Lucky Future

Chapter 36: ACT 2

Hiyori now left Konata alone, having to attend a meeting to the Literary Club. Though she wanted to invite Konata to it Konata had refused, wanting to do some exploring by herself for the remainder of the day. Hiyori kindly smiled as Konata waved her farewell. "Just be here when I come back, you're making me worry about you," Hiyori said. Konata nodded and walked off, eager to return to the one building she hoped to find warmth in. She began to run towards the location, dearly hoping her confusion would be settled there.

She had finally made it. The warmth of Kagami's lips still caressed hers, the loss of a body closing in on hers made her feel slightly colder than usual. These feelings…they were confusion, they were chaos to her world, she felt as if what she knew had disintegrated and what she was now was empty yet sought out for fulfillment. The church that stood before her, she believed it held the answers. She quietly walked in, glad to find herself the only one there but she expected no less from the students in this school. She softly sat down in the second row as the sunlight flowed onto the floor.

Peacefully she shut her eyes and relaxed her body, taking a few breaths at a time, reviewing all that happened. She recalled the kiss she was forced into, the immobility her body had in the Etoile's presence, the intimacy she felt with Hiyori and the overall strange warmth this school gave her with but she was prepared to greet it with coldness, this didn't seem right to her.

Akira stood outside the choir hall, still wearing the white uniform that came with membership, along with her hat. Today was a regular practice to everyone except her. Yutaka had never shown up. "I can't believe her…" Akira said. At that second Yutaka came running up to the building, stopping in front of Akira as she panted heavily and regained her composure. "I'm…sorry I'm late….is it over?" Yutaka asked. "Yep. You missed it, again…." Akira angrily stated. "I'm sorry….I was watching Minami practice and I guess I lost track of time…." Yutaka apologized. Akira was about say something until she noticed Hiyori running up to her.

"Hiyori?" Akira asked. "Hey, I have to get to my literary club but….I was wondering, about a tea party. Do you think you can join Konata and me tonight in our room. I'll bring all the tea and food," Hiyori explained. "Doesn't sound too interesting to me," Akira said. "I'd loved to come!" Yutaka cheered. "Then again I could give it a try," Akira suddenly said. "Great! I'll see you both there tonight! Be careful about it!" Hiyori happily said, running off shortly after.

"Konata? I thought I saw come in here," Patricia said. Appearing out of nowhere and sitting herself next to Konata who jumped in her seat, scared by the sudden intrusion, Patricia began to speak. "I'm sorry that I scared you…I was wondering if you were feeling alright after what Kagami did," Patricia explained. "Yes, I'm fine," Konata slowly said. Patricia was able to pick up on the lie, she could clearly see what was happening to the poor girl that sat next to her.

"Konata…why are here? This school has much more entertaining places than a church, it's not even Sunday yet," Patricia smiled but Konata responded with a disapproving expression on her face. "I don't think a church belongs at this school….it just seems hypocritical," Konata said. "What do you mean?" Patricia asked, knowing full well what she meant but wanted to hear it from her mouth before she did anything. Konata hesitated to say it but the words came. "This school supports homosexuality….I don't think it's right."

"Really? You didn't seem to think that way when the Etoile was kissing you," Patricia remarked. "I know but that was a mistake…I shouldn't enjoy it," Konata said. "So you did enjoy it?" Patricia asked.

"I don't know, all I know is that it's not right and I shouldn't enjoy nor should anyone else. The Bible says so, God doesn't like it," Konata weakly stated. "So, that's your way of thinking huh? Fine. Come with me," Patricia said. Konata watched as Patricia rose up from her seat, not getting up herself until Patricia told her to do so once more. She quickly walked behind Patricia as they left the church. "Please don't hate me…I just can't agree….I just can't…" Konata said. "You're wrong. I'll prove it," Patricia said. Konata said nothing, she couldn't, she could only wait for Patricia to show her what she meant.

The two found themselves at the expansive lake in the midst of the forest on Astrea Hill. Patricia walked over to the edge of the lake and rolled up her sleeve, bent down towards the water and placed her hand into the water, grabbing onto a few small objects. She walked over to Konata and dropped the objects on the ground before her feet. Patricia then walked over a few yards away from Konata and stretched her arms out.

"Leviticus…do you recall what that name means?" Patricia asked. "Yes, I think so…it's a book of the Bible right?" Konata responded. "Correct. More importantly it is the book that judges homosexuality to be sinful and wrong. This is where God says it is impure and unclean. Listen closely Konata, I want to do this for your own well being," Patricia deeply said, Konata could sense the intensity around them as the evening sun began to slowly drop.

"According to Leviticus, a man is to never to sleep with another man like he would with a woman. People have incorrectly directed this at women as well but women are never mentioned in this rule and you can't claim that it is general and covers all genders or else it would be written that way. But isn't unfair that a woman gets to sleep with the same gender while a male cannot? To say it's fair is sexist and women have been fighting sexism for eons. Wouldn't that make us hypocrites and degrade the purpose of women's rights?"

Konata nodded, knowing very little of what else to do in this situation, she felt no sense of control as Patricia continued to talk.

