Enjoy the one shot! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or SA… all rights belong to their respective owners…
What If?
"Kei!" Satoru cheerfully called his 5 ½ year old son as he entered the library, "Are you ready to go with me in our trip today? Besides… uhh… what are you doing?"
Satoru saw Kei on his computer, and on his monitor showed graphs with some lines going up and down, plus some digits on the sides.
"I'm looking at the stocks, dad," replied Kei.
"But that's Papa's work…" said Satoru, with Kei only replying with "But it's fun."
Satoru sighed. He is proud of Kei's intellect and physical abilities, however it was not a lie that he is afraid of Kei growing up as a normal kid. Many people viewed Kei as an adult.
"Well, be sure to get ready," Satoru said, "We're leaving in a while."
-0-
Satoru and Kei sat beside each other at the backseat. Satoru saw Kei's expressionless face; Kei's bored, perhaps he thought. Now he did fear for Kei's upbringing. He knew that one day his son needed friends, although he does have those in the persons of Akira, Aoi and Yahiro, but what Satoru would want Kei to have is someone who Kei will interact normally, or at least Kei is interested at.
Satoru broke the silence and said, "Are you looking forward for today? It is a good weather, isn't it?"
"It's a normal day," Kei replied, "I just want to be in the library."
"And see the stock exchange? Well, that won't do," Satoru said, "I brought you with me since I heard that the family we are visiting has a son of the same age as you, though he had his birthday a month ago, making him six this year… I just thought you might want to have a playmate while Papa is with Mr. and Mrs. Usui."
"So, do you really want me to play with him?"
"Yes, absolutely," Satoru said.
"Let's just see…" Kei said nonchalantly.
Satoru almost knew exactly what Kei meant in this matter; whenever he meets a new "friend", they never came back out of fear of Kei's abilities, or simply view him as a weirdo.
The ride was long. When they arrived at the Usui estate, they were greeted by the trees on the sides of the road. It was still far away from the house itself. Soon, they saw a glimpse of the mansion.
"We're almost there, Satoru-sama," remarked the driver, and then added, "Forgive me for saying this, but today's visit is really isolated, isn't it sir?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," said Satoru as his gaze fell upon the woods outside his window, "It's practically in the middle of the forest."
Then, as they drew closer, the view of the mansion got bigger, and it was not long that they arrived at the entrance. Satoru and his son got out of the car, and by the entrance Mr. and Mrs. Usui themselves welcomed them.
"Welcome to our humble abode," Mr. Usui said to Satoru, and then turning to Kei, "And who is this young man?"
Kei was silent; Satoru answered instead, "This is my son, Kei."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Kei-kun," Mrs. Usui said, "You must be really close to your Papa to accompany him, aren't you?"
"Well, enough with the pleasantries," Mr. Usui said, "Shall we head to the veranda for our tea?"
-0-
The group walked along the mansion's halls and passed by plenty of rooms. During the walk, Satoru spoke, "I heard your son had his birthday last month."
"Oh, yes. He did," Mrs. Usui said.
"He must have grown much," Said Satoru cheerfully, "Is he as tall as Kei?"
"Hmm… a bit taller by few centimeters," replied Mr. Usui.
"I see," said Satoru, and then to Kei, "Aren't you excited meeting him Kei?"
Kei just nodded in silence.
"Oh, Kei-kun wanted to play with Takumi?" said Mrs. Usui. She turned to Kei, and with an apologetic look, said, "I'm sorry, but he's quite busy; he's with his tutor, studying."
"Oh, that's too bad," Satoru said to Kei, with a tone of a bit disappointment. When turned, he saw a girl with a long, wavy hair, "Oh, and who's that girl?"
"That's Maria," replied Mrs. Usui, and then called the girl. As she approached, she said, "Perhaps Kei-kun would like to play with Maria-chan?"
Kei looked at Maria, whom he thought saw in her face hiding a disappointment, and thought heard her whisper, 'I'd rather play with girls.' But, Kei didn't mind. As a matter of fact, he didn't care.
