Lilly Route: Conflict: 1-8: Separate Ways

After more drinks and a light lunch, which I eagerly consume after missing breakfast, everyone, including Mr. Satou, who seems to have lightened up after a cup of tea, piles into his limousine and head off to the bus stop to see Hanako off for her trip. The ride there is uneventful except for Misha messing around with the stereo while commenting that it needs a karaoke machine, an idea Hanako thinks is great and that Mr. Satou says, with a chuckle, that he'll suggest for the next time around.

The bus stop is really just a small parking lot where charter buses park to pick up passengers and take them all across the prefecture. Hanako has a long ride ahead of her on one of the large, shiny shuttles, but at least it looks like it will be a comfortable trip.

I can hear the nearby airport and the sounds of a screeching jetliner sends shivers down my spine and a thump through my chest.
Great; I hate doctors, hospitals and airports now. I bet I'll never be able to fly at this rate.

Shizune and Misha say goodbye to Hanako at the limo, Misha being glued to the television in the back and Shizune supervising with an exhausted look.

Akira, Lilly and I walk with Hanako to the bus waiting for her. From the back of the limo, Akira pulls out Hanako's bags which Mr. Satou and I grab. "Can you handle it this time?" he asks.
"I'm fine. It was the stairs that bothered me."
He nods, taking one bag for himself and we both head off towards the bus.

By the time we reach it, Lilly has already asked Hanako the same series of questions at least three times, her features pinched with concern. "You have my cell phone and Akira and Hisao's numbers?"
"Yes, Lilly."
"And you know you can call any time you need us?"
"Y-yes, Lilly."
"Don't be afraid to contact us if you need it, we'll come right away, we promise. There's no reason to think we'll be inconvenienced or that you should be ashamed that you may need help. We'll send money if you need it or come and get you ourselves."
"Lilly...." Hanako whines, embarrassed by her pandering.  I had the same look the first day of preschool when my mom dropped me off at the front of the building where everyone could see her fretting over me.  "I'll be f-fine, all right? I'm okay."

Lilly sighs, a hand on her chest. "I know. I know you are."
The two of them hug, holding each other for a prolonged, shared moment. Hanako beams with a grin and Lilly sighs with a shaky breath. "Have fun!" she finally says. "I can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back."
"I'll be sure t-to remember everything! I'll tell you all about it."

The two separate and Hanako stands in front of Lilly, wringing her hands together. "Y-you'll be here when I get back, r-right?"
Lilly nods and I can tell she's on the verge of tears even through her smile. "Yes! Yes, I'll be here, I promise."

I glance over at Mr. Satou, but I can't read his expression.

A grin spreads on Hanako's face, and she sighs assuredly. "Okay. O-okay... I'm leaving. Goodbye, Lilly."
"Goodbye, Hanako. Have fun."

"Young lady, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we'll have the chance to someday become better acquainted," Mr. Satou says.
"Th-thank you, sir. So do I," Hanako says with a nervous little nod.
"Have fun, girl!" Akira says boisterously. "Bring me back a souvenir if you can!"
"I will! I'll find something for all of you," she laughs with glowing cheeks.

She looks so happy.

With one final goodbye, Hanako separates from the group of us. I take both of her bags in my hands to follow. Mr. Satou looks at me, then shrugs when I carry the luggage off.

The bus has a small group of people swarming around it, one of them I'm sure is the driver from the look of his uniform. He's checking off names from a clipboard and Hanako gives him her name which he confirms is on the list checking it against her ticket.

Stepping up to us, Natsume and Naomi find us among the small parting crowd. Natsume is wearing sunglasses and has a camera around her neck and Naomi has a small sequin-covered purse over her shoulder in the shape of a teddy bear. I try not to smirk when I see them holding hands.

"Hanako! We were worried you wouldn't make it!" Naomi says brightly. With a leap she throws her arms around Hanako and gives her a hug. Hanako tenses, then smiles, returning it meekly.
Natsume looks at Naomi, then at me and shakes her head in an amused manner, peeking at me over her dark lenses. "Nakai. Good to see you. Are you enjoying your summer?"
"Not really, Natsume. How have you been?"
"I've been good. Sorry to hear you haven't been. You look good, though. I'm glad you're out of the hospital."
"So am I! Thank you again for postponing."
She shrugs. "Wouldn't have been much of a trip with only two-thirds of us. Happy to help out."

Naomi is excitedly explaining to Hanako her plan to write an article all about the history of Kyoto while Hanako tries to keep up. Natsume holds up the camera and takes it off from around her neck. "Nakai, would you take a picture of us?"
I tell her I'd be happy to. The three girls stand side by side, their hands on Hanako's shoulder. She's blushing slightly, a happy glow to her cheeks.

