Part 2
A month later
"So all you have to do is find x." Hatori explained patiently.
Erin made a face, looking at the problem he was pointing to.
She pointed to the paper. "It's right there." She said exasperated.
He gave her a look and laughed. "No Erin the value of x."
She groaned. "Whoever decided to put the alphabet in math needs to be thrown in jail."
He smiled. "You're almost done. I know you know how to do this." He said.
She sighed and went to work on the problem. "27?" She asked timidly.
He nodded. "See? I told you you knew how to do it."
She smiled wide. "I guess I'm not an idiot after all."
He patted her head and got up from the table. "Finish the last two, I'm going to clear the dishes."
She nodded. "Thank you for dinner by the way."
"I should be thanking you. It's nice to have the company." He said, rinsing the dishes off.
She looked around at the quiet house. "Is your dad really never here to eat with you?" She asked.
"Only on the weekends. During the week he doesn't get home till late." He shrugged.
Erin thought of how her family ate dinner together every night. How nice it was for the five of them to eat together.
"That must be lonely." She said sadly.
"I manage. No more questions, work on your problems." He said sternly.
She sighed and completed them.
"So is your dad okay with me being here?" She asked.
"I don't see why he wouldn't be." He said.
She walked over and sat on his counter. "I don't want to intrude. I didn't know if he was okay with you bringing your dates home." She said plainly.
He gave her a look and her face instantly turned red. That totally came out wrong.
"Ah! I didn't mean like this… I didn't mean that we… Um I mean I didn't mean this as a date. I was talking about your other dates. I mean I'm sure you've gone on a lot." She babbled nervously, frantically waving her hands.
He laughed and shook his head. "I've only been on a few myself. However, if I was on a date I wouldn't bring them here."
"Oh… Where would you bring them?" She asked, genuinely curious.
He raised a brow at her, and leaned against the sink. "The places one would usually go on a date I suppose. Haven't you ever been on a date?"
"Well you took me for ice cream that one time, does that count?" She asked.
His eyes widened in surprise. "Wait. No one's ever taken you on a date before?"
"No? Do you actually think guys talk to me?" She laughed.
He blinked at this. What the hell was wrong with the guys in her class? Erin was kind, beautiful, and really funny. He enjoyed being around her. He wasn't good at expressing or confronting his feelings but… He liked her.
She was sweet.
He couldn't be the only one who thought this, right?
However… Did he really want other guys hanging around her? He didn't like the idea of that.
"Alright. Well are you free this Friday night?" He said, looking up at her.
"Yeah?" She asked, unsure of where this was going.
"Good. I'm taking you on a date." He said matter of factly.
"HUH?!" She exclaimed in surprise.
He laughed.
"Why would you want to do that?" She asked, her face heating up once more.
"Because you've never been on one, and I want to be the one who takes you on your first date. This way, I know it's as good as you deserve." He said simply.
Butterflies rushed through her as her breath hitched. "I mean… I-If that's what you want." She stuttered.
He smiled. "It is what I want. Now let me check your answers, then I'll take you home."
She nodded. Still not able to form sentences.
He drove her home, making small conversation here and there.
They pulled up to her house and she gathered her things. "Thanks for everything Hatori." She said with a smile.
He returned it. "Thank you as well. Don't forget about Friday. I'll pick you up."
"You don't have to… We can meet at the place. I don't want you to waste your gas." She said timidly.
"Don't be ridiculous. This is a date. I'm picking you up. Besides I'd like to meet your family." He said.
Oh god, meet her family?
"M-Meet my family?" She said, her face paling.
"Well I can't take you on a date without meeting your parents first." He said like it was obvious.
"So when you mean pick me up?" She asked.
"I mean parking my car and going up to your front door to get you." He said.
She inwardly sighed. Welp, guess she had to face the lecture eventually.
"Alright. Don't be late." She said sticking out her tongue.
"I'm never late." He said matter of factly.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow at school." She said, walking back to her house.
She noticed the garage was open. She walked in to see her dad and Jirou working on their project car. "Hey I'm home."
"Hey Sweetheart, You missed an amazing dinner. I finally got the grill up and running" Her dad said happily.
She smiled. "Oh finally? It's only been 2 years." She laughed.
"Hey I was waiting on your brother here to get me the part I needed."
"Oh sure, blame it on me." Jirou laughed, looking over at her. "You eat already? There's leftovers if you're hungry."
She waved him off. "No thanks. I ate."
"Well your mom made pudding. We were waiting on you to eat. Save enough room?" Her dad asked.
She smiled excitedly. "What do you think?"
