Olivia had worked tirelessly to pick up the mess she had made from decorating the Christmas tree. Picking up the tinsel had to be the hardest part and she had resorted to kneeling on the carpet to try and pry each strand that had fallen from the bag while she was decorated. It hadn't been to hard to pull off the stray strands that had lingered in Kiryu's hair. Each time she would end up pulling a piece of tinsel from him and fling it on the tree, she would giggle. It hadn't been her intention to get all the colorful strings stuck into his hair like they had, but from the face he had made and the smile he was giving her while she pulled them out to fling onto the waiting tree, it had been worth it. Kazuma had more experience at successful and happy Christmases from Sunflower Orphanage than Majima or her had so it was a relief to hear him say that they had done well. Him complimenting her tree decorating skills only made her smile widen. Being appreciated was a good feeling.
Olivia was now laying face first onto the carpet. She groaned and tilted her head, so her cheek laid on the fibers. Holding her breath, she reached down and tried grabbing onto piece after piece of tinsel still embedded into the carpet. It was like a UFO game that was rigged and on the highest difficulty known to man. How could something that was so pretty be so deadly to the human psyche? Was this a plot by the creators of this beautiful invention?! It must be a conspiracy.
"All that work for colored strands of foil." Majima muttered, brushing his hands onto his pants to rid his gloves of the crumbs attached from the snacks he had taken from Kazuma's cabinets. Without asking. He stepped over her like seeing her laying on the floor was the most normal thing in the world and sat down on the couch. "Lookin' like too much of a hassle."
"Shh! I focused." After another failed attempt, she planted her face back into the carpet and let out a groan of frustration, letting her hands fall to her sides. She took a deep breath, resisting the urge to scream into the carpet. Now she understood the widespread hate for tinsel. It couldn't be all bad, she had managed to pry a smile out of Kazuma from it even if he hadn't wanted to at the time.
"Is she still at it?" Kiryu asked from the kitchen.
"Mm. Sure is."
Kazuma had told her after her first breakdown from being unable to grip onto the strands that she could just leave them, and he'd vacuum them up later. She had vehemently denied it; telling him it had been a matter of pride. Now she was going to get bested by a package of colored foil in front of her friends. The incident from the TV show had taken care of that. After countless tries, she managed to pick up the last strand and held it up in victory, pressing herself up into a sitting position. In the swift motion, she had dropped it crying out, managing—in her flailing—to capture it in her hands before it fell to the floor again. Pretending like she didn't just have five mental breakdowns face first on Kazuma's floor, she stood up and went to the tree, tossing them onto it to join the other strands. She gave a huff of accomplishment before turning around and heading towards the bedroom.
"Are you going to bed?"
"Soon. I want take picture of Christmas tree." Olivia said and headed to the bedroom and grabbed her camera. Standing in front of the tree, she tried to line up the picture. She bit onto her lip, backing up step by step until she got the whole tree into the picture before she snapped it. When the film ejected, she grabbed it and stared at it. "C'mon, hurry up."
"Olivia." Kazuma called. She looked up and saw that sometime during her staring at the picture he had moved from the kitchen to stand in front of her. "Sorry… The picture will still be there in the morning."
"I know." Olivia smiled up at him. "But I want see now."
With feet full of lead, she trudged over to the kotatsu and sat down with a grunt. Either this picture was taking longer than the others because something had happened in the process to change just this one picture to make it take longer to develop, or the more realistic reason; she was exhausted. The spoiled American in her was also used to—in addition to elevator access—driving everywhere. With Japan; Kamurocho and Sotenbori in particular, walking everywhere was the only means of getting through on the regular. There were taxis, but they cost an arm and a leg and were difficult to hail down with everyone else waving yen to be given priority to the taxis on the side of the street. During the days where she had to walk for hours, like they had today, she just kept reminding herself that her legs would be steel goddesses and it was better for her health to keep on the move. Training with Kazuma had helped with her endurance, but she was still unable to walk for hours like the others. This was a way of life to them; always had been. It had only been her way of life for not even a year. In order to get their endurance, she very well might have to live like this for the rest of her life.
"Harper-chan?" Olivia's eyes opened and she saw Kiryu close to her face, making her cough and choke slightly. Her thoughts must've lulled her to sleep without her knowledge. "Oh, you're okay."
"O-Oh yeah. I fell asleep."
"Yeah. Tryin' ta get comfortable and relax and yer over there snorin' up a storm soundin' like some sorta natural disaster." Majima muttered, relaxing on the couch with a blanket pulled up to his chest and a smirk plastered on his face when she ended up looking at her.
Olivia pointed at him and opened her mouth to speak but saw the developed picture underneath her elbow in her peripheral vision. She glared at him as if to say, 'you're off the hook this time', and took the photo looking at it. There sat the first Christmas tree that she had decorated all by herself in her best friend's apartment. The first photo documenting her first Christmas in Japan. A smile painted itself on her lips, looking at each bulb that she had carefully put on the tree. Just as she had said in the shop, broken things can be beautiful too. With all the decorations on it and the love she had given it, while it was still obvious in some places that parts of the tree were defective, it didn't look as lonely or hurt as it had been in the beginning when she got it at the shop. She stood up and went and showed Kazuma the photo. He must've sensed how important the photo was to her because he took it just as delicately as she had held it. As delicately as hands his were able to anyway. When his eyes had fully scanned over it, he handed it back to her just as gently as he had taken it. She waved at him, the dark circles under her eyes growing by the second.
"I going to bed now. Goodnight, Kazuma."
Olivia headed towards the bedroom but was stopped in the entryway.
"Hey! Yer not gonna show me the picture?"
"Why?" Olivia asked.
"…I wanna see…" Majima pouted, leaning further into the couch like he was attempting to amplify the magnitude of his pout.
"You not worried about being close to natural disaster?" Olivia asked, hearing a stifled laugh from Kiryu coming from the kitchen. Agreed. It was a good retort. The satisfaction rose even more when Majima slinked further into the couch.
"Alright, I'm sorry okay, now lemme see it."
Olivia sighed and walked over to where he was at. Calling her a natural disaster hadn't bothered her in the least bit. In fact, she had thought it was rather funny but if she went back to show him the picture that would put more distance between her and the bed. Just the thought of putting her head on the pillow was almost a feeling of ecstasy just by itself. Yet here was, standing next to the couch while Majima scanned over every inch of the photo she had taken. She was waiting, just waiting for him to say some sort of smartass remark about her picture. She'd poke his other eye out and then he'd be screwed. If he had come to her asking for help if he was blind, she wouldn't—okay maybe she would help, but she'd be really unhappy about it. To her surprise though, he handed the picture back to her with a smile.
"Looks pretty damn good. Yer a good picture taker."
"It's… It's a photographer, Majima-san." Kiryu cut into the conversation, heading over to the other couch.
