I'm trouble ya'll. I got trouble in my town!
Same day – Ten minutes later – Fuuka Hospital
Haruka, Mai and Nao had managed to out run the the doctor and nurse. They had opted to take the stairwell down to the fifth floor since the elevator would surely be slower.
"She's on this floor!" Haruka exclaimed when they came across a door labeled "5". They exited the stairwell. The three of them found themselves on the hallway of the fifth floor of Fuuka Hospital. Haruka heart grew heavy when she saw the winding corridors. She had lost her sense of direction. She knew Shizuru was hanging off the side of a building but she had no idea how to get there.
"She's in one of these rooms!" Haruka stated. The three girls started to run again.
"That's great and all but which room is she in?" Nao asked.
"I don't know ...," Haruka admitted sheepishly. "We'll just have to check."
Mai tossed Haruka an incredulous look. "You're joking right? There's like gazillion rooms on this floor! It'll take forever!"
"Dumbass idea," Nao muttered.
"I kind of agree."
Haruka gave them both a dirty look. "YOU TWO HAVE A BETTER PLAN?" she bellowed.
But for once that day, luck was on their side. Further down the hallway, a door burst open and Shizuru jumped out. The three girls came to a halt.
"Well I'll be dammed! It's a miracle!" Nao chuckled.
"YES! We found her!" Haruka cheered. "B-but … what is she doing?"
Following Shizuru out of the room was an elderly lady with short silver hair. The three girls stood a few yards away from the two newcomers.
"Kaichou-sama!" Mai called out but Shizuru didn't hear her. She was too busy defending herself.
"Are they fencing?" Haruka murmured in disbelief.
"K-Kaichou-sama! Are you alright?" Mai called out again.
Nao scoffed. "Let's see, she's in a sword fight with a old lady. Her ass cheeks are still naked AND bleeding. Oh, and she just fell off the 8th floor! What do you think, Tokiha?"
"What the hell is going on?" Haruka asked. Everyone else present was also asking the same question.
The hospital staff finally caught up to them at that point. They were the two doctors and two nurses they met in Shizuru's hospital room. "We found them!" Doctor Laula said. "We've got you now- you- ...you …" Laula and her colleagues became speechless. They were all dumbfounded by the spectacle before them.
"Hmm Laula," Anh started. "I don't suppose you know why Miss Maria is currently engaged in a sword fight with the suicidal patient?"
"I have no clue ..."
They all watched in awe, not really knowing what to think to the situation. Then it happened. "YAHHHHH!" Miss Maria brought her parasol down on Shizuru with devastating strength. The walking stick flew off Shizuru's hands. With a swift move of her parasol, Miss Maria had the girl on her knees. "Did you really think you can beat me with those amateur moves?" she said tersely. The outcome of the battle was now decided.
"What's that old woman doing?" Haruka asked. She turned to the two doctors. "Oi! What is she going to do?" She was worried for Shizuru safety. She looked around to see if anyone was going to do anything about this. Then she saw them. Several police officers were coming down the hallway behind them. "The police!" she exclaimed.
"Doctor Bianchi, the police are here!" Nina reported, breaking the two doctors out of their stupor.
"Oh no, the police!" Mai said.
"Don't worry. Fujino will explain everything. It's going to be all right," Haruka assured Mai. Once they explained everything, the police and the hospital staff would understand that it was all a big misunderstanding. Though Haruka wasn't so sure what happened between Shizuru and the old woman.
A group of police officers walked up beside them. "What's going on?" the man in the police uniform asked. He was burly built with thick jet black hair and a bushy moustache. "We got a call about a suicide attempt?"
"That's her- ... the suicidal patient." Laula pointed in Shizuru's general direction. "She's been causing trouble for other patients too," she said.
"We'll apprehend her Ma'am," the officer said.
"Please don't hurt her. She's still a recovering patient," Anh reminded him.
"We might have to hold her down Ma'am. But don't worry, we'll make sure not to hurt her," the policeman said. "You heard the lady! Apprehend that patient but don't use excessive force!" The cops sped towards Miss Maria and Shizuru and worked on breaking up the fight.
