Disclaimer: I have not K-On!'s legal papers as of the moment I posted this...

Silently Protecting

Chapter V: Someone to Look Out for Her

Satoshi Tainaka

"Nee-chan, when's Mio-nee-chan coming?" I called my sister who was in the kitchen. I swiftly took a potato chip from the table in front of me without stopping my game.

'C'mon you zombies, die!'

"She'll be here in a few minutes so turn that thing off will you?" she called back.

I didn't even pause, "In a minute!" I told her. I cursed silently when the Ustanak got a hold of me, "Dang it! Press x, press x, press x!"

I took another potato chip.

"Satoshi! Stop eating snacks, it's almost dinner!"

I flinched slightly at her call and turned to see if she were looking. When I saw she wasn't, I took another one and popped it into my mouth.

"Satoshi!"

"Alright, alright! Geez," I reverted my attention back to my game, only to find my character on another tight spot. I gritted my teeth as I focused all my attention—and skills—to kill the boss in the level.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon…"

Ding dong!

"Turn that off, Satoshi!" I heard Nee-chan's voice coming from a much closer proximity making me conclude she was in living room with me.

"Just let me finish this level!" I told her as I pushed the buttons of my controller. She made no response for a moment until the TV screen suddenly turned black. "Oh c'mon!"

"You can play it tomorrow when Mio's not here," Nee-chan said, setting the remote down on the table as I pouted. She shook her head at me as she gave me a what-am-I-gonna-do-with-you smile. She then ruffled my hair, "Cheer up. I'll co-op with you. Other players said that's a pretty difficult level."

I narrowed her eyes at her as I decided whether to take her offer, "Dibs on Jake."

She shook her head again, laughing once, as she began to stride towards the front door, "Sure. I'll take Sherry then."

I grinned at her reply and started to arrange my console.

"Good evening, Satoshi," Mio-nee-chan came in just when I was putting it away in the small cabinet under the TV.

"Ah, good evening, Mio-nee-chan. Will you be staying until lunch tomorrow?"

She shook her head, "We're meeting the rest of the Light Music Club tomorrow." She told me, putting her bag on the couch, "I came to see whether Ritsu has all the requirements for the passport."

"She already has the picture and the ID. The others, probably not though," I joked and we both knew that it was probably true.

"How rude, trash-talking me like that while I make your food!" Nee-chan came out with a pair of chopsticks in hand and putting her fists against her waist.

"It's not trash-talking if it's true," Mio-nee-chan replied.

Nee-chan let out an exaggerated dramatic gasp, putting a hand in front of her, "I can't believe you doubt me so much."

"Shouldn't I?"

They were silent for a moment, Nee-chan still in her previous pose as she tried to match Mio-nee-chan's challenging stare.

I fought a smile at their antics.

"…I already have my parent's consent, so ha!" Nee-chan announced in victory.

Mio-nee-chan wasn't too late in shooting her down, "You haven't even prepared half of what you need. Do you even have enough money for the fees?"

I stifled a laugh at Nee-chan's frozen expression. Slowly, she turned to Mio-nee-chan with a pleading gaze.

"I will not lend you money, Ritsu."

"Oh, c'mon, Mio!"

I outwardly laugh when they started another banter, Nee-chan trying to convince Mio-nee-chan to help her with the fees and Mio-nee-chan blatantly refusing.

Deciding that my sister probably had enough from Mio-nee-chan, I told her, "Nee-chan, weren't you cooking something?"

This made them stop, "Oh no! Our dinner!" Nee-chan cried before running towards the kitchen in full speed.

Mio-nee-chan was left with me, shaking her head, "Really, that Ritsu. She told me a few days ago that she already saved up enough money for it. I bet she just spent it on some game."

I suddenly frowned at Mio-nee-chan's words, remembering that two days ago, Nee-chan had lent me money so I could buy the new game I wanted when our parents disagreed to give my allowance in advanced. "Excuse me, Mio-nee-chan?" she turned to me as a sign the she acknowledged me, "How much did Nee-chan need for the fees?"

She seemed curious as to why I was asking but answered anyway, "A thousand yen."

"Oh," guilt suddenly filled my stomach and my frown deepened.

My reaction must've given Mio-nee-chan an idea of what really happened, and she smiled fondly as she shook her, "I see… really, that Ritsu."

I rubbed the back of my neck as I began to feel uneasy. I shouldn't be surprised Mio-nee-chan had easily figured me out. Because of Nee-chan, she knew me as if I were family to her, hence, my addressing her as nee-chan as well.

Again, she noticed my behavior and smiled at me, "Don't worry, Satoshi. I'll help your sister out. I see no reason not to, especially since she was merely being a good older sister."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Mio-nee-chan." I told her in a low voice.

She just shook her head and went to muss my hair like Nee-chan does, "It's no trouble at all, Satoshi. I've been her friend for so long. It's kind of a usual thing already."

I fought a smile at Mio-nee-chan's attempted joke, "I guess it is."

We laugh lightly at our own private joke. It was nice that Nee-chan have her as a friend—someone my sister could undoubtedly rely on.

"Hey, Mio-nee-chan?" she hummed in question as she looked at me, "Thank you for always taking care of Nee-chan." I told her, turning to the direction of our kitchen where my sister was, "She's always looking out for me that sometimes, she forgets about herself. I'm really thankful she has you," I turned back to her, "She really needs someone to rely on from time to time."

She smiled again, and mentally noted she's been doing that a lot. But then she shook her head, saying, "I don't think she needs me as much as I need her… but I promise you I'll help her as much as I can."

With our deal sealed, Nee-chan suddenly called, "Mio, Satoshi! Help me set the table, will ya? Dinner's ready!"

I grinned and Mio-nee-chan shook her head amusedly before we both made our way to the dining room.

I may not be old—or rather, mature—enough to take care of Nee-chan, but while I'm growing up, I know Mio-nee-chan would be there to fill the spot.

Author's Notes:

I did not proofread this so any mistakes you may find, please inform me so i could fix them XDD

Anyway, Azusa's chapter was such a disaster that i'm considering on just taking it out. I'll probably post another one with her but I was just really unsatisfied with how it went.

I'm informing my scarce readers of my plans to ask you whether it's okay with you or not :)) because once i remove it, it will be gone forever...

Thank you for reading and sorry for the late update! :DD