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Chapter seven

The next few days, I wasn't ready to face Tsubasa. These questions keep hunting me like crazy. I've been having nightmares night after night. His death flashed right before my eyes every time. I tried to get out but whatever direction I take, the ending would always be him and his death. I screamed, letting go all of the pain I felt inside. I didn't notice I screamed in real life. Mom and dad immediately rush to my room including Ruka. She instantly sat beside me, soothing my hair to calm me down as dad went out to the kitchen to grab some water. For the past few nights, it has been like this until such time that mom and dad would already prepare some glass of water beside their bed. So when I started screaming, they would rush to my room with the glass and dad wouldn't bother going down again to the kitchen to get some water. Ruka was sleeping heavily in his bedroom, placing some earplugs on his ears to block my high-pitched scream. I felt guilty for waking them all up in the middle of the night. I could sense that both mom and dad were so tired, tired from too much working and lack of sleep. So, I decided afterwards that I'm never going back to sleep.

The following day, days after I decided to stop sleeping, my eyes weigh heavier. I decided to take an early bath, change into jogging attires before going outside the house. The atmosphere was humid because of the rain last night and the sun hasn't decided to come out yet. It was a perfect time for walking.

I jogged past neighbourhoods before reaching the nearest park, the park where everything about him and my past started.

Eight years ago…

One rainy night, I was standing by the door of a large house. I didn't know why I was there. So, I knocked, hoping someone might open it up for me to answer my questions. Luckily, a couple did. The girl has brown hair that hang past her shoulders. She's really beautiful, I could say. Right beside her was a tall, well-built man with blond or is it brown hair. His strong arms wrapped around the girl's waist. I could tell what a perfectly-married couple they were. Behind them was a small boy with the tall man's features. I could say that maybe it's their son?

The couple looked at me from head to toe with the same questioning face I had. Then, taking the paper that unknowingly hung at the bottom of my dress, they flipped it open and started reading it mentally. Their faces turned serious and confuse, making me confused as well. I actually didn't notice that a paper was hanging carelessly on my clothes. What could be written inside that paper? I was dripping wet when the girl suddenly came to me and hugged me. "Mikan, I'm glad you're home," she uttered, looking glad and worried that I'm indeed back at home. But I could see her acting was faked.

She led me inside followed by the tall man and the young boy. They guided me towards the living room and told me to sit down. I obeyed. They too sat opposite mine. And for the first time, I started speaking. "Who are you? What am I doing here?"

The couple looked at each other before the girl started talking again. "Oh Mikan, you forgot? I'm your mom and this is your dad and your older brother. We were so worried sick about you when you left us a note on your bed that you're going to run and stay far away from us. Do you know how happy we are that you finally returned? And we thought that you were gone for good," she stated. It almost wanted me to believe her. And believe it or not, I did trust her. We had a smooth conversation afterwards. And for the first time in my life, I laughed. The rain slowly faded. They looked at each other then at me before talking once again. They helped me gain back my memories or so I thought that are mine. I forgot to ask them about the paper.

That very same night, I couldn't sleep. I decided to go to mom and dad's room. I was about to knock when I heard whispers inside.

"Why did you do it, Yuka? We don't know the child. What if what's written inside is just a made-up story. Sure, she almost looked like her and her name is also the same as hers but that doesn't mean we could trust her. What if she's one of those people who wanted to see us down, huh?" a man voice spoke which I thought to be as dad.

"What about it, Izumi? Don't you feel sorry for her? And if all you said is true, how come I felt as if this girl really underwent such thing. If she's really one of the bad guys, how come I could sense as if she really forgot who she really is? Can't you get it Izumi? All her friends are asking for us to do is to help her while she stays here, make sure she's fine until it's the right time for her to know and go," mom reasoned out. I didn't get what they were talking about. So, without knocking, I entered their room which made the both of them surprised.

"Mikan, how long have you been here?" dad asked.

"I heard what you were talking about. Mom," I turned to look at her, "is it true that I'm not your daughter? Did you take me in because of pity? I'm sorry for disturbing you. If you thought I should leave, I'll go," I uttered with complete sadness. Tears start to pour as the rain began sheeting down outside. Mom came to my side. "Of course, you're our daughter sweetie. Mom and dad are just talking something else. We weren't talking about you," she said. I hugged her back. She's the only person who understands me completely. Then, as we broke the hug, mom turned to look at me. "You can't sleep?" I nod. "You want to stay with us tonight?" I nod. I turned to look at my father who was currently looking at my glaring mother. Without a choice, he agreed. I know he was only forced because of mom and I felt the guilt creeping all over me. But something made me think that it's just right. Somehow, I felt an attachment towards them already. Somehow, I felt interested in knowing them. Just as when I stopped crying and fell asleep, the rain outside stopped pouring.

…

Days after that night I was pulled inside after I ran away, mom and dad took me to the park. So far, our relationship got better as days passed by. Ruka, the boy they introduced to me as my brother, was still distant. He's distant not in an angry, disgusting way but in a way that he's shy to be with me. I didn't even know why. But I tried my best to gain his trust. We were strolling happily on the park when this one big tree caught my attention. From then on, my head starts aching as images swiftly passed on my head. I dropped on the ground, making the three of them look back at me worriedly before rushing by my side.

Touching the tree as the wind slowly brushed my hair, a tear unknowingly drop. Wiping it with the back of my palm, I smiled back. Reminiscing the past sure brings a lot of emotions. I continued walking but my stomach softly grumbled. I decided to eat at a nearby restaurant. I looked at my wrist watch, reading exactly 12 nn. Time surely flies fast.

"Are you okay?" dad asked, "Maybe it's best that we should go home. You need to rest." Dad helped me in standing after I told him that I shouldn't be the reason why our family day didn't turn out to be that good. But after walking even five steps or so, I fell down again before darkness took me.

