Solitude.
People...
They say 'love' is the peaceful time in one's life.
They say 'farewell' is the sorrowful time in one's life.
Solitude can be a blissful place, for a while...
But, too painful to abide since I know 'solitude' better than anyone.
A bamboo blind was draped between the girl and the woman. The place was dark with no electricity, away from the bright lights of the mansion. Few candles were lit as they shone the shadows of the two lithe bodies which were confronting each other. "I hope this will be a secret between the two of us, Rijichou. After I graduate, I wish I can be a different person from now on. I want to start again, leaving my past behind." The cheerful grin from yesterday's commotion was faded from the wavy candle lights. A serious and a pained pair of eyes stared at the blind that was parting herself and Rijichou.
"That is very surprising, Kira san. I thought you loved my son." The cherry red lips of Rijichou were curved into a mysterious smile which could be only produced by an Imonoyama. "Love can change, and I am not a little kid anymore. I know what my limitations are, but I wish I can look like any ordinary person reflected in his eyes. I," the younger woman's lips felt raw and added. "I do not wish to block and ruin his future becuase of my greed." Kira's smooth forelock covered up her eyes. "Due from yesterday's dinner, I expect that you are a professional in concealing emotions. Just like us, Imonoyamas." Rijichou smiled slowly beneath her elegant fan. Kira's body trembled. 'I am scared, and this woman can feel it. Yet, I cannot show it.' "I will never be a professional as you are in that subject, Rijichou."
The women's fan shook slightly as she chuckled her usual calm laughter. "You make me relieved, Kira san. Are you sure you are not going to tell the truth?" Rijichou prompted. "I will keep my past from now on. I indeed know well that I don't have any right to desire him. I am moving on." Kotobuki Kira replied curtly and walked out of the dim light of Rijichou's guest room. The woman in the kimono sipped her tea slowly as she watched Kira backing away towards the curtains that were draped on Rijichou's door. 'Things are going to go very interesting from now on. I am glad that I took her in.' Rijichou thought as she laid her head to the back of her chair and watched at the screen next to the tea table. It showed Nokoru saying a farewell to Aidoru, Shoji, and to her husband, and a girl with windblown brown hair who was skipping eagerly towards the leaving limousine was saying good-bye as well. 'I should step aside and let my dear son act what he can. I cannot afford anyone to get hurt. Imonoyama or not.''
Kira was back to reality, in her now so-called bedroom. Her head in a mountain of fluffy pillows, she looked up at the ceiling. The mural that was drawn carefully on the ceiling showed a picture of Physche and Cupid. The wonderful butterfly wings that were spread across the magnificent ceiling made Kira feel small and powerless. 'Looks like it is drawn by Michelanjelo. Physche and Cupid. Human and the Love God. Mortal and Immortal.' Kira thought as she propped herself up from her four-poster bed and shoved the curtains draping the bed. She have ran in quite a speed to the front doors to see the Imonoyamas departing. Nokoru has been quite frustrated when she pushed him in order to run faster towards the deaprting limousine. Kira made a crooked smile in front of a full-sized mirror and glanced at her bronze alarm clock. It said 6:30. She needed to get down quickly. In a rush, Kira looked at herself once more in her new CLAMP school uniform which was reflecting on the magnificent full-size mirror.
'I look like a totally different person.' Kira wondered as she tightened the white bow of her uniform. The black velvet skirt was longer than the skirts she used to wear. The hem of the skirt flowed down past her knees and this uniform was just too girly. Kira sighed. Now, she had to wear this too luxurious uniform to school every day. She hummed a soft tune of her favorite song as she packed her harp in her matching school briefcase. 'I miss my last school, why is this school so fancy?' "Kotobuki san, the limousine is waiting." A high-pitched voice of a maid rang her ear-drums. "Coming!" Kira yelled back and clutched her bag in one hand and held Memory on the other. "Sorry, but you can't come with me to school, but I'll tell you all about it when I come back. You'll wait for me, ne?" Kira mumured into the doll's ear as she kissed its' forehead and put it down gently back on her bed. Kira tried to run back to the doors of her room, but tripped. 'Damn it. It is these darn school shoes again.' The heels of the polished black shoes which were part of her uniform have been hurting Kira's feet since this morning. Kira took her shoes off and held it with her bookbag. 'Curse you, dumb shoes. Why can't I just wear my converse?' Kira grumbled as she slipped and slided on the corridors in her sock feet.
