Little Do You Know

Chapter 3 - Shattered

Misaki's POV

I woke up early the next morning, wondering when I had fallen asleep. I felt horrible, sleep deprived, and over all exhausted. I wondered how I'd be able to keep up with my schedule for the day.

After I got dressed and ready for college, I went out to where the source of the breakfast smell came from. My brother and his wife greeted me as I helped Manami set the table before we all sat to eat.

"Misaki, when do your classes finish today?" Takahiro asked me.

"Around 3," I replied while I ate.

"I finish work about the same time, so maybe we could do something after that. Perhaps go out for dinner?" Takahiro said excitedly.

I smiled at him despite myself as I said, "Sounds good. But what about I make dinner today? As a thank you for letting me stay here?"

"Misaki-kun, we can't ask you to do that-..." Manami interjected.

"You're not asking. I'm offering. Please, I insist," I said with the same smile. I just hoped it didn't show that I was forcing myself to smile the way I was.

"In truth, I have missed your cooking, Misaki-chan," Nii-san said.

"Then it's settled! I will make dinner," I announced as I got up, taking my plates to the sink to wash them.

"Then I will pick you up after I am done with work, and we could go together to the market to get what you need," Nii-san added cheerily. I nodded, having my back turned to him as I made my way to the door.

"I will be late if I don't leave now. I'll see you after classes, Nii-chan," I said as I walked out the door and headed to the train station.

"Have a good day!" I heard his voice exclaim from behind the now closed door.

Classes were boring... not that I was able to concentrate on anything. Sumi-senpai kept insisting that there was something bothering me, which only got on my nerves. I ended up getting angry because he refused to take my answer of 'I am well' and kept asking. But I didn't know whether I was angry at him or at the situation I landed myself in. But one thing was clear to me: being angry is better than feeling like breaking down in tears.

I hoped my anger lasted though as I waited for Nii-chan at the end of the day by the gates. I hated the wait, as it got me thinking all over again of Usagi-san, and all the things I could have done differently. I sighed for what seemed like the millionth time since that morning as I stared at my shoes.

"If you keep frowning, your face will get stuck like that," I heard, which had me look up to see my brother standing there, his face reflecting a frown as well.

"Tell yourself that," I muttered as I stood straight from where I was leaning against the outer wall of the school.

"What's bothering you, Misaki-chan?" he asked with concern.

"Nothing. Just tired. It was a long day," I said as I started walking. He immediately followed me until he was walking next to me.

"Perhaps you shouldn't tire yourself further by cooking tonight..." he said with worry.

"Nii-chan, I'm fine. It's just the overload of information from classes, that's all." I played it off, waving the topic away.

"If you say so," Nii-chan said before adding, "You always had trouble with learning so much at once."

"NII-CHAN!" I exclaimed childishly, my hands fisted at my sides as I looked at him, not enjoying his teasing.

"What? It's true!" he insisted with a laugh as he ruffled my hair.