NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: The Yukinoshita family part 1
Chapter 2: The Yukinoshita family part 1
I woke up on a beautiful Saturday morning, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, the sun shines brightly through the window between my narrowly drawn curtains. I mean it would be a beautiful day if I weren't woken up to my mother shouting at me to get up.
"Wake up sleepy head! It's already 8 in the morning and I should have left already." I immediately startled and stared at her with a mix of tired and confused expressions. "Don't look at me like that, this isn't the first time when both me and your dad have to go on a business trip. So go downstairs and eat some breakfast." She said as she threw the blanket off me.
"Even if you have to go, why do I have to get up? I have nothing to do." I answered as I pulled the blanket back over me and started sulking. "Because I said so, and I wanted to say goodbye to you properly." Don't give me that crap, especially with that wide sly smile of yours. You have no interest in such things as being a good parent.
"I don't care, I'd rather sleep, I mean you just go on that trip for one day." "So you are saying you won't miss me during that one day?" I immediately wanted to answer that question with a cold 'no' but as I looked at her piercing gaze, I knew that I had upset her, this is her rare but infamous gaze with which she could make anyone do anything, in such cases I always know that I have done something wrong. "Ahh, of course I will miss you my dear mother. I'll go eat breakfast then." I said as I hurriedly got out of my bed. "Wait a minute!" She stopped me and hugged me then gave me a tender kiss on the head. "You can go now."
I slowly got out of bed and went to my closet to change my clothes. As I looked in the mirror I could see myself, middle long black hair and purple eyes, like my sister, Haruno has. My face doesn't look very different from my original self, in fact I'm a bit more handsome, so I'm not complaining.
It's been a long time since I was reborn in this world, 6 years to be exact. It was 6 years ago when I got here, in the Yukinosita family as the only boy child, even though I shouldn't exist in this world. It was that long ago when I experienced that strange "vision" for the first time. I still don't know what it was. The only thing I know is that it was real, it can't be unreal when I felt that pain in my chest so intensively, I still feel the pain in my chest when I think about it, that memory lives so vividly in me to this day. It's also strange that I returned to this world where I am now right after I died. Then I was brought to this household and lived my past 6 years here.
The Yukinoshita family's house where I live has traditional architecture on the outside but is quite modern on the inside. It has everything that a person who lives in the 21st century needs, and a little more. At first it was hard to live in this small body. I couldn't even walk or speak, but I fortunately understood the language, which is strange because at first when I was reborn I didn't understand it.
I think I started to understand the Japanese language after that strange vision. Thus, I surprised everyone with how quickly I learn, obviously since I had an 18-year advantage over my peers. That's why my parents sometimes still call me "Third Einstein". I'm pretty curious about who is the second though. But I wasn't the only one who was so smart, the 'good at everything' Haruno and her younger sister, Yukino weren't far behind me either. Although in the eyes of my parents I seemed to be the smartest.
Anyways, of course I wasn't lazing around in the past years, I did as much research about this world around me as a kid like me can. Because I wanted to make sure that I understood everything and that I was really in the madness that is the world of oregairu I looked up on the internet as soon as I had the chance and searched on my last name. I was officially right, my father is a member of the prefectural assembly, this proves that I am really where I thought I was.
At the same time, I also researched what kind of light novels there are in this world. To my surprise, almost all the known and famous stories are there. There are only a few changes in the novels compared to the ones I know though. This is unfortunate because if I had sold these bestsellers as if they were mine, I could have easily gotten rich. Not that I'll have a problem with money, since I live in a rich family, but I'm sure my parents won't just throw a bunch of money at me just for doing nothing.
After I changed my pajamas to clothes in which I can comfortably stay at home I gently opened the door and walked downstairs with heavy steps. My mother said goodbye to my sisters just when I set my feet on the ground level of the house. It always happens that way when our parents are going on a business trip, they wake us up ridiculously early and leave us alone in the house with Haruno in charge.
Haruno, the person who I hate the most. Why do I hate her so much? I'll tell you, since the beginning, she's been acting like a liar and manipulative person. I guess the reason for thinking this is because she really is a manipulative woman. And then there's the fact that she was only creating chaos and misunderstandings the whole time, imperceptibly controlling the main character's story and feelings. Maybe she wanted to do them a favor by herding them. And maybe she is one of the reasons why the main characters went through character development, especially Hikigaya, but the way she did it.
