The next morning was chaos.
“Fuck, I can't believe I overslept. Why didn't you wake me up?” She was fumbling to get dressed.
“I tried a bunch of times, but you didn't want to wake up. You even tried to kick me in your sleep. Could you calm down; you're barely dressing properly.”
“Not happening. Today I have an important meeting in ten minutes, and I can't be late for my first one.”
“Ok, calm down. I'll help you.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“Hand me your tie.”
“Ok.”
“You keep buttoning your shirt while I do your tie.” They finished within seconds, and she continued to put her blazer on while he tied her hair into a ponytail.
“Great, I should be able to make it if I run. Thanks for the help and have a good day at school, ok.” She kissed his cheek and ran out the door. He chuckled as it reminded him of his mom before he started living alone.
The day went by slowly for Takumi. When the bell rang for the end of the day, he immediately left and made his way to the entrance.
“What happened to you? You look like crap.”
“Twilight?”
“Last time I checked, that's my name. So yeah, it's me.”
“What brings you here?”
“I thought it'd be better to head back together.”
“You missed me that much?”
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe I should have just gone alone.”
“Hold on, I was just kidding.” He caught up to her. “So how was your day?”
“Good news, I made it on time. Bad news, that meeting was boring AF and the rest of the day sucked.”
“Can't be that bad.”
“I was seriously considering jumping out the window. I was barely even paying attention half the time. Not to mention, I was on my feet the whole day, even during lunch because I was eating while working. So right now, I feel like shit.”
“So maybe it was. At least that makes two of us. The feeling like shit part, I mean.”
She gave him a perplexed look.
“What?”
“You just swore.”
“I’m confused.”
“It’s weird.” She snorted. “That was the first time I’ve heard you swear.”
“Oh. I didn’t realise.”
“Anyway, there was this guy who kept weirdly staring at me.”
“Define weird.”
“It felt like his eyes were undressing me. And he's old enough to be my da...”
He stopped in his tracks.
“What?”
He bent down so they could more or less be at eye level with each other.
“Did he try anything?”
“No…”
“Did you report it?”
“There was no evidence so HR couldn’t do anything besides give him a warning, I couldn’t gouge his eyes out for obvious reasons so I told my boss and he suspended the guy. He also said that from now on, I’ll be partnered up with one of the guys there. Sort of like an assigned big brother. The guard my dad sent told me that I’ll never have to worry about the perv. I didn’t ask for details but I’m guessing threats and violence were involved.”
“That’s a relief.”
After a short while of walking, she felt a little taller and lighter.
“Wait...something's not right. Are you seriously giving me a piggyback ride?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“You know what, I’m too tired to fight back. Anyway, school's almost out. Got any plans?”
“Not really. I'll be staying with my parents until school starts again. Do you want to come with?”
“Sure, why not?”
“You’re not going to protest because of a certain someone?”
“Nope, in fact, I'm not worried at all.”
“Are you okay? I think the fatigue is starting to get to your brain.”
“I'm fine.”
“You're planning something aren't you?”
“No, what makes you say that?”
“I knew it.”
“Okay, so maybe I am. But I promise that no one is going to get hurt.”
“You really are a handful; you know that?”
“I know, but I'm your handful.”
“Oh really?” He smirked.
“I didn't mean like that, just... forget I ever said anything. Oh, but I'll be staying with you for a week because I wanna spend Christmas and New Year's with my dad.”
“It’s better than nothing.”
When they got home, he put her down.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Do I get a reward?”
“It’s considered a red flag if you expect something in return after doing something nice.”
“Fair point.”
The long-awaited holidays had finally arrived. Takumi's parents were happy to see him. His dad didn't mind that he brought Twilight with him and even made a few jokes about being his future daughter-in-law. His mom, of course, was a different story. She didn't say anything but the look on her face said it all.
“Twilight, there's someone I want you to meet.”
There was a small figure hiding behind Takumi.
“Hey c'mon, don't be shy.” A little boy shyly moved forward.
“H-hi.” The little boy mumbled. He looked like Takumi except with black hair and brown eyes.
Before Takumi could say anything, Twilight was already obsessing over the little guy.
“Oh my Goddess. You're the most adorable thing I've ever seen.” She said while pinching both his cheeks. “What's your name?”
“Toshiro.” He replied.
“That's a cool name. How old are you?”
“I'm seven. My brother told me about you, and he was right when he said that you're pretty.”
“Aw. You look a lot like your brother except cuter.”
“Do you have to roast me like that in front of him?” Takumi asked.
“Yeah, because you didn't tell me that you had such a cute little brother. Toshi, do you get along with your brother?” She asked.
“Yeah, he likes playing with me whenever he's home. We have a lot of fun together.”
“That's good. If he's ever mean to you, tell me and I'll beat him up, ok?” He nodded. “You’re such a cinnamon roll.”
“How come you never show me that much love?” Takumi sulked.
“You aren't as cute.” She replied.
“Ouch. Is it normal for me to be this jealous of my little brother?”
“No, it's not. It's kinda sad actually.”
“Why do I feel so defeated?” He thought.
“Toshi, do you wanna play tag with me?”
He nodded happily. They ended up playing for hours. Takumi joined but had to leave when his mom called him. When he came back, he found Twilight sitting on the porch with Toshiro lying on her lap.
“Oh, you're back.” He went to sit next to her. “He's fast asleep. But I guess playing tag for hours will wear you out. Are you ok? If you say yes, I won’t believe you.”
“And what if I am?”
“I still won’t believe you.”
“You really are difficult; you know that?”
“Yeah well, you're stuck with this difficulty for the whole week whether you like it or not. So, deal with it.”
“Oh, I'm planning to.”
“I know your little brother is sleeping but still you can't say things like that in front of him.”
“Ok. I have an older sister too. She's only four years older than me.”
“Can't wait to meet her. Wait, she's not like your mom, is she?”
“No, she's uh... well you'll see tomorrow. But I'm a hundred percent sure that she'll like you. She likes everyone.”
“Ok, I guess.”