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FluffandCrunch

Lilly Route: Conflict 2-3; Recovery and Departure

Dec 5th, 2013
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  1. My cell phone rings, waking me up, a massive hangover in my head and a ringing in my ears. I moan in pain as I lurch about and grab my cell from the table, the sloppily draped covers entangling me, shouting back at it. "What? What do you want from me?"
  2. There's a surprised gasp on the other end. "Hisao? Are you all right?"
  3.  
  4. I groan and collect myself. "Lilly. Sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell, I had sort of a rough night last night. Sorry."
  5. "Are... are you all right?"
  6. I nod, but then realize that doesn't really matter since we're on the phone and it ends up only hurting me. "Yes, I'm fine. Just had... it was... well, I'm not really sure. I don't remember much."
  7. "What happened to you?"
  8. "I... I hung out with Kenji. We drank that bottle of Scotch he got me. It was a mistake."
  9. A long pause. "You drank the whole thing?"
  10. I nod. Pain flares behind my eyes and I realize again I need to stop doing that. "Mostly Yeah, it was a mistake."
  11. "Oh, dear. Do you feel sick?"
  12. "Yes."
  13. She makes a sympathetic sound. "You need to be careful, Hisao."
  14. "I'll be fine. I'll just wait it out, I guess. I'll be better by tomorrow."
  15. "I'm glad. I can't wait."
  16. I manage a smile. "Neither can I."
  17.  
  18. We talk for a little while just like we've done since I got out of the hospital, Lilly taking on most of the burden of conversation, for which I'm grateful. She soon lets me go and tells me to take better care of myself. "Don't forget to take your pills and take it easy today," she ends with in a matronly tone.
  19. "Yes, mother," I tease.
  20. She sighs in long suffering amusement and we hang up, blowing kisses to each other through the phone line before we do.
  21.  
  22. I lean back and stare at the light fixture in the ceiling. I don't know how I got back to my room, but somehow I manged to make it all the way to my dorm without getting caught or killing myself. My room is littered with signs of last night's moronic debacle; a stolen sheet, a bag of pretzels, a broom and an empty bottle of Scotch laying on the floor. My head pounds and screams at me, a more intense hangover than I've ever had at Lilly and Hanako's tea parties when Akira showed up with bottles of wine. On top of that, my muscles are killing me from running yesterday and my knee throbs like it was used as an anvil.
  23.  
  24. I am so out of shape.
  25.  
  26. I stumble around until I can get a glass of water in me along with my medication. I can take my pills with a hangover, right? It's that you shouldn't take pills with alcohol, not the aftereffects.
  27. I hope.
  28. I spend who knows how long sitting on the floor of my room, staring at the wall until the headache starts getting manageable. My door shakes with a series of pounding knocks, which starts the headaches all over again. Groaning at another interruption, I stumble over and open it a crack, glaring out into the hall.
  29.  
  30. Oh, goody, it's Emi.
  31.  
  32. I dimly recall something about her spending the night with Rin.
  33. Thoughts at the back of my head try to make that into something dirty, but my brain hurts too much to care. "No," I tell her.
  34. She blinks in surprise. "I didn't even say anything yet."
  35. "I know what you want and it's not happening. No running today. I feel sick and my knee still hurts. No running. Go away."
  36.  
  37. She looks at me closely, leaning in towards the door. "You look like hell, what happened?"
  38. "Long story. My answer is 'no'."
  39. She smiles ruefully. "Chill out, Hisao, it's your lucky day. We're not running."
  40. I'm shocked by her backing down. I think I won an argument with her. "We're not? What happened? Did the track explode?"
  41. She looks pissed, tiny fists on her hips. "Sort of. Some jerk broke into the track shed and threw everything around! It's a mess! Track is off limits until someone from the school cleans up."
  42.  
  43. I can feel the sweat start pouring down my back. If I'm not mistaken, something about the track shed seems familiar.
  44. Oh, God, what did Kenji and I do last night? "That's... that's too bad. Sorry, Emi."
  45. She shrugs, flopping her arms a little. "I guess it's okay. I'm gonna clean it up and see what I can do."
  46. I feel a pang of guilt build up in my gut. "I don't have anything to do today, I'll help you."
  47. "Hey, thanks! I appreciate it."