"Still not convinced? Those stones before you on the ground, they are very essential. You claim to be obedient of everything in the bible correct? Well, if you listen to that one rule in the book of Leviticus that rejects homosexuality then it is only righteous to follow the other rules too in the same book. You see those stones? According to the book of Leviticus you are to stone a person to death that has insulted their parents. I, like most people, have called my parents idiots under my breath or behind my back. Go ahead, stone me to death. You have plenty of rocks nearby, you can do it. Make sure you stone everyone else as well, even yourself, I'm sure you too have gotten angered by your parents and called them names." Patricia said.

Konata felt her hands trembling, she didn't understand what was going on? "I…I…I don't want to kill you….please don't make me do it…I don't want to hurt you or anyone else. Jesus said to forgive, that only he without sin can cast the stone," Konata stuttered.

"That is correct but Jesus will forgive you if you don't have the ability to forgive others yet as long as you can do it eventually so stone me!" Patricia exclaimed. "No…I can't….I don't want to….it's wrong to…" Konata said, feeling the tears slowly emerged from her eyes.

"Fine. Maybe you just have a weak heart to do the Lord's work. Here's an easier law to obey despite how you've disobeyed the Lord so much already. You're a teenager so you must have had your period right? According to Leviticus 15:19, when a woman discharges blood she must be isolated for seven days and remain untouched lest the person become impure. Leviticus 15:19-15:33, anything she touches becomes impure and unclean but if she cleansed of her discharge she must give two turtledoves or pigeons to the priest to sacrifice. Do you think you can handle being unclean? Do you think you can grip onto a bird as it dies for you or watch the priest kill an innocent animal just because God made you the way you are?" Patricia asked harshly.

"Please stop! I don't to hear this!" Konata screamed out, falling to the ground. "You're wrong! I can't do that stuff! I don't want to, it's just so wrong! I can't kill poor birds or murder people or…..please…no…."

"Of course Jesus died so we wouldn't have to make sacrifices but do you believe the woman, a beautiful and wondrous creature, can be impure just for existing the way God wants them to? Do you think we should kill off those that do wrong? Many people have trouble forgiving others and if they can't forgive they have to stone them right? Even if you say Jesus' death replaces all sacrifices, even if everyone can forgive or no longer stone each other, you must always think of the one truth. The bible only says men can't sleep with other men, this excludes women but how can God segregate like this? In the end we are all humans, does this make God sexist and unfair?" Patricia asked as she bent over to help Konata up.

"Why do you have to say all these things?" Konata asked. "Because, though many may disagree with what I say, I've gone through the same thing as you and these are my reasons for staying the way I am, I am attracted to women, just like you deny you are. I believe God isn't sexist and I believe he is a kind person so what I'm doing isn't wrong at all, I believe women are works of wonder and that we are clean as long as we keep ourselves that way, we do not sin just by having periods, we do not sacrifice even if Jesus didn't die as a sacrifice, there are too many reasons for me to believe otherwise. What kind of God would send us to Hell just for loving each other?," Patricia finished, walking away from Konata as the final words came.

Konata just stood there, deciphering everything that happened. She bent down to see the pile of rocks on the ground and she kicked them back into the water. "I still don't have my answer…." She told herself.

Hiyori came back to the spot where Konata said she would be. It was now getting dark outside and Hiyori hoped Konata would come soon be there was no sign that she would. She decided to head back to the room, it was possible that Konata had to hurry to back there in fear of the curfew. Hiyori quickly paced herself, hoping to get there faster and see Konata again. "Why did that meeting have to be so long? I hope Konata isn't mad at me," Hiyori worried. She finally made it to the room but when she opened the door she was shocked. Konata was not there either.

Hiyori waited for a few minutes, anticipating Konata's arrival. She jumped at the sound of every passing footstep, hoping it would be followed by an opening door but that didn't happen. The cookies were placed onto a fold-out table in the middle of the carpet and Hiyori sighed. "I really hope Konata enjoys these. I made them especially hard for her," Hiyori said. Suddenly Konata entered the room. Hiyori's heart beat rose instantly as she stood up, ready to embrace her roommate but Konata did not seem well. Her eyes had bags and her eyes seemed tired and dull.

"Is everything alright?" Hiyori asked. "No…I…I just want to be comforted right now," Konata weakly stated, Hiyori could tell she hurt. Knocking could then be heard. "That must be Yutaka and Akira for the tea party, they'll help cheer you up," Hiyori gleefully said. "Hiyori…I don't to bother you so….if you don't want to I understand you please cancel the party tonight?" Konata asked, her voice becoming scratchy and her body tumbling more and more, she was beginning to seem more lifeless with each second. "It's not a problem at all, I'm sure they will understand," Hiyori said. She opened the door and informed the two girls of the bad news but they were forgiving and wished Konata the best of luck.

