As promised, the following weekday Nikki decided to go shopping with me. She, of course, pushed Natsuno in accompanying us while the others reluctantly went ahead for the academy. I, too, wasn't sure if I should skip the day at first, but skimming back at my appearance once more appended to my hesitation.
(I just can't go like this, especially because of Sadashige sensei! He won't let me see the light of day again spurting out with those comments...)
After changing into suitable clothes to move in, we headed off to the first location that Nikki proposed. It was a cute little vintage-like store.
Lined up on the far-stretched shelves were a various mix of accessories as well as minor trinkets which were equally eye-catching. I couldn't hold back a big gasp at all the orderly attention to detail. It was a kind of shop only attracting locally sophisticated people who would enjoy limited luxury.
"So, Asu-nee, anything you like so far?" Nikki asked with great interest.
"Hmm... All the accessories are either so cute or pretty! I can't seem to choose JUST one..." I held a small flower shaped hair pin, regarding it with interest at how simply detailed the design was.
"Well, no biggie. We have the whole day to ourselves! Let's try the next store."
Natsuno and I followed behind the delighted Nikki skipping along the side-walk. She seemed to be enjoying this way more than me as a matter of fact. When I turned around, I saw Natsuno tipping his head down listlessly towards the ground.
(Huh? Is it just me or has Natsuno been awfully quiet today? Doesn't seem like him...)
Feeling a sense of worry, I was about to call out, but Nikki's vivacious and bubbly attitude banished any specks of concerned thoughts left within me. Shrugging it off as not too much of a big deal, I continued to follow behind.
Going forth, we stopped by some other accessories stores, all equally - if not better, chic and glamorous. In the last one, Nikki and I decided to buy a matching set of a carved shell necklace and a hairtie. Seeming like Nikki still haven't had enough of our shopping 'spree', Natsuno and I gave in without much dispute.
(After all, she looks way too happy in this moment. I would actually feel bad otherwise...)
Our other stop was a salon right next to a modern boutique. I held onto my hat as I tilted my head up to survey the building, gaping in awe. It was standing quite tall. Nikki motioned to come inside, still not being able to contain herself from beaming widely.
Just as I was stepping foot through the entrance, I heard a dull thud behind me. My eyes opened wide as soon as I saw that the source of it was a collapsed Natsuno. I panicked upon seeing him sprawled all on the ground with laboured breathing.
"Natsuno!!! Are you okay?! What's wrong?!" I tried shaking him, but only silence answered.
After hearing my anxious scream, Nikki ran back suddenly as well.
"Natsu...!"
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Our once carefree outing ended with a dark cloud hung over.
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We both somehow managed to carry Natsuno all the way back to the house. He was burning up - his body was almost too hot to touch.
(I can't believe I didn't pick up on his behavior sooner... He was acting strange ever since we left....)
If I was feeling THIS guilty, I couldn't even begin to empathise with Nikki's emotions. Being a twin, she must be taking it way harder than anyone. All I could do was be there with her.
"I... don't get how Natsuno got such a high fever. He was energetic just yesterday." I worded what had been on my mind as I squeezed a wet towel beside Nikki.
Taking the towel from my hands and then resting it on Natsuno's forehead, Nikki replied, "It must be an after-effect from the battle. Natsu used to continually get sick when we were kids from overusing his powers too.
Eventhough we took a week to recover... I can't believe I didn't pay more attention to him... Instead... all I have been doing was shopping like an idiot, when it was even supposed to be you Asu-nee..."
Nikki's balled hands shook with pure remorse, making me momentarily rest my own hand on hers.
"Don't blame yourself too much! I always knew how much street shopping meant to you, so don't fret over little details. Besides, none of us could have predicted what was already going to happen. What we can do now is perk Natsuno back to full health."
"Asu-nee... It seems you always have the right words when needed most, huh?"
