*Happy grin*

Did you guys miss meeeeeee!
I know it's been a while and for that I apologize let me tell you that PPD is no joke especially when childbirth spurred so much bs with my body. Every week its a new disease and momma has been going through it! But I'm dealing and much happier now. I'm in a good place and I've been making more and more art. Website coming next month and all. You guys are so loyal and amazing and I love all the support I swear! I'm going to try and update muuuuch more often but thanks for sticking with me guys I love you!

Enjoy!

Ema dashed to the bathroom and dove straight to the shower, after giving herself a quick 10 minute scrub she tied her hair up hurriedly and slipped into her nightgown before dashing off to her room hoping that she didn't bump into any of her brothers along the way. It was time for the drawer. It was a bit late but she knew Iyumi's schedule like the back of her hand and on Thursdays she was usually up until around 3 in the morning doing her storyboards for her manga so she could call her without being too much of an inconvenience. She needed to be the leader of the pack and she knew only Iyumi held the answers to her success in her endeavors. Looking over at the clock she could see that it was a little past midnight and while she felt a twinge of guilt at disrupting her while she was working she didn't want to do this alone and needed her to be able to explain whatever was going to be in that drawer of the forbidden.

With a resolute nod she flopped into her computer chair, opened her laptop and drummed her fingers impatiently on the desk's top as she waited for it to fully boot up before she could Facetime her best friend. Maybe she could get a part time job and buy a new one since hers was getting a bit old. When it finally booted her fingers flew across the keys as she dialed her number and waited rather impatiently for the call to connect. It was only when Iyumi's devious smirking face popped up on the screen that she felt herself relax. Looking around her the screen she could see that she had most definitely interrupted her work process. Her little brother Hisoka was sitting on the bed organizing pages, there was an ink smudge on Iyumi's cheek and she had a fine ink brush in her left ear with a box cutter in the right. She fought the urge to chastise her like she always did for having the damn thing in such a precarious place but they had bigger fish to fry at the moment.

"Well hello Kitten. What can I do for you?" Iyumi purred her eyes alight with mischeif

"Is that my future bride?" Hisoka called from the bed as he watermarked another page

"You wish squirt" Iyumi rolled her eyes

"You know why I'm calling...right?" Ema asked softly as she fiddled with her fingers nervously

"Soka! Out!" Iyumi snapped much like a drill sergeant

Hisoka wasted no time in darting from the room and Ema was grateful for the privacy because she could so not have this conversation in front her Iyumi's brother. He was only 14 but it was so intrusive and she didn't need him to know about her serious sexual situations with the Asahina men.

"You ready to open that drawer?" Iyumi smirked so widely that Ema was afraid for her virginity

"I don't think I have much of a choice" Ema nodded nibbling on her bottom lip

"Take the laptop with you"

Picking up the laptop Ema sat on the floor in front of the large chest, took the key out of the desk drawer and prepared herself to open the next drawer.

"Which one?"

"Drawer 2. Believe it or not as tame as it may seem, this will help you a lot in your issues at the moment"

"K"

This drawer was a bit thicker but she pulled it open and was both surprised and pleased at the first thing that she saw. It was a board game. How strange.

"A game?" She murmured

"Pull it out" Iyumi smiled that same devilish grin she always had when she was up to no good

As Ema pulled the game out she realized it was a big box that held more than one type of game. One of the pack was Twister. Oh hell. She had a feeling she knew where this was going to go. Pulling the plastic wrapping off the boxes she pulled them apart and saw another that held three different card packs inside. Oh shit. The box was titled "Shhhh" and each of the card games was to get to know the people you were playing with. One was called 'Never Have I Ever", the second 'Truth or Dare' and the third was '50 Shades of Foreplay'. Holy Fuck. The last board game was called Drunkopoly.

"Yu...I can't drink yet you know that"

"I'm pretty sure none of them give a damn" She deadpanned knowing full well if given the opportunity they'd allow her to drink in their household if nowhere else "Keep digging"

Ema pulled out a bottle of lotion and a tongue ring with a big ball on the top shaped like a pill. She hadn't put her tongue ring since she moved here, she was having a rebellious year when she turned 16 and had forced Iyumi to come with her and get one too. The hole was still open but she didn't see a reason to wear one anymore not matter how cute they were it just never really crossed her mind.

