Not So Disastrous Life

Truth

Saiki's POV:

We told our parents that we were headed out, then we made our way to Toritsuka's. He was reading his magazines when I opened the door.

"AGGH! O-Oh Saiki! H-Hey!"

"We need a favor." I demanded. He blinked and turned his head.

"Who's...we."

"Hi there!" Juliet said, peaking around my back. Toritsuka chucked his magazine across the room.

"O-Oh!" He cleared his throat and put on his smug, charming look. "Well hello there. Monteque right?"

"Don't bother flirting. She's my girlfriend." I said, grabbing Juliet's hand. Toritsuka's expression never changed. We both walked in and sat down.

"Well...why are you two here, interrupting my important meditation time? I'm trying to heighten my power."

"First your meditation is a load of crap. The only thing being heightened is your-"

"Kusu! Let us stick to the point, please." Juliet interrupted. She turned to Toritsuka and bowed. "We came asking for a favor.... please, will you help me?"

"I-i....Yea well um...what is it you need?"

"My family has been keeping secrets from me and I know there is more to what I know. You can speak with spirits.....can you possibly get information about my past from mine?"

"Hm...I could but... question is will she tell me."

"What do you mean?" Juliet asked. I glared at the perverted medium. He scratched the back of his head.

"Some spirits, regardless of the whole...they protect....aren't cooperative..." Toritsuka took a deep breath. "I can try though..." 

Juliet shuffled closer to the perverted medium. He looked serious for once. He lit a few candles around him and took a deep breath. I was taken aback by séance like he had everything. I was use to him just speaking out loud.

 "Please, give me your hands." He asked, holding out his. Juliet did as he asked. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and not say anything about him holding her hands.

"...What now?"

"Alright. Let me channel the energy."

"This is a bunch of bull-"

"Kusu...I know you and Reita don't always see eye to eye...but if he can help me, than I really need you to be supportive."

"Sorry." I slumped back against the wall.

"Guardian spirit of Juliet Monteque. I request your help. Give Juliet the answers she seeks." Toritsuka closed his eyes and remained silent. Juliet never moved.

"What the hell..." I whispered.

"I am here my child. What do you wish to know?" asked the spirit. Toritsuka let it take over his body. He was serious about this after all.

"...What is my family hiding from me?"

" Your family has secrets, just like others. Whether I should tell you is the question."

"Please, guardian spirit...I need to know. I'm worried. I need to know." Juliet begged. The spirit sighed and patted Juliet's hand.

"Dear child, you are a strong one. I shall tell you much as I can." It paused. "Your family comes from Verona, Italy...a beautiful place. "

"Verona....So we are from...why would they lie?"

"To protect you."

"Protect her from what?" I asked. scooting closer now. The spirit possessing Toritsuka  brushed his hair back.

"When Juliet was very young, around four or five, she came down with a fever. One that someone so young shouldn't survive from. Your parents and your brother were so worried and you were taken to the hospital...but...the doctor....Doctor Lawrence...he wasn't right..."

"...Wh-what...h-how do you mean?" Juliet's voice was shaking. I placed my hand on her shoulder to give her some comfort.

"He would give you medicine...and vaccines...but not to make you better...they all had high levels of lead. Lead is potent. It normally causes issues in the nervous system or can cause brain damage. You got sicker than before. You wouldn't move for hours on end, you didn't want to speak...I thought for the longest time they would lose you...but then...you started getting better...you started moving and speaking and eating...it took so long but you pulled through."

"H...he...I...." Juliet stared blankly. 

"Your parents eventually found out...they tried to sue and do everything to get him behind bars....and you were put in therapy. Your parents in court...and had to pay the doctor for emotional distress...so they sold everything they could but it wasn't enough. Your family was breaking apart...you didn't have money...they decided to run."

"...That's....why....we're....but....why...."

"You lived at your old house till you moved here....but you were there since you were eight. The therapy and just the horror of it being so near death back in Verona caused you to wipe it from your mind. I'm sorry..." said the spirit. She patted Juliet's hand once again before disappearing. Toritsuka blinked a few times and let Juliet's hands go.

"Whoa....Juliet I...I'm sorry."

"No, Reita...thank you...its exactly what I needed...the truth...and it clears up so many questions." Juliet stood up and bowed again. "What...can I do to repay you?"

"Please don't worry about that. You don't have to repay me. I'm happy I could help." He said, blowing out the candles. He stood up and I did as well.

"...Thanks for helping us Toritsuka. I guess you aren't all that bad." I said.

"That means a lot. I think...." He scratched the side of his cheek. "You two better head out...It's late."

"Right...Thanks again." Juliet said. She gave Toritsuka a hug before kissing his cheeks and walking out. I stared at him. He stared back and gave me a confused shrug. I then followed her outside.

"What the hell was that?"

"It's an Italian thing. Sorry..."

"....What are you gonna do?" I asked. She sighed and tucked her hands into her jacket. I did the same.

"Honestly, I don't know. Confront my parents probably, but its not the right time for that...besides, they'll ask how I found out and I have no concrete proof on how I learned about it. They won't believe me if I say my guardian spirit spilled the secrets."

"I guess you're right." I looked away, then back at Juliet. Her eyes were filling with tears. I pulled her into a hug. "Hey...it's gonna be alright. I'll help you through this."

"I just...I can't believe...why would someone do that? How could they? I was a child and yet he....I was used as some lab rat. He tried to kill me and yet my parents didn't win the lawsuit? Who knows what that horrible man is doing now! Who could he be hurting!?" She started sobbing, then crying. I rubbed her back in attempt to calm her down.

"We're going to figure it all out...but you should take it easy the next few days...alright..?"

She sniffled lightly and nodded her head. She lifted it from my chest and wiped her eyes.

"Th-thanks...Kusu.."

"Anything for you..." I lightly kissed her forehead. "Now lets head back home."