Chapter Twenty – Four: Behind These Bars, Meditations and Revelations!
When Carla arrived at the door to room 120, she was surprised to find Hisao waiting, with his arms crossed. When he heard her, he looked up, offering her a sheepish smile.
"Uh... Hey, Carla..."
She paused, crossing her arms in front of herself.
"Hi, Hisao."
She looked a little unimpressed, but Hisao wasn't going to back down.
"I, uh... I'm going to be in there, today. Most of this week, actually. I'm... I'm sorry, for uh... well, for being aggressive."
She smirked at him and his lack of confidence, walking up to him and slapping him on the shoulder playfully.
"Jeez, Hisao. You're such a downer. You need to lighten up a little!"
He looked up at her, grinning, before he rapped his knuckles against the door twice before he turned to it, sliding his key in and unlocking the door.
"Mikaru made me a copy of the key. Come in."
She raised her brown, feeling only the tiniest bit jealous of this information before she followed him in.
"Hey, Mikaru. We're here. Are we gonna do this?"
She smiled, but Mikaru put up his arm. She paused in her place, and he turned to Hisao.
"Welcome, Carla, Hisao. Before we begin, I must speak with you. Carla, Hisao is with me this week to learn about meditation. It would do well not to disturb him, in case he's found his place. Hisao, now I will teach you about meditation."
Hisao sat down cross – legged, looking at Mikaru.
"... Meditation is, primarily, a way to get in touch with your innermost thoughts, as well as help to find the point where your mind and body are at balance with your surroundings. In this case, your surroundings are more than just the physical environment around you; they are also the events surrounding and dominating your life. In order to be able to find this balance, you must first completely empty yourself. It is a process of denial, eliminating all distractions and grievances, joys, doubts and fears, leaving only the self in their place. When you can achieve this state of emptiness and self – denial, you will find that the answers to your problems will come. Now, the process:"
He sat up straight, his arms coming to rest on his thighs. His knees were beneath him, and his head was completely level.
"You must assume a position of stability. Stability is the first process of meditation, giving your mind a sturdy platform to rest upon."
He took a deep breath, breathing it out of his body.
"Next, the purge. This is just as important as Stability, and it is both physical and mental. The breath in takes in oxygen and positive energy, welling in your center. The breath out expels your thoughts, emotions and Carbon Dioxide, as well as any negative energy resting in your core. You do this until you are completely empty, and not a moment before that. When you have reached that point, you will know."
After that, Mikaru took a few more deep breaths, and then his breathing slowed nearly to a halt. As he was in this state, he took a half an hour before he spoke.
"... Let us begin."
Hisao took that as his cue, putting his body in the same position as Mikaru. He looked over, making sure his posture was right, before he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths and exhaling deeply.
"- Relax, Hisao. You are trying too hard. You will never become empty if you take so much in."
Mikaru had spoken in the middle of his relation of the song, startling Hisao a bit at it's abruptness. He fell over, hitting his head on the wall. Carla didn't even look in his direction, just as Mikaru suggested. Hisao sat up, rubbing his head sorely before closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, and getting back onto his knees.
The night went on like this, Hisao trying and failing to achieve meditation, Carla and Mikaru steadfastly ignoring him, until 21:00, when Hisao had had enough, sitting with his back against the wall. He watched them as they worked, Carla writing dutifully and Mikaru calmly speaking, his mind absorbed in the music. After thirty minutes, Carla spoke.
"Mikaru? Do you mind if we break early tonight? I'm supposed to meet up with a friend tonight."
Mikaru took a deep breath, opening his eyes and standing.
"Thank you, Carla. I believe that is a good idea. Hisao, please stay a minute."
Carla gathered her things, stepping out the door. When it closed, Hisao got up and moved over to the couch, Mikaru sitting beside him.
"You were unsuccessful. Do you know why?"
Hisao looked at the ground, speaking in an aggravated tone.
"- No. I couldn't empty myself. What's your secret? Why couldn't I do it?"
Mikaru looked over at him, speaking slowly.
"You don't know. You should meditate on that, Hisao."
Hisao scoffed at his friend, standing up.
"I tried meditating on it. I couldn't get relaxed enough, apparently."
Mikaru raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"Maybe then, you should find another environment to meditate in. Somewhere that you're more comfortable in than a room filled with two hard – working musicians and all the noise of technology."
Hisao looked at his friend, stammering a bit.
"Y – You knew I was going to fail here?"
Mikaru nodded, smiling sagely.
"Yes, I did. It's an important lesson for you to learn, though. Did you notice how hard it was to tune us out? It's because it was interesting to you. I left the television on, as well. There was white noise in the room the whole time, and it prevented you from relaxing. What does this tell you?"
Hisao thought about it, shaking off his annoyance as he did.
"I guess it means... I'm too concerned about my surroundings?"
