Feeling at home.

After a short deliberation, I decided to enter the casino. The place was way larger than I expected. If my classroom back at the academy was meant to fit 120 students, this place could certainly muster up to at least twice as much. It was dark, the only areas that were enlightened were those with people playing. The people there did not give me the feeling it was some sort  of V.I.P gathering place or even one where you'd need to have a certain standing in order to avoid being ostracized. In fact most people were wearing what appeared to be their casual get-up.
However what stroke me the most was that friendly atmosphere. People knew eachother and they wouldn't mind newcomers as long as they remained peaceful and/or blended in their environment.

"And then ?! and then ??!"

"I get that you are making fun of me, but why ? Does it sound fishy coming from me ?"

"Nah not at all, it's just that after discovering where my precious Shion was hanging out, for some reason the first thing that came to your mind was to rush back here to inform me as well as to ask me more about that place. It feels like the younger sibling who caught his older sister smoking behind their parent's back and decided to report the fact to them feigning ignorance about the act, like he just suddenly wanted to know what smoking was about. That was cute."

"As always it's hard for me to follow what you are going on about, plus the reasons for me coming back to report that to you ar-"

"Yeah don't worry no need to waste any more of your breath, the reasons why you decided to see me about the situation are because you were curious about the place being as much as a far cry from what you'd expect from its purpose and because you were curious about what Shion could be doing there, and so late at that. Right ? "

"Well, yes there is that, but also I felt like there was a strong bond between the two of you since I came here, so I thought that on the off-chance you wouldn't know about her post-work activities, you would like to know even if it ended up worriying you. Also I came to wonder when she gets to sleep. If it's not a rare occurrence for her to be out at night, I hope she at least has some days off or don't work in the morning."

"Wha- ? That's unexpectedly caring coming from you.. That gave me the chills no joke. And .. I mean, what is it that made you think we were that close with Shion ?"

"I guess it really is disgusting coming out of my mouth after all, sorry about that. Now to answer your  question, I usually pay a lot of attention to people both from my parent's teachings and by curiosity, and I felt like you two had a slightly affectionate way of looking at eachother as well as neither of you seemed to try to put a distance between yourselves as I would have expected of a maid and her mistress. What persuaded me though, was your interactions after you tricked me yesterday."

"I see, good thing I never planned on hiding it then. If some people are able to tell from this much and in so little time, it would've been troubling. Needless to say you are right on the mark, and as you can certainly tell from how calm I am about the situation, I knew about Shion's activities as well. In fact I was the one to recommend her this place."

"So that's what it was. I have to say, this makes much more sense to me now."

"Oi. Are you implying I look like the type of rich girl to hang out at casinos waving at people money in hand ?"

"Certainly not, however if I were to picture you in those flashy casinos, I would rather imagine you picking on richer people and trying your hardest to beat them up in games with an evil grin all along, looking unshakeable."

"HA HA HA ! That's nice image you've given me there, I like it ! .. However as realistic as it sounds, I just can't bear these kind of places. First because it reeks of money, and I hate that thing. Second, this place is made for people who are good at deceiving, playing tricks, lying and putting on a mask. Fun fact: some people really go there masked. The third reason why I would never set foot in such a pigsty is because i have no money to spare for "pleasure", or for myself I should say. It's a bit too early for you to hear more about that but there is a chance I tell you someday."

"I see, that makes sense and above all I respect your reasons. Even though these places were initially intended to gather people who liked to play board games while giving them a mean to bond with one another, it gradually grew popular within the richer social class since people started throwing money on the line. To the point where it mainly became an activity for the wealthy. And people from the top of the hierarchy, used to lying, deceiving and handling money, transformed these places in what we know now, which is saddening."

"Exactly, and this is why I was glad to find a place in this world where people remember those feelings and intentions and are determined not to give them up. What Shion has been lacking in her life up to this point, is a good environment, somewhere safe, somewhere she doesn't need to be on guard constantly, and more than anything, somewhere with people willing to treat her well as long as she simply doesn't show them any hostility. Which is what I am trying to set here in this place, and the reason why I showed her that casino.
I wouldn't say she needs friends, because I know the downsides of having any; bringing you worries, seeking attention, sometimes hurting you, consciously or not, and even though they can bring her happiness, what she needs the most right now to me is, peace. Rest. "

"Hanami-san I have to say, I am already glad I met you in my life. And considering how much Shion-san seems to weigh in your heart, I am sure she is a wonderful person as well. Thus I want to ask you if you'll allow me to meet you more often from now on. All our conversations up to this point have been interesting to me and I want to get to know you and now Shion-san too, better."

"Honestly I don't even know what makes me talk so much when I am with you, but I too enjoy our little talks. So of course i'll allow you. However, as much as I am glad to hear you are eager to learn more about Shion, I won't go easy on you if you happen to hurt her or put her in danger. As I bet she would do the same if that were to happen to me."

"This is fine with me, thank you very much."

"Alright then tonight you can stay with us. Are you hungry ?"

"A little yes."

"Okay, Ill make us some sandwiches to eat now and then i'm off to pick up Shion, wanna come along ?"

"Yes gladly, I didn't plan on sleeping for some more hours anyway."


Surprisingly or maybe because I have a dull sense of taste, her cooking felt really good. 
Here again I expected she would not need this kind of skill since she can afford to hire a maid and maybe even a cook, but looking back at what she told me earlier, it confirms her will to avoid depending on her money if she can have things done by herself.

I wonder if this is what one call luck but so far in this city It feels like i had mostly if not only great encounters. 

"Let's keep this up."

"Hm, called me ?" 

"Ah no, just thinking out loud."

"Aight. By the way I meant to warn you. It's a good thing you were chasing after Shion tonight and did not wander too much by yourself."

"I guess it really is dangerous around there at this hour."

"And that's to say the least, trust me. Which reminds me, last time I hurried to that Tanabe's workplace when you told me about him and I ended up postponing my explaination about the whereabouts of our government's experiments on the process."

"Indeed but It's not a pressing issue is it ?"

"You never know, so I'd prefer you to be aware of all that as soon as possible. So tomorrow you are skipping school and I'll take the time to tell you about it, got it ?"

"Yes I don't mind, I believe in you if you are going as far as making me skip school, it must be that important."

"Good. Then Let's be off for now."