[Memory]
This car ride has been entirely in an awkward silence between Choukai and me, which is unusual since we often have some sort of discussion whenever we're together for a relatively long period of time. Well, we're here now anyway.
Choukai switches the engine off. "Alright...Let's go!"
As we exit the car I hear her mutter: "Still can't believe that slipped my mind..."
I decide to keep my mouth shut due to how bitter that sounded.
The streets are bustling, as expected of summer holidays. I can't help but notice a sense of melancholy in the air, like everyone here was forced into it...or maybe I'm just depressing myself.
"Kojou!" Choukai calls to me. "In here."
"R-right!" I backtrack and rejoin Choukai as we enter the store.
The first thing to face us is a display of various pets for sale. Guinea Pigs, hamsters, parrots and rabbits are on show ahead of us.
"Don't get distracted." I'm gripped by the arm.
She seems to be in quite a mood now. Though, she has no reason to be...
"Where is it..?" Choukai scans the large array of pet foods that now fill our vision. "Help me then!"
"Alright, alright." I've never seen Choukai so agitated.
There is a lot. So many different brands, flavors, sizes and age groups...
Suddenly, I spot a big bag that is labeled as suitable for puppies.
"What about this?" I pat the bag.
"Hmmm..?" She cups her chin while inspecting the sack. "Yes, it'll do."
She moves over and lifts it up.
"Right...on to the bowl." Despite her now carrying a heavy sack of dog food, I'm still trailing behind. Probably intentionally.
"Head over there and grab any dog bowl." She points over to an aisle. "Don't take too long and meet me at the checkout."
"Okay!" I move faster than I have in a while and reach the section.
Damn, who knew that there'd be so many different designs for a simple bowl...It's not like the dog is going to care anyway. In any case, I take a standard metal one and rush back to Choukai who is halfway in the queue for the till.
"Here." I put the bowl next to the food.
"Thanks, Kojou." Although she's not saying much, I can tell she's getting impatient.
I'm actually starting to get concerned with her attitude...here is not the place to ask, however. As antisocial as I am, I let Choukai handle the payment. Once it's done I take the bowl and we walk, briskly, back to the street.
"Okay..." Choukai sighs in relief. "Let's just go home."
After putting the items in the boot, me and Choukai enter the car, however, instead of starting to drive, she rests her head on top of the steering wheel.
"Kojou..." She quietly says.
"Y-yes?" I reply.
"I'm aware that my mood today has been...less than savory..." She sits up straight and looks over to me. "I've just had a bad day."
She pauses to let out a bitter giggle.
"In fact, I wasn't even planning on getting a puppy." She finally smiles as she stares out the windshield. "I just went to the shelter to try and cheer up, but I just couldn't help myself."
I remain silent, slowly processing the details I've just been told.
"So, my forgetfulness undid all the cheering up the dogs had managed, and that's why I've been quite sour today." She starts the engine. "Sorry, Kojou."
[Azur Lane]
"I-I've never known Choukai to get mad at anything." Atago spoke.
"Oh no, no, don't give me too much credit." Choukai put her hands up defensively. "I'm just tolerant, even of myself."
"Come on! You've got to learn to accept compliments." Atago responded.
"Then, stop giving me invalid ones." Choukai turned to the Commander who was observing the conversation. "Ever so sorry, please, continue!~"
"No, I think Atago's point was completely valid." He returned her gaze. "The you that is here...she is quite different in temperament. In a good way, might I add."
"Mmmm...stop!" A slight blush appeared on Choukai's face. "I'm not as good as you think I am."
Atago giggled. "That's just like you, Little Miss Humble!~"
Choukai frowned briefly. "You have a smart mouth, Little Miss Oversized!"
The Commander noticed Maya grit her teeth at Choukai's statement.
"Hey, you're running a nice rack yourself." Atago lept at Choukai's chest, to prove her point.
"Knock it off, both of you!" Takao restrained Atago as she yelled.
"Yes, you're giving me a headache..." Maya said, masking the true reason.
"Commander..." Takao looked over at him as Atago cooled off. "What are you smiling about?!"
The Commander quickly dropped the subtle smirk that had arose from the situation before.
"Nothing, nothing..." He cleared his throat. "Ahem, is everyone okay for me to continue?"
