AUTHOR'S NOTES: First up - - a humongous sorry for the very long wait. Hehehe... you can say that it was a very huge case of burnout and stress with my internship and all. Hehehe…plus, I've been very busy with our thesis that I have no time to polish my work, except now! Hahaha! So please do enjoy the chapter!
juzblue - - I'm sorry I wasn't able to update soon, but I promise you, this is a good chapter! But… an overly LantisOC hehehe…
pokemongirl2523 - - I intend to torture Lantis, girl! Hahaha! and thanks for the tips…I already know where to buy the dvd's…
CrimsonReality - - thanks for reviewing! there's this local store here in my homeland that sells anime stuffs, and yes, they have the angelic layer dvd's. So that one was scratched off from my list of problems.
syvonair - - what are you doing, reviewing my story! You have your own story to update, girl! So work on it! Hahaha! Miss yah!
merissala - - finally, someone agreed with me! Yes, crappy, but I need that to get on to the next chapter. ya know, filler chapters..? I hope this new chap satisfies you enough to continue reading the story!
Iarly - - yup, you better get back to work…I need to read another chapter of 'battling emotions' soon or else--! and thank you, for accepting my invitation to be a staff of 'ruby lightning'…anyways, any stories you would like to add to our archive..?
The Myth Keeper - - glad you're liking the story even if it's a bit different. I love new reviewers, so thank you for reviewing!
hyuuga onigiri - - yep, I'm a Filipino. you also from the Philippines?
kishfan - - yep, my mission for life is to make Lantis suffer…bwahahaha! but…what am I, a Hikaru/Lantis sucker, if I don't give them a happy ending?
ADDL' NOTES: I intend Lantis to be OOC because, well, that's how I envision him if he's 'normal' like Hikaru. You know, without the tragedy of Zagato and Emeraude on his mind, and the problem of Cephiro's crumbling world in his shoulders, he'll have nothing to worry about but Hikaru. Imagine his devastation if he finds out Hikaru loves another man – and without recollection of him and her best friends. If you were in Lantis' shoes, how will you react?
And the song here in italics, is entitled, "Ame No Hino Hana No You Ni" by Nakamura Ayumi, which can be found in "Best Collection" album of MKR. It's really a good song, so check it out!
DISCLAIMER: Magic Knight Rayearth rightfully belongs to CLAMP. I own nothing; even my sanity is at my disposal.
Chapter 6: CONFUSIONS AND TRAGEDIES
As what has become his practice, Lantis was up as early as 5 o' clock on Saturday morning to jog around Ikuta Green Park. He did a few circles on the bay park, and then ran ahead of the long stretch of pine trees and acacia trees. After an hour, he stopped by the restaurant where he and Hikaru ate when they jogged around the place. He ordered the same things: pasta, tuna sandwich and orange juice. Plus he ordered a serving of baked macaroni.
Just like what Hikaru ordered from before, he thought wistfully.
He did not wait for a long time for his order arrived shortly. He was about to take a bite from his sandwich when he heard a familiar voice from the door of the restaurant.
"Lantis-chan!"
He quickly turned his head towards the source of the sound and saw Hikaru approaching, with a smiling Rei behind her. The smile that he was about to give was quickly wiped off from his face, replaced by a blank expression.
"Hikaru-chan, Rei-san," he greeted. When the two finally sat down at the table, Rei gave him a quizzical look.
"You already know me?" Rei asked. He merely nodded.
"Hai. Hikaru-chan has told me a lot about you, and you were at the school last Monday, right? I was there at the Faculty room as well. So…" he answered, shrugging.
Hikaru has a perplexed look on her face, and he was looking at Lantis critically that he felt he was being examined under a microscope like a specimen.
"Daijobou desu ka Lantis-chan?" she asked.
He forced himself to nod in answer, and tore his eyes away from her ruby ones before he sink into the depths of her seemingly endless eyes.
"Hai, Hikaru-chan, I'm fine. You don't have to ask. By the way, what are you two doing here?" he replied.
"We were just jogging around the block. And then I invited Rei over here to try out the foods. I'm sure he'd have fun eating here just as much as we had," Hikaru answered.
Rei turned surprised eyes towards his girlfriend, "'As mush as we had'?" he repeated. The question in his eyes was very clear.
Hikaru nodded as she waved on a waiter, "Yeah. We bumped into each other about a week or so ago, and we ate at this restaurant and we enjoyed the food. You should try the baked macaroni and the green tea; they're really tasty," she answered.
