Rei woked up as the sunshine from the window hit his eyes
Rei woke up as the sunlight hits his eyes. He sat up and search for his clock and saw that it is already 9:00 in the morning. He tried to relax himself for a bit. Then he remembered that Ran is with him last night. This make his sense woke completely. He searched the room and found no one. He stood and leave the room, still searching for Ran.
"Ran?!" he called but no one answered. He searched the living room and saw no one, as well as in the kitchen. "Where did she go?" he said as he searched the dining area. He found a note on top of a cooking pot. He took it and read "Sorry… I didn't wake you up before I leave… I saw you sleeping like a stone… so it's hard to wake you up… eat this porridge… Don't worry… I didn't put anything into it… hehehe… enjoy your meal… get well… -Ran…" He smiled after he read Ran's note. "Thank you Ran…" he whispered. He opened the pot and saw the hot porridge. 'It smells great' he said in the back of his mind.
Suddenly, the door bell rang. "Huh?" It rang again. "Still worried about me Ran?" He smiled at his thoughts. "Coming…" he said. But to his surprise, it isn't Ran.
"Rei? Are you alright?" Aya said.
"Aya? Why are you here? And how did you…?" He realized something before he could even finished his question. His eyes narrowed 'Ran' he cleared to himself.
Aya cupped his cheek "What are you talking about? You sent me a message, right? You said that you have a fever and asking me to come. Anyway, are you feeling fine now?"
Rei took her hands off on his cheeks. "I'm fine Aya… I really am…"
Aya sighed in relief. "Oh! I'm glad."
"Come inside…" Rei said and escorted Aya to step inside. Then he closed the door.
Ran watched Aya stepped inside Rei's apartment. She is hiding behind the gate where she can see Rei's apartment clearly. Early this morning, she used Rei's cell to send Aya a message, telling her to come over and he is sick.
'And I never thought that I will love again…'
Those Rei's words are the reason why she called Aya. She knew that Rei is in love with her and she can do nothing about it. She knew that it will be painful but there's no way she can interrupt her friends relationships, especially when it will make them cry. She'll do anything for her friends, even if she sacrificed everything.
She stretched her arms and moaned. "Oh! I haven't got enough sleep. I think I should head home before mom threw lightning bolts on me…"
"Take a seat." Rei pointed at the sofa. "Make yourself comfortable… I'll make something for you…"
Aya grabbed his arm. "No! I'll do it … You should take some rest Rei… we aren't sure if you are healthy enough… so please let me do it…" she pleaded. Rei nodded. "If that's what you want… I'll just change…" he said and walked to his room.
Aya smiled as he watched Rei. "Okay Aya… this is your chance to express your feelings…" then she headed to the kitchen.
Ran is already home "I'm home…" she yelled. "… Oh I'm so tired." She said as she took her shoes off.
"Good morning Ran…" someone said. Ran turned to where the voice came from and saw Miyu. She gulped. "Miyu? But why are you here?"
"I sleep here last night… actually, in your room…" she cackled. Ran crossed her arms "Aahh.. That's not a good thing to do Miyu… you should ask permission first…" She beamed at her. "… but still… if it's you… it's fine…" Miyu smiled at her "Of course… I knew you would say that…"
"Where's mom?" she asked as they approach the living room.
Yamato walked towards them "They left for work…"
"Oh is that so?" Ran threw herself on the sofa and rest. "Ah… I get tired…"
"Say, Ran…" Miyu suddenly spoke. "Eh?"
Miyu looked down "Have you and Tatsuki talked?"
Ran rubbed her head "Speaking of that monkey… I haven't seen him… he never showed up… I went to his house yesterday but he's not there… Naoki told me that he didn't come out on his room… I wonder why…" she said as she rubbed her chin. She turned to Miyu and saw his anxious face "Why Miyu? Do you know something?"
"Huh?" she gave a fake smile "Of course not… why would I ask you if I know…" she defended. Sweats are coming out on her face. Ran stood and leaned closer to her. She noticed that she's sweating. "Then why are you sweating…?"
"Oh that? It's because it is hot…" and before anything else, she ran to Yamato and cling to his arms.
