Will she succeed today?
 
If one were to look in from the outside they would easily conclude ‘no, it’s futile’ judging by the look of complacent-hopelessness stitched across the blonde’s face; fully embroidered with knitted brows and a woven smile made to look more polite than honest.
 
‘But it’s such a simple task,’ one would think.
 
Perhaps it’s worth putting yourself into the other girl’s shoes, or rather, her pants. After all, trying to fish a wallet full of keys from safe-tight pockets after an eleven hour shift would be a pain, ‘in the ass,’ she might add.
 
Normally Lilly would have the courtesy to silence her giggles and open the door upon hearing Akira’s arrival. At times like this, however, she amuses herself with her sister’s grumbling about keys and doors.
 
With a cry of triumph, the older of the pair succeeds in her struggle, brow dampened with from the hot and humid air.
 
“Ah, welcome home, Akira,” a door opens, a dainty voice beckons from within.
 
Akira stands there frozen, eyes vacantly locked on the open space as she holds her keys in a winning stance. Lilly will never know if it was sweat or a stray tear that hit the ground.
 
“And not a moment too soon, huh?” she retorts in monotone, seeing right past the farciacl smile plastered on her sister’s face.
 
Akira glosses over Lilly briefly; still dressed in her conservative uniform, a white blouse fit with plaid skirt-overalls that always made Akira feel stuffy just by looking at it. On top of that lies a pink apron with faded stains hinting at tales best left untold in the kitchen, although it still manages to look inviting.
 
“Something smells good, whatchya cooking?” having forgotten her sister’s prank, she lets herself in, kicking both shoes off by the door.
 
“Just some leftover curry from yesterday, it seems like we’re running low on food again,” she explains with a hint of worry, following in suit behind her sister (followed by a suit, as Akira discards parts of her outfit with each step)
 
“Eh? I just went shopping yesterday, we should be fine.”
 
“I didn’t notice anything new in the cupboards.”
 
“,,,Aww nuts, I knew I forgot to put them away.” Akira places knuckle on her forehead, it should have become routine for her to make sure groceries are put away in the right places by now. Whilst Akira might be content to have a mosaic of expired foods and leftovers in her kitchen, she makes the effort to keep things organized so Lilly can find what she needs in her absence.
 
“It’s quite alright, work has been hard on you this week,” she clasps her hands in a hopeful manner, “how was your day? Any better?”
 
A weary sigh is her answer.
 
“Ah. Was Mr. Obata overworking you again?” she asks gingerly.
 
“Nah, today it was Ohba,” she groans, “Ohba, Obata, oh-just give me a break. I can’t be in three places at once.”
 
Making a crash landing for the couch, Akira’s back fully embraces the cushions that break her fall. Her eyes linger over to a cabinet on the far side of the room, a series of glass bottles of of translucent, red and amber liquids beckoning her.
 
“Say~ Lilly…”
 
“No,” a preemptive strike, Lilly know exactly what this pleading tone means.
 
“C’mooon, I’m not a minor anymore” the pout she pulls carries itself through her voice, however it does little to persuade.
 
“Dinner is nearly ready and you’ve just got back in,” Lilly chides, trying to imitate a motherly impression.
 
“What if we have one during dinner? I know you want a little too, let your big sis treat ya.”
 
Lilly let’s slip a contorted sigh, but smiles to herself. She knows Akira will wind up having her way, although she had managed to have her wait the night before, delaying her after-work drink two nights in a row would be a miracle.
 
“Please?”
 
Besides…
 
“Well, if you insist on sharing.”
 
There’s mutual benefit to be gained.
“But only when dinner is served, we’ll share a toast.” This is her way of feeling less guilty about being tempted.
 
“Y’know, I really should scold you for having double-standards about being a minor.” Akira’s pout hadn’t quite shaken off yet, but her thoughts were occupied on whether she wanted an Irish Coffee or Gin and tea. Lilly laughs off her sister’s jab and starts making her way towards the kitchen.
 
“I’ll get dinner ready, it should be done now.”
 
“No worries, I’ll get the table set up and help you get it out.”
 
Despite having a mostly western-styled house, the pair always had meals like most Japanese households, feeling more homely to them. Neither could handle the cold too well either, so the Kotatsu was welcome when winter came about.
 
-
 
Having settled around the table and left the TV on for some ambiance, Akira went about distributing their drinks. True to her word, the pair settled on tea mixed with a bit of gin, Lilly having only a small drop and Akira helping herself to a good amount before being interrupted by a curt cough from the girl sitting across from her.
 
“So, what do we toast to?” Akira asks, glass preemptively raised.
 
“We had a pre-graduation party at school today. I thought it’d be nice if we could celebrate with cake.” she smiles fondly at the memory
 
“Oh, issat so? Have the girls been giving you gifts again?” a cheeky smirk makes its way across Akira’s face, wondering if her sister’s face could become even more flushed after taking a drink.
 
