Disclaimer: I own none of the characters used in this story!
Rs: But still Sasame is my slave!
Sasame: Right...
Rs: Grrr...
Sasame: (sweats) I mean, of course my fair lady!
Rs: Aww I love you sooo much! (suddenly sinks into a depressed state) Over 40 hits and yet not one review? I'm so hurt. Wahh I must be such a horrible authoress. I had at least 40 reviews last time before the story was pulled off...
Sasame: You know if you actually wrote instead of just ranting, maybe someone would. You whine too much...
Rs: Fine. (sniff) Here's Chapter 2 for anyone who cares...
Chapter 2: Diagnosed Frozen Hearts
All I could think of as I wandered through the blustery cold was…her. Amongst the snow crunching under my feet, I heard constant squeals and giggles from girls as I strolled by. One shy one timidly asked me for my autograph. Of course I smiled and signed my name with great flourish. Still as I continued to make my way, I couldn't help, but inwardly wince in remembrance of Kei chiding me about pulling that stunt on television. I paused, staring at my bespectacled eyes in the glass of a shop window and grimaced. Himeno had been right about the glasses, they served no aid in providing a disguise and I removed them, slipping them into my pocket before starting up again.
'Hayate and Himeno…they are so lucky. Even Go has Mayune and Kei is planning to date someone from work. Why am I alone? Is there no one just for me? I pondered gazing down at the glistening snow; my breath clouding before me.
'Mawata…I bet she's moved on. Himeno said she wasn't dating, because she was waiting for someone; probably some guy from school. I hope she's happy. Even if I'm forced to spend the rest of eternity in darkness, may she only experience the light.'
I shuffled my feet through the snow, loathing how it appeared to wink mockingly at me. All the tears she had shed on that day, I could still feel their stains tainted upon my heart. We've barely exchanged cordial greetings since that day nearly seven months ago. My heart ached; does she really loathe me that much?
"Well, I'm here…" I exhaled softly as I opened the door to the doctor's office.
"Oh Sasame-sama, come in! Gensai-sensei is waiting for you!" A young woman who sat at the front desk, perked up in newfound excitement. She had emerald eyes that glittered, her delicate face framed by ebony locks.
"Konnichiwa Sakura-san. Gomen ne, am I late?" I asked, peeling off my scarf and gloves.
"Oh-iie, you're right on time!" She replied eagerly, a hint of rose gracing her cheeks.
"Arigatou…Sakura-san." I smiled warmly, which grew even wider upon hearing the cute, nervous remarks she made after I left the room.
"Ahhh…Sasame-san, it's about time!" A deep, rich voice grumbled in my ears.
"Gomen Gensai-san. I was busy at the studio." I explained, but he waved me off.
"Bah, you were only a few minutes late. Now let's get started shall we?"
(20 minutes later)
"Alright now I just want to check your heartbeat." The man mumbled gruffly, while sliding the stethoscope onto my back; my skin tingled at the cold steel under my shirt.
"Now take a deep breath and let it out." I did so and repeated the procedure six more times.
"Well…" I remarked jokingly, "Am I going to die anytime soon?"
He let out a chuckle before his lips curled down in a frown. "No, nothing specific is wrong, but Sasame-san…your heartbeat…it works healthily with no sign of disease, yet it pumps slower than normal people's. Steady, but slower. It's nothing really…it's just odd. I've only seen it in a few people and only one other recently…" He shook his head disdainfully.
"Ano…who would that be?" I asked curiously.
"Hmm... let me think for a moment ; I believe it was the youngest Awiyuki daughter. Now what was her name? Mayune- No that was the older one…"
"Mawata-san?" I mentioned tentatively in shock.
"Hai, I believe Mawata-san was her name, such a beautiful, yetsolemn girl…" Gensai-san trailed off, before adding, "I've heard about this from another doctor though. It's been nicknamed "Frozen Hearts". Supposedly it deals with psychological issues that cause a person to draw themselves away from othersalong withphysical side effects including a change in heartbeat like yours." He stopped, eying me suspiciously.
I bowed my head allowing my flaxen bangs to obscure my eyes as memories of everything that had happed with Takako danced in my mind. I had loved her so much, but she loved Hayate, who in turn was unable to love her. That unrequited love had ended up leading to her destruction partially by my hand. I would never be able to forgive myself for my actions. I had failed to protect the person I loved most and will forever carry that burden deep inside of me.
