Christmas at the Hakamichis - Chapter 3

(This is part of a multi-chapter story, if you haven't read the first one, go to https://pastebin.com/PzrjVgR8, or click my name 'MREN' on the top left to continue where you're at in the story!)

-----

Wake up. Clothes. Pills. Kitchen. This time, Shizune is the one greeting me, with a wave. Not in a signing mood today? It's five in the morning, so I ask her why she's up so early.

Hisao: [Couldn't sleep?]

Shizune: [I always wake up early. Sleeping late is lazy and unproductive]

While it's true that she's an early bird, it's still a bit unusual, even for her. Especially during the holidays. The way she frowns tells me it's not about having good habits; She has something on her mind. That, or she was referring to Lilly as the lazy and unproductive person... And the thought of her already put her in a bad mood. I raise my hands to sign, to start some conversation about Christmas, when I realize this might be why she seems bothered; She never found her gift yesterday, which means she has to go again today.

Hisao: [Going shopping again today?]

Shizune: [I should be. The exchange is tomorrow night. I'm not one to wait until the deadline to do my part.]

Damn it Shizune, not again! I choose not to encourage that train of thought, and change the topic;

Hisao : [So I guess you're having a hard time figuring out what I'd like, me being a new student and all?]

Shizune smiles at this. I think she knows what I'm doing, but still, it feels like a small victory;

Shizune: [You don't seriously think this is gonna work, right?]

Well, I wasn't expecting her to inadvertently admit that she picked me, she's better than that... But I hoped that maybe I could see something that would show if she did NOT; Looking at her though, I can't see anything in her expression that would make me think one way or the other. She's staring right at me too, making it clear that she knows what I'm doing, and isn't afraid by the challenge; She's not gonna fall for any tricks, I know that now. It's just a game to her, and as its often the case, she's winning. I give up.

Hisao: [Was worth a try. I still need to get something myself, so I guess we'll go together then?]

Another glare.

Shizune: [This one won't work either. I'm not gonna show you what I'm buying, whether or not it is for you!]

Ah well. I suppose I had to try just this last time.

Hisao: [Alright then. Why didn't you find anything yesterday?]

I don't add 'without giving me any hint about who you're getting it for', I know full well she's not gonna let anything slip...

Shizune: [I'm just trying to find the right thing. The perfect thing.]

...Or will she? She probably would try to find 'the perfect thing' for her father or her brother, but I picked her brother. Is she looking for a gift for her father, then? Would she really say she's looking for 'the perfect thing' like that if she was to get something to me? Or to Lilly, a cousin she doesn't get along with, or Akira? The way I understand, they probably don't see each other a lot; The only reason she sees Lilly is they're both Yamaku students.

I'm still pondering all that, when I suddenly look to Shizune, to find her smiling, her eyes shining; I know that look way too well... Damn it! She let that slip on purpose, knowing that's exactly what I would end up thinking about. As usual, she's a few steps ahead of me. I probably should give up.

Hisao: [Ok, ok! You win.]

I was expecting her to have a triumphant smile as I sign this to her, but what I was not expecting, is Shizune tugging at my shirt playfully, before signing back;

Shizune: [What do I win?]

Hisao: [Huh, what do you want?]

Shizune looks up an instant, as if trying to think about what she wants as a prize in this contest without rules. She then smiles, and turn away, to put some bread in the toaster. I know I'm not gonna get an answer to that question, so I give up and move to help her with the breakfast. I think I hear people waking up too. Hideaki is the first to join us, right as I finish pouring the sixth glass of orange juice. Akira follows right behind him. Before I can ask about Jigoro and Lilly, Hideaki speaks up;

Hideaki: 'Dad's gone hunting. And buying his gift. Maybe hunting the gift.'

Ah... Hideaki probably told him about the exchange yesterday, and gave him his pick. I wonder if he's got my name, and whether I'm about to receive a bear's skull, or maybe a drinking cup made from a bull's horn or something. I wish I had been there when he opened the paper; I might not be able to read Shizune's mind, but I think the father would've been a different matter. But, he's not who I was wondering about the most. I wonder how she is... And how she would've been today, after the time we've spent together yesterday.

Hisao: 'And Lilly, still sleeping? Should we wake her up?'

Akira: 'Nah, she likes waking on her own. There's no big rush anyway, no school today right?'

She punctuates that sentence by punching me on the shoulder, a grin on her face. I suppose not. I'm about to put back the extra glasses, when Hideaki takes them all to himself.

Akira: 'Trying to get drunk on orange juice, Shortie?'

Hideaki makes a weird face, and I'm left thinking about how he feels, being called shortie. Is he trying to drink himself taller? Ah well. He seems to enjoy Akira's company, so it's probably just light teasing. I'm suddenly punched again, will less force this time;

Hisao: 'Akira, I'm not your punching... Huh?'

This one was from Shizune. Oh damn. She was probably trying to say something and I wasn't paying attention. Doesn't she usually just snaps her finger for attention? I ask her as much.

Shizune: [Lilly's sleeping.]

Oh. I guess she does care about her. At least a little. This also means that she probably knows how loud it is when she does that, even if she doesn't hear it herself. I wonder who told her. Certainly not Misha, she's not exactly one to care about being too loud.

Hisao: [So huh... Why the punch? Is this gonna be a thing today?]
Shizune : [Not if you pay attention. Are we going shopping this morning?]
Hisao: 'She wants to know if we're going to the mall this morning.'

Akira nods, saving me the translation. I look to Shizune again.

Shizune : [Then we should leave soon. Before my father comes back.]
Hisao: 'Huh, she says we should leave soon. Before her father comes back.'

