Huff… huff… huff…

Swish.

The blanket was thrown off the bed unknowingly when I suddenly woke up in bed with a pounding heart, profusely sweating and scared. It was just a dream.

No. It was a nightmare.

It’s been three days and I’ve been having the same dream over and over again, but every time I wake up I completely forget what the dream was about. Only the feeling remains.

I looked around my room to make sure it wasn’t real. My bedroom door was securely locked and it was fairly dark except for the soft light that was coming through the open window near my bed. The alarm clock on top of the bedside table, just right under the lampshade was blaring its digits at me. There were two picture frames beside the clock, one was taken when I was 12 years old while the other was the latest picture I had. The old one was a picture of an unsmiling me, my father, Kenshi and Takumi. Junichi insisted on taking a photo us during that time. In the other picture, I had a small smile pasted on my face although it was barely visible it was still there. The picture was taken with Mao, Sakura, Aoi, Shun, Toma and Shindo during the day that the sports festival in school ended. Everyone were in high spirits that even I couldn’t help but be happy even though our level only ended up second, nevertheless I still enjoyed the whole event.

When I looked back at the clock, it showed 4 am. It was too early. I was never a morning person so I threw myself back into bed and tried to sleep but I can’t remove the feeling I had from that nightmare. I opted to stare at the ceiling to calm my still pounding heart and thought of counting sheep when the hand phone beside me rang with the ring tone ‘Beautiful Days’ by Arashi that Mao insisted I use.

“Mosh mosh?” I answered it without looking at the caller ID.

-Shinku?-

 I heard the familiar voice from the other line.

“Shindo?” I asked with uncertainty. Why would he call this early in the morning?

-Yes, it’s me.-

“Why are you calling so early in the morning?” The hard pounding of my heart was replaced by something else, not fear but instead excitement.

-I was trying my luck if you’re awake. Want to go for a ride?-

“Where?”

-You’ll know when we get there.-

“Why do you always like to surprise me?”

-Because no one ever surprises me.-

I could just imagine Shindo’s lopsided grin.

“Baka.” I called out not really meaning it.

-You turned me into one.-

That was his response which made me smile early that morning.

“Give me 15 minutes. I’ll meet you in front of my house.”

-Ok.-

Beep.

I hurriedly got out of bed, took a quick shower and rushed down the stairs. That’s when Shinji saw me.

“Where are you going?” He asked nonchalantly as he stood at the end of the stairs while sipping his coffee from a white mug.

“Out.” I answered discreetly while I wore my leather jacket and clutched the Helmet that Shindo gave me.

“Out for a ride early in the morning?”

“Yes.”

“With that boy?” Kenshi raised his brow teasingly.

Silence.

“Yes.” I answered a bit embarrassed.

“Have a good time.” He shrugged which caught me off guard.

“No Shinji following me around?” I asked hopefully.

“No Shinji following you around this time, but you have to take care of yourself on your own. Do I have your word for it?” Kenshi said with a hint of reluctance in his voice.

“I will.” I reassured him.

“Try to keep your phone on at all times.” He added.

Something was up, I could feel it. Kenshi doesn’t usually let me go out without a single body guard by my side, but I was too excited to get out with Shindo that I didn’t think too much about it. When he insisted on meeting everyone from my house hold after the sports festival at school, I was able to bring him in my home while stressing over the things that he would be seeing in my place but in the end I was just worrying for nothing. Kenshi already sort of approved of him, Shinji does seem to like him even though he almost killed Shindo the first time they met, this leaves Junichi and Takumi which has the utter most distaste for Shindo for whatever reason it is, I wouldn’t want to know.

Although Shindo knew where my house was located, no one dared to mention about me being a Yakuza boss. I made the girls swear an oath, so I trust they would not say a word about it. Everyone tried to look normal during Shindo’s visit. It was particularly hard when he tried to look at the garage where almost all of the ammo’s where in. Junichi was grumbling the whole time when he had to cover up everything just for Shindo’s visit.

