Seiren came home later than usual.

If usual meant three in the morning then she came at sunrise, running with no sleep in her system. Rin was just waking up to get ready for his early run when he thought he spotted a zombie in the hallway. The boy froze, clutching his shirt before slowly flipping the light-switch. Rin let out a relieved sigh after just seeing that it was his sister.

"Wait..are you just getting home?"

"Please..shut up. My head hurts."

She dragged her feet into her room, debating if school was the option for her right now. Rin trailed behind her. "Where'd you go?" he asks. "To Reo's..then uhm..what's his name? Oh. Hiori and I played all of Just Dance." she groaned against her pillow, eyes heavy and burning every time she opened them. "Seishiro and I played Resident Evil until we finished the game. Yoichi and I sang karaoke..I'm beat and it's a Friday. I'm staying home."

Rin could only laugh at his sister's despair but was more than happy to hear she had fun. "Night." he said, turning off her light and closing her door. Seiren hadn't mention the mail Rin and Sae got nor did she know what was inside them. He sighed knowing that summer was coming up. Another one where they'd have to leave her behind but Rin didn't worry too much. She had Isagi by her side so it calmed his nerves just a bit.

Her immediate snores almost made Rin stop in his tracks and laugh.

Once seven o'clock hit, Sae had woken up and went over to Seiren's room to wake her up to get ready but when he tried, she wouldn't budge. The hell? What time did she sleep? He frowned, seeing that she was still in her uniform. He decided to cover her with her blanket, noticing the goosebumps on her skin before leaving her room. Rin was in the kitchen making breakfast for himself, hearing Sae come down to the main level.

"She was at Reo's." he said. "When'd she come back?" Sae took a seat beside him, grabbing one of the cut up fruits Rin had in his bowl. "Like five..and make your own food." Rin moved his bowl closer to his side. "Five? What the hell?" Sae scoffed. His eyes then landed on the opened envelopes on the counter. "She hasn't seen them yet right?" he slid them over in front of him. "No. I don't think so."

Sae then took the envelopes, bringing them to his room and setting them down on his desk in between a few books he had. This wasn't just a training camp in the country or overseas. This was a recruitment letter for the both of them in Spain. Sure they've dealt with the difference in time zone before but this was different. Sae was close to graduating and this meant he had the option to reach closer and closer towards his dreams.

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and he couldn't let this go. He just wondered how Seiren was going to feel once she finds out that both of her brothers are leaving at the same time again. He sighs, seating himself on the edge of the bed. Her snores became lighter but he could still hear them through the walls, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

"She's going to kill us.."

Isagi waited for Seiren but he hadn't spotted her anywhere. He took the chance to find Rin, hoping he'd tell her if she was okay. Isagi himself hadn't gotten any sleep but the boy was up and running. He just knew the second he'd get home from school he'd pass out until tomorrow morning. "Hey Rin. Where's Seiren?" he tapped his arm. "Oh she's asleep. She stayed home cause she came home late." Rin squinted his eyes, sharpening his gaze at Isagi.

"Forbid a girl has fun..but alright. See you at practice."

Eimi witnessed the interaction, laughing lightly. "Is he your sister's boyfriend?" she asked, walking beside him. "Him? No. They're apparently best friends." Rin shakes his head. "She went over Reo's with the second years but I guess they were up all night. She came home late and passed out." he said. "Seems fun." Eimi chuckles. "It's not when you think there's a zombie at the end of your hallway.." he mumbles.

"Your sister's like seventeen. I'm sure she can take care of herself. Plus I always see him walk her home. I live in the same neighborhood as him." Eimi squeezed his arm as everyone was walking to their classes. "You do?" Rin tilts his head. "Yeah! They're pretty cute. He seems like a great guy for her. Romantic or not. I like her smile when he's around." Rin couldn't tell if Eimi liked him or his sister more.

"Okay.."

"I'm just saying..!"

Sae couldn't focus. Not when his phone was blowing up every second. First, he made the mistake in telling Shidou what had happened between him and the girl. Second, he made the mistake in texting her first. She was a multi-texter unlike him. He could send one message and be fine but her? She sent him ten texts just to get her point across about how short hair suited her better for the summer.

He held his phone underneath his desk, watching the messages fly in until a ruler tapped against his notebook. "Itoshi, care to tell us what's more important on your phone than an exam review?" his teacher said, grabbing the attention of the students around him. Sae kept his eyes on his screen before quickly replying, turning off his phone and sliding it into his pocket. "It's nothing really. You can continue."