After a few pleasantries, Kei and Maria were escorted by a maid outside to the playground, and the adults proceeded to the veranda somewhere on the west side of the house.
-0-
Satoru and the Usuis had just started having tea, as Satoru started with the conversation with, "I didn't know you had a daughter."
"She isn't," Mrs. Usui said, "She is the daughter of Takumi's tutor. The family decided to have him homeschool."
"That's nice," Satoru remarked, "But how will Takumi make friends, then?"
"Well, he has Maria," said Mr. Usui said, and as he sipped his tea, "as if that expressionless boy needed any…"
"Eh?" Satoru was speechless as what Mr. Usui had just said. He wondered now how Takumi was treated by his family.
"But, Mr. Usui…"
KYAAAAA!
Satoru was interrupted by a girl screaming. Just then, the maid accompanying Kei and Maria ran to them. "Usui-sama! Takishima-sama! Maria-chan is… Kei-sama is…" the maid could only say, as she was panting heavily.
"What happened?" Satoru asked worrily, "Where are they?"
The maid pointed as to where she came from running, "At… swing…"
And without any hesitation, the adults ran as to where the children were. They found Kei pushing Maria on a swing in a full 135 degree angle, and Maria clinging to her dear life.
"KYAA! Mama! Save Me!" Maria screamed.
'This happened before,' Satoru thought, and then said, "Kei! Please stop!"
But it was a bit too late, as Maria's hands gave up, and she was thrown in the air. Just then, Kei ran and caught Maria before she even hit the ground.
Then, a woman from the house ran to them. She was in hysterics, repeatedly saying "Maria! Are you alright?!"
However, Maria already fainted when Kei caught her, and this caused panic with Maria's mother as her daughter was unconscious. Mr. Usui then went to them, checked Maria, and said to the mother, "Don't worry. Maria's fine, she just fainted. Why don't you go have and rest? My butler will personally accompany you."
Upon the arrival of the butler, Mr. Usui gave him his orders, and then the butler carried Maria, and accompanied her mother to the house. When they were out of sight, Mrs. Usui calmly said to Kei, "I'm sorry that Maria-chan has to go home early. We do have a room full of toys, if you want to play. Do you like that? Or do you want to do something else?"
Kei replied, "Can I borrow your computer?"
Mr. Usui was a bit shocked with Kei's request. "Well, our computer here has a few games for you… do you have a particular game you like to play? I can ask my assistant to install it for you."
To which Kei replied. "No, I just want to see how the stock market is going."
"Huh?"
-0-
Kei was escorted by another young maid to the library. When they were out of sight, Mrs. Usui remarked, "What an incredible strength for a boy."
Satoru smiled and said, "Yes, he does. Sometimes I worry for him."
"I'm sure it will turn out just fine," said Mrs. Usui.
"Yes, I hope so."
"Enough of this, then," Mr. Usui said, "Mr. Takishima, shall we head back? The tea's going to get cold."
Satoru gave one last look at the door where Kei disappeared, and then followed the Usuis back to the veranda.
-0-
At long last Kei was in his paradise: library, with a computer to use to watch how the stocks move, and everything related to it. His paradise, in a sense that he could only confide here to be himself. In addition, he liked the serenity of the place. A place where he could relax.
But, unfortunately for him, was short-lived.
"Aren't you the swing guy?"
He heard another voice coming from the other side of the room. He saw another boy, a bit taller than him, and of the same age as him, with blond hair and a pair of green eyes. He wasn't enthusiastic, nor grumpy. In fact, it was almost just like him.
"You're Takumi, aren't you?"
Takumi nodded. "Nice to meet you, then. Kei-kun, isn't it?"
"Yes, I am," Kei replied, and then turned back to the monitor.
Takumi stood beside Kei and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Looking at stock exchange," Kei replied.
"Is that fun?"
"Yes."
"I see." Then Takumi was silent.
