The pair sat at a nearby outdoor cafe, eating dumplings and rice. Instead of ordering separately, they opted to get a large serving to share. The food was set on the round plastic table of the fenced in patio. The smell of cooking meat lingered on the heat of the day, only furthering their appetites.
"So you like dark literature as well?" The one eye male raised an eyebrow as he spoke, and Kinu nodded.
"Mm. How far are you?"
"Chapter thirty four; when the dragon starts demanding more sacrifices."
Nodding once more, Kinu lifted a dumpling to her lips.
With nothing else to talk about, Takasugi decided to keep the conversation on the book.
"If you were in Ethan's position, what would you have done?"
The question seemed to catch the girl off guard, and she immediately tilted her head. Placing her elbow on the table, she rested her chin on a single finger.
"I wondered that when I was reading it. After thinking about it, I came up with the perfect way of getting the jewels, completely unharmed."
Raising an eyebrow, Takasugi waited for her solution. He leaned back in his chair, and set his chopsticks on his side of the large plate of food. Though she had never considered herself a 'social butterfly', Kinu decided to at least try to uphold a conversation with the man.
"The main issue was that he broke into the tomb, and took the jewels out of greed alone, right? Well if he would have sent his son instead of going himself everything would have been fine. Since his son was already terminally ill, whether he made the sacrifices would not have mattered, he only had one month already. Plus, his son would not have been acting out of greed, but love for Ethan. By doing that, he never would have had to kill his son, or any of his friends. The law would not have been after him, and he wouldn't have to answer to the dragon. In other words, he would have gotten the same treasure, without the consequences. His son would have died naturally, and in a matter of weeks, Ethan would have the richest man in the town."
Upon hearing the girl's explanation, Takasugi was slightly surprised. She really had read the book, and she had come up with the perfect way to avoid the curse. It was simple enough to be stupid, but very clever at that. In all honesty, it was perfect; sacrificing someone else to achieve your goal. The man nodded, and silence fell over the pair as they started to eat again.
"Who are you?" Glancing up at Kinu Takasugi realized that introductions had been skipped. It made sense for her to ask, and the man smirked.
"Takasugi Shinsuke. The guidance counselor, as you've probably already heard."
"You can call me Kinu. Or whatever else you think of."
The two remained silent as they ate. Kinu watched the owner of the small restaurant cooking behind the counter as she bit into her dumpling. There was not much conversation to be had. Mostly the two remained silent, neither regarding the other. When she gazed at Takasugi, he was darkly staring off into space. Soon he had finished eating, and leaned back in his chair, still staring at the stone tile of the ground.
A small, murmured thanks caught his attention, and he nodded, not bothering to glance at Kinu.
On the way back to school, Kinu walked in front of the man. She seemed to be lost in thought, and so did Takasugi. Attention shifted to Kinu's pocket as a rock song filled the air. She soon pulled out a phone, and stared at the screen. After silencing the ringer, she shoved it back into her pocket. Takasugi did not care to ask why. They just continued back towards the school, in complete silence. Once back at Gintama high, the two went their separate ways without so much as a wave. Takasugi returned to his office, and started on some paperwork.
When the day was over, Ginpachi gave Kinu a ride home. Instead of immediately leaving as he usually would, the man parked in the driveway, and started inside once Kinu got off the moped. She watched him, before slowly following. The moment the door opened, Kinu's mother practically grinned to death.
"Ginpachi! You're back! Come to the kitchen, I'll make your favorite cookies!"
Smiling, Ginpachi nodded. The man took off his lab coat, and draped it over one arm. Kinu locked the front door, and followed him to the kitchen. Sitting at the plain table Kinu watched as some meaningless conversation was initiated.
"You're getting taller every time I see you!" Her mother grinned, and Ginpachi crossed his arms, obviously loving the attention.
"Cut it out, ma! I'm a grown man!" He snapped, unable to conceal his own smile. Kinu expressionlessly looked on, leaning on the table.
"It's true, don't be so modest! I can tell you've been working out too, have you gotten a girlfriend? You'll have to bring her around when your fathers out one day." Peering at the man over her shoulder, the woman offered another warm smile.
