[FIC] The Book (part 8 : end)
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:13 pm
“Over here, sweetie!”
The tattooed woman with the crooked smile waved to Kaname. The other two ‘ladies’ flanking her laughed or made obscene gestures.
“Kaname… I’m scared…” Kyouko stood close by her companion. So did Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki.
“I know, Ky,” Kaname ignored the boisterous woman. But, in their holding cell, strangers outnumbered friends. “I’m sure that things will be straightened out quickly.
“Right!” Maya said. “Just like you were sure that your plan would work.”
“Yeh! Sousuke wasn’t caught. We were caught.” Ryo hugged her arms around her knees. The looks that some of the other women turned on them gave her the creeps.
“How was I supposed to know that someone would get an itchy finger, dial ‘110’, and call in the police?” Kaname frowned. “It’s not as if they put us in with guys, you know.” She swallowed hard. She didn’t feel half as confident as she sounded. The holding cell was filled with all sorts of riff raff, from prostitutes, gang members, and attempted murderers.
“Oh… I guess I kind of worried about that after the whole mob left the high school grounds and started running through the city streets.” Mizuki shrank back against a wall. One woman was talking to herself. The things that she said had the young girl weak in the knees.
“Damn that Sousuke!” Kaname shouted louder than she should have. The criminal sort in the cell all chuckled. “Why couldn’t he have just allowed himself to get caught? Big jerk! They should suspend him for leaving school grounds. No, expel him!” She didn’t want to think what the school might end up doing to her and the girls.
“This Sousuke. You want him taken out?” A woman with a toothpick in her mouth grinned. “That’s why you’re here, huh? Word is you put a hit out on him.”
Kaname just shook her head. That was why they were all in this station. At first, there were people complaining that a blue-haired girl and her friends had incited a riot. But, someone mentioned that there was an offer… six million yen if someone took down a certain boy. They thought the boy might be involved with gambling, as there was mention of a book. It hadn’t helped matter when Kaname said it was ‘Six thousand, not six million’.
“When I catch up with him, I’m going to take his head off!” Kaname clenched her fists. None of the officers had wanted to listen, because she was a girl. Just as many male officers overlook any complaints by women about ‘chikans’… men who touch women on trains… they also didn’t want to listen to her as the accused. “He’s not long for this world…”
“Hah. You go girl!” One scarred woman gave Kaname a thumbs up.
“Maybe we’ll room together some day,” a hirsute woman said. “Who needs men? I’ll look for you in prison.”
“Oh Kaname…” Kyouko brought her hand to her mouth. The only good thing was that she and the others girls had not been formally charged with anything, and they would be released if their stories held up. Things could have been worse, as they couldn’t have been forced to come in unless they were formally charged, and it looked as if the responding officers were quite willing to do just that.
Rushing in from the local koban… the city version of the small ‘police box’ station… they had called in their findings not long after they had leaned their bicycles against the school fence. Those uniformed patrol officers, whose jobs involved crime prevention and collation of local information, routed an inquiry to the nearest large station. Police cars were sent out soon thereafter, when the name ‘Kaname Chidori‘ showed up in the data base. Apparently, that name had come up in the past, in association with a clan war between the Mikihara and Ryuujinkai familes. While the claim was that the girl had been a captive, any connection with the Yakusa would be taken seriously.
The case had quickly been taken from the jurisdiction of the Community Police Affairs and handed over to the Organized Crime Control Section.
“They have to let us go soon, right?” Maya asked. “It’s not as if we’re really boryokudan or something.” The Japanese mafia still posed a serious threat to Tokyo residents,
the name ‘boryokudan’ meaning violence groups. The word Yakusa came from the Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu. A hand with an eight, a nine, and a three. These three numbers are called Ya, Ku, and Sa, so a good translation is said to be ‘useless hand‘. “How could anyone believe that we are involved in protection rackets, extortion, or stuff like that?”
“We’re high school girls!” Ryo said, shivering. “The worst thing I ever did was hand a book report in late.”
“All I did was write some graffiti… on… the… boy’s… room… wall…” Mizuki put on a sickly smile when Kaname glared in her direction.
“Right!” Ryo actually managed a grin. “That’s when Sousuke was flushing Shirai’s head down the toilet…”
“And you ran into the boy’s room shouting ‘Shirai darling!’” Maya added.
“Don’t forget the whole fake date thing Kaname told us about,” Ryo said. “And that kiss…”
“HEY! THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME!” Mizuki said, becoming even more upset.
“It could be if you like…” One of the unsavory women winked at Mizuke. After that, Mizuki was resigned to be quiet.
Kaname leaned her forehead up against the cell wall. She had to give the police credit for one thing. The holding area had been freshly painted not too long ago, and things were impeccably clean. Mr. Zenji could learn a thing or two from them.
The events of the day ran through her head. She saw images from the ‘Great Gym Class Debacle’. She should have known that the mention of money might have set things off. But, it wasn’t just that. It was like herd instinct. Everyone remembered the time they had chased Sousuke down, at the tale end of the Full Monty incident. That memory, combined with the cash prizes, had been like a match on kerosene.
Jindai High School students in gym shirts and shorts had been everywhere, streaking down the side walks, jumping over street side benches, frightening old women and their dogs. It had resembled something out of a cheesy disaster movie.
Somehow, Sousuke pulled his Houdini act again. The famous Hungarian-born magician, escapologist, and stunt performer could have learned a thing or two from that otaku idiot. Houdini used to get himself out of straitjackets. Kaname would have given anything to see a certain young soldier tied up in one. “Moron,” she whispered. “Look what you did this time.”
Not too much later, they could all hear the jangling of keys. A number of officers showed up, including a policewoman. They approached the bars and called out the girls’ names. They scrambled to make their way out of the cell, serenaded by the remaining hardcore criminals.
“Miss Chidori, you need to come with me.” The policewoman pointed to a small interrogation room. “You other girls are free to go. Let this be a lesson to you.”
“Kaname…” Kyouko looked torn.
“It’s OK, Ky. Go ahead home. I’ll be fine.” She nodded to Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki.
“This way please,” the officer said. Her tag read ‘Kobayakawa‘. “I’d like to ask you a few questions, Miss Chidori. Also, I would be glad to listen if you have any problems you would like to discuss.”
“I’m not really a criminal!” Kaname blurted out. “It was just about a boy. I…” She slowed down, wanting to keep her dignity. “Yes, officer.”