"Ok so we're going to go over the lotion first. Once again something my freak of an aniki made girl. It's sensitizing lotion. It makes your skin supple and so sensitive that the slightest touch is mind blowing"

"Yu! I'm sensitive enough as is I don't need it to get any worse than it already is"

"While I relish the idea of you becoming a trembling puddle of nerves swimming in a sea full of those sexy beasts it's more for them than you. You use it under the guise of 'oh you look tired nii-chan' and need a shoulder rub or something, you'll find an opportunity and get creative I'm sure kitten. Now if you can somehow incorporate it before you play any of the games that'll be two birds with one stone and can produce some very titillating results in your favor my love. They will become the whimpering piles of mush instead of you my seductress in training. The games I want you to thoroughly read and go over the rules for each game and that way you can implement them in the way you best see fit for each brother. Luckily I picked the right games for certain brothers based off of what you told me they tend to be like in private"

"Ok and the tongue ring? Why does it look like that at the top?"

"It vibrates my love" Iyumi grinned widely

"What? How?" Ema gasped flipping it over in her hand

"When you put it in twist it until you hear it click and press the top against the roof of your mouth. Believe me you'll feel it and so will he" She chuckled like a mad woman "There's one more thing you have in there"

Reaching into the back she pulled out a paperback book on Kama Sutra and massage techniques specializing in relieving tension and pressure points for maximum relation. As she went over the plethora of opportunities in her mind she began to formulate quite a few plans on just what to do. She'd definitely have to really dig into this book tonight but she felt as if Iyumi had just polished her armor while having given her an upgrade in the process with such in depth help. Iyumi watched as Ema's face went from thoughtful to alight with mischief and renewed vigor for her adventures to come. Oh how proud she was to see her best friend maturing sexually, emotionally and mentally. Oh what a wonderful seductress she was going to become so very soon. She'd have those Asahina men eating out of the palm of her hand in no time and Iyumi couldn't be more pleased.

"Well I can see that you're eager to get learning so I'm gonna hang up now kitten. I'll check in on you later"

"Goodnight Yu! I love you" Ema waved smiling widely having regained her confidence

Ema had only gotten about three hours of sleep and she was ready to face the day but, little did she know that there was battle brewing between her siblings right under her nose.

Tusbaki received a phone call in his room that he'd been anxiously awaiting for over a week now. Although the news that he'd gotten caused him to slip into both sadness and jealousy. No. How could they? Would the idiot decide not to take it in order to spare the other's feelings? How could he fix this? He had so much to do in so little time.

Ema walked out to the courtyard wearing some black thigh high socks with pink stripes at the thigh, black cargo shorts, and a hot pink cropped hoodie with a white baby tee beneath it. Her hair was in its usual bouncy ponytail swaying behind her as she looked through her mail she noticed that Natsume had actually kept his word and sent her a package. She was struck with a shock of excitement before a downtrodden Tsubaki breezed by her with not so much as a glance. She felt compelled to call out to him

"Tsubaki-san!" She called overly cheerful

She felt a twinge of hope as he turned slightly to look at her over his right shoulder with shocking disinterest.

"The game arrived from Natsume-san!"

He only gave her a slight smirk before ducking out the door. No slick remark or retort about her being only his and not taking anything his brothers were willing to give? What was going on? Just as he walked out the door Azusa came bursting into the little lobby asking if she'd seen his twin

"He just went out" She answered feeling more confused than ever at why Azusa was so out of breath and desperate. They were both acting so out of character it was enough to spur her curiosity "Did something happen?"

She was seriously out of the loop about something. Going back up to her room with the video game tucked against her chest securely she decided she'd do her investigating after playing this game. Everything in her life couldn't always revolve around the Asahina brothers.

"I'm back Juli" She called to the napping squirrel on her desk

"Is something the matter?" He asked concerned at her downtrodden look

"Mmn. I saw Tsubaki and Azusa downstairs, but things seemed kind of strange"

"Those two are always strange" Juli answered matter-of-factly "By the way, what's that?"

