Midnight Worries & Morning Awkwardness

The sky that had once shimmered in hues of dusk had deepened into an endless velvet blue, scattered with distant pinpricks of silver. The moon hung silent – a glowing sentinel watching from afar.

And Hikaru, now back home, lay in his bed. His bedsheets covered most of his body, leaving only his head and shoulders visible in the pale moonlight. He had just returned from Tottori with the other Elements, along with the newly-recruited Daichi – the Element of Earth. Daichi had been left behind at the safehouse, under the care of Satoshi and Reina.

TICK-TICK! TICK-TOCK!

The clock on his nightstand read 11:54 P.M.

Hikaru stared up at the ceiling, eyes wide open in thought.

Six.

We've finally found six Elements.

That means… only four more are left – Fire, Darkness, Air, and Steel.

I wonder what those four look like.

Then, something resurfaced from the depths of his memory.

A dream.

No… not just any dream.

A dream from months ago…

A dream where they were all completely battered – bloodied, broken, and defeated…

…by a dark figure with crimson eyes.

Hikaru's eyes narrowed as they remained locked on the ceiling above him.

What… was that dream?

And…

He remembered the others – eight injured warriors.

Five of them… looked exactly like Haruto, Moriya, Ikazuchi, Reito, and Daichi.

Then – Hikaru's eyes shot wide open.

Wait… maybe it wasn't a dream.

Could it have been… a vision?

A vision of the future?

TICK-TOCK!

And then…

He remembered one specific injured warrior.

Hikaru narrowed his gaze.

Why does that one…

Look like… Yami?

Then–

Klik…

A soft turn echoed from the knob of Hikaru's bedroom door.

And…

Crrrreeaak…

The door slowly creaked open.

Hikaru quickly jerked his head toward the door while lying in bed, startled by the sound. His eyes focused on the figure entering his room.

It was Teshii.

He was dressed in his usual fleece, his signature crimson sunglasses still perched on his face.

He and Hikari had finally come back home from their date at the amusement park.

Teshii tiptoed quietly across the room, heading toward his futon, assuming Hikaru was asleep.

Then–

"Oh, it's you, Teshii," Hikaru said softly.

Teshii blinked behind his crimson shades, surprised to hear his voice.

"You're still awake?"

Hikaru sat upright in bed and gave a small nod. "Yeah."

Teshii smiled and began walking normally now, dropping the pretence of stealth as he approached his futon.

"Yep!"

Hikaru just stared at Teshii in disbelief for a moment, then sighed.

"Yeah… we managed to find Daichi and recruited him."

"Oh really?" Teshii said, crossing his arms. "I'm surprised that you and the others are still alive without me. Did you guys manage to beat a mutant – if there was one?"

"Yeah…" Hikaru nodded. "We fought Molecule."

Teshii raised an eyebrow. "Molecule?"

"He has the ability to change the size of himself or objects he touches," Hikaru explained.

"I see… that's a very interesting ability," Teshii said, adjusting his crimson shades with a small flick of his finger.

"Also…" Hikaru added.

Teshii turned his head toward him, curious about what he was going to say.

"Who wears sunglasses in the middle of the night?"

Teshii placed a hand on his chest and gasped, as if personally offended.

"How dare you question my fashion sense?"

Hikaru rolled his eyes.

Then, a thought hit him.

That moment…

When Molecule had him in his grasp…

…when he mentioned his leader.

Sinister X.

Hikaru glanced at Teshii, who had just taken off his fleece and tank top, now sitting topless on his futon. His torso revealed a collection of strange, random tattoos – scattered like fragments of another story.

Should I tell him?

I haven't even told Satoshi or Reina about Molecule's leader yet. Maybe… I'll tell them another time.

Then–

"Teshii."

Teshii turned his head toward Hikaru.

"Hmm?"

"How was your date with my sister, Hikari?"

Teshii blinked and smiled, placing a thoughtful hand under his chin.

"My date with Hikari?" he chuckled. "It went incredibly well, thank you very much!"

Hikaru narrowed his eyes, suspicious.

"It did?"

Teshii nodded with a confident grin.

Hikaru sighed heavily.

I really wished it didn't go well.

TICK-TOCK! TICK-TOCK!

The clock now read 00:13 A.M.

"Also…" Teshii added, casually.

Hikaru glanced toward him.

"Your girlfriend and the other girls were there as well. Spying on us."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

"Mei was?"

"Yeah!" Teshii nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Then–

Teshii's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"You didn't deny it, huh?"

"Deny what?" Hikaru asked, blinking.

"That Rich Girl is your girlfriend," Teshii teased, grinning like a fox.

Hikaru's face flushed a deep red.

"Could it be…" Teshii continued, drawing out each word. "My dear Sunshine and Rich Girl are officially… together."

"Shut up, Teshii!" Hikaru snapped, burying his face into his pillow.

Teshii chuckled and laid back on his futon, pulling the covers over himself. He slipped off his crimson shades, revealing his glowing golden eyes, and closed them.

Hikaru just glared at Teshii from across the room.

Narrowed eyes. Silent judgment.

This guy!

With an annoyed huff, Hikaru laid back down on his own bed and shut his eyes.

Then–

"Sunshine…" Teshii called from his futon.

"Hmm?" Hikaru muttered drowsily.

"Just to let you know… me and Hikari are official now."

"Hmm?"

"And… we kissed… in the Ferris wheel," Teshii added, voice casual and teasing.

