NeonHorizon: This is going to sound really weird, but I think Airi might actually be one of my most responsible characters.
"You're such a good big sister, Airi!"
Her eyes narrowed upon Koma, stopping his laughter immediately. On the walk to Anteiku, there was a sudden thunderstorm and it resulted in everyone getting drenched. She was towel drying Isamu's long black hair and the child's face burned with humiliation at Koma's teasing. "Some people are responsible," she murmured. Airi finished drying the boy's hair and was about to use the towel on her own hair when a fresh one was dropped over her head.
"Give me that one," a voice said from behind her, taking the wet towel.
She bit at her lip piercing and dried her hair, feeling embarrassed as well now. The second towel was taken from her hand and she frowned. "Thank you, Yomo-san."
"Why are you being so formal? I thought you two were an item."
Again, she shot a glare in Koma's direction. Airi shook her head and led Isamu over to where Hinami was sitting with Touka and Kaneki. When she returned to the counter, she gave the older ghoul a stern look. "I don't care if you tease me, but don't drag Isamu into it."
"I wasn't even trying to mess with him. I thought you guys were related. He kind of smells like you."
Not quite ready to deal with this, she turned away and checked the time on her phone. I have to go to Helter Skelter soon. I need to get there before Uta so I can talk to Itori and explain everything. She glanced toward Yomo, who was returning from putting away the towels. "I'm…going to talk to Itori-chan."
"I'm going with you," the pale-haired ghoul immediately stated. "Wait here. I'll get an umbrella."
Koma leaned against the counter, watching Yomo walk to a back room. "Hey. You know, he really likes you. I know you like hanging out with Uta, but maybe you should rethink things. I mean, Yomo used to come in and ask about you all the time before you guys connected."
"…I know…" she quietly replied. Airi shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, bowing her head. "I have something I need to deal with and that's part of why I'm seeing Itori-chan tonight. I hope she can help me."
"Well, good luck. Just be clear about whatever you decide on and be careful."
Airi said her farewells to the younger ghouls and began the walk to the bar alongside Yomo. They were close together, both trying to stay dry under the umbrella that he held. She tried to maintain a blank expression, not wanting to show her nervousness. Being close to him, of course, reminded her of what had happened that morning. She felt guilty again and fidgeted with one of her bracelets on her left wrist. I have to stay calm, she reminded herself. I'm not going to lose my nerve. I'm not going to let this keep going the way it is. I have to take control and do what's right. Well…what I'm pretty sure is right.
Her thoughts were broken when she felt a warm hand gently grasp one of hers. The female ghoul bowed her head and frowned. His hold was warm and reassuring, but at the same time it made her feel guilty. The rain pattered down around them in a pleasant, continuously background noise. She almost wanted to just go home and avoid what was to come, but it was out of the question.
They were a few blocks away from the bar when she paused in her steps and simply stood on the sidewalk, staring out at the rainy evening from beneath the umbrella. The man beside her frowned, his expression becoming almost one of concern. "Airi?"
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Lifting her grey-blue eyes to meet his gaze, she felt blood rush to her cheeks. He looks so worried. It makes my chest feel tight when he looks this way. I have to do this though. Airi gave his hand a light squeeze. "Can I…meet you at home? I need to do something and I won't be gone for long. I just know that I'll need someone to be waiting at home for me…please."
Yomo's frown deepened, the concern in his eyes increasing. "Are you sure that you want to go alone?" While she had not told him what she had to do, he had a good idea of what it was. The fact that she referred to her apartment as 'home', including him, made him happy though.
"I'm sure." Airi leaned up and surprised him with a quick kiss to his cheek. They parted ways and she continued to Helter Skelter at a brisk pace. Worry gnawed at her stomach the closer she got to the bar and by the time she stepped inside, she wondered at how she was able to keep her most recent meal down.
Itori greeted her with a hug right away and gestured at the bar counter. "I know you wanted to have some girl talk before he got here, but U-chan showed up early."
Airi looked past her at Uta, who was sitting at the bar with a smile directed at her. The female ghoul felt her heart skip a beat and avoided his gaze, blushing faintly. It's like he knew and wanted to stop me from asking her for help. But he couldn't have known, right? She moved to sit on the seat beside his and found his arm wrapping around her to pull her back against his chest.
Uta nuzzled against the side of her neck, the tip of his nose brushing over her skin as he took in her scent. "I knew you would come," he whispered. "Sorry to interrupt your girl talk. I just wanted to see you again and I didn't want to wait."
