Tokyo Babylon--The High School Years
by Miyuki Inakamono
AN: Sorry that took so long... In case you were wondering what I've been up to, go read my new series called "MARS." It's long and strange, if you like stuff like that... I need someone to read it and tell me what they think. I would greatly appreciate any comments you have to give on it... Thanks!! Oh, and if you read that, go read "Remix of MARS" by my new accomplice, Shinigami Neko. She's about as strange as I am, and we know how strange I am. Anyway, here's part seven... And guess what? You're gonna hate me at the end.
Part Seven
Subaru took a seat, as Seishirou sat down next to him, pulling the two desks together to create the illusion of a table with two chairs just for them. Seishirou was quite good at illusions, Subaru was well aware of that. In anycase, they began eating in silence, until Subaru decided to pick up the conversation, remembering that he wouldn't have as much time as he would have liked to eat with him. "Seishirou-san, what's wrong?" he asked, opening the top of his salad and ripping open the little pack of Italian dressing gently.
"Aa, had something strange in my memo box this morning and it's been bothering me," Seishirou admited, unwrapping his own salad. He wasn't one for dressing himself, so he began to munch on the lettuce, using the pause to think of how to phrase the feeling he was getting. "It's almost as if," he began, "I know someone's doing this not to be nice as Nozomi-san and Ikenai suggested."
"Ikenai? You mean Danjite-sensei?" Subaru asked, looking up from his plate.
Seishirou nodded. "Hai; we met this morning in the lounge. He seems like a nice fellow... He mentioned how he had you in his French class."
Subaru cringed. "Eeh... French. Not my best subject. I had enough trouble in English..."
Seishirou smiled. "Don't worry; he only had good things to say about you." Subaru sighed as Seishirou continued. "In any case, they said that the teachers usually become 'secret pals' to the new teachers to make them feel more at home." Seishirou reached over to his podium, groping for the envelope that he was sure he had put on the small shelf under it. "As a result," he pulled out the blue stationery, "I had this. It's a simple little card." He handed it over to Subaru, who opened it and began to read.
"That's cute," he said after looking it over and putting it back in the envelope. "As far as it bothering you, couldn't you just ask the Tree?"
"I tried. It won't tell me because I told it not to in the first place, and since my health is not in danger, or so it says, there's no reason for me to worry. But I'm worring anyway."
"Then don't," Subaru answered, acting as the simple voice of blunt reason. It was a blunt statement that made Seishirou want to hit him.
"I can't! It's bothering me for some reason. Every time things bother me, I know something's going to go wrong," he answered trying not to sound exasperated with the younger man.
Subaru looked him over. "Don't get angry with me, Seishirou-san. I'm just trying to help." He returned to his salad. "And it figures, that Tree was never good for anything in the first place. All it ever does is cause trouble."
--I'm quaintly offended, Sumeragi.--
"And why does it talk to me? Could you tell it to leave me alone?" Subaru asked after the Tree's statement. Seishirou heard it as well and was smirking. He thought the Tree and Subaru were quite entertaining... Subaru proved that he didn't agree due to the fact that he kept ranting. "It's not as if I haven't had to deal with it messing my life up enough already. My teenaged years left me long ago. I've had to grow up and face things no normal person should..."
"Subaru-kun," Seishirou interjected, "calm down. It's not that big a deal..."
"You throw what's supposed to be the best time of my life out the window and tell me it's no big deal?! How can you say that?"
"Woah, woah, slow down..." Seishirou answered, still staying calm while Subaru began to raise his voice. "How did we get on this subject? I thought we were just talking about my little letter..."
"Seishirou-isan/i," Subaru sneered, "I've wanted to blurt out things to your face for an incredibly long time. Today, you go through most of the day as if nothing happens between us. Like it means nothing to you. I have had to give up so many things, so many normal things, just to make you happy. I thought that if I make you happy, I'd be happy as well. Do you have any idea what happened to my soul when you told me who you were? What you were?"
"Subaru-kun, you told me it didn't matter..."
