Chapter 3 - You and I

"What do you mean 'my family is here'?" I asked.

What an interesting turn of events. It seems that I have found what I was looking for all these years. But something feels a little off, I'm not sure what it is…

The blue haired woman nods at me and smiles.

"Then…are you related to me?" I asked.

"You can say that. But…you don't remember anything at all…?" she asked.

"No, I'm sorry. When my guardians –er, grandparents found me, I was lying unconscious out in the prairie. And when I finally came to, I couldn't remember anything, only my given name was embedded into my head for some reason."

"I see…" said the woman. There was disappointment in her voice.

"Uh…but if it makes any difference, they said they found a stuffed animal with me as well," I said.

I know that's a strange detail to include, but I felt like I had to say something. And I think I'm glad that I did, as her eyes seemed to widen after I told her.

"Stuffed animal?!" she exclaimed.

"Y-Yeah."

"What kind of stuffed animal?"

"It was an Entrails Animal I think. Uhh, Disemboweled Tiger or something like that?"

"Where is it right now?"

"It's at my apartment…is it important or…"

"It's very important! Now, take me to your apartment!"

"Hang on a minute Natsume, why is it so important that you need to see this stuffed animal?" asked Haru.

I was actually wondering the same thing, but seeing as how she was so riled up about it, I didn't bother asking.

"I just have to, it's something I need to make sure of," she said.

Usually, when you invite people over your place, it's for the purpose of hanging out or doing something. Not coming to check out your embarrassing trinkets. Now that I think about it, I should've thrown that damn stuffed animal out when I had the chance. Although I felt like I have several times over… Oh god, the place is a mess, and I'm having guests.

I say guests because that Haru guy decided to tag along as well. I have a feeling he doesn't like me very much, with his constant glaring, I could only deduce that he'd want to be friends. I can tell he's into Natsume, not like it wasn't obvious enough.

We continue to walk towards my apartment, exchanging words and idle talk on the way. I don't think I've ever been able to speak to a girl this comfortably before, it's like everything is coming out naturally.

"There it is," I said as my complex came into view. It was nothing fancy, just a regular apartment building with fair rent and a not-so-fair landlord.

"This is where you've been living?" asked Haru.

"Well, it's all I can afford right now."

He scoffed and grinned as he inspected the complex. Yeah, I realize that this place isn't some penthouse in New York, so screw off if you're going to look down on me for that.

I roll my eyes as I turn to lead the way to my room up the stairs. Turning the corner, I grabbed the keys from my pocket and checked to see if it was the right one. My room was at the far end of the complex. I promptly unlock the door and turned the doorknob to the dark empty room that was my living room.

"It's not much but…welcome to my home," I said.

"Thank you. Pardon my intrusion," said Natsume as she took off her boots. She turned around to face Haru who was still standing out in the doorway. "What's wrong Haru?"

"I've got someplace to be right now, so I'll be going," he said.

"I see, well thanks for accompanying me!" she said as she walked up to him.

"Anytime," he said. I turned around to switch on the lights, not wanting to be a creep by watching them as they bid farewell. I could hear them embrace each other as I took my coat off, followed by the sound of the door shutting. Figures, didn't even have the decency to say his farewells to me.

"So this is your home huh?" she said as she took off her coat. She surveyed the room as she put her coat away.

"Yeah…it's kind of a dump I guess," I said.

"Not at all, I like it! It gives off a cozy feeling," she said with a smile.

I was taken aback by her response. She sat across from me in my small kotatsu, fidgeting as she tried to get comfortable. I found myself eyeing her for a good amount of time. She was a wearing a white fleece turtleneck and a pair of jeans. Her hair was a fair shade of blue that was kept in a ponytail and ran down her back.

She chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. Her calm blue eyes seemed to pierce my own as I found myself at a loss from her stare. It was only at that moment that I noticed that I had been caught staring for far too long, how embarrassing.

"Could you turn on the kotatsu? It's getting a little cold," she chuckled.

"O-O-Of course!" I stuttered to which she laughed again. Real smooth.

"Ah, you wanted to see the doll right? I'll go get it right now," I said.

