Close Quarters

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana-Kimi

Chapter 3 – Conversations

Sano opened his eyes and squinted at the bright sunlight coming in through the curtains. Blinking slowly to get used to the light, he turned his head to look at the girl he loved, the one he wanted to keep by his side always.

His loving gaze was met by a cold pillow and Nakatsu’s back.

Furrowing his brows, he looked over towards the bathroom door. It was ajar, light off. He could have sworn that Mizuki got up to use the bathroom just a few minutes ago. Maybe it was longer, he didn’t remember it being this bright. So where was she?

Maybe Nakatsu knew. Sano grabbed a pair of boxers that had been flung on the bed. He felt a bit weird waking up his friend while both were naked. After his modesty was assuaged, he reached over and shook Nakatsu’s shoulder.

“Nakatsu, wake up.”

Nakatsu groaned and flopped onto his back. His eyes opened slightly, and he flung an arm over his face.

“Mm, don wanna,” he muttered, still half-asleep.

Sano’s face slid into its normal stoic façade. He stretched his closed fist over Nakatsu and thumped his head.

“Ouch, dammit,” Nakatsu said, sitting upright and clutching his head. “What the hell was that for? My head is killing me already.” Sano didn’t change expression, but covertly looked away from Nakatsu’s exposed back and rear.

“Mizuki is gone.”

“So what, maybe he. . . s-she,” Nakatsu stopped and looked at Sano. “That really happened? I’m not imagining things?”

Sano nodded.

“When did she leave? Maybe she’s getting breakfast?”

“I don’t know. I hoped you knew.”

Nakatsu shrugged and grabbed his track pants and slid them on.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” He looked fished around for his shirt and pulled it over his head. “She’s an early riser, and there’s no one around to bother her with us being on break. Maybe she took out Yuujiro.”

“Maybe,” Sano replied, feeling a bit uneasy that she wasn’t with him when he awoke. Nakatsu got up, stretching, and started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Nakatsu stopped, looking at him over his shoulder.

“To take a shower and get dressed. I smell like sake.”

“Don’t you think we should talk about what this means? Last night?”

Nakatsu smiled a bit dreamily.

“What’s there to discuss? Mizuki is a girl, I’m not gay, and we had a fantastic time. Now I can pursue her with a clean conscience, and she can make a real choice between us.”

Sano stood up, angry at his cavalier attitude.

“What about how Mizuki felt about last night? And pursue her? That could jeopardize her secret if you aren’t careful. You aren’t exactly subtle.”

Nakatsu snorted.

“And you are? Geez Izumi, you’ve been staring at Mizuki non-stop since last year’s school festival.”

“At least I don’t hang over her like a baka. You’d think she was your personal coat rack. I respect her more than that.”

Nakatsu took a step towards Sano, all humor gone from his face.

“Respect? She sleeps in your bed more times than I can count, and you beat on me for a few hugs? It must be nice, living with the girl you want. You can have her any time without suspicion.”

Sano grabbed Nakatsu’s collar and hauled him closer.

“Don’t you dare imply that she is easy. Or that living with her is easy.” Sano shoved him away against the wall hard. “You have no idea how hard it’s been not to touch her, not to tell her that I knew.”

Nakatsu stood silent, a bit winded from the impact and hangover. He took in Sano’s blazing eyes and shaking fists. Some of the fight left him as he focused on what was important.

“Look,” he started “last night was special to me because of Mizuki. I’m frankly surprised you didn’t throw me out of the room.”

“It was her choice,” Sano said flatly, anger leaving his gaze.

“Or the sake talking. Either way, I still love Mizuki. If she wants to keep this up and be with both of us, fine. But I’m not going to stop competing for her. I won’t just give up.”

“Neither will I.” Sano paused. “I think it would be smart for each of us to talk to her alone about what happened. I’m sure she’ll be struggling with this a bit.”

Nakatsu shrugged.

“Fine by me. I still think you’re overreacting. She probably needed some girl time.” Nakatsu opened the door. “Well, I’m gonna go back to my room. I’ll catch you both later.”

Sano clenched his jaw, Nakatsu’s blasé attitude getting under his skin. Nakatsu hadn’t spent as much time with Mizuki as he had. She’d pick this apart in her head until she was sick if they didn’t talk about it. He should go looking for her.

But he didn’t know where she could have gone. He didn’t really want her to come back to an empty room.

Sighing, Sano threw the blankets back on the bunks and picked up scattered pieces of clothing. Where the hell was his sweatshirt? He grabbed Mizuki’s vest from the floor. Such a simple garment for hiding such a complex secret. Bringing it to his face, he inhaled deeply, picking up her fresh, pure scent mixed in with the detergent she used. God he loved her.