"Oh this? Natsume-san sent me a disk of the game in development" She explained

"Oh the twins' triplet brother"

Stripping down to just her baby t and panties she slipped her feet into her pink unicorn slippers, tucking them beneath her as she set to seriously tuning into the game. She adored games like this and immersing herself completely was always the goal. She didn't want to miss a thing. Juli sat beside her on a pillow dozing in and out himself. Ema begun to nibble on Pringles chips as she tuned into the game playing out before her. She analyzed and broke down that different gaming styles and weapon development was needed for each individual level and its side missions. As the voice actors spoke it didn't escape her attention that the voices belonged to the twins. Juli hissed and sputtered but Ema pushed him away very annoyed at the distraction that he was creating by being annoyingly overprotective. Their voice acting was so superb it was giving her goosebumps while sucking her into the characters and their stories. She was truly moved.

Ema played well into the afternoon that day, glad that she had that *DO NOT DISTURB* sign on her door because the game had truly sucked her in and she was so tuned in that she didn't want or need any interruptions or distractions. She was beyond frustrated that no matter what she did she was stuck on this one desert zone. She desperately wanted to speak to Natsume about it. Get a peek or two at his cat like eyes, sharp features, drowning in that air of dominant yet sweetness about him. The thought of being in close proximity to him made her panties wet. Her time was running out and she knew it. She would need to seriously make a choice because she couldn't trust her traitorous body to hold out much longer. Pausing the game she looked over at her desk spotting his card. She'd meet him tonight no matter what it took. She had...questions. And they were about much more than the difficult part in the game.

He answered on the third ring and told her he could meet her later that night at a cafe close by the train so that she could get home faster and much more safely. Ema was going in to see whether she could use some tips Iyumi gave her in an attempt to possibly seduce him. She was going to try a few tricks on him and see what he thought of her while honing the skills that Iyumi was trying to get her to embrace. She arrived before him, so she sat down nervously and ordered a tea to calm her nerves as she tried to slip into her more confident persona. She would surely need it to deal with the stern man. She wore a crème knee length petticoat dress with six black buttons across the belly in three groups of two, black leggings and crème colored ankle booties with her hair up in a high ponytail. She hoped she looked a bit more grown up than she usually did.

Before she realized it Natsume was walking into the restaurant wearing a black tailored suit that hugged his frame like an alluring second skin. His tie was a lily pad green and it offset his fuchsia cat shaped eyes beautifully. She wanted so badly to know what a kiss from this intense and aloof man would feel like. He looked surprised but pleased to see her as he made his way over.

"You got here awfully early. Did you wait long?"

People around her began to whisper about the attractive man heading straight for her, overhearing that many believed her to be his girlfriend. He was definitely out of her league. She was flattered but embarrassed all the same.

"You're flushed. Do you have a fever or something?" Natsume asked with no pretense

"Oh, no. I'm fine"

"Have you ordered yet? What would you like?"

"Ano, I'm the one who asked you to meet me, so I'll pay" She spluttered

"Good attitude. If you'd planned to make me pay from the start, I wouldn't have done so but it's fine. I'll treat you" He grinned quite cutely

"Oh, I appreciate it"

"Is everything alright at home?"

"Yes. It's been four months so I've gotten pretty used to the craziness everyday"

"I'm glad to hear that" He breathed genuinely relieved as he knew his brothers were quite a handful "So, where are you getting stuck at?" He asked getting down to business sparking some confidence and life in Ema

"The desert zone. I defeated all the mobs but gained no levels and I can't beat the final boss no matter what I do" She explained her frustrations

She watched as his pink lips wrapped around the lip of his teacup and his neck bobbed as he swallowed the liquid, a trail escaping the side of his lip that slipped down to his mole . She had half a mind to lean over and lick it up herself but his tongue flicked out quickly, scooping the droplet and licking the trail. Oh what that tongue could do on her flesh, and the intensity with which he held her gaze made her squirm in want.

"You've put an awful lot of hours into it. But unless you level up in the previous zone you won't be able to beat the desert zone" He explained calmly

Ema took out her tips notebook that she carried around for her video games and jotted down the tip under her new section for the game.

"But if you can't beat it, we'll have to make changes to the desert zone"

This was news to Ema. She hadn't realized that she was so important. She was one of the beta testers? How did Natsume pull that off? Why did he pull that off for her? Why did that make her like him all the more?

"I'm the benchmark?"

