Chapter 19 – Another Infamous Cousin
Kyoko's POV
It's been a few days since I woke up in the hospital. Slowly recovering from a neck injury that almost ended my life. So far, it's healed significantly well…but talk for long periods of time is still out of the question for now.
Everyone had kept their promise of coming to see me every day (or at least when they could). So, at least I can say that I'm not lonely while being confined to this hospital bed 24/7.
Yui, Akari, and Chinatsu would come by most of the time. Now that they're usually free after school nowadays.
That's…also thanks to me, but still…
Ayano would come by whenever she had the time. Student Council work is still taking its toll on her.
She should just quit and get rid of the stress…
Sachiko, Aoi, and Hiro visited a few times…a-along with Shiro.
Not sure why a hospital would allow a giant spider inside…
Hell, even Sakurako, along with Himawari and her cousin Yuki, stopped by a few times. And Sakurako and I managed to repair our friendship a little after talking it over. It's a slow start, but we're getting there.
Case in point…
"Aw, yeah!
You're about to ride the Sonic the Hedgehog Dick Smasher!
Buckle up! AND DON'T YOU DARE COVER THAT CROTCH, YOU FUCKING PUSS!"
"S-Sakurako…your sense of humor is vulgar as always…" I said with a huge sweatdrop after watching this YouTube video Sakurako had sent me.
At least she likes me enough to even send me this…
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"O-Oh, um…come in!" I responded after hearing a knock on the door. Quickly putting my phone away so that the weird video wouldn't play anymore.
I hate how these shorts are always looping…
"Hey, Kyoko."
"Oh…Chinastu. It's just you today?" I asked as the pink-haired underclassman walked inside.
"Yeah…just me today. Everyone else is busy. With finals coming up, everyone's studying like cra-" Chinastu covered her mouth and looked at me with a feeling of guilt. "S-Sorry…"
"*sigh* No, it's okay. I've already accepted the fact that I've been expelled. My mom's currently looking for a new school for me to transfer into."
"I see…"
For the next 2-3 minutes, it was just us two sitting in pure awkward silence. The last time where it was just us two was when we were about to be killed by my father. A memory that I'm sure both of us want to forget.
And even before that…the two of us weren't exactly THAT close with each other. I mean…if you REALLY want to count the multiple times I've cuddled her without her consent because she looks similar to my favorite anime character. And then being bashed in the head for doing such a thing.
Come to think about it…there isn't much I actually know about Chinatsu. And I've known her for…close to a year and a half at this point.
I can only wonder what that says about me…
"S-So…how's hospital life going for you?" Chinatsu asked. Finally breaking the awkward silence.
"Ah, well…it's going fine, actually. My throat no longer hurts when I talk. So, it's healing up pretty nicely. At this rate, the doctor said that I could be discharged by this weekend."
"Really? Then we should totally celebrate. You getting out the hospital…starting your brand-new life…"
"It's not exactly "brand-new"." I said before curling up my body a little. "And besides…I still have to face my father in court, whenever that happens. Plus, I've been expelled from school and I still have those therapy sessions which I'm honestly not a fan of…I'm in for one hell of a road ahead of me."
"But at least you're not doing it alone. You've got all of us, remember?"
"*sigh* Yeah, true…" I gained a small smile. "…You know…it's kinda weird hearing all of this reassuring stuff coming from you. You're usually cold towards me and don't even look me in the eye at times."
"Y-Yeah, well…I-I'm just trying to be more mature about it. After all, I AM turning 14 soon." Chinatsu said all of that with a light blush on her face while slightly looking away from me. As if she was trying to do a tsundere bit.
Although, no one can do that better than Ayano…
"I see…" Was all I said.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Come in."
"Hey, Kyoko…long time no see."
"Wow! Rukia! It really has been a long time!" I cheered as I hugged the slightly lighter blonde-haired girl.
"And not just her~…nice to see you again too, Kyoko."
"Tsu! You came, too!" I cheered even louder as I hugged the short brown-haired girl.
"Hey…why did you sound happier about seeing Tsu than me?" Rukia asked.
"W-Well…" I said nervously. "…I was already expecting you. Seeing Tsu again after all these years was just a bigger shock."
"Don't worry, Rukia~. There's no need to be jealous~. *giggle*" Tsu teased as she patted Rukia on the head like a pet.
"Sh-Shut up!" Which made Rukia blush out of embarrassment.
"Uh…Kyoko…who are these two?"
