Be My Girlfriend
Chapter Six
Disclaimer: Hatori Bisco owns Kyouya Ootori.
-
When I was younger, I happened to spend a lot of time at the back of our house. It used to be an empty lot until before I started junior high. Before, it was just an un-owned property, which was a settlement for tall blades of grass, puddles of mud and nothing more.
It was one of the places I sought comfort to as a child. Whenever my mother would tell me off about something I did wrong or about a bruise or a cut I got because I was too restless, I would run to my secret base and hide there for a while until my irritation caves in. However, because he was a persistent, nosy brother, Len somewhat found a way to find my secret base and I was forced to allow him in until he coerced me to share it with him.
When I entered middle school, my base was discovered and the tall glass blades were shaved off, the mud puddles were replaced with an asphalted foundation, and a nursery school was erected on the substantial piece of land. I came home crying like a baby on my mother's arms and she held me so tight, even though she had no idea why my tears were flowing so hard and I was wailing at the top of my lungs. Len's teasing didn't help either, so she had to lock him up inside his room until my howls abated. Later that night, Len came to my room and apologized while messing my hair and telling me he'd find us another secret base.
A few weeks later, my brother took me to a tree house he built himself and told me it would be our new secret base. It wasn't the same. I preferred the mud puddles, the smell of the grass in early morning, the green and brown colors that almost got permanently stuck on my pants. No matter how I looked at the well-built tree house, it still wasn't the same.
-
I sat at the far end of the bed while flipping through the pages of the album I sequestered from the house before I left. The spaces on the album were mostly occupied by me and my brother's pictures together when we were younger.
Since we were kids, Len always had the best-looking face and the most wonderful smile. Both won a lot of girl's hearts before (and broke some of them eventually) but I've always admired that contagious smile he always wore. There was nothing fake or insincere about it, and Len would instantly make everything else seem a lot better. Mom also had the same smile, and it sometimes made me feel a little jealous that I didn't get to inherit that from her. Together, both their smiles I see each morning I wake up make up my day.
Now that I thought of it much lately, I've never gotten a full glimpse of those smiles for almost a month now.
I miss them both, especially mom's sometimes unpalatable cooking and Len's clammy and sweaty hands he'd usually wipe at the back of my shirt just to tease me. A few moments later, I could already feel my tears well up. They dribbled down my cheeks, and I quickly wiped them at the back of my hand. I sniffed aloud and more tears escaped.
I've never felt so away from home like this before. The farthest I've been was in Kyoto, where my classmates and I spent a week there for an educational trip. Because there was so much to do and my friends were there to keep me company, I hardly felt homesick. Now, I feel so alone.
Leaping in surprise, I steered away from my thoughts when the abrupt vibration of Ootori's handy phone startled me. I wiped my tears with the pillow I was holding and reached for the device. The screen told me Ootori was calling, but I had no idea what to do so I started to panic.
"Eh—how do I answer this thing?" I flipped it open, pushed a random button, and waited. Nothing happened. My panic rose to a higher point as the phone shook on my hand like mad. I groaned audibly and it stopped.
"Eh?"
It kicked off again. Instantly, I stood up, dropped it on the bed and reached for my bag. I remembered Ootori had slipped in the manual for the handy phone when he gave me the brown envelope so I retrieved everything out from my bag. My things fell on the floor beneath my feet. I pulled the brown envelope as soon as I spotted it and plunged my hand inside. The handbook manual was there and I flipped it open quickly while rushing towards my bed.
Green button answers the call; red button ends it.
I punched the green button and aimed the receiver to my ear.
"Hello?" I asked, feeling a little uneasy. Ootori's voice over the other end sounded unpleasant.
"What took you so long?" he questioned and I could picture his eyebrows wrinkling in disapproval.
"Sorry," I responded right away. The excuse I instantly thought of was lame. "I—uh, had a leg cramp."
"You don't usually answer the phone with your legs, do you?" It was not a question.
"I had an arm cramp after that," I told him matter-of-factly.
"Which arm?" he asked.
"Right arm."
"You're left-handed."
"Yes, and shortly after that, I had—"
"Shush!" I shut up and bit my lower lip. "You didn't read the manual, did you?"
"Uhm," I started without any intention to answer him. Trying to pull him off the topic, I began, "Anyway, what made you call this early morning?"
"Akiko called," he told me. "She's inviting me in for lunch and tea. She has to see us together."
I frowned slightly and chewed on my bottom lip. I needed to drop by Ruka's place today to see if she's fine so I couldn't go. "Ootori-san, I can't."
"What?" He didn't seem to hear properly.
"I can't," I repeated, a little louder this time.
"I heard you the first time, Ashina." He sounded a little pissed off and I felt slightly taken aback. "Tachibana will pick you up in an hour or so."
"Who?"
Before he could answer my question, Ootori ended the call.
