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It’s hard, jostling the bag up while he holds the hand of the smaller kid, and his phone also rings.
“Yes?”
“Mamo-nii? I’ve got Rin, but Natsuki is still out playing in the park nearby. Rin said that a group of friends always invite her. Can you pick her up?”
“Yeah, I’m on it. The others?”
“We’re all back in the house.”
“Okay. Stay there, Shion is going to be there anytime soon.”
“Gotcha.”
“Mamo-nii?”
“Ah- Yes?”
“I’m tired. Can you carry me?”
“Tired- Um…”
It’s going to be really hard, but…
“Only until we find Natsu-chan, yes?”
“Yes~”
It’s hard. He has to make sure that the bag doesn’t slip off his shoulder, while one of his hands is keeping the kid secure, and it starts to rain, when he gets to the park.
“Let me know if you see Natsu-chan?”
“Mh.”
That was most likely a no.
It takes him a while, but eventually he finds her in the football area, all of them still playing despite the rain that was getting more annoying…
“Natsu-chan! Time to go back home!”
The girl looks clearly surprised, before pouting at him.
“One more?”
“No, no, it's raining! We have to go back!”
“Mamo-nii!”
“Sorry, but not now. When the court is dry again, yes?”
The girl sighs, but before she can go to him, the other kids whine, catching his attention.
“Mamoru-san! Can you get the ball?”
The kids pointed to the part out of the soccer field, and with one firm stare, the girl goes out as he goes to get the ball, putting the other kid down with the bag.
“Going, going!”
With a quick run, he tries to go to where he saw the ball, but getting closer, he sees that there’s already someone retrieving it, ready to give it back.
When he hears him, he can't help smiling.
“It's gonna be a long shot, yeah?!”
“Yes!”
“Aand, there!”
“Thank you!”
“You're welcome! But go back- Mamoru-senpai?”
“Ken-kun!”
Kensuke is still on his school jersey, which lets him know that he just probably came out of practice, too.
“What are you doing here, Mamoru-senpai?”
“I’m helping with some errands! And-”
“Mamo-nii, are we going already?”
“Ah- Yes, yes! In a second! Sorry, do you mind if we go there?”
“Not at all! Let's go!”
It's clear to him that now the kids are staring with curiosity at the newcomer, and as he struggles to open up the umbrella for them, he talks.
“Jun-kun, Natsu-chan, this is Ken-kun. Ken-kun is my friend from school, yes?”
“A pleasure! Do you play soccer? That pass was sooo cool! And-”
“Natsu-chan, pause. Jun-kun, come on.”
“...Hi.”
“Hi! I'm Kensuke! And yeah, I'm in the team!”
“So cool!”
“Natsu-chan, can you give us a second?”
“Yes~”
“Are you going back home, Ken-kun?”
“Yup. We also can't play in this rain, so.”
“Makes sense. Then, thank you for-” Feeling the tug on his leg, he looks down, finding the younger kid. “Yes?”
“Mamo-nii. Bag. It has noise.”
“Ah- It does a noise, thank you! Ken-kun, I’m really sorry, could you watch them for a second?”
“Sure!”
Feeling relief as the kids take Kensuke's hand, he digs into the deeper part of the bag, finally getting out his ringing cell phone, answering the call.
“Mamoru-kun?”
“Kaede-san! I’ve got Natsu-chan and Jun-kun, so we’re going to be back soon! I've got the materials for tomorrow, so the others can calm-”
“No, actually, I’ve got another favor to ask you. I’m really sorry, Mamoru-kun, but I’m trapped here. If the rain would stop… Shion is the same as me now. We’re going to be home late… Do you… Think you can handle dinner?”
“What?”
He cannot handle dinner alone and they both know that.
“Have Suguru help you! You two can do something simple! He's good at cutting stuff, too!”
But it's not as if he has another option…
“...Yes. I've got it.”
“Thank you so so much. We’re going to be back as soon as possible, yes? If you need anything else, call, and you know where there’s extra money, and-”
“I know, Kae-san! I’ll tell you when we’re back.”
“Thank you. See you soon.”
Greeting her, he cuts up the call, avoiding a sigh as he looks at the kids.
“Was that Kae-san?”
