23:00 PM
It is such a screwed up night for Sakurako herself, however. This quiet night is supposed to be filled with fun, happiness, and joy. Instead, this night has been filled with anger, shout, lecture, and mockery. The house is loud, but not loud enough to be heard by neighbors around the house. And loud enough to be heard throughout the entire bloody house.
Akari and Chinatsu are sure lucky only to help cleaning up Sakurako's room because Nadeshiko told them to stay in that room until she finished lecturing Sakurako, only after they cleaned up the mess throughout the house. Which it took a couple of hours, considering a lot of mess she made. The Oomuro sisters do not want them both to hear the loud lecture against Sakurako for the mess she made. But Akari and Chinatsu could still hear the loud lecture, even with the door closed. Himawari was not in that room because she also needed to lecture Sakurako for her actions.
Akari and Chinatsu could hear the words "stupid," "idiot," "brat," "jerk," and "useless" pretty a lot. Chinatsu has no comment for the event that has occurred. Akari, on the other hand, could pity her a lot, knowing what such personality she has. When they had to hear the lecture from inside the room for non-stop, their only reaction is only to give an empty stare to the blank space in front of them. Even after the whole hour of hearing their lecture, their eyes still blank, and the silence they had is a bumbling one.
In an attempt to ease the current atmosphere, they both use one different activity to ease their composure. Akari only reads her notebook while Chinatsu is playing card Solitaire by herself. The lecture is not finished yet, and they can't tell what they say because they were inaudible from inside the room. They wondered when the lecture would be over.
Akari then looked up from the book and stared forward. "Shouldn't we try to talk about something?"
Chinatsu looked up, then turned her head to her. "While they are still lecturing her? No. I'm still not comfortable talking while they are lecturing."
"Oh," Akari simply said, before looking down again to her book. "I guess you're right, China-chan."
Focusing back to Sakurako, she's much terrified. Sakurako, Himawari, along with the Oomuro sisters are in the recently cleaned-up living room. They all sat down on the floor, with Sakurako is sitting in front of Himawari and the sisters. Sakurako bowed her head in humiliation, with both fists clenched above her folded knees. Her body trembled horribly towards her sisters and Himawari, who are scolding her right now.
Sakurako only felt so helpless right. Paralyzed, frightened, mindless, and idiotic. Even if she wanted to move her head or hand, she just can't. She was all frozen under her sisters' anger along with Himawari's. However, Himawari admitted it was her fault that made Sakurako create this mess. She was forgiven, but Sakurako gets all the scolding nevertheless.
Nadeshiko keeps yelling at her with every harsh word that crosses her mind. Hanako only stays silent beside Nadeshiko but keeping glare at her second sister. And Himawari, who is next to Nadeshiko, adds up some statements to complete Nadeshiko's angry sentences. Sakurako is pretty sure that her friends upstairs could hear what Nadeshiko is calling her.
Sakurako is so humiliated by what she had done. Her heart aches so much every time Nadeshiko says harsh words to her, primarily "idiot" and "stupid." And if that wasn't enough, Himawari helps Nadeshiko out to scold her as much as she can. Himawari goes even so far as calling her a jerk and a brat child for the previous events, including the mess she made long ago. Sakurako only wants some fun for this weekend.
She didn't dare to argue against the three girls. Nadeshiko is already steaming charcoal, Hanako looked like she wants to scream at her if Nadeshiko permits it, and Himawari has her hand ready to smack her head as hard as she can. Trying to argue against these girls could only worsen her situation. She may be stupid, but she knows when she screwed things up.
Her body trembled in fear as she's paralyzed. She keeps listening as every inch of words that came out from Nadeshiko and Himawari are stabbing her heart a lot. She is really stressed by now as they are pressuring her hard with the berates. She tries her best to hold back the tears in her eyes. Sakurako knew she shouldn't be crying now because it was entirely her fault to ransacked the house, but she just can't hold it. She's so stressed enough from their lecture that she just lost tongue.
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you just caused!?" Nadeshiko screamed angrily to her. "You didn't only turn this house into a garbage can! But you have costs us a lot of money for breaking a lot of wares! Do you have any idea how much does it cost?!"
"I…" Sakurako decided to trail off. She's too scared to answer her simple question.
"More than 70000 yens, you Baka!" Nadeshiko screamed again at her face. "This is your house, our house, you little brat!"
Sakurako frightened terribly of her reply. She began to sniff as lowly as she can along with her cry.
"You are such a careless and immature child!" Himawari berated her aloud. "When you said that we should play tag, that doesn't mean that you can freely drop everything you want around the house."
Sakurako dared to lift her head a little, but enough to look at the floor ahead rather than the three girls. "But I-"
"But what?!" Nadeshiko irately asked. "It was also your fault to send Himawari angry by calling her bad names!"
Sakurako hesitantly replied in her low voice. "I didn't mean to-"
"Silence," Nadeshiko crossly shuts her up, her words turned to a knife. "No more yogurts for you for the next three weeks."
"Wha-?"
"And for the next week," Nadeshiko added indignantly. "You'll do most of the house chores, including cooking!"
Sakurako suddenly raised her head a little. "B-but-"
"NO BUTS!"
Sakurako reflexes back from her outburst. Her eyes closed, her breathing became irregular and winced with fright. She didn't dare to look back at her furious sister again. Her mind wants to self-destruct as she hears her lecture. And her heartbeat is getting faster from all the pressure that she might suffer a panic attack.
"I don't want to hear any complaint from you, and that's final! That's all your fault anyway!" Nadeshiko roared like a bear. Then she points her finger to the ceiling behind Sakurako. "Stand up and go back to your room now!"
"A-," Sakurako loses her tongue for the moment, then frighteningly nodded. "A-alright."
