Starless
Chapter 11
After meeting Ken, Daisuke sat down on his parent's couch. Looking down, he thought about the friends he could meet. He hasn't met Takeru, Hikari, Taichi, Sora, or Miyako.
He pondered on who he could meet soon.
Smiling, he got up and said to himself, "I want to visit my old neighborhood."
And grabbed the keys, but before he got out of his parent's house. He realized he didn't have a phone, he knew he needed to leave a note behind to make sure his parents knew where they were going.
He walked to the kitchen, first looking at a drawer. He immediately found a pen and pad. Mostly a list of groceries his mom had.
He picked it up and tilted his head, looking down for a bit. He picked up a card. It read 'Miyuki's Birthday Party'.
Daisuke got confused, "Miyuki?"
It took him a while to finally connect the dots, "this must be Hikari's child. The name is Miyuki…"
He put the card down and began to write in a notepad. "I wonder if she lives near the old apartments…" he finally finished the note which read 'Mom, Dad, I am going to be walking in our old neighborhood, promise to be back before sun down'. He put the notepad and pen down.
He picked up a coat his mother bought him and headed towards the door. Unknown of what was to come.
A cab drove off as a voice said, "as much as I love visiting France, nothing beats Japan."
Takeru stretched his arms in the air. His wife, Annia, smiled while holding her purse. "It was truly a fun trip though. Didn't know you spoke French fluently."
Takeru chuckled while picking up a large bag, "it was more saying the simplest words."
Annia walked ahead and stopped.
Takeru raised a brow, "what?" He looked and saw Iori standing on the stairs leading to his apartment with Hina beside him. "Iori-san! It's good to see you." Takeru realized a serious look on Iori's face.
Annia walked beside Takeru, "I'll take these upstairs." She took the large suitcase.
Hina waited for Annia, "let me help you with that."
Iori waited for both girls to be at least not visible, "I need to tell you something."
Takeru put his hands into his coat pocket, "alright." Takeru knew when Iori was serious, it was serious.
Iori sat down on the stairs, being eye level with Takeru, "Daisuke-san is back."
Takeru stood with the same expression for a bit, blinking only when he needed to. The snow kept falling as Takeru's eyes slowly widened. His expression going from curious to almost horrified. He took a step back, looking down in disbelief. He took a big gulp and he froze when Iori spoke, "I saw him this morning myself."
Takeru's expression went cold, "where is he?" Venom in his voice.
Iori stood up again and stepped down, "at his parent's house. Though, currently I don't know if he's there. He met Ken-san… he could be anywhere."
Takeru's fists were shaking while clenched, "and does anyone else know?"
"I can't tell you who exactly, but I know your brother knows."
Iori flinched when Takeru grunted while turning around. He took out his cell phone and began to dail his brother's number.
Iori looked on sadly before sitting back down.
Takeru stopped, "does Hikari-san know?"
Iori shrugged, "maybe… maybe not right now."
Takeru looked at his cell before putting it away "Please, I know you never joke with me, but please tell me this is a joke. Right?"
Iori shook his head, "I talked with him. It's him."
Takeru looked down too, "you met him? And? And what?"
Iori kept looking down, "if I tell you anymore, I know you'll get mad."
Takeru glared, "and then what? Let me find out on my own? Why wasn't that an option?"
Iori sighed, "cause Daisuke-san isn't… a bad guy." Takeru's glare widened, "even if what he did to Hikari-san is unforgivable. He… He isn't a bad guy, he's nice."
Takeru threw his arms up, "so he's nice, doesn't mean he's probably…"
Iori interjected, "and he doesn't know Hikari had his child."
The world got quiet for Takeru. His huffing stopped. He looked to the side at Iori. His eyes drowning in shock, "what?"
Iori got up and stepped down the rest of the stairs, "he doesn't know. He doesn't know about Miyuki-san. He doesn't know."
Takeru was speechless, looking down and trying to catch his breath. Before shaking his head, "what do you mean he doesn't know!?" He went up to Iori who looked at him stone faced.
Iori looked before sighing. "It ultimately means… he didn't leave because he was scared of being responsible for Hikari's pregnancy." Takeru looked back down, "it makes sense. How would he know? It was a one night stand, those barely result in pregnancy statistically and well… he had no reason to leave the day after."
Takeru grabbed Iori's collar, pulling it. "Do you have any idea what you are saying?" Iori glared back, "you're telling me he left for some other reason."
