Updated

Chapter 12: My home is your home

At the mid of night with lights flashing red and blue with some clear lighting. The police began their search all around the house and arrested Natsuki's dad. They soon started questioning MC and Natsuki about the event that had occurred tonight. They were both given medical attention. Luckily Natsuki didn't have much severe injuries, MC on the other hand had severe injuries and both were bandaged up.

After the police had done their work the ambulance drove both MC and Natsuki to the hospital to keep check on them to make sure they fully recover. The two of them remained silent throughout the entire ride until they reached a nearby hospital. After they were checked in a police officer came by to let Natsuki know that her dad will be in prison for a long time and will not harm either of them before leaving.

Dr. Feelgood: "Well now that's all settled the both of you should be fine now, but just to make sure, it would be better if you two stay here over night and rest."

MC: "But we have school."

Dr. Feelgood: "Now, now boy. Your health is more important than school. Gets some rest." He leaves.

MC: "Well this sucks." He looks around his surroundings seeing the usual equipment an average hospital has.

Natsuki: "Look on the bright side. At least we get to share a room together."

MC: "Yeah I guess you're right? It is better to share a room with someone I know rather than someone didn't know."

Dr. Feelgood: "Oh Mr. Conner you have a visitor."

MC: "Huh?"

Dr. Feelgood: "Normally we don't allow visitors at this time of hour, but she seemed know the both of you and is very worried about you two, so how could I say no. Especially when she gave me that puppy dog stare."

MC: "Who would visit us at this time an hour?"

Natsuki: "Oh I forgot to mention that when we were on our way to the hospital I told Sayori what was going on."

MC: "You did what now?"

Sayori: "Oh my goodness what happened to the both of you!?"

MC: "Oh no." While he tries to process all this Natsuki told Sayori the entire story while she looks over at his wounds.

Natsuki: "Anyways thanks for coming."

Sayori: "No problem." She looks at MC with disappointment.

MC: "Why are you here? You should be in bed resting from your cold?"

Sayori: "Who cares about that! I'm more worried about you!" She holds onto his hand and tears starts to build up. "You can be so reckless at times."

MC: "S-sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you." He tries to smile to comfort her, but couldn't. If he had, it would've been a fake one.

Sayori: "Don't be. That's just who you are. The part of you that I like." She held on to his hand tighter as she starts crying.

MC: "Sayori?"

Sayori: "My … protective brother." Natsuki tries to say something to her, but allowed her to continue her talk with him.

Natsuki: "Sorry … it's my fault for telling him about my personal problems."

Sayori: "Don't be. It's in his nature to help his friends. Even if it means putting aside his happiness for others, but then again I wouldn't be here if he wasn't like this."

Natsuki: (In his nature to help?) Sayori wipes away her tears.

Sayori: "Well I'll let you both get some rest now. I'll see you both tomorrow."

Natsuki: "Right, but we're not allowed to leave for school tomorrow."

Sayori: "Then I'll drop by again."

Natsuki: "You don't have to push yourself."

Sayori: "I know, but still, you both are my friends. I want to make sure you both know that."

Natsuki: "Sayori … thank you." She smiles to her.

Sayori: "What are friends for. Take care you two." She leaves.

MC: "Damn. I can't believe I made our little cinnamon roll cry again. I failed her again?"

Natsuki: "Don't be stupid! She's just glad you're still alive with a stunt you just pulled."

MC: "I know, but still?" He tucks himself in. "We should get some rest now?"

Natsuki: "I don't think I can?"

MC: "Why not?"

Natsuki: "After what happened tonight, I don't want to be alone right now."

MC: "But I'm right here?"

Natsuki: "I know that, but still. Can I ask you a favor?"

MC: "What is it?"

Natsuki: "If it's alright with you, can I sleep with you?" He looks at her with confusion. "I don't have a teddy bear or anything to make me feel safe, so …" MC stares at her shy face. "Don't worry I promise this won't ruin your relationship with Yuri."

MC: "What? Why are you and Sayori always on my case about that?"

Natsuki: "Because it's obvious you two like each other. To be honest with you. Monika, Sayori, and I overheard your confession to her." His face turns red.

MC: "I-I don't know what to say?"

Natsuki: "It's fine, all of us like you, but we all knew that only one of us can have you. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

MC: "Are you ok with my choice?"