Sakurako wordlessly and slowly stood up, still bowing her head down in humiliation. The shade covers her sightless eyes as she makes her way to the stairs. Sakurako has lost all of her spirits for the sleepover today. Her skin is already pale from the lecture and her fear of her sisters. It was even no use to argue to the sisters since they are right on one thing about Sakurako.
She always messes stuff up. Intentionally or otherwise.
Sakurako nearly reached the door frame as Himawari wearily sighed with discontent, and her eyes closed. Himawari then looked back up to Nadeshiko – she is already satisfied to scold Sakurako, even at an extreme level. Hanako only huffed with a pouting look but satisfied that Sakurako had been given a lecture. At which Hanako only stood up and made her way to the kitchen.
Nadeshiko then looked at Himawari, an upsetting look. "Such an idiot. I still have no idea how we can manage this far with her."
"I know," Himawari agreed with a nod. "I'm very sorry that it'd happen like this."
"Don't worry, it's not your fault anyway," Nadeshiko then sighed. "She's doesn't have self-control on what to do and what not to do. Always playing like a child she is."
Himawari nodded again in agreement. "I'm glad that we managed to undo the mess she made."
"That probably true," Nadeshiko paused for a moment. "But now we have to buy new sets of wares that she destroyed tomorrow."
"I can imagine it would be troublesome," Himawari commented with a raised brow.
"It is, if we had listed everything that she destroyed," Nadeshiko replied, wincing her eyes in irritation. "We wouldn't have to worry about which wares to pick."
"A bit too late to do that," Himawari commented again.
"Yeah, it's already late," Nadeshiko said, they both then stood up. "You should get some sleep now, Himako."
"Okay, Nadeshiko-chan," Himawari replied with a bow.
"Also," Nadeshiko then turns to her. "Make sure Sakurako doesn't play anything else for the night. Everyone is already tired."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure of it," Himawari assured, then crosses her arms. "She's already tired from all that racket anyway."
"Alright, I'll be heading off to my room soon," Nadeshiko replied, she then turns around and heads for the kitchen to see what Hanako is doing. "Have a good night, Himako."
"Good night, Nadeshiko-chan," Himawari replied with a nod, before turning around and headed out to the exit.
Himawari only bows her head as she reaches the exit before turning left to the stairs. If there is one thing that she can't do for Sakurako, it is the sincerity for her antics, being careless and idiocy. Of course, this wasn't the first time that Sakurako turned this whole house into a mess. There was one time that she wrecked the house enough that they nearly reach to the point of bankruptcy. The Oomuro Family was fortunate to have a parent with a prosperous job and a neighbor who likes to help them out, which is Himawari's family. Unfortunately for Sakurako, she gets hugely scolded by her family for the troubles she made.
Decided to leave that thought aside, she continued to walk up the stairs before turning right through the hallway door. Like what she expected, Sakurako is still lingering in the hallway as she makes slow progress to her room. Sakurako is feeling down from all that screaming lecture, and her body can be seen swaying side to side from behind her. Himawari only shakes her head to see that, but then again, she's already tired, so there was no use to add another scolding to her. The only last thing she wants is for Sakurako to have a mental break down despite her childish and optimistic nature.
Himawari only walks up to her until she's next to her. "Are you okay?"
"Why do you care?" Sakurako whispered, her angry tone can be heard.
"Because you are tired," Himawari replied flatly. "And I want to make sure you are not planning to do any other games for the not."
"B… Baka…" Sakurako slowly replied, she sniffed as her tears slowly pour down. "What… makes you think I'm in the mood to do that?"
"Hmpf," Himawari just looked away from her, annoyed that she's still calling her that even when she's crying. "Still dare calling me that after that stunt you just pulled, huh?"
"S-shut up," Sakurako replied lowly, rubbing her tearful eyes in the process. "Just shut up."
It is not a good idea to keep talking to her like this, so Himawari abides her request. "Fine, I'll stay quiet."
Himawari didn't want to go on ahead of Sakurako, either between she cared about her, or she just wants to do what Nadeshiko has requested. Himawari did not need to hug her; she might lash out for scolding her as well. Himawari continues to accompany her in silence until they reach Sakurako's room. Sakurako numbly opens the door and enters with Himawari following up behind. Himawari was the person to close the door behind her while Sakurako just stood there crying to herself with almost no noise.
Akari and Chinatsu had not seen crying for a while, but to see her crying right was just troublesome to see.
Akari stands up with a concerning look, putting her both fists on her chest. "Oh my, are you alright?"
"N-no…" Sakurako stuttered lowly and sniffed as she rubbed her tearful eyes. "N-no, I'm not, Akarin."
"There, there, Sakurako," Akari proceeds to hug her, which Sakurako gladly hugs back. "There, there."
Himawari only sighs, whereas Chinatsu comments. "I can imagine it was a hard lecture."
"It was," Himawari sighs again. "And she has punishments for that."
"I said shut up, Himawari," Sakurako lowly said, she doesn't want to hear that again.
"How can I stay quiet considering the stunt you made?" Himawari asked with her brows narrowed in upset.
"Hey, hey, Himawari," Akari called to her. "That's enough, let's don't ruin this sleepover than it should."
"Even after that stunt she just pulled?" Himawari asked with a raised brow. She's pretty surprised by Akari's kindness.
Akari looked over to Himawari again with her head tilted as she's still hugging Sakurako. Himawari had to admit, Akari is too cute and too innocent even to try to argue with her. Also, she had to agree with Akari about ruining the sleepover more than it should. It's already late, and Himawari doesn't have enough energy to scold her again. Also, Himawari needs to give the poor Sakurako a break.
Himawari only gave the nod for agreement. "I guess you're right. We should sleep."
