Puits d'Amour
Party, Pt 1
For the first time, Yamato opened Café du Ciel's front door. The café closed early today, since most of the staff was attending the party, so it was safe to boldly enter. The scent of flowers wafted as he stepped into the foyer. Late afternoon light blazed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gilding the blooms ethereal gold. It was like a dream in a box, a fantasy contained in tiny space.
He paused, struck by the enchanting sight. An evening shift employee that Yamato hadn't been introduced to waved and disappeared down the hall. She returned with Sora, who wore a sapphire dress and a light blue shawl. Baby's breath still adorned her head, but the style was far more elaborate than this morning. The delicate blooms were like pearls nestled in the waves of her hair.
Sora was stunning in kimonos, but this was Yamato's first time seeing her dressed for a night out in western clothing. "You're- wow." His reaction was involuntary, as uncontrollable as a sneeze. If only all of his slips were so benign! Still, blurting his admiration was embarrassing, and his jaw tightened painfully, as if to prevent further mishaps. He hoped he wasn't coloring or otherwise broadcasting his embarrassment, but suspected he was.
"You're not so bad, yourself." The twinkle in Sora's eye hinted that she was pleased. Yamato released a breath, and his tension with it. If he praised most young noblewomen like that, then their families would instantly start scheming a match. But Sora simply accepted the compliment and teased him back, keeping the vibe friendly, for which he sent her blessings.
Sora met him in the foyer, then surveyed what remained of the day's flower stock. "What shall we bring Eimi-chan? I don't suppose you know what flowers she likes."
"No clue." Yamato tipped his head, considering the options.
"I'll go by meaning," Sora said. "Prosperity, happiness, that sort of thing." Toshiko probably taught Yamato about the language of flowers when he was a child, but he only recalled that they could be used to convey messages.
Sora perused, selecting single flowers with a discerning air. "I'll arrange them when we arrive. Would you like one for your buttonhole?"
"Thank you." Yamato selected a delphinium flower, one of his favorites, and Sora threaded it through a buttonhole on his suit jacket and snapped off the excess stem.
"We match," he said, indicating Sora's sapphire dress- and instantly felt like a child seeking attention, or reaching to create a bond over something meaningless. His jaw locked down once more. Why did I say that?!
"That's right, blue is your favorite color. I like it, too." And another spike of tension was eased by Sora's calm response, and by her acceptance of his bid for connection. Yamato sternly commanded himself to remain calm, painfully aware that doing so was not among his talents. Sora had proven that she was willing to treat him like a peer and a person, not a prince. Why was he suddenly anxious about how he spoke to her?
Sora selected a yellow flower for herself and ran the stem through the weave of her shawl. "Shall we?"
"Yes. Let me take those." He gestured to the flowers, but Sora shook her head.
"If you don't mind, I'll carry them. It's easy to damage them."
Yamato thought he could manage, but aloud, acknowledged, "You're the expert." He offered Sora his arm. While he didn't expect a rejection, he was pleasantly surprised when she accepted his escort. He often had noblewomen he barely knew clinging to his arm at social events, so close that their legs and hips bumped his. It was an introvert's nightmare, especially since he was expected to entertain whomever he was attending.
How long had it been since he was happy to play escort? Yamato genuinely couldn't recall. He wished he could articulate his enjoyment of Sora's company, but was infuriatingly aware that he could easily sound too intense. This was, after all, a polite gesture. Best to simply appreciate what he had in silence.
Still, he offered a smile that widened when Sora smiled in return. Reassured and suddenly pleased with the world, Yamato opened the café door. Together, they stepped into the twilight.
Yamato hoped he didn't look like a tourist. He hadn't had many opportunities to roam the city, and never in the evening. It looked so different lit by streetlights and the dull orangey glow on the horizon, rapidly fading.
Guards were spaced along the street, but they weren't on top of them. Yamato tipped his hat down, obscuring his hair and face. It was embarrassing to admit, but even this limited freedom was exhilarating. He felt like a different man, out and about with a friend on his arm, rather than an obligatory noblewoman.
"It's a beautiful city," Yamato noted. And suddenly, it was. The Côtes d'Armor ruled his heart, but for the first time since returning to Nagano, the merits of the capital seemed obvious. The roads were lined with even sidewalks that yielded to tidy lawns and beautiful businesses.
"I'm glad you're seeing it at last," Sora replied. "Did your safety protocols ease?"
