Brother's in Chaos

Oww… my head hurts like shit….

…yaemori san..?

"Bwaaaa~"

Ah, her eyes are swirlin- wait, am I on top of her..?

Sitting up, I fixed my glasses as I unintentionally straddled her, fighting the blush rushing to my face.

Carefully getting off of her, I cleared my throat as she came to her senses.

"Oww…"

"You're the one who grabbed me out of nowhere," I muttered, rubbing my head. "What's up with that, Yaemori?"

"No honourific? Oooh, are you perhaps falling for me?"

"You've lost all respect you once had," I deadpanned. "Start talking before I give you a worse nickname."

"W-Waah?"

Looking around her room, I started to notice the absolute chaos her room was.

Clothes upon clothes, bright posters and collectibles, plushies and an insanely expensive-looking PC setup in front of her bed; my question is where the hell does she get the money for all of this?!

"Hehe, impressed, are ye?"

"Answer the question, busu."

"Hey! That wasn't nice!"

"Ehh? You say that but you're grinning like crazy."

I sighed as Yaemori smirked as she sat up.

"Well? Why'd you pull me here?"

"Oh, that!"

Yeah, that- wait wait wait, why are you crawling forwards?! ! Too close, too close!

"What's going on between your brother and his neighbour? I want to know! I need to know!"

"A-Ah, Yaemori san…"

Averting my eyes, I pulled my glasses off and sighed.

"Too close… mind backing up?"

"Oh, sorry, sorry! I'm just really curious is all!"

Glasses back on, vision reacquired.

"You have really pretty eyes."

H-Huh?

"I mean it. They're really pretty."

T-Thanks, I guess….

I cleared my throat, adjusting my glasses.

"A-Anyway, why do you want to know about Kazuya and Ichinose?"

"Kazuya? Ichinose?"

"Yes," I sighed again. "Kinoshita Kazuya, my brother, and our neighbour Ichinose Chizuru."

"Ooh! That's right! Are those two dating?!"

Standing up, I patted down my sleeves and frowned.

"Cant say," I said. "Go ask them yourselves. I'm not speaking on a private matter."

"Oh, c'mon, don't be a stinky bum~"

"I'm leaving. Goodbye."

"Wait-!"

Slam!

..fuu~

Haah~…

That was close.

Better lock myself in my room so she can't follow me then.

"Hello!~"

How the actual fuck!?

"Tee hee! I'm a ninja!"

"Out. Out right damn now."

"Aww, c'mom, you wouldn't throw a cute girl outta your room like that, would ya?"

"It was a mistake for you to be born."

"Bwaaaahaaaaa!"

Fuuuuu…. …haaaaaah~

"So? How'd you go the other night?"

Passing my cigarette to my co-worker, I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

"What do you mean?"

Pressing my back to the wall, I took back my cig and sighed as Jyogi gave me a look.

"I took her home, woke up the next day and we talked about it," I said, drawing before exhaling. "Nothing more than that."

"Yeah yeah, sure ya did."

Spitting to the side, I felt a grin tug at my lips.

"Unlike you, I'm not desperate."

"Woah man, low blow."

"Expect no mercy from me."

Drawing again, I sighed as the taste of tobacco entered my mouth, ash falling from the lit tip.

"I'm still surprised that you smoke, Kinoshita. Never pegged you as the type."

"Hah, well…"

Pushing the bud against the bin, I tossed it in and sighed.

"I actually hate it myself," I said. "When I'm stressed out, or feel like I hate myself, I'll usually just have one."

"Woah man, that's…"

I chuckled as I waved away his concerns.

"I'm fine, it's just a bad habit I've picked up."

Jyogi huffed despite his grin, lighting his own cigarette up.

Medium-length brunette with hazel eyes, Kanabe Jyogi is one of my friends from work, and also a partner I work with at my College.

He's incredibly chill, and we often trade jabs and low blows on the daily, but overall he's a cool guy all-round.

Only thing is that the boss has gotten out of hand with both of us. She's constantly calling us her 'Princes of Hell' that rule the 'Bar of Desire' and 'Kitchen of Fever Dreams'. She really doesn't make much sense, but we just suck it up and go with it. Helps that the pay is good as well.

"Oh! My rides here, Kinoshita. Seeya next time, ay?"

"Don't try anything funky man. Seeya tomorrow night."

As Jyogi disappeared in his cab, I stifled a yawn and checked the time on my watch.

[2:34]

Baah, I should probably get going. The late night trains should still be going.

Walking along the path in silence, a small breeze provided cool air as I smiled softly, enjoying the small moment of peace and quiet.

Thud Thud Thud Thud

Hm? Someone behind me?

