Basic Relationships 101: Story Three
I know you can't forgive me
For the wrongs that I have done.
I tried to make it out clearly,
That you're the only one…
Jyou froze in the darkness; the faint glow from the streetlight at the end of the bridge poured onto the two bickering males. The younger one tried to talk things out with his friend, but the other refused to listen. When Koushiro told him how he was acting differently, childishly, and very unlike himself; Jyou turned to look at him.
"It's easy for you to say, you have what you want. You have what you desire and love and cherish." He snapped quietly. "You can't understand what I feel. You possibly can't."
"You have what you want." Koushiro said.
"What? What do you mean?"
The youth laughed. "You're studying to be a doctor. Your life is successful. Face it!"
Jyou looked back down at the water. Wasn't he supposed to be helping other people? Not other people helping him? He didn't understand himself any more. From memories and dreams, to present day forgettables, he couldn't remember why he was so upset. The fact that Mimi wasn't his-sure, sure, that could've been it. But there were other things on his mind. Like Koushiro… He couldn't have the right to belong to such a girl like Mimi. She deserved better. But was he better than Koushiro? Confusion, anger, jealousy, heartache; every emotion flew in every which way.
Koushiro set his hand on the other's shoulder. "C'mon, I'm sorry about Mimi. I can't help it. Neither can she. Things are just meant to be."
Those words echoed through Jyou's mind and tears rushed into his eyes. 'Things are just meant to be'? How could that be possible? He loved Mimi. He loved her too much. He couldn't possibly let her go. Jyou reached across his chest and snatched the boy's hand; he then flipped his wrist to send him turning his body and gasping in shock. Another turn and Koushiro was leaning against the railing with his arm behind his back. Nothing was clear to Jyou any more. Most likely, things were always fogged up from the day he saw Koushiro and Mimi together. The older teen put pressure onto his arm, causing him to lean over the bar.
"Jyou!" he choked out feebly. Koushiro's grip around his laptop tightened as he started to raise his free hand.
Jyou didn't pay attention, his anger was in a furious rampage and he was taking it out on his friend. Friend… had he lost the meaning of that? He finally put his hand on the back of Koushiro's head and pushed him forward. The younger fellow went over the rail as he frantically grabbed a hold of anything possible. Koushiro's other arm flung the other way and released his laptop. It soared to Jyou's face and knocked away his glasses. A nasty gash already started to appear on his left cheek from the cut of the glass. Jyou stood in shock as he held his hand to his cheekbone. Koushiro was still hanging onto the bar with one hand, his eyes looking for any sign of help; he thought Jyou left him.
"H-help!" he cried out and felt his pinky lose its grasp on the cold metal. "Please! Somebody! Jyou! Jyou, help me!"
The blue-haired teen stumbled back a bit. He didn't know what to do. His mind made the choice within a second and Jyou dashed to the side. His right hand cupped around Koushiro's wrist and his left reached out for him to grab. Koushiro raised his free hand and Jyou took it. Several seconds later, both of them were sitting in the middle of the abandoned bridge; Koushiro was still out of breath and checking his laptop. Jyou sat with the little trickle of blood rolling down his cheek.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think." Jyou said after countless minutes of silence.
Koushiro looked up, "Things happen…"
"I was out of control."
"I didn't mean to upset a friend."
"My mind went black, it was weird."
"I should've known better."
"It was completely unlike me."
"It wasn't me at all."
They looked at each other and the ten feet of space between them. Both looked down.
"I'm sorry." They said together.
"Hey, Koushiro!" Mimi's voice rang out. The guys shot their head up.
"You gotta try this delicious delight!" She continued and ran up the bridge. The girl stopped and looked at Koushiro, he was pale as a snowflake. Then she looked at Jyou, he too was pale, but the dried blood made her more terrified. "Jyou, what happened!" Mimi dropped the food and ran to his side. Every piece of that food dish was smeared on the bridge's old stones.
"I just-"
"Where's your glasses?" Mimi looked around and saw them broken in his hand. "Gee, what happened?"
"Like I was going to say…" Jyou started.
"It was all my fault." Koushiro interrupted.
"Huh?" Mimi looked at him.
He continued, "I was going to talk to him about a problem I had. And-and I guess he didn't hear me or something. But I turned around and he asked me a question. It startled me and I turned around and accidentally hit him with the corner of my laptop."
"But-"
"Isn't that right Jyou?"
Jyou nodded blankly. "Yeah." He wondered what it would've been like if Koushiro had told Mimi what really happened. She would hate him forever. Friend… he did forget what it meant.
"Oh, are you okay?" Mimi licked her sleeve to make it damp and gently wiped away he blood. Koushiro waited for anything further. Nothing happened. Silence stretched beyond their minds and none of them made any motion.
"It was something about me," Mimi ruined the tranquility, "wasn't it?"
Jyou and Koushiro looked at each other.
"I don't know what you're trying to imply." Koushiro said.
"Don't play stupid with me." She warned.
"But," Jyou started.
