A "sick" person's perspective-
I know I shouldn't be skipping school like this, but it seemed like my younger sister still wasn't feeling okay... Especially since-
("What is that on your hands?! Get that crap off right now!")
I was hoping that mom would calm down, but it seemed like she was still mad at our father, and with him choosing to stay out of the house until the next day, it only seemed to have made things worse as our mother lashed out the moment she saw the nail polish on my little sister.
Our mother has gotten used to me, or more like she tolerates it, but I guess she can only tolerate it so much. Seeing my little sister follow even a little in my foot steps mustn't be too pleasing for our mother... I get it though, it is a school day sure, but can't she just let it slide? Their school doesn't have strict dress code like mine, she's just a kid...
So, with our parents out of the house, trusting us to go to school, instead I choose to take a day off ourselves, following our dad's example.
"W-where are we going, big sis?"
"M-mm... Isn't school the other way?"
Their school is not too far away from my school actually, which makes me the go to person to walk them to and from school when our parents can't. However today-
"We're going on a lil' adventure~"
"But what about school?"
"Don't worry about it. You guys can count on me!"
I'm actually quite well acquainted with my brother's teacher as she has seen me bring them to school many times by now. Even the other younger kids there are aware of me and aren't startled anymore, some of them even approach me, mainly the girls as on some days I even do their nails for them. It originally started out as practice for me to become a beautician in the future, but it quickly became part of my lifestyle before I knew it. Even a couple of the teachers there even lent me their hands to work with.
"Mhmm! Thank you, I'll let them know."
After calling their teachers, I managed to convince them that my younger brother and sister got a cold from playing in the sudden snowfall last weekend. It sure shocks me how much better I've gotten at lying though. Even Midori doesn't seem to catch onto my family problems...
"Alright! Your teachers said it's all good! But be sure to study when we get back home, okay?"
""Mhmm!~""
With smiles on their faces, the three of us walk towards the StarRise shopping mall. Of course with school still on-going, we'd get strange looks by others, which is why I chose to wear proper clothes, presenting with a more mature look than what I usually like going as. I've yet to have any issues with this as every time, people think that I'm the mother of my younger siblings, which does help alleviate a lot of the pressure.
"Be sure to hold my hands tight."
""Yes~""
"Hehe."
I can't help but smile upon seeing the smiles on their faces as we cross the road.
Eventually we make it to our "favourite" place.
"Kitties~"
Well more specifically; my younger sister, although both of them do like the place here.
The place is a café which also has cats walking around. My sister seems to have a bond with a particular cat with a short, long-haired cat with a stubby tail and floppy ears. My sister tends to cuddle up with them every time we come here while I order our food and drinks with my allowance money from our dad. My brother on the other hand likes the short haired black cat, although he's still yet to successfully cuddle with it, much to my amusement.
"Hello~ Welcome back, hehe."
"Hey. Could I please get the regular?"
"Sure thing~"
The girl at the register looks around our age, but considering school is still going, I highly doubt it. She could probably be an "actual" parent unlike me. That said it does give me relief knowing that we have a safe place here. The customer service here is also quite nice.
"Hehehe."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. I just love seeing your daughter. Gabriel sure does love her."
"Oh? Is that the cat's name?"
"Mhmm. May I ask what her name is?"
"Hikari. And my bro- uhm, son there is Akira."
I almost slipped up there, but luckily I managed to save it.
"Hmmm. Hey, Hikari~ Akira~"
Suddenly, the lady calls out to the both of them as my brother still seems to be trying to catch the black cat. Both of them now looking our way.
"Do you two want to help feed the cats?"
"..."
They both look towards me as I just give them a smile and a nod. In no time at all, they both run up to the counter next to me as the lady pulls out small bowls of cat food.
"I shouldn't be doing this, but since you three are the only ones, I'll let it slide, hehe."
""Thank you!~""
"See that wall over there? Just put these bowls down there and I'll get started on your order."
Immediately, both of them grab a bowl in each of their hands, darting straight to where the lady pointed. The cats all began rushing for the bowls, finally giving my brother an opportunity to interact with them.
"Thanks."
"No problem~ You come around quite often, I trust you guys."
Trust, huh...
"...What's your name?"
"Ah, you can just call me Kanon. It's right here, see?"
I never realized, but she is wearing a name tag right there... I guess I never really paid attention considering how glamourous the uniforms the people wear here.
"What's your name?"
"...Nicole."
I hesitated for a second, but as long as I don't tell her my last name, I doubt she could figure out my lies. I should be safe.
"Nice to meet you Nicole. Now why don't you take a seat and I'll get your order ready."
"Yes, thank you very much."
