Interlinked Secrets

Subaru nearly choked on the rice he swallowed.

Kei sat still with concern, holding herself back from helping out again.

"What... did you say?"

Subaru squeaked after coughing and spluttering for a bit.

"I know you are a guy... I mean, I saw you were..."

She went quiet and slightly red in the face.

Huh, how...? Or when...?

He didn't ask aloud, as she seemed very certain, and looked at him blankly.

She did gasp as Subaru's forehead then hit the wood table.

"Please... don't tell anyone else... I didn't want to... I had to..."

Some quiet lingered as his head throbbed from the slightly increased headache.

"Don't... worry about that..."

Subaru didn't lift his head though.

"I already figured it... was for a reason..."

She went quiet, but Subaru still didn't move.

"I suppose we're in the same boat then?"

That's right - she has a similar problem... sort of...

He finally raised his head to look at her again, still feeling a little guilty about playing the part.

"I can't really complain here... so I'm sorry too."

Why is Kei apologising...?

Subaru watched Kei, who was fairly void of emotions, perhaps with a hint of curiosity or confusion, it was a little hard to tell, but it was not the reaction Subaru ever expected to get once someone found out his truth, but then she was probably the most likely to understand the need for carrying on with the ruse.

"So uh, can you keep my secret too... please?"

"Yes..."

It sounded like there was going to be more, but Kei just went quiet again for a bit.

"I assume you have your reasons... but I won't-"

"There's this local gang that blames me for... well a whole bunch of stuff - that's all totally untrue, and I... they're looking for a guy... and so..."

Subaru had interrupted, loudly and with haste, but soon petered off, even though Kei did nothing but look on and listen carefully.

"You see I've always been... dressed up in girly things my whole life, not by choice... so disguising myself as one again..."

Subaru went quiet, while Kei seemed to think about it for a moment.

"It just worked for you, right?"

Subaru nodded, and the place went quiet again.

"I certainly get that..."

She looked away into nothing in particular, but presumably her own memories.

"I've always been treated like a boy... all my life too, that sometimes I even forget I'm not..."

I don't think I've ever gone that far...

"I got to ask; all the shyness and... I guess that's you acting girly?"

"Uh... no. I've always been awkward around people, and never liked crowds... so that's just natural to me too I suppose..."

"Huh..."

Kei just sat opposite him, refocused upon him as he ate just a little more, quietly again.

I guess I'm getting a little interrogation here...

Subaru slightly shivered then, in only the thin shirt and shorts, as he felt cool for the first time in the day.

"I better get you back to bed then."

Kei had been watchful of Subaru since he emerged, and since he'd had enough food for now, she apparently made her way to escort him back to his cosy bed.

"Are you worried about me still?"

"Yeah, of course..."

They left the remaining food behind, as Kei supervised Subaru's slower than usual return to his room.

Subaru settled back under his warm covers, while Kei simply oversaw from nearby, and once he was comfortable again he smiled her way.

"Thanks for everything you've done for me today... and previously too."

She seemed slightly surprised.

"You're always so kind and considerate..."

"Don't mention it ..."

Kei then quietly gave a long contemplating look directed his way, till Subaru asked.

"Do I have something on my face?"

"No... I... I - just forget it!"

Kei turned away with some apparent frustration.

If she upset with me now...?

She hovered there in an awkward silence, till she figured it was time for herself to go.

"Now... rest up okay."

"I will."

Kei nodded and left Subaru's room, then his home shortly thereafter.

Subaru still wasn't that well the next morning either, so after a couple of messages, and lazing about in bed again, he fell back asleep at some point, because it was nearly midday before he woke again.

A few bites and a couple of drinks later and his energy started to come back, but by that time school was done for the day, before he thought of doing something proactive about himself.

Aware that he'd been laying in his sweat for a few days, and not having even a shower since the weekend - a nice long soak in his extra big bath sounded like just the thing to do, so Subaru fetched a few towels and went for the houses bathroom.

However; a couple of knocks came on the door, regaining Subaru's attention, then another steady lot brought him over to investigate.

I wonder who that could be...? Is it Kei again...? It sounds pretty urgent... did she leave something important behind...?

Answering the door, Subaru barely registered who was there before they pushed in and clamped their arms around his.

"You're out of bed, are you okay?

Takashi burst in the door and forced Subaru back a step.

"I would have been by yesterday - but I had an important appointment..."

Onomiya practically smothered Subaru again with her bounding breasts as they were squeezed upon him.

"You missed two days of school, are you still sick?"

"Yeah - but I'm over it now..."

He spoke back, still wedged between her tight grip and deceptively big melons under her school shirt, while she did pull back, only to put her forehead to his.

"And you were all alone again?"

She said at point blank, getting his temperature, but not giving him time to speak.

"Hmm, doesn't feel too bad..."

She withdrew her head slightly, before pushing in for one more close and squishing embrace.

"It wasn't bad... I promise..."

She gave a little sniff then, having caught a trace of something and looked down to the towel he was holding onto.

"Uh, you were about to wash just now too?"

"Yeah... why..."

Subaru was finally released.

"Sorry, but you really need that bath - like pronto."

Embarrassment came again.

"Are you sure?"

"Oh yeah, go on. Don't worry about me; I'll just hit the TV for a bit."

Onomiya went right past then, grabbed the remote and sat down before the big flat screen.

"Please carry on... Don't let me intrude..."

She switched it on and started through the channels.

To be civil... I'll just have a quick one today... then come right back...

With water flowing into the tub, Subaru got ready for a wash, knowing not to keep the guest waiting, so he hurried, stripped and ducked under the standing shower beside the bath as it filled.

"...Subaru...?"

He heard his guest sound from outside the bathroom door as the shower water finished.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Alright then... I'm coming in..."

Wait - what...!? No she can't... actually did I even lock the door...?

The bathroom door opened wide and an unclothed, maturely shaped teen appeared.