Mayor's First Love

“Big brother, I’m home!” The twelve-year old Yui shouted. She kicked her black school shoes off her feet. Dropping her bag carelessly at the sofa, she started unbuttoning her school coat. She was midway climbing the stairs when her big brother peeked from the kitchen. “Shoes, Yui.” Cromwell looked at her blankly. "Pfft~" She pouted as she stomped down the steps. Upon reaching the door, she picked up her shoes and properly placed it in the rack. She was about to run upstairs when her brother called her attention the second time. "Yui?" "What?!" She barked. Her sixteen-year old brother, Chrome, exited the kitchen with hands on his hips. He is wearing a blue apron over his school uniform. "Watch your tone, lady.” She sighed and looked away to hide her embarrassment. Chrome's forehead furrows with annoyance as he pointed her bag at the sofa using a cooking ladle. "The bag?" She walked slowly towards the living room. "Should I always remind you every single day?” She pulled her bag with force and sling it at her shoulders. "The shoe rack wasn’t that far for you not to keep your shoes properly.  Also, why do you always place your school bag on the sofa? Was that too heavy to carry to your room?” She started walking towards the stairs. "Yui. Come on. Don’t make a habit out of it. There will be a time that you’ll be on your own and has no one to remind you —" "I get it, okay?!" Frustrated, she snarled at him. "You don't have to repeat the same words again and again— " "Then you stop doing those things again and again!" His voice grew louder to prove his point. "You are not mom nor dad, so stop acting like one!" Realizing the words that came out her mouth, she froze. She immediately covered her mouth, but it was too late. She saw sadness passed in his brother’s tired eyes. "Brother, I-I'm sorry—" "Hey, Chrome. I had the book you wanted to… borrow…" Dash’s words trailed off when he entered the house. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, he looked at the two siblings. Yui turned to the guy standing at the doorway. It’s Dashiel Gaius Yrastorza. Her brother’s best friend. If she was not in the middle of a heated argument with her brother, she will roll her eyes upward upon seeing him. He literally looked like a scarecrow in the middle of a field because of his… skin-and-bone physique. His look was only made worse by how loose his school uniform was and how it was riding the wind from outside. His messy, thick hair didn’t help either, so too his thick-framed eyeglasses and… wait a minute, was he sick? Why does he keep on sniffing? "Are you on drugs?" She asked with one eyebrow perked up. "Drugs?" He adjusted his eyeglasses on his nose bridge. “No, why?” "Are you sick?” He sniffed. "N-No." "Then stop doing that sniffing thing. It’s annoying." She rudely cancelled him. "Oh! I am just experiencing an allergic rhinitis. It’s a type of inflammation in the n-nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air.” He cleared his throat. “I had a runny nose and itchy eyes. Common symptoms of—" Yui raised a hand. "Okay, Einstein. I get it. I am much aware that every little movement of your puny body will trigger a lot of… allergies that I don’t know existed until it happened to you.” She can never comprehend how sickly Dash was. His parents won’t let him join activities that demands physical exertion, afraid that he’ll get sick given his frail immune system. Since his family is rich, they donated an expensive nebulizer, a device used to administer medication in the form of a mist or smoke to be inhaled by the patients with respiratory conditions, to the school clinic in case Dash might experience one of his asthma attacks. Yes, he got one of those over-the-top, super protective parents. She can’t blame them though. Who won’t especially if your son can be possibly tackled down by a mere sweep of a strong wind? Yui turned her back and climbed the stairs towards her room. She didn’t bother to look back at her brother who seemed stressed about their whole ordeal. "Fighting again?" Sniffing, Dash walked towards Chrome. Chrome's piercing dark, eyes followed his sister's direction. "I tried not to initiate one, Dash. I was just telling her to change her bad habits.” He took hold of the book Dash was lending. He read the summary at the back. "Mom and Dad are dead, Dash. No one's supporting us expect Dad's remaining money in the bank and our ranch, God knows how long it can survive given that we cannot pay the salaries of the caretakers anymore." He sighed and threw a glance at the second floor of the quiet house. "We need to save money from now on until I am legally enough to find a job to sustain me and Yui. We'll start it by not hiring any maids. That is why Yui must get used to having no one following her mess, that we need to work together to get by. I need to make both ends meet." Chrome pats his friend’s back. "Thank you for letting me borrow this." Dash shrugged. "Anytime." He covered his nose as he sneezed hard on a handkerchief. "Allergy again?" He nodded and crinkled his red nose. "Y-Yes." "Why don’t you stay for dinner?" He entered the kitchen. Following Chrome, he smiled. "You sure it’s edible?” "It’s a vegetable soup. No