Stay By Your Side (TakuRan)

Kapitel 3

"There you go again, Shindou-sama.. It's been three times you did mistakes.."

"I'm sorry, Otonashi-sensei.." Said Shindou pulled his hand out from touching piano's key.

"I know that you have some businesses today, but you need to take responsibility upon this lesson.. You're the one who insist on taking this lesson in order to join piano tournament.. So, please keep yourself, Shindou-sama.." Otonashi sighed heavily, "it's not like you.. Well, let's call it a day.. Please have more practice for this song, Shindou-sama.." She bowed then left the room.

The clock hands were sending loud sound that baiting Shindou's eyes to take a look. It's still half past three and he realized that the lesson was ended in just thirty minutes. He should be relief since his parents didn't pay much attention in his piano lesson since it's out of their reach. If it's about piano, they had no power against their son. There's still two hours before the appointment's time, he rushed out of the house then dashed to Kirino's house, but he didn't find Kirino. According to Kirino's parents, Kirino said that he went to a nearby park to clear his mind. Thus made Shindou flinched. He's the reason why Kirino acted weird since a day before. It's all his fault and he had to clear this fuss before Kirino's parents spreading out about stupid things. Despite of that, he had no time to waste and he had to be back home at six; before his parents realized that he's gone.

"Kirino!" Shindou speed up his run and safely reached the bench where Kirino sat down.

"Shi.. Shindou? What are you doing here?" Kirino panicked.

"I have something to ask you.." Said Shindou by panting hard.

"Huh? Ask? A.. About what?" Kirino threw his sight away.

Shindou exhaled to calm himself, "Kirino.. Why you avoiding me?"

"Avoiding you? I'm not.." Kirino tried to defend himself.

"Then tell me.." Shindou grabbed Kirino's hand tight, "tell me what exactly you want to say.."

"What's with you, Shindou? I didn't want to say anything.. What's this about?" Kirino tried to shake off Shindou's hand but he couldn't.

Shindou gave a tense glare at him, waiting him to spill it out right away. Shindou's grab on his hand was strong and it's not that easy for him to free himself. He sighed heavily in defeat.

"Okay.. Okay.. I give up.." Said Kirino at last, "but, please release my hand first.. You hurt me, Shindou.."

"No.. You will surely run from me again.." Shindou tightened his grab.

"Ouch.. Ouch.. Cut it out, Shindou.. It's hurt.." Kirino struggled, trying to take off Shindou's hand.

Shindou grabbed another hand of Kirino and now he could totally locked his movement. Thanked to this, he got his face closed at each other causing Kirino's cheeks blushing a bit.

"Shi.. Shindou.. I.." Kirino stuttered.

"I know that you hide something from me, Kirino.. Just tell me right away.. I don't have much time today.." Said Shindou by slowly releasing Kirino's hands.

Kirino looked at Shindou worriedly then released a sigh, "I can't see you like this, Shindou.."

Shindou startled, "what do you mean?"

"You've been through a lot.. Like I said before, that you are you.. You're not anyone else.." Kirino grabbed Shindou's shoulders, "you're not Takaki, Shindou.. That's why.. Don't be like him and don't compare yourself to him.."

This time, Shindou's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't release a single word. Seemed like he had jumped into a wrong role and let himself drowned in the deepest agony. He let his parents to stir him as they pleased and up until now he didn't realize that all they did was like reviving Takaki from the grave. Takaki was Shindou's older brother who supposed to be the one who led the family. He had weak physical body that causing him couldn't even step his feet out of his own room. He died when he's 12 years old; that time Shindou was still 8 years old. The day of his funeral changed Shindou's world totally. It's the day when his parents turned him into another Takaki.

"So.. It turns out like this.." Said Shindou with a light chuckle.

"Shi.. Shindou.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to.." Kirino got worried.

Shindou touched Kirino's hand, "no need to say sorry, Kirino.. Thank you for snapping me out from my long dream.." He covered his eyes with his hands, "now I know that Okatsu didn't love me as Shindou Takuto.."

"Eh?" Kirino startled.

"She saw me as nii-sama.. In the end, no one recognize me as Shindou Takuto, don't you think so, Kirino?" Shindou stood up then walked away.

Kirino couldn't do a thing but seeing Shindou disappeared after he took a turn. He hit his fist on the bench frustratedly. He shouldn't say that yet for some reason he couldn't refuse Shindou's glare which more like an order. He squeezed his chest tight, trying to calm his heart which throbbing fast since Shindou pinned his hand.

"This is not right.." Kirino muttered by staring at the sky which would turn to dusk soon, "I have to do something.."

As the wind blew out some dry leaves, it causing a shiver on the rosette boy who slowly stepping out of the park. An uneasy feeling stung him, but he didn't want it to disturb him so he shook his head then rushed home right away. On his way, he could see a lux white limousine took a turn to the road then drove away. It's surely Shindou's and if he remembered about their destination, once again the uneasy feeling came in. He squeezed his chest tight, wishing the best for his best friend.

"I hope that everything will be fine, Shindou.."

Meanwhile, Shindou was busy with his parents beside him who gave him a nonstop lecture about this time meeting. The real purpose was non other than a match for Shindou, despite of a business meeting for the both sides. The parents still didn't reveal the identity of the girl and her family, but according to his parents' said, the family was as equal as Okatsu's family which meant that Shindou family was still one level higher than them. If they made a deal, they would get another strong ally in their business; but this time wasn't as easy as when they made a deal with Okatsu's family.

"Listen Taku, this time you have to evoke their impression on you.. We can't get anything if their daughter isn't impressed.." Said the father without seeing at Shindou, "I want nothing but to get their deal.. You hear me, Taku?"

"Yes, tou-sama.." Shindou threw his head down with a tight clench.

"Ah, seems like we arrive.." Said the mother excitedly, "oh, look.. She's already there at the entrance.. What a nice girl.."

There's a long gray haired girl who was standing calmly with a soft smile on her face. Her purple eyes were gently staring at Shindou who was just out of the limou.

"It's nice to meet you, Shin-sama.."