Chapter 14
A cold gust of wind caused the tree branches hovering above me to rustle. I stopped for a second then looked up, noticing how bare the sakura blossoms Nadeshiko and I have once enjoyed are now. Winter season's coming. It doesn't look like Christmas this year would be a happy one. Afterall, the news spread fast. During break time today, Yaya had come to us. With tear-brimmed eyes and a forced, quivering smile, she asked us if what she had heard was true. The silence answered her question, and a few minutes later, she was sobbing on Soma-kun's chest.
Soma-kun remained silent. Every now and then, he would ball his knuckles.
Hotori-kun had done the same. His head hung low the entire time as Amu sat beside him in the bench- her eyes wide and distant.
Amu was motionless. For the entire day, she walked like a zombie. It was at the end that she finally broke down and cried.
I tried not to do the same. I tried to be the comforter- the positive character of the mourning group. I wanted to stay confident- to be completely sure that he will be okay.
It was difficult to show that I wasn't worried.
With a sigh, I continued to trudge forward- hugging my arms with cold hands. I needed to get to the hospital- fast.
I craved for relief more than ever now.
Finally, I made it to the place. I saw neither anything nor anyone in my line of vision as I brisk-walked past the halls. Besides the corridors leading to his room, all I could see are images of him. I completely ignored every nurse that greeted me- every sick patient that needed help.
I didn't even stop before Kirishima-kun's room to greet him.
I needed to see him.
I needed to confirm that he was alright!
Finally, I made it to the room. Without hesitating, I stormed my way in. No one was there; no one but the boy atop the plain, hospital bed. Slowly, I walked towards him.
He was laying there- the same expression he wore yesterday still intact.
Shakily, I moved my arms to his neck. When I felt a pulse, my heart practically jumped.
Nagihiko was fine…
Nagihiko was alive…
With all the adrenaline gone, I finally felt every ounce of strength in my legs disperse. With my arms still attached to the rails of the bed, I fell to the ground- panting and shivering heavily. I didn't notice until then that my face dripped with cold sweat- that my fine curls have been turned into a mass of mess.
After gulping down enough air and strength, I was finally able to stand up. I scrutinized Nagihiko's face before allowing a smile to spread.
"You really are such an idiot…" I muttered- tears and gasps threatening to escape. "You make everyone worry so much, did you know that?!"
I found myself turning silent after that.
Why? I had so many things I wanted to say to this unconscious know-it-all. I realized after awhile that I was waiting for him to respond.
Without humor, I chuckled to myself.
"I feel so stupid. It's not like you'll reply. Even when asleep, you still manage to piss me off. Idiot…" I sobbed out imaginary tears before mumbling, "I miss you."
-Another humorless cackle.
"You do realize that if you wake up and I find out that you're conscious right now, I'll kill you, right? No one in this world can see me doing this right now. No one but…Nadeshiko…"
-She's there one day and then she's gone the next. She also mumbles a lot of weird things from time to time.
"Don't remind anyone of my existence since I'm going to disappear, anyway"
What the heck does that mean? I bet that it has something to do with all the hoola-balooms going on. If there's anyone out there who knows about what's happening to Nagihiko, it's gotta be the twin!
"I gotta go…" I whispered to the unconscious boy before stealthily creeping out of the room.
I needed to find Nadeshiko and ask her what's going on. It's probably the only way I can help!
oOoOo
Despite the growing cold weather, I managed to make my way in front of his mansion. After ringing the doorbell several times, the gate opened a hairline wide.
"Yes?"
Although I couldn't clearly see the person hidden beneath the large mass of wood, I could tell that it was Baaya-san. Without wasting a second, I attempted to push the door open. She pushed it back to a small creak.
"I need to find Nadeshiko!"
"The young mistress is not here right now and she never will be. She moved to Europe after finding out about the young master's death!"
He's not dead, darn it! Why the heck are they pretending that he is?
Once again, I attempted to push the door open. She continued to counter my force.
"You're lying!" I snarled, "-just like the time you told us that Nagihiko had a mere flu!"
"Don't make me call the cops!" She spat. I continued to push harder- she did the same.
How strange. Why wasn't anyone helping her? She could just call for the mansion's guards or other maids for help but…the weak old lady was doing all of this by herself!