The arm tightened around her waist and Airi closed her eyes. "W-we just saw each other this morning," she muttered.
"I didn't want you to leave." His lips pressed a few small, soft kisses on her pale, exposed skin. "Renji is stubborn, isn't he?"
"Hey, don't take it too far with that lovey-dovey crap in my bar," Itori scolded. She poured two glasses of blood from one bottle and then poured a glass for Airi from another. "So what's up? U-chan said that you stayed the night last night. Are things getting that serious between you two?"
Airi gently pulled free and took the seat next to his, looking down at her glass as he spoke to Itori. It's for the best. I have to do this, she reminded herself. "I-I'm sorry, but I just…I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now," she blurted out.
Itori and Uta both looked over immediately. "What do you mean?" the other woman asked. "You and U-chan just had a great night together, right? Why do you suddenly think that you're-?"
"It's alright, Itori." Uta tilted his head, his expression one of curiosity, but his red and black eyes were still intimidating. "Airi. What's wrong?" She bit at her lip piercing, her gaze avoiding his. The male ghoul leaned over, lifting her chin with his hand and urging her to look at him. "Is it Renji?"
Her face heat up instantly and she was unable to fight back the blush. Without a word, he leaned closer to let his free hand rest on her forearm, over her raven tattoo. "I-I'm sorry, Uta…I'm just not ready to commit. I need to focus on my classes…my artwork…doing shifts at Anteiku…"
"Hm? Airi, am I really that much of a distraction?" he teased.
"Uh…I-I just…um…"
"So after graduation, you'll be ready?" Itori spoke up again.
"R-right! After I've graduated, I'm sure I'll be able to make an important decision like that!" Airi agreed.
Itori laughed and patted Uta's shoulder. "Just make sure you don't take too long! U-chan might get snatched up by another girl!"
When Airi left the bar, the rain had lightened to a slight drizzle. She stood outside for a moment, alone, and took a moment to enjoy the smell of the rain. Itori had given her one glass of "cruelty-free" fermented blood and it left her body warm and feeling pleasant. She pulled up her hood and pushed her hands into her pockets, starting on her walk back to her apartment.
That went better than I expected, she thought with a half-smile. I thought that Uta would argue with me. Or that Itori would. Maybe they really do understand. She paused at a street corner, sniffing quietly at the air for any trace of Tsukiyama. The rain decreased her sense of smell and it made her a little nervous. If a ghoul or an investigator decided to target her, it would be much more difficult to avoid attack without seeing them first. She looked over her shoulder and frowned. There was no one behind her, but she still began to feel a little uneasy as she remembered Tsukiyama's actions the previous day.
It still angered her that he had gone to her art instructor and basically bribed her to force Airi to work for him. He was absolutely determined to eat her and was willing to go to any lengths to make it happen. She briefly wished that she had made Yomo stay with her and walk her home. Yomo. I still have to tell him. I'm really not ready for a relationship. I've never dated before in my life. I'm still in college. I have a lot going on so…it would stupid for me to try to get into a committed relationship with anyone. Especially when I have feelings for both of them.
Airi continued on down the sidewalk for a few blocks until she felt a chill run down her spine. A quick glance over her shoulder showed someone in the distance. Rather than chance them being an attacker, Airi began to run. Her heart raced as she heard their footsteps come charging after her, splashing through puddles. No! Who is it? What are they?! The feeling of a grasping hand skimming her shoulder made her duck and roll, sprinting off down an alley the second she had straightened.
The figure was close behind and she could feel fear coursing through her veins. This did not feel like a friendly person trying to get her attention. It did not feel like when Yomo came to take her home. This felt closer to when Tsukiyama hunted her down in the alley. Like the time those ghoul thugs had bitten into her kagune and tried to harm her. This was danger.
She knew that it was not a dove though; they would have said something by this point. They would have shouted at her to submit or they could have attacked to try to weaken her. This was another ghoul and a deadly one. Airi struggled to get to her phone in her pocket, wanting to call Yomo for help. The second that her phone was out, a hand grabbed hers and forced her fingers open. The phone fell to the ground, the case cracking, and the female ghoul was slammed against a wall. She hardened her gaze into a glare and prepared to release her kagune.
Black and red eyes stared down at her, a hand gripping her throat gently while the other hand held her wrists over her head. Uta's gaze was intense and instantly made her begin to tremble. "Airi. Why are you running away from me?" She turned her head to the side as much as she could and clenched her eyes shut. He leaned down to her right ear, nipping at what skin was not pierced. "I caught you. So what should I do with you?"
