Miracle's Dream (Chapter 4)

Summary: A young girl who seemed to have no connection at all to any of them are the one who brought them together and drove them apart. She’s the one who shows them the real person they could be. 

Chapter Word Count (Total): 1,553 (6,955)
Rating: PG-15 in later chapters due to PDA and sensitive issues

Disclaimer: I do not own people... Mentioned people in this fiction belongs to themselves and their professional self, belongs to Johnny's Entertainment

Warning: Character Death

He walked slightly behind from his group members. He did not know why suddenly a wave of regret came over him for agreeing to meet up with Nishikido that afternoon. “Daijoubu ka?” A raspy voice man greeted him from behind as he exited the arrival hall. The sudden intake of his scent made Ueda’s mind froze.

Quietly the two of them ducked from the group and the visible paparazzi that were waiting for them. Nishikido flashed his charming smile as he opened the door to the passenger side for Ueda. “Arigatou.” Ueda spoke as he entered the car.

Nishikido was acting a little weird even for himself. He had no idea why his nerves were very jumpy as his eyes glances at Ueda. Though, he could not take his eyes off the man beside him. “Ah, gomen ne, for calling you so late yesterday.” Nishikido started. 

His heart flutters for the first time in years with the ring of Nishikido’s voice. “I wasn’t asleep yet. It doesn’t matter.” He spoke softly. Deep inside him, he was dying to know why the cynical man was so broken and so down since the last time they met. “What’s wrong, Ryo?” Ueda asked gently as his hand reached for Nishikido’s hand.

His touch to him was electric. He felt like a sudden surge of life was injected through his fingers. His eyes started to water again and he could feel that his foot on the fuel pedal was easing and the car was slowing down a little steadily. 

Realising the tense atmosphere, Ueda pulled back his hand. “I’m sorry.” He apologised without thinking. 

“Why?” Nishikido asked. Ueda just shrugged his shoulders. “Why do you have to keep saying sorry to me when you had never done anything wrong to me. You keep apologising for my mistakes and my bad words.” Nishikido said. His tears betrayed him as they ran freely down his cheek. Ueda sighed softly. He dare not say nor do anything until the car comes to a halt. 

The few silent minutes in the car felt like eternity for Nishikido. Finally, they arrived at the restaurant where he usually comes with his Kansai group members to have their feast if they were celebrating some silly occasions. With a gentle smile on his face and an equally tender touch, Ueda wiped the tears off Nishikido’s face. “Na, Ryo. Saying sorry is not a bad thing you know.” He said softly. “Sometimes, you just need to say it just to make the time better just for that moment.”

With the pad of his thumb, he could feel the hollow of Nishikido’s eyes and cheek. Nishikido has been stretching himself as he always does. Ueda realises that his words and actions sometimes became sharper with the stress building inside him. He does not blame him though. He was working enough as it is with hi tow different groups but he still takes up drama projects and movies. That was one of the reason he never took what Nishikido said to him personally. Though sometimes it hurts really badly and he cries, but over time, he got over it. 

“You ought to take care of yourself better you know. With, Yasuda-san needing you the most now, you cannot afford to get sick.” Ueda said as his hand soothingly caressed Nishikido’s hair. Finally unable to control his pent up emotion, Nishikido gave up and cried on Ueda’s shoulders. Being a good friend at that moment, Ueda just let him, he did not even tried to stop him. He believed that there would be a moment that Nishikido will finally feel better and may confide in him. Although his heart was jumping with the thought of it, he kept his exterior calm. 

*******

Yasuda stared down at his hand. He did not know what got over him the night before when he attacked Nishikido. He tried a couple of time to call him to apologise but his mobile were turned off. He of all people should be used to Nishikido’s harsh words, yet yesterday he felt like something else got over him. Lately, he realized that he is really short tempered despite the happy face he had been putting on for the world to see. The slightest thing ticks him off.

After a few moments alone, he came back in Catherine’s room. Catherine had seems to be the same cheerful self that he used to know. He knew though, she was like him in a way. She did not want anyone else to feel her pain. 

“I missed that.” Yasuda said as he sat beside Catherine on the bed. Catherine just leaned her head to his chest and looked at him questioningly. “That smile.” He replied softly. “When I’m just too tired to move on or I am just about to give up, when I remember that smile, I would never do such things.” He said. “Why are you so happy?” He asked.

