[FANFIC] Saima14's All The Little Things p1
my sister has deleted her account, so i'm posting her fic here. this was written september 2011. just copy-paste-d
Title: All The Little Things
Author: mai
Paring: Inoo Kei x OC
Genre: Familial, Friendship, Fluff, Angst, Slice of Life
AN:
- this will be a multi-drabble fic... 30 continuous drabbles for each day of september. i've already made the first 20... i hope i can finish them all by weekend. :D
#01
KEI'S POV
My mom and dad never fought.
Well, not that I know of, at least.
But they never act like they love each other either.
So when the day came, I wasn't very surprise.
It's not that it didn't affect me. I hated hearing those words.
"We'll be having a divorce."
But I guess, I've already expected it.
It was something I was dreading.
"We'll let you choose where you want to live." My mom said.
I hated these words more. They were making me and Aki choose between the two of them.
Aki had chose to be with mom. That was expected. They were very close.
I knew Dad expected that too. But I didn't miss the hurt that cross his eyes at Aki's decision.
And then the fear of hurting again as he looked at me.
I had thought of just leaving on my own.
But I found myself saying.
"I'll be with dad."
AN:
-short, since this is a drabble. *whacked*. but everyday there would be an update so it wouldn't be too much a cliffy. *whacked more*.
-
#02
KEI'S POV
Dad is a very quiet person. He was always very reserved.
Sometimes I wonder what happened to him and mom... cause I always had an image of Dad as being strong. I had hoped that they wouldn't divorce. But well, it happened. I can't do anything now.
But just a year after that, he surprised me.
"Kei, I'm thinking of remarrying."
The only thing I could say to him then was, "Huh??"
And for the first time, I heard about this Katsuragi-san.
My dad told me all about them. Even some details that might have scarred me for my whole life.
But as he was talking I could see it.
He was smiling fondly as he recounted his story.
It was a smile that I hadn't seen from him for ages.
He was really in love.
And I knew that I too, wanted this for him.
I teased him a little bit after his story. He became rather giddy than annoyed, though.
"What do you think?" He asked me.
I knew how my dad thinks. I knew he was only hesitating for my sake. He had said it often times, that sometimes he regrets some of the decisions he made for our family.
"I think it would be great." I told him, honestly.
He smiled at me, grateful.
"We don't have plans yet..." Dad said. "But... I just thought... well, you should know at least."
I nodded, mock-punching him on his shoulder.
#03
KEI'S POV
Even though dad said they weren't planning on anything yet, just barely a month after our talk he had said it.
"Kei, I've proposed to her. We're planning on submitting our certificate soon."
I was surprised, I must admit. But I was happy, nevertheless. Dad had already told mom and it seems everything was already set.
Dad said they would just simply submit their marriage certificate. He didn't want such a buzz. But they are planning on living together.
That was a bit daunting, but I could see how important this is for dad. So without any hesitation, I agreed with it.
"Thank you so much, Kei." He had said, gratefully. "Now we'll just have to set the house. I'm thinking of letting Katsuragi-san's daughter use the guest room." He trailed off.
"Daughter??" I deadpanned.
He looked at me surprised, "Hai. Didn't you know?"
"No." I never heard of this.
"Katsuragi-san is a single mother. She have a daughter. She's a very nice young lady, I'm sure you'll get along with her fine. She's a fifth year med student." Dad explained.
I didn't say anything. I was shocked.
"Kei?" Dad called to me, concern in his voice. I'm sure he's thinking I'm having second thoughts on the whole ordeal.
"That's fine." I said quickly. "She should use the guest room. It would be perfect for her since the room is big and everything."
"Are you really fine with this?" My dad asked.
"Yes." I said hastily. "I'm just a bit shocked I'm gonna have a neechan." I told him, chuckling a bit.
He smiled at me, "Kei, she's a year younger than you. She's Aki's age."
-
#04
KAORI's POV
Mom had told me about Inoo-san the first day they met.
Mom and me were always open to each other.
Well, it has always been the two of us.
She was my best friend.
Since that first day, I had an inkling of the possibility of them falling for each other, the way she talked about him.
My mom, who had always acted tough and strong, had acted like a high school girl.
And now, I would be meeting the Inoos for the first time.
I had met Inoo-san before, but it was just for a bit and we hardly talked. Today was the first time to properly meet him.
I have seen them come in the restaurant. They rather attract attention.
I knew the son, of course. Inoo Kei. He was afterall an idol. I wasn't a fan, but he was fairly popular.
He seemed nice enough. He was a gentleman. But besides introducing ourselves to each other, we hadn't said anything to each other.
We both sat there awkwardly.
Both of us, I'm sure, were feeling out of place.
It was a bit scary to think of all the changes that would happen in my life after this night.
But I won't complain as long as I'm with my mom; as long as my mom is happy.
After we ate dinner, the four of us had went to the city hall.
