Misaki’s Family

Day after day until the end of April. The warm breeze and the fragrance of the blooming flowers are still felt, even though the cherry blossoms now have to fall and wait for the next spring to bloom again.

And Misaki's beautiful and awkward life with foreign existences around her still continues.

"How was the match?"

asked Shinomiya curiously.

Yesterday Kazuto had a friendly match with another school, unfortunately they couldn't watch because the match started at night. By the way, everything returned to normal after Kenta apologized and returned the captain's seat to Kazuto. Although it seems after that there was a strange relationship between them, because Kazuto always had a complicated expression when Misaki asked about Kenta watching him from afar.

"Hehe, of course Onii-chan's team won without doubt."

"As I expected from your brother!"

"Haha.."

Misaki somehow became proud even though she wasn't the one being praised.

"Well then, see you tomorrow, then."

They finally arrived in front of the school gate and had to separate because their way home was different.

"See you later."

With those words as closing, they separate while waving their hands for a moment before leaving.

....

"Hmm, they're late."

After seeing the two of them disappear from the street, Misaki remained silent and waited for Kazuto and Endou at the school's front gate. However, not long after that, they were soon seen walking out of the school entrance.

"Yo, Misaki."

Endou greeted after they got close.

"Onii-chan, why your face doesn't look good, are you sick?"

"Ugh! I was ignored...."

But his greeting was ignored which made him haggard. Misaki still pretended not to notice him when she saw Kazuto look strange.

"It's nothing, it's just...."

"Aniki!"

Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a loud scream cut through. The three of them immediately glanced in the direction the scream came from.

"Yamazaki-san?"

It was Kenta Yamazaki who was running excitedly towards them. For the first time he came towards them when Misaki was around, usually he just watched from afar.

"Ugh..."

For some reason Kazuto's facial expression got worse when he saw Kenta coming towards them.

"Aniki, aren't we going to practice today?"

Kenta asked with an excited face as he looked at Kazuto.

(Aniki: Same as "bro" but with terms that seem harsher or more slang. Aniki is often used by the Yakuza, as if it were brother, friend, where the kanji "ki" refers to something valuable, important and honorable. Used to refer to a higher-ranking gang member.)

"Aniki?"

Misaki tilted her head in confusion when she heard Kenta call him Aniki. I mean, since when did Kazuto become a thug and have followers?

Heck, did Kazuto get into the circle of bad guys because of Kenta? Was that the reason he was always watching him from afar? Is that the reason he always has a complicated expression when I ask him about his relationship with Kenta? I should have watched him more closely.

Now Misaki had to worry about something else in her head. How could Kazuto suddenly become a bad boy.

"Haah, I told you we don't practice regularly every day unless we're going to have a match, don't you understand at all? And I told you not to call me like that."

Kazuto explained with a tired expression.

"But with practice we can become stronger! And I call you Aniki because I respect you so much!"

However it seems that what he said was ignored by Kenta as he replied with a very respectful face.

Ohh, so that's just how he calls it. I think he really became a school thug. Come to think of it, there's no way Kazuto would be like that.

Misaki heaved a sigh of relief after knowing that was just how Kenta called him.

"Hahh, whatever. You'd better go home, see you later."

"Ahh.... Alright."

Having no room for Kenta to speak made him look gloomy when he said goodbye.

"You don't have to be mean to him, you know. I feel sorry for him when I see it."

Misaki said with a frown to Kazuto.

"You don't know how troublesome it is to take care of him."

Kazuto replied with a tired face. But Misaki kept looking at him with that sullen face until Kazuto felt a little annoyed.

Misaki discovers that Kenta is a strong willed type of person, ignoring his high ego. Maybe that's the reason he wants to be captain because he wants to win the match. Even though he had interfered with Kazuto's life, it didn't mean he had bad intentions, so Misaki forgave him. It seemed that she had forgotten her evil plan that night to cripple someone, and her mind that thought he was a thug.

"Haa, alright, alright. Next time I'll treat him well."

And finally Kazuto gave in to her gaze. Misaki immediately stopped her gaze after that and smiling.

