#serenitysilverfantasyworld
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The PenPal
Sorry it’s been so long since the last chapter. Here is the next chapter of The PenPal!
New beginnings
A few days later
*back to Ikuto
“Iku! Letter!” Shigure said excitedly running from the mailbox outside and into the bed and breakfast.
“Thanks buddy.” Ikuto said scratching his mess of blonde hair before he bounded off to play with Akane. After Ikuto finished what he was doing he took a small break and rested on a lawn chair outside. “I hope she’s feeling better today.” He muttered to himself as he opened the envelope.
Dear Ikuto,
I took a tumble down the side of a mountain is all, the doctors just want to make sure that I am perfectly healthy before they let me go. My eyes were severely damaged… so time will tell if I get my sight back. If my sight doesn’t return my dream will remain a dream…
Ikuto wiped the tears that were streaming down his face as he heard Tsuki’s voice in the distance.
“Ikuto-kun, you okay?” Tsuki asked her head poking out of a nearby window in the bed and breakfast.
“I’m fine Tsuki.” He smiled wiping his tears quickly. “What do you need?” He asked.
“You just look like you need a hug, so,” She grunted climbing over the windowsill and jumping onto the grass before bounding over to where he sat, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “Feel better?” She asked her bright blue eyes gazing up at him.
“Much better.” He smiled touching her nose playfully. “Now run off and play cutie.” He chuckled as she bounded off into the distance. Once she was gone he read the rest of the letter.
It sounds like your parents have their hands full, and I’m sure your siblings like having you around. When I was Shigure’s age I ran around the yard looking for all the bugs and critters I could find to show my dad. He was never happy to see me on those days, but I guess all I wanted him to notice me. That’s another story all together, I don’t want to bore you with that story.
That’s a smart idea, you taking online classes especially if you work a lot. I have been so busy with high school and my college courses that I haven’t gotten myself a part time job.
You write music, that’s really cool I’m kind of jealous I can sing well enough, but can’t write a single cord without it sounding like a dying whale. What genre of music do you write, I’d love to hear it sometime. I don’t doubt that you will be an amazing musician. When you make it big I’ll be sure to buy your first album alright? I’m finally feeling better; the flu has finally bit the dust and I’m on the road to full recover and hopefully out of this sanitary prison they call a hospital. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
~Kyoko
“Ikuto!” His dad shouted from the back door. “Can you cover the front desk while your mom and I go shopping?”
“Sure thing dad.” Ikuto said as he slid the letter into his back pocket. “I’ll reply when I have some spare time.”
A few weeks go by and Kyoko’s letter was still on his desk, waiting a reply. His parents surprised him that night when they came home from their shopping trip. Telling him that they were going to go on a vacation to Kyoto for their twenty-fifth anniversary, so that left Ikuto to take care of his siblings and run the bed and breakfast by himself. Luckily they did have several part time employees that helped take care of the patron’s needs and meals, but they were all still pretty new to the job so Ikuto was there most of the day supervising when he wasn’t otherwise chasing his siblings. With his finals coming up in online school courses he spent most every night after closing up the bed and breakfast studying and waking up to Akame’s nightmares.
Every morning started with a large cup of coffee just to wake himself up before the chaos of the day. The moment his parents returned from their trip he went to his room for a much-needed nap. After waking up the next morning he finally replied to Kyoko’s letter she sent three weeks ago. “I’m so sorry Kyoko, please forgive me.”
Three days later
*back to Kyoko
After her confrontation with her father Misaki demanded over and over for Kyoko to be released from the hospital to avoid further injury from him. The staff declined, because they didn’t want to get fired for disobeying Dr. Ootori’s direct orders to keep his daughter here until she is ‘fully recovered’ after a thorough examination by himself. Which everyone knew that he had some really high standards, so Misaki resigned herself to getting the permission to stay the night every night until Kyoko was recovered enough for a release.
For the past few weeks every day that Misaki came back from the store with no letter Kyoko’s spirits dropped. Every day was a rollercoaster of emotions when she heard Misaki come in her hopes would rise and then quickly plummet, until at long last Misaki rushed in excitedly. “Ikuto finally replied Kyoko!”
“Great.” Kyoko said gloomily with a hint of sarcasm.
“Don’t you want to hear what he wrote?” She asked as she set the groceries she bought into the mini-fridge they had in the hospital room.
“Whatever.” She said.
“Just give him a chance, I’m sure he has a good reason for not writing you for so long.” Misaki said sitting in the chair on the balcony next to Kyoko.
“Doesn’t matter.” Kyoko shrugged as Misaki ripped open the envelope.
Dear Kyoko,
I’m so sorry it took me so long to respond to your letter, my parents went on a surprise vacation for three weeks, so I had to hold down the fort at home and the bed and breakfast while they were away. It was quite tiring.
I’m so sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you can recover fully soon. Especially your eyes, those are needed to do most everything.
I’m flattered to hear that you want to hear my music, but I have to say I’m not that good. My mom may call me her little superstar, but I still have a long way to go before I’m star material. I can play any genre on the piano and guitar. With my original songs I tend to lean towards calm and soothing melodies, my teacher calls it smooth pop. Sometimes I use my guitar and sing some big country hits just to mix things up at the bed and breakfast. If you want to hear my music maybe we could video chat sometime, but wait do they allow laptops in the hospital? Or when you are released you can always come over to the bed and breakfast, but we can figure that out later I guess.
I’m sorry again that it took so long to write back to you, I was just so busy lately, please forgive me.
~Ikuto
After Misaki read the letter Kyoko sat their silently, sighing heavily.
“You know we could go…” Misaki started.
“No.” Kyoko argued. “I can’t….” She said pointing at her face, the scars across her eyes that she’s felt so many times she knew there is no way that the whole world wouldn’t notice them the second she stepped outside.
