Anna and the Peach (Part 3)

We arrive at the door to my room. A handwritten sign taped to the door reads, 

"Stay out. That means you Aki". 

I open the door and gesture for Anna to enter first. 

She notices the sign and smiles, but she doesn't say anything about it. She looks around the room and notices the bed, a desk, and a few bookshelves. She walks over to one of the bookshelves and starts to look through the books. The shelves contain a mixture of manga and light novels that one might expect to find in a teenage girl's room (and a few spicier volumes my parents didn't know about), as well as a few school texts and the odd sports magazine. 

On the top shelf is an old leather-bound volume of Japanese folktales. 

"Sorry if it's a bit of a mess," I say closing the door. "I wasn't really expecting to have company.”

Anna smiles as she looks through the books. She notices the mix of genres and is surprised by the variety. She pulls the leather-bound volume from the shelf and flips through it, looking at the old woodcut illustrations. 

She looks back and raises an eyebrow. "These are all yours? You have quite the collection.”

“Most of 'em yeah. The big one's a bit of an heirloom, supposed to remind me of our history. If you want to borrow it ... huh.” I notice a couple of romance manga on the ground near the bed, ones I haven't read in a while. I clear my throat to get Anna's attention. I hold a finger to my lips then point at a pair of very small feet in blue socks sticking out from below my curtains. I give Anna a "keep talking" gesture.

Anna's eyes widen in surprise as she notices the feet sticking out from under the curtains. She looks over and nods her head, understanding what I want her to do. She starts talking again, her voice louder and more cheerful. 

“You know, I've always been a big fan of Japanese folklore. I've read a lot of the old stories and I'm always amazed by how much they have in common with the Western stories. What about you? Do you have a favorite?”

“Oh, the classics are great." I say, slowly approaching the curtains. "I like the fairytales like Urashima taro or Kaguya-hime. My favorite's always been Momotaro. I thought the oni were really cool.” I say with obviously fake nonchalance. I step closer to the bed, the "muffled" giggles are harder to ignore now. I roll my eyes and cover my mouth to hold back a laugh. 

With a quick motion I pull away the curtain. Aki is standing there covering his face with one of my BL manhwa. My cheeks go red and I snatch the book away. 

“Anna, say hi to my brother Aki; little monster, Anna.”

Anna can't help but laugh at the sight of Aki hiding behind the curtain and my growing frustration. She smiles at the boy and waves at him. 

"Hi, Aki. I'm Anna. It's nice to meet you." She leans over and whispers, "How old is he? He looks like he's just a kid.”

I pick up Aki and tuck him under my arm, “He’s 8 next month, if I let him live that long.” I give him a bit of a shake, to which he just giggles. “He's got an adventurous streak, and has been a bit of a creep ever since he realized girls aren't that different. Think he takes after dad." 

Aki hangs there under my arm without any struggle, he looks at Anna and smiles before launching into a barrage of questions, "Did you know boys can kiss other boys too? Are you different like us? Are you staying for supper? Are you sleeping with Momo?" 

"Okay. That's enough of that. Say goodbye Aki." Face practically glowing crimson, I deposit Aki outside my door. 

"Bye-bye Anna, you're cuter than Momo's last friend."

I close the door then slump down against it. "I swear, this family…"

Anna laughs at the way Aki's words are so innocent and yet so precocious at the same time. She can't help but smile at the little boy, but she's also a little bit taken aback by his comments. 

She looks back with a finger on her cheek and raising an eyebrow. "What did he mean by 'different'?"

I look up at Anna, the rush of guilt adds to the embarrassment, and the knot in my stomach returns. "Oh, you know kids... he's just umm, confused. Reading stories about monsters or people with special abilities. Thinks everyone's got a secret." I say unconvincingly. 

I bite my lip and avert my eyes. "Although. I guess some stories ... have more than a grain of truth.” I say in a hushed tone.

Anna's eyes narrow as she notices the way I avoid the question. It’s obvious she can tell that there's more to the story than I've let on. She wasn't going to let me off the hook that easily this time. 

