Chapter 13: Accident and Results
I knock on Irie-kun's bedroom door. A muffled "come in" invites me to open the door and step into his room. Irie-kun looks up from the book he's reading by his desk. "Hey, it's me. I made you a good luck charm for you." I utter, closing the door behind me. I quickly attach it to his bag. Do you need anything else? I can make you breakfast tomorrow, a lunch, help pack your bag-"
"Kotoko," Irie-kun interrupts me, "Come here." He stands up, grabbing my arm, and leads me to his bed. He pulls me down so that we are lying side by side facing each other. He brushes the hair away from my face, looking deep into my eyes before pulling me close. "I'm fine, don't worry about it. Shouldn't you be worried about the exam yourself?" I look away down, burying my face into his shirt.
"I didn't apply for the exam." I mumble softly, hoping he didn't hear me.
He pulls away, staring at me in shock. "What? Why not? I thought we were going to apply together. You have the grades for the university."
I shake my head, "I may have the grades for it, but they're not high enough for sufficient amount of scholarship funding I'm going to need in order to pay for my education. Dad and I can't afford the fees. I have to attend our escalator university because there's no fee there. Everyone in class A has a full scholarship to our escalator university but I've applied for others at different universities and they've all turned me down, including this one." I feel my eyes begin to water and a burying myself again into Irie-kun's chest, as sobs rip from my throat.
Irie-kun wraps his arms around me, whispering words of comfort. "Why are you so sad?" I shake my head, not wanting to answer, and hug him closer to me. I feel his lips against my hair, my source of comfort and I burst into tears again.
I hear the door open and Irie-kun looks up before shooing the person away. I look up just as the door closes. "Don't worry, it was only Yuki. Now, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Irie-kun asks.
I look down. "I was downstairs making your charm, you know because I wanted to wish you good luck, when I realized that you're probably going to get into the university whether you had a good luck charm or not. That's when it hit me that we'd be in different schools in a different region next year. You'll have to stay in a dorm on campus because the commute is so long and I'll be here and we won't get to see each other because I can't afford the tuition." I collapse against him again, he arms winding tighter around my waist. "I was just sad I guess, and my imagination might have gotten a little carried away as well."
"Kotoko, I love you. Even if we have to work out a long distant relationship, you've been the only person to catch my attention ever. There is never going to be another girl like you. Besides, I can always decide to attend our escalator university rather than go abroad to one."
I shake my head furiously. "This is why I didn't want to tell you. Your family is ecstatic that you're following in your father's footsteps. I don't want to be the reason you don't get to go to such an amazing university. Besides, you should be happy you can go to such a prestigious university. I'll be fine Irie-kun, I was just overwhelmed for a second. I'll let you get back to studying. Please don't worry about me. Remember what we talked about? University is a place where we figure out what we want to do in the future. You have an amazing opportunity. Please don't waste it on my account." I place a quick peck on his lips. "Good night, I love you. I'll see you in the morning ok?" I smile brightly before walking out the room.
"Night, Kotoko." He responds, with a smile in his voice.
Closing the door behind me, I turn around to find Yuki staring at me. "What's wrong?" He stares in wonder at the door.
"I knew Oni-chan likes you, but I didn't realize how deep he loves you." He stares up in wonder at me. "Please take good care of my brother. If anything, I'm glad it was you and not some ditzy girl who fawns over my brother." He steps around me to open the door, closing it in my face. I blink, stunned slightly.
Smiling softly, I enter my own room, shutting the door behind me.
"Stop it! I'm leaving and no one follow me!" Irie-kun yells before stomping out of the house. I cringe in my chair, holding my cup of coffee. Mrs. Irie looks out the window, worried for her son. In her hand, she clenches a bottle of medicine tablets.
"Do you want me to go after him? To make sure he's alright?" I ask her quietly, taking a sip from my cup.
She turns around, a joyous expression on her face. "You're so caring, Kotoko-chan! You'll make a perfect bride." I choke on my coffee, spewing the brown liquid to stain the white tablecloth.
"Please Mrs. Irie, stop saying weird things." I cough out. Still coughing, I stand up and move towards the front door, grabbing a thick jacket and a scarf and my wallet. "I'm heading out. I'll be back in a bit." I call into the house.
Outside, the cold air bites me. It's the middle of winter and the streets are snowy and the air is chilled. I tuck my hands inside my jacket and my chin into my scarf, mummifying myself slightly before proceeding out into the streets. Luckily for me, the university entrance exam Irie-kun is taking is downtown where all the shops are. I can do some Christmas shopping while waiting for Irie-kun. Walking quickly through the streets, I spot the back of Irie-kun's head. Rolling my eyes, I slow my step to keep my distance.
I look up and sigh in relief, there's the conference center where Irie-kun's writing his exam. I feel pretty proud that he didn't see me the entire way. He stops for the light to cross the street as I try to sneak pass him with the flowing crowd.
A hand, grabs my arm and pulls. I shriek in surprise as the arm comes around my waist, holding me tight against a warm body. "I know what it looks like, but I'm not following you; I swear. I'm going to do some Christmas shopping and was going to be back in time to walk home with you once you were done writing your exam." I look up into annoyed brown eyes and smile sheepishly. "And since I was going this way your mom might have asked me to make sure you got in."
