X-X-X-X
Chapter 7
X-X-X-X
"This one would look good on Zhou Ming." I said holding up a coat.
"Are you sure?" Zhou Ling Bin asked looking quite unsure.
"Yeah, besides, anything too masculine wouldn't look good with his face." I stated checking the size.
"The two of you are about the same size, right?"
"More or less. I'm the taller than him though." I'm actually a bit jealous that he's cute. "Ma, whenever we go out though it's funny because everyone thinks that I'm his boyfriend while he's the girlfriend."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you should have seen Zhou Ming." I stifled a laugh. "He got all pissed and tried cussing the other guy out. I had to cover his mouth and drag him away before he got into any trouble."
"Thanks for taking care of Ming Bin, Yu Li Xia."
"It's what friends are for. Besides, he's the only person who actually treats me somewhat decently after finding out that I'm a girl." Oh, this size would do. "Most of the guys find it hard to talk to me afterwards. I'm actually grateful to Zhou Ming...He's the only one who told me to fuck myself after I thought he would leave me behind like everyone else."
"I apologize for his behavior."
"It's fine, I'm used to it now. I'm actually a bit embarrassed to admit this, but..." My cheeks heated up slightly. "He was the first person in a long time to yell at me and call me an idiot."
"Do you like Ming Bin?"
"Yeah?" I looked at Zhou Ling Bin slightly confused by what he meant. "We're friends after all."
"Hm..."
"What's wrong?"
"No, is that all you're buying?"
"Yes. So, what did you plan on getting your brother?"
"I...don't really know."
"Waah...what a big brother." I pushed the coat into his arms. "Buy that for him. I'll find something else."
"But..."
"Geez, don't underestimate me." I poked him in the chest with a grin on my face. "I know Zhou Ming's taste better than you! I'll come up with something by the end of the day. Come on, let's go to the next shop already."
"You don't want to look around anymore?"
"That's the only thing here that I thought would suit Zhou Ming. Come on, I got at least four more shops to go before we're done."
"Fo-Four...?"
"Two more clothing stores then two of my usual hangouts. Despite my masculine appearance I am a girl too."
"I haven't seen you as anything other than a girl, Yu Li Xia."
I felt my cheeks heat up a bit at what he said and I pretended as if I didn't hear him. I dragged my best friend's brother about, comparing clothing and styles with him. I managed to get an outfit that would match the coat Zhou Ling Bin bought. It was good that Zhou Ling Bin is such a strange brother...to know his younger brother's sizes so well. I doubt any sibling can tell you the sizes of their other siblings unless they were the same size and gender.
"I'll keep them at my place for now and wrap them up too." I said taking the bag from Zhou Ling Bin.
"You have my thanks. In truth, I was at a loss what to get for him." Zhou Ling Bin said with an embarrassed blush.
"I figured as much, that's why I told you to come today. Geez, for a big brother to forget a present."
"We-Well..."
"Heh, in Second Life, I want some help collecting some material. I can't use my usual explosions or risk death so I need someone who is skilled at fighting."
"Would after the tournament be fine?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Then I'll take my leave here. Later."
"You too."
X-X-X-X
I wondered just how long Zhou Ling Bin would end up taking with his preparations. He managed to get his brother out the house the morning of his birthday and the two of us went to our usual hangouts throughout the city. Zhou Ming was muttering complaints again...but not about his brother, about the group of idiots who bothered him earlier thinking he was a girl...until I came by and they backed off apologizing saying that they didn't know that he was with his man...which I tried not to laugh at.
"Just stick close, no one will bother you then." I stated grabbing his arm, leading him away.
"That's only because they think we're a damn couple. Your manly face is irritating me right now." Zhou Ming said shooting me a glare.
"You only say that because you got mistaken for a girl." I shoved my hands into my pockets, looking around. "So, what do you want to do now? Look at hover bikes?"
"You did say you were going to buy one..."
"Yeah, my uncle said that if I choose the make and model, he'll purchase one for me. I was meaning to get one since I turned 18...so many modifications I could make..."
"Don't do anything illegal. I'm not visiting you in prison if you do."
"I wonder if you should even say that mister 'I'll fucking kill everyone who calls me a girl'?"
"It's their own fucking fault!"
"Yes, yes. Come on."
Zhou Ming and I hung around a hover bike shop, debating on the models. I wanted something I can modify and nothing that came out recently since I won't be able to fix what I mess with if I use a new model. Zhou Ming was more focused on how well it runs, but also something that looks cool. Quite frankly I could care less about the looks, since I'm going to be taking it apart and replacing just about everything. I would build one from parts, but it would take too long.
"Hm?" I got a message. "Oh, your brother is ready." I said glancing at my best friend.
"Finally!" Zhou Ming walked beside me, obviously irritated. "I told him before and he never listens! I swear, it's damn annoying."
"Yeah."
I listened to Zhou Ming rant and I couldn't stop the frown from forming on my face. He's...pretty damn lucky that he's got a family member who cares so much about him to do something like this. Uncle is great and all, but...he's not there when I needed or wanted him there. He remembers my birthday, but the most I get is a question asking what I wanted...and I only chose physical objects, never asking him to spend the day with me since I knew he was always busy with work.
"What's up?" Zhou Ming asked noticing the look on my face.
"Huh, ah, it's nothing, don't worry about it." I gave him a slight grin, but it was faked. "I was debating on the bikes we were looking at earlier. I'm stuck between the model X2291 and the ZV4892." I said clenching my fist out of his sight.
"Go with the X2291. While it doesn't look great, you can modify it as much as you want. The ZV4892 is a bit newer so there aren't as many parts you want for it and you won't be able to fix it that easily."
