Chapter Three
Seika walked into her loft, turning on the light. The kitchen was to the left, right as she walked in the door, and than straight a head was the living/dining room that was completely dark with the television light filling the room. Seika took off her shoes at the door and stepped up the 7-inch rise of floor and entered the living room. To the right was a hall leading to two bedrooms and a bathroom. To the left was another hallway that led to 3 more rooms, one bathroom, and one bedroom and than a study. Seika looked at Yuri, sitting on the floor against the couch, the usual table against the wall.
Seika: "Made yourself right at home, eh?
Yuri: "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Yuri looked up at Seika with a sweet smile that was pretty much saying: "Do you really want me to go home and stay alone for two weeks?" Seika sighed and leaned her head to the side, rubbing her neck.
Seika: "Whatever…I suppose you took the usual part of the place?"
She asked, gesturing down the hall on the right side of the room. Yuri nodded and went back to eating her rice and sushi, watching TV. Seika sighed once again. More out of weariness than annoyance and headed down the left hall to the study. Seika's study had two large, walk-through doors leading out to a full sized balcony that held a table and a few chairs to one side and a canvas on the other. Since she lived alone, Seika usually only stayed in this wing of the loft. Although she didn't like to be crowded by people, large empty places scared her. Making her feel more alone than she truly was. Seika put her school back on the desk and tidied up the books lying around the room, and went to her bedroom, across the hall to change.
Yuri: "I ordered a pizza!"
Yuri shouted to Seika from the living room, sensing that her friend would like a little noise while being alone in the back. Yuri could hear Seika opening her closet and hanging up her uniform, than opening and closing her dresser drawer. Seika left her room, closing the door behind her and walked back into the living room, hair pulled up and held in position with two sticks. Wearing her penguin pajama pants and a t-shirt with two pandas playing together.
Seika: "A pizza? But you're already eating."
She sat next to Yuri on the floor.
Yuri: "So? Besides you haven't eaten, have you?"
Yuri looked her friend over with a raised brow.
Seika: "What?"
Yuri: "You don't match at all…"
Seika: "Yea I do, pandas are black and white, and so are penguins!"
Yuri shook her head and continued to eat her sushi as the doorbell rang. Seika got up and grabbed the money that Yuri had left on the kitchen table. She opened the door and looked completely confused as to who the pizza delivery guy was. Taking the silence at the door one of annoyance, Yuri called out;
Yuri: "Oh yea! I forgot to mention…I got two!"
No reply. Yuri sighed and set down her food and walked to the door.
Yuri: "I know there's enough money there, I counted before and after I ordered."
When she reached the door, she stood on her tiptoes and peered over the taller girls shoulder.
Yuri: "Huh? What are you doing here?…All of you as a matter of fact."
Seika and Yuri moved aside to let the mystery guests in. In a single file row, they entered Kyo (wearing a pizza place uniform), Momiji, Haru and lastly…Akito. Tensing up as Akito walked into her house, Seika closed the door and turned on her heel. Yuri followed Kyo since he was carrying the pizza with bacon. Kyo and the others (with the exception of Seika and Akito) walked into the living room and Yuri turned on the lights. Seika stood at the front door, not really sure of what was happening. She shook her head and walked into the living room with the others. Passing Akito, not even granting him the slightest glance or harshly whispered word. Akito watched after her, the smallest hint of anger spreading across his face as he was the last to go into the room, joining everyone else. Five of the people sat at the table, Akito sat on the couch. On the side facing the couch were Haru, Yuri, and Momiji. Than on the opposite side, with their backs facing Akito and looking at the TV were Kyo and Seika. Akito watched the back of Seika's head, staring hard, making things awkward for her since she could practically feel a burning sensation from his eyes.
Seika: "Since when were you a pizza delivery boy? Don't you look cute in that uniform and your little hat."
She tugged on the brim of his hat, pulling it down into his face, letting out a small laugh. Akito's eyes narrowed in what SEEMED like jealousy but was really angry at the fact that Kyo had a friend and was actually happy. (But there might be a hint of jealousy). Kyo grumbled and blushed in embarrassment and anger. He grabbed Seika by the arm and pulled her to him, putting her in a headlock.
