Author's note: Hey guys! Welcome to the second chapter. :D I am announcing that I made changes to the previous chapter, such as changing Soujiro's eye color LOL. I don't want him to remind you all of my OC villian, Ohta Bokkai, so I changed it to a regular blue. Now, to answer your reviews individually cause I know that's another reason why you fellas keep coming back for more. ;)
Also, I don't know why, but I posted an eye emoji in the first chapter and it went through... but for some reason, I can't do that again with this chapter. I was gonna post a rabbit emoji, and do that for all the other chapters, as a way of symbolizing all of Kenshin's inner dialogues with what is happening between him and Soujiro. Ugh. This is so annoying. But yeah.
Chimerical: Yeah, this fic is alternative universe and the characters will be OOC for the most part. It'll be good for me to experiment with different writing stories. But not to worry! My next KenJiro will be a normal one within the Meiji Era time period, and things won't be so jarring anymore, LOL.
Cannibal Corncob: Yeah, oh dear, I hope the cussing doesn't make my reviewers too unhappy. :( Because I'm trying to make it as modern as possible, and plus these kids are all frustrated over the hand they've been dealt with in life, so they won't be using any pretty words while they're alive. Can you imagine Soujiro being molested by everyone, though? Kenshin's gonna have to use his number 2 pencil as a sword to defend him, LMAO!
Daemon Spawn: I'm fucking loling cause I totally understand what you're saying about the Lion King 2 song. FOR SHAME! That scene was intense. Poor Kovu. It's hard to determine the real background of Kenshin, because I really can't seem to find any information as to why he looks... like... that. And your story about your Spanish friend is super funny, actually, people from Spain are white on the basis that Spain is in the continent of Europe. :P
Bone Deep: IIIIIIII really need to watch that show now that you've summarized it so eloquently! :O Thank you! And I changed it, Soujiro's eyes are no longer pale and fugly. :P
Internets4Porn: This is a really beautiful review to read, honey. I was smiling ear to ear when I read the e-mail notification and your review was in it. I feel so... so damn inspired to write as much as possible from now on! I think this will be a very fun fic for me to write, indeed!
I8Pi: So, when I imagine a teenage Kenshin in a modern era, I just can't see him with the scar because of the story behind it. There are fanart illustrations and even actual stills of a young Kenshin when he was a teenager fighting in the war, and he doesn't have the X shaped scar on his cheek yet. This was before he met Tomoe, as I understand it. His eyes in this fic are purple. And always rolling over other people's stupidity, lmao. Um, I'll think about it, "Battousai" sounds like a great nickname but I'll need a scene to implement it smoothly into it.
Alumina: I'm fucking screaming over your review. Game of Thrones? More like Game of Boners, amirite?
Without further ado, here's the next act! Enjoy!
Million Eyes
"Drowning,
I'm drowning in that clown's mask."
- Loïc Nottet
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I open my eyes, grunting softly. I didn't dream last night, but I could still feel the eyes lurking within the depths of my mind. I wonder what it means. I wonder what anything really means anymore. What time is it? Did I accidentally turned off my alarm last night? It should be Tuesday morning.. right? The ceilings above me, still cracked and peeling, appears a little different than yesterday, for some reason. I blinked, frowning, suspicious. Huh? Is it morning or is it still in the twilight time sequence?
My entire room is lit in a soft periwinkle glow, so I know it's not time to get up yet for at least a couple of more hours. I move my hand steadily to cover my forehead in some vague attempt to rub my eyes, and instead just let it lie there, dozing off. Okay, I think I remember now. I was there under the bridge with my friends―
"Yo, Kenshin, I hope you didn't mind, but since the other guys couldn't make it.." Sanosuke's voice seem to have swam away into the water that runs alongside of the bridge, because all I could focus were the cyan eyes peering into the crooks of my soul. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I couldn't be sentient or human like in the very least. Soujiro Seta, of the motherfucking Seta Enterprise, stands in front of me like he's got me all figured out. He's here with my friends, in my own territory, in MY private world.
Who are you?
I ask those blue eyes.
Who do you think you are?
Those blue eyes answer with just a wink.
I snap back to reality, recoiling in mild disgust at that display from Soujrio. The gang walks up to us and I turn to them, unable to find the words to just how disappointed I am in them. They should know better than to let this kid into our inner circle so easily. We can't just let anyone come into our party without the new person proving themselves to us. Soujiro didn't prove shit, so there's no way that my friends, whom I've known for twelve years now, could just let this idiot in.
There's just no way.
I won't believe it.
I won't!
"Why is he here?" I confront my confused friends, my hands on my hips in a fit of impatience, "Well?!"
Sanosuke answered first with a shrug, "He gave Megumi his phone number after he brought her and Kaoru the shoes, and they really wanted to see him again, so.."
"He was just, like, really nice to me and Kaoru and it's just so unusual to be treated so kindly like that, and I'm not just talking about these shoes. But well, take a look at them and tell me you're not dying on the inside over how gorge they look on us!" Megumi twirls on her toes and I see their slick new kicks, adorned in silver straps and finished in a high black shine. They really do look expensive.
