EX-istential Crisis

Chapter 33: The Sister's Admirer

Aiko and Arisu strolled through the lively district together, hands entwined, radiating an infectious joy that seemed to seep into the very air around them. They passed by familiar faces and kind strangers, their laughter lifting the spirits of everyone they encountered. Vendors smiled and nodded as they walked past, offering cheerful greetings and small gifts of appreciation.

"Aiko, look! We got flowers again!" Arisu exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement as a kindly flower vendor handed her a bunch of colorful blossoms, their sweet scent floating up in the morning air.

Aiko, the gentler of the two, accepted the flowers with a soft smile. "They're beautiful! We're so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors," she replied, tucking a pale pink bloom behind Arisu's ear and another in her own hair.

Further down the street, a baker grinned warmly at them, passing each a warm piece of bread wrapped in paper. "Eat well, young ones," he said in a gentle voice. Aiko and Arisu's faces lit up with delight at the gesture, and they thanked him, feeling the comforting warmth of the freshly baked bread in their hands.

"Thank you, Mister!" Aiko called back, giving the baker a shy wave. Arisu, ever the lively one, gave a theatrical bow, causing a few bystanders to chuckle at her playful nature.

"We should do something nice for everyone someday," Aiko mused as they continued toward school, savoring her piece of bread with small, delicate bites.

Arisu, however, took an enthusiastic chomp of her own and nodded. "Definitely! Maybe we can make them cookies or something?"

Aiko chuckled at the suggestion, imagining the chaos that would ensue in the kitchen with Arisu in charge of baking. But her heart warmed at the thought—Arisu's energy was boundless, and Aiko admired her friend's unshakable determination and kindness.

As they neared the school, they noticed a gathering near the playground, where a few older boys had surrounded a boy from their class. He was seated on the swing, his shoulders hunched as he listened to the harsh words being thrown his way. Aiko's heart tightened as she caught snippets of the insults. "Too poor to even afford books," one of the bullies sneered, crossing his arms and smirking. "Guess that's what happens when you can't keep up."

Aiko could feel her cheeks reddening, but before she could gather the courage to speak, Arisu's jaw clenched, and she stormed over to the group, a fierce determination blazing in her eyes.

"Hey! What's wrong with being poor, huh?" she demanded, her voice ringing out with unexpected force. The bullies paused, surprised by her outburst. Arisu took a step forward, standing protectively between them and the boy on the swing. Her gaze was unwavering, sharp as a blade.

"Y-Yeah, so what? He can't afford books," one of the boys stammered, trying to regain his footing. But Arisu didn't give them a chance.

"You guys still suck your mama's breast and can't even make money on your own," she shot back, her voice dripping with a blend of scorn and bold defiance. The surrounding students who had been watching the scene unfold began to murmur in surprise, some even chuckling at Arisu's remark.

The boy on the swing—quiet, unassuming Erio Everbloom—watched her with a mixture of awe and admiration. His expression, usually impassive and detached, softened as he took in Arisu's spirited defense.

"Thanks... beautiful," he murmured, a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips.

Arisu blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected compliment, and then burst out in laughter. "Complimenting me? For free? Okay, HA HA HA!" she said, letting her laughter echo around the playground.

The bullies, realizing they had lost both the argument and the attention of their peers, exchanged embarrassed looks before slinking away in defeat. Arisu watched them go, a satisfied grin plastered on her face.