"So," I asked in eagerness to escape my thoughts, "how is Mawata-san doing?"
"Well she did come in yesterday with the flu-" I cut him off.
"Eh is she alright?" Concern bubbled in my stomach. Forget Takako. The girl I now loved was ill?
Gensai-san glanced at me and grinned, " I am not aware of how you know Awiyuki-san, but she's fine. Natsue came in demanding for some miracle medicine that would enable her to attend some prestigious dinner tonight…' He paused, allowing the information to sink in.
'Oh yeah, wasn't that the dinner Go and Hayate were blabbing about?' my mind reeled.
"What did you do?" I asked, attempting to sound aloof , I doubt it worked though.
"Well, I'm sure I could have concocted something that would have worked, but I could tell she had nodesire to go…"
"Eh, why not?"
'Oh Kami-sama, why don't I just smack myself?'
"Well I remember Natsue going on and on about important it was, apparently they were all going out to dinner with the two older sister's boyfriends for a get-together or something. Then I looked into the young girl's eyes and saw how stupid she must feel for being the seventh wheel; it must have pained her to listen to Natsue ramble about this. I pitied her…and told Natsue there was nothing I could do." He heaved a heavy sigh.
"That was kind of you." I noted before continuing, "Do you think she made herself sick?"
The doctor shrugged, I doubt she didn't…Still I'm surprised. I'm sure there'd be a bunch of lads to jump at the chance to accompany her.Tch, tch poor girl…" He shook his head dismissively.
'She could have asked me…I would have gone…for her.'
'Sasame no baka, she hates you remember?'
'Yeah I forgot about that…'
'Baka!' I sighed.
"Just how are you aquatinted with Awiyuki-san anyways?" Gensai-san prodded curiously.
How indeed, I can't tell him about the Princess of Disaster and the Pretear; he'd think I was part of some cult that believed in sacrificing virgins or bowing to a block of stone for guidance and then he'd ship me off to the nearest loony bin.
"Well my friends are the ones dating the elder Awiyuki sisters and I just know Mawata through them is all. We're just friends." I explained.
It was the truth after all, wasn't it? Mawata and I were still friends weren't we…or had we become strangers?
" I see…" the older man stroked his gray mustache. I could tell he believed there was more to the story, but come on; does he honestly expect me to pour all my guts on his medical table?
Ewww. Note to self: don't refer to such things in the doctor's office unless you really want to vomit.
"Well that's it for today Sasame-san. You're fine; just take care of yourself. This winter has been hard on everyone." He reprimanded.
"Will do Gensai-san." I replied, bundling up,for the winds were bitter outside and snow was predicted tonight.
Just as I was about to head out the door, Gensai-san called out " Ne Sasame-san, you know the saying how only a warm, loving heart can melt a frozen one? Well then perhaps two frozen hearts can somehow crack the ice off one another, Hmm?"
"Whatever you say Gensai-san!" I waved, knowing he was only teasing me.
"Oi, I'm serious!" He rumbled back heartily.
"Good-bye Sakura-san. It was a pleasure to see you again." I smiled at the young woman.
"H-hai you too. Take care S-sasame-sama." She blushed stammering.
As I yanked open the exit and stepped outside into the roaring winds, I heard Gensai-san mutter in his office, "I hope Mawata-chan's alright, I heard the weather is supposed to get really nasty tonight. It's not wise to leave a fifteen-year old girl alone in a house during such weather, even a capable one like Mawata-chan. My goodness, the servants won't even be home, they're all on winter vacation!"
That does it. There is no way I am allowing the girl I love to spend tonight ill and all alone and in such a storm! Oh matte, that means it would be just the two of us…alone…at night…Oh well, I have made up my mind! Towards the Awiyuki house…er… mansion!
Rs: Thus concludes Chapter 2.
Sasame: No shit Sherlock.
Rs: You better watch it! smiles evilly or I'll sell you to helious rebelious.
Sasame: shrieks No, no anything, but that!
Rs: Heh, well you got lucky, no one sent a review to make you do anything.
Sasame: Whew!
Rs: If no one sends one for the next chapter...I'll come up with something...
Sasame: faints in horror
Rs: Ok well, we'll see the rest of the gang and Mawata in Chapter 3: "Friendly" Reunions y'all! Bye!