Stupid Inspirational Book

Takeshi's sudden departure rips Lilika's heart apart; what's worse, he doesn't say goodbye, but only leaves a book in remembrance. What she doesn't know, however, is that there's more to the book than what meets the eye.

Lilika stared in disbelief. A book was all he left her?

To make matters worse, it wasn't even a pocketbook. It was one of those colorful but lousy and almost childish books that she never really learned to appreciate. But that wasn't the reason why she was bitter; she was bitter because the young man didn't say anything to explain his sudden farewell. She expected a letter, or even just a note, but all he had for her was a 'stupid inspirational book' that didn't serve its purpose.

She put the book aside and buried her face in her hands, sobs escaping her once more. He was such an idiot. They had been together for almost three years, but still he continued to keep secrets from her – secrets that had distraught her, hurt her, pained her.

She understood that it must've been painful for him, too. His parents, never been in favor of their relationship, had coerced him to leave just like that, without saying goodbye. Kurosaki, their driver and his loyal bodyguard, had attempted to intervene but it wasn't much; the most he was able to do was ask his young master for his last message for his beloved, and in turn, deliver the book he had been requested to give to her.

If he wanted to say goodbye, he would've found a way, she thought. But he had faltered all throughout their time together in the communication part. Couples were supposed to share, not only their accomplishments and joys, but also their problems and sorrows. But that was the part he did so poorly at, and not even three years' worth of exposure to her warmth and supportiveness changed that.

She allowed herself to sink back into her bed, to swim amidst the softness of her pillows and sheets, to drown in the memories of her and Takeshi, hoping and praying that pain would no longer plague her at her wake.

-x-

As Kaoru entered the room, grinning and even looking somewhat dreamy, Kouya raised an eyebrow quizzically. She had just been to Lilika's place to offer emotional support and encouragement, and yet she returned acting as if nothing depressing had happened. Perhaps she was happy that Takeshi had finally left, as they had never been in best terms, but the expression on her face didn't quite reflect that.

"What is wrong with you!" he finally exclaimed, exasperated. "Is Lilika okay or not?"

She stopped short and glared at him for interrupting her glee. "Geez, Kouya. Yeah, she's okay. Still a bit shaken, but she'll hold up just fine." She then held up a book for him to see. "I found this at her place and the moment I saw it, I knew I just had to borrow it. And oh my God, Kouya, whoever owned this before it came to her possession was such a romantic!" she chirped.

Kouya rolled his eyes, but in fear of being yelled at and smacked, he motioned that she sit down beside him on the couch and show him what she was talking about. And as she excitedly did so, flipping through the pages of the second-hand book with much speed, he found himself smiling. Kaoru may be annoying half the time, but she, too, was bubbly, sweet and charming the other half of the time.

"Here," she announced, shoving the book to his face. She had opened it to the second to the last page, where there was a poem of thanksgiving for a good friend on the left side, a two-stanza poem about love on the other, and a doodle of a boy and a girl holding hands with a very pink heart in between them. She then pointed to something that was scribbled under the picture. "Read what it says."

Immediately, Kouya knew that what had been written wasn't part of the book, for as he took a closer look at the page he noticed how sloppy the handwriting was. And he, too, instantly knew why his girlfriend was all chipper and giddy.

It read:

Wait for me. I'll come back for you.