[FIC] Endings and Beginnings (part 4)
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:30 pm
Sousuke knocked, hoping he had used the proper amount of force.
He did not want to appear timid and uncertain. That would not give Shunya Chidori reason to think highly of him. It would also leave Kaname wondering if he truly wanted to go on this date with her.
On the other hand, he did not want to appear rude and boorish. It was bad enough that Kaname’s father knew he was a mercenary soldier. A loud knock might also set Kaname to scolding him.
The door opened a crack. A face peered out. It was Kaname’s sister. “Daddy! Sousuke’s here.”
Sousuke swallowed hard, knowing that he was being irrational. Why did the girl call for her father and not her sister. After all, he was here to take Kaname to the party, not the High Commissioner on Environment Issues at the United Nations.
At least she hadn’t said ‘Sergeant Sagara is here’, or ‘that guy Kaname is going to the party with is here’. She also did not close the door, or spray him with a can of mace.
“Ayame, open the door. Let the young man in, please.” Shunya’s voice was strong and somewhat reserved.
“AYAME!” Kaname’s voice came from somewhere within the large apartment.
“It’s under control, Kaname.” Shunya looked over at Sousuke and pressed his lips together in a flat smile. “Girls…”
“Yes, Sir.” Sousuke took a step into the entry hall. He shook hands when Shuinya walked over to greet him. The older man had a strong firm grip. “I am Sousuke Sagara. Kaname’s classmate, as you already know.”
“Pleased to meet you again, Sousuke. I’m afraid that Kaname is not ready quite yet.” Shunya raised one eyebrow. “Nevertheless, I believe that you are starting the evening off on her bad side.” He walked into the living room area, beckoning Sousuke to follow him.
“DADDY!” Kaname’s voice was louder than before. “LET ME DEAL WITH THAT!”
Shunya nodded towards a large clock on the wall. The time read 8: 33. “Pardon my reference to American culture, but at midnight tonight, I hope my daughter turns back into my pumpkin.” That had Ayame hugging the Bonta-Kun doll and snickering. “When the clock struck eight-o-one, she became more like the Wicked Witch.” Kaname’s father kept his voice low.
“Evil step-sister,” Ayame said, smiling. “Even though she’s my real sister.” She had not been circumspect enough.
“WHAT WAS THAT?” The sound of a number of glass bottles falling over in the bathroom could be heard after Kaname’s question.
“I apologize, Sir. I was detained.” Literally and figuratively. “It took a while before the police got to our case.” Sousuke immediately cringed. Kaname was right. He really was a big idiot. What a wonderful thing to let slip.
“Excuse me?” Shunya’s eyes narrowed. His face went stiff.
“Oh boy,” Ayame said. She moved closer, sitting on a footstool near Sousuke and her father. This ought to be good.
Kaname came running out. She still didn’t have stockings or her shoes on. That last comment by Sousuke had her worried that her father might ground her then and there. “Daddy, he probably…” She bit her lip when her father held his hand up brusquely.
“I think that this require an explanation, young man.” Shunya’s eyes flashed. “I hope I did not make a mistake letting you into our home!” He stared at Sousuke. “Should I search you now?”
“Sir, no Sir!” Sousuke couldn’t afford that now. Kurz had stashed the condoms in his pocket against his wishes. Melissa had insisted that he go armed, strapping the PP2000 on herself. He didn’t know which one would get him in more trouble. Trying not to flinch, he surprised Shunya by bowing. “The incident was nothing serious. My comrades had been engaging in tomfoolery on the balcony. One suspended the other over the edge. Someone called the authorities. When they arrived, they demanded entry into our room.”
Kaname froze. She could imagine the scene. “It was Kurz and Melissa,” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Yes,” Sousuke answered. “While I was on the phone with you.”
“Did they have their usual… business items… with them?” Kaname couldn’t help but smile. She could imagine what would happen to Kurz and Melissa when the returned to Da Danaan.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke looked from Kaname to Shunya. He was walking on uneasy ground now. He realized that he might have committed another error when he spoke of his fellow in SRT members in informal terms to Kaname. Her casual response may well have compounded the error.
“Ayame, I think it’s time for you to take your shower.” Shunya’s voice was very firm.
“But…” Ayame frowned. She was wise enough to know why she was being sent from the room. Why did she have to miss the good stuff. “OK, Daddy. Does this mean that I get to go to the party with Kaname and Sousuke?”
Shunya didn’t say anything. The look on his face had Ayame walking quickly towards the bathroom.
Kaname sat down and began working on her stockings. She found herself holding her breath. One of Sousuke’s terms came to mind. ‘S.N.A.F.U’ This kind of thing was indeed par for the course with Sousuke. How could she possibly have believed that tonight would be any different? She just hoped that things were not ‘F.U.B.A.R’
“I take it that the people you referenced are mercenaries?” Shunya got straight to the point. “When the police arrived, they found an apartment filled with weapons and sensitive equipment?” He ran a hand through his hair. “They thought you were a terrorist group? A drug smuggling ring? Perhaps even Yakusa?” He wondered if he might be better off letting his daughter go out with a terrorist, a junkie, or a gangster.
“That is correct, Sir. The officers on the scene were relatively new to the force. They did not recognize a call word that should have put things on hold, until they had a chance to contact certain superiors who would know of our general existence.” Sousuke did not fell that it was germane to mention the numerous things that Melissa had said to the poor police officers. “It was a regrettable circumstance. Naturally, it occurred tonight.”
“Naturally,” Kaname grumbled. The look she gave Sousuke made it clear that she blamed Sousuke. Furthermore the look told the young soldier that she knew he was not at fault, and that such a fact did not matter. That was par for the course with her.
“I have a rather pointed question, young man.” Shunya’s tone of voice had Kaname tensing up. She had not heard that voice very often. “Make that a number of rather pointed questions.”
“Sir,” Sousuke stood at attention, feeling like a fool when he realized that he had done so.
“First, I would like to know why a mercenary was stationed at my daughter’s high school.” Shunya’s hand clenched and unclenched. “Second, I would like to know why Kaname sound like she is on familiar terms with the pair that got you into trouble.” He switched his gaze to his eldest daughter. “I would also like to know just what your relationship with her is.”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke began to sweat. This really was dangerous ground. He doubted that Kaname had told her father anything about the Whispered, otherwise he would not have asked those questions. He also probably had no precise knowledge of Mithril. Last but not least, he had no idea just how much time that a certain young agent and his daughter had spent together, or what they had come to mean to one another.
He paused a moment, struck by one fact. He had gotten ito a great deal of trouble at the school, and Kaname was often central or peripheral to it. How could the school not have reported such things to Kaname’s father? Oh. It was a night for moronic thoughts. The Principal and others had received princely sums of money from Mithril to maintain their silence. He was persona non grata with the Finance Division for just that reason.
“I’m certain that there will be time for all that later, Daddy.” Kaname stood up, shoes in one hand. She ran over and grabbed her car keys with the other, after slinging her purse over one shoulder. “But, Sousuke and I are late already. Remember what you taught me about punctuality…”
“Kaname…” Shunya watched as his daughter grabbed Sousuke’s hand, jerked him around somewhat roughly, and then began tugging him from the apartment.
“I…” Sousuke knew better than to put up any resistance. In some ways, this almost made him feel more at home. He was used to hectic situations with Kaname.
“Don’t wait up, Daddy. I’ll be perfectly safe with Sousuke. You can trust him, I promise.” Feeling wild and on the edge, Kaname headed outside. This was just what she needed to burn away her malaise regarding her promise to leave the country. She knew that there would be Hell to pay later, but she would live with that.
She felt like she was two distinctly different persons at that moment. Her good and proper self, the part of her that wouldn’t even dream about disobeying her father, watched in abject horror as the other self did the inconceivable.
“Uhhh… it was an honor to speak with you, Sir…” Sousuke managed to blurt out as he was manhandled. He believed in being polite. First impressions were often the most lasting.
Kaname remembered something that Sousuke had said about Samurai, during a report in class. Naturally, she hadn’t paid it much attention back then. He had said that those warriors had lived for the moment. She would do the same. The party tonight frightened her in some ways, but it might also be the last good time she had with her friends.
“KANAME CHIDORI!” It was a rare event for Shunya Chidori to raise his voice. Draped only in a towel, a soaking wet Ayame peaked out of the bathroom.
Kaname went pelting down the long external flight of concrete stairs, dragging a bewildered Sousuke behind her. “Hurry up, Sousuke! You’re always holding me back or holding me up!” She almost slipped, saying that. She hadn’t meant anything by it, but thoughts began to crystallize in her head.
Sousuke realized that Kaname was joking. Just the same, a certain thought took root. No doubt, over time, that thought would grow. Holding her back?
“Do you wish for me to drive?” He asked, as they approached Kaname’s car. Looking back the way they had come, he saw Shunya Chidori leaning over the railing on the upper level. He was silent. The older man made no attempt at following.
“NO!” Kaname cringed. Sousuke had told her in the past how he had learned to drive, in beat up automobiles and military vehicles at points throughout Afghanistan. She imagined what her car might look like, battered beyond recognition and coated with decades of dust and dirt.
She jangled the keys. “My car. Me driving.”
“As you wish.” Sousuke realized only then that his heart was racing. “However, I do not see the need to drive, Kaname. It would not be too long a walk.”
“No. I said that we will drive. Kaname Chidori is a woman of her word.” Kaname couldn’t leave it at that. “Thanks to some inconsiderate idiot, we’re late as it is. Walking takes time, and time allows a certain soldier way too much opportunity to get in trouble.” They were in enough trouble as it was! “Besides, I feel like driving.”
Sousuke understood. Sometimes, when he got a new weapon, he felt anxious to give it a try. The PP2000 was no exception. That weapon also had added significance, as it was a gift on a special occasion. “I understand. It surprises me, giving your mention of trouble, that you even allow me inside your car.”
Kaname froze in the act of opening her door. She stood like that for a few moments, and then tossed her hair, looking a bit uneasy. “Get in, Sousuke. No weapons allowed.” She felt her spirit coming back. “And no hanging your head out the window like a dog or something!”
“I suppose I am fortunate that you didn’t make me ride in the trunk,” Sousuke said once he was buckled and Kaname pulled out from the parking shelter.
“There’s always the trip home,” Kaname said.
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“Ummm… Sousuke… would it be terrible if I wanted to go home early?”
Kaname stood on the sidewalk outside of Oonuki’s apartment building. She was fidgeting.
“No, Kaname.” Sousuke cocked his head. Was Kaname worried about the scene in her father’s home, or was she feeling uncomfortable around him?
“I… it’s not you, Sousuke… not really…” Kaname looked despondent for a moment. “I can only wonder what he thinks. I guess…” She sighed. “I guess it’s time I tell him some things. Especially…”
“Kaname?” Sousuke had been through enough battles to get a sense when something bad was about to happen. While the current situation by no means qualified for that, he had a strong sense of foreboding just the same.
“Especially since I’ll be going back to America with him.” Kaname’s eyes watered. She dropped her keys, trying to put them in her purse. When Sousuke touched her hand with his, helping to retrieve the keys, she sobbed and threw herself on him.
“Uhhh….” Sousuke felt Kaname’s arms tighten. A number of friends stopped to see if the two of them were alright, and then quickly left them their privacy.
“Oh, Sousuke. I just… I don’t… it’s…” Kaname straightened up and pushed herself away. “I’m sorry. That’s not the way for a Valedictorian or ex-Student Council Vice President to behave.” She went on to tell Sousuke about her promise, and about her father’s big news.
“I see” Sousuke said, feeling the world rush in on him. Once again realized the dangers that came with getting in touch with his emotions. He had made himself vulnerable in a way he never would have in combat. “When?”
”I have… I have ten weeks, Sousuke… ten more weeks to…” Kaname didn’t finish. What could she say? Ten more weeks to be around the people she cared about? Ten more weeks to stay in the city that was home to her now? Ten more weeks to count and catalog every possible lost opportunity?
“It seems that I will not be holding you back, then,” Sousuke said, surprised by the feeling of bitterness that filled him. He rebounded quickly. “I will worry about your safety.” His voice cracked. That had both himself and Kaname taking notice.
“Sousuke…” Kaname reached up to touch his face. “I haven’t really been treating you so great lately, have I? And now this….” Kaname slumped. “I’m sorry.” Was it a clear case of not appreciating what you have until it’s gone? No, not really. She had been wondering if she should make a clean break, as painful as it might be. Now she was more confused than ever.
“I would have attended Tokyo University with you,” Sousuke said, clenching his fists. Tessa’s wonderful gift turned to ashes in his mind.
“Sousuke?” Kaname blinked repeatedly. “Mithril?”
“Yes.” Sousuke detailed the deal that he had struck with Tessa and the High Council.
Kaname trembled. That news made the situation worse. She imagined herself at Tokyo University, Sousuke by hers side, both of them laughing. She pictured what it might be like, walking hand in hand to class. If that dream had become a reality, it would be thanks to the same metal monster that played on Sousuke‘s conscience. “Arbalest….“
“Indeed. Miraculously, it has been repaired, as I told you before. But, my partner and I are needed in the Pacific theater, not the Atlantic.”
