My, My, Imai! Vol. I

Imai:
The days turned into several weeks, and Imai was certain not to bother Hatori with her presence. She always made sure that her brother wasn't around to catch her, and she was always polite enough to knock, even if the door was open. She did spend a great deal of time reading Hatori's books, even the medical books kept her attention for hours. Imai always took very special care of the books, remembering where she left off without having to dog-ear the pages, and always put them back in the exact same place where she'd got them. To her, books were precious, for she had not read one in ages, and with each medical book she read and with each diagram she seemed to study, she began to have much more respect for Hatori as a doctor; she felt quite bad that she had always been so late to the appointments. Over the course of her visits to his office to read, she had become just a little more open with him; her voice no longer held a flat tone, and she was showing far more facial expressions than she usually did. She was getting comfortable with the good doctor, and it was probably better for her health that way; she finally had somebody who was staying at the Main House that she felt safe with.

One evening, Imai sat inside Hatori's office, situated just beside the doors that led to the garden; nobody could see her if she sat there. She normally didn't ask questions, but tonight was a night that she felt she wanted to ask something.

"Hatori-san... Why do some people's bodies react the same to a placebo as they would an actual medication? Is it really all in their mind?"

Hatori:
Hatori didn't mind the company, for it was of the quiet sort that still managed to make a place feel less lonely. Until Imai started to spend hours upon hours with him in his study, he didn't even realize how empty it all had really been. Though, it was breaking a few rules. Hatori had never gotten very close to any of his patients for certain reasons, and that would be no exception to any of the Sohmas that weren't Shigure or Ayame. Not much thought was given to it, for it was rare occasion when the two shared words.

That afternoon was one of those. The doctor looked up from the book he had himself, idly casting his attention in her direction and thinking it over a moment before giving an answer.

"The power of suggestion, I believe. Depending on how one's mind works and their will to overcome, perhaps it could make anything happen."

At least, that was the theory that some had behind it.

"Whatever works."

Imai:
"So... If you gave somebody a sugar pill, and told them that it would cure whatever illness they had and they believed you... They'd be better again simply because of their mind?"

She thought on it for a bit.

"I mean... I guess that's logical, people are hypnotized every day into thinking that they're something or somebody else... So maybe if somebody is convinced into believing a Placebo is really a Prozac, it's like hypnosis."

At least their fragmented conversations were better than they used to be; Imai spoke with a bit more confidence when she actually said something, anymore... Though it was only with Hatori. It was as though being in his office with him was bringing out a different side, but as soon as she left, the rejuvinating effect of the quiet company wore off and she was back to being a zombie. When she wasn't with Hatori, she was just as she always had been; in the garden, alone, and very quiet.

Imai didn't mind breaking the rules if Hatori didn't. Simply being in his study with him would get her a beating for certain, but she was always very careful about it. She knew that it couldn't last forever, but she was more than willing to bask in the subtle freedom for as long as it lasted. She only dreaded that Hatori would get into trouble for it.

She wasn't very close to Hatori, but she didn't mind it, really. Being able to read with him was enough for her; she got enough socializing when it came to the periodical visits from Shigure, who had enough breath to talk for five people at once.

Hatori:
The doctor was ideal if you wanted to spend time with someone, but also not have much talking going on at the same time. Unlike his noisy cousin, Hatori didn't seem to have enough breath for just himself, though he was doing considerably better when it came to conversing with Imai. His tone wasn't as cold when he answered questions, nor did his whole persona seem to be too standoffish anymore. Subtle changes, but big steps for Hatori.

"Something like that. It doesn't always mean that they're cured, it just helps them along when things get a bit grim." With that, he was silent again as he flipped another page ever.

Hatori knew that it was dangerous business allowing this to happen, but at least he'd be able to intervene should something happen, and this was much better than having Imai in his office from being injured by the household leader.

Imai:
"Hn.."

She thought on it a bit more before going back to the book. Interesting stuff! No wonder Hatori was a doctor, the human mind and body were very interesting! ... At least to Imai. She'd never known some of the things she'd learned in these books, and it was like Hatori had given her a brand new world to explore. She loved every bit of it.

