J16: Ok, guys, sorry for chapter 10, but it had to go on. Evidently from
my shitty writing, I'm a first at a suicide dialogue, but I'm trying.
Really.
Chapter 11: Not Accepting Fate
Ruki stood in front of the guest room mirror, looking at the black spaghetti-strapped dress that she bought recently and had planned to wear. Taking her hair and putting it into a one-sided ponytail to symbolize her late friend's perky style, she couldn't help but force a tear from her right eye.
-June 4, 2006. The day her life ended.
The date was June 10. That meant school was out. That meant Ruki had already graduated. It took some convincing, but she finally agreed to go to the graduation, but she went to no parties afterwards. She drove straight home after the short reception in the gym and went right to sleep.
But here she was, minus one good friend, about to attend her funeral service.
"Ruki, are you ready to go?" Ryo's voice came from the door. She nodded slowly.
"When you are."
**************
It was quiet in Ryo's car as Ruki looked out the side window, and Ryo focused on driving.
-Why her? I can't believe it.
"So tell me," he said.
"About what?"
"About what you plan to say at the service."
She sighed. Pulling out a piece of paper out of her purse, she looked at it. She slowly folded it back up and put it back in the black tool. "You'll hear it when the others do."
Ryo sighed and looked back at the road, while Ruki looked back out the side.
****************
-Damn high heels.
Ruki groaned as the matching shoes stumbled her walk to St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She herself wasn't a Catholic, but Juri was, and it was customary for them to have a Mass service in dedication for her.
Walking into the church, Ruki realized that despite the filled up seats (Juri did know a lot of people), there was a row that was reserved in the front for her and her friends.
Ruki, Ryo, Takato, and Jenrya sat in the same row, in the front row, watching, listening to the Mass, the readings, but Takato couldn't help but look at the wooden casket filled with the beautiful yet lifeless girl.
When the Mass was over and people went up to say their last words, Ruki and Takato pulled out the papers. Takato was first. Slowly he crept up to the podium, his paper in his right hand, while the crowd of 200 or so remained quiet, save for the sobs heard throughout the cathedral.
Even though Takato had planned his farewell speech all last night, he felt himself at a loss of words, his throat dry and refusing to tell anything significant. Finally he blurted through the microphone, voice full of sob,
"Juri was my ex-girlfriend, and even though she did commit suicide, I feel as if this whole thing was my fault. If it weren't for me, she'd still be alive. And that's all I have to say about that," With that, Takato jumped off the stand and ran toward the back, exiting the rotten church that dared held celebrations for those who left the earth.
Ruki sighed, knowing that she had to help Takato, again, but remembered that she still had a speech to give. She slowly approached the stand and put her face to the microphone. Standing sternly, she delivered her speech with high confidence.
"She was a good friend of mine. I know that all of you are crying and mourning over this, and I understand that.
"Um, I'm not a very religious person, nor am I a Catholic, but my friend Ryo does, and while I was browsing through his house, I came across a bible and started reading it. I came across a segment entitled, "Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act," from the book of Ecclesiastes.
"There is an appointed time for everything,
And a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot that plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
"Yes, today right now, is the time to die, uproot, kill, tear down, weep, mourn, scatter, be far from embrace, lose, cast away, rend, silent, hate, and be at war. But remember, that the Glory is with her forever as well, and for that, we today can also be born, plant, heal, build, laugh, dance, gather, embrace, seek, keep, sew, speak, love, and be at peace. Because now she is free from the depression that this human life toiled her with. I'm not saying that this Spirit is evil for making us live in this earth, but I prefer to be optimistic and look at the bright side of things, something Juri helped me do, and I'm sure that she would be proud of me for that.
"Juri helped and touched many people. I'm sure she touched all of you. Those that did not know her missed the love she gave us. I will miss her in body, but her spirit will be with us to the end of our own stay on earth."
