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Lilly Route: Conflict: 2-5: Welcome to the Hakamichi Hotel

Apr 28th, 2014
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  1. I spend the rest of the car ride in a moody cloud of gloom. I feel like things just keep getting grimmer and darker. This isn't how summer is supposed to be, I should be enjoying my time with Lilly, enjoying our break from school, going to beaches and staying up late together because we don't have class the next day. This is not what I had wanted when I put myself into the hospital for her. I stopped Lilly from leaving the country so we could be together, so I could be there for her when she needed me. So far this summer I only feel like we're drifting apart and being taken away from each other all over again, this Mr. Satou shaped divide between us growing bigger and bigger.
  2.  
  3. The ride ends and we arrive at Shizune's house. It's a lot different in the day and the last time I was here I was so panicked about stopping Lilly, I wasn't too interested in the house itself. Now that I have the chance to take a good look around, I'm surprised by how big the place is. The front yard is gigantic and has one of those absurdly long driveways that you only see in movies. The gate where I had been stopped before eerily reminds me of Yamaku's own front gate; large, pompous and intimidating. "Shizune, your house is a mansion!"
  4.  
  5. Misha laughs at my comment and translates my exclamation. Shizune instantly looks flustered and responds with a flurry of hand signs of her own, glaring at me and looking annoyed. "It is not, Hicchan! Shicchan says that mansions have at least eight-thousand square feet and her house is nowhere that big! You're exaggerating! You big exaggerator~!"
  6. "Not much of an exaggeration from my point of view. I've only been here once before, but I never realized how big it was. If I had a house like this, I'd never have to leave."
  7.  
  8. Shizune looks sideways, passing my comments off with a dismissive hand wave. I take it she doesn't share my enthusiasm over her house. I find that odd; I'd love nothing more than to come home to a big house like this when school lets out. I bet she even has a pool. There must be a ton of stuff to do, not too mention seeing your family after living in the dorms for so long. Seeing your family only should be worth the trip.
  9.  
  10. I retrieve my suitcase and bag from the trunk of Akira's car with her help. Misha and Shizune head into the house, Misha trailing behind a rushing Shizune who seems eager to get inside first despite her previous reluctance. Down the road I see Mr. Satou drive his tiny car towards us and I smile when I see Lilly's hair dancing in the wind.
  11.  
  12. Akira steps up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Hisao, there was one thing I needed to say to you before my father gets here. It's best if he doesn't know about it and I'm not sure how much time I'll be able to have without him around."
  13. "What is it? More stuff about your dad?"
  14.  
  15. I understand Akira wants to help and is looking out for me, but I think she may be acting a little over dramatic concerning her father.
  16. Or at least I hope she is.
  17.  
  18. "I know you're pretty uncomfortable about this, but it's about you and Lilly. I know you two have been sleeping together."
  19. I nearly drop my bags, but I maintain my grip on them. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, we have. I thought as much when you suggested 'protection'. We've been careful about that."
  20. "That's exactly what I needed to talk to you about. You need to make sure that my father doesn't learn about the two of you being together."
  21. I roll my eyes. "I wasn't planning on having a conversation with him about it."
  22. Akira's eyes narrow. "Hisao, I'm being serious. He can't find out and you can't let him know about Lilly taking birth control either."
  23. "I don't understand."
  24. Akira shrugs. "I told you; my father is very strict. If he found out you and Lilly had slept together or that Lilly was taking birth control, I don't like to think about what would happen. The two of you together would be bad enough but he could lose it if he found out about her being on the pill. Just don't say anything and if he asks about the two of you, don't give him any hints, okay?"
  25. "Okay, sure, I promise."
  26. She gives me an uncharacteristic and steady glare. "I'm serious about this."
  27. I nod emphatically. "Akira, I understand. What's the big deal?"
  28. She shakes her head. "Listen, it's just... not his way of doing things, all right? Not the family's way. Trust me on this one."
  29. I nod deeply. "Okay, Akira, I understand. I trust you."
  30. She smiles sadly back at me. "Thanks, Hisao. Don't worry, I have your back. I'd hate to see something bad happen to you, you're a great guy."
  31.  
  32. I feel sweat bead on my forehead and parts of my anatomy shrivel up in terror.
  33. 'Something bad'?
  34.  
  35. The tiny car pulls up, Mr. Satou hopping out of the driver's side to open the door and take Lilly's hand with a snap of his fingers. He leads her towards us, glaring at Akira. "I certainly hope you weren't speeding to get here before us."
