As the week continued, the girls spent time together after school to have study sessions, strengthening their friendship along the way. After four days of playing catch up with lessons, the girls were ready for today's tests.
"I'm going to flunk this so hard." Kagome cries in despair. "Aw come on Kagome it won't be that bad. Besides, we have been preparing for days for today. You'll be okay!" I said, trying to encourage her.
Kagome looked at me with a more confident smile. "If you say so. Honestly, I don't feel as nervous as I thought I'd be. I think it's because of your amazing teaching skills."
"Wha-oh no I didn't do much at all." I said embarrassed. "You shouldn't cut yourself short, Kagami. You're a fast learner and your ability to make each lesson understandable is amazing." She said confidently, sticking by her words.
"Thank you." I started poking my cheek. "I'm really not that good. If I didn't have Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka to help me catch up, I would've been screwed." I bashfully said.
"Well, let's both do our best today. Good luck!" She said encouragingly. "You too!" I said. As class started, our testing began. The questions aren't too terrible. I take a glance over to Kagome to see her sweating nervously. Guess she's struggling over there. I'll cheer her up afterwards.
-Mini time skip-
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"You okay Kagome?" Ayumi asked, worried. Her head was buried in her arms on her desk.
"It was that bad huh?" Yuka questioned. "Well, I'm just exaggerating a little. I feel like I did well this time, but tests are still draining." Kagome said, resting her.
She's right, easy or not tests will always be a pain to take. I thought, sighing a little. "How about you Kagami?" Eri asked.
"Eh, it wasn't that bad, but I do agree the testing was exhausting," I replied nonchalantly. "I'm just glad it's the weekend now."
"Want to go somewhere like karaoke?" Eri suggested.
Since it's Friday, Haku should be coming today. "Sorry I can't, I have to meet up with someone today." I felt bad not being able to hang out with them outside of studying, but I wanted to see him. "Is it a boy?" Ayumi asked enthusiastically. "Well, yea he's-"
"Your boyfriend?! How long have you two been together?" Eri asked excitedly. "How can you just assume he's her boyfriend?" Yuka questioned. "Come on, have you seen the looks guys give her? They're head over heels!" She stated. Yuka and Eri continue to debate whether the mystery guy was my boyfriend.
I leaned on my hand a bit, looking at them lazily. "We should probably stop them right?" I questioned with a deadpan expression. "Yeah, we should," Kagome said, looking at her two friends in disappointment. "Guys, he's my brother, not my boyfriend," I stated.
"Oh...oops." "Sorry about that." Eri and Yuka said in embarrassment. "It's fine. He's coming home from America today, so I have to be there to welcome him." I stated.
"America? Is your family mixed?" Ayumi asked.
"No, he just works abroad." Just as they were about to ask more questions, my phone vibrated. That must be him. "Sorry to leave so soon guys. I'll see you all later." I said getting up and heading towards the door. "See you later Kagami!" Yuka said. "You should introduce us to your brother sometime!" Eri shouted. "Remember tomorrow, okay," Kagome said, reminding me.
I looked at her nodding before walking out. "Bye guys!" I said waving as I left the cafe. I walked for a few minutes to get a bit of privacy from the crowds. Now then. I take out my phone to finally answer the call. "Heya Haku-nii," I said joyfully.
"Sounds like my Lil Fireball is full of energy today. Something good happened?" Haku questioned.
"Nishishi, yea my big brother is coming home so I'm super happy," I responded cheerfully.
"Ack-" I heard a small bang from the other end. "Haku-nii, are you okay?" I asked worriedly. "Yeah, yeah I'm good. I may or may not have hit my head." He said in slight pain. "Alright then." He probably got embarrassed and hit his head. I concluded.
"Anyway, I'll be there in a few hours, say around 7 p.m." He informs me. "Alright, I'll see you later then," I said, wanting to focus on some leftover shopping I needed to do. "Wait, don't cut the call short! We haven't talked in a while!" He whined. "Hehe, it has only been a few days, silly. Besides, you'll be home later. I have a few errands to run as well so gotta go."
