The Childhood Friend POV 2
I am caught by Ririka. Nadeshiko-san is also caught.
Both Rihito and Akatsuki are thrown out of the room.
Isn't he your husband? And also, why did you throw them out?
I wanted to ask that but before I could say anything Ririka was on the phone.
And after a call, she said that she called Mizuki here.
She arrived and saw all of us together.
Maybe she was shocked.
She smiled at me and Ririka but her smile stiffened after seeing Nadeshiko-san.
"So let's start. It's a girls gathering." Ririka said.
"But why now? It's still noon." (Mo)
"I have to go to Akatsuki-san." (N)
"No. I have sent Rihito to take care of him. Don't worry. That man won't die even if you try to kill him." (R)
"How are you so sure?" (Mo)
"I have seen him do stuff. When in second year of high school, he jumped from the school building." Ririka said something terrifying.
Jumping from a school building. Our school was 4 story high. It's a height that can kill a human.
Nadeshiko-san is speechless and Mizuki is worried.
That's the first time I have seen her so worried.
"But he was totally fine. No injuries. Just a few scratches. He broke his legs though." (R)
"Legs?" (Mi)
"Yes. He just got his fake limbs from his father. So he wanted to try those out. And so he jumped." (R)
It's weird. Who would jump just because he got new legs.
"And then he confessed his love to a girl." (R)
"Wha….." Mizuki was the one who was the most shocked.
"You know her as well, Momoko." (R)
"I know her. Who is she?" (Mo)
"Sakura. You know that girl, super popular and was our junior." (R)
"Heeeehh. It's surprising. He actually asked her out." I am quite surprised.
But Nadeshiko-san isn't as shocked as I thought.
Or rather she is sad.
"But they never got to date each other. He asked her out just before our graduation and she died." (R)
I am honestly shocked. I don't know what to say.
But still, she died.
"And Akatsuki was quite broken. He still visits her." (R)
"I have seen. He took me there." (N)
"Yeah. But after that, something changed. Akatsuki became weird. And his weird behavior didn't go away." (R)
"Weird, how?" (Mo)
"He became motivated. He studied and graduated. Then he graduated from university. And made a ton of money. And look how he is now." (R)
He made a ton of money. But how is that possible?
"Also, he started picking fights." (R)
"Fights? He would?" (N)
"Yes. He sent four guys to the hospital. They all had at least 5 broken bones." (R)
That's too savage. But how did he do that?
Mizuki who was quietly listening to our conversation spoke for the first time.
"How is my brother actually?"
Her question was irregular.
"How? Just a normal guy who is handicapped and is hated by his family."
Ririka plainly told her. Mizuki twitched at that.
"What? Who hates him?" She asked.
"You don't have to know. Akatsuki has asked me not to talk about it."
Ririka didn't want to say anything.
"I know. It could be quite hard. Having a talk like that with your sister."
Nadeshiko-san added. Maybe she knew what Ririka was talking about.
"Right? How did you two meet?" (R)
"It isn't a good subject. But hiding it will only make it worse. I met him at a sex shop."
What? What did she just say? I look at her and she was hiding her face. Mizuki was looking at her with an indescribable face.
Ririka as well.
"He came to the shop on a whim. And paid for me. And said that he wanted a friend to talk to." (N)
"A friend? At a sex shop. His weird behavior won't change." Ririka exclaimed like it was natural.
"Yes. And as soon as he came, he took off his arms and legs." (N)
"He took them off? Why though?" (R)
"He said that I was crying. So to stop me, he showed his weakness. To gain my trust, maybe." (N)
"That's a weird thing to do. And talked about it?" (R)
"Yes. He told me his story. His scar on the forehead and his life till now. When I talk to him I feel like he isn't hiding anything. Like an open book, I can read him." (N)
"He is like that. To the ones he trusts, he is like an open book. But if he doesn't trust you then he cam be trickier than a sphinx."
Ririka and Nadeshiko were talking. And I started wondering.
What was Akatsuki like? I cannot remember how he used to be and I haven't talked to him since then.
It made me curious. But I hadn't noticed.
Mizuki was shaken. Her eyes were glazed.
She started sobbing as tears trickled down her cheeks.
Nadeshiko-san and Ririka looked at her and tried to calm her down.
"What happened,Mizuki?" Ririka asked her.
"Why...just why is it…..that….I am…..the only one.....who can't talk…..to my brother?" She was saying that with a shaky voice.
Maybe she really wanted to get to know her brother.
It took a whole ten minutes just to stop her.
But her eyes were swollen red from crying.
"Sorry." She said and hung her head down.
But she just looked so cute.
Normally, she is all dignified. But now, she is defenseless and meek.
That gap is quite dangerous.
Even Nadeshiko-san and Ririka are having trouble.
"You want to talk to your brother?" Ririka asked.
She just nodded yes.
"Akatsuki wants to talk as well. He used to complain that you won't talk to him and you cut off his conversation. Most of the time, he used to talk about you, you know?" Ririka said.
"Really?!!!" She looked up.
Now she looks like an intent child looking for some answers.
"Yes. You are his pride and joy. Someone he could never be and someone who made him a whole." Ririka said.
I guess siblings have their own problems.
Ririka brought out her phone.
"Let's see where they are?" (R)
She called probably Rihito.
"Hello." She said.
She put it on loudspeaker. We can hear everything.
"Where are you?" She asks.
"Hospital. Getting Akatsuki patched up."
"How is the damage?"
"Well, it worsened. When we left, he was run over by a car. And so he is currently unconscious."
What? He was run over by a car. Is he alive? I look at Nadeshiko-san and Mizuki.
Both of them are worried. No. It's better to say that they are worried sick.
Mizuki was tearing up again.
"Oh. Well, then we're coming."
She hangs up. But why aren't they worried about him.
"Let's go." She says to which Mizuki and Nadeshiko-san reacted as fast as they can.
We hurried to the hospital to see Akatsuki.