Chapter 7: But it Has To

Even Jun was against him. She just wouldn't have it. That night when she came back, Jin stopped her to ask her the same question as Kazuya. There would be no training for Jin. In fact when she first heard the idea from him, she was horrified—it was surprising to Jin to say the least. He suspected that Jun might not like it, but not to this degree. Didn't she herself know how to fight? Why had it sounded so ludicrous to her? It was as if the very notion of it was completely outlandish. Jin wondered if he was to remain defenseless for the rest of his life. He'd always have to rely on other people to save him from dangerous situations.

"But think about it, you wouldn't have to worry about me so much if you knew that I knew how to protect myself," Jin explained to a flabbergasted Jun.

"No means no. What did Kazuya say when you asked him?"

"Well…he refused just like you."

"As he should have. Out of anybody, he'd understand why what you want would only lead to trouble."

"Fine," Jin said with crossed arms.

"Now get to bed already. You always seem to be up when I get home."

"But I haven't seen you all day."

"That may be true, but growing children need their sleep," Jun said pushing the other along to his room.

Jun stood in the entrance to his room as she watched the other climb into bed.

"Are you sure you don't wannna' teach me how to fight?"

"Yes, I'm sure. There are plenty of other constructive ways to spend your time. By the way, I've found a good babysitter to look after you once Kazuya is able to go back to work."

"I really don't need a babysitter," Jin complained.

"It's just to be on the safe side. I don't feel right leaving you here all alone, alright. So be a good boy for me and don't give the babysitter too much trouble."

"I'll try."

Jun shook her head twice with a small grin, "Good night, Jin."

Then she closed the door to a crack before she left for the other room. Jin stared for a while at the door before dropping off. The idea of a babysitter didn't sound very fun in the least.

/

Kazuya's downtime didn't last for much longer. Two days later he went back to work despite not being fully healed. Jun may not have liked this fact much, but there was hardly anything she could have done for it. His job was so lacking in physical activity that after a while, Jun stopped worrying so much over it. Of course, with this development came Jin's first experience with a babysitter.

Her name was Suzuki—a very perky, almost too perky, individual. She had tons of games that she wanted to play with Jin and he would be forced to sit through an entire day of childish pursuits. She was hard to stomach. It got to a point that Jin would mostly never get out of bed when she was around. He'd pretend like he was asleep and she would leave him alone. Jin had more or less given Jun his word that he would be a good boy for better or worse he had to uphold it. If he was into pranking people, however, Suzuki would have been the perfect candidate for his antics. Luckily, he wasn't and Jin would suffice imagining the many ways he could get back at her.

Could dealing with Suzuki possibly be better than having to sit through an entire day in Kazuya's office? Jin found that answer harder and hard to answer every passing day. He never told Jun about how annoying the babysitter was. It seemed too petty to mention. Besides, if he could stay out of trouble, it would be less stress for both Jun and Kazuya.

"Oh, Jiiiiin!" Suzuki called out in a loud cheery voice, "This is the last day you're going to hide from me. Now come on out. Let's play hide-n-seek!"

Jin hadn't known what hide-n-seek was prior to meeting Suzuki, but after spending hours just to find one person, he knew that he hated it. Suzuki was a good hider, Jin was a sucky seeker. He pulled the covers over his head and sighed solemnly. When he heard her come to the doorway, he pretended to be asleep.

"Unbelievable! I've never seen such a lazy kid! Don't you want some breakfast? I'll make you some good breakfast."

There was no response from Jin.

"Forget about breakfast, then. I'll take you to the park again. Don't you want to go somewhere?"

There was still no response.

"I have some candy," Suzuki said in what she felt was an enticing voice, "Dark chocolate, nutty chocolate, caramel, everything!"

Jin remained very still.

"I give up. What do you want, then? You can't stay in here all day, okay."

Hearing her become desperate, Jin finally poked his head from under the cover. "Just leave me alone. You're annoying."

A look of horror sprung to her face so quickly that he almost regretted what he said.

"R-really? I'm sorry. Really I am. I'll try to be better. I promise."

Jin looked away when she said this, "I'm the one who should be sorry. You're really not so bad." He watched as her face brightened instantly, "You said you'd make me breakfast?"

"Oh, yeah, of course," Suzuki said cheerfully, "Better be in the dining room in twenty minutes."

It was the beginning of many compromises. He'd participate in some of her games if she'd agree to play some videogames with him. If they were ever going to play hide-n-seek, he'd be the hider every time; he really had no patience for looking for her. It all turned out fine in the end. Not that Jin was looking forward to seeing her on a daily basis, but it wasn't a complete nightmare.

