#kazuki freaks out every time he catches it happening

[frostleni]

[kohakuhime]

The Reluctant Guardian, Ch. 4

Now that the prologue is out of the way, time for a tense change! Also thank you for being patient about this update, as I’ve had debilitating headaches virtually every day this week.

This takes place post series. Kazuo and Michael are owned by @mpuzzlegirl; Rowen, the twins, and Sylvie are owned by me; and YGO and its associated characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi.

                                           +++++++++++++++++++

Rowen was cooking breakfast when he heard the house phone start to ring. He reached for it, and after a quick glance at the caller ID he put the device on speaker. “Hey Michael,” he greeted, flipping another pancake.

“Hay’s for horses, Ro.”

Rowen snorted in laughter. “Hardy har,” he said wryly, placing the phone on the counter.

“I was wondering…are you busy today?”

He frowned when the pancake did not fully flip and reached for the spatula. “Not really, but I can’t leave home,” he replied slowly, scowling as the uncooperative food continued to defy him. “Sylvie’s sick.”

Rowen wasn’t about to leave home with his little sister ill. It was a given, especially considering…well. Besides, his grandparents returned to their own home for the day to check on things. They had taken turns between the two homes, since their own house was almost four hours away. There was already talk about Rowen and Sylvie moving out to their grandparent’s home, but there  was not anything definite that Rowen had heard.

He…he didn’t know how to feel about that yet.

There was a sympathetic hiss on the other end of the phone. “I didn’t know the little fey had a cold.”

“Sprang up overnight,” Rowen replied, tuning back into the conversation. He finally gave up and scooped the folded cake onto a plate. “There’s been a bug going around at her school. She must have caught it there.”

“Ahh…poor kid.”

“You can come over here if you want to, Michael,” Rowen added hastily. “No harm in that.”

“It’s okay, Rowen. I was hoping for a ride to the mall. I wanted to go to the used movie shop there ‘cause I’m trying to find this one flick…ever hear of ‘Dear Santa, I Can Explain’?”

Rowen poured the batter for another pancake into the skillet. The name was incredibly familiar, he felt, and after a moment he placed it. “Is that one of Aunt Carmon’s movies?”

“Yeah. I was hoping to find it.” A pause. “It’s supposedly the only time Dad ever appeared in one of Mama’s movies.”

Rowen’s eyes squeezed shut and his head bowed. “Ah.”

“Yeah. I, uh…Dad was always camera shy, and Mama was the only one outside of Uncle Valon who had any videos of him, and…well, I wanted to see him in it.”

He flipped another pancake, feeling only partially pleased that this one behaved better than the first one. “Is it online anywhere?”

“I’ve tried, but I couldn’t find any clips online and the movie’s ridiculously expensive…it’s like three hundred bucks on eBay. Three hundred, Ro! Why is it that much for one movie?”

“Aunt Carmon was a quality actress, and coupled with your dad it had to be a good one. I’m not that surprised,” Rowen said. He propped himself on an elbow, a rueful smile on his face. “If you want I could see if I could—“

“No, Ro. Stay with Sylvie. It’s fine, really. I can ask Kazuo and Aunt Isabel, or I can check in with the twins and Sorta-Uncle Joey.”

Rowen actually laughed at that. The twin’s uncle had coined the term, “Sorta-Niece and Nephews” when it had come to Rowen, Sylvie, and Michael, and in turn he had gained the title of “Sorta-Uncle.” “I think they’re busy today, but it doesn’t hurt to check. I know the twins have been fairly stir crazy and might appreciate the chance to go out.”

There was another long pause, and then Michael sighed. “How have you been, Rowen?”

Rowen paused, his hands stilling. He knew there was another question hidden in the one just asked. He walked over to the fridge and pulled out the strawberries, trying to think of the best way to answer it. “I’ve been fair, mostly fine,” he tried gamely at last, when he was within earshot of the phone.