Mikaru smiled widely at his friend.
"Very good observation. In fact, it is your observations that gave you trouble tonight. Yes, You are paying too much mind to the things around you, not focusing on what really matters. Now that you know what you're looking for, you should spend the next few days looking for it. So, instead of meeting me here, I would like for you to go out into your surroundings, and look for a place that is meaningful to you, but secluded as well. Somewhere you can really relax, and tune out all of the distractions so that you can achieve balance. Do you understand?"
Hisao, nodded, standing up and yawning before stretching out a bit, smiling.
"Well, I guess that makes sense. I'll go out tomorrow then, and try to find a place."
Mikaru gave a nod, turning to his bed. He gave a sigh, before he chuckled.
"- Good god, am I glad that I can stop playing sensei. Jeez, I hate being all sagely like that."
Hisao chuckled at his friend's tone, smiling.
"Alright, Man. Thanks for the time. Go to sleep now. I'll see you tomorrow morning, ne?"
Mikaru turned on his heel, stopping his friend.
"Hisao. There's... there's one more thing."
Hisao raised his eyebrow, crossing his eyebrows.
"I... Me and Hanako are together now."
Hisao smiled widely, walking up to his friend.
"Are you, now? That's good, man. I wasn't quite expecting it to happen so soon, but I can't say I'm disappointed either. To be honest, it's about that time; that girl is crazy about you, and I was worried you were going to go off dating someone else again."
Mikaru smiled a bit, shaking his head.
"I'm done being stupid, Hisao. I know what I want. I want Hanako. You never knew, but that's actually why I pulled away. I realized that I didn't have my priorities straight, so I sat down and dealt with them. I've got it together now, though. Go on, Hisao. You need to sleep."
Hisao smiled at his friend, nodding before leaving.
When Carla got back to her room, Hanako was waiting outside of it. When she saw Hanako, she smiled, moving immediately to unlock her door.
"Hey, Hanako. How was your day?"
Hanako paused at that, thinking.
"It – It was... good, I guess..."
Carla looked up at the girl, opening her door and smiling.
"Come in. You can tell me about it while I make some tea."
Hanako smiled, nodding her assent before following the girl in.
"- Hey, Hanako? You don't mind If I make myself a little more comfortable, do you?"
Hanako shook her head, and Carla smiled. At that, she reached down, unzipping her jeans and sliding them off.
"God, those things hurt. Okay!"
The girl stretched a bit, undoing the top button of her blouse before ruffling her clothing a bit with her hands.
"Why don't you take a seat?"
Hanako was balking at her friend, but nodded, sitting on the bench and pulling out her song booklet. As she looked it over, she put her finger on a key near the centre and pressed it, moving her finger and pressing another one.
"C – Carla? Is... is this..."
Carla paused, looking over at her friend with her ears perked. Hanako pressed the note again, and Carla's face lit up with happy recognition.
"Ah, that's Middle C. You know where that is?"
Hanako nodded, turning to the girl. She was currently pouring two cups, her arms carefully holding her electric kettle steady in her hands. When she finished, she took the two mugs in her hands, carrying them over to a table that rested beside her piano.
"- Here, this purple cup is for you. It's just a green tea packet I picked up a few days ago. Nothing special, but it beats water."
Hanako smiled, taking the mug and sipping on it a little. It was a little too hot for her, so she placed it down, turning back to the piano.
"So, Hanako, you never did tell me where you heard this song."
Hanako paused, her fingers hovering over the keys before she spoke.
"A – A friend showed it to – to me... a while a – ago..."
Carla smiled, scooching a little closer to the girl.
"Ah. Was this friend special to you?"
Hanako nodded her head. Carla smiled at that.
"Oh, you look so cute when you're bashful!"
Hanako blushed at her friend's words, listening to her as she went off.
"- You know, I've actually always thought you were pretty, Hanako. So mysterious, you know? I bet you could get any guy if you perked up a little. They eat that stuff up, you know?"
Hanako was starting to feel uncomfortable with this conversation, although she appreciated her friend's words, so she decided to interject.
"W – What about... you, C – Carla? Who do – do you like?"
Carla froze a moment, before she went over and locked her door.
"I... do you promise not to laugh at me, or tell anyone?"
Hanako looked up at her friend, nodding.
"I... I don't really know who I like. I mean, I just know... I know that... it's not... a guy."
Hanako gasped at her friend's confession, turning more her way.
"I know... I know a lot of people, Hanako. Things are... well, things are different back home. I know it's a little... a little strange here, but... I can't help myself. I – I just don't look at guys... the same way I look at girls. My problem is, There's no one... no one quite like me, here. I like a lot of girls. They don't... they don't really like me, though."
