Chapter Fourteen
"Doctor… I'm… Concerned about something."
"Really? You seem to have pretty much everything under control these days. You're in a healthy relationship… Leaving aside the fact that she's less than half your age… You're taking good care of her. You aren't being abusive, possessive or controlling. You've let her have her space, and experience relationships with other people.
"Over the past few months, I've seen more change in you than I saw in years before that."
"I… Made a joke the other day."
"Really? That's not a problem. It's a little surprising, but not a problem. Tell me a little bit about the situation." The Doctor said, leaning in.
"Well… You remember why I started coming here, right? I never really talked much about it, but there were these kids, real brats, sexually harassing Riko-chan at school, and it was getting to the point that she was terrified to even go to school in the morning. So, like any parent, I took care of the situation. If you're thinking that sounds far more ominous than it should…" Junas said, cutting Doctor Yoshimiya off, "That's because it is."
"I went to the school and enquired as to the specific students' whereabouts, and then confronted them on the football field. They denied their actions and even said that Riko-chan was… Asking for it. Well, I took out a wooden sword and beat the children half to death. Naturally, I was arrested for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. I'm not sure about the others. I've only heard that they were too scared to come see me.
"But, one of the kids, who I assume was the leader, such as he was, back in elementary school, came to see me and apologize to Riko-chan for his behavior. He said that they were harassing her because they liked her… I was inclined to throw him out the 20th story window. But… Riko, being ever the diplomat, took him out for tea. I'm not sure what exactly took place, but words like insane and freak were thrown around, mostly directed at me, as I understand, and Riko was… Terribly angry and upset.
"Seeing her upset was difficult. She's always so happy, so cheerful and friendly, that seeing her so angry was painful. So, I ended up acting like even more of a fool around her than I usually do. I started making jokes. But, she started laughing, so… Even if I did look like an idiot, I think I'd do it again any day, and twice on Sunday. Things like 'if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?' left my mouth, and well… She seemed so happy that I was in such a supposedly good mood that she couldn't stay upset.
"But, I was so exhausted after that… Pretending to be cheerful like that, forcing myself to make jokes wore me out much more quickly than it probably should have."
"I see… Well… Do you regret making those jokes? Seeing the smile on her face when you did?"
"Never. I'd do anything to see her smile. It's magical. She's beautiful no matter what mood she's in, but she's gorgeous, radiant when she smiles or laughs…
"Are men always such fools for their woman?"
"I've… Unfortunately come in contact with such men. Abusive partners, neglectful husbands. But most men legitimately become fools for the one they love, as you say. And, if, as you say, you'd do it again in a heartbeat, then, I see no problem with the aftereffects. You're just unused to being cheerful. You've changed a lot, in the past few months alone.
"But I don't think you've adjusted to those changes yet. And that's not a bad thing. You just need time. Don't stop trying to change. I'm not sure if you'll ever be what one would call the life of the party. You may just be more introverted. And I'm sure that Riko understands that. You've told me about your time as a Grigori experiment. Such treatment would have an effect on anyone. You're not alone in your reaction to essentially being tortured.
"Eventually, you shut down emotionally to spare yourself the mental and emotional pain of the torture. But… Now that you're not being tortured anymore… Now that you don't need to build that shell to protect yourself… Perhaps consider coming out of your shell, breaking down your barriers and being more forthcoming. Riko would probably appreciate that effort on your part, and if she's the woman you say she is, she'll help you."
"You… You are required to apprise the courts of my progress, correct? Are you… Telling them what I talk about with you?" Junas asked dangerously. Yoshimiya laughed good naturedly.
"Not as such. I tell them that you are making good progress. But as a licensed social worker, I'm bound by the oath of confidentiality. I'm not allowed to tell them any specifics.
"I essentially write a 500-1000 word report once a month to the courts telling them that you are not showing any signs of harming yourself or anyone else, that the individual under your care… Yes, I do have to tell them that you have another person living in your home, though I needn't give specifics as to gender, age, or their specific relationship to you, only that I've met them, and that in my best judgment, they are not in danger from you, and that you are progressing well in your therapy.
"It's basically just 500-1,000 words saying something that could be just as accurately accomplished in a single paragraph. I thought you'd find that funny." Yoshimiya said, seeing that Junas wasn't laughing.
