♡ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 ♥

CH8 : Bonk

Kou had stayed up later than he usually did, as last night's events replayed in his head on repeat. Trying to pinpoint the exact reason of why the exchange made him as happy wasn't too difficult: he was simply glad to have Mitsuba as his friend. They may have had a petty rivalry as youngsters, and while they were both still youngsters at heart they could definitely move past their foolish feud.

Mitsuba was girly, lonely, pretty eccentric, and while he initially got on Kou's nerve's at first, there was something about Mitsuba's ability to be... completely himself around Kou that made him light up. It was a cheesy thought that the blond would never admit to his effeminate friend — the pink-haired fiend would just make fun of him, after all.

Just thinking of Mitsuba and his snide remarks, him calling Kou his friend (and meaning it!) made Kou beam with joy. He couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he was preparing breakfast for his siblings, twirling around the room while he adorned his school clothes along with his signature pink apron, which he'd always make sure to wear while cooking in the morning.

Tiara dashed into the kitchen, joining Kou in swirling around the kitchen, excitedly jumping around. Any sign that she was sick the previous day before seemed to have disappeared.

"Waah, Kou-nii looks like a ballerina!" Tiara exclaimed, and Kou had stopped, feeling embarrassed having been caught dawdling, lost in thought, happily grinning at the thought of Mitsuba no less.

Before Kou could think of a clever response, the younger girl with frizzy hair stared at what Kou was cooking with wide, curious eyes.

"Yes! Omelets, my favorite!" Tiara clasped her hands together happily, and swirling, her pink nightgown flowing as she did.

It was at that moment, the eldest of the Minamoto siblings had walked into the kitchen. "You really went all out this morning huh?" Teru asked as he stifled a yawn, rubbing his tired eyes. "What's the special occasion? You almost never make rice omelets unless it's a special day."

"Oh, y'know... I'm just in an especially good mood is all," Kou rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, feeling somewhat shy about admitting that he was enthusiastic about his newly established rapport with his childhood nemesis. Kou had recalled the times his junior high self would often complain to a reluctantly listening Teru, who would often give him unwanted advice (but Kou appreciated the listening ear, nonetheless). To suddenly admit the boy was his friend to Teru felt awkward to the younger boy, he would find a way to tell Teru some other time — for now, he would thrive in his high spirits.

"Now don't just stand there, I'm almost done! Go wait in the dining room!" Kou shoved a groggy Teru into the next room over, Teru pacing himself sleepily towards the dining room, stretching before taking a spot down on the chair.

Teru let his arms rest on the table, cupping his cheeks in his hand. As the eldest sibling, the younger of the Minamoto's truly made Teru exhausted — just looking at them made him exhausted. They were always so full of life, completely invested and excited in the things and the world around them. The older brother had often wished he too could be as bright-eyed and exhilarated by life. Still, he couldn't help it. The older blond tended to have a negative outlook, and while he was generally well-liked by peers for his 'kind' personality and well-above average features, truthfully, his kindness was an act to avoid confrontation.

Not that Teru was one to fear confrontation. He simply avoided it because he did not want to be bothered, he had more serious matters to worry about — keeping up his grades in his classes, for example. He knew when to bite back and drop the façade when needed.

"Breakfast is served!" Kou waltzed into the dining room, two plates in his hands, a la waiter style. Carefully, he placed down an omelet that had a kitten face drawn on with ketchup in front of Tiara. Luckily, Kou had remembered Teru's hatred towards ketchup, as he placed a plain omelet in front of his older brother.