  36. She shrugs. "Just lucky I guess. I missed the lights."
  37. Lilly seems to concentrate a moment. "Hisao?"
  38. "Right here, Lilly."
  39.  
  40. She turns to my voice, taking a few steps towards me before I take her by the arm. She wraps around me warmly with a sigh. "Much better," she says to me under her breath.
  41.  
  42. I smile, both her proximity and her satisfied tone pleasing me. Mr. Satou gives me a level look before noticing Lilly's smile, managing one of his own in response.
  43.  
  44. From the front door of the house, a young person in star spangled tights and glasses rushes down towards us. Hideaki stops right in front of me, grinning broadly. "Hello, Hisao. Glad to have you back." I'm a little surprised by his exuberance, but I nod at his greeting. "Hello, Hideaki. It's nice to see you again."
  45.  
  46. I catch a glare from Mr. Satou I try to ignore, wiping his previous smile away. I forgot about how he feels about the word 'see' when Lilly is around, not that she ever cared or would notice. My comment wasn't even directed at her.
  47.  
  48. Hideaki glances at Lilly with a smile. "Hello, Lilly," he says a little loudly.
  49. She's blind, not deaf, kid.
  50. Lilly smiles. "Hello, Hideaki. It's good to see you again."
  51. I try not to look at Mr. Satou to see his reaction at that. Even more so, I try not to look too smug.
  52. Hideaki looks at the bags near my feet. "How long are you staying, Hisao? You didn't pack a lot."
  53. I look at my bags I brought with me to survey them. "I didn't think I would need that much...."
  54. "Would you take Hisao's bags for him, Hideaki?" Lilly suggests.
  55. "Of course!"
  56. I'm a little surprised by her request, but I don't see the harm in it and Hideaki eagerly accepts, hefting both my suitcase and backpack into his arms. Maybe he had too much sugar, but he seems more outgoing than I've ever seen him before. Anyway, I didn't pack much and he seems to have no trouble with them. In fact the little guy looks like he could carry a lot more than that without trouble.
  57.  
  58. Shizune's little brother looks over at Mr. Satou, a perturbed look on his face. "Hello, uncle. I heard that you would be staying with us."
  59.  
  60. Mr. Satou scans Hideaki up and down, a clearly disapproving look on his face. "Yes, well, I wished to spend time close to the family. I had asked your sister not to alert my brother about my presence. I had wanted it to be a surprise." Mr. Satou grimaces a bit looking at Hideaki. "Don't you have any decent clothing? A boy your age should not be dressed in such a manner."
  61. Hideaki looks genuinely surprised. "What do you mean? They're clean. How should I be dressed?"
  62. Satou sighs. "Never mind. Is my brother home?"
  63. Hideaki nods. "Yes, he's waiting in the living room."
  64.  
  65. With Hideaki leading the way, we enter Shizune's house. The outside was impressive enough, but the inside is equally expansive and immense. The front entrance has a good sized foyer with a large staircase heading upstairs, obviously meant to leave a good first impression as you walk inside. I'm not an expert on decorating, but I'm surprised by how some rooms seem to be western but others have an eastern inspiration to them. The house looks like an odd jumble of unrelated sections that have been placed together for no apparent reason, wood doors next to paper, wood floors next to carpeted. Whoever designed this place must have either had a very specific theme in mind or had no idea what they were doing. In addition, everywhere I look there are plaques on the walls and displays of awards or large mounted fish, sports equipment in the corners and sticking out of closets. I imagine Shizune's dad must be really into outdoor activities if he has this much equipment laying around.
  66.  
  67. I'm also surprised by the amount of what could only be antiques on display, most of them definitely Japanese. Old pottery, masks, swords in cases and a random assortment of items ranging between precious and junk are showcased. A suit of authentic looking samurai armor attracts my attention for a moment before Lilly at my side and Hideaki leading us on distracts me. Whoever Mr. Hakamichi is, he must be a rather eclectic person to have a house that reminds me of a museum's rummage sale.
  68.  
  69. The living room is nice and western, lots of chairs and couches, a view through a pair of large windows out onto a backyard the size of a sports field. There's even more fishing poles in the corners of the room stacked in little heaps. Shizune and Misha are standing in the room, looking confused. Shizune throws a few signs at her brother's direction. "Hideaki, you said Shicchan's dad was in here! Where is he?"
  70. Hideaki sets my bags down, looking just as confused as his sister. "He was here a minute ago. He said he would greet uncle properly."
  71.  
