Alexei Dargunov | Yoshida Book Cafe

Elena finally served the full order at the table she waited on. Alexei had finally manage to make good of the canned tuna in the fridge for making pickled Tuna. It was nowhere near restaurant quality but it was certainly good enough to be served. There wasn't much traffic after the original occupants of the cafe left for various reasons. Toma was quick and efficient in putting things away properly and in order and they managed to shut food counter orderly.

Elena had done a good job in supporting Toma through the whole thing and at the end he was gracious enough to hand her a 5K yen tip that she had earned. Though it had been dubious at best since the one who left it hadn't ordered anything but Alexei's argument was snuffed seeing the happiness on his baby sister's face.

[hr]

They parted ways with Toma and went shopping for supplies for the week. Starting tomorrow the schools resumed which meant meal management and stockpile of ingredients on Alexei's part. He was going through the list of things he would be making for his sister as they walked absently towards the store. He seemed to be absorbed in mental management of the coming week even as they shopped. Elena had thought of breaking the silence but decided against it.

As they were walking home, she finally spoke after more than an hour of silence, [b][color=00a651]"I'm tired, Onii-chan."[/color][/b]

[b][color=ed1c24]"Huh!"[/color][/b]

[b][color=39b54a]"Carry me home."[/color][/b] she said drawing her arms in front of her. A pout appearing on her face. Piggy back rides had been a staple of her growing up. When she was small, she'd ride the back of Alexei for hours though he never complained.

[b][color=ed1c24]"Now! Are you sure?"[/color][/b]

[b][color=39b54a]"Yeah! I am very tired. Carry me."[/color][/b]

[b][color=ed1c24]"Won't you be made fun of if your friends see?"[/color][/b]

"[b][color=39b54a]I don't care.[/color][/b]" Alexei shrugged at her response and bent down next to her. She wrapped her hands around him and soon they began to move again. To Alexei who carried heavy beams and equipment almost daily. His sister didn't weigh more than a feather. But Elena's eyes were moistening a bit. She didn't know why she acted this way, why was she testing him but it seems her brother would never say no to her demands. She felt a pang of sadness as a few stray tears roll down her eyes.

[i]'I better grow up soon and marry.'[/i] she thought to herself, that was the only way to not burden her dear elder brother.

[hr]

[h3] Warakuma high [/h3]

The Golden Week was finally over and many good things had happened over the week to keep the classmates gossiping but Alexei was rather surprised to learn of another kidnapping. This time of a girl who was a known face among the kids here with him. She was some sort of idol. Alexei remained focused on the lessons that slowly passed by. The day was rather dull and dreary but he had remained in thought.

'[i]There has to be some relation.[/i]' The kidnappings had a few similarities but many differences. They all had involved people getting abducted and then left near their home. They also didn't have any physical injuries or mistreatment. All the kids had made a surprisingly fast recovery. Plus, they weren't target a particular sex. It was a bit dumbfounding. Alexei had thought of asking Matt about the circumstances of his disappearance but had decided against it.

In the end he had decided to just practice with his two friends at the gym. There was no drama club today, nor he had done the sketches for the manga strip he was planning, so it didn't seem like he had any pressing matters to address. Thus a tough practice would put his mind at ease. He practiced for a few hours before packing up and leaving for work. He dropped Inoue at her home asking her to be careful. He then went to work, there was a site he had to visit regarding faulty wiring.