*心の絆* [ON HOLD]

Chapter Three

He counted down the hours he had to endure before the day of his trip came. His friends knew he would go to Nagoya for a photoshoot. They insisted but he declined all of them, even his closest friend, Zakki. He felt guilty about it but as he said, he wants to be alone with himself only, driving through the road of trees and towns to his designated city, Nagoya.

His phone has been ringing a couple of times already. Ever since his manager told him about the photoshoot and the trip, he has been receiving texts and calls that always end up in his voice mail from his manager. His manager is very persistent on keeping Eguchi safe and yet Eguchi decided to take the other route and ignore his manager's pleas.

He fixed everything in, his GPS on his phone, the foods he's gonna bring, and yes, his clothes. He looked at the time. 8 am. He did remember that his manager will arrive at 9 am to pick him up, but he choose to get away from his manager as early as possible. And so he did. He placed everything he could bring for the trip inside his car. He's spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally ready for this. He started the engine and the trip has finally started.

On another part of the city, (Name) smiled at the old lady who let her stay in a town house. (Name) handed an envelope full of money that she's supposed to pay for this month's rent but decided to end it. She payed the old woman back from all the help she gave her. But the old woman declined her offer. She doesn't want (Name) to suffer more, but (Name) believes otherwise. It's ok for her to suffer but seeing others suffering is crushing her heart. She insisted on giving the money to the old woman. But the old woman would never accept the money. She didn't gave up. She slid the money on the closed door of the old woman's house and left immediately with her bag and bike. This is her last day on that town house and would find a peaceful refuge in the outskirts of Aokigahara.

She would cross roads in order for her to get to her destination. She's determined on her choice, even though it can bring bad circumstances to other people and to her own image. But she could actually care less, as long as she can find peace with her soul and mind. She road her bike in the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo. Mind wandering around the memories she used to live in. But with those thoughts in mind, she didn't noticed the light for the pedestrian lane turned red and a car is fast approaching her way. Is this where her life would end in? She planned to end it but not this way, not yet. She only sat there on the seat of her bike as she looked at the car approaching. Before it can actually hit her, it came into a hault, the screeching tires echo through the road as people stop to look at the commotion.

Eguchi pressed on to the break of his car as his hood hit the bike of a woman. It didn't caused it to crash onto his car but it tipped the bike to fall down, together with the shocked filled woman. It's a great relief. Eguchi immediately went out of his car to check out the situation of the woman.

"Hey! You shouldn't have crossed the street! It didn't said go! Geez.. are you ok?"

He scolded then asked her. (Name) looked up to the man who was supposed to take her life out but was surprised to recognize his face. Eguchi did realized the same thing and both of them pointed at each other.

"You!" They said in unison.

They just stared at each other, not believing what they are seeing. It was the same person whom they've encountered at that one convenience store. It's unbelieve on how they forgot about that encounter, fate made them see each other again. Eguchi showed a smile at her as he scanned her situation. But apparently, the smile that surfaced on his face suddenly dropped when he saw a big patch of blood, or a bruise, forming on (Name)'s leg. He did saw something similar to that from when he hit her with a door but it was small. This time, it's a larger one. Was this because of how he tilted her bike over and let her fell on the streets? Or is this something more? Panic suddenly grazed his features as he pointed to the bruise on her leg.

"W-What is happening to your leg? Should I bring you to the doctors?!" He asked. He tried to help her get out of her bike but she just waved a no at him.

"Oh no! I'm good, please! I can walk! Let me try it, I'll show it to you!" She said as she tried to stand up. She could stand up, but it didn't convinced Eguchi nor that bruise forming on her leg and is scaring the hell out of him.

"Hell no! You don't look ok! I have no choice but to do this." He said before placing his arms under her frail body and carried her like a bride. She was taken aback from the action she got and is squirming like a child.

"Hey! Let me go! What the hell are you doing?!" She pleaded the man carrying her but he tried to ignore her. He managed to open the car door and let her sit inside his car. "You stay in here while I take your bike." He said, closing the door and silencing (Name)'s words of displeasure. (Name) looked at the man outside, taking her bike and placing it behind his trunk. She kept on yelling for him to stop but she's loosing strength. If this man can't hear her or even cared about how she looked like she's being held hostage, she just gave up. Eguchi went back to the driver's seat and took a look at the woman next to him. She was glaring at him. Her (eye color) orbs pierced through his soul. She looks like she can rip off his guts at any moment.

"What the hell are you doing, sir?! This is kidnapping!" She retorted. Eguchi turned on the engine then looked at her. "If saving your life is kidnapping, then jail is worth it." He said. Before she can answer, he already drove. She wants to get out of the car but then she's also tired, the bruise also hurts. "What do you even mean saving my life! This only needs an ice pack!" She said, looking at the large bruise on her leg. "An ice pack? That doesn't look like it needs and ice pack! It needs a doctor!" He commented. Eguchi is to persistent to help her. Her blood is boiling in anger. "Look! I know what is happening to my body so PLEASE just get me an ice pack! I only need an ice pack!" She shouted. Yes, she shouted. It seems like he can't hear her so she had to raise her voice. Eguchi's hairs stood up. She's scaring him a bit. But with that action she took, Eguchi can't say no and just sighed. "There's an ice box in the far left corner of the seat. There's an ice pack inside of it. You can take it." He said. Before she can take the ice pack, she muttered a soft 'thank you' to the tall lad.

She dabbed the ice pack on the patch of blood on her skin. It would take some time for it to be completely gone but at least it doesn't hurt that much anymore. "Ah ok. I'm all good now! You can put me down on that street. I can go to my destination all-" Before she could answer, Eguchi cut her off. "Where are you heading, by the way? I'm just gonna take you there." He asked as he looked at her. She glanced at him and pouted. "No, really. I'm good. I'm just going to Aokigahara for-" again, Eguchi cut her sentence but this time, he stopped the car. Not only it's because the street light is red but because of the location she chose.

"Aokigahara? Don't tell me you're.." he trailed off, but (Name) looked to him and half heartedly laughed at him. "No, I'm not gonna take away my life. I'm just gonna.. hike. You know?" She said as she turned to look at the window of the car. Eguchi drove back again as soon as the traffic light turned red and spoke up. "I'm still gonna drive you there. I need to pay you back from hitting you a door and almost crashing onto your bike." He said. She turned to look at him. He did remembered. He remembered and did actually made a promise about it. He smiled and looked at her who is staring right at him. "I didn't gave you my name, right?" She said as a smile slowly crept up her face. Eguchi nodded. Handing out her hand, she declared.

"(Name). (Full name). Pleased to meet you."

Eguchi looked at the road then to the hand. He smiled more and shook her hand.

"Eguchi. Eguchi Takuya. I'm more pleased on meeting and seeing you again."

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Total Word Count: 1584

Author's Note: it's starting