"But nothing, tell me now. I deserve to know if it was about me." Mimi crossed her arms.
"We weren't…"
"A bump with a laptop wouldn't do that much damage, Koushiro."
"We didn't…"
"Tell me now or I'll leave."
"Mimi…"
"One…"
"Mimi…"
"Two…"
"Mimi…"
"Three. Fine! That's it, I'm leaving." She stood up and started to walk away.
"Wait…" Jyou stood up, too. "We just had an argument."
"About me?"
"Partially."
"What'd I do?"
"Mimi," Koushiro sighed. "Are you aware of how much Jyou cares for you?"
Mimi paused and her expression changed. "That's what it was about? You guys fought because of me?"
"We didn't really fight." Koushiro said.
"But in a way, we did."
"In any way, it was over me." The girl said back. Her eyes weakened at the thought of her two friends fighting. She walked to the rails of the bridge and rested her elbows on the bar; she then brought her folded hands to her mouth. "I'm so confused."
"It was me." Jyou admitted and stood next to the girl. "Jealousy rose like smoke from a fire and I couldn't stand the thought of losing a friend. What's worse, is that I thought about losing a friend to a friend. I didn't want our friendship to change because of you being with Koushiro. Forgetting all terms of endearment, I also lost the meaning of friendship. I thought Koushiro was literally stealing what we had. I-I panicked. I know it's unlike me and I'm sorry, Mimi. For all the stupid things I've done in my life, losing it has to be the worst and cruelest deed ever. I'll understand if you don't forgive me."
Mimi's eyes softened even more. His words were true and pure and hurtful… Knowing she couldn't just leave all her past relationships behind, she suddenly felt confused. Koushiro was her true love, wasn't he? He had to be, she loved him so much… But Jyou, Good Ol' Reliable Jyou. Despite all he said, she did forgive him. She did want to remain friends. And she did agree that Koushiro had the chance of taking away their friendship. Her mind sped through ten thoughts per second…
"Jyou," she whispered, her voice cracking from the oncoming tears, "I forgive you."
Koushiro looked at the two and wondered… His mind felt pain, but understanding. It wasn't the pain like Jyou could've felt. It was pain from which he brought onto himself. He didn't want to upset any of his friends, especially Jyou. The up most respect was towards him. No matter how bad he fouled up, Jyou was always there to lead him through or to help him or to talk. Everything could be fixed with Jyou. Everything…
The large lump in Jyou's throat seemed to grow twice its size. He knew that her words were saying, "Please forgive me." For he knew she did love Koushiro more. But the way she sounded made it seem like he had a place in her heart. It hurt him to think of that. His jealousy led him to nearly hurt his friend. Not to mention he broke his glasses. Jyou didn't know what was going on through the other's mind, nor did he understand his own. Maybe he thought that everything was going to be okay. With friends like Mimi and Koushiro… everything seemed just fine… Just fine…
Mimi finally moved from her spot, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. She swallowed hard and turned away from her friends. A small whimper escaped her throat and she ran away. Her foot stepped in the fallen food and it splattered everywhere. But she didn't care; she kept running away. Koushiro stood up and ran in the opposite direction, leaving Jyou by himself. All three of them had their far share of tears…
Jyou stared down at the faint reflection in the water. In his mind, he pictured Mimi standing beside him. Tossing his glasses up and down in his right hand, he dropped them into the water, disrupting the picture by creating small ripples. The boy sat down and buried his face in his hands. There he sat with his woes and worries. But somehow, he knew something would turn out and make everything perfect…
(Mimi)
Of all the rotten things in the world,
I had to stumble onto my life,
If only I had the next chance,
I'd ignore this awful strife.
I've caused so much sorrow,
I've caused so much pain.
Please don't forget me,
Each of you left my life stained.
(Koushiro)
How is life so equal?
Tell me; tell me, I wish to know.
For every perplexing memory,
There comes that basic show.
It's not called a production,
It's not a big play…
Don't leave me in this story of life…
Stay with me every day…
(Jyou)
Apologies can't help much,
Not tomorrow, today, or at this time.
I can't cherish the things I love
And I can't claim what is mine.
Friends are there to turn to,
But I seem to turn apart.
…Friendship, love, and hatred.
Please flee my heart.
You're tearing my mind in every way,
Except for the right one.
I wish to live a normal life.
With a normal moon-and a normal sun.
-Basic Relationships 101: Story Three-
Confusing? I kind of meant it to be. ^_^ I know it's not one of my best works, go ahead and flame me. But After this, I'm starting on the Takari series… Bwahahaa… What happens to Mimi, Jyou, and Koushiro? Humm…. Think about it… Until then, keep dreaming wif' a smile on your face. ^_^ Hikari Takaishi.
Oh yeah, Mimi's point of view on the italic poem was meant to say something along the lines of that she's feeling confused about her feelings and she doesn't know who to love. Koushiro feels as if he's in a play where everything will turn out just fine. And Jyou just wishes everything was back to normal. ^_^;;
Please read and review and flame and insult… Please?