LOG: Shishido Ryou and Inui Sadaharu
Who: Shishido Ryou, Inui Sadaharu
What: Study
When: Sept 29th
Where: The library
Rating: G
Comments/Crits: Go for it
Shishido yawned again before opening his math book to the page Inui wanted them to work on. He hated math when he had enough energy for the numbers to make sense, right now he loathed it. Especially since he knew Inui would be annoyed if he didn’t start giving him some proper answers. His attempt at answering the previous math question was pitiful. Especially since he had done his assigned homework and even reviewed!
Reading the newest question, Shishido groaned and let his head hit the wall behind him. “Seriously? I feel like they forgot to give us half the question,” He grumbled. But he reread it anyway hoping to gleam some new information that he’d previously missed. He covered another yawn with his hand before picking up his pencil and trying to battle his way through the problem.
Inui sat next to the brown haired teen. He let his own pen tap a little on his paper. He was a big believer in making those he tutored do their own work. If he did it for them, they would never learn it. It was also because he still had a lot of trouble talking to anyone without them needing a glossary of terms. It was nice though...to have a normal friend. He wondered if this was how normal non-hunters spent their time. It was something he would have to study once he had time and wasn’t focusing on the vampires on campus. But for now, he was waiting for Shishido to figure out the problem. He wondered what was taking him so long. Inui had solved it in his head in the minute after he had read it. “The second bus is a red herring.” He hinted.
“What?” Shishido looked over at Inui and then back at the question before looking over at his work where he had most definitely included the second bus in his calculations. “Why the hell did they tell me about some lame and useless bus then?” He complained as he erased nearly the whole question and started again. And why is somebody taking a bus between Osaka and Kyoto anyway? This whole question is stooo-heeed.” The word stupid becoming distorted as he yawned around the word.
The mad genius raised an eyebrow at the yawn. Had Shishido been up very late last night? Perhaps outside? Inui hadn’t remembered him out there. But then again, Inui didn’t have normal sleep cycles himself. At present, he was operating on 3 hours of sleep...for the last four days. It was just the way his brain was wired. “It’s because word problems like to throw in things to make you wrong. You have to read the question closely. It’s all there in the data. It’s not asking about the second bus at all, but it puts it in there to mislead you. So...if you ignore this....then.” In about three seconds flat, he had worked the problem out and had the answer only to scratch it out heavily so Shishido couldn’t use it.
“You need to rest soon. Your brain doesn’t work if you spend it playing video games all night, Shishido.” He scolded.
Shishido blinked at the scratched out answer on his page. Inui was damn smart, he’d give his tutor that one, but also a big tease to scratch the answer out as swiftly as he’d given it. He sighed at his own pitiful start to the answer and diligently did a few lines before looking up at Inui. “I wasn’t up late playing video games.” Yes, he loved video games, but he knew when to turn them off on a school night, well at least most of the time, and yesterday he didn’t even think he’d played them. He was too busy with everything else going on right now. He couldn’t wait for the holidays to come so he could recharge.
“I woke up early to fight with Yuushi. I have to get up at 4:30 to meet him on time,” Shishido explained. And normally he was fine for rest of the day but with more and more things to get done each day he was having less and less time to grab a nap or to get to bed early. He might have to tell Yuushi they had to cut back on their sessions at this rate.
Yuushi? Oshitari? That caught Inui’s attention immediately. He wondered why Yuushi would fight with anyone. The scientist didn’t peg the vampire to be the fighting type and he didn’t spot the typical marks that usually occurred when a human being fought a vampire. Especially since his data pointed to the Nosferatu being faster and stronger than normal humans by as much as 60 - 70 % more. “Really? You were fighting with him? Fencing? Right? How exactly does that work?”
“Yeah fencing,” Shishido said happy for the excuse to stop working on the math question. Even if it meant talking about his fencing time with Yuushi. But fencing wasn’t nearly as lame as he thought it was so it wouldn’t be that uncool to talk about it. “I was teasing Yuushi about fencing and he offered to teach me how cool it is. And him and Kenya have been giving me lessons since. But because they’re night class and Yuushi’s a lazy ass, we have to do it before their curfew.” Which was a pain but at least it meant all of the night class’ crazy fangirls were still asleep and not likely to bother them.
“We normally go through some drills and techniques for the first hour and then do some sparring for the next half hour,” Shishido explained with a shrug. It didn’t sound nearly as exciting as it really was when he explained it like that but he thought it was probably one of those you have to experience it to enjoy it properly things. And he definitely wasn’t about to mention what they normally did in the last half hour together.
There was a half an hour missing from that equation. Even as he wrote it down, he realized that. Shishido had left out time. He didn’t think he had to ask what was occurring during that time. He had been in that position before, as Oshitari Yuushi stole away his time without his even realizing it had passed. He wouldn’t ask. That wasn’t his place. Instead, there were other things he really needed to know. Wanted to know. “So you fence against him and his cousin. Have you noticed...perhaps...him being a bit quicker? Or stronger? How about his cousin?” Even as he asked, he was also writing down that Oshitari Yuushi was a Lazy ass. It was good to know that such phenomenon occurred in Vampires as well as humans.
“This is very interesting. You know...I have never done any sort of sport, unless you count being a Mathalete.”