"Okay, let's store this away," Chinatsu said as she stands up, referring to the Kotatsu.
"I'll help you," Himawari said, before unplugging the cable on the wall to turn the Kotatsu off.
Akari is finally able to guide Sakurako to her bed once she's starting to feel comfortable. "How are you feeling now?"
"B-better, I-I guess," Sakurako stuttered lowly.
"Now, now," Akari smiled and rubbed her hair gently, it comforts Sakurako in her sadness. "How about you sleep it off for tonight?"
"Okay, Akari-chan," Sakurako replied lowly with a nod, she then wearily lied down on the bed and covered herself with her blanket. "I'll try to sleep it off."
Akari can tell she still feels the humiliation after hearing the loud berate downstairs from how Sakurako looked away from her friends. Akari knows well what kind of a character she is, but she pitied her so much, even if it was entirely her fault.
After storing the Kotatsu away, Himawari looked back again to Sakurako. Sakurako has her back facing the girls and her head already covered by the hood of her animal pajama. The blanket covered everything but half of Sakurako's head. She still can be heard sniffling and crying.
Himawari frowns to the sight, even if she is her rival. Sometimes she wondered how Akari never gets angry with Sakurako's stupid antics, except for her pouting. But, Himawari had to admit, Akari knows how to calm Sakurako down. Akari is a pretty reliable and kind friend, one of the reasons why Sakurako liked her so much.
Looking back to Akari and Chinatsu, they have already set up the futons altogether. The futons are set into a line next to Sakurako's bed. The time on Sakurako's alarm has indicated that it's already 23:20 in the night. Somehow, Himawari found it interesting that Akari hasn't slept yet since she usually sleeps at nine.
Akari and Chinatsu are ready to sleep until Chinatsu looked up to her. "Futons are ready. Do you want to sleep?"
"Sure," Himawari then headed to the lamp switch. "Should I turn the lamp off?"
"Go ahead," Akari replied, to which then Himawari switch it off.
The room is now dark, and her friends already buried themselves in the futon. Himawari then walks over to her futon and lies onto it. She then covers herself with the blanket provided and puts her head on the pillow. She then turns her head to her friends on the futons.
"Good night, everyone," Himawari announced, a bit low enough to not disturb Sakurako.
"Good night," Chinatsu and Akari replied before they close their eyes and begin to sleep.
Himawari stares at the sleeping girls for a moment before she turns her head to Sakurako on the bed. Himawari can hear her still sulking on the bed and struggling to sleep. Himawari didn't try to call her. Instead, she hoped that she'd be fine the next morning. Himawari turns her head away from Sakurako and then closes her eyes. She then slowly drift into sleep.
Sakurako is the only one who still awake, but not for long. Sakurako only continues to sulk and cry for at least two minutes until she calmed down. She covers her mouth with the blanket and doesn't bother to wipe the tears pouring from her eyes. The wet bedsheets of tears didn't bother her much. She then finally closes her eyes – her breath becomes stable and finally feels comfortable. To which, then she drifts into the abyss of her dreams.
The next morning. 08:00 AM.
*BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-CLACK*
Sakurako's hand unconsciously and automatically reached for the alarm clock. Turning the alarm clock off by a single press of her open palm. She usually falls asleep again even after she turned the alarm off. But after what had happened yesterday, she felt compelled just to wake up. She slowly opens her eyes to adjust to the brightness in the room.
The room is illuminated with the light of the sun through her window. She wearily lifts her back up from the bed and then gently rubs her eyes. She only takes a glance at her surrounding to found that her friends are gone from her room. Even the futons are already gone from the floor. Sakurako figured that they woke up earlier and didn't want to wake Sakurako up after the stunt she pulled.
Sakurako assumed that they are already downstairs. She doesn't need to worry about anything else since today is Sunday. For the exception of getting lectured again and probably buying all the wares, she had destroyed. She's still feeling down, but it was enough to give her positive energy after sleeping it off. Sakurako only yawned on the wake-up morning.
And then there's the school for tomorrow.
Sakurako, in her supposed tired and lazy composure, stretches her arms high before turning around to land her feet to the floor. The first thing she did is to check the time on the alarm. A bit late in the morning, as usual. Her sisters don't have to bother to wake her up at the weekend, thankfully. She then headed straight to the cabinet. And the first cloth to grab was her underwear before a full set of clothes consist of a yellow T-shirt and short brown jeans that covers down to her knees. She puts completely tidy clothes on the study table.
Taking slow steps since she's still a little sleepy and upset, she headed straight for the door. Closing the door behind her, she then walks down the hallway to reach the bathroom. It didn't take five minutes to reach the bathroom, and she opens the door with almost no sound. She locks the door and puts down her underwear on the towel hanger, on top of Sakurako's towel. She then undid her pajama along with her used underwear and stored them away in a basket full of dirty clothes.
Once she is naked, she turns her head to the tub to see that it's empty. But then she remembered that this is morning, and she should take a shower instead of a bath. She sits down on a small stool and turns the shower on. For your intelligence, in Japanese Culture, one should rinse him/herself before entering the tub. In this way, the water in the bathtub will stay clean and can be reused for other members of the family to use. But this only happens every evening, at which the time they take a bath.
She stops rinsing for a moment to rub herself with soap, rubbing it from her shoulders down to her feet before soaking her face. She then uses her shampoo to get all her hair foamy and white. After putting away the soap and shampoo, she then grabs the shower again and rinses herself from all the soap she used. She rinses herself for at least 3 minutes since she wants to relax. She then turned the shower off and stood up from the stool. She grabs the towel and dries herself, drying her hair was a bit longer.