They went inside to find her mom and Suki laying out the bowls of pudding.
"Hey sweetie, have a nice time at your friends?" She asked.
"Yeah it was fun." She said, grabbing a bowl.
They all sat eating pudding and talking amicably about their days.
How weird it must be for Hatori to never have this.
At the thought of him her face turned red. She'd have to tell them about her plans on Friday.
She looked over to Jirou and her Dad laughing about something.
She inwardly sighed. It was inevitable.
"Hey Mom, um Friday… Is it okay if I go out?" She asked, holding her pudding close to her.
They all looked at her. Her mom paused thinking for a moment. "Sure sweetie.I don't see why not. We don't have any plans for Friday night. Hanging out with friends?" She asked happily.
Erin's face warmed. "You could say that."
"Do you need a ride? I'm off this Friday." Her dad asked.
"Um… No… They're picking me up." She said quietly.
Jirou raised a brow at this. Why was her face so red?
"Oh my god! You're going on a date aren't you?" Suki said excitedly.
At the word "date" Erin's face turned an ever brighter shade of red. "No! Well… I mean… We're just friends."
"Oh my god!! Tell us everything!" Suki said excitedly, grabbing her hands.
"Aw sweetie is this your first date?" Her mom asked excitedly.
She shooed them away. "It's not a date! Well I mean he said it was but… It doesn't count."
"Oh my god! Our little Erin on her first date!" Suki said happily.
"Hold up. No kid is taking my little girl on a date without me meeting him first." Her dad said crossing his arms.
She rolled her eyes. "That's why he wants to pick me up. So he can introduce himself."
Her dad smiled. "Smart man. I like him already."
"Is he in your class?" Suki asked.
Erin glanced at Jirou who was leaning against the fridge. She looked back to Suki. "No… He's um… He's…" The words caught in her throat. God why was this so hard?
"He… He… Well it's actually a funny story… He's in Jirou's class." She said quickly.
They all looked to Jirou who had a look of sudden realization on his face.
Erin knew her older brother better than anyone. She knew she had three seconds before he put two and two together. Three seconds and then she was in for her lecture.
3
2
1
"Erin!" He exclaimed suddenly.
Right on time.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I said avoid Sohma. Not go out with him."
"Well you're not my parent Jirou so mind your business." She said angrily.
"You are my business. You're my little sister. I don't want you to get hurt-"
"Hatori won't hurt me, He's nice." She said, crossing her arms.
Jirou's eyes widened. Since when were they on a first name basis?
"Settle down you two." Their dad said, interjecting.
"Dad, she's 15. You can't let her go on a date with a third year." Jirou said.
"Jirou. I said settle down." His dad said sternly.
He looked over to Erin. "Now Erin… I can see Jirou's point. You're a little young to go out with someone older than you."
"He's only 2 years older than me! He's 17, not 30! Come on!" She said exasperated.
"Let me finish." He said. Erin stared at her feet.
"However, since he wants to introduce himself and you trust him… I'll trust you to make your own decisions." He said.
Her face lit up. "Really?"
He smiled and tousled her hair. "Yeah. But he better be respectful."
"He is."
"Oh man I can't wait to meet him!" Suki said excitedly.
Her mom and Suki asked her questions about what he was like. She answered them excitedly, before noticing Jirou wasn't in the kitchen anymore.
She wilted. How long was he gonna be mad at her?
That night she sat on her bed scrolling through her phone. That's when her phone buzzed as Hatori texted her.
"You left your pencil case at my house. I'll bring it to school with me tomorrow."
She smiled slightly before typing back. "Thanks, sorry."
The three dots appeared as he typed back. "It's alright. It's no trouble."
She laid back, holding her phone above her. "I told my family about Friday."
"How'd that go?"
"How I expected… My dad likes that you want to meet him, but it's my brother that'll take a lot of convincing."
"Well that's why I wanted to meet them, Don't worry it'll be fine. "
"Yeah I know"
"You should head to bed. It's late.You have school tomorrow."
Erin laughed slightly. "Last time I checked so do you, but you're still up :P"
"Goodnight Erin"
She sighed. He was so bossy. "Goodnight Hatori"
She plopped her phone down and ran a hand down her face. She wasn't tired. She had so much on her mind.
She got up and went to Jirou's door. His light was still on, so he was definitely awake.
She knocked lightly.
"Come in."
She walked in and he glanced at her, before staring back to his tv. "Whats up?"
"Are you mad at me?" She asked.
He sighed, finally pausing the video game he was playing. He looked over to her. "I'm not mad. I'm just upset you didn't listen to me."
