Kiirono Needs Comfort

I ran after Kiirono, pushing anyone who was in my way. My mind wasn't really in being nice to strangers. I just needed to catch up to Kiirono. He was on a skateboard, riding on the edge of the sidewalk and using cars to speed up.

"Kiirono!" I called his name, trying to push through the crowd. "Wait a second! Come back!"

Damn it.

At this point, he would disappear into the crowd and I'd completely lose him. But I know that if I lose him here, he'll just keep blaming himself, he may not even come back to school for a while. There was only one thing I could think of to catch up with him. One of the few things that got us in trouble with Koro-Sensei.

I'm going to have to jump across the rooftops.

I looked around for some sort of way onto the rooftops. There was a ladder ahead and to the right. I pushed through the crowd and started climbing. When I reached the top, I looked for Kiirono. He was so far ahead now. As long as I could see his blond hair, I could reach him. He stuck out like a thumb with his yellow hair.

It didn't seem like people noticed me, but the ones who did were mostly children of the ages eight to ten. As long as no adults saw me, everything would be fine.

I kept chasing after Kiirono, getting closer by the minute. Even if he was on a skateboard, he was so fast, it was unbelievable how well he rides on his board.

Kiirono's skateboard, was starting to fail him, I could tell. I know that skateboards are cool, but they don't last forever, and his skateboard looked like it had gone through some pretty harsh conditions. This part of town was messy, and it had plenty of things that shouldn't have been on the ground. In hus own world, Kiirono didn't realize the crushed cans in his path.

"Ahh!" He yelled as his skateboard finally gave up.

"Kiirono?" Shiyori, who had been walking home from shopping, looked down at Kiirono. "Are you okay?"

"Shiyori?" Kiirono looked up, trying to clear his vision, but failed in doing so.

"Yes, that's me. Are you alright? You are all messy and you look like you just ran a marathon."

"Kiirono!" I called as I climbed down a ladder. "Finally, I caught up to you."

Kiirono looked at me with an expression that I would never forget. I couldn't tell if what I saw was fear or not, but he was definitely afraid to say a single word. His eyes shook like an earthquake throughout the entire city.

"Shiota-Sensei." Shiyori made eye contact with me, giving me a questioning look. "It's nice to see you, but is there a reason why you would be following Kiirono? Unless you were supposedly walking him home, which would seem immature but I have no word against such a thing."

Shiyori is an amazing girl, fantastic, I must say, but, her speech always makes me feel so unintelligent. Her grades are better then mine when I was her age, I'll admit. Before she became a student of class 3-E, she was more of a delinquent who hung out at the arcade all day, dressed in a way I will not explain and used her beauty to her advantage, not in a good way.

"Shiyori," Kiirono spoke low and gripped Shiyori's sleeve. "Please, could you do me a favor and just distract him for me?"

"I am curious, but I won't ask you of your personal problems." Shiyori nodded, then looked at me. "Why are you chasing Kiirono?"

I'm sorry, what?

"Well, uh," I rubbed my head. "How do I explain this? I'm not sure if you've heard the news. Hidoi is in the hospital. I was hoping to talk to Kiirono about something."

Shiyori's entire vibe told she didn't believe me. Shiyori is a pretty girl, mostly trustworthy. But she is like a detective in disguise. Her vibe, actions and intelligence explain everything.

"Anyway, could I talk to him?" I asked.

"I think he'd rather sleep, because he doing so right at this moment." Shiyori held Kiirono up, his eyes closed and a gentle breathe coming from his nose. He looked so exhausted yet a little more peaceful then before.

"Oh, um," I stammered, trying to respond. "Nevermind. He's gone through a lot today. I think I might take him home."

"Actually, I'll take care of him," Shiyori immediately refused my offer. "We live in the same neighborhood. And we're quite close to home."

Kiirono snored lightly, it was kind of adorable. I think Shiyori also agreed. Her face turned pink and her eyes sparkled like stars.

"He's so adorable." She said bluntly. "Hes like a little boy who just came back from the park."

I'm not sure that's the right term. I thought to myself.

"I guess that's one way to put," I replaced my thought with something else while saying aloud. "Anyway, are you sure you can take him home?"

"Of course, Shiota-Sensei." Shiyori reassured. "I can do it. Although, if you ask again, I will stab you." She smiled so innocently. That was only a mask of her assassin talents. "Don't worry, I have many siblings. This will be a peice of cake."

I was hoping to talk to Kiirono about his problems. And I didnt expect Shiyori to be here. I had no idea they even lived near each other. If anything, I thought they didn't even talk to each other.

"Oh, fine." I sighed. "At least let me help you get him home. You're carrying groceries and your school bag. I'll carry him and you can show me the way."

"Yes sir." Shiyori smiles and nods.

