Chapter 11: the party guy

The voice of the cousins echoes until to Kazumi's room. He is sitting on the floor leaning on the wall, his arms around his knees while listening to those two. For that moment, he pitied them and at the same time he envy them. He envy the relationship they have that he wish he also had, he envy their bonding and the care they share. For the time being, he forgot that he is suspecting them as a family of murderers.

In his young age, he already know how to party. He rarely go to school and when he did he was always sleeping. If he's not absent, he is tardy, that is the kind of lifestyle Kazehaya Watari has. He attends private parties and clubs faking his age so that he can get in. starting from eight in the evening until five in the morning, that how wild he is when it comes to the dance floor.

Kazehaya Watari belongs to a family who is one of the richest people in the country. They own two airlines, five shopping malls, seven hotels and three companies. He is the only son and most of the time he is alone in their big mansion in the city. All he have is the maids and the butlers. His parents are always out of town taking care of their businesses from the different parts of the world. He can't even remember when is the last time he had dinner with them. He always ate alone being watched with twelve maids and seven butlers. What is the use of having big houses if the one living there is an owl. Money is really easy yet the life is very lonely. Watari envy those kids who even they don't have big houses, expensive cars, lots of outfits, having the latest gadgets they are still happy. They still eat dinner with their family, they still enjoy their lives. What's the point of having so much money if it can't buy you the things you really want the most. He also doesn't have friends, well he has when he is still a kid. But there is this one day that he planned on surprising them he overheard those kids talking about him while he was hiding on a big rock. They said that they don't want to be his friends in the first place, he is boring and not fun to be with, they just include him to the group because he has lots of money, he allow them to play in their mansion and he always give them chocolates, toys and all kinds of candies. When he heard those words from the people he think that are real he never showed up in front of them again. It is already marked in his mind that people will just used him to get what they want so ever since he never made friends again with anyone.

Watari made the dance floor his world, he go out with different women he met on the club. There are also times that there is an event in school that a parents is needed, he was the only kid who doesn't have one, the maids and the butlers stand as his guardian every time a presence of parents is needed in school. Most often they are called because of Watari's vices, which is always absent, sleeping late and partying. His parents will just showed up to apologize for the teachers and be angry at him saying that he's dirtying their name, the position. All they talk about is money and power they don't even asked if he's okay, how was school, is there any problem or why is he like that. He doesn't want to be a kid having a life like that in the first place yet this is the only thing he thinks to get his parents attention, in order for them to spend their time with him even all these time they just get angry at him, giving sermons and grounding him. In those little time it makes him happy even his parents just show up because they are called he is still happy, because those little things gave him hope that they care for him, that they still love him. When their son is in danger they will still come for him.

The name Watari is like a curse in the Kazehaya group. He is a shame to the family throwing his life away instead of learning how to take over the businesses the family have. Partying all night, going out with different girls, having one night stands and attending school when he just feel. That is the life he had, the life he creates, the life he didn't chose, and the life of a teen age boy who wants an attention.

There is this one evening when he's having a time of his life with two girls leaning in both of his arms. A tall guy who looks like same age as his attending from another school stood in front of him. He was too occupied to notice this man's presence and the light in the place is not that bright. He saw him saying something but he can't heard it, the music are too loud including the voices of the people around. Suddenly, this man grab his collar then punched him real hard. The girls who was acting lovey dovey to him just a while ago vanished. He didn't fight back and let the man throw his fist into him, before he lost his consciousness he heard the man swearing at him for stealing his girl.

