I'm very happy to hear that people enjoyed the previous chapter, since I was nervous about how things went. Thank you for the kinds words and hope that you continue to enjoy the series.
I don't own these characters, they belong to Atlus.
Chapter 6
When it rains, it pours… If there was one way to describe how Sadayo's week had gone, this would be the most fitting in more ways than one.
Sadayo was leaning by the window as she saw the Tokyo night lights reflecting on the rain with a worried expression in her face. "How am I going to make the payment this week. The deadline is coming up and I still don't have enough… I don't think I'm going to be able to make it without taking from my living expenses..."
It had started with Monday where she had arrived late to her afternoon job at the convenience store. While she had managed to excuse herself and not get fired, it did result in a cut in her hours. Because of that, she had to spend her Tuesday arguing to her manager at Victoria for more shifts, which only got her rejected, along with adding insult to injury by being told to her face that it was because of her age, which didn't help with her mood. Adding to all of this was the fact that it had been raining since Wednesday, so any chance of her getting requested had been washed away in the rain. But the cherry on top of this horrendous week, would have to be her meeting with Akira that very same day.
With how things where going, she was actually looking forward to him requesting her. She desperately needed some time to de-stress and unwind, and while it wasn't her original intention, had managed to find place where she could feel at ease in Akira's company. Sadly, even that was a disaster as she proceeded to ruin everything by cause a mess, getting her hand injured and ending with her pushing away the only other person to show her any sort of concern or kindness towards her in years. The other person, her mother, had tried again to reach out to her that very night, leaving her a voice mail.
Sadayo took out her phone as she looked at the voice mail that her she had left for her. She had been avoiding speaking to her for the so long now that she couldn't remember when was the last time they had an actual conversation, and even though she knew that her mother was worried about her, she just couldn't bear to face her. She would always tense up and freeze every time her mother tried to reach her and last Wednesday was no different as she felt knots starting to form in her stomach while she let the phone continue to ping until it went to the voice mail. Usually she would delete it as soon as as she would see it pop up, but the incident that followed afterwards made sure to distract her from it, she had actually completely forgotten all about it until just now. She gave out a sigh as she proceeded to delete it when she was interrupted by a call from Victoria. This took her by surprise but she was in desperate need of hours. So she prepared herself mentally as she took a deep breath before answering, wanting to make sure to catch the customer's interest.
"Hiiii! This is Becky, the maid that shakes with desire to see her Master! I'm so glad that you called me master, I was getting soooo lonely." She eagerly awaiting a response, but didn't get anything but silence for a couple of minutes which caused her to worry. "H-Hello? Is Master there?"
"S-sorry… You kinda caught me off guard… I don't know how to respond back."
She recognize that voice immediately, and as soon as she realized who it was hung up immediately as she is hit with a mixture of anger and embarrassment as her face turn red like a tomato. Anger because of how furious she was at him for deciding to call her after everything she had told him, and embarrassment at the realization at what she had just said to one of her student. Given the choice between angry at Akira and dying from shame, she put focused on the first.
"Why!? Why did he request me again?!" She said through gritted teeth as her phone pinged once more, this time being a text message.
[A]: Everything okay?
"You little-" Sadayo flared up and couldn't believe her eyes, as she responded, verbalizing what she typed out loud in frustration.
[S]: No!
[S]: Everything is not okay!
[S]: WHY are you requesting me again!?
[S]: Didn't I tell you specifically not to do so last time?
[S]: This stubbornness of yours has gone past the point of being cute you know!
[A]: So you thought it was cute before?
[S]: Goodbye Kurusu-kun
Sadayo had gone past the point of getting flustered and was just about done with him. Part of her wanted to throw the phone, but figuring that would only do more harm than good and simply placed the phone down and walked away. Soon after the phone started going crazy with responses, she knew that she should just ignore it, but went to check it anyway.
[A]: Wait
[A]: Sorry
[A]: Please hear me out
[A]: I know you told me not to call you
[A]: But I just kept thinking about why you would need money that badly that you would lie
[A]: So I want understand your reason...
Sadayo read the messages but simply put the phone down once more before a couple of messages showed up. She didn't know why she kept looking at them instead of just ignoring them, but she found her eyes drawn to the glowing screen.
