Day 3
(Rukawa)
When I got to the intersection, he was there. Early this time.
"Konnichiwa, Kaede-kun! So where are we off to?" he asked cheerfully.
I didn't really have a place in mind, so I just began walking straight like I knew where I as going.
"Oooh, a secret. How interesting, can I guess? You'll tell me if I guess it right, ne?" Sendoh asked.
He began guessing quite normally in the beginning: arcade, movies, the beach. But then he starting saying stupid things like strip clubs, peep shows. I think it was to get a response out of me, though I didn't know him well enough to make a judgement on his character. He didn't seem like the perverted type. But it was beginning to bug me all the same so I stopped and stated, "Here."
"A park?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"I love the park! Come on lets go on the swings, I'll push you," he said running there like a little kid.
I followed him hesitantly.
"Come on, get on!"
"No."
"Why not?" he asked.
"I don't want to.
"Ok, then I'll get on and you can push me," he said jumping on the swings.
"Push yourself."
"I can't do that. My legs are too long, and if I tried my feet would hit the ground," he said pouting, "come on, Kaede. Push me…"
I don't know why I gave in, maybe I just didn't feel like seeing a grown man whined, so I gave him a shove.
He laughed and squealed, "Higher!"
So I pushed him harder. It was weird, but usually if I saw a grown man at like such a kid, I'd be thinking there's something really wrong with him. But I actually found myself finding Sendoh refreshing.
"Higher!"
I shoved him harder, a bit too hard because he fell off the seat and landed flat on his back.
"…" I frowned, "um…are you ok?"
He frowned, "I…can't move…"
"I'll take you to the hospital," I said trying to keep calm as I dragged him arm over my shoulders and pulled him onto my back.
"I'm heavy…" he said.
"I don't think that's what you should be worried about right now," I stated and began towards the gate.
(Sendoh)
I looked at him, he brows were knitted together in concern and perhaps he was straining under my weight, "Kaede…"
"Hm?" he asked as he began walking up the sloped sidewalk.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" he asked and added, "there's no taxi in sight. And I think I saw a clinic not far from here on the map at the park."
I gently pushed on his shoulders, "Please put me down. I'm ok…really."
"No, you're not. You're paralyzed."
"I lied."
He froze, then dropped me, and asked in a very soft voice, "You…lied?"
"Uh…gomen nasai!"
He glared at me and I seriously thought he was going to punch me. But instead he walked right by me without a word. I think that was actually worst than being hit by him, to see his retreating figure. I chased after him, "Chotto matte! I'm really sorry. Please don't be mad."
He ignored me. I ran in front of him and held out my arms like the first time I got him to speak to me, "I know I was a total ass but…it seemed like a good idea at the time…"
"A good idea," he repeated.
'Oh, crap.'
He ducked under my arm and continued walking away, so I grabbed his arm, "Kaede."
"Don't touch me," he hissed.
"You can hit me if you want."
He tugged away his hand, "I don't want to touch you."
I frowned, grabbed both of his arms, turned around, drape them over my shoulder and lifted him up in a single fluid motion.
"What are you doing?"
(Rukawa)
"I know it wasn't funny, and you were really worried. So I'll try to make it up to you. I'll carry you around all day, and be your slave. Just please don't be mad," he said walking back to the park.
'Why am I so mad? Is it because I was genuinely worried, and felt played?'
"Kaede, I know you're not so petty and you'll forgive me, ne?" he asked hopefully.
"I need to think about it," I said, actually I think I was more angry at myself for being fooled so easily.
"Ok," he said cheerfully, "so what shall I do while you think it over, Master?"
"Just follow the path."
"Hai!"
I looked at him. I don't think I ever saw anyone so happy about giving someone a piggyback. He was actually pretty cute in a childish way, but a major baka. I believe he didn't mean anything malicious in his stupid lie, but obviously he doesn't think about the consequences before he does something. I guess I wasn't really mad at him, but that doesn't mean I won't punish him.
We walked by a kid, who pointed at us to his mother, "Look! I want a piggyback ride!"
The mother looked at us in distain. I personally felt really embarrassed but Sendoh seemed as happy as and waved at the kid, "Do'aho."
"Akira…but I guess as my master you can call me whatever you want. Would you like me to start responding to do'aho?"
"Don't you feel anything?" I asked.
"Well…I am feeling a bit hot, but lucky."
"Lucky?"
"Yep, lucky," he said with a grin.
