Bitter Sweet Love
Anime: High School of the Dead
Pairing: Saeko Busujima and Takashi Komuro
Summary: We as readers have witnessed Komuro and Saeko's bitter sweet moment in the last chapter. But it is not only us. Hirano, Takagi, Shizuka and even Rei has seen this scene as well...
About the story: (1) my first attempt at a Saeko – Takashi pairing, (2) drama/hurt/comfort, (3) i don't own high school of the dead and lastly (4) warning: if you are a Rei Miyamoto - Takashi Komuro fan, then i am not sure you'll like the story, but if you wish...you can read and give it a try. ^^
Chapter 2: Accepting the Bitter Reality
Scene: Saeko and Komuro are having a conversation in the hallway outside of Komuro's room. Saeko was about to leave when Komuro reached out and embraced her. She just stood there, allowing him to hold onto her with both her hands still clutching the katana that Takagi's father gave her.
Question: How would you react when you see two of your friends sharing a passionate moment together in the middle of the hallway at broad daylight?
If it was Hirano, he will hide and watch. And that is what he is doing at that very moment – peeking through the gap of his semi-open door. Luckily, he is staying beside Komuro's room so he can clearly see everything – from the time Komuro grabbed Saeko-san from behind and held her close. But at the same time, he was unlucky because he has an untimely visitor – Takagi-san. He only had a few seconds of opportunity to watch because as soon as Takagi-san caught him, he pulled his right ear and gently close the door.
"Why? Aren't you curious to know what's happening between them?" Hirano asked while rubbing his sore ear.
A vein twitched in Takagi's temple. If there's one thing she hated the most, it is stupid people. And right now, Hirano is acting like one.
"We've been with Saeko-san for how many days now and you still don't know her?" Takagi said forcing herself not to shout. "As a swordsman, her senses are very keen. I'm sure that she sensed you when you peeked out. And do you think the two of us can handle an angry Saeko-san?"
Hirano thought about it for a moment and nodded. There was no point arguing with Takagi-san because she is always right.
Takagi put her hand on her chin and thought hard. As far as she can remember, Komuro has always been in love with Rei. Even when she turned him down and became Hisashi's girlfriend, Komuro never severed their friendship and continued to follow her around. What has changed?
It was probably is the time when Komuro and Saeko-san had some time alone. To make a fair assessment, Saeko-san is pretty, always calm and cool and graceful when fighting zombies with her sword (wooden or not), though she was not sure if the last characteristic does count.
She sighed and looked at the door, as if she can picture Komuro still embracing Saeko-san. She was able to have a glimpse of the scene Hirano was describing. It looked as if Komuro desperately held a very disinterested Saeko-san. But taking into consideration that she has never been able to clearly know what Saeko-san is thinking, given that she always seem to have a cool demeanour, then she will not be able to conclude that it is a one-sided love for Komuro. She just has to observe more. For now, she will let them be and the stupid fat ass on the floor would have to stay put as well. So she approached Hirano and engaged him into a conversation about fire arms that they can take from his parent's private collection. This elated him and the situation outside completely forgotten.
Takagi and Hirano were willing to ignore it but Rei was not. Rei was at the very end of the hallway when Komuro grabbed Saeko-san from behind and hugged her. She immediately hid herself so as not to be seen.
Her whole body was trembling and it seems as if her knees will not be able to bear her weight so she leaned against the wall for support. She somehow knew that Komuro has developed feelings for Saeko-san. But this has not prepared her for the pain of seeing him embracing Saeko-san.
She did say that she wants to be with him even if he falls in love with another girl. But that was a complete lie. No girl is willing to share her man with another. But somehow, she felt guilty for dumping Takashi only to take him back when Hisashi is gone so she said those words.
Rei did not see how Saeko-san reacted, but that didn't matter. The mere actions of Takashi were enough to cause her unbearable pain. Her chest felt heavy and her mind buzzed in confusion and denial. She knew she has been selfish and cruel to Takashi, so she does not have the right to be angry. And that is why it was even more painful for her.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She put a hand on her lips, trying to suppress the impeding sob. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Shizuka-sensei.
"Let's get out of here Miyamoto-chan."
Rei allowed herself to be dragged away by Shizuka-sensei, letting the tears fall freely from her eyes while accepting the bitter reality. As soon as they reached the kitchen, she cried in Shizuka-sensei's arms or (ehem) chest, with the hope that this will lessen the pain and the sadness.
Shizuka-sensei never said a word. She doesn't need any explanation. She may seem oblivious about what's happening around her but not when it comes to love. She considers all of them as friends so she does not want to take any sides. But right now, Rei needed her so she was there.
Lastly, where are Alice and Zeke? They are currently playing on the grounds. Kids and dogs have other important matters to worry.