“We’ve gotten a good idea of what was going on. We spoke to a large number of students, and their stories were pretty much the same. One young man in particular vouched for you.“ Officer Kobayakawa didn‘t mention Sousuke by name. “I hope none of the men caused you girls any trouble.” Her unspoken question was obvious enough. She hoped that there hadn’t been anything inappropriate.
“N-No. Nothing like that!” Kaname spread her hands in front of her. “They were all very polite. They said they were sorry, but had to investigate things after hearing what they did. I guess I would have done the same thing, if it was my job.”
“I’m glad to hear that. There probably wouldn’t have been anything I could do, even if someone did behave improperly.” In some ways, the police force was an ‘old boys’ network to that very day. “But, I could have offered support and suggested a good counselor.” The policewoman quietly asked a series of questions, getting a full rundown on events. When she was done she led Kaname to the front door. “Do you want me to call someone for you? It’s kind of late to be walking the streets alone.”
“Thank you. I’ll be OK. I just want some time alone, I think.” Kaname thanked the woman and headed back to her apartment. How could anything else bad possibly happen? She had used up a year of ill fortune in a single day. And, she wasn’t that far from home.
Walking through one of the few dark stretches, she felt uneasy. Somehow, she had a sense of being followed. She began walking faster and faster, but then stopped. She sighed, suspicious. “Sousuke?”
“Yes, Kaname.”
She had been right. Sousuke had waited outside the police station until she was finished. Perhaps she should be grateful, touched by his thoughtfulness. It wasn’t just duty and obligation any more. But, the last things she wanted to feel toward him was gratitude. Squaring her shoulders, she continued on her way, knowing that she would be safe.
“Kaname, are you OK?” Sousuke asked, a touch of concern in his voice. He wasn’t surprised that Kaname wasn’t answering him. No doubt she blamed him for everything. She might be right. What business did he have reading the Kama Sutra? That would be like flies hunting spiders, or grade school children starting off with Steyr SPPs.
The silence continued. It became oppressive, taking on a life of its own. Kaname no longer felt any need to know about the book. Her heart was torn, being tugged in different directions. Part of her wanted to make up with Sousuke, while another part questioned whether she should sever all ties. Even being honest with herself, and realizing her role in things, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was a lightning rod for trouble.
How much more could she take?
“The police will not press issues with the school. They let you out of jail after I spoke to the official in charge. I am not angry about your attempt to get the book.” Sousuke wonder if Kaname was embarrassed by the efforts she had made, or if she was too busy worrying about something the Principal might do.
Kaname stopped. She clenched her fists. It would be best just to march up to her building, kick the door open, ride the elevator to her floor, and make her way to her room. Instead, her temper got the best of her. “You’re not angry?” She asked. “You’re not angry?” She felt herself trembling all over.
“No, Kaname. I’m not. I…” Sousuke was interrupted.
“WELL I’M ANGRY, SOUSUKE.” Kaname’s anger gave way to anguish. She felt a sob well up inside her and fought to keep from crying. “It was just too much, Sousuke.” She turned and began walking again.
“Yes, it was.” Sousuke agreed with the statement, but not the reasoning. His choices had been the first domino to fall. But, Kaname had set up a majority of the other dominoes herself. He might indeed lose her. The thought left him cold, reminding how he had felt when Gauron spoke about the assassin he had sent out, and how Kaname Chidori was dead. It had felt as if his entire world had crumbled away. He had stood there numb and uncaring, while his best friends in the world were facing death at the hands of the five Venom Arm Slaves. But, he was not going to shoulder all of the blame for the day‘s events, even doing so meant that Kaname would forgive him. Something that Lt, Cmdr. Kalinin had told him rang true. Relationships should be based on trust and truth. “I hope you have learned some kind of lesson from it.”
“W-H-A-T!”
Kaname stopped again. “What did you say? Are you blaming me, Sousuke?” She walked forcefully over to him, the darkness hiding the disbelief and rage in her eyes. “Are you saying that it’s my fault that we all got thrown in jail with a bunch of sociopaths? Are you that saying I’m responsible for the gym teacher making me an appointment at the…” She shook her head. “I’m the one to blame for the incident in the shower? I’m…”
“Shower, Kaname?” Sousuke hadn’t heard the gossip about that event yet, not with all of the commotion that followed.
“Shower, Sousuke!” Kaname tensed up. She couldn’t help but remember what some of the boys had said. “The Principal’s office. That damn sneezing stuff. The detention I missed because I was in jail. The extra homework I have to do before I cry myself to sleep tonight. Are you blaming me for all that?”
“Affirmative,” Sousuke said.
“I see.” Kaname didn’t shout. In fact, her voice was barely audible. “I was scared. I was embarrassed. I was humiliated. I was hurt. And you say it’s my fault.” She closed her eyes, feeling the cool evening breeze on her face. “Maybe I really could hate you, Sousuke.”
“If you wish,” Sousuke said. “That is for you to decide, after you are honest with yourself. I am fully willing to take responsibility where I must. But, as I told you in the hallway, I was willing to show the book to you when I was ready, even thought it was something that would be uncomfortable for me.” He ran a hand through his hair, cringing when he irritated a muscle he had pulled climbing the back wall of a family-run store during his escape. “You did not respect my desires. But, I will not hate you for it.” He turned and began heading towards his own building.
Kaname stood numb and alone. It felt as if the world was spinning around her. She didn’t know what to think or feel. Truth fought with pride. Honesty tussled with habit. She was in the middle of the fight, and was getting buffeted by both sides. She remembered riding up in her elevator, after saying something similar to Sousuke before. Why hadn’t she learned from that! This time, for all she knew, he might actually drive him into Tessa’s arms.
“Maybe that’s where he belongs, that big jerk!” Her anger had her tensing up again. “Let Miss Captain have her life thrown in blender for a change. Be careful what you ask for… you might get it, girl!” She sighed. She should be careful what she said, unless it came true. And, who really was the jerk?
It was time to stand up and face the music. In everything else in her life, she did just that. But, not with Sousuke. Why? Maybe because he was easy to blame, given everything that had been his fault, ever since he showed up about of the blue as a new student at the school. Maybe because he had always did things in a way contrary to what she wanted, or with what was considered normal, and she took offense at that. Maybe because she wasn’t as strong as she made herself out to be. She had fooled everyone, including herself. Did Sousuke deserve to be treated poorly because of that? No. Even if he did always seem to get her in trouble? Well, maybe.
“I’d better go see if he needs help with his homework.” That would be a good way to salvage her pride, right? Act all generous and forgiving? No. She would apologize. If he didn’t say anything stupid, she might even forgive him.
