~ Narrator POV ~
"I'm deeply sorry for my actions." Seiji, now 12, said with his head pressed down against the cold hard floor, with Renako, also now 12, had her feet ontop of his head, glaring down at him with righteous fury.
Just a few minutes ago she had been having a pleasant dream, involving a certain red haired boy, however said red hair boy interrupted that same dream.
After glaringnat the kneeling boy, Renako finally let up, she took her foot off of his head and when Seiji tried to stand she glared and gave one command, "Sit."
He did.
"I landed on my nose Seiji, what if it broke from the fall? I wouldn't have been able to go on the trip." She said exasperatedly and Seiji could only look up at her with the childlike guilty expression, that Renako would never tell him looked cute out loud.
"Sorry, sorry. I just got excited, you know? It's our first school trip, and it's to Kyoto." Seiji said, looking up at her smiling with excitement. He had always wanted to visit Kyoto even in his last life.
Seeing the boy she secretly held affections so excited about a school trip Renako couldn't help but also be affected by his excitement. "Fine, I'll go take a bath…and while I'm gone you aren't allowed to move, that's your punishment." She said before leaving to go bathe.
She left and Seiji waited for at least a minute before moving. He grabbed a game controller that was sitting on Renako's room table the two usually study at and with a single click of a button the game system turned on.
~ Seiji Fujiwara POV ~
I was currently playing a souls borne game on Renako's console, however as I was playing my mind was on anything but the game, plus I wasn't fighting a boss.
'It's been 12 years since I reincarnated, 6 years since my first day at elementary school, and a lot has happened since then.' I thought mindlessly parrying a blow from an NPC.
Everything was smooth for a while in my Elementary years, I met new people, gained new friends including a foreigner from Russia, got closer to Renako and her family to the point where I could drop by whenever I wanted, and even managed to get those old coots off my back about my expectations to the family.
Though I don't know how long that'll last…
I had a good life so far, childhood friends, a very beautiful, very rich, mom who was maybe, probably, definitely a little obsessed with me, I learned to speak a little bit of Russia, just basic words though nothing to crazy, so on top of Japanese and English I also know a little Russian as well.
It was a good run…for about three years. After we hit 10 a lot of shit happened with the Suou nobility. Masachika left, no longer going by the Suou name, instead taking up his father's last name, Kuze, and moved in with his uncle.
Yuki became more withdrawn than she already was. I still talk to her often since in her words "You're all I have left." My mom and Yumi had a falling out due to the Suou family, which made my mom depressed again for a few weeks.
I can understand her really, 30+ years of friendship gone because Yumi couldn't stand up to the Suou family, though the Fujiwara and Suou still did business for some reason, it was mostly cordial.
And the recent development? Masachika and Yuki both go to a different school than I do. I decided to continue on going to normal public schools with Renako, while Masachika and Yuki decided to go to Seirei Private Academy Junior High Division, a school for rich kids and heirs to noble houses.
It caused a falling out between us which was quickly resolved, first with Masachika who stated "I just wanted my best friend by my side." And it was a valid reason, at least to me.
Yuki took a bit longer, she assumed I was choosing Renako over her, which I wasn't, but with the help of Masachika and a lot of promises and bribes she got over it, however with a promise to herself that she will get me into Seirei Academy no matter what.
"Oh come on! That's just bullshit!" The boss just spammed his AOE attack because of his low health! I misrolled once and that was my downfall.
"Fucking hate this game!" Even though I say that, I still pick up the controller and make my way back to the boss room.
"Language, Seiji!" I heard Aunt Haruka yell from downstairs.
"Sorry!" I yelled back.
This boss was seriously pissing me off, I got it barely to half health before it started spamming AOE attacks again. Maybe I should play another game, I was more of a shooter's FPS guy anyway.
But Renako didn't have any shooting games downloaded, "I don't like the violence." She said, but then proceeds to boot up one of the most violent fighting games of all time.
