw the girl giving him a half-lidded look.
"By the way~ What's your name~?"
"U-Uhh Futaba Otohiro..."
Another pair of arms and soft feeling enveloped his second arm.
"Fufu~ He's blushing, so cute~"
The last girl wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a full view of her beautiful face and cleavage.
"Ne, Otohiro-kun~ You wouldn't mind if you make us dinner tonight? We'll make it worth your while~" She giggled lightly, both at the idea and his adorable, scarlet stricken face.
"A-Ano..."
Steam poured out of his ears at her suggestion. He couldn't take this anymore. In the midst of all the seductive looks and glares of envy he saw one particular girl in the audience. He felt a pit on his stomach when he recognized her short, pink hair and wearing the female version of his school's uniform.
'N-N-Ninomiya?! What's she doing here?! Oh no, if she's here then Nee-chan...' The boy wiggled himself out of the trio's grasp.
"Sorry but I can't! Someone's waiting for me!" He made a dash towards Maiko taking her hand while running away from the crowd. Her eyes widened when she was dragged away; she didn't get the chance to react with what's going on. The audience and judges looked on as the two disappeared from sight. The three idols joined the rest of the girls in pouting with envy at the pinkette holding Otohiro's hand.
"She's so lucky." One of them spoke up to which everyone agreed.
The two students found themselves in the spice section of Whole N' Organic slightly tired from their run. Otohiro took slow and deep breaths while on the other hand Maiko inhaled more gulps of air then him. It took a few seconds for the boy to gather his thoughts before the pinkette spoke.
"Futaba-kun..."
"Yeah?"
"Your hand." The girl pointed out with a slight blush dusting her cheeks. He looked down to see that he is still firmly grasping her hand. His blush didn't fade even when he released his grip and after escaping the affectionate trio.
"Ah! Sorry!"
Both had thoughts regarding their short time holding each other.
'Strong...'
'Soft...'
Though they'll never say it out loud especially when they're this close.
"Seriously, what's the big idea Futaba-kun?!"
"I'm sorry! Again! I wanted to know if Neiko was here with you."
"Huh? No, she's not." That was... odd. Why would he questioned the presence of his sister in a rather perturbed way. It was different then what she usually sees with those two with the older sister being too clingy for anyone's taste and the brother exasperated because of this. Said boy sighed in relief when he heard his sister is not around.
"That's good."
"What do you mean by that?"
His lips formed a grim line before responding. "She doesn't like it when I'm around other girls. Even when I'm talking to you would tick her off."
"W-What?!"
"You heard me."
"Do you know how ridiculous that sounded?"
"If only you knew..."
"If only I- Futaba-kun, what are you talking about?"
"You've seen it before. Again and again whenever we're together. Don't tell me you haven't realized it by now..."
"What...?"
"..." His hands clenched with his fingers digging deep into his palms.
"Futaba-kun! What do you mean?!"
"..."
"What's this have to do with Neiko and you?"
"..."
"Futaba-kun!" A fist flew by her head hitting the brick wall behind her.
"SHE'S A CREEP OKAY! SHE'S A FUCKING, PERVERTED CREEP!" His actions scared the questioning girl to death. His defensive outbursts were nothing new but what she just experienced terrified her to the core. He didn't even flinch when the rough edges of the wall carved into his knuckles leaving ugly scrapes. "You don't know her like I do! You don't know what she's really like behind closed doors! A clingy, spoiled, little brother-loving brat in disguise! That's what she really is and most of the school buy her perfect girl act!"
That piece of information shocked her but he didn't stop there. He continued to release these frustrations knowing that he needed to get this off his chest one way or another. Dragging his injured limb down his fist disappeared and his hand leaned against the wall while he stared at the pink haired girl's eyes with a troubled gaze.
"You ever wonder why I'm the Black Sheep of the school and the Futaba household? Neiko. You always wonder why I'm a Loner. Neiko. It's always her. Even when I'm busting my ass off to at least get some decent grades people still keep trying to contrast me with her. Even when I tried being friendly: the guys get jealous because my sister keeps doting on me and the girls..." His frown deepened when he went into that subject. "Not only do some of them look down on me because of the sheer difference between me and Neiko but said person hated the fact that I'm making friends who're female. The fear I've seen from them was because of my sister and they didn't like the fact that they were a burden to me from all the arguments that me and Neiko have whenever I'm hanging around them. Friendships cut short; all because of her."
He then sat down against the rough wall beside him tired from just talking about the bane of his existence. Otohiro thought it was funny that talking about his sister made him more tired than running in general. His fingers held a strain of dyed hair.
