Honestly, I thought about leaving this for a couple of days, but then I thought: why? I WANT IT OUT NOW.

So yeah. Fastest update in Crimrose history. Holy shit, amirite?

I've set up a few things for the future in this chapter hehehe. I also think I'm the only person who enjoys Swifty's new song. But they use ouroboros in the lyric video - I was like, "GASP I HAVE THAT TATTOO!" Every other person in the world who has that tattoo probably felt far less shook, but I felt PLEASED.

ANYWAY ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I do not own Brother's Conflict.

Chapter Ten

Worry

Yusuke-kun is psychic, it seems. He's vehement that we don't go to school together today. He tells me he's leaving first and that I have to keep a certain pace behind him. I try not to let my temper show, because that is ridiculous. But we have to get along, I remind myself. I can just tell him at lunch. We say our goodbyes and he leaves first, practically running out the door, and I wait a few minutes before taking off as well.

Since I can see him vaguely in the distance, I know how to get to the station. I try to memorize the way by myself, so that I'm not relying on him all the time. I try to remember certain houses with distinct features as landmarks – one has a bright blue door, another has cute pink shutters. I heave a sigh without thinking about it. I suddenly feel lonelier than I did basically living by myself.

I hear a zipping sound behind me, and I place it as the wheels of a bicycle against the ground and the spokes spinning in an even rhythm. I move to the far side of the sidewalk, just in case, but the noise slows down as it grows in volume, meaning it's getting closer. It stops beside me, and I look over to see Iori-kun.

"Morning again," I joke, since we'd had breakfast together.

"You're going to be late if you keep going like this," he tells me, using one of his legs as a stand to keep his bike in place. It's a very pale mint green, sleek and thin with a shape that's reminiscent of the seventies. "Hop on."

"Oh," I mutter, glancing around as I'm sure tandem is illegal. But he's waiting with a polite smile on his face, so I hike my bag over my shoulder and clamber over the frame so that I'm straddling the seat behind him. My heart is aflutter as I'm pressed close to his back and he tells me to hold on tight. I'm panicking; do I put my arms on his shoulders or around his waist? I go for lightly putting my hands around his waist, going with what I see on TV more often. It's solid and warm underneath his uniform, and I'm surprised at how much taller he is like this; I can barely see over his shoulders.

"I'll take you to the station," he says, voice calm and collected as ever. I suppose a 'prince' like him is probably used to being kind like this. "You holding on?" I nod, before realizing he probably can't see, then vocalize the affirmative. He kicks off and I unconsciously put my arms a bit tighter around him, momentarily jarred by the movement.

We pass Yusuke-kun in no time, the spokes shrieking like cicadas when he moves to go down a hill. He stares at us, open-mouthed, and I laugh into Iori-kun's back. I feel his frame shaking from a soft chuckle, as well. My hair whips around my face a bit, the breeze cool and snapping against my face, and my stomach is in my chest like going on a loop in a roller coaster. Iori-kun smells fresh and like mint soap, simple yet heartclenching. We arrive at the outside of the station and I hold his shoulder to steady myself as I climb off, and I turn to him with a smile.

"Thank you so much," I tell him, and he smiles back, disarming and not even a little winded with the extra weight on the back of his ride. I suppose it was essentially downhill, but still, I'm heavier than most. Suddenly I'm feeling the shame that I'd missed out on before.

"Any time," he tells me sincerely. "I'll see you at home."

I'm early for the train with the time that saved, so I wait for Yusuke-kun. He can't complain if we take the train together; lots of people take the train together, and it doesn't necessarily indicate that they live together. He arrives a little out of breath, as if he ran the rest of the way.

"You okay?" I ask, leaning down slightly. He looks up at me and makes a bit of a face.

"Your hair's messed up." I try combing it back into place with my fingers, then decide I'll just retie my bun. I do it while we're waiting on the platform, untangling my elastic from my vengeful locks and letting it fall down my back. I notice him staring.

"Is it that bad?" I ask, aghast. How did my hair get so mussed when most of it was in a bun? I'm more self-conscious than ever as I paste down the flyaways with my hands.

"No, it's just – been a while." I don't know what he means, but I hurriedly tie it back up into its high bun before the train pulls in and sends it into a flurry of frizz. We step inside and find ourselves cornered against a window again, so I decide now's the time.