She puts away the towel for the moment so she can use her underwear. Then she grabs the towel again to wrap herself with it. After making sure that the shower is off to avoid Nadeshiko for telling her that she is wasteful, she exits the bathroom and makes her way back to her room. Now she is more relaxed than before, and her steps are more cheerful than before. She reached the room in less than one minute and entered.
She then unwraps the towel and puts it on the chair. She then wears her clothes one by one, wearing her yellow T-shirt first before wearing her short green jeans. She also didn't forget to wear on her black and red hairpin on the left fringe of her hair. She's about to head out to the door when she glanced on her towel. Deciding that she doesn't want another extra small scolding, she grabs the towel and heads back for the bathroom to put it back to the towel hanger. Only after that, she then goes downstairs and straight to the dining room.
The foods are already served on the table; Nadeshiko, Hanako, and Himawari are already at the table. But Akari and Chinatsu were nowhere to be seen. That raised a curious brow for Sakurako. Nevertheless, she walks over to them and greets them.
"Ohayōgozaimasu."
The sisters and Himawari looked back at her. "Ohayou."
Sakurako yawns a bit as her hand covers her mouth, at which she joined the table. "Where're Akari and Chinatsu?"
"They returned home earlier," Himawari replied, trying to look unamused. "Their sisters needed them to help them out with their chores in the morning."
Sakurako then frowned again to hear that specific. "Mrmmgh, chores."
"Don't complain," Hanako reminded her with a narrowed look with a mix of disagreement.
"Fine, fine," Sakurako replied, huffing that away as she looked at her plate of food. "What's this food?"
"Eggs and Furikake," Nadeshiko replied flatly, Sakurako didn't notice the stern tone in her voice. "That's what we have for this morning."
"Eh?"
"Don't complain," Nadeshiko quickly added, not bother to look at her second sister.
"Wha-," Sakurako halts for a moment, realizing that her sisters are still pissed on what happened yesterday. "Alright, Onee-chan."
Then continued by Himawari, who passes a drink to her. "Here's your milk."
Sakurako then looked at Himawari with a bewildered look, but Himawari cut her off. "Don't complain."
"Why are you guys telling me to shut up?!" Sakurako complained aloud.
"It's still not enough after what you did yesterday, didn't it?" Nadeshiko asked back firmly as she looked at her with dagger eyes.
Sakurako opens her mouth, but no words come out from her mouth. Sakurako just decided to close her mouth.
Hanako sighs in relief to Sakurako's reaction. "Good thing that you just lose your tongue."
"But that doesn't mean you can shut me up!" Sakurako responded.
Nadeshiko and Himawari glare at her with sharp eyes. Enough make Sakurako leans back from them.
"Just finish up your breakfast," Himawari responded before they then continued to enjoy their breakfast.
Nadeshiko and Hanako were the ones able to enjoy breakfast. Sakurako is still bantering a couple of times at which Himawari banters back at her face. Nadeshiko and Hanako are also still wondering why Sakurako keeps complaining about Himawari's breasts. While Himawari spills back mocks to Sakurako in irritation. Nadeshiko only reminds her of the chores she needs to do for today, which was enough to shut Sakurako up to finish up their breakfast.
The breakfast was eventually become a quick one, with Sakurako as the first person to finish her breakfast before Himawari and then the sisters. Not so surprising considering the fact of how much Sakurako is willing to eat before she's full. One of the similar traits between Sakurako and Kyouko. Of course, reminding Sakurako of her punishment by Nadeshiko, Sakurako collects all the dirty plates and glasses to the sink. And Sakurako is the one who is cleaning them up.
While Sakurako isn't finished yet with the plates, Himawari stood up from the chair and has her bag in her hands. "I should return home now. Kaede must be waiting for me."
"Alright, Himako," Nadeshiko replied with a nod. "Be careful on your way home."
"Oh, don't worry about that," Himawari then looked over to Sakurako with a disliking face. "Just make sure Sakurako doesn't get in my way."
"What is your problem, Oppai-chan!?" Sakurako screamed at her instinctively.
"Why don't you ask yourself?!" Himawari replied sternly with an appropriate high tone of anger.
"Sakurako, enough," Nadeshiko quickly interjects with a glare. "You'll annoy people if you keep screaming like that. Just clean the dishes."
It only takes a 5-seconds look on Nadeshiko's face to warns her not to piss her off. She lost her tongue again and continue to clean the dishes. Thankful that Sakurako fell silent, Himawari looked back to Nadeshiko with a nod, silently thanking her for shutting the brat up.
"Alright, I'm going home," Himawari said, then she bows to her. "See you later, Nadeshiko-chan."
"Be seeing you," Nadeshiko replied with a nod before Himawari turned around and headed out the room. Eventually, hearing her leave by the opening and closing sound of the front door.
Both Hanako and Nadeshiko then turn their heads to Sakurako. Sakurako noticed it now and confused by their glare, an ironic reaction to two sisters whom their faces are in the shade of irritation. Eventually, Sakurako finished washing up the dishes and stacked them 'nicely' on the sink counter like what an aggravating girl she is. Still not an appropriate reaction even after yesterday's event.
She eventually sits down across her sisters, and lazily leans her head against her chair. "I'm bored."
Both sisters shed sweat. "Still haven't learned your lesson, have you?" Nadeshiko asked with narrowed eyes.
"Huh, what lesson?" Sakurako asked, either became suddenly stupid or her idiosyncrasy amnesia stroke her brain.
"Onee-baka!" Hanako mocked her angrily. "You are so hopeless!"
Sakurako was about to say something, but her elder sister beats her to it. "You broke more than 70000 yen-worth wares, and you still happy for today? What is wrong with you?"
