choo choo get ready for the long haul because this is a two parter probably maybe yeah it is '_'
Thursday, October 16 [AM]
Humming while she changed into her uniform from her pajamas, Mai couldn't help but replay her encounter with Naru over and over. She wondered if she should tell Gene about it, but figured Naru would tell him once he arrived home. For the first time in a few days, Mai got a great sleep with no nightmares. She couldn't recall a time where she felt more energized and ready for the day. Upon returning home last night, the brunette teenager washed Naru's jacket in preparation to return it to him today. She decided to wear it one last time in to school this morning since temperatures were supposed to be low.
Everything Mai saw on her walk to school seemed to be more vibrant today. The birds sung louder and the people on the streets all appeared to be smiling, her mood was great. She bounced down the street, eating another one of the caramels from the jacket's pocket.
"Hopefully he won't notice a few are missing," she giggled to herself as she neared to school's gates.
She walked into her class where she found Naru and Gene's desks vacant.
"That's strange, they always get here before me," Mai plopped down her bag on her desk and placed her temporary jacket on the back of her chair so it wouldn't wrinkle. Bored with no one to argue with, she pulled out her phone to play a game on to pass the time.
"There's only a few minutes until class starts… There's no way they could be late," Mai tapped her foot as she watched the clock move from 7:54 to 7:55 to 7:56. She could hear running faintly in the hallway as the steps approached, getting louder and louder. Gene came rushing into the class panting, looking up at the clock and let out a small, "Yes!" upon seeing he was indeed not late. The whole class stopped for a second to look at the commotion before they returned to what they were doing originally.
"Gene! Are you okay?" Mai got up out of her seat and walked over to him, concern laced in her chestnut brown eyes. Gene gave her a thumbs up as he tried to regain his breath. Mai led him over to his desk so he could be more comfortable.
"Man, I've never come so close to being late!" Gene's breathing became steadier as he stripped of his jacket. Mai kept the door in the corner of her eye, hoping to see Gene's other half sprint through too.
"What happened?" Mai asked, still worried. "Maybe he was running from muggers, or a stray dog chased him, or his train was late or-"
"I forgot to set my alarm after Noll came home last night," he sighed, "You'll never believe what happened!" Gene sounded worn out. Without waiting for a response, he continued, "That moron came home last night in damp clothes! I suspected it was from the rain, but I didn't understand why he didn't return sooner to change clothes nonetheless. After a while he started sneezing and coughing. I took his temperature, and he had a fever! I've never seen himself be so irresponsible as to get himself sick" Gene shook his head as he looked down at his lap.
"And the worst part! He came home without his-" Gene suddenly paused in his sentence, eyeing the back of Mai's chair.
"… without his jacket," Gene finished as he looked up at Mai whose face was now a light pink. There was a pause of silence between the two.
"Oh, my God," Gene said breathily with a smile emerging on his face.
"No, no, no, no, it's not what you think!" Mai waved her hands in front of her rapidly. Gene pretended not to hear her and whipped out his phone.
"Mom and Madoka are going to LOVE this," he mumbled under his breath and swung side to side happily in his seat.
"It's just because it was really cold! And I only had my sweater! It's not-" Mai was cut off when their teacher slid open the door. Everyone was immediately silent, Gene stuffed his phone in his pocket, and everyone stood to greet the teacher. Mai clenched her fist and tried to get Gene's attention by staring intently at his back and calling him in her mind.
"Gene! Look at meeeee, it's not what you think!"
Gene suddenly spun around and looked at her, eyes opened wide and staring directly into hers. It was almost if he heard her. Mai was caught off guard from his sudden action, furrowing her brows together in questioning.
"Gene, Mai, please take your seats," the teacher motioned to them. They did as asked. Their 'conversation' would have to wait until later.
Mai tapped her pencil absentmindedly while looking over at the empty desk next to her. Somehow, time seemed to move ever so slowly without someone to antagonize her. She felt a little guilty about his sickness, she was unable to think of another time where Naru had missed school. "Maybe I should bring him his books or something to make up for it…" Shrugging, she thought, "He probably doesn't want to be seen sick. And see the person who got him sick, at that." The sound of fluttering papers pulled her from her subconscious, Gene twisted in his seat to place a paper on her desk. It was their quiz. Mai took a deep breath before beginning it. It had been set up just as Naru had said, a question at English in the top and then blank lines meant to be used for writing. 'Write about something you love,' was all it said. Without thinking too much, she just began to write and write and write and hope that it was correct. She let her intuition guide her hand.