Ruki stepped down from the podium and had the thought that she only made more tears exit people as she approached the casket by the altar. It lay open on the top half, revealing a content-looking auburn-haired girl laying, wearing a beautiful rose dress. Ruki's own tears of weeping and mourning began to fall from her eyes, yet she knew that they were also tears of love and embracement.
"I love you, Juri," she silently said, kissing her own fingertips and placing it on Juri's forehead. Ruki wanted Juri to react, maybe resurrect and come back, but she knew it was impossible. She had died, and whether she wanted to be optimistic or pessimistic about it, there was her best friend who loved her through the good times and bad.
************
Ruki heard Jenrya begin his speech as she walked outside to get some fresh air. Now that she thought about it, the air smelt more polluted, and the atmosphere looked darker.
She noticed a brown-haired boy sitting down on a nearby bench. Knowing who it was, she walked toward him, and sat down next to him.
Takato didn't want to talk, and neither did Ruki, but they just couldn't sit there in silence.
"If you really want to know what happened, I'll tell you."
Ruki nodded. She wasn't really going for that, but she might as well listen.
"The day before it all happened, I had gotten a phone call from Juri," he started.
*Flashback*
Takato held up his phone, listening to it. "Hi Juri! What's up?"
Juri, meanwhile, had a depressed voice that the brown-haired boy noticed over the phone. "It's not good."
He laughed. "Come on, can't be that bad."
"Oh, yeah it is."
"Nah, it can't be. What's wrong? Grounded? Burn down the house? The dog..."
"I'm pregnant," she said with a stern voice.
Takato couldn't believe what he was hearing. Pregnant? From him? "Wh...what?"
"It's true."
He didn't know what to do. He sure as hell didn't want to relay this to his parents; they'd disown him. But yet, it was Juri, his girlfriend...
"I want nothing to do with it," he said sharply.
Juri gasped. "But, but Takato, it's yours too..."
"I said no! For God's sake, I don't want my parents to know about it!" He yelled. He knew it. He had done it. Ruined their relationship, over a stupid baby.
"Takato, please, I beg of you..."
"No, no. Juri. I won't. Go fuck yourself, not me." And with that, he threw the phone down on the pad, hanging Juri up on the other line.
*End Flashback*
"She died in more vain than what you thought," he concluded, looking down.
Ruki couldn't believe it. Takato had been a jerk to Juri, only thinking of himself and his consequences. But Takato was right in admitting that it was all his fault that she was dead, that he caused all of this.
"Takato, I..."
"You don't have to say it, Ruki. I was an asshole to her, I know. All I was thinking about was you know, 'me, me, me', when I couldn't even imagine what was going to happen to Juri when her parents found it. Oh my God! Do you know how painful it is when the last words you say to a loved one is 'go fuck yourself'? It hurts very badly Ruki, and I don't think I'm mature enough to handle it."
"Takato," Ruki started, "I know it must be hard for you. Now look at me, sure, half of me is agreeing with the fact that you were an asshole, only thinking of yourself, but you know that compassionate other half, knowing the pain you are going through, I can't help but feel some of that as well, though not at your magnitude. Remember that there are still people who love you, of course Juri does still, there's Jen, Ryo, and me as well. And we will help you."
Takato sniffled and wiped his nose with the arm of his jacket. "Thanks, Ruki."
There was another silence, the speeches were still going on, then Ruki spoke up.
"Are you going to the burial?"
"No, it just hurts to see it."
She nodded. She understood his pain; full of grief.
"Ruki, take friendship and love, and draw a thin, straight line through it. What do you get?"
Ruki was perplexed at where he was getting at.
-Straight line? What's with this all of a sudden?
"Um...can't say that I know."
"You get tons of complications. Whether to hug or kiss her, whether to call her 'sweetie' or 'sweetheart,' it's very hard."
"I guess I could relate to this, what with Jen and all."
"Ruki, don't let that line strangle your friendship with Jen. Very unfortunate that this happened with me and Juri, and that's all I have to say. I shall meet you at the Katou Restaurant for the reception."
