Chapter 2: Barricade your thoughts

I think the heat is getting to me.

It was like the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. Why did I treat Souseiseki like that? Good thing she didn't find it odd. Or if she did, at least she appeared like she was enjoying it. Oh, never mind that, why did I do in it in the first place? Damn... and this heat ain't helping at all.

Looks at these guys, they don't seem bothered by the heat at all! Figures, they've been wearing those antique clothes they're probably used to it. Hinaichigo even looks like she's enjoying herself drawing on highly lighted side of the room. At least Shiku's composed self looks as cool as ever, but how do I make sense of Suiseiseki running around chasing that bug around the room without even sweating? Wait, Suiseiseki?

"Um, hey, where's your sister?" I asked the energetic doll.

"Oh, I think she's helping the old man on something, ugh! Gatcha!" she finally caught it. No, scratch that...

I felt a pair of suspicious eyes stamp on my head. It was Shinku with an ill-witted smile. I pretended not to be affected, though I pretty much felt like I was worthy of suspicion. I returned to the hopeless case of a homework again, going through those numbers and symbols that doesn't seem to make any sense.

"Ugh, I can't think with this heat!" I yelled, and as if on cue...

"Hey, Jun, wanna go to the public pool?" Nori came in again without even knocking. Ah, well, it's not like I feel like freaking out on her because of it, but she should at least give me some privacy. Then again, I have three dolls doing their own business here as if they own the place, so what's the point of privacy.

"Oh my, the pool!" remarked Hinaichigo. I winced when I noticed the last scribble went further beyond the paper she was using, hence on the floor. Yep, gotta remember cleaning that up.

"That does sound inviting." Said Shinku, closing her book. She hopped down from the bed and looked at Suiseiseki with an invitation. The younger twin of course was delighted to join. Everybody in the room suddenly looked at me, and for a moment the silence was deafening. Until Shinku, of course, grew tired of it.

"I understand the concept of a public bath means you have to be in the same area cloth less. Well, Jun, do you think you can handle that with the four of us?"

I brushed aside the part where she insulted my manhood and grunted.

"I've got too much work to do."

"But you'll be cooler afterwards." Nori said. She's such a big sister.

"No thanks."

"Ok."

"Hey, can we get some of those nice cold treats you put on wooden sticks and lick?" Hinaichigo asked with enthusiasm.

"Oh, you mean popsicle? Sure!" sometimes, Nori is just too indulgent. Well, that keeps this household alive, actually.

"Why don't you bring some for me while you're at it?" I said, returning to the sheets of paper on my desk.

"No way, unacceptable! If you do not want to escort us ladies then you don't deserve anything, stupid runt!" retorted Suiseiseki. The authority in her appearance was annoying in itself.

"Fine, just go away, you're bothering me." I said, brushing my hand on them. My sister's going to buy them for me anyway, so, whatever.

Everybody left the room with Hinaichigo and Sueseiseki's cheering, but Shinku seemed like she still had something to say. Despite the fact that I wasn't even facing her I knew she was there, I could feel her. It's true, what they say between people who spend too much time together. They tend to know a lot about each other's presence. Anyway, she just stood there, and I was getting a little conscious about it so,

"What? Want me to carry you downstairs?" I asked.

"Not necessary. Just a word of advice... please behave yourself."

The last two words affected me so much it felt rather scary. I turned to face, to see what disposition her face shows, but she wasn't there anymore. Really scary... oh well.

"We're going now!" I heard my sister yell from below.

"Take care." I yelled back, though not with as much effort. It's just a custom, really, doesn't carry much sense. I guess you can say it's an affectionate habit between us.

"Finally! Now this is privacy!"

It's been a while since I sat in my own room with only my whites on. Yeah, I'm that hot, how else will I deal with it. Anyway, I felt a little cooler as I sat beside the bed with nothing but my boxers on. The sudden release of tension from the clothing was so comforting, unfortunately it wasn't inspiring, so even with the predisposition to think straight, I didn't have the will power to deal with school work. That can wait.

