Metanoia

8: The One Who Stayed

It's been a while, I don't know how long it has been, but it's just been me and Takashi siting silently back to back on either side of the door. He's so quiet.

"Takashi." I mumbled quietly, my breath still shaking from earlier. It'll take some time. Was he still there? Or did he leave?

"Hmm? Yes, Keith?" He responded, almost instantly. He sounded tired..

"Just making sure that you were still there...." I mumbled quietly, it was stupid and counter productive now that I think about it. I didn't even want him here in the first place, but, I guess he's the first person who stayed.

"I'm still here, don't worry," his muffled voice came from beyond the closed door. I heard him sigh, or groan or something, just taking a breath, then a small thump of his head softly leaning against the door. I move as well, reaching over to tear a blanket from the bed and wrapping it around myself before I curl up leaning against the door rather then just having my back up against it.

"Takashi." I mumble quietly to him, a little 'hmm?' Coming from the other side of the door, "why didn't you leave yet? You're parents are downstairs probably waiting for you.." I wish I had something like that.

"Well, it's my philosophy to never leave someone behind. You're no less part of our family, and I don't want you to feel left behind.." I don't even know what to say to that, I just felt my eyes grow hot and my vision grow fuzzy. I can trust Takashi, I know this.. somehow.

I reach up and unlock the door, and Takashi must've heard the click because the door opened carefully a few moments later, a a few moments after that Takashi was beside me and I was being hugged, and it was so nice and warm.. it felt like we were like that for just as long as we were sitting back to back, except now I was vulnerable, crying and in his arms.

"Please don't tell anyone about this," I managed to get out in a soft laugh as I relax and just lean against him.

"My lips are zipped, Little bro," he answered, returning the chuckle. Little bro? I did imagine he'd be the sort of dork jock! But I do like it. "Wait, are you wearing my garrison sweatshirt?"

"Maybe.."

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We went downstairs together, my eyes perhaps still a little red and poofy but it was fine I guess, Is not like the shiroganes haven't seen me cry before. As we made it down the steps, their eyes were instantly on us. They were just sitting on the sofa doing their thing, reading the newspaper, a novel, whatever.

"Are you two alright?" Mrs Shirogane asked as I hid behind Takashi as we walked into the room.

"Yeah, we're fine mom, you don't need to worry," I'm definitely thankful for Takashi's answer, I don't even think I could talk right now without sounding like I'm loosing my voice.

"Well, if you two are alright, perhaps we could invite the Holts over for dinner? We haven't seen Matt in a while, and he came home with you, right?" Mr Shirogane asked, Takashi nodding and sitting down on the loveseat that laid sort of adjacent to the couch.

"Yeah, he's the one that drove me to me and moms meet up point. Although Commander Holt is still at the garrison. Still has to finish up some stuff." When he finished explaining the situation, Takashi looked over at me almost as if he was asking me if it was alright if people came over for dinner, yeah, I mean, I just shrug, whatever.  Takashi looks back over to his parents, "I think it's a good idea to have them over! I can call Holt- ..er.., Matt, if you want. Or if you wanted to call Mrs Holt?" This conversation meant nothing to me now, I'll probably just stay quiet during dinner anyway.

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Takashi and I passed our time before dinner. He showed me his old gameboy color, and we just sat on the couch playing that for hours. By now Takashi wasn't wearing his uniform anymore and was wearing something similar to what I was wearing, except the sweater was definitely newer, the logo on it less worn out. I also managed to put my hair up in a little poof on the back of my head using that stupid blue ponytail holder. It got late fast as we played pokémon, the smell of dinner wafting through the house, then a knock on the door that made me jump in my seat a bit. Takashi noticed, and smiled to me and patted my shoulder as he stood up as if to tell me it was alright, handing me the gameboy to keep playing on as he went to go answer the door. The conversation went as I expected, Takashi and his friend Matt greeting as I would expect jock dorks would greet each other. Then Mrs Holt saying something like 'oh you've grown so much!', she didn't say that, but my guess was VARY close. But then there was another greeting that made me look up in confusion, I thought it was just Matt and his mom?

"Katie! Now when are you going to join us at the garrison?!" I heard Takashi ask with a snicker as he playfully nudges Matt who was also chuckling.

"You know I'm going to when I can! Hopefully just in a year if I'm able to graduate early!" And with that, a shorter girl steps inside with a large grin.
Wait, I recognize her!

"Hey!! You're the one who almost ran me over on your bike!!" I announced quickly and loudly as I stood up in a start, leaving the gameboy on the couch. Everyone looked over, and she looked confused at first as if she didn't recognize me, then she looked terrified. What did her friend call her?? Oh, right, "you're name is Pidge, right!?" Everyone was still and quiet, looking between me and her. It's like what happened earlier, I just hope it doesn't end like that one did. Finally, her mom put her hands on her hips and faced her,

"Katie!! What did I tell you about being more careful on your bike!? That one time you broke 4 bones after speeding down a hill wasn't a lesson enough!?" She looked as if she's heard this lecture many times already, and Matt looks like he's trying not to laugh. Well, I mean, I sorta understand, the wind in your hair while going down a hill that fast, it's exhilarating.

"Its alright I guess, I forgive you. Just give me more of a warning next time," I'm trying to not be angry, and it can probably be heard that in my voice. I even try to smile a bit so her mom knows that it's really ok and that she can stop the lecture now. I sat back down and went back to the game, wondering how long tonight is going to last.