-
The desk beside the door was mostly cluttered with my school stuff. Most of them were books—textbooks and an athlete's manual my track coach from middle school gave me as a present before I left for Ouran. A small picture frame also sat humbly on the desk and it was a picture of me, mom and Len with our arms linked.
I bowed my head slightly to the picture. "I'm off," I spoke. "Len, mom, I'm going."
My eyes lingered at the picture for a while and smiled at the faces. I stood up, smoothened the creases off my blouse, and pulled the door open. I closed it behind.
-
Whatever the reason, Shiki had told me, whether you're late for a business meeting or for class, the train would always be exactly ten minutes late. A few minutes ago, I'd dropped by his workplace to ask for directions or whether he knew about the place where Ruka lived. The guard at the back gate had drawn me a map yesterday but I had trouble remembering his instructions so I had to show it to Shiki to ask him about it.
"I can accompany you to the place, though," he had told me but I quickly refused. He seemed a little busy. I had assured him I'd be fine.
"Besides, I can take care of myself."
He had shrugged unknowingly and had given me a smirk, as if mocking. I'd frowned at him in disapproval and had left the place without waving him goodbye.
As I made my way to the station, I thought about Ootori's call this early morning. He would probably understand. It was not as if I was exchanging our arrangement for nothing. I owed him a lot and I was grateful for his help but he'd soon realize that I had more important things to do. Maybe he wouldn't mind. After all, I was just asking for one day.
The train stopped and the doors opened. I quickly stepped inside and found a seat near the door. I sat there for a moment and waited for the other passengers to load.
-
Maybe I woke up; maybe I didn't. Maybe I was still in a dream or maybe my mind was still trying to comprehend what was happening. Without opening my eyes, I listened quietly.
My background was a bustle of people moving about. A few feet away, I could hear a bunch of laughs coming from a group of boys, possibly trying to impress someone. Not far away from the group of laughter was a fit of giggles from what I perceive to be a bevy of middle school girls. They seemed to be talking about something I can't tell what. Near to me was a group of elderly people; I could smell their perfume.
Where am I?
This wasn't a dream because they all sounded and smelled so real. I cracked an eyelid open. Opposite me was a small child, about five years old, smiling at me like an angel. He resembled someone I knew but very vaguely. I could feel my head slip slowly to one side and hit a hard surface.
"We have arrived at the fourth stop." The intercom sounded overhead, "For passengers to Edogawa-ku, please step out of the train right now."
"Huh?" I sat up and rubbed the sleep off my eyes. "Edogawa-ku?"
Turning my attention to the old woman beside me, I asked politely, "We're in Edogawa-ku?"
"Ha?" She didn't seem to hear properly.
"E-DO-GA-WA!" I repeated loudly.
"Ah." She was nodding her head vigorously. "Yes, yes. This is Edogawa-ku."
It took me a while before the information processed.
"Please don't step on the white line. The train doors are closing." The intercom shouted loudly. It hit me hard.
Quickly, I thanked the elderly lady beside me and collected my things while slipping quickly through the door. When I reached the station floor, I instantly looked around. Up ahead was a sign printed in bold letters: Welcome to Edogawa-ku.
What is this place?
I groaned aloud and hit my face to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It hurt and I'm lost. I'm really hopeless.
Okay, first things first. Calm down. If things happened like this, the first thing I had to do was calm down. I walked around for a while to let my mind clear. The only thing I needed right now was money. Of course, I still have a few cash left on my pocket. I could still make it home.
No, I should be going to Ruka's place right now—my shoulder bumped into someone and I apologized quickly—and besides, there was still enough money to go to Ruka's place and back to my apartment. I could travel the rest by feet if I possibly run out of cash.
Yes, that would be it. I dug my hand on my left pocket to see how much money was left. Oh, and I should call Ootori in case he was looking for me.
Wait. My left pocket was empty. I checked the other one.
"Eh?" I looked down to see that I was empty-handed. "My bag's gone too!"
I turned around and at an instant, I saw my bag in the hand of the guy I just bumped into a few moments ago!
"Hey!" I cried at the top of my lungs. "Stop that thief!"
When I broke into a run, the pickpocket glanced behind. Our eyes met for a split-second and he stopped for a while. I pointed an accusing finger to him and screamed, "You, rascal!"
He sprinted quickly away. "Stop that guy!"
I boosted my speed and the onlookers watched our struggle. "Stop that guy!"
Nobody moved. When we hit the road, he changed directions. The mob flooded in and blocked my way. Not long after that, I lost sight of him.
-
The tears won't stop. I wiped them away but more tears leaked out.
I sat on a bench nearby and watched as people walked by without looking back. I felt so alone. Mom wasn't here; Len wasn't here. Even my friends back in the countryside who usually dragged me to an ice cream parlor to cheer me up were not here either.
I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and sniffed aloud.
"You are so un-cute," a voice spoke and I saw a pair of shoes approach me. I looked up. He handed me a plaid handkerchief.
