Pray For The Broken Blue Shoelaces

Step 2

Dr. Kuchiki took Takumi and Aunt Mimori to her residence. She was quite enthusiastic because it has been a while since they had visitors. She was driving while Takumi dozed off due to exhaustion from the trip and too much eating while his aunt tossled his hair.

"He sure changed a lot," the psychiatrist sighed. "He's so different from what we saw on TV just five months ago..."

"I really couldn't believe this happened to him," the aunt was as exhausted as her nephew but decided to stay awake to talk to her long-time friend. "I always ask myself what he has done wrong..."

"Did his parents already--"

"No. It was Takumi's decision to keep it a secret. Besides, he's also traumatized by how he was threatened..."

There was silence again.

Mimori used this silence to remember everything a month ago--even though she tried not to remember any of it. But it was so vivid and clear, on how she had found out and how she tried to defend him from those who tried to invade his personal matters. She clearly remembered what he looked liked after he confessed... He was hiding his face, hugging himself in a corner, trying to recollect everything even if it's painful... And his voice, full of regret, fear and remorse to those who have thought will save him...

But instead they accused him of being an opportunist. A demon pretending to be an angel. Worse of all...a slut.

-----

Flashback, four months ago

Aunt Mimori received a call from Otsuka's clinic and was told that Takumi suddenly collapsed from exhaustion. When she arrived, she heard him shouting and begging for help. Nurses and his schoolmates are trying to restrain him but he finally calmed down when she came.

"Takumi, I'm here!" she suddenly hugged him to stop his shaking. "What happened?"

"...No one believes in me," he was hysterical and choking in his own tears.

"W-why...?"

"Didn't he told you?" one of Takumi's schoolmates interrupted. "We never thought that he could take his celebrity status to new heights," with added sarcasm, that confused Aunt Mimori.

"What do you mean?" she even asked.

"Takumi Norio has just earn the 'Teacher's Slut Award," another student answered--

"That's not TRUE...!" Takumi tried to talk. "How many times do I have to tell you--"

"Whatever," one of his teammates, Saburo Dan, just shook his head and quite tired of all the lies he has been hearing. "We're just disappointed with you--"

"You saw EVERYTHING! You all know what really happened but you keep on believing in him--!"

"Auntie," he turned to Aunt Mimori, "hope you could keep an eye for him from now on. Before he tries to follow and even elope with him.."

"Careful with those words, Dan-kun!" the spinster warned him. "What do you mean--"

"It would be better if he'll be the one who to tell you," one of them smirked, "even the most intimate details..."

Those three students were happened to be Takumi's teammates in Otsuka's Dance Troupe. Aunt Mimori was still confused and at the same time worried about what really happened to his nephew, meanwhile Takumi was on the verge of being hysterical again.

"Why don't you believe in me...?" he was shaking in anger.

"Auntie's here," Mimori assured him. "I'll believe everything you'll say... Just tell me what happened, okay?"