[A]: You haven't gotten that many request these past few days, right?
[A]: You mentioned how that tends to happen when it rains.
[A]: Do you have enough for your next due date?
[A]: I'll pay two hours worth.
[A]: You don't even have to work or pretend or anything.
[A]: You don't even have to spend the full time here.
[A]: You said it yourself that you only care about getting paid right?
[A]: So you shouldn't see any problem with this proposition, right?
[A]: I just want to talk.
[A]: That's all
Sadayo gripped the phone tightly. She wanted to just leave things be and end it, like she should have done so in the beginning. It was hard enough for her to say what she did that night, but as much as it pained her to admit, he was right. She didn't have enough and while the amount he's offering wouldn't cover what she needed fully, it would still help considerably. Still, he wasn't getting off that easily, and she going to let him know it. And so, with a defeated groan Sadayo proceeds to call him, which he responded excitedly.
"Hey! I'm glad you called ba-"
"Before anything else, I want you to know that that's a really shitty thing you just did." Sadayo made her anger very clear in her voice. "You're taking advantage of my situation and you know it."
"I know… I'm not exactly thrilled about having to do so myself, but would you have listened to me if I hadn't?" His voice seemed regretful. He clearly wasn't happy about doing it either, and would had rather not be necessary, but again he was right. If not for her situation, she would had refused him.
Sadayo took a deep breath as she put pressure between her eyes. "Fine… but that's all, once we're done talking I'm no longer obligated to stay. Got it!"
"Y-yeah, of course." She could hear as it sounded like it let out and sigh, not to mention the meows of what she figured was Morgana on the other end. "That's all I ask."
"Very well, I'll get ready and head over, please call Victoria to put out the request."
As Sadayo hung up she proceeded to do just that, and while she was still upset at the stunt he pulled, by the time she had finished up she had managed to calm herself a bit. As she was about to head out, she looked towards her umbrella that remained by her door.
She regretted having run off without it as she did that night. She had been forced to make a mad dash to school without it the next day since the rain continued to pour. Her clothes had been soaked and after she had explained her 'forgotten' umbrella to the other staff members, she'd ended up wearing a school track suit for the rest of the day. She'd also had to divert a few questions about what had happened to her hand. As she arrived to her desk in class, she was surprised to find her umbrella hidden under her desk. She stood up and looked around in a panic, worried if someone had noticed anything. Considering how bad her week had been so far, she was scared that someone might have seen Akira place the umbrella and start some rumors, but once again, much to her surprise, nothing really came of it. She even noticed that there was a piece of paper tied inside of it and when she opened it, found it to be a note with some instructions about how to take care of the burn. Other than that Akira had simply left her alone. Sometimes she'd seen him texting while in class, and considering that Ann would do so around the same time figure they were texting each other. She always wondered at time about what exactly he would be talking about in the middle of class, and was occasionally tempted to go up to him and confiscate his phone, after all she was his teacher, and he shouldn't be doing that kind of stuff in class. In the end, she decided to give him some slack since he'd been keeping to his part of the deal, even if she had decided to end things between them, though apparently he had other plans.
Sadayo could couldn't help but chuckle at her students stubbornness to help her. "Even after everything I told him, he was still worried about me." Her smile slowly turning solemn." But... will he feel the same way after her finds out about me..." Sadayo shook her head, steeling herself for what was to come. "No, it's for the best that he knows. Then he'll finally understand the kind of person that I am and stay away from me... won't he?" she groaned in frustration, resisting the urge to ruffle her hair, as she lets out a tired, defeated sigh. "What am I going to do…? I don't even know what I want anymore." She grabbed her umbrella, and went out into the rain as she tries to clear her mind of what is is that she wishes to happen. Her resolved to tell him the truth solidified, but still uncertain for the reasons why.
As Sadayo entered at the now familiar coffee shop she went up stair to a waiting Akira as he sat on his couch. Meanwhile Morgana was sitting by the workbench and for some reason seemed much more focused than a cat would usually be, and for some reason Sadayo couldn't escape this feeling that he was awaiting her arrival just as Akira was.