Irie-kun shakes his head and rolls his eyes, "Alright silly girl, you're off the hook for now." He kisses my forehead. "I'll see you later." He says before he walks across the road. I turn around to head off to the shopping district when there's a shout and a scream in the distance. Suddenly, a robber dressed in black comes sprinting around the corner. He's yelling and pushing people out of his way. I jump back to avoid him but I don't move fast enough. His hand slams into my shoulder and I'm sent flying. I scream before my head slams into the wall of a nearby building and my vision goes black.
Yuki glares at me. "Oni-chan didn't get into university because of you. I told you to take of my brother! Not ruin his future!"
Mr. Irie looks as me, a disapproving look on his face. "I can't believe you tried to sabotage my son. You are not welcome into our lives anymore." Suddenly I found myself on the streets in front of the Irie house. Irie-kun appears in front of me, holding my suitcase.
"I can't believe I let myself get caught up in some stupid romance. Why would I ever like you? You've ruined my life!" He yells at me, shoving my bags into my arms and walks away from me.
"I'm sorry Irie-kun. Please forgive me! Irie-kun! Irie-kun…"
"IRIE-KUN!" I scream, bolting upright. I wince in pain before I fall back onto…a bed?
I look around the room. I'm in a hospital room. Moaning in pain, I touch the bandage around my head with my right hand. Ow! That impact with the wall must have done more damage than I thought. My arm feels heavy. I slowly lift it to see a bright purple cast. I sigh in annoyance. This is just perfect.
Just as I'm wondering how I got here. The door flings open and Irie-kun comes flying in. "Are you alright, Kotoko? I heard your scream." His eyes are wide with panic.
I just stare at him. "What are you doing here?" I shriek. He jumps back slightly, probably alarmed at my outburst.
"What do you mean?" He asks softly.
"Did you write your exam?" I demand.
He shakes his head. "How could I? Kotoko, I saw you fall and I rushed you to the hospital. You were bleeding, oh God, there was so much blood; I couldn't see how bad the injury was. Your arm was at this weird angle and you were just lying there, unconscious. I don't think I've ever been more terrified." He looks at me and I turn away to face the window as tears begin to fall down my face. "Hey, it's ok. Don't cry." Irie-kun sits down near my head. "I could care less about the exam right now. I'm just glad you're alright. Hey, look at me." He gently turns my head staring down with the gentlest expression I've ever seen. "I love you. You haven't ruined my future, if anything; this makes my life much simpler. I was going to tell dad I wanted to go to our escalator school but I wasn't sure how I was going to proceed to spill the news. At least now I have a reason. Trust me. Everything will be fine." He kisses my forehead. "The doctor called your dad a few minutes ago after they treated your head and put a cast on your arm. He should be here soon. Knowing my family, they'll come running too." He stands up. "I'll go find some food alright? Just rest for now, I'll be right back." He cups my face with his hand before turning and leaving the room.
Not five minutes later, the door flings wide once again and three adults tumble into the room. Yuki-kun calmly follows behind them.
"Kotoko-chan? Oh thank God! I'm so thankful you're alright." Mrs. Irie cries as she rushes to my bed side and takes my good hand in hers.
"Kotoko, how are you feeling sweetie?" Dad asks. I smile back.
"It hurts when I move too much but I'm alright." I look up at Mr. and Mrs. Irie. "I have to apologies for what happened. Because of me, Irie-kun didn't get to write his exam." Mrs. Irie pats my hand.
"Don't worry, dear. Naoki explained what happened. He even saw the robber push you away and you flying into the wall. We've talked to him about it and he's not worried. I know my son and I'm glad he missed the exam to help you. At least now, he'll be closer to home next year." Mrs. Irie smiles brightly.
"Naoki can make his own decisions. While I wanted him to attend the same university I did, I'm glad he was there to help you." Mr. Irie confirms cheerfully. The door slides open.
"Kotoko, the café didn't have much but I brought you some soup." Irie-kun's asks.
"Thanks Irie-kun. I may need some help sitting up though. Mrs. Irie, can you help me?" She nods, setting up the pillow and helping into an upright position.
"The doctor said you could leave later this evening after they check your head. They just want to check to see if you have a concussion." Irie-kun explains. "Why don't you guys go get something to eat? I'll stay here and eat my sandwich. I've got nothing better to do right now."
Yuki looks back and forth between us. "Yeah, mom? Dad? I'm hungry, we didn't have lunch because we got the phone call and I'm starving." The adults nod their heads and leave the room. Irie-kun sighs, "Finally, it's quiet again." He cracks open a book. "Drink your soup and take a nap. I'm not letting you do anything else until the doctor says you're fine." I nod my head and smile, taking the container from his hands. "Thanks, Irie-kun…I love you."
"I love you too. Now, drink your soup."
School's out! Thank God! Which means more time for writing. Little depressed that my last chapter didn't get many reviews but oh well. I think I'm going to get a Christmas chapter up for the holidays before we continue into the University arc of Itazura na Kiss. I'll see you guys all next time. Ciao