TITLE: Pandora's Box - Chapter 35
DISCLAIMER: I didn't own any of the character but i own the plotXD
GENRE: romance, slice of life, drama
CHARACTERS: Inoo, Yabu, Yaotome, Arioka, Yamada, Takaki, Nakajima
SUMMARY: Hatred turned to love, silence turned to seeking and lies become truth. Kota just hit the rock bottom making him realize that memories should not remained unlock. He seek for truth, he yearned for what really happened and why things are going this and that. But what if he is going further to what is already near to him? Is everything gone too late to change? Everyone is given curiosity and so will you open the box as well?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the revised version of my on going fanfic Pandora's Box. Enjoy^___^
Pandora's Box
Chapter 35
-Accident-
The debut was successful but Kota didn't bother to come to the after party since he was already exhausted. Just after the press con held he went straight home together with his family who supported him. His little sisters still have the after shock of the event. They kept on talking about their favorite idol performances and they both argue who was the cutest among the biases that they have. They also boost about how cool their big brother in the stage and the scream of all the people welcoming them warmly in the entertainment industry. It was a night worth remembering not only for them but for Kota itself. But despite the hype of his debut, he knew there is someone who didn't like what he just did. The whole travel time back home, his mother didn't talk to him.
"I told you to forget about Kei, aren't I?" Suzanne asked him when they were all alone to his room. "What's with that public announcement you just did? You're still searching for him even after all the things he did to our family?"
"Please mom… not today. I'm tired." Kota said but Suzanne didn't listen and still continue her bragging.
"What's gotten into you why you are so hooked with him? Kou… Kei is the one who killed your father. He is a murderer worth to be held in the prison. You must not fall for that guy. He is not worth it. You must be mad at him and curse him for he did something to your dad."
"Kei is not the one who killed dad." Kota emphasized.
"He confessed it himself."
"What if he did?" Kota asked back he really didn't want to show his mother that he knew parts of his past but he have no choice since he can't stand it that Kei was being criticized just like that. "Dad is the one who kidnapped him when he was young." he said giving Suzanne an idea that he already have knowledge about his past. "Dad was the one who experienced him a cruel childhood that he will not forget for the rest of his life. Dad was the one… who did cruel thing first."
"Stop it!" she shouted back. "Don't say things like that to your dad."
"I can't remember anything about him. I can't remember his face nor his voice. While investigating about my past I found out things about him. I don't want to hate him because I knew you love him but the things I discovered was not good enough to make me treat him the way you want me. Knowing that he was hurting me when I am young, knowing that he was the mastermind of a kidnapping event years ago. You can't blame me if I think dad was the bad one." Kota told her but he received a slap in the face coming from his mother's trembling hand. Even things were going well between the two, Ryo was still her priority. No matter what he do he can't win against him.
"I will not forgive you if say one more bad thing about him."
"I don't understand… why? Why are you so in love with that guy?" Kota asked her back. "I only heard bad things about him. I heard that he even tried to kill you as well but despite that you…you still… even now you are still… in love with that man."
"Ryo… was the only one saved me." Suzanne whispered. "He was the only one who give me freedom and happiness that I wanted all this time. I can't… I can't just hate him… I can't hate him so… please do the same… Kou you are special to me so… don't hate him as well."
"Kei is special to me as well… so I wanted you… to not hate him. if you can do that then maybe… I can do what you wanted me to do." Kota suggested but it was obvious to Suzanne's face that she didn't like it. She will never forgive Kei specially that he was the one who killed the guy she loves so much. She leave Kota's room instantly upon hearing it but Kota didn't bother to follow his mom. He don't believe it. He knew that Kei didn't killed his father. Since he first met him, he knew that he was not that type of individual. He was doing it for something and that is what wanted to know but… how will he do that?
Kei never showed himself, hide like he doesn't even exist.
…
Weeks passed since the debut and after Kota told to the public about a someone who he wanted to come back to his life. It became a trending topic in the internet and to the fans, guessing who could that be but in the end there is no definite answer to that because Kota refused to talk. After the debut, the group have more works to do and that divide the time Kota have to search for Kei and his high school life. His life change literally and he knew that will never turned the way it was before but it's not something he complained about because he like everything that was coming to his way except for the fact that Kei was not with him in that journey.
School festival finally arrived and like what was planned they did a second part of the Pandora's Box that was played before but now they have a new set of students to play the role. But the story was revised into a new story flow making it different from the original one. The story focused more on the love triangle between Pandora, Epimetheus and it's brother Promitheus.
Yuya and Kota don't have activity that day so they were free to go and enjoy the festival. Yuya and Ryosuke used that opportunity to have quality time together. Hikaru was part of the staffs in the play and so he was busy helping in the backstage. Kota on the other hand went inside the theater to watch the play. He felt nostalgia as he stand in the same place as he did before. It was like the time that he first came to the school to look on it. He received a flyer about Pandora's Box and it caught his interest. That was also the first time he saw the beautiful pianist who captivated his heart because of its music. That was the first time that he first met Kei Inoo.
