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

Chapter 37: Updates and Messages

"What do you mean, 'tell him myself'?" 

At first I only hear the words, but then it occurs to me that despite Tsubaki's teasing tone and smirk, he is being wholly serious.

"It's alright," I say, trying to wave him off. "I'm sure Natsume-san doesn't want me bothering him out of the blue." To be honest, it would be nice to thank Natsume myself, but wouldn't it be weird to be messaged by your younger sister's friend who you've only met twice?

Tsubaki waves his phone and scrolls to Natsume's contact info. I stifle a laugh as I notice the profile picture Tsubaki's attached to his brother's name. The picture, though a little blurry from a distance, depicts a guy who looks like Natsume, but his hair is black and he's in mid-fall on a running track. The expression on his face can only be described as utter surprise as he tumbles toward the ground.

Gauging my reaction, Tsubaki grins. "He'll respond if you message him."

I'm not sure if he's implying that Natsume won't see the message otherwise. Considering that I won't see Natsume again after moving out of Sunrise Residence, I guess it would be more polite to thank him myself rather than going through his brothers. Besides, if Tsubaki really is implying that Natsume wouldn't otherwise notice my thanks, it's possible he'd simply forget about how he helped me at all.

While that's not really any concern of mine, I feel like a little thanks could make Natsume's day. Not least of all because he's so busy with changing jobs, but also because it doesn't seem like he receives as much thanks for the things he does for his family. (*cough*cough*Tsubaki*)

I sigh in resignation, making Tsubaki grin wider in triumph. He shows me his phone screen and lets me copy Natsume's information. I enter his phone and mail into my contacts list and go back to my room. 

Lying down on my bed, I draft and send a quick thank-you to Natsume for helping me out. I never expected to receive so much help from one of Ema's brothers who doesn't even live here. He must normally be a very nice person to do that. I can see why Ema looks up to him.

Once the message is through I go to my laptop and check my other emails. I've emailed the other landlords, telling them that I was withdrawing my interests in their properties. Then I check my school email to ensure that I'm on top of all my classes.

Like high school, there's no break in between lectures or projects. As much as I'm for learning how to balance different responsibilities for the future, it worries me that school breaks might be the only "break" time I'll have before I graduate. After that comes work, and most of my parents' friends are always complaining about their long hours and short vacations. 

Knowing that youth is truly a golden time makes me wonder how exactly I should go about enjoying it. I did dye my hair, but apart from that I haven't really been doing anything extraordinary with my life. 

Come to think of it, do I know anyone else who's been "making the most" of that short and sweet period after high school? 

"How are we supposed to enjoy life now if we're always told to keep busy?"

It's a question for the ages that I don't think my parents would have an answer to. 

I close my laptop and roll over to stare at the wall. 

Even now I'm set to move out of Sunrise Residence. Next week I'll be back to making my own meals, doing my own dishes, cleaning my own space and living all alone. The part of me who got used to that life after several years yearns for it, persuading that it's not a big deal to go back to a routine that's become the norm. 

But the other part of me has become accustomed to the past couple weeks staying at Ema's place. Life is so different here, like how I'd imagine life would've been if I'd lived at home instead of moving out.