[fanfic] Pain (Chapter 8 ~ 10)
title : Pain (Chapter 8 - 10)
pairing : Yamapi x OC (Reiko)
rating : PG-13
disclaimer : i don't own Yamapi, if i do, i'd married by him already LOL!
a/n : it's the first time i ever write a POV (Point Of View) story, so excuse me if it's not good enough, and english isn't my mother tongue languange so please bear with my poor grammar etc.the prologue setting is taken in 6 years from now. so the rest of chapters are flashback which happening around year 2005 - 2006.
Chapter 8
The next day was the last group meeting we had, we just needed to discuss the final chapter of our paper, before we handed it to Prof. Matsuda. I was usually always looking forward for the meeting, but after I saw the unexpected view the day before, I wasn’t sure whether I could face Reiko again. I knew it was a mistake to fall in love with someone that already attached and I have decided I should avoid her after the group project, maybe with that way I would able to forget her.
I walked toward the usual table we usually used for the group meeting, and I only saw Reiko there. My feet froze, being alone with her was the last thing in my mind at that moment, I was afraid to be near her. I thought to wait for KenKen and Risa outside the library when my eyes met hers. She smiled and waved. “Damn, too late! Stay cool, Tomohisa!” I whispered to myself trying to calm down my nervousness.
“Ohayou, Tomo-kun!”
“Ohayou.”
“KenKen and Risa-chan will be late, Risa just e-mailed me and apologized.”
“Oh okay.” I responded, but then in my heart I screamed, “Great! Now what should I do?”
Silent came between us again, I frowned, why this heart never stop beating? She was busy looking at the paper, writing notes. I spoke to myself, “I should start working too.” And took out a pen from my bag, but it slipped from my hand and dropped in the floor. I tried to pick it up but she did the same, so our hands touched. I stared at her hand and saw some bruises, she gasped and hurriedly pulled her hand away.
“Bruises? Why?” I started to question myself. She pretended nothing has happened and back working. I didn’t want to be a busybody either, but then I couldn’t help myself asking.
“Rei-chan?” I started.
“Uhm?” she mumbled but stayed her focus on the paper.
“Something wrong happened with you?” she stopped her activities, looked back at me and said, “Nothing is wrong, why?”
I lost my patience, and then I grabbed her wrist.
“Then what is this?” I pointed to the bruises.
She retreated back her hand and glared me angrily.
“None of your business!” barked her.
“Your boyfriend did it to you?” I ignored her statement. Some people started looking at us with interest. She didn’t reply, she just collected all her stuff. By that time, KenKen and Risa arrived, she passed the paper to them and said, “Sorry I have to go, I edited everything already, see ya all!”
I couldn’t stand her running away like that. I chased her. I only could reach her hand at the gate. She stopped then turned her face to me, yet I got another shot of glare from her. I didn’t care if she was angry with me, I just wanted to know the truth.
“Rei-chan, look! I don’t want to see you hurt! Tell me what happened!” I demanded.
“I fell from the stairs, no big deal!” it’s obviously she lied.
“None sense! It’s not kind of bruises! Someone hurt you! And I’m sure it’s your boyfriend!”
“Why you even care?”
“Because I … I …” I was this close to tell her about my feeling when her phone rang and I shut up my mouth. She saw the number and turned her back to me to receive the call.
“Moshi moshi? … Yes, this is Miyamoto Reiko … From hospital? … Okasan? Uso!” that’s all I could hear, and suddenly I felt worried something bad happened to her mother.
“Hai, I will be there soon! Thank you!” she ended the call and I couldn’t wait anylonger.
“Rei-chan, daijoubu? Doushita no?” and I saw her tears were falling down her rosy cheeks.
“Okasan … okasan … collapsed … in hospital.” mumbled her between her sobbing.
“Tell me the hospital, I will take you there!”
“Demo…”
“No time to argue, hurry!” I grabbed her hand and led her to my car.
***
We arrived at the hospital an hour later, it situated in our hometown. She passed the receptionist, so I presumed that her mother has been staying in the hospital as she ran to a room, I just followed her. We found her mother was sleeping in the bed with a doctor examined her pulse, another one looked over her notes and a nurse stand by near the bed.
“Sensei! How is my mother?” asked Reiko after she calmed down her breaths.
“I’m afraid not good, Reiko.” regretted the doctor.
“There’s complication with her heart and she collapsed, we had done everything we could, but we can only pray that she will be stable soon.” explained the other doctor.
“NOOO! Okasaaannn!!!” cried Reiko and ran to her bed, she held her mother’s hand and started calling her continuously. I saw everything helplessly, I felt bad, I didn’t know anything about her life, and I even didn’t know her mother stayed in hospital.
“Are you her relative?” asked the male doctor to me
“No, I’m just her friend.”
“Can you take her out and calm her? We still need to examine her mother and her presence being panic here won’t help us.” I nodded, it sounded cruel, but he as a point. I walked to Reiko and whispered, “Rei-chan, let’s go outside, the doctors must do their work, they will do their best to save your mother.” Surprisingly, she didn’t fight me back and followed my suggestion. She finally let out her hand, kissed her mother’s forehead and turned to the doctors.
“Sensei, okasan no koto, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” she bowed deeply to them then walked out the room. I took her to the park, and we sat at the bench. She wiped her tears and sighed.
