Chapter 7: Wily and Dreamt as Uncertainty Rises

Reminder: yeah English is not my first language, any grammatical errors seen please ignore it for now!

Disclaimer: I don't own Brothers Conflict.


A yawn escaped from Rina's lips as she was going to school that morning, she's lacking some sleep these past few weeks and if this continues she might get sick from exhaustion and can't do her work in school and tea café. Breathing out the frustration about her problem she continued on her way but ceased from her track noticing that Ema was waiting at their meeting spot with Yusuke beside and a beautiful woman with a long wavy brunette hair. The woman was wearing a crimson dress with black jacket and a thigh boots with tight. They seem to be talking and know each other well and Rina assumes that the woman may be a friend with both of them. Getting nearer she paused from her track again when the woman noticed her closing figure and swiftly smiled causing Ema and Yusuke to turn their gazes at her direction.

"Rin-chan!"

Rina waved at her best friend and grinned. "Good morning Ema-chi, Yusuke-kun."

"Good morning!" Ema went beside her as she greeted back while Yusuke dipped his head and still ignoring to look at her face. Rina cocked her brows in confusion, he seemed to be doing that lately.

"My my my… Who's this imouto-chan? Why is she causing Yusuke… let's say anxious?"

"W..What? No I'm not."

"Ahh you're blushing this time."

"I'm not blushing Hika-nii! I'm feeling I little under the weather that's all and stop teasing me!"

Hikaru's meaningful stare and smile made Yusuke nervous. "I see… Then don't exert yourself too much Yusuke. Okay?"

Rina jaw dropped slightly hearing her—no his voice finally and what did Yusuke call him.

Now that she observed him closely, he has the same features with the other siblings that she had met. This one, even though was cross—dressing Rina can't deny the manly and pleasing voice when he spoke. She thinks that he's more good looking if he wears a men's clothing.

"Hikaru-san, this is my childhood best friend Inagami Rina. Rin-chan this is one my of my brothers his name is Asahina Hikaru."

She bowed her small head a bit and smiled at him. Hikaru went in front of Rina and gave her a close eyes smile. "Hmm… Please to meet you Inagami-san."

"Just Rina. I'm not really a fan of formalities."

"Okay then Rina-san call me Hikaru in return." He continued and stared at her. She saw how his eyes flickered in fascination and noticed his piercing gaze as if looking into her soul. This man is dangerous, she thought but not in a harmful way though. He seems to observe more than talking.

He's a cunning man that's why he's dangerous.

Trying to maintain her façade she didn't let her guard down with this gorgeous man and kept her innocent face. Hikaru seemed to know this so he remained smiling at the interesting girl.

How intriguing…

"Can I ask you Hikaru-san?"

Hikaru can already guessed what she was going to ask but this will be an opportunity for him to know more about her, knowing that her step-sister has a childhood best friend makes the situation more stirring since Yusuke seems to be fond on her, he was curious what will happen if the rest of his brothers meet her. Smirking to himself at the thought of another piece in his game that will surely complicate things more. "Sure. But I will ask a few questions in return~" He teasingly replied which made Rina lifted her brows at him this time.

You want to play a game with me huh.

"Okay!" She beamed and continued. "So… Are you gay?" Rina bluntly asked.

Yusuke tried to cover his grin while Ema gasped quietly at her friend's apathetic attitude, it was nothing new to her because Rina sometimes act this way to know someone, but even her never question Hikaru about his true sexuality when he first met him. Her indifferent tone made Hikaru smirked.

Ahh a candid one.

Without any hesitation Hikaru hoisted his right hand, touching Rina's chin to lean her face closer to him which made Yusuke protest in the background but he ignored his younger brother and continued to watch the girl who's face didn't show any discomfort or annoyance, instead she was more amused at the action.

"Would you like me to show you the answer?"

Just like a fox, a sly one in nature. Too bad though… we're in the same boat.

Grinning at him Rina gave him a challenging look.

