Stay By Your Side (TakuRan)

Kapitel 2

"Another match meeting!?" Exclaimed Kirino who almost spilled out his tea.

Instead of affirming Kirino's words, Shindou hurriedly helping Kirino to wiped out the hot liquid, taking a wet cloth then wrapped it on Kirino's hands. He gently tapping the cloth on the wet spots on Kirino's clothes.

"Are you okay, Kirino?"

Kirino nodded shortly, signaling his best friend to stop what he did, "I'm okay.. Thanks, Shindou.." He released a small smile.

"Like I just said.. I have to attend the meeting no matter what.." Shindou put aside the cloth then leaning his back.

Kirino threw his sight at the sky which was half covered by the roof of the gazebo where they spent a peaceful afternoon in Shindou's house. Kirino was basically the only one among all Shindou's friends who could enter Shindou's mansion freely since he had a special access through his parents who was the number one on the list of Shindou family's alliance. He also the only one who was really closed with Shindou. Despite of all the facilities he could enjoy in the huge mansion, the only thing which took all of his concerns was only Shindou's life. Ever since Shindou was being chosen as the head of the family, his life changed totally. He had to erase the word freedom from his list of lifestyle. All he receive was just a bunch of hard education about political, business, etc. One thing that made him didn't fight back his parents was because they let him to keep on playing piano he liked. That's why, he didn't even put an argue at the time he engaged to Okatsu.

"I wonder if I can lead this family properly.." A heavy sigh released from Shindou's mouth.

"You definitely can, Shindou.." Kirino glanced at the grayish boy, "just try not to think too much about it.."

"But no matter how hard I try, I can never be like him..."

Kirino threw his sight at Shindou sharply. Sweat flew down on his forehead as he knew exactly what Shindou was talking about.

"You are you.. You're Shindou Takuto.. You're not anyone else.. Just don't think too much about it, Shindou.." Assuring Kirino by smiling gently at the gray boy with a tight grab on his hands.

"Is that what you think, Kirino?" Shindou threw his stare at the rosette boy.

The soft red orbs caught Kirino's concern. Like it signaling that he didn't need his opinion just now. He knew that what Kirino just said to him wasn't pure. By just seeing a pair of red orbs before him, Kirino could get that Shindou wanted him to say another thing. Thus, causing him to stand bolt upright then rushed out of the gazebo with blushing face, leaving Shindou behind.

"Kirino-sama, you leave already?" Said one of the maid with a tray of cookies, "we still have___"

"No.. Thank you.." Kirino hurriedly got out of the mansion.

The maid was just tilted her head in confusion. Though the guest was already left, she still delivered the cookies to the gazebo under Shindou's order. After she placed a plate of cookies on the table, she bowed then took her leave. No words came out from Shindou that made the maid once again glanced at him to make sure that he's okay. Still no response and she just left him alone. Shindou's eyes were staring blankly at the bright sky and for more than an hour he didn't move nor touched the cookies. He lost in his own complicated thoughts. He had to be the head of Shindou family no matter what and he didn't have much time left before the conferment day which was held at the time he turned 17 years old.

"It's just one more year.." Shindou muttered with playing the fork and knife on the hot meat which just served.

"What is it, Taku-kun?" The mother looked at Shindou worriedly.

"Ah, nothing, kaa-sama.." Shindou flinched.

"Taku, the meeting will be tomorrow's night.. I want you to be ready before eight.." He left the dining room as soon as he finished his dinner.

Shindou nodded lightly at his father then kept his head down. He tightened his grab on the fork and knife for seconds then loosened it as he could calm his heart as a light sigh flew out from his mouth.

"I'll make sure to finish my piano lesson before six, kaa-sama.. So don't worry.. We won't be late.." Said Shindou with a smile on his face.

The mother gave an assure smile at him and tapped his head before she left the room. After night greeting and the figure of his mother no longer could be seen, he once again threw his head down and this time he left his unfinished food. His steps sounded heavy as he walked to his room. He closed the door behind him then leaning on it. His eyes scanning all the room and ended up at his desk which had some family photos on the top of it. He got closer to the desk and with a small smile on the corner of his lips, he took one photo.

"It's the second time I lost someone who dear to me.." He rubbed the photo gently, "I wonder if I can hold more than this.." He placed it back then buried himself in his comfy bed near the desk, "if only I'm not the only child in this family.. If only I can do anything freely.. Also.. If only I can avoid all of this.." This time he closed his eyes and drowned in a deep sleep.

The door of Shindou's room slowly opened a bit, letting a pair of eyes which had the same color as Shindou peeking out.

"Sleep tight, Taka-kun.. It's almost there and everything will be over.. Just hang in there.."

Right before the door closed, the eyes were glowing tensely, leaving a glum atmosphere around the dark room where the grayish boy sleep. The wind knocking the window like begging for someone to open and it would surely rampaging out in the whole room.