22 Chapter 22: Solstice (2/2)
”Where do you think you're going? Huh?” I stopped dead in my tracks. Luckily, I was able to grab Jirai's sleeve and stopped him from running, too. I am not going down alone.
”We're going to protect Tsunagi!” I desperately answered.
”And why do you care so much about her?” Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in her voice?
”It's not her that I'm concerned about. It's my younger brother.”
”Y-your younger brother?” She seemed confused again.
”He might've been the one with Tsunagi. We can't trust him. Who knows what he might do to her.” Just the thought of Uryou being in a date with Tsunagi really pisses me off. That lucky bastard. I must make sure it's not him.
”You didn't tell me you had a younger brother.” That's what Hiroisora got after all the things I said? ”I've always wanted a younger brother.”
”Let's save this chit chat for later. The life of my precious little sister is on the line here.” Jirai grew impatient. He decided to run off after Tsunagi. Hiroisora and I looked at each other then decided to run after Jirai.
When we caught up with Jirai, he was standing and looking around.
”Where are they?” I asked him while I was mildly catching my breath.
”No good. I can't see her. Dang it!” Jirai was pissed.
”You know, I think we shouldn't bother them on their date.” Hiroisora was concerned about us.
”They weren't on a date!” Both Jirai and I refuse to accept that possibility. For different reasons, obviously.
Suddenly, Jirai's phone sounded off a notification.
”I wonder who this is. This better be important.” Jirai read the message, and then suddenly shouted. ”What the heck is this! No!” He then fell to his knees as if all strength was drained from him.
”What is it?” I grabbed his phone. I read aloud the message that said, ”Hi Onii-chan! Just wanted to tell you that I'll be on a date this Saturday. I won't be able to make breakfast for you, so just buy something you can reheat in the microwave. Also, stop following me.” Jirai was that obvious, huh. ”Tsunagi is such a good sister, thinking about his brother even after her privacy was trampled on by that same brother.”
”I was trying to avoid the topic of you being a stalker, Jirai-kun. But since your sister clearly said for you to stop, I guess we should stop.” Hiroisora, the voice of reason, has spoken.
”No, we will not stop.” I think Jirai has completely snapped from the shock. ”Don't you see this is, without a doubt, a cry for help?” What?
”There wasn't anything written—” Hiroisora was interrupted by Jirai.
”It's okay. Only I understand my poor little sister.” I felt sorry for Hiroisora. I guess this was the first time she experienced Jirai's craziness. ”We will save my sister.” I wouldn't be surprised if Hiroisora never talks to Jirai again.
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Saturday came. The three of us are in front of the train station in the morning. We were all disguised in caps, sunglasses and face masks.
”I know I'm here because Uryou wasn't in our house when I left. The possibility of him being on a date with Tsunagi today is very likely. What I don't understand is… Why are you here Hiroisora?”
”I wanted to meet Tsunagi-chan and Uryou-kun.” She smiled at me.
”They are not together!” Jirai and I were both still in denial.
”I thought you were against this?” I asked her for good measure.
”I was. But this seems like fun.” She can really be carefree sometimes.
”Hey, you two. Keep an eye out for Tsunagi. Remember our mission.” Jirai was really concentrating on the lookout for his sister.
”How sure are you they will be here?” I asked Jirai.
”I asked her last night.”
”And how sure are you she didn't tell you a different place so you can't follow her around?”
”Call it faith.” I can't believe this.
When all my hope was disappearing, Hiroisora alerted us with that would turn into good news.
”Hey, that girl is really cute. Is she a celebrity?” She pointed at someone near the shopping mall.
”That's Tsunagi...” Jirai couldn't believe what he was seeing. ”…With a guy. I'll kill him.”
”Wait.” I grabbed Jirai's shoulder before he can charge toward Tsunagi and that guy. ”We should verify first if it's Uryou. If it is, then… you have my blessing.”
”Ok then. Let's go.” Jirai briskly walked towards inside the mall. Hiroisora and I followed him closely.
While we were pursuing Tsunagi and that mysterious guy, we were met with suspicious looks. Not surprising, with our getup and all. Tsunagi and her acquaintance stopped at a café. We stood outside and observed them through the glass window. While we were sternly looking at the two eating and talking, someone approached us from behind.
”Excuse me, you suspicious looking lot.” We turned around in surprise to see a security guard.
”What can we do for you, sir?” I asked out of courtesy, since I already know why he approached us.
”Why are you dressed like that?” His voice grew more suspicious.
”We are actually doing cosplay of a group of stalkers. We were just getting into character.” Hiroisora answered him playfully but with conviction in her voice. That's an actress for you.
”Oh, I see then. Just try not to bother other people then.”
”Will do, sir.” I answered in relief.
”I don't want to hear any reports about you four, okay.” He then walked away from us. Now we can go back to watching Tsunagi. Wait. Did he say 'four'?
”Damn it! Who is that guy?” A familiar voice complained in irritation.
”Uryou?! What are you doing here?” I couldn't believe my eyes. ”Then, who is that guy with Tsunagi?”