Serendipity

VII - Empty Hands

 A few days have passed since Yousuke left but his presence could still be felt in the house. Someone knocked on the door but was ignored by Suzuka, who could care less about who it was that wanted her attention. She laid on her side on the couch with the television on in the background for ambience. Her phone kept vibrating every five to ten minutes from her father's texts asking why she isn't picking up. Two hours went by until there was another series of knocks on the door. When it had subsided the sound of keys jingling and locks turning filled the void. The door could be heard swinging open and a female voice grunting as she tried to pull her key from the lock.

 The voice called out, "Hello? Hello!? Su-chan? Su-chan, are you home?" The woman took off her shoes and the pounding of her footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. "Su-chan, what are doing?" Suzuka moved her eyes to look at the visitor. "Oh, Hime-tan, it's only you." She quickly sat up, giving her sister room to sit. "Why did you come here?"

"Dad said he tried contacting you multiple times but you didn't respond so he called me to come over and check up on you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm fine. I just caught a cold or something."

"Sick?", Himeka placed her hand on Suzuka's forehead, "Your head feels a little warm but doesn't look like you have a fever." While she was examining her sister's face she couldn't help but to notice her eyes were red with dark rings around them. "Is there something else going on that you're not telling me? Have you... been crying?"

"No. I don't know, I just don't feel good."

"Have you eaten yet?" Suzuka shook her head. "Do you want me to go get anything for you?"

"No it's fine," she laid back down on the couch once Himeka got up, "There's some soup in the cupboards so I'll make some if I'm hungry."

"Well... alright then. I guess I'll be leaving then." Himeka slipped her shoes back on slowly as she glanced over into the living room. She walked back to Suzuka and kissed her on the cheek. "If you need anything just give me a call, okay?" "Okay. And tell dad I've just been under the weather for the last few days." Himeka took note of that and quietly left.

 Again, her phone buzzed but this time she decided to see who it's from. The name "Aki-chan" was displayed with a picture of her in the background. Swiping the phone to pick up, she proceeded to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Su-chan!", yelled Akiko, "whatcha doin'?"

"Nothing much, just laying on the couch. Why?"

"Hmm, you don't sound so good; are you sick?"

"Sick, maybe. Can you... can you come over and take care of me?"

"Uh -- sure! Yeah, okay -- I'll be there as quick as I can. Love you, bye!"

"'kay, bye."

 About three quarters of an hour later Akiko arrived. Sliding her feet into her pink slippers, Suzuka dragged herself to open the door for her friend. The door opened and Akiko lunged herself at Suzuka. "Good morning, Su-chan!" "It's... noon." "Don't matter, the sun's still up. Oh wow," she took a step back, "You don't look to good after all. Shoot, I shouldn't have been as hyper just now. Are you alright?" "I've seen better days. Come on in."

"So whatcha need, Su-chan?"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Akiko asked, confused, "You didn't do anything wrong, or, at least, not to my knowledge."

"I'm not sick. I just... needed someone to talk to. I feel like a complete idiot."

"Hey now," Akiko, then, sat down next to Suzuka with one arm wrapped around her back holding her close. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Tell me what happened."