Disclaimer: The same usual disclaimer.
Kanna-tan
Chapter 5: Get a break!
An hour had passed. Kanna lay on her face gasping, enjoying the refreshing coldness of the tiled floor against her skin.
Her head hurt, with dizzy memories of the madness full of vigorous, sweeping movements against various backdrops that spun in circles or sped past on either side.
It was a crazy struggle, the first ever absurd kind the Okinawan had ever had. She remembered all too clearly how it began: Sumire snatching a pole, Kanna making big leaps to avoid getting knocked off her feet. Immediately a series of violence ensued, sadly involving several cushions and the curtains in the dressing room. The two rivals went at each other like ferocious cats and everything else had happened in flashes.
She recalled how, without the slightest pause, Sumire launched forward with a downward slashing attack, tearing the air. The pole had nearly struck her on the shoulder, but she retreated sideways and surged through the distance between them to kick the thing out of her hands. She missed; the pole-wielding woman deftly avoided it with a graceful twist, using the momentum to bring her slim weapon home in one powerful sweep.
The more they fought, the more Kanna understood that her height was still a disadvantage. Strength did not matter anymore. Reacting quickly, she sprang to a run, Sumire going after her.
At any random time, pole and small fists met, and upon breaking away, they entered a new fit of aggression which in the eyes of a passing spectator could be likened to a terrifying dance. They clashed, passed by each other, rushed off into another chase, closed in, and collided again, moving from one place to another, sometimes going back to the same room twice. It was at this time when Kanna leapt away carelessly from a blow and rammed against a door. In the grand lobby Sumire almost created a dent in the base of a wall.
No one was there to interrupt. Not Maria, or Iris, not even Ohgami.
As though they had both left their patience and sanities behind, this went on for much longer, seemingly endless…
… until gradually they showed signs of slowing down, finally crashing into the dining room, worn out and utterly breathless. Neither suffered any serious injury – just bruises – although the livid excitement and energy were painfully spent.
Kanna stretched over the cold floor. Darn it! She clenched her teeth. Her body ached to the point that she could feel it screaming through every fibre. Were it not for this physical change, she would enjoy such a burst of vigour. At length, when she could muster the will to speak, she blurted drearily, "I think I'm dying!"
"What nonsense!" she heard Sumire retort from the other end of the dining area, wherever she was. She sounded just as winded. "You won't die from this – kind of – trifle thing. If that's what you think – you'll never last – long in the real battlefield!"
Kanna snorted, lying still like fish left out in the sun to dry. She was unsure if she should be happy or upset.
There was a sharp noise of a chair being pulled out, and then a quiet moan.
"Hey, Sumire."
No answer.
"Hey, Sumire," she repeated. She picked up with straining ears a slight rustle, then a low exhale.
The silence returned.
"SUMIRE!" Kanna shouted, feeling rather foolish for how childish she sounded.
"What is it?" It was an irritated reply, snappy, but otherwise it was rid of any trace of anger.
Kanna wiped her face with the back of her hand. "We overdid it, didn't we? We went overboard," she said.
"Yes, I admit that was a bit too reckless."
"I ache."
There was a pause, before the voice carried on sourly, "Well, so do I."
"At least you're not in stuck in a child's body."
Silence fell again.
"Normally at this degree of work, you'd be the one left standing," Sumire said. "Even Maria-san cannot keep up with that otherworldly stamina of yours. You can say you left us all impressed during our previous training camps."
It was Kanna's turn to say nothing. She gathered herself up with a push and stared. She wanted to gape. Is she complimenting me? No, wait, that's not the right word. Is she trying to comfort me?
Sumire did not notice Kanna's speechless surprise. Instead she hung her head and moved her hands to her back to fix the tangled cords on her obi. "Putting that aside, we have to think about what to do with the damages."
On the bright side, they did not destroy the stage, or any high-costly property.
Suddenly Kanna's eyes shone quite brilliantly.
"That's right, I haven't had any food! Let's eat! I'm starving!"
"Eh?" Sumire gripped the edge of the table to support herself as she stood up. "Oh, now that you mention it, I do feel somewhat hungry. It should be time we have lunch."
"Let's see what we've got. But I don't think there's much in store. Then I'll go make something!" Forgetting her fatigue, Kanna was just about to dash into the kitchen when Sumire stopped her.
"And how, pray tell, are you going to do the cooking?"
"Huh?" Kanna cocked an eyebrow. "What d'you mean?"
For an answer, Sumire put up her hand some few inches above her head, and then slowly set it down to a little below her waist, approximately at level to Kanna's present height. The child stared blankly at her, turning one shade pale. Seconds later the colour returned and concentrated warmly to her cheeks.
"Oh. Right."
"Honestly, you never learn, do you? It cannot be helped, then. I'd better send for Okamura to fetch some lunch. Or, if you insist on making use of the kitchen…"
Oi. Did the room suddenly grow cold? Kanna swallowed hard, pacing two steps back. "…W-what are you going to do?" she stammered uneasily.
"What else? I have no choice but to assist you," Sumire replied, quite reluctantly. "Don't make any mistake. There just isn't any other way."
"Assist me, you mean to cook?"
"Of course."
Kanna felt like she was plunged into an ice-hole. Memories of raw eggs swirling in hot water floated by and danced in front of her eyes. She had to laugh through her teeth. Nervously. But surely this didn't mean the end of the world, right? Then, struck by a sudden thought, Kanna put her hands on her waist and smirked. "If you don't mind working with me, you'll have to not do anything funny and do as I tell you."
