Amaya was eating lunch on a clear, sunny afternoon two days after Takashi had requested her presence when exploring Karuizawa. She had gotten over the fact that she didn't know if it was truly a date and was instead just excited to spend time with him. She was also reveling in the fact that she could gleefully tease Hikaru about his 'date' with Haruhi the day before. After the hell the twins had given Amaya about her 'date' with Takashi, she felt no remorse laying it back on them. The two first years had been caught on a thunderstorm during their outing, but it cleared through the night and left one of the brightest days she had seen in a long time.
Thus far, Karuizawa had proved to be incredibly refreshing, especially after her prior days of long walking. The Host Club had followed Haruhi and Hikaru the day before, but she opted to stay back at the pension, instead enjoying Misuzu's company and perusing the bookshelves for a good adventure novel. Unfortunately, the cross-dressing man had a love of romance novels that seemed to proliferate on the shelves. She settled instead on a piece of Japanese literature, entitled The Tale of Genji. Written in the 12th century, it was possibly considered the oldest written novel in the world. The book was part of Ouran's curriculum in the third year of middle school, but she had never read it.
The story began with the character of Hikaru Genji, the son of an emperor and his concubine. However, Genji was considered illegitimate and was demoted to the status of a commoner. Amaya thought that it seemed appropriate. The majority of the book dealt with aspects of Genji's life, his interactions with the royal family, and of course, love affairs. Misuzu wouldn't have a book on the shelf that didn't contain at least some amount of promiscuity.
Amaya was reading on the couch that afternoon when Takashi walked through the door of the pension. The rest of the Host Club members were milling about, talking with each other and drinking iced tea when he walked over to Amaya, asking if she was ready. She smiled, put a bookmark in the pages, and stood up. He opened the door for her and they left, walking down the street.
"Where do you think those two are going?" Haruhi asked as Mori and Amaya left together.
Kaoru was the first to answer. "If you ask me, it looks like they're going on a date." He glanced sideways at his twin and they winked at each other.
"I don't know," responded Haruhi. "They really aren't dressed like they're doing anything special."
Tamaki piped up, joining in the conversation. "Well, Amaya doesn't have Ranka to buy cute clothes for her, so perhaps she doesn't have anything nice to wear!"
"I doubt that's the case," said Kyoya in a disinterested tone. "She could clean up well if she wanted to. She probably didn't bring anything nice with her. She has been hiking the Nakasendo Trail, after all."
"So it wasn't a planned date," deduced Hikaru, planting seeds for the group with his twin.
"Of course it wasn't a planned date," Haruhi observed. "She didn't even know you were all going to be here before a couple of days ago. Wait…does Mori-senpai even go on dates?" Haruhi wondered aloud.
They all looked at each other, each one suddenly curious.
"He always turns down the girls that confess to him at school," Tamaki stated. "He's so devoted to Honey-senpai that he's never gone with a girl."
The whole group turned to Honey, who had remained oddly silent throughout the whole discussion.
"What?" Honey asked innocently as the group stared.
"Is Mori-senpai really going on a date?" Tamaki asked.
"I don't know," Honey lied, sort of. Mitsukuni could easily tell that Takashi was drawn to Amaya. He even pushed Takashi to get to know her more personally, despite the family history. While they still didn't talk about Amaya directly, they engaged in extensive conversations surrounding the family drama. Mitsukuni liked Amaya and was fully supportive of a relationship between the two, but he also knew that if the couple acted on their feelings, they would have a long, hard road ahead of them. Giving the Host Club that information would only begin the hardship earlier.
"If Mori-senpai didn't tell Honey-senpai anything, then it can't be a date," observed Tamaki.
The twins were not about to let this opportunity pass them by. Hikaru spoke up first. "But haven't you noticed that she started calling him 'Takashi,' instead of Mori-San? They must be pretty close if she's that familiar with him."