Yamato shrugged. "Nothing has happened so far, and security believes the locals are more familiar with me now. Who knows if I will ever walk without guards tailing me, but… Well, this is an improvement."
They passed business for a few blocks, and Yamato gazed through their windows, noting what was offered. "Mostly restaurants here?"
Sora's nod set the delicate petals fluttering in her hair. "Mostly. This close to the university, the businesses cater to students, but also to the needs of workers, particularly politicians and palace employees. So yes, food. There are also stores selling books and supplies for school. Entertainment is in that direction. We have a beautiful movie theater, a roller skating rink, ice skating in the winter, dancing halls, and bowling. Shopping is further out. It's some of the best in the country, although we don't have the selection available in other city centers."
"That's where the Tachikawa building is, right?" As Sora mentioned, other cities offered more shops than Nagano, but that was because of how grand and pleasantly spaced out they were here. It was a luxurious experience- which reflected in the prices.
"Right. We're headed towards the residential area now. There's a park in between, marking the shift from commercial to residential."
Yamato nodded. He didn't dare ask how expensive a home adjacent to Nagano's city center was. Sora's café used to be a residence, meaning that a portion of what was once available for housing had been converted to businesses. That made each remaining residence more expensive.
Evening descended quickly, and Yamato couldn't see much of the park- just tall bushes, blocking the view of the street from inside, and a welcoming arch gate flanked by gorgeous lanterns. "It's beautiful," Sora said as they passed. "Much bigger than you'd guess from here, with gardens and a man-made creek. You can forget you're in a city there."
"I'd love to see it. I wonder if dogs are allowed." Yamato vaguely thought he remembered the park, but maybe he was confusing it with the palace grounds. Why send a royal child to the public park when he's safer in the palace? Why bother putting him among the people he would someday serve?
Blessedly, Sora's voice scattered his bitter thoughts. "There are museums near the university, too."
Yamato saw the museums in passing from a car, grand buildings with impressive facades and landscaping. They were situated together, with a grassy walking mall in the center. There were history, natural history, science, and technology museums, plus several art museums. "I'd love to see those, too. I'm not sure venues as large as the park and museums would be easy to secure, though..."
"Secure?" Sora echoed. "Oh, dear. That implies… Did you have to send a security detail to Koushiro-kun's house?"
Yamato's sigh suggested he was trying to blow a door down, like a character from a fairy tale well known in Autun. "A man per public room on the main floor."
He felt more than saw Sora tip her face towards his. When they were beneath the glow of a street light, Yamato looked down- and saw her knit brow and concerned eyes. "It really is difficult."
An inexplicable lump clogged Yamato's throat. He looked away, unsure of what was happening with his face. "I'm grateful to Koushiro-kun and Eimi-chan for inviting me, and for going along with... My needs."
Sora patted his arm. "You chose excellent people as your first new friends. They'll do whatever they can to include you. And when they say they don't mind, they mean it. So don't feel badly about it, okay?"
Sora's laugh hinted that she felt Yamato startle. "You knew." It wasn't a question, as the answer was clear.
"That you feel bad about the guards? Of course. You've been conscious of and frustrated by that sort of thing this whole time. But I promised you that I'd help you integrate, and now that the locals have met you..."
She smiled, and suddenly, the chill of the evening, the inescapable proof of autumn's arrival, seemed to have never existed. "Now, they want to help, too."
"Sora..." Even at the best of times, Yamato struggled with emotional conversation. But the strange thudding in his chest, the warmth rushing to his face, made it more difficult than usual. "I… Thank you. I never anticipated that things would go this smoothly, or that..."
When Yamato hesitated, Sora tipped her head. He tried not to tch, but it slipped out- and he ignored Sora's little laugh.
"I approached you hoping for connections, and a general understanding of what locals think, how they live, what they need. I didn't expect... Well. I'm pleased that I'm beginning to make friends."
"I'm sure everyone else is pleased by that, too. I know I am." Sora tugged his elbow, playfully drawing him closer. "But we aren't starting to be friends; we are friends."
"I- Yes."
He hated that his feelings were mixed, that he somehow couldn't accept Sora's words at face value. He desperately wanted to believe that his world was growing, that Sora would join his tiny, hodgepodge family: Takeru, Jyou, and Roncier. But what if this was the latest in a long line of friendships that faded when the convenience or profit passed? How many times had he told himself he was used to it, and hardened his heart to the pain?