"Turning my hair blonde wasn't just to change my style a bit but it was my last attempt to make my sister stop bothering me, hoping that she'll disapprove my delinquency and finally leave me alone for the first time in years. But that backfired and she supported it not realizing that I don't want anything to do with her. Now our classmates and school staff have the excuse of going after me even when I'm not doing anything wrong just because I broke one rule. It has nothing to do with them but they keep on pestering me about being a hooligan just to gain Neiko's favour..." The boy wrapped his arms around his head and knees. "I never wanted any of this. A normal life is all I wanted and I couldn't even have that. It's not even much dammit. They rather see me gone than see me trying... trying to at least be someone they can rely on..."
Maiko was silent. Her bangs hid her eyes as she processed all of what the younger Futaba sibling said about his sister and the chaos around them. It was a lot to take in and the fact he's there right in front of her just saying that meant that he had no outlet nor a way to ease the emotions he felt towards Neiko and the school body. She then looked back at the comments she made about him though lighthearted it effected him greatly without her realizing it until now. Unexpectedly Otohiro felt his head being hugged and his face up close to a girl's collarbone. He looked up to see Maiko kneeling down with a massive blush on her face and before he has the chance to say anything two words cut him off that hit his heart fully.
"N-Ninomiya wha-!"
"I'm sorry..."
Never in all of his life thought he would hear those two world changing words come out of her mouth. An apology because of all the incest jokes she made and the scrutinizing, sarcastic attitude she had against him. Not only that but he was being hugged by someone other than his sister. This made the hug warmer, comfortable and more meaningful as he too hugged back.
This was solace to him.
The girl simply had her face planted into his hair and familiar words began popping up when he had his arms locked around her torso.
'Strong.'
She wasn't the only one. The boy's cheek brushed against Maiko's skin from her open collar shirt. One word came into mind.
'Soft.'
Though they'll never say it out loud especially when they're this close.
A few minutes passed before they separated but not without their faces hot to the touch and colored crimson. The blonde checked the time on his phone seeing that it's an hour before the sun goes down. Soon as he did a scowl formed on his face.
"What's wrong Futaba-kun?" Maiko questioned to which he showed her the disturbing issue.
Nee-chan
Missed Calls - 115
Unread Messages - 307
'...What the hell?'
Maiko's face merely froze at this particular form of absurdity. She heard a few stories about clingy girlfriends/boyfriends but this stumped her.
'This is way too creepy.'
"Mind giving me a while Ninomiya?"
"Pfft- A while Futaba-kun?"
He merely showed the increasing number of missed calls and unread messages. She nodded as he left the aisle after which the girl massaged her temples at this... this... She can't even describe it.
"My head hurts."
"Ninomiya-san?"
Hearing her name Maiko turned to the judges along with the entire audience standing in front of her.
"Uhh... yes that's me."
"Hmmm..." One of the judges studied her, a sole hand stroking her chin. "SHE'S SUPER LUCKY!"
"Wh-What?!" That startled her.
"Not only does she have the shining example of a model body but she's cute and beautiful at the same time!" The girl pointed at her with a fire in her eyes. "And that is effective when you're hugging that handsome boyfriend of yours!"
"W-What?! Boyfriend?! W-Wait a minute! You were watching us?!"
"During the kabedon and hug scenes? Absolutely!" The other judge pointed out before dropping down to her knees dramatically with a clenched fist. "It was the epitome of a romantic scene! Something straight out of a movie!"
'Kabedon?!' She screamed in her thoughts and in disbelief regarding the position the two were recently in. "Hold on! What are you-" The audience then voiced out their dissatisfaction, completely cutting off Maiko's chance to respond.
"This world's too cruel! I want to have a boyfriend like yours!"
"Someone who is a hunk and can cook? You're cheating Ninomiya-san!"
"It's unfair to the rest of us that you have someone like him!"
As the crowd continues on Maiko thought about the comments they were making.
'They do have a point, he is pretty cute and handsome, he definitely knows how to cook- What am I saying?!' The girl shook her head, trying to remove the thoughts and blush as one of the judges came up to her with envelope in hand.
"Let's forget about them for a sec. It was unanimous. We all enjoyed Otohiro-kun's dish and he deserved the cash prize. We're just upset that he is already taken." She then poked her nose with the envelope before winking. "You got yourself a nice catch Ninomiya-san."
"Wait a minute! Futaba-kun isn't-"
"What's with that racket?" Said boy came into the aisle visibly exhausted from his talk with Neiko.
