Lilly Route: Conflict: 1-5, Collision

My eyes open slowly.
My room is much brighter than before.
Looking over at my clock, I realize I fell asleep.

Damn! Lilly should be here by now!
I haven't even taken a shower since my run and from the growling of my stomach, I remind myself I even forgot to eat something this morning. Maybe I'm only be able to remember a few things at a time. I remembered my pills and exercise and forget food and hygiene. I'm really going to need more work on this routine stuff.

As soon as I get out of bed, I regret it. My whole body stiffens with pain. At first I'm a little afraid it's my heart, but then the muscle aches start going away and my knee doesn't throb as much. I guess I'm paying for pushing myself this morning. It's less than what I deserve after all the crap I've put myself through.

I quickly shower, changing into some fresh clothes. I'll have to solve my huger issue later, I don't have the time. Glancing at my clock, I should have been at Hanako's dorm almost an hour ago to help.

I just know I'll get called lazy by someone.

Just as I'm about to rush out the door, I stop myself. I head back to my nightstand and take several of my pills, swallowing them without water, being careful to read the labels correctly. Some of them shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach, but I'll solve that when we have lunch. I'd rather take them too early than forget them.

I don't know how long we'll be out. Once Hanako leaves, though, I hope me and Lilly will spend plenty of time together, so I take a small, empty bottle with the pills I need for later today inside of it. I have to be careful about this sort of thing now.

Checking myself once over in the mirror, I head out of my room and outside. It's really nice out. It seems Yamaku gets hit pretty hard by summer. The sun is very bright and warm, but the wind keep everything cool and makes the trees dance and the leaves shake with a pleasant sound.

I rather like this place. Not that I'd want to spend all year here, but I've started to become attached to Yamaku. Sometimes I forget that the school is supposed to be more than a school for students with disabilities. It is, after all, considered a select private academy as well. It must take a lot of time and money keeping this place as nice as it is.

I pass through the abandoned quad except for a man standing in front of a large sign, one of those 'You Are Here' maps to help people reorient themselves. It won't be much help to him, though. That sign is pretty old and it doesn't have a check mark to actually tell you where you are anymore, lost to either time, weather or someone stealing it, in direct contrast to my thoughts of how well maintained Yamaku is.
Oh, well. Nothing is perfect.

I pass him by as he mutters about 'filthy vandals'.
Checking my watch, I'm reminded of how late I am. It can't be helped, I guess. Exercise took a lot out of me, so I guess I needed the sleep. Still, it's sort of depressing to get knocked out by such a short run. I know it wasn't much, but it meant a lot to me. If I can do that, push myself that far, I can make some progress on my condition and get it under control. So long as I remember my pills and I have Lilly, that's all the motivation I need.

"You!"
I stop in my tracks from the sudden shout. Turning around, the man in front of the sign is staring at me. "Uh, me?"
"Yes, you, boy. Do I look like a mental patient?"
I blink in shock. "No."
"Is there anyone else I could be conversing with here?"
Taking a look around, we're all alone in the quad. "No."
"Then clearly I'm not talking to myself and you're the one I was addressing."

He holds a cane, which he uses to tap the sign several times. "This is of no help. I haven't been to Yamaku in several years and they went ahead and changed the layout of the campus without alerting me."
"Where are you trying to go?"
"The female dormitories."
I try to hide my questioning glance, but he must see it because he smiles a little. "Do you think I'm plotting some nefarious purpose?"
"Oh, no! No, that wasn't what I thought at all."
"Really? Are you lying?" He gives me a very steady glare.
I nod and shrug a little.
"You're cautious. You have no reason to trust me. Suspicion and doubt are excellent qualities in a young man."

"I was actually heading to the dorms myself."
He smirks. "Then should I be concerned about your motivations?"
I shake my head.
"Then fortune smiles on me!" He gestures with the cane, this time pointing me down the path. "Lead on."

Strange, I feel like I've just been conscripted into the army.

We start walking towards the dorm, my hands in my pockets, the man and his clicking cane behind me and just over my shoulder.

