The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 125~♫

"Why don't you laugh?"

Aiyoku looked into her downcast eyes.

"Making so much ruckus for stray cats."

A slight smile spread across the boy's face. "Hard work of others isn't something I would laugh at."

Her head pivoted his way, confusing overtaking her expression.

"I don't know what caused this change in you." He lifted Kuro, who tumbled down over his paw. "But I know I like this shy, hardworking, and kind Ueno over the Queen Bee you have shown me before."

Her cheeks burning, she turned her head away.

"I'm glad you aren't coldhearted as I feared. And it seems Freya-chan had forgiven you."

"W-What?" Her head snapped back and forth. "W-What do you mean? Who said it? Why should I care about her?" Her voice couldn't keep the tone, jumping up and down.

"I dunno." He gave her a playful grin. "But it wasn't me calling her a few minutes ago."

The girl scratched on her still red cheek.

Aiyoku got up to the kittens' letdown. He dusted his knees, brushing down the blades of grass and stray bugs.

"Now that I think about this," he pondered. "I see why Freya-chan acted sometimes so strangely in the last weeks."

"Which way?"

Aiyoku made a step closer, and since Ueno didn't show discomfort, he came closer, squatting a step away.

"She went on and off, claiming to have a very shy friend. There were times when she checked her phone often when normally she didn't even notice it almost run out of battery. And a few times, we had found her dazing, lost in her mind."

Ueno gave his way a small smile. "So, she didn't tell you about this?"

"Not me for sure."

There was a spark in Ueno's eyes, and her tone changed back into queen mode.

"What makes you believe I'm a good girl? What if this is a charade to win you back?" She tossed her hair over her shoulder, giving him a haughty look.

Aiyoku answered with an all-knowing smirk. "You throwing out all my photographs form the club, for one."

"What?" she shrieked. "You saw me?"

"I followed you to the collecting place where I checked the bins you had."

"And you stalked me too?" She puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms over her chest.

Drops of sweat slid down his forehead. "Don't call it that way. I was worried you may be up to no good."

With a deep sigh, Ueno relaxed her body. "True."

"If Freya-chan helps you, it means she has forgiven you. While I have my doubts, it would be hypocritical of me not to give you a second chance when we had received it from Freya-chan."

"What do you mean? The way I saw, it you did your best to befriend her and to take her under your wings."

Aiyoku scratched behind his head. "Actually, we had a bad start." He didn't elaborate on the details, and Ueno didn't pry for more.

"What do you want to do now?" his senpai asked.

"I..." His stomach interrupted him, answering the question for him. "... will grab something first." He stood up, twitching a bit as his muscles screamed. "Then I hit the shower and thank Buddha for cutting my hair."

Cracking his back, he had earned a snicker from her. "Wanna stop tomorrow by our stall?"

She gave him a bit scared expression, unsure of how to decide.

"I can understand why Freya-chan kept this a secret, and I shall respect this. Our Dad had taught us to give everybody a second chance if they truly want to change for the better."

He took a deep sigh. "I know Ri is a hard nut to crack, but I know he could help you if you ask him." He scratched on his cheek. "Ka is as simple as ever, but I think he may dislike you more than most people."

Her head swayed down.

"What I'm trying to say is... if you want to start anew, you are welcome. So, take care." Aiyoku patted her on her head, leaving.

"Aiyoku-san!" she called him, and he turned around in his waist.

"What it is?" he asked as she said nothing else.

Her figure shook, and she lifted her tightened fist. "I'm not a cat! Don't pat me!" Tears of joy and pretended anger joined hands in her expression.

A toothy smile occupied Aiyoku's face as he dashed forward. He had too many brotherly fights with Kagetsu to know Ueno didn't mean her fist seriously. The blonde brother rushed back, turning sweatier than he was a few minutes ago.