Of course Jeremy is right about one thing. Brother Lewis is always overprotective of me. He even threatened those guys who wanted to approach me and be friends with me. As A Result, Lucy is the only friend of mine who has been my friend since middle school.
"I won't do that again. Pretty please~ Let me meet him". He pleaded while I kinda wanted to give in. He looks so cute that I somehow see a big puppy. Wait what?
"Sigh~ Fine. Just promise you won't scare him!".
That's what happened yesterday.
"So your other brothers want me to meet them?", he asked me.
"Sorry", it was so embarrassing to tell him what happened yesterday. I just lie down on the ground with its grassy area not sure what to talk about.
He just smiles and closes the book he's reading. "I don't mind at all. I think it might be for the better to meet them".
"Are you sure?". He really is kind. I feel pity at him because he doesn't need to. But I feel like me and my brothers are the bad people in this event. "Since you say so, I'll inform Jeremy about it. You can come to the student council with me tomorrow during lunch break".
"Sure".
I talked and talked with Claude under the sakura during our lunchtime. I became really close with him.
Not far at sight, a girl with pretty blonde hair watched them from the 3rd floor of the school building.
Next day at lunch break,
Kaezi opened the door to the council. Claude was three steps behind and they entered.
"Kaezi, you're here".
"Hahahaha. That's too funny!". Jeremy in a loud voice. Wow, he must be reading the same manga all over again.
"H-hello. I'm Claude Kazuya, nice to meet you".
How come he is more nervous than I am?!
Lewis looked at him. Derris sighed and approached Claude instead. "Derris Iura, it's nice to meet a friend of our little sister. That moron over there is Lewis".
Lewis stood up. "Hey, why are you calling me like that?". He stroked his hair and wow… that was cool.
He lives up to his reputation as the school hunk. I can already feel the cringe.
"Nice to meet you. I hope you can be a good friend to her".
What did I just see?! Did my brother accept Claude as my friend that easily? Brother Derris didn't object. Klein and Jeremy didn't interfere either. Am I missing something here?
Claude, Kaezi and Jeremy went back first.
"That was fast. How come you didn't act stupid in front of her? Not to mention you also didn't make that guy scared".
"Zi needs friends that are genuine. Don't forget all those who approached her in the past have ulterior motives". Lewis rested his face on his palm.
Derris looked at him sharply as he sat down on the desk. "Is that all?".
"My~ Don't you believe me at all?".
Derris suspiciously reacted.
"Also, I need to act nice for her. I fear that she will hate me more if I do such a thing to her new friend".
"She doesn't hate you. You are just annoying".
"That really hurts. I'm your older brother you know".
"Nah. What a stupid conversation this is". Derris said in a funny looking disgust in his face.
It was after school and I decided to wait for Claude. I peek to the door and saw him.
"Claude!", I waved at him.
I noticed that he was talking to his seatmate. There's also a girl with beautiful blonde hair. I wonder who is she to Claude.
He looked at me as soon as I called him. He smiled.
He took his bag and bid farewell to them.
"I didn't know you actually came here. You don't have to".
"Quit yapping and let's go!".
I grabbed his hand and ran away from this place.
…
We sat down at the usual spot we settled. It was under this very tree.
To be honest, this cherry blossom didn't give me a good memory because of that time but it was so long ago. I realize I have to move on and make new memories to cover that wound.
But if it's about forgiving him, I don't know… I still hesitate from the thought of that.
"Kaezi, so you're here!".
I thought something big covered the sunlight, it was Lucy.
I sweat nervously. I suddenly remembered I went off without her earlier. I bet she's totally angry.
She grinned as her face threatened me. "Kaezi Iura…"
Woah. She called my full name. I don't like the sound of that.
She suddenly yelled to my ears. She's scolding me like crazy.
"...how dare you leave me behind for this guy! Are we still friends?!".
My guilty conscience stabs me. "I'm so sorry. I was just excited to sit down and relax here".
Lucy snapped from scolding. "Relax? I thought you have bad memories of this tree?".
Claude accidentally became curious. "Huh?".
I covered her mouth and smiled. "Hahaha! What bad memories? You must be joking around".
Why did you say something that shouldn't be said?!
I glared at her.
I let go and she sharply glanced at me. I can hear her thoughts telepathically. 'My revenge!'.
'What??' How childish can you be?!'.
I looked at her in disgust. It was funny since we haven't had these 'argument things' since last year.