Kei thought that Takumi went away, but in his peripheral vision and in the monitor, saw Takumi still standing beside him.
"What are you doing?" asked Kei.
"Observing you," Takumi replied.
"Is that fun?"
"Probably." Then the two remained silent, unknown to both of them that they were wondering at each other. Perhaps they began to have this "mutual understanding" which prompt them to be silent and let the other do what he wants to do.
Then again, the silence was broken by the young maid who escorted Kei to the library. She was carrying a tray of sweets.
"Oh, Takumi-sama! You're here, too," said she. "I'm sorry. I thought Kei was the only one here."
"You're new here, aren't you?" asked Takumi.
"Yes, I am," replied the maid, and then bowed, "My name is Mina. I am at your service."
"Hello," said both boys.
"Well, what are you two doing?"
"Looking at stock exchange."
"Observing him." Replied the two.
"Alright. But I think you two should play… you know, get to know each other," said Mina, "Oh, and you two behave while I get some more snacks!" Then she left.
The two could just looked at each other, wondering what they will do.
-0-
Mr. Usui went back inside to get something from his room. He then noticed Mina carrying another tray of snacks. "Our guest seemed to be very enthusiastic in eating, isn't he?"
"Oh, no, Usui-sama," replied Mina, "I am bring this batch for Takumi-sama. He's in the library with Kei-sama."
Mr. Usui raised his eyebrows, a bit shocked. Then, he ordered Mina to look closely to the two, especially to Takumi.
-0-
About an hour passed and Mr. Usui ushered his wife and Satoru inside the house. "That's some nice tea you have. Thank you for the hospitality, Mr. Usui."
"Please, it is us whom we must thank you for visiting," Mrs. Usui replied.
"By the way, may I see your library? I wanted to see Kei," Satoru asked, and the Usuis accompanied him to the library. As they entered, they saw Kei and Takumi seated opposite of each other, with Takumi declaring, "Checkmate." The Usuis are quietly observing.
"Kei! There you are… and who's this?" Satoru asked cheerfully.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Takumi," said Takumi.
"Oh, nice to meet you too," Satoru said then looking at the chess board, "You must be good in chess. No?"
"Kei's equally good."
"Eh? Kei, you've beat him up too?"
"Yes."
"So, what your score?"
Both of the kids looked at Satoru, "100 wins, and 100 losses."
"Huh?"
Then, Mina, who was not far from them, said, "Yes, they continued this game over and over… it was amazing, the entire game."
Satoru looked at the boys, who, although not easily noticeable, were now really in to it. "Shall we have another?" asked Takumi.
"You two should play outside," Satoru suggested. Besides, it's a lovely weather we're having. Might I suggest playing catch?"
"Sounds great," Mr. Usui finally said. "Mina, could you get mitts and a baseball for the two? The two of you should go with Mina and head outside immediately."
Mina nodded and left, and on each of her side walked Takumi and Kei.
Satoru smiled as the trio disappeared to the halls. "Don't worry about them, Mr. Takishima. They are going to be just fine," said Mrs. Usui.
"They sure are," Satoru remarked. "Can we stay here for a while?"
-0-
The adults were lounging in the library, talking a bit of business, then another scream was heard.
"Waah! Kei-sama that's too much!
"What is it now that Takumi did this time?" Mr. Usui asked. The adults looked by the wide window of the library; below it was the place where the boys are playing catch. Kei just threw the ball really hard, and then Takumi sprinted in time to catch the ball and threw it back to Kei with the same manner, and Kei receiving the ball with almost the same feat.
"Takumi-sama don't do that! That's dangerous! You two are going to hurt yourselves!"
But then again, the boys just concentrated in catching and throwing the ball.
The adults were surprised, however the reason wasn't the same; Satoru was surprised that there is someone who could match to Kei's pace, and the Usuis were shocked by the superhuman event was going on in the playground.
In his mind, Satoru thought that Takumi is just the right person for being Kei's friend. He was thinking about how well the two would get along fine, however such train of thoughts has to stop, as heavy rain suddenly poured.
