Kotone’s POV~

How long has it been since the six of us became friends with each other? Four or something along those lines? In that timespan, many things happened. Kokoro and Seichiiro started dating; Arisa and Kei also started dating…

And even though two of them have known each for so long, those two still…

“Oi, Seichiiro. Why don’t you hand it over? There will be no casualties that way!”

“Oya? I’m hopelessly sorry, but my mother taught me not to engage with strangers.” (Sei)

“You! That’s it!” (Arisa)

“You two pipe it down. So annoying.” Hiyori said while holding her head.

““But he[she] started!”” (Sei & Arisa)

“You two look like children…” (Kokoro)

As Seichiiro and Arisa settled down in their places, I closed my notebook and put it away in my bag; then, I took another one. We were currently at Kokoro’s House, trying to complete another batch of work for the summer together.

Even while the two argued, the only one who didn’t seem bothered by this was my sister Karane.

“You don’t seem bothered at all…” (Kotone)

“Hm. I’m used to it already.” Karane shrugged her shoulders with her attention still on her notebook. I was almost done with my batch, so I was pretty calm. However, there was someone who hasn’t done anything ever since we came here.

“What? What are you looking at me like that for?” Hiyori, who was oddly energetic, asked me.

“Aren’t you going to do your homework? The sooner the better, you know?” (Kotone)

“Hm? Oh, I already did them during the first two days.” (Hiyori)

“…eh?” For once, Karane seemed stunned as she lifted her head from her notebook.

“Hm? What? I wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably if I had to worry about a huge load of homework, you know?” (Hiyori)

““You too?!”” (Karane & Kotone)

“Huh?” (Hiyori)

“Well from what I remember… nom …Kei also crammed during the first day of summer to finish… nom.” Arisa answered Hiyori’s question as she ate a cake.

Wait… Wasn’t that cake…?

“Oi. You did not.” Seichiiro seems angry all of the sudden.

“What are you talking about? Omnom” (Arisa)

“OOOOOIIII!” Seichiiro’s annoyed scream resounded through the room.

↤⨳↦

“Anyways, in conclusion. It wasn’t my fault. If anything, you were careless.” Arisa said in a nonchalant tone.

“You—” (Sei)

“You two look like children…” Hiyori said, clearly annoyed.

Deja Vu…

I’ve always wondered about this… but do these two get along or not? Sometimes they treat each other like slaves but other times they seem to get along so well…

Now that I think about it, Arisa also had a similar dynamic with Kei…

“Why do you two always end up fighting anyway?” (Kokoro)

“Because she’s annoying.” (Sei)

“His face reminds me of my cousin. So it really annoys me.” (Arisa)

“You have a cousin?” (Karane)

“I do. He’s the same age as me. However, I’ve only talked to him twice so yeah. If anything, we’re only a family on paper.” Arisa shrugged.

As they continued to talk, I looked over my worksheet and wrote a few more sentences before adding my signature and putting it inside my bag.

“Now that I think about it…” I said as I looked down at my bag, “Shouldn’t we introduce Arisa to Tenshi, sis?” I looked over at my sister.

“Oh! That’s true! She was really excited when she found out, right?” (Karane)

“Unn.” I nodded.

“?” Arisa looked confused, to which Karane told her.

“She’s our cousin, she’s a year older than us. She’s entering med school over here this spring. Wouldn’t hurt to meet the family, would it?” Karane said with an increasing grin.

At that moment…

“You sure that cousin of yours will be comfortable seeing this?” Seichiiro pointed at Arisa.

“The hell you mean this?! Oi, Kokoro! Control your pet!” (Arisa)

“Who are YOU calling a pet?!” (Sei)

“Hm?” (Arisa)

“Hm?” (Sei)

“Seichiiro.” Kokoro’s voice rang cold throughout the room.

“Yes ma’am.” (Sei)

Immediately responding to his girlfriend’s (owner’s?) call, Seichiiro dropped silent and gracefully stood beside her as he casually put away his things.

“Oya? Usually you two seem like if Seichiiro is the one taking the lead. But in reality Kokoro really has you on a leash, doesn’t she?” Arisa teasingly said.