"Jirou."
"I worry about you. Guys my age are assholes. A lot of them just go after first year girls because they think they're easy. I don't want that happening to you. You're too trusting of people. Remember middle school?" He asked.
She sighed and sat on his bed. Of course she remembered. She had made friends with this group of girls, who ended up bullying her relentlessly. One day they thought it funny to cut a section of her hair off.
Jirou had been the one who found her crying behind a tree. She had been too ashamed to go home.
She ran the section through her fingers. It was still shorter than the rest of her hair.
"Jirou, I'm not in middle school anymore. Can't you just trust me?" She said, resting her chin on her palm.
He inhaled sharply. "I do trust you. It's him I don't trust."
"Just give him a chance. Pleeeeasssee?" She asked, pulling at his sleeve.
He sighed. Like he could say no to her. "Fine. He gets one chance. One."
"Yay! You're the best!" She said, hugging him tightly.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go to bed, it's late." He said, patting her head.
"Alright." She said smiling. "I'll see ya in the morning."
He watched her leave and released the breath he was holding.
Him and Hatori were definitely going to have a conversation.
o-o-o-o-o-o
"No way, You're taking her on a date? Like a real date?" Kazu said excitedly.
Hatori smiled slightly, pulling his textbooks from his locker.
"Well, she's never been on a date before. Which surprises me. What's wrong with guys?" Hatori asked, shutting his locker.
"Why are you asking me? Like I know what 15 year old guys think." Kazu laughed.
"Funny, considering you act like one." Hatori said flatly.
"Ha ha, very funny." He said, nudging him. "You ready to meet her family? They might be a little weirded out about you being a third year and all."
Hatori nodded. "I'm sure I can handle her parents.My father parades me around to all his important medical conventions and dinners. I know how to act around adults. However…" He said trailing off.
"What?"
"She apparently has an older brother."
"Uh oh. Brothers can be worse than dads sometimes. She gotta brother complex?" He asked, unwrapping a lollipop.
Hatori looked at him questioningly. "Kazu, I don't even know what that is."
"God you need to get your head out of those medical books and pay attention." He said, shaking his head. "Okay so who is he? Does he go to school here?"
Hatori shrugged. "I never asked."
Kazu rolled his eyes and stuck the lollipop in his mouth. "Well that doesn't help us one-"
"Sohma."
Kazu and Hatori looked over at Jirou walking over to them.
"White, what do you need?" Hatori asked, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"We need to talk. I'm sure you know what about." He said sternly, crossing his arms.
Hatori glanced up at him and frowned. He hated that White was taller than him. It was only by two inches at the most, but it still bothered him. He was used to being the tallest out of his friends.
However, he could look past it for now. The real question was what on earth did he want to talk to him about?
"I assure you I have no idea what you'd want to talk about. If it's about classwork-"
"Don't play stupid with me."
Hatori blinked, trying to figure this out. What was he missing here?
Jirou scoffed. "What do you want with her?"
"Who?"
"Damnit! Who do you think? Erin, that's who. What do you want with her?" He asked, clearly losing his patience.
Hatori stood up straighter and narrowed his eyes. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
Jirou's fist landed on the locker besides him. "Erin is my little sister. So tell me again how what your plans are with her isn't any of my business."
"Oh shit." Kazu muttered quietly.
Hatori's eyes widened in shock.
Jirou White was Erin's older brother? No that can't be. He would've known.
Erin had a different last name her last name was…
Wait, he never asked. She never told him.
He remembered her initials on her pencil case.
E.W
Well, it seemed luck was just not on his side today.
Jirou hated him for whatever reason. They've never been friendly, and Hatori never cared to read into it. However, now he was in this position. Out of every guy in this school, he had to be her brother.
He stared at him blankly before his words came back to him. "I apologize Jirou. I had no idea you were her brother. She never told me."
Jirou made a face. "Well now you know. So answer my question."
"I assure you I don't plan to hurt her, if that's what you're worried about." Hatori said, attempting to placate him.
Jirou took his fist off the locker and crossed his arms once more. "Good." He said looking at him up and down. "I promised Erin I would give you a chance. One chance. But trust me when I say this. If you're just playing with her because she's younger, and too trusting of others, and you think she's an easy target..." He started before pausing and making eye contact with him. "If you hurt her, I swear you'll have to deal with me. She's been through enough. Understand?" He asked.
Hatori nodded. "Of course."
"Good." Jirou said walking off. "Oh and Sohma."
Hatori looked over at him and Jirou spoke once more. "We're not on a first name basis." He said curtly, walking away.
