This is so troublesome…

In a blink of an eye, I witnessed Ren closing the distance right at me. He currently has a wrathful expression with the promise to murder at where I currently stand.

Well, I can’t exactly blame him though, given the fact that it was his almost naked dear sister was the one who was involved in all of this.

But seriously, can’t he ask first about my circumstance before throwing a punch right straight at my face.

Thankfully, I’m not the type to be helpless in a brawl, given that I too have my share of experience in martial arts in addition to fending myself off against the local bullies and gangs back at my school.

As Ren’s fist was about to land directly at me, my quick reflexes kick off in an instant. Thus, I managed to dodge to the right before the damage was done.

I always told myself when I find myself in a fight; try not to get hit.

Ren was slightly surprised when he saw me dodging his attack. The reaction did not last long though as he swiftly resumed his onslaught of punches and kicks.

Seeing how Ren moved himself in combat, he’s without a doubt knowledgeable in martial arts, proving to be quite agile and quick on his feet in engaging against me.

I was mostly on the defensive side, seeing as I don’t want to hurt my dear childhood friend even when his every blow emphasized strong killing intent.

Of course, this fiasco has to end one way or another. If this keeps up, then this battle will only end when one of us will run out of stamina to keep up and eating dirt on the floor.

Although I can’t help but be impressed by Ren’s resolve of protecting his twin sister. His enraged reaction is genuine and held not even an ounce of deceit.

With my thoughts about him, I unconsciously…

* Smile sincerely (Gentle)

* Chuckle wholeheartedly (Comical)

* Taunt him (Aggressive)

“You never changed don’t you, Ren?”

With my genuine reaction, Ren was baffled and decided to stop his onslaught. No one in their right mind would assume a gentle expression like how I did, especially when engaging in a ruthless battle. He must have thought that I'm enjoying this most likely. Confusion was witnessed on his face at how I knew his name. Shortly after, he dismissed his confusion in favor of inquiring me about my reaction.

“Why are you smiling, you bastard?! Is it really that fulfilling in attempting to defile my sister!? Trash like you are better off rotting in the dumpster.”

“Well, this should be fun, Rennie boy.”

Ren was undoubtedly caught off guard by my small laugh, thinking that I’m crazy no doubt. Although it may have served to only instigate him further as his attacks became even fiercer than ever before.

“If you think that all of this is all fun and games, especially when it involves laying your dirty hands on my sister, then you are even a bigger scum than I thought.”

Of course, Ren can’t help but be confused as well as to how I knew his name despite the addition of the nickname.

“What’s wrong, Ren? How pathetic. Is that all you got?” I gave a small grin challengingly.

My not-so-subtle reaction managed to send a message to Ren as he was slightly intimidated by my insult and reaction of showing how I am enjoying this bout of ours. He must have thoughts about me being a battle-maniac or something since no one would usually grin like how I did, especially in the middle of a fight. Ren also displayed confusion on his face, no doubt about how I knew his name.

Ren retreated a few steps away and made his statement about the matter.

“It appears that you are even more dangerous than I thought. I must end this before things are going to get out of hand. No one in their right mental state would enjoy something like this, especially when it involves destroying my sister’s chastity.”

It seems that my reaction in our fight only made the situation rather worse. Ren was enraged even further as a result. His demeanor became more ferocious and his bloodlust won’t be satisfied until I was put down to the ground like a rabid dog.

Although, this is one of his good qualities, at least in my opinion. Whenever his friends or loved ones are in a difficult position, he would go to a considerable extent to make sure that they won’t suffer from the chains of injustice.

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Typical Ren, always the stalwart protector. When we were kids, it was Ren who always stood up against the bullies when they were harassing Rin and I. Fortunately, I steeled my resolve and grew up from my crybaby phase. As a result, I decided to learn how to fight so I won’t have to rely on Ren ever again. As a matter of fact, it was Ren who inspired me to take up some fighting lessons so I would never see someone being taken advantage of ever again. That and Rin definitely needed the extra protection as she was even more of a crybaby than I was back in the day.

