"I see."
"..." On the rooftop of the school two people were talking. This of course was Aya and Sorata. It was lunch break and Aya had been looking at Sorata whenever the breaks between periods happened. She used her friends as an excuse to come and see Sorata. After the incident in the shed a teacher had heard it. She came running over so Sorata and Aya panicked. Sorata quickly tucked his tail and put his wig back on. Aya looked like she wanted to ask questions but the teacher came.
So that's how they arrived here. Sorata had gone outside of the class and Aya followed him. Sorata could tell she was following him and made it obvious he knew and went to the rooftop. Aya of course was silent and told her friends she'd go somewhere else and went with Sorata trailing behind him. Naturally once they were out of everyone else's sight Aya had asked questions not about his appearance but his ears as Sorata expected.
Sorata didn't know what to do so he did the same as he did with Miyu and the other girls. He explained it in a roundabout way to leave things out like the gods and stuff. Aya seemed to not believe it but as Sorata took off his wig and let his tail out she couldn't doubt her eyes. Aya stared at Sorata for a while and there was a Silence before she sighed.
"It's really hard to accept Suzuki-Kun. Though it may not be as surprising as it would be."
"?" Sorata didn't understand what she meant by that so he tilted his head. Seeing Sorata's confusion, Aya decided to explain.
"I mean in this day and age we have tons of books about this. Besides, you're pretty cute like that so I think it helps. Human beings would be more accepting of something out of place if it's cute." Aya said with a smile that seemed handsome and gentle. 'She just called me cute like it was nothing. Is she what they call a playgirl?' Sorata thought. He remembered the way she acted in the library on how she grabbed his waist and smiled at him.
"You're a weird person." Sorata said.
"Where'd that come from?" Aya said, confused.
"Hey. We've only met once right?"
"..." aya said nothing as Sorata asked his question. Aya had thought about her middle school years and everytime she talked to Sora. She was somewhat taken aback by it as she thought Sorata would never remember her from then. Sorata himself only asked because he felt he knew her or rather her personality. He didn't think much of the incident at the library but her actions today and at the library reminded him of someone.
"You're hiding something aren't you? I may not be great at telling other people's emotions but your silence and the way you're staring at me indicate you've known me for quite a while." Sorata said Looking weirdly at Aya.
"Actually Suzuki-kun, we went to the same middle school." Aya said with a dejected smile. She had a tiny bit of hope he'd figure it out without her needing to tell him.
"I see." Sorata said. He never thought back to his middle school days. There were moments that stood out like guys trying to take pictures of him or girls trying to sniff his hair 'wait now that I think about it. My entire middle school was more like a mental institution!' Sorata thought. The boys everyday did something stupid while the girls were wild as well. They all got good grades but they had unique personalities. There was a girl who had a stoic face and for some reason claimed she was an alien, a boy who said he was a vampire, a girl who said she was a mermaid and more like them. Furthermore the abundance of perverts there was extremely mind blowing.
Now that Sorata was thinking back on it he was shocked he tolerated those people. His middle school life was just Sorata unwilling to accept the reality of what this world was since he still hadn't gotten over his parents death and there were times where he wouldn't utter a single word for months. He of course got past it but his emotionless face stayed with him and he'd be lying if he still didn't feel an overwhelming sadness now but if all he did was live in sadness his parents wouldn't want that kind of life for sora. Perhaps Sorata was just as "unique" as the other students there.
Though Sorata didn't find out, there was an occult club that made something called "The study of Sorata Suzuki!" where they thought he was a different species impersonating a human to infiltrate society. Perhaps it was middle school syndrome but Sorata didn't want to find out as the existence of a god caused him to think what those middle schoolers said could be true. Maybe those middle schoolers weren't vampires or mermaids but those races might actually exist somewhere in the world.