"Yeah, but they are in the same class," said Haruhi. "She studies with him all the time now. It's no different from our friendship," she told the twins.
"No different," agreed Kaoru, "and you went on a date with Hikaru yesterday."
Tamaki began silently fuming.
"Sure, but that doesn't mean I'm romantically attracted to you," said Haruhi, absent-mindedly. Immediately Tamaki's face brightened, while the twins looked at each other and rolled their eyes at Haruhi's bluntness.
Kyoya finally spoke up, addressing Haruhi. "Why don't you just ask Amaya if it was a date when she gets back? Girls like to talk about that stuff, don't they?"
"That's perfect!" shouted Tamaki. "It'll give you two a chance to bond over your crushes!" He was imagining Haruhi telling Amaya about her secret feelings for himself.
"I don't have any crushes," Haruhi said blankly. Tamaki slumped over in disappointment while the twins snickered at him. "And how do you know that Amaya likes him that way?"
The boys stared at her in disbelief.
"Haruhi, sometimes you're so oblivious," Hikaru stated.
"Have you not noticed they way she looks at him?" Tamaki asked.
Honey spoke up. "Her face brightens immediately. It's subtle, but a similar reaction to when I see a piece of cake."
"So…" Haruhi put her finger to her chin in thought, "Amaya's favorite cake is…Mori-senpai?"
The twins eyed each other, knowing that they had won. This conversation wasn't boring, and they'd make sure it would continue for a while.
"What do you think Mori-senpai is thinking?" mused Kaoru. The game had begun.
Meanwhile…
Takashi and Amaya walked down the street together in a peaceful silence. Amaya felt so refreshed that she didn't care where he was taking her, waiting instead to be pleasantly surprised. Whether this was truly a date would be left for time to tell. Either way, she was happy to be spending time alone with Takashi.
She looked up at him while they walked, thinking back upon how they had become such good friends in such a short time, and how different he was than she first suspected. While she was still very much attracted to him, his friendship now meant more to her than any romantic inclinations she had. He still gave her butterflies when he looked at her, but after getting to know him his mystery subsided. Her curiosity had been somewhat satiated, and he didn't occupy her thoughts the way he used to. He occupied them in a wholly different sense now. She analyzed his strong features, taking in his dark, grey eyes, strong nose, and smooth lips. He definitely had kissable lips. She noticed that his hair was particularly groomed today, although he hadn't dressed up in any other way.
"Takashi," she began, turning her head back to the road, "what are you thinking right now?"
It was his turn to look down to her. "I'm wondering where we should go to eat."
She smiled. The Host Club had played the 'what is Mori-senpai thinking' game earlier that month. Everyone's answer had to do with food…perhaps that was what he thought about most of the time.
"Did you eat lunch?" she asked.
"Yes, but Karuizawa has many delicious options."
"Like what?"
"There's a Yakitori place that Satoshi and I like, but Karuizawa is known for Soba. The blueberries in this area are also delicious, and many of the bakeries have good sweets. Our first stop is my family's favorite bakery."
Amaya wondered if Takashi's enthusiasm for food rivaled his enthusiasm for history. If so, she now knew two ways to get him to talk.
They continued to walk in relative silence before they reached a bustling pastry shop. Amaya breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of freshly baked bread, chocolate, and caramelized sugar.
"It smells delicious!" she said, excited about trying the pastries.
"It tastes better than it smells," Takashi said, a pleasant smile gracing his face.
They walked into the shop and were immediately greeted by the shop owner.
"Morinozuka-san! What a wonderful surprise. I wasn't sure your family would be in town this summer!"
"They're not. I'm visiting with Mitsukuni and some other friends from school," Takashi replied.
"Well please give them my warm regards. What can I do for you today?"
Takashi turned toward Amaya, watching her peruse the glass cases filled with delectable treats. "Whatever she would like," he said. "I'll take some of your blueberry bread and a dozen of your strawberry cream puffs, for Mitsukuni."