Kaname tried to shake off an irrational hatred. Arbalest had been instrumental in her surviving capture and death in Khanka. It had played a crucial role in saving Da Danaan, as did she. On the deck of the Pacific Princess, it had saved her and Sousuke from the Astarols. Despite all that, it was the reason that Sousuke kept coming back to Mithril. Would he die fighting for that organization?
“Kaname?” Sousuke watched as her eyes regained focus. “Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about that. I ran out of the apartment so I wouldn’t ruin my mood for the party? Mission accomplished, huh?” She sniffed. “There’s time to think about things later. Let’s go have some fun, OK?”
Sousuke looked at Kaname, almost as if for the first time. His eyes lingered on every aspect of her, almost as if he were seeing her for the last time. “Your dress. It is very nice. You look beautiful, Kaname.” He looked away for a moment. That hadn’t come easy for him, given the fog of emotions smothering him. He thought back to a sunset by the lake, when Kaname had been dressed in her mother’s kimono.
“Thank you, Sousuke. You look very nice, too.” She recognized the pants as part of the school uniform. That was Sousuke alright, Mr. Practicality. But, that was a new leisure suit, and the cut was very flattering. “New watch?” She swallowed hard, trying to make small talk.
“Affirmative. A gift from Kurz.” He looked at Kaname for a moment before continuing. “I do not recognize the jewelry.”
Kaname’s hand went to her neck. “It was my mother’s necklace.”
“I see.”
The two of them stood quietly, staring at one another wordlessly. Neither could have predicted how long it might have gone on, if Maya, Ryo, and a number of other girls hadn’t walked up and dragged them along in their wake. As it turned out, the party was not limited to Oonuki’s family apartment. Two friends also had their homes in the building.
The festivities were spread throughout all three family quarters. Even so, the crowd was so large that many people hung out in hallways and the lobby. There was loud music everywhere, a surprise given the usual reserved nature of the building’s tenants. Groups of students hung out together, but there were also a number of teachers and school officials in the mix.
Sousuke and Kaname slowly made their way through the crowd. It seemed that everyone wanted to talk to him. But, to Kaname’s great shock, even more wanted to speak with her. It almost seemed as if congratulations on her speech and her award were going to come non-stop. And, once word of her scholarship leaked out, it coursed throughout the assembled throng like wildfire.
“Oh! Sousuke. Sous-kaaaay…” A girl from the class clamored for Sousuke’s attention. “I’m so happy you showed up. This party is so great!”
Sousuke shrugged when Kaname gave him a piercing stare. He had no idea while the girl acted like that. She was not someone that he had said more than a dozen words too during his stay at the school.
“Were you some kind of playboy all along, Sousuke Sagara?” Kaname was joking. “Did you keep that a secret too?” She shouted, trying to be heard.
“Affirmative,” Sousuke answered in his deadpan way. He stepped closer to Kaname when he saw the reaction from a group of girls that overheard him. “But, that mission is over!”
Kaname hid a smile. Despite her turbulent emotions, Sousuke still had the power to lighten her mood. He was such an innocent in some ways. Then again, despite her bravado and outgoing behavior, she was too.
The two of them moved about the party, seeking out their closest friends. It was a bittersweet experience, sharing moments with people they might see very little of in the future.
“YO, STUD!” Oonuki’s loud greeting didn’t help matters. “Sousuke, it’s great you showed up.” His friend had a glazed look in his eyes. No doubt he had imbibed heavily. “Hey, Kaname. Good news, girl. Or ‘Bummer,’ whichever you like!” He congratulated her on her scholarship to Columbia.
Kaname bit her lip. She had only told Kyouko about the news. Kyouko and Ryo. Kyouko, Ryo, Maya, and Ren…
After greeting a number of other late comers, Oonuki chased down Sousuke gain. “Hey man, bring any of that stuff again. I don’t see your thermos anywhere.” His reference was clear enough. “It might actually be fun, tonight!” That had a number of other guys and gals commenting.
“Uhhh….” Sousuke looked over at Kaname, and then away. She didn’t look like she was ready to hit someone. That was an improvement.
“I have an even more important question.” Oonuki put his arm around the young soldier’s shoulder. “Are you packing, man?”
“Huh?” Sousuke looked puzzled. For a moment, he began to sweat. He hoped that Oonuki wasn‘t asking him about prophylactics, with Kaname standing right there.
“Are you armed?” Oonuki asked.. He automatically took a step back when he saw the look on Kaname’s face.
“I…” Sousuke swallowed hard, knowing that Kaname would be displeased.
“Well, tell the man, Sousuke.” Kaname was tapping her foot against the polished tile floor.
“Yes.” Sousuke rushed quickly to qualify matters. “I brought a clip of blanks.” He had said enough. ‘Loose lips sink ships’.
“That part ought to please Kaname, I guess.” Oonuki said, feeling more at ease when he saw Kaname nod.
“Sure!” A member of the music club jumped into the conversation, half of his face covered by his long hair. “She won’t be getting knocked up if he’s shooting blanks.” The people around whistled.
“Hmmm?” Sousuke was puzzled by the reference. “Kaname? What did he mean?”
Kaname felt as if her face were on fire. She looked ready to commit bodily harm when Oonuki bent over to whisper in Sousuke’s ear. But, she couldn’t help but grin when Sousuke began to sweat.
“Well, back to what I wanted to say.” Oonuki turned away for a moment. Hearing some boys shouting at him, he shouted back at them. “I’ll be back up in a minute or two!” He shrugged when he turned back to Sousuke. “Sorry. The punch fountain is empty. They need me to mix up more of my special ‘Purple Passion.’ The two of you need to try that before you leave. “Where was I? Oh yeh!” He held out a bag. “I have an import mission for you.”
”Mission?” That had Sousuke standing straighter. It also had Kaname’s scowling and clenching her fists.
“My father is always telling me I have to be responsible,” Oonuki said. “So, I’m going to be responsible. This is a big party. There’s a lot of drink here tonight. Wouldn’t be a killer party if there wasn’t!”
“You can say that again!” A girl from the drama club shouted, almost falling when she stepped on her friend’s foot.
“So,” Oonuki said when he stepped closer. His breath reeked of alcohol. “Would you serve as my Sergeant at Arms? Could I get you to be the keeper of the keys?”
“I do not understand,” Sousuke said.
“Well, it’s not a good idea to drink and drive. While most of the people probably walked or took the train, some might have decided to drive, especially if they brought dates.”
“And…” Sousuke looked over at Kaname, upon hearing the word ‘date’. He was gratified to see that she managed a shy smile.
“If someone else has their keys, then they can’t drive home, right?” Oonuki looked away when someone shouted about the ‘Purple Passion’ again. “Get them to put their keys in that bag, and I doubt that anyone will try to get them back again unless they’re sober.”
”That is a good idea. I accept.” Not one to dawdle, Sousuke reached inside his jacket, unholstered the PP2000, and then pulled the PDW out. He fired off a series of loud shots, wanting to get everyone‘s immediate and undivided attention..
“HOLY SHIT! NOT AGAIN! WE”RE UNDER ATTACK!”
The exclamation was understandable for a member of the graduating class. The boy was one of many who had been through not one, but two mass kidnappings.
“CALM DOWN! BE SILENT. LISTEN! ”
Sousuke’s voice was followed by another series of shots. A gaggle of girls stumbled over one another, rushing to turn the music off.
“You had to ask him, didn’t you?” Kaname said to Oonuki crossly. “I hope you haven’t created a monster.” She also hoped that this didn’t ruin her time with Sousuke.
“But…” Onuki suddenly looked worried. He closed his eyes, trying to wish away a series of unwanted visions from the past. He didn’t want to dredge up the ill thoughts he once had of his friend.
“I AM THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS. IF YOU DROVE AUTOMOBILES OR MOTORCYCLES, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO BRING ME YOUR KEYS. I WILL RETURN THEM WHEN YOU PROVE SOBRIETY. THOSE THAT BALK SHALL BE DEALT WITH SEVERELY.”
Sousuke’s loud demands had an instantaneous effect. Anyone who drove to the party scrambled to reach the bag. Some, standing up on a level overlooking the lobby, made it a point to throw their keys down. One boy, who had ridden his bicycle, ran to hand Sousuke the key to his chain lock.
“It is not a problem,” Sousuke said to Oonuki. “Is something wrong, Kaname?” He held out his hand.
“What kind of nonsense is this, Sousuke? I’m not going to get drunk or something. I don’t drink and drive!” Kaname gave Sousuke a look that said he had better put his hand down if he knew what was good for him.
“For a rule to be just, it must pertain to all. There can be no exceptions.” Sousuke took a step closer to Kaname. The crowd that had dispersed at the gunshots now reformed, eager to see what might happen.
“I am not giving you the keys to my new car, Sousuke!” Kaname took out her keys and dropped them down her blouse. That led to the expected response form the partygoers. “What are you planning on doing if I do not hand them over? Spank me? Send me to my room? Big idiot!”
“If necessary,” Sousuke said in all seriousness. His look had Kaname swallowing hard and looking at the nearby girls for support. “I would also hate to damage the buttons on your dress if I am forced to retrieve the keys.”
Sousuke meant what he said. Kaname knew that. The whole crowd knew that. The excited murmuring reached new decibel levels.
“STRIP SEARCH!” Some wise guy yelled out.
“GOOD WAY TO GET HIM TO COP A FEEL, KANAME!” An even less inhibited girl shouted.
“Sousuke, you better not…” Kaname stamped her foot. She shook a fist at him.
“By my watch, you have two minutes and fourteen seconds.” Sousuke looked at his new time piece. “I am setting the timer now.”
“Hell, the damn punch can wait!” Oonuki forced his way back to a spot near Sousuke and Kaname. “In Sousuke’s honor, I might need to re-christen it ‘Black-and Blue Passion’!”
“I’d give him the keys, Kaname.” It was Kyouko. The gunshots had made it simple to find Sousuke, and Kaname by association. Shinji, Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki all converged on the scene as well. Each of them was grinning. “You know that Sousuke doesn’t joke about this kind of thing.”
Naturally, the fact that Kyouko was counseling her to do something made Kaname all the more adamant to do nothing of the sort.
“This is such a great party!” Someone shouted.
“Under one minute, Kaname.” Sousuke began to sweat heavily. He intended to uphold the law, no matter what it took. He hoped that Kaname realized that.
“I can tell time, stupid head!” Kaname bit her lip, despite trying to keep up a tough front.
“Sousuke…… Sousuke…… Sousuke……”
A chant began and spread throughout the room. The lobby was filled way beyond the Fire Marshall’s posted capacity, as everyone hurried to watch what happened.
“SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…”
The noise was near deafening. The whole group chanted as one. Kyouko stepped behind Shinji when she caught Kaname’s glance.
“Somebody get a camera!” That shout surprised a large number of people. It had been Shinji. The usually quiet boy pushed Kyouko back in front of him. Hand shaking, she took her camera out.
“Thirty seconds, Kaname.” Sousuke shivered ever so slightly. If Kurz ever got wind of this, it would be all over Mithril within a day or two.
“Sousuke, you better not!” Kaname put her hand over the neck of her dress.
“Twenty,” Sousuke said. “Fifteen.”
“SOUSUKE SAGARA!” Kaname took a step back. A number of helpful sorts shoved her closer to Sousuke than she had started.
“Ten.” Sousuke closed his eyes for a moment. He held his breath as the crowd began counting.
“NINE…… EIGHT…… SEVEN……SIX…… FIVE…..”
“I’m certain your father will be proud of your perseverance, Kaname.” Sousuke spoke as quickly as he could. Kaname would give in as usual, wouldn’t she?
“THREE… TWO… ONE….”
“Here!” Kaname threw her keys at Sousuke, who deftly snagged them out of the air and deposited them in the bag. “Jerk!” She turned up her nose. “Hmmmpppfff!”
Everyone applauded. It was hard to tell who everyone was cheering for. Sousuke opened his mouth, but held his tongue. Silence might be his best ally at that moment. Unfortunately, he was not out of Kaname’s doghouse yet. Not by a long shot.
“Sous-kaaaaay…” Three girls walked up. “We’ve been bad, Sousuke.” One by one, they dropped their keys down their blouses.
“Uhhh…”
“Sousuke…… Sousuke…… Sousuke…”
“Q-U-I-E-T!”
Kaname’s shout was just as effective as the gunshots had been. “Put the keys in the bag, if you know what’s good for you.” She dared the girls to try any more nonsense. “And for him…” She added under her breath.
After that, things went back to being the usual run-of-the-mill rambunctious party. Seeing that Kaname was pointedly ignoring Sousuke, Ren made use of the opportunity to speak alone with her. “That a very responsible young man you have there.”
“Yeh, right. It just looks like I came with him.” Kaname grumped. After that, she complained. But, eventually, under her friend’s quiet coaxing, she managed to share her feelings, talking about her scholarship and everything else that came out in a rush.
