September 22
KAITO POV
Bright luminescent petals from the trees that were outside the Megurines' house were scattered around the pavement, looking like prints of gentle kisses. Brittle hazel leaves strewn about, landing on the flooring of the earth in their final attempt to escape the brisk of the autumn gusts. They did not get to escape. They fell from where they were from. It was their time. The street that was used to be brimmed with the laughter of the children a long time ago was now silent. Nothing could be heard anymore except for the deafening sound of the chilling wind. The breeze that was blowing over me was burning my skin.
Times like these were supposed to make me feel at ease. I used to like autumn, finding it cozy and charming. I used to like how the leaves cascade from the trees as they flew around the air, being carried by the strong autumn gale. But now, I see autumn in a different point of view. It sickened me.
I fully understand the situation we are in now and I know that we can't do anything about it but anyone who is in my place would feel this dullness. This feeling that is crawling inside my body, like the season, is incredibly cold.
Breathing in the crisp cool air, I entered the Megurines' house. Today, the first day of autumn, is dad's birthday so everyone is probably here to celebrate.
"Hey, everyone!" I greeted, making my way in their dining room.
"You're late, Kaito!" Rin rumbled, throwing me an annoyed glare. "Everyone already sang happy birthday for uncle Kenji!"
"Everyone couldn't just eat without you." Lily sighed with apathy whittling on her face. "Such a VIP."
I just snickered, feeling glad that everyone was really back to the way they were. "Sorry." I gave them a goofy smile, bowing down, pulling out the gift that I had trouble picking for dad. "It isn't that much," I said, handing it to him. "but you can use them."
He smiled, putting my gift beside the other gifts that everyone gave him. "Thanks, Luke." he replied.
While everyone talked to each other, I sat down next to Luka, squeezing her hand then my smile disappeared when my eyes brushed through her pallid face. The Luka that is in front of me now looks so listless and frail. She looks so different from the way she looked before. I could feel my heart aching again so I looked away from her to prevent myself from crying.
"Thank you for the food!" everyone exclaimed in unison before digging in.
Usually, I would get taken over by the taste of mommy Lacie's delectable cooking but now, I just can't feel anything else except for this coldness. I feel like I'm holding onto something that will soon vanish away.
Everyone was happily eating while chatting about random things but I quietly ate on my own. I stared at nowhere as my mind seemed to stop working and the next thing I knew was I and everyone else were already finished.
"Gift giving time!" Rin squealed, rushing to the living room, carelessly pulling poor Len with her.
Everyone else bounced with joy, following the twins.
Me, I was supporting Luka to stand up and head to the living room with the others. For some reason, even if she already had weak and fragile knees, she still preferred walking over being carried by me or dad and getting a wheelchair. I guess it's because walking makes her feel more alive. Her legs were trembling but I didn't dare to offer any help because I knew that it would just make her feel weak and miserable again. When we were almost there, she slipped but luckily, I caught her.
"Whoops," I cooed with a modest smile on my face.
She poked her tongue out, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry."
"Don't say sorry." I told her, gently letting her go to sit on the sofa.
"That's right." She beamed brightly, pulling my arm, inviting me to sit close to her. "I should say thank you." With heat radiating from my face, I sat down then she nuzzled on my shoulder. Her voice was now weaker and quieter. It almost seemed like she was already finding it difficult talking because of continuous coughing.
I tittered. "You feeling cold?" I questioned then she nodded.
"Open mine first! Open mine first!" Rin cheered as dad laughed, granting Rin her request.
A huge smile crawled onto his lips as he saw what was inside. "A pair of boots." he declared.
"Uncle, tell me how you like it!" Rin screeched, clapping.
Giggling, dad shifted his head on Rin. "It's as cute as Rinny." he said, putting the gift aside, making Rin gasp, probably overwhelmed. "Next is," he paused, opening the second gift. "Three scarves with different colors from Len! I love it!"
Len let out a halfhearted giggle.
"Now, Meiko gave me a..." he adjourned, laughing. "...a huge fluffy blanket. For snuggles!" he looked at mommy Lacie.
"Don't even think about it, old man." mommy Lacie joked, making everyone burst out laughing.
"Miku gave me mittens," he continued, looking really happy while opening the remaining gifts. "And Mei gave me earmuffs."
He was about to open my gift then Luka suddenly coughed uncontrollably. Panicking, everyone payed attention to her. I stroked her back, not being able to explain the anxiety that I was feeling.
"Luka!" Len yelped worriedly.
"Darling, what's wrong?" dad asked, quickly approaching her.
She bowed down, trying to stop. "I'm al..." but she couldn't.
Mom hurriedly got some water for her then her coughs suddenly came to a halt. She smiled at everyone, giving all of us an okay hand gesture.
"I'm okay." she breathed out, weakly.
"You sure?" Lily asked.
"Yes." she answered. "Dad should go back to opening the presents."
Dad sighed in relief, doing as she said. "I got a coat from Lily and my wife." he proceeded. "And I got...let's see..." He chuckled. "A towel, a new razor, a bottle of shaving cream, and a bottle of perfume from Luke. Thank you very much for the gifts, everyone." he said.
Mommy Lacie stood up and exited the living room. Not too long ago, she came back with a lot of boxes.
"I almost forgot to give Luka's gift to you." she chuckled. "She also has gifts for her friends."
Everyone puffed in joy as mommy Lacie distributed the gifts.
"So," dad began. "Luka got me a...a new pair of glasses and an E-cigarette?"
