AN: A mini-glossary of roughly translated English equivalents of Japanese:
sumimasen – I'm sorry / excuse me
arigatou gozaimasu – thank you very much
maa – well
ano – sound of hesitation like saying 'well' or 'um'
iie – no
hajimemashite/doozo yoroshiku – pleased to meet you
onee-chan – big sister
gomenasai – I'm sorry
Kami-sama - God
hai – yes
sayonara – good-bye
ne – 'hey' or 'right' depending on context
-
-
CHAPTER 5: Trouble Times Two
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
He walked, searching, knowing it was around somewhere nearby. But having had little need in the past for a daycare center, he'd never really taken note of the location of such establishments in the area before. Places to get food, now those he knew like the back of his hand but places where kids were stored for the day was something completely beyond his realm of experience. At this rate, he'd still be wandering around aimlessly by the time night fell!
Finally, having had enough of the fruitless searching, he decided to try another approach. He stopped an old woman passing by on the street in the hopes that she might know where the daycare center was. But he flushed under the old woman's gaze.
"Of course I know." The expression on her face declared him an idiot as she pointed directly behind him. "It's right over there. How could you miss it?"
"Ah, sumimasen." He laughed nervously as the old woman started walking away. "Arigatou gozaimasu."
He sighed when she left, wondering how he could have missed it. But the answer was obvious as the nameplate on the wall surrounding the grounds of the daycare center was partially concealed by a leafy bush. Still, he couldn't believe how he'd walked by the same spot several times and not notice.
Maybe he was as stupid as the old woman thought he was.
Suddenly he heard laughter, feminine and familiar. The delightful sound drew him closer to the wall, towards the entrance leading into the daycare center's grounds. He paused just outside, staring in surprise at his first glimpse of her since the debacle in her bedroom last night as he took in the sight of her looking much more adult than he'd ever seen her before in black pumps, calf-length black skirt, and a long red knit-top that gently hugged her curves and was cinched at the waist by a fashionable black belt. With her hair pulled back in tidy bun, showing off the simple gold chain necklace and earring studs she wore, she looked very professional, making him feel almost dowdy in the casual yukata he usually wore. Combined with her bright smile, she presented a beautiful sight.
He would have enjoyed it more were it not for the handsome man standing beside her.
As he watched, the man said something that earned a small laugh from her in a way that had his gut twisting as he wondered what the hell was going on and just what was it that was said to amuse her so. When the unidentified male looked down at her, obviously captivated, Shigure couldn't stand just watching any longer and approached, schooling his features into a friendly mask despite the hostile emotions swirling within him.
"Tohru-kun?" Shigure inquired pleasantly.
"Oh!" Tohru exclaimed upon spotting him, eyes rounding with surprise. "What's Shigure-san doing here?"
"Maa," he gave her a sheepish grin, "I was in the area so I thought I'd stop by and maybe see how your interview went."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." She beamed at him brightly, obviously touched by his thoughtfulness. "But Shigure-san really didn't need to go through the trouble of doing that."
"Don't worry." He smiled down at her. "It was no trouble at all."
"Ano, Honda-san?" the man beside broke in politely as he glanced between them curiously. "Who's this?"
"Ah, sumimasen," she apologized. "I should have made introductions earlier instead of just continuing to talk." She looked remorseful.
"Iie," the man was quick to reassure readily. "I don't mind. Really."
She gave him a tiny smile, lightening her features prettily in a way that Shigure didn't like considering the handsome stranger to whom it was directed towards, grateful for his reassurance. Shigure liked it even less when the man smiled back, obviously quite taken with her. He felt his body tense although he kept a friendly mask as Tohru gestured between the two men.
"Shigure-san, this is Matsumoto Sanosuke-san, one of the workers here. Matsumoto-san, this is Souma Shigure-san." She smiled. "Shigure-san's a wonderful writer."
"Hajimemashite," greeted Sanosuke, bowing.
"Doozo yoroshiku," returned Shigure.
"So, you're a writer?" Sanoske asked, straightening as his gaze flickered curiously between the two. "How is it that you know Honda-san? Are you related? A cousin perhaps?"
"Oh, no," Shigure said blithely. "We just live together."
He smiled as the man gasped, obviously shocked at his blunt phrasing and the implications it held, and was momentarily pleased with the reaction. After all, Sanosuke's questions had been nosy and none of his business in Shigure's opinion, especially when the other man's interest in her was plain to see. And the surest way to get rid of a potential rival was to make the desired object seem unavailable and this guy had 'potential' written all over him with the way he had been digging, polite though it was, for information about his and Tohru's relationship...which didn't currently exist.
But Sanosuke didn't know that!
Though it would have please him to no end to have another rival immediately drop away, Shigure just couldn't leave things hanging as they were. At least, not with Tohru's wide eyes trained upon him anxiously as his words had the potential to cost her the job that he knew she was eager to take up.
"I'm her landlord, when I'm not writing, that is," Shigure improvised easily, righting the wrong impression he'd made. "We live in the same building," he expounded, "so of course, it's just like living together."
"Oh." Sanosuke believed it easily. "I see."
Tohru just blinked, not sure how to take it all.
But she was saved from having to give any response as a tug on her skirt and a questioning "Onee-chan?" grabbed everyone's attention.
