𝓘𝓻𝓲𝓼 | ʜɪɢʜ & ʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀꜱᴛ

Chapter 17: Worthy

Nozomi looked at him as she couldn't say anything to his confession. She felt butterflies rampaging in her stomach and her heart beat loudly that can be heard through her ears.

She's weak for this kind of compliment that her legs almost gave in.

"Happy birthday," Tsukasa said and kissed her on the nose. Nozomi wrapped her arms around his neck before he could pull away.

She rested her forehead against his and let out a deep sigh. Tsukasa rested his arms around her waist to support her.

"That was foul," she muttered.

"Foul?" Tsukasa asked while frowning in confusion.

"Why did you have to attack me like this?" Nozomi groaned.

"What?"

"I'm embarrassed," Nozomi muttered and buried her face in his chest. "Seriously, though, I appreciated this."

Tsukasa chuckled at the girl's reaction. Nozomi felt his laugh vibrate through his chest.

"Thank you so much, Tsukasa," the girl said as she pulled away. She looked up to see his face and let out a genuine and beautiful smile he had ever seen from her.

"You're always welcome," Tsukasa muttered with a smile on his face. "You know, I always wanted to try your burnt cookies."

Nozomi laughed.

---

The twins' birthday passed by smoothly. It has been a week since they turned seventeen.

Surprisingly, their relationship with their parents has been better than before after their talk at their birthday dinner. Somehow, they can tell them about what's going on with them without lying or dodging the question.

The siblings felt relieved that they can share their lives outside their home with them.

Kiko and Nozomi decided to meet with Fujio and Tsukasa at Harasawa store. Kazuto and Jamuo also went along with them.

Kazuto was with the twins as they went to the said store. While walking, they were talking about Nozomi's actual date with Tsukasa on her birthday.

The blonde has given her some baking equipment sending the girl in complete surprise. They talked about her baking cookies and she wasn't good at it (refer to Act 2 Chapter 2). Although with that, Tsukasa wants her to try to bake again.

"I hope he's not digging his own grave," Kazuto said while they were walking. Nozomi glanced at him with a scowl.

"I'm not that bad," she replied. "You even finished what I've given you."

"That's true. It was just burnt," Kiko defended her twin.

"Yeah, but I'm not going to try your baking again," the male said. He walked past them as the store is just a few feet away from them.

"Alright, I'll take note of that," Nozomi huffed. She will not let him taste her pastries again when she finally perfected them.

He will regret it later on.

The trio walked inside the store and found Fujio, Tsukasa, and Jamuo already sitting at a table.

Nozomi sat down beside Tsukasa's left while Kiko decided to sit across from them beside Fujio's right. Jamuo is sitting on Fujio's left while Kazuo sat down beside Nozomi.

"I haven't seen you guys in a week," Jamuo told the twins and Kazu. "What did you guys do?"

"Nothing much. We've just been busy studying," Kiko said and shrugged.

"You're studying?" Fujio questioned causing Kiko to glare at him while the others snorted.

"You're punched by your girlfriend?" Kiko countered causing the others to laugh at the couple.

They didn't change as they are constantly bickering at each other's faces but they know in the end they are still fond of each other.

"Well, last week was eventful," Nozomi told them as they all looked at her. The girl looked at Tsukasa who nodded. She already told him about it when they met last week on her birthday.

"Ah, Kiko told me about it in chat," Fujio pointed.

"What is it?" Kazuto asked.

"Well, Nozomi here, just revealed to our parents that she's dating Tsukasa and I... also got caught in it," Kiko pressed her lips together.

"Seriously?" Jamuo questioned in shock.

"What happened?" Kazu asked frowning.

"You didn't tell me the deets, I also want to know what exactly happened," Fujio said as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Kiko.

"My dearest twin snapped when mom mentioned something about students of Oya High. Something about you guys being thugs and we should avoid people like you," Kiko said while chuckling. "You should've seen it. It was awesome!"

"No, it was not," Nozomi muttered and rolled her eyes.

Kiko continued with the story as they eat monjayaki.

"Anyway, she basically threw Yuken-nii and me under the bus," the older twin shrugged.

"I did not! You threw yourself!" Nozomi exclaimed as she glared at her sister.

"Okay, maybe I did that to myself," Kiko huffed.

"What's your parent's reaction to it?" Jamuo asked.

"Mom was pissed for a short amount of time until Dad calmed her down. Dad was pretty chill about it," Kiko replied.

"Well, revealing that we're dating someone wasn't really the best part," Nozomi said as she looked at Tsukasa who smiled.

"What? What is it?" Fujio asked.

Kiko sighed as she recalled the big revelation. "Turns out Dad was like you guys in his high school."

"No way!" Kazuto laughed. He had met Odajima Nori once or twice since he have been friends with the twins for a long time now. "I can't imagine it. Your dad's so calm like Nozomi."

"He is! He's like Nozomi, actually," Kiko grinned. "Zomi can get mad if she has to."

"I'm literally right here," the mentioned girl rolled her eyes in annoyance. They were talking about her as if she were not there.

Tsukasa put his arm around her shoulder and gently patted her on her shoulder blade. Nozomi turned to him with a grateful smile.

"Oh, I can see it. So, Nozomi but male version," Fujio muttered as he tried to imagine it.

"Exactly!" Kiko exclaimed happily and high-fived her boyfriend.

---

END OF ACT TWO

Hey, guys. This is it.

I am going to wait for the latest H&L movie to release here in my country so that I can write the next part.

I'm going to miss writing Nozomi and Kiko ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ they're too chaotic and fun to write!

Love lots!

Rin <3