“Well of course they’re faster and stuff. They’ve been fencing for years. But I am getting better at it. But Kenya totally needs to come back. Yuushi’s a good instructor too but he’s way too easily distracted and stuff.” Shishido didn’t think being a beginner was anything to be ashamed of, at least not when you’re were still taking lessons and working hard at getting better.
“You should see Kenya and Yuushi fight though. It’s amazing. After you see them, you’ll never think fencing is poncy again.” He certainly didn’t. They moved so quickly and ferociously Shishido had barely been able to keep up with their movements as they went across the clearing and circled each other before clashing rapiers. It had also been hot as hell.
“And what’s a mathalete?” Shishido questioned. he thought he was pretty well versed in sports and things but that one stumped him.
He nodded a little. It might be time to try to find a way to get into the Night Class area, if only to see that. “I never thought it poncy.” He admitted. Probably because he made weapons, he studied the science behind them in order to make them the best he could. “And a mathalete is a person who competes in intellectual competitions where instead of hurdles, you do calculus.” Only he had been home schooled, but the idea was the same. “But you’ll have to show me sometime. Your fencing skills, Shishido. I’d like to see.” Because if he could see a human, even a learner do it, then he could better get the numbers and differences on the vampires.
“A math competition? Fuuuun,” Shishido said thinking that it sounded like torture to him. “And if you really want to, maybe I can ask Yuushi if you can come watch and maybe he can give you a lesson.” He didn’t really like sharing his time with the Oshitaris but Inui had helped him a lot this semester and he liked Inui so he thought it wouldn’t be a problem. He gave another yawn as he made a mental note to ask Yuushi about it next time they met up. .
He shook his head and adjusted his glasses. “No....No. You don’t have to do that. I am a scientist, not a fighter. I don’t need to be involved in such a fashion.” He lightly turned to a new page in his notebook. “I can always see it on my own time. And I don’t think lessons are for me. Could you even picture me with a sword. It wouldn’t fit me, 100%.” That and he didn’t want to get in the way. It was better if he was hidden away and getting unaltered data. If they knew he was watching, they might change things and thus give him bad information to work off of. No. it was better if he wasn’t included, even if a part of him really would like to be included into the things his friends did.
“Are you sure? It’s not a big deal. And Yuushi’s a better teacher than I made him out to be. I mean I was hopeless when I first picked up a sword. Nearly dropped it on my foot or something lame,” Shishido didn’t want Inui to think he couldn’t join in just because he might be lame at it. It didn’t matter if you were good as long as you were having fun, right? “Anyway, it’ll be an open invitation from me. Just let me know if you change your mind, okay?” Because he so didn’t need Inui wandering on them like Tomoka did. The thought of it still tended to make his cheeks turn rosy. So uncool.
Shishido seemed so sure and Inui was so curious. And really, if he learned maybe he could be more useful to the hunters than as just a lab rat...as just their living human computer system. Maybe he could even get out of the lab...and maybe pigs would fly. “Then sometime, I might just take you up on it. As long as it’s okay with the both of you. I don’t want to interrupt or intrude. I might enjoy gathering data, but I also understand that some things can wait.” Besides, if he got the proper data first, then he could gather the fake data that Yuushi and his cousin gave off when they went against a human.
“Great. You’ll have fun. Even if the hours are hellish. At least we don’t always do fencing. I really would be dead on my feet that way,” Shishido said. He poked at his math homework, added a few more lines and then let his eyes shut a moment. It wasn’t really a comfortable position, but he was sure if given enough time he could catch a quick nap. Not that he expected Inui to let him but it was a nice thought.
“I haven’t slept since....two days ago I think. So hours to me aren’t that meaningful.” He informed and then leaned over the smaller male to look at the problem and then nodded. “Better. You just forgot to carry the one.” He let the other shut his eyes a little and just watched him. “You have three more problems and then I’ll let you sleep as much as you want.”
“Two days?!” Shishido said in shock. He barely survived on five hours. “Are you like a machine or something?” It would make so much more sense if Inui was actually a super intelligent humanoid robot instead of an actual person. He was too surprised by this revelation to even find it in him to complain about stupid ones needing to be carried and three questions standing between him and sleep.
In a way...he supposed he was. Except for one other person at the Hunter’s academy, the entire place viewed him as such. He was a never ending font of data and numbers and ideas and the ability to make it into reality. He was a lab rat that never got to leave his cage. But he wasn’t about to let Shishido know just how close he was to the fact. Instead, he just chuckled a little and adjusted his glasses again. “If you look on my foot, you’ll see a mark that says Made in Japan very clearly.” He made a joke about it instead. “Now, are you going to make the attempt or am I going to have to use this?” He tapped the little thermos.
Shishido actually looked at Inui’s foot before he realised he was being played and flopped back with a huff. Though one look at the thermos of evil had him bending over his book again. “Yeah yeah, I’m going I’m going. You’re a bigger slave driver than Kenya is,” He muttered to himself trying to get the words of the next question to focus for him.
Shishido actually looked....That meant that deep down, his friend thought him a robot, just like everyone else did. He fought a sigh and forced himself not to frown. He lightly picked up his stuff, thermos included. “Data indicates that you are 100% unable to even see the words on the page. We will continue this another time, after you have had sleep.” In reality, Inui was just running away, back to his new lab until he could sort out and be rid of the sudden hurt feelings he had.
