Itazura Na Kiss- Eternal Love Story

#16 Utterly Bewildered

(Kotoko POV)

I was discharged much later than usual today. My treatment method and the medicines are being altered as the early ones are not working properly. Doctor Ayano didn't let me delay it any longer. The new medicines made me really weak. Everyone at the hospital wanted me to stay another night but I insisted that I was okay and returned home around the dinner time. Mio dropped me home. Oka-san must be worried as I normally return in the early evening of the day after the therapy day. I sighed. My cell rang when I was right outside the front door. It was oka-san. I smiled at the screen. She must have heard my ringtone as she quickly opened the door for me.

"Kotoko-chan, what happened? You're so late." She was worried.

"The patient isn't doing well." I told her the truth.

"What? How is she?" She held my hand and pulled me in with her.

"Fine... for now. But a little complexity appeared. I don't..." The words died in my voice as I saw the person in front of me. My heart jumped into my throat. "Irie-kun?"

There was no way he was here now! Not today. I will be having a high fever tonight. But why is he here? Is it a visit? Is he back? He never said anything on the phone. Wait! What am I thinking? It's Irie-kun! It's been a whole long year since I last saw him... his face... oh how badly I missed it.

A smile broke in my lips. I ran closer to him and came to a halt. Darn! I shouldn't have run. I felt dizzy for a moment but I shook it off. Not now! I warned myself. I blinked a few times and took a quick deep breath looking down. Putting a smile on the face I looked up at him.

"Irie-kun, you are here." I desperately tried to sound surprised instead of shocked.

"Yes. I am home." He replied. His gaze was penetrating me.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out at first. I tried again and said, "Welcome home." with what I hoped to be a smile. I felt nervous under the x-ray look he was giving me.

"What happened Kotoko-chan? You were never this shy to hug him." Oka-san grinned widely. I gave her a wide stare nervously.

"Oka-san..." I could only say that. I couldn't hug him. Because if I do, he would know that I was shaking. He stepped closer.

"I smell of hospital. I will take a quick bath." I told them and without a backward glance I went upstairs. I closed the bedroom door and leaned on it. My legs were shaking. 

What am I going to do now? I promised myself that I will tell him when he comes back. But now when he really is back, I feel scared. He will be devastated if he finds out. I thought he will stay at Kobe for another year. I hoped I will be fine by then. But it's me! How could I even think that things will work out in the right way? "Oh... Damn it!" I cursed loudly and stumped my foot on the floor. My eyes fell on the table and I froze for a second. 

The files! 

I rushed towards the table. I took all the papers and files and put them inside a bag. They needed to be gone. I wasn't sure if any papers or files had my name proving I was a patient. Most probably, there isn't any as I always kept my reports in my locker at the Hope. But I didn't want to take any risk. I can't let Irie-kun see any report. He shouldn't find out in that way. I need to tell him before he finds out. But how on earth am I going to break the news to him? I felt miserable. I stood there thinking hard about what to do when suddenly the door behind me opened and gave me a fright. I nearly dropped the bag I was holding. I spanned around.

It was Irie-kun.

"Kotoko" He called my name while entering the room.

"Yes?" I answered, gripping the bag tightly with both hands.