“Yup. She and Shion are trapped in heavy rain, so we’re going to go back and have dinner alone.”
“But Shion was the one going to buy groceries.”
“I know. That’s why, we’re going to go back, and then I’ll run to the store. Now, let’s go.” As the kids nod, he turns to the teenager, giving him a small smile. “Sorry, Ken-kun, I’ve gotta go. I have to take care of the others too, so I better take my leave if I want to make it to the store before it rains harder.”
“Do you need a hand? We can go buy it here, I’ll help you carry it.”
“Eh, but… Won’t you get in trouble?”
“No, no, I’ll ask my parents to pick me up.”
He should reject it, yet… As he looks at both the kids getting more and more impatient, he nods. “That would really help me.”
“Got it! Let’s go!”
—o—
Helping him carry it also turns into helping him cook, as soon as they get Kensuke’s parents confirmation that it was okay. So, now, they’re looking at the different things in the grocery store, as they talk.
“I’m the oldest one now, so I help with most of the money-handling stuff, like groceries and such. I’m also the one looking up for them when the teacher’s schedules line up like this… They try not to, but sometimes it just happens.”
“I see. Sounds tough.”
“Haha, it can be, but they mostly behave.”
And of course, as he said that, the two kids started to run, making noise as they played.
Kensuke only laughed, quickening the pace to get them before they got in trouble.
“Are all the other kids this young, if you’re the oldest?”
“They’re mostly in elementary school, yes. Aside from that, we’ve got four in middle school, and another one just started high school like you, Ken-kun.”
“I see. And do you-”
“Mamo-nii, I want candy!”
“Candy? Ah… Sorry, Natsu-chan, but right now we can’t. Shion said she’s gonna bring us dessert, remember?”
“But I want it now…”
“Mamo-nii, if Natsu gets, me too.”
“Jun-kun, neither Natsu nor you are going to get candies now, okay?”
“But Ken is getting some!”
“No, no, Ken-kun is paying for his own stuff, it’s his. And honorifics, Natsu-chan!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” As the kids pouted and went back to playing, Kensuke pulled him to stop walking, smiling. “Is it okay to buy them candy?”
“Eh? No, you don’t have to worry. There’s just whining because they’re tired.”
“I insist. I can buy a bag for all of them, so you can take it with you.”
“That’s… Are you sure?”
“Hundred percent!”
He probably shouldn’t, but it would also be rude to reject that, so, nodding, he lets Kensuke also hop away, as he finishes putting things in a cart.
Even if he said so, he has no real idea of what he’s supposed to do in the kitchen, to be able to feed all of them, and have a meal decent enough so they wouldn’t complain or want to eat extras, aside from the candies that Kensuke was showing him as he waited, both kids with him as they had left him behind to pass everything through the register.
The walk back is also rushed, and when they get inside the house, it starts to pour, making him rush to the door, with all the bags.
“Sugu-nii, we're back!”
“Back!”
“Woah, Jun suddenly woke up.”
Chuckling, he looks for some extra slippers to offer to Kensuke, as he also leaves his shoes on the shoe rack, on top of the space that had his name in a tag. “Yeah, he's a little introvert, but now that we’re back here, he’s going to get an energy rush.”
“I see.”
“Suguru-kun! I’m back!”
“Welcome- Uh?”
“Sorry for intruding! Name is Kensuke.”
“...”
“Suguru-kun. Manners.”
“Suguru. Mamoru-nii? Is he your friend?”
“Yup! He’s my junior at school. He offered to lend me a hand until Shion and Kaede-san are back. So! I’ll be handling dinner!”
Whatever the boy was thinking when seeing Kensuke clearly turns unimportant at that moment. He would be lying if he said that the horrified stare didn’t hurt his feelings a little bit.
“...Mamoru-nii, they say on TV that it’s gonna rain like hell. I don’t wanna go to the hospital because of a stomach ache, I wanna be here.”
“Did you see it with the curse word, too?”
“We’re alone.”
“You still shouldn’t curse like that. What if Rin hears you? No- Rather- Don’t you have any faith in me?!”
“No?”
“Suguru?!”
Kensuke laughs, calling both their attention, then.
