12 - Vision

'This is the same girl who wanted to teach Hiroki's bully a lesson but ended up bowing to him and apologizing. She never follows through, and she doesn't care about her brother as much as she thinks she does,' he thought, holding her gaze steadily.

"U..Eh.... Ahh... H-hiroki... T-that's..." she stammered, her face flushing deeply.

"What? You're not going through with it? You got my hopes up and now nothing? Is this how a big sister acts?" He challenged her, his tone flat as he returned her embrace.

'Not so enjoyable when you're on the receiving end, is it? You teasing hypocrite,' Yuuto seethed internally.

'W-what is this...!?!? A-ah!!~! This is just... I-insane.. I understand that Hiroki's shocked, but this is too much... I'm his sister..!!' She panicked, her heart pounding wildly.

"T-this isn't... I.. I just meant... Th-that.."

"That what? That you just lied to your little brother just to get a rise out of him for your own amusement?" he pressed, moving closer and pinning her against the wall with a decisive thud, causing her heart rate to spike.

"N-no...!! I would never lie to you... It's just... w-we're..." She stuttered, her eyes shut tight as beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. 'Since when did he have eyes like those...? It's like looking at a completely different person... I'm losing it...!!'

"So you didn't lie? Then prove it. Do it already. My mouth's getting dry from all the steam you brought with you," Yuuto countered sharply, drawing his face even closer to hers, his breath warm against her skin.

'Too close... My legs... are giving out...' Kanoko thought, her fingers twitching nervously.

"You're right. Nao just cheated on me. I feel so betrayed and broken," he whispered, his voice low and steady, his face only inches from hers as she turned her gaze away, unable to meet his eyes.

"You've just promised to mend this broken heart of mine. I'm holding you to that, sis. Now come on, don't leave me hanging," he urged, his eyes intense and unyielding.

'So intense... He... I'm... I'm...' Her thoughts fragmented as she leaned heavily against the wall, her hands gripping her sides.

'Any second now, she'll push me away and flee. That's one less problem to handle,' Yuuto mused internally, the hint of a smirk forming as he anticipated her retreat.

"Kids..!? Dinner's ready..! Are you coming...!!?" Kaede's voice echoed up the stairs. Yuuto shifted his focus toward the staircase, while Kanoko's expression remained unreadable.

"You...!!! You....!!" Kanoko murmured, clenching her fists as she looked down.

Yuuto turned to face her, noting her shaken demeanor. '...That will do for now. She sounds shaken enough.'

"F-fine..." she muttered weakly, too softly for him to hear clearly. She contorted her lips as if to make a kiss, but Yuuto immediately let her go and turned away.

"How disappointing. I should've known you wouldn't follow through," he said with a tone of disdain. As he stepped away, her legs gave out, and she slid down to a sitting position against the wall, breathing heavily, her gaze fixed straight ahead in shock.

'That ought to teach that sex offender,' Yuuto thought as he walked away, his steps echoing down the stairs without a backward glance.

'What... What just happened...?' Kanoko wondered, sitting on the floor, breathing heavily, her face flushed deep red.

'Hiroki... No, forget that... Who IS this guy...!? That's definitely Hiroki... There's no mistaking it... But since when was he so...' She paused, gulping as she clenched her thighs together.

'Ugh...!! And just now... He just left... What...' Her thoughts whirled as she slowly regained her composure, recalling his parting words.

"I should've known you wouldn't follow through,"

'...Is he... Mad at me for something I did...?' She pondered with a small pout.

'Was this all just an act...!!?' Anger flared as she clenched her fists.

'No, but this is Hiroki we're talking about... It couldn't have been just an act...' She relaxed slightly.

'But he was so certain and confident... That jerk definitely did it on purpose..!!' Her anger surged once more.

'But... It's Hiroki... He doesn't have it in him... He's just my sweet little brother... So maybe...'

She swallowed hard.

'He... really meant it maybe... And was disappointed when I didn't follow through...?' Her thoughts sagged with doubt.

'Really... What was I thinking offering to give him a French kiss... But... He seemed to expect it... And then he gave me that look like he knew I'd back out... And...' Her mind spun in turmoil.

'Did he want it or did... And then I promised... I...' Frustration mounted as she clenched her fists even tighter.

She slammed her fists onto the wooden floor.

'JESUS, THAT KID..!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ANYMORE...!! Whatever!! I'm going to eat!' She internally screamed, pushing herself to her feet and descending the stairs.

Yuuto and Kaede were already seated at the table.

"Ahh, Kanoko, there you are!" Kaede called as she noticed her daughter coming down the stairs.

"H-hey..." Kanoko replied hesitantly.

