Chapter Twenty-Four
The trees turned copper as the sun began to set behind the school gym. Hanamura stood near the entrance under the covered walkway, leaning against a steel column with hands tucked into the pockets of her dress. The accomplishments of the day were still fresh on her mind, but as she began to fidget in Rumi's sandals, her stomach started winding with anticipation.
Steady girl, she chided herself feebly. Don't lose your head.
She felt childish for being so eager. A little ridiculous for being so adamant too. But like a moth drawn to a flame, she couldn't help herself. Her brief encounter with Tendou earlier had only served to whet her appetite, and she found herself craving everything: his voice, his smile, his laughter.
His mouth against your neck, her heart whispered shamelessly.
Hanamura flushed.
You're not helping…but yes, that too.
She leaned her head back and sighed.
The school had buzzed all day with excited murmurings of the team's return, and she had caught glimpses of him traveling the halls with a stark new magnetism. There was an undeniable power to his silhouette now, a languid grace that dictated his every move. Though people rushed to speak to him, eager to grab his attention, he seemed to regard them all coolly. There was a wrinkle in his brow and the grin that touched his lips was fiendish.
That alone made her heart race.
He had indeed come back a super villain, looking on the students of Shiratorizawa with a cold, clinical interest. He seemed amused by their shenanigans; not at all swayed by the attention.
Though they had spoken to each other every day for two weeks, his presence at school made her shy all over again. She could have approached him on a number of occasions already, but each time she found him too intimidating. If she hadn't learned she was free from academic probation, she would have never had the courage to take off running across the courtyard. Even then, she had wondered if she was making a terrible mistake. She saw the golf club scatter in the opposite direction, Tendou watching them with a vicious gleam. It wasn't until he turned to her, his whole countenance shining brightly as he lifted her into a dervish swirl, that she felt certain once more.
He might treat others coolly, but for her, he was different: warm, kind, and a little devious too.
Hers.
She looked to the gym doors. Where is he?
Had she arrived too late? The court was silent, the windows dark from the outside, and soon, the floodlights near the roof would be turning on. Just as she began to worry, she could hear activity stir in the boys' locker room. The distant sound of metal latches opening and closing quickly reached her ears, and it wasn't long before the volleyball team started filing out the doors.
Straightening, she smiled.
A group of boys, tattered and beaten, appeared on the sidewalk. Their shoulders were hunched, and they bumped into each other – out of clumsiness or a need for support, she couldn't be sure. Their duffels weighed them down like sandbags as they staggered out into the evening air.
Her smile vanished.
"Are...are you guys okay?" She called out.
Pausing, they glanced around blindly before spotting her at the end of the walkway.
"Who's that?" Jin murmured, squinting his eyes.
"Dunno. My vision's too blurry," said Semi. "All I can make out is red."
"Aren't there two of them?" Kawanishi said with a scowl.
Her frown deepened.
"Hey! It's our girl," Yamagata croaked with raised hands, finally recognizing her. "Green Team!"
She studied him with an exasperated smile. "Yeah…Green Team," she called out weakly.
Was that a brace around his neck? And stitches in his lip too? He looked to have survived a bar fight.
The team all brightened with recognition as they approached her.
"Number One Undefeated Flag Bearer! That's you!" Yamagata went on to say jovially.
Hanamura winced. "Yep. That's me." She surveyed them all, stopping at a black-and-blue face near the front. "Shirabu, what happened to your eye?"
The setter appeared dead on his feet, gripping his stomach which was growling loudly.
"I'll tell you in the studio sometime," he said gruffly in response. Then, as he considered her for a moment, he tweaked his bangs a little. "Asano around much?" He fished.
Hanamura tilted her chin. "Yes, but…I'd be careful if I were you. She brought home a poltergeist," she said, eyeing him curiously. "Maybe wait until she's been exorcized this weekend?"
Shirabu stared at her, lost. "What?"
"It's good seeing you, Hanamura," said Reon who appeared at the front of the group with Yunohama slung over his shoulder. Their captain was wheeled in a small wagon behind him, reminding her of a patient in a gurney.
"Don't worry, it's not what you think," he said quickly, catching the startled look on her face. "Coach had a yoga instructor give us a session this afternoon. A few minutes in corpse pose and he was out like a light."
"And Yunohama?" She asked.
Reon returned her frown with one of his own.
"Not really sure. We think he entered a conscious plane that allows him to spirit walk," he said skeptically, "or at least, that's what the instructor told us. I'm sure he'll come around once he smells food."
Flashing her a strained smile, Reon ushered the team onward like a designated driver charged with several incapacitated passengers. The others held onto each other as they set off bravely toward the dorms. Their captain's legs dragged in the grass as he was tugged along in the wagon. When they intercepted two trumpet players in the courtyard, a patriotic bugle call trailed in their wake.
Hanamura watched them go, bewildered.
Maybe all that stuff Tendou told her through text really did happen.
Maybe there was a Destroyer.
Maybe they really did have to fight off a rabid raccoon.
Maybe all those grand allusions to Lord of the Flies and Shawshank Redemption were true.
She felt bad for thinking it was all an elaborate joke. Her picture of the kitten seemed downright insulting now…
"Grrraaah! Finally. Freedom at last!"
Tendou burst through the doors, stretching wide as he yawned deeply. His hair was tousled in his face, the ends damp, his eyes hooded and dark with fatigue. His attention was fixed to the sidewalk, but as he caught sight of her feet, he slowly lifted his gaze, taking her in with a small frown.
"Hmm?"
And then, just like that, a fire kindled in his eyes, warm and alluring, and only for her. A grin was quick to follow, shifting the shadows of his face into something hazy. It made her mouth go dry.
"Well, what do we have here? Are you lost, miss?" He asked, sounding very much like the wolf in the woods. He approached her, his grin turning sly. "I believe the gala you're looking for is that way," he gestured towards the park, curling his tongue over a tooth. "I'd be happy to show you if you like?"
"What gala?" asked Ushijima.
Tendou jumped, startled.
"No, I was…I was joking," he said, flushing slightly as he turned to his teammate. "There is no gala."
"Ah." Ushijima glanced to her with rare humor in his eyes. "Good evening, Hanamura."
"Hullo, Ushijima," she replied, catching her breath. "Congratulations on making it to Nationals. You must be excited."
