Part 1 - Dyeing
-Are you nervous, Aki?" I asked him as I swung on the swing in the square in front of my house.
-A little, although I don't know if we'll find an answer by visiting the school at night, what haven't we seen that we can't see during the day?
Aki had started swinging too, I wondered if a person saw us at this moment, they would see the swing moving on its own, wouldn't they?
-Aki have you ever heard about the 7 mysteries of the school?
No, it's the first time I've heard of it actually.
-I'm impressed that you've never heard of it, although it might be because Asuna used to talk about them, funnily enough she solved 6 out of the 7... Let me tell you about the one she didn't solve, the disappearing door, it is rumoured that in the library in the forbidden section for the students there is a mahogany door with the face of an Oni engraved on it, it is said that when someone opens that door they find a staircase that goes down, if you decide to continue your way you will arrive at the end of your life, they will find you dead somewhere in the school or so says the legend of the seventh mystery of the Sakura's Cup Academy.
A strong, cold wind sent shivers down my spine.
-Silly, if it supposedly exists as you say it does and everyone dies on entering as the legend went.
I didn't know what to answer him.
-Good question, but that's not the point, the mystery was born when the son of a teacher who was visiting the academy said he saw someone dressed in white enter a door that supposedly shouldn't exist in the library... by the way that boy is now in the academy, I think he's Marcus' classmate.
-As you said so I thought the boy was younger than us, but if he is Marcus's classmate then he must be in a class above us.
-Akari... Marcus is younger than us he's 15 he's in first class just like Jim the boy I'm talking about.
You're telling me Marcus is younger than us, but he looks almost like an adult!
-I had a hard time believing it myself when I first met him, but that's the reality.
I had to admit that I found Aki's reaction funny.
-Aki, I need to ask you a question, but I need you to be as honest as possible, do you think I'm handsome?
Aki was a bit confused by the question.
-Of course I think you're handsome.
I thought for a while.
-I wonder why I don't understand how I managed to attract you, or Asuna and even less Emi, it's not that I consider myself ugly, but I don't think I'm good looking physically either, and my personality isn't the best either.
-You know I even feel kind of good, knowing that you have those kind of thoughts, at least for me you are perfect with mistakes and everything, sometimes I feel that you are very mature you know? That makes me feel very distant from you, but knowing you better I realise that you are capable of giving everything of yourself when you want to help someone, no matter what happens to you, that at the same time scares me, that you don't realise it and end up getting hurt, I think that's what we all see in you Hika, any girl I think would feel in love with someone who is willing to sacrifice herself for you, as long as you never forget who you are.
-I think I finally understand you when you tell me that you don't know what to say when they say something nice to you, it's... warm, I still wish Asuna and Emi could find someone who can love them the way they want.
Aki stopped swinging, he just stared at the ground a bit sadly.
-There's something that kept haunting me when we talked to Asuna about her feelings for you... I feel like, if I had never made that stupid bet with Akimoto, you and Kirin would never have fought and Asuna would be your girlfriend, I feel like I'm the one responsible for Asuna's suffering.
-You don't need to think that Aki, I already said it at the time that we liked each other neither of us was able to propose to each other, we both missed the time, and fuck it, I'm glad you made this silly bet, I don't care about the things that happened, thanks to her, it was because of her, that we started talking, even so, I'm still furious with Akimoto, seriously today I was about to confront her in class.
-Don't do it, I'm afraid of what she might end up doing to you, besides....
-Why that crestfallen face Hikaru?
Emi had arrived, she was dressed like she always goes to work, as Aki said at the time as if she was a waiter of a very expensive and elegant bar, but the difference was that she had a big hat that hid all her hair inside it, that was new.
-We were talking about delicate matters with Aki, but we're fine.... What's that hat supposed to be?
Emi was a bit nervous, in fact, she craned her neck several times.
-I'd better get it over with, I also want to know Akari's opinion, just you... don't make fun, okay?
Emi took off her cap and let her hair fall...
-Come on say something, don't keep quiet.
-Emi... she's really beautiful.
