Fun Fact #6: The story/prequel/thing about Kyoya's and Misaki's interactions when they were little is now up, if you didn't already know! It's called Budding Warmth. It's going to be a short chapter story, however, so right now it's not that interesting and not that long since the first part of the chapter is just a review. Oh, and as a note, this doesn't mean that Misaki is going to end up with Kyoya - someone just suggested the idea to me and I felt like writnig it. ^-^
Chapter 12
~Misaki~
...someone should've warned me that staying in a hospital was boring.
I knew that I didn't have to do any homework - I'm still recovering, after all. But because there weren't any visitors - none at all! - I had no one to talk to. Yayyy~ everyone needs a bit more time of their day to stare at the wall!
Did I say that I didn't have any visitors?
No, in fact, I have one.
"As I was trying to say yesterday," Kyoya started talking about medical things that I didn't even understand: seriously, how can he memorize this stuff?! "Your possible treatment options include oxygen therapy, medications, or possibly, if your condition gets worse, a heart and lung transplant..."
"Heart... and lung...?" my eyes widened, "You're kidding me, right?"
Kyoya stared at me, "Do you know anything about your disease?"
I flushed in embarrassment, "No... not really... but I'm sure I'll be able to cope with it!" I gave him a thumbs up, smiling.
"Misaki..." Kyoya's expression changed. His eyes seemed to darken, but I couldn't tell what he was feeling, "There's no cure."
The smile slowly fell from my face. Despair replaced the small ounce of hope I felt earlier as I nodded, "Yeah... I know."
I looked away from him and stared at the window, "I'm going to die no matter what, right?"
"Not if I can do anything about it," there was a sort of hardness in Kyoya's voice that caused me to turn and stare at him.
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly as I realized that yes, I still had a chance, "Thank you, Kyoya."
I'll shoot for the stars, like Miyako says.
After all, it's always been my mission to get to the moon.
~Miyako~
"N-ne, Hikaru?" I asked tentatively, looking sideways at the Hitachiin twin looking the music CDs like I was.
"Hmm, what?" he responded, sounding extremely disinterested. My bubble of joy couldn't help but shrink a tiiiinny bit at that.
Even though this has happened in my wildest dreams, I had never, ever thought it would happen in real life: Hikaru Hitachiin was taking me out for a date. I suddenly blushed at the thought.
It's... it's not actually a date, as in a date-date, right?!
I covered my warm cheeks with my hands, utterly embarrassed. Then, I noticed Hikaru staring at me.
Panicking, I grabbed the first CD cover I saw and held it front of my face to hide my blush. In a high-pitched voice, I asked, "D-do you mind if I get this?"
I could hear confusion in the redhead's voice, "Avril Lavigne? Isn't she an English rock-n-roll artist?"
"Ehh?!" I flipped the case around and quickly read the words on it. With a sinking feeling, I realized he was right. I quickly racked my brain for information about the singer, so that it would seem like I had a legit reason for wanting the album. "Uhhh... Oh! It's very popular. See... eto... it's easier to talk to other people when... uhh... when you have something in common! That's it!"
He chuckled, "You're a horrible liar, Blondie. Do you want the album or not?"
I shrugged, "Not really."
We left the store, but I made sure to get some music sheets to practice with. Not many people know, but I play the viola. I used to play the violin, same with Misaki, but...
Hikaru and I were walking to wherever it was that we were going to next, and we reached a heavily crowded, busy intersection. Suddenly, I bumped into a man and I lost sight of Hikaru. Frantically, I looked around for the familiar head of auburn hair, but couldn't see it. I was about to call his name when someone grabbed my wrist. I almost let out a scream when I saw that it was Hikaru, and I let out a sigh of relief instead.
We threaded through the throngs of people, and as we walked, the crowd thinned. Hikaru and I stopped in front of a small, quaint cafe restaurant, and he led me inside. After sitting down at a table right next to the window, Hikaru picked up a menu and asked, "What do you want, Miyako?"
I picked up a menu for myself. Answering his question with a question, I asked, "Why are you doing this, Hikaru?"
"Huh?"
I interlocked my fingers and stared at them, "What's your reason for... err... taking me out?"
I could see Hikaru hesitate before replying, "Kaoru forced me to."
My little bubble of hope and joy popped.
Upon seeing the disappointed look on my face, he quickly added while hiding his face behind the menu, "But it's not like I don't want to be here. I mean - I just - it's not a big deal..."