Rei quickly smiled at his girlfriend and nodded, his eye traveling on the menu up and down, searching for a food to eat, "Okay. I'll take your word for it. And besides, I can see that Lantis-san here is enjoying his meal so…"
The waiter nodded, and he turned to Hikaru with kind eyes, "What about you, Miss? What would you have?"
"Oh, I'll have ramen, please, and orange juice. That will be all," Hikaru answered, and after a quick bow, the waiter scooted away for their orders.
"You're out for a jog again, Lantis-chan?" Hikaru asked.
He nodded again. "Hai. The morning sun is good, so I took the opportunity and here I am!"
Hikaru and Rei laughed. Shortly after, the orders arrived, and the two lovebirds ate in silence. Lantis took this opportunity to study Rei up close. With the latter's chiseled jaw, strong arms and lean body, Rei could be mistaken as a troublemaker. But he could sense a deep calmness from him, plus his unwavering love for Hikaru. He could tell that Rei would do anything for Hikaru, and he would do nothing to hurt Hikaru intentionally or unintentionally.
He's perfect for my Hikaru… he thought. It pained him to think that anyone else other than him would be able to give Hikaru the happiness and contentment that he has seen on her face nine years ago, but with her interaction with Rei right now, he has seen what he has dreaded to see. In Rei, Hikaru was happy and very much in love. He sighed inwardly and dropped his eye on his plate.
He really loves my Hikaru very much…
Next, he forced his eyes to look at Hikaru. With her ruby tresses down on her shoulders with a few locks dangling on her forehead, she looked as divine as ever. He has to take a few deep breaths to keep his heart from racing, but he could feel his blood pumping heavily through his veins. Just the mere sight of Hikaru excites the tiniest nerve and vessel in his being. She was like a drug in his system that he simply cannot drive away, for the mere fact that that drug is his source of life and energy and willpower to continue on living in this world. But then…his drug was taken away from him for a very long time, and just when he found that drug again, he found out that his drug was already somebody else's, and his drug does not remember him anymore.
That thought alone was painful, but what was more painful was that Hikaru shows no sign of having remembering him. None. Zilch. A dead end. While he was here, thinking the world of her, she was there, thinking of anything else but him.
This is a hopeless case…I am a hopeless case…his mind silently screamed, casting another look at Hikaru's open face.
- - - - - - - - - -
Hikaru was busy nibbling on her food, but her mind was elsewhere. She threw a glance at the sulking Lantis.
Lantis sure is acting very weird today…
And then her mind screamed. Lantis! Lantis only! What the hell was that supposed to mean!
She quickly glanced at her boyfriend, and found him engrossed on his food. Stifling a sigh, she returned to hers and ate automatically.
Why can't Rei be like Lantis-chan? Always thoughtful and never a dull moment with him. Plus, Lantis-chan acts as if I'm more interesting than his food. She whined inwardly, which received another groan from her conscience.
Hikaru! What the heck were you thinking! Comparing your wonderful boyfriend from your very good friend Lantis! What has become of you!
But I was just making a comparison! What's wrong with that? And besides, what I said was true, Lantis-chan really acts as if I'm the most important person in the world, unlike Rei here who is more engrossed on his food than he really was ever to me! She answered back. She felt stupid for arguing with her conscience, especially since normal people don't usually do that!
But Rei is your boyfriend! Or have you forgotten that! Her conscience continued to rant.
She felt a blush creep on her face, but she kept her face impassive. Somebody might actually notice that she's having an uncomfortable battle going on her brain right now! That's insane! Why would I forget that Rei is my boyfriend? And for whom! For Lantis-chan! That's outrageous! Lantis-chan is my friend! He's my very good friend!
Oh yeah? Search your heart. Do you really feel friendship only for your co-professor? Don't be a hypocrite, Hikaru. Somehow, your very good friend Lantis-chan has found a way to sit in a very comfortable position on your heart, almost as comfortable as how Rei is sitting inside your heart as well.
And you know what? Rei might just be thrown out of your heart any day now…
She gulped. She didn't dare answer that last comment. Instead she blocked off any thoughts and just concentrated on her ramen until she was finished.
When done, she looked at Lantis and scarlet eyes locked with purple ones.
"Anou, Lantis-chan, if you will excuse me and Rei…we must get going now," she said, managing to keep her voice from breaking.
Maybe it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, but she swears that she saw a flicker of disappointment from his eyes when she bid her farewell, "Very well then," he stood up, and she and Rei stood up as well.
