Thankfully since that night Aaron had been able to avoid any more…run-ins of that type with Miki. She and Yuu were practically inseparable since then practically spending every waking minute with each other that they could. Aaron would still see Miki in the morning before he left the house but never actually saw the couple outside of the home. In fact Aaron was asleep before Yuu would even head to bed. Most likely due to the fact he was running so much from playing basketball and exploring the town that he would just pass out due to lack of energy. Tuesday came around however and that's where things would start to get interesting once more. Aaron began the day the same as the last. Get up at 8 and first thing first head to the bathroom to shower up. Something seemed different though. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something about today felt like something big was going to happen. He looked around at the bathroom like it was different somehow, but knew otherwise. "Something tells me it's gonna be weird today, or something is going to happen…" Aaron thought.
After showering he changed into fresh clothes and headed downstairs to see Miki alone. "Morning Aaron!" she flashed a bright smile.
Aaron seemed a little taken aback by her sudden greeting and replied, "Morning. You seem more chipper than usual."
Miki giggled, "Well today is going to be really incredible."
Aaron turned his ear and questioned, "Oh? Why might that be?"
"Well it's been a LONG time since our whole group got together to hang out. Since we all are out of classes for a few weeks we all decided to get together for the day."
"Your whole group?"
"Yeah, back in high school we had a whole group that hung out all the time. It's been quite a while since we've all gone our separate ways since then." Aaron chuckled a little drawing slight ire from Miki who flailed, "What's so funny!"
"Nothing Miki. I think it's cool you and your friends are so close. That's a wonderful thing that you have such strong ties of friendship with them. Never let those bonds go because you'll find they're some of the strongest in the world."
Miki blushed a little and said, "You sure seem wise for someone who's been through what you've been through."
Aaron shook his head, "I guess over time you just learn about things and you just see things."
Miki nodded, "I guess so. Oh, speaking of which are you hungry?"
Aaron nodded, "Definitely, I could eat a horse!"
Miki blinked confused, "You could eat a horse? How barbaric is THAT!"
Aaron laughed out loud and shook his head, "It's an American slang term for being very very hungry."
Miki laughed embarrassed and replied, "Ohhhhh I see."
"Don't worry about it, but yes I am definitely ready to eat!"
"Well then I'll dish you up!" Miki came over with a plate of eggs. She placed a few pieces of toast down as well and went to retrieve the jam from the fridge."
"Don't worry about the jam, Miki," Aaron said as he shoved a mouthful of eggs into his mouth."
"Are you sure?"
Aaron nodded his mouth still full and after gulping the eggs down finished, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for the offer though."
"So what are you planning on doing today?" Miki asked as she finished doing the morning dishes.
"No idea. Maybe I'll head around town and just look some more."
"I see…would you like to meet the group instead?"
"Nah, I get this feeling I'd be the only single person there and it'd feel…kinda out of place for me."
Miki laughed a little wryly realizing he hit the nail right on the head as far as that was concerned, "Sorry about that Aaron."
Aaron shook his head, "Don't worry about it. Thanks for the invite though."
Yuu appeared in the doorway to the kitchen and greeted Aaron and Miki. "Morning Yuu!" Miki smiled warmly toward her fiancée.
"And this is where I head out!" Aaron said snagging his jacket off the chair he had placed it on and bolted toward the door.
"Aaron!" Miki said yelling, "You should come to dinner with us later! At the very least!"
"I'll consider it Miki!" Aaron said as he quickly slipped on his shoes and rushed out the door before Miki could tell him when and where.
"He could have at least waited until I told him where and when!" Miki pouted.
"True, but I don't think he would have accepted anyways," Yuu gently nuzzled Miki's cheek and kissed her. "So, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah I actually did. Since the other night where I fell asleep next to Aaron I've been feeling a lot more peaceful in my sleep. It's very comforting."
Yuu chuckled and patted her head, "Good, then you're on the right track to finding your answers."
Miki stuck her tongue out silly like and said, "So are you ready to see everyone again?"
"Of course, oh! I almost forgot to tell you Miwa is going to be there as well."
"What? When did you find this out?"
"Last night. He called quite late and you were already sleeping peacefully so I figured I'd tell you in the morning."
Miki hung her head dejectedly, "Oh no…I told Aaron there would only be couples there! He didn't want to go because he'd feel like a third wheel!"
Yuu looked slightly surprised in his own way and responded, "Well who knows, maybe we'll see him somewhere out there today. If we do we can always let him know what's going on."
"True, but still I feel bad for him somewhat. I mean he's been through a lot and it'd be nice for him to meet new friends."
"I'm sure, but we can't force him to do something he's not wanting to do."
Miki sighed, "I know, but…" she could feel her heart being tugged and torn thinking about Aaron in such a light again. She suddenly felt taxed by the whole ordeal once more and sat down looking a little pale.
"Miki!" Yuu asked his fiancée, "Are you ok hun?"
Miki nodded, "Gomen, just a little light headed, I guess I'm not as energetic as I used to be." Yuu looked at forced smile and realized there was nothing he could say and nodded.
Later that down out in town…
"Come on, admit it! You got lucky!" Tsutomu said grinning happily.
Ginta growled and shook his head, "Luck has NOTHING to do with it!"
