If there was one good thing about going to Ninka’s house for a study session with the boys and girls. It would be that Hakuta didn’t have to concern himself with making some weird path on getting there to avoid Shiuka. Especially since he had no clue where that girl lived, so he needed a navigator to prevent himself from getting lost.

“Maybe I should've asked this before we left, but what’s her place like?” He asked as they walked down the road in the right direction. “I can’t deny your family’s got a nice house. So are your friends in the same boat or is it because your dad’s a special kind of guy.”

“They’re your friends too you know.” She took note of his description on Ninka and Rouko. Particularly at the point where he beat around the bush in wondering about the home life of gyarus.

“I think some would disagree.” He countered, remembering the time where Ninka told him about his differences in feelings towards the girls. “I don’t dislike either of them, but it’s not like I’d ever consider hanging out with them on my own.”

“I wouldn’t with Yuusen and Itsuki either, but that doesn’t mean I’m not friends with them.” She hit him back with another counterpoint. While Shiuka wasn’t wrong, that didn’t mean much for him.

“You don’t because they can be a little pushy sometimes.” He argued back as they continued their bickering on their journey. “I don’t because Ninka wants me for some reason and Rouko would probably find a way to prank me. We’re not the same.”

“Whatever you say.” She dropped the argument, but clearly didn’t come to agree with him at all. “Anyway, you’ll see what her house is like soon enough.” It had been a while since she had come visited her own friend as well. Mainly because things had been pretty busy lately and they normally hung around out in public instead. So Shiuka was excited for a return to Ninka’s place.

“Wow.” For Hakuta, this was the first time and it certainly wowed him to an extent. If he thought Shiuka’s place was big, then Ninka’s was even larger. “What does her family do?” Immediately he considered their financial status. While he avoided doing so with Shiuka, as he was originally was really poor boy and her dad had a rather extraordinary job. It was impossible not to think about what Ninka’s parent might be doing to afford a place this expensive looking.

“I don’t know exactly.” She answered, not caring much about her friend’s families as she rarely interacted with them. “I just heard he was some big shot at a company around here.”

“Being the boss does have its benefits.” He responded as they walked to the front door. Considering what he knew of Ninka, the boy worried about what her dad might be like if he were here right now. Being the boss of a lot of people must’ve meant he was strict and serious. The type of guy who stared at you in an aggressive manner to get you do your job or else risk getting murdered. It would certainly explain why the girl was a rather pushy person.

Shiuka knocked on the door as they waited for an answer. The moments went by and he felt a bit more dread as he worried over who might open it for them. Would it just be Ninka? One of her parents, hopefully not her dad? Maybe she was so rich they had house service.

Finally, after running through all the scenarios in his head, the door opened up. It revealed a rather skinny looking man with gentle voice so calming it would attract birds to his shoulders.

“Ah, it’s nice to see you again Shiuka.” He spoke, giving her a warm welcome. “And you must be Hakuta, right?”

“Yeah…” He was to bewildered to keep focus. Hakuta couldn’t tell who this was supposed to be, but he seemed familiar to Shiuka, so clearly he lived here. “You are…”

“That’s Ninka’s dad.” Shiuka loudly whispered to him, giving the boy a nudge on the side. “Who else would it be?”

“She’s right.” The old man laughed. “My name’s Sakuhiko. You know, my daughter’s talked a ton about you.”

“I’m sure she has.” He didn’t know if to take this as a compliment or more of a worrying sign for his future. Either way, they both entered the house to head towards Ninka’s room. “You know…” He spoke once they were free from the man who let them inside. “He’s not really what I was expecting.”

“I know, I said the same thing to Ninka when I first met him.” It brought her back to the memories of junior high when she first made friends with the girls. “She just laughed at me when I said she’d nothing like her dad.”

“It’s crazy.” He responded. It was funny to Hakuta how he was such a quiet man while Ninka… Was far from it. “She might’ve inherited everything from her mom.”

“I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough.” She spoke back in a teasing fashion. Obviously she was already aware of the truth, but felt like it would be funner to see his genuine reaction to meeting her mother for the first time. “But anyway, this should be Ninka’s room.” She knocked on one of the doors after they had headed up some stairs and down a hallway for a bit. Without needing to wait for long, Ninka popped out to greet the pair.

“Ooh, looks like you two decided to come along a bit early.” She said. Ninka was dressed in far more casual attire than he was used to seeing. As she had on her soft pants that looked more like pajamas than anything else. This made Hakuta feel a bit overdressed compared to that and Shiuka’s outfit which she used from time to time when she went out.

“Well, just wanted to help him get here since he didn’t know where you lived.” Shiuka explained.

“Maybe in the future I’ll be able to learn where you live.” Ninka said directly to Hakuta.

“Sure.” He gave a halfhearted response, knowing full well she would never learn of the truth. “Anyway, we might as well get a head start on our homework.” Hakuta gave a normal suggestion to get some work done as he was more on the front of being here in the business sense.

“Or…” However, the girls were more here for the fun sense. “You should come here and meet by big bro instead.” Ninka grabbed his arm and pulled him along down the hall. Shiuka simply followed behind them lackadaisically.

“I didn’t know you have siblings.” He said, not getting a say in how fast he moved because she was unwilling to let go of his arm.

“You definitely wouldn’t have met him before. My brother goes to university, but he’s back home early for the break.” She explained the situation. Judging by Shiuka’s lack of reaction, it was clear she had already met the boy. Though it was also likely that she didn’t want to influence him in his own initial reaction. “Yo Kijuu, I got someone you should meet!” She yelled as she loudly banged on a closed door.

Slowly it opened up to reveal an older boy. It wasn’t just some regular boy either, but nothing about his appearance greatly surprised Hakuta. He had dyed blonde hair with it parted over and one side of it partially shaved off. If he were to ever see a boy like this in high school, there was only one way for him to describe his appearance. That this was a delinquent.

“Ooh, who’s this?” He spoke in a tone which only served to remind Hakuta that he was basically dealing the male equivalent of a gyaru. What would those be called anyway? A guyru? “Hmm…” He quickly closed the gap between himself and Hakuta, closely examining his face at an uncomfortable distance. “Those nerdy glasses, that ugly face, yep you must be Hakuta.”

“Yeah…” Now he definitely couldn’t mistaken the way he was described as anything resembling a compliment. Those were quite mean things to say to someone whom barely knew him. “And you’re Ninka’s brother?”

“You catch on pretty quick.” He laughed, giving the boy some proper space again. “Yep, name’s Kijuu.” He put out a hand for a shake, which Hakuta accepted. This gave him a very firm handshake that went on for well past what was considered normal for people to have.

“Now come on Shiuka, let’s go head back to my room and wait for the others.” Said Ninka, now grabbing the girl instead of him.

“And me too, right?” Hakuta realized her brother had yet to let go of his hand as he witnessed the girls moving away from him.

“Actually Kijuu wanted to talk to you in private, so I’ll see you later.” She laughed as she took Shiuka away and to their room.

“Oh, you wanted to talk to me?” Said Hakuta as he slowly turned his head back to the older boy. It was at this point he knew this was a trap.

bigbear51

Hey I just wanted to let everyone reading it currently that I'll be out of town this weekend, which means no writing for a bit. Short break, but I should be back on either Monday or Tuesday. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.