She had noticed the changes in Hatori; he spoke a little bit more often, though he still needed a bit of prompting at times, and his voice was warmer, too. Imai also noticed that he was much nicer; not that he'd been mean before, but he'd been a bit more aloof than he was now. She liked the changes, but had been unable to notice her own.

Imai was broken out of her reading by a sudden ring of the telephone. This sometimes happened, and like a good girl, she was always very quiet and very still whenever Hatori was on the phone, and always did her best to not listen in; it wasn't any of her business.

Hatori:
Unnoticed by Imai, maybe, but not unnoticed by Hatori. Well, not completely. He wasn't the open type to come right out and share those sorts of things with people and then deliberate on those topics. He was content with how it was.

It had been so quiet, that he almost forgot he even had a phone, giving it an odd look when it rang the first time before reaching over and answering it.

"Yes?" was the simple answer, for he was the only one that ever took his calls.

If Imai was listening in, he was unaware.

Shigure:
It would be hard for her NOT to hear.

"HA'RI!"

Shigure half-expected Hatori to hang the phone up on him, so before the doctor could get the chance to do so, Shigure continued.

"I didn't think you'd answer on the first ring! Expecting a call?"

He was such a jerk.

"Say, Aya and I are going shopping tomorrow for Christmas, you want to come? The Trio will all be together again for the Holida~a~ays!"

Imai:
She was doing her best not to eavesdrop on the conversation, but it was hard not to hear Shigure on the other line. He really was a loudmouth, but she was secretly excited about Christmas. Sure, she'd be seeing a lot of people she didn't know, but Shigure would be there, and he'd probably have a nice gift with him, too; he always bought good gifts!

Hatori:
Hatori's eyes were closed, brows twitching as he held the phone away from his ear and still able to hear Shigure at a normal volume as if it were against it the whole while. Phones were not megaphones, and the doctor couldn't figure out why people thought they had to scream to be heard.

"I'm blind, not deaf, Shigure," he murmured irritably when the other had stopped talking long enough for him to reply.
"I'll go if you buy me coffee."

With as grumpy as he may have sounded in that moment, there was a distinct sort of light about the doctor that only the promise of Ayame and Shigure's company could bring, and it was only a moment before a half sort of smile tugged at one side of his mouth.

Christmas was coming up that fast? That would mean the New Year's party and he idly wondered in the back of his mind how well THAT would go this year.

Imai:
Imai supressed a soft giggle at Hatori's words, raising a hand to her mouth before looking back down at the book in her lap. At least Hatori had a sense of humor, albeit a dry one. But it was something, right?

Shigure:
"You live off of coffee and cigarettes, don't you? I'm surprised your blood hasn't turned brown for it.."

Shigure sighed dramatically. He was sure one to talk, he lived off of SAKE and cigarettes; like it was any healthier for him.

"A cup of coffee it is! By the way, how's Imai-chan doing? The change in weather gets to her, you know..."

It was quite like him to ask about the girl, he was concerned about her, and since he hadn't had the chance to drop by, yet, he was merely curious.

Hatori:
The comment about his blood color was ignored, because it was a known fact that blood was always blue while running in your veins. Though, Hatori would have ignored it all together regardless.

"Well, why don't you ask her yourself?"

With that, the phone was pulled away for a second time from his ear and held out to Imai. The doctor wore an expectant look as he offered no explanation to the other on the opposite line for the sudden silence between them. He refused to play telephone while on the telephone, especially since she happened to be right there.

Shigure:
"Huh?"

Shigure's response was only slightly toned down, but only due to the fact that the receiver wasn't close to Hatori's ear anymore.

Imai:
Imai looked up, blinking a bit at Hatori as though she expected him to tell her that he was joking. But when he didn't, she carefully closed the medical book and set it down, padding over to the phone to take it in her hand.

"... Hello..?"

Shigure:
"Imai..?! What're you doing in Hatori's office?"