“You look beautiful as always, and your dad will understand or at least accept your condition one day… we hope.” Misaki said as she walked to the microwave, placing some instant noodles inside. “On another note, I got a call from the service dog agency like you asked me to do, they have a dog that is ready for you to start going through the training with.”
“Great.” Kyoko said, knowing at least in her situation having a new set of eyes to help her avoid obstacles would be helpful. “When?”
“I told them to bring the dog here tomorrow as soon as they can.” Misaki said as she grabbed her noodles from the microwave. “This should hopefully help you get some of your independence back.”
“Yea...” Kyoko sighed heavily. “Dad’s not going to like this.”
“We can only hope he’ll come to his senses.” Misaki replied. “Hopefully before school starts.”
“Yea.” Kyoko sighed, desperate to change the topic from her overbearing father.
“Let’s eat, then we’ll write the letter.” Misaki said as she handed Kyoko her cup of noodles.
“Ok.” Kyoko replied as Misaki placed a cup of noodles into her hands, handing her a fork since chopsticks are difficult for her.
After the garbage was thrown away, Misaki pulled out her notepad and pen. “Ready when you are.”
Once the letter was written Misaki was so happy to hear from Kyoko’s tone of voice that she was starting to feel just a little bit cheerful. Since finding out what the accident did to her eyesight she barely spoke a word for that whole three weeks. She was still not her normal perky self but she’s at least been less snippy than she was when she first got the news from the doctors. Misaki was filled with hope for the future that Kyoko could have with her new friend that she couldn’t keep tears from flowing.
“What’s wrong?” Kyoko asked, hearing Misaki sniffle a couple of times.
“I’m just happy Kyoko.” Misaki said as she slid the notebook and letter into her bag. “Your mom would be so happy for you.” Misaki said.
“I hope...” Kyoko smiled gazing softly towards Misaki.
A week later
*back to Ikuto
He had finally finished off his online classes for the summer semester and was ready to enjoy the rest of the summer writing songs and working when he was needed at the bed and breakfast. He went back to the song he wrote a few weeks ago that was inspired by Kyoko, trying to put lyrics to the tune. He racked his brain for several days whenever he had free time, but no lyrics came to him. As he scrubbed the dishes from dinner one day the mail carrier walked in and set the mail on the bar, seeing Ikuto at the sink behind it.
“Thank you very much.” Ikuto said drying his hands off as the mail carrier walked back outside. He flipped through the pile of letters until he found one from Kyoko. He smiled as he slid the letter into his pocket, going back to his chores. “I’m hope she isn’t mad at my late response.” He sighed in relief.
That night after closing up the bed and breakfast he went to his room to read Kyoko’s letter.
Dear Ikuto,
I was so happy to get your letter, I was worried that you forgot about me…. My friends haven’t visited me this whole two months I’ve been here. On top of that my boyfriend dumped me before I was even out of surgery shortly after my accident, and now he’s married to my best friend. He’s the heir to a large company so the marriage was all over the news so if you have a television you probably saw it…. They both graduated at the end of this school year in May and now… I thought what we had was something special, he told me he would wait until I graduated to propose so my studies wouldn’t be hindered. I guess he only really loved me for my family’s money after all.
My family’s business is Ootori Medical Inc. My father is the CEO of the whole company, which is I guess one reason I’m stuck in this hospital, even though all my injuries have healed.
I’m sorry, didn’t mean to rant about something so trivial, but it’s nice to get it off my chest… I…haven’t really spoken much to anyone lately… The only one that I’ve really spoken to has been Misaki, she’s been like a mother to me since I was born. She’s been my scribe for my letters until my eyes heal.
Misaki has told me time and again that singing was one of my mom’s favorite things to do. There was a rumor of my mom getting a record deal but was forced to give it up when she married my dad. When I would walk to school I would often sing to my favorite songs, I guess in a way it made me feel closer to the mother I never knew….
I’m sorry, this ended up being a letter of venting, I’ll try to avoid that next time it’s just been a rough three weeks…
Were you able to get any sleep while holding the fort down? If not you should take all the time you need to sleep, I’m sure you’ve earned it. You mother should be giving birth soon shouldn’t she?
I would love to visit the bed and breakfast sometime, I’m sick of this prison of a hospital my dad has forced me to stay in.
~Kyoko
After reading Kyoko’s letter he sat there, unsure what to think or how to respond. He looked over at the clock by his bed and saw it was already midnight. When did it get so late? He thought to himself as he quickly undressed and went to bed, leaving the letter on his nightstand.
A few days go by and Ikuto finally had a few minutes to sit down to respond to Kyoko’s letter.
“You writing to Kyoko?” His mother asked as Ikuto sealed the envelope, she sat down slowly on the couch next to Ikuto.
“Yea,” Ikuto smiled as he set the envelope on the table. “Do you think it’s too early to ask her to meet in person?” He asked looking over at his mother.
“Well you have only known her a couple of months so it’s hard to say, does she want to meet you?” she asked.
“I’m not sure, she mentioned that it would be nice to get out of the hospital so maybe…?”
“What is she in the hospital for?” She asked.
“Well, I don’t know the details, but she was in an accident of some sort and her eyes were severely damaged, they aren’t sure if she’ll see once her eyes are recovered. I should ask her if her eyes are better.” He said as he jotted that down on his notepad.
“Oh the poor thing…” She sighed.
“Yea… she seems to be dealing with it in her own way, but I can imagine it’s really hard for her, she wants to be a doctor so she needs to be able to see.”
“Yea she certainly does, I hope all is well. Any sort of serious injury is hard to deal with at first. Especially if you were in perfect health before.”
“What should I do?” Ikuto asked.
“Let me read.” She replied as Ikuto handed her the letter. After reading it she set it down, her hand rubbing the end of her chin in thought. “It sounds like she is in need of a friend Ikuto, her life has just been flipped upside down.”
“Alright, thanks mom.” Ikuto smiled.
“Maybe you should wait to ask her to visit till she’s able to.”