Both Mom and Inoo-san wanted us to accompany them when they submit their certificate.
That was the first thing we would do as a family.
The first day I met them, was the same day they became part of our family.
That was a bit comical.
It was quick. A minute separating my life with just my mom and my life with my new family.
"This really feels surreal..." I heard Inoo Kei said besides me as my mom and his dad made their way back to us.
I looked at him and smiled. We were feeling the same thing.
He smiled back a bit awkwardly.
"I guess you're my imoto now." He said.
"I guess you're my oniisan now." I said, shrugging.
"Can I call you Kaori, then?" He asked. I nodded.
Maybe it'll be okay.
AN:
-Kaori is based from macymacymacy. lol. this will be my birthday gift for her. xDD
-
#05
Kei was rather surprised at what welcomed him when he came down from his room after waking up at noon.
It was his off, so he had slept in. He had, maybe because of exhaustion, forgot that Aiko-san and Kaori had moved in with them just the previous day.
It was therefore a bit of a shock when he had seen Aiko-san in their kitchen, preparing lunch.
For a moment he thought it was his mom.
"Kei-kun, ohayou~" Aiko-san had greeteed when she had noticed him enter.
"Ohayou." Kei said in turn.
"Are you feeling hungry? I'm almost done here." She said with a smile, turning the stove off.
She then turned to him. "Would you mind calling Kaori in the meantime?" She asked.
Kei smile and shook his head, turning around to go to Kaori's room.
Even though it was just Aiko-san and Kaori, their house now felt very crowded again. It wasn't the same as when his mom and his sister was there, but it was a nice change anyway. It was as if their house became warmer somehow. He had gotten used to it being cold since the divorce, but now it seemed lively again.
Kei had clambered up to the second floor, to where Kaori's room, which was next to his own room, was.
He was about to knock on her door when he heard her talking.
"Inoo-san and his son is very nice. We're really welcomed here."
Kei smiled at that. He was glad she thought so.
Kei continued to knock.
"Hai..." Kaori called called out. Kei opened her door.
"Lunch is ready." He mouthed at her.
She smiled and nodded. She was talking with someone on her phone whilst she was arranging some of her things. Most of her things was still packed.
She gestured for Kei to wait.
"Hai... hai... yeah, school is fine. Just as usual." She said to her phone.
"Ah, Dad, wait just one sec." She said and then she placed her phone down and carried one of her boxes. Kei rushed to help.
Kaori smiled at him gratefully. She returned to her phone.
"Dad, we'll be eating now. I'll just call you again, kay?" She said to her phone.
"Hai.. hai... ja. Hai. I love you, too." She said the last three words in English and then hung her phone.
She turned to Kei. "Kei-san, you can go ahead, I'll just arrange a few more things." She said.
"I can help." Kei offered.
"Ah, arigatou." Kaori said and Kei started opening some of Kaori's other boxes.
"So that was Katsuragi-san..?" Kei asked, curiously, as they worked.
"Ah, my dad, hai. But he's not Katsuragi-san." Kaori said, smiling.
Kei looked at her, surprised. "His name is Fukuda Reo. My mom and dad never did submit their marriage certificate, though they did lived as husband and wife when I was little. But now he's working abroad." Kaori explaned.
"Oh." Kei said, taking this all in.
"My mom's dad is the Katsuragi-san." She continued to say. "So your dad is my mom's first husband, basically."
Kei nodded, looking at Kaori.
Kaori smiled, "What is it?"
Kei shrugged. "I just thought you're rather open. I had the impression that you don't like me. You were a bit cold the first time we met." He said honestly.
Kaori smiled, "Sorry about that. I can get a bit shy, I guess. I didn't know how to act then. And I don't really talk about this to other people but..." She shrugged, "you're family now." She said as she placed a picture frame besides her bed. It was a picture of her and her mom.
"You were also quite inquisitive. I have the impression that you were rather reserved." She said as she looked at him.
Kei let out a chuckle. "Sorry if I was overly familiar." he shrugged, "But well, you're family now."
-
#06
Kei felt very relieved when he entered their home.
The day was finally coming to an end. Work was fun, but exhausting. He was quite excited to go to his bed.
It seems everyone was already asleep. The house was quiet and the lights already turned off.
Silently, Kei climbed up the stairs.
He was surprised to see a streak of light coming from Kaori's slightly ajar door.
Curious, he went closer to her room and peeked but he had accidentally moved the door to open more.
It was to see Kaori on her study table, wearing red-framed glasses and reading a thick book.
Kaori had glanced his way as the door moved.
"Oh, you're home. Okaeri." She said, smiling.
"Tadaima." Kei said in reply.
He stood there, just watching. Kaori thought he wanted to say something so she waited.
"Can I be inquisitive once more?" He said after a pause.
Kaori smiled. "Sure." She said.
"How is it that it's already your fifth year in med school when you're a year younger than me? I'm only in my fourth year college." He asked.
