A/N: Thank you so much everyone for the overwhelming responses. I'm so glad you all like my story. I know my story is moving really slow but i don't want to rush anything. I wanted Kotoko to grow a little strong before Naoki returns. I hope you will agree :)

Escape plan

(Kotoko POV)

I was discharged in the afternoon with bandages on my chest and left wrist. I dressed properly which I wore yesterday morning, hiding my bandages. I was wondering what excuse I will give for my wrist injury.

When I arrived home, Oka-san and Yuki-kun were at home. Oka-san freaked out seeing bandage on my hand.

"Kotoko-chan, what happened to your hand?"

"This is nothing oka-san. I slipped and fall. They forced me to put on a bandage saying it would heal faster that way." I smiled guiltily.

"How clumsy you could be Kotoko? Grow up." Yuki-kun was also watching my bandage with creased forehead. I stuck out my tongue at him.

I went to my room, took out a set of fresh cloths and went to the bathroom to change. It was quite difficult to do alone. The ribs ached too much. But I took my time and changed. I went down stairs to help oka-san for the dinner. But she didn't let me touch anything. The dinner was very difficult. The pain gotten worse and my face was getting red in pain.

"Are you alright Kotoko-chan? Why is your face getting red?" Otou-san asked.

"I'm fine otou-san. I just hurt my hand a little." I told him the same thing I told oka-san. This cannot go on. If the pain gets worse, they will notice. What would I tell them? Suddenly I remembered about grandma Yoshida's invitation.

"Otou-san, oka-san, Do you know my patient Yoshida-san? Who I call grandma?"

"The one you watched over yesterday?" Oka-san asked.

Darn I forgot that! I immediately covered up.

"Yes. Her. She invited me to her summer house for the vacation." Winter vacation started from today. "Is it okay if I go there?"

"Why in the summer house during the winter?" Yuki-kun sounded surprised.

I gaped at him, dumbfounded. That thing didn't cross my mind at all. "Well... that's where she lives now." I replied feeling dumber.

"Is it safe there?" Oka-san asked.

"Of course. Irie-kun knows her too. She was really fond of Irie-kun."

"I see why you are fond of her!" Yuki-kun sneered.

"Stop that Yuki." Oka-san scolded him. I pouted.

"If you really want to go, you should go Kotoko-chan." She told me.

"Thank you oka-san. I also have exams after the holiday. So I will have to take some books to." I said sadly.

"Kotoko will be studying on a holiday. Did you hurt your head somewhere Kotoko?" Yuki-kun seemed shocked.

"I do study before exams." I told him heatedly. But he only rolled his eyes.

After dinner I went back to my room. I found my phone on the bedside table. I swiped it on. It had 3 missed calls from Irie-kun! I stared at the screen. What? Why? 3 missed calls? I hope everything was okay. I was wondering what could have happened when the phone rang. It was Irie-kun. I stared at it for a while before receiving it.

...

(Naoki POV)

How come Kotoko didn't call yet? Is she still at the hospital? Shall I call at the hospital? No. Forget it. She will call once she is back. But it's already 9:30 pm. I glanced at the clock. I should call again. I decided and called her. She received at the 3rd ring.

"Hello? Irie-kun?" She sounded confused.

"Hello Kotoko. Are you home?" I tried to sound casual.

"Yes I am. Did something happen? You called so many times."

"I called so many times because you didn't answer any of it." I answered feeling annoyed. Can I not call her so many times!

"Oh I'm sorry. I forgot my phone at home yesterday." She stopped without elaborating anything and kept silence. Weird!

"How is Yoshida-san now?" I asked.

"How did you know about that?" She sounded surprised. I didn't answer. She continued, "She is fine. She is home now. She invited me again and I have decided to spend my holiday at hers."

I was silent. I didn't expect that.

"Don't worry, I will take my books along with me and study for my exams." She added hurriedly.

"Hm." I answered. I wasn't worried about her exams. I thought she would come to Kobe during her holiday. Well that's what she promised while I moved. I couldn't help but feel bad about her going there.

"Are you mad?" she asked quietly. I wanted to scream 'yes!' But I replied the opposite.

"No, why would I be?" I tried to sound indifferent.

"Right." She said and winced.

"What happened?" I asked warily.

"Nothing nothing." That reply was again weird but I didn't ask further.

"How was your day?" She asked me.

"It was good. So when are you leaving?" I asked her curiously.

"Tomorrow."

"When will you return?"

"After 2 weeks. The day before my collage starts."

That answer pissed me off. She didn't have any plans to visit here. She would come during her exams and assignments but not on her holidays.

"Fine. Have a nice trip then. Bye." I wanted to cut the connection but she stopped me.

"Ah Irie-kun, I love you?" It sounded like a question.

"Are you asking me if you loved me?" I was surprised. She laughed.

"No. I meant you know, right? That I love you."

"I know!" I was surprised. So in return I tried to surprise her too.

"I love you too Kotoko." And I knew I nailed it. I just knew. She was silent. Probably her mouth was hanging open and she might have entered her day dreaming session. I laughed internally imagining her facial expressions. I decided to leave her alone to have her own time.

"Bye now." I said and without waiting for her response I dropped the call. I smiled, then remembered she wasn't coming to Kobe, I sighed.

...

(Kotoko POV)

'I love you too Kotoko' that sentence kept ringing in my ears. I couldn't hold my tears. Fortunately he had dropped the call and I didn't have to say anything back because my voice has left me for good and wasn't planning to return soon. I was so happy and so sad at the same time that my heart felt like exploding. I didn't know which pain was stronger anymore; physical- that I was having on my ribs or the mental that I was having on my heart.