When I stepped out of the gate, Shindo was already there leaning by his motorbike at the other side of the street, waiting for me.  The sky was still dark when I looked up, then I thought of how unusual it was for me to be up early in the morning and Shindo doesn’t even know how lucky he was I was meeting up with him in a time I detest so much. Usually I become crabby to anyone who wakes me up at this kind of time.

“Hi.” Was all I could say as I approached him.

“Good morning.” Shindo replied as he gave me a smile, then he hopped on his bike and patted the back seat.

I wore the helmet before climbing at the back seat. As I sat comfortably behind him, he slipped his hands behind to take mine and wrapped it around his waist, he turned his head to look at me over his shoulders with a mischievous grin on his face,

“Hold on tight.”

Then he quickly wore his own helmet and kicked the bike to life.

Vroooom...

The engine started and the bike jerked forward making me hold on tighter onto Shindo’s waist. The wind slapped my face hard that I could barely open my eyes, we were going too fast and the cold wind was tousling my hair… it was really a good thing I had the helmet on and that I wore a jacket, thanks to the previous motorcycle experience with this guy I knew what to expect.

This reminded me that Takumi had a bike too, I’ve only ridden it once on an emergency but he never ever let me hold that bike of his. He always had this thing for his bike, calling it his baby that it would disgust me so much I have to leave him alone.

As I clutched Shindo’s back I could see the surroundings, we’re right in the heart of the city and passing several districts along the way until we entered the freeway… we were going at top speed when I shouted to ask where we’re going. Shindo shrugged his shoulders making the waiting more unbearable. I wanted to pinch him and yet I am not the kind of girl who does pinching, I kick ass.

When the freeway finally ended we hit a smaller road where there were villages and farms, lights coming from houses could be seen in a distance which made me realized that we’ve already gone a long distance within a very short amount of time. Only 30 minutes has passed in our travelling time and the sun wasn’t even out yet. I looked ahead of the road and saw several hilltops on the view. I had an itching feeling to where we were heading to.

The rough road started as the paved road ended, it was a very bumpy ride for a bike and my butt hit the back-sit again and again that I stood up to stop the vicious cycle. Shindo had already done the same thing I was doing right now, I was just too late to notice because I have been too engrossed with our surroundings. A couple more minutes has passed and we suddenly came to a halt that I was almost thrown out of the seat, if not for the power grip I had around Shindo.

“Where are we?” I asked as I looked around, it was still dark and the only light we had were the ones coming from Shindo’s bike.

“You’ll see.”

He took off my helmet and hung it on one of the handles of his bike then he turned off the lights and took something from his jacket pocket. Out of it, he produced two headlamps. He wore one for himself and gave me the other then he took my hand and started to lead the way. We trekked slowly on that hill holding hands, I’ve never held someone’s hand this long, I should have realized sooner how good it was to hold someone’s hand. I snuck several glances from Shindo, as usual he didn’t talk that much. All he did for that duration of our walk was hold my hand and guided me along the way. When our path was void of trees, I began to notice that the sky was getting lighter and I could finally see blue specks from above.

“We still have a few minutes of walk.” Shindo said as he held my hand tighter, I knew he was excited even if he didn’t tell me.

After we walked for several minutes the sun was finally peeking over the horizon and it was another one of the best view I have seen. This one was very different from the beach, I could see the sun coming out of the valley from below. Shining through the whole area, giving light to everything on its path, it was glorious.

“This is my family’s hill.” Shindo started to say.

Huh?

“You own a hill.” I repeated as if it was a very simple thing to have.

“Yes, and that farm you’re looking over there.” Shindo pointed at the valley below.

“Why are you showing me this?” I asked, not because I am curious but because I knew that neither Shindo nor Shun were the boastful type. They don’t say things like this for no reason.

“I wanted you to meet someone.” He said with a soft tone in his voice.

I turned to look at him and he gave me a soft smile, turned around and took my hand. I walked a few steps by his side when I saw something that made me draw in my breath silently.

“That’s my dad. I wanted you to meet each other. This hill is my family’s grave yard, my father thought it would be a nice view to look over my family’s land. I guess he was right, so if I would die too I would be buried here as well.” He said this nonchalantly as if dying was something that is easy to get over with.

