Hey guys, thanks for leaving a ton of lovely reviews for last chapter! I read all of them (even the really long ones *cough* Spud *cough* ^o^
Remember I take all reviews in consideration so if you have suggestions do leave them! So here's another chapter today, hopefully a bit longer then usual I suppose just for you guys for being awesome and it's been really rainy today (woo wales) so I had plenty to do today! Enjoy (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
"That was really great, thanks for taking me out Yosh." thanked Ayumi gratefully, knowing how he detested mystery films and much preferred action films to that. But there was just such a grasp the genre had on Ayumi, making her really think deep about every single prospect, wanting to know it all. This film in particular she had enjoyed the most. It was about an adopted girl who was searching for her birth parents, but had encountered many obstacles along the way. There was a sickening twist that her adoptive parents had bought her off a kidnapper, paying a large sum of money, and the troubled girl found herself questioning if her adoptive parents were criminals after all. It ended on a huge cliffhanger, when the truth dawned on the girl, but her innocent adoptive parents were already imprisoned. She couldn't wait for the sequel to come out, and she had heard somewhere that if that one was successful, they'd even make a third film based on it. It was true, Yoshiki hadn't really paid much attention to the film, his eyes has mostly been on Ayumi, marvelling at how she got so engrossed in the film, squealing at scary parts and tutting whenever a character did anything wrong, just like it real life. To be honest, it actually amused him greatly, enough to fill the hour and a half that the film lasted for. The time was now around early evening, so they had decided to club together the rest of their money to eat quickly in a café. Ayumi asked if she could go into the posh French café down the road, but Yoshiki had refused after seeing two pretty girls Ayumi didn't know in it, and had ushered her into a different one.
"Who were they?" she asked with a pout, ordering a drink and food quickly.
"Uh, no one. I just think I've met them before and I didn't want it to be awkward, you know how it is right?"
In all reality Yoshiki had been shocked immensely by the appearance on the two girls. He was sure that he had seen them looking for Ayumi in Heavenly host; there was no doubt about that, but how on earth had they escaped? He hadn't seen them trail behind at all, maybe it was just in his imagination? However he found that anything was possible now...
Ayumi just sighed, letting the matter go. It wasn't really much of a deal anyway, maybe Yoshiki just wanted to avoid a conversation. Maybe they were exes of his...
"So," Yoshiki began, clearing his throat. "Did the film cheer you up?"
"I suppose..." Ayumi replied, wishing he hadn't asked her that because it just made her feel worried again and the distraction would just ware off. Yoshiki looked at her conflicted eyes, and reached for her hand across the table, looking equally as concerned.
"Hey. It's still on your mind isn't it? Please tell me if it's upsetting you, because if it upsets you, it upsets me too."
Instantly feeling bad, Ayumi decided not to keep it to herself anymore. After all she was going to have to tell him one day soon, so why not now whilst he was looking so sweet and caring.
"Okay I'll tell you. But you must promise not to freak out, doubt me or tell me I'm being stupid."
"I would never-"
"Promise?"
He nodded, smiling warmly at her. He had no idea what she was about to say but it obviously wasn't going to be a good or happy thing.
"Hinoe told me the Shinozaki bloodline is cursed."
"Sounds normal with your family," joked Yoshiki, making Ayumi frown, "Uh, sorry carry on."
"It's like this basically. Males are adopted into my bloodline just to keep it pure and gifted. So when I marry the man I love, and we have a child, he will die several years later from the curse, just to keep the whole gifted bloodline pure. I mean gifted like, with the spirits and stuff."
"That doesn't make sense. As far as I know your fathers alive, and you've got a blood sister."
"That's because my dad was the Shinozaki in the family, the first male heir. But my mother Is alive too, so I guess it's only with the daughters because we're gifted. As far a I know my father knows next to nothing about spirits."
"Right. That's so sexist I mean, all the males can keep their spouse but not the females?"
"That's because they're not gifted."
"Oh.."
Yoshiki didn't really know how to respond to her news. A curse was always bad, but this one was just too cruel. He was also a little bit curious, since he had literally just asked her to move in, however it was entirely possibly that she just end wanted to confide in him or thought that she should tell him. Either way, he made sure he picked his words carefully so he sounded supportive as he was.
"Er, you aren't going to go off me are you Yosh?" she asked worriedly, looking into his sharp eyes. They softened at her words, making Ayumi's heart rate speed up just a little bit.
"Of course not, I mean, why would I, but I wasn't planning anything..."
Ayumi found herself blushing awkwardly, of course Yoshiki hadn't been planning anything, so the curse wouldn't really worry him much. It probably looked like she was overreacting slightly, for the curse might of ended with her father, but she was in doubt of that theory, since Hinoe would of mentioned that anyway.
"I'm sorry, I knew it wouldn't really bother you much."
"What? Don't be like that Ayumi, I do care, and the way it's putting you now, we need to do something about it. You can't life life with enjoyment if this is always on your mind!"
Ayumi's creased face turned into a broad smile, making Yoshiki feel slightly more at ease, knowing that he had said something right since he wasn't that good at comforting people.
"I'm so glad you understand," Ayumi said "I just wish that there was a way to break the curse, it's just not fair!"
"Its okay you know! You'll find someone who knows about your family, even more than Hinoe does, and you'll sort it."
Some one who knew more about her family then Hinoe did...only one name sprung to mind, a name that she knew would help, even just a little bit.