I had other concerns, and it's all about that stupid doll... ok, calling her stupid was unruly. In fact, I could even say it's such a cruel paradox; the only girl who has behaved so admirably turned out to be the cause of my biggest problem to date

I leaned my back on the bed and sighed. I tried gathering the facts about this and ordering them in a logical way, but just couldn't. Here it goes anyway; for one thing I know it's all about Souseiseki, ok, that much I know. Well, how can I explain the weird things she does to me? Hmm... well, I'm pretty much attracted to her, judging by the dangerous reaction I made yesterday, anyway. So what? I'm a boy, I'm supposed to be attracted to girls, erm, dolls, wait, that doesn't sound right.

Darn, and so the heat keeps getting into me.

Fine then, I'm attracted to Souseiseki, in more ways than I could perhaps understand, which is scary. Which probably means I could do things that I won't even be aware of doing. Hmm...

I was so engrossed in thought I didn't even realize the brown case that came flying into my room, and yet again, shattering my window. The pieces came rushing to the floor like rain... scary looking, sharp rain. But the heat was still on to me, so I brushed off the thought of having to scold Sueseiseki. And I'll clean up the mess later. I put the back of my hand on my forehead and grumbled.

"Ughr, Sueseiseki, you have until the count of ten to run like hell before I tear you to shreds." my voice was pretty weak, and it didn't spark anything to be concerned about. Wait, wasn't Sueseiseki with my sister and Shinku? I looked at the cases neatly standing side by side near the shelf. One, two, three, oh crap.

"I'm terribly sorry Jun, but the window seemed brand new, and I didn't see any reflection like I did yesterday, so..."

There was like panic in her voice which was interesting, to say the least. It provoked other thoughts in me, the way her voice sounded so sweetly yet so damped at the same time, unlike her loudmouth of a sister. Jeez, I couldn't even call them twins. But I didn't give it much thought. I raised my hand to silence her. She stopped in her statement and her face slowly dropped as did the case which was still hovering while she spoke.

"Why are you suddenly conscious of my window?" I asked with a smirk.

"I'm a doll, and my passion to be Alice, the perfect, untarnished girl that she is is still inside of me, alive, so I have to try and perfect myself in whatever way I can." She said with impressive resolve.

The heat's getting into me, because I think she's getting cuter every time she expresses something.

"Hmm... is that so?" I asked again, my smirk getting a dark loom of suspicion.

"Uh, yes, well, there is another reason why I do not wish to upset you." She said, and began twirling her hair with her finger in a shy manner. Darn this heat, really, and I thought she couldn't get any cuter.

"Oh?" I simply said, feeling the urge to tackle her again. Well, it's a good thing that's the only urge kicking in, no weird stuff... not yet.

She closed her eyes and bit her lips and once again I felt the heat getting into me. She slowly turned around so I got a good look on that finely made cut on her blue violet dress. There wasn't much lose ends so it was made either by clean scissors or an impressive accident.

"Whoa, nasty cut, how did you get that?" I asked as I gently pulled her closer to me. I was too lazy to get my back off the soft side of the bed.

I examined the whole and didn't even realize my finger was already penetrating the soft fabric. Her body arched upward suddenly with a gasp. For a doll she's very ticklish.

"Sorry."

"It's ok. I was carrying a tray for tea and snacks and was taking it to grandmother's bed room. I failed to notice a nail that was lose from the wall of the hallway. By the time I discovered a fabric of my dress has been ripped, it was already too big, and grandfather said he could not do anything about it. So I rushed over here as quickly as I can." I forced her to sit on my lap while I examined her dress.

"I see. And here I thought you just wanted to see me." I said. It was supposed to be a jest. But I guess being ticklish also means being sensitive.

"Oh, but I did want to see you, Jun, honest." She turned around swiftly in defense of her friendship.

I smiled at her, and removed the cute hat from her cute head.

"Yes you did, so that I can fix your dress, right?" I can't believe I was talking flirt talk with a doll. But I'm quite sure she'd hardly take notice.

"But, but I... oh, you are so mean Jun Sakurada, am I that horrible of a rozen maiden doll?" she said tearfully, putting two soft fists on my chest. Darn, this heat's getting into me. I noticed I was talking in a surprisingly soft voice, as if almost in a whisper. Souseiseki does talk like that, so I guess that's just me blending in with her, that is if it's not the heat getting to me and taking much of my energy to even speak properly.

