Chapter 29: drawing the line
After their worldwide tour, things aren't as they used to be. It was like something has changed to the members of soul searchers. Nowadays when they had rehearsals, the little things ticked them off, such as when ichigo kept getting calls from his father about his sons acting up. Shinji knew that something wasn't right after all, when he told Hannah. But she said they should have nature take its course, but it seems like the band was starting to crumble. Even Justin and Bella were worried; they were so inspired by this band that they wanted to join too. Shinji decided to take matters in to his own hands, and find out why his best friends were acting this way. However Hannah thought it would be best to have them come to her and shinji when the time was right. But he didn't want to wait that long.
Natalie was getting a weird vibe that shinji might know something; to avoid suspicion she does her best to act normal. When Natalie walked out to get something form the vending machine down the hall, shinji follows her lowering his spiritual pressure. Natalie continued walking then once she reached the vending machine, she stopped not turning around she says "just how long are you planning on following me shinji?" He standing near the wall, just about one arm length away from her. "I know something is going on in the band. And I have a feeling that you know something Natalie" he said to her. "Really? You're not going to ask me how I know you were following me?" she asked him "There's no need in asking that. We both know that I'm a cop, but if I must ask then fine. How did you know I was following you?" he asked a bit irritated and curious.
He was irritated because he wanted to get the truth out by whatever means necessary. Natalie buys her drink then turns around facing shinji saying, "I knew you were following me, because I sensed your presence and I saw your shadow and reflection when passing by the windows." "What makes me a suspect that you think something has changed in the band?" she asked him looking serious. "Normally you wouldn't get irritated at ichigo when he takes calls from his dad, however I noticed during the tours you yourself have been off. Like you have no interest in being in this band anymore." He said explaining what he was observing. "Well, part of is true. But…." Natalie stopped talking because she knew that, if she told him her reasons he was going to get upset about it.
Shinji was a bit confused yet curious on what she meant by that. But he knew that if he asked and further, there could be a chance that he could lose Natalie as a friend whether or not he knew her intentions. When Natalie headed back to the recording studio, ichigo and the others saw that she looked sad. Ichigo thought it could be something that shinji said to her, but ichigo looks at Natalie and whispers to her "does he know?" she looks at him and shakes her head, not speaking. Hannah, however was getting suspicious on what's going on. When shinji returned, Hannah goes to him and says "honey can I talk to you outside please"
"Sure, my love." He said in reply. When the two of them headed outside of the recording studio and in the halls, Hannah says "what's going on? I'm not saying that it's your fault or anything. But did you say or do something that got Natalie sad?" Hannah asked. "I didn't make her sad. When I was getting to the bottom of what was going on, and trying to ask her if she knows anything. She seemed distant, like she was afraid to tell me what was wrong and didn't want to ruin my friendship with her" shinji explained. He continued on saying "while I was talking to she said this to me and I quote "Yes we are friends, best friends in fact. But it's because of that I can't tell you. I care about you, and I don't want your feelings to get hurt" ". Hannah was thinking trying to process on what Natalie meant by it. "I'm not one hundred percent sure, but there could be a possibility that she's sparing our feelings. Because of what may or may not happened before we went on the tour" said Hannah trying to figure it out.
"If that's the case, then I hope whatever it is we find out soon and solve the issue before it's too late." Said shinji. Natalie was very emotional, as she seek comfort to the grave of her mother, she stood in front as she prayed. In her mind she thought to herself saying "dearest, mother. I could really use your help. I wish you were still around…I need you now more than ever….you've taught me to never lie and to be honest. Even though being honest will have its rewards and consequences. I don't want to hurt my friends feelings, that not only myself but majority of our friends no longer want to be a part of the band. It was fun while it lasted, but it's too stressful now. And I have found another passion to do with my life. What should I do? How do I tell my friends that I want to pursue another source of hobby?" From a distance Hannah was watching Natalie. She hid her presence away from Natalie, as Hannah stood there and read Natalie's mind. However Hannah doesn't use that power anymore, due to that it was invasion of privacy. But she was desperate to find out what was wrong with Natalie.