Hiyori closed the door and walked over to Konata who sat motionless on the bed. "You look really tired, what's wrong?" Hiyori asked. "I'm just confused…I'm so confused…" Konata said. "I'm sorry about the party…you must be mad at me," Konata said. "I could never be mad at you. You are my Konata and I love to take care of you," Hiyori said. She began to unroll the blanket on Konata's bed and fluff the pillows. "Hiyori…can I sleep with…you tonight?" Konata nervously asked. Hiyori looked up at Konata as she bent down on the ground to fix the bed. "Really? Y-you want to sleep with….with me?!" Hiyori nervously stuttered. "Of course! Anything to make you feel better!" Hiyori blushed. She grabbed Konata's hand and brought her over to her bed, giving her whatever side she wanted to sleep on. "Please tell me if I'm an inconvenience, I don't want to be a problem," Konata said. "You aren't a problem at all! I love it when I can help you," Hiyori said as she placed herself next to Konata who jumped into her arms. Hiyori wrapped her arms around her, both of them grew flustered and blushed. Konata could feel it, the warmth, not just from their bodies but in her heart, she felt sincere love coming from Hiyori.

Konata yawned and Hiyori just placed her head atop of hers, enjoying the movement. "I'll nurse you, I just want you to feel better," Hiyori said. Konata wrapped her arms around Hiyori, snuggling into her embrace and closing her eyes. She felt like she was beginning to find her answer, she was attracted to women, she was attracted to Etoile, she was attracted to Hiyori's warm feelings and her sincerity. She loved it all and she finally accepted it all. It was probably due to Hiyori that she figured out, due to this intimate moment where Hiyori held her and cared for her, took care of her without asking for anything. Hiyori kissed her on her forehead and shut off the light.

"Thank you Hiyori," Konata whispered as she grabbed onto her, resting her head on her chest.

[The crowd could be heard awing at the sweet, tender moment. Hiyori smiled with satisfaction as she held Konata on stage and heard the crowd enjoying her play.

Patricia returned to her room but saw that Kagami, the Etoile, was still missing. She decided to check the old room where Kagami laid out on the bed before and doubtless enough she was there, sitting on the bed.

"What are you doing here?" Patricia asked. "Is everything okay?" "Yes, I just wanted to wait for you." Kagami said. The two headed off for the room. "You look tired Etoile." "I am, I've been thinking all day. I'm falling for her Patricia," Kagami said. "Konata is different than her, she's different. I want things to be different, I vow to handle this properly. I want to be with her," Kagami said.

"I'm glad to hear that," Patricia said but Kagami noticed a disgruntled look on her companion's face. "Is there something wrong?" Kagami asked. "Oh…no, I'm just worried about you," Patricia lied.

[Again the crowd could be heard awing. Kagami smiled as she left the stage with Patricia, her plan was going perfectly.

In another room Akira and Yutaka sat on their own beds, both reading books. Akira was reading a magazine while Yutaka studied at the desk. Suddenly Yutaka dropped her pen. She grunted and bent over to try and get it but to no avail. She was getting mad that she couldn't reach it so Akira came over and handed it to her. "Here you go," she said. "Thank you," Yutaka replied. "You seem a little stressed out, with all that Minami watching you'd think you would be a bit happier," Akira said. "I'm sorry,"
Yutaka apologized.

"It's nothing to apologize about. Is there a problem?" Akira asked. "I just…I really like Minami…I want to be with her….I want to feel her near me….I…I…I have feelings for her," Yutaka said. Akira was shocked at the sudden statement and remained silent for a few seconds. "So…that's interesting," she had to restrained herself in this situation. "I just feel like I can't do it….like I can't tell her or even meet her," Yutaka said. "Well….you just have to do it, like a burst of a cannon, just light it up," Akira said. "You think so?" Yutaka asked. "Yep. Just meet up with her and talk, then see if you two can hang out together or something," Akira said. "But she's known for not getting close to anyone," Yutaka whined.

"Well, you have to take a chance right?" Akira asked. Yutaka nodded, she was willing to try it. "I do love her after all," Yutaka stated. "What?!" Akira blurted out. "Oh…whoops…I mean I….oh no….did I really say that?!" Yutaka panicked. "You…you love her?! But how?! You haven't even spoken yet?!" Akira panicked. "It just burst out, I've never felt this way for another girl yet I just…I must have just assumed….maybe it won't work out or she won't like me or maybe I won't be good enough," Yutaka depressingly said.

"Now wait, come here," Akira said. Yutaka went over to the bed where Akira patted a spot between her legs. Yutaka sat and Akira wrapped her arms around her. "There is nothing wrong with you. You're pretty and cute, you're smart and sing good, you're innocent and nice, there's no reason not to love you. Things will go well, okay?" Akira declared. Yutaka held onto her wrist. "Thank you."

"You really love her don't you? Like love at first sight huh?" Akira nervously asked, her voice was becoming scratchy and weak. "Yeah….I hope she feels the same way for me," Yutaka said smiling, ignorant of her friend's shattering heart above her. Akira gripped tightly onto Yutaka, not just to comfort her friend but to make sure Yutaka wouldn't be able to see her crying, her cheeks becoming wet and her watery eyes blurring her vision. Akira, despite her grasp on Yutaka, felt like she was slipping farther and farther away from her.

"Who could find a reason not to love you?" Akira said through her silent tears.