"I don't know," Arimi stood up for Tsutomu, "that was a pretty interesting shot. Not something you'd see out of you Ginta."
"Haha! See even Arimi agrees with me!" Tsutomu puffed up.
"Don't get to excited Tsutomu, that's the only thing I'm going to agree with you on."
Tsutomu chuckled and replied, "I don't think that's a big problem. Besides, I know Yayoi agrees with me, right?"
Yayoi nodded, "I must agree with you Tsutomu. You did look like you weren't yourself on that shot Ginta."
"Face it Ginta, it was a lucky shot," Miki chuckled.
Ginta hung his head and the group laughed. "So Miki, how is that new exchange student doing? Is he anything like Michael?" Ginta questioned.
"No, he's much more mellow than Michael. He's more like Kei, only wiser I guess."
"Is that a compliment?" Kei looked at her beadily.
Miki chuckled somewhat shocked and replied, "Why would it be an insult!"
Suzu chuckled clutching Kei a little harder and said, "Now now Kei. No need to be so snippy."
Kei looked over at Suzu and grumbled a little but looked forward with a slight pout on his face. "Whatever."
Suzu smiled and asked Miki, "So what does he look like? Is he cute? How old is he?"
Miki laughed lightly and said, "Woah slow down there Suzu I'll answer your questions one at a time. I'm not sure how old he is and I can't really say if he's cute or not. That's kinda a gray area I guess."
"That means Miki thinks he's cute but is afraid to admit the truth," Miwa said with his casual attitude.
"Miwa!" Miki shook her fist as Miwa laughed.
"COME ON!" a loud voice startled everyone. The group looked over to the basketball court to see some kids playing despite the cool weather. From a distance they looked like college students. The group moved over to the fence to watch a little closer. One of the men stuck out like a sore thumb. He wasn't the biggest guy on the court, but he definitely looked different from the rest of the group. Like he wasn't even a native of Japan or of Asian decent. One of the players guarding him looked winded like he'd be running for a while and bore down on defense to try and deny this guy from scoring again. The man that stuck out put a quick move on the defender and blew by him for an easy lay-up. He let a monstrous scream of, "YEAH! That's game!" He slapped hi fives with his team and slapped hands with everyone else before finishing, "Aright guys let's take a breather and then switch out teams." The guys nodded and walked over to their bags to grab a breather and some water. Miki looked a little harder at the guy who stuck out and said in shock, "AARON!"
Aaron's head spun right to look beyond the chain link fence and saw Miki there with her group all looking at him. "Word," Aaron said waving.
Everyone but Miki blinked a little confused and Miki chuckled slightly saying, "Aaron, they don't get what you mean by that."
"Gomen!" Aaron put his hand behind his head and laughed a little bit, "I keep forgetting I'm in Japan and not America."
"I didn't expect to see you guys here though."
"Nor did I expect to see you here," Miki smiled happily.
"So who's the crew you got with you? Oh, pardon my rudeness. I'm Aaron, Aaron Tsukino."
"This is Ginta Suou, and his girlfriend Arimi Suzuki."
"Nice to meet you two," Aaron smiled.
"Nice to meet you as well," Arimi smiled.
"Yeah, nice to meet you," Ginta said.
Miki continued, "This is Tsutomu Rokutanda and his girlfriend Yayoi Takase."
Both bowed respectfully as did Aaron and Aaron asked, "So who's the lovely young lady latched onto his arm?"
"That is Suzu Sakuma, and she's currently going out with Kei Tsuchiya."
"Well I see you have a good eye when it comes to beauty!" Suzu said pridefully.
Aaron chuckled, as Kei got jealous, "Over the years, you learn how to spot a diamond in the rough."
Suzu chuckled and whispered to Miki, "I like this guy, he's very pretty!"
Miki sighed and could tell what would happen next but quickly moved forward before Suzu could interrupt her, "And this is Suzu's cousin, Miwa Satoshi." Aaron studied him before pushing a button on his watch and said in English so they couldn't quite understand him, "Womanizing pretty boy." He pushed the button on his watch again and could tell Miki wasn't happy with his comment. Aaron chuckled, "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Hell if I know what he's like."
"Hey Aaron!" one of the kids behind him said, "You ready for another game?"
"In a sec guys, I'll be right over!" Aaron yelled back. "Well it was actually very nice meeting you all," Aaron said with a smile.
"Oh! Aaron, you should come with us later to have dinner," Miki squealed.
"Uhhhh…" Aaron looked away rather hesitant to answer the question.
"I think that's a no in his book," Yuu replied.
"It's not that you guys. Honestly I would like to join you for dinner, buuuut…umm…I…uhhh."
"Sounds like you're just scared because it's more like an evening with a bunch of couples," Kei said methodically picking.
Aaron chuckled somewhat embarrassed and shook his head, "Well maybe, maybe not."
"Satoshi is single!" Ginta said interjecting.
"Ginta!" Arimi said giving him an elbow to the ribs.
"Urk! Gomen Satoshi."
Miwa chuckled, "Don't worry about it. It's not like I don't have my choice pick in school still."
"Yeaaaaah…" Aaron rolled his eyes, "ANYways I'm going to get back to playing basketball. I'll catch you guys later!" Aaron waved and jogged back over to the rest of the basketball crew.
