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Rollercoaster of Hearts- Chapter Twenty

They held their gazes, scrutinizing each other's thoughts through their own set of penetrating orbs. Neither Misaki nor Takumi was willing to avert their eyes. They were one and the same. Both of them were looking at the other for answers, answers that'll explain to them why it happened. And they hoped to find on each other somehow for they, themselves, can't simply answer the lingering questions in their mind alone.

She tried opening her mouth for how many times now only to close them back again, like some fish underwater, for no words seems to come out of her throat. She tried comprehending the right things to say in her little brain only to come up with none. She tried to tell him something through small and ungainly actions but only to feel that her body is not cooperating well with her mind for it remained still no matter what. Well, at least she tried.

He managed to keep his laid-back attitude even when his insides were of nothing but shambles that it was like some factory working nonstop. He was desperately in need for something he couldn't quite put his finger into. And he knew she was somehow, in one way or another, related to what it was. But well, he kept it to himself.

Another moment of silence passed them both. If perceived by others, they may think there was a game called Who is going to stay quiet the longest between the two of them. All they did was stared, blink, and shuffle a little. It was a cycle of those things over and over again by each passing minute.

"Knock knock knock!"

Both were made conscious by the earsplitting voice of Misaki's brunette friend, Sakura who was banging on the door like there's no tomorrow.

"Misaki! Takumi! Dinner is ready!"

With a clumsy motion, Misaki hoisted up from the bed and frantically looked around like some damned retard, finally breaking off the staring contest she had with Takumi. "Uhh…uhmm…yeah. Coming!"

A giggle could be heard from the other side of the door before an answer came, "Sure, you guys just hurry it up with whatever you're doing. The food might get cold."

If the situation would have been better, Misaki would have rolled her eyes over her friend's silly antics. But it wasn't so she settled with the only choice she had left. She opened her mouth to say something and looked at him. He stared back, his alluring green eyes digging deep through her. She gaped at him for a second or two before shaking her head all the while blinking a few times. She fathomed now was not the good time to talk to each other. So after looking at him saying nothing, she turned her heels and proceeded to the door. She knew he couldn't see how she blushed and how she shut her eyes taking in deep calming breaths. She wanted to calm her heartbeat but she couldn't. Not when he could yet see her actions. So yielding all her courage, she tried not to obviously react like how crazy she's going.

She reached out for that knob that'll set her free from the intense gaze he's directing towards her. Just a twist of the little round metal and she'll be away from him. She'll finally find lots of ways to avoid him when outside. It'll be easier and more convenient that way for both of them. If given the chance to decide, heck she'll even gladly stay away from him for a month after what transpired between them. Her fingers laced the cold metal knob of her bedroom door and twisted open in a jiffy. But just when she was about to pull open, she heard his deep, rich voice resonating to her ears.

"I never regretted that kiss."

Like saucers, her eyes popped out. She was internalizing what she heard if ever she got it right. Immediately, her sick brain shouted to her at full volume as if it was using a gigantic bullhorn. It cried out to her desperately to turn around and tell him how she feels. But the organ in her chest, it tells her to do the other way around. Unlike her mind, it was whispering, whispering to her how she should just let it go and continue out the door. It was contradicting to her thoughts in which she finds weird how a heart can have an own mind. And right there she knew she had to choose what's best. She wasn't born and raised to be selfish and she knew that. Her parents, Minako and Sakuya, they nurtured and taught her how she should always think of the welfare of others no matter how she barely knew them. And she was willing to do the right thing for Chiyo even when they met only once. She deserved Takumi, her happiness no matter where she is now, whether she's alive or not. He belongs to her and she accepted that. She is nothing but a mere side character to their love story. She is just an obstacle, a hindrance that they need to face in their way to happy ever after.

Misaki smiled bitterly to herself as for the first time ever, a single tear dropped from the corner of her eyes which she freely allowed to slide down her cold cheeks. The constricting pain in her chest made itself evident all the more. It pained her. It pained to know how Takumi and Chiyo would obtain their happily ever after while she'd bear to live in the darkness of liking someone she could never have. She used the word like for she knew using that one word would only increase the pain. She never expected the right to feel so wrong for her.

Without looking back, she did what she knew best. She let go.

. . . . .

"Yo!"

