"speech"
'thoughts'
POV of a character
TENZAI
Chapter 2
This Is Just The Beginning
The moment they arrived, Kikuchi and Kanzaki were lead to a house about a hundred steps from the ocean.
After a long walk of admiring the waves and the dolphins from afar, they finally reached the house.
The woman stopped first in front of the entrance and faced them, her hands clasped in front.
"This is our house.. It's not much, but I hope you enjoy your stay here."
Kikuchi smiled at her and looked at Kanzaki.
"Hai, Ryoko-san. I'm sure we're going to enjoy it here. Ne, Kanzaki?"
Kanzaki looked at him like she's an innocent girl and bowed.
"H—Hai. Arigato, Ryoko-san.. And Koji-san.."
The man of about middle-thirties named Koji replied.
"Doitashimashite.. It's always a pleasure to help youth like you who are helping the community in such a young age."
Kanzaki and Kikuchi both felt flattered at the comment and looked at each other, both thinking:
'Is our duty really that big a deal?"
Seeing the reaction of the two, Ryoko-san just smiled at them and opened the door for them.
The house wasn't whopping but the space is just enough for the husband-and-wife and for some visitors. It was made mostly of wood, which gave the place enough breathing space. The ceiling was high, like an old-fashioned house. Windows covered with beautifully unfussy curtains surrounded the place. Since it was situated near the ocean, its atmosphere provided a shipshape and fresh feeling to its residents.
The moment you enter the house, the living room will welcome you. The furnishings were pretty simple. A television set, a living room set – lounge chairs and tables made a la native Japanese.
"If you're bored and you just want a bit of an entertainment, you can watch tv in here. There aren't much channels, either.. But I think they'll do for intelligent children like you." Koji said, gesturing to the place.
Walking just a bit further, you'll come along the dining area. The round dining table and the wooden chairs around it were also of Japanese style, just a bit elevated than usual.
This time, the woman spoke.
"If you want something to eat, there's always food in the refrigerator. Just help yourselves, okay?"
At the far end is the comfort room.
"This comfort room is just for visitors but since you're staying here, you'll be provided with your own rooms. Those rooms have their own comfort rooms, which are more convenient and personal. I suggest you use those."
The two just nodded along the way, silently wishing to arrive in their rooms and plunge themselves in bed.
They were lead to a staircase that directed them to the second floor. There was a corridor right in the middle and while passing through, the rooms were presented to them one by one.
The first stop was a door to the right, with a chime, dolphins and blue chains dangling and striking each other when the door is opened.
"This will be... uhm.." Ryoko gestured to Kikuchi.
"It's Kikuchi Yoshito, Ryoko-san." Koji said for her.
The woman slapper herself in the forehead and said,
"Yoshito, it is! Why do I always forget??"
Koji looked at him and said,
"This will be your room, Yoshito."
Kikuchi nodded in affirmation at the older man.
'Yoshito, eh? I have to get used to being called by my first name starting today..'
They walked further and to the left was another door, this time, the chimes were silver and a house and a sun was in the middle, surrounded.
"This is our room." Koji-san said.
"If ever you need something, all you have to do is knock right here.. It's easy to locate since it's opposite of you rooms." Ryoko said.
Upon hearing that, the two already knew which door lead to Kanzaki's room. It was a second door to the right. This time, the chimes are colored pink and purple, with angels that seem dancing around.
Since they both looked at that direction, the man, Koji-san said,
"I see you have detected the girl's room."
They walked to it and inspected the doorknob. Koji-san opened it but closed it again, signaling that they were just testing if the door s functioning.
Kikuchi was already looking forward to being able to rest since they were already shown their rooms when he noticed one last door to the left.
"Is someone occupying that room, Koji-san?" He asked the older man, pointing to the door.
Koji chuckled a bit, making Kikuchi wonder, before answering.
"No, son, because that is not a room."
He walked to the door and opened it widely for all of them to see.
"It's a terrace."
Upon getting a quick look at the promising view in the terrace, the two geniuses walked excitedly through the door.
Kanzaki leaned against the railings and placed her left arm above it while her left elbow rested on it for her chin to rest on her hand.
"Kawaii.." She said just above a whisper.
