Chapter 8: Memories and Realization
Reminder: Again English is not my first language so be gentle.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Brothers Conflict is not mine. Just Rina Inagami, other OCs and the plot.
The chirping of birds were heard in that early morning, wet and green leaves of plants as the ray of sun hitting the world with dawdling motion while people started their day peacefully.
"Rin, if you won't get up right this moment I will personally drag you out of the bed and haul you down to the kitchen!" A voice of a woman heard from behind Rina's closed door which made the fifteen year old girl groan in frustration.
"Don't give me that sound girl I am serious."
Her deadly tone gave Rina an icy feeling through her body.
"Alright alright! I'm up… geez you'll add another wrinkle on your face." She grumbled quietly and jumping out of bed.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! I said I'm up." She huffed.
"Good, now hurry up and move your ass I don't want you to be late at your first day!" Even though Rina can't see the face of her mother saying that she knew she was grinning in victory which caused her to roll her eyes.
"I'll be down in few minutes."
She heard the fading sound of her mother's footsteps before Rina took her phone on the table and check if there are emails, seeing that it was all came from her best friend Ema her lips twisting into an amused smile while reading her mails.
Good morning Rin-chan! You should get up now because it's our first day of school!
Dad prepared a breakfast for me before he left earlier than I thought. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to him.
I'll see you later!
Putting her phone back at the table and started her day with a hot shower.
"Good morning Rin-nee!" Rina heard younger brother's greeting as she walk down the stairs wearing her school uniform.
"Good morning to you too Jiro." She ruffled his hair and seated beside him. "Good morning mom."
Inagami Runo just waved her hand and continued to prepare the breakfast for them.
"Ne Rin-nee are you excited?" His ten year old brother asked.
"Of course not, school is still the same… There's nothing to be excited about it." Shrugging off her shoulder.
Runo scoffed at this which made Rina to stare at her mother and raising her brows.
"You're always excited when you were just the same age with Jiro, you always want to wear something beautiful so that your new classmates gonna like you or your crush will look at you." Her smirk widened when she saw how Rina's face turned red.
"I'm not! I was… I was just a kid that time okay! I'm different now…" Puffing her cheeks and crossing her arms in irritation. "And he's not my crush mom how many times do I have to tell you that he was just a friend!"
"Yeah, I think his name was Ryuuji~" Jiro snickered, Rina shot him a glare.
"A friend? Then why are you blushing whenever you saw him? There was one time you keep staring at him playing soccer and almost tripped by a rock."
"That… that was just… I was watching the game not staring at him!"
"Yeah, couldn't fool me dear."
"I was there also Rin-nee."
"Oh c'mon guys! It's still early and you two are picking me already, that's not fair." She pouted and frowning at the same time, Jiro and Runo finally laugh at this.
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Broken glasses of car's window spreading on the ground as three people stuck inside an upside down vehicle, blood covering them.
"Rin-nee it hurts!"
"Shh...don't think just pressed harder so the bleeding will at least stop... Got it?" She soothingly said and kissed her brother's forehead. The young boy nodded, painful eyes brimming with tears.
Rina checked his wound on his hip, feeling satisfied that her brother followed her instruction she looked at her mother.
"Mom?!"
"...I-I'm cool"
She tried not to laugh at her answer, but the pain behind those words made the teen concern. "Are you hurt?"
"..N-Nah, nothing I can't handle, Jiro?"
"He has a wound..." She bit her tongue to stop herself saying that the wound was deep. "...but he's fine."
"You?"
"Just a gash on my back and shoulder other than that I'm good."
She heard her mother sigh before she groaned in pain. "Ah damn..."
"Mom?"
"...can you move Jiro closer to me?"
"I...I can't his wound..."
"...okay, I'll just-" She saw how her mother tried to remove her seatbelt and succesfully undid it making her fall in her position. Her groaned of pain made Rina panic.
"Mom?!" The next thing she knew her mother was already beside her checking her whole body when she was satisfied Runo went to Jiro to check him up, her face frowned.
"Rina! Hurry call some help!"
"But mom, I can't leave you both here-"
She wailed, deperation behind her firm tone. They were just happy teasing each other during the ride just to celebrate her birthday and going to a simple restaurant when this huge truck appeared from nowhere and hitting the car on the side making it roll three times because of the impact.
She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to her mother who was wearing a serious mask.
"Go." Softly pushing her daughter out and smiling at her. "We'll be fine."
"I...I but..."
"Rina."