Watari woke up in a room that is covered with white walls. He tries to get up to leave the place but his head still hurts adding the pain from the wounds he got from that tall guy. After a minute, a woman holding a tray of food entered. "Oh you're already awake, you should rest some more", the woman said while putting the tray into the side table. "W…where am I?! Who are you?!" "Did you hurt your head? Do you have an amnesia? Oh well you really will not recognize me, you're always absent at school and if you are present, all you do is to sleep. I'm Chiako, Morita Chikao your classmate", she answered sitting on a chair beside the bed. "You are my classmate? We are classmates?" "Yes Mr. Kazehaya Watari. I know I'm not that attractive but please can you differentiate a classmate from a stranger" "I'm… I'm sorry it just… my head hurts" "Here I cooked a porridge for you, you should eat even a little" "Why are you so kind to me?" "Because you're a classmate and a friend" "A friend? If you're expecting me to give you a reward money for saving me, I'm not giving you even a cent" "Is that all you think the reason why did I save you. Well for your information Kazehaya Watari I'm not that kind of person who do good deeds just for money. You're a friend because I think you're kind, I save you because I saw that you need a rescuing" "Don't act like you know everything about me because you don't" "Yeah you're right I don't know anything about you. But when I saw a guy lying beside the road that night I know that you are lack of love, I know that you are seeking for attention. I know that for a long time Watari when you got absent or sleeping in the class I know that you just want someone to notice you" without realizing, a tear fall from his right eye hearing that finally someone understand, someone knows what he has been hiding and enduring inside all this time. Chikao was about to leave him when he stopped him holding her right hand then pull her close to him that makes her nose touches his. For that moment he realized that this girl in front of him is an angel, he think he is saved that someone pull him out of the dark.

After Watari lost his consciousness, the tall guy and the other tall guys throw him out of the place. The people around just watched what is happening, no one dared to stop them even the girls who was with him a while ago. Chikao was on the way home from a meeting on the student council. They usually finished before eight however because of some school issues that need an immediate response and action they all have an over time discussing these issues. Past eleven in the night when she was walking home when she saw a young man lying on the ground in front of a bar near where she is staying. Because it dark that time she hardly recognize that person and was about to leave him there thinking that it was just a man who can't handle his drunkenness. A few steps away when she heard the man talks, she turned to the man recognizing a familiar voice even it is not that clear. She was startled when she realized that this man is her classmate who was absent again today. It makes her think twice, her mind is debating if she's going to help this man or just leave him there. Maybe sooner or later he will woke up or other person will help him yet her conscience can't handle it. Thank goodness that her parents went home to their province that time so there is no issue if she will let him stay in her place for a while. She saw that this man is asking for help, she saw that this man lost his way. So without thinking too much she took care of him.

Finally, Watari found a friend in Chikao. Who would have thought that a girl classmate that he didn't even know she was is the one who will taught him things that he never thought he will ever feel or experience in his entire life.

Slowly, little by little the Kazehaya Watari who belongs to a family of one of the richest in the country that is known for partying, sleeping and going out with different girls is now attending school, participating in every subjects, reciting in class and doing his chores. It is kind of new to people who is not used to this kind of Watari. He thought that of he will fix his life, Chikao will be proud of him and even his parents and when that time comes maybe his parents will not leave him again and he will be happy like the old times.

"I didn't know that this man is intelligent. He was hiding all this time and was just lazy but now… what happened he suddenly changed" "There you go again Fuyumi. Sticking your nose to other people's business. Don't think too much because even how intelligent he is I will still be the number one" "Are you sure Kazumi? Because as far as I know I'm much better than you" "Is that so Fuyumi, let's see then" "Yeah sure Kazumi let's see in the English exam next week. You better brace yourself you might fall" "Are you two arguing again? Sometimes you look like a friends, sometimes an enemy or a rival, and sometimes a lovers" "Shut up Hitoshi we're not like that" "Okay if you said so bur I still think you are"

Kazehaya Watari is called in the office of their new homeroom teacher that is one of the oldest teacher in the school. Watari's heart is beating fast as the normal while he's on his way to the office until he seated in front of the teacher. It is not yet sinking in his mind why he was called cause as far as he know he doesn't did something wrong. He was doing his best to be a good student so he don't have a slightest idea what does this teacher want from him. "W…why did you call for me ma'am. I didn't done anything promise, I was good. I watered the plants…I'm not even sleeping in the class anymore. I pass all my—" "Relax mister Kazehaya. I did not call you to give you lectures or for not doing your job. I called you to say that I was so proud of you. You see? If you just did your best and focus on one thing you can be the best. There is a chance that you can be the number one if you will continue that kind of attitude" "R…really ma'am?!" his teacher nod while smiling at him. "Thank you ma'am. Thank you. I promise I will be on the top" After that conversation he leave the teacher. Chikao was right in front of the office waiting for him, she's a little bit nervous on what is happening to the guy behind these walls. She kept on imagining things like the teachers are getting angry at him again and they want to talk to his parents again. Beside that thought she's still wondering why he is called since he didn't did anything bad. After a minute or two, Watari went out of the room. The first thing she asked is if he's okay, if they get angry at him, if they want to call his parents or did he did something bad. She asked those questions continuously without space or not even breathing that makes Watari giggled a little. "No, she just praised me. She said she's proud of me and if I continue on what I am doing there might be a possibility that I can be a top student" "Woah that' s good" "Yeah I know I never thought that I can be like this. I am so happy and overwhelmed" "You know what because you did a good jo I should treat you" "Nah this time I'll treating you to a meal. Let me return the favor for once, this is the least I could do because if you're not there if not because of you I will never experience things like this" "Yeah, happiness is not about partying or going out with girls but it is about giving all you've got to achieve it. Because what is the point of partying or going out with different girls if you are not happy, if you are just pretending. That is not you, because if you are happy you shouldn't be pretending to be someone that you are not" "Are you a poet now?" "Nah I'm just hungry I should eat a lot since it's your treat" "Yeah sure whatever you like"