He offered his hand to Rei, which Rei took amiably and they shook hands. "It was really nice knowing you, Rei-san,"
Rei smiled, "The pleasure is all mine, Lantis-san. I hope to see you again anytime,"
Lantis nodded. Then he turned to Hikaru and nodded, "See you tomorrow at school, Hikaru-chan,"
She gave him a curt nod, then offered a feeble smile, "Ohayou, Lantis-chan, and sayonara," she answered. Then she left the restaurant with Rei on her side.
Lantis-chan …
And then her conscience's last words came painfully back on her…
And you know what? Rei might just be thrown out of your heart any day now…
- - - - - - - - - -
Lantis walked around the park just a few blocks away from the college. He has his hands on his sweat pant's pockets, and he has his head bowed down low. When he saw a pebble on his way, he kicked it with all his might and scowled at the flying stone.
Mizu-tamari no naka wo kumo ga oyoide yuku Oroshita bakari no reinkooto
Harajuku wa nichiyou akai benchi no ue shizuka ni hohoemu koibito-tachi
"Get out of my way," he grumbled. He continued on with his walk until he saw a pond.
He stopped, and picked a few stones from the ground. He threw one stone at the center of the pond, and he watched as the stone drew a ripple of water around where it hit the water until the wave started to close down. Just as the final current of water was vanishing, he threw in another stone, this time with much force, creating a bigger wave on the center of the pond. But he still has that scowl on his face, and in a manner very far from the typical Lantis, he started talking to no one in particular about the thoughts that played on his mind ever since that painful Saturday morning.
Anamone no hana ga yurete hito-shizuku mizu wo otosu Hoozue wo tsuita mama watashi wa hitori mite 'ru
"Just what the heck is wrong with my life? First I lost my brother to the woman that he loves, and then I lost the woman of my dreams. But then, I got another life here, and as a bonus I have my brother back and my sister-in-law. But then, I didn't get to see immediately the woman of my dreams. But when I saw her, when I actually was able to find her again, disaster was still on my side because she completely forgot everything about me and she even has a boyfriend. Now, tell, me, what's wrong with fate that has caused me nothing but tragedy and pain and sadness?"
When nobody answered, as expected, he threw all the stones down on the pond, and then slammed his palms at the iron fence surrounding the pond.
Watashi no naka no chikyuu toki wo oshimu you ni yukkuri yukkuri mawatte yuku
"I only ask of one thing, that my Hikaru come back to me again and love me again as she loved me before, but why is it that such simple wish is hard to acquire? Why does my friends have to be together and happy with the ones that they love and fate leave me here out in the cold, dark cell of loneliness that's slowly eating up my whole life?"
"Why does fate have to throw Hikaru back at my face again, but without her memory of me or anything about our times together? Why? Why me!" he screamed in frustration.
Dare ka to itai kedo dare to mo itaku nai Nee Naze kokoro wa kimagure na no
It's a good thing that there was no one else in that part of the park with him, for whoever heard him or saw him would think that he's going nuts. But, what the heck! He was really going nuts anyway!
"And why does fate have to be so cruel of deciding on making me and Hikaru just good old plain friends! After all that we've been through, after all the love that we've shown each other, we would just end up as friends! And what's worse is that I have to watch her in the arms of another man. What more could be worse than that!" he went on. Finally, his tirades rub off him and he slumped down, drained out of energy. He leaned heavily on the iron fence and propped his head on his arms, which were on his knees.
"Why can't I just live my life like before? Why can't I just be happy with Hikaru? Why I can't say to Hikaru that I love her, that I need her in my life, more than I needed anybody? Why I can't experience again the blissful feeling of being in love and being loved? Why…? Why is happiness hard to find…? Why can't happiness find me…?" he silently continued.
Ame no hi no hana no you ni Na mo shiranu hana no you ni
Hageshiku soshite yowaku saite itai to omou
If his friends would see him now, they'd freak out. He lay in a heap by the iron fence, his whole disposition shouting out one of defeat and failure. Tears were falling endlessly from his anguish-ridden eyes, tears that he was constantly wiping off with the back of his hand, but to no avail. For a long time, he just sat there, his thoughts in wild disarray, his feelings vulnerable as his senses were on the verge of losing. And somehow, when the wind blew and carried away a few strands of his hair away from his eyes, he somewhat felt better than he did a few moments ago.
