Episode 47: The True Difference
" WHY ARE YOU HERE?! " both of us exclaimed in unison.
'Toffee' girl glared at me murderously and I did the same. Then, she flicked her hair back and turned away from me, folding her arms across her chest.
" I'm here to take part in the singing competition, " 'Toffee' girl spoke to me as if she was talking to a silly five-year-old.
I fumed and was more than tempted to box her. Instead, I clenched my fist tightly and gave a satirical laugh.
" What a coincidence! I'm competing too. "
At this, she whirled around to glower at me, again.
" WHAT?! " she spat out, disbelievingly.
" In fact, I'm here to win it, " I added in my two-cent worth.
" Why you little- "
" Hikari! Senritsu! "
All of us turned to the voice.
" Kurapica-san! "
" Kurapica-kun! "
Again, both of us were in synchronisation.
" Uh…hello, girls, " Kurapica began awkwardly, eyeing the two of us nervously.
I knew he knew that he had unwittingly gotten himself into the danger zone and boy, was he right about that. One thing that was for sure was that he was in the middle of it all.
As for me, I was near exploding level.
Without warning, 'Toffee' girl attached herself on the seventeen-year-old's arm and looked up at him, in a much too affectionate way that I wanted very much to puke.
" Uh, Leiko-san… " Kurapica began, trying to disentangle himself from her grip.
Perhaps, he could feel my accusing glare being directed at the back of his golden head.
I smirked at the evident sulkiness on 'Toffee' girl's face. She was apparently unhappy at the arrangement. It was not going according to her plan.
Ha…!
" I'm here to see both my friends, Senritsu and Hikari if you don't mind me. "
She looked annoyed but tried her best not to show it although I could see it right away.
" Who's Senrit-EWWWWWWW!! " 'Toffee' girl jumped backwards in horror as she stared down at my friend with pure repulsion. " What exactly is she?! Retarded?! "
I looked at her with shock.
" What did you just say?! " I demanded, glaring at her, my hands balled up into tight fists to keep myself from slapping her almost too perfect face.
" Senritsu's just fine in her own rights, " I told her through gritted teeth.
This girl was slowly but surely wearing my patience thin. Already, I was grasping onto the last handful straws to keep me from exploding.
" Leiko, please calm yourself down… " Kurapica told her, soothingly.
" She's an exact image of an old hag, a wit- "
And that was it, my hand just flew out and smacked her directly across her left cheek.
" What the… "
" No, Hikari, please. You must not. This is not the right place and time to vent your
anger, " Senritsu hissed at me, tugging annoyingly at my arm. " Besides, I get these remarks all the time. I'm used to it. "
" But, I'm not, " I informed her, my eyes never leaving 'Toffee' girl. " Senritsu, no one hurts my friends and gets away with it, especially if they are very close to me. " I'm sorry but I have absolute abhorrence for that and I'm not forgiving… "
Then, I turned my attention back to the girl.
" I'm sorry but I can't just stay and watch you hurl offensive remarks at my friends when they have got nothing to do with you. I can't tolerate this childish behaviour. This is the kind of pain that the people around you feel when you mindlessly throw hurtful words at them. So please think before you speak. If you don't mind, please don't bother us anymore. We want nothing more to do with you. "
I was done with 'Toffee' girl now. This was not acceptable in terms of verbal abuse. It was way past jealousy now that she had the nerve to say such words to my friend.
Then I walked past her, together with the two of them.
I could not help feeling that our bond forged between one another had grown stronger.
All it took was to stand up for what I think was right…
Be it whether to protect someone you love…
Because all it took was this little step, to forge a bond so strong…
Something that all three of us have in common with each other…
And, I smiled.
I sat alone…
Always alone on my own…
Without any one by my side…
Always desolate and lonely…
I have never known any happiness or love…
Until I met you…
My friend…
You taught me how to love others…
How to love myself…
How to dream…
Let us be forever together…
My friend…
Let this not be an illusion…
But true…
Let our friendship blossom…
Like a flower growing in wild abandon…
You took the trouble…
It was the difference that you made…
Just to see me smile again…
Once again, the sun is shinning upon us…
Enveloping us with its everlasting warmth…
You believed…
Even when I did not have faith in myself…
You took me under your wing…
And for that I am most grateful…
My friend…
Written By: Yours Truly
Title: A Flower of Friendship
The last few words, caressed by my voice as well as the beautiful melody played by Senritsu at the piano, rang out slowly and softly to the now stunned audience as I opened my eyes.
There was silence after my singing but it lasted for a few fleeting moments before they applauded and wolf-whistled.
I grinned hugely at them. Hand-in-hand, both Senritsu and I curtsied.
" Thank you everyone but without my close friends, Senritsu here as well as…Kurapica-san, my singing would not have made any impact. This song is titled 'The Flower of Friendship' dedicated especially to the two of them. My friends have made a significant impact in my life and taught me many things; always by my side, constantly protecting me. A good friend is someone who will see past you and accept you for who you are, not someone whom you are not. And, that's what my friends did and for that I'm eternally grateful to them. Thank you… "