“I can read the words just fine,” Shishido protested though it was pushing the definition of read and fine to the limits. He wasn’t sure he could finish it now and the threat of Inui juice was very real, but he worried that Inui’s idea of after he’d had some sleep was waking him up at 2am and expecting his brain to think of math. He also was sort of getting the weird idea that he may have pissed Inui off somehow. Which was weird because Inui had never gotten really pissed off at him before over math homework. And he did explain that the yawning wasn’t because of gaming. Maybe Inui was just concerned about him and it wasn’t him being angry.
He knew it was illogical. Highly so. He had made a joke. The joke had failed. It wasn’t Shishido’s fault. It was his own. He supposed he could only blame not being socialized correctly as a small child. Jung or Freud...or whoever was vogue in the psychiatric field today. He was being silly and irrational. It wasn’t very fair to Shishido to take out his ineptitude on him. So instead, he took the time to take his breath and get his thinking pants back on.
“I think you need rest. You don’t function in the same way I do. I promise I won’t wake you up. I’ll wait until your study hall. But there will definitely be juice.” Because he supposed be was also concerned. He might never sleep, but his friends did.
Shishido gave up trying to read the words and blinked at Inui instead. “Did you just read my mind?” He asked. Maybe he was wrong, Inui wasn’t a robot but a space alien. His mind instantly went to Star Wars and Yoda, but Inui was neither short not green. So something more humanoid but still super smart and with creepy brainy powers. “Forget robot, you’re a Vulcan!” He wondered if reconstructive ear surgery had hurt. And then wondered if he was more tired than even he realized.
Inui smiled at that. He liked that idea. He lifted his hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting, fingers splayed like he had done it many times before. “Well, you’ll just have to watch out for my death grip and if you’re not able to answer these questions tomorrow I’ll have to mind meld with you and fix whatever the hang up is in your brain.” And if he was, maybe it would explain his attraction to Yuushi. Perhaps he was starting to experience Pon farr. Every seven years on the onset of puberty... That explained it, all right.
Shaking his head a little at the illogical jump of conclusion he sort of smiled at Shishido. “You really need to go to sleep. I’ll walk you back to your room if you want.” That way, he could keep an eye on the sleepy human and make sure no one bothered him. He might not be a guardian but he was still a hunter, even if only in name.
“Yeah, definitely an alien,” Shishido confirmed and held up his own hand Vulcan style. “Live long and prosper Sadaharu. And stay away from my mind.” He gave Inui’s chest a poke before gathering up his math books and pencil case and getting ready to move to his feet. He gave another long yawn, “Can’t believe how tired I am. Might have to stand Yuushi up tomorrow.” Which Yuushi would whine at him about. But oh well, a few extra hours of sleep would be nice.
Inui actually laughed a little. And not that creepy mad scientist laugh, a normal one. He could be normal too...or at least pretend to be. He had enough data on it. His smile stayed even when he was poked. He knew that if Shishido did, he would learn that under those geeky threads, he was a lot stronger than he looked. “It might be wise. Or you can still visit with him and just ask to postpone fencing lessons. I’m sure he might just like to sit and talk to you, as he seems to enjoy with myself.” He wasn’t about to share what else they did. That was his special personal data. “I theorize that Oshitari Yuushi would understand if you explained your quandary. 100%.” As would he. Inui would have understood if his student had ended up falling asleep on him. Sure, there would be juice later...but he would have let Shishido sleep, even if he didn’t think himself the best replacement for a pillow.
“Yeah, but it’s totally not worth it. I’ll go, and we’ll talk about cool things for all of ten minutes before he tricks me onto some lame topic. And the next thing I know he’s reciting ballads at me and I’m nodding off anyway. Might as well save us all and stay warm in bed,” Shishido said speaking from experience. Well, the part about ballads might be slightly exaggerated but the topic was lame and he wished he could have escaped it by actually sleeping. “Come on, you better walk me back to make sure I don’t fall asleep in the hallway.” He didn’t trust Eiji and Tomoka not to do weird things to him if he did.
Inui honestly didn’t think ballads were all that boring. Then again, he and Yuushi had a habit of talking about some vastly scientific things. Besides, he wasn’t one for poetry. He didn’t really understand the artistry on anything but an intellectual level. He stood up and towered over the other teen and held out his hand. “All right then. Let’s go. I’ll try to think of really boring, really lame things to talk about later on. So you can stay awake.” He was sure he seemed a bit protective too.
Shishido looked at the offered hand and gave a small grin before transferring his books to one arm so he could take it. “Lead on, my man,” He said. He gave another yawn, this time into his shoulder and upper arm as his hands were full and then looked back at Inui. Who was actually a cool guy when he wasn’t threatening him juice and making him actually study. “And please don’t think of really lame things to talk about. Math is bad enough. I don’t see when I’m ever going to use it in real life.”
Inui could think of a million different ways that math could be used in real life situations. He had already proved it once or twice, using his complex equations and observations to smoke Shishido in video games Inui had never before played, let alone seen until that moment. But he had promised and he did like to keep his promises. He pulled Shishido up and then let go. He let go because despite his time with Yuushi, Inui was still Inui. He was still awkward and a bit flustered when it came to personal contact. He forced his too long legs to shorten their usual stride, used to doing so for his best friend. At least Shishido was a bit taller that Gakuto was. “I will defend the mathematicians some later date, when you are awake enough to understand my argument and my data completely.” Instead, he wondered what else he could talk about. His mind flitted between so many subjects, but he ended on a safe one. Or at least relatively safe. “Shishido...this might sound like it is coming out of nowhere, but I have been recently made aware that there is a holiday that is coming up. Are there any traditions that you have that I might take into observance as well so that I can celebrate it as fully as possible before I go back home?”