"Okay, thank you," she said.

I walk into my bedroom, which is smaller than the living room, and proceeded to rifle through my messy drawers. Where the hell did I put that thing? I just saw it not too long ago too. Wait a minute, how the hell did it move over to my desk? Ah, I forgot to ask if she wanted tea…

"Here it is," I said as I set the doll on top of the kotatsu. "By the way, would you like some tea?"

"No thank you, I'm fine," she said. It seems like she was more focused on the stuffed animal, I didn't think girls would be into the Entrails Animals brand.

"So…do you like Entrails Animals or something?" I asked.

"Not particularly. I can't really explain it, and you probably won't even believe me. Let's just say it's how I met someone very important to me," she giggled.

"Hmm, I see."

"How strange…this one seems to be the one that I had before," she said,

"Wha-really? But how is that even possible?!"

"I'm not sure myself. But I guess I've found what I was looking for," she said.

She continued to look at the stuffed animal, playing with its little arms as she held it in her hands. Was she really just looking for that stuffed animal? Or is there something else that I'm not aware of?

"Um," I said to grab her attention. "You said you knew me, could it be that you're my sister?" I asked.

She looked at me with a mildly surprised face before bursting into laughter.

"No, not even close!" she said as she waved her hand as to dismiss the allegation.

I felt a bit relieved to hear that, I'm not sure why. She looks so much like me, so much so that I think I'd look exactly like her if I was of the opposite sex.

"Oh, I see. Well, you seem to know a lot about me. How do you know so much?" I asked.

"Would you like me to explain everything?"

"Yes, that would be nice."

I've heard a lot of different and interesting stories in my life. But I've never heard of anything quite like this one, and it's funny because it's a story about me. I sipped at the cup of warm tea slowly, as if to aid myself in taking in all this new information. I look to the woman in front of me who is also sipping at her tea. She looks up from her drink and smiles.

I continue to sip at my tea as I let everything sink in. Satisfied, I set the cup down and said, "Sorry, this is kind of a lot to take in."

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but this is the truth," she said.

Glancing over at the stuffed animal sitting on the table, I busy myself by picking it up and examining it. "So…you said that this thing could talk?"

"Yes, although I'm not sure why it's not talking right now."

I shoot her a look as if to say, 'Are you serious?'

"It's true! It really can talk!" she pouts.

"That aside, you say you are currently living with my parents?" I ask.

"That's right."

"…Would it be possible for me to see them?"

Having said that, I immediately noticed a sudden change in her expression from a calm smile to a serious gaze.

"I'm not sure how that would go," she said solemnly. She stayed quiet for a few more seconds before looking to meet my eyes. "But…it wouldn't be fair for me to deny you of that opportunity," she said.

"Really? You really mean it?!" I jumped with excitement.

She simply smiled and nodded, looking as if she was a little startled at my reaction. I couldn't believe it, that my long search has finally come to an end. A feeling of joy and relief swept over me as I let out a sigh of satisfaction.

Then a certain sound caught my attention, the sound of a low growl that murmured from the woman's stomach. She crossed her arms over her stomach, smiling in embarrassment.

"Are you hungry by any chance?" I asked. What a stupid question.

"Just a little," she admitted.

How oblivious of me to treat a guest like this! I quickly walk over into the cramped and messy kitchen, rifling through the cupboards for any remnants of packaged foods. Since I wasn't too fond of cooking, I usually lived off of instant ramen and convenience store foods. Why did today have to be the day that I didn't have anything!? I shouldn't even be giving a guest something like instant ramen in the first place…

"It's okay," she said from the kotatsu. "I couldn't trouble you any further."

I had already stopped rummaging through my disaster of a kitchen. I got it, I have a brilliant idea!

"You really don't have to do this," implored Natsume.

The two were now at a local family diner which Natsuru had frequented, since it was close by. Not to mention that the food was relatively cheap and delicious.

"Nonsense," said Natsuru. "It's the least I could do for all your help. And besides, think of it as an apology for being so rude to you the other day," his voice trailing off at the last sentence.