That was when my dreams of him began.

The next few days, I was getting better. Ruka was getting closer to me as a brother. One sunny morning, while the three of us were taking our breakfast in the long rectangular table, dad spoke. "Mikan, me and mom decided that you must go to school starting tomorrow since tomorrow's the opening of class. We already got you enrolled where Ruka is attending, Alice Academy. So if ever someone tried to bully you, don't hesitate in calling your brother." I nod and smiled.

The following day, I woke up earlier than usual. I was excited on my first day of school. I mean, what would it be like? Will I meet new people and make new friends? Do you think they'll like me? I took a bathe before slipping into the clothes, which I think is my uniform, being prepared for me by my mom. But as I hurriedly went downstairs, I was surprised to see them all ready on the table. I guess this is the standard waking time starting today?

I pushed my chair towards the table. Dad and mom seems to sense my nervousness that mom smiled at me before taking my hand. "Don't worry, Mikan, you'll be fine," she said, trying to comfort me. I smiled at her. She let my hand go. "Yes and your uniform looked good on you," dad continued. "Hey Ruka, watch out for your sister. A lot of guys might want to harass her." I choked at my dad's words. Ruka was madly blushing and mom was glaring at him. He raised his hands as a sign of defeat, smiling. "I'm just saying"

…

When I reached the school, everyone started murmuring. Guys hungrily looked at me. I almost want to vomit after seemingly reading their thoughts as girls glared at me.

"What is she doing with Ruka?"

"Oh my god, she can't be her new girlfriend, right?"

I sighed. They didn't know I'm his sister. Meanwhile, looking beside me, I could see my brother madly blushing. I gave him a questioning look but he didn't turn to look at me. He just continued staring ahead, to where a group of boys were crowding. One man with yellowish hair noticed our presence that he immediately ran to us followed by the others. "Ruka, what have we got here? I really worship you man for being the best in choosing dates. Think you could, ah, help me?" he joked. Ruka glared at him. "She's my sister, idiot!" he said before slapping his head. Everyone's jaw dropped as the boy whom my brother hit gazed up to meet my hazel eyes. "Really? I didn't know you had a hot sister," again, my brother hit him.

They started introducing themselves to me afterwards as I reluctantly made myself known. When the bell rang, I bid my goodbye. But as I was just turning around, I bumped into something or rather someone. The cold ground immediately welcomed my butt. Ruka and the others, who were about to enter the room, turned back to look at me. I gazed up to see a raven-haired man with crimson orbs boringly looking at me. He pulled out his hands tucked in his pocket before offering it to me, helping me stand up. I was glad at his gentleness. I bowed to him and was about to break into a run towards my room when I heard him utter. "See you around, polka" My face heat up and so does the boys behind. When he said it, it was perfectly loud and clear. But I didn't have time to argue with him since I'd only be late. So, I just backed off without paying any more attention to his smirking figure.

That lunch, I already made a lot of friends namely Hotaru and Luna. Luna was my classmate. We met Hotaru during club time. And from that day on, we were always seen hanging out together. We were eating peacefully our burgers when we suddenly heard squeals from the canteen's door. Shifting our gazes to know what the commotion was all about, I was surprised to see that stupid man, my brother and his friends being crowded by a lot of girls. Okay, that was really weird. But I admit that their group really looked hot. I mean, why wouldn't it be? The members are also amazingly good-looking. Not that I care.

I just shrugged the commotion off before shifting my attention back to my burger when Hotaru suddenly spoke. "I heard Yukihira's your brother," she said monotonously. I know it wasn't a question but I nodded. Luna stopped eating to look at me. I looked at her and she resumed eating. Okay, that was weird. Hotaru sensed how confused I am so she starts explaining. "I didn't know Ruka has a sister. He and his group are known here in the academy. Their group are always the one being crowded by a lot of girls simply because of their killer appearance. They ruled this place and their goal is to make out with every girl they see. However, that raven-haired lad over there is new to me," she pointed the man I bumped earlier, "But I have to admit he looks way better than the rest. That must be the reason why a lot of girls crowd around them than usual." I only nod as we three finished our burgers and fries.

That night, after dinner, I decided to go to my brother's room without any definite purpose. Maybe I just wanted to confront him if what Hotaru said was true. Because as far as I know, Ruka-nii is far from how Hotaru described him earlier. And as I sat on the edge of his bed, retelling what Hotaru said a while ago, I could sense his face heating up. It wasn't because of shame that I finally learned about his personality but for the fact that I said a word 'Hotaru.' Wait, I smelled something fishy around here. I smiled maniacally as he looked at me questioningly. I ignored his questioning look. It's payback time for his ignorance on me a while ago. Ha-ha!

So, I dedicate the next few days finding evidence of his and her feelings with each other. And when I already have my answers when I saw Hotaru not with herself whenever Ruka is there and from his confession on me one night, I decided that from that day onwards, I'm going to devise a plan to make them together. But after years of unsuccessful trials, I gave up. And I was only shocked when one day, I saw them together, hands intertwined with each other and the rumours that easily spread that my brother officially became serious to one girl. I guess they didn't my help at all. Nevertheless, I was happy for the both of them. Sure, it was hard at first especially after fan girls tried to kill Hotaru. Luna and I tried our best to help them both until such time those bitches became tired and stopped. And after four years of being together, Ruka asked me to reserve the whole restaurant. Mom and dad agreed. I did what I was told. I knew what was about to happen so I immediately set up some romantic candle lights and rose petals. After the both of them finished eating, Ruka pulled her to the centre of the room before he knelt down and asked for her hand in marriage.

To Be Continued