"I'm tired. It's been a long day," he said honestly, surprising her. Turning to Tendou, he asked, "Will you be alright if I leave you?"
"Yes. Thanks for being my bodyguard today." Tendou thanked him. "I can manage things from here."
Ushijima nodded, saying his farewells before heading for the boys' dormitory.
Hanamura frowned. "Bodyguard?" She asked.
Tendou tilted his chin, peering at her with his smoke-rimmed eyes. He seemed to be deliberating on an explanation. "Things were a bit…strange today," he said, hesitant. "I got a taste of what it's like to be a bug under a magnifying glass. Can't say I enjoyed it much." His mouth tapered into a scowl.
Hanamura waited for him to elaborate, wondering if this had something to do with the dark look he had all day, but he left it at that, clearly more intrigued by her.
"Where'd you get the pretty dress?" He asked, reaching out and fingering the gauzy fabric at her waist. As he looked at it closely, his eyes lit with recognition. "Wait a minute…is this…?"
She nodded.
"Reiko made it," she said brightly. "It…it has pockets."
She dropped her gaze, turning her head away in embarrassment over such a lame statement. Of all the clever things she could have said at that moment, she settled on pockets? There was no way she was going to conquer the world at this rate. Not when his presence had this much power over her.
Sensing her unrest, Tendou clasped hands behind his back, leaning forward.
"Well, it suits you, ya know," he intoned softly in her ear. "The color red."
Though he was referring to the dress, his playful tone indicated it was the blush dusting her cheeks he found most pleasing to look at. The admission made her face burn brighter.
Hanamura cleared her throat, pushing away from the column. "I know you must be exhausted, and…there's a hundred other things we should be doing right now," she said, rubbing her neck. "But I thought it would be nice if we could celebrate tonight. Just…just the two of us…um," her hands were sparking with nerves. She looked at Tendou for a moment. What had she been saying?
"Oh! Mei's cake." She turned suddenly, retrieving the bag she had stashed in the bushes where the shade was darkest. Dusting it of leaves, she turned back around, holding it out with a smile. "We can eat the whole thing tonight if you want."
Tendou was standing very tall and rigid, staring at her, but her words didn't seem to register for a moment. He appeared as if he had seen something shocking and was hastily reconciling it in his mind. His eyes glowed, the teasing gone and replaced by ardent surprise.
It was then that Hanamura felt every square inch of her body at once and panicked.
The dress!
Was it too much? Too scandalous? Perhaps this was all a mistake, and she should have worn her shirt and shorts after all. She shouldn't have let Asano and Rumi talk her into this whole thing in the first place. She had already exhausted the limits of her confidence today.
But as she stood there fretting, he didn't give her time to come up with an emergency plan. Tendou was suddenly very close with hands held out to her in supplication, his gaze roving over her with an intense frown. A realization dawned on him.
"A date," he uttered in shock. "You're asking me out on a date."
Hanamura gripped the bag.
"If…if you don't want to go out tonight, I completely understand," she said. "We can try for another time."
Tendou grabbed her by the arms, making her jump.
"Give me two minutes tops," he said adamantly. "Come wait for me near the steps. I promise I won't take long."
"For what?"
He eyed her dress. "We should at least look like we're going to the same party, don't you think?"
Relief washed over her immediately. Hanamura took a breath.
"Oh, don't worry. That's not necess–"
"No, you're taking me out." He sounded eager, the fatigue nearly erased from his features and replaced by that incorrigible enthusiasm. "It's the least I can do. C'mon."
He led her across the lawn to the entrance of the boys' dormitory before quickly darting inside. Keeping his promise, he charged deep into the hall and disappeared up the stairs. Hanamura sat awkwardly on the front steps, hiding in the shade from the worst of the evening heat. As players from other sports clubs started returning from practice, they all eyed her curiously as they entered the building. Hanamura tried to do her best impression of Tashima who had a poised yet slightly hostile look, but it wasn't long before she started feeling self-conscious in her dress again. When Cosmo appeared next to her, chirping and rubbing his head at her elbow, she was never more pleased to see him.
"Hi fluffer," she cooed as he climbed onto her lap. He stared at her adoringly with his large golden eyes, almost as if asking why so upset, nice human? Hanamura passed the time stroking his soft fur, momentarily forgetting her feelings of discomfort.
A shadow fell over them both.
"Well? How do I look?"
Hanamura lifted her gaze, finding Tendou dressed smartly in a thin charcoal sweater with the sleeves pushed up. His legs tapered from black denim into dark shoes, the overall effect rather mature and striking. He most definitely had grown stronger, she thought, his frame broader and more angular than before. The folds of his sweater dragged across his chest nicely.
Standing, Hanamura held Cosmo close, burying half her face in his yellow fur.
The marmalade let out a small yowl.
"Aw shucks, Cosmo. Thanks," said Tendou appreciatively.
He reached out and scratched the tabby underneath the chin, bringing himself close enough for her to catch the fresh rosemary scent of his gelled hair. It resurfaced in her all the wonderful, exhilarating moments they had shared with each other over the summer break: warm, star-studded evenings, cicadas, darkened classrooms, and overripe peaches. All the wanting and wishings of her heart.
Tendou caught her gaze.
"You're awfully quiet all of a sudden," he said with a hint of a smirk. "Cat got your tongue?"
Hanamura dipped her chin, peering at him through her lashes.
"No," she said belligerently. "I think you look nice is all."
Tendou hummed.
"Just nice?"
She held his gaze, coy.
"Very nice," she added.
He responded with a closed-lip grin, dangerous and alluring once more.
Perhaps sensing that he was caught in the middle of something, Cosmo chose that precise moment to wiggle free from her grasp and shot back into the bushes, leaving her to dust her dress of yellow fur. Tendou bent down to retrieve the gift bag from the steps and held out his hand.
"So," he looked to her eagerly, "where to, champ?"
Hanamura threaded her fingers with his.
"Are you up for a climb?"
. . . . . . .
Half an hour later, or half a day, or the combination of several days blending into each other torturously, they found themselves leaning against a shallow rock wall trying to catch their breath.
"I don't understand," Hanamura huffed. "Why doesn't this get any easier?"