Surprised, Shigure looked down to see a young boy, perhaps around eight years old, step out from behind Tohru. He hadn't even noticed the boy until he spoke up but, from the hostile glare the youngster was shooting him, it was obvious the reverse did not hold true.
The boy didn't like Shigure.
That much was pretty clear judging from the get-lost-or-die expression the child was gracing him with. However, the reasons behind the belligerent look wasn't.
"Gomenasai," Tohru apologized to the boy, a mixture of embarrassment and distress written on her features. "I should have introduced you too."
"Iie, Honda-san," said Sanosuke. "If anyone, I should have been the one to do that."
"That's right," piped the boy. "If he didn't, then you don't have to worry about it. Of all the people to forget about me, it's a lot worse when it's him."
Sanosuke gave an embarrassed chuckle. "How true, how true."
"So who is this little fellow?" broke in Shigure, earning him another glare from the boy.
"Ah, this is Daichi," said Sanosuke, shifting closer to the boy to lay a hand on his shoulder in a gesture that, incidentally, also moved him nearer to Tohru. "He's my son."
"Son?" Shigure was surprised but pleased as he noticed for the first time the gold wedding band on Sanosuke's hand. Discovering that he was married and had a child as well put him in a better frame of mind and he smiled engagingly at the boy. "Now that you mention it, I see the resemblance. A fine boy, he seems too."
"Oh, he is," Tohru chimed in enthusiastically, earning a curious stare from Shigure and a pleased but embarrassed one from Daichi. "He's a wonderful boy," she said to Sanosuke. "You should be very proud to have him."
"When you say it, I am." He smiled warmly at Tohru, much to Shigure's displeasure. But no one took note of it as Sanosuke dropped his gaze to his son. "He's actually quite hard to get along with but it's amazing how well you've dealt with each other in such a short amount of time. He normally doesn't take to strange people so easily."
"Dad," Daichi grumbled, obviously not liking his father divulging that little piece of information. "It's rude to talk about someone like that, especially when they can hear you."
Sanosuke just sighed. "See what I mean?"
Indeed, Shigure did though he was wise enough to keep silent on the topic even though it was apparent that Daichi's hostile nature was much like Hiro's. Definitely hard to handle but, somehow, in a short amount of time Tohru had managed to win the little boy's adoration to the point where he called her 'onee-chan' so affectionately. Shigure couldn't help but wonder just what had happened to cause all of this but it would be somewhat rude to ask so he kept silent, knowing he'd be able to get the answer from Tohru easily enough once they were alone.
"Iie," Tohru was saying. "I disagree. Daichi-san is a wonderful person to talk to."
"Onee-chan." Though blushing somewhat, he had a determined expression on his features as he looked up at her. "What did we agree on earlier?"
"Ah." Tohru pinkened. "Daichi-kun?"
Daichi frowned.
"Daichi?"
Daichi smiled. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Tohru just laughed, looking chastised.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke frowned at his son, embarrassed. Then he gave Tohru an apologetic glance. "Gomenasai. He's too difficult sometimes."
"Iie." Tohru waved the apology away. "He's charming, really."
Observing the interaction, Shigure thought that charming was not the way to describe the boy, not with the way the tiny interloper was ingratiating himself with Tohru in a manner that he, for some strange reason, found unusually threatening. And, as if picking up on Shigure's uncharitable thoughts, Daichi aimed a glare at him.
No, the boy definitely didn't like him.
Actually, Daichi seemed to dislike Shigure as much as he obviously adored Tohru. Shigure had excellent instincts and they were presently telling him that this new complication in pint-sized form had the potential to make things very messy.
"Tohru-kun," Shigure said, deeming it wise to make a departure. "If you're finished here for today, I can walk back with you."
"Eh?" Surprise and what he hoped was a bit of pleasure bloomed across her face. But she turned to look at Sanosuke. "Well-"
"Go ahead," Sanosuke told her. "We're done for today."
"Ah, then-" She broke off suddenly, eyes widening. "Oh, I forgot my purse!" She looked embarrassed. "Sumismasen. I should go look for it." She frowned. "I wonder where I put it."
"Onee-chan," Daichi spoke up. "I think you left it out back where we were talking." He looked remorseful. "I should have said something earlier."
"Iie." Tohru gave him a quick, forgiving smile. "It's my fault for leaving it in the first place. I'll just run around to the back and get it. I'll be quick so everyone, please, just excuse me for a moment and wait here."
She left before giving anyone a chance to protest.
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the three males left behind and Shigure inwardly sighed at having to deal with it. Still, he did his best to be friendly which was actually easy to pull off with Sanosuke who reminded him somewhat of Yuki, except more open and easygoing towards others. Daichi, on the other hand, was like a hostile little Hiro and would be harder to win over though Shigure gave it his best effort, making pleasant chitchat until the boy, apparently having had enough of it, made things even more uncomfortable.
"Are you her boyfriend?" Daichi asked suddenly, aggravatingly.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke gasped horrified, though it was obvious that he was curious as to what the answer might be too.
Though a bit taken aback at the sudden turn of conversation, Shigure was quick to recover and smiled in a friendly manner at the boy. He even crouched down so that he was nearly eye level with Daichi, trying to make himself as unthreatening and approachable as possible to worm into his good graces. After all, Tohru was taken with Daichi, and vice versa, so it would probably benefit Shigure if he and the boy were on better terms.