"Fine!" I gasped, exasperated. When I stopped pushing, the door suddenly slammed shut. "Keep up your lying game! I'm going to find out the truth eventually!" and with that, I stomped towards one of the neighborhood houses. After flirting with one of the boys and then asking for an incredibly long ladder, which I used to climbed past half of the gate (for the other half, I used the vines) I found myself behind the mansion's walls, unscathed.
I observed my surroundings as I slowly made my way to the door.
The grass was untrimmed, the hedges were crawling with pests, and the sakura blossoms looked dull...
Basically, it began to look a little bit less occupied.
My deduction was proven right when I entered the dully lit interior. The room leading to the large, bustling kitchen was now empty and dark; the maids dusting the carpets were now gone.
The entire place was deserted.
I began my sleuthing when I entered Nagihiko's room.
Hidden behind the cupboards were some dusty old photos of him.
I checked several wardrobes and drawers only to find his dusty clothes.
And- *gasp* how dare he?! I found his cell phone! Why the heck is my name here 'the demon chibi'? Apparently, I attempted to call him…seventy times? That's ten more missed calls compared 'creep' (whom I'm guessing is Saaya…)
Suddenly, I remembered the time that he first went missing. Maybe it was from…then?
Anyway, delete, delete, delete, delete…
I left his room- disappointed for having seen no sign of Nadeshiko. After that, I checked several other rooms and hallways.
No sign…
No sign…
I was brisk-walking past one corridor I've never been to before when I came to an abrupt stop because I saw something amusing- hanging on the wall was a family portrait. In it was Nagihiko's mama, standing straight and gracefully- a soft smile playing across her lips. Beside her was a lean, admittedly handsome man. Though it was short, the man's straight hair had the same shade of violet as Nagihiko's.
Unlike the mama who stood with only a smile, the man was bending down as he ruffled the mid-length hair of a laughing boy. I narrowed my eyes at the boy.
His smile was alien- innocent and wide. I've seen his other photos. Most of the photos of him were being spent with this same man- in some of those photos, they were playing either basketball or some wrestling game. In some others, they were sleeping and oblivious of the picture being taken. However, the photos of this man when the boy had reached grade four had come to an abrupt stop.
The boy was Nagihiko, and come to think of it, he's never mentioned anything about his papa; come to think of it…he's never smiled this wide and carefree.
I stared at the photo for a second longer before releasing a sigh. Nothing!
There's still no sign of Nadeshiko!
"I had warned Nagihiko about you. Why did he not listen…?"
I shrieked before turning to the sound of the foreign voice. It belonged to none other than the woman in the photo- Nagihiko's mother!
"Hello, Rima-chan. Did you know that it's rude to sneak into people's mansions?"
I was still trying to collect myself so she continued- her expression no longer happy and welcoming, "Please leave. Everyone here is still trying to get over my son's death"
"Everybody here? The place is empty! And you're lying, aren't you! I never heard of any funeral! Nagihiko is not dead!"
She pursed her lips, the color draining from her face.
"See? You can't even reply!"
"I find it difficult to admit that my only chi-" She stopped abruptly- realization dawning upon her. I stood there with my mouth hanging agape. She was about to say 'only child'! What the heck happened to Nadeshiko…?
I bowed my head- my voice trailing into a whisper, "Who's…Nadeshiko…?"
"My daughter!"
"Liar…" I muttered. Then, I looked at her. "Who would forget about the existence of her own daughter twice? Why do you lie?"
"Rima-san" She started, "Let me tell you this: Once you find out the truth behind this family, you will wish that you should've minded your own business…"
With that being said, she called Baaya.
"The mistress…" the head-maid started as she led me to the gate, "lost her husband the same way that she lost the young master. I suggest that you don't show your face again for any reminders will only upset her…"
Remembering the exchange between the potentially dangerous trio that afternoon in the hospital room, I realized that it was best to keep quiet about Nagihiko. Still, I couldn't help but feel so alone and helpless- like being one of the few who knew of the secret won't change anything. What I'm most afraid of, however, is not being able to tell anyone about anything could cause me to act recklessly. I needed someone else who knew…
I needed an anchor…
I needed Amu.
Howdy! So...I'll make this blunt. I need to catch up to school and shiz because apparently, the lessons are getting harder. How you guys manage to balance schoolwork with fanfiction, I will never know...
Anyway, I won't be able to update this and 'Her Secret' in a few weeks (though I've already got the plot of the latter story planned out)
I hope that you enjoyed this chapter!
Now, I'll end this author's not with a DON'T FORGET TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!