Dark Worlds, Soft Touches : My best friend's brother Gundham Tanaka

Chapter 2- Everyday life

One thing I learned in the Tanaka household was to prevent Sakura Tanaka from cooking as much as possible. She was like a second mom to me, an absolute angel, but her food was poison. So I always tried to beat my best friends mom to the kitchen. "You know I love you right, Crystal?" Akira said sounding excited as she hugged me from behind.

"Love you too." I smiled to myself as I continued to cook Tamago kake gohan . I'd been living with my best friend and her family for three years now. I missed home and my family a lot, but I really did love my life in Japan. After I prepped breakfast for everyone I knocked on Gundham's door. "Get out here or else I'll feed your food to Lucinda!" I yelled through at his door. As soon as he opened it I began my assault.

I blew a bit of flour expecting it to cover his face and clothes. However, he had a counter attack. He had prepared an umbrella to protect himself from any stray flour that might come flying at him. "Hmmph.. you fiend, did you really expect I'd fall for your foolish scheme again. He lowered the umbrella and had a smirk on his face. "Well then..."

He then took a stance indicating that he was prepared for battle."I see you're not over the scuffle in the bathroom earlier." A sly smile came across his face, "I won fair and square, so no need to get so riled up over something you know you couldn't win anyway."

"You cheated,"I said angrily remembering earlier this morning.

As I stood before the mirror, diligently brushing my hair, my peaceful moment was abruptly shattered by Gundham's unwelcome intrusion. The Tanaka household had only two bathrooms. While one was reserved exclusively for Sakura, who required her own space after long and exhausting days at the veterinarian clinic, the rest of us shared a bathroom located conveniently between Gundham's and my room.

Just as I had been engrossed in grooming myself, the door to Gundham's room swung open, revealing him clad only in a towel. His physique, while not overly muscular, possessed a certain allure that stirred something within me. A sudden warmth spread across my cheeks, betraying the blush that had taken hold.

"I haven't had a chance to do my makeup yet, so you'll have to wait to shower, fiend," I declared, attempting to suppress the years of longing I had harbored for him. Memories of stolen glances, romantic novels that fueled my fantasies, and the few intimate encounters I had experienced danced at the edge of my consciousness. Yet, I knew all too well the consequences that would befall us if anything were to transpire between Gundham and me. Akira would unleash her wrath upon the world, armed with powers that would leave no stone unturned.

Gundham, undeterred by my words, approached me with a purposeful stride, causing my heart to quicken its pace. Imagined scenarios played out in my mind, filled with desires and fantasies that had long been suppressed. As he leaned over me to retrieve his toothbrush, the air grew charged with tension, and my face burned with an intensity I struggled to conceal.

"Why don't you make use of the vanity in your room instead of hogging the bathroom, fool," Gundham suggested, his voice laced with a hint of impatience, as he began to brush his teeth.

I hesitated, contemplating his proposition. "The vanity in my room is too small," I replied, my voice betraying a mix of reluctance and practicality. Before I could proceed with my makeup routine, Gundham surprised me by encircling my waist with his firm grip. My attempts to compose myself and conceal the flustered state I found myself in were in vain as he effortlessly lifted me off my feet, carrying me out of the bathroom.