[ another random short story. Unfinished.. yeah yeah I know I know. Sorry. Enjoy. Leave feedback. ]
It was raining outside. Each drop hit against the window at it's own diverse speed. This created the pitter patter sound, a rhythm that co existed with the one already being made. Back was straight, hands outstretched over those ivory keys of the piano. Blond locks fell between shoulder blades, tied at the base to keep from distracting. The melody was slow, but lulling. Hazel hues were not affected though, sharp in their keen vision. Each key was struck with perfect timing. Breath filtered itself through lips for a moment, before being held at the lungs. This was the ending now, it neared, but face still emotionless.
She believed inside that each time she played told a story, but somehow, every story was the same. For her, the pages did not move forward, only backwards. Inked words mocking her, reveling in what could be. As the last few notes came to play, hues shut tightly. His face, she couldn't escape. Even now, trying to be as lost as she was. In this song. It was his song, whether he knew it or not. Whether he could hear it. or not.
But little did it matter anymore. Upper chest rested against the keys as the song had ended. Silence had filled the house once more, disturbed only by the small sounds of mother nature herself. She had refused to think about him, but why even now, after all these years of avoiding him. This was the one time he came back to her. It was during these rainy nights where she would sit, playing the same song for hours. It was a song, a story, that she would truly never be able to escape. But even now as overwhelming thoughts filled her head, she made not a sound. No tears, no frowns, no small sighs, a sure indication that she was missing something. He was a secret that no one would ever learn of.
Excusing herself from the bench, digits found themselves closing the piano. She was strong, she always would be. Eyes diverted attention to the blinking light that came from her answering machine. Fingertip pressed play, allowing an all too familiar voice to speak from the other end.
"It's raining outside and I know exactly what you're doing. But that still doesn't mean you can break our night tonight, Yuuriko. You promised last week you'd come over and we'd watch movies. Who will I converse with if you don't come. " A sigh was heard, before the tapping of a pen. " Plus, I need you.. really I do.. my manuscript is looking bleaker, you must come and fill me in on what my mind is forgetting. " Silence, following by softer words. " Take your time, the door is unlocked.. "
And that was it. Beep indicated that all messages had been played. But Yuuriko was already gathering things, coat slipped around her form. Car keys were held tightly within hand before she gave a last look around her house. Empty. emptier then ever before. But somehow she could make it. Of course.. she would. The rain would always keep coming until the day she died, and even after that. So he would keep coming.. it was inevitable.
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Pen was captured between lips as figure thought for a moment. Wild red strands were swept upward into a tight bun, strands falling this way and that. Cold cup of coffee sat upon desk, as well as many littered papers. Waste basket was over flowing with half written papers, scratched out ideas, red pen marks, white out.. A tornado storm of her writings.
She had taken it upon herself to write everything down, even as they happened now. Although things were to a slow lately, they hadn't heard from him in ages. Communication slowly severed, but he had kept his word. All these years, he had kept them informed. Green hues closed as she tried to remember, the significance of the date that she had written down on the paper infront of her. Pen now moved to underline this, trying to make it clearer. But still she couldn't understand. She knew it was the night had he left for the first time.. but her dates were all mixed up, out of order. It was high time that Yuuriko come and help her sort this out.
Biting lip, fingers let pen drop to the desk. Standing now she moved to the window, palm pushing the curtains back. She had always loved the rain, it inspired such thoughts. Although, it had an adverse affect to her dear friend, Yuuriko. It was raining the night he had left her for the first time, left them both. But those were many years ago, but the start to everything that was happening now. Him staying gone would have prevented many hardships to come, but would have induced so many more. It was a toss up between a coin, heads or tails? But enduring these hardships with him there made it easier somehow. But nevertheless. This was the waiting period. She had seized this as the perfect opportunity to write.
Moving to chair, she leaned back. Questions came to her now as she shifted through the sea of papers, looking for the outline. Finding it, she wrote down along the side. Thoughts that plagued her mind, such would seem an annoyance to some, but not to her. What was today? Saturday? It was about that time again. She had been procrastinating it all day. They were useless voicemails now, she would leave. Whether they got answered or not, she never knew. But eventually within hours of doing it, somehow he would make contact with them both.
Sitting down on the armrest of the chair, fingers dialed that number. She wondered why she never put it on speed dial. But it was the importance of actually pressing them, she guessed, which was why she could never do that. Hearing rings pass for a while, she breathed slowly. And then the last ring she timed perfectly, before a voice came on directing her what to do. Mouthing the directs that it gave, she already knew them by heart. A tone was heard, before she spoke freely... but not before a few moments of silence.