"Oh, right. Sorry, Chinatsu." I said to her confused face. "This is…"
"*clears throat* Greetings, dear commoner! I am Rukia Yamabuki! Daughter of Kinji Yamabuki, heir to the throne of Yamabuki Works Co., and soon the one and only Volleyball Queen! BE AT AWE BEFORE MY GREATNESS! Ohhohoho~!"
"*sigh* There she goes being snooty again…" Tsu said with a facepalm.
"I-I am NOT snooty! Anyone with a life like mine would be proud to brag about it!"
"They wouldn't do it like a villainess in an otome game, though."
"Oh, please! I'm not THAT cliché!"
"You kinda are, Cousin…" I said with a sweatdrop.
"C-Cousin?!" Chinatsu yelled in shock.
"Yeah…Rukia Yamabuki is my cousin. We're the same age…but she's older by a month, though."
"That's…crazy. I mean, I know about Yamabuki Works Co….who doesn't, honestly…but I never would've thought that you would be blood related to them, Kyoko."
"It's…something I don't bring up all that often."
"Why not?" Rukia asked. "You should be proud of your Yamabuki bloodline, Kyoko. It gets you SO many rich girl perks!"
"But my last name is Toshinio and I'm not a rich girl…" I gained another sweatdrop.
"In any case…" Tsu said. "…Now that Rukia's done with her showboating…"
"H-Hey, I was NOT showboating!" Rukia yelled but was ignored.
"…My name's Tsubaki Hirai. Rukia's childhood friend. But everyone calls me Tsu."
"Tsu?" Chinatsu asked.
"It's…for personal reasons. Rather not talk about it."
"Huh…well…my name's Chinatsu Yoshikawa. Kyoko's underclassman at school. It's nice to meet you both. Yamabuki-san and Hirai-san."
"Same here." Rukia said. "The honorifics aren't necessary, by the way."
"Also, you can call us by our first names." Tsu added. "We're not really into all that stuff."
"I see…well, it's nice to meet you both…Rukia and Tsu." Chinatsu said with a smile.
Chinatsu's POV
As time went by, the four of us were just talking amongst each other…me getting to know Rukia and Tsu as they were getting to know me. And I learned some interesting stuff, honestly.
For one…before there was Yui and Akari, Kyoko only knew Rukia and Tsu. Back when they all used to live in Harajuku. And when Kyoko moved to Takaoka for obvious reasons at this point…Rukia and her parents came down here a year later. Just so they could be close by when "the inevitable" happened. As Rukia called it.
So, they knew…but couldn't do much about it aside from keeping an eye on them. I guess even the wealthiest of families can't take down a serial killer…
…
Which makes it all the more baffling that a spider did it, no problem…
"So…you say "the inevitable"…but how much did you know about Kyoko's father?" I asked.
"Honestly…none of us knew about him being RTM." Rukia said. "Kyoko and Aunty really kept that hidden. We didn't find out until the day he finally got arrested. My father especially was beyond shocked."
"Your father?"
"My mom's the younger sister." Kyoko said. "Uncle Kinji was always protective of her. So, of course, he never liked my dad from the start."
"He always did say that there was something monstrous about him…but couldn't prove it." Rukia added. "So, when news came out that he was the infamous serial killer…"
"*sigh* It doesn't surprise me one bit that he took the news hard. Must be kicking himself in the gut for not forcing it out of my mom."
"Well, to be fair…he wouldn't have much luck since Aunt Kumi is rather stubborn…"
*BONK*
"Ow!"
"And just WHO are you referring to as "stubborn"?" And in such an oddly-timed moment, Kyoko's mom came in and overheard her niece calling her stubborn. To which she replied with a light bash on her head.
"H-Hey, Aunt Kumi…long time no see…"
"You got BUSTED~…" Tsu teased.
"Shut up, Tsu!"
"*sigh* Anyway…I hope I'm not interrupting."
"It's fine, Mom. We were just talking normal conversations." Kyoko said.
"Well, that's good." Kyoko's mom then went silent for a bit. "Sucks that I gotta lay some bad news right now."
"L-Like what?"
"*sigh* None of the public schools in the area are willing to let you enroll. Apparently, word got around that you were the daughter of an infamous serial killer. So, they're afraid that what happened at Nanamori might happen at their school."
"Oh…I see…" Kyoko gained a sad look.
"Is private school an option?" I asked.
"As if I can afford a private school. And besides, I'm leaving for London the day after tomorrow. I wouldn't have time for the long interviews they make you go through."
