I leaned against the side of the car, watching the city from the little hill I had parked, until I heard a cute voice behind me.
"Ouch, where am I?"
I turned in the direction the voice came from. Hoyo had woken up and was looking left and right trying to figure out what was going on.
"Hey, did you wake up? How are you?" I said as I slowly walked towards her.
"Who are you guys? I already told you that I do not know anything about my parents' work." And tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Huh? What are you talking about? You do not remember your beloved cousin? That breaks my heart now."
"Ehh? S-Shinji? Is it really you?"
"Of course it's me. Do you know anyone more beautiful than me?"
"It's really you! Only you could say something so stupid!" she said, hugging me with all her might.
"I thought I would never see you again." She said with tears in her eyes.
"Do not worry, everything is fine now. I will not let anyone hurt you." said I, patting her head.
I went to the back seat of the car to find something for Hoyo to wipe her tears with. I found a handkerchief and gave it to her.
After she wiped her tears, I told her to get in the car to take her home.
Throughout the drive, neither of us spoke a word. I suspect Hoyo was thinking about what she had been through. But I was thinking about what she said. "...I do not know anything about my parents' work." What does that mean?
I thought they were another group of mercenaries out to get my head. But this... this was something else. Something strange is going on. I need to ask Hoyo about it, but now's not the time.
"Hey Shinji, where did you get this car? It looks pretty expensive. Do not tell me you got rich while I was gone?"
"Eh? No? This is my father's car."
"O-oh, I see."
She remained silent after that. I suspect she thinks I'll get upset if she keeps talking about my father. But she does not know that he's still alive, only Miko, Yuuki and Ruby know about it. But I think sooner or later I will tell her about it. And that's as soon as I get rid of all these mercenaries and whoever is behind all this.
But wait, now that I think about it, before I ask Hoyo about what she said, I might as well ask my father. I am sure he'll know.
Shortly after our little talk, we arrived at the house.
I parked the car in front of the garage and got out.
Then I saw that my mom's car was also parked near the house. Holy shit. How am I going to explain to her that I took my dad's car? I am sure she'll be furious with me and I do not want to think about what might happen next. I will have to believe in Hoyo that she will save me from this situation.
I took Hoyo from her hand and went to the door. I opened it and saw that my mother was waiting for me in the hallway.
The moment I saw her, I felt my whole body go numb and I started to sweat. She was holding a pan and smiling at me.
"M-mom, I am back," I said hesitantly.
"I can see that. I just want to ask another question. Who told you to take the car?"
"Um you know... I... I had to pick up Hoyo."
"But as far as I can remember, the bus stop is near the train station. Unless the bus did not stop at that location."
"No, that's not the case."
"Then what is it?"
"Well... Um, you know..."
"Auntie, the train had a problem and stopped outside the city. I asked Shinji to come and pick me up. It's not his fault." said Hoyo.
"Oh, I see. Well then, I am glad to see you again, Fuhoyo." said my mother, hugging Hoyo.
Her anger was gone immediately and I was still unharmed. I have Hoyo to thank for that.
After my mother gave Hoyo a tour of our house, she left the two of us alone. At first it was a little awkward because neither of us spoke.
But being the older one here, I decided to make the first move.
"Hey Hoyo, how is your life in your hometown?"
"Ah, I have a simple life. I just go to school and then go home."
"So, did you make many friends at school?"
"Um... No, I did not make any friends. But it does not matter, because I am going to meet your friends."
"Ah, yes, do not worry, I'll introduce you to them."
"No, that's not what I meant. I'll meet them at your school."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I will go to the same school as you."
"Excuse me?"
"Wait, you did not know that?"
"No, I did not know."
"Shinji, Fuhoyo go to sleep. You have school tomorrow." My mother called from the living room.
So we started getting ready. And now that I look at her more closely, I can see that she has grown up in some places. Hmm. She still was not on the same level as Miko. But who knows? Maybe she'll catch up to her.
Wait. Wait, wait, why am I thinking about these things? She's my cousin. I should not be thinking these things.
But I guess she saw me staring at her, because she smiled at me before she went under the blanket.
What does that mean now? How am I supposed to take that?
You know what? Forget it. I am just going to go to sleep.
(The next day)
The first thing I see when I open my eyes is Hoyo lying on top of me in an indecent position, staring at me.
"Um, what are you doing?"
"I am waking you up. It's time for school."
"You know you could just shake me a little, right? This pose is kind of... not appropriate."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Nothing, nothing, forget it. Let us just get ready."
I got up from the bed and went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Hoyo followed me and did exactly what I did.
After a while, we left the house and headed to school. On the way there, we talked about our lives after we were separated.
Until three days ago, she lived a peaceful life with her parents. Apparently, three days before, her parents came home in a hurry and started packing their things. They said that they had some important things to do and that she should come here and live with me until they returned.
And now things have gotten even more complicated. I guess she really does not know what is going on. The only person I can ask now is my father.
I will ask him when I get back from school.
When we arrived at the front gate, I saw Miko and Natsumi.
"Oh, who is this cute girl?" said Natsumi.
"She's my cousin, Hoyo."
"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Tokime Fuhoyo."
"Oh Shinji, you have a beautiful cousin."
"Hey Shinji, is this your girlfriend?"
"No, she's not."
"Oh, I thought because you like big breasted girls, she would be the perfect girlfriend for you."
"Eeh? What are you talking about? Little girls are not supposed to talk like that."
"But yesterday, before we went to sleep, you were staring at my..."
As soon as Miko heard that, she turned to me.
"Stop, stop. Do not say another word. I was not staring at anything. You just imagined that."
"Eeeh? But..."
"Shh, I told you I was not staring at anything. Here, this is my girlfriend." I said, pointing at Miko.
"Hello, my name is Miko."
"Nice to meet you. I guess Shinji is actually into girls with big boobs." said Hoyo.
"You... Stop talking nonsense."
I was blushing while Miko and Natsumi were laughing.
Thankfully, the bell rang at that point and we went to our classrooms.
The rest of the day went smoothly.
I was not in my class with any of my friends and tried to participate in class. I tried really hard, but I did not make it. But you know what they say. It's the effort that counts.
During breaks, we all, including Hoyo, went up to the roof to spend our breaks in peace. Everyone liked Hoyo right away. I do not know if it's one of her traits, but she's really good at talking to people. Quite the opposite of me.
After school ended, my mom had the idea to take Hoyo for a walk around the city.
This was a perfect opportunity for me. I would talk to my father about everything that had happened.
I quickly went to the house and prepared the dive gear.
I opened it and put it on my head.
"Well then, time for me to finally know the truth."