Haunted

Chapter 2: The Past Begins


“Sakano-san,” Tohma Seguchi started while he paced his polished spacious room,
“I’m very happy that you’ve been doing well as the producer of BAD LUCK. I see that they’re performing quite fine for the past year.” He said
“Thank you, but I believe the credit should belong to K-san and to the members of BAD LUCK.” Sakano said.
“Yes, that’s true, but I know without your help, BUD LUCK wouldn’t be this successful right now.” Tohma said and smiled at Sakano.
“Ehehe, thank you…we should also thank you and NG for continuously supporting the band ” Sakano mentioned and blushed.
“Sakano-san?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Upon your observations, how is Shuichi-san doing with the band?” Tohma asked, standing next to his window.
“Um, Shuichi-san is doing quite well, he’s very active and had always been for the past year…actually, I think it’s because of Yuki Eiri.” Sakano suddenly added.
“Really?” and that caught Tohma’s attention.
“Yes, the other day I saw them together at the park…it was really weird since Yuki-san never went out of their condominium. I hardly see them together before, but nowadays, I think he’s been dating Shuichi-san quite often.” Sakano said.
“And from what you witnessed, what do you think about Yuki Eiri’s reactions towards Shuichi-san?” Tohma asked interestingly.
“Hmm…well, even though the man is extremely passive,” Sakano said pausing for a while, and Tohma on the other hand had to bite his lip from smiling, “I actually saw him smile at the boy,” he followed, “I mean, in a peculiar kind of way. He really doesn’t show his ‘smiles’ to people, and neither to the boy. But I just saw him smiling at him the other day when Shuichi wasn’t looking…strange though…but I think it was a smile telling he was content—I’m not really a good observer, sir, but that’s the way I see it.” Sakano said, feeling embarrassed.
“I see…” Tohma murmured and smiled to himself.
“Sakano-san, I have good news for you.” Tohma said, shifting the subject as he stood in front of the huge window in his office.
“What is it, boss?” Sakano asked.
“NG is going to sponsor the largest concert ever made in Tokyo.” Tohma beamed.
“Tokyo? Really? Who’s going to perform? NITTLE GRASPER?”
“No.”
“ASK?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“BAD LUCK.”


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“Did she get it?” The woman asked to the man over her cell phone again.
“Yes. She received it.” The man affirmed.
“Good.”
“Is there anything else?” The man asked.
“Actually, there is something.” The woman added.
“Tell me.”
“I want to meet her as soon as possible. I don’t think there’s enough time left. I have to do the operation on her right away. The side effects might be present already, I have no doubt about that.” The woman said in a soft grieving voice.

The past experiments had shown failure in their research project. It was only two years ago when they realized that the experiments were dying.

Approximately ten years after,

That will be the end of the unfortunate ones…

“But how will you do it? She had amnesia, remember?” The man asked.
“Yes she does, and I know this won’t be easy on her, especially when she’s going to hold up against our will. I’m sure she will.” The woman said exasperatingly, feeling and incredible loss.
“What do you mean?” The man asked.
“I have been watching her lately.” The woman said.
“You mean spying on her?” The man asked.
“Either way, I just found out something very alarming,” she said.
“What is it?”
“Something that might hinder my plans…” the woman said.
“And that is? …”
“My sister loves him…seriously.” The woman hissed.
“So?”
“That’s not a very good sign.” she snapped.
“And why not?” he asked.
“Because,” the woman said, sighed, and leaning on her chair, thinking that the man was such an ignorant fool, “she will recent, and when she does, she won’t come with us, and when that happens, we have to do it the hard way around.” She explained.
“I see… even if she comes ‘whole-heartedly’,” he presented, “how on earth will she remember you and your sisters?” he asked.
“Don’t worry. That won’t be a problem anymore.” She answered confidently.
“And how is that?” The man asked.
“Do you know, when a person who had amnesia, looks at something or someone from their past, it can actually trigger a part in their brain that branches out in their memory?” she explained.
“And how can you be so sure that the one you sent can make her memory come back?” he asked curiously,
“Oh no, I’m not expecting she’ll remember everything that easily. After all, she was pretty young back then, but I’m sure the one I sent her will definitely help, even the tiniest bit.” She said.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m a scientist, and a doctor as well. Never doubt my abilities. Just trust me.” The woman said sternly.
“Whatever you say, Madame.” he nodded shortly, “So what do you want me to do this time?” asking imploringly.
“I want you to send her a photo.” she said.
“A photo? To make her remember some more?” The man asked.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Very well…how much time does she have left?” he asked all of a sudden.
“Not enough…” the woman replied hoarsely.
“Approximately how long—
“Just do your job.” she clipped in a cold tone.
The man fell silent at the other end of the line and spoke again.
“When will you meet her personally? If you don’t have enough time…”
“Leave that to me,” she said, “I don’t want to scare her. I want her to remember little by little…it won’t be easy, but we’ll have to do it.” She said
“Madame, I forgot to tell you. There’s something else you should know.” He informed
“Yes? What is it?” the woman asked, perplexed.
“I have found out something about the man your sister is crazily in love with.” He said in such a trivial manner.
“Tell me.” The woman said, growing impatient, and very much intrigued by the man’s discovery,
“His health, Madame. It’s going to help us to do our job more easily, not to mention quickly.”


