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Salad Days
Chapter Twenty-seven
Red and Blue

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Mid-December

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It was eight in the evening and the place was getting crowded with students of Todai; most of them had just finished their classes. Soon enough the coffee shop was polluted with chatter and Sora wondered if this was the life she chose to let go of. A life in Todai? With a sudden feeling of being ostracized, she looked the man across her, whose eyebrows were starting to scrunch, making creases in between.

"Do you want to go somewhere else, senpai?" the redhead offered, putting down her Ishiguro Kazuo book on the table before picking up her tea. It had been two hours since they've both exchanged words.

Jyou looked up from his drafting paper and "Gray's Atlas of Human Anatomy", a bit hesitant to say, 'yes'. He was never good at hiding his needs, as much as he wants to. Sora's just very patient and understanding of his fussiness. "You wouldn't mind?"

"It's okay," she replied with a smile. Poor senpai, she sympathized, noticing how stressful he looked.

He sheepishly returned the smile back and nodded. "Thank you Sora-chan," he started to pack his things up (there were a lot), and tried to finish his drink. Sora packed up too, although she didn't have that much lying around. She stared at the scattered paperwork and sketches of the human muscles; compared it to the page Jyou was referring from. "I didn't know you draw,"

"Oh!" Jyou, out of embarrassment, hastily stuffed his documents to his briefcase, picked up his leftover cappuccino.

Sora raised a curious brow, taking in the last drop of her tea before speaking. "You didn't have to do that."

"Ahh.. well.." he scratched his head. She's right, he realized. He didn't really have any reason to be embarrassed about. It wasn't like he's with Akiyoshi Kira, his one and only college friend, who also happens to be on the dean's list for semesters now. She was practically good at everything. No pressure, here, Jyou.. No pressure. Still, he couldn't help it. "You know I'm not much of an artist."

"Who expects you to be?" the redhead laughed, standing up from her seat. She pushed herself against the sea of people, as she headed for the exit. Jyou followed her closely, holding his briefcase protectively.

This is named 'Todai Study Café', for kami's sake, he thought bitterly. He didn't like how people go to cafes (especially cafes who call themselves 'study cafes') to gossip and chitchat with friends. It defeats the whole purpose of cafes – study cafes, to be exact, he thought, while he squeezed himself in between two seniors as he headed for the door.

Once he got out, he released a deep breath, as if so much energy has been drained way from pushing through the crowd. Jyou always hated crowds, just as much as he hated noise; but he hated nothing more than making a girl compromise for his sake. He thought of it as being 'unmanly', and untraditional. After all, he was the one who invited Sora to this place. Knowing her, she didn't mind the trivial things he cares about – such as the whole concept of 'study cafes' and how customers should only either be studying or doing something quiet. Jyou could not help but wonder now if he somehow ruined her momentum with 'The Artist and the Floating World'. She seemed really immersed in it, too..

"Well, what do you know," chirped Sora. His thought-ramble stopped; he looked at his companion beside him, who was facing skywards.

He looked up too, noticed that it started to snow. Some snowflakes managed to land on his spectacles, blurring his vision. He had to admit, it was unusually calming. "It won't last very long.."

Sora glanced to her side, could not help but let out a giggle and blush over his serene expression. It was very rare. "Yeah.. I'll give it a day or two."

"That's too bad. I like the snow." He lamented, followed by a chuckle. "It's the best time for me to have cocoa."

That's so odd, the redhead laughed, and so did he, both aware of his sudden loosened attitude. He was known to be notoriously thrifty, practical, and sparse, but it was the rare moments where he showed his soft-side that made her heart leap. Now that she has thought about it – she's been seeing this side of his side often nowadays. Too often.

She didn't know exactly why, but she always found it easier to relate with him more than anyone. Being stereotyped by Takeru as Team Mom and Team Dad together with him wasn't just for nothing. Even here ex, Yamato, knew this, as much as he disliked it.

Oh stop it, Sora, the redhead scolded herself as she snapped out of her reverie. This is senpai, for crying out loud! She took a deep breath, wrapping a white scarf around her neck in a frustrated fashion.

You're barking up the wrong tree. She knew Kido Jyou all too well. He wasn't such a mystery to begin with – unlike Yamato! – but heck, she could already tell that this doctor-to-be will still be quite a handful. Probably even more difficult to be with, especially when he reminds her so much of herself.

"You know, I think I've already found out what I wanted to do in my life," she said. They started to walk back to his van, which was parked a kilometer away from where they are. "Taichi and Mimi actually helped me out,"

"That's still going on, huh.." he said with utter discomfort. He still wasn't used to it. "Well anyway, what do you want to do then?"

