Chapter 10: Begining of an end

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Shoko

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I heard the birds chirping as I opened my eyes. It was morning. I yawned a bit. I felt a little tired since last night, I've stayed up a bit late to sooth Kahoko. Then the image of her flashed into my mind. She was crying so much, seeing her tears rolled down on her cheeks like that pained my heart. I didn't want to see her like that, she should have been a cheerful, happy Kahoko. Why did it happen? When? When did things get so wrong? I have know ideas. I sighed then got out off bed. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a quick shower. I changed myself into a dress, with the color of jade, somehow I have took a like into it, maybe it has the same color as my hair. I stood in front of the mirror then grapped the brush to comb my hair. After settled down, I looked at the clock, six thirty. I'll try to prepare for Kahoko something special, I hope she'd like it, maybe it could help her to feel better. Thinking about the idea made me happy then I went down stair.

It was a bit surprise for me when I went out off my room and saw Kahoko was on her way down the stair. I greeted her, she just nodded. Her face still has the same sad look on it.

" How are you this morning, Kahoko?" I asked, tried to cheer her up. She looked at me then smiled, I knew she was just faking it.

" I'm fine. Thanks for asking Shoko." She said softly. It was silence for awhile, then I finally spoke.

" Kahoko," I said as she looked at me. " I'll have something special prepare for you this morning."

" Really? That's sweet of you." I blushed when she said that. Maybe this was what it felt like to have a sister. " But you don't have to."

" But I insist, I want to do it for you." I said. " Please Kahoko, at least let me try." She looked at me, sighed then nodded. I thrilled when she agreed. As we went to the dinning room.

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When we went in, we saw Ryotaro, Kazuki, Azuma and were already there. But somehow, the air seemed quite heavy when we stepped in. Azuma was acting like his usual self. He smiled as he walked toward our place.

" Hi, Kahoko, Shoko." He greeted as I and Kahoko replied back. Then I told that I'll prepare breakfast that day if he wouldn't mind. He just laughed then let me in but before that he said that if I needed help just call. I nodded. He was a nice teacher. I looked around and saw Keiichi came down and he seemed as sleepy as ever. Len hasn't down, yet. The atmosphere started to stir up a bit, maybe the things happened yesterday weren't that serious. Also I thought.

I went into the kitchen. I took out the ingredients I need. I'm gonna make pancakes for everyone. It may sound too easy to be something special, but the thing made it special was because Kahoko liked sweet things and I heard that when you are down or tired you should eat something sweet, it would make you feel better. And now, I wnted to do this to cheer her up. Okay, start with the flour mixture. I stood there and stirred the whole thing until it became very smooth. Then I found some strawberries, I washed and cut them into halves. I poured a little oil into a pan an waited until it hot enough and poured in the flour mixture. Things were going good. Breakfast for eight were ready. I put in the middle of the top pancake of each plate a square of butter while they were hot so it would melt, poured in some maple syrup, then put on the side the strawberries and some cream. I put all the plates into a big stry and carried it out. The steam made my face felt hot, but it was worth while, for Kahoko's sake.

" Hey, Shoko. What will you give us today? But I bet it would be good by the way it smell out here." Kazuki added. I blushed, it was so embarrassed! I put down the stray and started to provided the plates to everyone. Everybody was enjoying themselves and Kahoko, too. But there were one plate and it was for…

" It's that for Len?" Ryotaro suddenly asked. He startled me, then I noticed that the atmosphere has gone down again, I nodded. " You shouldn't waste your time and effort, that guy doesn't deserve the right to eat." He said coldly as he continued with his food.

" Oh, am I?" We all turned our attention at the door way. It was Len. When did he come in? All of us was pretty much surprised by his sudden appear.

" Yeah, that's right. You heard me, I said that you don't deserve to eat it!" Ryotaro's voice sound louder and louder by each word. It kind of scared me.

" So what gives you the right to eat hah, Ryotaro?" Oh no, they gonna fight each other again. No one will back down.

" Because I'm a better person then you are!!!" This time, he yelled not just shouting anymore.

" Oh, you're a better person than I am? Well , that's sweet, maybe you could show me the side that makes you better than I am! You're the same as me!" Len voice has raised up, too. Things were so tense, I was scrared. I hate violent the most. It wasn't looking so good until.

" Would you two stop it?!" ! " Are you guys all blind? We are having breakfast here and I don't want to be the one who's hungry after this! You know why? Because I'm gonna throw this plate into your guy's faces any minute now!" He shouted with anger and frustrated. " Shoko has cooked this for all of us and you're going to waste it all right, Len, Ryotaro?! Just sit down and eat your darn meal!!!" He was really mad then. They knew if they did anything more, troubles gonna come to them. So they returned to their seats and began to eat. The meal was awfully quiet. All of us ate in silence, then suddenly I heard groans. Len? He was the one who groan, he dropped the fork and held his shaking hand. He looked like he was in pain.

" What's wrong, Len." Kahoko asked, full of concern.

" I'm okay. It's none of your business." His voice was nowhere above whisper. Then I saw Ryotaro stood up all of the sudden. He looked angry and started to walked to Len's place. He grapped the left hand, and held it tightly.

" Don't hide it anymore! You can't fool me a minute longer!" He shouted, again. He used his strength and pulled up Len's hand. It was… full of scars?! But… why? Even Ryotaro was surprised. Although when I looked at Azuma, he looked like he wasn't in any surprise at all.

" What's… what has happened to your hand?" Kahoko asked with her eyes widen. Len just looked away and kept quiet.

" Hey! Why don't you answer her, Len? I would like to know the answer, too." Ryotaro added in. But Len liked he was keeping some kind of major secret.

" Okay, now. That's enough from you Ryotaro." Kanazawa said, and made the atmosphere cool down a little.

" Len," He started again. " it has been a few days, your shoulder injury must have recover some of it. Am I right?" Len nodded slightly. " Then it settles, I'm gonna call your parents so they would pick you home and see to your shoulder and hand, too." He said calmly but Len wasn' that calm at all.

" What?! No! Don't call them!" He shouted. I never seen him like that.

" Why?"

" Please, I beg of you, anything but that!!!!" He shouted even harder. What was the matter?

" Was your hand the reason why you didn't want to play last night, Len?" Kanazawa asked again.

" Yes." Len has calmed down, now as he looked down on the floor. " I was afraid that it would hurt in the middle of the progress and it has been a long time since I play…" His voice got smaller and smaller. " Sometimes it would hurt a lot, mostly in raining season like this."

" What happened to it?" Ryotaro asked. Len just looked at everyone, they were expecting an answer and so was I. He sighed in defeat. He looked frustrated, it was silence for some time but he finally opened his mouth and spoke.

I'll tell you the truth. What happened when I disappear.

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To be continued....

A/N: Sorry for the long waiting. This is short but I'll make it up for you.

Next chapter: The truth. Coming up soon. Please review. Thanks.