Kotoko is stupid and dumb. On Sunday, when her friends aren't texting her back fast enough, she does nothing but lay around in her room. She is so pitifully lonely, hilariously life-less. Naoki has more than a social life. He's always got something to do, even though he prefers his alone time.

They're complete opposites, really, which is further proof that any relationship between would not work. Would never work. Mama is delusional, thinking that Kotoko and Naoki would be a couple.

Naoki has things to do, Kotoko does not. Naoki is smart, Kotoko is not. Naoki is popular, Kotoko is not. Naoki is tall and good-looking, Kotoko is short and hideous.

Yuuki glances back to his book, decides to focus now. Naoki has left the house about twenty minutes ago, and in that time, he's almost done with the novel he's reading.

Reading consistently keeps your brain sharp.

It was Papa who actually told him that, but it is good advice, nevertheless.

Yuuki is on the last chapter of his book when he hears a knock on the door.

A knock? No one ever knocks…

He groans. "Go away, Kotoko."

"Do you want to play a game? I have nothing to do, and I know you're all done with your homework!" Her voice is muffled through the door, and it makes him wish the doors were soundproof. Maybe Papa will be willing to look into that, soundproof doors.

"Are you done with yours?"

Silence.

He almost laughs out loud, kicks his feet on his mattress instead. Kotoko always has her priorities misaligned. Besides. He'd rather not get up from his bed; reading in his warm room is his favorite thing to do.

When Kotoko stays quiet, still doesn't reply, not even with a witty reply, Yuuki sighs. He gets up, shuts his book, opens the door.

"Kotoko?"

Naoki blinks back at him, his hair slightly wet. He's got a towel slung on his shoulder, a loose shirt and shorts on as well.

"Oh," Yuuki says, moving out of the way, letting Naoki in the room. "Where did Kotoko go?"

"It's none of my business," Naoki replies, briskly. His jaw is slightly tight, and there's a small furrow in between his eyebrows.

Yuuki sighs. "Did she bother you again?"

"When does she not?"

Yuuki glances to the side. This can't be good.

"What did Kotoko do?"

Naoki hums, sits down on his bed. "You should stop hanging out with her. Let her be lonely," he says, glancing at the floor. "She'll leave sooner if we both ignore her."

Yuuki is quiet. "Do you really want her to leave?" He blinks at his big brother, watches him closely. There's only so much he can understand, no matter how smart Yuuki is.

"I don't lie, Yuuki," he says, glancing up. "I can only tolerate nuisances for so long."

Yuuki takes a breath, calms his racing heartbeat before speaking. There is no reasons to be feeling this scared around Naoki, but for some reason, Yuuki's hands feel clammy.

Naoki can tell, Yuuki knows, because he's got one eyebrow raised.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," Yuuki says, blinking quickly. "I'm fine."

Naoki stands, sheds the towel off of his shoulder. "I'll get you some orange juice," he tells him, smiling slightly. "That's your favorite, right?"

"Yes," Yuuki answers, unable to smile back, watching as Naoki makes his way towards the door.

"Naoki," he starts, gulping down the last of his anxiety. This confession may just be the death of him. Yuuki glances at Naoki's towel, wishes he could wipe the sweat off his forehead with it. "Kotoko told me — no, -I heard her — she said, she said that she's going to forget about you."

Naoki pauses, his hand ghosting the doorknob. "I hope she does," he says, cocking his head slightly. "The sooner she does, the better."

Yuuki watches for a moment as Naoki regards him, then turns the knob of the door, leaves the room.

He stares after the door.