"Good. Ohh, by the way do you want to come to our house, Endou?"

"Hoo, now you notice where I am?"

Endou, who had been ignored for so long had a forced smile as he looked at Misaki.

Ohh, he looks angry.

"Haha, don't be so upset. Here, open your mouth and eat this cake."

Misaki took the cookie she made while holding it out to Endou's mouth. She always made a cake every week to share with Sakura and Shinomiya because they liked it so much. And cookies are easier for her to make and it last longer, so she makes them more often. After all, she was also learning a lot of new recipes.

"Hey-"

Endou was about to refuse, but when he opened his mouth to speak, Misaki immediately put the cake into his mouth. The cake she gave Endou had a mix of blueberry flavours, so she was sure he would like it since it was one of his favorite fruits.

"Hehe, delicious isn't it?"

Misaki asked with a bright smile.

"..."

Endou chewed silently upon seeing Misaki's heartwarming expression. She could always make his heart almost explode.

"......Whatever you make will always taste good in my mouth."

Endou answered shyly after he finished chewing the cake.

"Hmm, hmm, of course. Ahh, here's the rest."

Misaki puffed out her chest proudly after hearing that compliment, and handed him the rest of the cake that she had indeed kept for him.

"So are you going with us?"

Kazuto asked as he stood near Misaki. For some reason seeing them seem to be getting closer made him a little...

"Well, apparently not. My parents said they were going home today, so I had to greeting them."

"Ohh, they're going home? Please give them our regards."

"Sure. Ohh, my ride's here."

From far away, a black Mercedes-Benz came where Michael was driving. After reaching the side of the road near them, Endou said his greetings and Michael came out to open the door.

"See you then."

"See you."

After saying that, he got into the car and waved. Michael bowed slightly to them.

"Thank you for taking care of Endou-sama for today."

Michael used to say the same thing every day when they met them, so they were used to hearing the butler's formal words and gestures.

"It's not like he's a problem."

"He's always been a problem for me."

"Hey, I can hear that from inside the car!"

Endou shouted in a muffled voice from the car after hearing Kazuto's heart-piercing words.

"Hahaha, then I'll excuse myself."

After bowing once more, he got into the car and move sligthy.

"Let's go home."

"Mmm."

On the way home, Kazuto asked she about her usual school life. After all, he was always worried if something or someone bothered her.

"So you're finally getting used to all your classmates? That's a great improvement! I hope you get used to your surroundings a bit more."

Kazuto said happily while playing with Misaki's head.

Misaki had rarely been with Kazuto and Endou above during break time since getting used to her friends. She would usually chat with them in the classroom or library they had cleaned.

"I hope so too, A-NI-KI. When are we going to attack the motorcycle gangs that have invaded our territory."

Misaki replied while acting as one of the thugs. Hearing Kenta call him like that made her feel funny, so she wanted to tease him.

"Kuh, don't call me that. It feels so weird."

Kazuto made a troubled face hearing his sister call him like that.

"Hahaha, alright Aniki."

"...."

Seeing Kazuto who was silent in resignation made her laugh even more.

Her communication problems with strangers have always prevented her from making friends, and she is also afraid of receiving stares from many people. Such discomfort always weighed on Misaki's head that she didn't get any peers. She thought that after entering middle school his days would be the same as in elementary school, but it turns out she has good and understanding friends in her class. With this she hopes her 'phobia' will slowly disappear.

"We're home."

With that greeting, Misaki opened the door. She didn't expect an answer because they were the only two who used to live at home and his parents worked abroad for a long time. They used to go home once every 2 months, but it had been 3 months since they were out. Even so, she always said it when they were at home.

"Welcome."

But an answer came from the living room. She thought she wrong, but seeing two pairs of shoes she didn't see when she went to school was enough to convince her.

"Mama, Papa!"

Misaki said cheerfully when she saw two adult figures from the door.

The first thing she saw was a man who was at least 39 years old, with straight hair, and a slight beard on his chin. His sharp eyes were scary enough, but he really wasn't what she seemed.

"Papa!"