The teams were reselected quickly and the game began once more. "Well we should get going as well. We do have a movie to catch," Miwa said in his nonchalant yet smiling tone.
The group started to walk away when all of a loud shriek of pain was heard behind them. Miki turned around to look and noticed Aaron lying on the ground rolling in what appeared to be pain. "Aaron!" Miki ran around the chain link fence onto the court next to Aaron.
Aaron was letting words fly that Miki didn't understand, but didn't sound at all good. "My foot is f-f-f-flipping broken!" Aaron held his mouth in check.
"You foot is broken!"
Aaron tried to calm down and said, "Yeah I can tell it's broken, trust me I've broken it before and I know how it felt and it's BROKEN!"
The rest of the group ran over as Aaron gritted his teeth trying to get back up to no avail. "You need to head to the hospital to get that foot wrapped Aaron!" Miki pleaded.
Aaron chuckled lightly in pain and said, "Well this just sucks." Ginta and Yuu rushed over to help Aaron to his feet and support him as they got him to the hospital. "Looks like I interrupted your guys' fun time," Aaron said fighting the pain with a smile, "sorry about that, Miki." Ginta and Yuu slowly helped move him toward the hospital since it was only a few blocks away (Convenient isn't it?) as Miki could feel that tug at her heart again.
She could feel it hurt more and more the longer she remembered that pained expression on Aaron's face as he tried to force a smile. "He's in such pain, and yet, he forces himself to smile even if he hurts. I feel so sorry for him…" Arimi looked at Miki with concern and touched her on the shoulder.
Miki snapped out of her trance and Arimi asked, "Hey, are you ok Miki? You seem concerned about something."
Miki laughed trying to hide her embarrassment and shook her head, "Yeah I'm fine! I'm just worried about Aaron a little bit is all."
"Are you sure it's not something more?" Kei said hinting about something more.
"Kei! Really it's nothing more…" Miki said flailing about. She turned to look back toward Aaron that same look in her eyes, "Nothing…at all."
Hospital…
Aaron lay in a hospital bed with his whole leg being held up in a cast. "Not the way I was hoping to spend my time here," he thought with a sigh.
"Hey Aaron, how are you feeling?" Miki said with a smile on her face as she and her group came into the room.
"Well isn't this a surprise. You've got the whole crew with you!" Aaron said with a chuckle. Did you bribe them all or something?"
Miki growled a little flustered and said, "No, we just got done with the movie and thought we'd check up on you. It looks like you're going to be in a hospital for a few more days before they'll let you go."
Aaron sighed, "And then comes the months after that where I can't walk without crutches. Talk about bad timing." Aaron shook his head, "It's just one thing after another…"
"So how is this going to affect your ability to be in class now? Will you talk to the professor?" Miki asked.
"Class?" Ginta questioned.
"Uhhh…he's actually helping teach our English class at Toryu University," Miki said embarrassed from not telling the group that little, but important detail.
"He's a professor! He's staying in your house!"
Miki moaned and dropped her head, "Yes."
Aaron chuckled and cringed a little as the pain in his foot reached a high point once more, "That'll teach me to laugh. It should be ok though. I'm sure once I explain to the professor everything should be ok. I'm not sure when I'll be back in class, most likely once I'm out of the hospital, but it's fine. Like I said…this isn't the first time I've broken my foot."
"Well since your incapacitated we can grill you for more information!" Suzu said with a grin on her face.
Aaron chuckled, "I guess I can't really worm my way out of that one. Fire away!"
For the next few hours the group of Miki's friend proceeded to ask all sorts of different questions in all different subjects. There were a few areas that Aaron passed on that involved relationships which drew some relentless questioning from Suzu on but Aaron didn't budge despite her near attempt to attack his foot if he didn't say anything. After a couple of hours visiting hours were over and the nurse told Miki's friends they would have to head out. The group conversed about what to do next considering it wasn't to late and they all decided to head their separate ways for the evening. Aaron thanked them all for coming to visit him despite not really knowing him, and wished them all the best. Miki and Yuu were the only ones left after the rest of the group had parted and Aaron chuckled slightly. "What's so funny?" Miki asked.
Aaron turned toward her and smiled his melting smile on Miki, "Oh nothing." Miki instantly could feel her limbs relaxing like she was entering a sleepy state.
"Miki," Yuu tapped her on the shoulder, "we should get going hun." Miki nodded feeling a little sad that no one would be here with Aaron at all tonight.
Aaron nodded, "Yeah visiting hours are over Miki. Thanks again for coming to visit me you guys, and thanks again for helping me to the hospital Yuu."
Yuu smiled, "Not a problem."
Miki waved at Aaron and said, "Good night Aaron. Hopefully you don't have to goto the bathroom tonight," she joked with him.