Always one time fewer than was required to emerge unscathed.
Worse yet, he sensed that losing Sora would be far more devastating than losing school friends after graduations or noble friends when they realized that he currently had little power to spread around. He couldn't articulate why, and the question stuck and tormented like a bone in his throat.
Yamato cleared his throat in response to that awful sensation, then observed the homes around him, eager to turn the subject to something more mundane. Stately rows of townhomes lined each side of the street, back-to-back, separated by yards with high privacy fences. Craning his neck, he observed identical streets beyond this one, townhomes stretching as far as he could see.
"Are all of the residential buildings townhomes?" Yamato asked.
"This close to the city center, yes. There used to be large standalone homes, like the one that is now my café. These days, those have mostly converted to businesses. There are standalone houses further from the city center, however. And of course, the houses are larger and have more land in the suburbs."
"That's where the Takenouchi estate is, yes? I remember that you have a gorgeous garden." The memory was fuzzy, almost dreamlike, as childhood recollections often are. He couldn't remember the house, the lesson, or even an estimated year. Just an image of walking an old stone path and looking up, watching light filter through trees.
Sora blinked, visibly surprised. "That's right. I didn't know you visited our estate. It's a pity I missed you."
"It is." His voice took on a low, wistful quality. Yamato barely remembered Nagano, at least outside of the palace and a handful of places frequented by high nobility. Most childhood playmates had faded from his recollection, too- although Jyou sometimes mentioned some that he kept contact with, thanks to his routine visits to Hakone.
If Yamato met Sora back then, would he have an additional family member? Probably not, if they only met once. He tried to ease the overwhelming sting of loss with that logic, but it didn't help.
"Takenouchi-iemoto mostly came to us in the palace, but I know I visited your estate at least once." He grasped for a safer, less emotional topic. "How far away is it by car?"
"About half an hour, if traffic is on your side. If not..." Sora shrugged.
"That's right, there aren't as many regulations on motor vehicles outside of the city center. I should remind Jyou."
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
Yamato found himself babbling, still desperate to distract himself from how important Sora was becoming to him- and how dangerous that might prove. "Jyou loves cars and driving. He mentioned that he doesn't put time into those hobbies because of local restrictions, but those aren't applicable in the suburbs and beyond."
Sora's tiny smile put him on guard- somehow, he knew he was about to be teased. "So you want him to enjoy himself?"
Yamato fought the urge to scowl. Once again, Sora caught him prioritizing Jyou. It wasn't that he was embarrassed, it was just... Well, okay, maybe he was embarrassed.
But what could be embarrassing about caring for his family? With that decided, Yamato replied, "I do. He works too hard. He could borrow whatever car he wants from the palace, but he just… won't."
With an air of great innocence, Sora said, "The Tachikawas own lovely sports vehicles. I'm sure Mimi-chan would be willing to take a drive with him."
The rush of delight was a welcome change in mood. "Ha! Now who's hoping Jyou enjoys himself?"
Sora smiled, unperturbed. "Mimi-chan loves getting out and about. I'm thinking of her."
Yamato was aware they were simply bantering, but he noted that they shared a value: promoting the happiness of their loved ones. It was nice, having something so important in common. "Assuming you're serious, then I'll ask Mimi-chan about it tonight."
"Speaking of, this is the place." Sora pointed to the townhouse at the end of the row.
Yamato's brow rose. The Izumi townhome was off the main road, which meant less foot traffic, but only by two rows, minimizing the distance to the city center. It was an end unit, so it only had one shared side. It also featured extra windows, a larger front and back yard, and a side yard. A cozy bay window faced the street on the left side of the house (or Yamato's right, facing the house), with the front door and the stairs leading to it on the right side of the house. Two figures sat in the bay window with their backs to Yamato, leaning into one another, with one figure's arm draped over the other's shoulders.
The place exuded coziness, although Yamato couldn't articulate why. Was it the sweet scene in the window? The street lamp on the corner ensconcing the home in a warm halo? The handsome brick exterior?
Regardless, he was happy he was here. It wasn't the complete opposite of the palace- these townhomes could only be purchased by the wildly wealthy these days. But it was comfortable, a place meant to house a family, not represent a nation. A place to live, not to exhibit.
