23 Chapter 23: Landslide (2/2)
”I'm here to save you.” Uryou was embarrassed and then he let go of Tsunagi's hand.
”Save me? From what?” She was confused about the situation.
”From Kazama. Don't you know his reputation? He's just being nice to you, all he wants is—”
”Why do you care?” Tsunagi interrupted him.
”I, um, I don't—”
”You don't what? You don't care, right?” Her voice has a bit of anger and sadness in it. ”When I told you the times Kazama-kun asked me to go out with him, you didn't care. So I went out with him. Yesterday when I told you we're going out again today, you also didn't care. So why are you here now?” She looked at him in the eyes and had an expression that demanded an answer from him.
”I do care! I always have!” Uryou mustered all his courage to answer Tsunagi. ”We've been friends for a long time now. We've hanged out a lot. I've always thought it would be like that for a long time. But when you told me about Kazama asking you out, I wanted to stop you. I didn't want him to take you away from me… I've heard things about him. But who am I to stop you if you liked him? So, I didn't.” Tears went down Tsunagi's face.
”Why didn't you just tell me?” She rested her face on Uryou's chest to hide her tears.
”Because you'd think that I like you. And that you'd ignore me afterwards.” He answered her honestly.
”You really are stupid. Just like my brother.” A slight laughter could be heard between her crying.
---
Jirai, Hiroisora and I went outside the arcade together. We saw Uryou and Tsunagi standing there and talking somewhat loudly. We heard what they were talking about. I saw Hiroisora wiping tears from her eyes. Jirai wanted to get in between them, but I stopped him. I've never heard Uryou so sincere before, so I guess he really likes Tsunagi. We waited a little bit before approaching them.
”What's the meaning of this, Tsunagi?” Jirai could not wait any longer to confront his sister.
”I should be the one asking that! Why are you all here? You even dragged Takaiyama-san into your stupid ideas! I told you not to follow me around, didn't I?” Tsunagi was the one who ended up scolding his older brother.
”It wasn't entirely his fault. I'm sorry for ruining your date.” Hiroisora tried to pacify her and save Jirai from her wrath. ”By the way, I'm Hiroisora Kari. I'm Takaiyama-kun's girlfriend.” She smiled at Tsunagi. ”It's nice to finally meet you, Tsunagi-chan.”
”The pleasure is mine, Hiroisora-san. I'm Tsunagi Jirai.” She bowed at Hiroisora. ”I should be the one saying sorry that you got dragged into this. But thank you for being a friend to my brother.” She seemed very happy for her brother. ”Also, I know my brother may have said something about saving me from Takaiyama-san. Please don't worry; he didn't do anything to me. He was just very nice to me when I visited their home.” Hiroisora glared at me for a second, as a sign of disbelief towards me.
”Oh, don't worry Tsunagi-chan. I knew Jirai-kun was only joking.” They both laughed.
Tsunagi said that she'd talk to Kazama first. Uryou waited for her. Hiroisora, Jirai and I decided to go on ahead of them. Though, Jirai was against leaving them alone.
---
The three of us wandered around the mall. It was much more comfortable not being stared at.
”I will get my dear little sister back. You can bet on that, Takaiyama.” Jirai was confident.
”It's not like she's gone forever, you know.” I countered him.
”She's all I got. My parents died while we were still kids.” Jirai said it with a straight face.
”I'm sorry to hear that, Jirai-kun…” Hiroisora truly seemed sad for him.
”It's okay.” Jirai seemed like he was used to talking about this topic. ”But, when I saw Tsunagi's face earlier while talking with that punk, I realized she was really happy. Usually she's cheerful around everyone, but I could tell it was different earlier.”
”When it's about her, you can get serious, huh.” I was impressed.
”Of course!” Jirai was proud of himself. ”Now, all I have to do is to get rid of that runt and everything will be back to normal.”
”Don't!” Hiroisora and I yelled at him at the same time.
---
We were getting hungry and decided to eat. When we were about to enter a fast food restaurant, we bumped into Nariyuki.
”Oh, Nariyuki. What are you doing here?” I asked her.
”To eat, obviously. Why is Kari-chan with you and Jirai, anyway?”
”It's a long story, Kosui-san.” Hiroisora said with a weak smile.
”You know, it's perfect timing. I'm with Koujou-san.”
”Koujou-san?! Where is she?” Jirai became excited. Nariyuki pointed to the girl behind her wearing a cap, sunglasses and a facemask. I felt that I've seen that disguise too many times today.
”It worked, Nariyuki-san. They didn't even recognize me.” Koujou felt proud.
”Well, compared to that other disguise you were wearing earlier, this was less conspicuous.” Nariyuki answered with a deadpan expression.
”I'm guessing she was wearing a fedora hat and coat?”
”How did you know, Takaiyama-san?” Koujou was surprised.
”I told you before; it just makes you look more suspicious. I guess you didn't listen to me.”
”Let's talk inside while eating. I want to hear both of your opinions about what Koujou-san's role will be in the play.” Nariyuki led us inside.
I sat in between Jirai and Hiroisora, while on the other side of the table was Koujou and Nariyuki. Hiroisora has been silent for a while now. I guess when she knew Koujou was here she felt uncomfortable. While waiting for our food, we continued our conversation where we left off.
”So, what's the plan?” I asked Nariyuki.
”I've wanted to hear it since you said you had a good idea.” Koujou was really excited.
”She'll be part of your love-triangle in the story! Just like real life.” Nariyuki had this smirk in her face.