tO eXPLAIN iN dUE tIME
cHAPTER 7
[I don't know why]
Tonight would have been exactly two months since Shigeru's accident. What am I saying, would have been? Shigeru's still around. The unshakeable Shigeru has been healing nicely. The re-opened wounds he'd sustained in the fight with Rocketto Dan had fully healed, there was no more than the usual amount of poison in Shigeru's system (I know, I should be nice…), and he…well, Shigeru has one little reminder of that dreadful night.
The only thing is that he can't remember it.
Uh-huh, that's right. Remember when Shigeru got that nasty bump on his head? Not like that, baka! I mean this in a completely tasteful way and…Oh why do I bother? At any rate, Shigeru had a slight injury to his skull (better?) and the fall he took off of Mara's back didn't help. When he lost consciousness that last time, it was the last he'd really see of us that he'd remember. Nurse Joi told us that he might get his memory back, but she didn't know when or if he really ever would.
So it was primarily up to us to help him out.
Who are we? Well, there's Ookido-Hakase (that's Shigeru's Grandfather, if you didn't know), and then Satoshi, Takeshi, and Kasumi.
And me, Hiroshi. Yup, I'm still around, much to Kasumi's dislike. I don't know why she doesn't like me around, but I'm not one to try to ask someone like her. I'm not crazy.
There you have it. It's nearing the summer months, when the sun decides to rise earlier each morning (keep your mind out of the gutter, I'm trying to do this nice like), and the bird-Pokemon that can sing, do sing, and they do it loudly.
I don't mean they do it It loudly, just that….Nevermind.
Satoshi and his mom, Hanako, offered to let me stay in their residence for a while, since I had decided to stay on in Masara to see if Shigeru got any better. I wish I had decided to stay on in Ookido-Hakase's residence instead. Satoshi's home had four bedrooms. One for Hanako, one taken by Kasumi, one was Satoshi's, and the other was shared between Takeshi and I. Luckily there were two twin beds, because I didn't like sleeping on a floor pallet.
And no, get it out of your mind about any funny stuff between Takeshi and I. Honestly, people…
Right now though, I was wishing the bedroom wasn't so close to the bathroom. The one with the full-sized shower in it. The rather large bathroom with white tiles and, although tastefully decorated by Hanako, currently occupied by Kasumi. The red-haired girl might swim like the most elegant of water-type Pokemon, but her singing was more like the mating call of a Gyarados. And if you've never heard that, consider yourself a very lucky soul indeed.
Kasumi's off-key voice (which wasn't distorted in the least by the falling water of the shower) echoed in the bathroom, streamed through the wall, and into my shared room like a Ghastly after a…whatever Ghastly's chase. I ducked under my pillow, pulled the sheets up high, and prayed it would block out the noise. Unfortunately, the pillow and sheets only muffled out the slight snoring sounds Takeshi was making, and amplified the horrible croaking Kasumi was making.
Knowing I couldn't possibly win against the sun streaming through the vertical blinds, Takeshi's snoring, and Kasumi's singing, I sat up. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I sat there for a moment and blinked. I looked at the alarm clock, looked away, and the back again.
Why me? It's only 7:30 am!
With a small grumble, I stood up and quickly changed from my sleeping wear into some jeans and a t-shirt that I pulled from my borrowed dresser. I dragged a comb through my blond, matted locks and sighed. There was no fixing this mess. Maybe I should shave it off….Nah that would just look odd. Ooh, but so tempting on mornings like this. After straightening the sheets of my bed, I slipped out of the room, closing the door gently behind me. Takeshi would need his sleep. He'd been up late last night working with Satoshi.
Not like that! Jeez…
Takeshi and Satoshi had been working on plans to get Shigeru's memory back. Satoshi had actually come up with the most clever idea of using Shigeru's Alakazam to access Shigeru's memory. Takeshi had only "Hmm'd…" over the idea, but Ookido-Hakase had agreed with Satoshi. The older man had gone straight for a vid-phone to call up Natsume in Yamabuki. I'd gone to sleep soon after, but the general gist of it was that Natsume had agreed and would be in Masara in the morning.
The stairs were quiet as I crept down. I really didn't need to, since Hanako and her Bariyaado were already up and preparing breakfast for everyone. The scent of eggs, bacon, and pancakes were among the scents I recognized. There were many others that I didn't know of, but smelled fabulous. I entered the kitchen and smiled at Hanako.
"Good morning, Hiroshi!" She said cheerily. With a spatula in hand, she directed me to sit at the table. "What will you have for breakfast?"
"Could I have some pancakes and bacon?" I asked. Quietly I wondered if Hanako was psychic, for food seemed to appear before me. Plates with mounds of pancakes, bacon, and fluffy eggs. Breakfast muffins, fruit tarts, and pastry puffs. Then came beverages: Water, tea (both iced and hot), fruit juices, and what looked like sake.
"Is this…?" I asked, holding up the corked bottle.
"Oh my!" Hanako blushed as she snapped the bottle away. "Bad Bari-chan! This is for special occasions!"
"Bari ba!" The Pokemon apologized.
"Think nothing of it," The woman tittered, putting the bottle in a lower cabinet. "Out of sight, out of mind."
"This isn't all for me, is it?" I asked, looking around. It was enough to feed all of Masara!
