"Get out of the way! Now!" Someone screamed out "Move faster!"
"Who on Earth?" Shirogane stopped in his tracks, gripping the bag tightly.
"Hurry up you numskull! Move on to the left! That man is carrying a knife in his right hand!!!" It continued.
Frightened by the harsh tone Kousaki quickly did as he was told and moved on to the left in the nick of time when a man in rags waved a knife in his right hand like a crazy person ran as if he was being chased.
Prior to this ~
"Thanks but I'm gonna have to decline."
"But why~?" Nishihina whined.
"Well, I plan on staying with Uehara Anee-san until she's discharged. So I need to go back home for clothes and stuff." He said gently, patting her head.
"Oh, then how about this? Why don't you come to eat with us then we'll drop you back home?" Aoi suggested. "I'm coming back later too, I can't leave my mother here alone either."
"It's fine don't-" He was cut off by his growling stomach.
"Well, then that's settled! The stomach has given his thoughts." She laughed. "Shirogane Senpai, why don't you choose the restaurant?"
"O-ok…" In embarrassment, he held his stomach.
The three of them went to an Italian restaurant that Shiro liked to go with his older sister. It was very peaceful and had a homely atmosphere. The outside looked like a modern Japanese restaurant but the menu had all kinds of Italian dishes. The whole structure was made of wood and had lovely carvings with the writing from the Edo/warring states period.
"Oh, now I see why Uehara Anee-San likes this place." Nishihina was amazed at the peaceful, serene area.
"It really is lovely and less crowded than I imagined." He said as the three went in to sit.
The tables were neatly arranged and only a handful were filled with customers. About three waiters were taking orders while two more served the food. All of them white shirts, black pants and black aprons. It made them look refined and professional, unlike the usual Japanese restaurants.
"I should come here next time with my friends," Nishihina said while Aoi called the waiter to order.
"So it is boring to be here with your cousin brother and his very handsome friend?" Shiro said, faking a pout and dramatically covering his face with his hands to cry.
"Whaaaaaa? You know I don't mean it like that." She said, trying to calm him down.
"Hello, what may I get you for today?" The waiter who appeared out of nowhere asked in a very gentle and polite way.
'Whoa he's fast' Shiro thought before giving his order.
"I know you! You are the guy that comes with that really pretty girl." He said.
"Pretty girl?" Shiro contemplated, putting a finger on his chin.
"Eh? Shirogane Senpai has a gir-"
"Ah, Uehara Anee-San," He said, putting a fist down on his other palm. "Yes, that's my sister."
"O-oh she is your sist-"
"Aldo! Stop chatting with the customers and come help me." One of the female waitresses said coming out of the kitchen.
"Ah! I'll be right there." He said,'' I'll come back with your food soon."
"That- That guy was trying to hit on my sister wasn't he?" Shiro said in disbelief.
"Uehara Anee-san is very pretty No wonder many guys are after her," Nishihina said, resting her chin on her palm.
"What? No, you too." Shiro groaned.
"Duh? She's pretty as heck!" Nishihina shamelessly said.
"Dude that's my sister- Woah Aoi? You ok?" Shiro quickly said, turning to his friend who had his eyes widened.
"N-Nishi... hina… y-you… li..like wo...women? He stuttered.
"Ah… uh… A-Ani-Aniki… nn~ yea… I'm actually bisexual…" She whispered finally.
"O-oh… is… is that so? That's… that's great." He exhaled. "I'm really happy for you."
"R-Really? You don't mind if I like men or women?" she replied in exhilaration.
"Yeah! I'm proud that you can freely tell me anything." He smiled walking up to her and giving her a tight hug. "No matter what Hina, know I'm always here for you."
This display of affection that Shiro had never seen in his life brought tears to his sparkly blue eyes. To cover up the fact that he was emotional, Kousaki leaped into a group hug with Nishihina and Aoi.
"Yay, Hugs! Me too!"
"Aww, Shiro-Senpai why are you crying?" She replied, wiping her own tears while patting his head.
"No matter whom you like I will always support you Nishihina." Aoi said, pressing a check onto his cousin sister/best friend's head.
"Ah… ehm… excuse me but… I brought the food." The guy named Aldo said apologetically that he ruined their moment.
"Haha, for a moment I forgot we were in a restaurant." Shirogane laughed, thanking the waiter.
"I'm so sorry for making you stand there the whole time." Aoi apologized.
"It's cool I'm sorry for spoiling the connection between you guys." He said bowing.
'I still think that the right person is out there and this stupid fated pair thing is bogus. Sometimes this voice in the back of my head says: "Give up! No one is EVER going to love at least not in this life. You will be lonely your whole life and even after death. Even now there is no one who loves you because you are incapable of feeling love. Go on, try it! Kill yourself and SEE who cries." I hate this voice.'
"Thanks for paying Aoi-San," Shiro said bowing.
"It's fine, the place was really nice." He said with an adorable smile. "I'm so sorry I can't drop you home." His smile dropped.
"It's ok. It's not like I'm some school girl." Kousaki said, showing off his noodle arms.
"I know but… please be careful ok?" Aoi sighed, putting a hand on Shiro. "Look out for pervs. See you at the hospital."
"Ok, Otosan now go drop Nishihina-Chan. Oba-san will worry even more." Shiro said pushing Aoi to the cab and had a sleeping Nishihina.
Shirogane stood there until the cab was out of sight before continuing on his journey home. Making a mental note of the things he was going to need for him and his sister, he took out his phone to write it all down.
'Whoopies 'never take out the phone while walking.'" He said to himself. "Very dangerous."
To occupy himself Shiro did his favorite pastime hobby, looking around and varying his surroundings. Since he had to pass many dark, scary alleyways he paid even more extra attention to whatever was going around him. But that only backfired when he heard a woman scream. It was the first time he heard such a loud scream ever since his mother left him.
"LET GO!" The lady said, screaming at the top of her lungs in a very high-pitched tone.
"Phone, phone, phone," Shiro said quickly, taking out his phone before turning on his flashlight and the police on speed dial.
Fear, panic, and overthinking made it bad for Shirogane. He made a run for it. Running like the wind while holding onto his dear life all because of one measly, loud, high-pitched scream from a woman. He ran past the police station to take a look at the guard to evaluate whether the man or woman is good at combat. Revealed he stopped running so fast. Thanks to volleyball Shiro knew how to control his breath and to stop panting. Although he ran a few meters, Shiro was again next to another alleyway.
"Get out of the way! Now!" Someone screamed out "Move faster!"
"Who on Earth?" Shirogane stopped in his tracks, gripping the bag tightly.
"Hurry up you numskull! Move on to the left! That man is carrying a knife in his right hand!!!" It continued.
Frightened by the harsh tone Kousaki quickly did as he was told and moved on to the left in the nick of time when a man in rags waved a knife in his right hand like a crazy person ran as if he was being chased. The man went past Shiro.
"Holy crap?! That knife was humongous!" He said to himself.
"You are a slowpoke, you know that?" A man's face appeared next to Kousaki, and said, "Ya need to be quick on your feet."