  72. Next to me, Mr. Satou chuckles.
  73.  
  74. A sound in the hallways attracts my attention, the clinking of metal. Looking back and over my shoulder, I see the suit of armor in the hallway, off of it's base, it's sword raised over it's head.
  75.  
  76. With a roar of 'get out of my way', the armor charges down the hall at us. Following my first impulse, I grab Lilly and drag her out of the way. She squeaks with alarm when we end up on the floor behind a couch. I land on my shoulder, doing my best to prevent her from getting hurt while avoiding anything major happening to my heart.
  77. Everyone else scatters, Akira and Hideaki behind a love seat near us while Shizune stares at our reactions for a moment, not hearing the sound of the yelling. Misha grabs her and the two of them take cover behind a chair.
  78.  
  79. Mr. Satou calmly turns around to face the charging samurai, lifting his cane at an angle. The samurai sword comes down hard and gets deflected to the side, the sound of metal screeching on metal filling the room.
  80.  
  81. Lilly ducks her head instinctively, clutching to me in surprise, her breath taken by my shoving her out of the way. "Hisao! What is it, what's happening? What is that noise?"
  82. I stare over the couch at the two figures, unsure of what's going on. "Your dad is fighting a samurai or something."
  83. Lilly gasps, then bites her lip. "Oh, dear, they've already started...."
  84. "Who's 'they'?" I ask.
  85.  
  86. Mr. Satou pulls his cane back, holding it in one hand. With the attacking sword still off to the side, he brings his cane up and across the top of the armor's helmet, filling the air with a dull ringing as the samurai's head goes flying, landing next to me with a large crack down the center, the demon's mask staring at me with blank eyes.
  87.  
  88. The man wearing the armor looks like something straight out of an old film. Large and muscular, just as big as Mr. Satou, with a huge mane of dark hair atop his head that runs down his back and makes him look like a lion. He holds the blade in both hands and seems undisturbed by the strike he took to his head, a trickle of blood running down his cheek. "That helmet has been in our family for generations!" he bellows angrily. "Vandal! I will be charging you for that, Hiroyuki!"
  89.  
  90. Mr. Satou smiles, holding his cane at a prepared angle. "If you did not want to break it, Jigoro, then you should not be playing with it like a child."
  91.  
  92. The armored man brings his sword around, striking at Mr. Satou who throws his cane up to block and send the attack wide. The flailing sword smashes a lamp and sends it across the room to break against the wall. "I am not a child. You are the one being childish! Look at you, playing with your stick. You make me laugh! Hah! See? I am laughing at you! You are amusing in your childishness!"
  93.  
  94. Mr. Satou thrusts with his cane, driving the man back who steps around the attack and throws a sword slash at Satou's chest. It tears through his suit, leaving behind a straight line of frayed cloth. "Did you really think hiding in the armor would work a second time? You're so stuck in your ways, brother. The world has no need for fossils like you."
  95.  
  96. Mr. Satou brings his cane down into the man's knee, driving him back with a limp. "It worked last time just fine and the only fossil around here is you, old man!"
  97.  
  98. "Old?" Mr. Satou says, blocking an attack. "I'm barely your elder! A shame you have to be so immature and resort to name calling. You rushed into your attack like a clumsy oaf, as usual. Your shrill cries broadcasted your approach, have you learned nothing? Your style is sloppy and ill conceived. Amateurish! Our daughters were in the way and your son as well! What would you have done if one of them had been harmed?" Mr. Satou strikes again, bashing the sword away to get at his brother. Jigoro rolls backwards over an end table, smashing it in the process before getting to his feet and blocking a follow up attack.
  99.  
  100. "They were not harmed, so you are asking a pointless question as always. Only you would not recognize a battle cry when you hear one! How dare you criticize my style of sword fighting! You are not even worthy of wielding a sword, you have to play with sticks!"
  101.  
  102. A slash across Mr. Satou's arm rips his sleeve.
  103.  
  104. "It is not a stick, it is a cane and it is a well recognized and dignified weapon, unlike you who swings sharp objects around with no idea of what he is doing! I'll have you know this cane was given to me by my wife, born from a noble line. It has been handed down her family for generations! It was gifted to her clan by the King of Scotland himself!"
  105.  
  106. The two meet their weapons and press against one another, a few sparks falling from the point of contact.
  107.  
  108. "Scotland? Hah! Your tiny, pathetic island does not impress me! You think you're so special with your miniature, wish granting midgets and your lucky, four leafed weeds! I have had one sent from overseas and they are not lucky in the least and I've never met a midget who would grant a wish! I have asked!"