"No, I'm not," he said truthfully.
Though the thought did cross his mind that he could have replied in the affirmative and turn away a potential rival. Just because the man was married didn't mean he didn't go chasing after other women and the obvious interest he displayed towards Tohru certainly did bother Shigure. However, he didn't trust the boy to keep his mouth shut and suspected that he'd run to Tohru with the tidbit, no doubt asking her if it were true. Shigure didn't want to risk it and had no desire to be caught in a lie, not on this, not with Tohru.
And so he stuck to the truth.
"But you want to be, don't you?" Daichi asked belligerently, immune to the waves of friendliness Shigure was trying to emit.
Shigure really didn't like that boy.
Fortunately, he was forestalled from having to give a reply as Tohru came rushing up a little breathlessly, clutching her found purse in her hand. She gave everyone another apologetic smile as she came to a stop beside the trio of males.
"Sumimasen," she said. "I hope I didn't keep everyone waiting too long." She looked at them curiously, picking up on some odd tension in the air. "I hope everyone got along alright."
"Oh, fine, just fine," Sanosuke laughed a touch nervously.
Shigure just smiled and shrugged.
"Onee-chan." Daichi sidled closer to her until he was practically leaning against her leg, glaring at Shigure. "Onee-chan, you should be careful. That guy's dangerous."
Shigure changed his mind –
He hated that boy.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke looked horrified.
Tohru just blinked, surprised. Then she laughed, trying to break the uncomfortable silence that fell on the group. "Iie," Tohru said lightly to Daichi. "Shigure-san's really very kind. If you got to know him a little bit better-"
"He really is a bad person," Daichi broke in insistently. He gave Shigure a suspicious look. "He's got those shifty eyes like those bad guys on TV anime."
"Daichi," went Sanosuke, voice coming out in a strangled sound. "You're being very rude. You should apologize to Souma-san."
"Iie." Shigure waved his hands in a dismissive manner. "Apologies aren't necessary. After all, he's right." His tone was light, joking, as if he were playing along to some game. "I'm a very, very bad man."
He smiled cheerfully, as if it were all some great fun. It had Sanosuke and Tohru relaxing to see that he wasn't insulted and, what's more, making a game out of it and lightening what would have been a tense and awkward situation. Daichi, however, seemed to pick up on something that the other two didn't as he only became more wary and gave Shigure a hard stare, not buying the act that pulled off easily despite the strong urge he had to tan the boy's hide. That or bare his teeth and growl like any dog defending his territory, and the little boy was certainly challenging it, much to Shigure's frustration.
After all, he could hardly let loose the way he wanted to on someone his age and stay in Tohru's good graces, which was something he wanted badly. Besides, it was a matter of pride as it would be an intensely shameful thing if a man of his experience and intelligence were to lose in this skirmish to a little boy!
"See? He admits it," Daichi self-righteously claimed.
While Sanosuke and Tohru momentarily froze, unsure what to say next, Daichi kept his glare trained on Shigure as he moved to stand in front of Tohru in an almost protective gesture. Shigure thought it was almost amusing and even admirable in a tiny-white-knight-comes-to-rescue-damsel type of way as he watched Daichi cross his arms, facing off against him in an aggressive stance.
"He's probably some kind of pervert," Daichi proclaimed scathingly.
At that, a muscle ticked unpleasantly in his clenched jaw but Shigure kept smiling, kept being friendly. The thought briefly crossed his mind that Kami-sama was somehow punishing him by making things more difficult on the road of romance. After all, just when he thought he was free of hearing himself labeled a pervert with Yuki and Kyou sent somewhere far away from him and Tohru, Daichi pops up with his father, who showed an uncomfortable amount of interest in her, as if to take their place in getting in his way.
What were the odds?
"It's alright," Shigure said in the face of Sanosuke and Tohru's horror. "It's somewhat nostalgic in a way. Ah, Kyou-kun, Yuki-kun!" he exclaimed dramatically. "Just when I was wondering what to do without you and the insults you bombarded me with, the answer comes in this," he glanced down at Daichi, "little bundle of joy."
Shigure's easygoing smile widened as he stared down at Daichi. It was a gesture that reassured Sanosuke and Tohru that he wasn't insulted but Daichi, being more intuitive than they were in this instance, took it as the warning that it was. But instead of backing down, Daichi merely tilted his chin up more defiantly.
"I'm not afraid of you!" he said assertively.
Daichi frowned forbiddingly which, coming from a little boy, probably wasn't quite as forbidding an expression as he wanted. Shigure found himself amused at how he was being confronted so aggressively with a strange boy less than half his size.
"I won't let you take advantage of Onee-chan!" Daichi cried. "Who knows what you're planning on doing to her?"
At that, Shigure was caught between irritation and a bit of respect. Irritation at how Daichi was dragging out into the open the things that he was thinking of, intentionally or not. Respect was for how Daichi seemed to grasp what lay beneath the surface of his social mask in a way that the other two didn't.
But respect or not, Shigure didn't appreciate how the boy was muddying the calm waters he'd planned on when he tried to set the stage in furthering his relationship with Tohru. Having aspersions cast on him, even if they were voiced by a little boy, had the potential to set seeds of doubt in Tohru's mind which was something Shigure didn't want. Shigure could turn out better or worse than he already was in Tohru's eyes depending on how he handled this situation.