I stood there beside him, unable to speak.

“Otosan, this is Shinku. She’s a protector you know… people these days would think she’s a gang leader which knows nothing good but the truth is she’s a Yakuza clan leader with a heart. She came from the other clan that our family’s fought alongside with hundreds of years ago.”

Upon hearing this, I almost broke my knees and toppled over the grave stone. I turned my head sharply to look over Shindo and stagger backwards; I was too shocked to speak. My mouth was hanging open only able to mutter soundless things.

How in the world did Shindo know??? The girls? But… but… he mentioned that I was part of the clan who fought beside his family years ago. What was the meaning of this?

I blinked once. Twice… many more times after that to make sure this wasn’t another dream I just woke up with.

Was this for real? Had he known all along? What about Shun? Was our meeting not a pure coincidence then? What is happening here? I don’t know a single thing about clans forming alliances! All I knew was that I was to be the next leader and I had to lead, make decisions for the good of my own clan. Was this guy using me? No… he wouldn’t introduce me to his dead father in a hill’s grave yard if he was just using me.

“You’re shocked.” Shindo said calmly.

I wasn’t the typical girl who can be easily surprised or shocked with anything but this… this was different.

“You are damn right I am. Please do explain how you knew all about… me.” I said as calmly as I could, but I knew he noticed that my voice was trembling and that I had to clench my fists tightly to stop both of my hands from shaking.

His eyes darted from my hand to my face then started to speak.

“I knew about the Mamoru clan for a long time… you see, both of our fathers were friends, I also knew about the school that you’re studying from is owned by the person who was formerly in the Yakuza and was connected with our fathers. Taiyo sure is a nice person right?”

This made my eyes go wide even more.

He knew about Taiyo?!?

“My clan’s history went along with yours until this very generation when both of our fathers died and things got turned over to the eldest heir in the family. I’m just the second, so I don’t know everything… only my elder sister did. She’s in England right now and is managing several branches of hospitals there. I never knew about you or the fact that the Mamoru clan already had a turnover in their successor. We all thought that the right hand of your father would always succeed. I never knew that you were the new clan leader of the other family until I saw the picture in your place. Your father… I would never forget about him. He was the first person to teach me how to hold the katana.”

“He’s a good man… I wish he could have introduced us sooner.”

“Does Shun know about this?”

“He knew about the clans, but he doesn’t know about you… yet.”

“Are you planning to tell him about me?”

“Do you want me to?”

I went silent for a few seconds before answering.

“I don’t know.”

“Whenever you’re ready, but he would know eventually.”

“Your mother…” My voice trailed on when he interrupted.

“She knows. She already did, the moment you stepped into the house.”

“How?” I asked, unable to believe the things he is saying.

“She told me you looked like your mother, that’s all that she said. Until I discovered for myself what she was really talking about.”

I nodded my head numbly still in a daze after hearing all this.

“So why are you not in school?” I asked, this time more curious than I have ever been about him in my entire life.

“That’s going to be answered some other time.” He said with that same mischievous look he had earlier in front of my house.

“Oh, by the way… the school is a tougher place than you think it is. You have to keep your eyes open to any possibilities. Have you seen the movie Crow Zero?” Shindo asked while cocking his head to his left.

“I don’t have time to watch new movies these days.” I answered him.

He suddenly looked disappointed but he perked up immediately.

“I’ll give you a copy so you can check it out for your free time. The movie is about a Yakuza’s son entering into a high school. The leader is the head and all that stuff… the school you are in right now may be like that as well. You may not see it happening but internally it is.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned, not totally understanding him.

“It’s hard to explain. You would have to see it for yourself.”

I looked at him trying to understand all this.

“It’s overwhelming isn’t it? Let’s stop from here and watch the sun rise instead.” He turned around and walked started to walk over by the edge of the hill, but I grabbed his hand quickly.

“Wait!” I called out and held onto his hand. Shindo glanced at our hands which were clasped together.