“Alright.” He sighed. “I just don’t want to hurt her, it sounds like she’s been through a lot.”
“You’re so cute when you worry Ikuto.” His mother chuckled.
Ikuto’s cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, she was only partially right. He was worried about her, but it felt different than anything he had ever felt before. From his previous rejection he wasn’t ready to admit that this could be the beginnings of love that he was feeling. “I just care for her as a friend.” His blush deepened.
“Whatever you say Ikuto.” She winked as he left to put the letter in the mailbox.
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The PenPal
Chapter 1
Uncertainty
Misaki got a call from her employer Dr. Ootori, father of Kyoko late one afternoon telling her that Kyoko was on her way to a hospital in Tokyo. Misaki has cared for Kyoko since the day of her birth seventeen years ago and has loved her like a daughter ever since. When she got the call she got the address to the hospital and rushed there as fast as the car would take her until she sped into the closest parking spot she could to the emergency room. Her heart raced as she rushed through the doors as she saw a small glimpse of Kyoko on the stretcher as the doctors wheeled her into the operating room.
Misaki felt as though her heart would simply stop for every second that passed by. After a couple hours the doctors finally emerged from the operating room. She rushed up to where she saw Dr. Ootori standing with his clipboard gripped tightly in his hands. “How is she?” Misaki asked.
“She’s stable.” Dr. Ootori, Kyoko's father said briskly walking past.
Misaki ran to keep up. “But how is she sir?”
“Her eyes were severely damaged.” He stated turning the next corner.
“Will she... be able... to see... again?” She asked, breathless from running behind him for so long.
“We’ll see...” He said as he entered an employee only door, stopping Misaki in her tracks.
Misaki made her way to the front desk to find out where Kyoko's room was. After wandering around lost for a while she finally found it. Standing nervously outside the room before building up the courage to face the scene she was most afraid of since a few hours ago. When she entered the room her heart wretched in her chest as she approached Kyoko's bedside. “Oh Kyoko.” She wept profusely as she took in the sight before her eyes. Kyoko's face from her cheek bones to her forehead was bandaged with a white wrapping that was dampened by blood, her arm in a sling. Misaki snatched the box of tissues from the bedside table trying her best to wipe the tears from her eyes but to no avail, before long there was a pile of used tissues in the small trash can by the bed. “My sweet Kyoko.” She repeated several times as she sat and wept by her bedside for hours before a nurse kicked her out.
Misaki stayed near Kyoko’s bedside as much as visiting hours would allow every day, playing Kyoko’s favorite song on the guitar in hopes of it waking her.
“Please wake up Kyoko.” She begged for days until she finally woke.
A week after Kyoko woke from her coma Misaki was shocked to see that Kyoko was ripping apart several pillows with her one able arm that wasn’t in a sling. Kyoko was shouting at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking as it became hoarse. Her eyes that were covered with a white bandage were dampened by the tears spilling from them. Her hand tearing through the hole in the pillow, tossing handfuls of feathers across the room. Misaki watched as the feathers expelled from the pillows drifted in the air before landing softly to the floor.
“Kyoko!” Misaki exclaimed, discarding her bag she was carrying at the entrance running to her side. She snatched the pillow from in front of Kyoko and saw that the television was on the news channel. “What’s wrong…?” She trailed off as she looked up at the television screen whose volume was turned to the max.
“We are now standing in front of the cathedral where Mr. Yuki Hitachi and Ms. Sadako Watanuki are to be married in a few short minutes!” The newscaster exclaimed excitedly from the television. Sure enough once the camera panned to the inside of the cathedral Yuki Hitachi, Kyoko's ex-boyfriend who dumped her just hours after her accident was standing nervously at the altar in a black tuxedo a rose boutonniere attached to his lapel. The camera then turned to the end of the aisle and Misaki saw that the bride was Kyoko’s best friend, Sadako Watanuki, who often came over to study and hang out at the house. “Oh Kyoko.” Misaki wept wrapping her arms around her as Kyoko deflated into her embrace as Misaki promptly turned off the television.
“Can I just disappear Misa-chan?” Kyoko wept as Misaki gently laid her down on the one pillow that wasn’t destroyed. “No one cares about me anymore.”
“Don’t say such a ridiculous things child.” Misaki whispered as she darted back to grab her bag as Kyoko laid back on the bed. “I care about you.”
“You’re only paid to care about me, that doesn’t count.” Kyoko mumbled.
Misaki’s heart sank at those words, but quickly brushed it off. She knew when Kyoko was in one of her moods she said things she didn’t mean. After grabbing her discarded bag Misaki pulled out the slip of paper she wrote the pen pal information on earlier that day. “Kyoko, I was thinking…. We don’t know how long it will be until they let you out of here. How would you like a pen pal?”
Kyoko’s lips forming a snarl the bandage scrunching slightly as her brows knit together. “You mean I just write to a stranger willy-nilly without knowing anything about them beforehand? No thanks.” She retorted.
“That’s not completely true, they have this pen pal site and people who want to be pen pals can create a profile where you fill out basic information about themselves.” Misa replied excitedly looking down at the paper.
“And let me guess, you want me to write to one of them?”
“I think it will help you cheer up Kyoko. Give you a friend…” Misaki replied. “Do you want to know a little more about this boy?”
Kyoko’s bandage rose slightly with her eyebrows in disbelief. “A boy?” My heart can't take another hit if I fall for him…. She thought to herself as she sighed. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“I’m not saying you guys will become boyfriend and girlfriend or anything… but at least friends.” Misa argued sweetly to Kyoko’s retort.
“Fine.” Kyoko replied, unable to come up with a good comeback for her argument.
“His name is Fujioka Ikuto, he was born and raised in Hokkaido, graduated high school this year, so he’s a year ahead of you. He currently works at Fujioka Bed and Breakfast so I guess his family owns it…. His hobbies are stargazing, singing and composing music. Doesn’t he sound like a nice boy?” Misaki squealed.
