Siblings with benefits

Fractured Bonds

Fractured Bonds

The morning sun filtered through the paper sliding doors, casting soft light across the small kitchen where Hide sat at the table, poring over his notes. He scratches his hair, frowning at the math problems sprawled before him. The aroma of miso soup wafted in from the stove, a welcome distraction.

Hinata burst into the kitchen, her backpack flung over one shoulder, hair a chaotic mess. "I can't find my shoes!" she yelled, rummaging through the clutter near the door.

"Maybe if you weren't always so disorganized, you'd know where they are," Hide replied, barely glancing up.

Hinata shot him a glare. "Not everyone is as uptight as you, Hide! It's called being spontaneous."

"Spontaneity doesn't mean leaving a disaster in your wake," he retorted, tapping his pencil impatiently. "You'll be late if you keep this up."

Their mother entered, sighing at the scene. "Can you two try to get along just once? It's a school day, not a battlefield."

Hinata rolled her eyes. "He started it!"

"Enough," their mother said firmly. "Hinata, just find your shoes. Hide, focus on your studies. You'll both be late."

As Hinata continued her frantic search, Hide returned to his notes, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. He heard her muttering under her breath about his obsession with order.

Finally, Hinata triumphantly held up one shoe. "Got it!" But as she bent to grab the other, she knocked over a stack of textbooks, sending them crashing to the floor.

"See what I mean?" Hide exclaimed, exasperated. "You're a disaster waiting to happen."

Hinata's face flushed with anger. "I can't help it if I don't fit into your perfect little world!"

Their mother intervened again, her voice weary. "Enough. You're both going to be late."As they hurried out the door, Hinata paused just long enough to turn back to their mother. "Mom, my friends are coming over later to watch that new romantic show!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Hide rolled his eyes. "Well, my friends are coming too to play that new game we've been talking about. I told Mom first, so you should really find another time for your silly show."

Hinata crossed her arms defiantly. "I better not see you and your friends in the living room when my friends arrive. This is my time!"

"Maybe you should consider your friends might not want to watch your cheesy show," he shot back, a smirk on his face. "And besides, I don't want your friends messing up my gaming setup."

"Like you even care about that!" Hinata retorted. "Just stay out of our way, okay?"

With that, she turned and rushed out the door, her heart racing with the thrill of planning her afternoon. Hide sighed, shaking his head as he followed her outside. "You can't just act like you own the place," he muttered, trying to keep up with her quick pace.

"Whatever, Hide! Just don't ruin my day!" Hinata shouted over her shoulder, her determination propelling her forward.After a long day at school, Hide returned home with his friends, the anticipation of gaming fueling their excitement. As they stepped through the door, laughter echoed from the living room, and Hide's heart sank. There, sprawled on the couch, were Hinata and her friends, engrossed in the latest romantic show.

"What the-?" Hide exclaimed, frustration boiling over. "Hinata! I thought I told you this was my time!"

Hinata glanced back, her face lighting up with mischief. "Well, too bad! You should've come home earlier if you wanted to claim the living room. We're in the middle of the best part!"

Hide's friends exchanged glances, unsure whether to laugh or intervene. "Come on, man," one of them said, "just let her have it this time."

"Let her have it?" Hide shot back, hands on his hips. "This is my space too!"

As the argument escalated, Hide made a snap decision. "I'm out of here! I'm going to the arcade," he declared, storming out. His friends quickly followed, relieved to escape the drama.

They walked a few blocks before Hide could finally breathe. The familiar lights and sounds of the arcade welcomed him, but just as he was about to step inside, he overheard his friends chatting behind him.

"Hey, I never knew Hide had such a cute little sister," one said with a chuckle.

At the same moment, Hinata's friends giggled, and tells Hinata "We didn't know she had such a hot older brother!"

Both siblings froze in their tracks, their eyes wide as they exchanged incredulous glances with their friends.

"What's so good about him?" Hinata muttered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Seriously! What's so great about her?" Hide countered, trying to mask his irritation with a smirk.

Their friends laughed, enjoying the playful banter, but Hide and Hinata couldn't shake the awkwardness of the moment. For a brief second, they were united in their disdain for each other's popularity-both unaware that this unexpected compliment might just open the door to a new understanding between them.