Laula turned her back to the commotion and sighed. "Finally! We're going to have some order around here," she said. She glared at the three Fuuka students. "You kids better have a darn good explanation for causing all this trouble."
"Believe me. We do. Fujino will explain everything," Haruka said with confidence.
The bushy mustached police officer approached them. "Ma'am? Is there a room we can use? We'd like to take a statement from the suicidal patient."
"Of course, I'll arrange it right away," Laula said. "You kids come along too."
Haruka, Mai and Nao nodded obediently. "They're friends of the patient," Laula explained to the police officer.
"Then we would like to take their statements too," the officer said.
"Very well, I'll take you to a spare room. If you would all follow me this way," Laula gestured for everyone to follow.
"It's odd though," the burly officer said to no one in particular. "For a lady of her age, she sure is full of energy … strong too. I wonder why she wanted to commit suicide."
Laula stopped in her tracks. "Wait! Are you talking about Miss Maria? She's not the one who-" Laula whipped around quickly and found Miss Maria struggling between two police officers. "She's not the suicidal patient!" she exclaimed.
The police officer appeared befuddled. "Eh? But she had the girl on her knees s-so we thought-,"
"THE GIRL! SHE'S the suicidal patient!"
"Calm down, Ma'am. It's not a problem. We'll just let the woman go and arrest the girl," he said. Next, he addressed his officers. "We got the wrong person people! Apprehend the girl, not the-" The burly police officer turned around but the tawny haired girl was gone. "Well maybe her friends can help-" His speech halted again when he noticed that the spot where Haruka, Mai and Nao stood a few seconds ago was now empty. Now a bit peeved, he turned back to Laula but she was also gone. Feeling like he was at his wits end, he turned to Anh but she too was nowhere in sight. The police were left with two bewildered nurses and an very pissed off old woman.
A second later, they all heard Laula's rage filled voice echoing through the hallways. "COME BACK HERE YOU DAMN BRATS!"
Same day – Fifteen minutes later – Fuuka Hospital Bathroom
When the three girls saw Shizuru took off, they had followed blindly. The four of them didn't know how long they ran but they were nearly out of breath when Shizuru finally decided to hide inside a bathroom. Fortunately, Mai had grabbed Shizuru's uniform before they left Shizuru's hospital room.
Before they did anything else, Shizuru decided to change back into her tattered clothes. "Thank you for picking up my uniform, Tokiha-san. You're a life saver," Shizuru said. She shrugged her jacked on. The area around the shoulders was colored in dried blood but she paid no mind. Shizuru decided not to take the bandage off her head in fear of reopening the wound.
"Now, can you tell me why we all ran from the police?" Haruka snapped.
"Ara, I'll explain everything in due time Suzushiro-san," Shizuru said. "But first, could you tell me what happened last night? All I can remember is running to Natsuki's house. I'm afraid my memory is rather blank after that."
Haruka sighed. "You're hopeless," she mumbled. Then, as quickly as she could, Haruka retold everything that had happened. For someone who was listening to a weird tale, Shizuru took it very well. She simply accepted the fact that an Xbox360 fell on her head. After what she had gone through today, Shizuru was ready to believe in anything.
Shizuru absorbed all the information quietly and only spoke when Haruka finished. "Hmm, it is as I've feared," she murmured.
"What?"
"Nothing has been resolved between me and Natsuki."
Haruka grabbed Shizuru by her collar. "REALLY? REALLY FUJINO? We're being chased by the police and half the hospital?! DO YOU REALIZE THAT? THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE THINKING ABOUT YOUR LOVE DRAMA!"
Shizuru conjured up her infamous thinking pose. "Ara, all the more reason I should make haste and get to Natsuki."
Haruka let go of Shizuru's collar and groaned into her hands. "We're all going to jail," she concluded in defeat. "I can't believe it. I'm going to jail and it's because you can't wait to seal the deal with Kuga."
"It's not just that Suzushiro-san," Shizuru said. All traces of mischief disappeared from her face. "I ... need to apologize to Natsuki. I've hurt her in the worst way possible."
