Fond Memories (Sharaku)

She would tap her chin with her finger while she thought about it, “Well, Hyde seems like the type to do that, but…” She had seen Kurosawa and Sharaku around each other. Was a cat something people got each other when they were in love? She couldn’t tell. Also, she didn’t trust Hyde to get a cat for Sharaku. He didn’t seem to notice that much about people just at a glance, “Well, Kurosawa could probably afford to get you one without a moment’s notice. It would also make sense for him. Although, I think flowers and/or chocolate are usually the standard form of gifts.” What would he have done if Sharaku didn’t want a cat or didn’t have the means to take care of it? Still, she supposed the gesture was sweet enough.

She would go to the kitchen and bring out a can of wet food. As soon as the can was popped, a black streak glided through the air. Naomi would laugh as Midnight stopped at her feet and began meowing. She set the food on the floor and went back to playing cards, “That’s how I speak cat. It’s how Midnight and I understand each other. That, and when she feels in the mood for cuddling.” Yuki would not make a move. In fact, she began to softly purr as she was pet and got closer to Sharaku, “That one is weird in that she doesn’t like wet food or treats. I hope your cat is less confusing than her. Still, she’s a sweet pea.” She loved both her cats, but they were really different from one another. “You’ve never even considered punching you, so you have nothing to worry about. You’re reasonable enough that I don’t have to result to knocking sense into you.” She moved her cards around in her hand and flipped over the next one. Seeing it, she kept the same bet, “I try not to get too violent when it comes to people. I just have special exceptions.” Like idiots. They deserved to be punched.

Kurosawa had high standards? That sounded about right, “High standards indeed, but I get why he has them with you.” It would take a blind person not to notice the obvious signs between the two of them. Mostly from the other’s direction, but they were there, “So, how long have you two been an item?” She wasn’t going to tiptoe around the fact that they had chemistry going on. It was clear as day and bright as the sun that there was something to be had there. She knew it may have been prying, but she was curious. Besides, it was a more interesting story than how he got the cat. At least, she thought it would be. She would laugh before hearing a wayward meow from the direction of Midnight, “She speaks with her stomach. Haven’t you ever noticed that cats like two things: sleeping and eating?” Her cats did at least. They were pretty easy to understand at the end of the day, just based on how she knew they would react in a given situation. Her head would tilt when Sharaku said he didn’t make sense to himself. She found that statement fairly odd, considering that if anyone understood you, it should be yourself. If you didn’t understand yourself, how did you know what you were saying? She could only think of one thing, “So, you speak in riddles? Really elegant sounding riddles that even you don’t know the answer to? Wait, I know this one. If you don’t know the answer and you made the riddle, that means there is no answer.” See, she could do philosophy. She would shake her head, “Don’t feel bad for the exceptions. They deserve it more than you realize.” She thought so, at least. That’s why she did it.

Once again, she would tilt her head in confusion. She could have sworn the two of them were going out, but apparently not. Before she could ask why, Sharaku would explain of his own free will. She would nod as he spoke to show she was paying attention, “Well, the couples either have lots of problems or no problems, from what I understand.” No that she had been in a lot of relationships that didn’t end (or sometimes begin) with the person wanting nothing to do with her. She could never understand why. She was a nice person, until they became a cheating or unreliable boyfriend. Then she found a hammer and taught them what the bone in their arm looked like when it was poking through their flesh, “The only thing I know is that you have to work at something if you want it to work. If you don’t try, it’ll be nothing. Still, I guess it would get tiring. Maybe if you two tried to do something you both like and could agree was fun and great? Then again, maybe lot’s of fighting now means it won’t happen late.” She had no idea what the problem really was. She only knew that it wouldn’t get better if they didn’t try.

She would laugh, “Only if someone feels like picking them up. They’re pretty docile, unless you do that. Just lie there and don’t do anything to bother people.” Midnight seemed to finish her food as she came out to the living room. She would go up to Naomi and rub against her. She appeared to realize she was being talked about and wanted to get her own say in. Naomi reached over to pet her as she continued to speak to Sharaku, “You’re good at speaking. I tend to understand what you’re saying, and when I don’t it’s because I’m not good at speaking in general. At least I think that’s why.” She shrugged, unsure herself. Everything could be confusing when it wanted to be. The answer was simple, “Idiots. Idiots are the exception.” She wouldn’t explain any further than that. That was all that needed to be explained.