  109.  
  110. I'm still peeking over the edge of the couch, watching all of this take place. Akira and Hideaki are next to me and Lilly is still holding onto my arm, a plainly upset and fretting look upon her face. I see Shizune peering from around her chair with a furious look of restraint, torn between the spectacle in front of her and Misha, still translating even in mid-shock with her mouth hanging open.
  111.  
  112. "That is Ireland, you mental pigmy, Ireland!" Mr. Satou spits. "If you read a book once in your life, you would know that, you uneducated philistine! My wife is Scottish! They have bagpipes and kilts, not leprechauns and four leaf clovers!"
  113. "An entire nation with bad taste in music and clothes! It's a wonder you ever married into it."
  114. "You have the audacity to criticize my fashion sense? Preposterous! I wear Italian suits tailored to my physique! You run around in store bought black slacks and flower print, Hawaiian shirts you can't even button up all the way! Do you think you actually look good exposing your chest like that, you ape? I imagine you can hardly dress yourself. You have no right to comment on my impeccable taste!" The two separate before clashing again. "And how dare you speak ill of my family! I should thrash you this instant for that!"
  115.  
  116. "I have every right to criticize you! I told you if you ever stepped foot in this country again and darkened my doorway, I would kill you! You are not welcome here!"
  117.  
  118. They clash again, Jigoro flipping a table over and kicking it towards Mr. Satou. He lifts his foot and stops it, knocking it to the side, bashing it up against the couch I'm hiding behind and causing it to shift back a couple inches. "You are the most ridiculous, headstrong, preposterous man in the world, brother. We haven't been in the same room in years and the first thing you do is attack me? Shameful! We are family!"
  119.  
  120. Jigoro spits and attack once more, driving Mr. Satou towards the window. "We are not family! You are unwelcome! I thought you understood that when you left, but I see you are too stubborn to know when you are unwanted! You were the one who left, you are the one who is cast out from our family! I am in charge now!"
  121. "A shame," Lilly's father says, "that a man who does not even have the Satou name claims to carry on it's legacy. Truly our family's honor is spent."
  122.  
  123. Jigoro roars and kicks Mr. Satou in the gut, pushing him against the window. Another swing and the sword goes straight into the glass where Mr. Satou had been standing. He rolls into an attack position with his cane held out towards Jigoro.
  124.  
  125. Just as the two of them are about to start fighting all over again, I see a blur of dark hair rush from behind a chair, Shizune hurling herself around her blockade and over a table, sliding into position between the two men, a dramatic flourish as her hands reach out and stop both men from closing the gap, inches from having their fight reignite. Instantly, Mr. Satou lowers his cane but Mr. Hakamichi keeps his sword straight at Shizune. "Get out of my way," he yells at her.
  126.  
  127. Shizune signs something very fast, trying to keep her eyes on both men, a domineering glare in her eyes. "If you are going to interrupt our duel," Jigoro roars, "at least have the decency to tell me why!"
  128.  
  129. Everyone is staring at the tense moment between the three members of the Hakamichi-Satou family. Shizune continues to sign, keeping them separate, demanding their attention. Jigoro snarls. "I do not have time for your little hand waving nonsense!"
  130.  
  131. Shizune's dad doesn't know sign? I find that extremely odd, even when compared to what I just saw happen with the swords and.. the well choreographed fight scene.
  132.  
  133. "She is saying," Mr. Satou translates, "that we are both being immature and acting like children. That more than enough time has passed that we should be able to put our differences aside." He straightens and leans on his cane. "I have to agree with her, begrudgingly."
  134. "Do you concede?" Jigoro asks.
  135. "I concede nothing but the fact that the living room is not the place for us to settle our disagreements."
  136. Jigoro snorts and sheathes his sword, getting a satisfied nod from Shizune. "Fine. You are correct in that, at least." Jigoro points a threatening finger in Shizune's face. "Never interfere again!"
  137. "At least have the decency to tell her in a way she can understand!" Satou yells, furious at Jigoro over his tone with Shizune.
  138. "Do not tell me how to reprimand my daughter! Unlike you, I took the time to actually raise my children!"
  139.  
  140. The two brothers begin glaring at each other with Shizune between them. After a few moments of mutual hatred passing between their gazes, eventually they both seemingly relent and Shizune breathes a sigh of relief, stepping out from the middle of their range of fire. Considering what just happened, I'm impressed Shizune could get both of the men to take a moment and calm themselves before things got out of hand.
