Disclaimer(s): K-On! rightfully belongs to Kakifly © Alternate Universe.
Part 2: Best Friend
Ritsu's POV
I always felt unworthy for both of them, even as a mere old friend. It could be I was scared that I would defile a picture so perfect – they're absolutely a match made in heavens. "Hey, Ritsu, can you come here for a minute?" Kai called for me and I approached him at once then stood still silently at the right side of his bed. "You're my best friend," he stated.
I eyed him curiously as he reached my right hand and Mio's left one before he placed them atop each other. "I entrust her to you," his gentle voice was heavy at the moment, painted with millions of unspoken hopes and hopelessness all together. She drew her hand in a hurry and left while I was still in my stupor – how could I, how do I process all that?
"It's not funny, Kai, you better quit it," I rambled through gritted teeth whereas I clenched my fists on a whim. Kai just sighed as his eyes diluted impassively while I shifted my gaze downward and frowned simultaneously at the sight of tiny red droplets, they ran from my left hand to the floor, somehow coloured it colourful. "You better let it go," he said.
"Right," I agreed once I was conscious of my apparently tightened hold on the knife I used prior to his late confession, a split second before her arrival. It was cutting down the little joints in between the phalanges of my fingers nastily but then again, I knew I could never notice it if not for the bloody eye sights – they numbed my heart for too long, after all.
"She's a good girl, Ritsu, but I bet you knew it too well already," he begun as he gave away a box of tissues toward me and I took it appreciatively. "When it dawned on us that it was impossible for me to walk again, she did not think twice at all to endure our engagement, even if all I did was debasing her poor judgment. She's too kind," he finished.
"She loves you and if anything, it's not from kindness," I revealed with a bitter smile at the end – I thought it hurt less overtime but it still hurt nonetheless to acknowledge my utter defeat. I did tell myself time after time that the one she fancied was him but then, this heart of mine only wanted what it beat for right from the start – the first time I saw her.
"I know you love her," Kai declared as he simply observed while I ministered to my hurt hand. I looked daggers in a second and I was about to deny when he raised his hand, silently demanded me to keep on listening instead. "Ritsu, you love her longer, even much, much more than I ever could. Act like it – it's all I ask for in my deathbed. I beg you."
"You can make it alive, Kai, it's only a matter of time. You've got to stick at it for her or else, your future together," I tried hard to suppress some sobs as I spoke and as a result, my voice came out as a low drone. I may met her first but it was truly after him that her smile seemed brilliant – I honestly thought it was impossible. He had it frequent her face so easily, it left me scars. Broken.
"I can't, Ritsu, my heart can't," he said as he pulled up his top then I widened my eyes once I took in the big scar he had outspread across his chest. "They took my blood, they ran many tests on me but I had enough. No one can stop the inevitable – my failing heart will fail me in the end," he let out a sigh before he resumed, "So love her for my sake."
I stood still as bleakness engulfed us in sheer silence before it was quickly broken by his infinite coughs. "It took me two years because I'm not ready," he confessed while I listened closely. He then sported a small appreciative smile at my tentativeness and patted my shoulder curtly. "But I'm fine now, Ritsu, now I'm giving her back to you."
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading.