Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Twenty Three
Takao stared up at the popcorn-covered ceiling and sighed to himself. How long had he been awake now? He pushed his upper torso from his sleeping bag to see that it was now passed four. It was no good, he couldn't sleep.
All his efforts and he returned to the same visual. Max, giving Cat that trademark smile of his. The look of love in his eyes, he projected it well to her. If she knew it or not, he couldn't be sure. She was nothing but a mystery now. Max had loved her all along, from the moment they met. And Takao? He ended up falling for her the minute she left the picture. Fate had a mysterious way of working.
Takao lifted himself from his sleeping spot. It was time for a slash of cool water to the face. Before entering the kitchen, he looked down to the sleeping party in front of him. They all seemed to be fast asleep; he would have to be extra quiet. As quietly as possible, he tiptoed his way past Rei, then Kyoujyu and finally over Max. His feet made no sound as he stepped on the cold hardwood floor.
Just before turning the corner to enter the kitchen, he looked back to the red couch. He saw Cat in a deep sleep. The sight was all too familiar. How he had seen that face before; lost in a dream. She looked sweetest when she slept.
He managed to pull his eyes away from the couch long enough to enter the kitchen. He approached the sink and turned on the faucet. The sound of rushing water entered his ears and gave him comfort. He shut his eyes and placed both hands under the cool water. He then moved his face toward the sink and jerked his hands back to his face. The water hit his cheeks and cleared his mind. The cool water splashing against his warm skin rendered him thoughtless.
It was just what he needed. He inhaled through his nose and proceeded to sigh. He again stretched out his right hand and turned the faucet off. With his eyes shut, he blindly reached his arm outward in search of a dishtowel. Once his fingers felt the texture of terrycloth, he brought the cloth to his face and began to dry himself off.
"Takao?"
He jumped. The small voice that appeared from the darkness caused him to flinch. He shoved the towel from his face and opened his eyes to see Max standing in front of him. The blonde had a look of worry on his face. He was quick to cock a thick brow before speaking.
"What's the matter?" Takao whispered.
Max managed to release a few giggles before making his way to the counter. "Remember the last time I came to you like this?" He then placed both elbows on the counter and stared out the small kitchen window.
"There's something I think you should know."
"Takao, I care a lot about her. I love her, Takao."
"I remember." He felt his eyebrows lower on his forehead.
In reality, he couldn't get the imagery out of his head. The confession he had given him that night, it was something he'd never forget. It was the reason why he had refused Cat to begin with. He had too much respect for Max and their friendship to not forget. And here they were again, in the same position. In the darkness, he could feel the urge to turn and walk away but he couldn't. It was a topic both boys wanted to avoid.
"Takao," Max said, his eyes still fixated on the night sky beyond the glass window. "I want you to forget it."
His back stiffened. What? His eyes grew wide with shock and his lips began to part.
"I want you to tell her the truth." Max shut his eyes as a smile spread over his cheeks. "I want you to tell her that you love her."
"Max…" He couldn't find words to truly express his emotions.
"I know. In some ways, I've always known." Max pushed his body off the counter and turned to face him. "I know that you love her."
He felt the world around him begin to grow hazy. It was if his world had been spinning. He couldn't fell his arms or legs. The only sound he could hear was the throbbing in his ears. His hand began to twitch and shake. And finally, his stomach began to knot up in a ball of nerves. Max, how could he say the things he was saying? It was if someone had told him all of his deepest darkest memories and feelings. How could he know him so well, to know what he was thinking and feeling?
"And I know that she loves you."
There it was again. Those words.
"Because she loves you."
"Deep down inside," Max's words broke through the hazy around him. "She still loves you, no matter what. She may have lost her memory for right now, but she'll always love you."
His stomach flipped and flopped. Was Max actually doing what he thought he was doing? Was Max actually giving him the 'okay' to see Cat? He felt his mouth go dry as he stood in front of Max. He had no words; he couldn't find a single thing to combat Max's blessings. How did Max know what he wanted, how did Max know that he loved her so?
"No matter how I feel," The blond continued to speak. "I think you should pursue her."
"But," Takao tore his stare away from his friend and looked to the ground. "I can't do that to you, you're one of my closest friends. It wouldn't be right."
A warm hand reached out to Takao. He flinched before looking up to see that Max had placed a single hand on his shoulder. He then gave him a warm smile that sent shivers up his spine.
"It wouldn't be right for you not to." He said in a soft tone. "I want you to."