  141.  
  142. I take a look around at the mess they made.
  143.  
  144. Almost before they got out of hand.
  145.  
  146. "Where shall we settle this?" Jigoro asks.
  147. "Outside. The western lawn should be suitable, the garden would be excellent."
  148. Jigoro laughs. "The lawn is not there anymore. It is a tennis court."
  149. Mr. Satou looks crestfallen. "You paved over mother's zen garden?"
  150. "Yes. I needed someplace to practice my backhand. Step closer and I will be happy to demonstrate it for you."
  151. Mr. Satou sighs and shakes his head in disgust. "That is so typical of you."
  152.  
  153. Jigoro turns and begins stripping the armor off of himself, leaving it in piles on the floor. He strikes me as the kind of guy who drops whatever he is using wherever he wants when he is done with it, as the messiness of the house suggests. He doesn't give any of us a second glance. I don't think he even noticed the rest of us standing around the room, creeping out into the open.
  154.  
  155. Mr. Satou stretches his shoulders and winces in pain, clutching the torn cloth along his chest. Everyone starts to emerge from their hiding spots, Lilly clinging tightly to me, her voice a strained whisper. "Daddy...?"
  156.  
  157. Mr. Satou smiles at his daughter softly. "I'm all right, Lillian, don't be concerned. He never even touched me," he outright lies. "I can handle your uncle." He turns to Akira with an imposing finger pointed at her. "Take your sister and the others somewhere else. I don't want them getting caught in the middle of this disagreement and do not let me find out you were speeding with Lillian in the car." Mr. Satou tucks his cane under his arm and begins to follow his brother.
  158.  
  159. He stops suddenly and turns around, facing me directly. "Young man?"
  160. I stand a little straighter. "Yes?"
  161. Mr. Satou looks conflicted for a minute before he speaks. "You protected my daughter while I was distracted. Thank you; I will not forget that."
  162.  
  163. He turns on his heel and leaves the room.
  164.  
  165. We're all left a little breathless after what transpired and I'm taken aback by what Mr. Satou just said. Lilly looks surprised as well by her father's words, but she puts a hand over mine and wraps herself around my arm fondly. "I told you he'd end up liking you."
  166. "Liking me? That was liking me?"
  167. "It's more than anyone else could expect," she says smiling hopefully.
  168. I'm not sure about that, but at least Mr. Satou looked at me without the same expression he would give a stray dog.
  169.  
  170. Akira looks around the room and at the mess the two men made, smashed tables and busted lamps everywhere. "Looks like I'm stuck being your babysitter until those two settle their differences."
  171. Hideaki, staring down at a smashed end table, look at Akira with a pout. "That is a demeaning term."
  172. Akira shrugs. "None of us are happy about it, kid. We just make do with what life hands us." She rubs his head fondly while he tries to squirm away. "You'll understand when you're older."
  173.  
  174. I'm still a little shell shocked by what transpired in front of me. It was like watching a movie except at any moment I could have been pulled right into it. "They...." I start to say before coming up short with words.
  175. Everyone turns towards me expectantly.
  176. "They were.... fighting. Like, real fighting, with actual weapons. When you said they fought, I thought you meant arguments. Is what just happened normal in this family?"
  177. Akira grins. "As normal as it gets when the Satou and Hakamichi tribes are involved."
  178. Hideaki sighs. "Reunions are difficult."
  179. "And expensive~!" Misha says for Shizune, who is looking mournfully at the broken furniture.
  180.  
  181. "Are they... actually going to hurt each other?" I ask.
  182. Lilly looks downcast.
  183. "No, they'll be fine," Akira says to reassure me and I'm certain Lilly as well. "They'll blow smoke at each other and break stuff until they come to some agreement between them. Like my father said though, we shouldn't be around until they hammer the details out between them."
  184. "What should we do?" I ask. I'm about to suggest we find a bunker till everything blows over, perhaps move to another country. I hear Scotland is wonderful this time of year.
  185. Akira sighs. "Well, I guess I could take you guys into town. Maybe we could get something to eat. There's a few nice restaurants we could go to."
  186.  
  187. I honestly don't feel very hungry right now and I say as much.
  188. "We could go to the park!" Misha suggests.
  189. "And do what?" Hideaki says.
  190. "I don't know! Anything is better than being here! I'm bored~!"
  191. "You just watched two men sword fight and wreck an entire room and you're bored?"
  192. "Well, that was then, this is now!"
