CHAPTER TWELVE: SHEDDING PART II
"You know you didn't have to come along with me," Moriko's voice is a gentle whisper as her fingertips brush the leaves of a magnolia at a stand. She can feel the way it vibrates at her touch, excited as it calls out to her.
"I was running out of painkillers," Haruhi states bluntly, admiring the same magnolia. She eyes the way it perks up, as if it's full of life or reacting to something that she doesn't see. She furrows her brow at the thought before brushing it off as just 'another weird thing that she doesn't have to acknowledge.'
"I wouldn't have lasted much longer with the hosts."
"You mean Tamaki and the twins," Moriko chuckles, but Haruhi only agrees, not even bothering to deny it.
"They can be a lot sometimes," Haruhi notes, "Your sisters may be weird, but at least they don't make too much of a scene and I like hanging out with you."
Moriko makes a face, doubting Haruhi's words as she thinks about the many times Kato caused a scene in public. Not to mention the times that Reve only made it worse. Haruhi just grins at her with sparkling, doe-like eyes that make Moriko's heart jump to her throat as her cheeks flush.
"I like hanging out with you too," Moriko finally responds, her voice cracking slightly as her nerves become more shot, taking a chance, "And I think you look really cute in that dress."
Haruhi's eyes light up as they give a small turn, the edges of their dress lifting with the breeze and Moriko swears that her heart stops in that moment as time seems to slow down around them. She swallows at the way it highlights Haruhi's legs, lightly sculpted from club activities. When the dress raises a bit too high, allowing her to catch glimpses of skin that's higher up on Haruhi's thighs, Moriko has to remind herself to breath and to look away.
"Thank you, it's just an old dress though. Dad keeps trying to get me to wear more stuff like it, but I'd rather use the money to buy groceries than new clothes."
"You sound like Reve," Moriko laughs, "She never lets us buy anything that's not a necessity, it doesn't matter how much money we have. But in all honesty, it's good to spend money on yourself sometimes. You deserve to treat yourself every once a while. What's something small you've always wanted, Haruhi-chan? Something that's perfectly okay to have or is affordable, but you never let yourself buy it."
Haruhi pauses for a moment, a finger to their lips in thought. "I guess there's this cute little stuffed animal at one of the stands that's pretty cheap, but I've always talked myself out of buying."
"Then get it, it's not like you're spending an insane amount of money or treating yourself so much that you're abandoning your responsibility."
Haruhi grins, "I guess. It would be nice to have something for myself, but that means you have to buy something nice for yourself too."
Moriko agreed with a smile of her own, "I promise that I will buy something for myself, but for now I have a mission to buy a vacuum."
"Oh I know a place that sells them and they're pretty durable. A little pricey but they last a long time. What type of vacuum did you have before so we know what to avoid?"
Moriko flushes, "A type that promised the same thing - long lasting and durable but apparently no one makes these vacuums with my sisters in mind."
Haruhi frowns, "Then we Google the reviews of the vacuums we find to see if they're actually what promised. The one you got must have been a fake. Sometimes the off brand names work pretty well but you have to be careful."
Moriko doesn't mention that the vacuum they used, while expensive, was definitely a damn good vacuum; there's just not a single human made vacuum that's prepared for the amount of shedding a giant cat beast can make.
Instead, she nods in agreement and tries not to blush too hard when Haruhi takes her hand to lead her away to the shop they know.
"You do realize that ignoring my texts isn't the best way to convince me to not reveal your secret."
The weight of their conversation isn't unnoticed or even ignored, but both of them know the importance of keeping up appearances. They don't even look at each as they speak, going about their business as if there's not a tangible tension between them. Reve barely even looks at him as she strolls through bookshelves of a store, eyeing the titles and taking one down every so often only to put it back with a tsk. Meditation books, accurate ones, are ever so hard to find.
Kyoya stands a bit away from her, far enough to make it look like they barely know each other, but close enough that they can talk. He never knows who's watching or listening and word of their arrangement could end poorly. He eyes a few books as he strolls near her. They fall into a rhythm, each taking a book off the shelf before returning it to its place, only every so often, keeping one under their arm to purchase, staying a good five or so feet away with an ease that's not broken. They move in union. Each step she takes, he finds himself taking one. Each book she takes down, he's placing one back.
