Chapter 6

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LIKE A CAT ON HOT BRICKS

You should have called Tanaka first.

Standing in front of the door leading to Tanaka's house, you eyed the doorbell warily. You've been stood outside his door for a good 5 minutes now, too nervous to ring the doorbell. The little button patronized you with its stupidly cute size, you imagined it to have a shrilling ring to it- certainly, it would catch the attention of whoever was inside.

A golden nameplate under the bell had 'TANAKA RESIDENCE' etched on it neatly. The cursive lettering the exact opposite of what she'd describe the certain Tanaka to be.

The neighbourhood itself was rather nice. It wasn't rich or excluded from the poor or anything extreme like that, but it did hold itself together pretty well. The streets were clean, courtesy to the neighbourhood chipping in to clean them every week, and the houses we're mediocre- any middle-class family could own something like this- but the small details like the fake golden plates under the doorbells and the clean cut grass made a difference. It made the neighbourhood look a bit more expensive (than it actually was).

It was totally different from where [Y/N] thought Tanaka would live.

You knew he wasn't a delinquent and didn't think of him to be one (He was a big doofus in your eyes) but the way he dressed and acted at times made you think he lived around some rougher parts in Japan. That he was the way that he was because where he lived everybody was a bit edgy. Not to say that's a bad thing, of course, you'd love him no matter where he lived, but you didn't expect him to live in such a friendly looking neighbourhood.

It made you look down at the clothing you wore, finding them too casual for the setting.

You were definitely overthinking this.

How were you underdressed in a neighbourhood! You were wearing your school uniform for crying out loud. Almost every kid coming back from school sauntered in the same wear you did. Sometimes you could really make a situation in your head seem like the end of the world.

Taking a deep breath, you brought your finger to hover over the button.

You had planned to come to Tanaka and spend time with him. He'd texted his address a few days prior and invited you over, you were not planning to disappoint.

So why were you so nervous?

You've been to a guys house before, with a few friends of course (Your parents would never allow you to go to a boys house without 2 other girl friends. That's probably why you haven't told them about your relationship with Tanaka), though this situation was different. Tanaka was your boyfriend. Not just some boy who you were friends with, this man was somebody you liked liked.

''It's fine. Stop overthinking and just do it,'' you said, pepping yourself up.

You could do this. Your plan was to help Tanaka study and you were not going to back out just because you were 'too scared'.

Pressing the button, you ignored the shrill sound of the bell and focused on adjusting the straps to your bag. A soft smile made its way onto your face and you let yourself relax slightly. Rocking on the back and forth on your heel, your mind drifted over to Tanaka.

You always got a bit excited before seeing him. You thought that after a week of dating the excitement bubbling in your stomach whenever you thought of him would simmer down, but no, here you were a month later with the same excitement.

Nervous you were not. In the beginning of your dating journey, it was very apparent. You always made sure to speak with thought and never do something out of the blue. Now, you were so comfortable with Tanaka that these things didn't bother you. You say what you want to him and act on intuition, not a care in the world. Because you knew Tanaka now and he knew you. You trusted him enough so that you showed him what you were truly like, with no rules and boundaries holding you down. That nervousness you had in the beginning subsided and made room for the comfort you held with him.

That was only for Tanaka of course.

Tanaka's sister, Saeko, was totally different.

You were very nervous of her.

Tanaka has told you about her a few times and you were very scared of meeting her. She already knew about you, which made you even more afraid. This woman raised Tanaka. If she didn't like you, you didn't know how you'd take it.

The door opened bringing you out of your thoughts and you stopped the rocking of your feet.

Speak of the devil.

Leaning against the frame, Saeko had an unimpressed look on her face. The eyebags under her eyes told you that she'd just woken up, same for the attire; dressed in only a pair of pyjama pants and a tank top that dropped lowly, showing off her assets.

Your heart stopped.

You watched her cat-like eyes roam over your frame, noticing how similar they were to Tanaka.

Mustering up the courage to speak up, you bowed down and apologized, ''I'm sorry for waking you, I'm looking for Tanaka-san.'' You made sure to use Tanaka instead of Ryū and added the 'san' just to be safe.

Realization dawned on Saeko's face and a sinister smile made its way onto her lips.

''You're Ryū-kun's girlfriend!'' She exclaimed. Her body immediately flung itself onto you and she pulled you into a bone-crushing hug. Your arms rested awkwardly against your side, not quite knowing what to do with them.

''Y-yeah,'' was all you managed to say before she pulled you into the house.

''Come in, come in. Ryū-kun isn't here at the moment but he'll be back soon. Make yourself at home, I have some leftovers in the fridge- you go sit on the couch.''

You slowly took off your shoes and backpack, placing them neatly against the wall and padded into the living room, hands connected behind your back. You fiddled with your thumbs as you made your way toward the couch, your chest spilling over with nervousness.

Tanaka wasn't here and you were alone with his sister. His older sister. His cooler, much more mature sister.

