7 Years From Now

Chapter 16: Where Choices Lead

"Nevermind what Honaka says.. but you are just letting your daughter's friends to die.."

"Its an incurable disease.."

"THAT'S A LIE!!"

"What do you want me to say then..? Yes the hospital is letting them to die and your brother and your friends are victim of it.. satisfied??"

"are you even ser-"

Just then a sound came from the door. All of them turned around. Saki heard all of it. She ran away from there and went her father's room. There, she saw a picture of herself, Aoi and Honaka. She didn't think of anything. Her eyes were filled with tears.. how could she just not do anything as her friend is dying?! But unfortunately she couldn't do anything. She went away from that room .

Meanwhile Haruto, Riku and Ishiuchi were still talking inside..

" I'll he here again tomorrow.." said Ishiuchi as the two left the room. Back in the hospital's park Haruto and Riku met up to discuss few things.

"Sorry Haruto, I messed up. He told us to come again tomorrow.. he is just buying time "

"Hmm ...to dig something out from us?"

"Yes.. and I'm sure they have their methods to bury the truth. We can't do anything even if we go tomorrow"

"Whats next then?"

"We will wait. Let the other side move. It might give you some information if u time leap again."

"But we don't even know if we can do that.."

"Right.. but nothing else to do.. we'll have to wait"

"Why don't we go talk to Honaka..?"

"About this?? No way.. it's gonna make things complicated.."

"well just some talk then?"

"alright fine.. let's go.."

And they headed towards Honaka's room.

"Ohh.. H-Haruto.. come in..."

"Yea .. how are you feeling?"

"Im fine.. did you guys see saki?"

"No ..why?"

"she was just here. She looked a bit down. I think she was crying for some reason."

"What? .. "

"Yea .. Haruto ... could you just go and confront her? Please?"

"Yea fine I'll go speak to her.."

"yea.. and Riku stay here. I want someone to talk to.."

"What am I baby sitting again?"

"hahah no. It's just that we haven't spoke since a few days.."

"Alright you guys talk , i'll go search for her."

Haruto went to her room. She wasn't there. He searched the floowr and corridors. She was nowhere to be found. Just as he was getting down to the next floor he saw her walking.

"Saki.. where have you been??"

She didn't say anything. She was silent for a while..

"S-saki?"

"Haruto do you remember we guys used to talk a lot in this large window space.."

"Yea a little.."

"hmm .. hey Haruto.. you see Honaka as a friend right?"

"Huh? Yeaa of course..why?"

"If your friend is in trouble.. you would Help right?"

"Yea I would."

"haruto.. promise me that you will help her and make her smile ?"

"uhh? I mean yea I would but why so sudden?"

"Just be with her when she needs you and take care of her. She is my dear friend.. "

"Yea don't worry I would but what happ-"

"Haruto!.. thanks.. I'll be going now.. see ya."

"Saki!! Wait.."

She left. He didn't chase her. He was wondering what was wrong with her.

He thought it would be better to leave her alone for a while. Haruto was tired and he went back home too. It was late night already. So he slept.

After a while.. Haruto felt some warm air coming in. He was still asleep. He heard a sound. He heard crackling sounds as well. As if something was burning up. He woke up and was shocked to see his room had turned to flames. He could still exit from the door. He rushed out and searched for his dad.

"Haruto!! Down here .."

"Dad!!! Are you alright??? "

"Yea yea don't worry. Lets go of from here as soon as possible"

"But dad!!"

"What??"

" what about the album's! Those were precious to you and mom right?"

"Forget that son, your safety is more important. Come now! Your mom would feel bad but she would agree that this is the right decision. Come with me.."

They left out from the window. The fire fighters soon showed up and they were escorted back to hospital..

" A fire??? But how dad??"

"I don't know either. I heard some noise downstairs and then I saw a man with a mask who littered all the gasoline on the floor and lit the matchbox. I couldn't stop him.. he went out if it soon."

"That's why you were injured?"

"Yes that happened while chasing him. I didn't see the face but as far as I remember he had a burnt mark on his right hand and the matchbox had a cat logo.."

"Ohhh!"

"Don't worry I'll go and report this to police. You stay here and take rest.. "

"Yea I'm a bit tired. Take care dad"

"Yes.. and also..Haruto.. You asked Aoi right?"

"Yea??"

" she ... was your.. friend...".

"Yea I know.."

"Not only that..

She was supposed to be me and your mom's daughter..."

To be continued...