Kaname made her way to Sousuke’s apartment. Standing outside his door, she took a deep breath and held it. She knocked.
The door opened. Sousuke stood there, his shirt off and a toothbrush in his hand. “Kaname?”
“Get some clothes on, Sousuke!” Kaname blushed, her loud voice unable to hide her embarrassment. “Big idiot!” Great. She comes to apologize and starts scolding him.
“Why are you here, Kaname?” Sousuke asked. There was an uncharacteristic catch in his voice. Would she apologize? Ask him if he needed help with his homework, as a way to mend the fence? Want to see the book? He swallowed hard, realizing that he was only half-dressed. “I will get a shirt!” He let the door go. It swung closed.
Kaname began tapping her foot. She stopped, realizing what she was doing. Sousuke had not been rude. He had actually been cute, with that shocked look on his face. She felt the tight knot in her heart begin to unravel just a bit. Smiling, she stepped away from the door, headed down the hallway, and hid behind a corner.
“Kaname?” Sousuke stepped out into the hallway. For a moment, he looked frantic. He willed himself to relax. “Do you wish to speak from there, Kaname?”
Kaname frowned. The big stuck up operative and his lucky guess. “Of course not, idiot!” She walked back to his doorways. The two of them stood staring at one another for a few moments, neither one knowing where to start.
“Why are you here, Kaname? Is it something weird? Something dangerous?” Sousuke spoke first.
“What?” Kaname grinned. The thief. That was her line!
“Did you want me to help you with your homework?” Sousuke kept a straight face. That ought to break the ice some.
“Huh?” Kaname blinked in disbelief, before catching on and smiling a shy smile. “Only if I want to fail the course!” She tossed her hair. Then, she sighed, feeling more serious. “I came to apologize, Sousuke.” She looked up at his face. “I’m sorry.”
“I see. But, I do not see any box.” he made a point to look out into the hallway. “The last time, at least you brought me dinner.” He turned to face the door that Tessa had peaked out of once.
“I was trying to be serious, Sousuke.” Kaname scowled. She already thought about that memory. Stupid slow poke!
“I know. I wanted to show you that I did not hold things against you.” Sousuke spoke in a matter-of-fact manner. “I have no grudge.”
“Grudge?” Kaname put her hands on her hips. “Grudge? Let me tell you about grudges mister. I…” She stopped. She looked a bit sheepish. “Are you sorry too, Sousuke?” She turned an expectant look on him. Her one hand fluttered.
“Yes,” Sousuke said. His initial instinct was to say ‘but not as much as you should be’, and explain why. Luckily, he had improved some.
“Oh…” Kaname smiled. “That’s good…” She stood on one foot, and then on the other. “Thank you…” Why was she acting like this? Get a grip girl!
“Would you like to come in Kaname?” Sousuke asked. He knew that he should probably leave it at that, but wanted to make the offer up front. It somehow seemed dishonest to hope that she had forgotten about the book. “Is there something in particular that you might like to see?”
Kaname suddenly felt chill. That book. Sousuke was talking about that book. Part of her wanted to throw the damn thing out of the window, without ever knowing what it was. Another part of her was clamoring for a peak. What to do, what to do, what to do? With her luck, it would be something that would set her off again.
“You don’t have to show it to me if you don’t want to, Sousuke.” Kaname bit her lip. No. That put the onus on him. If anything, after her little tirade in the alleyway, she should be the one who was responsible for the choice. “But, I would like to know what it is. You went to a lot of trouble to keep it secret.”
“We should sit over on the couch,” Sousuke said. He had begun to sweat. “I will get the… uhhh… book.” When Kaname was seated, he went to get the text. Staring at it a moment, he slipped the dust cover off of it. He stared at it even longer, knowing that he was past the point of no return.
“Sousuke?” Kaname’s curiosity was reaching a new zenith. Just what had that scruffy otaku acting like that.
“Kaname… I should explain… I have made no assumptions…” Sousuke couldn’t help himself. The words had a mind of their own. “It does not imply anything about you… I have not jumped to conclusions… there are no obligations…” The sweat was practically pouring off of him now. “It was a matter of importance… I merely wanted to be knowledgeable… the information might never be useful…”
“Sit down, Sousuke. Don’t blow a fuse or something.” Kaname looked at the book, feeling a slight sense of trepidation. “I promise. I won’t get mad at you.” She thought a moment. “Unless there’s reason for me to.”
“Yes… sit… I will do that.” Sousuke swallowed hard. He had stared down terrorists at gun point. He had fought desperate battles against uneven odds. He had piloted Arbalest into situations he had no right walking away from. Shouldn’t he be able to show Kaname a book? “I am sitting now.” He sat next to her, but at a far end of the couch.
“I’m over here, Sousuke.” Kaname furrowed her brow. It was getting late. She did have homework to do. Extra homework at that!
“Affirmative.” Sousuke got up and moved closer. He took a deep breath and ran his hand over the book. “Here. I think you will understand my reason for secrecy.” He coughed. “It is above all else, a treatise on love.”
“Oh! I see, Well, that’s sweet. It was smart to hide that from everyone else; but, why me?” Kaname smiled. She felt good for the first time in a long time that day.
“Uhhh…” Sousuke looked like a deer in the headlights. “Yes… the book also provides insights into men and women in relationships.”
“I’m glad to see you take things seriously, Sousuke.” Kaname ran her hand through her hair, twirling some around her fingers. “Why did you think I wouldn’t want to know what you were doing? I don’t think any less of you because you never had a girlfriend before. In fact, I kind of like that.”
“Uhhh… that is reassuring. The book is about fulfilling a partner’s expectations, but is wise to caution moderation and caution.” Sousuke looked somewhat still. “Various editions of the text have inspired art, dance, and music for centuries. The illustrations are all prints of ancient paintings and mosaics.”
“What? Don’t tell me… Sousuke Sagara… Renaissance Man…” Kaname smiled. “Do I get to see the book, or just hear about it?” Kaname began tapping her fingers on the couch arm Why was that mutton head hesitating? When was the last time that she heard Sousuke talk that much about a book that wasn’t a military novel or historic reference?
“Well… ummm… it is… yes.” Sousuke held out the book. Kaname reached out and slid it from his fingers.
“OK. Let’s see. What’s the title.” Kaname’s eyes widened. “Kama Sutra…” She looked at the cover. The artwork was discrete and tasteful. It was also a bit suggestive. “Isn’t that a…” Where had she heard that name before. Kurz Weber! By why? Her memory was foggy. She opened the book to a random section. “Huh?”
