Daigo Yamashita (aniki_daigo) wrote in tiberiusswann, @ 2009-08-21 05:45:00 |
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Entry tags: | daigo, katie |
Monday 12/24/07
Who: Daigo, Katie
Where: Yamashita estate
When: Morning
What: A trip to Japan for the holidays
Warnings: Cute
Sunday night the plane had arrived, as predestined, at 7PM. Daigo helped Katie off of the plane and through the crowd of the airport in Tokyo, one hand pulling a large suitcase behind him while the other held a tiny cellphone up to the side of his face. He was talking in Japanese very quickly, sometimes saying some things in English. Several times he had said "Katie," as the person on the other end clearly had not heard him. When he was finished he turned and looked to his companion while still walking through the crowd. The phone was stashed and he took her hand, so as to not lose her.
"The car is at the East exit, B," he told her. "We'll get there and go home. Sakeme went and got Sousuke today so we wouldn't have to." Honestly, Daigo was relieved they didn't have to drive two more hours North, spend an undetermined amount of time convincing the stuck-up brother to come home, and then drive an hour back to Niigata. "The ride to our house is about forty minutes from here. You can sleep if you want." Smiling, he looked around before fixing his grip on Katie's hand so it was not too tight, but he wanted to make sure she was still with him. The holiday's were always busy in Tokyo.
The drive went quickly, though quietly, and after getting their things inside and talking briefly with his family, Daigo excused himself politely and took Katie to the guest room. When he finally got to his bedroom just down the hall, he crashed. He'd been awake on the plane for the majority of the trip for he knew how jetlag worked his body. It was just easier to live through it. But in the next morning when he awoke, he felt pretty good. The morning was calm and uneventful as one by one his family came out of their rooms. He was watching the news by the time everyone was out, though Nana constantly was asking when Katie was going to wake up.
"She'll get up when she gets up," he told his youngest sister, first in Japanese, then in English to spite her. Nana actually had pretty good English, though it was not nearly as fluid as Daisuke's or as vocab intense as Daigo's.
---
The plane flight to Japan felt longer than Katie had imagined it to be. She had dozed a little during the flight. However, when the reached the airport she was exhausted from the trip. She followed Daigo through the airport carrying her suitcase with her. He was talking on the phone and she heard her name a couple of times. She wondered who he was talking to. The airport was big and very crowded. She almost lost him at one point in the crowd. He seemed to sense this, and when his phone conversation was over he reached for her hand. She gratefully took his hand not wanting to get lost.
Katie was relieved that they did not have to go get his brother as previously planned. She felt like she could sleep for a week. He told her that she could sleep in the car on the way to the house, but though she was tired she couldn't close her eyes. She wanted to see as much of the country as she could in the forty minute drive. Winter had settled on it like a well loved blanket and made everything soft and beautiful. That is what Katie loved the most about the snow, the peacefulness of it.
When they arrived at the house, Daigo helped her get her suitcase inside and then went to speak with his family. After a few moments he showed her to the guest room. She loved the room. It was inviting and comfortable. When Daigo left to his own room, Katie changed into her night clothes, a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. She then called her father to let him know that she had arrived safely. Then she called her mother to repeat the same information. Her mom wanted to know all about the trip out, so Katie told her. By the time she hung up her mind was fuzzy from fatigue. She passed out as soon as her head hit the pillow. When she awoke in the morning she felt a little more rested, but not fully. She had never dealt with jet lag this bad before. She dressed quickly in a long skirt and soft light blue sweater. Then she ran a brush through her hair.
She was really really nervous about meeting Daigo's family. Swallowing deeply she left the room and went looking for Daigo, hoping he was up already. She followed the sounds of conversation until she arrived at the room it was coming from. She stopped in the doorway briefly scanning the people inside the room. Her eyes fell on Daigo and lit up happily. She started over to him smiling. "Good morning. I feel like the laziest person in the house."
---
In the large living area of the home, Daigo sat on the floor under a table that was roughly 5-foot-square with a blanket hanging off the bottom near the sides. These tables (kotatsu) were miracles in the winter when it was cold. Nana was tapping her manicured nails away at the keys on her laptop across from her brother, Daisuke sat across the room reading A Clockwork Orange, and Sakeme had just stepped into the room with a tray of tea and coffee. Their mother and father were out of the room, for the time being.
