Tough Love (On Hold)

Chapter 23

Finding him

"It has been a week and he's not back. What could have happened?" Momoko asked worriedly.

Ever since they had sent Brick back to the resort, he hasn't come back for a long time. And Momoko has been worried sick and almost went back to the resort if the other two didn't stop her.

"Don't worry Momoko," Miyako tried to assure her. "I'm sure he's just fine. Kanae's probably hasn't been found yet."

"Yeah. He's a tough guy. He can take care of himself," Kaoru said, also to assure her but deep down inside, she has a bad feeling about Brick being gone for so long.

"I guess..." Momoko said, half convinced that Brick is fine.

~ 4 Days Later ~

Momoko's hands are starting to sweat and her heart was beating fast that it was getting hard to breathe. Where is he? she thought, very worried. Did something happen to him?

The doorbell of the lab rang. Professor Utonium checked the cameras and found a very familiar face.

"Kanae?" he asked.

The three girls suddenly looked at the screen and saw Kanae covered in sand, slime, seaweed and traces of blood was on her clothes and arms. She looked horrible.

"Professor!" she yelled. "Let me in please! It's an emergency!" Her face looked so desperate and impatient.

Miyako suddenly ran down to help Kanae in. "How did she know where the lab is?" the professor asked.

"I told her in case she gets lost," Kaoru said.

"Guys!" Miyako suddenly entered the room. Brick is here!"

Momoko's eyes went wide then ran past Miyako and went beside Kanae.

"W-what happened?!" she exclaimed.

There lies Brick, covered in scars and bruises. He's covered in seaweed but barely covered. His eyes were shut tight and he looks as if he's desperate for air.

"Brick!" Momoko knelt down and carressed his scarred face. His eyes opened then softened when he saw his girlfriend near in tears.

"Mo... mo... ko..." he mumbled.

"Save your breath. You need treatment now."

Brick was taken to the hospital and was immediately attended to. The doctor said that his wounds were deep but he's most likely to survive. "It's a good thing you brought him here in time. Or else he might've bled to death."

The next day, Momoko stayed in the waiting room, biting her nails. She really wanted to see Brick but it will take a few minutes to do so.

"Are you alright, Momoko-san?" Miyako asked and sat down beside her.

"Yeah... I'm fine.. " she responded. "Just... a bit worried."

"Don't worry, he's gonna be fine," Kaoru said and wrapped an arm around Momoko's shoulders. "Doc said he's most likely to survive so don't worry that much. We should worry more about the Punks though. Not sure when they'll arrive."

"Yeah. But I think you should stay here Momoko," Miyako said. "They might come here and take him."

"Yeah. I guess so," Momoko agreed.

"Hey guys!"

They turned their heads and saw Kanae making her way towards them. "How's Brick doing?"

"He's fine. He's better than before," Miyako said.

"How did Brick end up like that?" Kaoru asked. "What happened to him?"

"I'll tell you but you've got to promise me that you'll never go after the Punks. Especially Momoko."

"What?" Momoko stood up. "What happened?"

"Promise me first and I'll tell you."

"Fine. Promise. Now tell us everything."