One Glance Behind
Part 2- Touga
The moment he said the name, Saionji felt like slapping himself. 'What am I saying?! This couldn't be Kiryuu Touga!'
A movement from above immediately caught his attention. To Saionji's astonishment, the figure above seem to reflect some of his surprise. It quickly vanished to be replaced by what would appear to be a calming smile as the youth spoke. "Although I do not recall having made your acquaintance, stranger. I am curious as to how you know mine." So saying, the student council president started walking closer.
Saionji stared in disbelief. 'So this person IS Kiryuu Touga? And he doesn't recognise me. This doesn't make sense!' Suspicious, Saionji slowly scrutinised the person standing before him.
'Touga,' was just as Saionji remembered him, from the red hair framing the handsome face down to the white student council uniform. Even that arrogant smirk and overbearing stride remains the same.
Which was precisely the problem…although Saionji have not seen his old 'friend' since transferring from Ohtori Academy, not that Kyouichi made much of an effort to keep in touch, logic conclude that even Touga should have changed over the years. There was also the chance, slim as it might be, that he could have seen a girl resembling Wakaba and Shiori, but Touga too? Impossible!
Saionji's head was in a whirl, trying to make sense of what he has seen. 'This is not happening, I left Ohtori 4 years ago! Wakada and Shiori must have graduated by now. Touga would be over 20 years old, this boy can't be any older than 18. He CANNOT be Touga.'
Unfortunately, standing there was Touga as if he came straight out of Saionji's memories, 4 years ago. And try as he might to deny it, there was a distinctive feeling in his gut telling him, this is THAT Kiryuu Touga. The closer Touga came, the more certain that feeling became. After all these years, if there was one thing Saionji placed his faith in, it was on these instincts. It was these hunches afterall, that made him suddenly packed up one day and left Ohtori 4 years ago, enrolling himself in another school on the other side of Japan. His official request for a transfer was handled only after his physical departure, this he left entirely to the authorities at his new school. Saionji suspects up to this day that had he not done it this way, he would never have been able to leave Ohtori. Strangely, after a year, he regained his memories of Utena and the Duels, through he is puzzle as to how he could have forgotten them in the first place. Again, he went with his instincts, which told him to ignore the strange recollections.
Now, on hindsight, Saionji is glad he did. 'If this is Touga and those two girls were Wakada and Shiori. Ohtori Academy has definitely much more behind it then what I can remember. And Touga doesn't appear to know me, so be it. If this is his little mind game, I'll just play along for now and leave as soon as possible. If not…I do not want any part of whatever is going on here.'
Coming out of his musings, Saionji politely smiled at Touga. "Well, I am Saionji Kyouichi…"
"The artist?" Touga suddenly interrupted. Surprised, Saionji paused, in time to catch the sharpening of light in Touga's eyes although the latter continued to exhibit an air of lazy curiosity.
"Why, yes." Another smile hid the storm of emotions behind his facade. At that moment, Saionji was thankful he had decided to wear the sunglasses that day. He wasn't sure if he could have hid his emotions from Touga without them. They have known each other too long to watch for the little telling gestures. Lady Luck appear to be on his side, someone having erase whatever Touga remembered of him, if the familiar slight frown of puzzlement on the Student President's brow was anything to go by.
For a few minutes, they simply stood there in silence. Watching each other, Saionji saw himself in another one of his duels with Touga, this is the pause before the clash of swords, assessing each other for weakness, second guessing the other, waiting for the moment to struck.
Studying his old friend, Saionji saw Touga was deep in thought. The redhead appear to be truly troubled, the strain even starting to show on his features. From what Saionji could see, Touga, was probably trying desperately to recall his childhood's friend's face. That might undo whatever that is causing Ohtori and it's players to remain in the state they were 4 years ago.
And Saionji was resolved, not to get involved with whatever new game was happening here.
So he did what he would never have done 4 years ago, he withdrew. Taking a step back, Saionji tried to appear casual. "Well, I'm flattered that you know about my name. I'll like to stay and chat, unfortunately I have to see your principal."
With a slight shrug of his shoulders, Saionji attempted to pass Touga. Unexpectedly, the Student President reached out as he passed, and grabbed Saionji's right arm in a tight hold. Startled, Saionji almost lose his balance on the stairs. He turned to snarl at Touga and was caught off guard by the intensity of the expression he saw.
On his part, Touga stared hard at Saionji. In a toneless, detached voice he spoke. "If it is about the invitation to be guest speaker at our school's anniversary, you would go straight to the chairman."
This time, it was Saionji's turn to stare. "What? How would you…?"
"The chairman was the one who sent the invitation, it is being handled by him personally. The Student Council have been told to expect you any day now."
Saionji felt the blood drain from his face. "I see. Well, I'm sure that since he has told you. The Student Council could handle it in his stead."
"No, he INSISTED you be brought to him immediately." The hold on Saionji's arm tighten.
Saionji lose his temper and hissed. "Always Akio's little lapdog, aren't you? Touga?"
Touga immediately withdrew his hand as if it was burned.
By this time, a small crowd of students have gathered in a loose circle to watch the student president arguing with the stranger everyone had been discussing. They whispered and pointed curiously. Some of the Touga's fan girls were shouting at Saionji not to pick on their Kiryuu sempai.
All this came to a halt when a clear voice rang out. "Enough. Don't you all have classes to attend? Touga thank you for your attention, I'll see to our guest from here."
This time Saionji's heart sank, he had hoped to avoid this. Hiding his dismay with a sarcastic smirk, he strode upwards to where Akio stood. Unable to resist, he spitted to the side. With a bravo he didn't really feel, Saionji spoke. "Well, speak of the devil, Akio Ohtori. To what do I owe the honour of you personally coming to greet me?"
Saionji wanted to prevent a head-on meeting with Akio. However if he had to, he was prepared to fight Akio with even inch of his being to escape Ohtori.
The dark man laughed lightly. "Why, Saionji. You are my guest. As a host it's expected. Now, come, let's us continue our discussion in my office." Here, Akio placed a hand on Saionji's shoulder in what appear to be a friendly gesture. The heavy pressure of the hand told another story.
Without any choice, Saionji allowed himself to be led off.
The crowd dispersed. Only Touga was left, observing the duo till they walked out of sight. 2 figures join him from behind a tall orange hair girl and a small blue hair boy, both worn the uniforms of the student council. Miki spoke first. "What was that all about? Touga sempai?"
"He is that artist? Seem like a snob to me. Why would the Ends of the World send him a letter?" Juri continued.
"I'm not sure. He knows me through." Touga answered lifelessly. Then he silently added. ' And…for some reason, I think I should have known him.'
To be continued…