The Most Happy
Act Four
"I almost got caught!" Kiyomaro snapped, flipping his school uniform inside out allowing the kitten to tumble out onto his bed.
"Hey Kiyomaro!"
He flinched, that voice it was Gash. The older male turned around to see that Gash had invited himself into his room without so much as a knock. Kiyomaro dashed toward his open room door and slammed it shut. The blond looked at him with a delighted grin and watched him as he stepped toward his bed.
"What are you-"
"Shh!" Kiyomaro threw his index finger over his lips. "Keep it down."
"Why?" Gash tilted his head to one side.
Gash then moved his head to the left to look at what Kiyomaro could be hiding. A small gray ball of puff sat on his bed without a single movement. Gash's eyes grew very wide at this sight and stepped closer to the bed. Sweat dripped down Kiyomaro's face as he watched the demon approach the bedside. Gash extended his arm out toward the ball of fluff and began to give it a series of pokes. The gray ball twitched after being touched and began to stretch out to form a body. The small kitten stretched completely on Kiyomaro's bed. It then turned up to the younger boy and pawed at his finger.
"It's a kitten!" He exclaimed.
"SHHH!" Kiyomaro bent down to the imp and threw his hands over his mouth. "You have to be quiet. I can't let my mom find out about this." He whispered.
"Ohhh," Gash again began to poke at the kitten. "He's cute."
"She," He was quick to correct Gash, removing his hands from the boy's mouth. "I think I know who the owner is."
"Aw, you mean we can't keep her?" Gash frowned.
"Of course not!" Kiyomaro reached down and gave the demon a whack to the back of the head.
"Kiyomaro!" Kiyomaro could hear his Mother from the room below calling to him. "There's someone here to see you!"
Kiyomaro began to scratch the side of his head. Who could it be? He thought for a moment, he hadn't made any plans to see any friends so he couldn't guess who would be visiting him. He looked at the kitten and grunted he had to keep this a secret from his mother. Kiyomaro reached down to the covers sitting on his bed. He then shifted the covers up and over the kitten, hiding her.
"Okay!" He shouted in return.
A pair of footsteps trotted up the stairs, they were approaching his bedroom. Kiyomaro felt his body stiffen as his mother inched closer. He looked back to see a lump under the covers. Fearing this sight would cause suspicion; he moved his body in front of the bed. The bedroom door cracked open to reveal his mother standing before him with a smile on her face.
"Go on in, Ureshii." She said with a soft voice.
Ureshii stepped in front of his Mother. Kiyomaro felt his mouth drop open as he watched Ureshii step deeper into his room. Ureshii? Here and now? He lifted his hand to his head and thought for a moment. How did she know where he lived? Shivers shot up his spin as he thought this again and again.
"Thank you, Mrs. Takamine." Ureshii looked at Kiyomaro's Mother and nodded.
"Your welcome." She replied. "Kiyomaro," She called to her son. "Be nice." She then gave her son a suggestive wink before stepping out of the room.
Kiyomaro felt his hand slap his forehead. Did she actually wink at him? What was that supposed to mean? He grunted as his hand slipped down his face. His mother, how could she let Ureshii into their home? The tense male felt his body relax after his mother left the room, he then stepped to one side allowing the lump in his bed to become visible. Actually, this was perfect timing, he could return Ureshii's kitten without a hassle now.
"Please take her!" Kiyomaro threw the covers off the kitten. "Before my mom finds out!"
"I thought she'd be here." Ureshii said in a simple tone.
Kiyomaro then lifted the kitten up from his bed and into his arms. He stepped over toward Ureshii and shoved the cat into her arms. She looked down at the kitten with a dull expression. She then looked back up at Kiyomaro with the same dull face.
"What?" Kiyomaro asked the female.
"Nothing." Ureshii shook her head from side to side. "Oh," She said as she looked down and noticed Gash standing beside her. "Is this your partner?"
Kiyomaro jumped backward in shock. Ureshii spoke so outwardly about Gash. He felt more sweat trickle down his face as he watched the blue-haired girl bend down to face Gash. She narrowed her eyes at Gash and then stood up straight once again.
