Chapter 82: Glimpse Of The Past

"This rooftop is always locked so it's obvious why no one will come here. It's our private hangout."

Horikita was speechless.

She wanted to say something but promptly closed her lips. There was no point in asking why he had the key.

"Oh," she went silent.

But Horikita was slowly starting to regret agreeing to this condition. Her body was feeling weird and she felt itchy all over unlike the calm Tatsuya.

Seeing him peacefully sitting and staring at the sky Horikita wondered if she was the only one that felt like this.

Faithful to his words his hands had not left her stomach for a second. The warmth emanating from him almost made her relax.

Keyword 'almost'.

Yamamoto Tatsuya...

Horikita scoffed inwardly and tried to remove the distracting thoughts in her mind but no matter how much she tried one question continued to linger.

"Is it really love?" She asked skeptically and she felt his body flinch for a brief second. Minute reactions like these can't be false. It would take a terrifying level of control over the body to fake such things.

She had asked the right question.

Tatsuya answered after a few seconds of silence, "No."

"Then why? Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"I can't afford to."

Horikita's mind went blank for a split second before she showed a look of confusion. She couldn't see his face but neither could he see hers.

"Do you know the Yamamoto Family?"

Horikita frowned before shaking her head.

"It's okay. I'll tell you. We're a prestigious family with many members in high echelons of the Government. As a proud member of it, I was expected of nothing but brilliance..." His voice was soft and mellow different from his usual confidence.

It was as if he was talking about something he wanted to forget.

"What do you think Suzune, am I brilliant?" He suddenly asked but Horikita didn't answer.

Yet, her silence conveyed what she thought.

"In the pursuit of perfection, I've neglected many things in my life and one of them was—"

Horikita briefly turned her head only to see a glimpse of melancholy in his eyes.

"My own sister."

"What happened?" Horikita subconsciously asked. It wasn't that she wanted to pry into his life but the way he was narrating it made her ask nonetheless.

"She tried to become like me. Disregarding everything else, seeing everyone beneath me. If they couldn't compare to me she wouldn't even spare them a single glance."

Tatsuya didn't need to imagine what Horikita's face was like at this moment. It was surely one of unbridled shock.

The sharp Horikita instantly realised what was going on.

Such a coincidence... It can't be...

She thought.

"Remember when we argued in the cafe? I heard you say something like you've been alone for almost a decade and don't mind it."

Tatsuya laughed bitterly, "Is it really like that?" He whispered as if talking to himself.

Shaking his head he continued,

"The resemblance you bear to my sister is eerie. I can't help but be drawn to you. If I don't, I feel like I'll lose the last chance to make things right. In pursuit of my own perfection, I had ignored her much like Manabu did to you. I was wrong... So wrong."

"Your sister..." Horikita keenly noticed something was wrong with his wording.

"She passed away, a chronic illness."

Deathly silence filled the rooftop as Horikita tightly pursed her lips. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster. She hadn't dealt with such emotions, such conversations.

She wanted to console him but she couldn't even pick the right words.

"She was weak from birth but she stubbornly tried to imitate me. Do you know, I once told my sister that I liked girls who kept their hair loose as a joke." He laughed silently, "My sister who always liked to keep her hair in a ponytail never kept a ponytail after that... By the time I realised the level of her obsession, it was too late."

Horikita who had been listening to him vent froze hearing his words. She realised something from his words, his words were like a thunderclap in her ears, banging against her relentlessly.

She realised the meaning behind his words.

He...

He wasn't just sharing his story with her.

He was enlightening her. He was giving her the answer she had searched for so long.

Horikita's heart started racing.

Before she could calm herself or say anything she felt a hand stroke her head gently. The action was so subtle and soft that she was stunned in place.

Tatsuya lifted her much to her surprise and placed her beside him.

He got up while dusting his pants.

"I'll see you later in class. Ah, also don't worry, I won't irritate you any longer. I'll try to deal with the rumours."

Horikita who was like a confused doll watched him leave quietly. His usually proud back seemed to give off a sense of loneliness, a sense of detachment.

He closed the door and left leaving her alone on the rooftop. Horikita looked at the key lying in front of her and silently enjoyed the breeze.

The cold air brushed against her and caused her hair to flutter.

She raised her fair and soft hand before gently stroking her long glossy black hair. A wave of emotions flashed through her eyes as she sighed.

"I understand now... I understand..."

...

Tatsuya who was walking down the stairs noticed the quiet surroundings.

There wasn't a hint of any sound.

Such serene peace soothed his heart.

He pondered over the conversation he had with Horikita just now.

The proud and arrogant Tatsuya felt despicable. Despite the whole story he fabricated being false there was one truth hidden.

To think he'd fall so low.

A sad but bitter smile flashed across his gorgeous features.

"Emily..." He whispered and shook his head before leaving.

Things of the past... there was no need to mention it now.

Those who had to leave would leave regardless of how much you struggled. Since it was destined why fight against it?

The weak had no right to protest.

Though...

Fighting against destiny?

It was interesting...

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