To my loyal reviewers: Sorry this took so long, I actually had it all
written but forgot to post it!! bows down humbly I'm in a bit of a
hurry so I did a quick editing job, so I apologize for un-caught errors.
;;
Chapter 10: Cared For
It's been a little more than two weeks since Saitou returned from Kyoto, and we've entered into the month of July. Surprisingly, he hasn't been to work since. Muraki-san left and he stayed at home while I recovered from my ailment, and I'm glad to say that I'm making a full recovery. I've been out of bed for the last week, though I haven't been able to return to the Seishun Preschool. I know of another teacher who has been running it a few times a week until I come back.
Saitou spoke to me after discussing it with Keichirou Shiba. He, and the other doctor, were not quite positive as to what plagued me. I had every symptom of Malaria, apparently, though some of them came out of the usual order. As long as I'm well now, I'm happy.
After a long, warm bath in the morning, I put on a light pink kimono and put my hair up like I always do. I come into the house through the bathroom that connects to the bathhouse. Kari and Eiji are up, and they both have school today. Eiji is taking classes in the morning today, so he will be back far in time for dinner. Kari has preschool for the usual three hours or so. I enter into the kitchen and see Saitou at the stove, boiling water. He does know how to cook, but only simple things like miso soup or soba noodles.
I grab a tie off of the rack by the sink and bind my sleeves back before heading to the cupboard for some corn meal and flour. I feel like making corn cakes today before everyone heads off.
"You seem to be feeling well, again." Saitou says.
"Hai." I answer. I notice that he's not in his uniform, but a blue shirt and light gray hakama pants. He doesn't wear those very often. "You're not going to work today either?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "No, there is no need for me there. I'd rather stay at home today."
I feel myself beam at that statement. I get a bowl and begin making the dough for the cakes with what I imagine looks like a ridiculous grin on my face.
"Arigatou gozaimasu." I say, scooting over to the sink to wash my hands before touching the dough.
Saitou smirks at me. "Tokio, I think I've heard more 'thank you's from you in the past week than I have in my entire life."
I smile more, shaking water droplets off my hands and into the sink. "Gomen ne, but I really can't help it."
Before our conversation can go on, Eiji comes running into the kitchen. At first I think he'd stop since Saitou was there, but he doesn't. He scrambles around, looking for a place to hide. In a matter of seconds, Kari's screaming giggles echo into the room, soon followed by her, and she runs up to Eiji and grabs onto the waist of his pants.
"Ne Kari-chan, you win again." He unhooks her fingers.
I laugh a bit before looking over Kari. "Oh dear, Eiji, could you run a brush through Kari's hair? And when do you leave for school?"
Kari's hands now grip tightly to Eiji's, and he swings them back and forth. "Yeah, sure. I gotta start walking there in... an hour?" He questions me, but I know just about as well as he does. He usually takes the afternoon sessions.
"I'll have to hurry with breakfast then. Go take care of Kari, kudasai."
Eiji does as he is told and walks Kari out of the kitchen, Kari still tugging at his fingers for him to play with her more.
I hear a low "hm" near me.
I turn around to face Saitou. "Nani?" I ask.
Saitou has an onion in hand and starts to peel it. "You're very good with them."
Ah, the best compliment a mother could here. "Arigatou."
"Stop thanking me, Tokio."
- - -
Breakfast is served the moment the corn cakes come out of the oven, and we eat those with the rice that Saitou prepared. I'm in such a chipper mood I can barely contain myself, and I get a bit embarrassed when I really think about it. The whole four of us sit down at the table to eat, and I enjoy the site of all of us together. Even Saitou is smiling.
The moment Eiji is done he grabs the bag beside him and heads out the front door. I try to scold him on his manners, but he's out the front gate before I get even a few words out. I hear a distant "Ja!" before he's out of sight.
