Chapter 3

Running Away

"So, basically, she withdrew nearly all of your money from your bank account and we believe ran off with a past beau she had a kid with." the Officer explained as he paced around the living room. He seemed to have forgotten something, yet he couldn't bring up the thought that was gnawing at the back of his mind since earlier that afternoon.

Kouji sat quietly on the couch, not daring to say anything to anger his father, who seemed to be on the verge of exploding. Kouji knew he was going to be in for it later.

"Ah!" exclaimed Officer - Smith, from the tag - as he clicked open the briefcase that had been leaning against Kouji's side of the couch. He pulled out a folded up piece of paper.

Kousei, who seemed to be angry enough to gulp down the beer bottles hidden under the couch, exhaled sharply and held out his hand to receive it.

Officer Smith pulled it away from his grasp, and, to Kouji's surprise, delivered it to him.

"It's labeled 'Kouji Minamoto'...I'm guessing that's you, son."

Kouji caught his father's eye, who he knew would intercept the note after they left, and unfolded the paper, smoothed it against his leg, and pulled it toward him so nobody else could read it. His round blue eyes darted the paper restlessly.

After a few seconds, he did something entirely unexpected.

"That bitch!" Kouji screamed, jumping up and crumbling the paper. "That damn bitch!"

Before either of the two men could say anything, Kouji had dashed up to his room in a state of indescribable anger.

Kouji slammed his bedroom door shut, and in his rage flung himself in his bed, screaming into his pillow. When he felt he had calmed down enough, he unfolded the paper again.

In neat handwriting, it said:

Kouji,

I know I am a coward. I know I betrayed you with my up most selfishness. But I had to do what was right for me. A hole that was being driven into my heart has been healed seeing my younger daughter again. But another one is being driven straight through it at the thought of never seeing you again. I know you don't have much money left, and your father is going to be more explosive than ever, but know you have wonderful friends and a loving mom and twin. I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

Love,

Satomi

Kouji ripped up the paper several types, wordlessly, and when it reached the point of being torn into confetti, he tossed the remains in his waste basket. Then he put his cheek on the cool wood of his desk, resting his forehead against his arm.

He did not cry or scream, or feel angry or upset.

He felt numb.

-o-o-o-

"What?!"

Takuya didn't believe what he had just heard. He ran into the closest bathroom and locked the door so he could hear Izumi over his brother's video game.

"You're so loud, Takuya-kun! I'll tell you again: in the local paper this morning, there was a small article that mentioned Satomi running away from Kouji-kun and Kousei and taking nearly all of their money!"

"I can't believe she'd do that! When did this happen?"

"Hold on, I'm looking at the article right now," Izumi spoke up a few seconds later. "It happened yesterday. According to the article, she left at eight - we saw her coming with Kouji-kun to the house - and at about nine she reached the bank and withdrew nearly all their money, leaving only a few thousand dollars. Then between ten and one she is guessing to have met up with her old fiance and daughter, and they presume they took a car and just...left."

Takuya felt rage boil inside of him. He knew very well how angry Kouji's father could get, and this was sure to make him burst.

"Well...tomorrow we have school, but should we say anything?"

Izumi was silent.

"I really don't think so. I don't think Kouji-kun would like to talk about it, if you ask me."

"Fine. We'll just make our usual rounds and not mention anything."

Takuya hung up, not sure of how he felt. He was furious that Satomi betrayed his best friend's family, upset that there was nothing he could do about it, and a bit frightened at the thought of Kousei's rage.

The rage that could kill you.

-o-o-o-

Takuya waited patiently outside the Minamoto house, tapping his foot and adding in all of his usual impatience.

"Come on! Let's go! We don't have all day, you know!"

"Shut it, Takuya. I told you already, I'm coming out."

Kouji opened the door, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and opened the gate to leave his house. He seemed to be perfectly fine at first glance - he was walking with his casual stride, and his long-sleeved navy shirt, his light blue shirt layered over it, and his navy cargoes were all clean and fresh. He had his jacket in hand, making his way through the vanishing snow. It was, after all, March.

It was when Kouji started to slip on the jacket that Takuya saw the bruise.

On Kouji's left cheek, right on the cheek bone, there was a somewhat large, bluish mark that immediately caught Takuya's eye. It had a yellowish hue to it, so at least it was healing.

Takuya didn't have to guess how he got it.

Yet, he continued to walk beside him, in silence, not saying a word until that had reached Izumi's house.

"IZUMI!" screamed Takuya at the top of his lungs. "Get out here right now!"

"Come on, normal people live here." complained Kouji of his screaming, glancing around for any passerby that might have noticed them.

Izumi almost immediately ran out, wearing a violet-striped top and knee-high Capri's. Her purple backpack bounced as she trotted down the steps at her door.

"Hi, Kouji-kun! Takuya-kun." Izumi greeted them breathlessly. "Let's go! We have half an hour to get to school -"

"Uh, Izumi-chan...?" Kouji interrupted. "Your jacket...?"

"Ah! Your right! Sorry!"

The remainder of the trip followed a similar manner, with Takuya screaming at the houses and Kouji complaining for him to keep it down, except everyone else was wearing their jackets as they came out.

And everyone had seen Kouji's bruise.

When they arrived at Shibuya Elementary School, Tomoki stole one last glance at Kouji before waving good-bye and dashing over to join his other friends at the elementary playground. The five remaining children walked over to the Junior High, where Takuya, Kouji, Izumi, and Kouichi all attended seventh grade, and Junpei had entered eighth.

The bell rang at about 8:30, and everyone had gone inside to begin the school week.

And it was going to be one long day.

Finally, another chapter completed! Review, please!

WingsOfSilverSorrow