"Hmm?"

"…Twice."

"Hmm?"

Silence.

Hikaru's eyes immediately shot open. He sat bolt upright in bed and glared across the room.

"WAIT?! YOU KISSED MY SISTER?!"

But…

Teshii was already asleep.

Snoring peacefully.

Hikaru just stared at the sleeping Teshii, frozen in disbelief.

I can't believe it.

My worst nightmare… has come true.

Him and my twin sister…

Together.

TICK-TOCK!

00:22 A.M.

In the Morning…

The golden rays of morning sun stretched gently across the sky. Birds chirped softly from the branches of nearby trees, and bees buzzed from flower to flower, collecting nectar and pollen in the calm warmth of the day.

Sssssssssssss…

Eggs sizzled in a frying pan.

Sayaka stood at the stove in the kitchen, apron tied neatly around her waist, expertly flipping a pan of vegetables and eggs with practiced ease. The smell of her healthy, nutritious breakfast filled the house. Across from her, Sasuke sat at the table reading the newspaper, calmly sipping on green tea, as if it were part of a sacred morning ritual.

And upstairs?

Hikaru and Teshii were still fast asleep in their bedroom.

Hikari was also fast asleep in her bedroom.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

A groggy hand smacked down onto the alarm clock with a thud, silencing the piercing sound.

The clock now read: 08:01 A.M.

Hikaru slowly lifted his head from his pillow, his hair sticking out in random directions. He blinked blearily at the morning light seeping through the curtains and let out a long yawn before stretching his arms.

He pulled himself out a bed, dragging his feet slightly as he shuffled across the room.

But just as he reached for the doorknob–

He paused.

And turned.

There, on the futon, still deep in slumber, lay Teshii. His crimson sunglasses lay beside him on the floor. He was, as usual, topless, his golden eyes hidden beneath closed lids, breathing evenly like a smug prince with no cares in the world.

Hikaru narrowed his eyes.

This guy…

I can't believe he's dating my sister.

His eye twitched.

His hands curled into fists at his side.

His whole existence suddenly felt personally insulted.

"Tch."

Hikaru turned back to the door and walked out, mumbling under his breath.

In the Kitchen…

Hikaru entered the kitchen, clearly drawn in by the irresistible aroma of sizzling eggs and sautéed vegetables. His eyes landed on his mother, Sayaka, gracefully working the stove, and his father, Sasuke, sitting at the table with a newspaper in hand.

"Morning, Mom. Dad," Hikaru muttered, still shaking off the remnants of sleep.

Sayaka turned around and smiled warmly at her son.

"Morning, Hikaru!" she said cheerfully.

Sasuke folded the newspaper with a lazy flick and looked over the rim of his glasses at his son.

"Morning, Hikaru. You look like sh*t – as usual."

Hikaru narrowed his eyes, unamused.

"Thanks, Dad," he replied flatly with heavy sarcasm as he pulled out a chair and sat down. He took a deep breath, letting the delicious scent of breakfast wash over him.

Then–

"Morning, guys!"

Everyone turned to the entrance of the kitchen and saw Hikari in, still clearly half-asleep. She wore her oversized volleyball hoodie and shorts, her hair an unruly mess, and her eyes barely open.

Sayaka smiled at the sight of her daughter.

"Morning, Hikari! Want some coffee?"

"Yeah…" Hikari nodded sleepily. "I'll make it."

"Okay, sweetie," Sayaka said with her usual cheer.

Hikari shuffled to the counter like a zombie and began prepping the coffee maker.

Click.

The machine hissed to life, water gurgling through the system as the aroma of brewing coffee began to join the medley of breakfast scents.

Then–

"Morning! Morning! Morning!"

Everyone – except for Hikari – turned to the entrance of the kitchen to see who it was.

And of course…

It was our favourite crimson sunglasses-wearing mischief-maker…

Teshii, who's full of energy.

Sayaka smiled brightly.

"Morning, Teshii!"

"Morning, Sayaka!" Teshii nodded politely.

He scanned the kitchen: Sayaka busy at the stove, Hikaru and Sasuke seated at the table…

But most importantly–

Hikari, still groggy, stood at the counter preparing her coffee, completely unaware of his presence.

Teshii smirked.

He stepped forward and, without a word, wrapped his arms around Hikari's waist from behind, pulling her gently into a hug.

"Morning…" He shot a quick glance over his shoulder – grinning as he noticed both Hikaru and Sasuke glaring daggers at him. "…Babe!"

Hikari immediately blushed and turned her head slightly.

"T-Teshii!" she squeaked.

Teshii released her with a smile.

Hikari spun around, still red-faced.

"Morning, Teshii…"

"Morning to you too," he said warmly.

Across the table, Hikaru and Sasuke continued to glare at him, united in silent fury – their protective instincts clearly firing at full force.

A few minutes later…

Everyone was now seated at the table, enjoying a hearty breakfast of eggs and sautéed vegetables.

Or… trying to enjoy it.

Hikaru sat chewing a piece of egg, eyebrows twitching. In front of him, the scene from hell played out: Teshii and Hikari giggling, flirting, and – worst of all – feeding each other bites of food like a couple in a romance drama.

Hikaru let out a deep sigh.

Do they really have to do that here?

Then–

Ahem.

Sasuke, seated at the head of the table, cleared his throat deliberately.

Teshii looked up, blinking.

"Um… yes, sir?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.

And then he opened his mouth to speak.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!!