Hikaru looks up from laptop and stretches out the kinks in his hands. He's been working night and day on another manuscript, but the writer's block is getting to him. He hasn't had any real inspiration since page seven.
As his strict deadline draws nearer, he feels himself growing delirious. Hikaru considers what would happen if he threw his laptop out the window and just moved to Paris. He could really use a vacation, though whether that's from his deadlines or for his peace of mind remains to be seen.
Hikaru hears footsteps padding down the stairs. He glances to his left and raises his brows in surprise.
"Wow, Louis. You've outdone yourself this time."
Yusuke and Fuuto look up at his comment. Yusuke is sat cross-legged next to Fuuto, who is sprawled out among several pillows, most of which he stole from Yusuke himself. Their characters smash into one another on the screen.
KO! Victory to Fuuto, the narrator announces.
Neither of the boys notice their latest round is over. They are both too busy staring at Ema's new haircut. She looks at her feet self-consciously, unable to keep up the prolonged eye-contact.
"Um, you-you look," Yusuke begins to stutter out before Fuuto interrupts.
"Wow, I didn't think you could look like anything other than a street rat."
"Take that back you brat!" Yusuke hisses and hits Fuuto with his controller.
Fuuto shouts something and hits Yusuke back, igniting a scuffle between the two. They roll around on the floor in annoyance and Hikaru sighs.
"Just ignore them, Ema-chan. You look gorgeous."
And Hikaru laughs as Ema's face burns.
.
.
.
By the time Louis has finished dragging Ema around the house to show everyone his handiwork, it's pitch black out. Storm clouds had been threatening to overcome the weak sunshine all day. It wasn't until the sun finally set that the rain truly began falling, fat droplets splattering the ground outside.
The Asahina's, meanwhile, appraised Louis's work. Ema had gone entirely red around the ears from embarrassment. She was unused to getting so many compliments heaped onto her one after another.
Still, she's not flustered enough to forget her manners.
"I really can't stay here overnight!" Ema protests again, but Ukyo's ready for her arguments.
His responses are solidly constructed, with every hole Ema finds, every doubt and protest, settled as soon as Ema thinks to bring it up.
Hikaru has only ever seen his brother so fired up when he had to stay behind and ended up watching one of his school debate competitions.
Ema's presence really seems to draw out a protective side in everyone. She may not realize it yet, but she's been good for the Asahinas. A day with her feels like an hour, and Hikaru privately suspects that years would blend into minutes, if she was to stay.
Imagine that. Hikaru subconsciously slows his typing, deep in thought as he is. Ema could live with us.
He considers the possibility of the future again, with the addition of Ema in their lives. Doing homework with the younger boys, cooking with Ukyo, letting Louis play with her hair. He already knows Masaomi would love her.
Another sibling might be nice, as long as that sibling is Ema.