Damn, I'm stuck doing the whole translating and talking thing again. I'm getting better at it though, that's something.

Akira: 'What's the big hurry?'
Shizune : [He has some work for us to do. We should leave now.]

Well, this isn't very Shizune-like... She's never shied away from work before. Sometimes she recruits people to help, or twist their arms a bit. But to avoid it entirely? That's... Weird. When I tell her as much, she doesn't sign anything, and simply points at a window.

Hisao: [He wants us to clean the windows?]

I suppose that's the least we could do, to clean up the house a bit. We've been here a week after all. But Shizune looks at me like I'm an idiot, and points at the window again, sharply now. I take a closer look, and point at my turn.

Hisao: [...that?]

She nods, with a serious, almost scared expression on her face. There's a huge pile of logs in the courtyard, probably five feet high, piled up against as shed, covering an entire wall and then some.

Akira: 'Hey, can you two stop with the secret language? What's up?'

Ah, I guess I forgot to translate. I point in that same direction.

Hisao: 'I think we better leave now... If we want to leave at all.'

She catches my meaning quick and stands up, after stuffing the last bits of her breakfast into her mouth.

Akira: 'So, who's coming today?'

I sign it to Shizune, who stands up, and I follow her as well. I consider asking if it's ok to leave Hideaki and Lilly alone, but from what I've seen at Yamaku, and here during the week, both of them are able to handle themselves. Still, I tell him to wake up Lilly if something happens, but his lack of reaction makes me think he'd be like that if I was speaking a language he did not understand. Ah well. Before we leave, I ask...

Hisao: 'Oh, what about Lilly's gift?'
Akira: 'I'll go with her later today. It's fine, I could use some sister time! You guys are always there!'

Another punch on the shoulder.

Akira: 'No offense!'
Hisao: 'None taken.'

I know she doesn't really mean it, she doesn't have an ounce of malice in her. She's definitely one of the friendliest people I've met since my coming to Yamaku, and easygoing as well; She talks to everyone, doesn't make big deals out of anything, even the conflicts between Lilly and Shizune. Hell, she acts like it's not even a thing. She's just trying to have fun, always. A bit like Shizune, different kind of fun though, I suppose. Which reminds me that I better sign that to Shizune, who looks at me impatiently. It'll still take time before I'm doing this automatically like Misha.

And so we're getting ready to leave, making sure we have money, our coats, all we need. We didn't need coats much yesterday, with Lilly, but the weather might change. Having only my jacket to put on, I'm ready well before them, and I end up just watching them while I'm waiting, making small talk with Akira - and signing for Shizune. I'm trying to avoid being too much of a creep, but it's hard not to stare; Both of the girls being really cute, though very different; Shizune's putting on short leather boots that zip on the side. They don't seem very warm, but it shouldn't be a problem today. She's wearing white pants that look very business-like, something Akira would wear at her job. A white vest, worn over a light, green blouse, complete her uniform. She looks very serious, professional. The outfit, her short hair, the glasses... she could easily pass for a teacher or even a lawyer. She definitely looks great, in any case.

Akira, on the other hand, doesn't look like her job at all. Or her age, for that matter. At Yamaku, she always had the business suit on the few times I've seen her, and I've grown used to see her in more casual clothes this week... But this is more than casual today; She's wearing an old pair of jeans adorned with more than a few holes... Some that were probably there from the start, as a fashion thing, but some are evidently from hard wear. Her boots go slightly higher than Shizune's, and are covered in fur, inside and out. It looks like she's wearing some fluffy slippers. And above the waist, all she's wearing is a black shirt, with the logo of some band I've never heard off; I don't want to be caught staring at her chest for too long, but I see a skull in there, and the words seem to be blood-red, so I'm guessing, probably some metal band; I wasn't expecting her to be like that, but I can't say I hate that look; Even if I'm not used to it, it suits her well; She might be the oldest among us, but sometimes I think she's the least mature. Not in a bad way though. She's just a bit carefree, when she can afford to be, anyway. I wonder what it'd look like if one day she showed up at her office, dressed like that. I can't help but smile at the thought;

Movement on the side catches my attention; Shizune is signing something. Missed half of it too. Damn it.

Hisao: [Go again?]
Shizune: [Why are you staring?]

Damn. She saw me.

Hisao: [I was just looking at her shirt. Trying to see what band it was.]

This is... not too far from the truth I guess. Then why am so nervous about it. Shizune now looks at the shirt too.

Akira: 'Sup?'
Hisao: 'Ah... Think we're all ready. Should we go?'

Akira moves to open the door, but Shizune steps in the way and starts signing again.

Shizune: [Please translate properly.]

When I don't react for a few seconds, neither signing nor talking, she repeats, and grabs a notepad and pen from her bag, then looks at me, waiting to see my next move; It's really embarrassing. Why does she insist like that?

Hisao: 'Ah... I was just looking at your shirt, I was wondering what the band was. Never seen them before.'

Akira smiles, but it's not her usual grin;

Akira: 'Really? That's like my favorite band. Man, you need to go out more! Too much of those books thingy!'

She playfully punches me again, but this time she barely even touches me. She then pauses a second, like she's either searching for words or just wondering whether she should go on. She pulls down on her shirt, to hold it flat, so I can read the band's name, then continues;

Akira: 'I'll show you a few of their songs sometime! I think you'd like them!'

And with this that topic's closed, and Akira leaves for the car. I'm about to follow her, when Shizune signs something real quick;

Shizune: [Thank you.]

