"Amaya-chan! Oh Poor girl! Are you sure you're alright?" Minoru-San was so worried. I didn't know why. I told him over and over I was fine.
"Yes, Minoru-San. I swear, I'm fine." I smiled at him, but worry was still in the forefronts of my mind. "Minoru-San...what happened with the twins? Taki-San and Aki-San? Will they be alright?"
"Don't worry girl. They're fine, they're always fine." He paused, trying to fit words into sentences. "You know, Aki-San is the only person in this household, besides now you, who isn't cursed." What? Aki-San isn't cursed?
"B-but does that mean Taki-San isn't cursed as well?" Minoru-San shook his head. Though he looked dead serious, he seemed to be having fun. "Twins, but only one is cursed," I didn't think about something like that. "Now that I think about it, it must be hard on the loved ones of the curse."
"No, you see, the curse is just like this. As soon as you're held but your mother or father, they discover you carry the curse. It doesn't give us time to have loved ones. But maybe that's for the best." He had been making dramatic hand motions, but he stopped to eye me to make sure I was still listening. I stared intently at him, feeling blessed to be learning so much about Miki-san and his family.
Aika-chan squirmed a bit where she was sitting. "Aika-chan is going to finish sweeping!" She tried to say as cheerfully as she could force. She sprinted out of the room. Minoru-san hardly looked up.
"There are two types of reaction to the curse by parents; neglection or over-protection. Either way, the siblings don't get much bonding time with their cursed brethren in the first place. Whatever ties they have are loose. But, as you can imagine, things would be different for twins. I think this may be the first time it was ever like their case. They share a special bond." I nodded, processing as much knowledge as I could.
"What was that all about?" I whipped my head around to view the speaker. Miki-San stood against the wall. I hadn't even heard him come in.
"Taki-Aki fought. Not more than man could dream though," Minoru-San winked, but Miki-San just shook his head. "It wasn't a bad fight, not even as far as we could think for a Taki-Aki fight." Minoru-San clarified in a huff.
"Why can't you just talk like a normal person?" Miki-San acted aggravated, though he was playing a smile on his lips. But I could see something in his eyes. A sort of emptiness. 'None of this matters.' That's what his eyes said. They didn't look like that before. He smiled superficially in my direction.
"Miki, Amaya-chan will be staying with us for the next two weeks." Minoru-San spoke quickly, like trying to pull a bandage off a wound.
Miki-San shot daggers at him with cold eyes, but Minoru-san kept his eyes focused on me, smiling brightly. "Will you take her to her room?" Miki-san seemed to hold his tongue. The silence stretched out thin, even though it was a matter of milliseconds.
"Of course. Come, Ebasi-San, we have a spare room." I nodded, feeling a little weird. My eyes stung a bit.
"Okay," I spoke softly. He gestured slightly for me, so I got up. But when I stood up, the edges of my vision went fuzzy.
"Let's go." He started walking. I took a heavy step forward. At least, I was hopeful it was forward. I was determined, I couldn't give in to the pain, couldn't give in...
The truth was, my head hurt a lot. I couldn't worry sweet Minoru-san or Aika-chan about it though. I could handle it. I couldn't give in, I wouldn't give in...
"Woah," I whispered as the room spun. The colors melded together. If my head wasn't throbbing, this might be really cool.
"Ebasi-San? Are you alright?"
"Amaya-chan?"
"I think I'm going to pass out," I tried to speak out loud, but I might have just mouthed it.
I had passed out before. This wasn't a big deal by now. I just hated the way my eyes seared with burning pain. I shut my eyes, trying to block it out, but by this point it made little difference. It was so dark, I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or closed. I mumbled one last, "Tired."
"...I've got it under control." Words wafted into the room. I got up slowly. I didn't remember laying down. I dreamily gazed around the room.
I suddenly panicked. Where was I? What was this place? It took a couple moments before I recalled the Sohmas' house. This must be the extra room. My room.
"Oi," Rei materialized. "Fill me in." Rei always listened to whatever I had to say. I smiled gratefully at him.
"Miki-san's family is cursed. I'm going to be staying here while Mom's out on more buisness. She got pulled into a last-minute buisness trip to..." I racked my brains, trying to remember. "...someplace. But Minoru-San is so nice, letting me stay in his house! Well, actually, it's his dead father's house. But he lives in it now." Rei nodded with understanding.
"Not just Minoru-san. All the Sohmas are so nice." I got quiet for a bit. They shouldn't be so nice to someone like me. But I guess nice people just are that way. I wish they weren't. "Rei, is it normal to hear ringing in your ear?"
He smiled at me, and floated down to his knees, inches away from me. I sat still and accepted his hug. I felt his warmth envelope me. I wished, like always, I could hug him back.
"Because sometimes, like now, I hear ringing. I think that's okay though," My words had little meaning. Just ramblings. I closed my eyes, letting a couple tears stream out. "What am I scared, of Rei? Why am I sad? Why am I always so sad?"
He smiled again, then whispered. "I'm here, whenever you need me," as he faded. I didn't need him now. I stubbornly wiped my eyes. I can be strong. I'm always strong. I was mentally exhausted so I laid back down.
"You're broken" I tried to drown out the voices, but I stopped for a moment. Was that Minoru-san? Who was he talking to? What was he saying?
But dreams were gnawing on the edges of my mind. I gave in, letting my thoughts flood into my brain. I'd have to figure this all out later. I wasn't going to fall asleep yet though. It was too early. I wouldn't. My head was pounding, so I started singing to keep my mind off it. I sang my favorite song.
"Who said that every wish will be heard and answered? And wished on a morning star? Somebody said that, and someone believed him, and look what it's done us so far. What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing? What do we think we might see?" I yawned. "Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection," I slowly sang my favorite bit, savoring the words. "The lovers...the dreamers...and...me."