"Huh…"
"Ohhoho~…well, in that case, Kyoko can transfer to our school."
"Huh? Your school?" Kyoko, her mom, and I turned towards Rukia, who had gained a small yet cocky-like smile on her face.
"Is that really a good idea?" Tsu asked. "Yukako is pretty famous for being "that elite school"."
"Yukako…w-wait, you mean Yukako Private Academy?!" I yelled in complete shock. "Y-You guys attend THERE?!"
"Yeah…somehow."
"What do you mean "somehow"? I bribed your way in." Rukia said.
"Which is why I said "somehow"…" Tsu gained a sweatdrop.
"I don't get it…what's so special about this Yukako place?" Kyoko asked.
"Yukako Private Academy is basically THE top school in the entire prefecture!" I yelled in excitement. "Only the elitest of the elite can so much as step foot in there! It's every 6th grader's dream to be accepted in there!"
"R-Really?" Kyoko then turned to Rukia. "I-Is it really THAT elite?"
"W-Well…at least that's what people who don't attend there say. Once you're in, it's basically your average middle school."
"Expect the teachers are rather strict and expect nothing but the best from everyone." Tsu added. "But I guess that's what you expect from a private school…"
"O-Oh…" Kyoko went silent for a bit. The pale look on her face easily meant that she was having some major worries about this school.
And I guess I made it worse by gushing over it…
…
"Y-You know, Kyoko…if your cousin says that the school's not a big deal, then it should be fine." I said. "After all…you'll probably just sleep through all the classes and still pass with nothing but protag luck."
"A-As if!" Kyoko yelled. Clearly insulted by what I just said. "I've said it before that I'm a changed person! I can attend that school and work my ass off to get good grades!"
"Oh, really~? Wanna bet on it?"
"A bet?"
"Summer's coming up now…but we still got 2nd term. Highest grades gets ice cream paid for by the loser. Is that a deal?" I finished with my arm extended out waiting for Kyoko to shake my hand.
And after briefly thinking about it, Kyoko reached out and shook my hand. With the same confident look and smile as I had right now.
"You're on, Chinatsu! I'll prove to you that my intelligence wasn't just a minor gag on Yuru Yuri!"
"Ha! That will be a day!"
"Psst. What the hell is Yuru Yuri?" Tsu whispered to Rukia.
"Some…4th wall…break…thing…I guess…?" Was all she replied with.
Kyoko's POV
And so…a few hours later, visiting hours had ended once more. Rukia and Tsu went back home…and Mom left early to get ready for her year-long business trip to London.
It's honestly going to suck not having her here. Especially since I just went through one of, if not the biggest, traumatic horrors of my life. I could really use the motherly comfort for a bit longer.
But…it's not all bad. Rukia said that she could convince Uncle Kinji to let me stay with them until Mom gets back. And that they'll help me enroll in that school she mentioned earlier, too. So, at least I won't be COMPLETELY alone.
…
Sp-Speaking of "not being alone"…you how I said that everyone went home once visiting hours were over? Well…
"Hey…you sure Tomoko's okay with you staying here for the night?"
"It's fine. I texted her the situation and she's totally okay with it. She did say that I have to come back home tomorrow, though."
"I see…well, that sounds fair."
Yeah…Chinatsu stayed behind. Purposely, I mean. She stayed hidden when the nurse came by to check my vitals and all of that. And she's currently hiding underneath my blanket just in case one of the hospital staff comes back in here to check up on me.
The whole thing was nerve-wracking. Not only because I was worried about getting caught…but because Chinatsu was so close to me the whole time. My heart was racing with nervousness…but also excitement.
…
Which…I don't know why…but it all felt amazing. As if I was in pure bliss.
Has…Has that feeling always been there?
"*sigh* Okay…that should be enough hiding for now." Chinatsu said as she came out from under the blanket. "Highly doubt anyone would come to check on you close to 10:00 at night."
"Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't want you to get in trouble…"
"It's fine. If anyone does come in, I could just hide under the blank…" Chinatsu then went silent as she gained a light blush on her face. "…I-I mean…if you're okay with that."
"S-Sure…I-I don't mind…" I replied with a blush of my own.
S-Seriously…was this feeling always here? Why does it feel different from the other times I've talked with Chinatsu? She's still my friend…right?
"A-Anyway…I've been meaning to say this before, but…thanks for making that bet with me earlier. It really did ease my worries about that school."
