Puppet

CHAPTER 19:


“Wow,” Kiyoshi stared in awe at Akina’s beautifully decorated home as he removed his shoes, “You have a lovely home.”

“I try,” Akina smiles, removing her jacket and putting it within the nearby closet, “My mother raised me to be clean and tidy. Heh, sometimes she even comes over to inspect the house. She searches for dust, crumbs, flint, really anything that she can think of.” Kiyoshi got a good laugh out of that, enjoying Akina’s jokes, even though they were mainly true. “Well,” Akina gestured Kiyoshi towards her white couch, “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” Akina raced towards the back of the house. Kiyoshi supposed that her bedroom was back there.

Taking Akina’s offer, Kiyoshi welcomed himself in the house and took a seat on the rather comfortable couch. It was more comfortable then his blue couch back at his place. Kiyoshi enjoyed glancing around at the different scenery as he awaited Akina’s return. Mostly hanging all across the walls were pictures of Akina with different people. One in particular picture that had caught Kiyoshi’s eye was one of Akina with a very attractive woman. Kiyoshi assumed the woman was Akina’s mother.

From the other side of the window, Luke peered in at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi was just sitting there. Akina was nowhere in sight. Luke wanted to break the door down, barge in there, and take Kiyoshi as far from the house as possible. He almost went with the plan, but then the pink-haired mortal came back from the other room. She had changed outfits. She now wore something that looked more loose and cozy. Luke had a feeling she was planning something and stayed keeping lookout on his puppet.

Kiyoshi turned his head and smiled at Akina as she took a seat beside him. She had changed into a loose white shirt, black pants, and white socks. Kiyoshi wanted to change out of his uniform. The uniforms are very uncomfortable.

“Sorry,” Akina apologized while pushing back a dangling piece of pink hair, “Didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“It’s alright,” Kiyoshi turned his head back to the decorations, “I was enjoying the pictures.” Kiyoshi pointed to the one of Akina and the attractive woman, “Is that your mom?”

“No,” Akina replied, “That’s my older sister. Let’s see, that was taken about two years ago.”

“Oh,” Kiyoshi felt a tad humiliated thinking the woman was Akina’s mother, “You’ve never mentioned having a sister.”

“Well you never asked,” Akina kidded, but grew serious, “In truth, we don’t really get along well. She and my mom never really clicked much. I think it’s because mom doesn’t care for the man my sister married, but she went through with it, anyway. My sister, I hear, is pregnant, but I don’t get much letters from her.” Kiyoshi gave Akina a smile.

“Well they sound nice,” Kiyoshi said, acting polite as ever. Akina gave off a laugh, knowing Kiyoshi was trying his best to be polite.

“Thank you,” Akina whispered, turning her head to her lap, “They are.” The two fell silent, both just sat there staring down in their laps. Akina could feel her cheeks growing hot again, but this time she didn’t cover them up. This scene, to Akina, was just so good to be true. She felt as if she were in a dream. Turning her head, her smile widened at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi turned his head to her, too, almost sensing her eyes upon him.

“I, um,” Kiyoshi spoke nervously while tugging on the collar of his uniform. He felt like he was being choked, “I should probably get going.” Kiyoshi started to lift to his feet, but Akina stopped him by placing her left hand over his right.

“Kiyoshi wait,” Akina almost screamed, but kept her voice low. Kiyoshi sat back down, keeping his eyes on Akina, “Kiyoshi,” Akina whispered that time. Kiyoshi noticed her entire face blush over with a hint of red. He began to wonder what she was thinking, but soon got an answer. Akina, slowly lifted her face closer to Kiyoshi’s, and then, with a hint of surprise, Akina placed her lips gently over Kiyoshi’s. Kiyoshi’s eyes went wide by this sudden kiss. Kiyoshi was sure it’d taste wonderful; taste sweet, but as Akina tried to deepen the kiss, Kiyoshi swiftly pulled his head back, breaking the kiss. At the sight of Kiyoshi’s face, Akina then felt a quantity of embarrassment shoot throughout her body. “I’m sorry,” Akina began to wipe her lips as she jumped off of the couch, turning her back to Kiyoshi, “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry!”

“No,” Kiyoshi got up to, “It’s…okay.” But Kiyoshi knew that it wasn’t okay. As Akina kissed him, Kiyoshi thought that he would want it too. In truth, he felt nothing as Akina kissed him. As Akina kissed him, Kiyoshi’s mind went haywire, remembering a kiss given to him by somebody else. Somebody Kiyoshi never expected to travel through his mind at a time like this. “I’m sorry Akina,” Kiyoshi rushed over to the door, pulling on his own coat followed by his shoes, “But I really should be going.”

