"I want a clear explanation!" She yelled, as she dragged the man inside her house. The other one stood still, hesitating if the question is also for him.
"I swear, I just wanted to surprise you and all. But this guy here…" The man in her hands explained as soon they settled in her living room. "Wait! Rio, it's not me who needs explaining. It's you! What are you guys doing after shift?! I saw you climb out of his car!"
As if she didn't hear him, she turned to the strawberry blonde man, also known as her boss and her almost-and-somewhat friend, standing by the door. His hair is still glamorously brushed up, obviously he hasn't went home yet. "I'm really sorry, Asano. This crazy man here is my brother. I didn't know he's gonna be visiting me tonight." She glared at her 'brother', hoping it's enough to make him stop talking.
She's tired. Just as she thought she had a good day, way to go her brother who's a little too overprotective. This was what she saw the moment she went home: two suspicious, tall men standing before her door. One was awfully familiar and one was, well, if she's not wrong, with her just a few moments back. It's impossible, she thought. Maybe it was someone else, or probably just her neighbors who got a wrong door? As she swerved to her parking space, she got a clearer glimpse of the two men. She couldn't believe her eyes but she was right. Standing in front of her door was her brother, whom she hasn't seen in months and Asano, whom she just had the heart-to-heart talk of the year just earlier this night, although a bit one sided. Her brother looked mad, he was glaring at Asano. She now had an idea what the ruckus was about. She couldn't see Asano's expression very well, but she doesn't have to because she knows whatever his reaction is, everything is a misunderstanding and she had to apologize. So she hurriedly jumped out of her car and ran towards her brother to ask for whatever his explanation to that because if she explained first, he'll definitely think something is going on between her and Asano. Now, she had to face the unnecessary commotion that once again, like in a shoujo manga where everything is fate-intervened, involves Asano.
"Oh, I see. It's fine. Nothing really happened. He just followed me and dragged me here. He thought we had a date or something." Asano nonchalantly shrugged. "I marginally had an idea that he's probably your brother or something. You two look alike. So, I followed him and went with him here so he can ask you directly what we were doing. I tried to explain but he wouldn't listen to me on the way here. He wouldn't even let me talk. "
Rio almost gagged when she heard him say they look alike. She knows her brother very, very well. And she knows that sometimes he gets really siscon-ish and overprotective at times when a guy is within her perimeter.
"Dammit," she cursed under her breath. Of all the times she went out with a man why does her brother have to see Asano. First, he's her boss. Second, their relationship right now is complicated and she doesn't know how to explain it very well. Her brother is smart, just like her, he wouldn't look past through any loophole and slip she would make.
"Look, I'm really sorry for the trouble. You're tired and yet this stupid guy here dragged you into this situation. Please come in." She lead her boss inside her small apartment.
Inviting some guy inside her home is embarrassing enough, let alone dealing with her stupid brother. And the guy, most especially, is not just any other guy. He's the crazy rich, gay-or-not-gay Asano Gakushuu whom she currently had some untangled situations with. Upon the slightly warm welcome, Asano made himself comfortable and sat onto a bean bag. It's a good thing she's kinda prepared for any intrusion. She's kinda clean when it comes to her apartment. Just never dare entering her room.
"You're her boss, you say? Why don't you admit that you're also into her? You trying to make a move on her or what?!" Rio's brother continued pestering Asano. She made herself a hospitable host, and went directly to her kitchen to bring some drinks. It was the least she could do to be courteous to Asano. She realized she didn't have anything but some orange juice in a can and some alcohol so she didn't bother asking what they want. The alcohol is for her later to help her sleep and forget this whole shame-show.
"Niichan, shut up! He's my boss and we had a meeting. Okay? You're saying unimaginable, inappropriate things!" Rio yelled again while holding a couple of can of juice for her guests.
She heard Asano clear his throat. "Mr. Nakamura, allow me to introduce my self." Rio prayed to all her ancestors and god there is for her brother to spare some of his logical thinking and listen to Asano as he bowed down for courtesy.
"I am Asano Gakushuu, boss of Nakamura Rio-san. You misunderstood what you saw earlier. I told you many times a while ago that it was a meeting. I am not interested in her, but I appreciate her as my subordinate at work. I had to clear this situation to you and you have nothing to worry about because I am not her boyfriend or anything that she has intimate connections with."
"Really? Because she was riding shotgun, and you touched her shoulder before she went out of your car! And if I may point out, you were giddily smiling to her. Of course I would want to ask you both about it! And what was with those parting words, 'Take care, Nacchan'?!"
Oh damn. So he saw everything.
