Aiko's Perspective - A Change of Heart

Aiko leaned back against the plush velvet booth, swirling the ice cream in her sundae absentmindedly.

Across from her, Yumi, Hiroshi's younger sister, was happily devouring a mountain of whipped cream and sprinkles. Aiko had stumbled upon her just moments ago, cornered by a group of giggling girls who were teasing her mercilessly.

Something about their cruel taunts had ignited a spark of protectiveness in Aiko, and she'd stepped in, her sharp tongue and confident demeanor quickly dispersing the bullies.

"Thanks for that," Yumi had mumbled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and gratitude. "They've been bugging me all day."

"No problem," Aiko had replied, her voice softer than usual. "Bullies are the worst."

As they'd introduced themselves, Aiko's ears had perked up at the mention of Yumi's last name. Tanaka. Hiroshi Tanaka. It was a long shot, but the resemblance was undeniable.

"Wait a minute," Aiko had said, her eyes widening, "are you Hiroshi Tanaka's sister?"

Yumi had nodded, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "Yeah, how did you know?"

Aiko had smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "I know your brother."

And that's how they ended up here, in this cozy ice cream parlor, sharing sundaes and stories about Hiroshi.

"He's such a dork, isn't he?" Yumi had giggled, recounting an embarrassing childhood anecdote about Hiroshi tripping over his own feet and falling face-first into a mud puddle.

Aiko laughed, remembering similar instances of Hiroshi's clumsiness and social awkwardness. But her laughter was tinged with a hint of regret. She'd been so quick to judge him, to dismiss him as a nerdy, unassuming boy. She hadn't seen the kindness, the courage, the loyalty that lay beneath the surface.

A wave of memory washed over her, vivid and unsettling. She saw herself standing in the library, Hiroshi's shocked face a mirror to her own cruel words.

Flashback ( Previous Chapters)

"I heard about Rina," she'd said, her voice laced with a bitter satisfaction she didn't truly feel. "It's a shame, really. She was such a free spirit." *

Hiroshi had flinched, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored her own. "What do you know about it?" he'd growled.*

Aiko had smirked, a surge of guilt battling with her need to hurt him, to punish him for finding happiness with other girls after rejecting her.*

"More than you think, Hiroshi. I know about the Black Serpents, about their illegal activities, about their enemies." *

She'd leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I even know about Rina's little plan to use you to get rid of the Dragons."*

Hiroshi's eyes had widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"*

Aiko had continued, her voice a weapon she wielded against her own vulnerability. "Oh, Hiroshi, you're so naive. Rina never cared about you. She just used you, just like she used everyone else."*

She'd paused, her voice softening with a regret she couldn't quite conceal. "And now, she's gone. And you're left to pick up the pieces."*

Flashback ends

Aiko cringed inwardly, the memory leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She'd wanted to hurt him, to make him feel the pain she was feeling. But all she'd accomplished was pushing him further away, deepening the chasm between them.

She glanced at Yumi, who was now looking at her with a curious expression. Aiko quickly composed herself, forcing a smile.

"He's got a lot to learn about girls," she said, her voice light. "But he's a good person, your brother. Don't let him forget that."

Yumi nodded, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I know. He's the best big brother in the world."

Aiko's heart ached. She wished she could take back her cruel words. She looked at Yumi, her heart filled with a mix of regret and hope. Maybe it wasn't too late to make amends, to apologize to Hiroshi, to try to build a genuine connection with him.

She took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying. She would find a way to make things right.