Write date: 10-15; 10-21
So hello everyone and welcome to the ending of this fic.
Firstly, I'd like to thank thor94 and Dlbn for your reviews, I'll probably try to respond in PM's from now.
And if anybody would have any critic concerning this fanfic, please let me now, I'd be more than happy to read it, because I came here to improve. Though for some reason I feel like I'm going backwards. This fic is worse (talking about the complexion of the plot) than my comics, that I have done when I was 16... Why is that?
Anyway, there you, the I part.
-X-X-X-
Soubi laid in Ritsu's bed, recalling the dream, that struck him a few hours ago. Another scattered memory. What was it about this time? He recalled meeting Ritsu in the garden and listening to his teacher speak complete nonsense. (Ch. 26) Good thing it came back without the annoying blur. Although Soubi didn't let his mind linger on the reverie.
He gazed at the nightstand, soon spotting the empty vials, that he had dug up yesterday after the chat with Takehito.
"Soubi, are you in here?" A yell, broke the man's smooth dozing off. In reaction the blonde quickly scanned the blinded room, before his head hit the pillow again. Not worth getting up, Soubi felt fatigued and wanted nothing more but to fall asleep. Even though it was an early evening.
"Maybe he's out?"
"No. Trust me, Nana, Soubi should be in this dorm..."
Even more noises reached his ear, sparking his curiosity just a little. Yet Soubi yawned like a cat, snuggling back in and covering his bandaged arms.
"Ow! What was that?!" A loud bang sounded, with Nana's confused shriek.
"That's a table. Be careful. Soubi probably set us traps. How childish of him."
The blonde groaned, finally slumping out of bed. He tiredly shambled to open the door, that led the guest room. He then flicked the switch and instantly shut his eyes from the immense light seeping his way.
"Oh! There you are!" Takehito greeted the blonde, leaving Nana to deal with the bruise herself. "Listen, you have to help us! You can cook a delicious Nabe, right?"
"I guess..."
"Perfect! There you go!" Takehito beamed in joy, dropping a ton weighing packet into Soubi's arms. He nearly let it fall, confused by the sudden movement. Luckily, the food was speared, as the blonde crouched down with it, keeping the stuff in his arms. Takehito smiled at him, unaware of Soubi's jab. The dark-haired man began to rush through the bought products and rambled to Nana.
"Now this is going to be one hell of a party. I learned my lesson, Ritsu's dorm is fit for celebrations!"
"Could you explain me what in the world is happening?" Soubi grunted, finally lifting the heavy bag and steadying his composure.
"It's Nagisa's birthday today."
"Eh? What?"
"Yeah, so we thought of having the birthday in here. You don't have anything against this, do you, Soubi?"
"... It's just too sudden. By the way how old does she turn?" The blonde mumbled, still feeling drowsy and suddenly suppressed a yawn from escaping. The blonde didn't understood the full context of Takehito's words.
"Forty four. Time sure flies, huh?" Takehito giggled, while parting the kitchen door to the blonde and carrying a few packets of noodles himself. As the both of them began to fix the meal in the small kitchen, a shrill voice evoke from the guest room. Soubi unknowingly shivered, as he overheard it.
"I made it! Hey, Nana!"
"Oh, Yune-chan, that's a cute dress you're wearing. I hope you didn't forget the present." Nana's gasp came second.
And the blonde threw a confused eye to Takehito's side, which was evaded. The dark-haired man continued to chop the carrots in silence. Soubi cleared his throat all of a sudden.
"Takehito..."
"Huh? You said something?"
"Nothing much. Come here. I have something to show you." Soubi's eyes shifted to Ritsu's former bedroom. Then he left his place of work, hopping for the dark-haired man to follow. Takehito blinked feeling dazed, before he nearly ran to his friend.
"So?" The dark-haired man whispered, giving a glimpse to the bright and loud guest room behind himself, before he clicked the door closed.
Soubi stood next to the nightstand, while crossing his hands.
"You know it wouldn't hurt to turn the lights on and fix your bed." Takehito remarked upon inspection. And Soubi sighed at his unneeded nosiness. Besides he just wanted to get to the point, because he was afraid of forgetting in the sleepy state, that he woke up... Two days had passed, so Soubi believed to have recovered, he was a fighter after all. Regardless the endless sleepiness hadn't left one bit. He rubbed his eyes slowly, before giving Takehito a glower.
"I was sleeping."
"You know, you start to remind me of Ritsu in his last days."
"Takehito... Not the point..."
"See? There it is again!" The dark-haired man chuckled. While Soubi bit his lip, letting the comment slide. Although his emotions wanted to lash out, but the question remained: why? Was that just a simple reaction of self defense, or did the fact of his sensei's death hit him once more?
Finally, the blonde tensed shoulders slumped down, as he tried to grasp Takehito's attention. In so he suddenly tapped at the empty vials, he had found yesterday.
