23 Chapter 23: Landslide (1/2)
”That's our classmate, Kazama.” Uryou begrudgingly explained to us. ”I heard they went out a few times already. Tsunagi told me yesterday that she was going out with him again today.”
”So you followed them here?” I asked my brother. ”While wearing that?” He had the same disguise.
”Yup… Well, it seems that we all had the same idea.” He seems kind of down. I may be a bad brother, but I still feel sorry for him. ”By the way, is this your girlfriend?” Hiroisora was surprised when Uryou pointed at her.
”Um, yes. I'm Hiroisora Kari. Pleasure to meet you, Uryou-kun.” She smiled at him after her rushed introduction. I just can't believe she admitted to being my girlfriend and to my brother no less. I'll make it true someday, so I guess there's no harm done.
”Aren't you being forced or anything?” He bluntly asked her. She was shocked.
”Well…” She couldn't answer him. Or so I thought. ”He's so hopeless without me around. You could say I'm forced to be with him, since I can't leave him alone.” She smiled at Uryou. That's an actress for you. But what she said was kind of insulting, though. I don't know if I should be happy or not.
”Oh. Then do please take care of him.” I guess my brother does care for me. ”He really is hopeless most of the time.” Why, this piece of…
”I'm going home. Since I've confirmed you're not on a date with Tsunagi, I have no more reason to be here.” I grabbed Hiroisora's hand and started to walk away.
”Is that what you do when a friend needs you?” Jirai started to talk while still looking at the window of the café. I almost forgot about him. ”When the life of his precious little sister is on the line?” He's being over dramatic again.
”Also, is it really ok to hold Hiroisora-san's hand like that? It seems like you're not used to holding each other's hands even though you're a couple.” Uryou's really observant when it comes to these things. It's such a useless skill.
I let go of Hiroisora's hand out of embarrassment. He just had to make me realize I grabbed her hand.
”Fine. We're staying.” I gave in.
”I was really staying, anyway.” Hiroisora told me casually.
”Why?” I was confused.
”I haven't met Tsunagi-chan.” Did being an only child made her want to have younger siblings this much? ”Besides, Uryou-kun likes Tsunagi-chan. I kind of want to see what happens.” Her expression turned slightly more serious.
”They're moving.” Jirai alerted us of the situation. ”Let's follow them.”
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We all silently and stealthily followed Tsunagi and Kazama. The two of them went to different clothing and other accessories stores. They seemed to be having a typically normal date.
”What is it now? It's the fourth store now without them actually buying something. All they do is talk and laugh.” Jirai complained. The four of us were hiding near the entrance of the said store. His eyes were dead focused on his sister and his eyebrows were wrinkled in frustration.
”All he's doing is buttering her up, so he could take Tsunagi somewhere… more private.” Uryou's comments didn't help quell Jirai's irritation. Instead, it seemed to aggravate it further. But Uryou is equally agitated, though his calm analysis of the situation may lead us to think otherwise.
”Over my dead body. But he's body will be dead before mine.” Jirai wasn't making any sense. As usual.
”I have a plan.” Uryou's eyes were serious.
”What is it, Uryou-kun?” Hiroisora looked more interested in this stalking mission by the minute.
”If there is anything I know about Tsunagi, she'll most likely want to go to the arcade. And when they do, we'll separate them. There is bound to be a big crowd there. Getting separated inside isn't uncommon.” Sounds like a good start. ”This is what everyone will be doing. Hiroisora-san will distract Kazama with her undeniable and alluring beauty.”
”Ok.” Hiroisora blushed with that comment. I didn't know Uryou's such a sweet talker. I have to take pointers from him.
”Then, when Kazama looks away, Onii-san will grab Tsunagi.”
”Ok.” Both Jirai and I answered at the same time.
”Hey, Jirai. He said 'Onii-san'. Why are you answering?” I was confused.
”Well, he was clearly talking to me. I mean, no one else is allowed to touch my precious little sister. And though he may think we will be connected in some way in the future to call me 'Onii-san', he's gravely mistaken.”
”Fine.” Jirai's bloodlust was obvious that I didn't plan on arguing. ”So, what are we doing then, Uryou?”
”We'll play that game we have played since we were young. We'll attract a large crowd so that even if Kazama notices Tsunagi is missing he won't be able to look for her easily.”
”Sounds easy enough.”
”Sure, if you don't lose to me instantly.”
”You've never won even once before.” I smirked with confidence.
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When Uryou's prediction came true and Tsunagi did want to go to the arcade, we set our plan into motion. There were a lot of people in the arcade. It looked like our plan could work. We went into position. Hiroisora removed her disguise. She went and stood in front of a shooting game. When I thought she was going for the clumsy yet cute persona while playing a first person zombie shooting game, I was wrong. She was blasting through that game like a pro. I'll make sure to remember never to hand a gun to her. Tsunagi and Kazama were walking inside the arcade when Kazama noticed Hiroisora and started to go over to her and watch. Tsunagi didn't notice.
I sat in front of the fighting game Tekkon where Uryou and I would play. Uryou should be sitting opposite me. The game started as I inserted the coin. The screen said that an opponent has challenged me. Good. It meant Uryou was in position as well.The fight started. I don't remember Uryou being this good. I'm being driven to the corner. After 5 rounds of intense fights, I barely won.
”Ha! Take that Uryou!” I was so pumped up from that match. But then I noticed something wrong. No one was watching us. ”Where is everyone?” I looked around and saw a crowd from where Hiroisora started playing. She was still playing and everyone was cheering her on. ”Uryou, your plan failed but Hiroisora covered for us.” I was talking to Uryou on the opposite side of the game console.
”Damn it! You're good, Takaiyama!”
”Why are you calling me 'Takaiyama'? Show a little respe—” Wait, that's not Uryou. ”Jirai?! What the hell are you doing there? Where's Uryou?”
”I couldn't help but play this game. Tsunagi and I used to play this a lot when we were younger.” Jirai had such a contented look in his face.
”Where is Tsunagi? You were supposed to grab her!” His face turned to dread.
”Where's Tsunagi?!” Jirai shouted in panic.
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When people were gathering around Hiroisora while she was playing the shooting game, Tsunagi lost track of where Kazama was. She tried looking around but didn't find him. As Takaiyama and Jirai sat down to play the fighting game, Tsunagi passed by them without her noticing it was them. Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand and led her towards outside the arcade.
”Uryou-kun?” Tsunagi was surprised to see who dragged her. ”What are you doing here?”