Invitation

"Right, let's put the next one in and then chop that meat..."

"L-Like this?"

Standing on the kitchen counter were the two daughters of the Fuentes family. Ayumi was trying to cook something while Christina—her beloved big sister—is guiding her through the process by reading the recipe book.

Apparently, they invited a certain someone through the request of her older sister. And since Ayumi couldn't refuse, she mustered up the courage to ask that man because she wanted to thank him as well.

"Yes, that's good. Now after that, you need to boil the veggies and then pour in that mix and stir until it's cooked." Christina said.

"Okay. Done!" for some reason, Ayumi was feeling enthusiastic about her cooking.

"Very good, now we just have to wait. I'm so glad I picked this up for you. You know they say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!" Christina chuckled.

"W-Wha—!" Ayumi twitched as she blushed. "What are you talking about?! It's not like that!"

"Hee hee~ I really like that reaction..." she slithered her way through the red Ayumi. Christina couldn't have enough of her flustered reaction.

"This is just my token of appreciation for him and that's it. Yes, that's right. I'm just being grateful..." she said that, but Ayumi was squirming in her place.

"Heh... I doubt that though. You've been panicking over yesterday about how to serve him. You could've just asked me to cook for him yet you volunteered... what a fantastic dedication!" Christina sneered.

"I just—!" she stopped.

Now that her sister pointed it out, Ayumi finally realized her condition.

There has been something wrong with her ever since Nathan visited her home last month. She couldn't really tell what it is but she couldn't get Nathan out of her mind even if she tried to force it out.

My heart's been pounding lately whenever I think about him... Not to mention the emotion that I expressed when he risked himself to save Angelica. It feels like I'm attached to him. Why is that?

As she tried to figure it out, someone ring the doorbell outside.

"Oh, here's here! I'll go get it!" Christina flared herself up as she rushed outside. Apparently, she was more excited to see Nathan.

"W-Wait! Sis!" Ayumi panicked. She wanted to be the one to greet him because her sister might try something funny for him but she couldn't because she was cooking.

Christina fled to the living room and immediately opened the door.

Standing outside was a handsome young man who was fixing himself.

"G-Good morning, Fuyumi. I'm here to—"

"Uwah...! He's hot!" Christina pressed herself to Nathan.

"Eh?!"

Her voluptuous breast bounced up as she pushed it through his front. Nathan averted his eyes as he turned beet red from the view. 

E-Eh... Who's this? This isn't Ayumi at all...!

"Hey hey, what's your name? I heard about you from Yumi but she hasn't told me your name!"

"Oh! Um... My name is Nathan Sumirez, nice to meet you um..." he paused.

"Sis!!! Stop!" Ayumi's voice can be heard as she approaches the two.

"Hee hee~ Let me introduce myself. My name is Christina. I'm Fuyumi's older sister! Nice to meet you, Natsu~" she winked.

Oh... So that's her sister. Also, how'd she known my nickname? Also, that looks big!

Nathan shook his head left and right as he tried to erase her breast from his mind. He must never ever let them know that he's looking. Otherwise, it could damage his appeal.

"Get away from him, Sis!"

"Kyaa~!" Ayumi pulled Christina away with brute force, prompting Nathan to drop his jaw.

"S-Sorry, Natsu! My sister is..." she then stared daggers at her. "I'm sorry. She can be disrespectful to our guests sometimes."

"Ah no, it's fine... I'm just shocked. That's all." Nathan smiled wryly.

"Ugh..."

Oh yeah! Umm... I brought you some sweets. Thank you for inviting me to come over..." Nathan held her a box.

"T-Thank you..." she immediately felt hot when she received it. Ayumi could see her Sister peering right through the window with a smug.

"Anyway, umm... Please come inside!"

***

After the Infinity Syndicate incident, I was invited by Fuyumi to come over to her house as per the request of her sister.

Apparently, she wanted to celebrate her complete recovery after the accident to which I explode in guilt. I don't know the reason but you wouldn't normally invite the person who caused you that much trouble but Fuyumi insisted, saying that she's grateful to me.