She then walks out before I can reply anything, but the notepad and this, makes me realize it wasn't really about me staring or anything like that; She might just resent not being able to make herself heard, and by refusing to translate properly for her, she has no other option than to use the notepad, or just not to talk at all, be left out of the conversation. I guess she has a point; It's probably frustrating enough that she needs to rely on someone to translate for her, without having to twist their arms so they do it right. I feel bad now that I think of it, but at least I get it now. Sorry Shizune, won't do it again.

And with that I leave as well, locking the door behind me.

The drive to the mall is not too long, though it's made difficult by me having to hold the conversation in the car; I'm sitting in the back, and Shizune doesn't always realize when Akira's talking, so I have to tap her on the shoulder and wait for her to look at me before I sign back to her; It's not easy, but I just made up my mind about making sure she would not be left out of the conversations, it'd be terrible to give up that easily. When she turns toward me to see me translate what Akira was saying, I'm rewarded with the sweetest smile, one that Shizune rarely allows herself.

We arrive at the mall and we all look at one another for a moment...

Shizune: [Should we go separate ways? Or stick together until we find something?]

I ask Akira about it;

Akira: 'You kids can go your way. I thought I had my gift already, but I'll get a few more things. Shizune can text me when you're done. Sounds good?'
Hisao : [We'll go together, and text her when we're done. She's got some errands to run.]

Shizune frowns.

Shizune: [Did she call us kids?]

That's right. She can read lips, to an extent anyway; That's probably an easy word to read too.

Hisao: [Err, yeah. From her point of view, I suppose we are?]
Shizune: [I am not a kid.]
Hisao: [Fine. Maybe she was just calling 'me' a kid.]
Shizune: [Tell her that I am not a kid.]
Hisao: 'Shizune wants me to tell you that she is not a kid.'

This is ridiculous, but it makes me smile. Does she not realize the irony of reacting in such a childish manner, yet pretending not to be a kid?

Akira: 'Fine, fine. You two elders can go do your thing, then text me so I can bring you home just in time for dinner!'

She smiles, and so do I; From someone else, this could've been interpreted as an insult, but I know Akira a bit better; She's just screwing around; No ill intent, just playful teasing. Shizune, on the other hand, looks furious. I start signing Akira's words to her, but she turns around and leaves. Guess there's no need to translate that one; I wave goodbye to Akira, then walk to catch up with Shizune.

------

Shizune and I walk at a quick pace, much faster than yesterday's walk with Lilly. I don't mind, I could use the exercise. We walk past stores, taking a look once in a while, stopping if something catches our interest; We don't really want to make it obvious what we're looking for though, given it might clue the other in about who we're buying the gift for; I even spend some time looking at girl products and the likes, to play with Shizune a bit. I suspect she's doing the same, because there's no way all the things she's looked at are for the same person. It's like we're playing a game. No, it's exactly that, we're playing a game. I even try to balance the things I'm looking for between Hideaki things, and other stuff. I'm sure Shizune has picked up on it, but I'm confident she can't guess who I am really shopping for.

Shizune: [Found anything?]
Hisao: [Can't tell!]

Shizune smiles, then continues;

Shizune: [No game. Just trying to help.]

I guess she figured that I don't know any of them as much as she does. I could use a little help. Playing with her was fun, but I still don't know what I could get for Hideaki. She grabs her notepad and starts writing. I'm not sure what it is, but it seems long enough. After a couple minutes, she hands it to me, and I read the list;

'Lilly: Tea. Perfume.' Follows a list of her favorites for both, and a few extra choices that Shizune thinks Lilly might like.
'Hideaki: Video games. That's the only suggestion. But there's also a list of the video games he has, so I don't get him something he already has, and a few popular ones she thinks might be to his liking.

I try not to spend too much time on Hideaki, not to reveal my pick.

'Akira: Clothes.' Then, on the line below: 'Professional clothes. Not "staring at band" clothes'. I raise my eyes from the list to look at Shizune, who's smiling at me; She fully expected it. I'm a bit amused that she's bringing that back, but still, she has a point; I have no idea what bands she likes anyway. Business clothes are easier. If they don't fit right, she can always change them for another size anyway.

'Jigoro: Hunting gear.' 'NO GADGET' is written in big letters. Guess he has a strong opinion about this.

Of course she made the list for all four people, everyone but me and her; She can't leave one out, that'd tell me which one she knows I can't have.
...Wait. She doesn't have a list for herself. Would she prefer I figured it out myself, had I picked her, so it's more personal, and not just Shizune telling me what she wants? Or is it just another game, to see if I will react to her name not being on the list, see if I give up anything? Either way, I might as well ask her; My gift is for Hideaki, so I can't give up much information by asking about her list. I almost regret that I didn't get her; Would've been fun to see if I can win at the mind games. If it really is mind games, that is, and not just her wanting me to come up with my own idea. I try to look casual...

Hisao: [Your list isn't there.]
Shizune: [Oh, you need my list?]

Mindgames it is. Damn it Shizune! I'm trying to avoid thinking 'Hideaki', as if she could somehow read my mind. But this only makes me think 'Hideaki' even more. She's looking at me intently, but she can't really pick anything up, unless something in my face would point toward her brother and not one of her cousin, and I don't see how. I try to come out strongly about it. I can play games too.

Hisao: [Write it down.]

She smiles and takes the notepad. I know that smile. I learned to be afraid of that smile, in my time at Yamaku. I'm scared of what's coming. Will she just write down that she knows who I'm getting the gift for? No, can't be... Even if she did figure it out through some mindreading skills, she would just sign it; I'll just wait. No need to panic. I must admit, even if I'm not getting the gift for her, I'm a bit curious about what she'll put on her list. I'm not sure what she has in terms of hobbies, aside from hanging with people, skipping classes to go to town, and trying to trick or shame students into joining the student council, or at least get them to help with the workload. Maybe I'll learn a bit more about it with her list. She writes for a moment, then hands it back to me, with a smile, this one sweet.