"Listen, see these?"
"Yes. So?"
"These are Ritsu's medications, I think. I found a few in his drawer. The point is, that these vials aren't for Morphine or any nutrients." Soubi took one glass container, beginning to roll it in his palm. Takehito watched his movements. He instantly thought of an opposition.
"But you can't be sure. Of course they are missing the name tags, but..."
"I already went to Nagisa..." The blonde cut him off. " I gave her to inspect a drop, I found in one of the vials. She said, that it was seemingly a mixture of some unknown kind, but she couldn't tell me any more than that. She said, that detailed research was needed. I can't wait that long."
"Sure you can... What's stopping you? Besides you're jumping to conclusions." Takehito contained his calm demeanor, leaning at the closest wall, next to the mess, that was called a bed.
"Takehito, that's poison. I'm sure of it. And guess who was in charge of Ritsu's medication? Yune-chan." Soubi paced around the room. Just recalling, that he once took a box of medicine from the nurse, like it was nothing, made the man's skin crawl. With every recounted word, the despair, that he was starting to feel rose.
'So, yes, that's Morphine vials and some vitamins. You can call it an early birthday present from yours truly!' (ch.20)
How could've Soubi been so blind? So unaware? How the man wished to turn back time, if only he would've noticed something off about Yune sooner. What if he would have given the 'so-called present' to Nagisa's sharp eye to inspect. Then things would have went differently. Yet they hadn't...
Who was Soubi to think, that he was gifted with sight, among the blind oblivious sheep. The truth - he was no different. But his ego jumped eagerly at any chance Soubi got to put guilt on others... That's how Hisho's fate was sealed, no? Because of the man's perfect deeds...
"Calm down already." Takehito snatched the other man's arm, pulling him to a halt. Soubi just glared at him, then palmed his forehead tiredly, as he shook his head. He didn't even sound like himself anymore.
"I can't. Not with this."
"Alright, you know, that Yune-chan was responsible for Minami's death. What else do you want?" Takehito cocked an eyebrow, while Soubi glared at him as if wanting to tear him apart. The hidden rage in the blonde's eyes was unmistakable. In so Takehito let his hand go.
"Ah. You mean, you want to avenge? For Minami? Are you serious, don't you want think this through, Soubi? What good will it do? Think, don't be irrational. Minami Ritsu made your childhood a living hell, raped you and used you. Do you really want to risk your life for that kind of a person?"
"I promised to protect him, that's the least I could do." He gritted out, clenching his fists as tightly as he could. The seeping malice didn't exactly answer the dark-haired man question.
Takehito gazed at him for a long while, in the shadowy room, while the others chatted cheerfully just on the other side... Alas that light seemed unreachable and so far away. Two worlds, that were so unique compared to one another...
The dark-haired man eventually emitted a sigh.
"Don't go after her by yourself, Soubi. I won't feel safe, knowing where you'll be at... Rather, if anything, tell me specifically where and when you will confront her. If I won't be sleeping at that time, I might look in for you."
Soubi wished to nod, though a shout broke their conversation into bits, that they didn't bother to pick up.
"Something's burning! Oh. The vegetables. Soubi!"
The blonde gave one last glimpse to Takehito, wishing with all his heart, that the other will keep his promise. The blonde won't let Ritsu die in vain... Compulsive, that was how he felt.
He quickly stepped out of the room, closing the door on Takehito.
"Soubi, you nearly destroyed the main dish." Nana proclaimed, once the blonde was in the perimeter. She was cleaning the ornamented plates in the meantime, while Soubi took sight of the damage. It wasn't that bad, though would barely fit for the occasion anymore.
"Don't take those plates." The blonde scolded instead, not even glancing at Nana's side. The truth was, that those ornamented dinner plates were Ritsu's favorite. Soubi even recalled having the privilege of setting them on the table, when some officials had came for a discussion. Other than that, they had been safely stashed and forbidden to touch. The curious little Soubi hadn't understood why were pieces of porcelain so important to the silver-haired man, that he would treasure them so much. So blinded with interest the boy had taken one, though it had slipped out of his little hands, crashing to the floor. This had rose one hell of lecture from Ritsu, it hadn't ended well in the least. One way or another, those plates reeked of the former teacher... That made Soubi's mind boil with loath and shame...
"Huh?" Nana's movements paused.
"I said, put them back. Take another bunch."
"With what am I suppose to slice the cake?" Another voice breached through. So the blonde turned around, his vision catching the fragile white-haired teenager, that loomed behind him. She smiled warmly, whilst Soubi's eyes flickered with disgust. And for a moment he stood staring at her little face. "Soubi-san? Can you hear me?"
The blonde's heart began racing. And it seemed he held her unmindful eyes for a couple of hours.
The desire... The revenge. That was the only thing, he could comprehend at that time. No meaning, no reason, no thoughts, just a sickening feeling, a bitter taste in the mouth. Suddenly Soubi's hand was raised, as he leaned closer to the girl unconsciously. Though his body was swiftly handed a leash, so Soubi didn't lash out.
Takehito abruptly grabbed him by the shoulder, giving it a harsh squeeze. Soubi whirled his head, getting the message. He blurted out to Yune after, while leaning back.
"Ye... Yes. The knives are in the first drawer next to the sink..."
"Thank's!" She nodded, bouncing through him.
"Hey, Soubi, maybe you want to take a rest?" Nana inquired gently, motioning her head to the failed dish. In the meantime she dealt with the cups, barely avoiding a clash with Yune's shoulders, as the younger released a: 'sorry', quickly bouncing away. The little kitchenette was getting quite crowded with four people.
"How about I take over? Hisho left a lot of scars, hadn't he?" The female programmer mused bitterly, clinging the tea cups. The blonde man just narrowed his eyes, silently disregarding the offer. And Takehito walked closer to Nana then, inspecting a new plate from either sides. Although that wasn't the original plan. His eyes secretly traced the salad, laying on the chopping board. He wanted to part take it.
"Takehito." Nana objected, swiftly slapping the man's hand away.
"Oh. Nana, don't be so unreasonable... Anyway." He winced, straightening up slightly."What about his transfer yesterday? I heard there was an accident."
"Yeah... Hisho escaped..." Nana concluded, not sparing another word on that comment. However it stuck in too deep for Soubi to abandon that sentence.
After that everyone did their respective work rather silently, until finally, when it seemed that everything was well set, a knock sounded on the door.
"Must be Nagisa, I'm gonna unlock the door." Takehito announced, hurriedly leaving the kitchenette, Soubi raised an eyebrow the other's leave.
"Why would you lock it in the first place?"
"I didn't want Nagisa to come any sooner. I wanted it to be a surprise." The dark-haired man swung the door open, giving a warm hug to the blue-haired female, which she yelped at. What would've happened if someone else was at the door, getting such a weird greeting? "Happy birthday, Nagisa! We wish you all the best in this cute huge world!"
"Oh... C-could you let go of me?" Nagisa barely squealed out, as every last bit of air was pushed out of her lungs.
"Not a chance, birthday girl. I'll hold you like this for forty four minutes, for good luck this whole year!"
"Takehito, stop that, you'll crush Nagisa-tan." Nana pointed out, hurrying to the scene.
"But then the good luck ritual will be broken. You really want her to be a sad, Nana?"
"Don't tell me, those weird occult magazines fed you that as well!"
Yune giggled, while Nana peeled Takehito's hands from the already pale bluenette. She ranted at him afterwards.
Soubi stood by the side, watching them settle in around the small coffee table soon enough...
The one, that Ritsu attempted to finish off work at night, while periodically injecting doses of Morphine. He recalled, seeing the silver-haired man fall asleep for short durations on that sofa too. The blonde would then get a cover for his teacher, only to wake him up, sometimes from another nightmare. In those last days Soubi would hug him after that and then would lead his teacher to the bedroom, pulling Ritsu's thin, suffering form against himself for comfort. Eventually the blonde would fall asleep. Then Ritsu would be left to deal with his demons and endless nights. That used to be as much as Soubi could do to ease sensei's agony...
X X X
02:16 AM
The room was clear... Everyone had scattered out, the last being Nagisa. So Soubi and Takehito had helped the half drunk, sleepy woman get back to her dorm. The blonde was now waiting at the entrance of Yune's small room, giving it a knock. He breathed out the anxiousness, that made his clenched fists sweaty. It was now or never, he wouldn't let this opportunity slide.
"Yeah?" The girl peeked out lazily. And Soubi managed to plant a false smile on his lips then.
"I have some trouble sleeping, maybe you have some medicine?"
"I'm sure it's because of the party..." She scratched her head, before tapping her face to waken up. "Ah... Sleepy me. Alright, if you want, we can go the infirmary."
"You know, you're quite skillful being so young." Soubi smirked after a long silence, once they reached her working place, on the end of the corridor. He stood behind her, while Yune sorted out the keys. She blinked tiredly, not even glancing at he man, her finger were busy with untangling the clinging metal.
"Oh? Thank's."
"Skillful indeed... Ripping out toenails, gouging out eyes, poisoning people, and acting like an innocent puny nurse..." Soubi's lips curved upwards crookedly. Yune's movements came to a dreary halt." No doubt you have to be experienced for that."
"Soubi?"
"Does Minami Ritsu ring a bell?" He hissed, turning her around by the shoulder. She evaded the eye contact in ffright though. And an immense guilt struck Soubi once more, as his jaw parted. What if his deduction was wrong again? He couldn't take that. He suddenly gulped down his anxiousness, lifting her chin harshly. "Answer!"