Well, I mean, that's good and all but she didn't really have to invite me over this.

I am the one who caused the problem in the first place... I don't deserve her kindness.

"Hey, Natsu. Are you living alone right now? Do you have any part-time job? What do your parents do for a living? Do you do well in your academics? Are you a gamer? Do you like anime and all that trendy manga stuff? Do you like someone?"

As I sat over in the living room, Fuyumi's sister immediately bombarded me with questions.

"Sis, can you please stop with these ridiculous questions? You're bothering him too much..."

"Aww... You're no fun, Yumi." I could feel Fuyumi getting mortified because of her sister so I quickly responded.

"Um... I'm just your average normal teen." I know it's lame, but that'll do.

I made a mistake by showing some of my secrets to Angelica when I confronted that bastard Raymond. Fortunately, when I asked Angelica about what happened, she couldn't remember most of it so I'm safe.

I couldn't risk getting my identity known or my school life will end.

"Heh... that's surprisingly normal! But I like it!" Christina winked again.

I didn't expect Fuyumi's older sister to be quite jovial. It was like their role in the family has been reversed. Fuyumi is acting more maturely than her. But it's not like I find it strange though. Most people have their own persona to show. It just so happened that I'm not used to it.

"Anyway~ Allow me to formally thank you for coming at my request. I apologize if I ever disturb you and your free time." she switched her lovely aura off and turned to me with a serious bow.

"Please raise your head, Miss Christina. I'm the cause of this accident in the first place. I should be the one apologizing and bowing my head. If it weren't for Fuyumi, I could've suffered a serious injury. It's because of me that her work as a President has been affected and she couldn't do well. That's why allow me to formally apologize."

After saying that, I sincerely bowed my head in front of the two. Everything's my fault so it's normal for me to do this.

"..." I didn't hear any voice after my apology. Do they loathe me...?

"...What a wonderful man! Ayumi, marry him—Iyaaa!"

"No! Shut up!" Fuyumi slapped her sister so loud that the sound echoed in the room.

"A-Anyway, you don't have to worry about it, Natsu. It's not like I hate you or anything. Both of you should just be careful next time, okay?" Christina smiled.

"Yes, Ma'am." I nodded.

"Alright then, Yumi! It's time to dig in!"

"H-Huh? Oh... okay."

I see. So that's how it is, huh?

After a while, Fuyumi served the dishes on the table. It smelled so good that I thought I was dining at a famous restaurant.

I sat on the rear end of the table near the window while Fuyumi and Christina took the sides. Both of them served their own plate while I observe the food.

I picked up the spoon and placed a few servings on my plate. I noticed that the two were whispering something to each other.

"U-Umm... Is there something wrong?" I asked nervously.

"A-Ah! No! There's nothing wrong, please help yourself..." Fuyumi answered.

With her permission, I took a bite of the first dish that she served.

"—!" my eyes popped out.

I took another one and the taste remained the same. I then poured the soup and took a sip and—

"Delicious... It's so delicious!" I couldn't believe it. The unique flavors flooded my taste buds and I just couldn't stop myself.

"Really? I... see. That's a relief..." Fuyumi breathed a sigh of relief as she watched me eat.

"Your cooking is really good, Fuyumi. I see that you poured a lot of effort..." I complimented her.

"E-Eh? How did you know it was me?" she asked.

"Because you have stains on your clothes. That's a mark of a chef trying their own dish. And there's also a recipe book on the counter. I guess you've been reading them a lot. That makes me happy."

"Hou? You're quite observant." I could see Christina poking Fuyumi on the side and giving her a thumbs up.

"Ngh... T-Thank you, I'm glad you liked it." Fuyumi blushed again. I guess she's not used to people complimenting her cooking especially if she only has started trying it.

***

"Thank you for the food..." the food was great and I'm glad I came here while being hungry. Fuyumi poured all of her efforts into all of these dishes so it would disrespectful if I didn't try all of them.

"I'll go clean the dishes..." Fuyumi stood up.