Hatori sighed and rested his forehead against his locker.
It all made sense now. How did he not realize this earlier?
He remembered the day he was talking to her at the water fountain. Jirou had walked over and told him to get back to class. He remembered the face she had made.
"Busted." She had said.
They even looked similar. They had the same hair and skin complexion. They even both had that same little wrinkle between their eyebrows when they got mad.
Kazu laughed and patted his shoulder. "So what was that about not caring about what White thinks of you?" He sneered.
"Shut up Kazu." Hatori groaned, giving him a nudge.
Kazu laughed. "You sir, are the unluckiest bastard in the whole world. I hope you know that."
Hatori sighed. "I know."
o-o-o-o-o
"So I'm confused." Erin asked, braiding her hair back.
"About?" Hatori asked, watching her do her hair as they walked.
"So does bringing me to this park not count as a date?" She asked looking up at him.
"Well we do homework after school Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Today is Wednesday, but you don't have any homework. So bringing you to the park is more of an outing in the absence of work. Not necessarily a date." He said with a small smile.
"An outing? Wow how special." She laughed.
"Well I guess I could've given you practice problems instead." He said.
She waved her hands. "No, going to the park is way better than that."
"That's what I thought." He smirked.
They walked through the park, the warm June sun shining down on them. "I can't wait for summer break to start!" She said happily jumping up and down.
He nodded. "Yes, but before then we have midterms."
She wilted at his statement. "Right. Midterms, I almost forgot about them." She said sadly.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine. You've gotten a lot better." He said.
Her eyes lit up. "You really think so?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"Well that's good." She said happily. "My sister and brother have an over under goin on whether or not I'll have to do retests again."
Hatori stopped at the mention of him. "About that. You never told me Jirou White was your older brother."
She turned to face him, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, you know him?"
He raised a brow at her. "Jirou and I have been in the same class since middle school. However, I have a feeling you knew this."
She stared at her feet. "He might have mentioned it. After the first day of school when I told him you helped me… Well he said it would be best if I avoided you."
Hatori let out a sigh. "He doesn't like me very much. However, I probably deserve it. I'm not… I'm not a nice person."
Yes he spent most of his time not caring about what anyone thought about him. He was cold and standoffish. He was curt to a lot of his classmates who were probably just trying to be nice.
This was why Kazu was his only friend. He was the only one who wanted to actually put up with him.
"Don't be silly Hatori. You're like, really nice. I promise." She said.
He felt his cheeks warm. They were such trivial words, but for some reason they had so much affect on him.
"Woah, are you blushing?" She asked, leaning towards him.
His eyes widened as he looked away. "Of course not. Don't be ridiculous."
She giggled slightly and walked ahead. "Yeah okay."
She looked back at him. "Oh and Hatori. Don't worry. Jirou's like my best friend, I know him better than anyone. He may act tough but he's a huge softie. He'll come around, I promise."
He went to say something when his phone started ringing.
He looked down and saw Kazu calling him. "Excuse me." He said before answering it.
"Hello?" He said, turning away from her.
Erin shrugged and went to find a way to occupy herself. She looked out onto the grassy park and smiled at the way the sun shone on the grass.
She saw dragonfly's zipping between the flowers and she laughed. She ran through the grass happily. Being stuck inside at school all day was such a drag. It was way too nice outside to be inside.
She ran around chasing birds and bugs.
She was having a great time, but she wasn't watching where she was going.
She ran right into a small ditch causing her left ankle to roll, and sending her to the ground.
"Kazu I can't talk right now. I'm busy." He said glancing at Erin running around in the grass. He smiled and shook his head. She was like a little kid.
"Alright, Alright I just had a question about our English test. Is it tomorrow or Friday?" Kazu asked from the other end of the line.
"Friday." Hatori said, before hearing a pained cry. His eyes widened as he turned around quickly.
He only took his eyes off of her for a second, she couldn't have possibly-
However his thoughts were cut off by the sight of her laying on the grass crying. "Kazu I have to go." He said, hanging up and running over to her.
The pain was instant. Erin gripped the grass as she cried in pain.
Shit.
This wasn't good.
It was fine. She just rolled it. No big deal. She was-
She went to move her foot, but her heart stopped when she realized she couldn't. Tears fell down her face as panic filled her.
"Erin!" Hatori called, finally reaching her. He knelt besides her quickly, assessing her. "What happened?" He asked, his voice filled with worry.
"I-I-I fell! There was a ditch. My ankle… It hurts so bad! I can't move it!" She cried, flailing her arms.
