Unheard Calls: Chapter 04 - Guilt of Yesterday
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Chapter 4
[Guilt of Yesterday...]
Looking around her new environment, Yoshikawa Yui still can’t believe her eyes. She is actually going to study in her dream school. She excitingly yet anxiously entered her campus with a sweet smile curved on her lips. Glancing between the signs above the doors and her schedule sheet, Yui familiarized the classrooms she might enter later that day. She’s busily taking notes to herself when a girl bumped her from behind that caused her to fall on the floor. Surprisingly the girl who hit her didn’t even apologize.
“Sorry…” Yui sarcastically murmured, rolling her eyes in annoyance. She’s just about to pick up her stuffs when she felt a cool breeze passing through her that alarmed her.
“Could it be?” She muttered. Curious as she always has been she followed the wandering guy.
He’s around 6 inches taller than her, with a fair complexion and black short hair. From her view of his behind Yui can assume he has a good face that might go along with his good physique. Yui hurried her pace as the guy she’s following went faster.
“Not again! Oh please not again!” The guy exclaimed. Hearing the tone of his voice Yui can tell that he’s afraid of something. He’s afraid that something bad will happen.
Hallways, stairs, corridors, Yui can’t count how many steps she already made but that doesn’t stop her from following the terrified guy. Finally he stopped, which made Yui realized where she is. The cold breeze touching her cheeks, the bright sun stunning her eyes, she’s in the rooftop of the university. Yui looked around and saw the guy staring at the girl who bumped her a while ago. The girl who has a pale skin and stands almost the same measure as Yui is. She has long, silky, black hair that’s being swayed by the wind which made her face to be partially covered, including her huge expressive eyes. Through that pair of eyes Yui can see agony, anguish and despair. It took her a few seconds to realize what’s going on and to find out the reason why the guy looked terrified, to be fully aware of where the girl is standing, the edge of the campus building, ready to step to the open space.
“No!!” Yui ran to where the girl is and grabbed her by the wrist but the girl struggled and pushed her which made Yui to be tossed to the side and stepped on a small stone lying around. While the pale girl was pulled back to the safe floor, Yui stumbled and was pushed to the other side. Expecting her end, Yui closed her eyes, cold breeze yet again brushed through her cheeks and drying her pale lips. Her heart beat so fast that it made it hard for her to breathe, in a second everything will end and so she thought, but instead of hard ground she felt a soft and warm body holding her tight.
“It’s alright, I got you.” Yui heard a soft, low voice whispering to her ears. She looked up and was glad that she was saved, glad that she was saved by him.
“Inoo-san?” Yui breathlessly exclaimed with joy and relief. He smiled back at her and rubbed her back to relax her.
“Why can’t people just mind their own business?” The girl sitting on the ground exclaimed which ruined the moment of the two. She shot both of them a glare and exited the rooftop with heavy feet.
“That was rude.” Kei mumbled, glaring back at the girl.
“How did you find me?” Kei’s attention was brought back to the girl he’s holding.
“I saw you running down the corridor so I followed you.” He answered, Yui was just about to reply to him when her attention was diverted to the guy she’s following a while ago.
“Thanks.” The other guy exclaimed.
“No problem.” Yui replied looking at him with a small smile. She was right, the guy she’s following truly has a gorgeous face, charming and tantalizing. The guy looked at her with surprise and confusion.
“You can actually see me?” He asked while Yui nodded in return.
“I knew it, this is the only reason you will be running down the hall on your first day with curiosity written all over your face.” Kei exclaimed with a chuckle as Yui is once again talking to somebody he can’t see. Yui looked back at him with a smile.
“Hehe… Yeah. The only reason is ghost.” Yui chuckled.
“Anyway, thank you. I hate to be rude but I’ll go follow my sister. She might do something stupid again.” And there the guy disappeared.
“Wait!” But Yui was too late.
“He’s gone?” Kei asked while she nodded in response. Yui looked back at him when she realized that she’s still holding unto him and Kei’s arms were still on her waist, assisting her. She instantly pulled away but as a klutz that she is. She stumbled yet again and fell back to his arms.
“You really need to be careful, you know.” Kei laughed at her while she pouted in defeat. Kei let go of her as he felt the awkwardness Yui’s feeling.
“So… I didn’t know you go here.” Kei tried to break the awkward silence.
“Ahmm… Yeah, I did mention before that I’m an incoming freshman right? So yeah… I’m taking up Social Psychology, thinking that it might help me.” Yui answered with a simple smile. Kei was just about to say something when the bell rang.
“Ah~! I need to go now! Ja~!” Yui ran down the stairs afraid she’ll be late on her first day. That’s not a good first impression to keep.
“Ah! See yah then.” Kei replied in thin air, quite disappointed with their short meeting. He sighed and made his own way to his class.
“We’ll meet again…”
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She hugged her knees together resisting the cold concurring her dark and quiet room. Her face covered with smudged make up, dry and fresh trace of mascara dripping down her eyes. She just can’t stop her tears from falling. The pain in her heart won’t stop hurting. She felt weak, helpless and worthless. She just wants to end her life, thinking that it’s all her fault.
“It’s all my fault nii-chan! It’s all my fault! I should just kill myself! I don’t deserve to live! I took yours, it’s unfair! It’s unfair!!” She shouted once again, releasing the heavy tension she has inside.