"Don't be sorry, I'm the one who was acting strange at the time," she said.

"Ah….I see."

Natsuru had his menu opened in front of him, and was nervously looking through the various dishes. He'd realized that he unknowingly asked this woman out for dinner. Rather than asked out, he forcibly took her. He quickly though of a topic to help break the silence.

"B-By the way," he stuttered. "You said that you weren't my sister, right?"

"That's right," she said, looking up from her menu.

"Then…what's your relation to me?" he asked.

Natsume was perplexed that such a question was brought up. Perplexed, but also very happy at the same time. Her lips gradually formed into a small smile as she set the menu down, looking straight at Natsuru. Resting her elbows in the table, she cradled her chin with both of her hands and playfully asked, "What do you think?"

He blinked a couple times, scratching his head as he began to think. Running his fingers through his straight blue hair, he sighed in disappointment, shrugging his shoulders to admit his defeat.

"Here, I'll give you a hint," said Natsume. She motioned Natsuru to come closer with her chin still resting on one of her hands. Natsuru looked confused, was it that private that it needed to be whispered to him? Regardless, he moved in closer.

Before he could figure out what was going on, he found a pair of soft lips pressed up against his. The alluring smell of shampoo and the warmth of her lips assaulted his senses. The kiss was over as quickly as it came, leaving Natsuru in a trance. Natsume sat back in her chair, letting out a sigh of satisfaction before cocking her head and smiling. "Does that answer your question?"

"N-No, I mean I don't think that it…I don't understand." His face lit up. He could feel his boiling hot blood rush up his neck and to his cheeks as his heart felt like it was about to jump out.

"Hmm? You don't get it? Would you like another hint?" she laughed.

"Wait, I think I got it!" waving his hands as he exclaimed. He took a deep breath and looked down, pulling his neck in like a turtle to hide his embarrassment. He pretty much already had an idea, but decided not to say it at the cost of embarrassing himself further. It was surprising to him though, that he was ever involved with this kind of girl. Such a kind, beautiful, and playful girl. Whose mere presence made his heart skip a beat.

"I couldn't be any happier right now," she said.

Natsuru lifted his head, perplexed. "Really?"

She nodded. "I thought you were gone, Natsuru. And now you've suddenly come back, it's almost like a dream."

"I'm sorry, Senou-san. It must have been hard," he said.

"Please, call me Natsume." She smiled.

"Right. N…Natsume." He felt strange saying that name. But it suited her and it felt right at the same time.

"Hello, how are you two doing this evening? May I take your order?" said the waiter.

That's right, Natsuru was so engrossed in the conversation that he forgot that they were at a diner. He opened up his menu again, quickly skimming through the dinner selections.

"I'll have the hamburger steak please." Natsuru looked over his menu at the sound of Natsume's voice. "Along with a side of rice," she added to which the waiter nodded. She noticed Natsuru's gaze. "Same for you, I assume?" she said with confidence in her voice.

His eyebrows cocked. "I'll have what she's having." The waiter quickly jotted down their orders, nodded, and promptly left. Natsuru watched as the waiter walked away and turned a corner before looking to Natsume. He scratched his head. "How did you know?"

She puffed her chest out and crossed her arms. "I know everything about you!" She didn't know everything, but she knew a lot about him, and she was proud of that fact.

"Really?" he laughed. "Then could you tell me a little about the me that you know so much about?" he asked. Natsuru laced his fingers together and rested his chin on top of his hands. He appeared to be interested as he waited eagerly for her response.

She took notice to his interest. "Let's see. You were a really oblivious and dense guy. You had no tact and lacked self-confidence." She could see that his expression turned glum and couldn't help but smile. She was only teasing just a bit. "Despite all of that," she started. "I fell in love with you and everything about you." Natsume couldn't help but wince at her own statement, but she really meant it.

"I'm overjoyed to hear that," said Natsuru. This whole situation felt so surreal to him, like he still couldn't grasp what was going on. It all felt like a dream, where everything was just too good to be true. In any case, he had this woman in front of him to thank. He smiled and graciously bowed. "Please take care of me from now on."