“Sorry Tomo-kun, you have to see this.”
“Iie, that’s what friends are for.” And finally I saw her smile again.
“Okasan has been here for 3 years, she had a stroke and ever since then she couldn’t walk and needs hospital’s treatment.”
“Otousan?”
“Otousan passed away when I was 10 years old, okasan raised me all herself.”
“I see, you have no siblings?”
“No, I’m the only child, and it’s all my fault that she fell sick, I’m such a bad daughter!” she started crying again. I couldn’t understand why she blamed herself but I decided I shouldn’t question her anymore and moved closer to her. I hesitated to hold her, but seeing her crying like this, I collected all my courage and embraced her shoulder.
“Pssstt, don’t cry, everything will be alright.” I whispered to her ear.
An hour later, a nurse came to us and informed that her mother was stable already, not yet conscious, but we could visit her.
***
Once we arrived at her mother’s room, the female doctor just about to leave.
“Yokatta ne, she’s stable now.” smiled the doctor.
“Hontou ni arigatou, sensei!” bowed Reiko.
“Iie, your mother is a strong lady.” Then she looked down and saw the bruises in her hand.
“Chotto, what happened to your hand?” continued the doctor.
“I … I …fell from the stairs.” I frowned, she lied again. The doctor raised an eyebrow and looked at me suspiciously. “Great, now she thinks I’m the one who beat her up!” muttered me in my heart.
“This is not good! Please follow me, let me take care the bruises.”
“No, it’s fine!” refused Reiko.
“Rei-chan, just go with her!” I said in tired tone and she was obedient and followed the doctor. 15 minutes later she came back with the bandage covered the bruises. She was surprised to see me still there.
I companied her until 10 pm, the nurse reassured her that her mother was all right and we should let her rest, I also convinced to take her home, as she also needed rest. It was a tough day for her.
At the car, she told me her address and went silent. I also didn’t want to ruin her mood by asking anything. I made a last turn to her flat, she said she sold the house ever since her mother fell sick, as they needed the money for the hospital treatment.
“Thank you for everything today Tomo-kun, but you don’t need to go upstairs, I’m fine already.”
“But …” I was still worried about her.
“That’s my room, if you wanted to make sure.” said her and pointed to the room near the stairs. I nodded helplessly, no point to argue with her anymore. She smiled and gave me a quick kiss on my cheek, what was that for?
“Thank you once again!” and went out the car. I was still stunned after the sudden kiss but then I realized I still wanted to say something to her.
“Rei-chan!” she stopped and turned her face to me.
“Tell your boyfriend, if he ever hurt you again, I will kick his ass!” I shouted.
She just chuckled and waved me goodbye.
***
Chapter 9
Our paper project has ended, we got B+ for it, and we must thank to Reiko since she worked harder than anyone of us, she gave a lot of ideas and I was really impressed at her efforts, if ka-chan was in hospital, I wouldn’t able to study at all.
I haven’t seen her around ever since I drove her home from the hospital a week ago. I missed her already. I knew she must have spent a lot of time at the hospital with her mother, and I couldn’t visit them since I was really busy filming drama. Yes, I have another new drama for autumn season. This time I would work with Kame from KAT-TUN, the story based from a novel. My character wasn’t appeared in the novel actually, I was just a special guest character, whatever it meant. But I could sense I would have a great time filming and acting in that drama.
I checked my cell phone, there’s an e-mail from my manager, apparently one of my interview with a magazine was postponed until tomorrow, so I could go home earlier. No more hesitation, I drove my car to the hospital. I stopped a while at the flower shop and bought a small banquet of daisy flowers, I have no idea why I chose daisy, maybe because it reminded me of Reiko, small and fragile.
I knocked the door but no answer, I opened the door and I saw her sleeping in her chair with her head on the bed and her hand held her mother’s hand. I put the flowers on the table and took off my jacket, and just after I covered her shoulder with it, she woke up.
“Oh hi, Tomo-kun! You have been here long?”
“No, I just arrived, and I thought you feel cold, so I put my jacket.”
“Oh this? Arigatou! You are so kind.” And I could feel my face was getting redder.
“How is okasan?”
“She’s stable, but she hasn’t conscious yet, but doctors said I should not worry.”
“Yokatta ne! Ah Rei-chan, we got B plus for our project.”
“Hontou? Argh, I was expecting A!” she pouted.
“B plus is good, thanks to you.”
“Don’t thank me, if you didn’t talk with your manager maybe we won’t get a good company for the research, so must thank to you!”
“No, thank to you!”
“You!”
“No, You!”
“You!”
All the sudden, a weak shaky voice was heard from the bed, “Re…Rei…ko…” her mother just got awaken from her long sleep.
“Okasan!” she held her hand, “Daijoubu? Do you need anything?” asked her in panic way.
I pushed the nurse button near the bed, and soon the nurse and doctor arrived at the room, the doctor examined her mother and she smiled, “Yokatta ne, she’s already conscious, she will be just fine.”
“Arigatou sensei!” bowed Reiko.
“Just don’t make her tired ok? Jya!” then she left the room with the nurse. Reiko sat near the bed again, and she helped her sat.
“Atarashi kareshi?” asked her mother while observed me.
“No, he’s my best friend from university.” explained Reiko with her red face. I also busy signaling no with my hand.
“Ah, what’s your name, young man?”
