L I M E R E N C E

A C C e P T a n C E

Class as finally ended and the bell has rung its cue of dismissal. The stampeding sounds of footsteps trampling from the Academy and exiting out of the academy square while I stayed behind packing my supplies deciding to pick up Kai and walk home with Haru.

As education time ended, Haru and I walked together to Kai's private school.. What's surprising is that Haru told me that he lives in the same neighborhood but in far distance. Hearing that from him makes me feel assured.

"I feel relieved to hear that you also live in this neighborhood. Now Kai and I can feel secured." I said excitedly, Haru turns his head, "I am also relieved that you live in this neighborhood. With that in mind, I can visit your house anytime..."

"Yes, you can visit anytime! I'm sure Kai will love to have a big brother such as yourself in the house!" Haru stares, "Who's Kai you're speaking about?"

"Oh you never knew, I have a little brother." I answered leaving him surprised, "Heh? You have a little brother?!"

"You never knew because he's born seven years ago. You should meet him! Surely he'll love to have you as his first friend."

"I certainly will! I bet your little brother is adorable!"

"He is adorable indeed, you'll fall in love immediately once you meet him!"

Then as minutes go by, we finally arrived at Himawari Private School before the bell cues dismissal. Haru and I stood outside the school gate and waited for Kai's presence to come pass the gate.

Then a small figure appeared. Approaching Kai with his small hands tucked around the shoulder straps and an innocent smile stretched upon his face.

"Onee-chan!"

"Hi Kai, good work today. How's school?" I asked Kai with a mother-like attempt.

"It was awesome! The teachers are so nice to me and the lessons are so easy I got an instant A+!"

"Good job behaving on your first day of school. I'm proud of you." Kai came to notice a tall male standing behind my crouched body, he tilts his head to get a better view of his figure and finds him wearing the same uniform as me and gentle eyes.

"Onee-chan, who's that stranger?" Kai sulks, glaring at Haru's eyes.

"Oh, let me introduce you Kai. This is my childhood friend, no...Best friend from then years ago, Nakamura...Haru. You weren't born yet so I thought that I would introduce you to him." I introduced to him with a wide smile.

Haru gives Kai a small wave and a smile, "Hello Kai, I'm Haru. I never knew that he can be this adorable!" Haru comes down at eye level and started ruffling his hair softly.

"I know right? You just couldn't resist his baby cheeks." Kai still sulking towards Haru with a glare.

"No! I don't want Onee-can with another man!" Kai said straightforwardly with tears overflowing his eyes, "Eh? Kai? Why are you crying?!"

"Iyada! Oji-san go away!"

"Oji-san?!" Haru said with shock in his eyes, "Kai, you are misunderstanding, we are best friends from our childhood days." I corrected.

"Yes, yes, yes we are just best friends. So please don't cry. To be honest, I can't handle emotional situations like this."

"I am not letting you take Onee-chan away from me! She is mine! She is mine only!" Kai blubbered.

Then comes the "bonk" to his head, "Kai! You should be ashamed of yourself." I chided while Haru was still crouched at Kai's eye level.

"Uh, (F/n), you don't have to do that. Besides it's an obvious reaction from a small child to meet someone other than you and your family. But still hitting him is unnecessary."

"It's the only way of teaching him a lesson. He needs to learn how to show respect towards those older than him."

Kai continuously weeps on the spot, letting all his tears overflow and reach to his chin, Haru narrows his eyes and carries Kai into his arms.

"Let go! I don't want you to take away Onee-chan from me! I don't want her to leave me!".

"Kai, do you think I'm your sister's lover?"

"Yes. I don't like guys like you coming close to her!" Little did he know that during his persistent behavior, we've already arrived in front of our household. Kai was so focused on trying to rid of Haru he didn't even notice the door was behind him. Kai stops and turns.

"Why is he coming inside our house Onee-chan?"

"Kai." My voice sounding taunt at the moment. Kai went silent knowing by fact whenever my voice went deep, it means "behave or else".

As I set my school bag down, Haru came over, sat down and placed Kai's small body on the cushion.

"So answer my question Kai. What makes you think I'm (F/n)'s lover?" Haru asked with a small smile.

"That's what everybody's like. Just like our parents, they only care about themselves, no even their children."

"Kai...I understand why you refuse everyone, but Haru's different"

"I don't want you to leave me. I don't want you to be like Mom and Dad, who abandoned us." Kai's tears were visible to our eyes. It's hard for a child as young as him, he's so young that he didn't get to experience much with our parents because of their business occupying their time. My eyes saddens to that thought.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Haru wraps his arms around Kai's fragile body to express his sympathy towards him, including myself.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know about your parents abandoning you. But to tell you this Kai, I'm different than them. You know why? Because instead of stealing, I'm the type to appreciate and cherish little things."

