What to Wear?

It had been a few weeks since Ikazuchi officially joined the Order of the Elements.

But since then…

Nothing has happened.

No leads.

No missions.

No news.

So what had the Elements been doing all this time?

Haruto had been hanging out at the safehouse.

Moriya returned to the forest near the Tomita Estate.

Ikazuchi stayed home.

And Hikaru?

Hikaru was also at home.

But not studying.

Not training.

Not even getting annoyed by Teshii.

Instead–

He was stressed.

He stood in front of his bedroom mirror, frowning at his reflection.

"Umm… this won't do," he muttered.

He immediately started taking off the outfit he was wearing.

His room? A complete disaster. Clothes were scattered everywhere – on the bed, on the floor, on the chair, even hanging off the lampshade.

Hikaru sighed and walked over to his closet.

He grabbed another shirt, slipped it on, and checked himself in the mirror again.

Head tilt. Eyebrow furrow.

"Nope. Definitely not this one either."

He groaned and turned toward the massive pile of clotheson his bed.

"This is hopeless," he sighed.

Then, he shut his eyes for a moment and muttered to himself–

"I'm meeting Mei's parents…"

His eyes opened again – narrowed with determination, even if his closet had betrayed him.

"This has to be perfect."

Then–

Zzzzz…

A soft snore snapped Hikaru out of his spiralling thoughts.

He turned toward the sound.

And blinked.

It was…

Teshii.

Dead asleep.

Somehow completely buried under the mountain of clothes that had exploded across the room.

Hikaru just stared, expression blank.

"…I completely forgot he was there."

"M-Mochi…" Teshii murmured in his sleep, hugging a sweater like it was a plush toy.

Hikaru blinked again.

"…He's dreaming about mochi."

He chuckled softly – until–

"H-Hikari…"

Hikaru froze. His eye twitched.

Teshii, still unconscious, muttered his younger twin sister's name like it was a sacred whisper.

"This guy…"

Hikaru clenched his fists.

"When he wakes up, I am absolutely going to give him a piece of my mind."

Trying to keep his sanity intact, Hikaru turned back to his closet. And that's when something caught his eye.

There–

Tucked neatly behind a few hoodies–

A long sleeve, slim fit white shirt.

His eyes lit up.

"…This… this is perfect!"

He grabbed it and quickly slipped it on, throwing on a pair of crisp black jeans to complete the outfit.

Then he turned to the mirror.

Clean. Sophisticated. A little formal. But still him.

He smiled.

"Yes… this will do."

Then, his expression softened.

He blushed just slightly as he stared at his reflection.

"I really hope Mei's parents like me…"

Then–

Hikaru's bedroom door suddenly burst open.

"Hikaru? Are you okay? I heard shouting."

It was his mother, Sayaka, her voice full of concern.

But the moment she stepped into the room–

She froze

Her eyes scanned the battlefield that was Hikaru's room:

Clothes everywhere, books tossed aside, drawers pulled open like they'd been raided in a hurry.

Sayaka's gaze sharpened.

"H-Hikaru?" she said–

But it wasn't her usual soft, nurturing tone.

It was the voice.

The mom voice.

Hikaru slowly raised his hands in surrender, a weak smile on his face.

"W-wait, Mom. I can explain–"

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?!" Sayaka roared, suddenly channelling the fury of a thousand storms. "CLEAN YOUR ROOM WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OUT OF THE CLOSET!"

Hikaru immediately backed into the wall as if it were a shield that could protect him from maternal wrath.

"And look at Teshii!" Sayaka pointed dramatically. "HE'S BEING BURIED BY YOUR CLOTHES!"

Sure enough, Teshii was still half-submerged in a mountain of shirts and jackets, only his face poking out.

Sayaka slowly turned her head, eyes narrowing like a hawk locking onto prey.

Hikaru flinched so hard it looked like his soul nearly left his body.

"You… better… clean… your… room, Hikaru," she said, each word laced with intense judgment.

"YES, MA'AM!" Hikaru stood at attention like a soldier, instantly scrambling to gather his clothes in panic.

Then–

AAAAAHHH!"

Both Hikaru and Sayaka turned toward the sudden scream.

It was Teshii, sitting bolt upright, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat like he'd just run a marathon.

His eyes darted around wildly.

"I just had the worst nightmare ever!" he exclaimed. "I was completely buried by Hikaru's clothes!"

Then–

He glanced down.

All the clothes surrounding him.

His expression shattered.

"OH MY GOD! IT CAME TRUE!"

Sayaka, who just moments ago was unleashing fury upon her son, softened immediately. Her maternal switch flipped.

"Oh! Teshii! Good morning, care for some breakfast?"

Hikaru's jaw dropped.

His mother's sweet tone had returned – but only for Teshii.

"How come Mom is nice to Teshii but not to me?" he thought bitterly, glaring in betrayal.

He slowly turned to look at Teshii with a death stare that could cut glass.

Teshii flinched, confused and slightly afraid.