"Well…" Ran threw herself back on the sofa. "I should talk to him and ask if there's something wrong… if only I had my cell I can reach him anytime…" She rested her head on the sofa and closed her eyes to relax.
Miyu frowned. 'Tatsuki took Ran's cell…' Yamato lightly bumped her by his shoulder. He smiled at her, implying 'Don't worry'. Miyu smiled back. Yamato is a very great help. If he is not beside Miyu, she should be freaking already.
"Hey Ran… Aya called me this morning and said that she's with Rei today. Rei asked her to come over because he is sick." Miyu said. Ran slowly opened her eyes and reminisced the moment when Aya went to Rei's apartment. "Yeah…" she murmured.
"Don't you feel odd about it?" Miyu asked but Ran didn't respond, she is staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Yeah Ran, we all know that Rei has no serious feelings for Aya, so why would he ask her to come to his apartment?" Yamato added. This time, Ran stood. She limbered her shoulder and started walking. "Simple, Rei is already in love with her… Oh! I'm too sleepy…" and then she left and headed to her room. Miyu and Yamato looked at each other.
Aya saw a pot of porridge on the table. (Good thing… Rei took Ran's note with him before worst things happen.) "A porridge?"
"I cooked already…" said Rei behind her. He has already changed his clothes. "You can eat with me if you want. But you wouldn't want to eat porridge because…" he said.
"It's okay… it's very okay…" she said. 'As long as we're together…' she thought
"Of course… I'll arrange the table…" She hurried at the kitchen. Somehow, she feels disappointed. She wanted to take care of Rei, to cook for him, just for once. 'But I guess it isn't necessary…'
While eating, Aya, even if disappointed, feels contented because she ate with Rei and moreover, they are alone together. She talks about lots of things. Rei listens and responds a bit. After the meal, Aya did all the chores. Rei refused but she insisted, so he just let her.
After Aya is done, she headed to the living room. Rei is in his room. He told her that he'll fix some thing. Aya examined the area. It is very neat. She sat at the sofa. She noticed that she sat into something. She looked at it and saw a yellow handkerchief. It is very feminine. "Huh? A woman's hanky? But why is it here, in Rei's apartment?'She sniffed. 'This smell looks familiar… I knew this perfume… I smell this often times…' She tried to remember but Rei stepped outside his room. Aya hid the handkerchief behind her.
"Hi!!"
Rei's eyes narrowed. "Hi? Hi for what?"
"Uh… nothing…"
"You sure?" he asked to make sure. "Of course…" she replied.
"Okay… Aya, I'll be going for work…"
"Huh? Work? But…"
"I told you I'm fine. I'm okay now… and I should get back to work." He said. "Come with me… I'll take you home…"
"No it's fine… I can take care of myself. You sure you're fine to work?" she asked worriedly. Rei nodded. "Let's go…" Without him noticing, Aya hid the yellow handkerchief inside her bag. She doesn't know why, but she has the feeling that… that belongs to someone she knew…
After taking a nap, Ran decided to stroll in Shibuya. She missed doing this. She missed Shibuya. She loves this place so much. This is because of the tutorial and her strict tutor. "Haaay…" she sighed. Speaking of her tutor, 'What is he doing right now?' she asked to herself. Suddenly, she gets irritated. She rubbed her hair hardly. "What do you think you're doing right now?" she said irritably. Then she calmed herself "I should be having some fun. And speaking of fun, where is Tatsuki?" She turned side to side to search for Tatsuki. She sat helplessly on the near bench. "Oh that stupid Tatsuki, what is he up to? I haven't seen him since yesterday… I'll beat that monkey when he showed up for sure…" she said.
She rested her head on the bench and watched the clouds above. She wanted to rest for a bit, especially her mind. But someone's scream interrupted her. She turned to where the voice came from. She saw a girl surrounded by goons. "Oh these stupid men…"
"Come on miss… come with us… we're going to take you in a nice place…" one of the men said.
The girl is shaking in fear. "I'm sorry but I have no time… I'm looking for someone…"
The other man leaned closer to her. She's freaking now. She doesn't know what to do. "You're going to enjoy it… so come on" he grabbed her arm. And because she is so afraid, she accidentally slapped the man's face. She gulped. She can't believe that she actually did that.