It was probably the best spot in the house. Perfect for Kanzaki since the wind was blowing her tresses gently and the vast area, not only of the water, but also the lands, was visible.
Kikuchi stretched his arms and stifled a yawn.
"Soothing..."
Ryoko0san broke their trance and said,
"I guess we'll leave you here, then. If you need something, just ask us. We'll be around the area."
"Your principal told us that you can have the rest of the day to familiarize yourselves with the place. She said you can start you project tomorrow." Koji added.
The two seniors left, closing the door gently with a soft click.
Kikuchi turned around to follow them when Kanzaki spoke up.
"What are you planning to do?"
Kikuchi was shaken a bit, making him look back at his shoulders.
"I guess I'll fix my things and sleep for a while.."
Kanzaki removed her touch from the railings and approached him, hitting his back playfully.
"You sleepyhead! We just arrived! I thought you just woke up when we had a conversation in the ship..! That was, let me see, an hour and a half ago!"
"It's an hour after noon, Kanzaki. Do you think I possibly just woke up that time?" Kikuchi said nonchalantly.
"Yes, I mean, it's possible!" Kanzaki said.
Kikuchi faced her completely now and said,
"Maybe with Onizuka, but not me."
The female genius looked at the male and placed her hands on her waist.
"Oh, C'mon, Kikuchi! We only have the rest of this day! Why don't we tour the place or something?"
Kikuchi grinned at her.
"Getting frivolous, eh, Kanzaki? You wanna spend time with me?"
Kanzaki arched her brows at this and frowned.
"In your dreams, Kikuchi, in your dreams."
"Well then, why did you want me to be with you in this project so desperately that you even had to pull that stunt back then? Huh?"
Kikuchi said with mockery.
Kanzaki's eyes widened a bit in realization.
'Why did I, anyway?? Uhm.., But I have to come up with an excuse!!'
"Well, Mr. Kikuchi Yoshito, I didn't want to end up being with the next best thing.. Or in this case, person."
She then walked past him and to the door, her arms folded across her chest.
"Don't think so highly, Kikuchi. Remember I can do things even if I'm alone."
She closed the door behind her, leaving Kikuchi who was shaking his head with a smile.
They proceeded to their rooms after that, setting up their stuff and observing the rooms given to them.
After a while, Kikuchi took a nap, as he has planned while Kanzaki went down to the dining room.
She looked around the place a little, touching the furnishings and testing their durability with her mere observations.
She also looked through the windows one by one to see the views outside each of them, fingering the cloth of the curtains each time. She saw one window were you can see a great deal of the ocean.
'The view here is good... But it still can't rival the one upstairs.'
Sighing, she went to open the refrigerator and looked for something to eat for snacks. She was surprised to see that it was actually packed to the brim with all sorts of food.
'Looks like they really prepared for our arrival..'
She finally got to chose what to eat. She got a pineapple juice and fruit cocktail – both canned.
'These will do..'
The juice was easy to open since you'll just have to flip the piece of aluminum on top but she had a hard time trying to open the cocktail. She tried looking for a can opener in the dish containers but she found none. She figured it must be in the cupboards since mothers usually put sharp objects in high places.
She placed the stuff on top of the dining table first and pulled a short ladder which she had spotted while she was observing. She clambered up, and searched for a can opener.
'Who invented such high cupboards???'
The cupboards were just too high for her so her arms were extended, her hands wandering aimlessly in search for a can opener. She pulled out a couple of things, like knives, spatulas, et cetera. Fortunately, the handles were the ones facing the cupboard's opening or else she'd been cut by now.
After about two minutes, she finally found a can opener.
'Finally...!'
But due to her enjoyment, relief for finally having found one she forgot that she was stepping on a ladder and she lost her balance.
She shut her eyes tightly and prepared for her fall. After what seemed like forever, she realized that the cold, hard floor she expected to fall on became warm and soft.
- Kikuchi -
Oh.. What time is it??
I reached for my watch in the side table beside my bed.
2:30 in the afternoon.
Good. I didn't sleep too long.
I sat up, stretched a bit and heard my stomach growl.
Maybe it's time to take a snack.