“…Freaked out, insecure, nauseous, emotional?”

Rowen shook his head. “That about sums it up,” he replied. He tried to think of what to say next—the topic was too painful to really touch on, even after nearly two months. “It’s…getting easier, y’know? I’m not…it’s the first week I’ve had where I don’t call for Mama and Papan when I come back home.”

He didn’t know how to fully express the cocktail of emotions that he’s felt since the night his parents died. He had not tried to delve into those thoughts, either—he was afraid of what would happen if he did, and there were too many people who needed him to stay strong.

“…yeah…” Michael sounded distant. There was one last long silence, and then Michael’s throat cleared. “Anyways, Rowen, I’ve gotta get going. The mall’s open, so—“

“I get you, Michael. See you ‘round.”

“Yeah. Say hi to everyone for me.”

Rowen eyed the now silent phone thoughtfully, then glanced to the plate. Sylvie’s breakfast was finished, sans syrup and cut up strawberries. He had enough time to make a quick call to the video shop in the mall. He felt guilty that he couldn’t go with Michael, but maybe he could find a way to make it up to his cousin.

He was putting the eggs back in the fridge when his eyes went to the photo hanging on the fridge and he paused.

It was from his mother’s Polaroid camera, but his father had longer arms to take a self-portrait. The picture itself was crooked, the photo slightly faded, and his parents were younger in this one. Still, his mother’s warm smile, and the subtle but genuine one his father was giving, was enough for Rowen to gain a bittersweet smile of his own.

He rested his hand on the photograph, feeling a lump rise in his throat, and for a moment his vision misted.

“Michael says hi,” he offered softly, his voice wavering.

                                      +++++++++++++++++++

“Sora, that’s not right—“

“—course it is, Claire, look, I’m hitting the square button—“

“—but you’re going the wrong—“

A dying scream from the television sounded as the hero was devoured by a four-headed dragon summoned by their opponent, followed by an obnoxiously flashing Game Over screen.

“Told you,” sighed Claire, biting into the Pop Tart. “You shouldf gone de ofver wah.”

Sora turned to look up at his twin, a lopsided grin on his face. “Sorry, don’t speak Poptart-in-Mouth, sis,” he chirped brightly.

“Claire, swallow your food!” Mai called irritably. She had one foot out the door when she had heard Sora’s comment. “I am not performing the Heimlich again this morning!”

The twins knew the exasperated again was directed at the closed master bedroom door. With the promise of a new Duel Monsters tournament coming to town and sign-ups opening today, Joey was eager to get going—even so eager as to wolf down his food and nearly choke on it. Risa had already left for the day to hang out with friends (though judging by her outfit and make-up she was likely going on a date), and Mai was on her way to teach her first self-defense class of the morning.

About five minutes after their aunt had left, the bedroom door opened and Joey stepped out in jeans and a t-shirt. “So what are you rascals up to?” he asked, strapping on his Duel Disk. “Any plans?

They both beamed up at him. “We’re staying here today!” Sora announced brightly.

“We just got Anima Virtue 5—“

“—we have a pillow, blanket, and Pop Tart fort—“

“And we won’t leave for anything,” they finished together, holding up their remotes in emphasis.

Their uncle raised his eyebrows. “Aren’t you going to try and visit friends? Blow something up? Make another failed attempt at a fork…thing-a-mah-jig?”

“Can’t,” Claire said idly, opening another package of Pop Tarts. “Sylv is sick, so Ro can’t come over. Michael’s doing stuff with his cousin ‘n’ we don’t really feel like going to the mall.”

“Risa’s meeting friends at the amusement park — ”

“ — we can’t drive anywhere, so that rules out that option. Oh, and Aunt Mai banned us from the kitchen after the Fork Frisbee Fiasco. Sooo…yeah,” Claire finished as she bites into the pastry. She swallowed and patted the sofa cushion she was sitting on. “We’re here today.”