I picked up Kiirono and piggy-backed him, allowing Shiyori to carry the bags on her arms. On my back, he felt really light. A little too light, it made me wonder if he actually took care of himself. I know he's skinny, but his uniform makes him seem a little more, well, muscular or fit. If I find out he doesn't keep his health up to date, we're going to have issues.

—————

This neighborhood was far too fancy for me. Reminder, I live in an apartment, a nice one too. But this, this was just overwhelming for me. The houses were big on the outside, and I could see the yards full of green, cut grass. Even the smell was confusing. Not every neighborhood smells like roses. Not every house has pearls in their doors or diamonds on their doorknobs.

"This is your neighborhood?" I said with a twisted face and looking around. "This is…very fancy if you ask my opinion."

"The more respectful way to say that is 'this is a classy neighborhood.'" Shiyori corrected. "Here we are."

We stopped at probably on of the biggest houses on the block. It was a pearl white and a blue door of stones was the first thing you see.

This is Kiirono's house. I feel poor. Now I understand how Isogai feels.

As we approached the entrance, Kiirono started to shuffle around. He was about to wake up. He had looked so peaceful during the walk to his home.

Shiyori rang the doorbell and stood up straight, holding her bag like a girl would. We waited for about a minutes before a girl in a black and white uniform answered the door. When I say a suit, I mean white shirt, black jacket and a smooth ass black skirt.

"Hello," she said, blank brown eyes that probably peered into my soul. "How can I help you?"

"Hello, Meido." Shiyori answered back. "I've come to drop off Kiirono. He fell asleep on our way home. I believe he just couldn't stand any longer."

As Shiyori talked to the girl, who seemed to be a butler, I felt Kiirono pushed me away. He must've woken up now. He slid down my back and pushed me away.

"Oh, you're awake," I turned around and smiled. "You must've been exhausted to fall asleep like that."

"Young master Kiirono," Meido turned her eyes to Kiirono. "Lady Reika and master Kenita have been waiting for you."

"Ah, sorry," Kiirono answered with a smile and squeezed his hand. "The class president wanted to talk to me about a project. It took a little longer then I expected. I'll go and see them. Thank you, Meido."

"My pleasure young master." Meido bowed and welcomed Kiirono inside. She turned back to us, her mouth shut. She bowed to us and closed the door immediately after.