“Yea, whatever.” Kyoko replied.
Misaki quickly pulled out a notebook of lined paper she had grabbed from the study earlier, a pen poised at the top of the page. “What do you want me to write?” She asked, having only written Dear Fujioka Ikuto, at the top.
“You’re the one who wants me to write it, you decide.” Kyoko said harshly.
“But this letter should come from your lips, I am just the scribe, at least till your bandages are removed.” Misaki replied.
Kyoko sighed frustrated. “Fine, I guess introduce myself should be the first thing.” As Misaki was about to write Kyoko’s full name she paused.
“Should we include your last name?” She asked, knowing that a lot of people in the past have used her last name to get what they want from her dad’s company, and thus causing a lot of heartache for Kyoko.
“I guess we can leave it out.” Kyoko sighed, as frustrated as she was, Misaki had a point with not including her last name.
“Alright how’s this.” Misaki asked after writing a brief introduction of Kyoko on the notepad. “Dear Fujioka Ikuto, My name is Kyoko, a friend of mine saw your profile on the pen pal website and insisted I write you. I live in Okayama but am temporarily staying in Tokyo. I am seventeen years old and will be starting my last year of high school at Yoran Academy.”
“Sounds good.” Kyoko replied.
“Now do you want to ask him any questions about his life?” Misaki said, a curious twinkle in her eyes.
“Why would I want to do that? It’s not like I’m going to ever meet the guy.” Kyoko grumbled reaching her hand out to where she believed her water bottle was, which was promptly handed to her by Misaki.
“You’re the one who didn’t want to write to a stranger, the more you know about him the less of a stranger he becomes.” She argued.
“Fine,” Kyoko shrugged taking a drink from her water bottle before setting it next to her on the bed. “Where did you go to high school? Uh, do you enjoy working at the bed and breakfast?”
“Those are both good questions.” Misaki replied writing them down. “Do you want to ask him about his family? Or his hobbies?”
“Sure, whatever.” Kyoko replied. “Is that all? I’m exhausted.”
“Do you want me to read the whole letter before I send it?” Misaki asked as Kyoko laid back down on the bed.
“Shoot.” Kyoko said.
“Alright here goes.” Misaki said taking a deep breath as she read the letter back to Kyoko.
Dear Fujioka Ikuto,
My name is Kyoko, a friend of mine saw your profile on the pen pal website and insisted I write you. I live in Okayama but am temporarily staying in Tokyo. I am seventeen years old and will be starting my last year of high school at Yoran Academy.
Where did you go to high school? Do you enjoy working at the bed and breakfast? What is your family like?
~Kyoko
“Sounds good.” Kyoko yawned. “Now leave.”
“As you wish Kyoko.” Misaki replied, tearing the page out of the notebook and folding it into an envelope. After licking the edge and securing it she placed the stamp in the right corner and the return and sending address on the front of the envelope. Since she didn’t trust the mail getting lost at the hospital or being found by Kyoko’s father, she wrote the return address as her own temporary apartment in Tokyo.
A few days later
“Kyoko-chan.” Misaki whispered in her ear, not wanting to startle her in the middle of her nap.
“Misa-chan? Is that you?” Kyoko groaned turning over onto her back, a new bandage covering her wounds across her eyes.
“Yes dear, I have a letter from your pen pal Ikuto, would you like me to read it to you?”
Kyoko nodded weakly as she reached her hand out for her water bottle which Misaki handed to her. Misaki carefully tore open the envelope and pulled the letter out of it, the letter said:
Dear Kyoko,
Thanks for your letter, this is actually my first time being someone’s pen pal so I’m glad we were able to find each other. Kyoko is a very beautiful name, is that your first name? Is it really ok for me to call your first name we just met. If you are ok with just going by first names you can call me Ikuto.
You live in Okayama that is so cool! I went there for our third year school trip, the beaches are so beautiful and the food was so yummy! Do you enjoy it there in Okayama? What brought you to Tokyo?
You got into Yoran Academy?! That’s amazing! You must be super smart to have gotten in there, I tried to apply for the scholarship there but I failed the entrance exam so they didn’t even consider my application. It’s alright though I went to the local high school here in Hokkaido and still had a lot of fun.
The bed and breakfast is often pretty hectic this time of year, since everyone is out of school and going out on vacation to relax. And Hokkaido is a pretty great place to relax if I do say so myself.
My family is a bit crazy, I have four younger siblings at my heels all day long while I help my parents at the bed and breakfast. My mom is actually expecting my fifth sibling, the doctor says she’s due to have the baby by the end of the summer. My dad is a nervous wreck and will probably get worse as the due date gets closer, but I guess that’s how most dads are when their wife is expecting.
Speaking about family, what is yours like?
~Ikuto
“So now you know a little more about him, do you… want to keep writing him?” Misaki asked as she finished reading the letter.
“Sure, why not. It’s not like I have anything else to do.” Kyoko sighed as Misaki got out her notepad and paper.
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The Penpal
Sorry it’s been so long, lots of things have happened that captured my attention and time these past few months. Hope you enjoy the next chapter of The Penpal.
Chapter 2
The Hard truth
*Ikuto’s POV*
“Ikuto! A letter for you!” His father shouted from the front door of the bed and breakfast.
“Thanks dad, I’ll be right there.” He said putting the box he was moving onto the top shelf of their storage room, dusting his hands off as he left.
“I wanna see, I wanna see.” Ikuto’s younger sister Yu giggled as she snatched the letter from her father’s hand. “It’s from Kyoko, who is she brother? Is she your girlfriend?”
“A girlfriend I wanna see it.” Tsuki cued as she snatches the letter from her older sister, running around the room Yu following close behind her. Tsuki’s dark brown pigtails bouncing up and down on either side of her face as she ran towards Ikuto. “Brother is she pretty?” Tsuki asked as she handed the letter to Ikuto.
