The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 117~♫

 Kenta panicked his arms fencing. "W-What?"

Rigaku remained bowed, explaining, "When you first came, I watched you with eagle eyes."

The younger boy calmed down, listening.

"I didn't trust you. I thought you are close to my brother to boost your status."

Scratching his cheek, Kenta was at lost what to say.

"Yet, you had no ulterior motives, and time and time again you proved your intentions were pure. Onegai shimasu, accept my apology."

"Even if you say accept"—Rigaku's eyes twitched, but he figured an apology wouldn't be enough—"there is no need for you to apologize, Rigaku-san."

Straightening with wide eyes, Rigaku wasn't sure if he had heard right.

"When my niece goes outside playing, I always watch the other kids with wary eyes. For my age, I'm a midget, so schoolmates always picked on me. I don't want my niece to go through the same experience."

He swayed on his heels. "And to tell the truth, I was scared of all of you at first, but after meeting Kagetsu-san, I realized you are kind people. He was the one who also persuaded me to stop by your Awareness Club."

Kenta stood up, slightly bowing. "So, there is no need to apologize."

A slight smile settled on Rigaku's face. "Wakarimasu."

\\_(''>_<'')_//

With the school day finally over, they hurried to Kagetsu. Kenta wished to come too, but his mother wasn't feeling well, so he had to be by her side in case it got worse. Still, he gave Rigaku his newest poems, so Kagetsu could read them before anybody else.

With the fairy tale notebook in his bag, Rigaku realized there is something else about this book. One more reason, why he had started writing and not just for his love for stories.

Entering the hospital room, they heard a voice, "... then Maria hugged the witch. The witch's tears soaked her dress as she no longer needed to pretend to be evil."

Stepping into the view, Rigaku and Aiyoku breathed in unison. "Father?"

The old man snapped his head their way. "Ri? Ai?" His eyes went from one to another. They stayed on the middle brother for the longest.

Aiyoku no longer had his hair.

Mr. Kamini's heart throbbed, reviving an old memory full of laughter and an embarrassed girl. He pushed the question on his tongue away. This wasn't the right time. And thinking about the time, he checked his wristwatch. "Oh, my, my. The time sure flies."

"Dad was reading me stories from Our Dreams." Kagetsu's face tinged in red. "I still love them."

Rigaku's eyes darted toward the book. Its cover was still the same, however, now the book gained a new meaning.