"We're really sorry, Kenshin. Things kind of just happened." Kaoru butts into the conversation, and although I am pretty pissed at my friends in general, looking at her small stature, I soften inwardly.
"Hey, hey, check out what this guy gave me today!" Yahiko nudges in and comes over to my side to show me his mobile phone, where he has this photo of his new glass bong on the screen display. It is a deep, navy blue with glitter all over it, and it looks equally as expensive as the girls' shoes, "Doesn't that shit look so awesome?!"
"Yeah, I mean, come on, even Soujiro pre-ordered my helment and I should be getting it in a couple of days. Harley Davidson." Sanosuke grins like a stupid little child knowing what he's already going to get this Christmas. My eyebrow twitches.
"Well, I'm sure really fucking happy for all of you getting what you want, but I thought we were way too proud to accept free handouts from the likes of him!" I point my thumb over my shoulder at Soujiro.
Soujro then takes it upon himself to finally come up next to me and smile generously, "Dear me, I sure am sorry that I didn't get you anything, Himura. I didn't want to assume things about you and get you something that you wouldn't like. So I figured I'd come hang out with you tonight, and get to know you a little more, so that I can get you the perfect gift. Is that alright?"
I scoff, bristled over his total arrogance.
"Where is Misao? Wasn't she supposed to be here tonight?" I change the subject, not wanting to let him get the better of me tonight.
Yahiko responds with a flick of his eyes upward, "Aoshi's back in town."
I hesitate, stunned at the news, "What? Shinomori? He's back? He just moved back here in Kyoto?"
"Yeah, didn't he text you? Well, anyway, yeah, he's probably with Misao and you know how devastated she got when he had to go away for university. The girl's got it bad for him!" Megumi chuckles while checking out her manicure casually.
"I'm actually happy that he's back here, he was always really nice to me and to us." Kaoru sighs with a reminiscing smile.
"He sounds nice. I'd like to meet him sometime." Soujiro quips, "Did you knew him for a long time, Kenshin?"
I ignored him, so Sano fills in for me, "Yeah. Aoshi was his first best friend before I moved in here over a decade ago. We hung out almost every day, the three of us, and he was a couple of years older than us, so we saw him as our older brother. Misao always had feelings for him but he never looked her way. Tragic."
"That's why she never let me pork her!" Yahiko gasps exasperatedly, "It all makes sense, now!"
"Shut up." Sanosuke sneers and even Megumi rolls her eyes disappointingly alongside with him.
"Hey, pass me that joint," I point to said object that rests in Kaoru's hand, "I think I'll go home after a buzz."
"Why?" Kaoru hands me the joint anyway, albeit with some hesitation.
I take a hit and taking my time with letting the smoke swim in my lungs and exhaling, I said, "It's nothing. I'm just worried about Hiko and need to check up on him."
Everyone is silent because they knew. They know about my step-father's alcoholism and how he lost his job some years back because of it. They always thought of him fondly, but seeing the damage he's done on me, they've grown distant with him as well. Even their parents know of him and yet, they never make me feel ashamed over that fact alone. If I ever need a place to crash or a meal to eat when Hiko couldn't provide, their parents would lovingly take me in, even if they have so many other issues to worry about. I don't try to annoy them with my shitty problems too much, but it's nice to know that I'm not completely abandoned in the face of my step-father's and my birth parents' choices.
"Hiko.." Soujiro repeats his name as if he knew him from before, "Is he your dad? Is something the matter with him?"
Everyone else looked at Soujiro like he's gone off his rocket, and I turn to him, obviously offended, "That's none of your fucking business. You and me are worlds apart and you will never step foot into my life or in my issues. My problems aren't your fucking problems, capiche?"
Despite my callous behavior, Soujiro doesn't flinch, nor does he appear intimidated by me, and without missing a beat, he shakes his head, "I was hoping you could stick around. I was going to tell your buddies about me. Since, you know, you were rightfully suspicious of some new kid who suddenly brought all your friends fancy gifts without knowing the first thing about himself.. right?"
My glare softens into a confused look, "I.. Yeah..?"
Where is he going with this?
What is this snake up to now?
Soujiro simply takes the joint from my grasp to take a hit before I could even realize what just happened, "You wouldn't have guessed it just by looking at me, but I too hate my father for many reasons, as well. He's far from perfect and I sometimes don't like him at all. Money can't buy you real happiness."
Sanosuke snorts, "Yeah right, like the fuck it can't!"
"It hella brought me and Kaoru happiness today!" Megumi squeals, earning my disgust.
Soujiro exhales smoke to the side and he looks really serious now all of a sudden, "I'm not kidding. It buys you things, and maybe experiences that you otherwise couldn't afford before. But it can't buy you what really matters."
"Oh?" I challenge him, crossing my arms defiantely, "And what exactly really matters in life, oh great sama?"
"Ooooh, this is gonna be good!" Yahiko takes the joint from Soujiro while the blue eyed boy looks at me sternly.
Soujiro's eyes squint at me, challenging me back, "Tell me something, Kenshin, are you always this insufferable, or did someone had to beat you senseless until you became like that?"
The crowd coos in union, and I laugh, "That's a good one! Did they teach you that in finishing school?"
