Chapter 9: 9: Tokyo
Three hours have passed since I closed my eyes and slept on the bullet train, and just like that, I arrived in Tokyo. Getting off the train, I look around. As expected from Tokyo, even at this hour, the station is crowded.
Rolling my two suitcases, I expected to meet someone here. Mom said someone would pick me up, but she didn't tell me who. I haven't visited Tokyo much since I'm busy in Kyoto. So I'm using the knowledge I have as a native, trying to find my way here.
But then, I see someone holding a sign with my name.
I walk to the person, and she notices me, waving her hand at me.
"Yuuta-kun! Welcome! I'm here to pick you up."
"Yes, sorry for bothering you, uh... miss?" Who is she? Damn, I'm still sleepy. "Nice to meet you. I'm Yamano Yuuta."
"Huh? Nice to meet you?"
What's wrong?
She tilts her head, looking at me, confused.
"Perhaps you forgot about me?"
She pouts at me and lowers the sign in her hand, clamping it between her arm and waist, then looks at me with an awkward smile.
"It's cold to forget your cousin's face, you know? Now, my mood is completely ruined."
She looks away, crossing her arms, and 'humph!' at me.
"Your cousin? Ah, it's been ten years, Tachibana Hari."
"It's Hina! Hm, mou..." She protests, pointing at her face many times, "Well, just kidding~" She grins at me.
I sigh.
"I'm sorry, maybe I was too young back then."
She giggles warmly, "It's been 10 years, right, Yuuta-kun? By the way, I didn't know you had grown up this much. Hiya~ but this face," She pinches my cheek and wiggles it, "There's no way I could forget it, tehe~ How disappointing, back then, this cheek was soooooo fluffy, but now firm," She then lets go of my cheek.
I smile at her.
"Thank you, I guess?"
"..."
"What?"
I ask her. She seems lost for a moment with her mouth agape, then comes back to her senses with a cough, her cheeks slightly red.
"Ahem! Also... handsome," Hina said, still blushing, "Okay, mom will be happy to see you again, Yuuta-kun. Ah! You will definitely be surprised when you meet Rui. She's cute~"
"I see. I'm looking forward to seeing them too."
"That's right~ Let's have a big dinner for to... night?"
Hina turns around, and I follow her gaze. I see. It seems we didn't notice that people were watching, very interested in us.
"Le-let's go, Yuuta-kun."
"...okay."
Hina covers her face with that sign while walking rapidly out of embarrassment. Meanwhile, I just walk casually with my two suitcases, calmly. She's kinda cheerful, playful, talkative, and... a bit silly? So, this is my first impression of my cousin, Tachibana Hina. I bet my other cousin will be the same.
After that, we hop into a small car, and Hina drives.
"Hina, I heard that you're a teacher?"
"Yeah, that's right. Yuuta-kun will become my student, right? Sigh~ what should I do now? If female students know we're family, they must be asking a lot."
"I heard they're supposed to be pros from entertainment."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't mean they're not teenagers. Even though my students are cute, they're human too. Ah, that's it! I'll buy beers for tonight. Let's drink together—wait, Yuuta, you're underage. Such a shame."
She changes the subject from her students to beer that quickly. How random. Wait, I've never tasted beer here yet. I have to say, Hina just reminded me of something important.
After a while, we arrive at a two-story house.
"Welcome back."
"I'm home, Rui! I also brought him with me."
I walk inside the house, and Hina seems to be talking about me with someone.
"Excuse me, hm?"
"Look Rui!"
This woman. Hina just pulls my hand and points at my face.
"Tch. Knock it off, Hina."
"Jeez, just stay still. I want to trigger Rui's lost memories. How is it, Rui?"
Ah, I forgot there's another person here.
"So... you're Yuuta. Make yourself comfortable."
I nod at her.
"Thank you... sorry for a bother."
She nods back at me and walks away.
"That's it? You didn't want to feel his cheek like I do?"
"Just be quiet, Hina-nee. I will go back to my room."
After that, she walks upstairs. We follow her lead to, and I glance back at Hina.
"How long are we going to hold hands?"
"Oopsy, hehe~"
She lets go of my hand while sticking out her tongue.
"Sigh... Rui is always like that. But, she's actually kind, you know."
"It's okay, I don't mind."
"Right then, let me bring you to your room now."
I learn more about my cousins. In summary, besides their different looks, the older sister is loud, and the younger one is quiet. They both have good looks despite striking differences. You know what I mean.
After a while, Hina brings me to an empty room.
"Here you go. There's not much here, but you can hide your ero-magazines under the bed."
"Haha. Thank you for that useful information."
Hina then laughs her ass off.
"I'm sorry. I'm just getting too excited since I feel like I have a younger brother now. Well, of course, don't be sad because I see you as my younger brother."
She says this while holding her waist and puffing her chest high.
"Great. So, where's Auntie?"
"Ah, I almost forgot! Mom is still working now. She will be here at six. Mom is kinda sad for not being able to welcome you."
"No, that's okay. I'm grateful for being allowed to stay here."
"Great! Then, let's prepare food for your welcome party! I'll cook tonight!"
Hina says with her fist up.
"Wait, I'll help."
Well, it seems, I have to say that living here might not be so bad.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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