Hiroto and Ayame

“That’s enough, we’re done for the day.” Announces George while clapping his hands to get the teenagers’ attention. “You’re all doing way better than I expected.” He smiles as the group approach him. “Continue like this, and I’m sure we’ll have ironed out all of your weaknesses by the end of this week.”

It won’t be long until their second week of training comes to a close, thankfully the dueling club was doing steady progress.

After sorting the last of their business with the older gentleman, the group prepares to head home for the day.

“Ahhh!” Kayoko stretches her arms up into the sky and lets out a satisfied groan. “I’ll admit, my muscles had never been this sore after a training session.” Pulling the zipper on her bright-pink tracksuit down, the fashionista sighs in relief as her chest finally has some room to breathe. “Guess having someone who actually knows what he’s doing helps a lot with exercising, heh?”

Indeed, the regimen that George made was very intensive, but also really well-thought-out. It wasn’t so difficult that they would need weeks upon weeks to get used to it, and it also used most of their muscles in a way that made the teens get a fantastic workout out of it.

The blue-haired girl nods. “Yep, I can feel myself getting stronger thanks to him!” While she wasn’t anywhere near the other two in question of power, it was obvious that even Umiko was getting better thanks to that training.

“I personally prefer an open brawl as training-“ Comments Ken while taking his white tracksuit off. “-but, I can’t deny that even for me, this method of training is surprisingly good.” He flexes his muscles with a smirk on his face. “I might implement something like this when I get back to my boys.”

The silver-haired fashionista purrs while watching his muscles. “Oh, my! Those are some pretty delicious looking biceps!” With that comment, the entire conversation shifts into a more friendly and youthful one.

Hiroto chuckles while watching the group switch from subject to subject, sometimes even adding his own two cents for the topic at hand.

Yet, the brunet was still somewhat reserved and would most of the time be lost in his own thoughts.

Am I improving?

Was a question the boy would keep asking himself, even though realistically it didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to fight in the duel, so if he’s getting better or not, shouldn’t be a problem.

But the short teen couldn’t deny that deep down in his heart there was a burning desire for improvement, for the companionship born out of pursuing the same goal.

He wanted to be on the same playing field as his club mates, but that little voice in his head simply wouldn’t allow him to do it.

“Kanzaki-kun?”

Umiko’s voice brings the boy back to the current conversation. “Huh? Sorry, I got distracted.” He chuckles while scratching the back of his head. “What are we talking about again?”

Getting back into the subject of Kayoko drooling over muscular men, the group talked for a bit more before it was finally time for them to go home.

Once their goodbyes had been said, they each went their own separate ways with Hiroto still lost in his own thoughts all the way into his house.

***

Once home, Hiroto greets his mother and sister, then runs up to his room. He takes off his school uniform and goes take a bath before crashing into his bed, finally letting the exhaustion of the day hit him in full force.

After a quick rest, the boy gets up and goes to his desk to do some homework.

At that moment, a knock is heard on his door, followed by the familiar voice of his sister. “Yo bro, can I come in?”

“Sure.” He replies and watches as the door opens and the brunette girl walks in. They exchange a quick greeting with their eyes, and she moves in to sit at his bed.

A small moment of silence passes, before Ayame finally says something. “Look, I’m not gonna dance around the topic.” Her words come out in a serious tone that matches her current expression. “You’re not really in the chess club, are you?”

The brunet freezes for a second, then looks away from her. “U-Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I most certainly a-“

“Please, Hiroto, we both know you’re terrible at lying.”

“Urgh.”

“…” She silently watches as the boy tries to find words to retort and fails miserably multiple times. With a sigh, the girl continues. “I saw you by the riverbank fighting against some people.”

“Huh?” Hiroto looks at her with a confused expression. “But you shouldn’t-“ It clicks in his head and the boy face morphs into one of worry. “Ayame!”

“What?”

“You know that you can’t-“

“Yeah, I can’t get out of home without permission.” The girl smirks mischievously, seemingly not matching her brother’s worry. “But since when are teenagers known for obeying rules?”

“That’s not-“ Hiroto stares at her incredulously. “That’s not the point, Ayame. You know why our parents don’t want you sneaking out…” He sighs, clearly worried and frustrated with the brunette.

Tossing herself at the bed, the girl pouts. “You worry too much. I’m fine, aren’t I?”

“Right now yes, but-“

“Nothing happened, so it’s all good.” The brunette sits up and adjusts herself in her brother’s bed, so now she has her legs crossed. “Now back on topic.” She stares into his eyes and asks. “What really is the deal with this club of yours?”

Hiroto wanted to continue the current subject, but he knew that Ayame was a master at not engaging with any topic that she didn’t want to, so he just sighed, admitting defeat.

He knew that there was just no way he could escape her questioning, so it was simply easier to get it over with.

The brunet boy proceeded to explain the entire situation to his twin. Going over how this all began and how he was helping the dueling club at his school.

“I see.” Ayame crosses her arms and takes on a thoughtful expression. “Sounds like you’re having fun.”

“I’m just helping out a schoolmate, nothing more.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

“Huh?” The boy stares at his sister's expression, now without her usual teasing smirk. “What do you-“

“Let’s not waste any time lying. Everybody can tell that you like to brawl.” She cuts him in and the boy glares back at her.

“That’s not true!”

“It so is!” Ayame raises her voice while standing up. “Dude, your life would be so much better if you just stopped being a coward and admitted that you enjoy fighting.” She watches as he opens his mouth to reply, then adds. “Mom and Dad think so too.”

“No, they don’t!” He retorts, now raising his voice too. “They shouldn’t.” The boy whispers that last part.

“…” The brunette sighs. “You’re still worried about that day?”

“…”

“C’mon bro! Nobody blames you for that!”

“You don’t know that!”

"Neither do you!”

Now fully on a shouting match, the siblings stare at each other for a couple of seconds before Ayame backs down with a heavy groan.

“God, you’re such a coward!” The female twin walks past him and towards the door. She firmly grabs the doorknob and turns to him. “When are you gonna get into that stupid head of yours-“ She bites her lip, then says in a saddened whisper. “- that it wasn’t your fault.”

“…”

Without much more to say, Ayame leaves the room, slamming the door on her way out.

Hiroto just closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath to calm his nerves.

***

“Aya-chan?” The siblings’ mom asks as she sees her daughter coming down the stairs. “I heard shouting. Are you and your brother fighting again?”

Ayame sighs. “Yeah.” She then looks towards the door and an idea pops into her head. “Say, Ma? Dad’s gonna be here all day tomorrow, right?”

The chubby lady nods. “Y-Yeah, why?”

“Nothing.” Smirking, the brunette chuckles to herself. “Nothing at all.”

Her idea might be a bit mean, but it was necessary. Hiroto was going to have one heck of a surprise tomorrow.