"Oh," Kaori said, not expecting that. "I finished my highschool in the Philippines. My dad is half-Filipino. I grew up there. In the Philippines, we have six years in elementary and four years in high school. There's no middle school there." Kaori explained.
"Maji? Cool... So you finished high school when you were around sixteen?" Inoo asked again, interested. "And you're half?? You don't look half!" He added as an afterthought.
"Hai. I entered my preparatory course when I was seventeen. I'm just a fourth Filipino. And they do say I'm a carbon copy of my mom. I don't really looked like my dad." She said, smiling.
"Ohhh." Kei nodded. "Sugoi. You started going to college so young. You must be a tensai."
Kaori smiled as she shook her head. "It's really nothing. It just the same as everyone. You're the one who's amazing. I heard you're an architecture student. Sugoi. You can balance your work and your study. I'm having a hard time even though I only have my studies to worry about." She said.
Kei shook his head as well. "I'm not brilliant in work or school, anyway. And I know it's hard to get in to med schools--" He yawned unexpectedly, cutting his sentence.
"You should rest now. You look tired." Kaori said.
Kei nodded, smiling at her. "You shouldn't stay up too late as well. Oyasumi." He said, already withdrawing from the room.
"Hai... Oyasumi..." Kaori called to him. "Nii-san." She added in a teasing voice.
Kei smiled at that.
-
#07
"Kei-san... Kei-san..." Kaori called as she gently tapped Kei on his back.
She sighed. It was no use. He was deeply asleep.
"Kei-san...." Kaori tried again, patting him a little harder this time.
He still didn't stirr.
Kaori sighed again. It was a bit uncomfortable standing there inside his room. She knew she was intruding.
Kaori had thought that Kei-san really looked feminine. But now that she's seeing his room, she could definitely say that he was a guy.
There was nothing horrible there, but it was messy. Books, CDs and architecture stuffs were scattered all over the room.
Kaori shook her head from her musings and tried again.
"Kei-san... Kei-san..." Nothing. He looks exhausted.
"Nii-chan..." She tried.
He stirred.
"Nii-chan, wake up..." She said a little louder.
He groaned. "Mou, Aki... five more minutes..." He said grumpily.
Kaori smiled at this.
"It's not Aki. It's Kaori, Kei-san." She said.
At this words, Kei opened his eyes, sat up quickly and hastily pulled the blankets to cover himself.
"Kaori!" He exclaimed, surprised.
"Gomen for entering your room while your asleep." Kaori said quickly, bowing.
Kei shook his head. "Ie, ie... I'm just... a bit shocked." He said.
"Ano, you're dad told me to wake you up so..." Kaori explained.
Kei nodded and looked at the clock.
"It's only 6!" He groaned. "It's my off today... what does he want?" He asked, lying back on his bed.
"Sorry, I don't know..." Kaori said. "Uhmm, I'll go now." She said awkwardly.
Kei looked up at her and nodded. Then he sighed. "Tell dad I'll go down in a minute." He said.
"Hai..." Kaori said and swiftly exited the room.
As she went Kei place his hand on his face.
"That's so embarrasing..."
-
#08
Kei felt very satisfied and very sleepy at the moment.
It was Friday, and tomorrow he didn't have work so he had invited his friends to eat out after their classes.
He felt very full, he just wanted to go to his room and sleep. It was good to have times like this once in a while.
Quietly, Kei opened thier front door.
It wasn't very late yet, but his family does sleep early.
But he didn't have to worry. As he opened the door, he had heard their laughters and the television on the background. It seems everyone's watching a movie or something.
"Sugoi!" he heard Kaori's voice say. He had to smile at that.
'I wonder what they're watching.'
But then, there was screams. It came from the television, no doubt. And right after the screams were something very familiar to Kei.
It was the intro of Your Seed, band version.
They were watching SUMMARY '10.
Suddenly, Kei felt very awake. He rushed to their living room to see his father, step-mother and step-sister fixedly watching him playing
the piano on their television.
Blood rushed to Kei's face.
"Don't watch that!" He said as he rushed towards their television, covering it.
"Oh you're back, Okaeri." His dad calmly said.
"Dad!!" Kei complained. "Do you love tormenting me????"
"What?" His dad retorted. "The whole world can watch you perform but not your family?"
"It's embarrassing! I--"
"It was great! You guys are amazing! Especially the band!" Kaori suddenly piped, looking excited.
Impossibly, Kei turned a shade redder though he smiled at Kaori sheepishly.
"Ah, arigatou.. But Kaori-chan don't say that... it's really em--"
"Nakajima-san was really great! He's so kakkoi!!"
"Ehhh??" Kei couldn't help but say, pouting a bit.
Kaori looked at him. "Of course Kei is great as well." She said.
Kei pouted more. "You don't have to force yourself."
"Kei-kun, have you had dinner? There's still food." Aiko-san said.
"Hai. I went out with Makita and the others." Kei said, a bit distracted.