"Good morning, everyone." She bowed down a bit to the butlers and maids who were busily working and cleaning around the corridors. "Good morning, Kotobuki san." They replied as they tried to muffle their laughter from the way Kira slipped and slided on the polished floor. Kira was happy. She made people laugh. Yes, she should move on. She could go on with her life perfectly well, just like she've done back in Denmark. She should move on from grief and despair. Hendrickson san may not be here with her, but there would be a lot of people who would support her. The laughter of the maids and butlers made Kira's hope rise. 'It's a new start. I can be cheerful and silly as always. She can go on without Nokoru. He will soon be erased from her life. Kira giggled to herself as she half stumbled, half ran down the staircase to the grand double doors where Nokoru was already prepared to leave.
"Well, I hope everything is ready for the new documents folder or else Suoh will be really disappointed. And the plan for a new design in the Gamera Hall should be done quickly also. Yes, Akira, I know. Your portfolio should be finished by now, and I need to plan another ceremony for this week. Yes, see you at the office. Bye." Nokoru talked in his usual cheery voice through his cell, and flipped it shut when he heard a loud 'thump' beside him. Nokoru stood there quite puzzled as he saw a scraggly brown haired girl lying flat on the floor with her face looking up. "Ohayo, Nokoru." Kira mumbled through a mouthful of her hair as she tried to get up, but failed because of the slick surface. "What happened, Kotobuki san? And why aren't you wearing your shoes. Our maids had a hard time polishing your shoes and the floor." Nokoru responded to Kira's clumsy greeting with a warm but sharp voice. Well, he was a feminist, wasn't he? Nokoru sighed quietly as he held out his hand to Kira, and he wasn't surprised when she didn't take his hand. Kira managed to get up on her feet using her hands for balancing.
"Look, these shoes are retarded. No offence. Why can't I wear my sneakers?" Kira complained and she could hear Nokoru's soft groan. "Kotobuki san, you should wear these shoes. Those shoes are a part of your school uniform." Nokoru gazed at Kira who was struggling to put her black shoes on her feet and shook his head once or twice when he saw Kira hopping towards the entrance, half running and half stumbling. When Nokoru clicked and clacked down the marble staircase of the entrance, answering to the 'good-byes' and 'have a good day' from the maids and butlers, he could see Kira already running to the streets. "Wait, Kotobuki san! Aren't you going to take a ride? You don't even know the way!" Nokoru tried to get Kira back to the estate, but it was no use, instead he got an answer. "Just go. I know the way." The small sillouhette of Kira made a wave as if she was telling him not to worry and disappeared. Nokoru just stood there beside his white limousine, startled by her sudden abscence. "Um, Nokoru sama. Should we go?" Saku asked uneasily as he looked back and forth at Nokoru and the place where Kira vanished. "Yes, let's go." Nokoru answered after some time. 'I waited for her for at least,' Nokoru glanced at his new golden watch. '20 minutes!'
During the ride, Nokoru peered outside the car windows at least thirty times and stuck his head outside for five times until Saku told him off. 'Why can't I see her.' He knew he had perfect eyesight, but somehow the roads and streets to CLAMP campus didn't show any existence of Kotobuki Kira. 'Where is she?' The drive path Saku used was the shortest way to the campus. 'Is she lost?' Nokoru could feel panic rising in his heart and his stomach lurched as if he was sick. "Are you feeling unwell, Nokoru sama? Should we stop a bit?" Saku asked from the driver's seat. "No." Nokoru responded, not looking at Saku. He wanted to hide his worry about Kira. 'Why am I worried about her? It's none of my buisness if she gets lost. She shouldn't have walked off like that in the first place. She should have listened to me!' Nokoru tried to sit straight in his seat as he looked away from the side window. 'It's not my fault if she gets lost. It is not my fault. Not my fault.' Nokoru murmured to himself over and over again until he arrived to his classroom. But somehow, it only made him worse.