Sora released him, and they climbed the stairs. Yamato announced them with the knocker, and there was a pattering of approaching feet, audible even over the chatter inside. The door opened, and Yamato squinted, blinded by the light within. When his eyes adjusted, he found Eimi, breathless and excited. She swung an arm out, indicating the interior.
"Yamato-san, Sora-san! Welcome! Please, come in!"
Yamato hesitated, unsure what to make of an Eimi flushed with enjoyment. She wore a garnet dress suited to a night out. It looked expensive, which hinted that it was very new. Thankfully, he knew his duty as a guest and a gentleman, despite the unfamiliar situation and new facets to people he was just coming to know. "Thank you. That's a beautiful dress."
"You look lovely," Sora added. She indicated the impressive collection of flowers in her arms. "Congratulations, Eimi-chan! These are for you!"
"Oh! I- Wow! Thank you so much! They're so beautiful!" Eimi was full-on blushing now, and Yamato fought the urge to tease her. What, was Sora's compliment better than his? Or did Eimi prefer Sora? But that joke was tasteless at what was sort of an engagement party, so Yamato let it go- although he grinned as if he had told it.
"You're so welcome. If you have a vase, I'll arrange them," Sora replied.
Eimi backtracked into the small foyer, giving them space to enter. Shoes lined the wall sharing the door, and Yamato swapped his for a pair of slippers.
"How did you get this many slippers?" Yamato asked, grinning. "Did you buy more for the occasion?"
"Some are from Iori-kun," Eimi admitted, looking sheepish. "Mostly Mimi-chan, though."
"She does have a lot!" Sora laughed. "Aw, she brought mine..." She hooked her fingertips through the mouth of two sky blue slippers, identical to the pair in her apartment.
"Are you okay, Sora-san?" Eimi asked. "I'm really glad that you're here, but I know you're normally asleep now."
"Don't worry," Sora replied. "I swapped the baking shift tomorrow morning."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to inconvenience you."
"Oh, hush." Sora caught Eimi in a hug. "There's no way I would miss this!"
Yamato gazed about the townhome as the ladies chatted. Like the café, it gave an impression of being lived in, of having watched over generations. The stairs were of dark wood, with a handsome carved banister that stretched to the second floor. The open stairwell to the second and third floors added visual space and light to the home. There wasn't much room to stand in the foyer, just stairs on the house's left and a hallway opening to larger spaces on the right.
"Can I take your hat?" Eimi asked. Before Yamato could respond, she blurted, "Oh- a vase! I'll ask Koushiro."
Yamato shared a glance with Sora and grinned. As Eimi was already distracted by finding a vase, he removed his hat and placed it on the over-encumbered coat rack by the door. Eimi seemed to have accepted the role of hostess, despite being new to the house. He wondered how it felt to shift overnight from being unsure of how she would live in a few months to becoming the likely mistress of a house so near Nagano's city center. But the little he knew about Eimi suggested that she probably wasn't thinking about that, or at least, not nearly as much as she thought about Koushiro and the positive shift in their relationship.
"This way, please." Eimi practically bounced down the hall, winding through people whom Yamato mostly knew by face from the café. Many were staff, some were customers, one was a guard. They all let him pass in blessed peace, like any other guest, when they saw that he was attended by the hostess.
Yamato's shoulders relaxed as he released tension he wasn't aware of. He followed Eimi into the kitchen with Sora, where Koushiro and Iori stood, jackets removed, shirt sleeves rolled up, talking over a table overladen with food. An old woman worked at a stove, cheerfully barking orders to the young men.
Yamato paused in the threshold, unsure what to do, but the ladies strolled in, unphased. "Koushiro, do you have a vase?" Eimi asked. "Sora-san brought us flowers!"
The old woman turned away from the stove and flashed a smile that explained the happy wrinkles around her mouth. "How kind!"
Koushiro looked up from the impressive culinary tableaux. "Yamato-san, Sora-san, welcome! Thank you for coming, and thank you for the flowers. We were just carving the meat. Or rather, Iori-kun was."
"Shouldn't you be with your guests?" Yamato asked.
"They'll have to spare him, should they want to eat," the cook replied.
Yamato swallowed a laugh and gave Koushiro a pointed look. "Ah- Kana-san, please meet Takenouchi Sora." A hint of desperation tinged his voice as he added, "And Ishida Yamato. This is my esteemed chef, Takeda Kana, who prepared everything."