Once Kanon came back with our order, I called my brother and sister back to eat as the café soon started to get more and more customers. Of course none of the people here were kids as they're all meant to be in school, but no one seemed to bat an eye at me, just like usual. I won't lie that a part of me feels a bit upset that I can easily pass as an adult with kids, but in situations like this, I'm glad that its the case.
"Mmmm~ Thanks big si-"
"Oi. Don't talk with your mouth full."
"Ah- sorry~ hehe."
I don't really care about them talking with their mouth full, but thankfully I managed to cut them off before finishing that sentence.
"Does it taste good?"
""Mhmm!""
Man... The smile on their faces... It's like the events of last night was just a dream. I'm glad that they don't seem too affected by it, but really I think it's starting to weigh heavily on me.
Luna is able to live alone, completely independent and even able to support her sister on top of it all. I guess I can relate in the sense that I can support my younger siblings, but that's with my allowance... not a full fledged job like Luna's.
"Hmmm..."
I wonder if It might be a good idea to look for a job? Something after school like Luna would be ideal. I could ask Luna herself if there's any spots open where she works but I also don't want to be much of a bother. Besides, that'd be no different than what I'm doing now, relying on my parents' money. Yeah... I need to find a job myself.
After our stop at the café, we started walking to the nearby park while on the way, looking for any potential jobs. Ideally I want something that could help towards my career, but beggars can't be choosers, right? Even if it's just a customer service job I think I can manage that.
That said, we make it to the park as I collapse on the bench, watching the two of them playing, but not one shop piqued my interest that had positions open.
"Hah~"
I exhale deeply as I look up at the sky as a flock of birds soar over head.
"You guys sure are free... Able to just fly wherever, huh..."
Looking back down, I gaze at a flyer that I picked up that seems to be hiring, but it's a job that's nowhere near close to what I'm looking for. Who'd want to spend their whole day lifting things up and down constantly? But is this really all there is here? Don't we already have machines that can do jobs like that?
"Ahem, excuse me."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a man approaches me from the side. His tall frame was quite intimidating, but he gave off quite a professional aura with how well dressed he was. Much like a business man.
"My apologies for disturbing your day out, but would you be interested in us?"
"What? No, get lost."
What is this guy? "Interested in us?" What is he, some kind of- Interrupting my thoughts, he pulls out a card as my eyes lock in on what's displayed. Wait, this guy "IS" a business man?
"At least take this. I couldn't help but catch you looking for a job earlier."
What? Now this guy is spying on me? What a weirdo...
"-that flyer."
But he then emphasises the flyer in my hands. Ah... Could it just be that he noticed this instead?
"That company will most likely go down under in the coming years. They've been trying to hire more people, but that only worsens the situation. They can't even pay their own employees properly, leading to even more issues. They've been in the decline for years so I wouldn't recommend going there."
"Okay?"
Still creepy, but... I guess it makes sense? I've never even heard of that place before.
"But I couldn't help but notice how adamant you were looking for a job. So-"
"Oh, so you did stalk me?"
"Stalk? Ah well, I guess you could put it that way, haha. But no, I'm just a scout."
"A scout? For this?"
I again look at the card in my hands.
"Purple Palace?"
"Yes."
"Never heard of it. What's the place like? Is it a store, or~"
"Sorry, I'm just a scout. but if you ring that number there, someone will be able to answer all the questions you like."
"Right..."
"Well then, I'll be on my way. Enjoy the rest of your day, ma'am."
"Thanks..."
He walks off and as if on que, my brother and sister come running up to me, wondering who that man that I was talking to, but my eyes were focused solely on the card in my hands.
"..."
I guess it can't hurt to call...
Back at school in the PE locker room-
With the sudden snowfall over the weekend, we are unable to use the field for PE today as instead we'll be using the gymnasium along with another class, and from the looks of it, it seems like our class will be competing against the other class in volleyball and badminton, with boys and girls rotating for each half.
"Well at least I won't be needing to run today, hehehe~"
"Pfft, you'll still be needing to run in volleyball, Midori."
"I know~ But it's a lot less demanding, don't you think?"
"Mmmm, not really. When I run I can just turn my brain off. But in volleyball you have to keep your mind in the game."
"I guess that's... true."
Taking off my shirt and pants, I grab my sports clothes from my lockers as I notice Midori's gaze on me once more.
"...Midori?"
"Huh?! Ah-"
Only to suddenly turn her head away before also grabbing her stuff from the locker. However-
"Uhm... What are you doing?"
"E-eh?"
"You're meant to take your uniform off first..."
"I uhm... I-I'm feeling quite cold! So I figured I'd just wear this over the top!"
"...Okay sure, but you do realize that all your sweat will soak into your uniform first. It'd make more sense to wear your uniform over the top, but then you're sure to get in trouble."
"R...Right..."
What's with her today? She almost seems skittish in a way...
"Mmmmm~! Then could you please look away for a second?"
"Alright."