"Daichi," said Tohru, unwittingly saving Shigure from having to respond. "I've known Shigure-san for a long time." She gave Daichi a reassuring smile. "He'd never do anything bad to me."
Shigure stared at her, feeling at once both touched and, oddly enough, a bit guilty.
"Onee-chan." Daichi shook his head at her. "You're too nice. You wouldn't believe the worst of anyone."
Shigure couldn't disagree on that one.
"That's why you need someone to look after you," Daichi continued.
Shigure agreed. How scary was it that he was of the same mind as little boy he disliked?
"So I'll be your protector," Daichi appointed himself proudly.
On that, Shigure was definitely opposed.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke's tone was disapproving. "You're being extremely rude." He looked at Shigure. "I apologize for my son's behavior."
"Dad! I didn't do anything wrong! I only told the truth!"
"Iie, that's quite alright," responded Shigure lightly, ignoring Daichi. "I'm used to it. He reminds me of my cousins. No harm done, really."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Sanosuke smiled gratefully.
"But, Dad, he really is a bad man," Daichi insisted. "Like those old men on TV who chase after young girls and-"
A hand clamped over his mouth, cutting off whatever his next words might have been as Sanosuke looked a bit pale while he held his struggling son tight. His expression was, at once, both mortified and apologetic as he glanced from Shigure to Tohru whose features were settled into uncertain lines.
"Sumimasen," Sanosuke said. "Perhaps it would be best if you left now." He smiled at Tohru. "Honda-san, you'll be informed later about the position with more details forthcoming if you get it."
"Hai." Though still seeming uncertain, she bowed politely, an action mirrored by Shigure. "Sayonara," she said.
They'd almost walked through the gates when Daichi broke free from his father's hold. He didn't run after them but he did yell.
"Onee-chan! Come back and visit again!"
"Hai!" Tohru responded happily, turning back with a little wave of acknowledgment. "I will!"
"Old man!" Daichi glared at Shigure. "You better not do anything to her or you'll have to deal with me!"
Old man?
That muscle twitched unpleasantly again though Shigure kept his friendly mask, waving at them politely as he and Tohru continued on their way while Sanosuke began scolding his son in a low voice. Shigure was relieved when they were finally out of sight as well as earshot.
"Sumimasen," Tohru sighed. "Daichi was out of line, I know."
"Tohru-kun did nothing wrong," Shigure said easily. "You don't have to apologize."
"Hai," she bit her lip, "but I don't want Shigure-san to think badly of Daichi."
Too late for that, Shigure thought.
"Daichi really is a very sweet boy."
Shigure had his doubts, but he refrained from voicing them because there was something else on his mind. "Tohru-kun just met Matsumoto-san and his son today, ne?"
"Hai."
"If you don't mind my asking, how did you get to be so friendly with the little boy so quickly?" Another thought occurred to him. "And why was he there? I didn't think the daycare schedule ran to boys his age this early."
"Iie." She shook her head. "The daycare hasn't started up yet. Actually, someone else was supposed to interview me but there was some sort of minor emergency so the person couldn't make it. Matsumoto-san was called in instead but it was short notice so he brought his son since there was no place else he could get to look after him. I was on time but Matsumoto-san was a bit late and needed make some preparations. So while I was waiting-"
"You bonded with the boy," Shigure finished.
"Hai."
Shigure sighed gustily. "Maa, he certainly is quite a handful. I'm impressed you did so well with him. With a son like that, Matsumoto-san and his wife must have a hard time of it."
"Wife?" Tohru shook her head. "Matsumoto-san's not married. At least, not anymore."
Shigure frowned, image of a gold wedding band clear in his head. "Divorced?"
"Iie, widowed. Daichi told his mother passed away almost a couple years ago."
That statement told Shigure so many things.
He didn't have to wonder anymore about what had brought her and the hostile boy, who Shigure suspected was always difficult to get along with judging from some of the comments Sanosuke had dropped as well as his own observations, so close in such a short amount of time. No doubt they had bonded instantly over shared sorrows, especially knowing Tohru's nature as well as he did.
However, no matter how bad he felt over learning of Sanosuke and his son's loss, Shigure couldn't help feeling more pressured, especially when Hatori's comments about Tohru's wonderful wife potential coming back to haunt him. Sanosuke was worrisome because he was unattached, had enough time to grieve for his late wife and get over it, and was probably on the look out for a new mother for his troublesome son. And Shigure had a good idea who the lucky candidate was, recognizing male interest for a female when he saw it, especially when it was directed at the woman he'd silently claimed for himself. Combined with the surety that Tohru would get the job and would be spending much of her time in contact with Sanosuke when she started in her new position...well, it definitely put Shigure on edge.
And if the boy was looking for a new mommy figure to be paired up with his father, it was double the trouble in a way that Shigure didn't like.
"Tohru-kun," Shigure said suddenly. "Let's go on a date."
"Eh?!" She swung her head to look at him in surprise.
"To have lunch, a lunch date," he amended, not wanting to push her too far, too fast. "It's almost lunchtime and since we're in the area, let's eat out for a change. I heard about this great little place the next block over that I've been meaning to try for a while. But I don't want to go by myself." He put on his best puppy-dog expression, overriding any protests she might make. "Please? Would Tohru-kun join me for lunch and keep me company?"