“You mean Christmas? You were serious? I thought you were joking on your post,” Shishido said, stumbling a bit as he moved too swiftly to look at Inui. He thought everyone knew about Christmas on some level. But Inui was a bit bookish, maybe he was just so wrapped up in maths and sciences that it didn’t register. “Well, I don’t really do it, but people like to give cards and presents. Oh, and there’s Christmas cookies and cakes. They’re my favourite part.” They weren’t cheesecakes, but still delicious.
He shook his head a little and a hand went behind his head to scratch in embarrassment. “It wasn’t a joke.” He admitted. “It’s just sort of...difficult to explain in common terms as to why I’ve never celebrated nor really even thought about it...” He didn’t want anyone else knowing just how sheltered he had been. “So you like sweets. Ii data.” He whipped out his notebook and jotted the information down. He would have to do research on the proper type of holiday treats, so he could give some to his friends before he left. It was followed by another quick note...to find a way to convince the home ec club to let him use their ovens, because home made treats were 100% better than store bought...and he already knew how to make yummy juices.... “You will have to share with me data on your favorite types.”
“Don’t worry, I get it.” Shishido said. He’d heard of people that’s families didn’t believe in celebrating holidays and stuff. He thought it was a little weird, but he wouldn’t laugh at his friend about it. That would just be lame. Instead, he had the duty to make sure that Inui had a great Christmas experience before returning home. He’d enlist Gakuto and Yuushi to help him, maybe An and Sakuno for the baked goods. He wasn’t sure he trusted Gakuto or Yuushi in a kitchen. “I like cheesecakes the best but they aren’t really Christmasy. But the most important part of the holidays is to get together with friends and family and have a great time. Delicious food, cheesy Christmas songs, watching sappy movies and maybe even swapping gifts.”
He might break his no gifts rule if they did like a secret exchange. That way he wouldn’t have to buy for everyone and Inui would still get the whole experience. He’d have to talk it over with Gakuto. Yuushi wasn’t allowed a gift vote, the idiot would probably say something stupid like ‘Let’s buy Inui a new science lab and a trip to Disney for Christmas.’ In fact, he’d have to stress a strict spending limit on the exchange to stop the moronic fool from going overboard. He was nearly smiling a the thought of Yuushi’s look when he told him there was a spending limit but another yawn interrupted him.
Cheese cake? Inui’s glasses flashed a little. If scientists could split the atom, if doctors could clone a sheep, then by Darwin he would learn how to make cheesecake for his student and friend. He knew he would be left out of the songs, but at least he could do that much. He would have to think of a good gift for his best friends as well...And Yuushi. It was strangely nice to know he had people he could gives gifts to. He noticed the smile on Shishido’s face and it made him smile. It looked like the holidays was something that made people happy. He definitely was going to learn since it seemed to make people happy. He wanted to make his sleepy friend smile like that more. “I will think something up for you then. Maybe a special study guide.” He mused as they moved back towards the dorms.
Shishido groaned at the mention of more studying. “Christmas gifts are supposed to be things you want, not stuff you need.” Or at least that was his rule. He didn’t need a new mp3 player but he definitely wanted one. He needed the study guide but he totally didn’t want one. Oh well, no matter what Inui got him, he was sure it would at least be useful. And a study guide would be a more thoughtful gift than just going to the shop and buying a dvd. “You know, maybe a study guide would make a good gift. As long as it’s from the heart,” Shishido added on. He still didn’t want one, but he’d be thankful for it anyway if that’s what Inui ended up getting him.
He was not aware of that fact. It was strange to him...to ask for things he wanted instead of things he required. To him wanting and needing were the same thing. It was definitely a strange concept. But since he knew little of Shishido’s actual wants, it was hard to determine the best means of present. But it would seem he would be happy with a study guide. Inui would write him one....hand written, in a nice notebook. It should help a lot on the finals at the end of the year. “Thank you for the good data.” He stated and then guided his friend into their shared dorm.
“That’s what friends are for,” Shishido said easily and sighed tiredly before starting up the stairs to the third floor. “And I’ll let you know about the Christmas party. Might even get stupid Christmas hats.” Another thing that wasn’t really his style but if he was going to do this for Inui he was going to make sure every cliche Christmas thing was included.
There were hats too? People really did go all out for this thing. He supposed he would be doing some more research on the subject, so that he didn’t feel like he had been living under a rock when it came time for the celebration. “I’d appreciate the heads up.” He would definitely attend. He just hoped that the vampires would be invited too. He would love to see how the other species celebrated, if there were any differences. But that would be a thought for another time. They had reached Shishido’s room. “Do you think you can make it the rest of the way, or should I come in and tuck you in?” It was a rather dry and poor attempt at humor.
Shishido gave a small chuckle, “I think I might be okay. Thanks though.” He dug out his key and unlocked his door and gave Inui a final wave before ducking into his room. He dropped his bag onto the floor and made a mental note to organize a Christmas party for his Vulcan friend before flopping on his bed to get some much needed sleep.