"..."

"You're a big boy, right?"

Kai nods his head, "Yeah..."

"Don't let jealousy devour you because that leads to misunderstanding. With that in mind, it can create distance," Haru convinced to Kai nicely.

Gradually, Kai starts to regret his actions towards Haru. Slowly, but surely, begins o open himself to Haru by looing at him in the eyes without hate.

"Do you really promise? You won't take Onee-chan away from me?"

"I won't," Haru adjusts himself, "Now let's start over. Hello Kai, my name is Nakamura Haru, your sister's best friend."

"I'm (L/n) Kai. Onee-chan's white knight."

"Nice to meet you Kai and I hope we can get along with each other."

"I'm so proud of you Kai. Sorry for yelling at you earlier," I apologized to Kai as he gets himself ready for slumber, "I'm sorry too. Good night Onee-chan, I love you." He lifts himself up to attempt to place a small smooch on my cheek.

"Good night Kai." I kissed him back with a playful smooch on his nose.

The night was still young, and I have to admit that ever since that incident occurred, I couldn't help but to tremble at thought because who knows when he'll come back to haunt me and my brother. Our room dead silent, outside was ghost quiet, nothing can be heard except the chilling breeze dancing with the night.

I closed my eyes for a moment. My phone started ringing.

It was eleven at night and I was immediately woken up by the vibration from my smartphone. as the vibration continues, I stare at the slim object waiting for it to sleep, but somehow my gut's telling me that this time isn't coming from that stalker.

I grabbed my smartphone and read the contact title. Mizuki. Thank GOD it's her, so I slide the contact and let her voice come through.

"Haa, Mizuki-chan, thank god its you." I said with relief.

Of course its me. Why? Are you expecting someone else to call?

"Not really. Why are you calling at this time of night?"

Sorry, its nothing important. Just want to talk to you. After all you did promise that you'll text us later on if you've arrived Tokyo. You didn't text back so I thought calling would be the good idea.

"Aah, I totally forgot about that. Sorry things have been going on."

Such as?

"Mizuki-chan, you wouldn't believe where I was transferred to."

Hoo~ Spit the details.

"Remember Hina fangirling over 'hot' guys from the All Boys Academy?"

Don't tell me your new school was...the famous academy, all Boys Academy of Tokyo...

"Yeah....Sucks."

I bet the guys in there are drooling over you. After all, you are known for having cute looks.

"I'm just an average girl Mizuki-chan. You're not helping me at all. Oh! Best part though! I just met my childhood friend, Nakamura Haru!"

Oh that boy you always talk about back here? Right? Is it the same guy or did he...you know, have troubles with his family?

"It's him alright. It's odd for his last name to change. Surely, he's gone through painful things. But at least he's still the Haru I know from childhood. Right now, I have to say that... He looks handsome right now. He looks so different than ten years ago when I first met him." I described with coloration of crimson filling my face. Good thing my room is dark and Mizuki called me over instead of being talking in person because she would instantly point out my blush.

Ooh~ I smell love at first sight! Hilarious!

"It's not love at first sight Mizuki-chan! I'm just surprised, and he's my best friend."

So what has he been doing?

"Huh? Nothing pretty much. Right after I picked up Kai from school, he suddenly burst into tears over Haru trying to take me away. Haru is a kind and gentle person," I mentioned.

Ahhh, I am so jealous. I wish I have a little brother like yours. I have to deal with my s**t brother every single, yagging and acting naughty, calling me stupid.

"Aah, sorry to mention about it. About your old brother."

Yeah you're pretty stupid to mention about your brother all the time and making me remember mines. Haa... Right now I am hearing him crying over about him accidently deleting his homework that's due before midnight.

"Oh... Tell him I said Hi."

I'm sleepy, it's getting late.

"Heh? That's all you're going to talk about?"

What's wrong with me wanting to call my friend who suddenly transferred to an All Boys Academy at Tokyo? Come visit us sometime. I hope you enjoy your new life in there. Good luck surviving.

"Good luck? Survive? Thanks Mizuki-chan Good night."

No seriously, be careful. Watch out for those guys taking advantage of you. You know, men can be deadly when they came in contact with women, especially you.

"O-okay, I'll be careful."

Good night.

Mizuki ended her call and I was left furrowing my brows, " 'Good luck surviving' she says. That didn't encourage me at all. Why did she say that like I'm in some kind of Apocalypse?"