Into The Rose Garden (Seidou x Kanae/Karren)

Chapter Twenty-two - Know how

The pair of males walk side by side, within the freezing outdoors. Kanae  looks up into the sky. "You know, I've heard it'll get warmer around March or so..." Seidou scoffs softly. "Yeah...I figured. I mean, it's already the 3rd so, anytime now I guess."

Kanae chuckles lightly. "Yeah... That means I might need to show you how to tend to the gardens, for when it comes down to it." The brunette tilts his head slightly. "Gardens?" "Why, of course! What kind of a mansion doesn't own one?" Seidou turns his head away. 

"My home didn't have one..." Kanae scoffs. "What, you worked with another mansion before? Wow, why did they give you up? Were you bad at working? It's weird, I can't picture you working in another one!" "Ugh, my family was pretty well off, OK?! It wasn't a mansion like this one, but-!" "Wait...you had a family?"

Seidou covers his mouth. "U-Uh, I-I...!" Kanae then suddenly goes into a sudden stop, crossing his arms. "Well?! It's out in the open now, so spill it!" Seidou grunts, shaking his head. "Ugh, I can't! It just came out, alright?! It's not something I would want to mention with you!"

Kanae scoffs. "Fine, fine! We'll forget about it, god! Let's just...get to the gardens and I'll show you around." Seidou sighs, without a single comment.

Kanae walks over to a empty patch of dirt, squatting over it. "This is a spot where we would plant flowers, often tulips and stuff. Once the ground thaws, we'll-!" "It doesn't matter anymore, about my family. I moved out a while ago, and...I only visited when I could. But now...I don't know how they'll..."

Kanae turns his head up to the male, who was now looking a little...blue. Kanae tilts his head, looking with concern. "Wait...so did something happen to them?" Seidou shook his head. "Not to them...to me."

Kanae shook his head. "I don't understand..." Seidou sighed deeply. "I-It's very complicated, but to put it simply... I was...kidnapped, in a sense. I was taken away by some really, really bad people. And now I have no idea how my family is taking it. Are they worried? Are they searching for me? Are they afraid that I could end up dead? I don't know how they are about it... But right now, I don't think I should worry about it too much." 'Especially considering you have enough to worry about, with those nightmares and memories haunting you...' 

The voice within the male's head states. Kanae lowers his eyebrows. "Oh, I'm...so sorry to hear about it. That..." He turns his head away to face the ground. "That kind of thing can't be easy."

Kanae pauses, before continuing. "Would you...consider going to see them again?" The other male sighed. "I don't know...but it's most likely that I wouldn't want to at the moment..." "Are you mad at them?" Seidou shakes his head. "No! I mean no, of course not. There's just...a lot going on, and a lot things I need to work with." It becomes silent for a bit.

Seidou grunts. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to get all depressing." Kanae scoffs. "What?! Takizawa, I asked you about it. Don't ever feel bad for sharing something that's been bothering you, that's why we are all here together! We're basically...a family ourselves!"

Seidou smiles weakly, yet humbly. Kanae blushes immensely. "I-I mean-! Um, I guess we can call you a part of it, b-but technically um-!" Seidou laughs softly. "It's alright, don't force yourself! We're not there yet, and I don't feel ready to accept myself as a member, of...uh, this 'family'. Haha...!"

Kanae huffs, ever so stubbornly. "Well...I guess it's really up to master Mirumo and master Shuu by the end of it!" Seidou tilts his head. "Master Mirumo and master Shuu?" "Well, you've met Mirumo, but I guess you really weren't that well acquainted. As for  master Shuu...you'll meet him soon enough, he's just...preparing himself. He was really excited by the idea of meeting you, though I'm not completely sure why."

Seidou nods. "Oh, was Mirumo that elder in the limo?" Kanae sighs. "That's him. So I guess there's yet another thing I'll have to teach you."

"Uh...teach me what, exactly?" "How NOT to make yourself look like a fool, and know how to approach those two! Idiot." Seidou looks in total offense. "Excuse me? Are they...that uptight?" "Of course not, but you're new and I don't want to be responsible for you saying something wrong."

Seidou rubs the back of his head. "So, are they just...easily agitated?" Kanae chuckles. "What? No! They're the most proper people you'll meet, they love conversation. It's just...I don't like it when they're treated with disrespect. Especially master Shuu..." "But...they don't mind it?" "Nope. Unless you insult their lifestyles, fine dining and their staff or close friends."

Seidou scoffs. "Sounds like something anyone would be offended by. Don't worry, I don't think I will."  

Kanae smiles with great confidence. "Good, now let's get started...inside the mansion." Seidou coughs suddenly. "W-Wait! Now?! But we just finished our housework, we might as well take advantage-!" "We have plenty of time for slacking off! But we need to make time for preparing you! Got it?" 

The brunette sighs. "Got it..." Kanae lifts his chin up proudly. "Alright, inside now. It's freezing out here!"