"Rain?! In this fine weather?!" exclaimed Satoru, "The kids!"
"Get the kids! They might get sick because of the rain!" exclaimed Mrs. Usui.
A few short panics later, the children were brought back in, their parents themselves dried them with towels, while the maids prepared for fire in the hearth for warmth, and the others prepared for the boys clean, dry clothes. Mina headed back to the maids' quarters to change.
They warmed themselves by the fire, waiting for the rain to stop. During the wait, the boys fell asleep because of exhaustion from playing catch. And what's worth is that they were sleeping, leaning against each other, as if inseparable.
-0-
It was afternoon when the rain stopped, and the Takishimas were ready to go. The two families said their goodbyes.
Takumi gave the mitt to Kei as a gift of gratitude.
"Until next time, then Kei," Takumi said to Kei.
Kei nodded, "The next time we visit then, Takumi."
As the Takishimas were gone, and Usui gone up to his room, Mrs. Usui said to her husband, "You know, we might be a bit harsh to Takumi."
"Hmm?"
"You see, dear," Mrs. Usui said, "as I dried Takumi up, I think I saw a faint smile in his face. He's not that emotionless as what we thought of him. And the way they said their goodbyes… it's, well, I can't really explain…"
"Dear, do you think I hadn't noticed?" said Mr. Usui.
"It's not what I meant, my dear…"
Mr Usui gave a faint smile as said, "I think Takumi really liked him. Besides, isn't it refreshing to see a change in Takumi's face every once in a while?"
"You're thinking of inviting them again?"
"I can see why not… actually, I had already invited them."
They returned inside the house, and another maid informed them that a call coming from England was on hold for them.
-0-
Meanwhile, Satoru looked at his son, who was clutching the baseball mitt Takumi gave him.
"Did you had fun, Kei?" Satoru asked.
Kei just stared with the mitt he was holding, and his dad saw that faint smile as what he had seen in the Usui mansion. Satoru just knew the answer.
"You know, the Usuis invited me again next week for a lunch. Want to come?" Satoru asked.
"Yes, dad," replied Kei immediately. In Satoru's thoughts, this was the answer to his wishes, and he just can't let it go, and after all, this is for Kei's, and as well as Takumi's, sakes.
However, the week passed, and on the night before the intended lunch visit, Satoru received a call that the Usuis cancelled the invitation, since an important person is unexpectedly coming to visit. The said visit was never postponed, nor did it never take place ever.
After the phone call, Satoru was about to inform Kei, when, as he turned, saw his son walking back to the library, going back in his world of viewing stock exchange, whilst holding the baseball mitt on his hand, not saying a word.
A few months later, Kei met the girl who will challenge him in his entire lifetime.
_END_
It's been a while writing fanfictions…. I am really sorry for not updating Back in Time, I had a few conflicts I have to solve in the fanfic, (you can say it is on hiatus) and while at it, I am pretty busy… I'm in my graduating year, by the way :D
Still, along those conflicts whatsoever, this story just popped in my mind; I had previously reread the omake of KWMS and SA involving Kei's and Takumi's childhood days. I had intention of including Dorothy the cat here (from KWMS omake)… you know… being a cat lover at the same time lol XD plus I imagined Kei and Takumi's playing catch scene something that was beyond human, or in their case, beyond their ages... with the ninja moves what not... I'll leave it to your imagination... you know Kei and Takumi are.. haha.. and I intentionally made their characters like that... stayed a bit from their own characters... some parts in here are have manga references, like the Maria's swing, and there are some parts which I based from other anime (the chess scene... indirectly with No Game, No Life, when it comes to the scoring... because they are both awesome)
Again, I am sorry for the wrong grammar, typos, etc… and I hope you enjoy this one shot in the meantime. And if I have time, another crossover is coming :D hopefully I can make this (it's in the works, actually).
Anyways, be happy always! :D
Lovelots!
~otaku911