  48. She leaves and I change out of last night's clothes which smell like alcohol. I'm practically rank with the stuff and I hope Emi didn't smell anything on my breath.
  49.  
  50. I brush my teeth, shower and get dressed in fresh clothes and it helped a lot with my headache. I even check on Kenji next door to see if he made it back last night, but get no answer. I hope he's all right. I'm sure he's even more out of it than I am.
  51. Soon enough I head down to the track, the walk doing me a lot of good in clearing my head. I find the shed doors wide open, objects and equipment strewn about in a strangely familiar looking spread.
  52.  
  53. Emi is dragging a few hurdles and having a tough time with it. Rin sits on the ground nearby, cross legged, watching her work. "Don't get up and help, Rin!" Emi shouts over her shoulder. "I can handle this by myself," she says in a foul tone.
  54. Rin shrugs. "You seem fine. I'm not very good at the picking up things."
  55. "Well, then, kick a ball into the shed or something."
  56.  
  57. Rin stands, awkwardly getting to her feet and steps up to a soccer ball, staring at it for a prolonged moment, as if contemplating on exactly how a ball is supposed to work. With a wide swing of her gangly leg she kicks it dead center into the shed, the sound of falling objects and debris when it lands.
  58.  
  59. "Goal!" I shout as I reach the two of them. "You should be on a soccer team, Rin, you'd be a pretty good shooter."
  60. She turns her head towards me, large bags under her eyes making her look as bad as I feel. "I don't like running."
  61. "You could be a goalie. They don't run much."
  62. She stares at me dimly. "I don't really like sports."
  63. "You could just play it as a game."
  64. "What's the difference between a sport and a game?"
  65.  
  66. That one stumps me. "I'm not sure. I always thought games were fun."
  67. "If sports aren't fun, why would I play one? Can you 'play' a sport or do you just 'play' a game?"
  68. "I'll... have to get back to you on that."
  69. "Okay, remind me, I'll probably forget. I've been forgetting a lot of things."
  70.  
  71. Emi wrestles with the hurdle next to the door and smiles at me, wiping a sheen of sweat from her brow. "About time you showed up! Come on, grab something and get to work. If we're lucky, we can clean up and still get a run in before lunch!"
  72.  
  73. It takes longer than that to clean everything up and even Emi reluctantly decides not to run today. She seems to make a solemn vow to herself that she'll run twice as long tomorrow to make up for her grievous sin of laziness.
  74.  
  75. The three of us decide to head into town for a late lunch at the Shanghai. It's empty as usual except for Yuuko, who rushes to sit us at a booth. I order tea while Emi gets a water. Rin asks for a fruity drink and we all get food. I order a big lunch and Emi makes me re-order twice for something healthier, causing Yuuko no small amount of panic as she tries to keep the changing orders straight in her head.
  76.  
  77. "So Hisao, how was your date last night?" Emi asks.
  78. I can feel my cheeks turn red. "None of your business."
  79. "Did you get lucky?"
  80. I grind my teeth, thankful no one is around to hear except Rin. "Emi, stop that."
  81. She giggles. "I thought so."
  82. Rin looks lazily at me. "Are you still frustrated?"
  83. I hide behind a menu until Yuuko comes back with some drinks for us, avoiding all further contact with the pair.
  84.  
  85. Soon enough though Emi is back on my case after positioning a straw in Rin's cup for her.
  86. "Don't think you got off easy today. I'm sticking around the school to give Rin company, but I'll have plenty of time for you. We'll be running bright and early tomorrow to make up for what we missed."
  87.  
  88. I pause a moment over my tea, the smell soothing the hangover that sits on the edge of my head and pounds away at my brain, letting the aroma fill my mind and wash everything else away. It brings thoughts of Lilly to me. "I have an excuse from Nurse not to run, and even if I didn't, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I won't be at Yamaku the rest of the summer."
  89. "Where are you going?"
  90. "I'll be spending the rest of the vacation with Lilly at Shizune's house."
  91. Emi claps excitedly. "Good for you! I knew everything would work out!"
  92. "Yeah, I'm pretty excited myself."
  93.  