The firm command of her mother made the teen sigh in defeat, holding back the tears that forming in her eyes she immediately called for help. Some people were in the incident and started to approach her. She was just few feet away, when she heard the coming siren of the police and ambulance. Her face lit up and stared back at the upside down car where her mother and brother still inside. She saw her mom... Smiled genuinely at her still holding her brother who was unconscious in her arms... The hope in her heart was so strong...
Until a loud blast was heard on the background after few minutes.
"No!"
Rina shot from her bed as she woke up from her dream, a dream turned into a nightmare.
She was sweating and panting at the same time, her hand clutching her chest to calm her breathing, her body quivered in shock. She tightly closed her eyes again, after some moments her breathing was back to normal and she slowly opened her eyes seeing that her room is still dark. Snapping her small head to the side and glanced at her clock, her tired eyes read it was still 03:00 in the morning. Running her fingers through the dark locks of her hair a sigh escaping from her trembling lips, it's always like this, she would dream her moment with her family, a happy and wonderful memories until the incident of what happened two years ago will ruin her supposed to be happy dream. Wiping some sweat on her face and decided to have a coffee since she would never go back to sleep after waking up like that, standing up on her feet she approached her dresser and took a frame inside, staring at it longingly a thin line unfold on her lips. She crouched down holding the frame tighter to her chest and started crying in pure sorrow.
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Yusuke and Ema entered their classroom earlier than they usually do. Approaching their seats they noticed Rina was also there and slumping on her desk. Ema concern washed over her feature and moved toward her childhood best friend.
"Rin-chan?"
Ema gently touched her shoulder but Rina didn't even flinch or move from her position. Watching intently her slumping figure, her even breathing and close eyes Ema let go the sigh she was holding.
"What's the matter Ema?"
Yusuke asked from behind and staring at the slouching figure of Rina. Placing his bag on the table and went to Ema's side.
"She's sleeping."
Ema's short replied but worry clearly in her tone. A prompt frown flashed before averting his attention to Rina. He was surprised, he never thought that Rina's the type to sleep in the classroom even though the class didn't start yet, she was usually seen reading a book if she was the first one to come to school or talking to some of their classmates.
"Maybe you should wake her Ema, class will be starting soon."
Nodding her head she gently shook her friend's shoulder. "Rin-chan wake up… wake up."
She moaned for a moment and moved a little but didn't budge to open her eyes. "Few more minutes…" She mumbled instead.
They both raised their eyebrows and this time Yusuke tried to wake her up, trying to control his shaking hand so that Ema won't noticed it he softly patted her shoulder.
Rina groaned in irritation this time. "Okay I'm up!" Standing up suddenly and raising her arms in the air which surprisingly hit Yusuke's face hard and he fall on his knees. Ema was so shocked and moved a step back thankfully that she was not the one hit by her friend's sudden action.
"Geez… You're so impatient mom—" Rina trailed off her words when she noticed her surroundings. "Oh…" A dream? Wait, when did I fall asleep? All I remembered is that I was reading a book. Gazing at her surrounding again she saw that most of her classmates were giving her an astonished look including Ema. "Uhm… Good morning?" she awkwardly greeted.
"Rin-chan…" Ema called touching her friend on her arm that caught Rina's attention. Blinking her eyes for few seconds and smiled afterwards.
"Ema-chi! Good morning." She said as if nothing happened.
"Ow…"
Ema and Rina heard Yusuke's groaned and turned their gaze at him. Rina's eyes widen. "Yusu-kun! Your nose is bleeding!" She gasped in horror and crouched down in front of him Ema following her action whereas their other classmates didn't move and remain from their spots while still staring at them, Rina noticing their action furrowed her brows. "Who did this to you?!" She hissed snatching his hand away from his bleeding nose and used her handkerchief to wipe the red liquid. Yusuke, blushing furiously, tried not to laugh at her question but didn't answer it instead, Ema did.
"You don't remember Rin-chan?" She chuckled nervously. "You were sleeping when we came here and we decided to wake you up. I tried at first but you just moved a little and went back to sleep but when Yusuke-kun did you suddenly got irritated and stood up from your slouching position accidentally hitting Yusuke's face by your raised arms." Her long explanation. Rina's mouth hanged open at the revelation, turning her stare back at Yusuke she rapidly gave him an apologetic look.
"Oh my god… I'm so sorry! I thought I was…"
Yusuke waved his hand. "It's fine… I was just surprised that you made my nose bleed, you hit like a man though." Realizing what he said his eyes gone wide. "I mean! You hit like—"
Rina laughed and shook her head. "No harm feelings… No doubt I made your nose bled because I was a member of Judo club in my previous school."