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Yuki ran as fast as he can when he got a call back at home. His eyes widened and his heart pounded so fast. He took his trench coat, not minding he was only wearing a simple white shirt, jeans and some sandals. His hair was undone and he looked like hell. He was outraged and scared. He was in a panic and it was so hard for him to breathe properly.
He took the car keys and drove off as fast as he can, not minding if the police will give him a ticket.

When he received the call from Hiro, he couldn’t believe at first. He thought Shuichi and his friends were playing games, but when Tohma finally took the phone from Hiro’s hands, then he finally believed.
His head was spinning and he couldn’t think straight. All he can think of right now is that Shuichi is in the E.R. There was something wrong. They said he collapsed, and his head was bleeding, he couldn’t understand how that happened.
Where did Shuichi fell from? The stairs? The building? Honestly, that clumsy boy can never take care of himself all the time.
He didn’t let Tohma finish his explanation. When he heard the words ‘E.R.’ and ‘blood’, he quickly dropped the phone and took off.

On his way he felt scared. Really scared. What’s going to happen to Shuichi? He thought.
Is he going to die?
On his way all he can picture was Shuichi smiling. Shuichi tagging behind him. Shuichi hugging him, Shuichi crying, Shuichi laughing with him, Shuichi soundly asleep…
But one thought scared him most:
Shuichi dying.
Oh God, please don’t let that be possible, it just can’t be possible! His thoughts shouted.
And for the second time, after six years, he was crying again, not because of his past anymore, but because of Shuichi.


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The woman’s mobile phone started ringing again. The woman moaned as she
reached for it beside the lampshade and yawned.
“Yes?” she spoke.
“Madame!” The man shouted forcefully.
“What is it?” the man’s voice caught her attention
“One of our spies has an urgent message!”
“What’s his message?” the woman asked.
“It’s your sister, Madame. She’s in the E.R. she was found in the cafeteria lying down with blood from her forehead!”
“Oh God! The doll!” the woman exclaimed, “it must’ve triggered her memory in a shock! This is not good!” The woman said, hurrying to get her pants and blouse.
“Madame, please hurry!”
“Baka! I already am!”


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“Where is he?” Yuki asked, panting, trying to catch his breath.
“Who, sir?” the nurse asked, looking at the troubled blonde man.
“The boy who was sent into the E.R. just recently.” Yuki said, already gripping the nurse’s shoulders.
“U-Uh he’s doing fine, sir. He just had a small injury, nothing to worry. He’s in room 34.” The nurse said and pointed down the hallway.
Yuki hurried like there was no tomorrow. Even though the nurse said Shuichi was already fine, he was still confused.
And the scary feeling was still inside of him.

“Shuichi!” He shouted when he entered the room. He saw Shuichi, with
the following around him: K, Tohma, Hiro and Fujisaki.
Shuichi was wearing a bandage around his head, and he noticed a huge spot of blood on it.
“What happened?! Tell me what happened? Is he alright?” He went near to Shuichi’s bed and Tohma stood up.
“It’s all right, Yuki. He’s okay.” Tohma said, “come with me.”
Even though Yuki wanted to stay, he decided to listen to his friend’s explanation first.
“He was seen on the cafeteria floor lying down,” Tohma started, “they didn’t know how it happened. The staff was alarmed and quickly called the ambulance. We came after Shuichi when the staff informed us.” Tohma said.
“Why was his head bleeding? How did he fall? How—
“Yuki, there’s something you should know…” Tohma said quietly.
“What?” in truth, he didn’t want to hear whatever Tohma was about to say. He was too scared to face whatever it was, because it might be something that would cost Shuichi’s life.
“The doctor approached me a while ago, and told me something very surprising.”
“For God’s sake! What is it!” Yuki demanded, hating the suspense.
Tohma closed his eyes and spoke.
“The doctor feels that Shuichi had amnesia before.”
“A what?!”
“Amnesia, Yuki. The doctor told me that the blood which was blocking one of Shuichi’s nerves in the brain, which was part of the memory line, was starting to go off.” Tohma explained calmly.
“He had… amnesia? I don’t understand.” Yuki said slowly, because it was all too confusing.
“Shuichi had amnesia for a long time. The doctor said that he might recover his memory when he wakes up.” Tohma added.
“When did he have his amnesia?” Yuki said, suddenly looking furious.
“The doctor said that this was probably from a long time ago. He must’ve had it when he was a child,” he informed, “the doctor said he’d be fine. He just needs enough rest.”