"Good morning," said Daigo with a smile as he looked up in time to see Katie head toward him, that look in her eyes. It was just a little thing but he thought she looked especially lovely when she got excited, even for a moment. Nana giggled as she saw the redhead in the door and threw a pen across the room at her brother. Daisuke looked up, moving his headphones off of his ears and around his neck.
"Ne! Kawaii desu ne!"* commented Sakeme as she put down the tray. Sousuke looked as unamused as ever in the corner where he was reading a newspaper.
"Iie. Kirei desu yo."* Daisuke grinned as he put aside his readings to grab a cup of coffee, walking over to Katie on the way. "Would you like a drink?" he asked her kindly, though his Ls sounded like Rs. Daigo put a hand over his face.
They couldn't even let her wake up, could they?
[*= "Oh! Cute!" // "No. Beautiful."]
---
Katie looked a little puzzled at the table. She had never seen anything like it before. It looked interesting though. She glanced at the other occupants of the room nervously. She wondered which each of them was. She had heard so much about his family, she wondered if she could guess. The one off to the side reading must be Sousuke, his brother who got too wrapped up in work. He seemed very stern. Which would make this other one Daisuke, the brother who is studying in Wisconsin. She looked between the two girls trying to figure them out. Ah! the one on the laptop must be Nana, which left the one bringing in drinks to be Sakeme. She hoped that she had them all right, she would wait for introductions to be sure.
Daigo looked great this morning as he lounged under the table. Was there a time when he didn't look great? She didn't think so. Katie was completely smitten with the guy. For a minute the other people in the room didn't exist. Then the girl with the laptop, who was possibly Nana giggled and brought her back to the present.
Katie had no idea what they were talking about. However she had the strange feeling that they had just passed judgment on her and she didn't know what it was. She flushed slightly. Her eyes found Daigo's and she relaxed again. She was here to spend time with him, she just hoped whatever his brother and sister said was kind. She didn't know why she wanted so much to be liked by these people.
When his brother offered her a drink she stopped and considered for a moment. Which beverage would be to her advantage to drink this morning. She liked both tea and coffee. She was still tired so she opted for the coffee, to see if it would assist in waking her up. "Could I have some coffee please?" She asked softly while looking for a place to sit.
---
Helping Katie sit, holding out a hand to guide her down to an open space beside him at the table while another hand held up the blanket, Daigo chuckled. She looked embarrassed, perhaps nervous, and it was all too attractive. As she got settled in, he let go of the blanket. It was warm under the table, as the heater was built right in. So comfortable.
"Katie," began Daigo as a hand motioned around the room from one sibling to another. "This is Nana, the youngest, Daisuke, second youngest, Sakeme, third oldest, and Sousuke, second eldest." Three of the four smiled at her and bowed slightly in greeting. Sakeme poured a mug of coffee and put it down in front of Katie with a second smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said before sitting down neatly at a side of the table. Sousuke continued to say nothing as he read the paper. Rude as always. Daigo shook his head before turning to look at Katie.
"Do you want breakfast?" he asked. "Our mother is working on it in the kitchen."
---
Katie took Daigo's hand to help her sit next to him. She settled her legs under the table comfortably. When Daigo lowered the blanket back down she was cozy and warm. This table was a very interesting contraption. She was impressed with the genius of it. She looked around at the room now. It was a large room, but it looked very inviting. She felt at home just sitting in the room.
Katie nodded at each person as they were introduced. She had gotten them all right in her head. She was secretly pleased about that. It meant that she was observant enough to tell them apart, with Daigo's descriptions. They all seemed to be very friendly except for Sousuke, who hadn't even acknowledged her presence. She wouldn't let his standoffish behavior have any effect on her. For all she knew he was like that to everyone.
She accepted the coffee with a warm smile. "Thank you," She told Sakeme. She sipped the coffee and sighed happily. It was really good coffee. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you as well. Daigo has told me much about you."
Katie turned to look at Daigo, smiling brightly. "Breakfast would be lovely. However, the coffee is wonderful for right now."
---
Looking at the coffee in her hand, Daigo smiled. "Glad you like it," he said. "I know Japanese and American coffee isn't quite the same." He picked up a cup and poured himself some tea, drinking it slowly. "Mom will bring out the meal when it's done." He was content to just sit there in silence, but Nana was not. Nana was rarely a quiet individual when she wasn't focused on studying for her exams.
