in between ?.? jo togame???

xvi. start of a cliche high school romcom?

My brother nodded, patting the rucksack on the chair next to him. "All done. Ready to explore this beautiful world of ours. Also, is it just me or the sky looking more brighter, you know, the earth looked so much more alive?"

I threw a towel at him and it landed flat on his face.

Apparently, there was to be a hiking group today organised by the town. Dad had assigned my brother to participate in it. I am curious how long my fool-of-a brother would survived in the hill, from morning to dusk, among the mosquitoes and snakes.

"I think they'll be here soon." Dad said.

"Who?" I asked while I silently stole a cookie to my mouth.

"What was his name again?" He scratched his hair. "The hiking group had been divided into squads for more convenience. The leader of [Brother's name]'s squad is gonna pick up your brother since the trail is on this way anyway. If I'm not wrong he's a Furin student, not just a student, a leader of sorts?"

"Umemiya Hajime?" Ryo suggested, brows quirked up.

"Yes, yes, him!" Dad exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Good kid, I like him."

"Holy goodness!" Ryo exclaimed, mouth opened ajar. "Ain't no way!"

I gave him a questioning look.

"Speaking of Furin student." My brother clenched his jaw and released it again. "There's this really annoying Furin guy yesterday at the Cafe, some white-haired dude who speaks really loud, and he kept pestering Tachibana all the time-"

"Pestering?" I laughed. "You sure?"

"I-I mean...not really, they seemed close." His face dropped, staring into the void. "Too close...for my liking...she said he's her brother figure type...but it's not her I don't trust, it's that boy I-"

The bell chimed throughout the room. "Hello and Good morning!"

My brother yelped. "Speak of the devil!"

"Huh? What devil?" The tall newcomer asked, he was smiling brightly at my brother, who on the other hand looked horrified. Behind him was another boy with spiky blonde hair and his face showed no expression. "Oh wait, I think I met you back in Cafe Phonto last time?"

"Ah, Umemiya!" My Dad jogged to him and gave him a pat on the back.

"Good afternoon, [Dad's Last Name]-san! Woah, you looked so strong and manly even in the morning!" Umemiya grinned, flashing pearly white teeth. "You own a really beautiful place! It's so peaceful here, I bet business is crazy!"

Bro the type of guy introverts hides at the sight of him.

"Ah, you're gonna boost my ego like that!" My Dad laughed. "Come with your friend and sit here!"

"Gosh," Ryo said underneath his breath, next to me. "He's taller than I expected."

Umemiya swiped back his white hair before it cascaded down again. He laughed as he and his friends took their seat. He then crossed his legs.

I liked him.

"Anything you like to eat and drink? Don't worry, It's on the house!" My Dad offered.

Umemiya pristine blue eyes sparkled. "Really!? Oh gosh, that sounds so tempting!" He then laughed. "But I'm really sorry I wish we could but I'm afraid we don't have much time. Right [Brother's name]?"

My brother cringed. "Dad, I changed my mind, I don't wanna go."

"What!?" My dad glared at him. "Why!?"

"[Brother's name]" The white-haired boy exclaimed. "Why? I promise we'll have the time of our life."

He squinted his eyes at the overly extroverted boy. "Ah...I hate mosquitoes and some white-haired creature."