“You never took the initiative to grab onto me.” He said softly. This made me withdraw my hand with embarrassment but Shindo held on tight not giving me the chance to take my hand away from his.

“Don’t. I like it this way. What were you going to ask?”

If I were Aoi, I would have blushed from my roots or if I was Mao I would have stuttered instantly but being the Shinku that I was, I stood silently for a few seconds letting my mind clear off from being momentarily startled before I started speaking.

“What exactly does your clan do?”

“We were your clan’s healer if I remember it correctly.”

When he said this, the history that has been always told to me which I have deliberately ignored for so long came rushing back at me. I remember that my father once told me every clan did not work alone as it is; it always had connections and a partner. One would lead while the others follow but there was also a clan that had held its own position, following no one but aids another. This is the case from Shindo’s clan.

“So you stood by my clan’s side for many generations?”

“We did, until this generation when things went… disarray.”

“I still don’t understand.” I muttered, really confused by now.

“Don’t try to, it will come to you one by one.”

We both looked over the horizon, I don’t know what was running into Shindo’s head right that moment… but mine was going from one place to another. Trying to answer questions for myself even though I knew that in the end, my head is still a blank slate.

What kind of a clan leader am I? I don’t know anything thing at all… and that’s what frustrates me the most. The moment of happiness I was supposed to feel right now was not there. I should have been happy to meet Shindo’s father, but I’m not because all I feel right now…

… is how useless I am.


------------------To be continued------------------

Notes from the Author:
It has been so long… I hope you’re still going to read this, and not kill me afterwards. >_<
I missed Shinku and my readers as well. *hugs*

Inside the art classroom I sat in front of Aoi unable to speak as Sakura sat by her side trying to explain everything while Mao silently paced the classroom back and forth.

“That’s how it happened. We all have our secrets Aoi… and this is one of them. Shinku just happened to have a bigger one than the rest of us and for sure you have something you just can’t bear to tell us either, aside from being one of the multibillionaire in Japan.” Sakura told her convincingly as I tried to weigh my options.

“Do you traffic drugs and weapons?” Aoi asked carefully direction the question towards me.

I gave her a baffled expression.

“Of course you would. Here I thought I was observant enough.” Aoi said dejectedly taking in my expression as a yes.

“What are you talking about Aoi?” Mao interjected as she pinched her shoulders in annoyance.

“Ouch! What was that for? I was not the one hiding being a Yakuza from a friend!” Aoi hissed at her trying to keep her voice down as much as possible.

“You’re stereotyping!” Mao was now glaring at her.

“But isn’t that what Yakuza’s do? I knew there was something about you Shinku, I just didn’t know what exactly it was that made you different from the rest of us.” Aoi speculated out loud.

“Do you know what Mamoru means?” I asked Aoi quietly interrupting.

“It means to protect.” Aoi answered timidly then Mao looked at her gently this time.

“That’s exactly what Shinku’s clan name is. Mamoru, to protect. Shinku’s clan doesn’t exist as a Yakuza who fights for money or power, but instead it is there to protect people. Her clan isn’t exactly the typical gangster type, they are from the samurai clan as well during the early centuries… but since things got hazy when the new regime started… let’s just say they have been separated from the government and got branded as part of the Yakuza too.” Mao explained more calmly to Aoi.

“All the transactions that the clan does are legal, if that’s what you want to know.” Sakura chided in.

Aoi still looked doubtful but it looked like she’s not afraid anymore. There was a sudden stretch of silence between the four of us. We were all thinking of different things.

This is the problem with having too many friends, the attachment that comes with caring. I am starting to get worried that Aoi won’t be able to accept my case and second I was scared at the same time she would tell someone else about it. Then it would mean that this would be the end of my high school career. Just when I have finally started not to take school for granted, there were still so many things for me to learn and experience.

“Have you… ano… have tried to hurt anyone?” Aoi asked courageously.

“I’ve done more than that…” I answered rigidly then let my voice trail off with my train of thoughts.

“What are you thinking?” Aoi asked looking more concerned than afraid.

“I’m thinking that you’ll tell someone about this incident and I’ll be kicked out of school because of it.” I told her without breaking any eye contact.