She wrapped them around her fingers like a sly snake and controlled them with thin threads that dangled them with her fingers, imperceptibly controlling the outcome, and with that I didn't feel the ending was honest either. I mean, she doesn't have the right to control others like that, right? Because she was pulling the strings, Hikigaya slowly developed care towards Haruno's sister, she took advantage of his selflessness to help Yukino win.
But if this hadn't happened, maybe everything would have turned out completely differently, maybe the cute Yui would have won, maybe he would have chosen the irresistible Totsuka or the wife material Shizuka, or even the one who cared about him the most, his own sister. Well, no, that would be too sick, I'd rather withdraw it.
What I'm trying to say is from the beginning she had her hand in everything and controlled what happened, which is why I don't feel the ending of the story is real or at least complete. But maybe this is just my stupidity and I'm just overthinking everything, or I just feel sorry for the cute Shizuka for not marrying Hikigaya. I mean, I think she totally deserved it, I already know, I'll marry her myself. Yes, that's a good idea, it's decided then. Now that I've decided who my future wife will be, I'm going to eat something because I'm hungry.
And so, I sat down at the table with my two sisters, eating the fresh and steaming breakfast. "Took you long enough, big bro." Said Yukino with a look of disdain across the table. Man, you are 6 years old, you should be my cute little sister who should happily say 'Good morning onii-chan!' and hug me. "Good morning to you too little sis." I retort back with an irritated tone.
"Our parents always leave late because of you. God, how can you be so difficult?" She said with an even colder look on her face but it was obvious that she just wanted to annoy me. And why are you defending our parents so eagerly? You're the one who's going to move out and hate your whole family, so I don't want to hear that from you. It's pretty sad when you think about it. That someone hates her family so much that she moves away and finishes high school living completely alone. Although I don't blame her when she lives with a mother whose words and decisions are holy and unbreakable, but I think her two-colored sister has a bigger role behind her moving out.
Then Haruno joined the conversation with her well known teasing timbre. "How cute as you defend mom." To that I giggled up. It was a pleasure that she thought the same thing as me. I think she doesn't love our parents that much, just like I don't like them. You started your rebel era pretty early, I won't lie. Anyways, Yukino seemed annoyed at my chuckle of agreement and pouted cutely at my direction with a tomato red face. Then, without a word she just stood up and got the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea. "If he remains this lazy, he may regret it in the future." Yep, that is, my dear reader, an undeniable tsundere.
Breakfast then continued peacefully, enjoying the morning light as it streamed in through the windows. Only a few words or, more rarely, short sentences left our mouths, breakfasts between the three of us were always like this, quiet. To an outsider, this kind of communication between us may seem cold and distant, which would be understandable, but this is not the case. Even though we rarely talk to each other, the three of us are loving siblings.
Haruno is the 'mother' of the team who takes care of us, mainly because she looks after us when our parents are away. And Yukino, the one who looks up to our big sister and follows her and does everything to be like her, they are exactly as I remember from the story. And I, I don't play a role, it's kind of ridiculous how much I'm a third wheel, but because I literally am, I think I'm just laughing at myself when I say that. That's why I lost my motivation to change what will happen and now I just want an easy life in this new world. After all, I shouldn't even exist.
After we finished our breakfast, we cleared everything from the table and we helped Haruno with the dishes. The two of them were washing the plates and cutleries in idyllic manner, the plates full of foam clattering with each movement as they stood next to each other, Yukino's face had the usual emotionless expression, on the other hand Haruno's lips curled into a wide smile. Meanwhile, I waited patiently while they washed the dishes, so that I could take it from them and carefully wipe the plates.
While I was observing them meticulously and immersed in my thoughts, the bell's sound suddenly pulled me out of the world of my mind. "Oh, I'm sure it will be him." Haruno said, then hastily wiped her hands on a dishcloth and hurried to the door. I also stopped what I was doing at that moment and headed for the door; only Yukino remained where she was as she continued washing the dishes. "Aren't you coming to greet him? It would be rude." I told her. "Someone has to wash the dishes." "Then it's fine by me." I answered to her nonchalantly; jeez, we'll be with him all day anyway, so it doesn't matter. It's not like you two are mad at eachother.
