Living in a Dream

Chapter 5

Author's jibberish: AGH! Please don't kill me! After a long hiatus, I'm writing for this story again. My writer's block on this story is over! I'm so sorry for those who actually like this story and were waiting for the next chapter (please don't kill me…) So please review after this chapter…

            Meimi screamed in panic and clumsily caught him in her arms. "Help! Someone help me!" she screamed. She fell to her knees, with Asuka Jr.'s torso on her lap, his head to her stomach. "Asuka Jr., open your eyes!" Tears fell down her face. "Help! Someone help!"

            Meimi sat in the hallway of the hospital. A soda can was wedged in her tight grip. She had been sitting there for ½ an hour, waiting for news on Asuka Jr. Meimi looked up and saw a man approach her. He had dark hair and a small mustache. An unlit cigarette was clasped between his lips.

            "Are you…?" he began. He was slightly panting; most likely he hurried his way there. "Were you with my son?"

            Meimi stood to her feet. "Asuka-san…"

            "Thank you very much for staying with my son."

            "Please sir," she bowed. "I'd like to stay until I know how Asuka Jr. is."

            He lifted an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Your parents don't mind?"

            She shook her head. "Please sir. I'm…I'm worried about him."

            Detective Asuka nodded. "I don't mind."

            "Thank you. Um…may I ask you a question?"

            "Yes?"

            "Does he get enough sleep at night?"
            "He should. He always goes to bed at his regular time. Why? Did he fall asleep in class today?"

            Apparently, he had no clue that Asuka Jr. never arrived to school. "Uh…" Meimi hesitated.

            "Kidai, what are you doing here?"

            "Otou-san? I was just escorting Heiko…sama to her room."

            "I decided that maybe…"

            "Yes?"

            "I am taking you away from the Mianema manor."

            "What? Why?"

            "Your emotions are getting in the way of your job."

            "My emotions? Like what? Dedication? Discipline? Respect?"

            "Do not think I am blind. You are lucky her father has not seen anything, but I have. I have seen the way you look at her from across the dinner table."

            "You are imagining things, Otou-san."

            "Am I? Every morning, you head straight to her. You are beside her and when you are not, I see you diligently writing letters…most likely to her. A flower when you two part…Not to mention those death glares you give to Wasanata…"

            "Otou-san, my job is to guard Heiko. I have to be with her all the time. She trusts me; there is no reason to take me from my job."

            "Kidai--."

            "Otou-san, I am a professional. Let me do my job."

            "Very well, you may continue work here and I will dismiss the fact that you addressed her by her first name."

            "Otou-san..."

            "Are you Asuka Daiki's father?" a doctor approached Detective Asuka. He was followed by a nurse pushing Asuka Jr. in a wheel chair. Asuka Jr.'s head was flopped back, eyes closed.

            "Yes?"

            "I am Dr. Fumiya. He collapsed today--."

            "Yes," Detective Asuka placed his hand on his son's forehead. "Is he alright?"

            "He's suffering from fatigue. I'm sure plenty of rest will do him some good."

            Detective Asuka nodded. "It looks like he's already on his way to recovery."

            Meimi nodded. "Looks like it." But still, something plagued her. Those things he said…was he delirious? She looked up when Detective Asuka bowed.

            "Thank you again for looking after my son."

            She bowed in return. "Of course. I…I guess I'll see him at school when he's feeling better."

            "Yes, goodbye," Detective Asuka and the nurse pushed the sleeping Asuka Jr. out the door.

            "Lord, forgive me for the tricks up my sleeve…1,2,3!" Meimi called out. By the end of her chant, she was dressed as Saint Tail. So what if there are no capers tonight, she argued with herself, I just can't believe Asuka Jr. is suffering from fatigue. She escaped her room and jumped rooftop to rooftop to the Asuka residence.

            When she got there, she landed on Asuka Jr.'s windowsill. She peered in. Everything was pitch-black. With a playing card she pulled out, she ran it down the edge of the window and it clicked open. I just need a quick look. She hopped in his room. Beside the window was Asuka Jr.'s bed.

            But something caught her eye. Out of Asuka Jr.'s pillow, a soft red light was shining. Curious, she walked closer. What is that? As she was about to pull the pillow-end up, Saint Tail heard footsteps coming to the room. Immediately, she left his side and headed out the window.

            Detective Asuka slowly and quietly opened his son's door. He flicked the light switch, lighting the room. "Still asleep, huh?" he looked around and noticed the open window. "Who…I didn't open that…" he quickly closed it.

            Saint Tail stood outside, on the roof. She waited for him to turn off the lights. "That light…" Saint Tail muttered. "Something worries me about that red light."

…to be continued -_-