As the girls spoke, Hayashimizu Atsunobu walked over to have a word with Sousuke. “As it turned out, I was correct,” the former Student Council President said. “The school suffered greatly, but we were all fortunate that there were no fatalities.”
”Yes,” Sousuke said, feeling a bit guilty.
“I propose that everything was not a loss. We have all discovered things about ourselves we might not have touched upon otherwise.” He pushed his glasses up his nose and looked over at Ren. “Some of us have taken steps that should have been taken long ago.”
“I see,” Sousuke said.
“Will that be possible for you and her? I take it that she doesn’t want to leave the country, but is under some kind of obligation.” Hayashimizu stood serenely, giving no clue to how he felt inside.
“It would be difficult for me to follow, if she wanted me to do so. I’m not certain that I…” Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck. It was a difficult subject, made doubly so by the fact that he hadn’t had time to think things through yet.
“You do not truly need to stay with that organization, do you?” Hayashimizu asked. “I would not judge you to be one who enjoys violence, despite the way you treated school property.” He managed an easy-going grin. One could never be certain what lay underneath the surface a person presented to others. His own secrets were a good lesson in that regard.
“It’s just that….” Sousuke hung his head.
“Weight of the world on your shoulder? Feel responsible for everyone else’s well-being except your own?” Hayashimizu’s shrewd remark had his friend flinching. “Or, are you haunted by more ghosts than you can name?” That question also hit home. “Graduation is a time of changes, is it not. We all must give up something.”
Sousuke stood silent and unmoving.
“In any case, strangely enough, it seems that people have come to respect someone they once feared or laughed at.” The tall slender boy moved a lock of hair out of his face. “But, things were bad for a while. Next time they might stay that way for good.”
“Yes,” Sousuke admitted.
“It also looks like they came to shun or blame someone they once admired and appreciated.” Hayashimizu loked over at Kaname. “But, it appears that the tide has changed again, at least for some.” He rubbed his chin, a calculating look in his eyes. “It might well do her some good, leaving Japan, finding a fresh start overseas.”
“There is logic to that,” Sousuke said sadly.
“Then again, it might not.” Hayashimizu watched as Ren headed in his direction. “I would conjecture that she is very confused, and could use help in finding her answers. While it might be ill-advised to push too hard, it might prove equally bad to remain silent.“
Sousuke nodded.
“If I do not see you again… good luck…” Hayashimizu walked away, his hand in Ren’s.
Sousuke looked over at Kaname. She was surrounded by a group of girls, many of whom had brought their yearbooks along. He had brought his as well, and wondered about getting remembrances. Many people had already asked for his comments. He had gladly given them, knowing that he would have found their request unfathomable when he first arrived in Tokyo.
He sighed. One point became ever more certain as the night progressed.
There was no way to stop the winds of change.
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“We finally graduated!”
A number of guys and gals were shouting happily, banging their glasses together.
“Kaname, I’m glad you decided to show up tonight!” Namie Utado pulled Kaname aside. She had never been one of Kaname’s closest friends, but had stuck by her side when many of the other students had begun treating her differently.
“I’m glad I did,” Kaname admitted. “People have been much nicer than I expected.” She scowled. “Of course, some of that is sympathy for the way that Sousuke treated me. Him and his damn keys!”
“I wonder what he would have done if you didn’t give them back.” Ayumi Amuro walked over and joined them. “I know what the guys were hoping for!” She winked. It wasn’t only the guys who had been anticipating some kind of scandalous event.
“I don’t,” Kaname said. “He always keeps his word.” Kaname frowned. “Most of the time...” She thought back to the time he had left school without even sending her word. She had ended up corralling Wraith, flying out to Hong Kong, and tracking him down. No. She always had to correct herself. Tracking her down. That discovery was still hard to accept.
“Well, that’s more than other guys!” Maya looked very upset. Kaname was about to ask why when someone else spoke first.
“Yeh. Guys are slime.” Yuri Hamasaki looked over by the punch fountain. “And there are so many cute ones here, tonight. C'mon girls.” She grabbed hold of Kaname’s arm and began pulling her along.
“Wait. I…” Kaname dug her heals in.
“What’s wrong, Kaname?” Yuri asked. “Tonight’s all about having fun!”
“Is it Sousuke?” Namie asked. “Are you two dating or something? I know that the two of you spent so much time together, but that was because he was your protector, right?”
“Well… he and I…” Kaname looked for Sousuke, but saw no sign of him. They had come together as dates, in a manner of speaking. But they hadn’t really been dating. She was such a quibbler. Why did she find it hard to share her feelings with people she might never see again?
“Some of the girls were convinced that the two of you were sleeping together.” Ayumi laughed. “Despite the fact that it was easy to see how clueless the guy is!” That had the other girls laughing too.
“And the fact that you used to be such an idol!” Yuri put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry…”
“Have you two… you know…” Yuri lowered her voice some, as much as she could in that loud room.
“No!” Kaname held her hands up. “I mean, we never even kissed or anything.” She looked over at Maya again. Yuri’s question had upset her for some reason.
“Come on, you can tell us if you have.” Namie stepped closer. “It’s not like we’re going to run around spreading the secret, like some guys would.” She actually believed that.
“We haven’t!” Kaname said. “I guess it’s just as well.” Those words had forced themselves out.
“So it was true. The scholarship, I mean?” Ryo walked up. She spared Maya a brief sympathetic look. “I was hoping that someone had made that up.”
“They must have lower standards in America,” Mizuki quipped. She frowned when no one paid any attention.
“It’s true. About the scholarship. I had applied to Columbia, at my father’s request. I never thought that I stood a chance of getting in.” Kaname shook her head. She drank down a whole cup of punch in a few gulps.
“That’s great, I guess.” Yuri fluffed out her hair. “But, it’s an honor just getting into Tokyo University, right? Wouldn’t it be just as good for your career to go there?“
After nodding her head, Kaname went on to explain the promise she had made. She found herself feeling guilty for a moment, being angry at her father. Namie’s father had died in a car accident when she was only ten. Ayumi’s father had abandoned her mother when his daughter was seven.
“I wouldn’t keep that promise,” one guy stated, butting in after eavesdropping. A number of his buddies had similar sentiments.
“It costs money to go to college, moron.” Yuri shot back. She had a strong dislike for that boy. “Not that you have any reason to know that.”
“Your dad wouldn’t cut off all of your money if you wanted to stay in Japan, would he?” Ryo asked. “I mean, he really seems to care about you. It’s not every father that buys his daughter a car.”
“He might,” Kaname said, admitting to herself that she really didn’t know one way or the other. “But, I would never force him to make that choice. I gave him my word.” She took another cup of punch someone handed her. It went down faster than the first. “I love my father…”
“It’s not fair, though.” Maya said. “If he cares about you, he should think about you, not himself. Why are men so selfish that way?” Her eyes were red. Kaname wondered if her friend had been crying.
“I don’t really know what’s fair or not,” Kaname said. “When my mother died, there was a heavy burden on my father. I certainly didn’t make things easy for him.” She didn’t want to go into details. “With everything he went through, he always tried to do what was best for Ayame and me.”
“Including letting you live in Tokyo alone,” Namie said. “I can see how that would have been hard for him.”
“I can’t,” Mizuki quipped. Again, no one paid her any heed.
“It was hardest on my sister, I think.” Kaname said. “But, my father had already lost my mother and…” Kaname felt her throat tighten up, thinking back to her mother’s losing battle with cancer, her death, and the dreaded finality of her funeral.
“You don’t want to let him down, right?” Kyouko looked somewhat sad. She had been accepted to a college in Tokyo. The two of them had talked about seeing a lot of each other during school.
“How can I?” Kaname sighed. “He has never let me down.”
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“Engineering degree?”
Sousuke stood with Shinji, neither of them drinking the ubiquitous purple punch.
“Yes. I hope so. Hey, for all I know, I might actually be working on a team that designs something like a Gundam some day!” Shinji looked sheepish when a number of guys laughed at his comment. He looked down at his feet when a group of girls put their heads together to talk.
“Indeed, given your hobbies, you might enjoy working for the military.” Sousuke said. “It might please your father if you follow in his footsteps.” He held out his bag, so that a late arrival could drop his keys in. For a moment, he stared into the blackness at the bottom of the large sack. He had so few memories of his own father, and those he had were shoddy at best.
“I guess so,” Shinji said. “Sometimes I’m not so sure.” He shook his head. “I know that my mother wouldn’t be so happy!”
“Yeh, but you’ll be the one needing to make a living, not your mother.” One boy spoke with a slurred voice. He almost fell over reaching for another drink. “Parents can’t make all of our decisions for us. If we chose the wrong career, it will screw up our whole life!”
That statement prompted everyone to talk about where they were headed, and where they hoped to be ten years down the road. When Sousuke was the only one who hadn’t spoken, they all turned to stare at him expectantly.
“I am not certain,” Sousuke admitted. “As you know, my life is greatly different than yours. Perhaps I can change that, but…” He shrugged. He didn’t have the answer that they sought. But, that wasn’t surprising. He didn’t have the answers that he himself sought.
“I bet it can’t help that Kaname is going to America, huh?” Shinji asked. He had strong suspicions on how close his two friends really were.
“Nice!” One girl said, sarcastically. Shinji's blunt question wouldn't make Sousuke feel any better.
“What?” Shinji looked baffled. What had he said?
“Boys…” Another girl shook her head.
“Chill, girls.“ One guy from the music class “I don’t see what it really matters. Sagara might not have done too well at the Flirting Contest, but I bet he could get any girl he wants tonight!” He belched. “Hell, he wouldn’t have to stop at just one. Right ladies?” He sounded somewhat envious.
Walking by, Maya broke into tears. As Sousuke watched, she vanished into the crowd.
A number of the party-goers tried to tell Sousuke that there were a lot of fish in the sea. Others tried to get him to say whether or not the two were a couple, insisting that he should do whatever was necessary to stay with her if they were.
Sousuke felt a need to walk outside and clear his head. Standing in front of the building, he took in the scent of the evening air. Looking over to one side, he saw what he first thought were fireflies. It was a group of boys smoking.
“It will be alright, Maya.”
It was Ryo’s voice. It came from a small porch off the entrance patio. As Sousuke walked closer, he saw that Kaname’s two friends were sitting on a small wicker sofa. He corrected himself. Ryo and Maya were his friends too.
“Sousuke. You must be looking for Kaname.” Ryo was holding a box of tissues. “I know that you two came together tonight.”
“Yes. I would like to spend time with her. But, at the moment, I am wondering why Maya looks upset. If someone has done something improper, it may well be my duty to instruct that person in proper behavior. Oonuki did not mention that as a requisite for the Sergeant at Arms, but it would appear to be a practical responsibility.
“It’s too late for that,” Maya said. “I wish you could just shoot someone for me. No, it might be better if you shoot me.”
“She’s drunk,” Ryo said. “No one has done anything to hurt her tonight.” She didn’t want Sousuke to make any kind of scene.
“Yes he has.” Maya insisted. “Takashi came to the party tonight. He brought her with him.” She leaned her head back and drank from a cocktail glass. “They don’t have to be so dramatic about it.”
“No more drinks for you, girl.” Ryo gently took the glass out of her friend’s hand. “Here, Sousuke. Could you please take this inside.” She held out the glass. The rim was smeared with lipstick. It looked like blood in the poor lighting.
Sousuke looked at a small table next to the couch. It was stacked with various cups, bottles, and glasses. Ryo’s request was one for privacy, not neatness and propriety. “I think it would be better if you return the glass. I have something that I need to ask Maya.”
“I don’t think that is a good idea. You’re not exactly….” Ryo stopped.
“It is important.” Sousuke insisted.
“It’s alright, Ryo. Thank you.” Maya slid over on the couch and let Sousuke sit down. “I really wouldn’t want you to hurt him, you know?” She watched at Ryo walked away, looking back a number of times.
“That is not my first concern,” Sousuke said, wishing he knew how to be more sensitive to other people’s problems. “Especially since I do not know the details.” He spoke in a stern voice. “What you said before. I hope you are not thinking of hurting yourself. You should know that I would not shoot you in any case.” He felt foolish, saying that. But, he had a point to make.
Maya shook her head vehemently. “No. I wouldn’t do that. But… well… “ She tried to look Sousuke in the eyes. “I kind of thought about it for a while.”
“I see,“ Sousuke waited for Maya to go on.
“He’s not worth it.” She said with a sudden flare of anger. “ No boy is worth it. Guys are nothing but jerks.” She shook her head, catching her faux pas. “Sorry.”
“If you have any thoughts about harming yourself, I suggest that you talk to Kaname.” Sousuke wondered if he should take that tack. Kaname’s secrets were not his to tell. If Maya did not already know about Kaname’s dark past, it was not his business it to reveal such things.
“Kaname had enough troubles of her own to deal with now. I’ll be OK. Maya sounded certain, but Sousuke decided it was not worth taking a risk. He whispered a silent apology to Kaname.