“Arisa you too.” (Kokoro)

“Yes, ma’am~” (Arisa)

Seeing their exchange just now made me giggle and made my lips curl up. Just a couple of years ago, Arisa seemed disinterested in any type of interaction. She looked like she didn’t care.

However, the one in front of me looked like she was having the time of her life. She seems to be having fun. This is what they call the power of love, yes?

“Hey, Sis.” Karane, who sat beside me, whispered.

“Hm?” (Kotone)

“Who would’ve thought… that the girl you reached out to that day will end up being our soon-to-be sister-in-law?” (Karane)

“…” (Kotone)

She was right, back then when I started talking to Arisa, everything was on a whim. I never really expected things to go that way… However, I’m kind of happy that things went that way.

“Auntie Kotone seems like a good name, don’t you think?” I whispered back.

“Pfffft!” Suddenly Karane burst out laughing.

I was being serious though…

↤⨳↦

Arisa’s POV~

“Aren’t you tired of existing?” (Arisa)

“Aren’t you tired of relying on Karane for Chemistry assignments?” (Sei)

“We ain’t bringing my academics into this!” (Arisa)

As I walked home from the Shiina household, I walked side by side with Seichiiro after we parted ways from the rest of the group. There were instances like this, due to the two of us heading the same way, with me dropping off before him, we walked together usually.

Well, currently that’s rarely the case since I tend to get escorted by Kei due to him paying constant visits to my house. I should invite him over for dinner today again… or maybe I could make him invite me? I thought as I continued walking.

Of course, sadly enough, I walked together with an idiot.

“Why do you have such a horny look on your face?” (Sei)

“Why are you still here and not in your pet house?” (Arisa)

“Huh?” (Sei)

“Hm?” (Arisa)

Trying to ignore this guy’s idiotic remarks, I took out my phone and just browsed around. Seichiiro was also quietly walking next to me. Even though it was quiet, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Well… the two of us didn’t really care, we had no obligations to.

“How are things with Kei?” (Sei)
“I wanna marry him.” (Arisa)

“Fast!” (Sei)

“Woops, I was a little too honest there.” (Arisa)

I can’t deny it. I mean, how could I? If I was being treated with such care and love, how wouldn’t I want to put a ring on his finger?! I’m getting a little ahead of myself…

“How are things with Kokoro?” I asked back.

“I’m gonna marry her,” (Sei)

“And you are talking about me!” (Arisa)

“Let’s have it even. Let’s just say we’re both madly in love with our partners.” Seichiiro shrugged.

“…sure…?” (Arisa)

“What’s with that questioning tone even though you’re blushing?” Seichiiro said as he threw me a despective look. Eh? Am I blushing that much?!

“Quit looking at me like that. So what if I’m blushing? Any problems?” (Arisa)

“Not really. I only have this urge to bleach my eyes whenever I see you two talking, that’s all.” (Sei)

“…” (Arisa)

That should’ve been my line!

It seems that he isn’t aware… No, he must be aware of how he behaves whenever he is with Kokoro. If anything, that’s the main reason they call you husband and wife, you know?

Oh god, I thought he was a headache at first… He’s a whole migrain!

“Well… People do feel disgusted when they’re no longer special.” I snarked.

“Hah?” (Sei)

“What’s wrong? Oh my, did I misinterpret the situation? I thought you were annoyed because you were no longer the one that acted so sweet, huh?” (Arisa)

Kei and I by no means enjoy shame play, meaning that we avoided flirting with each other at all costs. Any outsider could tell that the two of us are close, sure. However, it is not as if we’re showing off our relationship.

That’s too embarrassing.

“You! You’re so annoying!” (Sei)

“Aren’t you just mad because you can’t beat me at a videogame?” (Arisa)

“It ain’t my fault you’re a game addict!”(Sei)

“Sure sure.” (Arisa)

“Hah… Next time, I swear I’ll beat you in front of the others.” He said as he headed in the opposite direction after we reached an intersection.

“Sure, sure. Good luck with that.” I said as I waved at him.

I gave my back to him and started walking. As I strolled around the neighborhood streets, a sudden thought came to mind.

I should play a game with Kei some time… Maybe the same day we bake a cake together? Hm…