If only he could see more of Jun and Kazuya. They only ever did something together on the weekend. Those were the days that Jin would be waiting for every week. But as of late, things were not all perfect in paradise. Maybe it was because they didn't hang out much anymore, but the progress he thought he had made with Kazuya was fading. The aloofness from before seemed to reappear. Jun was just as high-spirited as usual and got along fine with Kazuya and him, but when it came to Kazuya and Jin it seemed as if they had nothing to say to one another. What had happened? Or a better question, what was happening? Was he just seeing things or was there really something different about him? The more he let it pass, the more he began to question the change until he gathered up enough courage to ask Jun about it. He waited up for her as he usually did on the weekdays.

"Still up I see," Jun said to Jin as she came in from work. "Keep this up and you'll start having dark rings under your eyes and that's not very attractive."

"Sorry, but I haven't seen you all day."

"You always say that and you know what I always say back?"

"Yeah, I know. But there's something I want to ask you."

"If it's about fighting—

"No, it isn't. I'm over that. It's Kazuya. Do you think he's acting…differently?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ah, nevermind. It was nothing."

"I think I know what you're talking about," Jun said with a sigh, "And I really don't have an answer. But I tell you what, when I can, I'll be sure to tell you, alright?"

"Okay."

"Now get to bed. I feel like a broken record."

That was all that Jin was given about the situation. She never did come to him with the answer, but Jin sensed that she must have asked. There was tension between them where there shouldn't have been. On the very next weekend, Jin noticed this. There was less talking, less laughter, less eye contact. In fact, one could say that there was more conversation between Jun and Jin than anything else.

"There's this amusement park I've been meaning to visit," Jun said a loud to break the silence, "It's famous for having the biggest, and fastest ride ever. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"It sounds like you want to go," Kazuya answered after a short span of silence.

"Sounds like?" Jun said as if it had been painfully obvious that she wanted to go. "Jin, what about you? Don't you want to go?"

"What's an amusement park?" Jin said back.

"You guys are impossible."

"I don't even feel like going," Kazuya said.

"Well, you never feel like going anywhere unless I drag you," Jun proclaimed, "You never suggest things and you always complain whenever I do. You're completely useless."

"No one's stopping you," Kazuya replied, "You have the wheel so you can go wherever you like."

"Sure I can, but do you want to go."

"I don't care."

"Why am I not surprised? What do you care about anyways? A few nights ago, I asked you something and you couldn't even give me a proper answer—you didn't care to. Are you intentionally being obscure?"

Obviously Jun wanted an answer to this, but Kazuya never did. The silence was so heavy that Jin thought he might have suffocated in it. He dared not speak.

"Is there something that's bothering you?" Jun asked looking towards the other for a moment longer than usual.

"Why don't you keep your eyes on the road," Kazuya responded as he noticed the car drifting to another lane.

Jun quickly swerved back and Jin held his breath in fear. Perhaps this wasn't the best time to be arguing even if it was on Jin's behalf.

"Well? How 'bout it? I don't know how long I can stand this."

"Jun, I have no idea what you're talking about. So what kind of answer could I have for you?"

"Are you serious? Are you really going to play dumb?"

"How long are you going to carry on like this?"

"You can't answer a question with a question."

"Well then, I guess we're just going around in a circle, aren't we?"

"I can't do this," Jun said with a huff.

Jin held on to the door as the car swerved again, but this time to the side of the street. Since they were on a highway, the car moved onto the gravel out of the way of the other cars.

"If I keep driving like this, I swear I'll get us all in an accident. Since you're so calm, cool, and collective, take the wheel."

Kazuya simply acquiesced and they switched seats.

"I guess it'd be stupid to ask where we should go since you have absolutely no imagination just take me back home."

"Are you sure?" Kazuya asked with the first hint of real emotion since they had gotten into the car.

"I just want to go home. You've ruined the mood," Jun said in a pouty voice.

"If you insist," Kazuya said as he turned on the engine once again.

"Ugh!—You were supposed to say something like"—Jun then attempted to do his voice—" 'No, Jun, I don't want you go!' or 'Please stay—I'll do whatever I can to make you happy!'"

"You really think I would say that?"

"If you're desperate enough…"

"Hmph."

Before Jin knew it, they were headed back home, back to Jun's home. Jin couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He felt partially responsible for everything, but he remained closed-mouthed. Jin thought that they were going back to Kazuya's place, but instead they were going to Jun's apartment. He hadn't seen it in a while and it had caught him by surprise.