'Shizune: Lingerie. Measurements: 35-20-33. Color: Black, purple, blue. Anything you think would look good on me.'

What the hell. I can barely get myself to look up from the notepad. I feel myself blushing heavily, and I'm not sure what to do... But I've been staring at this line for twenty seconds, I can't exactly pretend I'm not done reading. When I look up at her, she has a coy smile on her face, one that she is desperately trying to hold, but it only takes her a few seconds to burst into... Not laughter, I've never really seen her laugh; But when she puts her hand in front of her mouth like that and breathes rapidly, making some shy sounds, I think that's what laughter is to Shizune; I really can't win with her. I give her a few seconds to enjoy her victory, taking that time to calm myself as well;

Hisao: [It's probably pointless to ask you to write a real list for you?]
Shizune: [Probably!]

She smiles at that, but drops the smile right away, and writes something on the notepad. Weird. I take it and read.
'I know you didn't get me.'

How... Is she still playing a game? I would think so. I mean there's no way she could tell. I've said nothing, and my reaction to her 'list' was one that I would've had either way; Hell, probably would've reacted like that even more, if I really had to get her something, and wasn't just reading her list to avoid giving her information about my real pick. But she looks genuinely sad... I've seen her use that kind of emotional blackmail tactics before, but it's usually quite easy to read her in these situations; If she asks help for some student council work and looks sad, well, her intentions are quite apparent. But now it's different. It's just for information... Information that she'll have tomorrow anyway; And she knows the odds are five to one, it's unlikely I got her. But she really doesn't look like she's guessing, or fishing for information either; For once, she looks like she knows, and reacts to, exactly what she said; She's not the one I'm getting a gift for. And she's sad about it. Well, this is awkward. The fact that she isn't even trying to hide it makes me think it's not as bad as it looks. I think if it was really important for her, she would've kept it to her. But it's still a bit of a downer. Then it strikes me; I'll get her something anyway. Maybe not something big, and maybe not something I'll give her during the exchange, but maybe after? Even if she fooled me, and is just playing a game to see how I'd react to this, well, that will make her happy anyway, right? And if it was just a game, I think at this point she will have to admit it, and it'll make her look bad. With a bit of luck, maybe I can score a few 'points' in those meaningless games we play all the time. Unless she turns this around, make me look a fool, and then I lose once more. But there's no helping this, I suppose. I don't think she's playing, in any case.

Suddenly, like nothing happened, she picks up her smile again, rips the page with the lists on, gives it to me, before putting the notepad back in her bag.

Shizune: [Let's go!]

She grabs my arm and starts walking again, and I have no choice but to follow; I don't really mind, I wasn't sure how to get out of this situation. So we keep going from store to store... Until she eventually stops.

Shizune: [I found something. Do you want to go on your way, and meet back here after?]

Hisao: [Sure. Shouldn't take me more than ten minutes.]

If I can find the store, that is. I already know which games I'm going to get Hideaki. Some casual, relatively slow-paced adventure games; I doubt he's serious enough about gaming to enjoy the competitive nature of some of the faster paced player-vs-player games out there. And so we leave, in different directions. Any other day, I probably would've looked behind me to see if Shizune turns back to come spy on me; But today I don't really care, after what just happened. I think if she did it, and surprised me at the line or something, it would just make me happy that the previous drama would've been a joke as well. But I don't really expect her to. I walk into some electronics store and go straight to the video games section. I don't want to linger around too long, I still have to find something for Shizune as well. I pick three games that look fun, so there's a good chance he'll enjoy at least one of them, pay them quickly and leave the store, then I take a look around. There is it.

I enter a jewelry store. Soon as begin looking at some rings, wondering whether Shizune would even like something like that, a young woman comes next to me. Either she suspects I'm a shoplifter... Or she thinks that a student-aged boy walking in a jewelry store is most likely looking to get his girlfriend something nice, and she's gonna make sure it comes with a nice price tag, too. I'm not sure which option scares me the most.

She gives me what I assume is her usual spiel about rings, gold chains, earrings. She explains the difference between ten, fourteen and eighteen carats, but she may as well have been speaking French, for what little I understand. My instinct tells me that regardless of the number of carats, the most expensive item is the one she thinks will make the best gift; I look up a few price tags on some pieces I think Shizune might like. Yikes. Sorry Lilly, afraid I can't be a teacher; Gonna need a doctor's salary to afford those. I probably made a face the employee didn't like, that or she finally figured that I was a student and not a young-looking billionaire, because she's now showing me more affordable items. If affordable means 'something I could pay for, as long as I don't go out or buy anything for the next two months or three', anyway. Thirty thousand yen. Fifteen thousand yen. Hundred thousand yen. This isn't exactly my price range, but these are some of the least expensive items I've seen in the store. I consider going somewhere else, but I doubt it would be much different. Unless I get her something cheap from a general store, but that doesn't feel right. Shizune helped me a lot in my first days at Yamaku, I'm not gonna thank her for that with some crappy toy ring from the dollar store. She means more than that to me, and if I need to stop eating at the restaurant for a few weeks after the holidays, so be it. I don't really need any money at Yamaku anyway. I'd probably just end up giving it to Kenji and never see it again. Another thirty thousand yen. I ask to see another one, behind the glass. It looks great, though expensive. Sixty thousand... Wait, no. Six hundred thousand yen. What the hell. I'm not sure my father makes that much in a month. I think the employee had a similar train of thought, given how she tried to get me not to look at it, or, god forbid, touch it; I come back to some of the rings I've looked at earlier. Fifteen thousand yen. What's friendship worth, right? She's by far the girl I've spent the most time with since I came to Yamaku. Sure, only half of it was by choice, the other half being her forcing me to work under her, but even that wasn't so bad, we always had a great time. Plus, I stayed at her place for a week, a gift like that would be my way to thank her, for everything.

