Chapter 4
(Ken's POV, sudden switch)
The past few days, our cold-hearted fearless leader has been acting different. He seems shaken by such little things.
I remember bringing his toast to him one morning and he looked at my like I was the devil incarnate.
He's too… routine? Set in his ways? You can predict his every move, until you get out on the mission field. Then, it takes a little more scrutiny to figure out what he'll do.
Back to the present, it's dinner time, and I just went up and knocked on Aya's door. I sat down in my place at the table, waiting for the young blonde to serve dinner.
About half-way through dinner, I found my eyes drawn to the red-head. I couldn't help it. He's… pretty.
Yes, your soccer-loving-normal-kid-next-door is gay. Well, more of leaning on the bisexual side sometimes. But the longer I'm near him, the more I'm not so sure of myself.
I do not think our fearless leader is gay though. He's probably straighter than a board. I guess that leaves me out, but I can fantasize right?
Half-way through my thoughts he looks up at me and stares me in the eyes, just like when we went out the other night. They were ice-cold and deadly.
It sent a shiver down my spine as I averted my eyes. There's something wrong with him. All I want to do is help.
I looked back at him when he went back to his dinner. What can a boy like me do though? He'll never accept help.
"Pass the butter, Ken-kun." Omi, interrupting my thoughts. I handed him the butter and sighed to myself.
Dinner was always hell. I can't keep my eyes off him. I sound like a love sick puppy.
As much as I know he needs help, so do I. Not that anyone could ever notice that though.
I got up, mumbled some excuse about needing to go play soccer with the kids, and left the table. The others could pick my plates up. I had to get out of there before I did something I regretted.
Why can't Aya just see that I need him, and that I'm here to help? If not as a lover, then as family.
I walked outside and stared up at the sky, it was getting dark quickly, but I'd have time for a walk.
I walked down the street, staring at the ground the whole time.
"I'm a fucking child." I muttered to myself while kicking some rock.
I walked the streets of the city, wallowing in self pity. About a quarter after nine I came back to the flower shop.
The lights were off in the kitchen and living room so I figured everyone had already gone to bed. I went upstairs and walked past Aya's door.
His light was on. It would only take a knock. I raised my hand to knock but stopped myself. I couldn't, and I wouldn't.
I walked the few paces left to my room and opened the door.
My room wasn't that messy. Well, not to me, I know where everything is, and that's good enough for me.
My soccer ball is in the closet to the right. My bugnucks are in the closet, under a pile of clothes.
Maybe… if I change, Aya might take a notice of me. I went downstairs and grabbed the furniture polish, the Windex, and a bunch of old towels.
At 11:30, my room was spotless. Clean enough to rival even Mr. Obsessive Compulsive Aya.
Now, one thing done, time for some literature. I peeked out and looked to see if Aya's light was still on.
It was. I walked over to his room and knocked softly.
No reply.
I knocked a little louder.
No reply.
I knocked another time, for the sake of his stubbornness.
No reply.
Either he was asleep or kidnapped. I wasn't so sure of the latter, because Ran could take care of himself. You never could be sure with that German red-head around.
I opened the door and looked in.
Good, he was asleep.
I went in and over to his bookshelf where all his literature was. He has just about everything I ever could think of. From way back to Homer and Shakespeare to some people I don't even know the names of.
There was a book called Demian, which looked interesting. It wasn't very long. I picked it up, and could barely understand the back. Well, I might as well read the whole damn dictionary.
I took Demian, a dictionary, and some Shakespeare and went to my room. I'd tell him later that I borrowed them, thinking he would be pleased that I was trying to educate myself.
Now I sound childish. Why am I making such drastic changes? I don't even have a chance.
Oh well, if Aya likes them, it will be okay.
My alarm went off early and I pushed it off the dresser. It was too early and I didn't want to be up. I had to work with Mr. Ice Princess today.
I rubbed my eyes and stared at my ceiling for a minute. I sat up and looked around, astonished at the clean room.
Why did I clean it again?
Oh yeah, so Aya would like me.
If he would just look at me and stop acting like I'm the person that killed his sister, things would be different. I only want to help him, he's… falling apart, I think.
I dressed as quickly as I could and went on down to the shop. Aya was already there, not that it's a big surprise to anyone.
The day passed on as normal and the same for many days after that.
After about two weeks, at the end of my shift I was confronted by Aya himself.
He led me to the back room and looked at me hard for a few minutes. He didn't say anything… it was like he was judging me by my appearances or something. I stood still, not knowing what else to do and just watched him. Or rather, admired him. My eyes ran over his chest. He was wearing a… tighter shirt than usual. Much tighter. Damn. He's got a nice body.. or chest at least.
A blush started creeping to my cheeks when he finally spoke.
"I don't like this new you, Ken. Why the hell have you changed like this?"
My eyes widened. He didn't like it?