Breathless
Chapter 4: A Little More You
"Poppyy! The pallad! I want to talk!" Taiga came suddenly with a serious face and a riled up voice.
"Eh?!" Poppy and Pallad looked at each other in wonder, what Taiga really wanted to talk about to put on such a riled face.
"What happened to Emu?" Taiga sat down on the sofa and immediately asked a question without further ado.
"Eh? Why are you asking like that Taiga?" Ask poppy while *** her own hand looks anxious.
"I accidentally met him this morning and when I asked him to talk he just cried and ran away!" obviously Taiga stared intently at Poppy who looked very agitated when she found out Taiga was meeting Emu.
"really? You met Emu? Whereabouts? How's things? Why didn't he call us all? Why would she refuse my presence when I wanted to visit her?" Pallad with round and sad eyes stared at Taiga.
Taiga just sighed and shook his head. Nor does he know the real reason Emu did this. From Pallad's question, Taiga soon concluded that Pallad was the same as he was. Not knowing what happened to Emu. A moment later Taiga turned his gaze towards Poppy.
"Poppy? You seem to know something?" taiga asked suspiciously seeing Poppy so nervous when she asked about Emu.
"Eh? Nothin. I-I, Ah yes I just remembered! I was called Director Haima! Sorry I have to leave!" Pallad who saw Poppy suddenly misbehaved and pulled Poppy's hand away.
"When did the director call you? Isn't there no incoming phone?" pallad asked while looking suspiciously at Poppy who was getting nervous.
"What are you hiding from us, POPPY?!" Taiga said a little more.
"Looks interesting! I also want to know exactly what happened to Emu!" Suddenly Kiriya came and approached them and stared fixedly at Poppy who was pressed by Taiga and Pallad.
The three of them looked at Poppy with piercing sharp glances. Sweat began to wash over Poppy's body. Not that he has promised Emu not to tell anyone. But now he faces the three men who look so angry that he is hiding Emu's true state.
"I-I'm Ti-not me-nger-ti ma-me mean kali-lian!" Poppy rebutted in a nervous voice while thinking how to escape from this situation.
Taiga, Pallad, and Kiriya urge Poppy to leave and give Poppy no chance to escape.
"STOPPYYYYY!!!" The three of them shouted together making Poppy even more nervous and gave up.
"ALRIGHT!!!!! Alright I give up! I'll tell you the truth!" poppy said as she pulled her hand from Pallad's grasp and pursed her lips in annoyance with the three men who made her desperate.
Poppy walked towards the chair and sat down with a long sigh, as if lazy to tell the three of them.
"It's actually what keeps Emu from ever going to CR because she wants to avoid Hiiro!" poppy started the story.
"Hiiro's? why?" pallad asked, wondering if you remember Emu ever saying that she likes Hiiro. Why did he now want to avoid that cold doctor?
"Because Hiiro broke his heart." added Poppy who looked sad when saying so.
Poppy then continued the story when Emu asked Poppy if it was the right time to tell Hiiro her feelings. Until finally Emu said her feelings to Hiiro. But it does not go as expected, Emu is injured because Hiiro still can not move on from his previous lover, Saki. Poppy cried when she told her how devastated Emu was and she could only hug him to calm him down. Eventually Emu asked her to keep this a secret to the other CR members.
"Because of that, Emu asked all of you for a schedule to avoid you while on duty in the hospital, even asking me to distract Pallad and Kuroto and keep them busy so as not to approach him" said Poppy as she sobbed.
The three of them were stunned to not believe what they heard. Emu must have loved Hiiro so much that she was so hurt when Hiiro dumped her feelings. They remembered how Emu had always paid more attention to that genius surgeon. How Emu smiles every time she sees Hiiro. How Emu was always excited when talking to Hiiro. Why don't they realize all that? Making Emu suffer alone because of her strong feelings for Hiiro.
Taps..Taps..Taps..
The sound of feet stepping from the direction of the stairs made the four of them look at each other. Hiiro came with a flat and cold face as usual. Usually they immediately greet Hiiro or just have a small conversation with him. But this time they look upset when they see Hiiro coming after knowing what happened to Emu.
"Do you know anything about Emu, young master Hiiro?" kiriya asked tightly without looking at Hiiro.
"What do you mean, Investigator?!" hiiro replied no less. His brows frowned feeling uncomfortable with the question posed by Kiriya.
"Aren't you worried about how things are right now, HUH?!" kiriya's voice raised up looking at Hiiro's indifferent attitude.
"It's none of my business! Emu's an adult she used to take good care of herself!" Hiiro said in a flat tone as if he did not care.