"And it didn't!" Subaru sunk into his seat, his eyes glazing over slightly. "Seishirou-san, just tell the Tree to leave me alone."
"...Subaru-kun..."
"Just tell it to leave me alone." Subaru sat back up, returning to his normal self, causing Seishirou to do a double take. "Anyway... Hokuto-chan was here early this morning! Early enough to find me and tease me. I'm not sure why..."
"Subaru-kun, what was that?"
Subaru looked up at Seishirou, turning his head to the side a little. "What was what, Seishirou-san?"
"That right there. The Tree said something and you blow up in my face, then act like it didn't happen." Seishirou peered at him closely. "You're mad at me still," he stated, reading Subaru's soul through his eyes.
Subaru sunk down into the chair some as he had previously. "What does it matter if I'm mad, Seishirou-san?"
"It matters a lot, especially to me, and not just because it's me you're mad at. I care whether or not you're mad, and I don't want you to be. I care about you, Subaru-kun." He smiled, hoping to lighten the mood just a little and hint that the conversation needed to be handled in a more private place. "That's why you're my Subaru-kun."
Subaru nodded, understanding the smile he saw from the corner of his eyes. "After school then?"
"After school. Now finish eating, we only have about fifteen minutes left."
***
Seishirou made sure he had everything packed away--vocabulary tests, a couple of extra homework assignments to some awful children, memos, and his planning/grade book--before leaving the classroom, locking the door behind him and walking out to his car. He got in and drove to Subaru and Hokuto's apartment; Subaru had told him before going to class that he would get Hokuto to go over to her boyfriend's house--as odd as it sounded--so they would be alone to discuss what was on their minds.
Seishirou arrived around five, letting out a sigh as he knocked on the door to the apartment. He usually didn't knock; the only thing he was worried about seeing was Hokuto naked, and she didn't make it a habit to march around the living room in her birthday suit. He knew Subaru was mad at him--although he was unclear to the details--and decided knocking was a good idea. After a few seconds, Subaru opened the door. "Seishirou-san," he stated.
"...Can I come in?"
"Oh, hai..." Subaru moved out of the way of the door and let Seishirou pass; Seishirou walked in and sat down on the couch, then patted the spot next to him. "Come here and talk to me." Subaru sat down next to him and laid one of his hands on Seishirou's knees; Seishirou laid one of his on top and squeezed it. "What's wrong?"
"Seishirou-san..." Subaru stared at his lap while he spoke. "I'm scared... that you don't realize how different our relationship makes me... from everyone. I know that no one understands, but I knew that you did, but... Now I don't think you do anymore..." He sniffed, hinting that he was going to cry. "When you were smirking... when the Tree kept bothering me... It just occured to me that you thought it was funny that I was being harrassed. And..."
"...Subaru-kun, that's not why I was laughing..."
"But that's what it came across as, Seishirou-san. You might not have been laughing at the fact that I was being harrassed, but you certainly weren't making any move to stop it from happening. I thought that you were supposed to protect me." Subaru gave him a very hurt look, knowing he said something that would strike Seishirou.
Seishirou, however, didn't quite think the same way. "Protect you from what? The tree was just goofing off with you! You have to lighten up a little, Subaru-kun. You are always so serious; I can never tell if your joking around or actually telling me the truth."
"Well, I'm not joking around now!" Subaru's suddenly raised voice caught Seishirou off-guard. "I can't lighten up, Seishirou-san!! I've had my life thrown around and tossed from person to person! I wonder who gets to decided my fate today!! It sure as hell won't be you!"
"...Subaru-kun..."
"DON'T SUBARU-KUN ME!! GET OUT!"
Seishirou looked very shocked. He just knew that there was something with this picture that he was missing. Something was seriously bothering Subaru. "Not until you tell me why you're kicking me out."
"Why I'm kicking you out? I can kick you out of my apartment if I want to."
"...That's not how you think, Subaru-kun..."
