Nyanko da! (ft Natsume): A Brothers Conflict Fanfic

Chapter 28: Chan to Kun

Dinner prep brings respite to a defeated Wataru. He changes the game back into single player mode while Ema and I head to the kitchen.

Tsubaki and Azusa said they'd pop in for dinner, but they'll have to leave right after to get some extra practice in for tomorrow. I say nothing to this, as I have a bad feeling from that conversation with Tsubaki and Azusa the other day. It reminds me of when Shin openly plans something but won't tell me what.

"It's a lot quieter around here than usual," Ema comments as we cut vegetables.

"Most of them are out today, huh?"

"Mn. But a lot of them haven't been coming home for dinner lately." Ema sighs. "Many of them eat dinner at work. I haven't seen Iori-san or Fuuto-san either."

Come to think of it, I haven't seen Iori at all since I first came here. "What does Iori-san do?" Ema told me he was only a few months older than us, but she said nothing about what school he goes to or what job he does.

"Iori-san?" Ema ponders. "He said he needed time to find himself again, but he hasn't shared much else with anyone. Kaname-san was worried about him, but he hasn't shared any concerns lately, so I think Iori-san is okay right now."

It seems Ema doesn't know the answer to that question, either. With so many brothers around it must be hard to keep track of who is doing what and where.

"How about Subaru-san?" I ask. "Is he back from Kyushu yet?"

I think Ema mentioned that Subaru gone away to Kyushu for training. Not being much of a sports fan, I can only speculate on what it's like, but he must be super talented to be invited to play with a pro team.

Ema's knife nearly slides off the onion. She gasps as it hits the cutting board with a loud "thud".

"Daijoubu?" I rush to her side. Thankfully, the knife missed her fingers. "Please be more careful."

"I'm fine, and I will," Ema assures me. "I don't think Subaru-san is back yet. He messaged me the other day, though. He said he hopes to come visit during summer break if he can."

"Ah, summer break." I hum to myself. University students get a break after final exams, but we've still got a while to go before that. "Do you have any plans for the break?"

Ema recovers the knife and resumes chopping. "It's still a while away, so I haven't really thought about it. Do you have anything planned, Mai-chan?"

I cross my arms, pausing in my attempts to perform wedge cuts on the carrots. "It's not so much something that I want to do. My parents are the ones who want to do stuff."

"Oh! Are they coming to Tokyo for the break?"

"For a weekend," I tell her. "They want to get a hotel close to my new place, so they've been messaging me nonstop for details about it." I shudder. There's nothing worse than having your parents hound you for information you don't yet have.

Ema chuckles. "You'll have to find a place before that. Ah, but if you like they're more than welcome to visit here. It would be nice to see them if they have the time."

"Careful or they might take up your offer on that," I warn. "They've been wanting to meet you ever since we became friends."

Ema blushes. "H-Hontou?"

"Really," I affirm. "When I told them you were having me to stay Kaasan was jumping for joy. She and Tousan said they want to thank you in person."

"Iie, iie, I'm the one who wanted to help you," Ema says. "That's what friends are for, ne?"

"Still. You can expect some souvenirs when they come to visit." Probably some pastries from our favourite bakery. I did mention that Ema likes sweets. "Mah, and here Kaasan thought I hadn't made any friends yet since I don't invite people to my place very often. I mean, I did tell her that there are better places to study than my mouldy apartment."

"Hopefully your next apartment won't be as mouldy."

We both nod, hoping that the next time I move out won't end with another flood. I'll be extra sure to inspect the property this time!

We finish making dinner by the time the other brothers arrive home. Wataru pauses the game and comes to help set the table.

I can see that he's taking the "grow up at your own pace" advice to heart. As far as I know he doesn't usually help out with chores beyond those assigned to him, so to have his help now without asking really shows how much he wants to grow up, even if only a little. If Masaomi were here I imagine he'd reassure Wataru that there's no need to grow up so fast.

Later on, Wataru makes a show of helping out after dinner as well, prompting Tsubaki to comment, "I didn't know Wataru-chan knew how to do the dishes."

"Of course I can do it!" Wataru argues. "And you should call me 'Wataru-kun' now that I'm in middle school." He puffs out his chest in pride.

"Where's this coming from all of a sudden?" Azusa asks. "You didn't mind it before."

"I'm older now," Wataru says, "so it's only right that no one calls me 'chan' anymore. It would be like calling Yu-kun 'Yu-chan.'" He sticks out his tongue.

Across the table Yusuke visibly shivers. "He's not wrong there..."

"Mn, I suppose you are at that age now," Azusa muses.

"Mah, you'll always be little Wataru-chan to me!" Tsubaki says, smooshing Wataru into a hug. The youngest Asahina squirms as he flails for an escape, but Tsubaki is much taller than him, and their fighting power is unevenly matched. It'll be a while before Wataru can best his older brother in a physical battle.

"Watch it!" Yusuke shouts as he's nearly hit by Wataru's plate.

"Please be careful!" Ema stands and hurries toward them. "Don't tease Wataru-chan like that, Tsubaki-san. He's doing his best, so we should cheer him on."

"You say that, but don't you still call him 'Wataru-chan' yourself?" Tsubaki points out.

Ema smacks a hand to her mouth. "Ah. Sorry, Wataru-chan—I mean, Wataru-kun."

Wataru's expression floats between grinning and crying. I'm not sure if anything I say would be helpful at this moment, though Ema does her best to assure him that everyone acknowledges his efforts.

Fortunately, Tsubaki and Azusa excuse themselves shortly to practice more lines. Yusuke says he'll bring Ukyou's share to his room as an apology for interrupting him earlier. He'll be back with his books so we students can study at the dining table after cleaning up.

Meanwhile, Ema manages to convince Wataru to help us finish tidying up and make tea.

"Are you going to game some more later?" I ask Wataru, handing him another plate to wash.

Wataru dunks the plate in the sink. "Nah. I'll do work at the table as well. Gaming is fun, but studying is important, too."

"Sugoi, Wataru-chan is so responsible!"

"O-Onee-chan..."

I turn away so he can't see me stifle a giggle. "Wataru-kun, ganbatte!"

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Just another day at the Asahina house.