How could she refuse to that?
sumimasen – I'm sorry / excuse me
arigatou gozaimasu – thank you very much
maa – well
ano – sound of hesitation like saying 'well' or 'um'
iie – no
hajimemashite/doozo yoroshiku – pleased to meet you
onee-chan – big sister
gomenasai – I'm sorry
Kami-sama - God
hai – yes
sayonara – good-bye
ne – 'hey' or 'right' depending on context
-
-
CHAPTER 5: Trouble Times Two
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
He walked, searching, knowing it was around somewhere nearby. But having had little need in the past for a daycare center, he'd never really taken note of the location of such establishments in the area before. Places to get food, now those he knew like the back of his hand but places where kids were stored for the day was something completely beyond his realm of experience. At this rate, he'd still be wandering around aimlessly by the time night fell!
Finally, having had enough of the fruitless searching, he decided to try another approach. He stopped an old woman passing by on the street in the hopes that she might know where the daycare center was. But he flushed under the old woman's gaze.
"Of course I know." The expression on her face declared him an idiot as she pointed directly behind him. "It's right over there. How could you miss it?"
"Ah, sumimasen." He laughed nervously as the old woman started walking away. "Arigatou gozaimasu."
He sighed when she left, wondering how he could have missed it. But the answer was obvious as the nameplate on the wall surrounding the grounds of the daycare center was partially concealed by a leafy bush. Still, he couldn't believe how he'd walked by the same spot several times and not notice.
Maybe he was as stupid as the old woman thought he was.
Suddenly he heard laughter, feminine and familiar. The delightful sound drew him closer to the wall, towards the entrance leading into the daycare center's grounds. He paused just outside, staring in surprise at his first glimpse of her since the debacle in her bedroom last night as he took in the sight of her looking much more adult than he'd ever seen her before in black pumps, calf-length black skirt, and a long red knit-top that gently hugged her curves and was cinched at the waist by a fashionable black belt. With her hair pulled back in tidy bun, showing off the simple gold chain necklace and earring studs she wore, she looked very professional, making him feel almost dowdy in the casual yukata he usually wore. Combined with her bright smile, she presented a beautiful sight.
He would have enjoyed it more were it not for the handsome man standing beside her.
As he watched, the man said something that earned a small laugh from her in a way that had his gut twisting as he wondered what the hell was going on and just what was it that was said to amuse her so. When the unidentified male looked down at her, obviously captivated, Shigure couldn't stand just watching any longer and approached, schooling his features into a friendly mask despite the hostile emotions swirling within him.
"Tohru-kun?" Shigure inquired pleasantly.
"Oh!" Tohru exclaimed upon spotting him, eyes rounding with surprise. "What's Shigure-san doing here?"
"Maa," he gave her a sheepish grin, "I was in the area so I thought I'd stop by and maybe see how your interview went."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." She beamed at him brightly, obviously touched by his thoughtfulness. "But Shigure-san really didn't need to go through the trouble of doing that."
"Don't worry." He smiled down at her. "It was no trouble at all."
"Ano, Honda-san?" the man beside broke in politely as he glanced between them curiously. "Who's this?"
"Ah, sumimasen," she apologized. "I should have made introductions earlier instead of just continuing to talk." She looked remorseful.
"Iie," the man was quick to reassure readily. "I don't mind. Really."
She gave him a tiny smile, lightening her features prettily in a way that Shigure didn't like considering the handsome stranger to whom it was directed towards, grateful for his reassurance. Shigure liked it even less when the man smiled back, obviously quite taken with her. He felt his body tense although he kept a friendly mask as Tohru gestured between the two men.
"Shigure-san, this is Matsumoto Sanosuke-san, one of the workers here. Matsumoto-san, this is Souma Shigure-san." She smiled. "Shigure-san's a wonderful writer."
"Hajimemashite," greeted Sanosuke, bowing.
"Doozo yoroshiku," returned Shigure.
"So, you're a writer?" Sanoske asked, straightening as his gaze flickered curiously between the two. "How is it that you know Honda-san? Are you related? A cousin perhaps?"
"Oh, no," Shigure said blithely. "We just live together."
He smiled as the man gasped, obviously shocked at his blunt phrasing and the implications it held, and was momentarily pleased with the reaction. After all, Sanosuke's questions had been nosy and none of his business in Shigure's opinion, especially when the other man's interest in her was plain to see. And the surest way to get rid of a potential rival was to make the desired object seem unavailable and this guy had 'potential' written all over him with the way he had been digging, polite though it was, for information about his and Tohru's relationship...which didn't currently exist.
But Sanosuke didn't know that!
Though it would have please him to no end to have another rival immediately drop away, Shigure just couldn't leave things hanging as they were. At least, not with Tohru's wide eyes trained upon him anxiously as his words had the potential to cost her the job that he knew she was eager to take up.
"I'm her landlord, when I'm not writing, that is," Shigure improvised easily, righting the wrong impression he'd made. "We live in the same building," he expounded, "so of course, it's just like living together."
"Oh." Sanosuke believed it easily. "I see."
Tohru just blinked, not sure how to take it all.
But she was saved from having to give any response as a tug on her skirt and a questioning "Onee-chan?" grabbed everyone's attention.