The boy then got off of his bench and walked away to his car, leaving her behind.
-My friendship with Jen?
She reached into her purse and pulled out the corsage that Jenrya had given her. Putting it to her chest, it was weird that it felt so long ago, yet it was just a little over a week before.
-So much has gone on.
She decided not to watch the burial as well, and skip it, for she didn't want to see it. It was too painful for her to watch, and seeing everyone cry so extremely, it made her cringe.
-Might as well go to their restaurant.
Ruki got up from the bench and headed over to her car.
************
It was about 9 p.m. when Ruki arrived at the Katou restaurant. No one from the funeral was there yet, because everyone was at the cemetery, except for Takato, who had sat in a spot in the corner. Ruki headed over to him and sat down next to him.
"I never complemented on how beautiful you look in that dress," he admittingly said. Ruki looked at him, then smiled.
-What a nice compliment.
"Thank you," she said. "I'm glad someone thinks that."
There was a silence in the room, with the exception of the kitchen, making food and preparing to welcome the guests for the reception, until Takato spoke.
"Tell Jen."
"Tell Jen what?"
"That you love him."
"I love him?"
He nodded. "Yes. If I could go back in time before Juri died, I would tell her that I loved her, and let her know that everything would be alright." His face turned sullen, as he grabbed her hand. "You'll never know when it's their time to leave us, just...like...Juri."
Ruki sighed. She wasn't sure that Jen would accept her again. She didn't want to risk anything.
-Go to hell.
-What if that was the last thing Jen said to me, and then I died, or he died? It would be just like Takato and Juri all over again.
She wasn't exactly sure on what to do, but Takato was right. That might be the last they say to each other, and 'go to hell' wasn't the best way to end it.
"I shall try, Takato," she said. Takato smiled, for the first time Ruki had seen him since the incident, as he pulled her into a tight hug.
"I love you, Ruki," he said to her.
-At least I'll die knowing I made grounds with her.
***************
It wasn't long afterwards before everyone started pouring in the restaurant. Like Ruki said, there was time for sadness and weeping, but this was the time for laugh and love, as everyone started to talk, eat, and just have a good time.
Jenrya looked around in his seat, looking for Ruki. He had the chance to talk to her at the service, but he missed it and had to wait for her to come. He didn't know that Ruki indeed did not want to talk to him-at least not yet.
-Takato-
Jenrya looked behind him and noticed the brown-haired teenager walk into the nearby bathroom. He quickly noticed the look on his face: angry, sad, and dejected.
-What the hell is wrong with him?
He quickly got out from his seat and ran over across the floor to the room labeled 'Men's'. He pushed the door forward and looked around the bathroom, but could find no one. Then he looked through the stalls and saw a pair of feet under there.
Jenrya kicked the door down, revealing his good friend with a scalpel. Filled with the horrible thoughts of what might have happened, he hastily gave a right cross with his foot, knocking the blade from Takato's hand.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jen?" shouted Takato, pushing Jenrya away from him.
"Oh, I don't think you should be asking that question," Jenrya responded. "What the hell are you thinking? Do we need another funeral?"
Takato instantly calmed down, letting his hands down to his sides. He began to slowly cry, tears falling to the ground, making Jenrya cringe with each drop. "I just wanted to see her again."
-Jesus. Not because of that.
"Takato," he began, "this hurts for all of us, for you more of course, but do you think that another death is going to make anything feel better? Or right?"
Takato sighed. He was right, but he just didn't want to admit it to his friend. "Let me through," he said, lightly shoving Jenrya aside. Jenrya took offense, but held his fist in check. Takato then walked by him and through the doorway, but not before saying something to Jenrya.
"Go talk to Ruki. She has something important to say to you. She's outside." And with that, he was gone.
Jenrya stood there motionless for a few moments, trying to understand what he said.
-Something important? Like what?
