On the way home that evening it began to rain. Rain was slightly dangerous when it came to be in these reaches of space because it could often get mixed in with space debris or gasses from the nearby planet. It was always best to stay home when it did rain, but Hotarou wanted to return home as quickly as possible. So he went immediately from the station after dropping Eru off, back to his house on the far outskirts of the city.
This residence was a good ways away from any others. Hotarou liked his privacy and while it did make getting home, especially in the rain, a little difficult and tedious, he preferred it that way. When he finally got inside he found that he was soaked to the bone and freezing cold. He cursed the people who scheduled the weather under his breath then decided to take a bath. Yes, a long, hot, relaxing bath.
He lit some gas lamps as he went along, electricity not being allotted to the poor after it became dark, then finally reached the bath. He stoked the fire underneath the tub and let some water out of the pipe system, then waited until he decided it was heated enough. He sunk into the tub up to his nose. He sighed happily, making little bubbles in the tub; he was more relaxed than he had been for a long while.
During his relaxing soak in the tub, he suddenly heard a slight sound from somewhere behind him. His relaxation ceased at that point. He sat up in the tub and looked around. Someone was definitely there, unless by some slim chance it was an animal. Most animals lived closer to the city for food reasons, so having animals in the distant country like where he lived could be considered strange. Hotarou made an angry grumble and lifted himself out of the tub. He changed into some easily accessible clothing then decided to see what the noise was. Before going outside, he passed his make-shift kitchen and pulled a knife out, for any emergency reason.
He leaned out of the front doorway and looked around. Seeing no one he went to the back to have a look, then found his target. He saw a hooded figure watching at his window as if it expecting something. It moved slowly toward where he stood, still looking into the house. Hotarou was in no mood for visitors, especially creepy hooded ones. So he hid himself behind the door, all muscles tensed.
We'll wait until they come up to the door then catch them. They're probably looking for me, whoever it is, but if they want a fight that's what I'll give them. He thought for a moment then deduced some things about the situation. First, it's probably not a burglar, the poor generally don't steal anyway because they already have their work and satisfying pay. However, it could be a freelancer, as he liked to call the people who thought independently of the system, but they even tend to keep to themselves. Second, it could be an organization member scouting out his house, but they wouldn't make themselves so obvious. Stealth is their fear tactic. Besides, why would they need to stake out his place? They already know where everyone lives, they would just go there with a group and the person would simply vanish along with them. Ruling those two options out, who could it be? He wondered, his mind striving to grasp an answer.
He then hear the person approach. A few more steps...he heard a small sound that sounded like a muffled sneeze. A rich person? He thought, bewildered. But it couldn't be Chitanda, I saw her off and she wouldn't by stupid enough to come back by herself, would she? He heard a sandal scoot onto the concrete, he then sprang out and caught the person, holding the knife close to their throat. He didn't hear a sound from the person, they simply put their hands up.
"For a blacksmith, you sure are light on your feet," he heard the captive speak.
"I'm not in the mood for stupid quips," he growled. "who are you and what do you want?"
"It is easier to speak when one does not have a knife held to their throat," the person replied calmly.
"I know it's just as easy to speak with a knife at your throat as when you have a suspicious person judging everything you say to be a lie."
"Hmm, interesting," the person hummed. Nevertheless, Hotarou let the person go and showed them into his house, having them sit in a chair at their ease.
"I would ask if you wanted some tea, but I don't think a rich person would like it."
"Offering tea so quickly to an enemy?" the person said, pulling back their hood to reveal a rather beautiful girl.
"You're not strictly an enemy," Hotarou replied, examining the girl. "But having you here certainly doesn't help anything in regards to my situation."
"I'll take that tea." She changed the subject. Hotarou stood to go prepare the drink.
"I am Fuyumi Irisu. You can address me by my family name."
"Okay," not that I really care, "but what are you doing at my house at this hour? How did you even find me?"
"Eru led me here."
Hotarou glanced in her direction with a questioning gaze. "How do you mean?"
"Well, I noticed that she keeps going off somewhere after dinner so I decided to follow her, as a friend, to keep her out of danger. She is a very naïve girl, she will trust anyone she comes into contact with." That much is true. "When I noticed her coming down into the poor section of town I was a little concerned and curious as to what she was doing." I see, a case of nosiness.
Hotarou fixed the cups then handed one to Irisu and kept one for himself. He crossed his legs and sat back in a aloof mood. "What do you want?" he furthered, getting straight to the point.
"I want to know what you are doing with Eru."
