| Fan Fiction |
by Yamakissu
She did recognize the international number but it was not the number that Tomo had been using. She heard herself saying hello…
“Is this Horikita, Maki?” The person on the other line asked.
“Yes, I am Maki Horikita, may I know who I’m speaking with?” Maki heard this voice before there is that distinct quality of it. “Tomo?”
“It does not matter who I am, please brace yourself for what I’m about to say” He continued, when he started to speak, his voice became cold “Tomo” He cleared his throat “Tomo san won’t be coming back anymore, he’s dead.”
Silence…
“Tomo are you trying to be funny? Maki laughed. The person on the other line didn’t speak until Maki was grasping her breath. Then he finally said, “Gomenasai, Maki chan” Then he ended the call.
Maki calmed herself, who would have believed such a call. Only an idiot would have fallen for that. She brushed the incident off and went to buy some groceries.
Another three days passed and still no Tomo. She became worried and tried to dial his number but it couldn’t be reached. Maki decided to go to his father’s house and check if Tomo has arrived and as to why he hadn’t even bothered calling her. She remembered the weird call but she brushed it off as soon as it entered her mind.
Maki opened the front gate as it was not locked. She went to the porch and knocked the door only to notice that all of its windows were closed and it looked like the house was abandoned. Maki then felt a shiver and the same thoughts came to her mind. Not seeing where she was going, she bumped into Mr. Yajima Yamashita, Tomo’s father.
“Maki chan”
“Mr. Yamashita” Maki could see that he look so tired and weary. His were dark and it looked like he hadn’t slept for a few days.
“I’m sorry Maki chan!, I was not able to bring myself to tell you... I couldn’t face… “As Mr. Yajima Yamashita was stuttering, Maki felt a cold wind washed over her. She suddenly felt her feet weakened, she fell to the ground before Mr. Yajima Yamashita could grab hold of her. He supported her as they entered the house.
“So, it’s true?” Maki finally asked as she was seated on the couch in the living room, Mr. Yamashita sat in front of her.
“I’m afraid so” Mr. Yajima Yamashita was fighting back his tears. Maki could not anymore pretend, she broke into a cry.
“But why, how? How it is possible?” Maki demanded.
Mr. Yajima Yamashita stood and walked a little farther from Maki to gain enough strength to talk about his son’s death.
“Apparently, he got himself involved in a gang fight. He got stabbed and was rushed to the hospital but he didn’t make it in time” Mr. Yamashita said slowly.
“Gang fight? How could Tomo… Tomo would never harm anybody. He’s the most kind-hearted person I know. I don’t remember him getting himself in a fight before” Maki was trying to get some sense into this.
“I know. I tried to have my my ex-wife explained it to me three days ago. All she did was crying over the phone. Listen Maki chan, Tomo’s ashes will be sent back here in Japan for burial” Tomo’s father was trying to get some focus into the situation.
“Wait” Maki was still having a hard time digesting all of it. She find it difficult to say such words “Your ex-wife.. err Tomo’s mother called you to tell you that he’s … he’s… gone?
“Hai” He said softly…
“I got a call too but that person didn’t tell me who he was” Maki said
Mr. Yamashita sat quietly. He covered his face with his hands giving in to the grief that he’s feeling. He didn’t hear what Maki said.