A/N: Well, here is the real chapter seven of Loud or Quiet. I do apologize for accidentally posting an unfinished chapter version of this. I didn't know the mistake until I checked on my account. Thank you to the reviewers: Fallen-Autumn-Leaves, lovefairytail007, and pucca786. Like I posted on Brains vs Brawns, it will take a while for me to update, so I'll only update the ones with most reviews for each chapter I post. Oh, and there's a poll I made, so those who don't like reviewing but like to take polls. This is the time. I take into account the reviews and the votes.
Chapter Seven
He ran. He ran as if his life depended on it. He could have gotten to his destination by his personal limousine, but he feels as if he could be there faster by his own feet. If he had not been part of the kendo club, he would have done just fine in track since he ran at a startling speed. Just as he ran by, some people would have a double take, wondering if a human really ran by them. No one would know that the running bullet was actually Takashi Morinozuka.
Sweat covered his features as he tried his best to get to the hospital. He wasn't going to be hesitant any longer. To him, he needed Ella. He missed her. Ever since that incident, he was always self-conscious and guilty around her. The feeling of being useless had always wedged inside him whenever he was near her. His guilt pushed him away from his beloved friend, but he wasn't going to let it push him any further. For Ella, he would stop drowning himself into the ocean of guilt.
By the time he got there, it was getting dark. He was out of breath and sweating. People looked over at him with concern, but he stood tall with an even expression before he wiped his sweat with the back of his hand in a swift motion. Many women looked at him in awe at the way he did so. They couldn't help as some of them had their mouths wide open while others couldn't help but squeal at the refreshing moment. Takashi did not take notice the shine in these women's eyes. Instead, he rushed himself in search for Ella's hospital room. When he found it, he stood in front of the door. He took in a large breath before letting out. His right hand clenched in nervousness before he opened the door. It was by that time. He didn't see any of the host club members, Lina Hoshino, Ritsu Kasanoda, or even Ella's parents anywhere. He let out a relieved sigh and started to take a step forth but closed the door behind him.
Ella felt a presence and looked at who was at the door. To her surprise, she saw a man's back. She knew who it belonged to without even needing to see his face. She let out a smile yet tears started to form in her eyes. And for some reason, her hands touched the middle of her chest where her heart is.
"Morinozuka-san?" Ella asked with concern and surprise. Even if she said his last name as if it was natural, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as it rolled off her tongue. As much as she loved Takashi, she couldn't allow for another mistake to happen between them.
When Takashi heard her say his last name, he couldn't help but freeze and his heart had somehow thumped against his chest with a stinging pain. He had to hold it in since he did not want another misunderstanding to harm their relationship any further.
"El-la," Takashi said quietly as her name rolled off his tongue with difficulty. It still pained him when she said his name.
"Why are you here?" Ella gulped, founding it difficult to speak to him as time passed by.
"I-I want to see you," he said, taking a step forth towards her. His legs felt wobbly not from exhaustion but of nervousness.
Ella chuckled, hoping to ease the tense air between them. Takashi let out a small smile escape his lips. He missed her usual bright laugh. He noticed the difference in this chuckle of hers. It was as if she was trying her best to make him feel comfortable.
"I kind of guessed that, Shi- I mean Morinozuka-san," Ella pointed out, "Are you here because you are concerned about me?"
His eyes brightened when she was about to use his nickname but felt disappointed when she corrected herself and used his surname instead. And as she asked him the question, he quickly nodded. She smiled at him, trying to look as bright as she usually was even though Takashi knew the difference immediately. Her bright smile would make him see flowers, yet all he saw were sadness surrounding her. He could feel the stinging pain return to him.
His heart kicked him as if urging him on to get to her quickly and get back the Ella he so loved. And without another minute, he took long strides to get to her and clasped her hands in his own. This action shocked Ella immediately, making her confused and wonder if she should allow him to get close to her.
"I'm sorry, Ella-" he started but was cut off by Ella.
"You don't need to apologize. I should be the one to apolo-" It was Ella's turn to be cut off by Takashi.
"No. Don't apologize," he said sternly while he hovered over her, "The one who should apologize is me. Not you. Never you."