Hatori glanced at her ankle, before looking back at her in full panic mode.
"Erin, it'll be alright. You need to calm down." He said, trying to placate her.
However she didn't calm down. Shit. If she kept freaking out like this and trying to move, she'll hurt herself more.
How could he calm her?
Maybe he could…
He quickly pulled her close to him so he could hold her close. "Calm down. It's okay." He said, his voice steady.
He felt her grip his shirt tightly as she cried into his chest. "It really hurts!" She sobbed.
He could feel her tears wet his shirt, but he didn't release his hold on her. "I know. I just need you to relax. I don't want you to hurt yourself more." He said gently.
She quieted some from his words. He felt her grip on his shirt loosen.
He pulled away slightly, looking down at her. Her eyes were all red and puffy, and she had tear streaks down her face.
His heart broke at the sight. He definitely didn't bring her here so she could get hurt and cry.
Guilt pangned him. He should've been watching her more carefully.
"Let me look at your ankle." He said glancing towards it.
She gripped his shirt tightly once more. "What if it looks really bad?"
"It'll be alright." He said, rolling down her sock. He looked at how her ankle was already starting to swell, and the way it was at an odd angle. He didn't have to guess. He knew it was broken.
He inwardly sighed. He just had to keep calm, less she panics more.
"It doesn't look that bad. I've seen worse. However, you should still see a doctor." He said looking at the time on his phone.
Her face paled. "I-I'm sure I'll be fine. I don't need to go to the doctors."
He gave her a questionable look. Of course she would have white coat syndrome.
"Don't be ridiculous Erin. You need to make sure it gets examined. Come on I'll take you." He said flatly, picking her up off the ground.
Her face warmed as he held her. She felt so small. "But-" She tried to protest, but he cut her off.
"No buts Erin." He said, walking back to his car.
She wanted to protest more, but she was in too much pain.
Hatori swiftly sat her in the passenger seat and buckled her up.
As they drove Erin didn't say anything. All she could focus on was the pain radiating from her ankle. She tried to wipe eyes, but more tears kept coming.
"We're here." He said, getting out of the car.
Her head snapped up. Already?
She looked up at the fancy brick building. It had lots of pretty flowers out front and a fountain as well. She had never been to this doctors office before. It looked really fancy.
"Um… I don't know Hatori. I think it's starting to feel better." She lied.
He ignored her, scooping her back up and bringing her inside.
He sat her down in the posh waiting room and walked off to talk with the woman at the front desk.
Erin looked at all the older people in the waiting room glancing at her. She probably looked disgusting. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were muddy and covered in grass stains.
She attempted to fix her hair while her eyes drifted to Hatori at the front desk. His and the secretary seemed to know each other. "Well he's in with a patient right now, but when he's done I'll let him know you're here." She said.
He nodded and went back over to her, sitting in the chair next to her. He glanced over her. "Are you okay?" He asked.
She nodded quietly. "Yes. I just… I'm such a burden. Making you do this for me."
He waved it off. "It's alright. I don't mind."
They sat in silence for a little bit and Erin grew increasingly nervous. "I look like a mess." She said sadly.
He looked down at her. "It's fine. Nobody will care."
"I care." She mumbled.
He went to say something else when another voice interrupted him.
"Hatori." The deep stern voice said.
Erin looked up quickly to see an older man standing in front of them. He had dark hair and wore glasses. He looked very… serious and stern. She could keep her gaze long, her eyes fell to the floor.
"Dad, I apologize for interrupting your work day. I'm afraid my friend had an accident." Hatori said, standing up.
Erin's jaw hit the floor. Did he just say Dad? This was his father?! He was so intimidating… And she was meeting him looking like this?!
She looked up once more to him staring down at her.
"H-Hi…" She said quietly.
He blinked. "Hello." He said before turning back to Hatori. "Bring her back. I'll take a look at it." He said, walking off.
Hatori carried her back to one of the examination rooms and sat her on the table.
His father followed them in and began washing his hands. "So.." He said looking back at her expectantly.
"Erin." She said timidly.
"Erin. I see. So Erin, what happened?" He asked, drying his hands.
She looked towards Hatori who gave her a nod, encouraging her to tell him.
"Um… I was running at the park. I um… There was a ditch and I rolled my ankle. It really hurts." She said in almost a whisper.
"I see." He said examining her ankle.
She winced as he moved it. "Does that hurt?" He asked. She nodded.
"Can you move it?"
She looked down at her swollen ankle and attempted once more to move it. Nothing. She shook her head.
He jotted something down in his files. "Alright, well I need to take an X-ray, and we'll go from there. Hatori, bring her to the X-ray room." He said curtly.