"Momo, I know you're trying to protect me, but I want you to be honest with me. What is it that you're hiding?" She sits down next to me and puts a hand on my arm, her voice soft and gentle.

"It's nothing, I..." I wince at her touch but don't pull away. I take a deep breath and look at her. Her eyes are soft, and her expression is one of curiosity, of compassion, not of judgement. I feel like I can trust her.

"It's just, I'm not really sure where to start. It's a long story, but I guess the short version is. Like you, I'm not, entirely. H-human.”

Anna's eyes widen in surprise, and she lets go. She stares at you for a moment, trying to process my words. She takes a deep breath and nods her head, her voice a little shaky. 

"What do you mean, 'not entirely human'? Are you like me? Do you have a succubus side too?”

"Well, not a succubus side; although we've also been called demons in the past, and not without good reason. We used to hurt people, not my family specifically, but there's been times when my uncles have been drinking, but they've never eaten anyone I know and ... oh gods I'm rambling." 

I bury my burning face in my hands and let out an aggravated but muffled scream, "Ahh, why is this so hard!" I look at Anna's face, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

"I'm half oni.” I point at the big book under her arm. “The ogres from the Japanese folktales. Although, I suppose 'half' is an oversimplification. I, I..." The first tear falls.

I can feel Anna's heart breaking as she watches the tears fall from my eyes. She reaches out and wipes away the tear from my cheek, her voice gentle and comforting. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. But I'm here for you, and I'm not going to judge you. I know how hard it can be to keep this secret, and I know what it's like to feel like you have to hide who you are. You don't have to be alone anymore.”

My head falls against her shoulder and I begin to sob. Unable to form any other words I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly. 

"Thank you," is all I manage to croak out.

Anna wraps her arms around me and holds you close, her heart breaking as she feels the tears on her shoulder. She strokes my hair and whispers softly to you. "It's okay. You don't have to thank me. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." 

She pulls me closer, her embrace comforting and reassuring. I feel safe and protected, I know she understands what it's like to be different.

After a few cathartic minutes I pull back and wipe the tears from my eyes, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, that probably wasn't the hug you wanted. I didn't mean to fall apart like that. I was just, I don't know, tired of lying, worried about what you might think. Stupid.”

“I know I discovered your secret by accident, but you've still been so honest and understanding." I let out a long trembling breath, and my smile grows, "You're a good friend. I'm, uh, glad I walked in on you changing." I say with a nudge and a laugh.

Anna laughs along with me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're not wrong, I was definitely caught off guard by that. But I'm glad it happened. It's nice to have someone who knows the truth and who I don't have to hide from. And I'm glad you're my friend too. You've been so understanding and supportive. I don't know what I would do without you." She holds my gaze for a moment, her expression softening, but hiding something deeper. She leans in and gives you another quick hug, her voice gentle and sincere. "You're the only person who's ever made me feel like I can be myself.”

"Nah, I doubt that. But I'm glad you think so. And I'm glad I don't have to lie to you anymore." I let the hug linger a moment before we both stand up. "Gods, I must look like a mess." I walk over to the desk and clean off some of the smeared makeup, but a smile has returned to my face. "If you want to change out of your school uniform I can find something that should fit. You're a bit curvier than me but I think we're close to the same size.”

Anna smiles at the offer, suddenly looking a little self-conscious about her uniform. She nods her head and follows me over to the closet. Looking over the clothing she notices that you have a few things that she could wear. She looks back and smiles. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I can't wait to get out of this thing." She starts to unbutton her shirt, but she stops herself and looks at you with a mischievous smile. "Are you sure you don't mind if I change in front of you?”

"Nah, why would I? I mean, as long as you're comfortable with it." I shrug and start searching through the closet, pausing to take a curious glance over my shoulder. I find a few shirts, a big old hoodie and a couple pairs of sweatpants and toss them on the bed. "There. Should be something in here you'll like." I begin disrobing as well.

“This is kinda fun. Ma and Violet have always been so much taller than me so I've never had someone to share clothes with.”