The man got mad. "Why you freaking…"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"You'll pay for this woman…" he grabbed her by her collar.
"Oh please stop… someone help…" she yelled.
"Let go of her you morons…" Ran said. The man turned around "Who the fu--" He was silenced by her flying boots. They hit his face. He fell on the ground. The other men shook in fear when they realized who the woman is. And it is Ran, the no.1 gal in Shibuya. She exercised her fist and glared at the other men. "Let go of that girl or I'll kick those butts out of you…"
"That's Ran… we have to go now… we can't win against her…" and they ran carrying the unconscious man with them.
"You call yourselves men…" she yelled. She sighed "I haven't done anything yet… freaking bastards…" Then she turned to the girl. She smiled at her "You okay?"
"Oh my goodness…" the girl murmured. She's staring at Ran. "Is something that matters? Did they hurt you?" Ran asked but there's no response. She's looking at her intensely. 'What's with this girl?' she said to herself. Ran saw her bag on the floor. She didn't even notice it. She took it and handed to her but instead of taking the bag, the girl took her hand and shook it. "Oh my goodness… I've finally met you Ms. Ran…"
"What?" she asked. She looked at her. Her eyes are sparkling.
"Hey… calm down miss…." Ran said as she distanced the girl from her. Her eyes are still focused on her. 'This girl's crazy.' She examined her face 'But she looks familiar to me… I thought I've seen her before…'
"Miss Ran?" the girl said.
Ran asked her "You know my name huh? Have we met already? Sorry! But I don't know you…"
The girl shook her head "No… But I know you… Even though, I haven't met you… I already know you…"
'Maybe a fan…' she said to herself.
"Miss Ran… you know… I've waited for this moment to finally meet my idol…" she said and giggled.
"Idol?" 'Just what I thought… she's a fan… but still…
"We haven't met yet… how can you…"
"From my brother…."
"Brother?"
"Yeah! My brother talks a lot about you… she said you're crazy but wonderful… strong and brave… especially… you're very cheerful…"
'Crazy?' she examined the girl's face. She is the girl from that picture. 'So this girl is…' "Reika?" she gulped.
The girl stop talking "… you know me?" she asked.
"You're Rei's sister?" Ran asked. Reika nodded.
"Hmmmm… this is delicious…" Reika mumbled after drinking the juice that Ran gave her. "… I'm very thirsty… thank you so much Miss Ran… you're very kind…" she smiled at Ran.
Ran smiled back. 'She's very cheerful… very different from that nerd…' she laughed at her thoughts. She noticed that Reika is wearing her school uniform. 'Wow… that uniform belongs to a university… that only rich people can afford. So they are really rich like what Rei said…'
"Reika… you're wearing your uniform… does that mean that you cut classes today…"
"Yup!!" Reika said in glee. Ran cackled. 'She's happy… even though she cut classes…'
"You're so funny Reika…" Ran said.
"… I know… everyone's telling me that… especially my brother…"
"You two are very opposite… your brother is a silent type…"
"Yeah… and such a nerd." and they laughed.
Ran stopped laughing and asked "If you don't mind, what are you doing here?"
"I cut classes to look for my brother…" she frowned.
"Look for your brother? You don't know where he lives…?"
Reika nodded. "He never told us… and he doesn't want to… We missed him so much… I miss my brother…"
Ran pitied Reika. Her eyes can tell that she's longing for his brother. She wants to comfort her but how? She took a deep breath. She doesn't like this kind of atmosphere.
"If we want to see him or if he wants to see us...we'll arrange a meeting place. That's the only time that we can hang out with my brother. My mother, Rayven and me…"
Ran nodded. She doesn't have to ask why she didn't include his father because she knew everything.
"Did my brother told you?" she asked. Ran nodded. "Just yesterday…" she smiled. "Reika, does your father know that you and Rei are seeing each other?"
"Yes… he knew… he let us have our way… for all he wanted is to never see his face again. He hated my brother for the accident. "
Then she remembered his father's expression back to Rei's apartment. She was sure at that time when Rei is suffering from fever, her father wanted to hug him. She saw it in his eyes. And she can't be wrong about that.
