The dark, cool night air led him home. A bag of laundry over his shoulder. Regretting his whole life. Everything about him, was abnormal. Over the years he has become somewhat normal though. Appealing to the norms of the culture and society that he lives in. Which means: less explosions, less angry people, more people who like him, girlfriends, and overall, a chance at normalcy.
Sousuke was not sure though, that he had wanted to be normal, exactly. Yes, part of him wants him to be normal. Maybe in the majority of aspects. He wanted to hold onto part of himself though. The parts that required no such changed to become normal. He was a solider. That was true enough. There was no difference. It has led him to think maybe he should simply move to America and try to enlist there and get the benefits of those soldiers. Then he realizes he did not want that life. No, he needs something totally different.
He would love to have a normal job. The problem was that he was not good for any other job. What could he do? What has he any experience in? What does he like to do other than what he already does? A teacher? He could be a history teacher. Maybe, he could instead be an instructor of up-and-coming soldiers. Those were things he could do. He has had experiences teaching people how to do things. Now all he needs is the qualifications. It would not be hard. He probably can even have Mithril just bypass the whole education part so he can go right to teaching. Yes, that was what he would do.
He came to his apartment door. The door was locked, but a piece of scotch tape he left along the trim had been broken. Someone had opened the door.
Dropping his bag of shirts he took out his trusty handgun. Ready to fire. Opening the door carefully so the intruder would not notice he entered the home. As he passed the foyer and was about to come to the hall that went to his bed and bathroom he stopped and swung his arm in one direction. Aiming at the intruder. The intruder had done the same from around the corner. There was silence.
"Weber."
"Sousuke."
The two stare with guns pointed at one another. A glare sent from each. Finally the two lowered the guns and broke out in laughter. "You were so scared."
"Uh-uh! You were Sousuke."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Well, are you going to put that thing away?"
"Are you?"
"Touché!"
Sousuke walked back to the door and grabbed his bag and closed the door. "So, what brings you here?"
"What, a guy can't stop by and see his old pal while on leave?" He opens a beer. Tossing another to Sousuke as he dropped to a sitting position in the living area.
"So, what's up?"
"Nothing. Melissa is still ignoring my want for her."
"That could be due to the fact that sane 'want' is directed at several others." Sosuke noted.
"Hey, you don't even try."
"And, who had a girlfriend?"
"Ugh. You always have to bring that up!" Kurz drank his beer.
Sousuke sat across from the blonde haired one. "So, you hear about today?"
"Yeah, that sucks. You were only worried for the safety of those girls. Too bad it all went sour."
"I acted foolishly though. They were right to dismiss me."
"Damit Sousuke! You're supposed to be mad that they did this to you!"
"I am?" He wondered.
"Yeah."
"Well, I am. I just don't show it."
"How will they know then? You have to show them your fangs! Show 'em that you're pissed!" Kurz advised.
"And who was the one who was locked up for a night for such behavior?"
"Hey I-Wait, that was you."
"Oh, I know. I just was testing you." That was another bad night for Sousuke.
"So, what happened to your hair?"
"Accident."
"Sousuke, you don't have accidents, you have catastrophes."
"Well, that's what happened. The 'Whispered' painted me and my clothes."
"So that's what took you so long. I was waiting forever. I ate that sub you were saving from the fridge."
"I guess I should tell you I bought that last week."
"Last week?" Kurz wondered. "Well, last week 'last week' or before this same day last week?"
"Before. It was on Monday."
"I'm going to go to the bathroom."
"Yes, please don't make a mess and use the toilet." Sousuke replied. He waited as he heard some retching and finally the return of a dismal Kurz. "Mission completed?"
"Shut up." Kurz sat down and took his beer. "Go order something to eat."
"Sorry. I can't do that. I pissed off every single business that delivered when I tried to show them how to make their delivery system more efficient. I have ramen though."
"Now I know why the sub was from last week." Kurz remarked. "So, how you doing buddy? I think maybe we should go out and get drunk and find you some girl to forget your troubles."
"No. That will not do. Besides…"
"Besides?"
"Nothing."
"You gotta tell me now."
"Really?"
"It's the rules."
"Well, today, after all that other stuff, I met this woman."
"Oh, this is getting interesting."
"No, trust me, it isn't." Sousuke replied. "She…was beautiful. Really. And, she was real nice."
"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. All good. So what?"
"Then I found out that it was Chidori."
"Chidori?"
"Yeah."
"Kaname?"
"Yeah."
"So, what did you do?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Well, she has a boyfriend."
"That doesn't mean a thing! If she were married maybe then you'd have a counter-argument, but her having a boyfriend is not the end. All you have to do is show her that you love her more than that bastard!" Kurz declared. So loudly he did that there was a thumping of a broom from below.
"She really likes this guy though. I can tell."
"How do you know?"
"I just do. She seems happy."
"Maybe she was happy to see you."
"No, she seemed more shocked and regretful."
"Tell me the details."
"Okay. It went like this…and that's how it happened."
"You didn't say anything. You just said 'it went like this…and that's how it happened."
"Did I?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, well this is really how it went…" And Sousuke described the fateful encounter with the blue-haired woman.
"You did what?"
"I almost kissed her really."
"But, did she almost kiss you too?"
Sousuke sat in silence. He did not notice that at the time. "She did!"
"Exactly. Now that you got her confused move in and swoop her up. It may also help to discredit the other guy."
"I don't play dirty."
"No, don't make up anything. You're an expert at covert stuff. Just try to find something you can use against him."
"How do I even learn who he is? I can't go and talk to Kaname again."
"Yes you can! If you expect her to come to you it won't work."
"So, how do I get her? How can I talk to her without it being the way I wish?"
"Just tell her the truth and everyone else lies. Tell her that you still love her. There's no question about it. And you think she loves you too. So, you're not giving up."
"That will work?"
"Well, why not? Just don't go too weird and become a stalker or make her have to throw you in jail again."
"I will suffer a restraining order and being thrown in prison though." Sousuke honestly spoke. "So, let her do that. I won't give up."
"Alright! Looks like you're ready to go, but, we'll start tomorrow." Kurz replied. "For now, drink up and get confident!"
"Right."