Yes, you probably figured out who I'm talking about already, ohh, so you don't know? But it's pretty obvious, alright, I will give you some clues, but I can tell you in advance that you will feel as dumb as Sherlock Holmes when he misses a clue that is right in front of his nose. The person on the other side of the door is the kind of person who does everything to meet the expectations of others, still does not let them take advantage of him. Who is endlessly charismatic and popular in everyone's eyes as he wins everyone's approval.
Come on, you know this person too, it's not that hard to guess. The door slowly opened, revealing who I was talking about. Yes, it's Alfred, wait no, Alfred is just the driver of his family who I'm talking about. "Hayato! Nice to see you, and of course you too, Alfred." Haruno said cheerfully as she hugs him around his neck, almost choking him with her firm grip. "Then I'll leave the gentleman to you as always, miss." He said and with a fast and elegant movement turned around and left.
Hayama Hayato, the person I was talking about is him, my parents are his parents' friends and Haruno takes care of him too, not just me and Yukino. When his parents are away he always comes over to us and spends time with us; we play board games together and chat about the things that randomly pops out of our head, just meaningless and chilling conversation.
Just like any other days like this, Alfred, his driver, takes Hayato to the Yukinoshita household and comes back for him when the sun goes down after he spends the day with us; this day is also like those days. I think Hayato is probably lonely on days like this despite the fact that he is a likable person and can be friends with almost everyone. I never thought I would get along so well with him while we four hung out together.
Haruno was already pulling him by his wrist to the table and seat him down on one of the chairs, before I could even greet him. "You can just rest, I'll bring the board games immediately." She says as she pushes him down to a sitting position by his shoulders. "Welcome back, can I pour you a cup of tea?" Yukino asked Hayato with a warm smile, a genuinely kind and warm smile, that always could heat up your heart.
Alright I admit it, she can be adorable sometimes, especially when she shows her emotional side. Although I don't understand why she's suddenly so nice, wait…does she hate me? Anyway, I don't care, but it hurts a little, after all, she's my sister. I failed as an older brother. Huh- this is the type of thing Hachiman would say, I don't want to sound like a siscon.
We sat down at the dinner table, I, on one side of the table, Hayato on the other side while we waited for the two sisters. Yukino came first with a tray of steaming tea in her hands; she put it down and served us the tea with gentle motions. Then Haruno came back with the games that she promised to bring. Yukino sat down on the chair next to Hayato elegantly, while Haruno hopped next to me with her cheerful expression.
This game again, we usually play with this party game like today where we pair up in two teams; in the right corner Yukino and Hayato, on the other side of the ring Haruno and me, Tomomi. She always chooses me as her teammate like she knows I'm annoyed whenever I'm with her, what is wrong with you woman, you love your younger brother that much? Although it's pretty flattering that she chose me over Yukino, after all she is charming. I really don't want to sound like a siscon, and right now, I sound like a goddamn siscon.
"So, are you prepared for defeat?" Haruno asked from the opponent team with her usual smug grin. "Don't even dream of victory." Said the silent Yukino. "This time we will surely win, right Yukino?" Echoed the hopeful Hayato. "That's rich coming from the kids who didn't win a single match. I guess we are the ultimate team with Tomomi."
Haruno teased them as she clinged to my arm that was on her side. I can't deny the fact that we are a good team, after all she is Haruno who is good at everything and I'm the 'Third Einstein' who has the brain of a young adult. For this reason we have unbeatable tactics and strategies. They have an oddly appealing aura of determination and joy, you know, the kind you want to experience when you look at them. I feel envious of them when I see them like this, between them and me there is a visible gap, even the otherwise troubled Haruno seems happy in times like this, am I that lifeless?
Our group started a little competition between the teams. Haruo distributed the items needed for the game according to the rules; as always we talked about random topics and when the competitive spirit increased, everyone stayed quiet and thought about their next move. The one who broke the silence was my hated older sister.
"So are you guys going to school for the first time on monday? I remember when I went to school for the first time, I was pretty nervous but after a while I made a lot of friends." I don't even remember when I first went to school, and who could blame me? It was 18 years ago when that happened. Now that I have reached that age, my parents enrolled me in the same school as the other three who sit with me at the same table. I don't want to go to school, I don't really want anything to do even though I resigned myself to being stuck in this world. But I guess there's no use in complaining about it.