"Do you ever try to convince your father…?"
She shook her head. "Because we're afraid to make all things worst than before… My father let us see him even though he hate him so much… so I guess… that's fine enough…"
Ran clenched her fist and stood. She turned around and faced her "But still… you should have done something… you should at least try… Don't you realize that having a great and complete family is much better than a broken one? Eventhough you can see your brother everyday, it isn't enough… you should make a move… you should have done something…" She paused. She shouldn't act like this. It isn't her concern anyway.
Ran slumped back at the bench. "Sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"It's okay…" she said. A moment of silence came. Reika took a deep look at Ran. "Miss Ran… you know, my brother talked a lot about you…" Ran gulped. "What?"
"He told me that Miss Ran is very loud, funny, crazy, kind, strong, brave… and what else…hmmmm…" she thought as she rubbed her chin. "… oh yeah… and most of all… beautiful… he's always telling us that… that you're beautiful…"
Ran blushed as she touched her right cheek. She can't speak.
"Even though this is the first time that we've met, it seems like we're long time friends because my brother keeps on talking about you."
"Aah… but why?"
"Why? I think because he likes you…"
Ran's eyes open wide. 'Me? Rei likes me? That can't be…' Ran laughed, laugh louder that everyone turned to them. "Miss Ran?"
"Sorry about this… I can't stop laughing…" she said between her laughs.
"Is there something funny on what I've said?"
"Of course… you know… you're brother is always making me mad. We fight like cats and dogs. He's always making a face like this." Ran acted Rei's favorite expression. "He keeps on telling me that I'm crazy and everything that will make me angry… He keep on telling that I'm not his type and everything…" she laughed. "… So there's no reason that he'll like me…"
Reika feels confused. It's very different from what her brother said. He's always praising her, everytime that they'll meet. "Huh? Is that so? I thought you are his girlfriend…"
"No… you got it all wrong… actually your brother's girlfriend is…" then she paused. Reika waited. She saw Ran's sudden anxiety. "Miss Ran?"
"Oh yeah… Aya is his girlfriend. My bestfriend…" she added. They became silent for a moment.
"Come on…" Ran offered her hand to her. "I'll take you to your brother…" she winked at her.
"Really?"
"Of course… I wouldn't let your energy wasted in coming all the way here just for nothing… so come on…"
"Oh Miss Ran…" she took her hand. "… you're very kind… thank you so much…"
"Hmmm... I guess your brother is at work today… you know he's stubborn… even if he's sick he'll work… because you're brother is a stupid nerd." She said. "You're right…" Reika agreed. They laughed and they'd gone to see Rei.
"Miyu…"
"Aya over here…" Miyu waved at her. They are at a cafeteria. "Huh? Where's Ran?" Aya asked. Miyu shrugged her shoulder. "I don't know either… she left their house without saying anything…"
"Oh is that so?" Aya sat in front of Miyu. "Miyu… I'd like to tell you about this morning… I'm so happy… really…" she said as her eyes are sparkling with joy.
"I can see that… I can see that you are really happy…" Miyu said.
"I didn't expect that Rei will ask me to come in his apartment…" Aya said as she daydreamed the moments in his apartment. Miyu can see that she is really happy but, somehow, she still feels confuse. It isn't Rei's personality to ask help on someone, so it's kinda hard to believe that Rei actually did that.
"Oh! I bought a cake on my way..." she placed the paper bag on top of the table. She took the cake out of the paper bag but she didn't notice that the yellow handkerchief came out too. Miyu grabbed it "This is…"
"Oh that! I saw that in Rei's apartment this morning…"
'What?' Miyu's eyes widened.
Aya took the hanky on her hand. "I don't know why I took it… don't get me wrong Miyu… I didn't steal it…" she laughed. "… It's just that it looks familiar to me…" Aya noticed Miyu's sudden silence. "Miyu? Anything that matters?"
Miyu came back to reality. "No… nothing…. Th--th--at lo0--looks familiar too.." she said in a tattered voice. Good thing that Aya didn't notice it. "Anyway… it doesn't matter… the important thing is that… I think my relationship with Rei is working…"
Miyu can't feel at ease. 'That hanky is Ran's handkerchief. I can't be wrong because that smell is the same as Ran's… But why is it in Rei's apartment? Why?' she thought.
