ALiVE (KHR Fanfic)

53. Solace

53. Solace

I know this really isn't the time to be out shopping with girls in the middle of the day, but that's exactly what I ended up doing. 

"C'mon, Rei, you have to try the new apple cake in the store!" Kyoko tugged at my arm, pointing at the cake store.

"The chestnut tart too!" Haru added, holding my other arm and taking me along.

"Cakkkeee!" Sae yelled as she tagged along on my left leg like a koala.

"Go go, Rei-chan Taxiii," Sui's monotone was a strange contrast to how excited she sounded, but she held onto my right leg as her eyes sparkled in the direction of the cake shop.

Oh god, how did I get into this situation??

-

A while ago:

We were sitting around Lambo's bed, chatting in hushed tones as Nana peeled an apple for everyone.

"But did you see Yamamoto-san just now? How did he get those injuries?" Haru spoke up worriedly, "Is it really just some Sumo match?"

"It happened to my Brother too, and Gokudera-kun." Kyoko added grimly, "I wonder if they'd actually tell us what's going on."

It was a moment of silence before they turned to me synchronously.

I gulped. I coughed, but covered my mouth in time. I have a very bad feeling about--

"Hey, Rei-kun, do you know what's going on?" Kyoko asked me.

I furiously shook my head and my hands, "Nope! I don't!" I answered hurriedly.

Kyoko's eyes narrowed at me skeptically. 

I had to look away. Another cough.

"You know something, don't you?" Kyoko asked again.

"I don't!" I answered in a panic-- "I don't, really! Not at--" then a cough abruptly interrupted.

Both girls, even Nana and I-pin were staring at me now. Dripping with cold sweat-- I slowly stood up, and bolted out the door.

"He knows something, catch him!" Haru declared.

I got caught.

-

I sighed.  "Kyoko, Haru." I addressed them, "If anyone's gonna tell you guys anything, it has to be them. Not me. I'm barely involved at all." 

I forced out a sad, apologetic smile, coughing into the back of my palm as the girls' eyes, narrow and stern, considered me.

My response didn't seem to satisfy them. 

"Then," Haru inched closer to me, "In exchange for not telling us anything--"

"What about we have Rei-kun pay us some shush fee so we'd give up?" Kyoko took a step closer.