FullMetal*Panic!

The sun was finally shining. Only thin wisps of clouds remained to streak the afternoon sky. The winter air was crisp, and the constant breeze seemed to toss Kaname’s hair in every direction at once. She pulled her scarf and coat tighter around her as she quickened her pace to keep up with the boy walking next to her.

Sousuke had refused to tell her much of anything about their destination that afternoon.“The Lieutenant Commander has given me an address. He believes that I may find some information there,” was all she had managed to get out of him. A number of possible scenarios had run through her mind, but nothing that seemed very likely. With her luck, he’d be taking her to a library to scan through thousands of articles in search of any more information on his parents. If they’d both been public figures, there would probably be something. The task would be daunting, but she’d do it. She’d promised to help, and she was not one to go back on her word.

As they made their way through the streets of the quiet Tokyo suburb, Kaname did her best to keep up some small talk. Sousuke was not much of a conversationalist, but he listened to her stories as intently as he could. Her enthusiasm for the activity never ceased to amaze him. She could talk about absolutely nothing and make it sound interesting and important. How did she do that? He, on the other hand, could make even life and death subjects seem tedious to her. That was definitely unfortunate. There were so many normal things he needed improvement on. Perhaps if he had grown up in a normal family, he would be able to gossip and discuss the latest episodes of popular TV shows with all the ease and excitement of his classmates. Perhaps he would know how to . . .

“It’s really not fair, you know.”

“Hmm?” He turned, attempting to read her expression.

“Well, I’ve been wondering all day where you were taking me, and now all you’ll tell me is ‘the Commander gave me an address.’” She did her best to imitate his serious voice and expression. “It’s pretty infuriating! You really owe me after this!”

“I am sorry I’ve inconvenienced you. If you wish, I will escort you back to the train station and then continue alone.”

Kaname’s face fell. He always took things so seriously. Couldn’t he tell she was teasing him? “Geez, I said I’d come with you, didn’t I? Besides, if I went home now, I’d never find out what this is all about.” She smiled wickedly. “Now that really would be infuriating!”

Sousuke sighed and continued walking. Kaname could be so confusing sometimes. That and his patience wasn’t as good as it normally was that afternoon. Things had improved greatly since the weekend, but nightmares still had him up half the night. He thought about talking with Kaname about it, but couldn’t bring himself to start the conversation. He didn’t want to worry her any more than he already had.

“So . . .” Kaname couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Have you found out anything else since . . . you know.”

Sousuke turned to look at her again. Her expression seemed softer than it had been a minute ago. Had she guessed what he’d been thinking about?

“A little.” He watched to be sure she wanted him to continue. “ My father graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in economics. He worked as an adviser to several political figures, and it appears he was well respected among his peers. My mother was a photographer. She worked as a photojournalist, but was beginning to gain a reputation in the art world, as well.” He reached into his book bag and pulled out several color images on printer paper. Kaname took them eagerly.

“Wow. These are really . . . beautiful. Your mom took these?”

He nodded. “I found them on the internet the other evening.”

“I never would have guessed that you’d have an artist in your family.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know. You’re just not very . . . you’re not really an art person, I guess.”

“I see.” He considered her observation. “I suppose that is true. Perhaps if . . . Things like art were not a high priority in my life. Since it does not serve a practical purpose in battle, I was not made to study it.”

“Of course.” She smirked. “So tell me again, what does a model do? Something about becoming one with nature?”

Sousuke gave her a sideways glance. She laughed at his worried expression.

“Don’t worry. I won’t hang you from a tree or anything . . . Well, not unless you really deserve it.” She winked and Sousuke began to sweat a little. That was not something to joke about. He had feared for his life.

“It should be in the next block” He needed to change the subject quickly.

“Oh?” Kaname examined her surroundings. They had left the small shops and offices behind them and were now in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Where on Earth was he taking her? She was at a loss.

Sousuke pulled a scrap of paper out of his pocket and checked the address again. He scanned the street numbers. It should be right over . . .

“There.” He pointed to the house almost directly across the street from them. It was a comfortable looking family home. There was a white wall surrounding the yard. A low rod iron gate topped with an ornate archway revealed a well-maintained garden beyond.

“It’s a nice house. Whose is it?” She turned to look at him.

Sousuke didn’t answer. He didn’t move. He stared at the house across from them with a somewhat bewildered look on his face.

“Sousuke?”

Impossible. How would I remember this? But there is something about this place that is so familiar. The smell seems strangely nostalgic. What is it? I don’t understand.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s . . .” He began to cross the street.

“Huh?” It was Kaname’s turn to look bewildered. “Maybe it’s what?” She hurried after him. By the time she caught up with him, he was at the gate, looking into the garden beyond.

“A koi pond.”

“What?”

“I knew there would be one.”

“What are you talking about? Why are we here? Whose house is this?”

Sousuke was clearly too engrossed by the garden to hear her questions. Frustrated, Kaname scanned the house’s exterior for any clues. Her eyes rested on the copper mail box mounted next to the gate. On the front, in carefully crafted calligraphy, was a family name. Kaname’s eyes went wide when she realized where they were.

Sagara

This is Sousuke’s home. It must be. His family must still live here. What are we going to do now? What is he going to say to them? Are we going to go in, or just stand here staring at the koi pond? Does he know where he is? I have to say something.

“Pardon me.” Kaname almost jumped out of her skin when a soft female voice spoke up behind her. “May I help you two?”

They turned to see a small woman of about seventy standing directly behind them. She smiled pleasantly at the startled high school students.

“Uhh . . . I beg your pardon, Mam. Is this your house?” It was Sousuke who answered.

“For over fifty years.” She beamed.

“This was also the residence of the photographer Sagara Mayumi, correct?”

“Ah, Mayu-chan. Yes. She lived here. But that was many years ago.” Her eyes looked somewhat distant for a moment. “You are much too young to have known my daughter-in-law. Perhaps you are fans of her work?”

“Affirmative. We were hoping to talk to someone in her family. We are working on a report for our art class. We have selected Mrs. Sagara as our subject. Would you permit us to ask you a few things about her and her history?”

“It would be a pleasure.”

In too much shock to say anything herself, Kaname followed Sousuke and the woman who had to be his grandmother into the house. It looked like this might not be such a boring afternoon, after all.