Then I look behind the counter and see a particularly pretty pair of earrings. I look at the employee, who's still all smiles. I... guess that's not one of the 'Three months salary' ones? I ask to take a look at it, and she picks it up for me. I wonder how long I have before she makes up her mind about me having just enough money to buy a can of juice from the vending machine, and throws me out off her store. I take a closer look at the earrings. They're perfect. I really like them, and I think Shizune would, too. I turn them around a bit. No price tag. Somehow I don't think they are free, so this looks like a very bad sign.

Hisao: 'How much are these?'

She takes a moment to think. Come on. Spit it out. How much do you think I have in my wallet, I know you'll want to take it all.

Saleswoman: 'Twenty-two thousand yen. I think they're lovely! Is this a gift for your girlfriend?'

Damn. She's good. Not only she gives me a price just slightly higher than the ones I've been looking at the most... But she also tries to get me to stop thinking about the price, and more about the girl who will be happy to see them.

Hisao: 'Yeah. Err, I mean, no. A friend.'

Somehow I find myself blushing again, like I did when Shizune gave me her list.

Saleswoman: 'Your friend is very lucky. I'm sure she will like them!'

This really hurts. This is more than Hideaki's gift cost me. I feel a little bad, but I try to justify it by Shizune inviting me over for the week. Though I suppose if that was it, my gift should really go to her father... Ah, stop thinking about it too much. She'll be happy, should be all that matters. I take out my wallet and hand her the notes.

She puts the earrings in a small, black velvet box, which I promptly hide in my bag with the video games, then leave the store. I take a look around, making sure Shizune isn't spying on me, but she's nowhere to be seen. I'm not in any hurry, so I just walk in the direction she left earlier, thinking I might find her. A thought crosses my mind about spying on her, but I try to suppress it; If I see her, I'll just turn back and wait for her to be done. After a few minutes, I realize I probably missed her. I wasn't looking in the stores too much, because sometime just the store would be enough to reveal her pick. I decide to text her to ask if she's ready to leave. It takes her a moment, but she texts back; She's ready, waiting at the entrance. It's not so far, so I quickly walk to her. I'm getting a bit hungry, I'm not sad it's over.

When I get to her, she's carrying three bags. I greet her, and we leave for the car, after texting Akira. I take a look at her bags now. I was against stalking her to spy what she was doing in the store, but now she knows I'm here, it's fair game, right? All her bags are white, no labels visible, like my own; There was a logo on mine, but I turned it inside out so it doesn't show. Guess she had the same idea, or she asked for clean bags specifically. That, or she brought her own, having planned it from the start. I don't put it past her. I try to make out what's inside the bags, but I can't see much. Looks like a lot of boxes, small ones in two bags, larger in the third one. I try to think about what could be in there, but without an x-ray vision, this proves pointless. Clothes maybe? Shoes, pants, something like that. Maybe she picked Akira, and got her what she wrote me on that list, some business outfit. I'm about to stop trying to play the guessing game, when I see that Shizune is doing the exact same thing with my bag. It's a large bag though, so the video games shapes can't easily be guessed. And either way, she could think of many other things; Movies, music CDs, some small books. I make a few quick gestures with my free hand.

Hisao: [Give up, Shizune!]

She frowns, but short of distracting me to try and steal my bag to look inside, there isn't much she can do about it... And with her hands full, she can't really reply anything. And so she stops looking, and keep walking to the car. But now that I think of it, it wouldn't be exactly unlike her to try this kind of tactics... Better keep the bag close. I swap the bag to my other hand, opposite side of Shizune's, and when I see the timid smile on her lips, I figure that she was really was considering it. Or at the very least, she knows why I did this, despite me trying to do it casually. I'm used to her constantly being one step ahead of me when we're playing games, and thinking one level higher, so I have to be on my guard. I don't really care if she finds out about the video games, but I really don't want her to see the earrings before I'm ready to give them to her.

We get to the car, but Akira is nowhere in sight. Shizune tries to open the passenger door. Locked. She huffs in annoyance, then moves next to me to try the other doors. Won't open. Without actual signing, difficult with her hands full, she just points to me and makes the universal gesture for a phone. Guess that's on me. I drop the bag and take the phone out of my pocket, and send Akira a text to let her know we're waiting by her car. Shizune finally dropped her bags too, perhaps realizing we might wait here a while. Are they heavy? Could be some hunter gear for her father, I suppose.

My phone ringing stops me from these thoughts, and I pick up.

Akira: 'Hey! You guys are good? Sorry, I had some last minute idea, went back inside. Will be there shortly!'
Hisao: 'Ah, sure. Try not to take too long, it's getting cold here.'
Akira: 'Won't be long, five minutes top! You can wait in the car, by the way, gave Shizune a spare key this morning!'
Hisao: 'Ah, alright, see you then!'

I hang up and put the phone back into my pocket. Wait a minute... Spare key? Only takes a split second before I connect the dots, and I turn around just in time to see Shizune closing in behind me, and grabbing at my bag, but I move to take it back... 'Almost' in time. She takes the bag and moves back out of range, quick as a cat, smiling triumphantly, and begins to open it to look inside. This is bad. I only have a few seconds before she sees the box, and that box would be enough... She might not guess earrings, but if she comes up with a ring, that's pretty much the same idea. I do the first thing I can think of;

I grab one of her bags too. The big one, with all those large boxes. I keep it in front of me, threatening to open it, like I was holding a hostage; Light. That's weird. I expected it to be heavier than that. Even clothes weight more than that. Did Shizune just buy a couple of empty boxes to throw me off? I only have a second to think on it, before Shizune reacts unexpectedly; She puts my bag back on the ground between her feet, without even looking inside, and grabs at her bag, to take it back; Ok, definitely not empty boxes.