Hatori nodded and picked her up once more.
"Your arms are going to get tired from lifting me so many times." She said sadly.
He just shook his head. "You're not heavy." He said as they walked to the X-ray room.
"You didn't tell me you were going to take me to see your dad. I look ridiculous." She muttered.
"Well what other doctor would I take you too?" He asked, laying her down on the X-ray table.
Well he had a point there. She should've expected this.
"Hatori go wait in the examination room. We'll only be a moment." His father said.
Hatori nodded curtly and gave her one more look before leaving. She watched him go sadly, wishing he could stay. He was the only thing right now keeping her calm.
"So, you're a friend of Hatori's from school?" His father asked.
She looked up at him surprised. She hadn't expected him to make conversation. "Um… yes. Your… Your son is very kind." She said, staring at her hands.
He smiled slightly as he set up the machine. "He is. I have to say I'm surprised. I've never met any of his friends before."
"Oh! Um I assure you he has lots...Um, everyone wants to be Sohma-senpai's friend. I actually don't know why he wants to be friends with me…" She said, dropping her gaze once more.
He held his gaze on her for a moment more. "I see. Now why don't we get these pictures." He said draping the protective apron over her, signaling the end of the conversation.
He took the photos and before she knew it Hatori was back to take her back to the examination room. "Everything go okay?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yeah although moving it in different positions hurt.
He nodded. "Well that's to be expected."
His father came back in with the photos. "Well, it's definitely fractured." He said, hanging up the X-ray.
Erin gaped at the sight of the cracked bone. Well shit. "You're serious?" She said, looking up at him.
He looked at her slightly surprised by the question. "Well X-rays don't lie." He said matter of factly. "I'm going to put you in an air cast. Wear it for about 6 weeks. Do not walk on it, and ice it often. Ice it for 20 minutes about 4 times a day. I'll also give you crutches to use while you're in school."
Erin made a face and deflated. Great, just what she needed.
He put the brace on her and gave her the crutches.
"Now remember the key here is to stay off of it. If you try to walk on it and move around too much it may not heal right. Understand?" He asked.
She nodded sadly.
"Good. I'll schedule you in 6 weeks to come see me again. I'll see you then." He said, turning to leave.
"Um, Doctor Sohma?" She called, before she could stop herself.
He looked back at her.
Say something idiot. She thought to herself.
"Um… Thank you…For helping me." She said timidly.
He bowed his head. "No need to thank me, I'm just doing my job. I'm glad I could finally meet you Erin." He said, before leaving the room.
His words replayed in her head. Finally meet her? What did he mean by that?
Hatori sighed. "He acts like I have no social skills." He said before turning to face her. "Are you ready? I'd like to get you home. I'm sure I'll have some explaining to do." He said.
She thought back to Hatori's father. He was a lot like him in a way. Stern and serious, but actually really cares about people. She was glad she met him. It was like she understood Hatori just a little bit more now.
She looked back to Hatori gathering her things. "Yeah I'm ready." She sighed.
She definitely would have a lot of explaining to do once she got home.
o-o-o-o-o
Jirou looked up at her the car engine above him. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the various bolts. "I think I need a tork wrench." Jirou said from under the car.
"No, a ratchet would probably work better." His father said.
Jirou pursed his lips. "Well you're the expert so I won't argue with you."
"Hey I'm home." Erin's voice came from outside the garage.
Finally.
"Gee where have you been? Sohma not know how to get you home before dinner?" He asked, rolling out and looking at her.
His eyes widened at the sight before him. She was on crutches and Sohma was standing behind her. "Woah, what the hell happened?" He asked, standing up.
She sighed. "I fell while we were at the park."
Jirou was at a loss for words. He looked at her dirt and grass stained clothes.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you call us?" Their dad asked.
"I'm sorry. I completely forgot." She said, bowing her head.
"It's my fault sir. I should've reminded Erin to call you. I assure you though everything is taken care of. My father is a doctor. I took her to his clinic. She just has a small hairline fracture on her ankle. He did an X-ray and gave her the cast. She also goes back in 6 weeks for him to check it again." Hatori said politely, handing him the papers.
Her father looked over him and then at the papers. He smiled. "Well I'm glad you handled everything. Thank you for taking good care of her." He said.
Jirou saw Erin wince slightly as she adjusted her weight. "Well don't just stand there Erin, let's get you inside." He said scooping her up.
"Jirou I can walk myself." She started to say but he cut her off.
"Nice try, lets go." He said bringing her inside.
