It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 20: I'm sorry

I went to a convenient store to buy a sandwich for me to my homework for Trigonometry. After I paid the cashier, I went to an empty seat and began scribbling notes.

That is when I was squished by a tight squeeze;

"Hiyorin~~" I know that cheerful voice. "Kofuku-san?"

I quickly turned around and saw her, "What are you doing right now? Busy with homework I see." She snooped into my work while playing innocently on my hair. "Seriously Hiyorin~ you rarely visited us. I know you're busy and all but couldn't you at least drop by every once in awhile." She let go of me, placing her hand on her hip with a pouting look on her face.

I giggled. "Sorry. Yeah, I'll see what I can do about that."

She grabbed another chair and sat beside me, watching me finish my homework. While I was analyzing, I noticed she was quiet the whole time. Everytime I glanced, she smiled. But when I'm not looking, she pondered.

Kofuku sure is having her mood swings again. I guessed.

After a few minutes, I finally finished it. Letting out a huge sigh, she handed me a bottle of water as a reward which added to my relief. I mumbled a thanks to her and drank it all down.

"So this is where you girls have been hiding." Both of us jumped by that voice but sighed when we turned around to see Daikoku holding a bag of groceries. His clothes changed to casual black with an inner white shirt and brown pants.

Daikoku shifted his gaze towards me. I noticed his expression suddenly changed the minute he looked at me. But he shrugged it off, "Hiyori-chan, how's school going?" I nodded, "Good. School's been busy lately but I'm doing well."

"Well since its the weekend and you're already done, you want to join us?" Daikoku offered.

"Aww come on Hiyorin~~ its been awhile you haven't dropped by." She begged with her puppy eyes. Man why does she have to be so cute when she does that?

I sighed defeatedly so I gave in. "Okay, I'll go." "Hooray!" She gave me a bear hug. "Ka-Kofuku-san.." I can hardly breathe.

Meanwhile, Daikoku just laughed on the background.

---------Timeskip---------

Both me and Kofuku talked more about my school and I couldn't help but laughed to her reactions yet blushed because she kept on asking if there were some cute boys.

Does she have to ask every single boy that I interact with?

When we arrived at our destination, which is Kofuku's shrine, I helped Daikoku with the groceries and helped them set the table for dinner.

I wiped quickly the sweat off my forehead after I'm done. "Wow Hiyori, you sure are quick." Kofuku was impressed.

I was flattered, "Ehehe, it was nothing." I scratched at the back of my head.

"Kofuku-san, is that you? I thought I heard noise coming down from there." My eyes widened a bit when I heard that voice.

The person appeared out of the staircase. "Daikoku called me just n--". The person's eyes were also widened when we saw each other again.

Silence.

"Hiyori?"

"Yuki, what's wrong?" Kofuku asked. Yukine's voice hoarsed.

Yukine POV

I couldn't believe it. Hiyori showed up here in Kofuku's place. My eyes shook wide open. My body stood frozen. Calm down Yukine...

"Yuki, what's wrong?" Kofuku asked. "Its just only Hiyori."

My eyes couldn't take off Hiyori. The last time I saw her was at the bridge. I wonder if she already remembers me. I felt unease. I began to sweat a little on my forehead.

After a brief silence, her lips slowly parted. She was mumbling something before she spoke, "Y-You're that boy from before." She said pointedly.

"Of course you do. Why do you not remember him Hiyori?" Kofuku briefly added.

"Yukine-kun hasn't changed just so you are wondering." Daikoku onced again appeared, wiping his hands with a towel.

"Yu..kine..kun?" I looked at Hiyori, who stated slowly my name for the first time.

Her face went blank. Next thing that happened, she fainted.

----------------------

"Oh geez, and I thought she would be ready to face you but I guess she isn't." Daikoku came back after putting Hiyori in bed for her to rest.

"How is she?" I asked worriedly.

"She's fine. She just needed to rest." He told me, "I placed her on where you usually sleep. Hope that's okay with you?" I blushed a little but nodded quickly.

"Where is she?" "Upstairs. The part that she first saw Yato turned into a kid." Daikoku laughed at what he said in the end, lightening up the mood. I chuckled, as I recalled of that scene. How I really missed that.

"Sorry about this Yuki. We should've told you earlier." Kofuku said saddened.

I shook my head gently, "I know you guys are doing this for me to not worry. I didn't even know Hiyori would show up all of a sudden." I said quietly.

But what made Hiyori forget about us all of a sudden. I wonder if her memories returned, how will she react if Yato hasn't come back yet?

I tightened my grip on my fist, "You guys still haven't gotten a word at Yato?" I looked at them. But they were looking at each other with a sad look in their face. I'm guessing no.

"Yuki, why not you help get Hiyorin's memory back? I'm pretty sure she would remember."

"But how? I haven't been at her side for so long and I just let her go and now she got herself involved."

"It's not your fault-" "If only I was there for her, then she wouldn't be like this. If I go after, then none of this would've happened." I almost raised my voice. I felt so ashamed. That I couldn't protect her. My friend got herself involved into this mess. And Yato was nowhere to be found. Probably dead.

I shook my head, shrugging those negative things off.

I slowly got up and head over to my room leaving the two worried.

-------------At the room----------------

As I walked quietly to my room, I saw Hiyori lying on the bed, sleeping peacefully.

I crept closer and took a good look at her. Her body was covered in a blanket and her uniform was still on her.

I crouched down, hands placed on my lap. "Hiyori... I hope you're okay. I promise I'll get your memories back. Don't you worry." My voice almost whimpered. I felt as if I'm talking to myself but I don't care.

I'm closed to verging tears, "I'm sorry Hiyori. I shouldn't have left you. If only I go back in time and set things right, then, you wouldn't be like this. Yato would be worried sick if you don't remember him. Please.." I paused, as tears started to breakdown on my cheeks. My heart began to ache, seeing Hiyori like this, "...don't forget our promise. Our friendship. And also, your love for Yato.." I sniffed, and wiped off my tears.

"I'm sorry...Hiyori. I'm so so sorry.." I apologized multiple times, feeling guilty of leaving her and not being there for a friend.

I planted a kiss on her forehead before bringing her back home.