Without letting it go, I move forward, and with my right foot, I pull my bag closer and place it behind me. All the soccer I played before my heart attack at least helped me here, I suppose. Shizune opens her mouth as if she was trying to talk... That's so weird. I've never seen her do anything like that. Even when building stalls, or doing some other dirty work for the student council, there have been times where she wanted to sign something and couldn't, her hands being busy carrying something, but she's never done something like that. At the same time, she grabs my wrist with her right hand, like some martial artist about to perform a takedown, while still holding onto the bag with her other hand. She looks serious about it, it's so very unlike her, at least when it comes to games, whether they be board games, mind games, any game really. She's usually always up for a challenge, and the few times I've won against her, she accepts the defeat gracefully; Guess she really doesn't want me to take a look at these boxes. She moves forward, backing me up against the car, and pushing; her bag is between the both of us, and we try our best not to break what might be inside, or at least I try... But even with this, she's very close to me, our faces only inches away, and I feel her leg against mine; It'd distracting, to say the least.

I try to come back to my senses... It'd be a poor way to thank Akira for the lift than to scratch the paint on her car. So, resigned, I open my hands and show her my palms, a universal symbol of submission;

Hisao: [I yield!]

She quickly moves back, holding the bag to her chest, and catching her breath. I don't think it was only our little scuffle... I think she was worried I would see what's in there. So I guess she's the one who picked me? This might explain why she looked sad earlier when she figured - or guessed - that my gift wasn't for her. Maybe she hoped that we would have gifts for each other. Ah well... Just one day from now I'll give her my gift, this should make her happy. I almost want to tell her right now that I've got something for her, but she might ask why, and what it is, or worse, try once more to look inside my bag. Enough drama for the day, I think.

I get my bag back, thinking that this time I'm not leaving it even a second, whatever happens, and Shizune takes her other bags as well, but just lays the two small ones at her feet, holding the big one under her arm. I'm guessing, this is the big one? I can't deny that I'm now more interested than ever about finding out what it might be, now that I figured it's most likely for me. Well, just like Shizune... I'll see tomorrow. I try to take my mind off it, and we stand there for a while, no one signing anything, waiting for Akira. But Shizune seems a bit restless. A moment it seems like she's about to sign something, and the next, she looks like she's thinking about something, serious, focused.

Hisao: [Everything's fine?]

She doesn't even react, for almost a minute. Did she even see me signing, or was she lost in thoughts? But she eventually moves her delicate hands in front of her to sign something, rather slowly. Shizune always said that sign language is different because you have to carefully pick your words before you sign them, but that has never stopped her from signing at such fast pace that it even gives Misha trouble at times; But now, she's really taking her time, just to ask me one simple question;

Shizune: [Do you think I am a kid?]

...Maybe not so simple. Where the hell does that come from?

Hisao: [Still dwelling on that?]

When she doesn't reply anything, I'm forced to keep going.

Hisao: [I don't think anything like that, no. We're the same age right? Our birthdays a month apart, even.]

She looks at me like I've said something wrong.

Shizune: [That's not what I meant.]

I know that's not what she meant... But what am I supposed to say tell her? I think she's very mature in some aspects of her life, but, as I've seen a couple times today, she can be very childish as well. I think her immature side is really cute, but I can't really say that, can I? Being called cute would probably just makes her feel like a child again.

Hisao: [No, you're not a kid. Akira didn't mean it in a bad way, you know? She was just teasing.]
Shizune: [I don't care what Akira thinks.]

I decide not to point out how she insisted that I tell Akira about her not being a kid.

Hisao: [No, you're not a kid Shizune. In some ways, and despite all your games, you might just be the most mature here. You're serious when you need to be.]

She smiles at that.

Shizune: [In some ways?]

This time I'm pretty sure she's not mad... She's just playing along;

Hisao: [You're the perfect balance of serious, and playful. Good enough for you?]

Her eyes shine, and her smile grows wider;

Shizune: [I'm perfect?]

Definitely just playing along. I'm glad this thing is over, and I can't help but smile as well, but what I was not expecting, is that she walks toward me, and before I can even react, she wraps me in a tight hug, her body pressed against mine and her hands finding a way to my back. I'm caught by surprise, so much that I even find myself asking 'Shizune?', to which she obviously doesn't reply. I want to hug her back, but she didn't slip her arms under mine, rather over them, in a bear hug, which makes it difficult for me to move my arms any more than just resting them a bit past her hips, on her lower back. Given how she tightens her grip even more when I do so, she doesn't seem to mind. She tries to rest her head on my shoulder, which is made difficult by her petite stature, but she gets there, barely, by standing on her toes. Her movements make her short hair brush against my neck and my cheeks, and I try to suppress a giggle as to not ruin the moment; Not that she would hear it, but as close as we are, she would definitely feel it.

We stay like that for a while, and after finding a position she's comfortable in, she's staying still, so much that I could almost believe she's fallen asleep, if it wasn't for the fact that she's still holding me against her. I feel her warm breath on my neck, and while I can't actually look without turning my head, it sure seems like her mouth is very close to my skin;

She eventually loosens her grip, after one last big squeeze, and slowly moves away, looking at her feet while walking backward. I fear this might get awkward real fast, but she lifts her eyes up and when she looks at me, she's all smiles. She's really cute, and I can't help smiling back at her. It's at this moment that I see Akira coming toward us, from the corner of my eye. She's carrying a few bags. I think I would've been ok with having a few more minutes with Shizune. We've had fun, though she was inexplicably weird at times, like there was a new element to her; I'm glad, at least, that Akira didn't come back in the middle of our conversation.

