Chapter 18: Revelations and Scares

"We are completely, one hundred percent screwed!" I shout, pacing back and forth, wearing a hole into the carpet. "She's not going to keep this a secret, there's no way when you're this popular with every single women alive. She's going to tell, and you're mother is going to find out. This is horrible! I love your mother, I really do, but she's so overbearing sometimes. She doesn't know when to hold back and at this rate, we'll be married before the end of the week. How did we get into the situation in the first place? I remember. We just blabbed it to the world in the middle of the cafeteria in during lunch. How much more stupid can we get? We've gotten so careless and comfortable and this is a…mmmfgh." I stop my rant to glare up at Irie-kun pointing my finger towards his hand covering my mouth impatiently.

"Kotoko, can you take a deep breath for me? Just breathe for a second and calm down." He exaggerates a deep breath. I continue to glare at him, but I take a deep breath in and out, a second one, followed by a third. "Do you feel calmer?" He asks, I nod my head, "Ok, I'm going to release my hand, please stay calm." He slowly removes his hand and cups my face. "She's not going to tell, she doesn't know either of us beforehand and wasn't aware we were dating." My face must have expressed some doubt because he pulled me into a hug. "Kotoko, I love you. I know we agreed to keep our relationship quiet because our school was so small and a class F student with a class A student would have started a riot, but university is different. The campus is huge; the likelihood of the rumour of us dating circling back to anyone at school from a single person is low. Besides, we've been together for over three years. If we've managed to keep quiet from my stalking mother this long, it's not like she's going to catch on. Reiko is not a bad person nor is she a blabber mouth, I have a feeling you two will get along just fine." I scoff and roll my eyes slightly. "Don't be like that. She's one of the most normal girls I've ever met, the only other one being you. Just try to get along." I let out a long sigh and nod my head reluctantly. He kisses the top of my head, before leaving my room, letting me know he has a few chapters to read for his class tomorrow.

I change into more comfortable clothes before heading downstairs to prepare dinner. As I'm pulling out the chicken Mrs. Irie and I marinated last night, the front door opens. "I'm back." My dad calls into the house.

"Hi dad, you're back early tonight. Are you going back to the restaurant or are you staying for dinner?" I ask, poking my head around the corner.

"No, I'm staying in tonight. Satoshi and our new recruit can handle it. I actually came home early to talk to you." He replies coming into the kitchen as I return to my dinner preparations.

"Is something wrong?" I call, bending to open a cupboard. Sticking my head in, I reach for the baking tray in the back.

"I was thinking of trying to find our own place." I jump up in shock, banging my head on the roof of the cupboard, wincing in pain and rubbing my bruised head, I extract myself from the cupboard with the baking pan. "Are you alright, Kotoko?" Dad asks me.

"I'm fine, no major bruising. I do want to know though, why do you suddenly want to get our own place? I thought you were enjoying your time living with Mr. Irie."

"I am, but Kotoko, we can't live here forever. Eventually, Naoki-kun might find a girlfriend or you find a boyfriend and this living arrangement might make things difficult for both of you in the future. Not to mention Naoki-kun will have to start preparing to take over his Iri-chan's company. We shouldn't be in their way."

I look down. Dad did have a point. I was just so used to seeing Irie-kun around the house whenever, and since we were dating it was great being able to spend as much time with him as possible. "I guess you have a point, dad."

"Then it's settled. I'll start looking for a place." He turns to leave, pausing in the doorway. "Kotoko, you're a sensible girl. I know Mrs. Irie is a little overbearing, but please don't let her place ideas into your head. Who you end up with should be of your choice, the same should go to Naoki-kun too."

I lean my head against the arms on the counter, staring out the window into the bright blue sky. "Now what do we do?"

"Kotoko-chan, is something wrong?" I look up from my plate to see the entire table staring at me. I look back down to the rice and chicken I had been pushing around my plate for the last ten minutes.

"Sorry, I'm not hungry. I had a really tiring day. Excuse me; I think I'm going to turn in early." I stand up from the table turning to Mrs. Irie. "Would you mind clearing the table by yourself?" She shakes her head at me, hurrying me upstairs to get some rest.

After a quick shower, I change into my pajamas, and lay down on my bed snuggling with a pillow. Staring up at the ceiling, I sigh deeply at the thought of only seeing Irie-kun at university. Even then it was unlikely as our schedules were all over the place and I rarely bumped into him due to the size of the school, even if our departments were right across from each other.

I hear a knock on my door. "Can I come in?" Irie-kun asks through the door. I stay silent; I didn't want to talk to anyone. After a few minutes, I hear his footsteps turn away and the sound of his bedroom door closing.

I spent most of the night awake, unable to sleep and woke up the next morning feeling exhausted and ill. Stumbling down the stairs, I yawn as I approach the table where everyone was eating breakfast. "Good morning." I mumble, sliding into my chair.

"Kotoko-chan, you look so sick! Are you feeling alright?" Mrs. Irie asks me concerned.

I nod my head, smiling faintly, "Just a little tired, I'm sure I'll feel better with some food."

Mrs. Irie feels my forehead, pulling her arm back in shock. "Kotoko-chan, you're burning up! I think you should stay home today."

I shake my head, "I feel fine, besides, I want to make a good first impression." I take a bite of my toast, checking the time, gasping in horror at the placement of the clock hands. "Crap, I have to go. I want to sign up at student services before class starts." I stand up thanking Mrs. Irie for breakfast as I grab the piece of toast for the road.

Jogging out to the foyer, I'm suddenly hit with a dizzy spell, collapsing against the wall while I wait for it to pass. I put my shoes on and was about to walk out when Irie-kun calls out for me to wait for him. I nod my head before calling back that I'd wait for him outside. Stepping outside, I walk down the driveway, taking in the clean air and breathing in much needed fresh oxygen to clear my head. It didn't help. If anything, the sun made my vision swim. Black spots began dancing in front of my eyes and I leaned against the brick wall to steady myself.

"Kotoko, are you ready to go?" Irie-kun asks as he walks out of the driveway. I take a step towards him, holding out a hand as I stumble slightly.

"Irie-kun, help!" I gasp before pitching forward. My world goes black.

Hi guys, sorry this was out late...not doing so well for my promise. I had a massive writers block halfway through this chapter and needed to find some inspiration to finish it. I hope you guys like it. I have a few ideas for upcoming chapters but if you guys have any send me ides via PM or through a review. Hope you guys continue reading and again, I apologize for the delay. I have AP exams coming up in May so I may disappear for a while then. Hopefully once I've chosen which university I want to go to, and we hit the third week of May, life should be much easier. Alright, I've dragged this out for long enough. I'll write to you guys next time. Ciao!