Author's Note: Once again my sincerest appreciation for Priestess of Groove's valiant efforts in making this chapter presentable. And I thank those of you who found interest in my piece. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda D'Oro in any way or form.
Chapter 2
Len grunted in frustration as his fist clawed down on the sleeves of her jacket, but the angle of his approach caused his thumb to fumble and miss. Without enough leverage on her he might lose his grip and that spelled certain disaster for the both of them. If the car were to struck Hino it would send them both either flying through the air or mowed down like those objects in the car's wake.
With his initial plan now in ruins, there was but one thing to do…
Was it worth it?
His left hand caught her outstretched ones when he begun his pull on her. At the same time he bent his knees, swung his hip around with all the might he could muster, and leapt up into the air by using his own weight as leverage. He tossed Hino away from the pavement, inches from the grill of the car.
His eyes stayed on her staggering form, desperately wanting to make sure that she was all right, but then his vision blackened as his head smashed into the windshield. One thought darted through his head before he lost consciousness:
Yes, it was…
The combined velocity of human and machine did not produce enough energy to break through the specially made glass, but the forward momentum of the car caused his body to roll upward like a ragdoll. It glided across the roof, past the rear window.
As the body went through its forth horizontal rotations, his chest collided into the rear spoiler that mounted on the trunk. He hit it with enough force to take it out of its sockets but decelerated his momentum enormously.
He then plunged onto the pavement. His tattered body finally lay prone after two more rolls. The run-away car became immobile after crashing into a nearby tree, but not before carrying him thirty-eight feet away from the intersection.
Ryoutarou caught Hino in time to watch Tsukimori slam head first into the vehicle. Her weight knocked the wind out of him and sent them both stumbling to the ground. To his infinite shame, he shut off his eyes and whimpered, when he heard the horrifying sound of metal crashing against flesh and bone. The arms that wrapped around Hino pulled her closer, burying her form within his embrace, trying to shield her against this devastation.
Kami-Sama, please let him be alive, he pleaded. Please let him be alive so Hino does not suffer through the aftermath. He knew she would torment herself for Tsukimori's death and Ryoutarou hated himself instantly for having such a thought. Not because he wanted Tsukimori to live so Hino wouldn't suffer. He wanted Tsukimori to be alive so he could still pursue Hino romantically, without having to deal with the fallout of trauma and guilt.
He pondered back upon his actions. Did he purposely run slower so that Tsukimori would reach the intersection first? He was taller, stronger and more athletic than Tsukimori. Pound for pound he could outrun the guy even if Ryoutarou gave him a head start.
He desperately wanted to convince himself that he did not let it happen with malice. That he did put in more than one hundred percent effort trying to prevent this from happening. However, deep down, he knew he was jealous of him: of Tsukimori's skill with violin, of his influence on Hino. He did not believe Tsukimori used that influence for his personal gain, but it didn't make it hurt less.
Hino's muffled voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Tsu-Tsuchiura-Kun?" She asked in an uncertain voice.
"Hino," he swallowed noticeably.
"Are you alright, Tsuchiura-kun?" She asked while he eased her from his embrace.
And he was taken aback at the sight of her.
Her tussled hairs sprung across her features but did not diminish her innocent beauty. Her eyes appeared dazed and confused but it also showed genuine concern for him. Her slightly reddened nose and those perfectly shaped lips made her appear that much more endearing.
He would have kissed her then, he decided, if they were anywhere but there.
The scene was in utter chaos. Morning commuters were gathering in mass to find out what the commotion was. For those who witnessed the accident, more than two dozen people already had their ears to their phones; some were calling for emergency services while others were calling their family, friends or relatives, relaying what had transpired. But most of them, nearly all females, were cowering in shock and disbelief.
The last thing Kahoko remembered after she got flung away from the car was the stunned face Tsuchiura-kun. Her mind slowly came into focus, and she was very aware of the embrace that she still shared with Tsuchiura-Kun.
"Thank you very much, Tuschiua-Kun…um…uh…for saving me…" she murmured just above a whisper. She recognized the display of emotions contained within his gaze, and was thoroughly embarrassed by it, as if she was peeping at something forbidden.
But his reaction startled her. His feature turned from serene gentleness to sharp anguish in an instance and then deflated just as quickly.
He helped her to stand, releasing her from his embrace, stepped back, with his eyes down cast and sighed in obvious frustration.
"Look, Hino…" He finally said after a moment of hesitation but Hino interrupted him when she spotted Mio trying desperately but failing to calm a distraught Nao.
"Gomen, Tsuchiura-Kun, please give me a moment." Without waiting for a reply, she limped lightly away to look after her best friends.