Kota was watching the play in the same chair that he used before. He can see everything clearly from his position. He thought that the new cast was not bad at all and they give justice to the old one. Kota kept on staring at that someone who played the Pandora. He was wondering who was that person who was hiding behind those wig and costumes. He misses Kei. He wanted to see him already and fixed things between them. He wanted to asked Kei to forget everything and then they can restart their life all over again. He doesn't care anymore about his mother and what other people say as long as the two of them are together with each other.
The show finished. The casts lined in front to give their respect and thanks for all the people who watched their show. Kota was staring closely when he felt that he saw Kei among the crowd. He stand up and directed his eyes into that position and he was sure that it was Kei. He started moving forward, going to the stage. He doesn't care about the people he bump because he was rushing to go to the front and check if he was right but suddenly his right foot felt a bump in the carpet and he almost fall down. He felt a hand grabbed him from behind stopping him from falling down.
"Where are you going?" Yuto asked. "That was dangerous."
"I…. I saw Kei… he was there… in front… with everyone." Kota stuttered while pointing at the crowd in front of him. Yuto looked but he can't see Kei anywhere. It was just Kota's hallucination and maybe because he wanted to see Kei so much, his mind was creating image that can satisfy his own self.
"Kei was not there." Yuto answered. "Kei was never there." he repeated.
Kota give a disappointed expression. He sit down again in one of the seat like he was weakened by his stupidness. Yeah… why did he thought that Kei was there? He told it himself that he will not see him anymore. They already broke up but he was still searching for him, longing for him. Can it really never be change? Can't they go back to their relationship anymore? Is it really ending for them?
Yuto sit besides Kota. They watched as people exited the theater. There is no next show so the theater was slowly being emptied by people. "When I first met the two of you, Kei and you are already friends. You already created a bond hard to cut. I admires the two of you so much and I hope I can be your friend as well. Then it suddenly happened, you found me and Kei smiled first. I am really happy… very happy."
"But that bond that you are talking seems gone already." Kota replied back. "Kei… give up first."
"No." Yuto disagreed all of a sudden. "Kei didn't give up yet."
"Wh…what do you mean?"
"Kei told me not to tell this to you but… I can't stand seeing you like this. I can't stand the two of you being like this."
"Yuto…"
"Kei… was just fulfilling your wish." Yuto started. "He was… just fulfilling your wish you write on your Pandora's Box."
"Pan…Pandora's Box?" Kota mumbled. "What do you mean?" he asked since it was the first time he heard about it but then he felt a sharp pain inside his head and he heard voices talking inside.
"We will write our wishes and then we will hide it on this Pandora's Box. When we grew up we will fulfill each wish that we have together."
"Okay." a little voice agreed.
Kota touched his head. It was the first time he saw that kind of memories and there were talking about wish and Pandora's Box just like what Yuto told him. "Are you alright?" Yuto asked him.
"Just continue… talk about it… talk about the wish and the Pandora's Box." Kota ordered him and so Yuto agreed on telling him everything that he knew. One by one, he told him all the things that he kept in secret all this time. He knew that he broke his promise to Kei not to say anything but Kota have the right to know the truth and he wanted to fix things between them because they didn't deserved to be punish like that… they deserved happiness specially for Kei who was having trouble about his health.
…
Kei and Noren went to the academy to tell the principal about Kei's situation. He can't attend school anymore since he need to rest because of his health. Kei already did some exams that if he was able to passed them he can graduate high school even not attending it anymore. Kei knew that it was the school festival and so he choose that moment to go to school since he knew that everyone was busy to notice him.
"It's really sad for Inoo to experience such awful disease. But I respect your decision and I already did the necessary actions for it. Now, Inoo can rest well for his health without troubling himself about high school." the principal told them.
"I'm sorry about the trouble." Kei told her but she just give him a smile and slowly tears falls from her eyes. She was attached to Kei and she really likes him because he was a good student and was really kind to everyone.
"It's so… the world is unfair. You are too young for this." the principal said while wiping her tears away. "Anyway… are you sure you don't want you friends to know about this? I have a feeling that they already miss you and they will be misunderstand if you will not explain to them."
"It's fine… besides it's hard for me… to tell them that I am sick and I don't have that much life to live." Kei answered. "It's hard to say goodbye… it was painful and horrible."
"But still… they are your friends. Are you sure they like it when they just found out that… you already leave them alone? This is just my concern but I will respect your decision. It's you who was handling your life and no matter what people said it's you who will make the last decision. So now… I just wish you a happy life till the end. Do something that you will not regret…. Do something that you wanted the most. Do something to make the people surrounding you happy."
After that talk, Kei and Noren decided to go but as they opened the door Kei was surprised when he saw Ryosuke standing there like he heard everything that they talk about. Kei told his mom to go first in the car and wait for him in the parking area. "Did you… hear everything?" Kei asked solemnly.
