A True LOVE [ Yandere-kun X Male Rivals ]

[22] Like Brother, Like Brother

"Hanako, the water's boiling!"

The sound of Taro's voice coursed through the house, causing Hanako to abandon his thoughts and hurriedly make his way to the kitchen. He entered the brightly lit room, where Taro stood by the stove making dinner, his silhouette outlined against the warm glow.

"Sorry, I got lost in my own world," Hanako replied with a sheepish grin as he reached for the teapot and carefully poured the steaming water into two cups. The fragrant aroma of jasmine tea filled the air, mingling with the scent of home.

Taro chuckled, a familiar twinkle in his eyes as he watched him move around the room. "No worries. You're always off on some adventure in that head of yours."

Hanako smiled, the corners of his lips lifting in response to his gentle teasing. Moments like these anchored him in the present, making him even more appreciate his brother's presence. As they settled at the kitchen table, savouring their tea, Hanako felt a sense of peace wash over him. 

"Your friend is coming over tonight, right?" Hanako asked, his voice betraying his eagerness.

Taro glanced at the pot cooking on the stove before shifting his attention to his little brother, nodding in response. "Yeah, he told me he'd ask permission from his relatives, so we'll see him appear when he's ready."

As if on cue, the doorbell rang a couple of times, prompting Hanako to get up. "I'll get it!" He happily exclaimed, almost skipping as he hurried towards the door. Excitedly, he reached for the doorknob, breathing to calm himself down before opening it and revealing the person standing before him.

Throughout the years, Taro had only brought Osano over, who was just as much a childhood friend to Hanako as his brother. This was the first time Taro had brought anyone other than Osano over, and Hanako couldn't help but be curious about this person, wanting to get to know his friend better, someone older and more mature than him.

The thought would send any teenager into a giddy state. 

Hanako smiled at the black-haired boy standing before the door, greeting him in a peppy voice.

"Hello, Senpai! Are you staying over tonight?"

Ayato looked down at Hanako before nodding, slightly surprised by his excitement. As he walked into the house, he spotted Taro approaching him, who nudged his head towards the kitchen.

"I'm making dinner right now. Care to join us?"

"Sure," Ayato casually responded, taking a swift moment to look around. "Are your parents joining us?"

"Nope," Taro answered as he headed towards the kitchen with Ayato and his little brother in tow. As he neared the stove, he reached out to stir the pot and look at the food before turning the stove off.

Hanako took this as his cue to set the table while Taro talked with Ayato. "They're out tonight, having dinner with friends. Told me they may or may not stay over there."

"I see," Ayato nodded, noticing Hanako moving around the kitchen, and decided to help him. His action evoked a small smile from the boy, who gratefully handed the plates to him as Ayato continued to set them on the table. "Did they mention anything about me staying over?"

A silence fell as Taro thought for a moment before shaking his head and smiling. "No, not really. But they did say they'd like to meet you sometime."

"Why?" Ayato caught on, looking up with an amused smile. "You talk to your parents about me?"

Surprised, Taro chuckled softly, his cheeks warming up in embarrassment. "Yeah, sometimes. I see you almost as often as I see Osano at this point, so it came out naturally."