Nekopara - ReUnion

Chapter 2: Meeting, Again

Yokohama Station District, a Saturday that looked like every other. Rain was pouring with no signs of stopping soon, and this small place in this big city was now turned into the theater for a long awaited reunion.

Fists clenched, eyes locked with his, Maple was now facing Minuit, whom she hasn't seen in over two years.
This may not be the ideal moment for a family reunion, but she decided to take the chance while she still had it. She didn't know if she would have an occasion to speak with him ever again.

- "Thank you, for saving Cinnamon." She politely bowed. Of course, this was the least of things, he literally saved her sister's life and probably hers as well.

- "Oh. Umbrella Girl's friend. No problem." He tried to brush it off, wanting to limit any contact with his family before his restrictions were lifted, even more since Charlie was watching him.

The American Curl took a deep breath, looking at her brother straight in the eyes.

- "Please, tell me. I'd.. like it, if you were honest. Is that really you?"

- "Hm? Is that really me? Well, as far as I know, I am me, yes. Why the strange question?"

At this point, Maple knew Minuit was just bluffing, feigning ignorance. She really didn't appreciate that.

- "I'll be more direct, then. Are you Minuit?"

- "..." He looked at her straight in the eyes for a few seconds. "Yeah, you got the wrong guy, sorry May-" Realizing what he just said, and knowing that this might be the end of him, all he could do was mutter a "fuck." under his breath, and try to say something to cover it up, but all that was coming out of his mouth were incoherent words.

- !!

"I'm fucked." He thought. And right he was, this small lapsus meant he was indeed fucked.

- "So it is you, after all." Maple calmly said, despite her trembling voice.

- "No idea what you're talking about. Just had a small lapsus. Nothing much." Believing that engaging in further conversation would only make him dig his own grave further, he decided to keep playing dumb, despite the gig clearly being up.

After essentially throwing the plastic bags full of snacks and drinks through the window of his friend's car, he gave a last look at his younger sister, clenching her fists.
It was at the exact same time, what he had hoped would never happen, and what he dreamed of almost every night for the past two years.
For the first time since his departure, he felt as if he was no longer "002" or "The Great Minuit", who had just stopped a bunch of terrorists a few months back, but rather just Minuit, an older brother, unsure of how to handle the situation.

They both silently stared at each other in the eyes for a few seconds, before Minuit let out an annoyed groan.

- "You know what? Screw them rules." He muttered under his breath.

- "Pal, I'm not sure that's something the boss would be cool with." Coming out of silence and slightly lowering his window, as to see what is friend was actually doing, Charlie tried to warn his friend about the consequences his act could have.

Disregarding his friend's advice, he put his hands on his sister's shoulders.

- "Maple. Listen, I- I had my reasons." Struggling to find his words, Minuit tried to start a calm conversation with his sister, but in vain, as he feels his denim jacket being violently grabbed.

- "No."

With trembling hands, Maple had grabbed her brother's jacket, bringing his face to her height. What was surprising though, was that she was crying, and still trembling as she spoke, something quite rare for the usually so prideful Maple he remembered, even more considering they were in public, with dozens of people looking at them as if this was some kind of show.