"And you do realize that communication between us via a phone in any form is bound to draw the attention of my sisters," Reve scoffs, "If you called, Kato would be eavesdropping in a second and if I text constantly, Moriko would be asking questions that I don't want to answer. I mean, honestly, who do I look like? Some social media junkie that has to be on their phone all the time? I've never been so insulted."
She knows this is, somewhat, a lie. A convincing one to make it seem as if she never answered him to only keep up the appearance that nothing is going on between them. Admitting that she never wanted to talk to him wouldn't work in her favor - if he gets too upset, he may just reveal her secret to everyone.
Reve openly gestures to him, motioning toward herself with a raised brow as if to say honestly, have you really seen me? to make her point. He takes a moment to eye her, noting the professional manner that she dresses in and how her pantsuits and heels only make her look even taller. He has no doubts that even without heels, she would still be a good few inches taller than even him, something that only Takashi has accomplished. The realization stirs something in his chest that he swallows down, convincing himself that it was only mild intimidation.
"Then how do you propose we conduct our business? Meeting at late hours of the night in a back alley with half-assed disguises?"
Sarcasm drips heavily from his words and Reve almost cracks a smile, "Careful, Mommy, considering your friendship with Tamaki, I might have taken that seriously. Just how many times has he dragged you around in bad disguises?"
Kyoya mutters under his breath with a huff, turning back toward the bookshelf.
Kyoya eyes a book on the top shelf and reaches for it, the tips of his fingers barely brushing it's spine. He scowls and is about to try harder when a dark hand grabs the book easily and hands it to him with a casual ease. Reve just holds the book out to him and he expects to see a snobby, cocky look on her face, but instead she barely gives him any attention, her eyes still on other books. Thankful, he takes the offered book, a light dusting on his cheeks. He takes a deep breath and eyes the ones that she's gathered into her arms.
"Meditation? Interesting notion."
"It calms me," Reve states simply, "And my meditation methods have been… failing me lately as my concentration has been slipping. I'm hoping to find something that can suggest a stronger method."
"Have you tried using essential oils or music," Kyoya offers, "Giving your other senses something to focus on can help concentration. They even have necklaces that you can add your essential oils to if you need something to help you on the go. Kami knows the hosts can be distracting."
Reve pauses, thinking the advice over before giving him a thankful nod that he acknowledges. A moment of peace passes between them before it's broken by Kyoya's voice.
"But that doesn't change the fact that I decided how I can use that little favor you owe me. It doesn't take place for quite some time, but the school hosts a rather large gala event at the end of the year. It would… be in my favor to have someone to escort to this event."
Reve stops and turns to him, but he doesn't meet her eye.
"Until then," he finally turns with a glint in his eyes, "It would likely do you best to stay on my good side."
He's gone before she can give her answer. She watches him go with a scowl. That son of a bitch.
Moriko vibrates with excitement as she eyes the long row of plants ahead of her. Haruhi follows behind her, watching her in amusement, a small stuffed elephant tucked under their arm and a boxed vacuum cleaner on a cart that they push. Despite Moriko's instance, Haruhi is fine pushing the cart themselves. It's worth it to see the way Moriko takes her time at each and every plant she sees, as if she has to say hello to every single one.
This greenhouse must do a pretty good job, Haruhi eyes all the plants and flowers that stand attention, blooming beautifully, not a single petal out of place. I'll have to remember to tell Ritsu about this, he would like it.
Every so often, Moriko places a potted plant ever so carefully onto the cart, fluffing the leaves and branches of it with care.
"If it gets too heavy to push, let me know," Moriko looks up at Haruhi with ernest eyes, "I don't want you straining yourself on my behalf."
"I'm not too weak you know," Haruhi states dryly, thinking of the way Tamaki fawns over them dramatically when they so much as pick up, well, anything. "I can take care of myself."
"I know."
The genuineness of the statement causes a pregnant pause between them, Haruhi looking at her with stunned eyed, a light blush dusting their cheeks before they mutter a thanks.
"So, how mad do you think Reve will be if I get a few more plants than planned?"
"Livid," Haruhi snorts, "Why do you have to get so many? If it wasn't discussed with your sisters, or planned ahead of time, where do you plan on keeping them?"
"My room."
Moriko states it as if it's the most obvious thing in the world and honestly, Haruhi can't really argue with it. If Moriko genuinely believes that she can live with this many plants in her room, then she will learn soon enough.
"Do you have the money for it?"
"Yeah."
"Then go for it, it's your room. Reve can't be mad with how you decorate your space, because it's your space."
