We, From The First
#04. Song and Nostalgia

It was late in the afternoon when they arrived home, and the house was still empty because both of Nico's parents were still in the office. Aira had started to get used to the situation after a week of being one of the residents in the house. For a moment he thought that Nico must have been lonely all along.

Nico brought Aira groceries, while Aira walked in front of him. Upon arriving at Aira's room, Nico placed Aira's groceries carefully on the table.

"Thank you, Nic." Aira muttered.

Nico smiled widely, then nodded. "Together."

Just as Nico was about to move out of Aira's room, Aira suddenly held him back for a while. "Yes, Nic. You like Pasta?"

Nico slightly tilted his head, still with a smile on his face, "emmm. I love all food, hehehe..." Answer Nico with a small ruckus at the end of his sentence.

Aira inevitably ended up chuckling as well hearing Nico's answer. "I saw there were ingredients in the fridge. I'll cook for you."

"Hmm can." Said Nico softly. Deep at the bottom of his heart, a feeling that he did not understand, was suddenly present and caused a warm spark there.

Then they both spent the rest of the day having a nice dinner together. Nico seems to like Aira's cooking, and occasionally teases Aira that while Nico is in the room, Aira secretly orders this food. Aira snorted half annoyed. When Aira was about to take Nico's plate, Nico held his hand. "Joking, Nanaaa..."

Aira suddenly froze. This is the first time Nico calls her Nana after all this time. Nico who had just realized his words also fell silent for a moment, then cleared his throat. The atmosphere returned awkward, and Aira pretended to be busy with her food. Nico who did not want this awkward atmosphere to continue finally said to Aira, "but seriously, this is you cooking yourself, right?"

This time Aira glanced sharply at Nico. Nico's laughter finally broke to see how adorable Aira was when she was upset.

...****...

Nico's attention was on Aira who was sitting by the pool playing a Ukulele. Interested in the scene, Nico approached Aira and sat down beside her. Nico recalls that when he was a child, he and Aira used to play Ukulele together. Although the Aira game was much better than Nico at that time, but at this time, Nico dared to boast that his game would be better than Aira.

"You still playing it?"

Aira turned her head to the side, and replied just by muttering, "hmm."

"Let's give it a shit."

Aira just handed the Ukulele to Nico. Nico received it with a look of a face that looked so happy. Watching that, Aira laughed without a sound. Maybe Aira didn't realize it, but ever since she moved in, and lived with Nico, her once lost cheer slowly returned. Nico, who was unconscious as well, had been uncovering the thick fog that had surrounded Aira over the past year, bit by bit.

"Don't you want this song?" Nico asked Aira while playing the Ukulele softly.

Aira seemed to think. He remembers, but he also doesn't remember. Nico started singing, and,

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray..."

"No targets?" Nico paused for a moment his singing.

This time, Aira seemed to smile after successfully recalling the song. Yes, when they were in Elementary School, they both liked to listen and sing the song. His late mother also often sang the song as a deliveryman Aira sleep first. For a moment, Aira felt that her longing feelings for her parents could be slightly treated by listening back to the song.

Nico continued, while Aira just kept looking at him.

"I'll always love you and make you happy,

If you will only say the same

But if you leave me and love–"

"Your game is better now. You used to suck." Said Aira suddenly who just managed to melt the atmosphere that had just frozen.

Aira gave a wry smile that was instantly countered with a cynical snort of Nico.

"You used to be a crybaby too. You're worse than me." Nico won't lose.

"Zinciput? Who used to cry and cry continues to complain to me because of being bullied by Class Brother?"

Checkmate! This time Nico could not dodge anymore. He also nodded quite hard. To cover up his embarrassment, he returned to playing his Ukulele.

"You're embarrassed, right? Aye, right?" Tempt Aira while tilting the position of his face in order to see the face of Nico who is as red as a tomato now.

Now Aira no longer held back her laughter. He laughed so loosely. While Nico decided not to say anything to avenge the girl's taunts. For Nico this is enough. He made Aira laugh again. There's nothing more important than that. And for the next, Nico will continue to keep Aira's laughter and smile.

...****...

The first week of living in the Nico family home, Aira slowly begins to find comfort. Both of Nico's parents really treated him like their own son. While from Nico's side, although at the beginning of Aira's arrival at this house, Nico had shown a rejection that finally made the situation between them a little awkward for a few days, now Aira can feel that Nico is comfortable around her. Nico no longer showed the awkward gait like before.

"Well, is the school all set?" Adryan asked Aira while they were having dinner together.

"Already, Om. Everything was ready," Aira glanced at Nico for a moment then continued, "Nico help Nana a lot."

Nico inevitably ended up raising his face as soon as he heard Aira say his name. He smiled at Aira.

"Later if there's a problem, or whatever it is at school, ask Nico for help. And yes, why do you two look awkward? When I was a kid, I stuck to each other." Regina said as she stared at Nico and Aira sitting side by side in turn.

Nico and Aira were both shocked. Confused how to answer. Realizing that the two children looked confused, Adryan again raised his voice.

"Yes, they are obviously awkward. They haven't seen each other for long enough. Not to mention yesterday, Nico had a problem."

Nico was embarrassed. Why else would his father bring up the matter anyway? But anyway, this is not the right position for Nico to dodge. He was wrong, and he admitted it.

After dinner, Aira is seen reading a novel on the balcony. Nico, who was about to enter his room next to Aira's, immediately abandoned his intentions and walked over to Aira.

"Ra, haven't slept? Tomorrow's first day of school, you know."

"In a minute, Nic." Answer Aira briefly.

The bewildered Nico has to say what's more, finally being stunned to return to his room, but Aira's call stops him.

"Nick!"

"Yes, Ra?"

"Does it matter if your friends know we're staying at home? What do I have to answer if there's something?"

Nico walked past Aira, and stood and leaned against the iron barrier of the balcony, in a position right in front of Aira. "You don't have to think about that, do you? I told my friends. And even though they were a bit sane, they were the type of temen one could work with, hahaha..." Nico ended his sentence with a laugh. Aira just smiled, and then lowered her head. Aira now felt her troubles had lessened.

"So you focus on the school. Don't think of anything else."

^^^To be Continued...^^^