Chapter 5

5 pm and Kouichi was the only one in the room. He stared at the ceiling, lying on his bed with his arms behind his head.

"Hm.. That has to be it. She must have remembered.." he muttered.

– – –

"Mrs. Kanbara?" Kouichi asked, walking toward her in the dining area of the resort. He decided to confront her about his ideas.

"Hm? Oh good afternoon, Kouichi." she greeted him with a smile. Kouichi, however, looked serious.

"I need to speak with you privately, Mrs. If it's not too much trouble." he bowed his head down as though apologizing for taking her time in advanced. With a slightly confused look, she agreed.

– –

"Mrs. Kanbara. Takuya told you how he felt about Kouji, didn't he?" Kouichi asked once they were alone.

"Huh?"

"You remember what happened 10 years ago then?..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Mrs. Kanbara replied, displaying a look of confusion and interest. Kouichi sighed. He could tell she was lying. He might not be totally magic like Kouji but still...

"Then I'll refresh your memory." He began.

– – – –

'The Kanbara's and the Minamoto's lived by each other years ago. When the Minamoto's arrived, their young son was thrilled because he saw the two new boys. He headed over to make friends as soon as he was allowed to.'

'He rushed up to the younger of the twin boys but the boy flinched away. The older greeted and introduced them to the young Kanbara. It didn't take long for the boys to start hanging out everyday, but it would be a while before the youngest twin would accept and smile warmly around the brunette.'

"You're name's Kouji, right?" Takuya asked, walking up to Kouji, who turned away. "Kouji? I'm sorry." Kouji turned around, startled.

"What for?"

"Well you're always so afraid of me and you hardly want to play with me. I thought maybe you hated me or something.." Takuya explained, smoothing the ground beneath his foot by rubbing it nervously in tight circles. Kouji shook his head.

"No, nothing like that... I just.. Didn't want anyone to know." Kouji frowned.

"Know what?" Takuya looked purely interested. Kouji looked apprehensive.

"I'm.. A magic seedling." Kouji admitted. He waited for Takuya to snap and run away but he just stared, cutely confused, at Kouji.

"What's.. that?" he asked.

"A... magic seedling? I have the.. ability to perform magic... but I'm still young so mom says I'm a seedling." Kouji informed him. "Mom also said not to tell anyone because.. Well Kouichi said people don't always like magic people. And Dad speaks of.. Uh.. per..se..cu..tion.. Something about dead magic users..."

"How cool!" Takuya laughed with a huge smile. "I know a magic seedling!"

"Takuya!" Kouji whined. Takuya didn't understand the seriousness of the situation.. Although, neither did Kouji.

"What? I think you're cool. Besides, you're fun to play with. I don't care what you are. Wanna be friends, for real?" Takuya asked, offering his hand to Kouji.

Kouji watched the hand for a minute before grasping it. Takuya smiled and Kouji surprised him with a hug.

'Friendship spawned quickly and the boy became more open. He helped Kanbara with all sorts of things with his magic, whether it be cleaning or homework. He never did the homework for him, but it seemed just being around the younger Minamoto eased the boy's thoughts and he could think more clearly.'

'Almost a year later, the two boys in question had developed something stronger than friendship. Neither understood it, they were only six. But tragedy struck in summer...'

– – –

(note: this is not the continuation of Kouichi's story. We've switched scenes.)

Kouji held his side. The pain in his side..

'Not this again..' he left the building they were staying in and began to stumble toward the forest. 'I have to stay as far away as possible until it stops.' he squinted as pain stung his nerves again.

"Kouji? What's up? You not feeling well?" Takuya asked, walking up.

'Oh no.'

"Maybe you should go lay down, ya know?" He continued, put his hand on Kouji's shoulder. Kouji grasped his wrist tightly.

"Leave me alone." he growled.

"Yo, buddy. That hurts." Takuya tried wrenching his wrist free.

"Buddy? Ya! What happened to you? You come on a trip and suddenly we're all best buds? What happened to 'nothing will change!' Just cause your mother is my mom's friend, doesn't mean you can just..ah!" Kouji winced and fell to his knees.

"Kouji!" Takuya tried helping.

"Didn't you hear me? I said go away! I hate you!" Kouji panted. 'Go away. Please. I wont let it all happen again. Why don't you ever listen to me?'

"Kouji look, I know I've been a prat but that doesn't mean we cant be friends, right? Come on, I'll take you back to the resort and we'll find some help." Takuya tried once again to help him.

"Back off!" Kouji hit his hand away. "That's... that's not it.. Just.. Just leave!" he screamed. A tree branch above him cracked. Kouji gasped and looked up. He leapt up and pushed Takuya out of the way before he was hit.

Silence ensued for a second as Takuya took in what just happened. Kouji got up and ran off before he could even speak. He didn't move to follow, nor did he move to go inside when the sky darkened for rain again.


Onee: wow.. quick chapter..

It: do 5 year olds do homework?

Onee 2: they live in a very.. special.. country.

Out: -nod nod-