This left Hatori and her dad in the garage alone.
"I really do apologize. I should've been more careful and watched her better. I hate to return her hurt." Hatori said sadly.
He rested a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. I'm afraid Erin is quite the clutz. I'm just happy you were able to take care of it. It's very responsible. Hatori Sohma right?" He asked.
Hatori's eyes widened. He forgot to introduce himself. "Yes sir, it's a pleasure to meet you." He said bowing.
"You don't need to do that. I have to say even though this is the first time I'm meeting you, I feel like I already know you. In the past few days you're all Erin's talked about." He said with a laugh.
Hatori felt his cheeks warm. Did she really talk about him that much?
"Why don't you come inside. Have you eaten yet?" He asked.
Hatori shook his head.
"Well don't worry. We got plenty of leftovers. Come in." He said with a smile.
"Erin, you should sit on the couch. I'll get you your food." Jirou said, going to the fridge.
"I'm fine at the table Jirou." She answered plainly.
"Erin! Your clothes are so gross. You should change." Suki said, fixing her hair.
"I don't feel like getting up." She said resting her head on the table.
"Here sweetie let me get you some medicine." Her mom said, walking to the cabinet.
As Hatori and her dad walked in they all looked at them. Hatori felt himself get nervous. It was an odd feeling. One he never usually felt.
"Erin, is this the guy?" Suki questioned.
Erin nodded and Suki smiled. "Oh my gosh he's adorable! You guys do make a cute couple."
At her words, both Erin and Hatori's faces turned red. "Ah Suki, don't be weird!" She exclaimed. She sighed and shook her head. "Hatori this is Suki and my mom. Mom Suki, this is Hatori." She said gesturing between them.
"It's so nice to meet you. Erin's told us so much about you." Her mom said happily.
"Mom! Don't tell him that!" Erin said, her face turning more red.
Hatori nodded, as he removed his shoes. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
"Come sit sweetie, I'll heat you up some food." Her mom said, gesturing for him to sit.
Hatori sat next to Erin at the table as her mom brought them food.
Hatori thanked her and ate up. It was so good. When was the last time he had a home cooked meal? His father was a terrible cook and he didn't have the patience to make fancy meals for himself.
"It's delicious. Thank you." Hatori said.
"Well you're welcome anytime. There's always room at the table for one more." Her mom said happily.
Hatori smiled at the gesture.
They sat at the table and talked and laughed. Erin told the story of her falling and they all agreed she was a big clutz.
Jirou even joined the conversation as well.
Hatori smiled at the atmosphere. So this was what it was like to have a family dinner. He hadn't ever had anything like this. Even when his mom was still alive.
It was nice. He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it.
After he ate he glanced at the clock. "I should be heading home. It was nice meeting all of you. Thank you for dinner." Hatori said, getting up.
"It was nice meeting you as well. Erin never brings guys over." Suki chuckled.
Erin kicked her under the table.
She just laughed.
"Erin, remember what my father said. Ice 4 times a day for about 20 minutes, and no walking on it." He said looking over at her.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." She sighed. She was completely exhausted.
"Don't worry. We'll make sure she stays on top of it." Her father said, patting his back. "Come, I'll walk you out." He said.
Hatori nodded, and tousled Erin's hair before leaving.
Erin watched the two of them leave. "Ugh, Dad better not say anything embarrassing." Erin sighed.
"Don't worry it's not like he's gonna intimidate him. Dad's a softy." Jirou said, getting up.
"Oh yeah well we can't all be mr. tough guy like you now can we." Erin said.
"Well you'll thank me one day. Now come on, I'll carry you upstairs." He said, picking her up.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "See, I told you Hatori is nice."
He sighed. "He's not awful, I'll give him that."
Erin smiled. "See? You just have to get to know him."
"Well if he sticks around long enough maybe I will, but I make no promises." He said matter of factly.
Meanwhile Hatori and her dad walked out towards Hatori's car.
"I apologize again for today." Hatori said, turning to face him.
"Like I said don't worry about it." Her father said.
Hatori nodded and turned to walk to his car.
"Hatori." Her father called.
He turned back to face him. "Yes sir?"
Her father smiled and extended his hand. "Thank you. Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter. I'm really glad she has you."
Hatori looked at him surprised and shook his hand. "Of course sir, but… Well she's actually the one who's taking care of me." Hatori said with a smile.
Her dad smiled before saying goodbye and walking back to their house.
Hatori watched him walk back into the house and smiled.
For some reason, that conversation felt long overdue. He was glad he was finally able to tell him that.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
6 weeks later
"It feels good to finally walk again." Erin said happily, skipping ahead.
