I'm not a morning person, and I always hate waking up so early in the morning delivering papers but ever since I lived here at the familie I learn to wake up whilst everyone is still asleep, I started to get used to it. I always wake up at 4am taking out the trash, watering the plants in our small garden then jogging for an hour after that. And every time I got back there's always a hot choco waiting for me in the dinning room table and there cooking breakfast for everyone is Reimako Ikagami, the youngest here in the family she's a bit timid and still not used to me living here with them but she's really kind and considerate even though she's had this condition called androphobia and me being here is somewhat of a slow cure for her to get used to men but even so around the house she never fails to greet me with a sweet smile on her face.
"O-oh, welcome back Mina." She said a bit startled when she Mina sitting in a round stool near the kitchen counter.
"Good morning, Reimako, thanks for the hot choco you do this every time I get back from my morning jog and I really appreciate it." He greeted while blowing the cup of hot choco.
"Don't mention it." She smiled sweetly but still cautious of Mina's presence.
(She's sweet, but she still seems be wary of me, can't blame her I guess since she's attending an all-girls school this is probably the first time to be close with a guy. Well not that close I guess...)
While he's monologuing to himself, he notices the opened kitchen cabinet inside it is a horribly organized heavy pans and pots, this must be the work of Miyoko since she's the one who's dish duty last night and that's her signature arrangement. We always remind her to neatly arrange all the kitchen wear neatly and we couldn't count the time how many times we woke up at midnight because a few mice knock those over.
Thinking that he could arrange it himself he stood up from his seat, The flimsy small stool made a small squeaking sound. Which someone made Reimako flinch.
A bit surprised she manage to slightly bump the cabinet about her with the small pot she's holding.
"Rei ! watch out!"
Rei surprised by Mina's loud voice she Immediately cower down
Him noticing the slow decent of the heavy pans and pots he quickly move towards Rei and with a loud symphony of falling pots and pans falling on someone's head, which a noise can be heard outside the kitchen.
Startled Kasumi and Miyoko look at each other, them realizing what it was Kasumi narrowed her eyes and gaze at Miyoko.
"What? Miyoko asked innocently.
"Come on let's just clean your mess." She said with an audible sigh.
A few steps into the kitchen Kasumi and Miyoko bought gasp at what they saw.
"Err...Rei?" Miyoko asked mouth agape.
Looking at Rei holding a huge heavy frying pan on her left hand beside Mina lying on the floor with a bloody head.
"Did, he finally acted upon his suppressed desires on you, is that why you killed him?" asked Miyoko.
"EH?! I-I did not!" Rei stammered.
"It's not like we'd blame you, I mean you beat me to it, don't worry we'll help you bury the body in the garden that's what Yomiko would want." Miyoko continued.
"Shut up for a moment Miyoko." Said Kasumi while approaching Rei who looks clearly a bit in panic.
"I-I was surprised i-it happened so fast but when I noticed..." Rei panickily explained to Kasumi.
Looking at the "crime scene" Kasumi immediately understood what actually happened.
"You don't need to explain Rei, don't worry I understand what happened." She said while she removed the heavy pot covering Mina's head.
"Y-you did? , come on lets..." before Rei could finished Kasumi smiled at her and said.
"Yeah, it's clearly self-defense he just got what he deserves, so let's bury him at the garden, it's what
Yomiko wants." She smiled while patting Rei's back.
"EEEHH!!!"
"Told yah, come on go to the other side I'll lift his heavy head." Said Miyoko
"Geez you guys!" pouted Reimako.
"We're kidding, the Pans and Pots just fall and judging that you're fine and this idiot is bleeding again. He jumps Infront of the tumbling kitchen ware. So it's Miyoko's fault, don't worry about it." Explained Kasumi.
"Come on you guys, that's not nice." Rei sighed in relief.
They both giggled
"Rei, be a doll and get the first aide kit so we can patch this idiot up." Said Kasumi.
"O-okay."
As they we're about to "dispose the body" Miyoko lifting Mina's head and Kasumi cleaning up the mess holding both small and large pans in her hands and Rei timidly walking towards the living room when Yomiko just walked in the kitchen.
