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Before I could finish, the doorbell rang. My voice halted as I was interrupted by the noise.

Both of us turned our heads towards the direction of the noise. The door to the house wasn't visible in our position, but, the sound caused us to react and it attracted our attention.

*Ring*

It rang again, and another time, perhaps the person outside couldn't wait.

*Sigh*

"Coming!"

Again, it happened. Any more than that and my hair would've fallen out. Still, feeling the weight of a car attached to me, I went to the door and opened it. When I did, I was met with a mischievous sounding call.

"Oh if it isn't Senpai~ What brings you here?"

Lo and behold, with merely her voice echoing in my ears, my eyes squinted as though I was looking at something pesky. My lips lowered with the creation of an arch. I thought my soul was being sucked out.

I rolled my eyes away from her and almost immediately lost an egregious amount of energy. I didn't want to deal with this.

*Sigh*

Another sigh escaped, one of the many today. I wondered if that was the final one, but a premonition came to mind suggesting that, as unlikely.

"Hey! What's with that face?! Senpai!"

She clearly seemed insulted, showing a pout. It appeared she might've started stomping the ground as she stared me down.

"Nothing"

Nonchalantly, I replied. Dealing with her; I sure didn't feel like doing it. I could already imagine the mountain of things that she'd ask me, or make me do.

(Oh no, my precious afternoon...I might actually cry)

Putting that despair aside, I took a peek at her.

(What should I do? I could make her leave...but then again...it's her after all)

*Sigh*

"Anyway, come in"

I turned back and slowly returned to the living room, my footsteps started to resemble my footsteps from earlier this morning. My eyes were half-closed by now. I felt like I couldn't keep them wide open anymore. I even hunched my back slightly, it'd been a while since I did that.

"Sorry for the intrusion~"

The same case happened. As soon as she heard that, she entered and removed her shoes so casually.

(They...just how many times have they done that here?)

(I'm starting to dread a lot of things, I'm sure Komachi left some parts out, maybe she didn't want to tell me everything...or she probably just forgot. I'll only hope that it doesn't escalate from here. It's my home, my castle!)

I let out another sigh and halted that thought. When we entered, I saw Yuigahama playfully petting Kamakura.

(Oi, oi, that's...that shouldn't be possible...Kamakura wouldn't easily allow that...right?)

My thoughts stopped when Yuigahama looked at us and waved her hand.

"Oh, yahallo Iroha-chan!"

"Yahallo Yui-senpai"

(What? they're still doing that?)

The two of them then sat beside each other. Looking at them, things were definitely different from how it was in my head. I coughed to get their attention. As soon as they heard it, they turned and stared at me blankly. "What? Oh, you were here?" I got the feeling that that's what they thought. Was I a shadow?

"So, what are you here for?"

I crossed my arms. It seemed as though I was interrogating her. I thought she was supposed to do that to me.

"Ehem, since Senpai would never forget about me, I've come to see what you brought for me"

She closed her eyes and smiled like an innocent child. There was that resemblance of Komachi in there. Most of all, it looked so authentic...I couldn't believe it, literally.

"Well, unfortunately, there's nothing for you here"

She lowered her head. With her hair in the way and only the top of her head was visible, I was unsure of how she handled me saying that, be that as it may, after a few seconds she glared at me with moist eyes, her bottom lip was sticking out, she resembled a child who was about to cry.

"Really? Nothing?"

Was there glitter around her? It sounded as though she was pleading with me to revoke my earlier statement. Seeing her like that made me want to do it, to take it back, nevertheless:

"Nothing"

I also knew that within myself, I wouldn't lie. As soon as she heard that, her cheeks puffed and she exhibited an annoyed reaction. It wasn't as though she was absolutely livid, rather, she was merely disappointed, or at least, that's how I saw it.

(Yup, this is definitely Isshiki)

"Well then...is there anything I could do to make up for it?"

(I say that, but think about it. Did I just...shoot myself in the foot?)

I'm not sure if I did it out of guilt, to end this conversation, or to cheer her up. I wasn't gonna apologize for a false charge, still, I did say it, and now, it's all up to her on what she'd do with my words.

"Hmmm?"

Immediately, her lips curved. She had her index finger slyly rested on her lips.

(It appears she's finally revealed that part of her. Here it comes, brace yourself, me)

"Really? Senpai~?"

She looked at me, she looked at me with a smug face. "Are you sure about that?" As though I'd regret saying that to her. Allowing her this chance, how naive...that kind of feeling, regardless, there was no turning back now.

"Yeah, yeah, ask away"

When she heard that, I caught a glimpse of a devious smirk that she tried to hide. The faint sound of a giggle thoroughly reverberated in my ears.