Now with Nadeshiko reminded her of that, Sakurako frowned and sunk onto her seat. Humiliated and scared to get another lecture again. Seeing her appropriate reaction, Nadeshiko and Hanako strictly sigh in mental exasperation. Nadeshiko was thankfully in a good mood after all of that screaming yesterday, so to see Sakurako frowned to herself is enough for Nadeshiko to stay patient. Hanako is also relieved to the fact that she doesn't have to hear her eldest sister screaming.
Once Sakurako leans forward to the table, Nadeshiko begins. "For this morning, we want you to go shopping. A lot of shopping."
Sakurako then leans back with a complained sigh. "Do I have to?"
"You're serving your punishment," Nadeshiko reminded her. "So, you have to."
"And we're not asking you only to buy food," Hanako continued with a pouting look. "You have to buy tissues, toothpicks, soap, and other things to fulfill our house needs."
Sakurako raised her eyebrows with an un-expecting look. "That doesn't sound a lot."
Unfortunately, Sakurako has to pull her words and change it with another after Nadeshiko pulls out a 10cms list. "Crap."
"Shush," Nadeshiko responded as she gives the list. "No cursing. Everything that you need to buy is on that list."
"And don't even think about buying a snack for yourself, Sakurako-chan," Hanako added again with her arms crossed. "Our money is at a minimum because of you, so don't waste it to buy something else aside from that list."
They can see Sakurako already looked so upset. Fortunately, enough to keep her mouth shut.
"You can spend your time shopping as long as you want," Nadeshiko added as she blinks once. "But no more than 10:00."
It's Sakurako's turn to tilt her head. "Huh, why?"
"We'll be leaving at that exact time," Hanako explained to her, irritation is visible on her face. "Because we have to buy all the wares that you destroyed."
Sakurako huffed in annoyance, realizing what they are thinking. "You're just saying that because you don't want me to bother you."
"Indeed," Nadeshiko admitted with a nod. "The only last thing we want is to have you screwing about around the house again."
Sakurako gives a pouting look until Hanako interferes with her. "Don't even think about arguing with us. You've been grounded for the whole week to do house chores, and this is one of them."
"Aaahh… fine," Sakurako gives a grumpy look after taking the list, then harshly stands up from the seat. "I'm getting my jacket."
"Don't take too long," Nadeshiko said aloud as Sakurako exits through the living room, and her footsteps are heard going upstairs.
A moment later, Nadeshiko halts for a moment before looking at Hanako when she's looking back at her.
"Should we give her a bag?" Hanako asked, points her open palm to the direction of the stairs.
Nadeshiko considers it for a moment, before nodding. "I guess so. I don't want unused plastics piling up right now."
Both the sisters proceed to get off their chairs. Nadeshiko grabs the cloth shopping bag from a kitchen cabinet before heading to the front door where Hanako is waiting. Nadeshiko found Hanako is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Nadeshiko stood beside her but did not lean against the wall. And they both wait for Sakurako to come down.
Not until one minute, Sakurako comes back down with the jacket. Instead of the brown leather jacket she usually wears for school, this jacket is a dark gray parachute hoodie jacket which is a bit warm for her and was left unzipped. But considering the month they're in, it's near the end of the Summer season in the city. Also, Nadeshiko heard from the weather forecast stated that this morning would be cloudy, no rain, and the weather temperature will drop below 30 degrees Celsius. Albeit the hoodie jacket, it's suited her for walking around the town.
Once Sakurako reached the bottom of the stairs, Nadeshiko gives her the bag. "Here's the bag."
Sakurako only takes it without a word, before looking up to both of them. "I'm heading out now."
"Alright, be safe," Nadeshiko replied with a nod, then raised an index finger. "And remember, be back before 10:00."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Sakurako carelessly replied and looked away grumpily. "I got it."
"Hey, that's rude!" Hanako angrily stated. "Just pay attention!"
"I'm paying attention!" Sakurako stubbornly replied.
"Stop being a jerk for once," Nadeshiko replied with a glare. "This is why you never grow up."
Sakurako only gave a smile to the statement, Nadeshiko then added again. "That was supposed to be an insult."
Sakurako caught off-guard by that. "Hey!"
"Be quiet," Nadeshiko interjected as she looked her down. "Now, go and do some shopping."
"Fine, fine," Sakurako annoyingly replied, before waving off to her sisters. "But where can I buy everything on this list?"
Both of her sisters stupefied by her short memory, it took Nadeshiko seconds to finally reply. "Remember that big store at a corner of the four-way intersection. There's also storage behind that store. It's called Bakimura Store."
"Oh… that one, but that's a bit far…" Sakurako paused for a moment before looking up to her. "Alright, I'm heading out!"
Once Sakurako jumped down into her shoes, Nadeshiko added again before Sakurako reached the door. "Don't play around while you're shopping!"
"I know, I know, jeez," Sakurako responded aloud before finally exited the house.
Now with Sakurako is gone, they both can enjoy their time in the house without any disturbance. Both sisters looked at each other and then back to the front door. They both let out a long breath for the relief of her absence. They need her absence so they both can do something they want, without the risk of breaking everything in the house.
Nadeshiko then looks back again to Hanako. "I'm going to do the laundry. Do you need anything, Hanako-chan?"
"Not yet," Hanako replied with a shook. "I'll be drawing in the living room."
"Okay, Hanako-chan," Nadeshiko then walks up the stairs. "Come to my room if you need anything."
"Alright, Onee-chan," Hanako replied with a nod before she heads off to the living room.
The first thing she does is grab the drawing book, pencils, and coloring tool. Hanako then sat down on the floor and at the table. She usually draws something when she's in the mood for it, often drawings about her family. Hanako's drawing is far from perfect but should be enough than Chinatsu's drawings.
Thank God Hanako doesn't know about that yet.
Hanako then proceeds to draw outlines in her drawing book. The weight of the outlines is thin but very visible enough for her to fill the color inside the outline. She then uses her crayons to color in her drawings. It might make a harsh coloring, but that's because she's still an elementary grade student.