"I'm just kidding." I said, and began messing up her hair. She pouted at me, something I'm pretty sure worked well to steal so many hearts. "Well, we better get started then. I'll get the sewing kit."

"Ok." With the sudden shift of mood she began untying the ribbons on her dress while I stood up.

"He-hey, don't just go undressing in front of me!" I said in a panic, though it was pretty much deceit on my part.

"Oh? Why not? I have my under garments beneath this dress, and as far under garments are concerned, are you not also in yours at this very moment?" she asked tilting her head.

"Tsk, whatever."

Darn, I forgot I was. Oh well, might as well let the innocence of a doll overtake the situation, no matter how dangerous I think it would be. So I stood up lazily and went over to my desk. The site of the unfinished paper works annoyed me a lot, but I guess Souseiseki being here covered it up quickly. I grabbed the box resting beside the lamp. It rarely leaves my desk since Hinaichigo has been having a lot of those 'accidents' lately with the broken pieces of window glass.

"Um, Jun, could you..."

The sight of her struggling in her own dress almost made me laugh. But I guess having to ask for help was embarrassing enough for her, so I stifled it to a mere snicker.

"Hehe, what happened here?" I asked, putting the box beside me as I sat again beside the bed.

"I can't untie some of the knots. Help me please."

"Ok, ok, hold still." I pulled her to me again, and began untying the complicated knot. No wonder she couldn't get it right. I soon found myself fighting with an area which tied ridiculously tight. With the heat consuming more and more area of my temper I was already annoyed, so with determined force I gave the ribbon a good yank with my finger which of course damaged my nails to some extent.

As painful as it felt I didn't have time to feel it properly, but I did feel Souseiseki's soft butt over my... erm, the part where I dread would have the happiest reaction. Damn, it was so soft, I've never had a girl sit on me before, I wonder if it feels the same.

"So-sorry about that." I said, but I sure as hell wasn't sorry about it, nope, not one bit.

"It's fine." She said, "Oh, you hurt your finger." She took my hand and looked at the slightly chipped finger with a grim.

"Don't worry, I can still mend your dress."

"You sound like I'm not enough of a friend to have the right to be worried about you. I do care about you, you know, and not just for my own benefit." She said, crossing her arms. I could see the ball joints serving as elbows for her. Her shoulders, though, were somewhat finely made, too fine in fact. Even though I wasn't looking at her, I gave random glances at that beautiful shoulder.

"Do you?" I asked, again in jest.

"Of course."

Damn, this heat! It's really getting into me now. Yet in the most cruel of conditions I still found the focus I needed to began running stitches on the torn part. I've always had this ability to see the end result even while I busy my mind in the process. My teachers said it was a unique skill, and that not everyone has it. Well, if not then I guess it's a talent of mine. But I never made a big deal about it.

Right now, however, I couldn't be any more grateful for such a skill, whoever gave it to me. Souseiseki was at first at a comfortably safe distance from me, but my constant pulling of the needle to tighten the stitch was drawing her closer, until she reached my side. Perhaps, out of mere childish, absentminded motion, her arms found my legs a comfortable place to lean on. Oh, she was so soft.

"Shinku was right, your fingers ARE magical." She said. I felt the warmth of her breath and if it was electricity running through my spine I certainly hope I wouldn't go giggling about. It felt nice, though, her breath on my skin. Darn heat!

"Thanks, but it's not, though I certainly wished right now my fingers are really magical. This could take a while, I hope you don't mind waiting." I said. Souseiseki's clothes were darker than that of Shinku's. Its hue makes it really difficult to distinguish one thread from another. It would've been easy if sewing was really my hobby, but I only go at it whenever these dolls would rip off their dresses, which wasn't an everyday occasion, thank goodness.

"I don't mind, please take your time." She said. I really hoped she meant that. She continued to watch. Every time I would pull the needle to exact the fabric her head would follow. It was fun to watch her do it. After some time, though, my entertainement was overpowered by my eyes suddenly surrendering to the stress made by the intense focus. I had to remove my glasses; I am near sighted.