Aaron couldn't help but laugh a little and said, "Hopefully! Night guys." The door to the room closed and all he could hear was silence. It was an awkward kind of silence. One which he definitely didn't like hearing. He sighed and thought, "Talk about a bummer. First the entire crap happening back home, and now this. Hopefully Miki isn't still falling for me, although just from the way I smiled I get a bad feeling it's only going to get worse before it gets better, but still…" Aaron stared at the ceiling. "She's always so sweet to me; so kind, with such a wonderful attitude. I mean it wouldn't be a bad thing to go out with her would it?" Aaron shook his head, "DAMNIT! Now I'm actually thinking about that crap! God I'm even starting to lie to myself just because I don't want to hurt anyone. I need to sit down and have a good talk with her. If I don't soon." Aaron shook his head again, "NO! Things are not going to get any better if you throw wrenches like that Aaron!" He closed his eyes and tried to focus on just getting some rest but to no avail did it work. It appeared that he would just have to come clean and accept the truth of the situation. It had been bothering him since the moment he had seen her in class ironically. Now he understood why it bothered him so much. It was because he actually cared for Miki. Now Aaron knew better than to just rush head into things. That alone had caused more than his fair share of bad things in the past in other areas, but he also knew that if he didn't say something. It would end up just like it did with Heather, and it would be too late by then. Aaron knew Miki and Yuu were engaged, but it seemed weird that Miki would say the things she did or for that matter, act the way she did around him if they were just friends. She acted like there was something more. "So basically when I get a chance…I'll just have to explain everything to her. God this is going to be awkward around the home. I guess in a way Yuu understands so I can't really say it's going to be TOO awkward." Aaron sighed again and looked at the ceiling again. The silence was killing him, and with a broken foot there was nothing he could do besides just accept what happened.
Next day…
Aaron stirred a little and looked around the hospital room. He could barely remember anything yesterday considering all that went on and looked at his foot. There was no cast on his foot for some strange reason and it didn't hurt like it was broke. He raised his eyebrow in caution and slowly moved his supposed broken foot to the ground to see if it was useable. There was no pain when he applied pressure, which did seem rather odd to him. Could it have been just a dream that he broke his foot and it was nothing more than just something less? He stood up on its full power and could walk around without any pain or whatever. He seemed confused somewhat but slowly made his way to the exit of the room. There seemed to be no one else around as he opened the door and looked down the hall. It was indeed broad daylight but it was as barren as a ghost town. No one was anywhere to be seen. "Ok this is just creepy," Aaron said as he slowly made his way toward the exit of the hospital. "Nothing feels out of the ordinary and I don't sense anything evil," he thought as he continued to look around. The doors of the hospital opened up and someone ran into him knocking him down with them landing on him. "Miki!" What are you doing here? What's the matter!"
Miki looked tired like she had been running. Tears were in her eyes and she looked as though she had been crying for days. "Aaron…" She whispered as she buried her face into his chest.
Aaron blushed a little and said shaking his head, "What's wrong! Where's Yuu!"
"He's…he's…he's been killed!"
Aaron could barely feel his limbs, "M-Miki, what happened! What happened to Yuu! Talk to me!"
"We went on a hike, and there was a huge tremor…and he…"
"Miki, tell me what happened!"
"He pushed me out of the way…of a huge rock…and the rock," Miki's tears exploded from her eyes once more and she cried even harder.
Aaron closed his eyes in sorrow and held Miki close to him. "I'm sorry Miki…I wish there was something I could do, but I am so sorry."
Miki's tears were staining his shirt quite heavily but he let her continue to cry. After a few more minutes Miki looked up at Aaron and said, "Anything?"
Aaron blinked and could tell that Miki was thinking about him but went ahead to find out for sure, "Hey, I'm your friend am I not? I want to do what I can to make things better."
"I want to know the truth," She looked at him in such a way that he had to keep his head away from thoughts he shouldn't even begin to indulge in for a second. "Do you…love me?"
Aaron opened his mouth to answer but came out with, "Miki what are you talking about! Isn't that a little crazy to ask so suddenly!"
Miki just continued to look up at Aaron the sorrow in her eyes seriously begging for the truth and hope that it was what she wanted. "Aaron, please…tell me."
"I…Miki…that is…ummm…"
Miki slowly moved her face toward him like she wanted to see his face closer than she ever had before. Slowly she closed her eyes and moved her lips closer to his. "I want to see what you feel for me…"
"MIKI STOP IT!" Aaron fell out of his hospital bed and felt the pain in his foot suddenly shoot up to insurmountable levels and he screamed. Nurses rushed in and helped him back into his bed as he could feel his whole body covered in sweat. "It…was a dream?" He looked completely confused. "That…was very weird. Could it have been my mind was dreaming what I wanted?" Aaron shook his head, "Ok that's just stupid. Maybe though…I do care enough to want Yuu out of the picture? Could I really be that cold blooded? Or could it be I care for Miki that much?" Aaron sighed and shook his head looking at the ceiling once more. "Or maybe…I'm just a coward who can't tell her the truth…" Aaron's voice trailed off as he realized that he would have to do just that. He'd have to confess everything to her and hope everything worked out in the end like he'd hope for…one way or another. It was still a choice he had to make and he knew it, but that still didn't change the fact that if he just said nothing, then nothing would ever come of it. It felt like time basically had come to a stop just lying in his hospital bed. He had no idea what time it was or any idea when he would be out back on his feet. Again he could feel the silence and it flustered him. Sometimes he did like to have silence, but on HIS time, not because he had no choice in the matter. He lay on the bed for what felt like hours until the door opened and in walked, "Miki! What are you doing here?" Aaron said slightly surprised with a tingle of joy in his voice.