I was not lying when I stated earlier that I don’t want to hurt Ren, but the way he has been treating me so far, I may have no other choice on the matter. If I want to deliver my message then I may have let my skills do the talking.

I waited for the right moment to initiate my counterattack, allowing Ren to perform his attacks. When the opportunity presented itself, by means of his right hook, I swiftly dodged to the left. Immediately after, I grab his right arm to twist it, sending him in a world of pain. To take advantage of this decisive moment, I instantly pinned him to the ground with my left knee pressing his back and right arm tightly confined by my own. In short, I performed an Aikido maneuver that I have learned sometime in the past, emphasizing self-defense rather than offensive measures.

“D-damn you!!”

I may have not been able to see Ren’s clear reaction, but I know that he was at complete loss of this defeat of his, given the frustration behind the tone of his voice. He must be thinking that he had failed his sister. Speaking of the sister, Rin, she was utterly stunned by her brother’s demise at my hands, now expressing a look of pure concern for Ren’s well-being.

“That’s impossible, Ren can’t lose to a random pervert like you!!!” I heard Rin expressing her disturbance at me.

With Ren’s defiance now being set aside, I intended to make my statement clear and get rid of this stupid misunderstanding once and for all. As I was about to voiced out my concerns however…

“Alright children, you’ve had your fun!!”

A familiar female voice was heard and we all saw a middle-aged woman with long orange hair clapping her hands to catch our attention.

The moment when I saw her, I recognize the older woman in an instant. Despite being in her middle ages, the years did not serve to diminish her beauty, not even a single bit. It perfectly explained where Rin has inherited her looks from. Even eight years later, her appearance is still the same.

Damn Uncle Enji, what a lucky bastard he truly is...

Aunt Reina faced me with a heartwarming smile and made her approach at me.

“Dear gentleman, would you be so kind to release my rude hotheaded son?” Reina requested with a gentle tone, looking straight into my eyes rather calmly.

Judging her non-hostile reaction, she may have surmised my identity quickly.

I did as she commanded and quickly stood up, not wanting to be rude to her.

“Auntie.” I uttered softly, relieved that the mother herself has arrived to defuse this messy situation that the Amakusa siblings and I have found ourselves in.

“Auntie?” Ren also said questioningly when he heard how I address his mother, his face acting all conflicted as a result. His eyes then widened as he too may have probably realized the implications behind the familiar title that I have called to his mother.

After all, I’m the only one who possessed that particular privilege of addressing Reina Amakusa in a rather familiar manner. She treated me like I’m her own son as well, giving the same love and affection that she did with Rin and Ren.

“Mother, what are you doing, acting all friendly to this perv?!!!” Rin from the corner spoke out her concern. Given the distance between her and I, she did not hear what I have said and still remained hostile throughout this conversation.

Auntie simply ignored her daughter’s ramblings in favor of holding up a conversation with me. Even Ren was stunned by his mother’s reaction, deciding to remain quiet for the moment to see how this would all play out. Although Ren was still concern and I observed him clenching his fist tightly should the unthinkable happen. Of course, that would never happen in this lifetime.

“What’s your name, dear?” Auntie questioned my identity. Although she already has known about it, she probably asked nonetheless to end finally the misunderstanding that has occurred.

“Nakamura… Hiro Nakamura.” I said my name loudly so everyone can hear it.

In an instant, the siblings were utterly dumbfounded by the revelation that was revealed to them.

Auntie however did not act surprise like she already knew the answer. Instead, her smile turned even wider and took a step closer to me.

As her way of showing how thrilled she was, she enveloped me in a deep, loving hug, something that I was accustomed back when I was still a child.

“Welcome back, Hiro dear.”