For a moment Yuki fell silent, and then his face was filled with rage.
“That baka! There’s something he’s not telling me!” Yuki pushed Tohma aside and started to open the knob.
“Yuki, no! Don’t disturb his sleep, he needs to rest!” Tohma exclaimed, pulling Yuki’s hand away from the doorknob.
“The hell I care! His stronger than anyone I know!” he continued.
“He’s vulnerable right now, wait until he wakes up. This is not easy for anyone, especially for him! Think of his condition, please!” Tohma pleaded and Yuki finally agreed.

“All of you, I want you to go home.” Yuki said calmly and opened the door.
Obviously, everybody must’ve heard the last statements they spoke to each other since they were almost barking at one another.
“Everybody, go home. I’ll take care of him.” Yuki said again, but in a gentler tone this time.
Hiro was about to comment, but K stopped him.
They all left and closed the door behind.
Yuki took a chair and placed it beside Shuichi’s bed. He stared at Shuichi and brushed his hair through his cold slender fingers.
“You liar. You’re hiding something from me.” Yuki whispered and carefully held Shuichi’s face.
“What would I do if something happens to you.” He spoke softly and leaned to Shuichi to kiss him. He pulled the covers up to Shuichi’s chin and kissed him on his forehead.
“You have a lot of explaining to do when you wake up, Shindou Shuichi” he pointed to him and held his hand while he watched him rest.


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“How’s she doing?” the man asked.
“She’s doing fine already…” the woman replied nervously.
It was already past twelve, and the poor lady was tired. Tired from running since she left her house to see if her sister was okay. She had to go anyway, she just had to do it.
This could be their chance to know if their sister would start remembering everything.
“Although I’m not sure if she’ll recall her past perfectly, I expect that she would only remembers bits and pieces of it, but I don’t mind. That’s the way we want it to happen, slow and little by little…shocking her would do no good.” The woman said.
“But, Madame, her health, you must do the operation as soon as—
“I know what I must do! You don’t have to lecture me about it. Just do your job,” the woman exclaimed, “I want you to observe her, 24/7. Watch where she’s going all the time. I want to hear from you starting from tomorrow, and you’ll report to me until the right time comes.” She assigned.
“And when is that?”
“When she completely remembers.” The woman replied.
“And what if her health would give in first before she recovers her memory?” the man asked challengingly.
The woman didn’t answer him for a steady long while, and then she spoke softly.
“Like I said, I will have to do it the hard way around.”


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It was already evening when he woke up the following day. Shuichi
seemed to have been awaken by a nightmare. He was moaning a man’s name. A name that Yuki never heard of before from Shuichi.
But finally, Shuichi woke up in an upright sitting position, his right hand reaching out, and screaming the same name as if he wanted to go after this man.

Whoever he was, he must be somebody important to Shuichi.

“G…I…L…F…R…E…D!” Shuichi screamed his name out loud with his eyes widened with tears.
Yuki got hold of Shuichi’s hand and held Shuichi’s back.
“Shuichi! Shuichi!” Yuki tried to call out to the poor boy who was too stunned to speak.
“Shuichi, talk to me! It’s me! Shuichi!” Yuki shouted, trying to reach out in the boy’s mind.
Shuichi looked at him with those wet, sad eyes. He slowly touched Yuki’s face and spoke.
“Yuki…” he whispered and fainted.
“Shuichi! Shuichi!!!” Yuki pressed the buzzer and instantly, a nurse came inside and he told the nurse to call the doctor fast.
When the nurse left, he noticed the bloodstain on Shuichi’s bandage was getting bigger.
“Hurry up! Somebody please help him!”