Haruka tsked impatiently. "Oh please, now you're just being dramatic."
Shizuru shook her head gravely. "Are you aware of Natsuki's childhood, Suzushiro-san? Her parents left her when she was just a little girl. She closed herself off for several years because if it. She took a chance with me when she allowed me to be her friend and I betrayed her for my own selfish reasons. I am supposed to be her closest friend. I should be the last person to hurt her this way. I understand that now. So I can't ... I can't just sit around and act like I'm not affected when Natsuki's crying somewhere. I just can't do it Suzushiro-san."
Shizuru continued. "And if there's even a small chance between me and Natsuki then I'll take it, Suzushiro-san. I'll do anything for it. I know it's selfish of me to drag you all along but I don't want to miss this opportunity ... ... This chance to be with Natsuki. I might even be too late. Natsuki might have changed her mind already."
"She won't change her mind!" Mai insisted.
"How can you know that?" Shizuru retaliated. "Can you know for sure Natsuki will forgive me after what I put her through?"
"Well I-" Mai realized she didn't know for sure. For all she knew, Natsuki could very well change her mind. She did look very upset when she ran out of Shizuru's dorm last night.
"I am sorry for getting you all involved in this mess," Shizuru said. "I will sort everything out later. For now, I need to go to Fuuka Gakuen. I don't want Natsuki to suffer anymore than she needs to."
Haruka wanted to run herself into a brick wall. This was so troublesome. Maybe Shizuru was doing this for a good cause but things were getting out of control. "But what about the police?" the blonde asked.
"I simply don't have time to deal with them. If I let them take me now, I will never get to Natsuki," Shizuru explained. Haruka wanted to choke her to death right there. Shizuru was talking as if her cause was irrefutable. Before Haruka could come up with a reply, Nao said something that shocked them all.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go see, Kuga," said the young girl.
"EHHHH?" Everyone stared at Nao as if she had grown an extra head.
"WHAT?" The red-head wasn't comfortable with all the gawking. "T-The faster we end this, the better right?" Nao went on. "B-Besides, there's no way in hell Fujino's gonna make it back to Fuuka Gakuen alone. S-She's gonna need all the help she can get!"
Haruka narrowed her eyes. It wasn't in Nao's nature to offer help. "Are you plotting something Yuuki?" she asked.
Nao let out an indignant huff, "N-No!"
"We don't believe you," Mai said, also suspicious.
Nao scratched her head. She looked genuinely troubled. "Look," she said. "K-Kuga's been crying her eyes out, o-okay? And m-maybe I kinda hate s-seeing her like that. S-so ... erm ...AH JEZZ! D-DO YOU WANT MY HELP OR NOT?"
Shizuru grinned. "Ara ara, Yuuki-san really cares for Natsuki doesn't she?"
"S-Shut up! I don't!"
"Well Tokiha-san? Suzushiro-san?" Shizuru asked her friends.
"How can I possibly say no after hearing something sweet like that from Nao. I'm with you all the way, Kaichou-sama!" Mai said.
"Suzushiro-san? What about you?" Shizuru asked the only undecided person in the room.
"No," Haruka said flatly.
"Ehhhh? But the rest of us agreed to-" Mai said.
"NO MEANS NO!"
"If you don't want to do it for Kaichou-sama then do it for Natsuki!" Mai argued.
"Why should I do anything for that stupid delinquent? We're talking about jail. JAIL PEOPLE! JAIL! Do you really understand what you're getting yourselves into?"
Nao shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Once Fujino explains everything, we'll be in the clear right?"
"Yeah but ... GAH! My answer is still no!" Haruka said stubbornly.
"Please?" Shizuru pleaded.
"I said no ... uh ..." Haruka's retort died in her throat when she saw Shizuru's face. Her ruby eyes were glazed and rounded like glistening saucers. Her lips were upturned into a small pout and she was gazing intensely at Haruka. That look was more powerful than any death glare she had ever witnessed. Haruka rubbed her face and growled. "Shit. Not the puppy dog pout."
