Chapter Three:
When Motoko realized what she said, she tried to laugh it off. Yuki, who had looked uncomfortable, looked up with a small "Huh?"
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's not right of me to ask you such a question. You've been so kind to me, and all I am is greedy." She frowned and stepped off the sidewalk. She lifted her back onto her shoulder. Yuki, who hadn't said anything, started to walk forward with his head bent.
"This way, Minagawa-senpai." he said in his normal tone. They walked together, silent, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Motoko sighed sadly.
It's true, she thought. My heart is breaking. I don't know if I'll be able to face this alone… I can't go into Yuki's house.
As they got closer, however, Motoko forgot her earlier thoughts. She started to think about how she was spending so much time with Yuki and how she still had a chance with him. She forgot about the rules. She forgot her earlier mistakes. She forgot everything but Yuki.
Yuki stopped her outside the doorway. "I-I'm sorry Minagawa-senpai. I should have warned you earlier, but I didn't. I guess I should warn you now."
Motoko just stared at him. Warn me? Of what? How can something this wonderful be bad?
Yuki continued with a soft breath. "My house is a little… strange. I won't blame you if you'll want to leave early."
A shocked Motoko opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Why is he saying such things?
"The least I can do is give you some dinner and a roof over your head for a little while. But when this is over, I want you to go home and figure things out."
"But Yuki-"
"I don't want you to be this way- alone, because of me."
Yuki's words shut her up, and she was starting to grip her bag nervously again. She had an odd feeling about this. She didn't want an odd feeling. She wanted a wonderful feeling. The way Yuki looked at her wasn't making her feel any better. What have I done?
Yuki turned away and opened the door. At first, when Motoko peeked in, it seemed empty. Then, as quietly as possible, a girl came into view. Motoko didn't even think of who it was. All she thought was, There's a girl already here! She's violating the rules! Forgetting that she was also breaking the rules, she stood up and said, "What is she-"
She was cut short when Tohru Honda came into view, looking worried. She glanced nervously towards Motoko and then back at Yuki. "Oh, Yuki!" she began. "I'm happy to see you're home. Um- Hello Motoko!" she bowed. "Is everything all right?"
Yuki and Tohru seemed to be waiting for her to answer, but Motoko couldn't. How could she respond to this? This was horrible!
I guess I should have expected this… she thought. After Yuki's dinner comment…
She stood awkwardly in the doorway, trying to think of what to do. The problem was that she couldn't think straight. Half of her mind was already screaming at Tohru, who was standing patiently. Yuki knew this was awkward.
"Everything's fine. She just needs some food and rest."
"Oh, right!" Tohru said, and she smiled for the first time that night. "We have plenty. You're just in time, too."
Motoko followed Yuki and Tohru towards the kitchen. Why didn't the Prince just tell me this was why his house was strange? She thought as she walked, not even thinking that there could be two more reasons that would strike her as strange.
