A Different Path (Growing Up)

Passing Days #3

"How are you doing Ayano? Do you feel tired? I have some apple juice in my bag."

Ayano just stared at Oko's new friend, a rather cheery brunette boy with bright green eyes and more often than not fussed over every little thing she did. His name was Amao Odoyaka.

He also had a habit of treating her as if she was his own little sister, despite only meeting just yesterday and just for a few minutes before.

...Ayano didn't particularly mind.

But she just wished he would stop feeding her so much cupcakes, no matter how delicious they were. Her stomach was starting to hurt from eating all the cute but very sweet cupcakes he kept magically in his backpack.

"N-No thank you Amao." Ayano rejected, shaking her head when Amao tried to feed her another cupcake. She paled slightly at the sight of it. "I'm very full."

Amao looked at her owlishly, but nodded in understanding with a bright smile. He then turned to the others; Nemesis, Oko, Osano, Aso, Hanako, and Taro.

"Would you all like some more?"

"Yes please!" Osano exclaimed greedily, stuffing some of the small cupcakes into his mouth. Taro was also shoveling some cupcakes into his mouth, making Ayano wonder how they could eat so much in one time. It was rather disgusting in a fascinating way.

Aso simply laughed but shook his head, and quoted something from his Mom. "Eating sugar is okay, but eating too much is bad for your health!"

Nemesis just eyed the cupcake but shook his head, also feeling that familiar aching in his stomach. Oko just shook his head politely, slightly grimacing at the sight of the pink frosted cupcakes. Hanako just continued snuggling against his nee-chan's arm.

A thought came then to Hanako as he looked at Amao, who instantly snapped his attention towards the youngest.

"Amao, did you bake all these cupcakes yourself?" Hanako asked, tilting his head.

Amao's face brightened and he nodded. "Me and my sisters made all this! I want to become a baker one day! What about all of you guys? What do you guys want to be when you grow up?"

At this, everyone all looked at each other. Even Taro and Osano, the ever gluttonous of the whole group, had to pause.

"I've never thought what I wanted to do before." Nemesis admitted, frowning, but then he grinned. "But it'd be so cool to be apart of the Go Go Ninjas!"

"But they're fiction-"

Nemesis continued, barreling over whatever Ayano was going to say.

"I want to be in the Go Go Ninjas! I want to be a stealthy ninja!"

"M-Maybe... I'll be a Doctor like my Mom." Oko said with a thoughtful look.

"I want to be with Taro-nii and Ayano-nee when I grow up!" Hanako exclaimed, practically sparkling. Ayano let out a small smile and patted his head.

"I haven't really thought that far either," Taro said, before smiling. "But I like books... So maybe a librarian or something?"

"Definitely something cool!" Osano exclaimed, grinning. "Maybe I'll be a firefighter, or a police officer, or maybe even a pirate!"

"I want to do something where I'm always moving!" Aso chimed in, grinning. "Maybe I'll join a sports league or something someday!"

"I don't doubt it." Nemesis groused, glaring at Aso. "You're always forcing us to play soccer with you..."

"We had enough for a team with 3 with Hanako as referee, but now that Amao's here we can have a team of 4! Who needs a referee?!" Aso's eyes started burning as he stood up. "So come on! Let's play another game Nemesis!"