Chapter 37: Updates and Messages

"What do you mean, 'tell him myself'?" 

At first I only hear the words, but then it occurs to me that despite Tsubaki's teasing tone and smirk, he is being wholly serious.

"It's alright," I say, trying to wave him off. "I'm sure Natsume-san doesn't want me bothering him out of the blue." To be honest, it would be nice to thank Natsume myself, but wouldn't it be weird to be messaged by your younger sister's friend who you've only met twice?

Tsubaki waves his phone and scrolls to Natsume's contact info. I stifle a laugh as I notice the profile picture Tsubaki's attached to his brother's name. The picture, though a little blurry from a distance, depicts a guy who looks like Natsume, but his hair is black and he's in mid-fall on a running track. The expression on his face can only be described as utter surprise as he tumbles toward the ground.

Gauging my reaction, Tsubaki grins. "He'll respond if you message him."

I'm not sure if he's implying that Natsume won't see the message otherwise. Considering that I won't see Natsume again after moving out of Sunrise Residence, I guess it would be more polite to thank him myself rather than going through his brothers. Besides, if Tsubaki really is implying that Natsume wouldn't otherwise notice my thanks, it's possible he'd simply forget about how he helped me at all.

While that's not really any concern of mine, I feel like a little thanks could make Natsume's day. Not least of all because he's so busy with changing jobs, but also because it doesn't seem like he receives as much thanks for the things he does for his family. (*cough*cough*Tsubaki*)

I sigh in resignation, making Tsubaki grin wider in triumph. He shows me his phone screen and lets me copy Natsume's information. I enter his phone and mail into my contacts list and go back to my room. 

Lying down on my bed, I draft and send a quick thank-you to Natsume for helping me out. I never expected to receive so much help from one of Ema's brothers who doesn't even live here. He must normally be a very nice person to do that. I can see why Ema looks up to him.

Once the message is through I go to my laptop and check my other emails. I've emailed the other landlords, telling them that I was withdrawing my interests in their properties. Then I check my school email to ensure that I'm on top of all my classes.

Like high school, there's no break in between lectures or projects. As much as I'm for learning how to balance different responsibilities for the future, it worries me that school breaks might be the only "break" time I'll have before I graduate. After that comes work, and most of my parents' friends are always complaining about their long hours and short vacations. 

Knowing that youth is truly a golden time makes me wonder how exactly I should go about enjoying it. I did dye my hair, but apart from that I haven't really been doing anything extraordinary with my life. 

Come to think of it, do I know anyone else who's been "making the most" of that short and sweet period after high school? 

"How are we supposed to enjoy life now if we're always told to keep busy?"

It's a question for the ages that I don't think my parents would have an answer to. 

I close my laptop and roll over to stare at the wall. 

Even now I'm set to move out of Sunrise Residence. Next week I'll be back to making my own meals, doing my own dishes, cleaning my own space and living all alone. The part of me who got used to that life after several years yearns for it, persuading that it's not a big deal to go back to a routine that's become the norm. 

But the other part of me has become accustomed to the past couple weeks staying at Ema's place. Life is so different here, like how I'd imagine life would've been if I'd lived at home instead of moving out. 

My days probably would have been filled with commuting to and from school. My mornings would be early and rushed, scrambling to make and eat breakfast while Tousan reads the paper and Kaasan makes tea. I'd probably be locked into a constant battle over the bathroom with Shin, but using my status as the older sibling in university might give me some leverage with that. 

My evenings would be late from coming home from school, and even later on the days I have work. Shin would probably stay in his room when studying and game in the living room when he was done. Tousan would relax on the couch after work, reading the paper or watching the news. Kaasan would similarly take this chance to relax after ensuring that we'd all done our chores and had tea. 

Come to think of it, my living with the Asahinas has produced a similar enough routine that it's no wonder I became used to it.

As strange as it is to crash at a friend's house and live with her many brothers, I admit that I've become too comfortable here. It simply seems normal to leave my room and find Ukyo in the kitchen making tea, Wataru in the living room gaming or studying, or running into Tsubaki and Azusa as they head to and from work during their busy schedule. Plus, the commute to school with Ema and Yusuke has become so commonplace that I'll miss seeing them every day. And those are just the Asahinas I see most often!

But now that I sit back and look at things from the outside, I've become too comfortable with the way things are. And that's not good.

I remind myself that this is a good time to go, before the idea of moving out gets pushed to the back of my mind. Better that I get back into my usual routine before I come to expect anything else. 

I also remind myself that there are so many people living at Sunrise Residence already. The point was never to overstay my welcome and burden all the people living here. 

"I'll have to say thanks to Ema again," I ponder. I wonder what would make a good thank-you gift for her and the Asahinas. Since they both helped me I should probably show my appreciation separately. The Asahina brothers were very kind to let me stay, but it was Ema who suggested it in the first place, and it was Ema who gave me the most help out of everyone.

The only thing is that Ema is too modest to consider being shown gratitude for a good deed. If I gave a gesture to thank her she'd get embarrassed and assure me that it was nothing, that she was the one who wanted to help, that she would always help a friend. 

Modesty is good and all, but it would be very hard to get her to say a simple "you're welcome" and be done with it. 

No. I'll need to find a way to thank Ema in a way that she can't belittle herself. 

I realize that I may need to call in another party for advice. I go to my phone and start messaging Yusuke. He's the Asahina brother closest in age, and he attends the same school, so he's bound to know a few things I could do that Ema would appreciate. 

There's a long pause before Yusuke is active in the chat. My message is read, and three dots float aimlessly for a few minutes as he writes his response. 

You want to thank her, huh? he messages at last. 

M: Yeah. Don't know what she'd like though. Any ideas?

Y: ... 

Y: she likes gaming. what about the arcade?

It's not the first thing that comes to mind, though maybe it's because you'd never guess Ema was a killer gamer by just looking at her. Since I know her I consider it. Games can be expensive, especially so for students who have other expenses. Going to an arcade would be a good compromise. Of course, I'll have to ask her what she thinks. 

M: Thanks. I'll ask her.

Y: no problem

Neither Yusuke or I are good at talking—we're not that close, though I'm glad we don't need to be. I think about inviting him to the arcade, too, but decide against it. I'm hoping for it to be a hangout for the girls. I'll find another way to express my thanks to the Asahina brothers as a collective. Maybe I'll buy them a cake—it'd be quick, easy, and I could thank them all at once. 

Satisfied with my plan, I message Ema and ask if she'd like to go to the arcade after I move into my new place. I tell her that it'd be a girl's day, so we don't need to worry about any brothers inviting themselves along. The joke may be in bad humour, but at this point I'm over it. Not like I'll be seeing much of the Asahinas after next week. 

Before I turn in for bed my phone lights up again. I expect to it to be Ema, but it's the ID isn't familiar. 

It takes me a second to realize it's Natsume. I open the screen.

N: You're welcome. Happy to help

Very polite and to the point. He texts exactly like he talks. 

There's no need for any more correspondence between us, but three dots hover over the keyboard. Natsume is typing something else, but what? What more does he have to say to the friend of his younger sister?