She snugged her head on her scarf, a bit embarrassed to what she's about to say. "I think I want to take Fashion Design,"

"Ohh," Jyou's blue eyes twinkled under his glasses, enthusiastic over Sora's success in her 'journey'. The past few months had really been tough on her, and he was just more than happy to see her finally figure everything out. "That's great!"

"Yeah," she laughed out of nervousness. "Ahh… what do you think about it?"

"Think about what?"

"Me taking Fashion?"

"Uhh.." Jyou's sight fell on the pavement, unsure how to answer that. "I think it's great!" he smiled.

"But.."

"But what?"

"it's Fashion.." she drifted, as they crossed a street. He had put a protective hand behind her back, and she liked how she always felt safe with him. It was weird, for Yamato was just as protective. But there was just something gentle with how Jyou handled things.

She bit her lip. I feel so silly. They were almost near the car park. "I mean, I don't know.. it's Fashion.. it's not like Law, or Medicine.. or Economics.."

Jyou raised his brows, somehow understanding now what she was trying to point out. "I don't think it goes like that, Sora-chan,"

She snorted, gave him a playfully resentful look. "You're just trying to make me feel better.. Doctor."

"Ahh… B-but I'm not.." he said, wondering if he had said anything that offended her. He dropped his briefcase, his grip loosening. "Ahh."

"I'm just joking." She giggled.

"But really.. I don't.. I think it's really awesome you'd want to be a designer." he encouraged with caution. "I mean.. I can't even draw."

"Liar," she teased. "Your butt drawings are masterpieces,"

"Well you know me, I like butts," he played along.

"Cheeky, senpai,"

"You asked for it!"

A gust of strong wind grazed at them, and by instinct, Jyou immediately covered her under his arm, waited for the wind to weaken. Both of their eyes tight shut, they withstood the cold of the night. No words were spoken 'til it stopped.

"Brr!" exclaimed Sora, her whole body pattered with snow. "That was terrible!"

Jyou dusted off the snow from his coat and hers, checked on his wristwatch. It was already late, and the weather was starting to look pretty bad.

"The weather," she said, once again stealing his attention. "It's going to be a storm, isn't it? Like the last time?"

"Yeah.." he remembered it was around this time of the year when Mimi came back. It was also during a snowstorm. They continued to walk, with only a few more steps to the parking lot. Jyou didn't think much about the past – he was more of the type to think (and worry) about the future – but he remembered that last year, Sora and Yamato were still together.. when they were already falling apart.

But most important of all, it was exactly at that time he and Sora had grown closer. She had helped him through the lonely and mundane days of his already-planned life.

Yamato.. he wondered if he had gotten over Sora by now. Both of them looked fine already, but he wondered if Yamato could ever bounce back. He looked at the redhead beside him, wondered how if he was worthy of her.

They have arrived at the parking lot – his blue van very visible as it was the only one left. They went in, fastened their seatbelts.

And in the midst of his cluttered thoughts, he suddenly remembered they haven't had dinner yet.

"Do you want to go to my house for a bit?" he offered, his hands already at the wheel. He wouldn't let her go out without having eaten yet. By his standards, it would have been rude. "I just remembered we didn't have dinner,"

"Ohh," she blushed at his suggestion. "It's alright senpai! You still have a lot of things to do,"

"It's okay Sora-chan," he said, starting the engine of the vehicle. "My house is just a few blocks away. The snow's growing stronger, too."

"Ahh.." maybe it wouldn't hurt. Besides, she wondered what his room really looked like. "Okay."

He drove off, and Sora opened his radio, so casually for she's been in his van many times before. There was nothing but silence and the voice of the radio broadcaster, suggesting a storm tonight.

"Can you believe it? Another blizzard in Tokyo," she exclaimed. She wondered how she'd actually get home tonight, if ever the forecast will happen.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Global warming's so serious now."

She giggled. Oh senpai..

No more words were exchanged until they reached the Kido residence. With chilled bodies they rushed inside, took off their wet coats and warmed up with tea.

"Here," he handed her a towel to dry her hair and a cup of tea. He immediately disappeared to the kitchen and prepared stew.

She took a sip, and was surprised to taste earl grey instead of the usual matcha. This little detail fascinated her, and drank more. Sora looked around, her eyes memorizing every little fixture in their house. The walls were in cream, the floor in traditional tatami, but the tables and chairs were minimalist. There were several bookshelves and there was barely any space left for more. Frames were also hanging up on their walls: diplomas, awards, and certificates earned. There were barely any pictures, just the two eldest Kidos in their college toga, Jyou in his high school uniform, and a rather old family photo, where Jyou was still in middle school. She reckoned it was taken eight years ago.

She stood up from the couch, followed the aroma of the soup he was making. He wore a pink apron on his turtleneck and slacks. She leaned on the doorjamb, took a sip from her tea.

"Do you need any help?"