“Yamashita Tomohisa desu.” I bowed a little.
“Thanks for taking care of Reiko, Yamashita-kun.” smiled her mother and it’s the same sincere smile that Reiko has.
“Iie, don’t mention it.” I felt embarrassed.
“You are still with Hajime?” asked her mother to Reiko and she nodded slowly. I turned my face away, again a shot of pain attacked my heart, why I have to feel this way each time I heard his name?
“Just think what’s the best for you, Reiko. I’m helpless now, I can only pray for happiness.” She patted Reiko’s hair. And Reiko burst into tears.
“Be strong my child, no more tears.” Reiko nodded again and wiped her own tears. And she caught the flowers on the table.
“Oh, you brought it, Tomo-kun?”
“Hai.”
“Beautiful flowers ne? Reiko, put it in the vas.”
Reiko walked out the room looking for vas and water.
Her mother turned her face to me, she signaled me to come closer.
“Yamashita-kun, can you help me?”
“Yes?”
“Can you promise me to take care Reiko? I don’t trust Hajime.” I was surprised for her request.
“But I …”
“Reiko never seems happy with him, I often caught bruises but she always denied it was his action. My poor daughter has been suffered too much, I only want her to be happy.”
“Wakatta! I will do my best.” I made up my mind, I have to persuade Reiko to leave that jerk.
“Thank you, Yamashita-kun.”
The door was opened and Reiko was back with daisy flowers on the vas. She smiled to see me sitting next to her mother.
‘Thanks for entertaining okasan when I’m away. But did you guys talking about me? I sneezed on my way back.” joked her while put the vas at the table.
“Nothing much, your mother just told me that you couldn’t stop crying on your first day at nursery school.” I joked back.
“Uso! I didn’t cry at all!” she stuck out her tongue to me.
A nurse came in and she told us to leave her mother for rest. We nodded, Reiko approached her mother and kissed her on the forehead and whispered her goodbye.
***
We walked out the hospital main entrance, she stopped and said, “Thanks for coming, Tomo-kun! By the way, nice haircut!”
“Oh this? I have a new drama, very neat hairstyle ne?” I patted my own hair.
“I like this one better than the gangster hair.” laughed her. It’s so good to hear her laugh again.
“Nee, do you hungry? Let’s have dinner.”
“Ok, but it’s your treat.”
“Mochiron!”
***
We entered the Chinese restaurant in Chiba run by Aiba Family. It’s very comfortable place and I often ate there. After we ordered the dinner, Reiko excused herself to the toilet. Not so many costumers in the restaurant, and they seemed busy with their own things. I just sipped my tea when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and …
“Toma!” I was really surprised to see him.
“Sashiburi! Hitori?” he gave me a hug.
“No, I’m with my friend, she’s in the toilet! Ah Yuna-chan? Sashiburi!” I greeted his long time girlfriend.
“Doumo Yamashita-kun!” smiled Yuna.
“Toma, we have to catch up, join the dinner with us.” I invited them to sit in our table, I haven’t seen Toma for some months.
“Are you sure? We don’t want to interrupt your dinner.” worried Yuna, I laughed, she’s always considerate.
“No, don’t worry, it’s my pleasure, I’m sure Rei-chan won’t mind. Oh, that’s her! Rei-chan, meet my best friend Toma and Yuna.” I signaled her to come.
“Hello, I’m Ikuta Toma and this is Fujiwara Yuna.” introduced Toma.
“Hi, I’m …”
“Miyamoto-san?” asked Yuna all the sudden.
***
Chapter 10
“Eh? You girls know each other?” surprised Toma.
“Of course, we were classmates in high school, don’t you remember me?” exclaimed Yuna.
Reiko remained silent, she looked kinda lost.
“Rei-chan, daijoubu?” I felt very concerned.
“I … I … I left something in the toilet, be right back!” then she stormed to the toilet again, Yuna and Toma exchanged looks, something wasn’t right, I thought.
“I will find out if she need any help.” offered Yuna and followed Reiko to the toilet.
Toma patted my shoulder and smiled, “No worries, she will be alright!”
I just gave him a slight nod as reply. We sat down and waited for them.
“Is she your girlfriend?” asked Toma all the sudden.
“No, but …”
“You love her, don’t you?”
“I don’t know, but one thing for sure, I always want to protect her, is it called love also?” I questioned him.
“Only that? Did your heart beat faster every time you see her?” I suddenly realized that I was really falling in love with her.
“That’s love, Pi!” grinned Toma. I was dead sure he could see my face getting redder as tomato.
“Urusai!” I was really embarrassed.
“Falling in love is great, isn’t it? I was thinking to propose Yuna, but still so many things to do, like how to deal with Johnny’s management, Yuna’s family in Kyoto…”
“Ohyes, Yuna is from Kyoto right? She said that she went to the same high school with Rei-chan, so do you think she’s also from there?”
“Maybe, why don’t you just ask her?”
“I think there’s something happened in Kyoto and she never told me about it, her boyfriend always uses that secret to threat her.”
“Sound awful, you better ask her what’s going on.” suggested Toma. I nodded and saw the girls were walking toward us.
“Oh, they are back!” I warned Toma to end up the topic. And I saw Reiko looked better. Once they sat in the table, Yuna started, “Miyamoto-san forgot her handkerchief, and we talked about the old high school days.” Reiko just nodded.