"So," I begin slowly, casually. He just grunts in response, either already irritated and he is psychic or something pissed him off earlier.

"Why are things so awkward between us at home?" He starts sputtering and spirals into a coughing fit, so I pat him on the back to help him get it all out.

"Um." He's at a loss for words, I see. "It's just… the whole thing is awkward!" He's looking away, pointedly, and I notice the similarities in his attitude towards me – with Subaru-san, that is. "One day I only see you in class, the next you're at my house all the time." He's silent for a moment, stewing in his own thoughts, and I keep quiet but try to keep eye contact so he knows I want him to continue. "It's just… weird. I already told you it didn't upset me." He meets my eyes for a second, so I nod. "I want to be more comfortable with you."

We immediately fall quiet after he says that, both a bit startled that he did. Then we begin laughing nervously at the same time. "I mean, I meant it, but like not in a weird way, like - "

"I get it," I tell him. "Now the feelings stick is passed to me." We're nearing our stop, so I try to make it quick, and someone shifts so that we're effectively squished closer together. If that wasn't a sign from the universe I don't know what is. "I feel the same way, but I don't want you to keep avoiding me." He makes a face like he's exaggeratedly weighing that in his mind, tilting his head side to side. "I know that's easier, and sometimes I feel like doing it, too. I'm not the best at talking to people, and the nonsense that's come out of my mouth these past couple of days…" I scrub my hand down my face. "It's embarrassing. I'm embarrassed."

"Don't be," he says hurriedly. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you, because I have been. I've never really known how to talk to you." He grimaces. "I'm the one who should be embarrassed."

"I made a rather striking first impression," I admit. "I'd have a tough time talking to me, too. But we're in each other's lives for the long run, now, so let's talk more. Even if we end up embarrassing ourselves."

"That just embarrassed me," he says, scrubbing the back of his neck. Like Subaru-san, again. I wonder if they've all picked up that habit – it would be hilarious if they have. We're finally able to file out of the train and breathe again, and we're a bit closer this time as we hike the rest of the way to school. "But I'm with you."

"Each day tell me a random fact about you," I say suddenly, inspired, "and I'll do the same."

"That's terrible."

"But it's a good way to get to know one another!"

"Yeah, if you're speed-dating." He looks like he immediately regrets saying that. He ponders for a moment as we approach the entrance, Matsuda by the gate checking for any non-regulation uniform alterations. I wince. "Um, I can't hold my booze well."

I stare at him. "That's the first thing that comes to mind when you're talking to me?"

He shrugs. "Can you blame me?"

"Hinata," Matsuda calls out to me. I look at him with a cordial smile. "The cardigan?"

"Sensei, I'm so cold I think I'll die if I take it off."

"We'll talk about this later." Yusuke-kun and I are dismissed, and he starts shaking his head. "He loves picking on you."

"For whatever reason. Anyway, I suppose I can't blame you for that. I, on the other hand…"

"Can hold your liquor like a middle-aged Irish man who has to officiate his own son's funeral? I'm aware." I roll my eyes back and forth, thinking that it was a bit of an exaggeration, but I attribute it to my genes.

This time we keep talking even when we reach the classroom. His expression indicates that he's forcing himself to, just a bit, and I really appreciate it. I don't say so, because I fear it may embarrass him even more, and he looks like he's building up to something.

"What was with you and Iori this morning?" He asks finally, before we take our respective seats. The classroom is still fairly empty; Maho-chan hasn't arrived yet, so I linger around Yusuke-kun's desk a bit longer.

"Oh, that was super nice of him," I respond, still reeling from the whole experience. "He was worried I'd be late, so he gave me a lift to the station."

"Some people were saying they thought you were his girlfriend." He's muttering now, so I have to lean down a bit to hear him. "Girls from his school. They seemed a bit upset, too…"

"Hm." I just shrug. "Well, they're wrong, obviously. Not like it matters what they think, yeah?"

"Then we should be able to go to school together."

I find myself laughing at that without even thinking about it. "We've always been able to, Yusuke-kun. I was happy going along with whatever you wanted. Whatever makes this easier on you."

"I want to go together." He's looking right at me when he says it, cheeks flushed and eyes wide, his brows furrowed. He looks like he may burst a blood vessel.

