As school closed, I began my journey home through Tokyo's bustling streets. But then I remembered Naomi's words: "Don't forget to pick me up after school." I sighed and whispered to myself, "Guess I have to go back to her school, huh?"
I turned around and headed back to Naomi's school. When I arrived, she was already waiting for me, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You came back!" Naomi exclaimed, rushing towards me.
As I turned my head, I noticed a girl with striking red hair standing beside Naomi.
"Is that your friend?" I asked Naomi.
"Yes!" Naomi replied. "Let me introduce you. Onii-chan, this is Rin Sugimoto."
I waved at Rin, saying, "Hey, Sugimoto-chan."
Rin smiled, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Cool."
Naomi struggled to introduce me, her face scrunched in effort. "Ummm... Hiyo... heyo... Let's see... What's the name again?"
I chuckled, deciding to introduce myself. "I'm Hayato Yamamura. Nice to meet you."
Rin's eyes widened. "Cool."
She turned to Naomi and asked,
"Are you sure.Is he your new stepbrother. I hope you're not making any kind of joke here. He look so cool.?"
Naomi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, he is. Believe it or not."
Rin's gaze shifted to me, her brow furrowed. "Why's your hair tied back. And it's that long? You're a guy."
I smiled, running a hand through my tied-back hair. "It's long that one I know, and I don't want it swinging around like a girl's."
Rin turned to Naomi, her voice filled with excitement. "Can I go with you guys today? I don't want to go home alone."
Naomi whispered to herself, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Yessss, this is going to be the best. I'll show her that my Onii-chan is the coolest."
Naomi turned to me, her face hopeful. "Can we take Rin with us, please?"
I nodded. "Sure, as long as she can walk home later."
Rin grinned. "I can walk home myself. I'll let you know when."
With that, the three of us set off together, strolling through Tokyo's vibrant streets.
As we strolled through Tokyo's vibrant streets, Rin Sugimoto-chan asked, "I hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions."
I wondered to myself, "What could she possibly want to talk about?"
"Okay, go ahead," I replied.
Naomi swiftly covered Rin's mouth with her hands, preventing her from speaking. "Don't say anything!" Naomi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Rin struggled to break free, but Naomi held tight. I intervened, "Leave her, let her go, Naomi."
Naomi shook her head, her ponytail swaying. "No, she's just joking."
Rin finally broke free and walked to the other side of me. The two friends engaged in a playful tug-of-war.
"Shut up, don't say anything," Naomi teased.
"I will," Rin replied, hiding her face behind me.
Their banter continued, with Naomi saying, "Don't say a word."
"I will," Rin responded, her voice muffled.
I stopped, tired of their game. "No fighting, enough is enough."
Rin turned to Naomi, sticking out her tongue. Naomi playfully rolled her eyes.
Rin turned to me, her eyes sparkling. "Back to my question..."
"Go ahead," I replied, curious.
Naomi's expression changed, her eyes widening in alarm.
But before Rin could ask, Naomi interrupted, "Let's get some ice cream! I saw a shop nearby."
Rin's face lit up. "Yes! Ice cream sounds amazing!"
I chuckled. "Alright, let's get some."
As we walked to the ice cream shop, Rin whispered to Naomi, "You're saving him, aren't you?"
Naomi whispered back, "Shh, not now."
Their exchange piqued my interest. What was Rin going to ask?
Inside the shop, we ordered our ice cream and sat down at a small table.
Rin and Naomi chose Strawberry ice cream as me I didn't feel like eating.
Rin took a bite, then asked, "So, Hayato-kun, what's it like having stepsisters?"
Naomi's eyes met mine, a silent warning.
"I'm still adjusting," I replied, "but they're nice."
Rin nodded. "I can imagine. Naomi's told me a lot about you."
Naomi blushed. "Rin, stop."
After they were done eating their icecream we headed out to continue our journey home.
Rin Sugimoto-chan replied, "Back to my question."
"Go ahead," I said, curious.
Naomi whispered, "Won't she give up? I thought she'd forgotten."
Rin asked, "Is it true you're dating Naomi?"
I coughed, shocked. "What did you say? What kind of joke is this?"
Rin continued, "And do you sleep with all your sisters and do... stuff?"
I wondered, "What the hell am I hearing?"
Naomi intervened, "I can't believe she said that."
Spotting Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku Gyoen Kokuritsu Kōen) ahead, Naomi changed the subject. "Onii-chan, let's play at the park."
"Why don't you want to go home?" I asked.
Naomi and Rin chimed in unison, "We want to go!"
Naomi added, "You promised to spend time with me, so this is your chance."
I sighed, agreeing. "Okay, let's have fun."
As we entered the park, Rin teased, "Naomi's got you wrapped around her finger."
Naomi blushed. "Rin, stop."
I replied trying to change the subject "Let's just go and have fun."
As we entered Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, I was struck by its lively atmosphere. The playground was bustling with people, and I decided to rest on a nearby wooden bench.
"Be careful, guys," I called out to Naomi and Rin, who were already racing towards the play equipment.
Naomi waved back, grinning. "Don't worry, Onii-chan!"
Rin echoed, "We'll be fine!"