Sousuke leaned over to look at the page. There was an ancient painting done in vibrant colors. There was a houka in the foreground, along with a wine decanter and two glasses. The background showed a moonlit sky, and the hint of a jungle in the distance. A man and a woman were close, laying across large ornate pillows and cushions. The woman was partially on her knees, bus also on her back, turned to face the man, looking into his eyes. His hands were wrapped around her, one on each breast, while his… uh… was entering… uh…in good anatomic representation. “I believe that is Svanaka, the Dog.”
Kaname had turned as read as a beet. She didn’t dare move her eyes off of the page, unable to look over at Sousuke. Her mouth fell open.
“Though to be precise… uhhh… his hands should be on her waist, not her….” Sousuke swallowed hard again. He had never seen Kaname quite this stunned. He had no idea which way she would go with it.
Kaname closed the book. She stood up slowly, her hands trembling. She looked at them, as if they might be dirty or something. It had been quite a shock, opening to that page. “You have been reading a book on dirty pictures all day…” Kaname was proud of herself. She kept her voice level. “And… you… showed… it… to… me…”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke watched as Kaname’s face went from red to pale.
“I see. That is what you think of me? It’s the kind of think you think about when you think about love?” Her voice was slowly creeping up the octave scale. “Just because fifty percent of girls my age have sex, you think that you have a fifty-fifty chance? Pretty good odds, right?”
“Negative. I have not heard those statistics. They did not play a role in my…” Sousuke was unable to finish.
“I guess you are fitting into civilian life better than I thought, Sousuke. The men in this country tend to view women as sex objects. Someone to look down on and control. Someone to buy in some club somewhere, just like that place we found Saeki at.” Kaname looked sad, not angry. The color returned to her face. “But that’s a military thing too, isn’t it? Big hero saves girl. Girl gives herself to him in gratitude. Or, guy just takes her as his reward. Great. It’s just so romantic, I want to cry!”
“Kaname… no… I…” Sousuke needed to let Kaname know the truth. This sudden urgency might actually make it easier for him to speak. “I was speaking to Kurz and Melissa…”
“Oh! That makes it alright then!” Kaname clenched her fists. Now she was getting angry. “It only matters what your friends think, right? So, instead of thinking about how I might feel, you listen to a lecher like Kurz? And Melissa? Is that what you think all women are like? Is that how you think I should be?” She looked down at her feet. “I wish I never saw that damn book.”
“If you are finished overreacting, may I speak. You are doing a poor job of speaking for me.” Sousuke decided to try this tact again. It was risky, but the reward could be great.
“Go ahead.” Kaname’s voice was somewhat brittle.
“It is something new for me, being in a relationship. It is somewhat confusing, being in love.” Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck. “I am not certain what the expectations on me are. Kurz and Melissa say one thing. Boys at school talk about other things. Magazines, movies and television provide certain suggestions.” He looked into her eyes, looking down when she looked away. “I only want to do what will make you happy. I do not know what girls want, or when they might want it. I did not want to fail you in some way.”
Kaname’s face softened. She felt her heart beating faster. The way that big jerk said things made him sound so romantic and so sincere. “So, you don’t just think of me as a sex object?”
“Uhhh… no, I do not.” Sousuke said. “Ummm… sometimes part of me might…” He closed his eyes. He should learn when he’s said enough.
“I see…” Kaname coughed. She felt her face growing warm. “And you didn’t just assume that if you read the book, we would… you know…”
“Negative.” Sousuke was sweating heavily again. The sight had Kaname grinning and relaxing some. “I assumed you would tell me when… uhhh… as you try to tell me everything else.” It was his turn to look away. It was not a good admission for a Specialist to make.
“Oh! Well that’s right. I mean… you know… my being right about everything else.” Kaname realized that she was breathing rather quickly. What was with her? It’s not like she’s a Junior High student or something. “So, you were just… ummm… studying.” She narrowed her eyes. “I can’t get you to study long enough in Japanese History, Chemistry, or Biology, but you’ll sit in class studying…” She pointed at the book. “That.”
“Was that wrong?” Sousuke looked up.
“Yes! No. I don’t know.” Kaname sat back down. “Don’t ask stupid questions, Sousuke.” Truth be told, she didn’t really no what to think, much less what to say. Bluster was easy. An honest heart to heart talk was no so simple. “No, I shouldn’t say that. I guess there are some things that couples should talk about, right?”
“If you say so, Kaname.” Sousuke nodded.
“Well, I guess we will have to do that some day. When the time is right. And don’t ask me when that time will be, I don’t have it marked down on my calendar. Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname shook her finger at him. “It was a really bad day, Sousuke. But, I’m glad to see that you were thinking of me.” She trembled for a moment. “Oh my god. If I had gotten that book. And if the other girls had seen it. They would have thought…”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke knew exactly what they would have thought.
“Oh. I…” Kaname thought of something else. She suddenly looked very sheepish.
“Kaname, what is it? Is there a problem?” Sousuke suddenly looked concerned.
“Well… I…” Kaname sighed. She had broken ‘Kaname’s Rule about Relationships #1’: Do not speak about Relationship. “I sort of let slip our secret, Sousuke?”
“Let slip?” Sousuke asked. “Secret?” He froze. His first thought had to do with Whispered and Mithril‘s precise identification.
“Yes… in the gym… when I was being questioned about… you know…” She looked down at the book again. “I kind of… well you see… Geeez!” She just had to spit it out. “I shouted ‘WE… ARE… NOT… HAVING… SEX… WE ONLY JUST STARTED DATING!’ Something like that.”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke didn’t know what to say. “If I had done that…”
“You would be dead now. Things are unfair that way. Get used to it.” Kaname fluffed her hair. She was feeling remarkably calm and relaxed, considering. In fact, she felt her mischievous streak making a comeback. “You know, knowing that we are dating, most people will probably assume we are having sex.”
“I… they will?” Sousuke blinked rapidly. “You and I will assure them otherwise?”
“No. Who would believe us?” Kaname smiled, feeling wicked. She would be joking. Sousuke would naturally assume otherwise. “If they think we are, but we’re actually not, I guess that would make us liars, right?”
“Kaname?” Sousuke began to feel very much on edge. The logic of that last statement had his head spinning in figurative circles.
“Usually I have to help you study. But with this, you’re the expert.” Kaname tried to look innocent. “For once, it might be good to have a Specialist around.” She opened the book to the Index page. “So, what would you recommend first?”