Seika: "Ugh, Kyo! Get off me pizza boy!"
Kyo: "All bark and no bite, huh?"
He said jokingly. But Seika froze and stopped struggling. In her head everything came back and she heard Akito's words ringing in her ears:
"All bark and no bite, just like the BITCH you are."
She pulled away from Kyo and quickly stood. Everyone looked at her confused as she ran out of the living room and to her study. The remaining group turned their attention to Kyo with looks of 'what did you do now?' and 'way to go idiot.' Kyo looked at them shocked and dumbfounded.
Kyo: "I didn't do anything! I wasn't even holding her that hard. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!"
He grabbed a slice of pizza and angrily took a bite out of it, slumping down leaning against the couch. Akito rose when everyone was looking at Kyo and scolding him, leaving the same way Seika left, knowing fully well what got her upset.
Akito: 'It's my fault.'
Seika was out on the balcony, leaning on the white railing that curved around, bordering the addition. She looked out at her neighborhood, the cars driving by and the kids running after one another with their parents following behind. She let out her infamous sigh but this one was one of sadness and exhaustion. Her mother had abandoned her when her father went away on a business trip and never came back. The woman felt that it had been Seika's fault that her husband left. That he probably left for another family that he had somewhere else. Seika didn't have many memories of when her father and mother were together. Her fondest memory was of their summer vacation to Hokkaido. She was 4 years old and had just won the minors kendo championship. Her mother and father were there to see her victory and left after the ceremony. Seika closed her eyes, remembering the warm feeling that came from the sun gleaming in through the car window. The cold sweet taste of her ice cream she had gotten as a congratulatory reward from her father. Akito walked in at that moment, trying to be as quiet as he could, closing the door slowly behind him. Seika was still lost in her mind, the memories of Hokkaido. The scents, the feelings, and the overwhelming warmth, that completely surrounded her younger self. The flowers were the second most memorable part, vibrant, beautiful, and soft. Feeling a presence beside her, Seika was reluctantly brought back to reality and opened her eyes to see Akito.
Seika: "What do you want?"
Akito: "What do YOU want?"
Seika: "Idiot, you followed me. This is my house."
She sighed and stood up straight, facing him, only to find that he had taken a seat at the table. She stood in her spot than made her way over to him and took the seat across from him. Akito looked at her with a small amused smile, making her look at him with an angry accusing face.
Seika: "Well?"
Akito: "I'm guessing you left because Kyo's comment brought back a sad moment, hm?"
Seika: "Why would I let what a spoiled big mouth brat said get to me?"
Akito: "First of all, let's try to have a civilized conversation without being at one another's throats, shall we? And secondly, I'm older than you, so stop calling me a 'brat'. I much prefer the terms jerk, bastard, or asshole. It's much more fitting than 'brat'.
Seika looked at him in astonishment. He was ACTUALLY trying to TALK to her. On top of that, he was practically telling her that he WAS in fact a jerk, bastard AND asshole. This boy, no, man, confused her beyond belief. Akito is spiteful and heartless but somehow, knowingly accepting and addressing himself as all those things made her laugh.
Akito: "Where are your parents?"
Seika: "Obviously not here genius."
Akito: "Well gee, thanks. That clears it up."
She rolled her eyes and looked away.
Seika: "I don't have any parents. Well, I DO…but they aren't here. Don't know where they are."
Akito looked at her quizzically.
Akito: "Than how are you living here on your own?"
Seika opened her mouth, about to answer when she blinked, unable to form one. She hadn't really thought about that. How HAD she been living on her own? Did her father or mother call someone before they disappeared? Akito noticed that Seika didn't know how she was managing herself all on her own and decided to change the subject.
Akito: "I guess I should apologize for how I acted earlier. I can't really say 'I wasn't myself' because, well. I was. So, I'll just say sorry for treating you rudely like everyone else before getting to know you."
He smiled at her, a sweet smile. Somehow she could tell that smiling like that was making him sick. Seika just looked at him.
Seika: "Stop smiling. I can tell you don't mean it. And I'm not really sure if I should thank you for that apology, I'm still trying to make sense of it."