Sadayo stood in front of him, placing her right hand on her hip as she leaned to the side, a look of frustration appearing as he just sat there. She may have calmed down, but she wasn't done voicing her frustration at his actions. "Seriously, what is wrong with you? I already told you that whole story about my sick little sister was a lie, so why did you even request me? I used you for money and even told you to no longer call me, and yet here you are... Why?"
Akira turned to face her, scratching his cheek as he gave her an awkward smile. "What can I say, even if that reason wasn't true, at the end of the day, it's like I said at the fishing docks. I enjoy your company, and don't mind having you around."
"Huh?!" Sadayo, was left wide-eyed with astonishment by the blunt claims her student had just made. "Now I'm definitely sure that you're either messing with me, or some kind of extreme masochist. What's so enjoyable about being around someone like me? I'm nothing but a lousy teacher and a mediocre maid."
Akira shook his head in disagreement. "Whether you believe that or not, that doesn't make what I said any less true, besides, I want to understand why you felt that was necessary, I think I'm owed that much as the person that was being used, don't I?"
Sadayo's expression slowly became softer, The boy still confused her to no end, but he couldn't help but admire how understanding he was. "You really are one strange kid… After everything I've done to you, you're still willing to hear me out…" She looked away in shame as she held her apron. "You're the complete opposite of me. I don't even bother trying to get to know my students or attends to their needs. All I do is complain and wash my hands of them at a moments notice."
"Last time you mention something about a promise. I'm pretty sure you weren't there when I got arrested, so I'm going to guess that was more about you."
Sadayo was quiet while continuing to avoid looking at him, but she nodded in agreement nonetheless.
"Would you mind telling me what happened?"
Though hesitant and more sheepishly than before, Sadayo nodded all the same. She walked to Akira and decided to seat next to him, leaning forward as her fingers intertwined with one another, gripping tightly as she felt her chest tightened up. 'Come on, you decided that you would tell him, andhe has a right to know. So why are you hesitating now?'She turned to find Akira waiting patiently, she could tell he had many questions, but once again, he sat there patiently, though his focused seemed to be downward. "Ummm, what are you looking at..." his stare only making her more nervous, though for a different reason.
"How's your hand? Has it been healing well?"
"OH!" She raised her hand to show him. "Yeah, it's almost fully healed thanks to your care."
"May I?" Akira held his hand up as he waited for hers. While a bit hesitant, Sadayo lend him her hand as he examined it until he gave her a reassuring smile. "That's good, I it looked fine when I first checked it, but I was worried about it getting worse."
"Is that why you left that note with the umbrella yesterday?" She leaned on her hand, a coy smile on her face
"You kind of left so suddenly that night," Akira stated with a nonchalant shrug. "And while it was minor, It's better to be safe than sorry. Plus, I figured you'd want your umbrella back."
"You know you almost gave me a heart attack with that little stunt. What if someone had seen you leave the umbrella?"
"Oh I'm not to worried about that, I'm quite confidant in my abilities to go by unnoticed." Akira had confident smirk as he said this.
"That's because you had me keeping watch to make sure no one came to the class room while you did so." Morgana interjected as he leaped from the work bench to the Couch's armrest, using Akira's shoulder to pull himself up. Though it simply looked like it was wanting attention from Sadayo's side.
The maid sighed in disbelief of her student's cockiness, though a smile showing through. "And here I was thinking you were actually quite mature for your age, then you go and pull something like that and remind me just how much of a brat you can be. At least give me a warning next time."
"So there WILL be a next time?" Akira was quick to remark
Sadayo stopped, as she realized what she had implied with her comment. She really had gotten used to having him around, both in and out of school, which made her telling him the truth all the more important. "W-we'll see about that..." Sadayo took a deep breath, which caught Akira and Mona's attention, figuring she was ready to tell them.
"As you know, the payments weren't for paying medical bills or anything like that. They're for… they're an apology."
"An apology?" Akira raised a brow, uncertain at what she meant by that.
"Yeah… You see I didn't originally teach at Shujin, my first year as a teacher was at another school, and during that time there was this student in my class called Takase. He was considered a problem student since he had the lowest grades and constantly skipped class," she gestured at herself, "and as his homeroom teacher, I was put in charge of guiding him… well, more like push him into transferring to another school. I was a bit nervous about approaching him at first, I mean, I was still new to teaching, and he didn't have the best reputation."