"Nothing special there." She said.
"How'd you know my address?" Kiyomaro asked before placing his hands to his hips.
"She told me," Ureshii's eyes lowered and landed on the kitten that hung on her arms.
"What?" Kiyomaro's eyebrow twitched. "You're lying."
"You think so?"
"Yes!" Kiyomaro growled.
Ureshii dropped the kitten to the floor. The small gray kitten's feet hit the floor with a small thud. She then removed her backpack from his back and unlatched the belt locking the bag. She then reached down into the bag and pulled out a magenta-colored book. Kiyomaro and Gash felt their mouths open and a gasp leave their lips as Ureshii flipped open the book. She used her index finger to point out a sentence in her book. She then opened her mouth wide and spoke.
"Hosporuk!"
A bright white light flashed within the tiny room, blinding both males. The two boys let out another gasp as the light pour out from the windows. The shape of the small kitten was changing right before their eyes. The small kitten grew out and began to shape shift. The light began to dim and Kiyomaro removed his arms from his face. There standing in the place of the gray kitten was a small child. Kiyomaro's mouth dropped open, was this her demon partner?
"Meet my partner, Ne."
"Ne?" Kiyomaro and Gash shouted together as they stared at the small child before them.
The small pink-haired female stood just as tall as Gash. Two brown cat-like ears sprouted from the sides of her head and a brown tail curled around her left leg. Her black dress floated just under her fingertips and slowly flapped in the wind that entered the room through a small window.
"It's nice to meet you." Ne said with a small squeak and bowed before Kiyomaro and Gash. "What's your name?" She looked the blond with wide eyes.
"I'm Gash Bell!" He announced with pride, one fist on his chest. "Are these real?" He asked as he stepped toward Ne and placed his hands on her feline ears.
"Feel for yourself!" She mewed with delight.
Gash awed after applying pressure to one of Ne's brown ears. He let his mouth open wide while he pressed her ear between his fingers. The fur covering her ears was appeared to be soft and most likely, sensitive to the touch. The young demon let out a small giggle while her ear was being caressed.
"Oh Kiyomaro!" Gash turned his head to face his partner. "Feel them! They're so soft!"
"No!" Kiyomaro shouted, "I will not touch them!"
A small purring sound caused Gash to look back at the girl with curious eyes. "Oh and she purrs too!"
"Gash!" Kiyomaro stumbled forward, yanking his demon partner away from Ne. "Let go!" He shouted, causing Ne to let out a loud hiss. "She's wild!"
"Cool!" Gash smiled at the smaller female.
"Ne,"
Kiyomaro twitched to the sound of Ureshii's voice. He looked up to see the older woman call back her partner. The pink-haired girl skipped over to her side with a smile. Ne looked up to her master and purred. Ureshii looked down to Ne and placed her hand on her head. Shikimori then looked back up to Kiyomaro, as she caught him staring back at her, she shot a glare at him along with a frown.
"What's wrong?" Kiyomaro asked, feeling confused.
"You're an idiot." She said simply.
"What?" Kiyomaro released Gash to the ground, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Just what it sounds like." She answered in a dull voice.
"Mama," Ne looked up to the taller woman with her wide blue eyes. "Can I play with Gash?"
"Hm," Ureshii moved her hand to her lip. "I don't know. I don't trust his book holder."
"Arrgh!" Kiyomaro threw his hands on his head with frustration. "What is your problem? Why do you hate me so much?"
"Like I said before," Ureshii lifted her hand from her face and to eye-level. "I hate all men." She said as she inspected her fingernails.
"Well, that doesn't mean Ne and I can't play, right?" Gash jumped forward, grabbing said girl by her tiny pale hand.
"Right," Ne gave Gash a firm head nod before she wrapped her arms around him embracing him in a hug.
Kiyomaro looked down at the two smaller children. The small pink-haired female appeared to be Ureshii's polar opposite in everyway. Ne was all smiles and giggles while Ureshii seemed to be all frowns and snarls. He had to wonder, how did they communicate with one another? Being so different, how did they get along as partners? He and Gash shared some personality traits and they had always made a great team but how did Ureshii and Ne work?
