I don't own beyblade.
Here you go sky'd….sorry for late update :*
Aw 09sasha….where's the fun in that if I told you everything? ;) Just wait and see…..
Thank you juliaYuriy ^_^ your review meant so much to me….i dedicated a fic to you as well, hope you like it ;)

Update: Edited on June 2018

Chapter 10
Healing

For a moment they stared at each other, not a word was exchanged. Hiromi was looking at Ming Ming with a horrid expression, while Ming Ming was eyeing her with shock mien.

'Great….just great….' Hiromi thought warily. The silence descending upon them was becoming denser. It was like quietness before storm.

Ming Ming looked around the room, assessing the situation and still saying nothing.

All of the sudden, the phone rang. Without breaking the eye contact from her, Ming Ming reached for the phone that was in her pocket. Max's voice could be heard from it.

"Hey Ming, you must be wondering why I am calling you and why Daichi isn't…..because he chickened out" Max spoke cheerfully.
"HEY!" Daichi yelled angrily.
"Kidding Daichi….." Max chortled" he is kind of busy arranging snacks….anyway I was calling to know did you check on Hiromi? Tyson is getting edgy here; he wants us to start watching the movie…."
"Yeah I did Max….in fact I am right now in her house…."
"Cool! So when are you guys coming?'

Hiromi gulped. This is it. She was in for it.

"Max I don't think Hiromi can come…..because she is down with a cold…."

The what?! Hiromi eyes widened. Did Ming Ming say she was down with cold? What's going on here?

"Oh no" Max said worriedly" is she okay?"
"Yeah….yeah she is fine, she just needs some rest" Ming Ming spoke merrily" Why don't you guys start watching it, while I run some errands for her? Her mother is not home….so I need to see she has everything….."
"You need some help? I could come…."
"No need" Ming Ming continued, watching Hiromi with a slight amusement, who was right now gazing at her with bewilderment" You start watching it….i will catch up with you later"
"You sure?" Max asked with concern.
"Absolutely…..bye bye" Ming Ming sang, clicking her phone shut. Hiromi was submerged in a pool of astonishment. Did the pop princess actually covered for her? She was expecting her to spill out her current state…..but she didn't. She did the complete opposite of it. She protected her.

Ming Ming walked towards her and kneeled beside her. She then withdrew a napkin from her coat and wiped the tears from Hiromi's cheeks.

"Those rubies were never meant for tears you know" Ming Ming spoke softly. She was referring to her eyes color. Hiromi snapped out from her trance.
"Ming Ming…what?" Hiromi whispered.
"I know what it feels like….to be bruised, unloved…..rejected" Ming Ming spoke quietly. Hiromi peered at Ming Ming eyes. Beside sympathy and compassion, she saw something else too, an unspoken hurt and pain. Did Ming Ming also went through this? Was she broken before like she was right now? Is this the reason why she caught up with it so quickly?

"Want to talk about it?" Ming Ming asked her gently.
Hiromi lowered her gaze, her eyelashes brushing her cheeks. Ming Ming understood. She will tell her. Later.
Ming Ming then opened her arms and spread them wide.

Hiromi felt her vision go blurry, her eyes brimming with tears. She then threw herself on Ming Ming and cried on her shoulder. A sense of comfort coursed through her, when Ming Ming wrapped her arms around her frame.

"Shh…." Ming Ming whispered. Hiromi howled louder.
"It's okay Romi…..i am here now"

Hiromi was lying in her bed, gazing at the ceiling. Yesterday, she poured her heart out in form of cries. While she whimpered and wept, Ming Ming held her in her arms, comforting her and wiping away her tear ducts. Crying eventually led to sleeping. She vaguely remembered Ming Ming leading her towards the bed and tucking her in like a baby.

The next day she woke up with swollen eyelids. Hiromi then went towards the attic and was quite surprised to see the mess cleaned. It seemed Ming Ming tidy it up before leaving the place.

'Why did she do that?' Hiromi kept asking herself. One part thought she was acting sweet so that she could wheedle out the information from her and use it against her. Another part thought she was doing this because she really felt sorry for her and wanted to help her.

'The look in her eyes…it didn't look like it was made up'. Oddly that visit from her comforted her, eased her. It slightly lulled the ache in her heart.
A doorbell rang, breaking Hiromi from her musings. Hiromi got up from her bed and went to fetch the door. She was surprised to see who it was. It was Ming Ming and in one hand she was carrying a shopper, which contained bento boxes.

"Ming Ming?"
"Hey Romi" Ming Ming greeted sunnily" It's almost lunch time and I am awfully hungry. So I thought why not grab some bite with you. I bought takeaway"

Hiromi bit her lip. For some strange reason she was glad Ming Ming came.

"Sure…come on in" Hiromi smiled, stepping aside and letting the guest in, who two years ago was her enemy. And right now she was going to have lunch with her. How ironic.