Mizu-tamari no naka wo kumo ga oyoide yuku yukkuri yukkuri kiete yuku
After another five minutes, he finally looked up to see if there was somebody else on his spot. He found no one and nothing. Sighing, he finally stood up, and brushed the last rolls of tears that had fallen from his eyes. He got his hanky from his back pocket and blew his nose to ease the breathing on his chest. Then he walked away from the pond.
Hikaru…
Have I totally lost you…?
He looked up on the sky and from his position; he saw a vision of her face up on the clouds, smiling down on him.
Can't I do something to help you remember the past?
Can't I do something to make you remember that once in your life, in your very young life, you loved and cared for a Kailu naming Lantis who lived in another world?
Can't I do something, anything, at all…?
Watashi no naka no chikyuu toki wo oshimu you ni yukkuri yukkuri mawatte yuku
- - - - - - - - - -
From her vantage point on the terrace, Hikaru has a perfect view of Kawasaki at this time of the night. With all the lights coming from every establishment, shops, restaurants, amusement parks, offices, schools and houses, Kawasaki looked like it was dressed up in heavy cloaks of Christmas lights ready for the birth of Christ. She took a sip of her progressively getting colder coffee and then sat on her favorite reclining chair at the corner of the terrace. She has a lot of thinking to do for the night.
First were the disturbing "flashes", as she calls it. Those "views" of herself, Umi, Fuu and Lantis in armor gear really got the best of her thinking mind. After tossing and turning everything that her mind holds, she really can't place those…dresses that she saw in her "dreams".
And why, for the love of God, am I seeing Umi-chan, Fuu-chan and Lantis-chan in those dresses, and then I also see myself, a younger version of myself, when in fact, I only saw those three now?
Did I live a past life with them that's why I'm so attached to them…? That's why I befriended them easily? But why only remember now?
Because you only saw them now, that's why! Her logical mind answered back.
She took a sip again on her coffee, and gazed out on Kawasaki's night sky. Do they remember me also? Are they having those flashbacks too?
"I need to call 'kaasan," she muttered, and then went to the living room and into the phone and dialed their home phone number in Tokyo.
"Moshi moshi," her mother answered after a few rings.
""Kaasan," she answered.
"Oh, Hikaru-chan! How are you? Where are you calling? From your apartment?" her mother immediately asked, excitement flooding on her voice.
Hikaru found herself chuckling despite her earlier gloomy thoughts. "I'm fine, 'Kaasan, never been better. Everything's going well and I'm adjusting real well on my work here as a Biology teacher. And yes, I'm calling from my apartment. But 'Kaasan…"she trailed off, hanging her words in the air.
Her 'Kaasan sensed her reluctance, so her 'Kaasan pressed on, "Yes, Hikaru-chan? What's troubling you?"
She took a deep breath, calling forth all the courage she needed to break a question like she was about to to her mother, "'Kaasan, I'm having those flashbacks again like before…" she whispered on her other end of the line.
Her mother's line went deathly silent. She only heard of her mother's rugged, uneven breathing, and she heard a crackling noise on the background, indicating that her mother just gripped the phone. Tightly.
"Uh, 'Kaasan, did I say something wrong?" she finally asked after the silence.
She heard the large intake of air that her mother did, and she was puzzled. Why's 'Kaasan acting like what I said was the most astonishing thing that she has ever heard on her entire life? Her mind asked.
"Hikaru-chan …I wish I could explain, but…" was her mother's vague answer and she fell into a deeper sense of confusion. 'Kaasan is acting real weird today!
"Okay 'Kaasan, I understand. If you don't want to talk about it, okay. So, how are you and 'Tousan doing there in the dojo? Got any students to sign up on his class?" she averted their conversation.
She heard another deep sigh from her mother, and answered in a much lighter voice, "Oh, your father's dojo is doing just fine. In fact, Satoru-kun and Masaru-kun visited us a few nights ago. They said that Kakeru-kun wanted to come as well, but Maliana-chan's pregnancy is very critical, and the couples were taking every precautionary measure just to make sure that the baby will be born alive and well,"
She laughed, which caused her mother to laugh as well, "Gomen nasai, if I'm unable to visit you and 'Tousan there in the dojo. It's just that…I'm having such a wonderful life here in Kawasaki, and I'm currently enjoying my new-found freedom!" she suddenly turned melodramatic. In fact, a few traces of tears sprung from her eyes, and she quickly blinked them back.