“It’s fine, I’ll help him! I’ve seen Kou cooking a lot, and Ryo also told me a lot about it, so I’m sure we can do something!”
Ah, Suguru’s frown is back as he looks at Kensuke, and he wonders just what he is thinking about, before he hears the boy. “I’ll help in the kitchen too.”
“No, no, you have to help me with the others.”
“Chiyo can do it.”
“Chi-chan is studying. We’re not going to bother her until dinner.”
“She’s not studying, she’s just reading.”
“For school. Where are the others?”
“Living room and their bedrooms.”
“Good. Ken-kun, come with me to the kitchen?”
“Yup!”
Once they’re there, Mamoru can appreciate a little bit of calm to relax, going to get two glasses to offer juice to Kensuke, who takes a big sip.
“It’s so weird to see you in this big brother mood, Mamoru.”
He does feel embarrassed at that declaration, laughing a bit as he looks into the drawers of the kitchen until he gets two aprons for them.
“Really?”
“Yeah. You’re always in your own world, so seeing you so conscious of everything is a little bit refreshing and weird, not gonna lie.”
“Well, I think it’s easier to forget it in school? Since there’s more people to look out for us and such.”
“I see. That makes sense. I like it, anyway! It’s nice seeing two different sides of you, Mamoru-senpai. And you also look so cool and mature when you’re playing piano, now that I think about it.”
“Haha, thank you. I also like Ken-kun when he’s playing soccer, and when he comes to visit us for help in classes.”
That makes Kensuke pout as he turns to him. “I don’t always ask for help.”
“You don’t, but you do get distracted if we don’t help you.”
“Well, that’s true, but… Homework is boring.”
“It is, but we have to do it.”
“Yes, yes. Geez, Mamo-nii, your mature side is showing off.”
“Ken-kun!” Sighing as he feels the heat on his cheeks, he shakes his head, before pulling out some stuff from the fridge and the bags he had left outside. “Then! We’ve got to cut veggies and prepare noodles. Which one do you want to do?”
“I’ve got the veggies! I don’t want you to lose a finger, Mamoru. I like hearing your piano!”
“A little bit more faith in me would be nice… But thank you.”
“Of course. Now, to cook!”
—o—
“And I-”
“Mamoru?”
He’s stopped as he sees the other boy in the entry of the kitchen, wanting to ask him something.
“What is it?”
“Rin and Jun want to play games. Should I let them?”
“Mh… Just for half an hour. If the others want to join they can take turns. No more than an hour for all.”
“Gotcha.” He can see that the boy hesitates to move, and then talks, turning to Kensuke, in the corner of the kitchen. “I’m Osamu, by the way.”
“Kensuke!”
Giving a nod at him, the boy leaves, and as he prepares the bowl, he remembers something, approaching the door to shout.
“No games out of the blue box!”
The whines are immediately heard, making Kensuke laugh as well.
“Okay, they can be a little hard to handle.”
“I see that. Where should I put this batch, Mamoru-senpai?”
“Over here!”
“Here. Now, what else do I need to cut?”
“All the stuff washed here~ Ah, Ken-kun, can you slice the broccoli in small pieces?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks. Ayato and Rin hate it, but they never notice if it's small size… And the carrots, altern sizes, too. Kasumi and Suguru would fight otherwise, and the younger ones hate the bigger ones.”
Kensuke laughs, nodding. Soon, the sound of the knife as it hits the board is heard. “For saying you don’t think you can handle dinner you’re doing great, too.”
“That’s… Thank you again, Ken-kun. I’m terrible with cooking, but I did watch them make lots of dinners.”
“Is that so? Ah… Have you been here for a long time? You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to!”
It is a little endearable, how Kensuke tries to cover that face that he has seen many, many times, in others and in adults, as he asks about it.
Even if he knows that nothing will really change how Kensuke sees him, he’s glad that at least, he’s not hurt by thinking in those years, as would’ve any younger version of him.
“A little more than ten years, yes.”
“Ten- Woah.”
“Yeah. I’m used to this place, already. Ah… Even so, I want to help as much as possible, before I have to leave. I want to leave with a good job so they won't have to worry!”
“Mamoru… That’s why you’ve been so busy with getting good grades, right?"
