I'm reeeeeaaaallly sorry for not updating sooner. I've been really busy with finals at my high school. Sigh . . . anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter and keep the reviews up. Oh yeah, about that flamingos problem. Anyone out there who saw that I'm sorry, I MEANT no flaming . . . But my kindle auto-corrected it . . . and . . . yeah. Enjoy~~!
"W-when did this . . .?" Akihiko' s voice trailed off, unable to finish the question.
"I stopped soon before I was released from jail. I didn't want to keep those habits when I came here, so I stopped." After the initial shock passed, anger replaced it. Before he could say anything, though, someone knocked on my bedroom door, and Takahiro's voice came through the wood.
"Misaki, Usagi, can you come out? I need to talk to you." My brother's tone worried me. He said my name as though he were talking to a wounded animal. He had used that tone with me when I first arrived, but I managed to convince him that he didn't need to treat me like that.
After pulling my sleeves back down, I walked over and unlocked the door, then opened it slowly, looking warily at my brother. "What is it?" I asked, and he seemed to recognize that tone because he said quickly,"Someone called for you earlier, and when I told him you weren't up yet . . . he told me . . . some things about . . . you." Takahiro's voice got got quieter and quieter until I could barely catch the last word.
"Did they say a name?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, still talking quietly.
"What was it?" I asked impatiently.
"Haitani." The shock must have registered on my face, because my brother started panicking, probably because he knew it wasn't good when I showed my emotions like that. His eyes travelled down, most likely thinking of a way to calm both me and himself down. Before Takahiro could say anything, Akihiko said," What does this Haitani person mean to you?"
Apparently he hadn't failed to notice the way I stiffened when I heard the name either. I wasn't sure what to say, so I just stood there and maintained my blank, yet cold, expression again, but now it look like when I had been released from jail, with less light and spirit. Over the year I had lived with my brother, I had gotten the feeling that I was alive, but that feeling had just dissipated. I'd done my best to stay under the radar, yet it was all for naught.I had failed to escape him, that man.
"What exactly did he say to you?" I asked Takahiro, ignoring Akihiko's question.
"H-he said . . ." Takahiro's voice trailed off, and didn't finish the sentence. Apparently he was reluctant to answer the question, and soon the look of reluctance melted away to one of pity. I absolutely loathed that look, that look I had gotten from others in jail, including the guards, the man that took my first love away from me, and now my own brother and my first love himself. My brother noticed this change in my expression and looked slightly fearful, but the look didn't go away.
"Stop," I whispered. "Stop giving me that look. I hate that look! I don't want your damned pity! I've had enough of it!" I ended yelling. Noticing my brother's hurt expression, I said,"I'm sorry." My eyes were covered by my bangs so that the two couldn't see my expression.
"Can I be alone for awhile?" I asked in a hushed tone.
"Sure. Come on, Takahiro," Akihiko said to my brother. The two men left, looking at me with even more pity than before, and I knew I had to leave, leave this god damned place before it became too suffocating.
Everyone in the house left me alone for the rest of the day, save for Minami when she dropped food by my door. At around one p.m., once I was sure everyone wouldn't notice me leaving, I left my room with a bag full of clothes, money, and a couple of sentimental belongings, planning to leave. As I passed Akihiko Ritsu's room, I heard sounds that broke my heart all over again (you know what I mean), that made me leave all the quicker.
I put my shoes and jacket on and left the house, leaving a letter for Takahiro and Minami and Akihiko. That night I disappeared from their lives, just as Akihiko disappeared from mine.
Sorry again for taking so long to update. I know this chapter is kinda short, but I just love making people suffer not knowing what's going to happen while I do. It gives me a warm fluffy feeling. Anyways, give me at least five reviews on this chapter then I'll update. Bye bye until next time~!
Dragneellover out!
