Previous Response - Buried too Deep - Keisuke
When Kimiko heard that Keisuke had showed himself she wanted to storm into his apartment and slap him. But she knew that he probably already got an earful from Mamoru so she decided to give the idiot a few days to get situated. He'd definitely lash out at her if she didn't give him some time. So three days after Keisuke came out of hiding she strolled down towards his apartment with Takumi in her arms.
As she got within proximity she noticed the distinct sound of banging. She covered one of Takumi's ears with her hand and held the other against her chest as she approached. The banging sound was a result of Keisuke Sarutobi hammering.
"Keisuke!" Kimiko tried to yell loud enough for him to hear.
"Oh I wouldn't even try, deary." An old woman yelled from across the street.
"Stop bothering her, Sumi." Another chastised the first. "She doesn't want to listen to you shrieking like a crow."
"Cram it, Yuki!" The assumed Sumi growled before looking back at Kimiko with a smile. "Don't listen to her, come over here and talk with us old ladies for a second and... admire the view."
The view they were talking about was a sweaty Keisuke working shirtless on his damaged apartment. Both Sumi and Yuki inhaled and sighed simultaneously. They sounded like high school girls more than anything else. But Keisuke was something grand to look at. No one could deny that.
"Oh, is that Keisuke's boy?" Sumi said suddenly, looking at Takumi bundled up in Kimiko's arms.
Kimiko's eyes widened. "Wha-"
"Oh don't bother denying it deary. We saw you around here ten months ago." Yuki piped in.
"Doesn't take a genius to piece it all together." Sumi finished, reaching in to lightly hold Takumi's cheek between her fingers. "Ten months ago you spend the night and nine months later this handsome man's brought into the world!"
"Got big blue eyes like his daddy too." Yuki cooed as she played with Takumi's feet.
Kimiko wasn't really sure what was going on. But she noticed that Keisuke stopped hammering so she decided to rush out of there while she could. "Keisuke!" She called.
Wondering who was yelling for him, Keisuke turned and took his headphones out of his ears. "Oh. Yo, Kimiko."
"Hey, meathead." She joked, climbing up the stairs to stand next to him. "Isn't it a little cold to be standing around shirtless?"
He shrugged and pulled out a cigarette from behind his ear. "Eh. I'm not really bothered by it."
Kimiko's eyes rolled of their own accord. "Yeah, I know. You're one big tough guy."
"I try." He chuckled while lifting up a pretty large piece of wood.
For a while they remained silent as Keisuke worked around the outside of his apartment patching up the many holes that riddled it. Kimiko just sat on the banister and bounced Takumi, waiting for the right opportunity to bring up... anything.
"If you're going to ask, ask." Keisuke suddenly said, not even looking at her.
Kimiko sighed. "I take it you and Mamoru haven't patched things up."
He shrugged. "There isn't anything to patch up. He wants me to stop pushing people away. But that's not going to happen. So he keeps trying and annoying me." Then he made a noise of indecision. "Though he's been leaving bean buns in my apartment when I go out. I haven't needed to put anything on anyone's tab ever since I've been back."
Kimiko couldn't help but laugh. "You could try paying for your own food."
"Oh I do." Keisuke yawned and pulled on a long sleeve shirt he had in a pile at his feet. "Just not things I snack on."
She sat there watching Keisuke cover up his glorious abs and putting on his flak jacket. "You headed somewhere?"
"I need to get some flowers for my mom and a friend." He said, tugging on his sleeves. "I'll... see you later." He finished, his eyes lingering on Takumi before rushing down the steps and out of sight through the village.
Alone, Kimiko sighed. Deciding she'd go talk to Sumi and Yuki and convince them to keep a closer eye on Keisuke than usual. But she wasn't quite sure that was possible.
~*~
Ino, this one's on you girl!