"But Kagamiiii!" He whined in a childishly high-pitched voice. "Pff-haha what was that voice? Anyway, see you soon, okay?" I said giggling. "Hmph, kay." He said. Ah, he's sulking again. I ended the call before he could complain anymore.
Haah, what am I going to do with him? Hopefully, dinner will cheer him up. I thought, smiling softly at my phone. I took a pause by a street corner to organize my time. Okay, it's 4 p.m. now so I have around 3 hours to get groceries for dinner and do some cleaning. Hehe, I'll prepare a nice welcome home feast! I thought, humming a tune as I walked towards the supermarket. Oh, I should get decorations too! Hell yeah, a two-person party. I started getting excited at the idea and began speed-walking my way to the market. I'm going to make the best welcome home two-person party ever!
-Mini Timeskip-
Hours went by as I got the foods I needed at the nearest supermarket and went to the general store for decorations. I got home at 5 and started cooking dinner while doing some tidying up around the house. I changed into a simple green T-shirt and dark brown shorts. This time I decided to put on my mother's red beaded necklace.
As I finished, I looked over everything for the third time, checking my mental checklist. Alright! Decorations up. Dinner is cooked. House cleaned. I'm all set! I checked the time to see it was 6:25 pm. It's almost 7'o clock, he should be here soon. I thought, taking a seat on the couch to wait. I raised my hand to stifle a yawn. I'll just close my eyes, just for a bit. I thought, resting my eyes waiting.
-2 hours later-
Haku's pov
"Damn, I didn't think it would be this late," I said cursing under my breath. I hope she's not too mad at me. Knowing her she probably went all out this time. Luckily I brought an apology cake if she is upset.
I opened the door to our home, to notice the lights still on. I placed my jacket on the coat rack and my shoes to the side, walking onto the wooden floor.
I smiled at the nostalgic scent of teriyaki from the kitchen to my left. As I was heading there I could see a figure out of the corner of my right eye. "There she is," I murmured, smiling softly. She must have waited for me. The decorations set up were space-themed relating to my career. The house was organized and cleaned spotless. She worked hard today. I was happy to have such an amazing sister.
-3rd person pov-
Haku places his bag down on the chair and walks into the living room towards his sister. He stands in front of her contemplating. Should I wake her? I want to thank her but I don't want to take away from her sleep.
"Nii-san...home," Kagami mumbled in her sleep. Well, guess that's my answer. Haku thought, softly patting his sister's head.
Mmm...something on...head. Kagami lazily touches her head to feel a hand there. Her eyes fluttered open to see her brother smiling down on her.
"Morning Sunshine. Miss me?" Haku said in a playful tone. She stared at her brother in shock only to start tearing up. "Welcome home, big brother," Kagami said with the warmest smile she could muster.
Kagami pov
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"Wait a second! Go back outside and come in again!" I said with a frustrated huff. "What why?!" He said confused. I got off of the couch and pointed to the door. "Because I didn't greet you properly, now get out so I can try again!" I stated with a pout.
"Do I have to?" He whined. "Yes, now disappear until I'm ready!" I ordered. "Okay, okay whatever you want." He sighed, walking towards the door.
I started to lightly hit myself over and over on the head. Ah, I can't believe I fell asleep?! Stupid stupid stupid! Ugh okay, I should set the table. I thought, hurrying to place the food on the table. Alright, all done! "You can come in now!" I said shouting.
He walked in rubbing the side of his head. "This is kinda dumb ya know?" I gave him a glare. He brings up a fist to fake a cough. He opened his arms. "I-I mean, I'M HOME SUNSHINE!!!" Haku said with forced enthusiasm. "WELCOME HOME!!!" I yelled happily, tackling him to the ground.
