HANA YORI MISAO. PT. 8
Misao twisted the shower knob as far as it would go without scorching her.
She held her breath as the water washed over her face. Her skin was starting to turn red and her body unwinded little by little. With each drop
of water, another muscle untensed. She made a wish that she could stay in the safety of her shower forever. But forever is a long time and Misao was soon faced with a cold feeling that chilled her to the core. The wonderful, secure feeling she enjoyed had turned cold and uncaring along with the water which accompanied it. *Why do things have to change?*
She sighed and flung back the shower curtain. As soon as she stepped out, she was hit with another cold draft. She quickly grabbed her robe and
wrapped it around her. She opened the door and was hit with yet another cold draft. "We really need to turn down the air. Leave it to Jiya to find the one place in all of Japan with central air." She gripes to herself. Speaking of Jiya. He hadn't been home when Yumi had dropped her off, which brought some relief to Misao. She didn't know how to face him. Not after what she had done. Her eyes glistened over with unshed tears. She flopped down on her bed and placed her hands over her face. Her ears caught the sound of her wall clock ticking second by second, matching the natural rhythm of her heart. It was almost enough to put her into a deep sleep, but the recollection of what happened was an overwhelming barrier.
*RING*
"Moshi Moshi. Makimachi residence." Misao answers softly.
"MISAO-CHAN?!?!? I HAVE BEEN SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!!!!" Kaour yells through the phone, causing Misao to fall off the bed.
"Daijoubu. I'm fine." Misao says, hitting her head to regain some of her hearing.
"Honto? I heard what happened. I woke up late this morning and didn't arrive until everything was over. Gomen nasai." Kaoru explains apologetically.
"Iie....It's probably a good thing that you weren't there. They may have just targeted you for being my friend." Misao states.
"For being friends with a sweet and beautiful girl? A girl who has never really gotten into trouble until now.......speaking of which......did you take a pregnancy test? Kaoru blurts out bluntly.
Misao turns bright red, "Ano......Iie." She starts but was immediately cut off by Kaoru declaring she was on her way over. Misao sighed and hung up the receiver. "Why me?"
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-Fumiya Grocery-
"Ano.........Kaoru-san, I really feel uncomfortable here." Misao states as Kaoru fingers the different types of pregnancy tests.
"Misao-chan, now is not the time to be shy. I didn't ask you what happened because I figured you were embarrassed. But I am not going to let you weasel out of having a test done. I mean...come on. You don't want to wait too long or before you know it, you have a baby." Kaoru lectures. "Now this one here looks good. 99% accurate too. Let's get it."
"I didn't bring any money." Misao says, hoping to stir Kaoru away.
"Daijoubu. I have my check card." Kaoru announces, producing the card.
"Oh alright" Misao says, forcing a smile. She followed Kaoru to one of the counters to pay for the test. Everything was fine until it was their turn to be rung up. The cashier gave them both disapproving looks and slid the test across the scanner. The scanner beeped. She than tried to type in the serial number on the bottom of the test but it still rejected it. Misao took this as a bad omen and Kaoru stared impassively at the clerk.
They stood in silence for a long time, just staring at each other. Finally the cashier gave up and to Kaoru's amusement and Misao's horror, decided to call for a price check.
"This is Lane 3, needing a price check on a pregnancy test. It's Fact Plus on the green rack, Yoshi." The cashier calls out over the intercom.
"Oh my god!" Misao cries out, mortified. Kaoru struggles to suppress her laugh.
After several more minutes of humiliation, Misao ans Kaoru are finally allowed to leave with the test. Misao sighs in relief while Kaoru laughs at her friend.
"It isn't funny, Kaoru-san. " Misao snaps.
"Gomen Gomen." Kaoru says in a serious tone, but every now and than Misao would here a giggle.
"So where are we going to do this?" Misao asks concerned.
"Well, we can't I my house. If my mother were to find it......I shudder to think what could happen." Kaoru says.
"And we definitely can't do it at my place. Jiya has enough stress as it is. I don't want to add to it with this." Misao explains.
"I understand. Ano.....how about the school bathroom? There shouldn't be anyone there besides the band members and they won't bother us." Kaoru suggests.
"Good idea" Misao says as she follows Kaoru into her car.
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-Bathroom-
"So?" Kaoru asks.
"It says we have to wait ten minutes." Misao says, placing the test on the bathroom sink.
"Ten minutes? That is a long time. And you expect to sit here and wait that long?" Kaoru asks in a bored tone.
"I guess not. But is it alright leaving this here? I mean, what is someone finds it?" Misao asks, uncertainly.