"Are you okay? What took you so long?" Kaede asked gently.

"A-ah... It's..." Kanoko stammered, her gaze darting towards the back of Yuuto's head. She felt a slow calm returning to her body.

"Nothing. I just slipped..." she said, dismissing the concern with a quick wave of her hand.

"Oh my, are you okay?" Kaede asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Yeah, it wasn't serious..." Kanoko replied as she took a seat at the table.

"Um... Kanoko...?" Kaede inquired softly.

Kanoko positioned herself quite far from both Kaede and Hiroki, her gaze fixed intently on her empty plate, even though Kaede hadn't yet served the food.

"What is it, Mom...?"

"Why are you sitting all the way over there...?" Kaede questioned.

'Damn it! What is wrong with me!? I can't bear to look at Hiroki at all... Am I... becoming conscious of him? HIM of all people!? No way...!! Lift your head up, you dumbass!!' Kanoko berated herself internally, feeling the turmoil churn inside her.

"It's... It's just... This place is... Cold and I just left the hot bath... S-so... It's just closer to the A/C unit," she stammered, her gaze still fixed downward.

'Oh my. Did something happen between her and Hiroki upstairs...? Maybe she was shocked by how different he is...?' Kaede wondered, eyeing her daughter with concern as she brought the dishes to the table.

She then glanced at Hiroki, observing him as she arranged the table.

'He doesn't seem disturbed or angry at me or Kanoko... But that expression,' she mused, troubled by his unusually detached gaze and the lack of enthusiasm, even though she had prepared his favorite dish.

'Everything must have been quite the shock for him. According to the police, he fought so many students at once... I couldn't bring myself to watch the video. But that must have been terrifying for him. And with no one coming to his aid, which is still under investigation... The poor boy must feel like the whole world is against him and he's all alone! Kaede, you have to spoil him rotten!' She resolved, determined as she placed the dishes on the table, offering Hiroki a warm smile.

"...?" Yuuto hummed, noticing Kaede's affectionate demeanor as he met her gaze.

"How's my cutest boy doing...? I made you an extra large serving <3" Kaede cooed, heaping his plate to the brim with a loving flourish.< p>

'Tsk. Look at her sweetening her words like that. She always does that with him. But it won't work this time... If he's still the same Hiroki from earlier, he'll just take a bite and mutter a bland thank you... Or outright throw it in her face...' Kanoko thought, eyeing the ramen set before him.

'Hm. My favorite...? Psh, please. My palate is far beyond their understanding... A simple ramen is nowhere near sophisticated enough for my tastes... let alone calling it a favorite...'

He thought as he picked up the chopsticks and took a bite.

'But... Despite this woman being one cock away from a sex addict who would toss me out onto the streets...'

He thought as he slurped a few noodles.

'...It is still nice to have meals like these cooked for you.' He thought, his gaze softening as he focused at the steam rising from the ramen.

"...Thank you... Mom," he said softly after swallowing, surprising both Kaede and Kanoko with this show of emotion.

'W..What..?' Kanoko thought, caught off guard.

Kaede's eyebrows rose at his gentle response.

'Somehow... He seems sad...' Kaede observed, detecting a hint of melancholy in his demeanor.

"Is it... Not to your liki3*^!&^%T$(I&!

!$!%@--------

"Is it not to your liking, Yuuto?"

"No, mom!! Everything you make tastes sooooo good!!! I WAS JUST SHOCKED IT CAME OUT SO WELL!!! I'm digging in..!!!" Yuuto called with enthusiasm as he frantically ate.

"If you keep talking to him like that, he's going to get a big head, the spoiled brat that he is, Mom!!" Yuuto's big sister called out with a sigh.

@&*^%$(&%@----

"Yuu@&*%THiroki? Are you alright...? Is it tasty?" Kaede asked, her voice laced with concern over his lack of response.

'Haah...' Yuuto internally sighed.

"Yep. So good I forgot I could talk... Thanks, mom." He casually said, managing a weak smile.

Kaede's lip twitched slightly.

'...Since when... Could he make such a face?' Kaede thought, her concern growing as she noticed his clear lack of emotion.

"I see... Mommy's happy..~" Kaede said, also forcing a smile.

Kanoko lifted her head, observing him with curiosity, taken aback by his delayed response and the emptiness in his voice.

'Hmm? I feel a stink-bug's gaze on me,' Yuuto thought as he turned his head, catching Kanoko looking at him.

Immediately upon meeting his gaze, Kanoko swiftly looked down.

'What is this!!? WHY AM I SO EMBARRASSED TO LOOK AT HIM!?' She thought to herself in frustration.