Aoi’s expression changed into someone who looked like she just got stabbed.

“What?” I asked bewildered for her sudden facial expression.

“Is this what you take me for?” Aoi asked looking wounded.

I looked at her blankly not understanding what exactly she meant.

“Shinku, I thought we were my friend. I never get friends. The three of you are the first real friends I ever had. Whenever girls my age get close to me, they have a different agenda behind it. Now that I have you guys… I’ve given my trust to you. So how could you not trust me enough?”

“How could I when you almost fainted the moment you saw my tattoo on my back?” I answered in a matter of fact tone.

“I was scared! Don’t I have a right to be scared?” Aoi argued.

“She’s right Shinku, anyone would be scared if they saw that.” Sakura nodded at herself.

I threw her a sharp glance, this made her shut up and cower her head.

“You could trust me you know…” Aoi said softly as she continued to look directly at me.

“Shinku… we’re all in it now. There’s nothing more to hide.” Mao said with finality.

“Do I have a choice?” I told her with a sardonic tone.

“Nope.” Mao smiled broadly then took Aoi’s hand to walk out of the room.

“She needs space…” I heard her whisper to Aoi’s ears.

“But…” Aoi started to say but Mao interrupted her, “Oh she already accepted you from the very start. Don’t worry. Just don’t ever be shocked again when you see that thing at her back. That would really piss her off.”

Aoi threw one last glance at me before she got dragged away by Mao.

“See you at the court Shinku.” Sakura called out to me before they left the room.

When the girls have finally left and silence has settled in the classroom I called out to Takumi as I sat alone by the windowsill.

“You can come out now.” I called out.

“You’re really being careless lately.” Takumi shook his head in dismay then added,

“This shouldn’t have happened if you were being careful enough.”

“That’s why you and Shinji are here. To fix things.” I told him imprudently.

“You think I could fix this problem for you?” Takumi asked, challenging me as he stood by my side.

I gave him a hard look but eventually gave up. I was already at the wrong side and I knew I was at fault.

“I’ve been acting like a spoiled brat lately aren’t I?”

“You indeed are.” Takumi scoffed.

“Being a high school student is over whelming… having friends… falling in love… it feels too much and yet I want more.” I shook my head in confusion.

“Shinku, you’re just a teenager the clan understands that...”

“…but,” I interjected, “there is always a BUT.”

“Unfortunately there is a BUT.” Takumi agreed.

“I have to be a responsible teenage Yakuza boss.” I told myself out loud.

Takumi nodded silently.

“How?” I asked him sincerely.

“You’ll eventually learn how to do it.”

“How did you become a responsible person Takumi?”

“I learned from my mistakes.”

“So I should learn from my mistakes then.”

“You can’t afford to make TOO many mistakes Shinku, especially if it concerns the clan.”

“We both know I am not perfect...” I started say.

“Then learn from the mistakes of others.” Takumi insisted.

This made me think of how things were run by people my father trusted long ago… there were so many cases on different occasions, so many mistakes that had to be dealt with by my father alone.

“I thought this would all be easy…” I started to shudder from a sudden cold realization.

I wasn’t afraid of fighting, hurting someone with the use of my hands or even the physical pain that comes with it. However, right this moment, I’m terrified. I’ve never been like this scared before. Wanting things beyond my grasp, the weight of responsibility on top of my head, being someone I am supposed to be, losing people, gaining trusts and even falling in love…

I was shaking uncontrollably from such thoughts… until a pair of arms enveloped me.

Comforting.

“I know you’re scared.” Takumi said softly as he embraced me from behind.

I kept my silence, letting the calming effect he gave settle into me.

“I’ll watch your back Shinku, even if you don’t ask me to.” He said gently.

“Thank you…” I said hoarsely not trying to let my emotions flow out uncontrollably.

Right now, I was starting to feel alright… for this was Takumi after all.

------------------To be continued------------------

Notes from the Author:
So far, I think this is the shortest chapter I have posted.
Sorry for the drama… more revelations on the next chapters… maybe? ^____^v

 

“Where’s your bike?” It was the first thing Shindo asked when I finally got to reach him by the school gate.