Saitou gets up to close the door that Eiji left ajar. He eats very calmly. I don't think I've ever seen him rush. When we're finished, Saitou tends to Kari while I wash off the dishes. Once I'm sure everything is put away and where it needs to be, I head back into the living room where Saitou now waits with Kari. Today he's going to walk with us to the preschool.
The whole way to Seishun Kari has one hand in mine and the other in Saitou's, and she talks to us in simple Japanese about random topics the whole way. She asks me for green peppers for dinner, which seems to amuse Saitou. She's discussing the game she played with Eiji this morning when we arrive. If I do say so myself, the rules are unfair and complicated, but Kari certainly seems to enjoy it.
"Tokio-san!" Amaya's mother runs off the porch towards me. "I've been trying to find you all week! You're feeling better? I heard about what happened."
I nod, still smiling. "Hai, domo. I feel fine. Actually, I plan on returning here to teach next week."
She lights up. "Ne, really? I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure the children all miss you." She finally recognizes Saitou. "Fujita-san, you're home?"
"For today, yes." He answers.
"It's good to see you again." She waves a hand to us. "I will see you later, maybe after the preschool ends."
"Hai. Ja matta, Touru-san." I say. She departs back for her home, and we walk Kari to the steps. Saitou takes a look into the open room, looking around at the place where I spend so much time. Finally he offers an arm to me and we head back.
We're only home for a few minutes before we leave together again to do some shopping in the market. Eiji's starting to outgrow some of his things, so I want to buy him another set of clothes and some fabric so I can custom make the rest. We also have some groceries and other things to purchase.
- - -
It's early afternoon when we get back home, and Saitou carries the two bags for me. As I step onto the porch I hear Eiji talking in the living room. I knew he'd probably be home by now, but who would he have as a guest?
I give a curious look back to Saitou and slide the door open, taking my shoes off before standing in. When I look into the living room, I see Eiji and another man at the table.
"Yamato?" I ask, walking in. "Oniisan, what are you doing in Tokyo?" My voice rises a bit in happiness, and Yamato stand up to embrace me. Saitou comes in next, and puts the bags on the floor.
"I came to share some news with you, and I haven't visited in a while." My brother answers.
I step back from him and look him over. He looks the same, of course. His hair is a bit longer, reaching to the base of his shoulder blades, and its held back in a low ponytail. He wears the usual gi and hakama. Yamato is the sibling closest to me in age, being two years older.
"Oh, I almost forgot." I certainly can't leave now, seeing as how I have a guest. "Eiji, would you be so kind as to go pick Kari up?"
"Yeah." Eiji gets up off the floor and steps outside, putting his shoes on and shutting the door behind him.
"He's the one you're taking care of, hm?" Yamato asks.
"Hai, he is. How long have you been here?" I inquire.
"Not too long, actually. That young man kept me company and let me in." Yamato glances past me, and I turn to see that he's looking at Saitou. "Hajime," he speaks, a bit cooler, "I'm surprised to see you home."
Saitou leans against the wall, his arms folded. "I do live here." He says lowly.
Sadly, though my father highly approved of him, Yamato never liked Saitou. Not many people do, I know, but Yamato tends to make it fairly obvious time to time. Usually it's just a strain of testosterone when they're in the same room.
I quickly remember my manners. "Yamato, would you like something to eat? Drink? Tea? I could go make it for you."
Yamato's attention goes back to me, and he grins. "Arigatou, Tokio, in a moment. First I want to tell you why I came here. I thought a letter would be too formal.
Yamato and I sit down, and Saitou stays where he is, a serious look on his face. I don't invite him over, I know he'd refuse anyways.
"What is it, Oniisan?" I ask, a bit excited now.
Yamato clears his throat. "Tokio, you remember Nebiki." He speaks. I do remember, she was a young woman I met on my last trip to Osaka. "Well," he continues, "She just recently accepted my hand in marriage a few weeks ago."
My eyes widen. "What? Really?!" I ask.