Iori pulled Takeru's hand off, "yes… you want to be emotional about this. Go punch Daisuke-san in the face. Hospitalize him. But be smart. Daisuke-san. Would he really leave?"
Takeru grit his teeth, "we asked that so many times. And no, he wouldn't, but he did."
"And he did. But it's time to face the reality that he didn't leave for Hikari-san's pregnancy."
Takeru kept shaking his head, "then… then what!?"
Iori sighed, "I don't know… I don't know yet. But look… I'm not telling you to forgive him. Be mad at him. I am just tired of everyone replacing this emotional response with a logical one. At the time, I agreed with it because of how devastated it all was. I didn't enjoy seeing Hikari-san in that state, but… even I knew that Daisuke-san wouldn't leave. He wouldn't…"
Takeru leaned back before reaching a fence and leaning back. The snow fell ever so slowly. He put his hand over his eyes, "I want to see him."
Iori put his hand in his pocket, "well, we could look for him like old times. Go all over hoping to find him or… we can be logical…"
Takeru looked up, "Ken-san, right?"
Takeru took out his phone again, dialing Ken's number. He put the phone against his ear as he heard the ringing for a bit. Finally someone answered, "hello, Ken-san."
Iori watched as Takeru became shocked, "what?"
Miyako hummed her way through the knitting session. Stopping to look at a picture of her at her wedding. A gorgeous photo of her and the other surrounding each other. Seeing Hikari's reserved smile while holding Miyuki. She picked up the photo, "Miyuki-san, the stand in for Daisuke-san."
He put the photo down, "I wish he never left… how easy things would have been." She continued knitting, "Imagine it?" She sighed, "he would have been the best man. Hikari-san would probably be married before me. I would be the last one married and… and maybe all of this… but he's not coming back. He's never coming back. If he were I would punch him…" Miyako rubbed her pregnant belly, "don't inherit mommy's anger…"
She was stopped by the sound of keys turning the lock. "Huh?"
She put her knitting to the side. She got up and dusted off as Ken came in. "You're here early," she walked up to him. A wide smile that turned concerned when she saw his nervous look.
Ken grabbed her hand and led her to the dining table. "I love you with all my heart, you know that, right?"
Miyako frowned, "what's this about?"
Ken looked down, "I… I don't want you to panic. I don't want to stress you out, so I think telling you right here and now is the best. For you and the baby."
Miyako rubbed her belly, "Ken-san, you're really worrying me."
Ken didn't speak, simply looking at her before squeezing her hand. "Miyako-san, Daisuke-san is back."
Miyako stopped for a moment. She looked to the side and then down, then back at Ken. Her hand moved to her neck as she rubbed it. "Okay," she huffed while glaring, "he's back…"
Ken put his other hand over the one he was grabbing, "I met him. I had a feeling he was back."
Miyako nodded, "and… never mentioned this feeling to me?"
Ken shrugged, "I didn't want to come up short. I know how many times I looked for him and didn't find him, well this time I did."
Miyako broke an angry smile, "great. I love it. I'm gonna give birth in a prison."
Ken squeezed her hand, "no you're not."
Miyako nodded with her eyes being watery, "I hate him, Ken-san."
Ken nodded, "I know you do, but I don't."
Miyako sighed, "and you're going to try to protect him?"
Ken looked at her, "I'm keeping you from making an emotional decision."
Miyako leaned forward a bit, "then what? Let him get away with it? Hikari-san was… she was pregnant…!"
Ken smiled, "I'm saying that this isn't for us to be emotional on."
Miyako pulled her hand away, getting up, holding her belly. "He influenced you! He's just trying to get…"
Ken got up, putting his hand on his wife's shoulder. "He doesn't know Hikari-san got pregnant."
Miyako stopped, "w-what?"
Ken touched her cheek, "he doesn't know. He doesn't have a clue."
Miyako got more teary, "that's fantastic. That's awesome. Yeah! Daisuke-san knocks up my best friend, but since he doesn't know… he's forgiven. He's absolved. Let's just forget it. Imma go and hug him. Hug him like he never left Hikari-san behind. He didn't leave you and I behind. It's not like he missed out on EVERYONE'S Wedding. It's not like he's missed two births. It's not like we weren't depressed. I mean god, those days of me crying myself to sleep cause Hikari went missing to find him. Those were fun nights… right!?"
Miyako had tears streaming down. Ken held her, "what am I supposed to do? He hurt me…"
Ken kissed her forehead, "don't forgive him.."
