Work Text:
There is a sterile oddness about Tomokos room today. Usually, it was colored a messy vivid chaos ーmanga magazines would be scattered next to stacks of otoge packages across the desk surface. Wet napkins would usually peek out from the garbage bin, covered in tears or snot, but it's completely out of sight today. The floor is pristine clean, maroon floors visibly recently vaccumed, and the smell of a air purifier lingers. She hates to say it, but it makes her miss the usual basement dweller smell it used to have.
Tomoko figures – the moment her mom heard she was having guests over, she must have rushed instantly to vaccuming and rearranging like her life depended on it. After all, it's the first time she had friends over. A sigh of stupification exits her body – why does her mom have to overdo it the moment she least expects it? She cringes at the radio that had popped out of nowhere, trendy charting songs playing from it at a lowered volume.
Either way, Yuu adjusts to her home despite all the changes (as she does best), screening through Tomokos manga shelf in amazement. Kotomi looks significantly less inspired, evidently not finding anything in the room to put her attention on. Tomoko crunches her nose at the choice of manga that Yuu quietly hovers her finger over - that was one of the shounens that she had bought on a whim, but it had such a ragebait ending she had completely erased it from her head.
"Oh, that one. You should try it for sure. Honestly, i didn't care for it much. Just take it, Yuu-chan".
Faint embarassment and bewilderment colors Yuus face upon noticing shes been caught, like a cat that had gotten caught almost sneaking out.
"O-Oh, thank you Mokocchi! …i'm sorry, you must have noticed i was staring too much. I don't have my own manga books at home, but i promise i'll give yours back soon. Otherwise i'll compensate you with a gift!"
She twirls one of her braids as she stammers the sentence, and honestly, it's almost cute enough for Tomoko to forgive her poor taste. Almost. Kotomi gives Tomoko a sneer, and Tomoko almost feels the corners of her mouth move upwards. Looks like someone is Yuu-chans favorite. Satisfication hits her system until she hears knocking on the door, making the girls look up.
"Excuse me, i'm coming in."
She lifts a eyebrow when she sees Tomoki at the door, instead of her mom. Huh, what a unusual visitor. His wry face seems to signal he doesn't want to be here either. She notices a plate on his hands filled to the brim with desserts and hot tea, quickly realizing the real purpose for his entrance and smugly laughs – never the kind to pass up a opportunity to tease.
"Tomoki, bringing us refreshments? How out of character. You're being such a ideal little brother it's almost suspicious."
"Shut up." He responds without hesitation as he places the plates on the table. "Only doing mom a service by taking stuff off her tray. She has had enough work to do, so i decided to help her out. Maybe a lesson for you to learn also." He matches her expression with a matter of fact attitude, heavy dryness in his deliverery. Kotomi holds back a cough, and Tomoko sends her a quiet glare.
Oh, he's such a brat. But then again, he only learns from the best influences. He'd have to try harder to truly provocate her.
"Very funny. I'm eternally grateful, my dear Otouto. How could i possibly thank you for your fantastic service skills?" It's not the right place for squabble, she knows it – but it's like second nature to her. She couldn't help it.
"Well, you could thank me in multiple ways actually," He is swift and quick, as if catching a pass at the countless soccer matches shes been watching him perform in. "Like not stealing my stuff impromptu. Or not entering my room when i'm busy doing homework or playing games. Or vent to me about your day when i'm back from soccer practice. Or just by not being a brat all the time–" Oh god, now she had to stop him.
"Hey hey hey, lets calm down here! TMI warning, okay? Fine, i give this one up!" She gesticulates wildly, making a X sign with her hands as she hides her fluster of humiliation. Alright, she had this one kind of coming for her. Tomoki stops, and she sends him a mortified glare.
Instead of mockery, she instead sees both of her friends chuckling. Kotomi with way less savory intentions, but she could ignore that one for now. Yuus laughter is replaced by a bright smile.
"Your family is really close, Mokocchi! It makes me kind of jealous."
Theres no way that was the takeaway that normal people had. She almost replies questioning for a second Yuu's state of sanity when she catches Tomoki also chuckling. Wait, who? She is stunned into silence as he also smiles. It's a small one. But it's not dryly, nor in bitter amusement. A sincere one.
It's warm, inviting, and it reminds her of sweltering summer days. Of cicadas, clothes in primary colors – of sunhats, bug catching nets and forests. Of handholding, reliable big sisters and questionable sibling codependancy. Of a lovely past that she could no longer return to. It aches. He continiues while that soft smile stays on his face, and she is suddenly brought back to reality.
"She's my Nee-chan after all. I despise her on most days, but we are in our own way close." A stare of stupification is only reflected on Tomokos face, not knowing what to say. Her throat feels awfully dry, and she makes a attempt to respond something before he turns around.
"I'm leaving now, take care of my stupid sister for me, okay?" He waves casually with his right hand as he locks the door.
He leaves the room, but not her mind. It's a casual interaction, she tells herself. Her face being too hot suddenly says nothing. Her suddenly remembering the way his hand used to cool her own down back then says nothing. None of this means anything.
They used to be close, but it's all different now; she needs to convince herself that. For her own comfort. For her own sanity. Or else all those heavy, nervewrecking feelings would all come back.