It became a daily ritual. Everyday Ming Ming would come to Hiromi's house and spend two hours with her. It never exceeded more than that because Ming Ming had a busy schedule. But Hiromi was content with it. In those two hours, she would drop her brave façade and would become open. She would then tell everything; her feelings, her longing, her dark secrets, her embarrassment. Ming Ming would listen all of it quietly. When Hiromi would finish, Ming Ming would hold her hand and would console her with kind words. Those words were like a balm to her battered soul. They never singed her. They weren't spiked with sarcasm, scorn and chide. They never came with veiled judgments. They carried solace.

In those epochs, Hiromi felt a small sun hovering over her, warming her frozen form.

Sometimes she was lucky. Ming Ming would come to her house for sleepover. In those moments, Hiromi was the happiest. They would talk endlessly. During the midst of conversation, Hiromi plucked up the courage to ask her.

"Ming?"
"Yeah?"

They were sitting in a dark pink carpeted floor amid sleeping bags. The lights were off, giving the moon an opportunity to bath the whole room with its ghostly glow.

"Why are you doing this? I mean this counseling me part….not that I like it; I am kind of glad but still…."

Ming Ming smiled. She looked towards the window and gazed at the moon. She then quietly said.

"I became pregnant at age 12" At this Hiromi eyes widened. Pregnant? At age 12? What on earth happened? Ming Ming continued.

"I was the youngest of my sisters. My other sisters were pretty and beautiful with lovely skin colors and luscious hair. I was gangly, dark and had strange hair color. I stood out in my family in regards to appearances. I was pretty much ignored. That aggrieved me a lot. Until he came."

Hiromi felt goose bumps in her arms. Ming Ming leaned against the wall and sighed.

"Luke was an exchange student. He was here in our school for a year, because his father had a transfer from his job. He was nice and a very sweet guy. And pretty handsome too. He approached me saying he liked my hair. I didn't trust him instantly. I thought like others he was making fun of my hair. But that changed when he used to save a seat for me in lunch hour and in every class. Walk me back to my house after school. We grew close. So close that when he leaned forward to kiss me, I didn't push him back."

"He complimented me. Showered attention on me. Used to hold my hand. Steal kisses whenever he can. For the first time in those days, I felt loved and appreciated. We were in love. Or so I thought, that when that night came I was swimming in an ocean of bliss"

'That's what I used to feel like when I was with Kai' Hiromi thought sadly.

"But like I said before, he was an exchange student, so he had to leave. Before he left, he promised he would stay in contact. But those words were vacant. He never contacted. That alone punctured a hole in my heart. But did I know that some new disaster was soon to be struck on me, further deepening that hole. A child was boring inside me. I realized that when I missed my period and fainted due to weakness. My family rushed me to the hospital. The doctor told them"

There was a moment of silence. Hiromi didn't probe her, because Ming Ming had closed her eyes and was breathing heavily. After a while she spoke.

"Words aren't enough to tell how I felt at that moment. Without consulting me, my child was aborted. After the operation, came a series of profanities from everyone in my family. My parents consider me a shame. My sisters called me a slut and a whore. I was shunned in a corner. I finally broke when my father utter that why didn't he died when I was born….at least he won't be here to see this day….that was the final straw. I ran."

Hiromi gasped" you ran? But….but…."
"Yes I indeed fled, because I thought any place is better than my home. It was a stupid decision. I used to sleep in MRT. Steal food sneakily when I ran out of rations and money. I was lost. Completely lost. No one was with me. I only had thoughts swirling in my mind for company….my unborn child, Luke's betrayal, my family rejection"

"Then what happened?' Hiromi whispered, unable to picture further.
"Venus came" Ming Ming smiled, a contentment blooming on her face.
"It was raining and I was taking a shelter under a awning when a strong gust of wind tore it up. I was cold and was shivering uncontrollably when suddenly a white light came and I was almost blinded by it. That was the first time I saw her. She was protecting me."
"Venus was like an arch angel in my life, and will be like that till death does us apart. She healed me, nurtured me…..helped me pass through the darkest period of time"
"After a while Boris came. He wasn't a good man, but he promised me that he would train me as a beyblader. I came under his shelter. I knew he had a dark heart, but I needed a skill to survive in this world. So I give in and did his evil bidding. I hated following him but….."

"You didn't have any choice" Hiromi finished" I wish I had a bit-beast too"

Ming Ming laughed softly.
"Why need a bit-beast when you have me?"

Hiromi understood it. Ming Ming didn't want her to suffer.
"The reason I am doing this, is because I don't want you to get out of this all alone. I want to be there with you….because loneness kills" then she added.
"And besides you don't need a bit-beast because Venus is here"
At that moment, a white feather floated gently in a mid-air and landed in front of Hiromi. Hiromi smiled and then asked;

"Do you think I will get through this?"
"Venus believes so and so do I" Ming Ming said with a confirmed tone, which made Hiromi's heart welled with joy.