"Well… As funny as I generally find anything." Junas replied. Yoshimiya nodded.
"Fair enough. You really think my relationship with Riko-chan is healthy?" Junas asked. Yoshimiya looked at him for a moment.
"Do you think it's healthy?" He asked. Junas looked away, then back at him.
"I'm not sure. She's so much younger than me. She's fifteen, and I'm… Well, I'm over 30, and closer to a father to her than her boyfriend in terms of my role in her life. I've taken care of her since she was four. Yes, we lived together, but I practically raised her."
"That's true. It's an unusual relationship. Do you have a problem with this past in comparison to your present situation?"
"Well… I suppose not. Riko-chan seems happy."
"But are you happy?"
"Yes. More than anything. But I'm concerned more for her happiness than mine. She's happy now, or so it seems, but what about the future? I'm an old man compared to her. I shouldn't be in a relationship with her any more than she should be marrying her father."
"Well, then maybe you should break up with her. You and she wouldn't be the first couple to break up. It doesn't have to be permanent. Maybe a trial separation.
"You've… Lived with her for… How long? 12 years?"
"Almost twelve. You really think it's best for us to do that?" Junas asked, looking terribly upset at the idea. Yoshiyama shrugged.
"It's not a matter of what I think. It's a matter of what you think. You are expressing doubts about your relationship. See what it's like without a relationship if you think that will help.
"It's not my decision to make. It is and needs to be yours… Now, we're done for today, but tell me next time how things are going, if any changes have occurred, and the results of said changes. You can keep a journal if you like, or just remember it. Either way is fine."
"Thank you, Doctor." Junas said, scowling angrily, and walking out. He couldn't remember ever feeling less satisfied after a session.
"Riko… Riko-chan… Listen… I'm sorry about… What I need to do now."
"Oh? Did you want to do anal again, Junas-nii?" Riko asked, seeming almost hopeful.
"What? No…" Junas said, secretly thinking that he did sort of want to try it.
"No, I'm heading out of town for a while, and…" Junas began. He couldn't lie to Riko, though, no matter how much he didn't want to hurt her.
"No… I… I need you to go stay with a friend for a little while."
"What? How long? Riko asked, tears filling her eyes.
"I don't know. It's not you, Riko-chan. It's me. I… I started this relationship with you too fast, and I'm not ready for it. I'm overwhelmed… Happy, but… Overwhelmed, and I'm not good for you right now.
"I originally said I'd answer you when you were eighteen. But… In my love and… Attraction to you, I rushed things, and I'm not ready, and I don't think you're ready either. I need you to stay with someone else for a while… It might only be a month. It might be until you're eighteen… I-I have no idea." Junas said, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Juu-nii… Why are you wearing sunglasses."
"Because I can't stand for you to see me crying." Junas said, keeping his voice steady, trying to prevent himself from seeming weak. He knew that he was weak. He was broken up about sending Riko away. He had fallen in love with her in the first place. Love wasn't something he had ever learned in Grigori. But he was in love with her, and he had to do what was best for her.
"C-could you take off your sunglasses? Just to say goodbye to me?" Riko asked, tears streaming down her cheeks now, her chest heaving in and out. Junas sighed. He couldn't refuse her this one simple request. He pulled off his sunglasses, staring at Riko, his own eyes also filled with tears.
"I love you, Riko-chan… But right now, I'm not what's right for you. I insist that you don't cut yourself off from the rest of the world.
"Feel free to date anyone you'd like. I wouldn't stop you if I could. I need you to have your own life outside of my own desires. Excuse me…" Junas said, dialing a number, and speaking into the phone.
"Hello… Elmore-san… I apologize for calling you. I know we don't really know each other, but… I'm afraid I don't really have any other friends."
"What can I do for you, Junas?" Elmore asked politely.
"How did you… Never mind. Dumb question. I know that it's a lot to ask of you, but could you look after Riko for a while?"
"How long would we have the pleasure of her company?"
"Maybe a month, maybe three years… I doubt it will be longer than three years. She turns eighteen then, and she can do what she likes with her life." Junas said flippantly. Elmore nodded.