"We will," I respond. "It's easier that way. It's not like people will say we're dating; they know better anyway." I said it to take some pressure off of him, but instead he looks a bit crushed. If I didn't know any better I would have gotten the wrong idea about that.

Maho-chan sees me through the classroom window and launches herself into the room, making an entrance. "Hello, dolly." She slings an arm around my shoulder to drag me over to my seat. I wave to Yusuke-kun with a smile, and he gives a meek one in return. "How's your tat feeling today?"

"She's fine." She doesn't bother chewing me out for using a personal pronoun for the ink imprinted on my skin. "She's already peeling, meaning she'll be itchy soon." I make a face. "Not looking forward to that."

"Do not scratch," she reminds me firmly, slapping my hand playfully. "What if your ruin her perfection?"

"I know." I was hyper paranoid about that, even with my first, very impulsive tattoo. The best thing to do is poke them or smack them, I've found, but it's best to do nothing at all.

"You and Asahina seem pretty close lately," she comments suddenly, gazing at me expectantly. She tried a new eyeliner look, I notice. I compliment her on it; it makes her doe eyes look bigger and more innocent, but she just waves me off. Dammit.

"We live closer together now," I say, going with the excuse I'd thought of yesterday. I'm mighty proud of myself, because it's not like she can disagree; she has no idea where the new house is located. I wonder about if I'll ever be able to invite her over some day –

"He's one of your new brothers, isn't he."

"Dammit, Mahoko!" I hiss, leaning forward to growl at her. I'm taking on the attitude of Juli today, it seems. "You can't tell anybody. He didn't even want you to know."

"I can't believe it." Judging from her expression, she really can't. "That must be so weird. I mean the whole thing's weird to begin with, but now you're living with someone you've only ever talked to in school." She considers. "Occasionally outside of school, but I'd be surprised if you remember."

"Do you all think I'm some kind of lush?"

"We've had interventions behind your back. Regardless, I can get why he doesn't want anyone to know." She winces. "It must be awkward."

"It really is, but we're working through it, I think. We've never been incredibly close, so I'm looking at this as an opportunity."

"I wonder what Sasakura will think." I told her not to tell anyone, so I know she means this completely hypothetically. One of the reasons I've stayed friends with Maho-chan even though I'm aware of the fact that I'm hard to deal with is that she's loyal to the core, and she never breaks a promise. There was a time when things got a bit rocky, but she stood by me, so I vowed to myself I'd always do the same for her. It didn't feel right not having her know, so I'm a bit relieved now that she does. "He'd probably flip a gasket."

"I think anyone would." The teacher walks in at that moment, so we lean closer to whisper for a few more seconds. "Try not to act weird around him, okay? He's my brother now."

"Oh." She shudders. "Oh god." Then she turns away and I have to stifle a giggle. The shape of the word in my mouth even makes me feel weird, in reference to Yusuke-kun or any of my others brothers, but saying it aloud also makes me feel… happy.

I think of how I'm able to use the word 'mom' now, when I'm talking about a living person. I hope that someday I'll be comfortable with referring to Miwa-san as such. She might be happy if I do. I'm smiling to myself as our teacher begins the lesson, and I bring out my homework from last night to be checked.

I make things worse when I high-five Yusuke-kun goodbye as he's leaving to go to his job and I leave for mine. Maho-chan would have smacked me over the head if she hadn't known that the result would be her getting it back tenfold without me consciously deciding to do so. Way to not make things awkward. A high-five? My stomach is clenching, screaming at me to repent for my sins.

Erika-chan and I work at the same place, so we head there together. Maho-chan makes me promise to text her more details on my living situation later, and while I roll my eyes at her I feel a bit eager to do so. I love gushing about things with her. Erika-chan happens to overhear and asks me, "You moved?"

"Yup," I respond. "A little ways away from here. It's no big deal, though; I'm still going to keep working at the same place."

"Thank god." She breathes a sigh of relief. "I don't know if I'd be able to handle working there without you. You're the only person I really know; it's good to have someone to talk to."

"I agree completely." The pressure is on her more than me at work; Erika-chan is absolutely stunning, and most of our clientele is of a male demographic to come and see her in real life. I'm happy to support her and she's really a great person to talk to, so witty and no-nonsense. There have been very rare cases in which we've had to escort some of the rowdier customers out of the building. It's the kind of thing that no one would think happens in real life, and I was shocked enough when it actually happens. But I'll gladly be her yippy little guard dog, despite the fact that she's a head taller than me and has the posture of a damn queen.