Joey eyed them with a good degree of suspicion but shrugged on his jacket. “You’re sure you’re okay all day on your own?”

Sora clutched his heart, looking physically pained. “Why good sir,” he responded, sounding offended. “We���re never on our own.”

“Perish the thought!”

“The horror!”

“The agony!”

“The burned-bacon terror—“

“All right, monkeys, I get it!” their uncle cut over them, a bark of laughter in his voice. “Rules?”

Both of them straightened in their seats. “No one in, no one out. Don’t answer the door, don’t answer the phone, don’t order out for pizza. Don’t go to the kitchen and experiment with the vinegar, cilantro, and Mentos. No cooking. If you have fireworks at least take them outside,” they recite in near unison.

“And if you’re caught with them?”

“Deny, distract, run.”

Their uncle gained a bittersweet smile and shook his head at that last one. The twins smiles faltered as well.

Their last sentence had been something their father used to say all the time when it came to firework-related mayhem.

“All right, I’ll be back later,” Joey said gruffly. He paused, then looked back at them. “Sora? Claire?”

The twins looked over at him, near identical questioning looks on their faces. “Yeah?” Sora asked.

Joey gave them an unreadable expression, then shook his head. “Don’t spend all day cooped up in here, all right? If you wanna go out, just message me or your aunt,” he said at last. “I won’t be gone that long to register for the tournament, so when I get back we can go catch a movie or something.”

Sora and Claire saluted, then returned their attention to the game. Joey watched them a while longer before he left, and the twins didn’t turn as he stepped outside the front door.

Truth be told, they were bored to pieces and restless. The apartment was good for three people, not five, and at times it was downright stifling to be in the apartment. They had thought about meeting up with Michael at the mall when he had texted, or maybe even trying to sneak out to their workshop later. They missed their projects and their inventions, and to be fair it would do them good to get out.

But today, they simply didn’t have the energy to go anywhere. Sora was burned out emotionally, and Claire wasn’t much better herself—socializing with other people was not on their priority list today. Besides, even if they went to their workshop neither could stomach being there long. There were a couple projects at their shop that were too painful to look at. Projects they had been working on to make their dad’s job easier, things made for their mother to help her with work…and Claire didn’t want to see it. Neither did Sora.

They didn’t want to deal with it—not yet.

Sometime later, Sora got to the next stage boss. They simultaneously flinched at the sound of their cockney-accented opponent, and wordlessly Claire hit the mute button on the remote.

                                            +++++++++++++++++++

“Thanks for going with me to the mall, Kazuo,” Michael said gratefully as they moved into the building.

Kazuo grinned and flashed a thumbs up. “Well yeah, of course!” he replied warmly. “I wanted to shop around anyways and this is the perfect opportunity!”

Kazuo had been delighted to hear his cousin actually wanting to leave the house. Michael couldn’t blame him—after staying relatively cooped up, leaving was a rare but welcome change of pace. Michael had initially feared about publicity surrounding his mother’s death, but after some rather choice words from Noa, they’d largely left Michael alone. His uncle was not as prominent a Kaiba, but a Kaiba he was and his word had clout.

It had been even easier to get his aunt to drive them over to the mall, as she had errands to run. They wouldn’t be in the mall long, maybe two hours at most. His godfather was coming in later that afternoon, and Mikomi had a violin recital later that night—Kazuo never missed his sister’s recitals.

Michael made a mental note to record the recital for Sylvie, since the little girl loved listening to Mikomi play. He was certain that, if she hadn’t been sick, Rowen would have brought her over for the recital.

“So, Michael,” Kazuo asked, half jogging to catch up to his cousin. “What’s our first stop?”

“The used video shop,” he replied, already reaching the escalators. “I’m looking for a movie.”

“Oh? Which one? Is it something to watch with the family?”

“Dear Santa, I Can Explain.”

His cousin’s expression softened as he realized what the movie was. “One of Aunt Carmon’s films? Do we own that one?”

