Where the Paths Take Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 6: Kise's Questions

It has been almost a week since the incident with the bullies. Thanks to theMegumi's care, the bruise from the punch on Kise's face went away pretty quickly.

"Whoah, I can barely see the marks anymore!" Kise admired his reflection in the mirror. "Thanks, Megumi!"

"You can thank my grandmother for the herbal ointment when she gets back from Tokyo," Megumi gave a small smile. She was glad that Kise was okay. He got punched really hard so they went to the clinic to get it checked. Thankfully, there wasn't any other problem other than the pain, bruising and a small cut on his lower lip.

"I'll do that. Oh yeah, what is she doing in Tokyo actually?" Kise realised he hasn't seen Megumi's grandmother since he got here. He only talked to her once on the phone a couple of weeks before he moved in.

The question seemed to make Megumi freeze for a split second. She immediately recovered but Kise noticed it.

"Oh, umm.. She's visiting.. She's visiting some relatives. My aunt and older brother lives there."

Kise wondered why she was hesitant to mention that. Was she not on good terms with her other relatives?

"Ah, I see. Have you been to Tokyo yourself? I can show you around when you visit! Ah but I'm more familiar with the Kanagawa area though because that's where my family lives."

Mentioning Tokyo also seemed to get a horrified reaction from Megumi. Although the shadow of terror passed her face for only a second, it was enough for Kise to notice the sudden change in her demeanor.

"Umm, yes. I've been there. Once when I was a kid."

He was curious but he didn't want to pry. He worried that Megumi would distance herself from him again. So he decided to change the subject.

"Anyways, are you good at maths?"Kise asked boisterously.

"A bit."

"Ah, then could you please help me with homework? Haruno-sensei gave us a lot today," Kise whined. The very thought of homework drained his soul of his usual radiance.

"S-Sure, I can help. If it's within my ability."

"Awesome! I'll go get my stuff." Kise got up and rushed to his room. "You're the best, Megumi!" He called out as he sped walked along the corridor.

Megumi was left at the tea room alone. The smile on her face wilted as she looked down at her hands.

"You noticed, didn't you Kise-kun?" she said to herself. "You really are a nice person."

- - - - - -

"Aunt Noriko, where's Kise-kun?" Megumi asked that Saturday afternoon as she sat at the table for lunch.

"Hmm?" Noriko looked up from her newspaper and grinned. "Why are you asking? Do you miss him already?"

Megumi immediately blushed all the way to the tips of her ear. "I-It's not like that. I'm.. He's my friend so-"

Megumi clamped her mouth shut when she realised; she acknowledged Kise as her friend. Noriko simply smiled. She hasn't seen her niece this flustered since she was a child. In fact, she noticed Megumi's face has shown so much emotion lately ever since Kise showed up.

Noriko chuckled at the thought. "It's fine, Megumi. I'm just kidding. He went to town with the basketball club members. He said they're gonna show him around."

"Oh."

'No wonder he was hurrying to get homework done. He had plans today. He's getting along with others, I'm glad..'