Forward Momentum (rei ryugazaki love story) Chapter 12
Hitomi's POV
It's the next day and I'm walking to school. Kenji is clinging on next to me, like a fly to any leftover food in the trash.
"Jesus, Kenji, what's with you? There's no need for you to hover me like that!"
"Maybe I wanna show my sister appreciation."
"Kenji, you're the last one to show appreciation. Never mind - why exactly are you doing this!?" I run away from Kenji and go straight to homeroom. I set myself down on my desk. And I look behind me, Yuuto is playing his 3DS. I look forward to seeing Rei and Nagisa.
I go upstairs for math and I see Nagisa, but no Rei.
"Huh?" I walk to my desk and Nagisa smiles.
"Morning, Hito-kun!"
"Morning, Nagisa. Uh, where's Rei?" Sitting down. Rei now enters the room, looking flustered. I'm concerned. He sits at his desk, looking like he's ready to pass out. Nagisa speaks,
"Rei, you okay?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm running a slight fever."
"Then, why are you even here!" Nagisa face palms himself.
"You should be in bed, resting. Adding stress is only going to make it worst." I add in. He looks at me.
"I'll be fine, Hitomi. I promise." The teacher walks in,
"Okay, take your seats everyone."
Class is over and I gather my things to go downstairs. I look back at Rei, looking worse than ever. I look at Nagisa, who's also concerned for his friend.
Nagisa's POV
I look at Hitomi, who looks like she's ready to cry. She wipes her eyes and leaves, afraid to say anymore. I look back at Rei,
"Nagisa, can you help me to the Nurse's?"
Hitomi's POV
The whole 2nd period passes and I can't focus on anything, at all. I'm too focused on Rei. The bell rings and I run back upstairs for 3rd period. As soon as I get there, I see just Nagisa. I walk slowly to my desk, knowing the desk next to me is empty. I look back at Nagisa and he shakes his head, sadly. I look back at the empty desk.
Nagisa's POV
The teacher comes in, signaling us that class has started. I look at Hito-kun, who looks like a lost puppy.
It's the end of the day and before I head to swim practice, I decide to make Hito-kun happy. I make it where the Skate Club is and I see Hito-kun and Koi doing relay laps.
"Hazuki?" I look to my right and I see Tsumeo, the Vice President of the Skate Club.
"Uh, hey, what's up?" He's covered in sweat.
"I got done doing some laps with Kenichi and Kenji. What are you doing here?"
"Ooh, uh, I got a question for Hito-kun."
"You're not asking her out, are you?"
"Oh, no, no!" 'Wait, what!?' "I have a question for math and since Rei went home sick, I figure I would ask Hito-kun."
"Oh, good. That's alright, then. To be honest, I have first dibs on Hitomi. I mean, I have the extreme hots for her. And she's gonna be my girlfriend."
'What! But she loves Rei! There's no way she's gonna fall for you!' I scream in my head.
"But, that's something she doesn't need to know; not now anyways. But, if that's all you need, I'll get Hitomi for you." He walks to the track, "Yo, Hitomi!" I immediately go through my bag to pull out the assignment and a blank paper and write a note; the reason why I came here in the first place. If Tsumeo finds out if she likes someone else -
"Nagisa?" I look up and it's Hitomi.
"Hey, Hito-kun! You got a few minutes? I need some help with some Math, eh hehe." She smiles,
"Sure!"
Hitomi's POV
We walk to a bench away from the group,
"So, what are you stuck on?" Nagisa looks around.
"Actually, it's not math." He hands me a slip of paper. He opens the math book to a random page. "Read the note, but make it look like you're reading the book, okay?" I nod. "So, I tried making this problem, but I end up not knowing which I need to do next." I read the note in my mind,
'You wanna see Rei tomorrow? He's planning to stay home because he's sick.' There's is also Nagisa's cell number.
"But, Nagisa-"
"See, it's right here. Can you show me?" He hands me a pen. I write on the paper,
'This isn't the place. You text me, Kenji is acting strange recently.' I write down my cell number as I write his on the palm of my hand. "That's all you need to do." Nagisa playfully punches his head.
"Of course! I should've known that!" He stands up, "Thanks, Hito-kin! I'll see you tomorrow!" As he runs out.
Kenichi, Kenji and I all go home.
"Nice job, you guys! Good work." Kenichi says. Kenji has his hands behind his head and I look at the sky, still thinking about Rei, wondering if he's okay.