On the other end of the line, she heard her mother chuckle, but she could sense a certain deep longing and sadness from the laugh, "Don't mind it, Hikaru-chan. We're happy if you're happy. And besides, for the past 23 years of your life you've been under our protection and care. It's about time you learn to spread your wings and fly, 'Karu-chan," her mother responded.
This time, she was unable to stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. She felt her chest tighten with so much emotion and she was unable to reply back to her mother.
Her mother only laughed, "Oh, Hikaru-chan, you're very emotional, that's why it was very hard for your brothers to let you on your own there in Kawasaki, alone and new to the surroundings. That was why they miss you very much, but they also wanted you to grow up on your own and experience the joys of being an adult and a true free person. But that still does not keep them from missing you so much, 'Karu-chan,"
Her initial answer was a hiccup. Damn these tears! She silently cursed. After a few more sniffs and coughs to clear her throat, she finally found her voice to answer, "I miss them so much as well. But then again, I cannot exchange my freedom here on their over protectiveness, you know,"
Another laugh from her mother, "Hai, I know what you mean. If I were on your shoes, I'd never trade my freedom from the restraints of your brothers. Sometimes, they were too much over protective of you, especially Kakeru-kun and Masaru-kun, but then again, your father and I was very loose on you, so I guess your brothers took the liberty of restraining you and confining you inside the family,"
She finally managed another chuckle, and pretty soon, she was laughing her heart out again, "This talk is really easing out my heart again, 'Kaasan," she commented.
"Why? Aren't you feeling alright that's why you called?" there was a note of concern on her mother's voice.
She shook her head even though she knew that her mother will not see her, "It's nothing like that. It's just that…I'm quite confused with the…you know…flashbacks I'm having…"
Her mother was silent for a moment. Then, with obvious forced joyfulness, she finally answered, "Don't mind it, Hikaru-chan, maybe it's just your mind playing tricks on you. I'm sure it will be gone soon,"
She suppressed a sigh that was about to escape from her throat. I guess I should stop pressing the matter to 'Kaasan. Seems like I won't be getting any answers right now, "Okay, 'Kaasan, whatever you say. By the way, I have to hang up now. I have an early class tomorrow, and it's getting late. I'm sure you wanted to take a rest as well,"
The usual calm voice of her mother answered her back, "Okay. We'll see you in some time, 'ne? Take care my child. Sleep well,"
"Give my regards to 'Tousan, and you two take care as well," she answered, and then hang up. She sighed, and picking up her cup of coffee from the railings, she got up and went inside her house, closing the French windows after her.
Meanwhile, on the Shidou household in Tokyo, Shidou Hajime was rushing across the house to go to her husband who was still at the dojo, meditating. When she reached the dojo, she took a deep breath first before coming inside.
Shidou Haido was quickly pulled from his meditation and looked at the worried face of his wife. He quickly stood up from the tatami mat he was seated in and rushed to Hajime.
"Hajime-chan, what is it?" he asked. He was already growing concerned due to his wife's restlessness.
"Haido-chan, Hikaru-chan just called-" she started.
Somehow, some of Haido's concerns eased down, "And what seems to be the problem? And besides, why didn't she talk to me? I miss her very much too, you know," he answered.
Hajime shook her head, the concern on her face growing, "Demo that's not it. She was asking me if I knew anything of why she was having her…'flashbacks' again, like before…"
Haido fell silent. He dropped his eyes down on the floor, and he sighed deeply. "I knew this thing might happen in the near future…" he trailed off.
Hajime sighed too, indicating her agreement. "Do you think it's time that we tell her the truth?" she bravely asked.
Her husband looked at her eyes, and she could see clearly in the depths of his eyes the anguish that he has been keeping inside for nine years now. "In time, Hajime-chan…in time…"
"Do you wish to have Satoru-kun, Masaru-kun and Kakeru-kun at our side when we finally tell her the truth?" she inquired again.
Haido sighed. "Hai. At least they'll be able to explain to Hikaru better than I could," he answered.
- - - - - - - - - -
Another day at the college, and Umi, Fuu, Ascot and Ferio were already aware of the big changes in Lantis.
First, he did not come to school with them. Instead he arrived at the Faculty Room just as the bell rang.
Second, he was a complete mess. His hair was tousled, as if he didn't bothered brushing it after taking a bath. The only neat thing on him was his clothes, which were neatly pressed. But then, his face was a different story. He was still unemotional and cold, but he was colder than usual. There were dark rings under his eyes, and whiskers were sprouting from his chin, indicating that he hasn't shaved that morning.
