An Angel's Whisper

Part 35: Prepare

"Thanks for helping, Neru-chan. I appreciate it."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

"Are you gonna be okay?"

"No."

"Talk to me. What's happened? Why are you feeling low?"

"Lots of things."

"Like what?"

"Haku's not doing well. She's in hospital, as you know, but she had a stroke. She talked to me after she was alright and I'm pretty sure she hates my guts. I love her too much. It's a problem."

"You're scared that she hates you, because you love her?"

"Yeah. I guess."

"Did you argue?"

"Not really, but... Yes? No? I don't know." Neru pulled a cushion over to her, and hugged it.

"Are you afraid of losing her?"

"Yeah."

"When is she being discharged?"

"Tomorrow."

"Alright. Here's the plan. I'll go and get her tomorrow morning, and I'll bring her back here. You better make sure you've got her some lovely gifts, show her that you do really love her."

"I will. But, I really don't know if she's going to even want to look at me."

"She will. Trust me, alright? What have you got her?"

"Flowers, chocolate, and a little rainbow keychain thing. I also got her a squishy stress thingy."

"I'll take you down the town, maybe you can get her some clothes or something."

"I'm skint. I have absolutely no money."

"I can give you some. Here's £20, okay?"

"Thanks."

"Come on. Put on some clothes and we'll go. Alright?"

"Alright."

**************

"Neru-chan! What about this!" Luka said, holding up a top.

"Yeah, if you were 40, married with two kids."

"I think it's nice," Luka mumbled, putting it back.

"Hey, Luka-san. What about this one?" Neru held up a white crop top hoodie with a rainbow just above the middle, with long sleeves.

"That looks wonderful. I bet she would like that."

"It's £10, so, should we go and buy something else too?"

"If you would like. Maybe we could find bottoms to go with it?"

"Sure. Let's go."

Neru and Luka walked around the store, until they found something suitable to match. Neru picked out a pair of denim jeans, and handed them to Luka, who nodded in approval.

They paid, and left. They had £3 left, so decided to get some food.

Luka drove Neru back to her house.

"Do you want to come in for some tea?" Neru asked.

"If you wouldn't mind."

Neru put the kettle on, and sat in her living room, after Luka insisted on making it herself.

"Thank you very much, Neru-chan. I appreciate it," she said, sitting across from Neru.

"Of course, of course."

"So, is the plan go?"

"Yes. But, also, can we do something else?"

"What's that?"

"Um... Could we go to the cat center? To get a cat?"

"For you, or for Haku?"

"Both of us, I suppose."

"Of course we can."

"Thank you!"

Neru cleared her throat,

"I mean... Thanks."

"Let me finish my drink, and then we can go, okay?"

"Alright. If we reserve today, can we pick it up tomorrow?"

"Of course."

Neru smiled, but it soon dropped. She bit her lip, and looked away to the side.

"Neru? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I- I'm fine."

Luka got up and sat beside Neru, pulling her into a hug.

"What's up?"

"I don't know, I kinda just miss my old cat."

Luka let go, and gently rubbed Neru's back.

"I'm sure you do, sweetie. You loved her very much, yes?"

"Yeah. She didn't deserve to die."

"What happened?"

"Glass. Glass happened."

"Oh! Ouch."

"Poor cat."

"Did you not hear yowling?"

"I was out, with Haku. She was the one who found her dead."

"Oh! That must've been a terrible sight."

"Yeah."

Both Neru and Luka went quiet, not knowing how to continue the conversation. Neru nervously bounced her leg.

"So, um, is there anything else you want to talk about?" Luka asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"No. Not really."

She paused.

"Well, yes. But it's awkward."

"Oh? What's it about?"

"I don't know. I'm just- I'm just stupidly in love."

"It's not stupid. It's really quite cute. Young love~!"

"Shut up."

"Come on. That's clearly not what you wanted to talk about."

"Well, uh... You know when you look at someone, or just think about them, and your mind goes off to... Other places? That. And the fact that she won't get out of my head."

"Aww, that's sweet. And I do understand the going off thing. It can't be helped, when you're in love!"

"In love. In love with my best friend."

"I thought you were dating?"

"Yeah, we are. It's just, like, we used to just be best friends, and then I caught feelings. And she did too. And now we're together."

"I think we should all give her a great day tomorrow. Yes?"

"Yes. Definitely."

"Alright. Now, should we go and get that cat?"