“Yeah. I… Think I spend more time spacing out at school because of it. I have the time to, there. It’s not as easy to do it here, after all…”
“I’m sure you’re going to get something great. And… Well, you’ll get a good place, too. I'm sure!”
“Thank you, Ken-kun. Ken-kun is also doing great in sports. Do you know if you’re aiming for a more professional sport?”
“Mh… I think I might, based on how it goes. I’ll have to see! I’m open to options. And I want to try lots of clubs, too!”
“Like how you’re in the manga club but often help in the cooking club and the sewing club as their model?”
“Yup! Ryo-senpai said that if I shut up I could make a good model. He also thinks that I’m going to grow up some more, which would be good for that. He didn’t seem happy about it, by the way.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. He can pretty much imagine Ryota’s cold stare -he has been on the end of it, too- as he measures Kensuke’s clothes, and he’s pretty sure that he has seen him complaining because with a few weeks the measures would’ve changed already, but he’s already predicting it, asking him and Koki to be their models in height to imagine how certain clothes would look on Kensuke.
“Ken-kun as a model… Yup, I see it!”
“Eh, really?! Thanks, Mamoru-senpai! I think you could be a model, too. You look so cool when you’re in your own world, after all. Like… It’s hard to approach? But rather, to not burst your bubble, I think.”
“Mamo-nii! They’re not letting me play!”
The shout from the other room pierces the moment, making them both laugh. With a quick shout back to remind them to play fair, he turns back to the kitchen with a sigh, making Kensuke reach to pat his shoulder. “...Which is hard to do here, right?”
“Yeah… Ah! Ken-kun, try this!”
Kensuke looks confused for a bit, before he sees the spoon in front of his face, quickly opening his mouth to eat what was on it.
“Woah! I’m surprised it tasted that good!”
“Right?!”
As their eyes meet, they both start to laugh, and quickly, he starts to prepare to set the table, as Kensuke prepares the remaining stuff.
“Well, then. I think that’s all we need, Ken-kun.” Taking a deep breath, he shouts loud enough. “Everyone! To the table!”
Surprisingly, everyone has fine hearing for that, because they quickly start to appear, taking their usual spots on the table. As the adults aren’t there, Mamoru moves to the edge of the table near the kitchen, putting a chair for Kensuke as well.
“Who’s that?”
“Chi-chan, this is my friend, Kensuke. He’s going to eat dinner with us while we wait for Shion and Kaede to be back.”
“Why aren’t they back?”
“The rain. They’ll be back later.”
For a little bit, Mamoru is satisfied, as they seem to have proper manners. As he starts to eat, he feels himself relaxing. After all, the food was edible, and they wouldn’t have any food poisoning.
“Ken-san, this is good. Mamo-nii helped?”
“Yup! He was a great moodmaker!”
“Hey- Ken-kun! Though you’re not wrong…”
Kensuke immediately laughs, turning to the kid, and he can’t ignore the way all the kids grin, either.
However, there was so much that they could have a peaceful dinner, with all of them behaving, because once the interrogation is done, they go back to their usual selves.
“Hey, that’s my part! Mamoru-nii, Suguru is stealing my part!”
“It’s not hers! We divided, that’s mine! And besides, Mamo-nii! Kasu has been with the phone since earlier!”
“Suguru, don’t take more than what’s yours. Kasumi, no phones while on dinner. Shion always tells you that.”
“But she’s not here!”
“You still know the rules.”
“Well, then, Osamu has been taking what Rin doesn't want to eat.”
“Hey! What do I have to do with you two?! Mamo-nii, she’s lying!”
“They’re all breaking the rules since earlier, Mamoru-nii.”
“And you?!”
“I was studying!”
“So that’s how you call the stuff you were reading-”
“I read more than you!”
The only thing that he can do is leave his bowl, clapping to call the kids’ attention.
“Hey. Stop it. We have a guest.”
“Right. Even the children are behaving better than all of you.”
“Thanks, Ayato-kun.”
“Mh.”
“Mamoru-nii-”
Only a glare is enough for the new protest to die, and he’s pretty sure that they’re fixing it by kicking each other under the table, but he decides to let it slip this one time.
“Ken! How’s Mamo-nii at school?”
