Chapter 8: Chapter 8

She never expected Van to look this serious.

"So, what's your story, Van? Oh, I'm sorry, maybe you don't want to talk about it..."

"--Everyone in this town knows my family's story... It won't hurt me anymore if I tell you my story. Are you willing to listen?" asked Van.

"I'm willing to listen." I nodded in return.

Van took a deep breath, and afterwards, he started retelling his lifestory..

"My mother died when I was barely 12 years old. Ren was 10. And she died because of me..." Van began.

I could see the muscles on his jaw tensed. But I still didn't dare to speak.I patiently waited for him to continue.

"--it was my father and mother's wedding anniversary that day. I wanted to surprise her at her workplace. And after that we would buy a gift for my father and go home together. She's actually working in the next town from here. And it would take us an hour to reach her workplace by train." continued Van.

"And you took the trip?" I piped in.

Van wistfully smiled but I can obviously hear the sadness in his voice.

"I did. All I could think of that time is to give her my gift and see her smile. My father said that he fell inlove with my mother because of her wonderful smile..." Van relayed.

I stared back at him.

"--When I finally reached her workplace, and just like what I expected, my mother was surprised and happy when she saw me standing at the entrance door while holding a bunch of her favorite flowers. My mother agreed to help me pick a gift for my father. While I was waiting for her outside, I was secretly counting the money the money I saved from my allowance. Suddenly, one of the coins fell on the ground. It rolled all thr way towards the street. At that very moment, I was thinking I should get it back at any cost or else I wouldn't be able to buy something special for my father. I hurriedly ran towards the middle of the street to get it back." recounted Van.

I breathlessy waited for Van to finish with his story.

"I can heat my mother calling my name. I felt her hand on my shoulders and I was pushed back at the other side of the road. The next thing I knew was I was staring at her lifeless body. I instantly knew that she's gone..." Van continued, as he was trying his best to control his emotions.

I just listened to him in silence.

"--after that I was in a state of shock for few months...The fact that my mother is gone made me wish that I should have died as well.

"I don't know what to say, Van. I'm sorry..." I softly spoke, as I stifle a sob.

"Don't be. I still have my idiot father and good-for-nothing brother!" Van said in amusement, as he was trying to lighten up the mood.

"You're still lucky because your father's still alive, and my mother's not with me..." I sadly told Van.

"But you also have Doctor Nishikawa and Mika as your own family now." Van was obviously encouraging me.

"But you know that I'm adopted,right?" I probed.

"Of course, I know that. But I don't care about it." Van replied, while shrugging his shoulders.

I looked up at him. There was something in his soft, brown eyes that washed all of my anxieties away.

"By the way, have you considered going back to school?" Van suddenly inquired.

He was back to his happy-go-lucky attitude.

I grimaced a little when I heard the word "school."

Van grinned as he saw my expression.

"What's with that face? School is cool, you know!" he said.

"I'm not ready to go back." I timidly answered him.

Van suddenly cleared our packed lunch. After that, he stood up and offered his hand towards me.

He clasped my hand tightly as he helped me stand up. And then we started walking again.

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

"You'll see." Van responded.

======================

"Wait, don't tell me we're going to Naha High School?!" I screeched at him.

The bicycle almost lost its balance as I squirmed from my seat.

"Hey, just stay still! And what's wrong if we're going there?" asked the startled Van.

"I told you I'm not ready to go back to school yet! Why are you doing this to me?" I groaned inwardly.

"Relax. It's not like we're going on a haunted house or something." Van muttered, as he pedalled faster.

We finally made our stop as we reached the Naha High School building.

"We're here." announced Van.

I sulkily pouted my lips. I reluctantly got off from the backseat.

"So, what are we doing here?" I questioned him, while eyeing the school building. I was still feeling a little uneasy.

The school gate is closed since it was weekend.

"What on earth are we supposed to do here? Just stare at the school building all day?" I puzzily thought.

"Let's make our way inside by climbing that gate. Come on, let's go!" he said, and then he started running. He quickly jumped on

the gate and climbed on it.

He safely made it to the other side of the gate.

"It's your turn!" called Van.

I decided to follow him. I took a deep calming. I managed to climb at the gate, but I suddenly loosened my grip on the gate and I was already falling down. Fortunately, I landed on Van's strong arms.

"Hey,you're pretty light!" Van said, while he's still carrying me.

"Put me down, will you?" I croaked.

Van chuckled, as he gently puts me down.

"Is this your first time to do that? It's quite fun, isn't it?" said Van.

"Hmp!" I muttered, as I turn my back on him, trying to hide my red face.

I could hear Van's laughter behind me, as we walk our way inside the empty school building.