"Hm… How about I'll do it." She whispered. Caught off guard at her answer Hikaru remained silent. Rina giggled and moved back to have some space between them again. "Sorry, I'm just messing around Hikaru-san. I think you are a guy who likes to cross—dress for whatever reason." She said, Ema sighed in relief while Yusuke deepened his frown because of what his brother did, on Hikaru's part he was speechless and still staring at her. He's a cheeky one, he knew that and being beaten by this girl in his own game was beyond fascinating…

He tilted his lips upward forming a smirk again and laughed quietly in the end, he didn't miss the amusing look that Rina was giving to him.

"My apologies… I can't help myself from laughing. You are such an interesting girl Rina-san…" His eyes darkens for a while before it turns normal. "To answer your question, I'm just a plain guy really who still love to date women especially the intriguing ones and I'm a novelist, to gain more information I have to cross-dress to observe more closely." He shrugged off.

Rina's eyes glimmered. "Really? That's good news!"

Ema and Yusuke gave her a questioning look while Hikaru widened his smirked this time.

"What's good news about it?" Yusuke finally spoke as he stared at her then to his brother.

Grazing her cheek softly and smiling shyly at them she answered demurely. "I have a thing to men who have long hair. It's a shame if you are a gay that's why it's good news because you aren't."

A long dead silence emitted the air after saying that and Rina was trying her best to hold her laughter. She wanted to take out her phone and took a picture on them because of their reactions even though she wanted to see Hikaru most but the said guy was not at all affected because he kept on smiling like he knew she was just messing with them. At least Yusuke and Ema's reactions were enough.

"No!"

Startled at the sudden outburst of Yusuke, Rina gave him a weird look. Hikaru laughed again this time and patted Yusuke's shoulder.

"I would love to continue this conversation with you Rina-san but I'm gonna be late with my meeting and you three also."

Rina wanted to pout at this, she was having fun talking to him but he was right they'll going to be late if they stay longer. Among the Asahina brothers that she met, Hikaru is far more interesting…

"By the way Rina-san you owe me, I still have questions that you needed to answer. Perhaps next time we see each other I would like to have a nice talk, alone this time." Giving her a meaningful glance which made Rina to gulp for some reason.

Uh oh. Red mark red mark!

"So! I must go. Be careful on your way~" Waving his hand once and walked away but stopped for a moment and looked at them again. Rina didn't like the smile that became visible on his lips, like he was scheming something to corner her. "Maybe you should invite her in our family dinner this coming Saturday imouto-chan… So that everyone can meet Rina-san."

Are you sh*tting me?

"We're having a family dinner? Why does nobody told me about that?" Yusuke asked surprisingly while Ema smiled, happy about the information.

"Really? I'm glad! I was planning to ask all of you if I can invite Rin-chan now that you mentioned it I'm so happy. Thank you Hikaru-san."

Using Ema to corner me in that wolves' den. Well technically not though since Ema was going to ask me anyway. Ugh it was too soon…

He genuinely smiled at Ema this time. "You're welcome just for you imouto-chan…"

"Rin-chan, you're going right? I want you to meet all of my brothers this time."

The three of them stared at her. Rina sighed in defeat and nodded her head. "Yes, I will go." She offered her a big smile.

Hikaru clapped his hands. "Great! Now I really have to go. Janeh~" Leaving the three finally. They watched his fading form until it was gone; they were silent for few minutes before Yusuke broke it.

"Uhh… Maybe we should go also." He awkwardly said, Rina grinned at him and placed her arm on his shoulder making the red hair turned stiff at the sudden contact.

"Yusu-kun's right, c'mon Ema-chi!" Holding her best friend's hand as she dragged both of them. Ema giggled at her friend's action.

Yusuke on the other hand turned even stiffer, his mind shouting in alarmed. Too close! Too close!


ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ


"F*ck no~~!" Rina groaned.

Ema's brows furrowed. "Rin-chan language please…!" Sighing at the same.

Yusuke got surprised, his lips leaning upward as a smirk came into view; hearing Rina cursed like that was quite entertaining. The three of them were at the rooftop and having their lunch together, he heard Rina moaned again in frustration.

"But Ema-chi! I can't believe that the class president agreed on that theme, maid café is he serious?"