“She’s just a friend Tsuki” Ikuto replied as he patted Tsuki’s head. “And I’m sure she’s very pretty.” He said smiling. “Dad can I take a thirty-minute break?”
“Did you stock the storage room?” He asked from behind the bar.
“Yea, just moved the last box from the shed.”
“Go ahead, don’t take too long.”
“I won’t.” he said untying his apron and hanging it on a peg behind the bar, before heading out back to their house that was behind the bed and breakfast.
“Ikuto!” He heard his mother shout from the upstairs window. “Is that a letter from your new friend Kyoko?”
“Yea.” Ikuto replied as he entered the house and up to his bedroom.
“Would you like any snacks to munch on as you read?” He mother asked opening the bedroom door.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m fine. Thanks mom.” He smiled as his mother shut the door. Once he was alone he anxiously opened the letter.
Dear Ikuto,
I’m in Tokyo at a rehabilitation at the hospital, and will be here until I’m well enough leave. Let’s be honest, who knows when that will be…I still have a few bruised ribs and a bandage across my eyes, so I may be here for a while. But that’s enough about me.
Ikuto’s eyes widen as he re-read the first paragraph several times before continuing:
You have four siblings?! That is so exciting, I wish I had a sibling… What do they like to do for fun? And your mom is expecting, that is so exciting.
Ikuto felt tears building in his eyes and quickly wiped them away.
My dream is to become the best doctor in the world one day. I am planning on applying to the best medical school in the country once I graduate high school this year. What do you want to with your life? What are your dreams? Do you plan to go to college? What would you major in?
~Kyoko
“Oh Kyoko.” Ikuto sighed as tears gathered in his eyes and quickly wiped them away as he grabbed his notepad to write his response.
After signing the letter he grabbed an envelope from his desk drawer sealing the letter and sliding it under his pillow. Not wanting his siblings to find it, the past couple of weeks they’ve been snooping, looking for letters. He chuckled to himself as he walked out of the room and to the living room where his mother was sitting on the couch, rubbing her pregnant belly gingerly.
“You alright mom?” He asked concerned, the past couple of days she had a couple of scares walking down the stairs. Who knew not being able to see your feet would make the simplest tasks that much harder?
“I’m fine sweetheart, just feeling the baby kick.” She smiled down at her stomach. “Do you want to feel?” She asked waving him over.
“Uh, sure.” Ikuto stammered, sitting next to his mom on the couch. His hand shook as he placed it on his mother’s stomach. A few seconds later he felt something prod under his hand, he looked up at his mom surprised. “That’s…” He gasped feeling another kick.
“That’s the baby.” His mom chuckled.
“Amazing.” Ikuto whispered as he lifted is hand off his mom’s stomach, looking at the time on the clock on the wall. “I should go I told dad I’d be back in thirty minutes.”
“Did you want me to send the letter you wrote out to the mail man? He should still be nearby.” His mother asked standing up slowly.
“I’ll grab it for you, stay there.” Ikuto said running up the stairs, the less time the letter stays in the house the less likely it is to get ruined by his siblings. After snatching the letter he ran down the stairs to where his mom was waiting at the entryway. “I’ll walk you out.” Ikuto said opening the door, walking with his elbow held by his mother as they enter the back of the bed and breakfast.
“You’re such a good son, how did I ever deserve you?” She asked as they entered the kitchen of the bed and breakfast.
“Because you’re much better than me mother.” He said kissing her forehead, handing her the letter for her to get to the mail carrier. “I have piano duty for the rest of the day, stay safe. Let dad or Yu know if you need help ok?”
“I will, thank you Ikuto.” She smiled as he left through the back to relax for a few more minutes before resuming work.
He sat at one of the lawn chairs in the back completely alone, as he closed his eyes his mind thought about Kyoko. He tried his best to imagine what she could look like, instead a melody came to his mind so he rushed to the nearest piano in the bed and breakfast. He opened the lid of the bench and pulled out some sheets of blank sheet music, and began composing the tune, the melody swaying and sweeping as his fingers danced across the keys. Before he knew it the sun was setting in the windows and Tsuki was pulling the blinds down, without a word she left the window by the piano open as Ikuto scribbled away at the sheet music for the hundredth time since sitting down. “Done.” He whispered to himself as the sun completely set over the mountains. He turned on the light on the piano to give the song one last go through, as he listened contently to the melody he let his eyes close as his fingers glided through the melody, chorus, and conclusion. Once the last cord was played Ikuto opened his eyes and was surprised to feel a tear fall onto his hand.
“I love to hear you play a new song.” He could hear his mother said at a nearby table where she was contently sitting, smiling over at him.
“Me too.” Ikuto said quickly turning his head away to wipe his eyes. “It’s quite the rush sometimes.” He chuckles, placing the sheet music in his binder with his other original compositions. He set the binder in the bench and walked to his mom holding his hand out to help her up. “It’s getting late, let me walk you home.”
“Thanks.” She said placing her hand in his as he helped her stand from her chair. “This baby is not making things easy.” She chuckled as they headed back home. “It’s hard to walk when you can’t see your feet.”
“Well in another month you’ll be holding a brand new baby.” Ikuto said as they left the bed and breakfast.
“Yea, that will be a wonderful day.” She smiled looking over at him as a few seconds of silence pass. “Can I be a nosy mother for a minute?” She asked stopping in her tracks, the moonlight above giving them enough light to see each other.
“You’re a nosy mother most of the day.” He winked. “But I don’t mind.”
“So this Kyoko girl, you like her don’t you?” She smiled.
Ikuto’s cheeks flushed as he stammered. “N-not at all.”
“But the song you were playing was about her wasn’t it?” She asked.
“What makes you say that?” Ikuto asked, shocked at how intuitive his mother is.
“When you started liking Nagisa more than a friend you wrote a song for her too.” She replied. “Your music is composed through your emotions and deep feelings, so it’s pretty easy to tell.”