We reach our workplace, a café a couple blocks away from Izumi-san's tattoo parlor. It's on the smaller side and family-owned, and there are a few more people our age who work there, most of which we go to school with. The décor is on the minimalistic side, mostly done in monochrome shades ranging from white to light gray, with house plants out the wazoo. There are large windows so that the primary light source is natural, and everything is baked in-store. Our uniforms are incredibly simplistic; just a white top with black pants and comfy shoes. The owners themselves interviewed us and hired us on a trial basis, which is where Erika-chan and I really started to get to know one another. We were officially hired last year, having received approval from the owner and both of her children, who are basically a decade older than us.

It's a pretty popular place, all things considered. There's no locker room so we take turns changing in the employee washroom. I use a white sleeveless tee-shirt as my uniform, so that my new tattoo is exposed in all her glory. Other places may say it's bad for business, but the owner is in love with all of mine. We've yet to have any of our teachers as customers, thankfully; this place might be a bit too hip for most of them. Suffice to say, other than Maho-chan, Erika-chan is one of the only people who knows about my tattoos. She's also heavily appreciative of them, which is pleasant, but it's not like I got them because I wanted them to be seen or to be complimented. There was just something about having the images play on my skin that made me excited every time I looked at them.

I finish tying my apron around my waist outside of the changing room and stick my notepad and pen in the front pocket. The owner, Ryouko Nishikawa, greets me in the kitchen. She notices Deirdre and swoops down like a hawk, oohing and ahing over the worksmanship. I'd have to let Izumi-san know people are already loving it. She's a cute little lady, having graduated from her forties last year, who always keeps her hair in a sleek black bun and has a smile permanently stuck on her face. Her children are her doubles, essentially, if not a bit more curt. I head out on the floor to get sweeping the entrance before customers start streaming in.

"Ooh, is that a new one?" Erika-chan asks, poking her head outside of the glass door, which sets off the cheerful little chime.

"Yeah," I respond, holding it out for her to see. She doesn't merely look but grabs my wrist and twists it around gently to examine from all sides. She's wearing gold bangles and a musky scent emanates from her wrist. I feel that awe that swoops over you when in the presence of a beautiful popular girl, making your chest warm with the tiniest twinge of envy.

"I love it," she swoons. "The wing is so detailed… Imai's brother did this one, too?" I nod. "I'll have to book him in for mine."

"Ooh, what do you want to get?"

"I'm still undecided," she says, attempting to look like she's doing more by holding out the dustpan for me. "Yours is making me think about a bird, for sure. The wing is just gorgeous."

We continue talking about tattoos and how much they hurt as we set out the evening menu and give the tables a once-over with a rag and all-purpose. Ryouko-san's son, Hayato-san, starts restocking the glass display cases with the freshly baked cakes, tarts, and cookies – amongst other things that make my mouth water. If there's any left at the end of the night, I remind myself to buy one of the cherry eclairs. He notices me staring and waves me away; I know he doesn't dislike me, but he certainly dislikes the amount of dishes I've broken over the past year.

We get a few customers in about half an hour into my shift. I greet them at the door and show them to their seats, delivering some water and allowing them some time to deliberate over what they'd like. When they both want the cherry eclairs I try not to make a face, and bring them over along with their chai latte and matcha. I hear Hayato-san grumbling about lattes, and wondering about what happened to straight black coffee, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. People like what they like and that's fine. I find myself wishing his sister, Umi-san, was working today. She usually keeps his cynical comments to a minimum.

I check my phone on my break only to discover that – surprise – she's dead. It figures that last night, when I felt so together for getting all my work done, I'd forgotten to charge it. Juli usually reminds me, but he was in such a bad mood… I feel guilty for making him feel that way. His heart is in the right place; he only wants to keep me safe and from getting hurt again. Hayato-san notices and slides me something in ne of their plain white takeout cartons, the name of the café printed in simple black lettering in the bottom right corner.

I look up at him – he's probably around six-four – curiously, and he just shrugs. "For your break. Don't be looking so upset around our customers."