I fixed the covers and went to the bathroom first, washing my face and putting on my glasses. After that, I went out of my room and down the stairs.
I was looking around when I heard clanking from the dining room, which seemed to be of stainless utensils.
I was surprised to see Kanzaki, on a ladder, arms inside a cupboard, feeling for something.
I guess she can really do things alone.
Maybe not.
Suddenly, I saw her losing her balance and threatening to fall. I ran to her with a speed I didn't know I had and caught her right on time.
Kanzaki opened her eyes slowly at first but when she realized what happened, her eyes grew larger quickly.
'Kikuchi...?'
Kikuchi smiled at her and said,
"Hey, I didn't know a girl would be more scared when a fall she was just about to experience was bunged."
The shock in Kanzaki's eyes was replaced with a mischievous glint.
"Actually..."
Kikuchi's smile faded and was replaced with a frown.
"Hmmmph..!" He said, looking to his side.
Kanzaki cachinnated and said between gasps,
"I.. I—was—just joking..!!"
Kikuchi faced her again, this time, catching her gaze.
Kanzaki's laugh slowly faded and they both became silent, looking into each other's eyes.
'How can one's eyes indicate both danger and childish innocence at the same time...? This is Kanzaki, alright.. Two eyes uniquely different from others, not only with the color....' Kikuchi thought.
On the other hand, Kanzaki was also thinking.
'I didn't know Kikuchi has indigo orbs.. They look.. Gorgeous..'
Realizing what just came to her mind, Kanzaki berated herself, her mind coming back to reality and realized what position they were currently in. She was laying right on top of Kikuchi, his arms around her protectively from her plummet. She immediately blushed and thought of what to say.
"Uhmm.. Err.. How about we share the cocktail I was planning to open?"
With the word 'open' she raised the can opener she was clutching in her right hand all throughout.
Then they noticed it had red stain in it.
Blood.
Kanzaki's initial reaction was to roll off Kikuchi and sit on the floor. She was still thinking about the gravity of the situation when she heard Kikuchi yelp.
She looked at Kikuchi who was clutching on his right arm.
'Put two and two together..' Kanzaki thought.
Then it hit her.
She was holding the can opener in her right hand. Her arms were crossed across each other when she fell. She landed on top of Kikuchi. Her right hand was pointing on Kikuchi's right side. There was blood on the can opener when she pulled it.. Kikuchi was clutching on his right arm.
Therefore..
"Kikuchi! Gomen.. Gomen.. I didn't realize.." She said, panic obvious in her voice.
She got up and went straight to the first aid kit near the cupboard and took out stuff she thought she'd need. She went back to Kikuchi and removed his hand around the wound.
"Be gentle, will you?" Kikuchi said rather rudely.
"Sorry." Kanzaki said, focusing on cleaning the wound.
Realizing that he was rude for almost shouting at the girl who's currently cleaning his wound, Kikuchi said,
"Sorry for that..."
Kanzaki looked at him incredulously and said in one breath,
"What are you being sorry for? I'm the one who should say sorry. I didn't realize I was already stabbing your arm with a can opener."
"Funny.. I didn't realize it, too until I saw the blood." Kikuchi said.
'I was too busy fawning at your beauty.' He thought.
'Now where did that come from??'
Kanzaki dressed the wound and stood up, stretching out her arms for Kikuchi.
'Isn't this supposed to be the guy's job?? Oh well, just for today..! If only I didn't fall off that stupid ladder!!'
Kikuchi looked at her like she was going to bite him.
Kanzaki, being the short-tempered girl that she was, got irritated.
"What now, Kikuchi? Alright." She paused for a while and dusted off some dirt on her pants.
"Stand up on your own if you can. You should be thankful that I'm offering you some help! It's very rare that I do not enjoy hurting people! I even hurt them on purpose!"
Then she walked to the faucet, washing the can opener.
When she turned around, she was surprised to see Kikuchi standing right in front of her, smiling.
"What the hell??!"
Kikuchi said,
"Thanks. And how about we share that cocktail you were talking about a while ago?"
Kanzaki muttered a "Yeah right." Before walking to the dining table, taking the stuff and returned them, only to be replaced with new ones, plus another juice.