Chapter 17-a few realizations
Ryousuke arrived shortly at the Takahashi residence. He parked his car, went inside and hung his keys on the key rack. He started walking towards the stairs, gaze still down, when he absentmindedly muttered out "Yuki-chan's gone" as he ascended the stairs.
Keisuke and Takumi heard this so they waited until they heard Ryousuke's door clicked shut then Keisuke told Takumi
"so, are you ready to help him out?"
"yeah"
"then follow me" Keisuke said as he followed the steps of his brother to his room.
Upon arriving at the upstairs hallway, Keisuke lead Takumi to his brother's room. He knocked at the door and said
"Aniki, its us. May we come in?"
"we want to help, Ryousuke" Takumi said through the door.
"okay" Ryousuke's faint voice was heard.
They opened the door and saw Ryousuke sitting on his bed, downhearted with his head down. Keisuke sat down beside his brother and motioned Takumi to grab a seat and sit down opposite them.
When they were both settled, Keisuke asked his brother
"so, what happened Aniki?"
It took a few moments until Ryousuke answered, saying
"I let her go again, Keisuke"
Takumi reacted to what he had just heard
"what do you mean 'you let her go again'? you did this already before?"
"yes" Ryousuke replied
"why did you do it, Ryousuke?"
"why? Perhaps I didn't know what to say, that's why!" Ryousuke exploded "now, I'm so mad at myself for not doing anything about it. I…I…I feel so helpless and weak now…" Ryousuke said as a tear hit the floor.
Keisuke saw this and pointed it to Takumi, who nodded. Keisuke placed an arm around his brother's shoulders and gently rubbed them, as if to comfort him. Takumi spoke once more, saying
"so, what will you do now, Ryousuke?"
"what will I do? I don't know…maybe I'll be miserable my whole life again. I was able to do it anyways before Yuki arrived again…what's the difference now?"
"what? You're just going to give up?" Takumi asked
Ryousuke nodded
"aw c'mon Aniki!" Keisuke said, standing up. He turned his back to his brother and muttered out "I can't believe you're my Aniki! I never would've guessed that one day, you'd give up…and now, it happened, just because it's Yuki? It's pathetic, your reason is pathetic!"
Takumi looked at Keisuke and mouthed, "calm down Keisuke! We're supposed to help him, remember?"
"I'm just putting some pressure in him!" Keisuke mouthed back
"well, it'll do now, okay?" Takumi mouthed once more
Keisuke nodded back
Takumi smiled then he leaned forward to touch Ryousuke. He placed a hand on his shoulder and rubbed it gently.
"it's okay, Ryousuke" Takumi said
A few moments passed then Keisuke said
"you won't give up, Aniki"
Ryousuke lifted up his head and said "what do you mean? I already did"
"what I mean is, you will not repeat what happened before, you regretting you let Yuki go"
His brother blinked at him
"this is where my question for you enters the topic once more and this time, you must answer it: Aniki, do you love her?"
"yes" his brother mumbled
"what? I can't hear you…" Keisuke pressed on
"yes, I love Yuki-chan" Ryousuke repeated
"good" Keisuke said then he turned to Takumi and whispered "we got him, just give him a few tips"
"huh? Why me?" Takumi answered
"you said you were in love before, remember?"
Takumi nodded, remembering Mogi. He shook off the memory and thought of something to say.
"Ryousuke, you said you didn't know what to do, right?"
"yes"
"well, here's what I think you should do. After I'm finished talking, you will go to your car and drive to…um…let's say, Tokyo. You will go find Yuki and tell her EVERYTHING you ever wanted her to know, then ask her to come with you. You already told us that you've been miserable your whole life, well now, this is your chance, I guess your last chance, to make it right. if you're lucky enough, she might gladly take you back"
Ryousuke's stunned face blinked at him.
"one more thing, you also told us that you feel weak and helpless. You alone can help yourself at this, I will only suggest. Think of Yuki, the happy times you were with her and make this your strength. Who knows, your memories of her might become reality…forever"
Ryousuke remained stunned
"In short, go after her, Aniki! go after her and ask her back!" Keisuke said
His brother let the words sink in him.
"I…I have to go…" he said as he stood up and turned to leave
"yes, go do it, Ryousuke" Takumi said
Ryousuke turned to both of them "Thank you" he said sincerely "thank you for making me realize and for also knocking some sense in me" and with this, he gave them both a brotherly hug.
He parted after a few moments and ran out of his room. Takumi and Keisuke followed him, to see him picking up his car keys "I'll be back, we'll be back later" he nodded and went out of the door.
The FC's engine started and revved then zoomed off. Keisuke and Takumi both gave out a long sigh
"you gave him some really good advice, Fujiwara. I'm impressed" Keisuke said, going down the stairs
"even so, it was hard" Takumi said ,following Keisuke
"well, all we can to do now is wait. You want some coffee?" he suddenly asked
"coffee? Sure…" Takumi answered. Then he smiled
"what now? Keisuke asked
"coffee…" said Takumi, grinning
Keisuke got the hint before the both of them started laughing silently.