What: Study
When: Sept 29th
Where: The library
Rating: G
Comments/Crits: Go for it
Shishido yawned again before opening his math book to the page Inui wanted them to work on. He hated math when he had enough energy for the numbers to make sense, right now he loathed it. Especially since he knew Inui would be annoyed if he didn’t start giving him some proper answers. His attempt at answering the previous math question was pitiful. Especially since he had done his assigned homework and even reviewed!
Reading the newest question, Shishido groaned and let his head hit the wall behind him. “Seriously? I feel like they forgot to give us half the question,” He grumbled. But he reread it anyway hoping to gleam some new information that he’d previously missed. He covered another yawn with his hand before picking up his pencil and trying to battle his way through the problem.
Inui sat next to the brown haired teen. He let his own pen tap a little on his paper. He was a big believer in making those he tutored do their own work. If he did it for them, they would never learn it. It was also because he still had a lot of trouble talking to anyone without them needing a glossary of terms. It was nice though...to have a normal friend. He wondered if this was how normal non-hunters spent their time. It was something he would have to study once he had time and wasn’t focusing on the vampires on campus. But for now, he was waiting for Shishido to figure out the problem. He wondered what was taking him so long. Inui had solved it in his head in the minute after he had read it. “The second bus is a red herring.” He hinted.
“What?” Shishido looked over at Inui and then back at the question before looking over at his work where he had most definitely included the second bus in his calculations. “Why the hell did they tell me about some lame and useless bus then?” He complained as he erased nearly the whole question and started again. And why is somebody taking a bus between Osaka and Kyoto anyway? This whole question is stooo-heeed.” The word stupid becoming distorted as he yawned around the word.
The mad genius raised an eyebrow at the yawn. Had Shishido been up very late last night? Perhaps outside? Inui hadn’t remembered him out there. But then again, Inui didn’t have normal sleep cycles himself. At present, he was operating on 3 hours of sleep...for the last four days. It was just the way his brain was wired. “It’s because word problems like to throw in things to make you wrong. You have to read the question closely. It’s all there in the data. It’s not asking about the second bus at all, but it puts it in there to mislead you. So...if you ignore this....then.” In about three seconds flat, he had worked the problem out and had the answer only to scratch it out heavily so Shishido couldn’t use it.
“You need to rest soon. Your brain doesn’t work if you spend it playing video games all night, Shishido.” He scolded.
Shishido blinked at the scratched out answer on his page. Inui was damn smart, he’d give his tutor that one, but also a big tease to scratch the answer out as swiftly as he’d given it. He sighed at his own pitiful start to the answer and diligently did a few lines before looking up at Inui. “I wasn’t up late playing video games.” Yes, he loved video games, but he knew when to turn them off on a school night, well at least most of the time, and yesterday he didn’t even think he’d played them. He was too busy with everything else going on right now. He couldn’t wait for the holidays to come so he could recharge.
“I woke up early to fight with Yuushi. I have to get up at 4:30 to meet him on time,” Shishido explained. And normally he was fine for rest of the day but with more and more things to get done each day he was having less and less time to grab a nap or to get to bed early. He might have to tell Yuushi they had to cut back on their sessions at this rate.
Yuushi? Oshitari? That caught Inui’s attention immediately. He wondered why Yuushi would fight with anyone. The scientist didn’t peg the vampire to be the fighting type and he didn’t spot the typical marks that usually occurred when a human being fought a vampire. Especially since his data pointed to the Nosferatu being faster and stronger than normal humans by as much as 60 - 70 % more. “Really? You were fighting with him? Fencing? Right? How exactly does that work?”
“Yeah fencing,” Shishido said happy for the excuse to stop working on the math question. Even if it meant talking about his fencing time with Yuushi. But fencing wasn’t nearly as lame as he thought it was so it wouldn’t be that uncool to talk about it. “I was teasing Yuushi about fencing and he offered to teach me how cool it is. And him and Kenya have been giving me lessons since. But because they’re night class and Yuushi’s a lazy ass, we have to do it before their curfew.” Which was a pain but at least it meant all of the night class’ crazy fangirls were still asleep and not likely to bother them.
“We normally go through some drills and techniques for the first hour and then do some sparring for the next half hour,” Shishido explained with a shrug. It didn’t sound nearly as exciting as it really was when he explained it like that but he thought it was probably one of those you have to experience it to enjoy it properly things. And he definitely wasn’t about to mention what they normally did in the last half hour together.
There was a half an hour missing from that equation. Even as he wrote it down, he realized that. Shishido had left out time. He didn’t think he had to ask what was occurring during that time. He had been in that position before, as Oshitari Yuushi stole away his time without his even realizing it had passed. He wouldn’t ask. That wasn’t his place. Instead, there were other things he really needed to know. Wanted to know. “So you fence against him and his cousin. Have you noticed...perhaps...him being a bit quicker? Or stronger? How about his cousin?” Even as he asked, he was also writing down that Oshitari Yuushi was a Lazy ass. It was good to know that such phenomenon occurred in Vampires as well as humans.
“This is very interesting. You know...I have never done any sort of sport, unless you count being a Mathalete.”