Her feet were swollen in her sandals, the bodice of her dress suddenly stifling. She draped herself over the rock wall like a ragdoll, hanging her head.
"Because it doesn't. It toys with you. Plays mind games. Drives you mad," gasped Tendou as he aired out his sweater beside her. "Why do you think we call it Dead Man's Hill?"
"That old couple passed us like it was nothing though! I'm so ashamed," she laughed exasperatedly. "They gave us the slip!"
Tendou glanced up as he caught his breath. She followed his line of vision. Glancing past the playground, they could see the sky was filled by a magnificent thunderhead that blazed pink in the fading sunset. The edges were gilded in red-gold, a periwinkle sky burning behind it. The air smelled like concrete, the August heat sultry and thick. They would be lucky if the cake hadn't melted.
Across the street stood the convenience store, its windows burning brightly, reflecting the rich orange light of dusk. The shadows underneath the awning were a deep purple, beckoning them into their cooling depths.
"Just a bit further," Tendou encouraged her, offering his arm.
She took it, feeling exceptionally ladylike in the confident clipping of her sandals on the sidewalk, in the way Tendou strolled casually beside her, matching her strides.
Together they stepped into the overwhelming blast of air conditioning, sighing in relief. The jingle played at the door as usual, but then the scent of summer freesias hit them both squarely in the face, and for a moment they thought they had mistakenly walked into a flower shop. Large vases of ornamental blooms crowded the shelves and countertop near the cash register, nearly hiding Satsuki from view.
"Satori! Suzume!" She greeted them with a broad smile. She was dressed in a bright floral blouse with matching green capris, looking very stylish. Her paisley shop apron had been swapped for a newer one made from crisp, white linen. "Wowzers. Don't you two look dressed to the nines," she said, taking them both in with mutual surprise. "You kids out for a night on the town? Already breaking the rules on a school night, are ya?"
Hanamura and Tendou were too busy taking in the store to properly respond.
"Satsuki, what is all this?" He asked her.
She stepped away from the register, throwing her arms out in a dramatic shrug.
"You know, it's so strange. After you won the game, I sort of blacked out and don't really remember what happened," she said, cupping her face. "When I came to, Daisuke said I kissed nearly half the lobby and the game wardens had to escort me to a room where I could calm down. I just love the thrill of the game, you know." Satsuki nudged Hanamura, her eyes crinkling mischievously. "But then, the reporters came around and started asking questions, and next thing you know, voila! Swan Mart is featured on every local news station in the prefecture. And business has been booming! I can't keep the shelves stocked long enough to get through the week! Flowers keep coming every day, people stop in asking for me by name, and – you'll never believe this – a cosmetic company has even reached out to me about developing my very own lipstick brand! You could say I've become a bit of an icon."
Hanamura smiled, finding her excitement infectious.
"Yes, I can see you're really capitalizing on the marketing," said Tendou, eyeing a display case that had a curious likeness of him drawn in crayon at the top. His face twisted into an expression of wry bitterness.
"Hmm? Oh, that? That was Daisuke's idea," said Satsuki proudly. "The boy has the blood of a tycoon in his veins. Just like his grandma. He'll make a fine heir to the store someday." She glanced to her grandson who was perched at the front counter amid a mess of receipts and a yellowing calculator, drumming his fingers over the buttons like a pianist over a keyboard.
Tendou's eyes slivered.
"Oh? So you're the one, huh?" He approached Daisuke, a threatening air to his walk. He made absolutely no effort to hide his malicious intent when he asked, "What are you? Eight?"
Daisuke lifted his gaze, staring back at him glibly.
"Eleven and a half to be exact."
Tendou's nose twitched before he bared his teeth. "You little punk," he growled.
Hanamura quickly intervened. Stepping in front of Tendou, she waved. "Hullo, Daisuke."
The middle schooler straightened on his perch.
"Hi, Suzume."
"I like your drawing." she smiled, pointing to the display case. "You did an excellent job."
"Really? I thought so too," said Daisuke.
Tendou pinned them both with his sharp gaze, causing them to grin extra wide. When his attention lingered on Hanamura, she made sure to project a look of pure innocence.
"So, what brings you kids by this evening?" Satsuki asked cheerfully. "It's a bit hot to be outdoors. Didn't the climb melt your faces off?"
"My sister sent me back with a homemade cake," said Hanamura. "We wanted to celebrate his win at the tournament–"
"–and her freedom from delinquency," said Tendou.
"So, I thought what better place than to celebrate here with you?" Hanamura finished, stammering. She shot him a glare of which he returned with a quirk of his lips. "We wanted to return the favor for the sweets you gave us earlier this summer."
Satsuki blinked in surprise.
"Why how thoughtful of you, Suzume. This must be that country hospitality I've heard so much about." She took Hanamura's hand, squeezing it between her soft, wrinkled ones as she examined her kindly. "My goodness, just look at you. You're the cat's pajamas!" Hanamura dipped her chin, timid. Satsuki was assessing her with a discerning eye. "Satori, you've found yourself quite the treasure," she mused aloud. Leaning in and lowering her voice, she added, "I see why he likes you so much."
Hanamura sensed him shift beside her, ducking his head as he rubbed his neck.
"Satsuki, please," he begged.
The mortification in his voice made them both grin, but Hanamura broke out into a blush, nevertheless.
"Come with me upstairs. I'll get some plates." Satsuki untied her shop apron and laid it on the counter. "I'm leaving you in charge, Sonny."
Daisuke preened. It was evident he liked being left in charge. He deliberately started stacking cans of beet greens next to the cash register, making Tendou glower.
"Follow me, you two," said Satsuki.
Standing back, Tendou held out his arm, gesturing for Hanamura to follow the shop owner into the apartment. Hanamura could feel his eyes on her back as he walked behind her, and she tried very hard not to trip over her own two feet. As they climbed the stairs, they left the jarring smell of flowers and fish behind and stepped into a spacious room with a distinctly bohemian flair.
"Leave your shoes there and have a seat in the den. I'll pop into the kitchen," said Satsuki, gesturing to a low wooden table in the center of the room. It sat atop a decorative rug next to a green velvet sofa. Hanamura took in the eclectic textures of the room, finding herself reminded of her family's antique store.
As she and Tendou took their seats politely on the same side of the kotatsu, folding their legs underneath them, she studied the room with fascination.