Ema inaudibly laugh this time. She already knew that her best friend would react this way, for her, it's quite enjoyable to watch Rina like this, brooding like a child. "We don't have any choice Rin-chan and beside it was not only a maid café it's also a butler café so we all be participating no one is excuse, if you won't then Eri-sensei will surely fail you in her subjects."

Frowning at the mentioned of their sensei's name Rina muttered something incoherent under her breath. Yusuke was just listening, he can't deny but he was excited to see both Ema and Rina wearing maid costumes especially Ema, finally having a nice school festival this year and the last one he should be enjoying every moment of it he promised to himself. A tint pink appeared on his cheeks as he imagined both of them and was certainly sure that they look cute on a maid outfit, particularly Ema. His dreamy look caught immediately by Rina and a wicked grin seen on her mouth

"Looks like Yusu-kun is thinking something perverted~"

At the mentioned of his name Yusuke flinched. Oh crap.

"I'm not!"

"Ehh... Really? I hope you are not thinking about Ema-chi wearing a sexy maid outfit~"

Rina giggled at Yusuke's reaction, his whole face heat up almost choking the food in his mouth.

"Rin-chan…" Ema softly nudge her best friend and gave her a disapproving look. She gave Yusuke a bottle of water which immediately drunk by him and composed himself after that.

"Aww… I was having fun teasing him Ema-chi." She pouted but Ema raised her brows and gestured her to say sorry to Yusuke. "Fine, I'm sorry Yusu-kun I'm just messing with you."

"It's okay…" He said while scratching the nape of his neck, clearing his throat he started to eat in silence and avoiding her gaze. Rina smiled softly at him, maybe she went too far this time yet the red hair didn't even put up a fight which is kind of not him, perhaps he was just guilty but oh well teenage boys do have a thing in such stuff but she just don't like the idea where Ema was involved in such thing… for now she'll forgive him. "I.. I assure you I'm not thinking that way Rina." He muttered, a blush creeping in his cheeks.

Rina found the situation kinda cute because obviously he doesn't want Ema to think that he was some kind of pervert. Ahh I think I really went too far… She smiled, she decided to stop tormenting him.

"You know Yusu-kun…" She started, placing her hand on her cheeks and giving him the most genuine smile she ever had. "You're too nice… too nice that it's impossible not to like you."

Yusuke's eyes became wide, gawking at Rina who was talking to Ema again as if nothing happened. He just heard it right, Rina likes him? He knew that she likes him not in a romantic way but as a friend, but hearing her said those words was making him feel some butterflies inside his tummy and weird sensation crawling in his gut. His mouth sealed and trying to calm his fast beating heart. What was that? Why did I feel weird suddenly? Yusuke felt this familiar feeling before, that's right he felt the same thing when he saw Ema for the first time smiling so innocently at him. Is that even possible? Feeling it again to another person? He was quite uncertain if what he felt with Ema was the same with Rina, somehow it was kind of different, this sensation… Why do I feel so overjoyed?

"Ah before I forget about this family dinner that Hikaru-san mentioned, is it formal?"

Rina asked giving both Ema and Yusuke a look. Ema shook her head and smiled.

"No Rin-chan… Just a simple dinner in our home, too bad though father and Miwa I mean mother can't make it they are still busy."

She nodded. "Well at least it's not formal." Shrugging her shoulder and continued to eat. "Anyway, maybe I should cook something to bring what do you think Ema-chi?"

"That… would be lovely. My brothers will gonna like it Rin-chan. Right Yusuke-kun?" She asked.

"Yeah… I guess, since most of us like to eat…" Yusuke shrugged off.

"Great! Can you come with me tomorrow? I need to buy groceries."

Ema bobbed her head and smiled, Yusuke who was listening at their exchanged was silent. His expression was so eager as if he wanted to say something and Rina sitting beside him noticed this, rolling her eyes she continued again.

"Yeah Yusu-kun, you can come with us this time."

His eyes got wider and can't help but smile finally. Rina blinked her eyes in surprise, honestly she never saw Yusuke smile! I mean most of the time she always saw him frowning or serious or bored even but never smiling. It's kind of refreshing actually. He looks like a kid!

"Maybe you should smile a lot Yusu-kun you look cute when you do that."

She said casually grinning at him but sincere at the same time. The said guy flushed furiously at her sudden comment. What is wrong with her?! "I'll… think about it."