"You know we talked quite a few times but you always answered listlessly as though you weren't even paying attention." Aya said with the same dejected smile she had before. This didn't surprise Sorata as he didn't like talking at that time and only did so for the convenience of getting people away from him. But Sorata must've talked to her only a few times as remembered that he would go months without talking, his longest being 8 months. His teachers said nothing since Sorata was the top scorer and whenever he was called for an answer he simply went to the chalkboard to do it. His boss also said nothing since Sorata was his golden goose.
Whenever the teacher called on him to read he'd stay silent and the teacher, too bothered, just moved on and told someone else to read. For some reason that also boosted Sorata's popularity.
"Here look." Aya said. She took out her phone and walked closer to Sorata and showed him a picture. It was one the teacher took at the middle school graduation. It was just Sorata's class as the teacher wanted to do it like that. All of them were close together but two people were in front. Aya and Sorata. The class had decided to put the two prince's close together in the front. Sorata didn't smile or make any effort; he just stood still with the same expressionless face. This picture was taken at the end of their middle experience and that was when Sorata had gotten over the death of his parents.
"Uh. Sorry I didn't recognize you." Sorata said. If it was his middle self he wouldn't apologize to Aya but Sorata felt that he needed to.
"No worries. I'm pretty sure you thought of me as annoying as I kept trying to talk to you." Aya smiled while putting her phone away. There was an awkward atmosphere around them and they didn't know what to do.
"U-Uhm does it feel weird?"
"What does? My ears?"
"Yeah and your tail."
"No. They're just kinda there." Sorata said. Aya seemed to notice the atmosphere and changed the topic to Sorata's ears. Aya had been looking at them the entire time. Sorata's ears twitched and his tail started moving slightly. Sorata noticed what she was staring at and said something he didn't expect he would say.
"D-Do you wanna touch them?" 'What the hell am I saying!?!?!' Sorata thought.
"C-can I really touch them?"
"Sure." 'Why did I agree?! That was my out!' Sorata thought again. Aya who was 7 feet away from Sorata moved closer to him to where they were 2 feet apart. Aya then reached out her hand and petted his ears.
"So fluffy!!" Aya exclaimed. She kept petting his ears while Sorata resisted the urge to make a noise. Sorata's tail of course went into a mad wagging as it was jealous of the ears. 'I can't let people touch my ears too easily after this. I feel a bit of happiness everytime she Pets them.' Sorata thought. Whenever his tail or ears were petted he felt happy but also he wanted to slap away the hands that petted him if they pet his ears for too long.
"Alright that's enough." Sorata said and stepped back. Aya had been petting his ears for 2 minutes. Aya suddenly made a sound and looked at her hand. She seemed to be in a trance and was brought back.
"A-Ah m-my bad it was so fluffy I couldn't stop Haha." Aya said awkwardly, scratching her head. 'That felt too good. Like I thought people touching my ears is no good.' Sorata thought and reinforced what he already knew. What he didn't know was why his ears were attracting. Normal cat ears and tail couldn't come close to Sorata's because they came from the cat goddess herself. The softness and warmth was something Aya would never experience from a normal cat.
"Uhm. Yamamoto-San, since we're done talking about this, may I ask, ``Do you have lunch?"
"Ah." Aya seemed to remember she forgot her bento at home. Her mother was a housewife so she would always cook her food and hand it to her. Today though her mom didn't hand it to her as one of her friends had come over and her mom left it on the counter. 'Crap!' Aya thought. Aya was really hungry too as she had gone all out during P.E and needed food. Sorata had noticed she had nothing in her hand and they'd been here for 15 minutes which meant that the school cafeteria stopped serving food.
The cafeteria was actually an amazing place. They had all kinds of foods, some from other countries and they were all tasty. The only bad side was the price. The school itself was a prestigious school but they didn't charge entry fees like other Japanese high schools. They let you in if you could score above their ranking which was 2,000 points with all subjects combined. The highest score which Sorata got was 5,000. The entrance exam was stretched out to 4 days because of this as they gave tests in all subjects and things you would learn in said subjects. 4 tests were dedicated to each subject.