It's a cherry éclair. I could kiss him. I split it with Erika-chan and we do a bit of homework on our break; she helps me with my math. I'd have offered to help her in her studies if she wasn't stellar in English and everything else. She had to be the epitome of perfection if I believed that existed, but I could never place that kind of expectation on someone. Erika-chan is very good at handling the attention she receives, but I know too much makes her uncomfortable. Who wouldn't it effect negatively is the real question.

Since we're curly-haired sisters we spend a good chunk of our break trying to tame the manes into more manageable updos meant for food service. It's undoubtedly more difficult for her, since hers are more tight and bunched together than mine are. I decide with certainty that I need to shower tonight when I get home. Thinking about it makes me wonder about what Ukyo-san's cooking tonight; I feel a bit better knowing that Kaname-san is his helper tonight rather than him doing it alone. Yusuke-kun's shift is over around the same time as mine, so I figure we'll get home around the same time as well. Before I get back to work I quadruple check a map of the train stations and where I'm going on the internet; it'll be way darker this time, and I'd like to be perfectly sure before I go off by myself.

It's odd; I've known these men for two days and I find myself anxious to see them. I'm a bit miffed by this, as I'm used to missing my father, but I've known him forever. Maybe it's just the atmosphere I miss, the absolute certainty of a home and a family that I've never had, but something tells me that's not it. I feel strangely lonely when I'm not at the Asahina house, and I barely even know them. It must be because I've been alone for so long. I try to calm myself down in the bathroom, as I very briefly felt nauseous. How am I ever going to be alone again at this rate?

I think about what Juli would say if he was here. He'd hit me, tell me I'm overreacting, because I absolutely am. I don't know what's making think I'm going to be alone, or that I need the Asahinas in my life already, but Vivi Hinata needs to calm. The fuck. Down. I spend a few more moments with myself and dab some water on the back of my neck, which had beaded out in a cold sweat. I'm an anxious person by nature, and I think the change in environment is finally getting to me.

I wish I can have Erika-chan's confidence, but more than that, I'm glad I have the ability to switch expressions like theatrical masks. The rest of the night I'm able to keep it together until my heartbeat settles and I'm not sweating bullets anymore. The cherry éclair's fresh flavour lingers in my mouth, and I greedily gulp down ice water every chance I get. I feel myself again just before the end of my shift and we're putting everything away for the night. Erika-chan and I get changed and head out for the night; she lives close to the neighbourhood the Asahinas are in, so we're taking the train together. I'm immensely relieved; walking by myself at night understandably makes me nervous, and I'm incredibly paranoid about it.

She shows me pictures of the tattoos she wants on the train. It's considerably emptier at night than it is in the morning, most of its passengers dressed in business suits or clothes suited for popping into the convenience store. We try to keep our voices low considering that most of them look exhausted. It's a different vibe at night; the city lights are flashing by like watching shooting stars up close. The moon is a bit larger than a crescent tonight, reflecting of the glass of the city. Variations of colognes, perfumes, sweat, and other bodily scents permeate the air, but it's not entirely stuffy in this car; just a bit warm. When it pulls to our stop, Erika-chan and I say our goodbyes at the station, and I hope she gets home safe. I offer to walk her home, because I'd rather be certain that she gets there in the same condition I see her now, but she just waves me off and tells me not to worry.

I stop at a convenience store on the way home, suspiciously still in my school uniform this late. I buy a peach tea from the refrigerator along with some chocolate wafers, like I always do when I get home from work. This place is a bit different than the store by my old house; it's in amazingly better condition and far more well-stocked. But old habits die hard. Only last week I was buying the same treats and chilling in the park by my house for about an hour before I got scared and ran home. I don't know if there's a park like that nearby, but I figure it's better to head straight home anyway. I'm eager for dinner and to see everyone again, especially Juli.

I finish my wafers almost instantly after paying for them, and keep my drink in hand as I head back to Sunrise Residence. My legs barely ache from all the walking and standing I've done, which I can thank jujutsu for. The peach tea is sweet and refreshing sliding down my throat, and I feel in a way better mood than I had earlier. I wonder if Yusuke-kun's home already, or if I'll run into him on the way.

