Windbreaker: Fight to Protect!

Chapter 21: Let's Talk

Kaji's POV

"I can... and I will."

The words echoed in my mind over and over. As I watched the one person I ever cared about with my life leave past me. Her scent of chai and vanilla being the only thing left behind..

I stood there watching her leave with one hundred percent seriousness and confidence.

"Kaji."
I look to see Umemiya giving me a look.
"Come have a seat."
He added on but I needed to go after her... I needed to talk to her.
I turned to look back at her, but I find absolutely nothing there.

"She will be okay.....trust me."
I did, I have always trusted Higari and Umemiya, I walked over to sit down.

"You tried your best, don't let her words get to you, it's always the hardest the first time you pour your heart out."
My heart thudded at his words as I felt a pinch of heat from my chest to my head..

"I-I don't know what you're talking about! I-I was only trying to save her!"
I yelled out flustered, though I knew they were right.

"Kaji, you don't have to hide anything, you're an open book to us. It's okay to actually have feelings for someone, it's a part of life, it's what makes us human.. especially after a fight."
Higari said

"Most definitely!"
Ume said with a smile while patting Higari on the back almost as in approval in his words.

"Honestly I don't know what the best part is..when you're about to fight knowing someone is waiting for you to come home, or actually coming home to that someone special after a fight.."
Ume added as I listened.

"You've had both, Kaji."
My eyes went a little bit open in curiosity as I look at him smiling.

"What are you talking about?"
I was starting to think he was just starting to pull stuff out of his ass at this point..

"Let's see.. yeah..! Your fight with Keel! You remember that Higari!?"

Higari closed his eyes, folding his arms and smiled.
"God, you had her worried sick...especially when you didn't answer her messages.."
Opening his eyes, he then took his hand to rub the back of his head as if recalling the whole situation.

"We were at that BBQ restaurant, and she would not rest until she knew that you were coming back, but you didn't really know that. But with your fight, you thought of her.. you knew she was going to be waiting for you, and you know who was there as soon as you got there, ready to patch you up and hear all the stories?!"
Ume said with a huge smile, a twinkle in his eye

I took in his words, my eyes going huge at the realization.
"There it is.."
Ume said as Higari added on
"Those gears are turning and the switch has flipped."

My expression goes relaxed as I look down, still listening.

"Listen, that was an inevitable battle that no one would have won. Addie is stubborn, and in the end she will make her own decisions. Even I can't stop her if it's something she has put her all into.. but the words from you will be weighing on her, so don't think what you said will go unheard, because their not. As we speak she's processing everything you just said to her, probably even considering it. But instead of lecturing her, be there for her. Be behind her on what she chooses, even if it may be the wrong one. Be the one there after the fight ready to hear her stories, ready to bandage HER up."
My eyes go wide and I look up at him, his eyes were sincere.

I've never even thought about that.. 'be there for her, after a fight?'
I thought to myself.

"Give her time, watch her from a distance."