"But…"
Max shook his head from side to side and tightened his grip on his shoulder. "Go for it." He lifted his left hand and gave him a firm thumbs-up. "I know you can do it."
"Max…" He gritted his teeth before pushing forward and embracing the American in a hug.
"Good luck, Takao."
XoXoX
"One hour until show time." She mumbled to herself.
The sound of the squeaking swing filled her ears. Her body swayed back and forth and the cool autumn wind hit her cheeks. Her hair floated in the air, her feet just barely touching the gravel beneath her. What was she doing here? Cat lifted her chin to the sky and shut her eyes tight. She had to get this right; she had to prove to everyone that this song would be a hit. She had spent too many sleepless nights working and working just to finish it and now? It was time to sing it. What was holding her back? Why was she so nervous now?
Cat allowed her eyes to flutter open and view the setting sun. The colors of the sky showcased different shades of orange and pink. The swing set continued to echo an eerie squeaking noise, the further she pushed herself. Why did she feel so alone? After everything that had perspired in the last few days the depressing emotion lingered within her. She was missing something, a piece of her heart.
"I like you, you're nice to me."
The image of Max wrapping his sweater around her shoulders flashed in her mind. That day, the day after they had 'met' he came to her and gave her comfort. It was if she was smelling his scent right then and there. He was so warm, so sweet. But…could she love him? Did she love him before the accident, before she lost her memories? What was life like before then?
"I wanted you to come back for me."
Then there was that. Why, oh why did he have to say that? Why was Takao so intriguing? Him and that cocky smile of his, it was enough to drive her into a fit. He told her that he loved her, could it be true? Cat shut her eyes and began to shake her head back and forth. She could get the image out of her head. Him smiling, him running off with her, and him holding her. It was amazing, the effect he had on her. He knew her better than anyone else, so she was told. The other night when he had found her hidden treasures proved it to her. So they had a history together, did that mean she had to return his love?
"Everyone's looking for you."
Cat jerked. She snapped open her eyes. That voice. Starting with his feet, she scanned his body and finally came to his face. Cute as ever, Max stood before her with his classic smile equipped. She felt her heart jump and the heat of a blush appear on her cheeks.
"Are you okay?" He asked, tipping his head to one side.
"Um!" Cat cleared her throat before jumping off her seat on the swing. "Y-yes! I just needed some time to think to myself."
"Rumi and Yumi are throwing a fit, you know." He replied and failed to contain his laughter.
"I'm sure they are." She released a few nervous giggles before reaching her arm behind her head and scratching her scalp. "They're nervous too, I guess."
"Come on," He began to turn away from her. "Let's get going before they explode." He then jerked his arm forward, signaling her forward.
"Max, wait."
Max's eyebrows arched on his forehead. His eyes and mouth widened, he turned back to face her. He narrowed his vision at her and cocked his head to one side.
She lowered her head. The hair around her face cascaded a shadow that covered her eyes. Her arms hung loosely at her sides, her hands gripped into fists. Her shoulders began to shake at the thoughts rushing through her mind.
Max. How could she not love him? After everything he had done for her and the way her heart thumped every time he neared her. When she was around him, things felt safe. She could laugh again. There was no one else, right? She flinched. Takao didn't compare to Max, right? When she was around Takao she felt downright sick. Her feet felt like feathers, it was like she couldn't breathe.
With Takao, she couldn't think, she couldn't speak, all she could see was him, that wasn't love, was it? No, she wouldn't let herself fall in love with a handsome face, not when Max was so kind to her. With Max, her heart thumped normally and with Takao, it was like she was going into cardiac arrest. That wasn't love; it was…something else, right?
"What's wrong?"
Cat began to grind her teeth. The softness of Max's voice calmed her. It was like she could share anything with him. She could easily call him her best friend. She was about to do something that would change their friendship forever. Was it the right move? She wasn't sure yet. It was something she could no longer hold inside. She needed him to know.
"Max," Her lips parted and his mouth fell from her mouth. "I want to tell you something."
"Hm?" Max cocked a brow as a sweet smile appeared on his face. "What is it?"
"I can tell you anything, right?"
He blinked several times before replying, "Sure."
"Max," She began again, her head still tipped downward. "I…"
She paused. What was she doing?! Her head was telling her that this needed to be done. Her head was ensuring her that this was the right path. Cat lifted her head up and stared into Max's blue eyes. She glanced down to the floor for a second, just enough time to gather her thoughts. She was going to do this, no matter what. She was going to tell him what her head and been nagging at her all along.