I returned the hug with the same amount of affection and told her-

* “It’s good to be back, Auntie. I look forward to be here with you all once more.” (Gentle)

* “Not exactly the heartwarming family reunion I was expecting, but I hope you wouldn’t mind me barging into your lives once more.” (Comical)

* “Despite the rather unpleasant reception, yes, it’s nice to be reunited with you all again.” (Blunt)

Auntie simply giggled at my response and released herself from our hug. She then held both of my cheeks with her hands, giving a good look directly at my face.

“You have grown so big and tall, Hiro. Not to mention, quite handsome too. The little child who used to play with my children grew up into a splendid young man indeed.”

“And you still remain beautiful like you always did, Auntie.” Since she complimented me, I decided to give her my praise as well.

“Oh my, and a flatterer too. I bet you had a lot of ladies swooning all over you with such charming words.”

I chuckled at her statement and we eventually released ourselves from our hug.

As I recompose myself to face the Amakusa properly, Ren approached me with a look of anticipation.

“H-hiro, is that really you?”

I nodded and smiled at him teasingly. “Right in the flesh, Ren. Still the audacious little bastard, I see.”

In an instant, Ren bowed his head down in shame and begun saying his apology to me.

“I… I’m sorry Hiro. If I had given you the chance to offer you an explanation, then none of this would have happen.”

I looked at him straight in the eye and delivered my response.

* “No apologies necessary. It was all just a huge misunderstanding after all.” (Gentle)

* “It’s fine. I do enjoy some nice little childhood drama every now and then, just like in those sitcoms. Hey, that’s what friends do, right? (Comical)

* “As long as you understand, then I’ll let this pass.” (Blunt)

Ren appeared to look relieved and smiled back at me. He was thankful of my understanding nature.

“Thank goodness, I thought you were going to hold it out on me.”

Ren chuckled lightly in response at my witty statement and his sorrowful expression turned a complete 180.

“Haha, I’m glad to hear that. Just like the old times, I suppose.”

Ren looked somehow relieved at my answer, but I can still see some semblance of guilt in his expression, given my slightly harsh reaction.

“Yes, this won’t happen ever again, I swear.”

With my issue with Ren finally concluded, I believe it’s time to shift my attention to the sister of the twins, Rin. When I faced the young lady, her face instantly turned red and appeared all too flustered. She must be ashamed for calling me a pervert on our first meeting for eight years.

Well, she’s not wrong though. I’m still a normal teenage male after all and I possessed a healthy appreciation to the female human body.

My eyes subtlety wonder all over her body, gazing at her figure only covered by the fabrics of the white towel that clung perfectly to her alluring body.

“Daughter.”

I heard Auntie saying with a fascinated tone as she faced Rin with her arms crossed.

“Even if it’s Hiro, your longtime childhood friend, he is still your average teenage man with hormones nonetheless. If you continue to expose your vulnerable body to him, then I won’t be surprised if I’ll be having grandchildren by the end of year.”

“Yes, sister.” Ren joined in the conversation with a look of disapproval, although there is some brotherly teasing behind the way he talked. “How long are you going to remain shameless like this? Shouldn’t you be changed by now?”

Despite the eye-candy right in front of me, I also agreed with the mother and son duo. If I am to have a civil conversation with Rin, then it’s logical that she is to be with clothes.

Rin’s blush turned more intense and I can’t help but be amused by the rather cute reaction that she has assumed. She then retreated back to her room at the end of the hallway to dressed herself up.

With everything now all calm and good, Auntie told us that she’ll be preparing for dinner downstairs. I offered to help but she insisted, saying that tonight will be a celebration in commemoration of my homecoming.

Ren patted my shoulder and told me that we had a lot of catching up to do. Although he was feeling a rather sweaty from our brawl earlier. In the meantime, he decided to take a quick shower first before our talk and entered the bathroom.

As I was left to my own devices yet again, a question suddenly popped out right in my mind. Because of that, I can’t help but ask myself.

“Where’s the little sis, Rei, by the way?”