"Misao-chan, who on earth would tamper with it. They don't even know we are here. Just leave it on the last sink and place the box in front of it. We won't be away that long." Kaoru urges.
"Alright. Just to the vending machine in the cafeteria in back, ne? That should take ten minutes." Misao says as she places the test and box in Kaoru's suggested spot.
The two exit.
Little did they know that there was a third person in the bathroom. Saya Kino, a junior member of the student council and worshiper of Megumi was also there. She has overheard everything and rushed out of the bathroom to find her idol.
"Megumi-san.....come quickly! You will never believe what I found." Saya says breathlessly.
"Nani?" Megumi asks annoyed at the interruption.
"It's Makimachi-san......" She starts. By the time she finishes, Megumi is halfway out the door. They reach the bathroom and find that they beat Misao there by four minutes. That was just enough time for Megumi to get down to business.
"Blue means pregnant, ne?" Megumi desperately asks.
"Hai."
"Good. This is going to work out great. I just happen to have some of that french manucure loton with." Megumi says wickedly.
Saya stares at her in confusion. "Nani…?"
"Don't you see, Saya-san? It's blue." She explains with a smile. Her explanation is rewarded, as realization dawns on Saya. The same evil grin spreads across her face. This time they had her.
"Come on, Kaoru-san." Misao rushes.
"Okay Okay…..it isn't like it's going anywhere." Kaoru complains. Misao ingores her and runs ahead to the bathroom. She reaches the sink and closes her eyes.
'I can't look." Misao confesses nervously.
"Okay. I'll do it." Kaoru says as she picks up the test.
Misoa waits for an eternity for Kaoru's response but it never comes. Unable to stand the silence, she opens her eyes to look at her best friend. Her face pales when she notices the tears in Kaoru's eyes.
"Iie………I can't be!" Misao whispers in denial.
"Gomen nasai" Kaoru says softly, wrapping her arms around Misao's trembling form. Misao lets out a stricken cry and sinks to the floor. It's over. Everything. My life…….everything.*
-From outside the bathroom door-
Megumi and Saya smile at their latest accomplishment. They had finally gotten back at that miserable Makimachi and this was only the beginning. Misao would be made to suffer more…..a lot more. Megumi would make sure of it. She gives one more triumphant smile, before turning away from the scene.
"Misao-chan? Let's go home. We can't sit in here forever. Kaoru whispers.
Misao whipes at her eyes and allows Kaoru to pull her up. "I don't know what to do, Kaoru-san. Why did this have to happen?"
"I don't know, Misao-chan. But what I do know is that this problem is too big for you to handle alone." Kaoru states.
"Handle alone?"
"Hai. I think you really need to talk with the father." Kaoru says in a serious tone.
"Demo……"Misao starts to protest. Kaoru gives her a 'don't argue with me on this' look and she drops her gaze to the floor.
"I mean it, Misao-chan. He is just as much to blame as you. It does take to to make a baby, y'know!" Kaoru lectures, pushing Misao out if the bathroom door.
"I know," Misao agrees hesistantly.
"Than I Soujiro needs to know." Kaoru states.
"I need to know what ?" A voice questions from behind the two girls.
"S----Soujiro?" Misao says in a breathless voice. She couldn't feel her heart beat and wondered how she was able to stand.
"Oy……"Soujiro says with a smile. A very shortlived smile due to Kaoru, who had take it upon herself to slap the silly grin from his face.
And all Misao could do was stare…….and pray that somebody, somewhere would get her out of this mess.
Misao stands akwardly with her hands clamped over her mouth. She
couldn't believe that Kaoru had just slapped Soujiro. Her eyes lock on the
two, while her body shiver s with uneasy anticipation over what would
happen next.
Soujiro was a relatively calm young man. He stepped back from Kaoru, giving
her the space he felt she needed to compose herself. Studying Kaoru's body
langage, Soujiro noted her heavy breathing and flushed face. She was
obviously upset about something. that was a given. What wasn't as apparent
was why she had chosen him to lash out on.
"It's Kamiya-san ne?" Soujiro asks calmly.
Kaoru narrows an eyebrow and folds her arms. "SETA, SOUJIRO!" Kaoru yells at
him in a challenging voice. Soujiro grimaces at the tone. He knew there were
girls in the world with tempers, Yumi-san was evidence of this. But this
girl was just plain scary.
"Sumen. I seem to be at a disadvantage. I am under the impression that you
are upset with me, but I'm afraid I haven't the faintest idea as to why?"
Soujiro confesses.
"Oh I bet you don't! This is exactly what I hate about this school. You guys
think that because you have more money and less worries than most that you
can take advantage of every person you come across who is less fortunate
that you!" Kaoru spits out angrily.
