章 1: Just Like That, I Am No Longer Human
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Opposites attract they say. I call that horseshit. There is a reason why we have no problem with bias. We like to associate ourselves with everything that aligns with our interests. For example, you won't mind seeing the main character from a certain unholy work venture in the city, hogging every single hot mom all the while but will get extremely butthurt when the wimpy main character's friend sleeps with his mom. I know the analogy is quite farfetched, but my point stands. We tend to overlook things that clash with our interests.
Such was the case with Tsurumi Rumi, an annoyingly witty yet sweet otherwise girl, who despite her efforts, still couldn't get accepted into her friend group. Now that I think about it, that girl didn't make much effort. She was mature beyond her age and already figured out that she would never fit in with her peers. Her personality clashed with her peers', making it impossible for them to get along. Instead of attracting, they only repeled each other.
Our direct interference didn't even do anything to the situation. Even though we had broken the dynamics of the group of bullies, Tsurumi Rumi was still left alone. The result of our 'work' further reinforced my belief: some people are destined to never get along. Alas, a lot of naïve people—damn Riajuu—can never wrap their heads around that fact.
It still left a bad taste in my mouth, but I had to forcefully swallow it. People are not magnets: they will only attract those who are walking the same path. For Tsurumi Rumi, her path was being true to oneself which was coincidentally also mine. Therefore, we could get along. No, this was not grooming! Why was I defending myself, again?
"I have long accepted the fact that I can never get along with them. Even if I still end up being alone in Junior High School, I am fine with it. What happened last night made me realize that you can find friends anywhere and in anyone. Even if it takes a long time, I will still wait. Just like how I met you, I believe there is someone out there willing to also be friends with me."
Tsurumi Rumi's smile as she said those words was dazzling. Her eyes sparkled as tears coated them, but fortunately, none of the tears was spilled. Her words had struck a cord within me, activating my Onii-chan Instinct involuntarily. I bent down, patted her head, and assured her that I would forever be her friend.
Tsurumi Rumi smiled again and I wanted to cry at that moment. Though, I didn't know which fact I should cry on—the fact that my first true friend was an elementary school girl or the fact that Tsurumi Rumi had to taste the bitterness this world had at such an early age. I would have cried if Yukinoshita didn't call me Lolicon at that moment. Seriously, that girl was very good at grating on my nerves.
"Onii-chan, you look like a creepy otaku stalker about to deliver a flower to his favorite idol only to stab her to death in front of her illegitimate child," Komachi commented dryly, pulling me out of my musing.
"That is…ominously specific. Scratch that—just what do you think your Onii-chan is?"
"A creepy loner whose sole role is wasting Earth's oxygen."
"Gah! That is very low on Komachi Point! From this point onwards, your Komachi Point shall remain negative!"
"Despite so, I will still love Onii-chan. No one loves you but me, after all, right?"
"With this, your penalty is alleviated!"
"Yeay!"
"It's still zero, though. Don't get too excited."
Komachi visibly deflated before pouting at me. I always had a weak spot for Komachi, so I couldn't stop the smile creeping up my face. I rarely smiled, so I hoped it didn't look creepy. Judging by Komachi's look, it seemed to be one of the rare moments where I could smile properly. Thank goodness I had the best little sister in the world.
…I'm not a Siscon, though.
"By the way, Onii-chan, I was a bit jealous of Rumi-chan. You were so kind toward her during the Summer Camp, so my heart couldn't help but ache as I thought my Onii-chan had finally decided to abandon me."
My expression immediately turned flat as Komachi began to rub the corner of her eyes as if she was trying to wipe off her imaginary tears. The smile that threatened to appear on her face also further consolidated my suspicion. That damn smile. Troubles always followed that smile. In other words, work.
"So, as to soothe my aching heart, why don't you buy something for this lovely sister of yours?" Komachi gave me her puppy eyes, overloading my heart with her cuteness that exceeded 80000. "Buy me two vanilla ice creams, okay!" Fortunately, her puppy eyes were replaced by her usual eyes soon enough.
Still…
"Oy, your true nature is showing."
Komachi merely stuck her tongue out while smiling playfully. Being the good brother I was, of course, I needed to remind her that not everything would go her way.
"Fine. I will buy them for you."
But, today was not the day that things didn't go her way.
"Yeay! Thank you, Onii-chan!"
Friendly reminder: I am not a Siscon!
Taking all the things necessary for a short shopping, I dashed toward the door, fully intent on finishing everything as soon as possible. When I opened the door, I was greeted by a familiar blob of peach. Slightly looking down, I found a flustered Gahama-chan with a pet carrier in her hand. Her other hand was balled up and slightly lifted, giving me the impression that she was going to hit me.
"I will give you my money, so don't hit me."
"H-Huh!? What is that? I'm not a delinquent! I was just about to knock when you opened the door, Hikki meanie!" I see. That is a very plausible alibi, but you are still hitting me though, Gahama-chan. Doesn't that make you a delinquent? "Y-You are thinking something rude, aren't you?" I commend your intuition, but you don't have to hit me again, Yuigahama Yui!
"Kuhum!" I clear my throat. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Oh, I am asking Komachi-chan's help to take care of Sablé while I am away on vacation with my family."
"Ah, I see. Then, you can talk it out with Komachi. I have something to do, so I'll excuse myself. See you, Yuigahama!"
Without waiting for a proper response, I dashed off with all my might. The glaring sun was a constant reminder that I would end up melting if I wasn't quick enough. Damn, why today has to be so hot? Entertaining myself with a soliloquy, the heat became more bearable. Not long after, I reached my destination.
Quickly picking up the vanilla ice cream that Komachi ordered, I looked for coffee-flavored ice cream for a while before giving up and picking up a milk chocolate ice cream. Paying for my purchase, I quickly found myself outside the convenience store. Slightly irate that the heat came back at full force, I rummaged in the plastic bag and fished out my ice cream. Unwrapping the ice cream, I immediately bit onto it.
Cluck!
"Man…chocolate milk is not for me. This is not the kind of sweet that I like." Sighing as I found the ice cream taste disappointing, I walked home while ignoring the disapproving look that a couple of elderly people shot me. You can sleep on the concrete and no one would bother you, but eating while walking is somehow unacceptable? What a weird country I live in.
I was about to grumble more when I noticed a shadow covering the way ahead. It was shaped like a person, so it most likely belonged to a person. Pfft! Great deduction, Hachiman! Scoffing inwardly, I looked up and found two intrigued eyes staring at me. The person to whom the shadow belonged was tall and pretty. I couldn't exactly tell where she came from, but she was Caucasian. Her blonde hair gave her an overwhelming charm that Miura could never dream of having. Simply, the tall woman before me was the most beautiful female I had ever seen.
"Well, boy, aren't you an interesting one?"
"…my mother told me to never talk to a stranger," I quipped out of habit as soon as I got over my astonishment.
The blonde beauty's red eyes shone even brighter at my comment. I could see the mirth in her eyes, but there were a lot of things that I couldn't decipher and they made me uncomfortable. Straightening my posture, I bowed lightly and bade my farewell. I walked past her briefly and sneakily heaved a sigh of relief.
"Well…"
That was until someone's hand latched onto my shoulder.
"Why don't you accompany Onee-san a little?"
It was uncanny of me, but at this moment, I preferred to hear that out of Haruno's mouth.
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