Hatori smiled and shook his head. "Well don't be reckless, you don't want to fall again." He said.
He took in the sight of her in her pretty white sundress and matching hair ribbons. She looked so beautiful. The golden summer evening sun traced her outline so perfectly.
"You worry too much." She said, walking along the city sidewalk.
"No, I worry just enough." He said.
"Ugh. Stop hanging around Jirou. You're starting to sound like him." She laughed.
"I don't hang around him."
Erin raised a brow at this. "So were my eyes tricking me today? Cause I seem to remember seeing someone who looks like you at my kitchen table doing summer homework with Jirou."
Hatori smiled slightly. "Yeah well, he hangs around me."
"Oh I'm sure" she said smiling. "I do also have one more question."
"And that is?"
"Why did you wanna take me out to dinner tonight? I mean the food was amazing but…" She asked trailing off.
He smiled and held her hand. "Well since you decided to break your ankle, I never got to take you on that date I promised you."
She looked up at him surprised. "So this is a date?" She asked, her cheeks turning pink.
"More or less. Well at least it's my attempt at one." He said.
She smiled. "Well as first dates go, this is very nice." She said happily.
"Well I'm glad. I'll admit I was actually a little nervous."
She looked surprised. "You get nervous?"
He shrugged. "Occasionally."
They continued to walk down the city street talking and joking around. Hatori couldn't believe how much he could enjoy someone's company. He felt like he could talk to her for hours. He just wanted to learn everything there was to know about her.
They stopped at a quiet playground just as the sun started to set, and the stars came out. She ran over to the swings excitedly, talking about how she hasn't swung on a swing in so long.
He of course smiled at her excitement and followed her over. He grabbed the chains on the swing and swung her gently back and forth while they continued to talk.
"That's funny, I never would've guessed you like spicy foods." She said looking up at him.
"Why not?"
She shrugged. "Because you have a big sweet tooth."
He laughed. "I don't have a sweet tooth. Sweets are bad for you."
"I saw the look on your face when you ate that cake my mom made. Don't lie to me." She teased.
He smiled and pulled the swing close to him. "Alright. I admit, I sometimes indulge myself with a little bit of sugar."
She laughed. "Wow, you glutton."
His eyes fell once again on that strand of hair that always fell in her face.
He gently brushed it away and tucked it behind her ears. "You know I have to tell you. You look beautiful tonight." He said softly.
Her brown eyes looked up at his blue violet ones. "You actually think so?" She asked, her face warming.
"Of course." He said.
"I just don't get it. You could get any girl you want, why pick me?" She asked. She just didn't get it. She was no one special.
He just looked at her and smiled.
"It's because you're my person Erin. Always have been, and always will be." He said before leaning in and gently pressed his lips against hers.
He kissed her softly before pulling away. Her face was red and she had the cutest smile on her face.
It was almost like she didn't know what to say. She just giggled softly and covered her face.
He smiled and laughed as well. "I do have to ask you something."
She uncovered her face and looked up at him.
He held her hands. "Was that your first kiss?" He asked, smiling.
If it was possible for her face to get any redder than it already was, it did. "Um… Maybe…" She said in almost a whisper as her eyes stared at the ground once more.
"Hey, it's alright. You don't have to be embarrassed. It's okay." He said, pulling her close to hold her.
She hid her red face into his chest and he kissed the top of head.
"You too." She said, looking up at him. "You're my person too."
Yes. No matter where. No matter when. Hatori would always be the one.
The one she loved, the one she felt the safest with, the one she cared for the most.
It didn't matter where they were or what life they lived, they would always find eachother.
Always.
The End
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Okay Bonus story is finally done! This was so much fun to write! It was fun writing Hatori in high school.
Of course this story was super fluffy haha. That's kinda the point. I needed a good break of fluff after writing so much drama haha. And like I said before I've been watching a shit ton of Horimiya lately so it got me in the mood to write a cute little high school story haha.
A big thing about this story was their parents. It's really sad because in the main story both of them lost their parents, so they never get to meet each other's parents. I feel like the conversations they have is like their parents finally being relived to meet the people who have done so much for their children. If that makes sense haha.
I also finally finished going through My Winter and completed all the edits I needed to make. So I will be posting the revised versions over the course of this week. So for the constant changing. I just go back and find mistakes and want to flesh scenes out more and add new scenes. It's a never ending project. I sometimes wonder if it will ever be truly done lolol.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this bonus story. I will see you Saturday for the posting of the first chapter of the third and final book! I'm so excited!
See you in the next one!