"Why… do I feel like someone wants to kill me," he thought, sweat beading on his forehead, "even though I haven't done anything… yet?"

Later…

Hikaru had finally finished cleaning his room–

All under the watchful supervision of his mother, Sayaka.

Now, the family sat together in the kitchen, having breakfast.

Steaming bowls of rice, grilled fish, warm miso soup, pickles, and a variety of nutritious side dishes filled the table, all loving prepared by Sayaka.

They were enjoying the peaceful morning.

Hikari was eating quietly–

Though she kept sneaking glances at Teshii, her cheeks faintly pink.

Teshii, still half-asleep, was wearing nothing but a tank top, hair dishevelled, scarflessly yawning between bites.

And Hikaru?

Still traumatized by his mother's earlier explosion, hunched a little as he nibbled on rice like a soldier suffering from shellshock.

And Sasuke?

Nowhere to be seen.

Teshii blinked and looked around the table. Then turned to Sayaka.

"Um… Sayaka? Where's Sasuke?"

Sayaka gave a gentle smile.

"Sasuke's at work right now."

"Oh… is that so?" Teshii nodded, continuing to eat.

Silence followed.

But it wasn't cold.

It was the soft kind–

A comfortable warmth shared between people who felt like family.

Then–

Hikari spoke up.

"Um… Hikaru? Why are you wearing something… smart today?"

Hikaru closed his eyes and smiled, radiating confidence.

"Well… dear younger sister… that is because I'm meeting Mei's parents today."

Teshii blinked, raising an eyebrow mid-bite.

"Wait… you're meeting Rich Girl's parents? You two aren't even dating… unless…"

Hikaru slowly turned his head to Teshii with a flat expression.

"Shut up, Teshii."

Everyone laughed.

A real, genuine laugh.

Like they weren't just a group of people sitting at the breakfast table–

But a real family.

After Breakfast…

They had finished their breakfast.

Sayaka stood at the kitchen sink, washing the dishes.

Hikari was lounging on the couch, her eyes focused on her phone.

Teshii was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth.

And Hikaru?

He had already left the house, en route to the Tomita Estate, where he'd be meeting Mei's parents.

Hsssshhh…

The sound of running water filled the kitchen as Sayaka gently scrubbed a plate.

She let out a long sigh.

"I gave birth to two children – a boy and a girl. I at least expected Hikari to be the one with the messy room, clothes scattered all over the floor… not Hikaru," she muttered to herself.

Another sigh escaped her lips, heavier than the first.

She opened her eyes.

But they didn't hold her usual gentle glimmer.

Instead, they reflected a quiet sadness.

"…Why can't Hikaru be more like him?"

In the living room.

Hikari sat on the couch, still looking at her phone.

She was staring at a photo.

A picture of her and Teshii back at the festival.

A soft blush spread across her cheeks as she stared at Teshii's face in the image.

Then–

"Whatcha doin'?"

Hikari's entire body jolted as she spun around.

"Huh?!"

It was Teshii, now back in his signature crimson glasses and orange-red fleece, his usual smirk firmly in place.

Hikari quickly hid her phone behind her back, cheeks redder than before.

"N-Nothing!"

Teshii raised a brow, smirking.

"Oh really?"

"Y-Yeah," she stammered, still blushing.

Teshii chuckled and leaned against the back of the couch.

"So… when's your next volleyball match, Hikari?"

She gave him a look, still flustered. "Um… next week. Why?"

Teshii crossed his arms casually. "Just wondering… and I kinda want to see Miss Volleyball in action."

"Miss Volleyball?" Hikari raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Is that gonna be my nickname from now on?"

"Maybe! Unless you'd prefer I keep calling you by your actual name," Teshii teased.

Flusted, Hikari grabbed a nearby couch cushion and hurled it at him.

But–

Teshii dodged with ease, his smirk never fading.

"Well, anyway," he said, stretching. "I gotta head to the safehouse. Bossman and Bosslady probably want to talk to me about something."

"Oh… really?" Hikari's expression dimmed a little. Her voice softened. "Already?"

Teshii noticed it instantly.

"Why the long face, Hikari? Are you sad because I'm leaving?" he leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming. "Do you want me to give you a little goodbye kiss before I go?"

Hikari's enire face turned crimson – but she didn't say no.

Teshii chuckled again.

"Well… I'll see you later, Hikari."

He waved and walked out the door.

Hikari sat there, watching him leave hands clutching the cushion she'd throw earlier.

"Why… why is he so good-looking?" she muttered under her breath.

Then her eyes widened.

"What are you saying, Hikari?!" she gasped, slapping her cheeks gently and shaking her head.

Then–

She spotted something on the table.

A thick, slightly worn object.

"Is that… a book?"

Hikari leaned forward and picked it up.

It wasn't a book.

It was a photo album.

Her curiosity instantly peaked.

"It's a photo album…"

She gently opened it, flipping through the pages – uncovering memories of the past.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!