“At one time, when she was in Junior High, Kaname seriously considered taking her own life.” Sousuke’s revelation had Maya looking shocked. She hadn’t known Kaname back then. “Things may have been bad for her at one point, but they became much better.”
It was Maya’s turn to sit silently. Her thoughts were a jumble.
“I will tell you something about myself.“ Sousuke sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He looked off into the night, watching cars pass by on the street. “I have not told this to anyone in Tokyo other than Kaname.“
Maya listened as Sousuke gave her a synopsis of his early life.
“Things seemed bleak and hopeless. I lived just to survive.” Sousuke said. “My life became better when I found my current employment. Even so, it was not everything it could be. I did not understand that, until I came here.”
“Because of Kaname?” Maya asked.
“Yes.” Sousuke said.
“And she’s going to America.” Maya put her hand to her mouth.
Sousuke nodded. They were both silent for a while.
“I thought that Takashi loved me,” Maya said, feeling a need to share as Sousuke had done. “I liked him for a long time. We began spending time together. He said that couldn‘t live without me. I fell in love with him.” She paused. Looking up, she saw that Ryo and a couple of her other friends were hovering at a distance. “He wasn’t just my first love. He was my first sex. But, the whole time, he was going out with Mitsune. He came with her tonight.”
“It does not sound like he is worth getting upset over,” Sousuke said.
”You’re right.” Maya sniffed, and then dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I never would have guessed that he would turn out to be such a jerk.” She put the tissue down. “I never would have guessed that Sousuke Sagara would be so kind and considerate.”
“That may not matter,” Sosusuke said glumly. The look in his eyes gave hint of a pain he rarely let anyone see.
“Things can get better, right?” Maya tried to smile. She squeezed Sousuke’s hand. “Isn’t that what you just got finished telling me?”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke did not sound entirely convinced. “It is a good thing that tonight is such a happy night, is it not?”
Maya actually laughed. She leaned over and gave Sousuke a hug. “Thank you.”
“It is not a problem.”
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“Over here, Sousuke.”
Kaname waved, when Sousuke caught up with her again. She was sitting in the center of Oonuki’s living room along with a large number of their classmates.
“Righteous!” One of the Drama Club’s members was a bit too dramatic for everyone’s tastes. “Now that Sagara is here, things ought to get really good!”
Sousuke sat down next to Kaname. He wondered what had the other graduates looking so eager. “Kaname?”
“Everyone was telling some of their favorite tales from high school. I mentioned a couple about you, and some about my other friends. “ She spoke into his ear, so only he could hear her. “If you tell any stories, you better not make me look bad, mister.”
“Come on man, I’m certain you must have a lot of great stories.” One boy’s comment was echoed by others.
“Affirmative. I do not know if they are great, but there were numerous memorable events.” He debated just what he could tell them. They already knew he was a mercenary. They knew that he fought in Arm Slaves. As long as he did not mention Mithril by name, or divulge any classified information, he did not see the harm in reminiscing out loud. “Did you tell them about the Bonta-Kun suit?“ He asked Kaname.
“Yes. I did. I also told them about that psycho, Wakana.” Kaname declined a drink someone offered her. She was light-headed enough as it was.
“Did you tell them about the full story regarding the day at the beach, the one with the watermelon and the boy with poor health?” He remembered floating down from the heights holding onto a large balloon, Kaname in his arms.
“I did. It was OK for me to mention it.” Kaname scowled. “Not you.”
Sousuke looked around the assembled faces, looking to see if someone would clue him in. He had mistakenly thought that Kaname had been kidnapped. He mounted a successful rescue attempt, defeating three professional bodyguards in the process. He may have been a bit rough with the boy, but he had taught him an important lesson.
“The white bikini,” one girl said.
“The one she bought especially for that trip to the beach.” Another girl added.
“The swimsuit you didn’t even notice.” Yet another girl gave Kaname a sympathetic look.
Sousuke rushed to change the subject. “How about the time I trained to be Shirai for Mizuki’s friends?”
“What?” Kaname folded her arms across her chest. That was another sore subject.
“Uhhh… never mind… that one is not so good after all….” Sousuke tried to rush onward. He was shouted down by the group. Reluctantly, he told the story.
“Circulatory problem. Yeh, right!” One guy slapped his knee. A number of his friends laughed. They soon stopped when Kaname looked in their direction.
“How about our hunt for Captain Amigo’s treasure?” Sousuke caught himself before he mentioned Merida Island by name. When Kaname shook her head, he continued. “Kaname and I sought a long lost treasure.”
“D’oh!” One boy smacked his forehead. “Like buried treasure exists outside of bad movies.”
“We found a treasure worth eleven million U.S. Dollars.” He raised his hands when everyone doubted him. “It is true. Unfortunately, in the process, we destroyed an M6 Bushnell Arm Slave...worth eleven million U.S. Dollars.”
“She probably tried to hit him with her paper fan,” one girl commented. “Hit the Arm Slave instead.”
“Yeh. Not too many things are as tough as Sousuke. Eleven million doesn’t get you much these days.” That boy’s remark had Kaname frowning. Sousuke always came out as the good guy. She always came out as the heavy. Why?
“I take it that some of you remember when a visiting professor donated a rare and endangered clam to Jindai High School?” Sousuke looked around the room. Oddly enough, most people had not heard the full details of that story.
“Sousuke!” Kaname shook a finger at him. She would be viewed as the villain in that story for sure.
“Ahhh. Did you wish to be the one who told it, Kaname?” Sousuke had a very affable tone of voice, greatly at odds with the look on Kaname’s face.
“Go…… ahead…… Sousuke…” Kaname said, with a false smile. “I…… don’t…… mind…” No one believed a single word that she said. “Really!”
“Thank you,” Sousuke said. “Kaname accidentally ate the clam.”
“How do you accidentally eat a clam?” A girl asked.
“When Ms. Kagurazaka and I found that the treasured clam was missing, I lead the investigation committee, hoping to find the culprit who had brutally murdered an innocent and unarmed being in cold blood, violating it with ice picks, and setting it ablaze in an oven."
“Way to go Chidori!” One guy clapped his hands together. “If I had known, I would have brought you an ‘I ate an entire endangered species’ T-shirt for a graduation present.” That was only the first of a series of playful quips.
At first Kaname began to get steamed. But, she soon realized that everyone was laughing with her, not at her. Things were a lot different than she had feared they might be. While she didn’t want to admit it, there might actually be a benefit to Sousuke telling these stories. They wouldn’t see her as some diva, idol, or force of nature. She would have flaws and foibles, just like everyone else.
“Another day, I met an old man named Komura Shujiro, a former lieutenant in the old Imperial Japanese Navy.” Sousuke looked over at Kaname and nodded. “Mr. Komura asked me to help him find a carry-on bag that some hooligans had stolen from him. Due to a mistake on my part, I came to believe that the bag contains some form of lethal toxic agent.”
“Where have we heard that kind of thing before?” One girl said, blushing. She had been surrounded by guys when the Full Monty Virus took effect. The only person blushing any redder was Kyouko, who was sitting next to Oonuki.
“The interesting coincidence to that story was that Mr. Komura is Kaname’s grandfather.” Sousuke shrugged. “Fate is a funny thing.”
“Hey, I remember a good one!” A girl stood up, laughing. “It’s another Mizuki story.”
“Boooooo….”
Everyone looked at Kaname.
“That wasn’t me. Honest!” Kaname held her hands up.
“Sousuke and Issei were fighting, as usual,” the girl said. “They accidentally bumped Mizuki out the window. When Issei saved her from falling, she fell in love with him. She kept chasing after him, professing her feelings.“
“Right!“ A boy joined in. “ Issei hadn’t gotten enough sleep for several days, and actually asked for Sousuke’s help in getting Mizuki off his back. He collapsed into Sousuke’s arms due to insomnia. Kaname saw it happen. She…“ He was interrupted.
“ When Sousuke asked Mizuki to stop chasing after Issei, she got the wrong idea. She thought that Sousuke was jealous that Mizuki was after Issei.” The boy could barely hold back his glee. “She thought that Sousuke and Issei were gay.”
“They’re not?” That girls’ joke had everyone collapsing with laughter.
As Sousuke stammered, he came to a realization. He was the veteran of countless missions. He had saved many lives. He had stopped many insidious plots. But, the mission that ended up meaning the most to him was one that he had been the most baffled by at first. The mission that brought him to Tokyo, with a picture of Kaname taken years prior to his arrival. Fate truly was a funny thing. Had he not come to Jindai, he would never be sitting here now. Where else would he had been able to share a moment like this with people his own age?
“I’m certainly willing to find out,” another girl said, only half in jest. The half jest part was the only thing that had Kaname holding her tongue.
“I remember another one, too” a guy put in. “Oonuki, Sousuke, and Shinji went out on a gou-kon date with three older women. Things went weird after they each went their separate ways into the night with their girls. At least that’s what Oonuki told me.”
“Really?” Kaname’s voice was deceptively calm. “I never heard anything about that story. Sounds very… interesting…”
“Uhhh… it was not truly a date,” Sousuke said quickly. He went on to describe his experience, which had everyone laughing at just how clueless he had been.
“Sousuke…” Oonuki stood up, a bit wobbly in the legs. “Sousuke, I….” He fought to maintain his balance. “I owe you an apology.”
“It is not necessary. I believe I know what you refer to. It was a difficult moment for everyone.” Sousuke looked over at Kaname. He hadn’t told her what Oonuki had said to him, right after he had admitted who he was to the entire class. The only thing that truly mattered had been that he made a promise to bring Kaname back. He had kept that promise.
“I… I hated you then…” Oonuki sat down hard.
“I believe that I hated myself then more than anyone did.” Sousuke looked over at Kyouko, who met his eyes before looking away.
Everyone spoke up to support Sousuke then, something that had him feeling a sense of approval he had never felt before in his life. Kaname looked over at him, knowing that she was as much to blame as he was, if not more.
“No, man. The words were uncalled for. Well, maybe I had a right to say what I did, thinking what I did. I just should have apologized later. You were fighting to protect Kaname. But, I know that you would have fought to protect the city, and to protect the school.” Oonuki looked over at Kyouko. “Everyone was just so shocked at the time.”
Sousuke remembered some of his friend’s words at the time. Kyouko had been seriously injured in the fight that Sousuke and Arbalest lost against Leonard and Verial. The various sentences all seemed to run together:
‘Wait a minute...'I'm sorry'...? That's all you can say? Say that to Tokiwa! She's still in the hospital hooked up to a respirator and tubes hooked all over her body! You know the last word she said to her parents before she fell into a coma? She gave them a key to Chidori's apartment and asked them to take care of Chidori's hamster! She said that was her promise that she made with you! Don't you guys even feel a single remorse for what you did to Tokiwa? She had nothing to do with this. You call yourself a friend? fudgie you! Why the fudgie did you come back? Cuz, it's funny? If you have nothing more to do at school, get the fudgie out of here!’
“I do not know that you do,” Sousuke said sadly. “Kyouko is my friend. I would gladly give my life to save her. Or you.” He looked over at Kaname. “But I…” He couldn’t say what was on his tongue. It was just too personal for him. He had been about to say that he would have whatever it took to save Kaname.
“I understand, Sousuke,” Kyouko said. She came over and whispered in his ear. “I love Kaname, too. She’s my best friend.”
“Thank you,” Sousuke said very quietly, his head hung. As Kaname watched him, she had to turn away. She couldn’t help herself. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t know exactly what set her off. Kyouko’s ordeal? Sousuke’s obvious guilt and remorse? The strength of Sousuke’s feelings for her, and the fact that she might soon be leaving him behind? It could be any one of those, or all that and more.
A girl that Kaname hardly knew put her arm around Kaname.
“It is indeed funny about Fate,” Sousuke finally managed to say. “The difference between life and death can be so small. The difference between friends and enemies can be just as small.” He went on to tell them about Kurz Weber, without ever mentioning him by name. “I have a friend. His family was killed by a terrorist bomb explosion at an airport. He quit school and went to a militia camp in Lebanon, to learn military skills for revenge. He trained with various weaponry and learned tactical fighting skills. He showed a seemingly innate ability to excel in sniping.”
Kaname mouthed the name ’Kurz.’ She shivered. Sousuke had never told her this story before. Kurz. Melissa. Sousuke. Herself. They all shared a common bond. Their childhoods or early adulthood were marred by hardships or senseless tragedy. Looking around the room, she felt a small rush of jealousy. She wondered how many of her classmates had lived the storybook life.
“ Ever since then, my friend has been a mercenary for hire, serving with the same force that I do. There are few people in this world that I trust more. But, things could have ended up much differently. We fought against each other in one guerilla battle in Lebanon, several years before we actually met face to face.” That tale lead to a similar one about Kalinin.
Everyone sat quietly. It was somehow a very solemn moment. They all knew that there were lessons in life that had nothing to do with school.
“I have been lucky in finding my friends,” Sousuke said. He looked around the room at the people sitting nearest to him.
Kaname wasn’t the only thing that might fade from his life.
