Chapter 38: How to Rely on Your Older Siblings

I wait a few seconds to see if Natsume will actually send another message. Chats can glitch and make it seem like another message is on its way when it's not. 

I can't think of anything else Natsume would say to me, though. Now that I've found a place we don't have a need to talk to each other anymore. However, this doesn't bother me, considering that we don't know each other. 

The screen changes.

N: [image.png]

"A picture?" I click on the picture and it comes into view. "Wait, is he serious???"

I clutch my phone and stare intensely at the screen. 

The most adorable felines of white and ginger are nestled on a level of a cat tower. Both are sleeping, their eyes squeezed shut. One has a tail wrapped around itself with its paws tucked underneath. The other lays sprawled out on its back, its paws reaching toward the camera. 

N: You wanted to see the cats, right?

Aw, he remembered.

A smile blooms on my face. He didn't have to, but he remembered all the way from our first meeting. I can see how the cat towel really suits them. 

M: Kawaii! Those are your cats? They're adorable 

M: ^⇀ﻌ↼^ฅ

I cringe a little at my word choice, but oh well. Why hold back when something absolutely amazing appears in front of you?

In any case, Natsume doesn't seem to be weirded out. 

N: The one on the right left is Tsubaki and the other is Azusa.

M: LOL

M: Thanks for showing me. They're so cute!

Though I still wonder how they got their names in the first place. 

N: [image2.png]

"Hmn?" What's the second image about? I open it and can't help but laugh. 

The ginger cat towel is laid out on the floor with both cats piled on top of it. The light hits Tsubaki at just the right angle as he drapes over Azusa from above. Once again, both are fast asleep.

M: I see you put it to good use

N: Yeah. They like it a lot. Thanks

My finger hovers over the keyboard. I should say something back, but I'm not sure what. Would it be weird to continue the conversation about cats? Natsume has a pair of them, yes, but I don't know if he's the kind of person who would talk endlessly about them. He might even find me weird for going on about them for longer.

In the end, I go with the safer option.

M: I'm glad they like it! /ᐠ - ˕ -マ

M: Wish I could meet them

Seeing the time, I lock my screen and go to get ready for bed. 

I stand and stretch my back a little when I realize it. 

Pausing, I open my phone's chat again. I couldn't have done it, could I?

My breath catches as I read my last text. 

Wish I could meet them

It's not the worst thing I could have said, but it's basically me saying that I want to come over and see them. 

The phone slips from my hand and clatters on the ground. I kick my feet in anguish and bury my face in my hands. With a groan, I curse that my subconscious love of cats caused me to ask to meet up with a man I barely know.

 What kind of a person am I? Natsume must think poorly of me now. He must be worried that Ema's friend would ask to come over when we don't even know each other.

"Gah!" Collapsing on my bed, I kick my legs in frustration. It's too late to delete it now. The text had been read, and a few minutes went by without any response. 

Stupid stupid stupid.

My only solace is that it's a good thing Natsume and I don't know each other well. Since I'm moving out I'll never have to see or talk to him again, so even if he ghosts me it won't matter. 

"It's fine," I murmur to myself. "It's totally fine. He probably didn't notice it at all. I'm probably the only one who's even worrying about it in the first place."

They do say that guys tend not to overthink things as much as girls. 

I get ready for bed with this thought in mind, repeating it over and over again until sleep makes me forget it all.

—————

The date of my move arrives too fast.

As my move-in is set for the evening after school is done, I spend the morning feeling both excited and nervous. I've been packing all of my things in boxes, which are piled up against the walls in my room. Before coming down to breakfast I folded my sheets and blankets and placed the pillow atop the bed. 

It feels weird packing everything up again. It feels like I only came here yesterday. My time at the Asahinas only numbers a few weeks, but I guess that goes to show how easy it is for people to adapt to their surroundings. 

At breakfast I make myself a rice bowl when Ukyo comes down. He looks haggard from his long nights, with bags under his eyes and a slouch to his usually straight gait. 

"Are you okay, Ukyo-san?" I ask. 

The lawyer startles. "Good morning, Mai-san. I'm just feeling a bit tired."

More than "a bit," I think.

"Were you up late?"

"Yes. The case is taking longer than I expected and I had to do some more research and drafting before the morning." He checks his watch. "It's almost time to go. I hope to be back in time to help you move, but..." 