Akira: 'Alright kids, ready to go?'

I feel every muscle in my body tense up upon hearing that word. I look at Shizune, who only smiles at Akira, and get in the car, after picking up her bags. Weird and weirder. She definitely knows what Akira said... Ah well. I won't complain that Shizune didn't try to get her to unsay the word somehow; The smile even looked genuine, like she really didn't care. I guess I might not know Shizune all that well, or understand her, truly. There's still time, right?

Shizune's bags are in the trunk, but I keep mine with me. It's quite small anyway, and I really don't want to risk Shizune making another attempt. I get in the car, and sit next to Shizune; She's sitting in the back this time, and before I can do or say anything, she starts signing.

Shizune: [Easier to talk this way.]

She has a point, wasn't easy for me to relay the conversation last time, with Shizune sitting on the front. But other than a few pleasantries, and Akira making sure we had everything we needed, we don't talk all that much on the way back home;

------

When we get home, Shizune's father is in the yard, splitting wood with an axe... Shirtless. Is he crazy? Yesterday wasn't that bad, but today is considerably colder. It looks like he's done half the job already. Hideaki is with him, and there's an axe laying on the ground next, but at the moment Hideaki is mostly just carrying logs around. At Jigoro's pace, I doubt Hideaki helping would make much a difference anyway; Jigoro places a log vertically, instantly raises the axe, and lower it back, splitting the logs clean, in almost perfect halves. Throws them away, new log, new cut, new halves. He's relentless, like a machine. And by the looks of it, he's been at this for hours. He's sweating profusely and grunting a little for every cut, but other than that, he shows no sign of fatigue. His sword is in its sheath at his waist, as usual, which looks both dangerous and impractical to me. Is he concerned the logs could try to fight back, and the axe might not prove enough? Ah, nevermind. It's certainly not the weirdest thing I've seen from Jigoro.

Shizune having her hands full of bags, we knock on the door, and after we've exchanged some greetings, Lilly carefully walks around the table, and let us in. Akira moves closer to her sister and whispers something in her ear. I wonder what that was, and, as always, I can't read anything from Lilly's changing expression... But my questions are answered anyway when Akira pulls out a bottle of wine from one of her bag and put it on the table. Lilly is smiling, but I'm not sure what Shizune's thinking. Akira takes a few drinking glasses, and looks at me;

Akira: 'Hisao, Shizune, you want some?'

I quickly sign this to Shizune, who doesn't make a move to reply; Apparently, she wants me to talk first. Why not? I could really use some time to relax a bit too, the day has been rough. Shizune walks much faster than Lilly, it's tough catching up to her. I tell as much to Akira and, after quickly going to 'my' room to hide my gifts in a closet, I take a seat at the table, in front of Lilly. Shizune sits at my side, and Akira starts pouring for everyone. I take a quick sip, so does everyone else, when Akira pulls a deck of cards from her pocket. It's still wrapped, she probably bought it at the mall so we could play.

Akira: 'You guys up for a game?'

She doesn't even mention what the game is, but at least I'm glad she didn't call us kids again, though Shizune didn't seem to care last time. It's only then that I realize that Lilly won't play... I almost feel like saying something about it... Is it wrong to do something if one person in the group can't participate, I wonder. Then again, I doubt Hideaki stops himself from listening to music due to Shizune not hearing... Maybe that's just how things are. As long as Lilly is there with us, we're all talking, all drinking... Maybe I'm just overthinking it. Surely her sister knows how to best deal with situations like that more than I do. I'm left thinking about it for a while, when I realize Akira and Shizune are waiting, one for an answer, the other for translation, though she probably figured out the question anyway, with Akira holding the cards in front of her.

Hisao: 'Huh... I suppose I'm in, what game are we playing?'
Hisao: [Wanna play cards?]

That's a first. I've never been able to talk and sign at the same time before. Not only that, but two different things as well. When I look at Shizune though, she's far less impressed than I am, and the look on her face is one of confusion; Either the idea of playing a card game is unthinkable to her, or I messed up the translation and ended up signing to Shizune something that was meant for Akira. I try again, and this time she simply nods, and I look to Akira.

Akira: 'What do you mean, what game? We're playing poker!'

She says that as if this should have been obvious, like it's the only existing card game in the world. I relay the information to Shizune.

Akira: 'Money on the table!'

Wait, how much money are we playing for exactly? I already spent most of my money on Shizune's gift. Akira seems to read into my worried expression, and quickly drops a bunch of small coins on the table. Alright, I can afford that much, at least.

Akira: 'You know how to play?'

I nod, and quickly turn to Shizune.

Hisao: [You know how to-]
Jigoro: 'COME HERE, BOY!'

I almost jump in my seat, then turn around, fully expecting to see him looming over me, but he's nowhere to be seen. Did he really yell at me from the yard? Seemed like his voice was coming only from a few feet away. I consider a moment that he might have been talking to his son, but 'boy' seems to be what he calls me. Or one of the least terrible things he calls me, anyway. I stand up and walk to the door, see what he wants;

Jigoro: 'COME HELP WITH THOSE!'
He's still yelling, even now that I'm close to him, when I could hear him just fine through the door the first time; The neighbors probably heard him too. The way I look at him, he probably isn't even tired... and it's not like him to want me to be anywhere near him and his tools.  He's just getting back at me for... Ah, I don't even know. I turn back toward the table.