"Aww he's shy~ don't worry it'll be our little secret." She whispered and slapped Yusuke's back making the red hair Asahina groaned in pain. "So, I'll text the detail when we are going to meet okay?"

"Okay!"

Ema eagerly replied. Yusuke just nodded his head while stroking his sore back, Rina beamed at them before giving Yusuke a gentle pat on his back when she noticed he was still in pain. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine, I just got a little surprise." Rina bobbed her head and started talking to Ema.

Yusuke remained quiet the whole lunch and observing the two girls talking to each other, his eyes landed on the black haired beauty again, Rina in his opinion so far was kind and sometimes showing her gentle side, he's still not sure what to feel but something is really strange going on to him. He had a crush on Ema since he was a freshman, her smile was his inspiration and to protect, she was his light truly… but something changed…

Inagami Rina.

Just hearing her name was making him nervous, more nervous than the presence of Ema. He doesn't understand this, Rina was making him feel weird things… Of course not perverted ones. Like whenever he saw her the time will stop and the background will freeze, light particles will cover her and become brighter than the sun, too bright that he needs to turn his gaze away to calm his fast beating heart… It was so strange!

And he doesn't like these confusing feelings…


ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ


"Stop frowning you're making our customers go away." Rina jumped hearing Shioka's voice from behind as she was bringing an empty tray on her right hand. The woman has a bored look on her attractive face as she went beside her.

"I was not Shioka-san." Pouting her lips and glancing at her. "These receipts are giving me headaches…"

Shioka rolled her eyes and shoved the tray to Rina's chest which surprised her at the unexpected action. "Another customer near the big window on the left, go." Taking her position Shioka started working while Rina blinked her eyes but still obeyed her order.

When she reached her destination, his back was facing her. Forming a beautiful smile she went in front of him to get his order. "Good evening sir, may I take your—"

Rina was so shocked after seeing his face, first came to her mind was Asahina Tsubaki, this guy has almost the same feature as him… His eyes and face but the differences are the hair color, the beauty mark and the eyeglass that the stranger was wearing.

Wait! Is he one of the Asahina brothers too?

"Are you alright miss?" He asked. Rina instantly recovered from her trance.

How embarrassing!

She mentally slapped herself, now the guy thought that she was gawking at him which is very inappropriate since she was a waitress and he was the customer.

"Y..Yeah! Sorry, uhm… can I take your order sir?" Giving him a nervous smile.

The guy nodded his head and returned her smile which made Rina sighed in relief and wrote down his orders. After that she left him alone and went back to the counter.

Azusa was confused; the girl is giving him a weird look like she has seen a ghost. But immediately snapped from her daze when he asked her, she seemed fine because she managed to beam before nodding even though she was obviously embarrassed.

Cute.

When she left him Azusa thought that the girl was new, both he and Tsubaki sometimes visit this tea café to do their practice here or when having some bonding time.

Speaking of Tsubaki, he was late…

They were supposed to meet here before going to the event where the autograph signing of famous Seiyuus are going to be held, he took out his phone and called his twin brother. "Tsubaki where are you now? You called me in the middle of my work telling me not to go home because we're heading straight to that event and instructed me to wait you here in Sunuriji tea café, what is taking you so long anyway?" An impatient tone as he asked his brother who on the other line chuckled at his irritated voice.

"Relax Azusa~ you'll get old soon if you keep frowning~" Tsubaki's teasing voice heard from the other line, Azusa adjusted his eyeglass as his lips twitched in annoyance. "And to answer your question I need to help our imouto-chan with something~"

"With what? You didn't do anything stupid right?"

His voice was neutral but his face was frowning deeply this time, he knew Tsubaki so much and if he wanted something he will do everything just to become his. Tsubaki laughed again, amused at his twin questions.

"Nope, nothing really~~"

Heaving a sigh at his twin attitude Azusa looks at his wrist watch. "Just hurry up, because the event will be starting at 8:00."

"Okay! Just give me few more minutes Azusa~ I need to find a suitable outfit for that event since many cute girls are coming~" Azusa mentally slapped his face.

Of course.

