A Start of a New Beginning!

[ Chapter 24 ] - [ A Popstar? ]

You knock on your favorite Aoi sibling's door.

"Nika?"

"Wait! I'm getting dressed, hold on!"

"'Kay!" You reply and decided to lean against the wall beside the door. School had ended about an hour or two ago and the Beyclub decided not to group up due to schedules clashing. Daina had to go visit his little brother at the hospital since he hasn't gone in a while. Rantaro had to take care of Ranjiro, his little brother, today since his mom fell ill and his dad was off on a police assignment, which led to him being the temporary "man of the house" as he put it. With Kensuke gone and unable to humor both you and Valt today in a battle, you two just went home.

You could tell Valt was particularly bummed about it, seeing how he visibly drooped his shoulders as he walked home with you.

However, despite seemingly being his whole personality, it's not as though Valt was constantly into Beyblading—he had other interests as well. Even from here, up on the second floor, you can faintly hear Tokonatsu and Valt playing against each other in some video game Chiharu bought them a long time ago. He seems to enjoy playing against Tokonatsu, considering you keep hearing the smaller one whine over how Valt's cheating and Valt cheering happily after winning again. While you'd love to go join them, there's a nagging question that the only girl you knew would have the answer to.

It was about a day or two since Kensuke moved away. While this question wasn't the one you were going ask Nika, you can't help but wonder why he was so nervous during your conversation. Was he shy? He was rather confident talking with his friends, so that probably wasn't it. Besides, he'd been improving on his speaking skills ever since you became friends. . .ah well hopefully by the time you two meet again, you'll have the answer to these questions.

The creak of the door opening snaps you back to reality. Your [e/c] eyes peer downwards to see a neatly combed pink haired girl fixing her usual star hair tie. "'Kay, done," Nika says as she looks up curiously. "What's wrong, [Nickname]?"

The odd name leaves her mouth as you wondered what that was. "[Nickname]?"

Nika giggles. "I came up with it just now. I think it fits you, [Nickname]~!"

Concluding that this is just what's normal between close people, you smiled at her shortening your name to something cuter. With the encouraging warm feeling in your chest, you bring up a finger to your lips. "I've got a question I'd like to ask you. . .just between us girls."

Nika's eyes shine with enthusiasm. She seemed so happy at the mere mention of bonding. "Finally! Girl talk!! Tokonatsu nor Big Brother ever want to talk about that sort of thing. Mama is also way too busy. Come in!!" You opened your mouth to reply but Nika cuts you off as she yanks you inside her room, well, shared room.

This might actually be the first time you've entered here. You've only ever entered the main parts of the house and Valt's room, but never the twins' room. You suppose you wanted to respect their space due to your fairly recent appearance, but it seems Nika wanted nothing more than to bond with you.

There were two sides of the room. Left side is pinker with star shaped ornaments hanging from the ceiling and decorated her side of the wall. Her bedsheets were thick and light pink, probably made out of cotton. There were a couple of plushies of differing animals on her pillows and spare star hair ties lay on her desk alongside her orange Beyblade you've only interacted with once. The little creature within it was so sweet and shy.