Chapter 25: Rely On Your Older Siblings More

Lunch ends rather uneventfully, excluding Ema's relief that she wasn't the only one worried about change or moving out of Sunrise Residence. I'm not sure if the entire matter is resolved, but like a famous guy once said: Rome isn't built in a day. It will probably take some time for Ema to be more comfortable with all the changes happening now and to come. 

We spend the rest of lunch talking about all the changes that have changed since earlier on. 

And by that I mean Ema and Natsume talk about their family, in which Ema gives updates on all the brothers living at home, and I try to throw in a comment or two about the events I was around for.

I still feel a bit left out, but I'm not too bothered about it since I'd been reluctant to come here in the first place; I was originally only here as moral support, and later on for the food once Natsume flipped into therapy-mode.

I'm convinced that he might be the most mature of the triplets. This might owe to Natsume having lived away from his family home for many years, or his being in his mid-twenties with plenty more life experience than Ema and me.

Perhaps Azusa could give some honest advice about life, but he still lives at Sunrise Residence, surrounded by brothers who, although go through many changes, are still together under one roof. I also haven't talked to him enough to know what he's really like. 

As for Tsubaki... I don't think I need to explain my thoughts on Tsubaki.

At the end of lunch Natsume beats us to the counter and offers to pay for the meal. Ema and I spent a good couple of minutes insisting that we're okay to pay for our own meal and drinks, but Natsume stuffs his hands in his pockets and drops the best onii-san line I've ever heard:

"What kind of brother would I be if I made my little sister and her friend (who are both students) pay for their own meals?"

If Ukyo is the best pseudo-mom/husband then Natsume is the best big brother!

"If you're that sure," I say, trying not to let my frugality show. Not to boast my circumstances, but between Ema and me, I'm glad to save even a little extra to put toward rent. I'm not even paying rent at Sunrise Residence (courtesy of Masaomi, who insists that they'd do the same for everyone—he must be the best pseudo-dad!), but I feel bad about not being able to do more aside from helping with the cooking. The sooner I find a place and move out, the less guilty I'll feel about imposing on Ema and her family. They've done more than enough for me already.

Outside the cafe Ema and I wave goodbye to the cats in the window. Natsume joins us shortly after and checks his phone. He has to return to his office now that lunch is over.

"This was fun. Thanks for inviting me," he says.

"Thank you for meeting with us," Ema returns. "I'm sorry if I bothered you out of the blue."

"It's no problem at all. You're not bothering or burdening me," Natsume assures her. "Remember, you're family, and I'll always help family no matter what."

Ema smiles. "Arigatou."

I look up from the cafe window, catching a glimpse of the look that passes between them. I'm beginning to get the impression that Ema gets along with Natsume super well, possibly more so than her other brothers. 

On the surface this makes perfect sense, since he's living away from home and is thus removed from the centre of a lot of conflicts in the house. Natsume would be able to offer an outside perspective, and his own experiences align with what Ema must be feeling right now.

Saying my last goodbyes to the cats, I stand and stretch my back.

"Thank you for meeting with us, Natsume-san," I say. "And thank you so much for lunch. I'm definitely coming back here again." I pat my stomach heartily. "Next time we'll treat you."

Natsume grins. "Always happy to introduce a fellow cat person. I'll show you some pictures of my cats next time if you want to see them."

My eyes gleam. "Yes please!"

We wave to Natsume as we part ways, and then Ema and I walk back to the station.

I don't think either of us lunch topics to go that deep, but I hope that Ema's found at least the start of the answer she was looking for.

"Natsume-san is super nice," I say

"Hai. He is," Ema says. "He's always helped me out whenever I was in trouble. I feel bad to keep bothering him with my problems."

My heel grinds to a stop. 

"Oi, Ema. You heard him, didn't you? You two are family, so he's not going to fault you for coming to him if you've got something on your mind."

In fact, I think he'd prefer it if you relied on him more.

"I wish my brother was more like Natsume-san," I add. "To have an older, more mature brother who you can talk to about these kind of things would be a blessing. Instead, I'm the older, more mature sibling, but my brother doesn't come to me for advice at all. You younger siblings should rely on your older siblings more!"

Ema laughs in spite of herself. "You're right. It's amazing how much Natsume-san is okay with helping me. I know we've been family for a few years already, but sometimes it still feels like I've only just become a part of the Asahina family." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry. That sounds strange now that I've said it out loud."

What with all the talk of being overwhelmed by changes? Sure, Ema, but it's okay.

"Time moves too fast and too slow," I say. "It's like that for me as well. I think it's like that for everyone in a way."

Theoretically, it should be a relief that everyone is in the same boat, but Ema is still bewildered.

She forces a light laugh. "There's no way to fix that, is there?"

I share my own nervous laugh. "Not really. All I know is that time is going to keep moving no matter what we do or feel. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future are both valid, but at the end of the day all we can really do is enjoy what's happening to us now. If we blink for too long then we might miss the present, as cliché as that sounds."

Ema stares at me. "Sugoi... Mai-chan is a philosopher!"

"I read it on an omikuji, but thanks."

"Knowing when to apply shrine fortunes to life is still something to be proud of." Ema giggles. She smiles and raises her eyes to the sky overhead. The vast expanse of blue stretches far beyond what either of us could ever imagine.

"Thank you for coming with me today. I'm sorry for dragging you into this by myself. I was worried about talking to Natsume-san about this on my own, so having you there helped remind me that I have a friend who will support me."

"Of course." I nudge her gently. "What are friends for? I know you'd do the same for me. Ara, I guess you are doing the same for me. A bit too much more than I can ever repay." I scratch the back of my neck.

"Please don't push yourself too hard, Mai-chan. Take your time and move out when you find the right place for you. All of us like having you to stay. I don't think anyone would object if you stayed a while longer."

"Take a page out of your own book, then, Ema-chan." I poke her shoulder. "I'm grateful, though I do plan to move out soon. As much as I enjoy staying with you I like having my own place. Natsume-san sure was nice to suggest some places."

"Ah, that's right. He did." Ema closes her eyes and opens them again. "That means things will change again, won't it?"

I nod. "Hai, but it doesn't change the fact that we're friends. I'll still ask if I can come over to your place to study. Besides, I want to exchange more recipes with Ukyo-san."

"He was very happy to have another person around who appreciated his cooking."

We muse about the changes to come, and I find that Ema sounds less stressed than before. The weight of being alone in her worries has been lifted, and whatever happens next she knows she won't be alone.

I find myself thinking about the future as well. I don't share all of my thoughts, like how odd it is to get used to living with so many people in such a short period of time. 

While I won't miss having to coordinate bathroom schedules, it will be weird not going into the common space and seeing Wataru furiously gaming, or hearing Ukyo mumble about what to make for dinner, or even hearing the twins reciting lines together after hours.

Though I won't miss the overwhelming personalities of some of the Asahinas...

Best to leave that part out, I think. Besides, I'm sure this won't be the last I'll see of them so long as Ema is my friend.