"Oh! That's a console radio," she gasped, spotting it beside the bookcase. It had a decorative wooden face, carved into the melding, sloping art deco style of its time. "And–" her eyes located a handsome timepiece hanging on the wall "–that's a Seikosha regulator clock. Wow, it's beautiful! I've never seen one in such good condition. Is it black pine?" Her eyes traveled the room, lifting to the spiderlike brass light fixture hanging above the table. "Sputnik," She murmured with wide eyes.
"Very good. You know your antiques, young lady." Satsuki called from the kitchen. Hanamura caught Tendou eyeing her curiously and she flushed.
"My Nana kept things like this in our shop," she explained. "We had a whole collection of regulator clocks. Console radios too. Her favorite thing was to play jazz out of a piece that came from an abandoned hotel. Mei and I learned how to adjust the frequency to hear the international space station."
Satsuki rejoined them, placing a tray of dishware on the table as she gently eased herself onto a seat cushion. She produced another bottle of mint tea, pouring them each a glass to slake their thirst.
Hanamura took hers gratefully.
"My late husband had a passion for antiques too. The Matsushidas love dabbling in nostalgia. It keeps us connected to our roots," said Satsuki, reminding Hanamura intensely of her grandmother. "This shop used to be a bakery back in the day, did you know? And before that, it was a tea parlor. People would climb this hill and stop for our famous cold mint tea. The glasses you're drinking out of were custom-made before the turn of the century. Daisuke's great-great-grandfather got his start peddling tea leaves."
Hanamura eyed her glass, a round, shallow bit of cobalt blue.
So the Matsushidas collect antiques too, she thought.
A thrill ran through her. She glanced to Tendou who was busy placing the cake on the table. He must have caught the bright gleam in her gaze for he lifted a brow. "What?" He asked her amusingly. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Hanamura placed a hand on his arm, grinning.
"Mrs. Matsushida," she said, turning to face Satsuki once more, "there's…there's actually something I've been wanting to ask you," she said hesitantly.
"Oh?"
Reaching inside her pocket, Hanamura produced an old, frayed receipt and slid it across the table.
"Ten years ago, a man came to my parent's store and bought everything we had in our workshop. Forgive me for prying, but…I'm curious to know if you have any relation to someone who had plans to open a haunted house attraction?"
She felt Tendou cut his gaze to her sharply.
Satsuki took the receipt and lifted it against the light to get a better look at the hand-writing. It was a faded yellow carbon copy. The writing had lost its crispness some time ago, but it clearly indicated that a large collection of furniture and five mannequins had been included in the purchase. The customer had signed the receipt with an emphatic, slightly slanted signature.
Satsuki drew her brows together, humming low in her throat. She peered at Hanamura closely.
"A haunted house, you say?"
Hanamura nodded.
Satsuki studied the receipt a moment longer before a strange expression crossed her face.
"You kids stay put. Eat your cake," she ordered suddenly, getting up from the table. "I'll be right back."
They watched her disappear down the stairs, leaving them alone in the den. Tendou shifted against the table, pulling out his legs to the side to perch an arm over a bent knee. He eyed her thoughtfully.
"You think the man who bought your furniture is related to Satsuki?"
Hanamura glanced at the regulator clock on the wall.
"This summer – when you brought me to the store, her family name sounded so familiar. I couldn't put my finger on why though," she said absently. "At the time, I had this strange feeling – like déjà vu. Or, like when you wake up from a dream, but you only faintly remember it." She tried to explain, gesturing loosely in thought. "I put it out of my mind thinking it was just a coincidence. But then it hit me! The night you won the tournament, I shot out of bed at three in the morning. I remembered why the name was so familiar. It had stuck with me since I was little. Matsushida."
Hanamura leaned toward Tendou in her excitement.
"I looked everywhere through my parent's old records. It was tucked inside the oldest filing cabinet at the very back of the workshop. That's how I wound up with all these," she said, gesturing to her Band-Aids. "I trampled a wasp nest and paid the price. But it was worth it! I found the only documented receipt we have of that sale. A surname, so I thought–"
Tendou was listening raptly, but she paused, feeling strange now that she was sharing her revelation aloud. She traced the rim of her glass with her finger, dropping her gaze. "I know it sounds silly," she said, feeling herself grow red. "There must be hundreds of Matsushida families, and it happened so long ago…," she shook her head, "trying to track him down now seems impossible. But," she looked to him, hopeful, "I had to ask."
Tendou studied her for a long, long moment.
"So this is what you're really like," he mused quietly.
Hanamura blinked. "Like what?"
"You're a sneak. A clever one too," he said, surprising her. "Making amends with Tsubomi, marshaling the art club, organizing this date with this secret agenda in mind…," he narrowed his eyes. "You've been busy."
Hanamura gathered herself, lifting her chin. Then, as she considered him more, she turned playful.
"Well, of course," she said, resting her elbows on the table to steeple her fingers. "While you were off fighting the Destroyer, I was at home plotting a rebellion."
"Clearly." Tendou leaned back against his palms, taking as much space on their side of the table as possible. He had that uncouth, ronin look about him as he sized her up and down, making her heart flutter. "So," he murmured, his tone light, "when are you going to tell me what you're really up to?"
Hanamura pulled her hands off the table, schooling her expression.
"I'm not. I already said it's a surprise."
His eyes glinted.
"You're telling me you're planning a rebellion without the Guess Monster? Seems a bit impetuous, even for you."
Hanamura regarded him, incredulous.
"Oh no, you don't get to play that card with me," she said sharply. "Your story. You were working on it for weeks before you let me read it. Even your teammates knew about it before I did! Had I known I was the source of your inspiration, it would have changed everything."
Lifting the lid off the cakebox, she reached for the knife and began cutting into it.
"What were the words you used to describe me again?" She paused, glancing up at the ceiling in thought. "Ah yes. 'arms covered in soot,' 'an unsettling smile,' 'creative rapture forcing her into a feverish daze.' You make me sound like a witch!"
Tendou lifted the corner of his mouth.
"A very beautiful witch," he amended, stroking the pad of her foot with his finger.
Ticklish, Hanamura dragged her feet to the side out of harm's way, but the motion inadvertently brought her much closer to him. Her arm pressed against his, and the space between them was suddenly tight.