And apparently wanted her too. His arousal twitched slightly at the thought of taking off her vest last night, feeling the perfect shape and weight of her breasts in his hands, finally able to touch her like he wanted for so long.

That’s it. He was going to find her.

………………………………………………

Hokuto Umeda grumbled as he let himself into the school building. Damn students had kept him so busy during finals with colds and sports injuries that he didn’t have time to finish all the paperwork that the school required.

Usually he would put if off, but he was going on a trip and wouldn’t be back in time before the term started to complete it all. He was up earlier than usual, which didn’t sit well with him. But, it would take him all day to finish, and he didn’t want to miss his evening date because of stupid paperwork.

He took a long drag on his cigarette and exhaled slowly, enjoying not having to avoid smoking in the halls. No one was here to complain, so why not?

He trudged down the hallway in heavy booted feet, turned to the left and paused briefly when he noticed the open infirmary doorway. Who would be here, especially at this hour?

A huddled form facing away from him in his office chair met his gaze as he peered around the doorway. Great. Ashiya. Didn’t she have enough to do without tormenting him on his time off? He admired the girl’s spirit, but today he wasn’t in the mood to deal with her naiveté.

He clumped into the room.

“Look, Ashiya, this is my infirmary, and I’m not a psychologist. So why don’t you take your problems and-“

He stopped as he caught sight of the hollow look in her eyes. Her eyes were red from crying, and dark circles laced underneath. He’d seen her at some pretty rough moments, but not like this.

Looking down at the floor, she softly mumbled an apology, feet dropping heavily to the floor from her curled position. She rose, swaying slightly.

A couple of long strides brought him to her, and he pushed her back down into the chair. She thumped back unresisting. He sat down in a chair opposite, putting down his bag and shrugging out of his coat. She sat looking down, water dripping occasionally onto her clenched hands.

Umeda took a final drag on his dying cigarette and snuffed it out in a nearby ashtray. He looked at her shrewdly, holding in his slight concern.

“So.”

Mizuki took a shuddering breath. She raised a shaking hand to wipe her face, still focusing on her hands.

“I . . .”

“Yes?” He could see the answer building in her like a tidal wave, shoulders shaking as she struggled to bring it forth.

The wave broke.

“We were drinking last night and I slept with Sano and Nakatsu and I woke up confused and came here to call Julia, but she didn’t understand or help like I thought she would and now I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t want to go home now, especially after he told me he loves me, but Nakatsu knows too and I don’t know what they’ll expect of me. I don’t know if I should feel happy or stupid and Julia just made me feel like a tramp-“ she stopped, overwhelmed and crying.

Umeda blinked, a bit startled even at the expected outburst. Slept with both of them? He shook himself a little. As a doctor, he needed more information before he could serve his ‘second calling’ as a counselor.

“You said you slept with both of them?” he said, keeping his voice clinical.

Mizuki’s head bobbed.

“Did they both penetrate you?”

Her head shot up, face beet red.

“W-what?”

“It’s important that you tell me what kind of sexual relations you had with them. For your protection.”

She looked to the side slightly.

“Sano . . . was inside me. I kissed Nakatsu’s. . . at the same time.”

Umeda sighed internally. That, at least, was better for Mizuki. He turned and reached into a cabinet, pulled a small paper bag out of the very back and tossed it to her. She caught it awkwardly. Her reddened eyes looked up at him confused.

“What is this?”

“Birth control pills and condoms. Use condoms for sure, birth control only if you’re sure your partner doesn’t have any diseases. I figured that you and Sano would eventually need these.”

‘I didn’t figure on Nakatsu in the picture, at least not in this way,’ he thought to himself.

“But, what about my secret, about what happened? Was it wrong? How do I face them?”

“Did they force you?”

“No! Sano told me it was my choice.”

Good boy. Even drunk he had some sense.

“Do you love them?”

“I do love Sano,” she paused. “I don’t know if I love Nakatsu, but I am attracted to him.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

Mizuki looked at him with wide eyes, and then cast her eyes down, blushing.

“Yes,” she said quietly.

“Then everything else is up to you and them to work out.”

“But Julia-“

“It’s your life Mizuki. You didn’t ask Julia or anyone for permission to come over here. You don’t need anyone’s approval of who you choose to be with. But you do have to live with the consequences.”

Mizuki took all this in quietly. She would have to deal with the consequences, especially if Sano or Nakatsu let her secret out.

Umeda regarded her with a shrewd eye and stood.

“Now move. I have work to do, and you’re in my chair.”

Mizuki stood up quickly and stepped aside. She started for the door, clutching the paper bag to her chest.

“Thank you Doctor.”

Umeda waved his hand at her in response, not looking up from his paperwork. The shoji closed quietly behind her as she left.

He leaned back in his chair and lit up another cigarette. Life certainly was interesting with Ashiya around. He’d done all he could to help. The rest was up to her and the boys.