We are here for you

Oikawa-san, who exactly are you?

* Kagami P.O.V. *

It's been about two years since our clan has seen Oikawa again. The last time he visited us was when he checked up on Furihata and Kawahara who got into a fight with an enemy clan. After that, he has never stepped foot into the Seirin clan territory. He disappeared for two years long. And now, we met him again, during our 'training camp', or whatever the instructor called it, in Edo[1]. And that fox over there called him "Hime-sama"! Just who the heck is he?!

* Your P.O.V. *
After that awkward situation at the meadow earlier, I brought Kuroko-san and Kagami-san to my house, without anyone knowing about it. I also asked Kou to behave, since he usually attacks strangers without my consent.
" So... Oikawa. Care to explain pretty much about, well, you know, everything? " Kagami-san scratched the back of his head.
" I really apologize for lying to both of you, no, to the whole Seirin clan, " I bowed my head.
" There's no need to be so formal, Oikawa-san. " Kuroko-san interrupted.
" I'll stop if you'll do the same, Kuroko-san. " I stubbornly replied.
" Fine then, if you insist. So, Oikawa-kun, care to explain about your real identity? " He started a-not-so-formal conversation.
" Yes. And sorry, Kuroko-kun, Kagami-kun, I actually managed to fool all of you, including the whole Seirin clan into thinking that I am a boy. I'm actually a girl, my name is Ichijo (f/n), the first princess of the Ichijo family, and who many people thought died in the fire incident at the Ichijo household, " I nervously laughed.
Kuroko-kun remained emotionless as ever, while Kagami-kun had a dumbfounded look on his face.
" Huh?! You're actually that girl?! The one who was rumored to be a drop-dead beauty?! " He pointed at me.
" Kagami-kun, it's rude to point at people. " Kuroko-kun scolded the taller male.
" Hey, you! Don't point at hime-sama or I'll bite your finger! " Kou, now returned to his fox form, growled at Kagami-kun.
" I dare you to do that, mutt! " He growled.
" I'm a fox, not a dog! I bet you can't even handle dogs, since you mistook me for a dog! " Kou shouted.
" Who said so? I CAN handle dogs! " Kagami-kun boasted.
Then, Kuroko-kun quietly whistled, and came a small dog, running towards us.
" Come here, Nigou, " Kuroko-kun opened his arms to let the dog jump onto him.
He held up Nigou towards Kagami-kun, to which he responded with a frightened glare.
" Kuroko! Make it go away! " Kagami-kun tried his best not to look scared.
" But you said that you can handle dogs, " Kuroko-kun had the same expression as the puppy, a pleading look.
" That just proves that you CAN'T handle dogs, over-confident guy! " Kou stuck his tongue out.
" I-I just have a trauma about dogs since I was young! It's not like I can't handle them at all! " He denied.
" Well, it's pretty obvious to me that you can't, bakagami-kun. " I chuckled.
" Hey! Don't help them! " He yelled.
" Shut up, bakagami! You'll wake the villagers up! " Kou shushed the red-haired yokai.
" Sorry. " He whispered.
Suddenly, the door slid open... to reveal a sleepy-faced Shigehiro.
" Oh, Shige.. Um, this is.." I had trouble explaining to him, when his eyes immediately opened wide.
" Hey, Kuroko! It's been a while, hasn't it!? " He came over and pat Kuroko-kun's back.
" Ogiwara-kun.. Long time no see, " Kuroko-kun had a small, invisble smile on his face.
" The last time we saw each other was in the winter battle season, wasn't it?! " He energetically asked.
" Yes, you are right, " the blue-haired male replied.
" Um, Kagami-kun, I have a feeling that we're being left out from this conversation.. " I sweat-dropped.
" Yeah, me too. " He nodded in agreement.
" Oh, sorry. I got carried away, Kagami, Shigeru. " Shigehiro laughed.
" So, what brings the two of you here? " Shigehiro asked the two of them.
" We met Oikawa-kun when she was out in the meadow. " Kuroko-kun blankly pointed out.
" So the two of you know that Shigeru is actually a girl? " The three of them huddled in a corner.
" Actually, we were fooled by her into thinking that she's a boy, but earlier, she had just confessed that she's a girl. " Kuroko-kun said.
" Damn right! I was shocked that she's that rumored drop-dead princess! " Kagami-kun intended to say it in a small voice, but I can hear it due to his uncontrolable loud voice.
" I can hear what all of you are saying, you know. " I deadpanned.
" Hime-sama, I never knew that you were a 'drop-dead beauty'! " Kou cheekily grinned.
" I never even knew that it was a title for me, " I sighed.