Kira hummed happily as she strolled down the path of early cherry blossoms. March was around the corner now. Spring was here. A new start for the plants and animals. And for herself. The tune of the song she sang last night seemed to blow optimism to her. She could still remember this path from her memory. Even though she had no map, she memorized this lane by heart, since it was full of early events of her childhood. The early flowers of Spring flourished the wild garden, and Kira picked a dandelion from the group. She blew it gently as she enjoyed watching a group of white dandelion seeds flying in the air. 'Yes, fly, fly away. To freedom.' She murmured under her breath as she now half ran towards the CLAMP clock tower which rang seven times. 'Gosh, I need to hurry before Nokoru notices. I already crossed his line, but, oh well. What can I do. I am just trying to be myself again.' Kira smiled to herself of the fact that Nokoru will never know there was a peaceful and a quiet lane which lead straight to the academy. They used to walk here when they were young, and there would be a broad flower garden up ahead. This place was not even on the map, and it was a forest behind the Imonoyama mall.
She loved and admired wild flowers, and she was once amazed by the beauty of the garden. 'It didn't change a bit. It was just as I left it.' Kira ran slowly as she breathed in the familiar scent once more. 'I hope I can be more like these flowers. They grow without the help of a human. They care and cope themselves and survive the harsh winter by themselves.' The aroma dazed Kira's thoughts as she remembered what Hendrickson talked about when he compared and a pansy flower. 'Do I resemble a wild flower, growing by its' own? Come to think of it, I smelled wild flowers back at the Imonoyama estate. Don't they prefer roses?' Kira soon dismissed the question as she hopped childishly in her clicky new school shoes down the hill.
Nokoru was worried sick. It was seven-twenty five and Kira wasn't in the classroom. Plus, Yagari sensei will come any minute. He was glad that at least Suoh and Akira didn't come up about his uneasiness back at the office, and he was also glad that none of the girls crowded around his desk could sense his tiredness and weariness. Seven twenty-six, seven twenty-seven. Nokoru was sure that Kira was in most of his classes except for one or two, and the first lesson for today was History. Something chilled Nokoru's spine. 'What if she is kidnapped, or worse, got hit by a car!' Nokoru imagined a limp, fragil body of Kira lying in a pool of crimson blood, slowly dying. 'No!' Nokoru suddenly stood up, surprising a few of the girls who were crowded around his desk. "Wha, what's the matter, Nokoru sama?" A girl who was explaining about her new hair ribbon jumped up in surprise. "I am sorry if I scared you ladies, but I need to hurry I.." Nokoru was lost for words when he saw the sunny face of Yagari sensei coming in through the door. "Ohayo class, please sit on your seats since we have a new student joining us for our history lesson. Um, where is she Imonoyama san?" The teacher questioned Nokoru like he usually did when a new student was joining in. Nokoru glanced helplessly at the clock. Twenty-eight, twenty-nine. The morning announcement bell would ring at exactly seven-thirty! 'Where are you?' Nokoru thought desperately, one leg awakwardly stuck out towards the door.
Just when Nokoru thought he would run out of the classroom in search of the missing student, a window next to his desk opened loudly and Kotobuki Kira jumped in to the classroom, her face all flushed from running. And the bell rang. "Safe!" Kira almost yelled out the words as she half limped and half stumbled towards the teacher's desk. "I'm not late, right?" Kira asked all bleary eyed. She looked up at the wide eyed sensei, hoping for a merciful answer. "Yes, you are not late. Actually you are just right on time." Yagari answered when he finally overcomed the shock he received by the newcomer. "I think your name is 'Kotobuki Kira' ne? I got an early call from Rijichou and I expected you to be here, oh well." Kira smiled as she nodded her head once or twice, she thought she was very fortunate to have such a generous teacher, and made an apologetic grin to Nokoru. But, the grin was never returned. She could only see the disbelieving stare he gave to her. Even though his troubled expression soon disappeared from her view, Kira felt as if she have gone too far with Nokoru's nerves.
"Well, class. As you can see this young lady would study with us until the end of the term. She's been living in Denmark since she was very young, so she may not understand how things work around our campus. I expect everyone of you to help her. And Kotobuki san from now on, do not come in through the window please. It is dangerous and unsafe. It's a school rule." Yagari explained carefully to Kira who seemed to get over the dizziness from too much running. 'I am out of oxygen.' Kira desperately wanted to sit down to the empty spot in front of Nokoru, but sighed when the teacher said, "any questions to our new friend?" Quite a lot of students raised their hands into the air unexpectedly. 'Damn it. Can't they see how tired I am?' Kira gumbled as she made a crooked smile at her classmates she practiced so hard back at the estate.
