Spain Without The S!

Chapter 15: Avoidance

  "I think it's our only option at this point..." Kouyo stated slowly.
  Mori sighed, "and if it doesn't work?"
  "I- I don't know..." she paused, "I... he's been very... off... lately... and not just because he can't see..."
  Kouyo and Mori were talking quietly as Elise was escorting Chuuya back to his room.
  "Like what?"
  She paused, "I'm not sure... but when I came in this morning he seemed very confused and worried... Almost like he saw something that scared him..."
  Mori pursed his lips, "people who become blind later in life do actually tend to experience moments when they think they can see... Chuuya has already said it's happened before, so I'm not all that surprised..."
  "Yes, but..." she paused, "what did he think he saw?..."
  "Well, I'm not entirely sure but I think he did see. He told me that a few times he's thought he could see Dazai... and it was always as Dazai was letting go of him..."
  Kouyo seemed to get a bit of energy back, "so Dazai was able to make him see something?"
  Mori shook his head slightly, "again, I'm not sure... but it certainly seems like Dazai's having an effect on him."
  Kouyo almost smiled, "so it's even more probable, now."
  Mori nodded, "yes. But we shouldn't get our hopes up too high. Dazai hasn't always been the cooperative type."
  Kouyo nodded once firmly, "of course." She turned to leave.
  "And Kouyo?"
  "Yes?"
  "When are you going to tell him?" Mori asked.
  Kouyo remained silent.
  "You'll have to eventually."
  "I know..." she said, barely whispering. "Just... give me some time..." she walked out.
  Mori sighed quietly to himself, "she had better tell him... before someone else does..."

——

  Elise opened the door and led Chuuya inside, "we're back!"
  Chuuya smiled a little bit at her childish excitement. "It's only a room..."
  "Yeah, but, it's your room. So right now it's like your home." She pulled him farther into the room.
  "Oh! We should replace the water in the vase!" She let go of Chuuya.
  "Are the flowers even still alive?" Chuuya asked, "it's almost been a week, hasn't it?"
  "... most of them are alive..." she said as she scurried into the adjoining bathroom.
  Chuuya sighed as he felt around for the chair and sat down. He hated how alone he felt in the darkness. He also hated his inability to perform basic human functions by himself. He was getting better, but it was taking too long.
  Then, he noticed something peculiar. The room smelled different. Not just because Elise took the flowers out. That smell still lingered, this was something else.
  He closed his eyes, hoping it would help him focus better. But, once again, it was difficult to pinpoint anything specific.
  Elise's little toe taps got louder as she came back in, "all done!"
  "Elise? What kinds of flowers are in the vase?"
  "Uhm..." she set the vase down on the nightstand, "we have some roses, the peach flowers, tsubakis, and a few white spider lilies."
  Chuuya wrinkled his brow, "that's not it..."
  "What's not it? And what's it?" Elise asked.
  "Well... there's just a strange smell in here and I can't quite figure out what it is..." he said slowly.
  "Hmm," Elise sniffed the air rather loudly, "it does smell different than when I was last in here, but not by much."
  Chuuya nodded slowly, "well, it's probably not that important, anyways..."
  Elise sat down on the bed, "so... what do you normally do in here all by yourself?"
  Chuuya shrugged, "think? I mean... there isn't much I can do at this point..."
  "True," Elise sighed, "you must be so bored all the time!"
  Chuuya nodded, "yes. Exactly."
  Elise looked around the room, "hey, Chuuya? We're the curtains in here always open?..."
  "Uhm," Chuuya almost let out a laugh, "Elsie, I wouldn't know."
  "Oh... right..." Elsie stood up, the bed creaking quietly. She walked across the room towards the big windows. "I'm gonna close them again... it feels like we're being spied on..." The curtains rustled as they were slid together.
  "Kouyo might have opened them earlier," Chuuya said.
  Elsie paused, "or maybe someone else has been in here..."
  "Elise, this building has the highest security I know of. There's no way anyone could sneak in."
  Elise walked back over, "yeah... okay..."

——

  "Chuuya," Kouyo sat down next to him, "there's something important I have to tell you..." she began.
  "What is it?" He sat up.
  It was around eleven PM at the time and Kouyo was going to leave soon.
  She paused, unsure if she could actually say it.
  "Ane-san?..." he pressed his hand against her arm, "what is it?..."
  Kouyo took his hand, "I... It-it's about your eyes..." She knew she couldn't. She just wasn't strong enough. She couldn't bear the thought of seeing Chuuya in more pain than he was already in. "We might have a way of getting your sight back."
  "Really?" Chuuya's face lit up, "what is it?"
  She was glad Chuuya couldn't see her expression. She felt like she was going to cry. "I don't think you'll like it, though."
  "I'll do anything," Chuuya said sincerely.
  Kouyo chuckled, smooshing her feelings deep down, "it has to do with Dazai."
  Chuuya became visible disgusted, "except that."
  Kouyo giggled, "it's our best bet at this point. And I'm pretty confident in it. He has already somehow helped your condition."
  Chuuya sighed, "why does it have to be him?" He rested his forehead against her shoulder.
  Kouyo shrugged, "I have no idea. Mori has always taken a strange fascination with Dazai, so maybe his skill has more to it than we think. After all, abilities tend to feel alive at times."
  Chuuya nodded slowly, "maybe..."
  "So we're going to try and get in touch with him again. See what he thinks of it." Kouyo said.
  "Alright..." Chuuya laid back down, sighing, "he's going to ask for something in return."
  "Mori-dono and I have already discussed it. We've decided to meet whatever demands he makes." Kouyo reassured him.
  Chuuya held back a yawn, "you sure? He can ask for some pretty absurd things..."
  Kouyo chuckled lightly, "yes. We've talked about it. Get some sleep, okay?"
  Chuuya nodded, "goodnight..."
  "Goodnight," Kouyo stood and made her way out.
  After she left she silently walked away from the door, guilt building up and settling in her stomach.
  She needed to tell him. And soon. She was afraid that Mori might tell him. She didn't want that. It had to be from her.
  Kouyo just wished she had the courage to say it.