I do run into one of my brothers, but it's not him. I'm striding down the street purposefully, enjoying the night air and the cool breeze against my legs when I see a figure approaching me hurriedly from up ahead. At first I'm on guard, tensing my arms and legs for fight rather than flight even though the opposite should be the case in an attacker situation, but I realize I recognize the frame even from far away. I can see coyishly spiked hair and figure it's Kaname-san, dressed in his casual clothes rather than his robes. I smile when I see him coming towards me, until I get a good look at his face when he passes beneath a streetlight. We're only a short distance from the mansion, so I immediately think something's wrong.

I rush to meet him, almost dropping my tea in the process. "Hey," I greet him when he's within earshot. "Is everything okay?"

When he's right in front of me, I see he's out of breath. Before I can say anything else, his arms are around me, too hot and his body heaving. I'm shocked into stillness, holding my can of tea precariously away from him, and awkwardly patting his back in response. "What's wrong?" I ask with a short laugh, unsure of what to make from this behaviour.

He pulls away slowly, towering over me, and his brows are crushed together. I have trouble analysing what emotions are playing out on his face, but I think it could maybe be anger. I've never seen him anything but happy and relaxed, so I'm more shocked by that than I was by the hug.

He keeps his hands tight on my shoulders as his golden eyes seem to plead with me. "Where were you?" He demands, breathing roughly. "We were worried sick. You didn't even bother to call any of us, and you just walk up and ask what's wrong?" With each word his voice started to grow in volume. My eyes are wide, an animal cornered by its prey, and I feel rigid in place. My heart is racing, yet feels like it's stopped at the same time. Ice is in my blood, and my hands start sweating so badly the tea slips away from me. I scream at it in the back of my mind, begging for it not to spill, but of course it's in vain.

I'm struggling to find words; they seem to be caught in my throat. The night had been pleasantly cool seconds ago, but now it's far too hot. "I… I was at work," I say finally, my voice choked and distorted.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He begs, shaking me a little.

"I… forgot?" I can tell he doesn't like that answer by the way his grip on my shoulders tightens. It may have hurt anyone else but I don't really feel it. "I – I – I just…" I quickly realize I'm not going to do anything but stutter because my thoughts are everywhere.

He can tell I'm frightened, if that's the right way to describe it. His grip eases, as does the massive crease between his eyebrows, marring his handsome features. "We thought something had happened." His removes his hands altogether, and there's a tense moment of silence between us. "Your phone?" He asks finally.

"I forgot to charge it last night." My voice is small.

A few more of my thundering heartbeats pass. "I'm sorry," he says, his voice gruff. He drags a hand along his jaw, eyes fathomless. "I can understand if you feel uncomfortable reporting everything to us. But… we didn't know if you were safe. We're not used to having a girl around, and anything can happen." He apologizes again, seemingly having regained his normal cool composure.

"You were worried," I say, the words sour in my mouth, as I'm unused to them.

"Of course," he says, a bit startled. "Your our sister. We take care of each other."

Suddenly my eyes feel hot. I haven't felt whatever emotions are coursing through me for some time. There's shame in there, guilt for making them worry, but my throat is choked up. I realize I'm close to crying, and do everything within my body's power to keep that from happening. That's not something he needs to see, but he deserves an explanation. I have to tell everyone at home how sorry I am, that I shouldn't have made assumptions. I just…

"I'm so sorry," I say aloud, my voice a croak. "I'm not used… to having anyone waiting for me at home. I really just forgot to let you know." I have to sniff, and I try to hide it as best I can so that he doesn't worry even more. "Yusuke-kun knows about my job, so I just figured he'd let you know. That was terrible of me. I can't believe I…" I trail off, at a loss for words at my own stupidity.

"Hey, hey," Kaname-san says soothingly, rubbing comforting hands down my arms. I have no right to be the one being comforted right now, but I didn't have the strength to push him away. "It's okay. We just need to talk about this with everyone when we get home. We're going to worry about you regardless of whether or not we know where you're going to be so…" He snorts, very elegantly. "We should have thought a bit more about where you'd be instead of freaking out. I'm just glad you're safe."

I want to apologize, over and over again for making them feel things they never should have had to. I'd always thought of myself as responsible, but I overlooked such a common courtesy that I feel like an absolute bigot. Instead I say, "Thank you," because I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.