When Hannah learned the truth, she was a bit shocked as a few tear drops fell. She didn't realize that being in the band for Natalie would cause her so much stress. But Hannah wasn't going to tell anyone yet as she wanted Natalie to say it herself. Later that day, when Hannah came come. Shinji saw his wife and her eyes were puffy. Before Hannah spoke, shinji said to her "honey what's wrong?" "H-how did you know something is wrong?" Hannah said with a shaky voice. Shinji wrapped his arms around her and hugs her saying "I've known you for a long time. Also the fact that your eyes are puffy. " Hannah wasn't planning on telling shinji about what she saw. But she also hated lying to him, she was in a tough situation.
Her only solution was to tell him and make him promise not tell anyone and wait until Natalie is ready to tell everyone. "Well…I know that what I'm about to tell you…you will not be pleased about it" said Hannah starting off. He nodded looking all serious as he sat down and she sat down with him. "I followed Natalie to the graveyard, and saw her praying at her mother's tombstone. I used my mind reading power to figure out what was wrong with her. I know that it's wrong of me to use it. But I was running out of options. She said that she's planning on leaving the band. To pursue another hobby and also the fact that she has another job. But you can't tell anyone not even our kids. Not just yet at least. I want Natalie to tell us on her own when she's ready. " said Hannah. Shinji was quite for a moment, trying to process this then said "well… I do appreciate you being honest with me. And I know that the lord will forgive you of the sin that you have committed. But you are right, Natalie needs to tell us and everyone on her own. And with the job and hobby that she has and will have, well as best friends of hers we shall support her all the way. I just can't believe that what she told me about sparing our feelings is true."
"Yes, but this is her choice. We can't stop her, like what you said we shall support her all the way. And if worst case scenario if everyone else feels this way, then we need to be supportive. That's what best friends do. So promise me you won't say anything to anyone until she's ready to talk about it." Said Hannah. "I promise my love, you have my word" he said to her looking at her directly in the eyes. Later that day, Natalie was feeling more stressed out because of her secret. It wasn't like she was going to betray everyone. She had made up her mind and wanted to pursue her dreams, she just fears that her best friends won't support her and think it's childish and stupid.
Then during rehearsal, things took a turn for the worst. When Keigo misplaced his wallet, he was really ticked off because everyone in the recording studio was suspects until the criminal was found. "Alright which one of you guys took my wallet" keigo said really pissed off. "We didn't take your wallet, honest." Said orihime. "I want to believe that, but I want you guys to empty your bags and pockets." He said trying to solve this case. So his friends did what he asked but none of them had his wallet. "Okay keigo, don't get worked up. I know this is a serious matter, but we will find your wallet." Said Hannah. "Yea bro, tell us what exactly did you do before coming here." Said shinji "hmmm…well… let's see, before coming here I used the restroom here in the building then I went to get something to eat." Keigo said. "Okay, honey you check the guy's bathroom with our crew and girls and I will check the café." Said Hannah.
Everyone nodded in agreement as they split up to find the wallet. Soon after when all hope seemed lost for keigo. The studio door opened and Hannah and the girls walked in, "did you ladies find it?" he asked desperately. "Yes we did, some kind soul reported it to the lost and found. All your information and important items, are still in here" said Natalie. "Thank goodness, thank you all for helping me. And sorry for suspecting you guys." He said feeling slightly guilty for pinning the crime on his best friends. "Bro don't worry about it. We would have done the same thing. Helping each other out is what best friends do." Said shinji with a smile.
Over the past five weeks, the band grew some tensions and getting really ticked off now. Everyone was trying to control themselves, and work it out as much as possible. Hannah who seemed like the peace-maker in their group, was trying her best to make compromises for everyone. Because she hated seeing her best friends, her husband and her kids acting this way as if they were at each other's throats and turning against each other. But Hannah knew that she can't always fix everything, even if she has powers. This behavior that everyone had in the band was really unbearable, and it has come to it where they had drawn the line. And basically it was where if they push each other's buttons, or step out of line or even say things that you don't mean it's over. No negation or compromising it's a done deal, which everyone had to agree on. Even though, others didn't like the idea. They had no choice but to go with it, Natalie was still scared to say about her decision. As she kept it to herself, waiting for the right moment to say it, as well as the others too. Who have their future set, and didn't want to be part of the band anymore. How long can this band still survive before it crumbles? Stay tuned and read the next chapter.