"Uhmmm Kazumi, can you teach me in English I still can't understand some parts" "Yeah sure Watari, what is it you don't understand" Watari sit at the desk in front of Kazumi. Everyone is staring at them still not getting used to the new Watari. "Is that really the Watari we know?" "Is he possessed? Or is it just his doppelganger", said the two girls whispering at each other while looking at those two. "No that is Kazehaya Watari, your classmate, our classmate", said Chikao who just entered in the room staring those two also. It is time for the next subject so he thank Kazumi and go back to his desk.

The result in the English exam is already processed, for the class 2-D Kazehaya Watari got the highest and perfect score. He was too shocked upon hearing the announcement as well as his classmates. He went to Kazumi for his help in tutoring him and also to Chikao who believes in him. This time and for the first time Yano Kazumi is in second place while Fuyumi Nagisa is in the third. "I thought you're always be the first and the best so why did you loss to a jerk", Hitoshi whispred into his ear. "Shut up I'm not in the mood to your jokes" "Aaah he's affected. If you want I can get rid of that guy so you can be the number one again" Kazumi faced him who just sitting at the back. "If you want, do it yourself. I don't want to be included in your dirty works" "It's your choice if you want to be a second place forever. Well, you will be used to it"

Watari was so excited to tell to his parents the good news. Chikao and him go on their separate ways after having a dinner together to celebrate. He was in front of the family restaurant texting his driver to pick him up while Chikao already rode in a bus. At first he insist to let her ride with him in the car and drop of her in her house but Chikao doesn't want to be a bother and in addition their house is in the opposite direction of his. So in the end Watari can't do anything but to let her ride on a bus. While waiting for his service he already texted his parents about his achievement. Smile is never fade on his face since he got the top score for the first time in his life. After a minute or two, a guy from the bar with his friends showed up in front of him. This is the guy who is accusing him in stealing his girl from back then where he was thrown outside the bar and Chikao saw her. Without a word, the guys punched him and kicked him until he fall in the ground. They are not yet contented, the other guy bring out his knife then he put a hole in the right side of his stomach. After that, they flew leaving him in the ground losing his blood. the last thing he heard is the police's car and ambulance and his mother approaching him before he lost his consciousness.

When he opened his eyes, he was on a place where walls are covered with white. At first he thought that he was on Chikao's room but then he realized that he was in the hospital. His eyes are quite blurry yet he still saw his mother crying while calling his name and also the same as Chikao who's standing at the back of his mother. He was too weak to move yet he's trying to reach his mom and talk to her. On the other side of the bed is the doctor and the nurses panicking trying to save him. "M…mom", finally a word came out of his mouth even it is weak and soft his mother still heard it. She lowered her head to hear what his son is trying to say. "Yes, son what do you want to say mother is here. I will never leave you" "Are…you…p…proud of m…me now" that is the last thing he said before he close his eyes. His mother still answered how she was so proud of his son while crying. Chikao was on the corner of the room also crying her tears out. She's blaming herself inside because of what happened, if she just accept his offer to ride with him in the car, this could not happen. She should have save him. But what makes her regret the most is she never told him how she was so proud of him. She's glad on meeting him and she don't regret in saving him that time. How she wish that she could say those words to him. After a minute, his father came but it was too late. In the end, all the people who was present at that time he closed his eyes except for the doctors and the nurse are full of regrets. What might have been if they were just a good parents to this guy, this might not happen, they are too late.