"There aren't too many people who'll pour as much energy into games as you do. Making video games is still a business, so we need to be able to count on a certain number of players"

"So that's how it goes"

Natsume's phone began to ring and Ema had to bite her bottom lip to stop her pout.

"Azusa?" He blanched

"Azusa?" She repeated

"Hello? Yes, it's me. Tsubaki? No, I dont know. No he hasn't called. Got it. If he does call.." Azusa hung up before he could finish "The heck was that?"

"What's wrong?"

"Tsubaki apparently didn't come home yesterday and Azusa is worried. Do you know anything?"

She remembered her brief encounter with the two of them the night before and how strange they'd been acting.

"Tsubaki went out early yesterday evening and Azusa went after him, but...do you think something happened?'

"No...it couldn't be..that" Natsume mumbled

"What"

"Well..."

"Please tell me" She asked fiercely

"I heard something at work. About an anime show. We're a video game company but a lot of our projects use voice actors too so we hear things through all those channels. It hasn't been officially announced so I can't tell you the name but, this anime is the reason Tsubaki got into voice acting and it's been green-lit as a new series"

"They said that they were both auditioning for that"

"Ever since the news got out Tsubaki has been saying that he wants to play the lead. He's popular right now so the producer was rather enthusiastic about it too"

"So then..."

"But when the cast was announced the lead had gone to another actor. In the end Tsubaki wasn't chosen"

Ema's heart sank to her stomach at the news knowing how badly Tsubaki had wanted the part so she could only imagine what the man could be going through right now.

"What? But why not?"

"It's a complex matter when deciding voice actors for a show such as how well their voice balances with the others"

"Tsubaki wanted that part so badly" Ema sighed despondently

"That's not all. The voice actor that was chosen instead of Tsubaki was Azusa" He informed her seriously

Now that was groundbreaking news because she knew that Azusa went out for a role in the anime but the lead was most assuredly not it and she told him so. This was why Azusa had been so desperate to find Tsubaki earlier that day. Oh how her heart went out to the twins. She wanted to just wrap Tsubaki up in her arms and hug his worries away but she knew for a fact that would most definitely lead to something much more perverted.

"But Azusa said that he was auditioning for a different role?" Ema gasped utterly perplexed how he could get a role that he didn't even want

So that was why he sought him so desperately after Tsubaki had gotten the news. Guilt. Its not like she didn't understand since she'd be drowning in guilt also. She wondered what she could possibly do to cheer the twins up.

"It's not unusual to get a role different than the one that you auditioned for" Natsume explained

"Those two are brothers though and if it's a role that means so much to Tsubaki, it can't be easy for the two of them to rationalize it like that" Ema tried to explain hoping he would understand where the struggle lie between the twins she'd come to fantasize sandwiches with multiple times

"I won't say that I'm unsympathetic but I don't understand the idea of agonizing over this sort of thing" He explained honestly, his stoic face saying more than his words could to her "He's been chosen so it's his job as a professional to live up to those expectations. But well, just leave them alone. There's nothing big brotherly about guys in their 20's having a teenage little sister worrying about them"

Ema found herself wholeheartedly disagreeing, this was the job of younger siblings as far as she was concerned. It was her job to needlessly worry about her siblings whether they be older or younger. Especially as the only girl it was her job to make sure they took care of themselves, were happy and thriving in the things they loved most, not to be suffering in silence. She was here to help and be a readily available ear for them. Deciding that she'd figure out a different way to go about this on her own. Giving Natsume a nod she ordered a sweet bean bun to go with her hot chocolate deciding to get to know the hot specimen in front of her since this was only her second time getting to see this adorably stoic triplet, let alone all on her lonesome. She could secretly gawk and finesse information out of him while also slipping some flirting in here and there because, he was quite the enigma himself and she wanted a piece of that pie. Natsume ordered a four cheese bagel with chives and sour cream cream cheese. Complex palette. Something else to tuck away in her Asahina database.