"Claude, was it? I'm Lucy Akatsumi. Please to meet you".
Who said I'm ditching you over someone?! You are.
Claude shakes hands with her. I just let it go since I was in the wrong first. Anyway, Lucy joined us.
"Lucy, do you still have your camera?".
"Yeah. Why do you ask?", she asked me while showing the camera to me.
"Our picture together! The first one we should be doing!".
"Oh yeah. Glad you remember. How about joining us too, Claude". She asked if she could get a picture with new friends.
Claude closed the book. He looked up at us. "Uhm.. if you don't mind".
Lucy asks for a few minutes to go back and get the tripod stand.
…
Lucy was so excited. Meanwhile… It's getting awkward how this spot becomes crowded.
Jeremy and my older brothers joined the first picture together with us.
"Uhmm.. Claude.. When did this happen?", Lucy went to him and whispered.
Claude innocently blinked. He doesn't know why this happened. "I.. am not really sure".
I sighed. "It can't be helped. You'll get used to it soon", I replied. My expression was so listless that I don't even want to think anymore.
Klein poke my shoulder. "Snack… Want one?", he has tons of snacks in his arms.
"Thank you brother". He's my older brother but I find it comfortable to treat him like a young kid. Maybe because he's talkative?! Or is it because he talks less than most of us?!.
Jeremy waves at us. "Hey, the camera is ready to take photos!".
"Coming!". I ran towards them with Lucy, Claude & Brother Klein.
It was nice. Lucy and I between the boys and make a smile. Jeremy and Klein posing in a standing and cool position, there's also Claude and Derris just having a bright smile, and my idiot Big Brother Lewis with a cheery face while his arms are tightly hugging Klein.
Out of all the pictures that were taken, today's picture will be the best of the best.
"Woah. You have a nice pose there, Klein. You look cool!", a compliment from Lewis.
Of course Klein didn't respond because of another snacks stuffed in his mouth.
"You did well there".
Hm?
Claude approached me. "You show what you feel and express it which I couldn't do much".
"Not at all. You look great there. All that matters is it was a successful photo!".
Claude's eyes gleamed and he felt genuine happiness. "Hahaha. Yeah". He gave a gentle smile.
"Should we celebrate this happy occasion?!". Lewis gave a suggestion and he was holding his waist, all proud.
Derris sighed. "Do you even have money?!".
"Eh?!".
Jeremy snickered. "Brother, don't tell me you forgot that the school director reduced your allowance".
Lewis was stupefied. "I-is that so?!".
"What did he do to get punished anyway?", I asked.
"He spends his monthly allowance for personal gain. Besides, Klein was against it so he had no choice but to do it secretly. He still got caught by the director though".
That's right. Brother Klein's birthday is near and I haven't got a chance to think what to give him.
"Hey, can you give me some money?". Lewis asked Jeremy while his face was still dumbfounded.
"Heck, no way!".
Lewis kneeled and pulled his shirt. "Get away from me, stupid".
Lucy laughed as she covered her mouth. I was going with the flow and had Klein beside me.
"Even my little brother hates me now".
We laughed as we made fun and I comforted Lewis. Claude suggested something to him to help him earn pocket money. Jeremy and Derris waa chatting with each other while Klein gave us more snacks.
It was yet another eventful day.
Next morning,
The twin siblings walked through the hallway.
Jeremy covered his mouth while yawning.
"Did you stay up late again?", she asked.
Jeremy was half awake and didn't seem heard her. Kaezi pinched his cheeks.
"Ow!".
"You're not getting any better with that sleeping schedule of yours. Do you want me to tell our big brothers?!".
Jeremy hold onto Kaezi's, trying to let her hand go.
"Yes, yes. I won't stay up late anymore just don't tell them, alright?".
I take away my hands.
"Jeez. Where was the last time I heard of that?".
"Oh, Zi. Quite nagging like mom".
"This is the last time!", I said annoyingly.
We entered the classroom and saw Lucy. "Zi!". She was beside my desk with a horrible expression on her face.
I also was shocked and my face darkened. My desk was written with slanders and curse. A graffiti of colour of blood.
'Vixens doesn't deserve to come to school!'
'B*tch'
'Die!'
…
"Zi!". I almost collapsed but thank goodness Jeremy prevented my fall.
"Are you okay?", Lucy quickly gave me water. She tried to calm me down.
Who could've done this?! I have no recollection of having enemy inside the academy.
My body trembled as those slanders fill my mind.
-to be continued-