Butterfly Effect

#8: I Found A Reason

Hayato purchased the cat and also completed the papers for the cat. His phone rang. Hayato received a call from Mayu so he went dashing towards his sister. "I got some lessons today. See you on Monday", he bowed and left. "You did accept the cat", Aimi sighed. Shou started to sneeze. Aimi carried the box and walked a little farther from Shou. "I guess I need to walk you home", Aimi suggested. "Is it okay?", Shou asked. "Of course. You might faint if you'd be the one to carry the cage. Are you sure about this?", Aimi asked. "Hayato sincerly bought me one. I am also in a process of getting allergy shots", Shou informed.

They entered Shou's place. "You live alone?", Aimi asked. "Mom went back to her place to take care of her children as well", Shou answered. "Your Mom has two family?", Aimi asked carelessly. She realized it and covered her mouth. "Mind your own business", Shou said in a soft voice. Aimi was about to ask another question but Shou sneezed again. "If you want, I can take him home first", Aimi volunteered. Shou served a juice to Aimi. "I told you, I am getting allergy shots", Shou repeated. "Then, how are you going to bathe him?", Aimi asked. "His name is Nyan-Nyan Sensei", Shou pointed at Aimi. "What a weird choice of name", Aimi sighed. "You... are.. going to bathe him", Shou said with a demanding voice. "Eih. Why does it have to be me?", Aimi asked. "I cant ask anyone else. Hayato will now that I am allergic to cats if Kumiko or Mayu will be the one", Shou explained. "Then try asking Tanaka. He seems to be trustworthy", Aimi suggested. "Ren hates animals", Shou revealed. "There is a person..who hates animals???", Aimi seems to lose her soul. "I will not offer money because it will be an insult in your part. Tell me anything you want as a payment of this act", Shou opened the cage and let Nyan-nyan walk around the place. "First of all, you have to isolate him at a place where you dont usually go. I'll come visit before class and after class to feed him and bathe him if necessary. Once you get your allergy shot completed, then we can slowly introduce you to Nyan-nyan sensei", Aimi noted step by step. "What would be the price?", Shou asked. "I'll tell once its done. I cannot get my salary once the task isnt yet done", Aimi smiled and carried the cat. "Why do you want to do it?", Shou asked. "Are you doing this for any ulterior motives?", Shou added. Aimi laughed. "Well, its normal for you to think that way. I didnt know that you are this rich", Aimi placed the cat on the floor. "No worries Takuma, I wont tell anyone", Aimi gave a thumbs up.

Takuma walk her out the building. "Then, off I go", Aimi bowed and left.

The following days are preparation for Sport's Fest. Aimi passed by Arts Club after printing handouts. She saw them creating hachimaki (head scarfs or head bands worn during sport festivals). One underclassmen saw her and invited her inside. "Saotome, good timing. Help us in sorting out the colors for each year level", Shou commanded. "Am I your personal assistant?", Aimi sighed. Shou and Aimi worked near each other. "Nyan-nyan sensei wanders a lot. He also goes to the kitchen", Shou informed. "You leave early in the morning and you come home late. You dont really like me there, dont you? That's why I told you to tie the cat first", Aimi pouted. "I dont want to. Just dont forget to close the door heading to the veranda", Shou reminded. Aimi just nodded and continued sorting out. "Am I disturbing your schedule?", Shou asked. "I got my part time job moved for one hour that's why I can still check on Nyan nyan. He's an adorable cat after all", Aimi answered. "Just a few weeks more. I guess I can already tolerate him", Shou shyly said. Aimi excused herself and went at the cafe.

"Welcome, Sir", she bowed as a blonde entered the shop. "Ah, you're also working here?", she heard a familiar voice. Aimi lift her head to see Ren carrying a guitar. "Where have you gone?", she asked watching some sweat dropping from Ren's forehead. Ren pushed Aimi inside and closed the door behind them. Aimi can see an ocean of ladies running towards Ren. Good thing the door closed before they even landed a single step at the cafe. Ren went at the manager and showed his ID. The manager was startled. "Oh, master. Is there anything I can do for you?", she asked nervously. "Just let me stay here for a while and keep the door locked", Ren answered. The rest of the customers are led at the back door. "Are you a celebrity?", Aimi approached him. "I'm not", Ren answered while wiping his face with a wet towel offered by the manager. "Is there anything you want to eat?", the manager asked. "Im full", Ren gave a slight bow of the head and the manager left. "Are you a loan shark?", Aimi asked. Ren coughed and looked at Aimi. "What makes you think like that?", Ren questioned. "Well, you are being chased by girls. Are they asking you not to take their belongings? And manager, did she owe you something?", Aimi explained. Ren had a short laugh. Aimi was stunned. Ren waved his hand in front of Aimi's face. "Are you now scared of me?", Ren leaned his hand on the table. "Ahhh... if you're a loanshark. I can refer you to some job. Its hard to be hated by people", Aimi gulped. "Then... do as you wish", Ren took amusement with Aimi's reaction. Do I look like a loanshark?

The next day, Aimi entered the condominium and saw Shou getting prepared for school. "You overslept?", Aimi asked. Shou put on his shoes and passed through her. "See you at school", he said in a soft voice. Aimi finished feeding the cat and went out. She saw Shou leaning on the wall. "Did you leave something?", Aimi asked. "I am just looking for inspiration for my next painting", Shou reasoned out. "Then, if you're done, be sure to follow afterwards", Aimi said then walked away. Shou faced palmed. What a dense person!!! Shou walked behind her. "How are you looking for inspiration?", Aimi opened. "Well, paintings should have a story. The story behind every painting is its heartbeat", Shou replied. "Then, what is your most favorite painting?", Aimi asked. "Its a painting I did while I replicated", Shou answered. "I thought every painting should have a heartbeat. Does copying others work also give pulse to the painting?", Aimi asked. Shou looked at Aimi unable to give an answer. It took him a while. "The painting I copied was done by my Dad", Shou explained. "Your Dad is also a painter?", Aimi asked. "He's not a full time painter. He's a boss in one company", Shou found himself spilling things to Aimi. "That's why he's not here in the country", Shou finally covered his mouth and realized how much information he given. "Go on. Is there something I dont need to know?", Aimi asked. "Mom told me to be careful with whom I am telling my secrets with. People might get advantage", Shou answered. There was a moment of silence. "Though Dad is already the boss, he's also investing in opening branches in other places. He's letting other people manage it", Shou continued. "Why did you continue", Aimi stopped walking. "I told you, I should be careful whom I share my secrets with", Shou turned to look at her. "That's why you shouldnt have continued it", Aimi let a short laugh. "Dont you get it. I trust you Saotome. You're not the same as them. You wont take advantage", Shou crossed his arms. "What a dense person", he sighed and led the way entering the school.

"I hope you wont get this wrong. Why are you studying here? You could have studied in a more prominent school", Aimi pointed at the school. "This school is something significant to my Dad. The same reason is with Mayu, Ren, Hayato, and Kumiko", Shou smiled.

Author's note:
Writing more than 1k is such a challenge.

Good life people. ;)