The campus is still abandoned even though it's midday. Right about now, everyone should be swarming out of class and scattering to their favorite lunch spots for the break. I'd be heading towards the spare room with Hanako and we'd meet Lilly for lunch.
I can't wait to see her again.
Closing my eyes, I imagine her face, her smile and it makes me miss her all the more keenly.

"You're limping."
I turn around to look at the man, breaking out of my thoughts. He's staring at me and my shuffling walk. I guess I have been limping because of my knee.
"Is that what's wrong with you?" he continues.

I'm surprised by the tone he uses. "Excuse me?"
"You're not wearing a uniform, but I presume you are a student here. You're dressed far too casually for one, though."
"School isn't in session."
"A poor excuse, really. Yamaku is a very important school, you should be proud to be enrolled here and show it." He points to my legs with that cane of his. "You have been limping. Do you have difficulty walking? Is that why you are enrolled here, because you are a gimp?"

That's a pretty rude way to ask and say it. What if I did have a problem with my legs? I'd be offended. Though even with the 'gimp' comment, I don't think he's trying to be insulting, just...very blunt. "No," I tell him, "I was jogging this morning and I had an accident. I tripped and landed on my knee."

"Ah," he says, "that explains it."
He looks down the path, ignoring me once again.

Unsure how to take that short exchange, I watch him out of the corner of my eye. He's fairly old, but I didn't realize how tall he was and he looks like he may have been bodybuilder when he was young. Even so, he's wearing a very nice suit and that cane of his looks expensive and old too.

"Is there something you'd like to ask me?"
He must have caught me looking. I turn slightly away. "No, that's all right."
"Don't be shy, it's unmanly. I asked a personal question about you, it's only fair for you to do the same."

Turning towards him again, I shrug. "It's just... you don't look like a teacher."
The man laughs. I'm a little intimidated by the sound, how loud he is. "I should hope not!"
"Are you from the Foundation?"
The man nods. "I was at one time. I sat on the board for a few years and I still donate heavily to the school."
"Oh, I see."
"You are welcome."
"For what?"
"My donations go to help supplement your tuition fee and keep this school running for you. You are welcome."
"Oh." I hesitate. "Thank you."

He smiles broadly.
"Why are you heading to the girl's dorms?" I venture.
He glares at me suddenly. "That on the other hand, is none of your concern."
"Oh. Okay."

Yikes. This guy is touchy. I decide to remain silent for the rest of the walk.

We eventually make it to the girls dorms with no other incidents or interaction.  "Here we are."
I begin to mount the steps, but the man has stopped in front of the wall. He's staring at Rin's mural with an annoyed expression. "What in God's name is that eyesore?" he says, pointing with his cane once more. It seems to be a habit of his; He can't stand the thought he may touch something, so he uses the stick instead.

"A mural painted for the school festival back in spring," I tell him.  "I know the girl who did it. She's sort of a friend. She's very talented."

"Talented? At what? Creating smut? There are... exposed bodies on this travesty," he says with a grand wave.
"Well, if it makes it any better, being shocking is the last thing on the girl's mind when she painted it. It's... I don't know what the word would be."
"The word would be disgraceful. And, no, it does not make it any better. How could the school allow such a display to ruin the natural beauty of the campus? This thing should be sandblasted into oblivion."

I take a little offense knowing how much work Rin put into it and that I helped a little. I'd better not mention that, though; I'm getting the feeling he's the kind of person who would be happy to give me a lecture on the subject. "The girl who painted it spent a lot of time and effort putting it together," I say in Rin's defense. "Especially considering she doesn't have arms."

The man look at me, surprised. "No arms? Well, while that is impressive and she is to be applauded for her attempt, it still doesn't excuse the graphic nature of the work." He shakes his head sadly. "What is the world coming to? Children walk by this every day. And right outside the female dormitories? Shameful."

He takes the steps, shaking his head sadly, following me into the girl's dorms. The common area is abandoned and the front desk is as well. "Is the Room Assistant still here?" he asks.
"I'm not sure about here, but in the boy's dorms, they're gone."
He sighs. "Very well."
The man turns towards me and gives a me a little nod. "Thank you for assisting me, young man." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some money which he holds out to me.

