The two rooms exploded with chaos, each echoing either the punching of fists against pillows or the desperate squeals of plush toys being squeezed for dear life.
After ten minutes of active aggressive display, the siblings finally retreated to their showers to refresh themselves and then dutifully began their homework.
The situation was no better on Ren's side either. When he returned home, he was greeted not by the warmth of the family but by a sink full of unwashed dishes, sticky with dried sauce stains.
Ren's mother was an English professor at the university, while his stepfather… well, he was a physical education teacher at the very same place.
Somehow, the physical and the english had met, sparked chemistry, and ended up married.
Ren's biological father had passed away when he was very young, leaving him with no real memories of those early days. His mother stayed single for years, until deciding to remarry five years ago. He still remembered that moment vividly, his stepfather introducing a daughter from his previous marriage.
A little girl in white gown peeked out from behind Mr. Tatsu's legs. Her blonde hair tied up in a twin pony on either side, missing two teeth at the front. Ren's very first thought upon seeing his step-sister was—a white bunny.
Honestly he didn't mind his mother's second marriage. Mr. Tatsu cares for both him and his mother, treating them very well. He even got along well with Rumi. She always trailed behind him like a little tail, sticking to him like glue.
He didn't know when everything changed. After he entered his eleventh grade, his little sister distanced herself from him. At first he thought it's a childish tantrum but soon realized it was more than that.
Now, they couldn't stand the sight of each other and constantly looked for ways to drag each other down.
Ren sighed and tied the apron around his waist. Heading to the kitchen he started washing the mountain of dishes piled inside the sink. A few minutes later he heard the front door creaking open.
Without the need to look, Ren could say who the person entered the house.
Rumi, his sister.
Tossing the bag carelessly to the side, Rumi slumped on the sofa. Her eyes instantly roamed around the house until it fell on her brother's back. A mocking smirk tugged at her lips.
"Yo… isn't this the great leader of Tea and Drama? What's he doing in the kitchen? Washing dishes?"
Ignoring her sister, Ren calmly wiped the last bowl and placed it neatly on the shelf. Untying the apron he turned to meet his sister.
"Tch…pity that the eyesight of a Coffee&Saccharine member is failing fast. Can't tell the obvious from the oblivious. Should I ask my mother to book you an appointment at the eye hospital, dear sister?" he quipped before walking toward the stairs.
Rumi's smirk dropped from her lips, her eyes narrowed as she called after him, "Don't be late for the fight. After you lose, I want you to clean my room spotless for two whole weeks."
Ren sneered faintly but gave her no reply. He simply climbed the stairs and disappeared into his room.
And the last two working days of school dragged on so slowly that Hari, the new transfer student, almost bled herself dry from boredom. She had hoped to witness another epic fight between the two rival groups of Koharu High, but to her utter disappointment, both the members of Tea & Drama and Coffee & Saccharine remained unusually quiet.
Other than the occasional glares and mocking bullshits, there were no fistfights or even a round of stone-paper-scissors for her entertainment. She had half-hoped they would at least play hand cricket this time.
"Sigh! Life without drama is like a pancake without honey," she slumped on her chair and stabbed her fork into the pork before bringing it to her mouth, chewing slowly like a cow.
When the bell rang, she hurriedly finished the last of her food and sprinted toward her class. Her mother had already given her an earful for being late once, and she didn't want another scolding. Times like these, she wished the wax inside her ears would grow thick enough to block out her mother's endless words of obedience.
......…..
Finally, Sunday arrived.
This is the day the two rivals of Koharu High agreed to meet to decide the winner of the fight. As decided previously, both the team members of T&D and C&S assembled in front of the small tea shop belonging to Mr. Hale, the old man from Hanemura Lane.
His tea and buns were famous all around the neighborhood, even corporate workers from two streets away would drive here just to sip his divine elixir.
The shop itself was nothing extravagant, just a modest little building with a tiled roof. The paint on the walls was worn-out, though not completely faded. Its rectangular windows were framed in plain wood carrying a quiet charm.
Small potted plants and trees lined the front, giving the place a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Hanging above the entrance was a big wooden plaque with the words "Hale Brews Tea" carved deep on the surface.
Every member from both gangs frowned in unison, their lips twitching simultaneously.
Because the quiet little shop of Hale was too quiet today. A heavy, round lock clamped the doors shut. And nailed to the signboard was another notice that mocked these brats who had chosen this place for their final showdown.
"Hale is brewing in silence today."