He did not want to appear timid and uncertain. That would not give Shunya Chidori reason to think highly of him. It would also leave Kaname wondering if he truly wanted to go on this date with her.
On the other hand, he did not want to appear rude and boorish. It was bad enough that Kaname’s father knew he was a mercenary soldier. A loud knock might also set Kaname to scolding him.
The door opened a crack. A face peered out. It was Kaname’s sister. “Daddy! Sousuke’s here.”
Sousuke swallowed hard, knowing that he was being irrational. Why did the girl call for her father and not her sister. After all, he was here to take Kaname to the party, not the High Commissioner on Environment Issues at the United Nations.
At least she hadn’t said ‘Sergeant Sagara is here’, or ‘that guy Kaname is going to the party with is here’. She also did not close the door, or spray him with a can of mace.
“Ayame, open the door. Let the young man in, please.” Shunya’s voice was strong and somewhat reserved.
“AYAME!” Kaname’s voice came from somewhere within the large apartment.
“It’s under control, Kaname.” Shunya looked over at Sousuke and pressed his lips together in a flat smile. “Girls…”
“Yes, Sir.” Sousuke took a step into the entry hall. He shook hands when Shuinya walked over to greet him. The older man had a strong firm grip. “I am Sousuke Sagara. Kaname’s classmate, as you already know.”
“Pleased to meet you again, Sousuke. I’m afraid that Kaname is not ready quite yet.” Shunya raised one eyebrow. “Nevertheless, I believe that you are starting the evening off on her bad side.” He walked into the living room area, beckoning Sousuke to follow him.
“DADDY!” Kaname’s voice was louder than before. “LET ME DEAL WITH THAT!”
Shunya nodded towards a large clock on the wall. The time read 8: 33. “Pardon my reference to American culture, but at midnight tonight, I hope my daughter turns back into my pumpkin.” That had Ayame hugging the Bonta-Kun doll and snickering. “When the clock struck eight-o-one, she became more like the Wicked Witch.” Kaname’s father kept his voice low.
“Evil step-sister,” Ayame said, smiling. “Even though she’s my real sister.” She had not been circumspect enough.
“WHAT WAS THAT?” The sound of a number of glass bottles falling over in the bathroom could be heard after Kaname’s question.
“I apologize, Sir. I was detained.” Literally and figuratively. “It took a while before the police got to our case.” Sousuke immediately cringed. Kaname was right. He really was a big idiot. What a wonderful thing to let slip.
“Excuse me?” Shunya’s eyes narrowed. His face went stiff.
“Oh boy,” Ayame said. She moved closer, sitting on a footstool near Sousuke and her father. This ought to be good.
Kaname came running out. She still didn’t have stockings or her shoes on. That last comment by Sousuke had her worried that her father might ground her then and there. “Daddy, he probably…” She bit her lip when her father held his hand up brusquely.
“I think that this require an explanation, young man.” Shunya’s eyes flashed. “I hope I did not make a mistake letting you into our home!” He stared at Sousuke. “Should I search you now?”
“Sir, no Sir!” Sousuke couldn’t afford that now. Kurz had stashed the condoms in his pocket against his wishes. Melissa had insisted that he go armed, strapping the PP2000 on herself. He didn’t know which one would get him in more trouble. Trying not to flinch, he surprised Shunya by bowing. “The incident was nothing serious. My comrades had been engaging in tomfoolery on the balcony. One suspended the other over the edge. Someone called the authorities. When they arrived, they demanded entry into our room.”
Kaname froze. She could imagine the scene. “It was Kurz and Melissa,” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Yes,” Sousuke answered. “While I was on the phone with you.”
“Did they have their usual… business items… with them?” Kaname couldn’t help but smile. She could imagine what would happen to Kurz and Melissa when the returned to Da Danaan.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke looked from Kaname to Shunya. He was walking on uneasy ground now. He realized that he might have committed another error when he spoke of his fellow in SRT members in informal terms to Kaname. Her casual response may well have compounded the error.
“Ayame, I think it’s time for you to take your shower.” Shunya’s voice was very firm.
“But…” Ayame frowned. She was wise enough to know why she was being sent from the room. Why did she have to miss the good stuff. “OK, Daddy. Does this mean that I get to go to the party with Kaname and Sousuke?”
Shunya didn’t say anything. The look on his face had Ayame walking quickly towards the bathroom.
Kaname sat down and began working on her stockings. She found herself holding her breath. One of Sousuke’s terms came to mind. ‘S.N.A.F.U’ This kind of thing was indeed par for the course with Sousuke. How could she possibly have believed that tonight would be any different? She just hoped that things were not ‘F.U.B.A.R’
“I take it that the people you referenced are mercenaries?” Shunya got straight to the point. “When the police arrived, they found an apartment filled with weapons and sensitive equipment?” He ran a hand through his hair. “They thought you were a terrorist group? A drug smuggling ring? Perhaps even Yakusa?” He wondered if he might be better off letting his daughter go out with a terrorist, a junkie, or a gangster.
“That is correct, Sir. The officers on the scene were relatively new to the force. They did not recognize a call word that should have put things on hold, until they had a chance to contact certain superiors who would know of our general existence.” Sousuke did not fell that it was germane to mention the numerous things that Melissa had said to the poor police officers. “It was a regrettable circumstance. Naturally, it occurred tonight.”
“Naturally,” Kaname grumbled. The look she gave Sousuke made it clear that she blamed Sousuke. Furthermore the look told the young soldier that she knew he was not at fault, and that such a fact did not matter. That was par for the course with her.
“I have a rather pointed question, young man.” Shunya’s tone of voice had Kaname tensing up. She had not heard that voice very often. “Make that a number of rather pointed questions.”
“Sir,” Sousuke stood at attention, feeling like a fool when he realized that he had done so.
“First, I would like to know why a mercenary was stationed at my daughter’s high school.” Shunya’s hand clenched and unclenched. “Second, I would like to know why Kaname sound like she is on familiar terms with the pair that got you into trouble.” He switched his gaze to his eldest daughter. “I would also like to know just what your relationship with her is.”
“Uhhh…” Sousuke began to sweat. This really was dangerous ground. He doubted that Kaname had told her father anything about the Whispered, otherwise he would not have asked those questions. He also probably had no precise knowledge of Mithril. Last but not least, he had no idea just how much time that a certain young agent and his daughter had spent together, or what they had come to mean to one another.
He paused a moment, struck by one fact. He had gotten ito a great deal of trouble at the school, and Kaname was often central or peripheral to it. How could the school not have reported such things to Kaname’s father? Oh. It was a night for moronic thoughts. The Principal and others had received princely sums of money from Mithril to maintain their silence. He was persona non grata with the Finance Division for just that reason.
“I’m certain that there will be time for all that later, Daddy.” Kaname stood up, shoes in one hand. She ran over and grabbed her car keys with the other, after slinging her purse over one shoulder. “But, Sousuke and I are late already. Remember what you taught me about punctuality…”
“Kaname…” Shunya watched as his daughter grabbed Sousuke’s hand, jerked him around somewhat roughly, and then began tugging him from the apartment.
“I…” Sousuke knew better than to put up any resistance. In some ways, this almost made him feel more at home. He was used to hectic situations with Kaname.
“Don’t wait up, Daddy. I’ll be perfectly safe with Sousuke. You can trust him, I promise.” Feeling wild and on the edge, Kaname headed outside. This was just what she needed to burn away her malaise regarding her promise to leave the country. She knew that there would be Hell to pay later, but she would live with that.
She felt like she was two distinctly different persons at that moment. Her good and proper self, the part of her that wouldn’t even dream about disobeying her father, watched in abject horror as the other self did the inconceivable.
“Uhhh… it was an honor to speak with you, Sir…” Sousuke managed to blurt out as he was manhandled. He believed in being polite. First impressions were often the most lasting.
Kaname remembered something that Sousuke had said about Samurai, during a report in class. Naturally, she hadn’t paid it much attention back then. He had said that those warriors had lived for the moment. She would do the same. The party tonight frightened her in some ways, but it might also be the last good time she had with her friends.
“KANAME CHIDORI!” It was a rare event for Shunya Chidori to raise his voice. Draped only in a towel, a soaking wet Ayame peaked out of the bathroom.
Kaname went pelting down the long external flight of concrete stairs, dragging a bewildered Sousuke behind her. “Hurry up, Sousuke! You’re always holding me back or holding me up!” She almost slipped, saying that. She hadn’t meant anything by it, but thoughts began to crystallize in her head.
Sousuke realized that Kaname was joking. Just the same, a certain thought took root. No doubt, over time, that thought would grow. Holding her back?
“Do you wish for me to drive?” He asked, as they approached Kaname’s car. Looking back the way they had come, he saw Shunya Chidori leaning over the railing on the upper level. He was silent. The older man made no attempt at following.
“NO!” Kaname cringed. Sousuke had told her in the past how he had learned to drive, in beat up automobiles and military vehicles at points throughout Afghanistan. She imagined what her car might look like, battered beyond recognition and coated with decades of dust and dirt.
She jangled the keys. “My car. Me driving.”
“As you wish.” Sousuke realized only then that his heart was racing. “However, I do not see the need to drive, Kaname. It would not be too long a walk.”
“No. I said that we will drive. Kaname Chidori is a woman of her word.” Kaname couldn’t leave it at that. “Thanks to some inconsiderate idiot, we’re late as it is. Walking takes time, and time allows a certain soldier way too much opportunity to get in trouble.” They were in enough trouble as it was! “Besides, I feel like driving.”
Sousuke understood. Sometimes, when he got a new weapon, he felt anxious to give it a try. The PP2000 was no exception. That weapon also had added significance, as it was a gift on a special occasion. “I understand. It surprises me, giving your mention of trouble, that you even allow me inside your car.”
Kaname froze in the act of opening her door. She stood like that for a few moments, and then tossed her hair, looking a bit uneasy. “Get in, Sousuke. No weapons allowed.” She felt her spirit coming back. “And no hanging your head out the window like a dog or something!”
“I suppose I am fortunate that you didn’t make me ride in the trunk,” Sousuke said once he was buckled and Kaname pulled out from the parking shelter.
“There’s always the trip home,” Kaname said.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Ummm… Sousuke… would it be terrible if I wanted to go home early?”
Kaname stood on the sidewalk outside of Oonuki’s apartment building. She was fidgeting.
“No, Kaname.” Sousuke cocked his head. Was Kaname worried about the scene in her father’s home, or was she feeling uncomfortable around him?
“I… it’s not you, Sousuke… not really…” Kaname looked despondent for a moment. “I can only wonder what he thinks. I guess…” She sighed. “I guess it’s time I tell him some things. Especially…”
“Kaname?” Sousuke had been through enough battles to get a sense when something bad was about to happen. While the current situation by no means qualified for that, he had a strong sense of foreboding just the same.
“Especially since I’ll be going back to America with him.” Kaname’s eyes watered. She dropped her keys, trying to put them in her purse. When Sousuke touched her hand with his, helping to retrieve the keys, she sobbed and threw herself on him.
“Uhhh….” Sousuke felt Kaname’s arms tighten. A number of friends stopped to see if the two of them were alright, and then quickly left them their privacy.
“Oh, Sousuke. I just… I don’t… it’s…” Kaname straightened up and pushed herself away. “I’m sorry. That’s not the way for a Valedictorian or ex-Student Council Vice President to behave.” She went on to tell Sousuke about her promise, and about her father’s big news.
“I see” Sousuke said, feeling the world rush in on him. Once again realized the dangers that came with getting in touch with his emotions. He had made himself vulnerable in a way he never would have in combat. “When?”
”I have… I have ten weeks, Sousuke… ten more weeks to…” Kaname didn’t finish. What could she say? Ten more weeks to be around the people she cared about? Ten more weeks to stay in the city that was home to her now? Ten more weeks to count and catalog every possible lost opportunity?
“It seems that I will not be holding you back, then,” Sousuke said, surprised by the feeling of bitterness that filled him. He rebounded quickly. “I will worry about your safety.” His voice cracked. That had both himself and Kaname taking notice.
“Sousuke…” Kaname reached up to touch his face. “I haven’t really been treating you so great lately, have I? And now this….” Kaname slumped. “I’m sorry.” Was it a clear case of not appreciating what you have until it’s gone? No, not really. She had been wondering if she should make a clean break, as painful as it might be. Now she was more confused than ever.
“I would have attended Tokyo University with you,” Sousuke said, clenching his fists. Tessa’s wonderful gift turned to ashes in his mind.
“Sousuke?” Kaname blinked repeatedly. “Mithril?”
“Yes.” Sousuke detailed the deal that he had struck with Tessa and the High Council.
Kaname trembled. That news made the situation worse. She imagined herself at Tokyo University, Sousuke by hers side, both of them laughing. She pictured what it might be like, walking hand in hand to class. If that dream had become a reality, it would be thanks to the same metal monster that played on Sousuke‘s conscience. “Arbalest….“
“Indeed. Miraculously, it has been repaired, as I told you before. But, my partner and I are needed in the Pacific theater, not the Atlantic.”
