Strawberries & Cigarettes (Shinichiro x Reader)

VI

I'm here.

Just thinking that I'll be spending my time with Shinichiro's siblings makes me jump out of happiness.

I am an only child. I've been wishing to have a sibling or two. You know that feeling that somebody is there for you whenever you need them, or whenever they need you and you are there for them; that there's a hand to hold on to whenever you're having a hard time, a hug that gives you warmth whenever you're sad, and a love that makes you go on living. I... want that.

I left my Mom at the hospital- following her orders. This is what she wants, right? She has forsaken me...

No. She was just mad. It will recede. Not now but in time. If I'm away, maybe she'll have time to think about things. I'll give her that. I'll give her time. For now, I'll be staying at Shinichiro's house.

Shinichiro and I arrived at their house. I saw Mikey's bike and I think he's already home. The lights inside we're on. And also, it's kinda... noisy. Probably, Shinichiro's other siblings. Now, I'm nervous to meet them.

I felt Shinichiro's hand rubbed at my back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, " I replied without glancing at him.

I can see his siblings playing inside from where I'm standing. They were running around and laughing.

Shinichiro blocked my view which made me look at him. "What?" I asked with a low voice, almost like a whisper.

"You don't need to talk. Just take a rest, " he said.

I smiled at him.

He really know his words- on what to say at the right time.

"Oy, Mikey! I told you to stop running!" The girl wearing a pink dress shouted at Mikey.

Mikey already met me so he gave me a smile and went to me.

"What are you doing here, y/n?" he asked. He then looked at his brother from behind me and suddenly smirked.

"Hello-"

"She's staying here." Shinichiro. He cut my words off.

I smiled at Mikey awkwardly.

I don't wanna be a burden so I'm already thinking to help in the house or maybe I'd apply for a job to help them pay for the bills. Yeah, that's it.

"Oh, really? That's cool. Why?" Mikey asked. He sat down on the sofa. Shinichiro and I went after him.

"Because-"

"Just because."

Mikey opened his mouth- was about to say something, but chose not to. The girl with pink dress, Emma, went in the living room and sat beside Mikey, across to us.

"Hi! I'm Emma." She held out her hand in which I gladly accept.

We talked for a while. Shinichiro asked me to went upstairs cuz he told me he's sleepy.

Wait. Shinichiro told me he has three younger siblings.

My head turns to Shinichiro and went closer to him. "Where's the other one sibling of yours?" I asked almost like a whisper.

"He's not here."

"He's at his friends? I hope I meet him sooner, " I smiled as I've said that. Maybe I'll meet him tomorrow.

He shook his head and said, "He's not living here."

My joy faded. "Why?"

He just shrugged and opened the door in front of us. I followed him inside and closed the door.

"I'm sorry, we don't have any guest rooms, " he mumbled.

"Whose room is this?" I asked.

I looked around. The room's clean and neat. Things are placed accordingly, like every thing is placed where they're supposed to be. Is this his room?

I watched him as he took the blanket and a pillow and placed it on the sofa. I put down my bag at his study table and sat down on the sofa. Comfy.

He raised a brow at me.

"Hmm?" I hummed. What is it? Did I do something wrong?

"You're not sleeping there, " he said and pulled me up from the sofa.

"Where am I going to sleep then?" I asked him. I looked around and saw that there'z no other bed in here.

"On my bed."

"What about you?" I mean, that's kinda awkward. He's the owner of the house and this room and he wants me to sleep on his bed? He already provide me too much.

"I'm sleeping on the sofa, " he replied. He intently looked at me and a smirk is starting to form on his lips. "Unless... you want us to sleep together?"

My eyes widened. "No way!" I shouted and immediately lied down on his bed.

His bed is so comfy and it smells just like him. I can sleep peacefully in here.

"Is it okay to turn off the lights?" he asked.

"Suit yourself, " I replied and doze off to sleep.

I was woken up because of the loud rumbling of the skies and the flash of lightning. I have a phobia of thunder and lightning.

I shouted out of fear and cover myself a blanket. I covered my ears and closed my eyes. I prayed for it to stop because if not... I'm gonna cry for real.

"Hey, hey." I heard Shinichiro called.

I put off the blanket and faced him. A tear rolled down on my cheek as I hugged him. He hugged me back and rubbed my back.

"Shh. You're fine. I'm here."