"Kinda like me, huh?" Akira interjected, grinning mischievously.
Sadayo giggled a bit at his response, but was not surprised by it. "Yeah… And like you, as I got to know him better I came to realize that he wasn't really a bad kid. He had been missing class not out of laziness or disinterest, but because he was having a difficult time juggling his studies and work. You see, Takase-kun had lost his parents and therefore was being taken in by his relatives, but because of this he was responsible for his own living expenses. This lead to him having to work countless jobs, which made it hard for him to get to classes.
'That seems a bit harsh… And sound like what you're dealing with right now with all the jobs you're taking.?' Akira contemplated, wondering the similarity between their job situations, but decided to wait till she finished.
"But even with his job taking a lot of his time, Takase-kun had a desire to study, and even wished to graduate and go to college. Seeing how hard he was working and how he wasn't going to give up… it made me want to cheer him him on, you know. So I made a decision, and began tutoring him after class." Sadayo gave a half-hearted smile, as she remembered the day that she made her promise to Takase. "You should had seen how surprised he looked when I told him that, he was so happy to hear that I wanted to help him and said he was going to work harder than ever, and sure enough his grades started to improve. It was a slow process, but and improvement nonetheless, and I couldn't have been happier for him."
Akira could sense a hint of pride in her tone as she recollected. She probably was very proud at both how much her student was accomplishing, as well as herself for being able to help him. Sadly that feeling was short lived as her face turned sour.
"But… I was told that it wasn't right to focus on helping one student over the others, that I was playing favorites instead of helping those that deserve it. If you ask me I think they were more upset that I didn't do as I was told and helped him instead. Worse yet, rumors started to spread around the school about him being a delinquent, and soon after there where rumors… about me..." Sadayo was having a hard time continuing as she recollected what had transpired all those years ago. The rumors that had spread, the glares, the look of disgust in some of her staff members and even her students. She knew the rumors where false, but it that didn't stop them from causing her all manner of grief, isolation and shame.
'Huh..?' A realization came to Sadayo at that moment, as she turned to look towards her student who was patiently listening to her. Someone who she had just recently found out the truth of his situation. 'That's right... he's going through something similar at school right now, isn't he.'
"So I'm guessing this is why you said you weren't a big fan of rumors"
They looked at each other, face to face for the first time tonight. He wasn't wearing his glasses and she could see the curiosity and interest, but this was mixed with a look of concern in his eyes. She cleared her throat, still not fully recovered, but feeling much more calmer now. "Anyway...Eventually I was called to the principals office and was given a choice, though it be more like threat... If I didn't stop tutoring Takase-kun, he would dismiss me."
Akira remembered back to Sadayo's outburst last Wednesday. The way she reacted to finding out what he had gone through, the questions she asked him. It probably meant that…
"So you stopped..." He could see Sadayo's body tense up at his response. Her hands shaking as they gripped her apron tightly.
"That obvious, huh…?" Sadayo could feel her heart sinking, as shame and guilt started creeping in. "I should have stood strong in my conviction to help Takase-kun, stood up to the principle. But…. I was scared. Scared of loosing my job as a teacher, about the rumors that where spreading about us…about me. So… I caved in to the school's demands, and told Takase-kun that I couldn't continue to tutor him anymore." She turned her head slightly, wanting to get a glimpse at how Akira is reacting to all of this, but in the end was too scared and simply looked as the rain continued pouring from the window outside. "I still remember it very vividly. It was New Years, and it was raining heavily like it is today, he was on his way to work when I called him. He acted like it was no big deal and said that he wouldn't have had time for tutoring anyway since he was so busy with work, but I could tell that he was heartbroken when I told him the news, he was trying his best to make sure I didn't feel bad..."
Morgan moved closer, sitting by her lap facing her. "Ms. Kawaka-?" He was gently grabbed and held close by Sadayo as she slumped downward. Normally Morgana would be agitated about this, was willing to tolerate it this time. A gesture that Akira appreciated as he gave him grateful nod before putting his focus on Sadayo.
"In that very same night, after I called him, Takase-kun died in a car accident…" Her voice was wavering, her body trembling as she held Morgana tight.. "If… If only I had kept my promise to him."