Kaname tried to shake off an irrational hatred. Arbalest had been instrumental in her surviving capture and death in Khanka. It had played a crucial role in saving Da Danaan, as did she. On the deck of the Pacific Princess, it had saved her and Sousuke from the Astarols. Despite all that, it was the reason that Sousuke kept coming back to Mithril. Would he die fighting for that organization?
“Kaname?” Sousuke watched as her eyes regained focus. “Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about that. I ran out of the apartment so I wouldn’t ruin my mood for the party? Mission accomplished, huh?” She sniffed. “There’s time to think about things later. Let’s go have some fun, OK?”
Sousuke looked at Kaname, almost as if for the first time. His eyes lingered on every aspect of her, almost as if he were seeing her for the last time. “Your dress. It is very nice. You look beautiful, Kaname.” He looked away for a moment. That hadn’t come easy for him, given the fog of emotions smothering him. He thought back to a sunset by the lake, when Kaname had been dressed in her mother’s kimono.
“Thank you, Sousuke. You look very nice, too.” She recognized the pants as part of the school uniform. That was Sousuke alright, Mr. Practicality. But, that was a new leisure suit, and the cut was very flattering. “New watch?” She swallowed hard, trying to make small talk.
“Affirmative. A gift from Kurz.” He looked at Kaname for a moment before continuing. “I do not recognize the jewelry.”
Kaname’s hand went to her neck. “It was my mother’s necklace.”
“I see.”
The two of them stood quietly, staring at one another wordlessly. Neither could have predicted how long it might have gone on, if Maya, Ryo, and a number of other girls hadn’t walked up and dragged them along in their wake. As it turned out, the party was not limited to Oonuki’s family apartment. Two friends also had their homes in the building.
The festivities were spread throughout all three family quarters. Even so, the crowd was so large that many people hung out in hallways and the lobby. There was loud music everywhere, a surprise given the usual reserved nature of the building’s tenants. Groups of students hung out together, but there were also a number of teachers and school officials in the mix.
Sousuke and Kaname slowly made their way through the crowd. It seemed that everyone wanted to talk to him. But, to Kaname’s great shock, even more wanted to speak with her. It almost seemed as if congratulations on her speech and her award were going to come non-stop. And, once word of her scholarship leaked out, it coursed throughout the assembled throng like wildfire.
“Oh! Sousuke. Sous-kaaaay…” A girl from the class clamored for Sousuke’s attention. “I’m so happy you showed up. This party is so great!”
Sousuke shrugged when Kaname gave him a piercing stare. He had no idea while the girl acted like that. She was not someone that he had said more than a dozen words too during his stay at the school.
“Were you some kind of playboy all along, Sousuke Sagara?” Kaname was joking. “Did you keep that a secret too?” She shouted, trying to be heard.
“Affirmative,” Sousuke answered in his deadpan way. He stepped closer to Kaname when he saw the reaction from a group of girls that overheard him. “But, that mission is over!”
Kaname hid a smile. Despite her turbulent emotions, Sousuke still had the power to lighten her mood. He was such an innocent in some ways. Then again, despite her bravado and outgoing behavior, she was too.
The two of them moved about the party, seeking out their closest friends. It was a bittersweet experience, sharing moments with people they might see very little of in the future.
“YO, STUD!” Oonuki’s loud greeting didn’t help matters. “Sousuke, it’s great you showed up.” His friend had a glazed look in his eyes. No doubt he had imbibed heavily. “Hey, Kaname. Good news, girl. Or ‘Bummer,’ whichever you like!” He congratulated her on her scholarship to Columbia.
Kaname bit her lip. She had only told Kyouko about the news. Kyouko and Ryo. Kyouko, Ryo, Maya, and Ren…
After greeting a number of other late comers, Oonuki chased down Sousuke gain. “Hey man, bring any of that stuff again. I don’t see your thermos anywhere.” His reference was clear enough. “It might actually be fun, tonight!” That had a number of other guys and gals commenting.
“Uhhh….” Sousuke looked over at Kaname, and then away. She didn’t look like she was ready to hit someone. That was an improvement.
“I have an even more important question.” Oonuki put his arm around the young soldier’s shoulder. “Are you packing, man?”
“Huh?” Sousuke looked puzzled. For a moment, he began to sweat. He hoped that Oonuki wasn‘t asking him about prophylactics, with Kaname standing right there.
“Are you armed?” Oonuki asked.. He automatically took a step back when he saw the look on Kaname’s face.
“I…” Sousuke swallowed hard, knowing that Kaname would be displeased.
“Well, tell the man, Sousuke.” Kaname was tapping her foot against the polished tile floor.
“Yes.” Sousuke rushed quickly to qualify matters. “I brought a clip of blanks.” He had said enough. ‘Loose lips sink ships’.
“That part ought to please Kaname, I guess.” Oonuki said, feeling more at ease when he saw Kaname nod.
“Sure!” A member of the music club jumped into the conversation, half of his face covered by his long hair. “She won’t be getting knocked up if he’s shooting blanks.” The people around whistled.
“Hmmm?” Sousuke was puzzled by the reference. “Kaname? What did he mean?”
Kaname felt as if her face were on fire. She looked ready to commit bodily harm when Oonuki bent over to whisper in Sousuke’s ear. But, she couldn’t help but grin when Sousuke began to sweat.
“Well, back to what I wanted to say.” Oonuki turned away for a moment. Hearing some boys shouting at him, he shouted back at them. “I’ll be back up in a minute or two!” He shrugged when he turned back to Sousuke. “Sorry. The punch fountain is empty. They need me to mix up more of my special ‘Purple Passion.’ The two of you need to try that before you leave. “Where was I? Oh yeh!” He held out a bag. “I have an import mission for you.”
”Mission?” That had Sousuke standing straighter. It also had Kaname’s scowling and clenching her fists.
“My father is always telling me I have to be responsible,” Oonuki said. “So, I’m going to be responsible. This is a big party. There’s a lot of drink here tonight. Wouldn’t be a killer party if there wasn’t!”
“You can say that again!” A girl from the drama club shouted, almost falling when she stepped on her friend’s foot.
“So,” Oonuki said when he stepped closer. His breath reeked of alcohol. “Would you serve as my Sergeant at Arms? Could I get you to be the keeper of the keys?”
“I do not understand,” Sousuke said.
“Well, it’s not a good idea to drink and drive. While most of the people probably walked or took the train, some might have decided to drive, especially if they brought dates.”
“And…” Sousuke looked over at Kaname, upon hearing the word ‘date’. He was gratified to see that she managed a shy smile.
“If someone else has their keys, then they can’t drive home, right?” Oonuki looked away when someone shouted about the ‘Purple Passion’ again. “Get them to put their keys in that bag, and I doubt that anyone will try to get them back again unless they’re sober.”
”That is a good idea. I accept.” Not one to dawdle, Sousuke reached inside his jacket, unholstered the PP2000, and then pulled the PDW out. He fired off a series of loud shots, wanting to get everyone‘s immediate and undivided attention..
“HOLY SHIT! NOT AGAIN! WE”RE UNDER ATTACK!”
The exclamation was understandable for a member of the graduating class. The boy was one of many who had been through not one, but two mass kidnappings.
“CALM DOWN! BE SILENT. LISTEN! ”
Sousuke’s voice was followed by another series of shots. A gaggle of girls stumbled over one another, rushing to turn the music off.
“You had to ask him, didn’t you?” Kaname said to Oonuki crossly. “I hope you haven’t created a monster.” She also hoped that this didn’t ruin her time with Sousuke.
“But…” Onuki suddenly looked worried. He closed his eyes, trying to wish away a series of unwanted visions from the past. He didn’t want to dredge up the ill thoughts he once had of his friend.
“I AM THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS. IF YOU DROVE AUTOMOBILES OR MOTORCYCLES, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO BRING ME YOUR KEYS. I WILL RETURN THEM WHEN YOU PROVE SOBRIETY. THOSE THAT BALK SHALL BE DEALT WITH SEVERELY.”
Sousuke’s loud demands had an instantaneous effect. Anyone who drove to the party scrambled to reach the bag. Some, standing up on a level overlooking the lobby, made it a point to throw their keys down. One boy, who had ridden his bicycle, ran to hand Sousuke the key to his chain lock.
“It is not a problem,” Sousuke said to Oonuki. “Is something wrong, Kaname?” He held out his hand.
“What kind of nonsense is this, Sousuke? I’m not going to get drunk or something. I don’t drink and drive!” Kaname gave Sousuke a look that said he had better put his hand down if he knew what was good for him.
“For a rule to be just, it must pertain to all. There can be no exceptions.” Sousuke took a step closer to Kaname. The crowd that had dispersed at the gunshots now reformed, eager to see what might happen.
“I am not giving you the keys to my new car, Sousuke!” Kaname took out her keys and dropped them down her blouse. That led to the expected response form the partygoers. “What are you planning on doing if I do not hand them over? Spank me? Send me to my room? Big idiot!”
“If necessary,” Sousuke said in all seriousness. His look had Kaname swallowing hard and looking at the nearby girls for support. “I would also hate to damage the buttons on your dress if I am forced to retrieve the keys.”
Sousuke meant what he said. Kaname knew that. The whole crowd knew that. The excited murmuring reached new decibel levels.
“STRIP SEARCH!” Some wise guy yelled out.
“GOOD WAY TO GET HIM TO COP A FEEL, KANAME!” An even less inhibited girl shouted.
“Sousuke, you better not…” Kaname stamped her foot. She shook a fist at him.
“By my watch, you have two minutes and fourteen seconds.” Sousuke looked at his new time piece. “I am setting the timer now.”
“Hell, the damn punch can wait!” Oonuki forced his way back to a spot near Sousuke and Kaname. “In Sousuke’s honor, I might need to re-christen it ‘Black-and Blue Passion’!”
“I’d give him the keys, Kaname.” It was Kyouko. The gunshots had made it simple to find Sousuke, and Kaname by association. Shinji, Maya, Ryo, and Mizuki all converged on the scene as well. Each of them was grinning. “You know that Sousuke doesn’t joke about this kind of thing.”
Naturally, the fact that Kyouko was counseling her to do something made Kaname all the more adamant to do nothing of the sort.
“This is such a great party!” Someone shouted.
“Under one minute, Kaname.” Sousuke began to sweat heavily. He intended to uphold the law, no matter what it took. He hoped that Kaname realized that.
“I can tell time, stupid head!” Kaname bit her lip, despite trying to keep up a tough front.
“Sousuke…… Sousuke…… Sousuke……”
A chant began and spread throughout the room. The lobby was filled way beyond the Fire Marshall’s posted capacity, as everyone hurried to watch what happened.
“SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…… SOUSUKE…”
The noise was near deafening. The whole group chanted as one. Kyouko stepped behind Shinji when she caught Kaname’s glance.
“Somebody get a camera!” That shout surprised a large number of people. It had been Shinji. The usually quiet boy pushed Kyouko back in front of him. Hand shaking, she took her camera out.
“Thirty seconds, Kaname.” Sousuke shivered ever so slightly. If Kurz ever got wind of this, it would be all over Mithril within a day or two.
“Sousuke, you better not!” Kaname put her hand over the neck of her dress.
“Twenty,” Sousuke said. “Fifteen.”
“SOUSUKE SAGARA!” Kaname took a step back. A number of helpful sorts shoved her closer to Sousuke than she had started.
“Ten.” Sousuke closed his eyes for a moment. He held his breath as the crowd began counting.
“NINE…… EIGHT…… SEVEN……SIX…… FIVE…..”
“I’m certain your father will be proud of your perseverance, Kaname.” Sousuke spoke as quickly as he could. Kaname would give in as usual, wouldn’t she?
“THREE… TWO… ONE….”
“Here!” Kaname threw her keys at Sousuke, who deftly snagged them out of the air and deposited them in the bag. “Jerk!” She turned up her nose. “Hmmmpppfff!”
Everyone applauded. It was hard to tell who everyone was cheering for. Sousuke opened his mouth, but held his tongue. Silence might be his best ally at that moment. Unfortunately, he was not out of Kaname’s doghouse yet. Not by a long shot.
“Sous-kaaaaay…” Three girls walked up. “We’ve been bad, Sousuke.” One by one, they dropped their keys down their blouses.
“Uhhh…”
“Sousuke…… Sousuke…… Sousuke…”
“Q-U-I-E-T!”
Kaname’s shout was just as effective as the gunshots had been. “Put the keys in the bag, if you know what’s good for you.” She dared the girls to try any more nonsense. “And for him…” She added under her breath.
After that, things went back to being the usual run-of-the-mill rambunctious party. Seeing that Kaname was pointedly ignoring Sousuke, Ren made use of the opportunity to speak alone with her. “That a very responsible young man you have there.”
“Yeh, right. It just looks like I came with him.” Kaname grumped. After that, she complained. But, eventually, under her friend’s quiet coaxing, she managed to share her feelings, talking about her scholarship and everything else that came out in a rush.