There was only one way to find out, as he also exited the bathroom and went outside. But not before picking up the blade and throwing it in the trash can.
**************
The moon was out that night, shining brightly over the Katou restaurant. Other than that, and save for a few lights around the neighboring buildings, the outside was pitch dark.
The only thing blaring through Ruki's ears outside was the chattering of the people inside the building. She looked back at the restaurant, then across the street.
-I guess they did take my speech after all.
"Ruki?" The red-haired girl turned around and saw the boy behind her. He had his hands in his Khaki pockets, and she noticed he was blushing.
"Jen..." she started, but he held his hand up.
"I'm sorry, Ruki," he said, head down. "I'm sorry about everything-the breakup, Juri, everything else."
She paused. "Well, I'm not very good at these things, but I forgive you."
-Why does she keep saying that?
"No, no," Jenrya said. "You are very good at this. Why do you keep saying it? You do it all the time."
"Well," she perked up, "maybe I am after all!"
"I think that if there was anything, and I mean anything good about this whole thing, it's that we learned from example. I couldn't take a chance, then maybe the last words I would say to you is to go to hell. Takato and Juri, whether they meant to or not, did teach us about friendship and love, and how it can hurt people."
"I love you," she said suddenly.
-Whoa, girl, you gotta hold that tongue of yours.
Jenrya looked at her questioningly, not fully knowing what she meant. "What?"
"I'm sorry, it just pains me to think of us so distant. I know there is love for me inside you, and the same is with me. I don't want to be just friends; I want to be more," she cried. "And that...I won't confuse the two, because I know."
Jenrya smiled. He trusted her; she really did know the difference after all. He put his right arm around her shoulders and slowly pulled her into a kiss. Ruki returned the favor by putting her arms around his back, as she savored every minute of this romantic moment.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, hid the other boy, smiling over what had happened.
"I'm proud of you, pumpkin," he said as he went back inside the restaurant.
*************
Ok, did it suck? Just tell me. Things are really going to get interesting in the last few chapters. Oh yeah my new trademark:
Please review. Comments, flames, I don't really care, just be constructive.
Chapter 11: Not Accepting Fate
Ruki stood in front of the guest room mirror, looking at the black spaghetti-strapped dress that she bought recently and had planned to wear. Taking her hair and putting it into a one-sided ponytail to symbolize her late friend's perky style, she couldn't help but force a tear from her right eye.
-June 4, 2006. The day her life ended.
The date was June 10. That meant school was out. That meant Ruki had already graduated. It took some convincing, but she finally agreed to go to the graduation, but she went to no parties afterwards. She drove straight home after the short reception in the gym and went right to sleep.
But here she was, minus one good friend, about to attend her funeral service.
"Ruki, are you ready to go?" Ryo's voice came from the door. She nodded slowly.
"When you are."
**************
It was quiet in Ryo's car as Ruki looked out the side window, and Ryo focused on driving.
-Why her? I can't believe it.
"So tell me," he said.
"About what?"
"About what you plan to say at the service."
She sighed. Pulling out a piece of paper out of her purse, she looked at it. She slowly folded it back up and put it back in the black tool. "You'll hear it when the others do."
Ryo sighed and looked back at the road, while Ruki looked back out the side.
****************
-Damn high heels.
Ruki groaned as the matching shoes stumbled her walk to St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She herself wasn't a Catholic, but Juri was, and it was customary for them to have a Mass service in dedication for her.
Walking into the church, Ruki realized that despite the filled up seats (Juri did know a lot of people), there was a row that was reserved in the front for her and her friends.
Ruki, Ryo, Takato, and Jenrya sat in the same row, in the front row, watching, listening to the Mass, the readings, but Takato couldn't help but look at the wooden casket filled with the beautiful yet lifeless girl.
When the Mass was over and people went up to say their last words, Ruki and Takato pulled out the papers. Takato was first. Slowly he crept up to the podium, his paper in his right hand, while the crowd of 200 or so remained quiet, save for the sobs heard throughout the cathedral.
