Episode 32: The Way Home
" Well, do you? "
Hikari's voice held a tinge of hope as she tried to catch his eye. However, he would not allow her to do so. He knew what he would find there…in her babyish and naive eyes.
Emotions that he could not bear to watch her go through. He did not ask for this to happen but it did. He did not think about the aftermath when he had decided to walk out…
I had already pushed her away…
Without even considering her feelings…
Does she even know how selfish I am…?
And yet…
Yet, she still continues to persist…
" Yes… "
He nodded his head, although it tore at his heart.
" No, you're not, not anymore… "
He looked up at her just as she turned away from him.
However, she was not quick enough. Kurapica caught sight of the tears as they flew into the air, shimmering in the weak moonlight as she swung around. One of those tear drops landed on his cheek and instinctively, he reached out to touch it.
Hikari…
It rolled down his cheek and fell, only to be absorbed by his shirt.
I'm so sorry…
I didn't mean it that way…
The intense feeling of pain coursed through his body as he sank down to the ground, miserably.
Before he knew it, Senritsu's hand came flying out of nowhere and landed on his cheek, now turning an angry red.
" WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! " the woman demanded, her eyes flashing. " CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU HAVE WOUNDED HER WITH YOUR WORDS?! "
Kurapica could only stare at her wordlessly, shocked by her sudden outburst. He had never seen Senritsu becoming so angry before. It was totally out of character. Right now, she stood before him, her face contorted with unadulterated anger evident on her face, with her mouth set in a tight line, an ever-present frown.
" Do you know what she had to go through just to get it into that thick skull of yours that she needs you?! "
His eyes widened in surprise at her words. Almost immediately, a wave of remorse washed over him.
" Open your eyes, Kurapica! " Senritsu snapped. " She fell down countless times, injuring herself from head to toe just to find you! Only God knows what had happened before I found her! "
With that, the older woman turned on her heel and went after the girl, leaving him there in her wake.
I was in a state of disbelief as Kurapica's one-word answer rang through my mind in an endless sentence.
Yes…
Yes…
Yes…
Yes…
Yes…
Yes…
I'm nothing but a burden to him after all…
The truth hurts…
But why…?
Why must it be this way…?
I thought…
The tears streamed down in fat little rivulets down my cheeks, faster then ever before.
I thought that we shared something…
Something true…
Just between the two of us…
Like a bond…
Like no one else could understand us…
Except the two of us…
" Hikari! "
I stopped but did not turn around. I did not want Senritsu to see me cry so I swiped at my tears and wiped them away. I swallowed the huge lump that had formed in my throat and plastered on a smile. Then, I whirled around.
" Hey, Senritsu! " I exclaimed, a little too brightly.
My voice came out a little too shrill and I winced at the sound of it. I knew that Senritsu was not convinced. She stepped forward and held out her arms for me. My vision blurred once again as the tears fell, yet another time. I hiccupped as I was caught off-guard by the pain that seared through my heart. My breath came out in gasps. I could not take it anymore as I rushed forward into her open arms, dissolving into loud sobs.
" I-It hurts, Senritsu… " I whispered as I buried my face into her shoulder.
" Don't
you worry, my dear girl. He'll come around, " Senritsu reassured
me, patting my back. " He didn't mean those words at all, Hikari.
"
I sobbed even harder at this.
" I don't think so… " I trailed off as my voice caught when I caught sight of him.
My eyes widened in incredulity as he approached us, without even making eye-contact but all the time, staring at the ground.
" Kurapica-san… " his name escaped from my lips in a breathy sound.
At this, Senritsu turned around. She pulled me closer to her and wrapped her arms around me protectively as if to shield me from Kurapica. Unconsciously, my grip on her arm tightened considerably.
" What do you want, Kurapica? " she demanded, her voice hardening.
" Let's go home… " he muttered, still looking down at the ground.
Senritsu glared at him.
" So,
you came to your senses? "
The seventeen-year-old did not answer
her but instead remained mum.
The woman squeezed my hand tightly before she spoke.
" I'm bringing her home too, Kurapica. "
I did not imagine his reaction. I was very sure that he stiffened.
" She's coming with us, Kurapica whether you like it or not, " she insisted.
I looked at her and shook my head.
" It's o- "
I could not complete my sentence as Senritsu interrupted me.
" No, Hikari. You are coming with me, else I'll go with you. This boy needs to be taught a lesson. He's too stubborn. "
" But I- "
The woman shook her head as her glare intensified towards Kurapica.
" When I say no, means no, Hikari. "
I looked over at Kurapica, doubtfully and slightly terrified. I really did not need another painful rejection. Once was more than enough for me.
He did not answer his friend but instead nodded. A small nod. Although the movement was trivial, it was really significant to me. At least, in a way…
My heart soared.
With that, Senritsu took hold of our hands and lead the way back to the hotel.
" Then, let's go home, just the three of us, together… "