Miki smiled toward him and waved, "Hey Aaron. How are you feeling today? Any better?" She sat in a chair next to his bed as she awaited the answer.
Aaron chuckled, "Not really, I hate being pinned down like this, but now that you're here I feel a lot better."
Miki blushed a little and looked down responding, "I'm…glad you think so."
"Err I mean I'm glad someone is here to keep me company. I mean it gets pretty lonely looking at ceiling all the time ya know?" Aaron laughed feeling completely embarrassed.
Miki looked up and laughed embarrassed as well, "Yeah! I see what you mean."
"So when are your parents getting home?"
"Ehh? They should be back sometime next week."
"Crying out loud they'll be gone for 2 weeks? Talk about a way to be greeted. It's like a hi and bye all of a sudden."
Miki giggled, "They're like that. You'll get used to their quirkiness after a while."
"Hopefully so. A full year from January to December where everything is crazy…well in my case I should consider this to be normal."
"Hmmm?"
"Err, nothing, nothing at all!" Aaron laughed a little embarrassed, "I'm just used to weird things happening is all so it's not a big deal."
Miki seemed a little confused and a little shocked that such a thing did not seem to really bother him nor seem strange. "So…tell me Aaron, what kind of strange things have you seen?"
"I'd…rather not say Miki."
"You don't trust me?"
Aaron bit his tongue, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you for one, and two, well let's just not worry about strange things right now."
"Can I ask you something Aaron?"
"Of course."
"What if things were different, and we were going out?"
Aaron fell out of his bed again and grit his teeth in pain trying his hardest to not scream. Miki went flailing out of the chair to help him back to the bed. "Miki, pardon my language, but what the FUCK are you asking me a question like THAT for! I mean that's totally out of the question as far as what ifs! Let's not even GO there!"
Miki seemed somewhat saddened by his reply and said softly, "Well just humor me…at the very least I'd like to know what you mean. Is it something that hurts you that bad? Something that is so secret no one is supposed to know? Are you supposed to be a superhero or something and this is just your identity?"
Aaron closed his eyes and sighed knowing that explaining all of THAT would only cause a world of trouble so instead he finished, "Look and please understand this Miki. This is something…that I don't talk about…with anyone." Of course that was a blatant lie, but to explain the truth would only cause a LOT of problems. There was a long silence that hung in the air for a few moments. Each afraid to start talking to the other it seemed. At which point Aaron said, "Why would you even ask me a questions like that Miki? You have Yuu don't you?"
Miki looked away and closed her eyes nodding, "Yes…I do, and I'm very happy with him. I love him very very much Aaron."
"Then why-!"
"Because I lo-!" Miki stopped in mid sentence and looked at Aaron. Aaron was slightly blushing but unsure of what to say. He wasn't sure of what she was going to say, but the expression on her face pretty much gave it away without words.
Aaron shook his head snapping out of his trance and sighed, "Miki…"
"Gomen Aaron. I…just didn't sleep very well last night."
"It's fine Miki. Let's…just not worry about that for right now. We're all under a lot of stress it would appear," He smiled at her warmly and finished, "so let's just forget about those kinds of thing for a while. It would do us both some good."
Miki nodded slowly and looked at the ceiling. "Say Aaron," Miki asked looking at the fluorescent lighting.
"Hmmm?"
"What was your past like? Do you have any fond memories growing up?"
Aaron closed his eyes and took a deep breath before answering, "Yeah. Yeah I do have a lot of memories." Another sore spot in Aaron's life was his past, and again that was something that he personally did not want to expose to anyone.
"Like what exactly if I may ask?"
Aaron chuckled and replied, "Are you really sure you want to know?"
Miki smiled and looked at him nodding, "Yes I'd like to know more about you please. If you'd be willing to let me into your life a little more."
"Well, back when I was 11, and mind you this was years ago, I remember getting…de-pantsed by a tree."
Miki looked at him and tried hard to contain her laughter but at some point couldn't hold it in any longer. She let out a laugh and replied, "How in the world did something like THAT happen!"
Aaron couldn't help but chuckle thinking about such an incident and continued, "Well when I was younger we had a tree in our front yard that I would swing from. Now I was an adventurous little boy and I was ALWAYS scampering around. Well there was this tree that I decided to hang upside down from. Well the best way I can explain it is one minute I'm hanging upside down, and the next minute I'm stuck screaming for help and slowly falling out of my pants in broad day light."
Miki giggled and replied, "The tree must have had it out for you!"
"Hey I think it did honestly!" Aaron chuckled as well, "but after my mom and her brother helped me get down somehow I don't remember that part to well. I looked at that tree and the very next day, I tried hanging again, and I ALMOST got caught again. I remember thinking the second time around. I was going to outsmart that tree!"
"Are you close to your parents?"
"I want to say I am. My mom and I are very close. My father I wish would be a little more receptive to me sometimes. I do feel he doesn't understand me and it's hard to talk to him. I love them both to death, but…" Aaron trailed off and sighed.
Miki looked at him, "but?"
Aaron shook his head, "Don't worry about it. Nothing of importance."
"Aaron…is there any reason, specific reason you don't enjoy talking about your past?"
Aaron didn't respond. He just sat there and closed his eyes replaying the memories. The screams of men being snuffed out, and the pain realizing no one was going to come out of this alive. "It's better if you just don't know some things."