"Nothing that concerns you."
"But perhaps it does."
"Most likely it doesn't." Hotarou was thoroughly perturbed with this haughty rich girl. She was exactly how they were pictured in story books back at the orphanage: a snotty, beautiful girl who wants everything her way.
"This is not a way to treat someone of higher status than you," this boy is very different from other poor people, she thought to herself as the two studied each other. hHe is comparatively more intelligent than others that have worked for my family. He's also a bit too fair for a peasant.
This girl…she expects to be treated like this is her own home while she was the one that intruded late at night. Ugh, I want to go to bed. Let's get this over with. "Enough with the formalities. Why don't you go home now? That's the best thing for you to do right now. It's too late at night for the likes of you to be out wandering," he said bitterly, setting down his cup and rising to signify that the conversation had ended.
Irisu remained sitting, but looked up at Hotarou expectantly. He thought for a moment then let out an irritated breath. "You don't know how to get home, do you?"
Irisu narrowed her eyes slightly, giving a 'don't you patronize me' expression. She stood, then, and proceeded to move towards the door.
"Wait." Hotarou called as he came around the table. He held two coats, neither in good shape, and an umbrella. "I may be poor, but I'm not uncivilized."
Outside, the rain was still pouring, and had even picked up since the two had met. Hotarou walked and held the umbrella over their heads, but it do didn't help much while there streams flowing down the streets.
"It must be hard being poor," Irisu spoke, her voice almost drowned out by the pouring rain.
What is with the rich saying things like that?! "It's not that bad. You learn to adapt," he responded curtly.
There was a pause. "Are you sure you are used to it?"
Hotarou stopped, leaving Irisu to take a few steps forward without the covering. "Why do you ask that?" Hotarou snapped. "I'm poor! I've been poor all of my life! I know it's hard to believe for you 'rich people', but there is a way to live other than the way you do!"
Irisu stared him straight in the eye. "You have not been poor all of your life."
Hotarou was taken aback. He hesitated, the crossed his arms. "How would you know?"
"Because, look at you. You look rich. Your complex is what most rich people have. You look completely different from the poor class that you work with."
Hotarou glared at the girl, thinking back to see if what she was saying was true.
"You or your family must have been rich at some point. You have a dark complexion and dark hair, and you would probably have light skin if you were not poor…"
"What's your point?"
"My point?" Irisu said with sarcastic confusion. "Should there be one?"
Hotarou had had enough. He walked up to Irisu and handed her the umbrella. "Take it and go," he commanded her, and then he turned and began to walk home. Irisu stood and watched him walk away.
"What am I going to do with this?" she called after him.
"Consider it a souvenir," he responded without hesitating. He then disappeared into the shadow and the rain.
She stood contemplating where she should go, Hotarou having rudely dropped her off without her knowing where she was. She regretted being so harsh, but not enough to go chase after the poor boy. And she certainly wasn't so disoriented that she couldn't find her way back to the station. And, in fact, upon looking around, she saw sign that led her directly to where she wanted to be. She walked up to the platform and dialed in her destination. But while riding in the compartment, she wondered what she was going to do with the ratty old umbrella. If someone saw her with it, they would know immediately where she had been and it would not be a good situation. So she made up her mind to hide it until further notice. On the other hand, that boy didn't even give her his name, how rude. Well, she decided, I will simply ask one of the servants. She nodded, someone will know who he is.
Hotarou walked home, not regretting his actions in the slightest. He was tired, cold once again, and irritated more than he had been in a while. He trudged along and thought as he did so.
The truth is that at one point, I was rich. I remember it very faintly. But something happened; my parents went missing and the next thing I knew I was in that orphanage. Aside from that though, this settles the sneaking suspicion that I've been followed all day. It was only that annoying girl. I don't trust her in the slightest. How could a girl like Chitanda have a friend that's so…irritating? I guess it's just like Fuyumi girl said, she's very naïve, so it's no wonder.
He glanced over to the side and noticed a shop for wiring and computer help. Then changed thought topics. Things could get fairly tight within the next couple of weeks; maybe even days. I don't know how closely the organization watches me specifically, but they must certainly think something's up. I'll have to lead then off any kind of trail. No, that's too difficult and too much energy, how about we do something more direct?
He clicked open his watch and scrolled through his contacts. Then found the name he wanted. He took a quick glance at the time then ducked under a street parasol. It shouldn't be too late at night to call an acquaintance, he decided as he hit send.
Things are beginning to pick up! (kinda...!) do post reviews if you'd like. ^^