As I was trying to find a new game to play, Renako's door opened revealing Haruna, Renako's younger sister, who was now 11.
She was rubbing her eyes sleepily, like she had just woken up.
"Ah, did I wake you Haruna? I'm sorry." I apologized.
Haruna nodded "What time is it?" She asked dazedly.
I picked up my phone, which I only got recently on my 12th Birthday, and looked at the time, "4:46 a.m" I responded.
She just nodded sleepily again and instead of going back to her room to go back to sleep, she just groggily made her way to Renako's bed and plopped down, instantly going to sleep.
I sweatdropped at her before turning back to the game. I wasn't really good at fighting games like Renako was, so I'll settle for a racing game then.
~ Narrator POV ~
Amaori Renako entered her room, already dressed to see, one Seiji had moved from the spot she had told him to stay as punishment, and two her younger sister face down sleeping comfortably in her bed.
'…Do I even want to know what happened?' She thought sweatdropping mostly at her sister rather than Seiji.
"Oh you're back." Seiji said not even looking up at her, still focused on the game. "I accidentally woke Haruna up playing Elden Ring and she came in here." He continued.
Renako only nodded dumbfoundedly, before proceeding with her daily morning rituals.
~
"Geez mom, you're getting your saliva all over me." Seiji said, struggling and failing to get away from his mother as she peppered his face with kisses.
The two Junior High students, Seiji and Renako, were now in front of Renako's house as they were about to head off to school for their school trip to Kyoto.
"Renako, please look after Seiji, only gods know that some woman will come and snatch him up while I'm not around." Sakura said almost looking like she was on the verge of tears.
"I won't let that happen, Aunt Sukura!" Renako, bless her heart, responded with a seriousness that made Seiji sweatdrop.
"Oi, Renako don't take her seriously!" Seiji retorted, still struggling to leave his mother's grip.
"Now, now Sakura, if you don't let him go, they'll be late for the bus." Haruka said, smiling amusedly at the mother and son pair.
Sakura paused then looked at Haruka like she was stating the obvious "Yeah, that's the plan." Everyone deadpanned at her response.
Seiji used this moment to finally break free from his mom's unusual grip. He quickly grabbed Renako's hand and ran into the already prepared car.
"I'll bring you some trinkets, Haruna! Don't miss us too much!" Seiji announced with a smile before he forcibly pushed Renako into the car before jumping in himself.
As the two mothers, plus Haruna watched the car drive off, Sakura's voice broke the silence "Maybe I should send someone to follow them?" She asked herself but it was loud enough for Haruka and Haruna to hear.
Haruka deadpanned "Please don't." She said before looking at her youngest "Don't you have school to get to?"
Haruna's eyes widened "Oh yeah!" She said before she hugged both her mother and Sakura before running off. The elementary school was close enough so she could walk by herself.
~
Reanko was currently pouting angrily while staring at the red haired boy sitting next to her. Why you may ask? Well because Seiji, who sat right next to her was currently speaking with another girl a seat across from them.
To Renako's young mind, all of Seiji's attention should be on her! So she discreetly reached out and pinched his waist making him jolt in surprise.
Seiji turned to Renako only to see her pouting at him.
He nervously sweated at the angry pout he was getting "H-Hey Renako… Everything all right…?" He asked nervously.
Renako just Harrumphed and looked outside the window now completely pouting.
The sweat drop on Seiji's head grew bigger, "Y-You know Renako, I can't know what's wrong with you if you don't tell me…" I said suggestively.
Renako's voice dropped to a whisper, "This was supposed to be our trip… Just me and you spending a day in Kyoto together." She said, looking down at her fidgeting thumbs in her lap.
"…But Renako… This is a school trip…?" Seiji said tilting his head.
"You know what I mean!" Renako exclaimed while looking flustered, then she reached out and pinched Seiji's cheek, hard.
"Ouch! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Seiji pleaded, and when Renako finally let go and went back to pouting, Seiji smiled helplessly, and picked up his school bag and opened it.