"I-I know that!" Majima scoffed. "Always gotta ruin everythin' don't ya, Kiryu-chan?"
Olivia smiled at her friend and waved.
"Night." She said and waved again to Kiryu before heading back to the bedroom, placing the photo into the album with the rest of her other photos and collapsing on the bed.
When daytime arrived, Olivia was woken up by a large body flopping down onto the bed next to her, almost making her bounce right off. Had she not gripped onto the side of the bed in time, she was 100% positive that she would've fallen to the floor, smacking her face against the carpet. That would've been a fabulous way to start her day. Just when she was about to turn over and ask who the hell was crazy enough to flop on the bed and awaken the creature that was Olivia Harper from her slumber, the crazy spoke making her groan and pull the blanket over her head and curling up into a ball.
"Mornin' Kitten! C'mon! Time ta get up!" The voice sounded close to her ear and she groaned again, covering her ear with one hand and keeping the blanket over her head with another. "Yeesh… yer so difficult to get up in the mornin'…"
"Go away…" Olivia grumbled from under the blankets an aggravated sigh coming from her when the crazy dog next to her shook her. He was messing up her waking process up in every way possibly imaginable. She wanted nothing to do with getting up in the mornings. At least with Kazuma woke her up it was with the dignity of an adult and he always presented her with some sort of offering from under the covers to coax her into waking. This… This thing just hopped on the bed and expected her to get up? There was nothing that would get her—
"Alright then, guess I'll just hafta open yer presents myself." Olivia's eyes opened and she peeked one eye out from under the covers.
Majima was laying on the bed with his chin resting on his hands and watching her, that stupid smirk on his face. How—just… how could someone be so bright and bubbly in the morning? These morning people were terrible. If annoyance had a picture in the dictionary, right now that face would be smack dab under the word. The smirk grew wider and he snickered, blinking and trying to put on as innocent face as possible. It still looked capable of murder no matter how hard he tried.
"Oh, so yer willin' ta get up when there's presents involved?" He exhaled, placing his head on the bed. "I see how it is! I see what ya really want."
Olivia whined and tried to pull the blanket over her head again, but Majima was quicker and grabbed her arm preventing the reentry to the cocoon of blankets. She scrunched up her face and kicked her legs back and forth. She knew that she was acting like a child, but she just wanted to sleep a few minutes—hours—longer. Majima wasn't a fool. Crazy. Insane. Awkward. Unpredictable. A fool? Not even close. He knew that if he let go, she would go back into her blankets and good luck getting her up again. Shockingly, he had let her arm go. Not wasting the opportunity, she tucked her whole body into her cocoon and curled up. Just as she had closed her eyes and yawned, nestling back into her comfortable spot, she heard a deep laugh.
"Alright, if that's how ya want it. We'll do this the hard way." He said. Olivia heard a sound that reminded her of something smacking together and then rubbing. She peeked an eye open but was welcomed by the darkness of her blanket cave. Barely having enough time to think, she felt the bed's surface leave her body and she screamed out. She kicked back and forth. "Calm down, Princess. Ya were the one that wanted this."
I did not want this in any form!
Never in her wildest dreams—or nightmares—did she think that if she declined getting up multiple times that she would've been forced to get up. Not just by being dragged from bed. He had picked her up and refused to let go; despite the number of times she had kicked. Giving up, she relaxed and was tossed onto something else. The couch by the feeling of it. Her daily offering entered the top hole of her cocoon and tapped her head. She reached up and grabbed onto it. Not that she needed it now. Majima's uncouth approach to waking her up had skipped all the daily steps and left her wide awake and slightly aggravated. Although, to give him credit, he managed to move her from room to room with her throwing a fit without hurting himself or her. Most importantly her. No. More importantly, him. Olivia uncapped the bottle that Kiryu had offered her and sipped at it, wiggling around so that she peeked her head out; hair wild from the impromptu transport.
The same smirk met her face from the other couch with absolutely no remorse on his lips. She should've known better than to expect him to apologize for his rash actions. Had it not been for the fact that she loved the drink that Kiryu had given to her, she would have thrown it at him. As if to prove her point, she glared at him and sipped her drink, but he merely shrugged his shoulders no fear in his eyes at all. God, she hated him and his inability to be scared. Then again, someone who had just woken up, had messy hair, been carried from a room wrapped up like a burrito, and had been offered an energy drink through a blanket hole didn't strike fear into many hearts. She wasn't sure that she'd be able to strike fear into a flower at this rate.
"Wanna hear somethin' Kiryu-chan?" Majima asked, still staring at Olivia.
"Mm?"
"Our lovely little Princess wasn't gonna get out of bed until I mentioned her presents! Ain't that just terrible? Only comin' out here to join us just so she could get presents! I feel so used!" Majima exclaimed, sniffling and burying his face in his hands.
"…You didn't want to get out of bed either until I told you Harper-chan was going to open her presents." Kazuma said, going to sit on the couch next to Olivia and offered her a glass of juice which she declined.
"T-That ain't true, Kiryu-chan! And ya know it. There just wasn't a point ta gettin' up earlier if she wasn't gonna open her presents." Majima defended.
"Mhm."
"And why dontcha offer me some of yer juice!? I feel like yer playin' favorites here, Kiryu-chan!"
"I don't want your lips on my glass." Kiryu muttered.
"But ya don't mind if my Kitten's are?"
Kiryu looked at Majima with a stone gaze, not moving any part of his face.
"I was going to get another glass."
"Sure! Then why didn't ya ask me if ya wanted any!"
Kiryu sighed and closed his eyes,
"Majima-san. Do you want some juice?"
"Nope." Majima giggled when Kiryu sighed.
Olivia had pressed herself into a sitting position and was attempting to get completely centered before starting her day. Still bundled up in her blanket, she sipped at the bottled coffee staring straight ahead while the two bantered back and forth. This sort of thing had become so normal it was like breathing. She didn't react to either of their statements and just kept drinking her coffee. Sometime during their banter, she yawned and rubbed her eyes. If they weren't both straight, she would've sworn that they were gay for each other. That was rather popular in Japan, and—Olivia's eyes widened.
Oh God… What. Have. I. Done?
She looked between them both, finally and cleared her throat. That was something she never wanted to think of ever again. Some two cute random guys, sure! Her best friends, she closed her eyes and shook her head. No. Oh God no. Olivia cleared her throat again and rubbed her temple. Blinking and rubbing her eyes, she managed to fully wake up. Kiryu deflecting Majima's suggestive comments managed to help hasten the process of waking up. The two were close and even through the sexual comments and the blatant disregard to the contrary, she couldn't help but smile and relax the back of the couch. Majima had pulled her out into the living room to open presents, but now they were too busy arguing with each other that they hadn't even thought about the gifts under the tree. It wasn't so bad though, because while Kazuma and Majima bantered constantly having them go at it for minutes at a time without one backing out was rare. Was this one of her gifts? Because if it was, she'd be happy for it.