While she's drawing about her family, she usually draws such events that happened in the house. And the revelation that Sakurako sacked the house up is one of them. Hanako had to admit that she's tired to draw the wares her sister destroyed, so she only went ahead and drew a broken glass and a broken plate to fulfill that description. As if that wasn't enough, she had to be angry so she can draw that. Somehow looking cute that her angry face looked more like a pouting face.
Fifteen minutes have passed, and Hanako already finished with the drawing. She went on ahead to describe the event yesterday. She was even going so far as to add "Baka," "jerk," and "idiot" just to describe Sakurako's well-being. She even described the part when Himawari and Nadeshiko are screaming at her for the mess. Hanako is starting to feel repetitive just to describe this event all over again.
Knowing that she is done with the description and drawing, she proceeds to close the book with a small sigh. She then hears footsteps that are enough to turn her head to her left towards where the stairs are. Nadeshiko enters the room with her hand patting her left arm. It looks like she finished the laundry. Nadeshiko gave a curious look to Hanako before sitting down next to her.
"What were you drawing?" Nadeshiko asked with a raised brow.
"The usual, Onee-chan," Hanako replied as she leans onto the table. "Do you want to take a look?"
"Sure," Nadeshiko then takes the book from Hanako and opens it. "What is this about now?"
"Well…" Hanako paused for a moment with a pouting look. "What happened yesterday."
"Oh…" Nadeshiko gave an empty stare to Hanako before looking back at the book.
Nadeshiko takes a quite full minute to observe the drawings in the book. And then her eyes looked over the writings Hanako made in the book. While Hanako is very honest, her honest writings sometimes caught Nadeshiko off-guard. Even though what she wrote in the book is pretty much accurate, to say the least.
"Wow," Nadeshiko then closes the book and gives it back to her little sister. "That sounds right about her."
"You look surprised," Hanako stated, glancing over her sister's face.
"I never thought you'd be that honest even to write that in the book," Nadeshiko replied, stacking her arms on the table.
Hanako thought for a moment, then adds. "And it was explicit?"
Now that brings a smile to Nadeshiko's face. "I'm happy you understand that word."
Hanako smiles back again. "It's because I heard from a couple of my teachers use that word. So I was able to understand what it means."
"That's pretty nice," Nadeshiko replied, landing her chin on her hand in the air.
"Onee-chan," Hanako called. "I heard some words that I don't understand. Could I ask you what do they mean?"
"Sure," Nadeshiko nodded with a smile. "Which words that you still don't understand?"
Hanako has some common words that she doesn't know what it means, which was pretty easy for Nadeshiko. But Hanako also heard a few unique words that have odd meanings. Nadeshiko answered at least 70% of the unique words until now. Of course, Hanako has a couple of words left for Nadeshiko to answer.
"What does emission means?" Hanako asked, as her gleaming eyes looked over her face.
"It means that something has been released or emitted," Nadeshiko explained to her. "For example, sounds that came out from the radio, steam out of a boiling kettle, and smoke from a car."
"Ah, I see," Hanako widen her eyes understandably. "One word left then."
"What is this last word?" Nadeshiko asked, expecting this is the last word she could answer.
"Well…" Hanako trailed off for a moment for that one specific word. "What does procrastination mean?"
Nadeshiko widens her eyes in surprise and leans back a little. "It means the avoidance of doing a task before the deadline."
"Oh," Hanako replied with the realization of the word. "I guess that applies to Sakurako-chan."
Nadeshiko only lets out a hum as she looked down. "Now you said it that way, that sounds very true."
*PAK-PAK-PAK-PAK-PAK-PAK-PAK*
Both the sisters quickly looked up to the faint sound that they assume like a distant clapping from afar. When they make their ears sharp, they noticed the clapping sounds are inconsistent. They heard the clap goes on and then abruptly halt; it goes on again, and there were cross-clapping sounds. The sisters then looked back to each other again with mild confusion.
"What was that sound we just heard?" Hanako asked with a raised brow.
"I don't know," Nadeshiko shrugged. "Probably some neighbors are clapping as hard as they can to annoy people."
"I'm starting to hope that wasn't Sakurako-chan," Hanako stated with such an unamusing look when turning her head at the table.
"Your guess is as best as mine," Nadeshiko agreed with a nod, then looked over to the exit of the living room.
"I hope we didn't end up scolding her again," Hanako commented hopefully. "I don't want to get tired just for screaming at her."
Nadeshiko only sighs before stretching her arms up and leans back against the couch behind her. "I hope we don't jump to that."
Hanako then remembered something that's enough to look up to her sister. "What time is it now?"
Nadeshiko then checks the time on her phone; they still annoyed that Sakurako somehow destroyed the clock in the living room yesterday. "Hmm… It's already 08:40. Why?"
"Hmpf," Hanako then crossed her arms with such exasperation. "We'll be already home by now if we were the ones to do the shopping."
"I thought the same thing since Sakurako is very unreliable," Nadeshiko agreed, then lazily landed her cheek on her hand. "But if we did the shopping, then that means Sakurako isn't getting her punishment. Besides, we gave her a long list of items to buy."
"I swear, if she's not home before 10:00," Hanako then leans her head down on top of her crossed arms. "I'll tell her to play outside until she faints."
"I wish I could tell that to her," Nadeshiko agreed, then looked at the TV. "Because that might be the only that Sakurako wants."
"I think you're right in that sense," Hanako replied with a defeated look, then rubbed her neck. "Why can't she just be helpful for once?"
"In what sense?" Nadeshiko asked with a raised brow.
"In helping but not ending up to annoy people at the same time," Hanako then looks back to her sister.