I've been cared about my whole life. Juli's protectiveness, and my father being with me whenever he could, my paternal grandparents. They all showed love in different ways. But I'd never been confronted with concern like this before, so open and honest. It tore into a part of me I didn't know existed. I knew they were kind, but I had no idea it would go this far. I gather myself as best as I can, and summon up a smile.

"Whoa, what's going on here?" It's Yusuke-kun's voice from behind us, coming up with one hand in his pocket and another holding a popsicle. He looks suddenly very concerned when he gets a good look at my dumbass grin.

"Yuu-chan," Kaname-san drawls, and suddenly I feel a bit worried myself. "Come here, kid. Let's all go home together." He throws an arm around his younger brother's shoulders, a bit too tight as Yusuke-kun chokes a little and drops his ice cream trying to force him off. There's been two food casualties tonight, far too many for my liking. Kaname-san drags him up to me, then holds out his other hand. A bit shy, I take it and we walk the rest of the way home, Yusuke-kun asking what's wrong, and Kaname-san giving very passive aggressive responses.

Everyone's on the fifth floor, and the atmosphere is incredibly tense. I'm ambushed by Tsubaki-san the moment he sees me, and before he can say anything - I know he's going to because he takes a deep breath in and stirs up my hair – I explain myself as simply and curtly as I can. Since there was really nothing to worry about, I figure keeping my explanation short and honest is the best course of action. For some reason Tsubaki-san is approaching Yusuke-kun with a threat very clearly written in his posture, though none of this is remotely his fault. I say as such, and even he apologizes to me. That worsens my guilt, and Masaomi-san comes in and simply dismisses the issue.

"Everything's fine," he says simply, his usual smile in place. "Let's just go on with tonight. This didn't even happen. Vivi-chan, do us a favor and put your work schedule up, okay?"

"Will do!" And I do, that second. I bolt down the stairs and add it to the chart with all the stickers, using the silver one to mark the days I work. Ukyo-san is nodding in response, and we organize it so that I have the easier chores those nights, his hand on my shoulder. I really had worried all of them. I should feel guilt to my very core, but instead it's primarily guilt with a cheeky bit of pleasure in there. It's nice to have someone waiting for you, to worry for you, even if it makes you feel a bit sick inside.

I eat the dinner he had put away for me with Yusuke-kun, and we talk about our homework instead of the incident. It's better that way, I think. I really would like to go on pretending like this never happened, that I'd never made them feel like this. But I knew I'd never forget, for the rest of my life, how loved I feel right now. It's almost embarrassing. Juli somehow manages to get downstairs, completely nonchalant, and I share my dinner with him. He knows my work schedule, and was expecting me home late tonight. I'm glad he doesn't seem to know what transpired; it would probably make him sick to his stomach.

"I really am sorry," Yusuke-kun says to me, his eyes glazed over with guilt. Before he can say anything else, I cut him off.

"It's not your fault in the slightest," I say vehemently. "Please don't think that it is. My business isn't your responsibility."

"But I'm taking care of you from now on, too," he argues, brows furrowed.

"So am I. And in the spirit of taking care of each other, let's forget that this ever happened. Because nothing, really, did happen." I raise my eyebrows in turn, daring him to challenge me, so he turns his gaze to his food and mutters into it as he continues eating. I smile, appeased, and wish Wataru-kun a goodnight, along with Masaomi-san, Iori-kun, and Subaru-san.

"Years were taken off my life," Tsubaki-san breathes, settling in the chair next to me. "And then you brought them back. I need a beer."

Kaname-san slides one across the table to him. "Lou-chan wanted to drive around for you."
I choke on my food. "Please tell me he didn't."

"We didn't let it get that far." Azusa-san seems to be one of the only ones not drinking this time. I'm glad he always seems expressionless and cool; he had probably been levelheaded the whole time. I send a silent prayer out to him, and he smiles at me. "I think he got so stressed out he's passed out on the couch."

"Who's dragging him to his room this time?" None of them volunteer, so I decide to. Tsubaki-san snorts, but Yusuke-kun has a faraway look in his eyes.

"She's not kidding," he mutters. "Best let her do it. She can manage better than any of you."

They all look terribly lost, but I just smile and smack him lightly, embarrassed. He coughs.

"Where do you work?" Tsubaki-san asks, crossing his arms on the table and leaning into them. I pass his beer to him, as his new position made it difficult to reach.

