Chapter 109: Chapter 108 - Akari Wants To Grow Up

Akari Tachibana was done. This injustice has too long needed correction. Discrimination will not continue.

Future generations will remember this tragedy.

On the breakfast table, she slammed both hands down and said, "I am the oldest daughter."

There was a moment of silence. Daichi lowered his newspaper. Shizuka blinked. Aoi slowly looked up from her cup of tea, and Kuro looked confused. No one knew what to think.

That was to be expected.

Absolutely what was normal.

"I am the oldest daughter," Akari repeated.

"Okay," Kuro said back to her.

"Do you know what that means?"

"I have no idea."

"I knew you wouldn’t."

Akari pointed at Kuro dramatically.

"That’s what the problem is."

"What problem?"

"You are still treating me like a little kid."

Kuro blinked again and moved his gaze to Aoi. Aoi quickly moved her eyes away from Kuro. Aoi was a traitor.

"You are younger than me."

Akari froze.

Technically, yes.

But, unfortunately, correct as well.

It was also hard to argue against doing it.

"Age does not matter."

"It usually does."

"No, it does not!"

"Yes, it literally does."

Akari’s eye twitched.

That was the problem!

Everyone disrespected her as the oldest daughter.

Everyone disrespected her as a mature person.

Everyone disrespected her and her wisdom.

Most particularly Kuro.

Akari locked herself in her room that afternoon. Again!

Another bad sign.

Anytime Akari has locked herself in her room, with either one of two outcomes.

Either she had a plan in mind.

Or she was planning on doing something ridiculous.

Likely it was both.

Akari was at her desk , with both arms crossed across her chest, and staring out of the window dramatically.

It was obvious what her conclusion would be.

The world would not accept or recognize her maturity until she demonstrated it.

Thus she would show them all how wrong they were. Especially Kuro.

The mission has a formal name.

Operation:Mature Woman

Akari felt instantly validated by this name.

history would mention today.

Not in good way.

But still.

The next day, the operation began.

Step 1. Help out around the house.

Akari woke up

Before all of them.

This is unusual.

This gives me chills to think about.

Someone needs to check this out.

Shizuka went to the kitchen.

However, when Shizuka reached the kitchen, she froze.

Akari was already there.

She was wearing an apron.

She was making breakfast.

Silence.

"Akari?"

"Good morning."

Shizuka was in shock.

"Are you sick?"

Severe.

Emotional.

Spiritual.

"No."

"Should I call 911 or a doctor?"

"Mom!"

Akari has a tremendous amount of pain associated with this task but that didn’t stop her from continuing to create meals.

To the amazement of all.

Nothing exploded.

Nothing burned down.

No one died.

Food was even in an edible state.

Unbelievable.

That was unbelievable, and even Kuro was caught off-guard.

"Not to shabby."

Now Akari sat more erect.

Success.

Little success.

But success.

Step 2.Household duties.

Regularly bad things happened in this situation so it will be different today.

She will win today.

Laundry. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Laundry completed successfully.

No colors ruined.

No clothes ruined.

No crisis.

Shizuka almost cried with happiness!

Cleaning.

Cleaning also completed successfully.

The living room looks cleaner than normal.

Aoi even noticed!

"Interesting".

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I am impressed".

Akari quickly mentally makes note of Aoi complimenting her ;1

A historic accomplishment.

Step 3.Help Daichi.

Daichi usually spends all of his free weekend time doing paper work from work.

Akari used to try to avoid that room.

Paperwork is scary.

But she went into it willingly today.

Daichi immediately looks at her seeking suspicion.

"What do you want?"

"I want nothing".

The suspicion calculated.

"Are you sure?"

"YES".

"Should I be worried?"

"STOP ASKING ME THAT!"

Akari began to really help him out despite a rocky beginning.

Organizing.

Sorting papers.

Preparing reports.

Simple work.

But something useful.

Daichi sat quietly watching.

Eventually.

A small smile started to show.

"Thanks".

Akari froze.

That was unexpected.

It was dangerous.

Immediately, the weight of her heart lightened.

Operation Mature Woman successfully continues.

Step 4.Study.

The final challenge.

The final boss.

The natural enemy of Akari Tachibana.

Books.

Lots of books.

Far too many books.

Akari sat at her desk.

Opened her notes.

And began to study.

One hour passes.

Then another.

Then another.

Never before have we had this many times in history to engage in studies.

Akari consistently has chosen to keep on studying.

Aoi actually took her temperature.

Twice.

As the day continued to progress accidents continued to happen.

One success after another.

The family began to catch on.

There was an absence of the typical daily chaos.

There was an absence of the typical daily disasters.

There was an absence of the typical Akari foolishness.

This was very odd.

Very, very odd.

That night.

Kuro saw her studying in the living room.

Kuro almost dropped his drink when he caught that sight.