"Whoa hold on a second! What is this about? Soujiro asks, trying to get some
idea of what Kaoru was rumbling about.
"You, Seta, Soujiro! We are talking about you! Of all the F4, I always
thought that you were different. But now I see that you are just as cold and
sadistic and Shinomori and the rest!" Kaoru says. Her voice went from one of
aggression to that of a very disgusted person. Misao thought that Kaoru
looked like a person who was forced to eat their least favorite food. She
wanted to intervene, but she found it hard to look Soujiro in the face.
"What are you talking about? What did I do? You can't stand here and
ridicule me without giving me a chance to defend myself!" Soujiro reasons.
"Wanna bet? You didn't give Misao-chan a chance to defend herself, did you?"
Kaoru snaps. She was growing weary with Soujiro's innocent act. She wanted
him to admit what he had done and to take some responsibilty.
"Defend herself? Why would she need to?” Soujiro questions.
“Hai. Defend herself against you! Seta, Soujiro…..you disgust me. I think it
is about time you learned that you can’t just prounce around town, seducing
girls with your heavenly sword.” Kaoru lectures.
“Nani?” Soujiro asks with a confused expression on his face.
Kaoru sighs. She was really getting reared up by his false innocent act.
“What kind of drugs are you using. It has to be something.”
“Now wait a minute. I don’t understand what is going on here, but I will not
stand here and allow you to accuse me of things I haven’t done!” Soujiro
says defensively.
“You have a point about me accusing you of doing things that you haven’t.
But, since the things I have accused you of are true…I doubt I should have
to apologize!” Kaoru says nastily.
“Kamiya-san…..?”
“Don’t you Kamiya-san me?” Kaoru snaps, “What you did is unforgiveable.
Taking advantage of a sweet and innocent girl. Do you know how much more of
a struggle she will have with a child?”
“With a child? You mean, Makimachi-san is pregnant?” Soujiro asks
wide-eyed.
“Hai. You should feel very proud of yourself. Your seed was able to
impregnate her with godlike speed. You have ruined an innocent girl’s life!”
Kaoru says bitterly.
“Boca wa… Just a second……I haven’t done anything with Makimachi-san.”
Soujiro says, rising his voice slightly.
“I don’t believe you can just sit there and say that! How dare you! You are
such a jerk!”Kaoru cries out. She draws her hands into two tight fists and
prepares to charge Soujiro.
“Makimachi-san? Onegai listen to me.” Soujiro says gently. He walks towards
the corner she was perched in. “Onegai….”
Misao nodds and stares at the floor, unable to look him in the face. Soujiro
clears his throat before starting, “Makimachi-san. I want you to know how
bad I feel for you. But I promise you that I had nothing to do with it. You
have to believe me.”
‘Demo…….demo you left me a note?” Misao whispers.
“What note?” Soujiro questions.
Misao squeezes her eyes closed tightly. She grips the end of her shirt until
her knuckles are red. Soujiro notices it and grabs her hand. He gives it a
gentle squeeze and she opens her eyes. “What note?” He repeats softly, as if
he is talking to a young child.
“The one you wrote me, thanking me for what happened” Misao answered, tears
filling her eyes.
Soujiro frowns. His face turns from gentle persuasion to pure anger. “You
were left a ‘thank you’ note?” He asks through clenched teeth. Kaoru gives
him a strange look. She was beginning to believe that he possibly wasn’t
lying. She quickly shook the thought out of her mind.
“Don’t play dumb, Soujiro-san! You no good and well that you sent her that
note!” Kaoru gripes.
“Makimachi-san, in the short time that we have known each other. You have to
believe that I would never do something so cruel and cowardly. I promise you
that I would never do anything to hurt you.” Soujiro says matter of factly.
Misao hesistates before bringing her eyes up to meet his gaze. She blinked
at the intensity. His clear eyes did not reveal any signs of manipulation or
deception. Instead, Misao felt an aura of sincerity in the air that was
originating from him.
“Soujiro-san….daijoubu. I believe you.” Misao says softly. His arms wrap
around her and she cries.
Kaoru, who witnessed the exchange fumes, “Matte! You aren’t falling for this
are you?”
“Kaoru-san…”
“I’m serious! How can you believe such sweet words?” Kaoru barks. She is
annoyed that Misoa is being sucked back into Soujiro’s evil charms.
“Kamiya-san. I am not trying to deceive you. I telling the truth.” Soujiro
states.
“So you weren’t at a hotel last night?” Kaoru asks.
“To be honest yes I was…”
“There you see, Misao-chan? He admits to being there!” Kaoru cries out.