Imai:
"Uhm..."

She decided that lying wouldn't be very nice, but she was a bit apprehensive about telling the truth... But she did it anyway.

"... Reading."

Shigure:
"Reading? Reading what?"

Imai:
"... Books?"

Shigure:
"His ugly old books? Really, you shouldn't have to read stuff like that. I'll get you some new books for Christmas, how does that sound?"

Imai:
"You're not suppose to tell me what you're getting me for Christmas, Gure-ni-san; it's supposed to be a surprise.."

Shigure:
"Well... SURPRISE!"

Imai:
Imai held the phone away from her ear, wincing a bit at the loud sound of the dog's voice on the other end. Really, did he have to be so loud?

Shigure:
"Anyway... How are you feeling? Is everything going alright?"

Imai:
Imai talked with Shigure, keeping her voice low so that nobody else but Hatori and Shigure could hear. The conversation was short, and when Shigure asked to speak with Hatori again, she handed him the phone.

Shigure:
"Since when did Imai start reading your books, Ha'ri?"

Hatori:
"Since when did that become any of your business?" wondered the doctor in return, making it quite clear that he wasn't going to get into anything on the phone that night.
"Be here to pick me up by nine. I'm not driving in the traffic."

Honestly, Christmas shopping less than a week before the holiday. Gift giving was something for people like Tohru-kun, anyhow.

The phone was hung up after that, not giving Shigure a second chance to blow out his ear drum for that go around. And then, as an after thought, the doctor reached out and unplugged the cord from the receiver to stop any calls that might try to come through again. Picking up his book, he leaned back in his chair and continued on as if there had been no interruption at all.

Shigure:
"But--"
*BUUUUUUUUU!!*

Imai:
By that time, Imai had already sat back down, and was trying her best not to laugh. Hatori, on his own, could be funny in a very dry way... But when Shigure was thrown into the mix, she honestly had a hard time to keep from laughing. It was merely the way that Hatori constantly brushed off Shigure's comments and questions, and the somewhat cold responses he offered.

Imai finally settled down once more after a few short moments, but only continued to read for another ten minutes before she shut the book again.

"... I think I'm going to go to bed, now. Thank you for letting me come by again."

She spoke as she placed the book back on the shelf, smiling down at Hatori.

"Sleep well, okay? Good night, Hatori-san."

With that, she bowed and left the room. She was going to bed earlier than usual, now, and she was looking much better with each day. She was getting used to having more sleep, and with more energy, she looked more alive, even when she was acting like a zombie. It was clear that the simple act of reading Hatori's books and spending quiet evenings in the security and comfort of his study was doing wonders for the young woman.

Hatori:
"Imai-san," came Hatori's voice suddenly before she could leave the room, his book folded closed and set to the side on his desk top as he turned his chair around to face her.
"Thank you for your company tonight."

That was all he said and nothing more, startling himself almost with where the sudden kindness had come from. Oh, well. It had been said and Hatori was simply pleased that things were going over so well. He didn't enjoy treating patients that were better likened to withering flowers, and that's just what she had been before being 'transplanted', so to speak.

Back around he turned, giving her the dismissal for now until the next time she wished to come back and read.

Imai:
Imai stopped at the door, resting a hand on the doorjamb before turning to face Hatori once more. But before she could say anything... He thanked her.

It was just as startling to Imai as it was to Hatori himself, but she offered him a smile and a nod. "You're welcome, Hatori-san."

It had been something that she least expected, but she liked it. Being thanked for simple company was something she'd been deprived of for all of her life, and for such simple words, she found great joy in them. When he turned his chair around once more, she only continued to smile before turning and leaving the room.

She felt wonderful, and her futon felt warmer as she slipped into it for the night. Akito was sound asleep across the room, and she was glad that tonight, of all nights, that she had gotten away with her secret.

Secrets were something she rarely kept, for between her and Akito, there were no secrets. Except for now. But even past the fact that it was a dangerous secret to have, she still enjoyed it, and it made her feel good to know that Hatori was keeping it as well.