Catherine’s smile grew wider. “They are letting me out tomorrow at the latest. Sensei said that, I do not have to stay here anymore. I can go back to school.” She said excitedly. Yasuda sighed. “Nani? Why are you making that face?” She teased.

“I can’t visit you at the school, can I?” Yasuda asked. 

“Naze?” Catherine asked innocently. 

“The visiting time and all.” Yasuda answered. 

“But I don’t want to stay here.” Catherine pouted.

“You know.” Yasuda started as his fingers plays with Catherine’s hair softly. “Why not take a week or two off and come to Osaka with me.” Yasuda suggested. Catherine’s face lit up instantly. “For the time being you can stay with me.” He said.

Catherine looked at him expectantly. “Majide?” She asked not believing what she just heard. Yasuda nodded. “Ah, sugoi. Ah, how about your work? You still have to work right?” She asked.

“Only for tomorrow. You can meet Tacchon then.” Yasuda teased. 

“Eh…” Catherine blushed a little. “Dame yo.” She said shyly. “Where’s Ryo-chan? Since yesterday, I haven’t seen him yet.” 

“I don’t know. I tried to call him but he turned off his phone.” Yasuda replied. 

Catherine made the ‘tsk’ sound repeatedly. “See… you should learn to control your outburst. But what he said was not totally wrong you know. You should look after yourself too.” She said quickly adding the later part. “Ah, I should tell obachan that I’m going with you when I get discharged.” 

Yasuda just held her, not letting her go. “You can do that later. I haven’t cleared with your doctor yet.” Yasuda spoke. Catherine just nodded and wrapped her hands around Yasuda. 

“Ano, Yasu, do you think my oniichan hates me?” Catherine asked suddenly. She has been saying that phrase since they got close to each other years before. That was the first time she asked him. “I got a feeling that he does not hate me just that he is scared that I’ll leave him like my father did.” 

*******

The morning call by Nishikido was a real embarrassment. Tegoshi stuttering does not make it any better and Yamashita’s cool guy act just worsen the situation. “Do you think he will tell everyone?” Tegoshi asked.

Yamashita just shrugged. “Why are you being so embarrassed? It’s not like we did anything wrong.” He said. 

“He’s Ryo. He has no sense of mortification. He’ll just do it a gag for our MC or something. That’s what I’m embarrassed about.” Tegoshi spoke. Yamashita just laughed. “Seriously you think this is funny?” 

Yamashita shook his head. “He won’t do that. I’ll make sure of it.” He said gently. “Now, just get ready will you, I’ll have my mother to answer to later.” Tegoshi just nodded. “I’m sending you back. Give me your keys, and I’ll fetch your car for you.” He instructed. 

“I’m not your pet that you can order around. Just send me to my car and I’ll be fine okay.” Tegoshi replied.

“And I’m not your butler that you can order to send you anywhere you want to go.” Yamashita uttered. “What? Don’t you trust me with your car?” He questioned.

“It’s not a matter of trust, Pi. You are treating me like a kid.” Tegoshi said a little annoyed. 

Yamashita sighed. “I’m just worried. I still don’t think you should drive though.” Yamashita said. Tegoshi just smiled and handed Yamashita his keys. Tegoshi wondered why he always gives in to Yamashita in the end. 

Together they walked to Yamashita’s car. “Chotto, ne.” Tegoshi said suddenly as he saw the girl that saved him the other day. “Yasuda-san?” Tegoshi said. “Yasuda.” Tegoshi called. Yasuda who was leisurely walking with a young girl by his side turned. The girl seemed to recognize him. 

“I thought you were fine.” Catherine said a little surprised. “You know him?” She looked up to Yasuda. Yasuda just nodded. 

Tegoshi pulled Yamashita towards them. “Why did you run away that day?” He asked. The girl just smiled. 

“Atashi wa Sakura-desu.” She said smiling as she offered her hand. “I was scared because I didn’t know who you were.” She said. 

Yamashita knelt to her height. “How can a tiny thing like you save this big thing?” He questioned Catherine. She just shrugged. Without knowing, the two siblings met. Though neither of them knew who each other were.