  193. I'm still trying to switch speeds here after the bizarre experience I just had. "The park doesn't sound very exciting. Any suggestions, Lilly?"
  194. Lilly tightens her hand in mine. "I don't really mind what we do either way, Hisao."
  195. The rest of her sentence, 'as long as we're together' goes unsaid, but I know what she means. "Well, this is silly, we should do something," I say. "It sounds like they could be at it for a while, so we'll need to figure something out that will occupy our time till then."
  196. Hideaki turns towards me. "Well, do you fish?"
  197.  
  198. I take a look around at all the equipment in the room. I stare at the rods and reels for a little while curiously. "No, I never learned how. I grew up in the city, we didn't have places you could fish where I was. It could be interesting though, I've heard it's fairly relaxing. I could use that, honestly."
  199. "Yeah, relaxing if you're an old man," Akira smirks.
  200.  
  201. After spending some time surveying the damage, Shizune finally gets pulled back into the conversation, forcing Misha to catch her up. "The whole family knows how to fish," Misha says for her, "There's a river nearby! We could go there!"
  202.  
  203. Akira kicks a broken lamp at her feet. "Well, the whole family does not know how to fish, myself for one, but I wouldn't mind learning myself."
  204. "Should we really bother fishing if we're not hungry?" I mention.
  205. "By the time we get to the river and catch a fish, we will be!" Misha/Shizune says.
  206. "If you want fish, why do we not simply buy it from the store?" Lilly asks.
  207. I agree with her, that sounds a lot simpler and more to the point and I let everyone know it.
  208. "That would be easier, which is why you want to do it," Misha says, but I'm certain the words are from Shizune. "And we don't want to eat it now, we want to eat it later!"
  209. "Assuming we catch anything," I add.
  210. Shizune and Misha both throw a finger in my face. "Lazy~! Why are you so lazy, Hicchan? Lilly is a bad influence on you! You are starting to become boring!"
  211. "Even if we do go fishing, is it okay to use your father's equipment without his permission?"
  212. Shizune watches Misha sign and rolls her eyes, waving my concern away.
  213. "Okay, fine, but I don't think we have enough equipment for all of us. What do you have to say about that?" I challenge her.
  214. Misha and Shizune exchange signs excitedly. "We'll share!"
  215. "If we're all sharing it could take a long time to catch anything."
  216. "Then we'll do something in the mean while! We can even make it a contest!"
  217.  
  218. I roll my eyes and I sense Lilly sighing next to me. Of course Shizune would want to make a competition out of something as simple as fishing. Not very fair when both me and Akira don't know how to fish and I'm not sure how Lilly would handle it, let alone if she would even be interested in joining. Misha is an additional unknown in the matter, making the idea of competing against Shizune and Hideaki an unattractive one for me. I turn to Lilly holding onto my arm. "What do you think, Lilly? Do you want to go fishing?"
  219.  
  220. She smiles and leans into me making me grin. "Well, the idea of fishing doesn't excite me. It seems a lot of work, but I wouldn't mind visiting the river. It sounds lovely, Hisao."
  221.  
  222. Akira ticks off how many people are here. "My car won't fit us, let alone the equipment."
  223. She turns to Hideaki and grins slyly. "I guess you could sit on my lap or something."
  224. He glares at her defiantly, daring her to suggest such a thing one more time.
  225. She takes the bait. "Do you have a car seat we could use?"
  226.  
  227. The kid fumes in impotent rage.
  228.  
  229. "Take it easy, I'm just joking," she says, waving at him to calm down. Akira turns to Shizune. "Think it would be all right to borrow Jigoro's car?"
  230.  
  231. The Misha/Shizune hive mind communicates and Shizune nods.
  232.  
  233. "I guess the Fuga is fine," Akira says. "I'd rather drive my own car, but what can you do? I'm lucky enough as it is to still have it at all," she says with a wink at me.
  234.  
  235. We begin to leave, but I turn back towards the signs of battle. "Will someone be cleaning this up?"
  236. Hideaki shrugs. "We have people who can take care of it."
  237.  
  238. With our plans and travel arrangements set, we leave the Hakamichi house less than ten minutes after we arrived. As we pull out of the driveway, I think I can just barely make out two figures grappling in a side yard.
  239.  
  240. It's barely even begun and my summer has gotten a little too exciting. I almost regret leaving behind the boredom at Yamaku.
  241.  
  242. ----------------------------------------
  243.  
  244. 2-6: http://pastebin.com/axnPRWew
  245.  
  246. http://pastebin.com/axnPRWew
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