He nods. "We haven't set a date yet, but I'm sure it will be before the year is through."
I lean over the table and give Yamato another hug. "I can't believe you're getting married, Oniisan! That's wonderful!" And I liked Nebiki too. She's a seamstress who lives in Osaka with my brother and most of my family. She was very polite.
I pull away. "Who else have you told?" I question.
"Mostly everyone, except for Umeka. Robun is meeting me in Yokohama tomorrow, so I'll only be here for the rest of the day." He explains.
Umeka lives with her husband in Yokohama, just west of Tokyo. She and I are the only ones who don't live near the vicinity of Osaka. Umeka is my eldest sister, and she's 33. After her I have my two older brothers, Matsu and Yamato, 31 and 28. After that I came. When I was about three my biological father, Shimazaki Kan, died, and my mother married a year later to Akaike Gihei. He had a son who's a year older than Yamato, Robun, my stepbrother. He and my mother had two more children after that, my half siblings. My younger brother, Arinori, is 19, and the only single member of my family, and Chieko, who's 16. Like Umeka and I, she is engaged to a man my father chose, though the marriage won't take place until she is 18.
"You came all the way here to tell me?" I inquire further.
"It's only a day by train, Imoto." Yamato assures me.
I stand up and brush off my kimono. "Then you'll stay for a while, ne?"
He nods.
I turn to Saitou. "Saitou, do you remember Nebiki? We met her in Osaka last winter."
"Yes, I remember." He responds.
"Well, I'll go make some lunch. Kari and Eiji will be back soon too."
"Ah, Kari! How is she doing?" Yamato speaks up again.
"Very well. I'm sure she'll be excited to see you." I head for the kitchen.
"Chotto Matte, Tokio." Yamato stops me, laughing a bit. "One more thing."
"Hm?" I turn around.
"Did you hear from Umeka yet? About her news?"
I shake my head. "I haven't, what is it?"
"I hear she's pregnant again."
I'm in shock. "Really? Again? That would be number five, wouldn't it?"
"Hai." Yamato's grin fades slightly. "Though, in the letter Father got, she didn't seem too thrilled."
A bit of my cheer fades. "Ne, is that so? She's not depressed again, is she?" I notice my own worried tone.
"I don't know." He confesses. "We'll find out eventually, though."
Finally I head into the kitchen and get some water to boil on the stove for some tea. I hear Yamato and Saitou finally exchange a few words, but I don't listen enough to make out what they're saying.
Umeka... On and off over the years she's faced a few problems with stress and depression. It started a little while before she got married. With her first son she seemed to be over it, but it slowly returned. When I see her she's still able to smile, but I don't know how far it really goes. Sometimes I can't help but feel sorry for her... Umeka didn't luck out like me. Even after nearly 15 years of marriage, she never fell in love with her husband like I did with Saitou.
I get out some pre-made tea bags and some ceramic cups from a lower cupboard and place them by the stove. I start contemplating what to serve for lunch. A stew of some sort would be good, but what kind was another matter. I was going through a list in my mind of what we had, when suddenly the dizzy sensation I had had on and off with my illness returns to me. I lean forward and balance myself on the edge of the counter. I start taking a few deep breaths to calm it down. I am fully healed for the most part, but I suppose that all the walking I did today started to...
I shut my eyes, but that only makes it worse. I sway a bit as the room seems to spin, and suddenly I start to fall towards the floor. I try to grab onto something, but the only thing my fingers reach is one of the tea cups. It comes down with me and crashes on the floor, shattering loudly. I manage to land sitting upright, my back hitting against the wall that separates the kitchen from the living room.
"Tokio!" I hear Saitou call from the other room. He runs in and spots me, darting to my side. He puts one hand behind my neck and another on my shoulder to help me sit up better. I just look forward a bit, the sensation slowly wearing off again.
Yamato is soon to appear too. "Tokio!" He calls. "Doushita?!"