Yamato's opinion of Kana skyrocketed when she replied, "Well met, Your Highness, Takenouchi-san. I'd shake your hands, but forgive me, as they are otherwise occupied. Koushiro-kun, do you know where the vases are?"
Koushiro flashed an apologetic look to Yamato, who grinned in response. Looking more sheepish than ever, Koushiro replied, "Ah- Well... No."
Kana tutted. "In your own house, oh dear. They're in that cabinet." She pointed, but didn't look away from her work. Koushiro dutifully scampered to the cabinet and reached up, straining to open it. Sensing possible danger, Yamato joined him, but Koushiro was able to reach the nearest clear vase.
Taking pity on Koushiro, Sora took the vase, filled it, and got to work with Eimi at her side, watching. Freed of a task, Koushiro looked from Iori, who was carving a roast, to Kana, still hustling at the stove, to Sora and Eimi, arranging the flowers.
Somehow, charitably, Yamato resisted the urge to laugh. "Are guests assembling their plates here?"
"Um." Koushiro's brow creased. "It's more typical to serve everything on the dining room table."
"With this much?" Yamato asked, raising a brow.
"I did warn him," Kana called. Apparently, this little dig warranted looking away from the stove to flash a teasing grin.
"You didn't, though," Iori cheerfully interjected. "On purpose."
Swallowing laughter, Yamato approached the overtaxed table and smiled. "It's a casual party, right? Stop hovering and entertain your guests."
"Is Daisuke-kun here?" Sora asked. "We'll send him back to help."
Koushiro hesitated- or, more accurately, he almost looked to be in pain. That inherent politeness was pushing back, hard. "That does sound helpful, but… Well, he's a guest."
"That wasn't your line when you asked me to carve," Iori deadpanned.
"That's different," Koushiro and Eimi said in unison. Yamato saw the slightest flicker of a smile on Iori's face, impressively there and gone.
"I think Daisuke-kun would like to help," Sora replied.
Eimi anxiously nibbled her lip. "I don't know... He looked happy..."
Sora patted Eimi's shoulder. "I can ask, if you feel uncomfortable. Now, where would you like your flowers?"
Just like that, the issue of help in the kitchen was knocked from Eimi's mind. Yamato struggled against laughing at Sora's obvious influence over Eimi. "Wow! It's so beautiful! There's a table in the hallway, everyone can see it there."
Yamato looked to Koushiro, who was apparently not worth consulting about decor in his own home, and found a dopey smile that made him glance away. Clearly, Koushiro was happy to let Eimi put flowers wherever she damned well pleased.
Koushiro brainlessly followed the ladies out of the kitchen, leaving Iori grumbling over the roast and Kana laughing at the stove. "Best go after him, Your Highness," Kana called. "See that he doesn't go walking into walls."
At this, Iori jerked forward, bent over in an attempt to stop snickering. Yamato didn't bother with such restraint, and he strolled into the hallway, hands in his pockets, laughing. He followed Koushiro, Eimi, and Sora to the hall table, where Eimi fussed over the flowers. With that done, they moved to the room nearest the front door, which seemed to be an office. His eyes were drawn to the bay window, where Ken and Daisuke sat, huddled together with Daisuke's arm over Ken's shoulders. They both held glasses, and Yamato sensed that they were well into the 'drink and be merry' portion of the evening. They emanated the relaxed, loose air of the pleasantly tipsy.
Yamato had been introduced to Daisuke and Ken, but they often had their hands full at the café, so they weren't well acquainted. Although he knew Koushiro needed help, he felt a pang at the thought of disturbing them. The arm around Ken's shoulders, pinning him into Daisuke, was a tell enough on its own, but the way they smiled at each other made it clear that they were savoring this moment of carefree intimacy.
Eimi seemed to share Yamato's hesitation. "Ken looks happy," she murmured to the group. "Maybe I can help, instead?"
Daisuke's head jerked up at the sound of Eimi's voice. His huge, lopsided grin made Yamato smile in turn. "There are our hosts!" he called, lifting a glass. "Cheers to the happy couple!" There was a round of clapping and agreement, which caused color to rush to said happy couple's faces. "I haven't even seen ya yet, Koushiro!"
"Well, they're understaffed in the kitchen... But I'll help," Sora replied.
"Huh?" Daisuke tipped his head. Most of the guests wore western clothes- maybe they knew that Koushiro's house was western style?- but Daisuke wore a casual kimono in navy, a color not far from the royal blue, but more muted. "If you need help in the kitchen, then I'm your guy!" So saying, he downed the rest of his drink, released a massive, "Ah!", gave Ken a sloppy kiss on the cheek, and bounced to his feet.