"Pretty please with a cheery on top, Suzushiro-san?" Shizuru asked, still making puppy eyes at the blonde.
"Oh, I am going to regret this," Haruka muttered. "Alright alright stop making that face! It's freaking me out! Fine, we'll go but only if we do exactly as I say!" Haruka caved in.
They all nodded and waited for Haruka's instructions. "Okay, the very first thing we need to do is get out of this building. Then we need to get a ride. I doubt we can just waltz out of here and hail a taxi. The cops are gonna be looking for us," Haruka said. "We need a ride nonetheless. If we run all the way to Fuuka Gakuen, we're just asking to get caught."
"We should try to get out of the hospital first," Shizuru suggested. "Maybe we'll get a better sense of what to do once we're outside."
"Alright, let's go with that idea. You lot follow me and DON'T lag behind," Haruka said. She unlocked the bathroom door. Haruka signaled the other three to be quiet while she poked her head out to see if the cost was clear. She opened the bathroom door. Before she could do anything else, a hand came through the cracked door and grabbed her shirt. Following after it was a booming voice.
"I'VE GOT YOU NOW, YOU LITTLE BRATS!"
"AHHHHHHHH! IT'S THE SCARY DOCTOR!" Mai screamed.
Haruka was unceremoniously dragged out of the bathroom. Worried, the group followed her.
"I've finally caught you!" Laula sneered.
Her colleague, Doctor Anh was also present. "Laula, don't be so rough with them," she implored.
Mai was biting her nails. "Oh no, oh no, we haven't even started our escape and we're already caught! What do we do? What do we do?"
Laula wore a victorious smile while Anh appeared apprehensive. "There's no escaping now! You're all coming with me!" the silver-haired doctor declared.
"Ara, you really think so Doctor?" Shizuru inquired. The easy going tone of Shizuru's voice caught everyone's attention.
Laula's grin faltered. "What are you saying?"
"Well, the way I see it, there is two of you and four of us," Shizuru said. "Can you really take on all four of us?"
"Fujino, I like the way you think," Nao grinned while cracking her fingers. Shizuru was right. There were no police officers or even nurses around. It was just the six of them and the empty hallway. Suddenly, the tables had turned. Laula and Anh were at a disadvantage.
Haruka grabbed Laula's wrist. "Who's caught who now?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"GET THEM!" Nao shouted. They four girls jumped the two doctors at the red-head's battle cry. The doctors never stood a chance against their brute strength. Not long after, Laula and Anh were tied up using some strings that Mai had found in the janitor's closet in the bathroom.
"What do we do now?" asked Mai.
"Hmm, I don't know ... " Haruka mused. "I guess we can just leave them here and lock the bathroom- ... Yuuki! Stop that! This is not the time to be mugging people!" Haruka reproached the red-head who was searching through Laula's pockets.
"Sorry sorry," Nao apologized though not looking apologetic at all. "Force of habit," she said. Nao was about to withdraw her hands from Laula's side pockets when she heard a distinct jingle. She pulled the object out of the Doctor's pocket out of curiosity.
A car key.
Nao smirked. "Guys, I think I just found our ride."
Haruka snatched the keys from Nao. "It we take her car it, would be auto-theft," she said. "But, that would save us the trouble of getting a ride. What do you think Bubuzuke?"
"I think we'll be borrowing the good Doctor's car for a while," Shizuru said. "We will return it as soon as it has served its purpose." Laula looked anything but convinced by Shizuru's words.
"So, the parking lot is our next destination?" Mai inquired.
"Yup! Let's go!" Haruka pushed the two doctors into the bathroom stalls. "We'll lock these two in here," she said.
"You sure we can just leave them like this?" Mai asked. "What if they scream? They might tell the police where we are."
"We can always gag them," Nao, the sadist of the group suggested happily.
"Or," Shizuru redirected. "We can ask them to lead us to the parking lot. The good Doctor here can show us where her car is?"
Laula snorted. "And why would I do that?"
"Ara, Doctor, if you don't cooperate, I might have to let Yuuki-san loose on you," said Shizuru. Upon hearing her words, Nao's eyes turned predatory. She was like a ravenous animal that noticed a piece of meat for the first time. "Yuuki-san here is a well known masochist. A young criminal in the making," Shizuru explained.