Huh?

“What bike?” I asked lamely.

“Shun told me you had a bike.”

“Oh… my bike.” I nodded at him as I came back to my senses.

“It’s raining so I thought of leaving it here instead.”

“Don’t you have a class?”

I shook my head then answered.

“Practice session.”

“Ah… the sports activity that the school is going to have...” Shindo nodded at himself.

“How do you get to know all this things?” I asked as stood there looking at him.

“Shun.”

Stupid. Of course Shun would have told his twin, and then a question popped into my mind.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

This made Shindo smile mischievously.

“I don’t go to school.”

I was really surprised with his answer.

“Why?”

I couldn’t help myself but ask… when have I become so chatty?

“Do you want to come with me today? No beaches today though… it’s only going to be at my place. I live nearby, Shun must have mentioned that before.”

Shindo asked instead of answering my question but the invitation enticed me more than having my question answered. Truth is right that moment was to know more about him. I looked around to search if Shinji was nearby, but I didn’t have to look since he walked closely to where I stood by Shindo and stared hard at him.

Shindo looked at Shinji and locked eyes with him for a moment.

“I’m not kidnapping her or anything. You’re invited to join us if that’s what you want to imply.” Shindo said to him.

I just glared at Shinji who nodded his head.

“You never know what others could do bo...”

“I know him.” I cut through Shinji’s words before he gives away my title and identity.

This made Shinji realize what he had almost done, then bowed his head and retreated at the sidelines where he would be less noticed.

“You are one strange high school girl Shinku Minami. Why are you acting in a low profile way at school when you have your own body guard?” Shindo asked loudly, directing the question towards himself rather than at me.

I preferred to stay silent than to answer this and stood quietly beside him pretending to look at my hands, then in a swift movement Shindo grabbed my hand and put me under his umbrella to walk out of the school grounds. There was a fluttering sensation inside my chest with this sudden gesture from him. Shinji was left under the school’s roof gaping at us; I couldn’t help but give a smirk at his reaction. I felt like being a rebellious teenager but I clearly knew that he would be able to follow me sooner or later. That’s how efficient of a body guard Shinji was.

At that moment though, I took pleasure in holding Shindo’s hand not understanding completely why it felt good to hold someone else’s hand since I never did hold anyone else’s hand aside from… a vague memory from my mother when I was three.

I stole a glance at Shindo who held my hand tightly to his as we walked towards his house, his face was so calm and yet so rugged at the same time. He was the exact replica of Shun only there was a big difference. How can twins look so much alike and yet still be so different from each other?

“We’re here.” Shindo announced all of a sudden.

It felt like I just walked back to my classroom instead of walking a few blocks away from the school. Shun wasn’t lying when he said that their house was very near the school’s premises. The Oguri’s home was just a block away from Shuriken high school.

“This is your place?” I stood not believing my eyes.

“Yep.” Shindo nodded as the gates automatically opened.

So this explains the sports car and motorbike. The Oguri’s house was fancy and very stylish, only I didn’t know what they would call this kind of place. My mansion wasn’t this extravagant and I couldn’t remember the words they use for this kind of places. There was a huge black iron gate in front of the entrance of their property, the house was still a few meters away from the gate.

“You house looks like…” I started to say but he interrupted.

“From the fairy tales?”

“Fairy tales?” I tilted my head not completely understanding him.

He looked at me with a very surprised expression.

“You don’t know about fairytales?”

“Do you mean folk tales or legends with clans fighting each other?

“You seriously don’t know what fairy tales are?”

“Would I be this confused if I knew?”

“Those are the ones with castles, magic and prince rescuing maidens in distress.”

“Magic isn’t real.” I said as a matter of fact trying to bring logic in this conversation.

Castle would be nearly a good description for Shindo’s home, but a fairy tale? I don’t even know what those are.

“You haven’t read Cinderella? Snow White or Sleeping Beauty?” Shindo asked with a skeptical expression.

“Should I be worried if I haven’t?”

