Strange Inside

Academy Story Series: Strange Inside

He’s a beautiful one, I tell you. And very likeable , too. I don’t care if he is very quiet and unemotional. He’s just lovely. Lovelier than a female.
“Are you sure, Master?” Kagetora asked the dark-haired guy a distance from her.
“I am sure, Kage-chan.” Saga replied without looking at her. He went to undo the straps that held the baggy sleeves of his hakama. He batted a strand of dark blue hair from his face.
“Will you help me?”
Kagetora stood up and went to him with a solemn gaze. “I’m more than willing to help you, Master.”
“Let’s go then.”

*****************

Aldrich sat in his room, resting his hands. Their music instructor asked him to play the violin solo he composed for the upcoming recitals. Instead of feeling proud, he felt empty.
“Bittersweet pride, they say.” Aldrich thought, closing his scarlet eyes and leaning back on the chair. He liked playing the violin before an audience, why is he being fussy now?
Slowly, he got up and unbuttoned his shirt. Gio might scold him again if he catches him still wearing their uniform. After all, it’s Gio who brings in all the wash at the laundromat. Aldrich removed his clothes and folded them neatly by the clothes hamper. Maybe he’ll ask Gio to bring him along so he could help carry their stuff. They could even go and eat ice cream together. Aldrich smile at himself. Why not?
Faint knocks on the door drew him from his imagination. Hurriedly, he slipped on a tee-shirt and opened it.
“Oh, it’s you.’ Aldrich said, a little surprised. Saga stood by the doorway with Kagetora standing behind him. What’s this? Aldrich suddenly felt troubled.
“Good evening, Landsworth.” Saga curiously inspected the room beyond Aldrich. No one’s around.
Gracefully, Sage bowed before him.
“Will you join me in my room? I’d like to give you something important.”
Aldrich swallowed his fear with a nod. He followed Saga to the fourth floor where his room is. All the while, wild thought tormented him. Maybe Gio did something sloppy again. Is this a trick? Maybe he’s not as bad as he looks. Aldrich gazed absently at Saga’s back. He’s got silk clothes. He noted the dragons dancing in gold threads. Higher up, a phoenix mon is embroidered in silver. Cool, Aldrich thought. They came to Saga’s room. They both went in but Aldrich noticed that Kagetora stayed outside.
“You’re troubled.” Sage said, locking the door.
“Kagetora.”
“Oh, I sent her on an errand.” Saga smiled, his usually stern blue-gray eyes has that strange glint that Aldrich failed to see.
Saga made him sit on splended cushions scattered across the tatami floor. Cautiously, he gazed around the room. It looked so elegant, yet simple. What should he expect? Saga came from a wealthy samurai clan with an illustrious history. They have the money to send the youngest Sakashima to a prestigious school like Royal Bridgestone Academy.
“Thanks for waiting.” Saga came into the room holding a black, lacquered box. It looked antique. He set it on the table and pushed it to Aldrich’s direction.
“It’s yours. I got it from a shop in Takasaki five years ago.”
Aldrich gingerly picked it up and undid the silk cord that bound it. Upon opening the box, he felt more troubled than ever. On the red silk sat a brilliant jade dragon with a matched pair of rubies for eyes. Saga peered in with him.
“Looks like your eyes.” Saga commented, giving Aldrich a cool stare.
So red. Like blood. Saga thought. His left hand unconciously wandered to Aldrich’s shoulder. Slowly. It slid up to his exposed neck. Aldrich swallowed.
“Saga? What are you doing?”
Saga only looked away, a dreamy look on his features. He looked kind that way.
“There’s no point beating around the bush, Landsworth.” His gaze is hot. It made Aldrich fidget under his fiery stare. Quick as a flash, Saga has grabbed him by the shoulders and is already kissing him passionately on the mouth. A look of revulsion crossed Aldrich’s eyes. Oh Christ. I’m in a hell of a jam.