As the girls spoke, Hayashimizu Atsunobu walked over to have a word with Sousuke. “As it turned out, I was correct,” the former Student Council President said. “The school suffered greatly, but we were all fortunate that there were no fatalities.”
”Yes,” Sousuke said, feeling a bit guilty.
“I propose that everything was not a loss. We have all discovered things about ourselves we might not have touched upon otherwise.” He pushed his glasses up his nose and looked over at Ren. “Some of us have taken steps that should have been taken long ago.”
“I see,” Sousuke said.
“Will that be possible for you and her? I take it that she doesn’t want to leave the country, but is under some kind of obligation.” Hayashimizu stood serenely, giving no clue to how he felt inside.
“It would be difficult for me to follow, if she wanted me to do so. I’m not certain that I…” Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck. It was a difficult subject, made doubly so by the fact that he hadn’t had time to think things through yet.
“You do not truly need to stay with that organization, do you?” Hayashimizu asked. “I would not judge you to be one who enjoys violence, despite the way you treated school property.” He managed an easy-going grin. One could never be certain what lay underneath the surface a person presented to others. His own secrets were a good lesson in that regard.
“It’s just that….” Sousuke hung his head.
“Weight of the world on your shoulder? Feel responsible for everyone else’s well-being except your own?” Hayashimizu’s shrewd remark had his friend flinching. “Or, are you haunted by more ghosts than you can name?” That question also hit home. “Graduation is a time of changes, is it not. We all must give up something.”
Sousuke stood silent and unmoving.
“In any case, strangely enough, it seems that people have come to respect someone they once feared or laughed at.” The tall slender boy moved a lock of hair out of his face. “But, things were bad for a while. Next time they might stay that way for good.”
“Yes,” Sousuke admitted.
“It also looks like they came to shun or blame someone they once admired and appreciated.” Hayashimizu loked over at Kaname. “But, it appears that the tide has changed again, at least for some.” He rubbed his chin, a calculating look in his eyes. “It might well do her some good, leaving Japan, finding a fresh start overseas.”
“There is logic to that,” Sousuke said sadly.
“Then again, it might not.” Hayashimizu watched as Ren headed in his direction. “I would conjecture that she is very confused, and could use help in finding her answers. While it might be ill-advised to push too hard, it might prove equally bad to remain silent.“
Sousuke nodded.
“If I do not see you again… good luck…” Hayashimizu walked away, his hand in Ren’s.
Sousuke looked over at Kaname. She was surrounded by a group of girls, many of whom had brought their yearbooks along. He had brought his as well, and wondered about getting remembrances. Many people had already asked for his comments. He had gladly given them, knowing that he would have found their request unfathomable when he first arrived in Tokyo.
He sighed. One point became ever more certain as the night progressed.
There was no way to stop the winds of change.
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“We finally graduated!”
A number of guys and gals were shouting happily, banging their glasses together.
“Kaname, I’m glad you decided to show up tonight!” Namie Utado pulled Kaname aside. She had never been one of Kaname’s closest friends, but had stuck by her side when many of the other students had begun treating her differently.
“I’m glad I did,” Kaname admitted. “People have been much nicer than I expected.” She scowled. “Of course, some of that is sympathy for the way that Sousuke treated me. Him and his damn keys!”
“I wonder what he would have done if you didn’t give them back.” Ayumi Amuro walked over and joined them. “I know what the guys were hoping for!” She winked. It wasn’t only the guys who had been anticipating some kind of scandalous event.
“I don’t,” Kaname said. “He always keeps his word.” Kaname frowned. “Most of the time...” She thought back to the time he had left school without even sending her word. She had ended up corralling Wraith, flying out to Hong Kong, and tracking him down. No. She always had to correct herself. Tracking her down. That discovery was still hard to accept.
“Well, that’s more than other guys!” Maya looked very upset. Kaname was about to ask why when someone else spoke first.
“Yeh. Guys are slime.” Yuri Hamasaki looked over by the punch fountain. “And there are so many cute ones here, tonight. C'mon girls.” She grabbed hold of Kaname’s arm and began pulling her along.
“Wait. I…” Kaname dug her heals in.
“What’s wrong, Kaname?” Yuri asked. “Tonight’s all about having fun!”
“Is it Sousuke?” Namie asked. “Are you two dating or something? I know that the two of you spent so much time together, but that was because he was your protector, right?”
“Well… he and I…” Kaname looked for Sousuke, but saw no sign of him. They had come together as dates, in a manner of speaking. But they hadn’t really been dating. She was such a quibbler. Why did she find it hard to share her feelings with people she might never see again?
“Some of the girls were convinced that the two of you were sleeping together.” Ayumi laughed. “Despite the fact that it was easy to see how clueless the guy is!” That had the other girls laughing too.
“And the fact that you used to be such an idol!” Yuri put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry…”
“Have you two… you know…” Yuri lowered her voice some, as much as she could in that loud room.
“No!” Kaname held her hands up. “I mean, we never even kissed or anything.” She looked over at Maya again. Yuri’s question had upset her for some reason.
“Come on, you can tell us if you have.” Namie stepped closer. “It’s not like we’re going to run around spreading the secret, like some guys would.” She actually believed that.
“We haven’t!” Kaname said. “I guess it’s just as well.” Those words had forced themselves out.
“So it was true. The scholarship, I mean?” Ryo walked up. She spared Maya a brief sympathetic look. “I was hoping that someone had made that up.”
“They must have lower standards in America,” Mizuki quipped. She frowned when no one paid any attention.
“It’s true. About the scholarship. I had applied to Columbia, at my father’s request. I never thought that I stood a chance of getting in.” Kaname shook her head. She drank down a whole cup of punch in a few gulps.
“That’s great, I guess.” Yuri fluffed out her hair. “But, it’s an honor just getting into Tokyo University, right? Wouldn’t it be just as good for your career to go there?“
After nodding her head, Kaname went on to explain the promise she had made. She found herself feeling guilty for a moment, being angry at her father. Namie’s father had died in a car accident when she was only ten. Ayumi’s father had abandoned her mother when his daughter was seven.
“I wouldn’t keep that promise,” one guy stated, butting in after eavesdropping. A number of his buddies had similar sentiments.
“It costs money to go to college, moron.” Yuri shot back. She had a strong dislike for that boy. “Not that you have any reason to know that.”
“Your dad wouldn’t cut off all of your money if you wanted to stay in Japan, would he?” Ryo asked. “I mean, he really seems to care about you. It’s not every father that buys his daughter a car.”
“He might,” Kaname said, admitting to herself that she really didn’t know one way or the other. “But, I would never force him to make that choice. I gave him my word.” She took another cup of punch someone handed her. It went down faster than the first. “I love my father…”
“It’s not fair, though.” Maya said. “If he cares about you, he should think about you, not himself. Why are men so selfish that way?” Her eyes were red. Kaname wondered if her friend had been crying.
“I don’t really know what’s fair or not,” Kaname said. “When my mother died, there was a heavy burden on my father. I certainly didn’t make things easy for him.” She didn’t want to go into details. “With everything he went through, he always tried to do what was best for Ayame and me.”
“Including letting you live in Tokyo alone,” Namie said. “I can see how that would have been hard for him.”
“I can’t,” Mizuki quipped. Again, no one paid her any heed.
“It was hardest on my sister, I think.” Kaname said. “But, my father had already lost my mother and…” Kaname felt her throat tighten up, thinking back to her mother’s losing battle with cancer, her death, and the dreaded finality of her funeral.
“You don’t want to let him down, right?” Kyouko looked somewhat sad. She had been accepted to a college in Tokyo. The two of them had talked about seeing a lot of each other during school.
“How can I?” Kaname sighed. “He has never let me down.”
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“Engineering degree?”
Sousuke stood with Shinji, neither of them drinking the ubiquitous purple punch.
“Yes. I hope so. Hey, for all I know, I might actually be working on a team that designs something like a Gundam some day!” Shinji looked sheepish when a number of guys laughed at his comment. He looked down at his feet when a group of girls put their heads together to talk.
“Indeed, given your hobbies, you might enjoy working for the military.” Sousuke said. “It might please your father if you follow in his footsteps.” He held out his bag, so that a late arrival could drop his keys in. For a moment, he stared into the blackness at the bottom of the large sack. He had so few memories of his own father, and those he had were shoddy at best.
“I guess so,” Shinji said. “Sometimes I’m not so sure.” He shook his head. “I know that my mother wouldn’t be so happy!”
“Yeh, but you’ll be the one needing to make a living, not your mother.” One boy spoke with a slurred voice. He almost fell over reaching for another drink. “Parents can’t make all of our decisions for us. If we chose the wrong career, it will screw up our whole life!”
That statement prompted everyone to talk about where they were headed, and where they hoped to be ten years down the road. When Sousuke was the only one who hadn’t spoken, they all turned to stare at him expectantly.
“I am not certain,” Sousuke admitted. “As you know, my life is greatly different than yours. Perhaps I can change that, but…” He shrugged. He didn’t have the answer that they sought. But, that wasn’t surprising. He didn’t have the answers that he himself sought.
“I bet it can’t help that Kaname is going to America, huh?” Shinji asked. He had strong suspicions on how close his two friends really were.
“Nice!” One girl said, sarcastically. Shinji's blunt question wouldn't make Sousuke feel any better.
“What?” Shinji looked baffled. What had he said?
“Boys…” Another girl shook her head.
“Chill, girls.“ One guy from the music class “I don’t see what it really matters. Sagara might not have done too well at the Flirting Contest, but I bet he could get any girl he wants tonight!” He belched. “Hell, he wouldn’t have to stop at just one. Right ladies?” He sounded somewhat envious.
Walking by, Maya broke into tears. As Sousuke watched, she vanished into the crowd.
A number of the party-goers tried to tell Sousuke that there were a lot of fish in the sea. Others tried to get him to say whether or not the two were a couple, insisting that he should do whatever was necessary to stay with her if they were.
Sousuke felt a need to walk outside and clear his head. Standing in front of the building, he took in the scent of the evening air. Looking over to one side, he saw what he first thought were fireflies. It was a group of boys smoking.
“It will be alright, Maya.”
It was Ryo’s voice. It came from a small porch off the entrance patio. As Sousuke walked closer, he saw that Kaname’s two friends were sitting on a small wicker sofa. He corrected himself. Ryo and Maya were his friends too.
“Sousuke. You must be looking for Kaname.” Ryo was holding a box of tissues. “I know that you two came together tonight.”
“Yes. I would like to spend time with her. But, at the moment, I am wondering why Maya looks upset. If someone has done something improper, it may well be my duty to instruct that person in proper behavior. Oonuki did not mention that as a requisite for the Sergeant at Arms, but it would appear to be a practical responsibility.
“It’s too late for that,” Maya said. “I wish you could just shoot someone for me. No, it might be better if you shoot me.”
“She’s drunk,” Ryo said. “No one has done anything to hurt her tonight.” She didn’t want Sousuke to make any kind of scene.
“Yes he has.” Maya insisted. “Takashi came to the party tonight. He brought her with him.” She leaned her head back and drank from a cocktail glass. “They don’t have to be so dramatic about it.”
“No more drinks for you, girl.” Ryo gently took the glass out of her friend’s hand. “Here, Sousuke. Could you please take this inside.” She held out the glass. The rim was smeared with lipstick. It looked like blood in the poor lighting.
Sousuke looked at a small table next to the couch. It was stacked with various cups, bottles, and glasses. Ryo’s request was one for privacy, not neatness and propriety. “I think it would be better if you return the glass. I have something that I need to ask Maya.”
“I don’t think that is a good idea. You’re not exactly….” Ryo stopped.
“It is important.” Sousuke insisted.
“It’s alright, Ryo. Thank you.” Maya slid over on the couch and let Sousuke sit down. “I really wouldn’t want you to hurt him, you know?” She watched at Ryo walked away, looking back a number of times.
“That is not my first concern,” Sousuke said, wishing he knew how to be more sensitive to other people’s problems. “Especially since I do not know the details.” He spoke in a stern voice. “What you said before. I hope you are not thinking of hurting yourself. You should know that I would not shoot you in any case.” He felt foolish, saying that. But, he had a point to make.
Maya shook her head vehemently. “No. I wouldn’t do that. But… well… “ She tried to look Sousuke in the eyes. “I kind of thought about it for a while.”
“I see,“ Sousuke waited for Maya to go on.
“He’s not worth it.” She said with a sudden flare of anger. “ No boy is worth it. Guys are nothing but jerks.” She shook her head, catching her faux pas. “Sorry.”
“If you have any thoughts about harming yourself, I suggest that you talk to Kaname.” Sousuke wondered if he should take that tack. Kaname’s secrets were not his to tell. If Maya did not already know about Kaname’s dark past, it was not his business it to reveal such things.
“Kaname had enough troubles of her own to deal with now. I’ll be OK. Maya sounded certain, but Sousuke decided it was not worth taking a risk. He whispered a silent apology to Kaname.