I do as she says as I turn back around before getting myself dressed. Behind me I hear Midori finally beginning to change her clothes as the sound of fabric rustling can be heard.
"OWW!"
However I quickly turn around after hearing a loud bang from the locker as I see Midori holding her elbow. Her top half heartedly put on as it almost seems like she tried to put it on as fast as she could. Even her pants are still off. Aren't you meant to normally put your shirt on last?
"L-Luna!"
"What am I meant to do with you."
Not wanting to make an even bigger scene as we're already garnering the attention from our classmates as well as from the other class, I straighten out Midori's shirt as she casts her eyes down, not wanting to look anywhere it seems as her face only grows redder.
"I'm sure you can put your pants on properly, right?"
"...Mm."
She simply nods before doing so as I too finish up changing.
Inside Midori's mind-
What the hell is wrong with me!!! Luna totally thinks I'm a weirdo now! Why couldn't I have just kept my cool and changed like I always do?! But how could I?! After everything, I can't help but see Luna differently. Seeing her undress right in front of me just froze me in place. I mean, I have come to terms with my feelings thanks to Nicole, but I never expected myself to think about- Mmmmmm~!!! Is this normal?! Does seeing someone you like naked really have that much of an impact? For a second I felt as though even my throat was being squeezed from all the pressure. I mean sure she wasn't "really" naked, but still! I could basically see everything!
"Midori~ You coming?"
"Ah- yes!"
"Hehe, what's wrong? You're face is all red."
Great, even my other friends are even noticing. Haaah~ Calm down... We still need to get through PE. Right! We don't need to run today, we can just have fun and play volleyball and badminton.
"It's nothing. Just a bit hot in here is all."
"Yeah I feel that. They should seriously have air conditioning in here."
"I know right!"
Good, they seem to have bought it. Now we can just relax and have fun and then- AHHHH~ Wait, but won't we have to undress again when we finish?! Well at least I can prepare my heart for that this time, but still...
"..."
"Midori~"
"C-coming!"
Let's just get through this. I've been exposed to Luna's... body now, so I'm sure it won't have as much of an impact when we finish. Mhmm! I'll be fine!
"..."
But as we began PE with volleyball, I couldn't help but watch as Luna shines on the court. Leaping up into the air to strike the ball down at the other class's side, scoring a point for us. I chose to sit out with my two other friends as not all of us can fit onto the same court. Luna's team is group A whereas my team is group C. The other class being group B and D.
"Luna sure is amazing, huh."
"You've been hanging out with her for a while now, right Midori?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah."
"Fufufu. Were you also busy looking at her hmm?"
"Yeah..."
"I don't blame you. It seems like there's nothing she can't do."
Amongst us talking, Luna manages to slide along the court, bumping up the ball just before it touched the ground, not letting the other team score as another person sets Luna up for another strike, securing yet another score for her team.
"God can those girls stop relying on Luna though?"
"Yeah. It's more like it's Luna versus the other team at this point, right?"
I agree with them that it does look like Luna is taking the majority of the teams load, but I know that Luna herself doesn't mind it. That said-
"Mm... They're not even sweating."
I chime in as I notice that the other girls on Luna's team are barely even breaking a sweat, meanwhile Luna is out there giving it her all.
"Ohoo~ Midori. It's rare to see you make that face."
"Eh?"
"Fufufu."
It's only then do I realize that I was frowning while watching the other girls play as I quickly laugh it off.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. You care about Luna, right? It's obvious."
"I-I mean-"
"Don't hide it~ Thanks to you, she's a lot more approaching now. Right?"
"Well... She's still a bit scary, but yeah."
"I don't think that's 'cause of me though."
"Oh yeah? Then how do you explain the change in her attitude? Ever since you started hanging out with her, it's like she's a whole new person."
"Yeah! How did you do it?"
"I-"
Before I could even begin to answer though, the sound of the whistle gets blown, signalling the teams to switch.
I end up passing by Luna as she wipes the sweat from her forehead.
"Goodluck."
"Th-thank you. You did great by the way."
"Hehe. Well I let them score a couple times, but at least we won."
More like "YOU" won. But I hold myself back from ruining the mood.
"I'll try and not fall too far behind."
"Nn. I'll be watching."
She smiles as she starts heading back to the resting area where I was sitting just before. With my heart still pumping from the sight of Luna, I press onward to the court.
"Haaa! Haaahhh! Hh-haahhh~"
"Hehehe. You did great out there."
"Hah- thanks..."
Of course my team were completely destroyed by the other team as we only managed to score 3 points.
"Hey, take it easy. Deep breaths, remember?"
"R-right."
As much as I'm excited for badminton, I don't think I have the energy... Meanwhile Luna looks like she could do this all day as the sweat from earlier is nowhere to be seen on her face... I still have a long ways to go it seems.