They both were sitting on a bench in beach, drinking strawberry milk shake. Ming Ming was wearing a dark blue hooded jacket with black aviator glasses, so that fans don't recognize her. A sudden thought crossed her mind. She then glanced towards Hiromi who was chewing on her straw. Hiromi became aware of staring. She looked up and saw Ming Ming scrutinizing her rather closely.

"Is there's something on my face?" Hiromi asked her.
"No, but there is a question I have been wanting to ask you"
"What?"
"What do you planned to become later in life?"
"Huh?" Hiromi looked down, avoiding her gaze "I haven't decided yet"
"Don't be silly, you must have some idea" Ming Ming said briskly" I mean look at me, I love singing and soon I discovered I do have a thing for it, so I opted for it"
"Well at least you knew and you have a talent for it" Hiromi muttered.
"I know you have decided. You just aren't telling me" Ming Ming leered. At this Hiromi glared. Dammit, she could see her like a mirror.
Hiromi mumbled, but Ming Ming didn't hear her.
"What's that romi?"
"I want to become a barrister" Hiromi murmured.
"A barrister huh?"
"Yeah….go on, laugh"
"I fail to see a joke in it". At this Hiromi looked up, amazed. Ming Ming was peering at her with a thoughtful expression.
"Have you thought about it? You know as a career wise?"
"No"
"And why the hell not?" Hiromi was tongue-tied. Really why hadn't she researched about it; university fees, courses, training etc. The wind drifted, fresh with a whiff of saltiness.
"Hiromi….i think it's time you become selfish. Just think about yourself. Don't think about me, your friends, your family….and even Kai. Just focus on adorning yourself"

Hiromi looked towards the sea, the waves crashing lightly with the bright sun reflecting on its turquoise surface. Had she been selfless all this time? Come to think of it, she had. She used to work endlessly so that she can stay rooted in team. The boys liked her but treated her as though she was their unpaid maid. Listen to her parents all the time, so that they wouldn't be disappointed, especially her father. And Kai? She gave her body to him so he can satisfy his urges. If this wasn't being selfless, then what is it?

Hiromi tightened her jaw. She then clasped Ming Ming's hand and said, rather gratefully;

"Thanks Ming Ming". Ming Ming smiled and returned her grasp. After a while, a smile tugged on Hiromi's lips, which piqued Ming Ming interest.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing….i was just wondering about the irony of life"
"And what's that?"
"I used to hate you, Ming Ming" Hiromi blurted out" I used to think you are some pop bitch who thinks everything is beneath her feet…but that changed the moment you covered up for me"

Hiromi glanced and saw an impish beam on Ming Ming face too.

"I too used to think you are some bossy bitch who loves to boss people around" Ming Ming confessed.

They stare at each other, before breaking into fits of laughter. After gaining their breaths, Ming Ming spoke:

"But that changed when I was sparring with Daichi one afternoon"
"Daichi?" Hiromi asked, surprised.

Flash back

It was warm afternoon. The bright sun found the bladers sparring in a backyard of dojo.
"Strata Dragoon! What the hell is wrong with you? Take a sharp turn!" Daichi ordered.

Ming Ming laughed, the sound of it resembling the clinking of little golden bells.

"Maybe he doesn't want to" Ming Ming giggled. After a while, Daichi huffed.
"This isn't working….i need to wind its gear, halt it"

Both bladers called their respective beyblades back in their hand. Daichi sat down and started winding up his beyblade.

A shriek could be heard from within the confines of Dojo. It seemed Hiromi was yelling and by the sound of It, Tyson was bearing it. Ming Ming pursed her lips disapprovingly.
"Stupid girl" Ming Ming muttered.
"Who?" Daichi asked, immersed in a task.
"Hiromi…..can you hear her yelling? She bosses you around as though you are her slaves and she is the queen. A total bitch she is" Ming Ming commented.
At this Daichi looked up, fury dancing in his glass green eyes. Ming Ming saw this and she became slightly faltered. His gaze was scaring her.

"Take that back" Daichi whispered, dead serious.
"What? But you know it's true" Ming Ming answered, frowning.
"It's not" Daichi said, glaring at cerulean-haired girl" She's not a bitch…..she's our mentor, our coach, keeps everyone in line, especially me….when I see her, she reminds me of my mother, yelling and ordering me around. Makes me spectacle that my mama would have be like that if she was still alive…."

"Daichi I never knew…..i am so sorry…."
"Hey don't feel bad…you didn't know that" Daichi said, a kind expression making it way.
"But still I shouldn't have said that…..you are my best friend and I should respect your feelings" Ming Ming said, smiling, at which Daichi beamed. Then Ming Ming uttered" Regardless of the fact, it's her"

At this Daichi shook his head. Girls.

End of flash back.

"Did Daichi really said that?" Hiromi asked, not quite believing it.
"I know" Ming Ming chuckled" he can be so emotional sometimes"
At this the girls shared a laugh. Then Ming Ming asked.
"So?"
Hiromi knew what she was talking about. She finally answered.
"I will think about it"

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