Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: Please Ask With Specificity.

Christina's Arc: Bend or Break

I wobbled in my chair as my dad, who was serving a more Kokiri-aligned meal, hummed. The humming is fine, but not fine… I looked to my right, and the crazy queen of the court was sliding her plate to me, like I didn’t have my own.

Oh, she probably wants me to test the food. How is it that she supposedly likes me sooo much, but she makes me test for poison? Then again, maybe it would be a good thing if my dad did take us all out with some sweet poison, or something.

I mean, I had two good runs, right? I made it to forty in my previous life. I don’t need to reach forty as Antwon, right? Besides, a lot of shitty things happen during that stretch that I don’t want to relive.

Christina touched my arm, and I stabbed into her plate with my fork like a claw machine grabbing toys, and like a claw machine, I didn’t win anything.

Christina sighed, so I opened my eyes and scraped a bit of everything on her plate onto my fork.

“It would be easier with chopsticks, hani,” Christina said.

Nah, it’s about the same, but I didn’t have the energy or willpower to engage or insult her. I just wish you hadn’t woken me up to eat.

My eyes closed again.

“What the fuck is wrong with him now?” an angry Sakura said.

“I woke him up for dinner, so now he’s angry at the world,” Christina said.

I just freaking said that… I’m sure I said that.

I shoveled food into my mouth, then looked at Christina.

Maybe, just maybe I should have acted like it was poisoned. But I couldn't trust Christina to take a freaking joke without killing everyone at the table. Like, damn, when did it become so hard to be me? That doesn’t sound right. When did it become harder?

I liked it when girls just wanted to touch my hair. That’s not true… Hold up, I’m not angry at the world. I’m just angry at everyone in this room. I’ve got a score to settle with all of you.

“Eat this, hani,” Christina said, pressing something to my lips.

I opened my mouth and chewed. Explosions of flavor erupted, but I didn’t have enough of anything to identify them.

I started to lean toward my left, but someone, I think Christina, pulled me upright.

I just needed to eat. Then I could sleep…

Just eat…

Then sleep

Eat.

Sleep.

I took a deep breath, then opened my eyes.

The world became a blend of sound and colors that settled on soft blues… It’s…

Nighttime…

I’m in bed…

Was that a dream?

I felt Christina’s warm body pressing against mine as I stared at the wall bathed in moonbeams. Christina's lips were softly pressed against my neck.

I want to read Shimeko’s diary, but I’m out of it.

My eyelids grew heavy as the waking world devolved.

I guess you win for now, Christina.

***

My alarm clock woke me up, but I was so used to Antwon and Christina's fighting serving as my alarm. So when my clock beat them to it, I started wondering if they were still here.

I rolled out of bed and collected my school uniform, and then found my extra pair of baseball sweats.

I stepped into the hallway but wasn't sure if they had left without me. Then Christina came out of the bathroom, smiling.

"Good morning… uh, sister-in-law. Why is it so quiet?" I asked.

Christina obnoxiously flipped her hair back.

I wonder if there is a reason she does that or if it's a natural habit…

"Well, dear sister, I had an incredible morning. I expect the day to progressively get better. So, are you riding with Yua and me this morning?"

I want to pry, but the truth will gradually surface throughout the day. Hopefully, I can handle whatever it is.

"That's… great, I guess. Are you done with the bathroom?" I asked.

She nodded, then walked to the living room.

I don't like this.

"Oh, good morning, whoever is on driving duty today."

"Thanks, kid," Yua called out.

Good. I don't mind Tetsuzaki, but I feel more comfortable with Yua.

I walked into the bathroom. There were still fifteen minutes' worth of hot water; I had to make them count.

***

Antwon sat in the back seat with Christina, but they didn't fight. She just looked out of the window, smiling. Antwon, however, just stared at the floor. Whatever put Christina in a good mood did something to him.

Yua glanced at me before focusing on the road.

Okay, I need to do something to change the atmosphere before the tension suffocates us.

I cleared my throat.

"So, Antwon… did you sleep well? Because, you know. You were out of it at dinner, and, um, now you're quiet again. So, what's up?"

Yua shot me the meanest glare I've ever experienced from her, sending shivers down my spine.

"Do you want to tell her, hani?" Christina asked.

…

"No? Then can I tell her?"

…

I turned in my chair and caught Antwon shaking his head.

"Well, are you more relaxed now?"

Antwon sighed.

What the hell did she mean by that? I'll ask around because I've never heard of relaxing being a bad thing.

"Come here, hani."

"Antwon, you better be pure…"

"No shit, Sakura," Antwon hissed.

Whoo, that's a load off my mind. I thought I'd have to kill him right here for a moment, or maybe during school. I probably wouldn't be successful with Yua and Christina, and I wouldn't actually kill him. I'd just beat his ass before they killed me.

The car hit a bump in the road.

I looked back once more, and Christina and Antwon were holding hands. Christina was still looking out of the window.

I guess she likes seeing us common folk walk to school.

Then she turned to Antwon, reached up, and brought his face to hers.

I turned back around.

I don't need to see that shit; it's going to scar me for the rest of my life.

Yua pulled into the school parking lot. The staff section, of course.

"Okay, kids. We're here, but don't have too much fun."

I started to open the door, but Yua grabbed my shoulder. So, I closed the door.

"Come on, hani. I'll walk you to your homeroom."

Well, there they go, and here I am. I'm going to be late for homeroom. It's not like I haven't been late before.

"Okay, kid, listen up. I've gotta share the juicy details with someone," Yua said.

I swear. Whenever we have these one-on-ones, she always reminds me of Yuuka. Damn, I can't wait to meet current Yuuka.