I watched them, my eyes scanning the crowds. But as people passed by, I lost sight of them.
"Where are they?" I wondered, standing up.
Just then, I spotted them laughing and climbing the ladder to the red slide.
Rin slid down, her squeals of delight infectious. Naomi followed, her eyes sparkling.
As I approached, Naomi invited, "Come join us!"
I hesitated, but Naomi wouldn't take no for an answer. She pulled my hand, urging me to climb the slide.
Rin joined in, chanting, "DO IT, SLIDE! DO IT, SLIDE!"
I sighed, thinking, "Just one ride won't hurt. If I don't do it, they'll keep shouting. And I don't want to draw attention from others."
I climbed the ladder and slid down.
Rin asked, "Was it nice?"
Naomi added, "Did you enjoy it?"
I faked a smile, "I guess so."
In my mind, I thought, "I felt childish."
Naomi and Rin pulled me in opposite directions, leading me to a nearby merry-go-round.
"Hold on tight!" Rin exclaimed. I started pushing the merry-go-round.
The world blurred as they spun around, their laughter mingling.
As we stopped, Naomi grinned mischievously. "That was fun.?"
Rin chimed in, "I know right. !"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "You two are something else."
We strolled through Shinjuku Gyoen's vibrant gardens, laughing and joking. Naomi skipped ahead, Rin beside her, chatting excitedly.
I watched them, smiling. "Those two are inseparable."
As we walked, Rin turned back to me. "Hey, Hayato-kun, answer my question."
Naomi quickly intervened, "Rin, no more questions!"
Rin pouted playfully. "But I want to know!"
I chuckled. "Maybe later, Rin."
We approached a beautiful cherry blossom tree, its branches swaying gently.
Naomi exclaimed, "Look! Sakura!"
Rin grinned. "Perfect spot for a photo!"
Naomi and Rin posed together, giggling.
As we stood before the stunning cherry blossom tree, Naomi and Rin posed together, giggling.
"Say cheese!" I exclaimed.
But then I realized I didn't have my phone.
"Sorry guys, I left my phone," I admitted.
Rin pouted, "Noo! But this was a great pose!"
Naomi nodded in agreement. "Yes, she's right."
I smiled reassuringly. "Next time we come, I'll take photos of you, okay?"
Naomi and Rin exchanged excited glances.
"Promise?" Rin asked.
"I promise," I replied.
Naomi grinned. "We'll hold you to that, Onii-chan."
Rin chimed in, "We'll strike an even better pose next time!"
I chuckled, happy to see them looking forward to it.
We continued our playful adventure, laughing and joking together.
Next, Naomi spotted a giant swing. "Onii-chan, let's swing!"
Rin agreed, "Yeah, we can swing high!"
I smiled, "Okay, but hold tight."
As we swung, the wind rushed through our hair, Rin and Naomi laughter echoing.
Afterward, Naomi and Rin led me to a tranquil pond.
"Let's feed the ducks!" Rin exclaimed.
Naomi handed me a bag of bread crumbs. "Here, Onii-chan."
As we fed the ducks, I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
"Thanks for today, guys," I said, smiling.
Naomi and Rin beamed, happy to have shared this joyful day with me.
As the sun began to set, we reluctantly left Shinjuku Gyoen.
"That was the best day ever!" Rin declared.
Naomi nodded, "Definitely."
I chuckled, "You two are really something special."
Rin said, "Well, this is it. I'm going home."
I looked at the sky, noticing the evening hues. "You need to get home safely, okay? It's late, Rin."
Rin replied, "I will. And keep calling me Rin, don't use my surname."
Naomi chimed in, her voice laced with jealousy, "Hey, watch it."
I simply replied, "Okay, then bye."
Rin continued, "You're a cool guy, you know."
Naomi thought to herself, "Mission accomplished. Now she believes my Onii-chan is indeed the coolest."
Rin headed off alone, carrying her school bag.
As Naomi and I walked home through Tokyo's streets, I spotted Natsumi, my eldest sister and step-sister, ahead.
I decided to keep quiet, but Naomi shouted, "Natsumi, hey! We're behind you."
Natsumi thought, "Who is 'we'?" She turned, her face looking down as she continued walking.
I wondered, "Is she feeling shy because of me?"
Naomi pulled my hand, saying, "Let's go to Natsumi."
I replied, "What are you doing?"
We reached Natsumi's side, our silence intense.
Natsumi thought, "I have to bring them together. I can't let this feel boring."
Naomi held Natsumi's hand and mine, joining them.
Unbeknownst to me, I held Natsumi's hand, and she held mine.
We walked in silence, Natsumi thinking, "Naomi's hands look heavy; it feels like she worked all day."
I thought, "Naomi's hands are softer than before."
As we reached home, Natsumi turned and saw my arm.
"He's the one who was holding my hand," she exclaimed.
I turned, realizing I was holding Natsumi's hand.
"Naomi, I thought I was holding your hand," I said.
Naomi smiled mischievously. "Gotcha, you."
Natsumi's face turned bright red.
I stepped back, respecting her space.
Natsumi's eyes met mine, a hint of surprise.
"Sorry," I said, smiling.
Natsumi smiled back. "It's okay."
Naomi chuckled. "You two are adorable."