Despair of the heart

Chapter 12 - Funeral

CHAPTER 12: FUNERAL

Usagi’s POV

Agreeing to quit smoking…what was I thinking…?

That was all that was going through my mind after my cell phone rang on the small table next to the couch I was sitting on. Misaki was still lying down, head on my lap.

 I picked up the phone and answered it only to find out it was Minami calling to inform me that the funeral arrangements were completed and that the funeral was going to take place tomorrow morning. How do I tell Misaki…?

After I hung up I was contemplating when and how to tell him then I decided it was best to just say it so I started “…Misaki…” I was still hesitant but it had to be done. With a sigh I continued “…that was Minami-san she…”

“Is she ok? H-how is she doing?” Misaki interrupted me with concern clear in his voice.

“I’m not sure. She says that she is fine but I doubt it…” I sighed then said “it was about the funeral…” I paused when I felt his body stiffen. His right hand clutched the fabric above my knee and I could feel his tears start to soak up my pants.

“…Misaki…”

“…w-when…?” He breathed in a whisper.

“Tomorrow… 9 AM…” he moved so his face was half buried in my lap.

“S…s-so soon…” his voice still a whisper.

“Yeah…” my hand ran through his hair

Miskai’s POV

I woke up not even remembering that I had fallen asleep. The last thing I remember was Usagi-san telling me that the funeral was the next day. I felt tears trailing down my face again. I’ve been trying to stop them for two days now but there was nothing I could do.

I slowly opened my eyes only to see that I was still in the living room, the TV still on. It was already morning. I looked up to see Usagi-san sleeping while his hand was still on my head.

We must have fallen asleep without noticing…

 With a sigh I slowly got up and looked at the time on the wall clock. It was 7:00 am. There wasn’t enough time, the funeral was at 9:00 and I had to shower and get dressed. I turned to look at the still sleeping Usagi next to me.

He looked so exhausted, I didn’t want to wake him up but knowing him he would take longer than me to get ready. I placed a hand on his right shoulder and shook him to wake him up. It didn’t take long for his lids to flatter open; his eyes moved around and finally settled on me.

“…Misaki…” he said in a sleepy voice.

“…funeral” I said and pointed to the clock on the wall. He looked up and then back at me with all the sadness and compassion of the world in his eyes. He then raised his right hand to my cheek and wiped the tears away. I closed my eyes feeling the comfort of his touch.

“…you ok?” I could hear the concern in his voice. I just nodded not trusting myself to say anything else. It was taking all my self-control not to break down like the other day.

…be strong… you can do it… for n-nii-chan…for nee-chan… for Usagi… be strong…

I opened my eyes again to see Usagi-san’s gaze still on me. I placed a hand on his and moved it off of my cheek and started to get up. “Where…”

Knowing what the question was I answered “…I n-need to shower a-and get r-ready…” I started walking to the stairs. I could hear Usagi-san’s footsteps behind me I just headed to my room to grab a few things that I would need.