Disclaimer: Just look at chapter one’s.
Hello, it’s me again. I apologize for leaving with such a cliffhanger ending, but well, I’m back. So I might as well get started again hmmm? Alright then…
I
just stood there, stood there looking like a fool. Which was nothing new with
me of course. Mrs. Ichinose’s words echoed in my head.
“Marriage…”
I whispered so low I don’t think I even heard myself at the time.
“No…
Kyoko…Why….” I admit I wasn’t making much sense, but then, let’s see how much
sense you would make if you were in my situation. I numbly walked up the stairs
to my room; I briefly noticed that the window had cracked. Some might say it
was a bad omen, but I knew better. Omens told of things to come, but things
were already bad. I opened the door and closed it without a sound. I noticed
that Yotsuya wasn’t there. I decided not to complain. Although at the time I
wouldn’t have really cared very much anyway. I crawled into my small, ratty
futon, even though it was still a little early. I laid my head down on the
pillow, and I quietly, oh so quietly, cried myself to sleep.
I
awoke the next morning, with the sun in my bleary eyes, praying that last night
had been a dream, but knowing that it was not so. I wearily rose and went about
my morning routine. I was dressed and ready for the day, at least physically,
but inside, I felt like just staying in bed, but I had things to do, and
besides, I was not going to sink that low. I still had some pride left in me. I
walked downstairs, only to come face to face with the psycho brigade
themselves. The three of them just sort of stared at me with unreadable expressions.
I just stared back, unsure of what was going on, but not really caring at this
point. I was beyond caring now. Finally Yotsuya said something.
“So
then, just giving up are we? Not even going to put up a fight then.” I always
found it odd that such a sneaky worm like Yotsuya could have such eloquent
speech, but figured that it was just another odd thing to add about Yotsuya.
Then his words hit me. Oddly enough I wasn’t angry, just sort of sad.
“Yes,
I don’t think it would be right to interfere in Kyo… The manager’s life.
Everyone knows I’ve screwed it up enough as is.” I waited for them to say
something else, but nothing came. So without a word more, I walked past them
and out the door. I didn’t notice Kyoko watching me from her window. I just
noticed the fact that she was not out sweeping like she usually was at this
time of day…
I
noticed it was quite cold out and was glad that I had remembered to bring a
coat. It was old, but it was my coat, and it had served me well over the years.
“It’s
winter again already?” I said to myself as I walked along.
“Time
flows so quickly…” I wondered why I was getting so philosophical, but chalked
it up to the fact that I had my heart broken. Strange how no more tears would
come. I thought I would be crying for days, weeks. But I just felt cold and
alone. I felt numb to everything, and it wasn’t because of the coldness of the
day. Originally I had been planning to look for a new part-time job today, but
my heart just wasn’t in it. It was Christmas break thankfully, so at least I
didn’t have to worry about school. I decided finally that I would just try to
enjoy a nice walk, so, I walked…
I
was so lost in thought that I almost didn’t realize where I was, until I
noticed all the graves. I had walked all the way to the graveyard. The one
where Soichiro Otonashi was buried. I smiled a sad little smile with little
real mirth, and stepped over to his grave. I knelt and gave a small prayer. I
didn’t have any incense or offerings with me, but I figured that it was enough.
Then, surprising even myself, I started to talk out loud.
“Well,
here I am… Funny how I always wind up here when something major changes isn’t
it. Ah well, guess it’s just fate…” I wasn’t sure if I was talking about me
always going there, or about Mitaka marrying her, but it didn’t matter. Hell
maybe I was talking about both of them.
“Well,
I don’t know if you’ve heard the news yet, so I guess I might as well tell you…
Kyoko is getting married again. To Mitaka… Yeah, I know, not exactly a big
surprise…” I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed sadly before continuing.
“ I
mean after all, it was me or him right? Yup, she made the right choice… The
right choice…” I was still kneeling, with my eyes closed and my head bowed. It
hurt, it hurt so much… I felt tears come to my eyes, and angrily swiped them
away. I had cried enough already, I wasn’t going to cry anymore. But god it
hurt… Finally I continued.
“So
anyway, I… I just thought you might want to know. I know this goes without
saying, but I…” My eyes stung.
“ I
hope she will be happy…” A breeze suddenly blew by, and I felt it against my
body. It was cold, very cold, but oddly comforting in a way.
“What
are you trying to tell me?” I questioned silently. Another breeze blew, even
stronger this time.
“What?
Do you think I could make her happier?” One last breeze blew, this time more
gentle and soft. Suddenly I heard a cough from behind me. Standing up quickly
and turning around, I saw her standing there. She was looking at the ground and
had an odd expression on her face.
“Kyoko…”
I whispered. No breeze blew this time, everything was calm. The calm before the
storm…
Author’s
notes: God this was depressing. I apologize, I know I said this would get more
cheerful, but I needed to make Yusaku sort through his feelings, and it sort of
went from there. It will get happier, I promise. Just give it time. After all,
there is calm, then there is a storm, and finally, there is sunlight. Or
something like that… Er, R+R please! Thank You!!! Bye!
