Eri

Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any worse, I started coughing. These weren't the light, conversation interrupting coughs I'd had since I'd woken, but the heavy, eye-drawing coughs that had me pressing a napkin close to my lips. When Kyoya's sister questioned the matter, I found myself laughing it off, saying I'd gotten one of the little snacks on the table caught in my throat. I could see the truth in Kyoya's eyes, however, and how he subtly ordered a hot, white tea for the two of us when the waiter came to collect our orders.

"So, how did the two of you meet?"

Unfortunately, we'd arrived with a good thirty minutes before the start of the play, which gave his sister plenty of time to pry into our friendship. Kyoya, amusement in his otherwise blank expression, rested his cheek on his palm, brow raised in my direction. The meaning was obvious: 'you're on your own.'

"At school," I answered. "I'm in the same class as two of his friends, and they introduced us."

Fuyumi's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward eagerly. "So, it was a blind date?"

I blanched. Was there no way to answer her questions that didn't imply we were dating?

"No..." I replied, my voice barely kept calm. "I went to lunch with the twins, and he happened to be a part of the club they eat with."

She pouted, this explanation apparently not quite as juicy as she'd been hoping. I, of course, found myself relaxing with a sigh, that turned into me covering my mouth to conceal another cough. The waiter returned and as soon as the cup was sat in front of me, I distracted myself with cupping it between my fingers and breathing in the heavenly fragrance. The sharp, cinnamon scent seemed to calm my knotted stomach, a striking difference from everything else I'd encountered today. I took a tentative sip, and was relieved to discover they'd cooled it to the perfect temperature; I wouldn't be burning my tongue on boiling water.

"How is he?" Fuyumi asked, and I nearly choked. "He's always been so... course. He isn't treating you poorly, is he?"

"Neesan," Kyoya muttered, a frown playing across his lips.

"He's fine," I protested, settling the cup back on the table. "He's been a real help, honestly. I'm not sure how I'd be doing without him."

Kyoya's eyes widened, causing me to realize how my words could be taken. Heat flooded my cheeks and I ducked my head, not willing to meet his eyes. A delighted giggle came from Fuyumi.

"That's great," she practically purred. "I'd hate to hear my little brother is mistreating girls."

"Kyoya-kun," Shido began, scratching his cheek with one finger.

"Hm?"

"Father and I were talking..."

I had the distinct feeling that Shido's sudden interest in the family business was directly tied to Fuyumi's meddling. Whether or not that was truly the case, I listened, relieved, as he steered the conversation towards a recent acquisition. The time left until the play passed by like a breeze, and I soon found myself watching the stage, eagerly, as the lights in the theatre dimmed.

The play was a romantic tragedy I faintly recognized. The story followed a poor, farmer girl who caught the eye of the daimyo's son. My current company became forgotten as I found myself enraptured by their plight. The couple had to fight not just prejudice, but the coming war that held a great chance of claiming the son's life. Then there was his best friend, who was selling army secrets to a neighboring daimyo...

When the waiter dropped by once again to ask for our orders, I ended up pointing to the first thing on the menu, not caring as to what, so that I could keep watching the actors. Stories like these were why I wanted to work as an editor. Being a part of something, like this, that would enrapture people for centuries to come... I wanted it. I wanted to leave something behind, something with my name that wasn't a half-hearted donation made by my parents to some research organization.

As the curtain rose at the end of the first half, I eagerly turned to verify the name of the play with Kyoya. Before I could open my mouth, however, found myself grabbing a napkin to cover my lips as a particularly harsh series of coughs tore from my chest. Fuyumi's eyes flew wide as she leaned forward, uncertaintly in her gaze.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm--" I began, cutting off as I began coughing again. "I-I'll be... I'll be right back."

I stood, keeping the napkin to my mouth. I must have moved too quickly, as a sudden surge of dizziness overwhelmed my senses, nearly pitching me back into my seat.

"Eri..."

I waved Kyoya off, releasing the arm of my chair and unsteadily making my way to the bathroom. The dizziness continued to plague me even as I reached my destination, then doubled over coughing. I felt as if my body were attempting to eject my lungs through my throat, each cough sending sharp pains through my chest. By the time I'd reached the sink, bracing a hand on each side of the porcelain, the napkin was spotted with crimson. The coughing had calmed, but one look at my flushed face told me that it was only for now. As I'd thought earlier-- this was one of those days where I should have stayed home.

"Not now..." I whispered to myself, irritation flooding me. "Can't I just..."

I wanted it so much I could barely breathe. I wanted to be that girl, the girl who could go out to dinner with the guy. The girl who blushed when they were teased, but managed to survive the dinner and afterwards say, "wasn't that a nice evening?" I wanted to be the girl who could walk out of this bathroom, head held high, and truthfully say, "I'm fine."

Instead, I was the girl who held a good chance of fainting in front of a public mirror.

I dropped to a squatting position, one arm around my chest, the other covering my mouth as the coughing began again. The fabric of the dress drew taut over my limbs, showing off how they trembled both with chill, and the effort of keeping myself together. I barely noticed as the bathroom door slipped open. It wasn't until she placed a soothing hand on my back, her gentle voice asking if I was okay, that I realized Fuyumi had joined me.

I went tense, tears stinging my eyes.

"Fine," I managed, unwrapping my arm so I could rub my eyes with my free fist.

"Are you sure?"

A glance at her expression, face pale with concern, told me that she wouldn't be content with further lies. So, I did the only thing I could. I offered her a faint smile, shook my head, and then surged to my feet. I struck out a hand to keep from tumbling back over, catching the sink with my palm.

"I should go."

"Eeh? Eri-chan?"

I hurried away, cutting a path between servers and other attendees until I reached the table once again. Then, I caught Kyoya's eyes, a pleading request in my own.

"Can we go?"

He didn't question me. He simply stood, offered an apologetic bow to his brother-in-law, and offered me his arm. As Fuyumi returned, questions spilling from her lips, he left his brother-in-law to distract her as he led me away from the table, then from the theatre. Outside, a familiar black vehicle awaited us. I shot him a questioning look, and Kyoya shrugged, raising his free hand to adjust his glasses.

"I called them while you were in the bathroom."

I would have laughed had the situation been different. Of course. This was Kyoya after all.

"Thank-you," I murmured.

"No need."

The ride back to my house was silent, except for the occasional coughing fit on my end. Kyoya, to his credit, said nothing. He simply offered me a bottle of water from the little center piece that I knew was typically meant to hold alcohol. I thanked him, then relaxed in my seat, closing my eyes. I knew it was terribly self-pitying of me to be upset, but I was.

"We're here."

The driver stepped back to open my door when we'd arrived home and I bit my lip, unable to meet Kyoya's eyes. He said nothing, as if he knew a word on his end would shatter me.

"... I'm sorry."

With that, I turned away and started towards the front door. If Kyoya said something in return, I'd have never known. I just knew I had to get away from the vehicle this second, or I never would. It was my own fault we'd left, but I so wanted to ask the driver to go back. I wanted to sit at that table, and laugh as Fuyumi dug into our non-existent love lives. I wanted to see how the story ended-- if the girl could truly get the guy.

I doubted it.

The story was a tragedy after all. Didn't everyone die in the end?