I was going to ask him what he felt so lucky about but decided it was better I not know, "Just put me down."
"You're not mad anymore?" he asked and added as a second thought, "you won't attempt to run away, will you?"
"No."
He smiled and put me down, "Thank-you for your forgiveness, Master."
"Baka. Stop calling me that."
"Ok," he said with a smile and stretched, then rubbed his back, "ouch."
"What now?"
"Nothing…" he said, "that fall on my back did hurt a bit, you know."
"Then why were you carrying me, do'aho?"
"Because I didn't want you to run away," he said with a smile, "and I didn't mind giving you a piggyback. Did you enjoy it? I enjoyed your piggyback."
I refuse to answer that and sat down.
(Sendoh)
I sat next to him and added, "It felt right."
"Baka."
"I'm not the only baka here. Someone else was really worried."
He glared at me.
"You're so nice to me."
"Am not."
"Is too," he said, "you're very interesting and cute. But tons of people probably told you that."
He didn't reply but looked away, but didn't reply instead he yawned and closed his eyes. Moments later, I heard his soft breathing. I smiled, 'And if they haven't then they're blind.'
(Rukawa)
I heard loud clapping beside my ears and opened my eyes to see Sendoh there clapping for who knows why.
He smiled, "Awake?"
I was about to be sarcastic but asked instead, "What are you doing?"
He held out his hands for me to see, and they were really gross with lots of tiny dead bug bodies, "This is apparently a mosquito zone. I think I got bitten by 20 of them."
I looked at myself. I looked fine, no swelling and better yet, I felt fine, no itchiness. But he on the other hand really didn't look that well, with a couple of nasty bite that caused the surround area to swell on his face and more than a couple on his arms and hands.
"Have you been helping me squat mosquitoes?" I asked.
Sendoh nodded with a smile, "You looked so peaceful sleeping, so I thought it best you not be disturbed by pests. And you're so pale, I figured you really need the blood and can't spare any, ne?"
"Baka," I muttered but was really touched, 'why are you being so nice to me?'
"I'm hungry, let go eat," he said.
I got up, "Fine."
"Where to?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Lets eat there," he said pointing at a hotdog stand.
"Whatever."
He ran over, "A chilli dog with extra cheese and a large orange juice."
I didn't feel hungry, "You should wash your hands."
"Hai! But with what? It's alright, I'll be careful and keep the napkin between my hands and the hotdog," Sendoh said.
I sighed, "Bottle of water."
(Sendoh)
I smiled as he poured the water onto my hands, 'Although he appears quite cold and uncaring, he's really a very kind, thoughtful and observant person.'
"All clean," I announced showing them to him.
He nodded.
"Your chilli dog and juice, anything else?" the vender asked.
"Aren't you going to order something, Kaede?"
"Not hungry."
"But you should eat something, to keep up your strength."
"I'm fine," he said.
I frowned, "At least get a drink. It's hot and I don't want you to get dehydrated. A chocolate milkshake, please. And a normal hotdog, I'm feeling really hungry."
Ithrusted the shake to him as I took the hotdog.
Kaede took it, "I'll pay you back."
"Forget it."
"I don't like owing people."
"You can pay me back later," I said and noticed he looked like he wanted to nod off, "let got for a walk, Kaede."
He shrugged and sipped the milkshake.
(Rukawa)
I could sense him staring at me, which was why I wasn't surprised when he dropped he tripped and dropped his hotdog.
"Noooooo," he said looking at the dirty hotdog with puppy dog eyes.
"Serves you right for not paying attention."
"Why are you so mean, and I'd have you know I was totally paying attention to you."
"It's not polite to stare," I said.
He smiled sheepishly, "But you were so adorable and beautiful. Correction, not were, you are adorable and beautiful."
'Adorable and beautiful?' I felt my cheeks burn, "do'aho."
"Are you blushing?"
"No."
"Kaede…don't move."
"Why not?"
"Ssssh," Sendoh said and leaned over.
I swear he was going to kiss me. I was telling myself to move but my feet felt like it was cemented to the ground. He leaned closer and I could feel his breath on my cheek.
"Ah-ha! Got it!" he announced holding out a caterpillar, "you're really red. Are you sunburned!"
"I'm fine! I got to go," I said and quickly walked away, 'I don't believe I…I'm such a baka…'
"See you same place and time, tomorrow!" Sendoh called and added, "remember you owe me!"
TBC