"Heh, if I do find somebody good enough, I'll make sure to do just that."
Gazing behind Ginpachi, Kinu saw her father stumble around the corner. He had on a pair of jeans, and was rubbing the stubble of his chin.
"Oiiii Ginpachi! Yer here! I thought that was you!" The man slurred, walking to the table behind the teacher.
Turning around, Ginpachi nodded.
"What's up, pops?"
"Awh, nothin' just doin' the same old shit. You know how it is." Placing a hand on Ginpachi's head, the older man playfully ruffled his hair.
"Ki, why can't you be more like Gin, here? Geeze, yer just sitting there lookin' all depressed, an morbid! You ain't got no reason to be-"
"Oi, oi, lay off her. She's fine." Ginpachi interrupted, and the man peered down at him. Soon, he nodded, and the conversation refocused on Ginpachi.
Kinu was relieved. Only Ginpachi would stick up for her. On top of that, her father wouldn't listen to anybody else. A short while later, a plate of sugar cookies was placed on the table, and Ginpachi eagerly consumed them. At least he was having fun.
When the man left, Kinu waved him off, and sat on the porch. Another night of nothingness. Deep in contemplation, the girl leaned back onto the steps, and stared up at the darkening sky. Her thoughts seemed to be miles away, and her eyes grew more distant at the moment. Small rain drops started to fall to the ground, yet received no attention.
A moment passed, and Kinu made a small decision. If Takasugi liked the book he was reading, she had a few more he would enjoy. She would take one to school, and let him have it. Not like she would need it again. That night, rain continued to pour around the house. Kinu slept on the porch as usual, protected by the roof of the deck. Her mother came out a few times, asking if she wanted to come inside, or if she needed a pillow, but Kinu simply shook her head. Though the woman was kind, it did not make sense for her to put up with her father's alcoholism. If nothing else, it was annoying.
Alone, Kinu reached into her school bag, and pulled out a small pipe.
When morning arrived, school started as it normally would. Well, until Otose saw Kinu.
"You're still wearing the men's uniform?! How many times do I have to tell you- Just- Go. Go to the counselor, or go home." The elder woman pointed in the direction of Takasugi's office, and Kinu stared up at her.
"Home." The girl stated, turning around. Before she could even take to steps, Otose had grabbed her backpack and was dragging her away. Of course, they ended up in the guidance counselor's office.
The moment the door opened, Takasugi peered up from his computer, only to find Otose looking like an enraged stallion, ready to kick the first rancher who dared approach. The woman huffed to his desk, dragging Kinu by her backpack. Kinu simply held her arms out for balance, and did not protest being pulled around at all. Otose slammed her hand on Takasugi's desk, and tightened her jaw.
"OI! Get this girl to wear the girl's uniform! NOW! She can't return to class until she had a skirt on! TODAY! Talk to her, find out what the hell's wrong with her! Make her talk! Do something! Fix her!" After barking her commands, Otose stormed out of the office, leaving the two alone. Kinu silently stared after her, before turning to Takasugi. He focused his eye on her, and motioned to the chairs across from him. To see Otose so annoyed by something so trivial was not a common sight. Normally, the woman could even harness motherly habits. It seemed as if her uncertainty towards the girl made her on edge.
Nodding, the girl sat down. Instead of talking, Takasugi returned his gaze to the monitor, and finished checking his email. When he finished, Kinu placed a book on his desk, and slid it towards him.
"What's this?" The cover said 'To Embrace Poison' and there was a picture of a ominous black vial on a white table.
"If you like 'Destroying Light', you'll enjoy this as well."
Nodding, Takasugi grabbed the book, and eyed the back.
"Hm. Thanks." An odd smile curled his lips, and Kinu nodded.
Placing the book back on his desk, Takasugi opened one of his drawers. The man produced a purple book, titled "Silhouette of the Soul". He offered it to Kinu, asking if she had read it before. The girl shook her head, and took the book. She also thanked him, and they agreed to trade books, instead of loaning them to one another. Such a productive counseling session.