"Ah. No problem. I could tell it was on the back of your mind a bit. I mean, I would be nervous too if I had to change schools all of a sudden."
"Yeah…"
…
"But I AM serious on beating you, though."
"H-Huh?" I turned towards Chinatsu with shock. To which she double-downed her remark with a small smirk on her face.
"You heard me. This is my chance to finally prove that I'm better than you. If I beat you in grades, then Yui would FINALLY notice my feelings for her. And my dream can finally come true~…of us being the prince and princess of the bright moonlit sky~. *flirtatious giggle*"
"Oh. I see…" I gained a huge sweatdrop.
She's still chasing after Yui…I wish I could tell her that Yui's actually in love with Sachiko…but what would I gain from that?
"But…if you do manage to win… I wouldn't mind buying ice cream for you again. A-As long as we get to share it…"
"Sh-Share it?!" I gained another blush.
W-Wait, is she serious?! SHARE an ice cream?! Th-That's what couples do, right?! Wouldn't she want that with Yui?! Why is she saying that to me?! WHAT'S WITH THESE MIXED SIGNALS?!
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Toshinio-san."
"Crap! H-Hide!" I panickily whispered to Chinatsu.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Chinatsu then quickly dug herself under my blanket and laid as flat as she could to not draw any suspicion.
"Toshinio-san…what was that scream for just now?" Asked the nurse after she had came inside the room.
"Ah. Gomen…I was reading this manga and this one part made me react like that."
"Oh…well, please keep it down. It's already late and other patients are trying to sleep."
"Right, right. Gomen, gomen…" I repeated as I watched the nurse exit the room and close the door behind her.
…
…
…
"*sigh* Okay…coast is clear."
"*moan* Geez…you almost got us caught, Kyoko." Chinatsu whined as she poked her head out.
"I know…I'm sorry. It's just…w-well, you know…"
Do I REALLY want to tell her that the possibility of us sharing an ice cream got me excited?
"Well, whatever. As punishment, though, I get to stay on the bed."
"Wh-What? Hey!" I yelled after Chinatsu had turned her back towards me and took a good majority of the blanket. "You can't just sleep here!"
"Sorry. Can't hear ya. Night, Kyoko."
"Dōshite anata wa..." I grumbled to myself before giving up on the matter and lying down for the night.
…
It ended up being like this for a good hour or so. As going to sleep wasn't an easy thing for me at the moment.
Mainly because…my heart was beating rapidly.
Wh-What the hell?! Why am I mentally panicking over this?! It's just a sleepover! It's not the first time we've slept in the same room together!
…
B-But…sh-she's so close. Like literally right next to me. Sleeping in her school uniform without a care in the world…
I turned over to see Chinatsu's sleeping back directly in front of me. The urge to just wrap my arms around her and cuddle her in her sleep was beginning to overtake my mind. Just imagining how soft her body could be or what kind of scents could be in her hair was enough for me to go full-on blush overload!
…
But…what's stopping me from doing so…is what Chinatsu said earlier.
" …This is my chance to finally prove that I'm better than you. If I beat you in grades, then Yui would FINALLY notice my feelings for her. And my dream can finally come true~…of us being the prince and princess of the bright moonlit sky~. *flirtatious giggle*"
She still loves Yui…that's not shocking. It's always been like that…even before Akari's accident. I've even heard it at least once every day…
I looked at Chinatsu one more time before turning back around. Trying to force myself to sleep as my eyes began to leak out tears.
So, then why does hearing it now hurt more than usual?
Author's Note: A visit from her cousin and old childhood friend lands Kyoko a new school to go to. But with Chinatsu spending the night with her in the hospital, she clearly has other things in mind…
The introduction of Rukia and Tsu comes way early here. As they originally first appeared in Ayano's story. Having them show up and talk about their past childhood lives took inspiration from The Melancholy of Kyoko Toshinio (only on FanFiction at the moment for AO3 readers). Honestly…a good chunk of this part of the rewrite came or is coming from that story.
In other news…Kyoko's story here is going to be…shorter than the original. Kinda-sorta.
Because the rest of the story, for the most part, focuses on Kyoko pulling through while dealing with her depression after she attempted suicide…but since that's no longer a thing, all of those chapters have to be scrapped…
I can probably do two…maybe three more rewrites from the original…and then it'll just be original new chapters until summer starts. I've got something BIG planned for that and I don't want to spoil it too soon.
And after that, it's just to…figure out how to transition from Kyoko's story to Ayano's.
Thanks for reading. Later.