“Nothing of the sort, just some leftover cake from class,” she waves her hands to dispel her sister’s thoughts, evidently not having forgotten the curious amount of chocolates she received on Christmas… Then Valentines… Then Easter.
 
“Alrighty then, if ya say so,” she says with a carefree grin, “a toast then, to ‘I’m gonna get outta these stuffy clothes soon’ day”
 
The pair share a bout of laughter and take a sip of their tea. Lilly sighs contently, her day was busy in its own way, keeping up with talks of the future and the group activities hosted for fun. The gin adds a kick to the warmth spreading throughout her body, confirming Akira’s suspicions of rosier cheeks.
 
“Speaking of gifts, how did Mr. Izuka like the book ya got?” a wolfish grin spreads across Akira’s face, seeing her sister get more worked up over it.
 
“E-eh? Pardon?” Lilly attempts to feign ignorance, but her heightened eyebrows belie her.
 
“Ah, c’mon, it written all over your face when you talked about him before,” Lilly absentmindedly brings a hand to her face, “I saw you looking at that book on the drive to school. No bumps or anythin’ and you couldn’t stop smiling when you held it.”
 
The younger Satou clears her throat to regain her composure, quite shocked that Akira had been able to pick up her feelings from the few times she’s mentioned him.
 
“Mm, I believe he liked it,” she responds fondly, “but it was just a thank you gift, nothing more. He’s my teacher, anything else would be… inappropriate.”
 
“It would’ve been, but that can’t stop you from being his favorite pupil,” she concludes, taking another swig of her drink. A fuzzy feeling causes Lilly to blush at the thought, being teacher’s pet wasn’t a bad thing for a change, even though she would like think there was more to it than that, part of why she respected him was his professional attitude.
 
“My my Akira, our dinner’s going to get cold if you spend all night teasing me,” she scolds with good cheer in her voice as she reaches for her own meal.
 
 
The rest of their meal goes by without incident, keeping the banter down and catching up on their day whilst drowning out the television, making the efforts of the actors that try so desperately to get television acclaim rendered useless.
 
A faint buzzing noise is brought to Lilly’s attention, Akira let’s out a small groan, flipping open her phone and looking through her messages.
 
“Is it work?”
 
“Nah, it’s Shizune. She’s been nagging at me all day about getting the rest of the forms for that high school sorted for ya,” although nagging isn’t quite the word for it, she thought to herself, considering each text was addressed like a direct order, “you know how she can be.”
 
“Ah, that’s right, how has Shizune been? Are her forms all filled out?” Lilly perks up with curiosity at the mention of her cousin.
 
“Yup, filled them out herself. Even if uncle Jiggy had the time, she would do it her own way just so she had work to do,” Akira chuckles to herself, putting the phone away.
 
“That’s just her way of showing she’s eager, we’ll be able to attend the same high school, so I’m sure she’s excited,” Lilly offers a gentle smile, although her eyebrows furrow, “I hear she’s going to be staying at the dorms though. I’m wondering if I should consider the same…”
 
Lilly’s vacant gaze doesn’t slip by Akira. She’s right, Yamaku is further away than her current school, but it’s not like Akira hasn’t been considering how to handle it. Her carefree attitude hides how much thought she’s put into Lilly’s education. Although Yamaku was Shizune’s idea in the end.
 
“Relax about it, Lils, there’s no need for you to head into a dorm. I thought it out, I’ll still be able to drop ya off in the morning,” a frown crosses her features, “although, manager was an ass about changing my break to pick you up, ya might have to spend an hour in the library before I can get to you.”
 
Lilly’s overcast gaze vanishes in an instant as she holds her hands in a hopeful manner, although she would be fine with staying in a dorm, a part of her is still anxious about not being able to see her sister as often.
 
“Truly? If it’s no hassle…”
 
Akira reaches over and tussles Lilly’s hair, a comforting smile plastered on her face.
 
“It’s absolutely fine, promise.”
 
Normally Lilly would pout from being treated, but the mixture of Gin and joyful news has left her feeling a bit childish.
 
“Right, I think I’m gonna hit the hay. Completely bushed from today. I can have a lie-in for once too, I tell ya Sundays never last long enough.” Akira makes her way up towards her room, although a light tug on her sleeve stops her in her tracks, “Lils?”
 
“Mind if we share tonight?” putting on her sweetest smile, Akira can’t but see her as a little kid again at the moment.
 
“Aren’t you a bit old to be sharing a bed with your sister?”
 
The scowl which ensues preemptively convinces Akira to stop teasing.
 
“Alright, alright. Just for tonight though, don’t blame me if I hit you in my sleep.”
 
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”