I blink a few times and return to normal. I look over at Saitou, who has a very worried expression.
"I'm... fine. Gomen nasai, I think I was just up a bit too much today..."
Saitou's palm touches my forehead, then flows down to my cheek to check for a fever. I'm sure he doesn't find one, though.
"You should rest." He finally decides.
"No, it's gone now..." I inform him.
"Tokio, you're not ill, are you?" Yamato leans over, worried as well.
"She's getting over a sickness." Saitou answers him, though he still watches me. "Tokio, I want you to go to bed."
"Saitou, I..." But he doesn't give me time to object. His forearm moves under my knees and he lifts me off the floor, my body hugging to his chest. I grip a handful of the fabric of his shirt as he turns around, Yamato staring as he walks past him and out of the kitchen. He goes through the living room and down the adjoining hall to our bedroom, not saying a word. My bed is still out from this morning since I hadn't had the chance to put it away, and he slowly kneels down and lays me down on top of it.
I start to sit back up, propping myself onto my elbows. "Saitou, it passed. Please, I really am fine, and Yamato..."
Saitou places his hands on either of my shoulders, but he doesn't force me down. Instead he gently eases my weight off my elbows until my head sinks back into my pillow.
"Don't worry about it. Please." He says.
I blink, not sure what to say. His tone is different, not quite so serious. I actually think he's worried about me.
"Demo..." I say quieter.
He reaches for my blanket and covers the majority of me. "I don't want you to over exert yourself, Tokio." He gazes right into my eyes. "Just for a little while. I'll take care of Yamato." After that statement, he stands back up and heads back for the door.
"Matte, Saitou," I call out one more time. He looks back to me.
I sigh, giving in. "Please try to get along with him."
He's hesitant, but nods. He then leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.
I watch the frame for a minute more, then gaze up at the ceiling. "I'm not very tired, but maybe I should rest. I did do a lot of walking today."
I do sit up again to take the pins out of my hair so it's easier to lie on. I just rest awake for a while, resting my eyes, so I hear it when Eiji and Kari come home.
Only for an hour or two though. Then I'll be back up.
Chapter 10: Cared For
It's been a little more than two weeks since Saitou returned from Kyoto, and we've entered into the month of July. Surprisingly, he hasn't been to work since. Muraki-san left and he stayed at home while I recovered from my ailment, and I'm glad to say that I'm making a full recovery. I've been out of bed for the last week, though I haven't been able to return to the Seishun Preschool. I know of another teacher who has been running it a few times a week until I come back.
Saitou spoke to me after discussing it with Keichirou Shiba. He, and the other doctor, were not quite positive as to what plagued me. I had every symptom of Malaria, apparently, though some of them came out of the usual order. As long as I'm well now, I'm happy.
After a long, warm bath in the morning, I put on a light pink kimono and put my hair up like I always do. I come into the house through the bathroom that connects to the bathhouse. Kari and Eiji are up, and they both have school today. Eiji is taking classes in the morning today, so he will be back far in time for dinner. Kari has preschool for the usual three hours or so. I enter into the kitchen and see Saitou at the stove, boiling water. He does know how to cook, but only simple things like miso soup or soba noodles.
I grab a tie off of the rack by the sink and bind my sleeves back before heading to the cupboard for some corn meal and flour. I feel like making corn cakes today before everyone heads off.
"You seem to be feeling well, again." Saitou says.
"Hai." I answer. I notice that he's not in his uniform, but a blue shirt and light gray hakama pants. He doesn't wear those very often. "You're not going to work today either?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "No, there is no need for me there. I'd rather stay at home today."
I feel myself beam at that statement. I get a bowl and begin making the dough for the cakes with what I imagine looks like a ridiculous grin on my face.
"Arigatou gozaimasu." I say, scooting over to the sink to wash my hands before touching the dough.
Saitou smirks at me. "Tokio, I think I've heard more 'thank you's from you in the past week than I have in my entire life."