We make it home and I help Mom make dinner.
We finish eating supper and I go to my room and get my cellphone out, entering Nagisa's cell number. I see a new message from him.
'Hito-kun! So, you wanna tomorrow?' I respond,
'Of course I do. Please! I want to see him.' I lay on my bed, my mind still clouded. The door opens and it's Kenji.
"Hey." I slide my cell under my pillow.
"What do you want, Clingy? Seriously, what is up with you?"
"It's just, a lot of people have been staring at you."
"So what?"
"You're my sister. It's my responsibility to watch out after you." I look away. In a way he has a point. "Now, hurry up. We need to prepare for the rally tonight."
"What! I thought you stopped!" I respond back.
"Once you join, you can never leave, Hitomi." I stay put on my bed. "Hitomi, come on! NOW!" Rei's smile. He's the reason why...
"You know what? I quit!"
"What!"
"I'll stay in the Skate Club for school, but that's it. I don't expect you to know or to understand, but there is a reason I have for being done with it all. And I'm sure as Hell not going to tell you!"
"Is it a guy?" I stare down at him.
"That's none of your concern."
"It is too! Is it because of that Ryugazaki dweeb? He is, isn't he!?" I start getting pissed at him, yelling back,
"That's not any of your business!" Kenichi, Mom and Dad run to us,
"What's going on here!?" Dad sniffs the air, "I smell drugs...Kenji?" Kenichi slams Kenji to the wall,
"Wake up, dude! Are you out of your mind!?"
"The gang treats you, Hitomi and I more like family than this place ever will!"
"You idiot!" Kenichi yells.
"Do you realize what you're saying, boy!?" Dad yells back. Mom steps in between my brothers, breaking them apart. Kenichi stares at Kenji.
"Kenji, my reason for leaving the gang is NONE of YOUR concern!"
"For a dumb dweeb like Ryugazaki and as that dork is, I say you must be stupid." Calling me stupid and pathetic from Kenji is one thing. Insult Rei like that, I snap.
"That's it." I leap forward and pounce on Kenji, start wailing on him.
"Holy shit! Hitomi, stop!" Kenichi yells. I try to hit his face, his arms blocking my attacks. "Christ, Hitomi! Stop!" I stop, Kenji flips me over, leaving me defenseless and attacks and scratches my face. "Dude, stop! That's enough!" Kenichi pleads Kenji to stop. He grabs him, dragging him away, but finishing me by kicking me hard in the leg. I lay on the ground, shaking about the brawl.
The next day comes and quietly, I pack my after-school clothes. Today, I go with Nagisa to see Rei. I look in the mirror and notice my face is bruised on my cheek and by eye with a few scratch marks. I put my hair in the ponytail and since it's starting to get warmer, I leave my blazer at home and just wear my white button shirt with my skirt and class ribbon, of course. After not texting Nagisa last night, he's probably wondering where I was. I go downstairs, everyone is at the table, including Kenji. We make eye contact and turn our heads away from each other.
"No fighting." Dad warns us. I grab a piece of toast and a juice bottle and leave, not saying a word to anyone. I slam the door and start walking to school. I don't care if I'm early. At least, I can try to get some homework done.
"Hitomi?" I look and it's Makoto and Haru.
"Oh," Turning really fast, "Hey, you guys. Didn't expect you to be here." Mako and Haru catch up with me.
"We live close by." I'm in between them. Haru looks at me,
"What happened to your face?"
"Uh..." Makoto steps in front of me and lifts my face forcefully. "Ow, ow, ow!" I look in his green eyes.
"You're a mess! What happened!?" I look down at my feet.
"Can I... adopt you guys as my new brothers?"
"Brothers?"
"She must have gotten into a fight. Right?" Haru asks. I nod,
"Kenji. I was in a gang with Kenichi and Kenji, selling drugs. A revelation came to me, I told Kenji I quit; he got pissed and realized my reason. He got me really pissed off, saying insults. But, it's my fault, I started the fight and he got me a few times, heh, heh."
"This isn't something to laugh about. I'm a brother and I know better as Kenji should know to never lay a hand on your siblings, especially sisters."
"You're right."
You're not planning to go to your brother's skate club, are you?"
"I don't really know. I'm off practice today, I go back tomorrow. Actually, Nagisa and I are going to check up on Rei after school." We continue to walk to school.