“At one time, when she was in Junior High, Kaname seriously considered taking her own life.” Sousuke’s revelation had Maya looking shocked. She hadn’t known Kaname back then. “Things may have been bad for her at one point, but they became much better.”
It was Maya’s turn to sit silently. Her thoughts were a jumble.
“I will tell you something about myself.“ Sousuke sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He looked off into the night, watching cars pass by on the street. “I have not told this to anyone in Tokyo other than Kaname.“
Maya listened as Sousuke gave her a synopsis of his early life.
“Things seemed bleak and hopeless. I lived just to survive.” Sousuke said. “My life became better when I found my current employment. Even so, it was not everything it could be. I did not understand that, until I came here.”
“Because of Kaname?” Maya asked.
“Yes.” Sousuke said.
“And she’s going to America.” Maya put her hand to her mouth.
Sousuke nodded. They were both silent for a while.
“I thought that Takashi loved me,” Maya said, feeling a need to share as Sousuke had done. “I liked him for a long time. We began spending time together. He said that couldn‘t live without me. I fell in love with him.” She paused. Looking up, she saw that Ryo and a couple of her other friends were hovering at a distance. “He wasn’t just my first love. He was my first sex. But, the whole time, he was going out with Mitsune. He came with her tonight.”
“It does not sound like he is worth getting upset over,” Sousuke said.
”You’re right.” Maya sniffed, and then dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I never would have guessed that he would turn out to be such a jerk.” She put the tissue down. “I never would have guessed that Sousuke Sagara would be so kind and considerate.”
“That may not matter,” Sosusuke said glumly. The look in his eyes gave hint of a pain he rarely let anyone see.
“Things can get better, right?” Maya tried to smile. She squeezed Sousuke’s hand. “Isn’t that what you just got finished telling me?”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke did not sound entirely convinced. “It is a good thing that tonight is such a happy night, is it not?”
Maya actually laughed. She leaned over and gave Sousuke a hug. “Thank you.”
“It is not a problem.”
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“Over here, Sousuke.”
Kaname waved, when Sousuke caught up with her again. She was sitting in the center of Oonuki’s living room along with a large number of their classmates.
“Righteous!” One of the Drama Club’s members was a bit too dramatic for everyone’s tastes. “Now that Sagara is here, things ought to get really good!”
Sousuke sat down next to Kaname. He wondered what had the other graduates looking so eager. “Kaname?”
“Everyone was telling some of their favorite tales from high school. I mentioned a couple about you, and some about my other friends. “ She spoke into his ear, so only he could hear her. “If you tell any stories, you better not make me look bad, mister.”
“Come on man, I’m certain you must have a lot of great stories.” One boy’s comment was echoed by others.
“Affirmative. I do not know if they are great, but there were numerous memorable events.” He debated just what he could tell them. They already knew he was a mercenary. They knew that he fought in Arm Slaves. As long as he did not mention Mithril by name, or divulge any classified information, he did not see the harm in reminiscing out loud. “Did you tell them about the Bonta-Kun suit?“ He asked Kaname.
“Yes. I did. I also told them about that psycho, Wakana.” Kaname declined a drink someone offered her. She was light-headed enough as it was.
“Did you tell them about the full story regarding the day at the beach, the one with the watermelon and the boy with poor health?” He remembered floating down from the heights holding onto a large balloon, Kaname in his arms.
“I did. It was OK for me to mention it.” Kaname scowled. “Not you.”
Sousuke looked around the assembled faces, looking to see if someone would clue him in. He had mistakenly thought that Kaname had been kidnapped. He mounted a successful rescue attempt, defeating three professional bodyguards in the process. He may have been a bit rough with the boy, but he had taught him an important lesson.
“The white bikini,” one girl said.
“The one she bought especially for that trip to the beach.” Another girl added.
“The swimsuit you didn’t even notice.” Yet another girl gave Kaname a sympathetic look.
Sousuke rushed to change the subject. “How about the time I trained to be Shirai for Mizuki’s friends?”
“What?” Kaname folded her arms across her chest. That was another sore subject.
“Uhhh… never mind… that one is not so good after all….” Sousuke tried to rush onward. He was shouted down by the group. Reluctantly, he told the story.
“Circulatory problem. Yeh, right!” One guy slapped his knee. A number of his friends laughed. They soon stopped when Kaname looked in their direction.
“How about our hunt for Captain Amigo’s treasure?” Sousuke caught himself before he mentioned Merida Island by name. When Kaname shook her head, he continued. “Kaname and I sought a long lost treasure.”
“D’oh!” One boy smacked his forehead. “Like buried treasure exists outside of bad movies.”
“We found a treasure worth eleven million U.S. Dollars.” He raised his hands when everyone doubted him. “It is true. Unfortunately, in the process, we destroyed an M6 Bushnell Arm Slave...worth eleven million U.S. Dollars.”
“She probably tried to hit him with her paper fan,” one girl commented. “Hit the Arm Slave instead.”
“Yeh. Not too many things are as tough as Sousuke. Eleven million doesn’t get you much these days.” That boy’s remark had Kaname frowning. Sousuke always came out as the good guy. She always came out as the heavy. Why?
“I take it that some of you remember when a visiting professor donated a rare and endangered clam to Jindai High School?” Sousuke looked around the room. Oddly enough, most people had not heard the full details of that story.
“Sousuke!” Kaname shook a finger at him. She would be viewed as the villain in that story for sure.
“Ahhh. Did you wish to be the one who told it, Kaname?” Sousuke had a very affable tone of voice, greatly at odds with the look on Kaname’s face.
“Go…… ahead…… Sousuke…” Kaname said, with a false smile. “I…… don’t…… mind…” No one believed a single word that she said. “Really!”
“Thank you,” Sousuke said. “Kaname accidentally ate the clam.”
“How do you accidentally eat a clam?” A girl asked.
“When Ms. Kagurazaka and I found that the treasured clam was missing, I lead the investigation committee, hoping to find the culprit who had brutally murdered an innocent and unarmed being in cold blood, violating it with ice picks, and setting it ablaze in an oven."
“Way to go Chidori!” One guy clapped his hands together. “If I had known, I would have brought you an ‘I ate an entire endangered species’ T-shirt for a graduation present.” That was only the first of a series of playful quips.
At first Kaname began to get steamed. But, she soon realized that everyone was laughing with her, not at her. Things were a lot different than she had feared they might be. While she didn’t want to admit it, there might actually be a benefit to Sousuke telling these stories. They wouldn’t see her as some diva, idol, or force of nature. She would have flaws and foibles, just like everyone else.
“Another day, I met an old man named Komura Shujiro, a former lieutenant in the old Imperial Japanese Navy.” Sousuke looked over at Kaname and nodded. “Mr. Komura asked me to help him find a carry-on bag that some hooligans had stolen from him. Due to a mistake on my part, I came to believe that the bag contains some form of lethal toxic agent.”
“Where have we heard that kind of thing before?” One girl said, blushing. She had been surrounded by guys when the Full Monty Virus took effect. The only person blushing any redder was Kyouko, who was sitting next to Oonuki.
“The interesting coincidence to that story was that Mr. Komura is Kaname’s grandfather.” Sousuke shrugged. “Fate is a funny thing.”
“Hey, I remember a good one!” A girl stood up, laughing. “It’s another Mizuki story.”
“Boooooo….”
Everyone looked at Kaname.
“That wasn’t me. Honest!” Kaname held her hands up.
“Sousuke and Issei were fighting, as usual,” the girl said. “They accidentally bumped Mizuki out the window. When Issei saved her from falling, she fell in love with him. She kept chasing after him, professing her feelings.“
“Right!“ A boy joined in. “ Issei hadn’t gotten enough sleep for several days, and actually asked for Sousuke’s help in getting Mizuki off his back. He collapsed into Sousuke’s arms due to insomnia. Kaname saw it happen. She…“ He was interrupted.
“ When Sousuke asked Mizuki to stop chasing after Issei, she got the wrong idea. She thought that Sousuke was jealous that Mizuki was after Issei.” The boy could barely hold back his glee. “She thought that Sousuke and Issei were gay.”
“They’re not?” That girls’ joke had everyone collapsing with laughter.
As Sousuke stammered, he came to a realization. He was the veteran of countless missions. He had saved many lives. He had stopped many insidious plots. But, the mission that ended up meaning the most to him was one that he had been the most baffled by at first. The mission that brought him to Tokyo, with a picture of Kaname taken years prior to his arrival. Fate truly was a funny thing. Had he not come to Jindai, he would never be sitting here now. Where else would he had been able to share a moment like this with people his own age?
“I’m certainly willing to find out,” another girl said, only half in jest. The half jest part was the only thing that had Kaname holding her tongue.
“I remember another one, too” a guy put in. “Oonuki, Sousuke, and Shinji went out on a gou-kon date with three older women. Things went weird after they each went their separate ways into the night with their girls. At least that’s what Oonuki told me.”
“Really?” Kaname’s voice was deceptively calm. “I never heard anything about that story. Sounds very… interesting…”
“Uhhh… it was not truly a date,” Sousuke said quickly. He went on to describe his experience, which had everyone laughing at just how clueless he had been.
“Sousuke…” Oonuki stood up, a bit wobbly in the legs. “Sousuke, I….” He fought to maintain his balance. “I owe you an apology.”
“It is not necessary. I believe I know what you refer to. It was a difficult moment for everyone.” Sousuke looked over at Kaname. He hadn’t told her what Oonuki had said to him, right after he had admitted who he was to the entire class. The only thing that truly mattered had been that he made a promise to bring Kaname back. He had kept that promise.
“I… I hated you then…” Oonuki sat down hard.
“I believe that I hated myself then more than anyone did.” Sousuke looked over at Kyouko, who met his eyes before looking away.
Everyone spoke up to support Sousuke then, something that had him feeling a sense of approval he had never felt before in his life. Kaname looked over at him, knowing that she was as much to blame as he was, if not more.
“No, man. The words were uncalled for. Well, maybe I had a right to say what I did, thinking what I did. I just should have apologized later. You were fighting to protect Kaname. But, I know that you would have fought to protect the city, and to protect the school.” Oonuki looked over at Kyouko. “Everyone was just so shocked at the time.”
Sousuke remembered some of his friend’s words at the time. Kyouko had been seriously injured in the fight that Sousuke and Arbalest lost against Leonard and Verial. The various sentences all seemed to run together:
‘Wait a minute...'I'm sorry'...? That's all you can say? Say that to Tokiwa! She's still in the hospital hooked up to a respirator and tubes hooked all over her body! You know the last word she said to her parents before she fell into a coma? She gave them a key to Chidori's apartment and asked them to take care of Chidori's hamster! She said that was her promise that she made with you! Don't you guys even feel a single remorse for what you did to Tokiwa? She had nothing to do with this. You call yourself a friend? fudgie you! Why the fudgie did you come back? Cuz, it's funny? If you have nothing more to do at school, get the fudgie out of here!’
“I do not know that you do,” Sousuke said sadly. “Kyouko is my friend. I would gladly give my life to save her. Or you.” He looked over at Kaname. “But I…” He couldn’t say what was on his tongue. It was just too personal for him. He had been about to say that he would have whatever it took to save Kaname.
“I understand, Sousuke,” Kyouko said. She came over and whispered in his ear. “I love Kaname, too. She’s my best friend.”
“Thank you,” Sousuke said very quietly, his head hung. As Kaname watched him, she had to turn away. She couldn’t help herself. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t know exactly what set her off. Kyouko’s ordeal? Sousuke’s obvious guilt and remorse? The strength of Sousuke’s feelings for her, and the fact that she might soon be leaving him behind? It could be any one of those, or all that and more.
A girl that Kaname hardly knew put her arm around Kaname.
“It is indeed funny about Fate,” Sousuke finally managed to say. “The difference between life and death can be so small. The difference between friends and enemies can be just as small.” He went on to tell them about Kurz Weber, without ever mentioning him by name. “I have a friend. His family was killed by a terrorist bomb explosion at an airport. He quit school and went to a militia camp in Lebanon, to learn military skills for revenge. He trained with various weaponry and learned tactical fighting skills. He showed a seemingly innate ability to excel in sniping.”
Kaname mouthed the name ’Kurz.’ She shivered. Sousuke had never told her this story before. Kurz. Melissa. Sousuke. Herself. They all shared a common bond. Their childhoods or early adulthood were marred by hardships or senseless tragedy. Looking around the room, she felt a small rush of jealousy. She wondered how many of her classmates had lived the storybook life.
“ Ever since then, my friend has been a mercenary for hire, serving with the same force that I do. There are few people in this world that I trust more. But, things could have ended up much differently. We fought against each other in one guerilla battle in Lebanon, several years before we actually met face to face.” That tale lead to a similar one about Kalinin.
Everyone sat quietly. It was somehow a very solemn moment. They all knew that there were lessons in life that had nothing to do with school.
“I have been lucky in finding my friends,” Sousuke said. He looked around the room at the people sitting nearest to him.
Kaname wasn’t the only thing that might fade from his life.
Sousuke just had to... or rather, you just HAD to make Sousuke