Inside were snacks and two hand held game consoles that he recently bought for the two of them. "Here." He handed one, a pink one, out to Renako "I still haven't beaten you in Mortal Kombat yet."
Renako looked at him, then the bag full of snacks, then at the hand held game console, then back to him again, then with the most dazzling smile that stunned Seiji for a second, took the console and turned it on.
"You still haven't beaten me and you will never beat me." She said smugly.
"We'll see about that. I'll have you know I've been practicing." Seiji smirked confidently…a little too confidently.
…It was a slaughter Seiji went 1-10 before they finally arrived at the place they would be staying in Kyoto, and he only won that one the last round because Renako felt bad…
~ Seiji POV ~
As we stepped off the bus, I took in a deep intake of Kyoto air "Ahh~. Smells the exact same as home."
Renako stood beside me, looking at me weirdly, "What did you expect it to smell like?" She asked.
I shrugged "Kyoto, maybe?"
Renako stayed quiet for a minute and when I turned to face her, she had this look of sympathy…and it was aimed towards me.
"Oi, what's with that look?" I asked, and for some reason I found that look irksome.
"I'm sorry for your loss." That was all she said before following the rest of the students and teachers, leaving me standing there stunned.
"…What the hell?!"
~
"What a beautiful view." I said looking at the magnificent scenery in front of me.
I snuck off from the rest of the class to buy my mother, Haruka, and Haruna some trinkets. I'll definitely get scolded later, but it'll be worth it to see smiles light up on their faces when I hand them my gifts.
But before that, "I gotta save this as my wallpaper." I took out my phone trying to get the right angle to take the shot, However the moment I found it.
The view was blocked, by someone and intentionally at that because they were standing so close to the point where I could only see the color of her shirt in the camera.
"Excuse me miss, but could you kindly move over, so I can take the shot?" I asked politely despite the rude woman intentionally blocking my view.
"You little brat, you were taking photos of me weren't you!?" The woman, who hadn't even bothered to introduce herself, accused me out of the blue.
"…I'm sorry?" That was all I could get out before the woman tried to take my phone from me, but I quickly moved my phone away out of her range.
"What the hell lady! What's your problem?!" I shouted, catching the attention of the surrounding people.
"I saw you! I saw you taking pictures of me, you perverted little brat!" She shouted and once again tried to reach for my phone only for me to back up a few steps.
This bitch!
"Why the hell would I want to take a picture of an old hag like you!"
Her face went red as she gasped with a hand over her mouth and recoiled almost as if I had slapped her. "Y-You! You take that back you fucking brat!" She wound up her right hand ready to smack me.
But before she could, "Hey! What's going on over here?!" A nearby officer came to deescalate the situation.
Before I could get my words out the banshy, as I'm going to now refer to her as, shouted again in that same high pitched annoying voice of hers "This perverted brat thought he could take photos of me and get away with it."
She spat out the words "perverted brat" with so much venom you'd think I massacred her entire bloodline in one night.
"This old hag's lying officer, I couldn't even get a picture in before she accused me of taking photos of her, and then she tried to steal my phone and when she couldn't get that, she tried to hit me!" I retorted glaring at the old hag.
I may or may not have added a few extra details to my statement, however there is a reason for that, and that reason will show itself right about...now.
"What! I didn't try to steal your phone! I tried to take it to delete those photos you've taken of me! And I didn't try and hit because I failed in taking your phone, I tried to hit you because…" she paused realizing she just basically told on herself.
That was the reason I added a few extra details in the statement I gave. The old hag was already mad enough to the point where she got red in the face, my added details just fueled her anger to make her "clear her name" (Read: Expose herself).
"Pfft!" I tried not to laugh at her face when she realized I had tricked her.
Unfortunately, she heard me and if her face was already red from being called an old hag and telling on herself, then she basically turned into the red hulk the way her veins bulged on her face and neck.