Hanako felt like she could relate to that. At least, a little. Hanako had liked a few boys while she was at Yamaku, but until Mikaru came along, no one really gave her any serious consideration. It was hard, not knowing how to open up to people, and Hanako felt a little sad for her friend's plight.
"Hi – Hisao thought – thought that you and Mi – Mikaru were dating..."
Carla laughed, putting her head in her hands.
"I guess... I guess I could understand that. I was never really with anyone, you know? And then I started hanging around him like the plague. It only makes sense that people would think that. I think that if anyone could be capable of making me switch teams, it would be him, but I sincerely hope that Mikaru doesn't like me."
Hanako laughed a bit despite herself, smiling and shaking her head.
"He – He doesn't..."
Carla snapped her head up to her friend. She didn't really have feelings for him, but the way Hanako was so decisive about it couldn't help but make the girl a little sore.
"- Oh? Ouch, Hanako. You seem like you know something."
Hanako looked up at her friend, blushing.
"S – Sorry, C – Carla..."
Carla studied her face for a second.
"It's fine, Hanako. I'm just curious as to how you know, is all."
Hanako looked down at the floor, noticing for the first time the foot pedals that hovered over the ground. After Hanako didn't talk for a while, realization came across Carla's face.
"- Oh. You... you and Mikaru, are..."
Hanako froze a second, before she softly nodded her head.
Carla couldn't help the pathetic scoff that came out of her mouth. That sucked. Royally.
"Keh. I... I probably should have... have seen it coming..."
Hanako snapped her eyes up to Carla's hunched figure.
"C – Carla? I – I thought you said -"
Hanako froze, the pieces of the puzzle snapping into place after a few moments. She looked back at the ground completely unsure how to handle this situation.
"... Oh."
Carla... Carla had... feelings for me? Not Mikaru? I... I don't know what to say...
Carla felt like shit. Thinking about getting shot down by Hanako, of all people, made her feel even worse. It's not that she thought little of Hanako, far from it, but...
"Hah... The one time I actually get to have this conversation with you... You're already taken. That... That..."
Hanako giggled at her friend, making her eyes snap up to her.
"It's – it's actually... Kind of funny, when you – when you p – put it like... that..."
Carla stared at the girl hard for a moment, watching her giggle about the sheer ridiculousness of this entire thing, before she too started laughing.
"I – I guess it is, Hanako."
The girls laughed for a minute, before Hanako gently put her right hand over Carla's, making the girl blush a bit.
"You... You're the f – first girl... to ever... just... let me talk to – to them, Carla... and t – talk to me – me back, like... like an e – equal."
Carla smiled at her, reaching her other hand over for a second, before she let go and took a deep breath, smiling.
"Okay! Are we doing this?"
Hanako smiled at the girl, nodding. They both hunched over the song and piano then, Carla showing her where her hand went.
"So, the first two bars are..."
Mikki was standing in front of Mikaru's door after curfew. In her hand, was a note that she had written for him, which had taken her all night. She had just started bending down to slide it under when the door opened, with Mikaru standing before her. She couldn't move. She didn't imagine him being awake right now. Then again, I don't really know all that much about him.
"Mikki. Please, Come in."
Mikki stood up straight at the sound of his words, nodding soundly before she sheepishly stepped in, not knowing what to do.
"Mikki. Are you going to any sports events in the next 72 hours?"
She balked at his question, but shook her head. When he saw that, he pointed to his Mini fridge in the corner. She approached it slowly, noticing the two glasses that rested on top of it. Pausing at it, she opened it, seeing a partially opened bottle of scotch, one sealed bottle, and three or four cans of beer, as well as a few other things. Thinking for a moment, she decided that the liquor was the best choice, reaching for it. Pulling it out, she placed it on the table, before walking over and sitting beside him roughly.
"- heh. Didn't quite take you for a 'hard, straight from the bottle' kind of girl. Please, open it. You don't have to have any if you don't want."
She did, before taking a swig and placing it back on the table. The burn opened her pinched throat, and she felt the contrast of the cold, warmth, bitter and sweet work wonders on her nerves.
"I... I p – party, too, you know..."
Mikaru let out a dry chuckle, picking up the square bottle with his stubs before taking a swig of his own. He set it down, and she watched with a bit of jealousy as he didn't even gulp, just letting the alcohol move slowly down his throat.
"Do you?"
The conversation was tense, and almost forced. Mikki was very uncomfortable right now, but Mikaru looked genuinely apathetic. However, after Mikki took another swig, Mikaru spoke, his voice like a cold hammer against her stomach.
"- I take it you're here for more than the company. Or the booze."
She was about to set the bottle down, but instead brought it back to her lips, taking another swig before setting it down. She reached into the top of her shirt, pulling out her note. She placed it on the table, breaking the silence that had ensued after his words. Wordlessly, he slid it onto his arm, placing it on his knee and working the paper open. He was about to read it, but Mikki snatched it away, scrunching it up and throwing it into a corner. She stood up then, pacing.