"How about dessert? There's still pudding." Aiko-san said.
"It's okay. I'm fu--"
"Kaori-chan made them." Inoo-san chimed.
Kei looked at him and then he looked back at Aiko-san.
"Ittadakimasu."
-
#09
Kei woke up with a start.
His eyes immediately landed on the clock.
1:00AM
He had barely slept.
He didn't know what woke him up at once but soon he knew.
There was music coming from the next room.
"Kaori-chan's still awake?" He muttered sleepily.
Yawning, he stood up and exited his room, intending to get a glass of water.
As he moved out his room, he had ascertained that the music indeed was coming from Kaori's room. It wasn't something familiar to Kei. It was instrumental. A piano piece.
He smiled. "Maybe she sleeps with the music on. Just like Keito."
Turning to the stairs, he had made his way down to the kitchen.
He was surprised to see Aiko-san there.
"Kei-kun." She smiled warmly at him. "Can't sleep?" She asked. She was preparing coffee and biscuits.
Kei smiled back and shook his head in answer. "Nah, I just woke up."
"Ah, me too. It seems your father is the only one asleep." She said.
Kei looked at her. "Kaori-chan..?"
"She always listens to classic music when she writes or when she studies. I'm sure she's studying now. She have exams tomorrow." She explained.
"Oh." Kei said. And then he glanced at the clock.
Aiko-san chuckled. "Don't worry about her. She's someone who wouldnt push herself too much. She can manage her time well." Aiko-san said, now slicing pieces of cheese.
"This is her booster." Aiko-san said, pointing at the coffee, biscuits and cheese.
She placed them on a tray and made to carry them. Kei moved forward.
"I can cary it to her room instead." He offered. "Ba-chan should rest now. You still have work in the moring." He said.
Aiko-san smiled at him. "Arigatou."
Kei smiled as he made his way towards her room.
He had knocked twice when he was in front of her door.
"Hai." she called out.
He grinned at her sleeping voice and opened the door.
"Your mom made you snacks." He said as he entered her room.
"Uwah, arigatou!" A beaming Kaori in her pajamas with her hair up and wearing her thick, red-framed glasses welcomed him.
For a moment, he could only stare.
-
#10
Kaori blinked as she stepped onto their front porch.
She had just come back from university. Their professor wasn't around so they were dismissed early.
But she didn't know they had visitors today.
Cautiously, she opened the door.
"Tadaima." She called out.
"Ah. Kaori-chan! Okaeri! Come on here!" She heard Kei called.
She hastily placed her shoes by the door and went to the living room.
Kei, a girl about their age and two dogs welcomed her.
"Kaori-chan! Kocchi, kocchi!" Kei called to her. Hesitantly, she moved towards him.
"Kaori-chan! I'd like you to meet Jam, An and Aki." Kei said pointing to the two dogs first and then to the girl.
"Konnichiwa!" Kaori said, bowing hastily.
Aki smiled warmly at her. "Konnichiwa."
"Kaori-chan." Kei introduced her.
"Kinda late, nii-chan." Aki said, rolling her eyes at the older boy. She turned back to Kaori with a smile. "It's nice meeting you, though it's a shame I need to get going now. Let's hang out next time ne?" She said.
"That would be wonderful." Kaori said, beaming at Aki.
"You're leaving already??" Kei pouted.
"I still have class, Nii-chan. I should have gone an hour ago." Aki said. "Well, I'll just get Jam and An next Friday, yes?"
"Hai, hai..." Kei said, sounding disappointed.
"Ja, Ittekimasu. Kaori-chan, mata ne."
"Hai, itterashai." Kaori responded. Kei and Kaori accompanied her to the door.
As the door closed, one of the dogs began barking at Kaori.
"An!" Kei chided, but Kaori only chuckled and moved towards the dog.
"It's okay, she just want to introduce himself." She said as she slowly stretched one hand to the dog.
The dog started sniffing her hand and soon the dog allowed Kaori to pet her.
Kei smiled at the scene. "You like dogs?"
"Daisuki." Kaori said, now playing with both Jam and An. "They are your sister's dogs?" She asked him.
"They're mine. But when mom and dad divorced I left them with Aki. I don't think I can properly care for them with my work and school. But I do borrow them from time to time. When I don't have much work." Kei said.
"Ah..." Kaori said, still playing with the dogs. The dogs seems to really like her, even though they had only met now.
"They are Jam and An, you say?" Kaori said.
"Hai." Kei said.
Kaori laughed.
"What is it?" Kei asked, smiling in curiousity.
"One of my cousins from the Philippines had a golden retriever." Kaori said, turning to Kei.
"Hn." Kei said, waiting.
"Her name is Ino."
"Eh?? Maji?" Kei said, chuckling.
"Ah. It was frrom a character in Naruto. She likes Naruto."
Kei laughed. "That's interesting."
"Hai. And ironically,"
Kei looked at her.