"At least I was trained correctly; when's the last time someone curbed you and taught you to stop shitting on the street?" Soujiro's curl of his lip seemed mocking and contemptous, and I bite the insides of my cheek to keep myself from doing something I will regret.
Like, I don't know. Beating him to a bloody pulp?
"Guys, knock it off already!" Kaoru finally speaks up to break up the fight, "People can hear us and they will call the cops!"
"Aw, come on, Kaoru, let them rip each others' throats out, they'll feel better afterwards!" Yahiko finishes up the joint and flicks it off into the river next to us, the orange embers glowing against black waters.
"I've got a better idea," I start walking on ahead of the group, "I'll just go on home immediately. Goodnight."
"Aw jeez, come on, Kenshin!" I hear Sanosuke groan, "We were just kidding!"
"What if Aoshi and Misao shows up here later? Don't you want to say hi to him, at the very least?" Megumi questions, obviously trying to get me to stop walking away despite my continuous departure.
And then, I hear it. That fucking sound from Soujiro's lips: A low sigh, a sigh that conveys absolute annoyance of my actions. The sound perfected by mothers everywhere.
I stop at that moment and my group hums quizzically at what I'll do next. I hate that there's already a shift in the dynamics of my group thanks to Soujiro's prescence. I don't feel like I'm a part of them anymore, but just as an outsider commenter while the real star of the show, cladded in rich fabrics and enjoying glossy hair, gets to receive all of their love and attention. It's just not fair, but that's how life goes for the rich and famous. Everybody just fucking caters to you, no questions asked. I glare over my shoulder at that brown haired idiot, and Soujiro's expression hardens in return. We really don't like each other, do we?
Well. Good.
That's the way it should be.
"If Aoshi does come here later, give him my number," I turn my head straight on again, "He can text me and we can all make plans for the weekend."
Despite the group protesting for my return, I continue on walking away, throwing a peace sign with my two fingers to bid them adieu. I desperately need to get away from this madness. I hate that nothing makes any logical sense right now. I need to get back inside my cocoon. By the time I got home, Hiko's already in bed and probably drunk again, so I just slip inside my bed covers to rest. Maybe if I wake up tomorrow, the universe will align itself to its natural rhythm again, and Soujiro will be long gone from our lives. I would want nothing more than that.
I wonder what Aoshi is up to now.
Vrr vrr!
I jolt into the present moment inside my bed, and without turning my head, reach out to my night stand to grab my mobile phone. It's a text message from an unknown number, but I think I already know who it is.
Kenshin. It's Aoshi. Long time no see.
I see people, but I don't see humanity.
Philosophical as always. I guess you never outgrew your niche interests.
And I guess you never outgrew Misao either, hm?
Touche. She grew up nicely thanks to you hooligans. She didn't caused too much trouble, did she?
no way. If anything, we caused her lots of bullshit and grief.
Even to her bunny rabbit?
Jesus. I can't believe you still remember.
I've always liked rabbits ever since the two of us helped Misao take care of her rabbit. I think the rabbit is supposed to represent vulnerability.
that's... so... not interesting at all. snore.
Ha ha. Fine, then.
When did you came back to Kyoto, btw? it seems so sudden.
Sudden, indeed. Just the other day, actually. Then I called Misao to hang out.
I think the other guys would love to see you too.
What are you doing this weekend? I think a housewarming party is in order. I moved into a nice complex.
LOL! Okay.
What?
Nothing. I just don't want to think about money or nice things right now.
Mm. Something's up. What's wrong?
New kid moved in to that nice neighborhood near you. You know the Seta Enterprise, right?
No shit?
Way shit. CEO's son going to our school now.
O wow. That's crazy.
And now he's assimilated himself into my group. OUR group. He waves his money around and it's driving me nuts!
I'd like to meet him. Well, my foot would like to meet his ass.
Easy there. Don't want to spend another night in jail, now do you?
Ha. Of course. But I'll text you later with my new address. Got shit to do now. C u.
I lay my phone aside again and find myself surprised that it's already almost time to get up. I think I'll make myself an actual breakfast for once. I'm in the mood for some stir fried tofu. I switch off my alarm and walk out of my bedroom and into my bathroom to start my morning ritual. After I got myself dressed in some Levi jeans, combat boots, a black short sleeved shirt, and a worn out leather jacket, I slap on a navy blue beanie hat and go into the kitchen to start cooking. Maybe the smell will wake up Hiko. He's not sprawled out on the living room couch nor do I seem him anywhere else. Is he still asleep? He's usually up right around now. Whatever. Focus, Kenshin.
I make my breakfast, the room filling up with a delicious scent. And it worked: Hiko's heavy footsteps is heard from behind me, and without turning around, I salute to him with a snarl, "Up so late again, I see! I made you food."
I won't lie. I feel a tiny glee inside my heart that Hiko is still.. here. Alive.
I hear Hiko slumping down on the kitchen chair and grumbling in his hands, "God, my head.."
"You drank again."
"Actually, I haven't. I caught up with an old friend of mine after my job interview. They said they're going to check in with their boss today to see if I can work for them."
I finally turn around to look at him, "Huh? Who?"
