Another Like Me - Part II (CoTE x OC)

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟞 - ℝ𝕖𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℍ𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕜𝕖

"Hey, Kei-chan! Here!"

I looked through the crowd of students in the Dining Hall when I heard Chiaki call me out. I spotted a group sitting near the center of the Hall.

I headed towards the group.

Chiaki, Yosuke, Karuizawa, Sato, and..... Kushida?

My usual friend group, plus Kushida. A bit interesting, but I did not mind.

"Hi Takeyama-kun!" Sato greeted me energetically, and I smiled at her direction. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Eating in the Dining Hall together?"

"It sure has," I said. "So how's everyone doing?"

"We're all fine, but look around!" Karuizawa squeaked. "So many First Years! A bunch of them moved in just a few hours back! I feel so powerful all of a sudden!"

"I did notice a lot of new faces....." I said softly, staring around the Hall. "It's interesting to see so many first years..... it feels different to be a senior now."

"It does," Yosuke laughed. "But I don't think much will change for us. Sure, second year will be hectic, but nothing out of the ordinary. Quite interesting, really."

"But we'll have control over the juniors now!" Sato said evilly, and she menacingly poked her pasta with her fork. "I can already feel the power!"

"Eh, I don't think so," Chiaki butted in. "When we joined as first years, we didn't really care much about our second years, did we? I don't see how it is going to be any different this year."

Sato pouted adorably. "Come on, Chiaki-chan! Let me enjoy my moment!"

I absentmindedly poked my fork into my food, and twirled the noodles around aimlessly.

Suddenly, I felt my vision disappear.

I could feel two hands over my eyes, and I suddenly found myself unable to see anything.

"Umm, what.....?"

"Guess who?"

Beneath my rock-hard exterior, I could feel my entire body tighten at that voice.

A voice that I have missed for so long.

A voice that once entered my room over nine years ago, and has been an integral part of my life ever since.

My hands involuntarily reached up to my eyes, and I could feel the smaller, softer yet firm hands over my eyes.

"Ichika?"

"Hehe, glad you didn't forget me."

My temporary blindfold was removed, and I immediately turned around.

And there she stood in all her glory.

Ichika Amasawa, a little girl who's been parading as my little sister for over nine years.

I stood up, and before she could say anything, pulled her into a crushing hug. Ichika widened her eyes a bit, before smiling and burying her head into my chest.

She was still the same. I rubbed her back lightly, and she let out a satisfied sigh.

"You've grown taller, Ichika."

"I'm aware. You're quite tall now too. Almost like, a head taller."

All this while, my friend group remained dumbfounded behind my back. Chiaki stared with an absentminded look for a few seconds, before it suddenly hit her.

"K-Kei-chan! That's y-your.....!"

"Yup," I interrupted. "Guys, this here is Ichika, my younger sister. Say hi."