The reaction and the reply arrived quick and clean-cut, like a natural reflex. It was exactly what she had expected straight from Sumire. "Why must I follow your orders, Kanna-san?"
Why? Isn't it obvious? "I'm the senior around here, y'know. But look, it's much safer if I'm in charge. I wouldn't want my lunch to end up like it came from another planet."
Sumire bent forward. "What do you mean by that?"
Before the temperature could rise, and tempers swell any further, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps accompanying a catchy tune being hummed. Soon enough, the door swung open to admit a figure, short and svelte, and their eyes widened.
"Oh, it's you, Sumire-san."
It was Oka Kikunojo of the Baragumi.
He was all smiles and sunshine just a moment ago, but now he tilted his head, puzzled at what could have held the Kanzaki heiress' gaze on him so fixedly. "I-Is something the matter?" His fingers touched his cheek. Shyly, he looked on, and finally noticed the small child behind her. "Uhm, and who is this?" he whispered. He did not remember hearing about the Top Star having a little sister.
Kanna's eyebrows twitched. "If you think I'm her sister or something, you better watch out, Oka. It's me. Kirishima Kanna."
Imagine the poor effeminate boy as he recoiled in shock, twice.
"E-Eh! I'm sorry! I didn't know, I couldn't recognize— but… Oh my! W-What happened?"
"A simple turn of events, really," Sumire answered, turning to her side.
Kikunojo listened, nodding every now and then, hands clasped together at his chest, as they explained. There was a profound look of sympathy in his large, clear eyes. "I see. Poor Kanna-san," he said with feeling.
"Hehe, it's fine. I don't need your pity."
"But you know, it doesn't look that bad," Kikunojo said. "Thankfully, nothing serious has happened on the other hand. On top of that, you look adorable!"
That compliment gave Kanna the chills more than the thought of Sumire's cooked lunch. Maybe it was because of the silky kindness in his voice, or the way he smiled. It was so pure, so heartfelt. She knew he was a good kid – no doubt about it. But as he spoke, he had a face of someone staring at something wholly attractive in a wedding boutique, or a grand toy store. Golly, I want you so badly. Oh you're so adorable! The thought shoved into her mind the image of her cute face printed on leaflets with the words "WANTED" stamped above.
Unconsciously, she inched closer toward Sumire and grabbed her long kimono sleeves, drawing the brunette's attention.
"Sumire…" Kanna called in a low voice. She looked up and hastily mumbled, "He's joking, right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Kanna-san," Sumire said, before addressing Kikunojo. "By the way, Oka-san, I noticed."
"Hm?" The okama looked at himself, and turned bright red. "Ah, this."
"You're – how shall I put it – dressed rather differently today."
True, there was something different about his appearance, though Kanna was hungry, tired and unnerved to realize it all the while. Not dressed in his usual military uniform notwithstanding (as it was a holiday), he wore a long, dark-orange coat wrapped tightly around him, which gave off an extra air of femininity. But looking really closely to his thighs, one could see that he was wearing men's trousers too. Black, cotton-made for the season –though not exactly new – well-tailored. And it seemed expensive.
For someone like Oka Kikunojo, no one had ever seen or thought of him wearing those. He simply had the habit of appearing in a skirt, such as in his uniform, or a dress all the time that it just didn't seem necessary to think he'd ever wear a pair of trousers.
He chuckled lightly, faltering with embarrassment. "It d-doesn't suit me, does it?" He grew redder by the second. "… I was out to see a relative."
"I see." The Top Star flicked her hair coolly. She decided not to ask any more questions; it was better to leave the okama with his privacy. She glanced at Kanna. "We'd better think of what to do for lunch."
"Sure, anytime. I still need food."
"But we need to consider Orihime-san as well."
"I-If you want… I'll stay and look after Orihime-san for you. She's still recovering, isn't she? I don't have anything to do for the rest of the day, and Kotone-san left me in charge while he's gone out," Kikunojo said. "I heard that 'that place' is having a special offer on its popular omelette rice."
The little redhead whistled.
"Is that so? I haven't heard about that." Sumire said, beaming. There was only one place that was 'that place', and famous for that particular Japanese-Western dish. Out of all the 'commoner's cuisine restaurants' she had ever gone to, Renga-tei was a favourite of hers. She was the one who brought the Hanagumi there once or twice before.
"Oh, it just started today. I was just there with my relative."
"Well, why not?"
"Sounds good to me!"
"Leave the theatre to me. And don't worry about Orihime-san. I'll make sure she has something." And with that, Kikunojo clasped his hands again. Whether they saw his eyes light up or not, neither Sumire nor Kanna could tell. But he was a kind soul, underneath that queer and timid nature. He must be really happy for being given a responsibility he could be of help with.
"I understand," Sumire said quietly. "Then, we shall be on our way."
Hey, he did say he'll get Orihime something, so that means he cooks, right? I didn't know that. I could have asked for his help and made something nice.
Kanna snatched a glimpse up at the brunette just as they left the dining room.
Anyway, it's not that bad, having this break.
With Sumire.
End notes: I almost wrecked my desk trying to come up with the opening paragraphs. So sorry if the story flow's going quite slowly. Maybe I should work harder. (^^")
Kikunojo is so cute. I once mistook him for a girl, though. But he's funny and sweet. And his crush for Ohgami just gets me doubled up with laughter.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!