Chapter 209 - Where The Heart Lies
Chapter 209 – Where The Heart Lies
Years Ago
Tokyo General Hospital
"Make sure you check the samples," Touka said to one of the doctors, holding a file at hand.
The man nods walking away.
"Dr. Touka" she turns.
"The Director wants to see you"
She blinks.
***
The Director's Office
The doors slide open as Touka walked in.
"Sir you wanted to see me," she said with a slight bow of her head.
The elderly man smiled.
"Ha yes Touka we have a new member," he said.
Touka stiffen she didn't even realize another was in the office.
She turned to the side seeing Hachiro, His grey messy hair was shoulder-length, packed behind, his eyes black.
"Hachiro, this is one of my top doctors, best here, due to your master degree she will put you through".
Touka smiled warmly at him, making him blink at her sudden sincere gesture, she only just met him, and yet she smiled at him like she has known him for a long.
"Nice to meet you I'm Kimi Touka" she stretched out her hand for a handshake.
"Ichigo Hachiro", he shook it.
'How could I forget that day… a day I met someone as special as you'
***
Present Day
Hachiro's eyes never left Touka. 'You're still as beautiful as ever', a smile against his lips. But then he remembered last night, she and Anzai embracing, his lips pressed in a thin line, his chest tightened.
"Touka-san"
"Hmm" she raised her head.
"What is it Hachiro?" she asked noticing his sad looks.
There was a moment of silence between them.
"It's nothing" he states.
Touka blinks puzzled.
Hachiro forced a smile.
"I wish you a safe journey Touka-san, you have to make it to the base alive… I don't know what I will do if you're gone"
"Hachiro" Touka said with shaky eyes and then she smiled, giving a nod.
"I will,"
In silence, Hachiro turned walking away.
Suddenly Touka frowned, it was like something was bothering him but she couldn't tell what, she could only wish for a change Hachiro would open up to her, he was always a wallflower ever since the day she met him.
***
Hachiro walked all the way to where Yukio stood, he was just about to pass him when he said…
"Was it wise, not to tell her how you feel?"
At his words, Hachiro halts without turning.
"I can see the way you look at her" he adds.
Hachiro's glasses turned blank white.
"You love her don't you"
"You're awfully prying in someone else business, don't you think"
Yukio sighs.
"Touka is a friend to me as you are too, surely this past month you have considered me one, and besides we will be working together to build this place"
"Then we should focus on that" Hachiro states walking away.
'An old habit' he thought, Yukio's words ringing in his head.
'A habit of not caring'
***
Three Years Ago
Before Black Storm Day
"Father is sick," a young man said, he was well dressed in a tailored suit, navy blue in color, his grey hair gel backward, his dark blue eyes turned to Hachiro seated beside him dressed in scrubs.
They were both seated just outside Tokyo General Hospital at a bench beneath a big tall tree.
"It's high time you came home, brother… everything is in order to make you chairman".
"Father disowned me remember… because I choose to follow my dream Instead of taking over the company," Hachiro said sternly, his eyes on the view of Tokyo.
"You know how father gets and you know its traditional for the firstborn son of our family to take over the company"
"Do I look like I care?"
"Brother!"
"Hiroto!" Hachiro hissed facing him.
Their heated gaze on each other.
"I have made a life for myself, without my father's name and without his influences and I intend on keeping it that way"
Hiroto frowned.
Hachiro rise to his feet, hands in his pocket.
"You will make a perfect chairman" he states walking away
Hiroto sat up abruptly, pissed.
"Ever since mother died you turned your back from everything… from me!" he yelled.
"Do you know what mother's last words were? You were too young then so I will tell you" Hachiro began turning to Hiroto.
"Don't become like your father, follow your dreams".
Hiroto gulps.
"Father is a ruthless man that only cares about his wealth and fame… where was he when mother died… In a meeting" he scoffs.
"Do not forget brother… dad wasn't the only one who built the company into what it is today, mother is a part of it, so don't use that as an excuse to run away from your responsibilities" he said.
"I will be become chairman and make the company flourish because of its mother's legacy… I'm doing this for her, you can stay out here and play doctor" he said walking away.
Hachiro's lips pressed in a thin lip, he stood there for what seemed like seconds.
"Hachiro"
At the sound of Touka's voice, he turned.
"The man earlier who was he?" she asked curiously, she noticed the man he was talking to earlier.
"No one," Hachiro said adjusting his glasses.
"Okay," Touka said with a nod but she still felt puzzled, because in a distance when she saw them talking they seemed like they were arguing.
"Let's head back"
***
Present Day
Hachiro gazes upon the skies recalling everything, he then turned towards the direction Touka was in, setting her Hellhound.
'I have never fought for anything in my life none cared… I only knew my dream, that was only what kept going after my mother died and then and I met you and yet…' he watch as Anzai approached her.
'What feelings is there to tell when it's obvious what you want'.
He watches her blush as Anzai said something to her.
In silence, he turned walking away.
***
"W-What? you want me to ride with you?" Touka said with heated cheeks.
"Yes," Anzai said leaving no room for question.
"But I can perfectly ride a Hellhound by myself!" she protests.
Anzai sighs rubbing his temples.
"Would you prefer I carry you back to the medical base and lock you in there" he threatened.
Touka frowned.
"That's violating my rights!" she yelled.
"Then you listen to me unless that will happen, without considering your rights!"
She gasp at his words, she then made a face walking away.
Anzai sighs, she just doesn't get it, he was trying to keep her safe and she was just throwing a fit.
"General Anzai"
He turned seeing Tori.
"Tori"
He forced a smile.
"You know what you have to do"
"Yes, I know"
"The researchers here will need you…. it's best you stay".