Ema and Yusuke were surprised at this new information.
"Well… just ask later maybe I should bring you to the infirmary first Yusu-kun."
"No! I mean it's okay I think the bleedi—"
"She's right Yusuke-kun… Let the school nurse see that."
Sighing in defeat he nods his head. The three of them stood up, both she and Ema helping Yusuke on his feet. "Ema-chi since the class is going to start can you stay and tell to Eri-sensei about what happened."
She smiled to Rina and curtly nodded her head in agreement, Rina and Yusuke went out the room both heading to the school clinic.
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"The bleeding finally stops Asahina-san but you can stay here for a while before you can return to your classroom. For now, just remained on that bed, do not lie down got it?"
He bobbed his head and did what the school nurse said while Rina went beside him since there was an empty chair placed beside the bed.
"I'll be leaving you two here okay? I'll be right back shortly."
They both nodded their heads as they watched her form went out of the room. The sound of the door closing made the red hair flinched in his position. Now, that he was alone with Rina his heart won't stop beating so fast while the said girl turned her head at his direction and smiled making his heart to beat even faster and sweat a little. Damn it! This is not his style! Why was he so anxious anyway?
"Are you alright Yusu-kun?"
Startled at her question he still managed to answer. "N—Yes, I'm okay…"
He saw how her feature turned serious.
"Can I ask you something Yusuke?"
Did she just call me without honorific?
Even with her serious face Yusuke was oddly elated hearing Rina calling him familiarly.
"Did you hear me?"
"Y-Yeah… What do you want to ask?"
"Why most of our classmates are scared to go near to you?"
Caught off guard at her question Yusuke's expression became impassive and chose to stay silent.
"Should I guess? Because I assure you there is nothing to worry about Yusuke."
His eyes widened and fixed it on her. Rina's face was soft this time and a genuine smile casting her lips.
"I'm your friend and I don't care what I've heard about you Yusuke… I've known you enough to know that you are a kind and reliable person so whatever people say about you, do not mind them. They can judge you whatever they want and sometimes it hurts but…"
Thud.
Thud. Thud.
"They're not the reason why your world is turning around… but because of those people who really know the real you, the bad and the good side of you."
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
There it goes again… His heart was beating fast once more.
Crap.
He mentally moaned in frustration and stared at Rina who was still talking. Her words lost in the background and focusing his attention on her features, he admitted the first time he saw her she was pretty, but knowing her each day was making her more than that.
He had to admit Ema's smile was beautiful, but Rina….
Her smile and deep blue-violet eyes… were striking.
But even though she was smiling there was something wrong in those.
After Ema told him about her little secret he was very much surprised and finally knew the real reason behind those sad jewels.
She was alone…
But she doesn't need pity he can clearly see that and makes him admire her more each passing days, she was strong, determine, caring and…
Beautiful.
There he finally said it, Rina was beautiful in her own way…
Momentarily stopped from his thinking he turned his attention back at Rina who was still talking, the longer he stared it's getting clearer to him now this weird and confusing feelings toward the ebony haired girl.
He had a crush on Ema, he liked her for almost two years… But Rina has something special in his heart and for the first time Yusuke experiences the difference between someone you like and someone you have fallen in love with. He was not naïve and he guessed he already knew the difference from the start anyway, in a short span of period Rina did actually made him fall for her unconsciously. Perhaps she was the one that was too naïve to notice everything… Yusuke inwardly sighed and smirked to himself.
Yes. He was absolutely and undeniably in love with Rina.
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"I think this is quite a lot Rin-chan." Ema voiced her concern.
"Don't worry Ema-chi! I just got my paycheck today and besides I want to make a good impression to your brothers."
"Rin-chan…"
"I know, I'm sweet~"
Ema chuckled and grabbed her hand. "Okay, but next time you don't have to do this anymore okay?"
Squeezing her hand Rina gave her friend a tender look. "I'll think about it." She winked. "So~ care to help me to prepare this food tomorrow before the dinner starts?"
"Sure Rin-chan, I would love to!"
"Great!"
They both headed home after buying the ingredients. Deciding to go first at Rina's apartment and helped her friend to bring the bags full of goods. Reaching their destination and entering in Rina's apartment Ema can't help but roamed her eyes around and amazed at her friend's little home since it was her first time visiting here after knowing she transferred in the same school she's attending. But Ema observed there is something missing in this place.