“Fujiwara-san changed a lot, she used to wear glasses, I barely recognize her.” added Reiko. I was relieved that she returned to her normal self, but I wondered why they called each other so formal like that? But I didn’t want to ruin the good mood, so I just tried to act normal and pretended nothing happened.
Toma insisted to pay for the dinner and I couldn’t stop him. We were always like that, racing each other to the waiter and pay the bill first, and this time he won.
“Ugh, next time, I will beat you Toma!” I pretended to sulk.
“Haha ok, next time you can pay, but the dinner is on 5 stars restaurant and I will bring also Massu!” joked Toma. I just laughed, even that Toma wasn’t close with NEWS members, he knew how greedy Massu over foods. I remembered on a photo shoot, the staff prepared some cakes and snacks, I didn’t touch any, since I have breakfast earlier, and Massu quickly grabbed my share.
We walked out the restaurant and headed to our cars. Yuna and Reiko were behind us, I was quite suspicious because they seemed to hide something from us. They whispered to each other as if afraid me or Toma could hear them. I tried to think positive, maybe it was the girl stuff that they were talking about. Once we reached Toma’s car, Yuna gave Reiko a light hug and said, “Take care, but I hope you consider what I told you earlier.”
“Thanx, but I still need time to think about it.” smiled Reiko.
“Bye, Pi!” as Toma went inside his car.
“Bye, Yamashita-kun!” followed Yuna. I nodded and waved them goodbye. Then Reiko and me walked to our car and I drove her home.
***
I stopped the car as we reached her flat, she released the seatbelt, our short journey was filled with silence once more. She didn’t speak a word and I didn’t feel like asking anything tho I have a million questions for her. She exhaled and looked at her flat, the light was on. She turned to me and said, “Tomo-kun, can you give me one last favor?”
“Ehh, last favor? What do you mean?” I confused.
“I have made my mind, I’m leaving Hajime, please take me away from here. I promise I will never trouble you anymore.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, I don’t mind, in fact I’m happy that you finally decided to leave him.”
“I’m tired, Tomo-kun! I’m afraid I couldn’t handle the stress and commit suicide, I know you must be thinking that I’m a freak, but sometimes I just feel like to end my life, then I remember I still have my mother, she’s the only one who keep me sane.”
“I have no idea how hard your life, Rei-chan! Please tell me everything, I want to help!”
“Thanx for your offer, but I’m not ready to tell you right now! Some other time ne? I promise! Now please take me anywhere away from here.”
And by the corner of my eyes, I caught the door of her room was opened and a figure went out and saw us furiously, I didn’t think twice, I told Reiko to fasten her seatbelt and speed up my car instantly. I have to save her first, I was serious when I told Toma that all I wanted was to protect her.
***
It was a long night, our first stop was the hospital, we have to transfer her mother to other hospital, as we were sure it would be the first place where her boyfriend would look for. Reiko talked to the doctors, told the situations and they agreed to transfer right away, as her mother was stable. We followed the ambulance behind, and in the new hospital after made sure her mother was alright, Reiko accepted my offer to stay over at my house that night. She had no other place either way, and it was too late to find a new flat for her, and I was afraid to leave her alone in a hotel.
***
Ka-chan opened the door for us, she was surprised to see me brought home a girl that night. I gave her a don’t-ask-anything look, and she understood and just let us in.
“Ka-chan, this is my friend Miyamoto Reiko, she’s in trouble right now, can she stay with us for tonight?”
“Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” bowed Reiko.
“Oh, don’t be so formal, of course you can stay with us. I will wake up Rina, so you can use her room and she can sleep with me.” smiled ka-chan and walked to my sister’s room.
“Sorry for the trouble, Tomo-kun.”
“Don’t worry, that’s what friends are for.” I winked.
Rina wasn’t happy being forced to wake up in the middle of the night, but her eyes widened as she saw Reiko.
“Rei-chan, that’s my sister Rina.”
“Hi, Reiko desu.”
“Rina desu, ah come on, you can use my room, in fact you can stay at our house anytime you like.” invited Rina and grabbed Reiko’s hand like old friends to her room.
“Tomohisa.” called up ka-chan.
“Yes?”
“Go to your room and rest.” I was thankful to have such a wonderful mother. I thought I would get shoot with questions. I hugged her.
“Ka-chan, arigatou!”
“Hai! Hai! Now go! I have to drag Rina away from your friend.” hushed ka-chan.
I followed her order and walked to my room, changed my clothes and remembered that I supposed to have a shooting schedule for drama the next day, I frowned, it meant I have to wake up super early. But I was still worried over Reiko. I opened the door and caught ka-chan was about to enter her room.
“I told you to rest, Tomohisa!” warned her.
“I know, but I just want to check out if she need anything.” I was being stubborn again.
“She’s alright, and she’s sleeping already.”
“Ka-chan, I have a filming tomorrow, can you take care of her when I’m gone?”
“Sure, now go rest!” smiled ka-chan and pushed me back to my room. But I didn’t go to my bed, instead I waited a while and made sure ka-chan already went inside her room before I opened my door slowly and walked to Rina’s room.
I was about to knock the door, but then I changed my mind, she was already sleeping anyway. There’s always time to talk with her, I believe in her promise that she will tell me everything when the time is right, I said in my mind.