I managed a mini smile. Just then, a pretty waitress came up and asked for our order. I spoke up first, asking for a chocolate milkshake while Hikaru asked for a strawberry and banana parfait.
After a few tense and quiet moments between Hikaru and I, the waitress finally came back... with only one of our drinks.
I frowned when I saw it was the strawberry and banana parfait. Really, if one of us had to suffer without a drink, it had to be me?! I asked the employee girl, "Ne, why is there only one? Where's mine?"
The girl smiled apologetically, "I'm so sorry! We only just realized that we're out of the ingredients to make the chocolate milkshake. But this should be fine, right? You two are dating, so it should only be right to share a parfait," she winked.
"It's not like that!" Hikaru and I protested at the same time, both of us blushing.
"Yeaaaaaah, right," the black-haired girl twisted a strand of her hair, "I'll believe that when two exact copies of you two walk through the door right now."
Hikaru and I looked at each other and pulled out our cell phones, and put our twins on speed-dial as quickly as possible. But before we could manage to call them, the waitress just put her hands to her cheeks and started acting like a fangirl, "Uwah, you two are so cute! I hope you stay together! Make sure to visit here again, okay? And -"
"Nori-san!" an angry supervisor appeared, and he bowed to Hikaru and I, "I'm sorry if she was disturbing you two. Please forgive us," he turned to the girl, Nori-san, "Come on, now..."
A massive blush was still present on my face, and I glanced at Hikaru. He looked at me at the exact moment as I did, and we both looked away. Finally, he gently pushed the drink towards me, "I don't really want it."
Distressed, I gave it back to him, "It's yours! I don't really like strawberries, anyways... no, wait I do..."
"You look really thirsty, you should have it," argued Hikaru.
"But you're paying for it!" I protested.
"I'm the one who brought you to this date!"
Cue another awkward silence.
"Let's just share," I said exasperatedly.
"Yeah."
Was it me, or was there a tint of a blush on his cheeks, too?
~the next day~
The doorbell rang, and I immediately opened it. Haha, no, of course I wasn't just standing right next to the door in my nicest clothes! Haha...
"Ohayo, Hikaru!" I smiled brightly at him, already feeling a blush on my cheeks. He was smiling down at me, too. We stood there for a few moments, just like that.
It was heaven.
Hikaru was the one who broke the silence, "Uh, so I thought that we should go to a amusement park today," he scratched the back of his head, "but I didn't know if it was okay with you, so..."
"I'd love to go!" I blurted out.
His smile reappeared.
When we arrived at the carnival, it was already packed. Hikaru took my hand and held it his warm ones. I blushed - half in delight, half in embarrassment. He probably remembered yesterday, right? Oh my stars, the cafe...
"Let's go on a rollercoaster!" Hikaru exclaimed excitedly. I grimaced for a moment, then smiled, hoping he didn't notice. He did.
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, "Oh, Blondie~ Are you scared of heights?"
"No!" I shouted, "It's just... well... I've been on some pretty terrifying rides and..."
"Let's go!" the auburn-headed jerk started to drag me to the nearest rollercoaster. I protested the entire way. We stopped in front of the waiting line for the one of the fastest, highest, scariest rollercoaster in all of Japan.
"Hikaru," I said in my firmest voice, "I am NOT going on that rollercoaster. I refuse to."
"Do it for me," he smiled cockily.
My will wavered.
Ten minutes later, I found myself screaming for my life because of the most stupid decision I've ever made.
It was all worth it, because of who was holding my hand the entire time.
~the next day~
"SHOOT IT!" I yelled at the Kaoru, "SHOOT THE FREAKING VAMPIRE ZOMBIE THING BEFORE I -"
My screen on the plasma TV became black.
"...die..."
Kaoru and Hikaru laugh at me, "We still lasted longer than you! You're so bad at this game."
I flushed furiously, "It's not fair! This is my first time playing this game!"
Today, Hikaru had taken me to the Hitachiins mansion after school and the Host Club had ended.
...I still wasn't sure why he was doing all this for me. 'Cause, you know, we aren't really dating! But it... but sometimes... it really did seem like a date...
"Ne, Miyako, how is Misaki doing?" asked Kaoru.
I looked up, surprised by the question. Blinking, I tried to think of a suitable answer. It wouldn't really sound right if I had said that I have been sort of... avoiding my twin, right?