“Not that I’ve seen,” Michael responded absently, catching sight of the shop. He weaved through the crowd, Kazuo close behind. “Tio T said he had a copy of it and that he would be bringing it, but he isn’t going to be in town until this afternoon. Besides, I want to own a copy of it, not rely on borrowing it all the time.”

Kazuo nodded, his features clouded. “I can understand that,” he sighed softly.

As they entered the shop he clapped his hands, an effort of forced cheer. “So it’s a Christmas movie and it aired on Hallmark—the best one by far that they’ve shown, in my opinion. I’ll look in that part of the store.”

Michael had already started browsing shelves, starting at the front and working backwards. Although his mother had been a prominent actress, this movie had seemed to be a lesser known work. He didn’t have much hope of finding it, but he had to give it a try. He had already called all the other shops in town and no one had it. He hadn’t called the mall, though—he was too afraid of getting another dead end.

Soon enough, however, Michael became aware of eyes on him and he looked towards the counter. The employee standing there caught his eye, the taller man offering a small wave. Michael made his way over to him and caught sight of the name tag. “Can I help you, Dave?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to stare!” Dave stuttered. “I, uh, I was thinkin’ you might be the kid who called earlier.”

Michael offered a puzzled frown. “What? What call?”

“You called me earlier, right? You were asking about that Christmas movie starring Carmon Corazón? Dear Santa—“

“—I Can Explain,” Michael finished the same time Dave did. His voice was practically breathless and he started to grin. “Do you have it?”

“Yep! You’re in luck, because it’s the last copy. Pulled it off the shelf right after you called,” Dave said, pulling out a DVD. Michael held himself back with considerable difficulty, but it was hard not to snatch the movie out of the man’s hands. “You said to keep an eye out for you, ‘cause you had bright red hair. That’s why I was staring when you came in.”

“But I never…” Michael trailed off as he realized what had happened. He smiled as he took the video. I’m going to have to thank Rowen later.

Kazuo came back over while Michael was checking out. He waited until he was done and followed his cousin out of the store. “You found it then?” he asked. Kazuo pulled the DVD out to study it, and his eyes lit up once he saw the cover. “Michael, your dad’s on here!”

“What?” Michael asked, feeling a jolt of excitement. He leaned over to study the case for himself, and then felt himself starting to smile.

Sure enough, there were his parents. His mother was in the center, decked out in a red Santa-style dress and hat. She had a sheepish smile and was shrugging, as if to say oops. In the right corner, not as large as Carmon’s picture but still fairly prominent, was a black-haired man. His arms were crossed but relaxed, a small smirk on his face. But Michael recognized his father’s features even with the wig on—there was no mistaking the familiar gray eyes.

His heart clenched and he felt his eyes start to burn. He hadn’t looked at a picture of his parents since that night, and to see them again after nearly two months of avoiding pictures…

A hand gripped his shoulder comfortingly and Michael looked up at his cousin. “Come on,” Kazuo said gently, steering them into the heart of the mall. “We’ll watch the movie after Komi’s recital. I’ll bet everyone would want to watch it, ‘specially if Uncle Alister’s in it too.”

Michael wiped his eyes and put the movie back in the bag. “Yeah…thanks, Kazuo.”

“…Anytime.”

                                      +++++++++++++++++++

It was almost too easy to step into the house.

He didn’t have much left to him, but he had enough to get himself here and to keep himself out of sight. Getting inside the house was child’s play as well. Granted, it was because he had a fair guess of where the spare key was hidden—he’d known the man who’d hidden it.

He padded softly inside, keeping to the carpet as much as he could. It was…oddly quiet, he felt. An unnatural hush seemed to hang over the entire household. He could hear voices upstairs, but they weren’t very loud. Even with the voices he could hear, though, he still felt the heavy atmosphere and it still felt…muted.

He had felt this kind of silence before, when a house was in mourning.

