Chapter 42 - What If?

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As the Q&A session continued, Luna and Aurora exchanged knowing glances. They recognized their brother's ability to charm and captivate, and couldn't help but feel proud of him. However, their protective instincts remained on high alert, as they knew that his charm was also a double-edged sword that could attract unwanted attention.

Hinata, still lost in her daydreams, couldn't help but smile as she listened to Orion's answer. She knew that he was referring to his relationships with her and the other girls, and she felt a rush of affection for him, despite the uniqueness of the said relationship.

Yoruichi continued her lecture, her enthusiasm undimmed. "Now, consider this: what if the invisible cats are actually the ones being chased by the visible cats? This would mean that the physical world has a direct influence on the underlying nature of reality."

She transformed back into her human form and grinned at her students. "Of course, these are just some of the many theories that have been proposed over the years. The true nature of the relationship between the visible and invisible cats is still a mystery, and may very well remain so for all of time."

Yoruichi then leaped onto another desk, her movements as agile as those of a real cat. "Now, it's time for a pop quiz! As I jump from desk to desk, I'll be asking you questions about what we've discussed so far. Are you ready?"

The students exchanged nervous glances, knowing that Yoruichi's quizzes were always unpredictable and filled with challenging questions. Yoruichi resumed her cat form and began leaping from desk to desk, posing questions to the students she landed near.

"What is the fundamental question at the heart of metaphysics, Vivi?" she asked, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

Vivi hesitated for a moment before responding. "It's about understanding the relationship between the visible and invisible aspects of reality, right?"

Yoruichi purred in approval. "That's correct! Well done."

As Yoruichi continued her quiz, the students did their best to answer her questions accurately, trying to recall the various cat-related analogies she had used throughout her lesson. When Yoruichi finally landed on Orion's desk, she locked eyes with him, her feline gaze intense.

"What's one way to think about the relationship between visible and invisible cats, Orion?" she asked, a hint of a challenge in her voice.

Orion grinned, unflustered by Yoruichi's intense gaze. "One way is to imagine that the invisible cats are constantly chasing the visible ones, causing them to move and change, thus creating the ever-shifting landscape of our world."

Yoruichi purred loudly, clearly impressed by his answer. She nuzzled against his hand, eliciting a chuckle from Orion as he patted her ears. The other students, especially the girls, couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as they watched the exchange.

Luna and Aurora shared a look, their concern for their brother growing. They were beginning to feel overwhelmed by the attention he was receiving from not only their classmates but also their teachers. They resolved to redouble their efforts to protect him from any unwanted advances.

As Yoruichi wrapped up her quiz, she transformed back into her human form, her expression contemplative. "You've all done an excellent job today. Remember, philosophy is about exploring the unknown, the unseen aspects of our world, and attempting to understand them. It's an ongoing journey, much like the pursuit of invisible cats."

The students laughed at her analogy, grateful for the lighthearted tone she brought to an otherwise complex subject.

With the end of the school day drawing near, the students began to pack up their belongings and make their way home. Luna and Aurora stuck close to Orion, determined to keep him safe from any unwanted attention.

As they walked, Orion couldn't help but smirk at his sisters' protectiveness. He knew that they were worried about him, and he appreciated their concern. However, he also enjoyed the thrill of the unexpected, the excitement of challenging the status quo.

Orion, Luna, and Aurora returned home after a long day at school, greeted by the warm embrace of their mothers, Elara and Selene. The family sat down for dinner, enjoying each other's company as they shared stories from their day. The twins couldn't help but glance at their brother, concerned about his growing popularity and the attention he was receiving from other girls.

Just as dinner ended, the doorbell rang. Orion got up to answer it, finding Vivi standing there with a shy expression on her face. "I, um, I wanted to talk to you in private, if that's okay," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Sure, let's go to the park nearby," Orion suggested, trying to make her feel more at ease.

As they walked together, Vivi hesitated before speaking up. "Orion, ever since that art class, I've been thinking a lot about... about how I find you attractive. And the more I thought about it, the more it started to eat at me, especially after I saw you kissing Hinata," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing a deep red.

Orion listened intently, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He could see the conflicting emotions swirling in her eyes and knew that she was struggling to come to terms with her feelings.

"I just... if there's a chance for something between us, I want to take it before you commit to someone else," Vivi confessed, her voice trembling. "I know I might not be as interesting or as outgoing as the other girls, but I wanted to be honest with you. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you without even trying."

Orion's heart ached for Vivi, her vulnerability and sincerity touching him deeply. "Vivi," he began, his voice gentle yet firm, "I am a bastard. A bastard with a big heart that falls in love with many women."

He went on to explain that he was already dating Hinata, Tatsumaki, and Winry, and that they all knew about each other. He couldn't stomach lying when it came to relationships, as his mothers had taught him better.

Vivi's eyes widened, shock and disbelief written all over her face. She didn't know what to do or say, tears threatening to fall. "I... I need some time, Orion," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Orion understood and offered to walk her home. As they strolled through the night, they talked about their feelings and the complexity of their situation. Vivi thanked him for his honesty and asked for some time to process everything.

When they reached her door, Orion leaned in and gently kissed her cheek, wishing her a good night. Vivi stood there, her heart pounding and her thoughts racing, as she watched him disappear into the darkness.

Back at home, Luna and Aurora lay in their shared bedroom, unable to sleep. They couldn't shake the feeling that their beloved brother was slipping away from them, the love and attention he used to reserve for his family now being divided among the other girls in his life.

Aurora sighed, her frustration evident. "It's not fair, Luna. We've been there for him since the beginning, and now all these girls are swooping in and stealing him away from us."

Luna nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, but we can't control his heart, Aurora. We can only hope that he remembers who's always been there for him and that he doesn't forget about us."

"What if?" Aurora started, but couldn't finish her sentence, too embarrassed.

"What if what?" Luna asked with hope shining in her beautiful sky blue eyes.

"Orion is dating those girls, as girlfriends. Maybe that is why he chooses them over us. We cannot give him things, those thots give." Aurora said with a bated breath.

"You mean?" Luna brought her hand to her mouth, too shocked to continue.

"We love him, don't we?" Aurora asked.

"We do!" Luna balled her dainty fist, looking at her sister in determination.

As the night wore on, the twins clung to each other, their hearts heavy with hope and jealousy. They didn't want to share their brother with anyone else, but they also knew that they couldn't stand in the way of his happiness. Instead, they will become his happiness.

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