Chapter # 8: Keiko
"You sound shocked to hear my voice."
"I'm surprised you're calling me ..."
"I wasn't sure if I should, or not."
"I'm glad you did ..."
Keiko was quiet a moment, then she asked rather shyly,
"Did ... You read my note?"
"Yes ..." Jiji said shyly. She was barely speaking out at all.
"What did you think?"
"I think ..." She paused,
"I love you too ..."
"... I'm glad ... I've never loved someone this much before ..."
"Neither have I."
"I want to come back ... But, I'd need a way out there ... I know Onii-san, won't take me back again ... Now that I'm here ..."
"What about his girlfriend? Wouldn't she be kind enough to drive you?"
"Maybe ..."
There were muffled voices.
"She says, not tonight, but tomarrow night."
"Alright."
"I'll see you tomarrow night."
"Alright then."
"I have to go now though ..."
"Ok, I'll see you eventually."
"Yeah ... Bye."
"Bye."
"And Ji-chan?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too ..."
( AFTER THAT! )
"So, it's really fine for you to drive me tomarrow night?"
"We'll sneak out tonight ... I just wanted you to tell her tomarrow night so we could surprise her ..." Mika said with a wink.
"Surprise who?" Tohma's voice caught the two off guard.
"I'm going to be taking her out ... To see someone." Mika said with a smile.
"If it's Sakuma-san's house, the answer is no."
"But-But Toh-chan!" Keiko announced in utter shock,
"You're not being fair!"
"I don't need to see my younger sister get hurt again."
"Onii-san!" He went to walk away.
"Onii-san! There's something I need to say to you!
Listen to me!"
He faced her.
"All my life, I've always been the little sister ... I've always had you protect me ... But ... I'm not a little girl anymore Onii-san ... I'm alot older then what I used to be ... Back when I needed you every second of the day ... I'm older now ... I don't need you constantly ... I supported your decisions to date Ryuichi ... And then, I was there when you two broke up ... I know for a fact ... He didn't leave you ... You left him."
Mika faced him in shock.
"You had your chances ... With Ryuichi and now, you're having your chance with Mi-chan ... I'm asking you Onii-san ... To allow me the privillage ... Of dating Ji-chan ... To have my chances now too ..."
His mouth twisted in thought and he stood silently for a moment.
"Well? Why are you two still standing here? Don't you have to get moving?"
"Really?!"
"Go on ... Go."
( MEANWHILE! )
"Keiji, Kei-chan won't be here 'till tomarrow night, ok? So, tonight, you and I sleep beside each other," Jiji whispered to her toy rabbit, closing her eyes. Her bedroom door opened silently just moments after she had drifted off to sleep. She didn't hear the person enter. Or, even close the door. In fact, she didn't know someone was in her room, until she felt her bed move down with a weight behind her. She froze. An arm crossed over her stomach.
"Miss me?" A soft, female voice whispered. She turned around.
"KEI-CHAN!!"