School Days [Kaimu]

As Lakshmi started on her notes, Kaimu sat down next to her seat; he would have been on the floor had he not been able to float, but with floating he could just sit and wait for her to get through her class!

Occasionally, he attempted to peek at her notes. At first, his eyes widened for a second at how in depth they were, but Lakshmi was always focused on work, and did everything in great detail...though...

Considering this class, was everyone taking notes like that?

He didn't do anything too distracting, though with how focused he knew Lakshmi could get, there was a chance it wasn't distracting at all. He rested his chin on the desk area, keeping it there for a few moments before pulling and leaning back.

After about an hour and a half, Kaimu's attention returned to the shinigami's words and then to Lakshmi as she nodded down to the paper.

"Alright~!" He replied, not having to worry about anyone hearing him; he would follow!

Lakshmi had glanced over at the ghost throughout the lesson but never been too distracted, it wouldn't do to become so while having to keep track of all this information and other people's responses.

Once Kaimu gave the agreement, her hand came up to her mouth to cover the soft smile and flush that tinted her cheeks before she moved from her seat. All her items were carefully gathered up, tucked under one arm as she headed for one of the school exits. Once she was outside, on a smaller path that looked barely used, she began speaking quietly. "I-I... am sorry. I-I will have to go a bit of a ways to get food, i-its a day off for most students other than those of us in Officer and Specialist training..."

There hadn't been many others around, barely anyone in fact which was rather unusual for the Academy Division or at least the school sections. This would explain it. "D-Did you want anything to eat too? I-I can get you something Kai..."

Kaimu continued smiling, following Lakshmi out as she headed out of the classroom and one of the academy's exits. He was quiet until Lakshmi led them to a path outside, it didn't look like it was used much...he supposed that was for the best if they were to talk.

It'd be bad for Lakshmi if someone came along and caught her talking to herself!

"It's fine~!" He replied to her apology; "I don't need anything, whatever this is that's happening with me...so far I haven't needed food or needed any sleep so I'll be just fine!"

"Oh...that sounds sad..." Lakshmi's eyes glanced over to him, a tiny frown on her lips. He'd mentioned family earlier... worried over them and what had happened to himself...? But he was still smiling and being kind to her despite his odd situation and estrangement.

She could understand that. Looking down at his hand and then at hers, she shyly reached over and gave him a comforting squeeze. Her face burnt up so she looked away and dropped the hand after a moment. "D-Don't...worry so much. I-I am sure you will get back to them and see... see your loved ones again. Y-You can be upset you know... It would be...natural..."

His happiness... was it real or was he trying to cover for his true feelings much like she did? It might take a bit to get to the shop she liked to eat at, so she was fine talking for now... He was rather nice even if looking at his face destroyed her sanity.

"I...was upset, but things will work out; I'm sure they will!" Kaimu replied, having decided to be optimistic long ago about this. He was...worried, and upset at how he'd had to leave Mia last time, and worried about everyone back in his own time.

He had to keep positive though! He'd be back, he'd get back somehow! He had to...

Feeling Lakshmi squeeze his hand for a moment, he glanced down before his smile warmed some, thankful for the comforting action.

"D-Definitely! I-It'll work out! I-If I can help j-just let me know, I-I probably won't...get in trouble if I...skip class... a-anyways so...if its to help you I don't mind...o-others..." Others saying things or getting upset, especially if it meant helping Mr Smiling Kai. She glanced over to see his smile warm and flushed with a tiny eep, looking away again. H-Handsome! Too handsome!

She'd help him all he wanted if he just kept smiling at her like that...

"Aaa~ You don't have to go out of your way like that, even if you wouldn't get in trouble I'd rather you not take the chance..." He would rather avoid having her skip class, even if she wouldn't get in trouble it'd just result in a similar situation as before which was something unpleasant.

At Lakshmi's surprised "eep" as she looked away he couldn't stop a light chuckle from bubbling up, not mean in any sense towards her flustered reaction.

"Mm... I would...rather help you than... go to class. I-I can survive and be fine! Y-You have people waiting for you to go...go home... to..." Lakshmi's voice fell, her eyes sticking to the path now as she smiled weakly. Home...there were people waiting for him at home. She had a new family but...

It was...different here. Too different, she wanted her home and the warmth and her parents...

Lakshmi pushed all those thoughts aside, using the pain it had brought to fuel her determination to help this ghost man.

His chuckle caused another little eep as she turned a bit darker... He knew! He knew why she was...well he was an adult man, of course he would know what a young woman like herself was thinking and reacting to when that happened!

"I have no leads on how to fix this though..." Kaimu replied; "I would hate for you to miss class and we still...figure out nothing..."