"And what makes you think you know me so well? If you're allowed to hide your persona, why can't I?" Subaru lowered his head, his voice going soft. "When... when you told me about the Bet... I knew that my heart had just been torn in two. My entire world came crashing down around me. You were my entire world. I don't think you know how much you meant to me at that point in time. Not to say that you don't mean anything to me know, but..." Subaru took a deep breath. "I'm scared that you're just going to reveal something knew to me. Everytime you laugh when the Tree is provoking me, or today, how you almost totally ignored me when I was trying to talk to you... And you're big concern of the day is some stupid letter you get? Just goes to show how much you do listen to me--I had been trying to tell you in the lunch line about needing some help in my French class. And all you can think about is getting a letter."
"...Subaru-kun, I didn't mean to..."
"I know, Seishirou-san, I know." Subaru sighed. "But that doesn't help me any. For all I know, you're just lying to me again. As hard as I try to trust you, I can't. You totally broke the trust we had with each other. If it was ever there to begin with."
"Subaru-kun, please," Seishirou was on the verge of pleading; he could hardly believe what he was hearing, "don't do this... You should know that now... I'm honestly telling you the truth..."
"And if you are, how do I know that it's this you that I love and not the veterinarian I met so long ago? So long ago, hell, it's been a little over a year. But it seems like much longer than that, you know. A lot longer." Subaru turned to look at him slowly. "Seishirou-san... I think... I think you should go."
"....Nani?"
"You should leave. I don't need to be around you right now. I need to know that it is you I need, that I have to have with me, and until I can... There's just... no way for us to get the trust that we have to have in this relationship. I... Just go. Please." Subaru's voice was shaking as he spoke and his hand trembled, now resting in his lap after his yelling episode.
Seishirou slowly stood, briefly kissing Subaru on the forehead. "Okay. Whatever it takes... I'll see you in school, Subaru-kun. I still love you... Even if you don't believe what I'm saying..." That being said, he turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind him.
And Subaru started to cry.
***
Told you you'd hate me. XD I'll get the next part out faster than I did this oen--I just got past my writers block! YAY! And also, this part wasn't very long. O.o I think the next one will be longer though. *nod nod*
by Miyuki Inakamono
AN: Sorry that took so long... In case you were wondering what I've been up to, go read my new series called "MARS." It's long and strange, if you like stuff like that... I need someone to read it and tell me what they think. I would greatly appreciate any comments you have to give on it... Thanks!! Oh, and if you read that, go read "Remix of MARS" by my new accomplice, Shinigami Neko. She's about as strange as I am, and we know how strange I am. Anyway, here's part seven... And guess what? You're gonna hate me at the end.
Part Seven
Subaru took a seat, as Seishirou sat down next to him, pulling the two desks together to create the illusion of a table with two chairs just for them. Seishirou was quite good at illusions, Subaru was well aware of that. In anycase, they began eating in silence, until Subaru decided to pick up the conversation, remembering that he wouldn't have as much time as he would have liked to eat with him. "Seishirou-san, what's wrong?" he asked, opening the top of his salad and ripping open the little pack of Italian dressing gently.
"Aa, had something strange in my memo box this morning and it's been bothering me," Seishirou admited, unwrapping his own salad. He wasn't one for dressing himself, so he began to munch on the lettuce, using the pause to think of how to phrase the feeling he was getting. "It's almost as if," he began, "I know someone's doing this not to be nice as Nozomi-san and Ikenai suggested."
"Ikenai? You mean Danjite-sensei?" Subaru asked, looking up from his plate.
Seishirou nodded. "Hai; we met this morning in the lounge. He seems like a nice fellow... He mentioned how he had you in his French class."
Subaru cringed. "Eeh... French. Not my best subject. I had enough trouble in English..."
Seishirou smiled. "Don't worry; he only had good things to say about you." Subaru sighed as Seishirou continued. "In any case, they said that the teachers usually become 'secret pals' to the new teachers to make them feel more at home." Seishirou reached over to his podium, groping for the envelope that he was sure he had put on the small shelf under it. "As a result," he pulled out the blue stationery, "I had this. It's a simple little card." He handed it over to Subaru, who opened it and began to read.