one died because of eating vegetables.” Chrome ignited the stove again to heat the food he was cooking earlier. Dash sat on one of the chairs circling the huge dining table. "Yui hates vegetables, you know." "Well, she needs to adjust. Like I said, we got no choice but to make both ends meet. Meaning, no fancy foods, no ordering of fast foods, no midnight snacks..." Chrome tasted the soup he was making. “And that includes no going out with friends for a drink.” Dashiel looked around the once fancy kitchen of the Kobayashi's. Back then, every time he dropped by, this huge, round table was always filled with lots of foods — not just any ordinary food, but imported chocolates and biscuits encased in one of those expensive, huge crystal jars. Fruits and a cake also adorn at the table. Two or more maids were very welcoming, asking what he preferred for a snack. Now, nothing was left expect the white tablecloth. From three maids preparing a meal, only Chrome was left to occupy the spaces on the kitchen counters. The huge shelf was once full of vintage drinks and very expensive ivory plates and utensils for display. Now, it houses webs and insects. The house was not what you call a mansion, but it was fancy enough to call the Kobayashis one of the affluent families here in Maravillas. Their mother were close friends and went to the same state university. When they got married and had their own families, the patriarchs of the Yrastorzas and Kobayashi also befriended each other. Though Dash' father was into politics, both men had the same mind when it comes to venturing different business prospects. Eventually, their kids grew up basically together— that's him, Chrome and Yui. From his position, Dash scanned the living room. Gone are the expensive vases, Persian rugs and branded appliances. All there is left to see were three large sofas. Yes, only the leather sofas. Even the curtains were gone too. Dash looked at Chrome who was silently cooking. It has been two months since Chrome and Yui’s parents’ untimely death after meeting an accident on the road on their way home from a business deal. Both were dead-on-the-spot— the father, the Japanese businessman, Toshiro Kobayashi and the mother, Julie Kobayashi; leaving the two children orphaned in a just a snap. Because of the huge money their father loaned in the bank to finance their new ranch, the bank had rights to confiscate anything with value on their household to compensate the debt. Given that Mrs. Kobayashi was a fan of things that were sparkly and expensive, the bank didn't have a hard time what to confiscate. Yes, even the curtains and the chandeliers. The housemaids left to find new job. So were the workers in the ranch. It left the house nearly empty. With the help of close relatives and the amount of money left on their parents’ savings, they managed to get by. Cromwell, responsible first-born as he is, knew too well that the money even though large in amount, can never support him and his sister given that they were currently enrolled in a private university. They were in the middle of the school year; therefore, it will be hard for them to transfer to a public school. Not to mention, the monthly electric and water bill and the salary of the two remaining workers in the ranch. Dash admired how Chrome remained tough after the storm. He never saw him waver nor lose hope. He even managed to promise in front of the grave of their late parents that no matter what happened, he’ll make sure that Yui will finish her studies. Chrome can't wait to reach 18 years old to legally find a job. "Chrome?" "Hmm?" Chrome turned to him after sprinkling some soup on the salt. "If you need anything, you know my f-family is— " The chinky-eyed Cromwell smiled. "We're okay, Dash. Your family already helped a lot.” His dad, Fernando, gave Chrome and Yui a good lawyer to defend their rights to own the house and the ranch against the confiscation the bank was doing to all their properties. Along with few essential things in the house, those were the only remaining properties they had. But if things will never change, Chrome will also soon let go of the ranch. Maintaining the operation required sum of money. Dash didn’t insist the offer to help. He doesn’t want to ruin Chrome’s confidence on himself that that he and his sister can overcome this hurdle together. Dash decided to stay over for dinner. After dinner, Chrome washed the dishes while Yui cleaned the table. Dash wanted to help, so he reached one of the plates on the table but Yui immediately grabbed it first. She raised a brow. “You’re a guest so you sit down.” "I'm n-not just a visitor, Yui. L-Let me help." His body was shaking as he rubbed his palms on his arms. Her forehead furrowed. "Why are you shaking?” "It’s cold." He sniffed, showing his thick braces shielding his crooked teeth. She shook her head. “Just sit down, okay? You’re offering to help when it’s you who need help. I don’t think you can even raise a plate with that stick hand of yours.” She placed the plates on the sink. Chrome was grinning when he looked back at Dash. "Why don’t you eat here every day, Dash. We will be cooking vegetables every meal. Very nutritious, huh?” Yui rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. As if Tito Fernando at Tita Tessa can't afford buying vegetables for him. Your friend just happened to be the sickliest kid in the world." "Yui," Chrome's voice is with warning. "What? I am just being honest. What he needs is an invisible shield to protect him against all kinds of bacteria—" She was cut-off as Dash sneezed hard. Annoyed, she looked at her brother. "See?" Chrome just shook his head as he resumed washing the dishes. "Dash," Yui sat on the kitchen counter. "Yeah?" "Check your lungs. You might have sneezed it out—" She laughed as her brother threw her a handful of bubble from the sink. