Chapter 5: "Challenge for pride and 'love'".

We were in the middle of lunchtime together with my brother at the casino, since Akira-sama had refused my request to have lunch together.

–– Hmmm...

–– Hatsu.

–– Hmmm...

–– Hatsu I'm talking to you!

–– Uh, what, what, what?! –– I started looking all around for the voice that was calling me.

–– I'm in front of you woman.

–– I'm sorry. –– I picked up my chopsticks and took a bite of my food. –– I'm a little distracted.

–– Let me guess. –– Ichiro-nii also took a bite. –– Akira-sama and Haru-san?

–– Yes…

–– Uff… –– Ichiro-nii put his chopsticks down on his lunch box, clasped his hands together and leaned on the table. –– How much longer are you going to keep this up?

My brother's tone of voice had changed, now it was much more serious, his eyes were penetrating as if he was watching my thoughts, his posture gave off an intimidating aura.

–– You don't know how I feel, you can't criticize me.

–– Idiot. –– Ichiro-nii approached me and slapped my forehead with the side of his hand. –– We're twins, how can I not know how you feel?

–– Then. –– I put my chopsticks down on my lunch box and stood my ground looking my brother straight in the eye. –– Would you support your little sister in the insanity she's about to commit?

–– Hm… I don't like where this is going, that look of yours is just asking for trouble…

–– Well, what's your answer?

–– Even though I'm loyal as a subordinate to Akira-sama. –– Ichiro-nii began to put away his things. –– I can't say no to those eyes full of determination.

–– Hehe, I knew you'd support me.

–– Besides. –– My brother took his things, stood up and approached me. –– If everything goes well, our family will gain a lot of reputation for the next vote.

When he reached where I was, he put his hand on my head and sighed.

–– Try hard... Hatsu-chan, your little brother will be watching you closely.

After that, Ichiro-nii walked away until he left the cafeteria.

–– … –– I put my hands to my head. –– "Hatsu-chan", huh? Hehe, how long has it been since you last called me that, Nii-chan?

I let out a faint smile as I looked down at the floor a little embarrassed by my own words.

After a while, I started to put my things away and stood up briskly with a grin from ear to ear.

–– Alright, time to stir things up a bit!

With my statement once said, I left the dining room and set a steady course for my classroom where, according to my calculations, Akira-sama and Haru-san should be arriving soon.

After a few minutes, I was already arriving at the classroom and just as I'm near the back door of the classroom, I see two silhouettes approaching.

–– I knew it.

Akira-sama has the habit of always arriving ten minutes early at places that require an hour's introduction.

–– I'd better come a bit closer.

–– Hey Akira...

–– Yes? –– Hey, "Akira"? No honorifics, since when?

–– Are you sure about this? –– What must have happened at lunchtime?

Hmmm... Inconceivable, this can't be happening, I'm the one who should be calling him by his first name, I'll be his next wife, I'm the one who should be closest to him, so... Why am I not the one standing next to him?

I started walking at a moderate speed while staring at the situation between Akira-sama and Haru-san.

–– Don't be so pessimistic Haru, I want-.

–– Akira-sama!

–– Huh? –– Akira-sama looked away and focused on me. –– Ah, it's you Hatsu, aren't you with Ichiro?

–– No, my brother went to his classroom as soon as he finished lunch.

–– Huh? I see. –– Akira-sama turned his gaze back to Haru-san. –– Haru, remember that at the end of class you have to present to the student council.

Why did you stop looking at me? Look at me, look at me, look only at me, Akira-sama, I-.

–– Okay Akira-sama. –– Eh, "-sama"?

–– Uh, Haru-san…

–– Yes? –– Both people turned to look at me.

–– I don't know if I heard right before I approached, but… What's this about addressing Akira-sama so casually? –– I closed a question with a somewhat unfriendly smile.

–– Hm! –– Haru-san was surprised by my question, or rather, I expected that reaction from him. –– What do you mean Hatsu-sama?

–– Please refrain from turning a deaf ear to me, lest you forget who you're dealing with.

–– Hatsu. -- Akira-sama came a little closer. -- Stop at this very moment.

–– I'm sorry Akira-sama, but I'll have to refuse.

–– Huh?

–– First of all and with all due respect, I'm addressing Haru-san, not you, and secondly… I focused my gaze on Haru-san. –– Why do you always resort to Akira-sama, is it that you can't defend yourself without help?

–– Hatsu-sama, with all due respect.

–– Don't interrupt me when I'm talking. –– I quickly stopped Haru-san's attempt to retort. If you always depend on other people, then that means that Akira-sama's escort position is impossible for him to fulfill.

–– Can you repeat that last one? –– There, I was able to bring Haru-san out of his calm.

–– What Furukawa Haru-san heard. –– I stood in front of Haru-san making our personal spaces meet. –– I, Takumi Hatsu, don't trust that your person can fulfill such an important role as escorting the leader of our generation.

–– On what grounds do you say so, Hatsu-sama? Because, as I recall, the results of the last battle between clans was decided between the Furukawa clan and the Hoshinomori.

–– Is that your answer?

–– Do you want me to continue to tear your arguments apart in front of Akira-sama? –– It's amazing the seriousness on Haru-san's face despite his obvious anger, but… this is what he wanted.

–– Do you know what I want? –– I put my hand in my shirt pocket and took out a handkerchief.

–– What's going on?

–– Isn't that Hatsu-chan and Furukawa-kun from class 1-B?

–– Yes, yes, but... Don't you think there's something strange?

–– Hmmm…

A small melee of students had formed around us, apparently this whole show I put on worked as I expected.

–– Haru-san. –– I stepped back a little. –– By the designs of the four clans of Kyoto, I Takumi Hatsu, the firstborn of the Takumi clan, challenge Furukawa Haru, firstborn of the Furukawa clan to a match for the position of Hoshinomori Akira's escort.

I dropped the handkerchief embroidered with the name of my clan at Haru-san's feet, this sign is the one that, according to the rules of the clans, allows us to fight a duel between the first-born and thus resolve our conflicts.

–– Hatsu. –– That was Akira-sama's voice. –– You know what you're up against, don't you?

–– Of course Akira-sama, you know me and you know very well that I wouldn't do anything that I don't have full confidence in.

–– Haru, are you clear about it?

–– Yes Akira-sama.

–– What will you do?

–– This is a personal matter. –– Haru-san bent down to pick up the handkerchief from the floor and then stood up staring at me. –– I Furukawa Haru, accept your challenge Hatsu-sama.

–– Hehe, very good. –– I got it.

–– A challenge between clans?

–– Unbelievable.

Gradually, the anticipation from the students was growing and the murmurs were getting louder and louder.

–– Then it is decided. –– Akira-sama with a simple sentence caught everyone's attention, and with that the silence fell. –– By the authority vested in me as the head of all the clans, I Hoshinomori Akira accept that this challenge is legitimate and therefore the position that was put at stake is also valid.

Every word that came out of Akira-sama's mouth was more and more serious, the posture he adopted was totally exalted, in these past years Akira-sama has become so mature… he is simply so…

–– Wonderful...

–– The duel will be held at the central temple of the Hoshinomori family on Saturday afternoon, it will be a physical fight where the first one who touches the ground with her whole body will be the loser, Hatsu, Haru, do you agree?

–– Yes. –– Haru-san answered first.

–– No objection. –– And I closed.

–– Then, I'll see you Saturday at the temple.

–– Yes! –– Together with Haru-san, we answered in unison.

That's how my goal was accomplished, this is what I wanted and I will do my best to be the one who walks beside Akira-sama, definitely me.

–– I will not let someone else take my place.