The two doctors eyed the young red-head. Nao had started giggling and mumbling to herself. " ... ... yes yes, I could take their tops off. Maybe unzip their pants a little bit. I'll need something to beat them with. Maybe something in the janitor's closet ... yes. Yes! Heheheheh ... I'll hit one and make the other one watch ..."
Laula and Anh both grimaced. They were repulsed by the eerie thing being mumbled. "I'll do it," Laula said hurriedly.
Shizuru grinned. "Ara, I knew you would see things my way."
Haruka patted Nao's shoulders. "Too bad Yuuki." The red-head didn't even try to hide her disappointment.
The six of them started to make their way to the parking lot.
The two hostages were closely guarded by Haruka and Nao while Shizuru lead the way and Mai watched their back. Munch to their surprise, they didn't encounter any unwarranted distractions. Thanks to Laula, the girls figured out that the stairwell went all the way to the ground level where the parking lot was located. So, they followed the stairs all the way down.
"We made it!" Nao shouted when the stairs finally ended. They were now at the underground parking lot. It didn't take long for them to locate Laula's car. Nao whistled when she saw the black mustang. "Woah, nice ride, Doc," she said, running her hands over the hood.
"I'll drive since I have a license," Shizuru said. She took the keys from Haruka and got into the car. She fired the engine up without any problem.
"I call shotgun!" Nao climbed into the passenger seat.
Mai took her seat in the back. "Get in Suzushiro-san!" she reminded.
"THERE! OFFICER! OVER HERE!" A small shrill voice interrupted them. Nina and Eristin were standing next to the elevator door with some police officers. Luckily, they were still several yards away from the group of fleeing girls.
"Shit! They found us!" Nao cussed.
"GET IN THE CAR!" Mai shouted at Haruka who still had two doctors between her and her getaway vehicle.
Without thinking, Haruka shoved everyone into the car, including the two hostages. "DRIVE FUJINO!" she ordered. With a loud screech, the car zoomed out of its parking spot.
"M-My tires …," Laula whimpered.
Shizuru maneuvered the car to make a straight shot for the exit. Nothing was blocking them. They got out of the underground parking lot unscathed. The black mustang screeched onto the roadway.
They were finally making their way to Fuuka Gakuen. However-
Mai pointed at Anh and Laula. "WHY DID YOU BRING THEM?" she screamed at Haruka.
"I-I DON'T KNOW! I PANICKED, OKAY?" the skittish blonde yelled back. "Shit! Now they're gonna think we kidnapped them!"
"Can we let them off somewhere?" Mai asked. Following her question was the sound of police sirens behind them. She turned her head and squinted through the back windshield. "Crap! They're chasing us! I see about three police cars! No! Four!"
"We can't stop and let the doctors out," Haruka growled. "They're gonna arrest us as soon as we stop!"
"I'm afraid so," Shizuru agreed. "I'm sorry Doctors. You're going to be stuck with us for a while."
"Yeah apology accepted," Laula replied dryly.
The sirens were getting louder. "Kaichou-sama! I see six police cars! They're gaining on us!" Mai warned.
"Then we'll just have to lose them! Pedal to the metal, Fujino!" Nao barked.
"Leave it up to me," Shizuru said. The car sped up. The rest of the people in the car held their breaths as Shizuru maneuvered it. They had never seen the Student Council President lift a finger to do any form of work so they had their doubt. After Shizuru did her sixth ninety degree turn without toppling the car, they all began to relax. The police sirens behind them were starting to get distant. Shizuru proved that she had near perfect control of the car.
All the passengers sat and waited while Shizuru did what she needed to do. Silence stretched on inside the car.
"Well," Anh finally spoke. "Since we're all just sitting around, maybe you can tell us what's going on."
"Yeah. WHY are you doing this?" Laula demanded.
