We got inside Mitsuo’s house and both of us entered quite comfortably. I’ve been in and out of this house for years but I’ve never seen this guy, he seems to be really familiar with Mitsuo. I took my shoes off and placed it on the box reserved for me when I go here and I always was curious about who owned the box beside mine. And then, this man casually placed his shoes on the box I was staring at. Was it him?

This guy’s frame was really big. I thought I was broad enough but he looked bigger and even taller, is he even Japanese? He smells foreign. Maybe he was half? Wait, did I just think that he smelled foreign? What am I sniffing strangers for? But there was something uncanny about how nervous he looks around me. He’s had the same vibe of being extremely uneasy ever since we met inside the train and walked the same way going here. That’s why I suspected that he was stalking me because his uneasiness was making me really anxious. I would have preferred that he was more confident if he was a stalker but apparently Mitsuo knows him.

Mitsuo called us over to sit by the dining table because he was getting food served soon. We followed suit but I was still observing and being oddly cautious around this guy. I was getting annoyed at the mystery and being kept in the dark.

Mitsuo’s daughter came running into the room and hugged me from behind, “Kyou Nii-chan! You’re here!” She said excitedly. I guess, she’s the only one I allow to cling on to me. She’s really cute and her personality reminds me of Souma, so maybe that’s the reason.

“Hey Hanako, don’t run out with your hair still wet or you’ll get sick,” I said as I stood up and took the towel hanging on her shoulder and started drying her hair.

This is Saitou Hanako, Mitsuo’s 9-year-old daughter. She’s just like her dad though, they can both be quite a handful. Also, she reminds me of Souma. She’s someone I’d like to protect because her personality is something easily taken advantage of. Of course, as a negative person, I always expect the worst to happen.

“AAAH!” Hanako suddenly screamed. I thought I ruffled her hair too hard.

“Oh sorry, did I hurt your head?” I asked while taking a peek on her hair and then her face. She looked utterly shocked while pointing at the man I arrived with.

“Tsukki!" She said with the same shocked expression.

“It's about time you noticed. You hug this guy and not me? I'm so jealous." The man said as he pouted.

Hanako ran to him and climbed up on his lap and hugged him really tight. "No, Tsukki! Don't be sad!" she said as she teared up thinking that the man was really mad.

“Uncle?” I said quite amused at the scene. They seemed close. If he’s Hanako’s uncle, then that makes him— “You’re Mitsuo-san’s brother?” I added making a conclusion.

Mitsuo clapped his hands after he served the hotpot on the table. “Amazing~ I expect nothing less from Kyouma-kun!” Mitsuo said as he laughed.

“You could have just told him earlier, what were you even waiting for?” the man scratched the back of his head and looked at me with his sharp eyes. “I'm Saitou Itsuki. I’m Mitsuo’s younger brother. Nice to meet you.” He finished as he reached his hand out for a handshake.

“Ah. Nice to meet you, My name is Shimizu Kyouma. I’ve been under Mitsuo-san’s care.” I said as I took his hand and shook it. I stared back at him casually but I noticed that he avoided eye contact as he subtly turned red. At this point, I was really confused.

“Now that you know each other, let’s start eating before the hotpot gets cold. Also, Itsuki-kun. Your boxes arrived this morning while you were out, so I placed them all in your room.” Rika-san said as she served rice to everyone on bowls.

“Oh, thank you Rika Onee-san. I had things to take care of now that I’m back in Japan.” Itsuki said with a smile on his face as he took the cup from her hand.

Hmm, so this is Mitsuo’s younger brother. Come to think of it, they do have certain similarities in appearance, but I still can’t get over how big his build is. I was slightly jealous of how he had such a nice body, maybe I should start hitting the gym but I barely have time for that now since school is already taking up so much of my life. Partly my fault for taking more units than I can handle so that I would only have a few classes to take in my 4th year.

What am I even doing checking Itsuki out? Blessed people are blessed.

Mitsuo cued us to start eating. “Itadakimasu.” I said as I waited for my turn for the hotpot. I missed this and it’s perfect since the weather was starting to get chilly.

After dinner, I decided to stay for a bit to help out in cleaning up. The meal was good as always and even though I didn't talk much or contributed to the conversation their family was having, you can say that I enjoyed my time. I looked at the clock and realized that I had to go.

“Mitsuo-san, I need to leave. I still have a paper to finish that’s due tomorrow.” I said as I finished clearing out the dishes to help Rika-san as a courtesy.

“Oh, alright. Don’t work so hard or you’ll break down one day, rest when you can.” Mitsuo said with a gentle smile on his face.