I take the picture when all three of them smile. "Did it flash?" I ask, "I didn't see it."
Hanako cringes and Naomi glares at me. Natsume stares dumbly at what I just said.

"What?" I ask.

Natsume shakes her head and takes the camera back. "Never mind, Nakai," she laughs. "You're okay for a guy."

The bags are loaded into the compartment and they start getting on the bus, but Hanako hesitates. "Natsume, Naomi, can I... have a minute with... Hisao?"
The two girls nod and get on the bus. Hanako turns to face me, the two of us the last ones near the entrance. "What is it, Hanako?"

She looks up at me, then over at where Lilly and Akira stand with their father, talking amongst one another. She blinks a few times at the three of them before turning back to me. "Are you... going to be o-okay?"
"I'll be fine."
"Wh-what about... Lilly's dad?"
I shrug. "He seems nice."
Hanako shrugs back and wraps her arms around herself. "I... guess."

She fusses a little, her fingers tightening, wringing her hands together.
"Is there something else?" I ask.
She nods but doesn't say anything. I hope she's not getting cold feet at this point.

Very slowly, painfully slowly, she steps up to me, one foot, then another shuffling until she's standing right next to me.  Looking up at me and back down at her feet, she hesitantly, arms shaking, reaches out and wraps me in a hug.

I'm stunned for a moment when she starts to cry. "Hanako?"
For a moment she just stands there with her arms around me and for a flash I start to feel a little awkward before I feel her begin to shake.
She buries her face in my chest, making tiny sobbing sounds. "Thank you... th-thank you."
"Hanako, what is it? What's wrong?"

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with threatening tears. "I never thanked you. You... you brought her back! You kept her here! I didn't know what I was g-going to do. N-now when I c-come back, both of you will be waiting. I d-don't have to lose one of you!" She stammers for a moment, then collects herself again. "I can have both of you here when I come back. She's my best friend and I almost lost her! Thank you for bringing her back to me." She puts her head on my chest again and sobs a little, her cries barely held back. "I'm sorry. I'm being s-silly."

I put my arms on her shoulders and hug her. She shudders at the touch, but sinks into the gesture, sighing shakily.

"I'm glad... I'm so glad that I got to meet the two of you," she says. "I don't know what I would do knowing that when I came back, there would only be one of y-you. Thank you both for being there for me. Th-thank you for being my friends."
"Thank you, Hanako."

She sighs and laughs, wiping her face and taking a step back, her cheeks red from embarrassment. "I-I'm s-sorry."
"It's okay. I know how important Lilly and I are to you. You're important to us too, Hanako." I put a hand on her shoulder. "You're very special to us. I'm very happy that I've gotten the chance to get to know you and become your friend. When we first met, I never could have imagined you would have grown so much since then. You should be proud of everything you've done, Hanako."
She nods only a little, not meeting my eyes. "I'm not sure if I could have done it without you and Lilly, b-but thank you."

Not entirely sure if I should, I lean forward and kiss Hanako very gently on the top of her head. She goes very still and looks impossibly flustered, but a tiny sputter of an embarrassed giggle emits from her firmly tightened lips, a hand on her bright red cheek, her eyes staring at the ground.

"You have fun on your trip, and when you get back, me and Lilly will be waiting for you."

Hanako recovers and firmly nods, a touched expression to her face. "I know y-you will. That's what m-makes a trip fun; knowing the p-people you care about will be home to greet you when you get back."

With a few tears still in her eyes, Hanako lifts her hand in farewell to me, then back at Akira and Lilly. I see Akira say something to her and Lilly raises her hand, waving in our general direction.
Hanako looks back at me and with a smirk hops up the stairs into the bus.

I sigh happily, more proud of Hanako than I could ever imagine being.

"You're pretty decent, Hisao. For a guy."

I look up and see Natsume leaning out the bus window over my head.
"Don't worry," she tells me. "I'll keep an eye on her for you."
"Thank you, Natsume. I appreciate it."
She gives me a thumbs up. "You can count on me!"

The bus roars and pulls away, Natsume climbing back inside before Hanako and Naomi lean out, waving goodbye. I wave back until I can't see the bus anymore and it's just me standing alone in a parking lot.

She'll be fine, I think to myself. I know she will be.

I walk back towards the group, Akira and Lilly having walked arm in arm back to the limousine, leaving Mr. Satou leaning on his cane, watching at first Hanako drive away, then at me as I walk back towards him. "What an intriguing young lady she is," he says conversationally. "She must have suffered through great hardships to get where she is now."
"I think she has."
"She's strong, though. To survive this long, she would have to be."
"She is."