Miori felt her cheeks heat up at his message, her fingers typing away after reading it.

pretty boy sae
long hair suits you better miori. short hair is just easier to maintain. keep your long hair. i like it.

Sae tapped his finger against his cheek, glancing off to the window as his teacher went back to her lesson. Lunch was going to start soon so he'd better hurry to the practice fields but his fingers itched to reach for his phone again. He could feel the messages vibrating against his pocket, his eyes on the clock, counting down the minutes until the bell rung. He could say Miori had grabbed his attention from the second they met but he just wanted to know what about her seemed so special.

It wasn't like he could go to her class and just talk to her. She was a long drive away from him so even then, most of their conversations had to be held through text. Sae sighed softly at the thought.

What a pain.

———

Seiren shuffled around on her bed. She knew she had slept long enough when the sun began to peek through her blinds. Her room faced the West, allowing the sunset to illuminate her room. She stretched her arms out, suddenly feeling refreshed as she reached for her phone. She had seen messages from her brothers along with Isagi, texting them that she had just woken up.

Her stomach growled but she didn't have the energy to get up just yet. Seiren checked the time, seeing as her brothers were coming home soon, she decided to wait for them to eat. She saw that her battery was low, searching for her charger but she couldn't find it anywhere. She rolled off of bed, pulling off her skirt to change into her sweatpants, leaving Isagi's jersey on.

Seiren poked her head into the hallway, rubbing her eyes before walking towards Sae's room. She knew he always kept an extra charger by his PC, hoping it was still there. She stumbled near his bed, letting out a yawn before pulling out the chair and sitting down. Her hands roamed around his desk yet she couldn't find the charger. "Damn..he probably took it.." Seiren sighed but her eyes caught onto something else.

Her fingers held the familiar envelope. She wondered why Sae would ever keep such an old invitation. She decided to open it for times sake but the date that was printed on was recent. Way too recent. She noticed another envelope that looked the exact same, this time with Rin's name printed on it. "Oh they both got recruited." she muttered. Seiren heard the front door open, Rin and Sae's voice echoing inside the house.

"Can you bring out the milk?"

"Milk? We just got home.."

Rin stared at Sae with an odd look in his eyes. "Whatever. I'll get Seiren." Sae scoffed, dropping his bag onto the couch and just as soon as he stepped onto the stairwell, Seiren begun making her way down with the envelopes in hand. Sae froze and Rin could only stay where he was. She sighed. "Why didn't you guys tell me?" she said first.

"We just got them yesterday." Sae glanced over to Rin. "You were in my room?" he questioned. "I was looking for a charger." Seiren rolls her eyes. "Is this just for summer or..like permanent?" She mainly stares at Sae. "It's Re Al and PXG." he manages to smile. "They have a spot for me after graduation. I played with their team before during youth camps and so has Rin." Sae takes the envelope from her hand. "So you two are going? For good?"

Sae kept quiet. "It's not for good Seiren. It's our careers.." he says. "So for good then." she nods her head. "Rin'll join their youth team. He can probably visit after two years Seiren. It's great for us. Don't get upset about this." Rin kept quiet, unsure how to comfort his older sister. "I'm not getting upset. I just think it's too soon. That's all. I'm happy for you two though." she smiles, bringing her brother into a hug before walking over to Rin, hugging him as well. "You won't cry?" Rin mumbles.

"Why would you say that Rin?" Sae shakes his head. "Cause she always cries.." Rin frowns. "I'm not going to cry." Seiren said.

Seiren pulled away, trying to keep her smile up but she couldn't help feel as though she was missing the fact that this could've happened to her as well. Sae saw her lips quivering and immediately glared at his little brother, Rin, who put his hands up in defense. She cried. Seiren had just created a tighter bond between her brothers and now that school was ending in two months, she felt as though time hated her.

"You'll be fine. You have that stupid cockroach to follow you around now."

"You mean Yoichi?"

"Yeah whatever his name is." Sae muttered, patting her shoulder. "So after graduation..that's it? You two are gone?" Seiren rubbed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. "If you put it that way." Sae said. "So Rin won't be at school and stuff? He'll be taking classes over there?" she glanced over to her sibling, noticing his pout. "Yeah he'll graduate over there but by then you'll be in college right? I could fly you out." Sae tried comforting her.

"With what money?" she laughs.

"Oh I'll have money. Christmas is going to get a whole lot better."

The news broke her heart but she was happy nonetheless.

