Three Hundred And Sixty Four
“God, I’m so jealous bro, I’ve always wanted to visit the UK, since it’s where mom was from!” my sis was saying heatedly, as we talked on the phone early in the morning. “You lived there too, when you were just a little kid, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t really rember all that much, though now my stats are higher, it’s strange, it’s like a lot of my old mories have grown sharper. Well, look, when you graduate, if we have ti, we can go on a trip, but for now you have to knuckle down and make sure you perform. You do want to get into a decent Tokyo university, right? You won’t do that missing any more school.” I warned.
“Yeah, I get it. Damn bro, no need to lecture.” She sighed, not sounding too displeased. “I know you are just desperate for to move to Tokyo and live with you, don’t worry, I won’t blow it.” She snorted, amused. “Well, Eri’s not going with you either, right? She must be depressed.”
“Actually…” I glanced at Eri who was listening, as I had my phone on speaker mode, and she managed a little shrug. Beside her, Shiro rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced by Eri’s calm. “… she’s focused on her recovery. Besides, when all this is done, I’ll be taking her on a weekend away, just the two of us.”
“Nice. I guess you’re learning how to handle girls a little bit, bro. So… wow, Kana-chan is finally in, huh? I’m a little surprised, being as how she was pretty standoffish with Eri, but… well, it’s not like she didn’t like you bro. By the way, mom is hopping up and down beside , eager to talk. It’s probably sothing stupid though, so I’ll keep the phone for now…”
“Now Ai, that was very rude. Your mom is going to say so very important things…” mom protested, but my sis continued to talk.
“So, Eri’s going to be all right while you’re gone? I do worry a bit…”
“Oh Aiko…” Eri breathed at that, but with a grin, Shiro talked into the handset, her breath hot on my ear.
“It’s all right Aiko. I’ll be looking after her this weekend. While Aki is away I’m not going to sit around moping, I’ll be hitting Tokyo hard, partying with friends old and new. I’ll take care of Eri and we’ll be too busy having fun to miss him!”
“I see.” Aiko said, relieved. “Well, I can trust you, Shiro. But I don’t envy you. Eri can get really cranky when she’s jealous. YandEri indeed.”
“Aiko…” Eri growled, and there was so laughter, before we got back on topic.
“So, anyway, school going all right?” I asked, and she answered happily.
“Yeah, my maths and science grades are now top of the school. I have to be careful not to score too well. Coupled with my English scores and sporting abilities, so long as I don’t blow Japanese and a few other classes, the exams should be a cakewalk. Wow, my life really did change when you brought Shaeula back to Nishimorioka bro. I’m hurt you were keeping all this to yourself!”
Well it’s not like I didn’t have a reason, even if maybe they weren’t the best, too overcautious… “Well, that’s all in the past. So, how are Rika-san and Yae? Good, I hope. Not … overexerting themselves?”
“I’ll tell them you asked after them. Yae-chan will be thrilled. But… no, I’m not pushing them. I just let them do basic training. Mostly Aether Manipulation, and a bit of light Ether Healing. It’s hard when you aren’t here to guide us or see what Rank we’re at bro, but…” she paused aningfully. “Wow, you should be proud of your sis, bro. I know this is a hurdle I have to overco if I’m going to achieve my dream of being the first Astral Sports Scientist, so I’m working hard to gain experience. And… well, Rika-chan and Yae-chan have got all ambitious too. They’re dreaming of leaving for Tokyo when they graduate now. And you know what, I guess they can do it. Wow, you’ve changed so many lives bro, how do you live with yourself?”
“Quite easily.” I assured her. “Anyway, are you doing okay? No more injuries, right?”
“Wow, co on bro, don’t ask in front of mom!” she complained. “Seriously though, I’m safe, I promise. My golden sister army protects , and I just pick enemies off with my bow, or rarely move in up close for the practice. I’m an athlete at heart, right? I have to train hard. As for injuries, sure, it’s impossible to fight without getting hurt at all, but nothing major, and Ether Healing takes care of the wounds no problem. I try and focus on the feelings when they do, and I think I might be near to Ranking up again. Praise bro, praise harder!” she crowed.
Why don’t her words fill with confidence? “Just be careful, all right? A girl shouldn’t be risking scars. If you spoil your beauty, it won’t just be who is upset. Eri worries about you too.”
“Aww, bro, you’re making blush. Is this what it feels like to be Kana-chan? Well, of course I don’t want to get hurt, I’m being as safe as possible, while still bringing ho the levels, right? Besides, if I did hurt myself and couldn’t fix it, you’d step up, like before, right?”
“Maybe I should leave you injured as a lesson?” I warned, though we both knew I wouldn’t do that, as her response indicated.
“Yeah, whatever bro. Try and look tough in front of Shiro and Eri, you’re not fooling anyone. So, everything’s fine here, you enjoy your trip with Motoko and Natsumi. I want pictures of Buckingham Palace! I still can’t believe it, do you think you’ll et the Queen?”
“Give the phone, Ai dear!” mom said, snatching it, despite her protests. “What, you can still listen in, Ai… hi Aki, it’s mom!”
Yes, I know. “Hi mom, I hope you’ve been well?”
“Better than well. Everything is so exciting recently! Eri sends updates, as does Shaeula. It’s great having so many beautiful daughters-in-law, and the numbers keep increasing without end… we’ll need to hire Tokyo Do for the wedding at this rate.” She giggled like a much younger woman.
“Well, don’t let auntie Hana hear you say that.” I warned, and mom tutted.
“Don’t worry about Hana. She’s used to it now. So long as Eri is happy. You are happy, right Eri?” she said, knowing Eri was listening.
