Astrophile

007

Emma felt nervous. She was all confident in the morning, readying herself to ask you out for lunch, just the two of you. But then you asked if you could bring another friend and all her hopes and dreams were shattered, making her sulk in her seat.

When it was finally lunch time, she pulled out the two neatly wrapped bentos from her bag. She had spent all night thinking about all the possible things you could like, even opting to ask her older brother, Shinichirō for help. He helped tons, since you were the closest to him and he had even taken you out to eat a few times.

In the end, she had made you some [favourite food]. She was prideful in her cooking, especially since she would always cook for herself at her old home considering that her mother was always so neglectful towards her.

She climbed the stairs to the roof top and sat down, placing both the bentos in front of her, waiting for you. She had told you where to meet up when you both decided to walk to class together and you had agreed immediately, liking the peace and quiet.

A few minutes later, she heard two pair of footsteps climbing up the stairs. She looked up to see you holding a bag with some packets of [favourite snack] in your hand. When you walked over, the second person came into view.

Emma's heart dropped at the sight of another girl, with snow white hair, and pearly pink eyes. She had a gentle smile on her lips but the sandy blonde couldn't help but feel a sickening feeling bubbling in her chest. She clenched her tiny fists and narrowed her eyes at the albino.

Emma felt her stomach churn in anger, but she kept her emotions inside, not wanting to ruin your happy mood. On the other hand, you were incredibly excited to introduce Emma to Yuki, knowing that they would get along greatly. Earlier when you had told Yuki about the invite from Emma, she almost jumped out seat in excitement, since she adored making new friends.

A soft smile played on your lips as you started, "Emma, hope you weren't waiting too long..." You questioned, trying to start a conversation after both you and Yuki had sat down, since she was glaring at Yuki.

Her attention snapped from the albino to you, "Oh, no!!! I just arrived!!" She gave you a grin before looking down and picking up one of the bentos and hading it to you.

"H-Here!!" She said with a huge blush coating her cheeks. Your eyes widened at the kind gesture, never having handed a home-made bento before. Yuki would often bring a bento, but you always refused every time she tried to offer it to you, knowing well that her mother had probably put effort in making it for her own daughter.

"R-Really?!" You whispered, too shocked at her kindness, "Wow, [male name]!! A girl giving you a bento, this looks straight out of a shoujō manga!!" Yuki nudged at you, making you grin shyly, giving both of them a weak nod.

"Thank you, Emma.... Oh!! Um, here!!" You handed her a packet of [favourite snack] and a packet of another popular snack, "I don't exactly eat a bento in lunch, so I brought us some snacks!!" She blushed as she stared at the two packets, feeling giddy at receiving something from you.

You opened the bento's cover to reveal delicious [Favourite Food] carefully decorated. Your eyes widened and you looked at her, "Emma, how did you know I liked [favourite food]?!" She just gave you a closed eyed grin in response.

She pointed at the packet of [favourite snack], "I like this too!!" She exclaimed and a grin took over your lips, "You too, huh?! Yuki and I like this one a lot!!" There it was again, in her mind, you kept on mentioning Yuki. As if she didn't hate the albino enough, now she had to compete for your attention.

Yuki was too busy eating some [favourite snack] to notice anything, only coming back from flavour town when she heard you mention her name, "Hmm?" Was all she said, before swallowing her bite.

"Emma-chan, right?!" Yuki turned to her, a happy grin resting in her lips. The said girl looked a bit hesitant but nodded nonetheless, "I'm [male name]'s bestest friend!! And since any friend of his is a friend of mine, that makes you one of my bestest friends too!!" Yuki exclaimed, excited to finally have a female friend.

Emma looked at her in surprise, she wasn't expecting that at all. She was expecting Yuki to mock her for her accent and tease her about how she was related to Mikey and Shinichirō, but instead of any of that happening, she wanted to be her friend?!

She looked at the albino in suspicion, afraid that she might have an underlying scheme, but when she looked at her, all she saw was a sincere look. Emma's eyes softened as she finally let her smile in the albino's direction and gave her a reassuring nod. The latter squealed before pulling the blonde in a tight hug, freezing the honey eyed girl.

You looked in content, happy that all your new friends got along with Yuki.

At the dojo, you tried to avoid Shinichirō-niisan, in fear of him getting dragged up in your mess. You were well aware that your mother was not mentally stable, and that she also was dating a police officer. If she were to get Shinichirō-niisan arrested, or even more so, hurt you were sure that would never be able to forgive yourself.

The older male had seemed to notice that you were avoiding him and couldn't help but remember your words in the morning, 'O-Or she'll kill you!!' and clench his teeth in frustration.

When you were finally done with dojo training today, you walked out, ready to go home. Adjusting your bag on your shoulders, you caught sight of Shinichiro-san leaning on his precious Honda CB250T. You tried to not get noticed by him but unfortunately for you, he managed to see you and rushed over. Your knees felt weak and you froze in fear, looking down in shame for ignoring him the entire day when he just wanted to help you.

"[male name].... let's go!!" He grinned softly at you, making you flinch in surprise, "H-Huh?!"

He raised his thumb and jerked it in its direction, "I already called your mother and let her know that you're busy with extra dojo training, so come with me!! Let's get something to eat!!" You failed to form words, finding it hard to reject his offer for some freedom.

In the end, you agreed to his offer. He placed the oversized helmet on top of your head and secured it around your chin, chuckling to himself at how cute you looked. However, his smile fell when his eyes landed on the bandages wrapped around your small head and the several small bandages on your face.

When he found you last night, he almost lost himself in rage. He was already suspicious of your sickly sweet mother and when he found you dragging your body in the streets covered in blood, he felt hated like he had never felt before. The sudden urge to murder the woman in the most brutal way took over him but he calmed himself down, focusing on his current task.

"Shinichirō-niisan??" A soft voice broke him out of his murderous thoughts as he tilted his head up to see you looking at him with worried eyes. He smiled in reassurance, not wanting you to worry over him.

"I'm fine, kiddo!! Now, let's go!!" He stood back to his full height, picking you up and placing you on his bike. He got on his bike and kicked in its stand, "Hold me tight, okay?! Don't want you flying off!!" From his side mirror, he saw you puffing your cheeks, reminding him of a cute squirrel.

"Here we go!!" He started the engines and went off, the sudden speed making you clutch onto him tightly. No matter how many times you rode his motorcycle, the sudden speed would always startle you and it seemed Shinichirō enjoyed teasing you, totally not to see you get cutely terrified.

After some time, you got used to the speed. The breeze felt nice on your face as you threw your head back, watching the clouds go by quickly. A grin painted your lips that Shinichirō caught sight of from his side mirror, "Having fun back there?!" He shouted through the sound of the engine.

"Yeah!!" You shouted back, your eyes closed with the rough wind which still seemed pleasant.

The older male's grin grew as he watched in content, watching as you enjoyed your childhood, hoping to treasure your ethereal smile.