Miki nodded and smiled, "It's ok. I'm sure that if you feel inclined at some point you will say something, to someone. I know you'll let someone in eventually."
Aaron scoffed and turned his head away, "Sometimes I wonder that myself."
Miki frowned and said, "Aaron, one thing I've had to learn in my life, and this is just a piece of advice, is if you truly, and I mean truly, wholly love someone. You are going to have to let them into your past. That person is going to want to understand you more and more. Sometimes that involves-."
"I KNOW WHAT IT INVOLVES!" Aaron snapped back turning and looking at Miki with rage in his eyes. Miki stopped and could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Aaron's expression changed and he stuttered, "Miki, I'm…"
Miki shook her head smiling as tears fell, "No, it's ok. I said too much it appears. I need to get some fresh air Aaron. So I hate to cut this short but I'll talk to you later."
"Miki wait-!" Miki ran out of the room crying softly as Aaron closed his eyes and slammed his fist into the mattress. "Why the HELL did it end up like this! WHY!" He grit his teeth and cried slamming his fist into the mattress a few more times.
A week later…
The hospital decided for safety reasons to keep Aaron in the hospital a while longer just so they could monitor the progress of his bone a little better. Since that fateful conversation a week ago Aaron had not seen or heard from Miki. "Miki's parents should be home in the next few days and Yuu will be leaving back for college in a few days," Aaron thought about the changes going on in the outside world without him. "Stupid broken bone, I hate having to do things the long way. If only…" Aaron trailed off and shook his head, "No. I wanted to have a normal time here doing this. Take the good with the bad. I can't just use that because I feel like it." Aaron chuckled a little and continued, "Besides, I think the doctors would be a little confused that the bone healed in a matter of hours instead of days. I don't need to cause some sort of panic or problem while I'm here." Aaron looked over at the door to his room and sighed remembering Miki's forced smile as she ran out. The moment kept playing over and over in his head like a broken record. It annoyed him to death. She was avoiding him for whatever reason, but he knew it was because of how he reacted. It must have scared her. His sudden anger, her fragile emotions…he basically just stomped on her without even thinking about how it would have made her feel by his actions. "God I'm such a fool sometimes."
The door to the room opened up and in walked Ginta and Arimi. Ginta was pushing a wheelchair and Arimi smiled as they entered, "We're here to pick you up," Arimi said.
Aaron blinked, "I…see."
"Are you doing ok?"
"Well I'm not one to be cooped up for a long period of time so I'm wanting to get out of here as soon as I can!" Aaron chuckled.
"Hey Aaron. Do you know why Yuu asked us to pick you up instead of Miki?"
Aaron's face went slightly flush and he laughed trying to hide his embarrassment, "No! Nothing at all! I'm sure she's just busy with a lot of other things, plus she hasn't seen Yuu, from what I've heard, in a while. So she must be getting all the time in she can with him before he heads back to college for a while."
Ginta looked at Arimi and said, "Well that does sound like something she'd do, but you'd figure she'd call us herself and not Yuu."
"Maybe they were out and Miki mentioned it to Yuu. Maybe Yuu took it upon himself to take care of it. I mean I am staying with BOTH of them not just Miki."
"That's not like Yuu to just do something like that though. Usually he'd tease Miki since she'd forget and that'd make her remember," Arimi said placing a finger to her chin thinking.
Aaron sighed, "Let's not worry about the little things. I'm just itching to get out of here!" Ginta walked over and set the wheelchair next to the bed. Aaron without any help lifted himself into the wheel chair and said, "Thank GOD I'm not lying on my back anymore. I don't know what was worse. Seeing the ceiling all day or having to lay on my back to SEE the ceiling all day."
Arimi chuckled, "Most people would complain about the food here you'd think."
Ginta chuckled and replied, "If they ever tasted your food they'd complain about everything else lacking in taste."
Arimi blushed and playfully punched Ginta, "Ginta!" she chuckled. Ginta wheeled Aaron out of the room down the hospital hallway. The doors to freedom opened as Ginta wheeled him outside.
"FREEDOM!" Aaron raised his arms and screamed with joy.
Ginta and Arimi chuckled as Aaron made a spectacle of himself by being thankful he was no longer in a hospital. "You really must hate laying around Aaron," Arimi commented.
"Like I said…I don't know what's worse, seeing the ceiling all day or having to lay on my back to SEE the ceiling all day. I'm a get up and go kinda guy I guess." Ginta continued to wheel Aaron down the street back toward the Koishikawa household. At some point it suddenly dawned on Aaron he'd have to confront Miki again and that brought about a world of questions he really did not want to face. The joy on his face suddenly turned to one of oh crap and distain.
"Is everything ok Aaron?" Arimi asked noticing the distain plastered all over his face.
"Hmmm?" Aaron said forcing a laugh and a smile, "Oh of course! Everything is fine! I'm just thinking about how much it sucked that I couldn't use a restroom like normal people."
"Huh?" Ginta blinked wondering where out of left field that comment came from.
Aaron smiled weirdly and said, "Trust me you don't get it."
"Yeah I wouldn't think so," Ginta said totally confused.