Miyako leaned on his shoulder, "but you have…"
Ken shook his head, leaning against her head, "I never resent him. For a while I thought I should, but he accepted me after being a Kaiser."
"We were kids…"
Ken nodded, "we were. But I never felt happier than remembering how he was with me. He always stood by my side. How could I hate him?"
Miyako broke the embrace, sniffling, "Okay, then what? I want to kill him and you don't."
Ken shrugged, "I don't know, I didn't have time to think." Miyako was surprised by this.
Miyako sniffed, "then why tell me?"
Ken smiled, "because he's my best friend. He's important, but you're my wife."
Miyako smiled back, blushing even. She giggled and nodded while wiping tears, "okay, I guess, I can wait until I don't want to murder him and figure it out… Daisuke-san is back."
Ken nodded while holding her by her upper arms, "yeah he is. I'm still processing it."
Miyako giggled, "the most shocking thing all day. I feel like my mind will be on this. Nothing can happen to make me think about anything else."
Ken chuckled, "if it helps, you can knit how much you want to kill him."
Miyako giggled while letting a single tear fall, "that can be my welcome back gift," both laughed. Miyako's laughter died down, but she was still smiling, "my water broke."
Ken blinked, "what?"
Miyako pointed down, "my water broke honey. Baby is about to be born."
Ken's eyes of comfort turned slightly horrified. "Oh…" he moved back, seeing a stain below her. "Oh my god, what!? Now!? I thought it was next week."
Miyako shrugged without a care, "it seems like our child wants to be born." She suddenly leaned forward and took a deep breath, "starting to hurt."
Ken grabbed his car keys and said, "we need to get you to a hospital."
Miyako nodded, "I think the baby wants to be born now. I can't move…"
Taichi looked down, "okay, so he doesn't know he got my sister pregnant. And you think he left for something unrelated?"
Sora, leaning to his shoulder, "yes and I am not telling you to…"
"Yeah, yeah," Taichi took a deep breath, "I know, I can still hate him. I always thought about this scenario. I'm not dumb, I sort of expected him to not know. Unless the bastard thinks he's that good."
Sora giggled, "From what Hikari told me about her experience…"
Taichi chuckled, "don't talk to me about that," he kissed Sora's lips. "What do you want me to do now?
Sora smiled, "tell Hikari-san, maybe don't kill Daisuke-san on sight. Be an adult."
Taichi rubbed her shoulder, "and how do you expect me to do that to the guy who knocked up my sister and still wasn't around."
Sora looked up at him, "how about letting them handle things. This isn't about you or me. I did my job helping Hikari-san through her pregnancy and raising Miyuki-san the first couple years. And you did yours, calling your sister a slut."
Taichi chuckled, "you're never gonna let me go on that one, huh?"
Sora shook her head, "not for ten more years, but if you want me to let it go sooner. How about… when you see Daisuke-san. Don't have to like the guy, but don't kill him."
"And if my sister kills him?"
"Then let HER kill him. I don't want this drama when we're only involved by association."
"Mimi said he hasn't met Hikari-san… right?"
Sora nodded, "yeah, she put her hands around her legs that we folded to her chest. "How about this… if Daisuke-san responds negatively or actually wants to leave if he finds out about Miyuki-san. Then you can hospitalize him after I do it."
Taichi kissed her lips, "deal."
Sora smiled lovingly, "you're taking this well. I was almost speechless."
Taichi chuckled, "the way you presented this made it seem like we you having an affair. This news sucks, but at least it's not the other, right?" Sora laughed, "I also don't have him in front of me. I would have snapped if I came into contact with him without warning."
Sora looked back at Taichi, "so that means you'll be calm?"
Taichi took a deep breath, "I won't like the guy, but I'll let him live. He needs to pay lots of child support."
Sora nodded, "yeah, I think that's something we can agree on. He needs to take immediate responsibility." Both were silent, "how do you want to tell your sister?"
Taichi hummed, "I would rather someone else tell her."
Sora got up and giggled, "so lazy," she was about to head to the kitchen until she heard her phone vibrate. She took a look at the contact, "Miyako-san is calling me."
Taichi raised a brow, "maybe she found out too?"
Sora shrugged, "I don't remember Mimi-san mentioning Miyako-san knowing…" she opened the phone. "Hey, Miyako-san…. Ken-san…?"
Taichi looked confused.
"Woah, Woah, slow down there… Why is Miyako-san crying in the… Oh my god! Now!?"
Taichi became alarmed when his wife's face averted to panic.