Moriko highly doubts that, knowing Reve's tendency to lash out at everything - not in the explosive, highly noticeable and angry way that Kato does, but in the 'are you sure', disappointed and passive aggressive way of a mother.
Takashi can hardly hear the rumble of people in the food court over the loud, echoing purring from Kato and her new litter. The large cat happily stretches across the back of her neck like a scarf while the kitten hides away in the pockets of her hoodie, only their little tail poking out and swaying. Kato's eyes shine and she doesn't even seem to care about the stares that come her way, happily dotting on the cats.
"What do you think we should have?"
For a moment, Takashi thinks the question is aimed toward him and Honey, but her eyes look toward the cat around her neck as she scratches at their chin, cooing.
"Sushi," Kato carries on, "Sushi it is."
Takashi takes the moment to gently grab her shoulder and point toward the nearest sushi cart within the food cart. Kato beams at him and he's not sure who's more excited about the idea of sushi - the cats or Kato, who is immediately at the cart with stars in her eyes, her tongue darting out to lick her lips.
"Some of everything," Kato's voice is firm and decided, not a second of hesitation at her order toward the vendor, who looks at her with a mild sense of fear.
The vendor's mouth opens to object or question the order, looking toward the long line of multiple rows and columns full of different types of sushi. Their eyes glance toward the towering shadow that appears behind her, glowering slightly. Takashi gives a slight nod and the vendor's mouth closes before they start to pile bowl after bowl with food.
"I might need some help carrying it," Kato admits, her hands and arms quickly becoming full as the vendor hands off bowls. She nods toward the vendor and then her escorts, "And get two extra bowls of whatever these two want too."
Honey looks mildly surprised, but smiles brightly at the offer, "Thank you, Kato-chan! Are you sure about that though?"
Kato chuffs, "Order what you'd like before I change my mind."
They do as instructed and help carry a good load of Kato's own order as well, quickly heading to the first empty table that they can find in the lot. Takashi watches in mild wonderment as Kato doesn't even hesitate to scarf down her large load of food, not bothering to use any chopsticks or other ware. After every bite or so, she gives small portions of the raw fish to each cat, mewing at it slightly with love. He admires the softness of each motion she does toward the cats, showing tenderness that softens her, despite the way she ravages her own food like a starved animal.
"Wow, Kato-chan, you can eat sushi the way I eat cake!"
Kato's cheeks are stuffed with food as she glances toward Honey, huffing a bit, "You eat to get strong. When you build your strength, you have to make sure you have enough energy to obtain it."
She glances toward Takashi, "I'd expect you two to know this considering that you're not as weak as the others."
Out of all the humans in their 'group', they are most certainly the strongest ones - that doesn't mean that they can hold a candle to her own strength. She needs to be aware of who are her biggest threats, after all, she tells herself.
Takashi guesses this is a compliment of sorts from her, and accepts it with a nod. Honey cocks his head, but after a moment, grins and the two cousins share a look. A shared meaning passes between them as they both realize the change in character - as minor as it is - from Kato. Granted, the more Honey thinks about it, the more he realizes that Kato's become less of an intimidating threatening force and more of a disgruntled pet. Not enough so to fully put him at ease, but enough to give a bit of hope for the future. He glances toward Takashi with a knowing gleam in his eye and a twitch of his lips.
Despite the amount she ordered, Kato is easily the first one to finish eating. She waits patiently, seemingly in her own little world as she focuses her attention on her new cats. She does not seem to be in any hurry to leave, or leave them behind. Suddenly, however, her posture changes as she sits a bit straighter, her ears almost twitching as she crinkles her nose. Annoyed, Kato mumbles in her native language under her breath.
Takashi looks toward her for answers and she huffs, motioning toward the corner of the cafeteria.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before we all ran into each other again."
Takashi follows her line of sight to see a familiar mushroom silhouette brooding on the floor by a pillar, rocking back and forth with shame. Honey perks up and smiles, "Tama-chan!"
He happily runs toward the other host, Takashi following behind him with a more steady pace. Takashi pauses momentarily and looks over his shoulder to see Kato still on the bench. She meets his eyes and they stare for a moment as he challenges her, inviting her to come with the rest of the group.
She scoffs but breaks his gaze quickly as she stands up with a yawn and a stretch, lazily following them as she mutters under her breath, but not putting up a fight.
He hides his grin when he turns to follow his cousin.