Eventually after an hour or two of rolling Aaron along they arrived at the Koishikawa household. Again that agitating feeling in Aaron's gut arose but he forced himself to relax. Yuu came walking out and waved to the couple pushing Aaron. "Hey you two. Thanks again for bringing Aaron home. We would have done it ourselves, but Miki-."
"Most likely isn't feeling to well I'm sure. I mean after all she's having to deal with the stress of school I'm sure!" Aaron laughed poorly hiding the fact it was clearly something else.
"Are you ok Aaron?" Yuu said looking at him with non-amused eyes.
"Of course Yuu! Now can we please get inside? I've REALLY got to use the restroom!"
Yuu sighed and thought, "Great now we're his baby sitters. Next thing you know he's going to call me dada or something." Yuu smiled and relieved Ginta from pushing duties and thanked the couple again before pushing Aaron inside the house and said, "You know that they already know right?"
"Huh?"
"Miki and Ginta talk about a lot and he already knew about what you said. That's why he agreed to pick you up."
Aaron sighed, "So I'm going to guess that's the reason why she didn't visit me at all either?"
Yuu nodded, "Yeah you spooked her pretty good, but she knows it wasn't your fault really."
Aaron shook his head, "No Yuu, it WAS my fault. I CHOSE to react harshly. I mean it's just…so much has happened and it was like I took it out on her and I didn't mean to and…man I just need to apologize to her. I mean she's honestly been very upfront and awesome with me. She's always so sweet to me, treats me so respectfully and here I've been just some kinda…distant jerk."
Yuu smiled softly and chuckled, "How about you tell her yourself instead of telling me everything?"
"You think she'll even listen to me?"
"Knowing Miki, I think she will if you give her a chance."
Aaron took a deep breath and willing himself up through the pain got up out of the wheelchair. "OK!" Aaron wheezed out, "I'm going in!"
"WOAH! Sit back down their Aaron there's no need to go crazy over something like this!"
Aaron took another deep breath and relaxed before saying, "I'll be fine Yuu, you'll find I heal quick and can take a great deal of pain."
"You're just full of surprises aren't you Aaron," Yuu shrugged.
Aaron chuckled, "More than you'll ever know." Aaron looked up the stairs and said confidently, "Wish me luck, I'm going in!"
"Good luck."
Aaron looked up the stairs and forced himself up them one by one. Slowly, but surely he made it all the way up and took a breather considering the cast was indeed a rather large burden. "This thing weighs a ton it feels like," Aaron thought. He spied Miki's room up ahead and took a deep breath. Slowly he walked over to it and knocked on the door.
"Hai! Come in!" Miki's voice said.
Aaron opened the door and smiled saying, "Hey Miki, I'm home."
Miki looked at him and a slight silence fell over each of them. Miki was blushing and just stared at his face; Aaron was doing the same thing. "A-Aaron…ummm…I…"
"I'm sorry Miki…I didn't mean to snap at you like I did. Really it's my fault that all this happened."
Miki looked at him and shook her head, "No it's ok if I hadn't pried about stuff that you said you'd rather not talk about."
"It doesn't matter though Miki, you didn't do anything wrong. You didn't pry. You just asked one question and I just go mad over it and…I'm sorry. I've had a few days to think about a lot of what you said and it has been said to me before, but for some reason it rang so much truer with you. I'm not sure why…or maybe I am, but I'm just afraid to come to terms with it. I'm not sure."
Miki's heart started to pound for some reason and she could feel her breath shorten like something huge was going to happen. "Aaron…"
"Look, I just want you to know I really am sorry for how I acted and I have a feeling that one day, maybe sooner than I think…I'll let someone in."
Miki smiled tears starting to come down, "That's so wonderful…"
Aaron chuckled, "Thank you Miki. Sometimes I'm such a hardhead I don't always know how I'm acting. It's a work in progress, but I'm glad you're honest with me. It…brings me great joy you're willing to be blunt and truthful with yourself and the people you care about. That…is the sign of a true friend through and through." Aaron smiled warmly at Miki again and she could feel her body relaxing as she could feel herself being drawn in by that smile again. Each time he did it she could feel her heart pound more and more. Eventually it was going to snap if she didn't say something. "Well if you'll excuse me. I'm going to eat something other than the hospital food I've had the last week," Aaron laughed and limped his way out of the room.
"Thank God," Miki thought as she smiled tears still running down her face.
Late that night…
The rest of the day went by much smoother than Aaron or Miki could have figured. There were no lingering effects like anything happened. It helped a lot that Miki was so upbeat all the time that she let things like this roll off her back a lot of the time, but it was very comforting to act like nothing had happened throughout the entire evening. Miki talked about the shops Yuu and she had visited while Aaron was in the hospital, as well as the fact they had gone on a trip to visit some of the shrines down in southern Japan. "One of these days I'm going to visit some of these places you keep talking about. Just a matter of time!" Aaron shook his fist laughing.
"Maybe once you get out of your cast we can go visit a few places," Miki suggested.
"Sounds cool to me! I've always wanted to see more of this country."
"You should let him visit the college sometime Yuu," Miki suggested, "I'm sure he'd like to see Kyoto."
Aaron nodded, "Definitely! I think it'd be nice to look at the scenery and enjoy the natural beauty this place has. Don't get me wrong the US has plenty of nice places, but nothing beats the Sakura trees in full bloom. THAT is just unbelievably spectacular in beauty hands down."