"Well ...," Haruka spoke. She didn't know how to explain the whole situation. "Well Doctors, it all started when an Xbox fell on Bubuzuke's head ...," Haruka shook her head. "Then this morning, we found Bubuzuke half way out the window. She wasn't going to jump but she did fall. She managed to save herself and after that, we decided to break out of the hospital because she wanted to confess her love to this girl called Kuga Natsuki. Oh! And we jacked your car and took you two along with us for no apparent reason!" Haruka groaned into her hand. She didn't know how to explain their situation at all.
"I did it for love!" Shizuru chirped.
Haruka felt a vein pop on her forehead. She was stressed out and Shizuru wasn't helping her case. She kicked the driver's chair, "JUST SHUT UP AND DRIVE, YOU!"
"I'll do it Suzushiro-san," Mai offered. Haruka wasn't about to refuse.
"Please, go ahead."
The two doctors looked to Mai for an explanation. "The reason we're doing this is because," Mai started. "Kaichou-sama here … I mean, Fujino-san here hurt someone really bad. If she can't make it up to that person then they might never forgive her. I-I know this sounds so childish when I say it out loud but you got to understand! This person is really important to Fujino-san and you can't expect her to sit still and do nothing while her most precious person is hurting somewhere."
Anh looked flabbergasted while Laula looked more livid than ever. "So … you're telling me that you kidnapped us, assaulted an elderly patient and stole my car JUST FOR A STUPID BOY?!"
"Actually, it's a girl," Mai corrected.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER!"
"Ara and that elderly patient attacked me first. I was merely defending myself," Shizuru added.
Laula sighed looking defeated and tired. "Look here," she said. "You kids don't look like bad people. I just don't want you to go to jail for something so idiotic."
"I'm aware of the consequences of my actions, Doctor," Shizuru said. "I'll explain everything to the police later. I will tell them that the rest of you were acting under my influence. I'll make sure no one else takes the blame," Shizuru explained in her rare no-nonsense voice. "I am sorry for all the trouble I've caused and I can't thank everyone enough for coming with me this far."
Laula shook her head. "You're all nuts," she said. "Why can't you just call this girl?"
Shizuru shrugged. "I don't have my phone with me."
"And our phones dead," Haruka explained. "We don't know her number off the top of our heads either."
"I do," Shizuru's chirped. "I can tell you Natsuki's number right now!"
"Yeah but our phones are all dead," said Nao.
"Mine's not," Anh volunteered. "Left pant pocket."
It was too good to be true. Haruka struggled to get the phone and handed it to Nao in the passenger seat.
"Must I do this over the phone," Shizuru said wearily. "Isn't it bad to talk and drive at the same time-"
"Now you want to be a model citizen?!" Haruka snapped. "We can't be nitpicky! Just call Kuga and get this over with! We can end this whole thing right now!" she said.
"Very well," Shizuru replied with a small nod.
Nao dialed Natsuki's number while Shizuru iterated to for her. "It's getting through!" she said and held the phone next to Shizuru's ear.
Shizuru waited. Suddenly, her throat felt dry and her heart started to hammer in her chest.
Same day – Twenty minutes before– Fuuka Gakuen Hallway
Chie was frustrated. She had been all over the school during lunch time. She had talked to several people but none could tell her about her missing friends. Mikoto had moved in with Reito so she didn't know of Mai's whereabouts. Her boyfriend, Tate hadn't seen her either. Nao's roommate Aoi said the red-head didn't come back to her room last night. Then again, that was nothing unusual for Nao; she came and went as she please. According to Yukino, Haruka never came back to her room. Shizuru lived alone so Chie couldn't ask anyone about her.
All those people who went after Natsuki didn't come to school today. Chie had a hunch that something was up but she couldn't figure out what it was. She was at a dead-end.
Chie decided to put her search on hold. She was currently heading back to the Student Counil Room with three cans of orange juice and some warm curry breads. She entered the familiar doors of the Student Council Office. The sight that greeted her made her smile.
Both Yukino and Natsuki were on the floor. Yukino was leaned against the wall. Natsuki's head was resting on her lap. Judging from the serene look and steady breathing, Chie could tell that Natsuki was in a deep sleep.
