This chapter is pretty short, but I think most Chime chapters will be since it's a pretty slow-paced, feelings, kind of story. So, sorry about that.
Disclaimer: I only own Suzu~
When Suzu woke up, everyone was already gone. Well, not everyone; Shigure was still around, but he mostly stayed to his office. Suzu ate the food Tohru had left her in silence, occasionally hearing Shigure mutter something to himself.
Honestly, it wasn't that different from the villa where she was left to her own devices.
She spent most of the day getting ahead of her study schedule. Suzu had never gone to school, being tutored when she was really young and eventually able to teach herself. Occasionally, she would have to seek help, but Hatori was always just a call away. It was pretty lax, but Suzu had always been ahead of her grade level, mostly due to boredom.
Hatori always gave her praise about her studies, but Suzu didn't much care. She wouldn't be able to do anything with the education anyway.
Much later, Suzu could hear a woman in the house; it wasn't hard considering her loud yelling. Suzu supposed she was a guest of Shigure's, but he didn't call her down for an introduction so Suzu tried her best to ignore them.
She definitely wasn't use to this noise while at the villa; it was keeping her from taking a nap, but it was almost comforting at the same time, realizing she wasn't so absolutely alone anymore. Being surrounded by chatter made things feel less empty, less gray, which she didn't really mind.
When things did finally calm down, Shigure called up the stairs for her. He didn't give a reason why she should come down, just her name, but she humored him nonetheless.
He was already sitting at their small table when she got down. Sitting across from him, she just raised a curious brow.
"How are you settling in?" he asked, which did nothing to sate her curiosity.
She didn't like Shigure; he wasn't cheerful in the same way Ayame was. Shigure always seemed to be hiding something, like he had some ulterior motive. Suzu also knew the close relationship between Shigure and Akito. Akito always clung to him like some annoying brat, which perhaps made Suzu dislike Shigure even more.
"I'm settling in fine," she retorted, cold to his pleasant.
Shigure chuckled before saying, "No need to be on edge. You're the fox here, not me."
Suzu couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Cute," she responded. Shigure may have years on her, but Suzu's never been one to play along to respecting one's elders just because they're older.
Ayame and sometimes even Hatori were always surprised that Shigure and Suzu didn't take to each other better. Their animals were related, just like Suzu's and Kyo's, after all. However, Hatori eventually began to say they didn't get along because of their similarities, and as much as it pained Suzu, she agreed. Shigure wore masks just like her and he planned and schemed. Suzu was pretty sure Tohru even being here was because of Shigure's desire, and seeing Tohru as the key to break the curse, Suzu couldn't help but wonder if that's what Shigure wanted too.
Shigure was fond of Akito, though; so, why exactly did he want to break the curse? Shigure just didn't seem to make any sense.
"How are your studies?"
"Same as ever." Then because she knew Shigure wasn't the one curious she added, "Hatori was concerned?"
Shigure gestured around as he said, "You know him, always worrying." He hid his hands back in his sleeves as he further explained, "You don't have any servants here to help."
"Just a house full of high-schoolers," she muttered, earning a laugh from him.
"That's what I said, but apparently you're very ahead."
She waved dismissively before leaning on her hand. "I'm not so ahead that I can't ask the others for help if I need it, plus Hatori is just a call away."
"And much closer than before," Shigure added, looking pleased with the discussion.
Hearing the door open, both turned toward the entryway. When Kyo turned the corner, he was quick to pause, confusion flooding his features. "Uh…I'm home?"
"Welcome home," Shigure and Suzu said in sync, causing the two to look upon one another, Shigure still amused and Suzu with a slight frown.
Kyo gestured between the two of them, "I know I shouldn't be so…surprised, but I never imagined this ever happening."
Suzu stood from the table, guessing her short talk with Shigure was complete now that Kyo was home. "That makes two of us," she muttered, stretching as she stood fully.
Both left Shigure as they headed upstairs; Kyo went into his room and Suzu followed after him. She leaned against the doorframe while he changed into more casual attire.
"How's Shishou?"
Kyo turned towards her as he pulled on a shirt. "Good, are you going to visit him anytime soon? He'd probably like to see you again."
Suzu shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm pretty sure he only liked me because I was your friend."
"People do like you for you, ya know," Kyo tried to reassure her, but she waved the words aside.
She watched him fall onto his bed with an exasperated sigh, and tilted her head as she asked, "Tough practice?"
Hands behind his head, he flicked his gaze from her to the ceiling. "I'm going out with Kagura on Sunday." Suzu couldn't help the groan she let out. She'd never liked Kagura, always hated her reluctance to accept all of Kyo even though she claimed to love him. Suzu saw everything and everyone for how they were. Kyo was part monster, Akito was the worst kind of person, Shigure had masks, and Kagura lied, even to herself.
"It'll be the last time."
Suzu noted his conviction, and felt the conversation had shifted from casual. She walked into the room and closed the door behind her, setting herself beside him on his bed. "And why's that?"
The two stared at each other for a long moment, and Suzu felt as though Kyo was looking for something. She was almost insulted that he thought he couldn't immediately trust her, but pushed the feeling aside. It had been a long time since they'd been close. Eventually, he seemed to find what he wanted because he looked towards the ceiling and said, "I won't ever return her feelings."
She couldn't help but raise a brow. Falling back beside him, she let out an understanding hum. Suzu wondered how he could be so sure, but deemed the question unimportant. If that's what Kyo thought, then that was it. It wasn't as though Suzu could or would convince him that anything could bring about change. Honestly, Suzu was happy for him, mostly because she didn't like Kagure, but also because it felt as though things were changing for the better. The members of the curse always seemed so stagnant. People always acted how the acted, but Tohru really seemed to be making things different.
The curses were all about remaining the same forever, but now things were changing. If that wasn't some sign that they could and should be broken, then Suzu didn't know what else could possibly qualify.
Hearing the voices of Yuki and Tohru, Kyo was the first to get up. Suzu followed lazily after, but instead of following him down the stairs she went to her and Tohru's room. Kyo sent her an inquisitive look, but she only yawned in response and gave him a wave.
She flopped onto her own bed that she shared with the outsider tiredly. Lying with Kyo, just listening to his breaths, had made her sleepy. Vaguely she remembered some of the times she'd rest and even sleep with Kyo, sometimes the same bed, sometimes on his lap. Kyo had just always been a comforting and even calming presence for her. A little ironic since he was also always so loud and fiery.
Suzu could hear them all downstairs, but instead of joining, she just tried to ignore them. She was pretty good at being able to sleep whenever, but she'd always been a light sleeper. With how much she slept it made some sense as to why.
She knew she probably shouldn't be napping so close to actual night, and Suzu was pretty sure she wouldn't actually fall asleep. However, sometimes just resting was nice.
When the door opened behind her, Suzu didn't even move. She could hear Tohru putting some of her things away, and then the outsider came beside her, hovering slightly. Suzu knew the other had gone to see Shishou as well because of curse business, but Suzu didn't feel like getting into it now.
Later, when it was almost time to actually sleep, Suzu would ask Tohru about it, but for now she was fine to let Tohru think she was asleep.
Once Tohru left, Suzu shifted onto her front, her arms under her pillow, listening to the laughter downstairs and convincing herself she didn't want to join.