Akushi

Chapter Eight

No melon, no fruit salad, because it wouldn't be at perfection without every single fruit Rena needed. That evening Rena cooked a stir fry instead, which was, to my advantage, perfect.

However, the vibe Rena was giving at the dinner table only made things awkward, especially with her father asking how are day was, and my friend giving less expressive responses.

As usual, I finished my meal in under ten minutes, and Rena was her usual cheerful self, excited about how much I enjoyed her cooking. I can't deny that it was not odd behavior for her. Although, things went in the opposite direction when Rena encouraged me to go to bed early.

It wasn't like I wasn't tired, but I still felt like the day was young and I wanted to spend more time with my friend, even if it meant just sitting around and talking.

"You're still recovering, Keiichi-Kun," she said kindly with a modest smile. "I want you to get better, okay?"

"But, Rena," I started with an awkward smile, trying to find the right words to say to let her know that I did not want to go sleep. However, my friend wouldn't let me finish my sentence.

"Please, go to bed, Keiichi-Kun," she said in a way that sounded cold. She was eager, as if she was afraid that something would happen to me if I didn't get to bed at that instant. It was worse than my own mother babying me as a young child for being ill. It was coming from Rena, my high-spirited friend who wanted nothing more than fun and happiness.

She wasn't happy, and that thought raced through my mind as I lay in bed while peering at the ceiling. I chilled me to think of Rena feeling that way.

"This wasn't my idea, it wasn't," Rena said from the other side of the wall. She was obviously having a serious conversation with her father.

I did my best to eavesdrop without getting out of bed or making a sound, but it was hard to make out every word my friend was saying.

"I know you–bad–-as a child," her father replied, "but I–why."

I sighed in frustration, because it was too difficult to make out what they were saying, forcing me to give up on listening.

"No!" Rena exclaimed expressively. At that instant, I was eager to try listening again, because Rena sounded highly upset. What was going on? "You can't, and you never said you would do this!" Her voice sounded off, as if she were a completely different person, and it scared me.

"I'm sorry, Rena. Keiichi will—okay?"

I bit my lip at hearing my name, even if I coudn't quite make out what it was about me he was saying. And then it got quiet before the sound of footsteps sored by, and then a sligh door slam. Rena or her father went to bed, meaning the conversation was over.

I soon started to feel ill again, and it made me want to sleep. I shut my eyes, and drifted off soon after.