"What's wrong, Yukino-kun. Did something happen?" I ask, as I stroke his soft hair.
He raises his head and answers, "Nothing. I just wanted to see Reika-onee-san… Was I a bother…?"
"Oh! I would never think that about Yukino-kun! Were you waiting for me here the entire time?" He nodded. If I knew that my adorable Yukino-kun was waiting, I would have ditched Kaburagi and ran here! "I'm sorry. You must have waited a long time for me. You could have contacted me…"
"No, I just waited, wanting to see Reika-onee-san." How lovable! A child can act spoiled if he wanted to! I want Kaburagi to look up to how considerate he is.
"So you didn't have any pressing reason to see me?"
"No." That's a relief. If a child was waiting by himself, I'd think that something was troubling him.
"Yukino-kun, where is your brother? Is he not with you?"
"I don't know… He's probably seeing somebody," he pouted. Oooh? Is he sulking because his brother's left him behind to do something? Well, he's still young. I was lonely at his age when Onii-sama was late coming home. And I was emotionally an adult, and Onii-sama spoiled me when he got home, so I didn't sulk. So they had a fight(?)
"Should I take you home?" He doesn't move gripping my uniform. Hmm… I guess he doesn't want to. What should I do… I don't have cram school today, and I can arrange for my tutor to see me on another day… "Is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Go…" He starts to think. We just went to the aquarium like he wanted. He wouldn't be interested in shopping or spending time in a café. Somewhere to relax and play…? I think about the state of my room. There shouldn't be clothes or diet gear left around….
"Would you like to come to my home until your family comes to pick you up?"
"Really!?"
Yukino-kun didn't want to go home while sulking about Enjou, so he could be picked up in a few hours. "But only if you get your family's permission."
"Yay!" His face brightened. I don't have a pet, there's not much to do at home… I should contact the maid to clean my room just in case.
"Let's contact your parents or your brother if it's all right for you to come over."
"Yes, I'll mail my nii-sama." He started to punch the screen on his phone. So it's all right to contact Enjou even during a fight (?) I contact my tutor and the maid. "I told him, 'I'm going to Reika-onee-san's home.'" So he's not asking, but declaring that he's going. "I'm so looking forward to being at Reika-onee-san's home."
"Don't expect too much. It isn't much." Where did I put all the games…?
We were about to enter the car when Yukino-kun's phone rang. "Oh, it's Nii-sama." He got on, "Yes, yes, that's right… He says he wants to talk to you," handing me the phone. Enjou…
"Hello, I'm on."
"Kisshouin-san? It's Enjou. Yukino's saying that he's going to your house?"
"Yes, that's right. That's if he can get permission."
"Wouldn't it be imposing to have him there?"
"No, we're fine. My parents should be out today, so I'll be the only one home."
"Really?"
"Yes, but is it all right to have Yukino-kun here without a guardian? Will your parents permit that?"
"Don't worry. I'll contact them. Sorry. I'll come pick him up early, so can you watch him until then? Sorry for Yukino causing problems like this…" No, no. Compared to your best friend, Yukino-kun doesn't even count as a problem. And then, I heard a woman ask, 'Shuu?' on the other side. He must have put his hand over the phone. I could hear a muffled "Wait," on the other end. "Truly sorry. If Yukino acts up, feel free to scold him. Could you put him on again?"
"Yukino-kun, your brother wants to speak with you again."
He took it, and answered, "I know. I behave. You can take you time picking me up!" and hung up. I guess he's still mad. A pouting Yukino-kun is cute, too.
"Well, now that we have permission, shall we go?"
"Yes!" I climbed into the car with the smiling Yukino-kun.
I got home with Yukino-kun, and led him towards my room. "Over here, Yukino-kun."
"Yes."
We ran into mother coming out of the dressing room. So they hadn't left, yet. "Oh, Reika-san. Welcome home. And this child is…?"
"I'm home, mother. This is Enjou-sama's little brother, Enjou Yukino-kun."