“Well, I’d dearly love to be able to move properly again, but Akio and the others look after , and I’ll get there. Tell my mother and father they can co visit. There are always guest rooms available here. If not, I’ll visit when I’m better.”
“That’s good to hear, Eri. We do worry. Well, on that note… Aki, please do get pictures, Ai is right! I want to see the dresses Motoko-chan and Natsumi-chan are wearing, and… do you think you might et the Queen? It’s the dream of every Brit to get to see her, talk to her, maybe even shake her hand!”
Ignoring the cries of “I already said that, mom!” from my sister, I grinned. Yeah, Aiko is like a miniature version of our mom, well, if you add in a heaping helping of sporting talent, I guess. Mom isn’t athletic. Or good with booze. My sis shares that trait at least… “I don’t know. I should be eting Princess Eleanor though, or the trip won’t be worthwhile.”
“My son, with the Princess! She’s the apple of Britian’s eye, you know.” Mom gushed. “I think she’s everyone’s ideal princess, beautiful, kind, modest… the public likes her brothers, but they love Eleanor! I can’t believe it… get a picture! I need to brag!”
“But there’s already pictures of Aki with Yukiko.” Shiro pointed out, which was true, as we had taken a few at Conclave, and I had also snapped a selfie when we were out drinking in Kyoto after the funeral. “And Shaeula’s a princess too. Really, stop being so impressed. Besides… I’m a princess as well!”
“Oh, you must be Shiratori-chan!” mom said, and Shiro shuddered theatrically.
“Please call Shiro. I hate my na.” she complained. “No honorifics.”
“Oh. Sorry Shiro.” Mom apologised. “Well, we’ve yet to be formally introduced, but I’m your mother-in-law. I’ve heard a lot about you. And seen the photos. You’re a really stunning girl. My son has an eye for quality, it seems, just like his father!” she said proudly, managing to get in a boast about herself as well.
“Well, I can’t argue with that.” Shiro agreed. “Anyway, Emily…” as usual Shiro wasn’t phased by the situation. “… don’t worry about Eri, I have it in hand.”
“Great. I appreciate it, Shiro. And I look forward to eting you soon. Well, back on the topic at hand…” mom coughed. “… while you are in the UK, do you think you’ll get a chance to pop in and see my mum and dad? It’s been so long, I’m sure they’d love to see the handso young man their grandson has grown up into.”
“Well, I have so ti. I can probably manage. Are they still living in the sa place?” I asked to make sure, and mom agreed.
“Yes, still that little village near Coventry. Well… there’s just one thing though.” Her voice quavered a little, and I had a sudden bad feeling.
“And what’s that?” I asked warily.
“When you got engaged to Eri, I was so delighted and proud, I let them know. So… uh, after that, I didn’t know what to tell them, so I’ve just said you’ve been getting on well with Eri. So when you turn up with Motoko-chan and Natsumi-chan… well, I’ll let you co up with an explanation!”
Typical! Yeah, mom and sis are definitely alike… Ignoring Eri’s smirk which was basically ‘serves you right’ in smile form, and Shiro’s laughter, I scratched at my cheek, thinking. “Oh well, what’s done is done. I’ll… co up with sothing. Well, it’ll be good to see my grandparents again. I know they hate travelling, but maybe I can persuade them to visit. After all, they’ll want to see how you’ve grown, sis.”
“Yeah, or we can go visit them after I graduate.” Aiko shouted.
“Maybe. Well…” I continued to talk to my sis and mom a little more, before they put my father on the phone, and after five minutes of warnings to behave, comport myself with dignity, and to show respect to the people I would et in the UK, I hung up, rather ntally exhausted, and the day had only just started.
“Your family is nice, Aki.” Shiro said, a touch wistfully. “They care about you a lot.”
“True, even though father finds it hard to show it. He’s llowed though.”
“That’s true.” Eri agreed. “He was always soft on and Aiko though. Akio used to get the bla for catering to our whims all the ti…”
“Sounds fun. We can talk about that during our girls’ weekend.” Shiro laughed, enjoying my embarrassnt. “I’ll tell you so stories about too. We can bond!”
“All right, enough. I have to get ready, and I’ve more goodbyes to say!”
********
“So, I hope things go well.” Kana kissed on the cheek, blushing, and Shaeula eyed her mockingly, smirking.
“No, that will simply not-not do, Kana!” she declared. “Akio is your male now, you must-must be bold.” With that she pulled my head down and gave her farewell kiss, her tongue greedily seeking mine. I pulled her close, and after a minute of passionate snogging, we parted, saliva scattering. Shaeula licked mine off her lips happily, before turning to Kana in triumph. “That-that is the appropriate display.”
“No way. I’ve only been dating him a day! I’m not an easy girl! But…” she looked at then. “Akio, a redo?”
I laughed and nodded, and this ti we kissed on the lips, pressing them together, her face red, for a few seconds before parting. She touched her lips, a little embarrassed, before grinning to hide her sha and arousal, Kana’s mask returning. “Well, if you think about cheating on us, Akio, rember these kisses! We’re waiting for you here!”
“That was much-much better. I shall not-not push you, but you must be bold, like a good female should be.” Shaeula approved, before looking at , frustrated. “I too shall miss you, and wish you to keep-keep in your heart. But I have far too much to do at the Spring to be absent so-so long. So the least I can do is ensure your absence causes no-no troubles.” She looked at Hyacinth then, who was wearing a custom, expensive maid outfit, in the long-skirted British style, no skin exposed, unlike her customary ones. She looked a touch uncomfortable in it, but on seeing looking she brightened, spinning around, her hair streaked with purple and green forming a cloud, her long skirt flaring out.
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