"So...are we finally going to bury that dolt in the garden?"
A bit surprised Miyoko dropped Mina which made a huge thump on the hard kitchen floor.
"Oops..."
A while later, they left Mina sleeping on the living room sofa and they all left to work and school.
Meanwhile at Aisatsu Suru All-Girls School.
A girl wearing a navy-blue cardigan fast walking to the hallway of the school hurriedly hopping to every step of stairs she seems not to care even if her knee high pleaded brown skirt with blue and white criss cross stripe flutter in her every step.
Passing every room filled with happily chatting students dodging everyone with boyish ease and bewitchingly slowing down when she passes a teacher and greeting them respectfully.
As she saw her goal she dashes to the door and hurriedly opening the sliding door to her room, then noticing her well-endowed best friend she disappointingly drops her shoulder and feeling crushed she approach her.
"Damn it Rei, you beat me again..." she said as she move he seat forward legs opened and sat in-front of her.
The girl with the short brown wavy her that flutter from a breeze coming from the window next her didn't seem to hear or notice her as she just sat there her eyes brown eyes glimmering from the sunlight.
"Rei?" she called her out pulling her back from her deep thought.
"Oh! Good Morning Sai." She greeted the girl with a tanned skin sharp eyes and short boyish hair grinning from ear to ear.
Noticing the way, she's sitting she tap her firm thigh to signal her to seat properly from her seat.
"What? I'm wearing spats like always, It's not like someone would peak at it, we're all girls here you know." She reminded but complying to Rei's request.
"Still." (she really reminds me of Miyoko...)
"Sheez' so strict, anyway you seem to be in deep thought are you thinking of that guy again."
Rei slightly jolts and her cheeks turns red for a moment.
"Bingo." Sai grinned.
"I do not."
"Right...." She said still grinning.
"Are all guys like that?" Rei asked after a brief of silence.
"Like what?" Sai interestingly asked.
"You know, you have four brothers right, are they all..." Rei continued.
"All what?"
"You know, what boys mostly do."
"Being a horndog?"
"A what?" asked Rei somewhat confuse.
"Horny, like watching porn, hiding all their stash under their bed, and my brothers have a lot, I even watch and read some of their porns."
"SAI!"
"I'm kidding, I dunno they probably do have those under their bed they're boys after all."
"Not that, I mean heroic and kind."
"A what now?" said Sai raising one of her brows.
"Heroic and Kind, is what most boys do right?"
"Girl, what kind of fairy tale prince charming is that guy?"
"What do you mean, Do you think it's not normal?" Rei asked confusedly
"There's definitely good guys out there, but heroic? That's kinda rare what makes you think that this guy is heroic?"
"Well, for starters there's a lot of times he literally protected us from harm."
"Example..." proposed Sai.
"Like this morning he shielded me from falling pots and pans and ended up getting hurt. And I heard from Kasumi that he got pulled out from the class by some senior students from other school and he got in trouble for it, protected Yomiko from getting hurt...and most of the times he ended up getting himself hurt at the process of protecting us " Rei continued.
"Oh, so that article I read last Friday was true, that answered the question who's the dude who save the pop idol..." SaI said to herself.
"Well, he seemed selfless and yes heroic, I think." (more like stupid as well.) Sai continued.
"So, a guy like Mina, is rare?" Rei asked.
"Girl, a guy named Mina is rare." (so that's the mysterious guys name, what kind of parent would name their child Mina?)
Before they could continue their chat the ball rang and a teacher entered the room, they all stood up, Rei as the student council rep lead her fellow student to greet their teacher.
And started their class.
Meanwhile...
(Darn that Miyoko, why didn't she wake me up, now I can't get to my class because I'm super late. Welp, no use crying over spilled milk, I'll just ask Oga for some notes, he's a moron but he sure love to take notes and that's the only thing he's good at, at least I have that.)
Late and bored he decided to stroll around the next-door mall. He was walking next to the popular suit shop when she noticed someone familiar.
(Is that...)
(Is that...Ms. Mikahara)
From the second floor he notice Ms.Mikahara in her business suit and a few guys who seems to be trying to asked her out, that's what it looks like from where he is standing.