When he had first arrived in the city, he had gotten the news about their deaths. He could hardly believe the news when he had finally heard it, but a part of him had been at least mildly hopeful that it had been exaggerated. It was why he had come here first, even before starting to investigate the real reason he had come back to the city.

But now that he was here, standing in the too silent house…it was undeniable at this point. They were gone.

He wandered into the family room, eyes going to the mantle. There were photographs here, framed either in silver or wooden frames. Here were faces he recognized and some he did not know, and his heart felt oddly heavy at the sight of the photos. They had families…he hadn’t realized he had been gone long enough for them to have families. He felt that he had blinked and missed it.

Of course, it was nothing new. Time always seemed to fly for him.

He turned away from the mantle, silently moving through the rest of the downstairs cautiously. He knew better than to be seen and he was taking a huge risk in coming here, but he had to make sure of what he was looking for. The recent deaths had not been the only reason he had returned—something else had drawn him to the city, and he had to be sure it hadn’t made it to this house.

He did not find anything out of the ordinary at the end of his search. The rest of the city was covered in a quiet but ominous aura, something that even as faint as it was he recognized instantly. Thankfully, the tainted aura had not seemed to make it to this house.

He paused as he passed a piece of scrap paper sitting nearby the empty phone cradle. Contact information was written on the scrap, with a phone number and a brief note for someone named “Sylvie.” He didn’t know who that was, but the name written beside the phone number did catch his attention—at least, the surname did. He pocketed the paper, deciding it could come in handy later.

There was the sound of creaking floorboards from upstairs, and he had enough time to step into an empty doorway before footsteps started on the stairs. Then a teenager holding an empty plate stepped briefly into view before disappearing into the family room, presumably on his way to the kitchen. He felt something odd in his chest as he watched the boy step out of view.

Even as brief a glimpse as it was, there was no denying whose child the teenager was.

He waited until the boy had passed before silently striding to the front door. For now, he decided he wouldn’t intrude or interfere with the children. They had no reason to be involved in anything he was looking into, since not one of them even knew who he was.

Not yet, anyways, he thought darkly as he stepped outside. Who knew how long that would remain, given what was possibly at stake. He pulled his cloak more firmly about his shoulders.

As he closed the door, his eyes moved to the black car parked at the entrance to the neighborhood. It had been there when he had first arrived, though the drivers in the car could not see him.

Magic, even as limited as it was to him, had its perks.

His eyes narrowed at the parked vehicle. He had to search the city, but perhaps he would stay nearby for a while longer — just to be sure that there was no threat in that car.

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[kenbinru]

I Can’t Believe I Have the Girlfriend of My Dreams! (An Unromantic Love Comedy LN) Chapter 9

Chapter 9

 I sneak inside the building as quietly as possible. It looks like the gang just left, but they could come back any second. There was a slight smoke emitted from the ash tray on the box.

They must have left recently…

I see Felix still trapped in his cage, but he doesn’t shriek at me like he did earlier.

It must be because he recognizes me or something?

I was more of a dog person to be honest. But this poor kitty cat needed to be rescued. I grab the cage and open the small door to let Felix out. Felix struggled a bit to get out of the small door, but he barely manages to escape the cage.  Before I can pick him up, he runs off!

“Wait! I’m supposed to be rescuing you!”

Dumb cat just ran off!

As I run out to catch up to Felix near the entrance, I hear noises. Suddenly I take cover behind some boxes. I hear a car stopping outside in front of the entrance of the building. There were voices outside the building, and I can hear them clearly.

“Boss, I’m sure the cat is fine, after all, he was heavy for a cat. It felt like I was lifting bag of rocks!”

It was unmistakable that it was the three guys from earlier. Only problem that they were in front of the only entrance and exit out of this place; the other exit was blocked by some rubble.

Aw crap!

I hide behind a big box, and peek out enough to notice that they had a bag of cat food. If it was awfully generous of them since they bought the premium organic cat food. They dropped it when one of them noticed that Felix escaped his cage.