"Yeah, you're right."
The two of us got to his place and I could tell Zhou Ming was going to chew out his brother, but is willing to wait until I'm gone to do it. I grinned a bit, holding up a bag of alcohol...to Zhou Ling Bin's annoyance. It seems that he didn't want his little brother drinking the day of his birthday...and considering we got school tomorrow...eh, we can always skip.
X-X-X-X
"Ugh...Zhou Ming...call the school...tell them we won't be in..." I groaned from my position on his bed.
"I'm going...to kill you...why did you...buy so much alcohol...?" Zhou Ming groaned lying on the floor.
"My head hurts...turn the lights off..."
"Where's Gege?"
"His room...I think..."
"Think if we go into Second Life it'll go away...?"
Zhou Ming and I both groaned, trying to cover our eyes when Zhou Ling Bin came in, trying to get us up. The older and taller male was able to get us into the kitchen, but neither of us could lift our heads from the table. The man tried to get us up and ready for school, but was unable to do anything when both Zhou Ming and I began glaring at him.
"You drank as much as us, why aren't you suffering?" I questioned as he put some food down in front of me.
"I didn't, I replaced mine with water." Zhou Ling Bin said as if I was being ridiculous.
"Bastard." I muttered picking up the coffee.
"Agreed." Zhou Ming muttered unable to move.
"Are you two going to school or not?"
"Not."
"Not happening."
"I'll call your school. What exactly do you want me to say?"
"Just say my uncle needs me today."
"Cold."
"...Why does it seem like you two got your excuses planned out?"
"Thought of them..."
"Long ago..."
"Hm...Yu Li Xia, are you staying here?"
"Yeah, I brought my bag."
"You two are going into Second Life, aren't you?"
"Yup."
"Yeah."
"...Just this once I'll let it slide."
"Thanks."
"Thanks, Gege."
"Yu Li Xia, did you pack your helmet?"
"Yeah."
"Where did you even plan on sleeping?"
"Zhou Ming's couch?"
"I'll put some blanket there then. Ming Bin, I'll call around lunch. Be sure to eat properly."
"Yeah, got it."
"I'll make something..."
"Make sure to shower after lunch."
"Yeah."
"Uh-huh."
Zhou Ling Bin left...leaving behind Zhou Ming and I. The two of us turned to the other before deciding that the headache was too much to deal with so we headed to his room and put on our gaming helmets.
X-X-X-X
"Remind me that we aren't getting blackout drunk ever again." Miwa said as I lured some monsters.
"I'm pretty sure your brother dragged our sorry asses to your room." I set off a small explosion, the monsters' eyes are covered in a black sticky powder. "Wow! These blinding bombs are working great!" I said beheading one monster.
"Just don't set them off near yourself! I don't know what you use to get them off!"
"They go away after a few minutes! If you really want to get it off, you use a mixture of aloe and honey!"
"What the hell is it anyways?!"
"If I tell you, I'll make you help me gather the materials!"
"Forget it then!"
I laughed, cutting up more monsters. The two of us continued to grind while he was trying to get me to give him some of my explosives or special types of bombs. I won't ever be selling them since I use just about everything when I go hunting. Miwa should know me better, besides if I start giving it out to one person then more people I don't even know will start asking if I'll be putting them on sale! No way!
"It's almost lunchtime." I noted checking the time.
"Let's log out. What did you want to eat?" Miwa asked checking his staff.
"I'll figure something out when I check your fridge."
The two of us logged out and I pulled my headset off, placing it down on the pillow. I rubbed my neck, heading out the room first while Zhou Ming showered. By the time he came to the dining room, he was getting off the phone with his brother. I put down the plates and I served myself first. Zhou Ming and I didn't say anything as we ate and I heard my phone ringing. I checked the caller ID, only to end up frowning.
"Who is it?" Zhou Ming asked noticing my frown.
"My uncle, strange." I answered and I put it near my ear. "Uncle?"
"Li Xia, you're not at home, right?"
"Er...No, I told you that my friend's birthday was yesterday...we got blackout drunk. I'm at his place now."
"Your...no, forget it. Turn on the news."
"Okay. Hey, where's the remote to your TV?"
"Here."
"What channel?"
"Any."
"Any..." I turned it on and I stared with wide eyes. It's covering an early morning arson on a certain and very familiar building. "Is that..."
"That's your apartment building, right?"
"When the hell did this happen?! My stuff! My games! My computers! My babies!"
"I just got the news from one of my secretaries. Li Xia, I'll find you a new place. Do you have anywhere you can stay for now?"
"Er...Hey, Zhou Ming, can I stick around here until my uncle finds me a new place?"
"Fine with me, but I'll have to tell my brother."
"Thanks. Uncle, yeah, I can stay with a friend."
"It's only temporary, three days at most. I'll come get you after three days. Buy the bare minimum you need."
"Three days? Okay, I got it."
"Li Xia?"
"Uncle?"
"I'm glad you're safe. Don't...go out unless necessary. I'll explain everything properly."
"Explain? Isn't it just a random arson?"
"Li Xia, it was our apartment that was targeted. The fire originated from our floor."
"...What?"
X-X-X-X
Chapter 7 Ends
Was this chapter a bit surprising? Maa...Yue and Miwa got a good relationship going. While they're jealous of how the other looks, they get along well due to the fact they're both gamers and due to Yue not caring about a friend's bad personality. Miwa, on the other hand, doesn't give a fuck. A friend is a friend and if you mess with them, you're pretty much screwed. I doubt Miwa would have many male friends due to his bad temper hence why Yue is his friend. Welp, that's it for today so until the next time my dears! Bye-bye~!