“Eh?”
“Mamoru-senpai? Mh… He’s great at the gardening club! And he’s very diligent with his homework! Even if he can forget about it sometimes…”
“Ken-kun, I felt betrayed at the end…”
Kensuke laughs, and he can't help but pout a bit, making the other kids laugh, too.
“Have you planted something with him? Mamo-nii is in charge of the garden here too!”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes… I’ve taken some plants to school and vice versa.”
“Really?! Mamoru, you’ve gotta tell me which ones! That’s so nice, I thought they’d die if you took them out?”
“No, but you have to be careful of how to transplant them.”
“I see. Well, we haven’t planted anything together, but I’d love to try!”
“We have to, Ken-kun! Also, Ken-kun is in the soccer club! He’s really good, and he gets his team a lot of points! He’s also in some other clubs, and-”
“Mamo-nii! Another plate!”
“Me too!”
“Ah- Mamoru-senpai, me too!”
“Yes, yes! Raise your hands whoever wants another plate, and pass them to me!”
—o—
They’re done washing the dishes when they hear the sounds on the entrance, making both of them stop, waiting until they see the two adults coming to them.
“I’m sorry we’re so late!”
“Ah! Kae-san! Welcome back! Let me help you!”
He stands up from the table to help with some bags, and Kensuke also does, as she keeps talking.
“Shion is right behind me. I-”
“As far as I knew, we didn’t have that boy living here.”
That makes them laugh out loud, shaking their heads. “Shion, he’s Kensuke. Ken-kun, the boy I’ve told you about.”
That immediately makes her understand, nodding. “I see. I’m Shion, Mamoru’s tutor. Um…”
“We met on the way here.”
“Yeah. I offered some help to the kids playing in the park, and then to Mamoru-senpai.”
“That’s so kind of you, thank you for looking out for them. Do you need a ride? We can call someone.”
“There’s no need! My dad said he’d come pick me up.”
“I see, that’s great. Please sit, I’ll make you boys something to drink.”
“Thanks!”
“Kensuke-kun, do you want cake?”
“Cake? Sure, thank you!”
“Kae-san, he likes orange cake.”
“Orange cake! Got it.”
“Your tea for working so hard, Mamoru.”
He can only groan as he gets his hair ruffled, pushing her hand away while on it.
“Shion!”
“And thank you again for helping him, Kensuke-kun. Here you go, tea for you too.”
However, before he can get to sip on it, one of the kids comes to him, pulling from his clothes to call his attention.
“Mamo-nii! Charm!”
“Charm?”
“Ahh, yes! Charm~”
Picking the kid, he quickly gives her a forehead kiss, making her laugh.
As he’s done, he pulls the kid back to the floor, watching her run back to the room, and as he looks back to the table, he sees Kensuke’s amused face, raising an eyebrow at him.
“What’s that, Mamoru-senpai?”
“A charm for good dreams!”
“Uh?”
Before he can think of replying, the older woman talks, startling both of them for a second.
“Mamoru-kun named it like that when he was little and we liked it. He would be so happy to get his charms against bad dreams.”
“Wa- Shion!”
Kaede laughs, too, brushing his hair with her fingers, as he turns to their companion.
For a bit, it’s like a small interrogation to Kensuke, who doesn’t mind at all, replying all with his usual enthusiasm.
They’re all laughing when they hear Kensuke’s phone, and as soon as he looks at it, he frowns. “Ugh… My sis is the one who’ll pick me up.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Her driving sucks. Pray for me, Mamoru-senpai.”
“...Then, I’ll have another charm made just for Ken-kun!”
He doesn’t think much of it, leaning to be able to kiss Kensuke’s forehead, and ruffling his hair a bit. As he pulls away, Kensuke is silent, staring at him, and the only thing to distract him is the laughter of the adults.
“Oh my.”
“Get your things, Kensuke-kun.”
“Y-Yes.”
The boy goes back to the door, and as he gets up to also go with him, he feels embarrassed, staring at their faces.
“Mamoru-kun…”
“You, really…”
“What?”
That makes both of them sigh, and he feels a hand on his head, ruffling his hair again.
“Ah~ After all, this is our Mamoru-kun.”