"So, my shift started around two twenty, and check it out, I found something amazing," Yua said.

"Well, what did you find?"

…

"You all snore."

…

"Gee, thanks, I guess."

Does that include Christina?

"Nah, I'm just fucking with you. But seriously, you all snore. Just thought I should lighten things up before they get heavy."

I sighed.

"This morning, though, I heard some noises coming from, uh, that room."

…

"You mean Antwon's room?"

"I mean, sure, if you want to call it that. Since my Queen is there, too, I wouldn't call it—"

"It's my brother's room."

Yua exhaled.

"Sure, sure, kid. I'm not ready to die over a room. But let's focus here. I heard noises, and then a strange wet sound. But you heard what Carter said: nothing happened. Although I'm sure something happened."

…

Great. I'm even more confused, but it is nice knowing I'm not alone in my suspicion.

"Don't kill me for saying this, Yua, but I'm even more fucked up because of that information. Yeah, I'm even more suspicious of those two, but I don't think Antwon would give in to anyone without a fight, so to speak."

"Yeah, well, you're free to go now. I just wanted to fill you in before the girls and I start creating theories."

"What? Don't you all have better things to do?"

Yua leaned towards me.

"Kid, I'd love to go home and spend time with my daughter, but I'm a royal guard. It's a privilege and a curse, so no, we don't have anything better to do."

***

The fucking bell rang as soon as I walked into the building.

I never thought I'd think this, but screw you, Yua. I wouldn't have cared if you'd given me useful information, but all you did was speculate. I can do that on my own. Hell, I've been doing that since I saw Christina smiling.

I made my way to first period, which was Health and Nutrition. It was on the third floor, and I was already heading up the stairs.

I'll hang out on the second floor for a bit to talk with Jenie before she goes to Softness Training. Though I doubt she would know what a boy relaxing meant. If anything, the question will spark her interest, and then maybe she will ask Kai or one of the boys in her other classes. I find her brave in that regard.

"Sakura," Jenie said. "How may I assist you today?"

The pitch in her voice was unusually high, but her blank expression made the whole interaction awkward. Oh, I hope she doesn't attempt a joke.

"Jenie… you're okay with boys, right?"

…

“I’m unfamiliar with that expression. Please ask your question with specificity, so I may properly accommodate you.”

“Okay, but it’s a big question. We might be late for our first-period classes. Is that okay?”

Jenie stepped into the doorway of her class.

“Excuse me. I will not be attending today’s session as something has come up. I hope my absence does not reflect negatively.”

The teacher for the class walked to the door to meet Jenie.

“That’s fine, Jenie. Honestly, you’ve already tested out of high school, and there's nothing I can teach you. Not only that, you’ve already moved past courtship,” the instructor said.

“Well, Kai requires proximity after the incident in Minobu.”

“I understand, Ms. Nocturne. However, when you start to show, you will be asked to refrain from coming to school.”

“I am cognizant of the situation. Come, Sakura. Let us converse.”

***

Jenie and I walked back to the front of the school, which was awkward because Yua was just posted up against the car, staring at us. Most of the quad was empty.

Damn, this is awkward as hell.

“Now, ask your question, or would you rather converse mentally?”

“Nah, Yua is looking at us. I’m kind of on her okay side, and I don’t want her to think that I’m any stranger than I already am.”

Jenie waved at Yua. Then for some reason, she waved Yua over, and I facepalmed.

Why would she do that? Ugh, why did I tell Jenie about Yua at all? I could have survived the occasional glance, but I didn't want to talk to her again.

Yua scratched her head, checked her surroundings, and then walked over to us.

I should have asked the baseball team during lunch.

"Sakura, I think it's great that you're comfortable enough to introduce me to your friends… actually, it's cute as hell. You remind me of my daughter so damn much, but you can't go around bragging to your friends about me, okay?"

I covered my mouth with my hand. Then I looked at Jenie before sliding my hand to my chin.

"Yua, this is Jenie. Jenie, Yua," I said.

"Oh, your friend is, um… Why does she look like that, uh, no offense, kid?"

I sighed.

"That's just Jenie—"

"Sakura, we've concluded introductions."

Thank you, Jenie. How did I get into this? What can I do to get Yua back into her car? Oh, I know.

"Yua, shouldn't you be guarding the car?"

"Unnecessary," Jenie said.

Yua and I both stared at her.

"Between 8:30 and noon, several cars from reputable enterprises travel on the main road, along with a few cars visiting friends or driving into the local market. I have confirmed that two of the nine businesses received an unscheduled shipment, so their vehicles are inactive for the present moment, as they are still unloading."

"Wow! That actually tracks," Yua said. "But are you sure, kid?"

"Yes, since I'm not required to stay on campus all the time, I provide my services without compensation."

"Hm, what can you do at your age?"

"Balance books and manage shipments."

…

"Oh, what about the service road?"

"While I cannot determine the Crimson Veil clan-related activity, only the Veil appears to utilize it. Perhaps it is monopolized, or they restrict nonmember access. However, it's baseless conjecture."

Yua rubbed her chin.

"How about the on- and off-ramps?"

"There are currently two viable approach routes for every three traffic variables I can reliably predict. The ratio is therefore two to three—"

"Hey, you girls, I'm so thrilled that you are strangely bonding, but Jenie and I need to talk about something," I said, butting in.

"Well, shit. Hey, wait a second. Shouldn't you be in class?"

"But I was—"

"Nope, not another damn word. No kid who reminds me of my daughter—and no queen’s consort’s sister—is gonna be late for class because she wanted to gab. So take your ass to class. Jenie and I have to discuss her future."