I'm shocked by how much he's holding. "I... I can't accept that."
"Of course you can. Reach out and take it. Unlike your artist friend, you have hands."
"I was on my way here anyway. It'd be wrong to accept something for it."
The man chuckles. "Never do something for free that you can get paid for. I would have been hopelessly lost without your assistance, I was at your mercy. You should be compensated for your time."
"It was really no time at all."
"Time, no matter how little, is money. I insist. I won't owe you or anyone anything."

Looking at the money again, I see that there is a lot of it. "I wouldn't feel right taking that much."
"I am the one who has decided how much to give, I have decided my price. It was worth my time."
He gestures again with the money forcefully.
After some more insistence on his part, I hesitantly take it and put it into my pocket. It makes me feel dirty somehow.

With a satisfied smile, like he just won a bet, the man nods, tapping his cane once. "Thank you, young man. I am certain I can find my own way from here."
I nod sheepishly. "Nice to meet you."
He nods back. "Likewise."

He turns away from me and begins looking up and down the room listings, using the cane to tap down the list.

Still a little taken aback by the meeting, I head upstairs towards Lilly's room, shaking the strange man and his behavior off, glad to be rid of him.

It's been a while since I've been here, not since before I was in the hospital. Even though Hanako was still at Yamaku, I didn't have much reason to visit her even when I got back from recovering, part of the reason I've been so bored. She was spending most of her time with Naomi and Natsume planning their postponed trip and I didn't want to get in their way. Other than hanging out when Lilly visited, I hadn't seen much of Hanako either since summer began.

I chuckle a little. I might be a little jealous now that Hanako has other friends to spend her time with. That's okay, I guess; she gave me and Lilly space when we needed it, I kind of want to return the favor. The last thing I would want is for Hanako to think I was smothering her or to let her think I thought that she couldn't handle things herself, shake her confidence regarding her trip. Lilly has a hard time enough letting go, I don't want to overwhelm Hanako with attention. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate that. Even when we're all together, the thing she talks the most about is her trip, how nervous but excited she is.

She'll be fine, I reassure myself, I just need to convince Lilly the same thing.

Halfway down the hall, the door to Hanako's room opens and she steps out in a denim jacket and hat, a bag in each hand, wrestling with the door handle. I rush up, wincing as I do from the pain in my leg. "Let me help you with that."

With a yelp, Hanako drops the bags in surprise. "H-Hisao? Oh... I didn't see you there."
"Sorry, I'm a little late," I say, taking a bag in each hand, finding them to be very heavy. "How much stuff are you taking? These things weigh a ton."
Why do girls always take so much when they go places?
She giggles. "It's j-just the stuff I need. It's going to be a long trip."
"Sorry I couldn't help you pack."
"It's okay. We were a... little worried when you didn't show up. What happened?"
I chuckle nervously. "I, uh, I fell asleep. I had to rush over just a few minutes ago."
Hanako lets out just the hint of a smile. "L-lazy."
I knew it.

From inside Hanako's room, I hear a voice. "Hisao?"
Lilly steps out of Hanako's room, a small bag in her hands, a smile on her face.

My heart aches just seeing her. "Hi, Lilly."

Her cheeks color and we stand just a few feet apart for some time. I'm not sure what I would do, but if Hanako wasn't standing right in front of me, I'd drag Lilly into the nearest unoccupied room and show her just how much I've missed her.

"You're late," Lilly says, a giggle in her voice.
"I fell asleep."
"I heard. Hanako was right to call you lazy. We had to pack her things all on our own."
"I'm sorry about that. You'll be proud, though. I was so tired because I went for a jog this morning."
Her face grows a shade darker, with just a little bit of concern in it as well. "You did? Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You didn't push yourself too hard, did you?"
I'm about to say the standard, 'I'm fine, don't worry about me,' but I'm hesitant to lie to Lilly after everything that we've been through. "I may have a little, but I took precautions."

Worry flashes across her face, but she gives me a firm nod. "And your medication?"
"Taken."
She smiles broadly, her face lighting up finally. "Good boy."