Emi had dyed her hair white, leaving a long blonde streak of her original colour on the left side of her head.
Emi was red with embarrassment.
-Do you really think it looks good on me?
-Yes really, you look beautiful Emi, apparently you took my suggestion to dye your hair, it looks great on you.
-What does Akari say?
Curiously Akari didn't say anything about Emi's hair, although I could imagine why.
-Aki, what do you say?
-Sorry, I'm sorry, I'm... She looks like a model, I think so at least.
-Aki says you look like a model.
-That's enough... I'm going to cry... -I'm going to cry... Do you think Hikaru will make Camila mad?
-Oh I'm sure of that, maybe this time you'll send her to the hospital.
-I'd like to see that," said Emi already calmer with a smile on her mouth.
Emi must never find out that now she has the same colours of our mother's hair.
Part 2 - The time has come.
We started walking to school, Emi had bought me the phone chip I asked for, I took out my old mobile phone, put the number in and downloaded the linapp application, then I handed the phone to Aki, which made Emi impressed, because now she could see that Aki could hold the phone without dropping it.
-Aki went ahead and left the numbers installed.
Group chat - Family
Ghostly (Aki): Hi... Emi, now yes, even though you can't see me yet, it's a pleasure.
Emi saw that she received a message on her phone, I was glad that Emi got excited about something so banal.
Sexy (Emi): It's also a pleasure... I can't believe you chose fantasmita as your nickname XD.
-Papache (Hika): Says the one whose nickname is Sexy, I don't think you can brag.
Fantasmita (Aki): I wanted to take advantage of the moment to laugh at my precarious situation, besides Asuna told me that my surname means ghost's heart, I think the nickname suits me.
Aki began to repeatedly look at my face and the phone, until she stood in front of me and with her fingers made the shape of an 8, placing it close to my face.
-That's right, how come I didn't notice before, all you need is the mask and you'd look just like a baby raccoon.
I must admit I made a bit of a face.
-Why the long face Hikaru, you should be more happy to be accompanied by two beautiful women tonight.
-Aki just realised why I have the nickname raccoon.
-That nickname was given to you by Asuna when you were younger, I still remember it bothered you at first, then you took it in and gave it the name bunny, since she kept hopping around.
-Yes it's true, in fact, she's still just as restless, I really don't think she's changed much.
-So it was Asuna who gave you that nickname... I don't like it anymore, change it.
-Aki, you really don't have to be like that, besides, I'm a bit fond of the nickname.
-For the same reason, I want you to change it.
-As far as I can see Akari got jealous, or at least that's what I deduce from what you just said Hikaru, well I used to call you bear until not long ago, when you entered your rebellious phase and you asked me to stop calling you like that, that was a sad day now that I think about it... you could call yourself bear.
-What do you say Aki?
She made an x with her arm, then stared at me.
-I know, what do you think about nibbler.
-Nibbler, it sounds like a dog's name, why that name Aki?
She came closer to whisper in my ear, although she didn't really need to because Emi couldn't hear her.
-It's the way you bit my neck and my ear that night.
I couldn't help but feel hot.
Raccoon's name has been changed to Nibbler.
-You definitely win Aki, you win.
With that I can finally get close to the other two women chasing after my boyfriend.
Strangely I saw Aki very happy.
Sexy (Emi): Nibbler?
Ghostly (Aki): Secret 😛
Nibbler (Hika): Emi believe me you don't want to know.
Sexy: That's bad, that's not what you do to the sister who supports your relationship.
-A one thing Emi, first of all, sorry for the delay for this, I hope it's useful for you.
I took the picture of the shark girl out of my backpack and handed it to Emi.
-Wait a minute, it's her and the photo is very clear.
-Asuna took it a while ago, she also told me that she always appears on Wednesdays at the Arekkaido mall near the closing by the fourth floor, and she also told me that if you need anything else, don't hesitate to call her.
-Hikaru thank you, no really thank you, I haven't had any progress with this, I'm lucky to have you Hikaru.
-Me too Emi, I'm very lucky to have both of you.
Emi shook my head affectionately, and Aki looked very happy for what I said.