"Good morning to you too, Tora," Miyuki grumpily replied as she followed the blonde with her gaze. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at how disgustingly sexy her so-called hero is acting with his hair all messed up indicating how good his sleep was and his dress shirt unbuttoned revealing his undeniably enticing abs.

"Button up your shirt, blondie. We're having breakfast not shots."

He put on his signature smirk and winked at which he slightly chuckled thereafter when she winced in disgust. "Admit it. You like seeing me this way."

"As if. Dream on, blondie. I would never picture myself as one of your fangirls."

In amusement, he chuckled once more before he grabbed a toast and jammed butter unto it. "You'd take that back someday."

A reciprocated smirk was thrown at him by her as she said, "We'll see."

"Now that's more I like it! A challenge!"

Miyuki stuffed her bread with bread as she talked almost uncomprehendingly, "Ey em shoo gooing chu ween."

"Yeah yeah whatever."

Like the gentleman he was sometimes, he bended over the table and reached out to her face. With his hand, he wiped the pieces of crumbs all over her mouth.

She blushed at the sudden skin contact and withdrew from his touch, caressing the part where his fingers once lingered. Heat crept up more to her face as she imagined the unexpected scene all over again. And she cowered a little by shrinking deep to her seat. She was disturbed from her girly thought when he laughed almost too mockingly too her liking.

"It looked like point one for me."

She stared up to meet his eyes and saw how cruelly evil those citric orbs were looking that she couldn't help but glare daggers towards him. She wanted to call him words. She wanted to cuss but she couldn't. Not when she still needed this fed up boy's help. She was already rude enough for him. She was afraid he might kick her out of his property and into the eeriness of the mountains. Though she barely believe he'd do that, it was better for her just to make sure and play on the safe side. Another thing is that she needed the medication she'd been providing her for her Amnesia. She needed those if ever she wanted to remember her past. So that is why no matter how the blondie get to her nerves, she endured it. Call her selfish but it is life after all. It meant being wise to survive. So with the fakest yet sweetest smile she could make, she said, "You got me there."

Tora snickered. The girl surely hasn't been taught by her parents on how to lie and fake herself. She looked like some damned slutty and newbie actress trying hard to act as innocent role. It disgusted him yet he couldn't help but find her efforts cute. If only she knew what he had been thinking, she would have needed to thank him for seeing her as cute. He rarely comments on girls that way. If he was correct, the last time he could remember calling a girl cute was way back his second girlfriend, Sakura Hanazono. Tora couldn't refrain himself from grinning as he remembered his moments with the brunette. And he had to admit, she was the first girl he ever loved dearly. It was a shame things had to turn out wrong for them due to his business inheritance. If ever she would have just accepted and he would have just balanced things properly, they would have been still happily together until now. Or if possible, they would have been probably already engaged.

Boink!

"Ack!" A sugar cube awoken Tora from his undoubtedly embarrassing daydreaming when it hit his forehead straight on. He winced in slight pain before looking at that one person who was capable of hitting him. He stared as if he was planning murder yet she didn't budge. Instead, she even looked proud of what she did with hands crossed over her chest and chin held up high.

"The fuck is wrong with you?!"

"Nothing is wrong with…well maybe except my Amnesia. But all in all, I am perfectly fine."

He narrowed his eyes even more and retorted, "Who in the right mind would throw someone a sugar cube?!"

"And who in the right mind would daydream when he's being talked to?" She threw back words at him proudly as if she was higher in position that him. Even with Amnesia, the thing she dreaded the most is being shown that the person she's talking heartily to isn't even listening. It was rude. And she hated it.

"How would I know you were talking to me?"

She returned his glare with one of hers and spat out her words with venom. "You have ears to listen and you're the only person besides me in this room."

Miyuki looked as if she was going to kill him first before he could even plan on how to strangle her. So he retreated back to his chair and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just finish your breakfast and get ready."

She softened her eyes and asked, "Why?"

"We're heading to the city."

. . . . .

Takumi raced down the winding flight of steps in their manor as he hurried down to the kitchen for breakfast. The word excited would not be enough to describe how pumped up he is now even if it's still early in the morning. Dewdrops were still present on the leaves and the sun was yet to rise.

"Young master, you're up early," Cedric stated a matter-of-factly upon stumbling with Takumi on his way to wake up the maids in their quarter.

"Yeah, what's for breakfast?"

