Rules

nine

  Friday:          "Fujioka-san? You look down in the dumps today." Fujioka's confidence hit rock bottom as she choked on her words. Lucifer grabbed a glass of water for her. "Today's our celebrations day. And I already made the props overnight, so we can relax today." He handed her the water. Fujioka sipped the water in relief. She opened her mouth to say something, but hesitantly closing it. 

                    Stupid Fujioka. Why can't you even say something? Are you that surprised? Come on, you knew it'd happen eventually. Why couldn't you be more prepared? But I can't blame you for the whole thing. You'd never guess it'd be Mammon you fell in love with. 

                 Fujioka gulped down some water, and bowed to Lucifer as a thank you. Lucifer arched his brows at her unusual silence. She rushed upstairs and locked herself in her room. Bring yourself to say it, Fujioka. Say it. It's not hard. She sat against her door quietly and hugged her knees, her eyes getting more watery. Mom used to say I was a strong girl. A girl who concealed her problems and bottled it up. She said I wasn't one to cry a lot. So why am I crying over some stupid rule? Or.. about to cry. "You weren't one to settle things in tears."

            They say to follow your heart.

  But if you heart is shattered

 Into a million pieces,

Which piece do you follow?

~~~~~~~

         "Hisako-chan! Get yourself ready, we're going to the hospital." Daishii called out to her from the living room. Fujioka grabbed her purse and followed her brother out the house. While driving, she looked over at him. "Why are we going today? We go on Saturdays, don't we?"Daishii's eyes watered but he refused to let the tears stream out. Fujioka saw his struggle to keep driving, as her heart skipped a beat. "Dad's dead, isn't he?" 

               Her lips felt numb as she said those words that she feared she knew she was going to say one day. Everything around her suddenly felt blurry as her Daishii kept his mouth shut. "He's not dead..." His fingers shaking against the steering wheel, leaving out the words yet. "Then why are you crying?" Fujioka looked out the window, his tears slowly crawling out, as she watched in the window's reflection.

              "Tears are words your heart can't say." Fujioka sighed and bit her lower lip. Don't cry. You can say any word you want. But say it. "What words are you thinking?" Fujioka struggled to keep a straight face, and fidgeted with her fingers. "Does it matter?" Fujioka glanced at Daishii, who was wiping his tears. "Why does it not?" He looked over at her with red eyes. "Because dead people can't hear what you can't say." 

~~~~~~~~

                  "Fujioka-san!" A voice stormed into her brain. "It's Mammon. What's wrong?" Fujioka clenched her fists. She sighed and cleared her throat. "I'm changing." She looked at herself in the mirror. She was this close to spilling her tears. It's a waste of tears. Why bother crying? "You don't lock your door when your changing." Fujioka looked over at the door. "Well I'm hanging out in my room naked so come in if you please." Mammon shut up.

              "Seriously... what's wrong?" Fujioka rolled her eyes and unlocked her door. "I just miss home that's all." Mammon arched his brows in concern. "We're supposed to be celebrating. Not grieving. Come downstairs and drink with us." He grabbed her hand and hauled her downstairs. Fujioka sniffled and tried to forget everything that she was thinking about. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It's just a small crush. She traced a small smile on her face.