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It was the day after when Shuichi was resting quietly and this time, there
was no more blood sipping out from the bandages, but Yuki was still worrying.
“He’s suffering from a retrograde amnesia, a physical kind of amnesia.” The doctor explained, “it is a type of amnesia in which a person cannot remember past events or information, but can remember events that have happened following the onset of the amnesia.” he said, “he’ll regain his memory in due time…it will be slow but he will remember it… The problem is we’re not sure when and how it will happen, but we believe that things or people that belonged from his past may help someway.” He informed, “you can get a psychotherapy or hypnosis for him. Although this things are recommended for psychological amnesia, I think the therapy can still help.” The doctor added, “oh and, I’ll be prescribing some drugs for him. It may help in some way, but the rest is up to him. I’m afraid all we can do now is pray.” the doctor finished.

This was all too much.

Amnesia? Since when did this happen? And more importantly, what could have he forgotten?
“Will something happen if he doesn’t remember his past?” Yuki asked silently.
“Not really,” the doctor said and swore he saw a look of relief in the blonde man’s eyes,
“but if you want to know what happened in his past, that will be your problem…and since he lost his memory when he was a child,” he said, “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about because he had the amnesia when he was still very young…he was brought up well, which matters the most…” The doctor said.
“It’s going to be okay, mister.” The doctor comforted, patted Yuki’s shoulder, and left.

When the doctor was out of sight, Yuki came back inside and heard Shuichi calling out for him. He quickly ran to his side and held his hand.
“Shuichi, Shuichi, can you hear me? Speak to me please.” Yuki said.
“Yuki…” Shuichi spoke, his eyes slowly opening.
“Yes?”
“I-I-I’M HUNGRY!”