“Boss look! Someone let the cat out of the bag!” The man in white tiger striped suit hit his punny minion.

“Sorry, I always wanted to say that Boss…” The man in the white tiger stripped suit was furious.

“FIND IT!!! They’re probably still here…” I notice that they all start cracking their fists, with the man in the white tiger stripped suit brandishing a small flashlight.

They started roaming around the box scattered area, and start getting closer and closer to my position.  

 I’m screwed. There’s no way that I could fight off three of these guys, especially if they had weapons.

Somebody save me! Help! Anyone!

I’m trying my best to calm down my breathing and think. I have to make a run for it towards the entrance. The man in the white tiger stripped suit was looking the opposite way from me, making it the best chance to escape. Suddenly, a distinct ringing of a bell is heard.

Felix!

And Yuki-san!

Yuki-san let Felix down, and I can see her making hand signs to me to get out. I head towards the entrance until I’m suddenly shouted to stop.

I’m spotted!

“HEY! WHO’S THERE!”

I make a dash towards the entrance but I’m stopped by the big henchman. I turn around to see the man in the white tiger stripped suit and the other underling.

I’m trapped.

The three of them started to surround me within a circle. There was no way out of it.

It’s over.

“Hey would you look at that, it’s Akane-chan’s knight in shining armor!” said the man with the white tiger stripped suit.

“You managed to find out our hide out, but you won’t make it out here alive kid.” The thugs were not going to let me so easily. They were in control of the situation. There was only one option: I’ll have to fight my way out. Granted, my only experience with fighting was from the Masked Avenger TV series I watched as a kid. I would pretend with Daisuke and “fight,” when it was just us kicking the air and stuff.

“After taking care of you kid, we’re going after the princess. Time for her to pay up!” and the three thugs started laughing maliciously.

Now I definitely have to stop them right here and now. The sense of determination within was a burning passion. I’ll stop them here and save Yuki-san’s to smile again. I get into a fighting stance, which makes the three thugs step back in precaution. I raise my fist, and running towards the small henchman I shout my battle cry:

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

 “-HHHHHHHHHHAAA” I awake in a strange place. I was on the ground of the building. Only problem was it felt different.

“Kazuki-kun!” and as my vision clears it was Yuki-san!

Wait.

She was wearing a red string in the shape of a ribbon. I’m in World A(kane). I sit up and rub my head.

It stings!

I’m confused. Why was I in World A(kane)? I was just about to fight off the three thugs and save Yuki-san once and for all. I drop back on my back to lying on the floor. Akane kneels down too, and rests my head on her lap.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

What happened?

Because my head was stinging, I was probably knocked out. In one hit.

Some hero of justice I was.

“I’m sorry Akane, I couldn’t save you in the other world…” Akane was still smiling as I looked up to her face.

“It’s ok Kazuki, I’m sure if Yuki-san was watching she would think you were really cool!” I can tell that she was really trying to make me feel better since she was trying really hard not to laugh.

“I need to wake up Akane.” The only problem was neither of us knew exactly how my world hopping power worked. Only that I was suddenly transported to World A(kane) by getting knocked out. Time was still moving forward, and every second counted.

I needed to get back.

Yuki-san could be in trouble right now while I’m enjoying an underserved moment. I didn’t deserve to have my head resting on Akane’s lap.

Think. Think. Think. How can I come back to the other world?

This is the moment where the good guy comes up with a miracle somehow to win against the impossible.

“Kazuki…” I listen intently to Akane soft voice.

“You’re my and Yuki-san’s hero of justice. Somehow you will save her. You just got to believe.”

I didn’t understand what she was saying.

Believe? Believe in what? Then it hit me.

“I got it Akane!”

Akane was shocked by the sudden outburst I let out. I was just too excited.

“I figured it out, how to get back! I need to go to sleep.”

