Chapter eleven:
"Haruhi?" Hikaru questions only for Haruhi to duck down with a fearful shiver covering her ears as thunder rumbles. His eyes slightly widen as he regconizes what is going on right now. He only slightly reaches towards Haruhi stopping there as if not sure about reaching for her. "Shit. You have the same fear as Kaoru." He glances around trying to figure out what he is supposed to do. He has a brother to find however he'd be a jerk to leave Haruhi scared and alone. Especially since he finds that her reaction reminds him of Kaoru. He'd feel horrible if he didn't do something to at least help. He grumbles slightly before putting his arm around Haruhi's shoulders.
Before Haruhi can properly react she is being hurriedly lead away from there so she just follows hoping that it is away from the storm.
"Haruhi?"
Haruhi slightly blinks noticing a neighbor of hers known as Miss Akira approaching. "Miss Akira?" She manages to slightly mumble out at seeing the woman.
Hikaru takes Haruhi to the lady nudging the terrified girl, who squeaks at another flash of lightning, towards the woman. "Miss Akira was it? Listen can you take her somewhere safe from the storm? It seems she has the same phobia as my brother and I need to go find him. I however couldn't just leave her alone in such a state."
Miss Akira wraps her jacket around Haruhi's shivering shoulders. "Who are you? How do you know her?" She inquires curiously as Hikaru turns away.
"Just a classmate. We are also in the same school club together." Hikaru informs the woman who hums in understanding.
"I see. Well do not worry. I am one of her neighbors. I can get her home safe and sound." Miss Akira assures Hikaru who nods his thanks and is about to leave to continue his search for his brother.
"Oh. Hold on." Hikaru grabs a pair of headphones putting them over Haruhi's ears letting some music play from a small device. "This should help to block out the thunder. I can grab it later when we see each other at school. Thanks for taking her home." He heads off after that leaving Haruhi feeling a slight warmth at the kind gesture from the other.
Haruhi certainly doesn't seem him as more than a friend however it does still make her feel nice inside that he would do such a thing.
"Come dearie." Miss Akira gently rubs Haruhi's shoulders even though she can't really hear her over the music. "Let us get you home." She gently leads Haruhi away to her car after that so she can get her back home.
Haruhi's father races to her in apologetic tears once Miss Akira gets her home. He promises to be more careful and make sure that she isn't left alone out there when a storm is coming ever again. He then drags her further in to get dry and warm.
Meanwhile…
Hikaru runs through the rain looking down alleyways and into shops. He tries to call Kaoru again as he keeps up his search. "Come on. Answer." He pleads with his brother just wanting to be able to find him. He curses when Kaoru doesn't pick up his phone once more. He is about to continue searching when his phone goes off. He picks it up without looking with too much hope that it is his brother. "Hello! Kaoru? Is it you?"
A strange man's voice comes through from the other side. "No. Sorry. I just noticed you just called and I wanted to call you back." His words make Hikaru freeze with a sinking feeling.
"Wait. How do you have this phone?!" Hikaru growls out with a boom of thunder following just after his words. His free hand clenching tightly into a fist at the thought that this guy, whoever he is, did something to Kaoru.
"Calm down man." The man on the other side of the line snorts. "Look. I am just trying to figure out who to contact after finding this guy here. I think he has a phobia of the storm."
"He does." Hikaru can't relax as he is still worried that something bad is going to happen to his brother by this random man. "Where are you? Where is he?" He demands from the other guy on the phone.
"I am not great at directions but do you know the Bird Café? The one that is like a Cat Café but for birds instead? It is literally called the Bird Café."
Hikaru takes a look around only to spot that mentioned café up ahead. "I can see it." He confirms running towards it.
"Good. We are just around the side in the alleyway." The man confirms and Hikaru follows the directions where he finally comes to see the situation. The man turns out to be a kind looking teen who looks to be about the same age as the twins and Haruhi. He hangs up the phone and looks to just behind himself where Kaoru is cowering between two dumpsters.
"Kaoru!" Hikaru calls racing over to Kaoru crouching down in front of him. He reaches over pulling the shivering form of his slightly younger twin into his arms. "It's okay. I've got you now." He assures the other letting out a soft breath in relief that he has found him. He glances back as his own brothers cellphone is offered to him. He meets the eyes of the kind stranger who had helped out. He lets go of his brother with one hand to gently take the cellphone.
"Do you guys need a ride somewhere or something?" The boy offers to the two. "I could get my uncle to drive you. He's coming to pick me up."
"No. We should be okay." Hikaru assures the boy who nods his head accepting the answer. He shifts his arms, both cellphones in his pocket, in order to pick up Kaoru. He does find the other isn't light however he pushes through with his care for the other helping him through it. He looks to the boy who had helped him find his brother just as lightning goes off making Kaoru curl closer to his body. "Thank you for helping me find my brother." He mentions to the boy who nods his head. He carries his brother away entering the bird café where there is noise of some frightened birds in the back.
"Welcome! We only have a few birds out. Those that are okay with the storm." The lady at the front desk mentions in a greeting before blinking in concern at Kaorus trembling form.
"My brother has a phobia of storms. Can we hang out here until our ride gets here?" Hikaru requests of the lady who blinks in understanding at him. He has to put Kaoru down somewhere dry and call for their family limo to pick them up so they can get home.
"Of course. I also think I might know someone who might be able to help." The lady gestures for Hikaru to settle with Kaoru on a couch so he does, even putting Kaoru down on the couch covering him with the throw blanket there. She disappears further into the building turning into another room. She comes back soon enough with a cockatiel on her finger. "Just trust me." She tells Hikaru letting the bird step off onto the couch by Kaoru.
The cockatiel looks at Kaoru tilting its head this way and that way before moving towards him. It rubs its face against Kaoru's cheek getting him to slightly peek at the bird through a partially open eye. It curls up next to Kaoru softly rubbing against his cheek.
Hikaru realizes that this bird is picking up on the terror and he reaches over managing to encourage Kaoru's shaky hand closer.
Kaoru gently lets his thumb rub against the bird's body as it stays there letting him do so.
"This is our café's mascot." The lady explains smiling at the sight of the cockatiel helping to comfort the terrified Kaoru. "His name is Kouki. He has actually worked as a therapy bird until he retired to live here."
"He's perfect. Thank you for letting us borrow him until our ride comes." Hikaru smiles as it feels nice for this gesture to be shown towards them.
"It's no problem." The lady leaves back to the front desk after that.
Hikaru pulls out his phone and gets on call with the limo driver to pick them up. He does feel slightly more at ease now. His mind briefly wanders to Haruhi however he trusts that she is alright and at safety now. He supposes that maybe she really can be their friend after all and that nothing bad will come of becoming friends surely.