“Right?~”
“Eh?! Kaede-san, what is that supposed to mean? Shion, you too!”
“Nothing, nothing.”
“Go see Kensuke-kun at the door, please.”
“Yes.”
It was incredible how now there was no rain close, the sky turning more clear and allowing them to see the stars.
When he realizes, Kensuke is staring at the same, and both laugh until they see the car stopping at the entrance, waiting.
“Thank you again, Ken-kun.”
“I had a great time too, Mamoru-nii~ Now please don’t cut yourself with the knife while trying to cook.”
“Ugh- Ken-kun!”
His laughter dies down as his sister honks, making him roll his eyes, taking a deep breath as if he was preparing to go face a war, instead of just going home with his sister.
Mamoru can’t shake off the smile until he sees the car completely disappearing, and as he gets back inside, he feels the embarrassment as he sees the two adults chuckling at him, even if he didn’t know what was wrong with what he had done. Of course, as he makes the path to his room, he’s not surprised to see the other kids there, too.
Who stop, and dedicate all the stares at him.
“Mamo-nii.”
“Mamoru-nii.”
“Mamoru.”
“W-What?! Chi-chan, Osamu, you should both be in bed. Suguru, you too.”
“Mamoru-nii, we saw that.”
“Chi-chan?”
“Mamo-nii, gross.”
“Wha- Why?!”
However, he gets his reply as he hears the rushed steps, and the scream from another of the girls.
“Mamoru-nii kissed his friend?!”
“I DID WHAT- NO!”
“Mamo-nii! You didn’t tell us you had a boyfriend!”
“I don’t!! Ken-kun is just a friend!”
“But you said boys your age have boyfriends and girlfriends! That’s why you didn’t want us to see when Aya-nii got a girlfriend!”
The boy does see the amusement in that, and Mamoru knows that he’s going to receive payback from back then, as he suddenly seems interested in the talk.
“Right, you said that, Mamoru-nii.”
“Everyone, to bed. Now.”
“Shion, Mamo-nii kissed his friend!”
He knows they’re not going to let go.
Not as she smiles, picking some of the kids.
“Oh, did he?”
“Shion! You were there, you saw what happened!”
“Right, you kissed him.”
“Shion!”
“Mamo-nii is red!”
“Shion, lookie!”
“I see it~ Mamoru-”
“STOP IT!! KAE-SAN! KAE-SAN, THEY’RE MAKING FUN OF ME! I DIDN’T KISS KEN-KUN!”
“You didn’t?”
“KAE-SAN! WHATEVER, I’M GOING TO SLEEP!”
Their laughter is everything he hears even as he closes the door of the bedroom, rushing to hide inside it.
He would need to talk to Kensuke just in case and make sure that it didn’t come across as something he didn’t mean…
And just as he thought that, Kensuke’s message entered his chat, with a picture of him smiling forcefully, as his sister who clearly was the one taking the pic, pinched his cheeks.
“I’m safe, Mamoru! Nothing to worry about!”
He can't help the smile, going to reply to the message when he hears the knock on the door, which opened quickly.
“Mamoru-kun, you better not smile like that if you want us to believe your story.”
“Wha- Kae-san!”
“Here, your uniform. The mud stain is gone and I managed to sew it back!”
“Woah! Really?! Thank you, Kae-san.”
“Mh. It was a bit of a though work, so please change before going to the garden again.”
“I know~”
She smiles, and Mamoru can’t help laughing as well as she raises his hand to ruffle his hair.
“Um… Kae-san?”
“What's up?”
“Did you think that was weird? Kissing Ken-kun?”
“Unusual, but I don't think Kensuke-kun minded. He seem to hold you in high-esteem~ Maybe he even likes you.”
“Kae-san. Stop teasing me. Please.”
And, before she got to reply, the other adult entered as well, with a grin that he knows will be problematic for him. “Oh, we will, but they… Good luck, Mamoru.”
“Shion!”
Both women laugh, and groaning, he grabs the uniform, putting it in the chair before dropping on the bed, hiding his face on the pillow.
“I have to go to the club so I’m sleeping now! Good night!”
“Yes, yes. Good night, Mamoru.”
“Sweet dreams, Mamoru-kun.”