"This is it…" Ran said when they are standing in front of the music store where Rei is working.
"This is where brother is working?"
"Yup! This is where he is working… Let's go inside…" and they went inside. Reika looked around the store. 'So this is where brother is working…' She touched some of the CD. She smiled "So it's still about music huh?" she whispered.
Ran approached the manager of the shop. "Excuse me sir… I'm looking for Otohata…Can I talk to him?"
"Okay! Just wait here for a minute…" the manager said and went inside.
Rei came out and saw her. Ran waved at him. "Hello… How are you now? Feeling well already?" she smiled even though she's feeling awkward just looking at him. Rei's eyes narrowed. "Why did you do that?" he asked suddenly. "What did I do?" she said and pretended that she didn't remember anything. (Rei's talking about Aya's came over at his house.)
She can sense that he's feeling confuse on her actions. But she has to pretend that she doesn't know anything because she too, can't understand on why she's feeling pain inside her heart. Rei let out a deep breath. "Ran I…"
"Brother…?"
Rei's eyes suddenly widened upon hearing the voice who called him. 'That voice…' He turned to where the voice came from. "Reika?"
Reika run towards him and hugged him. "Oh brother… I miss you so much… you haven't call since yesterday and I feel worried…"
Rei can't speak. He's too flabbergasted. Then suddenly, he heard the door closed. 'Ran?' he thought. "Brother?" He heard her said. Rei looked down on her. Reika smiled. Rei broke the hug. "Why are you here?" he said blankly. Reika wiped the tears of joy on her eyes. "Because… I'm looking for you… you haven't call since yesterday and I…"
Rei smacked the counter. "I'll call if I want to Reika… you don't have to come all the way here just to see me… it's very pointless…" he yelled at her. Reika can see his glaring eyes. "But brother… I was just…"
"Go home…" he said.
"But--"
"I said go home…" he shouted.
Reika's tears came down. The tears of joy became tears of sorrow.
"I hope they are having a nice conversation…" She imagined Rei crying for his longing to embrace his little sister. She chuckled. "I hope I can see his crying face."
"But brother… I just wanted to see you..."
"Listen Reika… I can't be the brother that you like me to be… I'm not a part of you anymore… You see… there's no brother that will kill his own innocent little brother… so just forget that you have a brother… and go home…"
"No way!! You're my only brother… Whoever you are or whatever you maybe… you're still my brother… you're still part of the Otohata…"
"Go home miss…" he said. Reika looked up and faced him "… your brother is not working here… so please go home…"
She couldn't help it so she ran away. She went outside the music store.
Ran sense her presence. She was about to greet her but hesitated when she realized that she is crying. "Reika? Why are you--" Reika hugged her and cried. "My brother… he doesn't want to see us anymore…"
"What?" Ran clenched her fist. 'This girl came all the way here just to see him and this was all she got. It's unforgivable.' "Wait here okay?"
"Huh? What are you going to do Ran?"
"I'll talk to your brother… just wait here…"
"Damn it!" Rei growled when she left. He can't let anyone suffer just for his own sake. His family suffered enough for him especially his mother, so he thought that it's better if he's out of the Otohata's shadow.
"Darn you Rei…" Ran said behind him. Rei calmed himself and faced her with his calmed expression. He met her glaring eyes. "Why did you do that?"
"It's not your business Ran… it has nothing to do with you…"
"Your being unfair Rei. She came all the way here just to see you… She even cut her class just to be with you… And this was all she got from you… Isn't being too much?"
"Too much? Why don't you look at yourself first before you say that…?"
Ran is silenced but her glaring eyes are still there. "I think that you're getting on my business… too much…" He emphasizes the word 'too much'. "You see… it isn't your concern… but you keep on bugging everything… Isn't that too much?"
