I Must Confess

Tonight, for the first time since the start of the year, Kei had a partial 'family dinner' with Masaru - an actual meal with her father in attendance, and while they did have a fairly casual chat, a few items came up that had a greater impact on the evening.

Kei had asked once early on about a 'Saber' person at the dinner table, and was alarmed by her father's reaction, as he nearly jumped from his seat and demanded details. Kei had then lied and said she'd only heard some of his men talking about the said person, and his attitude changed completely and as he looked to merely try and 'sweep it all under the rug' then.

But from that Kei had pieced it together, as Subaru was this 'Saber' character, having heard that from him, and while her father had some shady dealings, as far as she knew, she'd already learnt a 'whistleblower' had caused a big stir amongst parts of their family business, some people had even 'run off' or been 'fired', but after Subaru's testimony of involvement with a 'gang' and 'vagrants' and violent threats, she'd hoped it wasn't true, but it was more likely than not.

Next, to change the subject, she'd mentioned Subaru, as a fairly reliable, nice and new 'girl' friend, before admitting that she had spent some time with her recently. That lead to her father asking if she was trustworthy - before bringing up that 'his people' had already done a brief background check on the newest student in Kei's social circle.

"Was that really necessary father?"

"You can never be too cautious... besides everything checked out fine - a couple of noteworthy differences..."

"So... like what?"

Kei was curious as to what his minions had dug up on Subaru.

"If I recall right... Sekiya Subaru didn't have much of a online presence, with is a little odd these days, was involved in a bad accident, that needed a lot of rehabilitation... no financial problems, good parents, a stable home... that's about it I think."

So nothing about what gender though... lucky for Subaru his subordinates aren't too thorough...

"So do you trust her, kid?"

Masaru often called her 'kid'.

"Yeah..."

He knew she was going to add more.

"Go on..."

"Well you know how if something serious went down, you said to trust myself..."

"Yeah..."

Kei had his undivided attention.

"I might have told her that I'm really..."

She didn't need to say anymore.

"And I trust that's working out for ya?"

"Things are..."

"You know I will have to meet her... in person sometime."

I figured as much...

"No problem... her schedule is pretty open."

Her dad nodded, and went back to thinking while eating, before stopping and dropping something upon Kei.

"Well I'll be up in the mountain villa again for the rest of the week... maybe you could bring her.... to visit..."

He got caught in his thoughts for a moment, before adding an extra incentive.

"How about a girl's only trip - to the nearby hot springs... does that sound like a good idea kid?"

Due to her 'role', Kei had to forgo a few things over the years, like spontaneous holidays with friends, and hot springs visits, so this was kind of a big deal for her.

The hot springs... I've always wanted to go there...

Her excitement obviously gave it away, as her father smiled and made his plans known.

"Alright, I'll organise it for tomorrow, bring your friend and have a nice time, then we'll see each other the next day."

"Yeah, that sounds okay..."

Kei got caught up in the exciting prospect, before starting to dwell on the details.

Did he say... next day...? Then what will we do about -

"So you know a bit about her already?"

Masaru interrupted her line of thought.

"Yeah..."

You could say that...

"Have you thought about asking her to be... your girlfriend?"

As in; relationship... girlfriend...!

"No...?!"

She felt her face grow hot and gave a look to show her bafflement at the absurd prospect.

"I'm just asking... cause it'd give you extra credit... some more cover too, and if she's in on your secret - then there's less complications."

Kei just sat there in silence as she mulled it over in her mind a bit.

"Do you think she'd be up for it? I mean, if you wanted to ask her...?"

"I don't know..."

Kei rushed out.

"Don't worry about it then kid, it was just a suggestion."

The room went quiet, till her present parent asked about her other one.

"Have you heard from your mother recently?"

"Only from what she put on her usual sites..."

Kei's mother - Reiko, was always travelling to exotic places and resorts, for her work or providing advice and 'beauty tips' for the rich and famous, so she'd hardly seen her in three years, and then that had only been fairly brief.

The rest of the dinner lingered only a little further, then they went their separate ways, and Kei returned to her large bedroom to sleep things over.

Kei had messaged Subaru about the little trip, on her way to school the next morning, and while she'd been pretty honest, some details she'd skipped over, and some she herself didn't know, but he did agree to come, so Kei relayed Subaru's confirmation to her father - and received only one word back.

Sorted.

While the rest of the day dragged on, Kei found herself distracted for most of it, to the point of almost not being able to take any of their taught curriculums in, but her current class was a proper snooze fest, so she wasn't paying attention to it at all.