"Of course she can join us. Is she the lovely young lady with the star shaped scar on her forehead or the white haired foreigner?"
"Um… Um… The girl with the star on her forehead. It's lovely, isn't it?"
"Quite. Bring her over. Do you know our address?"
"Yes. Everyone knows your address." Junas said, thanking her and hanging up.
"Junas-nii… Do I… Do I really have to go?"
"I need you to go. Like I said, it's not you. It's me. I'm not ready to handle all of this. I love you more than I can express, but right now… Right now…"
"You're scared. I understand. I'm sad that I need to leave your side. But I understand." Riko said gently, kissing Junas one last time before getting her shoes on and packing up some clothes, and her teddy bear, which she still slept with. She knew that she was fifteen, now, but it was the first gift Junas ever got her, back when she was five years old. She had named her bear Caprico. It was a jet black bear with a silver star on its forehead.
They had only been living together for a year, and Riko was having nightmares, so Junas bought her a teddy bear and said that it would protect her at night, that the star on its forehead was a third eye that would prevent evil from touching her. In retrospect, it was just kind of weird. But at the time, Riko was deeply grateful, and her nightmares began to abate, though she carried it everywhere, even to school. Occasionally she was made fun of for her need to carry the bear everywhere.
However, already, Junas had started teaching her martial arts, and she was proving to be incredibly talented at it, so after the first time she beat up a boy twice her size for trying to steal her bear, most people with any common sense didn't pick on her. It was only bad luck that the boys from her middle school who sexually harassed her didn't know her reputation. They had transferred into the school from out of town.
Riko couldn't even express how hurt she felt. She understood what Junas was saying, but it hurt that he was essentially kicking her out. She was sure that she would get used to it. She got used to living with Junas, and even came to fall in love with him. But this was different.
"Riko… Again, I still love you. It's not you… I just need…"
"Junas-nii…" Riko said with a smile, holding her tears back. She didn't want Junas to feel as bad as she did right now. Little did she know, he felt just as bad as her and then some. "It's alright. I understand." She said, hugging him tightly, and knocking on the door.
"Oh, hi, Riko-chan! How nice to see you again!" Marie exclaimed happily, hugging Riko, and taking her suitcase, bringing it up to the guestroom.
"Okay, here's the deal. Everyone does chores around here. Most of us use our psychic powers to some extent to do them, if said powers are applicable. Do you have telekinesis?"
"Low-level, yes. My main Burst, Junas-nii called Creator. It used to be that I could only activate it by drawing in my pad. But now, I'm able to create monsters without it… Even humanoid creatures. I don't usually use my telekinesis. Watch… Caprico, Grana, Shiner… Wake up." Riko said, nodding at three spaces around them. Immediately, very lifelike humanoid creatures came to life.
"Wow… That's impressive. Can they talk?"
"Hey, Caprico-chan… Can you do the dishes?" Riko asked. Caprico nodded, its hair seeming to blow around despite there being no wind.
"Yes… Not particularly fond of toons and wishes, though…"
"What did she say?"
"She doesn't like doing the dishes."
"No… She said 'toons and wishes'." Marie countered irritably. Riko laughed.
"She's got a Cockney accent. Rhyming slang… My ex-girlfriend was British, so although she spoke with a very upscale English accent, she taught me a bit of Cockney slang."
"I see… And I suppose Grana has a Russian accent?"
"No… I can speak a little bit of Russian, but I couldn't mimic the accent if I tried. Caprico-chan's accent was just a test of my ability to relay foreign accents to my creations.
"Seems I succeeded. Let's get my shit put away so I can be alone for a while. My boyfriend just broke up with me, and I need a little time by my lonesome."
"Okay… Are you sure you couldn't use someone to talk to? Shao and Van are both excellent listeners. Van is more likely to chime in with some advice, while Shao will probably just listen as long as you keep talking. If it seems like he's not paying attention, you can be sure he's remembered every word."
"Thank you… Why are you being so nice to me? I was your enemy…"
"In the past. You were four years old, and you were in over your head. Nothing came of it, so why should we hold a grudge?"
"Thank you. I'm just going to put my stuff away. I guess I'll see you at dinner tonight." Riko said sadly, the magnitude of her situation finally coming down on her, leaving her terribly tired.