He waves his hand away, "You don't remember this person. He's a friend from the police academy far away from here. He wants to help."
I lick my bottom lip, thinking and humming, "So then.."
"Hmm?" Hiko slips one eye open while resting his chin on his hand, "The food's burning."
I scowl at my own stupidity and turn back to turn off the stove and grab the handle of the frying pan away from the heat, black smoke going up and into the ventilation system meanwhile. The tofu doesn't seem too scorched, thankfully, so I gather two plates to place the breakfast on them before I place one in front of Hiko and the other to myself. He digs in quietly, his eyes closed but somehow I can feel an intensity behind shut lids that he's concentrating on something. Something incredibly important, perhaps something that can really help change things around here. I wonder how legitimate this old pal of his really is, and if they can really help us out of this mess we've created for so many years now.
I don't believe in magical beings or in deities, so what good is believing in a mortal?
As Hiko drives me to school, I contemplate telling him about Soujiro, but decide against it. In the midst of his job hunting and getting his drinking under control, the last thing he needs is to worry about his teenage son's melodrama on top of it all. I need him to get sober and I need him to get employed again, so that we can be a normal family again. Not a perfect family, but fuck it, a functional family shouldn't be too much to ask! And so I swallow my frustrations down to my lungs, and let the oxygen suffocate my struggles internally. Hiko's problems are Hiko's problems, and my issues are just my own to face. There's just no point getting him involved in this Seta non sense.
Hiko was a fine private detective, in a way, when he was a police officer back then. He was really good at researching and connecting the clues to the final conclusion. But if I get him to look up the Seta family, he'll ask me a million why's and I just can't afford the drama. God knows I already have enough bullshit to deal with as it is. Best thing to do, then, is to just look this guy up on my own, and get some allies involved. Allies that Soujiro hasn't already brought off from me yet, allies that can look past his whimsical nature and his perfect smile.
Hmph. His perfect smile.
Speak of the devil.
"Kenshin," Soujiro leans away from the locker next to the homeroom door once he sees me coming in, "Can we talk for a minute? I think I've said some things last night that I shouldn't have and I just wanted to apologize. Is that alright?"
I stare at him boredly, "It's going to take something harsher than a few mean words to hurt me. Not to mention, it's going to take something more than your petty apologies in order for me to forgive you. And I don't mean gifts or money, either."
He nods, agreeing with me so, "I completely get it. I was way out of line since the very first day. I am more than happy to do whatever it takes for you to feel more comfortable around me whenever I talk with your friends. We're getting along really well, and we had tons of fun last night. I don't want to lose them as my friends already, and they want you to feel better, too. They missed you when you were gone. I can tell who's the real leader and that's definitely you, Kenshin."
My eyes tighten at him, taking a moment just staring him down before my arms wrap themselves around myself defensively, "I'll think about it. The one thing I need from you is to leave me alone for the rest of today. Got it?"
"Of course." Soujiro tilts his head to the side, "Tell me, I was wondering, who is taking care of you? I hope it's not a strange question, but you seemed negative on the subject of your father and I'm curious about that."
"Step father," I correct him, "He's my step father. I don't know my real father at all, or if he's even alive anymore."
His eyes widen a little and his smile fades away, "And your mother?"
"She's no longer with us. She's dead."
His head comes into a normal, upright position, but his sad expression continues on, "Oh. Kenshin.. I'm.. I'm really.. really sorry to hear about that. I can't even imagine going through that pain."
Why did I just told him something so personal about myself like that? He didn't deserve to know that about me. How did he do that? I gape at him, feeling stupidly and unaware of what to reply to his sentiment. The way he said all of that.. somehow feels really genuine this time. Which says a lot, considering his fake niceness that he's displayed ever since he got here yesterday. But.. Do I trust him? Is he truly sorry about my sad history? Or is this all a ruse to get something out of me later on? Will he use this information against me when he needs to bring me down under? What about him? What's his story? Is it as sad as mine? Pathetic like Sanosuke's? Endlessly poor like Yahiko's?
Is he like us?
Is he like myself?
Soujiro clears his throat, and I blink, snapping out of it. I close my eyes before asking, "What about you? Your mother, I mean."
I open my eyes again to see his expression change. His smirk and his furrowed brows are tainted with sadness still, and looking from the side, he whispers, "She's dead and long gone, too. She was so very sick, and so very beautiful. I'm still so angry at how it all happened. My father should have done more.. way more than I know he could have."
What is this? This pain I feel inside of my chest? I hesitate, blinking rapidly at what I'm hearing, "How did she died?"
He shakes his head slowly, as if it's still hard to believe after all of this time, "Leukemia. My father was having an affair while she was in the hospital. Bastard."
I feel myself visibly weakened by this news, quickly connecting to what he told me last night under that bridge: "You wouldn't have guessed it just by looking at me, but I too hate my father for many reasons, as well. He's far from perfect and I sometimes don't like him at all. Money can't buy you real happiness."
Money can't buy you real happiness.
Of course.
