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

Chapter 32: Just Friends

"I'm so, so sorry!" 

Ema presses her hands together in apology and bows low at the waist. "I didn't mean for anyone to interfere with your tour. I mentioned I was worried that you were going on your own, but I never expected that Tsubaki-san, Azusa-san, and Natsume-san would ask to go with you. I hope they didn't cause you any trouble."

I bite my tongue and reply, "It was fine. I got the chance to thank Natsume-san for his recommendations."

It takes a few cycles of apologizing for Ema to understand that it's okay. Even if the twins are annoying, I'm not going to hold a grudge for something this trivial.

"Anyway, I'm surprised that even Natsume-san was able to go," Ema muses. After dinner the two of us are tasked with washing and drying the dishes. She hands me a cup which she's rinsed off in the sink.

I take the cup and begin drying it with a towel. "Oh. Right. He mentioned he'd be busy for a while. His transfer must still be underway."

"Mn. He said he transferred departments in the spring. I haven't heard very much from him aside from our lunch at the cafe." Ema places a hand on her cheek, worry filling her gaze. "I hope he doesn't overwork himself. Offices should allow for more breaks or else everyone will be exhausted."

"That's how it is for salary workers." I sigh. "Maybe if you offer, Natsume would be open to visiting home when he has the chance. You could make him dinner so he doesn't have to cook, or let him relax here so he doesn't spend overnight in the office."

Ema considers this, then shakes her head. "I can offer, but I don't want to bother him too much. The last thing I want is for me to distract him while he's getting used to a new job." She sighs. "Maybe I'll ask Tsubaki-san or Azusa-san to give me updates. They talk to Natsume-san far more than me."

"If you say so." I place the newly dried cup back in the cupboard. "Anyway, I've got another tour coming up, so if you want to come this time..." 

I tell Ema the date and location. It's another one of Natsume's recommendations, though it's a little further away from Sunrise Residence than the last one.

Sadly, Ema has classes again, but she promises me that she won't accidentally send the twins as my escorts again. 

Instead, she somehow volunteers Yusuke to accompany me. Or rather, Yusuke butts in when he hears Ema and I talking about going out together.

"But you're not going?" Yusuke's shoulders sag as he learns of Ema's busy schedule.

"Not this time. But I won't stop you from going with Mai-chan if you want to." Ema smiles freely, like she didn't just accidentally rope another brother into the mix.

"I'm really fine going by myself," I assert, feeling the dread that the cycle is about to repeat.

But Yusuke's already committed to going and refuses to back out in front of Ema. "It's fine. I can go. Just let me know when and where." Then he staggers back into the living room, out of sight.

You did your best, Yusuke-kun, but do you really have to look so down about going out with me? It's not even a date or anything! It's business. Just business!

"Looks like Yusuke-kun is okay to join you if you want." Ema turns to me, beaming. "My brothers must really like you, Mai-chan."

"I'm flattered, but I'm sure that's not the case." 

They're clearly doing this for you!

Yusuke clearly wanted to go because Ema was going. He'd been down when he found out that Ema and I went out to meet Natsume last time. Figures that he'd want to spend more time with her outside of school.