N.A: Moshi Moshi everyone! I hope that you all be fine! ;)
Sorry for all the mistakes in language, if you see something, just tell me and I can correct. Thank You! :3
Don't forget that "Authors are moved by reviews" and thank you all guys that follow or favorite the story, and a very special thanks to those who review, you really gave me force to continue! Love you!
Sorry about all this time without a post, my life was really crazy last month because of work, but now I am on a vacation \o/ and I will post two chapters/week! (heaven). The next update will be in 14/03, if all goes right.
And after all, I really hope that you guys like it!
Chapter 7
-As always, you are in your dream world again right Kotoko?! – Said Keita putting his arms around his friend's shoulders.
-Oy Keita, you scared me! And I wasn't daydreaming, I was just thinking...
-You? Thinking? – Said the brunette, laughing – Can I know what?
- Wow, we are all funny this morning, aren't we?! – Answer the woman ironically, and with the voice suddenly serious, continued – I talk with Dr. Imanishi yesterday Keita, I'm not pregnant...
- Well, but this was what you wanted, right? You were panicking just with the possibility...
-At first yes, but after I thought a little I loved the idea of having another baby... But that doesn't matter anymore... The real question is that if I am not pregnant, so I'm sick, for sure... I'm consulting with Dr. Nishigaki, since Irie-kun and I aren't very well, and considering that he even asked for my family historical this should be something more serious than "stress".
- Well, for you call him "Irie-kun" again it is because the things can't be that bad huh?! Besides, Dr. Nishigaki is a great doctor and I'm certain that is because of this that he asked your historical...
-Yeah, I think you're right... Except about Naoki, I'm still hurt with him but in this moment I rather just forget the problems and rely on his support, because whatever I have, I can't go through this without him... And even with me raising this truce, we don't get to talk, you know, we already try to meet several times but he always appears with an excuse and don't show up... I'm so tired Keita... – Toking the hands to her face to help contain the tears, when felt the strong embrace of her friend...
- Hey, stay calm okay? It's going to be all right, you'll see that you are not having anything serious... Do you want me to go with you at the appointment?
- No, that is okay... Jiro is also a good friend and calms me down, besides, I don't want that anyone else to know for now and if you go the girls will notice... But if you can tell Naoki that I'm in the appointment would be great, I couldn't tell him any of this yet...
-Kotoko, he needs to know what happened and what you feel to help you, he can't guess...
- I know Keita, it's just with so many problems I couldn't talk to him, I'll tell him today one way or another, I promise! But can you tell him about the appointment, please?
-Of course, I tell him... Now go and if something happens to ask for someone to call me and I'll go running. And give me the news!
- Sure, thanks Keita! -And with a pale smile, ended – For everything.
-Don't screw up everything again, huh, Genius?!
- Take it easy Kinnosuke, as they say, make a mistake one time is human, the second one is stupidity... I'll find Kotoko and solve all this mess for good!
- Good choice Irie, but remember that she can be more stubborn than anyone and is very hurt! This combination is never a good thing, be patient and know how to be understandable before opening your mouth...
- In fact, that's a good advice, when you started to be so smart? – Said Naoki, a little smirk popping on his lips due to the provocation.
-I'm a lot smarter than you think! And certainly much smarter than you to deal with women! – Smiled Kinnosuke, knowing that had won this time...
-You caught me in this, but believe me, I don't commit the same mistake two twice! And Kinnosuke, thank you!
-We're friends Genius, that's why we help each other... But what I said to you some years ago is still up: Kotoko is a great friend and I love her for this, so if you continue to hurt her I'll come just to rearrange your damn face! And without a wait for an answer left a surprised, but optimistic, Naoki goes to find his wife to finally solve everything once and for all.
-Let's start Kotoko? During the exam, you may feel a little claustrophobic in the machine, but still, you can't move okay? The resonance doesn't take long if stay quiet...
Kotoko gave her first smile of the day – "I know Jiro, I prepare a lot of people to this exam already, remember? You don't need to treat me like a patient."
