Y O R O KO B I – K A N A S H I M I
Summary: What would have happened if Fujumoto never gave Kobato the konpeito back? Would things still be the same?
Chapter Two: Accompany me!
Finally some development…and a twist!
This part...might feel like a filler to you. Dunno. I know the next one will be drastically different (Or at least I'll try to make it so). Fujimoto, enjoy your days of happiness while you can, hehe.
Thank you guys for reviewing! I'm glad I managed to not botch up this wonderful anime. And I just love making CLAMP references (Maybe i'll put the tsubasa gang in one chapter)
11:58…
11:59…
12:00…
I wonder how long I've been standing there with my hand hovering over the door to knock… C'mon Kiyokazu, you've been through worse. Surely you could man up enough and knock on the freaking door!
…12:02
"Damn it…" I cursed under my breath and finally knocked. Why was I acting so nervous again? This wasn't like me. I was always calm and had a cool head.
'Yeah, until you lost it four years ago when stuffed animals could talk.' I could hear my consciousness mock me but I pushed it away when I heard the sound of locks being opened as well as the door. There she was, clad in a simple lilac dress with darker purple accents. Around her waist was a purple ribbon and on top of her head was a hat with a fake rose on top.
Memories of a blue crown made me shiver because of its meaning, but I perished the thought. I just saw her head yesterday. There was no way another blue crown could show up, right…?
"Ah! Erm…Fujimoto Kiyozaku-san, right?" she struggled with the name to remember. I nodded, slightly pleased with the fact we were getting somewhere.
"Yeah… And you're K—" Crap…I never really caught her name. I forgot to check the name again this morning because I was in a rush. Did she even have the same name? "Erm…I mean."
"Hanato Kobato!" she beamed.
Still the little dove I see. That'll make things a bit easier then.
"So, shall we go?" I asked, extending a hand to her like a gentleman. 'Kobato' nodded, taking my hand to help her off the steps. It was a sunny day, so I wouldn't blame her for bringing a hat (Even though it still unnerved me). Since it wasn't a very 'businesslike' outing, I simply wore dark jeans and white t-shirt under a black unbuttoned shirt.
There was a coffee shop in town called Hanami. It also doubled as a bakery, so I though she might like it. Her eyes lit up as we approached, so I gave myself a nice pat on the back...mentally, not physically you morons.
The people there seemed friendly and seemed to greet us honestly.
"Welcome—Kobato-chan!" the male owner said as I concealed my surprise. Hold on a sec…he looked familiar. "Back I see? I haven't seen you in a long while!"
"Yes. I'm sorry!" she bowed and grinned sheepishly. "A lot happened recently."
Tch, yeah, your grandfather died… At least be a bit truthful with your feelings.
"So, Kobato-chan," another girl came from around the counter. She had short sandy brown hair and lively green eyes. The uniform she wore was a white maid outfit with light pink and red accents. "Anything you want today?"
"Ah! Sakura-san!" it looked like Kobato was about to tackle her to the ground in a hug, but she restrained herself.
The shopkeeper looked at me with curious brown eyes. "And you are…?"
"He's the lawyer that helped out with grandpa's will," Kobato explained for me.
"Fujimoto Kiyokazu," I studied the man carefully and then frowned skeptically. "You're not…Touya… Are you? Kinomoto Touya?"
He blinked for a bit before rubbing his eyes and taking a closer look at me. Yeah, like that will help. Who else do you know has long hair tied behind them?
"F-Fujimoto! It is you!" Touya grinned and went around the counter to pat me on the back. "Jeez, How long has it been? Four years? I still remember the day we had that part-time jobs as rabbits!"
"Ushagi-san!" both Kobato and the girl named Sakura corrected in unison. Oh yeah, now that you mention it…she did say that name those years ago. Although her voice sounded so weird. I think I gave her cough drops then…
"Alright, alright. For heaven's sake…" Touya rolled his eyes and showed them to their seats. "Anything I can get ya? It'll be on the house!"
"B-But Touya-san…" Kobato began but Sakura pat her head.
"Don't worry about it! We haven't seen you in forever, so take this as a welcome back present." The green-eyed girl disappeared behind the curtain towards the kitchen. She returned with two menus. "Pick something to drink for now. I'll come back in a few, okay?"