Kiriya got up from her seat and scattered towards Hiiro then hit Hiiro's face hard. Hiiro falls out of his chair and is shocked by Kiriya's actions. Pallad and Taiga immediately jumped towards Kiriya pulling him away from Hiiro and preventing him from taking any further action. Poppy approaches Hiiro helping him wake up.
"What are you doing, you son of a bitch!!!" hiro snapped angrily while holding his hot face from being hit by Kiriya's punch.
Hearing Hiiro call him a jerk, Kiriya's emotions overflowed. He thrashed trying to break away from Tiga and Pallad.
"Oi investigator! Can you calm down!" taiga rebukes Kiriya who still cannot control her emotions. Kiriya pulled Pallad and Taiga's hand violently then went away towards the exit.
"That punch is okay with Emu feeling you're hurting, ASSHOLE!!!" snapped Kiriya while leaving CR with unresolved emotions.
Hiiro who heard Kiriya's words suddenly fell silent. He did not deny what Kiriya had said. Hiiro was silent as he let out a heavy sigh. This time he deserved the blow.
The atmosphere in the room turned awkward. They were silent after the incident. Taiga and Pallad seemed to want to say something to Hiiro but Hiiro suddenly got up from his seat.
"I deserve that blow. I don't want you to understand my attitude but you better not interfere with this matter!" Taiga, Pallad and Poppy become uncomfortable with Hiiro's words, Get mixed up? It was as if they were just being a bully in this.
After saying that Hiiopun left CR with a huffed feeling. Maybe they think he's just a heartless cold doctor. But he was still worried about Emu. There was a feeling of guilt in his heart. But he didn't want to show it to anyone else. He was too prestigious to admit it, because for him to show feelings meant being ready to look weak in front of others and he did not want that.
"Gomenne, Emu!" the Guman Hiiro inwardly wished that Emu could forget about it and rise soon.
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The next morning Emu looked more lethargic than before. The insomnia she suffered from became even worse. It is seen that the black traces adorn the circle of his eyes plus his shift starts at 06:00 making his break time shorter.
"Houjou-sensei! Daijoubou?" Emu looked up and saw the nurse who had always been faithful to accompany him during the internship to become a doctor still asking him while bringing him warm coffee and bread.
"Aci-san! Arigatou! I'm doing fine! Just a lack of sleep!" Emu smiled as she thanked him for the warm coffee and bread that Airi brought.
"Ah, lately you look tired! Sensei needs enough rest Especially now that we have a shortage of people in the Pediatric section since Kurenai-sensei decided to open his own practice in his hometown." said Airi while patting Emu's shoulder to encourage him.
Emu let out a long sigh and nodded to Airi. It's been two weeks since Emu has been working so hard due to the lack of pediatricians on duty. He only hopes that the hospital will immediately find a replacement for Kurenai-sensei so that their performance can be maximized again.
"Houjou-sensei, Airi-san! Director Kagami called all the doctors and nurses in the Pediatric section to the meeting room now!" one of the nurses came to tell Emu and Airi about the request of director Kagami.
Emu and Airi immediately rushed towards the meeting room. There have been many doctors and nurses from the Pediatric section who came. Emu and Airi immediately sat down in an empty place and waited for Director Kagami to open the meeting.
"Good morning everyone! Sorry for having a meeting this morning!" greet Director Kagami with his trademark smile.
"As we know Kurenai-sensei has resigned from his post as one of the doctors in the Pedatric section two weeks ago. For that today I will introduce a replacement doctor for Kurenai-sensei!" kagami continued and then let the surrogate doctor introduce himself.
Emu squinted trying to see who was Kurenai-sensei's successor. I don't know why Emu's like he's seen it.
"Include my name Date Akira! Greetings and please help!" Date bowed respectfully to the others giving a smile that made some female doctors and nurses hysterical.
"Akira Date? I think I've heard that name where?" Emu talked to herself trying to remember the familiar face and name for her.
"Houjou-sensei! Kurenai-sensei's successor turned out to be handsome as well huh?" airi whispered to Emu and they laughed together.
Airi's statement inevitably made Emu pay careful attention to Date. Date has a tall and strapping posture with a chest field. Her hair was cut into short spikes and there was a sweet thin mustache that adorned her masculine face. His eyes were sharp but mysterious. It was only natural that some female doctors and nurses were instantly captivated by him.
After the introduction of many doctors and nurses approached Date to get acquainted in person and there was even a direct contact request Date. That morning Seito University Hospital got one more handsome doctor who became an idol for doctors and nurses.
Emu and Airi immediately returned to where they were on duty. Emu is not interested in bothering to introduce themselves to Date, after all they must know because they are one department. But unexpectedly Date chased after Emu and Airi who went away from him.