As she watched him spread the cream cheese onto his bagel rather thickly she smirked at the childishly happy sparkle to his eyes as he bit into one half, savoring the flavor. She couldn't help but to watch his mouth as he chewed utterly unaware to her ogling of his handsome profile. There was a comfortable silence between them and for the first time she realized that she'd never been able to do this with any of the other Asahina men. This was rather pleasant. Deciding to finally dig into her own sweet treat she bit into the warm bean bun humming happily to herself. She loved it when they were still nice and warm, and the hot chocolate still sitting on her tongue only enhanced the sweet flavor. As she licked the drop of filling off of her thumb she could see through her lashes that Natsume was now watching her curiously. Pretending not to notice that she had his undivided attention she drew her thumb slowly into her mouth, purposely making a show of wrapping her plump lips around the digit and giving it a tentative suck with a soft hum of pleasure rumbling in her throat. Quickly she flicked her eyes up to see that Natsume was blushing quite fervently having been caught watching her with much more than curiosity now.

"I have a big sweet tooth" She simpered fluttering her lashes

"So do I" He nodded giving her a small smile

"Why don't you live at home with everyone else?" She probed wanting to prolong her time with him

"Do you really have to ask?" He chuckled

Going over her time in the Asahina household she had to giggle aloud herself as she realized she knew exactly why he would have moved out. So many wild and different personalities in one environment was a rather draining experience when you actually thought about it. Not to mention he was a triplet and while he was from a fraternal egg he may not like the closeness between them since Tsubaki and Azusa practically shared everything. She would have moved out for some breathing room if she was him too.

"No I guess I don't. It can be a bit...overwhelming sometimes"

"If it ever gets to be too much you can feel free to come and get some fresh air at my place" He offered genuinely

Oh?

"Is that so?" She smirked playfully

It seemed to dawn on him just what he'd truly said and his blush returned. Clearing his throat he placed his hands over his mouth to try and hide his awkward blush as he thought of just what he could actually do with her alone in his private quarters. Than it dawned on him that she might just actually be going through those kinds of things full of a house with his hormone raging brothers. He didn't like that. Not at all. Yes. She'd definitely have to get out of that house more often. Preferably to his own. As he was pondering the possibilities of getting to know her a bit better he had zoned out so much that the first thing to snap him to reality was her unbooted foot trailing up and down his left calve muscle. She was sipping on her hot chocolate looking out the window seemingly deep in thought herself seemingly unaware that she was caressing him beneath the table. To him. Though Ema was doing all of this purposely. As Iyumi liked to say she was portrayed as deceptively reserved and meek when it came to opposite sex and she could use this to her advantage when it came down to the house of wolves. It was only as her foot went higher, toes caressing his inner thigh only creeping higher and higher stirring his slowly awakening erection. His eyes started to widen as she began to reach dangerous territory so innocently, she was about to get a real surprise if she didn't tune back in to reality fast. Her toes wrapped around his now hard shaft as she slurped the filling out of her bean bun spurring nothing but dirty fantasies out of him of slamming her onto the table and showing her just what she was missing out on with him not living in that house. But he had to control himself dammit.

"Ema it's getting late I should get you home soon" He coughed trying not to thrust his hips against her gentle caresses

"Oh! I forgot where I was for a second. I guess I'm just comfortable with you" She giggled lowering her foot slowly and slipping it back into her bootie feigning ignorance of her previous actions

"That's fine by me but I can't let a high school girl stay out so late. It's a dangerous world out there for beautiful young women like yourself Ema"

It was so refreshing to hear her name. She rarely heard it nowadays and the way his low baritone tinged with desire whispered it, almost like a caress, had her seriously planning to take him up on his offer to come visit whenever she wanted. Though she wouldn't be able to do so without guilt knowing she'd interfere with his work if she did. She had plenty of time to plan out her attack on him but for now she'd leave it here, let it hang in the air between them.

He was about to eat the last piece of his bagel but she had a spur of the moment idea and lunged forward, catching his fingers between her lips sucking it into her mouth. She twirled her tongue around his fingers pretending to only be trying to get the remnants of the remaining cream cheese from his fingers. He was totally hard now. Did she do such seductive things at home too? Oh he seriously hoped not. Such an innocent beauty would not last long around his brothers. Oh he'd have to claim her first. When she released his fingers with a loud smack of the lips she beamed at him happily as she licked her lips.

