PART 9
YOSSY - AUGUST 22ND
I stood outside of the door for what felt like an eternity before I mustered up the courage to knock. I knew there were only two places Miki would have gone. And considering I had her wallet with me, I knew she couldn't have gone home to Hokkaido, so that left only one place.
I looked up just as Aya opened her front door. She bit her lip and silently let me in. I glanced around her apartment.
"Is... " I trailed off.
"Tan's still sleeping," she said quietly.
"I need to talk to her," I replied, starting towards the shut bedroom door. Aya stepped into my path.
"I'll wake her up," she stated, gesturing for me to sit on the couch. I started to protest, but thought better of it and simply nodded. What right did I have to force my presence upon her?
I sat down on the couch and stared at my feet. I still wasn't sure what I was going to say exactly.
Miki, I love you. I'm sorry. Please don't leave me.
No, that wouldn't work.
Hey, Miki? Remember when I thought you'd cheated on me with Random Comedian Dude? Yeah, now you kind of know how I felt, so we're even, right?
Yeah, she'd probably punch me for that one. Hell, I kind of want to punch myself for that.
Miki, I'm sorry. I should have trusted you, but I didn't. And because of that, I did the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life. And I know I don't have any right to ask you, but I really do think we can get through this. I at least want to try because I love you so much it makes me crazy.
Ok. Ok, that sounded decent.
God, this was hard.
The door opened. Ok, Yoshizawa, here we go. I took a deep breath and looked up. Aya was coming out of the bedroom. I glanced past her.
Miki was sitting up in the bed wearing one of Aya's concert t-shirts. Her hair was messy and her bangs were sticking up a little. She looked like she hadn't slept at all. God, she was so beautiful.
She was looking straight at me. Sad, accusing, determined.
Our eyes met.
And the door shut.
I looked at Aya. She gave a sad half-smile.
"If my Tan doesn't want to see someone, my Tan doesn't have to see them," she said sheepishly. I smiled a little in spite of everything and stood up.
"You must hate me," I said. Aya sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling.
"Yossy, if I hated you, none of us would be in this mess." I was confused for a split second before I remembered what Miki had told me. I'd been so caught up in everything else, I'd completely forgotten about that. Shit.
"Aya... I'm sorry, I - "
"Oh, geez, not you too!" Aya exclaimed, cutting me off. "This is why I never said anything."
"But - "
"But nothing. We're not talking about that anymore," she laughed, waving the topic away. "We never should have talked about it to begin with," she said under her breath. I looked at her carefully.
"Don't blame yourself for my mess."
"I can't help it," she sighed. "I was saying things just to push Tan's buttons and I knew she was going to react like that. I really should have - "
"I really should have trusted Miki," I cut her off. "Or at least had the guts to confront her about it instead of running off like a coward and getting completely smashed." I shook my head in disgust. Aya didn't say anything. I sighed and shook my head before handing her the bag I'd been holding.
"What's this?" she asked, glancing inside.
"Miki's purse and wallet and some clothes," I explained. I smiled sadly. "I was pretty sure she wouldn't come home with me, but I had to try anyway." I bit my lip. "Oh, and her keys are in there, too. She even forgot those..." Aya nodded silently. I glanced at the closed bedroom door. "Well, I need to get going. I have an Ongaku Gatas promotion today."
"Are you going to be ok?" Aya asked incredulously. I laughed.
"I'm surprisingly good at being on auto-pilot," I replied, heading for the door. I paused in the doorway. "Thanks for taking care of her."
"Of course," she replied, looking surprised. I smiled again and headed out the door. I stopped again and turned around.
"I LOVE YOU, MIKI!" I yelled into the apartment. I smiled at the surprised Aya and calmly shut the door behind me.
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