Hanamura gazed up at him, flustered.
"You kept it a secret," she said, pointing at him with the knife.
His smile grew more crooked.
"You said you loved it."
"I do! That's not the issue." She was trying very hard not to smile back. "You kept it from me."
Tendou's face tempered. Catching the knife between his fingers, he drew it away.
"Can you blame me?" He asked, lowering his voice. "I was trying to unravel you. Figure you out. Just like you did with me in your drawings." His eyes narrowed as he considered her. "It's rare to come across someone else who sees the things others miss. That day, you drew something out of me that was supposed to be kept hidden." His look turned slightly feral, an evil sort of gleam surfacing in his red gaze. It made her breath hitch. "The story was a means to an end. I wanted revenge, to have the final say." He edged closer, crowding her with his tall frame so that their lips nearly touched. "And yet, here I am still trying to unravel you."
Hanamura froze, an intense heat sparking in her chest as she glanced to his upturned mouth. The air between them had thinned considerably. Her lips parted to drag a ragged breath through her teeth. She was drunk off the realization that she hadn't been the only one trying to glimpse past the surface, to find the person beneath the facade, and it left her breathless.
Tendou held still, watching her.
"Well," she said, her voice cracking thinly. She swallowed, trying to collect herself once more. "You're up for a difficult challenge because I'm not telling you a thing."
Tendou dropped his gaze, tilting his chin. He brushed his knuckles tenderly down her spine, a soft caress that left a fire in its wake. The act was deliberate, possessive. The red of his eyes darkened with an amorous haze, and any semblance of self-control evaporated amid her sharp exhale of air.
"I happen to like my odds," he murmured distractedly. "Our tally in the hunt was 4 to 0, I believe."
"3 to 1," she argued weakly. "I caught you in the grass."
"Did you?" He asked, meeting her gaze once more. "Or did I let myself get caught?"
Hanamura gaped.
He was toying with her. This conversation was quickly becoming more and more dangerous. Tendou was not holding back, bolder and more charming than ever before. Asano's creation wasn't an encumberment to him at all, merely an enticement! Hanamura glanced to the stairs, wondering what was keeping Satsuki from returning. She was eager for a chaperone to appear and diffuse the tension building up between them. Her discipline was rapidly diminishing, and he knew it.
Freeing the knife from his fingers, she quickly busied herself with the cake, cutting four large slices and moving them onto plates. She slid one to Tendou without meeting his gaze, passing him a fork.
She cleared her throat.
"Mei wants a final verdict," she said, trying to change the subject. "She tweaked the recipe by blending it with a Mexican Chocolate Cake. It might have a bit of a kick to it."
Loading her fork with a generous bite, she was concerned that Tendou hadn't moved.
"Well? Aren't you going to eat?" She asked him.
Tendou snatched her hand suddenly, tugging her wrist so that she brought the fork to his mouth. Holding her gaze, he took a bite and deliberately dragged his teeth against the metal, making her whole arm tingle. Chewing slowly, an evil grin spread across his face.
"Delicious," he said.
Hanamura let out a sharp huff.
Her friends were right. This was going to be way harder to manage on her own. If he could make her heart spasm with a single, chocolate-dipped word, then she was up against a greater adversary than she originally thought. Tendou knew how to tease and flatter her to garner any reaction he wished. At this rate, she was nothing more than a puppet on a string.
The only way to fight fire was with fire.
Plucking the cherry cordial off his slice, she leaned against the table and bit into it with as much relish as a chocolate commercial. She knew she had his undivided attention as she swiped her tongue over her bottom lip, licking away the red liqueur.
"Mmm. Scrumptious," she said, glaring at him as she popped the rest of it into her mouth.
Tendou licked his own lips, the knot in his throat bobbing. Designs were running through his mind. She could tell by the way his eyes burned, the same way they did when he caught her in the equipment room. Hanamura struggled to swallow the chocolate, feeling it lodge in her throat as he slid toward her, catching her between his arms, leaning forward in what promised to be a very sharp and hungry kiss if a loud cough hadn't shattered the moment.
"Wow, you kids are really digging the dessert. Where's my slice?"
Satsuki reappeared on the landing, holding a photo album and wearing an expression on her face that indicated she knew something licentious was afoot. Hanamura immediately straightened, turning bright red with embarrassment. She could feel Tendou doing the same as he quickly moved to shovel more cake into his mouth.
Satsuki took her seat at the table.
"Ehem."
She shifted her gaze between the two of them, and for a moment, the only sounds in the room were the scraping of forks against plates and the subtle ticking of the clock on the wall. Hanamura felt her heart race at the speed of an eight-cylinder sportscar. That was an extremely close call, and yet, she was filled with terrible disappointment. Tendou looked equally foiled.
"Suzume, does this ugly mug look familiar to you?" Satsuki asked, opening the photo album.
She pointed to a photograph of a man dressed in a white polo. He had gray hair swept over a generous brow and was holding an infant in his arms, his leathery hand cupping a foot with all the love and devotion of a grandparent. His face was sloped, his nose flat, his eyes disappearing into the folds of his crow's feet. Though the corners of his mouth tugged downwards, he looked on the verge of telling a joke. A particularly good one too, judging by the glint in his eyes. It wasn't until Hanamura saw the wiry mustache covering his lip that she gasped.
"I don't believe it!" She leaned in close, memories collecting like a snow-fed spring in her mind. She covered her mouth. "That's him. That's the man who saved our shop!"
Tendou dropped his fork.
"No way," he breathed, leaning over her shoulder to get a better look.
They glanced to Satsuki for an explanation.
"That there is my late husband's brother, Takuya Matsushida. As you can see, this picture was taken when Daisuke was just a whippersnapper. He was such a grumpy baby." Satsuki smiled at the doughy face of her grandson. His cheeks were so round, they jutted out his bottom lip into a scowl.
"Takuya was something of a black sheep in our family," she went on to say with laughter in her voice. "The man started and lost 25 different businesses throughout his lifetime; though, you would never know it the way he carried himself: caring and compassionate; ambitious. Bit of a dreamer. He was always coming up with these wild ideas." She spoke with an air of loving contempt, rolling her eyes. "I suppose what he failed at in business, he excelled at in ingenuity. He had so many friends and colleagues as a result of his crazy ventures."