“Oyasuminasai, Rei-chan.” I whispered.
***
TBC
pairing : Yamapi x OC (Reiko)
rating : PG-13
disclaimer : i don't own Yamapi, if i do, i'd married by him already LOL!
a/n : it's the first time i ever write a POV (Point Of View) story, so excuse me if it's not good enough, and english isn't my mother tongue languange so please bear with my poor grammar etc.the prologue setting is taken in 6 years from now. so the rest of chapters are flashback which happening around year 2005 - 2006.
Chapter 8
The next day was the last group meeting we had, we just needed to discuss the final chapter of our paper, before we handed it to Prof. Matsuda. I was usually always looking forward for the meeting, but after I saw the unexpected view the day before, I wasn’t sure whether I could face Reiko again. I knew it was a mistake to fall in love with someone that already attached and I have decided I should avoid her after the group project, maybe with that way I would able to forget her.
I walked toward the usual table we usually used for the group meeting, and I only saw Reiko there. My feet froze, being alone with her was the last thing in my mind at that moment, I was afraid to be near her. I thought to wait for KenKen and Risa outside the library when my eyes met hers. She smiled and waved. “Damn, too late! Stay cool, Tomohisa!” I whispered to myself trying to calm down my nervousness.
“Ohayou, Tomo-kun!”
“Ohayou.”
“KenKen and Risa-chan will be late, Risa just e-mailed me and apologized.”
“Oh okay.” I responded, but then in my heart I screamed, “Great! Now what should I do?”
Silent came between us again, I frowned, why this heart never stop beating? She was busy looking at the paper, writing notes. I spoke to myself, “I should start working too.” And took out a pen from my bag, but it slipped from my hand and dropped in the floor. I tried to pick it up but she did the same, so our hands touched. I stared at her hand and saw some bruises, she gasped and hurriedly pulled her hand away.
“Bruises? Why?” I started to question myself. She pretended nothing has happened and back working. I didn’t want to be a busybody either, but then I couldn’t help myself asking.
“Rei-chan?” I started.
“Uhm?” she mumbled but stayed her focus on the paper.
“Something wrong happened with you?” she stopped her activities, looked back at me and said, “Nothing is wrong, why?”
I lost my patience, and then I grabbed her wrist.
“Then what is this?” I pointed to the bruises.
She retreated back her hand and glared me angrily.
“None of your business!” barked her.
“Your boyfriend did it to you?” I ignored her statement. Some people started looking at us with interest. She didn’t reply, she just collected all her stuff. By that time, KenKen and Risa arrived, she passed the paper to them and said, “Sorry I have to go, I edited everything already, see ya all!”
I couldn’t stand her running away like that. I chased her. I only could reach her hand at the gate. She stopped then turned her face to me, yet I got another shot of glare from her. I didn’t care if she was angry with me, I just wanted to know the truth.
“Rei-chan, look! I don’t want to see you hurt! Tell me what happened!” I demanded.
“I fell from the stairs, no big deal!” it’s obviously she lied.
“None sense! It’s not kind of bruises! Someone hurt you! And I’m sure it’s your boyfriend!”
“Why you even care?”
“Because I … I …” I was this close to tell her about my feeling when her phone rang and I shut up my mouth. She saw the number and turned her back to me to receive the call.
“Moshi moshi? … Yes, this is Miyamoto Reiko … From hospital? … Okasan? Uso!” that’s all I could hear, and suddenly I felt worried something bad happened to her mother.
“Hai, I will be there soon! Thank you!” she ended the call and I couldn’t wait anylonger.
“Rei-chan, daijoubu? Doushita no?” and I saw her tears were falling down her rosy cheeks.
“Okasan … okasan … collapsed … in hospital.” mumbled her between her sobbing.
“Tell me the hospital, I will take you there!”
“Demo…”
“No time to argue, hurry!” I grabbed her hand and led her to my car.
***
We arrived at the hospital an hour later, it situated in our hometown. She passed the receptionist, so I presumed that her mother has been staying in the hospital as she ran to a room, I just followed her. We found her mother was sleeping in the bed with a doctor examined her pulse, another one looked over her notes and a nurse stand by near the bed.
“Sensei! How is my mother?” asked Reiko after she calmed down her breaths.
“I’m afraid not good, Reiko.” regretted the doctor.
“There’s complication with her heart and she collapsed, we had done everything we could, but we can only pray that she will be stable soon.” explained the other doctor.
“NOOO! Okasaaannn!!!” cried Reiko and ran to her bed, she held her mother’s hand and started calling her continuously. I saw everything helplessly, I felt bad, I didn’t know anything about her life, and I even didn’t know her mother stayed in hospital.
“Are you her relative?” asked the male doctor to me
“No, I’m just her friend.”
“Can you take her out and calm her? We still need to examine her mother and her presence being panic here won’t help us.” I nodded, it sounded cruel, but he as a point. I walked to Reiko and whispered, “Rei-chan, let’s go outside, the doctors must do their work, they will do their best to save your mother.” Surprisingly, she didn’t fight me back and followed my suggestion. She finally let out her hand, kissed her mother’s forehead and turned to the doctors.
“Sensei, okasan no koto, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” she bowed deeply to them then walked out the room. I took her to the park, and we sat at the bench. She wiped her tears and sighed.
“Sorry Tomo-kun, you have to see this.”
