Chapter 14: Tea time
By the time we arrived home it was already 5 P.M. Kami had forced me to make a few stops at a store to pick up some things for her to cook with, even though I had told her I wasn't hungry. "Well, if you're not hungry, then I guess It's not for you." She said it in a passive aggressive tone. I could tell that she was angry about something, and I knew exactly what.
"Are you really that mad about me declining to join the student council?" However, Kami simply shook her head, her expression reading, "Not now." After we had purchased everything, we headed home. Our house was a fairly average, if not on the larger side. It was two stories tall and surrounded by a modest yard and gate. There was a small bed Japanese's roses that lined to front walls of house, framed nicely by the light blue color of the home's walls. There were also two separate roofs, one for the actual house, and one that covered the garage section of the home, which was a rectangular shaped portion connected to the main home. At the front, there were 2 windows on the first floor, and five on the second. There were no cars in the driveway, nor was there any in the garage. It could be considered a very modest, yet beautiful home.
However, if it was up to our parents, we probably would have been living in a much grander estate. They were adamant that it was what Kami deserved; however, she had told them with a sort of cold expression, "I'll be fine in a regular home. I'm not some sort of princess. Besides, I want to try and live an average life." Had it not been for that, our parents would have purchased the largest home they could find, and most definitely would have had the interior specifically designed for her. I paused in front of the door for a few seconds, staring at it.
"How long are you going to stare at our front door for? Do you want to start making out with it?" Kami asked impatiently. Her irritation seemed to have only grown.
"Maybe." I grabbed the keys from under the blue and green welcome mat (cliche, I know), before slowly bringing them up to the lock and twisting. As soon as the click of the keys unlocking the front door could be heard, an electric panel popped out of the door. A small light began to flash from it. I leaned forward, allowing the light to scan my eye. Once the panel light up green, the panel retreated back into the door, and I opened it.
The interior of the house looked just as modest as the exterior. As soon as you stepped in, you first saw the living room, which consisted of three black fur couches, that assembled themselves around a coffee table which had a vase of flowers on it. There was also a Tv. Just a few feet away was a wooden dining table that occupied most of the wide room. You could also see the kitchen from there, which was fairly large, fitting a refrigerator, oven/stove, and also dishwasher with other cupboards for ingredients and miscellaneous items. Next to the staircase, you could see two other rooms, as well as the pantry and the bathroom. The dark blue walls lined with paintings and pictures. The biggest one, was a portrait of Kami done when she was little. Our mother had insisted that we take it, though she was undoubtedly sad to part with it. The portrait was done by a magnificent artist and captured Kami perfectly. She was dressed in a white dress with a blow ribbon at the neck. She was wearing the same butterfly earrings that she wore now. The artist had done a perfect job at catching the curious and innocent, yet thoughtful and contemplative look she had in her eyes.
Drawing my eyes away from the painting and instead towards the clock, I noticed that it was 5:15. 15 minutes late. She's going to be more than a little bit discontent. Fuck, she might even take this into her own hands.... I shivered at that thought. No point in keeping her waiting any longer. I slipped off my blazer, beginning to walk towards the stairs that lead to the second floor, where my room was. I prayed that Kami would forget what she wanted to talk about and just let me go, however my prayers were not answered. Just as I made it to the first step of the staircase, Kami's ice-cold voice stopped me.
"Brother. We have to talk." This was not a request. it was a demand.
I turned around reluctantly. "I'm guessing this is about what happened in the student council's room?" Kami didn't even bother to dignify that question with an answer. Instead, she gestured towards the table.
"Take a seat. I'll pour some tea."
"I'll be okay, really." She also knows I hate tea.
She ignored me, walking to the kitchen. I sighed, resigning myself. There was no way that I could win this battle. I took a seat at the head of the table, place my blazer on my lap. A few minutes later, Kami walked out of the kitchen, with two steaming hot cups of tea in her hand. She placed one down next to me, and I gave her my thanks. She then deliberately walked all the way over to the seat directly across from me, on the other side of the table. She sat down, not even bothering to blow on her tea, drinking it steaming. She remained silent.
"So exactly how mad are you at me?"
"How mad do you think I am?" She still didn't bother to look up at me.
"Listen, you of all people know why I had to declin-"
"Know? What exactly do I know?"
I paused, taking a sip of the tea. It wasn't like her tea was bad, I just couldn't stand tea at all. "My mission was laid out to me before I came here. Joining the student council doesn't align with that mission."
"So, this mission has taken your free will?" Her words were biting, and her gaze was harsh. I could hear the point she was making loud; however, I knew that it didn't matter. Things that came to me never mattered.
"Listen, I don't want you to do that again, okay? Doing things on my behalf. I'm perfectly fine with fading away into the background. I only have one job." I set the cup down on the table.
"Nonsense." I could feel Kami's anger rising. "You're perfectly fine with being left behind? Don't give me that crap. And don't do things on your behalf? If I don't vouch for you, who will?"
I still didn't completely understand what she was trying to get at, but I didn't have time. I downed the rest of the tea. "Thank you. However, this is the end. I said what I said. Whether you like it or not, that's the truth of things. It's up to you whether you want to accept it, or not."
I stood up from my seat and began walking up the stairs. I could feel Kami glares burning holes into my back.
"Dumbass."
I sighed.