Are you the one that loves me? (Yōu x MC)

Chapter 8

It was the weekend after the camping trip. Yōu and Sumio didn't speak to each other the rest of the time.

Sumio hung out with Shintaro, while Yōu stayed with Tsuki and the others.

To Yōu, she thought Sumio was ignoring her because he was embarrassed.

To Sumio, it was the same but reversed. He believed Yōu was still embarrassed about what happened in the forest that night.

So they avoided each other, to help each other with their "embarrassment" when in reality none of them really cared what happened.

I mean of course Yōu was grateful to Sumio for saving her, but at the same time... she didn't think it would affect their friendship. In fact it probably strengthened their friendship, just... none of them thought anything of it.

Sumio laid on his bed stretching on that Saturday morning. He planned later that afternoon to go shoot baskets at the court, but in the morning he was pretty much not doing anything.

Homework was definitely a Sunday task to him so he walked downstairs stretching. 

"Morning 'nii-chan." a voice said as he entered the kitchen.

"Morning Haru." he sighed, "You look like you're going somewhere today."

"I'm going to the mall with my senpai!" his little sister grinned. "She's such a good swimmer!" 

"Is that so?" Sumio grabbed a bowl and piled it high with rice. 

"And she's super cute!" she continued. "You might have a chance with her if you come along..."

"That's nice," he said sarcastically sitting at the table, "Thanks for the food." he said before attacking the meal on his plate. 

"Relax 'nii-chan, it's not like it's gonna run away." she shook her head.

"With your cooking it might..."  

Haru Kobayashi was a first year at Seishin High. Haru means spring and Kobayashi means small forest. Their parents put a lot of effort in constructing the perfect name when they found out they were having a girl.

With Sumio... not so much... Sumio means good husband and so he became known as "The good husband of the small forest."

Doesn't have the same ring huh?

Haru studied hard to get into Uranohoshi Girl's school, but unfortunately they were shutting down. So she decided to apply to her big brother's school instead.

She was a talented swimmer and like Sumio shared dark hair with dark eyes. A lot of boys liked her and a lot of girls envied her.

"Anyways, I need you to take me mom says." she explained.

"What?"

"I know right? Mom doesn't think that I'm 'old enough' to go to the mall by myself! And I'm not even by myself, I'm with my cool senpai!" she groaned.

"When I was your age I just went wherever I wanted to go." he said going back for seconds already.

"Exactly! And when I brought that up she said, 'And look what happened to your brother.' It's not fair!"

"Ouch!" Sumio winced hearing what his own mother had to say about him. "Did she forget that I'm an awesome athlete?"

"'Awesome' isn't the word. Mediocre is more like it." she teased.

"Yeah yeah... whatever..." he said, "So what time are we leaving?" 

"In like thirty minutes." she glanced him over. "And take a shower. Definitely take a shower."

Thirty minutes later the brother and sister pair set off for the shopping mall in the city. "So remind me again why you're going to mall?"

"I need a new swimsuit."

"Doesn't the school provide it?"

"It's for summer." 

"It's supposed to snow next week!"

"That's why the sales are happening today."

"Fine... so that's it? I kind of want to play basketball at the park."

"I need clothes." 

"Just where your old ones." 

"Mom said I have to take you around with me today, so you're coming along. No matter what." she grabbed his arm and pulled. "Now hurry up! We could be late! I don't want to keep senpai waiting just because my stupid brother won't hurry!"

"Okay, but you have to have this same urgency when we're at the mall got it?" he sighed. 

Honestly could this day get any worse?

"Senpai~ I'm sorry I'm late!"

"It's fine Haru-chan-" Haru's senpai made eye contact with them just then. "W-what?"

Sumio stared in shock, "W-what?"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Yōu and Sumio pointed at each other.

"Haru! What's the meaning of this!" Sumio pointed at Yōu. "She's your senpai?"

"Yeah..." Haru stood confused, "Uh... do you two know each other?"

"Haru-chan! I didn't realize your brother was this idiot!" Yōu pointed at Sumio. "He's your older brother?"

"I know right?" she sighed, "So... you two know each other?"

"She's in my class" he explained, "We... may or may not have had our fair share of run ins..."

"Kobayashi..." Yōu thought, "Okay you guys have the same last name... but it's such a common last name I thought... I mean you guys don't even look alike."

"That's what I'm saying!" Haru nodded.

"What?! We have the same hair, same eyes, she's just shorter than me!" he groaned, "Alright that's it, I'm outta here." 

"Mom's gonna kill you..." Haru sang. "So you better stay with me or else I'll tell her..."

"Fine!" Sumio gave up, "But she has to leave!" 

"No! Yōu-senpai will stay!" she ran over and hugged her. "She's not going anywhere!" 

Sumio should sometimes just learn to keep his mouth shut... The universe is always listening to him for some reason. And it always finds a way to screw him over each time.

Pushed into a corner he agreed, "But let's make this thing quick..."

"We'll make this as long as possible just for you, right Haru-chan?" 

"Right!" the two started heading towards a shop.

"Oi! I'm the big brother here! You should be listening to me!"

"Well then Yōu-senpai will become my onee-chan!" Haru waved him off.

"Ooh! I've almost wanted a little sister!" she grinned. "Alright then Haru-chan let's go check out these swimsuits!"

"Yousoro!" Haru cheered.

"This has to be some kind of joke..." Sumio face palmed. "Even the yousoro?"

He was starting to think that whenever Yōu became involved in his life, things always went wrong for him and only him. 

Here's chapter 8! Happy Wednesday everyone! But I'm gonna go back to sleep so peace!

Be safe! Mask up! Don't be stupid!

-Kazuya