The two of them had let Natsuki cry to her heart's content. After the breakdown, they both agreed that a nap was in order for their exhausted friend. Although Natsuki was reluctant at first, she was fast asleep as soon as her head hit Yukino's lap. It was then that Chie decided to go around the school in hopes of finding some clues about the missing people but it was to no avail. Resigned, she decided to buy a late lunch for her friends and headed back to the Student Council Room.
Chie moved quietly, careful not to wake Natsuki. "How is she?" she asked Yukino.
"Still asleep."
"Good, she probably needs it."
"Have you heard from anyone?" Yukino asked. They opened their curry bread packages and started to eat while conversing quietly. Unbeknownst to them, the smell of hot curry bread was coaxing Natsuki out of her sleep.
"Hmmm?" Yukino looked down at her lap. Natsuki was starting to stir. Emerald eyes opened slowly.
"Hey there sleepy head," Chie greeted.
Natsuki pushed herself up slowly and rubbed her drowsy eyes. "Hey ...," she croaked out with a grimace. Her throat felt so dry.
With a knowing smile, Chie handed her a can of juice. "Are you hungry? I have some curry bread here."
It was her stomach that answered. Natsuki blushed.
A pack of curry bread landed in her hand. She mumbled a quick 'thanks' and started to eat.
"How do you feel?" Yukino asked.
"... A lot better. Thank you for letting me sleep for a while," said Natsuki.
"You are quite welcome, Kuga-san," Yukino chirped.
Chie observed Natsuki while she ate. Natsuki looked calm enough. Chie was contemplating on asking her some questions about last night when -
*buzz*
Chie's ear picked up a familiar buzz. It was a buzz from a cell phone vibration but it was not hers. It was coming from Natsuki's pockets. The said girl dug out her cell phone and glanced over the caller ID. "Who is it?" Chie asked. Her own curiosity was killing her.
"I don't know. Unknown number." But Natsuki answered anyways. "Hello?"
"Natsuki?"
The curry bread dropped from her hands. Natsuki recognized the all too familiar voice. "S-Shizuru?" she stuttered. She was suddenly unaware of anyone around her. All that exist was the person on the other line and her. "Shizuru? Is that you?" she asked just to make sure.
"Yes Natsuki, it's me." She wanted to close her eyes and revel in the sound of that voice. 'I miss hearing her voice,'she thought.
"Natsuki? Are you still there?"
"Huh? Y-Yeah I am," she replied lamely.
"Erm … H-How are you Natsuki?"
"Fine I guess." The conversation was awkward ... formal, unlike the ones they would usually have. 'So we've drifted that far apart. We don't even know how to talk to each other anymore,'Natsuki thought. Her heart did a painful tug.
She mustered the will to speak. "W-Why did you call me Shizuru?" she asked.
"I wanted to explain my … my actions. You must be wondering why I stopped talking to you." A pregnant pause. Natsuki waited anxiously for Shizuru to go on. "Natsuki, in truth, I got tired of pretending that things are all right between you and me. I just got so sick of pretending that I am fine with the way things were going between us when I'm not. It's been eating me up alive," Shizuru said.
'So that's what she's calling about. She's finally going to say she hates me.' Natsuki had told herself over and over that there was a chance she might lose Shizuru but facing with the reality of it was overwhelming. The reality brought fresh tears to her eyes. She didn't want to lose Shizuru. Especially not when she had finally figured out her feelings but it was too late. Shizuru had already changed her mind so there was only one thing left for Natsuki to do. 'I need to forget about my feelings for her.' And Natsuki was going to do everything in her power to achieve that. She came to the Student Council Room with that objective in mind but if Shizuru wanted to do this over the phone then she would respect that.
Natsuki took a deep breath. She wanted to hold her tears in for the duration for this conversation.
"Natsuki, I have something to tell you," Shizuru said.
"Me too, Shizuru. Actually ... can I go first?" … 'Because I don't know how long I can hold out until I start crying again.'
"Sure. Go ahead Natsuki."
It was now or never. Natsuki needed to get everything off her chest.