If Anna was offended by my nonchalance about changing clothes she hid it well behind a shy smile. She seems a little surprised about how frank I'm acting but also clearly intrigued. She takes a deep breath and starts to change, her eyes wandering over to me as she does. I feel her eyes on me but choose not to pay her glances any mind. I don't notice the spark in her eyes or the stutter in her breath. 

She finishes changing and looks at me with a flirtatious smile and a playful spin. "So, what do you think? Do I look good in your clothes?”

I'm used to changing clothes in locker rooms so I don't give much thought to Anna's wandering eyes. I finish changing into a loose black t-shirt with a band logo and pink sweats. 

“Better than me. I mean...” I slowly walk around her as I look over Anna's choice of clothes, the oversized hoodie and some tight green trackpants. Holding my hand to my chin with an overly intense squint mimicking a fashion critic. 

"I think… That I'm glad my older brothers aren't around. You're so cute they might've tried to steal you away and eat you up." I can't keep a straight face and fall back onto the bed laughing.

Anna laughs along, her face turning a little red from the teasing. She grips the hem of the sweater and looks away for a moment. I wonder what thoughts are running through her mind, a little worried I may have made her nervous. My worry is unfounded as she walks over and sits down on the bed next to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I'm glad you're enjoying the view. But I have to admit, I'm a little bit curious about what your brothers look like. Are they as handsome as you?”

"Ok, eww..." I say without a second thought, then giggle. "Ok maybe. I dunno. Here I'll let you be the judge." 

I grab my phone and show Anna a picture of my two older brothers. In the picture they are wearing their school uniforms. They look like complete opposites, one tall, thin and proper, the other shorter, broad and wild. 

"Aoiha,” I point to the tall brother. “Was popular with the ladies but aloof, while Akatsuno was a total skirt chaser with no game. They're not twins but you wouldn't know it with how close they were half the time. Both are studying abroad right now. Athletic scholarships.”

Anna laughs at the description of my brothers. She is intrigued by the contrast between them, and she can't help but wonder what kind of men they are. "They seem like they were quite the pair. Do you have any pictures of your mom?”

"I think so. Ma didn't like pictures much, didn't want some stranger seeing the truth. But your not a stranger and you already know so... ah, here. This was a few years ago." 

The image shows my mom, dad, and a much younger Aki. It is immediately clear my mother isn't human. Her skin is a shade of rose pink and there are two straight horns protruding from her brow. She towers over dad and has a powerful build. Dad comes up to her waist with little Aki on his shoulders giving her a hug. I feel a tear roll down my cheek.

Anna's eyes widen in surprise as she looks at the picture. I feel a comforting hand on my back. She reaches out and wipes away the tear, her voice gentle and comforting. "Your mom is beautiful. She looks like a strong woman. With a smile like that it's clear she must love you all very much." She looks into my eyes with a soft smile, her own filled with empathy. "I'm sure she's proud of you, and she would be proud of who you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.”

"Yeah I know. I miss her but, I'm not sad. I was just, just thinking, after she totally freaked out that I let someone learn the truth, I think she would really like you. I hope your mom will feel the same." A bright smile outshines the last few happy tears as I wipe them away. "Ya'know I'd almost forgot what normal is like. This is nice." 

Anna laughs at my comment about ma's likely reaction, and she can't help but look a little bit relieved. She is glad that we seem to understand each other, and she looks happy to know that I feel comfortable around her. 

"I'm glad you feel that way. It's nice to be able to be yourself around someone, isn't it? And who knows, maybe my mom would like you too. She's always been very open-minded." I'm not certain of the sincerity of that last comment as Anna leans back against the bed with a content sigh.

She leans back on the bed and looks up at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting to her own mother. She feels a little bit of guilt for not telling her the truth sooner, but she knows that her mom will understand. She looks back and smiles. "It is nice, isn't it? It's been a long time since I've had someone I could just relax with and not worry about anything. I'm glad I met you.”

We spend the next hour just talking about everything and nothing. 

Outside the window a bush creeps a little closer.