"It's fine Sora-chan," he said, glancing at her as he stirred the hot pot. "I'm about to get it finished,"

The redhead blushed. This moment reminded her of Yamato, whom always cooked for her when she was around. Jyou in an apron looked just as good as her ex did. Plus points to Jyou for the pink and the frills.

She sat on their dinner table while looking around. The kitchen looked very minimalist, too, with lots of herbs and spices displayed on the cabinet. She wondered what his mother's cooking tastes like.

"Where's Shuu and Shin-senpai?" she asked, looking up from her cup.

"They're with otou-san at the hospital. They usually come home afterhours," The blue boy had finally turned around, held a metal pot with pink mitts. She tried to hold back her smile, unable to ignore this whole new image of him.

Nonetheless she helped him set up their dinner, and they ate in quiet. Silence was becoming a common thing among them, and it had always been comfortable. She helped him clean up afterwards, and they took another cup of tea as they watched the snow in the living room. The streets were already piled in white, and the precipitation was relentless.

The whole atmosphere was making all of it get over her head and her heart. The minute she thought of actually being with Kido Jyou, the more she was compelled to be bold despite the lack of reasons why she should be. She was already resolved.

I like him. That was all the reason she needed. She just wished she had more time to plan it all out.

"S-senpai," she stammered and she noticed it too, now trying with all her might not to freak out. "I need to tell you something,"

"What is it?" he looked at her with blue eyes so visible and transparent, as if he didn't wear any glasses. Worry was on his face. He probably thinks he's being a bother.

She bit her lip. She didn't plan for this. She didn't have cookies, or cake, or any sort of gift to symbolize her feelings. When was the last time I did this?! She swore she wasn't as nervous.

But Sora knew from her heart that she just had to say it. With a long breath, she held her own hands, gripping the fine knits of her oversized sweater.

"Senpai, ever since last spring, I –"

"Gaaaahhhh!" She was cut off by the sudden sound he made. His exclamation came out of nowhere, with his hands running through his hair to mess it all up. It made her jump out of her seat, her heart leaping as if it was in a triathlon. His frustrated expression made her even more frantic.

What the hell just happened?! "I-is everything okay, senpai?"

"N-no," he answered, looking up while holding his head.

The tension was too much for him. It was obvious that whatever they were doing wasn't just normal (even as close friends), and he had prolonged it more than he could handle. Yamato was right. The gray areas – they were stupid, and he needed to wipe them out.

He had made up his mind to face it, with all the motivation to define this relationship with her. It was better now than never. That's how adults are supposed to do it. Be a fucking man, Kido.

"I like you, Sora-chan," he held his breath afterwards. It felt like asthma.

And she felt the same in her chest when he said it. Surprise, worry, disbelief, but most of all – joy, fused in her chest.

"I like you too, senpai," she replied in all modesty. It was not how she imagined she'd say it. Firstly because, she expected she'd be the one to confess, and not the other way around.

"But.." this feels.. so surreal.. "Is this for real?"

He laughed out of nervousness, gave an apologetic smile as he hid his face with his palms. "It is, apparently."

They shared an awkward laugh, still trying to let the revelation sink in.

This is real, this is real, this is real.

After a momentary silence, they look at each other for the first time, in a different way. Only now did Jyou realize that she was a true red – her hair and eyes were set ablaze, in contrast to his all-cool-blue.

Sora turned her head to the window, watched the snow glow in the darkness of the night. From here inside, it didn't seem scary at all. It was surprisingly beautiful and calming. The dark blue sky reminded her very much of his hair; the color of the snow, his favourite. Outside though, she lamented, probably a whole new set of chaos.

"Just look at all that white," he said with dislike. She glanced at him, apologetically.

"Senpai, it might not last very long, you know.." He'd probably forget her after the winter, find a better prospective partner in the Science department. Maybe someone who isn't emotionally fragile as her. But right now, right here, when he said he likes her – that was all it mattered. She'd be replaying this moment in her head for the rest of the week.

The weather was even more terrible. There was no way he'd let her go out there. The thought of Sora staying in for the night made him frantic. If he does make Sora stay in, he'd never hear the end of it from his family – 'there's a girl in your room!', they'd repeat it over and over – especially Shuu and Shin. He looked at her, swallowed the lump on his throat.

"Well.." he placed a hand over hers, his eyes turning to where she was gazing off as well. Okay, fine. Her warm hand felt like home, and his worries fading as he watched through the window. "We don't know that for sure, do we?"

She used a free hand to take hold of her tea, before throwing him a smile. "So.." she started, her eyes becoming amused. "Do I still call you senpai?"

"W-what?!" caught off-guard, his glasses fell off, showing more of his brightly reddened face.

She heartily chuckled, her face red as well. They might just survive the winter.