Our Story

By Kitara Lira

Chapter Ten: Questions

It was a quiet place and they had been seated quickly once they arrived. Apparently Mai took to working here during her spare time. Though her parents owned one of the most well known restaurants in all of Kyoto Mai chose to work at this small shop that was owned and run by an elderly couple. Why she worked here rather than in the family owned five star restaurant Natsuki would have to ask later. For the time being her thoughts were but again interrupted by the woman.

"So Natsuki, what did you want to ask?" The menus had already been retrieved, their orders promised in ten or so minutes. Mai didn't seem to beat around the bush, she was very much to the point and Natsuki appreciated that.

"There are a few things I'd like to ask," Natsuki began, resting back into the comforts of her chair, gaze falling for but a moment on the white speckled ceiling before return to gaze at her companion, "If you don't mind answering them that is."

"I suppose it will depend on the context of the question and if I am able to answer your questions," She said with a soft smile, thanking the waitress as she placed two cups of tea before them. Drawing her own to her lips, Mai continued, "So what is it that you're curious about Natsuki?"

Accepting her own cup, thanking the waitress, Natsuki blew tenderly upon the scolding liquid before lifting it to her lips and taking a sip. It had a calming affect, the way the warmth seeped down the back of her throat, leaving a trail all the way to her stomach, "I can assume you know my first question; I would like to know more about Yuuki Nao. Is she always so hostile towards new individuals and more so how many people exactly know of her situation?"

The busty woman allowed a chuckle to escape before she took a sip from her own billowing cup, "Ah, Nao-chan? Heh, I've known her since the beginning of grades school. Back then, believe it or not Nao wouldn't speak a word to anyone. Well no, that would be a lie, she wouldn't speak to anyone except Miyu or Shizuru. Even the teachers had a difficult time getting her to talk." The story paused for a moment as Mai took another sip, this to quench the dry feeling of her throat, "Only those you saw at the table yesterday and a few others know about her. Nao might not act like it, but she really values the friendship of our group and has been even more thankful that whatever is exchanged between any of us remains between us. An unspoken code of the group," Another chuckle escaped her, "I guess you could think of it as the sworn secrecy of Knighthood. As for more details, what you heard yesterday is truly the extent to which we know and we received most of our information from either Shizuru or Miyu-san. If you're planning on finding out more about her, I suggest you ask one of those two, they know her better than she knows herself." Adorning a stern expression, Mai placed her cup down, and made sure to make direct eye contact with the woman across the table from her, "But I am warning you Natsuki whatever you're planning to do it isn't worth it. When it comes to Nao nothing becomes normal anymore, the rules change. And if she catches word that you're snooping about her, I wouldn't be surprised if she lashes out."

"I'll keep that in mind Mai, thank you." Replied Natsuki calmly. What Mai said didn't seem to startle her in the least bit. From what Natsuki had physically witnessed with the fiery red head it didn't come as a surprise that a lashing may follow any bout of curiosity. They were similar in that way believe it or not.

"No problem Natsuki, you seem like a nice person and I think you'd fit well in our group," Mai rose from her seat, rushing down to the main kitchen doors. There, balancing three bowls was a woman with hair whiter than snow and a frame that had aged with time. Each step seemed laboured, and Natsuki felt sorry for the woman. It must have been difficult to get to an age in life where being completely independent was no longer possible.

Mai returned with their dishes, setting about the table with practised ease and allowed the elderly woman to stand before the table, offering her wishes to the young girls and a happy meal. "Sorry about that, she's getting clumsier as the years go by. Just last week she took a fall and we were almost sure she had broken a hip. She's a sweet lady, and she makes the world's best food, I would hate to see her hurt herself ever. The old couple are really sweet Natsuki, you should meet them both after we finish!" Mai said with an excitement Natsuki did not think possible.

So adorning her best smile, the bluenette nodded her head before turning to her food, "Sure thing Mai."

-

The rest of lunch passed with idle conversation. Anything from the current school head to the strange colour of the uniform socks, the girls talked about anything that came to mind really. Natsuki had asked most of the questions she had been wondering since she had been enrolled in the school. Things like why did the school not provide dormitories? Many of the students seem to live far off and having a student housing unit upon the campus grounds seemed like a wise idea. Or what was the marking scheme and how did the exams press upon the grade curves. By the end of their hour long lunch Natsuki had all the answers she wanted. All… except one.

-

As they both removed themselves from the mechanical beast, Natsuki tucked the spare helmet back into its compartment and her own under her arm. This one would go into the locker the school provided to each student. Hand painted, the helmet was truly one of a kind. Navy blue in colour, a striking silver wolf had been painted upon the right side of the helmet. As if it were in full flight, the creature's features were blurred towards the back, its body fading into the darkness. The head however was clear; detailed; perfect. Its eyes were a dazzling ruby and its mouth hung slightly ajar as if at any moment it would release a cry to the open air. The other side of the helmet was laced with column upon column of delicately etched kanji (1). As to what it said… Natsuki was never still long enough that one might read it.

Pausing in her step, Natsuki bit her bottom lip. The question was nagging at her; it wouldn't leave her a moments rest. So swallowing the lump in her throat, the hoarse voice spoke softly, "Mai… who is Shizuru?"

(1) – This probably sounds extremely odd; to say column upon column. However I fear it was the only way I could think to word it. After all kanji is read from right to left, top to bottom, isn't it? Chinese is… I think…

Author Note: And then the world went... green? *Re-reads her manuscript* Who the hell is writing this shit?!

*In the background Mikoto sneaks off with a black Sharpie in hand*

Anyways, another chapter lacking Shizuru, but it has Natsuki. I know a lot of people are waiting for the Shizuru and Natsuki but I want to remind everyone of the initial description of this story. This truly does have a look at Natsuki as a character (though out of character from Sunrises context) and what initially began as her life somehow at some point melds into a life fit for two. I probably lose a lot of readers to the simple fact that: this isn't a fluff and this isn't immediate Shiznat. Which in all honesty is alright, because I've come to see a lot of normal readers (reviewers) and even just knowing that I have a few who are willing to read what I write, it means a lot.

Now I am not going to go all sap on you so I will hush. My Mommy just called!! Teehehe, thank you for reading.

... Apparently my mother used to own many dress shoes before she had kids...