Chapter Seventeen

I couldn't see since everything's a blur.

I gave no time to acknowledge the Dollars boss as I already sprinted off the stairs and out the academy, my leather brown shoes skidding with the asphalt ground, literally creating sparks. I quickly ran over to the hospital, my breath ragging.

She's awake.

I don't want to waste any more time. Noelle's awake and I must be by her side at once. I spied the hospital coming nearer as I moved past the gray people and ducked through the doors. I tried to regain composure; I tried to look like I was just a visitor on my way to see my last blood relative, but now, that doesn't seem to fit me anymore.

Room 301 came into view as I climbed the last of the stairs. I stood consciously in front of her door as I tried to flatten my already stuck up hair. What would happen? Will she still remember me? Moreover, would she forgive me all the wrong doings I have done in the past?

Before I could move, the door already slid open and Shinra looked out at me, a perplexed face etched at his face. "Noel? What are you doing standing around here?" He said in a caring tone. I couldn't even move my head. Taking it as a sign that I'm too speechless at the news of her wellbeing, the underground doctor moved to the side and gently pushed me inside, my legs following his command. It'll be okay… She'll know what to do…

I immediately noticed Celty, whose black clothing stood out the most in the white room. There was a middle aged man who I presumed as the doctor. Shinra strode past the patients bed and stood by the glass window. And she…

Oh god, she's as beautiful as a goddess, more beautiful to be exact. Her head turned to me, tilted evenly so, with the grace of a gentle swan and the beauty of a fawning peacock. Now when the hell I was ever this sappy? That's not the case anymore when the corners of my lips slowly curved upwards as she in return, softly smiled at me, her green eyes full of life which sparkled, "Onii-chan…"

I'm in heaven.

My whole body shook uncontrollably as I grasped her tight but snug into a long awaited hug. It's been too long since I held her like this, too long… "Y-yes, it's me…" I couldn't contain my happiness. Here is Noelle, my loving twin sister, the polar opposite of me, here and alive by my side. I placed a hand to stroke her soft curls as I smiled into her forehead, giddy and glad as ever. She returned the hug, albeit a little stiff since it was her first time to move again in two years, so I reluctantly let go to examine her. "You're looking good." I half joked as she giggled at me, her small hand covering her mouth to restrain her giggles.

"You too, onii-chan." I patted her head affectionately. Shinra and Celty were surprised by my actions. I was extremely aloof and cold to others, particularly to Heiwajima and Izaya. But to my sister, who I loved and longed for such a long time, there's no reason for them to feel this astonished to me when it came to her.

"You'll be doing fine in the next few weeks." The doctor looked up from Noelle's prognosis as he explained. "I'll send someone the next week to do the rehabilitation processing and some nurses and physical therapists to do on your motor skills. For now, bed rest, good food, and a lot of exercise are needed for you." He then smiled warmly as he excused himself to give us more privacy. Shinra and Celty escorted the doctor out, leaving us two behind. I took my sister's hand into mine and leaned onto her to peck her forehead, "See..? You'll be fine." She gave off a tired smile as I once again wrapped her into another hug. My face buried itself into the mass of her wonderfully smelling hair and sighed happily.

"How long was I out?"

"Hm, about six days; give or take two years and so." She and I chuckled at my joke.

"…Is it really that long?"

"Yeah… We're worried about you, particularly Shizuo Heiwajima." My hand stroked her hair again as I ruefully smiled. Don't get me wrong, I haven't given the blond my blessing, not yet. I just want to see what may happen if the two will meet again. She was silent for a while when I noticed her looking up to me with questionable look.

"What..?"

"You know, Shizuo. Your boyfriend." My heart panged with regret at the next words she said.

"I don't…know him…"

"What the fucking hell do you mean she has amnesia?!" My tone was angry, my face red with rage, hell, even my fist is ready to make contact with the now scared doctor.

We're standing outside her room, Celty's inside to keep Noelle company while me and Shinra were outside with said doctor, my fists clenched and unclenched since I'm still unsure whether I should kill this guy or not. However, the realization first hit me too hard at the face, causing my hands to stop shaking and my face to look glum.

She doesn't remember him…

She doesn't remember Heiwajima, and it was only Heiwajima that she didn't know…

Why..? Why is she like this..?

"There's no particular reason as to why she doesn't remember one of your friends," I mentally winced at that part but Shinra shot me a glare to prevent me from actually killing the doctor. "But it may be best if you introduce him to her slowly throughout her life so she may get at least a glimpse of her past about him." My body tensed up a bit as I looked away when my friend gazed hard at me.

"Noel, you have to tell him." He started but I put up a hand to stop him.

"No. I don't have the right. Besides, why should I care..?" I voiced out my own thoughts unknowingly when I suddenly cringed back and felt a searing, burning pain flew right across my face. At first I didn't know what happened. But as my green eyes shifted to Shinra's angry ones, I immediately shrank back. I never knew he held so much power kept inside him. But then again, Shinra was more the 'happy-go-lucky' guy than the raging bastard like me or Heiwajima.

We sat in silence on one of the chairs, me holding an ice pack to my sore face and the bespectacled guy sitting right next to me. He never was the type to hit people, especially people like me who are extremely close to his dearest friends. "You're acting childish again, Noel. Don't you want your sister's happiness as well?" I shot a glare at him when I accidentally sneezed. Thinking that was the ice pack being so near to my nose, I put it down and lightly fingered my bruised face. I was a little disappointed it didn't do anything except make it feel number than it already is.

"Tch, if you're ever in my position right now, Shinra, I doubt you'll even last a second." I wanted to smirk but my face is too painful to do any facial expressions. I grunted at the pain and placed back the ice pack. "It's not about being in a situation that harms you, but doing the best you can to relieve it." At that, Shinra stood up and walked back inside Noelle's room. I didn't understand what he meant so I tried to come and find some answers from him. But as soon as I brought my fingers to door handle, I saw a flash of blond hair caught my eye from the stairs. Thinking that it was finally Heiwajima, I distinctly turned around and walked out, muttering a warning and a dry gaze at him as I went past the hospital and back to the apartment; to pack my stuff and go home.

With Noelle.

Darth Zannah, thank you for your review. Also I'm so sorry that it was a very late update, but I promise I won't give up on this. That, I swear.