Yukino-kun bowed to my introduction, and said, "Hello. I'm Enjou Yukino. Forgive my sudden intrusion."
"Oh, my! What a cute and proper child!" mother held her palms to her cheeks. It seems mother was smitten by the angel's smile, too.
"He wanted to come over, so I brought him. His family should pick him up later."
"Oh, is that so? Welcome Yukino-san. Please make yourself comfortable. So, Reika-san. Mother want to talk with Yukino-san, too." Huh? You'll bore Yukino-kun…
But the kind Yukino-kun answered, "Yes," and accepted some tea with mother. Ugh… Sorry.
We moved to the living room, and chatted over some tea. Yukino-kun innocently answered mother's questions, and she was overjoyed at how adorable he was. Sorry to put you through this…
"Yukino-san is so adorable. I'm jealous of the Enjou's for having such a child, right Reika-san?"
"Yes, mother. I wish that I had a little brother like Yukino-kun."
"Yes, Takateru was cute as a child, but he's grown now." I think Onii-sama would be troubled if you expected him to remain cute as an adult. Mother was in good spirits. "Would you like some sweets?" she offered some baked confections.
…If mother is in a good mood, now may be my chance. "By the way, mother, I was thinking of changing my hairstyle…" I can ditch this old fashioned look and be a high school girl in the present. For that, I need to graduate from this ojou-sama hair. To that end, I need to convince my mother. This is my chance!
"Oh? Reika-onee-san's going to change her hair?" Yukino-kun reacted before mother. "Why? It looks so good on you," he questioned with a tilt of the head.
"Uh… Well, keeping the same hairstyle all the time is boring, so I thought that a change in image would be…"
"I see…" He sounded disappointed.
"Does Yukino-kun like my hairstyle…?"
"Yes, it's like a princess in a picture book."
"Oh?! A princess!?" I admit, that it's the rococo hair, but Yukino-kun thought that I looked like a princess?!
"Oh, my! Yukino-san has some taste!" Mother was elated, finding someone who matched her tastes. "So Yukino-san believes that Reika-san's hairstyle suits her?"
"Yes. Reika-onee-san is like a princess and very cute."
"Yukino-kun…!" So in his eyes, this old fashioned me is like a princess… Thank you, Yukino-kun. I'll keep this curly hair my entire life to remain your princess!
It was time, so mother to left a bit unwillingly, and we were finally free.
"I'm sorry for mother to impose on you."
"No, the snack was delicious, and it was fun talking to your mother." A good boy. Such a good boy. He's so good that I want to keep stroking his hair as he curiously looks around my room.
We play games, and did homework together when he mentioned it… I'm glad my undependable brain hadn't forgotten grade school studies.
"I'll have them pick me up soon." It's past 6. About time for dinner, maybe?
"Why don't you stay for dinner with me? I'm still alone, after all." Yukino-kun hesitates, but I convince him. We could take him home after dinner. In the end, Yukino-kun called home and stayed to eat.
Around the time I started to think about having him spend the night, I was told that his ride was here. I went to the entrance with Yukino-kun and found Enjou in a semi-formal dress. Maybe he was at such a restaurant. Did he eat fast or leave early? Either way, it must have been trouble.
"Thanks for looking after my brother until so late."
"It was no trouble at all. I'm sorry for keeping him so late."
"Nii-sama, I played games with Reika-onee-san, and she showed me how to do my homework." Homework… I hope I didn't mess up anything.
"Yukino, thank Kisshouin-san for letting you indulge in your selfishness," Enjou stated sternly.
"Yes. Thank you very much, Reika-onee-san. I had a lot of fun today."
"I had fun, too. Come again."
"Yes!"
"Kishouin-san, Thank you for today. I owe you one."
What!? Not only did Yukino-kun soothe my soul, but even created me a favor by that black-hearted Enjou! He is an angel!
I waved good bye back to Yukino-kun until I could no longer see their car.