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âOh I donât know. He only invented the theory of relativity and is debatably the most influential physicist of all time, but yeah, no, youâre right. Heâs a total quack,â Kai teased, rolling his eyes lightly over as the corner of his lips itched up into that of a soft smile. âWell, for one thing, if weâre going full names, I was actually born, uh, Hayashi Kaito. So, if you want to call me, Hayashi? Or even, Kaito, you can? That nameâs pretty just reserved for my brother, but if you, um, if you want to?â He offered up, awkward running his hand over the back of his neck as he glued his eyes to the floor, feeling self conscious for once as he started to explain his many names. âSt. Claire is my dad and Kai is just⌠easier? So, itâs really up to you, but as for the messy, I uh, I know I donât. But,â but it was nice not having someone instantly compare him or equate him to the mass murderer that was his father and as much as he knew he could trust her, a part of him didnât want to watch the way those bright eyes of hers change the moment she found out that he was on a path that mirrored that of his old manâs. âBut, is it okay if we just stay in the little bubble have for a little longer? You know, before the rest of the world comes pouring in?â
âBea Ramos,â Kai couldnât help, but laugh. Leaning in, his low murmur of a voice tickled the inside of her ear as he couldnât help, but tease her, âhave you never been to a beach before? Or is more of the concept of a lack of clothes that has you diverting your eyes? The slightest blush pulling across your cheeks, hm? In fact, maybe we should go back to the honesty room. That way I can ask if you donât secretly want to try it,â He teased some more as he took a step closer towards her so that her back was pressed up against the wall of the hall. But, as he watched her try to keep her voice even, he found the playful stride to his step dissipating as he took a step back once more. âWhat happened? You okay?â The concern evident in his voice as his eyes scanned hers as he waited to see if sheâd chose to let him in or dismiss the notion to remain in the ease of each otherâs presence for a little longer like he had done with her.Â
âYeah, well, I think youâre probably the only one who is, but youâre not so bad yourself, Ramos. Some of the best company Iâve ever had actually,â He found himself admitting as he gave her a small shrug in reply. âIt does though. Schoolâs important. If I could go back, Iâd-â He started to say, only for his sentence to trail off as he found himself shrugging again. He would have done things differently, only he knew, even if he had, it wouldnât have changed anything. He still would have ended up exactly where he was now because thatâs where hope got him. âAnyways, those grad students probably know a lot more important things than Orionâs belt. I just spent way too much time in museums as a kid. Learned a whole lot of fun facts that donât really amount to much of anything, unless you want to hear a tragic tale about The Pleiades. Thatâs right up there. Those 7 stars grouped together and may be far more fitting than you think, but Iâll tell you what. You do that and then Iâll google traits of a libra and we can compare. And sure. Letâs go see these stars move and all that,â He nodded, despite a part of him not wanting to move just yet. He knew what the fates thought of him, so he was sure that whatever it said would be less than ideal, but he also knew they had come all this way. So, they might as well, take the damn incompatibility just friends test and get it over with.