If he didn’t have a serious condition, Yuki would’ve hit him on the head. He was just glad that Shuichi was back.
“Shuichi.” Yuki asked while he watched Shuichi gobble up his noodles.
“Hmmm?” the boy seemed to be pretty normal. Like no accident happened, like he didn’t say any name at all…
“There’s something I need to know from you.” Yuki said.
“What do you want to know? You know everything…I don’t think there’s anything interesting about me besides my sweet charming personality and my outstanding talent…” Shuichi boasted beamingly, and smiling at him.
“Shuichi, tell me about your past.” Yuki said, and this time, he was gripping the covers, because he was too afraid to hear about Shuichi’s past.
“What? My past? What do you mean?” Shuichi asked, looking all puzzled.
“Everything about your past, everything that happened to you before we met…” Yuki said softly as he tried to hide his anguished face from Shuichi.
“Um…let’s see, well in all honesty, uh, I had a short fling with Hiro, if that’s what you mean.”
“What?!” Yuki said looking all funny with disbelief.
“I never told you that?” Shuichi asked and saw the violent shake of Yuki’s head.
“Oh, well, it wasn’t anything serious. Don’t be jealous.” Shuichi added alarmingly.
“I am not jealous.”
“Yes you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then why did you react all of a sudden?”
“Because you never told me!!!”
“See what I mean?” Shuichi said with his hands folded, feeling excited at the thought of Yuki jealous of Hiro.
“Shuichi…”
“What?”
“I want to know something from your childhood.” Yuki said calmly.
“My childhood?” Shuichi asked, and then he shook his head. Looking at the white cover on top of him, “there’s nothing much about it…” Shuichi said, and then all of a sudden Yuki leaned to him, in a quick swift motion and pinned him on the bed.
“Shuichi, when I say tell me about your past, you start talking.” Yuki said, his cold eyes frightening Shuichi, “it’s over. I know you’re hiding something from me, you can’t lie to me anymore.” Yuki added, looking enraged right now.
“But I have nothing to tell, I can hardly remember anything!” Shuichi said in a scared trembling voice.
Yuki shut his mouth and stood up. He turned around and started leaving.
This was wrong, he thought. He had amnesia, how the hell could he possibly remember? Yuki thought.
When he was about to leave, Shuichi spoke.
“I was an orphan.”
Yuki stopped immediately. He carefully turned around and slowly went up to Shuichi.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Yuki asked, his face covered in a shadow.
“Because I see no importance of telling you about it…please understand, Yuki.” Shuichi said and took his koibito’s hand, “I never told you about it because it never bothered me…even I am an orphan, I was raised by my stepparents wonderfully, and I was already contented with that…I never minded the fact that I came from another family,” he said. “I’m just happy that I grew up as a good person, even without my true biological parents…” he said softly.
Yuki had to believe it when Shuichi said that.
But something was still wrong.
“Didn’t you ever try to know who your real parents were?” Yuki asked and nudged Shuichi’s chin up to look at him in the eye.
“Actually,” Shuichi started and looked away, “I did…once…” Shuichi said.
“And then what happened?” Yuki asked.
Shuichi sighed and let himself collapse on his bed. He stared at the ceiling and was trying to figure out the right words to say.
“This.”
“What?”
“When I tried to figure out where I really came from, I went to the orphanage that adopted me right after my accident.” Shuichi said.
“What accident?!” Yuki exclaimed.
“Calm down,” Shuichi said and smiled at Yuki, who was looking grumpy and all worried,
“When I was at the orphanage, I asked the nuns how I got there, they spoke nothing but the truth. They said that some man, whom they suspect the same person who hit me along the road, dropped me off to a hospital and left,” Shuichi explained,
“Since then he never came back. And when I woke up in the hospital…I…I.” Shuichi stopped, he couldn’t let the words out. He shut his eyes and shouted.
“I couldn’t remember anything!” he wailed. It was pretty obvious that the car that hit him a few years ago caused him his amnesia, but the question was: What was he doing along a road on the first place? Was he chaperoned? Was he running away perhaps? Was someone after him?
Questions filled Yuki’s mind and then he heard Shuichi continue.
“When I went back to the nuns two years ago, they gave me back my clothes and my other belongings when they found me.” he said,
“they said I was only about six years old. They found that out when they saw a drawing paper in my bag filled with writings and drawings,” Shuishi paused, took a deep breath and went on,
“In those writings it said, ‘Sakura Tokigawa’, ‘six years old’, and it was written beside a drawing of a little girl with pink hair like mine.” Shuichi spoke in no more than a whisper.
“They guessed I must’ve been fond of drawing since I drew a lot of pictures. Funny though…” he said. “when I was looking at those drawings, they were all…girls…” Shuichi said, starting to blush, “I don’t understand why, but I drew six girls, and then there were two large heads on either side: there was a man’s face, with huge glasses on him, and a woman’s face who had huge pearls around her neck and a wide smile around her face.” Shuichi added softly.
A man with huge glasses and a woman with pearls? His parents? Yuki thought.
“I know you must be thinking that they might be my family, but I didn’t find any picture, not even a single picture, of a little boy.” Shuichi commented.
‘If I really was a part of that family, shouldn’t have I drawn myself on that paper as well? I mean, kids always draw their selves on papers, and the only guy I saw on my drawing was a chubby face with round glasses and a thick mustache! I couldn’t have possibly grown a mustache when I was only six years old!” Shuichi said.
He had a point. Yuki thought. If he really were a part of that family, he would’ve drawn himself on the paper. Kids always draw their faces on papers, well maybe not all of them are fond of drawing, but knowing Shuichi’s exorbitant personality, Yuki was sure that if he really did draw those pictures and wrote that name ‘Sakura’, he should’ve drawn his face and the name ‘Shuichi’ as well.
“Sometimes I’d think that those girls were probably my crushes, and that girl…Sakura…she must have been my number one crush.” Shuichi said which made Yuki smile and chuckle.
“Really? How cute.” Yuki said and stood up.
“It can be possible! I mean, a lot of kids draw their crushes on papers!” Shuichi rebutted.
“But how come you drew a middle-aged woman’s face and a grown man with a mustache? You can’t possibly tell me that you have a crush on them as well.” Yuki teased and laughed.
“Well maybe on the pretty woman, but definitely not on that old guy!” Shuichi said and folded his arms.
Yuki grinned and sighed. He looked at Shuichi and suddenly, he leaned down and kissed him.
It was long but gentle.
Shuichi liked that.
“I missed your kisses.” Shuichi said with a shy smile.
“I missed you at bed.” Yuki grumbled and groaned. Perhaps this whole amnesia thing shouldn’t be taken seriously, Yuki thought, but then he remembered something.
“Shuichi.” Yuki called.
“Yup?” Shuichi replied with a huge affectionate smile.
“Do you know anyone by the name of… Gilfred?”