Hisao: 'Well, I guess I'm out. Duty calls.'

I sign to Shizune to let her know, and to my surprise, she stands.

Shizune: [I will help too.]
Hisao: [You sure? You don't want to play the game?]

She looks at me like I've said something wrong. Yeah... I guess it wouldn't be great for a game, with one person who can't play, and the other two unable to communicate. I quickly add a quick 'alright, thanks', before waving goodbye to the others. Akira smiles.

Akira: 'Fine, but you owe me! A game and a drink, don't forget!'

She pauses a moment, then adds 'I won't!'

Hisao: 'Sure thing! Have fun, you two!'
Lilly: 'Goodbye, Hisao.'

And with this, I leave, Shizune in tow. The pile of logs is, thankfully, even smaller than it was when we came back. We probably shouldn't need more than an hour. I grab the axe, and set myself to the task at hand, while Shizune takes Hideaki's place, carrying some logs around to help me and Jigoro. It's not so bad, the axe is well sharpened, cuts easily into the wood, though I feel a bit ashamed that Jigoro is probably splitting two or three logs by the time I'm done with just one. And he's been at it all day. I could easily put that on my condition, but that wouldn't be perfectly honest; Even before my heart attack, I would never be like him. And since I've taken to exercise, I feel in reasonably good shape, only have to be careful. It's just been a tiring day, really. Ah well, it should be over soon.

After half an hour maybe, my arms are already getting tired. Not raising them nearly as much as I did before, which means that sometimes the cut just isn't strong enough, and I have to do it again. Jigoro snorts when this happens, which kinda pisses me off. Part of me wishes that he'd miss a cut one time, just once, but he never does. I probably could not find anything to say about it anyway. Shizune leaves an instant, and come back with a glass of water. Only one. I don't really feel like making a case about not bringing one to Jigoro, or at least offer him... He doesn't seem to care either. Is their relationship so bad that they can't even do that for each other? Or does she know, somehow, that he wasn't thirsty? Ah, not my place to pry, I guess. I thank her and empty the glass in one gulp.

...

Tired. It's been an hour now. Since my heart attack, I've had some experience with fatigue, exhaustion, and the more worrying, heart problems. The good thing is, I've learned to recognize them easily now. My heart is holding on. I really am just a bit tired. We're almost done, thankfully. I feel like I don't have any strength left in my arms. Raise. Cut. Raise. Cut. This is so repetitive, I feel like I could fall asleep doing it. Raise. Cut. Raise. A rock under my feet unbalanced me a little, and while I still managed to hit the log with my axe, it barely went in more than an inch. Jigoro snorts again, and this time speaks up too. 'Pathetic.' I look at him, pondering whether I should say anything - probably not - when Shizune walks up to him, like she's possessed by some divine fury. Or demonic. One or the other.

Shizune: [ *** stop *** trying *** problems *** always *** ]

Ok, I missed most of that. She wasn't even facing me when she signed, she was facing her father, and while I'm not sure what she told him exactly, she's obviously furious. I've seen her mad at me a few times, mostly about me refusing to join the student council, or trying to avoid doing some work for her, but it wasn't ever that bad. She looks like she's losing it. I fully expect Jigoro to put some more oil on the fire, to ask me to translate so he can get back at her or something, or just to throw another insult at me for no reason whatsoever, but... What I did NOT expect, however, was to see Jigoro actually look sad. Or remorseful? He looks a bit troubled, I've never seen him like that. She turns away from him and goes back to what she was doing, bringing me logs and carrying them away after the cuts;

Jigoro: 'Alright boy. Almost finished here. Just one last effort.'

What the hell. Is that an encouragement, or am I going mad? Did Shizune's fury actually affect him that much? This day had its share of surprises, that's for sure. We finish the rest of the job, then Jigoro speaks up again;

Jigoro: 'You can go, I'll clean this up myself.'

He hesitates an instant, then adds:

Jigoro: 'Thanks for the help.'

I manage to say some words in response, but it takes some effort; What did he see in Shizune that made him change like that... Ok, she looked pissed, furious, but still, I never thought he would care that much. Did he think she was about to murder him or something? This is weird. I didn't expect him to even have that in him. Ah well. Christmas spirit, I suppose?

We go back inside and are greeted by a pleasant smell; Food. Now that's a welcome sight. It's already on the table, I suppose they looked at our progress and timed the cooking accordingly;

Hisao: 'Smells good in there!'
Akira: 'Figured you might be hungry, made you guys something to eat!'
Hisao: 'Thanks, Lilly!'
Lilly: 'You're very welc-'
Akira: 'What do you mean, thanks, Lilly? I cook too, you know?'

Akira frowns, and Lilly looks like she's trying to suppress an urge to smile, but says nothing. Akira continues.

Akira: '...I mean, not this time. But I do cook!'

I can't help but laugh.

Hisao: 'Fine, fine. Thanks for the food, Lilly. Thanks for err, the moral support you offered Lilly while she cooked, Akira.'

This earns me a punch on the shoulder. I've almost forgotten these are basically a currency for Akira. I try my best to ignore it, but it did kinda hurt this time. I quickly sign the conversation back to Shizune, evidently curious about what happened, rueing once again not being able to talk and sign at the same time.

We eat in silence, after what I leave for my room, to wrap my gifts to Hideaki. Christmas tomorrow, this should be fun. I lay on the bed to rest a moment, and I think about when, how I'm gonna give Shizune the earrings. This should give me something to occupy my mind... But it's been a very long day, and it's not long until I fall asleep.


-----


End of the third chapter. ( fourth chapter : https://pastebin.com/ebbyhxey )