"A café close to our school." I tell them the name, and they've never heard of it. I'm not surprised. It is a bit of a hole in the wall.

"If you ever need a ride home, don't hesitate to ask," his twin offers, cordial as ever. They really like to offer me rides – not that I'm complaining. I'd be happy to take them up on it, more to spend time with them rather than for convenience. A little voice in the back of my mind wonders if that's why they offer them to me as well, and even though it's presumptuous to hope, I still find myself blushing at the thought. I'll be over the moon if that's the case.

As we finish our leftovers, Yusuke-kun and I are about to retreat for the night. I quickly do our dishes, still infatuated with their dish soap. I check the schedule and see I'm doing laundry tomorrow, and get an overly girlish excitement in me. I think it's safe to say that laundry's my kink – not to say that it turns me on, but it comes pretty close. The smell of clean sheets is just incomparable, not to mention how it feels sleeping on them. I'm honestly hoping no one walks in on me doing it – it could be a bit of a strange sight.

I'm climbing the stairs to the loft when Azusa-san comes from the direction of the bathroom. We smile at each other, and I realize he may be the one I've spoken to the least. He doesn't seem to feel the need to converse with me too much, which I'm only partially thankful for; the rest is disappointment. I'd like to get to know him, too, naturally.

He walks up to me, completely nonchalant, and I assume it's to say goodnight. So I'm surprised when he places a hand on my head. "Don't make us worry like that," he murmurs, the eyes behind his glasses awfully disarming. In this moment I swear I see no resemblance between him and Tsubaki-san; their faces are carbon copies of each other, but he couldn't look more different. "You don't want to be punished if it happens again, do you?"

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

"Er, no," I say, trying not to giggle like a schoolgirl. Which I am. But I'm good at pretending I'm not.

"Good." He leans away, smiling brightly. "Have a good sleep."

"See you tomorrow," I respond, and he laughs a little.

Juli, of course, makes a comment when we're alone in the elevator. "Of course you're not even safe with that one," he growls. "You can never let your guard down."

I'm still busy trying to get my heartrate under control. "Yep. You got me."

That makes him look at me, the muscles in his brow furrowed, if that's possible. "Chii? You alright?"

"I need a shower," I respond as we stop at the fourth floor and I pull my key from my pocket. I press my hand to my cheek, then to my head; Tsubaki-san had done the same thing, and I'd also felt a phantom feeling lingering then. But it was his twin's words that left me feeling a bit unsteady. "A cold one," I add, shutting the door behind me and locking it, like I did the past two nights. But now it seems to carry a whole different meaning.

I wrap my tattoo up; can't get it wet until it's healed almost completely. It's indescribably nice to lather shampoo and conditioner into the nest on my head, and when it's wet my hair reaches to just below my hips. It takes a while to work everything in, but I'm glad to feel nice and clean again.

I chat on the phone with Maho-chan while I finish up the small amount of homework I have left. When she asks me what happened when I got home, I give her a very vague response. I don't like keeping things from her, yes, but… this was my first major mistake since coming here, and I'm not ready to admit that. Instead I settle for telling her that they worried about me, just because of how selfless they are. She knows I'm leaving something out, but leaves it for another time. I know this, because she threatens me about it.

When I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, noting how upstairs is awfully quiet tonight, I think of my brothers gathered in the loft just to make sure I was safe. I think of how I'd called Yusuke-kun my brother out loud today. The feel of Iori-kun's back against my chest. The look in Azusa-san's eyes when he said the word 'punishment'.

I fall asleep smiling, and to the sound of Juli's irate grumbling.

RIGHT? RIGHT?

Why does Vivi work at a cafe? Because what female protagonist doesn't? There is a legitimate reason, I guess, but I'll probably leave that for later.

I don't know if y'all picked it up, but Vivi wasn't smiling at the end because she was happy to have all these kind brothers. Well, she kind of was, but... you know. Maybe you'll figure it out, maybe not, but it's coming some day, regardless.

REVIEW PLEASE AND THANK YOU HEEHEE I CAN PROBABLY GUARANTEE AN UPDATE THIS FAST WILL NEVER OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE. EXCEPT LOOK RIGHT AT IT AND TAKE YOUR SWEET TIME HAWHAWHAW