"Katie, what do you like about Daigo? Isn't he boring?" she asked, leaning over on an elbow as she tipped her laptop screen half closed. "All he ever talks about to us is paperwork and business. If you've gotten any good conversation out of him, I'm shocked." She giggled, knowing her English was probably broken in some parts. For the sake of Katie, Daigo repeated what she said in some places, and filled in the gaps in others. Eventually, their house guest was given a full sentence that Daigo could only sigh at.
"If you knew how important it was," said Sakeme wisely. "You wouldn't call it boring. I'm sure he thought it was important." Daisuke laughed as he heard this--leave it to the eldest sister to be the owl in the family. "Yeah. Important enough to put me to sleep."
---
The coffee seems to be brewed stronger than the coffee that she has had before in America, but it is delicious in it's darkness. She wonders for a moment if Nox would like this kind of coffee too. She feel a pang of regret that she wouldn't be spending this first Christmas with the father she just found. However, being here with Daigo was the next best thing to being with her father. She let her hand fall lightly on Daigo's, hoping that it was okay to do so. Then she turned her attention to Nana, who was now firing questions at her faster than Katie could follow.
Katie pondered for a moment before answering. "I like his sense of humor," she said lightly. "I enjoy just spending time with him, he is a very relaxing person to be around." She blushed a little at her words. "All the conversations I get out of him are good ones," she said laughing a little, "though he does tend to talk about all of you quite a bit." Katie took another sip of her coffee, as she pondered what to say next. "Some things that are important to one person do not hold the same importance for everyone. So no one can truly judge how important something really is." Ugh, Katie thought to herself, did I really just say that? There I go again. This is why mom always says I am older than my years.
She suddenly found her coffee cup very interesting. peering into the dark liquid. She wondered what Daigo's mother was making for breakfast. She didn't know much about what they ate in Japan. The closest she had ever gotten to Japanese cuisine was the sushi and teppan place down the street from her house in Seattle. She was eager to learn more about the culture, and customs here.
---
The younger two siblings seemed to be fascinated with Katie's answer and looked at each other, nodding and discussing amongst themselves in Japanese. It wasn't that they were trying to keep their thoughts from her, it was just easier and faster this way when they spoke in their native tongue. At one point, Daigo laughed before his long leg extended and kicked Daisuke under the table.
"Don't say those kinds of things," said the eldest as he held Katie's hand lightly. "Just because she can't understand you doesn't mean it's not rude." He was speaking in English, of course, because he had the ability to do so. Nana made a face before going back to her computer for the moment, though her eyes kept flicking between her oldest brother and his guest. Meanwhile, Daigo turned half in his seat to look at Katie. She was staring at the cup. Aw.
"Don't mind those two," he told her quietly. "They're just excited to meet someone ne-"
"Does she know you can do that thing you do?" asked Daisuke. Sakeme threatened to hit him with the teapot. She always had a bit of a temper on her, one that flared and settled in a matter of seconds. Her peeves were cutting someone off or being stupid. Typically Daisuke fit the bill every day and always got a whack as a child. Now that Sakeme lived at school he was spared until the holidays. "She has to know. They go to the same school."
---
Katie had no idea what they were saying and it worried her a bit. her eyes kept moving between the two of them as they spoke. She was definitely going to have to learn the language, just so she'd be able to keep up. She whispered to Daigo, "Do I want to know what they are saying?" She felt Daigo shift slightly before he kicked his brother. She looked up a little shocked.
She looked back and forth between the brothers wondering what exactly was said. She turned puzzled eyes toward Daigo hoping he could explain. Then she looked back to her cup. He'd explain if it was something he thought she should know, she was sure. What was confusing her more than the different language was the family dynamics. She was an only child so she had no idea what to expect from a large family. They interacted very oddly. Was this how all families acted or just his? She looked up when Daigo turned to her and smiled shyly.
Katie nodded then jumped slightly at the new question aimed at Daigo.
"Yes I know that thing he does," she responded. looking wide eyed at the threat of violence. This was a very strange family. Daisuke didn't seem to mind the threat though, in fact he was smiling at his sister. "I found out what he does, maybe 3 days after I arrived at the school? I cannot remember the exact day."
---
Shaking his head lightly, though he was smirking, he replied with a soft "no." Though he did take a moment to elaborate. "Not unless you really want to. But it's not something that should be discussed at the table." His voice hinted at something that was really not appropriate for casual conversation, at least not in his opinion. Daigo figured Katie was very smart and that she'd be able to figure it out. Though, no doubt, one of the two troublemakers would voice their question sooner or later.