"Right? I'm also nervous about it but I'm sure we will all be good." Answered the always positive Hayato; even those who get to know others as easily as Hayato can feel uncomfortable when they first experience new things. "It will definitely be difficult at the beginning, but it will be natural to have conversations with your classmates every day over time, before you would know it, it's already happened." I finally joined the conversation, I really just wanted to calm them down. "Oh, you sound like you already experienced it." Retorted Haruno with her sneaky intonation. "At least this is what I think." I couldn't resist talking myself out of it right away with a nervous chuckle, I mean how am I supposed to tell her that I already went to elementary school?
We left this topic at that and continued the game until someone broke the silence again, this time it was Hayato. "By the way Tomomi, are you going to the academy on monday?" The mixed martial arts academy, me and Hayato go there together several times a week. "Hell yeah, there's no such thing that would make me skip it."
In my previous life I have never tried out martial arts and I was very excited when I first went to training. Probably this is the one thing from the other not many things that make me excited or truly happy.
One thing that I enjoy in my new body is that I don't have to worry about many things because I'm just a little kid, although with my school life starting there will be troublesome things, I feel it like an intuition. We started the academy when we both turned six years old and we still go to the academy regularly.
I'm not the only one who went there, Haruno also trained herself from the age of six to eight but the difference was that she was forced by our mother. The reason she forced her is because "be the perfect" or something stupid like that. That reminds me of a person who was also forced to be perfect, but he was locked in an institution. What was the name of it, white space or white chamber, something like that but never mind.
While the older sister was forced, the younger sister wasn't, and because of the lack of interest in her, she never went to a single training. But because Yukino follows the path of Haruno, a bit of knowledge stuck to her too. Our mother really is strange, as if she is a scientist, using her daughters like lab rats or some kind of psychological subjects. While she treats them in completely different ways, I'm treated pretty normally, she doesn't force me to do everything, but she doesn't allow me to do anything either. I kinda feel like a third rat and not Third Einstein.
After an hour of playing, competition and boring small talks later we finally ended the game. Who was the winner, you ask? It's obvious, of course, me and Haruno. They complained a bit but eventually she and he accepted their usual defeat.
"This is not fair, next time I want to pair up with you, Onee-san." "Now, now, if you do that, wouldn't it be too easy, Yukino?" Really Haruno? You say that after playing on my side every round? "Why don't you let her be on your side? She has a tough time playing against you, but against you and me it's even harder for them." I couldn't stand it, I wanted to stand up to her, I mean they are just kids, you are also just a kid. "If they can defeat us then they can defeat anybody." Was the answer for my question which I wanted her to back down. But instead she said an even more incredible thing.
"Oh and Tomomi, don't be so full of yourself." That sentence ignited something inside me and I couldn't help but retort back. "Says the one who gets outsmarted by a six year old in everything." I was unfair, since it isn't hard to be smarter than a nine year old little girl, with my experience of 24 years. That opaque smile remained on her face from which I couldn't read anything, but for a split second, for a short amount of time I could see a hurted twist on her mouth, as if my words cut deep in her feelings.
"Guys, calm down, this game is not determining our intelligence anyway." The worrying Hayato calmed us down. On the other side of the table, she and he were obviously watching us with an anxious look on their faces. The four of us never argued with each other so it was new. Well it was more of a passive aggressive argument on our part, but the tension of the mood was still noticeable. "Calm down? But there is nothing to worry about. I suggest that we should cook something for lunch." Haruno turned her grin in the way of them, as if we had no disagreement.
The preparation for cooking our food that is usually eaten in the middle of the day was relatively calm. We gathered up all the ingredients that needed, washing and peeling the vegetables. Hayato was responsible for preparing the vegetables while the two women in the house were cooking fish and rice. Because we were low on drinks, I was sent to the local minmart to buy something drinkable.
Now that I'm in the shop, what do you think is the most important thing I need to buy? Water, no, then some apple juice? Nah, the most important drink for the human body is obviously Max coffee, what else could it be? When I first drank the series most popular coffee it was a strange experience. Instead of bitter, it was sweet, and me who loves bitter things to eat and drink, it was hard to get used to it. So after a little time it was a common taste to my tongue. I have to buy something other than Max otherwise the other three will get mad at me, I guess some juice should do the thing.