Glancing over my shoulder, I frowned as I saw nothing but dim darkness before facing ahead again.

C'mon Kei, you're just tired and hearing things

Adjusting my glasses, I felt shivers down my back as a stick cracked loudly.

Alright, there's definitely something following me!

Increasing my pace, I suddenly turned a corner and hid in the darkness, waiting as my nerves jumped at every slight noise and sound.

"…"

No one, huh… guess I shouldn't have expected them to fall for something so stupid.

Moving cautiously, I made my way back to the path and slowly peeked around the corner.

…nothing, huh….

Making my way back towards the railway station, I glanced at a window and groaned.

Really? She's following me around? Farrkk man, this chick is crazy.

Well, now that I've noticed her, it's honestly impressive how she can do that in public at all.

Reaching the train station, I caught a glimpse of Yaemori dressed in ninja cosplay looking about suspiciously before attempting to hide in the shadow of a vending machine.

"…this is stupid."

I walked towards the vending machine, frowning as I saw her panic, trying to find a way to escape without being caught.

I reached forwards and grabbed her wrist, dragging my pursuer into the light as she blinked owlishly.

"What the hell are you doing."

"Ehehe… nothing?"

I groaned as I let go of Yaemori, finally looking at her properly.

She was fully garbed in dark navy ninja garbs and shoes, a fake katana sheath on her back with a handle sticking… out.

"Are you live-streaming this?" I asked sweetly.

"Nope! I'm recording so next time I can sneak up on you successfully!"

…I'm lost for words, I really am.

"Just… gods, come here."

Pulling my jumper off, I passed it to Yaemori.

"It'll hide most of the cosplay, so wear it," I said. "Stop creeps from looking at you weirdly."

"Let them come! They're no match for the Master Ninja Yae!"

Cuffing my sleeves, I frowned as she struck off poses, shadow fighting an invisible foe.

"The next train is here," I called out, already waiting for the doors to open. "Hurry up."

"Coming!~"

Boarding, we sat together in silence, Yaemori humming a tune cheerfully as I crossed my arms, losing focus on the world around me.

Guess I'll sleep in this morning, I don't really have much to do.

"You really look the part, Kino kun; a true bartender who flirts devilishly with his female patrons!"

"Why do you… haaa~, shut your mouth, Yaemori."

My life had become a game of hide and seek and the seeker always wins.

No matter what I do, Yaemori is hell bent on irritating me to no ends, and I'm reaching my limit.

She'll occasionally pop into work and have a few drinks with friends, either ending with two outcomes: 1. She gets drunk and passed out, with me taking her home or 2. She waits for me to finish and stalks me to the train station and end up going home together.

When I'm not working? Yaemori will enter my apartment room without warning and talk to me, occasionally watching me study or work, or bringing her own University work to do. I was surprised to realise she went to my Uni as well, and that led to my next hell.

Anytime I was at the Uni for a lecture? She'd find me. WITHOUT. FAIL.

It's honestly impressive, and I've grown so accustomed to this that it's now the norm.

And I don't know if I hate it, or enjoy the change.

"Thanks for the lift, Jyogi."

"No problem man. Seeya next week."

Waving, I grinned as he bounced off the rev limiter and disappeared into the night, leaving me in front of the apartment complex alone.

Work was getting busier as the end of term was approaching, and I was seriously looking forward to some time off. I think Kazuya had mentioned something about a beach trip recently as well, so I might ask him about that as well.

I made my way towards my apartment, humming quietly as I pulled my keys out of my pocket.

"Gotcha-!"

I slammed the door shut in her face and continued walking, still humming a song as I inserted my key into the lock.

As I pulled the door shut, I flicked the lock into place just as somebody started knocking on my door.

"Let me in!" Yaemori wailed. "LET ME IN!"

Placing the chain in place, I opened my door a tiny bit and smirked as she glared at me through the crack.

"Why, good evening Yaemori," I said mirthfully. "What can I help you with?"

"We. Need. To. Talk."

"Hai hai…"

Letting Yaemori inside, I locked the door again as she immediately plopped onto my bed, grinning weirdly as she muttered to herself.

"I'm going to get changed, help yourself to a drink or something," I said. "You know how to make a coffee now."

"Hai hai!"

Closing the bathroom door, I clicked the lock into place as I discarded my work clothes: long-sleeve button-up, black vest and slacks.

Pulling on sweatpants, I went to leave the bathroom only to hear Yaemori singing outside.

Ahh, better throw a shirt on just in case… fuck, there isn't one in here, and I don't really wanna wear my work shirt again.

Yaemori will have blackmail material no doubt, but… haaa, fffffuck it, I couldn't care less right now.