Daigo liked to think his family was just strange. He was sure not all of them were as bizarre as his own. It seemed each member had their own personality that gelled together and yet also barred behind walls. Definitely odd.
"Ohhh." Daisuke nodded as he waved off Sakeme, smiling lightly. It was such a common occurrence once upon a time he didn't really mind. He had built up a tolerance, per say. "So they talk about it openly? Hmm." The boy seemed to be in his own little world and for the moment, there was peace and quiet.
"So," said the eldest after a short while, looking at Katie. "These are my siblings." And this was why he moved to America?
---
No Katie really didn't want to know, especially if it was not appropriate conversation for the table. She was just a little more weary now about what Daigo's siblings would say when they actually decided to speak in English. "I guess I should be grateful then that I can't understand them," she whispered back. She smiled shyly at Daigo. He was still holding her hand and she intertwined her fingers with his. She was still sleepy and wanted to lay her head on his shoulder, but didn't dare. She didn't want to know what his brother and sisters would say to that.
Katie's family for most of her life consisted of just her and her mother. She did have some friends but she hardly ever went over to their homes. She had always felt out of place in homes that had both parents. This was something she blamed her mother for now. Knowing that she could have had her father her whole life and was denied by her mother. There were very few things that deeply disturbed Katie, and lying was the biggest. She was deeply amused by the family dynamics here. She felt oddly comfortable with Daigo's family, she was starting to make out each one's personalities.
"I am not sure how open other people are about what they are or do. I just recently discovered my heritage and that is why I am attending the school. I will start classes after the winter break." Katie shrugged, "It feels strange to be back in school again." Katie fell silent again, sipping on her coffee. She enjoyed the silence for a moment before Daigo spoke again.
Katie smiled at Daigo. "They seem to be amusing." Katie said softly.
---
Shrugging lightly, Daigo only smiled. If she had really wanted to know he would have told her, but it was probably easiest not to know. He figured she'd have gotten embarrassed or some such thing if he told her. No doubt the two would ask eventually, though it would probably come out of Nana's mouth later when she got Katie alone. Those two were not only troublemakers, but crafty, wicked demons. They could have been kitsune like Damien, or destructive demons like Cassie. Katie was a special sort of demon who did not seem to enjoy causing trouble. Daigo liked that.
Daisuke nodded at Katie as she spoke, a hand on his chin as he looked highly contemplative. "I see," he said. "Well, if I were gifted I'd tell everyone." He nodded again while speaking, smiling as he shifted in his seat.
"You wouldn't have a gift," commented Daigo dryly in English. "You're too special as it is." Nana giggled as she put her laptop away, hearing their mother beginning to shuffle out of the kitchen area and down the hall. When the woman made her way in, Sakeme assisted her in putting the tray down as their father came in with a second tray of food. Fish, rice, various vegetables, and more tea gathered upon the trays. Daigo smiled, happy to have something other than cereal for breakfast. Not that cereal or bagels were bad, he merely missed the occasional Japanese meal. Their mother did not make this kind of thing every day! Only on special occasions.
"Good morning," said the old woman as she set the tray down and looked at Katie. "Welcome to our home. It's a pleasure to have you." Daigo translated as his mother went, amused and humbled that Katie was willing to put up with all of this. It felt a little like it might be a hassle.
---
Katie was not one to cause trouble. In fact she didn't like calling much attention to herself at all. Mostly it was habit, from not knowing what she was for her whole life. She hadn't wanted to call attention to herself just in case someone noticed something different about her. Besides she just wasn't the getting into trouble type. She never had a rebellious stage growing up. All reasons why her mother always told her she was older than her years. Her mother always joked that she was going on middle aged.
Katie smiled at Daisuke, "I have no doubts about your ability to tell as many people as you could find to listen. Probably some who wouldn't listen as well." She laughed a little.
Katie watched as the lady she could only assume was Daigo's mother brought in a tray of food followed by... his father? bringing in a second tray. She looked curiously at the assortment of foods. It seemed like an interesting variety, and Katie was always willing to try new things. She had no idea how meals went out her though. She decided to wait for a bit to see what everyone else did. She didn't want to offend anyone by not knowing the customs. Involuntarily she tightened her hold on Daigo's hand slightly.