He cocks his head. "This may be too much to ask but...  tell me; do you know how she got the scarring on her face? It's very extensive. I was shocked. My Lillian told me of her, but obviously she could not explain to what extent her friend was disfigured, nor did she tell me how it happened. Do you know?"

I'm really uncomfortable with him asking and how he puts the question. Lilly shared with me what Hanako told her and what she had figured out for herself, but most of that was conjecture and I don't feel right telling Mr. Satou if Lilly didn't tell him herself, not to mention the fact Hanako hadn't shared it with me directly. I don't know enough to be an expert on the subject and I don't want to play a game of 'He Said, She Said' with anyone. Not saying anything at all is the best option in this, I think. "No, I don't know. She's never talked about it to either of us."

Mr. Satou gives me a lingering look, cocking his head to the other side. "I wonder; would you tell me if you knew? Would you share her secret?"

I'm a little stunned, feeling like I'm back in class with Mutou asking me a particularly difficult question. "No," I finally say, "I wouldn't."
"What if I demanded you to tell me?"
I hesitate. "I wouldn't share something like that, that Hanako told me in secret. Not with anyone."
"Would you tell my daughter? Even if she pleaded with you?"
I don't like his badgering. "No. I wouldn't tell anyone," I say firmly.

He looks down at me, then nods once. "Good. At least you have some discretion. Use it the next time you feel the need to display your affection for my daughter publicly."

He turns on his heel and we start walking towards the vehicle. All that for an object lesson? I can't help but feel like Lilly's father is always doing something for a reason that no one but him understands. I'm not an idiot, at least not most of the time, I can tell that he's already has taken a dislike to me. Isn't that normal though? Aren't fathers supposed to dislike their daughter's boyfriends? Still, I feel like I've somehow insulted him personally and I don't know what I did.

Well, that's not entirely true. If anything, his attitude towards me is probably because of Lilly deciding to stay in the country. He expected to have his daughter living in Scotland by now and I think Mr. Satou is the kind of man who doesn't take disappointment lightly.

I look over at him as casually as I can. I really don't see any sort of family resemblance between him and Lilly other than their height. I think it has more to do with Lilly's foreign half, but it can only help to have a father who's practically a giant himself. I don't know if he works out or is just naturally muscular, but he's a scary looking guy. If anything, he reminds me more of Akira than Lilly and that may just be because of their eyes and the suits they both wear, they're very similar. I guess I know where Akira got her sense of style from even if they seem to be polar opposites in demeanor. Akira is open and whimsical, free. Lilly is warm and passionate, caring and nurturing, modest. Their father is hard and cold, and he screams money with everything he does. Was it really necessary to pick us up in a limo? He picked up the tab at the Shanghai, but at the same time, he's too cheap to pay a driver? He treats Akira more like an employee than a daughter, but already I can tell he dotes on Lilly.

And he swings that cane around like he owns the place, I note. I take a look at his feet. He doesn't have a limp, so I guess it's just for show. I had thought maybe he had difficulty walking. He did say he used to be a member of the Yamaku Foundation, the group that funds the school. I guess his past involvement with the academy is either based on Lilly's attendance or some other reason I don't know about, not his own experience at the academy. Somehow, I doubt it's out of the goodness of his heart. He just doesn't seem to care one bit about insulting someone, but he seemed so gentle and polite with Hanako. He seemed to go out of his way to treat her kindly. Even so, after questioning whether I was a gimp or not, he doesn't strike me as the sentimental type.

Which just brings up more issues about him and Lilly.

I look at him again, trying to understand the motivations of the person walking next to me.
Lilly and Akira have to take after their mother, that's the only explanation I can think of. He said he came here on her behalf; I wonder what Mrs. Satou is doing during all of this?

More importantly, this is the man who abandoned Lilly eight years ago, who nearly forced her to grow up isolated from her whole family. If it hadn't been for Akira staying behind, Lily would have been alone all her life.

What kind of a man does that to his own daughter? What kind of mother tolerates it?

We reach the limousine and everyone waiting for us, Misha and Shizune inside. Misha is continuing to play with the remotes while Shizune tries to get her attention. Lilly still looks worried and it appears Akira has been trying to convince her that Hanako will be all right. "She'll be fine, Lilly. Hanako's a big girl, she can take care of herself."
"I know. I just worry about her."
Mr. Satou and I approach. "Lilly," I say, announcing my presence, "Hanako is fine. She's got Naomi and Natsume with her and they won't let anything happen while they're together."