Everyone went silent, probably thinking why Luka gave dad such a gift.
"Oh, there's a letter." dad mumbled, clearing his throat.
"Dear daddy, I know that you secretly smoke," Blood suddenly rushed to his face as he bowed down, embarrassed. "...but I'm not giving this to you because I approve of it. I also know that you already tried to quit it many times so I thought that if you're finding it difficult to stop, then it would be better if you just use this. Electric cigarettes aren't bad to your health. They are actually healthy and I want my daddy to be healthy so you wouldn't end up getting sick. I want daddy to live a hundred years." He started to speak his words slowly. "And about the glasses, I know that you have been spending all of your time and money for my medicines and hospitals bills so it's either you run out of money to buy glasses or you don't have time."
Dad looked at Luka tenderly, probably touched, finding out that Luka appreciates all of his efforts.
"Always take care of yourself, okay? Please always keep mom and Lily happy. Happy birthday, dad. I love you." Then dad inhaled deeply, trying to hide his red eyes. "You forgot to include yourself, sweetie."
It was then when we heard Lily gasping. "Oh my god!" she voiced out. "Look at all these pretty clothes and accessories!" She said, trying some of them on with a huge smile on her face.
"Is there a letter too?" dad asked.
She nodded, opening the piece of paper she was holding. "Dear Lily, I know that there was a tension between us before but I've always known that you are an amazing elder sister."
Then everyone heaved an aww.
"I decided to give you clothes because these past months, you haven't had any because we always had to use money for my expensive medications. Sometimes, you even have to wear my plain clothes because some of yours don't fit anymore. I know that Lily loves pretty clothing. I also want you to be the prettiest among all of your friends. I'm sorry for always jogging mom and dad from you. Please continue being a good daughter to them." Lily's eyes softened. "Thank you."
"Wow..." Meiko mumbled. "I got a silver pocket watch locket with a heart shaped ruby outside." Then she opened the letter. "Dear Meiko, Thank you so much for standing by my side all these years. Thinking of a gift for you was difficult because I know that you're not really interested with material stuff. But please keep this pocket watch so whenever you see it, you can always think of the times when we were together." Then she stopped as a single teardrop escaped her eye. "And you see that heart shaped ruby? Ruby is red and red represents passion and love. I hope that whenever you see it, it reminds you of who you are—A lovable and passionate person." Then she chortled, looking at Luka. "Thanks, Luka. I'll take care of it."
"Me! Me!" Rin shouted. "You'll never guess what Chii gave me!" Then she showed us a PS4 box. "Dear Rin, Do you still remember those days when we used to play video games with Len together? You have no idea how much I miss it. I'm sorry if because of me, it can never happen again..." Then Rin paused, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm giving you this so you wouldn't have to borrow Kaito's xbox 360 anymore. Please continue being different from any other girl. Please continue being fun and bubbly. Most importantly, please always take good care of your brother." Even before she starts crying, Rin wiped her tears away. "Thank you so much for this, Chii!"
Len opened Luka's gift for him as he kneaded his hand through the object, finding out what it was. He chuckled. "What is this?" he asked.
"It's a sound recorder." Rin answered, opening Luka's letter for Len. "Mind if I read it?" Len nodded. "Dear Len, I know that this gift is kind of corny but I gave you this so even if you already can't see, you would still be able to picture what I look like by listening to those records that I recorded last night. Until now, you don't know how thankful I am for what you did. You did a lot of sacrifices for me and I don't even know what I have to deserve a friend like you. You know, I'll miss the taste of your strawberry shortcakes and I'll miss you calling me big sis."
"Miss?" Len questioned, not being able to help the tears streaming down his face. "You're not going anywhere so why would you miss me? Just you wait! I'm going to make a lot of strawberry shortcakes for you, big sis!"
"I decided to give you this so you wouldn't forget about my voice. Don't you ever forget about me."
Len motioned the sound recorder closer to his ear and pressed a button. "This strawberry shortcake tastes even better than the last one!" we heard Luka's voice. "Enough fighting with Rin!", "Stop calling Rin ugly because she looks like you.", "I like it when you and Rin tease Kaito. It's so cute.", "Just kidding!", "You know, I'm glad that I met you.", "Don't be sad.", "I'm sorry, Len.", "Everything's going to be okay, little bro.", "Thank you for everything.", "Please never forget about me." Len bowed, sobbing downheartedly while pressing several buttons of Luka's gift for him.
I, too, was crying.
"Hey," Len suddenly called out. "Is Luka smiling?"
Luka rose an eyebrow. "Yes, why?"
Then Len, grinned widely. "She's beautiful, right everyone?"
"She is." Meiko answered, holding the pocket watch locket tightly.
"I can imagine." Len chimed. "The image of her smiling face is still vivid to me. Thanks, Luka. I'll always cherish this."
Luka sighed as a weak smile crept to her lips. "I'm so glad...that you guys liked it."
"We loved it!" Lily exclaimed.
Her smile grew wider then she tilted her head up to me. "Kaito," she whispered.
"Yeah?" I bent down to her, motioning my ear closer to her mouth.
"Please bring me to the beach tomorrow. I will give you my gift there."
jeeeez IDK HOW MANY HOURS I WORKED ON THIS ONE _ there were too many distractions like visitors, noisy brother and sister who asked for my help for her assignment...
tried my best
thanks for the reviews :
- Kurohime-sama
- Black White and Superstitious
- Xname