And then, they started talking to themselves, which I interrupted when they had started questioning how I kept my profile low.
" It's quite complicated.. but I did it anyway. When Ichijo (f/n) 'died', 'Oikawa Shigeru' also disappeared from Heian-kyo. I did it in order to conceal my existence, since most people thought that I died during the fire. I was quite the famous doctor around town, after all, not to boast or anything. And then, when I arrived here, I used my disguise name as my real name, and made my real gender a secret. Not to mention that Tenkai village is a secluded village, nobody knew about my location, and it was the ideal place for me to hide. And so, for the past two years, I've been leading a calm and peaceful life, that is, until the two of you re-appeared in my life. " I explained.
" I understand. Now, we've received plenty of information about your real identity, Oikawa-kun, we'll be heading back to our training camp. Ogiwara-kun, Kagami-kun, let's go. We shouldn't be bothering Oikawa-kun any longer. " Kuroko-kun took the iniatiative to lead them out.
" Alright! Alright! See you next time, Oikawa! " Kagami-kun waved at me.
" Yeah, see you next time, Kagami-kun, Kuroko-kun, " I waved at them.
" You're right, Kuroko. If I don't go home soon, my mom's gonna be mad at me! See you next time! Bye Shige! " He ran towards his house's direction.
That's when I saw Kuroko-kun whispering something into Kagami-kun's ear.
" Why?! I'd be more than happy to return without the dog! " The red-head protested, but Kuroko-kun had released Nigou from his hand, and lets the dog chase after Kagami-kun.
" Kuroko-kun, you're not going back? " I asked him.
" After I'm done asking you a few questions. " he answered.
" If you're going to ask me about two years ago, I won't answer you. " I quickly let the words slip out of my mouth.
" I wasn't going to ask about that matter. " He blankly stared at me.
" Then what are you going to ask? " I urged him.
" Why did you disappear just like that? You could've come to our clan territory and ask us to help you. We would be more than glad to help you, " He asked with a slightly angry tone.
" I couldn't ask for anyone to help me. I don't want to give them a bigger burden, and I did it in order to keep my identity a secret. If I came to your clan, sooner or later someone might discover my location, and a dispute would happen. " I replied.
" But you shouldn't have did that. Many people were worried when you didn't show up for a long time, " He protested.
" Then, it's my turn to ask you. Who can I ask for help?! Who would be concerned for my well-being?! I was considered dead. My father died early this year, my sister got married into the imperial family. I had no more place in the capital. If I were to suddenly show up again, I'm sure that stubborn prince Akashi will definitely have my hand in marriage. Who can I depend on? My childhood friend's gone, thinking that I died! I'm alone in this world, I have to face that fact. I know I'll have to leave this place soon. I have to move again, so that my location remains a secret, and Akashi won't be able to find me. " I poured out all the things I've kept in my mind.
The wounds that I've been trying to forget for all these years, now re-opened once again. It was like being shot by an arrow, but this time, on a fresh scar.
' It hurts... ' I thought as my face turned glum.
" Oikawa-kun,"
" Leave me alone, Kuroko-kun. My family's not here for me anymore.... It was already broken from the time when I was 11 years old. My mother ran away from the house! And with all of that to top it, who can I trust now?!! " My voice cracked, I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears.
" Oikawa-kun, if you have no place to go, you can come to our place. Everyone would be glad to accept you as our new member. And please remember, you are not alone in this world. You still have people who care for you, even if you don't realize it. " Kuroko-kun suddenly pushes me to his chest, patting my back.
" .... " The words wouldn't come out, I could just let the tears I've been holding back out.
I quietly sobbed, slightly hiccuping.
Kuroko-kun patted my head, soothing me.
" That's a good girl, (f/n).. " He whispered my real name.
" It's been a long time since someone's called me by my real name, Kuroko-kun... " I sniffled, my sobs were continuous.
" Just.. call me "Tetsuya" in private. " He requested.

After a while, I stopped crying, and calmed down.
" Thank you, Tetsuya-kun.. Thank you for.. everything. I... will consider your offer... See you next time. " I released his hug from my body, and turned my back to him.
" I'll wait for 5 days. Until then, please think about it carefully. And, good night. " He disappeared as the moon appears from the dark clouds.

That night was the first time I've cried for two whole years.
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[1] Edo is present-day Tokyo.