He trails off, looking regretful. Does he feel bad that he might not be able to join us? 

"It's okay if you aren't able to come with us," I say. "You can come over for a drink at any time, though."

Ukyo cracks a smile, though it doesn't do much to alleviate the bags under his eyes. "That'll have to be after you turn twenty, though."

"So next year?"

Ukyo laughs. "I suppose you and Ema will come of age together, along with Yusuke. Ah, how time flies."

I make quick work of breakfast and make some coffee to go for Ukyo. He thanks me and returns to his room to get ready to go. Despite his fatigue he's not reluctant. He must feel very passionately about this case, so it doesn't matter how much it drains him; he'll put his all into it nonetheless.

After Ukyo leaves it occurs to me that without him we'd have to rely on Masaomi to drive us. I go over what I know about the other brothers in my head. I have no idea if the twins are able to drive—Natsume drove us that time, and I can't count on them being free after hours to drive us when we haven't asked them ahead of time. 

As for Iori, well, I haven't seen him since that first day. Ukyo said something about him going off to school somewhere. Maybe an international school if he hasn't even come back home to visit. 

Subaru is out of the question, being away for training. Ema said he's a couple of years older than us, but I would feel awkward asking a guy I've never met to drive us. 

"Hm. I might have to move in intervals after all," I murmur to myself. That won't be a problem, but it will push back the schedule for me to move out. I'm not the one who'll be inconvenienced. I glance at the elevator doors where Ukyo left. 

I've already stayed with the Asahinas for weeks. Ema probably won't mind me staying a little longer, but what about the others? They might not say anything out loud, but I can imagine they won't jump for joy at a change in plans. I know I wouldn't. 

I sigh. Maybe I should try calling in another friend. I open my phone and scroll through my contacts. I've made a few new friends at the university, but not as many are as close as Ema. It might inconvenience them to help me move out of the blue, but I can always pay them back with a meal or something. It's rather easy to bribe fellow students into helping you if you know what they want.

Midway through my virtual search Ema comes downstairs. 

"Good morning, Mai-chan. Are you ready to move?" She smiles excitedly like she's been waiting for this day. I can understand where she's coming from; unlike me Ema didn't move out to attend school, and any event that involves multiple people getting together to socialize would be fun. 

"I think so," I say. "We might have to change plans a little."

Ema's smile freezes. "Eh? Is everything okay? Did something happen with the landlord?"

"No, no, nothing like that," I say quickly. "Ukyo-san might be late coming back from work, and since we haven't heard from Masaomi-san yet I think I'll have to move in intervals." 

Ema pauses, trying to process that.

I clear my throat. "I might still be able to complete the move in the same day. It's just that I'll need to make a couple of trips. If you and Yusuke-kun are still okay to help me it'll go twice as fast. We might need to make another trip tomorrow, but that'll be all." My voice comes out frantically, trying to convince Ema that it won't be that big of a change in plans. I know she won't bail on me, but I can't help but worry about the others. Besides, I've already burdened Ema enough. I hate that I have to keep relying on her like this. What have I even done to help her?

In my nervousness, Ema suddenly pulls out her phone. She types something and hits send before facing me again.

"Let's have breakfast," Ema says. She marches into the kitchen and starts dishing up a bowl of rice. 

I follow, curious about what that was all about. "I've already eaten, but I can make tea."

As I set the kettle on to boil Ema's phone chimes. Immediately, she's on it, her eyes focused as she reads whatever message was sent to her.

"What is it?" I ask.

Ema types something and presses send. Then she looks up at me and smiles. It's a look of confidence that everything is going to be okay.

"We can still move everything in one trip," she announces. "I've just found us a ride."

I blink in surprise. "Masaomi-san can make it?"

"Ah, no."

"So Azusa-san or Tsubaki-san is coming after all?" I almost shiver at the thought. My new place is going to be small enough without Tsubaki parading through it.

Ema shakes her head. "N-No. They told me they had something to do." She looks a little relieved herself. 

Did they scar you for life, too, Ema-chan?

"Then who?"

Ema shows me her phone screen. Still confused, I peer down at the glowing text. 

Natsume-niisan: Sure. I can help out. I'll come by after dinner. Oh, but Tsubaki and Azusa won't be there, right?

I stare at Ema in astonishment. 

Behold: the power of older siblings.