Third, and the most disturbing of all, was the haunted look on his eyes. They were almost bloodshot and glassy, and there was an eerie air on him that others do not pick up easily unless they were very close to Lantis.
The group stared at one another before focusing their gaze back at the already seated raven-haired man. Umi nodded at the others and they resumed their work. Nobody asked Lantis what's wrong. For the time that they were together, they learned that the amethyst-eyed guy was pretty much like Hikaru; he keeps his secrets to himself and tries to solve everything by himself. But then, if his load was too heavy for him to carry alone, that's the time that he turns to his friends for help, which they were glad to give.
And so, for the whole day, they just observed him. Because their schedules were almost the same, it was easy for them to keep track of the other changes in Lantis that day. He didn't eat his lunch, and he was more quiet than the usual.
Plus, there was this certain look that he was casting Hikaru whenever the redhead was at the room. That's the time that they finally concluded that Lantis' problem has got to do with Hikaru.
They also observed that ever since Lantis arrived that morning, Hikaru has a mild frown on her face, especially when her eyes crosses Lantis' path. When he arrived, her face instantly glowed, but after taking a second look at him, her smile turned into a slight scowl. She followed him with her eyes as he made his way to his desk. When she was about to go to her class at 8:20 that morning, she gave Lantis a quick glance before going out the room.
All these didn't escaped Umi and Fuu's observant eyes, and they were wondering about it.
"What could have happened to Hikaru and Lantis?" Umi asked tiredly.
Fuu sighed then propped her elbows on the table and leaned her chin on her hands. "I was wondering that myself, Umi-san. Lantis-san was really different this morning, and Hikaru-chan was fighting for self-control as to whether she should approach Lantis-san or let him be like that. It was like she was on the verge of following her head or following her heart,"
Umi nodded her agreement, "Yeah, and that's really weird. I mean, we already know that Lantis' problem is about Hikaru, but what I can't comprehend is why Hikaru's acting as if she does not know anything about Lantis' problem. You know what I mean?"
Fuu nodded, "Hai. And I even observed that even Hikaru-san has a problem herself, you know. And the only solution to her problem is Lantis-san,"
"I wonder what it is…"
"We could rack our brain for any possible answers, but only Lantis-san and Hikaru-chan knows them,"
Sigh. "Yeah, I know, I jut wish we could do something to help them, you know…"
Sigh again. "I also wish for the same thing, Umi-san…"
- - - - - - - - - -
By the end of the classes, Lantis quickly went out his classroom and headed towards the parking lot. He was about to gun his motorcycle engine and rev his way towards his apartment when he saw a crumpled figure at the other side of the parking lot of the college. He immediately pulled up his helmet and looked steadily at the figure. His heart came up to his throat when he realized who it was.
"Hikaru!" he shouted, then sprinted across the unusually empty parking lot. He was about to contemplate on why the parking lot was empty at this time of the day, dismissal time, when he remembered that this was the newly constructed parking lot a few meters away from the college. He quickly dismissed the thought and instead focused his attention as Hikaru's crumpled form became visible. He slid to where she was kneeling and placed two hands on her shoulders to look her in the eye.
"Hikaru, Hikaru!" he called out frantically.
Hikaru slowly raised her eyes, and what met his eyes made his heart crumple.
There were beads of perspiration on her forehead, and she was apparently trembling. She has both her hands on her head, and her eyes were bloodshot, seemingly from the pain that she was feeling.
"L-Lantis-chan …" she greeted. She attempted to smile, but her lips turned up on a grimace instead as her clutch on her head tightened. Lantis noted that her knuckles have turned white.
"Daijobou desu ka, Hikaru? What's the matter?" he asked, searching her face.
"M-my h-h-head…" she trailed off, and then she slumped forward in a dead faint on his open arms. He caught her easily and lightly tapped her face.
"Hikaru, Hikaru! Wake up!" he called, but she was unresponsive beneath his arms. Looking around, he found no one in the parking lot. So he wasted no time, carried her in his arms, and quickly walked to where his motorcycle was parked. He placed the helmet on her and then positioned her in front of him, before he started up his motorcycle and went away.
He dialed a number on his cell phone and placed the apparatus on his ear.
"Moshi moshi Lafarga, are you in your clinic?"
The other person on the other end of the line chuckled, "Hai, Lantis, I am. Why? Do you have a patient for me?"
"Hai. I'm bringing someone over. She suddenly fainted while clutching her head, and I'm frantic to bring her to you. We're on our way," he answered.
