Kaere sighed, feeling exhausted. She had skipped school, knowing that she had appointments that day and knowing as well that her clients tended to be erratic about when they would show up. The girl was sitting back in her swivel chair at the desk, eyes scanning the computer screen before her. Tsuna, you shouldn't be chatting. You should be studying. She glanced to the corner, at the large dog bed. Two large black hounds were sleeping there, curled up together. A yawn escaped her. I wish I could go back to sleep. A message popped up in the corner of her computer screen, alerting her to a visitor. With the press of a button, she was able to unlock it.
The footsteps that sounded on the concrete stairs were vaguely familiar and Kaere spared a look up at her guest. "Ah…Hibari-san…"
He sent her a glare. It was clear that he had no wish to visit her; he had very little interest in the girl. To him, she just was not worth the effort of noticing. Rolling up his sleeve, he simply gave her a nod. Kaere slid the needle into his arm and he rolled his sleeve down without letting her bandage it. "You skipped school, herbivore?" he finally asked.
She tried to avoid his gaze, turning away to dispose of the needle. "I-I had to today…I have other clients…"
"Skipping school deserves punishment."
Kaere stood completely still now, holding her breath. He wouldn't…right? He wouldn't hurt me right now, knowing that I still have clients…right? Reborn-san wouldn't let him hurt me, would he? She heard him starting up the stairs and sighed in relief as quietly as possible. That was terrifying. I can handle operating on people. I can handle talking to mafioso and hitmen. But no matter how many times I encounter Hibari Kyoya, he always scares the hell out of me.
In the corner, the dogs began to stir into wakefulness. The male was the first to stand, shaking himself awake and sniffing around for food. Kaere filled their bowls and sat back again as they ate. Arisu is getting chubby, she thought as she looked at the female dog. That is just fat, right? Maybe I should check her before my next appointment. Kaere carried the dog into the imaging room and took a quick ultrasound. What the hell? I thought I had Arashi fixed. So why is Arisu full of puppies?
The computer showed another message, alerting her to the next client. She pressed the button to unlock the door and was still trying to settle Arisu back onto the dog bed when she heard the client reach the bottom of the stairs. "Um…I-I'll be there in a minute…sorry about this…" Kaere frowned. What was the last patient's name? Fran? Turning around to face them, she saw a young man. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, his hood up to hide his upper face in shadow, but she could still tell he was male. "Um…Fran-san…?"
They nodded once. When she told him to take a seat on the examining table, he obeyed without a word. The shot was given quickly and it was only after this that he let his hood fall back. "Thanks." His voice was monotone, his face mostly blank, but his eyes held an intense curiosity. "You're really a doctor?"
"…no…ah…I'm just a medic…" Kaere's golden eyes met his teal ones and she quickly darted them away when she saw his cheeks turning light pink. Why is he blushing?
Fran tilted his head, continuing to stare for a long moment as she disposed of the needle. When it began to get awkward, she held out the candy jar to him in hopes of him taking the hint that it was time to leave. He rummaged through the selection of hard candies and withdrew a handful of strawberry ones. "What was your name?"
"Ah…it's Kaere."
He popped a candy into his mouth, seeming to mull over this new bit of information. "Kaere. It's a weird name."
So is Fran. I've never heard that as a guy's name before. She settled in her seat at the computer, still hoping he would leave. "N-not to be rude, but…don't you…have things to do?"
"Nothing." He looked over his shoulder at her artificial bodies and seemed puzzled. "What are those?"
"Oh…I made them."
"You made them?" Fran saw her nod, looking embarrassed. "Are they alive?"
"Th-they are…they're just resting for now. I do…I mean, I send them out sometimes. But things tend to happen to them…"
"Can they die?"
"No. They just get damaged. Well…wait, that's not completely true. They're sort of accident prone. Bad things just end up happening to them…but they don't get hurt…instead of them being hurt, I take the damage for them…"
Fran's mouth turned down on one side into a half-frown. "I don't understand."
I won't show him much. Just enough to scare him off. Just enough to make him never want to look at me again. Enough to think I'm a monster…like Gokudera does. Kaere slowly removed one of her gloves, exposing the strange skin beneath. It was an ashy color, covered in crisscrossing scars of varying sizes and depths. "This…my body is like…a core? I guess…it's connected to each body I make…and through that connection, I take any damage that comes to them…and I feel any pain so they don't have to…"
"So why make them?"