———

Isagi was playing his game when Iyo let Seiren in. He must've forgotten that she was coming over because his eyes were too trained on his screen to even notice his door creaking open. The girl entered his room quietly, hearing him mumble a few words as he was playing with Bachira and Hiori. She could hear the sound of gun shots playing loudly from his headphones, deciding to sneak up behind him.

Isagi screamed, his heart pounding as she laughed. Bachira and Hiori could hear her voice through Isagi's mic. "What the hell..Dude my heart just stopped.." he laughs before turning back to his screen. "You good?" Hiori hums. "Is that Seichan?" Bachira sounded eager to say hi to the girl. "Yeah it's Seiren. Bachira and Hiori said hi."

"Tell them I said hi!"

"So..care to explain why she's there? Hm? Hm?" Hiori started teasing his friend. "Shut up.." Isagi muttered, ending the match quickly as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Your mom said dinner was ready." Seiren said, crossing her legs. "Really? Did you eat yet?" he turned over to her, glancing at his phone since he was on facetime with the two boys, watching them give him kissy faces before he ended the call.

"Uh just a bit."

"Have a plate. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"Did you get any sleep?"

"Actually..I couldn't sleep.."

Isagi stood up from his chair, leaving his room while Seiren followed after him. Issei was cleaning up the table, stacking the mail all together before noticing one with his son's name on it. "Yoichi! Something's here for you!" he said, glancing over his shoulder to see him coming down the stairs. "Mail?" Isagi mumbled. Seiren didn't think much of it and instead went to help his mother out with the food.

"You know Seiren..you're a sweet girl." Iyo began to say. "Oh thank you.." Seiren smiled. "I don't know what's going on between you and Yoichi but I love having you around." Iyo passed her two plates. "He's a great friend. I like him." Seiren said before walking over to the dining table, placing the plates down, her mother doing the same. She stood next to Isagi, her eyes catching onto the letter he was sent.

His mouth was open and he could've sworn he stopped breathing. "Bastard.." he muttered before coughing up a storm. "Everything okay? What does it say?" Issei proceeds to sit himself down. Seiren slowly blinked, her eyes watching the excitement build up on his face. "Bastard München..wants to recruit me." his voice just above a whisper. "Really?! Are you serious?" Iyo cheered, immediately rushing to hug her son.

Seiren laughed as his parents filled the quiet house with immense love, deciding to ditch dinner and planned to go out to eat to celebrate. Isagi faced her with the widest smile she could ever imagine. "This is great. This is so great!" he couldn't keep his eyes off the letter. They wanted him. They recognized his talents. "I'm..so happy for you Yoichi." she smiles back at him. "Seiren! Come with us! You're practically family now!" Iyo said.

"Sure I'll go!" Seiren exclaimed but Isagi could hear the hurt behind her voice. If he had gotten a letter then her brothers must've gotten one too right? Isagi proceeded to pull her into a warm hug. He didn't know what for but he felt as if she needed one. "I hope you cheer me on when I'm on the big screen." he mumbles against her ear. He wished she was a bit shorter to rest his head on her shoulder but he didn't mind her height one bit. "Why would I not cheer for my best friend?" Seiren chuckles, patting his back.

"Yeah and let it stay that way. If any other person tries to claim you as your best friend..just know I have a nuke ready."

"You're insane..I love it. Let's hurry! I'm starving Yoichi!"

Isagi's gaze wavered around her face again, he knew she was hiding something underneath the cheeky smile she gave him but he didn't want to ruin the moment. "Let's go Seiren. Can't have you dying of starvation." he laughs, guiding her with his hand on her back as his parents were putting on their shoes. "Your parents don't mind you out a bit late Seiren?" Iyo asked her. "It's fine. I already told them. They're okay with it!" she said to ease their minds.

"Perfect! Let's go! I know this perfect place for us to celebrate! Oh I'm so proud of you Yoichi!"

"Okay I get it Mom..!"

Seiren laughed at their heartfelt interaction before getting in the car, sitting herself next to Isagi. She sat near the door, biting the inside of her cheek. She was just starting to enjoy her life so why did they have to go so soon? Isagi reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. He could read her and she knew it. Which is why she mouthed, "I'll tell you later," to him. He understood and decided to leave the topic be for now.

Seiren tickled the palm of his hand with her knuckle, watching him pull away in disgust before she reached for his pinkie, wrapping hers around his and holding him tightly. Their eyes met briefly before letting out a fit of giggles.