Olivia tilted her head back and looked at their tree. It was still as cute as it had been the previous night and was lit, the curtains drawn to give it a darker feeling so the lights would shine even brighter. The small pile that had been under the tree before now contained more presents. She smiled and hugged her knees to her chest, turning her attention back to her friends. Kiryu was rubbing his temple and Majima looked like he was on the verge of one of his psychotic laughter fits.
"All I'm sayin' Kiryu-chan, is if ya want her lips pressed against somethin', I'm sure if ya ask her nice enough she'll go for it."
…How did I know it was going to go here?
"You know it isn't like that." Kiryu sighed.
"Okay, if ya say so. But I know ya, Kiryu-chan!" Majima giggled, bouncing on the couch.
"Um… We can open presents now?"
"Oh! That's right! Princess, why didn't ya say so sooner?" Majima looked at Olivia.
"She was waiting for you to calm down." Kiryu muttered.
"Ooh, good idea! Cause just seein' her all excited it gonna get me all excited again, then what're we gonna do!"
"…" Both Kiryu and Olivia looked at Majima and then at each other.
Mom, what sort of friend have I made?
"Stay there." Kiryu said to Olivia and waved Majima over.
Olivia looked around and relaxed against the couch. Even though there was no music or a plethora of Christmas decorations around the house like she was used to, the apartment still had the air of Christmas about. Going out the previous day and gathering their tree and the ornaments was worth it more than ever now. Her eyes traveled down to the carpet and she glared. As much as she loathed to admit it, even throwing a temper tantrum at getting the tinsel off the floor was worth it because they were all three having a good morning. Tomorrow, it would be even better because she would get to give the boys their gifts. After she opened her's, she had the plan of going to deliver the gifts to the rest of her friends. She wondered what Reina would think of her gift. Hoping with all her might that Nishiki would follow through with his promise and ask Reina out it would be great to see both of them happy.
As for Kashiwagi and Kazama, she would have to ask Kiryu how she would be able to get the presents to them. Calling them to the Tojo Clan headquarters wasn't efficient and there had to be some way to get them to the men. Kiryu would definitely know and hopefully it would make both of them happy. Honestly, she wished that she could do more, but there was only so much that she was able to do in terms of realism and monetary items. Her eyes widened, realizing that she had forgotten to get Sera something. Even more important, how the hell was she supposed to get that to him. Calling a meeting for that was even more convenient. Maybe Kazama-san would be able to get it to him somehow. But… what was she supposed to get the man who could get anything that he wanted with a snap of his finger?
Olivia blinked when three packages were sat in front of her on the table. One was a very large box and she tilted her head. If it was one of those gag boxes where she ended up just getting an empty box with something super tiny in it, she would want to smack them both. That would be such a waste of a box! She looked at the tags. One was from Majima, one from Kiryu, and the big one… was from both? Getting them to agree on something eat was hard enough, but to agree on a Christmas present? Maybe that's why it had taken so long at the shopping center. Even though she had been there when they bought the presents, she couldn't read the characters on the bags and didn't attempt to look inside. Why try and look and ruin it? Christmas came only once a year.
"Ah! Hold on, Princess." Majima said, holding up a finger. "Go get yer camera."
"My… camera? Why?"
"Obviously cause we're gonna take pictures of you openin' yer presents."
"Huh?!" Olivia exclaimed and shook her head. "No way! Kiryu! Help me."
"I think… Majima-san's right." Kiryu said. "Your family would want to see it, right?"
"I… suppose." Olivia muttered.
"Better go get it before I try ta find it." Majima snickered. "I might accidentally go through some unmentionables."
"N-No! I go get!" Olivia scampered away and headed back to the bedroom and noticed she had no film set. She grabbed another package and loaded it before walking back out and handed it to Kiryu.
"T-There…" Olivia muttered.
Olivia took a seat back where she was at and looked at the presents again. Hesitating for a moment, she went and grabbed Kiryu's first, grunting at how heavy it was. She put it up to her ear and shook it lightly. No sound. Her face brightened and she settled onto the couch and turned it over, trying to find the tape to open it from there. Both men watched; one patient, the other anxious. Neither said anything—surprisingly—and let her open the gift. It was four books stacked on top of each other. They weren't just any books though… On top there was a dictionary like the one that had been stolen from her. Under it were three books; volumes of learning Japanese 1,2, and 3.
Her jaw dropped and she heard the sound of the shutter but didn't look up. Too entranced by her books to worry about the picture being taken or how it was coming out, she flipped through the books. Even though she had been slightly worried opening them, they looked easy to follow along with and they were helping from an English person's perspective at teaching English. Olivia exhaled an excited laugh and looked up at Kazuma. He was sitting on the couch and looking down at the carpet, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Kazuma… Thank you." Olivia smiled brightly.
"I'm not trying to say your Japanese is bad, I—"
"I know." Olivia assured and smiled again with a nod. "Thank you so much."
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. This time Majima was the one taking the picture and she blinked from the sudden flash that penetrated her eyes. Even though it had been shocking, all she could manage to do was laugh. All this time, she had been trying to get better with her Japanese and Kazuma had noticed and went through all the trouble of not only finding the books, but a series. Even finding the same exact dictionary as the one that had been stolen. Whether it was a fluke or not, she wasn't sure, but she was more than thankful for it. There was no telling how much time she would get to study, but she would try her hardest to do so with as much time as she was allotted between the Tojo Clan meetings she was forced to participate in and spending time with her friends.
"'ey! Y'know ya got other presents too…" Majima huffed.
Olivia sniffled again and nodded, the same smile still on her face. She picked up Majima's gift with more force almost smashing herself in the face. Her brain had processed that the gift would be heavier than it was. Hearing the snicker didn't stop her and she turned the present around and around and put it to her ear and shook it. Something odd sounded within, but not anything loose. She pulled apart the paper and stared at the gift before her, barely hearing another shutter. It was a large photo album, probably three times the size as the one she had now. Olivia opened it noticed something attached inside. When she looked up, Majima was looking down with no intention of changing his gaze. Inside was a large packet of film that had exposures enough to fill up the album she had gotten from her mother and this one as well. Olivia sniffled and flipped through the album, looking at how many slots and pages were available. She took the pouch that contained the film inside and looked at it.
"I uh… I checked ta see if it'd work with yer camera 'fore I bought it…" Majima muttered.
"How you know I run low on film?" Olivia asked, her voice cracking.
"… Y-Ya were taking pictures less and less. Passin' up shit ya… ya normally woulda been takin' pictures of." Majima muttered, obviously uncomfortable with explaining in front of Kiryu.
Olivia looked up at him,
"Thank you… Goro." She smiled brightly closing her eyes from her happiness and the oncoming shutter.