"How did you two even get together?" Kiyomaro asked bluntly as he narrowed his eyes on Ureshii.
"Why is it important?" She snarled in return.
"Lighten up, mama!" Ne turned up to Ureshii with a relaxed smile. "They just wanna be our friends."
"That's right!" Gash agreed with Ne, shooting a smile at the angry girl.
"It's not important." Ureshii folded her arms over her chest and directed her eyes toward the right wall.
"Well," Ne released Gash from her hug to shrug her shoulders. "If you don't want to tell them, I will."
"Psh," Ureshii shrugged a single shoulder, seemingly unimpressed or amused.
"It started when Ureshii was living back in England!" Ne cleared her throat before she continued to speak. "Ureshii had run away from home one night. When I found her," Ne then placed her hand on her chest with pride.
"You were a runaway?" Kiyomaro felt his emotions soften as he looked at Ureshii with a look of concern.
"Yes," Ne interrupted. "I found her sitting on the street when she offered me food to eat. It was the only food she had and she gladly gave it to me because I was hungry. "So I chose her to be my partner."
"Oh wow!" Gash replied with awe.
"I was able to convince her to go back home to her mama." Ne smiled at her partner. "Then she got a transfer out here."
"Ureshii?" Kiyomaro looked to see the female standing before him with an angry look on her face. "Why did you run away from home?"
"It's none of your business." She snapped at the younger male.
"But-" Kiyomaro began; only to have Ureshii cut in.
"We should get going, Ne." She said to the smaller pink-haired female.
"Aw, are you really leaving this soon?" Gash looked at Ne with a sad expression.
"I think so." Ne let a small sigh pass her lips before looking up to Ureshii.
"Come on, Ne." Ureshii waved her arm toward the smaller female, signaling her to follow. "Takamine," She peered over her shoulder to look at Kiyomaro. "I'll see you in school tomorrow."
"All right," Kiyomaro chewed on the inside of his cheek, unsatisfied with the meeting they had shared. "Bye."
Ureshii reached outward and placed her hand on the doorknob and twisted it open. The two girls then stepped out of the room. Kiyomaro and Gash now had the room to themselves. What a strange day. Kiyomaro felt his body collapse on to his bed behind him. He stretched his arms out and yawned. What now? He couldn't begin to guess why or how Ureshii had found out where he was living. Perhaps her shape shifter demon, Ne had followed him before. He wasn't sure.
Kiyomaro felt his body relax on the bed. Why would she want to follow him home? Was this a tactic of getting to know him and his partner? Perhaps it was a way to develop her battle skills, by invading the home of another book holder. Kiyomaro groaned he didn't want to think much more on the subject. Rest was all that was on his mind.
XoXoX
"I see Ms. Shikimori is absent once again."
Kiyomaro watched as his teacher, Mr. Rin stand before his classroom with a dissatisfied look stuck on his face. It was true; Ureshii Shikimori hadn't shown up for first period. Kiyomaro felt his chin sit on top of his open palm. What could be the matter with Ureshii? He could only suspect that Ureshii was once again playing hooky. This wasn't good for her grade. The boy let a sigh pass through him as he stared at her empty desk and chair. Had she gotten sick?
"Mr. Takamine," Kiyomaro perked up to the sound of his teacher calling to him. Would you mind if I asked you to deliver Ms. Shikimori's work to her home?"
"Uh," Kiyomaro felt the whole class eyeing him. "I don't know where she lives!"
"Oh, no worries." Mr. Rin flapped his hands up and down, a smile equipped on his face. "I can give you her address."
Kiyomaro sunk into his seat. This wasn't happening; there was no way he could deliver Ureshii's homework to her. That would mean taking time out of his day to go and see Ureshii -the-grump. What a way to brighten his day. Kiyomaro felt a sigh coming on, this was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Thanks in advance, Mr. Takamine!"