"Good morning," Katie responded politely, "Thank you very much for allowing me into your beautiful home. It is a pleasure to meet you." Katie didn't think that it was a hassle at all. It was interesting, and also a learning experience. She was very glad she came.
---
The brothers laughed with Katie as she did, Daigo finding it a little more funny than Daisuke because he knew what it was like to try to tell "normal" people about supernatural things. Most people did not want to accept the fact that there were magical and frightening people out there with the ability to be someone else, to control them with their mind, or actually cause chaos on a whim. It was easier to not believe than it was to accept the fact that they did exist.
Squeezing Katie's hand for comfort, Daigo only took his hand back for a moment to put it on his lap and lean forward slightly. He translated for their guest with ease and his mother, Mariko. She smiled and introduced herself, "I am Mariko and this is my husband, Yuka." A slender, soft-looking hand motioned toward the man who had come up beside Mariko and sat down on his knees. Daigo looked like a younger, rather handsome version of his father, but he definitely had his mother's eyes. His parents were not very old, on their way toward their sixties, and still looked well. They had good health and were thankful for it.
"Please enjoy the meal," said Yuka, who had a thick voice. At some point in their brief conversation, Sousuke had gotten up and moved over to the table to eat. With everyone around the breakfast, six of the seven Japanese members picked up their chopsticks and muttered something that sounded like "go-chi-su-sama." Daigo spoke in English for Katie's benefit and said "thank you for the meal" before holding the chopsticks in his hand.
"Do you know how to use chopsticks?" he asked after a pause, having forgotten to ask.
---
Katie watched as the family sat around the table. She listened to Daigo's translations, and responded, "I'm Katie." She could see the family resemblance in all the members around the table. She felt very much like the odd person out and looked to Daigo for guidance on what to do. She noticed that Sousuke had joined the family for the meal. It was a very intimate gathering, everyone here together at the one table. "It looks lovely," She replied, regarding the meal in front of them.
She watched as everyone picked up chopsticks and gave their thanks for the meal. When Daigo asked her if she knew how to use the chopsticks, she smiled at him. "Yes, I know how to use chopsticks, but I am probably quite clumsy at it compared to your family." She looked down at the chopsticks near her, but made no move to touch them just yet. She was still unsure as to how the breakfast was to be eaten.
She watched for a few minutes as Daigo's family began eating. Attempting to figure everything out. She felt a little nervous and was aware that Nana and Daisuke were probably watching her for any thing she may do that would be considered amusing. She glanced at Daigo to see what he was doing.
---
The parents smiled and nodded at Katie, repeating her name to memorize it. It was just something the two did. Four of the five children dove into the meal, but Daigo waited for Katie. When she didn't move he picked up her plate and put a little bit of everything on it.
"I hope this is okay?" he said, somewhat questionably as he worked, making sure to lay a slice of fish on last. When he was finish he set it back in front of her while reaching for his chopsticks and poising them in his hand with practiced ease. "I wouldn't worry about it. We do have a few forks if you want." Smiling, he picked up some of his fish and ate it. His mother watched curiously, almost nervously. While Yuka had already begun to eat, Mariko waited. She never ate until everyone else had taken their first bites.
"We have cereal, too, if you don't like fish this early. Or at all. I don't even think I thought to ask." Daigo made a face of concern at his stupidity, speaking quietly to Katie so the others could not hear. Still, they all watched the pair until Daigo looked up and asked them to stop staring like they were at the zoo.
---
Katie looked at the food that Daigo had set before her. It looked really good. "This is great," she said softly. She smiled at his mother, and picked up the chopsticks. "No thank you the chopsticks are fine." She looked at her plate wondering where to begin. She made a move to take some fish. She wasn't as fluent as using chopsticks as him, but she was pretty good at it. "This is fine, in fact it looks really good." She was immensely grateful to Daigo when he asked the others to stop watching them.
She picked up a piece of the fish and took a bite. Chewing slowly to savor the flavoring. When she had swallowed she smiled brightly at his mother saying, "This is delicious," and continued to try the rest of the food on the plate. It seemed to her that before she began eating, the others at the table had been waiting for something. Once she started though they seemed to pay more attention to their own meals. The food was wonderful. She had never had anything quite like it before, and was interested in knowing more about Japanese cooking than she had been previously. She wondered if she could find some recipes to try to learn.