  94. Emi leans forward, pointing a finger at me. "But that's no excuse! Between your cuddle sessions, you better make sure to keep exercising and take your medication."
  95.  
  96. I sigh, taking a careful sip of the scalding hot tea. "I plan on it. With Lilly around, I doubt I'll have much chance to forget them. She's been on my case almost as much as you've been."
  97. "As she should be."
  98. I set the teacup down. "I'll figure something out for the exercise. I'll probably start running in a couple days." I consider a worrying thought. "Though maybe I shouldn't. You won't be around and I'll be away from Yamaku. What if I have an episode and there isn't anyone around to help?"
  99. I certainly can't have Lilly be my running partner and I don't want to have her be the one there if I have an episode. The thought of that terrifies me.
  100.  
  101. "Well, if you can't find someone to run with, then just take a few long walks to get into the habit. Just make sure to keep up on it and watch your heart rate. Bring a cell phone with you just in case. And don't eat crap! Stick to healthy foods! When you get back to school, I'll be making sure you feed yourself properly."
  102. I nod. "Good idea. I don't want to push this stuff off and get out of the habit."
  103. Emi rolls her eyes. "Not after all the work I've put into you!"
  104. "Why so much concern over me? I know you were on my case when I first got to Yamaku, but you seemed to ease off after a while."
  105. "Yeah, and look how that ended! I take full responsibility for you going back to the hospital!"
  106. "That wasn't your fault in any way, I was the one who screwed up."
  107. "Yeah, but if I had kept on your case you would never have had a problem! You would have been fast enough to catch your girlfriend's plane even if it was on the runway! There's no way I'm letting you off the hook a second time. I'm looking out for you now, that's what friends are for!"
  108. I smile at her fondly. "Thank you, Emi, I appreciate it. After what happened yesterday, I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something, like this is a real turn around for me. And it's all thanks to you."
  109.  
  110. She plays a bit with her straw, bouncing around ice cubes in her glass. "Happy to help, Hisao, but you're the one making the change, not me. But you may not be so thankful when you get my bill. personnel trainers aren't cheap these days."
  111.  
  112. I turn to Rin who's sipping at her drink and staring at the beads of water forming on the glass. "How has your summer been, Rin? You said you were taking some summer classes?"
  113. She shakes herself awake and stares at me silently for a long time. "Did I? When?"
  114. "It was yesterday, at the Nurse's office. You don't remember that?"
  115. She looks back down at the glass. "I don't think so. Maybe I forgot I remembered it happened. I don't... remember much," she stops and stares at her glass.
  116.  
  117. I blink, a little worried about her sudden trailing off.
  118. Emi leans against Rin supporting her. "Don't worry about Rin, she's had a rough few weeks. She had a gallery and she's just tired. She tried to ditch it and I had to drag her back."
  119. "A gallery? Like with your paintings? That's fantastic, Rin!"
  120. She shrugs unenthusiastically. "It took a lot of time. I had to make up for classes. Teacher thinks I should go to an art school."
  121. "That sounds awesome! I was pretty happy when I decided to study science so I could become a teacher. It's good that you have an idea of what you're going to do after Yamaku. Aren't you excited?"
  122.  
  123. Rin bobs her head in a mechanical reply.
  124.  
  125. "A teacher?" Emi says directed at me with a scrunched and displeased looking face. "That sounds lame."
  126. I glare at her. "And what are you going to do?"
  127. Emi smiles broadly. "I have some plans."
  128. "Share."
  129. She smiles even more. "Well, I'm going to try out for the Para-Games."
  130. "You're going professional? That sounds really tough, Emi."
  131. "I know, and I wouldn't have it any other way, but that's only a stepping stone for me. I'll be in the Olympics one day!"
  132. I feel a bit of doubt. "Will they let you? With your... legs, I mean."
  133. She huffs a bit. "I'd like to see them stop me!"
  134. "But what if they won't let you?"
  135. She glares at me for my doubt.
  136. I shrug in my defense. "Hypothetically."
  137. Giving up the point, she mulls it over. "I'm not just focusing on athletics. I talked to Nurse and he thinks I have a good chance at getting some scholarships from Yamaku if I study something like rehabilitation. Rin is going to get some too, aren't you Rin?"
  138.  