We were quiet, just the two of us standing alone in that hallway. Homeroom will start soon and the teacher will be here in any minute, and we'll be in trouble if we're caught hanging around here once the bell rings. But I don't care for any of that at all. Standing in front of me, is a young boy of eighteen years, who probably is trying his hardest to make friends through some very awkward, and clumsy might I add, ways that could raise some eyebrows. Like mines. Or anyone else who might be older and more aware of the dangers of trusting strangers. But I don't see a creepy stranger or a serial killer or any of such dark imagery. I just see someone broken and trying his best to conceal that. I see.. I see vulnerability.
Like Hiko reaching out for help.
Like Misao's rabbit.
The bell rips my thoughts open and I blink my daze away, seeing Soujiro simply opening the door to let me in. He looks at me with a small smile, a tired smile, and I don't have it in me to give him any attitude right now. Not especially since his weighty confession. I just nod to thank him silently, walking past him and catching the faintest whiff of his cologne. Or maybe it's an after shave. Never the less, it's a clean, subtle smell. I can't really describe it, but it sure beats the cheap crap that Hiko buys from the pharmacy store. I actually like it a lot, if I had to be really honest for a moment here. I don't like to give compliments to someone already so privileged like Soujiro, but I think he just smells really nice. No harm in admitting certain things.
The rest of the day drags on like an elusive dream. Time seemed to blur into one continuous stretch of shapes moving into my line of vision, the inaudible mumbles of teachers talking about the class subjects at hand, and the only thing that my eyes could really sharpen and focus on? Was the slim brown haired boy sitting beside or in front of me during these classes. I'm starting to take mental notes of his little habits that he would do throughout the day: the way he takes his pencil and chews the eraser in between his teeth, or the way he writes down everything the teachers would say, or how delicate his action of placing some of his hair behind his ear. I'll even watch, in some bored manner, of the way he shuffles his feet or cross his ankles together, wondering if he is aware of his fidgeting or if it's some nervous tick he has.
Soujiro Seta.
You're so fucking weird.
I still don't like you.
The last class, my most favorite class, Introduction to Philosophy, ending with the teacher sharing with me my missing assignments that I should easily complete over the weekend. It's a project that will be due next Monday, so I still have time to research and write a five page report on my findings, and we share e-mail details. Mrs Motoki is not like the other female teachers, who all think they're such hot shit for trying to rehabilitate problem students such as myself. She's gentle yet level headed, providing me all the academic space in the world to figure out her lessons as we go. Philosophy, she said, is a lifelong learning experience. There are no deadlines to it, no linear repercussions to fear. Only time. I like that way of thinking, actually.
Walking out of her classroom to be done for the day, I find myself surprised to find Soujiro waiting for me, leaning against the lockers with the same smile as earlier today. The same sad, tired smile, and I find myself wondering if he hadn't slept well last night. What could be keeping him up during the night? Well, who knows, and who cares, right? I feel determined to ignore him and pretend that I didn't see him, turning to the left to walk down the hallway with the rest of the traffic. I guess it doesn't matter how hard I try to pretend he doesn't exist, because in just a few seconds, I can feel him walking shoulder to shoulder with me. The smell of his after shave. His wide, curious eyes staring at me.
I wish I can say that he's the ugliest thing on Earth to me.
But he's not and that irritates me.
"Going home?" Soujiro inquires briskly, which confuses me somewhat.
What's he in a hurry for?
I don't look at him but I respond dryly, "Duh."
"What? What about your homework assignments? I can help you catch up, y'know."
"I don't need any help. I can do it at home."
"Are you sure about that?"
I stop walking and he stops just a step ahead of me, looking over his shoulder at me with some concern. I glare at him, my hands forming into fists to take reign of my rising temper, "Don't baby me, alright? I said I can take care of myself. I'm a lot more intelligent than you think!"
Some students walk on beside us and start to look on with interest, wondering what all the fuss is about. Soujiro just smiles at them awkwardly while I shoot them a callous look that only makes them walk faster in embarrassment, hiding their reddening faces. He then comes up in front of me and puts his hands on his hips with authority, and with a smartly arched eyebrow, he says, "Okay. Prove it. Prove to me just how smart Kenshin Himura is by coming to the library with silly ol' Soujiro Seta. As the straight A student of his previous high school, I insist on this challenge."
I grit my teeth, "You don't give up, do you?"
He shrugs with a comical flair, "If that were true, I'd be a high school drop out right about now."
I roll my eyes with an aggravated sigh, "Look, I appreciate your concern, but just because we had a little 'Good Will Hunting' moment together, it doesn't make us good friends all of a sudden. And I already just said that I can do the damn homework assignments at home. Who even goes to the library anymore? Back off."
"Yeah, but imagine the opportunities and all the great schools that will beg for you to come to their campuses after you graduate from here. All the big names and the glamour that comes with having a fancy degree on your wall. Can you imagine how proud your step-father Hiko will feel when he learns that you'll bring pride to the family name?"
I look at him, totally deadpan. I'm not buying it.
Soujiro's smile falters for a second, but comes back with more enthusiasm, "Come on, join me! I promise you won't regret it when I can raise your grade point average to a perfect score in just a few months time!"
"Oh?" I cross my arms, now curious, "Is that so? Why should I trust a complete stranger to helping me with that?"
"Kenshin, I'm not a stranger anymore! I've met your friends, I've told you something about myself, and we see each other during classes. You know me by now, right?"