Hanamura flipped through the album, finding Takuya standing proudly among a host of different people – young, old, professional, rookie, big-time, small-time. And in all of them, he had that same joking look.
"And the haunted house attraction?" She asked.
"Business idea number 18," said Satsuki, "He came up with it after his paddleboat enterprise was sold to a pair of brothers looking to expand their water sports business here in town."
She showed them a picture of Takuya standing in front of a swan boat with two younger men.
"But he lost all of them? His businesses?" Hanamura asked, bewildered.
"Hmm. Some he sold, some he liquidated, some he passed on to friends who were trying to establish themselves in the market. He never stuck with anything for too long. He was always looking for the next big thing," said Satsuki as she sat deep in thought. "That must be what brought him to your parents' shop all those years ago. He had some capital burning a hole in his pocket and saw a young family deserving of some help."
Hanamura was overwhelmed by the news. She remembered the mystified look on her father's face when an old man suddenly appeared at their doorstep, inquiring after his workshop. The man had learned about him from the owner of the local diner and made a point to stop by on his way through town.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, sir, but there's nothing fit for sale at this time, her father had told him. My wife and I are in the process of recovering our inventory.
Nonsense. Let me be the judge of that, he insisted, rubbing his wiry mustache. Word is you make a living scavenging the countryside. The folks in town say you have a good eye. I'd like to see what you've found.
He peered down at Hanamura who had been hiding behind her father's leg.
Whaddya say, darlin'? Want to show this old man what you've been working on?
Hanamura felt a sharp lump in her throat.
"He saved us," she said, feeling her eyes sting at the memory. "He saved our shop. We would have lost it if it weren't for him."
A tear escaped her eye and she brushed at it quickly.
"I'm sorry," she said, embarrassed. "I hoped, but never expected I'd…"
She couldn't stop the tears from falling.
Tendou rubbed her back just as Satsuki reached over the table to squeeze her shoulder. They could both sense that this discovery meant a great deal to her – that Takuya had meant a great deal to her family. Hanamura covered her eyes with the heels of her hands, feeling the salt from her tears sting her cheeks. Her chest was wracked by a choked breath, her body swelling with happiness.
Satsuki scooted around the table, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Oh, sweetheart," she soothed her, laughing softly. "You needn't cry over that crazy old coot! It's just what he would want."
Hanamura laughed, but it sounded more like a sob.
"How will I ever repay his kindness? I owe him so much."
Satsuki withdrew, catching her gaze.
"Takuya believed failure, not success, is what teaches us who we really are," she said in a gentle, loving tone. "By overcoming our fear of failure, only then are we able to find our way. Be fearless, Suzume. Takuya would have loved nothing more than to see you thrive. It can be scary, awkward, even overwhelming at times," she paused, glancing to Tendou with a knowing smile, "but it can also put you on the path to finding others like you."
Sniffing, Hanamura looked to Tendou as well and found him watching her softly. The look in his eyes was unparalleled in its kindness, and the understanding that passed between them was instant.
"It's true," she said, smiling. "I found you."
Their gazes lingered on one another, warm.
A peculiar presence drifted over them as they sat together at the table. When the clock chimed the breaking of a new hour, it resonated with the same gravity as a bell tolling from a shrine. Hanamura felt her grandmother in the room, she felt the joking smile of Takuya leap from the pages of the photo album, and as she sat with Satsuki and Tendou, she felt the strings of fate bind them, weaving their lives into a perfect tapestry.
This is where I belong, she thought with absolute certainty. This is where I was always meant to be.
"Mrs. Matsushida, please," she said, drying her tears, "tell me everything about Takuya."
. . . . . . . .
Tendou laid on the floor with his head tucked on a seat cushion, appearing to all the world that he had fallen fast asleep. The comforts of the evening had lulled him into a quiet reverie, and as he laid still, listening to the conversation between Hanamura and Satsuki, he was overcome with private fascination.
This must be what she's like at home, he thought, hearing the liveliness in Hanamura's voice as she spoke freely of her childhood. Her excited tone made her sound girlish and vibrant, tugging at his heartstrings. He had missed her terribly these past two weeks, and the memory of her bright smile had sustained him all throughout boot camp. But now that they were together again, the monster thrashed inside his chest more and more, begging to be let out.
Just a taste, it whispered. A small bite and nothing more. She looks so delicious.
He peeked through his lashes, admiring the elegant curve of her spine. Asano deserved all the horror manga in the world for the justice she had done Hanamura. The dress brought out the spitfire in her, the girl who had been trapped underneath all those layers of fear and guilt until now. Finding her waiting for him outside the gym was its own exceptional gift, one he never thought would be bestowed to him.
But then, Hanamura presented a whole host of new possibilities, broadening his horizons unlike never before. This moment in time was miraculous, and yet, so natural, it boggled his mind that they had only known each other a few short months and not years. She had slipped into his life as easily as a spring breeze, and it bothered him to think he ever thought her unremarkable. That afternoon in the fourth-floor corridor…Perhaps then, his heart recognized what his mind couldn't fathom – that someone important had just walked into his life and everything was about to change.
I've seen you play on the volleyball team. You're good!
Such a small thing. A happenstance.
And yet, here he was, dozing in the apartment above Swan Mart, satiated on chocolate cake, waiting for his chance to ravish her.
Sighing, Tendou closed his eyes again, content.
"I closed the shop, Grandma," announced Daisuke as he appeared on the stairs. "I finished your cash flow report too. Oh, is there still cake?"
"Here, have some," said Hanamura, offering him a slice. "We saved you a piece."
There was a sudden gasp.
"Goodness gracious! Look at the time!" Satsuki exclaimed in shock. There was a brief pause. She was no doubt glancing at the clock on the wall. "We've been at this for far too long. You kids need to head back or you'll get into trouble. It's almost midnight!"
There was shuffling around the table, but Tendou remained still, reluctant for this evening to end. After a harrowing day of being prodded at like a novelty, he wished this moment would last forever.
Hanamura turned, leaning over him.
"Satori?" She murmured, placing a warm hand on his face. He fought back the impulse to lean into her touch as her fingers threaded through the hair at his temple. "Satori," she coaxed him softly, squeezing his shoulder. "It's late. Are you ready to head back?"