Ella looked at him confused, wondering if Takashi was all right in the head. He noticed the concerned look of hers. He let out a small smile and his eyes looked at her gently while he placed his large right hand against her cheek. His other hand still clasping Ella's left hand.
"All of this time, I was scared to be near you," Takashi started, "Because I always felt guilty for what had happened before you left to America. The incident that almost took you away from me and Mitsukuni."
"You mean?" Ella's eyes widened in shock but looked up at him to verify. Takashi nodded to confirm at the reason why he's been uncomfortable around her was not the reason Ella was thinking. It wasn't her forceful presence that feared him or her personality, but it was the incident that happened years ago that made Takashi afraid. "But it happened long ago! It wasn't your fault, and there was nothing you could do at the time."
Takashi shook his head, feeling the memory of the incident returning in his head. The way he became useless as he could only watch. The point in which he wasn't able to reach her and kept her safe. His hand left her cheek, and he let go of his grasp on her other hand. Ella took this chance to lay her hands on Takashi's cheeks before pulling him down to her level and kissed the middle of his forehead.
"We were children then. Of course, there was nothing that you could do," Ella pointed out in a matter of factly tone, "I'm still alive. Still here."
"But I... this feeling of guilt won't fade when I'm near you. I promised myself if I see you again I would protect you, but I didn't. I made you worried and then you got into an accident. The memory keeps repeating in my head. I don't know what to do when I'm near you. I feel lost and the guilt continues to come back," Takashi said before clearing his throat. This was one of the rarest times he spoke more than two or three lines.
Ella could see the battle Takashi had within himself, and it pained her to see such a hurtful expression in his eyes. The way his brows creased together in worry. Ever since her return, he had been like this, but he always tried to hide it. He hid it until it hurts him too much, which was what Ella feared the most.
"My ShiShi, you've been through so much," Ella whispered. Takashi's eyes widened at the return of his nickname and he let out a small smile to show he was happy, but he then realized she added the "my" to his name. He blushed like a shy little school kid. Ella couldn't help but giggle and somehow both felt things were getting better.
"If it makes you happy, I will still transfer schools to help ease your pain," Ella told him. Takashi immediately frowned.
"But I don't want you to leave," Takashi said.
Ella smiled and shook her head. "I'll be in a different school, and I will still see you and NiNi. It's like old times. We were never in the same school in the years we've been together, so I'm sure you will be more comfortable this way."
Takashi still felt reluctant and he laid his left hand on her left hand, which was still on his cheek. He closed his eyes and smelled in her scent. They were like this for a few minutes.
"Which school?" He finally asked.
"I think it was Lobelia? It's a private school for girls," Ella said with a smile. Takashi's eyes opened immediately in shock as he remembered how the host club dealt with the Zuka Club when the trio of girls tried to steal Haruhi away from them.
"You can't. Not there," Takashi said calmly but his expression said otherwise.
Ella looked at him confused. She didn't know how Takashi feared of her being stolen away from him by the mischevious trio. She didn't know how possessive he is of her. Or how he wanted to protect her from other guys being close to her with the exception of him and Mitsukuni though he did feel a little jealous of how close Mitsukuni was with her. But he wouldn't admit it.
"Why not?" Ella asked, her head tilted to the side in curiosity.
"Scary," he only answered. Ella stared for a bit and giggled.
"I'm guessing you've met the students of Lobelia before?" Ella questioned. Takashi nodded slowly.
"I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad, ShiShi," Ella told him, but Takashi shook his head frantically. His hands flew to her shoulders which startled Ella.
"You mustn't go to Lobelia. Stay in Ouran. With me," he demanded. Ella was a little afraid of this new attitude of Takashi's but she nodded as if it was the only option. Takashi let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"What did they do to make you so scared, ShiShi?" She inquired. Takashi shook his head.
"You don't need to know," Takashi stated. Ella was curious but she didn't question any further. By the looks of it, it must have been something horrible. Little did she know, he didn't want to be reminded of his crossdressing and how scary those Lobelia girls could be. It sent shivers down his spine at the memory.
In the end, the pain that once coursed through their bodies disappeared immediately. It was as if everything is forgiven that night, yet they still had a long road ahead of them to heal from the fears they still had not dealt with. But for now, these two childhood friends are content.