"I'm fine with it..." Takao retreated back to the sofa.
"No complaints here." Atago replied.
"A-as long as there's nothing that can cause a further misconception..." Choukai smiled shallowly.
"I guess I don't have a choice..." Maya lent back.
"Then..." The Commander closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
[Memory]
Choukai set the dog food and bowl out of the way in the kitchen.
"Whew..." She panted a little. "That was heavy..."
"You didn't have to carry it the whole time..." I say while I get both of us a drink.
"Kojou, I'm not going to delegate a job like that to the youngest of us all." She 'graciously' takes her drink from me. "Thanks..."
"Way to rub it in..." I mutter.
Choukai downs the liquid in one. "Now, where is that little pup?"
I choose to stay in place as Choukai proceeds to search for the dog.
How bad must of today been for it to cause the usually friendly and placcid Choukai to become a sour and spiteful beast for a couple hours? Something must have seriously ticked her off. Though, it is not my place to ask...
I set the empty cup down and start heading back to my room. It still needs to be tidied up...meh, I can sort that out another time.
Right now, the only thing I can think to do is to check my phone...
[Some time later...]
"I'm home!" Takao's voice drags me out of the cyberspace.
The puppies yapping at her could be heard all the way through the house.
"W-w-what are you doing here?!" She shakily asks. "Y-you're not a guard dog..."
"Sorry, Takao." I hear Choukai say over fast footsteps. "I guess the surprise got blown on you."
"Choukai, what are you thinking?" Oh, that's Takao's stern voice. "What are our parents going to think?"
"Don't worry so much, I've already conferred with them and they're fine." Choukai says defensively. "Plus, look at her face, you couldn't possibly be angry at that."
"And what about all the extra expenses, food and such?" I can almost picture Takao's stance right now...
"Already sorted that." Choukai sighs loudly. "Can't you just stop worrying over trivial things?"
Takao sighs in return. "Sorry for being so concerned!" She says mockingly.
"That's not what I meant..." Choukai says. "You need to trust us more."
"Well, you all can be insufferable at times, so it's difficult." I feel I need to diffuse the situation.
I stand and head out my room. From the top hallway, I can overlook the skirmish well.
"I think the problem lies with you being too uptight to know how to enjoy yourself." Choukai lightly prods Takao.
"Someone has to enforce-"
Her eyes land on me, stopping her from saying anything further.
"H-hello, Takao..." I say, sheepishly.
"Kojou...hey." She's just as much at a loss as me.
Choukai also turns to look at me. "D-didn't see you there..."
Her smile quickly fades due to the awkwardness of the event.
"A-anyway..." Takao breaks the silence. "C-Choukai, does she have a name?"
"I-I'm glad you asked..." Choukai picks up the Pomeranian. "Not yet, I wanted us to decide as a f-family."
I can't stand this atmosphere...
"Oh, I see..." Takao smiles. "How very thoughtful!"
I start to descend the stairs to join them at the door.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to rest a little." Takao begins wandering into the living room, setting her things down as she does.
I arrive at the ground floor with Choukai left holding our dog next to the open door, looking in the direction that Takao left.
"You alright, Choukai?" I ask, while closing the door.
"Huh?" She looks at me. "Oh, yes I'm fine."
I turn from the door back to her.
"Ok-"
"Kojou, this may be asking a bit much, but could you please ignore what just happened?" Her voice is barely more than a whisper.
"I mean...yeah, but I don't see why it's that big of a deal." I shrug.
"What do you mean?" Her bemused expression tells me all I need to know.
"We're siblings, aren't we?" I say. "It's only natural for petty arguments to arise in day-to-day life."
Choukai ponders for a few seconds. "I guess you're right...thank you, Kojou."
"No problem." I briefly glance at the living room entrance. "I'll talk with Takao now."
Choukai scoffs jokingly. "Good luck."
Rounding the corner, I see Takao splayed out on the sofa, browsing her phone.
How should I approach this..? I don't want to make this even more awkward, but...I can't think of anything to say.
"What is it, Kojou?" Damn, she noticed me.
"I just wanted to chat..." I manage to get out with zero stutters.
"Well..." She sits up and pats the now empty space. "I'm listening."