The butler blinked in response before he realized that breakfast was not yet to be served for the maids were still cozily sleeping on their beds. "Uhmm, breakfast isn't prepared yet."

"Nevermind. I'll just prepare something for myself. And tell Mom I won't join her for breakfast, okay? I'll be leaving for school early."

No matter how freaked out Cedric was, he remained his calm composure and bowed deeply before preparing to leave. "Very well."

A simple French toast was all he needed before he went out the doors of their mansion, slinging his bag over his shoulders. Once out, he hurriedly rode on his car before speeding away, not bothering to remind his chauffeur that he'd be driving himself to school. It was Monday meaning Misaki would be at school early. He needed to see her and talk to her privately if ever he wanted to clear things up. It was now or never.

The drive to campus was by far the lengthiest one Takumi has ever encountered his whole life. It was very dragging and almost slow-paced that it was getting to his nerves. So immediately after parking, he wasted no time and got his things and himself together and raced to the rooftop where he knows she'll be sitting.

Even with almost out of breath, he ran to the top of the building like he was in some sort of emergency, unminding the windy staircase of their school building. It had taken him only three long minutes to reach the fifth floor which was the rooftop.

He burst the door open and scanned the place in an instant, locating the presence of a familiar figure only to find none.

"Where is she?"

He slowly made his way into the openness of the area and took a seat right across the door in hopes of getting to see her once she finally appears. He grabbed a lollipop from his jeans pocket and tore the plastic open before twirling it inside his mouth, tasting the sweetness of the strawberry flavor. The candy was a good leisure as he waits. Along the ticking of his wristwatch, he counted every second until the time she'd appear by the door.

One…

Two…

Three…

He thought how she was later today than usual.

Four…

Five…

Six…

Seven…

He pondered and remembered the kiss they shared.

Eight…

Nine…

Ten…

He mused to himself and realized how awkward it was.

Eleven…

Twelve…

Thirteen…

He brood over about how they should face each other now.

Fourteen…

Fifteen…

Sixteen…

Seventeen…

It would be difficult but it wouldn't get in his way.

Eighteen…

Nineteen…

Twenty…

"Ugh!" He grunted as he ruffled his hair into a bit of a mess. He was agitated. How could twenty seconds take so long? How could time pass him by slowly when he's this eager to see Misaki? Is he hated by life this much? Maybe yes. He realized that in his life, never once did he get his own way. It's unfair somehow.

Takumi took a glance at his watch and to his surprise it wasn't a third of a minute that passed. It was more than that, way more than that. The previous 6:30 had now been 7 sharp. He had been sitting and waiting for half an hour now and it only felt like twenty seconds. He should be happy, right? He finally got what he wanted, for time to fly by fast. But he's not. How could he when Misaki was still not there?

A small frown of disappointment graced his lips as he removed the stick of the lollipop he once had in his mouth thirty minutes ago. He decided to relax there and just skip classes.

"Life is just so cruel," Takumi whispered to his self and stared up at the azure sky above him. How he hoped Misaki could see the clear heavens overhead.

. . . . .

It was all due that she should be in the confines of their classroom, listening attentively to class discussions but she was not. She was somewhere else, some place she knows she could attain solitude and silence for her own piece of mind. It was her secret hideaway whenever she felt like breaking down. It was her refuge, her place of comfort. It was the only thing that could keep her away from all the drama life could throw at her. And it was what she needed the most right now.

She admitted she had never been to this place for almost a year now. Oh how she missed the place. She missed the borders the gigantic trees were giving her as protection. She missed the cold breeze of the air seeping through her skin into as deep as her bones. She missed the little creatures she'd pass through on her way or even those that takes courage and come up to her. She missed the mixed noises coming from nature's finest plants and animals. She missed the limited colors her eyes could perceive all around. She missed the fragrant freshness of the earth. But was she missed the most was the best out of all the things her hideaway had-the waterfall. She had been dying to return to that earthly wonder never been discovered before. She wanted to relax its icy and clear waters once more. And she wanted to taste the freshness all over again yet now was the only free time she ever got, if she could ever call it free anyway.

By foot, she reached her destination from the ultimate secrecy of the forest near the mountains. Her feet were aching but she didn't mind the pain. It was worth it, she thought.

