“POOR dear! Is everything okay?” Although it sounded like the question was directed toward Satsuki, Alice’s eyes were fixed on the retainer who opened the door to the private suite.
“Thank you for asking... She seems to be doing much better,” Shindo answered with a smile, but it was too dazzling for Alice to behold directly. Flushing, she turned away to look at the center of the room.
Realizing that Satsuki was staring intently at her from the sofa placed smack in the center of the room, she hastily dropped her head in apology. “S-Satsuki, I am so sorry... Honest to God, I mean it!”
Satsuki tilted her head quizzically as she asked, “Why do you owe me an apology?”
“Because of all those rude things Kaido did...”
At the mention of “all those rude things,” Satsuki instantly realized Alice was referring to the young man on the motorcycle.
Shindo slammed the door shut and asked unusually assertively, “Who was that boy? Do you know him?”
Those questions must have been eating at Shindo. But rather than offer an answer, Alice flashed her eyes up at Shindo before falling into pained silence. Alice held Shindo in the highest regard. Whatever it was, she was having trouble bringing herself to confess it before the man she admired.
“He...is my fiancé,” she finally admitted.
“Your fiancé?” Shindo asked.
Alice bit her bottom lip hard. It was obvious just by looking at her how badly she pined after Shindo, irritating Satsuki to a degree.
“Alice, don’t just stand there. Come join me,” Satsuki offered. Rather than submit to that irritation, she gave Alice a smile. Making room for her opposite of where Shindo sat earlier, she motioned for her classmate to come sit at her side.
Alice frantically waved her hands across her bosom while swiveling her head from side to side. “I-I can’t! I only came on behalf of the class to check on you... Everyone wanted to come, but we couldn’t have a huge crowd intrude when you’re up here trying to get some rest... That’s why the teacher designated me to come as the class representative. I really should be going now...”
“Really? I wish you’d stay. Now that I’m starting to feel better, I’m getting a bit bored. Couldn’t you stay and offer me company for a little while? Please? You don’t mind, do you, Shindo?” Satsuki inquired with a smile, intentionally shifting the conversation to Shindo at the end.
Shindo threw such a radiant smile at Alice, it made her want to burst into tears. “Please stay for a spell, Miss Misakimori. If you would be so kind, could you please share some of your precious time with Miss Satsuki?”
“Uh, well, if I’m not a bother...”
“I shall go prepare some beverages. But first, if I may,” Shindo said and naturally scooped Alice’s hand as he began leading her to Satsuki’s side. This was the first time someone escorted her in a way that felt natural and pleasant. Compounded by the fact it was done by the man she admired, the swirl of happiness and embarrassment made her want to cry.
Alice wasn’t the only one who wanted to cry. Satsuki’s heart was also ready to burst into tears. It was sheer agony watching Shindo lead another lady by the hand. The sadness and pain were overwhelming, but Satsuki balled her hands into fists over her knees as she endured the torment.
“Is something the matter?” Shindo asked. Upon helping Alice ease onto the sofa next to Satsuki, he noticed she wasn’t quite herself.
Shindo knelt on one knee before her and lightly placed his hands on her balled fists. Under a mask that hid her pain, Satsuki looked at Shindo. Finding eyes that only reflected her, Satsuki’s heart was finally able to calm down once more.
“Um...are you sure you don’t feel ill...?” Alice asked. Noticing Satsuki wasn’t her usual self, Alice started to rise from the sofa. But having regained her composure, Satsuki tapped the girl’s arm and gave her a reassuring smile.
“That’s not it. I’m fine. I’m just a bit thirsty... Shindo, if you would be so kind,” she ordered.
“Certainly. Would you like something cold?”
“Yes, please.”
Upon seeing Satsuki smile, Shindo withdrew to the back of the room. Facilities were installed in the suite for preparing drinks and finger foods.
“Truth be told, Alice, this has been on my mind all morning,” Satsuki said with the events of that morning replaying in her mind as she leaned slightly toward her classmate, “but didn’t you call that boy from earlier ‘Kaido’? By any chance, is he from the Kaidos...?”
“Yes, I believe you’re probably thinking of the right family...” Alice affirmed and further elaborated on Satsuki’s implied question. “He is the president of Kaido Financial Group’s son. His name is Takemi Kaido... He has three older brothers, making him the fourth son...”
“But I heard the fourth son has been studying in America for years,” Satsuki interrupted.
“He suddenly came back. Although he’s our age, he skipped several grades while in America. Supposedly he’s already earned his B.A. I heard he was going to stay abroad for a bit longer, so his sudden return was...surprising...for me as well.”
Seeing that Alice truly was surprised, Satsuki smiled wryly. “Aren’t you his fiancée? You should welcome him back with open arms!”
But hearing this only made Alice look more troubled as she explained, “Including today, I’ve still only ever met Kaido three times.”
“Only three times?”
“During my third year of junior high, our parents suddenly arranged the engagement. We met twice during that process. Then he went to study abroad, and I never saw him after that. I have no idea when he got back, or what brought him here today...” Alice finished.
Takemi Kaido’s hushed questioned swirled in Satsuki’s mind: “Do they still plague you...?”
It was as if he knew... Does he know I have powers? But that’s impossible...
In the back of the room, Shindo overheard the whole story.