CHAPTER 2: Goodbyes and Hellos
DISCLAIMER: I do not own S.A.
How was the other chapter? Please tell me if the story is lame..I might just as well improve on my rusty writing skills. Thanks for those who will review the previous chapter...
"Hisashi! Where's my socks?!" I shouted from my bedroom.
My brother came hurrying to me. "I don't know. What will I do with your awful smelling socks?"
"You, smart ass! Give it back!" I stood up and ran after him.
"Hikari, shouldn't you be preparing already?" My mom called from downstairs. "The cab will be here in 30 minutes."
"Okay mom, I just need to find my socks!" I shouted back and turned to my brother. "Hey, give it to me or you'll die with my super tickle." I glared at him.
Then, he stuck his tongue out.
"Oh, really, you want to die now?" I plunged towards him and tickled him on his tummy. My brother giggled so hard and I giggled too.
"Hey!! Stop it now!" My brother was already catching his breath. "Here." He reached for his pockets and brought out my socks.
I snatched them and hurriedly went to my room. Hisashi followed me.
"Hikari, will you come back?" He asked as I kneeled and put most of my clothes in my luggage.
I looked at my brother and smiled. "Of course. Why would I leave you here?"
"Just asking." He said, looking down. I ruffled his hair.
"Don't worry. I'll bring as many candies and junk foods as I can when I come back. I promise you that." I said.
"Really?" He said, his eyes twinkling with delight.
I nodded. "Of course, kiddo. Have I ever lied to you?"
He shook his head. I smiled and got something from my drawer.
"Here." I said, and gave him his Power Ranger action figure. "I haven't told you, I stepped on that ages ago."
I stuck out my tongue at him. He was so angry he tried to punch me with his little knuckles, but he couldn't.
"I've looked long for this." He cried. I ruffled his hair again.
"Don't worry, I'll buy you a new one." I said.
"Okay." He said, sobbing. "I want the red one."
Then, my father appeared from behind the door.
"Fighter, your cab is there." He announced.
I stood up and gathered my luggage. Hisashi took my hand and accompanied me outside.
As everything was all set for me to go, I opened the car window and bid goodbye to my family.
It was rather a theatrical scene: My father was teary eyed with his muscle-y figure and strong personality, my mother was, as always, crying. My brother was, to my surprise, sniffing and was on the verge of crying.
"Bye guys." I told them. "I love you."
I felt the hot tears tracing on my face.
"Don't worry about us, sweetie." My mom said, still sobbing.
"Okay mom." I said, "Call me. I'll call you too."
"And don't ever try to cook." My mom reminded me. "You might destroy your school or another person's house…and we can't pay for that."
I laughed…while crying.
"I will." I nodded.
"I love you, sweetheart." My mom hugged me and kissed my forehead.
"I love you too mom." I replied.
My mom stepped back and nudged my dad on the ribs; my dad winced and tried to compose himself.
"Fighter, don't ever give up." He told me. "I didn't nicknamed you 'Fighter' for nothing."
"I know, dad." I smiled at him.
My dad sniffed, trying to hold back tears.
"I'll miss you." He said. That was really heartwarming. Not many dads can say those words to their kids…but my dad can., and it's the first time he said it.
"I'll miss you too daddy." I said, new batch of tears escaped my, now, puffy eyes.
"Don't let that Takishima beat you again." He said, trying to ease the situation.
"I won't." I shook my head.
"Find him, Hikari." He looked at me in the eyes. I couldn't blink. "Do what you've got to do."
"I will." I said to him.
"I love you, fighter." My dad embraced me tightly.
"I love you too, dad." I replied. "I promise you'll be proud of me."
"I already am, Hikari." He said as he gently tapped my back.
My brother hugged me too.
"Hikari, the things that you have promised me, bring them when you come back, okay?" he said.
"Sure, Hisashi." I smiled at my brother.
My brother turned his back on me instantly.
"Hisashi, won't you say goodbye to your sister?" Mom said.
"Don't worry mom, it-" I said but was interrupted when Hisashi hugged me.
"I love you, Hikari." He sniveled.
"I love you too, kiddo." I said and ruffled his hair again. "I will buy you a Power Ranger toy as I've promised."
He smiled at me in between sobs.
"Go now." My father said as he motioned the cab driver to start the engine.
I wave my hands to my family as the taxi sped off and before I knew it, I was miles away from them and off my way to Tokyo.