I still don't buy it, my lids lowering on my eyes to convey my lack of appreciation. Soujiro deflates a little dramatically, which I admit, does look pretty funny and I hide my smirk.
"Fine, Kenshin. Can we at least exchange e-mail addresses or better yet, our phone numbers so that we can work on the homework assignments together?"
I start laughing, "Whoa ho hoooo! You're not getting my details right off the bat just like that, y'hear? You're gonna have to try a little harder to convince me if you want it so badly, alright?"
He pouts, "Fine. Do you want to maybe have a late lunch with me somewhere? I'll pay."
I simply show his face my open palm as I walk past him, "Goodbye, Soujiro. Go be a little creep some where else."
I know I'm hard on him. Maybe a little too hard on him. Even though the moment we shared today, right along with all these lockers surrounding us, felt intimate in some way, I still refuse to let my guard down so easily. It's going to take me more time and more convincing that he's not out to get me, somehow. And if he really cared about what I think or how I feel, he needs to respect my personal space while I get to know him little by little. If he can't do that, then I can snatch his hat off his head to reveal the true monster that he really is. A monster who doesn't care about anyone else except himself. When children fear them, it's the adults' jobs to keep them far away from society as possible.
I think I'll visit Misao today. Maybe Aoshi is still with her.
I see Hiko's truck parked next to the curb when I leave the school building. Walking up, his window rolls down and he looks even more.. well, normal, than usual. He doesn't look hung over, or depressed, or like he got ran over by a bear. I think he even shaved his face today. He looks really good, for a raging alcoholic. I lean over the edge of the open window and look around the interior of the car, expecting to find beer bottles or cans or any clues that he's been out drinking. But it's all clean and nothing seems out of place. I blink, looking at him with a confused frown. He beams.
"Ready to go home, son?" Hiko asks in a sing song voice.
"Actually.."
We arrive on the other side of the town, just a fifteen minute drive west from the school. The neighborhood looks poor and run down, and stopping in front of one in particular, I see a black and white cat pouncing up on a window sill to look at us with suspicious green eyes. Must be one of Misao's many rescued pets or something. I haul myself out of the truck and slam the door, walking myself around it to go up to the small set of stairs of the front porch. I hear Hiko rolling down his window and calling out to me, "Hey, when will you be home tonight? I'm making my special dinner, the one you like so much!"
I face him from over my shoulder, "I don't know, but I'll definitely be home after you eat, I guess. I have homework to do, anyway. Can I borrow your laptop once I'm home?"
It feels.. nice.. to just be cordial with my step dad for once.
Hiko looks a little surprised at my lack of mood swings or my usual shitty attitude, but he nods humbly, "Alright. Take the train back home, it goes way faster than by car."
I only respond with a casual smile before heading up to Misao's door, hearing Hiko driving off meanwhile. It doesn't take long before the door swings open and I see Misao nearly jumping on top of me, squealing and wrapping her thin arms around my neck as I become flabbergasted. I hold onto her waist to keep us both on balance, and she lands on her heels and looks into my eyes, "Kenshin, he's here! Aoshi's here and I'm about ready to die from happiness!"
I tilt my head, "You mean he never left your house?"
She giggles, "Nah, he went home after he visited me last night. My mom's still working but you can come in, if you like. Wanna say hi to my bunny wabbit?"
I ignore her bastardization of the word rabbit and let myself into her complex, taking off my shoes and leaving it with the rest of the shoes lined up next to the door. The small house feels nice and warm from the fireplace in the living room, and they're lucky that their heating system all around seem above average for the kind of income that they have. Misao's mother is a single mom who works as a waitress, after her father died from a heroin overdose. She's an only child, so she and her mother are super close friends, in some ways. They're more like sisters than mother and daughter, sharing each other's makeup and dating tips like overly giddy school girls. I like her mom, though. She's really laid back and knows how to have fun without breaking the law.
She works a lot, to compensate for not having the dual income that would otherwise keep the family afloat. I wonder if she's dating around or if she's just given up on men entirely. I wonder what she thinks of Aoshi.
"Heeeere's Mister Cuddles!" Misao broadly turns on the light in her bed room, the floor an absolute mess with her cosmetics, homework, and books lying everywhere. I could hardly see where the damn floor is. But on her night stand, lays the huge cage where her white rabbit flinches upward to look at us. His pupils dilate once the light is turned on, but then they return to normal and he starts to sniff the ground to see if he can scavenger for some food. I carefully walk through the war zone of Misao's messy room and bend on my knees to look at Cuddles closely, admiring his flickering ears. Misao's had this little runt for ages now. When we were just children, in fact. She got it from the animal shelter when we were both twelve and Aoshi was fifteen years old. He was the one who taught us how to feed Cuddles and what to do when he got sick.
"He got big." I stated matter of factually, hearing Misao humming in agreement.
"I texted Aoshi today to see if he can swing by later on and hang out with us for a bit. My mom will be home late, but we can order takeout for dinner if you want."
"No need. I have to get home to do homework." I stick my finger carefully in between the metal bars, the rabbit sniffing it with marked curiosity.
"Lame!" Misao slams her back on her bed and starts texting on her mobile phone immediately, "I'll just let Aoshi know to get here as soon as possible. You two have a lot to catch up on!"
"Sure." I retract my finger in time before I could sense that Mr Cuddles would like a piece of my finger, chuckling to myself at his befuddled expression. The rabbit represents vulnerability, just like Aoshi said. If I could assign an animal to all of us, I think we'd make a great circus act. I could very easily see Sanosuke as an aggressive chicken, and Yahiko as a zen like turtle waddling peacefully into still waters. Misao could very well be a cat, or a mouse, and Kaoru could be a swan, graceful and full of love for her friends. Megumi can be a chihuahua for all the fucks I give, honestly. Aoshi could very well be a stern ox or a dark horse riding in someone else's dreams. Maybe I am the rabbit, and maybe Soujiro is the fox I must flee from.
Soujiro.
Conniving, sneaky, fiendish little fox.
"Aoshi says he'll be here in a few minutes!" Aoshi sits crossed legged and looks down at me with a glossy smile, "Oh my gosh, you know what I'm in the mood for? A karaoke night with all of us on Friday night. Or maybe even tomorrow. Whatever, basically as soon as possible would be great!"
"Do the others know?"
"Not yet. I just thought it up just now."
"I don't know. I have so much work to catch up on from school.."
"Aww, come on, Kenshin! You're always so much fun when you DON'T think about school!" Misao now drapes herself all over her bed and her hands are within reach of my ponytail to drag her long fingernails through it, "Besides, Soujiro even told me that he'd love to help you with it if you weren't such a dick to him."
I scoff, "Yeah right! What does he know?"
"I don't know, but he said he was really amazing with his previous school and I totally believe him. He said he can make you turn into a straight A student if you would just give him a chance."
I grab the base of my ponytail as a way of warning her to stop touching me, and she takes her hand back on command, "Like I said, what does he know? He has no idea what I go through, and I can do this shit on my own."
"Yeah, but―"
I interrupt her with a death glare, and that was the end of it. She promptly shuts herself up and just rests her forehead in the nook of her elbow, probably frustrated over my stubbornness. Good. I don't care. I turn back to the rabbit, who is now in the corner bathing himself, how strange his movements are in comparison to human beings. All rabbits have to do is lick their paws and then rub it all over themselves, meanwhile I have to be sure I don't slice my throat open every time I have to shave my face. How deliciously idle a rabbit's life seems to me. I feel myself dazing off, not really hearing Misao leaving the room, or the front door opening and shutting and the footsteps of a new visitor coming in.
"Himura."
The smooth, dark voice shakes me from my daydream and I turn around to see Aoshi in the flesh after two long years. I gape at him, slowly getting up from my seating to go over where he stands, and his serious expression does not shift or soften one bit. Good ol' Aoshi. I smile, nodding in recognition. His eyes flicker over to the cage behind me, the rabbit leaning against the bars with its two front paws, like he knows Aoshi personally and have kept in contact after all this time. His eyes connect with mines and he finally speaks, "It's been a while."
"It has."
Aoshi takes it upon himself to sit down on the edge of Misao bed, who just prances into the bedroom with the air of a little girl who just entered Disney World. She plops down next to Aoshi and starts shaking his shoulder like a child, "Aoshi, can you please tell Kenshin he needs to let Soujiro help him with his homework? I really want him to come with us to karaoke night, puh-leeease?"
"Hm?" Aoshi looks to me now, "Falling behind again? I taught you better than that. Looks like you will have to subject yourself to Soujiro's grip if you ever want to make Misao happy again."
"And the rest of your friends!" Misao blurts out, her cheeks pinched pink from her outburts.
I roll my eyes, "Fine. When is this karaoke night thing?"
I really don't want to go nor do I really enjoy singing, but I do like being there for my friends when they need me there.
"We can do it tonight, actually," Aoshi checks his watch, "It's only four in the afternoon. If we all hurry and meet up at the building, we should be done in time for you to go home and study."
I balk at him, "Tonight?! No way! I really need to get home as soon as possible, I can't afford to waste my time when so much is due next week!"
"And that's why Soujiro will help you out, Kenshin!" Misao smiles smugly to herself, "I already gave him all your deets. Your e-mail address. Your phone number. Your Facebook account―"
I am so close to grabbing her neck to wring it, but Aoshi simply pushes his fingers against my chest with a warning glare, and I could only stand there towering over the fucking idiot who gave away all of my power to Soujiro Seta. It's not like I would seriously harm Misao, but damn, she at least deserves a spanking or something! How dare she do that without my permission? Now Soujiro can find me and contact me whenever he pleases! Damn it all to hell! My temper flares and then it cools down, my hands lowering to my sides carefully, and Aoshi takes his fingers back. He's really protective of Misao, isn't he?
I knew I had to ask.
"So.." My eyes shift back and forth between them, "Are you guys, like.. dating, or..?"
Misao nods soundly, grinning like a fucking moron. Aoshi could only look to the side, refusing to let me check if he's blushing or not.
"Wow. Congrats." I turn around to walk out of the bedroom to check what's in Misao's refrigerator down at the kitchen, "Took you guys long enough."