I stared at the menu for a bit and decided quickly on a simple cup of iced coffee. The girl across from me studied the menu with a deep frown. It seemed almost unreal that she was right across from me still. I've been separated from her for four years…and I only just met up with her again yesterday. I miss the days I could constantly tease her, saying she was late and such…
"Fujimoto-san…" she spoke to me confused and near dizzy. "There's so much! I don't know what to choose!"
"I thought you went here before."
"Yes, but my brother used to order for me! I don't remember what it was!"
Brother?
"You have a brother?" I asked. Oh, that's right. We were supposed to talk about the will. This new information will be important…
She placed the menu down and nodded. "Uhm, yes, but he's far away now. I visit him every month or so though." There was something odd about her tone but I ignored it.
"Well, do you remember what it tasted like?"
Her eyes shut in thought. "Hmm… It was a cold drink…but tea! And it was a little sweet too…"
I put a hand to my chin as I looked at the drink menu. "There are a bunch of sweet teas… Anything else you remember?"
"Uhm… It was refreshing?" she said it like a question, as if she didn't want to displease me with her lack of information. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't apologize," I sighed and decided to call over Touya. "Hey, do you remember what she used to drink here?"
"Hm…I don't really remember myself. I'll bring a few samples out and you could pick one out!"
"Really! Thank you!" Kobato beamed as he got small cups to put the different samples in. I was surprised at how she was treated here. Well, I doubt anyone could possibly hate her or bear ill will.
…
Hey, don't look at me!
Anyway, Touya brought out five small cups and he also brought out a black blindfold.
"Oi, Fujimoto! Tie this over her eyes for me." He placed the cups carefully as I took the cloth.
"Why am I doing this?" I stood from my seat and got behind her. She removed her hat and I sighed in relief with the lack of crown on her head. Carefully, I placed it over her eyes and tied it. Inevitably, my hands sifted through her pinkish-brown locks. It was soft and silky, exactly how I imagined it to feel.
…
Oh god, that made me sound like a pervert… Stop it. Stop writing me like this!
Touya chuckled. "Usually, it's easier to remember senses if you single it out as much as possible."
Kobato clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh! This looks like fun!"
But you can't see, idiot
I wanted to say that but I went against it. Touya handed me the first cup labeled 'peach' and I brought it up to her lips. "Ready?" She nodded and I brought the cup to her lips. She sipped tentatively and swallowed. She smiled a little but…
"Hmm…it's good but…it's not right."
"Alright, tea number two!" Touya handed me another labeled 'mango'
I brought it up to her lips and she drank carefully.
"Mmmm…nope."
Okay, how about Apricot!
"I'm sorry but…this isn't it either."
Orange…?
"It's good but no.."
Raspberry has to be it!
"Nope."
Touya scratched his head and frowned. "That's weird. Those are all the ones we have or had before." Kobato frowned and I could imagine those disappointed brownish amber eyes.
"There really isn't anything?"
"You forgot one, Onii-san!" Sakura came out with a glass pitcher. It looked a lot similar to the peach tea, but it was a little darker. She poured a full glass and handed it to me. "This one should do it. I'm sure of it!"
I was a little hesitant, since this time it was a full glass, but I tried either way. I brought the cold tall glass of tea to her lips as she took a sip. A little spilled down the corner of her lip but it was hardly noticeable…to anyone but me. I swallowed thickly at the temptation. A-Anyway…her hands went up to hold up the glass herself as she took deeper gulps. When she pulled away, there was a big smile on her lips and I struggled to make sure she didn't drop the tea all on her dress (Since she was still blind and all).
"That was it!"
"What was it?" I asked Sakura and she poured me a small cup for myself. Usually, I didn't like drinking fruit teas, but I got curious. Besides, I got a little parched since my coffee wasn't here yet. The cool liquid went down my throat and I found myself drinking in greedily. "…what is this?" The taste was…interesting, to say the least.
The green-eyed maid smiled and pointed to many of the small cups on the table. "When we were all little, we used to make our own drinks for fun. Kojiro-kun, being the crazy guy, made this drink out of a lot of the drinks Kobato-chan liked. Since it's a bit 'out there', we never put it on the menu. So it's a little family secret."
Touya smacked his head. "Aw man. I can't believe I forgot about that! The Hanato Hell Tea!"
"'Hell Tea?'" I questioned. How could a name like that be in the same sentence with anything relating to Kobato? And who was this Kojiro?
