"Yep! Friendly neighbors definitely sounds like a plan to me."
Said Seiichiro, passing you a smile in return. He then held up the bag of cookies, shaking it lightly while he winked at you playfully. "We're gonna go and enjoy these now, I'll leave you to it, [L/N]." Once again, Seiichiro elbowed Shiro, this time a little harder- because he noticed he still hadn't spoke a single word after his brief introduction with you.
"..Right, Shiro?"
"I don't like sweets though."
In seconds an awkward smile was pinned to your face, listening to the brothers conversate. Well.. actually... it was beginning to be less of a conversation, and more like a passive-aggressive argument.
"Come on, can't you just pretend for one second?"
"Why should I pretend?
It's not like I'm trying to be you."
Any further and you might think they'd be at each other throats any second here. While they are twins who are pretty fond of one another, something was telling you that their common interests weren't at all identical. Before all hell broke loose, you cleared your throat, causing their stare to resume back to you simultaneously. "I think that's enough, you two! I think I should leave you to your business now. But first-"
You pointed your index finger towards Shiro stately, and in return you earned his subtle flinch. "I'd like to have a quick chat with your little brother, if you don't mind."
That being said, Seiichiro nodded his head and gave his brother a quick pat on the shoulder before finally closing the door, temporarily shutting him out. He didn't dare ask questions, thankfully. Since the youngest was left behind with you, you could clearly see that he was becoming more and more tense. The way he kept sweeping his bangs downwards, easing away from your eyes, you assumed something was wrong. "Hey, listen.." You started- causing Shiro to look up, rather than at the wall.
"Do I ... know you, or something?"
Your facial expression suddenly turned dire and serious. You weren't going crazy, right? You couldn't explain it, but you had a deep feeling in your stomach proving that this young man was much more than a practical stranger. Shiro's expression quickly lit up in a panic, well, red panic if anything- and as much as he wanted to retreat backwards, his back was against the door.
"Ah.. well... no- this is the first time we've properly introduced ourselves." He grew more anxious the longer you stared at him. He seemed pressured.. like he was keeping a secret, so he rushed to explain himself. "If you saw me earlier, then I-It's really not what you think, I just left my medication-"
Ring! Ring!
Ring! Ring!
Your phone rang loudly despite the intrigue you had in this current conversation. You would've ignored it if it was a friend calling.. though this is your parents you're talking about here. "Mm. Sorry, hold that thought.. let me take this call for a second." You turned yourself away from Shiro while you pressed to answer your call--and in the meantime you remained unaware of his stare intensifying rapidly.
He parted his lips ever so slowly, like he was going to say something. But his voice got trapped in his throat. "..." Shiro had no choice other than to stand there and wait- it's not that he minds, it's just.. When you confront him like that, when you look him in the eyes as though he's his own person... he suddenly remembers that he's not just his brother's shadow. He is Shiro.
So he listened to your leisure conversation with your parents, never once shifting his attention from you. Seconds quietly went by, and over time you got absorbed into the call, inquiring about your mother's day whilst also casually sharing snippets of your successful moving day. Quickly forgetting the male was standing near, you turned around just enough to expose your smile that was brought to life by the conversation you were having. Laughter from you then followed afterwards.
You look the prettiest when you are happy.
"Agh, alright- alright! I will, okay? I'm not a baby! I can take care of myself here, i mean it's not like my life is at stake!! Tell dad he's just being overprotective." You were shifting your body around in frustration, until your eyes happened meet with Shiro's who still stood there watching you.. for what was about eight minutes straight. "Oh, right- I have to go now. There's someone waiting for me. Bye mom, I'll chat with you later!"
"Okay [Y/N]. Just make su-"
You spammed the hang up button hurriedly out of guilt for leaving your neighbor hanging. Apology was written all over your face, and judging by that alone, Shiro knew exactly what was to be expected from you. "You don't have to be sorry," He reassures, scratching his cheek. "Your family is important, aren't they?"
Sure, he did make a point, but that much is obvious. "Yes, but back to what we were talking about!" If you let the topics derail once again, you wouldn't get your answers. "You mentioned you left something?" You were curious, at the same time, you weren't demanding an answer. Shiro hesitated, openly so, but that didn't mean he felt inclined to tell you a lie. It was the opposite, it in fact. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that." He started. And for the first time--you caught a glimpse of a small smile in which he attempted to conceal.
"..I feel better now."
His aura made a drastic change; it was hard to believe that this was the same male who was just concentrating on the wall nonchalantly only minutes ago. He was just entirely standoff-ish.. and now, he was looking at you like you suddenly fell from the moon.
"[L/N], can I ask you something?"
Shiro suddenly asked. His lips relapsed into how they were a minute earlier; content, making his facial expression unreadable to you. It's as if he disconnected his emotions temporarily. "I just thought about a fun prank I could pull on my brother.. should I go for it? Thing is, you might end up an accomplice to my little scheme." He snickered. Based on his happy tone, one might mistaken his words as something really playful. Why is it that statement seemed eerie, in a sense? The intentions of his actions might've been clear to him, but to you-- the uneasiness led you to some questions.