"Shiki?" I asked, making sure it was really him. "What are you doing here?"
He glanced up thoughtfully. "Ah, why indeed?"
Shiki smiled and occupied the empty space beside me. He reached for my face and dabbed the tears with the handkerchief.
"I thought you said you can take care of yourself?"
"I'm fine," I pulled my head from his hold and looked away, afraid to meet his eyes.
He chuckled slightly and I felt a little offended. "I saw you with snot dripping on your nose and you think I'll believe you're fine?"
I mopped my nose with the sleeve of my blouse.
"Let's go." He stood up and held my hand.
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know." He winked and pulled me away.
A few minutes later, we arrived in front of a cheap restaurant and I realized he was still holding my hand. I quickly pulled it from his grasp.
"But I don't have money," I complained and he responded with a smile.
"I know."
"You know?" I looked up at him suspiciously.
"Uhm," he began, while cocking his head to one side, perhaps thinking of an excuse. "Of course I know. You always don't have enough money."
I frowned at him and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "How rude."
"Just promise me next time, you're the one who's going to treat me out," he spoke with a slight chuckle.
I smiled and raised my left palm. "I promise."
"Shouldn't it be the right hand?"
I quickly exchanged them and raised my right arm instead.
-
"What were you doing here anyway?" he asked after swallowing a mouthful of sushi. I chewed my food carefully before answering his question.
"I was supposed to go to my friend's place," I began. I looked down to my lap and frowned. "But I got lost."
"How did you get lost?"
"I slept on the train."
He laughed—not that hard though—but I expected him to laugh anyway. "Well at least, you've learned what to do and not to do in a train, right?"
I nodded quietly and continued to eat my food.
"Anyway, off the topic: why are you so desperate to go to your friend's house nonetheless?" he asked and I sighed in frustration.
"She was a little upset yesterday," I told him. "And I just thought I could help her out."
Shiki handed me a can of coke, and I thanked him silently.
"Give her some space for a while," he suggested. "Besides, it's not proper to prod into other people's business. Even though you consider her as a precious friend, you can't go on pushing yourself to her life, you know. If she really needs your help, she'll run to you. If not, then you can always show your concern by being simply standing by her side. Or letting her know that you're her support blanket."
"Really?"
Shiki nodded with an assuring smile. "Of course."
I looked at him as if he grew gills, "Shiki."
He glanced at me with a curious look on his face. I gave him a two-thumbs-up. "You're really great."
He laughed quietly and waved a hand. "Just finish your food."
Shiki took me home shortly after that. After he left, I thanked him quietly, sat on my bed and reflected on the things that happened. There were three fatal things that I realized today: 1) I ignored Ootori's orders, 2) he'd probably kill me because I ignored his orders, and 3) I'm too tired to think about it so I need to sleep first. I'd bet that as soon as I hit the pillow, I'd already be snoring.
-
When my consciousness woke up, the first thing my brain recognized was the persistent knock on the door. I sat up and rubbed my eyes but they refused to open. As if like a routine, I slid my slippers on and dragged my feet to the door to open it. The cool night breeze greeted my face like ice water and I shivered slightly.
"Wake up," a male voice spoke. I rubbed my eyes again but they stung.
"Ashina," the man in front of me regarded quietly. I cracked my eyelids open, blinked once, and let my eyes adjust with the light from the nearby fluorescent bulb. I recognized the face at once.
"Ootori-san?" I jumped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
He shoved something in front of my face and I had to move my head back and squint a little. Instantly, I knew what it was.
"Handy phone!"
He dropped it on my hand. "Don't lose it again."
Ootori left quickly, letting my mind process what was happening. A few heartbeats later, I thought better of it and went back to bed.
-
To be continued
-
Omake
(Third Person)
The round table was occupied only by two people. Kyouya sat across Akiko, who was looking rather pleased than the former. Kyouya was annoyed, but he kept a straight face while struggling to fake a worried look as he glanced at his watch every now and then. He was hoping his masked expression would work but apparently, Akiko was not paying attention.
"She's late," Akiko told him, which was pretty obvious. Kyouya looked away, pulled his phone from his pocket and checked Ashina's location; her handy phone was on GPS.
"Edogawa-ku?" he whispered incredulously. "What the hell is she doing there?"
"Pardon?" Akiko asked and Kyouya responded with a shrug. Without warning, he stood up and stormed out of the room.
"Kyouya!" Akiko called after him. "Where are you going?"
He didn't seem to hear her. Kyouya clenched his teeth and muttered under his breath. "I'm going to kill her."
He flipped his phone open and punched her speed dial. An unfamiliar voice answered—an unfamiliar male voice. The other line ended the call quickly, and Kyouya quickly dialed Tachibana's number.
Seventy miles later, he found himself standing in front of three thugs, scaring the hell out of them just to demand a small, yellow, handy phone back.
-
End