"Ah-" Koushiro held his hands up, palm out. "Sorry to bother you- You should enjoy the party-"
"And you should mingle with your guests!" Daisuke thwacked Koushiro's back, knocking him forward. "And your fiancée!"
Poor Eimi and Koushiro were already red. Yamato wondered if there was a threshold, or if they would invent previously unknown shades of crimson before his eyes. Koushiro babbled, "We're courting, not engaged- You're skipping steps-"
Daisuke blew a raspberry as he rolled his eyes. "Please. We've watched this song and dance for a stinkin' year, we know what's what!"
Sora pressed a hand to her mouth, but her shaking shoulders gave her laughter away. Koushiro sputtered, but Daisuke left the room, walking backwards and waving, until he collided with Taichi in the hallway.
"Taichi!" Sora smiled, and Taichi gripped Daisuke's shoulder and saluted with his drink. After a quick back and forth, Daisuke headed towards the kitchen, and Taichi entered the office.
Taichi extended a hand to Koushiro and shook. "Hey. Congrats Koushiro, Eimi. It's great that you finally figured this out; saves us a headache."
Yamato scowled. For some reason, Daisuke's jab amused him, but Taichi's put him on edge... Until Koushiro cocked an unimpressed eyebrow at Taichi. Yamato blinked. He had yet to witness Koushiro as anything less than utterly- nearly comically- polite.
"Pssh," Taichi laughed. He threw his free arm around Koushiro and squished him to his side. "Really, congrats. Eimi-chan, c'mere."
Yamato was surprised when Eimi bounded into Taichi's hug without hesitation, recalling how wary she was when he met her. "Where are your drinks?" Taichi demanded. "Who ever heard of sober hosts?"
Ken stood and approached. "I'll get drinks for you."
Eimi released Taichi and hugged Ken. "Don't worry about drinks! I'm just so glad you're here!"
And, for just a moment, there was a flash of pain on Ken's face- something Yamato had no explanation for. And was it his imagination, or was Ken's, "Of course," just a bit... Fierce? There was a protective edge to the way he returned her embrace.
"Your brother couldn't make it?" Koushiro asked. "That's too bad... Things worked out, in part, because of his help."
A muscle ticked beneath Ken's eye. Yamato blinked, surprised by the anger that flashed across Ken's face- until it settled into a forced neutral. "Did Aniki really help?"
Yamato snorted, and everyone turned to him. His shoulders shot up, suddenly tense. "I… Guess he did," was his reluctant assessment.
Koushiro's smile went a bit meek. "Ah... I suppose it was a bit… complicated. Regardless, I'm grateful. He explained Eimi's situation from the perspective of someone from her..."
Koushiro trailed off, looking uncertain. Ken supplied, "From her home province, where Aniki and I are also from. It's okay if you say it. I'm not ashamed."
"I didn't think you would be," Koushiro replied quickly. "But... Well, I'm learning that there are intricacies to the situation that aren't obvious to me."
Laughing, Taichi playfully swatted Koushiro's back. Just like that, the mood eased. Yamato found himself staring, impressed by and slightly envious of Taichi's laid-back aura. "I feel that way every goddamn-"
"Taichi!" Sora scolded.
"All the time," Taichi amended.
Eimi placed a hand on Ken's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
They shared a long look. Ken sighed, shut his eyes, and rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm irritated because Aniki asked me not to attend."
Eimi's grip visibly tightened. "I… see. I'm sorry, I didn't want my invitation to cause any-"
"You didn't cause any problems," Ken snapped. "Not you. And this isn't the place for- I shouldn't have brought up-" He drew a long breath, then forced a smile so tight that it threatened to snap. "Nevermind that. Eimi, Koushiro-san, what can I get you to drink?"
"You don't have to make us-" Eimi broke off to glance at the group around her. "Oh, no! I haven't offered anything to Yamato-san and Sora-san yet! Let me- Let me take care of that."
It was tempting to laugh at how desperate Eimi was to be a good hostess… Until Yamato realized that she was likely anxious to succeed in a new role among people above her class status. "I'll help you," Ken replied- and Yamato felt a sting of shame for not offering assistance himself. But then, what could he do? He could cook a few meals, but he didn't know many cocktails.