"I – I'm no good at this crap. I know that a stupid little piece of paper wouldn't fix it, though. I – I was stupid, Mikaru. There, I said it. After – after you left that day, and I got detention, I started hearing those things, and it – it bothered me. I tried to look into it, but I – I made a stupid mistake, and it made me think that – that the others were right. God, I'm so stupid!"
She kept pacing. Mikaru watched her with a smirk on his face, the girl obviously distressed about this whole situation. He didn't speak though. He wanted a little bit more from the girl, if only to heal his pride.
"You – you didn't deserve those stupid things I said to you. You don't deserve to have the whole music class laughing at you behind your back, and you certainly don't need me harassing Hanako about you. I – I – I... I'm sorry."
Mikaru watched her, picking up the bottle on the desk and finishing it off roughly. He set the bottle down, shaking his head a bit before sitting back, his arms behind his head, looking at the ceiling. He waited a minute until she sat back down before he spoke.
"You feel any better?"
She looked at him hard, seeing his eyes closed before she scoffed, looking at the ground.
"I – No, not... not really."
"... I don't either. Ain't that a bitch?"
She laughed a bit at his frank speech, sitting back much in the same manner he was. Neither moved as they spoke back and forth, paying attention to pretty much nothing.
"Yeah. It is. This is... this is weird, isn't it?"
"- Hah! Yes it is, Mikki."
"Did you... did you know that I was going to come... to come by, tonight?"
"- No, as a matter of fact, I did not. In fact, I thought you were going to avoid me like the plague."
"I really wanted to, you know. I was contemplating just... just skipping that class for the rest of the year."
"Well, that's uncharacteristically cowardly."
"Hah! I guess you're right. I just – I made Hanako scream at me. Hanako, screaming. I wouldn't have come if not for her, actually."
"- you spoke to Hanako after the computer lab incident?"
"... No. I... I didn't."
"- She was crying, you know. In the park. I wouldn't have known, if not for the fact I had her number memorized."
"God, you really know how to make a girl feel like shit, don't you?"
"It's a gift. Apparently, you do too. She was scared I was going to be mad at her, you know."
"You say that like you're a couple."
"... We are."
"And yet, here you are, drinking with the girl who made her cry. You're... you're..."
"- don't put that on me. You're fucked up too."
She paused at that, opening her left eye and looking over to the boy. It was at times like this when she really understood the world for what it was. She turned her attention back up to the ceiling, closing her eyes and talking again.
"... We're all fucked, aren't we?"
Mikaru let out a chuckle at that. It was a tired sounding one, one that made her feel like she was talking to an old man.
"That we are, Mikki. That we are."
"... So, let's recap. I feel like shit. You feel like shit. I was a bitch. Many, many times, in fact. You're angry still. We're drinking together. Finally... the world is fucked?"
Mikaru looked over at the girl before turning his gaze to the roof. He didn't close his eyes this time.
"... Hey, Mikki? I've got a proposition for you. It's not sexual. Or in any way intimate, in fact. Interested?"
She paused, considering his words. Her legs were bouncing up and down a bit.
"... I'm listening..."
"I offer you forgiveness. My price is one, no bullshit, no way in hell you'd ever lie about this question. You answer the question, I give you forgiveness. Deal?"
She thought about it for a second, before she sighed wearily.
"... Shoot."
"- You're like, holy shit lesbian, aren't you?"
She laughed at his question, Sitting up straight before answering him.
"... That's... Let me lay this down for you. The short answer? Yes, I am holy shit lesbian. The long answer? I hang out with and kiss boys because I don't know anyone else who's straight up gay that isn't metro like Misha, and I'm not down for that. It's... it's really fucking depressing, actually. It's like, all I want is to find a woman to love, and the best I can find is a really drunk Emi at a party somewhere, or some random ugly – ass guy who looks like a chick. Is that... is that good?"
Mikaru sat up himself, chuckling.
"That's – That's good, Mikki. I'm sorry, I just wanted to make you feel like shit a bit before I got over this. Alright, I'm a man of my word. You are forgiven. I'll even let the others know, as a bonus."
Mikki laughed bitterly, smacking his arm.
"Well god damn if you aren't some kind of gentleman. Alright, jerk. I'm leaving. Thanks for the drink!"
She got up, stretching a bit before walking towards the door.
"Hey, wait a second, Mikki."
She stopped, turning to him.
"... Tezuka Rin. Snoozles, in the back... maybe Carla Simpson. Not sure, though. Look into it."
Mikki smiled at him, nodding.
"You are a weasel, and I like it! Thank you, Mikaru. Now go to sleep!"
He laughed, standing up slowly before he walked over to his bed, falling into it. He was out like a light.
