บท 5: Fulfilling Mei's Wish # 2
Sasuke led Mei through the plaza floors at a mad sprint, in an attempt to catch up to Bossun and Himeko whose hunting mob had increased as the havoc of the Pucky Balls did. The only aspect missing from the chase was torches and pitchforks.
He glanced back at Mei to see if she was alright. She was laughing through a happy smile, which stirred a smile of his own. He gripped her hand tighter as they continued their whizzing and weaving through causal crowds, trolleys in motion and shop workers canvasing samples to unsuspecting passers-by.
They took a wrong turn and found themselves outside; in a quieter part of the plaza courtyard they hadn't frequented. It had less people due to the snowfall being heavier in that area. White flakes trickled in the air and landed daintily on bonsai trees that were free from festive decorations. The courtyard carried a traditional feeling that eased the frantic pace of Sasuke's heart. He was secretly glad Bossun and the others weren't anywhere insight.
'Um, where are we?' Mei asked next to him.
Sasuke felt his smartphone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out. They both read a message from Sōjirō who mentioned Saaya, Switch and himself had caught up with Bossun and Himeko at the courtyard on the opposite of side the plaza building from where they were. His brother wasn't able to outrun the angry villagers from the affected plaza stores, and found himself cornered. Bossun was being slammed with a damages bill his Pucky Balls "pucked-up".
He received another message from Switch; the text relayed through an audio transcript.
To Sasuke & Mei Tsubaki. Woot Woot!
Sasuke frowned at Switch's obvious sarcasm. He quickly scrolled up the message before Mei could see it.
Seems our Sket Dan president left an impression on society again. Right now he's being grilled and demanded on for damages compensation his pucky balls gift stirred up. Himeko has also asserted compensation of her own.
They both chuckled at the gawky snapshot of Bossun that Switch had attached to the message. It saw the Poppman-capped boy feigning an expression of coy innocence with his mouth caught in a shocked "O" and eyes fixed with a look similar to one of a deer staring at headlights. Himeko was shouting into his ear. No doubt screaming at him for being an absolute baka.
'I can't believe that goof-ball's my twin brother,' Sasuke sighed through a relaxed smile.
They read the message further.
Himeko and I are heading back to Bossun's place to cheer on, ehem, support him as he receives an ass-whipping from his dear mother. You know how overactive she can be when Bossun comes home with these problems. It's those sort of moments you'd want to bring your popcorn.
Switch's voice seemed a little too excited in relaying this part of the message. Sasuke wondered if that otaku/computer genius was also a closet sadist.
I've spoken with Saaya and she has coaxed her brother in going home with her. He'll probably send you a message right now.
Switch's message ended with abrupt flashes that freaked the hell out of Sasuke for that moment.
'Well he likes to close off with the dramatics doesn't he?' Mei said as she cosied-up to Sasuke's side.
He gulped down the tight knots his nerves had stirred up in his throat.
As if Switch had predicted the future, Sasuke saw a new mail from Sōjirō who was asking if Mei was with him.
Sasuke dialed Sōjirō's number.
'Hey Tsubaki?' Sōjirō asked through the receiver. Sasuke detected a tone of mild panic in his voice.
'President, Tanaka-chan is with me. Kazuyoshi mentioned you were heading home with Saaya,' said Sasuke, forcing a stoic tone of voice.
'We're meant to take Mei back to the hospital -' Sōjirō began to elaborate and was interjected by Sasuke's offer.
'I'll take her back. It's in my direction anyway as I'm meeting up with my father who's doing his rounds today,' Sasuke bravely volunteered. His heart was pounding fiercely against his chest. He found himself hoping his president's response would be "okay".
There was an awkward pause before Sōjirō's voice broke through Sasuke's wall of nervous anticipation.
'Okay Tsubaki. If I find out anything wrong happened to Mei. I'm holding you responsible,' Sōjirō warned before terminating the call with a curt click.
Mei broke out in a coughing fit that alarmed Sasuke. Her body swayed into his arms as she felt weakness strike the muscles in various parts of her limbs.
'Tanaka-chan! You okay?' Sasuke panicked and held her tighter to himself.
'I feel weak all of a sudden,' she panted, feeling short of breath and a bout of nausea churn her stomach.
Sasuke could see she had little strength to walk so lifted her up and carried her back inside the plaza to a public bench they could rest at.
'Do you think you could walk back to the station with me?' he gently asked and received his answer from the glazed expression in her eyes.
He stood and straighten up his coat; lowered himself before Mei so she could hop on his back.
'I'll piggy-back you back to the hospital,' he said as he waited for her response.
Mei chuckled at the classic shoujo situation they were in. Her heart danced with pure bliss. She climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her head swooned with a mixture of happiness and grogginess from her afflictions.
'You don't mind if I snooze,' she whispered into his ears that suddenly flushed red.
'Um, sure, go ahead. Don't worry about a thing,' Sasuke confirmed with manly stoicism.
Her light chuckles tickled the back his neck; inflaming his already overwhelmed heart. When he felt she was secure on his back, he started his careful trek through the plaza to the train station.
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