Chapter 8

Masaya´s doubts

Today´s first class was finally over ; Masaya had a fifteen minutes break now. He decided to go study his next exam at the library.

The young man sat at the table and started reading the article he had to memorize. It was about Earth pollution and the possible solutions that could be applied ; he found it fascinating. He wanted later to find a job that could help him protect the environnement. He already had an offer from a local recycling program, and it looked really interesting. And he really needed a job now that he was soon getting married to Ichigo.

The simple thought of her made him smile. Masaya couldn´t wait until the wedding in two days : he had made sure that it would be the wedding of her dreams, the most beautiful ceremony she could have imagined.

This is gonna be the happiest moment of our lives, he swore to himself.

He just hoped he wouldn´t deceive Ichigo. He loved her more than life itself... but would it be enough ? She deserved so much... she was such an amazing person : there were moments where he just couldn´t believe his luck.

At this moment, his cellphone rang, interrupting his thoughts. The librarian gave him an insistent glare and Masaya stood up. He went behind a shelf, not to disturb anyone, and watched the screen.

It´s Ichigo´s number !

Pleased but a bit surprised, Masaya answered.

« Moshi moshi, Ichigo ? How...

« Oh, Masaya... »

He immediatly stopped. Ichigo´s voice was deformed by sobs.

Oh my God !

« Ichigo, are you hurt ? What is it ? » he nearly yelled.

« I... »

She tried to talk, but failed as she burst into tears again.

« Ichigo ? What is it ? Please, answer ! »

She finally managed to catch her voice.

« It´s... Kisshu... »

Masaya´s eyes widened in shock.


Kisshu.

The name awakened in him a whole bunch of memories.

Not very good memories.

« Ichigo is MINE ! »

Kisshu. The evil, desperate alien who had passionately loved Ichigo. Who had tried to make her his and hurt her so many times. Who had nearly killed him because of his jealousy.

He remembered the day Kisshu tortured him, deep in the mountain. That same day, he almost murdered the cat girl too.

But, most of all, he remembered the despair he had seen in her eyes. The sadness. The anger. The love that would never be returned.

Despite all that the alien had done, Masaya had never really managed to hate him.

Actually... he pitied him. He felt compassion. And... jealousy.

Ichigo didn´t love Kisshu. But she had feelings for him. Maybe she didn´t realize it herself, but the young man had. He had noticed the way she looked at him and her terrible distress when she thought he was dead.

Kisshu had even sacrificed himself to save her. Masaya couldn´t say the same. In fact, it was Ichigo who risked her life for him.

He kinda admired his rival. Maybe the feeling wasn´t clear... but it was here.

And now, she was crying about him.

Masaya didn´t know what was going on. But his face had turned into a shadow.

Ichigo...

« M... Masaya ? » she pronounced with fear.

She feared that he had hung up.

This is no time to doubt.

His fiance obsviously needed him.

« What is it, Ichigo ? » he asked in a calm voice, in order to reassure her.

« Kisshu is here... »

She sniffed.

« And... oh my God, he´s so sick. It´s awful... he fainted... he won´t wake up... I think he´s dying ! »

Her voice became hysterical.

« Please, Masaya, come over ! I don´t know what to do ! »

He didn´t hesitate.

« I´ll be right there. »