He really was sure this would all...somehow work itself out; this was the second time, back...then a portal had appeared after a time, maybe the same would happen here, and maybe the next time it did he could go home!

Lakshmi was flustered though, he could clearly tell that! He wanted to chuckle again, but resisted the urge, he didn't want her to think he was laughing at her!

"I...I can't let you deal with this alone. I will feign illness..." Yes, good! A good plan, it would not only explain her lateness to class earlier it would cover her for the rest of the day. Lakshmi had solved the dilemma!

She was still flustered but the lack of more laughs calmed her enough that she was able to smile softly and her flush faded away to barely there.

"I would be distracted during class worrying anyways. I would not learn much and end up wasting my time." Her voice was firmer than before, it seemed she was growing used to Kai's presence and thinking of him as someone safe.

"Hnnn...Fiiine~!" It didn't seem like Lakshmi was going to budge on this, so if she wanted to stick to helping him he didn't see any other way now that could convince her.

So no more classes today then! They would...attempt to figure things out instead!

He wasn't sure if they would really be able to figure anything out, but they could at least say they'd tried! First order of business though, Lakshmi needed lunch!

Kai gave in and Lakshmi smiled sweetly, turning to look up at him and let him see it for once. She quickly grew too shy though and looked away, hiding it once more as they walked along.

It didn't take too much longer to reach the stand, it wasn't busy at the moment because of its out of the way location. Lakshmi gave a quiet nod to Kaimu, not wanting anyone to notice her talking to air now that they were in a more public location, before swiftly moving over to the stand. The person looked down and smiled. "Yer usual then missy?"

She nodded solemnly and silently, the man turning and yelling into the back after getting confirmation. It only took a few moments for a bag to be handed over, the payment set on the counter before she rushed back over to Kaimu and nodded silently in the direction of small nearby secluded area.

She'd let him see her smile!

Kaimu would count that as progress; before, Lakshmi had bolted from him due to her shyness, now she was actually attempting to show him smiles! She had looked away quickly, but he'd still seen the smile!

Eventually, they reached a stand, the area wasn't too busy...but there were still people so it was best for them not to speak right now. He stood by, waiting as she made her way to the stand where she'd get her food from.

There wasn't much for him to do, so he simply waited, his attention on the stand though...

"Stop fretting, Tatsuo! You've got weeks, I'm sure you'll think of something for Kai's birthday!"

"Aha, well...maybe I could get him some of his favorite food?"

"Too easy!"

"Aah..."

Kaimu jolted, his body freezing for a minute; he didn't turn to look behind him at the source of the voices, unable to as the two walked right on by...eventually disappearing to head down a different street. His shoulders had tensed, and his fists had clenched as he let out a silent, but long breath.

He shouldn't of been surprised at first...considering where he was, but...

Quickly, he shook his head a few times trying to shake off his current state as Lakshmi returned; he offered her a bright smile, nodding at her directions before heading off to the tree.

"Ehh~ So what'd you get?" He asked; it was an innocent enough question, and it was a conversation starter!

Lakshmi noticed the odd behavior of the ghost man Kai, her eyes worried as she drew closer. He had seemed upset? Worried?

She waited until they were both safely hidden, his question distracting her for a moment as she sat down under the tree. "Curry buns."

Carefully setting her books and scrolls and other items down, she settled herself back against the tree and pulled out a bun. She held it in both hands, taking a few careful bites of the steaming food before looking up at Kai. "...Whats wrong? You looked really upset."

Curry buns...

One of Lakshmi's favorite things was curry, and he'd often got curry buns back in the Rukon when he'd been rogue, he recalled. He'd shared some with Lakshmi whenever they'd met up with each other.

His smile became more genuine at hearing that, and he moved to sit near Lakshmi as she settled against the tree, though he was careful about not getting too close, he didn't want to spook her back into shyness.

"Eh? Ah, nothing, it was nothing; just...recalling old memories, aha."

Kai was smiling truly again, Lakshmi noticed as she looked over with wide and curious eyes. His smile had been...fake. Compared to this real smile of his, it wasn't anything at all. She...had never seen someone smile like this. It was rather nice... Soothing really. What had caused it though? Did he like Curry buns?

She took another bite of her bun, blinking a bit owlishly as she listened. Chewing and swallowing before she replied, the young woman smiled shyly. "Well...I can listen if you want. If they make you sad, you should talk about it."

Lakshmi may not talk about things that made her sad, but others should definitely!

"Aah..." Kaimu glanced up at the tree they were under, looking through the openings towards the sky as Lakshmi ate her curry buns. She could listen, huh?

He gave a small chuckle, a finger moving up to scratch the side of his mouth.

"It's...nothing of huge importance really, just remembering...a birthday I had a long, long time ago with my brother and his girlfriend before they'd married. He got me all my favorite foods, aha...I ate all of it, of course~!"