The person who made such a school was a man who prided knowledge above everything. He found it ludicrous that children would have to pay for education. So he started this school and wanted to make it where all students graduated and he did. The school had a 100% graduate rate because if you're able to pass the entrance exams you'd be able to make it through this school.
Due to them not charging anything for entering they needed a way to make money which was the cafeteria. The food was 4,000 yen(27.83 u.s). So parents usually gave their kids homemade food if they attended. But this was a prestigious school so many rich or well off families send their children here because it's where all the smart people go. That was their thinking so the school had 2nd generation rich kids eating here and most didn't have homemade food so they'd go to the cafeteria. Hiroto was one himself as his parents were busy with work and the cook they had at home didn't arrive at the time Hiroto would have to leave for school.
Besides, Hiroto himself would actively tell their chef not to make any food for him to lighten his workload. Their chef had multiple jobs and would often arrive tired so Hiroto told him to sleep in the mornings. Hiroto's sister had already gone to a local college though she wasn't as smart as Hiroto she was smarter than your average person.
"I'm guessing you forgot?"
"Haha. Guess I did." Aya let out a dry laugh scratching her head. Just then a rumble came from her stomach.
"It seems I'm more hungry than I thought." Aya said, holding her stomach.
"Do you want some of mine?" Sorata said, holding out his lunch box.
"Really!?"
"Yeah I'm not really that hungry. So I won't eat all of it." Sorata said. He didn't feel hungry like he usually would. In fact he felt that his breakfast would be enough to last him for the day. Sorata didn't have time for a complex lunch so it was just sandwiches. 2 were tamago sando, 3 Teriyaki Salmon Onigirazu, and 2 Ginger pork Onigirazu.
He had used ingredients that were cooked and some that were leftovers. He had also made some for Emilia and the girls.
"I see. Thanks for the food!" Aya didn't hesitate and took one of the salmon ones and started eating. Sorata sat down and took one of the tamago(egg) sandwiches and started eating, though he didn't eat as fast as Aya. Sorata packed this much lunch usually as he would be hungry when he started working and would eat whatever was left of his school lunch on his break.
"These are really good! As expected of Suzuki-kun!" Aya had already finished two sandwiches. Sorata was really amazed by her appetite. Well it was to be expected as Aya is a competitive person and when someone challenged her she went all out. She had run 3 laps around the field with all her might in 8 minutes. Aya was on the track team and had been challenged by a fellow track team member.
"Ahhhh! That hits the spot. Thanks Suzuki-kun." Aya had finished her food quite quickly and she ate 5 of the 7 sandwiches Sorata made. Sorata was surprised at her gluttony. 'Well it makes sense. She's on the track team and she's their star member. Though I did want one of the ginger pork ones.' Sorata thought. He finished his egg sandwich by the time aya had finished 3 of the sandwiches.
"You really eat a lot don't you Yamamoto-San. I'm surprised you somehow have abs showing on your stomach." Sorata said, taking a bite out of his half finished salmon sandwich. Aya had some abs showing on her and Sorata saw this clearly when she was over him as her P.E shirt had gone up.
Sorata saw and somewhat felt her stomach and noticed it was hard unlike the average girl. He was surprised at how muscular she was as her appearance didn't look like it.
"I-I'm still a growing girl!" Aya said loudly,embarrassed. 'She's still growing? She's taller than me. She's not exactly manly, she looks like a very cute boyish-girl or at least I think she's cute. I'm not sure what society thinks of her.' Sorata thought whilst looking at Aya.
Aya wasn't entirely androgynous like Sorata was but her face had more boyish charm than feminine. Furthermore her shoulder length black hair with blue ends gave her a more boyish charm. Which is why the girls fawned over Aya as she looked like a pretty boy prince from fairy tales.
Sorata didn't know if she was insecure of her tomboyish appearance but Sorata had to admit if he was to say his true and honest thoughts he liked her appearance even if she wasn't as girly as other girls there was a certain charm to Aya that other girls couldn't get.
"The bell should be ringing soon. Shall we head back to our classes Yamamoto-San?" Sorata got up and put his bento in his bag and got up looking towards Aya.