"Well, there is something I could think of"

(Oh no, there it is. There she is)

Her devilish smile was in full effect, and I did all that I could to prepare myself for the worst.

"Will Senpai take me out to lunch?"

Huh? It took me a few second to fully register her words, nonetheless, I did. It was completely different from what I thought. I had anticipated something annoying, or at least something that would fit her sadisctic attitude.

"That's it?"

"Well, yes, Senpai. Did you think I would have you spend a million yen on me? No, no, I know Senpai can't afford that. Though, if you do offer it, then I'll gladly accept"

(I've now realized...she may have done this, to lure me in. And now, I think I've been played. Letting myself fall for such a thing...)

"Onii-chan, what's this I hear?"

Almost as though the Katakana for 'Bam!' was behind her, Komachi entered with sparkling eyes.

"Lunch you say? Onii-chan! I want to go out too! We haven't even gone shopping yet!"

She flailed her arms uncontrollably like a toddler, while protesting to me. While that happened, I felt the edge of my shirt getting tugged, I peered over and saw Yuigahama.

"Me too, Hikki...I want to catch up on things"

Yuigahama pleaded with moist eyes. Were those the fabled eyes? I didn't know. However, seeing that, I didn't have it in me to refute.

"Uh-yeah, sure..."

"Oh! I know!"

It seemed Komachi had a light bulb pop up above head as she did with a palm-fist-tap. Or at least, that's what I imagined.

"Why don't we all go? Everything's on Onii-chan!"

(Hey, why are you selling your brother out? Komachi?)

"Well that's a nice idea, I have nothing planned next week, so what about you Iroha-chan?"

"Yup, I'm all good. Especially if it's Senpai's treat"

She innocently glanced at me and shot me a smile.

(I have a feeling you have a lot of free time, Isshiki)

"Yay! Well then, let's plan it!"

With her arm up in the air, she approached the two. I sat on the opposite side of the sofa. Even if they were less than a meter away from me, their conversation was inaudible. Most likely because I didn't want to hear it.

From time to time, I gave their talk some minor focus, but that was all. When to meet up, where to meet up, and how they'd mercilessly murder my wallet.

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The two of them didn't stay for long, regardless, it felt like an eternity. I looked at the clock.

5: 43

The sun was near to set, and everywhere was tinged a bright orange.

The two of them wore their shoes and prepared to leave.

"Uhh...do you...want me to take you to the station?"

I uttered something faint, and admittedly, I wasn't sure of how she'd react to that. I looked to my sides and when she gave me a glance, I avoided her gaze.

"No, it's fine. I can go there by myself Hikki, plus I have Iroha-chan with me"

The way she used her tone echoed in my ear. It sounded conflicted, even if she herself tried to reassure me, she sounded rather unsure of herself going by that single sentence.

"Bye Senpai!"

She blurted out of nowhere. Yuigahama and I jolted slightly and turned to her direction. With Isshiki waving her hand, she was already at the gate. Yuigahama then looked at me.

"It was fun...talking to you"

She whispered under her breath. It was fond and tender. I questioned whether I heard it right. I skeptically stared at her. When she noticed my gaze she sported a bright smile and waved her hand as well.

"Bye bye Hikki!"

"Yeah"

I raised my arm. Doing the same to her would've been fair, and so I waved my hand partially. She continued waving at me.

Eventually, I saw the both of them leave.

I closed the door, yet I didn't take a step from where I was.

(What was that? Take her? It's irrational. If people saw us, if anyone saw us, it would only trouble her. I'm not her escort, and I'm not obligated to do it, even so, I said it to her...was it, what? That parental urge?...maybe...or is it something different? Still, there's no point in thinking about it now...she's already left after all, and...)

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(Let's not think about it)

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"We're leaving!"

"We're leaving"

We locked the door and went on our way

It was early in the morning, but I already felt like sulking. Today's agenda already terrified me when I woke up, now, I merely accepted the inevitable.

(Just swallow the bitter pill, me, surely you'll get through it...)

Komachi hummed a sweet melody that echoed in my ear. It was enough to make me believe that today may be bearable.

"Gosh! I'm excited for today!"

(I'm not)

"It's been a while, going out. It's gonna be fun, also because...we get to do this with Onii-chan now"

(Huh?)

I glanced at her with a question in my head, concerning what she said...

"It's gonna way more fun when Onii-chan's around"

She innocently replied to herself with a smile. Even without her looking my way, I managed to catch a glimpse of her expression...her eyes were closed. Her lips had the remnants of a smile. It was less apparent now, nevertheless...

(I get the feeling that she's enjoying this moment)

Sorry, late update...
Kiryu