She would think before answering him, “It’s not that they don’t have problems. They just seem to be too busy cooing to talk about anything other than how in love they are. After that phase is over, they don’t seem to have anything to go on.” That’s what she saw, at least. When he spoke about their problems, she would sigh, “Listen, I wish I could help by giving you some magical advice that would solve all of the arguments, but I’m honestly not good at relationships. Sorry. I’ll listen, if you want, but that’s all I can do. The rest is up to you two. Communication and all that fun stuff.” She would think for a little on what he said, “Hmm… I’m not sure, but what if you just did something sweet for him? Maybe a flower or two, some chocolate, or just saying how you feel about him. I think all he may want is to know you care about him as more than just a companion or a friend.” She made it clear she was only theorizing. Honestly, she couldn’t tell what was running through Kurosawa’s head, since she wasn’t there to hear the arguments herself, “That’s just an idea though. I guess it doesn’t fix the real problem.” She really was not good with love advice. She would smile with understanding, “I never said they were always calm. When they were younger, they were maniacs. Older cats are less hectic to deal with. It’s a little sad, actually.” She could remember when they both wanted nothing more than to play. It was exhausting back then. Still, she loved them no matter what, “Understanding people is something I worked on for a long time. I guess it’s not easy for everyone.” She flipped the next card and threw in a blue and a yellow. She would comment on her definition of idiot. It was broad for that exact reason. Anyone that did something stupid could be hit under that umbrella.

Once again, she would pout, “Okay, so you didn’t ask me to help. I just instinctually start trying to solve problems when they rear their ugly head. It’s a bad habit.” She couldn’t help it at this point. It was just something they did in her family. She should have known better, considering her mother did the same thing to her. She would hum when he said he wasn’t sure how much he liked Kurosawa. She had to admit, it would be hard to date someone without knowing how much you actually liked them. She would lean back and think a little longer, “I guess that may be true. I mean, you would know yourself more than anyone else, I should think.” She wondered how they would get along. She knew Kurosawa liked Sharaku, but it seemed like something that would have to go through fire to get anywhere.

Naomi would scoop her hand under Midnight’s stomach and pick her up (the only person who could pick her up without getting clawed was Naomi). She held up the cat, who seemed disgruntled by the action, but did not oppose, “She needs to start playing games again. She’s getting really tubby. I worry about her health.” She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if the cat got so big she had trouble moving. She wasn’t worried about Yuki, since that one never seemed to gain a single ounce. It was almost creepy. After making her point, she would set Midnight back on the ground. The cat dashed off into another room once again. She would fold her cards into a single stack and place them back into the pile. She would do the same with the cards that were lying in front of them, “If you don’t want to play, don’t force yourself. It seems like you’re already thinking about a lot. I won’t make it worse.” She couldn’t really do that to him.

As if the perfect timing fairy and the trolls of inconvenience had teamed up, the next moment the front door could be heard opening. Naomi seemed to almost freeze when she realized what that meant. She would stand up and head to the door, “Welcome home.” If Sharaku could look over, he would see Samantha Leo at the front door taking off her coat, “What did you do?” Samantha knew her daughter only greeted her when she did something her would get in trouble for. She would lead her mother into the living room with a half nervous smile, “I invited a friend over…” Samantha seemed to look Sharaku over before speaking, “You’re welcome over anytime. Just make sure you have Naomi tell me ahead of time. I dislike when she’s alone in the house with guys.” She would turn to her daughter, “I’m going to go to my room. If I’m not out in two hours, wake me up so I can start dinner.” Naomi would jump at those words, “I can do it.” Her mother looked at her, “Just wake me up.” She’d nod to Sharaku, “Pleasure meeting ya.” As Samantha left the room, Naomi would sigh with relief, “Oh my gods. She isn’t angry…” That was not something she had expected. She would smile at Sharaku, “So, yeah, that was my mom.” She still seemed nervous, “Umm… I’m sorry to say this since I invited you over, but… I mean, dinner is sort of a family thing and I don’t think mom was expecting guests, so…” It’s like she wasn’t trying to say it outright. She didn’t know how.