Chapter 12: Ninth Name

It doesn't take too long for Ema and Yusuke to come hurrying to the cashiers. By then I'm standing on the other side waiting at the glass windows. I wave to them when they near and wait patiently as they have their things ring through.

Ema and Yusuke come down carrying at least four bags each. Each one is bulging with vegetables and other boxes. Uwa. I don't want to think about how much it takes to feed that many brothers. 

"You guys got everything?" I ask them.

Ema nods. "Sorry we took so long."

"Don't worry about it." Yes, don't worry about taking too long when you barely get a moment together. I shoot Yusuke a meaningful look, which makes him very confused.

Come on, Yusuke, I'm trying to help you here! Maybe he needs more obvious encouragement. I'll have to consult Maho. Maybe she'll have some ideas in how to help them get together.

The three of us make it out of the store okay, though poor Ema is struggling with a giant bundle of leeks. I, myself, am trying not to drop the comforter. The blanket is a lot heavier than I expected, and now that we don't have a cart...

"You two going to make it back okay?" Yusuke asks. He swings a couple of his bags over his shoulder. "You need a hand?" 

Good, he's asking Ema first.

Ema shakes her head. "No thanks. I'll be alright. What about you, Mai-chan? Do you need any help?"

"Eeeto...." I want to ask for help, but the two of them already have enough to carry. "Do you think it's too late to call Ukyo-san?"

Ema seems relieved, but she doesn't voice it aloud. "We can try texting him and see if he picks up."

"Sure," says Yusuke. "Be nice to have a ride home."

At the side of the parking lot Ema sets her bags down and texts Ukyo. Yusuke and I set our bags down and sit on the curb. 

Stretching my arms, the sky looks less black and more blue with all the lights. It must be past six right now, but the days are getting a little longer.

"Ukyo-san hasn't responded," Ema says a few minutes later. "He must still be working on his case. Maybe we should just take the train. Once we get on it shouldn't be that bad."

I think of the crowded trains during and after rush hour. With all of our groceries, people might give us a little more space... Or not.

"Jaa, we should get going," says Yusuke. He picks up his bags again and starts to lead the way out of the parking lot.

Just as Ema and I manage to get our bags off the ground we hear someone call, "Yo!"

The three of us turn. Ema and Yusuke recognize him. Surprisingly, I do, too.

It's the orange-haired guy from the store. It looks like he got the nyanko towel after all.

"Ah, Natsu-nii," says Yusuke.

"Fancy meeting you here," says Ema. "Were you out shopping as well?"

"Ah," he confirms. "Oh, it's you again."

"H-Hai." I still don't know who he is, but Yusuke addressed him as "nii." Wait, does that mean he's another Asahina brother? 

That's name #9 for Brothers Bingo! 

"Ema?" I ask, hoping she'll introduce him.

She glances my way and smiles. "This is Natsume-san."

"Youngest triplet of Tsuba-nii and Azu-nii," Yusuke offers.

"Triplets?" 

No wonder he reminded me so much of the twins. Can your own siblings count as your doppelgängers? 

"Yeah," says Natsume. "Have you met the others yet?"

I nod. "I've met some."

At my expression Natsume chuckles. "What, did you think that Tsubaki was the younger one?"

I did. I still do. But I can't exactly say that out loud.

Yusuke yawns. "Tsuba-nii doesn't act his age. He never has. Natsu-nii is a lot cooler in the head. At least he's not trying to hit the first girl he sees."

Do I detect a hint of bitterness there? Wah, there must be drama whenever the brothers decide to bring someone home.

"And who are you?" Natsume asks. "Are you Yusuke's girlfriend?"

Yusuke makes a choking sound. 

"N-No," I say, wiping my chin with the back of my hand. "I'm Ema's friend, Mai."

"Nice to meet you, Mai-san. Thank you for looking after Ema." says Natsume. "Oi, Yusuke, you okay there?"

"Yeah," mutters Yusuke. He regains himself, though he's too embarrassed to look at Ema, who doesn't seem to have fully grasped his reaction. Ganbatte, Yusuke.

"Were you three out shopping just now?" Natsume asks, eyeing our loads. "You sure got a lot of stuff there."

"Oh, yes. Ukyo-san sent me the grocery list," Ema explains. "We had a lot of things to stock up on."

"And you're helping out?" Natsume turns to me.

I let out a mangled laugh. "It's a long story."

"Her place flooded," explains Yusuke. "So she's staying at ours for now."

Natsume's brows raise. "Oh, really? I guess there are plenty of spare rooms. Did you have to wrangle one away from Tsubaki?"

Yusuke scoffs. "I stayed out of it. Let Azu-nii handle that."

"There was something about a giant stuffed avocado," I add.

Natsume laughs. "I remember when he got that. I'm not surprised he still has it, given how messy his room is. I doubt he remembers how much he has until he sees it again."

I laugh with him. That sounds a lot like me and my brother. I can't say how many times Kaasan tells us to clean out our rooms. We always find things we'd forgotten about in the rubble.

"Hey, now that you're here," Yusuke says slowly. "Would you happen to have the car with you?"

Natsume tilts his head. "Oh, do you want a lift home?"

"That would be great," says Yusuke.

Ema holds up her hands. "Ah, only if that's alright with you. You must be busy on your way home. We don't want to trouble you. We can just take the train back."

Oi, Ema, let Yusuke do all the talking! I feel like my arms might drop off from the weight.

Thankfully, Natsume insists. "If you want a ride back I have my car. It'd be nice to swing by and see everyone again. I guess Tsubaki and Azusa will be home about now."

"Un, they are," says Ema. "Only if you're okay with it."

"Yeah, if you're okay with it we'd greatly appreciate it," I say, emphasizing the "greatly appreciate" part. Not having to ride the train with all this would be amazing. Mah, I'm getting spoiled today with all the car rides today.

"Sure thing," says Natsume. He clicks his keys, sounding a red car further down the lot. "It's just this way."

I steal a glance at Ema. She's kind of lucky to have so many brothers. So far they all seem to really get along with each other.

"Arigatou gozaimasu," Ema thanks Natsume.

"Yeah, thanks," echoes Yusuke.

"We greatly appreciate it," I add.

Natsume, to his credit, blushes from the praise. "It's not a problem. Let's go home."