Soaring Conflicts(Brothers Conflict Love Story)

Jealousy Part 6

 "Huh? Ema?" I blink in surprise as I answer my orange phone for a second time that night. Iori glances at me curiously as I speak my sister's name.

At this point the night had drifted into a crisp breeze as I neared my home; I was rather grateful for Raiden's scarf now as it did a better job at keeping me warm than my thin light brown jacket and boots. It had been blissfully calm as me and Iori walked back home together, not saying much as our shoes crunched along the sidewalk. Peaceful.

"Uh sorry to bother you Keiko I know it's a bit late but.." Ema's apologetic voice came through the other line, the faint sound of passing cars behind it.

I smiled softly keeping my tone matching. "It's fine Ema, no worries, what can I can do for you?"

' "Um well I-I was wondering if you'd seen Tsubaki at all...?" She asked worry lacing her tone.

"Mm...Nope. Did Azusa call you too?" There's a pause before Ema answers.

"No, um he called Natsume."

"Natsume?" That catches me off guard. "You were with Natsume then?"

"Y-Yes we-"

"That's great Ema! I knew you two were getting along. How were the video games he sent you? Speaking of Tsubaki, it was Panzer Of The Dead right?"

"Oh um yes...But Kei-chan I wanted to-It's about Tsubaki."

"Oh."

"D-Do you remember the anime they were talking about auditioning for?"

"'Course! It was the anime that got Tsubaki into voice acting which is a pretty big deal. He seemed so excited for it!"

"...Azusa got the part Tsubaki auditioned for Kei-Chan."

"What? Oh! That's...well that sucks. Shit." I admit, feeling a sympathetic frown settle on my face. "Is that what yesterday was about then? Tsubaki was upset."

I look up as the apartment comes into view, my gaze catching sight of Azusa sitting by himself on some stairs, waiting. "Hey Ema don't stay out too late okay? We'll talk when you get home, I just got there now. Say hi to Natsu-nii for me!"

"Oh uh okay. Bye Kei-chan." There's a click as Ema hangs up and I smile and pocket my phone striding over to the dark-haired twin who has yet to look up at me. I could feel Iori trailing behind me, his stare on my back.

"Azusa! Hey." I greet with a smile stopping a foot away from him. He stands up once I get his attention managing a slight smile which tenses as his violet eyes catch sight of Iori over my shoulder.
"Oh, welcome back." He says a bit distracted as he glances back at the apartment doors smile falling completely.

"Aren't you a bit cold Onii-chan? What are you doing out here?" I ask cheerily unable to keep some worry from seeping into my words. He was only wearing a light sweater against the building cold.

"Just felt like it. I couldn't relax in my room." His tone is even and soft, but I can't help but notice it's hollowness, he sounded tired. He looks back at us, expression not giving much away.

I chuckle a bit. "You're going to catch a cold sitting out here, silly. You don't want it to affect your work."

He turns away again shutting his eyes as he sighs. I catch a glimpse of Iori who stands there stiffly not saying anything as he watches us. "I don't have any work that would have a problem with that."