-You know how it is, habit Hehe. Look, don't need to be with this sad and worried face that you've been keeping since you got here. I analyzed the family history that you bring and it helps to confirm some diagnostics that I had thought, but the exam that will give us the certain… Anyway, the good news is that all of them have treatment – Ended smiling.
-I think this really is good news indeed – with a smile that didn't match the expression in her eyes in any way, ended - I'm going to change clothes then.
- Of course, I'll leave for you be more comfortable. Where is Naoki? I wanted to change some opinions with him about the diagnostic…
-He doesn't come to the exam and I don't even know if he's coming to work today. I couldn't talk with him about any of this yesterday Jiro, because he left here straight to the restaurant of a friend of ours, drank as if there was no tomorrow and spent the night at the house of this friend. – With a long sigh and fighting with the tears, ended – And as he forgot to tell us, we stayed calling and looking for him until two in the morning… I never went so bad in my life Jiro, I was very nervous, anxious and worried until I was so dizzy that Yuki, my brother-in-law, had to help me to up the stairs… - Gave a deep breath and continued – Sorry to let it all out this way, but only you and Keita that listen to me lately and I thought that you should know about the dizziness…
-Wow, we had a very agitated night huh?! – Smiled - That's alright Kotoko, stay cool that you'll be fine soon, I have sure! Now change your clothes and enter in the machine that I talk with him about your case later, okay?
- You are very optimistic Jiro, very optimistic…
-Hey, did you guys see Kotoko? – Asked for his wife's friends, even knowing that they could be the target for further gossip because of that – She came earlier to work and I need to talk to her...
-Earlier? Have you sure Irie-san? We don't see her today…
-I'm sure Tomoko but thank you anyway… If one of you see her, please ask her to look for me.
-Irie, wait… - said Keita – I know where she is, come with me… - Closing the door behind him, the brunette started – Kotoko doesn't want this becoming that day's gossip and, as much we love those three, they override the limits sometimes…
- Yeah, I know very well how it is – answer the other man with some irritation in his voice…
-Anyway, talking about more important things, Kotoko is in Dr. Nishigaki's office.
-In the office? Why? – Naoki was already beginning to find everything suspicious again, what Keita knew and he didn't?
-I meet her early today and she told me everything… I think that should be her the one to tell you too…
- And why Nishigaki have to be with us?
-Look, you'll understand, okay? I really know about all the problems that you two are handling, but I still think that they should have figured it out and told you everything before… But it's serious, please, forget this detail and stay by her side now, 'cause she needs you, a lot!
-Alright Keita, I'll try... – He never had heard his own voice so shaky and never had felt so insecure too... Naoki was scared, terrified about what he was going to find out...
- And Naoki, if you need some help to getting through all this, remember that I'm not only Kotoko's friend...
Returned the smile of his friend and with a nod follow to his ex- professor's office, just one question in his mind: "What the hell is going on?"
-Crap! This definitely confirms the worst suspect... – With a sigh, Nishigaki push the button that allowed the contact with his patient and friend – Kotoko, you can leave now, we finished the exam... Change your clothes and came to my office right?
-Okay Jiro, the exam was conclusive? Is everything alright?
- Yes, it was conclusive, confirmed the diagnosis that I was thinking. You can straighten yourself calmly that I'll wait for you there.
Despite the calm words of her friend, Kotoko got ready as fast as possible, since it didn't go unnoticed by her that he didn't answer her question fully, and considering that she knew very well the trick "to give an evasive answer if it's a difficult problem", she knew that her illness was probably serious...
- Kotoko, you already had the curiosity to look into your mother's medical records after becoming a nurse? You know, technically, of what she dies?
-It is a very delicate topic for my father and for me too actually, so I never try to understand exactly what it was... – She frowned l, wondering the question and, most of all, fearing the direction that the conversation was taking – But I know that was hard, painful and that she stayed admitted about three months before... Well...
Seeing that his friend, a woman known for her cheerful and optimistic manner, couldn't even finish the sentence because she was fighting with the tears, the doctor just started to speak – Your mother passed away due to a cerebral aneurysm, you know what this is?
-A stroke?
