A Painful Melody

Chapter 6- Tested Bonds

3rd person POV

"Is it really okay to leave Shuichi-san? Those guys were scary." Ayaha spoke between her uneven breaths.

"Don't underestimate him. Shuichi will be fine, though we at a different story. I don't have any combat skill what so ever, so if the men catch up I won't be able to protect us." Akagawa's black orbs said otherwise.

"Why are they after you anyway?" Akagawa pulled Ayaha into the closest restaurant and put her hoodie on.

Akagawa shoved her long hair and hid it inside the hood. Ayaha watched, "What's happening?" She asked.

"First things first, how many people do you think have red hair?" Akagawa went to sit down in one of the chairs.

Ayaha followed after and took the seat beside Akagawa, "Good choice. I won't have to talk to loudly since you're beside me instead of in front of me." Ayaha nodded in understanding.

"Uhm... to answer your question, a lot of people. Red hair is a natural color but not a lot in Rakuzan." Akagawa chuckled.

"Then, how many people with red hair have black eyes?" Akagawa asked once more.

"You're the only one I know of."

"Exactly. Now what if my eyes weren't really black?" Ayaha's green orbs widened at Akagawa's confession.

"What do you.." Her voice trailed off as Akagawa grabbed the black haired girl's chin and brought it close to her face.

Akagawa blinked and when she opened them Ayaha couldn't do anything but stare and gape. Akagawa's eyes were a beautiful mixture of silver, gold and red.

"Now tell me, how many people do you think can do this?" Akagawa blinked once more and the beautiful orbs that enchanted Ayaha solid was no more.

"None! They were breathtakingly beautiful, I couldn't say anything." Akagawa let go of Ayaha's chin and sighed.

"Everything comes with a price. Those men, are part of the price I have to pay for having such things." Ayaha frowned at how Akagawa worded her sentences.

"Is that heritable?" She mumbled.

"No, it is not. This is the result of me trying to reveal classified things that shouldn't be revealed. It's a curse, it not only puts myself in danger but everyone else around me. Shuichi, was the first to get envolved." Akagawa looked around the restaurant, as if she was making sure no one heard their conversation. As if she was looking for the men in black. As if she was looking for Shuichi.

"So they're after you just because of your eyes?" Ayaha wanted to punch herself after saying that. The look in Akagawa's black orbs made Ayaha's heart shatter into pieces.

"You could simplify it to those terms." Akagawa partly lied. She just met Ayaha today, it's not like she needed to know everything.

"I'm sorry for involving you in all this. Fortunately, I don't think they saw your face because you were already behind the corner when they arrived. It would be wiser to stay away from me." Akagawa spoke with authority.

In that tone, it was almost as if Akagawa was demanding Ayaha to stop being friends with her. The red haired female stood up, "I'm going back for Tadao. His business with me, is no where complete." Ayaha wanted to say something.

Her voice wouldn't work! All the questions, all the concerns, and all her cries thinking that Akagawa shouldn't go back. None of those things, Ayaha could put into words. She couldn't say, and she just watched in regret as the red haired female walked out.

Ayaha could only stare at Akagawa's back. The back that held so many responsibilities and secrets that a normal person shouldn't have to carry. Ayaha slammed her head on the table, her heart hurt.

She just met Akagawa today and yet it feels like they've known each other for eternity. Ayaha loved to be by Akagawa's side, she loved to hear Akagawa's voice, see her smile, and hear her laughter.

It would be wiser to stay away from me.

Ayaha grabbed a handful of her black locks, "I don't want to stop being friends with Hari-san!" Tears filled her eyes.

Ayaha ran out of the restaurant, desperately looking for her friend. Ayaha didn't care about anything, she would gladly put away everything. Something about Akagawa was different. Ayaha knew that.

That difference gave Ayaha the courage to speak up. That difference gave Ayaha more confidence. That difference gave Ayaha the comfort that her family's love couldn't rival.

That difference, was that Akagawa had everything Ayaha needed, envied and admired. How ironic that she could feel all these things yet she knew Akagawa for only a few hours. It hasn't even been a whole day yet.

Akagawa tainted everything. Leaving traces, and implanting impressions into people that either broke them down or... actually that's it.

Akagawa tainted and broke everything.

Also, throughout that drama... a single person heard and saw it all.