"What is your talent and specialty which lead you to attend this school?" A squat, nerdy looking boy asked politely, but Kira could tell that he was trying her luck. "I am a harpist and a vocalist." Kira answered shortly after the question ended. The boy looked disgruntled and stuck his nose in to his textbook. "Who are your parents? Are they musicians like you are?" A girl with a tan skin asked in a naive manner. Kira paused for a while and replied. "They are both away. My father was a buisness man, and my mother was a soroptimist." "Then where do you live, the dormitores perhaps?" A blonde girl who was sitting next to Nokoru suddenly took an interest on her. 'Why are they asking this? Am I that interesting?' Kira knew she couldn't escape this question and she perfectly knew what kind of reaction the answer would bring.
"No, my residence is not the dormitories, in fact," Kira paused for a bit and finished. "I live at Rijichou's mansion." Kira concluded. She never knew her simple answer, a few words will bring such an uproar. In a blink of an eye, Kira could sense that something was very wrong indeed. A bunch of girls were crowded around her, and a few of the boys stood up too. Very few people were on their seats which including the tan girl who was just looking at her innocently, and the blonde girl who was all wide-eyed as if she would faint.
"Nani, nani! You are under the same roof with Nokoru sama?" A green haired girl asked hastily. There were some girls crying! 'Please tell me this is not happening, oh my god.' Kira looked up at the blank ceiling as more and more girls pushed her towards the wall. Then from the corner of her eye, she could see some attractive looking girls crowding on to Nokoru, questioning him. 'I have to do something. Fast. Think of an excuse. Think. Think.' Kira's brain buzzed as she closed both of her eyes tight. 'Why couldn't I think of an excuse? Bakka!'
While Kira was thinking desperately for an excuse, another person was in an emergency. His brain buzzed with confusion and desperation. "Ladies, please." Nokoru forced a smile beneath his fan as he looked at Kyogoku Midoriko, who was in this case, looked like she was totally heartbroken. Nokoru gave an angelic, cyan look to the three girls who were crowded around his desk, which included Midoriko. "Is she your , your," A red haired chick mumbled out the words, her face making a beautiful grimace. "Wait, I thought you never dated anyone. Is she your fiance?" Midoriko pushed the red-haired girl aside and pulled herself closer to Nokoru. "We are your fan-club members, Nokoru sama. We should know what is going on." Another blonde girl with straight hair pushed Midoriko and almost yelled out the words as she pointed her index finger to Kira. Nokoru flipped open his fan and covered half of his face as he looked at three disappointed girls. Especially Midoriko. She was his fan-club president, and club leader.
"Ladies, she is not my fiance. She is just a student who is taken in by Rijichou. Trust me, and I am truly sorry of disappointing you. Will you please forgive my carelessess?" Nokoru bowed down respectfully to the three damsels. "We are not disappointed in you, Nokoru sama. We are mad at her. This is unfair. How come she gets to live with you?" Midoriko's sharp question seared Nokoru's heart. 'Yes, why would she live with me and my mother? This has to be justified. What rights does she have to live in the estate.' An injustified inquiry appeared into Nokoru's head. 'Why is she living with me?' Suddenly, this thought faded away from his mind when Yagari's voice rang out into the classroom.
"Be quiet, class. Go back to your spots right now. I am serious, ladies and gentlemen. It is very rude and shameful to a new student." Yagari said hotly and the students, mostly ladies went back to their seats reluctantly. "Kira san, you may go to your seat now." Yagari motioned to the empty space beside the tan girl. "Wait, I have something to make clear. I seriously do not like your personal celebrity. I am not interested in blondies or geeks." Kira snapped and strolled to her seat. "Nokoru sama is not a geek!" Midoriko stood up from her seat. "I never said he is one. But don't we call someone who has zero athletic abilities and teacher's pets a geek? In Denmark they do." Kira replied cooly, but inside, she regretted what she said. 'This blab mouth. Why can't you just shut up?' Kira could feel sweat on her face as she confronted a group of girls' hot glares. 'I need to think of something quick.' Kira wondered desperately as she glanced at Nokoru who was just watching the scene like a tv show. "Wait, what rights do you have to humiliate Nokoru sama in front of his classmates?" Midoriko used her sharp tongue in debate class on Kira.