Natsuki: "I be lying if I said no, but … even though me and Yuri argue a lot. I always considered her as my closest friend. I know it may not seem like it and I'm sure she doesn't see it either, but I want what's best for her. Even though I act mean to her. I only do it to make her want to be someone she can be proud of."

MC: "You want her to have confidence in herself right?"

Natsuki: "Yeah, she's always alone, shy, and fragile. The only friends she got is us and the only time I got her to speak up is when we argue, but that all changed when you showed up. You got her to open up where we failed."

MC: "That's not true. I'm sure she's opening up to you all piece by piece in her own way. It just takes time and patients."

Natsuki: "I know that, but still. I don't want anyone to take advantage of her. She's just, so …"

MC: "Say no more. I understand enough."

Natsuki: "... I hope so."

MC: "Tell me something. What's really bothering you?" She looks at him surprised. "It's just us, so tell me what's really on your mind. Is there something that's been bothering you?"

Natsuki: "… It's hard to say, but … I'm always so jealous of her and the others for having a more mature body. Compared to them I'm just …"

MC: "Your wrong." Her eyes widen a bit. "There are plenty of people who think you're beautiful. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Some people might not think highly of you, but there are others who think of you as queen. The whole concept of beauty is all a bunch of Bullshit. Sorry for my rudeness, but love is weird. Love is weird because we're weird. Sorry if that wasn't much help, but that's just how I feel."

Natsuki: "Maybe so, but … it is appreciative. Thanks for being so nice to all of us."

MC: "Hey Natsuki? How come you decided to face your dad now?"

Natsuki: "What do you mean?"

MC: "What I mean is, you had the opportunity to fight back, to speak up, to do something, but instead you just took it, why?"

Natsuki: "He's my dad, as much as I hated him I can't do anything about it. If I did then where will I go? Where will I stay? If I did what I did now, then I'll be out there on the streets alone."

MC: "I see."

Natsuki: "But I guess we're not so different from one another. The way he raised me. His abuse rubbed on me. I ended up taking my anger out on all of you?"

MC: "Even so, you're nothing like him. A man who would hurt his own children, is no man." He sits up. "Listen Natsuki, you aren't alone. You have us. Remember I offered to you that you can come over to my place whenever you want. A place you can call home. In other words my home is your home."

Natsuki: "No I shouldn't. I don't want to be a burden to you or your family."

MC: "I'll talk to my parents. If they say no then I'll help find you a place to live and you can come and visit whenever you like."

Natsuki: "You think you can?"

MC: "We won't know if we don't try."

Natsuki: "I guess your right? How do you always know what to say?"

MC: "Don't know, to be honest with you? Guess it comes naturally?" (Or maybe I've been through worst and have a better understanding?)

Natsuki: (Naturally? Why do I feel so strange? Did he ever felt helpless before? My head is feeling weird now.)

MC: "We should rest now?"

Natsuki: "Yeah, but?"

MC: "You can share my bed for tonight."

Natsuki: "You sure?"

MC: "You asked and I'm sure this bed can fit us both."

Natsuki: "Ok then." She gets in the covers and holds on to MC's arm for protection. Right before she fell asleep she whispers one last thing. "A place where I can call home? That's sounds … cute." She peacefully went to sleep. MC on the other hand remined awake looking at Natsuki's peaceful face.

MC: "Natsuki, you had a look of despair on you face before, but the look of hope you have now … its beautiful." He tries to go to sleep as well, but couldn't. There were a lot of things that still bother him. (That's just who I am? Something about Sayori's words bug me, but what is it? Why do I feel so different and why does it all feel like I've been through this before? When I fought him, it felt as if I did once before, but how and when. Not only that, but how do I know how to fight? I don't ever recall being in fights before and I don't remember taking classes for it either, so how would I know how to fight. It feels as if I've had been through it all before?)

Images of people started to flash before him as he could hear the sounds of bones breaking and fists colliding. He raises his hand to his face. (Just who am I? Am I really who I am or is there more about me that even I don't know yet? It doesn't matter. I'm still me Michael Conner. There's no doubt, that's who I am.) He clenches his hand to a fist. (There is one thing that still bothers me. Was he really Natsuki's dad? Why do I feel like I have met him before, but yet?) Just as he closes his eyes he sees a vison of Natsuki's dad. The one he just fought against, but he also sees another version of him looking frail. (The man I saw today … is not what I remembered.)

End of Chapter 12