"You can sit on the couch Ema-chi, I'll prepare some snacks for us."
She swiftly nods in her direction leaving Ema on her own at the living area. Looking around, her eyes caught a picture frame slumped on the table, grabbing the frame and stared at it, her eyes became gentle and poignant and knew now what is missing in this place. Ema can still remember how warm in the household of Inagami residence and she really missed it but that warm feeling was no longer in here, it was placed with cold and icy feeling. Putting back the frame and closing her eyes, trying to erase the distress feeling and the tears that wanting to fall, Rina was being strong and as her best friend she needed to be stronger for her also.
"Ema-chi?" Slanting her head and saw Rina standing from behind. "Are you okay?"
"Of course! I was just thinking uhm… about Yusuke-kun, he… he was excited to come with us but he needs to go home for some matter."
Rina lifted her brow at her friend's statement. If she knew she was lying she didn't comment and shrug it off and Ema was thankful for that.
"Don't worry about him."
Placing the tray she brought on the table and seated beside her. Now that Ema mentioned about Yusuke Rina furrowed her brows remembering how he suddenly became weird… no weirder after leaving the clinic that morning. Staring at Ema, Rina thought about the family dinner tomorrow and meeting her brothers soon…
"Ema-chi, do any of your brothers have a girlfriend?"
She fluttered her eyes at the unexpected question. "Uhh… I think none of them have a girlfriend…"
Bobbing her head and gave Ema a smile.
"Hmm… How come they have no girlfriends or wife? How old is the eldest anyway?"
"I think Masaomi-san is 31."
Masaomi? That guy with Wataru-chan?
"That's strange… maybe they are into boys or…" Rina glance at her without facing Ema. "They have the same someone they like?" She saw it, even in a split moment Rina saw how Ema flinched without changing her expression. "Well at least I can date one of them, what do you think Ema-chi?" She asked brightly.
Kidding.
"O..Oh I think so. I guess, after all they are singles." A relief smile shown on her lips.
"What about you Ema-chi? Do you have someone you like?"
Only a shake of her head was Ema's answer.
"Seriously? Wow… that's amazing, you are still single then after I left?"
Ema bobbed her head this time.
"Oh my… We need to work on that. I mean, I'm not forcing you it's just that, it's better to have experience when it comes to love my friend because love is a dangerous and sneaky thing." Wiggling her brows Rina gave her a shifty smirk and making Ema smiled nervously.
"Uhm.. Rin-chan, what are you thinking?"
She knew Rina too well, that kind of smirk was really scary and definitely she's up too something.
"After the dinner with your family, I will make a plan on setting you up with a kind and perfect guy Ema-chi so be prepared!"
Oh Kami-sama…
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~omake~
"Yusu-kun? Hello? Are you still with me?" Fluttering his eyes Yusuke snapped out from his thought and focused his attention again at Rina, her face was closer this time, eyes blinking innocently. "You are not listening aren't you?" She asked while scowling.
"I am!"
He got confused when her face contorted in astonishment, her hands grabbed his face rapidly making him jerked from shock at the unexpected contact.
"Maybe you should lie down Yusu-kun, your nose is bleeding again! Geez, why your face was red anyway? Are you thinking something perverted?"
Glowering at him. Yusuke shook his head in defense.
"Really? Then what's the cause of that flush face of yours?"
"I... I was..."
"What?"
He knew it was very unromantic confessing his love here but this is also the right moment since they are both alone and so close to each other and he doesn't want to miss this chance though.
This is it.
Closing his eyes firmly before opening it again, taking her hands away from his face and wiped the red flowing liquid using the tissue that the nurse handed to him before leaving. After some moment Yusuke gave Rina a serious stare which really confused her.
"Rina..."
"What?"
"I... I think I'm in love with you."
A deadly silence covered between them before Rina gasped in bewilderment.
"Oh my god, I think I hit your head not your nose! We should call an ambulance to bring you to the hospital. You're hallucinating Yusuke! If anything happens to you I will never going to forgive myself!"
He smack himself. Feeling a jug of water being poured to him at the unexpected answer.
Damn, this is more difficult than I thought.
Yay! Down another chap! Yusuke's our star for this chapter next will be the family dinner and still working on it haha.. So for those who don't know 'omake' it's a Japanese term means 'extra or bonus'
I want to thank Guest for keep reviewing! Thank you a lot and please stick till the end. Your sweet short reviews are very much appreciated.
Please R&R
No flames
-Aza
E
Edited: 04-25-18