“Kiyoshi,” Akina spoke Kiyoshi’s name worryingly, “Please don’t go. I’m sorry for what I did…”

“It’s not you,” Kiyoshi shook his head while opening the door; “It’s me. I just…I gotta go!” Kiyoshi flew out the door, running quickly over to his parked motorbike. Akina watched sadly as Kiyoshi flew off, not even looking back. Closing her door, Akina leaned against it while moving her fingers over her lips. She gave off a sigh as she sunk down onto the floor.

“I’m so stupid…”

--

As Kiyoshi flew for his apartment, the images kept flying through his mind. Why at a time like that? Why’d he have to go and think of those two kisses he had shared with Luke weeks ago? They just had to be brought up. Kiyoshi felt scared, unsure of what he truly wanted. He never would’ve guessed that Luke was flying close behind, keeping in pace with the motorbike. Kiyoshi would never have guessed that Luke had witnessed the entire kiss.

--

Parking his motorbike, Kiyoshi removed the keys and rushed into the apartment building. Taking the elevator, Kiyoshi leaned against the elevator’s supporting bar, glad to be in a safe, quiet spot. He felt ashamed to just leave Akina’s house like he had done, but he was too frightened to tell her about Luke; about whom Luke truly is. He just couldn’t tell her the strange feelings running through his mind, but he had hoped that he and Akina could go out again. Now, Kiyoshi imagined that that second date would never happen. The elevator soon came to a halt on Kiyoshi’s floor. The door opened and Kiyoshi calmly walked the remaining few steps to his apartment. Kiyoshi slowly unlocked the door and let himself in. Shutting the door behind him, Kiyoshi turned on the lamps and walked over to his couch. He gave out a loud groan while allowing his body to fall down onto the hard cushions of his couch. Yep, Akina’s was definitely much more comfortable.

“Damn,” Kiyoshi whispered, pushing back his long black bangs, “Why Kiyoshi, why’d that have to happen? I’m such an idiot…”

“I’ll say,” Kiyoshi jumped up to the sound of Luke’s voice. Luke was leaning over Kiyoshi, staring at him from the back of the couch. Kiyoshi went to let out a scream, but his mouth was blocked by Luke’s strong hand. “Calm yourself,” Luke whispered; though his voice sounded harsh, “I’m not going to hurt you.” Luke lowered his head closer to Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi felt his body trembling from Luke’s sudden appearance. He trembled by the touch of Luke’s hand, now moving from Kiyoshi’s mouth to touching the sides of Kiyoshi’s cheeks. “So my puppet,” Luke kept his voice in that low whisper, “Where have you been?”

“Out,” Kiyoshi began to answer honestly, though there was a hint of fright in his voice, “I was out with Akina.” Kiyoshi heard the annoyed grunt go off in Luke’s throat, though Luke’s mouth was shut. Luke soon released his hand from Kiyoshi’s cheeks, noticing that he had formed red marks on Kiyoshi’s skin.

Luke let it go, though, and moved around the couch. Kiyoshi got to a sitting position, watching Luke as Luke sat beside him, “Now where were we?” Luke then asked, shocking Kiyoshi. “Oh yes,” Luke began, his voice going back to normal. His left leg lifted over his right leg, too, getting into the position he always sat in, “You were telling me about the one place you’ve always wanted to go. Tell me more about that place.” Kiyoshi let his jaw drop and turned to the clock sitting beside him.

“It’s almost 9:30 Luke…”

“We will continue,” Luke began, “We do this every night.”

“But it’s late,” Kiyoshi began to get to his feet, “I always go to bed at 10:00, plus I have work…Ah!” Kiyoshi didn’t know what to think as Luke’s strong power forcefully pushed Kiyoshi back down onto the couch. Kiyoshi felt scared. He couldn’t move his body.

“I don’t care how late it is,” Luke spoke, then, his voice had changed again, “We will continue our nightly discussion!” Luke tried calming himself, remembering the promise he had made. He slowly released Kiyoshi from his grip, “Sorry,” Luke then whispered, leaning back in the couch, “We’ll both call in sick tomorrow. Now talk,” Luke paused as the tone in his voice turned around, “Please.” Kiyoshi did not want to deal with Luke that night, but he knew he had no choice in the matter. Luke had Kiyoshi under his control. Kiyoshi did continue his story, watching Luke’s expression go back to being hidden and lonely. The face that made Kiyoshi’s entire body tighten. As Kiyoshi talked of his perfect place to visit, he went back to the kiss he shared with Akina.

He had felt nothing, but he had thought of a certain kiss given to him by a certain someone. It was a kiss that had scared him; a kiss that had been given to him by the one person he wished he had never met, and that person sat right there beside him, listening to every little word he spoke. Kiyoshi wanted to loath Luke, but his heart was telling him otherwise.

*End of Chapter 19*