Nokoru felt hot in the face. 'Is she deriding me? What did I do wrong? I expect an apology from her later on.' Deeply irritated and annoyed, Nokoru opened his fan and covered his tremulous lips. He could feel anguish bubbling inside him as he fanned himself uncontrollably. He always treated every female with respect and courtesy they deserve, but he got a feeling that he won't be able to treat her like other females. The voice or his mother rang in his ears. 'Being nice is the only thing you can do for her.' The pair of clear blue eyes slowly turned into two chips or cold ice. Kira seemed to sense the coldness since her lips suddenlt felt raw.
Kira was suddenly speechless as she tried to sit down, but failed. Then the last alternative popped in her head. " Because, I am his cousin!" Kira almost shouted out the words, and looked around carefully. All of the girls seemed relieved, even Kyogoku Midoriko seemed to have relaxed. The only person surprised in the room was Nokoru. He just sat there enjoying Kira's helplessness and there he was, dropping his fan. "Then why didn't you say so, earlier, Kotobuki san?" Midoriko's voice was calm in an abrupt manner. Nokoru opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again. He was afraid to deny it, and what would happen if he told everyone that she was lying? Nokoru's whole body felt it was paralyzed, his mind going blank. Slowly, he held Kira's gaze in his. Somehow, he could communicate with her without words.
'Why did you lie?'
'I didn't have any choice have I? Don't you dare deny it.'
Her message was clear. Kira's panicked orange amber turned into pleading scarlet. Nokoru shook his head from side to side. 'I guess I need to stand on her side, for now. I have no choice either do I?' Kira motioned Nokoru for coexistence as he reluctantly stood up to face his fellow classmates. "Um, Kotobuki san is right. I apologize to ladies, especially. She is a far cousin of mine, and Rijichou decided to take her in for a while since she has some issues." Nokoru mumbled out the last words without confidence. Nokoru's stomach lurched as he sat back down again. He hated to lie to ladies. He made an invisible, angry gaze to the back of Kira's head. 'I am only doing this for Rijichou. I am only worrying about you only because of Rijichou.' Nokoru couldn't pay much attention to Yagari sensei or other teachers as he just stared at the back of Kira's head. Finally lunch break came, all he wanted was to be with his two best freinds.
"Okay, class. The homework is a summary about Doyotomi Hideyoshi and what effect did he cause to medieval Japan, math textbook page 102 through 105, and a written lab about the digestive system. Yes, you are dismissed." A group of girls flocked around Kira and the tan girl with eagerness. "Sorry, about that earlier, Kira chan. Can I call you by your first name?" The green haired girl budged around other girls and held Kira's hand. "Wattashiwa Akane desu." "Wattashiwa Sorie desu." And on and on and on. Kira sighed a breath of relief when the interviews of 'what color do Nokoru sama like', 'what food do Nokoru sama enjoy', or 'what type of girl does he love.' How much the girls' informed their names, Kira couldn't remember all of them. Except for Kyogoku Midoriko though. The tall blonde was the one who reduced the flock of girls away from Kira, and she was once very grateful towards Midoriko. 'Come to think of it, Midoriko was always with Nokoru. She wasn't one of the girls who crowded beside her desk. Well, she obviously has a big crush on Nokoru and she will never forgive me for humiliating him, but what could I do? I tried so hard to confirm that I do not like Imonoyama Nokoru.' The cries of admiration outside at the hallway became louder and louder as girls from other girls blocked Nokoru's way. Kira could hear Midoriko's voice loudest of them all trying to make way for Nokoru.
"Anou, Ki, Kira san?" Kira whipped her head around and sensed that she and the tan girl beside her were the only people in the suddenly hollow looking classroom. "Ah, go, gomen. I was blocking your way." Kira aplogized hastily. "No, it's okay. You were very patient with those girls." The girl complimented. Kira realized that this girl was the only female in the class who stayed calm and quiet during the whole lesson and when she said that she lived with Nokoru. "My name is Anita by the way." Anita said. "Nice to meet you, Anita chan. Thanks for staying so calm. I thought I was going to faint by those questions." Kira giggled slightly and stood up. Something fell from her book bag. "What is that?" Anita asked curiously and Kira picked it up.