Hikaru peered at me inquisitively, "Have you even been calling her? Visiting her?"
Sadly, I shook my head.
The two Hitachiins stared at me in confusion and worry. I laughed nervously, "Don't worry - it's all okay. I've just been... you know... buried in everything."
"I think you should talk to her, Blondie," said Hikaru.
Kaoru added, "Just call her. This isn't good for either of you."
I flinched, "I know, I know. I'll call her when I get home."
After a few minutes of silence, we continued the game.
I didn't call that night.
Instead, I ignored all of the messages filling my phone.
~the next day~
Hikaru didn't take me out that day. He didn't even talk to me much at school. Was he upset with me for some reason?
~the next day~
I felt relieved. Hikaru was walking with me to class today, and everything was back to normal. Why did one day of not talking put me on such a nerve? Eh, whatever.
"Did you hear the rumor? I can't believe she's even interested in Hikaru! She hangs out with the Host Club ALL THE TIME. She's stealing our guys!"
"I know, right? She's such an ugly b..."
I froze in my tracks. Hikaru paused and looked back at me when he noticed that I had stopped, "You okay?"
Quickly, to avoid suspicion, I nodded, "Yeah."
~vVv~
"Okay... truth or dare?" I asked Hikaru.
He thought about it for a moment, "Dare. I bet you can't think of anything bad enough."
"Yeah, you're right," I shrugged and sighed in defeat. Then I put on a wicked smile, "Put Vaseline all over your face."
He glared at me.
"Aw, come on, it's not that bad. It's good for the skin," I rolled my eyes, "At least it's not one of those dares where you have to kiss..."
Why do I say such embarrassing things? I looked away and attempted to hide my blush.
Hikaru managed to cover his face with the gooey substance, but he wiped it off right away.
"Truth or dare?" asked the redhead.
"Truth," I said, confidently raising my chin.
"Are you ticklish?" his eyes were sparkling with mischief.
I quickly grabbed a pillow and held it in front of me, "I am not! I declare, I am not!"
"Tell the truth, Miyako~"
I whimpered, "...yes."
Then began the tickle attack! I was completely defenseless, as the pillow was completely useless. A few minutes passed by. And somehow, we ended up in an awkward position...
I was lying down on the couch, and Hikaru was above me. His face was so close to mine... I was still breathing heavily from laughing so hard...
I was very well aware of everything around me, at the moment. I wish that I wasn't the kind of girl who blushed at everything. It was so embarrassing.
At the worst possible timing, my cell phone rang.
Hikaru quickly got off of me, and I nearly sprinted to my bag. Rummaging through it, I finally found it.
Onee-chan.
"Who is it?" asked Hikaru.
I quickly dropped my phone back in my bag and closed it.
"No one."
"Well, I better go now..." Hikaru looked at me, and I swear that I saw something flicker in his eyes.
I interlocked my fingers behind my back, "Yeah..."
I walked with him to the front door. He put on his shoes and had his hand on the doorknob, "Ne, Blondie?"
"Hmm?"
"I -"
The house phone started to ring. I could tell because of the ringtone.
"Gomen, Hikaru," I apologized, "I need to answer that."
"Okay," he nodded, "Bye."
He closed the door behind him, and I swiftly ran back through the halls to find the house phone. Honestly, there were several of them that were connected throughout the house, but I only knew where one was. Out of breath, I answered it on the last ring, "Moshi moshi?"
"Misaki-chan?"
At first, I didn't recognize the voice.
"No, it's Miyako."
"Oh~" the person - it sounded like a boy - sounded like he was smiling, "Blondie."
I froze.
"Why aren't you speaking? Do you remember me? Even after I had sent Sota to find you and your sister at school... he's rather useless."
"It's nice to speak to you again," my voice sounded cold, even to myself.
"Aw, don't be so harsh, Mi-chan!" he adopted my sister's nickname for me, "You should have told us that you were back in Japan and allowed us to visit you! It's been years."
For a good reason, I mentally added.
"Sorry, but it's getting late. I have to get to bed," It was only 8:27, "Good night, Daichi-kun."
"Sweet dreams, Blondie~"
~the next day~
2 New Messages!
I quickly glanced at them. The first one was from Hikaru.
We weren't doing anything today.
Disappointed, I looked at the other one without checking the sender.