"That's because you're being unreasonable... You think that no one cares for you…"
"I'm not worthy of their care…"
"Of course you are… You are Reika and Rayven's brother… You're still Mrs. Otohata's son and you are still a part of the Otohata…"
"Can't you see…? I killed my own brother… my own little brother… Now, do you think that I can live happy like that? Do you think I can call myself a part of the Otohata? And do you think that I can live happily when I took a precious someone from them? "
Ran can't speak. He can see Rei's tears in the corner of his eyes. Rei turned his back on her. "Just like what my father said, I'm a disgrace to our family…You see… if they live without me… they will never suffer… they will never remember the pain I brought to them… They will live happy… So I should be gone in their shadows… forever…"
"But you're not helping at all…" Ran replied, this time her voice soften. Rei turned to her slowly "… you're still making them suffer… not because of the accident… but because you're letting go of them… you're letting them go…" and then she left.
Reika hurried to Ran. "Miss Ran?" she can see Ran's anxious face. It seems like her tears will explode in a minute. "Miss Ran?" she called again. Suddenly, Ran grabbed her arm. Reika gulped. "Take me to your father!!" Ran said.
Reika's eyes widened "What?" But Ran pulled her, "Take me to him… now!!" she repeated. Reika, still confuse, just nod.
Rei is still standing there, staring at the door. He can't forget what Ran said. His mind is struggling. 'What am I going to do? What should I do?' He sat helplessly on the floor. He leaned his back on the counter and covered his face by both hands.
Reika and Ran are standing in front of the Otahata's residence. Their house is like a mansion. It's very big. The gate is very large that no one can probably enter just by climbing on it. This is a proof that this family is very rich. But Ran didn't notice it. She has no time for admiring this house because she has a purpose on why she is standing in front of this mansion.
"Are you sure Miss Ran? You know… my father has changed a lot… he's not the same accommodating person back then…"
"I don't care… just take me to him… You have to talk to each other… You have to fix this problem… if your brother can't do it… surely… you can…"
Reika looked down. "That's… that's very impossible… I don't have the guts to--" Ran grabbed her arm before she can even finish. "…How can you be satisfied enough if you didn't try even once…? How can you live your life by just seeing your brother once in a week or so…? Aren't you longing for the happiness you've been sharing even before your little brother died? And do you think also that Rayver is happy on what is happening in your family? Do you really think that he's happy because of what happen?"
Suddenly, Reika's tears came down. She's right. She never even try for once. Then she reminisce the laughter and joys they shared for the past few years. "I don't know… I don't know…" Reika hugged herself. She's very confused. She can't even decide. Of course, she wanted her family to be together again but what if it will make everything worse than ever. She doesn't know what she should do.
Ran tapped her shoulder. She turned to her and saw her smiling. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. I'll be here for you. I'll never leave your side." She winked at her and gave her thumbs-up. Reika smiled and wiped her tears. "Alright! Let's do this…."
"Of course!" Ran said and faced the mansion. "Wow! You're house is pretty big. Awesome. You really are rich. I hope I can live here someday."
"I hope too!! I'll be glad if you became a part of our family…" she said and walked inside the gate. Ran pouted. "What's the meaning of that?"
They are now in front of his father's study room. "This is where my father stays. He's always here… When he gets home… he went straight here. This is like his home… his own home…"
Ran pitied the girl. She can sense that she's still longing for his father's warmth. Ran can't help this kind of situation, especially when her friends are involved. She'll do something about it even if it kills her. "Come on let's go…" She already knocked three times before Reika complained.
"Come in…" she heard her father. Reika let out a big sigh, smiled at Ran and turned the doorknob. She saw her father reading papers. "Father… I"
"Didn't I tell you Reika that I shouldn't be disturbed? You know that I'm very busy…"
"But father, just a minute please…"
This time her father turned to her. He put the papers on top of the table and looked at her. "Okay then… Just make sure that this is very important and has nothing to do with your brother…"
Reika didn't reply. Her father realized that the conversation will be Rei's.
"Get out…" he said without hesitation.
"But father…"
"I said get out!!" This time her father get irritated. Reika sighed. She nodded and about to get out when Ran opened the door. Reika and her father gulped. "Why don't you let your daughter speak first?"
"Who in the hell do you think you are? Ahhh… now I remember… you're that Mr. and Mrs. Kotobuki's daughter with a foul mouth…" he smirked. Ran clenched her fist but decided to control herself. She wants to make this conversation good enough. "So what brings you here? To defend that stupid boyfriend of yours?"
