Haruchiyo's POV

Delicious food is served on a circular rotating table that we are all seated around. The peaceful music of the restaurant filled the seemingly awkward silence between us.

Grandma cleared her throat, disturbing the silence and asking how was our father's work going.

"Same thing as ever." He replied as he continued to eat. Senju then started to talk to him excitedly and Takeomi would also add something here and there to the conversation.

I was just boredly looking at the food while they chatted, my mind was blank and it felt like I have no energy to eat. 

I should've insisted on staying at the student council meeting rather than being here. I'd rather listen to every complicated thing that Michi says than be here with someone like our father.

He rarely was ever home and was so emotionless every time I see him. He started to bury himself at work after our mother died and he rarely ever had time for us so he just left us to grandma. Then one time after the incident where I got injured by my mouth, he suddenly started to act like he cared, at least that's how I see it.

"Haruchiyo, do you not like your food?" Father asked, snapping me out from my thoughts.

"No" I replied and sat properly as I took a bite of the food on my plate.

"I see" He replied and continued eating.

I just don't get why he was acting like he even cared for us in the first place. But since Senju looks happier, I always just avoid conflict and ignore him most of the time unless I want to.

It's not entirely because he suddenly had a change of heart, it's because it bothers me how he thinks about Michi.

He's obviously hostile in some way to her and I don't like that one bit.

The drive home was silent since Grandma and Senju were asleep at the back and Takeomi said he had a place to go but I think he just wants to escape. He's probably at Shinichiro's shop.

"Haruchiyo, are you feeling unwell? You've been quiet the whole time." He said while I watch the streets we passed.

"I'm always silent." I replied, not even giving him a glance.

"You being avoidant has been frequent lately. Do you hate me, Haruchiyo?" He asked as I mentally scoffed.

Hate? Yeah, maybe.

"Is it because of that strange girl?" He asked and I flinched.

"Michiyo is not strange, you're being rude. As for your question about whether I hate you or not, I think you know the answer already." I replied, trying not to wake the two at the back of the car.

Silence filled the car again after he simply said "I see".

I never hated him in the first place but the way he talks about Michi makes my blood boil.

"It wasn't my intention to be so hostile to the girl. I was being cautious." He said.

"Of what? What is there to be cautious about?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of what I don't know." He said but I just ignored that nonsense of a statement.

When we finally arrived home, grandma and Senju immediately went in to rest while I stayed outside with my father.

"What is it?" He asked as he closed the car.

"Let me just warn you, father. Don't even think about hurting Michiyo, she's...she's important to me. I won't standby seeing her hurt, I won't make exceptions." I said with a straight face and a solid resolve.

He didn't say a thing while I turn around and walked to the door. I stopped for a while after turning the door knob.

"I never hated you, father. But it seems like you're forcing me to." I said before entering the house, heading straight to my room.

Haruki's POV

I watched my son turn his back on me, the cold wind of the night creeping up my skin as I stare.

Looking up to the starry sky, I sighed and closed my eyes.

"What should I do?" I muttered to the wind. A question directed to my beloved wife who has already passed away from this world.

I've failed to be a father once, I ought to be a better one this time. I can't let my children be led astray.

Things are completely different from what I know but when something unknown was added, it's most likely to be an anomaly.

There's no other choice, I have to meet that girl. To protect my children from that terrible outcome.

Michiyo's POV

"Ugh" I mumbled as I shivered for a moment.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Are you cold?"  Manjiro asked as we both walked home together after he waited for us to finish our meeting.

"No" I replied but he simply sighed and took off his blazer and put it around my shoulders.

"I just said I'm not cold-"

"Stop hiding it Michi, I know you hate showing your weakness but can't you at least trust me? I'm your twin remember?" He said with a pout as we continued our way home.

It was just the two of us since the others had something else to do.

"You know Michi, I've been thinking..."

"You can think?" I asked

"Wha-"

"I'm joking"

"It's hard to believe that when you say that with a straight face." He said with a sigh.

"As I was saying, I always noticed ever since we were young that you are too mature for our age. It's like you're older." He said.

"I am older than you by exactly one minute and 43 seconds." I replied and he looked at me with disbelief.

"Michi, I'm serious for once so please hear me out." He said and looked at me with a straight face.

Our ebony eyes stared at each other and I waited for him to say a word.

"Michi, are you really my sister?" He asked.

A gust of wind passed by and the crip sound of fallen leaves being blown can be heard.

I never expected him to be the one to ask such a question. Was I too careless that he even noticed that much?

"Of course I am, we came out from the same mother that was impregnated by our father." I replied after a little thought.

"That's not what-"

"You said you've been thinking but it looks like you're not. It's late so we have to go back home." I said and walked ahead, leaving Manjiro who was in a disoriented mess.

It's best to avoid it since there's no point in telling him the truth. It will do more harm than good.

Sorry Manjiro, it's ideal you don't know what you should not know and live in ignorant bliss.

« ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ »

A/n: I know about the recent chapter about Mikey's parents. Please keep in mind that I started this book before that revelation so don't mind what happened to them here, hehe. This is just fanfiction, nothing personal.