"Thanks Yoshiki!" She said with shining eyes. "You've made me feel so much better about it. I must stay positive."
"That's my girl."
The rest of the evening was fairly pleasant, they didn't mention the curse at all again, much to Ayumi's relief. She had a lot to think about, but she was sure on one thing, she couldn't rest on her 'little prodject', she had to keep going with it, especially now she was aware if the curse. Yoshiki was sweet to her the whole night, even paying most of the bill of with his own money just to please her. She kept telling herself how lucky she was to have Yoshiki, and how much she wanted to stay that way with him forever. There was just one person she needed to see now.
Ai Mikuni.
"Seiko..."
It was early morning and Naomi was having another day where she was remembering Seiko and reliving her method of death. She'd wake up constantly, in a cold sweat, screaming for Seiko and sobbing loudly both in her sleep and when she was aware. Naomi couldn't help it, she was still angry, frustrated and confused. Her mother had given up on counselling and therapist, so just relied on distractions like her friends or fun activities Naomi enjoyed. She knew she was feeling quite rough this morning, and decided to actually tell Naomi the secret that she had been keeping for an especially bad day. A few months back, she had bookedNaomi in for a nursing course after school at St Cross Girls school. It did specialise in drama, but it offered several other opportunities for experience in other areas of subjects. Her mother also knew her ambition to be a nurse, so she thought the three week course would be perfect to convince her not to give up on life and help her reach her dream. Quietly, she crept up to her room, a floral tray containing Naomi's favourite Sunday breakfast consisting of croissants with Nutella. Her heart practically broke every time she heard her daughter sob, so she tried her very best to console her the best that she could possibly do.
"Naomi, dear, I've bought news...and croissants!"
Naomi sniffed, padding over to the door and opening it, letting her mother in without protest. She did know that sometimes she could be a little harsh to her mother, but that was only when her frustration got the very better of her. Hopping back to bed, she watched as her kindly mother sat on the edge of the bed and handed the tray to her. As she glanced at the contents, a small ghost of a small flickered on her pale lips.
"What's the news then?"
Taken aback by Naomi's sudden interest, her mother went ahead and told her about the course.
"I know how much you want to be a nurse, or at least work with medicine. So to cheer you up, I've booked you in for a nursing course at St Cross girls school for three weeks!"
Naomi stared at her mother with a gaping mouth. Her mother had gone out of her way to do that just for her, knowing that it would make her happy?
"...That's really great mum. But isn't that school famous for specialising in drama though?"
"Yes. Do you still want to do it? I mean, I can always drop you out..."
"No. I want to do it. I'm so pleased, I'm gonna do it for you, for a Satoshi, even for Seiko!"
Naomi's mother pursed her lip at the mention of Seiko, but dropped it in order to not dampen the good mood that Naomi had. Seeing this, Naomi hugged her mother lovingly, for what seemed like the first time in forever.
"I love you mum! I'm sorry if I've been a bit irrational lately, it's just so hard!" Naomi admitted, feeling awful now.
"No it's my fault! I should of listened more to you instead of of scaring you with those therapists and stuff, I'm sorry too, and I love you too!"
As they embraced, Naomi realised just how much she loved her mother and just how much they needed each other in their lives. Maybe her mother would accept the events with Seiko, and Naomi would be controlled less by her emotions like before. Now she had her mother, Satoshi and she was even bonding more with Ayumi these days, and her life wasn't perfect, but it was definitely getting better as far as she was concerned. Her mother left the room with a slight spring in her step, leaving Naomi to eat her specially made breakfast in silent peace by herself.
"Seiko!" she called out, into the empty space in her room. "I hope your proud of me now. I miss you like crazy, but I'm forever going to be living for you, and you alone, no matter what mother or any stupid therapist says!"
With a light feeling in her uplifted heart, she grabbed a piece of blank notebook appear form the dressing table by her bed and picked up a biro also by it.
To Seiko!
I know your somewhere out there, crazy girl, even if you never existed or aren't real, but I just want to let you know I'm doing great. People think I'm mental, but they never met you after all! You were funny, friendly, even slightly perverted, no one can disagree with me on that note! I'm going to go ahead and take that course and achieve my dream, of becoming a nurse and helping others! Even if your going to be trapped in heavenly host forever, you'll know I'm living for you, since part of you will always be stuck inside my heart, forever and always, even if some of that space is reserved for Satoshi (yes we're finally dating!) and mum. Life isn't so bad, I miss your company but Ayumi isn't so bad really, in fact we're becoming closer (don't worry, you'll always be closer than her). Give my regards to Mayu and Morishige if you get this. Well you might not get this in person, but our hearts are of course connected, so you'll feel it anyway.
Yours truly, your best friend forever (no matter what)
Naomi xxxx
Walking over to the window, Naomi folded the paper several ways until it had taken the form of a paper aeroplane. She drew the curtains and gazed outside, opening the window and sticking her head outside. It was sunny, but there was a brisk wind in the air, perfect for plane flying. Naomi grasped the plane with her thumb and finger, and pulled it back to her chin, smiling as she recalled the happy message she had written in it with her best sparkly gel pens. Then she threw it out, watching as it slowly shrunk in size, and faded into nothing but a little white dot.
It would reach her, Naomi told herself. Maybe.
I'm sure it will Naomi...Maybe xD