Tokyo's Calling

Chapter 3: The Walk Home

Asami was so naïve, having hopes depending on other people. Katsumi shook her head as she thought to herself. Her precious night was slipping away, and Tokyo was calling once again. Her steps shifted into strides. She didn't like the look of Asami being walked home by two jerks, but she wasn't about to turn back now.
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The breeze shifted slightly, gently pushing Sakura petals past Asami's face. She was beginning to fear that the two had forgotten about her, however she quickly rejected the idea from her thoughts. She had been right in doing so, for the two came walking towards her only moments later. She met them with her warmest, most welcoming smile. Katsuro did the same, however his eyes seemed to be searching for someone who clearly wasn't there.
"Katsumi went on ahead of me. She can be a bit impatient at times," she said innocently.
Katsuro's eyes widened. "It doesn't seem safe for her to walk alone to me," he looked ahead, "I'm gonna try to catch up to her. Find us later," he said taking off.
That left only Asami, Tashiro, and the silence between them. Asami's heart beat uncontrollably as the two walked at a steady pace. Tashiro seemed unfazed and showed no interest in starting a conversation. But that was okay with her, just looking at him seemed to almost intoxicating.
        Despite her unbearable will to speak to him, Asami simply couldn't find any words to say. He was stoic and tall, and it seemed as though every messy strand of his hair fit perfectly wherever it drifted. The guitar that he carried seem to fit like a puzzle piece against his back. Asami marveled at all of his details while the two continued to walk to the beat of each other's steps. But then he stopped.
"Tashiro," he said as he extended his hand. A look of slight impatience drifted into his face as he waited on Asami to return his greeting.
A blush took over her cheeks as she gladly held out her shaky hand to him. "A-Asami Kishoto," she got out finally.
He nodded slightly then returned to his forward facing position. This seemed to amp Asami up into speaking a bit more.
"So, you're in you're in your third year too?" She asked sweetly.
He kept looking forward while he answered her shortly. "Yeah."
Somehow he seemed like he was socially exhausted even thought they had barely spoken. However that didn't seem to stop Asami from getting the conversion she wanted. Before she even knew what she was saying, words just fell from her thoughts.
"Your playing was phenomenal! I've never heard anything like it, the way you all blended together so perfectly. You were quite beautiful."
He met her with an expression of slight confusion. Her face became even more red as she tried to retract her statements.
"I-I mean you sounded beautiful, you know with your playing and all. Not that you're not beautiful cause you are but-wait no, I just-" she gave up and sighed longingly.
Tashiro began to laugh and smile a bit. "You're really weird, you know?"
Asami flashed a look of embarrassment and flattery. She kept quiet for a while as she watched him think to himself.
"That might not be a bad thing though," he said almost kindly.
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Katsumi was about halfway home when she heard a familiar voice call out her name. Great, Katsuro had caught up to her.
"Katsumi! Seriously, slow down sis."
A feeling of disgust came to her as she turned to face him.
"And why should I?" She said sarcastically.
This allowed him to catch up to her, so she immediately regretted saying anything.
"Because, I never got to formally meet you," he said with a smile.
It would have been a sweet gesture from anyone else, but from him it was nothing but lies. She stopped and sighed.
"Fine. My name is Katsumi Haruno, I'm in my third year, and I've only been in Tokyo about half a year. Are we done now?"
" Cool," he said ignoring her question, " I've been here my whole life, and it's also my third year." He finished with a grin. He couldn't quite understand what made him want to learn more about Katsumi, but it just seemed like something he couldn't control. Talking to girls was second nature to Katsuro. Give him a few minutes with one and he'd be receiving love confessions from her the next day. But for some reason, Katsumi didn't seem to act that way. And this drew him to her even more than her looks did(even though those definitely got his attention). So he pressed to get some sort of chemistry out of her even more.
"Where you walkin' to?" He asked.
She glared at him harshly. "As if I would tell you," she said rolling her eyes.
"Ouch. I'm just trying to help,"
"Oh really? Help what exactly?" She said with daggers.
" I just don't think it's safe for girls as pretty as you to be walking home alone. And I know you haven't been here long which makes it even worse," he said matter of factly.
He didn't yet know that Katsumi had been trained in seven self defense courses and had been competing in martial arts competitions since she was six.
" I'm not stupid. I know where I should and shouldn't go."
" I don't know, it can take years to really understand this place. I don't think you can handle it ," he pushed.
          Katsumi felt a rush of anger fall over her. She hated the way Katsuro talked to her, as if somehow he was above her.
          "You don't know anything about me!" She said harshly, loosing whatever patience she had left. She began to take a faster pace, hoping Katsuro would take a hint.
          But she was wrong, he didn't take it. A smirk came to Katsuro's face. He grabbed her wrist before she could walk too far ahead of him.
           "That's true, so why don't you tell me?" He said slyly, easing closer to her.
           This was it. He could tell from the look on Katsumi's face that he had finally gotten through to her. Right about then he expected a blush from her;then the two would enjoy a romantic walk home and just like that, she would be wrapped around his finger. 
           However, Katsumi had other plans. She had such a strong feeling of disgust and anger inside her, that her actions came through before her thoughts did. Before she could stop herself, she already had Katsuro's arm twisted behind his back. Her tone sent a chill down his spine.
         "I don't know what you think you're doing or who you think you're talking to, but let me tell you one thing. I'm not like all the other girls you talk to, and I won't hesitate to put you in you're place. So if I were you, I would stay away from Asami and me. Got it?" She kept twisting until she received her answer.
       Katsuro was so shocked that he barely had time to think.  "O-okay sis, I got it." He managed as she let his arm go. She tossed back her curls and began to walk again.
       She really was different. He shook the pain from his arm as he thought to himself. Although she had solid walls around her, he knew there had to be something beautiful inside worth protecting. Even if it would be difficult, he was going to break through to her eventually.
                   ****************************
       Katsumi was exhausted by the time she and Asami met up in front of their building. Tashiro was very quite and soft spoken, but he still wished them well as the four said goodbye.
       " I do hope Katsuro didn't give you much trouble. Have a good evening you two." Tashiro said giving a gentle half smile.
        Asami answered all too eagerly.
       "Thank you for seeing  us home Tashiro! We're  very flattered and we'd love to do this again sometime." She said with her sweetest voice.
         "Don't worry, we definitely will. Bye Asami, see ya' Haruno," Katsuro said with a grin.
              "Baka," she retorted while rolling her eyes.
                                **************
         Later that night, Tashiro simply wouldn't leave Asami's mind. She felt a sense of security with him even though they had only just met. Her heart was illogical, but she didn't mind. All she knew now was the feeling of wanting to know him. Wanting to walk with him every day and talk to him for hours. Not only did she like him, but she wanted to love him. But for now, she just had to keep waiting for the next walk home.