Back to You - Chapter 4
by Mara S. S.
Shizuru:
The visit turned out to be less than fruitful. The police had no records of a "Kuga Natsuki" or a "Fujino Natsuki". They did have a record of Kruger, the Natsuki I was currently with.
I left the police station knowing nothing more than when I came in. We'd wasted the morning away for nothing.
"Sorry that didn't work out." Natsuki told me with a sidelong glance.
"Mm." I mumbled, busily concentrating on keeping up with her.
We were walking back to where she had left her motorcycle. It was a struggle to make my way through the crowd. I've never seen so many people all in one place before. They kept pressing against me in their haste to get to wherever they're going. I kept imagining their eyes on me but I was dressed in the same manner as everyone else so it couldn't have been that.
Natsuki navigated the crowds with ease. I had to admire the grace with which she did so and I was sure other passers-by noticed her as well. Watching the self-assured way she carried herself, I idly wondered if she was as proficient with weapons as my Natsuki was.
We finally reached her motorcycle and Natsuki turned to face me with the helmet in her hand.
"So..." Natsuki began awkwardly. "... where will you go from here?"
Where indeed? My Natsuki... I wanted to bring her back. But instead I found this Natsuki, this Natsuki in another time and place. It would be... inappropriate for me to bring back this stranger. If I could even manage to get myself back.
Natsuki scratched the back of her head looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Look, isn't there a way for you to get back to your home? Whoever it is you're looking for, maybe she'll come look for you there. Ne?"
"Ara?" I said, stalling to give myself time to think. "Is Natsuki trying to get rid of me already?"
"N-no! It's not like that. It's just..." Natsuki shrugged.
"I understand. I have imposed on Natsuki too much already."
"Though I can't help but think that you look familiar..." Natsuki mumbled, half turning away from me.
My eyes narrowed. Natsuki... this Natsuki... She's the only tie I have to my own time. And if she somehow remembers me... then maybe she is my Natsuki after all. Reborn perhaps? It would be best to stay near her.
"Thank you, Natsuki, for your kindness. I hope we'll see each other again." I gambled. I started walking away. One... Two... Three...
"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"
I felt a hand on my shoulder and was brought face to face with Natsuki. She dropped her hand but didn't move farther away. An encouraging sign.
I smiled pleasantly. "Ah? I thought Natsuki said I should go back home."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"I'm sure someone would be nice enough..."
"Idiot!" Natsuki exclaimed vehemently, but there was no real anger in it, just exasperation. "It's not safe to hitchhike! Especially when you look so..." She blushed and continued, looking at me defiantly. "Do you even know where the stations are?!"
I looked at her blankly.
She sighed and I felt a surge of triumph. She took hold of my wrist and dragged me back towards the motorcycle. "Fine, fine." She grumbled. "You can stay with me for now... Here."
She threw the helmet to me and I deftly put it on, remembering how she'd adjusted it earlier that day.
"I'll need to pass by the shop later to get another helmet. Do you want to have lunch first?" She was sitting on her motorcycle and I climbed up behind her.
"If that's what Natsuki wishes." I said, tentatively putting my arms around her waist.
"Hold on." She said. The beast roared to life once more. I tightened my grip on her hoping that I'd be able to hold on to this Natsuki.
-o-
Natsuki:
Instead of going back to my own apartment, I found myself going to Linden Baum. Whenever I think of home, my thoughts inevitably stray back to that restaurant. It was here that I spent my happiest days with Mai and Mikoto. My father left me alone after my mother died so I don't have too many happy memories of my own apartment. Before I ran into Shizuru that is, but Shizuru's... not here.
Mai worked at the Linden Baum when we were students and I remember it as the small and cozy place where we used to hang out everyday. After Mai finished college, she bought the place and made it much more popular than it was before. Needless to say, Mikoto and I were still regular customers.
"What's wrong? Doesn't my cooking taste nice?" Mai asked me worriedly.