It didn't made things any easier but it did remove the headache which was partly due to the heat, which was getting reaaaaally into me. Souseiseki picked up the glasses and wore them. I smiled at the looks of her; her pretty eyes blinking, magnified by the spectacles wider than her head. She smiled back at me, finding it silly herself. But I smiled because I found it really cute.

I reluctantly told her to remove the glasses; otherwise her eyes might accustom themselves to it. I wish I could've taken a picture of her, though. She was so adorable.

I don't know if it's another skill of mine, but I can also give my attention to two things at the same time. While I did my serious stitching, I looked at Souseiseki every few seconds. It was hard not to look at her when she's being her pretty self. I feel like cursing this father fellow and the same time thanking her. How could you make something so beautiful and at the same time cause me so much trouble with it? I'll probably ask him that. But the moment allows me the presence of an angel, so right now, nothing else matters.

I didn't realize I was smiling.

"What is it?" she asked me with a smile of her own.

"Uh, what?"

"You were smiling a moment ago." honestly, I feel like these dolls can sense when you're up to something. I pray such skill isn't accurate.

I didn't answer her. I resorted back to my serious expression, though my blush could've given away what I was thinking. If worse comes to worse, this heat might even give me a nose bleed.

Her cheeks felt nice and soft as she laid them on my bare thighs. Can you even imagine the proximity of it from my... never mind. Let's just say her being pretty warrants a little bit of motivation for me to control myself from anything my lower faculties would dictate, so my mind wasn't so much into it.

She was probably getting bored. Or perhaps she was upset for me not answering her question. Hmm... well, here it goes.

"I-I..." I muffled, finding the words somehow unbecoming of me. Unfortunately she paid attention and looked up at me with those once again oh so dominating eyes of hers.

"Yes?" she asked, tilting her head. Damn this heat! Damn your cuteness!

"I, uh, well, how should I say this..." I noticed the dress was almost mended, indicating the time I have left before I can still say it.

"Jun, if something is bothering, don't hesitate to tell me." She said with such concern I feel like burning in hell with guilt. Bother? You have no idea.

"Souseiseki, you see... I think, well... I think you're very pretty. There, I said it." My face was so hot, and I couldn't tell anymore whether it was from the heat of the summer day or the embarrassment.

"What did you say?" she asked.

I suddenly find the task at hand demanding to not even pay the slightest attention to her as I did while stealing glances on her slender shoulders.

"I said you're pretty, darn it." I mumbled, sounding annoyed all of a sudden.

She looked at me with an expression I could hardly distinguish. I was too embarrass, so I let my peripherals do the looking, which wasn't keen on details. Then I felt her head land on my legs again, followed by her warm breath.

"Thank you, Jun." she began, "You know, I always stand out as a boy, with my appearance, my dress, my hair, even my personality is a little masculine. Getting a compliment like that is very rare. But it does not bother me. So long as my sisters are happy, and as long as people see them for the beautiful girls that they are, then I am happy."

I had to stop, I was overwhelmed by her love for her sisters. Deep inside, I doubt I can ever be as selfless as her.

The dress was done. I picked her up and put it on her. Good bye, fine shoulder. Anyway, I carefully adjusted the knot which gave us difficulty earlier, making sure she can remove it easily anytime she wants. She twirled around much to my delight, finding herself a step closer to perfection again. To me, she's already there, she's already perfect, more than perfect in fact.

"Thank you so much, Jun." she said, finally stopping her little dance.

"You're very welcome. And Souseiseki," I said, calling the attention of the doll distracted by her newly restored clothing.

"Hm?"

"I really mean it, you are very pretty. And it doesn't matter what other people take you to be. And if you ask me, regardless of how you appear, you'll always be pretty in my eyes."

The sparkle in her eyes, I couldn't say if it was tearful gratitude for what I did to her dress, or shock for what I just said. Either way, I suddenly regretted saying it. Darn this stupid heat! Now what? What will she say? I just ruined the comfortable space between us and told her what's in my head! Oh great, this is just great!

to be continued...