“Yea, it’s about her.” Ikuto said. “But we’re just pen pals.”
“Alright.” His mother replied, unconvinced at her son’s answer. “Well, make sure you are the best pen pal as you can be.” She said emphasizing pen pal as they walked inside.
“I hope I can.” Ikuto replied as he helped her up the stairs. “Goodnight mom.”
“Sleep well Ikuto.” His mother smiled at him as she entered her room across the hall.
“I will.” He said as he fell face first on his bed, falling asleep instantly.
Three days later
*back to Kyoko*
“Kyoko you have another letter!” Misaki cued doing her best to lift Kyoko’s spirits as she entered the hospital room that afternoon. Silence greeted Misaki’s entrance into Kyoko’s hospital room. “Kyoko? What’s wrong sweetheart?” Misaki asked as she sat next to Kyoko’s bed. “I see that your eyes have gotten better, that’s good.” She smiled. Once she got closer to Kyoko she saw a tear cascade down her cheek.
“I…can’t…” Kyoko breathed, her throat closing as tears fell from her eyes. She held her hand across her face before wiping the tears that continued to fall gloomily down her face. “I can’t….see….Misa…”
Misaki’s heart sank as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, pulling Kyoko into her embrace. “It’s okay sweetheart, Misaki’s here.” She soothed as she rubbed her hands across Kyoko’s back as tears soaked the shoulder of her shirt.
Depression consumed Kyoko’s heart and filled her with a darkness was darker than her current blindness. She could feel herself spiraling deep into an abyss. She felt as numb as laying in the snow with nothing on but her pajamas. Her dreams sank deep into the abyss of darkness that consumed her body and soul.
When Kyoko’s tears stopped flowing after several hours of constant anguish, she sat on the bed and gazed forward willing her eyes to see something, anything. Her voice cracked as she told Misaki what the doctors had told earlier that day. The results of their several tests were that her optic nerve was severely damaged, most likely caused by hitting her head during her fall. They tried all the known treatments they could to improve her sight but nothing seemed to work. The result being that she will be permanently blind. They apologized profusely when they told her the bad news, but no amount of apologizes could change her situation.
“You ready to hear Ikuto’s response?” Misaki asked as she looked over at Kyoko who was wiping her eyes with a tissue she had given her just moments ago.
“Whatever.” She grumbled.
Dear Kyoko,
You’re in the hospital? Why? What happened?
My siblings start with my two sisters Yu, and Tsuki and followed by two brothers Shigure and Ayame. So it’s never a dull day at the house that’s for sure. Hahaha. The girls have a lot of fun dressing up in mom’s dresses and doing fashion shows in the living room, Yu can almost fit in the dresses now that is crazy to think about. The boys on the other hand loves finding whatever creepy crawling thing and bringing it into the house to show mom. It’s quite fun to see mom squirm as she tells them to take them back outside.
You want to be a doctor that is awesome! I wish I was that smart, but I’m average. I would really like to travel the world and play my music for the world, but I guess for now the bed and breakfast will do, I have a small fan base going on here with our frequent patrons. I play a lot of popular songs by request from the patrons as well as play my original music on the piano and sometimes the guitar in the lobby.
I’ve been doing a couple of online college courses, just because I work so much it’s hard to take the hour long trip to the nearest college. I would love to major in music, so that one day I will be writing my own songs full time, the problem is that I don’t really have too much publicity except for the bed and breakfast. So I need to put myself more out there before I make it big. Or that is the dream anyways, I hope it works out.
I hope you get better soon, being in the hospital is no fun.
~Ikuto
After Misaki finished reading Kyoko sighs. “What do I tell him?” She asked Misaki, her gaze falling just short of Misaki’s shoulder.
“The truth.” Misaki stated.
“I…can’t yet... I’m not strong enough…” Kyoko stammered her throat clutching as tears continued to stream down her face. She got out of bed and stood next to it. “I need some fresh air, let’s go to the courtyard.”
“Alright,” Misaki said grabbing her bag, slinging it over her shoulder as she reached her arm out to Kyoko touching her arm gently to indicate where she was. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Kyoko said as Misaki lead her to the courtyard.
Once they got to the courtyard Misaki found a bench in the shade of a large maple tree, she gently guided Kyoko to the bench. They sat there for a few minutes silently before Kyoko broke the silence. “Misa, I’m scared.”
“Of what dear?” She asked looking over at Kyoko’s worried expression.
“How can I live without my sight? Can I still be a doctor without my eyes?” Kyoko felt tears stream down her face, her hand quickly flying up to dry them.
“Kyoko, dear. You’re a smart girl I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“How can you be so sure Misa-chan?” She asked looking straight ahead.
“I just know these things sweetie.” She replied grabbing a tissue from her bag and wiping the tears from Kyoko’s eyes.
“Alright,” Kyoko sniffled, squaring her shoulders. “I’m ready to write my reply Misa. Just don’t... write about my condition...I want him to think that I’m...a normal girl...”
“As you wish.” She said pulling out her notepad and pen to write what Kyoko told her to.
After several minutes of transcribing the letter Misaki sealed and stamped the envelope.
“Very nice letter Kyoko.” Misaki said sealing the letter and addressing it. “You know what I think?”
“That you have officially lost your marbles?” Kyoko joked, sarcastically.
“Not yet sweetie,” she chuckled. “I think you’re starting to like this boy.”
“What makes you say that?” Kyoko asked her cheeks flushing a slight shade of pink turning her head away.
“Just a hunch.” Misaki said standing up, looking at her watch. “Visiting hours are almost over, do you want me to walk you back to your room?”
“No, I think I’ll stay out here for a little longer. I’m sick of my room right now.” Kyoko said leaning back on the bench gazing up towards the sky even though she could no longer see it. “One of the nurses will help me back I’m sure, I’m their most important patient.” She sneered.
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow sweetie.” She said as she walked back inside.
“See you.” Kyoko said waving, even though she wasn’t sure where to wave.
