FILE 12 - A Busy Day, Part 2

Previously on FILE 11, Nanari helped Billie to his house after he overworked himself. However, after an awkward conversation with his dad who was also the principal of the school, Nanari accepted being an assistant for him for one day.

5:55 AM, Hayashi's House

Nanari was near her bed, slumping against it with tiredness after helping Billie. Nakumo, who had just woken up, noticed his sister looking exhausted and decided to check on her.

He crept up to her side and gently patted her shoulder. "Sis?" He asked, his voice full of concern.

Nanari jolted upright as she'd just been electrocuted, her eyes wide with panic. But as she caught sight of Nakumo, she let out a long sigh of relief.

"Oh... it's just you, Nakumo." She said, trying to play it cool, though her heart was still racing from the surprise.

She checked her nose, it had seemingly healed from the previous injury.

"Let me guess," Nakumo said as he looked at Nanari with skepticism, "you couldn't sleep, again, may I ask why is that?"

Nakumo Hayashi, the brother of Nanari Hayashi. He has been observant of his sister's behavior these past few weeks. He does this because he cares for her.

Nanari quickly deflected his skepticism with her words, "Nonsense! I just had a bad nightmare so I couldn't sleep!"

However, Nakumo wasn't convinced.

He crossed his arms and gave her an even more skeptical look. "You're always up to something, Sis. You've had nightmares for a week now."

Nanari chuckled nervously, "I've just been busy, that's all. You know, school and... other things."

"Other things, huh?" Nakumo smirked, "like getting into trouble?"

"Trouble? Me? Never!" Nanari playfully ruffled his hair, trying to change the subject. "Now, how about we get ready for the day?"

Nakumo sighed, knowing he wouldn't get a straight answer, but he let it slide. "Alright, but if you're going to keep secrets, at least get some sleep once in a while!"

As Nakumo got off his bed and headed outside, Nanari sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of the night's exhaustion pulling at her shoulders. She reached under her pillow and pulled out an old, worn book, its cover faded with time. As she wiped away the dust and cobwebs, the title came into view: "The Musen Incident.", written by Banja Muboroshi.

This was no ordinary book. It was a top-secret volume given to the Hayashi due to their past work as prominent attorneys. Banja Muboroshi, who had been defended by them, had gifted it as a token of gratitude. Unlike the public version, which depicted Banja as a hero amid a convoluted narrative involving numerous characters, this edition delved deeper into the events of that fateful night with a slant of truth distortion.

Her eyes moved rapidly over the pages, her finger following the text as if she had memorized it. "Nakumo Musen." She murmured, her voice barely breaking the silence of the room. "That's your 'real name' from 16 years ago... I wish I hadn't discovered this book."

A surge of regret swept over her as she flipped through the fragile pages, her mind whirling with the weight of her findings. "But... I've been wondering... What's the real 'truth'? This story is riddled with inconsistencies. My parents couldn't have been so blind to overlook..."

She paused on a page with a photograph of a man holding a baby. It was Nakumo's biological father, Osamu Musen.

"You were the son of Osamu Musen, and was washed ashore when you were just a baby..." Nanari's voice cracked as she spoke, the weight of the mystery bearing down on her. "But how did you stay alive? Surely a baby couldn't have survived on a boat with no one to guide it... Unless you have the same power as me..."

She gulped, the sound echoed through her as her throat was tight with emotion. "There must be a truth to this incident, and I will find it out." Her resolve was firm, but it did little to ease the ache in her chest.

"I've searched everywhere for a week now." She continued in her thoughts, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and sorrow. "Every corner, every crook, and cranny, even using my newfound ability to spy on Banja, the man who claimed to be the hero of the story... But nothing. I've found nothing."

She closed the book gently, holding it against her chest as if it could offer some comfort. "Maybe I missed somewhere. But I won't give up, brother." She vowed silently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "For I am Nanari Hayashi and the Hayashis don't quit that easily."

"SIS! ARE YOU COMING OR NOT?!" Nakumo screamed out, Nanari caught it and replied, "Coming!"

Nanari swiftly hid her book on her pillow and covered it with her bedsheet.

As Nakumo was brushing his teeth in the bathroom, he suddenly asked Nanari, "Sis, what is this 'assistant' you have been given?"

Nanari's eyes widened, and she frantically checked her pockets. "Dammit! What did I say about stealing my phone?!"

Nakumo continued brushing, unfazed. "Just answer me, sis. Have you been bribing the principal to give me more homework or something?"

"Uh..." Nanari hesitantly spoke, "Why do you think that?"

"Alright, fine! I admit it," Nanari sighed, surrendering to her brother's relentless teasing. "The principal asked me to be his assistant for a day because Billie... he couldn't go to school today..."

