Fated Rescue

-CHAPTER 8-

"You again..."

"Yup! Now let's go!" Yuki grabbed my hand as we both left school. I can't believe I'm saying this but really, my hands are now numb from him gripping me everyday after school. I don't know what he's up to this time but I wish I could just evaporate and become rain.

Amid to my wishes, rain poured down heavily on us. We quickly run towards the nearest bus stop to find cover since were both wet from the rain. Great, now I'm soaked. I hope nothing serious happens to my phone. My bag was drenched, I think my textbooks are wet as of now. I don't have an umbrella after leaving it at home. I saw the forecast and it says it'll not rain so I left it in my desk.

I guess not all forecasts are accurate.

"What a luck. I was hoping we could go to the street market again." Yuki sulked as we both waited for the rain to stop. During this time, I sat next to him while checking on my phone to contact grandma. She might go out of the hospital to go get me and I don't think that's necessary.

[You sure you don't want me to pick you up?]

"I'm alright..." It'll be very crowded if three people share the umbrella. We wouldn't leave without the other guy of course.

[Make sure you take cover, okay? Come straight here when the rain stops.]

"Okay." I hanged up the call after grandma said goodbye. Now that it's done, the only thing left to do was to wait.

But as I was staring at the drenched road, I can feel a pair of eyes looking at me. I turned to the side and saw Yuki in his own world. He didn't even noticed that I was already standing. The rain had stopped but it seemed like this fellow doesn't realized it.

Not sure if I were to tap him and tell him I'm heading out or maybe just leave him wandering in nothing. But it looks like he snapped out of it soon when I passed by him.

"Where are you heading?" He asked, not paying attention to the surroundings. What's going on in your head that you completely ignored the fact that it's not raining anymore.

"Hospital." I simply said before continuing to walk.

I heard his footsteps behind me, hinting that he finally followed. I let him be and kept walking until we could turn to the hospital. But once again, someone stopped me from doing so. A pair of hand held to my shirt, surprising me for a bit.

I turned at him and I can see his head lowering down. What's he up to now?

"Say Yoru..." He sounds hesitant on his words. "Do you mind if...I borrow your phone?"

What a surprising question. Is that why he was looking at my direction? To call someone? But why at this time? He could have just use the telephone in the hospital after we go there.

"Just this once. I promise it's only a quick call." Seeing by his reaction, it looks like he badly needs it. I don't want to be stubborn guy and just ignore it.

I handed him my phone and thanked me before dialing someone's number.

It rang a few seconds but no one seemed to picked up. He tried a few more times before finally giving up. I can see the distraught look on his face when no one answered him. He hands me back the phone and smiled.

"Seems like they're busy. That's alright. Let's go now, Fujiko-san and Yumeko-san might get worried if we took our time." He said before pacing his steps.

Who was he trying to reach? And why does it feel like he really wanted them to answer his call?

.

It was all good at the room. Grandma and Yumeko-san were talking lively, Shigeo was still here, sitting next to me as we read. But what's different is that Yuki hasn't come back after he said he needs to go to the bathroom. It's been 20 minutes... Is he sh*tting or something?

"Didn't Yuki went to pick you up? Do you know where he is?" Yumeko-san asked, searching for the lost boy.

I shook my head no and closed the book. I know I'm lying, but by the looks of the situation, Yuki must've left the hospital again. He is the type of person to leave the hospital without permission.

"I wonder where he went..." Grandma was worry of the young lad. But it's weird though...

Ever since that phone call, he got very distant. He didn't even looked at me and just walked away. And from what I saw, he didn't went to the bathroom. The direction he went was opposite to what he said.

"He'll come back later." Yumeko-san was sure of her words so I guess there's nothing to worry about.

"Hey Yoru, You know where Yuki went?" Shigeo asked me. I shook my head but it seems like he didn't believe me. "But he said he'll pick you up from school. Why isn't he here?"

"Don't know..." I seriously don't know. "Let him be."

"Did you two had a fight?" Shigeo said but I opposed. "Is he not feeling well?" I said I don't know.

It was hard to talk to a child. I don't know why they have to ask questions every time. Can't they just be quiet and don't mind it? It seems that they like to engage to other people's conversations as if they'll understand them.

But I shouldn't say shut up to a kid, right? I'll turn rude and be a bad influence to him.

"Mama said that people like to hide secrets from others because they don't want them to be involved..." Being with this kid made me realize that he is mature enough to understand an adult's words fully. His mother must be amazed on how grown this kid acts.

"I always saw Yuki going to the phone to call someone when I sneak out of the children's room. He's looks sad every time he leaves. Does the person his calling doesn't like him?" I thought about the same thing a while back. His face was like he had lost another lottery. I don't want to meddle with anyone's problems. But sometimes curiosity does change your mind.