- Yes, a cerebral stroke. An aneurysm is when the wall of a blood vessel becomes weakened, causing a dilatation, in her case, in the brain. The problem of aneurysms is when they break because there is bleeding into the space around the vessel, that "irritates" the arteries and can cause a series of "vascular strangulations" that leave a part of the brain without irrigation, causing cerebral swelling, lack of circulation and ... death.
- I will die, that is what you are telling me Jiro? This is not fair, my little daughter is too young to grow without a mom... I won't leave my family forsaken! – She felt a tear roll down for her face and clean it, didn't want, didn't could break in that moment... She needed to be strong!
- No Kotoko, I didn't say any of this, calm down! I'm just explaining to you what happened with your mom and I'm not going to let this repeat itself with you, okay?
-That means that I really have an aneurysm?
- Look, the medical community does not know exactly why they are formed, but it is believed that one of the possible causes is, among other things, hereditary and congenital, and in this case, they are usually multiple. That means you probably inherited it from your mother already at birth.
- Hereditary? That means Mi-chan...
-Yes, at some point it may be that she also goes through this, we must be very attentive to any symptoms that she presents, but it's very difficult the develop of an aneurysm in children and she is great for now, so we have to focus on you!
- This only can be a nightmare! – Took a deep breath, unable to hold back the tears anymore, simply let out all the pain she was feeling... Didn't want, didn't could abandon her young daughter, she had promised to the girl at the birth and to herself too, that would never let her precious baby know the pain to grown up without a mom like had happened to herself...
No longer able to just look his friend's pain, Nishigaki got up, walked over her and pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling her instantly tense... "Relax, I know that you'd rather a thousand times that I was Naoki, but that idiot doesn't arrive yet and you need to calm down, think of me as a temporary substitute okay? Now take a deep breath, I promise that we'll make it all going to be alright...
Despite a little smile due to the words of the one who turned out to be a great friend very fast, all Kotoko could do was cry, how could she leave her whole family?
He felt ridiculous, practically running around the hospital without being able to keep a logical thought in his mind for more than a minute, his heart beating fast... "What if she is really having an affair with him and they are going to confess? Calm Naoki, there has to be another explanation, I can't make the same mistake again, no hasty conclusions... Probably she just wants to sort things out between us, but why involve Nishigaki? No, this doesn't make sense... It could be something related to college, but why don't tell her friends? That is silly too and..." – He stopped and prick up his ears – This sound... It's Kotoko's voice, or rather, it is her cry... – Started to look for the source of that so characteristic sound, it was the sound that he hated more in the whole world and hated even more the fact of knowing it so well: his wife, known as optimistic and joy in person, was crying. The sound was getting louder as he approached the windows, it was when he realized where he was... "Of course, these windows are from the offices in the back of the building... Let me see, Nishigaki's should be this one..." – Discretely, he started to peek inside the office, and the scene filled him with angry and jealousy... "What the hell is going on in there? Why are they hugging again and first of all, why is Kotoko crying? I need to stay calm, it's just a friendly hug... It's best to go in there and ask what all this crap is... No hasty conclusions..." – He sighed and went quickly to the office.
-Calm down Kotoko, everything is going to be alright, I promise you. – Repeated for the hundredth time, trying to calm his friend who couldn't stop crying, although her tears were more relaxed and resigned now.
-You don't understand Jiro, I can't get in the home and just say "Hey Kotomi, let mommy put you to sleep today because in a few days I won't be here anymore..." I can't just forsake her like that, she needs me...
- Kotoko, have a little of common sense – Said the doctor with an amused smile at his friend's drama about the surgery, which was simple as long as an aneurysm did not break, as he already had explained to her – Your daughter is intelligent, of course she will understand the situation that you won't be with her for a while, your family will help you in this…
-And my father… He already suffers so much, I can't give him more that worries…
- Honey, though it is hard, your father will be glad that you are better than today right? He wants your good just as you and Naoki want what is best for Mi-chan as well… When she become older, if she is in that situation, you won't support her?