“You should meet my mother then.”

Mother.

Why am I meeting someone else’s mother? I don’t know how to talk with adults properly unless it was business or from the clan. Would his mother be like Taiyo?

Shindo tugged my hand as soon as the gates opened wide, making me walk grudgingly with him not able to decide if I should run from this because I was feeling ambivalent with not want to meet his mother and wanting to meet her at the same time. I really wanted to kick my head for carelessly being swayed by Shindo, this has been the second time he’s done this to me and I still don’t understand why I let him get away with it. This is becoming a very bad habit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inside the house a beautiful woman in a ruffled dress who looked liked she was in her mid thirties greeted us by the door.

“Shindo! Darling, where have you been in this rain? You know you shouldn’t be going out with your…”

“Mother, this is Shinku.” Shindo cut through her words as his mother suddenly put her hands on her mouth, stopping herself from talking then stared at me with her eyes turning huge every second which made me feel very uncomfortable.

“Oh my god… my son has found a girl! A GIRL!!! Finally! I wouldn’t have any nightmares of you being lonely for the rest of your life honey. I just have to talk about Shun and his little thing with this Kurori girl. That boy needs a good…”

“Mother...” Shindo said to his mother exasperatedly who was getting carried away with her own trail of thoughts.

“Oh I’m sorry… I really tend to get carried away with my words. It is really nice meeting you Shinku, it’s the first time that this boy here took home a girl to introduce to me. I’m really glad he got to know you.” His mother gave me a hug and it felt nice to be hugged by her. She smelled like cinnamons with a tinge of orange… it would be a very nice scent to remember.

I was expecting that she would be stern if she lived in a home like this but I was glad she proved me wrong. Mrs. Oguri was a very warm woman who knew how to entertain people in their house and by talking with her I finally learned what Fairy Tales really meant. If my mother would have been alive, I would have probably ended up being just like Mao, a girl who day dreamed about their prince taken right out of the fairy tales.

Shindo left me with his mother in the living room as she showed me pictures and told me stories as the twins grew up. Spending that afternoon with her was fairly productive in gathering information about Shindo, I have learned a lot of things about him and his family. There were also some things I got to know about Mrs. Oguri, just like how she always wished to have a daughter, the way she chose to live as house wife when she got married and her story on how she got married to Mr. Oguri through their parent’s arrangements then eventually fell in love with each through the course of time.

“Shinku, I’ll tell you something about love. The moment it comes to you… you will be caught off guard. Your heart thumps wildly and all you can think of is that person and nothing else. You let that person get away with anything, your mind would be full of confusing things, then one morning when you wake up… you’ll just realize and say to yourself… ‘Ah. I guess this is love.’ Then you will go back to thinking about that person again.” Mrs. Oguri said with a smile on her face before she took a sip from her cup of coffee.

What exactly did she mean by love will catch me off guard? What about the wild thumping of the heart? Does that have anything to do with love?

“You know sweetheart, my son Shindo is really rough looking on the outside… but his heart is pure. Unfortunately he was born…”

“Mother… you always talk too much. I think Shinku’s about to fall asleep with your stories.” Shindo suddenly appeared from behind me and took away the photo albums that I was just looking at, grazing my skin with the back of his hand in the process. This sudden contact sent chills to my body and my heart started racing wildly like I was being chased by a rival yakuza. It was thumping so loud that I swear both Shindo and his mother could have heard.

Thumping of the heart…

I looked hard at Shindo trying to validate what his mother just said, and then my hand slowly crept to my chest and felt the hard beating inside my chest.

This feeling…

Thud… Thud… Thud…

This thing inside my chest…

Thud… Thud… Thud…

With this sudden realization, I stood up abruptly from my seat completely startling Mrs. Oguri and Shindo. They both gave me a concern look as looked back at them with wide eyes.

“It was really nice meeting you Mrs. Oguri, but I suddenly remembered something at home. I have to go. I’m really sorry for leaving so soon.” I bowed low and took my things before leading myself out of the room. This was very disrespectful of me, but I had no other choice. I needed to get out of there that instant and sort this thumping heart out.