"My cousin's name is An."
The two of them laughed at that.
"Sugoi!!"
Title: All The Little Things
Author: mai
Paring: Inoo Kei x OC
Genre: Familial, Friendship, Fluff, Angst, Slice of Life
AN:
- this will be a multi-drabble fic... 30 continuous drabbles for each day of september. i've already made the first 20... i hope i can finish them all by weekend. :D
#01
KEI'S POV
My mom and dad never fought.
Well, not that I know of, at least.
But they never act like they love each other either.
So when the day came, I wasn't very surprise.
It's not that it didn't affect me. I hated hearing those words.
"We'll be having a divorce."
But I guess, I've already expected it.
It was something I was dreading.
"We'll let you choose where you want to live." My mom said.
I hated these words more. They were making me and Aki choose between the two of them.
Aki had chose to be with mom. That was expected. They were very close.
I knew Dad expected that too. But I didn't miss the hurt that cross his eyes at Aki's decision.
And then the fear of hurting again as he looked at me.
I had thought of just leaving on my own.
But I found myself saying.
"I'll be with dad."
AN:
-short, since this is a drabble. *whacked*. but everyday there would be an update so it wouldn't be too much a cliffy. *whacked more*.
-
#02
KEI'S POV
Dad is a very quiet person. He was always very reserved.
Sometimes I wonder what happened to him and mom... cause I always had an image of Dad as being strong. I had hoped that they wouldn't divorce. But well, it happened. I can't do anything now.
But just a year after that, he surprised me.
"Kei, I'm thinking of remarrying."
The only thing I could say to him then was, "Huh??"
And for the first time, I heard about this Katsuragi-san.
My dad told me all about them. Even some details that might have scarred me for my whole life.
But as he was talking I could see it.
He was smiling fondly as he recounted his story.
It was a smile that I hadn't seen from him for ages.
He was really in love.
And I knew that I too, wanted this for him.
I teased him a little bit after his story. He became rather giddy than annoyed, though.
"What do you think?" He asked me.
I knew how my dad thinks. I knew he was only hesitating for my sake. He had said it often times, that sometimes he regrets some of the decisions he made for our family.
"I think it would be great." I told him, honestly.
He smiled at me, grateful.
"We don't have plans yet..." Dad said. "But... I just thought... well, you should know at least."
I nodded, mock-punching him on his shoulder.
#03
KEI'S POV
Even though dad said they weren't planning on anything yet, just barely a month after our talk he had said it.
"Kei, I've proposed to her. We're planning on submitting our certificate soon."
I was surprised, I must admit. But I was happy, nevertheless. Dad had already told mom and it seems everything was already set.
Dad said they would just simply submit their marriage certificate. He didn't want such a buzz. But they are planning on living together.
That was a bit daunting, but I could see how important this is for dad. So without any hesitation, I agreed with it.
"Thank you so much, Kei." He had said, gratefully. "Now we'll just have to set the house. I'm thinking of letting Katsuragi-san's daughter use the guest room." He trailed off.
"Daughter??" I deadpanned.
He looked at me surprised, "Hai. Didn't you know?"
"No." I never heard of this.
"Katsuragi-san is a single mother. She have a daughter. She's a very nice young lady, I'm sure you'll get along with her fine. She's a fifth year med student." Dad explained.
I didn't say anything. I was shocked.
"Kei?" Dad called to me, concern in his voice. I'm sure he's thinking I'm having second thoughts on the whole ordeal.
"That's fine." I said quickly. "She should use the guest room. It would be perfect for her since the room is big and everything."
"Are you really fine with this?" My dad asked.
"Yes." I said hastily. "I'm just a bit shocked I'm gonna have a neechan." I told him, chuckling a bit.
He smiled at me, "Kei, she's a year younger than you. She's Aki's age."
-
#04
KAORI's POV
Mom had told me about Inoo-san the first day they met.
Mom and me were always open to each other.
Well, it has always been the two of us.
She was my best friend.
Since that first day, I had an inkling of the possibility of them falling for each other, the way she talked about him.
My mom, who had always acted tough and strong, had acted like a high school girl.
And now, I would be meeting the Inoos for the first time.
I had met Inoo-san before, but it was just for a bit and we hardly talked. Today was the first time to properly meet him.
I have seen them come in the restaurant. They rather attract attention.
I knew the son, of course. Inoo Kei. He was afterall an idol. I wasn't a fan, but he was fairly popular.
He seemed nice enough. He was a gentleman. But besides introducing ourselves to each other, we hadn't said anything to each other.
We both sat there awkwardly.
Both of us, I'm sure, were feeling out of place.
It was a bit scary to think of all the changes that would happen in my life after this night.
But I won't complain as long as I'm with my mom; as long as my mom is happy.
After we ate dinner, the four of us had went to the city hall.
Both Mom and Inoo-san wanted us to accompany them when they submit their certificate.
That was the first thing we would do as a family.