Groaning this time he continued. "I'll give you 10 minutes."

"Oi—"

Azusa hanged him up before he can finished his protest. Taking off his eyeglass then massaging the bridge of his nose because talking to Tsubaki in that state was kind of giving him stress, suddenly the waitress who asked him a while ago about his orders showed up.

"Here's your order sir."

Turning his gaze at her he smiled. "Thank you."

Rina was gawking at him again; the guy was so different when he's taking his eye glass off he was handsome she have to admit, at that thought a frown came into sight.

Most of them are good looking. How annoying... How is that possible anyway?

Looking away immediately and going to leave him alone when something caught her eyes beside the guy's chair. Is that a manga book? Rina looked at him again and without hesitation she asked. "Uhm is that yours?" Pointing the book beside his chair. He followed her gaze and saw his manga book on the floor.

"Yes, thank you again I didn't see that it has fallen out in my bag."

"You like anime?"

Rina avidly asked because she's a huge fan, especially shonen jump animes! She likes romance/comedy also. Her eyes were flickering in excitement, Azusa saw this and smiled again at her.

"Yes, I love anime since I was a child and the main reason why I became a Seiyuu."

She gasped in surprised and giving Azusa a 'no shit sherlock' look that made him laugh quietly. Now that he mentioned it she thought his voice was kind of familiar and to be honest it was beautiful, her eyes became wide. "Wait! Are you perhaps Zhehiro Alerro the lead character of Darker Days Saga?"

Please say yes, please say yes…

Azusa batted his eyelid. That anime was his first debut; it was his first role that leads him to become one of the famous Seiyuus today together with Tsubaki who was the lead villain character's voice.

"Yes, it was my first role actually." He answered finally.

Oh my god!

Azusa got startled when the waitress swiftly came in front of him, her face was brimming with happiness and her cheeks were pink and puffy. She was so adorable that moment he thought.

"I need your autograph Zhehiro-sama please…"

Rina's voice became sweet as she asked him which made Azusa to turn red and just nodded his head.

"Uhm sure."

Ecstatic. That's what Rina was feeling right now, she never thought of meeting her favorite character's Seiyuu and it was definitely a dream come true to her. "Here."

Turning her attention and grin again at him this time. "Thank you so much! Uhh—" Gazing at her note where the guy signed his autograph she saw his full name and confirmed her suspicion.

I thought so…

Maintaining her happy face she continued. "Thank you Azusa-san."

"No problem." He returned her smile.

"I'm Inagami Rina by the way… Just call me Rina and it's nice meeting you. I hope to see you again Azusa-san."

"Likewise Rina-san."

A gasp broke out again from her lips remembering that she was still in the middle of work. "Crap, uhm I need to go back to work. I'll see you around…" She said leaving him but paused from her track and glanced at him again. "Maybe you should stop wearing glasses Azusa-san, you look good without it." Beaming one last time and leaving him finally.

Azusa was flabbergasted… He was too surprise that he didn't manage to reply at her sudden comment, he was used to compliments but for a strange reason that girl made him flushed. Few minutes have passed before he was snapped from his shock hearing his phone ring and Tsubaki's name was seen on the screen, clearing his throat he answered the call at once.

"Azusa I'm outside the café, you can come out now so we can go~"

Tsubaki sing-songed on the other line.

"Okay, I'm going out."

His short replied. He was out after few seconds and saw Tsubaki not far away from the café, waving at him. "Yo Azusa! W-What… Why is your face red? Are you okay?" A puzzle look shown on his face while asking his twin brother.

"Yeah, you don't have to worry." Trying to hide his face and waving at him, Tsubaki's lips tilted upward.

"Ehh...I think I know the reason now why you are blushing! Did you perhaps see a cute girl?~"

His teasing question made Azusa jerk his head to him and frown. "Cut it out Tsubaki, we're almost late on that event because of you… Let's go."

"Okaaay~" Tsubaki put his arm on his shoulder while still grinning and they both headed to his parking car. Azusa releasing a huge sigh and smiled at his twin brother's action.


Tadaa!

I want to clarify that the anime was not real I just made it up hehe.

Hope you'll like this chapter. Janeh!

-Aza