Even though Takato had planned his farewell speech all last night, he felt himself at a loss of words, his throat dry and refusing to tell anything significant. Finally he blurted through the microphone, voice full of sob,
"Juri was my ex-girlfriend, and even though she did commit suicide, I feel as if this whole thing was my fault. If it weren't for me, she'd still be alive. And that's all I have to say about that," With that, Takato jumped off the stand and ran toward the back, exiting the rotten church that dared held celebrations for those who left the earth.
Ruki sighed, knowing that she had to help Takato, again, but remembered that she still had a speech to give. She slowly approached the stand and put her face to the microphone. Standing sternly, she delivered her speech with high confidence.
"She was a good friend of mine. I know that all of you are crying and mourning over this, and I understand that.
"Um, I'm not a very religious person, nor am I a Catholic, but my friend Ryo does, and while I was browsing through his house, I came across a bible and started reading it. I came across a segment entitled, "Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act," from the book of Ecclesiastes.
"There is an appointed time for everything,
And a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot that plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
"Yes, today right now, is the time to die, uproot, kill, tear down, weep, mourn, scatter, be far from embrace, lose, cast away, rend, silent, hate, and be at war. But remember, that the Glory is with her forever as well, and for that, we today can also be born, plant, heal, build, laugh, dance, gather, embrace, seek, keep, sew, speak, love, and be at peace. Because now she is free from the depression that this human life toiled her with. I'm not saying that this Spirit is evil for making us live in this earth, but I prefer to be optimistic and look at the bright side of things, something Juri helped me do, and I'm sure that she would be proud of me for that.
"Juri helped and touched many people. I'm sure she touched all of you. Those that did not know her missed the love she gave us. I will miss her in body, but her spirit will be with us to the end of our own stay on earth."
Ruki stepped down from the podium and had the thought that she only made more tears exit people as she approached the casket by the altar. It lay open on the top half, revealing a content-looking auburn-haired girl laying, wearing a beautiful rose dress. Ruki's own tears of weeping and mourning began to fall from her eyes, yet she knew that they were also tears of love and embracement.
"I love you, Juri," she silently said, kissing her own fingertips and placing it on Juri's forehead. Ruki wanted Juri to react, maybe resurrect and come back, but she knew it was impossible. She had died, and whether she wanted to be optimistic or pessimistic about it, there was her best friend who loved her through the good times and bad.
************
Ruki heard Jenrya begin his speech as she walked outside to get some fresh air. Now that she thought about it, the air smelt more polluted, and the atmosphere looked darker.
She noticed a brown-haired boy sitting down on a nearby bench. Knowing who it was, she walked toward him, and sat down next to him.
Takato didn't want to talk, and neither did Ruki, but they just couldn't sit there in silence.
"If you really want to know what happened, I'll tell you."
Ruki nodded. She wasn't really going for that, but she might as well listen.
"The day before it all happened, I had gotten a phone call from Juri," he started.
*Flashback*
Takato held up his phone, listening to it. "Hi Juri! What's up?"
Juri, meanwhile, had a depressed voice that the brown-haired boy noticed over the phone. "It's not good."
He laughed. "Come on, can't be that bad."
"Oh, yeah it is."
"Nah, it can't be. What's wrong? Grounded? Burn down the house? The dog..."
"I'm pregnant," she said with a stern voice.
Takato couldn't believe what he was hearing. Pregnant? From him? "Wh...what?"
"It's true."
He didn't know what to do. He sure as hell didn't want to relay this to his parents; they'd disown him. But yet, it was Juri, his girlfriend...
"I want nothing to do with it," he said sharply.
Juri gasped. "But, but Takato, it's yours too..."
"I said no! For God's sake, I don't want my parents to know about it!" He yelled. He knew it. He had done it. Ruined their relationship, over a stupid baby.
"Takato, please, I beg of you..."