"Get us some strawberry sodas, will you?" Misao calls out, not demanding, but with a tone that I could actually appreciate. She seems so happy now that she gets to be with her dream man. I'm happy for her. She annoys me every now and then, but I have history with her, and I think her mom understands my struggle with living with a single step father. Her mom just gets it.
I refuse to let Soujiro take all of my lifelong friends away.
I come back with two cans of strawberry soda and got myself a bottle of beer, but Aoshi and Misao stands in the living room together with their jackets on. I hand them their drinks and Aoshi nods, "Let's go. The rest of the hooligans will meet us in the music building downtown."
"And do I have a surprise for you!" Misao grabs my arm and appears even more bubbly than usual, "Just you wait and see!"
...
"What the fuck!?"
The entire gang huddle together in apparent fear over my mounting rage, all sitting on a long stretch red sofa in the studio room that is already rented out for use by none other than Soujiro Fucking Seta himself. Sanosuke, Megumi, Kaoru, Yahiko, Tsubame, and Misao, are all hanging onto each other for dear life as I force them to look into the fire and brimstone in my eyes. Aoshi and Soujiro, meanwhile, are sitting on the other side of the couch, sitting patiently and quietly ignoring my dramatic demeanor. While Aoshi's enjoying his mobile phone texting God knows who, Soujiro is drinking a cup of tea like he's the son of England. Very sweet and proper.
"Whose idea was this?" I try to keep my voice leveled, though my anger deceives the look in my eyes no doubt, the gang shrinking back further into the couch. Everybody then shoot their fingers right at Misao, who just glares at them and starts spitting fire in their direction.
"Thanks a lot, you guys!" Misao spits, and I take a deep breath to calm myself down.
"Don't worry yourself to death, Kenshin!" Soujiro pipes up happily, "I promise not to bother you tonight. Cross my heart!"
I give up. I plop down on the couch on the other side and just rest the back of my head against the wall behind me, not wanting to participate in the gang's decision over which song to start. I better not get in their way. If it can buy me time to just think about things inside my head peacefully, then I let them fight it out on their own. I don't come to karaoke nights often, maybe once a month, if that. But these guys can go two to three times a week because it's their escape from their shitty lives. I don't judge them for that. I know how it is. Just like drawing keeps me sane, just like playing my guitar keeps me calm, and just like daydreaming keeps me focusing on the bigger picture.. we all have something to help us get by.
Unlike Soujiro. He doesn't need anything to escape to. He has everything handed to him on a silver platter. His money keeps him safe. His social class keeps him happy. His high ranking academic scores keeps him on the road to even more success later in life. Maybe his mom really did die from Leukemia. Maybe his dad really did cheated on her when she needed her husband the most. Maybe he didn't get the latest mobile phone model yet. It doesn't matter when everything else in your life is picture perfect. Besides.. I actually think the sound of his story sounds a bit too.. I don't know.. Hollywood like?
It doesn't sound real. It's like he read it off of some script.
I wonder if he's lying about it?
I look at him from across the room, him smiling at my friends who are excitedly clamoring over the song that they all finally agree to sing together. He brought this huge room out for the night and it must've costed him a pretty penny, but he just buys it and he doesn't care about the cost. As long as it makes his new friends happy, he'll fish his wallet out for anything they could ever want or need. My eyes tighten harder at him, and then they swoop to my crossed arms in front of my chest. I wonder.. if I look him up later on Hiko's laptop tonight, that I could find something that won't look good on Soujiro Seta. Maybe he really did get kicked out of his academy, but why? Did he get in trouble? Did he destroyed their property or tried to get involved with a teacher twice his age? What's the story behind those blue eyes of his?
Who is Soujiro Seta?
I look up and caught him just in time, staring at me from the corner of his eyes, that smile that he had still there. But there's something behind those blue eyes, something sinister, nothing virtuous. Are those the eyes of an angel who want to help everyone else, or the eyes of a predator who only gives something good just to lure his victims in? Like a Venus fly trap. Elusive at a glance, but death is just around the corner if you come any closer. For the remainder of the night, I let my friends have their fun, participating only half of the time when they try to hand me the microphone to join their choir. When they eventually realized I wasn't singing loud enough, or quick enough to catch up with their pacing, they gave up, taunting me with good humor that if only my fingers could be as talented as my voice.
Soujiro perks up at that comment, "Fingers?"
"Kenshin can play the guitar."
"No way!"
I shut my eyes. All of my power is fading away.
He's winning. And it only took less than a few days.
Who is Soujiro Seta?
Who are you?
There's only one way to find out. And it's all on Hiko's laptop.
"I better go home now." I gather myself off of the couch and throw a small wave with my hand, my friends nodding and saying their goodbyes as well. Soujiro could only stare at me, blinking, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to ask me about my guitar or my life or anything else. But I walk away before he had the chance to gather the courage to pull me into his fly trap, and I head down the stairs of the building until I come out from the back, lighting a cigarette for the long departure home.
Whatever. I'll take the train home.
I'm not going to let you win. Not this quickly. Not this easily.
You're mine.
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Vrr vrr
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hey, it's soujiro. :-) will you be at the library tomorrow for study hall?