"Look at them." She walked to one of the glass tubes, putting her bare hand to the cold glass. "The bodies I make…they're beautiful. Everyone loves them…everyone wants to spend time with them…I can live vicariously through them…so why not? It only hurts for a little while. At least…it's better than putting myself out there…it's better than risking rejection with this body." Tears welled in her eyes and she frowned. I hate getting sentimental about this. I hate thinking about myself. This body. It's not even my original one.
"I don't like them." Fran was suddenly right beside her, staring at the body within the tube. It had long, flowing red hair and skin like flawless porcelain. His eyes drifted to her hand. To the ashen skin and the myriad of scars. Very slowly, he put his hand over hers. It was cold to the touch and sent a shiver down his spine, but at the same time it made him blush. The girl tried to pull her hand away, but he held his tightly over hers. "Your skin feels different."
"It's not real…and it's cold because I have poor circulation." Again, she tried to pull her hand away. Again, he kept a tight hold.
"I like how it feels."
Why is he so weird? I've never met a person like him. He stares and he just…doesn't make sense. Why would you like the way my skin feels? I look and feel like a zombie! I'm aware of it! Are you just mocking me? Of course, Kaere didn't say any of this. She slipped her hand out from beneath his and pulled her glove back on. "Fran-san, you need to leave. I have to get home," she stated firmly. To show she meant it, Kaere put the leashes on her two dogs and pulled on her long black coat.
Once outside, she spotted a familiar figure leaning against the wall of the shed. He looked irritated, as he always seemed to lately, and shivered a little in the snowy night air. Kaere fought the smile that threatened to creep onto her face and casually locked the laboratory door. Where did Fran go? He followed me out and then just…disappeared. Shaking her head, she looked to her friend. "Gokudera…?"
"Why are you so late leaving? I told you not to make me wait!" he growled, lighting a cigarette. "Is Arisu getting fat?" His eyes had shifted to the dogs now.
"Er…pregnant…" She started down the street, knowing that he was right behind her. "S-so why are you here? You haven't walked me home in a long time."
Gokudera scowled, looking away from her. "I heard that stupid prefect came for his shot. You shouldn't keep skipping classes! He's going to do something next time!"
I know that. I don't care though. I've felt worse pain than a beating from Hibari. She simply shrugged and pulled her goggles down over her eyes. The walk to her apartment was mostly quiet, the boy following her as if it truly were his job. I'm just glad he's talking to me again. After the incident…he went weeks without talking to me. He was so angry.
The dogs were glad to get in out of the snow, shaking flakes from their thick, dark hair and immediately going to their room to continue sleeping. Kaere's heart beat just a little faster when Gokudera followed her into the apartment. "Ah…do you want some tea?"
"You have green tea?"
"I always do." She half-smiled as she filled the tea kettle. I always keep green tea. I remembered that you like it. When it was ready, she poured a cup for him and sat beside him on the couch. "S-so did you go to Tsuna-kun's house today?"
"Yeah." He sipped his tea and frowned. "His mom kept asking about you. I think she's worried."
"I don't need anyone to worry about me." Instantly, her friend's frown grew deeper. "I mean…I worry enough for at least ten people…" she tried to joke.
He didn't want to care so much. He wanted to just leave her apartment and go home. Despite this, he still worried. For some unknown reason, she mattered to him too much for him to leave her. The question he wanted to ask her was awkward. There was no polite way of wording what he was about to ask. "Your new body is working alright?" he inquired, trying not to look at her.
"Y-yeah. The organs are holding up well."
"Good." Gokudera glanced over at her now that the question was out of the way. Her ashen cheeks were a very light pink. It made him scowl. "What the hell are you blushing about?"
"N-nothing! I'm just…I'm tired. Sorry."
He finished his tea in a long sip and gave her a firm look. "Go to bed then. I'll take the couch."
"Wait…what?"
"I'm not leaving you alone. Just go to sleep."
Kaere was understandably hesitant. She collected the tea cups and kettle, settling them in the sink, and went to her room. Sitting on her bed, staring at the closed door, she sighed. Why is he doing this? It's like he's just trying to taunt me. The girl changed into a black tank top and black sweatpants before slipping beneath the blankets on her bed. Why does it have to be complicated? That incident…why did it have to happen? Why did he have to love one of those bodies? She refused to let herself cry, even though it hurt. Even though it felt like a hand was squeezing her heart. I need to forget. I want to forget that it happened. That I ever liked him…that I still do like him…it's just too much to handle.
