His aunt's house was small, and that fact made Kyousuke scowl as he trudged behind his parents sullenly. If his predictions and presumptions were correct --- that everyone from his mother's side of the family had been invited for the Christmas Eve celebration --- it would be next to impossible to find a corner for him to sulk in his misery. It wouldn't take five seconds for his cousins to start fussing over him, that he dreaded, and he was sure that one or two or three or how many of them would know what Gear Fighting was… which would automatically mean that they would be aware of his status as a Gear Master and they'd annoy him to take a look at their Gears and whatnot.
"Akira! Yuri! I'm so glad you could make it!" a plump, tan-skinned woman greeted as soon as they came into view. It was his Aunt Shieru, the genius concluded in silence. Carefully, he positioned himself behind his father in hopes that he wouldn't be spotted, but his efforts were all in vain. The next thing he knew, his aunt was pinching his cheeks with a huge grin on her face. "Awww, if it isn't your adorable little cupcake! Hello, Kyousuke! Wow! Look at how much you've grown since the last time I saw you!"
He groaned inaudibly, trying to stop himself from rolling his eyes but with utmost difficulty. Why do grown-ups always say that?! he thought helplessly as he was then squished in a bear hug that made his face turn blue.
To the spectacled boy's misfortune, he found out as soon as he took a step inside his aunt's home that his predictions had been correct. One of his cousins --- he was, with no mistake, a high school student --- immediately ran up to him, blabbing about how he had long wanted to meet the great Gear Master Kyousuke Jin, while his female cousins, most of which were years older than he was, started interviewing him about Kuroudo. It wasn't surprising, considering both Kuroudo and Mitsuke, the captain and the assistant captain, were girl-magnets. No, not surprisingly at all. It was plain annoying.
"So, 'cuz," the brown-haired member of the female pests, Mimi, interrogated, "is Kuroudo still single?"
He had heard that question for more than a thousand times; naturally, he had already prepared an answer for it. Smirking as he turned to face the girl, his eyeglasses flashing against the light of the fluorescent lamp, he answered in a mischievous tone, "Oh yes. He's very single." But as soon as she squealed in delight and relief, he added, "But he left his heart in France. To cut things short, 'cuz, you're too late. It's hopeless, so just give it up. He won't even bother to spare a glance in your direction."
Well, she didn't feel too hopeless just yet. "Oh well. I don't really like blondes anyway," Mimi mumbled with a fake smile, while her two sisters broke into wails and sobs that were so loud, their parents told them to shut up.
That's two more hearts you've broken, Kuroudo, for the record. And you're not even here to break the news to them that you left your heart in France. You've just got to be Japan's number one lady-killer this year, the Gear Master thought with much amusement, but his smile soon disappeared as Mimi tugged his sleeve impatiently. He sighed heavily, knowing what the unspoken question by judging the look in her eyes. "Mitsuke's taken." He shook his head as she gasped in disbelief. "Yes, he has a girlfriend --- now will you please leave me alone?!"
They did leave, but not because of their cousin's temper outburst; rather, because of their disappointment that their crushes from Team Griffon were all unavailable, one way or another. Kyousuke was still glad, nonetheless; he liked being popular and all, but he hated being the center of attention in the way his relatives made him. He disliked having to answer questions, having to give in to countless requests and pleas; he was simply glad that it was all over.
More people arrived at his Aunt Shieru's humble abode.
Well, he was wrong.
"Hey, 'Totou-chan… enjoying your little nap? That's alright, just relax, you'll be fine… you better be up before midnight, though… I prepared lots of food for you. I know I don't cook well, but I tried really hard… you'll… l-love it this time, I-I pr-promise…" Yukina whispered to her still-sleeping brother, unable to stop her tears from falling, and choking on the last few words. She inhaled sharply, mentally telling herself to be strong, before she bent down to give Mitsuke a soft peck on the forehead and then pulled away to regard her companion. "Kuroudo's here, too…"
The blonde said nothing, but the anguish reflected in his glassy blue eyes was enough to let the older Ohmori know that he cared just as much. In fact, he was rather taken aback when he noticed that she was staring at his sides; it was only a few moments later when he realized that his right hand had been clamped into a fist all along.
She rose and stepped aside, indicating that he was free to approach his friend and to talk to him, if he liked. The Gear Fighter understood the gesture and immediately advanced, although his steps were in a rather unhesitant fashion. Finally, he stood at Mitsuke's bedside, examining his unconscious comrade with pained eyes, finally realizing how frail and weak the other truly was, in reality. They had all thought that the brunette had nothing to worry in his life, let alone a heart ailment; but they were all mistaken.
You can't die, Mitsuke… It was a plea, not a statement of denial. "Hang in there. We need you."
He then turned around to leave, unable to stand seeing his friend in such a state. As he did so, however, he accidentally brushed against the side table, knocking down a few of the family's possessions. By reflex, he bent down to pick them up --- a notepad filled with doodles, which most probably belonged to the patient's younger brother, Ikiru; a get-well-soon card, a fancy-looking fountain pen, a purse, and…
Kuroudo blinked as he lifted the book with his right hand and settled it on the table. It was a Bible, Mitsuke's to be exact, with a small piece of paper inserted into one of the pages; but that wasn't the reason why he was surprised. He knew for a fact that the brunette was the religious type, the only one from the team who would refuse to attend Sunday practice unless it was held in the afternoon. What caught his attention was what Mitsuke had written on it.
We are in darkness now, but the Lord will give us the light.
---
Author's Note:
Well, that's it for this update; I'll be uploading the last two chapters tomorrow. Anyway, the biblical verse mentioned above is taken from Micah 7:8, and the sentence below translates to 'There can be miracles when you believe'. Yes, that's taken from the theme song of 'The Prince of Egypt'; I had to do a rendition of the song in different languages sometime last year, and thus I learned how the line goes in Japanese.
That's it for now… please review! Thanks minna!