Ran closed her eyes and slowly took a breath before she faced Rei's dad. "Rei told me everything…"
"So he told you already…" he said. This time her mother and Rayven came. "What's happening Reika?"
Reika approached her mom and said. "Please mom… just let me do this…" she said.
Her mom smiled at her "Are you talking about your brother?"
Reika was surprised. "Yes mom… we're trying to get him back… Miss Ran is helping us…"
"He told you that he killed his own brother, right? So what's the point in coming here? Don't tell me that you'll still fight for him even though--"
"Rei will never do such thing!!" she shouted. Everyone gulped. Mr. Otohata's eyes narrowed. "What's that?"
"I know Rei… At first, I thought that all he can do is to make someone cry… but when I get to know him better… I'd realized that he's a good person… gentle… warmhearted… so he will never do such thing…"
"Stop it!! So you didn't know him after all… then I'll tell you now… he's not worthy of anything… because he's a waste…"
"Can't you realize that it's an accident that causes your son's death?"
"No!! Because all of it is his fault… I regret that he's part of my blood…"
"You're lying to yourself…"
Mr. Otohata is silenced.
"You're lying… I know that you still love Rei… back there in the apartment I can see in your eyes that you missed him… that you still want to be with your son… your first son…"
"Stop it!! If he didn't take her siblings for some stupid strolling then his brother should be alive until now. This is his entire fault… I did everything to bind this family together but that stupid idiot ruined everything… I loved Rayver so much… and I can't take that one of my children will take someone precious to me and moreover… his own little brother…" Mr. Otohata is clenching his fist. Rayven hugged her mother tight. She's very scared. "It was all his fault… so why should I take him back…"
"No Dad!! You're very wrong…"
Everyone was surprised when Reika shouted.
"You're very wrong… when the company is at its bad state… we lost you… you've been taking away from us…"
Mr. Otohata feels confused. Mrs. Otohata's tears streamed down.
"Your always at work… you can't even eat with us… because you're always busy…"
"… Rayven and Rayver wants to see you… they cried for you… they cried every night for your warmth and love… because they love you very much…" Reika started crying. "… They are too young to understand everything… So brother took the twins for a stroll to forget about the loneliness they felt… Partly, they became happy… but still, brother can never replace you… even though he knew that… he tried to be like you… so that even if you're not with us… he can pretend to be like you… for us…"
Her father sat helplessly on his swivel chair as he listens to his daughter.
"But it isn't enough… Rayver still miss you… even before he died… he called for you… he called for your name… up to his last breath…" Reika stopped. She cried and cried.
"What have I done?" and without even realizing, Mr. Otohata's tears fell from his eyes.
Rayven let go of his mother and run to his father. "Father, don't cry… Rayver and I love you so much…" she hugged her father's arm. "Rayver said that he feels lonely… he's looking for brother every night… Dad, can you talk to brother… and tell him to come back because Rayven and I really miss him…" Mr. Otohata cried and hugged his daughter. "Oh My! What have I done?" he kissed his daughter's forehead.
"I love you too honey… I'm sorry for being a bad father to you…"
"No Dad… you're not a bad Dad because we love you… all of us…"
"Oooh!! Please tell Rayver to forgive me…"
"Dad… Rayven is very happy… he told me to tell you that he loves you very much and you are the best Dad in the whole world…" Rayven acted a big circle. Mr. Otohata laughed and hugged her loving daughter.
Reika and Mrs. Otohata smiled and hurried to Mr. Otohata and hugged each other.
"I still hope that your brother can forgive me…"
"Of course he will… you're his father…" her mom said. And they smiled at each other as Mr. Otohata asks for forgiveness. "… AAhh… of course… I want to talk to Mrs. Kotobuki and ask for forgiveness…" but when they turned, Ran was not there already. Reika wondered for a second, then smiled and whispered. "Thank you Ms. Kotobuki…"
"Ahhh… I hope it will be a good tomorrow for Rei… I just hope…" Suddenly, her stomach growled. "Ooops… that makes me hungry… gotta go home and hugged my parents for a nice supper… heheheh…"
Rei is watching his cell phone for about an hour. He's thinking if he should call Ran to ask for forgiveness or not. (By the way, Ran hasn't told Rei that she lost her cell… so he didn't know…) He took a deep breath. Also he wants to call her sister for a talk. He hurt her deeply so he wanted to talk to her and apologize. He dialed Ran's cell number but was forced not to click the call button. (The green button…) "Darn it!! Why do I feel nervous!! He slapped his forehead. Then he decided to call his sister first but hold back. "Oh Damn…" He threw his cell on the other side of the sofa. He stared at the ceiling. "What should I do?"