"Kobato-chan's brother was somewhat on the…experimental side. Add that to him being a smart ass…" Touya chuckled and then began taking the used cups. "Oh, I'll get yours too, Fujimoto. Hold on a sec!"
I've been 'holding on' for quite some time, Touya…
"Thank you, Fujimoto-san!" Kobato beamed and set her tea down. "So…" She trailed off, obviously a little uncomfortable with the following silence. Might as well start then. I opened my bag and pulled out a folder with her paperwork in it.
"Alright, I suppose we should start then. So, according to this will, you were given that house and the surrounding land around it." I raised a brow. "That's a lot for one person to handle."
"Yes, but grandpa loved us all very much! He thought we were all going to live there!" Kobato grinned and tilted her head like she used to all those years ago. Her eyes softened then. "I used to come up here every summer with nii-chan."
"Why don't you anymore?" I asked, curious. Her facial expression went somber for a split second before she smiled again.
"He's still far away. Although I plan on visiting him this week. Too bad I don't have anyone to go with though…" she pouted childishly and fiddled with her napkin. "Grandpa would go with me before."
'You don't have anyone else…?' I wanted to voice out but then went against it. I shouldn't pry so early on. "Well, everything seems to check out in the will. I looked this over last night and found something interesting as well." Kobato blinked in confusion and I fought the urge to scoff. She was still the same. "It says here," I pushed the copy of the will towards the middle of the table as the both of us leaned forward. "If you were unmarried at the time, then a large portion of the money that was going towards your parents would go to you. It even has their signature of approval, so… Well…" I coughed awkwardly. "I suppose you are not married…so."
Kobato blushed momentarily and then smiled at him. "Thank you, Fujimoto-san. I only wish my parents had told me… Or else I would have declined their offer. I don't really need a lot of money!" I chuckled. Hearing this, she began to freak out (As expected). "E-Erm, I mean I-I really, really don't need much! I haven't grown a lot in the past years so my clothes still fit…! A-And I don't really wear make-up or…or…!"
"Fujimoto, are you scaring a valued customer again?" Touya chided playfully as he brought his coffee (finally), to the table. I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my iced coffee.
"I think you're deluding yourself, your Highness," I retorted half-heartedly, as I took another deep sip.
"Why you…"
"Onii-chan, are you messing with a valued customer again?" Sakura referenced her brother, popping her head out from the doorway of the kitchen. Her brother growled.
"He started it!"
"Real mature, Kinomoto." I couldn't help but rub in more salt. Across from me, Kobato started laughing. I couldn't help but smile a little in response. Four years I had waited. Four years of wanting to wake from a nightmare. Four years of wondering if my time with her was the dream and I was stuck in reality. My thoughts were quite deep for a man of my age, but after seeing everything I had… Well, I'm surprised I didn't put myself into mental institute. I wanted to do this correctly.
"…jimoto-san? Hey…alright?" I blinked out of my thoughts only to see Kobato leaned close to my face, blinking with a concerned expression on my face. I attempted to hide to red in my face from the 'surprise attack' she did on me.
"Ah, sorry. I must have zoned out…"
"It's alright, Fujimoto-san!" she smiled once more. I began to wonder if she was capable of ever being mad… Then again, that day those thugs appeared at the nursery may have counted… I think that was when I began to notice that even though she was a clumsy idiot (In the nicest sense) and innocent to the core (or maybe ignorant is the proper term…), she was strong in her own way.
The two of us enjoyed our drinks. The Kinomoto siblings had even given her a free bag of pastries as a welcoming gift. As we walked out, we settled into a comfortable silence. The scenery and clean air was a good change from what I was used to. A few minutes passed before she started humming that tune again. I listened closely, relishing in the sound of her singing voice again, even if it was only a hum.
"…you really like to sing." I commented without my realizing. She stopped and nodded.
"Yes. Nii-chan used to play the piano when we were kids. That's why there was a big piano at home. That was our favorite room…" she sighed nostalgically. "Papa and mama worked a lot…so it was just the two of us in that house when our parents sent us to grandpa."
