After all the shopping and karaoke, Asuka returned home, her steps heavy and bags swaying gently in her tired hands. The evening breeze had played with her hair on the way, and exhaustion was written all over her face. As she slipped off her shoes at the door, her eyes fell on an unfamiliar pair.
Are we having a guest today? she wondered, a slight crease forming on her brow.
She walked into the apartment and paused mid-step.
There, sitting on the couch, was a boy—perhaps around her age. He had tousled black hair and large, almond-shaped eyes with deep, dark pupils that gave him a look of permanent surprise. His fair skin made him appear even more delicate, and a small mole under his left eye gave his youthful face a touch of uniqueness. His build was slender, almost fragile.
Asuka's eyes shifted from him to Keisuke, who was lounging on the couch, arms behind his head like he owned the place.
"Who is she?" the boy asked, voice barely above a whisper, laced with a shy curiosity.
"Ahh, she's my twin sister—Asuka," Keisuke said casually, not even glancing her way.
"Oh… didn't know you had a sister," the boy replied, blinking slowly.
"Yeah, because I didn't tell you," Keisuke said flatly.
The boy turned to her, trying to muster a polite smile. "Well… hello there. I'm Hanemiya Kazutora," he said, his voice quiet, uncertain—like someone not used to introducing themselves.
Asuka gave a polite nod, offering a small smile. "Hello there. Enjoy yourself," she said simply and walked straight into her room, not in the mood for small talk.
Behind her, the two boys went back to their casual conversation, the hum of their voices fading as she closed her door.
Inside her room, Asuka collapsed onto her bed, letting the bags fall with a soft thud. She stared at the ceiling, her eyes slowly blinking.
Oh… so they're friends now. I've been too busy to notice who Keisuke's been spending time with… She sighed softly. Let's hope things stay peaceful. Mikey's 13th birthday is around the corner—there's going to be so much to handle.
Her eyelids grew heavier with each blink, and soon, sleep took over.
---
The days began to pass in a strange rhythm—peaceful on the surface, but laced with growing worry. Keisuke was staying out late, coming home bruised or laughing about reckless things. He was changing, and Asuka felt it.
One night, as the family sat for dinner—minus Keisuke—the phone rang, piercing the silence.
Oka-san stood up and answered, her voice calm at first. "Hello, it's the Baji residence."
But her expression quickly crumbled. Her hand trembled around the receiver.
"Hello, miss. Is your son Baji Keisuke? You should come. He beat up my kid and isn't even sorry about it."
The phone slipped from her hand as tears welled in her eyes. She turned to the others, barely holding herself together.
"Keisuke… he's in trouble," she choked. "He beat up some kid… and the parents called."
Asuka stood, heart pounding. "Don't worry, Oka-san. I'll go get him."
She was already putting on her shoes.
"What's the address?" she asked firmly.
After getting the details, Asuka rushed out into the night. The silence outside only made her thoughts louder.
When she arrived, she spotted Keisuke standing beside Kazutora, their posture relaxed, careless—as if nothing had happened.
Her eyes narrowed.
Keisuke saw her and frowned. "Why are you here?"
"What do you expect?" she said, her tone sharp. Her gaze shifted to the man standing nearby—an older man, clearly still angry.
"I'm sorry for what they did," Asuka said, bowing deeply. Her voice was clear, respectful.
"It's fine, girl. You didn't do anything," the man replied gruffly.
"Yes, I know. But as Keisuke's sister and Kazutora's friend, I feel responsible. They're just… immature. Reckless. They don't think before they act."
The man grunted. "Whatever. Teach them a lesson, will you?"
Asuka straightened and looked back at Keisuke.
"You shouldn't have come," he muttered. "We did what we thought was right."
She said nothing, just turned and began walking.
"You coming or not?" she called without turning back.
Keisuke scoffed. "No way I'm going home this early. Oka-san's going to yell. And besides, you don't understand boys. It's our age to do this stuff."
Asuka stopped. Her shoulders were tense.
"What did you say?" she asked, her voice low.
Keisuke looked away, annoyed. "You're so uncool. Always jumping into my stuff. Maybe stop acting like you know everything."
Without warning, Asuka turned and slapped him—hard. The sound echoed in the quiet night.
Keisuke touched his cheek, stunned.
"You think hurting people makes you cool?" she snapped, eyes blazing with anger and disappointment. "I didn't taught you things like this. And if you think hurting normal people and doing reckless because of your pleasure than i think you are the one who is uncool and stupid and if you have some shame left you should know what to do," Asuka said.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then she walked away, her heart racing.
Keisuke stood there in silence. Her words cut deeper than he'd expected. After a pause, he stepped forward and rang the doorbell again.
"Who is it?" the man asked.
"I'm sorry," Keisuke said, bowing low. "I mean it."
The man sighed. "Just leave. And don't let it happen again."
Keisuke nodded.
As he and Kazutora walked away, the air between them quiet and thoughtful, Kazutora broke the silence.
"Isn't your sister a little too bossy?"
Keisuke glanced up at the night sky. "No… she was right. We messed up. I think… I want to do better. We can still have fun without hurting people. And you see i can't hurt her emotions at all she is my sister"
Kazutora said nothing, but the look on his face softened."Even I want to talk to your sister and understand better I think she is mature."
They kept walking, both breathing in the cool night air—each step feeling a little lighter.