Waltzing into the living room from behind the kitchen counter came Saeko, a plate of rice and miso in her hands.

''Your name is [Y/N] right? I'm Saeko, I'm sure Ryū has told you all about his amazing sister.'' She looked smugly at you as she set the plate down on the coffee table. Plopping down next to you, she faced you completely and set both of her legs onto the couch, an eager look on her face.

''He has, yes. I'm sorry for coming unannounced, I should have texted beforehand,-''

Saeo waved you off, ''Ryū has been hiding you for too long now, I'm glad you came.'' Her eyes bore into you like Tanaka's would. ''Now, tell me more about yourself. I wanna know who my lil' bro been datin'.''

Laughter bounced off the walls of the living room where you and Saeko sat. Your form was hunched over grasping at your sides. Saeko was in the same predicament as you, gasping for air and holding her sides as if her life depended on it. The both of you were watching a K-Drama belonging to Tanaka. You never knew Tanaka was into this type of series, you expected him to be more of the action/heroes type.

Every time something mildly ridiculous or dramatic happened you and Saeko would give your judgement and nitpick the scene apart until it made sense.

''Man, I didn't think it could get any more dramatic than this,'' you breathed out as you watched the girl on the screen do another stupidly questionable thing 'out of love'.

''Oh, you don't even know,'' Saeko cackled, remembering all the times she'd passed Tanaka watching this and seeing the ridiculous predicaments the characters found themselves in.

Your walls which you had previously put up upon meeting Saeko were down and the gate to your carefree personality was opened wide.

You found out that she was immensely cool.

She rode a motorcycle and spoke with confidence and wit. A few tattoos covered her body, which she was very keen to show off to you. The piercings were first very intimidated to you but now you could only admire how badass she looked with them.

Saeko found you to be very polite and friendly, secretly wondering where Tanaka had found a girl like you. You spoke with precision and knew a thing or two, unlike Tanaka who's grades were the downfall of his school career. She was even happier when you laughed at all the jokes she told you and actually understood the intelligence and wit that came with them.

Tanaka could never.

But with all those things aside, she was wary.

Tanaka was her sweet little brother, her sweet little brother with some problems. He had a unique personality sprinkled over with anger issues and laziness. You were the complete opposite. You were vibrant and sweet, small and precious. It wasn't like she wasn't fond of you (she all but loved you already) but she doubted you.

She doubted what you had with Tanaka.

What was your intention with Tanaka?

Of course she wanted the best for him and you were all of that, but she also wanted to be realistic. Why would you date Tanaka? Why would such an intelligent young girl date somebody like her brother?

Saeko didn't like thinking of Tanaka like this but she had to be honest with herself. Tanaka was far from perfect, that's why most of his life girls strayed away. Obviously, you had to be doing this to gain something from him. Maybe it was one of the other boys from the volleyball clubs you liked and you were just using Tanaka to get close to them. Tanaka might be buying you things. Maybe you're just planning to pull some nasty prank high schoolers often did.

Either way, Saeko was adamant from anything like that happening to her brother.

''So why Tanaka?'' The question broke through the laughter. Saeko had her eyes on you now, watching for any ticks of emotion to give you away.

''Mhmm?'' You hummed out in confusion, not having heard the question. Your eyes were still on the TV, not noticing the seriousness of the situation.

''Why are you dating Tanaka?'' Saeko hadn't meant to sound so rude, It just came out like that. The possessiveness over her brother taking control.

Your eyes left the screen and met with Saeko's pointed ones. The smile she wore earlier was gone, now replaced with a soft frown.

''I'm not quite sure.'' You answered honestly not quite taking in that the question was an attack on you.

''Tanaka is like a breath of fresh air. He's really supportive of me and my dedication to school, even though he himself hates it. He goes out of his way just to understand something I'm working on. Usually, he still won't get it- but that's not the point.

''He makes an effort, an effort to be with the people he likes. And he's always so optimistic. No matter how bad the situation gets, he never gives up. Yeah, he can get a little riled up at times but that's just Tanaka- you either take it or leave it, y'know?'' You scratched the back of your head, realising you were rambling on for quite a bit.

''I don't really know a lot about Tanaka,'' you admitted. ''But I do know that I like him a lot and I want to know more about him and the things that he cares for'' you said, an embarrassing laugh taking over. Admitting to Saeko that you liked her little brother was a bit awkward.

Saeko's lips formed into a warm smile, her eyes burning slightly. Emotions ran strong through the Tanaka family, so to hear you talk about her little brother like this tugged at her thinning heartstrings.

Grabbing both your arms from your lap and bringing them to her waist, she brought you into an awkward embrace.

''Oh.''

A bit shocked by the sudden embrace, you let her squeeze you tightly as she cradled your head between her shoulder and cheek.

''I'm glad,'' she whispered, accepting you into her life.

[Y/N] [L/N] was her little brother's girlfriend and she could wholly accept that.

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