(She seems pissed I can see a vein popping out from her forehead, Damn I have some great eye sight to see that, anyway should I save her, or rather...should I save those guys from their demise, they clearly don't know who's there dealing with...)
Meanwhile...
Douche 1: Come on gorgeous, just one cup of coffee I promised you won't regret it.
Douche 2: Yeah, or a couple of drinks, you deserve a break from all the hard work Ms. CEO."
(Oh, god, I'll do anything to get out of this mess, they'd been so relentlessly stupid who can't seem to comprehend the simplest sentence...And as if I don't notice you guys staring at my chest.) "I'm really sorry I need to go now."
But when she's about the leave she felt a firm grip on her arm.
Almost pissed. She turned and wail a lightning fast slap that echoed through the entire mall.
When...
"Ouchie...? Hi? Sorry I'm late..."
"M-MINA!" realizing he just hit his savior with a fresh palm mark on her cheeks.
"Oh, god I'm so sorry!" she immediately console and gently yet panicky caressing his cheeks.
"Well, it works, you see they are leaving," he said teary eyed and a bloody nose while looking at the douche who seemed to be in awed by the sound and the spectacle they saw.
They both sat at the near bench, while Tegemi wiping Mina's bloody nose with her handkerchief still apologizing to Mina profusely.
"Don't worry about it, ever since I live at the Famillie at this point I'm used to getting hurt." He smiled.
"Come on, I said I'm sorry don't joke around like that." Tegemi giggled a bit while still pressing her now red handkerchief in Mina's bloody nose.
"Geez, Mina at this point I'm probably gonna be a full-time physician just to take care of you." She sweetly smiled.
Mina felt a sudden increase on his heartbeat after hearing that while looking at Tegemi's worried sullen sweet face.
"And thank you, you really save me back there, in more ways than one, you see those guys are sons of the one of the company presidents clients, the president is a decent person and it is strictly business , but when it comes to his son, I seems to have caught their eyes. He's a bit persistent but I'll take to the president to not let this happen again." She said with a burning passion in her eyes.
"Are you sure that's gonna be okay." He asked.
"Don't worry, it will be, I can't slap you every time can i." she said with an awkward grin.
"No please, I might die..." he said nervously.
"There it stops bleeding, anyway what are you doing here?" she asked as she seats close next to him.
"Err...you know the event this morning, I kinda slept through it, I was late...so hear I am..ahahaha...ha..." he laughs awkwardly and sighed.
"Right...You need to be careful though, it's okay to protect someone but you should consider protecting yourself as well." As a caring sister she reminded.
"Well, can't really save someone if I prioritize my own safety." He said nonchalantly.
"Like the hero you, are...come on, I'm a bit hungry let go for lunch, my treat." She said whilst standing up grabbing Mina by the arm.
Knowing Mina's personality in a short time he lived in the Famillie she added.
"Don't give me that look, I insist and besides it's the least thing I could do, you know after that." She said while pointing at Mina's tissue plugged nose.
"Well, if you put it that way..."
" Or do you prefer a kiss?" she said teasingly.
"A K-Kiss?!"
"Yes, a kiss..." she said as she steps toward him.
"S-should I close my eyes?" he asked nervously.
"Why would you, so here." She said while handing him a single piece of Kiss chocolate."
"Oh..." (of course...)
(Someday perhaps...) She said under her breath as she smiles
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing, come on. Slow poke."
Meanwhile at Tanki Daigaku (Mina and the other girl's college)
Kasumi and Miyoko are having their lunch.
"Come to think of if Mina didn't come to class today..." wondered Miyoko.
"And who's fault is that." Answered Kasumi nonchalantly
"Not mine, that's for sure..."
"Should I remind you that you're the only one in the house that lazily "arranged" those heavy pots that way, and should I remind you if Mina haven't protected Rei, she's the one who couldn't go to school." She reminded while narrowing her brow
"All right, all right, it's my fault I'm sorry..."
"You should apologize to them not me and judging on how many times he's absent his grades are going to dwindle." Kasumi added.