Surprised, Shigure looked down to see a young boy, perhaps around eight years old, step out from behind Tohru. He hadn't even noticed the boy until he spoke up but, from the hostile glare the youngster was shooting him, it was obvious the reverse did not hold true.
The boy didn't like Shigure.
That much was pretty clear judging from the get-lost-or-die expression the child was gracing him with. However, the reasons behind the belligerent look wasn't.
"Gomenasai," Tohru apologized to the boy, a mixture of embarrassment and distress written on her features. "I should have introduced you too."
"Iie, Honda-san," said Sanosuke. "If anyone, I should have been the one to do that."
"That's right," piped the boy. "If he didn't, then you don't have to worry about it. Of all the people to forget about me, it's a lot worse when it's him."
Sanosuke gave an embarrassed chuckle. "How true, how true."
"So who is this little fellow?" broke in Shigure, earning him another glare from the boy.
"Ah, this is Daichi," said Sanosuke, shifting closer to the boy to lay a hand on his shoulder in a gesture that, incidentally, also moved him nearer to Tohru. "He's my son."
"Son?" Shigure was surprised but pleased as he noticed for the first time the gold wedding band on Sanosuke's hand. Discovering that he was married and had a child as well put him in a better frame of mind and he smiled engagingly at the boy. "Now that you mention it, I see the resemblance. A fine boy, he seems too."
"Oh, he is," Tohru chimed in enthusiastically, earning a curious stare from Shigure and a pleased but embarrassed one from Daichi. "He's a wonderful boy," she said to Sanosuke. "You should be very proud to have him."
"When you say it, I am." He smiled warmly at Tohru, much to Shigure's displeasure. But no one took note of it as Sanosuke dropped his gaze to his son. "He's actually quite hard to get along with but it's amazing how well you've dealt with each other in such a short amount of time. He normally doesn't take to strange people so easily."
"Dad," Daichi grumbled, obviously not liking his father divulging that little piece of information. "It's rude to talk about someone like that, especially when they can hear you."
Sanosuke just sighed. "See what I mean?"
Indeed, Shigure did though he was wise enough to keep silent on the topic even though it was apparent that Daichi's hostile nature was much like Hiro's. Definitely hard to handle but, somehow, in a short amount of time Tohru had managed to win the little boy's adoration to the point where he called her 'onee-chan' so affectionately. Shigure couldn't help but wonder just what had happened to cause all of this but it would be somewhat rude to ask so he kept silent, knowing he'd be able to get the answer from Tohru easily enough once they were alone.
"Iie," Tohru was saying. "I disagree. Daichi-san is a wonderful person to talk to."
"Onee-chan." Though blushing somewhat, he had a determined expression on his features as he looked up at her. "What did we agree on earlier?"
"Ah." Tohru pinkened. "Daichi-kun?"
Daichi frowned.
"Daichi?"
Daichi smiled. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Tohru just laughed, looking chastised.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke frowned at his son, embarrassed. Then he gave Tohru an apologetic glance. "Gomenasai. He's too difficult sometimes."
"Iie." Tohru waved the apology away. "He's charming, really."
Observing the interaction, Shigure thought that charming was not the way to describe the boy, not with the way the tiny interloper was ingratiating himself with Tohru in a manner that he, for some strange reason, found unusually threatening. And, as if picking up on Shigure's uncharitable thoughts, Daichi aimed a glare at him.
No, the boy definitely didn't like him.
Actually, Daichi seemed to dislike Shigure as much as he obviously adored Tohru. Shigure had excellent instincts and they were presently telling him that this new complication in pint-sized form had the potential to make things very messy.
"Tohru-kun," Shigure said, deeming it wise to make a departure. "If you're finished here for today, I can walk back with you."
"Eh?" Surprise and what he hoped was a bit of pleasure bloomed across her face. But she turned to look at Sanosuke. "Well-"
"Go ahead," Sanosuke told her. "We're done for today."
"Ah, then-" She broke off suddenly, eyes widening. "Oh, I forgot my purse!" She looked embarrassed. "Sumismasen. I should go look for it." She frowned. "I wonder where I put it."
"Onee-chan," Daichi spoke up. "I think you left it out back where we were talking." He looked remorseful. "I should have said something earlier."
"Iie." Tohru gave him a quick, forgiving smile. "It's my fault for leaving it in the first place. I'll just run around to the back and get it. I'll be quick so everyone, please, just excuse me for a moment and wait here."
She left before giving anyone a chance to protest.
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the three males left behind and Shigure inwardly sighed at having to deal with it. Still, he did his best to be friendly which was actually easy to pull off with Sanosuke who reminded him somewhat of Yuki, except more open and easygoing towards others. Daichi, on the other hand, was like a hostile little Hiro and would be harder to win over though Shigure gave it his best effort, making pleasant chitchat until the boy, apparently having had enough of it, made things even more uncomfortable.
"Are you her boyfriend?" Daichi asked suddenly, aggravatingly.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke gasped horrified, though it was obvious that he was curious as to what the answer might be too.
Though a bit taken aback at the sudden turn of conversation, Shigure was quick to recover and smiled in a friendly manner at the boy. He even crouched down so that he was nearly eye level with Daichi, trying to make himself as unthreatening and approachable as possible to worm into his good graces. After all, Tohru was taken with Daichi, and vice versa, so it would probably benefit Shigure if he and the boy were on better terms.
"No, I'm not," he said truthfully.