The first day I met them, was the same day they became part of our family.
That was a bit comical.
It was quick. A minute separating my life with just my mom and my life with my new family.
"This really feels surreal..." I heard Inoo Kei said besides me as my mom and his dad made their way back to us.
I looked at him and smiled. We were feeling the same thing.
He smiled back a bit awkwardly.
"I guess you're my imoto now." He said.
"I guess you're my oniisan now." I said, shrugging.
"Can I call you Kaori, then?" He asked. I nodded.
Maybe it'll be okay.
AN:
-Kaori is based from macymacymacy. lol. this will be my birthday gift for her. xDD
-
#05
Kei was rather surprised at what welcomed him when he came down from his room after waking up at noon.
It was his off, so he had slept in. He had, maybe because of exhaustion, forgot that Aiko-san and Kaori had moved in with them just the previous day.
It was therefore a bit of a shock when he had seen Aiko-san in their kitchen, preparing lunch.
For a moment he thought it was his mom.
"Kei-kun, ohayou~" Aiko-san had greeteed when she had noticed him enter.
"Ohayou." Kei said in turn.
"Are you feeling hungry? I'm almost done here." She said with a smile, turning the stove off.
She then turned to him. "Would you mind calling Kaori in the meantime?" She asked.
Kei smile and shook his head, turning around to go to Kaori's room.
Even though it was just Aiko-san and Kaori, their house now felt very crowded again. It wasn't the same as when his mom and his sister was there, but it was a nice change anyway. It was as if their house became warmer somehow. He had gotten used to it being cold since the divorce, but now it seemed lively again.
Kei had clambered up to the second floor, to where Kaori's room, which was next to his own room, was.
He was about to knock on her door when he heard her talking.
"Inoo-san and his son is very nice. We're really welcomed here."
Kei smiled at that. He was glad she thought so.
Kei continued to knock.
"Hai..." Kaori called called out. Kei opened her door.
"Lunch is ready." He mouthed at her.
She smiled and nodded. She was talking with someone on her phone whilst she was arranging some of her things. Most of her things was still packed.
She gestured for Kei to wait.
"Hai... hai... yeah, school is fine. Just as usual." She said to her phone.
"Ah, Dad, wait just one sec." She said and then she placed her phone down and carried one of her boxes. Kei rushed to help.
Kaori smiled at him gratefully. She returned to her phone.
"Dad, we'll be eating now. I'll just call you again, kay?" She said to her phone.
"Hai.. hai... ja. Hai. I love you, too." She said the last three words in English and then hung her phone.
She turned to Kei. "Kei-san, you can go ahead, I'll just arrange a few more things." She said.
"I can help." Kei offered.
"Ah, arigatou." Kaori said and Kei started opening some of Kaori's other boxes.
"So that was Katsuragi-san..?" Kei asked, curiously, as they worked.
"Ah, my dad, hai. But he's not Katsuragi-san." Kaori said, smiling.
Kei looked at her, surprised. "His name is Fukuda Reo. My mom and dad never did submit their marriage certificate, though they did lived as husband and wife when I was little. But now he's working abroad." Kaori explaned.
"Oh." Kei said, taking this all in.
"My mom's dad is the Katsuragi-san." She continued to say. "So your dad is my mom's first husband, basically."
Kei nodded, looking at Kaori.
Kaori smiled, "What is it?"
Kei shrugged. "I just thought you're rather open. I had the impression that you don't like me. You were a bit cold the first time we met." He said honestly.
Kaori smiled, "Sorry about that. I can get a bit shy, I guess. I didn't know how to act then. And I don't really talk about this to other people but..." She shrugged, "you're family now." She said as she placed a picture frame besides her bed. It was a picture of her and her mom.
"You were also quite inquisitive. I have the impression that you were rather reserved." She said as she looked at him.
Kei let out a chuckle. "Sorry if I was overly familiar." he shrugged, "But well, you're family now."
-
#06
Kei felt very relieved when he entered their home.
The day was finally coming to an end. Work was fun, but exhausting. He was quite excited to go to his bed.
It seems everyone was already asleep. The house was quiet and the lights already turned off.
Silently, Kei climbed up the stairs.
He was surprised to see a streak of light coming from Kaori's slightly ajar door.
Curious, he went closer to her room and peeked but he had accidentally moved the door to open more.
It was to see Kaori on her study table, wearing red-framed glasses and reading a thick book.
Kaori had glanced his way as the door moved.
"Oh, you're home. Okaeri." She said, smiling.
"Tadaima." Kei said in reply.
He stood there, just watching. Kaori thought he wanted to say something so she waited.
"Can I be inquisitive once more?" He said after a pause.
Kaori smiled. "Sure." She said.
"How is it that it's already your fifth year in med school when you're a year younger than me? I'm only in my fourth year college." He asked.