"Open your last one." Kiryu said.
Olivia opened her eyes and saw Majima staring at her with a wide eye. She simply smiled at him and looked down at the last present. She took the album and film and placed it to the side before grabbing the last present almost dropping it. They could at least tell her if something was heavy before she almost broke her arms. With some effort, she managed to place the package on her lap.
"Don't shake that one." Kiryu advised and Olivia nodded.
Carefully, she looked for a place to start unwrapping the package. Finally, she managed to find a small corner and carefully took the wrapping paper off and stared at the box.
"You guys are so stupid…" Olivia muttered, her voice cracking.
When she looked at the picture on the box, she covered her mouth and her tears began to fall. Olivia barely heard the shutter go off as she was trying to calm her crying before it turned into full blown sobs of happiness. Damn these men for being able to get into her head and more importantly into her heart. Inside the box was a large, red electronic takoyaki maker. She had seen them before in the stores and had always wanted to get one, but ever since she had seen the first one all her financial trouble had started and then everything else had happened. She opened her eyes and looked at the picture again. The mold was large, and the holes were deep. Olivia brushed away her tears and hugged onto the large box. Finally, she managed to look at the two of them and smiled.
"Thank you, Kazuma. Goro." Olivia said through her oncoming tears. "Thank you so much."
Both Kiryu and Majima looked awkward at her tears and gratitude. She tilted the box up and looked at the picture. Olivia had no idea how the hell to make takoyaki. Just because she had seen it multiple times didn't mean that she knew how to do it. But… she would love to try and learn. Even more so, she would get to learn with her friends. Olivia looked at the other two presents and smiled again, wiping more approaching tears. She looked at her friends and smiled,
"I know we say tomorrow you open, but can you open present now?" Olivia asked.
"We can, but why?" Kiryu asked.
"I want see you both happy too."
"…" Kiryu and Majima looked awkward but Kiryu nodded. Majima was still just sitting there with his stare on the kotatsu.
Olivia went over and grabbed the two presents under the tree for them. They were significantly smaller than the ones that she had gotten, and probably worth a lot less money. Either way, she was sure that they'd like them. They were from her. They were her friends. She nodded and turned around and headed back to where they were at, handing each of them a small package. It was her turn for the camera. She quickly took it and sat down where she had been, keeping a hand on her presents to make sure that they didn't fall. Each of them looked at the presents and she blinked. Nervousness rose in her. Did they… not want to open them?
"Will you… open?" Olivia asked, somewhat worried.
"O-Oh." Kiryu said and nodded. Majima was still staring at the box she had handed him with a strange look on his face. "I uh… I guess I'll go first."
Olivia knew the pictures wouldn't be as expressive for her friends as they had been for her, but it didn't matter. It was still the first and only time that she'd be able to get these photos. She watched Kiryu open the package and he stopped, his eyes widening. He hesitated and took out the present; a watch. In fact, it was the same type of watch that had broken during that fight where Ethan had killed the man that she had almost beat to death.
"Look at inside." Olivia said. When Kiryu looked inside his jaw dropped slightly and his eyes widened. Quickly, she snapped the picture before he could realize he expressed some emotion and change it. When she bought the watch, they had a free engraving service available for the next two days. She had them engrave Kazuma on the interior so that even when she was gone, it would be something that would be personal to him and only him. "Is it okay?"
"Yeah. I love it. Thanks, Harper-chan." Kiryu smiled and looked over at Majima.
"Aren't you going to open?" Olivia asked.
Majima cleared his throat and blinked. For Kiryu's she hadn't been too worried. After all, men liked watches. She had been worried that he wouldn't like the style even though it was the same type he had before. Since he hadn't replaced it himself, she wondered if maybe he didn't really like the style of it. But her worries had been dashed the moment that he had put it on instead of putting it back inside the box. Majima's was a little… unconventional, so there was a greater chance that he wouldn't like or wouldn't use it. If he didn't, she would understand. But she really had put some thought into it.
"Y-Yeah. Sorry." Majima said and opened the box, his eye widening for the second time since they started opening gifts. Olivia snapped the picture and smiled. He picked up the small piece inside the box. Her hands were still sweating from the very real possibility of him not liking it. "Ya… got this for me?"
"Mm. I thought it match." Olivia said. "Will you wear?"
Majima nodded though it was awkward. No matter what she did, he wouldn't look at her. This time, more than others, she had taken him off-guard. He stood up and turned away from everyone, Kiryu looked at her and she smiled. When Majima turned back around, she smiled just as bright. Replaced by his old eyepatch was one that she had gotten him. This one she had paid extra for to have a snake embroidered on it. The woman had done a really good job, it almost looked metal. He cleared his throat and sat back down, looking at his old eyepatch.
"…Thanks." He looked up at her and smiled.
"You like it?"
"Yeah. I do. Thank you." Majima smiled again making Olivia looked down at the pictures on the table. All of them had developed and she went to the other room and grabbed her old album, putting each picture into it and closing it. The album was almost full. She'd have to switch some of the pictures to the back where she kept all her pictures with Kiryu and Majima during their special moments as friends.
Olivia stood up and looked at the tree. There were still three presents underneath the tree. She turned and looked at Kiryu and Majima.
"I have deliver these presents. You come with?"
"Presents?" Kiryu asked. "For who?"
"I bought for Reina, Kazama-san, and Kashiwagi. I… going to buy for Sera, but I not sure what to get." Olivia admitted with a sigh. "I not know where to give Kazama-san and Kashiwagi presents."
"The Kazama Family Office is here in Kamurocho." Kiryu said. "I can take you there and then we can go and visit Reina."
"Okay. Thank you, Kiryu." Olivia nodded and turned to Majima. "You come too?"
"Oh, yeah. S'pose I can do that. I ain't goin' in there with that Reina chick. Might have another bottle possibly smashed on my fuckin' face. Ain't dealin' with that."
Olivia nodded. It was Christmas Eve and she wanted them to be able to put everything behind them, after all it was two years ago. However, she could understand why it would be difficult. So many misunderstandings and problems had caused the issues between them. Some of the Tojo Clan had almost been torn apart by the events of two years ago. If Olivia was in Majima's position though, she wasn't sure that she would be able to forgive someone who almost tried to smash a bottle of alcohol on her face. The whole fight had just been because of one huge misunderstanding. Since they were both parts of the same clan just on different subsidiaries, she couldn't understand why they didn't just all communicate, but maybe that had something to do with yakuza law that she wasn't familiar with.
She gathered up the presents from under the tree and held them in her arms.
"Ya might wanna get dressed first." Majima said and Olivia looked down at her clothes and gasped.
"You're right! Oops! I go. Wait for me!"