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“Tokia…Tokia…” Bianca called out while she kept knocking on her
sister’s door.
Tokia moaned at the sound of her little sister’s irritating voice. She would remember that Bianca and the twins would do that all the time, especially when Serena was away.
Tokia would be their ‘third’ mother. The first of course, was their real mother, second was Serena—the ever-so-independent-and-brave-first-daughter of the Tokigawa family, and third—she.
Tokia admired their eldest from the minute she knew she had an older sister called Serena. But this time, when her younger sisters needed her, she has to be on their aid, anytime, anywhere. That was their promises as sisters to each other.
“What do you want?” Tokia stood up from her bed, looking all sleepy and tired.
“Will you let me in?” Bianca said softly.
“What else can I do? You already woke me up.”
Bianca knew she got her sister all grumpy again. She knows that she should never wake Tokia up when she’s sleeping, or else she’ll get grumpy.
When Tokia opened the door, Bianca lounged herself to her sister and started crying.
“The twins said that Sakura’s head is bleeding, is it true?” the girl kept crying and Tokia just had to comfort her.
“Our sister will be fine…Serena said so, our youngest just remembered a bit about…us.” Tokia said gently and closed the door behind them.
“Do you think her head will bleed all the time when she remembers things about us?” Bianca asked, like a five-year old kid.
“Bianca, stop being such a crybaby. You’re already nineteen!” Tokia exclaimed, but then Bianca broke into sobs again.
“But Sakura won’t be fine, and she’s my sister, my younger sister, and she needs me, she needs us, her real family, she’ll be vulnerable without us! What if she wakes up one day and remembers all of us and realizes we’re not beside her?” Bianca thought horribly.
“Shhh, calm down, child…that would never happen…she has her foster family to take care of her, and I’m sure they had been good to her for the past ten years. They’ll be there for her when we’re not.” Tokia said and brushed her sister’s tears away from her red swollen cheeks with her soft gentle thumbs.
“But that’s the problem! They’re her foster family! Not the real one which is us!” Bianca pointed.
“Bianca! Don’t speak so unkindly to those people! Remember they were kind enough to adopt our little sister when we weren’t there…we should be thankful for their hospitality, and generous love, especially for the beautiful way they have raised our sister.” Tokia reasoned.
“Beautiful way?! Since when did having a relationship with a man like him make her raising beautiful? I think that foster family of hers wasn’t raising her properly. If they really did, she should’ve had someone more acceptable and less… well, cold and unloving…” Bianca fired out.
Tokia had to restrain herself from laughing. She couldn’t believe how much information her sister was receiving.
“And how do you know if that man is really cold?” Tokia asked.
“Because the twins said so. They said he often makes her cry—he even made her follow him in a cold winter at New York so that she could have him back! What an insensitive, arrogant, stubborn jerk that man is!” Bianca exclaimed.
“I’m sure he’s not all that bad… ” Tokia said.
“Why are you defending him? Didn’t you remember that Serena said we should despise that man? That man is going to ruin our relationship with our sister sooner or later, and when that happens, I will never ever forgive him, in fact, I’ll kill him—
“Bianca!—
“It’s what my heart feels and I feel it is right.” Bianca said and folded her arms.
“I cannot believe the things your sisters have been putting into your young mind.” Tokia said and smiled.
“Well what do you think of him anyway?” Bianca asked
What does she think of that man? When Serena told her about his background, especially about his health, she was depressed and saddened.
The man leads such a sad life…behind all those fame and success, lives a sad man with a poor condition…and the only thing that was lighting his dark sad life was their youngest sister, Sakura.

“I think he’s a very…” Tokia paused, looking for the right words to say, “lonely man…it’s not true that the man makes our sister cry,” Tokia said,
“itis just that…he is ill, and his illness will cost his life soon…he just doesn’t want anybody, especially Sakura to worry about him, nor mourn for his death because he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings…that’s why he makes her cry.” Tokia said.
“I still don’t understand!” Bianca wailed, “how can you say that you care for someone when you are on purposefully making them cry?”
“He makes her cry by making her stay away…the same thing we want to happen…we want them apart, and that’s what that sad man is doing: He was trying to put her away. But I guess he failed in doing so…” Tokia answered pityingly.
“Why? H-How?” Bianca asked.
“Because he fell in love with her.”


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Yuki didn’t understand how it happened. One moment the boy was so gleeful, the next minute he collapsed.
What’s up with the name Gilfred? Who is he? What’s he got to do with Shuichi? Did he hurt Shuichi? Why was Shuichi so scared when he mentioned that name? Why?!
Yuki just had to leave. This was all too much for him. It’s too much to bear…and Shuichi needs some time alone, maybe he’s pressuring Shuichi with too many questions, he himself never liked that anyway…

Yuki strode off and got his coat. He hasn’t taken a bath for a day and he was sure that Shuichi would be fine inside the hospital.
Yuki walked along the hallway, oblivious to his surroundings, when suddenly somebody hit him while he was walking.
“Gome—” He said and turned around to look at the person he bumped into.

The woman who passed by didn’t seem to notice when Yuki apologized, but he swore that the woman looked at him as if he was interfering her way.