"Ah wait, I can help—"

"No, you stay here, Natsu. You're the guest for today so just relax here for a while." she winked.

"O-Okay..."

After that, Fuyumi proceeded to go to the sink while Christina and I relaxed in the living room.

When I sat on the sofa, I immediately felt Christina's gaze piercing my soul.

"Hey, Natsu. I have a quick question..." she began.

"Hmm?"

"Do you like Yumi?"

"Eh?!" I got startled. I admit I didn't expect that question. "W-What's with that question all of a sudden..."

"Answer me..."

Oh, she's definitely serious.

"I like her, but not as romantically as you think. I mean, I definitely admire her so much. She's cute, beautiful, efficient, strong, and diligent. I'm sure many boys would love to go out with her, but not me..." I answered everything with my genuine thoughts.

"I see..." Christina was neither disappointed nor relieved but it feels like she wanted to hear a different answer. "That's too bad..."

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"If you're not aware, Fuyumi was beginning to change. I don't know if it was because of you or simply because she wanted to raise a pretense so that people won't change their opinion of her." Christina answered.

I narrowed my eyes as I listened intently.

"Ever since Ayumi had that accident with you, she's been opening up lately and trying things that she normally wouldn't do. It was totally out of character and I think you're the one who's been influencing her." she stared at me.

"You think too highly of me... I don't think it's because of me. Rather, I'd say she's the one changing me the other way around." I said.

"But it's also because of that that Fuyumi was slowly thawing her way out of that freezing wall. She needs to learn how to show her weakness and real self. And the only person she'd shown that vulnerability was none other than you. I think you're quite special to her."

She's probably implying that if the two of us are dating, Fuyumi will continue to change until she shatters that facade of hers.

"Is that so? Well, I mean, I noticed the change but still..." I tried to deny it but Christina shook her head.

"It must've been fate for you two to meet like this." she smiled.

"I'd say the fate is quite harsh because we literally met through an accident..." I hung my head.

"Well, if you two become lovers, you could brag to the others on how you met her and they wouldn't believe it. I'd say it's worth the fun. Hee hee..." she giggled.

"Haha..." I smiled wryly. I have Autumn, please don't force your sister on me...

Christina then leaned forward. "Natsu, if Fuyumi ever finds herself in a pinch. Please... save her heart."

My body tensed as I heard her request.

"Although her front and will are strong, her heart is more fragile than what you think. She's a weak girl hiding under the sheet of ice..."

Christina's warning resonated in my head. In a way, my perception of Fuyumi's condition and hers are similar that's why I understood it immediately.

After that serious talk, I said goodbye to the two.

"Ah, let me see you off!" Fuyumi approached me.

"It's fine, Fuyumi. No need for you to go down." I said.

"I insist," she's a bit of a pushover...

Christina gave us the go sign so we proceeded outside. Apparently, the elevator was empty so the two of us boarded it.

This is bad. I feel really awkward now...

I kept staring at her face, wondering if there was something with me. Christina's talk earlier made me conscious of Fuyumi and it is really embarrassing.

"Did my Sister say something?" she asked.

"H-Huh?! Ah no, just a bunch of ridiculous questions..." I lied.

"Natsu..." Fuyumi pulled the hem of my coat. "Thank you for helping me with Angelica's case. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything at that time. I even had both of you in danger..."

I raised my arm and patted her head. "Don't be like that, Fuyumi. If you didn't call the police, we wouldn't be able to survive that."

"But it was you who ordered me that..."

"No. All of us did a good job handling that case even if we ordered it from each other. That's why you don't have to blame yourself... it's an unexpected issue." I reassured her.

"Okay, I understand..." the elevator finally opened, and then we found ourselves on the grand floor.

"Natsu umm..." before I could leave the platform, Fuyumi called out to me. "F-Feel free to visit me again if you have some time..."

What the heck? That's so cute...

"Yes. I look forward to the next time." I nodded.

"Hmm, be careful on your way home!" she smiled.

We waved at each other until I stepped outside. I noticed that the sky was dark and the atmosphere was colder than ever.

Rain, huh?