The owner began to pack the items in a box. By the time he was done, Amaya still hadn't made up her mind.
"What would you like?" the owner asked her, pleased that she found everything to look so delicious.
"It's a hard decision," she said, "but I think I'm going to go with the filled donut."
"Good choice," he replied, pulling a fluffy monstrosity from the shelf and adding it to the box.
Takashi pulled out his wallet and paid for the goodies. They sat outside at a table overlooking the street as they ate. Amaya took a bite of her donut, making an audible noise of surprise when she found it was filled with red bean paste. It was more delicious than she had expected.
"Red bean paste!" she said excitedly. "I'll trade you a bite for a bite?" she asked, eyeing his blueberry bread.
Takashi glanced from his blueberry bread to her donut before extending his arm to give her his bread. Instead of taking it from him, she leaned forward and took a bite of his bread from the hand it was offered in. His normally composed face changed into a state of disbelief, catching Amaya offguard. She paused mid-chew, feeling her cheeks warm as blood rushed there.
I'm in Japan…not California. He must think I'm an idiot.
"Sorry," she said after swallowing her bite of bread. Takashi's arm had slowly retracted from her. His face returned to its normal, passive state.
"Here," she said, offering her red bean paste donut toward him with both hands and bowing her head, waiting for him to take it.
He started to lift his hand, then thought better of it and instead took a bite like she had done, fed directly from her hands. She looked up at him with wide eyes, before a smile slowly spread on her face. They began to laugh.
Takashi felt so at ease with her by his side. They communicated well through silence, and even in the quiet moments he felt reassured by her presence.
They left the bakery and began to walk down the main street, window-shopping as they went.
As they passed a card shop, Amaya grabbed ahold of Takashi's hand to stop him. She was so excited that she missed his face begin to redden.
"Can we check this place out?" she asked. "I'd like to get some new stationery."
He followed her into the shop and she immediately darted to a section with thick manuscript paper and calligraphy pens. Takashi eyed her with interest, curious how a girl so smart could excel at so many different things. He meandered toward a shelf with small figurines, picking up a small samurai and studying the details in the painting. The particular figurine he had chosen was so detailed that he could see the clan crest in the armor: this one belonged to the Tokugawa family.
"Do you like those?"
Takashi turned to find Amaya behind him, clutching a box of thick, manuscript style stationery, a small paintbrush, and ink.
"The painting is exquisite," he responded. "You like calligraphy?"
Amaya looked at the items in her hands and smiled. "It was something my mother used to love. We would frame pictures and write cards on weekends and she would sell them in the shop she worked at in San Francisco. They always seemed to be popular. I thought that perhaps Tomiju might sell them at the new tea house."
"But do you like it?"
Amaya looked up at him, falling deeply into Takashi's searching grey eyes. She realized she had walked around his question.
"It makes me feel closer to her," she finally said. Art was not her strong suit, and although she could write beautifully, she never truly enjoyed those weekends of calligraphy. No, calligraphy was not what she had enjoyed. Spending time with her mother was.
"Your mother's memory is kept alive because you keep her alive. Not because what you do keeps her alive," he stated. "She lives through who you are. Not through what you do."
Amaya held his gaze while pondering his words. "And who am I, Takashi?"
"That's a question I can't answer for you," he murmured softly.
Amaya turned toward the register and went to pay, while Takashi turned back to the wall with the figurines, carefully placing the Tokugawa samurai back in its place. He continued to stare at it for a moment, drawn for some reason to the tiny piece.
"Are you ready?" Amaya asked.
He turned toward her, surprised that she wasn't carrying a bag with her purchases. "Did you forget your items?" he asked.
"No. They can stay here."
"Where to next," Amaya asked as they stepped out of the shop together.
"It's a surprise," Takashi responded, smiling down at her before checking his watch. "Follow me."
They continued their walk in silence, while Takashi led Amaya toward a bus station.