But this compromise seemed to please Eimi, who smiled and took Ken's offered arm. She leaned into him, likely asking if he was alright, judging by her visible concern. Sadness, loneliness, and frustration swelled within Yamato, garnished with a sprinkling of guilt. Maybe she isn't as difficult to talk to as I thought. Maybe she was just caught up in her situation with Koushiro-kun. Or maybe I was stressing her out...
Koushiro must have been watching Yamato, because he offered, "It's nice, isn't it? They've been friends for most of their lives. Of course, it makes me feel even more foolish, in retrospect. I could have asked Ken-san for advice any time... If only I hadn't been so entrenched in my own perspective."
"That really isn't like you," Taichi observed. "Normally, you look from every angle. But don't be so hard on yourself. Things get wild when feelings are involved." Smirking, he ruffled Koushiro's fluffy hair. "And they hit you like a train."
Koushiro's expression suggested that he wasn't sure whether to be reassured or annoyed. Likely sensing his hesitance, Sora leaped in with, "Is Hikari-chan here?"
The teasing grin flickered off Taichi's face as abruptly as flipping a light switch- and suddenly, he didn't look nearly as approachable. His lower eyelids flinched up as he looked away. "No."
Sora's fingertips brushed Taichi's arm. "Oh no... Is she sick again?"
Taichi's shoulders tensed and rose. "Yeah. The latest bout seems… Bad."
Bravely, Yamato thought, Sora pressed on, "Has she seen the doctor again?"
"What's the use?" In an instant, Taichi shifted from worried to furious, his eyes hard and narrow beneath a distressed brow. "Yeah, she went. Took two damned weeks for them to pencil her in, but they saw her. She told them the same thing she told all the other doctors. They basically said she's fine, it's just stomach aches. Maybe she's too stressed. Maybe she should take a semester off school or take time off work."
"Is that why I haven't seen you at the café recently?" Koushiro asked. Taichi heaved a sigh.
"Yeah. I've been covering Hikari's deliveries in the morning- you, uh, probably noticed that the flower displays aren't as nice as usual- and taking the afternoon shift at the café. Ken's been a real life saver, taking all the morning shifts. Gods, I don't know how I can pay him back."
Koushiro's thick eyebrows bunched with worry. "You must be exhausted."
"It's work and sleep right now," Taichi replied. "Thank the gods I'm not a student anymore."
Yamato hovered awkwardly, unsure how to contribute. He hadn't met Hikari and knew very little about her situation. But he did know a doctor who might be able to help.
"Taichi-san? We met at the café."
Taichi's eyes locked on Yamato's, brown with a splattering of gold flecks. "Yeah? I know. Your Highness."
Yamato hesitated. He had no idea what to make of Taichi. Sometimes, he seemed fun-loving and friendly. Others, he seemed to have something sizable lodged up his ass. But then, if Takeru were struggling with health issues... If he was barely getting sleep because he was working two jobs, his and his sibling's...
Yamato let Taichi's sullen tone go. "I'm sorry to hear your sister is ill. I'd be happy to ask my doctor to see her. You met him the other day, too. Kido Jyou, remember?"
"The one who lost a chunk of his soul to Mimi-chan, yeah," Taichi snorted. "I remember. Listen, it's not personal- Well, maybe it kinda is-"
Yamato shared a baffled look with Sora, who murmured, "Taichi..."
Taichi sighed and shut his eyes. If Yamato had to guess, he was groping for calm. Counting to ten, perhaps, or maybe setting them all on fire in his mind. Koushiro reached up to pat his shoulder. "Gods, I'm being an ass. It's not your friend's fault. It's just, we can't even get Hikari seen at Kido hospital. They keep saying we need a recommendation from a family practice doctor, and they keep insisting she's got... I dunno, hysteria or some bull-" Koushiro's supportive patting abruptly became a tight grip, and Taichi's mouth snapped shut.
Yamato desperately tried to restrain the scowl tugging at his lips. Was Kido hospital really refusing patients? But why would Taichi lie? And, as someone affiliated with the family that owned the hospital that was turning his sister away, how could Yamato encourage Taichi to open up to him? "That sounds infuriating. I'll talk to Jyou; he'll want to help."
"Kido-san truly does seem like someone who would try to help," Sora said gently. "It can't hurt, right?"