Ryoutarou watched Hino kneel gingerly in front of her best friends. Nao, the one who was crying into her hands, practically jumped Hino as soon as she was near, clinging to her in a cry of joy. He turned and walked off briskly, knowing the question that he did not know how to answer would be presented to him if he stayed around.
Then it dawned on him.
Shit! I complete forgot about "him." How heartless could you be?! You probably show more compassion for a puppy! He quickened his paces as his guilt pecked at his conscience.
He followed the debris and skid marks toward the mass of onlookers just in front of him. Many of them were murmuring on their phones. The eerie contrast of quietness was getting on his nerves.
He plowed through the ranks.
"Excuse me."
"Please let me through."
"Please excuse me."
"I am sorry, let me through."
He broke through the final rank by shoving aside a middle-aged woman, who clasped her hands at her chin. He trailed her gaze and was not prepared for the sight that greeted him.
Cuts and lacerations marred his once arrogant but handsome visage.
The blue/grayish strands of his hairs soaked in a pool of blood, splayed against his forehead messily. The right side of his face had swollen beyond recognition. A vicious cut was just above the right eyebrow and was still bleeding. The blood was smeared all over his nose and his swollen lips.
Is he still breathing? Is he alive? Ryoutarou thought numbly.
As if in answer Tsukimori let loose a series of frail coughs as more blood flowed through his parted lips. That caused the onlookers to jump back in surprise and Ryoutarou released the breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Hey, you!" He heard someone call.
"That's right, you, the boy with green hair!" He followed the sound of the voice and noticed for the first time the man kneeled next to Tsukimori.
"Hurry and come over to the other side of me, I need to flip him over." The man instructed in an authoritative tone.
Ryoutarou complied with the man's instruction. Because no one would sound like that unless he is a…
"I am Kobayashi Keiji of Taiden Medical Center. What is your name?" The man asked without looking up. His fingers already stained scarlet from touching and propping Tsukimori.
"I am Tsuchiura Ryoutarou..." he hesitated for a second, and then got down on all fours and bowed his head forcefully in emphasis. "Please, sensei, please help save this man's life. I will do anything that you ask of me." He pleaded sincerely. He had never been more scared in his entire life. The prospects of Tsukimori dying here, on this very pavement due to his malicious intent terrified him. He did not want to live for the rest of his life with Tsukimori's death on his conscience.
"It is my obligation as a physician, Tsuchiura-san," Dr. Kobayashi looked up. "However I would take up your offer when this is done. You could refer me to some cute freshmen at your school."
Ryoutarou's head shot up in time to see the raised brow and the smirks pasted on the physician's face.
He laughed at the remark, an out loud laugh that temporarily lifted the heaviness in his chest.
"Well, Tsuchiura-san, now that you feel better, would you please lend me your hands so we can save him?" The doctor now eyed him seriously.
That got Tsuchiura's attention. He immediately crawled over to the opposite side of the doctor.
"Now put you foot over here…give me your right hand…here…your left…here…good," Ryoutarou complied obediently. " Now I will flip him over from my side, do the best you can to keep his head in place, we need to keep his airways open." The doctor placed his hands in support of Tsukimori's head. The warm and sticky sensations of his blood were sending goose bumps on his skins.
He noticed the red scarf that Tsukimori used to wear with pride, was the same color as his tatted uniform jacket, stained in blood. The doctor's voice kept him from thinking anything else.
"Here goes. Three, two, one, flip…slowly, watch it! Watch it! Keep it straight…good, real good…almost there; watch that neck, Ryoutarou-kun!" He almost dropped Tsukimori's head due to the slippery blood as the Kobayashi-sensei snapped at him. "Now move your body to your left…Ah, shit! No, its Ok, I got it…gently, gently, good." They were finally able to flip him to his back.
By now Ryoutarou was drenched in sweat. He had to use the back of his sleeves to wipe off the beads on his brows. Breathing heavily, he sat down un-ceremoniously beside the doctor, who was now tending to Tsukimori's ragged form.
"Is he gonna be Ok, sensei?" Ryoutarou asked the doctor's back, still breathless.
"Not if the Ambulance doesn't get here within the next few minutes," the physician informed him grimly, who now turned back and monitored his charge. As though to prove his point, Tuskimori let loose still another series of moist coughs that were accompanied with blood.
He kneeled over next to the doctor, looking down at a dying Tsukimori who wheezed with every breath and overwhelming dread washed over him.
"What if we carry him over to the hospital? Taiden is just 5 minutes away from here, right?! I'll carry him to the hospital from here and…" He said hopefully.
The doctor eyed him sympathetically, shacked his head, "I am not going to lie to you. You friend here," he motioned with a tilt of his chin, "is not doing well. At the rate he is loosing blood now, he would be dead before we set foot into the front door."