About a half an hour later, the bell rang and the students put down their pencils. They walked up to the front of the room to hand in their papers. Mai nudged Gene and ask what he had written about.
"Oh, you know, just like world peace and the environment," he said with a chuckle. Mai rolled her eyes with a smile and went back to her desk. It was time for their longest break, being 40 minutes that students usually used to eat, but Mai found herself at a loss since she normally just stayed and sat with Naru and Gene. The latter had disappeared of to who knows where, so Mai found herself alone. She decided to head over to the opposite room to talk with Keiko and Michiru for a bit. Walking into the classroom, she heard her name be called but was not expecting who it was from.
"Over here!" Yasuhara waved to her with a large grin on his face. He sat with Masako, who she tended to butt heads with often. She walked over slightly reluctant.
"Hey guys, have you seen Keiko and Michiru?" Yasuhara held his heart as if he had been shot.
"Mai doesn't even want to talk with us," he looked over at Masako with teary eyes.
"Oh no, it's not that. I just needed to tell them something," she looked around for them, but they were nowhere to be seen. She pulled a chair over and sat next to the pair.
"Long time no see! We missed your visits," Yasuhara had a strange talent to change his emotions almost in seconds.
"Speak for yourself," Masako scoffed, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
"Great to see you too, Masako," Mai spoke dryly.
"Where's the twins?" Yasuhara pushed up with glasses.
"Naru's sick, Gene's disappeared," Mai said with a shrug.
"Naru's sick? I didn't even think he could get sick! I thought he could just glare at the germs and they would go far, far away," the boy looked astonished. Even a small bit of disbelief hung in Masako's eyes.
"I guess he's actually more human than we had thought," Mai shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, like you know anything about him," Masako stood up and headed for the doors. Anger grew on Mai's face as she clenched her fist. Yasuhara held her back from springing on the girl. Mai plopped back down in her seat with a, "humph."
"Soooo, what have you been up to, Ms. Taniyama?" The girl in question reached up her arms to stretch.
"Phew, it's been a crazy few days. I could really use a break," she confided. Yasuhara snapped his fingers together.
"Well, we haven't hung out in a while, so maybe we can get a group together and go hang out somewhere this weekend!" Yasuhara look hopeful.
"As much as I would love to, I have work each day," a sad smile fell on her face.
"Ohh come on, Mai! I'm sure you can get a day off! If they don't give you one, they'll have to deal with me then," he held up a fist in the air, trying to seem tough. Mai couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"I'll try, I promise. Do you have anywhere particular in mind?"
"Don't you worry about a thing, I'll plan everything out," he said with a wink.
"This could either be a very bad or very good thing…"
"Well don't plan anything until I'm sure I can get a day off," she smiled softly, pulling her phone out from her pocket. Ayako was directly at the top of her contact list.
[12:52PM] Mai: Hey Ayako, would it be possible to have one day off this weekend? If not, it's cool
Mai put her phone down, not expecting to get a quick answer.
"The deed is done," she informed Yasuhara, "now, we wait." The two sat and chatted for a bit, waiting for Mai's phone to buzz. Once it did, Mai quickly snapped it open to check the answer. She held it in between the two so they could both read it.
[1:11PM] Ayako: Of course! Which day?
Mai looked up at Yasuhara for an answer. After pondering for a second, he answered, "Tell her Saturday."
"Aye, aye, captain," Mai saluted before texting back.
[1:12PM] Mai: Saturday would be best. Thanks so much!
"Now you have no excuse not to go," Yasuhara purred beside her.
"I'll give you more details when I figure everything out," he said with a wink.
"Alright, Alright. But nothing weird!"
"No promises." Mai rolled her eyes and stood up.
"I better get back to my class. If you see Keiko or Michiru, can you tell them to text me?"
"Anything for you, Mai!" He gave her a large grin as she walked out of the room and into her own. She noticed Gene was already back and seemed to be taking an interest in the jacket on her chair. Mai quietly snuck over to Gene before popping out behind with a, "Boo!" Gene jumped, startled by her sudden presence. He looked at her and exhaled deeply while he smiled.