"Kaichou! Kaichou!" Suoh and Akira was half running in the crowded corridors. "Suoh, Akira!" Nokoru called above the chatters of fellow female classmates, who cheered more aggresively by Suoh and Akria's prescence. 'They are more energetic today.' Nokoru wondered as he finally met up with his two best friends. The three young men ran as hard as they could to their cozy council office.
Bam! There was their soft, comforting, and private room for a nice, previous break. "Whoa, I just feel so energetic by those ladies, they make me lively everyday!" Nokoru exclaimed as he sat on the sofa with a thump, fanning himself. "They seem more excited today because of the news of your cousin, Kaichou!" Akira smiled his innocent smile as he brought out the delicious dishes of Deriyaki, salad, appetizers, and california rolls. "News travel fast, huh." Nokoru chuckled warmly as he picked up some california rolls on his plate. "Um, Kaichou? What kind of a person is she?" Akira asked as he poured some tea to Suoh. "For the truth, I don't really know much about this woman. Everytime a student transfer into our campus, we have to observe each profile and history of them, but for Kotobuki san, none of the documents about her came to me. That is impossible unless Rijichou herself chooses not to submit the documents and the student's ID card from us." Nokoru responded simply as he looked at Suoh from Akira. "Then did you asked the directress about it, Kaichou? Because she can't be a student in CLAMP campus if she doesn't submit her profile papers to us, the High school district council." Suoh looked serious.
"Yes, that is true. But I already decided not to question Rijichou about this matter further. She must have a purpose. There must be a reason why Rjichou is trying to hide Kotobuki san's information from us. Suoh, Akira you will meet Kotobuki san sooner or later. In fact, I have put a lunch invitation on her book bag before I left, she should show up anytime now. Anyway, I do not wish to trouble her with complicating questions." Nokoru sipped his tea and shifted his cyan eyes to Akira from Suoh. "Anou Kaichou when you said 'I do not wish to trouble her with complicating questions', who did you mean? The directress or Kotobuki san?" Akira asked curiously.
"Of course it is Ri.." Nokoru's voice was suddenly interrupted by a small knock which was barely heard on the council doors. "Um, may I come in?" The sing-song voice of Kira came from the council doors. "I will get the door." Nokoru stood up gracefully and opened the double doors, and he saw another unexpected scene before his eyes. Suoh and Akira came along and peeked behind Nokoru who was still grasping the handles of the door. All of them didn't know what to do.
Kotobuki Kira's long brown hair was half covered in branches and she looked as if she was in a bush for a quite a bit of time. She was also crouched down as if she was hiding from somebody or somebodies. "Please come in, Kotobuki san." Nokoru stepped aside to let Kira pass. She duck-walked to the council room and slowly stood up. "Sorry, if I am late. I tried to come early, but I had to get away from your fangirls first. Whoa, they were everywhere, asking me questions about you. You must be really, really popular. I need to apologize to Kyogoku san though. I took refuge in one of her lavender bushes when these group of older girls were stampeding towards me. Unlucky me, Kyogoku san saw me jumping into the lavender bushes, and I kind of just ran off." Kira murmured uneasily as she looked at her toes. 'No, unlucky Midoriko san. She cared for those lavenders since she was in elementary school.' Nokoru thought of the day he ran around the campus in search of those lavender bushes and grinned.
"It's alright. Please sit down." Nokoru motioned a seat for Kira. "I will introduce my fellow members of the council. This is Takamura Suoh. He is the high school council secretary, and my personal body-guard. This is Iiyujin Akira. He is the high school council treasurer, and of course you can see, a brain-act in cooking." Nokoru said proudly. Suoh and Akira bowed at the mention of their names since both of them were taught by Nokoru to respect every ladies they met. Kira just sat there for a moment and made a broad smile on her face. "Nice to meet you guys. My name is Kotobuki Kira." Kira shook Suoh and Akira's hands. The two young men smiled back, their charming smiles. Nokoru suddenly felt a rush of pity for Midoriko and the other girls in the campus. 'This is unjust for them. I only invited her for lunch because she has Okaa-san's support, right?'
