Chapter Three

Maguri dragged himself back to the apartment after the rather disappointing meeting at the cafe. It wasn't that the conversation was disappointing, in fact it was the most in depth conversation with a stranger he had ever had, but it was the fact that now he realized all the mistakes he had made in the past. He already had his mind set on one thing, but now everything had completely changed from that one simple conversation. He was glad that at least he had figured it out before having to confront Maora, so he didn't look like a jackass, but he how had to re-think all that he needed to say.

He opened the door to the apartment, letting out a great sigh as he did so, and began to take off his shoes. When he looked up, he saw Takanari and Haine sitting on the couch together, Haine going on about something or other. He had only heard the tail end of the conversation before his entrance made the girl go silent. They both stared at his as he tossed his shoes to the side, and straightened himself.

In an attempt to ignore their stares, he turned his back to them, not wanting to talk about what happened in the cafe, although he didn't think he would get away with it. He knew them well enough at that point to know that they weren't going to be left hanging about important details.

But damnit, he was going to try to escape just this once.

Just when he thought he was safe, which happened to be when he got to the door of bedroom, and opened it a crack, they spoke.

"Dodgy, aren't we?"

"Some thing must have happened! What happened Maguri?!"

He sighed, and turned to see Haine bouncing in her place on the couch and looking at him expectantly. Takanari was calm as usual, but it was obvious to Maguri that he wanted to know what happened as well. And why wouldn't he, after he went through so much trouble getting Maguri to the cafe to begin with.

"Nothing happened," Maguri stated, plain and simple, "I drank some coffee, Maora didn't show, so I bolted."

He entered his room, closing the door behind him, and hoped that neither one of them would follow him. They didn't.

While Maguri left to be moody in his room, Haine turned to Takanari with a huff. "Somehow, I'm disappointed," she stated, and Takanari only relaxed back against the couch. Haine sighed and crossed her arms across her chest. "I wonder what happened to Maora...? I mean, I know he was acting kinda different when we brought it up yesterday, but I didn't think he would skip out... "

Takanari shrugged, but really his mind was reeling. He couldn't help but feel annoyed that nothing had happened. Unless Maguri was lying about Maora not showing up, but Takanari didn't think that he would lie about something like that.

Haine got up and went to the phone, determined to figure out the problem. She dialed, and it rang, but no answer came. Disappointed in the result, she went to sit back down on the couch, bringing the portable phone with her to try again. After several attempts at calling Maora - all with the same result - she gave up, and put the phone on the table. Takanari only looked at her helplessly, not able to quell her frustration.

The phone rang.

Haine jumped, a little surprised to hear it ring so soon after she had put it down. She answered with a cautious hello, hoping it was Maora. Takanari watched with interest as the conversation went on, and Haine's face twisted into a strange look of intense sadness. She hung up the phone, and looked to Takanari.

There was silence for a moment, which he felt he should break, but she spoke before he could ask what had gone on.

"That...that was...Maora's in the hospital."