"You’ve been studying the whole day?".

Akari looked at him.

"Maybe.".

"And who are you?".

"Come on, you are kidding me.".

"No really.".

"Go away.".

Kuro chuckled, then he went and sat next to Akari.

For a moment both of them sat in complete silence.

There was no sound in the room.

All was quiet.

All was comfortable.

All was calm.

Then Kuro looked at the notebook on the table.

All of Akari’s chores completed.

Akari’s notes have been taken.

Akari followed her schedule.

Akari completed her studies.

Akari had everything prepared for her to do.

Kuro’s heart softened.

"You really put in a great deal of work the past couple of days.".

Silence.

Akari blinked.

The words were simple words.

Ordinary words.

Yet they were such.

They had a much bigger impact than I imagined.

Much larger than anyone could have anticipated.

Because they came from him.

Because he noticed; for the first time.

He noticed.

Kuro smiled.

"You did an amazing job.".

Critical hit.

Direct emotional damage.

A massive amount of damage.

Akari immediately set her eyes away from his line of vision.

Hiding her facial expression.

And not hiding it well.

The compliment felt warm.

Too warm.

Hot.

For a brief second.

All the frustration Akari had, just disappeared.

The efforts Akari put in were worth it because Kuro noticed them. It didn’t matter that she was only able to succeed in performing well or that she looked mature or acted perfectly.

The fact that she had gotten noticed was what mattered to her. This realization happened quickly and made a significant difference for Akari and Kuro.

For weeks, Akari had been striving to be perfect, mature, impressive, and someone different than who she was; but ultimately, she didn’t want to be perfect, mature, or any other type of idealized person.

The simple truth is that she wanted Kuro to see the "real" Akari.

She wanted him to see the loud, annoying, chaotic girl that caused the biggest problems; the girl who laughed too much, who never gave up, and who was just as she was at the end of the day... not looking for approval, perfection, or maturity, but just wanting Kuro to notice her.

Finally, for the first time in her life, Kuro had noticed her, making Akari smile. It was a tiny smile; however, it was genuine, and Kuro recognized that immediately.

"There she is."

Akari blinked.

"What are you talking about?"

"The regular Akari."

Akari was speechless.

Then, out of nowhere, Akari threw a pillow at Kuro.

"SHUT UP."

The throw was on target.

Kuro chuckled.

So did Akari.

Finally, after how long?

Everything felt back to normal.

Akari reminded herself of all that was accomplished and felt good about herself as she sat on the couch that night.

Akari had cooked , cleaned , studied, helped her parents obtained praise from Kuro

Therefore, today had been a big positive!

But now Aoi had arrived to ruin it for her.

"You are happy," Aoi stated.

Akari quickly sat up straight.

"I am always happy."

"No," Aoi persisted.

Aoi continued to eat her bowl of soup while Akari narrowed her eyes at her.

"You seem happier now than usual," Aoi stated.

Akari continued to glare at her.

"What does that mean?"

"Your face looks like an excited dog who gets a treat."

Silence.

Akari’s left eye twitched.

"That is rude."

"And true."

"There is a difference."

"Not for me."

Akari grabbed a pillow and placed it over her face.

Meanwhile Aoi continued to drink her tea.

There was no fear.

Aois continued her righteous self-assuredness in the face of Akari’s increasing frustration.

"Oh."

Aoi continued to look at her.

"You caught the attention of Kuro."

Akari was now frozen.

Danger . . . or was there?

"Maybe."

"You have been smiling for 3 hours!"

"I have not."

"yes you have."

Akari pointed.

"You are only jealous of me."

Aoi blinked.

"Jealous of you?"

Silence.

Counterpoint was delivered.

Akari suffered significant injury.

"You know," Aoi continued, "you have actually made me proud today."

Akari was in shock.

"Wait a minute, are you serious?"

"No," was Aoi’s response.

At this point Akari hesitated.

"Are you feeling ill?"

Aoi sighed.

"Right now, I regret giving you a compliment."

Akari grinned broadly.

"I knew that!"

"Know what?"

"You like me."

"I’ve never said that before."

"You’re suggesting that you have."

"I certainly did not suggest that."

"You did suggest that."

Aoi rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration.

The sisters stared at one another.

Then, they both turned their heads in opposite directions.

Neither one was willing to give in.

Aoi spoke very softly.

"Nevertheless."

Akari glanced back at Aoi.

"You put in a tremendous effort today."

The atmosphere in the room was tense with tension.

For once, no one was joking around.

No one was joking about anything.

Only truth was spoken.

Akari was embarrassed and rubbed the side of her face.

"...Thanks for that."

Aoi nodded her head.

Then she ruined the moment.

"But don’t let it get all big-headed."

Akari threw the sofa cushion.

Aoi caught the cushion with ease.

And so began the second part of the sister’s feud.

Just like always.