Lafarga was quiet. He was serious when he answered Lantis, "That sounds serious, Lantis. Hurry up, before something bad happens to her,"
"Familiar with this kind of ailment?" he asked, as he turned a corner at an intersection and then revved up his motor faster.
"Kind of. Just hurry up and don't waste any time. Every second counts," Lafarga retorted.
"Okay. I'll hang up now," Lantis answered, and then he focused on his driving and occasionally glances at Hikaru who was still fast asleep in his arms.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Lantis, that's…." Lafarga trailed off, looking at Hikaru as if she was a ghost.
Lantis sighed then placed her down on the hospital bed. "Yeah. I forgot to mention that Hikaru was the one I'm bringing over here. And she's in danger,"
Lafarga's face brightened a little bit, "Wait 'till Caldina knows this. She'll be thrilled!"
Lantis shook his head. "She does not remember us," he countered silently.
Lafarga became silent. He looked closely at Hikaru and then at Lantis, "She's got amnesia?"
Lantis shrugged, "Don't know for sure. Now, cure her, onegai shimasu,"
Lafarga nodded, and then pulled the curtain to separate Hikaru's bed from Lantis.
Lantis stood up from where he was and paced around the room. Every minute he would stop in front of the curtain, tempted to burst on Lafarga and Hikaru, but he held back and just resumed his pacing. After for what seemed like an hour, Lafarga finally pushed the curtains again. He went to his desk and got out his hanky to wipe off the sweat on his brow.
"Well?" Lantis asked, now unable to restrain himself.
Lafarga took a seat, and motioned for Lantis to take a seat as well. Lantis followed reluctantly. The seriousness on Lafarga's face was beginning to make him feel nervous.
"That was a very unusual case of migraine, but I'm sure that there's more to her migraine than I actually can see. She fainted, and that's already a bad sign. I would want to know her health history, if this same 'migraines' attacked her in the past and what medication her former doctor has given her. I think you should contact her family or at least someone close to her,"
Lantis took a deep breath. "I don't have any contact numbers with me, but I think Umi and Fuu would be a big help," he answered, then pulled out his cell phone again and dialed Umi's number.
"Umi, do you have any contact numbers of Hikaru's parents or brothers? Or maybe Rei's?"
"Wait just a second," was Umi's reply, and he heard in the background that she asked Fuu about it and Fuu was giving Umi a number. Seconds later, Umi came back on the line.
"09179527565 is Rei's cell phone number, but Fuu does not have any number of her parents or brothers. Why?" Umi answered.
He took a deep breath again. He seems to be getting a lot of deep breaths for that day, "We're at the hospital, at Lafarga's clinic to be exact. I saw Hikaru at the parking lot this afternoon, and when I approached her she was down on all four, clutching her head tightly. Then she fainted and I rushed her here at Lafarga's clinic. Would you mind coming down here? I'm very much shocked here, and it does not help that my friends are not here with me,"
He heard Umi's sharp intake of breath, then he felt her nod, "O-okay. Fuu and I will be over there in 20 minutes. I'm afraid Ascot and Ferio won't be able to make it because they're still busy with school stuff, but we'll leave a message for them,"
He nodded as well. "Okay. Go here as fast you two could. Hikaru needs you two here," and with that he ended the call to dial another number.
"Moshi moshi" Lantis heard Rei's voice on the other end of the line.
"Moshi moshi, Rei-san, this is Lantis, remember me?" he answered.
There was a pause, "Lantis-san! What's up?" Rei finally answered.
"Not actually fine. Listen, I'm here at Ooganti Clinic, just a 20 minutes drive from Shikigoku College, and, gomen nasai, but Hikaru's with me,"
"Hikaru! What happened to her!" Rei frantically asked.
He felt a slight twitch on his heart, and gripped his cell phone tighter, "I really can't quite comprehend what had happened, but I saw her crumpled on the parking lot, clutching her head and then she lost her consciousness and I rushed her here at my friend's clinic. Onegai, do hurry up. She might wake up any minute now," he answered.
Rei noticed the urgency on his voice, so the guy choked all the other questions bothering on his mind and just nodded, "Okay, I'll be there. Arigatou gozaimasou for bringing her there, Lantis-san," and with that Rei hang up.
Lantis placed his cell phone down and then rubbed his aching temple. When he raised his eyes, he was met with a questioning look from Lafarga.
"Who was that Rei? Why did you have to call him and inform him of Hikaru's condition?" Lafarga asked.