“Iie. I said I was at ‘A’ hotel. I never said I was at the same one.”
Soujiro corrects.
“A hotel?” Misao asls, now curious.
“Hai…..I did go to a hotel last ngiht….with Yumi.” Soujiro answers. His face
heated up, turning it a deep shade of red.
“With Yumi-san….?” Misao says it before it sinks in. Just as her arms push
him away from her and her legs start forward before she realizes she’s
running. How could he? How could he be with Yumi and not her? And how could
she be pregnant if they had never made love? She didn’t understand. So she
decided to keep running……at least until her heart stopped. Maybe than it
would stop hearting so bad.
Aoshi leaned against his car, watching Sano and Shiro terrorize a couple of
freshmen boys. He yawned and flipped backed his hair.
“Hurry up you two. We want to make the movie sometime tonight!” Aoshi
ordered.
“Come one Aoshi. Just a few more minutes. I’m going to teach these whimps
not to park near us ” Sano says with a wicked grin.
“Onegai Sanosuke-san. Forgive me.” One of the boys pleads.
“Forgiveness has to be earned. But the weak deserves the maximum
punishment.” Shiro says, smacking the boy in his mouth.
Aoshi shacks his head in disapproval. If Makimachi saw this she would have
a fit. And that is exactly why he does these types of things. Getting a rise
out of her made his day , because she showered him with attention. And that
is something he looked forward to, even though he hated to admit it. He
folded his arms across the top of his car and layed his chin on his arms. As
much as he enjoyed harrassing the lower classmen, it could be boring at
times. He looked around , trying to find something to occupy his time. He
found it. Misao came running out of the building. Aoshi felt his heart jump.
It had to be destiny, the two of them being on campus together at this time
of night. But he wondered what she could be doing here this time of night?
“Sano….Shiro…I have to do something. I’ll be back in a minute.” Aoshi says,
not waiting for a response. He takes off after Misao.
Misao stumbled from tree to tree. Her eyes blurred by free flowing tears.
She had managed to get away from Soujiro, but didn’t know where to go. *I
can’t go home, that’s for sure.*
She dropped down to her knees and dropped her head. She allowed herself to
cry fully now, not caring if the world could hear her. She wondered how
things could have come to this.
She covers her face and shivers.
Aoshi finally catches up with Misao. He ducks under a low branch and stands
a few fet away from her. She doesn’t notice him, so he watches her for a few
moments. It was at that point that he notice her tears. He wondered what
could have happened in the few hours that past. *Could she still be upset
over the hazing? Or maybe the evet itself?” He questioned himself. He sees
her cover her face and shiver and his heart breaks. Without thinking, he
takes off his jacket and wraps it around her shoulders. She jumps a little,
not recognizing him. He sits down beside her and wraps an arm around her
shoulder.
“Makimachi, tell me what happened?” Aoshi asks, pulling her shaking form
into his.
“Shinomori……my life is over!” Misao says. He could tell by her tone that
something had caused her sever distress and he was determined to get to the
source.
“Why do you think that?” Aoshi prompts.
“Because…..everything is finished. I tried my best to be a good student and
get through these years without anything major happening. But now it’s all
ruined. One night destroyed everything. And what is worse, Soujiro was not
the one I was with in that hotel room.”
Aoshi’s eyebrown rises at the sound of Soujiro’s name. “It wasn’t him? Than
who was it?”
“I don’t know. And…..”
“And?” Aoshi asks softly.
“And…..Kaoru-san talked me into taking a pregnancy test…..and it was
positive.” Misao cries out and buries her face in Aoshi chest.
Aoshi tightens his hold on her. *Pregnant? * The thought unnerved him. He
didn’t want to accept that his Makimachi was carrying another man’s child.
Not when he was the one who really loved her……not when it should be his
child. His thought than tunr back to Misao. *She doesn’t even know who the
father is* .
“I don’t know what I am going to do, Shinomori. I can’t tell Jiya….he
wouldn’t understand. And to be honest, neither do I. You have seen my
living situation. I cannot afford a baby.” Misao says, in between sobs.
“What do you want to do?” Aoshi questions.
“What can I do….I don’t see a way out of this!” Misao says defeatingly.
“Then there is no other choice.” Aoshi says.
Misao’s eyes widen, “I could never do that! I don’t believe in abortion.”
Misao cries out.
“I didn’t mean that!” Aoshi says calmly.
“Than what did you mean?”
“Marry me” Aoshi says in a detached tone.
“N—nani?” Misao’s mouth practically hits the ground.
“Makimachi, Misao….I want you to do me the honor of being my wife.”
TBC