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ That night, Yui sat in front of her vanity mirror as she started her night regimen. She picked up her facial moisturizer on the drawer and massaged the cold cream on her cheeks. At the young age of 12, Yui was already taking care of her body. All thanks to her late mother who was a fan of makeups and fashion trends. She read on a lifestyle magazine that it was an advantage for children to know at an early age how to take care of their bodies. Yui shopped with her mother a lot of times and all she had a good time buying stuffs for personal care. Before using any cosmetics or lotions, she trained herself to check the ingredients against harmful chemicals. Of course, she's not like those vain girls of her age who just buy anything that are in the trend, not that some were made for older women. She aimed total quality for beauty. Humility aside, she is beautiful, and people can vouch it. Her naturally pink swollen lips curled upward with amusement. She cupped her small, heart-shaped face and fluttered her long eyelashes. Her favorite asset? Her cat-like eyes. Some frequently asked her if her eyes were natural or was she wearing an eyeliner. For the record, her body are natural and that includes her cute but can also be seductive, eyes. She dreams to be a famous actress abroad --- in Hollywood precisely! Since she was a small kid, she loved to perform in front of people. On social gatherings with close family and friends, she climbed on the tabletop and sang a nursery song. She wanted to sing, dance and act. In school, she strives hard to land every leading female role of the school plays. She already became Aurora of the Sleeping Beauty, Belle of the Beauty and the Beast. Name all Disney Princesses, she already played the main role. Tomorrow, she'll be auditioning as Juliet for the Romeo and Juliet play that the theater club was planning for the school's anniversary. She is confident she’ll win the role. Yui closed her eyes and leaned on the chair. She rotated while daydreaming. She wanted to hear people ecstatically shouting her name for autograph, men in black suits encircling around to protect her. She can't wait to wear branded clothes from head to toe, diamonds glittering her neck and wrists. Walking on red carpet to receive a coveted award— Emmy Awards! Oscars! Golden Globe Awards! Her name, Yui Marie Kobayashi, on the name of the Hall of Fame on Hollywood. Also, like every woman, she wanted a strong, handsome man to sweep her off her feet. Her eyes were dreamy when— She stopped rotating the chair she was sitting on when she saw Dash looked inside her room. “What the— hey!” Dash blinked for few times and squinted his eyes to view her clearly from the doorway. "Uhh... Yui? Is that you?" Wearing only a shirt and an underwear, Yui immediately grabbed a pillow to cover her body. "Should I answer that with a yes or a scoot off, asshole?!” She grumpily said. "S-Sorry. I c-can't clearly see in the dark. I thought this was Chrome's room." "Huh?! You’ve been in our house almost all your life, Dashiel.” She stood up. “You can literally tell where the bathroom is even if your eyes are close. The hell?” Yes, this happened a lot of times. Aside from being sickly, Dash also had a bad sense of direction. He’ll enter a room thinking it was the kitchen or he’ll turn right even if he was instructed to turn left. Still hugging her pillow, she approached him. “What do you need in big brother’s room?” "H-He told me to get his Calculus book.” He adjusted his eyeglasses. "God, Dash. You are a hopeless case." They walked at the hallway towards the opposite wing. "I think you need a sticky note on your forehead.” They stopped near the staircase. "Upon reaching the second floor, turn left. Third room with a Keep Out sign at the door." "Oh, yeah! I forgot!" He sniffed and nodded. "I forgot…" She sarcastically mimicked the guy. "What? Were you born yesterday?” "Sorry." He apologizingly scratched the back of his neck. She can't help but sigh. She found it annoying how… a wreck he was for a sixteen-year old guy. Of how her brother, Chrome, physically improved— from his body built to his now deep-voice, Dash was the total opposite. He looked like malnourished kid with rich parents. She studied the guy from head to toe. “You know, Dash, if you’ll keep up with this sorry look of yours… you’ll never get married. Trust me. And if that happens, Tito and Tita will kill you for sure, for causing the end of Yrastorza genes.” Tito Fernando was a pure-blooded Spanish, so he was super mestizo. Tita