-Yes, of course I will, but what about Naoki, Jiro? It's not like he will really care so much about us, but if I leave him he'll have to take care of Kotomi alone… I can't, I simply can't do this, I rather that we just leave the way it is…
-Kotoko, you are not understanding – interrupted the doctor, serious – You don't have a choice, even more after what you told me today… - He sighed and softening his tone, continued – Listen, I won't let anything bad happen to you, okay? You can't act as if you are dying just because it is a difficult situation… Besides, Naoki loves you! And I have sure that he will comprehend and know how to put all the problems aside to be with you at this moment.
-Oh Jiro, you have been supporting me so much in this whole story, thank you! I don' know what I would do if you didn't want to help me… - And with a sigh, she wiped the last tear from her face.
- Don't need to thank me dear, you are a very special person to me since that week that we work together, you'll see that we will overcome this phase, even with Naoki will be all fine…
-From your lips to God's ears Jiro… I will tell him everything today… Everything we have done together and I hope he understands why I didn't talk to him before…
He couldn't listen to that anymore, he knew that he wasn't the best of the husbands, but nothing justifies Kotoko's betrayal… And with Nishigaki of all people! If someone had told him he could give the benefit of the doubt, but this time wasn't hasty, he heard from her lips about leaving him and even abandon their daughter, what kind of woman she was? How could he be so wrong? To be such an idiot?! How the hell did she want him to simply understand what they did together?!
- Irie-san, it is great to found you here, I need you go...
-I'm sorry head-nurse – interrupted immediately the older woman – But I'm not feeling well so I'll go home. – He knew that wasn't in any condition to operate and not even to work at the clinic, to be honest, if he insisted would kill someone in the end...
-But I...
-I'll go home! – His tone was so cold that the woman decided don't answer anything...
He feels like his heart had parted itself in a thousand pieces... Entered without talk with his mom that, at that hour, would be the only one in the house anyway and locked himself in his room...
- Naoki? Honey, is everything okay? – Without surprise, he heard his mother calling at the door, thought less than a minute was a record even for her...
-Not now, Mom, we talk later!
-Naoki, what happened? Open the door!
- NOT NOW, MOM! – his tone was so louder and aggressive that even Noriko, usually very insistent, saw that was better leave her son to reflect, he would call her when he was ready...
He didn't imagine that was possible feel so much pain, looked to the table where it was the picture of the two that he liked the most: his mother had taken hidden on the day that he announced their marriage. They are in the corridor, on pajamas already and Kotoko had asked if he had sure that want marriage her... His immediate answer was teasing her, of course (even nowadays this was still funny), but remembered of think that was cute the way that she was insecure, as if all that was just a dream from which she was suddenly wake up, since she already believe that although all her efforts that will never happen... Then he hugged her very tight, and truth is that he had never felt so free and happy, since he almost had lost her that day and never would forget the time that stayed waiting for her in the rain, since it was the longest and difficult time of his life, all what he tough it was that his Kotoko was with another man, that he could be kissing and hugging her against himself, saying the words that he knew she would like to hear... kisses and hugs that should be only YOURS and words that only HE should say to her and anyone else... And what hurt the most was to know that as in that day as in today, the fault of everything was yours: because she won't be with another guy if he wasn't a big blind idiot! And with a moment of pure rage, he shot the picture against the door, turn in the beautiful border that his wife had bought in pieces...
Sit down on the bed, his look lost in the empty, they call him genius and prodigy, but the fact is that it doesn't matter his intelligence, it had one lesson that although his parents' example or all that he had been through with Kotoko, he never could learn: Really value the woman he loved. Her betrayal was wrong, but he knew that for her looking for another man, it was because he never gave to her the attention that she deserves. He had failed as a husband, and this time not even all the love that he feels for her would be capable of bringing her back because she doesn't love him anymore...
Then, the great genius Naoki Irie made something that he had never made before: With the head between his hands, in a clear gesture of totality desperate, he cried all the hurt, pain and regardless in his heart.
A.N: That was the seventh chapter, what you guys think?
Aki no Ryu: Thanks, I think that make sense, after all, they are his friends too
Annjudith: I am very glad that you liked it, hope you continue to read, even after all this time =/
Kisses and hugs (XOXO?) and until next week! (I hope).
Sayonara o/