Fuji - Saki

" TORU!!!!!! "

A menacing cry fills the school halls. Unsurprisingly, the progenitor of this familiar tune is none other than our freeloader, Hikari Fukai. Right now, I'm running away from this crazy woman. If you're wondering why I'm in this situation, I ate her lunch.

I have every right to do so because she's living in my house for free! Besides, her cooking is excellent, so I'm here to appreciate and compliment it for her! Also, why is she calling me Toru now?

( Remember, folks, don't be like this. It's good enough that you have someone cooking for you. )

In all seriousness, I'm running with my life on the line. Her steps reverberate through the halls for someone with such a petite stature; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an earthquake step. Just imagining being caught by someone who can shake the school scares me.

Fortunately, the goddess of luck has given me an opportunity.

" You will never catch me, Fukai. For the intersection is now within my sights! THIS IS GOODBYE! "

" KAGE, YOU IDIOT! WE LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE! "

Damn, she's right. Gah, nevermind that!

As I reach the intersection, I dig my right foot into the ground and pivot to prepare for a sharp turn to the left—this method prevents momentum loss and further increases the distance between Hikari and me.

" So long, foo- "

THUD

Before I finish my words, I'm sent flying to the ground, and my head begins to spin. It's as if I hit a giant stone wall. Within that moment, all is lost. Hikari has now caught up with me; it's all over.

Seriously, this goddess is a sham, the only thing that intersection was a wall to block my path. I sure hope I'll get my hospital fees paid for after this.

" I've caught you now, Kage! " Hikari remarks with a grin. Even when she's mad, she somehow manages to smile, cute. Wait, no, that's not what I meant.

" Goodbye, world. "

" Wait! "

An unfamiliar voice rings through our ears. I'm confused as to whom this voice belongs. Fukai looks just as confused as I do. We both turn to the left to where the sound came from and are met with twin girls.

The one who spoke was the girl on the left who looked concerned. She had soft, luxe red hair and a petite stature equal to Fukai. On the other hand, the girl on the right had short cyan hair. In contrast to her sister, she's well-built and looks about as tall as I am. Despite their differences, one could tell that they were blood-related from their face. It's almost as if God performed copy and paste on them to reduce my time explaining how they looked. Nonetheless, they are still beautiful.

Thanks, God.

" Please forgive him! I wasn't paying attention and bumped into him by accident! I-I swear I didn't bump into him because I like him! " The shorter one blurts out.

" WHAT?! YOU LIKE, KAGE? " Hikari yells in response.

" YOU IDIOT, YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO CONFESS TO HIM NOW!!! " The taller one screams while giving her sister a headlock.

Still, now that I know who bumped into me, I can safely say it was indeed—

A wall.

" OI! YOU BETTER NOT BE CALLING MY OLDER SISTER A WALL! "

" You aren't allowed to read my mind! I don't even know who you are! "

A great silence ensues between us. Even the bystanders seemed to have nothing to say. Is it because I admitted to thinking that the older sister was a wall? Wait, the tiny sister is older?!

" Okay " The four of us say simultaneously.

" You go first, " The three of them say synchronously.

I have no idea what's happening anymore. I'll assume these three were talking to me even though I wasn't directly called out.

" Sorry for that; mind if you two introduce yourselves? I apologize for bumping into you both. I'm sure you were having a great afternoon until the freeloader arrived. "

" What do you mean freeloader?! YOU bumped into them, so how is it my fault!? "

" It just is. "

And with that, Hikari gave up. She knew I ended it with that statement because I'd find every reason to blame her. That's great. She knows me very well, and I'm proud of her. Though, she looks very downhearted about it. I'll find a way to make it up to her, albeit not now.

" I'm Fujisaki Saki, and my younger sister here is Fujisaki Fuji. It's nice to meet you Kagetoru-san! " And if I needed to mention it explicitly, the red-haired sister said this.

Fujisaki Saki and Fujisaki Fuji. Their parents didn't even try to name them properly. I wouldn't be surprised if their mother or father was named Fujisaki Sakifuji at this point.

" Nice to meet you. I believe we haven't met before? Care to explain why you know who I am? "

" Don't pretend, Super Idol. Everyone here in school knows how infamous you are with women. There are rumors that you've dated more than a hundred women and ended up leaving them after one day! " Fuji cries in objection. After which, she offered her hand to help me stand.

" I've only dated one woman before. Those words are biased and false. Also, thank you. " I take her hand, and I am now standing on my feet.

Hm. Did I say anything wrong?

Everyone is looking at me funny as if I said something unbelievable. Is it that weird for an 18-year-old to be in a relationship? I heard in other countries people much younger dated as soon as 12 years of age. I really hope I'm not the wrong one in this scenario.

" Kage, you've dated a girl before? " Hikari asks, following that was a giant gulp.

" Yes, but that's all in the past. I'd rather not talk about something insignificant. "

I say this to avoid the topic. I don't want these women to know my mistake. Not now, not ever. It's the least I can do to remember ' her '

Oh, it's not that anything terrible happened. Don't worry; this isn't some drama scene.

" Um, Kagetoru-san! If it's okay with you, can we... "

Before Saki can continue, I feel a strong tug and an overwhelming pulling force that drags me along the hallway and into a vacant music room. Of course, we already know it's Fukai, but I have no clue why I've been brought here. Perhaps I'm being mugged? Or is this divine punishment for the lunch I stole from her?

" So- "

SWOOSH— SLAM

A sudden gust of wind skims along my face, caused by Hikari's left arm as she slams it on the wall behind me. Isn't this one of those scenarios where the character gets beaten up. Why do I have to live out this cruel fate? Oh well, when life gives you melons, you make lemonade.

" Before you think I'm mugging you, I'm not! I only wanted to tell you that you won't have to suffer anymore, I'll take care of you, Kage! So, please! "

Take care of me? What an absolute joke. I can't believe I let someone like her perform a trick like this.

Dammit.

" You're getting ahead of yourself, Hikari. Seeing you like this makes me wonder how you can be this cute... "

" ! ! ! "

Reluctantly, I pat her head and pull her in for a hug. I'm afraid she might not like this, but she doesn't push me away and hugs me back.

I'm going to have a hard time explaining this to my parents when they find out about this, aren't I?