Tendou made a show of furrowing his brow, smacking his lips slightly, wondering if this might embolden her to lean down and kiss him awake. His plan seemed foolproof until it was snatched and ripped to shreds at the hands of Satsuki.
"WAKE UP BOY!" She slammed her fist on the table, making them both jump.
Tendou shot up, hackles raised.
"Huh? What? What happened? Where am I?"
He glanced wildly across the room, chest heaving.
"You fell asleep," said Hanamura, trying to smother a grin. Her face softened into a look of apology. "You're exhausted. Come on, let's head back."
Reluctantly, Tendou staggered to his feet, reaching down and helping her up from the floor. He shot a harried look at Satsuki who wore an I-know-what-you're-up-to expression on her face.
Damn you, thought Tendou sulkily.
They left Daisuke to his large slice of cake, wishing him good night. Satsuki led them back through the store, and it was underneath the awning that she pulled Hanamura into a hug.
"G'night, honey. Let's talk more when your family comes into town. I'd love to meet your parents," she said, rubbing Hanamura's back. "Takuya may have been a terrible businessman, but he always found the best people. I'm so happy our paths crossed."
Hanamura hugged her back. "Thank you, Mrs. Matsushida. For everything."
Tendou observed them with a soft smile.
Turning to him, Satsuki took a slightly different approach by reaching up and patting his cheek. "Good seeing you, kid. Make sure the two of you get back to school safe and sound." She held his gaze, narrowing her eyes. "No funny business, you hear?"
She waggled her finger in front of his face.
Tendou adverted his gaze, sullen.
"Yes, Satsuki."
Dammit. She was on to him.
They waved to her before setting off into the cool night air. The streets were drenched in amber light, the cicadas hissing through the darkened neighborhood. A firefly or two drifted through the park across the street, but otherwise, it was quiet. Not a single car in sight.
"I'm sorry. We should have left a long time ago," said Hanamura as she walked beside him with hands tucked into the pockets of her dress. She took long, winsome strides on the sidewalk. "I got a little carried away."
Grinning, Tendou knitted fingers behind his head as he gazed up at the night sky.
"You're happy."
Hanamura twirled on her feet.
"I am." She beamed. Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a rush, letting her head fall back. "Oh, Satori. These past few days have been incredible! I never thought I'd feel this way in such a short amount of time." She shook her head in disbelief. "I feel like I can do anything."
He gazed at her from the corner of his eyes.
"That's your confidence speaking."
She peered at him, her smile softening.
"All thanks to you," she said. "You were right, you know. Before, I was making things so hard on myself." She watched their shadows on the sidewalk, turning serious. "By holding everything in…I was cutting myself off from everyone else." She met his gaze, an attractive light in her eyes. "You taught me it's okay to ask for help. To be myself."
Tendou glanced across the street, suddenly nervous. His heart started beating strongly in his chest. The sincerity of her expression produced an unusual giddiness in his stomach. He so desperately wanted to kiss her.
"Don't sell yourself short, champ," he said lightly, hiding his flush. "I gave you some advice. You took it and ran with it. This is all your doing."
Hanamura stopped suddenly, facing him with her clear, bright gaze. Her brows furrowed.
"That's not true," she argued. Reaching out and pinching his sweater, she peered up at him through her dark lashes, holding him captive. "You were the one who coaxed me out of that tree, Satori," she said, drawing close, "only you could have done that."
Tendou clenched his jaw, feeling the distinct sensation of falling. No, careening at lightspeed without a parachute. Barreling straight into the black hole that was her green eyes and damson mouth. Arms dropping to his sides, he reached out to her just as she stepped closer.
Tendou warred with himself. If ever there was a moment in which good and evil presided over his shoulders, it would be now. The monster wanted nothing more than to slink out under the cover of darkness. It wanted to claim its prize – this beautiful, genuine girl who was uttering such sweetness with reckless abandon. Hanamura was completely unaware of the power she held over him. Just her smile alone was enough to incapacitate him. Couple that with her eyes and the undeniable distraction that was her red dress, and yes, he was a goner.
But the heavenly light that was Satsuki's voice shackled him, urging him to remain the perfect gentleman. Hanamura was in his care and it was his responsibility to ensure she made it back to school safe and sound. He was not a heathen. He could exercise control. Two weeks of being trapped in a testosterone-infested camp was not enough to weaken him. Not even close.
What're you doing, you fool? The monster griped. Devour her! Do it now!
He imagined himself ushering a fiery black shadow back into the deep abyss from whence it came.
Get back, foul beast! Begone!
Tendou swallowed, attempting to master himself.
Perhaps now was the time to broach the subject he had been most anxious to discuss with her.
"Suzume," he said hoarsely, wincing as a pang of guilt ran through him. "I…I think there's something you ought to know."
Hanamura retracted slightly, frowning. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Today – part of the reason it was strange–" he sighed, raking fingers through his hair "–people have caught on that it's you I mentioned in the interview. I didn't think it'd blow up the way it did, but it has, and now I think I've drawn you into the spotlight." He cringed. "Kazane told me the school has started asking questions."
Hanamura was staring at him, but he could see the light turning inwards as she put everything together inside her mind. Her face filled with wry humor.
"Really?" She grinned, flashing her dimple. "They're curious about us?" She quirked her brows incredulously. "Like a high-profile celebrity couple?"
Tendou flattened his gaze.
"Oh. That bad, huh?" She glanced to the nearest stoplight, watching it change to green. "So what's our angle then?"
Tendou frowned. "Our what?"
"You know, our angle. How do we want to play this out?" she crossed her arms as she deliberated. "Do we go all Bonnie and Clyde? Wesley and Buttercup?" Her eyes widened as she gasped. "Oh! What about the characters in your story? The magpie and demon teamed up to dupe the cat wizard of his magical powers, beat the fox sisters at their game of riddles – they even outsmarted the white drake of its golden hoard. They used their cleverness to overcome all obstacles. We could do the same!"
Tendou tilted his head, staring at her in wonder.
"Are you suggesting we put on an act?"
That sounded supremely diabolical. It made his heart race.
Hanamura flashed him a dark grin.