  139. Rin takes a long draw from her straw as an answer.
  140.  
  141. I take a sip of tea. "Yamaku has scholarships?"
  142. "Nurse told me that the school does work to get students into universities and find them jobs after graduation, including scholarships. Hey! You should check them out, Hisao! I bet they'd love to give someone like you money!"
  143. "What do you mean, 'someone like me'?"
  144. "I just assumed you were poor."
  145. "Why?"
  146. "You're always wearing the same clothes."
  147. I'm stunned, but I can't argue the point. "So do you," I shoot back.
  148. "That's only because they look good on me."
  149. I tug at my sweater a little. "I look good in this," I say in protest.
  150. Emi and Rin look at each other sideways, then go back to their drinks in avoidance.
  151. "Tch, whatever," I say, not believing a word of their lies. "I know I look good and Lilly likes how it feels. So there."
  152.  
  153. After lunch I do some shopping for my trip, Emi and Rin tagging along for lack of anything better to do. It's fun hanging out with them, though no matter how hard I try, Rin seems to remain withdrawn in her little shell. I try to get her talking about art school, how exciting it must be for her to be on such an interesting career path, but all I get are nods and shrugs. Not even Emi has much luck brightening her mood. I'm sure it'll pass, but she looks really tired and drained. Emi needs no such encouragement, going on and on about her plans for training, about all the things she's picked up from Nurse over the years regarding her prosthesis. She starts listing off technical terms and different prosthetic styles that I have no idea how she can keep straight. I guess it's like me and my interest in science; when I start talking about it and my plans for University, she gets a blank look in her eye as she glazes over the technical terms I use.
  154.  
  155. Back at Yamaku we part ways, saying goodbye to each other until school starts again. I'll miss them, but it's not like I spent much time with them during the summer anyway. I'll be happy once school starts again and we can hang out on a more regular basis.
  156.  
  157. It's funny, but a little sad. We're so eagerly expecting what we'll be doing once we leave Yamaku, likely never to see each other again. I know it's supposed to be a natural part of growing up, but being here and meeting these people seems to have had a lasting effect on me. I've already lost all the people in my life once before, I can only hope I can stay in contact with friends like Emi and Rin long after my time at Yamaku is over.
  158.  
  159. It's good to have friends.
  160.  
  161. I occupy the rest of the day with errands, packing for Shizune's, calling my parents and letting them know what I'm doing and checking in with the school. I pick up all the medication I'll need over the break from Nurse, who also checks my leg. He gives me a clean bill of health and a good, long lecture about my medicine which I have to sit through. I think he may have a suspicion concerning the remnants of my hangover because several times he offers me something for a headache I never told him I had.
  162.  
  163. "You all right after last night?" he asks.
  164.  
  165. I nervously shuffle thinking about the track shed shenanigans. "Yeah. Fine. Nothing major."
  166. "You sure? That guy looked like he was about to rough you up."
  167. "What guy?"
  168. Nurse scowls at me. "Mr. Satou. That guy from last night. You feeling okay?"
  169. Mr. Satou's tirade against me comes back fresh to my memory, killing any chance at a good mood. "Oh, yeah. That. I'm okay."
  170. "You seem out of it, Hisao. Is everything all right?"
  171. I try to smile. "I'm fine, Nurse. Thanks for asking."
  172.  
  173. I quickly change the subject. "Hey, Nurse, I talked to Emi and she mentioned something about scholarships from Yamaku. Do you have any information on that?"
  174.  
  175. The distraction works because Nurse smiles broadly. "Oh, yeah, I do! I have some pamphlets and junk they make me carry around just in case." He fishes some out of his desk and hands them to me. "Look them over. The school offices have some forms you need to fill out. I'm sure Mutou would be able to help with anything else."
  176. I look the papers over, nodding to myself. "Sure, I'll ask him when school starts again."
  177.  
  178. I hop off the examining table and grab the bag full of pill bottles I'll need for the summer, sticking the brochures in as well. "Thank for your help, Nurse. I'll see you when summer is over."
  179. "Have fun, Hisao. Stay safe!"
  180.  
  181. I head back to my room and try to rouse Kenji again, this time with the two-way he gave me. Eventually he answers, screaming I'll never get anything out of him before he cuts off. I guess I'm just glad he got back to his room safely, so I feel like I've done my duty as a friend in making sure he was all right.