Do I have feelings for Ikuto? Kyoko asked herself over and over as she heard the all too familiar heavy footsteps of her father.
“What are you doing out here?” He growled as Kyoko towards where she though he was, her gaze in the center of his large chest.
“Relaxing.” She stated, her expression stern and straight as she glared even if she wasn’t sure where she was glaring.
“You Kyoko Yuuki Ootori have no time to relax, you should be in physical therapy to get your eyesight back. If you don’t you’ll never be able to see again, do you want that?!” He shouted, his booming voice echoing off the concrete walls around them.
Kyoko remained silent, not wanting to answer such a stupid question. She had come to at least deal with her situation...somewhat, it’s not like he’s blind why is he so bent out of shape about it. She thought angrily to herself.
“Don’t give me that attitude young lady! Your silence changes nothing.” He shouted, yanking her arm roughly and pulling her inside to the physical therapy room.
Here we go again… his antics. Kyoko sighed as she went through the same exercises several times, imagining her father glaring down at her. As she heard his pencil scrapping viciously as he jotted notes viciously onto his clipboard. After the physical exercises her dad tested her eyes and how much she could see, the same result as when they first entered the room no sight whatsoever.
“You’re not even trying, are you?!” He shouted as his ham sized hand slapped her across the face, causing her to fall to the ground, since she couldn’t see it coming she was unable to dodge. “Do you realize the problems you have caused me?!” He continued to shout as he lifted her from the ground by the collar of her robe with one hand, while the other slapped her repeatedly.
Kyoko remained silent as he continued to shout insults at her, slapping her across the face. This had become another part of her routine since her accident, so she was numb to the pain even when she felt that her nose and lips were bleeding. She closed her eyes in defeat, praying that he would stop quickly, so she could go back to her room and sleep. Kyoko felt her consciousness fading she heard several sets of footsteps approaching, her father suddenly dropping her. She fell to the ground hard, her limbs too weak to catch her.
“Why would you do this to your daughter sir? Don’t you see you’re hurting her?” An unfamiliar voice asked as she heard her dad’s heavy footsteps receding out of the room.
“She is just a failure that people call my daughter, she deserves whatever pain is dealt to her.” He growled as the door slammed shut behind him.
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Chapter 4- New Life
Sorry it’s been so long since last posting. Had some trouble on where to go from the last chapter.
A Week later
*Back to Kyoko
“Kyoko you have another letter.” Misaki said as they left the hospital to start practicing going around the school with her service dog Zuko.
“Great.” Kyoko said stopping to the side of the front door.
“Alright.” Misaki said as she tore open the letter.
Dear Kyoko,
You’re right, I couldn’t get much sleep while my parents were away. My youngest brother Ayame still has a hard time staying asleep especially when my mother wasn’t around. But there is no need to worry, I’m well rested now thank you very much for your concern. Yea my mom is about ready to pop, she has been instructed by the doctor to stay off her feet as much as possible to avoid hypertension…? Not sure what that means exactly, but I guess it’s harmful for the baby and mother. She isn’t due for a couple more weeks. To be truly honest I don’t know much about pregnancies but compared to her others she is very large it has me and my dad a little worried.
The Ootori Medical Inc.?! That is a HUGE company, I’m sure your dad is super busy trying to run it. Wow, this is crazy… those hospitals are super nice and have the best technology around, so you’re definitely receiving the best care you can if you’re in one of their hospitals. I’m sure your eyesight will return to normal again. Have you heard anything about your eyesight yet?
Don’t worry about venting your problems, I am a friend after all and now I know you a little more than I did before because of it, so you vent as much as you need. What happened to your mother?
In my honest opinion I think your ex-boyfriend made a big mistake in letting you go that’s for sure. You seem like such a wonderful girl, every time I read your letters I feel like I am drawn closer to you. Until next letter Kyoko.
~Ikuto
After reading the letter they made their way to the train station to head to Yoran Academy to practice walking around the school to all her classes, and to the lunchroom.
Once they went through the front gates of the school Kyoko’s mind went back to Ikuto’s letter. “Do you think I should try to meet Ikuto?” Kyoko asked Misaki as they stepped inside the front doors.
“I’m not sure sweetie, but you would have to wait until this training is over with Zuko because that is what the service dog agency instructed.”
“Yea that’s true...” Kyoko sighed as they walked between her classes in order.
“So the next one is your medical class at the college across town.” Misaki said looking down at her school schedule.
Kyoko’s heart sank the realization of her condition hitting her like a ton of bricks. “I guess I should drop that class and find a different one to take. What other medical classes was I enrolled in?” Kyoko sighed, as Misaki lead them to a bench in the courtyard.
“Looks like there are 3 medical classes at the medical campus across town.” Misaki said flipping through all the enrollment papers on her clipboard.
“Alright, let’s go to the attendance office after we take a break and reply to Ikuto’s letter while we have some lunch.” Kyoko replied.
“Alright,” Misaki replied as she led them to the nearest courtyard. Once they sat down she pulled out a couple of sandwiches from her bag and a travel bowl for Zuko with a Ziploc bag of food for him to eat. She set Kyoko’s lunch on her lap so she knew where it was.
“So Misa-chan. Why do you think Zuko is named Zuko?” Kyoko asked, curious since she had never seen what her dog looks like.
“I think it’s because his fur looks like he’s on fire, you know like Zuko from that television show you used to watch as a kid. I believe he could bend fire…?” Misaki said quizzically, not sure her information was accurate.
“Oh I get it so his coat is bright red like a fire?” Kyoko replied an image of Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender flashing through her mind as she took a bite of her sandwich.
“Yea, and he even has a darker red patch across one eye.” Misaki replied as she finished her sandwich. “I’m ready when you are.” She said pulling her notepad and pen out.
“Alright.” Kyoko replied as she told Misaki what to write between bites of her sandwich.
After finishing the letter Misaki slid it into the envelope, sealing it and stamping it.
