What is Family? by Hoshiko - Part 5
The next day I actually managed to surprise myself by tracking down the majority of the people on my list. This was mainly, I think, due to the fact that I was still worried about Suka.
Throwing myself wholeheartedly into my homework seemed a practical way of keeping myself distracted until Suka was ready to talk. And besides, even I can’t avoid doing homework forever…much as I would like to.
The answers I received from the people I interviewed during the course of the day varied from heartwarming to downright disturbing. It’s probably best that most of what I was told will remain unsaid. After all, I doubt Masutani-sensei would care to know all the intimate little details I was subjected to – in fact; to be honest, neither would I.
Needless to say, the residents of Greenwood as a whole are certainly an…unusual bunch. I sincerely hope it’s not genetic…for the sake of their future children.
At lunch that afternoon, I was relieved to see that Suka and Mitsuru-sempai were pretty much back to their old routine, although Suka didn’t really seem too determined to keep Mitsuru-sempai from his food. Shinobu-sempai noticed right away, of course.
He gave me a questioning glance, and I was forced to shrug; I didn’t know what was going on with my roommate either.
I saw Shinobu-sempai’s eyes narrow slightly in contemplation. Judging from the look on his face, I knew without a doubt, that Shinobu-sempai would worm the answer out of Suka before the day was over.
“Shun,” I glanced up from my meal warily; something in Shinobu-sempai’s voice setting off warning bells in my mind. “How’s that journalism assignment of yours coming along?”
I didn’t miss the way Mitsuru-sempai and Suka shifted their attention to us.
“It’s going great, Shinobu-sempai,” I beamed. “I only have three more interviews left to do.”
“You don’t say. It sounds like you’ve been busy, Shun.”
The dangerous smoothness to Shinobu-sempai’s voice only helped to confirm my earlier suspicions.
“Hai.”
“Who else were you planning to interview?”
If I hadn’t been paying close attention, I would have missed it: The barest flicker of something in those green-gray eyes.
“I was hoping, that I could interview the three of you.”
One elegant silvery eyebrow rose in silent inquiry.
“Why certainly, Shun. I would be pleased to help.” Shinobu-sempai said, turning his gaze to Mitsuru-sempai and Suka expectantly.
Silence.
Shinobu-sempai’s eyes narrowed even further, giving him a somewhat sinister appearance. Strange, how I had never noticed that before.
Sitting beside him, Mitsuru-sempai gave a little start. I pretended not to notice the way he reached down to rub his shin. Suka eyed the sempai warily for a moment, and then continued eating.
Mitsuru-sempai cleared his throat, his eyes sliding towards Shinobu-sempai as he spoke.
“What I meant to say, Shun, was that I would be glad to help you with your journalism assignment. Come by our room after class, all right?”
“That would be perfect,” I grinned, “arigato, Mitsuru-sempai.”
“It’s no problem, Shun. We’re glad to help out.” Mitsuru-sempai replied cheerily, chopsticks darting towards Suka’s plate.
“And what about you, Hasukawa?”
Glowering at Mitsuru-sempai, Suka shot Shinobu-sempai a suspicious look.
“What about me?”
“Oh, he’s more than willing to help, aren’t you, Suka?” I blurted, elbowing him sharply in the side.
Giving me one of his annoyed looks, Suka reluctantly nodded.
“Of course I am.”
It was obvious that Suka was still more than a little upset, considering the way he had been acting all day. I suppose that’s what led to what I now think of as ‘the inevitable.’
There must have been something in Suka’s tone of voice that Shinobu-sempai picked up on, because the next thing I knew, they were embroiled in a bizarre staring match – a contest of wills that could have had only one possible outcome.
Mitsuru-sempai watched in obvious amusement, one corner of his mouth twitching slightly. I just wanted to bury my face in my hands at the utter futility of it all, but there was a tiny part of me that silently cheered Suka on, even though I knew what would happen.
It wasn’t really a surprise when Suka looked away first; after all, no one has ever been able to stare Shinobu-sempai down. But it was kind of disheartening to see it, the way Suka’s face flushed a dark red, his ears bright enough to match his hair.
“Well, that’s that. We’ll see you after classes let out, Shun.” Mitsuru-sempai said, grinning smugly as he and Shinobu-sempai got to their feet.
Shinobu-sempai was smiling that enigmatic little smile of his that failed to reveal what he was feeling, or thinking, at any particular moment. Looking up at him, I got the impression that he wasn’t exactly ecstatic about his victory, but there was a definite feeling of satisfaction about him, nonetheless.
Unable to say anything just then, I waved silently, watching as they gathered their trays and left the cafeteria. When I sure it was safe to do so, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
One thing was certain, I realized, glancing at Suka; when Shinobu-sempai has his mind set on something…it’s best to go along with it. It’s less painful that way.
To be continued...