"Becky…" 'So this is why you asked me that question.' He moved closer, wanting to comfort her as he lowered his head to look at her. "I'm sure that Takase doesn't blame you for what happen, That the accident wasn't your fault."
"But it was my fault!" Sadayo yelled out as she faced Akira in distraught before looking downward in shame. "I know it was... He was already tired from all of his part-time jobs, and my adding the tutoring only drove him to exhaustion! His guardians themselves blame me for the accident, that I used him to just to make myself feel better, but discarded him as soon as he became an inconvenience to me."
"Ms. Kawakami..." Morgana look upwards to the saddened maid. As she looked down to the meowing cat on her lap she tried to smile at him as she gently scratched him under his chin. "Sorry... didn't mean to startle you Morgana."
'Yeah, and I'm sure them having him working all those part time job because they didn't want to take responsibility was the real reason. Some guardians...' From what Akira had gathered, he didn't have the best of opinion of Takase's relatives. For as much of a hard ass Sojiro was with him at the beginning, he at least made the effort to take care of him, even if it was a bit backhanded. But it seemed that Sadayo was determined to take the blame for the tragedy. He didn't like it, but he knew that trying to argue that would only make it worse for her to continue, so he kept it to himself for now. "You mention the payment being an apology… does it involve the Takase's?"
"Mmhmm" Sadayo nodded, rubbing her eyes as she continued on. "They said that they were going to to sue me, as well as make the whole thing public by talking issue to the media and the Board of Education. They couldn't really accuse me of any crime, but if they had done so it would had ruined the school, as well as anyone working there. And even with all of that, I still wanted to continue teaching, no matter what." Sadayo placed Morgana to the side as she straighten herself, she would find out soon how Akira would see her in this new light. She was scared at how things would go, but needed to make it through and braced herself for what ever happens next. "So we came to an agreement.. I would pay them the 'apology' money, and they wouldn't sue me, or say anything.
"And you're okay with that?!" Akira's tone sounded a bit more agitated that he intended, which caused Sadayo's chest to tightened up more, before nodding and continuing on.
"Yes… At the end of the day, it was my flimsy desire to help Takase that killed him, and everyday I blame myself for what happened to him." Sadayo gripped at her chest.. "I know that paying them isn't going to bring him back, but it's the only way I can atone for my sin, not that it matter in the end. Even after I gave in to the school's and the Takase's demands, I was still forced out the school, so even abandoning Takase-kun was for nothing. It was only by luck that I managed to get hired in Shujin..."
Sadayo gave pause, and after a moment of silence she stood up to face a conflicted looking Akira, and seeing the way he was lost in thought Sadayo did her best to smile. "You see now? Nothing good will come with getting involved with me. I have to keep my distance so that I can avoid from hurting others, I can't meddle in my students lives or else I'll betray them. This goes especially for you."
"What do you mean by that?" Akira asked, figuring what she meant, but wanting to hear her reasoning.
"I've been coming here because of a random twist of fate, but we should probably say goodbye as well. You're in a worse situation than even Takase-kun. You have a record, you're in probation, and you were already so close from getting expelled once. There is no way I'd be able to do anything to help you if something happened… I'm more likely to just abandon you like I did Takase-kun. Because that's the kind of person I am." She did her best to sound cheerful, but she was afraid of Akira would think of her and didn't want to stay any longer. "Goodbye Kurusu-kun" As she gave a curtsy she turned away and started quickly walking down the steps.
"W-wait a minute, Becky! Dammit, not again..." Akira groans, as he got up giving chase. As she continued to walk down he was able to catch up and grabbed hold of her her hand. "Just... wait." Sadayo turned to face him, nervous at what he might say next. "I mean… Don't I get a say in this?
Sadayo looked shock at what her student was suggestion, but was still hesitant as she looked away. "What's there to say? It will be better for you if we end this. I abandoned my student to save my skin and yet have the gall to continue teaching after that. I lied to you and used you to make my payments. I can't think of any reason for why you'd want to keep requesting me, let alone being around me."
