(This is) The One With the Little Sister's Date

“Kitahara-kun? (Sato) What’re you doin’ outside?” I had given into Akimoto, and although reluctantly, I returned to the clubroom with her. She peaked through the door’s window and turned back to Sato. “Did something happen?”

“N-no, I just uh, was returning from the… bathroom…” He let his eyes wander as he finished his lie.

“You were sitting against the door…”

“I— I got tired!”

“What’re you, American? How’d you get tired from walking to the bathroom?”

He bolted up. “I-i-it’s complicated… or something.” Or something? For real dude? “Let’s just go back in.”

“Hey, where’ve you been?” We were met with immediate questioning from Takechi who was still on his make-shift podium. “Sato you were gone for almost ten minutes, and Makoto it was almost an hour for you.”

“Yes, I too would like to know where you went. Makoto.” Fujioka joined in. She set down her paintbrush and punctuated her question with an accusatory arm-cross.

“Yeah, Sato-senpai, you made Takechi-senpai worried sick.”

“N-no you didn’t!”

“Yes you did! He wouldn’t stop staring at the door!”

“Yoshi-chan, what’d we talk about!?”

“What’d you mean what'd you talk about? Yoshika-chan, what’d you two talk about?”

“That’s quite suspicious, Akimoto-san.”

“I believe we’re forgetting what’s really important—Makoto, where’ve you been?” “No that’s not important, senpai, Takechi-senpai was about to break down.”

“Listen to her tone she’s lying!” “I’m not lying!” “Yoshi-chan reign it in! Remember your training!” “What training?” “What’re you talking about?” “It’s nothing to worry about, Kaoru-chan is just having another delusion.” “I’m not delusional! You are—”

After all, extroverts are too much for me to handle… I opened my laptop and the LED screen flickered on. “You’re home early from your club, Mako, somethin’ up?” Sayuri asked. As per usual, she was sitting cross-legged on my desk-chair, playing games on my PC.

“Just felt like writing at home today.”

“Hm, what a weird way of admitting you just wanted to be around me.”

“Both! Both of them are reasons I left my club early!”

“Ew…”

“Ah—”

***

[Fade in] Fujioka sitting on Makoto’s bed, legs crossed, wearing a skin-care mask, sweatpants, and a black sports bra. She’s reading a beauty magazine while Sayuri is intensely focused on her computer game.

[Intro Music]

Ak— Kaoru and I enter through my door

Me: “Fujioka-san, you know this isn’t your room or a beauty salon, right?”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Fujioka: “Hm, I don’t know, I could use a personal salon, and my neighbor is very weak-willed. So it might be mine soon.”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Me: (Exhausted sigh) “Right… You know that neighbor you’re talking about is standing right in front of you.”

Fujioka: “I’m aware, but are you going to do anything about it?”

Me: (Averts gaze) “No…”

Fujioka: (Gestures with a hand) “My point.”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Me: “At least put a shirt on…”

Fujioka: “I can’t.”

Me: “And why not? Is it you can’t until you take your mask off?”

Fujioka: “Good guess, Makoto, but it’s because I don’t want to.”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Kaoru and I take a seat at the small table in the center of the room. We take out our laptops and Kaoru also produces a bottle of water

Me: “I think I remember someone saying something about distraction and how I need less of them? I can’t remember who said that though…”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Fujioka sets her magazine aside and saunters over to me. She kneels down and positions her chest right next to my face. I turn my head away and refocus on my laptop while blushing

Fujioka: “Are you referring to me as the distraction?”

Whoooo *clapping* Hahahahahahahahaha

Me: “Y-yes— N-no! I mean just get out!”

A book comes flying in and smacks Fujioka on the head—she falls flat onto her back

Kaoru: “Let’s respect the personal space of Makoto, hm? He’s just a poor nerd.”

Hahahahahahahahaha

Me: “Once again, the least safe space in my life is in my own bedroom surrounded by women.”

Hahahahahahahahaha *clapping*

Sayuri: “Actually, tonight, all of you will need to give me a bit of space—” We all turn to face her in unison “I… Have a home-date.”

WHAT!? ARE YOU KIDDING!? THAT’S A JOKE! WHO WROTE THIS EPISODE!? I MEAN SERIOUSLY!? Sayuri tell your brotha you’re kiddin’ around, say it ain’t so… Sis… please.

“Makoto… you’re completely red in the face, are you alright?” Kaoru leaned over the table and set the back of her hand to my forehead. “Oh my gosh… You’re burning up.”

I shoved her hand away and literally tried to shake sense into my head… but to no avail. “Sayuri… w-would you care to repeat what you just said?”

“I have a home-date. With my boyfriend. Tonight.” She repeated it so calmly as if she hadn't just uttered the most henious thing an older brother could hear.