"I thought you and the rest of the club didn't take buses," she said as they stood and waited.
"I can call a car if you'd be more comfortable," Takashi told her.
"No, no, please. It will be interesting seeing you on public transport."
Amaya wondered if Takashi had ever taken a bus before. Even though he was acting stoic, she could see his eyes darting back and forth every so often. He looked nervous. The crowd around the bus stop continued to grow as they waited. Finally, a bus pulled up and they jostled their way on, finding only enough room to stand.
Where in the world are we going? she thought.
To steady himself, Takashi reached up high to grab onto one of the bars. As the bus pulled away from the station, the front tire hit the curb and Amaya lost her balance, falling forward onto Takashi's chest. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her to steady her. He frowned…riding the bus was worse than he had imagined. If there was an accident, there was very little he could do to protect Amaya. He should have just called a private car.
"Takashi? It's okay. You can let go of me now."
He looked down, meeting a flushed face staring up at him. He was holding onto her more tightly than he thought. He loosened his hold, but didn't let go of her completely.
"Really, I can stand on my own. Does the bus make you nervous?"
"It seems unsafe," he responded, not liking the fact that her eyes were glittering mischievously.
"I've ridden the bus hundreds of times, and never had a problem. Really, it's okay."
"Do you ride the bus to school?" he asked.
"Usually I bike and then take the train." She thought for a moment. "Takashi, have you ever ridden a bike?"
He looked down at her, surprised. "Of course not," he said. Why would someone who has drivers need a bike?
She stared at him, equally surprised. "You mean never, as a child, you never rode a bike?"
"Why would I need to?"
"Well, for fun?"
"Why would you ride a bike for fun?"
Amaya was stunned. We come from two very different worlds. "That's just what we all did as kids."
The bus lurched to a stop and Amaya was once again thrown into Takashi's chest.
"This is our stop," he said, looking out the window.
"That was relatively quick…" Amaya responded, also peering out the window. She could see buildings, but not much else.
As soon as she stepped off the bus, however, she could hear what she couldn't see.
"A waterfall?" she asked excitedly, searching Takashi's face for an answer even though she already knew by the sound. He smiled.
They walked along a short trail and rounded a corner. Amaya gasped. It wasn't just a waterfall. It was many, many falls that stretched over a wide area, cascading downward and creating a fine mist.
"Shiraito falls," Takashi stated, happy that Amaya was pleased.
She was at a loss for words. Standing next to Takashi gazing on the wonders of nature was an incredible treat. He was truly making this day special.
"Takashi…" she began, not quite knowing where her words were taking her. "I did not expect us to be friends. We probably shouldn't be."
He didn't answer her. She glanced toward him, but his eyes were fixated on the falls in front of them. Amaya felt like she had just opened a dangerous box that couldn't be closed, but she needed to let the contents out. Her recent thoughts of Honey and her lineage took over her mind, and she couldn't stand the doubts that Takashi had ulterior motives or secondary reasons for their friendship.
"Why are we friends?" she finally asked, trying to read some sort of emotion from his stoic face. "I'm serious," she added, "why do you want to be my friend?"
"Mitsukuni," he said, not taking his eyes from the falls. "I'm loyal to Mitsukuni."
Amaya dropped her eyes and turned back to the waterfall. She didn't know exactly what his answer meant, but it wasn't what she wanted to hear. She held her breath. They waited in silence that grew uncomfortable with each passing moment.
"Mitsukuni likes you," Takashi said, offering a poor attempt at elaborating.
"But do you like me?" Amaya blurted, trying to hold her voice steady amidst her emotion.
Takashi finally broke his gaze from the waterfall and looked at her.
"Yes," he said simply.
She smiled at him, but still wasn't sure how he felt and what he truly meant. She wondered if deep under his confident exterior, he was as confused as she was.
"I have something for you," she said after a pause. Takashi only raised his eyebrows in response. "You have to close your eyes and hold out your hands. It's a surprise."