He peeked at his watch again and muttered under his breath, "Where the hell are those guys?"
"I can't truly call him my friend." Ryoutarou blurted out, "because I never bothered to find out, but I wished I had." He lowered his face in disgrace. "I might even be the one who caused his pain and suffering on him…" unable to suppress the lump in his throat. "Oh Kami-sama, what do I do? What am I going to tell Hino? What…"
The physician gently placed a hand on his should and squeezed. "Ryoutarou-kun, I am not a priest, so you don't have to confess to me. I have seen enough death throughout my time as a doctor. There is one thing I can tell you, death it is not the end to so called life, it is merely a beginning." He offered knowingly. "Take it from me: don't ever give up until his heart has ceased and his breath has stilled." He patted him encouragingly.
After Ryoutarou collected himself a little, Dr. Kobayashi patted him in the back, "Well, they might be slow, but at least they are here when we need them." He winked at him. "Now help me clear this circus." The wail of sirens could now be heard over the chatters.
--
"Thank God you're OK. Thank God." Nao kept chanting incoherently.
Kahoko held her close, stroking her head in a soothing manner, trying to reassure her and herself that all is all right.
"Kaho-chan! Kaho-ch—" Hihara Kazuki came to a sudden stop as he spotted the trio.
"Oh my God! I am so glad that you guys are OK!" He huffed off a great sigh of relief.
He looked amongst the three with concern. "When I saw you back there with that car coming toward you, my heart almost jerked out my chest," he continued, still in disbelief.
"Hai, Hiahara-senpai. Daijobu-desu." Kahoko replied earnestly, dabbing the tears from the corner of her eyes. "I owe my life to Tsuchiura-kun. If not for him, I would have been hit by that car." Her voice trembled, the memory afresh in her mind.
Mio brought up her hand to suppress a moan, her widened eyes confused Kahoko immensely. The question was on her lips when Hihara spoke UP.
"Ne, Kaho-chan, do you recognize this case?" He raised the said case in question. "I think it belongs to Tsukimori-kun."
"Why did you have Tsukimori-kun's violin, senpai?" Kahoko asked in bafflement. Of course she recognized that case; she had seen that case opened and closed countless times.
Why?
Her brows furrowed in confusion. Tuskimori-kun always had his violin with him on school days. She yelped in surprise when she saw the ominous crack at the corner of the case. An eerie feeling started to creep up from the base of her spine.
"I found it just lying on the floor. I was kind of baffled by it as well." Hiahara shrugged.
At the mentioned of Tuskimori, Nao started weeping anew uncontrollably.
"Nao-chan, what happen?! Ne, Nao?!" Kahoko asked with trepidation. Then something clicked in her mind.
Grayish Blue…Why did that seem so familiar? I've seen that before Tsuchiura-kun caught me, but if Tsuchiura-kun caught me, who pulled me away from the car?
Her mind was working feverishly back through the murky recollections that she had earlier. And then it dawned on her.
Tsukimori-kun's broken violin case…Tukimori-kun's hair…Grayish Blue! This can't be…
Kahoko placed a trembling hand on Mio, whose features also started to tear up.
"Ne, Mio-chan, you know something, right? You know where Tsukimori-kun is, right? Please Mio, I need to know!" Kahoko pleaded frantically as a droplet of tear rolled down her eye. The eerie feeling that she had moments ago had manifested into full-fledge fright.
"It happened so quickly," Mio chocked between sobs, having finally let loose her pent up emotions.
"Tsukimori-kun threw you away…from the car but…end up hitting it himself." She was crying so hard, barely speaking coherently.
"Oh, no…"
Kahoko heard Hihara whimper beside her. She heard the case clatter on the ground, the cover flung open as it spilled its precious content on the sidewalk. But she could not see it. Her eyes had turned hollow and watery. In her minds eye, the scene of Tuskimori-kun getting run over by the car played over and over again.
Hihara cursed inwardly as the violin case made the impact on the sidewalk. Fortunately, he was able to cushion the violin with his foot as it bounced out from the case, but it hit the ground nevertheless. He braced himself for the scolding he knew would be coming from Kahoko for dropping Tukimori's treasured violin. He kneeled down to put it back into the case as the wail of sirens could be heard downrange.
"Please forgive me, Kaho-chan…" He stopped mid-sentence through his apology as Kahoko bolted away from them toward the sound of the sirens.
To Be Continue...
--
Vocabulary:
Gomen: Sorry
Sensei: Teacher/Doctor
Senpai: Upper classman/woman
Daijobu-desu: We are OK, we are doing fine.