"Doubt it, he might not look like it, Mina is actually pretty smart, he's always at the top ten you know, you should know since you're currently at the top, Yomiko is second, though he might be dropping from 7 to 8th place but he never dropped the top 10." (I mean I always stayed at the 10th position not that I mind)
"Now that you mention it, if he..." as If coming to a realization Kasumi suddenly look pissed.
(Yikes, I know that look, knowing how competitive she is when it comes to her scholastic affairs, she's probably going to drag me into something terrifying, better slip fast before she noticed me...) but even before Miyoko stood up her seat Kasumi already grab her hand.)
"I can never afford to lose to that guy, I will maintain my place at the top, come Miyoko we need to cram ourselves with needed knowledge." She said with burning passion in her eyes.
"Eh, please spare me..." (crap I'm too late!)
"Aren't you ashamed that you're behind that guy! You should aim to be at least the 5th place."
"But I'm okay being in the top 10." Miyoko whined.
"You shouldn't be okay with that." Kasumi persisted as she drags Miyoko by the sling of his back pack
"But I still haven't had my second servings yet..." she whaled.
And so, she was dragged into the library until the day ended.
Meanwhile after the class ended at Rei's school. The students who have after school activities (clubs) started preparing while the other student started their daily routine going home.
Reimako finishing early her council duty is preparing to go home as well, when she heard the rushing sound of the sliding door.
"Sai? What are you doing here, don't have a swim meet coming?" she said look surprised as she neatly arranges the paperwork she's holding and sliding it into the filing cabinet.
"Couch said, I'm done with today, I've been practicing for the whole week she said I deserve a break, so here I am, come on let's go to karaoke." She said cheerfully.
"Sorry, I can't today need to restock the fridge and I'm almost out of ingredients." Rei answered while she waved goodbye to her follow student council member.
"Oh, I'll just help you out then, besides I'm dying to meet this Mina guy."
Rei stopped walking for a bit, but realizing how stubborn Sai is she jus left out a huge sigh.
After a few minutes they arrive at the nearby shopping mall.
They shopped merrily, Rei picking the finest ingredients and the cheapest deals she has tons of coupons just incase she went off the budget. Sai insisted and ended up carrying and struggling with 4 plastic pull of groceries in each hand, while Rei is holding a huge paper bag in her both hands. Giggling at Sai's when.
"Hey cuties, looks like you need help with that."
They we're suddenly blocked by 4 guys who looks old enough to be their dads.
Sai stopped and quickly move in-front of Rei as Rei cower behind Sai.
(So, these guys finally appeared huh...)
"Thanks for the offer gentlemen but as you can clearly see, we can manage." Sai calmly said lifting up the groceries she's holding.
"Now if you'll excuse us we're a bit in a hurry..." she smiled as she's about to step forward one of the thugs blocked her way, she back down slowly look around and clearly she agrees that no one is going to help them seems everyone who passed by either ignored us or turn back the way they come from. Knowing what could happen next Sai slowly put the bags of grocery behind her and in-front of Rei who seems to realize that they're cornered.
"You do guys know that; this is city is Yamaguchi territory right." said Sai firmly.
"What of it? Soon this is going to be Aizukotetsu-kai's territory, ohoh could it be, that the lady behind you is the daughter of Yamaguchi house?"
Sai look at Rei apologetically and said.
"No, that would be me Saiano Yamaguchi, you guys better leave us alone if you don't want to start a clan war."
One of the guys seems to have whispered something to their leader (the one who's doing all the talking) But then.
"As if a flat boyish girl like you would belong to that family the girl behind you looks dignified the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko." He thug said as he laughed with his buddies.
"I'M NOT FLAT!!!" Sai whaled as she rushed and kicked the thugs face which made him flew few steps behind.
Looking at their knock out leader, the remaining thugs rushed Sai.
"COME ON! YOU BUNCH OF UNECESSARY THUGS, THAT'S ONLY HERE FOR THE PLOT!!!" Sai screamed like a banshee filed with adrenaline rage.
They rushed Sai and got knocked back, this continues for 20 minutes it looks like she's the upper hand at first but she eventually ran out of juice when she realizes she's not hitting them hard enough for them to take damage.
Panting and Breathing heavily she backs out to the corner where Rei is standing.
"S-sorry Rei, I can't keep this up..."
