Akushi
Chapter Nine
"Wow, that's so out of character for Rena," Mion said to me over the phone. I had told her everything that happened with Rena and I the next morning. Everything from Rena's cautious behavior to her getting upset with her father about who knows what. I couldn't keep it to myself anymore, so I knew calling Mion on the phone would be a good idea to help clear my head.
"Yeah, I wonder what she's hiding," I said in response. "I mean, what exactly is Rena trying to protect me from?"
There was a long silence, followed by a deep sigh before my friend reacted. "You know, there have been times where Rena has been upset or serious. When it's important, it's important. She won't forget about it."
"Like what?" I suddenly got curious about whatever Mion was talking about, but I knew she wasn't going to tell me. At least not now. It didn't matter, though, because whatever Rena was obsessing over at this very moment was more important.
"Kei-Chan, it's important that you stick by Rena's side and support her." Support her? It was almost like Mion knew what was going on. However, I knew she didn't, so I wasn't going to pry. Mion is a smart girl, and the leader of our club, so I have to follow her orders.
"Right, I will," I said softly before my friend told me she had to go prepare breakfast for her family. We hung up, and I sat up straight from the sofa I was sitting on as Rena made her way into the living room.
I bit my lip cautiously, hoping she would not tell me I was too ill and needed to go to bed. I was sure that I looked pale, but I did not want to sleep anymore.
"Good morning, Keiichi-Kun," the girl said with a warm smile, as if nothing had ever happened. That wasn't uncommon for Rena.
I grinned. "Morning. Uh, so what do you wanna do today?" I had to do as Mion directed and stick with Rena and support whatever it was she wanted to do. Perhaps I could get a glimpse of whatever Rena had on her mind.
"We are gonna visit the farm!" my friend said cheerfully, her face already going into cute mode. Farm? I wasn't sure that was something up my alley, since I'm a city boy. I wondered if she was going to make me roll around with the pigs.
I smiled awkwardly in response, but didn't know what to say. Afterall, I did not want to hurt Rena's feelings. To change the subject, I scanned the room. "Where's your dad?"
"Not here." The tone in her voice was cold, and she was wounded as if she knew I was going to ask that and she was upset about it.
I bit my lip nervously. Yep, something was definitely up. "Rena, what's wrong?"
My friend smiled softly. "Nothing, I want to show you the farm."
I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly. The farm? I knew for sure that if we went there, Rena was going to be going into extreme cute mode over the animals. Before I could give a response, she took my hand and rushed me out the door.
The air felt slightly warm against my face as we shifted forward. I watched Rena closely as she kept her hand in mine, and continuously hummed her own tune. It was definitely the Rena I knew, but it didn't mean that she wasn't trying to hide something.
As Rena dragged me along the village, I watched as people walked by us, one by one greeting us. I was used to seeing that in Hinamizawa.
Soon enough, we came across the hill above the garden that Rena so desperately tried to keep me away the day before. It could not help but wonder what was so dangerous about a garden. I never did ask Rena before, and I didn't want to ask her now, because it would ruin her current happy mood. I let it slide and continued to walk with my friend on the other side of town.
I began to grow at what seemed like hours of walking. It was starting to get extremely hot, and I wanted to stop and take a break. "Are we almost there?" I forced myself to ask.
"Almost there, Keiichi-Kun. Just right above that hill." She pointed ahead.
Ugh, just more hard labor of a walk. I tried my best to not complain, but whatever I let out got Rena giggling. "Keiichi-Kun is so cute when he's struggling and tired. Hauu!"
I resisted the argument, and walked up the hill with the girl. It wasn't too big, so it only took a couple minutes. By the time we got to the top, I could hear the sound of horses and sheep.
"Oh, they are still here and healthy!" Rena instantly rushed down the hill. "Come on, Keiichi-Kun!"
I couldn't help but smile at my friend's excitement, because seeing her like this aside from the fact that she hadn't been herself, was calming. I swiftly followed behind, and before I knew it, we were petting the goats.
Rena hugged the tan shaded one around its neck. "This is Loveberry," she said in a somewhat calm way. "Come pet him, Keiichi-Kun!"
I stepped closer and reached my hand out. At that instant, Loveberry bumped his cold nose on my head. I flinched in startling, but quickly calmed down and grinned. Feeling my hand up to his thorn, I couldn't help but feel at ease. His horn was very warm, as if his blood was pumping through it.