“Well of course they’re faster and stuff. They’ve been fencing for years. But I am getting better at it. But Kenya totally needs to come back. Yuushi’s a good instructor too but he’s way too easily distracted and stuff.” Shishido didn’t think being a beginner was anything to be ashamed of, at least not when you’re were still taking lessons and working hard at getting better.
“You should see Kenya and Yuushi fight though. It’s amazing. After you see them, you’ll never think fencing is poncy again.” He certainly didn’t. They moved so quickly and ferociously Shishido had barely been able to keep up with their movements as they went across the clearing and circled each other before clashing rapiers. It had also been hot as hell.
“And what’s a mathalete?” Shishido questioned. he thought he was pretty well versed in sports and things but that one stumped him.
He nodded a little. It might be time to try to find a way to get into the Night Class area, if only to see that. “I never thought it poncy.” He admitted. Probably because he made weapons, he studied the science behind them in order to make them the best he could. “And a mathalete is a person who competes in intellectual competitions where instead of hurdles, you do calculus.” Only he had been home schooled, but the idea was the same. “But you’ll have to show me sometime. Your fencing skills, Shishido. I’d like to see.” Because if he could see a human, even a learner do it, then he could better get the numbers and differences on the vampires.
“A math competition? Fuuuun,” Shishido said thinking that it sounded like torture to him. “And if you really want to, maybe I can ask Yuushi if you can come watch and maybe he can give you a lesson.” He didn’t really like sharing his time with the Oshitaris but Inui had helped him a lot this semester and he liked Inui so he thought it wouldn’t be a problem. He gave another yawn as he made a mental note to ask Yuushi about it next time they met up. .
He shook his head and adjusted his glasses. “No....No. You don’t have to do that. I am a scientist, not a fighter. I don’t need to be involved in such a fashion.” He lightly turned to a new page in his notebook. “I can always see it on my own time. And I don’t think lessons are for me. Could you even picture me with a sword. It wouldn’t fit me, 100%.” That and he didn’t want to get in the way. It was better if he was hidden away and getting unaltered data. If they knew he was watching, they might change things and thus give him bad information to work off of. No. it was better if he wasn’t included, even if a part of him really would like to be included into the things his friends did.
“Are you sure? It’s not a big deal. And Yuushi’s a better teacher than I made him out to be. I mean I was hopeless when I first picked up a sword. Nearly dropped it on my foot or something lame,” Shishido didn’t want Inui to think he couldn’t join in just because he might be lame at it. It didn’t matter if you were good as long as you were having fun, right? “Anyway, it’ll be an open invitation from me. Just let me know if you change your mind, okay?” Because he so didn’t need Inui wandering on them like Tomoka did. The thought of it still tended to make his cheeks turn rosy. So uncool.
Shishido seemed so sure and Inui was so curious. And really, if he learned maybe he could be more useful to the hunters than as just a lab rat...as just their living human computer system. Maybe he could even get out of the lab...and maybe pigs would fly. “Then sometime, I might just take you up on it. As long as it’s okay with the both of you. I don’t want to interrupt or intrude. I might enjoy gathering data, but I also understand that some things can wait.” Besides, if he got the proper data first, then he could gather the fake data that Yuushi and his cousin gave off when they went against a human.
“Great. You’ll have fun. Even if the hours are hellish. At least we don’t always do fencing. I really would be dead on my feet that way,” Shishido said. He poked at his math homework, added a few more lines and then let his eyes shut a moment. It wasn’t really a comfortable position, but he was sure if given enough time he could catch a quick nap. Not that he expected Inui to let him but it was a nice thought.
“I haven’t slept since....two days ago I think. So hours to me aren’t that meaningful.” He informed and then leaned over the smaller male to look at the problem and then nodded. “Better. You just forgot to carry the one.” He let the other shut his eyes a little and just watched him. “You have three more problems and then I’ll let you sleep as much as you want.”
“Two days?!” Shishido said in shock. He barely survived on five hours. “Are you like a machine or something?” It would make so much more sense if Inui was actually a super intelligent humanoid robot instead of an actual person. He was too surprised by this revelation to even find it in him to complain about stupid ones needing to be carried and three questions standing between him and sleep.
In a way...he supposed he was. Except for one other person at the Hunter’s academy, the entire place viewed him as such. He was a never ending font of data and numbers and ideas and the ability to make it into reality. He was a lab rat that never got to leave his cage. But he wasn’t about to let Shishido know just how close he was to the fact. Instead, he just chuckled a little and adjusted his glasses again. “If you look on my foot, you’ll see a mark that says Made in Japan very clearly.” He made a joke about it instead. “Now, are you going to make the attempt or am I going to have to use this?” He tapped the little thermos.
Shishido actually looked at Inui’s foot before he realised he was being played and flopped back with a huff. Though one look at the thermos of evil had him bending over his book again. “Yeah yeah, I’m going I’m going. You’re a bigger slave driver than Kenya is,” He muttered to himself trying to get the words of the next question to focus for him.
Shishido actually looked....That meant that deep down, his friend thought him a robot, just like everyone else did. He fought a sigh and forced himself not to frown. He lightly picked up his stuff, thermos included. “Data indicates that you are 100% unable to even see the words on the page. We will continue this another time, after you have had sleep.” In reality, Inui was just running away, back to his new lab until he could sort out and be rid of the sudden hurt feelings he had.