Olivia retreated to the bedroom and grabbed her hairbrush, running it through her hair and grumbling at how painful it was. Without Majima's interference, it was difficult enough to brush it in the morning. Since she had been thrown around like a sack of potatoes, her hair was even worse than normal in the mornings. It reminded her of her first time at the onsen in Sotenbori and how her comb had broke while trying to tame her hair. With a final grunt, she managed to brush her hair. From her pulling, it was a little frizzy, but the cold weather would be fixing that soon. She quickly got dressed in her winter clothes and grunted pulling her sweater down. She loved the cute fashion of Japan, she just wished that some of their sizes were made for different top sizes.
Olivia grabbed her jacket and put it on, a smile on her face. Kiryu and Majima both had on the gift that she had gotten them, and she felt her throat close. They really did like the gifts that she had gotten them.
"Are you going to bring your camera?" Kiryu asked. "With Majima-san getting you all the film, you can take more pictures."
"Oh! That right!" Olivia exclaimed and headed back to grab her camera and the new album, placing it in her bag and heading back to her friends. With how many pictures she'd be taking, she wasn't sure if her old album would take all the pictures that she would take now. "Okay! We go!"
Olivia walked outside with her friends and immediately gasped. The ground outside of Kiryu's apartment complex was covered in a white blanket. So surprising, she had almost dropped her camera. Tears gathered in her eyes at the beauty. The last time that she had seen snow was when footprints were walking away from her home. Now it was untouched and bright, fallen like it was protecting everything underneath from the harsh elements above. She brought the camera to her eye and backed up until she found the perfect view. She clicked the shutter button and grabbed the picture when it ejected, heading down the steps. She squatted down and gently touched the surface of the snow, making sure to not do it any harm. Olivia heard the footsteps behind her, but she turned around and quickly snapped a picture of her friends, shocking both. When the picture ejected, she watched it develop. Kiryu and Majima were smiling probably the gentlest she had ever seen.
"Naw, get rid of that."
"No!" Olivia protested, taking out her album and pointedly sticking it in one of the slots. "It's mine!"
"Come on. We were going to deliver presents, remember?" Kiryu said.
"Oh! Yes! Let go!"
The walk downtown took longer than normal since she snapped pictures of everything that she thought was beautiful. The scenery. The snow against some buildings. The large light tree that wasn't quite lit yet, but it was still beautiful. She couldn't believe that Majima had noticed how little she was taking pictures lately. A yakuza through and through she supposed; noticing even the smallest things. It was part of his duty, but it still made her feel good that he had remembered. And Kiryu. She couldn't believe that he had went through all the trouble of trying to find her books to help her learn. They were more thoughtful than given credit for. Hard. Brash. Abrasive. Any other time, these would be deal breakers in friendships, but with all their awkward personalities, she had a novel of positive personality traits for each one of them.
Kiryu had taken them to the Kazama Family Office and she looked at the door. It was rather funny that gangsters could have special buildings like this clearly displaying that there were mobsters inside. This was their base of operations. Without hiding. It was strange that they could be so blatant, so out in the open and not have any repercussions about simply existing as one of them. Although, mostly from what she'd seen they upheld most of societies rules. Obviously, there were exceptions like everyone from two years ago, but it was said when she was in jail; the yakuza respect the police in general and the police respect the yakuza in general. That had been one of the biggest culture shocks since moving to Japan.
"C'mon."
"Wow." Olivia muttered. It really was a beautiful office.
"I think I'll wait out here. Y'know get some of this nice cool air in." Majima said.
"Alright. Be back out soon." Kiryu said and held open the door for Olivia.
Inside it was just as beautiful if not more than the outside. Everything was clean; pristine and well maintained. One of the men got up from the desk and walked over to them and bowed. At first, she had thought that it was at Kiryu, but it seemed that this man was bowing at her too. Not just being caught up in the gesture by being in the general vicinity. He had turned to include her. This must've been either because of the alliance with the Tojo Clan or because of what Kazama-san said when she was in the hospital about becoming an ally and friend of the Kazama Family.
"Are you here to see the boss?" The man asked, smiling at both.
"And Kashiwagi-san." Kiryu said.
"Of course, right this way."
The hallways were less intricate and confusing as the one at Tojo Clan headquarters but knowing her she would still end up getting lost were it not for the man guiding them. Kiryu looked quite familiar with the Family office. Having Kazama-san as a foster father would make him familiar with the place. It was still strange to her why Nishiki and him weren't part of Kazama-san's family. She hadn't asked Sera because that was more of the inner workings of the yakuza, but she assumed it was because of the rules. The man knocked on the top most door which had a placard on it that she was unable to read.
"Come in."
Inside the office Kazama-san was sitting with Kashiwagi in front of the desk. Whatever they had been talking about was put on hold and just as they walked in, she noticed that his brows furrowed when he noticed her, but then quickly softened. Had she just been seeing things? Or was it possible that he was having trouble seeing in his older age? In the world of the yakuza, couldn't that be deadly? Kashiwagi-san was always nearby and if he was experiencing failing sight, she knew without a doubt that he'd be protected by not just Kashiwagi-san, but by everyone that related to him.
"Kazuma? Harper-chan?" He asked and looked at them both, Olivia bowing deeply. "What can I do for you?"
"W-Well, Kazama-san." Olivia began and Kiryu handed her the long box. She cleared her throat and walked up to the desk and handed it to him. "I know that… it isn't compare to what you have, but I hope you like."
"I… must say, I'm shocked." Kazama-san said. "And, here I am without anything to return to you."
Olivia shook her head,
"You give me Kaz—I mean Kiryu as friend. That better than any gift." She turned and looked at Kashiwagi. "I have for you too." Kiryu handed her the other box and she went and gave it to Kashiwagi.
"And you save life… I cannot thank enough."
Kazama-san and Kashiwagi looked at the boxes and then back at Olivia. No doubt puzzled at the fact that she would go through all the trouble of getting her a gift. Truthfully, it was a little bit difficult. She could count on one hand how many times she had seen the men in person, and she had tried to shop for them for Christmas. It wasn't very creative, but she had ended up finding something that she hoped that they liked. She bowed to Kashiwagi and Kazama-san,
"Thank you for all you done for me. I hope you like them."
Kazama-san leaned his cane against the desk and opened his present, a smile coming to his face when he pulled the cane from the box. It was a deep cherry wood with a silver handle. She knew that it couldn't compare to how much it was worth with his present cane, but she had liked it. The deep wood reminded her of Kazama-san and how he could handle such a dark job and yet be kind enough to raise a group of orphans as his own. He wasn't fully dependent upon a cane as she had seen during his walk around the Tojo Clan headquarters, but since she had seen him carrying one, it seemed like he was preparing for something. Perhaps his growing age. Perhaps something else. Either way, she wanted to make sure that he had everything that he needed.
"Thank you very much, Harper-chan."
