Chapter 2 - Making Decisions

Revised on 1/3/12.

The next day started as all of my days did up until that point. I would look out the window observing the weather as I listened to kitchen noises from downstairs, my brother talking too loudly from the floor below. The only thing out of place was the note scribbled on my English Textbook, the kanji so messy that it was almost unreadable. I suppose that since he must have learned Japanese not long before he came to Earth, he must not have had much time to perfect his writing. I've always found his sloppy characters quite endearing, Pai being the brains of the enemy's operation.

No. He wasn't the enemy, not to me, at least. The other mews surely saw him as a daunting opponent, but I saw him a comrade, a wonderful man on the same mission. I know that he should have been the enemy, but yet, I couldn't help being fascinated by him. I was so intrigued by the murky air that followed him, accentuating his sharp gaze. I could still feel the coolness of his hand on my own. Gazing at my fingers, I remembered how he had held my hand so softly, an unexpected lightness to contrast his rough appearance. I then remembered the small scar that runs down the left side of his pale lips, and I blushed.

I forced myself out of bed, not looking at the note; I knew what it said. I could still hear the words rolling off his tongue in that flat, dark, yet sweet voice; Remember, after you finish your shift at your workplace, come to Tokyo Tower. Alone. I knew it was a bad idea to be meeting with one of the aliens alone, but I somehow felt that he wouldn't hurt me. He seemed to be gentle under that tough exterior.

I followed the usual motions of the day, eating breakfast, going to school, giving money to those horrid girls. I always wonder how I manage to smile through it all. Perhaps I was able to, simply because smiling is such a hollow concept. Yet, somehow it manages to assure people that everything is alright. False, empty.

Although I usually block out the chatter of my co-workers while we clean, I felt the need to listen that day. Perhaps all I wanted was to talk, and for them to pay attention. But, of course, they didn't. "Kisshu makes me so mad!" Ichigo growled in response to Purin asking about her day. "He is such a jerk! I mean, he showed up at my house earlier today just to burst into my bathroom and turn my cactus into a Chimera Anima!" She scowls at her hand at this point. "I still have splinters stuck in my hand."

"And Taruto is such a brat!" She complained, leaning against her broom. "He's always calling me and old hag and stupid things like that. What a little brat!" I glanced up to see her slam her fist into her palm, and then I resumed sweeping.

"Hey, Taru-Taru is my friend, na no da!" Purin, of course. Ichigo scoffed.

"You can't call the enemy a friend." Minto said casually. Purin then started to pout.

"Yes, you can, na no da…" She grumbled as Ichigo rolled her eyes.

"And then, there's Pai." She growled. I stopped sweeping. "What's his problem? Always scowling like that." Ichigo made a grimace which she seemed to think resembled Pai's usual expression.

"Ummm…" I began, feeling everyone's eyes on me. "Did you ever consider that maybe things are difficult for them…?" I said uncertainly. Ichigo and Minto frowned at me. Purin looked at her feet, her arms crossed. Zakuro continued sweeping as she had been throughout the entire conversation.

"They're just bad people." Ichigo snapped as she looked away. And, just like that, all attention that I was given had ceased. I began sweeping again. The conversation continued after that, but I paid no attention. My mind was elsewhere- wondering why I had attempted to stand up for the aliens.

I knew that it had something to do with the way that it sent shivers down my spine whenever I thought of his overpowering presence, and how much I wanted to bathe my very soul in it.

As I walked up to Tokyo Tower, the sky ceased being simply overcast, and it started to rain. I peered out from under my umbrella, scanning the area for that intimidating figure. Of course, he wasn't anywhere in sight- after all, he would stand out- so I instead sat on one of the benches near the base of the tower. I sat there for several minutes, feeling Pai's eyes burning into my back the whole time. And then, I closed my eyes, and I felt his hand touch mine.

When I opened my eyes, the scenery had changed. I was now back looking at the ocean that Pai had brought me to the day before, sitting on a bench that wasn't there before. It wasn't raining here, but I didn't want to take my hand away from his to put the umbrella away. "You're unexpectedly calm." Pai said plainly. I couldn't feel his gaze anymore. "Considering all that's happened to me, I'm not entirely surprised by things that I would otherwise find unusual." I said, looking out at the ocean, twirling the umbrella in my right hand.

At this point, the sun was just barely visible behind the mountains. It was slowly getting darker as we sat in silence. I wanted to ask him why he wanted to see me, but I didn't want to interrupt the rapid beat of my heart with words. I remember finding it odd how he would always hold my hand, since we barely knew each other at that point. Several months later, he informed me that in his culture, the touching of hands was a way to 'open a connection' with the other person. He told me that it has no romantic meaning, just a way of telling someone that you're listening.

"Midorikawa-san-" I jumped at the abruptness of his voice, turning to face him. He frowned slightly and lowered his head. "I apologize." He said quietly. I smiled the tiniest bit. "It's fine," I said. He looked up again. "Will you work with us?" I stared at him. Yes. I had made my decision long before he had asked me. Yes, yes, yes.

"Yes." A small smile formed on his lips. My heart was bursting with desire as he looked into my eyes. He was so perfectly imperfect.

I love that small scar on his lips.