The next day, Hanako was waiting outside the boy's dorm in the morning. When Mikaru came around the corner, holding his black bag, Hanako smiled at him.
"Hey, Hanako. Sleep well?"
He walked up to her, and was pleasantly surprised when she leaned up, pulling his head down and kissing him.
"Y – yeah, Mikaru... I slept r – really well..."
He smiled at her. It was one of the first times she'd been able to say his name.
"... If I weren't in desperate need of a shower, I would kiss the shit out of you, Hanako..."
She giggled, stepping away.
"Can I... Can I wait for you... i – in your... in your room?"
He said yes. They walked up to his room, Hanako stopping off by Hisao's room for a moment. She was invited in, and he stripped down, walking towards the bathroom. He stepped into the stall.
... As he turned on the water, he realized that he would be in his room, naked as the day he was born, with Hanako.
He turned the water cold, letting the freezing water cascade off of him before he stepped out, realizing just how much better cold showers were in the mornings. Drying his head, he wrapped the towel around his midriff, stepping out into the main bathroom area to drip a little. Taking a deep breath, he psyched himself up, walking up to his door and knocking a little. After a moment, the door opened inwards, and Mikaru stepped inside. As the door closed, he heard it lock before he felt arms go around his midriff. Looking down, he saw the scarring on the right hand, and after that he felt Hanako's lips on his back. Still pinning the towel around his midriff, he turned around, looking at Hanako. She had a blush on her face, but was looking at him. Her eyes were scanning rapidly back and forth, observing every inch of muscle and every scar. If it were anyone else besides Hisao, he'd feel very uncomfortable right now, but Hanako was the only other exception.
"You... you're really... handsome, Mikaru..."
She pulled him backwards a little, walking him over to his couch before sitting him down, moving her legs over his to straddle him. She was kneeling on the couch, so she had a pretty good angle on him. She put her hands on the side of his face and kissed him, her eyes closed. After a short while, Mikaru moved his arms onto her hips, licking her lip. Her mouth opened as she drew in a breath, and Mikaru raised an arm to her face, deepening their kiss. She felt his tongue stroking hers, and it made her moan, immediately getting the idea. She stroked his tongue right back, feeling brave and pushing her body up so it was flush with his as she started to explore his mouth. As the kiss rose in passion, Hanako's body started shifting up and down on his crotch, and it wasn't too long before both were painfully aware of their situation. They pulled away from each other a little, Hanako sitting back on his lap. She felt him under her and a deep, rosy blush spread across her face. Mikaru was blushing too, but was a little dazed at her passion.
Her eyes burned with a question, and Mikaru knew what he had to say.
"... Hanako, what... what time is it?"
She shifted her eyes around the room, finding the clock and freezing in place.
"It's... uh... f – five... minutes..."
Mikaru chuckled, looking down a bit. Her hands were on his chest, and he realized that she must really like his chest.
"... This... this seems like... one of those things, that... that we have to... continue later."
She smiled, nodding and breathing heavily.
"R – R – Right, Mi – Mikaru..."
She started to get up, and Mikaru grabbed his towel to protect his modesty. She was thoroughly embarrassed by the whole thing, but was also feeling a strange sense of bubbly pride and happiness too. She had never done anything like that before, and it made her heart burst to know what kind of effect she had on Mikaru. Once she had gotten off, Mikaru had managed to stand, barely managing to hide his excitement. Hanako gawked a bit at the sight, but quickly turned away. He let out a bit of a chuckle, and Hanako just ducked her head a bit. After a minute, she felt his arm on her shoulder, and she spun quickly, wrapping her arms around him.
"Do we... do we have to... to go to c – class today? Mikki will..."
Mikaru looked down at the girl, sighing a bit before talking.
"Well, would you really want to go if Mikki was there or not?"
She thought about it for a second, before shaking her head.
"Alright, we won't go then. Although, Hanako I should say that Mikki actually came by and apologized to me last night."
She looked up at him, and he tightened his arms around her.
"She – she did?"
"Yeah. I forgave her, too. I mean, it still pisses me off, and it doesn't change that it happened, but I just didn't think it would do us any good to have that kind of pressure on us, you know? All of us."
She nodded a little, pushing against him. He let her sit him back down on the couch, and he pulled out his phone. After a few rings, someone picked up.
"- Nakai. May I ask who's calling?"
"Hey, Hisao. It's Mikaru. This is my number, so take it down. Hanako said she was feeling sick today, so I decided to stay back and take care of her. Can you relate that message to Mutou and Lilly?"
"... Yeah, okay. I got the number. Thanks for telling me. Hey, am I on speaker?"
He looked over at Hanako before picking up the phone, holding his head to the side and hovering the phone underneath it.
"It's a pain in the ass, but no, you're not. What's up?"
"... I went out last night. Found a spot. It was as peaceful as could be, but it didn't help a bit."