Misaki stretched her limbs first before collapsing into the grassy ground with a soft thud. She gazed at the heavens up above. There was no sun. The sky was tainted blue but the little ball of fire shining down every day was nowhere to be found. It was being covered by the soft and cottony cumulus clouds. And the temperature was just right to her liking. In all, it was a perfect day for her. No, it could have been a perfect day if only she had not been carrying such a huge problem up on her sleeves.

With a heavy heart, she sighed. She knows how her stupidity for liking someone she could never have would turn out. It would never be on her side. But she just couldn't help it. She just couldn't dictate her heart to stop. She just couldn't do anything. And for once, she could relate to all in love quotes out there that she had been criticizing as over in cheesiness before. Now, she could understand. Now, she could feel how they feel. Now, she wouldn't have to snicker at those lines anymore because now, she would be the one experiencing it. She concentrated on the sky once more and somehow, deep in her heart, she hoped he was looking at it right now too. But she reckon he would even be since it was

Misaki, deciding to relinquish to her broken heart, stood up and headed her way toward the waterfall. She made her way over a huge rock which she always uses as her chair and after comfortably positioning herself she let her feet hang loose so it would reach the water. She shivered a bit upon feeling the sudden coldness rising up to her upper body from the icy waters touching her toes. Once she got used to it, after a few seconds, she let her whole feet submerge in the water. The soothing feeling filled up her very soul that she shut her eyes in contentment. Somehow, for a second there, the water managed to take away all the problems from her damaged brain. And how she wished it would last for all eternity. Oh how she wished to live a problem-free life from then on. She wished everything would just go easy for her but of course, it would never come true. Those challenges, they are what makes her stronger each day. They are what keep her pumped up. But there are just those times that sometimes she wished everything would just be gone in a snap of a finger.

Thinking of the troubles, that sole face she hated to see appeared in her mind. And she almost lost it for a moment. She opened her eyes in a sudden and breathed raggedly as if she had been in a race recently. It was so abrupt that it surprised her in a way she could not explain. It was like a glimpse of something, something so absurd that she couldn't picture it out all over again. All she saw was him, an outline of a person she doesn't know, and death.

A shudder made its way into her as she thought about the last word in her mind. She wondered if was being paranoid after being in love. She asked herself if it was some side effects of liking someone. She was confused herself but who was there to answer her? She was in the middle of a deserted forest in the mountains. She was alone.

Misaki stopped being caught up in her thinking when a soft and gentle hum rang in her ears. It was faint but she could hear it.

A person?

. . . . .

With slumped shoulders and sluggish motions, Takumi made his way inside the mansion of theirs as countless maids and butlers greeted his arrival even when he knew how curious they were as to why he got home even before lunch. Why? If asked, he would say he was not in the mood for school today which was super contradictory to how early he went there. But if asked by himself, if he was stupid enough to do that, he would say it was because the only purpose of his coming today to school wasn't there. What's the use of wasting time for nothing fun at all? So he decided to return home and lock himself inside his room with a good book to read.

"Young master, welcome back. You're home early," Cedric greeted as he reached to take his master's bag. The butler bowed after and led him to the living room. "Please follow me first."

Takumi raised an eyebrow, not really getting the idea of the sudden demand of the butler. "What's happening?"

The blonde butler never uttered a word for they already reached the door leading them to the other side which was the living room of the mansion. With little effort, Cedric pushed open the wide double doors revealing the splendor of the traditionally designed room. There were antique belongings placed all over and the mahogany furniture and cabinets added effects to the cozy feeling. The room was also well-lighted by the floor to ceiling glass wall giving view to the flowery gardens of the Walker estate.

Takumi would have been caught by the beauty of their own living room if not for the person situated on their couch.

"Takumi! Isn't it nice to see each other again?"

And bwalaaa! A cliffhanger to get you guys curious for more. I'm cruel I know. But yeah, it's what gets the update more interesting. Don't you think so, too? Anyway, I'm terribly sorry for the later update than promised. I got busy with what else? School works of course. My next update would probably be next week for this week is our school's exam week! Yay! Sarcasm -.-

Please do wait for my return. I'd try and make the next update good as exchange for my days of absent here on FF. Also, please be patient. I'd also like to know your comments and opinions about this story. So, please review or if possible, favorite or like this story. It'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. I would not be posting an interview corner for I will, I'm sure I'd be giving out a lot of spoilers for the next chapter. Please bear with me.