Mi-chan. it's Culture Day. let's meet at the park, ok?
There was this little park we used to always go to when we were younger.
Quickly, I put on a coat. After all, the weather just decided to take a turn for the cold.
~Misaki~
"I thought you had to stay at the hospital."
I felt like frowning at Mi-chan's indifferent tone, but I managed to keep a smile on my face, "I just got discharged today! Isn't it great?"
No response.
My twin wasn't even looking at me. She was staring at the ground, letting her hair cover her face. I gently grabbed her arm and tried to lead her to a bench, "Let's go sit."
Miyako pulled away from me, and she looked up from the ground, "I'd rather stand."
"You didn't visit," I let the disappointment, frustration, and sense of betrayal that I was feeling make itself known in my voice. My voice grew harsher than I meant for it to be as I continued, "You didn't even call! I left hundreds of messages!" My breathing grew heavier, "...where were you?"
"Waiting," she answered simply.
I swallowed hard, "Miyako."
"Misaki."
I touched her shoulder, "What's wrong?"
Her furious, determined glare bored into my eyes, "Tell me."
I knew right away what she was demanding.
"I have Pulmonary Hypertension."
Miyako waited for me to continue. I sighed. She didn't understand what it meant. I didn't understand what it meant, either, when I first heard about it.
"...it's a type of high blood pressure. It harms - or, rather - affects the lungs and a part of the heart. I forgot which."
Her eyes widened, "So that's why..."
"Yeah," I nodded.
Continuing on, I told her, "It's really complicated. Kyoya - he had to tell me several times for me to understand it. But basically, the heart - my heart - has to work so hard that it's becoming weak. With the extra stress that I was facing that week before I... I had that heart attack, because you almost drowned... I guess that my blood pressure was too high. I'm not sure," Embarrassed, I rubbed the back of my neck, "I sometimes zone out while the doctors are talking."
"Anyways..." my voice grew lower, "There isn't a cure for what I have. And - Kyoya says that at the rate it's going..."
I could see the dread in her eyes.
"It's going to be fatal."
Slap!
I cupped my right cheek with my hand, the stinging sensation lingering. I looked slightly to the side, unable to bear looking at Miyako in the eye. I swallowed and shut my eyes, "I deserved that, didn't I?"
"Why are you talking like that?!"
I snapped open my eyes and stared at Mi-chan in shock.
She looked so upset, so infuriated but close to crying, too. Her eyes were tearing up. Heck, mine were, too.
"First, you keep this from me!" she yelled at me, "This is so important - oh my stars, oh my stars, I can't even breathe right now and I'm so worried and scared and I don't know what to do. But you! You're talking as if you're going to leave forever!"
Confusion flooded my face, and a few tears fell from my lashes, "But... I am doing to leave for -"
"NO!"
Miyako had started sobbing, too.
"You're not my sister! My onee-chan never acts this way!"
Something just pierced my heart.
"My twin is strong, and she never gives up. If - if death really were in front of her face, she'd just grab a sword and laugh at its face. She'd never give up hope and say, 'oh, I'm going to die. I'm sorry'. No! She'd refuse her own fate!"
"But - Mi-chan -"
"Who are you?" her question demanded an answer. Tears were running rapidly down her cheeks, and she looked so desperate for an answer.
I briskly grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, "I'm - I'm so sorry, M-mi-chan," I was struggling to speak, as I released a sob.
"It's... it's ok-kay... I forg-give you."
That day, we both swore to never do that to each other ever again.
A/N: This is officially the longest chapter of Mischievous Affection. This story also reached over 100 reviews! Hooray!
I felt that the characters were a TEENSY bit OOC, but I think it's okay.
Next chapter, I'll be doing shoutouts and replying to reviews, so if you have a question, make sure you ask it. ;)
While I was writing this, the lights started flickering and I was so scared it was a black-out, so I started saving everything like crazy! black-outs are common where I live.
Omg, you guys came up with some great ship names! I love Kaosaki (Kaoru x Misaki), but for Kyoya x Misaki, Misoya and Kyoki were so cute that I can't. *squee* ahem.
if Hikaru and Miyako had a child, I'd name it Karumi. Kyoki... that also sort of sounds like an actual name. o_o Welp, that's off-topic... *coughs*
Please review! Your reviews inspire me to write more and more, and I love reading them! Love y'all! ;D