"I just had to try that. You made it look so good. It was too. I may get it next time" She beamed cutely

"Ummm ok" He cleared his throat unsure of what to say as he attempted to rid himself of his erection before standing up

"All set?" She asked buttoning her peacoat ready to go

"Mmm" He nodded dropping a few bills on the table before following her out of the building

As they walked down the street he gave her a few more tips on the game, loving how serious she was about something he was also passionate about. Ema looked all around and was so in love with the décor it was so beautifully festive.

"I feel bad having you walk me back" She admitted softly looking up at him through her lashes

This look always seemed to get a blush out of him and she quite liked it. She had a feeling that while he was undeniably very attractive, he was lost when it came to how to respond to women. That made her feel a bit better and more confident in teasing him. He averted his eyes before he answered using the scenery as a welcome distraction.

"Just until we're close to the station. Don't let it bother you. It's dark already, after all. As a big brother, I could hardly abandon my underage little sister"

"I'm hardly little and about to be of age quite soon. I'm not as helpless as everyone seems to think" She answered back matter-of-factly and then she added on slyly "Nor am I as harmless"

He blanched and pondered over her statement. He had a feeling that was both a warning and an invitation. Deciding to tuck that away for a little later when they were alone once again he would delve deeper into just what she meant. Giving him a reprieve she tactfully changed the subject.

"I guess the city is in Christmas mode already" She grinned loving all the bright lights and beautifully crafted creations all around

"Yeah. Do you have plans?" He asked curiously

"No, not really" She answered honestly

If her dad wasn't around she usually spent Christmas with Iyumi who refused to leave her alone on the holiday but she wasn't so sure that she could do that this year. And she also had no idea if her brothers had anything planned either. This information bothered Natsume greatly and he felt the need to tell her so.

"Whoa, whoa, I don't want to hear such lonely words from a high school girl"

The more he kept referencing her being younger than him the more it irritated her. She would make him see her as a woman, she was not a child.

"Then, what about you Natsume-san?"

They had stopped walking and she turned to face him fully wanting to see his face as he answered though he looked nonplussed with the question.

"Come on. Christmas is when toy makers rake in their biggest profits. There's no way I can take off at a busy time like that"

Now who sounded lonely? Maybe she'd pay him a visit than. But she'd have to check with him to be sure.

"So that means you don't have any personal plans either?"

He smirked at her and with a tilt of the head that gave her goosebumps. He really was very attractive.

"Touche"

So she could pay him a visit. This was good news. Suddenly he looked concerned and it piqued her curiosity.

"Nani?"

"Do you always wear your hair up like that?"

"What?" She gripped the ponytail as a reflex and nodded "Oh, yes. I guess I kind of do"

"Hmmm. I see. Then..." He trailed off before suddenly wrapping his warm, knitted scarf around her neck

Oh this was nice. It smelled like him. Chocolate, lavender and fresh baked bread. He smelled like home and the scarf made her feel warm and fuzzy. But why suddenly give it to her? She wasn't exactly cold. He provided the perfect answer to her inner turmoil.

"It's a little early to call it a Christmas present, but I can't do anything for you on the day of so this is in lieu of that" He explained as he wrapped it snugly around her neck

She couldn't help but disagree. She had the perfect gift in mind that only he could give her but she didn't voice that aloud, she just allowed herself to be drawn into his bold stare marveling once again at those eyes of his. They were the same color as the twins but the shape being so different made him very unique from them.

"But..."

He cupped her cheek gently which she couldn't help but nuzzle into a little, before taking the trapped ponytail from beneath the scarf so that she could get all of its warmth.

"For my poor little sister with no plans" He hummed "From your poor big brother with no plans. Merry Christmas"

Her panties were officially wet. He was unbelievably, secretly a sweetie pie. She had a feeling that Natsume was a lot more lonely than he let on but his personality would never allow him to admit that aloud. He was rather adorable in his own way. Oh she was going to enjoy cracking the mystery that was Natsume. Gripping the lapels of his jacket she pulled him close and gave him a feather light kiss on the lips before releasing him with a wide grin on her face. He cleared his throat, once again blushing before placing his warm hand atop her head.

"Later. Can't afford to be catching any colds in this busy time" He smiled before walking off

Ema smiled back happily as she watched him walk away, her left hand holding the scarf at her neck gratefully. Yeah. He was adorable.