Kashiwagi-san opened his box and blinked. A smile crossed his lips as well and he removed the tie from the box. It was similar to the one that he had on at that moment, but the texture of the new one was softer and had a small diamond like design that gave it a regal looking feel. Kashiwagi-san reminded her of a regal man by the way he always stood by and supported Kazama-san in his life as a friend and as someone of the Kazama Family.
"Thank you. This is very thoughtful."
"I sorry I couldn't get something more expensive." Olivia apologized.
"No. These are perfect." Kazama-san said. "I can tell how much thought you put into them."
"Yes, Kazama-san is correct." Kashiwagi nodded.
Olivia smiled again and bowed,
"This all I came to deliver. I have go now. Thank you very much for seeing us."
Back outside, she looked at Kazuma and exhaled, a huge weight off her shoulders. It wasn't just every day that someone of Japanese descent could walk into the Family office of a patriarch of a yakuza clan, but here she was—a foreigner—doing the same thing. Not only had she been greeted warmly at the front, but also had been by the patriarch himself. Kiryu put his hand on her head like she had gotten used as him assuring or comforting her. She smiled and saw Majima leaning against the building with an eye closed. Olivia went over and poked him on the cheekbone, making his eye open.
"Oh! You awake."
"Yer kiddin' right? How could I fall asleep standin' up?" Majima asked, smiling down at her.
"Oh, good point."
"Can we go and get these stitches out now?" Majima sighed and put his head back against the wall.
Oh! Right! Doctor Emoto wanted us to come back so he could take Majima's stitches out! Whoops… I forgot.
"Yeah!" Olivia nodded.
"Ya forgot, didn't ya?"
"M-Me!? No!" Olivia protested.
"Yer a shitty liar. Anyone ever tell ya that?" Majima snickered and pressed himself off the wall.
She walked down the street with her friends, heading towards Doctor Emoto's clinic. It would be good for Majima to get his stitches out. The best part? She wouldn't have to be a nurse anymore! And he couldn't complain about her getting the 'wrong nurse outfit' anymore. Well… it wasn't that he couldn't, she just hoped that he wouldn't. Maybe after this she should stay away from anything remotely medical so he wouldn't be reminded of it. As time went on, he'd forget about it right and not bring it up. Yakuza got hurt all the time, so they probably were used to getting stitched up like rag dolls. Olivia got distracted by one of the mascots in front of a restaurant and ran up to it and lined up the photo snapping it and putting into her album.
To her grateful surprise, Doctor Emoto had been impressed at how Majima had healed. Even more so impressed with her capabilities to take care of someone as 'wild and unruly' as Goro Majima. He had just scoffed and rolled his eyes. She wanted to tell Doctor Emoto that he wasn't as bad as people seemed to think he was, but that would be exposing something he wanted to keep closed. Better to think that someone like him was hardened from the inside out, all the way down. It made the people that knew better even more special and appreciate the closeness more.
"I feel so much fuckin' better!" Majima screamed once they were out of the clinic, stretching from side to side and front to back.
"I'm glad." Olivia nodded. "Don't get hurt more."
Kiryu and Majima both chuckled and looked away. That was probably asking a bird not to fly. People coming into this job knew what it was about and what could happen to them. Majima and Kiryu were no different. While she hadn't been a fan of Kiryu getting shot or Majima getting tortured, in fact just thinking about it made her stomach churn; she could tell that they thought it wouldn't be their last and if things kept going the way it had, none of them would make it out completely unscathed, her included.
"Or as little as be possible."
"Ya got my word, Kitten." Majima snickered.
Olivia looked down at her bag and saw the last Christmas present. It was the one for Reina. Yet, when they came to the bar, the door was locked. Her and Kiryu had tried the back lot since Majima didn't want to have anything to do with the bar inside or out. But that door was locked too. She folded her arms, wondering why both doors were locked. It dawned on her and she turned to look at Kiryu,
"I set Reina and Nishiki for date up. They went out on date."
Thank goodness… please tell each other how you feel. Be happy.
"Really?" Kiryu asked. "About time…"
"Agreed."
"We can set it in front of the door then, up in the corner so she can see it when she comes back."
"Mm. That sound like good idea." Olivia and Kiryu went to the front door again and Olivia put the small box in the corner. Somewhere that someone wouldn't look at normally, but somewhere that would catch Reina's gaze. "There we go."
Olivia and Kiryu left down the elevator and she smiled. It was nighttime. From the distance, she could see the huge tree of lights, finally lit up. She gasped and ignored her friends' protests and headed for the tree. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. In America they had these sorts of things too, but for some reason it was just more beautiful in Japan. It could be because of the surrounding snow or just the beauty of the country in general. Just the small things made everything so much more beautiful. She lined up the shot and backed up. The tree was rather large, so she had to move backwards to capture it all into the viewfinder. Her finger hovered over the shutter button. When she backed up, she ended up ramming right into someone.
"Oh, I'm sor—" Olivia turned around and almost dropped her camera, her eyes wide.
"Watch—well well well, if it isn't Olivia." The man said.
"Don't you know? You're a charity case."
"No one wants to be your friend."
"People pity you."
Olivia stared at the man in front of her. This time the cold weather had nothing to do with the pain; the painful breathing nor any other part of her body going cold. A soul crushing pain that made even breathing painful weighed on her chest. The burning behind her eyes and in her nose started again. Her body refused to respond to her movements. She wanted to turn around and run, to look away, but she just stood there staring at him; her lips quivering. It was hard to even find her voice. If it had worked, she didn't even know what she would possibly say to him. The very reason for her grayed canvas stood right in front of her. The very reason why she hated herself and even her very existence stood there. In the flesh. From her prolonged silence, she thought he wouldn't stand there. She thought that he'd walk away; scoff. Or even worse laugh, just as he had back then.
"Keahi." Olivia whispered.
Keahi chuckled, it was dark just as it had been that day.
"So, you do remember my name after all. Well, I suppose you would, wouldn't you?"
The memories of the palm trees swaying in the breeze as she waited filled her mind. The salty air filled her nostrils. She could feel the blisters on the back of her heels and how much pain they had caused her over the next weeks. The roots of her hair hurt from all the tugging that she had gone through. She could feel the pain. The anger. The hurt. The betrayal. All of it. She felt it all over again. Just by him standing here, she remembered it all. Even the things she thought that she had forgotten resurfaced.
"Did you really think you were special to me?"
"Don't you get it? It was for pity."
He stood just as he had that day. A confident smirk on his face. Tanned skin, black hair, muscles showing just how hard he worked out daily. Dark brown eyes that had once reminded her of smooth amber now just reminded her of everything painful. All those knife wounds from his stabs resurfaced; bleeding and fresh once more. How was he here? Why was he here? It was selfish and conceited to think that he had followed her, but anything else was just coincidence. In the whole country, in all the towns; he to pick this one, this day, this spot, this time?
