Into The Rose Garden (Seidou x Kanae/Karren)

Chapter ninety - Mending

Seidou and Kanae drove in complete silence, as the moment seemed to relive itself within his mind. The foggy yet vivid visions, feeling just as surreal as the event itself.

He did all of that, to a fellow investigator no less. The foggy memories become fully cleared and relivable for a brief second before a stinging headache makes it go away. Seidou hissed, holding onto his head.

"You okay...?" Seidou didn't say anything, and just nodded. Even when Kanae had comforted him, and told him a secret he dare not speak, the feeling was still painful. At this point in his life, he had a kill count to hold him back. And when everything was starting to look alright, it just went straight back to a nightmarish guilt.

Eventually, Kanae had reached the front of the mansion, and Seidou didn't seem to notice until Kanae turned to him. "Seidou, we're here... We're home." Seidou slowly lifted up his head. "H-Home...? We're home?" "Yeah, we're home."

Seidou's expression changed slightly, as a weak but content smile formed onto his lips. There was still a deep sorrow and remorse hidden within it, but a part of him was just relieved to finally be home. With Donut, Matsumae, Shuu...Kanae... 'Home, I can see Donut again!' 

Kanae went into the driveway, parking smoothly. Seidou sighed, quietly opening his side of the vehicle, without even looking over at Kanae. Kanae reached to him slightly, pulling her hand back once he shut the car door. 

She took that as her moment to get out of the car as well, helping Seidou with the bags. Walking for them both, might as well have been a walk on flaming coal. Not a word of their trip was to be spoken. The encounter, the dance, the investigation incident...the kiss. Especially the kiss, no one can know about that.

Kanae took it upon herself to stand on the frontline, knocking loudly and firmly. Matsumae opens the door, smiling widely as she gazed upon the two. 

"Kanae, Seidou! Y-You're home!" Seidou nodded, entering in somewhat miserably. Leading Matsumae to turn to Kanae, confused. "What's up with Seidou...?" Matsumae whispered to the 'male', to which Kanae sighed. "I-I...I can't talk about it right now..." Kanae then placed 'his' hand onto Matsumae's shoulder. "Hey, Matsumae...please do me a favor and just try not thinking about it... Seidou needs a little down time."

Ahead, Seidou put his bags down for a moment, sighing softly. "Donut, I'm home!" Which becomes accompanied by echoing sounds of jingling metal charms, pitter-patters against marbled floors and hyped panting.

Seidou knelt down, opening his arms up to the female canine. He playfully, but gently pets Donut as she wagged her stubby tail as she whimpered happy little squeals and whining. Constantly moving around and sniffing her owner. It was good that Seidou had stopped over somewhere for a proper shower, but still there must have been at least a trace of the foreign scent. But thankfully, all Donut cared about was seeing her precious owner again. Safe and sound, as he should be.

"I missed you too girl, I missed you so very much!" Seidou began to laugh softly, only to end up with tears as he had done so. Donut takes this and snuggles her snout into his arms, allowing him to cry silently.

Getting up and taking his bags and Donut along, Seidou went along upstairs, without even glancing over at Kanae. An hour alone, and he still felt pretty miserable. But Donut did make it easier to deal with as he just laid in bed. A knock was heard, and Seidou sat right back up. It was Kanae, peeking from behind the door, as she had opened it slightly. 

"H-Hello, may I enter in?" To which Seidou sighed, nodding as she was in sight of him. Seidou scooted over, looking away and holding Donut as Kanae had taken a seat close to him. It was an awkward minute of silence, only for Kanae to shatter the ice completely by starting with a rather blunt question.