Cupids

*Yuki*

I can�t remember the last time Asuka went out on a date. She�s always taking care of me. That worries about. She is about thirty and still single. (It�s an old-fashioned belief, but I�m still worried.) I really want to hook her up with someone. Yet, I can�t really do this alone. I watched her at the table one morning. It was then I put my plan into action.

�Nee-san,� I said. She didn�t look up from the cabinet.

�Hm?� she asked. I shifted a bit in my seat.

�What do you want in a guy?� I asked. She paused when I asked that.

�What do you mean?� she asked. I shrugged a bit.

�I mean what type of man do you like?� I asked. �Handsome? Funny? Nice?�

�You could say that,� she said. I looked at her interested now.

�Anything else?� I asked. Asuka turned around and looked at me.

�Why do you ask?� she asked.

�When was the last time you were on a date?� I asked. She blinked at me.

�In high school before mom and dad died,� Asuka said after she had to think about that one. �Why?�

�You just seem to be taking care of me all the time,� I said. �When do you ever get time for yourself?�

�And you want to know what kind of guy do I like because of it?� she asked. I nodded at her.

�Pretty much,� I said. Asuka frowned at me for a moment.

�I�m fine,� she said. �You just need to focus on school and growing up right.� I drew my mouth closed for a moment.

�Alright,� I said. She turned back to the cabinet.

*Asuka*

His question stirred something within me. I hadn�t been on a date in a long time. I just put sentimental things like romance and my personal future aside after our parents died. It had always been about what Yuki wanted or needed. However, he�s found someone else to take care of him. Maybe I should back up some and let him be for a while. Yet, what do I want? Should I even be thinking about dating right now?

*Yuki*

I think I have her attention now. Now to get some back-up with this plan. I met with Annette in front of the school that same morning. She gave me quite a curious look.

�What�s on your mind?� she asked. I walked up to her, smiling.

�I have a project for you,� I said.

�Okay�� she said. �What is it?� I flashed a grin at her.

�Want to play cupid with me?� I asked.

�With who?� Annette asked.

�My sister,� I replied. My dear friend�s eyes grew big in shock at that revelation.

�What?!?� she asked.

�Come on,� I insisted. �I really need your help with this.� She looked at me, still uneasy.

�Alright�� she said. �Do you even know what she wants in a man?� I just kind froze at that one.

�No�� I mumbled. Annette gave me a little smile out of pity.

�Why not come to me earlier?� she asked. I blinked at her.

�What?� I asked. She patted me on the shoulder.

�Just leave the details up to me,� Annette said. I felt myself smiling again. We walked to class together when the bell rang.

So, our plan got under way.

By the afternoon, Annette walked with me back home. I looked over at her.

�Are you sure this is okay?� I asked. �I mean, what about your grandma?� She nodded at me.

�She�s fine,� she said. �One of the other workers is with her right.� I gave her a small nod.

�Oh,� I said. �I see.�

�They�ll call me if there are problems,� she went on.

�Alright,� I said. We made it to my front door. I unlocked it and let Annette inside.

�We�re home!� I called out. I looked and saw a note taped to the wall. I took it down and read it to myself.

�Yuki, I will be back home late,� the note said. �Dinner�s already on the table.� I looked up at Annette.

�Nee-san�s not in right now,� I said. She turned around to me with a grin on her face.

�Perfect,� she said. I raised an eyebrow at her.

�What?� I asked. �What�s going on?� Annette grinned before grabbing onto my wrist. I looked around in shock.

�Annette!� I cried. �What are you doing?!?� She didn�t answer as we went up the stairs. We came to Asuka�s room. She put her hand to the doorknob. My eyes widened as I figured out what we were doing up here.

�Annette!� I wailed. �You can�t!� My dear friend turned to me.

�And why not?� she asked. I struggled to find the right words to respond.

�It�s Nee-san�s room!� I blurted out at last.

�I know,� Annette replied. �What better way to know what type of guy that she wants than to look in her room for the answers.�

�Yeah, but�� I said. My friend gave me a kind, little smile.

�You want your sister to be happy with a boyfriend, right?� she asked.

�Yeah�� I said. She leaned in close to my face, grinning.

�So,� she said. �What better place than to start in her room?� I didn�t have a real argument for that, but it�s Nee-san�s room. It just doesn�t feel right. I shrugged at her.

�Fine�� I mumbled. Annette patted me on the head.

�I knew you would come around,� she said. �Let�s get inside.� She pulled me along with her into Asuka�s room.

-Meanwhile-

*Asuka*

I think I have fallen in love!

Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow