Episode 44: A Determining Step
" I'm sorry… " I murmured as hot tears streamed down my cheeks in a steady flow. " I'm really sorry. "
I covered my face with my face and sobbed.
Maybe,
I was being selfish…
After all…
Kurapica-san has taken care of me for the past few weeks…
Who am I…
To talk to him that way…?
He's also my childhood friend…
Or…
" Hikari, you are jealous, aren't you? "
Was the cause of my anger…
Simply due to my envy of that 'toffee' girl…?
Somehow, I felt that the latter was the main reason for my outburst.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of firm and warm arms envelope me in a tight embrace.
Immediately,
my eyes snapped open.
Kurapica held me close to him.
" A hug works all the time, Hikari… " he murmured into my ear. " I'm sorry… "
At that instant, all my unhappiness evaporated.
" Uh-huh, I agree, Kurapica-san, " I replied. " It works every time! "
With that, I flung my arms around him and hugged him back.
Laughing, Senritsu joined in. Both of us kneeled down and welcomed her with open arms.
It was a three-way hug, something like a group hug.
As we prolonged the hug, I realised something.
Kurapica-san had always trusted me…
There had never been once that he did not trust me…
He had trusted me enough to show that vulnerable side of his that no one had ever seen before…
Not even Senritsu, his old friend…
He was just being overprotective of me…
That was all…
It was just that he wasn't ready to tell me…
At least…
Not yet…
He will tell me when he's ready…
I know he will…
Because I trust him…
With all my heart…
Besides, a hug was more than enough to resolve any quarrel, be it big or small, that I knew.
All it took was just someone to give in, just like what Kurapica-san did…
" Come on, let's go exploring! " I declared enthusiastically, indicating to the vast
lobby. " We can go together! "
" Kurapica-kun!! "
We turned to the ever-familiar voice of that 'toffee' girl.
Ugh…!
I've never seen so much brown in my entire life…!
GET LOST, you stupid 'toffee' girl…!
I don't want you in Kurapica-san's life…
Except me and Senritsu…
However, as much as I was cursing her, it did not matter because she kept coming closer. I frowned.
As if sensing my aversion towards the girl, Senritsu squeezed my hand comfortingly.
I was about to take my leave when Kurapica grabbed hold of my wrist.
I shot him, a puzzled glance.
" Don't leave me with her, Hikari. "
Instantly, my heart leapt.
Kurapica doesn't want…
Kurapica doesn't want to be with her…!
I was more than tempted to shoot 'toffee' girl, a triumphant smile but I held it in.
In response, I squeezed his hand and stood my ground, beside him with Senritsu on my other side.
Soon, 'toffee' girl ( I would very much prefer to call her 'toffee' girl than her real name. It suits her really well, I should say. )
" Kurapica-kun, good afternoon! Why don't we go somewhere else? " she suggested, looking at him in a way that I definitely did not like.
My frown deepened but I kept silent and did not say anything.
" Oh I'm terribly sorry, Leiko-san but I'm with my friends, " Kurapica told her, patiently.
I really loved the way he called her '-san'. It means that she did not mean anything to him.
Hah…!
Take that, 'toffee' girl…!
It was only then that 'toffee' girl acknowledged me with not a smile but a full-fledged glare in my direction which I was more than happy to return it, double.
So there…!
Good riddance, 'toffee' girl…!
" Well then, maybe some other time, Kurapica-kun. See you later! "
With that, she flounced off.
Turning his attention to us, Kurapica smiled down at me.
" Exploring the blimp would be a great idea, Hikari. We'll go exploring together. "
I responded with an excited little scream and a " Yay! " before I ran off.
Both Kurapica and Senritsu were having difficulty in catching up with the really excited girl who was a distance in front of them, gazing at everything in pure childish stupefaction and awe.
Everything seems to excite her…
Kurapica smiled fondly at Hikari, Everything she did, however as innocent and silly as it appears to be, seemed to astound him.
She was always the one getting so animated over something so small, yet so simple.
Suddenly, Hikari stopped in her tracks. She appeared to be poring over something with such intensity that her eyes were narrowed and her lips pressed into a tight line, subconsciously.
" What's up, Hikari? " he asked, leaning over her shoulder to take a look at whatever had caught her attention
It was a flyer that was plastered haphazardly on the wall. Though the layout was not eye-catching, the content was.
In fact, there was going to be a singing competition, held at the dining area in about four hours' time.
Not that there was a lot of time to practice though…
" Registration ends at four in the afternoon…that's about 10 minutes from now, " Kurapica heard her muttering to herself.
" You want to join the competition ? " he asked her, incredulously.
Hikari glanced at him, distractedly as if suddenly realising that she was not alone.
" Uh-huh, I am. I want to win the prize, " the sixteen-year-old told him, her eyes shining with thrill.
She pointed at the lower part of the flyer.
" Money?! " Kurapica exclaimed. " You're doing it for the money? "
Hikari nodded her head, vigorously.
" Yup! I want to earn my keep too so that I can be independent just like Kurapica-san. Plus, singing for others is my favourite! "
I know that singing is something that she loves…
But…
She wants to be independent…?
Haven't I provided enough for her…?
The boy just did not get it. He did not get her. He simply could not read what was going on in Hikari's scheming mind.
" So, I guess that settles it then, " she continued, grinning. " I'm going over to sign up right now. Let's go, Senritsu! "
Hence, with that, Hikari took hold of Senritsu's arm and dragged her over to the lobby's counter.