Other People
Mary and Kaede quietly walked along the path leading away from Rika and Yuki’s apartment building.
Mary was thinking of what to say, or not. Suddenly she felt a tug on her sleeve.
“... hold... hand?”
Kaede was speaking so quietly the words were drowned out by the night breeze.
Mary nodded and took her hand.
“...sorry.”
Mary titled her head to the side.
“For what?”
“I’m so quiet.”
“It’s no problem.”
Kaede’s eyes were hidden behind her bangs, they waved as she shook her head.
“I don’t mean to make you feel like I don’t want to talk.”
Mary giggled a little.
“I don’t think that.”
A smile appeared on Kaede’s face.
“For many people, it can be tiresome.”
“But, I’m not those people.”
Kaede nodded, both of them were unlike anyone the other had ever known.
“Good evening Miss Akinomiya.”
A driver in outfit held the door open as they approached the car.
“Good evening Mister Ichihara, this is Sakura Mary, she and I will be touring the courtyard.”
He smiled and bowed.
“Good evening miss Sakura.”
Mary giggled with a slightly uncomfortable smile.
“I haven’t been called by my family name in a very long time.”
“As your driver this evening, and a friend of miss Akinomiya, I wouldn’t imagine not.”
Mary then realized she’d stepped into a world she hadn’t known before.
“Thank you, Mister Ichihara.”
Mister Ichihara bowed again.
“It is my pleasure.”
He gestured to the open car door.
“Shall we be on our way?”
Kaede began picking up the hems of her robe and kimono.
“Kaede, let me help you.”
Mary held the back of her robe up enough for her to step into the car. She set the fabric at Kaede’s feet, so it wouldn’t get caught in the door when it closed.
“You’re clothes are very beautiful, but such a long outer robe might not be so good for travel.”
Kaede giggled.
“Mister Ichihara suggests the same thing also.”
Mary blushed, realizing how close circumstance had brought her to Kaede.
“Sorry.”
Kaede felt her cheeks grow hot.
“Thanks for your help.”
A gust of breeze found its way into the car, reminding them of where they were.
“I’ll open the door for you on the other side Miss Sakura.”
“R- right, sorry.”
She stood up straightening her jacket, embarrassed that she’d forgotten about the driver.
He closed the door, and she followed as he opened the other side’s.
“It’s quite alright Miss, please think of me as not even being present.”
He gestured towards the interior of the sedan.
“Please enjoy your evening with Miss Akinomiya.”
Mary was struck by his attentiveness and subtly.
“Thank you, Mister Ichihara.”
The door closed with a soft thud. Which, itself was even graceful and well-timed.
She looked around at the pristine interior of the car, two roses sat in a small vase between them.
“That’s a little embarrassing.”
“I- is this normal?”
Kaede held a hand to her cheek, trying to hide the color they were.
“They’re usually a seasonal arrangement, not Roses.”
Mary picked up one of the Roses, admiring the vibrancy of the color.
“This is amazing.”
“I was hoping there wouldn’t be any, I didn’t want to seem so gaudy.”
Mary saw then the embarrassment in Kaede’s eyes, and it began to make sense.
“It’s not gaudy. I- It’s...”
Kaede closed her eyes, as if bracing for a scolding.
“Beautiful.”
Kaede opened her eyes, it still looking away from Mary.
“Your family is affluent?”
Kaede slowly nodded her head, almost shamefully.
“I was hoping not to appear so spoiled. People... often find it insulting.”
“Why?”
Kaede’s expression changed to surprise. She finally looked towards Mary who was holding out a Rose.
“For you.”
Kaede hesitantly took the flower.
“But, I’m not those people, right?”
