A/N- I almost cheered out loud when I realized what day today was. But then I cried because this is the second to last thing Jestry ever beta-ed for me. She officially resigned last week. DX T3h horrors. However, the ever kind Angel (Inspiration of Imagination) has opted to become my new beta and I want witnesses to hold her to that because I'm murder for an editor. xD;;
BUT MOAR CHAPTER STUFF UP. YAY.
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Chapter Three
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Panting to keep up with Neku's silent speed, Shiki scowled. "You could have at least let me say goodbye. That was rude. "
"I don't give a rat's ass about what you think is rude, " he growled over his shoulder. "We made a deal, Stalker, and I gave you plenty of time with him. "
Biting her lip, she murmured, "you could at least call me by my name... "
Weaving their way through the thick crowds of Shibuya, the unlikely and rather unwilling partners made their way to the outskirts and residential units of Tokyo and into a moderate-looking apartment complex. Without even stopping to greet the lady at the desk in the lobby, Neku headed determinedly for the elevators, Shiki having to put on another burst fo speed to make sure she wasn't left on the wrong side of the doors.
"Welcome back, Mr. Sakabura, " offered the lady at the desk as the elevator doors closed. Neku had at last stopped running, but still held the same scowl on his face as his new tutor forced a smile to the lady and stumbled inside the elevator.
Shiki glanced inside her schoolbag and caught sight of an old picture of herself and Eri together, smiling, back when they were both 15. What am I doing wrong with him?
"What's with the stuffed pig? " Neku was eyeing the black plushie inside her schoolbag.
"It's a cat. His name is Mr. Mew the cat, " she defended. He snorted. "? What are you, five? "
"I made him a long time ago, ok? " Shiki started to zip up her bag, but not before Neku yanked the plushie out. "You made this? " He questioned, holding the cat out of her reach. To her suprise, he seemed genuinely curious, and handled the plushie with care. "It looks like something you'd buy. "
"It's not that good, " confessed Shiki, as Neku handed Mr Mew back. "It's better than what a lot of people could do, " Neku insisted.
"Sewing just a silly little hobby of mine. Do you have any hobbies, Neku? "
Instantly, the wall was back up and his eyes were cold again. "That's none of your business, " he retorted coldly. She sighed. "Fine. " Be a jerk. What do I care? As soon as I get Eri back, you'll be rid of me.
The elevator doors opened, and Neku led her down the hallway to a door on the end and knocked.
"Yo, Tajiri? " He called, not seeming to eager to hear a reply.
Silence. He let out a breath and unlocked the door, revealing a dark but well-kept apartment.
"This is where I live," he announced, not seeming particually enthusiastic or proud about the place and heading for a room in the back right corner.
"Mind if I change outta this first?" He asked, plucking at the collar of his uniform with discomfort.
Shiki shrugged, and Neku vanished into what she guessed was his room. The glimpse she was granted as he slipped inside revealed it filled with CAT merchandise. Well, what do you know? He's passionate about something other than being anti-social.
Shiki settled herself on the couch and began to pull out her English notes when the door opened and a middle-aged woman strode in, only to give a little start at Shiki's presence.
"Um, h-hello, " Shiki murmured, standing and bowing. "I'm Shiki Misaki, Neku's new english tutor. "
"He didn't say anything about needing a tutor. Is he having trouble in school? I'm his foster mother, Madoka Tajiri. It's nice to meet you, Miss Misaki. " Ms. Tajiri was dressed in a modest business suit, her dark almost blue hair tied into a long braid. "I'm a prosecuting attorney. "
Neku appeared, still pulling on a shirt, having changed into white shorts already. "Don't mind her, Stalker. She seems to think everyone's a criminal. "
As the teenage boy vanished into the kitchen, Shiki noticed Ms. Tajiri's pained sigh. "Excuse me, Miss Misaki. I only stopped by to pick up some things. I'll be home around 9, Neku, " she added in a little louder voice, directedat the kitchen.