I unlocked the door and stepped out, making my way towards my wardrobe.

"Kino kun! I made you a hot chocolate!"

"Ah, thanks!" I called out, pulling a sweater on.

Closing the door, I turned and sat down in front of my setup as Yaemori bounced forwards, setting a cup down as she sat beside me.

"So, what's with the sudden call?" I asked, turning on my laptop. "Especially this late as well. Normally you'd ambush me in the morning."

"Well, I have some news on your brothers love life's. Are you jealous? Hoh hoh, if you beg, then maybee I'll tell you!"

"Hah, don't care," I deadpanned as she pouted, punching my arm. "If anything, you should get checked out for multiple personality disorder. The way you talk is all over the place."

Picking up my mug, I took a sip and blinked.

It's actually alright. Not too hot, and the chocolate isn't too weak nor overpowering.

"Surprised?"

I glanced over at Yaemori grinning.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I thought you were nothing but a child. I'm surprised you managed to make something half drinkable."

"Ehe~"

"That wasn't a compliment."

Logging in, most of my applications auto-booted as I checked the time on my watch.

[00:43]

"So, why is my brothers love life so important?" I asked. "Actually, how the hell do you know about this?"

"I overhear them talking on the balcony all the time!"

…what…. …I'm actually lost for words…

Yaemori smirked as she nodded, huffing in excitement.

"They never notice me, so I'm always getting all that juicy gossip! And, guess who's going to the beach this week?!"

"Not you," I said, ignoring her beam. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you stalk him."

"I know that!" She pouted. "But… what if we stalk him together?"

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed.

"This is the dumbest idea I've ever heard of."

"I didn't hear a no~"

I clicked on Chrome and began browsing the internet, sending a text to Kazuya as Yaemori watched from beside me.

Bz! Bz!

"Huh, that was fast."

[KK: I'm going with friends, Odaiba beach I think?]

[Me: Alright, cool. I might tag along]

[KK: Please don't]

[Me: Too late. Thanks bro]

I locked my phone and set it down, looking over at Yaemori as she grinned toothily.

"I'm curious as well," I frowned. "And there's no way in hell I'm letting you stalk my brother."

"But it's fine if you do it, hmm?"

"Of course," I grinned. "I'm his brother. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a love-starved woman who constantly harasses an innocent man."

"Puh-lease," Yaemori grinned. "You are anything but innocent, and I ain't love-starved! Ya hear me!"

I chuckled as I closed my google, taking another sip of my chocolate.

"Innocent is a virtue, or something like that," I said. "So, since I'm now officially gatecrashing my brothers vacation trip, do you know who he's going with?"

"Hmm…"

Yaemori tapped her chin in thought as I waited patiently.

"Kibe Yoshiake, Kuribayashi Shun and three others."

Eh? Y-You actually know?

I don't know why I'm surprised. She's a cosplayer who's secretly a ninja and had bullshit information gathering skills. Just who is Yaemori Mini?

"Tee hee!~ Feel free to praise me!"

"I'm good," I deadpanned. "So, two of his friends and probably three others, huh… you don't know any of their names, would you?"

"I think one of the other names was 'Mami chan'? I'm not too sure though…"

"…goddamnit, he's such a fucking idiot."

Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhaled, trying to calm myself down.

"Is this Mami person a bad thing?"

"?"

"?!"

"You can stop," I sighed. "Mami is Kazuya's ex. They're probably trying to do something between them."

"Oho! So it's a love triangle!"

"It's not," I frowned. "And don't slam your fist into your hand to emphasise your point. It makes you look like an idiot."

Yaemori poked her tongue out at me as I laughed.

"Well, now that that's set-in place, I thought you were gonna be busy live-streaming?"

I won't admit this to her, but I've been watching Yaemori Mini's streams to try better understand her. She's cheerful, chirpy and constant filled with endless energy that I'll never understand. She always has something to say and laughs alongside her chat whenever she does something dumb; truly, it feels like she's a polar opposite of me.

Still, I enjoy her being around. It's something new.

"Live-streaming?" She said before grinning. "Nope! I'm on a week-long hiatus, and then we're going on together! It's gonna be my big return!"

"Seven days isn't enough for a big return," I muttered. "But sure. Do I need to get anything in particular for it?"

"I'll need your body."

I just sighed as Yaemori winked, grinning widely.

"Right," I drawled. "So my measurements then? I don't have anything like that here."

"No problem! I can do it myself!"

"I… where did you get those tape measures from?"

"That's a secret!~"

AN: Sending it, didn't proofread at all.

Excited for the new season, and still waiting on the new manga chapter to be released as well. Shit takes forreevverrr to update