"No, no. Juri. I won't. Go fuck yourself, not me." And with that, he threw the phone down on the pad, hanging Juri up on the other line.
*End Flashback*
"She died in more vain than what you thought," he concluded, looking down.
Ruki couldn't believe it. Takato had been a jerk to Juri, only thinking of himself and his consequences. But Takato was right in admitting that it was all his fault that she was dead, that he caused all of this.
"Takato, I..."
"You don't have to say it, Ruki. I was an asshole to her, I know. All I was thinking about was you know, 'me, me, me', when I couldn't even imagine what was going to happen to Juri when her parents found it. Oh my God! Do you know how painful it is when the last words you say to a loved one is 'go fuck yourself'? It hurts very badly Ruki, and I don't think I'm mature enough to handle it."
"Takato," Ruki started, "I know it must be hard for you. Now look at me, sure, half of me is agreeing with the fact that you were an asshole, only thinking of yourself, but you know that compassionate other half, knowing the pain you are going through, I can't help but feel some of that as well, though not at your magnitude. Remember that there are still people who love you, of course Juri does still, there's Jen, Ryo, and me as well. And we will help you."
Takato sniffled and wiped his nose with the arm of his jacket. "Thanks, Ruki."
There was another silence, the speeches were still going on, then Ruki spoke up.
"Are you going to the burial?"
"No, it just hurts to see it."
She nodded. She understood his pain; full of grief.
"Ruki, take friendship and love, and draw a thin, straight line through it. What do you get?"
Ruki was perplexed at where he was getting at.
-Straight line? What's with this all of a sudden?
"Um...can't say that I know."
"You get tons of complications. Whether to hug or kiss her, whether to call her 'sweetie' or 'sweetheart,' it's very hard."
"I guess I could relate to this, what with Jen and all."
"Ruki, don't let that line strangle your friendship with Jen. Very unfortunate that this happened with me and Juri, and that's all I have to say. I shall meet you at the Katou Restaurant for the reception."
The boy then got off of his bench and walked away to his car, leaving her behind.
-My friendship with Jen?
She reached into her purse and pulled out the corsage that Jenrya had given her. Putting it to her chest, it was weird that it felt so long ago, yet it was just a little over a week before.
-So much has gone on.
She decided not to watch the burial as well, and skip it, for she didn't want to see it. It was too painful for her to watch, and seeing everyone cry so extremely, it made her cringe.
-Might as well go to their restaurant.
Ruki got up from the bench and headed over to her car.
************
It was about 9 p.m. when Ruki arrived at the Katou restaurant. No one from the funeral was there yet, because everyone was at the cemetery, except for Takato, who had sat in a spot in the corner. Ruki headed over to him and sat down next to him.
"I never complemented on how beautiful you look in that dress," he admittingly said. Ruki looked at him, then smiled.
-What a nice compliment.
"Thank you," she said. "I'm glad someone thinks that."
There was a silence in the room, with the exception of the kitchen, making food and preparing to welcome the guests for the reception, until Takato spoke.
"Tell Jen."
"Tell Jen what?"
"That you love him."
"I love him?"
He nodded. "Yes. If I could go back in time before Juri died, I would tell her that I loved her, and let her know that everything would be alright." His face turned sullen, as he grabbed her hand. "You'll never know when it's their time to leave us, just...like...Juri."
Ruki sighed. She wasn't sure that Jen would accept her again. She didn't want to risk anything.
-Go to hell.
-What if that was the last thing Jen said to me, and then I died, or he died? It would be just like Takato and Juri all over again.
She wasn't exactly sure on what to do, but Takato was right. That might be the last they say to each other, and 'go to hell' wasn't the best way to end it.
"I shall try, Takato," she said. Takato smiled, for the first time Ruki had seen him since the incident, as he pulled her into a tight hug.
"I love you, Ruki," he said to her.
-At least I'll die knowing I made grounds with her.