With surprising strength the old hag managed to get the officer off of her before she rushed at me, raising her hand for a slap and I quickly moved out of the trajectory of the swing, my phone however, didn't.
It was almost as if I was watching my phone fall to its doom in slow motion. When the phone hit the ground I could visibly see tiny parts of the screen fly off into all directions. I slid for a second before coming to a stop, face down.
"You old bitch!" I yelled as I ran towards my phone, a gift I got from my mom a few months ago for my birthday.
"What?!?!" The old banshee bitch screeched before assumingly tried to chase after me before she was tackled to the ground by the officer.
But I wasn't paying attention to any of that, what I did pay attention to was my phone.
I was scared to flip it over, however I braced myself. 'Maybe it's not that bad.' I coped, and it was exactly because of that level of cope that I finally got the courage to flip it over.
And what I saw was as bad as I thought.
"The screen…" the screen was all types of cracked, due to the broken screen it looked more white than transparent as it usually would. Granted I could easily get this fixed but still…
"I can't take any pictures with this." I continued to mourn for the damaged phone before someone interrupted me.
"That looks pretty bad!"
Turning around I saw a girl, about my age. She had long reddish-pink hair and blue eyes, wearing a white sundress. Who was this girl?
"Can't you see I'm mourning?… Who are you anyway?" I asked, still gently holding my phone in my hands.
"Ah, I'm sorry I happened to witness the whole thing and when I saw she slapped your phone out of your hand, I came to check up on you." She said, now crouching next to me.
"…Well thanks for coming to check on me, I guess."
The girl went quiet for a few seconds before she spoke again, "I'm sorry…" Her voice quiet.
I looked at her confused as to what exactly she was apologizing for, "What are you sorry about? It's not like you knocked my phone out of my hand."
"If I had stepped in earlier and told the officer what I saw, maybe your phone wouldn't have been broken…" the girl said, sounding sad with her head hanging low guiltily.
I sighed, "Like I said it's not your fault. It's that old hag banshee's fault for not being able to stand getting tricked by a twelve year old!" I said, deliberately shouting the last part so the old hag could hear.
I got an unintelligible shout in return as she struggled even more against the officer.
I looked back at the girl to see she still looked guilty, "Look it's not like my phone is completely broken, see." I turned the phone on and while you could barely see the screen due to the cracks you could still see that it turned on. "I can easily get it fixed, so it's not that much of a big deal."
Finally she looked up, still looking guilty but not as much as before.
"Still, I can't let sensei hear about this…or else I'm in huge trouble." I muttered to myself. Already imagining how long I'd get scolded by sensei before he calls my mom in an attempt to flirt with her.
Then I'll get scolded by Reanko…
"Sensei? Are you on a school trip?" The girl beside me asked curiously.
"Mhm." I nodded.
"Man this whole situation was blown out of proportion, I originally attended to get some trinkets for some family and friends back home." I said looking at my phone once more before sighing and placing it into my backpack.
At that the girl perked up, "You were getting some trinkets for your family too!" Her eyes literally lit up.
'I thought that only existed in those anime people watched!?' Despite my thought I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, but I haven't the faintest clue where to start looking!" I may have, probably, said that a little too confidently…probably.
"Eh? You didn't do any research on the place you were going for your school trip?" She asked while looking at with a dumbfounded look.
I shrugged, "I want everything to be a surprise…I like surprises."
This time she looked at me with…pity? Hold on, I'm getting dejavu. She placed a hand on my shoulder and with that same tone Renako used a few hours ago she spoke those dreaded words, "I'm sorry for your loss."
~ Narrator POV ~
After trinkets shopping, Seiji and the girl decided to roam around to find their group, stopping by multiple food stalls while doing so…most of that food went to the girl.
"Soooo good!" The girl said, popping more tokayaki into her mouth.
"The type of gluttony they talk about in the bible." Seiji commented quietly, thankfully the girl didn't hear too focused on the mountain of food in her arms.