“Iie, that’s what friends are for.” And finally I saw her smile again.
“Okasan has been here for 3 years, she had a stroke and ever since then she couldn’t walk and needs hospital’s treatment.”
“Otousan?”
“Otousan passed away when I was 10 years old, okasan raised me all herself.”
“I see, you have no siblings?”
“No, I’m the only child, and it’s all my fault that she fell sick, I’m such a bad daughter!” she started crying again. I couldn’t understand why she blamed herself but I decided I shouldn’t question her anymore and moved closer to her. I hesitated to hold her, but seeing her crying like this, I collected all my courage and embraced her shoulder.
“Pssstt, don’t cry, everything will be alright.” I whispered to her ear.
An hour later, a nurse came to us and informed that her mother was stable already, not yet conscious, but we could visit her.
***
Once we arrived at her mother’s room, the female doctor just about to leave.
“Yokatta ne, she’s stable now.” smiled the doctor.
“Hontou ni arigatou, sensei!” bowed Reiko.
“Iie, your mother is a strong lady.” Then she looked down and saw the bruises in her hand.
“Chotto, what happened to your hand?” continued the doctor.
“I … I …fell from the stairs.” I frowned, she lied again. The doctor raised an eyebrow and looked at me suspiciously. “Great, now she thinks I’m the one who beat her up!” muttered me in my heart.
“This is not good! Please follow me, let me take care the bruises.”
“No, it’s fine!” refused Reiko.
“Rei-chan, just go with her!” I said in tired tone and she was obedient and followed the doctor. 15 minutes later she came back with the bandage covered the bruises. She was surprised to see me still there.
I companied her until 10 pm, the nurse reassured her that her mother was all right and we should let her rest, I also convinced to take her home, as she also needed rest. It was a tough day for her.
At the car, she told me her address and went silent. I also didn’t want to ruin her mood by asking anything. I made a last turn to her flat, she said she sold the house ever since her mother fell sick, as they needed the money for the hospital treatment.
“Thank you for everything today Tomo-kun, but you don’t need to go upstairs, I’m fine already.”
“But …” I was still worried about her.
“That’s my room, if you wanted to make sure.” said her and pointed to the room near the stairs. I nodded helplessly, no point to argue with her anymore. She smiled and gave me a quick kiss on my cheek, what was that for?
“Thank you once again!” and went out the car. I was still stunned after the sudden kiss but then I realized I still wanted to say something to her.
“Rei-chan!” she stopped and turned her face to me.
“Tell your boyfriend, if he ever hurt you again, I will kick his ass!” I shouted.
She just chuckled and waved me goodbye.
***
Chapter 9
Our paper project has ended, we got B+ for it, and we must thank to Reiko since she worked harder than anyone of us, she gave a lot of ideas and I was really impressed at her efforts, if ka-chan was in hospital, I wouldn’t able to study at all.
I haven’t seen her around ever since I drove her home from the hospital a week ago. I missed her already. I knew she must have spent a lot of time at the hospital with her mother, and I couldn’t visit them since I was really busy filming drama. Yes, I have another new drama for autumn season. This time I would work with Kame from KAT-TUN, the story based from a novel. My character wasn’t appeared in the novel actually, I was just a special guest character, whatever it meant. But I could sense I would have a great time filming and acting in that drama.
I checked my cell phone, there’s an e-mail from my manager, apparently one of my interview with a magazine was postponed until tomorrow, so I could go home earlier. No more hesitation, I drove my car to the hospital. I stopped a while at the flower shop and bought a small banquet of daisy flowers, I have no idea why I chose daisy, maybe because it reminded me of Reiko, small and fragile.
I knocked the door but no answer, I opened the door and I saw her sleeping in her chair with her head on the bed and her hand held her mother’s hand. I put the flowers on the table and took off my jacket, and just after I covered her shoulder with it, she woke up.
“Oh hi, Tomo-kun! You have been here long?”
“No, I just arrived, and I thought you feel cold, so I put my jacket.”
“Oh this? Arigatou! You are so kind.” And I could feel my face was getting redder.
“How is okasan?”
“She’s stable, but she hasn’t conscious yet, but doctors said I should not worry.”
“Yokatta ne! Ah Rei-chan, we got B plus for our project.”
“Hontou? Argh, I was expecting A!” she pouted.
“B plus is good, thanks to you.”
“Don’t thank me, if you didn’t talk with your manager maybe we won’t get a good company for the research, so must thank to you!”
“No, thank to you!”
“You!”
“No, You!”
“You!”
All the sudden, a weak shaky voice was heard from the bed, “Re…Rei…ko…” her mother just got awaken from her long sleep.
“Okasan!” she held her hand, “Daijoubu? Do you need anything?” asked her in panic way.
I pushed the nurse button near the bed, and soon the nurse and doctor arrived at the room, the doctor examined her mother and she smiled, “Yokatta ne, she’s already conscious, she will be just fine.”
“Arigatou sensei!” bowed Reiko.
“Just don’t make her tired ok? Jya!” then she left the room with the nurse. Reiko sat near the bed again, and she helped her sat.
“Atarashi kareshi?” asked her mother while observed me.
“No, he’s my best friend from university.” explained Reiko with her red face. I also busy signaling no with my hand.
“Ah, what’s your name, young man?”
“Yamashita Tomohisa desu.” I bowed a little.