"I think that would be impossible for Sakurako to be like that," Nadeshiko confidently replied, lowered her eyelids by half her eyes. "Not even a slight chance when she's bored."
Hanako then gives out a sigh. "So hopeless."
"I know," Nadeshiko agreed as she turned on the TV, changing the subject at that part. "Your favorite show should be playing right now, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes," Hanako cutely shines her eyes at the TV. "On channel 11."
Hanako and Nadeshiko spend their time to do what they want. Hanako watches her favorite kids show, whereas Nadeshiko checks on her phone. Hanako's show, which is called Lily's Roundabout, is broadcasted at around 08:45, a slice of life and educational genre show involving characters of children and parents. Nadeshiko, on the other hand, is checking up on her unknown girlfriend through texts. Nadeshiko smiles at the texts, before standing up and doing her business to clean up the kitchen.
Hanako only continues to watch the show undisturbed. She is sometimes complimenting the show when she sees something that she likes in the show. But she found one character that she dislikes, in the show he's called Tamuro. Her dislike of the character is very apparent somehow. The best description is that he matches perfectly as Sakurako, her second sister. Despite that, she still enjoys the show.
Half an hour has passed, and Sakurako still hasn't returned yet. She should be back home by now. Hanako knew this once her favorite show has ended, and so as Nadeshiko. The first thing that they assume is that she goofs around instead of shopping. And the second thought they have is that Sakurako intentionally stalls her time in the store so that she doesn't have to worry about meeting up with their sisters.
Hanako only sighs right when Nadeshiko comes back from the kitchen. "Where is she?" Hanako asked to herself as Nadeshiko sat next to her.
"She's playing around for all I know," Nadeshiko replied as she shook her head. "Or she forgot the list again."
"Why even bother?" Hanako asked with a defeated look. "She won't be back until we get out of the house."
"Don't even sure about that," Nadeshiko assured her with a flat look. "We'll wait until she gets back."
"If you say so, Onee-chan," Hanako nodded as she straightened her back. "I can wait."
"Good girl," Nadeshiko then rubs her head softly, then noticed the frowning face she made. "Is something wrong?"
"W-well, I didn't get a chance to feel Chinatsu nee-chan's fluffy hair," Hanako admitted as her left hand clenched.
Nadeshiko tilts her head in mild surprise, with a raised eyebrow. "Why don't you ask her?"
"I… I never had the courage to ask someone who has a fluffy hair," Hanako replied awkwardly, and then gave a blank stare. "And because of Sakurako."
The last part administered an empty stare to Nadeshiko. "Makes sense."
Hanako then looks up to the ceiling before looking back at her sister. "Should we get prepared soon?"
"Yeah," Nadeshiko then proceeds to turn off the TV. "Let's get changed while we wait for Sakurako."
"Alright then," Hanako replied, then both she and Nadeshiko stood up and headed back for their individual room.
It took them at least 5-7 minutes to change clothes. Since they'll be heading off to an uncommon and high-quality houseware store, it would be rude if they enter the store with their usual house clothes. Hanako is in her pink jacket, white shirt, and a long yellow skirt. At the same time, Nadeshiko wears a light blue thin coat, salmon shirt, and tight blue trousers.
After changed clothes, they grabbed their mini-bags and exited their room. They then headed down the stairs and waited at the front door. It's nearly ten o'clock, and Sakurako should be at home by now. That little brat, as per usual.
Nadeshiko sighed with her eyes closed, noticed that the time on her phone is reaching ten o'clock. "That damn girl."
Hanako nodded in agreement with her resentful eyes closed. "Looks like we're going to scold her again."
"Not yet," Nadeshiko replied with a shook, she watched over the time in her phone. "She has a full minute left to come home in time."
"Are we going to give her a countdown?" Hanako confusingly asked, looked sideways to her with a raised brow.
"Just for this once," Nadeshiko shrugged. "Even though I don't have high hopes about that."
They stand there in silence as they both observe the ticking countdown in the eldest sister's phone. Both of them have their eyes sharp on the phone, which is rare. They didn't even take a glance toward the door to see if Sakurako reaches the door. They only care if Sakurako misses her ten o'clock mark.
Hanako taps her right foot impatiently just because they have to wait if Sakurako reaches home in time. Nadeshiko only patiently tilts her head to stretch her neck. Never been so quiet to wait for the countdown to finish only to scold Sakurako in the end. And now… Fifteen seconds left.
14…
13…
12…
11…
10…
9…
8…
7…
6…
5…
4…
3…
2…
"I'm home!"
They both quickly look at the door. Much to the sisters' surprise, Sakurako made it home in the very last second. Sakurako, who is always known to be late, got home barely in time. Hanako's face is so priceless to see that. Sakurako only closes the door behind her and releases her shoes before the barefoot floor. Seeing from the size of the bag in her hand, Sakurako got all the items according to the list.
"Well, well, Sakurako," Nadeshiko said as she looked at her and closed her phone. "I'm impressed. You barely missed the clock."
"Uhm…" Sakurako replied, oddly with a tone of agitation. "I guess so."
It was odd of her to be agitated for Hanako, but probably because she's scared of getting scolded again. "Good thing, you weren't late. We're considering to lecture you again for delaying your job."
"I-I know," Sakurako stiffly replied, only looked up to her sisters with dead fish eyes. "I-I was having trouble finding all the items I need to buy on the list."
"Oh, is that so?" Nadeshiko asked with her arms crossed. "And you didn't actually goof around while you were at it?"
"N-no, really," Sakurako concernedly replied with a quick small shook. "Some of them were hard to find, that's all."
Hanako was about to reply, but nothing came out from her mouth. There's something with Sakurako's word that just doesn't add up. Actually, the whole sentences that came out from her mouth. Sakurako sounded a bit out of character for the usually cheerful and annoying girl in the house.