"I see… I'm sorry." I murmured. And I just used that piano without thinking! Jeez… She was really close to her grandfather… I wish I could have had memories like that of my childhood. The only thing left was…winter… The night my mother didn't come home…
Kobato shook her head and grinned. "No, it's fine. Grandpa's funeral was just the way he wanted it. He didn't want any of us to cry! Actually, he didn't want any of us wearing black either!" she pursed her lips and furrowed her brows. "'If I catch you all sad at my funeral, I'll be sure to nag you next time I see ya!'" she attempted to impersonate what I deduced was her grandpa and I fought the urge to chuckle and opted for a smile (which I found myself to be doing often). She laughed for me. "So it's alright!"
I didn't really know what she was referring to as 'it' but I nodded anyway.
With the formalities done, I walked her back to her house, not even complaining about the steep hill this time. Anything to make the time go by slower. Unfortunately, we got to her door…
"Thank you for taking me out today, Fujimoto-san!" she bowed gratefully and I nodded.
"It was nothing. I'll get the last of the paperwork done so everything should be officially clear in a week or so." I peered inside the open door and frowned a little. "It's only going to be you living here?"
"Yes," she nodded cheerfully.
"What about your brother?"
"He can't make it. But I'm still planning on meeting him." She nodded to herself. Her eyes wavered for a moment before she motioned inside. "Would you like to come in to rest for a bit? You did walk me back… Do you live nearby?"
"No, I take the train here. I should be fine though."
"Eh! You should rest then! The nearest town or city is almost half an hour away!" she furrowed her brows in worry as she gripped my sleeve. "At least rest a little!"
"I'll live." I shrugged despite her tempting offer. How would I control myself if I went back inside? The hands that were holding onto my sleeve made her feel real—too real.
Despite her appearance…this wasn't the same Kobato as before. She has friends that knew her as a child. She has a family.
A little at a time… That was the mantra I repeated over and over again. My eye unconsciously traveled to my breast pocket, where the konpeito sat patiently, waiting for the next time I would play for it.
"Fujimoto-san…" she trailed off, hesitating in her sentence. I silently gestured for her to continue. "I…will you…?"
"Yeah?"
"Willyougooutwithme?" she blurted out.
…caw caw…
I could have sworn I heard a crow up above as we stared at each other in shock after her sudden…outburst…
"…excuse me?"
Her face suddenly flushed a deep red that put a ripe tomato to shame. "Ah! I-I mean…! Wah, I didn't mean that Fujimoto-san! Please don't misunderstand!"
For a moment, I wish I did…
I tried pushing the pink out of my own cheeks and scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "Uh…"
She then looked at me with a determined expression on her face. "Can you go with me to see my brother?"
"…uh…" what can I say? Heck, what will her brother think? He'll probably call the cops on me to see if I manipulated his precious little sister. Maybe he would be the same as her and ignore the fact. Or maybe… My thoughts went back to the café where they described him as a man who loved 'experimenting'…somehow that made me very nervous. "I…"
"I understand if it's a little…strange," she tried fixing her situation and fumbled with her fingertips, a habit she hasn't broken out of (reborn or not). "And I understand if you don't want to come but…"
Once I saw her saddening face, I sighed and hesitantly put my hand on her head. I think I did the action unconsciously, like the time she got excited over Valentines Day. She looked up at me and I nodded.
"So?"
"Huh?" it looks like I caught her off guard.
"When are you going," I continued evenly as I pulled my hand off her head. She looked surprised if anything. That surprised quickly turned to happiness as she smiled wide at me with…relief?
"Thank you! Let's see… I was thinking of going on Wednesday." She put a finger on her bottom lip in thought. "Is that alright with you?"
Luckily, I still had a lot of sick days left…
"Yeah, that's fine." I agreed. "Should I come here again, then?"
"If that's okay…" she began to fiddle with her hands again as I sighed. Old habits die hard… Okay, bad acronym. "Is eight too early for you?"
"No, that's fine." Wednesday…Let's see, today is Sunday, so I have time to put in a request for the day. I'll just have to sleep early that day. And knowing her, I'll probably have to get here earlier… I quickly suppressed the memories of her lateness to Yomogi Nursury and bowed briefly to her. "So, Wednesday at eight it is."
"Thank you, Fujimoto-san!" she waved me off as I made my way down that long, steep hill.
Things are finally looking up.
If so, then why do I feel like I'm missing something?
A/N: I have no idea how wills work…and I have no time to do research. So I kept it general with no real info. Sorry if I got it wrong! Oh, and by the way. I purposely made Fujimoto really nice in this one. Y'know, smiling and being polite. In the next chappy, we might see a glimpse of his…blunt nature. XD
