Kazuki was lounging on the living room couch, flipping through a magazine, when he heard the doorbell ring. Before he could react, he heard Aoi's excited footsteps thundering down the stairs.
"She's here! She's here!" Aoi squealed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she dashed to the door and flung it open.
Standing there was her best friend, Akemi, with her usual infectious grin. Akemi was a bundle of energy, even more mischievous than Aoi on most days, and whenever she came over, chaos inevitably followed.
"Aoi! Kazuki-kun!" Akemi greeted, giving Kazuki a cheeky salute as she stepped inside. "Ready to have some fun?"
Kazuki sighed, setting down his magazine. "Just don't destroy the house, okay?"
Aoi flashed him a sly smile. "Don't worry, Onii-chan. We're just here to have some fun, not cause any trouble… probably."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "Somehow, I don't believe that."
The two girls exchanged conspiratorial giggles and bolted upstairs to Aoi's room. Kazuki settled back on the couch, hoping that the rest of his day would be quiet, though he knew that was unlikely with those two around.
After a few minutes, just as Kazuki was starting to relax, he heard Aoi's voice calling from the top of the stairs. "Onii-chan, could you bring us some snacks, please?"
Kazuki reluctantly got up and went to the kitchen, gathering a few bags of chips and some juice boxes before heading up to Aoi's room. When he opened the door, he found Aoi and Akemi huddled together, glancing up at him with mischievous eyes that made him instantly suspicious.
"Here are your snacks," he said, handing over the treats. He tried to make a quick exit, but Akemi stopped him with a grin.
"Kazuki-kun," Akemi began, "how's it going with your girlfriend, Shizuka-chan?"
Kazuki's cheeks flushed, and he sputtered, "W-What kind of question is that?"
Aoi just giggled. "Come on, Onii-chan! It's not like we don't know. You and Shizuka are basically official."
Kazuki felt himself getting even redder as he struggled to come up with a response. "You two are way too nosy," he muttered.
Akemi leaned closer to Aoi and whispered loudly enough for Kazuki to hear, "See, Aoi? I bet he was thinking about Shizuka-chan just now. That's why he looked so spaced out when we came in!"
Kazuki glared at her, but his embarrassment only made the girls laugh harder. "Just eat your snacks and stop grilling me about my love life, okay?"
The girls nodded innocently, and Kazuki took the opportunity to escape before they could ask any more questions. But it seemed he wasn't off the hook yet, as just a few minutes later, he heard them giggling again in the hallway.
Akemi's voice drifted down the stairs, "Kazuki-kun, do you think Shizuka-chan would join the 'Super Big Brother Appreciation Club' we're making?"
Kazuki's eyes widened. "The what?"
Akemi held up a paper with a crayon drawing of Kazuki wearing a cartoonish crown. "The Super Big Brother Appreciation Club!" she declared proudly. "We're making you the honorary president, obviously."
Aoi chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "It's going to be the best club ever! We'll make posters and everything!"
Kazuki couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head at their antics. "You two really have too much free time."
Akemi shrugged. "Well, What else are we supposed to do? Besides, this way, you get to be our star! Shizuka-chan would totally approve."
Kazuki tried to hide his smile, but he couldn't resist their infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, fine. Just make sure you don't turn the house into a disaster zone with your 'club activities.'"
Aoi and Akemi exchanged an excited high-five, cheering as they dashed back to Aoi's room, no doubt to brainstorm more absurd ideas for their club. Kazuki could still hear their laughter as he returned to the living room, shaking his head at the thought of what they might come up with next.
He was just about to return to his magazine when Aoi suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs again, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Onii-chan… um…" She hesitated, glancing back toward her room where Akemi was busy doodling. "Thanks for putting up with us," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips.
Kazuki blinked, surprised at the sudden change in tone. "Of course, Aoi. You know I'm always here to help."
Aoi's smile widened, and she gave a quick nod before darting back to her room.
As he settled back onto the couch, Kazuki realized just how much he enjoyed these moments, as chaotic as they were. Having Aoi and even Akemi around made the house feel livelier, and he couldn't help but feel grateful.