Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Thirty-Six

She read the next question. "I do understand it... barely I might add, but I don't see the point in learning a language of a country I will never visit." 

He smiled and focused on his homework. "Let's see how much we can do before we go back home. I prefer not to take anything back home from school. One thing, though," he leaned in closer to her. "What will happen if she does reveal that secret? She did mention your mother." 

See? I was right. I wonder if he's the only one who heard us. "It could be another lie but if it isn't, who knows. It's not like I know my mother or how she can benefit from telling anyone about anything about my mother. I've been looking for answers for a few nights now, and I have those answers. All she shows is a petty and jealous side and it says enough about her. She was able to manipulate me a little, but I see right through her now. She's not worth it." 

Laughing, he put his pen down. "Searching for answers that only you can find. That's growth, Chisa-chan, and a good sign. Don't let her get to you anymore." 

"I won't." She saw his smile and shifted her attention back on her homework. 

✦✦✦ 

Just because things might be a little off, I do need to talk to him sometimes about a few things. And this time, I asked you something before we went to bed. Chisana knocked on the door. "Reiji?" 

"I'm up, Chisana." Reiji opened the door. "In the bathroom." He saw it as a good sign. 

She headed for the bathroom and saw everything stalled out. "Just the tips, Reiji, I kinda like it having it on chin length." She took the seat. 

He nodded in the mirror at her. "I will.' He covered her clothes. He combed her damp hair and split it up. "Do you use anything in your hair? Hair mouse, hair spray?" 

"No, I only wash it with shampoo and conditioner. Sometimes a hair mask before my shower but that's it." She answered and noticed the clips keeping her hair apart. 

"It means two centimeter goes off. That your hair grows so fast. I only have to cut the others once in three months." He started with the lower layer first. "I've told the others last night, but I leave earlier tonight. Do you remember the night I wasn't in the car going home?" 

That was several nights ago. "I do, why?" She kept her head still. 

"I followed Seiko home, and I wanted to know how your stepmother spends her evenings. Tonight I can go there and get the papers for your trust funds." He explained while cutting her hair. 

Is that what he's been doing? "You mean you're going to break in?" 

"Yes, they changed the locks to make sure you can't go back." He stepped around her head to make sure the lower layer was done on equal height. "Those papers belong to you, Chisana. Or do you wish not to know? It's too late for that." 

She closed her eyes. "No, it's not that. I think I forgot a few things, but I'm not sure." She felt her head being tilted by him. "And no, it's not like I can tell you because I kept a diary for a while. I thought I destroyed them all." 

"It would be safe with me, Chisana. I could find them and destroy it for you without reading them. It's not my place to read anything from your past." Focust on her hair, he divided another layer. "Do you want it on one length or a couple of layers? I think layers would suit you." 

"You think so?" She eyed him through the mirror. "Just don't make it too short." 

He stepped back to make sure everything was cut straight. "Chin length is short enough and stands good. Having this length is making your neck tempting enough to bite."