"That's cute," he said after looking it over and putting it back in the envelope. "As far as it bothering you, couldn't you just ask the Tree?"
"I tried. It won't tell me because I told it not to in the first place, and since my health is not in danger, or so it says, there's no reason for me to worry. But I'm worring anyway."
"Then don't," Subaru answered, acting as the simple voice of blunt reason. It was a blunt statement that made Seishirou want to hit him.
"I can't! It's bothering me for some reason. Every time things bother me, I know something's going to go wrong," he answered trying not to sound exasperated with the younger man.
Subaru looked him over. "Don't get angry with me, Seishirou-san. I'm just trying to help." He returned to his salad. "And it figures, that Tree was never good for anything in the first place. All it ever does is cause trouble."
--I'm quaintly offended, Sumeragi.--
"And why does it talk to me? Could you tell it to leave me alone?" Subaru asked after the Tree's statement. Seishirou heard it as well and was smirking. He thought the Tree and Subaru were quite entertaining... Subaru proved that he didn't agree due to the fact that he kept ranting. "It's not as if I haven't had to deal with it messing my life up enough already. My teenaged years left me long ago. I've had to grow up and face things no normal person should..."
"Subaru-kun," Seishirou interjected, "calm down. It's not that big a deal..."
"You throw what's supposed to be the best time of my life out the window and tell me it's no big deal?! How can you say that?"
"Woah, woah, slow down..." Seishirou answered, still staying calm while Subaru began to raise his voice. "How did we get on this subject? I thought we were just talking about my little letter..."
"Seishirou-isan/i," Subaru sneered, "I've wanted to blurt out things to your face for an incredibly long time. Today, you go through most of the day as if nothing happens between us. Like it means nothing to you. I have had to give up so many things, so many normal things, just to make you happy. I thought that if I make you happy, I'd be happy as well. Do you have any idea what happened to my soul when you told me who you were? What you were?"
"Subaru-kun, you told me it didn't matter..."
"And it didn't!" Subaru sunk into his seat, his eyes glazing over slightly. "Seishirou-san, just tell the Tree to leave me alone."
"...Subaru-kun..."
"Just tell it to leave me alone." Subaru sat back up, returning to his normal self, causing Seishirou to do a double take. "Anyway... Hokuto-chan was here early this morning! Early enough to find me and tease me. I'm not sure why..."
"Subaru-kun, what was that?"
Subaru looked up at Seishirou, turning his head to the side a little. "What was what, Seishirou-san?"
"That right there. The Tree said something and you blow up in my face, then act like it didn't happen." Seishirou peered at him closely. "You're mad at me still," he stated, reading Subaru's soul through his eyes.
Subaru sunk down into the chair some as he had previously. "What does it matter if I'm mad, Seishirou-san?"
"It matters a lot, especially to me, and not just because it's me you're mad at. I care whether or not you're mad, and I don't want you to be. I care about you, Subaru-kun." He smiled, hoping to lighten the mood just a little and hint that the conversation needed to be handled in a more private place. "That's why you're my Subaru-kun."
Subaru nodded, understanding the smile he saw from the corner of his eyes. "After school then?"
"After school. Now finish eating, we only have about fifteen minutes left."
***
Seishirou made sure he had everything packed away--vocabulary tests, a couple of extra homework assignments to some awful children, memos, and his planning/grade book--before leaving the classroom, locking the door behind him and walking out to his car. He got in and drove to Subaru and Hokuto's apartment; Subaru had told him before going to class that he would get Hokuto to go over to her boyfriend's house--as odd as it sounded--so they would be alone to discuss what was on their minds.
Seishirou arrived around five, letting out a sigh as he knocked on the door to the apartment. He usually didn't knock; the only thing he was worried about seeing was Hokuto naked, and she didn't make it a habit to march around the living room in her birthday suit. He knew Subaru was mad at him--although he was unclear to the details--and decided knocking was a good idea. After a few seconds, Subaru opened the door. "Seishirou-san," he stated.
"...Can I come in?"