Suddenly gone limp, Sousuke slid off of the couch.
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THE END
The tattooed woman with the crooked smile waved to Kaname. The other two ‘ladies’ flanking her laughed or made obscene gestures.
“Kaname… I’m scared…” Kyouko stood close by her companion. So did Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki.
“I know, Ky,” Kaname ignored the boisterous woman. But, in their holding cell, strangers outnumbered friends. “I’m sure that things will be straightened out quickly.
“Right!” Maya said. “Just like you were sure that your plan would work.”
“Yeh! Sousuke wasn’t caught. We were caught.” Ryo hugged her arms around her knees. The looks that some of the other women turned on them gave her the creeps.
“How was I supposed to know that someone would get an itchy finger, dial ‘110’, and call in the police?” Kaname frowned. “It’s not as if they put us in with guys, you know.” She swallowed hard. She didn’t feel half as confident as she sounded. The holding cell was filled with all sorts of riff raff, from prostitutes, gang members, and attempted murderers.
“Oh… I guess I kind of worried about that after the whole mob left the high school grounds and started running through the city streets.” Mizuki shrank back against a wall. One woman was talking to herself. The things that she said had the young girl weak in the knees.
“Damn that Sousuke!” Kaname shouted louder than she should have. The criminal sort in the cell all chuckled. “Why couldn’t he have just allowed himself to get caught? Big jerk! They should suspend him for leaving school grounds. No, expel him!” She didn’t want to think what the school might end up doing to her and the girls.
“This Sousuke. You want him taken out?” A woman with a toothpick in her mouth grinned. “That’s why you’re here, huh? Word is you put a hit out on him.”
Kaname just shook her head. That was why they were all in this station. At first, there were people complaining that a blue-haired girl and her friends had incited a riot. But, someone mentioned that there was an offer… six million yen if someone took down a certain boy. They thought the boy might be involved with gambling, as there was mention of a book. It hadn’t helped matter when Kaname said it was ‘Six thousand, not six million’.
“When I catch up with him, I’m going to take his head off!” Kaname clenched her fists. None of the officers had wanted to listen, because she was a girl. Just as many male officers overlook any complaints by women about ‘chikans’… men who touch women on trains… they also didn’t want to listen to her as the accused. “He’s not long for this world…”
“Hah. You go girl!” One scarred woman gave Kaname a thumbs up.
“Maybe we’ll room together some day,” a hirsute woman said. “Who needs men? I’ll look for you in prison.”
“Oh Kaname…” Kyouko brought her hand to her mouth. The only good thing was that she and the others girls had not been formally charged with anything, and they would be released if their stories held up. Things could have been worse, as they couldn’t have been forced to come in unless they were formally charged, and it looked as if the responding officers were quite willing to do just that.
Rushing in from the local koban… the city version of the small ‘police box’ station… they had called in their findings not long after they had leaned their bicycles against the school fence. Those uniformed patrol officers, whose jobs involved crime prevention and collation of local information, routed an inquiry to the nearest large station. Police cars were sent out soon thereafter, when the name ‘Kaname Chidori‘ showed up in the data base. Apparently, that name had come up in the past, in association with a clan war between the Mikihara and Ryuujinkai familes. While the claim was that the girl had been a captive, any connection with the Yakusa would be taken seriously.
The case had quickly been taken from the jurisdiction of the Community Police Affairs and handed over to the Organized Crime Control Section.
“They have to let us go soon, right?” Maya asked. “It’s not as if we’re really boryokudan or something.” The Japanese mafia still posed a serious threat to Tokyo residents,
the name ‘boryokudan’ meaning violence groups. The word Yakusa came from the Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu. A hand with an eight, a nine, and a three. These three numbers are called Ya, Ku, and Sa, so a good translation is said to be ‘useless hand‘. “How could anyone believe that we are involved in protection rackets, extortion, or stuff like that?”
“We’re high school girls!” Ryo said, shivering. “The worst thing I ever did was hand a book report in late.”
“All I did was write some graffiti… on… the… boy’s… room… wall…” Mizuki put on a sickly smile when Kaname glared in her direction.
“Right!” Ryo actually managed a grin. “That’s when Sousuke was flushing Shirai’s head down the toilet…”
“And you ran into the boy’s room shouting ‘Shirai darling!’” Maya added.
“Don’t forget the whole fake date thing Kaname told us about,” Ryo said. “And that kiss…”
“HEY! THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME!” Mizuki said, becoming even more upset.
“It could be if you like…” One of the unsavory women winked at Mizuke. After that, Mizuki was resigned to be quiet.
Kaname leaned her forehead up against the cell wall. She had to give the police credit for one thing. The holding area had been freshly painted not too long ago, and things were impeccably clean. Mr. Zenji could learn a thing or two from them.
The events of the day ran through her head. She saw images from the ‘Great Gym Class Debacle’. She should have known that the mention of money might have set things off. But, it wasn’t just that. It was like herd instinct. Everyone remembered the time they had chased Sousuke down, at the tale end of the Full Monty incident. That memory, combined with the cash prizes, had been like a match on kerosene.
Jindai High School students in gym shirts and shorts had been everywhere, streaking down the side walks, jumping over street side benches, frightening old women and their dogs. It had resembled something out of a cheesy disaster movie.
Somehow, Sousuke pulled his Houdini act again. The famous Hungarian-born magician, escapologist, and stunt performer could have learned a thing or two from that otaku idiot. Houdini used to get himself out of straitjackets. Kaname would have given anything to see a certain young soldier tied up in one. “Moron,” she whispered. “Look what you did this time.”
Not too much later, they could all hear the jangling of keys. A number of officers showed up, including a policewoman. They approached the bars and called out the girls’ names. They scrambled to make their way out of the cell, serenaded by the remaining hardcore criminals.
“Miss Chidori, you need to come with me.” The policewoman pointed to a small interrogation room. “You other girls are free to go. Let this be a lesson to you.”
“Kaname…” Kyouko looked torn.
“It’s OK, Ky. Go ahead home. I’ll be fine.” She nodded to Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki.
“This way please,” the officer said. Her tag read ‘Kobayakawa‘. “I’d like to ask you a few questions, Miss Chidori. Also, I would be glad to listen if you have any problems you would like to discuss.”
“I’m not really a criminal!” Kaname blurted out. “It was just about a boy. I…” She slowed down, wanting to keep her dignity. “Yes, officer.”