"Oh no!" Hanako laughed. "Don't forget about Satoshi's appetite. He should be here any second."
There was a sudden pounding of feet and Satoshi appeared. The dark haired boy leapt into one of the chairs and started scooping up mounds of food.
"You'd better hurry, Hiro-chan! Satoshi will eat everything!" Hanako sniffled suddenly. "My baby does have such an appetite."
Kasumi joined us soon after Satoshi made his appearance. Half of the food was gone, mostly the bacon, pancakes, and pastry puffs, but Kasumi managed to grab a few pancakes and a muffin. "May I have some coffee?" She asked pleasantly.
Bariyaado darted forward with the coffee, placing some sugar and cream nearby, and dashed off to sweep somewhere.
Kasumi had put her hair in a bun, but a few strands had escaped her grasp and since they were still slightly wet, they curled. "Hiroshi."
"Yes!" I squeaked out after jumping half a mile.
She grinned slightly. "I was just wondering if you knew if Shigeru would be coming over this morning."
"Why would I know?" I asked, puzzled. "Takeshi or Satoshi would know."
"Oh," She blinked. "Didn't you stay up with those two? I know they were up late last night."
One, two, three…I knew I'd have to count to ten because I know what you people are thinking. It's not funny, so stop laughing! Honestly.
"Hiroshi?" Kasumi asked. "You spacing out over there?"
"I apologize, Kasumi." I said. "I didn't get much sleep last night."
It was a lie though. I had slept fine and it was actually the best sleep I'd gotten in a long while. I think it was a feeling of peace, what with Natsume coming over.
"Honestly, Hiroshi!" Kasumi fumed. "A girl would think you're not paying attention to her!"
Satoshi mumbled something, but it was lost in a mouthful of pancake.
"Don't speak with your mouth full, Satoshi!" Hanako admonished. "It's ill mannered of you."
Satoshi gulped and took a swing from his iced tea, "Sorry! I was just saying that Natsume should be here any minute. She told Ookido-Hakase that she'd be here at ten."
I took a look at my wristwatch. It's was ten till. Standing up, I carried my plate to the sink. Hanako took it from me with a smile.
"Where are you going, Hiroshi?" Kasumi asked. It sounded more like an accusation.
"Outside. I need a little fresh air." I said, leaving the room as I spoke. To be truthful, I just needed to get away from Kasumi. Her constant glaring at me was very irritating. I hesitated by the front door, and ran upstairs. Before Natsume came, I wanted to grab a quick shower.
Ten minutes later, a very human feeling me stepped out of the bathroom. Despite having had to use one of Kasumi's shampoo's (a kiwi scented thing), I felt reasonably good. Much better than earlier. Plus I was somewhat excited at the thought of Shigeru regaining his memory. It's just been really strange having a nice Shigeru. It has been hard seeing such a normally arrogant person being nice and even considerate.
Personally, it's easier to deal with Shigeru when he's himself.
Just what am I talking about? Take a few weeks ago for example. I was with Shigeru in the field Ookido-Hakase has for the Normal Pokemon; filled with Eevee, Sentret, Meowth, creatures like that. I had been playing "Chase the String" with a Meowth that was faster than I thought and had gotten my arm scratched. So there I am, blood welling down my arm, and who comes to my rescue? No, it wasn't Anna Kournikova. Not like I would have minded that, but it wasn't Anna.
It had been Shigeru. Instead of standing above me with a sneer and a disdainful wave, he knelt by me and used his headband for a makeshift bandage. No, he wasn't trying to imitate Kenji; he had been using it as a sign to people. The headband said, "I'm studying something important so please don't bother me." He had been meditating on a boulder in the middle of the field. Apparently, Shigeru had used that rock many times for meditating. At least, according to Ookido-Hakase. Shigeru had no recollection of it at all.
The cut hadn't even been very deep, or even life threatening. It was just a scratch, but it bled like there was no tomorrow. I wasn't even really worried about it, but Shigeru acted like it was the end of the world. I guess the sight of blood may have subconsciously reminded him of his own injury and maybe he wanted to help out. Maybe. Or maybe it's just the kind of person Shigeru wants to be, but feels like he has to hide. He's got that facade of arrogance and superiority about him, and I guess he feels that it's how people see him and that to change would be unthinkable.
I wish he would change. If more people saw Shigeru like this, then maybe his life would be better. Maybe it's best for us all, Shigeru included, if he didn't get his memory back.
"Hiroshi?"
I jumped, again I jumped. This was getting a bit embarrassing. I'd have to not get so deep in thought, or people would think a Slobro had a faster reaction time. "Yes?"
Hanako walked up to me, "Natsume is here…She's in the kitchen."
"Domo, Hanako-san," I smiled. "Is Shigeru here too?"
"Yes," She said, then she frowned. "He looks a bit preoccupied."
"Really?" I asked. "That's unusual."
"Mmm, but these days, I wonder if it isn't the real Shigeru." She shrugged and walked down the stairs.
Maybe Hanako is more psychic than I thought. I smiled. With a shrug of my own, I walked down the stairs. My hair was still such a mess and I wished I hadn't gotten rid of my hat. I wish I at least had Chuchino. Leave it to him to want a small vacation.
Well, wasn't that interesting? More in the next chapter of...tO eXPLAIN iN dUE tIME!