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A feeling Bea couldnât even begin to describe bubbled up in her chest, something deep and bright that curled at the edges. It was something she wanted to hold onto. She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling too wide, she knew what was in a name, the importance of names, especially those reserved for certain people, the lines drawn in the sand to show closeness, trust. Hayashi Kaito. She was short enough, that even with him ducking his head, she could step closer, and dip her head to look up at him, âI like Kaito, if thatâs alright,â she said, even though it was reserved for his brother, he offered and Bea would gladly take it, hold it close and with care. It was clear it meant a lot to him and she wasnât about to let him down. âYou know, a lot of people donât try to pronounce Beatriz, so Iâve been Bea for a while. Itâs also easier,â she said, with an understanding smile. âIâm here for the messy, whenever it comes,â she reiterated. âAnd not just yours, you know. Weâve all got some mess to us. But yeah, I kinda like it when itâs just the two of us anyway. The rest of the world can worry about itself.â
Beaâs shoulder instinctively inched up to her ear as Kaito whispered into it, a sharp little gasp escaped at his line of questioning. Even at the mention of her blush, her face grew hotter, and she turned to hide her face away from him. âBeaches are different, the atmosphere--â she tried to argue halfheartedly, but his teasing made it hard for her to focus, a chill running down her back at the thought of this same conversation occurring in the honesty room, where she couldnât even avoid the truth tumbling from her own lips. She swallowed thickly as her back hit the wall of the dark room, her eyes wide as she pulled her gaze to his. The anticipation that had been gathering suddenly dissipated as he took a step back. Her eyes fluttered as she tried to find her train of thought again, âAh, well,â she said, letting her head fall back against the wall, her eyes on the ceiling, âJust had to face some truths I wasnât ready for. I uh, I pulled him in there though, so I really have no one to blame but myself,â she said with a forced smile. âBut I think itâs probably for the better. Now we know where we stand.â Her conversation with Ken hadnât gone the way sheâd thought it would, but maybe it would make work a little easier once they got back, knowing the reasons behind his ruthless and unending pushing.Â
In a past life Bea must have been someone who preformed a miracle amount of good deeds to have gotten a person like Kaito in her life. Soft, kind, and patient, she couldnât see how anyone else wouldnât be happy just to be in his presence. âHey, thatâs my friend youâre talking about, be nice to him,â she said, a small smile forming on her lips. It shrank once he trailed off talking about school. It wasnât important in the grand scheme of things, in determining who was a good person, how successful a person could be, but it was important to him, and Bea regretted hitting that soft spot. âYou can, if you want to. Plenty of people do. Iâm just saying, measuring intelligence by that yardstick never really made a lot of sense to me. I know plenty of people who dropped out early to start helping out their parents. They never went to college either, but that didnât mean they weren't capable and intelligent. I met people in college who basically paid thousands of dollars to take expensive naps during lectures. They didnât sound like very smart people to me.â She sighed softly, knowing this would take more than a few careful words, but that was okay, Bea didnât mind taking the time to reassure him, to unruffle some feathers, no matter how long that took, even if it took years. âIâm all for tragic tales, if youâve got the time. Iâd like hearing that array of information youâve got in that head of yours, Kaito. I donât care about mathematical theory, Iâd rather have my own personal walking Met exhibit, thanks,â she gave him a playful wink and tugged him towards the âpsychicâ manning the compatibility booth.Â
The birth charts they had to fill out were easier and far less mystical than Bea was expecting, but she diligently filled hers out and handed it over. Then came the mysticism, as the psychic hummed over their forms and nodded to herself before consulting the fates, as she called it. Bea called it a load of bull, but the stars shifting in the ceiling pulled her attention as she finally saw a constellation she recognized, Libra, then another, she was willing to guess was Scorpio. âYes, a relationship between Libra and Scorpio can be a dark prison yard of betrayal and treachery, or it could be a relationship fit for royalty,â she said, nodding. Beaâs eyes widened, realizing a beat too late that they hadnât mentioned they were testing their friendship. âSexually, Libra and Scorpio make a really great match. Scorpio rules over sex and the genital area in astrology and is considered to be the most sexual sign. Paired with the romantic Libra, whose main goal is to please their partner, and you have a perfect match in the bedroom.â Beaâs face flushed a deep red and turned away so Kaito wouldnât make fun of her again. She didnât need a psychic to tell her about Kaitoâs sex life, that was something that was... very well known, even if she didnât have first hand experience. âLibra and Scorpio make a decent match. Scorpio will give Libra the love and attention they crave in a relationship, while Libra will bring optimism and balance to Scorpioâs life, but,â the psychic paused dramatically, before continuing, âThe relationship of Libra and Scorpio is in no way easy and light. Both of these partners will have to face their dark sides through this bond, and although this can lead to an incredible and intense sex life, and emotions that no one else can understand, it might lead them both to a depressive hole they wonât easily get out of. The only way for this couple to last in a satisfying and gentle relationship, is for both partners to build a strong individual, independent life, or they will get sucked into the whirlpool of karmic emotions and obsessive, negative expectations.â The psychicâs eyes bore into Beaâs for a moment before giving Kaito the same treatment, a sudden heaviness landed on Beaâs shoulders as she swallowed thickly. âUh, well, thanks, weâll keep that in mind,â she said before pulling Kaito away from the booth. Maybe he was right, asking for their fates to be read might have been a bit more intense than the lighthearted activity Bea thought it would be.