"You must like carrots, Kotobuki san." Akria made an angelic smile on his face when he saw Kira eating clumps of carrots from the salad. "Oh, yes. They are my favorite. You are a fabulous cook, Iiyujin san. I don't think I'll ever beat you in cooking, not even for my recipies for carrot dishes. I was only good at making something edible with carrots." Kira smiled back at Akira. 'No wonder her eyes are red like a rabbit's.' Nokoru wondered silently. "I thought you didn't like carrots." Nokoru suddenly budged into the conversation. Kira averted her eyes to Nokoru. "How did you know that I didn't like carrots?" Kira asked. 'Yes how did I know?' Nokoru was speechless. 'Why did I say that?' While Nokoru was searching for answers, Kira couldn't help herself from thinking about what was going on in Nokoru's head. 'Did he just remember without intention?'
"Is it true that you made the detective agency by saving an old widow from distress, Nokoru? At the age of twelve?" Kira's excited amber eyes fell on Nokoru, trying to change the conversation. 'I might as well tell her like a gentleman.' Nokoru snapped open his fan and looked away from Kira. "Yes, it is true. Did Suoh and Akira tell you?" He asked casually. "Of course, who would? In the last few minutes, I can tell that they are very loyal to you. You are lucky to have such dependable friends." Kira replied cooly. "Well, that is true. The idea of the detective agency to help damsels in distress came from our meager help to a gentle, lady." Kira looked very interested. "So, what kind of trouble was the lady in?" Nokoru's eyes met Kira's and turned his torso towards her. She was really in to this story, the unsensible carrot part of the conversation faded away. "She was in a problem with her brother-in-law. When her husband disappeared ten years ago, her husband's brother kept harassing her to give him the property of the estate near the Tokyo tower. The estate belonged to her husband's father, but with her husband gone, she was just a mere stranger to the man." Kira urged Nokoru on. "Uhuh, so why did that guy want to drive out the poor, old lady?" Nokoru went on with the story. "The husband's brother was a realtor and he was in a bad state of buisness. He was trying to sell off the lady's property to pay off his budget deficit."
"People does get degenerated and selfish when it comes to money. So, what did you do to him?" Kira interrupted, and Nokoru was surprised by the sudden indifference. "Well, as you can see Kotobuki san. That man couldn't steal her estate at the end. I just couldn't let him. Those who harass gentle ladies need to get the pusnishment they rightfully deserve." Nokoru's speech cut short when he saw Kira's pained face.
Then the room was hung with a dead silence. Nokoru looked at Suoh and Akira. All of them looked at Kira. 'Why is she quiet all of a sudden. Why is she making that blank look again?' Suoh and Akira sipped their tea calmly, avoiding the tension between Kira and Nokoru. Kira tried her best not to meet Nokoru's gaze. She knew perfectly well that Imonoyamas could see one's mind so clearly if they really tried. 'The man in his story reminds of my father. So, Nokoru punished him. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' Her father of course didn't harass anyone when his buisness went low because of her mother's illness, but from that day on, he lost his smile, and also became crazy. 'Nokoru will never understand how money can abuse and ruin a person's life. It did to me.'
'What's wrong with her? She is pleasant, yet irritating. Easy-going, yet secretive. Cheerful, yet can change into a gloomy person in a split second? What troubles her so much?' Nokoru's opinion about her slowly changed. She intrigued him. The annoyance changing into bursting curiosity. "Well, thanks for your sharing Nokoru, I'll be going now." Kira said in an over- and stood up. Suoh and Akira were both startled by the sudden reaction. "But, why Kira san? Nagisa san and president Ohkawa will come soon to see you. Can't you wait for them? Besides, you hardly even eat anytihing yet. We have at least 30 minutes for lunch break." Suoh said calmly when he saw Nokoru speechless. "No, I need to go. Have a nice day boys." Kira hurriedly went to the door, her locket dangling from her neck, freed from her blouse.
Bang.
"Did we do something to upset her? Why would she leave?" Akira said worriedly at Nokoru, trying to find some answers. Nokoru slowly smiled up at his companions. "She must have a quick errand with the Directress. Don't worry. She is not upset, I can tell." Nokoru said comfortingly. Although he spoke in an eccentric manner, the blonde chairman's heart didn't seem to be so sure of his expression, and Suoh and Akira weren't fools.
"Kaichou, I think she left when you said about the story of our accomplishment." Suoh's golden eyes glinted and Akria nodded his head. "Yes, I agree with Takamura senpai." Nokoru slowly looked up at them. "Hmmm. You guys are right. We need to do some investigations about her, immediately. She seemed to be in distress just before she left. Another mission for the Clamp school detectives!"