"Hmm?" The girl looked over at Seiji, or more specifically to the food Seiji currently had in his hands.
Seiji saw this and immediately moved his food out of her sight "Hell no!"
She pouted "But yours looks so good…" she whined
Seiji's eyebrow twitched, "This glutton… We are literally eating the same food!" Seiji exclaimed and started shoving the tokayaki into his mouth, but he forgot how piping hot the inside was "Ah hot hot!"
The girl looked at this and smiled, not gentle, not an amused smile, but a smug smile, "See? That's what happens when you don't share."
'This brat! I'll show you how to share…' Before Seiji could act on his thoughts two shouts could be heard from behind them.
"Seiji!"
"Itsuki!"
""Huh?"" The two aforementioned people turned around, to see two people running up to them.
One of them was Renako Amaori, Seiji's childhood friend and neighbor. The other was a girl that looked exactly like the girl that stood beside Seiji.
The two, Renako and Itsuki's sister, came to a stop in front of them both asking the same question "Who is that?"
A single explanation later, Itsuki could be seen being scolded by her sister while Seiji could be seen being scolded by Renako, "Seriously Seiji, what if that could've escalated and she actually hit you?"
"Itsuki we've been looking all over for you! Do you know how worried mom was?!"
They both sighed at the same time before deciding to drop it seeing as both Seiji and Itsuki were fine.
"Sorry Reanko, I just wanted to get a trinket for you all. I didn't mean to worry you." Seiji said sincerely, rubbing the back of his head, a habit he found himself doing lately whenever he was guilty of something.
Renako, seeing his sincerity, sighed. She knew she couldn't stay angry at him. "I was just worried when you disappeared all of a sudden, you should've let me know so I could've gone with you or at least know where you were to give me some peace of mind."
"Sorry, sorry. It won't happen again…probably." Seiji chuckled nervously when he saw Renako glaring at him. "Oh! I almost forgot!" He dug through his bag and brought a keychain.
The keychain had a pink medium sized stuffed teddy bear at the end and purple buttons as eyes. "For some reason when I saw this I immediately thought of you. Cute, no?"
Renako held the keychain with careful handling, her expressive purple eyes staring into the purple buttons of the bear. Then for the second time today stunned Seiji with that dazzling smile of hers. "Mm! It's really cute."
The two just stood there staring into each other's eyes until they were interrupted by Itsuki's sister "Hey, uhm, I would like to thank you and apologize for any trouble my sister may have caused."
Seiji waved his hands carelessly "It's fine, other than being a glutton she didn't really cause trouble for me." He said before sticking his hand out in a friendly gesture.
"I'm Seiji Fujiwara by the way, and you are…"
The girl's eyes widened then sheepishly chuckled, "Sorry, I should've introduced myself earlier, I'm Nino, Nino Nakano."
"Nice to meet you Nino, and it's nice to officially meet you Eatsuki." Seiji said teasingly.
The girl, Itsuki just stood there looking confused as to why Seiji just used that tone of voice, not really picking up on the jab at her gluttoness behavior.
Renako giggled, and Nino was just as confused as Itsuki, 'Why were these two laughing?'
After that the now group of four hung out together, with Itsuki eating anything she could get her hands on until she got full and the other three sweatdropping at her gluttoness behavior.
When it was getting late they made their way back to the place they were staying and surprisingly they were all staying at the same hotel, and there they met the rest of the quintuplets, Yostuba, Miku, and Ichika along with their mom Rena Nakano.
Just like Seiji thought he was first scolded for an hour straight by the teacher then he had to witness his teacher call his mom and attempt to make small talk with her only to be dismissed at every turn.
~ Timeskip: 2 Years ~
"RENAKO, WAKE UP!!!" Seiji Fujiwara, now 14, dressed in a different school uniform than usual burst through Renako's room door causing her to jolt awake.
"Oof!" She fell onto the floor face first…again.
~
Chapter End.