Akane let out a strong hearty laugh again.

“Of course! That was one of the theories we thought of right?” said Akane.

“Yeah!”

The only problem now was that I was too excited to sleep. I’m not tired at all! I need to close my eyes and try to sleep somehow!

 After what felt like an eternity, I still wasn’t even close to feeling asleep, despite how comfortable Akane’s thighs were for resting my head. I was burning time and I needed to go back to the other world as soon as possible.

“Augh! I still can’t sleep Akane!”

She paused and thought to herself. The whole abandoned factory of this world was dead quiet; there were not even cricket noises that were common at night. I looked up to her face and it looked like Akane had an idea pop in her head.

“Remember how I mentioned that I don’t really remember my mom that well?” said Akane.

“Yes, but sorry for saying this, what does that have to do with anything Akane?” I asked.

“The only thing I remember from her was a lullaby that she would sing for me when I was little. It would always help me go to sleep.”

There’s no way a lullaby could help go to sleep! Even so I couldn’t tell her that…and Akane’s probably the worst singer I’ve ever heard in my life.

“It doesn’t hurt to try haha…” I said to Akane.

Akane warmed up her voice. I was prepared to hear the ear piercing lullaby that would make it impossible to sleep. Akane open her mouth and began to sing her mother’s lullaby:

 “Go to sleep,

Go to sleep,

Little Kazuki can’t go to sleep…

 What to do…?

What to do…?

Mama’s going to help you…

 Close your eyes, don’t start to cry…

Close your eyes, until the sunrise…

Sleep soundly and good night.”

 It was the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. I wanted to cry because of how moving it was. Akane would make a great mother one day…

I guess I was wrong about her singing voice. I’m sorry for doubting you!

Suddenly I’m feeling light-headed. My heart was pulsating. I hear Akane’s soft voice whisper in my ear.

“You just have to believe. Believe in your sense of justice.”

My breathing stops, and I wake up.

 *Gasp*

I inhale deeply as I slowly open my eyes. I can feel drops of water hitting my face from above.

“Ugh…am I back?”

Just then I see silhouettes eventually forming Yuki-san (she wasn’t wearing a red string) and Kaneko-san! I was back, and it was a miracle.

“Kazuki! You idiot!” as Kaneko-san starts crying even harder.

I still feel topsy-turvy from the impact the guy had on me. It stung when I touched my head. As I sit up, I see Daisuke beating one of the thugs with punches that sounded like bullets.

“YOU!!! YOU KILLED KAZUKI! YOU KIL-“ Just then he lets go of the purple-faced white tiger striped man and notices that I’m awake.

Daisuke runs over to my slouched body and gives me the hardest bear hug I’ve ever experienced. I try to embrace him but he was holding me so tight that it was hard to breathe. I could hear quiet sobbing from him besides my ear.

“It’s hard to breathe Daisuke…” with the loudest voice I could make.

Daisuke and Kaneko-san were both crying their hearts out. I’m friends with these caring idiots. Yuki-san was on her knees also, and I can see that she was visibly glad I was ok. For the first time, Yuki-san gave me the smile reminiscent to Akane’s. The one that would melt away all my troubles I had in the world.

“Did Daisuke end up saving all of us?” I asked Yuki-san. It was a day of firsts, as Yuki-san gave a wry chuckle to me.

“No, as soon as I heard you shout JUST- I ran in here and found the three cowardly thugs freaking out thinking they had killed you. I just ended up taking care of them with my pepper spray, with Akatsuka-san and Kaneko-san running in here to find all the thugs begging for mercy. Kaneko-san ended up calling the cops on the way here when she saw what happened. It’s over Kanshiro-san.”

Huh.

Somehow I’m not surprised at her having pepper spray. A girl like her would be dangerous on the streets. I still had one burning question though.

“How did you find where I was?” Yuki-san gave a confused look.