I smile more, shaking water droplets off my hands and into the sink. "Gomen ne, but I really can't help it."
Before our conversation can go on, Eiji comes running into the kitchen. At first I think he'd stop since Saitou was there, but he doesn't. He scrambles around, looking for a place to hide. In a matter of seconds, Kari's screaming giggles echo into the room, soon followed by her, and she runs up to Eiji and grabs onto the waist of his pants.
"Ne Kari-chan, you win again." He unhooks her fingers.
I laugh a bit before looking over Kari. "Oh dear, Eiji, could you run a brush through Kari's hair? And when do you leave for school?"
Kari's hands now grip tightly to Eiji's, and he swings them back and forth. "Yeah, sure. I gotta start walking there in... an hour?" He questions me, but I know just about as well as he does. He usually takes the afternoon sessions.
"I'll have to hurry with breakfast then. Go take care of Kari, kudasai."
Eiji does as he is told and walks Kari out of the kitchen, Kari still tugging at his fingers for him to play with her more.
I hear a low "hm" near me.
I turn around to face Saitou. "Nani?" I ask.
Saitou has an onion in hand and starts to peel it. "You're very good with them."
Ah, the best compliment a mother could here. "Arigatou."
"Stop thanking me, Tokio."
- - -
Breakfast is served the moment the corn cakes come out of the oven, and we eat those with the rice that Saitou prepared. I'm in such a chipper mood I can barely contain myself, and I get a bit embarrassed when I really think about it. The whole four of us sit down at the table to eat, and I enjoy the site of all of us together. Even Saitou is smiling.
The moment Eiji is done he grabs the bag beside him and heads out the front door. I try to scold him on his manners, but he's out the front gate before I get even a few words out. I hear a distant "Ja!" before he's out of sight.
Saitou gets up to close the door that Eiji left ajar. He eats very calmly. I don't think I've ever seen him rush. When we're finished, Saitou tends to Kari while I wash off the dishes. Once I'm sure everything is put away and where it needs to be, I head back into the living room where Saitou now waits with Kari. Today he's going to walk with us to the preschool.
The whole way to Seishun Kari has one hand in mine and the other in Saitou's, and she talks to us in simple Japanese about random topics the whole way. She asks me for green peppers for dinner, which seems to amuse Saitou. She's discussing the game she played with Eiji this morning when we arrive. If I do say so myself, the rules are unfair and complicated, but Kari certainly seems to enjoy it.
"Tokio-san!" Amaya's mother runs off the porch towards me. "I've been trying to find you all week! You're feeling better? I heard about what happened."
I nod, still smiling. "Hai, domo. I feel fine. Actually, I plan on returning here to teach next week."
She lights up. "Ne, really? I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure the children all miss you." She finally recognizes Saitou. "Fujita-san, you're home?"
"For today, yes." He answers.
"It's good to see you again." She waves a hand to us. "I will see you later, maybe after the preschool ends."
"Hai. Ja matta, Touru-san." I say. She departs back for her home, and we walk Kari to the steps. Saitou takes a look into the open room, looking around at the place where I spend so much time. Finally he offers an arm to me and we head back.
We're only home for a few minutes before we leave together again to do some shopping in the market. Eiji's starting to outgrow some of his things, so I want to buy him another set of clothes and some fabric so I can custom make the rest. We also have some groceries and other things to purchase.
- - -
It's early afternoon when we get back home, and Saitou carries the two bags for me. As I step onto the porch I hear Eiji talking in the living room. I knew he'd probably be home by now, but who would he have as a guest?
I give a curious look back to Saitou and slide the door open, taking my shoes off before standing in. When I look into the living room, I see Eiji and another man at the table.
"Yamato?" I ask, walking in. "Oniisan, what are you doing in Tokyo?" My voice rises a bit in happiness, and Yamato stand up to embrace me. Saitou comes in next, and puts the bags on the floor.