  182.  
  183. Friend. That's going to take some getting used to.
  184.  
  185. The rest of the day goes by quickly. I try to read the information that Nurse gave me, but my thoughts keep turning to the prospect of being with Lilly again. I'm a little hesitant about her father around and I'm not sure how to handle the situation. I know that he doesn't like me very much and I hope I can do something to change that. Akira may not have the best opinion of him, but his approval seems very important to Lilly and I want to make her happy. I end up thinking about it all evening and late into the night until I eventually fall asleep.
  186.  
  187. The next day, the day I leave Yamaku, I take my pills and get my stuff ready to go early in the morning. I find a box in front of my door filled with duct tape, a textbook on chemistry, a wooden spoon, a coffee mug, road flares and the companion to the two-way Kenji gave me. Along with the random assortment of junk is a note from him, telling me he's back in isolation until my return, that last night was cool and that he wants me to take these supplies for my fight against the criminal underworld.
  188.  
  189. I'm not sure what he means by that and I feel the need to correct him on our rooftop meeting taking place two nights ago not one, but I do take the pair of two-ways with me. They might be useful over the summer.
  190.  
  191. I take my suitcase of clothes and a backpack of items I've packed down to the front gates when the hour comes. Despite any misgivings I may have, I'm feeling pretty excited about this. The whole rest of the summer, alone with Lilly? I'm eager to start. Sure, it'll be at Shizune's house with her, Misha, Akira and probably others around, but I don't think that will be a problem. I'm sure she and I will have plenty of time alone.
  192.  
  193. It's not even the intimacy I'm concerned about, though it has been a long time since she and I were together. I'm sure she's just as frustrated as I am over that, maybe even more. I just miss being with one another by ourselves. It was easy during school, we could always find time together even during exams and Hanako was considerate enough to give us space, but I feel like the conversation Lilly and I had when she visited was the first meaningful contact between us since I got out of the hospital and mostly we only talked about the fact that we would be separated again. I remember her distraction while we were making love, her worry about having to leave. That won't be a concern now, we'll have all the time in the world together and it's a comforting thought.
  194.  
  195. At the front gates, I'm a little early, so I sit on my suitcase against the wall and lean back, taking a breather. I didn't have much trouble walking with both my bags from my room to here, which I'm a little pleased about. They're a lot lighter than Hanako's bag were and I know it's not a sign of my condition getting better, but it does show that my medication is having an effect on me. It's nice to see the progress, to know it's actually doing something to be so focused on maintaining my regiment of medication, even if I have to suffer through all the side effects.
  196.  
  197. I'm not sure if I doze off or just lay back against the school wall for the whole time, but eventually I hear the sound of a car pulling up which causes me to open my eyes. Akira pulls up on the road, her brakes squealing when she comes to a halt. Misha and Shizune are in the back seat.
  198. I don't see Lilly.
  199. Akira climbs out and leans on the roof, looking over at me, tipping her sunglasses back. I can tell something is wrong. "What's up?"
  200.  
  201. Akira sighs and is about to speak when she's interrupted by a second car pulling up, a tiny sports car, red and silver, polished to a mirror shine. The driver's side opens and Mr. Satou climbs out.
  202. Akira looks at me and rolls her eyes as explanation.
  203.  
  204. Mr. Satou walks around and opens the passenger side. He snaps his fingers and Lilly finds his hand, helping her climb out. I feel my chest tighten seeing him again after what happened the last time he and I were at this exact spot. "Nice car," I say as they approach.
  205. "Just nice? There are many ways to describe a 2000 GT Convertible, but 'nice' seems wholly inadequate."
  206. "It's... really nice."
  207. "Young man, this car changed the perspective the world had of Japanese motor production. There is not much this country does right, but it's motor vehicles are a prime example of how to do something correctly. It is groundbreaking, it is revolutionary, not 'really nice.'"
  208.  
  209. I don't know anything about cars, so I have to take his word on it.
  210.  
  211. "It was in a James Bond movie," he continues with a sigh, trying to explain to me the significance of the vehicle. "Not this particular car, mind you, but the same model."
  212. "Very impressive, but what happened to the limousine?"
