Chapter 11:Chuunibyo Resurgence, Friendzones, and Chaos!
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The train ride back to the city was unusually quiet. Kaoru was leaning back in his seat, staring out the window, while Aya sat across from him, her expression as stoic as ever. However, her mind was in turmoil.
"Why did I think this trip meant something more? He invited me, introduced me to his family, and… it was just work-related?" Aya's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kaede's words from the previous night resurfaced.
"Don't let him fool you. He's clueless about relationships. He probably doesn't even know what he's doing when he smiles at you."
Aya sighed deeply, earning a curious glance from Kaoru.
"Something on your mind?" Kaoru asked, tilting his head.
"No." Aya replied curtly, though her tone betrayed her irritation.
Kaoru blinked, then shrugged. "Okay. You've been weird since we left the house, though."
Aya shot him a glare but said nothing.
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Scene 1 Action!: Kaoru's Glorious Return to Chuunibyo!
By the time they reached the office, Kaoru had fully reverted to his usual self. As soon as he stepped inside, he spread his arms wide and proclaimed in a loud, dramatic voice:
"The dark flame master has returned! Rejoice, mortals, for I have once again gazed upon the sacred land of my ancestors and have emerged stronger than ever!"
The nearby assistants and staff stopped what they were doing, some stifling laughter, while others simply shook their heads in disbelief. Aya, on the other hand, buried her face in her hands, already regretting her decision to accompany him back to work.
"Kaoru," she said in a low, threatening voice, "stop embarrassing yourself."
Kaoru turned to her with a devilish grin. "Embarrassing? Nonsense, Aya! You should embrace the power of the Abyssal Phoenix that lies dormant within your soul!"
Aya pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
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Scene 2 Action!: Kaede's expected Visit.
Just as Aya thought her day couldn't get any worse, the door burst open, and in walked Kaede, her arms full of shopping bags.
"Ohh Brotherr! I'm back!" she chirped.
Aya froze. "Why… are you here again?"
Kaede grinned. "The family house is still being rebuilt, remember? I decided I'd stay here for a few more days. Plus, I wanted to see how you and my dear brother are getting along."
Kaoru, completely oblivious to the tension brewing between the two women, waved lazily. "Oh, hey, Kaede. Make yourself at home, I guess."
Kaede turned to Aya with a sly smile. "So, Aya, how was your date with Big Bro Kaoru?"
Aya's stoic mask cracked for a split second. "It wasn't a date."
Kaede feigned surprise. "Oh, really? Then why do you look so disappointed?"
Aya's ears turned red, but she quickly regained her composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kaoru, who was munching on a bag of chips, looked between them in confusion. "Wait, what's this about a date? Did I miss something?"
Kaede burst out laughing. "See? He doesn't even realize what he's done. Poor Aya."
Aya glared at Kaede, but the younger girl's laughter only grew louder.
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Scene 3 Action!: The Friendzone Revelation
As Kaoru settled back into his work, Aya found herself watching him out of the corner of her eye. He was back to being his usual chuunibyo self, muttering about "chaotic energies" and "forbidden realms" as he sketched out ideas for his next manga.
Kaede, meanwhile, sidled up to Aya with a mischievous grin.
"Let me guess," Kaede whispered, "You thought Kaoru inviting you to the family house meant something, didn't you?"
Aya stiffened. "Of course not. It was strictly professional."
Kaede smirked. "Professional, huh? Then why do you look like someone who just got friendzoned?"
Aya's eye twitched, but she refused to dignify Kaede's comment with a response.
Kaoru, oblivious to the entire exchange, suddenly slammed his hands on the desk. "Behold, Aya! The ultimate battle of light and darkness will take place on this page! The protagonist will summon a phoenix from his soul to defeat the villain who controls time itself!"
Aya sighed deeply. "You're hopeless."
Kaede snickered. "Hopelessly friendzoned."
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Scene 4 Action!: Anime References Galore
As Kaoru worked on his new manga, he began to pepper Aya with questions.
"Aya, do you think it's too cliché if the hero gets powered up by eating a magical fruit from a sacred tree?"
Aya raised an eyebrow. "That sounds oddly familiar."
Kaoru ignored her and continued. "What about if the villain has a giant ship that flies through the air and shoots lasers? Too much?"
Aya groaned. "You're ripping off everything."
Kaede chimed in. "Don't forget the scene where the hero has to scream for three whole minutes to power up."
Kaoru gasped. "Genius! I'll make it five minutes!"
Aya stared at him in disbelief. "Please don't."
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Scene 5 Action: The Emotional Twist
Later that evening, Kaoru received a text from Kaede.
Don't forget, Onii-chan. The whole family's still waiting for you to come back. Even if you're chasing your dreams, you'll always be a part of us.
(Kaede copied her message again and modified it she's to lazy..) (Narrator)
Kaoru stared at the message for a long moment, his usual grin fading. Aya noticed the change in his demeanor.
"Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Kaoru nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Just… family stuff."
Aya hesitated before speaking. "You know, it's okay to miss them. They clearly care about you a lot."
Kaoru chuckled softly. "Yeah, I know. It's just… complicated."
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Scene 6 Action!: Comedy Wins the Day!
The somber mood didn't last long, though, as Kaede burst into the room holding a DVD box set.
"Big Bro! Let's watch this!" she said, waving the box in front of him.
Kaoru squinted at it. "Isn't that the one with the alien who loves eating sweets and causing chaos?"
Kaede grinned. "Exactly! It's a classic!"
Aya groaned. "I don't know how I got stuck with this family."
Kaoru leaned back with a smirk. "You love it here, admit it."
Aya muttered something under her breath, but the faint smile on her lips didn't go unnoticed by Kaoru.
As the three of them settled in to watch the show, Aya couldn't help but feel a little more at home.
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End of Chapter Eleven.
"Kaede's choice of DVD box set was a clear homage to a certain alien-themed comedy anime.." (Narrator)
"Wonder what it is.." As The Narrator sleeps in the ending of the Chapter.