"Ahh nothing Futaba-kun we were just talking with your girlfriend here."
"G-Girlfriend?!"
The judge nodded before giving him the envelope. "Yup and not only that but I'm here to give you the grand prize of 50,000 yen. Congrats."
"Uhh thanks. But wait a second! Ninomiya isn't-" He was cut off when the said girl grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the girls. "Hey! What're-"
"Forget it Futaba-kun! They're not going to listen!"
They disappeared from sight and as soon as they did the judge addresses the girls reassuring them about the duo that left.
"Ladies! He's single!"
"""""WHAT!"""""
"I'm surprised any of you didn't notice. If they were really together then they wouldn't have to resort to calling each other their surnames. The hug, sure it's a possibility but I'm not too convinced on how real their relationship is. So cross your fingers girls..."
They did.
"And hope that he isn't taken."
"Ninomiya?"
"Yeah?"
"Your hand." The girl looked down to see her hand firmly grasping his after they left the store clearly embarrassed from the people there. An identical situation but the position is switched.
"Sorry."
She released his hand before looking down on the floor, rubbing her elbow not knowing the fact that the girl unconsciously grabbed his hand. Otohiro tried to calm his blush while ripping the envelope open to see the check and saw a peculiar slip of paper inside. It had numbers.
Phone numbers.
He felt a glare hitting the back of his head. The boy saw Maiko, her blush dissipating but she had a minor frown.
"You're such a playboy Futaba-kun." Said the pinkette. The boy turned his head away while hiding the check and phone numbers in his backpack.
"What? Do you want to be part of this?"
"Like hell!" Maiko punched the blonde for the dumb question he said. However they laughed. There's no negativity here. The two proceeded to joke around while walking to which unknown to the Futaba boy they were heading to the girl's house.
"I guess this is it. Thanks again Ninomiya. It means a lot that we get to hang out like this." He said while scratching his head.
"Yeah, no problem. I mean we're technically friends at this point right?"
"Right... Friends." He flashed a light smile to Maiko to which she widened her eyes in surprise. It was her first time seeing him smile; so foreign, genuine and captivating. She was so used to seeing his neutral, tired face that it hit her to see him so... Happy. She drifted her eyes away as she felt her heart race and face burn again.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow Ninomiya. Good night."
"Uh wait Futaba-kun!"
"Yeah?"
"Could we... I don't know... Umm... exchange numbers." 'Gosh, this is painfully embarrassing.'
"...So you do want to be a part of this."
"Shut up."
With their contacts shared they waved each other farewell as Maiko went inside her house to see much to her surprise her mother sitting down on the living room couch waiting patiently while watching television.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back Mai-chan. It took you a while to get a carton of milk hasn't it?" She said sarcastically while turning the T.V. off. Said girl had her eyes open in shock before a tinge of pink formed on her cheeks.
"Umm... Well..."
"You don't need to explain it hun." Her mother's smile turned into a teasing grin. "After all it's great to see that you have a certain someone to keep you company while walking those dark and dangerous streets."
"H-Huh?! What do you mean by that?!"
"I mean you and that cute, blonde boyfriend of yours Mai-chan~"
Not again. "Wait a minute! He's-"
"Oh it takes me back when I was your age! Hanging around this late, walking back home together. It's all too similar a scene when me and your father started dating."
"Mom!"
"I can just imagine your children in the near future!" She sighed before imagining the perfect picture of her potential grandchildren. "So cute! They look just like you and your hubby!"
Maiko had enough. She tried to explain but to no avail.
To hell with just "Explaining."
"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
She finally got it out.
"Oto-kun! What took you so long!"
"I was busy."
"That doesn't mean you can ignore my calls and messages!"
"Says you. I don't have to respond you know."
*sniff* "That's horrible to say Oto-kun. You'll make Nee-chan cry."
'Cry me a river.'
"Regardless, I forgive you Oto-kun~! But you must return my calls next time okay? Come on... promise your big sister~"
"Like hell you're gonna that from me. I'm going to bed so leave me alone."
"What about dinner Oto-kun! I'm hungry!"
"There's leftovers in the fridge."
The boy made his way upstairs to the bathroom, locking it so that his sister won't have any bright ideas. Loosening his tie and removing his shirt he carefully caressed the black and blue spots marred on his body. Opening one of the cabinet drawers he pulled out a few packs and left it on the side to take out a small rattling container. After swallowing a small pastille he wasted no time showering and grabbing the cold to the touch items he went to his room to rest with the ice packs softly planted on where his bruises are. Groaning by the stinging touch Otohiro tried his best to ignore it while also trying to fall asleep at the same time.