"He wants to be alone." I said to Shigeo.

I'm not an expert when it comes to people's emotions, but there are times where I can understand them. Because I too...

.

It was very cold in the rooftop, but it was just perfect for me.

The first time I went here wasn't very pleasant. I run into the guy and things got a bit, uncanny. It was bad moment and it really made my day very bad.

I sat down by the bench as the full moon rise in the sky. It was bright and vivid, there are hardly any clouds forming in the sky. It would be nice to sleep by here, only if there was a bed lying down here.

My drowsiness soon disappeared when I heard an faint rustle coming from the small garden. Don't tell me he's here...

What a luck. And I was so sure that I would get away from him in no time. Seems they really won't let me be. But I decided to let it be and doze to sleep. I don't know why, but I'm so tired. I didn't even do anything today but I was so bummed.

.

Yuki stayed by the storage room, leaning his head by his knees. He felt very irritated to himself and to someone else.

It was his fault for what happened but he can't help but recall everything no matter how many times he tries to forget them. It was unnecessary to call them but he can't help it.

He was persistent that there maybe someone who he can reach out, but it seemed like nothing has changed. He decided to go to the rooftop to have some fresh air. All this thinking made him very clouded and he wanted to freshen up a bit.

When he entered the rooftop, he heard a rustle coming from the mini garden. As he tries to find the source of the rustle, a small head popped out near him.

"Meow~" A small grey cat appeared to Yuki.

"While hello there, little fella..." Yuki move his hand to the kitten and the kitten delightfully jumped in. "Aren't you too adorable?" He caressed the kitten's fur, making it purr. Yuki felt like his distress had faded because of the kitten, and he was delighted to know that.

"Shall I take you to our room? I'm sure Shigeo will be amazed by you. He loves ki—" Just when they were about to head to the door, Yuki saw a familiar figure on the bench. He went closer to the figure and kneeled down.

"...He's asleep." He said as he glanced upon the sleeping Yoruko. He couldn't help but giggle at seeing him nodding off. This was the first time he had seen him in this state.

The kitten meowed and tried reaching for Yoruko but Yuki stopped the little one. "Shh, Yoru's sleeping. Let's just leave him like that for a while." Yuki stood up and walked out from the young man who was unaware of the situation.

Yoruko kept nodding off from his sleep but seems like that isn't enough to wake him. His head then moved to the side, aiming his fall to the metal casting. Surely that could wake him up now.

"Woah!" Yuki immediately caught his head before it could hit the casting. "That was close..." He sighs and gently placed his head down to the casting.

When Yuki was about to open the door, the thought that Fujiko-san might look for Yoruko stumbled. When he turned around, he saw Yoruko, about to hit his head to the casting. Without hesitation, he caught his head while still holding the kitten in the other hand.

"Geez, he didn't even woke up from that." He commented when he saw that Yoruko was still in his sleep. He saw the uncomfortable position of the boy and so he puts the kitten down and adjust Yoruko's position. The kitten obediently watched Yuki move Yoruko before going back to Yuki's arms.

"That should do it." He stared at the sleeping Yoruko for a brief moment. He went closer to him as he examines his face.

Indeed, there was something in him that Yuki had admired the most. Apart from his terrible personality, he grew very attached to him for the past few months.

"You know Yoru..." He gently touched his hair. It was smooth, it was like a woman's hair. Has he been taking the same shampoo as Fujiko-san?—Yuki thought.

"I can't explain why, but..." He went closer to Yoruko as he move his hair behind his ear. "I fel—"

Just then, Yoruko opened his eyes.

.

I don't know how long I slept but I still felt very drowsy. It had seemed like I was in a different position than last time. For sure I was only sitting before I dozed off.

Suddenly I heard a voice. A familiar sound. Am I dreaming? But I don't want to open my eyes. I still want to sleep.

"You know, Yoru..." Now I know. It was Yuki. And I'm not dreaming. I can feel the wind brushing through me. But why was he here? Is he the one making that rustle a while ago?

To my surprise, he held a strand of my hair. What the heck is he doing?! Didn't he know that invading someone's privacy is a crime?! What is he gonna do?!

I want to stand up but I can't move. My neck is hurting and my legs are hanging from the casting. Is the the one who moved me? Great job, Yuki. My neck is uncomfortable as of now.

"I can't explain it, but..." He moved the hair behind my ear and went closer. He is gonna harass me! Just because he thinks I'm sleeping doesn't mean I'll let him do what he wants. Hell no!

"I fe—" I opened my eyes and saw his surprised face. I was surprised as well when I saw how close we are from each other.

What was he trying to say before I open my eyes? I somehow felt annoyed when he didn't finish it. I was curious and and anxious to know.

But what he did after made me wonder even more.

"Good evening." He greeted, with a sincere smile on his face.

-AR PHANTOM