"E-Eh? I mean, I was just--"
"Thank you for saying so. You're right! What we should be worrying about is taking down Natsu's fever! Besides, it's his fault for always going overboard when he knows his limits... Baka!"
(Ah... Was that last part really necessary? Well, I guess Nikki just cares in her own way...)
"Then, how about we make something for him? When Natsuno wakes up, he will need to eat something warm and healthy to help break the fever." Dismissing Nikki's last remark, I suggested the idea to lift up her spirits as well.
"Sure! I wanna help in any way I can~" Nikki nodded devotedly.
And so, we headed towards the kitchen to make some fresh chicken rice porridge. Mom used to give me this same dish whenever I was sick, and it always worked like a charm.
I asked Nikki to rinse rice while I proceeded to cut the chicken, along with green onions and other veggies to add. We then poured the rice and chicken into a pot along with water, leaving it all to boil.
After an hour or so, the porridge was ready, the warm, appetizing smell drifting in the air. I asked Nikki to check up on Natsuno while I prepared the chicken rice bowl on a tray.
"Asu-nee! Natsu is awake!" Nikki hurriedly informed me as soon as she came back in the kitchen.
"Okay, I'm coming!" I held the tray and walked over to the room Natsuno was lying in.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by Natsuno's pure smiling face. He was sitting up straight, waving back.
"Natsuno! How are you feeling?" I set down the tray beside him, and softly placed my hand on his forehead to check the temperature.
"Wow, it's gone down! Thank goodness..."
"I guess I also ruined our day together... Sorry to worry you two... But it happens sometimes when I use too much power ahaha..." Natsuno shyly brushed his hair.
"Of course I know! But Asu-nee was super worried you know?! Sheesh, you just never learn Natsu. Even after I always remind you, you always overdo it... Always!" Nikki's voice trailed off as she looked down at her own skirt, clutching it with force.
Natsuno bowed deeply, "I'm really sorry! I promise I won't do it again...!"
He then held Nikki's hand, making her face him.
"Y-You better not! Unless you want to trouble Asu-nee again!"
(Eh...? Why are you pointing me into this?!)
I let out an embarrassed chuckle the moment their conversation ended on me.
"Now, now. Forget whatever happened. Here, we both made chicken porridge for you Natsuno. Eat it while it's hot."
Natsuno's eyes sparkled after he sniffed in the rich aroma. As soon as he was going to pick up the chop-sticks, Nikki put out her palm in front of Natsno's face.
"Hold up! Let me feed you! After all, I did make it, and you are still recovering."
"W-What?! I can eat myself! Quit treating me like a child!"
"Shut it, you! Now, say 'aaaah'."
Natsuno paused for a good few seconds, before sighing and opening his mouth. Nikki joyfully shoved the first bite, waiting for his reaction.
"Hmm..." I was also starting to feel nervous the more Natsuno quietly chewed and took in the flavours.
"Not bad at all! It's a bit salty, but the chicken helps counterbalance it."
"I-I knew I should have stopped when you told me to Asu-nee..." Nikki sulked at her own mistake.
"Okay, let me feed the next bite!" I clapped my hands together as a distraction, before taking the bowl and chopsticks.
"Ehhh?! You too, Asu-nee?! I'm not a child y'know!!!"
Even his temporary outbursts were futile as I, then, scooped up the next bite into Natsuno's mouth. Taking turns like this, we both made him finish the meal. I knew that even if Natsuno tried to hide it, he enjoyed our company.
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By the time it was evening, Natsuno perked right back up. I don't know if the porridge helped a lot, or if he was just THAT good at recovering. Raizo and the others came back from the academy as well. We informed them about how Natsuno caught a fever around noon, but their reactions showed that, really, it was a natural occurance for him at this point.
I really wondered how Natsuno even managed to stay healthy in front of me all the while using his powers, until today. And why does he even have powers that have side-effects on him while the rest don't? I guess only time shall give me my answers.
"Yeah!! Now that I'm better, I wanna move my body!" Natsuno punched up in the air as he stood on top of the blanket.