After breakfast tummy satisfyingly full, she sat with a cup of tea. She offered to assist in cleaning up, but had been refused. Now she didn't know what to do with herself. Considering for a moment she watched everybody else go about their different activities. Katie excused herself briefly and went to her room, returning with a book moments later. She again sat near Daigo, and leaning on him lightly began to read.
---
Breakfast launched itself the instant she took a bite and deemed it delicious. Mariko smiled, happy, and began to eat, as did the others. The meal was content and quiet as they ate their full, paused and again put their hands together briefly and said thanks. Dishes were picked up and cleared quickly, easily, leaving the table to be used for other activity. Nana returned to her laptop once she finished with washing dishes, Daisuke began on his book again. Sousuke helped with picking up the trays without a word, going back to his newspaper in total silence. So far, he had said two words to anyone on this day and he had not even been talking to one of the house members.
When Daigo himself returned from clean up, he settled down and pulled out his own laptop. Everything was in Japanese. From his instant messengers to web browser, a Word-like document that he opened and the music player standing on pause in the bottom right corner. The only things in English were the URL bar at the top of the web page and a few buttons hanging around. He surfed the web a moment before pulling up the car company he had worked at prior to attending TJS.
When Katie returned, he smiled at her and shifted to allow her the most comfort possible. He couldn't remember the last time he had been so comfortable with one person in such a short amount of time. Not in the relationship-sense anyway. Friends, sure. He'd always made those easily. But this? No. This was by far different and better.
"Comfy?" he asked, looking over at her with a small smile. "My tapping isn't going to bother you, is it?"
Nana and Sakeme watched with envy as they peeked up from their respective laptop or magazine.
---
Katie sat quietly with her book. She smiled briefly at Daigo, " Nope won't bother me one bit," she murmured to him. His laptop was set up interestingly. Later she'd pull her's out and check on things. She promised her mother she would send her an e-mail every couple of days or so. It was her mother's nature to worry. For the time being however she was quite comfortable sitting and reading. The book she was reading was one from her favorite author. It was a fantasy fiction called, Belladonna. She loved all of the books by this author and she had read this one and the one that came before it a few times already. She was looking forward to the new book that was going to be released in March.
She read for a while, getting caught up in the book once more. Everything else faded into the background. Except for the feel of Daigo next to her. That was odd since typically when she was caught up in a good book she seldom noticed anything except for the world her imagination painted for her. However, she was always aware of Daigo there. Strangely this did not bother her one bit, as it seemed natural for her to be always aware of him when he was near. The thought made her smile as she continued reading.
Every so often she'd look up. A habit of hers that she had adopted once she found out how thoroughly she could tune out the world. So she'd pause every once in a while to make sure no one else was trying to talk to her. One of the times she looked up she thought she saw Nana looking at her. She couldn't figure out why she would be though and put the thought out of her mind. Looking over at Daigo she whispered, "So do you have anything you have to do today?"
---
Going to work, Daigo was happy to just let her read. If he had been reading himself, or watching television, he would have offered for her to lay down with her head on his lap. But since he had been on the computer, arms stretched out, it would not have been very comfortable for her. He would probably not notice.
Daigo knew the feeling of being absorbed in a good read, or in his case, work. So easily could he be sucked into paperwork and files that it took a clap to the shoulder to break him from the spell. He just liked what he did, it was calming despite the almost angry look he sometimes had on his face. That was how he concentrated and even now, tapping at the keys and typing furiously--in English, mind you--he looked a little bit angry or upset. None of his family seemed to notice.
Only having felt Katie move on his shoulder and hear her being to speak, he was luckily pulled out of his trance without looking too stupid. Blinking at her, Daigo had to pause and think before he shook his head. "No. This isn't very important and could probably be finished on the plane ride back, if I wanted to wait." He shrugged the shoulder she was not set upon. "Did you want to do anything?" he asked. For the moment, no one seemed to even care about their conversation.
---
Katie shrugged lightly, "I don't know what there is to do around here," she said softly. She glanced around. Everyone was going about their own tasks. It was relaxing with everyone absorbed in their own work. Katie was quite comfortable just sitting quietly here with Daigo. She would have been more comfortable if he stopped typing, but even the typing didn't bother her too much. Though she was still a bit tired from the trip out here. So a quiet day was perfect for her. "No, no, " She said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, "Finish your work, so you don't have to worry about it later. I'll just finish my book."