"Okay, yeah, no problem, I'll be there! Get the things ready!" Sora hung up and turned to Taichi. "Get your coat, Miyako-san has gone to labor at her house. She can't move to a hospital."
Daisuke hummed in peace. Walking through the snowy sidewalk of his former neighborhood. His boots crunching underneath the snow. He looked at the stores, "they changed some things."
He turned onto the street, seeing the bus. Waving off the driver that he wasn't coming in. Once the bus rumbled, beginning to move slowly on the snow. He looked over at it.
He made eye contact with a woman. She had shoulder length brown hair. Her eyes brown with a soft gentle look. He was about to smile before his mind connected it. "Hikari-san?" He questioned.
Hikari, looking on from the other side in utter shock. They both stared as the bus moving broke their gaze.
Daisuke stood still for a while. Before beginning to run towards the moving bus, but it was faster than him, especially through the snow slowing him down. That was you, Hikari-san!
That wasn't him, was it? Hikari questioned while looking down. "No, no it couldn't have been. I must have been imagining it." She bit her lower lip and repeated, that wasn't him. It was never him before. It's not him now.
The bus came to a stop. Hikari still thinks to herself to deny he was there.
Daisuke, on the other hand, bolted as much as he could. He turned the street where he saw the bus close its doors. "Wait!" He let out a low, but loud voice. He stumbled to the stop seeing the bus drive off. "Damn it," he said.
Suddenly he fixed his posture.
Remembering one similar day back when he was thirteen.
"Hey Ken-san, want to bet?"
Daisuke stood up and pointed his finger like a gun. Same like his younger pose, "I bet I can make it to the next stop before the bus."
Daisuke looked serious, "no you can't," Ken's younger chuckle rang.
Daisuke prepared to run, "yes, I can… when I'm motivated!"
Daisuke slammed his foot through the group and bolted forward. He didn't take the turn, the bus took. Instead running through the clear road up ahead. A fence came up as he jumped forward, jumping over it. He was suddenly sliding down a hill into the small dam with a single path. Both filled with ice and water.
He jumped onto the path, immediately sliding on the ice. Balancing himself and sliding as he hopped from the water puddles. Doing this until he was across, he bear-walked his way up the concrete hill. Getting to the metal rail, he hopped over it. Seeing a brick wall in front of him.
He moved back and climbed over it. Seeing a bunch of random fences from homes down the middle leading him to his next point. Time slowed down, imagining how his younger self was scared.
A young Ken came over, "dude, it's not worth it… it's just a bet."
Daisuke felt the cold breeze hit him. Suddenly seeing the flashes of his final moments with Hikari. When they shared that one special night. I lied… everyone. Hikari-san, I wanted to see her the most. I still…
He ran forward, first balancing on a wooden roof. He jumped to the next fence which was a less sturdy metal on. One that bounced with every step. He got to the next once which missed some parts of the fence. Still continuing. I still…
He kept going, hopping through every step. Suddenly he was in this mode where any obstacles down this random fence path didn't bother him. Moving through each like they were nothing. His body twirling whenever he was about to fall. Jumping when he needed to. I still…
He made it through the path and saw down the road the bus stop. He bolted immediately, seeing the crosswalk turn to stop. He pounced and landed on his two feets before using that to rocket start his run again. He spun around a parked car and began to run past groups of people so effortlessly. I still…
Daisuke finally made it to the bus stop, I still regret not being there when she woke up!
His mind flashed to him and Hikari embraced while their naked bodies covered with sheets back on the night of her seventeenth birthday.
Daisuke suddenly slipped and fell on his back when he grabbed onto the bus stop pole. His vision slightly fuzzy as snow fell on his face.
"Are you alright?" He heard a soft voice.
Daisuke sat up, "yeah… did I hurt anyone?" He asked before seeing this bus stop next to Odaiba Pre-School.
"No, you didn't. You looked cool running that fast!" The soft voice sounded excited.
Daisuke stood up, "yeah, sorry I was…" he looked to the side before realizing the person he was talking to was a child. "Sorry," he said looking down.
This soft brown eyed girl with slight tan skin and long raspberry hair stared up at him. Daisuke noticed something off. This girl clearly recognized him. "Are you Daisuke-san?"
Daisuke raised a brow, "oh, yeah, why?"
The little girl rummaged through her bag pack and picked out a photo. One of the Twelve Chosen Children, this girl pointed at Hikari. "Because you are my mommy's friend. I am Miyuki Motomiya, her daughter."