Vows to You
Chapter 5: White Day
White Day
Celebrated on the 14th of March,
The epilogue of the season of love,
The day where boys would return the gifts they had received from the girls who gave them chocolates last month,
The day when feelings are reciprocated and where the flowers of love bloom in all corners of the world once again,
"I hope Hikari will like this" young, fourteen-year-old, Kei Takishima whispered to himself as he held a small white box, adorned with a light blue bow, on his lap. He looked away to the car's window. Everywhere he could see decorations the same as last month's but instead of seeing reds, they were replaced by the color of white.
Although Hikari was never absent on this holiday unlike the other one; Kei Takishima never fails to give her small gifts like these. Now that he had received a gift from her, the very first gift he ever received from her on Valentine's Day, he made sure the batch he made this time is extra special.
His mouth curled into a small grin as he remembered making it. He had thoroughly thought what would be the perfect gift for her for weeks. Kei worked all night for his gift even though it was only small; he poured his entire heart in preparing it, making sure it's 100% perfect.
Oh yes, for the love of his life, everything must be perfect.
~0~
"What do you mean Hikari is not here?!"
"I mean Hikari is absent for today" Tadashi said
"I know what it means! Tell us why!" Akira exclaimed as she started treating Tadashi like a punching bag.
"I have no idea!" Tadashi cowered behind Ryuu
Kei sighed in exasperation. Really, how come nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to him and Hikari?
"My poor Hikari!" Akira cried while Megumi patted her head to calm her down and to restrain her from exploding all her frustration at Tadashi.
"Well, if you are worried, why don't you go visit her?" Kei suggested and Akira brightened up
"Yeah, that might be a good idea!"
"Then let's all go after school" Kei smiled a mischievous smile.
"WHAT?! YOU'RE COMING TOO?!"
~0~
The group of friends went to Hikari's quaint home as planned and as they reached her home did they learn that her parents were away for a few days, leaving her big brother Atsushi in charge.
"Oh, it's you guys" Atsushi said as they greeted him and he led them inside. "There's not much to say really. You know my sister; she got a new set of books from our aunts and uncles from our family reunion last month. I never thought she has a liking to novels so she stayed up and read the entire trilogy of five different stories in one night. Well, you can imagine what happens next."
Kei and the others were left speechless when they saw a stack of approximately fifteen books resting on one corner of her room.
"Could you guys do me a favor and watch over her for me? I trust you guys won't do anything. I just got to do a little grocery shopping just in case she wakes up. Although, she's been sleeping the entire day."
With that, Atsushi left, with Ryuu and the twins accompanying him.
Kei sighed in defeat 'could this day get any worse?' apparently it can, and it did. The moment the doors in the front door clicked closed, Kei, Akira and Tadashi sprang to their feet when Hikari suddenly sat up from her futon. her hair disheveled, face burning red with fever, and steady breathing while in her pajamas, Hikari looked from side to side before opening her mouth.
"BIG BROTHER!"
~0~
It was more than the mighty Kei Takishima can handle.
For two gruesome hours, they tried their best to calm the nerves of the renowned second rank student of their entire prestigious academy who suddenly acted like an insecure toddler that got lost and couldn't find her mother.
She kept whining, crying, and demanding her big brother. She acted like she didn't know them. It seemed like all their efforts were gone to waste but they were never more relieved than to see her big brother with a brown paper bag in one arm.
Hikari immediately stopped her tantrum and the moment she wrapped her arms around her brother's neck, did she fell asleep. Of course, it didn't go unnoticed to a certain lad whose eyes bore with intense jealousy on the older male.
No one knew exactly why Hikari acts like this whenever she's in a high fever. Atsushi theorized, however, that since Hikari always showed a bright, fighting flame, she has always kept her guard up. However, now that her defenses are low, it would seem that she is more capable of expressing her true self in this state. Revealing that she wasn't always the tough girl everyone knew but deep down inside she's an inexperienced, average little girl who has a brother complex and want nothing more to be loved.
~0~
"I'm sorry guys for the trouble. Its White Day after all, you guys shouldn't have bothered to come. "
"Don't say that Hikari's Big Bro, we chose to come here" said Tadashi
"I wouldn't leave my cute little angel HIkari alone!"
"I pray that she gets better soon"
"Hikari is a strong girl, she'll be fine in no time" Megumi held up her board.
"Take good care of her for us"
"Of course. You guys take care now." Atsushi bid them farewell as he say his sister's friends enter and leave in the limousine.
"Hey guys! We forgot about Kei!" Tadashi exclaimed.
"Who cares?" retorted Akira
"He said we should go on ahead. I think he's still in Hikari's room" informed Ryuu
"WHAT?! You mean to say he's alone with my angel Hikari?! We have to go back now!" the S.A members ended up trying with all their might to calm Akira this time.
Meanwhile, Kei sat still beside Hikari as he stared at her sleeping figure. It would seem the fever's gone down as he could observe that Hikari's face starts to return some color. He sighed. Too many thoughts lingered in his mind. He hoped that he could give HIkari his present to her once she arrives at school and while he's at it, he would scare the death out of any brave soul that dares approach her.
'Hikari, you never cease to amaze me' instead, he grinned and chuckled a little before leaving his present for her beside her futon. As he was about to stand up, he felt a tug at his sleeve.
"Takishima… I…." his heart beats
"I…" he leaned closer
"I… I won't lose to you again" she snored.
Kei left her room with a mixture of disappointed and amused.
"Happy White Day Hikari"
6:30 am
Hey Takishima! I heard from Big Bro. Thanks so much for visiting me.
I hope I wasn't any trouble for you guys. You shouldn't have bothered.
By the way I got your gift…
Even at making gifts you're better than me! Arghh!
I won't lose to you Takishima!
Wait until next year! I'll give you a big Valentines gift, so big and so great you'll admit that you lost!
But thanks for the white chocolates! They were delicious!
P.S. You better prepare for our next match!
- Hikari