Lilly looks up when she hears my voice and forces a smile. She holds out her hands and I take them into my own, pulling her close. She's sad and presses herself against me.

I instinctively move to wrap Lilly in a comforting embrace, but I catch Mr. Satou watching the two of us, specifically watching me, his look steady and firm. I merely satisfy myself with holding Lilly in a small hug which she returns twice over.

"We should get back to town," Mr. Satou says hastily. "We haven't all day to waste."

I feel Lilly go a little still under my hands when she hears her father's voice and she pulls back and away from me to a respectable distance.

We all get inside the limo, Akira driving once again and head back to town.

Misha seems to have satisfied her curiosity concerning the extras the car offers and sits back in the leather seat, looking around excitedly. Shizune sighs and keeps to herself but I notice she keeps an eye on Mr. Satou all the time, a suspicious and wary glance, like you would give to an unfamiliar dog.

Lilly sits next to me holding my hand, Mr. Satou across from us.

"So," he asks, the question directed at Lilly. "What are your plans for today?"
Lilly takes a moment to realize he's talking to her. She seems unsure and hesitates to answer which gives Misha time to interject loudly. "We came with Lilly to get away from the house and do some work at Yamaku!"

He turns to face the interruption. "School work?"
"Student Council~! We're getting a head start on school applications for the final term."
"The two of you are on the Student Council? Admirable." He turns to his niece and signs.  "I've always loved that drive of yours, Shizune. I knew from a young age you would go far." Mr. Satou signs something quickly without saying it aloud for us, which makes Shizune look surprised, her mouth dropping open for a second.

She turns away from us, looking out the window and it takes me a moment to realize that she's blushing! I wonder what he said to make her do that? Misha just looks on, a little surprised as well by whatever comment Mr. Satou made.

"What about you, Lillian? What will you be doing today?" He asks again, redirecting the question back towards it's original target.
Lilly's hand tightens around mine. "Well... Hisao and I had planned on spending the day together while I was in town."

His eyebrow lifts at that. "Together? Unchaperoned?"

Lilly swallows nervously. "We've... barely spent any time together, Father."
"Well, you're together now, I don't understand what the two of you need such privacy for. I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy each others company while being supervised as a proper young lady should be. I'll be happy to accompany you for the day."

Lilly looks like she's about to say something but nods in acquiescence. "Yes, Father. Thank you."

He seems pleased but Lilly's voice is thick with disappointment. I'm not happy about it either; I wanted to spend time with Lilly, not surrounded by people, not having every one of our actions watched. I was disappointed enough with Shizune and Misha tagging along, but now this? As it is, the two of us aren't going to have a moment's peace with everything that's been going on.

I catch Shizune watching me and Lilly, that same look as before on her face, analyzing and thoughtful. I still can't read it, though.

From the front of the car, Akira speaks up. "Father, that isn't necessary."
Mr. Satou turns to look at the back of her head, an angry look in his eyes. "I think I'll be the judge of what is necessary, Akira. Lillian is your sister, but she is my daughter."
"Father, considering everything, don't you think your time is better spent on something else?"
"Exactly what do you suggest? You seem to know everything, what would you do in my place?"

Lilly flinches at their biting tones.

Akira looks at her father through the rear view window. "Well, maybe a little check up on the rest of the family? Maybe look into what Uncle has been doing with you gone?"

That seemed to be some sort of magic word, because it disarms Mr. Satou, who recovers and grins malevolently at the suggestion. "Oh, my, what an idea! My dear brother, I had almost forgotten. Well done, Akira, you've piqued my interest."

Misha's translation ends and I see Shizune go totally still, her eyes staring ahead blankly and her breath catching in her throat.

Mr. Satou turns back to give me a look. "What to do about you, then?"
I wilt under that glare.
"Don't worry, Father," Akira continues. "You can look into the family business, I'll stay and watch over the two of them."
"You? Do you think you can handle that?" he notes sarcastically.
I can see Akira's shoulder clench from back here. "I can manage."
He doesn't seem convinced but shrugs it off.

The uncomfortable ride ends with us back at Yamaku, the limo pulling up to the front gates. Everyone clambers out and stands on the sidewalk with Mr. Satou standing in front of me and Lilly.

"I may have other things to attend to, but soon we'll have a long awaited discussion about your recent actions, Lillian."
Lilly nods meekly.
Mr. Satou turns towards me. "Young man, I expect that you'll be on your best behavior with my daughter today."

I swallow the lump in my throat. Akira stands behind me and Lilly and she clamps a hand down on my shoulder a bit forcefully. "I'll be handling him, Father," she says in a hard tone.