“I can read the words just fine,” Shishido protested though it was pushing the definition of read and fine to the limits. He wasn’t sure he could finish it now and the threat of Inui juice was very real, but he worried that Inui’s idea of after he’d had some sleep was waking him up at 2am and expecting his brain to think of math. He also was sort of getting the weird idea that he may have pissed Inui off somehow. Which was weird because Inui had never gotten really pissed off at him before over math homework. And he did explain that the yawning wasn’t because of gaming. Maybe Inui was just concerned about him and it wasn’t him being angry.
He knew it was illogical. Highly so. He had made a joke. The joke had failed. It wasn’t Shishido’s fault. It was his own. He supposed he could only blame not being socialized correctly as a small child. Jung or Freud...or whoever was vogue in the psychiatric field today. He was being silly and irrational. It wasn’t very fair to Shishido to take out his ineptitude on him. So instead, he took the time to take his breath and get his thinking pants back on.
“I think you need rest. You don’t function in the same way I do. I promise I won’t wake you up. I’ll wait until your study hall. But there will definitely be juice.” Because he supposed be was also concerned. He might never sleep, but his friends did.
Shishido gave up trying to read the words and blinked at Inui instead. “Did you just read my mind?” He asked. Maybe he was wrong, Inui wasn’t a robot but a space alien. His mind instantly went to Star Wars and Yoda, but Inui was neither short not green. So something more humanoid but still super smart and with creepy brainy powers. “Forget robot, you’re a Vulcan!” He wondered if reconstructive ear surgery had hurt. And then wondered if he was more tired than even he realized.
Inui smiled at that. He liked that idea. He lifted his hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting, fingers splayed like he had done it many times before. “Well, you’ll just have to watch out for my death grip and if you’re not able to answer these questions tomorrow I’ll have to mind meld with you and fix whatever the hang up is in your brain.” And if he was, maybe it would explain his attraction to Yuushi. Perhaps he was starting to experience Pon farr. Every seven years on the onset of puberty... That explained it, all right.
Shaking his head a little at the illogical jump of conclusion he sort of smiled at Shishido. “You really need to go to sleep. I’ll walk you back to your room if you want.” That way, he could keep an eye on the sleepy human and make sure no one bothered him. He might not be a guardian but he was still a hunter, even if only in name.
“Yeah, definitely an alien,” Shishido confirmed and held up his own hand Vulcan style. “Live long and prosper Sadaharu. And stay away from my mind.” He gave Inui’s chest a poke before gathering up his math books and pencil case and getting ready to move to his feet. He gave another long yawn, “Can’t believe how tired I am. Might have to stand Yuushi up tomorrow.” Which Yuushi would whine at him about. But oh well, a few extra hours of sleep would be nice.
Inui actually laughed a little. And not that creepy mad scientist laugh, a normal one. He could be normal too...or at least pretend to be. He had enough data on it. His smile stayed even when he was poked. He knew that if Shishido did, he would learn that under those geeky threads, he was a lot stronger than he looked. “It might be wise. Or you can still visit with him and just ask to postpone fencing lessons. I’m sure he might just like to sit and talk to you, as he seems to enjoy with myself.” He wasn’t about to share what else they did. That was his special personal data. “I theorize that Oshitari Yuushi would understand if you explained your quandary. 100%.” As would he. Inui would have understood if his student had ended up falling asleep on him. Sure, there would be juice later...but he would have let Shishido sleep, even if he didn’t think himself the best replacement for a pillow.
“Yeah, but it’s totally not worth it. I’ll go, and we’ll talk about cool things for all of ten minutes before he tricks me onto some lame topic. And the next thing I know he’s reciting ballads at me and I’m nodding off anyway. Might as well save us all and stay warm in bed,” Shishido said speaking from experience. Well, the part about ballads might be slightly exaggerated but the topic was lame and he wished he could have escaped it by actually sleeping. “Come on, you better walk me back to make sure I don’t fall asleep in the hallway.” He didn’t trust Eiji and Tomoka not to do weird things to him if he did.
Inui honestly didn’t think ballads were all that boring. Then again, he and Yuushi had a habit of talking about some vastly scientific things. Besides, he wasn’t one for poetry. He didn’t really understand the artistry on anything but an intellectual level. He stood up and towered over the other teen and held out his hand. “All right then. Let’s go. I’ll try to think of really boring, really lame things to talk about later on. So you can stay awake.” He was sure he seemed a bit protective too.
Shishido looked at the offered hand and gave a small grin before transferring his books to one arm so he could take it. “Lead on, my man,” He said. He gave another yawn, this time into his shoulder and upper arm as his hands were full and then looked back at Inui. Who was actually a cool guy when he wasn’t threatening him juice and making him actually study. “And please don’t think of really lame things to talk about. Math is bad enough. I don’t see when I’m ever going to use it in real life.”
Inui could think of a million different ways that math could be used in real life situations. He had already proved it once or twice, using his complex equations and observations to smoke Shishido in video games Inui had never before played, let alone seen until that moment. But he had promised and he did like to keep his promises. He pulled Shishido up and then let go. He let go because despite his time with Yuushi, Inui was still Inui. He was still awkward and a bit flustered when it came to personal contact. He forced his too long legs to shorten their usual stride, used to doing so for his best friend. At least Shishido was a bit taller that Gakuto was. “I will defend the mathematicians some later date, when you are awake enough to understand my argument and my data completely.” Instead, he wondered what else he could talk about. His mind flitted between so many subjects, but he ended on a safe one. Or at least relatively safe. “Shishido...this might sound like it is coming out of nowhere, but I have been recently made aware that there is a holiday that is coming up. Are there any traditions that you have that I might take into observance as well so that I can celebrate it as fully as possible before I go back home?”
“You mean Christmas? You were serious? I thought you were joking on your post,” Shishido said, stumbling a bit as he moved too swiftly to look at Inui. He thought everyone knew about Christmas on some level. But Inui was a bit bookish, maybe he was just so wrapped up in maths and sciences that it didn’t register. “Well, I don’t really do it, but people like to give cards and presents. Oh, and there’s Christmas cookies and cakes. They’re my favourite part.” They weren’t cheesecakes, but still delicious.
He shook his head a little and a hand went behind his head to scratch in embarrassment. “It wasn’t a joke.” He admitted. “It’s just sort of...difficult to explain in common terms as to why I’ve never celebrated nor really even thought about it...” He didn’t want anyone else knowing just how sheltered he had been. “So you like sweets. Ii data.” He whipped out his notebook and jotted the information down. He would have to do research on the proper type of holiday treats, so he could give some to his friends before he left. It was followed by another quick note...to find a way to convince the home ec club to let him use their ovens, because home made treats were 100% better than store bought...and he already knew how to make yummy juices.... “You will have to share with me data on your favorite types.”
“Don’t worry, I get it.” Shishido said. He’d heard of people that’s families didn’t believe in celebrating holidays and stuff. He thought it was a little weird, but he wouldn’t laugh at his friend about it. That would just be lame. Instead, he had the duty to make sure that Inui had a great Christmas experience before returning home. He’d enlist Gakuto and Yuushi to help him, maybe An and Sakuno for the baked goods. He wasn’t sure he trusted Gakuto or Yuushi in a kitchen. “I like cheesecakes the best but they aren’t really Christmasy. But the most important part of the holidays is to get together with friends and family and have a great time. Delicious food, cheesy Christmas songs, watching sappy movies and maybe even swapping gifts.”
He might break his no gifts rule if they did like a secret exchange. That way he wouldn’t have to buy for everyone and Inui would still get the whole experience. He’d have to talk it over with Gakuto. Yuushi wasn’t allowed a gift vote, the idiot would probably say something stupid like ‘Let’s buy Inui a new science lab and a trip to Disney for Christmas.’ In fact, he’d have to stress a strict spending limit on the exchange to stop the moronic fool from going overboard. He was nearly smiling a the thought of Yuushi’s look when he told him there was a spending limit but another yawn interrupted him.
Cheese cake? Inui’s glasses flashed a little. If scientists could split the atom, if doctors could clone a sheep, then by Darwin he would learn how to make cheesecake for his student and friend. He knew he would be left out of the songs, but at least he could do that much. He would have to think of a good gift for his best friends as well...And Yuushi. It was strangely nice to know he had people he could gives gifts to. He noticed the smile on Shishido’s face and it made him smile. It looked like the holidays was something that made people happy. He definitely was going to learn since it seemed to make people happy. He wanted to make his sleepy friend smile like that more. “I will think something up for you then. Maybe a special study guide.” He mused as they moved back towards the dorms.
Shishido groaned at the mention of more studying. “Christmas gifts are supposed to be things you want, not stuff you need.” Or at least that was his rule. He didn’t need a new mp3 player but he definitely wanted one. He needed the study guide but he totally didn’t want one. Oh well, no matter what Inui got him, he was sure it would at least be useful. And a study guide would be a more thoughtful gift than just going to the shop and buying a dvd. “You know, maybe a study guide would make a good gift. As long as it’s from the heart,” Shishido added on. He still didn’t want one, but he’d be thankful for it anyway if that’s what Inui ended up getting him.
He was not aware of that fact. It was strange to him...to ask for things he wanted instead of things he required. To him wanting and needing were the same thing. It was definitely a strange concept. But since he knew little of Shishido’s actual wants, it was hard to determine the best means of present. But it would seem he would be happy with a study guide. Inui would write him one....hand written, in a nice notebook. It should help a lot on the finals at the end of the year. “Thank you for the good data.” He stated and then guided his friend into their shared dorm.
“That’s what friends are for,” Shishido said easily and sighed tiredly before starting up the stairs to the third floor. “And I’ll let you know about the Christmas party. Might even get stupid Christmas hats.” Another thing that wasn’t really his style but if he was going to do this for Inui he was going to make sure every cliche Christmas thing was included.
There were hats too? People really did go all out for this thing. He supposed he would be doing some more research on the subject, so that he didn’t feel like he had been living under a rock when it came time for the celebration. “I’d appreciate the heads up.” He would definitely attend. He just hoped that the vampires would be invited too. He would love to see how the other species celebrated, if there were any differences. But that would be a thought for another time. They had reached Shishido’s room. “Do you think you can make it the rest of the way, or should I come in and tuck you in?” It was a rather dry and poor attempt at humor.
Shishido gave a small chuckle, “I think I might be okay. Thanks though.” He dug out his key and unlocked his door and gave Inui a final wave before ducking into his room. He dropped his bag onto the floor and made a mental note to organize a Christmas party for his Vulcan friend before flopping on his bed to get some much needed sleep.