Akito: "Do you have anything to apologize for?"
Seika: "Hm? No, why would I?"
Looking at her, completely taken off guard by this girl's sincere lack of understanding that HE apologized so that SHE herself would apologize as well.
Akito: "For SLAPPING me!"
Seika: "What? Why would I be sorry for that! You deserved it and you know it!"
Akito: "What! Why you arrogant little– what do you mean I DESERVED IT!"
The two kept screaming and bickering with one another until their throats were sore and neither could speak without coughing. Both were breathing heavy, trying to catch their breath while glaring at the other.
Akito: "I believe I stated I wanted to speak to you without fighting."
Seika: "Well it was your fault. Apologizing, thinking that I would apologize back. NO WAY"
Seika went into a coughing fit after screaming, causing Akito to laugh at her misfortune, only to begin coughing as well.
(Back at the Main Sohma Estate)
Hatori was making Akito's bed for when he came home to sleep. Shigure was in the kitchen eating a microwave dinner that Tohru had bought from the grocery.
Hatori: 'That girl back there. She looked very familiar…"
A picture of Seika flashed through his mind quickly before fading.
Hatori: "Where have I seen her before?"
Shigure: "Seen who?"
The dog came out of the kitchen, meeting up with Hatori with a small smile on his face. He seemed very intrigued in the conversation Hatori was having with himself.
Hatori: "Ah, Shigure. Do you know who that girl was? The one that got into the argument with Akito."
Shigure tilted his head, smiling upon remembering the young girl in her school uniform. He sighed dreamily.
Shigure: "I believe Yuki said her name was Airisu Seika."
Hatori: "Seika?"
Hatori had a slight look of shock on his face, than a hint of realization. Seika! That was it, how could he have possibly forgotten?
Shigure: "Why? Are you interested? Because I saw her first, that isn't fair!"
Hatori: "Shigure…shut-up. Don't you remember Akito's last care taker?"
Shigure: "Who? Mr. Shiragiku? Well of course I do, he surprisingly got along very well with Akito. He was the only person Akito wouldn't yell at or anything.
Hatori: "Yes, wasn't his name Shiragiku Seika?"
Shigure: "Yea…So you think. You think that Sweet Little School Girl Seika is Mr. Shiragiku's daughter!"
Hatori nodded. Shigure had a whole mask of mixed emotions. Shock and happiness. Worry and confusion. Why did such a kind man like Mr. Shiragiku leave his daughter all alone here? Was her mother with her? Like reading Shigure's thoughts Hatori answered.
Hatori: "No, her mother isn't with her. Before he left, Shiragiku asked me to pay the owner of the apartment Miss. Seika is staying in, so she had a place to stay and call her own. He felt that she was still too young to have a job and to take on the role of a full-grown woman when she was still just a child. He said: "She should go through high school, grow up like every other girl does. Take care of her Hatori, take care of my little Kyouki."
(Kyouki means Wild Joy).
Shigure's eyes watered and Hatori sighed and looked for a picture of the old caretaker.
Shigure: "Poor Seika-chan! All alone in such a big place! I know, she should come stay with me– I mean us."
Hatori looked at Shigure, giving him a stern look as if to say 'No way in hell is she staying with you.' Shigure hung his head in faux disappointment, like a little puppy. Than, he looked up at Hatori, all playfulness aside.
Shigure: "Does Akito know? About any of this?"
Hatori: "No. He has no clue who Seika is, let alone that she is the daughter of his last caretaker."
Shigure: "What do you think would happen if he found out? You know Akito thinks Shiragiku abandoned him. What if he were to lash out at her and take all that anger and bottled up emotions out on her? Hatori, she could be hurt!"
Hatori: "Shigure I know that."
Both were quiet for a moment. Than Hatori made his decision.
Hatori: "That's why she'll be living here. The closer she is to Akito, the less he may find out."
Shigure: "How exactly is that supposed to work? That doesn't make any sense. Don't you think she has some of the same mannerisms as her father?"
Hatori: "We'll deal with it when the situation presents itself. But as of now, she will moving in tomorrow. I won't break my promise."