" .. Evening. Saturday here.. Decided that I wouldn't neglect my voicemailing duties this weekend around. Strange though, I wondered if the longer I prolonged it, the longer it would take for you to respond. But you never do. Excuse my bitterness..." A sigh before a shake of the head. " The manuscript is coming on quite nicely.. But what's most amazing is me writing a story that has no ending. " Last sentence clearly articulated. " What will the ending be, Keisuke, will it come soon? You tip the edge on all. Take care and----... "
Sentence was left unfinished as head lifted up to see someone entering through her door. But a flash of blonde hair told her who it was. Finishing up quickly to prevent any dilemma's.
" I'm here Okashi, you happy? " Yuuriko's voice rang loud enough for the phone to pick it up, before she could finish her message.
" Take care and tell Naka I said hello. Okashi. "
Hands move to replace the phone on the receiver. Eyes watching her friend shake the rain and shed her coat at the door, soon followed by shoes.
" Who was that? "
" Just the Chinese food place down the street, but they're busy at the moment, I'll have to try later. "
" Mm. I see. "
Okashi stood now, to receive her friend that had entered through the living room. She paid no mind to the fact that she was over an hour late. She knew the due reason as to why, the constant sound of the rain a reminder of course. Arms wrapped around Yuuriko tightly.
" It's been three days you know. You really need to take time off. Let's go into the living room--. "
Yuuriko cut her voice off.
" Okashi, I want to see the manuscripts. "
Eyes looked slightly confused, usually Yuuriko hated this task.
" Not that I mind, but Yuu why the change of heart? "
Okashi watched as Yuurikos attention diverted out the window, not even answering her question before stealing way into Okashi's study. Hands moved the papers around slightly, hovering over with eyes that seemed to be looking for something.
" It's been three weeks since he's had contact. What's going on. "
Fingers found a printed email, scanning it. It was dated three weeks ago,'
" You've been voicemailing him regularly right.. "
Green hues looked away for a moment, as she responded.
" He's fine Yuuriko, you worry too much. "
Such was not the truth, he hadn't contacted in a three weeks, despite her emails.. she had skipped last Saturday's voicemail in fear of what she would find.
" Oh stop lying to me Okashi, it's marked all over you face. "
" Yuuriko.. sit down.. I need your help.. not your chiding. "
Hazel eyes met with green ones before taking heed and moving to the chair across from the desk. Okashi resumed her postion in that chair, shuffling papers together.
" This is the waiting period. I'm assuming what happens during this period.. determines what happens. Either he's battling out something.. or he's preparing. I don't want you to think I'm hiding anything from you, because I'm not. "
" Lies. You've been holding out on me these last three weeks!."
" Will you let me finish! "
Yuuriko backed down for a moment, noticing that Okashi had raised her voice, something that was un natural. Arms crossed before continuing.
" I've just left a message. He should be replying within a few hours. Now come and watch some movies with me--.. "
" Okashi! You can't just expect to hold out on me and then entice me with a movie. I want answers. "
" I don't have any, Yuuriko.. Only scraps of questions littering my study as you can see."
" I want to help you.. "
Okashi's eyes met with hers, before leaning forward against the desk.
" Then tell me everything over again, without leaving anything out."
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His attention diverted as his phone rang, but noting the number, he did not pick up. Soon after, the voicemail did it for him. Breath was filtered inward as he leaned backwards in his own chair, computer blinking infront of him. It was evening, but the rain didn't reach the sunny beaches of Florida. Lifting phone from his side, eyes moved around to see if anyone was watching. There were no movements from the windows infront of his office, so without further hesitation.
" Naka.. type up Okashi's message and send it. "
" She sounded sad, Keishi. "
" I know.. "
Silence engulfed the line as typing could be heard, before she spoke again.
" How long till you come home?"
" A few hours, Neko-chan. "
" Mm. Okie. "
" How are you doing, feeling okay?"
" Yes, all is ok."
He sighed for a moment, free hand rubbing forehead.
"Good. Thank you. I'll see you in awhile. Take care. "
" Bye bye."
Turning to the computer, he read the voicemail in the form words that his sister had so readily prepared for him. They were so distance this time, unusual for the Okashi that he knew. But he couldn't blame her. He had been avoiding his messaging himself, the risk running at the ultimate high lately. The time was coming, he had to decide soon what he would do. A decision that would change the course of everything..
But eyes caught as words from Okashi's voicemail were not her own. Yuuriko was there, with Okashi. Mm. The safest place for her now, but how long could Okashi keep her there. He would have to send some way of message.. for if things were to go as planned, Yuuriko being out of sight was crucial.
Biting the inside of his cheek he paused, before texting her back. He hated how long this process took, but finally he finished, sending. Stretching, he arched back and moved to gather things together. Keys were shoved into his pocket before phone placed back into it's case attached to his hip.
He had told Naka it would be hours and indeed that's what it would be, but not within the confines of this building.