"I think he likes you, Keiichi-Kun," Rena said, and suddenly put her hands up to her cheeks. "You both look so cute! Auauauau!"
I agreed that Loveberry was cute, but it didn't last when he started to tug at my shirt. "Hey!" I reacted in anger and tried to pull away. However, the goat continued like I was a snug.
Rena laughed. "Goats like to eat everything, how cute!"
"Not cute! He's gonna ruin my shirt!" I continued to pull, hearing a slice rip coming in the fabric.
"Loveberry, let go!" Rena demanded, which got the goat to resist before walking in the other direction, understanding her words.
"I didn't come all the way out here to get eaten by a goat," I complained. It only made my friend laugh, making me realize how funny it was. I joined my friend in laughter.
"Come on, let me show you how to milk a cow."
Oh, hell no! THere was no way I was going to milk a cow. I understand how important this was to Rena. Important for her to show me the town she used to visit, the food she liked, and the animals she thought were so cute. However, there was no way in the world I was going to milk a cow. I had to try to make up an excuse to avoid it, but I knew that nothing would work on the girl.
At that second, I jerked away and started off. "No way, I won't!" I heard Rena protesting, and I suddenly felt her following me.
"Keiichi-Kun! Are we playing Tag? Are we?"
I chuckled playfully and sprinted ahead, making my way out of the farm and through the fields. Even a city boy like me could out run the country girl of spirit. The thoughts on the cows left my mind, and I decided to have fun with whatever game I was making here.
"Keiichi-Kun!" Rena's voice started to fade off, meaning that I had gotten further ahead. Then I heard her whine.
I turned around and saw that she had fallen to her knees. She seemed okay, so I wasn't going to let my guard down.
Rena, however, peered up at me with blue puppy eyes. "Are you gonna leave me here, Keiichi-Kun? Are you?"
I leisurely backed up, trying to resist helping my friend. It was hard to see her on the ground. I knew, however, that she was doing this to stop me. She wanted to win because that's what me and all my friends enjoyed. Playing games and winning. I wasn't going to let her win. I turned back around and jolted.
"Keiichi-Kun, so mean!" She faked a cry, which echoed in the air.
I chuckled as I made my way outside the forest that I found. Nothing but trees were in my sight, but I couldn't hear the sound of birds or frogs. It was as if the forest was deserted. I stood, staring at the trees as the sweat from my forehead dripped down my temple. I ignored the hot air and began to make a step forward.
I stopped after a second, feeling a bit off, like there was something wrong with the idea of walking in. My curiosity usually gets the best of me, and I wanted to go see what was there. Although, something wasn't right.
I heard a deep sigh, and I quickly turned my head to the left to see Rena standing next to me, facing the trees. I couldn't read her face, but by the looks of her posture, she didn't seem thrilled. "Rena?" I said before pausing. Mion told me to stay by Rena's side, and that's what I was going to do, even if it meant waiting.
I waited for a whole minute through the silence before I heard my friend speak. "My dad thought it would be a good idea."
"Idea?" I didn't understand. "Rena?"
"For me to come here. For me to overcome the bad memories of this place." Bad memories? What on Earth? My stomach twisted and I started to grow apprehensive. "I didn't know he would leave me here alone."
So her dad left. He had planned on bringing Rena here and leaving her. But why? WHat was so horrible about this place? I wanted to know, but I was afraid. However, Rena was even more afraid. "You're not alone, Rena," I finally replied. "I'm here. I'm here with you."
She turned to me, and I could finally see her face. She had tears in her eyes and that made me want to hug her. I never got to, though, because I saw her wipe her tears and then smile.
"You promise?" I knew now that it was more serious than I thought.I had to stay by her side no matter what. I had to learn the truth, and I had to help her. I wanted her to be happy again. I wanted our lives to be happy again.
"Of course, Rena! Now, what's wrong with the forest?"
She seemed a bit surprised by my question, but didn't avoid it. "The same as the garden. They were both his two favorite places."
"Hi? Wait, who?" Was she talking about her dad, or somebody else? I waited for her to reply. It took about ten seconds, which only brought more suspense to the wait.
Finally, the girl opened her mouth. "Akushi."
