Chapter 8: Vanity's Final Strike
Sunako took a deep sigh and turned to the mirror. She stared at her face for five seconds, and turned away.
Well, I'm getting better at looking at myself again.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Sunako said.
The door burst open and Noi came in, grinning from ear to ear.
"Su-na-ko-chan!" Noi sang, "let's go shopping!"
Sunako thought about this. "Sure, so long as we can stop at the market. I need to get some ingredients for tonight's dinner."
Noi sweat dropped, but recovered after a moment. "Okay."
Sunako grabbed her coat and they left the mansion.
Venita smirked—looking at the concoction. In it reflected the princess and Lady Noi.
"Now…what would work best, little princess?" Venita laughed to herself. "Broken hearts, ugly little girl, are all that you're going to have. Not even your Prince Charming is going to save you from your fate."
Venita went away from her cauldron and to the table.
The fairy, who had been hiding on top of the chandelier, floated down and looked in the cauldron. "Princess Sunako?" The fairy's eyes widened and she flew out of a window. "I have to warn the Duchess!" the Fairy muttered. "The Duchess will know what to do!"
Noi had bags of clothes in her hands.
Sunako, on the other hand, carried groceries.
"How is it we're best friends?" Noi asked Sunako, who shrugged.
"Maybe we're just crazy," Sunako answered.
Noi giggled. "I think you're right. We're both pretty crazy," she agreed. "What are you going to make the boys?"
"I was thinking of miso soup with pot stickers."
"Yum!"
"Girls! Get out of the road!" a man shouted.
Before Noi or Sunako could react, a truck swerved.
Sunako grabbed Noi and tried to pull her out of the way.
Their bags forgotten, Sunako and Noi tried to run.
The side of the truck collided with both girls, first Sunako, then Noi…
The Duchess sat at a desk, reading a letter from her sister-in-law. She picked up a quill and a fresh piece of parchment, ready to report to the Queen the progress of the princess.
"Duchess! Duchess!"
The Duchess turned around and stared at the fairy. "What is it?"
"Venita's going to kill the Princess!" the fairy said.
The Duchess stood in alarm, but then a shock went through her.
"Sunako-chan!" the Duchess whispered.
Noi woke groggily.
"Oh thank god, you're alright," the nurse said. "You've been asleep for two days, honey."
Noi blinked. Her tongue was thick in her mouth. "Su…Su…"
"You're friend isn't doing so well. She's on life support," the nurse told her, stroking Noi's hair. "But don't worry: I'm sure she'll be alright. Don't strain yourself, honey. You're parents have been worried sick."
The nurse left and Noi closed her eyes.
Sunako-chan…she began to cry…
The boys, save Kyouhei, visited Noi with her parents.
"Have you seen Sunako-chan?"
Takenaga nodded. "She's not doing well. She's hanging on though, but the doctor's aren't hopeful. Kyouhei's still with her. I've never seen him so scared."
"Maybe he'll finally figure out he loves her," Ranmaru said grimly. "But I don't want him moping around the house…"
Noi winced. So Kyouhei is in love with Sunako-chan. I knew it, but…I'm more worried about Sensei.
"Tell me how bad she is," Noi said. "Don't sugar-coat it."
The boys looked at each other.
Yuki bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes.
Ranmaru looked away.
Takenaga sat down and took Noi's hand. "Sunako-chan's right arm is broken as well as a couple ribs, and one foot was dislocated," he said. "She's healing, but she hasn't woken up at all. She has a terrible concussion. The doctors think that there's a chance she might wake up, but they aren't very hopeful. They're doing all that they can—Obachan was notified and she demanded that they give it their all."
"We're waiting for Obachan to get here," Yuki added.
"Someone has to tell Sensei," Noi said. "I think he should know. Takenaga, please, call him."
"Why does he need to know?"
Because he and Sunako-chan love each other! "Because I think he should know," Noi said, swallowing.
Takenaga looked at her skeptically.
Ranmaru, who had heard, silently said, "oh."
Noi stared at Takenaga almost begging him to call Sensei.
"Alright, I'll call him." Takenaga took out his phone. "Not one word or I'll be thrown out," he said to the group as he dialed Sensei's number.
Obachan strode through the hospital grandly. She stopped at the receptionist's desk. "I'm Sunako Nakahara's aunt. Where's my niece?"
"Are you her guardian?"
"I am."
"Nakahara-chan is in the intensive care unit," the receptionist said. "Room twenty-five," the receptionist drew Obachan a map.
"Thank you," Obachan said. She strode down the hall towards the room, trying to school herself not to run or cry. Kami, please save my niece, she prayed.
L hung up the phone and ran out of his house.
"L?" Watari asked.
L didn't answer him, but grabbed his car keys, almost running to the garage.
He probably caused several accidents—or near accidents—on the way to the hospital.
He didn't stop for the officer that tailed him.
Once he arrived at the hospital, L parked the car and jumped out, ignoring the officer's shouts.
"Where is Sunako Nakahara?" he demanded, nearly shouting at the startled receptionist.
"R-room 25, third floor, intensive care unit," she squeaked.
L ran towards the room, occasionally flashing his police badge when necessary. The officer followed him, knowing what to do, but at the same time, did not.
L knocked on the door, but did not wait for an answer.
"Are you mad?!" the nurse shouted. "Who are you?"
"That," L said, "doesn't matter. Where's Sunako?"
The nurse, too bewildered, pointed at a bed.
L strode over to the bed and stopped.
Sunako was hooked up to a life support machine. She had a bandage around her head. L took her hand falling to his knees.
"Sir?" the officer began.
L turned to him.
"Ryuuzaki!" Matsuda said. "Oh, Kami! I didn't recognize you."
"Matsuda, get out," L snarled at him.
"I'll just…be outside the door," Matsuda said.
L kissed her hand. "Please, Sunako, wake up. Wake up…"
L didn't notice the door open, or Kyouhei come in.
Kyouhei stared at L as though he had never seen him before.
Kyouhei approached him cautiously, but stopped as though thinking better.
He swallowed, then continued to approach. "Sensei?"
"Get out," L snarled.
"Wh—"
"I said get out!"
Kyouhei backed away before striding out of the room.
Noi had some serious explaining to do.