"Why not? It's not every day you have the entire school's attention. It'd be a waste not to take advantage of it by having a little fun." She raised her brows playfully. "Don't forget, I'm still miffed that no one stopped to ask me what I was up to. They call me a scavenger, but I'm an artist! They call you a monster–"
"I am a monster," Tendou cut in.
"No–" she laughed. "No, you're not. Not completely. I happen to know that for a fact."
"Do you?" Tendou smoldered, unable to help himself. Her insistence that he was good provoked his darker side. The shackles grew taut, threatening to break. The monster was prowling forward once more, restless.
Just a taste. A small bite, it begged him. She's ripe for the taking.
Tendou's discipline began to slip.
They had reached the tea shop by now. Its windows were black, the jasmine bushes letting down their heady fragrance. They both slowed, drinking in the sharp, clean scent.
"Guess Monster. Magpie Girl. They're just nicknames," she said, as they passed the shop. Catching sight of their reflections in the window, Hanamura frowned. "In their hands, we're nothing but caricatures. But in our hands, we can be anything we want."
Tendou stopped.
"So, you're okay with it then," he asked her softly, "being tied to me? Being…mine?"
He held his breath. This was the last shred of his self-control, the only thing holding him back.
Hanamura faced him, her gaze unwavering.
She studied him for a long moment.
"I like you, Satori," she confessed. "I like breaking the rules with you." Then, perhaps realizing the boldness of her statement, she blushed, adding, "Just…just so long as I get to have the real you."
Tendou parted his lips, exhaling sharply.
All the praise in the world and it still wouldn't measure up to the joy she sparked in him at that very moment. Tendou was moving before he even realized it. Everything about her drew him in like a siren's call, and he could no longer restrain his desire.
"The real me?"
Picking her up by the waist, he hoisted her up onto the shallow concrete ledge that wrapped around the tea shop, putting her just a few inches higher than himself. She stumbled in surprise, but he held her steady, relishing how she was backdropped against the jasmine trellis. White blooms glowed dimly in the dark, crowning her head in flowering starlets.
Tendou flashed her a wicked grin.
"You sure you can handle it? I can be scary, ya know."
No sooner had the words left his mouth was Hanamura dipping forward, catching his lips and siphoning the air straight from his lungs. Hot, blistering heat traveled from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes, setting everything in between ablaze. The night rushed into his ears, but it was Hanamura – her chamomile skin, her soft, warm lips, her fingers winding through his hair that swept him into a powerful undercurrent.
But just as he was cast adrift, she broke the kiss, her breath fanning across his cheeks as she smirked.
"Try me," she whispered against his mouth.
Her challenge opened up everything he was hiding inside. Tendou grinned wide, wider than a madman, wider than a devil, wider than a youkai with the most delicious piece of fruit in his grasp, his eyes swimming in her green fire. He held onto her as her hands cradled the back of his neck, and when their lips collided – like two flames burning brighter in the dark – they sizzled and cracked.
Hanamura swooned, letting out a needy sigh.
Could a breath ever sound more tempting? Those girlish exhalations caused such a stir in him, firing up his imagination. He was no longer satisfied with just one. He wanted more.
Deepening the kiss, he ran his palms over her smooth back. She was so warm. The ends of his fingers zapped from her heat, catching at the ridges of her shoulder blades.
Hanamura pulled away, drinking air greedily. He skimmed his mouth over her neck, nipping at the corner of her jaw to take his bite.
The act caused her to buckle and her legs loosened, her knee grazing his side. Tendou held her close against him, wanting her heart beating against his. He could feel the soft curves of her body and marveled at how perfectly she molded into him. The pressure was wonderful. Time apart had been good in that it gave them a chance to perfect their attack. This kiss was a duel of wills, a dance of longing: sudden, sharp, and hungry.
It was intoxicating.
And then it occurred to him that now was the moment. Now was the time to pull all the stops and do the thing he'd been wanting to do for so long. Twisting his torso to the side, he pulled Hanamura off the shallow ledge, catching her in a sudden dip. She gasped as he threw her head back gently. She had a wild look to her eyes, her pupils dilated like a cat's right before it pounced. It made all the muscles in his abdomen tighten with excitement. Holding her with an arm wrapped around her shoulders, a hand gripping her hip, he leaned in with a smirk.
"Well then, here's to us being anything we want," he said darkly, "and all the chaos that ensues."
Trembling, Hanamura grinned back.
"To us," she breathed.
Pulling her up, Tendou laid a chiseled jaw against hers, sealing their pact with a demon's kiss.
A/N: Gosh guys, I'm so sorry for the long wait. This chapter ended up being a behemoth: major plot points, romantic tension, scene changes, character growth… Phew! A very rich, indulgent slice of story.
Were you curious about the Hanamura family's mysterious benefactor? I was too. I couldn't leave this story without doing some investigating. Learning the true identity of the man who saved the antique store suddenly seemed paramount to Hanamura's journey to embracing her past. I also wanted to explore the Matsushida family some more too. Swan Mart has become an oasis, or safe haven of sorts, for the characters in this story. Dead Man's Hill is an allegory for strife and perseverance. Which, I guess, would make Satsuki the wise sage waiting at the top to dispense her wisdom – Daisuke her shrine maiden. :D
Up until this point, Hanamura and Tendou have been spending so much time sorting things out in their heads, it was a real treat to have them interact now that some of their barriers have been torn down. But my goodness. I can't decide who won this epic battle of flirting, can you? I feel like Satsuki is the only thing keeping this story at a respectable T rating, y'all. The parallels to Little Red Riding Hood were impressed on me after I wrote this thing too: red garment, baked goods, grandmother's house, a hungry wolf. It's a whole aesthetic, I suppose. Love that archetype.
Also, Tendou got his storybook kiss. Yay!
"Break My Heart" – Dua Lipa
"Love Again" – Dua Lipa
"Pamplona" – Gaga Symphony Orchestra
Guys, thank you so much for following this story and for such thoughtful reviews. I know I say this in every update, but just knowing you're on the other end reading this and finding joy in it makes this infinitely more fun. In fact, I dance a little jig whenever I hear it makes you laugh and gives you the FEELS. This is meant to be every bit as much a fun escape for you as it is for me. So, thank you so much for sharing your kind thoughts and encouragement. You're the best!
Until next time,
lavendermoonmilk