Free Web NovelChapter 145: Until Then (END)
Sniffles could be heard from the background as the touching reunion was displayed right before their eyes. Everyone in the room, including Kirisu, who had been right there from the start, couldn’t help but get overly emotional over the scene. frёewebηovel.cѳm
The scene lasted for a good minute before Hajime inadvertently let go of the hug. While he wanted to hug his sister for a few more minutes, he knew that that would just exhaust her, and he didn’t want that to happen, considering that she just woke up from a coma that lasted almost a year and a half.
"Mou~ big brother, what happened to you? Why are you so thin? Are you eating properly? You were already thin before... but not this thin." Akiko pouted as she patted her brother on the side of his stomach. Faintly, she felt his abs through his shirt, and she almost gasped in shock— not because of the abs, but because of the realization that her brother was thinner than she had initially expected.
Letting go of the hug, Hajime let out an exhale before he smiled at his sister. Patting her on the head, he responded. "I should be the one asking you that. Shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself? Your big brother’s doing fine." Hajime said, pinching his younger sister on the cheeks to tease her. "You might not believe it, but your big brother’s gotten famous, you know."
"I heard it from Kirisu-san. She said you caught a criminal on the loose." Before she could continue speaking, she remembered what Kirisu-san told her— how the car accident killed their parents and how the aforementioned criminal was behind the accident.
To Hajime, the car accident was a fading memory of the last year, but to Akiko, it was a fresh memory. She could still remember the scenes in her mind as if it was only yesterday. Despite her urge to suppress her tears, she couldn’t help but cry for a second time.
Watching his younger sister tear up made Hajime tear up as well. He hugged her for a second time. "It’s all right, Akiko. We have each other now. I thought I was going to lose you... I’m glad I didn’t. Thank you for hanging in there. I’m reaaally glad you woke up." Hajime whispered.
Akiko’s eyes wandered toward the five people who were right by the door. For the first time, Akiko noticed their presence, and the first thing she noticed was that they were all girls. Putting two and two together, she pushed her brother away as she sniffled. "So that’s what you meant by being famous. You said we have each other... but I guess you have more company, big brother." This time, Akiko pouted a different kind of pout as she turned her head away.
Sensing that something was wrong, Hajime turned around and noticed that everyone was there. Rea-san, Megumi, Natsumi, and the Akamine sisters were all there, gathered by the door like a curious gathering of a girl’s sleepover.
"What are you guys doing here?" Hajime hissed. This was the first time he noticed the five of them, and he was as surprised as Akiko herself.
"Nice to meet you, Akiko." Megumi started. "I’m Kikuchi Megumi, your big bro’s classmate and girlfriend."
"Y-your girlfriend?" Akiko’s mouth hung open as she stared at her brother. She then redirected her gaze at Megumi and then back at his big brother before letting out another gasp.
"Whatever it is you’re thinking... why do I feel offended?" Hajime forced a smile on his face as one of his eyebrows twitched in slight annoyance. freёwebnoѵel.com
"Hello, Akiko, I’m Fuuka. I’m your brother’s girlfriend. Nice to meet you." Fuuka called out, joining in on the fun and confusing Hajime’s younger sister even more. She thought that it would be a fun bandwagon to jump into since it would temporarily put off the depressing subject of the Sasajima Incident.
"Akiko, do you remember me? I was your teacher back in elementary, Akamine-sensei." She said, waving her hands. "I came here because I heard from my boyfriend that his sister just woke up! How are you feeling?"
Rea, seeing what was happening, followed soon after. "Hi, Akiko-chan! I’m Rea-san, Tokikawa News’s number one reporter. I’m here to interview your big brother and congratulate you for waking up..." She trailed off.
As soon as Hajime sighed in relief, she suddenly added something. "..since I’m his girlfriend and all." Rea-san continued.
Kirisu also joined in on the fun, telling Akiko that she took care of her every time her big brother was out. At this point, Akiko had no idea whom to believe. Before Hajime could retort, Akiko grabbed him by the arm and started growling at everyone. It’s as if she wanted to claim his brother as hers, and everyone found her actions a tad bit cute.
Sensing what Akiko meant by her actions, however, Megumi felt a bit attacked. Before she knew it, she also grabbed Hajime’s other arm. "No, he’s mine." Megumi hissed. "Let go!"
"No! You let go, old lady!" Akiko shouted.
"What?! You come here!" Megumi raised her voice as Akiko stuck her tongue out.
"Relax, Akiko, we were just joking!" Rea-san said as she brought out her pocket notebook. "Anyways, I’ll be changing my plan a little bit, and I’ll just interview all of you. Would that be okay?"
"That’s fine with me," Megumi said, still not letting go of Hajime’s arm.
"Me too..." Akiko muttered as she continued hissing at Megumi. "Wait! You’re really The Rea-san?! From TNS?"
"Yup, I didn’t lie about that part," Rea-san said, smiling.
"Wow! I’m a big fan! I wouldn’t mind you dating my big brother rather than this old lady over here." She said, sticking her tongue out once again.
"Really?!" Rea-san said, her eyes sparkling as everyone chuckled at Akiko’s statement.
"How about me?" Fuuka called out, raising her hand. Her plan worked. For a moment, the siblings didn’t talk about their parents’ deaths as well as the Basilio Case. In her mind, she heaved a sigh of relief.
"You can be the ring-bearer if they were to get married. You’re really cute onee~" Akiko complimented, to which Fuuka responded by puffing her chest.
This time, it was Megumi who started growling at everyone, tightly clinging onto Hajime as Akiko did the same.
END.
