An Empty Shell

Chapter 14: A Few Adjustments

It would be a long way for them to get back to Kyoto city coming from Genkai's far-flung compound in the mountains. Shuichi and Hayami took a bus going to the capital to get to the main station for the bullet train. They have to take a total of 2  stations until they could  get to Kyoto. Shuichi decided to get them a bento meal for their lunch after buying their tickets. They were seated next to each other in the bullet train and Hayami was on the window seat. Shuichi offered this to her so she could have a restful sleep. The train ran smoothly in a speed of 320km/hr and the two were able to eat their meal and sleep without interruptions.
After some time, they finally arrived in Kyoto but they have to change stations to take a JR train this time to get to their place. It was on a weekday and the place was overcrowded with busy people, students and tourists, and the train was almost full that there were no more seats available for them. So they would have to remain standing and wait until a seat is vacated for them. But it looked like that could take a while to happen. They decided to move to the corner side at the back of the train car so they won't get stuck in the middle of the crowd. The train continued to pick up more passengers on every station until they were packed like sardines in the train car. Shuichi noticed a man perversely starring at Hayami and was about to go near her when Shuichi blocked his back against him facing Hayami. He looked over his shoulder to give the man a frigid glare, signaling a deadly warning. The man gulped a big lump in his throat and left them be. Then Shuichi turned towards Hayami.
"Are you doing alright? Your knees are not yet about to give in are they?" Shuichi looked down to meet her eyes while bracing his one arm on one of the jambs of the window frame so as not to bump onto her, his other hand holding a handgrip from the railing with a bag slung on his shoulder.
"Huh? Oh, I still can stand, thank you. And you?" Hayami was clueless on what just happened, she didn't notice he was already in front of her.
"I'm doing fine." Shuichi simply smiled at her.
Then suddenly, the train made an abrupt stop and almost all the people inside were thrown forward. Hayami lost her balance and stumbled on the side almost hitting her head on the window jamb since she wasn't able to reach for the handgrips, when Shuichi swiftly grabbed her with his hand and pulled her to his chest supporting her head. Hayami didn't even realize what just happened. It only came to register to her thoughts when she felt Shuichi's firm chest and warmth. Blood rushed to her veins turning her face beet red  and couldn't gather her strength to stand up from their position this time. She smelt his scent from that embrace. It was similar to fresh tea leaves and roses with a little earthy essence of musk. Reminded her of a lovely after spring rain in a tranquil forest. She closed her eyes and felt his warmth and listened to a slightly muffled thumping sound in his chest but satisfying at the same time. This moment made her feel safe and calm somehow, like she's wrapped in an incessant contentment and enduring protection. That carefree feeling that she ever longed for.
Shuichi noticed her peacefulness and couldn't help but smile down at her. He let her stayed close to him and didn't let her go so as not to unsettle her all of a sudden. He hoped and prayed for the first time that they could always stay like this. He looked down and almost touched his nose on her hair, but he could still whiff her scent, like a combination of citrus, leafy freshness of linden blossoms with a soft floral hint of jasmine. Her scent was so sweet, and light, and gentle almost like a warmer breeze in a newborn summer just like how each time he felt her spirit when she wandered freely. He closed his eyes and unconsciously caressed her hair. Hayami felt his touch and flinched to her awareness and backed away. Shuichi was taken aback from her sudden reaction in a second, then finally grasped the message. He couldn't say a word for he doesn't know where to start. He glanced at her but she was only looking away, trying to hide her embarrassment. The peaceful moment they had that felt like forever was suddenly disrupted and he couldn't help but be saddened and felt regret about it. Subsequently, he saw an empty seat and offered it to her.
"Hayami, please take this seat so you can rest your feet." Shuichi led her to the seat, he didn't realize he just made a rhyme. Hayami laughed at that a little.
"What is it?" He gave her a confused response.
"Nothing.." she shook her head still with a beaming face and left him hanging.
"Uhm, how about you?" She intently changed the subject.
"I guess I still have to wait until another seat is vacated. But I'm totally fine with standing." Shuichi replied with a smile. He was relieved when he finally noticed Hayami loosen up a little bit from their situation earlier.
Not long after, a seat was vacated  beside Hayami and she playfully offered it to him by tapping the seat.
"Thank you very much Ma'am." Shuichi took part in it.
"My pleasure."
Then they both laughed.
"We still have more or less than 30 minutes before we get there. You can take a nap for now to recharge ." Offered Shuichi with concern.
"Yeah, maybe your right. But for now, I'm okay. I'd like to stay awake and watch the scenery on the window." Hayami stated while smiling at him then she turned to face the window. Shuichi chortled to her uncomfortable position but he let her be.