***************
It wasn't long afterwards before everyone started pouring in the restaurant. Like Ruki said, there was time for sadness and weeping, but this was the time for laugh and love, as everyone started to talk, eat, and just have a good time.
Jenrya looked around in his seat, looking for Ruki. He had the chance to talk to her at the service, but he missed it and had to wait for her to come. He didn't know that Ruki indeed did not want to talk to him-at least not yet.
-Takato-
Jenrya looked behind him and noticed the brown-haired teenager walk into the nearby bathroom. He quickly noticed the look on his face: angry, sad, and dejected.
-What the hell is wrong with him?
He quickly got out from his seat and ran over across the floor to the room labeled 'Men's'. He pushed the door forward and looked around the bathroom, but could find no one. Then he looked through the stalls and saw a pair of feet under there.
Jenrya kicked the door down, revealing his good friend with a scalpel. Filled with the horrible thoughts of what might have happened, he hastily gave a right cross with his foot, knocking the blade from Takato's hand.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jen?" shouted Takato, pushing Jenrya away from him.
"Oh, I don't think you should be asking that question," Jenrya responded. "What the hell are you thinking? Do we need another funeral?"
Takato instantly calmed down, letting his hands down to his sides. He began to slowly cry, tears falling to the ground, making Jenrya cringe with each drop. "I just wanted to see her again."
-Jesus. Not because of that.
"Takato," he began, "this hurts for all of us, for you more of course, but do you think that another death is going to make anything feel better? Or right?"
Takato sighed. He was right, but he just didn't want to admit it to his friend. "Let me through," he said, lightly shoving Jenrya aside. Jenrya took offense, but held his fist in check. Takato then walked by him and through the doorway, but not before saying something to Jenrya.
"Go talk to Ruki. She has something important to say to you. She's outside." And with that, he was gone.
Jenrya stood there motionless for a few moments, trying to understand what he said.
-Something important? Like what?
There was only one way to find out, as he also exited the bathroom and went outside. But not before picking up the blade and throwing it in the trash can.
**************
The moon was out that night, shining brightly over the Katou restaurant. Other than that, and save for a few lights around the neighboring buildings, the outside was pitch dark.
The only thing blaring through Ruki's ears outside was the chattering of the people inside the building. She looked back at the restaurant, then across the street.
-I guess they did take my speech after all.
"Ruki?" The red-haired girl turned around and saw the boy behind her. He had his hands in his Khaki pockets, and she noticed he was blushing.
"Jen..." she started, but he held his hand up.
"I'm sorry, Ruki," he said, head down. "I'm sorry about everything-the breakup, Juri, everything else."
She paused. "Well, I'm not very good at these things, but I forgive you."
-Why does she keep saying that?
"No, no," Jenrya said. "You are very good at this. Why do you keep saying it? You do it all the time."
"Well," she perked up, "maybe I am after all!"
"I think that if there was anything, and I mean anything good about this whole thing, it's that we learned from example. I couldn't take a chance, then maybe the last words I would say to you is to go to hell. Takato and Juri, whether they meant to or not, did teach us about friendship and love, and how it can hurt people."
"I love you," she said suddenly.
-Whoa, girl, you gotta hold that tongue of yours.
Jenrya looked at her questioningly, not fully knowing what she meant. "What?"
"I'm sorry, it just pains me to think of us so distant. I know there is love for me inside you, and the same is with me. I don't want to be just friends; I want to be more," she cried. "And that...I won't confuse the two, because I know."
Jenrya smiled. He trusted her; she really did know the difference after all. He put his right arm around her shoulders and slowly pulled her into a kiss. Ruki returned the favor by putting her arms around his back, as she savored every minute of this romantic moment.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, hid the other boy, smiling over what had happened.
"I'm proud of you, pumpkin," he said as he went back inside the restaurant.
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Ok, did it suck? Just tell me. Things are really going to get interesting in the last few chapters. Oh yeah my new trademark:
Please review. Comments, flames, I don't really care, just be constructive.