UtaPri Chapter 12

Syo stretched as he walked through the garden. It was a chilly morning and the dew was still on the flowers. He liked coming out here early but the last few days he had been getting up earlier than usual. It didn't help that he had also been staying up late as well.

He arrived at the clearing where he loved to practice and relax. The tree to the left of the clearing offered shade and a nice place to rest.

There weren't any classes for the day so Syo had made plans with Hikari. She wanted him to give her a few lessons on karate. Syo agreed instantly. He enjoyed hanging out with Hikari. He found her views to be interesting and they shared the same interest in dancing too.

Syo wasn't expecting Hikari to be there until about nine and it was only seven, but he had wanted to warm up and make sure he was at the top of his game. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of her.

He threw his duffle bag next to the tree and started his warm ups, but found himself getting out of breath faster than usual. He sat down under the tree panting. His head was spinning a bit. He looked at his watch. It was only 7:45.

He sighed. He usually could go an hour and a half before getting like this.

After a moment he stood up. He had to be ready when Hikari came. He took a step away from the tree then he fell to his knees holding his chest. "Not here. Please..."

Syo turned and grabbed his bag. He ripped it open and started digging through it. Where are my meds, Syo thought. They should be in here.

He winced as the pain got worse. He reached into a small side pocket and found his pill bottle and quickly took out two pills. He took a drink of water and swallowed the pills. He closed his eyes and tried to stay calm.

"I... should call... Natsuki..." Syo reached for his phone, but was having difficulty keeping a hold of it because his hands were shaking. He was about to click on Natsuki's name when he received an incoming call.

Syo felt a smile spread across his face as Hikari's name came up with the picture he had taken of her while she was focused on writing in her notebook. He slid his finger over the 'ignore' button. If he answered she'd only worry.

His chest pains where growing and before he could manage to call Natsuki, he lost consciousness.

Hikari put her phone in her pocket and left her dorm. She had tried to call Syo to see if maybe he was already practicing, but he didn't answer. In her head it meant he was either still asleep or practicing.

She walked down the hallway that lead to the garden. She was really happy that Syo had asked her if she wanted to hang out today. Hikari decided to ask him to teach her some moves.

Hikari wouldn't dare tell Syo, but she had a few drawings of him in her notebook. She loved the way he moved. He was fluid in his movements.

Hikari stepped out into the cool air. It was a beautiful day. She knew she was an hour early for her plans with Syo but she was excited. She couldn't remember being this excited since her mom had given Hikari her ring. The ring had belong to her grandmother and then to her mom and now to her.

She walked down the path to the clearing. As she got closer she could see Syo lying down under the tree. "Hey, Syo!" She waved. "You taking a break?"

Hikari slowly dropped her hand as she got closer. Why hadn't Syo waved and why was his bag dumped everywhere? She began to get nervous as she got closer to Syo and noticed he was pale and shaking.

"Syo!" Hikari ran up to him and rolled him onto his back. He didn't seem to be conscious. "Syo! Please, wake up!"

Syo's eyes slowly opened, but they looked unfocused and fuzzy. "Hikari...? What-" Syo winced and grabbed his chest.

"Syo! What's wrong? Is it your chest?" She watched as Syo clutched his chest finding it difficult to speak. He pointed at his phone and Hikari grabbed it. "What about your phone?"

"Na-Natsuki..." Hikari nodded and quickly called Natsuki.

"Moshi, moshi, Syo! Good timing on the call. I just bought a new outfit that I want you to try on and-"

"Natsuki!" Hikari interrupted him.

"Hikari? Why do you have Syo's cell phone?"

"Something's wrong with Syo! He keeps clutching his chest!"

There was a moments pause before Natsuki spoke again. "Did he take his medication?"

Hikari was surprised by the seriousness in Natsuki's voice. Hikari looked down Syo. "Did you take your medication?"

Syo noded. "It didn't... work..."

Hikari turned her attention back to Natsuki who was still on the phone. "He says it didn't work."

She heard movement on the other side of the side and the sound of a door slamming. "Where are you?"

"We're at the clearing in the garden by the big oak tree."

"Ok, I'll be there in a few minutes. I'll call for an ambulance on my way." Hikari didn't have a chance to answer before Natsuki had hung up. She put the phone down and took a look at Syo. He was getting paler and he would wince when the pain got bad.

Hikari could feel the panic rise inside her. It's just like with Akira, her younger brother. She had been in many situations just like this with Akira.

Her thoughts got interrupted by Natsuki running into the clearing. "Hikari!"

"Natsuki." Hikari stood to get out of the way so Natsuki could get to Syo.

He knelt down beside Syo. "Is help coming?"

Natsuki nodded as he picked Syo up gently. "We need to get him to the front gate. Will you get his stuff?"

"Of course." Hikari quickly shoved everything into Syo's bag and his cell phone into her pocket along with hers. She followed Natsuki to the front gate just as the ambulance arrived.

The medics had Natsuki put Syo on a gurney and put him in the back as they took off down the road. Hikari stood and stared in the direction of the ambulance long after it was out of sight. "...kari... Hikari?"

Hikari shook her head. She hadn't heard Natsuki call her name. "Yes?"

Natsuki smiled. "Want to come with me to the hospital? I think it would make Syo happy if you were there."

She looked down thinking about it. It was tempting. "Ok. I'm going to call Yumi and have her inform the others."

Natsuki nodded. "I'll call a cab."

They both made their calls and after they waited a few moments the cab arrived. The ride to the hospital was tense and quiet. Hikari had questions but couldn't find the words. Her mind was too focused on Syo and what might be awaiting them at the hospital. Or what won't be.