He is Misaki's father, Kurotsuji Tomoe.

"My little princess!"

Hearing Misaki's sweet voice made him smile softly, as he walked forward and hugged her then rubbed her chin against her face.

"It's itching Papa, Stop it!"

However, the carefree Misaki immediately pouted at the feeling of her father's beard, and wanted to get out of his embrace.

His face immediately soured when he was forced to stop his hug. After that he looked at Kazuto who was smiling at him.

"Father."

"Hohoo, let's hug."

Letting out that characteristic laugh, he hugged Kazuto warmly.

"Hoho, it seems you're getting taller by the day."

He said as he patted Kazuto's shoulder.

"Of course, who gave me the basketball to motivate me like this?"

"Ha ha ha..."

They laughed after the little joke.

"Mama."

On the other hand, Misaki had gone up and approached her mother.

His mother's name is Hinako Tomoe. She was 35 years old, yet even so she looked so young as if she was only 20 years old. Her white and smooth skin without wrinkles is proof of that, Misaki always suspected that she was doing skin care, when she said she didn't. Her facial features are not much different from Misaki's, it's just that she looks more mature with brown eyes that look soft.

"Who is this if not my cute little daughter."

Her mother said as she hugged Misaki gently. Warm feelings can be seen from how they hug.

"By the way it seems you're getting used to dresses. I've bought you a lot of pretty clothes before coming home from overseas. Let's try them later."

*crack..

The sound of ice freezing in Misaki's mind was enough to change the atmosphere. She froze while still in her mother's arms after hearing that. Her head stiffly faced her face.

She smiled cheerfully, but to Misaki, it looked like a devil smile. She just remembered that her mother was so excited when she first put on the dress, and from then on she asked her to take a picture and sent it to her when she put on the dress. It was one of his daily headaches till now.

"B-By the way, why don't Mama and Papa call us when we're going home?"

Misaki tried to change the topic quickly. She was sure she would be mentally exhausted when her mother made her a make-up doll for hours on end.

"It was a surprise!"

His mother replied cheerfully.

"Well, now let's go to my room and try on your new clothes~"

"..."

However, it seems that her diversion plan was failed. She couldn't resist his mother's happy smiling face.

Weakly, Misaki was dragged by her mother into the room, leaving Kazuto and his father in the living room. There she had to be locked up and dressed like a doll by her mother for hours. Luckily, she managed to survive until dinner time, so she and her mother had to prepare dinner together.

"Ugh... How can my cooking skills lose to my own daugther..."

And her mother was depressed about her skills in the household which was always under her daugther's.

"Haha..."

This appearance Misaki was used to seeing when cooking together, so she just made a peace sign with her finger with a wry smile as she stood by the side of the kitchen and cut the vegetables.

In her mind she said, "Of course I can be like this because of being reincarnated. Ahh, I have to thank you for this..... No, the thing is I'm a girl now. I wonder if this is some kind of blessing and curse mixed in one furnace".

Ignoring her turbulent thoughts due to self-identity, she had fun cooking with her mother.

It had been 3 months since her parents were finally home. So, she felt happy when they were suddenly here. Be in the past or present, she had always loved them even though they were not the real parents. The affection they give is not much different from their child, so she is very grateful and also gives the same affection to her sister even though she is quite unfriendly or maybe hated by her in the past.

"How was your school? Was it fun?"

"It's good, I finally have a friend in my class!"

Misaki replied with a bright smile.

"Is that so? How about bringing them here and asking them to stay over the weekend?"

Her mother knew all the information from Kazuto, but she wanted to see with her own eyes, who Misaki was hanging out with. After all, her daugther had problems with communication until she had to be alone in elementary school. So, she was quite worried about who she was friends with now.

"A weekend? I'll ask them later."

Misaki thought it would be good to take them to her house, she had never brought them here before.

"Well, now let's put all this in the dining room. After that please call them, kay?"

"Okay."

They had dinner after that. The dining room was pleasant and didn't feel lonely when their parents sat in chairs that had been empty for months.

Misaki subconsciously made a happy smile while eating.