I internally sigh in preparation and join Takao on the sofa.
"Takao..." I begin.
"Yes?" She looks down at me.
This time, I sigh audibly. "Why WERE you so concerned over a puppy?"
"You're on my case as well?" Her eyes drop to the floor as she breathes deeply. "I guess I just don't want to upset Mum and/or Dad."
"That's a pretty mun-"
"Choukai's right..." Takao returns her gaze to me. "Isn't she?"
I remain silent, unsure of how to reply.
"I should of trusted that she'd sorted things out, proactively." Her tone is downcast. "And I should of trusted her with the extra expenses."
"Listen, Takao..." I blurt out.
"Hmm..." She focuses on me entirely.
Think!
"...You can't keep thinking that you're entirely in the wrong." I say.
"Whose else fault is it?" She laughs dryly.
"You and Choukai were both wrong equally." I state.
"How..." Takao straightens her posture. "...was Choukai wrong?"
"By arguing in the first place." I reply. "It was a petty thing to have a verbal confrontation over."
Takao stops and looks at me again.
"Heh..." She gives me a quick brush through my hair with her hand. "Thanks, Kojou the Peacemaker."
"I don't think I deserve that title, but thank YOU nonetheless." I stand.
"No, no, you really know wha-"
"Good evening!~" Someone I immediately recognize says as she enters the house. "Big Sis is back!~"
Every time she says that, I cringe inside.
Takao wanders out towards the door. "Atago, welcome back."
"What a gracious reception, dearest Takao.~" I can already sense that Takao is locked in an embrace from Atago.
And I can't help but feel that I'm next...Still, I brace myself and head out to greet my eldest sister.
"Kojou!" She almost shouts. "Unusual to see you out of your room!~"
"Well, I just thought that-mmff!" I'm dragged into Atago's warmth.
Even though I was prepared, it didn't make it any less shocking.
"That's right, you did it just to see me when I got home today!~" She giggles and then releases me. "You're so thoughtful!~"
I don't think it's the best idea to tease someone who is catching their breath after near suffocation.
"Not quite...but sure..." I manage to say.
"Oh my, I didn't squeeze that hard." She looks at me with slightly concerned eyes. "Surely not..."
I don't have the heart or the resolve to tell her that it wasn't her grip that winded me.
"No, I just wasn't prepared." I lie.
"You should be, I do it every day." She says.
I'm about to reply when we hear a familar yapping coming from behind. The pup runs past me and Takao, straight to Atago.
"Oh, and who might YOU be?" Atago lifts the dog up.
Choukai emerges from where the hound came from. "That's...um...she doesn't have a name yet. I wanted us all to decide that."
"She's so adorable, so it must be a cute name." Atago rubs her face against the fur.
What's with her and Choukai being so confident?
The front door swings open to reveal Maya standing on the top step. "I'm back."
We all turn to her.
"W-what is it?" Maya scans all of us, eventually landing on the Pomeranian. "Who does that belong to?"
Choukai scratches her head. "Us."
"Hmph, as long as it doesn't bother me, then that's fine." Maya enters, shuts the door and hangs her coat up. "I'll be in my usual place."
"Wait, Maya before you disappear..." Choukai steps forward.
"Huh?!" Maya turns to her.
"I want all of us to reach a conclusion on her name." She points at the puppy.
"You can mange that without me, yes?" I don't think it's possible to be more disinterested than Maya is right now.
"Well, we can, but don't you want a say in this?" This is getting awkward.
Maya sighs. "Fine, call me when you want to have this meeting."
She then returns to her room swiftly.
Choukai turns back to us. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
Takao perks up. "Alright, I'll make somethin-"
"Actually Takao, is it fine if I order some food?" Atago presents her phone with a food delivery service app pulled up.
"B-but, you have me..." Takao sounds defeated.
"Then, let's ask these two." Atago looks at me and Choukai. "What do you vote for?"
"Takao, I love your cooking, but you should have some nights off from time to time." Choukai states, giving an indirect answer.
"Kojou, what about you?" Atago eyes me up.
"I-I'm indi-"
"Oh, alright fine, we can have some takeaway for tonight..." Takao saves me from the decisive answer.
"Yes!" Atago exclaims. "What does everyone want?"