Taichi studied Sora's face, then glanced at Koushiro. "He seemed kind," Koushiro offered. "Kido-sensei was sympathetic to my situation, anyway."
Yamato managed a tiny grin. Sora and Koushiro somehow understood that he needed help diffusing the conversation, and offered that help unprompted. He wasn't used to receiving that support from anyone besides Jyou and Takeru. He noticed that Taichi trusted both of them, too, and was also looking to them for guidance. It was an odd feeling, being linked to a stranger through mutual trust.
"Alright." Taichi extended a hand to Yamato. "Sorry for being an ass. I'll gladly take that offer."
Yamato relaxed as they shook. When Taichi released him, his gaze shifted beyond Yamato's shoulder. "Mimi-chan, we were just talking about you."
Yamato turned to see Mimi approaching, wearing a stunning emerald dress and holding a flute of champaign. She laughed as she joined the group, a sweet sound as bubbly as her drink. "That's what I love to hear most! Good things, I hope!"
"Always," Taichi laughed. "We were talking about Kido. You know, the doctor who went to another universe when he saw you?"
Mimi's laughter shifted to giggling. "Ah, that was so cute! And he's so tall! With broad shoulders!"
Yamato blinked. He wasn't accustomed to thinking about Jyou's appearance, not beyond being aware of and well-versed in his signals from long familiarity. Mimi was correct on some accounts, though. At over six feet tall, Jyou was a giant, especially in Hakone. And his build was broad in the shoulders; he was fitter than one might guess, thanks to his focus on physical health and his tendency to carry textbooks, records, first aid supplies, and medical instruments.
Was Jyou... handsome? What was Yamato meant to do with this cursed knowledge?
Well, good for him if he is. Yamato found himself wishing for that drink. He glanced over his shoulder, but no Eimi and Ken were forthcoming. This felt almost as weird as watching people flirt with Takeru.
"Yamato-san mentioned that Kido-san is interested in cars." Yamato tipped his head, unable to follow Sora's logic in bringing that up now. Unless…
Mimi looked delighted. "Is he? I was just thinking that I want to plan a drive to the country when the leaves start turning!"
Sora turned to Yamato and smiled. "Do you think Kido-san would be amenable?"
"I'll... pass that along." Yamato wasn't even the object of this discussion, and his stomach flipped as if he had somersaulted. Could Jyou survive a potential date with Mimi?!
"There you are." Taichi grinned as Eimi and Ken rejoined them, holding drinks. Eimi handed one to Yamato and Sora, then accepted one from Ken. Ken gave the remaining glass to Koushiro.
"Ah, Taichi-san, your glass is empty," Eimi said. "I'll get you a new drink. And Yamato-san, the record stopped. Do you want to pick a new one?" Sora giggled, and Yamato scowled at her. Had she told Eimi about his interest in records?
"Eimi-chan, Eimi-chan!" Mimi threw her arms around Eimi and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations, darling! Come by the shop, you can have some records! You can't only have Koushiro-kun's tastes in your house! That would be so stuffy!"
"What?" Koushiro sputtered. "I own a variety of records!"
At the same time, Eimi blurted, "It's not- Not my house-"
"Oh, pff. You think Koushiro-kun is letting go, now that he's gotten this far?" Mimi rolled her eyes, but her playful smile offset any condescension. Yamato caught himself staring, admiring the joy Mimi took in the happiness of her friends- even if it was mixed with a substantial dose of teasing.
The sound that slipped out of Koushiro was remarkably similar to a groan. Laughing, Taichi smacked his back, nearly sloshing the liquid from his glass. "She's got you there, Koushiro. I'm going to get a drink."
"Um- Yamato-san, I'll show you to the records." Yamato grinned; something about Koushiro's harried expression hinted that he was actually interested in retreating.
Eager to help his new friend, and to take him up on his offer, Yamato replied, "Happy to have a look." He excused himself to the group and followed Koushiro out of the office, down the hall, and further into the house.
The way things were going, there was no guessing what kind of people and encounters might be waiting in the next room. Armed with a drink, his host, and a genial frame of mind, Yamato advanced to find out.
Author's Notes: The Party chapter was originally one chapter, but it runs about 14,000 words long, so I had to split it! Also I had some formatting issues, so, um, hopefully there isn't a nasty formatting surprise for me in here somewhere...
The party continues in part 2! I can't wait to share it with you! Oh, and please enjoy that amazing commissioned art by Valtren! Wow! See you soon 3