"I came to share some news with you, and I haven't visited in a while." My brother answers.
I step back from him and look him over. He looks the same, of course. His hair is a bit longer, reaching to the base of his shoulder blades, and its held back in a low ponytail. He wears the usual gi and hakama. Yamato is the sibling closest to me in age, being two years older.
"Oh, I almost forgot." I certainly can't leave now, seeing as how I have a guest. "Eiji, would you be so kind as to go pick Kari up?"
"Yeah." Eiji gets up off the floor and steps outside, putting his shoes on and shutting the door behind him.
"He's the one you're taking care of, hm?" Yamato asks.
"Hai, he is. How long have you been here?" I inquire.
"Not too long, actually. That young man kept me company and let me in." Yamato glances past me, and I turn to see that he's looking at Saitou. "Hajime," he speaks, a bit cooler, "I'm surprised to see you home."
Saitou leans against the wall, his arms folded. "I do live here." He says lowly.
Sadly, though my father highly approved of him, Yamato never liked Saitou. Not many people do, I know, but Yamato tends to make it fairly obvious time to time. Usually it's just a strain of testosterone when they're in the same room.
I quickly remember my manners. "Yamato, would you like something to eat? Drink? Tea? I could go make it for you."
Yamato's attention goes back to me, and he grins. "Arigatou, Tokio, in a moment. First I want to tell you why I came here. I thought a letter would be too formal.
Yamato and I sit down, and Saitou stays where he is, a serious look on his face. I don't invite him over, I know he'd refuse anyways.
"What is it, Oniisan?" I ask, a bit excited now.
Yamato clears his throat. "Tokio, you remember Nebiki." He speaks. I do remember, she was a young woman I met on my last trip to Osaka. "Well," he continues, "She just recently accepted my hand in marriage a few weeks ago."
My eyes widen. "What? Really?!" I ask.
He nods. "We haven't set a date yet, but I'm sure it will be before the year is through."
I lean over the table and give Yamato another hug. "I can't believe you're getting married, Oniisan! That's wonderful!" And I liked Nebiki too. She's a seamstress who lives in Osaka with my brother and most of my family. She was very polite.
I pull away. "Who else have you told?" I question.
"Mostly everyone, except for Umeka. Robun is meeting me in Yokohama tomorrow, so I'll only be here for the rest of the day." He explains.
Umeka lives with her husband in Yokohama, just west of Tokyo. She and I are the only ones who don't live near the vicinity of Osaka. Umeka is my eldest sister, and she's 33. After her I have my two older brothers, Matsu and Yamato, 31 and 28. After that I came. When I was about three my biological father, Shimazaki Kan, died, and my mother married a year later to Akaike Gihei. He had a son who's a year older than Yamato, Robun, my stepbrother. He and my mother had two more children after that, my half siblings. My younger brother, Arinori, is 19, and the only single member of my family, and Chieko, who's 16. Like Umeka and I, she is engaged to a man my father chose, though the marriage won't take place until she is 18.
"You came all the way here to tell me?" I inquire further.
"It's only a day by train, Imoto." Yamato assures me.
I stand up and brush off my kimono. "Then you'll stay for a while, ne?"
He nods.
I turn to Saitou. "Saitou, do you remember Nebiki? We met her in Osaka last winter."
"Yes, I remember." He responds.
"Well, I'll go make some lunch. Kari and Eiji will be back soon too."
"Ah, Kari! How is she doing?" Yamato speaks up again.
"Very well. I'm sure she'll be excited to see you." I head for the kitchen.
"Chotto Matte, Tokio." Yamato stops me, laughing a bit. "One more thing."
"Hm?" I turn around.
"Did you hear from Umeka yet? About her news?"
I shake my head. "I haven't, what is it?"
"I hear she's pregnant again."
I'm in shock. "Really? Again? That would be number five, wouldn't it?"
"Hai." Yamato's grin fades slightly. "Though, in the letter Father got, she didn't seem too thrilled."