As I was riding the bullet train, I got my cellphone out of my pocket and dialed Akira's residence.
For two years, I cut my communication with them so as for me not to miss them so much but it was of no use because I still do. Good thing, I still have my planner with me which contain the S.A. members' contact numbers. It was all too tempting for me to call them before but I tried to contain myself. Now, restraining myself is not necessary anymore.
I'm going back now.
I heard two rings before a man answered:
"Hello?" I said.
"This is the Todou residence. Can I help you something with?" the man's voice said.
"Yes. Can I speak with Akira Todou, please?" I asked.
"Who's this please?" the man on the other line replied.
"I'm Hikari Hanazono." I stated.
"Yes, Miss Hanazono. I'll just call her. Wait for a moment please." The man said courteously.
Suddenly my heart began to palpitate. For the first time in two years, I'm going to talk with my best friend, Akira.
As I was musing over excitement, Akira's familiar voice echoed in my ears.
"Hello? Hikari?"
I gulped…hard.
"A-Akira?" I said, trying to sound out her name.
"Oh my! HIKARI!" She screamed into my ears.
I can feel my ears bleed.
"Akira!!" I exclaimed, but not as loud as hers.
"IT IS YOU! OH HIKARI!" Akira sounded like she was wailing.
"I missed you Akira!" I said.
"ME TOO HIKARI!" She replied, deafeningly.
"Uhmmm…Akira? Can you low down your voice? I'm in the train…" I told her. People are now looking at me and it seems like my ears are already destroyed to pieces.
"Oh, so sorry." She said apologetically. "We haven't heard from you for like so long."
"I know and I'm sorry for that." I replied.
"It's been really hard for us to accept that you went away…not even telling us." She said darkly. "Especially for Kei."
My heart began to melt as I heard that name.
"How is he?" I croaked.
"He's fine." Akira said, "As usual, he's in another business trip. You know how he is, going around the world and meeting people in the corporate arena."
"How did he take my long absence?" I asked, dreading to know the answer.
"Oh, that?" Akira cleared her throat. "He was berserk for a while. He can't accept the fact that you were gone. In fact, he hasn't been smiling for two years."
"What?" I said.
"Yep." Akira said. "He's been so weird."
I didn't know how would I react after hearing what happened to him. I didn't even know what to say.
"Hikari? You still there?" Akira's voice echoed again.
"Oh yeah." I told her.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine after he knows that you're now here." Akira said.
"I hope so." I replied.
"You'll be staying here for good, right?" Akira asked, worriedly.
"Yeah. I'm going to college here." I said. "Tokyo University."
"Really? That's great!" Akira shouted happily again. "I'll be going there too! Jun, Megumi, Tadashi and Ryuu too!"
"Wow!" I feel relieved. "We're in the same school again!"
"Yeah!" She said. "Though, Takishima, Sakura, Finn and Yahiro are going in a private university put up by the Takishima Group of Companies."
"Oh.." It seemed like all the happiness blasted out of my system.
"Don't worry. I'll call Sakura and the others and we could have weekend night outs. Isn't that fun or what?!" She said happily.
"I can't wait!" I said excitedly.
"Me neither." Akira giggled. "Hey Hikari, do you have a place to stay? Are you with your parents?"
"No. I'm here by myself. They're left in the province." I said and I felt homesick. I miss them in just a short span of time.
"Oh. You can stay in my pad if you want." She said. "We still have guestrooms that you could use or if you want…you can stay in my room… we still have some catching up to do…" she said.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Of course, silly! Tomorrow we can call S.A. and our other friends and gather up at my house…and we will have tea, of course." She said, excitedly.
"Thanks Akira." I said.
"No problemo, my Hikari." Akira giggled. "I missed calling you that."
"Haha." I laughed. "I miss you too.."
"Oh, enough of those mushy stuff." She said. "Can I pick you up? Where are you by the way?"
I looked at the signboard inside the train. One more station to go.
"I'm nearing Tokyo already." I said. "One more station."
"Why didn't tell me earlier?!" Akira freaked out. "Wait there, I'll call the chauffeur and we'll be in Tokyo station in about 15 minutes."
"Okay. Bye Akira. Thanks!" I said and waited for her to hang up the phone.
For 15 minutes you better stay put, Hikari. Your life starts now.
I hope you review this chapter... and the previous chapter...and the upcoming ones... :) THANKS IN ADVANCE!