"Oh," Kaori said, not expecting that. "I finished my highschool in the Philippines. My dad is half-Filipino. I grew up there. In the Philippines, we have six years in elementary and four years in high school. There's no middle school there." Kaori explained.
"Maji? Cool... So you finished high school when you were around sixteen?" Inoo asked again, interested. "And you're half?? You don't look half!" He added as an afterthought.
"Hai. I entered my preparatory course when I was seventeen. I'm just a fourth Filipino. And they do say I'm a carbon copy of my mom. I don't really looked like my dad." She said, smiling.
"Ohhh." Kei nodded. "Sugoi. You started going to college so young. You must be a tensai."
Kaori smiled as she shook her head. "It's really nothing. It just the same as everyone. You're the one who's amazing. I heard you're an architecture student. Sugoi. You can balance your work and your study. I'm having a hard time even though I only have my studies to worry about." She said.
Kei shook his head as well. "I'm not brilliant in work or school, anyway. And I know it's hard to get in to med schools--" He yawned unexpectedly, cutting his sentence.
"You should rest now. You look tired." Kaori said.
Kei nodded, smiling at her. "You shouldn't stay up too late as well. Oyasumi." He said, already withdrawing from the room.
"Hai... Oyasumi..." Kaori called to him. "Nii-san." She added in a teasing voice.
Kei smiled at that.
-
#07
"Kei-san... Kei-san..." Kaori called as she gently tapped Kei on his back.
She sighed. It was no use. He was deeply asleep.
"Kei-san...." Kaori tried again, patting him a little harder this time.
He still didn't stirr.
Kaori sighed again. It was a bit uncomfortable standing there inside his room. She knew she was intruding.
Kaori had thought that Kei-san really looked feminine. But now that she's seeing his room, she could definitely say that he was a guy.
There was nothing horrible there, but it was messy. Books, CDs and architecture stuffs were scattered all over the room.
Kaori shook her head from her musings and tried again.
"Kei-san... Kei-san..." Nothing. He looks exhausted.
"Nii-chan..." She tried.
He stirred.
"Nii-chan, wake up..." She said a little louder.
He groaned. "Mou, Aki... five more minutes..." He said grumpily.
Kaori smiled at this.
"It's not Aki. It's Kaori, Kei-san." She said.
At this words, Kei opened his eyes, sat up quickly and hastily pulled the blankets to cover himself.
"Kaori!" He exclaimed, surprised.
"Gomen for entering your room while your asleep." Kaori said quickly, bowing.
Kei shook his head. "Ie, ie... I'm just... a bit shocked." He said.
"Ano, you're dad told me to wake you up so..." Kaori explained.
Kei nodded and looked at the clock.
"It's only 6!" He groaned. "It's my off today... what does he want?" He asked, lying back on his bed.
"Sorry, I don't know..." Kaori said. "Uhmm, I'll go now." She said awkwardly.
Kei looked up at her and nodded. Then he sighed. "Tell dad I'll go down in a minute." He said.
"Hai..." Kaori said and swiftly exited the room.
As she went Kei place his hand on his face.
"That's so embarrasing..."
-
#08
Kei felt very satisfied and very sleepy at the moment.
It was Friday, and tomorrow he didn't have work so he had invited his friends to eat out after their classes.
He felt very full, he just wanted to go to his room and sleep. It was good to have times like this once in a while.
Quietly, Kei opened thier front door.
It wasn't very late yet, but his family does sleep early.
But he didn't have to worry. As he opened the door, he had heard their laughters and the television on the background. It seems everyone's watching a movie or something.
"Sugoi!" he heard Kaori's voice say. He had to smile at that.
'I wonder what they're watching.'
But then, there was screams. It came from the television, no doubt. And right after the screams were something very familiar to Kei.
It was the intro of Your Seed, band version.
They were watching SUMMARY '10.
Suddenly, Kei felt very awake. He rushed to their living room to see his father, step-mother and step-sister fixedly watching him playing
the piano on their television.
Blood rushed to Kei's face.
"Don't watch that!" He said as he rushed towards their television, covering it.
"Oh you're back, Okaeri." His dad calmly said.
"Dad!!" Kei complained. "Do you love tormenting me????"
"What?" His dad retorted. "The whole world can watch you perform but not your family?"
"It's embarrassing! I--"
"It was great! You guys are amazing! Especially the band!" Kaori suddenly piped, looking excited.
Impossibly, Kei turned a shade redder though he smiled at Kaori sheepishly.
"Ah, arigatou.. But Kaori-chan don't say that... it's really em--"
"Nakajima-san was really great! He's so kakkoi!!"
"Ehhh??" Kei couldn't help but say, pouting a bit.
Kaori looked at him. "Of course Kei is great as well." She said.
Kei pouted more. "You don't have to force yourself."
"Kei-kun, have you had dinner? There's still food." Aiko-san said.
"Hai. I went out with Makita and the others." Kei said, a bit distracted.
"How about dessert? There's still pudding." Aiko-san said.