Asano sighed. It was clear that her brother ticked him off. He shifted in his seat then answered. "We are friends, Rio and I. When we are outside the office, we're buddies. We playfully call each other names. If you know your sister, you must know she has this thing for calling people names for fun. She calls me Gakuchi, I call her Nacchan. Isn't that right, Nacchan?"
She was flustered, she can't even think straight because of her exhaustion and the shame of this misunderstanding. She perfectly knew that her brother is really a pain in the ass when it comes to dealing with boys in her life. "Yes, we're friends. We had a little company celebration because we had a successful conference this morning. He was thanking me not just as my boss but also as my friend because I did my job well. You forgot his last words, he said thank you. Happy now, niichan?"
Her brother scowled at Asano. Rio can tell that he's not convinced but he's slowly letting it slide. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry for the bother Mr. Asano. I was not thinking properly when I saw my precious little sister with another guy. I panicked. Besides, she doesn't deserve a guy like you." He turned to Rio. She was taken aback when she saw the quick shift in his eyes from serious to… she wasn't even sure. But she was kinda certain that the next move he will make will probably destroy her whole pristine image. She knew those eyes. It strongly reverberated of mischief. Where else would she get her prankster nature? Her brother shook his head and clicked his tongue. "Don't even think about it, Rio. I saw you blushed and hid a smile after you went out of his car. You and this handsome guy here are not on the same level. It's a delusion, Rio, a delusion. I'm just concerned, is all. Glad that it was a misunderstanding."
She felt her whole face flush. What the fuck? She was right but didn't expect him to say that. What she expected was that her brother would fend off Asano by saying that she doesn't deserve him or that she's too good for him, just like what he always say to her suitors. But it was the other way around! "What in fucking hell makes you think that I blushed? I am also not interested in him! Not at all! You seriously need to scram the hell out of here if you have nothing good to say. You're embarrassing me!" She yelled once again to her brother. He just smirked.
"Oh hoh? And leave you two here?" Silence. Rio was speechless, Asano, too. She couldn't believe it, he was making fun of her! Her brother guffawed. "I was kidding!" He managed in between catching his breath and laughing. Some tears were already coming out from his eyes because of his excessive laugh. He wiped a tear. He was still laughing. "Rio, really? As if you don't know me. Hahaha! I was messing with you. You, too, Asano-chan. You guys are cute, really."
"What the fuck? Niichan!" She playfully lunged towards her brother and smother him with playful punches. It was a mistake. She forgot a very important part. Her niichan stopped being an overprotective brother when he got married, which was a few years ago. "That was unfair! Your acting really improved! And you dare dragged Asano here too? How shameless can you get?"
Growing up together with a six year gap, her brother has always been overprotective. He never failed to scare off boys around their neighborhood just so they couldn't play with her. She hated it, but she got used to it. As long as her brother doesn't see, she can play all she wants with them. She was in London when she heard he was getting married. He was only 28 that time, and the worst thing was, she never knew he was dating someone. She flew immediately to Japan to meet her sis-in-law. She was a goddess. An all-around, no-arguments 20 out of 10. The night before their wedding, Rio had a talk with him. He explained that she's really precious that's why he became a little too overacting when it comes to her safety and such. And that now that they're both adults, she is finally free. That was the last time they actually had a long talk. She had only seen him when she arrived back to stay for good in Japan. They're both busy and this was the only time they met again properly. She just didn't expect him to pull an overly realistic prank like that.
Asano snorted. "So it was all a joke? The misunderstanding is all clear now, mind if I go now?"
Rio almost forgot too that Asano was still with them. She got too preoccupied.
The brother sat, pushing Rio aside. "No, no. Allow me to apologize formally and explain everything briefly. I am Nakamura Rui, Rio's brother. Nice to meet you," he bowed. Asano bowed too. "I was messing with Rio because she really looked happy when I saw her from your car. I thought it would be a funny homecoming if I pull a prank like that. You're a cool guy. I wouldn't mind if you think of, you know, dating my sister. Make her your servant or something."
"Niichan!"
"But seriously though, I'm sorry for dragging you into this. Since you and Rio are friends, let's be friends too?" He extended his hands for a handshake. Asano, took it.
Asano smiled politely. "You guys are really siblings. I understand, don't worry." He checked the time. Rio could see he is also tired. "But what if I am also joking when I say I am not her boyfriend?"
"Wait, what?" Rio blurted out. Her brother looked at her, eyebrows raised. She slowly shook her head and glared towards Asano's direction as if to say 'The Fuck?!'.
Asano laughed. "I'm kidding, Rui-san. I'm not her boyfriend. We are not a thing. I would want to, but your sister's a hard catch. She would want me to give her a moon or a half just to have her yes."