"I want to say ... I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry Shizuru, for being a burden to you all this time. I'm sorry for acting like a brat. It's no wonder you got tired of me. From now on, I won't bother you anymore. W-We were d-doing f-fine without each other for the past few weeks so maybe that's a sign." It wasn't a total lie. Even though these past weeks had been hellish for Natsuki, Shizuru didn't seem too bothered by it.
Natsuki pushed on with her speech. "I won't hang around you so much anymore. I won't make you cook dinner, clean my apartment … tutor me … or go shopping .. o-or sleep over or h-have movie nights … s-so ..." She began to sniffle. This was bad. Natsuki had wanted to make this quick but she was getting sidetracked by her emotions. She decided to cut her speech short. "Anyways, I think it's best if we don't see each other anymore."
"I ... I was afraid it might come to this. Are you sure this is really what you want Natsuki?"
'She's still trying to be nice about it,' Natsuki thought. "Yeah, I don't think I can be close to you anymore." … 'I'm falling apart just by hearing your voice over the phone. I really don't know how I should act around you anymore Shizuru …'
"Is that really how you feel Natsuki?"
"Yeah … I think, maybe it's best for us not to see each other." … 'Because I'm gonna need time to get over you …' she thought. "You're graduating in three weeks so it works out for both of us. I'll try my best to avoid you until then." 'Because I'm sure you don't want to see my face.'
" I-I see."
Natsuki had nothing more to say so she gave Shizuru her turn. "Y-you said you had something to say Shizuru?"
"No ... no, Natsuki has made her decision. So I have nothing more to say."
Natsuki wasn't surprised. Of course Shizuru had nothing more to say. She already got what she wanted. 'She won't have to see me anymore ..." A lone tear ran down her cheeks. She wiped it away quickly. She couldn't let this go on anymore. She didn't want to cry anymore. Enough was enough.
"All right then. Bye, Shizuru," Natsuki said tersely. Without waiting for a reply, she snapped her phone shut. She rubbed her tears away with her sleeves and stood up. Even though she didn't feel like it, Natsuki managed a small smile for Chie and Yukino. "Thank you for staying here with me guys. I'm gonna head back to class now. Sitting here and moping around isn't going to help me," she said.
Natsuki turned and marched out of the Student Council Room before her friends could get a word in. Chie and Yukino had watched and listened to the phone conversation intently. That phone call was the first breakthrough regarding the mystery of their missing friends and Natsuki had just hung up. They were both in a tight spot. They knew Natsuki wanted to be left alone but at the same time, they needed answers. Natsuki didn't look like she was in any mood to talk. Chie and Yukino would surely be yelled at if they tried or worse ... Natsuki might start crying again.
Chie's eyes met Yukino's concerned ones and all she could do was shrug helplessly. The mousy brunette also looked troubled. But then, her face brightened. Yukino took off in a run, gesturing Chie to follow. "Kuga-san!" Yukino cried out to Natsuk
They both caught up to Natsuki in the hall way. The said girl stopped walking when her named was called. "Hmm? What's up?" she asked.
"Oh! N-Nothing important," Yukino said. "I was wondering if I could get that unknown number. It was Kaichou-sama wasn't it? I've been trying to call her all day. We have err … S-Student Council matters to discuss. I-I think she got a new phone and forgot to give me the number. S-So, would you mind if I get that number from you, Kuga-san?"
"Uh, sure," Natsuki handed over her phone.
It worked. The two other girls fought back the urge to do a victory dance. Yukino proceeded to save the number in her cell while Chie memorized it quickly. A few minutes later, Yukino gave Natsuki's phone back.
"You guys coming to class with me?" Natsuki asked.
Chie gave Yukino a surreptitious nod. It would be suspicious if both of them didn't go with her. "Oh, okay!" Yukino said.
"Um yeah, I forgot something in the Student Council Room. I'll catch up," Chie lied.
Natsuki merely shrugged "Okay." She and Yukino walked on to class.
Now was Chie's chance. She hurried in the opposite direction and took out her cell phone. She dialed the number that she memorized.
Maybe now, she will finally be able to get a hold of her missing friends.