*****************

“Aldrich, I’m back.” Giovanni called the moment he opened the door. No one answered him. Puzzled, he walked into the doorwat leading to Aldrich’s room. Only the Landsworth twins had the two adjoined rooms in the Dormitory. Their parents requested that specifically. Mainly because Giovanni has to look after the delicate Aldrich. And because Aldrich tends to neglect himself, unlike the active and fiercely independent Giovanni.
“Aldrich?” Gio whipped his head across the room. Frowning, he went to the clothes hamper to bring the dirties to the laundromat.
He found Aldrich’s uniform folded neatly beside it.
“Where’d he go?”
Worried now, he went out and asked everyone he met. No one seemed to notice Aldrich leave. Defeated, he returned to his room to get their used clothes.
Gio stopped short. He asked Michael, Nathan and the talkative Vincent. Simon is asleep. Both Samuel and Harold are in their respective labs. Charlie is cooking up some potion in the closet downstairs. Aldrich doesn’t mix with them. He had asked Diether, too, for the matter. Rufus is at the gym, and Aldrich rarely goes there unless otherwise directed. Then it hit him. Frantic, he ran up to the fourth floor.

*****************

“You look great.” Saga said with a smile as he finished setting the great brocade obi he bound around Aldrich’s waist.
Looking at his handiwork, Saga felt satisfied. Aldrich stood there in an orange silk brocade kimono embroidered with a silver waterfall and strands of green grass at the hem. He blushed furiously at Saga’s comment.
“I...this thing...” Aldrich stammered, tugging at the left sleeve.
“It looks very expensive and cumbersome.” Saga went to adjust the kimono’s collar.
“It belonged to a court lady during the early 18th century. My older sister gave to me as a keepsake.”
Saga went to embrace him. Aldrich wanted to drop dead on the spot.
“You’re so pretty.” Saga whispered, his breath hot on Aldrich’s nape. He wanted to squirm.
“Oh, Aldrich. I like you so much.” Saga ran his hand on Aldrich’s dusty blond hair. It felt so smooth. Aldrich sucked air through clenched teeth.
I will have to endure this. God knows what Gio did to Saga this morning. Maybe he means this as a revenge. I’ll have to be patient. Aldrich thought nervously.

*****************

“Is Saga inside?” Gio asked Kagetora.
“He is.” she replied with a stare.
“I’d like to ask him about something, Kage.” Gio said, his face worried.
“He is busy right now, Giovanni.” Kagetora made no move to step aside from the door.
“I need to talk to him for chrissake.” Gio gasped out with exhasperation.
“He is with Sir Aldrich Landsworth, Giovanni.”
The words stuck razor sharp in his heart. He quickly felt afraid.
“They are discussing private things right now. And Saga-san wouldn’t want any unnecessary interruption.”
“You...” Giovanni growled and turned on his heels. I got to get help. Damn him if he’s molesting my brother. Giovanni fumed as he sprinted down the stairs.

*****************

Saga caressed Aldrich’s face over and over. They lay together on Saga’s futon. He gazed at the young musician's eyes with passion. Saga badly wanted him. His left hand wandered on Aldrich’s exposed neck. It felt smooth and warm on his fingertips.
“This is not going to work.” Saga mumbled, sitting up. He gently removed his hakama. Aldrich felt afraid. This really ain’t gonna work.

*****************

“You’ve gotta help me!” Gio gasped out at the moment he burst into Michael’s room. The latter eyed him with disdain.
“You didn’t knock...” Michael started to talk, but Giovanni cut him short, his eyes pleading.
“Please help me, Michael! Aldrich...I need to find him, I think he’s with Saga!”
Michael stood up, irritated with Gio.
“So he’s with Saga. What worked you up in that mood?”
“I’m suspecting a foul play, oh please. I know you noticed the way Saga-kun looks at my brother.” Giovanni’s eyes flashed, “Nigh four years ago!”
Michael’s eyes narrowed at the memory.

*****************

Aldrich stood swaying in the garden by the lake as he played his violin like a maddened Italian master.
Michael closed his eyes to listen as he sat on the grass. He had volunteered to watch over Aldrich because Giovanni will have to go to an art exhibit. The Landsworth kid is practically snivelling and grovelling before him.
“Oh please Sir Knightsteel. I badly want to see the exhibit!”
Michael gave a heavy sigh. He couldn’t refuse Giovanni. He’s good-natured, and the puppy pout he does is so apathetic that Michael had to let him go.
And Saga. Michael had noticed him earlier standing beneath the elm tree’s shade. And the curious glint in the latter’s blue-gray. Suspicious.
He once saw that glint back duringb their freshmen years. Saga shook Aldrich’s hand to congratulate him on the success of his recital. And the turtle netsuke that Aldrich clipped on his violin case. As far as Michael is concerned, it’s love at first sight. Sakashima is only too arrogant to admit it. But it’s too obvious.