Lakshmi finished the first bun and moved onto the second, her eyes shooting small glances over at the man who seemed a bit unsure. His chuckle and the mouth scratching made her pause her eating for a moment as her eyes focused on his face finally.

She stared as he spoke, a small little smile forming on her lips as she finally replied. A few moments had passed as she just felt a bit happier because of the story. "...Its important. You had a special time with your family so its definitely important!"

He must have been sad because he missed them, stuck like this and all. Maybe she should...ask more questions and get him talking? "D-Did you get sick then? If...it was all your favorites and you ate it all... I-Is is nice having a sibling?"

"When you say it like that...then it was definitely important." Kaimu agreed, a special time with his family; that's what it had been, and he'd enjoyed it immensely.

Another chuckle escaped him at Lakshmi's question, and he...reluctantly, gave a small nod.

"It was a lot of food, but it was all my favorites so I couldn't just not eat them, so after...I guess I was feeling a bit ill, but I didn't regret it! Not at all!" He grinned, "Mhmm, we used to do all sorts of things together, it was really fun."

Lakshmi smiled more, her eyes darting away but she didn't turn her head yet. It was nice hearing stories and talking with someone who wasn't family really... She didn't get that much, most people avoided her...Especially the other students.

A hurt look passed her features but she quickly stuffed it away and focused on his next words. It caused a soft laugh to pass her lips, shocking her as she then stuffed a bun into it to silence it. That... he had gotten sick! This man was ridiculous and silly, who did that!? Ate themselves sick on their favorites...

She shook her head, thinking it must be really nice to have someone to share things with like that. Even with getting sick because of them.

Kaimu's attention was pulled from his thoughts to Lakshmi as he heard the laugh, his eyes landing on her after she'd stuck the curry bun in her mouth; she'd tried to stifle it~

Another light, happy laugh followed from him afterwards; he'd gotten a laugh~

He couldn't help but be happy at that, even if his mind had wandered into bittersweet territory moments before.

Lakshmi flushed at the laugh, using the food as a distraction and turning back to face forward. Kai was nice and had a happy laugh...

Aah why was he so handsome?! She focused on her bun instead of the smiling handsome older man...

"...I am sure...y-you will get back to see them... then... soon. M-Make them make your favorites when you return home. Even if its...not your birthday... j-just don't eat until you get sick again." Once she had finished that bun, she reached into the bag for one of the two remaining but waited a moment to speak. He...should be reassured! He'd see them all again soon.

And he shouldn't ruin the festivities by being sick!

"A...Ah, well...I have others waiting for me...not them." He didn't want to lie to Lakshmi when it came to this; Tatsuo and Haruki...they weren't waiting for him, but...but Mia, her, and Norma were! They were the ones he needed to get back to.

He could have his favorites when he returned home... That made him smile again, though he'd want more than just his favorites, so everyone could really enjoy themselves.

Speaking of birthdays...

Aah~! That was right, almost...

"Aa, right! It wouldn't be my birthday, but it'd be a happy reunion~!" He grinned; "Speaking of which aaah, one of their birthday's is coming soon...I said I'd have plans but...ahaha..."

This was his chance at getting an idea!

"...Oh...what...what happened to them?" Lakshmi realized...he had only ever spoken of them in the past tense really. Kai...that must be why he was sad. She lowered the bun from her waiting mouth as that though appeared, a small frown on her features as she let one hand fall down and reach for his again.

Comfort...he needed comfort. She squeezed his hand but didn't let go this time, wanting to give him as much comfort as she could possibly. She would never see her parents again, it was small comfort to think that but... she sort of understood his pain. Lakshmi wanted someone to think of her and comfort her when she was upset over that, so instead she tried to soothe him without his asking.

He seemed to perk up though after a moment, though her hand still held his and she laughed very softly again. She was smiling as she shook her head. "Aaah. That is not good, you need plans! Do you have ideas? M-Maybe I could help..."

Kaimu just shook his head at her first question, that was...really all the answer that was needed to confirm what she was thinking. Still he didn't let his smile fade, he had plans to think about now, and Lakshmi was trying hard to comfort him as well!

"Maybe." He agreed, giving a nod; "Aah...I'm thinking maybe...I could perhaps take them some where, in one of their top three...maybe...places they'd like to visit, their first...might not be possible due to things, but I wanna take them somewhere they'd really like to go!

Though...I have no idea about top three...so maybe somewhere just really, really nice! Do you have a top three? Maybe I can get some ideas? Aha...I've not...really traveled a lot." Maybe Lakshmi knew some really nice, beautiful places, even if she'd never gone to them before in this time...

If she did...well, it could serve as an idea!