Realizing that the rampaging banshee is out of juice with a few sour muscles they all stood up and walk towards Sai and Rei.
"Finally tired huh you fucking bitch." The leader said as he takes a switch blade out of his pocket.
"Boss, I think this is enough if what she's saying is true we're going to be in trouble when boss find out." Said the other thug.
"I'm pissed! Do you think I care at this point! Look I'm just gonna teach that bitch a lesson!" pointing a Sai.
"We're not going to touch the daughter of the house." The leader said while pointing at Rei.
"But I'm the daughter of the house." Said Sai in a monotone voice.
"As if, I monkey like you would be a lady of that house!" said the leader with a begrudgingly pissed voice with veins popping out his neck and forehead.
"That's it, I'm going to kill this guy." Said Sai as she moves forward.
"COME ON!!!" screamed the leader but before she could clash fist with Sai, Sai saw someone dashed ahead of her and in an instant made the thug leader flew back with a force enough for the remaining thugs to be knockback as well while they catch their leader.
And standing with his back in-front of her is a guy wearing all black.
"Who...what?"
"MINA!" called out Rei.
"Sorry I'm late, it's a good thing I'm the one who found you guys though." Said Mina as he walks towards the bewildered Sai.
"Glad you text, Rei we we're worried you know, the girls are probably close, are you guys okay? Did I made it in time?" he asked worriedly.
(So, this guy is Mina, he looks kinda plain though like nothing special about him, that would be someone without a fighting experience would say, but I've known guys like him but I never felt something like this before...) She thought to herself but when Mina approach and look at her she felt a sudden jump from her heart.
He looks at the thugs who seems to have a hard time to stand up for a while and evaluate what happen
"Thank you for protecting Rei, but are you okay though?" he asked
Sai a bit starstruck stood and stare for a moment
"Sai? Are you okay?" asked Rei while she put her hands to her forehead."
"Huh, oh! Right, sure, don't worry I'm a bit tired that's all." She replied.
"That's good, but you guys should really leave now, just let me take care of this." Said Mina while he noticed the four thugs finally picking themselves up.
"I'd rather see this through." Sai replied.
A while late the police came with Miyoko and Kasumi, but after Mina gloriously taken care of those thugs. They we're about to be questioned by the police when a long black limousine stopped in front of them.
A burly man with gray hair and a vertical scar across his face got out of the car.
"Ojou, I think it's time to leave."
"Oh...right." Said Sai as she looks at Rei with a sullen smile.
"I'm sorry for not telling you Rei, and forgive me for getting you in to that trouble..." she said turning her back without looking at her.
But then Rei, held her hand and.
"Don't worry about it Sai, I'll see you tomorrow right?" She said while giving Sai a warm hug
Sai with teary wide eyes, surprised and said." Y-you mean? You're not angry? You don't hate me?! We're still friends?!"
"Now why would I be angry, silly. And of course, I'm your friend, I'm a not?" secured Rei.
Mina, Kasumi and Miyoko give each other an agreeing look and exchanges warm smile. When Kasumi noticed the burly man's eyes tearing up he wiped it immediately and gave Kasumi a stern look which made her hide behind Mina's back.
"I'm you're friend! Of course, I'd be your best friend I'd even marry you!" wailed Sai while tears gushing from her eyes.
After they said their goodbyes, Kasumi Reimako and Minamino head back home. Kasumi and Miyoko seems to be having an argument so, Rei matched the phase of Mina who's carrying all the groceries at this point.
"Uhm, thank you Mina." She said timidly.
"Oh, don't mention it, I just came along when you text Miyoko, it's a good thing I arrived in time though."
"And about this morning, I haven't really apologized for that, and thank you for saving me as well." She added.
"Oh, that? Don't worry about it, Its Miyoko's fault after all, ahahaha." He laughed casually
"Still, I feel a bit guilty about it."
"Don't be, don't let it bother you."
"You really are a nice person, you know Mina." She said as she moves ahead of him turned and smiled. Sweetly.
"I am?!" he wondered.
"Yes, I believe you are." She replied
Rei's been distance from the first time I met her, but it feels like we grew a little bit closer that day.
.