Though the thought did cross his mind that he could have replied in the affirmative and turn away a potential rival. Just because the man was married didn't mean he didn't go chasing after other women and the obvious interest he displayed towards Tohru certainly did bother Shigure. However, he didn't trust the boy to keep his mouth shut and suspected that he'd run to Tohru with the tidbit, no doubt asking her if it were true. Shigure didn't want to risk it and had no desire to be caught in a lie, not on this, not with Tohru.
And so he stuck to the truth.
"But you want to be, don't you?" Daichi asked belligerently, immune to the waves of friendliness Shigure was trying to emit.
Shigure really didn't like that boy.
Fortunately, he was forestalled from having to give a reply as Tohru came rushing up a little breathlessly, clutching her found purse in her hand. She gave everyone another apologetic smile as she came to a stop beside the trio of males.
"Sumimasen," she said. "I hope I didn't keep everyone waiting too long." She looked at them curiously, picking up on some odd tension in the air. "I hope everyone got along alright."
"Oh, fine, just fine," Sanosuke laughed a touch nervously.
Shigure just smiled and shrugged.
"Onee-chan." Daichi sidled closer to her until he was practically leaning against her leg, glaring at Shigure. "Onee-chan, you should be careful. That guy's dangerous."
Shigure changed his mind –
He hated that boy.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke looked horrified.
Tohru just blinked, surprised. Then she laughed, trying to break the uncomfortable silence that fell on the group. "Iie," Tohru said lightly to Daichi. "Shigure-san's really very kind. If you got to know him a little bit better-"
"He really is a bad person," Daichi broke in insistently. He gave Shigure a suspicious look. "He's got those shifty eyes like those bad guys on TV anime."
"Daichi," went Sanosuke, voice coming out in a strangled sound. "You're being very rude. You should apologize to Souma-san."
"Iie." Shigure waved his hands in a dismissive manner. "Apologies aren't necessary. After all, he's right." His tone was light, joking, as if he were playing along to some game. "I'm a very, very bad man."
He smiled cheerfully, as if it were all some great fun. It had Sanosuke and Tohru relaxing to see that he wasn't insulted and, what's more, making a game out of it and lightening what would have been a tense and awkward situation. Daichi, however, seemed to pick up on something that the other two didn't as he only became more wary and gave Shigure a hard stare, not buying the act that pulled off easily despite the strong urge he had to tan the boy's hide. That or bare his teeth and growl like any dog defending his territory, and the little boy was certainly challenging it, much to Shigure's frustration.
After all, he could hardly let loose the way he wanted to on someone his age and stay in Tohru's good graces, which was something he wanted badly. Besides, it was a matter of pride as it would be an intensely shameful thing if a man of his experience and intelligence were to lose in this skirmish to a little boy!
"See? He admits it," Daichi self-righteously claimed.
While Sanosuke and Tohru momentarily froze, unsure what to say next, Daichi kept his glare trained on Shigure as he moved to stand in front of Tohru in an almost protective gesture. Shigure thought it was almost amusing and even admirable in a tiny-white-knight-comes-to-rescue-damsel type of way as he watched Daichi cross his arms, facing off against him in an aggressive stance.
"He's probably some kind of pervert," Daichi proclaimed scathingly.
At that, a muscle ticked unpleasantly in his clenched jaw but Shigure kept smiling, kept being friendly. The thought briefly crossed his mind that Kami-sama was somehow punishing him by making things more difficult on the road of romance. After all, just when he thought he was free of hearing himself labeled a pervert with Yuki and Kyou sent somewhere far away from him and Tohru, Daichi pops up with his father, who showed an uncomfortable amount of interest in her, as if to take their place in getting in his way.
What were the odds?
"It's alright," Shigure said in the face of Sanosuke and Tohru's horror. "It's somewhat nostalgic in a way. Ah, Kyou-kun, Yuki-kun!" he exclaimed dramatically. "Just when I was wondering what to do without you and the insults you bombarded me with, the answer comes in this," he glanced down at Daichi, "little bundle of joy."
Shigure's easygoing smile widened as he stared down at Daichi. It was a gesture that reassured Sanosuke and Tohru that he wasn't insulted but Daichi, being more intuitive than they were in this instance, took it as the warning that it was. But instead of backing down, Daichi merely tilted his chin up more defiantly.
"I'm not afraid of you!" he said assertively.
Daichi frowned forbiddingly which, coming from a little boy, probably wasn't quite as forbidding an expression as he wanted. Shigure found himself amused at how he was being confronted so aggressively with a strange boy less than half his size.
"I won't let you take advantage of Onee-chan!" Daichi cried. "Who knows what you're planning on doing to her?"
At that, Shigure was caught between irritation and a bit of respect. Irritation at how Daichi was dragging out into the open the things that he was thinking of, intentionally or not. Respect was for how Daichi seemed to grasp what lay beneath the surface of his social mask in a way that the other two didn't.
But respect or not, Shigure didn't appreciate how the boy was muddying the calm waters he'd planned on when he tried to set the stage in furthering his relationship with Tohru. Having aspersions cast on him, even if they were voiced by a little boy, had the potential to set seeds of doubt in Tohru's mind which was something Shigure didn't want. Shigure could turn out better or worse than he already was in Tohru's eyes depending on how he handled this situation.