"Damn."
'I mean we're technically friends at this point right?'
"...Friends."
"Friends?!"
"What friends?!"
"Whenever you made friends they ditched you for Neiko!"
"They'll forget you and go for that pervert instead!"
"Just like them remember?!"
"That girl from elementary school?!"
"Those bastards in middle school?!"
"It's the exact same cycle!"
"Befriend and then betray!"
"She'll do that!
"Like everybody else did!"
"You're going to be alone!"
"Always!"
"And it's all because of her!"
"..."
The next day. It was the same shift but different day for the Futaba boy. More troubles with his sister when she barged into his room whilst changing. He turned crimson before screaming at her in utter humiliation.
"STOP DOING THAT!"
"Hehe~ Oto-kun's flustered body... So cute."
"GET OUT!"
A few minutes later and he went to prepare today's breakfast. Still taking care and pride with what he's making.
"Ah~ You're cooking is still so amazing Oto-kun~!
"Hmm." No words were coming out to respond to her praise. He was more focused on drinking his second cup of coffee as it was his only means of relaxation. The light brown beverage soothed his tensions.
For now anyway.
"Ne... Oto-kun. Drinking too many caffeinated beverages is bad for your heart you know."
"And minding other people's business is common courtesy."
"Mou... don't be so negative."
"Mmm..." Can't even drink his coffee in peace.
"But I do care about you Oto-kun. I really do." His sister said in a quiet, passionate tone.
"..."
"Oto-kun?"
"Let's go. We're gonna be late again." He said finishing his coffee while grabbing his bookbag and heading to the door.
"Oh! You're right!" Neiko did the same as the siblings walked out of the house. The black haired girl couldn't help but be concerned of her brother's status. He seemed more withdrawn and dependant on his liquid stimulant as though he hasn't had a stroke of repose before. His face still showed the usual, cool neutrality though she couldn't put her finger on his demeanour. Trying something out, she immediately grabbed his head and placed it on her ample chest, rubbing his dyed hair.
"There, There. It's okay Oto-kun."
"Get off of me!"
Otohiro became abrupt with his minor shove, keeping him an arms length away from her.
"O-Oto-kun..."
"..."
He didn't said anything; his hair covering his overtaxed face. Instead he let went off to school without her. Neiko on the other hand was worried for the boy. His shouting at her though common, was louder and more extraneous than before. His push was a hard one, almost close to being painful though he limited his full strength. It hurt her dearly to see him like this.
It was literal torture.
'What's making you so stressed Oto-kun...?'
'Stop. Just stop. Make it stop.'
Otohiro tried to calm himself down while gripping his head. These things keep barging in. He personally didn't want any of these thoughts to disturb him whilst dealing with his twin sister but it couldn't stop regardless if he's in deep water or not. From the questions to the statements, it all hit him. He wanted to address it, to talk back. Do anything to not be silent again.
Unlike yesterday.
'I can't... Just. Not now...'
"Sure, I'll deal with it."
The blonde heard a feminine voice and immediately all of what's going on his head was pushed away to see who that voice was. He saw Ninomiya Maiko reading some papers with serenity and integrity. The pinkette was under a stray Sakura tree with the petals cascading as a cold breeze brushed her while reading. She had one of her hands on the articles to not let it fly off into the sky; the other keeping her hair in place and out of her face. She had a cool and serene look furthering the ethereal profile of her. As soon as she saw him entering school grounds she flashed a small yet angelic smile before greeting him.
"Good morning Futaba-kun."
The current image of the pinkette with all the natural occurrences appearing all around her left him stunned. Before their little "meet up" he always seen her as the Japanese version of Elizabeth Bathory. But now it was a complete 180. He... didn't know what to describe her. He merely stood there captivated whilst pondering on what to describe the girl he's currently staring.
"...Futaba-kun?" She called him out a second time.
"Ahh! Sorry! Morning Ninomiya." He responded, turning red in embarrassment. But not before chastising himself for getting stuck over her salutations.
'Dammit... I look like a dimwit just now.'
"So what's up?"
"U-Uhhh... Nothing! Nothing."
'C'mon man, calm down! She's just talking.'
"Really? Your face is red though."
"Err... Well..."
"Hmmm...?" Her head tilted to the side.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Is it Neiko again?"
'Well no.' "You can say that."
She breathed out in disappointment after which she shook her head. Otohiro mentally sighed in relief.