"Is that the reason… why you are avoiding us this few days?" Ryosuke asked him.
"You can… say it that way."
"Hiding it from us… taking it everything by yourself. Kei… what do you think friends are for? Why didn't you tell us? Why did you hide it from us?" Ryosuke asked.
"Daiki knew about it."
"A… are you really… going to die?" Ryosuke asked with tears flowing from his eyes. Kei just nodded with no hesitation. Ryosuke move forward, approaching Kei drastically. Kei thought that Ryosuke will hit him or something but then he felt a hand hugging him tightly. Ryosuke didn't say anything but just hugged him tightly like he didn’t want to let go.
"I'm sorry… If I can't graduate with everyone." Kei told him while ruffling his hair. "I need to go Ryo…"
Ryosuke let go of Kei and looked at him with a troubled face. "Are you not going to see the others? Yuya… Hikaru… Kota? Kota was looking after you all this time. Did you watch his debut? He wanted you to come back to him. I don't know what was going on but at least talk to him. He didn’t know about your condition right? You didn't tell Kota anything about this?"
"It's better this way…"
"No… it's not Kei. It's not alright at all… Kota… Kota wanted to see you…. Kota miss you… Kota… really loves you so please… see him. He was here… Kota was here." Ryosuke begged but Kei just give him a smile.
"I need to go."
…
"Is Kota here?" Hikaru shouted inside the theater. "Kota!!!" he called getting the attention of the others who was still inside. He looked around and saw Kota and Yuto together in one of the seats. He approached them immediately like he was rushing. "Kota… someone saw Kei. He was here…" he reported.
"Kei is here?" Kota asked.
"Yeah… he was on the way to the parking area already. Come on… follow him." Hikaru ordered but Kota didn't make a move in his seat. "What the hell are you doing? This is your opportunity to see Kei… talk to him and settle your problem together. I can't stand it… seeing the two of you like this. Come on Kota… I don't believe Kei didn't have feelings for you… I am sure he broke up because he have reasons. I always knew that the two of you… were meant for each other."
Yuto pulled Kota on his chair and push him lightly on his back. "Kei is doing everything for your sake… " he said. "Love is not only a one-man activity right?"
Kota bowed down in front of the two and he started running. He was still troubled about the things that Yuto told him. Losing his memories was really a hassle because he can't remember all those important stuffs. He wanted them back… he wanted to know the truth. Words are not enough, people stories are not enough… he wanted the things he experienced himself… he just wish to remember everything.
He continued running towards the parking area. He was already running out of breathe when he saw the Inoo's car exiting the gate.
Please Kei… please listen to me. I don't care anymore about my mom. I just… I just found someone more important than her and that was you and so… stop… stop running away from me. I always… I always wanted to talk to you… I always love you so please… come back… come back to me.
He dashed as he followed the car. He called Kei's name at the top of his voice but the car was not stopping at all. He rest for a moment and held a deep breathe and then he run again but the car was gone in his sight.
Why this need to end like this? I just… want us to be together.
Kota was standing still when he his head throbbed again. This was the second time that it happened in one single day and like the first time scenes of events flashback again. He saw a little boy laughing in front of him, playing piano and then they were eating ice cream together. Then it turned into dark and he saw his father's face holding a long wooden stick and he hit him with it. he cried for help but his father didn't listened to it.
"Wh…what are this? M…my memories?"
"Kota… save me!!!"
…
Ryosuke came to the theater and approached Hikaru while he was out of breathe. "Ko…Kota? Where…where is he?" he asked him.
"Kota? He went to the parking area… he said his going to follow…" Hikaru said but he was surprised when he saw Kei also entered the theater and like Ryosuke he was tired from running. "Ke…Kei… what are you doing here?" he asked.
Kei sit down for a moment trying to calm himself a little. His heart hurt a little but it was bearable. When he finally calm down he started to talk. "I wanted to see Kota."
"But…Kota just followed you… in the parking area." Hikaru answered.
"Parking area?" Ryosuke asked back. "Why?"
"Someone said that he saw Kei's mother car and so I told him to follow it. He wanted to see you and so… he go."
"My mom was the only one in that car." Kei answered. He stand up and try to relax his body. "I'm going to follow him."
"No… stay here… I'll go." Ryosuke told him. "Hikaru… look after Kei-chan."
"Okay." Hikaru answered unsurely. He was someone loss with what was going on.
Ryosuke was about to exit the theater when he bumped on Yuya who was also in rushed. "This is bad." he said. "Accident… an accident happened in the intersection." he reported.
"Accident?" Hikaru and Kei both uttered.
"Kota got in the accident. He was hit by a dashing car and he was severely injured. Me and Yuto were on our way to follow him since we saw him running and then… and then… he was now in the hospital." Yuya reported continuously.