After visiting Alex and Allen, I decided to go see Soseki. I'm sure that my boyfriend would want to know that I'm up and doing well. And I needed him as a distraction from Neil. Maybe if I tried spending more time with Soseki, I'd be able to get him in my head instead. But that didn't stop my stomach from doing a weird flop. Allen's smirk and words still echoed in my ears. He must have seen what happened between Neil and I. No, he does know. Did he tell Soseki? It sounds like something he might do.
I knocked on Soseki's door lightly and called out, "Hey Soseki? Are you home?"
"Oh Hazuki. It's good to see you feeling better," Iroha's soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see the blacksmith giving me a light smile. But she was clenching her hand as if it were in pain.
"Yeah, I'm good now," I laughed, "How did you know I passed out?"
"Rod," she responded, "Neil told him. And word spreads fast."
"I agree," I looked down at her hands, "You might want to go to Klaus."
"Alright. Soseki's at the river again today."
"Zuki!" Soseki gave me a hug as soon as I stepped across the bridge, "I was really scared you know. I don't know what I would have done if something terrible happened to you."
"Thank you," I let out a soft sigh as I relaxed in his arms, "I'm really sorry for making you worry about me. I'll try not to be overworked."
"It's alright," he pulled back a bit to look me in the eyes with a gentle look, "I'm just glad that you're feeling better. It makes me feel very happy."
He leaned down a bit to kiss me, pulling me closer to him. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, pushing myself against him. It was a very nice kissing, soft and rewarding. But I felt like something was missing from it. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I swiped at his lips, lightly begging for entrance. But he didn't try putting any force behind it. I couldn't help noticing that our kisses didn't have a spark. It was nice, but had none of Neil's heat. Feeling bad about this thought, I tried running my hands down his chest, hoping to light a fire in him. Unfortunately, he pulled away.
"So since you're here, do you want to fish? Since we got interrupted yesterday by your headache."
"Alright," I grabbed the same pole from yesterday, keeping myself alert. I did not want a repeat of last time. But the entire time that I fished, not a single ache came to me. Maybe it was just a one time thing? Did I eat something bad?
I kept glancing at Soseki the entire time I fished, feeling very terrible. He deserved someone better than me. Someone who could actually sort out their damn feelings. I wanted to love him the same way he loved me, but I don't think it was possible. I liked Soseki and still wanted to be his girlfriend, but I didn't want him to get hurt. I couldn't keep things bottled up for too long, or everything would fall apart. I would have to leave Echo Village and Alex. I couldn't do that. I've grown to like it here. And Alison would miss me. Everyone in town would.
"Hazuki? Is something the matter, dear?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking is all."
"You sure? You seem a bit tense. Did something happen in the clinic? I know how Klaus can be."
"It's alright-"
A loud cracking sound stopped my next words. I swiftly turned to see Soseki falling to the ground with a loud gasp.
"Soseki! Hold on! I'll go get help!"
I raced into town and grabbed the arm of the first person I saw. Luckily, it just happened to be Alex. She gave me a look.
"Are you alright Hazuki? You look pale."
"Not important," I panted, "Soseki. Injured near the river. Need help."
"Alright," she went into serious mode at that, "Luckily being cursed has made me stronger. Lead me to him."
"Okay."
"You two can come in now," Klaus's voice reached Alex and me as we sat in the waiting room. After we dragged my boyfriend to the doctor, he made us wait outside while examining him. I felt so bad. I was worrying about myself, so I didn't even realize that my boyfriend was unwell.
"What happened to him?"
"He's broken his left leg. The injury isn't too bad, but he won't be able to walk for about a month. I've put a cast around his leg, so he'll have to be easy on it. Make sure that he does not leave his house for two weeks."
"What about the festival tomorrow?" I asked, since it was the twenty-fourth today.
"I do not want him to go to the top of a mountain. It would just make his injury worse. Considering how slippery the ground will be. Soseki's health is more important than a bunch of stupid stars."
"Of course," I backed away slightly at Klaus's glare.
"There's always next year," Alex whispered, "Let's go visit Soseki."
When we entered the room, he looked up with curiousity. He gave me a light wave.
"Hey Zuki. Guess we can't do the festival huh?"
"It's alright," I sniffed, "I'm just glad that you will be okay. I'm sure you will be able to recover."
"Me too. Are you two going to carry me to my house?"
"Yes," Alex looked to me, "Ready Hazuki?"
"Of course."
With Alex's help, we were able to get Soseki back at his home and safely in his bed. I gave him a light kiss on the forehead before following Alex out of the home. The cursed farmer gave me a look.
"What are you going to do for tomorrow?"
"I'll figure that out tomorrow," I waved to her, "See you later."
"Later."