He felt his cheek twitch as Mr. Rin turned his back to the rest of the class. The prodigy lifted an open palm to his face and slapped his forehead. Why him of all people? Out of twenty-nine other students, he had to be chosen to take work to Ureshii. It was just his luck.
XoXoX
"So we're really gonna go see Ne and Ureshii?"
Kiyomaro's brow twitched with irritation. He took his steps to Ureshii's address slowly. He wanted to delay his trip as much as possible, anything to postpone his meeting with the grump. He had brought Gash along to soften the trip up from its predicted awkwardness. Gash deserved to get out as well, seeing as his usual trips out of the house consisted of him being teased by Naomi. Perhaps Gash could play with Ne and things would go over smoother.
"Yup," Kiyomaro answered as the two made their way across a street. "My teacher gave me her address after class, so I deliver her work."
Gash didn't have a care in the world why they were visiting Ureshii, just as long as he was able to play with Ne when he got there. Gash stepped down the street with a huge smile on his face; after all meeting new people and making new friends were the things the small blond was best at.
"It should be around the corner." Kiyomaro pointed with his index finger.
As the two turned the tight corner an apartment complex came into view. The complex did not appear to be very well maintained. Broken window screens, graffiti and trash littered the small complex. Kiyomaro felt his expression drop at the sight of the apartment building. Had he gotten the wrong address? He unfolded the piece of paper his teacher had given him earlier in the day. He reread the sheet only to see that he in fact had the right address.
"Second floor, number: 209." He muttered to himself.
Kiyomaro walked up to a flight of stairs. He looked up at the stairs with wide eyes. He was just steps away from meeting up with Ureshii in her own home. Was he nervous? No, that was out of the question. Perhaps it was fear? Either way, this had to be done. Kiyomaro took in a deep breath of air and marched up the stairs. The first door on the right was marked, 209.
"This must be it. I'm going to knock now…" He spoke to himself again.
Gash waited a moment, his eyes fixated on the taller boy. Kiyomaro lifted his balled fist to the front door. No movement came from his hand as he held it up to the door. Gash leaned in and waited for his master to make his move. Gash gave Kiyomaro a confused stare; ugh he must have looked like a weirdo just standing there like that!
"Kiyomaro?" Gash spoke in a soft tone.
"Okay!" Kiyomaro shook his head back and forth. "Here I go!"
Two solid slams came from Kiyomaro's fists as they hit the hard door. HE felt his eyes shut tight as he waited for a reply. The couple stood in front of the door, waiting for anything to happen. He could feel himself become more and more anxious as the seconds passed. Why wasn't she answering? Perhaps he had gotten the wrong address after all? It was just as Kiyomaro was about to abort that the doorknob began to turn. Sweat beads traveled down his face as he stood before the opening door. Once the door completely opened, he saw Ureshii standing before him.
"Takamine?" She questioned.
"Mama who is it?" Ne popped her small head out of the doorway.
"Ne!" Gash exclaimed.
"Oh!" Ne looked forward to see the two boys standing before her. "Gash!" She then pushed the door open as wide as it could and grabbed the blond by one hand. "Come in!" She insisted.
"Ureshii?"
Her eyes followed his voice after he called out to her. She let out a sigh and rolled her eyes at the sight of him. She then stepped to one side, allowing him to enter her small apartment.
"Since your partner has all ready made himself comfortable, you might as well come in." She said with a low voice. "Close the door when you're in." She demanded, before walking inside her small home.
Kiyomaro turned around and shut the front door behind him. He walked into the apartment, his eyes wide with wonderment and curiosity. The small room only had a love seat and television set up inside. It was obvious that Ureshii had no excess funds for anything else. Beside the front door was the kitchen. The kitchen was small and only had room for a refrigerator, stove and pantry. It was amazing how small the place was, Kiyomaro could barely believe his eyes. Surely, there was another room in the backset up as the master bedroom but Kiyomaro could only assume it just as small as the kitchen.
"What did you come out here for, Takamine?" Ureshii asked, breaking Kiyomaro from his train of thought.
Kiyomaro moved his briefcase in front of his chest and opened it. "I have some homework for you." He dug down in the depths of his school bag and pulled out a few sheets of paper. "Mr. Rin asked me to deliver it to you." He then approached Ureshii and handed her the paperwork.