"What bullshit is that, Asano?!" Rio looked at him incredulously.
"Wait, wait. As her brother, I'm telling you, you shouldn't joke about these things. She deserves a moon AND a half. Give it to her if she wants it. She's a gem, something to protect and keep." Her brother seemed serious this time, but she's still suspicious.
"I'm also kidding," Asano said with a poker face as he stood up.
"Same." As if on cue, they both laughed. Rui stood up and gave Asano a high five. "Who cares about Rio, right? Dude, she looks like your personal maid beside you."
"Nah, Rio is a friend. Sometimes it's fun seeing the prankster she is turn into a slob of embarrassment like this now." Asano said, while being escorted by Rui outside her apartment.
"Slob of embarrassment, I love that!"
"Hey you two. How dare you guys mock me inside my home?"
"Sissy, I love you. That's why bullying you is my favorite stress reliever. Seems like Asano-chan here understands?" Asano nodded, giving her a little smirk.
"You two, out now! Wait, you're not staying the night, are you, niichan?" She squinted. All she wanted was to sleep. It was 2 hours before midnight and they have work tomorrow. Except that her brother is not hurrying home so she thought maybe he will spend the night there.
"Oh, boy. You see through me. My wife and son are in a vacation now, it's a little lonely at home. Plus, I don't have work tomorrow. It's my assigned rest day. Allow me to stay, pretty sister please? Just for tonight. Your boyfriend is watching." Her brother teased.
Rio rolled her eyes, "Fine. But you stay here in the living room. And I'm going to escort my 'boy friend' back to his car because you had to ruin his night by dragging him all the way here for your prank. You're gonna pay and I'm going to tell Sis-in-law."
She turned to Asano. "You, you had fun too, yes?" Asano just bowed, then gave her a little smirk.
They walked outside her apartment. They heard Rui shout, "Take care of yourself, Asano-chan. My sis is a monster."
Rio laughed. She definitely knows the prankster thing runs through their blood.
"I am sorry. Really, Asano. I am. My brother's a bit crazy, like me. He used to be so overprotective and unreasonable before, but now that he had his own family, he had a 180 change."
"Your brother's cool. I can tell that he's really smart, " he said as he unlocked his car.
"Yep, and I'd like to emphasize this: he's actually a lot like Karma who's gonna be engaged this Friday, just a lot less brutal but more or less similar," Rio snickered. She's gonna get back at him for bullying her. Well, thinking about it, it was her first time witnessing him make a joke.
He snorted. "So? Are you bringing that up because I joked about me liking you?" He challenged.
"Yeah. Seems like you also have some fun running through your blood. I thought it's all work, work and work," she retorted. But on a serious note, his joke slightly caught her off guard. She quickly shoved off the idea. "You should be sleeping now, if not for him. I'm sorry again."
"Yeah, but it's fine. I had a good night. Thanks again." He said before entering his car. He turned to her and smiled. "Don't blush like that."
"What? I'm not…"
"I'm joking." He smirked as he closed his door. Rio was left dumbfounded. If she's being honest, her heart may have or may have not skipped a beat or two. He was insanely handsome, and for the record, that smirk wasn't just any of his cocky smiles. He was obviously flirting.
No! Rio slapped herself to reality. He's gay, and he was just playing with her. She reminded herself that it was only four days since 'that Friday night' and many things happened already. She met his dad, he met her brother. What else? She thought that if it's plausible, the universe suddenly conspired to bring them together to embarrass themselves. Goddamn. And it's not helping that she, although it's hard for her to admit, is inevitably attracted to him. Keyword: attracted. She doesn't like him, romantically. Like if he's gonna be her boyfriend, she'd rather not. But she definitely wouldn't say no if he asks something like physical intimacy.
At first she thought he's boring, and she hates boring men. And also he's Asano Gakushuu, of course she wouldn't even consider her as a man. He was a monster from her point of view. But everything have changed in his room, the acoustics of their moans together, muffled. Just remembering it makes her blush.
She's being honest now. And she knows that she needs to get laid. She's an adult and her body got needs. She quickly resolved to get wasted this Friday so she can get the healing she needs.
For now, she has catching up to do with her brother.
Hello! It's almost a year since I posted this. I completely forgot about this, but when I did some uncluttering in my drive I saw this and I thought of continuing it. I'd like to give many, many thanks for the reviews and follows and all. I kinda forgot about their character details so I have to reread again the character review to check if I remember correctly and I revised this chapter that contains Rio's brother! And I named him!
Thanks again, and I hope you have a great day ahead. ~~