"Oof! I think I liked it more when you were sleeping..." he said slightly in pain. I raised my head up from his chest with a pout. "You didn't like my welcome home greeting?" I questioned sadly, eyes glistening like a child who lost their favorite toy. "No, no, no I like-loved it! Don't cry, okay? I brought cake." He said patting my head again trying to fix the mood.
My head shot up instantly. "Strawberry Shortcake?!" I said excitedly.
"Yes you Shortcake, I did say I would treat you," Haku says with a wink. "Who's the best brother ever?" He asked, wanting to fill his ego. "YOU ARE!!! Now gimme cake!" I said hugging him tightly while reaching for a piece.
We both looked at each other before laughing hysterically. He took a minute to calm down before speaking. "I missed you."
I stopped as well, still relaxing on his chest. "Hehe, missed you too."
In the silence, both our stomachs growled. He looked down at me. "Food?"
I nodded. "Food."
The two of us ate dinner together and talked about what we'll be doing during the time that he's here. He shared some fun stories about his time in America. As his girlfriend, Rose was working on an experiment in the lab one day, Haku came in and proposed to her. Apparently, she was mixing some chemicals together, but got embarrassed by the proposal and accidentally poured too much in causing the room to explode.
"When will the wedding be?" I asked. "Next year, April 10th."
"Oh, that's near her birthday." I wonder what it's like to have a relationship like that.
"Have you made any friends at school?"
I nodded my head, swallowing some teriyaki. "Mhm! They're awesome people!"
I began telling him the events that occurred this first week. From bumping into them by coincidence to the struggles my friends and I had overstudying and playing catch up. We started a chopstick war over the meat.
"Sounds like a lot. Glad you had them to help you get adjusted." He said as he tried stealing meat off my plate.
"Mhm, speaking of which, Kagome invited me over to her place tomorrow, can I go?" I asked, blocking him.
"Why are you asking me? Go have fun. Live the way you want to." He tried again.
"I know but I don't want you to be lonely without me." I gently poked his hand to stop him.
"Huh?! I can survive another day without you. It's not like I need you glued to me. I am a mature adult," he said, turning his head away flustered.
"Adult, barely. Mature, not so much." I said, shaking my head.
He slams his hands on the table in a defensive manner. "What?! I am-" He stopped himself to process what I was doing before sitting back down, coughing into his hand. He turned away from me pouting. "You're just tryna rile me up."
I stuck out my tongue and rubbed the back of my head. "Heh, busted."
After dinner, I was busy clearing the table. "Let me wash the dishes, kay." I heard him yell from the living room.
"Okay." I walked back into the room to see him staring at me with a smile.
I tilted my head slightly confused. "What is it?" He's acting like he knows something.
His expression softened. "You've grown a lot."
"Well yeah, it's been two years," I said, heading towards the hallway where our rooms were.
"You look just like mom."
I stiffened at the comment. I turned to him smiling. "Well, you do too, though you have dad's eyes."
"And Hina..." He stopped himself from saying any more. He took a breath to collect himself before turning to me with a sad smile. "Mom's genes were pretty strong in all of us."
"Yea..." I started fiddling with my beaded necklace lost in nostalgia. "Do you think they would be proud of us?"
Haku got up from his seat and walked over to where I was. He gave my head a pat and looked at me with a gentle smile. "Of course."
He held up a fist. "We made it this far."
I grinned, copying his gesture. "Still alive and kickin."
We stared at each other for a while before fist-bumping. We were happy to be here. Happy to have survived the tragedies life left us. Happy to still have each other. I know that I would not have made it this far without him by my side. I am grateful.
He'll be home more often now. I won't be alone anymore.
"Anyway, we should call it a night, I'm beat after the car ride," Haku said, yawning. "Yeah you're right," I said, agreeing. I have to go see Kagome tomorrow at her place, so it's best if I go to bed now so as not to oversleep.
We both got up from our seats and headed to our rooms across from each other. "Goodnight Haku-nii. I love you." I said with a warm smile. "Night Sunshine. Love you too." He replied matching my expression. After sharing words of affection, we went inside our rooms to call it a night.