"Great, more crap." Ureshii took the paper and tossed it on to a small coffee table centered in the room. "Oh," She flopped down on her couch and continued to speak. "Feel free to grab something from the kitchen."
"Oh, that's okay." Kiyomaro managed to crack a smile at the female. "I made sure Gash and I ate before we got here."
"Good," Ureshii nodded, "It's not like we have a lot to offer anyway."
"What happened today?" Kiyomaro asked his head tilted to one side. "You weren't in school."
"I didn't feel like going." Ureshii shrugged her delicate shoulders in a careless manner.
"You didn't go because you didn't feel like it?" Gash asked, his voice straining ever so slightly.
"Yep," She placed her hand over her mouth as she began to yawn. "Didn't want to."
"She's always like that." Ne whispered into Gash's ear.
"Kiyomaro used to be like that too!" Gash replied back in a whisper.
"Then they're more similar then I thought!" Ne giggled as she looked back to her partner.
"Ureshii," Kiyomaro stepped toward Ureshii. "Something's been bothering me. Why did you run away from home?"
"It doesn't matter, I told you." Ureshii shook her head, her eyes refusing to look at Kiyomaro. "Why do you care anyway?"
"I was just worried…" Kiyomaro felt his head hang low. "I didn't think-"
"That' right, you didn't think," She interrupted him with a sarcastic tone. "Because you're a man."
"That has nothing to do with it!" Kiyomaro balled up his fist and shook it at the difficult female. "What happened to you?"
"Just drop it," She snorted.
"Ureshii!"
"What?" Ureshii shot a glare in his direction. "What do you really want, Takamine?"
Kiyomaro began to speak in a softer tone, "Noting, I just-"
"I know what you're here for," Ureshii swung her feet around to touch the floor before standing up. "You're here to get information on me and my partner!" She shouted, stepped toward Kiyomaro with her finger extended to him.
"That's not true!" Kiyomaro snapped back.
"Just leave then!" Ureshii barked before moving her index finger toward the front door.
"But mama!" Ne whined at her partner.
"Quiet, Ne." Ureshii moved her hands to her hips and continued to glare at Kiyomaro.
"Come on Gash," He snarled. "Let's go."
Ureshii escorted the two boys out the front door. Kiyomaro had to admit it, this was the most irritated he had felt at the female. He had never thought that she would be so rude to him. Kiyomaro stepped out of the apartment with quick steps. Gash followed after him, tugging on his pant leg the whole way. The front door let out a loud slam after the two boys exited the apartment. They both flinched at the slam and stood up straight.
"What a grump."
XoXoX
"So she kicked you out, just like that?"
What was her problem? Kicking him out of her apartment like that? Kiyomaro could only assume that this was her normal behavior. In the short time he had known Ureshii; she had always exhibited the same attitude. She was cold, bitter and antisocial. It must be due to her pervious living arrangement. Perhaps she had family problems? Kiyomaro let his body fall back on to his bed, the telephone in one hand.
He had been speaking with his friend Yamanaka over the phone. He had explained what had happened during their last meeting in an effort to find comfort somewhere. Of course, Yamanaka couldn't resist laughing at him for his failed efforts with the transfer student.
"Yeah just like that." Kiyomaro replied with a sigh.
"Sounds like she's gonna be a tough one to break!" Yamanaka said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kiyomaro cocked a brow.
"Well," Yamanaka began, "That's what we used to say about you before you came around. You know, when you were antisocial. But you came around!"
"Really?" Kiyomaro paused for a moment.
"Yep."
Was he really like Ureshii back then? Kiyomaro twitched at this thought. Was he really that cold that mean to others before Gash came into his life? He felt sick to his stomach as the memories flooded his mind. He would skip school, refuse to do his household duties and disrespect his mother…was that really him? Kiyomaro couldn't let someone else face the anger and depression he once felt. There wasn't a person on Earth that deserved to feel as miserable as he once felt.
Perhaps it was his turn to help someone.
Act End.