Mikaru chuckled a bit, answering his friend.
"... Well, You're a logical man, Hisao. If you couldn't find what you were looking for, then what could the problem?"
Hisao thought about that for a short while, before his voice came back on the line.
"... Well, the only thing I can think of, which you would say, that's infuriating and sagely is that 'Maybe you weren't searching for the right thing, Hisao. You should Meditate on that'... Wait. Oh, no. Oh no no no no no. Don't you tell me that that was exactly what– DAMMIT, MIKARU! YOU JERK!"
Hisao hung up the line, leaving Mikaru to toss his phone onto the table and laugh a bit. Sitting back, he looked over to Hanako, who was sitting stiffly on the end of the couch.
"Hanako, are you... are you comfortable right now?"
She looked at him, shaking her head.
"Hmm. That's a problem. You know what? You -"
Mikaru stood up, walking over to his bed and pulling the comforter off of it. He dragged it across the floor towards the couch, talking.
"- Look a little cold, Hanako."
He threw himself back onto the couch, pulling the comforter onto himself. "Join me?"
She smiled sheepishly at him, nodding as she scurried under the blanket with the boy, snuggling into his warmth. He kicked back, his arm wrapping around her shoulder. He decided that now was an amazing time for a movie.
"So, Hanako, feel like watching a movie?"
She nodded, looking at the screen as Mikaru smacked the armrest, turning it on. Hanako reached over him, pulling the remote out of it's spot before she flicked through the list of movies, finding one that was suitable. Much to Mikaru's surprise, it was an action movie.
"... 'Jackie Chan's First Strike'? Damn, Hanako. You are just full of surprises."
She giggled, snuggling into him and setting the remote on top of the comforter. As the opening scene played, Hanako snuggled into his side happily, her right hand resting on his stomach, he realized that, for the first time that he could remember...
Holy shit. I'm... this is... I'm actually Happy. I'm – I'm happy, aren't I?
He turned his head for a second, kissing Hanako on her crown before leaning into her a bit, A smile working it's way onto his face. Hanako noticed, of course, and snuggled deeper into him, feeling her own happiness work it's way through her as she relaxed into him.
When the movie was over, they found another one, and were about to put it on when they heard knocking on the door. Mikaru shook Hanako awake, sliding her off of him and hiding her head under the covers. Walking over to the door, he opened it, only to find Hisao and Lilly on his doorstep.
"Oh, Hi Lilly, Hisao. What's up? Is it lunchtime already? Hanako and I were just about to start a movie."
The two teenagers smiled, Hisao leading Lilly into the door. Mikaru slid back into his place under the covers, and Hanako scooted onto his lap, leaving Lilly and Hisao room on the other end. Hisao sat Lilly down before grabbing Mikaru's spare blanket, wrapping it over them. Lilly giggled a bit, but reached around before snuggling into him. After everyone was comfortable, Mikaru picked up his phone, placing a call.
"... Who is it? Who gave you this number!?"
"... Kenji. It's Mikaru. I'm calling in that favor now."
There was a pause on the other end, before Kenji sighed heavily and made no noise for a second.
"... Dammit. Whaddaya need?"
"... Your mission is: to head down to the gate in an hour, receive the food that arrives, bring it to my room. The bags will be tied. They are not to be untied or cut open. I'll even give you 5000 yen. Deal?"
Kenji paused again, considering.
"... That's your favor? Fine, dude, but for the record, I was hoping it would pertain more to the Feminist Conspiracy."
Lilly and Hanako's heads snapped towards the phone, and their hands came up to their mouths. Mikaru spoke.
"Oh, Kenji. Foolish, foolish man. Whoever said that it didn't?"
Kenji spoke immediately.
"What's happening? What does that mean?"
Mikaru laughed a bit, looking at the group as he spoke.
"Oh, I'm deep, deep... undercover. Me and Hisao both, actually. We've found rats in the floorboards, and they aren't the only things ready to squeak."
The girls and Hisao were on the verge of tears, trying to hold in their laughter as Mikaru played Kenji like a fiddle. The girls were also laughing at the ridiculous premise of a Feminist Conspiracy.
... The absolutely raunchy innuendo wasn't helping, either.
"... You are a brave, brave man. If it's for the cause, make it 2000 and you've got a deal!"
Mikaru smiled.
"Thank you, Kenji. Hang up."
The line clicked, and they all burst into laughter.
"'Rats in the floorboards'? Feminist Conspiracy?"
Lilly laughed at that. Hanako giggled, snuggling her head into Mikaru's chest.
"Hisao, call for food."
Hisao nodded, chuckling as he pulled out his phone and started dialling. As he did, Hanako looked up at Mikaru, giggling still.
"You... You s – sure are l – lazy, for someone that – that w – works so hard to – to look good!"
