We Are Better Together!

Chapter 23 - Alone by Herself

Sugino's Pov:

Text message:

Kayano:
I am waiting on the third stop...when are you guys coming?

You:
We'll be there in ten minutes!

Kayano:
Alright!

"Kayano's already waiting at the station..."
I told Yuki, as she was staring out of the door of the metro.

"Really? we should've come earlier too..."
She said looking at me and smiling.

We soon reached the third stop. We could see Kayano waving at us from afar, she came running to us, huffing as she was catching up her breath. We laughed and talked our way out of the station and soon we were at Karasuma-sensei and Irina-sensei's house.

Unfortunately we got the piece of information Karasuma-sensei told us to ask Kurahashi about. It was just an unfair feeling, knowing that something so horrible happened to our teacher and we were not able to do anything about it.
I remember the day Kurahashi told us about it, Yuki was so sad hearing that, but 'if Irina-sensei is strong about it then we have to be strong too' is what I told her, but deep down I was shaken up to the core.

After thinking about it, I remembered what happened at the station with Yuki. I turned to her and tapped her shoulder. She looked at me and tilted her head in confusion.

"Tomohito-kun?"

"Yuki...Promise me, you'll tell me first-hand if something like that happened again.."
I said with a determined look. She only sighed and smiled.

"promise..."

She whispered and giggled.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Kayano said, walking up to the door and pressing the doorbell.

"mm..nothing.."

The door opened shortly after and we greeted Karasuma-sensei. When we entered the house, Irina-sensei was standing at some distance from the door, smiling at us, a warm smile. We were so happy to see them again. It felt so nostalgic as we remembered our school days. We talked about many things over the dinner, from our days at Kunugigaoka Junior High to What were doing currently in out lives.

"We wanted to see you!"
Was what we said excitedly when asked the reason for the visit. They both smiled at us kindly.

After the dinner, we were sitting in the living room, with Kayano and Yuki stuck to Irina sensei like bugs, talking to her delightfully about all sorts of things. We could hear them laugh every once in a while as Karaums-sensei and I watched them from afar.
It was time to go and Kayano being Kayano said she'll come again tomorrow as she enjoyed it very much.

"I don't have a shoot for a while, so don't worry sensei!"
Kayano said cheerfully, persistent that she'll be coming with a wide grin on her face. Everyone chuckled and Karasuma-sensei had to give in, saying she can come whenever she wants and that they wouldn't mind some company.

We waved them off and came to the station, where we went our ways.

"I would like to see her again..."

Yuki said silently as we were walking to her house. I would drop her home and then go to my own.
A warm smile came upon my face as I squeezed her hand.

"Sure! Tell me when you want to go..."
I said and she hummed in response and we continued walking our way.

Karasuma's Pov:

It was finally the day. I have to go to the office for an urgent meeting tomorrow. I don't want to leave Irina alone, but duty calls. I sighed as I looked in Irina's direction.

"Irina.." I said and she turned to me.

"I have to go to the headquarters tomorrow, I shouldn't be late...will you be okay?" 
I said and her eyes widened, I saw her face tense as she bit her lower lip. She clenched the sleeve of her sweater, her lips pursed as she looked reluctant to reply. Of course it would be difficult staying alone after all this.

"If you want, you can come to the headquarters with me, what do you say?"
I offered but she immediately shook her head no. She paused for a moment and them looked at me.

"I can stay a-alone for sometime...the last thing I want to do is bother you..."
She said silently with a low-spirited smile.

"But—"

"I'll be fine..."
She said and I sighed, reluctantly agreeing. I shouldn't have to worry I guess, Rhea and Aron will be here if anything happens. 

Tomorrow should go well...

The next day I woke up and left to take a quick shower, went to the walk-in closet, got ready for the day. When I returned to the bedroom, adjusting my tie a little, I stopped and looked at Irina. She was still sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling slowly, soft snores could be heard.

I chuckled and bent down, caressing her cheek and hair. It was early compared to when she woke up usually. She leaned into the touch and nuzzled my palm, her eyes fluttering open. She squirmed in the bed and held my hand tightly.

"Where are you going?.."
She asked sleepily as I caressed the back of her hand.

"I am going to the headquarters, I told you yesterday, remember?"
I softly said and she lazily nodded.

"have breakfast before going and drive carefully..."

She said as her eyes closed again, snuggling under the blankets again while still holding my hand. Well, she is cuddly when she is sleepy. I laughed at her cute behavior and hummed in response.

"Alright! You will have your medicines after having breakfast, okay?"
I reminded her and kissed her forehead.

"...mmh.."
She replied lazily and I sighed, carefully taking my hand out of her grasp. I slowly walked out of the room closing the door behind me. I took my laptop bag and some important files from my study and went to the entrance, tucking my shoes and taking the car keys.

"Sir? Breakfast?" Aron asked me and I looked at him.

"I'll have it in the office, don't worry...Make sure Irina eats her breakfast on time and takes her medicines..."

"Certainly sir."

Aron said bowing and I remembered that I have to tell them about Kayano coming home.

"Aron, Rhea?" I said as Rhea walked to us.

"I should be home in time, but, Kayano, my student will be coming home today... can you guys attend to her if I am not home?"

"Of course sir." They said in unison.

"She may or may not bring someone with her, it's fine..."

"Okay!"
Rhea said, as Aron went to the kitchen to check on the breakfast.

"I am heading off then..." I said opening the door, the car keys dangling from my fingers.

"Have a safe drive sir.."

Rhea said bowing as I took a last glance and closed the door.
I went over to the car, keeping the bag and files in the passenger's seat. I sat on the driver's seat, starting the car and holding the steering wheel. I released the breath that I didn't know I had been holding.

I hope Irina will be okay....

Yo! What's up?

Third wheeling a really toxic couple is so hard...anyways I out with my parents....🙂

See Y'll😛