Because her emerald cold eyes told him so.

“I’ve waited so long for this, my angel…”the woman said as she went
closer to her sister.
“Do you remember the times when you would come to me when you’re afraid? You would often sleep with me at bed to get rid of your nightmares…” she continued,
“Do you remember the times that we would spend together with our sisters? Would you still come back to us if you’ll see us? Will you change your mind, my angel?” The woman said and slowly reached out her hand to touch her sister’s pale face.
“I have looked high and low for you. Never losing hope that you’re still alive, and alas, I found you…
They said you were dead…they said they have found you and then they killed you, but I don’t believe them…
“I didn’t because I know you are still alive…you are one of the Tokigawa sisters, my sister, and you are one of the brave ones…I know you would never leave us, and I know you will always love us, just as we love you...
“My angel, why did you come to this man? I have so many questions to ask…but I believe I cannot blame you for it is not your fault…you lost your memory, forgot who you are, and even forgot about us…
I only pray that you would remember us someday…

And that you would forget that man!

“My angel, tell me…what is so special about that man? Why is he any importance to you?
Don’t you see that he will just hurt you? That he will abandon you and leave you behind?
My angel, come back to your sisters…we would never do the same… we’re always waiting for you, praying that you would remember…
If you do not, I will be forced to hurt you, but please understand it is for your own good…
I would never put you into misery, but sister, if you will not come back to us, you will die…
You do not know that yet because you are not aware…but I am, and so are your other sisters…
We only want what is good for you. It’s unfair that we never got to spend so much time together…
“I promised mother and father that I would take care all of you, and I will protect all of us no matter what happens…and if someone gets in my way…
They’ll never taste life itself again.
“My angel, for the last time, I ask of you…forget him, forget that man…he will only harm you, he will do you no good…I am saying this because I see it in his eyes that his life is no more than a grave…
And I would never want you to be with a man like him, he’ll pull you down to his grave and you yourself will never see light again…
I am your only hope…you need me…
Perhaps not now, but soon…and when that time comes, you shall never be able to come back in this horrid place again, and you shall never remember the pang of loneliness…this I promise you…
My angel…

“Yuki…” Shuichi spoke Yuki’s name and felt his warmth beside him. He felt his touch across his face and his kiss on his forehead, and then he heard him whisper, ‘I shall be back…’, and then he left.
He even smelled him…
He smelled like…like…

Lavender…

“Shuichi? Are you already awake?” This time, Shuichi opened his eyes and smiled.
“Yuki, so soon?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” Yuki asked.
“Weren’t you here a while ago?” Shuichi asked, looking startled and amazed by Yuki’s speed. He must’ve taken something from his car, yeah, that must be it.
“No, I went back to the condominium,” he said and then he closed the door and locked it, “I fetched myself some clothes, I also brought some of your clothes.” Yuki mentioned.
His face looked serious, and his eyes were cold again, Shuichi thought.
He thought he had successfully removed that sad and cold face of Yuki. It had been a mission to Shuichi to make Yuki happy. A true smile was already rare enough to prove that he was truly happy.
“Thank you….” Shuichi said, “I think I’ll be fine now. I’d like to go back home.” He said.
“No,” Yuki started, “you stay here. The doctor still needs to observe you. He said it’s important…” Yuki said and walked towards the window. He was looking at the streets, and his eyes seemed so lonely again, like the first time Shuichi saw it.
“Is something bothering you, Yuki?” Shuichi asked.
“Huh?” Yuki turned around, unaware he was being looked at.
“Yuki… is something wrong?” Shuichi asked.
Yuki didn’t answer his question. He paced around the room and took out his clothes from his bag.
“I’m going to take a bath. You just sleep there and take some rest.” Yuki said and then he went inside the bathroom.
Shuichi stared at his covers.
What’s wrong? He asked himself. Did I do anything wrong?
Shuichi lied down and stared at the ceiling. He closed his eyes slowly and began to drift away.

He was dreaming of something, and it was so strange.

He can see a little girl’s hand drawing, her hair was pink and it spilled around her shoulders.
It was the girl he saw in the drawing inside his bag pack when he visited the nuns.
In this dream it was like he was inside of the little girl’s body.
He was at a bright place, with lots of flowers, and the smell was so nice. There was laughter behind him and chirping birds and clattering utensils.
He heard the little girl humming, and he saw her drawing something.
The little girl was drawing her self and wrote her name.
‘Sakura Tokigawa’, ‘6 years old’ it says.
And then she took out another paper and drew another picture. This time it was the one with six girls and the old man with a mustache and the lady with pearls.
When the child finished. She heard somebody calling out her name.
‘Sakura!’ it shouted.
The sound was getting closer. The little girl went to its feet and ran towards the person who kept calling her, nearer and nearer to the laughter and the clattering utensils.
There was a beautiful woman with long black straight hair that seemed to float like black ink along with the breeze.
She was smiling broadly, and she opened her arms wide, opening it for the little girl to fit in.