After buying a few boxes of juice and a carton of Max coffee I went home. As I walked in the kitchen I could see Yukino and Hayato cooking happily together. Their cooperation was heart-warming, I can't understand how they always lose against me and my conceited older sister. I put the purchased groceries on the kitchen counter and realized Haruno was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Haruno?" I asked them out of curiosity. "She went to her room to call up your mother." Hayato answered. "She received a message from mom and rushed to her room." Yukino continued to explain what happened. "Rushed? It's unusual for her." Yes it is certainly strange. "You bought that stupid sweet coffee again?" She asked nonchalantly despite the question. "You know what they say, 'If life is bitter, at least the coffee should be sweet.'" Actually no one says this except one person, and me, but I just wanted to tease her. "I don't recall anyone saying this my dear onii-chan." You won't fool me, the annoyance is visible on your face, haha, I won. Although, I should watch after my sister who is acting weird.
Arriving at her room I peeked into her room, it was all cute, full of Pan-san plush like the adorable girl she is. Why am I even sneaking, it's not like she is changing clothes or saying something bad or secret to herself that reveals her true nature, I could just simply walk in her room and…
"What?! This is not what you told me…" Her voice echoed on the first floor corridor. It seems that she is talking with our mother on the phone. "You expect me to take care of them one more day? … But-" … "Of course I'm not complaining, sorry." Well I guess I was wrong, it was a good decision to sneak up to her door. Her voice quickly changed from rebellious and offended to cooperative and calm. "Alright, bye… love you…too." With that she hung up the phone.
"Why? What are we gonna do on that one more day anyway?" Yes, she is definitely complaining, I get it since it's really hard to deal with our mother's absolute commands. "And all above that, my stupid brother is thinking too highly of himself, I can't bear this freaking family!" I feel a little sorry for her after hearing this. She's the oldest of the four of us and with this, she is responsible for us. I can't imagine how hard it could be. I think I should run away before she notices me.
"What did mom say to you?" Yukino immediately asked as Haruno came back from upstairs. "It seems like our parent's business trip has been extended. They will arrive late Sunday night and not tomorrow morning." That's what I assumed from what I heard before. "I see, what will we do then?" "I thought of something, how about the four of us go to the amusement park tomorrow?" As I expected from her, she brought up a decent idea; and honestly, I'm intrigued.
"That's a great idea."
"That's a great idea." Yukino and Hayato said in unison upon hearing the offer, their lips curled up in a happy smile. The rest of the day has passed in peace. When it was time for Hayato to leave we said goodbye and told him where and when we will meet tomorrow.
"So you guys want to bath with your charming onee-san?" That took me off guard.
"What are you talking about?!" Yukino asked and blushed deeply.
"Hmm-" While Yukino had a normal reaction I, on the other hand, started thinking about it too much if you ask me. "What do you mean 'hmm', perv? I'm not going to bathe with you." Crap, why did I get lost in thought. If I were in my previous body, the police would have been called on me by now.
"We can still sleep together, you know?" Haruno continued to tease me even after Yukino left in embarrassment. "What do you say, Tomo?" Her flirtatious voice and gentle touch on my arm would have already snared a lolicon, but I'm NOT a lolicon. "Uhm- I should go to bed, goodnight." What was that? My voice was too weak, I should have said something rude back.
I settled in my comfortable bed and it felt heavenly. It was a tiring day after all, even though nothing noteworthy happened. Dealing with my irritating sisters was horrible, this family is so infuriating. I closed my eyelids and drifted off to sleep. Finally the long awaited sleep that I have been craving for, it will be so good to sleep out the fatigue of the day.
At least that's what I thought was going to happen, a convenient sleep, a great dream. But no, it was anything but great. It happened again, that strange dream-like experience.
I woke up in the middle of a mall, standing alone in a crowd of people. My left arm was hurting, I looked at it. No, please just don't be paralyzed, please. The panic in me slightly left me as I made sure that I could move it. There was only a little problem, my right arm is bound in plaster. "Why am I experiencing this again? And why is this setting so different from the previous one?" Were the questions that I stated to myself.
Author's note:
Well, it was a long time ago when the first chapter came out, and I'm sorry. I could come up with excuses but I won't. I was lazy and didn't feel the motivation and inspiration to write. Alright, the school also contributed to the delay.
But when I continued to write this story, I felt that joy when I wrote the first chapter. The point is that I don't want to miss so much time between two chapters, hopefully I won't.
And finally, happy holidays to everyone!