"Sakura trees are indeed very pretty," Yuu agreed.
Miki chuckled and nodded, "But they don't bloom until early spring so it'll be a few months before you'll be able to see them."
"What! No!" Aaron hung his head while Miki giggled.
"Sorry to burst your bubble their Aaron," Miki said patting him on the back.
"So your heading back to college in a few days I guess Yuu. I was hoping to get to hang out with you a little more before you had to leave, but I'm sure that I'll get a chance during spring break or summer break," Aaron said.
"Definitely," Yuu nodded and looked at his watch. "Well it's getting to be late, and I need to get up early tomorrow. I'm supposed to meet with Kijima-san tomorrow since we haven't talked in a while. He's got a few things he'd like to discuss with me so I'll most likely be gone all day." Miki smiled and nodded her auburn hair bouncing lightly. Aaron looked down at his watch and rubbed his whiskered chin a bit before nodding as well and trying to get up.
"Do you need any help Aaron?" Miki offered assistance.
"Nah I should be fine. It's more cumbersome than anything. I'm not used to being in a cast honestly."
"Didn't you have your foot in a cast last time you broke it?"
"Well I DID but I had a special kind of brace I use for my foot. So I'm not used to one being so big on me," Aaron laughed embarrassed.
"I see."
"And considering it's hard enough lugging this boot around I think I'll just sleep down in the living room tonight. Is that ok with you?"
"Hai," Miki nodded.
Aaron lugged himself over to the couch and sat down on it taking a relaxing breath. "What a day," he though closing his eyes and stretching his body out. After a few minutes he felt something cover him up and then felt something cuddle up next to him. Without opening his eyes he said, "What the…"
"I still haven't been able to sleep too well since everything happened. Would it be ok if I laid next to you for a bit?" Miki asked blushing and looking away.
"Ummm, uhhh yeah yeah that should be uh…fine," Aaron was uncharacteristically stumbling over his words once more.
"Aaron, ummm about what I said at the hospital."
"CRAP!" Aaron thought, "I thought we put that behind us!"
Miki rubbed her head on his arm gently like she was trying to get comfortable and continued, "I don't want you to answer me, just please hear me out."
"Hmm? This is different than I was expecting," Aaron thought.
"I don't know what it is about…you, but for some reason when I'm around you. I can feel my heart pound. I feel my breath shorten, and I'm just drawn into everything you have to say, or talk about. I can't explain why I feel the way I do."
"Miki…"
"Please…Aaron let me finish what I have to say. I just need to say it all before it bothers me any longer." Aaron nodded slowly and Miki smiled continuing, "When we were talking at the hospital and I almost blurted something out…what I meant to say with that is…" Miki could feel the welling in her heart wanting to come out and she said it, "I love you." Aaron gulped and could feel his heart starting to beat rapidly. "Aaron, I don't expect you to answer me at all. I myself don't understand why I feel this way. I just know I can't lie to myself about how I feel. I honestly love Yuu, but somehow, you've entered my heart somehow and I can't just deny it."
Aaron sighed, "You sure know how to put the pressure on someone don't you Miki…"
Miki looked up at his face and could see his somewhat frustrated face, "Gomen, I didn't mean to…" she got up to leave and Aaron grabbed her and pulled her back holding her close.
She blushed in shock and said, "Aaron!"
Aaron took a deep breath and said, "Aright now I want you to hear what I have to say, and understand that this is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever said in my life."
Miki's heart started beating rapidly, "Is he going to confess to me as well!"
"Miki I'm not sure if it was what some people call love at first sight, but for some reason the moment I saw you something was different about you. I never could place what it was that brought such a difference from anyone else I've met. Your personality; Your upbeat attitude; the way you smile. I'm not sure which is the best part because honestly. They're all the best to me. The whole week when you didn't visit was like torture because…because I wanted to see you. I wanted to see you and talk to you. To be able to see all the best parts about you. Miki…I actually did a lot of thinking, and I tried to understand what it was that was going on and then I suddenly realized what it was. I love you." Aaron turned his head away, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything to you."
Miki gently hugged Aaron and shook her head smiling with tears coming out of her eyes, "No, it's ok…thank you for telling me the truth."
"Hopefully…you can sleep better getting that off your chest."
Miki nodded, "I'm sure I will, well good night Aaron." Miki smiled and slowly kissed him on the cheek.
Aaron chuckled and replied, "Sweet dreams Miki."
She waved and walked upstairs to her room. Miki noticed Yuu leaning against the wall next to her room and smiled, "Hey sweetie."
Yuu walked over to her and hugged her, "So how did it go?"
Miki looked away from Yuu, "We both confessed and he really does care for me, and for some reason…my heart is happy, but hurts either way. I'm not sure what to do Yuu. I'm so confused, and this isn't like when I thinking between you and Ginta…this is completely different."
"I see. Well understand I'm going to stand by you no matter what you decide to do…but I am going to do everything I can to convince you to keep things the way they are."
Miki nodded, "I know Yuu, thank you for understand and letting me deal with this on my own."
"Miki…I love you more than you'll ever know."
Miki smiled and kissed Yuu, "I know Yuu and I love you too…"