A bit of my cheer fades. "Ne, is that so? She's not depressed again, is she?" I notice my own worried tone.
"I don't know." He confesses. "We'll find out eventually, though."
Finally I head into the kitchen and get some water to boil on the stove for some tea. I hear Yamato and Saitou finally exchange a few words, but I don't listen enough to make out what they're saying.
Umeka... On and off over the years she's faced a few problems with stress and depression. It started a little while before she got married. With her first son she seemed to be over it, but it slowly returned. When I see her she's still able to smile, but I don't know how far it really goes. Sometimes I can't help but feel sorry for her... Umeka didn't luck out like me. Even after nearly 15 years of marriage, she never fell in love with her husband like I did with Saitou.
I get out some pre-made tea bags and some ceramic cups from a lower cupboard and place them by the stove. I start contemplating what to serve for lunch. A stew of some sort would be good, but what kind was another matter. I was going through a list in my mind of what we had, when suddenly the dizzy sensation I had had on and off with my illness returns to me. I lean forward and balance myself on the edge of the counter. I start taking a few deep breaths to calm it down. I am fully healed for the most part, but I suppose that all the walking I did today started to...
I shut my eyes, but that only makes it worse. I sway a bit as the room seems to spin, and suddenly I start to fall towards the floor. I try to grab onto something, but the only thing my fingers reach is one of the tea cups. It comes down with me and crashes on the floor, shattering loudly. I manage to land sitting upright, my back hitting against the wall that separates the kitchen from the living room.
"Tokio!" I hear Saitou call from the other room. He runs in and spots me, darting to my side. He puts one hand behind my neck and another on my shoulder to help me sit up better. I just look forward a bit, the sensation slowly wearing off again.
Yamato is soon to appear too. "Tokio!" He calls. "Doushita?!"
I blink a few times and return to normal. I look over at Saitou, who has a very worried expression.
"I'm... fine. Gomen nasai, I think I was just up a bit too much today..."
Saitou's palm touches my forehead, then flows down to my cheek to check for a fever. I'm sure he doesn't find one, though.
"You should rest." He finally decides.
"No, it's gone now..." I inform him.
"Tokio, you're not ill, are you?" Yamato leans over, worried as well.
"She's getting over a sickness." Saitou answers him, though he still watches me. "Tokio, I want you to go to bed."
"Saitou, I..." But he doesn't give me time to object. His forearm moves under my knees and he lifts me off the floor, my body hugging to his chest. I grip a handful of the fabric of his shirt as he turns around, Yamato staring as he walks past him and out of the kitchen. He goes through the living room and down the adjoining hall to our bedroom, not saying a word. My bed is still out from this morning since I hadn't had the chance to put it away, and he slowly kneels down and lays me down on top of it.
I start to sit back up, propping myself onto my elbows. "Saitou, it passed. Please, I really am fine, and Yamato..."
Saitou places his hands on either of my shoulders, but he doesn't force me down. Instead he gently eases my weight off my elbows until my head sinks back into my pillow.
"Don't worry about it. Please." He says.
I blink, not sure what to say. His tone is different, not quite so serious. I actually think he's worried about me.
"Demo..." I say quieter.
He reaches for my blanket and covers the majority of me. "I don't want you to over exert yourself, Tokio." He gazes right into my eyes. "Just for a little while. I'll take care of Yamato." After that statement, he stands back up and heads back for the door.
"Matte, Saitou," I call out one more time. He looks back to me.
I sigh, giving in. "Please try to get along with him."
He's hesitant, but nods. He then leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.
I watch the frame for a minute more, then gaze up at the ceiling. "I'm not very tired, but maybe I should rest. I did do a lot of walking today."
I do sit up again to take the pins out of my hair so it's easier to lie on. I just rest awake for a while, resting my eyes, so I hear it when Eiji and Kari come home.
Only for an hour or two though. Then I'll be back up.