Lost and Found

Garden

Mineko's POV

The ride to Kaoru's house was not awkward at all. We were talking about anything and everything, cracking jokes, and asking questions about each other.

"So, what's your favorite color?" Kaoru questioned me laughing, his eyes glued on the road.

I sat in silence for a bit, thinking over an answer.

"Hmm. I never thought about what my favorite color was. I happen to like a few: blue, red, black, orange, green...seriously, the list can go on and on." I laughed, looking over at Kaoru.

He bobbed his head up and down, pushing out his lower lip. "That's understandable", he mumbled, turning a corner, pulling into his driveway.

I did a double take out the window when we pulled up to his home. It was substantial in size and had a beautiful mini garden that wrapped around the front and back of his house; a fountain also adorned the front of his lawn. It was absolutely breathtaking. I slowly opened the door and stared at the guitarist and he brushed his long hair out of his face.

"I can't imagine that you stay inside much with how the outside of your house looks". I said, eyes still scanning his home, as we walked towards the door.

Kaoru fished for his keys, letting out a hearty laugh at my comment. "Meh. I prefer indoors. Plus, I figured the outside makes up for the inside. It's quite boring in here". He pushed opened the door, ushering me inside.

"I wouldn't say boring...just...simple". I smiled. His home didn't have many decorations, and almost every wall I stared at was painted white.

"It's a relatively new house. I haven't had any work done yet." We both kicked off our shoes, and Kaoru showed me to my room for the next three days.

I placed my duffle bag on the bed, full of the items that I initially packed for the hotel. Just as Kaoru was about to walk out of the bedroom, he placed his hand on the door, looking back at me.

"I'm actually kind of hungry, even though we just ate. I'll make something to eat. If you want any, just come downstairs whenever. I won't be in bed for a while anyway". He smirked at me, closing the door behind him.

Come to think of it, I was pretty hungry too. I thought back to the restaurant...after Kyo left the way he did, it seemed as if everyone lost most of their appetite. I sighed, "I really hope he's alright", I whispered into the relatively empty room, beginning to undress myself.

I dug through my bag pulling out my toothbrush, toothpaste, and pajamas. Walking into the bathroom, I released my bladder and went to the sink to wash my hands and face. The entire time, Kyo was the only person on my mind.
I bit my bottom lip, staring at my damp face in the mirror, wondering to myself why I was thinking so much about a person that I just met.

Maybe it's my caring nature? I could only wonder if he was okay.

I grabbed the hand towel that was hanging near the shower and dried my face. I organized all of my belongings and placed my outfit for tomorrow on the dresser.

I grabbed my pajamas that were laid out on the bed and slipped into them. Just as I was about to open the door, my stomach grumbled at the smell of whatever it was that Kaoru was cooking downstairs.

I gently walked down the steps, following the smell of the precious food that I was about to consume. I turned a corner, and my eyes met the back of Kaoru.

"Hey, that smells really good!" He jumped at the sudden sound of my voice.

"You're just in time. I hope you like fried Tofu and Ramen! That's all there is to eat...I have yet to go grocery shopping". His eyes glanced the floor, then he prepared a plate for himself, and I.

I shook my head, smiling. "I'm fine with anything that smells this good!"
"Thanks". He chuckled.

The both of us pulled out a chair, sat at the table, and began to eat.

Kyo's POV

How did I even make it home in this condition? I felt absolutely nothing at all. My entire body was numb, and with each second it was becoming harder and harder to breathe.

I sat on my bed, crouched over, hands rapidly moving over my face. It was almost as if I had an itch that I couldn't scratch. I didn't know what I was feeling.
The only thing going through my mind was that necklace.

"Why the fuck was she wearing it?!" I shouted into my dark room. I looked up to the ceiling, then down to my bed, then up at the ceiling again. My eyes glanced around my bedroom as if the corners of them would give me the answer I was looking for.

I fell back onto my soft bed, pulling the covers over my shaking body, gnawing on my fingernails. My heart thrummed through my chest, sounding a painful melody.

The bold taste of blood hit my tongue; I bit my nail back too far. I wiped my wet finger on my sheet, my mind racing with thoughts that I couldn't even comprehend. I felt hot, yet cold at the same time. I wanted to cry, but I also wanted to laugh.

What I was feeling right now...was unknown to me. I didn't even feel this way when I lost Mizuki. This was different, and I hated it. I pulled my comforter tighter onto myself, hoping that it would squeeze this feeling out of me.

"I need to find out about this girl. Who is she...why does she have her necklace?" My breath bounced off of the comforter, warming my face.
And that's when it finally happened. Tears began to fall one by one: wetting my face, hands, pillow, and blanket all at once.

This time, I didn't dare dry them...I only let them fall, letting sleep take me away.