That was strange.

~~~~~

Meido took Kiirono's bag me hung it on a hook next to the door. She offered to take his jacket as well, seeing that Kiirono was tired. She slid it off of his shoulders and hung it on the hook next to his bag.

In the dining room, sat his mother, Reika Okinei, on one side of the table, and his father, Kenita Okinei, at the center of the table, showing that he was the man of the house.

"Oh, Kiirono," Reika smiled. "You're finally home! Come sit and eat, Meido has made us such a fancy Katsudon tonight."

Kiirono blinked a few times before coming over to sit down. His bowl felt warm, although, he wasn't hungry. The food looked unappetizing, and he genuinely enjoys Meido's cooking. He poked his food with his chopsticks. He took a single bite of the food and it tasted like styrofoam.

"Earth to Kiirono," Kenita said while wiping his mouth with the towel on his lap.

"Uh, yes?" Kiirono jumped.

"Oh, honey, you look so tired." Reika caressed Kiirono's cheek. "Is something on your mind? Is it your grades? Oh, Kenita, we may be pushing him a bit."

That's such a half-assed thing to say, you liar. Kiirono thought to himself as a shadow covered his angry expression.

"He's fine," Kenita said, his face not changing in any away. "He's being over dramatic."

"Oh, of course. I thought so. He does like to play around."

I just want to go to sleep. Kiirono continued eating his food, even if he couldn't taste the savory part of the dish. All he wanted was to hurry and go to his room, one of his comfort areas.

"Young master?" Meido leaned over and said with a low voice. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine," Kiirono answered quickly as to not disturb his parents with his hesitation. They have ears like a bat and eyes like an eagle.

Meido gave a blank look before looking at Kiirono's hands. They looked cold and clammy, and they definitely looked fidgety.

"Mistress Reika, ma'am?" Meido put her hands together in front of her, resting on her skirt.

"What is it Meido?" Reika answered while putting on her rose red lipstick on and holding a small mirror in front of her face.

"Perhaps I should take young master Kiirono to his room and help him with his homework."

"Oh, already?" Reika put her mirror down and looked up at Meido.

"Yes, he's told me he's not hungry much. I'll take him up to his room."

"Do what you must." Kenita said, keeping his gaze phone.

Kiirono immediately picked up his plate and excused himself from the table. In a hurry, he put his food in a container and went up to his room, Meido following after him.

Although Meido had helped Kiirono escape with the homework excuse, she wasn't entirely lying. She was going to help him with whatever projects he had, but Meido wasn't stupid. In fact, she's much smarter then people take her to be. She's been serving he family ever since she and Kiirono were small and young children.

Kiirono, before his parents' expectations flooded his life, was more friendly and well behaved. He would sometimes catch Meido when she was cleaning the kitchen or folding the laundry and approach the blank and unreadable girl.

"What are you doing, Meido?" He would asked purely out curiosity.

"You shouldn't be talking to your servants, young master." Meido would answer bluntly.

"Why do you call me that? You always call mommy 'mistress' or 'lady.' And you always call daddy 'master.' Why don't you just call them 'aunty' or 'uncle'?"

"It's respectful, I'm supposed to call master and mistress that."

"What about me?" Kiirono pointed at himself. "I'm the same age as you. You can just call me by name."

"Nonsense, I can't call you your name. It's against the rules."

Kiirono held Meido by the shoulders, stopping her from folding the clothes she was currently folding. He had a smile on his face as he looked her dead in the eyes. Meido couldn't help but respect him and keep from pulling away, after all, that's what Kiirono seemed to have wanted. She looked back at Kiirono, square in the eyes.

"You like following our orders, right?" He would suddenly ask right out of the blue.

"I will as I'm told." Meido answered blankly.

"Then, I'm telling you that you have to call me Kiiro."

"Impossible, I would get into trouble if I did so." Meido turned away and went back to folding the laundry in the basket next to her.

"But that's an order," Kiirono pouted. "From now on, I want you to call me Kiiro. I won't stop bothering you until you call me that."

"That's fine," Meido would simply deny the permission of calling the boy by name. "It doesn't matter if you bother me. I'm meant to tolerate. Besides, mistress and master wouldn't be happy with me calling you by your name."

Kiirono would hold Meido's hand, completely putting her attention on him. This would startle her and cause her to pause whatever she could have been doing.

She looked at Kiirono's hand holding her own. When she would attempt to pull away, Kiirono would just tighten around her soft hands.

"Meido," Kiirono said. "I want to be your friend. I won't ever stop bothering you until we're friends. That's what I'm going to do, I'm gonna be your friend."

Meido simply blinked in response before answering. "Friends? That's not my job."

"Meido!" This caught the young girl's attention. "You always look so lonely. I don't like it when you talk to me with such a sad expression. It makes me sad. I always ask myself, how come you always look like that? I think it's because you're always told what to do around here. I want to make sure your as happy as I am."

Meido's eyes widened a bit as she listened to this. She didn't react as one usually would though, but deep down, she felt that Kiirono was coming from somewhere good.

"Kiiro," She mumbled with a small smile. "Okay. If that's what you wish, then, I'll call you Kiiro."

—————

"…iiro? Kiiro?" Meido's voice slowly found its way back to Kiirono's ears.

"Huh?" Kiirono exclaimed as he dropped his pencil on the desk.

"Are Lady Reika's words bothering you?" Meido picked up the pencil before Kiirono could touch it and avoid the question.

"Her words?" Kiirono blinked slowly for a few minutes before massaging his temples. "Oh, no. I just zoned out for a bit."

"Is something, perhaps, bothering you?"

"Is it that obvious?" Kiirono answered with a half-hearted smile and an exhausted expression. "Sorry, I'm just worried for my friend. He was hospitalized earlier today and I've just been worried for him. I also ran home today, as you saw earlier today, so I'm pretty tired."

Meido watched as Kiirono reached for another pencil and continued his homework. He scratched at his head, as if he was trying to dull out a headache. He certainly did look drowsy with the expectations that are being held for him.

"Kiiro," Meido grabbed the hand scratching his head by the wrist. "If you do that, you'll damage your scalp. I don't think you would enjoy dealing with that."

"Ah, thanks Meido. I didn't realize I was doing that. I guess I'm a little more tired then I thought."

"You should probably sleep," the girl closed Kiirono's textbook so he couldn't study or do his homework.

"I have to finish this by the end of the week though. Midterms won't just stop getting closer."

"There's still time before that. You should sleep. It's important for you to rest between your studies."

Kiirono couldn't disagree with this. He knew that he would break at some point if he didn't sleep. His worry was his parent catching him slacking off, mainly his mother.

Reika may come off as kind, sweet and easily concerned, but underneath that charade is a cruel mother who takes the slightest mistake as a reason to give punishment. It was always perfection or you get slapped. This is how she herself was raised.

"I guess you're right," Kiirono stood up from his desk and pulled off his shirt and grabbing new clothes for himself to change into after a quick shower.

Meido held the textbooks in her arms and put them onto a shelf. The two minded their own business as they prepared for their own activities. This was a natural occurrence for the two. Meido would help Kiirono with his homework, then he'd get ready for bed while she puts away his belongings.

"You should eat something tonight, Meido. It's not healthy for you to skip meals." Kiirono said before closing the door to his bathroom.

Meido stared out the window as those words echoed in her head. She gave a small smile before continuing her tasks for the night.

"Perhaps you should take better care of yourself before saying such things."