Misunderstandings, part two {Chapter 2}

[dd]

What's next? Kaname wonders about Sousuke's behavior. Sousuke wonders what Kaname knows that he doesn't.
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The sun shined, fully visible. The air was fresh with a slight chill. The tosswork of puddles dotting the ground were the only sign of the previous night's storm. Kaname easily avoided the pools of water while striding happily and forcefully along the avenue.

"Yes! Such a wonderful day!" she exclaimed to no one in particular.

The preparations for the upcoming trip were finished, and her classmates would once again see why it was fortunate that SHE was the student class representative in charge of such matters! She could image the cheers and looks of admiration. Yes, this should be quite a wonderful day. Not even Sousuke could ruin it.

The thought of Sousuke caused her to slow her pace, then stop. Where WAS Sousuke?

Looking behind her, Kaname saw that individual---twenty paces behind her---moving silently as ever, stepping where she had stepped.
Why had he gone back to the nostalgic Sousuke Distance? Hadn't she---with considerable effort---cured him of that habit?!!

"SOUSUKE! Couldn't...You...Please...Walk..Up...Here...With...Me?!!" Kaname growled, brow deeply furrowed.

Kaname was puzzled by his lack of response. Her puzzlement rapidly became annoyance. She had expected the usual "It's not a problem." He could at least offer some lame excuse.

"Earth to Sousuke! Base calling Sgt. Sagara!" Kaname called out sarcastically. Still no reply.

"Ah! I think some of the puddles are looking at me crossly. I may be in some danger up here alone!" She chuckled at her own corny joke.

Still no response. And, no shortening of the distance between them. Kaname's puzzlement was now mixed with a growing level of concern. Had she done something to upset him? Had she done something to hurt him personally?

"S o u s u k e, if I did something that bothered you, I'm sorry! Can't we just get things back to normal---or what we agreed to call normal?"

The continued silence became a challenge to her. She must figure out the cause! What had she done yesterday that could have prompted Sousuke to act this way?

She HAD been rather free with the halisen, but he HAD deserved it: the explosion in the gym...the ambush of the ersatz soldier in the school play rehearsal...the flying tackle of the hirsute visiting school superintendant.

Kaname chuckled wickedly, picturing the latter event, remembering Sousuke's less than successful apology: "I apologize. The walk was that of a Master Mechanic. Facial hair too. It could have been a disguise. I will trust your word."

He had not understood why his amiable promise that he would not insist on the need for a buccal smear, full body CT scan, and multifactorial psychological examination was not accepted with similar sentiment.

And he was not pleased to learn that he had earned the opportunity to clean garbage cans after school for the next 5 days.

Garbage? That could be the answer. Garbage!

Yesterday, trusty memo in hand, she had detailed the assignment for next week's excursion---she had given Sousuke garbage duty again. She had simply used the same list she had drawn up for the memorable trip that had ended in abduction and escape. She had jokingly said that his selection was because he 'had experience with the job.'

Could he resent her for giving him that task again? Could he think she was making a joke about the punishment resultant from the episode with the Superintendant?!!

"You know Sousuke, I shouldn't have assigned you garbage collection for the school trip. Let me change that. You should be in charge of security. That is where your true talent lies. And I want to give you whatever opportunity I can to use your skills here." She smiled, even though he still did not reply.

"Let that sink in, he'll be happy, and things would be back to where they usually were. Another challenge met, and another brilliant solution!" she thought. Her brilliance stepped up a notch. "Sousuke. Do not make any plans tonight. I will stop by and cook you dinner!"

Kaname's face brightened, and she began to whistle happily as she picked up her pace and sped towards school. It was going to be a good day, and she wanted to start it as soon as possible.

Sousuke watched Kaname stride quickly away. He forced himself to match a speed that certainly did not fit his own mood.

He wondered about Kaname's statements and her protean affect. Was she angry with him? Did she feel he was not doing his duty correctly? She must know he was a specialist, andby now should realize that his judgment had been shown to be unquestionable. In most instances. In many instances.

If this were to be the last day at Jindai Highschool---or one of a few remaining days---he must be certain NOT to fail. He would give it his best. No mistakes. A proper field of fire was required at all times. There could be no distractions!

After a series of steps---twenty five if he had counted correctly---Souske examined the other factor in his behavior.

He was confused. He was uncertain. Kaname figured prominently in his jumbled thoughts.

Sousuke did not know what he wanted to do, or what he wanted to say. He definitely did not judge hiself fit to take part in a conversation at that given time.

Kaname's words this morning did not help to sort out the tangle---if anything, they made things worse! Sousuke examined each point in turn.

Why was today such a beautiful day?

Why would base be calling?

"Could she know about the fax, and know more than I do?" he wondered.

Was she mocking him and his duty when she mentioned the puddles?

But, hadn't she sounded concerned? Didn't she say she wanted things to be back to normal between them? At this time, his being here was the norm.

"But, what point was she trying to make about opportunity?" he mused.

Had she meant that there was diminishing time for opportunities?

What should he make of her offer of dinner? Was her cheerfulness a sign of comradery? Or, was she celebrating the fact that he might soon be gone? Was this her way of saying thank you...thank you and good bye...or thank you and good riddance?

Sousuke was struck by a point of coincidence. The last time that Kaname had brought dinner by, Captain Testarossa had been at his apartment.

The Captain had sent the fax.

Was he to leave soon? Did Kaname know? Was she happy?