"Is it another cheesecake?" he asked as his eyes closed.
"No, definitely not as tasty."
Amaya took out the Edo era dagger from her bag and placed it in his hands.
"Okay, you can look," she said.
Takashi opened his eyes, immediately surveying the object in his hands. It was a 19th century aikuchi dagger, far from mint condition. The scabbard was well worn, but when he pulled the knife from its protection he saw that the blade was in incredible condition for the knife's timeplace and origin. It was still sharp enough to cut with, and the handle was long enough that it fit in his hand comfortably. He loved it.
Amaya didn't have to look much further than his face to know that her gift was a success. He was engrossed in the knife, fully absorbed in analyzing every detail.
"Thank you," he finally said, knowing based on the age of the antique that she probably couldn't have afforded it. "Where did this come from?"
"It came from a swollen ankle and the Nakasendo Trail," she teased. She told him the story of her midnight intruder in Tsumago, and how she apprehended the thief.
"You could have been hurt," he responded immediately and with concern, sheathing the knife and looking between it and her.
"Takashi!" she exclaimed, "Why is it that every time I do something I'm proud of, you say that! I have the skills to take care of myself, more than most people. Yes, I could have been hurt, but that's a risk I took and I'm glad I took the risk."
"You have raw skill," Takashi corrected, seeing the need to explain his position. "You are talented, you are strong, and you work hard, but your true skill is still largely untapped."
"Okay, well where do I get higher level training from? Certainly I can't train with the Haninozuka's or at Ouran. Where should I go? Lobelia? Do you want me to transfer to Lobelia so I can get training?" She was angry and exasperated, taking his observations as suggestions.
"Amaya," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder to gain her full attention. "I am not suggesting you aren't good enough to do this on your own. But I also do not intend for you to keep training alone."
"What do you mean?"
"Will you let me help you?"
"Takashi…do you want to train me?" she asked, taken aback.
"I want to help you. I want to give you what I know."
"What about my father? What about Mitsukuni?"
He was silent for a moment. "Mitsukuni suggested it."
"Oh..." Amaya realized that Takashi's motives were still driven by Honey. He seemed to pick up on her thoughts and corrected himself.
"He didn't suggest I teach you. I insisted that I offer first."
She thought for a moment, finally realizing that Takashi cared about her in some small way. Even if he was motivated by Honey, there was still some part of him, she was sure, that was looking out for her. She was also beginning to find his protectiveness endearing...but only when it manifested in a way that didn't make her feel useless.
"Okay," she finally said. "I will take your help."
When Amaya and Takashi returned to the pension later that evening, the rest of the Host Club was eagerly awaiting their return. Takashi immediately walked over to Honey and pulled out the box he had been carrying the entire day.
"Strawberry cream puffs," he said. Honey's eyes lit up with joy and he scurried to the kitchen to get plates for sharing.
"Sooooo," began Tamaki, "What did you two do all day?"
"We sat on a park bench in silence, watching birds," Amaya responded casually before popping a cream puff into her mouth. She wasn't about to give the details of her day away.
"You do like bird watching, Takashi," Honey admitted, mouth full of puff.
Tamaki gawked at them. "That's…really…all you…did…?" he asked, incredulous.
Amaya turned to Takashi and winked at him.
She was sure they all wanted to know whether or not she and Takashi had been on a date.
Now, after the fact, she was inclined to think yes.
A/N: Thanks all for favoriting, reading, following, and reviewing :)
Shoutouts to Mamabug, Cristi-anitaXD, JJofthehex, pessimisticiguana, TDI-Ryo-Eclares, and all the guests who reviewed. I'm super pumped to write about Takashi and Amaya training/fighting together, and I really hope to have another chapter out soon. I'm not writing as fast as I would like to, but I do have full intentions to finish this story so please bear with me. You are all so wonderful, and a really great audience to be writing for!