"Why…" Olivia began, taking a deep breath. "Why are you here?"
"What? Can't a man travel with his girlfriend?"
"…" The tears started to gather in her eyes again, but she couldn't cry in front of him. Not again.
"You remember, right? Aolani?"
How could I forget?
"If everything goes right, it'll be fiancée tonight."
Her body was shaking, and she kept blinking, trying to control her rapid breathing. She thought that she had gotten better, that she had moved on. She should've known better. There would be no healing until she confronted everything. The wounds could stitch up, but they would never heal until she got rid of the infection from her body and mind. Footsteps rushed behind her, and she knew Kiryu and Majima had just stopped behind her.
"Harper-chan?" Kiryu asked, but Olivia didn't answer.
"Kitten?" Majima called, but still, she didn't answer.
"Still ever dependent on those around you, huh?" Keahi asked, chuckled darkly again. He shrugged and shook his head. "Some things never change."
Olivia clenched her fist together, the tears gathering once more. This time, she was unable to discern where the sadness and betrayal ended, and the anger began. She knew that Kiryu and Majima wouldn't understand hardly anything or if anything at all from this conversation, but she was sure that they could pick on the atmosphere on it. Her jaw set and she exhaled.
"What? Say something!"
Trust me, I want to.
"Weak and pathetic like always." Keahi sighed. "You would think that after everything happened, you would've grown a spine. But weak people will be weak no matter what they do."
Don't cry. He'll take it as a sign of weakness. Be it sadness or rage. It doesn't matter. Don't.
"If you're not going to talk, then I'm out of here. Just being around you brings down my mood."
Keahi turned around to leave, but Olivia gripped onto is arm. Sure, that he would resist her touching him, she gripped on tighter. Astonishingly, he didn't pull away. Instead, he chuckled and turned around to look at her; towering over her just as he had then. Back when they were younger, she had thought it was charming, but after that happened, just thinking of him towering over her made her nauseous. The last time that she had grabbed onto him, he had shrugged her off. When she asked why he was doing this, he had given excuse after excuse. Each one more brutal than the last. After the final stab, all the color had drained from life. She couldn't look at herself in the mirror without thinking about everything that he had said.
"We need to talk." Olivia said, trying to prevent her voice from cracking.
Keahi laughed.
"You? Talk? You're not going to run away?"
"You're a strong woman."
"Yer strong, Harper-chan. Don't let anyone tell ya different."
"You're a strong woman. I can tell."
"You're a good person. Strong. Don't let anyone tell you different."
"She's stronger than ya think."
All her friends' words flooded through her mind; Reina. Kazuma. Goro. All their words cheering her on and assuring of her strength.
Let's see if you're right.
"I'm not running away from you anymore."
"Good." Keahi said.
Olivia heard the shuffling behind her, Kiryu and Majima not knowing what was going on. In a way she was thankful, this was a conversation that's been a long time coming between the two of them. If it had to be conducted in a public place, then it would be better if no one was around to understand.
"Why would you do that to me?" Olivia asked.
"You were too clingy."
"We were friends. All of us; you, me, Ethan." Olivia said. "Or was that another lie? Another joke?"
Keahi clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"No, actually. That wasn't. We were friends." He sighed. "Then you got too clingy."
"I needed you." Olivia said. "Ethan had just died! I needed someone there!"
Keahi shrugged his shoulders, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Ethan died. It had nothing to do with me. People die."
"Ethan was our friend!" Olivia yelled.
"What does that matter?! People die!" Keahi retaliated. "Just because you needed me doesn't mean I needed you!"
Olivia choked on the air and swallowed the lump that was growing in her throat.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Keahi rolled his eyes.
"You needed me. I didn't need you. I had other friends. After Ethan died, I didn't turn into a parasite like you did."
"A… A parasite?" Olivia's voice cracked.
"Yeah… A parasite. You heard me." Keahi sighed. "You latched onto me and sucked away my friends from my life!"
"So, I wasn't good enough anymore…?" Olivia asked, tears in her eyes.
"You weren't ever good enough by yourself."
Olivia closed her eyes and furrowed her brows.
"Is that… why you did what you did?"
"Part of it." Keahi laughed. "You think I didn't notice?"
"…"
"You weren't exactly subtle." He laughed again and shrugged. "Couldn't have you constantly hanging around, so I had to improvise."
"Embarrassing me in front of everyone was improvising?!"
"Be thankful that's all I could come up with." Keahi shook his head.
"What else could you have done?" Olivia laughed. "There was nothing else you could've done to me."
"I'm sure I could've thought of something. Doesn't matter. It worked."
"Was it worth it?" Olivia asked, balling her hand tighter into a fist.
"To keep a leech like you off me? Absolutely." Keahi nodded to Kiryu and Majima who were still standing behind her.
Anger. That's what this is. The pain is gone.
"Who are these goons? Your latest meal?"
Olivia laughed and shook her head,
"They're friends."
"Heh, that right?" Keahi raised his brows. "Watch out for her. She likes to suck people dry."
"… They don't understand you, Keahi." Olivia said. "They don't speak English. Did you forget where you're at, you dumb fuck?""
"… What did you just call me?"
Olivia slammed her camera into her bag and took a step towards him.
"You heard me." This was it. This anger. It was the emotion that she'd been needing since that day. The need to show her strength and realize that he couldn't hold her back. "You know who the pathetic one is here? The one who always has been? You."
"…"
"You were the one who decided to embarrass a girl at prom. You were the one who decided to spread all those rumors to better yourself!" With each accusation, she took a step closer. When she couldn't get any closer, she pushed Keahi away. "You were the one who couldn't comfort someone. You were the one who let me feel needed just to take it away. It was all you!"
"… Is that what you think?"
"That's what I know. You know what, I pity you." Olivia laughed. "You're the pathetic one."
"Your 'friends' over here been putting ideas in your head? They look about as insane and desperate for attention as you are." Keahi asked. He pushed her aside and Olivia's fists tensed even further. "You've got one of here that looks like he's taken one too many steroids," She took a step closer to Keahi, but his back was turned to her, "and the other is over here that's a fashion starved cyclops."
When Olivia and Keahi were younger, he hated how long his hair was. He used to say that he would cut it when they got older. She had never been so happy for him not to follow through with a choice in her life. She reached up and pulled at his hair, sending him coming back to her and slammed her fist into his face, sending him to the ground, gripping onto his nose. Olivia took a step closer to him, still writhing on the ground and for the first time in their relationship, she had the higher ground, so it was her turn to look down on him.
"…Say whatever you like about me. Don't drag my friends into it." Olivia said and gestured to Kiryu and Majima. "They know what friendship is. Their appearances don't matter to me. I know what's inside of them; how caring and amazing they are. These men are the best thing that has ever happened to me."