“We’ve gotten a good idea of what was going on. We spoke to a large number of students, and their stories were pretty much the same. One young man in particular vouched for you.“ Officer Kobayakawa didn‘t mention Sousuke by name. “I hope none of the men caused you girls any trouble.” Her unspoken question was obvious enough. She hoped that there hadn’t been anything inappropriate.
“N-No. Nothing like that!” Kaname spread her hands in front of her. “They were all very polite. They said they were sorry, but had to investigate things after hearing what they did. I guess I would have done the same thing, if it was my job.”
“I’m glad to hear that. There probably wouldn’t have been anything I could do, even if someone did behave improperly.” In some ways, the police force was an ‘old boys’ network to that very day. “But, I could have offered support and suggested a good counselor.” The policewoman quietly asked a series of questions, getting a full rundown on events. When she was done she led Kaname to the front door. “Do you want me to call someone for you? It’s kind of late to be walking the streets alone.”
“Thank you. I’ll be OK. I just want some time alone, I think.” Kaname thanked the woman and headed back to her apartment. How could anything else bad possibly happen? She had used up a year of ill fortune in a single day. And, she wasn’t that far from home.
Walking through one of the few dark stretches, she felt uneasy. Somehow, she had a sense of being followed. She began walking faster and faster, but then stopped. She sighed, suspicious. “Sousuke?”
“Yes, Kaname.”
She had been right. Sousuke had waited outside the police station until she was finished. Perhaps she should be grateful, touched by his thoughtfulness. It wasn’t just duty and obligation any more. But, the last things she wanted to feel toward him was gratitude. Squaring her shoulders, she continued on her way, knowing that she would be safe.
“Kaname, are you OK?” Sousuke asked, a touch of concern in his voice. He wasn’t surprised that Kaname wasn’t answering him. No doubt she blamed him for everything. She might be right. What business did he have reading the Kama Sutra? That would be like flies hunting spiders, or grade school children starting off with Steyr SPPs.
The silence continued. It became oppressive, taking on a life of its own. Kaname no longer felt any need to know about the book. Her heart was torn, being tugged in different directions. Part of her wanted to make up with Sousuke, while another part questioned whether she should sever all ties. Even being honest with herself, and realizing her role in things, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was a lightning rod for trouble.
How much more could she take?
“The police will not press issues with the school. They let you out of jail after I spoke to the official in charge. I am not angry about your attempt to get the book.” Sousuke wonder if Kaname was embarrassed by the efforts she had made, or if she was too busy worrying about something the Principal might do.
Kaname stopped. She clenched her fists. It would be best just to march up to her building, kick the door open, ride the elevator to her floor, and make her way to her room. Instead, her temper got the best of her. “You’re not angry?” She asked. “You’re not angry?” She felt herself trembling all over.
“No, Kaname. I’m not. I…” Sousuke was interrupted.
“WELL I’M ANGRY, SOUSUKE.” Kaname’s anger gave way to anguish. She felt a sob well up inside her and fought to keep from crying. “It was just too much, Sousuke.” She turned and began walking again.
“Yes, it was.” Sousuke agreed with the statement, but not the reasoning. His choices had been the first domino to fall. But, Kaname had set up a majority of the other dominoes herself. He might indeed lose her. The thought left him cold, reminding how he had felt when Gauron spoke about the assassin he had sent out, and how Kaname Chidori was dead. It had felt as if his entire world had crumbled away. He had stood there numb and uncaring, while his best friends in the world were facing death at the hands of the five Venom Arm Slaves. But, he was not going to shoulder all of the blame for the day‘s events, even doing so meant that Kaname would forgive him. Something that Lt, Cmdr. Kalinin had told him rang true. Relationships should be based on trust and truth. “I hope you have learned some kind of lesson from it.”
“W-H-A-T!”
Kaname stopped again. “What did you say? Are you blaming me, Sousuke?” She walked forcefully over to him, the darkness hiding the disbelief and rage in her eyes. “Are you saying that it’s my fault that we all got thrown in jail with a bunch of sociopaths? Are you that saying I’m responsible for the gym teacher making me an appointment at the…” She shook her head. “I’m the one to blame for the incident in the shower? I’m…”
“Shower, Kaname?” Sousuke hadn’t heard the gossip about that event yet, not with all of the commotion that followed.
“Shower, Sousuke!” Kaname tensed up. She couldn’t help but remember what some of the boys had said. “The Principal’s office. That damn sneezing stuff. The detention I missed because I was in jail. The extra homework I have to do before I cry myself to sleep tonight. Are you blaming me for all that?”
“Affirmative,” Sousuke said.
“I see.” Kaname didn’t shout. In fact, her voice was barely audible. “I was scared. I was embarrassed. I was humiliated. I was hurt. And you say it’s my fault.” She closed her eyes, feeling the cool evening breeze on her face. “Maybe I really could hate you, Sousuke.”
“If you wish,” Sousuke said. “That is for you to decide, after you are honest with yourself. I am fully willing to take responsibility where I must. But, as I told you in the hallway, I was willing to show the book to you when I was ready, even thought it was something that would be uncomfortable for me.” He ran a hand through his hair, cringing when he irritated a muscle he had pulled climbing the back wall of a family-run store during his escape. “You did not respect my desires. But, I will not hate you for it.” He turned and began heading towards his own building.
Kaname stood numb and alone. It felt as if the world was spinning around her. She didn’t know what to think or feel. Truth fought with pride. Honesty tussled with habit. She was in the middle of the fight, and was getting buffeted by both sides. She remembered riding up in her elevator, after saying something similar to Sousuke before. Why hadn’t she learned from that! This time, for all she knew, he might actually drive him into Tessa’s arms.
“Maybe that’s where he belongs, that big jerk!” Her anger had her tensing up again. “Let Miss Captain have her life thrown in blender for a change. Be careful what you ask for… you might get it, girl!” She sighed. She should be careful what she said, unless it came true. And, who really was the jerk?
It was time to stand up and face the music. In everything else in her life, she did just that. But, not with Sousuke. Why? Maybe because he was easy to blame, given everything that had been his fault, ever since he showed up about of the blue as a new student at the school. Maybe because he had always did things in a way contrary to what she wanted, or with what was considered normal, and she took offense at that. Maybe because she wasn’t as strong as she made herself out to be. She had fooled everyone, including herself. Did Sousuke deserve to be treated poorly because of that? No. Even if he did always seem to get her in trouble? Well, maybe.
“I’d better go see if he needs help with his homework.” That would be a good way to salvage her pride, right? Act all generous and forgiving? No. She would apologize. If he didn’t say anything stupid, she might even forgive him.
