Chapter 12- Juuka

PRESENT

YOYOGI PARK,NIGHT,8.PM

Mika was leaning on her bike enjoying the scenery after a tiring day at work.Her brain just cant digest anything properly after the incident earlier during the rehearsal.Mika sighed as she turned around to get her helmet but then she saw someone walking towards her.

Mika : (shocked)

Juuka : Don’t run away.Please

Mika : Juuka-san

Juuka : (walked towards Mika)

Mika was about to put on her helmet when Juuka abruptly caught her hand.

Mika :What now.

Juuka : Please.Dont do this to me.

Mika : Were you following me?

Juuka let go of Mika’s hand and look at Mika.

Juuka : I called Tsuzuku to ask about you.Tsuzuku said you will be here every night.So,I can probably find you here.So here I am.

Mika : Why ?

Juuka : (sigh)

Mika : If you have nothing to say,don’t waste my time.

Juuka : Wait.

Mika : What?

Juuka : I knew about you and Kazuya.And how he--

Mika : I don’t want you to remind me about that.Shut up and leave.

Juuka : Mika.Kazuya is,I mean was my good friend.I knew you would not believe me but,it took 2 years for me to gather this will to finally talk to you.

Mika : You don’t have to explain yourself Juuka.I never thought about it at all

Juuka :But at least,let me clear the mess I made.

Mika : there are no mess at all.

Juuka : But-- I thought..

Mika : Juuka-san,I believe in Kazuya.And I know 2 years of knowing him is enough to make me trust him.And I have no doubts at all.About him,and about you.

Juuka : but then,why did you ran away.And and refused to talk to me the last time we met?

Mika : …

Juuka : Mika,please don’t do this to me.

Mika : I feel guilty.

Juuka : (shocked)Guilty?

Mika : Yes,guilty.

Juuka :But why?

Mika : (sigh)

Juuka : I don’t understand.

Mika : I knew about you and Kazuya.Before he met me,you guys were together,am I right?

Juuka :..yes.

Mika : You guys split up but you guys remain good friends.And you guys have not spend time together since he met me.

Juuka :And?

Mika : It felt like I have stolen him from you.

Juuka : Why would you feel that?

Mika : Because Kazuya told me about your last words before he left you.

Juuka looked at Mika closely and sigh.

Juuka : ……..” You are still important to me

Mika : ..no matter who I met after this”

Juuka : you knew about that.

Mika : I realized that you had no choice back then Juuka.I knew it because I am a girl too.And sometimes,our minds does not work at times when we want them to work rationally.And that is what kept me guilty all these years. I feel guilty,I cant face you. It seems like his death is because of me.I was the one was with him when he was dying and I cant simply put away the fact that he died beside me with his last words are all about me and none is about you when you actually care for him more than anyone else. I may sound selfish but, I feel like I have stolen him from someone who deserves him,at his worst and at his best.

Juuka cant hold her tears when Mika told her everything.Juuka walked towards Mika and look at her.

Mika: (looked away) Im sorry Juuka.

Juuka : No Mika.No. I don’t deserved him.Never. Because God knew there will be you after me. And the after is always the better ones.Im sorry I didn’t know about this.I am sorry I  have made you feel terrible all these years.

Mika :…..

Juuka : Im sorry that you had all the blame to yourself.I should have come to see you earlier…

Mika : (sigh)

Juuka : But,do you know why I said that you deserved him more than me,more than anyone else I could think of? Because the night before he died,he called me.

Mika : (shocked)…he..what?

FLASHBACK

18^th December 2012,the night before Kazuya died.

OMETASANDO CENTRAL HOSPITAL

WARD 11-20

Kazuya : Can you get me the juice you always drink?

Mika : (playing with Kazuya’s beanie) Eh?

Kazuya : The one I said it tastes horrible but you just love to buy them.

Mika : Green tea you mean?

Kazuya : Ah yes,that one.I feel like drinking it(laughing)

Mika : Are you sure Kazuya?(puzzled face)

Kazuya : I am sure *winks

Mika : Alright,I’ll get it for you alright?

Kazuya : Don’t rush!

Mika : I wont.(laughing)

As Mika disappeared behind the doors,Kazuya took his phone and scrolled the contact list and tap on “JUUKA”

Juuka : Kazuya?

Kazuya : Hello Juuka.

Juuka : Hello yes.Oh my god,you surprised me.You haven’t called me for months!

Kazuya : I know I know.(coughing)

Juuka : Are you alright?You don’t sound good at all.

Kazuya : Im fine,really am.How are you?

Juuka : I am fine,busy as always with my work of course.Is Mika there?

Kazuya : She went out to buy some stuffs.

Juuka : Oh where are you?

Kazuya : At the clinic.

Juuka : (chuckles) Night shift eh Mister Doctor!

Kazuya : You may say that(looking at the wires connecting his body and the machine)

Juuka : Do you need help or anything?

Kazuya : Yes,get a pen and a paper please.

Juuka : A pen and a paper?

Kazuya : Yes just get it!

Juuka : Yes yes,im getting them.What are you gonna do?

Kazuya : Im gonna tell you something,make sure you write everything down.Everything alright?

Juuka : Are you writing a letter or something?

Kazuya : Just write them Juuka.

Juuka : Okay okay Mister Doctor (sigh).Alright,fire away.

PRESENT

Juuka : This is the letter.I didnt know that he was sick.No one ever told me about what happened to Kazuya.But as I was writing the letter,I found out about it.

Juuka took a piece of paper from her pocket and hand it to Mika.

Mika : …what is this

Juuka : Read them.He asked me to write them for you.And when he was telling everything,I lost count how  many boxes of tissue I finished..his words were honest and it came straight from his heart.

Mika : (shocked)

Juuka took Mika’s hand and place the paper in her hands.

Juuka : I am sorry it took so long for me to give this to you but,finally I managed.

Juuka hugged Mika and both of them just cant hold back their tears.Mika struggled to not cry when Juuka hugged her.

Juuka : You are one lucky girl Mika.

Juuka released her hug and bid Mika goodbye before turning her back and walk to the opposite direction.

Mika was left alone at the spot they were standing just now and Mika looked at the folded paper Juuka just gave her.Mika tried to unfold the letter but she just cant gather her guts just yet that she put the paper in her jacket’s pocket.She put on her helmet and start the engine. She hopped onto her bike and rode away.