5 05 - Remembering

It was around lunch when Ojiro visited Nozomi and Kyouko on their campus. "Sorry, you guys go eat without me, I have to meet with Aoi and Emi for the college week plans," Kyouko said apologetically, "But we'll take you to therapy later, right?" Ojiro confirmed, "Well... about that, I'll have to check with Dr. Takahashi if she's in," Kyouko tried making an excuse, she wasn't just ready to go back to therapy yet. "Alright, well, I'll pick you two up later," Ojiro sighed, "Thanks! I'll see you! Have fun!" Kyouko gave each of them a hug, "Do you want anything?" Nozomi asked, "Nah, I'm good. Aoi says it's a lunch meeting so I get to eat too. See you!" Kyouko bid them goodbye.

"How is college week going so far?" Ojiro asked Nozomi to break the silence. It has always been like this and he feels like there's so much tension between them even more now that they're in college. Was it because of their engagement? Was it because of Kyouko? "Preparations are good. Everyone is busy that's why Kyouko wasn't able to join us," Nozomi said nonchalantly, "How are you?" Ojiro asked, concerned. Nozomi turned towards him, "Eh? Me? That's strange..." she trailed off, "What's strange?" he smiled at her, "I mean, why are you asking me, we're always together! It's not like you're with me but thinking of Kyouko, right?" Well, that was it. Ojiro thought to himself. "Why would I think of her? That's funny." he chuckled, "If you are still jealous about Kyouko's relationship with me, please don't. I know my place and she knows hers. You don't have to remind me," he continued. Nozomi let out a sigh and stared out the car window.

"Why do I feel like I'm being talked about?" Kyouko asked aloud while eating with Aoi and Emi, "Eh? Someone's talking about you?" Emi asked, "Yeah. My nose is itchy." Kyouko replied and Aoi laughed at her. "Kyouko, your nose itches when someone kisses your picture!" Emi giggled, "Really?! I didn't know that!" Kyouko said in amazement, "I get that often, you know? Just hot guy things." Kyouko and Emi snickered, "Aoi!" they said in unison. "Let's be serious with the meeting, shall we?" Emi suggested.

"I'll have the pork curry katsu and miso soup. What will you have?" Ojiro asked Nozomi who was spacing out. "Oh... uhhh... I'll have the same but less spicy." she smiled at him. Ojiro reached for her hand that took her by surprise, "Please, Nozomi, stop having thoughts about me liking Kyouko that was a long time ago. She's my best friend. A part of my life and now, you're a part of my life too. We're going to be engaged soon so it's not good if you harbor thoughts like that," he reasoned out, Nozomi gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you for reassuring me. And I'm sorry for being jealous of her. She just seems so... perfect, you know? She's pretty, smart, rich, and happy," she sighed. "I doubt if she sees herself like that," he chuckled, "Kyouko's like a tomboy. I wouldn't be surprised if she started dating girls," he continued. "Ojiro, I have something to say..." she pulled her hand away from him, "I know I'm not in the place to say this but..." she stopped when their orders arrived, "But what?" Ojiro asked. Nozomi took a deep breath, "Kyouko hasn't been going to her therapies," she revealed. "What?! Since when?!" Ojiro felt betrayed, he wanted Kyouko to be better but she was purposely avoiding treatment. "She attended one session and she has been skipping since. Last week, she lied to you about Dr. Takahashi being out of town," she said. Ojiro sighed, "Thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to her about this later. Let's eat, food is getting cold." he said, his tone authoritative. Nozomi smirked.

"Oh wow! Will you look at the time! I didn't notice that it's almost 5 PM," Kyouko yawned as she closed her laptop, "Well, it's been productive," Aoi beamed, "So it's final, we're going to have an Intercultural Conference on the evolution of Communication in different settings for college week," he continued. Emi and Kyouko nodded, "I'll be in charge of the venue and the food," Kyouko said enthusiastically, "And I'll be in charged of inviting the speakers and their tokens," Emi seconded. "It has been a productive day, ladies. I'll see you tomorrow so we can collect contributions from our classmates., and next week for the presentation to the student council," Aoi stood up and fixed his hair before winking at Emi and Kyouko. They chuckled at him before both girls said their goodbyes to one another.

Ojiro was waiting for Kyouko by the campus parking lot. "Where's Zomi?" she asked him, looking around for her. "I sent her home first," Ojiro replied, "You can drop me at home, Dr. Takahashi is not in her office today," she lied as she got in his car. The drive was silent until, "Oh, you missed a turn!" she said, noticing that Ojiro kept driving straight ahead, "Are we going somewhere?" she asked, turning to him, "Why?" Ojiro asked, his tone icy. "Why, what? What are you talking about?" she asked looking at him in disbelief, this wasn't usual. "Why did you lie about going to therapy?" he questioned, Ahhh, so he knew. Kyouko thought.

"Is that the reason why you're acting that way? I'm sorry if I lied, I-"

"You said you wanted to become better, why are you refusing treatment?!"

"Why are you raising your voice at me?!"

"How could you try to reason out when all I wanted was for you to become better?!"

"Stop it! You're not my boyfriend! You don't know anything!"

Ojiro hit the brakes. Kyouko was trying her best to fight the tears, "I'm getting off here," she said, feeling hurt. "Kyo, I-" he grabbed her hand, she pulled it away and got off of his car. "Kyo, please..." Ojiro tried to reason out but she turned her back from him and started walking. He let out a sigh before driving away.

Kyouko walked towards the cafe outside Dr. Takahashi's clinic. She let out a sigh as she sat down in one of the alfresco dining seats. She checked her phone, it was a message from Nozomi and Ojiro.

zomi_zombie: Kyou, I'm sorry. I know I have no right to tell Ojiro about you skipping therapy but I think he has to know. I love you, please don't be mad. :(

kkusojiro: I'm sorry. Let's talk, please? I'm worried about you.

Kyouko let out a laugh. She knew that Nozomi never liked her even before. She was just too kind to confront her. And Ojiro? He was in love but because of Nozomi, he tries so hard to stay in the friendzone. Kyouko has no romantic feelings for him.

I don't have anyone.

But you had Akira.

It was suffocating. Remembering that name felt like her airways are becoming constricted. Kyouko squeezed her phone tightly. Was this another episode? She needed help but she couldn't stand up. Hearing Akira's name made her remember that nightmare.

"Are you alright?" a hand gripped Kyouko's shoulder. She looked up to see who it was - a woman with blonde hair and golden eyes, "Are you okay?" the woman repeated, her voice dissolved the suffocating feeling. What kind of sorcery is this? "I-..." Kyouko tried to speak but she didn't know what to say, "It's okay. Just breathe," the woman said, soothing her. She felt familiar like Mitsuko. It's like she knew the woman all her life but she couldn't understand why. Kyouko closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She opened her eyes to thank the woman but she was gone. Bewildered, Kyouko whispered her thanks to the wind.

Kyouko stood outside Dr. Takahashi's clinic for quite a while as she mustered up the courage to face her. Facing her meant remembering the lost memories that haunted her.

You should be afraid.

You're wrong.

Kyouko took a deep breath again before knocking. Dr. Takahashi opened the door to her clinic and was not surprised to see Kyouko.

"I've been expecting you. Long time no see." Dr. Takahashi smiled at her. Kyouko followed her inside the clinic.

TO BE CONTINUED.

A/N: An unexpected turn of events! What do you think? As always, thank you for your support! <3 -J.