He can only do nothing. He can’t tell her it’s not her fault. She’s not the one to blame. It’s no one’s fault, he wanted to say, and yet he can’t. He can do nothing but to watch, he can do nothing but to feel the same pain she’s experiencing, the pain of loneliness, pain of sorrow.
She can no longer take the guilt. She finally stood up and ran to her terrace which is located on the 29th floor of the condominium she’s staying in. She stood there on the edge with cool breeze drying her tears.
She’s ready.
“NO!!” He got her on time.
For as she tried to take the final step the wind got stronger as if it’s pushing her back to safety, when in fact it truly is. She fell her butt on the hard floor, quite frustrated of the outcome.
“Why?! Nii-chan?! Why stop me?! Aren’t you happy that we can be together now? We will join mom!” She exclaimed in desperation.
“Because you can’t… There’s more to life than you think.” He exclaimed though he knew he can’t be heard. A thought then came.
“She can help.” He smiled with his great idea.
He left her for a while, looking for the person who might able to help him and her.
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In the middle of the night, Yui felt chills waking her. Surprised, Yui went to the open window. She knew she closed that window before she went to sleep. She looked around her room as she felt someone’s presence and her instinct didn’t fail her. She saw a figure, a guy’s figure by the corner of her room.
“Who are you? What do you want?” Yui asked with a shaky voice, afraid that she’ll get hurt.
“I’m Nishikido Ryo. Don’t be frightened, I won’t hurt you. I just need your help.” The figure exclaimed as he stepped out of the dark and into the light. As soon as she saw his face, she recognized him instantly. He was the guy early that morning, the earthbound spirit.
“How can I help you, Nishikido-san?” Yui responded, now without fear and hesitation.
“You saw what happened earlier right?” Ryo started with a heavy sigh.
“She’s my sister. She’s been attempting to kill herself for a few times now. I just can’t bear seeing her like that. I know what happened to me might be because of her reckless act but I forgave her. I just want her to stop what she’s been doing because it hurts. It pains both of us. I want you to tell her that.” Ryo continued. His voice may be calm but sadness was surely there. Yui smiled at him, when he looked back. He smiled back.
“Alright, I’ll help you. But I need you to help me too.” Yui exclaimed, keeping the same smile she has before. It’s been a while since she encountered a wandering spirit. In fact her last encounter was with Kei’s sister. Honestly, she sees them, it’s just that she’s too afraid to meddle with them but now she’s slowly learning.
Yui asked Ryo to give her his sister’s classes so she’ll be able to meet her in her free time.
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Yui stood by a vending machine in one of the corridors. She’s been standing there for a few minutes now, hoping that the one she’s waiting for will arrive soon. Finally, Yui got a glimpse of her and followed her instantly but before she can turn a corner she was grabbed by someone.
“Hey! Not so fast. Where are you going again? And what are you doing here this is not your campus?” A familiar voice exclaimed, Yui turned around with a pout and indeed it’s the person she’s expecting. Inoo Kei.
“Now look what you’ve done! Now I lost her!” She complained, with frown on her face.
“Lost who?” Kei asked while she just sighed.
“Don’t you know how many days I’ve waited for her?!” She exclaimed yet again with a hint of anger. Instead of feeling any guilt Kei only chuckled as a respond which left her quite confused.
“Chill! Don’t worry I know that girl, she belongs to few of my classes.” He said with his charming smile. Yui tried to look away knowing that his smile might just melt her.
“She’s Nishikido Nana. Ah! She will be on my next class. Want to join?” Kei held her chin to make her look at him. Yui simply nodded knowing she’s free all afternoon.
Throughout the class, Yui sat beside her friend, and kept her eye on Nana. She can’t help but to admire how caring Nana’s brother is to her. Everywhere and whatever she does, Ryo will be there watching over her. He never left her side. His care for her is just so pure, just so genuine.
The class is finally over and everyone rushed out of the room. Yui hurried her way out afraid that she’ll lose track of Nana.
“What do you want?” A cold, low voice exclaimed. Yui looked at the owner of the voice and tried to smile. But she didn’t get the same response.
“Anooo... I want to talk to you?” Yui exclaimed nervously. The other girl raised her eyebrow at her. “Sorry but I rarely talk to strangers…” Nana replied as she turned her back on her.
“But…”
“Sorry, don’t try to follow me ever again.” Nana uttered, with a sign of authority that made Yui say no more. She walked away with her brother who is looking at Yui apologetically.
“Are you just going to give up?” Kei’s voice came into picture again. Yui looked at him disappointedly.
“She’ll come around. Come on, let’s go home. Your cousin might be worried already.” Kei joked, treating her like a kid. She frowned at him in response but followed him.
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Flash of lightning. Roar of thunder.
I opened my eyes. I can’t move. I can’t breathe properly. I can only see nothing but a dark room but it’s not mine.
Flash of lightning. Roar of thunder.
I looked at my hand. I saw a bottle of pills, sleeping pills.
I can feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier, I don’t want to go to sleep. I might not wake up. I want to fight the urge of closing my eyes and yet I can’t.
Flash of lightning. Roar of thunder.
Panting Yui woke up and was shocked when she saw Nishikido Ryo looking at her intently.
“Help her.”
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