Akira made sure to make his smile known to her as he gently lifted her chin to face him."Don't you remember what I told you, if you wish to stop coming than you're free to refuse…." He slowly let go of her hand, as he gives her a welcoming smile. "But I want to keep seeing you, so I'll continue to request and support you. I mean…." he stepped back and paused for a second, playing with one of his bangs as he looked away, with a hint of red in his cheeks. "Shouldn't a master help his maid, as should a maid be by her master's side?" He said as he turned back to Sadayo, giving her a reassuring grin.
"Kurusu-kun..." Sadayo was left speechless at Akira's response, her cheeks once again colored pink as a mixture of emotion swirling inside her. Amusement, confusion, flustered, frustration, nervousness, she even felt a bit of heat brought out by his words and gesture, and finally… relief. After a moment of silence it was finally broken to the sounds of her bursting out laughing, much to Akira's surprise.
"What kind of response is that? I mean, how am I supposed to respond to that…? She continued to laugh, as she grabbed her side with her left hand while trying to muffle it with her right. "I mean- that sounded more like a confession." Her laughter slowly subsides, wiping a tear from her eye as she lets out a satisfied sigh. "You really need to be more aware about how you say things."
Akira's face was flushed a he looked upward, embarrassed at her reaction as he could hear Morgana laughing in the background. "S-sorry… I guess I got caught up in the moment." He exhaled as he turn to Sadayo, a serious look in his face which caught the maid off guard. "But I still stand that I want to continue to help you… if you will let me."
"You really aren't the type to back down, are you?" As she looked up at the person that was in front of her, she couldn't help but smile as she fingers fidgeted with one another.
"So I take it that our deal is still going?" Akira said as he returned her smile with one of his own.
Sadayo let out a giggle as she nods in agreement. "Well… Even after I told me you story, you're still here, so I guess we're in this together. isn't that right, master?
Akira chuckles as he returns her nod. "That's right.
"Yay!" She said with a small cheer. "Then Becky look forward to continuing her relationship with master."
For the first time in a while, the cheerfulness she showcased wasn't forced, but genuine. She still felt a number of worries, stresses and fears, but as Akira reinstated his desire to still see her, she felt like a bit of that weight had been lifted.
As she gives one big stretch, she took a seat at one of the stools. "So... now that we've got an understanding, what do you wish to do for the rest of the night?"
"I thought you were just going to leave after we finished talking?" Akira remarked. Surprised, yet amused by her change of plans.
"I mean it's still raining outside isn't it. Besides, weren't you the one that said that a maid should be by her master' side." As she wagged her finger playfully at him. "And if I remember correctly you requested me for two hour as your maid, or are you throwing me out in the cold after everything you said?"
"She's got you there Joker." Morgana snickered as he sat on the stool in front of Sadayo.
"See, even Morgana agrees with me." Sadayo lean as she petted Morgana's head like she learned last time.
"Since when could maids speak cat?" Akira shook his head, knowing full well that there was no way she she could understand Morgana, even if she was right in her assessment.
"Well I'm good with cats, so I'm sure he would like me to stay, isn't that right Morgana?
"Meeeowww….Whyyy…. why did you teach her that…?" Morgana protested on deaf ears as Sadayo continued to play with him, while Akira ignored his plight.
"Guess your right." Akira scratched the back of his head as he went to grab his apron. "Want fix you to drink? I honestly didn't have any plans afterwards so I don't mind talking a bit more."
Sadayo let up on Morgana, causing him to flee as she turned to face the counter. "If that is what master wants..." She rested her arm on the counter, placing her head over her forearms as she attentively watched him work. She's seen him do the process and as she continued to do so started to wonder if she would be able to do so herself if she tried, wondering what preference he would have. A warm feeling stated to grow in her chest as she saw him work, and after while spoke up.
"Hey… Kurusu-kun."
"Yeah..." Akira respond, maintaining his focus on his brewing.
"Thank you..."
Akira stopped for second before turning to give her smile of confidence. "It's nothing, I don't mind making coffee for you. As boss says, there is a sense of joy and satisfaction in seeing others satisfied."
"Yeah… I guess that's true." Sadayo giggle at his response and let him continue. Whether he didn't fully understand what she meant, or knew and simply feigned ignorance didn't matter to her. What matter was that in that moment, the world feels a bit more softer… A bit more kinder... and a bit more loving...