Suddenly, his cell beeps. He quickly grabbed it and thought that it might be Ran… but it isn't. Still, he saw his sister's name. He answered it. "Hello?"
"Brother? Hello brother…"
"Uhmmm… Reika… about the…"
"Let's meet at Rayver's grave tomorrow… 10 pm onwards…" and then the line was cut. Rei feels confuse. Even though they had a quarrel, Reika's voice sounded happy. "What's happening?"
Ran is moving side to side on her bed. She can't sleep. She feels excited on what will happen tomorrow. "Ahhh… I can't wait to see their happy family… and to see Rei's smile…" She closed her eyes and imagined his smiling and contented face. And at that moment, she didn't notice that she fell asleep.
The morning came…
Rei's walking towards Rayver's grave. He saw a man standing in front of it. He watched closer and realized that that man is actually his father. Rei sighed. His father turned to her. They looked at each other.
"I'll visit next time… sorry to bother you…" he was about to turned around when his father speak. "Can we talk?" Rei's eyebrows met. This is very unusual. He nodded and stood beside him facing Rayver's grave. Silence surrounds them for a minute when his father began to speak. "Your brother is very cute and loving…"
"And I'll take him away from you… is that what you wanted to say?" Rei said and waited for a reply. He's expecting that it might be a cruel word but instead.
"I'm sorry son…"
Rei's eyes widened. "I'm very sorry…" his Dad repeated. "I've been blinded by my pride… I never thought that you just wanted to make things right… I'm very sorry…" his father eyes were filled with tears. "Please forgive me son for being a bad father… forgive me for making you suffer for everything… I hope that you can still forgive me…"
Rei kept silent.
"I'll wait for the time that you can forgive me… and when that time comes… please come back to us…" Rei's father bowed to him and turned his back.
"Father!" Rei called out. His father stopped walking and faced him. "I'm very sorry for taking him away from you… it's my fault and…" Mr. Otohata hurried to him and hugged him. "It's not your fault son… It's okay…"
This time, our killed-joy-nerd-guy cried into his father's shoulder. "I love you Dad… I'm sorry for everything…"
"I know son… I love you too… so much…" and they cried. They didn't even notice that at that point in time… Rayver is looking at them with a contented and happy smile. The smile when their family is enjoying each others presence.
Hello people… sorry to cut the chapter at that scene… Is it cliff hanging? Heheheh…
Do you like the story? I'm very sorry for the wrong grammars… again and again… just ignore it please… if there is something that you didn't understand… just send a review and I'll explain it to you… ok? Or if a wrong grammar confuses you… I'll change it…
Sorry, also for updating late… I know that you've waited long enough… I really am sorry… there are two stories that I should update… this and the other one… I decided to update the other first… that's why I update this late… so please forgive me… and also… I've been working on my grades and now that I passed the current level… this is a treat for each and every one of you… Hope that you like it… sorry again… mwuackz…
Iswakgirl: Sorry for the late update…and you're right… I'm busy… sorry… hehehe… hope that this chapter will help you to forgive me… hehehe… just hoping… tnx… mwuackz…
Orange: thanks for the compliment… heheh… I promise you that I'll make every chapter a good one for the Super Gals' series leaves you hanging… hope that this one is nice for you… thanks… mwuackz…
animegirlsana4eva: You like that scene… it's funny isn't it?... hehehe… Yeah… it's been four months… hope that you can forgive me… heheh… Sorry for the wrong tenses… I'll make something about it… Yeah… they are very perfect… I like them very much… tnx for the review… mwuackz…
STOOPID PEEPILL: Hope you'll like this one… tnx for the review… mwuackz….
bye... mwuackz everyone...