“Are you starting to feel something for this boy?” Misaki asked as she wrote the addresses on the envelope.
“No!” Kyoko retorted cheeks flushing a bright shade of red. “He’s just a…friend. Honestly I barely know the guy I can’t afford to love a stranger.” Kyoko said standing up, smacking her cheeks slightly to dispel her blushing cheeks. “Let’s go to the office, I would like to change my college medical courses to something else.” She reached down, feeling for Zuko’s food bowl that was now empty, setting it on the bench next to her for Misaki to add to her bag. “Maybe for a music class.”
“Alright I’m going to quickly run this to the mailbox I saw just outside the school gates.” Misaki said as she left, her running footsteps becoming quieter with each step away from Kyoko.
“Alright I’ll meet you there.” Kyoko said as she looked down towards where she felt Zuko was against her leg. “Let’s go to the office Zuko, like we practiced.” She said feeling for the harness as he gently lead her there. “I guess my life will start anew this year… I hope I can do it.”
A few days later
*Back to Ikuto
“Ikuto wake up!” His father shouted late one night.
“What is it?” Ikuto groaned wiping his eyes as he turned on the lamp on his nightstand.
“Your mom is in labor and I need to take her to the hospital, you’re in charge.”
Ikuto woke with a start by what his dad said. “Alright I’ll open up the bed and breakfast and watch the kids.” He said getting dressed quickly to help his dad take his mom down the stairs.
Once they got to the front doors of the house an ambulance pulled up in the driveway. As the ambulance pulled away and blared on to the hospital Ikuto stepped back inside to find Akane at the top of the stairs.
“Iku, what’s going on?” He asked as Ikuto bounded up the stairs to pick him up.
“Mommy’s going to the hospital to have the baby, so let’s go back to sleep and you’ll see mom later ok?” He said laying him back into his bed.
Once tucking Akane in Ikuto went down to the living room, pacing nervously until he had to open up the bed and breakfast in a few hours.
As the day wore on Ikuto did his best to keep busy so he didn’t worry about his mom. While he and several part time employees were loading the shipment of supplies inside from the supply truck the mail carrier came in with a pile of letters for the bed and breakfast.
“Thanks!” Ikuto said, the mail carrier placed the pile of mail on top of the box he was carrying. He placed the box into the storage room in the back, picking the letters up off the box. He shuffled through the letters until he saw one from Kyoko. He was surprised and elated that she was able to reply so quickly, he slipped the letter into his pocket unable to check it until after he closed the bed and breakfast for the night.
The day sped by as the bed and breakfast finally closed its doors for the night, Ikuto stood in the doorway and thanked the employees for doing such a great job before he turned and locked the front doors. He trudged his way to the house and fell exhaustedly on the couch when he heard the phone ringing in the kitchen. He rushed up to grab it, it was his father telling him that he had two new siblings a boy and a girl. Ikuto was so shocked that he gawked blankly and he said goodnight to his father.
Ikuto wandered back to the couch to finally read Kyoko’s letter.
Dear Ikuto,
I’m happy to hear that you were able to get some sleep to recover from your busy week. Were you able to still get any assignments done for your online school? If you need help I can do my best to help you with them, we could call on the phone and figure the assignments out that way, maybe…?
I’ve been scared to tell you this for the past few weeks… but to answer your question, no my eyes aren’t better. I’m blind… permanently…
Because of my… condition I got a service dog a few days ago, his name is Zuko. He has a cute face as far as I can feel his fur is really soft and plush feeling. Misaki tells me that he has bright red fur. He is such a sweetheart, when we walk together he is so gentle and prompt to moving me around obstacles and helping me cross streets safely. Lately we’ve been working on going around the school campus so he knows where each of my classes are. I’m also working on memorizing how many steps to take and about where the stairs are. I’m actually considering moving to the dorms here so I don’t have to worry so much about the trip to school from my house as much. I just don’t want to get lost, because last time I tried to take the train somewhere I got hopelessly lost, and that was when I could see... so it would be harder now…
I’m scared to move to the dorms to be honest, because I’m sure my father would be unhappy with the decision. And when he’s mad it usually doesn’t end well for me. The more I think about it though I should just do it because it’s my life and I can live it the way I want to. Is that too selfish? I mean once I graduate, I was going to move out anyways, so moving out a year earlier shouldn’t make that much of a difference right?
I’m happy to hear that my venting isn’t troublesome for you, and if you ever need to vent about your problems I’m all ears. I want to get to know you better too.
So I had a question for you, and I’m sorry if it is a little personal, but I am curious. Do you have anyone you are currently seeing… or… dating I guess is the right word… sorry I’m not very good at this sort of thing. I just want to make sure that us writing each other isn’t causing problems for you if you are in a romantic relationship with someone. The last thing I want to do is cause problems for anyone... especially you.
You know what, that’s too personal, forget I asked it was a stupid question. Hope to hear from you soon. Tell your family hi for me.
~Kyoko
Once he was finished reading Shigure came down the stairs, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he entered the living room.
“What is it Shigure?” He asked, setting the letter down.
“I had a bad dream.” He mumbled as he crawled up onto the couch.
“I’m sorry buddy, you can sleep next to me if you want.” Ikuto said as he grabbed the notepad on the coffee table with a pen next to it.
“Why are you crying?” He asked.
Ikuto’s eyes widened, not realizing before that tears were falling from his eyes. He wiped them away with the base of his hand. “It’s nothing buddy.” He said as he picked up the notebook and pencil.
“What are you writing?” Shigure asked climbing onto the couch to look at the notebook.
“A letter to Kyoko.” Ikuto replied smiling down at him. “But you need to go to sleep or else you will be too tired to see mommy at the hospital tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Shigure yawned as he laid his head on Ikuto’s lap while Ikuto wrote his reply to Kyoko. “If you make Kyoko cry I’ll be sad.” He mumbled as he fell asleep.
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