  213. Mr. Satou laughs. "Hardly a practical vehicle to drive about town in. The car is company owned. I decided to borrow it. How long have you been waiting?" he asks me.
  214. "Fifteen minutes, maybe."
  215. He smiles. "Good," Mr. Satou says, Lilly's arm around his. "I would have been disappointed if you hadn't been a punctual young man. I like that."
  216.  
  217. Lilly smiles, then untangles herself from her father and steps up to me, arms open. I meet her halfway, and she pulls me into a warm hug that makes everything else fade off into the distance around me.
  218.  
  219. "I missed you," are the first words out of her mouth.
  220. I smile, touching her face, her cheek resting against my fingers. "Same here."
  221. She clutches my hand tightly. "That won't be a problem any longer."
  222. I run my hand down her hair, which is in an attractive state of disarray. "Your hair is all messed up," I chuckle.
  223. Lilly blushes and pats her head, habitually arranging it as best she can. "Is it? Father had the top down."She smiles and I can see the excitement coiled up inside of her. Lilly doesn't let her emotions get control of her very often or show, but I can see she's bursting with expectation. "Is everything set?"
  224. I nod. "Yeah, I'm ready. I called my parents, checked out of the school. I'm ready to get out of here."
  225.  
  226. She smiles broadly, holding me and not letting go of my hands. "That's good. I have some wonderful news as well!"
  227. "Yeah?"
  228. "Yes! My father will be staying at Shizune's house as well."
  229.  
  230. My heart sinks.
  231.  
  232. Mr. Satou shrugs. "It seems such a waste to spend money on a hotel when I have family so close at hand. I've already discussed it with Shizune. It makes little sense for me to drive back and forth between my hotel and my daughter. I'll deal with the... particulars concerning my dear brother when I arrive." He chuckles to himself, amused. "Won't he be shocked? I do so love little surprises."
  233.  
  234. I turn and look at Akira who is leaning against her car and watching me with a careful eye.
  235.  
  236. "I...."
  237. I'm about to say, "I see," but I catch a twitch from Mr. Satou's eyebrow and I just smile. "Okay. That sounds good."
  238. "Doesn't it?" Lilly says excitedly. She wraps her arm around mine, pressing up against me. "I'll get to spend the entire rest of the summer with both you and my father. It'll give the two of you the chance to get to know one another."
  239.  
  240. I look at Lilly and swallow any worry, putting it aside.
  241. She looks so happy.
  242.  
  243. Mr. Satou tells Akira to take my bags and she puts them in the trunk of her car. I'm about to lead Lilly there as well when Mr. Satou calls after us. "Lillian, I think it would be best if you rode back with me."
  244. Lilly turns to face her father's voice and pouts splendidly. "Daddy...."
  245. "Now, now, dear. I know how your sister drives and I would feel more comfortable if you were to continue riding with me."
  246. "Then... Hisao can ride with us as well."
  247.  
  248. Mr. Satou makes an unpleasant, disappointed sound. "There's no back seat, dear. I'm terribly sorry. The young man will have to ride with Akira until we get to the house. Please don't be upset, you'll be together soon enough. It's just a little drive."
  249.  
  250. Lilly seems unsatisfied and her pout only deepens. She turns to me slowly and sighs. "I'm sorry, Hisao."
  251.  
  252. I look over at Mr. Satou, a smile on his face, tapping his cane on the pavement at a regular beat. "It's all right, Lilly," I say, putting on a smile for her. "I don't mind that much. It's only a short drive, right?"
  253. Lilly nods, smiling back at me. "Yes, a minor inconvenience."
  254. She lifts her chin and instinctively I respond with a kiss which she makes me hold for several lingering moments before parting.
  255.  
  256. Mr. Satou snaps his fingers and Lilly takes his hand. He holds her gently by the arm and leads her away, glancing back at me once before turning his back.
  257.  
  258. The excitement I had just a few minutes ago seem to have been totally sapped from my body. I let my head sink, resting my chin against my chest.
  259.  
  260. A whole summer at the Hakamichi house with the Satou family? What could possibly go wrong?
  261.  
  262. --------------------
  263.  
  264. 2-4: http://pastebin.com/nufvDgKn
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