Hanako has had just noticed something about her sister's appearance. She looked more upset than she should, and her eyes are shadowed in the dark shades of fear. Hanako could assume that Sakurako's scared of getting lectured, but she might be wrong. The way she stands there, she's more like an idle statue than the posture of an energetic girl as if her body became stiff. Hanako noticed the sweat on her sister's forehead, suggesting that she had to do a run either when heading home or when heading for the store. She sees Sakurako is roughly rubbing her left shoulder as if she's massaging her sore shoulder. Hanako heard her low groan when rubbing her left shoulder, probably a way to complain about her punishment.
But what she noticed was the way Sakurako wore her jacket. Back when Sakurako left for the store, her jacket was unzipped. Currently, Sakurako's jacket had been zipped covering all the way up to her neck. Hanako felt weird to see that. But Hanako only shrugs it off and assumes that Sakurako felt the cold weather.
"So…" Sakurako awkwardly said as she stepped onto the wooden floor with her barefoot. "You're heading out?"
"Just about," Hanako replied grumpily, but still weirded out from her sister's current character. "We were waiting for you to come back so that you can keep an eye on our home."
"And since you're not late to come back, we don't have to berate you again for how irresponsible you are," Nadeshiko continued, before glaring down on Sakurako. "But on a side note, I won't hesitate to change my mind if you decide to play and mess up the house again like the last time. Understand?"
"H-hai," Sakurako awkwardly replied with such low voice, bowing her head much in fear. "I understand."
Sakurako's awkward reply was enough for Nadeshiko to feel suspicious. Sakurako is usually a mouthful one when getting threats and scolds, but never hear her sounded so upset. What are the chances that she gets tired in the morning?
"Sakurako," Nadeshiko with a tilted head, looking a bit concerned. "Is there something the matter?"
"N-no, nothing, I'm fine. I'm fine," Sakurako awkwardly replied as she waved her right open palm to her before putting her hand on the left shoulder. "I'll just… go ahead and put this bag in the kitchen."
"Okay then…" Nadeshiko slowly replied with a suspicious glare, before she and Hanako walked pass her and wore on their shoes. "We're heading out."
"Be careful out there," Sakurako replied with an odd hopeful look; her reply caught her sisters off-guard.
"We will, Saku nee-chan," Hanako replied with a nod before Hanako and Nadeshiko turned around and exited through the front door. "See you later."
"See you," Sakurako replied with a rather weak voice as they left.
Hanako and Nadeshiko close the door behind and head off on foot. The plan was to meet up with their parent at the stationery store before heading off to the houseware shop since their parent has the car. While they are on the way, Hanako looked so worried. Something about Sakurako doesn't seem right.
"Are you okay, Hanako?" Nadeshiko asked as her eyes glanced at her.
Hanako only proceeds to turn her head to her. "Did you notice something weird about Sakurako nee-chan?"
"I did, but it doesn't seem much," Nadeshiko replied flatly, but having the same concern as Hanako. "I guess she's still feeling bad about herself for the stunt she pulled."
Hanako only contemplates her sentence as they walk. She needs to agree to that for now. "Ah, well, if that's the case. We don't have to worry much. Let's just hope she didn't do something stupid again."
Sakurako hastily left for the kitchen after making sure that her sisters are no longer at the front door. She gasps non-stop as she quickly puts the bag full of shopping items on the counter, but also careful to not break anything inside the bag nor putting them near the edge of the counter. Adrenaline is rushing from her veins to her heart and can't bear the massive dread in her mind. It's like she needs to run on a spinning mill to calm her down metaphorically.
She becomes clumsy as she runs off from the kitchen, often tripping and slipping onto the floor like a runaway patient. She groaned in pain for a couple of times, followed by her wincing eyes and gritted teeth. Sakurako holds her hurtful left shoulder as hard as she can when she rapidly goes upstairs—occasionally leaning against the wall on her left when she can't endure the pain. To her clumsiness and uncontrollable panic, she trips on the last step of the stairs but quickly gets up again and dashes down the hall.
She runs straight to her room with enough force to nearly break the door and leave it open. The first thing she does is to find everything a tool to deal with the pain. She runs through her cabinet, her drawers, and even right under her bloody bed. She gathered a lot of tissues, a pair of tweezers, Hanako's yogurt she stole from the fridge, honey, and finally, a bottled herbal medicine to use for open wounds. After everything, she holds all of those items with both hands and heads straight for the bathroom.
She has a lot of time before her sisters and parents come back. But she needs to make this quick. As she endures the pain on her shoulder, she reaches the bathroom and hastily puts everything either on the floor and on the sink counter. She just can't endure the pain more and has a hard time moving her left arm freely. With gasps of anxiety, she lands her hands onto the sink's edge. Before, she hurriedly unzips her jacket and exposes her left shoulder to the mirror in front of her.
Nervous and frightened, she looks at the only reason for the pain on her left shoulder.
There is a red wound on her left shoulder. Blood bleeds from the wound as it soaks through the hole of her bright T-shirt and the piece of gauze that covers her wound. She decides to open her sloppy gauze, which is a foolish move on her part, to see how's her wound is holding up. She reveals the wound to the mirror, a wound that is known as a gunshot wound. It still bleeds, but by dumb luck, the bullet is stuck in her shoulder and didn't do more damage. Well… somehow…
Her own blood of the wound has dirtied her hands. She looked down at her bloodied hand, which filled her eyes with horror. Hands trembling, irregular breathing, cries, and her whole body is in extreme trauma. She reaches for the tweezers before it comes to a halt. With such an agonizing expression and tears from her eyes, she realized one thing.
She forgot the ice cubes for the pain.
