CHAPTER ONE
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reminder: this book is written in english though the characters are conversing in japanese. if a character said something in english or in any language(s), their dialogue will be written in bold-italic.
the streets of tokyo were crowded with people in office attire and school uniforms. the train station is also in the same situation, while the roads are filled with cars. this is an usual scenario in the populated city of japan during the morning weekdays.
a sigh came from the girl sitting quietly in the yellow cab as her eyes observed the hectic situation outside. music blasted in her ears as she plugged in her earphones the moment she got inside the cab an hour ago. her nose scrunched up as she watched the crowded, noisy streets.
"how annoying," she thought, rolling her eyes as she glanced down at her phone. the girl scrolled through social media to distract herself from getting impatient due to the traffic.
suddenly, her phone played a familiar ringtone and the caller's information popped on her screen. the girl accepted the call as she recognized the caller.
"moshi moshi?" she spoke up, boredom and tiredness evident in her voice.
"ah, kii-chan! how are you doing? are you home yet?"
"not yet, okaa-san. the traffic here in tokyo is unbelievable."
an amused chuckle was heard from the other line, making the girl roll her eyes. her mother was already aware that her daughter was impatient and short-tempered in situations similar to the one kiiro's currently in.
"well, you can't do anything about it, yeah? do you prefer walking in the streets with your luggages or patiently staying in the cab?"
"i hate both, okaa-san. i've already told you that my flight should be on the weekends, not weekdays, because the traffic and crowds are seriously annoying."
"and i've already told you, kii-chan, that all of the flights were booked. you were so excited to get home already, so we booked whatever an available flight to tokyo is left."
"whatever," she mumbled, playing with the hem of her brother's hoodie. "by the way, have you contacted onii-chan already?"
"not yet, my darling. what about you surprise your brother? i bet he'll be overjoyed to see you!"
the girl hummed, contemplating her mother's idea. "onii-chan wouldn't react like that, 'kaa-san. he rarely-"
"oi kozume kiiro, your brother acts softer and sweeter only when it comes to you. you're the only one who thinks that way because you hate getting hugged by your brother before!"
"it's not my fault that onii-chan once tricked me!" she argued, frowning in annoyance. her mother burst out laughing at the same complaints her daughter has made over the years.
"kii-chan, i assure you that your brother will be happy to see you once again, so don't worry, okay?" the mother assured the frowning girl, noticing that her daughter is worried over something that isn't even true.
"hai hai, okaa-san," the girl replied. her eyes glanced outside and noticed that they were already in secluded but familiar streets. "i've got to go, okaa-san. i'll call you later when i get home."
their call had ended, and the girl placed her phone and earphones inside her duffel bag. she took out her wallet and some bills. "ano...you can drop me off here already. i can walk to my house from here," she said to the driver, and the man nodded.
the man got out of the car and helped the young woman to bring out her luggage. once the luggage was settled on the pavement, the girl lend the bills to the man with both of her hands while her head was bowed down.
"arigatō gozaimasu!" she said with a small smile, trying her best to show her deepest appreciation for the driver, and the latter didn't fail to notice her efforts. the man gave her a big smile and waved at her before driving off, leaving the girl alone in the empty streets.
kiiro heaved a sigh with her eyes closed, inhaling the fresh air of the suburbs of tokyo. she adjusted the strap of her duffel bag resting on her shoulder before gripping the handles of her two suitcases and starting her journey to her old home. it has been almost seven years since the last time she was in her hometown. she had the option of letting the driver drop her off right in front of her house, but she preferred to have a small walk around the neighbourhood that she grew up in.
the girl passed by a park, and her steps halted as she stared at the empty place. memories from her childhood together with her older brother and another childhood friend resurfaced in her mind. she couldn't help but smile while reminiscing about her happy childhood. the times where her older brother would always sit behind her to accompany her on slides, and even when she wanted to climb the monkey bars, their friend would hold her torso to help her grab the bars and prevent her from falling.
"i wonder how's that rooster doing?" she giggled, remembering how she used to call her friend a "rooster" when they were kids.
she continued her walk back to her home while roaming her eyes around the place, noticing that there were some big and subtle changes around her, but the memories still remained. she was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice a white cat sitting in her way. the cat had yellow orbs, and it reminded her of her older brother. being the pet lover she is, she slightly bent down and gently poked the cat's nose. the cat flinched back at the contact and tilted its head, making the girl's heart soften.
"kawaii," she grinned and scratched its head before getting up. her golden orbs glanced around, and the familiar name plate on a wall of a house caught her attention.
'孤爪 (kozume)'
her grip tightened on the handles of her suitcases as she checked out the house; the house where she grew up. she could feel her heart beating erratically every second. she puffed her cheeks out and took a deep breath before unlocking the gate with the spare key given by her mother. the girl went inside the residence as quietly as possible while pulling her luggage behind, locking the gate afterwards. she walked towards the closed door and was about to insert the key when she realized that it was already unlocked.
kiiro bit her lower lip as she used her right hand to twist the door knob, making her entrance inside the cozy home. she was shocked but relieved to see nothing had changed in the place. she immediately took her shoes off and placed it properly aside. now, wearing a house slippers she found she took an another step inside.
"kenma, we're going to be late for our morning practice!"
the manly voice caught kiiro off guard as her eyes widened in shock and confusion.
"is there an intruder? what should i do? did he took onii-chan as a hos-"
"kii-chan?"
her thoughts were disrupted when the same manly voice called out her name. her face remained stoic but her mind is disheveled while she was having a staring contest with the tall emo rooster that is standing meters away from her.
"who the hell are you?" the first thing she said to the man and was taken personally by him.
"i'm honestly hurt that you don't recognize me, kii-chan~" he whined, faking a cry as he walked towards the timid girl.
kiiro, on the other hand, is ready to throw her hands at this strange man in her house. "back off, you shi-"
"kuro, it's still too early to be this noisy." another voice butted in and this time it was a solemn one; the one kiiro recognizes.
"onii...chan?" kiiro was out of words as her mind went blank, seeing her older brother with a different look who was standing on the staircase. her older brother's cat eyes widened as he recognized his only sibling.
"kiiro?" he muttered in question, trying to see if his eyes weren't deceiving him, but then the girl nodded with the biggest grin on her face, and he didn't waste any time in rushing up to her. his arms warmly embraced her and he buried his head on her shoulder while holding back his tears.
"y-you're home..." the older kenma muttered, still hugging his sister.
kiiro hummed in response and patted his head. "tadaima!" she replied, hugging him back.
as the two siblings were having their little reunion, the other guy stood beside them, watching the wholesome scene unfold before him. a smile crept on his lips and he let out a loud chuckle, making the two kozumes turn their heads towards him with an annoyed expression.
"this is cute and all, but how come you recognized kenma and not me, kii-chan?" kuroo complained.
kiiro rolled her eyes before pointing at the door. "you may now leave and look for your lost brain, emo rooster," she said, and grabbed her stuff before heading upstairs.
"why is it 'emo rooster' now? i prefer the nickname you gave me before!" kuroo frowned while the girl didn't even bother to give him a damn.