“Thanks for taking care of Reiko, Yamashita-kun.” smiled her mother and it’s the same sincere smile that Reiko has.
“Iie, don’t mention it.” I felt embarrassed.
“You are still with Hajime?” asked her mother to Reiko and she nodded slowly. I turned my face away, again a shot of pain attacked my heart, why I have to feel this way each time I heard his name?
“Just think what’s the best for you, Reiko. I’m helpless now, I can only pray for happiness.” She patted Reiko’s hair. And Reiko burst into tears.
“Be strong my child, no more tears.” Reiko nodded again and wiped her own tears. And she caught the flowers on the table.
“Oh, you brought it, Tomo-kun?”
“Hai.”
“Beautiful flowers ne? Reiko, put it in the vas.”
Reiko walked out the room looking for vas and water.
Her mother turned her face to me, she signaled me to come closer.
“Yamashita-kun, can you help me?”
“Yes?”
“Can you promise me to take care Reiko? I don’t trust Hajime.” I was surprised for her request.
“But I …”
“Reiko never seems happy with him, I often caught bruises but she always denied it was his action. My poor daughter has been suffered too much, I only want her to be happy.”
“Wakatta! I will do my best.” I made up my mind, I have to persuade Reiko to leave that jerk.
“Thank you, Yamashita-kun.”
The door was opened and Reiko was back with daisy flowers on the vas. She smiled to see me sitting next to her mother.
‘Thanks for entertaining okasan when I’m away. But did you guys talking about me? I sneezed on my way back.” joked her while put the vas at the table.
“Nothing much, your mother just told me that you couldn’t stop crying on your first day at nursery school.” I joked back.
“Uso! I didn’t cry at all!” she stuck out her tongue to me.
A nurse came in and she told us to leave her mother for rest. We nodded, Reiko approached her mother and kissed her on the forehead and whispered her goodbye.
***
We walked out the hospital main entrance, she stopped and said, “Thanks for coming, Tomo-kun! By the way, nice haircut!”
“Oh this? I have a new drama, very neat hairstyle ne?” I patted my own hair.
“I like this one better than the gangster hair.” laughed her. It’s so good to hear her laugh again.
“Nee, do you hungry? Let’s have dinner.”
“Ok, but it’s your treat.”
“Mochiron!”
***
We entered the Chinese restaurant in Chiba run by Aiba Family. It’s very comfortable place and I often ate there. After we ordered the dinner, Reiko excused herself to the toilet. Not so many costumers in the restaurant, and they seemed busy with their own things. I just sipped my tea when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and …
“Toma!” I was really surprised to see him.
“Sashiburi! Hitori?” he gave me a hug.
“No, I’m with my friend, she’s in the toilet! Ah Yuna-chan? Sashiburi!” I greeted his long time girlfriend.
“Doumo Yamashita-kun!” smiled Yuna.
“Toma, we have to catch up, join the dinner with us.” I invited them to sit in our table, I haven’t seen Toma for some months.
“Are you sure? We don’t want to interrupt your dinner.” worried Yuna, I laughed, she’s always considerate.
“No, don’t worry, it’s my pleasure, I’m sure Rei-chan won’t mind. Oh, that’s her! Rei-chan, meet my best friend Toma and Yuna.” I signaled her to come.
“Hello, I’m Ikuta Toma and this is Fujiwara Yuna.” introduced Toma.
“Hi, I’m …”
“Miyamoto-san?” asked Yuna all the sudden.
***
Chapter 10
“Eh? You girls know each other?” surprised Toma.
“Of course, we were classmates in high school, don’t you remember me?” exclaimed Yuna.
Reiko remained silent, she looked kinda lost.
“Rei-chan, daijoubu?” I felt very concerned.
“I … I … I left something in the toilet, be right back!” then she stormed to the toilet again, Yuna and Toma exchanged looks, something wasn’t right, I thought.
“I will find out if she need any help.” offered Yuna and followed Reiko to the toilet.
Toma patted my shoulder and smiled, “No worries, she will be alright!”
I just gave him a slight nod as reply. We sat down and waited for them.
“Is she your girlfriend?” asked Toma all the sudden.
“No, but …”
“You love her, don’t you?”
“I don’t know, but one thing for sure, I always want to protect her, is it called love also?” I questioned him.
“Only that? Did your heart beat faster every time you see her?” I suddenly realized that I was really falling in love with her.
“That’s love, Pi!” grinned Toma. I was dead sure he could see my face getting redder as tomato.
“Urusai!” I was really embarrassed.
“Falling in love is great, isn’t it? I was thinking to propose Yuna, but still so many things to do, like how to deal with Johnny’s management, Yuna’s family in Kyoto…”
“Ohyes, Yuna is from Kyoto right? She said that she went to the same high school with Rei-chan, so do you think she’s also from there?”
“Maybe, why don’t you just ask her?”
“I think there’s something happened in Kyoto and she never told me about it, her boyfriend always uses that secret to threat her.”
“Sound awful, you better ask her what’s going on.” suggested Toma. I nodded and saw the girls were walking toward us.
“Oh, they are back!” I warned Toma to end up the topic. And I saw Reiko looked better. Once they sat in the table, Yuna started, “Miyamoto-san forgot her handkerchief, and we talked about the old high school days.” Reiko just nodded.