Should I...? Would it work alright...? I wonder what he'd think about it...? Would Subaru play along...? It could help him out too... I could spend more time with him then... Would it... or could it be more than... just pretend...?

The class was about ancient poems, that had little relevance to much, and didn't peek her interest at all, so her mind kept wandered significantly, but her thoughts lingered about Subaru and her, and if a 'public relationship' was suitable or not.

What if we went down that path together...?

A dozen scenarios flew though her mind, from some being preferable, to some turning beyond bad, to some being rather intimate.

Whoa there girl... calm it down, this is just about securing my status... and Subaru's, as guy and girl...

She looked to the teacher, who started to read another mind numbing poem that lost her interest immediately again.

Sure he's pretty... nice and friendly... so someone's bound to want to ask 'her' out... but... What dose Subaru want...? What do I really want...?

Kei caught herself glancing sideways at the diligent student, writing something down, while paying attention to class.

I know I'm not attracted to other girls... How he reacts to certain... situations... clearly that means he is into girls, at least I think so... So that'd be fine... right...?

Kei realised she had probably been staring at him again.

Why am I thinking about him so much too...? Ah...!

Kei whacked the side of her head with her fist, trying to knock her thoughts out of there, but had drawn the attention of her neighbours. Both Ritsu and Subaru looked over with lingering concern at 'his' self assault, while Kei turned away to try and concentrate on the lesson once more.

It was too difficult, so she did her best to make her mind go blank then, and thankfully lasted out the class.

Then lessons were done, but as Kei stood up from her chair, she was almost immediately and oddly confronted by the taller blue haired Toyamo.

"I need to talk with you, privately... and it's sort of real important."

"Uh... alright..."

Kei curiously wondered what she could possibly want, but followed Ritsu as she led her out and away from the activities of the dispersing class rooms, back up the building, till she quietly slipped into the secluded furthest room and waited a moment.

"Is everything alright?"

She looked genuinely interested as she entered the empty classroom.

"I mean... you've been acting a little different lately."

Kei and Ritsu had been in the same class, for a few years now too, so perhaps she'd picked up on something she'd inadvertently done or said, so Kei proceeded as normally as she could while being quite mindful as well.

Surely she's not just concerned about my welfare...?

"Yeah I'm all good..."

Kei's answer brought the other relief.

"That's nice to hear..."

Ritsu seemed a little nervous then, but after a steady breath, she spoke again.

"Are you seeing anyone... at the moment?"

Seeing anyone...? As in dating...?

"No... why?"

"I just wanted to know... would you like to go out with me...?

Eh..?!

Kei was lost for words, but Ritsu continued.

"I mean... you're so kind and thoughtful, great at sports... and quite dashing honestly..."

Whoa.. whoa... she's totally confessing here...

Ritsu took a step closer and clasped her own nervous hands together with a wavering smile.

"I think we'd make a great match... and you just said you're not going out with anyone... so would you be so kind as to go out with me...?"

Oh... how do I get out of this...?

Ritsu stood there patiently.

"Well I... uh..."

I mean I never expected... from her... how do I let her down gently...?

She looked on curiously and cautiously.

"Is it me, because I'm taller than you...?

"No that's not... -!"

Shit, that was a perfect excuse... or was it...? Darn it...

"Is it because I'm not pretty?"

"No you are..."

I can't be rude... can I...?

"Do you not like girls like me...?"

Kei didn't say a word.

No, it's because I'm not into other girls...

Ritsu's nerves had disappeared, overtaken with her curiously, but more by a growing sadness.

"So... why?"

Way to put a girl on the spot like this... what do I say...? Should I just be honest and say I'm not interested... honest...

Kei summed up some courage and looked at Ritsu with some found resolve.

"It's not you... I... I'm interested in someone... else..."

Ritsu blinked her watery blue eyes a few times, but stared on.

Why did I tell her that...? Wait... What am I saying...?

"It's Sekiya... Subaru... isn't it?"

Kei felt like she'd seen into her heart somehow and went still.

"I mean I get it, she's very attractive..."

Toyamo wiped her budded tears away.

"And so nice and polite..."

Kei couldn't seem to move at all.

"I guess I can't compete with a girl like that..."

Kei was still as a statue, when more sadness bubbled in Ritsu, and she suddenly took off - dashing past and from the empty classroom, while sounding to truly cry as she did.

Geez I feel terrible now... I didn't want to make her cry... but...

Kei stayed in the silent room a bit longer, knowing she had time to meet up with the slow student.

What's with everybody lately anyway, first father, now Ritsu... and I couldn't get some of those thoughts out of my head today either...

Kei started off towards the classroom to collect her bag, as a numbing feeling surrounded her.