Kaname made her way to Sousuke’s apartment. Standing outside his door, she took a deep breath and held it. She knocked.
The door opened. Sousuke stood there, his shirt off and a toothbrush in his hand. “Kaname?”
“Get some clothes on, Sousuke!” Kaname blushed, her loud voice unable to hide her embarrassment. “Big idiot!” Great. She comes to apologize and starts scolding him.
“Why are you here, Kaname?” Sousuke asked. There was an uncharacteristic catch in his voice. Would she apologize? Ask him if he needed help with his homework, as a way to mend the fence? Want to see the book? He swallowed hard, realizing that he was only half-dressed. “I will get a shirt!” He let the door go. It swung closed.
Kaname began tapping her foot. She stopped, realizing what she was doing. Sousuke had not been rude. He had actually been cute, with that shocked look on his face. She felt the tight knot in her heart begin to unravel just a bit. Smiling, she stepped away from the door, headed down the hallway, and hid behind a corner.
“Kaname?” Sousuke stepped out into the hallway. For a moment, he looked frantic. He willed himself to relax. “Do you wish to speak from there, Kaname?”
Kaname frowned. The big stuck up operative and his lucky guess. “Of course not, idiot!” She walked back to his doorways. The two of them stood staring at one another for a few moments, neither one knowing where to start.
“Why are you here, Kaname? Is it something weird? Something dangerous?” Sousuke spoke first.
“What?” Kaname grinned. The thief. That was her line!
“Did you want me to help you with your homework?” Sousuke kept a straight face. That ought to break the ice some.
“Huh?” Kaname blinked in disbelief, before catching on and smiling a shy smile. “Only if I want to fail the course!” She tossed her hair. Then, she sighed, feeling more serious. “I came to apologize, Sousuke.” She looked up at his face. “I’m sorry.”
“I see. But, I do not see any box.” he made a point to look out into the hallway. “The last time, at least you brought me dinner.” He turned to face the door that Tessa had peaked out of once.
“I was trying to be serious, Sousuke.” Kaname scowled. She already thought about that memory. Stupid slow poke!
“I know. I wanted to show you that I did not hold things against you.” Sousuke spoke in a matter-of-fact manner. “I have no grudge.”
“Grudge?” Kaname put her hands on her hips. “Grudge? Let me tell you about grudges mister. I…” She stopped. She looked a bit sheepish. “Are you sorry too, Sousuke?” She turned an expectant look on him. Her one hand fluttered.
“Yes,” Sousuke said. His initial instinct was to say ‘but not as much as you should be’, and explain why. Luckily, he had improved some.
“Oh…” Kaname smiled. “That’s good…” She stood on one foot, and then on the other. “Thank you…” Why was she acting like this? Get a grip girl!
“Would you like to come in Kaname?” Sousuke asked. He knew that he should probably leave it at that, but wanted to make the offer up front. It somehow seemed dishonest to hope that she had forgotten about the book. “Is there something in particular that you might like to see?”
Kaname suddenly felt chill. That book. Sousuke was talking about that book. Part of her wanted to throw the damn thing out of the window, without ever knowing what it was. Another part of her was clamoring for a peak. What to do, what to do, what to do? With her luck, it would be something that would set her off again.
“You don’t have to show it to me if you don’t want to, Sousuke.” Kaname bit her lip. No. That put the onus on him. If anything, after her little tirade in the alleyway, she should be the one who was responsible for the choice. “But, I would like to know what it is. You went to a lot of trouble to keep it secret.”
“We should sit over on the couch,” Sousuke said. He had begun to sweat. “I will get the… uhhh… book.” When Kaname was seated, he went to get the text. Staring at it a moment, he slipped the dust cover off of it. He stared at it even longer, knowing that he was past the point of no return.
“Sousuke?” Kaname’s curiosity was reaching a new zenith. Just what had that scruffy otaku acting like that.
“Kaname… I should explain… I have made no assumptions…” Sousuke couldn’t help himself. The words had a mind of their own. “It does not imply anything about you… I have not jumped to conclusions… there are no obligations…” The sweat was practically pouring off of him now. “It was a matter of importance… I merely wanted to be knowledgeable… the information might never be useful…”
“Sit down, Sousuke. Don’t blow a fuse or something.” Kaname looked at the book, feeling a slight sense of trepidation. “I promise. I won’t get mad at you.” She thought a moment. “Unless there’s reason for me to.”
“Yes… sit… I will do that.” Sousuke swallowed hard. He had stared down terrorists at gun point. He had fought desperate battles against uneven odds. He had piloted Arbalest into situations he had no right walking away from. Shouldn’t he be able to show Kaname a book? “I am sitting now.” He sat next to her, but at a far end of the couch.
“I’m over here, Sousuke.” Kaname furrowed her brow. It was getting late. She did have homework to do. Extra homework at that!
“Affirmative.” Sousuke got up and moved closer. He took a deep breath and ran his hand over the book. “Here. I think you will understand my reason for secrecy.” He coughed. “It is above all else, a treatise on love.”
“Oh! I see, Well, that’s sweet. It was smart to hide that from everyone else; but, why me?” Kaname smiled. She felt good for the first time in a long time that day.
“Uhhh…” Sousuke looked like a deer in the headlights. “Yes… the book also provides insights into men and women in relationships.”
“I’m glad to see you take things seriously, Sousuke.” Kaname ran her hand through her hair, twirling some around her fingers. “Why did you think I wouldn’t want to know what you were doing? I don’t think any less of you because you never had a girlfriend before. In fact, I kind of like that.”
“Uhhh… that is reassuring. The book is about fulfilling a partner’s expectations, but is wise to caution moderation and caution.” Sousuke looked somewhat still. “Various editions of the text have inspired art, dance, and music for centuries. The illustrations are all prints of ancient paintings and mosaics.”
“What? Don’t tell me… Sousuke Sagara… Renaissance Man…” Kaname smiled. “Do I get to see the book, or just hear about it?” Kaname began tapping her fingers on the couch arm Why was that mutton head hesitating? When was the last time that she heard Sousuke talk that much about a book that wasn’t a military novel or historic reference?
“Well… ummm… it is… yes.” Sousuke held out the book. Kaname reached out and slid it from his fingers.
“OK. Let’s see. What’s the title.” Kaname’s eyes widened. “Kama Sutra…” She looked at the cover. The artwork was discrete and tasteful. It was also a bit suggestive. “Isn’t that a…” Where had she heard that name before. Kurz Weber! By why? Her memory was foggy. She opened the book to a random section. “Huh?”