"What cha lookin' at there?" she asked already knowing the answer.
"Heh… nothing," he began to back away slowly to his desk.
"Mhmm, that's what I thought," Mai walked over to her own desk and sat down.
"Oh, by the way, Gene," Mai laced her fingers together nervously, "Do you think you could give the jacket back to Naru when you go home?" She looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I think you should give it to him yourself," the ghost of a smile graced his lips.
"W-what? You can't be serious! Gene, pleeeeeeeaaaaseeeee," she begged. Gene just laughed, answering, "Actually, I can walk with you home from school and we can go to my house and you can return it in person!"
Mai leaned in her chair and let her head fall back.
"Alright, fine," she conceded. "But we might have to make a pit stop or two along the way."
The end of the day went much quicker than the beginning. Nervousness, hopefulness, and wonder all stirred in her gut. Gene waited by her desk while she packed up her things and grabbed the jacket from the back of her chair.
"You're not going to wear it?" Gene pointed to the jacket.
"Well I just washed it so I could give it back all nice and clean," she brought it up to her eye level to get a good look at it, making sure it was spotless.
"Nevermind that, Noll won't mind. He gave it to you for a reason after all," Gene snatched it from her hand and held it up behind her so she could easily slip her arms through it.
"Lent it to me," she corrected him, "He didn't give me it."
"Sure, sure whatever you say. Come on, put it on." She hesitated a bit before she eventually gave into Gene's hopeful gaze. She couldn't help but feel a little silly and embarrassed since it was way too big on her.
"If you ever tell anyone about this, I'll kill you," she glared daggers at him.
"I'm sure you will. Let me carry that for you," he grabbed her bag for her off her desk and held it in his hand. They began to walk out of the class before Mai spoke, "Are you sure you and Naru are really brothers? How'd you two end up being so polar opposite?" Gene just laughed and scratched his head.
"I'm still not really sure about that one," he confessed.
"You talked about a pit stop, right? Where to first?"
"You'll see," she said with a smile.
About 10 minutes later, they had rounded the corner to their first destination, a small flower shop. Gene figured she was buying them for Naru, so he didn't ask questions and only watched her as she walked through the rows of flower. After inspecting a few bouquets, she found the perfect one and bought it. She smiled as she looked at the flowers' vibrant colors, bouncing from side to side as she walked down the street. Gene couldn't help but smile too when he looked down at the girl by his side. She chatted aimlessly to him, and he just let her go on and on, smiling and nodding as she told him about her favorite flowers and her detailed explanations behind them.
"Even though daffodils are pretty, I think my favorite flower would have to be the lily. Especially the red colored ones with white around the edges. They're my mom's favorite, too. They tend to be rather expensive though, so I can't buy them very often. But it's free to stop and look at them anyways. I've always wanted to get a lily plant, but I'm afraid I won't be able to care for it properly. You know, I heard there's a lily garden right here in Tokyo! I really hope one day I'll be able to go there. Couldn't you imagine just having a nice picnic by the lilies with a nice book to sit and read while listening to the lilies blow in the wind? Maybe you could find one of those fat, fuzzy, colorful caterpillars sitting in the flower," Mai didn't even seem to care if Gene listened or not, she just seemed to be content having someone with her.
"My favorite is the lilac. I think Noll's is the bellflower," he inserted into the conversation just so she knew he was listening.
"The lilac, huh? I would have never pegged you as a lilac kinda guy," she looked him up and down like she had just noticed something she didn't see before. They kept walking a little bit further before they rounded a corner and arrived at their first destination.
"Here we are!" Mai smiled and walked through the gates.
"Uhh, why are we at a graveyard?" Gene's eyebrows furrowed together, trying to figure out why they were here. He began to rethink that the flowers were for Naru.
"I come here every Thursday," she looked back at him if nothing were strange about the situation.
"But... why?" Gene walked a step behind Mai, slightly apprehensive. He felt something off with the atmosphere.
"You'll see, you'll see. We're almost there," she began walking down a row of graves. She stopped in front of a set of headstones and cleared her throat.