I nodded, “Thank you for having me and the meal was great.” I said as sincerely as I can because sometimes I can sound pretty half-assed.

Hanako was already asleep on the couch so I pet her head before taking my bag and making my way to the front door.

“I’ll walk you home. It’s pretty late.” Itsuki said as he stood up from the couch and approached me.

“Hmm? You don’t have to. I live quite near. Just around the corner.” I said quite confused with the sudden offer.

“Oh, is that so? Uhh, alright.” Itsuki looked a bit disappointed. He looked like a puppy, like a huge Samoyed breed and for some reason, I wanted to pet his head but that would be weird so I just pat his shoulder.

“Thanks for offering though. I’ll see you. Goodnight.” I said as I bowed, put my shoes on, and walked out the door.

I looked up the sky as I started walking home and it looked really pretty tonight. I miss Souma, is he okay? I need to see him soon, he might be feeling lonely without me.

I took my time to stroll before arriving home since having a house all to myself is making me feel lonely now that I’ve felt the warmth from other people for the first time. It's still very surreal to me how I'm getting treated so nicely and being welcomed by people that aren't even related to me. It sure is a very nice feeling.

I stopped spacing out as I reached my house and was about to open the front gate, but suddenly someone called out my name.

“Shimizu-san!" I looked behind me and saw Itsuki rushing towards me,

“Saitou-san, what’s up? Why are you in a hurry? Did I forget something?” I asked quite concerned.

-A FEW MINUTES BACK AT THE SAITOU RESIDENCE AFTER KYOUMA LEFT- 

Mitsuo walked towards the disappointed-looking Itsuki and ruffled his hair, “He looks familiar, doesn’t he?” He smiled at Itsuki who in turn looked at him surprised.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Itsuki said getting flustered by the sudden question.

"You know what I mean. I can tell you noticed too. You've been acting pretty uncool, it was so awkward." Mitsuo said as he laughed.

"He looks a lot like that kid that hung around at our cafe years ago," he added.

Itsuki was about to get mad but hearing the last part of what Mitsuo said, his expression changed into a pained smile. "You actually knew, huh?" he said.

"It wasn't hard to guess but you know there's one thing I've confirmed," Mitsuo said as he handed Itsuki a box of cake. "Kyouma has the same taste in pastries," he pets Itsuki's head and turned his back to take Hanako, who was sleeping soundly on the couch, to her room.

Itsuki looked at the box and decided to catch up to Kyouma. "Thanks, Aniki." he smiled as he hurried out.

-BACK TO THE PRESENT-

Itsuki stayed silent catching his breath. It looks like he tried his best to catch up to me.

"My brother forgot to give you this." he finally said something, handing out the box to me.

"Cake? You really had to run to give me a cake," I tried to take him seriously but I suddenly ended up laughing.

He looked at me with confusion and his expression was softer like he was in a trance.

"Why are you laughing? I didn't move around too much, I'm positive that it's still intact. And yes, I did just run after you to give you your cake." Itsuki sighed obviously giving up on the situation.

I wiped the tears that formed under my lids from laughing and smiled at him as I accepted the box.

"Thank you. Also, I apologize for thinking wrongly of you. You were just acting so odd around me it made me anxious, but it's fine now." I said calming down.

"Oh, about that, I also want to apologize! You reminded me so much of someone I met before so I couldn't help but stare at you. I'm so sorry if it made you feel uncomfortable." he replied to me as he bowed.

I swear I don't know if I can resist petting his head any longer, as much as I wanted to pay attention to what he just said, his hair was silver and it glistened under the moonlight ever so beautifully. I clearly wasn't putting my priorities in place.

Without noticing, I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair.

"I knew it, It feels as nice as it looks," I said mindlessly.

Itsuki suddenly squats down and hid his face with his hands; with that, I realized what I had done. I just touched his hair without permission, that must have been weird. I also heard his apology but not the rest of it.

I cleared my throat as I hid my hand in my pocket.

"I-I got carried away, I'm sorry, It's late. You better get goingー," I said in a panic.

What the hell am I doing?

"Shimizu-san." Itsuki called out in his low resonating voice, interrupting me.

Was he mad?

"Y-yes?" I replied abruptly.

Itsuki stood up and looked at me sternly. I am convinced that he is mad.

"Meet me after classes tomorrow, I'll be at my brother's cafe," he said as he smiled at me

Mhm, he will beat me up for touching his hair for sure.

"I guess I can do that," I said quite nervously.

We decided to just continue our conversation tomorrow and ended up calling it a night.

What am I getting myself into?