When she got back home Azusa was sitting outside in the courtyard seemingly waiting for someone. Had he been out here all this time waiting for Tsubaki to come home? Oh she hoped not. He could get sick and that would be detrimental to being accepted for such a big role.

"Asuza-san?" She called

"Oh, welcome back" He stood to greet her with a relieved smile before it dropped from his face just as fast as he looked towards the front doors

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just felt like it. I couldn't relax in my room"

He was lying and she knew it

"If you catch a cold it will affect your work" She stated her tone reflecting her disapproval

"I don't have any work that would have a problem with that"

Oh now he was pissing her off. Azusa was special and yet he seemed so content to always take a step back to be in Tsubaki's shadow and if what he just said held any weight he was truly wrestling with the decision on taking the role. Not good.

"But the new anime..." She started only to realize she wasn't supposed to know, slapping her hand to her mouth feeling like an idiot

"What? You heard from Natsume didn't you?"

"Um, well...I'm sorry"

"No, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm planning to turn down that role anyway"

Excuse me? Why in the world would he do that? Ema truly didn't like this at all.

"You heard didn't you? I can't do it"

"And you're just fine with that?" Ema snapped her temper slowly bubbling over which seemed to shock him "Even if it's for Tsubaki's sake...turning down a role in deference to someone else is.." She wanted to say stupid and cowardly but his face darkened in a way she'd never seen before

"Keep mouthing off and I'm going to get angry" He rumbled lowly "That role belongs to Tsubaki"

She really was trying to empathize but this was rubbing her all wrong, irregardless how hot he looked when he was pissed off.

"But..."

She got a flashback of her conversation with Natsume and it gave her courage to really speak her mind on the matter. Screw the consequences. This is what siblings were for! When the going gets tough you help them even when they don't want to help themselves.

"You were the one who was chosen Azusa-san. You must understand the significance of being chosen. Besides, I like your voice Azusa-san so..."

"That's enough!" He growled "No matter what anyone says that's the one role I can't do. I absolutely cannot do it. So I'm turning it down. I won't do it. Besides, once I turn it down, the role will..."

He turned away from her but she was not about to let him off that easy. Placing her hand on his shoulder to stop him from walking away from her she resolved herself. He had to listen. Even Tsubaki wouldn't like or agree to this if he knew!

"Even if you turn it down and Tsubaki were to be chosen..how do I put this? I kind of think Tsubaki wouldn't be happy"

Finally turning to face her she dropped her hand and held his fierce gaze.

"That's not true!"

"I wouldn't be happy!" The annoyed voice of Tsubaki shouted startling the both of them

Turning to face him, they watched as he emerged from the entrance

"Aw man. And here I spent the whole night awake, thinking about how to talk you into it. I was going to come out at the end and set you straight. My moment in the spotlight. But it's kind of like you took it all from me" He sighed

His demeanor quickly turned serious as he stepped to look Azusa in the eyes, face to face making sure he understood how strongly he felt about what he was going to say.

"Azusa, do it for me"

"What?"

"I don't want it to be anybody else. I'm your number one fan in the whole wide world, so I want to hear it. Will you let me hear that role in your voice, Azusa?"

"Tsubaki...All right" Azusa nodded, his twins' feelings reaching him

Ema couldn't help the happiness that bloomed in her heart as she watched the two embrace, understanding and respecting one another wholly. She was turning into such a perv as she once again wanted to get between them.

"Thanks Azusa"

Gently placing their foreheads together they both smiled happily, Azusa's eyes closed utterly content.

"I'll put on my best performance" He promised

"Damn straight" Tsubaki smirked holding Azusa's face in his hands

Ema didn't know if she wanted them to kiss each other or her. These two always arose complicated feelings within her when they were around her together.

"I wouldn't let you get away with a half-ass performance. Then let's pinky swear" He chuckled

Releasing his brother he stuck out his pinky and Ema was just exploding at this moment internally at the adorable action. Having siblings really was the best. When they locked pinkies it took all of her self control not to gush and scream like an annoying fan girl at the love she was witnessing.

"Come on, go call your manager right away. And get it settled okay?"

"Ok"

Azusa broke the hold first and set off to his room to handle it, now feeling as if the weight of the world was no longer on his shoulders. Ema was so pleased that he was taking the role too. He worked just as hard as Tsubaki and deserved it. When he disappeared from view Tsubaki turned to her with a half smile on his face and a raised brow.