Tessa was pure Pinay but blessed physically. She looked like the local actress, Dawn Zulueta. But what happened to their son? Dashiel never got a day without band-aid on his arms or legs because he kept bumping onto things… and people. "D-Do I really look that bad?" He stared at her. "Yeah. Totally.” She frankly answered. She pulled him to face a mirror on the wall. Yui was even stronger than him! Good God! "Look! Your hair is like a bird’s nest! You got dandruff, right? Eww~ Also, you got a bad dentist. Didn’t he advice that your braces were too thick? You can’t even speak properly.” She turned him to face her. “Your glasses are hideous. Contact lenses are in! Aren’t you updated about fashion— oh, right… you don’t have a sense of fashion. How bad was your eyesight, anyway?” She took off his glasses. “Look at that! You look like human! Finally!” Dash rubbed his eyes. "I can't see clearly without them." He looked at her. “Right now, I see nothing but b-blur." Instead of noticing his other physical mishaps, she went still as their eyes met. His are the darkest eyes she's ever seen in her entire life. They're so dark --- lethally dark. Like those black holes you learn on your Science that sucks everything on its path. Right now, Yui is enticed by his eyes as if her soul is being pulled-out her body, trapped on its depth. "D-Dash?" "Hmm?" He tilted his head sideward. "C-Can you see me?" She whispered. He shook his head. "I can't. But I can see few colors. You're hugging a... pink pillow?" “Y-Yeah.” She nodded slowly. Good thing he can’t see how her cheeks flushed pink. Chrome appeared suddenly behind Dash. "What are you guys doing?" "s**t!" She jumped with scare. “Brother!” He only made a peace sign. "Sorry." He poked on Dash’ shoulder. “I got the book already. See you downstairs." Then Chrome went downstairs. Yui returned Dash eyeglasses by wearing it on him. He adjusted the lenses. "There. I can see you clearly." She cleared her throat. "What else d-do I need to improve?" "U-Uhh... you need to eat a lot. Vegetable, y-yeah… vegetables." Get a grip, Yui! Her mind reprimanded herself. "That's too bad. I am allergic to some vegetables." 'Vegetables?! Was there really an allergy against veggies?! "T-Then eat fruits! D-Drink vitamins! Milk! Eggs!" "How'd you know all of these?" She smirked. "I took care of myself rigorously, Dash. I do research, I read magazines. Weird for a twelve-year old like me, I know. But it’s better to be informed. Right? I wish you do the same.” And she was sincere with her words. She saw Dash looked back at the mirror. Somehow, she felt bad criticizing his looks. What if Dash preferred and was comfortable in that way? Who is she to judge him? But as a friend, she needed to speak her mind or else someone— worst, a stranger— might criticize him and he might take it personally. She feels protective of this weak boy too. She wasn’t just the showy, cute-sy type. "But at least..." Lightening up the mood, she looked at the mirror as well. "You've got the height." "What do you mean?" He looked at her through the mirror. "Girls like tall boys. It makes them feel… very feminine and secure. Like, they can feel you are capable of protecting them.” "I am taller than you." Dash remarked. She snorted. "Yeah, but… Kuya Chrome is way taller than you." A fact. Her older brother was tall while Dash was only a few inches taller than her. "Why don’t you drink Cherifer." Referring to a vitamin that aids growth. "I am still 16, you know. I am still at the puberty stage." Her eyebrow arched upward. "You mean, you still have a chance to build muscles, grow a beard and have deep voice?" Like an obedient dog, he nodded. "Yes." She studied his profile again— from toe to head this time. Dash' skin was healthy despite looking sick most of the time and he got a pair of long legs. Not to mention his mesmerizing eyes. Her observation was cut short when he suddenly sneezed hard. Her annoyance went back from zero to 101 percent. “Again, you are a hopeless case.” She turned to leave him as he followed her with his eyes. On the middle of the night, Yui woke up from a bad dream. She grabbed and buried her face on the pillow to conceal her loud sobs. But it was too late when she saw her brother entered her room. "Yui?" He obviously heard her screams and cries earlier on her sleep. She was sobbing as she sat on her bed. Chrome’s arms immediately wrapped ‘round her for a tight hug. “Brother…” "Shhh..." He kissed her head. "It's alright, breathe deep." Yui buried her face on his chest as another wave of sadness weighed her heart down. "I miss Mama and Papa, Chrome…" Tears started to appear on the corner of her eyes. Her dreams always start at the kitchen while all of them were happily sharing a meal and then came a bright flash of light and the next scene was her parents on the doorway, dragging two luggage out of the house and no matter how loud her screams were just to stop them from leaving, it fell on deaf ear. "I know. I miss them too, Yui." He wiped her tears. "But we need to move on." It was too painful. Of how she tried to convince herself she was finally doing okay, her efforts crumbled down every night after having that clear dream of her parents’ happy face.