Lantis sighed and then leaned his head on the wall. "Rei is Hikaru's boyfriend ever since college," he answered simply.
Lafarga's eyes seemed to pop out from it sockets because of shock. "B-bo-boyfriend?" he stuttered.
All Lantis could do was nod. "Hai. And please, stop asking any more questions. I'm really worried for Hikaru. I'll fill you in on other details one of this days, but onegai, not now," he pleaded.
Lafarga nodded, and then he clumped his mouth shut and checked on Hikaru again. After 20 minutes, the door flew open and in came a frenzied Umi and Fuu.
"Where is she? What happened to her? Is she alright?" Fuu asked worriedly, looking around the room. When her eyes fell on the sleeping figure of Hikaru, she quickly rushed to the redhead's side, Umi following on her heel. They checked on Hikaru for possible injuries and when they were satisfied that she was unharmed, they sighed in relief and turned to Lantis and Lafarga, who were seated on the sofa staring at them.
Umi swallowed the lump on her throat before getting out the question from her chest, "Is she gonna be all right?" she asked, repeating Fuu's question earlier, almost fearfully.
Lantis averted his eyes and directed his stare on the floor, while Lafarga cleared his throat and stood up. "I don't know for sure, girls, of what would happen to her. I need her health history, to draw my conclusion on her ailment. But I do hope to Kami-sama that she's all right and fine," he answered.
Umi and Fuu still looked worried, but they managed to smile at Lafarga. Lafarga pulled the two for an embrace, and they easily warmed up to the big man, "Oh Lafarga, we're just very worried for her," Umi breathed in, closing her eyes.
Lafarga nodded, "I know, we all do. But we can do nothing but wait for her to wake up and confirm to us that she's felling better and okay. So please, stop worrying. This makes me and Lantis even more worried than we already were," he answered.
The two girls nodded, and they let Lafarga pull them down on the sofa beside Lantis. He placed a hand on both Umi and Fuu's shoulders and squeezed tight, "She'll make it through, don't worry too much. After all, we know for sure that she's still the Hikaru that we know of nine years ago, minus the amnesia. So I know that she's still the tough, little redhead that we all love so much," he added, smiling at them.
Umi and Fuu finally managed a feeble smile, and then they looked once more at Hikaru's sleeping figure. After ten minutes, there was a knock on the door, and then Rei's head appeared.
"Lantis-san?" he asked, before going inside the clinic. He stood up, and then strode over to where Rei stood and offered his hand for a handshake.
"She's over there," he answered pointing at where Hikaru was lying. Rei accepted his hand before going to Hikaru.
Rei gently stroked Hikaru's hair and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Oh koishii, we thought your migraine was already cured!" he groaned. This captured Lafarga's attention, and the blonde guy quickly stood up from his position and approached Rei.
"She's had previous migraine attacks?" Lafarga asked. Even Lantis has a frown on his face, and Umi and Fuu has concern etched on their eyes.
Rei nodded, and then glanced back at Hikaru. "Yeah. Ever since high school, Hajime-san told me that occasionally, Hikaru has migraine attacks that usually result to unconsciousness or fainting spells. But the doctors in Morioka has seen nothing wrong on her brain, so they ruled out the possibility of brain tumor or anything graver than that, and decided that her ailment is indeed, migraine," then he glanced at the group, "But I'm still worried. Her migraine attacks at anytime, anyplace, and I'm not always there to take care of her. The reason why I cut my research on Philippines short was because I found out from her brother Kakeru that she's living alone here in Kawasaki. I followed her here to take care of her, but when her migraine attacked I was not there," then he focused his eyes to Lantis, "So I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, Lantis, for taking Hikaru here in the clinic. I'm forever in debt of your goodness and kind heart,"
Lantis shook his head, "That was nothing. Hikaru-chan is a friend, so I care for her as a friend would," he answered. Friend?
He mentally squirmed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Umi and Fuu cast him a disgusted look, and even Lafarga has that amused look in his eyes.
"We should just let her take her rest. It would be better that way," Lafarga suggested, then pulled the curtain to keep Hikaru from being disturbed on her sleep.
Rei sighed. "I'm staying here, if you don't mind Dr…."
"Ooganti, Ooganti Lafarga,"
Rei nodded, "Dr Ooganti. I'll stay here,"
"And so are we," Lantis, Umi and Fuu answered in unison.
Lafarga nodded. "I'll just call my wife to cook us supper," and with that he dialed his home phone number to talk to Caldina.