"It's okay. I'm fu--"
"Kaori-chan made them." Inoo-san chimed.
Kei looked at him and then he looked back at Aiko-san.
"Ittadakimasu."
-
#09
Kei woke up with a start.
His eyes immediately landed on the clock.
1:00AM
He had barely slept.
He didn't know what woke him up at once but soon he knew.
There was music coming from the next room.
"Kaori-chan's still awake?" He muttered sleepily.
Yawning, he stood up and exited his room, intending to get a glass of water.
As he moved out his room, he had ascertained that the music indeed was coming from Kaori's room. It wasn't something familiar to Kei. It was instrumental. A piano piece.
He smiled. "Maybe she sleeps with the music on. Just like Keito."
Turning to the stairs, he had made his way down to the kitchen.
He was surprised to see Aiko-san there.
"Kei-kun." She smiled warmly at him. "Can't sleep?" She asked. She was preparing coffee and biscuits.
Kei smiled back and shook his head in answer. "Nah, I just woke up."
"Ah, me too. It seems your father is the only one asleep." She said.
Kei looked at her. "Kaori-chan..?"
"She always listens to classic music when she writes or when she studies. I'm sure she's studying now. She have exams tomorrow." She explained.
"Oh." Kei said. And then he glanced at the clock.
Aiko-san chuckled. "Don't worry about her. She's someone who wouldnt push herself too much. She can manage her time well." Aiko-san said, now slicing pieces of cheese.
"This is her booster." Aiko-san said, pointing at the coffee, biscuits and cheese.
She placed them on a tray and made to carry them. Kei moved forward.
"I can cary it to her room instead." He offered. "Ba-chan should rest now. You still have work in the moring." He said.
Aiko-san smiled at him. "Arigatou."
Kei smiled as he made his way towards her room.
He had knocked twice when he was in front of her door.
"Hai." she called out.
He grinned at her sleeping voice and opened the door.
"Your mom made you snacks." He said as he entered her room.
"Uwah, arigatou!" A beaming Kaori in her pajamas with her hair up and wearing her thick, red-framed glasses welcomed him.
For a moment, he could only stare.
-
#10
Kaori blinked as she stepped onto their front porch.
She had just come back from university. Their professor wasn't around so they were dismissed early.
But she didn't know they had visitors today.
Cautiously, she opened the door.
"Tadaima." She called out.
"Ah. Kaori-chan! Okaeri! Come on here!" She heard Kei called.
She hastily placed her shoes by the door and went to the living room.
Kei, a girl about their age and two dogs welcomed her.
"Kaori-chan! Kocchi, kocchi!" Kei called to her. Hesitantly, she moved towards him.
"Kaori-chan! I'd like you to meet Jam, An and Aki." Kei said pointing to the two dogs first and then to the girl.
"Konnichiwa!" Kaori said, bowing hastily.
Aki smiled warmly at her. "Konnichiwa."
"Kaori-chan." Kei introduced her.
"Kinda late, nii-chan." Aki said, rolling her eyes at the older boy. She turned back to Kaori with a smile. "It's nice meeting you, though it's a shame I need to get going now. Let's hang out next time ne?" She said.
"That would be wonderful." Kaori said, beaming at Aki.
"You're leaving already??" Kei pouted.
"I still have class, Nii-chan. I should have gone an hour ago." Aki said. "Well, I'll just get Jam and An next Friday, yes?"
"Hai, hai..." Kei said, sounding disappointed.
"Ja, Ittekimasu. Kaori-chan, mata ne."
"Hai, itterashai." Kaori responded. Kei and Kaori accompanied her to the door.
As the door closed, one of the dogs began barking at Kaori.
"An!" Kei chided, but Kaori only chuckled and moved towards the dog.
"It's okay, she just want to introduce himself." She said as she slowly stretched one hand to the dog.
The dog started sniffing her hand and soon the dog allowed Kaori to pet her.
Kei smiled at the scene. "You like dogs?"
"Daisuki." Kaori said, now playing with both Jam and An. "They are your sister's dogs?" She asked him.
"They're mine. But when mom and dad divorced I left them with Aki. I don't think I can properly care for them with my work and school. But I do borrow them from time to time. When I don't have much work." Kei said.
"Ah..." Kaori said, still playing with the dogs. The dogs seems to really like her, even though they had only met now.
"They are Jam and An, you say?" Kaori said.
"Hai." Kei said.
Kaori laughed.
"What is it?" Kei asked, smiling in curiousity.
"One of my cousins from the Philippines had a golden retriever." Kaori said, turning to Kei.
"Hn." Kei said, waiting.
"Her name is Ino."
"Eh?? Maji?" Kei said, chuckling.
"Ah. It was frrom a character in Naruto. She likes Naruto."
Kei laughed. "That's interesting."
"Hai. And ironically,"
Kei looked at her.
"My cousin's name is An."
The two of them laughed at that.
"Sugoi!!"