“I have no idea Kanshiro-san. I was just following the road after checking all the abandoned buildings until I found this one. Once I reached the split where the street went off-road, something was calling me there. I don’t know how to explain it, but my mind just kept thinking “I needed to go there…” I wasn’t so sure until I saw Felix-chan there and he led me to you.”

Well I guess that fat cat wasn’t much of a coward after all.

I guess everything worked out in the end. Yuki-san suddenly hugged me. I can feel her body heat that animating throughout my body. Even though Akane has hugged me multiple times in the other world, Yuki-san’s hug felt different – in a good way. If Akane was fire that enveloped your body to motivate you, Yuki-san was like the coldness that strengthened your determination. Two sides of the same coin. I liked this Yuki-san more than the one that tried to kill me a few days ago.

“Don’t be stupid again Kazuki…” whispered into my ear. Until she pushed me back and composed herself. She was already back into her stoic position that we all know her for.

“Ahem…I’m glad you’re ok Kanshiro-san.” She was trying really hard to hide her embarrassment. We sit and wait until the police come shortly after.

 I had to wait for my mother to pick me up from the police station since I was technically injured. Luckily, we (or rather Yuki-san) managed to capture some thugs that were troubling the authorities. We apparently saved them some time and outside help from private investigators. Needless to say the lecture I will be getting from her won’t be pleasant. Yuki-san was still with me, since she felt guilty that my injury was her doing. I told her to go home earlier, but she insisted to stay with me. I’m glad she did. She fell asleep on my shoulder until my mother came barging in the police station.

“YOU HAD ME WORRIED KAZUKI!” my mother gave me another bone-crushing hug like Daisuke did earlier.

“I’m fine mother! Really!” she let go to relieve me. Yuki-san stood up from her chair and bowed to my mother.

“I’m sorry for putting your son’s life at risk! Please forgive me.”

“Really it wasn’t your fault Yuki-san, it was me trying to be a hero by being an idiot…” My mother wasn’t as forgiving as I was.

The two women stood side by side, almost looking like statues. Yuki-san still had her head low, awaiting my mother’s response. My mother sighed.

“What you did today was irresponsible. Please make it up to me by making sure my son is not being an idiot next time.” Yuki-san was still bowing.

“Yes ma’am!” My mother had another look at Yuki-san observing her dirty clothes and face from all the running and action today. She was still wearing her cat maid uniform after all.

“Do you have a place to stay tonight miss? Where are your parents?” Yuki-san paused.

“No, I do not really have a place to stay tonight.” Mother went from a quiet anger to a parental concern.

“Then stay with us for tonight. We have an extra futon Kazuki can use.”

What?

Before I can complain, Yuki-san lit up. She immediately accepted my mother’s offer.

“Of course, you’ll have to help me cook breakfast in the morning. Bright and early of course. Kazuki can’t since he’s injured.” Yuki-san agreed to all her terms.

“Thank you very much!”

The three of us headed home.

 I was tired and my head hurt from all the action today. I was going to be sleeping on the floor with the futon, and Yuki-san would be on my bed. When I open the door to my room after brushing my teeth, I see that Yuki-san was already asleep. She was sleeping peacefully, like a cat on a hot afternoon outside a porch or something.

I wish I could take a snapshot of this moment.

It was off to bed.

Time to go to sleep.

I managed to save Yuki-san through sheer luck. Or rather it was more fitting that Yuki-san was the one who was doing all the saving. At least through all that trouble I would be able to eat Yuki-san’s cooking this time.

Wait.

Every time I go to sleep I end up waking in the other world. That’s unfortunate. Although I love Akane’s cooking. I was curious if Yuki-san was a good cook as well.

“That sucks…”

Ahhh! What I would do to taste Yuki-san’s cooking. Oh well…I’ll have to tell Akane about the successful first step towards getting closer to Yuki-san. She’ll be proud of herself. I’m feeling light-headed. My eyes start to feel heavy, as I slowly drift away to sleep.