"Sorry. I'm just tired since this morning." He said scratching his scalp to which Maiko made a smirk and tapped his forehead with the back of her hand.
"Relax, I'm not putting you down or anything." 'Besides I know full well what you're going through.'
More than anyone.
"Thanks..." Otohiro breathed out in relief. Maiko then turned around while responding and showing him the drudgery she begrudgingly accepted.
"No problem. Now before I have to deal with all of "This" here Futaba-kun how about we hang out for a bit. Until school starts at least. What do you say?" She said sweetly as she turned to face him once more still smiling.
His smile though small and answer was all that she needed to know.
"Yeah, definitely."
The two walked alongside each other just like before as the first group of students began to arrive. They started to talk about more things they liked, current events and make jokes here and there. A positive atmosphere was seen between the duo. By the time they reached their classrooms the teacher wasn't present so they resumed conversations sitting down; not knowing that they were seen by other students who were mildly amazed to see the outcast and stone cold girl talking to each other like they were the best of friends. They agreed, disagreed, laughed and sometimes pout. The students coerced with each other while in minor shock.
"No way..."
"Are you all seeing this?"
"Yeah..."
"Futaba and Ninomiya...?"
"You don't suppose..."
"It's a possibility."
"Well... with all things considering..."
"...Not far off from the truth really."
All and all it was a normal sight to see.
"Are you serious?" Maiko questioned him.
"Yes I am." He showed his phone with a paused video in one of the tabs. "This dude had fireworks gunning for him and he wanted his friends to be on it."
"Oh, jeez dude..." The girl watched the person in the video take a lit rocket underneath his trousers as he ran around on fire. She couldn't but giggle at their stupidity.
"I told you! And you didn't believe me! How dare you?!" Otohiro playfully poked her with his phone garnering more giggles from the girl.
"Okay! Okay! I believe you! I'm sorry!"
Unbeknownst to the two their closeness to each other led an almost plausible speculation from the crowd that, at least to them ringed true from what they're seeing.
Also unknown to them their joyful conversations gathered a particular girl who saw the whole event with contempt. Taking her time she approached towards there duo still sitting at their assigned desks and calmly...
"Well well well, what do we have here~?" A voice straining itself from being furious said. Otohiro felt his anxiety spike up while Maiko looked at him with worried eyes as she can see him freaking out internally.
'Oh no...' She thought out knowing who that voice was.
It was Neiko and though she was smiling she is one unhappy girl.
"Ne, Oto-kun? Exactly what is going on here?" The boy in question merely responded in a nervous manner.
"Uhh... W-We're just talking Nee-chan... Nothing more."
"Really? Nothing more?"
"Really Neiko! We're just talking!" Maiko spoke up in his defense. She can't just sit there and let her friend's sister lead him into trouble.
"Mai-chan! I told you I won't let you date him!"
"D-Date him?! What're you saying?!"
"I should've seen this coming since you're so cute, if you confess to him he'll definitely say yes! I won't except it! I'll never except it! Never! Never!"
"Are you even listening to me?! Cut it out with your stupid delusions!"
Between the two arguing Otohiro took the word "Date" into deep consideration as the atmosphere quickly went from serious to comical. Looking away from his bipolar sister; carefully not to get himself into more trouble he looked to the Ninomiya girl and it made him point out the positives about her besides the casual talking they've became accustomed to. She's cute, pretty with a killer body to boot. There was also something more that made him feel a certain way. More components that made him feel...
Happier?
Calmer?
Secure?
So busy with his thoughts that his entire body went into autopilot with his mind influencing his tongue.
"I... wouldn't mind dating her." He said out loud.
"I'm sorry, what was that? I can't quite hear you~?"
The boy clasped his mouth as he burned in embarrassment along with the girl he was mentioning.
"Nothing..." He murmured but the damage was dealt. An angrier than before sister and her flustered friend. Underneath it all however he was true to his word. Especially when he had all his thoughts back together again.
He really wouldn't mind being her boyfriend.
"Otohiro-kun you dummy..." Maiko also murmured out loud before shaking her head on how she said his name. 'Otohiro-kun?! What am I saying?!'
Her blush burned brighter than the sun.
In between the two steam pouring, red faced individuals the older Futaba sister was stuck between sorrow and anger at the two for being friendly (or in her case infatuated) with one another. The way they talked and played with such delight struck a nerve within her that made her march towards them. It was a nightmare come true on what she's seeing. They were close. Too close.
She didn't like that.
Not one bit.