"Mom, Dad. This is my friend, Gene," Mai motioned to Gene next to her, "he was nice enough to come with me today. Well, I guess he didn't have a choice but…" she smiled and bent over to place the flowers on the headstones. Gene stood there shocked.
"Mai, you never told me…"
"Yeah, I know. The whole 'my parents are actually dead' thing never really comes up naturally in a conversation. Sorry if this is kind of sudden. I only come once a week and I can't miss it," she looked a little guilty for dragging him here without telling him where they were going.
"No, I'm glad," He placed a supportive hand on her back, knowing this couldn't be easy for her.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Taniyama," Gene bowed in front of the headstones.
"I think you would be very proud of your daughter if you could see her now," he pulled her close to him to give her a side hug.
They both paid their respects and talked about their week but exiting the cemetery.
"One more place to stop," Mai fidgeted with the end of the jacket sleeves that went almost past her fingertips, "it's not too far from here." Gene nodded and followed her lead.
They walked up to the café where Mai worked. Ayako greeted her when she walked in, but didn't expect to see the man behind her to be there too.
"Oh, you're back," Ayako said to Gene. Gene looked genuinely confused and look from Ayako to Mai and back to Ayako.
"No, no. Ayako, this is Gene," Mai walked over to the counter, grabbing a teapot and pouring water into it.
"Excuse my mistake, you two really do look identical!" Ayako served him a cup of coffee as he sat at the counter.
"You… have seen Noll before?" Gene was slowly connecting the dots. Before Ayako could answer, she was called over by a customer. Mai turned around and leaned on the counter opposite him.
"Oh, this is where I work. Forgot to mention that," Everything suddenly clicked in his head. "So, this is where Noll was yesterday…"
Monk emerged from the kitchen and was quick to spot the other twin opposite Mai.
"You again? At least you're within hours this time," Mai shot a look over a him and Gene sat there smiling uncomfortably. Ayako walked over to the monk and jabbed him in the ribs and spoke through her teeth while still keeping a smile, "Not the same twin as yesterday."
"Oops," he scratched his neck awkwardly. The teapot Mai set on the stove began to whistle. She made earl grey tea like she had for Naru yesterday, but instead placed the steaming liquid into a container to carry.
"Alright, ready to go home when you are," she grinned seemingly satisfied. Gene went to pull out his wallet, but Mai stopped him abruptly.
"It's on the house," Mai grabbed the container of tea and began to walk towards the door. Gene followed close behind.
"Oh!" Mai ran back behind the counter as if she had forgotten something. She pulled a caramel muffin out from the glass case that kept their breads and pastries. She packaged it in a white paper bag, then ran back to the door where Gene stood.
"Bye Ayako, Monk!" Mai waved to them before stepping out the door.
"Be safe, Mai! Nice to meet you, Gene," Ayako waved back with a devious smile. The door closed with a jingle of the bell.
"I don't like these boys around our Mai," Monk said, narrowing his eyes at the boy just outside through the window. Ayako gave him a good whack and then returned to her job.
"Your turn to lead the way!" Mai gestured to the sidewalk in front of them.
"Is that stuff for Noll?" Gene asked as he began walking towards home. He noticed the girl's cheeks turned to pink when she looked down at the container.
"Oh, uh, yeah. I feel like I should bring a 'I'm sorry for indirectly getting you sick' gift and I didn't think they would have that on a sympathy card," Mai hugged the hot bottle, warming her hands and the part of her chest it was placed against.
The pair walked down the same path for a couple of minutes before they came up to a gated neighborhood development. In order to enter, Gene had to scan a card that unlocked a section of the gate. He pushed it and held it open for the girl behind him. She smiled at him in thanks as she stepped through.
"I've never been in a gated community before," she looked around at all the houses.
"Seriously?" He looked at her as if she was joking. She shook her head innocently.
"My old house and apartment is all I've ever known," she admitted sadly.
"What about your relatives? Surely you've been to their houses."
"No, I don't have any relatives." Gene almost stopped in his tracks. His heart dropped to his stomach and he was filled with sadness and pity for the girl.
"I'm sorry I had no idea," Gene stumbled upon a few of his words, astonished he could even manage out the few he did.