She held the book up slightly. If Daigo had noticed, where she had been in it when she had first started reading the book, he would have seen that she had been about a quarter of the way through it. Now she was three fourths of the way. Katie had always been a fast reader, and even though she could get through books very swiftly, she always retained what she had read. This was also why she had three more books in her suitcase. The morning passed quieter than it had began.
Katie finished her book and leaned against Daigo sleepily. She had no idea what time it was but it felt like it should either be a lot earlier, or a lot later than it actually was. At one point her eyes closed for a few moments, and she felt herself dozing off. Then her eyes flew back open. She wasn't too sure what had jerked her away from the sleep that she felt threatened to overcome her again. She looked around trying to figure it out.
---
The threat that had brought her back to the real world had been Daigo closing his laptop, perhaps a bit louder than he had intended. He had noticed Katie drifting into and out of sleep whenever he glanced down at her. She was too cute for words. Smiling softly, his hands helped propped her up as he stood, bending once he was on his feet to take her hands.
"You look like you could use a nap," he said while pulling her up with ease. He was a lot stronger than he looked, as though his collared shirts and slacks were some sort of rouse. No wonder Superman was so easily disguised.
"Come on," he coaxed. "I'll walk you back to your room so you can rest. The jetlag has set in." With a chuckle he added, "I could use a nap, myself."
---
Katie looked up at Daigo as he stood. She tried to contemplate the walk back to her room and couldn't. Then he offered to walk her there and it seemed a lot more doable at the moment. "Yes I could, " She replied yawning slightly. She grateful accepted his assistance up off of the floor. She didn't weigh a whole lot, so he was able to easily help lift her to a standing position. She stood for a second a little unsteadily as the exhaustion set in. She leaned on Daigo to steady herself, and then started to make her way to the room.
'Jet lag," she muttered, "bane of travelers everywhere." She laughed a little and then concentrated on not stumbling. Once she managed to make it to her room, she looked back at Daigo. She felt immensely shy for even thinking the next words that came out of her mouth. "Since you were going to nap as well, would you stay with me? I feel like I'd rest easier if you were here for some reason." She blushed furiously when she had finished speaking.
---
Smiling as he helped Katie down the hall, thinking she could have easily been drunk rather than tired, Daigo gently set her down at the bed. A nap sounded like a great idea the more and more he thought about it, too, and had yawned into his shoulder on the way down the hall. Once he had put Katie on the bed, however, he had turned and made it to the door before she called to him. He stopped, half-turning round on the balls of his feet with a hand on the doorjamb.
She wanted him to stay?
A brows raised as he grinned, watching her blush, head turning as he leaned out and looked down the hall. No one was watching, though he was sure Nana or Daisuke would come searching when one of the two, if not both, did not return. He had not mentioned they would be napping. Even so...
Daigo closed the door quietly, the door sliding shut with a light "shhht" across the floor before he locked a latch in place. Returning to the bed, he sighed as his hands and knees hit the mattress ready to crawl himself into place and collapse.
"Rest easy, Katie-chan." Smiling as he lowered himself to a comfortable spot on the bed, a hand reached out and pushed her hair away from her face.
---
It hadn't even occurred to her that his family may come looking for either of them. She was too tired for such thoughts in her head. She didn't notice him latch the door since her eyes kept closing. Jet lag, she though vaguely, evil thing. She had never in her life been so tired after traveling, but then she had never in her life traveled so far.
Katie turned her face into his hand as he brushed the hair from her face. She liked his touch. It made her feel comforted. Sleep pulled at her stronger now. She curled up next to Daigo, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. She was glad he stayed. He was a very relaxing and comforting person. She felt more peaceful with him there. She smiled softly, "Rest well Daigo." Then, surprising herself, she kissed him lightly.
She smiled gently at him as her eyes began to close. "If you wake up before me can you wake me as well?" She waited for an answer. Nodding a bit she cuddled up against Daigo, unconsciously and drifted off to sleep.
---
Returning her kiss, glad to be there, Daigo nodded in reply to her question. He would not be waking her up until she woke up on her own. Still, he probably wouldn't have been getting up any time soon, anyway. Her head on his shoulder was nice, and he put an arm over her as he rolled onto his side.
Closing his eyes, he fell asleep almost as soon as she had. Daigo had not realized just how tired he was until he got to lay down and fell the pillow under his head, hear Katie's breathing slow to a sweet rhythm in her sleep. This was nice. Definitely a good Christmas gift, if he did say so himself.