Nakumo began to speak up, his tone dripping with exaggerated surprise with sarcasm. "Wow! Of all people, I didn't expect Billie to be your boyfriend! But many others did, hehe."

Nanari's face flushed red with embarrassment. She stormed over to the bathroom door, shaking a fist playfully. "You little! When you're done in there, you're gonna pay for that!"

Nakumo just grinned, knowing full well that his sister was all bark and no bite. It was their usual sibling banter, something Nanari was used to. Everyone loved teasing her about Billie, and Nakumo was no exception.

6:10 AM

As Nanari and Nakumo were presented at the diner table, luxurious meals were laid down before their eyes.

"Nanari..." Their dad seeing a lump on Nakumo's head, decided to ask, "Did you hit your brother again?"

"Nope." Nanari replied with casual nonchalance, but Nakumo jumped in, "She did! Please save me from her!"

"Quit whining, you baby," Nanari said dismissively, before turning to her dad. "He's just overreacting."

Her dad, still skeptical, spoke as he sliced his steak. "Just get along with your brother, will you?"

"But he started it first!" Nanari protested, but her dad cut her off, "No. You need to take responsibility for your actions. Until then, I'll make Nakumo the heir, not you."

Nanari groaned, "Right, sorry about that Dad." She extended her hand towards Nakumo across the table. "Peace?"

"No way!" Nakumo slapped her hand away. "You're still a devil!"

Nanari held her patience when Nakumo said that, but was immediately snapped when he added, "And you're an old hag!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE-" Nanari lunged across the table. A huge crash sound can be heard as plates and glasses are shattered. It was a normal day for the two Hayashi siblings.

Her dad watched the commotion with a sigh, while their mother chuckled. "Kids will always be kids, won't they?"

"Yeah..." Their mother agreed, "But hey, don't act like you don't remember being this chaotic as well."

They both laughed together, while Nanari and Nakumo continued their chaotic sibling fight, with Nakumo crying out for help, "Save me from this devil! AGH!"

6:25 AM

After the chaotic breakfast, Nanari and Nakumo grabbed their school bags and were escorted to their luxurious car outside."Remember, if there's anything wrong, just call us." The dad reminded before looking at Nanari. "And Nanari, treat your brother with love, not hate."

"Okay fine," Nanari replied, "I promise I'll be good to him-"

Before she could finish, Nakumo snatched her phone, sprinting away with it. "GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE!"

Nanari chased him, arms flailing, as their dad sighed once more, resigned to the familiar sibling antics. He knew deep down that they did care for each other.

With a final goodbye, the car headed off to Jamiroquai School.

As Nanari settled into the car, she noticed a new message on her phone.

CHAT LOG

Literature Teacher (Beautigirl): Alright class, anyone wanna guess what today is?

Nanari (Mindful555): No?

Literature Teacher (Beautigirl): It's of course... the Literature exam. Did anyone else remember?!

Nanari's heart stopped as she read the message, and so did every other student in the chat room. She didn't study at all.

Just then, Nakumo's hand gently touched hers in reassurance. "Don't worry, Sis. We can do this."

Nanari calmed down, but the truth remained, she barely studied at all. But she put on a fake facade as she was sweating bullets, "Yeah... We will..."

Nakumo leaned back, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't stress. Our parents aren't going to ground us or anything-"

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

"Hello? Dad?" Nakumo answered. "Uh-huh... Two weeks...?"

He hung up and turned to Nanari with a look of dread. "Dad said if I flunk one more test... We're grounded for two weeks, no phone, no video games!"

"WHY DID HE HAVE TO INCLUDE ME?!" Nanari exclaimed. "It's you who flunked all the tests!"

"He said you haven't been helping me with my studies," Nakumo explained. "So, I'm getting punished for failing, and you're getting punished for not helping."

Nanari groaned and dramatically slapped her forehead with both hands, sliding down in her seat like a deflated balloon. "Great. Today's going to be a disaster." She muttered, her voice muffled by her hands.

Nakumo couldn't help but snicker, "Hey, look on the bright side, Sis. At least we'll be grounded together!"

Nanari shot him a glare through her fingers, "Oh, joy. Misery loves company, right?"

Nakumo just grinned, "Exactly! We can fail together!"

CHARACTER INFO:

Name: Nanari Hayashi

Birthdate: 12th January 2007

Likes: Ants, grassy fields, and tea.

Dislikes: Centipedes

With responsibilities to withhold as the Assistant for today, as well as the surprise news of a Literature test, how will Nanashi fare? And would she be grounded?!

TO BE CONTINUED IN

FILE 13 - A Busy Day, Part 3.