"Hey. Come keep me company for my consolation party"

Oh this was bound to get interesting. He always did like to get her alone but she had a feeling he was hiding his disappointment so as not to hurt Azusa even further. She'd oblige him this time. Besides, what harm could he do outside? She followed him to the lake a little ways behind the house and stared out at the still, deep blue waters. This place was so beautifully serene she could understand why he came here for solace.

"Well, to be honest, am I disappointed? Sure. I was the one who first wanted to become a voice actor and I was supposed to have dragged Azusa into it, but somewhere along the way, he'd surpassed me. It's always been like that. Azusa's come out on top no matter what we did. Even though we're supposed to have been born from the same egg..." He explained somberly

Ema finally really understood why Azusa always deferred to Tsubaki...his guilt ran deeper than she could have possibly thought. You would truly have to know them, be around enough to see their vulnerability, have them allow you inside. This was something that was truly eating at the man and he had to be dealing with this internal struggle for so long all alone because people were not used to him being vulnerable, weak and open. She'd never been more attracted to him as she was in that moment. He was being raw with her.

"Seriously speaking, Azusa's the better actor. I can see it too. That's why they were right to decide the way they did. It's because I know that, that I feel disappointed" He explained his shoulders beginning to shake with emotion as he tried to contain his feelings

Ema could only softly whisper his name, enraptured with this private moment of weakness between them. But he suddenly turned upon hearing his name.

"By the way. There's something I want to ask you. Earlier you told Azusa that you like his voice, remember? Then, what about me?"

This wasn't some seething jealous rage, he was genuinely concerned about whether or not she found his voice and voice acting pleasing as well. He was worried. He had no reason to be but his insecurities poured through in his voice and all over his face.

"Of course, I like your voice too. I don't really know much about acting ability or anything, but it's not about who's better than who. I want you to stay true to you Tsubaki-kun" She answered honestly "Because there are sure to be roles that only you can play. So...Oh, I'm sorry! Talking big like-"

Before she could finish, her back was pinned to a tree with his arms around her as he kissed her into silence. And for the first time he was so gentle and tender with her. His left hand snaked up the nape of her neck, burying itself in her hair so that he could cradle the back of her head gently. His right arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he kissed her so tenderly, gently sucking on her bottom lip and twirling his tongue sensually against hers. She was so surprised but she melted against him, he was not at all aggressive but passionate and she could feel what he was trying to pour into her through this kiss. This was raw, pure passion and she wanted more. Fisting her fingers in his hair she could only kiss him back, matching his ardor because she did in fact like Tsubaki a lot and this felt like such a big step in where they had started. She moaned loudly in his mouth, uncaring that she was short of breath, whimpering when he pulled back finally breaking the kiss. She so wanted more of that. He stayed close, his forehead against hers, both of them panting softly.

"Gomen. But you know, for a depressed boy to get back on his feet, the thing he needs most is a kiss from his cute girl"

He embraced her once more and kissed her softly reveling in the way that she rolled her hips to try and get even closer, mewling loudly at his intensity. Just as she was pulling closer he broke the kiss again getting a small growl of annoyance from her. She was thoroughly enjoying this new closeness between them! He placed his lips at the shell of her ear, his voice darkening.

"By the way, it's been bothering me for a while now, but-"

"Nani" She breathed still rolling her hips against him

"Isn't this scarf men's wear?"

Oh shit. She totally forgot about Natsume's scarf.

"Not only that, but the design is pretty in line with my tastes too. It pisses me off" He admitted seriously

Oh she was not about to tell him that the scarf belonged to his triplet. That would be some serious punishment from him on her end and she was so not going to deal with that right now.

"Just a gift" She halfway explained

"Ah. Ok. Well, goodnight Imouto-chan. Let's keep this between us ne?" He winked giving her one last peck before heading towards the home

Ema sank to the ground and sat on her butt, her whole body was on fire and she was so turned on but she had so much to process. Today had been so many discoveries and she still had so much to do and set into motion. Her head was spinning and she needed to sit here for a minute to clear it out before going back into that house. Today was...good actually. But it was time to turn the tides and she was ready to try.