"E-Eh... a prank, all of a sudden?" You were confused, but nonetheless.. you had to reply, right? "Nn.. It depends on the prank. If you know you're about to do something drastic that'd make him angry then don't do it." You shrugged your shoulders, then crossed your arms. "Don't do something that you wouldn't done to yourself, it's basic common sense."
You thought you gave a pretty crap answer, but as it turns out-- Shiro was pretty satisfied with it. Like a child trying to understand social cues, he was carefully writing notes in his head to save for later contemplation. "Is that how you see it?" He replied nonchalantly, "I see." The youngest didn't really seem like the prankster type. Silence arose from your end, resulting in the young man falling quiet as well. Seiichiro wasn't here to thaw the ice.. the two of you were just watching each other, so it was painfully awkward.
"aH- would you look at the time! I forgot about those enrollment papers.." You bowed before changing direction, moving off to your home that promptly awaited you. "Bye! See you around, neighbor!" Opening the door and sending the young man off with a nice, short wave, you closed your door with a subtle click-- opting Shiro to also return to where he was prior as well. Notably, he snuck one final glance to your home and then entered his own discreetly.
Monday.
>[7:56 AM]<
The following morning quickly approached. You woke up a little late considering it was your first day at a new school, so as a result you were hopping to your bathroom in the midst of trying to slide your uniform stocking up your leg. Afterwards you stood in front of the mirror and buttoned up your shirt--hands hurriedly escalating up each button as you marched in place. "That stupid alarm clock refused to ring until it was way too late!" You catered to your hair and styled it in a way to complete your look for today, and then brushed your teeth. Once all said and done, you scurried to grab your school bag, finally marking the start of your new chapter once you bolted outside.
You could barely take into account the nice, gentle breeze grazing your skin and the upon making your way to school. It barely even crossed your mind... because honestly? It feels as though you've appreciated this same very morning once before. That aside however-- It felt satisfying to start a new life, and despite running late.. admittedly -- you were excited!
Eventually you could see the school closing in the distance while you ran over; luckily you made it just in time for the first bell, so the gates were still open for students and visitors alike. Out of breath from the sprint you'd made, you leaned over and touched your knees-- panting erratically when once you finally got the chance to relax. In front of you was the school's impressive façade; with three stories, finely trimmed grass and bushes.. not to mention the cleanliness. It felt sort of preppy but casual, in a way. A few students passed by you, finding your face quite new and not at all familiar.
"Alright," You straightened your posture, "Let's get moving!"
>[8:06 AM]<
"Miss [L/N], correct?" Escorting you to your homeroom class was none other than a pretty young woman with dazzling red eyes, midnight blue hair, with a nice pair of rectangular glasses resting on her slender nose. You're pretty sure a beautiful woman such herself deserves to be behind a glass box, far away from the toxic hands of society.
You nodded your head as you struggled to keep up with her pace as her heels clicked with every stride. "I'm your homeroom teacher. You may refer to me as miss or sensei Ikki(ee-key) i swear i don't bite." She let out a hearty laugh and glanced to you. "I hope you have a wonderful time here, and if you need me don't hesitate to approach me." In her arms were the presumed work material for her classes, she kept them close while she smiled shortly after--making you flinch from the familiarity transpiring.
Suddenly something caused you to halt in your tracks as your teacher neared your designated classroom. You hesitated to catch up to her watching as she soon entered, but nonetheless, you approached the opened door cautiously with unease. Judging from the obnoxious noise of rowdy students, the teenagers inside clearly were in high spirits this morning. But once they laid eyes on you standing there at the very entrance--they abruptly hushed themselves.
Your teacher gestured you over, and so you went by her side and pulled your arms behind your back in an attempt to feel smaller. Intimidation arose, started by your strange fixation on your... premonition, of sorts. Given you were so quiet, Sensei Ikki cleared her throat. "Everyone, meet [L/N] [F/N]. Given that she transferred here mid-semester it'll be a lot harder for her to fit in, so please take care of her." She said sternly, but her face made her words sound all the more sweet.
You bowed your body just slightly before straightening your figure in a more of a confident stance than earlier. Sweeping your thoughts under the rug, what you needed to focus on your school life and not some insane intrusive thoughts. "So [L/N], i'm going to have you sit in the back row. I'm afraid your assigned partner hasn't arrived yet, but if you sit tight i'm sure he'll arrive in no time!" Sensei beckoned you with a gentle point towards the two empty desks in the last row.
There wasn't any room to complain, so you nodded your head and proceeded to walk over to take your seat. Following you were the eyes of every male and female student... you knew that they were overflowing with overwhelming questions to throw at you. I mean really, who transfers mid-semester??
"I'm sorry i'm late."
Glances were quickly exchanged between you and another voice by the door. Once again, chills shot down your spine resulting in the hairs at the back of your neck to rise. You didn't have to glance up from your desk to acknowledge those intangible red eyes willing to follow you everywhere you go. "Ah, would you speak of the devil!" Sang your teacher, who sat her belongings down and pressed her hands together warmly, greeting her second student quite happily.
"Yuuki Shiro will also be joining our class starting today!"
[Chapter END]