"Whatever, " called her foster child. Ms. Tajiri rolled her eyes skyward, but said nothing as she left. Neku emerged from the kitchen moments later, draining a glass of water and setting it on the coffee table.
Shiki had never tutored anyone before, and somehow she knew that Neku wouldn't be an easy student. Not the best start to a tutoring career. Gathering her nerves, she asked, "Can I see the latest paper you got back? ".
Reaching in his schoolbag, Neku pulled out a folder and handed it to his tutor with little ceremony. It was last weeks assisgnment on 'Dr. Jekyll and .' Students had been asked to write an argument on why the doctor's experiment had turned out so badly. The handwriting was sharp and narrow, but quite legible. So that wasn't the problem. But...
"I think his experiment failed because he started it in the first place. The end. " She read aloud.
"She said we should be concise, " he protested. Shiki sighed. "Will you elaborate for me? "
He gave her a sharp look, and she added quickly, "I just want to know where you were going with it. Was it because you think he was incompetant? "
"Partly, " Neku admited. "But... I think he went about it all wrong. He claims his reason for the experiment was so he could get rid of his 'dark' side, and I think that's flawed. You wouldn't cut off your head if it started hurting- you'd take medicine or something for it. He shouldn't have tried to remove a part of himself like that. It could have always come back, and in a way it sort of did. It took over him. "
Shiki studied this introverted, sharp tongued boy for a long moment, during which he glared at her. "What?"
"That's amazing, Neku."
He stared at her for a secont, blue eyes bright with suprise, then just as quickly tilted his head forward and let his bangs ocvered his now-dark eyes. "If you're gonna compliment someone, at least try to sound genuine."
"I was! " Shiki sighed and flopped against the couch. Why do you make it sound like anytime someone's nice to you they're out to get you? "Anyway, why didn't you put that down in the first place? "
"I just... can't think when I'm in the classroom. Everything irratates me and distracts me, and sometimes I run out of time before doing anything." He admited, a little defensive.
Perhaps he has an attetion disorder? Shiki sat up and gave him a curious look, which he deflected with an icy glare. "And you can't say anything to Tajiri or she'll drug me like my last family did. "
So he does. That's my challenge. "I'll help you, Neku. I'll do whatever it takes to get your grades to improve. "
And she really meant it.
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The clock on the wall chimed 7, in unison with the beep of an incoming text message. "That's my mom. I've got to go home," Shiki explained, flipping shut her phone and standing up.
He shrugged. "Do what you want. "
Minutes later, Shiki was trudging through the rather empty streets and shivering against the cold fall wind. He could have at least walked me home, she thought darkly.
"Shiki? "
A male voice spoke up, and she jumped, quickly stepping into the streetlight before recognising who it was. "Mr. Hanekoma?"
A new voice chuckled. "You look pale, Shiki. "
Joshua and Hanekoma emerged from the shadows like Shibuya had suddenly given birth to them. She sighed. "Oh, you scared me. "
"Why are you out alone at night? " Hanekoma was rather serious and draped his coat around her shoulders. "I was just going home after tutoring Neku, " she explained, grateful for the sudden warmth.
"I see. Joshua, go on ahead. I think I'll take this young lady home. " Shiki froze as Joshua melted again into the shadows. "W-wait a second- "
Hanekoma smiled softly. "He'll be fine."
As they walked along together, Shiki pondered her circumstances. Here she was, a high school girl, wandering around Tokyo late at night with an eccentric bachelor she had only known for a couple hours!
But a couple hours was all it took for most people to understand him. There was such an aura of compassion around him that you knew that even if your own parents failed you, he would be right there, there for you, with that same easy going smile.
"Mr. Hanekoma? "
"Yes, Shiki? "
"Thank you. "
He chuckled again. "That's what I'm here for."
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And Hanekoma appeared and soaked up all the awesome of the chapter. Rawr. He's a total scene stealer.
Anyway, reviews? NaNo is leaving me depressed. I'm so far behind. DX