"That's alright! It was hard at first, but now everything is okay," she smiled up at him in assurance. The twin wondered if his other half knew this side of Mai as well. They walked in silence for a moment before Gene broke it, "That's our house right there." He pointed down the block at a large contemporary home that looked more like a mansion to Mai.
"Woah, how many people live in that?" Her eyes opened wide, she had never met someone who lived in such a large house.
"Just Noll and I. Our guardian, Lin, lives in the house next to it," he pointed over to a smaller home compared to theirs. Mai's jaw practically dropped to the ground.
"These kids must have some majorly rich parents," was all Mai could think.
"Wait, guardian? What about your parents?"
"They live in England," Gene replied plainly as if it were a common known fact. The wheels slowly started to turn in Mai's head, "That must be why Naru's fluent in English. I've learned way too many things about these people in the past few days." Mai rubbed one of her temples.
"Are you okay? Headache? We have medicine inside," Gene looked troubled by her sudden illness.
"Nah, just an itch," she tried to play it off. Gene seemed to accept her answer as they walked up to the door. Mai had a hard time believing only two people could live in this colossal 'home'.
They entered and took their shoes off, Mai also stripped of Naru's jacket and carried it over her arm.
"Noll! We have company, so don't be rude!" Gene called from the foyer. No response. He took the container and bag from Mai and walked off into what she presumed to be the kitchen.
"Nooooooolllll," Gene called, again no response.
Mai curiously walked down a hallway opposite the way Gene went, peeking into any open doors. The décor was tasteful and sleek looking. Mai stopped in front of a picture frame of young twins and what she guessed to be their parents. They all smiled expect for one of the little boys, which made it easy to tell the two apart.
"So that's what their parents look like… But they aren't Japanese?" Something wasn't clicking in Mai's mind. She tried to make sense of it all when-
"Why are you here?" Naru asked emotionless at her side. Mai nearly jumped out of her skin.
"When did you get there?" Mai exhaled deeply.
"I could ask you the same," Naru crossed his arms. He didn't look sick, he wore his normal all black clothes with black slippers. Naru looked down at the black jacket she was holding.
"I see you've been putting it to work," he seemed smug as he talked about his jacket. She pursed her lips before she spoke, "Actually I came to return it." She extended her arm to him. He only looked at it and then back up to her.
"Well?" Mai shook her arm.
"I told you to keep it," he replied indifferently before turning and walking back the way Mai had come from.
"You said no such thing," Mai thought bitterly. She took one last look at the picture on the wall before following behind the stoical teenager.
"There you are!" Mai could hear Gene's voice but couldn't see him past Naru, so she leaned around him.
"And it looks like you've met our company!" he said with a smirk.
"How are you feeling? You don't look so sick anymore."
"You know I dislike surprises," Naru ignored his question and walked over to one of the many bookshelves in the living room before seating himself on the couch. Gene cleared his throat, calling Mai's attention. He motioned for her to join him in the kitchen. She began walking and looked over at Naru who suddenly pulled his head down to his book.
"Was he looking at me?" She smirked. "Busted."
Gene placed a cup of warm tea in her one hand, and in the other the caramel muffin on a small plate.
"Go give it to him," he motioned her out into the living room.
"Why do I have to do it," she whined.
"Because it's your apology. Now go. Mush, mush," Gene was now literally pushing her by her shoulders out of the kitchen. Mai made her way reluctantly to Naru. She stood across the table where he sat and placed her offerings on it. He raised a brow at her.
"This is a 'sorry I indirectly got you sick' gift," he looked at each item, not saying anything.
"That's tea from the café, it's the same kind I made you last night. And I know you like caramel because it was in your coat's pocket, so I got a caramel muffin too," Mai stood there, rocking back and front on her feet. She waited for response from Naru. And waited. And waited.
"Is that everything you have to say?" Naru never broke his gaze from his book. Mai's eye twitched and she stood there still for another moment. She clenched her fist so tightly her knuckles turned white and she could feel her nails dig into her own skin.
"You are such a jerk! I cannot believe you sometimes! Do you have ANY kindness in you? I don't even know why I tried," she threw her arms in the air and stormed off to find the door and leave.
Not too much of a happy note this time, but I'll have the second part up soon!
Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate it so very much. Please leave a review, and have a wonderful day/night! :)