I noticed that Shindo has run behind me to catch up, I didn’t even realize I was running until I become aware of him.

“Shinku, take this with you just in case and also…” Shindo gave me a transparent umbrella before I went out of the door then he gave me something else along with it,

“I have been meaning to give this to you.” He smiled sheepishly as he reached out the white strap on helmet in his hand.

“In case I get to pick you up from school one of this days. Just take hold of it and use it while you’re biking, it’s safer.” He shifted his weight from one foot and another avoiding my eyes.

This was very much unexpected, he knew so well that he might be beaten into a pulp if he comes closer to me again but he really doesn’t mind and was still planning to bring me elsewhere with him. How can he be such a fool?

“Thanks.” It was all I could say before running out of the house back into the rain that has once again started to fall hard from the sky.

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Trying to work out in the dojo did not help me relax at all because every time I remember the way Shindo’s eyes looked, the way his skin grazed mine and his lips that…

I shook my head vigorously trying to erase images of him out of my mind.

What was happening to me? Everywhere I turn to, all I could think of was him. My heart even gets to beat crazily with just simple thoughts of him. What was this supposed to mean?

I slumped in the middle of the dojo and laid down in my sweaty clothes, my eyes drifting towards the ceiling but looking particularly at nowhere. Then all of a sudden, Takumi’s face appeared from my view.

“What are you doing?” He asked as he looked down at me.

“Can’t you even tell?” I answered without bothering to sit up, so instead Takumi opted to lie down beside me.

“What are you thinking?”

“How did you know I was thinking?”

“Because you usually think every time you train inside the dojo out of your schedule.”

There was a long silence between us. I knew he was waiting for my reply, only… I didn’t know how to start.

“I…” I started to say.

“You…” Takumi said at the same time.

“You go ahead.” He told me as he also stared at the ceiling.

“I… I need to know something.” I said then suddenly sat up straight beside him, took his hand and pressed it on my left chest.

This startled Takumi who was lying flat in the dojo floor, with his eyes staring at his hand which was clasping the left side of my chest.

“Can you feel that thumping in my chest Takumi?” He just nodded his head awkwardly and then he slowly removed his hand from my grasp.

“It beats normal right now, like the way it normally does. I just don’t understand why a few hours ago, just by simply looking at this particular person it suddenly starts to thump wildly. The feeling is exhausting but at the same time… it felt good. Just like winning a Katana match against you. It feels tiring but at the same time exhilarating. What does that mean?”

Then I placed my own hand on his chest. I felt that Takumi’s heart started to beat fast just like how mine was a few hours ago with Shindo. Does this mean the thumping in my chest was normal?

“This is exactly what my heart was doing earlier! Just like the way your heart is beating right now Takumi. Do you think we’re both sick with something?” I asked trying to replace my confusion with facts.

Takumi sighed heavily as he started to sit straight in front of me and looked straight into my eyes. He gently placed his hand directly in my heart…

“Are you thinking of me right now?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Can you try to imagine that particular person right this moment?”

I tried to imagine Shindo and then my heart started to thump wildly once again.

Takumi quickly withdrew his hand away from me as if he was going to be burned. His face registered pain, only it looked sad.

“I think we’re both sick. Only mine is worse… I wish… You’re heart would beat just like that every time you would think of me.” Then he started to get up and walk away from me.

“What do you mean by that?!?” I called out to him.

He turned to look at me then answered.

“Shinku, go to the internet and google L-O-V-E. That’s exactly what you are feeling right now.”

------------------To be continued------------------

Notes from the Author:

Definition of LOVE from Wikipedia.com

Love is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction. The word love is both a verb and a noun. Love is not a single feeling but an emotion built from two or more feelings. Anything vital to us creates more than one feeling, and we also have feelings about our feelings (and thoughts about our feelings). This diversity of uses and meanings, combined with the complexity of the feelings involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, even compared to other emotional states.

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I just had to include that here. Lolz… >_<

Takumi, Takumi, Takumi…  *sigh*

For those asking me about him, now you know. ^_~v