*****************

Smiling kindly, Saga went to relive Aldrich of the elegant kimono, all the while his blue-gray eyes raking Aldrich’s face and bare shoulders. He looked so perfect and virginal. Saga hungered for him.
“You’re so lovely, Aldrich.”
“That’s...flattering.”
Aldrich decided to play along. He reached up to hold Saga close.

*****************

The three of them, Giovanni, Michael and nathan, marched up to the fourth floor with their homonculi in tow. Tenma led Ayumu by the arm. Nadine followed Yukiru.
“I’m scared!” Ayumu wailed. She’s so worried for Aldrich, and all she did was cry her crimson eyes out.
“Don’t cry now. We’ll get you master back okay?”
They all came to Saga’s room with Kagetora at the door. She glanced disdainfully at the boys.
“What brings you here sisters?”
Nadine bowed in her direction. “We’d like to pick up Sir Aldrich Landsworth. I gather that he is conversing right now with Saga-dono.”
Kagetora shook her head.
“You shall not.”
Nadine started to argue but Michael held her back with a look. Yukiru cringe at him. With a sly smile, Michael faced Kagetora.
“Do you question my authority, child? Look at you sister, she’s crying for her master. Do you want to take away her happiness?”
Kagetora looked away. She bit her lip with a frown. “I must obey Saga-sama.”
“That does it.” Michael turned to Yukiru. “Do what you must Yukiru. But don’t hurt her.”
Yukiru stepped forward to Kagetora with a tiny smile. “I’m sorry Kage-chan...”
In a flash, Kagetora is on the floor squirming and fighting an invinsible object. Yukiru held her fast.
“Yukiru! Let me go this very instant!” Kagetora howled, rolling on the floor.
”I’m sorry. I can’t disobey Sir Knightsteel.”
Wide-eyed, Kagetora watched in dismay when Nathan and the others opened the door.”
“No!”

*****************

Slack jawed. That’s what happened to them, even with Ayumu. They caught Saga lying beside Aldrich on the futon. Saga is fully clothed, but he is kissing the half-naked Aldrich on the mouth. Nathan ran screaming from the scene. Nadine followed him, hollering for him to calm down. Yukiru’s grasp on Kagetora loosened. Her teddy bear dropped on the floor. Michael stood there stony-faced but his hands are clenching. Giovanni fell on his knees.
“Aldrich...” he moaned.
Kagetora kneeled before Saga with a shameful expression. She is almost in tears.
“I’m sorry, milord...”
Chargined, Saga stood up. “Welcome, Sir Knightsteel.”
“Good evening Sakashima-dono. Can you explain what’s happening here?” A glance at the still wide-eyed Giovanni.
Saga can only smile. “You found me out.” He helped Aldrich to his feet. Saga held him against his chest. Aldrich blushed so hard Michael thought he is ready to cry.
“I like your brother Gio.” An imploring glance. Giovanni regained his composure. He stood up and grabbed Aldrich by the hand.
“Let’s go.” he muttered under his breath.
Aldrich followed him obediently. Thank you, Gio. This is a very great favor I owe from you.

*****************

“Sleep now, Al. We’re going together to the laundromat tomorrow, okay?” Giovanni gently tucked him in bed. Ayumu slept with the girls downstairs. Aldrich gazed at him with blood-red eyes.
“Thank you, Gio.” He got up and embraced Gio. He stiffened at that, but he gave in and melted in Aldrich’s arms.
“Not a problem.” Giovanni whispered, running his hand on Aldrich’s back. He couldn’t remove the idea of Aldrich being with Saga.
“C’mon, sleep tight. We have Chemistry and Geology first thing in the morning. I don’t want to see our teacher ranting about you being late again.”
A cool smile. Aldrich gently set his lips on Gio’s cheek. It painted a pink flush on his cheeks.
“Why, thank you.”

*****************

Aldrich slept. Giovanni went and locked the door connecting Aldrich’s room to the hallway.
Just a precaution. Content with his handiwork, he went to sleep soundly beside Aldrich, their bodies braided together like snakes.
I will never let them get you, nor sully your beauty. I will protect you with everything, Aldrich.