The moment which she got out of the car seemed surreal. She had been visiting and even staying at Kazuya's place so often that she practically lived there. That she still had her own place surprised him.

"I guess I'll…see you later," Jun said as she closed the door.

Jin thought she might slam the door, but all she did was close it as gently as she could.

"Wait," Jin said suddenly, "Can I stay with you?"

Jun turned to him with a surprised look, "Sure, that's fine with me. Um, Kazuya—any objections?"

"The kid can stay where he wants," he replied though he never turned to look at them.

"Alright, then. All I have is a couch for you, though. If you want, I can let you have my bed."

"No, no, that's okay. The couch is fine," Jin said quickly.

Jin could never imagine Jun sleeping on something as subpar as the couch. He stepped out of the car as well when all was said and done. He just couldn't stop himself. For some reason, he couldn't just let Jun walk away on her own. It was really too late to turn back after he shut the door. He watched with despondent eyes as the familiar dark blue Corvette rode off into the distance.

How did it get to this? Why does it feel like we're falling apart…?

"You didn't have to do that you know," Jun said to Jin startling him out of his thoughts.

"I didn't do anything really," Jin said turning to her. "I just wanted to keep you company."

"Well, alright. Maybe we can still salvage this night."

/

Kazuya was absent from their lives for days on end. Jin could never be sure if Jun ever visited him and Jun never once suggested that he go back to stay with Kazuya who had the better house. It was strange to say the least.

The only normalcy he experienced for a time was Suzuki. He still needed to be babysat. Even Suzuki couldn't overlook the mood change in Jin. Despite the progress they had made, Jin would often ignore her and pretend as if he was either asleep or hard of hearing. There was nothing that Suzuki could say or do to change this. She would even cry and still she received no response.

"Alright, Jin, I give up. It's like we've gotten nowhere since I first became your babysitter. Let me at least make you something to eat."

"If you want to," Jin said finally. He turned to the desperate looking Suzuki. "If it'll make you feel better."

"Alright," Suzuki said cheerfully. "Be back in twenty minutes."

Food was just about the only thing that might get any response from Jin. At least she knew that he still had an appetite. Whenever she made him food, he would eat all of it without question.

"Doesn't your mom make you food?" Suzuki asked as he finished the plate.

"She's not my mom," Jin said quickly.

"Oh, sorry. I guess things are a little complicated, huh. But you guys really look like a family."

"When you say 'you guys', who do you mean?" Jin asked.

"You and Jun of course."

"Just us two?"

"Is there someone else?"

"It's not important. I just wanted to know."

"Well, do you feel up to a few games. I mean, just one game," Suzuki said when she saw the look on his face. "C'mon, it's not good to be so idle."

"Go play by yourself. I don't want to."

"I've met kids like you," Suzuki said thoughtfully, "They always wound up being loners for the rest of their lives. They never want to play with anyone and no one could convince them otherwise."

"And this is all from not playing hopscotch or jump rope with you? I doubt it."

"Alright, I get it; you're not having such a good day or days. You wanna talk about it to me? Sometimes it's good to get an outside opinion."

"I don't think I can talk about it. It's too personal."

"You're just a kid. What could possibly be happening that I wouldn't understand?"

"I am just a kid. A lot of things are just…out of my control. Here I was thinking that I could change things, but really…nothing has changed."

"You just have to let things run their course. If you know there's nothing you can do about it, then there's no point in worrying about it, right?"

"I wish it were that easy…but I guess it's just in my nature."

"Look at you; you sound like an old man. Chin up."

Jin laid back on the couch. "I'll think I'll just go back to ignoring you."

Suzuki never did get much out of him after this. She finally gave up and sat down on the couch beside him. For the rest of the time, they did absolutely nothing. Jin was only glad that her time was up. He would usually be alone for only a few minutes before Jun came back in, but this time an entire hour went by. When she finally got back, she seemed a bit flustered.

"Everything alright?" Jin asked upon seeing her

"Could you do me a really big favor?"

"Sure, anything."

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that—anyways, you know I have work tomorrow so I can't really keep an eye out for Kazuya—

"Wait, Kazuya can look out for himself."

"I'm sure he can under normal circumstances—

"Is he hurt?"

"Not exactly. I'll tell you on the ride there. Just promise you'll stay there for a while. I know this is a lot to ask and you know how I hate asking people to do things they don't want to do—

"I get it," Jin said interrupting her, "Don't worry, I really don't mind."

If there really is something I can do, then I'll do it…