She stayed quiet.
'Damn it. No! I can't be wrong. I'm not wrong. She killed Ritsu!'
A tear grazed Yune's cheek, when Soubi dug his nails into her throat.
"It... H-hurts... le... g-go."
Her eyes were filled with fear, begging for Soubi to stop... He couldn't. Not once he was so close to the truth. He swore to get it out of her one way or another.
"I can't give up. I can't. I can't. I can't. Just say you're the culprit. You're the culprit! You're the culprit!" Soubi hadn't noticed, when did his thoughts turned into a maniacal beg...
"Hahahahahahah!"
Nor did he comprehended the amused laugh, when it first echoed. After a second, Soubi finally dropped a shaking and respiring Yune to the floor.
"You'll be a good detective one day, my boy! Huhu..."
"Takehito?" Soubi's eyes shot open, once he took sight of the man behind them. He tried to analyse the unheard words, that dripped out of the other's mouth.
"Who could've thought, that you will remember so much after all the doses I said Shio and Yune to give you... Honestly, that needs applauds."
Soubi seemed lost, as his mind delayed. What was Takehito talking about? Doses? Shio? Soubi's eyes flickered with dismay, as a closed off memory, finally clicked open. That was... True... Takehito, had tried to...
'Nurse, another dose please.' (ch. 1)
'Better stay silent, Beloved, or you'll get hurt.' (ch. 1)
No. How could that be possible... Had he really?...
Soubi's lips parted with a silent, pathetic wail. He finally saw the remnants of that day crashing down on him. Still it seemed so unreal, like a dream, a reverie, an imagination. He believed the memory to be anything other than reality.
"You're starting to recall I see." Takehito narrowed his eyes at the other's silent agape."I pity Hisho though. Of course he knew of our plans, about the torturing in the boiler room to be precise. That was Yune's way of retaliation, so don't you jab at me. Anyway as I said, Hisho had no say in it. And here you ruined his life. That's not really nice, you know?"
Yune slowly regained her posture in that time, burying her hands in her lab coat pockets. Suddenly she looped them around Soubi's throat, forcing his jaw to stay open. The man panicked, trying to struggle, yet the girl strengthened the grip on his neck in return. Soon he saw a pile of tablets being forced down his throat one by one.
Takehito watched this in fascination, just slightly disgusted. Before he whistled, playing with his keys in either pockets of his coat. They released a soft clanging.
"Soubi, that's what you get for snooping around. Minami Ritsu was a horrible leader, if you haven't noticed that earlier. He had done so much mistakes, it actually makes me want to vomit. He's no fit for the position of the principal, not fit to be called a human being even. Now wouldn't you agree? Hmm?"
'I know what Minami had done to you, Soubi... Maybe we could've taken you away from that monster.' (Ch. 24)
'Takehito stared in shock, watching, as Ritsu slit his opponent's throat fully...' (Ch. 25)
"He raped you, ordered to kill innocent people... That's no leader, I want to follow. Neither would you, I believe... " Takehito shook his head low as if pitying a child's mistakes. He smiled shortly with pride, before adding again.
"It comes to no surprise, that I let Yune take care of him... But I'm quite sad about the ending of this, it all could've gone quieter... Much quieter, if you would have stopped searching. But I guess your fate is not my concern anymore." Takehito mused softly, running a hand through his hair with a dissatisfied sigh. He listened to the blonde cough for a while, though the sight was not pleasant for him. "Your own stupidity led you here, Soubi."
The blonde's eyes watered from the lack of oxygen then. And Yune let him go, allowing the man to fall to the floor. His vision began to lose color and mingle, partially disappearing all together... His eyelids felt too heavy. Still Soubi fought for air and attempted to inhale at least once more.
He began scraping the floor as if trying to move somewhere else. If he could get up, then he'd certainly find Nagisa on the way. Then the blonde would be saved... So easy it seemed to him, just stand up and escape. He just had to lift himself up. Why did his legs felt like numb lumps?
In this desperate state, his mind wanted nothing more but to lazily linger in the past and not care about the upcoming, nor about the consequences. It yearned for peace. In so it reminded Soubi, that not so long ago, he had been strolling in a park with Ritsuka, while his sacrifice took pictures for a project... Not that much time had passed since the man traveled to Goura all bruised and frightened... Just two months ago he had listened to his teacher fail to hit the right accords on the piano.
No. Those things seemed reachable. As if they could be repeated. He was sure of it...
It felt as if someone placed needles inside his throat. He couldn't breathe... And his attention began to fade to white. He disappeared to a dreamless sleep, one he wasn't sure, if he would wake up from...
It dragged him back to a well known place - the greedy blackout, the mystical melody, the murderous silence... The madness of it all... Just this time it wasn't intending to let the poor listener go back home.