Married.

Niichan…is getting…married?

My whole body felt as cold as ice as my mouth opened but no words formed. Then I peered up at Usami-sensei. He smiled but even with that smile I could see such sadness in his eyes. This is unfair. "Congratulations. You guys look great together."

"Thank you so much. Of course I wanted you to be the best man."

"I would be honored." How could he be so calm when he was so sad?

"And I wanted to ask Misaki if she would do the honor of being my maid of honor." All three were now looking at me.

"Um..yeah…" I tried forcing a smile but I could feel the tears threatening to make an appearance. "That be..great…" Oh no, I could barely hold them back. I did not want to cry in front of niichan. I felt pressure on my arm.

"Takahiro, it seems we need wine to celebrate this occasion. Why not Misaki and I go get some?" Usami-sensei pulled me closer, allowing me to hide behind his large body. "Sure. Hurry back now so Manami's cake does not melt." As we passed I glanced up only to be met with Minami's eyes. She looked so concern as we left the apartment. Usami-sensei pulled me down the street. I wanted to say we were going the opposite way of the store but kept my mouth shut.

"Usami-sensei?" We stopped a couple blocks away in front of a street lamp. The light shined on the spot we stood and it was then I noticed the light snowfall. Thankfully I was still wearing my jacket from earlier. "Why did you drag me out?

He turned back, his smile gone. "I figured you would not want Takahiro to see you crying."

"I was not crying." It did not sound so great as my voice cracked. I turned to lean on the street lamp as the tears finally broke free. Damn me and my stupid girly emotions.

"I told you."

"Shut up."

It was not for another few minutes of me still crying that he spoke again. "I did not think that announcement would cause this much of a reaction out of you."

I turned to him. "I said shut up!" Why does he still look so calm and collected? It is pissing me off. "What about you? You loved him for much longer than even me. You were by his side this whole time and yet my stupid brother was oblivious to everything. I should hate you, I should hate that Mina girl, but I cannot. All I can think is how awful my niichan treated you. What is wrong with me?!"

I could hear him sighing. "it is not something to cry so much about."

"I cannot help it. Once I start I cannot stop." Which is why I hate crying; I probably had a runny nose now too. So unattractive.

Through my crying I could not see him come closer, I did not even take note to the hand that made its way around my waist. I did jump slightly at the hand that grabbed my chin and lifted my head, when cold, soft lips pressed against mine.

It scared me. My hands stayed to my sides as I felt him pull my closer to his body. My eyes, once wide open, slowly began to close as his tongue entered my mouth. He was a great kisser. Not that I had any one else to compare him to.

As quickly as he kissed me he quickly pulled away, a soft smile appearing on his face. "You stopped crying." He gently brushed my cheeks with his hands. I shivered at how surprisingly warm they were. "Usami…" I could not finish as he laid his head on my shoulder. "Usami-sensei…if you want to cry…you can." I was not the only one who went through a heartbreak today.

"Do not patronize me little girl" he snickered, "I have not cried in front of anyone since I was a child." I was ready to make some comeback when I felt my neck grow wet. I giggled, and he calls me a little kid. I was much smaller in his embrace but this was an incredible new feeling. All I could think was that I wanted to stay like this forever.

"We should probably be leaving soon." How long were we out here? "And let's not forget wine."

We went to the store to get the wine and went home, niichan expecting nothing out of the ordinary. All four of us gathered around the small table to eat and sing happy birthday. Usami-sensei back to his "niichan persona" but I did not see as much sadness in his eyes. I found myself staring at him the whole time when I was shaken out of my thoughts. "Are you alright Misaki?" Mina looked at me.

I looked to see Usami and niichan in another room. "Um yes, sorry what did you say?"

Her smile really was a kind one. "I know this is all so sudden but I want to assure you that I would never want to come between you and your brother. You two have been through so much and he adores you. I agreed with him to support you in any ways possible. I even started a savings with him when you get into Mitsuhashi so you do not have to worry about money." She did? "I still have things to learn but I hope you will teach me how to live up to the Takahashi name."

I love niichan. I wanted him to myself.

But we were siblings and had our own lives. "I am glad niichan has you Mi-Manami." Her eyes started to water as she reached over to hug me. That was the first time I ever said her name.

"Manami?" niichan and Usami-sensei came out from the other room. Manami did not speak as she kept hugging me. Niichan must have figured something out because he started bawling and ended up hugging me too. "Guys..can't…breath."

I looked to Usami-sensei for help but was taken back by his laughter. It was the first time I had seen a genuine smile from him. It was beautiful.

Hmm, red or purple, I stared at the two lipsticks in the mirror, trying to figure out which one would look good on me. My hair was perfectly straightened and my skirt and shirt were all nice and neat. "Ok, let's go with…" I lifted the red when both were knocked out of my hand. "WHAT THE HELL?" I looked back at the bastard ex-tutor. He looked back with a bored expression. "Why are you putting on makeup? Do not try to act cool newbie."

"Shut up! I got into the university that is all that matters."

"Right, right. Even if you are on the alternative list you still made it in. No one would know you are an alternate student and you can graduate, as an alternate." "SHUT UP!"

Niichan's company had him transferred to Osaka and our lease for the apartment went up so I became a free-loader at Usami's place. I was surprised niichan agreed but from what I heard Usami was persuasive.

I walked out of the bathroom with him on my tail. "You got everything unpacked?" I nodded, not like I had that much. "Good. But you know, persuading Takahiro to let you stay here was horrible. You should be grateful."

"Yeah Yeah." I waved him off. "Niichan still thinks I am a child and cannot do things by myself."

He sighed, "Not too mention that stupid complex he has."

I paused. "Complex?"

"You did not realize? Takahiro has such a huge little sister complex when it comes to you. He spent hours instructing me how to make sure no boys flirted with you nor let you go out with boys and even wanted me to check your phone to make sure no boys were harassing you. I even got a lecture about not doing anything to you and he is calling every three days to make sure you are safe."

...

Wait what?

Usami looked my way and came closer, a smirk on his face. "For someone with her own sibling complex, I am surprised you did not see his. How else could you get away with certain things that normal siblings usually do not do. I did want to see if your cuddling skills are just as great as Takahiro describes."

What?

So…I could still have niichan?!

I turned but Usami had his arms around me. "Let me go! I got to go save niichan from that vile woman!" Niichan needs me!

"Nope." He spun me around and kissed me. "You have to take responsibility."

"Responsibility? For what?" I gasped when he hand slipped down into my skirt. I could feel his hot breath on my ear. "For making the great Usami Akihiko fall so passionately in love with you."

In love? With me? "Get it now?"

"No I don't! I thought you were gay?"

I heard him chuckling, "I guess you could say I was Bi. And now all I need is Misaki." I bet my cheeks were red as I did not know what to say when his hand slipped into my underwear. "I want to see the red lace again."

PERVERT! "Like hell you will! Let me go!" I cried as he pulled me to the couch.

Niichan, this place is dangerous.


The series is almost finished :'(

Coming next will be epilogues for each of the couples!