Reality's Blade

Chapter 20: Friends

I twirled the dust pan and brush, wincing slightly. Hikage had continued teaching me the fan form, my injuries irrelevant in the world of Legerdemain, but in the real world my arm was still recovering, as it reminded me painfully. Kazehiro hadn't mentioned the incident with Naoki, and I didn't try to ask about it again, but when my arm twinged I couldn't help but wonder what had happened that day.

It was another quiet day in the shop, the autumn winds had a wintry bite, ripping the final leaves off the crooked and twisted branches of the trees that swayed with ominous creaks outside. I was cleaning the store room, dusting shelves down now they had fewer boxes on them and sweeping up the clumps of dust that swirled at my feet. Without my consent my arms had been moving in the shape of the fan form, I cautiously checked over my shoulder, if Kazehiro caught me now my identity would be well and truly busted. I hadn't achieved either of my goals of rescuing Hikage from the Dark Samurai or helping Kazehiro save his family, it was too soon for my cover to be blown.

"Hiiirrrooooo!" An excited voice coasted in on a gust of bitter wind as the shop doors opened.

"Ah, Kazu! What are you doing here?" Kazehiro's surprised voice replied.

I hid behind the storeroom doorframe and poked my head out, a boy with jet black hair had appeared, he was wearing a uniform of a different school, it looked like the brown attire of Tastuyama High. Kazehiro rushed over to greet him, a grin on his face, it was clear the two were good friends.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I went to your house, your mum told me you were working. She's on her way too, she told me to go ahead because there were some other shops she wanted to go to." The friend explained. "My phone has died, I was wondering if you wanted to come over this weekend? You working?"

"I'm working Saturday, but Sunday is fine. I was wondering why you hadn't been replying." Kazehiro murmured thoughtfully.

"I was thinking you couldn't hold out much more." His friend laughed. "I hope you haven't cheated." He playfully teased.

"I would do no such thing!" Kazehiro promptly retorted, laughing too. "But you've made me wait long enough."

I put my back against the doorframe and crouched down to my knees, my legs feeling like jelly and lead at the same time. It was that friend, I was sure of it. I put my hand against my mouth trying not to let any strange sounds escape, my palm clammy, and squeezed my eyes shut. What do I do? What if that guy is his boyfriend? I didn't want to hear them anymore, their friendly chatting and carefree laughter felt like mocking blows.

"Hellooo." A quiet female voice trilled. "Oh Kazuo, you found the right shop then." The voice sounded relieved.

"Yeah, thanks."

Kazehiro's mum. My eyes flew open. Could I tell her directly my master plan? Wouldn't it be too weird? I shouldn't know about her circumstances. However the thought of having to leave the storeroom and face Kazehiro's friend kept me rooted to the floor, I couldn't bring myself to go out there just yet. The lump in my throat remained, I wasn't sure I could play it cool.

"Hello!" Keiko's voice called. "It's good to see you."

"I hope my son hasn't been causing trouble for you."

"Not at all, you've raised him to be a fine young worker." Keiko informed her. I wondered what kind of face Kazehiro would be making after hearing such praise. "Speaking of which, where's my other fine worker... Fujimiya?"

Ah, that was me.

"Coming!" I yelled back, panic suddenly rising. What kind of face was I making? What I supposed to be doing again?