Lost in a Pursuit

Holidays

A week or two after the end of mid-years, our one month holiday started.

Other than the mountain of homework I had to do, there were pressing matters to take care of. Firstly, for the first week of the holiday, my eight-year-old cousin, Yuriko, would be staying over at my house. This meant my productivity levels would drop drastically since she's very hyperactive and always wants to play with me.

Secondly, Akashi and I were nominated by our teachers(oh god why) to participate in a writing and drawing a story contest. He was supposed to be the author of the story and I'm the illustrator. Undeniably, this was very exciting for me since it was the first time we were working together. With a month-long holiday to discuss, we had to complete our entry by the first week of the second semester.

Thirdly, the month-long holiday was giving me a vibes of idleness and lack of motivation to do anything productive.

***

The first Monday of the holiday. My mother was as usual, taking a break from chores and enjoying her serial drama in the living room while I rotted away in my own room, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. I glanced over at my alarm clock.

12:00 PM.

Yuriko would be here anytime soon. I refused to start my homework on a Monday, or rather, the whole of this week since she's a monster at draining my energy levels.

Meanwhile, in a land far, far away, Miyano was enjoying her family overseas trip. She would be out of country for literally the whole of the holiday. Also, my ex-classmate and best friend from elementary school, Shiotani Yuuichi, would also be in USA for the whole holiday. I predicted that I would literally be alone and bored at home for the whole of this month.

Worst possible timing to travel, I would say.

I had looked forward to meeting with Yuuichi again, but...

I rolled over on my bed and groaned loudly, "Why are they always traveling?!!"

"ICHI-NEECHAN~~~~!!"

Startled by that high-pitched voice calling my name, I quickly climbed out of bed and hid under my study desk. My door immediately flung open after running footsteps were heard.

That familiar, sea blue shoulder-length hair with a mini ponytail at the side.

"WHERE ARE YOU---OH THERE YOU ARE!!!" Yuriko shouted as she dived in towards me.

"Wait-- NO-- Argh, dammit!" I yelped as I felt her heavy weight crushing me. Slowly, I propped myself up, crawled out of under the desk and looked at her big, auburn eyes. She was wearing a frilly, princess-like pink and white dress. She's only missing a tiara and a pair of heels and with those, it would be the perfect princess cosplay.

Yuriko stood up, whereas I sat on the floor. Just then, my phone(which was on my study desk) vibrated with my ringtone, Hikaru Nara, playing. Who's calling me?!

"Ichi-neechan, someone's calling you!"

"Yeah, I know!"

With my lower part of the body still stuck to the floor, I raised my hand and reached effortlessly for my vibrating phone.

Unknown caller.

All of a sudden, something chilly surged within me. Should I pick up or should I not? I hate making these decisions...

Without warning, Yuriko came towards me and slid the 'Accept' icon up. I was now connected to the call. Instantly, I gasped with horror.

"YURI-CHAN!! WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!! OH MY GOD WHYYYYYY---"

She giggled with glee at the victory of messing up my phone. I would like to send her to the depths of hell now.

"Shizuko?" It came from the phone. This voice sounded very awfully familiar.

And then it hit me. There is only one person in this world who addresses me by that.

Hastily, I picked my phone up and put it to my right ear. "Y-Yeah, Akashi? Haha, sorry about that... It was my cousin." I cried internally when I realised he had just heard me screaming with annoyance and rage.

Oh wait, is this the first time he's calling me?

"I see. I thought you were displeased about me calling you," Akashi replied jokingly.

"Uh, no, of course not! I totally don't mind if you call me... haha... So, uh... what's the matter?"

"About the story-writing competition, can we meet up today to discuss? Perhaps 2pm later? I have basketball training today which will last until about one thirty."

Already discussing on the first day of the first week of the holiday? Man, that's too early!

"Oh, umm... yeah, sure!" I glanced casually over at Yuriko, who was staring at me with an evil gleam in her eye. "Then... do we meet at that... swing area?"

At the very mention of 'swing', she suddenly pounced on me like a violent predator and I jerked backwards, the back of my head hitting the rock hard surface of my study desk. "Ouch---!" I shifted the phone away from my ear. "Yuri-chan! What do you think you're doing!"

"I want to go play at the swing!!" She demanded with a cheeky grin.

"No no no, not today... tomo--"

"TODAY! I want TODAY!!"

I groaned with irksome at the thought of bringing Yuriko to our meetup. "Please, please, please, tomorrow? I promise I will..." Dealing with children is vexing. I need a break.

"Shizuko? Hello?"

Ignoring her, I quickly returned to my conversation with Akashi. "I'm sorry, Akashi, my cousin's just being a jerk to me... Eh... do you mind if I bring her to our meetup..."

"That's what I want to say. You can bring her."

"What? But she's just eight!"

"Eight and three months!" Yuriko corrected. I clucked my tongue at her.

"I don't mind. I have a way of distracting her long enough so that she won't disturb us. Besides, she wants to come, right? This is a win-win solution."

"... Ah... okay then."

"Alright, I'll hang up now. See you later."

"Mm, see you later."

The line went beep, beep, beep. After putting my phone away, I announced to Yuriko that I would be bring her along to the swing. Instantly, she did her victory dance, which involved jumping up and down. I sighed. Not even half an hour had passed and I was already exhausted.

But Akashi did say he had basketball training today? Hmm, I wonder how he looks like wearing his jersey...

---End of Chapter 8---

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it! :] Next chapter is out on 31/10(Saturday). (Anyone also has annoying siblings/cousins? XD)