"…"
"If it wasn't for you doing what you did to me, I never would've met Kazuma and Goro." Olivia held her head up high. "Your betrayal pushed me into something that I'd been wanting for a long time. While I thank you for that, I can promise you one thing, Keahi Mah'ai."
"…" Keahi held onto his nose and for the first time, he looked… afraid of her. No. He knew that his taunts couldn't do anything more to her.
"Remember their faces. If you come near me or my friends ever again, I'll break your nose so hard that they won't be able to repair it."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, Keahi Mah'ai. That's a promise." Olivia jutted her chin in a different direction. "Leave."
A feeling of relief and peace unlike none she ever felt before rinsed away almost all the black and white leaving her with a nearly complete life canvas. Olivia watched Keahi leave, disappearing. Out of her life. For good this time. Keahi wouldn't hold her back anymore. Never again. Not from herself or anything else. Olivia turned around and saw both Kazuma and Goro staring at her. She smiled and waved at them before taking her camera back out of her bag and lining it up and snapping a picture of the tree. It felt like more than just a picture of a tree made from Christmas lights. This picture marked the steps of the freed Olivia Harper. Not everything was going to be peachy from here on out. She was going to have her issues and get depressed, but… Olivia turned back and went to her friends to show them the photo she had just snapped. With Kiryu and Majima at her side, she felt like she'd be able to do anything. That's the friendship she had needed from Keahi back then.
"…" Kiryu looked at her and frowned.
"…Ya alright?"
Olivia nodded.
"I haven't felt this good in a long time. Thanks for worrying about me. I mean it. I appreciate it a lot. Oh wait a minute…"
I wish you understood English just this once so I could properly thank you for everything.
"I feel better than have in long time. Thank you for worry about me. It make me happy. I am grateful. Just… thank you for all you done."
"But… Harper-chan," Kiryu said petting her hair. "we haven't really done anything."
"You done everything for me." Olivia smiled brightly and looked at them. "Okay! We go eat now!"
Olivia followed her friends, assuring them multiple times along the way that she was indeed fine. It was a relief, also sad in a way to confirm what she had thought back then from Keahi. That sadness would heal though. Now that everything was open and the infection cleansed from her body, those wounds would stitch up and she would heal. They may not even leave scars. Looking at Majima and Kiryu on either side of her, she knew it wouldn't leave any scars. Majima gestured to a door and walked into the bar. The bartender looked rather bored. Everyone was out as a couple or as friends eating for Christmas. Tomorrow, they would have their Christmas feast and enjoy everything to the fullest. Feeling slightly guilty, she had dragged Kiryu and Majima into her past problems, she decided to buy the first round. Each of them sat in one of the leather chairs, talking and drinking.
"So, Kitten."
"Mm?" Olivia asked, working on her second glass.
"Are ya gonna tell us what happened?"
"Majima-san…" Kiryu shook his head.
"No, it fine." Olivia nodded. She tried to figure out where the best part would be to start. Part of her wanted to paint the worst picture of Keahi she possibly could, but that wouldn't be telling the whole story. No. There were good times with Keahi, and she would cherish those. Trying to separate the man she had seen from the boy that she knew would be the challenge; but she would work on it so she could smile when thinking about him as a child and focus on that.
"… Are you sure?" Kiryu asked.
"Yes." Olivia adjusted in her chair. "Keahi and I been friends for… long time. We both were friends with Ethan. It just the three of us. When we get to middle school, we grow apart. Keahi was good in surfing. Many people on team want to be his friend and popular people too. Ethan and I not popular. We not Hawaiian. So, it a little harder to make friends. I… liked Keahi from young age. Even to high school. Keahi got distant in high school and start to really change. There a dance in America called 'prom'. It something all girls get excited about. Ethan and I going to go together as friends, but he go to army. He apologize lots, but it was okay. I understand. But, Keahi call house once day before prom. He… said he want to take me."
God I was such a stupid teen.
"So, I say yes. For many months I been trying to talk to him. Try to repair broken friendship. Somehow it got broken, and I not know what to do. We been friends for long time, so I felt bad. It had something do with me. I felt that. So, I try to repair. When Keahi called to ask for prom, I got very happy. I get to be with my friend and guy I liked. It was win-win. I got in dress, heels, had hair and makeup done, and went. Keahi said he meet me there."
I just wanted my friend back.
"I not live far from school, so I walk there. And wait. And wait. And wait. I wait for long time. Many minutes had passed until I supposed to meet Keahi. Our town not big, but we have cars. I worry he got hurt. I wait longer. Finally, I walk inside—he had told to wait outside—to ask if anyone heard from him. He uh… he inside with girl… When I walk inside, everyone there. I got laugh at… and made fun of. Lots. Keahi look at me and ask 'did you really think you were special to me?'. At time, I did. But… I knew once he say I wasn't. I find at school and ask why he did. His girlfriend come and say 'don't you get it? it was for pity.'."
"…" Olivia looked and saw both Kiryu and Majima eyeing their glasses.
"I was sad for long time. It felt like world lost all color. Especially when Ethan die too. Even after, I try to be friends again. Ethan and Keahi were only friends… so when Ethan gone—but it okay now."
"How is that okay?" Kiryu asked.
"Because I have you two." Olivia smiled. "My best friends."
"Aw, how touchin'." Majima said. "Ya know, that's not the only kinda touchin' we like."
"Okay, change mind. You're not friend now."
"That ain't fair!" Majima said. "Kiryu-chan is the same way!"
"Kiryu not." Olivia laughed and thanked the bartender when he brought their food by. "Cheers!" Olivia held up her glass and clinked it with her friends'.
Olivia slowly opened her eyes to a mere squint. The light was making it hard to see with her already hazy vision. Her head was as cloudy and foggy as her vision. It wasn't a bad feeling though, kind of like being on a cloud. A very comfortable cloud. Even though she hated opening her eyes for the mornings and would rather it be afternoon or evening when she did, she couldn't complain too much that morning. She had slept like a rock and she was warm. Perhaps she could skip a few steps in her morning routine. Olivia stretched in the bed, feeling her back pop in various places. That was one of the bad things about staying in the same spot for so long when you slept; the back would be hurting. Just sleep a little while longer. That would be okay. Surely Kiryu and Majima wouldn't get aggravated at her for sleeping longer. She stuck her arm back under the blanket and closed her eyes.
Olivia tried to get comfortable but realized that something was in her way. In her tired state, she tried to move it. When she touched it however, it felt strange. Then she realized it kept traveling upwards and reached behind her. She stretched to try and remove what had fallen over when she was sleeping but stopped instantly. What the hell? She reached behind her and ran her hand along the item behind her back. She opened her eyes, sat up on her elbow and turned, stopping instantly. Goro Majima lay behind her with her back pressed firmly against his chest and an arm wrapped around her abdomen; sleeping peacefully.