Lilly looked over at her friend's words, laughing still but her eyebrows raised. She was starting to suspect that she and Hisao weren't the only ones snuggling close. She'd let it slide for now, though. Hanako would tell her if something was going on, or at least Hisao would.
They settled in, finding a movie they all agreed on (or at least didn't hate) and turned it on.
... Hanako and Mikaru were patient, because it was The Notebook, thanks to Lilly and Hisao.
Two hours later, Hisao and Lilly were bawling on the couch, holding each other. Mikaru was asleep, and Hanako was awake, looking up at the boy. Their food, which they mostly finished, had been long forgotten. After a short while, the two others fell asleep, leaving only Hanako awake. After a while, she shifted around, straddling him, and placed a kiss on his jaw.
"Mikaru."
He stirred slowly, feeling the position they were in, and moved his head down slowly, looking at Hanako. She was looking at him intently, her hands resting on his chest. She moved her head beside his, whispering into his ear.
"Carla should... be coming over soon. Do you... do you want to go... go for a... a walk, first?"
Mikaru watched as she pulled her head back, knowing that he was not a good whisperer. She looked into his eyes deeply, watching him as he nodded, reaching behind her and prodding the covers off of them. He stood up slowly, Hanako's arms wrapping themselves around his neck, and he set her down gently. They sneaked out of the room, leaving their friends there.
Stepping out into the daylight, they looked both ways before making their way along the path. As they walked, both Hanako and Mikaru looked over to the tree at the edge of the gardens, almost at exactly at the same time. After that, Hanako looked up at him, and he looked back at her.
"The... the tree... it's... it's Emi's, isn't – isn't it?"
Mikaru smiled softly, nodding his head.
"Yeah. After I brought you down to the nurse that one time you had cut your knees up, I found myself being chased by her, and managed to shake her by jumping into it."
Hanako looked at it again, before looking back to him right after.
"You... you jumped into it? J – just to get away from E – Emi?"
Mikaru laughed a bit, smiling at the memory.
"- Yup, I sure did. She was on a warpath. Too bad for her. She could have avoided getting that concussion, too..."
Hanako thought about that for a second before giggling at it.
"That... That sounds... ouch."
Mikaru laughed, taking Hanako further down the path, and stopping at the entrance to the forest. Hanako walked ahead a bit, grabbing his arms and walking backwards. She smiled at him as she did, and the scene was one that he didn't think he would ever forget. Pink blossoms were falling around her, and she looked so happy then, so strong and carefree, that it almost made him want to cry. He just settled for giving her a beaming smile, though. As If he was about to cry in front of Hanako over something like this.
Mikaru stopped them as they reached the clearing. She turned around, holding his arm and pulling him along. He walked slowly, observing the scene around him.
Most of the leaves were gone, now. They had blown away with the wind, likely sucked upwards and spread around the forest. The tree had been wiped clean of blood by rain, the same rains that had managed to push his blood into the earth. All around the clearing, flowers of various shades of white, red, purple, pink and a sparse smattering of blue were blooming. The tree it's self was still mulched a bit where he had been hitting it. On the ground by the tree, the sweater was sitting bundled up in something of a neat pile. Hanako and Mikaru walked over to the tree, smiling as the wind brushed leaves around the area. When they reached the bast of the ancient tree, they stopped, standing over the sweater.
Mikaru bent over, picking it up and placing it in Hanako's hands. She held it, smelling it's musky smell, looking over at the tree. After a moment, she stepped up to the tree, finding two stubs that had used to be branches, and secured the sleeves to it, the sweater now resting over the mulched bark like a bandage. She stepped back, turning around and running a bit through the flowers. She laughed as a butterfly flew past her nose, and she spun on it, chasing it a little. Mikaru just stood by the tree, watching as Hanako flounced about merrily. She looked over to him, and ran his way, grabbing his arms and pulling him away from the tree. She paused for a second, poking him in the side, and running away giggling. Mikaru laughed, giving her five seconds before chasing after her, enjoying their impromptu game of tag.
Hanako was running around the clearing, bobbing this way and that, until Mikaru managed to lightly prod her with his stub, turning on his heel and running from her. She stopped, spinning on him and gave chase, giggling and gasping as she ran. Eventually, he pretended to stumble much like he did before with Hisao, and she laughed more, running towards him before coming down on top of him, oofing and giggling as he rolled them around. After a couple of turns, she was on top of him again, her legs on either side of his torso and her hands beside his head, breathing heavily with a smile on her face. Her hair hung over their faces like a veil, giving him a clear view of her whole face. He smiled back at her, raising a stub and placing it on the right side of her face. He spoke as he did that.
"You're beautiful, Hanako."
She smiled widely, bringing her right hand up to his stub, holding it in place.
"I... I love you, Mikaru..."
