Finding Juliet [VERY slow updates]

Act IX

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Hanyu. Your soup tastes better than my dad's." Ken chuckled as mom did too.

"You should ask your mom to make one for you then!"

The following words of my mother made me look at the girl beside me. She side-eyed me and gestured her hand, telling me that it's fine.

Ken laughed as normal as possible. By normal, I mean, with no hint of irk or anything. "I only have my dad. My mom left us so many years ago."

"Oh my." Mom placed her hand on her chest, "I'm... sorry to hear that."

"It's okay, Mrs. Hanyu." Ken smiled. She sure smiles around adults more often. Well, except coach Syoichiro.

I tugged her jacket and went outside the house. "Let's go, the night's getting deeper."

"Mm? You don't have to walk me home." Ken frowned and then turned to mom. "Thank you again."

"Let Yuzu accompany you, Ken. It's dangerous for a young lady to walk alone at night."

"But-"

"No buts!" I smirked, proving that I'm on the right side. We left the house and started to walk to Ken's.

"You didn't really have to. You can go home now while we're still near your house." Ken sighed and led the two of us while her hands are inside her pockets. It sure is a bit chilly at night.

"Nah," I answered, kicking a pebble to the side of the street. "My mom will just scold me for leaving you. I don't want that."

"Then lie to her? Tell her I live a few steps away."

"Well, I don't lie to my parents.." I eyed her and raised my shoulders. "A risk I can't take."

"What a nice kid." I already took my orbs off Ken, but I could feel that she rolled her eyes while stating these.

We turned to our left and paused our conversation. The beeps and noises of the cars took our place while we pace our way to the said house.

"Do you lie to your dad?" I asked.

"Uhuh. When it's necessary. Like for example, I don't feel like going to school. I'd wear my uniform and go, but instead of textbooks, I'd bring my skates and training gear and go to the rink."

"Wow. And he doesn't catch you?"

"Nope. Coach covers me. And he's out everyday, he can't check me personally. I could easily lie in phone calls too." Somehow, Ken enunciated proudly. What a proud liar.

"Coach tolerates you. Great coach, indeed."

"I know right?" Ken smirked, turning to a corner again. How many times do we have to turn to a corner?

The lights in the street lamps kept blinking, and the brightness is not enough for us to see the houses ahead. I wondered if it has always been like this, since I've never explored this part of Higashi.

I wonder if she feels safe when she walks through this way at night, after her training with coach. Considering that she goes home alone most of the time..

"Yeah, I can handle it a bit."

"Excuse me?"

"You asked me if I can really go home alone, walking straight through this kind of road, right? Yeah, I can."

Did I say my thought aloud or is she a mind reader? "Ah, yeah. You're a brave, strong woman aren't you."

"Probably." Ken answered and stopped right in front of a huge, dark colored gate. Inside was a house with two floors, making me realize how tiny our house is.

I blinked. "This.. This is your house?"

"Yup." She opened the gate and entered. "You can go home now. Thanks."

"Aren't you gonna let me in and maybe let me explore your house?"

"No thank you. Now, go before my-"

A black car stopped in front of us, and I had to step away. A man in a suit, looking too intimidating and professional, stepped out of the vehicle. He looked at me with his fierce eyes, and that made me gulp.

"Dad, I thought you're gonna come home late?"

"You just got home?" Shifting his eyes to Ken, he asked. The tone of his voice is cold, as if Ken said something offending. He doesn't really look like a dad that would make a miso soup for his daughter.

And then I realized he looked back to me. I bowed nervously and uttered, "G-Good evening, my name is Y-Yuzu-"

"Yuzuru Hanyu, the junior champ. Who wouldn't know you?" The older man smiled, his eyes now full of kindness. I wondered how he did that sudden change.

"Yes," I laughed sheepishly. "I don't.. know what to say."

Ken's dad laughed and patted my head. "You should go home now. Perhaps I should ask Mr. Kuriyama to bring you there."

I think he was referring to his driver. "Oh no, sir! Um, I'm fine walking."

"Oh no. It's too dangerous to walk by yourself. We can't let something bad to happen to our junior champ, can't we?" He tapped the window of his car and it opened instantly. He told Mr. Kuriyama to bring me home safely, so the guy got out of the car and opened the door for me.

"Thank you so much.." I said, almost a whisper, feeling overwhelmed. I hopped onto the car and smelled the air freshener. Lemon?

"Actually, thank you for bringing my daughter home. Sometimes she's too stubborn and thinks she should go home by herself. Thank you for accompanying her." He smiled, and so did I.

"You're welcome. Just being a good friend to her." I gazed at Ken, but she doesn't seem to be in a good mood. I don't know what happened.

Ken's dad shut the door and waved at me shortly before the car moves. I looked back and noticed that from the friendly grins he gave me earlier, it went into a disappointed frown as he speak to Ken. Was he scolding her for going home late? I feel worried and guilty.

"Don't worry, they're always like that." Mr. Kuriyama spoke from the driver's seat, making me jolt and sit properly. "They would argue, but Mr. Arisawa loves Kenae so much."

His words weren't enough to settle me, but I smiled.

I do hope she's not in trouble.

~☆~

I updated. Hi. I've lost my muse I'm so sorryyyy