Mr. Satou seems pleased and nods curtly, turning to Shizune and Misha. "My dears, might I occupy a moment of your time?" he says and signs at the same time. "I have some questions about what my dear brother has been doing all these years."

Shizune smiles forcefully and nods, but when Mr. Satou isn't looking, I see her shoot a deadly, withering glare in Akira's direction, eyes filled with malice and venom.

There is hate in that look.

Akira shrugs helplessly as Misha, Shizune and Mr. Satou walk into Yamaku conversing with their hands, Shizune stealing wicked glances back. "Misha! I'll meet you right here tonight to drive back! Don't be late!" Akira shouts.

The only answer we get is a loud chortle in response.

Once they are out of sight, Akira takes her tightened hand off my shoulder and pats me warmly. "Sorry, kid," she winks. "Had to put on a tough guy act for the old man. You all right?"
I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. So... that was your father, huh?"
Akira sighs. "Yeah. That's the man himself. Sorry."
Lilly holds me tightly and clings to my side. "Akira...."
Her older sister rolls her eyes. "Lilly, don't. Don't start. I have enough on my mind already, I don't need you pestering me too."
"I'm not 'pestering'," Lilly cries, insulted. "Why is he here? What is he doing? I thought you told him everything?"
"I did! He only called me when he touched ground, he was already in the country! You know how he is! I dropped Shizune and Misha in town and you at Yamaku to meet Hanako and I got the call. I only had a couple hours to set up everything for him! I thought I could convince him to get back on his jet and go home, but he didn't let me get a word in."
"He has a jet?" I ask in shock.
Akira nods. "Yeah. It's a really nice one," she says with no excitement for the idea.

Lilly nervously runs her hands up and down my arm. "What does he want? Why did he come all the way here?"
Akira shrugs and puts her hands in her pockets. "My best guess? He's here to take you to Scotland."

My stomach twists and I feel my lunch start to come up. Lilly clings to my side and holds me tight enough that it hurts, but I don't mind.  "He can't... he can't do that, right? He can't make Lilly leave," I say lamely.

Lilly presses herself against me, arms around my shoulders. "He most certainly cannot!"

Akira looks at the two of us and I see real pain flicker in her eyes. "Lilly, listen; I know that's what you want, but... this is father. You know how he is. He gets what he wants."
"He's not getting this! Not this time! I'm certain on this, Akira, I am staying! I have already made my choice and it is my choice to make. I love Father, but he will have to accept that."
The older Satou sighs and nods. "Yeah, I know."
"How long is he going to be here? He can't stay forever, right? He has to have some business back home to deal with," I try and reason.
Akira looks away. "I don't know. He's never taken a vacation before in his life, but my father is high enough in the company that he could get away with a long sabbatical if he wanted. Considering all the vacation time he must have hidden away...."

Akira shakes her shoulders, shuddering a bit and looks in thought. "Listen, I have some calls to make," she says, patting her pockets in search of something. "Damn, I never did get my cell phone back from him. I'll have to hunt for a phone again. Lilly, I guess I'll have to call Mother, see if I can get her side of things. Maybe she can help or give me something to work with, but I'm not getting my hopes up."

Akira reaches over and hugs Lilly tightly. With Lilly still clinging to me, it feels like Akira is embracing the both of us. From the way she locks eyes with me, I think she is.

"You're leaving?" I ask as she walks away. Even Lilly, who is the one who usually asks the question, is surprised.
Akira turns back and grins widely. "Yeah! Father may not like it, but I don't need to keep an eye on you two. I have better things to do than interfere with my little sister getting laid."
I grit my teeth and Lilly gasps loudly in shock, covering her bright red face. "Akira!"
The older Satou laughs and winks at me. "Be careful," she says, turning to walk away, hand in the air. "I'll be back tonight to drive home. See ya'!"

She vanishes down the hill towards town without any further word.

Lilly and I stand together in front of the gates to Yamaku holding one another. She's still flustered and clinging to me and even though it's a summer afternoon, I feel cold all over except where she holds me. "Come on, let's go."

We walk arm in arm into the school and I turn to look at Lilly. Her lips are tight, eyes strained with worry. I don't like seeing her like this, this tense and pent up. "Are you okay?"
She hesitates, but nods finally after some encouragement. "I'll be fine. It'll be okay, I just... I just want to be with you right now."
I hold her closer to me. "You are with me. Do want to take a walk? We have a lot of catching up to do."
Lilly sighs and leans in towards me. "I know we do, but I don't want to take a walk."
"What would you like to do?"
She smiles.
"Oh. Oh, all right," I say, leading us towards my dorm.

----------------------------------------

1-9: http://pastebin.com/RhENiyQd