Chapter 54

Week 5

She had that dream for the second time, but this time, there was the sound of a baby crying. Something told her to follow it, but she couldn't tell where it was coming from.

When she woke up, she found herself being cradled in a pair of arms and was faced with a worried-looking Takumi.

"Are you ok? You kept calling me in your sleep. I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't."

"Yeah, it was just a dream."

A few days later...

She went to meet up with Hansuke.

"You know; you've been looking less like yourself these days," Hansuke said.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about but promise me that you'll keep it to yourself."

"Ok. You have my word."

She went ahead and told him about the dream and everything that happened afterwards.

"So, that's why you haven't been yourself lately. But do you honestly believe that dream is true? I mean, you know him as well as I do, probably even better, and that doesn't sound like something he'd do."

"I know, and I don't believe it's true, but, as much as I hate to admit it, a part of me believes it. Not to mention, I've been having it every night for this entire week, and it's driving me insane. If anything, it's become more of a nightmare than a dream. I want to tell him about it, but I don't want him to take it the wrong way and think I'm accusing him of anything. I really don't want to hurt him, and from all the times I've hung out with her, Matako doesn't seem like that kind of person either."

"I think you should just tell him anyway. I'm sure he'll understand where you're coming from, especially if you explain it to him the way you did me."

"I guess you're right."

"Actually, why did you ask me?"

"You're his best friend, aren't you? And I would've asked Keito, but he's occupied with Atsumi, and Ichiya is also occupied, but, other than that, he definitely won't keep his mouth shut."

"Oh, so you called me just because I'm the single one."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"I don't know; it sounds that way to me."

"Now you're just putting words in my mouth."

"Or I'm just messing with you."

"You suck."

"It's one of my many charms."

Later...

"You went to see Matako again?"

"Yeah actually. How did you know?"

"I caught a faint whiff of her scent on you but don't take it the wrong way. I can't control my nose, and it's ok if you hang out with her without me."

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah."

"It's just: you've been a little distant lately. I can't shake the feeling that I've been neglecting you, almost like I haven't been spending enough time with you."

"Oh. I've been so tired that I didn't notice. I'm free for the rest of the day and the whole day tomorrow, so we can make plans or something. But we can watch a few movies today."

An hour and a half later...

"Whoa, why are you crying? I get that it wasn't exactly a good movie, but surely that can't be the reason why you're crying."

She shook her head. "It's a dumb reason, forget it."

"C'mon, you can tell me. I promise I won't tease you about it."

"The cookies are finished," She sniffed.

"Oh?"

"See, I told you it was dumb."

"No no, it's ok. A little weird, but still ok. I can just get more, wait here." He went to the kitchen.

He was about to go back once he found them, but he stopped when he heard Twilight's voice. It sounded like she was on the phone.

"No, I still haven't told him yet...Yeah, but don't forget that there's a high chance that he won't take it well...Come on, you know how I feel about this...Yeah yeah, we'll talk tomorrow."

When he came in, she was startled.

"Geez, you scared me."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yep. Nothing wrong here."

"If you say so," He said, not convinced. "By the way, I got the..."

But they were already out of his hands. The only things that remained of them were the crumbs on her face and an empty box.

"Thanks."

"Sure." He chuckled and gave her a head pat.

The next day…

"Off to work?" Takumi asked.

"Yeah. Listen, we need to talk when I get back."

"That doesn't sound good."

"It's nothing bad. I just need to get something off my chest."

"Oh. I wanted to say that you don't need to talk to me if you want to take your bra off."

"It would've been a dry joke, but I'll give you points for trying."

"I know. See you later then."

"Yeah."

Later…

Ayaka called her just as she was done with a meeting.

"What's up?"

She was silent for a bit before deciding to speak up.

"Tisiphone, how are things going for you?"

"Pretty good, I guess."

"Have you been on social media lately?"

"I've been preoccupied lately, so no. Is something wrong?"

"I think it'd be better if I sent you the link. But keep in mind that I'm your friend, and I'm just looking out for you," She said before hanging up.

"I wonder what she's talking about," Twilight said to herself.

She opened the link and saw a few pictures. She had no words to describe what she felt but felt as if she was going to be sick. She ran to the bathroom, and as expected, emptied her stomach. After puking for the third time, she came out. She called Ayaka.

"Are you mad at me?" Ayaka asked.

"No. I'm grateful you told me instead of keeping it a secret."

"Tisiphone, are you..."

"Yeah, I'm ok," She said before hanging up and making her way home.