Sousuke leaned over to look at the page. There was an ancient painting done in vibrant colors. There was a houka in the foreground, along with a wine decanter and two glasses. The background showed a moonlit sky, and the hint of a jungle in the distance. A man and a woman were close, laying across large ornate pillows and cushions. The woman was partially on her knees, bus also on her back, turned to face the man, looking into his eyes. His hands were wrapped around her, one on each breast, while his… uh… was entering… uh…in good anatomic representation. “I believe that is Svanaka, the Dog.”
Kaname had turned as read as a beet. She didn’t dare move her eyes off of the page, unable to look over at Sousuke. Her mouth fell open.
“Though to be precise… uhhh… his hands should be on her waist, not her….” Sousuke swallowed hard again. He had never seen Kaname quite this stunned. He had no idea which way she would go with it.
Kaname closed the book. She stood up slowly, her hands trembling. She looked at them, as if they might be dirty or something. It had been quite a shock, opening to that page. “You have been reading a book on dirty pictures all day…” Kaname was proud of herself. She kept her voice level. “And… you… showed… it… to… me…”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke watched as Kaname’s face went from red to pale.
“I see. That is what you think of me? It’s the kind of think you think about when you think about love?” Her voice was slowly creeping up the octave scale. “Just because fifty percent of girls my age have sex, you think that you have a fifty-fifty chance? Pretty good odds, right?”
“Negative. I have not heard those statistics. They did not play a role in my…” Sousuke was unable to finish.
“I guess you are fitting into civilian life better than I thought, Sousuke. The men in this country tend to view women as sex objects. Someone to look down on and control. Someone to buy in some club somewhere, just like that place we found Saeki at.” Kaname looked sad, not angry. The color returned to her face. “But that’s a military thing too, isn’t it? Big hero saves girl. Girl gives herself to him in gratitude. Or, guy just takes her as his reward. Great. It’s just so romantic, I want to cry!”
“Kaname… no… I…” Sousuke needed to let Kaname know the truth. This sudden urgency might actually make it easier for him to speak. “I was speaking to Kurz and Melissa…”
“Oh! That makes it alright then!” Kaname clenched her fists. Now she was getting angry. “It only matters what your friends think, right? So, instead of thinking about how I might feel, you listen to a lecher like Kurz? And Melissa? Is that what you think all women are like? Is that how you think I should be?” She looked down at her feet. “I wish I never saw that damn book.”
“If you are finished overreacting, may I speak. You are doing a poor job of speaking for me.” Sousuke decided to try this tact again. It was risky, but the reward could be great.
“Go ahead.” Kaname’s voice was somewhat brittle.
“It is something new for me, being in a relationship. It is somewhat confusing, being in love.” Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck. “I am not certain what the expectations on me are. Kurz and Melissa say one thing. Boys at school talk about other things. Magazines, movies and television provide certain suggestions.” He looked into her eyes, looking down when she looked away. “I only want to do what will make you happy. I do not know what girls want, or when they might want it. I did not want to fail you in some way.”
Kaname’s face softened. She felt her heart beating faster. The way that big jerk said things made him sound so romantic and so sincere. “So, you don’t just think of me as a sex object?”
“Uhhh… no, I do not.” Sousuke said. “Ummm… sometimes part of me might…” He closed his eyes. He should learn when he’s said enough.
“I see…” Kaname coughed. She felt her face growing warm. “And you didn’t just assume that if you read the book, we would… you know…”
“Negative.” Sousuke was sweating heavily again. The sight had Kaname grinning and relaxing some. “I assumed you would tell me when… uhhh… as you try to tell me everything else.” It was his turn to look away. It was not a good admission for a Specialist to make.
“Oh! Well that’s right. I mean… you know… my being right about everything else.” Kaname realized that she was breathing rather quickly. What was with her? It’s not like she’s a Junior High student or something. “So, you were just… ummm… studying.” She narrowed her eyes. “I can’t get you to study long enough in Japanese History, Chemistry, or Biology, but you’ll sit in class studying…” She pointed at the book. “That.”
“Was that wrong?” Sousuke looked up.
“Yes! No. I don’t know.” Kaname sat back down. “Don’t ask stupid questions, Sousuke.” Truth be told, she didn’t really no what to think, much less what to say. Bluster was easy. An honest heart to heart talk was no so simple. “No, I shouldn’t say that. I guess there are some things that couples should talk about, right?”
“If you say so, Kaname.” Sousuke nodded.
“Well, I guess we will have to do that some day. When the time is right. And don’t ask me when that time will be, I don’t have it marked down on my calendar. Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname shook her finger at him. “It was a really bad day, Sousuke. But, I’m glad to see that you were thinking of me.” She trembled for a moment. “Oh my god. If I had gotten that book. And if the other girls had seen it. They would have thought…”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke knew exactly what they would have thought.
“Oh. I…” Kaname thought of something else. She suddenly looked very sheepish.
“Kaname, what is it? Is there a problem?” Sousuke suddenly looked concerned.
“Well… I…” Kaname sighed. She had broken ‘Kaname’s Rule about Relationships #1’: Do not speak about Relationship. “I sort of let slip our secret, Sousuke?”
“Let slip?” Sousuke asked. “Secret?” He froze. His first thought had to do with Whispered and Mithril‘s precise identification.
“Yes… in the gym… when I was being questioned about… you know…” She looked down at the book again. “I kind of… well you see… Geeez!” She just had to spit it out. “I shouted ‘WE… ARE… NOT… HAVING… SEX… WE ONLY JUST STARTED DATING!’ Something like that.”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke didn’t know what to say. “If I had done that…”
“You would be dead now. Things are unfair that way. Get used to it.” Kaname fluffed her hair. She was feeling remarkably calm and relaxed, considering. In fact, she felt her mischievous streak making a comeback. “You know, knowing that we are dating, most people will probably assume we are having sex.”
“I… they will?” Sousuke blinked rapidly. “You and I will assure them otherwise?”
“No. Who would believe us?” Kaname smiled, feeling wicked. She would be joking. Sousuke would naturally assume otherwise. “If they think we are, but we’re actually not, I guess that would make us liars, right?”
“Kaname?” Sousuke began to feel very much on edge. The logic of that last statement had his head spinning in figurative circles.
“Usually I have to help you study. But with this, you’re the expert.” Kaname tried to look innocent. “For once, it might be good to have a Specialist around.” She opened the book to the Index page. “So, what would you recommend first?”
Suddenly gone limp, Sousuke slid off of the couch.
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THE END