"Of course it's nice!" Besides, even if it weren't nice, I wouldn't say so with Mikoto in hearing distance. "I was just... thinking."
"About her, hmm?" Mai gave me a sympathetic smile.
I nodded, shifting uncomfortably.
Mai made a face. "I wish I could remember this mystery girl of yours. Sure you're not just making her up?"
"Mai!" I protested vehemently, but my hand strayed to my pocket, feeling the calling card Takeda gave me. If that's real, then the painting's real. And if the painting's real, then Shizuru's real. That's what my mind seemed to say.
"I believe you, I believe you, even if I don't remember her. I was just teasing, so don't give me that glare. Honestly." Mai laughed. "So how's the search so far?"
I showed her the calling card then proceeded to tell her about the company that delivered the painting. And about their loser boss.
"... then I left the bloody idiot and went straight here." I finished.
"Bloody as in figuratively or as in literally?" Mai asked me skeptically.
I winced. "Figuratively." I answered, perhaps too quickly.
"Mhmm?"
"Well... maybe literally." I shrugged. "He'll live."
Mikoto looked up from her food and frowned at me. "He was still alive? I thought you knew better than that." She seemed almost disappointed.
"Mikoto..." Mai scolded.
Mikoto snuggled closer to Mai. "But Mai... If the man was 'enemy' then Natsuki should have killed him." Mikoto said reasonably.
Mai rolled her eyes heavenward. "Barbarian. I married a barbarian." She still affectionately stroked Mikoto's hair though.
I laughed at her pronouncement and she pointed a finger at me. "And you are no better." She sighed theatrically. "What am I supposed to do with you two?"
"Feed us?" I pointed to our empty bowls. "We're your best customers."
"More like best freeloaders." Mai shot back but nevertheless she went to the kitchen and brought us seconds. Mai's like that. She enjoys taking care of people.
"And here's your take out." She handed me several containers of food that I could reheat later.
"Thanks." I told her gratefully.
"So where are you going next?" Mai asked.
"I'll check that place out." I answered, gesturing to the calling card. Searrs. The Searrs Law Firm.
"Be careful okay?"
I sniffed indignantly. "Of course. I'm always careful."
-o-
Shizuru:
Natsuki brought us to this restaurant for lunch. It's near the place where she works so she said she usually eats here.
"What will you have?" She asked, her eyes busily scanning the bright signs.
"Whatever Natsuki is having."
"All right. Go ahead and sit down."
There weren't too many people. There were some older men at one table, a couple at another, and a mother with three children in the table right next to us.
Natsuki didn't take too long. She set a tray down on the table and handed me a small wrapped package. She quickly unwrapped hers and bit into it. I followed her example.
"What's wrong? You don't like hamburgers?"
I winced and tried to smile cheerfully. "It's... different from the ramen we had last night."
Natsuki laughed at my expression. "Mai has more to say about fast food than just that. Home cooked meals are always better for her."
My stomach churned, but it wasn't only from the horror that was being inflicted on my taste buds. "Mai?"
Natsuki nodded, taking another bite. "I mentioned her last night. She's the one who owns a restaurant."
"I see." I filed away the fact for future reference. I then braced myself and managed to finish eating, washing it down with an equally vile drink. The food tasted greasy and the presentation also left much to be desired.
Natsuki took longer than I did, probably because she kept adding copious amounts of the mayo she's fond of.
While waiting for her to finish, I amused myself by turning the wrapper into a flower. My fingers firmly pressed the creases and deftly folded the paper into shape. When I was finished, I handed it to Natsuki.
"Eh? For me?" She said, surprised.
"It's the least I could do to thank Natsuki for her kindness."
"It's nothing." She said nonchalantly, but I could sense that the gesture pleased her though she wouldn't admit it. "Are you finished?"
I stood up, eager to get away from this house of unappetizing food. I saw her gently flatten the paper flower and tuck it into her pocket. Then she stood up as well, and I followed her out.
TBC