And then Shuichi saw the woman’s eyes.

It was green as an emerald.

Shuichi woke up and saw Yuki at the bottom of his feet.
You have to be kidding me, Shuichi thought to himself when he realized Yuki was typing on his damn laptop again.
Ever since he got together with Yuki, his archenemy for Yuki’s attention was that laptop. He never knew that such a material can give an overwhelming addiction to Yuki, but Shuichi guessed it’s because it’s his job, and as a novelist, he really needs laptops, but still…
He didn’t like that one single bit.
Yuki had his back faced to Shuichi. And Yuki was obviously unaware that Shuichi was already up. Shuichi had a devilish smile across his face. He slowly crawled from his bed and leaned at Yuki’s back.
Shuichi embraced him from behind, leaned to his ear, and whispered,
“Make love to me…”
Yuki just smiled. He immediately closed his laptop and placed down his glasses and took off his clothes.
Shuichi simply watched in delight.
“Did you lock the door?” Shuichi asked with a sly smile on his face,
“Of course.” Yuki assured and went to the bed, sprawling himself on top of Shuichi.
“We wouldn’t want to frighten the nurse.” Shuichi pointed out which made his koibito chuckle.


Even though their last lovemaking was just a few days ago, it seemed that they haven’t had it for years. Yuki was getting hot and Shuichi guided him all the way. They were both feeling daring and it was obvious that they missed being in each other’s arms.
They continued to make love, oblivious to the fact that the window was opened and that they were being watched.
“That sonuvabitch! What the hell does he think he’s doing?!” the woman roared while she watched her sister and the man her sister professes her love with.
She was in another building, the one next to the hospital. She was with a man, but the man was just sitting on the corner and drinking ale.
“Well isn’t it obvious?” The man beside her spoke and smirked.
“Shut up! …I want that man out of my way.” The woman hissed seething tone.
“Would you like me to do it the old fashioned way?” the man asked.
“No…we’ll do it my way.” The woman said.
“And what is your way, Madame?” the man asked.
“You’ll see…Gilfred?” the woman started.
“Yes, Madame?”
“Have you finished investigating about this bastard’s life?” the woman asked,
“Yes, Madame.”
“And what does it say about his past relationships?” she asked with a dangerous smile on her face.
“A lot…and you’ll be interested.” The man said and handed over a folder to the lady.
“Well, well, well…would you look at that…our friend here seems to have a history of murder…aha, bingo!” the woman exclaimed, and right now her eyes were shouting ‘victory’,
“This is just beautiful, not only our friend here is a murderer, but he’s one helluva playboy as well!” the woman said.
“Would you like to use the murder as an alibi?” the man asked.
“No…that’s too lame, and besides, we’ll need something that would break them apart, and we won’t be bringing him to the media, nor to the court. We don’t want his reputation to his fans be ruined, besides, the only fan we need to convince of his unworthiness is Sakura…
What we need is a proof, a solid proof. A proof that would stop his relationship with my sister,” the woman said.
“I wouldn’t be asking if he has already shared his murder-story to my sister, because I know he already had, and my sister doesn’t really give a damn, which is very annoying, but…” the woman continued, “if she realizes about his relationship with other women, that will definitely trigger something.” The woman said.
“That’s useless,” the man said, “like you said, your sister doesn’t care about that man’s past. What difference would it make if we told her bout his past relationships?” the man reasoned.
“No, no, my dear.” the woman said, “Not like that, of course his history is quite meaningless to my sister already, but if she sees him having an affair with someone else presently, then that—will change her perspective about him.” The woman announced confidently and continued watching her sister and that bastard making out from afar.
“And how will you make it happen?” the man asked, intrigued by his employer’s plan.
“His past relationships with women are no more than a fling, but one of them had actually reached in him deeper than anybody else…” the woman said.
“What? But I’ve seen the files, it didn’t say anything about that man having a serious, steady relationship with a woman, and—
“No, no, not a woman, Gilfred. A man.” The woman said and picked up a bottle of wine on top of the table beside her. She looked at Gilfred and added in such a deadly tone,
“A man that goes by the name of Tohma Seguchi.”