"Is he staying home again? Man, he must have worked hard." I look at Mako. "Every day after school he went to Samezuka Academy to learn the different swim strokes."
"Huh? Why not learn here instead out to Samezuka?"
"Hard to explain. But, we kind of followed him in secrecy so, please don't mention this to him!" Makoto pleads. I giggle.
We reach the school and Nagisa runs to us.
"Hito-kun! What happened!? Why did you stop texting - Hito-kun, what happened to you!? Your face! It's -"
"Nagisa, it's fine. I just got into a little dispute with Kenji. Anywhoo, I'm excited to go with you to see Rei today!" I say, with a real smile and being excited about this upcoming visit. He smiles back,
"Me too, Hito-kun!"
It's after school and Nagisa, Mako and Haru agree that I hang out with them today at the pool instead of being alone and having chances of another incident with Kenji. After the boys change in their swimsuits and entering the pool, Gou gives me a signal that I can use their locker room to change. I'm in a long sleeve, thin, navy blue shirt, and a tan, pleated skirt that's above my knees and long, knee high brown boots.
I leave the locker room and I sit next to the Swimming Advisor, who I learn is Miss Amakata, holding a white and light pink parasol.
"Thanks for letting me stay here today while the guys are practicing."
"It's not a problem. After the boys told me, I think it would be best for you to stay away for a while." We watch the boys swim. "I am right, you are the kid sister of the Skating Leader, but I'm really happy you quit. What, if I may, made you quit?" I look at her,
"Well, please don't tell." She looks around,
"I promise I won't tell. There's an old saying that goes, 'The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.'" I smile in relief. I watch the guys swim with Gou coaching them,
"It's not what made me quit. More like who made me quit. Not by force, but by realization. When I got caught, I saw his eyes. They were filled with anger and guilt. I really felt like I wanted to kill myself. I feel like I should punish myself and the pain I gave him too."
"He must be this important, if you are willing to give up something that is very unhealthy and toxic. And instead, fill your life with healthy and pure love." I look at Miss Amakata,
"Do you think so?"
"Of course, I do." She smiles and looks at me. "Never take him for granted, ever. Especially that he saved your life."
'Rei.'
The Swim Club ends for the day and after we said our goodbyes and Nagisa changed to his after-school clothes, him and I head to the train station to visit Rei.
"Hey, Hito-kun, what exactly are you gonna tell Rei about your bruises?"
"If he asks, I'm just gonna tell him. But, I really hope it doesn't come to it." We go inside the train and take our seats. "Does he know that we're coming?"
"He always expects me to drop by, but this is kinda like a surprised gift - YOU! Going to Rei's house to see him!"
"Eh!? Wait! So, I'm a present!?"
"Oh-ho-ho, yeah! It's obvious you two got the hots for each other!" I grow red and cover his mouth, which in turn...licks my hand.
"Ew, ew, ew!" I rub my now Nagisa slobbered hand on my bag. "And for the record - I DO NOT have the hots for Rei!"
"So, Tsumeo?"
'Tsumeo? Why would he ask about him? Besides, he's too...ick...' "No way."
"So, Rei!"
Nagisa's POV
"So, Tsumeo?" 'If not Rei, who?' Her blush disappears.
"No way."
"So, Rei!" Her blush comes back. 'Whew.' She shuts her eyes and looks down,
"Nagisa, shut up! Must you be loud!"
"Hey, Hito-kun!" She looks at me, "You didn't deny this time!" Her face just became a tomato. She shuts her eyes again.
Hitomi's POV
"It's not like he would like me back! Especially where I came from."
"Hito-kun, that stuff doesn't matter anymore. The goal now - is for you to walk forward. And you got Rei and me and Makoto and Haru and Gou too."
"But, I'm not part - "
"You don't have to be part of the Swim Club. We're friends. And that's all that matters." I look at Nagisa.
"Nagisa..." I smile. "Thanks! Oh and this little talk of me liking Rei, this doesn't leave the train."
"I don't know, if you guys take too long to date or confess, I'll just have to say something."
"Oh, Nagisa...don't even try."
Thanks for reading everyone! If you love this story, make sure you check out my other stories, and tell me which story you would like to see updated next. Let me know and like on my Facebook page cynderella1130 for fun pictures and what is next to be updated. send a message for any questions. and as always, keep me on your watch.