His heart almost stopped at her words, and he smiled even wider. He brushed his stub around her face, pushing through her hair and bringing her face down to his. He kissed her softly, passionately, and she obliged him, giving just as good as she was getting. After a short while, she pulled her head up, looking down at him with her smile still on her face.
"I... I love you too, Hanako. You... you make me... happy..."
She teared up at his words and he rose up, taking her into his arms. She was sitting on his lap, and her arms were wrapped around his neck. His arms were across her back in their usual V shape, his one arm across her back and his other cradling her head against his chest. They sat like this for a long time, holding each other, their hearts beating fast in their chests as they did. A particularly strong gust of wind made Hanako shiver, and Mikaru pulled them up, standing on his feet and holding Hanako up to his chest. She was standing on her tip – toes, on top of his feet, which helped give her the extra height to hold him still.
"Let's head back, Hanako. The others are probably worried by now."
Hanako nodded at him, stepping back and sliding her hands down his shoulder, grasping his arm. They walked out of the clearing and back towards the dormitories.
When they got back, Hanako hugged him, parting ways, and Mikaru went back to his dorm. As Hanako was walking, she noticed Emi sitting by her tree. Hanako decided to head back in her direction. Arriving at the tree, Emi looked up, greeting her with a small smile.
"Hi, Hanako. How are things?"
Hanako considered it for a moment, as well as the amazing day she'd had so far, before smiling, sitting beside the girl again.
"Th – they're great, E – Emi... What about – what about you?"
Emi sighed, looking down a bit.
"Well, I'm... I'm okay, Hanako. I just... I miss Mikaru. I miss being able to hold his arm, or... kiss him... It's – It's not been the same. I mean, I see him everyday at the track, but..."
Hanako looked over at the girl. Hearing her words, she couldn't help but feel a little sad for the girl.
"Did you... did you l – love him?"
Emi looked over at Hanako, who was watching her expectantly. She sighed, hugging her knees.
"I – I don't know, Hanako. I think I might have, but... it was just too soon to tell. This... this was our tree, you know. We spent a lot of time together here, just... just having fun, you know? We would talk here, and sometimes, he would put me on his shoulders and help me reach one of the apples up there. It was... it's special to me, you know?"
She looked up at the clouds, lying back and inhaling deeply. Hanako shifted her body to look more at the girl, not so interested in the clouds right now.
"... Part of me wonders... if it's special to him, too..."
Hanako smiled, reaching her hand out and grasping Emi's.
"I think... I think it – it is, Emi. Just because... because you aren't with him a – anymore, doesn't mean that you – that you can't hold on t – to the... the memories..."
Emi looked up at Hanako, smiling a little. Hanako continued, still holding the girl's hand.
"He was... he was telling me about it, you know... The – the tree. He told me how you two became... became friends. He was... he was smiling, too. M – Mikaru is... Mikaru is a very unique person. He – he doesn't regret a single thing he – he does, and even if... even if he isn't always... happy, he still looks back f – fondly at the good times he's... he's had."
Hanako was looking out at the clouds now, smiling as she spoke. Emi looked up at the girl, processing his words. Something clicked in her head, and she spoke softly, gazing at Hanako.
"You... you said, 'isn't always' there. Was he... did he tell you he was happy?"
Hanako smiled a bit, speaking softly.
"He – He did. Just... just now, actually..."
Emi felt a pool of conflicting emotions in her chest at her words, and their implications. Hanako makes him happy. Not me. I couldn't... I couldn't make him happy. I – I want to be jealous, or mad, at Hanako, but... but she deserves this, just as much as he does.
"- I should... I should th – thank you, Emi."
Emi's thoughts died in her head, as she sat up a bit, listening to Hanako.
"The... the first time we... we spoke, he told me that... that he would never love again. Later, he told me that... that he couldn't be happy anymore. I couldn't give that to him, but... but you did. You... you showed him how to – how to be happy again. So... thank you..."
Emi smiled widely, listening to the girl as she spoke. Although she couldn't be with him anymore like Hanako was, her words were exactly the thing she needed to feel happy about it, and eventually move on.
"You're... you're welcome... Hanako..."
They sat there for a while, holding hands and just thinking about Mikaru, the boy who had captured both of their hearts. Eventually, Emi let go and stood up, looking into the tree. Hanako looked as well, following her gaze. She smiled at the thought of Mikaru jumping up and trying to grab that, giggling.
"... It really was funny, Hanako. He... He stood in place for a second, and he leaped so high... I was amazed. He climbed onto that branch there, swinging himself on top of it. Maybe... maybe one day, you can see it too, huh Hanako?"
Hanako looked over at Emi smiling, giving her a nod. Emi smiled back, and the two of them decided that that was what they should leave it at, and did.
End of Chapter Twenty – Five: Behind These Bars, Meditations and Revelations!
Next Time: Chapter Twenty – Six: Behind These Bars, a Night on the Town!