"What are you doing Misaki?" I looked up to Hidori. I tried to hide my paper but she was quick and snatched it up. "Niichan, good looks, nice, caring, raised me. Usami-sensei, good looks, asshole, lazy, does not know how to cook, crooked smile."
"AHHH don't say it out loud." I tried grabbing it again but she pulled it out of my reach. "Are you comparing your brother to your tutor."
God it sounded lame. "Well… I still am having those dreams so I figured there might be a slight chance that I have some sort of feelings for Usami-sensei. He is niichan's best friend after all so maybe I saw something of niichan in him." I was able to get the paper back. "But looking at this, the only thing they have in common is their good looks." I cried when I felt her hand collide with my head. "What the hell Hidori?!"
"Idiot. It is like you did not listen to anything I said a few days ago."
"Because it cannot be true!"
"Misaki. Do not you think that maybe it is possible you actually lo…" "I WON'T HEAR IT."
"TAKAHASHI, SHIMA. If you do not quiet it down you both are getting attention." The teacher glared at us as the rest of the classmates snickered. Stupid gym.
"You may not want to hear it but you also cannot run from the inevitable." Oh yeah? Watch me. My feelings are for niichan and niichan alone.
"Your tests are this Friday right?" Usami-sensei asked, making me look up from the dinner I was making us. Stupid niichan decided to go out to eat with Minami again and Usami-sensei convinced him that "for Misaki's safety and so she is not lonely at home, she should stay and have dinner with me."
And I got forced into making a free meal for this guy.
"Yes, and this is our last study session until then so I would rather be studying then making food for a lazy guy like you."
"You are more than ready for that test." He ignored my insult.
"Says the one who is always calling me an idiot."
I was not prepared for him to pet me head. "Knock it of.." I froze when I turned to see his face so close. His eyes staring at me as if he could see right through me. "Now I am saying you are more than ready for your tests. Studying too much is bad so you should take a break before the test." He pulled away. "Idiot."
He smiled that same crooked smile but for once I did not feel any sort of animosity towards it. In fact I was too preoccupied with my burning face and tried turning back to focus on the food. Even if I was embarrassed, it was kind of nice to hear Usami-sensei praising me since it was something he never said anything nice to me.
We ate in comfortable silence, his large Suzuki sitting in the chair between us. "You better be grateful. If not for niichan believing in all your lies then I would not have cooked for you at all." I reminded him.
He chuckled. "It was not a lie. Takahiro went out on a date, so you surely would have been lonely. And stabbing a voodoo doll in your room." I do not own a voodoo doll.
Wait.
So, him having me over was not for a free meal? He was actually thinking about me.
Oh no. My heart will not stop pounding.
"Um, let me get the dishes." I raced back to the kitchen, face burning again. "And thank you. I guess I would have been lonely."
He moved over to lean on the opposite side of the island. "You are much cuter when you are being honest."
"Shut up." Even if I was not looking at him I could still hear his laughter. Damn, him being both mean and nice is messing with my head. "I do not ever know if you are being nice or teasing me." He continued laughing.
When I was done with the dishes I joined him on the couch. It was still pretty early so maybe I can get some studying in before I leave. "No studying." He said suddenly, as if he could read my mind.
"But…" "Just listen to me for once will you. If I say you are fine then you." I wanted to say more but the way he looked at me had me shut up. Why does his eyes have to look so fierce? "Your face is red again. You better not be coming down with a fever."
"I am not!" Cool down face. Cool down.
He studied me for a second before smirking. "So what? Do you like me or something?"
"As if I wo…" I could not finish. How could I not finish?
No way. It could not be true.
My face must have been scary because his went wide with shock. "Misaki?"
Could I really?
No. No. No. "I have to go." I quickly grabbed my bag and left, not hearing anything else from him. Outside I broke into a sprint, getting home in record time. Niichan was not home thankfully as I was able to run to my room and jump under the covers. My heart was still pounding and now my whole body was on fire. This felt so much different from my feelings towards niichan.
Could I really like Usami-sensei?
"I…I did it." I smiled, looking down at my test scores. They were so much better than a few months ago; I might actually have a shot at getting into Mitsuhashi. I got to tell Usam… As I reached for my phone I stopped. That is right. I have not spoken to him since that awkward moment at his place. Niichan has said he asked if I was alright but I waved it off. I planned to avoid him; the situation is plenty awkward.
He loves niichan; even if I had developed anything for him he does not even like girls.
Maybe this was a good thing. Now that I know these feelings are pointless I could go back to focusing on niichan. He has been happier lately so maybe something good happened at work. He also has been trying to spend more time with me then possible so I cannot complain. Maybe he left Minami.
Huh, that is funny. Even with such thought I cannot be as happy as I used to always be. And even looking down at my phone I realized it was Usami-sensei I wanted to call about my tests, not niichan.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
"I'll say. You are the one randomly screaming in the road." Gasping, I turned to see Usami-sensei with a box in his hand.
"Usami-sensei? What are you doing here?!" Was not his place the other way?
He held up the white box. "I am going over for Takahiro's birthday." NIICHAN'S BIRTHDAY?! OH SHIT I FORGOT!
I am such a failure of a sister.
"Oh then let's get going. Niichan is expecting us after all." I laughed it off and moved forward. Now I need to get home and show niichan lots of love. "Are those your test scores?" He eyed at my hands.
"Yes. I just got them back today."
"How did you do?" I lifted them up for him to see. He looked for a second before smiling. "See, I told you that with me as your tutor you could improve."
"Shut up. Do not get such a big head." Cocky bastard. "But yeah, thank you. It has been a real big help with you here." We continued in silence. I guess he either wanted to pretend that that day did not happen or he does not care.
"Misaki, Usagi-san!" Brother cheered as he hugged us both.
"Happy birthday niichan." My test papers could wait. Today was all about niichan.
"Good evening." Damn, she is here. Minami came strolling in looking perfect as ever that I did not want to let go of niichan until he made a comment about the cake. "Let me take that niichan." I grabbed the box from Usami-sensei and brought it to the table. All while I could hear niichan introducing Mina to Usami-sensei. "And I am so glad that you all are here. I have an announcement."
Announcement? Even with Usami's careful face I could tell he was surprised by this two.
Niichan smiled and grabbed Minami's hand. "We are getting married."