"Aya."
"Hmm?"
"Aya. Call me Aya."
"..." 'what? Why is she saying this?' Sorata thought. He couldn't understand why Aya would want Sorata to call Her by her first name. He of course wouldn't mind as he called Miyu,Kaori and Emilia by their names and Emilia as Emi. Sorata knew they were rather laid back but he couldn't see the image with Aya. Aya seemed to be the person to let people call her Aya after they've known her for a while.
"Ok. Shall we head back now Aya-San?" Sorata said. He had his expressionless face on not showing his thoughts. Aya smiled and got up from where she was sitting.
"Thank you Sorata-kun. I thought I would have to act like I was blackmailing you by telling your secrets to people. Glad I didn't have to do that as I would break down the moment I tried too. Hehe."
"What?"
"Ah!? I wouldn't do it, you know! I would act like I was doing it but I would be too much of a coward to do it."
"..." 'She wanted to blackmail me to get me to call her by her first name? Is she stupid? Most people don't even acknowledge me. Why would they care about some random gloomy guy?' Sorata thought. Furthermore Aya was too chicken to blackmail anyone and would probably back out the moment she tried to do so.
"Ah. I do have one request other than names though."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Let me touch your ears and tails every once in a while."
"Are you gonna blackmail me for this too?"
"D-Don't mock me! I will do it?"
"Why'd you phrase it as a question?"
"Uuuuuu."
"Whatever. Fine be grateful I'll let you touch my ears."
"Really! Wahhh! Thank you!" Aya said happily. 'They're just ears, why is she so happy?' Sorata thought. Sorata didn't know but his ears weren't exactly normal cat ears along with his tail. Their softness and warmth was something a normal cat could never have. After all, it was the product of the cat goddess.
*bing bong*
"Well that's the bell. Let's head back Aya-San."
"Mnh. Okay Sora-Kun."
"So you chose that huh? Not really surprising."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Nothing." Sorata said. He didn't know what he thought but he was hoping Aya would call him something else. Well only his mother called him something other than sora which was Suki. It didn't really revolve around his first name but last as she removed the "U" and "Z" from Suzuki.
Just like that, the lunch break which seemed longer than before ended.
.
.
.
.
"Really It's happened twice now am I supposed to be surprised?"
"Hehehe. So soft! Are you having fun on your older sister's lap Sora?"
"Why would I be having fun? Furthermore, how long are you gonna keep me like this?"
"Fufu. As long as I want. Here let me clean these cute ears."
"..." Sorata wasn't at work right now. He was in an apartment. The apartment had a nice smell to it and had a lot of decorations. It was a very fancy apartment and Sorata could tell by the stove ,fridge, and how large the living room was. The apartment he was in was of course Shizuku's and he was currently laying down on Shiuzku's lap.
The time was currently 5:35 pm and Sorata who was supposed to be working isn't working. It really threw him off. The cause of his situation was a very weird one. Sorata, who had just got out of school, had been feeling weird since his last period began. His body had felt heavy and tired but he ignored it and went to work.
Sorata had arrived at his job and went to his locker to get ready to change when he suddenly collapsed. Shizuku was the only one there as Hiroshi was at the bar and she got up quickly the moment she saw Sorata collapse. Shizuku loudly said his name and quickly went towards with a look of worry on her face. Shiuzku quickly lifted him up and shook him a little to see if he was okay as she did so his wig came off and she saw his ears.
Shizuku didn't have time to gander at them as Hiroshi, who heard it, ran into the break room along with the other employees. Shizuku quickly put the wig back on or enough to cover up the two anomalies. Hiroshi had been worried along with the other employees but Shizuku just told them to close the restaurant and she would take Sorata.
Surprisingly shizuku was able to lift Sorata enough to get him into her car. She then took Sora to her apartment and settled him on the sofa whilst getting a thermometer to check his temperature. His temperature was normal, his complexion was slightly pale but it looked more out of tiredness than actual sickness.
