Bonding (Nezumi - May 2020)
On the one hand, reuniting with Shion two weeks ago was incredible. (And each night, incredible all over again.) But on the other hand…
"So Nezumi," Safu began, tense, but determined; "Shion tells me you're a good singer."
He was quite the vocalist himself, last night. Could you hear from down the hall, Safu?
Nezumi wasn't sure how Shion convinced him to babysit. (Or rather, he sure as hell wasn't admitting the reason to anyone.) Yet he was completely mystified as to why Safu insisted on keeping him company as he carried out this humiliating task.
The sun was too bright, and the banter was not helping.
"I'd be a poor performer if I wasn't."
Inukashi's stray cousins lounged under the shady tree Nezumi was leaning against. Nieces and nephews chased through fresh cut grass. He wondered bitterly why dogs couldn't watch the baby. Similarly, the young woman at the nearby picnic table. (She could at least go do more gardening and leave him alone.) Little Shion blissfully pushed her toy lawnmower through fresh grass, unaware that any greenery in the West was younger than her, or imported very recently from other Blocks.
"I guess so," Safu replied lamely.
1984 sat forlorn in Nezumi's lap. He stifled a sigh.
You No.6 elites turn out such sparkling conversation…
She glanced eastward. "I wouldn't know. Thanks to No.6, I never saw a play in my life."
"At least you know you were sheltered."
"Did Inukashi tell you why I moved out here?"
"No." You two get along criminally well. Might as well live together.
"No. 6."
Her short brown bob tinted slightly purple under the sun.
"No. 6," he echoed, not following.
"New City… is still No.6 to me," Safu seethed. "I hate it."
"You hate—?" He spotted a sharp glint in her bluish-purple eyes.
Oh, of course.
That super-elite lost Shion, her grandmother, her own life… and sympathises with Elyurias.
"Look, I know we didn't exactly get off to the best start. But I meant it, two weeks ago: I'll always be grateful. Especially for Shion."
Gratitude. Entrapment with kind words and warm smile; the threat of tightening bonds. Nezumi was in an awkward place. Two years ago, he could brush off the years watching over Shion, the rescue, their time living together… as repayment of debt.
Then came that note. About Safu.
She's testing me! Seeing if I'll spill it to Shion how she feels about his precious 'New City.' If she's worried about gossip though, why's she so close to Inukashi, of all people? Could she really trust us so… defenselessly?
Like Shion?
A curious little Shion wobbled over and Nezumi resigned himself to grubby hands pulling at his sleeve. She giggled at his look of defeat, and toddled to the picnic table, arms out.
"Nee-san!"* Safu smiled and began to swing the cheerful girl by the hands.
Nezumi reached for the neglected novel…
"Honeys, we're home!"
A formally-dressed Inukashi and smartly suited-up Shion were finally back from their Reconstruction And Business Improvement Committees' joint luncheon. They stepped through the double doors from the kitchen into the yard.
"Why Inukashi, you've started dressing like a girl!" Nezumi quipped lazily.
"Have you stopped dressing like a girl, Eve?"
As little Shion clung to her namesake, Inukashi abruptly approached Safu. Robbed his chance to retort, Nezumi re-infiltrated the chillingly familiar nation of Oceania.
A/N:
*Nee-san (姉さん): Respectful Japanese term for an older sister.
If you're curious what kind of "rough start" Safu and Nezumi had, you can find it in the final chapter of my story Waiting.
Again, comments are always appreciated. :)