“Fujiwara-san changed a lot, she used to wear glasses, I barely recognize her.” added Reiko. I was relieved that she returned to her normal self, but I wondered why they called each other so formal like that? But I didn’t want to ruin the good mood, so I just tried to act normal and pretended nothing happened.
Toma insisted to pay for the dinner and I couldn’t stop him. We were always like that, racing each other to the waiter and pay the bill first, and this time he won.
“Ugh, next time, I will beat you Toma!” I pretended to sulk.
“Haha ok, next time you can pay, but the dinner is on 5 stars restaurant and I will bring also Massu!” joked Toma. I just laughed, even that Toma wasn’t close with NEWS members, he knew how greedy Massu over foods. I remembered on a photo shoot, the staff prepared some cakes and snacks, I didn’t touch any, since I have breakfast earlier, and Massu quickly grabbed my share.
We walked out the restaurant and headed to our cars. Yuna and Reiko were behind us, I was quite suspicious because they seemed to hide something from us. They whispered to each other as if afraid me or Toma could hear them. I tried to think positive, maybe it was the girl stuff that they were talking about. Once we reached Toma’s car, Yuna gave Reiko a light hug and said, “Take care, but I hope you consider what I told you earlier.”
“Thanx, but I still need time to think about it.” smiled Reiko.
“Bye, Pi!” as Toma went inside his car.
“Bye, Yamashita-kun!” followed Yuna. I nodded and waved them goodbye. Then Reiko and me walked to our car and I drove her home.
***
I stopped the car as we reached her flat, she released the seatbelt, our short journey was filled with silence once more. She didn’t speak a word and I didn’t feel like asking anything tho I have a million questions for her. She exhaled and looked at her flat, the light was on. She turned to me and said, “Tomo-kun, can you give me one last favor?”
“Ehh, last favor? What do you mean?” I confused.
“I have made my mind, I’m leaving Hajime, please take me away from here. I promise I will never trouble you anymore.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, I don’t mind, in fact I’m happy that you finally decided to leave him.”
“I’m tired, Tomo-kun! I’m afraid I couldn’t handle the stress and commit suicide, I know you must be thinking that I’m a freak, but sometimes I just feel like to end my life, then I remember I still have my mother, she’s the only one who keep me sane.”
“I have no idea how hard your life, Rei-chan! Please tell me everything, I want to help!”
“Thanx for your offer, but I’m not ready to tell you right now! Some other time ne? I promise! Now please take me anywhere away from here.”
And by the corner of my eyes, I caught the door of her room was opened and a figure went out and saw us furiously, I didn’t think twice, I told Reiko to fasten her seatbelt and speed up my car instantly. I have to save her first, I was serious when I told Toma that all I wanted was to protect her.
***
It was a long night, our first stop was the hospital, we have to transfer her mother to other hospital, as we were sure it would be the first place where her boyfriend would look for. Reiko talked to the doctors, told the situations and they agreed to transfer right away, as her mother was stable. We followed the ambulance behind, and in the new hospital after made sure her mother was alright, Reiko accepted my offer to stay over at my house that night. She had no other place either way, and it was too late to find a new flat for her, and I was afraid to leave her alone in a hotel.
***
Ka-chan opened the door for us, she was surprised to see me brought home a girl that night. I gave her a don’t-ask-anything look, and she understood and just let us in.
“Ka-chan, this is my friend Miyamoto Reiko, she’s in trouble right now, can she stay with us for tonight?”
“Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” bowed Reiko.
“Oh, don’t be so formal, of course you can stay with us. I will wake up Rina, so you can use her room and she can sleep with me.” smiled ka-chan and walked to my sister’s room.
“Sorry for the trouble, Tomo-kun.”
“Don’t worry, that’s what friends are for.” I winked.
Rina wasn’t happy being forced to wake up in the middle of the night, but her eyes widened as she saw Reiko.
“Rei-chan, that’s my sister Rina.”
“Hi, Reiko desu.”
“Rina desu, ah come on, you can use my room, in fact you can stay at our house anytime you like.” invited Rina and grabbed Reiko’s hand like old friends to her room.
“Tomohisa.” called up ka-chan.
“Yes?”
“Go to your room and rest.” I was thankful to have such a wonderful mother. I thought I would get shoot with questions. I hugged her.
“Ka-chan, arigatou!”
“Hai! Hai! Now go! I have to drag Rina away from your friend.” hushed ka-chan.
I followed her order and walked to my room, changed my clothes and remembered that I supposed to have a shooting schedule for drama the next day, I frowned, it meant I have to wake up super early. But I was still worried over Reiko. I opened the door and caught ka-chan was about to enter her room.
“I told you to rest, Tomohisa!” warned her.
“I know, but I just want to check out if she need anything.” I was being stubborn again.
“She’s alright, and she’s sleeping already.”
“Ka-chan, I have a filming tomorrow, can you take care of her when I’m gone?”
“Sure, now go rest!” smiled ka-chan and pushed me back to my room. But I didn’t go to my bed, instead I waited a while and made sure ka-chan already went inside her room before I opened my door slowly and walked to Rina’s room.
I was about to knock the door, but then I changed my mind, she was already sleeping anyway. There’s always time to talk with her, I believe in her promise that she will tell me everything when the time is right, I said in my mind.
“Oyasuminasai, Rei-chan.” I whispered.
***
TBC