Shiuzku was actually grateful for her intuition at this moment. If she had taken him to a hospital they would've seen his tail and ears and she was sure Sorata wouldn't want that. Who knows what they'd do if they found out. They'd probably call some weird company and declare Sorata some kind of mutant.
"So that's why I'm here. But that doesn't explain why I'm on your lap."
"You know good little boys should be happy that they're on their big sisters lap."
"When did you become my big sister?"
"Fufu. Well I don't have many pillows that are warm so I just set you down on my lap to get warmth from there."
"Why did I need warmth?"
"Well you seemed cold. You were shivering while you were asleep."
"I see. Well I guess I should thank you Shimazaki-sa
"Shizuku."
"Shimazaki
"Shizuku."
"Shima
"S-h-i-z-u-k-u."
"..." The whole time Sorata tried to say thank you. She just smiled and said her name. Though her smile couldn't be called a smile if someone were to stare in her ruby eyes. 'She's really hung up on this isn't she? Well she seems more assertive than the other girls I know.'
"You know sora. I have helped you and kept your secret and you repay me like this? Ahhh this little old sister is heart broken." Shizuku said with a flippant tone. Sorata just said nothing and looked on with a more deadpan expression than usual.
"Thank you very much Shiuzku-sa-
"Just shizuku."
Thank you shizuku."
"Mmh! You're welcome, Sorata." Shizuku smiled somewhat seductively. Her glasses that she had on also made her more attractive for some reason. Sorata had only seen her with glasses twice, when Shizuku came to talk to Hiroshi and now. She looked really good with glasses.
Shiuzku wasn't like Miyu where she had big breasts; her breasts were actually quite modest. Maybe an A size or even B but the same couldn't be said about her butt. She was rather curvy and the suit she usually wears showed the outline of Shizuku's plump butt. Her hips were that of an hourglass figure. She had long legs as well that most guys with a certain fetish would love.
"Hmm? I'd like it if you'd call me Shizuku-onee-Chan."
"What is your fixitation on being an older sister? Don't tell me you did some stuff to your younger brother?"
*flick
"Ow."
"How rude. You're just so cute I can't help but pamper you."
"I feel like that isn't the only reason though." In truth Sorata was right. Shizuku wasn't pampering him like this simply because he was cute. Shizuku had done a bit of snooping in Sorata's life since she found it weird that a 13 year old would need a job.
She of course found out about his family situation. It was quite easy for her to tell how the impact of his parents death had on him as she looked at his grade school pictures compared to middle school. One was of a happy child while the other was of a child who looked like he wasn't in the same reality as she was in.
She didn't pity him but she understood how it felt. Losing loved ones without a warning she understood that very well. But unlike Sorata whose family lived in another country she had her two parents to comfort her and help her. So even if she wasn't close to him she'd at least make him feel a little bit better in whatever way she could.
'One of his parents must've cooked with him. Most professional chef's have that feeling but this is different. He must've really enjoyed it like it was his whole world. In fact he might've subconsciously sought out a job for cooking not because he was good at it but because he wanted something to remind him of his parents.' Shiuzku thought while petting Sorata's head and ears.
"How long are you gonna keep doing this?"
"Fufu. Who's to say. I see you're dropping the polite speech Sora. It makes me happy."
"It makes you happy that I'm treating you brusquely? That's weird Shizuku."
"Fufu. In my line of work everyone I meet tries to suck up to me either for my beauty or my wealth. It's boring and I got tired of it. So I'm glad you're dropping it now."
"I told you why I talked to you like that though. I don't have the same intention as the people you talk to."
"I know. But it still isn't pleasant to hear." Shizuku smiled down at Sora this time gently. Sora felt embarrassed and turned his head to the side. Shizuku could tell he was embarrassed even if he didn't show it and she giggled at the sight which made Sorata even more embarrassed.
'Haaaaaaa. Well she at least took care of me so I'll let her have this. Yes this is me merely paying her back not me enjoying the petting of my ears. Yes that's what is and no one will tell me otherwise.' Sorata thought while having some sort of banter in his thoughts.