"Even after you exercised your brain with Rai-nii's card games all day, you STILL want to do something else?" Even Nikki was surprised by Natsuno's suggestion.
"Of course! It's not like I even had a challenge considering Asu-nee was so bad at 'em."
"H-Hey! I was trying my best! It just depends on luck you know!" I immediately shot back.
Yeah, I may be good at studies or any other mental work, but card games are truly beyond my grasp. It was flustering being revealed like this in front of the twins... But I tried my best not to show it on my face.
Natsuno proposed that we visit a skatepark near our house. I never knew he was crazy for skateboarding - he really didn't seem the type to enjoy an extreme sport like that. Rocking the skateboard under his right arm, Natsuno led the way ahead of Nikki and I.
I was actually pretty eager to witness someplace new that, truthfully, I've only seen in action movies. But Nikki seemed pretty bored - we were carrying opposite expectations. The entire way was quiet with only Natsuno's whistles trailing about in the cool air.
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"Well, here we are!" Natsuno stated as he flipped on his skateboard, displaying his level-smooth experience in front of me.
I clapped naturally, my eyes sparkling with sheer reverence.
"Wow! I can't wait to try it! Now this looks fun!" I jogged up to Natsuno, and he fetched me a helmet and safety pads. Surprisingly, he was well prepared.
"Nikki, won't you join today?" Natsuno asked while jumping off the board.
"N-No thanks! Skateboarding is such a boorish activity only fitted for boys like you...!" Nikki folded her arms in disapproval.
In the end, I was the only newbie to try skateboarding along with Natsuno. There were a few other local guys all playing stunts on the various ramps and rinks. Nikki sat at the edge of the one we would be using.
"Well... No turning back now... H-Here goes!" I borrowed Natsuno's board after he skated down for doing all kinds of flashy moves, the wheels screeching in constructive medleys.
After taking one last deep breath, I anchored my right foot firmly on the board, and slid my other foot backwards. Before I knew it, I was gliding down the marble surface at full speed. The wind felt oddly satisfying on my hot cheeks, perhaps due to the sudden adrenaline pumping all the way to my brain.
I didn't feel scared anymore. I didn't feel my nerves quivering. I didn't want to stop. I didn't have to think. It was like, in that brief moment, I was on two free wings gliding with the night breeze.
Eventhough I couldn't do any stunts, I was still proud of my progress in ramping up and down the pit. When I reached the starting point, I was about to get off the board, but almost lost my balance.
"Woahhh...!" Natsuno was swift to grab my hand the moment I lurched backwards.
"Phew... Thanks..." My heart nearly dropped at the misstep around the edge.
"Asu-nee, that was amazing work! It was your first time, but you were totally a natural!"
Natsuno flicked the skateboard from the ground and onto his side. Even Nikki - who didn't seem to be enjoying much, ran up to me as I wiped off the sweat beads on my forehead.
"I guess even a girl can make it look less... rowdy and wild."
"Wait, does that mean--"
"I might try it next time too..."
Natsuno and I turned towards one another before giving a big high five in the air.
He then boomed, "Alright!!! Next time will be a race then!"
"W-Wait! No way then! I changed my mind!" Nikki rejected simultaneously.
"*chuckle* Kidding, kidding."
Replaying back the whole day spent in my head like a vivid tape, it was definitely worth it to skip the academy. Although it was not how we planned, I still enjoyed being in the circle of these dynamic twins. Having two complete contrasting preferences, I am glad they respectfully compromised for the sake of accompanying the other.
(There were a lot of unpredicted ups-and-downs, and today was far different than the hangout with Raizo, but... It actually wasn't so bad!)
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"You both are pretty unique in a way!" I commented from behind Nikki and Natsuno, grinning with warm happiness.
"Eh, what does that mean?" Natsuno seemed puzzled to which Nikki tilted her head.
"*giggle* It's a secret~"
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