"Daichi," said Tohru, unwittingly saving Shigure from having to respond. "I've known Shigure-san for a long time." She gave Daichi a reassuring smile. "He'd never do anything bad to me."
Shigure stared at her, feeling at once both touched and, oddly enough, a bit guilty.
"Onee-chan." Daichi shook his head at her. "You're too nice. You wouldn't believe the worst of anyone."
Shigure couldn't disagree on that one.
"That's why you need someone to look after you," Daichi continued.
Shigure agreed. How scary was it that he was of the same mind as little boy he disliked?
"So I'll be your protector," Daichi appointed himself proudly.
On that, Shigure was definitely opposed.
"Daichi!" Sanosuke's tone was disapproving. "You're being extremely rude." He looked at Shigure. "I apologize for my son's behavior."
"Dad! I didn't do anything wrong! I only told the truth!"
"Iie, that's quite alright," responded Shigure lightly, ignoring Daichi. "I'm used to it. He reminds me of my cousins. No harm done, really."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Sanosuke smiled gratefully.
"But, Dad, he really is a bad man," Daichi insisted. "Like those old men on TV who chase after young girls and-"
A hand clamped over his mouth, cutting off whatever his next words might have been as Sanosuke looked a bit pale while he held his struggling son tight. His expression was, at once, both mortified and apologetic as he glanced from Shigure to Tohru whose features were settled into uncertain lines.
"Sumimasen," Sanosuke said. "Perhaps it would be best if you left now." He smiled at Tohru. "Honda-san, you'll be informed later about the position with more details forthcoming if you get it."
"Hai." Though still seeming uncertain, she bowed politely, an action mirrored by Shigure. "Sayonara," she said.
They'd almost walked through the gates when Daichi broke free from his father's hold. He didn't run after them but he did yell.
"Onee-chan! Come back and visit again!"
"Hai!" Tohru responded happily, turning back with a little wave of acknowledgment. "I will!"
"Old man!" Daichi glared at Shigure. "You better not do anything to her or you'll have to deal with me!"
Old man?
That muscle twitched unpleasantly again though Shigure kept his friendly mask, waving at them politely as he and Tohru continued on their way while Sanosuke began scolding his son in a low voice. Shigure was relieved when they were finally out of sight as well as earshot.
"Sumimasen," Tohru sighed. "Daichi was out of line, I know."
"Tohru-kun did nothing wrong," Shigure said easily. "You don't have to apologize."
"Hai," she bit her lip, "but I don't want Shigure-san to think badly of Daichi."
Too late for that, Shigure thought.
"Daichi really is a very sweet boy."
Shigure had his doubts, but he refrained from voicing them because there was something else on his mind. "Tohru-kun just met Matsumoto-san and his son today, ne?"
"Hai."
"If you don't mind my asking, how did you get to be so friendly with the little boy so quickly?" Another thought occurred to him. "And why was he there? I didn't think the daycare schedule ran to boys his age this early."
"Iie." She shook her head. "The daycare hasn't started up yet. Actually, someone else was supposed to interview me but there was some sort of minor emergency so the person couldn't make it. Matsumoto-san was called in instead but it was short notice so he brought his son since there was no place else he could get to look after him. I was on time but Matsumoto-san was a bit late and needed make some preparations. So while I was waiting-"
"You bonded with the boy," Shigure finished.
"Hai."
Shigure sighed gustily. "Maa, he certainly is quite a handful. I'm impressed you did so well with him. With a son like that, Matsumoto-san and his wife must have a hard time of it."
"Wife?" Tohru shook her head. "Matsumoto-san's not married. At least, not anymore."
Shigure frowned, image of a gold wedding band clear in his head. "Divorced?"
"Iie, widowed. Daichi told his mother passed away almost a couple years ago."
That statement told Shigure so many things.
He didn't have to wonder anymore about what had brought her and the hostile boy, who Shigure suspected was always difficult to get along with judging from some of the comments Sanosuke had dropped as well as his own observations, so close in such a short amount of time. No doubt they had bonded instantly over shared sorrows, especially knowing Tohru's nature as well as he did.
However, no matter how bad he felt over learning of Sanosuke and his son's loss, Shigure couldn't help feeling more pressured, especially when Hatori's comments about Tohru's wonderful wife potential coming back to haunt him. Sanosuke was worrisome because he was unattached, had enough time to grieve for his late wife and get over it, and was probably on the look out for a new mother for his troublesome son. And Shigure had a good idea who the lucky candidate was, recognizing male interest for a female when he saw it, especially when it was directed at the woman he'd silently claimed for himself. Combined with the surety that Tohru would get the job and would be spending much of her time in contact with Sanosuke when she started in her new position...well, it definitely put Shigure on edge.
And if the boy was looking for a new mommy figure to be paired up with his father, it was double the trouble in a way that Shigure didn't like.
"Tohru-kun," Shigure said suddenly. "Let's go on a date."
"Eh?!" She swung her head to look at him in surprise.
"To have lunch, a lunch date," he amended, not wanting to push her too far, too fast. "It's almost lunchtime and since we're in the area, let's eat out for a change. I heard about this great little place the next block over that I've been meaning to try for a while. But I don't want to go by myself." He put on his best puppy-dog expression, overriding any protests she might make. "Please? Would Tohru-kun join me for lunch and keep me company?"
How could she refuse to that?