"Oh, hai..." Subaru moved out of the way of the door and let Seishirou pass; Seishirou walked in and sat down on the couch, then patted the spot next to him. "Come here and talk to me." Subaru sat down next to him and laid one of his hands on Seishirou's knees; Seishirou laid one of his on top and squeezed it. "What's wrong?"
"Seishirou-san..." Subaru stared at his lap while he spoke. "I'm scared... that you don't realize how different our relationship makes me... from everyone. I know that no one understands, but I knew that you did, but... Now I don't think you do anymore..." He sniffed, hinting that he was going to cry. "When you were smirking... when the Tree kept bothering me... It just occured to me that you thought it was funny that I was being harrassed. And..."
"...Subaru-kun, that's not why I was laughing..."
"But that's what it came across as, Seishirou-san. You might not have been laughing at the fact that I was being harrassed, but you certainly weren't making any move to stop it from happening. I thought that you were supposed to protect me." Subaru gave him a very hurt look, knowing he said something that would strike Seishirou.
Seishirou, however, didn't quite think the same way. "Protect you from what? The tree was just goofing off with you! You have to lighten up a little, Subaru-kun. You are always so serious; I can never tell if your joking around or actually telling me the truth."
"Well, I'm not joking around now!" Subaru's suddenly raised voice caught Seishirou off-guard. "I can't lighten up, Seishirou-san!! I've had my life thrown around and tossed from person to person! I wonder who gets to decided my fate today!! It sure as hell won't be you!"
"...Subaru-kun..."
"DON'T SUBARU-KUN ME!! GET OUT!"
Seishirou looked very shocked. He just knew that there was something with this picture that he was missing. Something was seriously bothering Subaru. "Not until you tell me why you're kicking me out."
"Why I'm kicking you out? I can kick you out of my apartment if I want to."
"...That's not how you think, Subaru-kun..."
"And what makes you think you know me so well? If you're allowed to hide your persona, why can't I?" Subaru lowered his head, his voice going soft. "When... when you told me about the Bet... I knew that my heart had just been torn in two. My entire world came crashing down around me. You were my entire world. I don't think you know how much you meant to me at that point in time. Not to say that you don't mean anything to me know, but..." Subaru took a deep breath. "I'm scared that you're just going to reveal something knew to me. Everytime you laugh when the Tree is provoking me, or today, how you almost totally ignored me when I was trying to talk to you... And you're big concern of the day is some stupid letter you get? Just goes to show how much you do listen to me--I had been trying to tell you in the lunch line about needing some help in my French class. And all you can think about is getting a letter."
"...Subaru-kun, I didn't mean to..."
"I know, Seishirou-san, I know." Subaru sighed. "But that doesn't help me any. For all I know, you're just lying to me again. As hard as I try to trust you, I can't. You totally broke the trust we had with each other. If it was ever there to begin with."
"Subaru-kun, please," Seishirou was on the verge of pleading; he could hardly believe what he was hearing, "don't do this... You should know that now... I'm honestly telling you the truth..."
"And if you are, how do I know that it's this you that I love and not the veterinarian I met so long ago? So long ago, hell, it's been a little over a year. But it seems like much longer than that, you know. A lot longer." Subaru turned to look at him slowly. "Seishirou-san... I think... I think you should go."
"....Nani?"
"You should leave. I don't need to be around you right now. I need to know that it is you I need, that I have to have with me, and until I can... There's just... no way for us to get the trust that we have to have in this relationship. I... Just go. Please." Subaru's voice was shaking as he spoke and his hand trembled, now resting in his lap after his yelling episode.
Seishirou slowly stood, briefly kissing Subaru on the forehead. "Okay. Whatever it takes... I'll see you in school, Subaru-kun. I still love you... Even if you don't believe what I'm saying..." That being said, he turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind him.
And Subaru started to cry.
***
Told you you'd hate me. XD I'll get the next part out faster than I did this oen--I just got past my writers block! YAY! And also, this part wasn't very long. O.o I think the next one will be longer though. *nod nod*