Huh. I like her calling me that.

Lilly takes a few steps towards the sound of my voice before she's close enough for me to touch. I drop a bag and put my hand on her shoulder, then move it to her face before she nuzzles her cheek into my hand, just barely touching my fingers with her lips.

Hanako looks on, a little embarrassed smirk on her lips, turning away just slightly.

"I missed you."
"I missed you, too."

Lilly's hands find my cheeks, then she gasp and giggles a little.
"What is it?" I ask.
She smiles. "You're going to need to shave soon."
I rub my face, a little embarrassed. I can feel a little roughness just beginning to form. "Huh. I guess you're right. Unless I were to grow a beard?"

"Oh, please, don't do that! I like your face just the way it is."
"Well, okay. Anything for you."
Lilly smiles and sighs happily, returning to the topic at hand. "Are you ready?"
"Absolutely." I turn to Hanako. "Shanghai?"
She nods enthusiastically. "Naomi and Natsume w-will be at the bus stop. We have p-plenty of time."

"I received a call from Misha. She and Shizune will be there waiting for us," Lilly adds.
"They... they'll be joining us?"
Lilly giggles. "Only for lunch. They have their own plans." She reaches out and touches my arm, finding my hand. "We'll have the whole rest of the day to ourselves."
"Akira too?"
"Still running her little errand. I haven't heard from her at all."
"Well, looks like we have all day. Let's get going."
Lilly smiles at me. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
I blink. I'm not sure what it could be.

Lilly leans forward, lifting her chin just slightly in my direction. I love that look, that little request for a kiss that makes it so impossible to deny her.

I touch her chin when I draw close, kissing her lightly before she responds. It's a far more passionate expression than just a 'good morning, how are you?' kiss has any right to be. All those days spent separated building up and waiting for some form of release. It's needy and wanting and it takes everything in me not to wrap my arms around her, an action I'm sure Lilly would agree with me on, a long lingering embrace with so much more behind it than a simple kiss.

"Lillian!" someone bellows.

Lilly pushes me away and for the first time ever, I hear her scream.

It's high and it's ear piercing and it scares me, sending adrenaline pumping through my muscles, a fight or flight response. Someone I love is in trouble, someone I need is in danger! It knocks me back on my feet, trying to find the source of her distress, to find any way to make it stop. Even Hanako jumps in alarm at the unnatural sound, covering her head in fright.

At the end of the hall, the man with the cane grips it tightly in his twisting grip, his face red, glaring at me with murderous eyes.

Lilly stumbles back against the wall, dropping her bag and scattering it's contents all over the floor. She clutches at her chest, her eyes wide in alarm and surprise, mouth agape. "Daddy?" she cries out.

Daddy?

I look down the hall at the man I helped earlier. "Daddy?"
"Hisao!"

Lilly's cry of my name is strange, like she's warning me, telling me to run away.
I idly wonder why she would do that?

The man stares at me from the end of the hall. "Hisao? This young man is Hisao Nakai?" He grins like an alligator does, convincing the sheep to come to the water's edge. "Well, well, it seems fortune is in my corner today, indeed. Serendipity is on my side."

Daddy? Whose Daddy?, I think again, the idea refusing to sink in.

My cell phone rings. For some incongruous reason, I answer it, still staring at the stranger at the end of the hall. "Hello?"

A sigh of relief on the other end. "Thank God! Hisao, I finally found a phone to call you with! Where are you?"
I think I hear another voice on the line, but I can't make it out. "Akira? What is it?"
"Not now, I need you to do something. I need you to meet me somewhere, right now! Where are you?"
"I'm at the girl's dorms," I answer numbly, the man walking towards me.
"You need to get out of there now! Go to your dorm, I'll meet you there! I have to explain something to you!"
The man towers over me. I swallow a lump in my throat. "I think it's too late."
"What? Why? What happened?"

The man, Mr. Satou I dumbly realize, peels the phone out of my fingers and puts it to his ear. "What did I tell you about ruining my little surprises?" he whispers into the phone before closing it sharply.

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1-6: http://pastebin.com/5R1Z2Z40