"I love you."
He froze. He allowed his mouth to hang open with shock. It looked as if she had taken her open palm and slapped him across the face. Almost as if he was offended, as if she had insulted him, what was wrong with him? Weren't those the words he wanted to hear?
"I don't know how I felt before I lost my memories but," Cat continued to speak. "All I know now is that I trust you."
He closed his lips. He lowered his eyebrows on his forehead before moving his eyes to stare at the ground. He refused to look into her eyes. He couldn't be mad, could he? It wasn't as if she made any signs that would have influenced him otherwise, right? She had done everything in her power to show him how much she cared.
Even if the thought of Takao kept her heart from being silent.
"Cat," He broke his silence by calling her out. "I can't."
She jerked backward. Her eyes widened and she slapped her hands over her lips. What had she just done? Had she made a mistake? She felt her blood beginning to run cold. It was a surprising slap to the face.
"No matter how much I love you," Max continued to speak to her in his gentle voice. "I can't be with you."
"But," Her muffled voice escaped from between her fingers. "Why?"
"Because you don't really love me."
How could he say such a thing?! The burning sensation of tears began build behind her eyes. Cat slowly removed her hands from her mouth and allowed them to drop to chest-level. Was he really denying her? After telling her that he indeed returned her love? Her eyebrows begin to quiver as she fought back to urge to cry.
She released a small hiccup and her vision became blurry. The image of Max standing in front of her blurred so she could only make out colors. She couldn't cry, not here and now. Not able to contain her emotion, Cat brought her hands to her face as tears flew from her eyes.
He winced at the sight of her sobbing. He bit his lower lip and turned his face away from the scene. "I'm sorry."
Max shifted his attention back to her. As she moved her hands away from her face, the tears on her cheeks became visible. He winced for a second time, seeing her face and eyes had turned a bright shade or red.
"I don't know what's come over me!" She began to release small giggles as tears rolled down her face.
She continued to laugh and cry at the same time. Her shoulders bobbing up and down from both actions. Max released a sigh as he tightened his grip on his clenched hands. Just an hour before her performance and she was crying? What was wrong with her?!
"I must look like a moron to you!" She managed to speak between sobs and laughter. "I'm sorry."
He looked away from her. "You don't have to be sorry. I know it hurts."
"I just feel so stupid." Cat lifted her hands to her eyes and wiped away the tears there. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."
He then reached his right arm out toward her and placed his warm hand on her shoulder. She jerked once he touched her and jerked her head to look in his direction. A moment afterward, Max lifted his left arm and placed it on her free shoulder.
"Don't worry about it."
Why did he have to be nice to her on top of it all? The tears stopped and she felt the heat on her cheeks return. She dipped her head, refusing to look him in the eye. Why did she have to be so impulsive? If she had kept her emotions to herself, she would have saved herself the pain of rejection.
"We need to get to that stage." He then removed his right hand from her shoulder and placed it on her head. "Right?"
Cat paused for a moment. She managed to release a few more giggles before moving her hands to her blushing cheeks. After Max's warm hands left her body, she began to pat herself on her cheeks. She inhaled a deep breath of air through her nose and lifted her chin to the sky. She then moved her hands down to her sides and balled up her hands. She gave her fists a pump and managed to break a smile.
"I can do this!" She chanted to herself.
"Come on," Max turned away from her, a smile still lingering on his face. "Or else you'll be late."
"Thanks Max," Cat smiled at the blond, "For listening."
He shook his head from side to side. "No problem."
XoXoX
"Throwing away all of our doubts into darkness, I will always believe in our strong bonds!"
Takao watched with wide eyes. He couldn't keep the wide smile from spreading across his face. This was amazing, superb, incredible! To watch Cat, Rumi and Yumi sing together on the stage of the local theater, it was something else.
Takao couldn't put a name to it, he had seen her perform so many times and yet, this was different. Seeing her, centered between Rumi and Yumi, it was nearly impossible for him to take his eyes off her. This song, her lyrics, it was like listening to describe the first year they spent together as the BBA. They shared a bond, all six of them, a bond that he could never replace. Although more people were later added to this 'brotherhood', the original connection they shared would never die.
It would only increase to be great. Her voice had never sounded so full of life. It was only a few minutes of performance and it felt as if it could go on for hours. In some ways, he wished it would continue to go on. It was as if the old Cat had appeared from the past to sing this song, for him. Only if such things were possible.
Act End.