"The date-sensei? Can we help you?" airi asked confused meilhat Date chasing after them.
"ah! Your names! I mean I don't know your names yet!" Said Date gasping for running after them.
Emu and Airi backed up each other and ended up laughing.
"Date-san chased after us just to find out our names? that's right!" Emu chuckled at Date's behavior which made Date chuckle as well.
"I just don't want to lose my second chance to know your name, miss!" Said Date staring at Emu.
"Second chance?" ask Emu confused
"So soon did you forget about me, sweet lady?" Date is full of meaning to Emu.
"Ne Houjou-sensei knows Date-sensei?" whispered Airi slowly to Emu.
"I'm not sure! but he seems familiar!" Answer Emu whispered.
"Not remember yet? okay, I'll give you a hint, park? little river? runaway?" Said Date giving directions to Emu.
You start thinking garden? little river? a run? Don't-don't!
"Ah, I remember! You're the one in the park yesterday, aren't you!?" emu said with wide eyes in disbelief.
"Sumimasen! I was being disrespectful yesterday!" Emu bowed apologizing for leaving Date so easily without saying a single word.
"Haha..Is it okay?! Besides, if I were you might as well behave like miss!" said Date chuckling at Emu who looks guilty by yesterday's incident.
"So now can we be friends?" Date extended his hand to Emu and this time could not be rejected by Emu.
"of course! My name is Houjou Emu." The two of them shook hands and finally got acquainted in the right way after the incident in the park yesterday.
Since then, their relationship has become more intimate. Date often visits Emu in her room just to say hello. Date also often invites Emu to go out to lunch. Their closeness until the conversation of nurses and doctors who were there. No one would be surprised if Date was interested in Emu. Everyone also knows if Emu is one of the popular doctors not only because she is very painstaking and kind to her patients and co-workers, but her beauty that often fascinates people. According to them too, they were a match for each other.
Poppy who heard the rumor that Emu was close to the new doctor inevitably made her curious. He decided to investigate their relationship.
"EMU!!!" poppy's screams left Emu shocked to death. Poppy ran towards Emu and immediately hugged her best friend tightly.
"Emu evil! Why didn't you return my message!" poppy protests while pinching Emu's cubby cheeks in a fit of rage.
"Ittyhaii!" moan Emu in pain.
"Gommenne, Poppy! I had a lot of patients. Here I just saw your message." replied Emu while showing the phone she just opened.
"Come on, lunch with Emu! We haven't eaten together in a long time!" poppy Pinta with sparkling eyes.
"Alright, come! There's something I want to talk about anyway." Emu agreed to Poppy's request and they immediately headed for Cafeteria.
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The afternoon cafeteria was not as crowded as usual. Poppy and Emu chose to sit in the corner of the Cafeteria which is more private than any other spot there.
"So ! How are you doing Emu?" said Poppy while drinking her favorite box juice.
"My news is better now than ever Poppy. At least I've thrown away the pain in my heart and moved on with my life well." Emu smiled at Poppy.
"Is it because of the new doctor?" god Poppy is trying to provoke an Emu reaction.
Emu almost chokes on hearing Poppy offend the new doctor. His face turned red and he looked wrong. Poppy noticed Emu's nervous behavior. Poppy laughed, she felt very relieved. Emu can finally smile and act as normal as before getting hurt by Hiiro.
"I want to thank him for bringing back my best friend's smile!" poppy said again, staring at Emu happily.
Emu gave her sweetest smile to her best friend and hugged her.
"Thank you Poppy for giving me the strength to stand on my feet!" Poppy patted Emu's back gently.
"You're a strong woman, Emu! I'm sure we got through it well! Now take your happiness! I always support you!" Poppy sobbing. I don't know why he's always emotional when it comes to his best friend. He just wants Emu to reach for his own happiness and not worry about others.
"Oh, Poppy thank you! you've always been my best friend!" Emu said sincerely and held Poppy's hands together.
"So! What kind of a man is he? I've seen him, he's pretty handsome and dashing huh?" Poppy starts asking about Date to Emu.
"I don't know him yet. Moreover, we have only been a month of being partners. But he was kind and attentive. At least I feel comfortable being with him." Said Emu blushing in shame.
"Have you guys dated?" Poppy's question made Emu misbehave.
"Dating!"
"We only met in the hospital and had lunch together . We have no commitment whatsoever! I have no plans to date anyone!" Said Emu nervously.
"Will you be my lover and spend time together?" Emu and Poppy are surprised to see Date suddenly approaching them with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Date knelt before Emu and handed her a beautiful bouquet of Lily flowers and showed her a silver chain bracelet with a small heart charm surrounding her.
Everyone was now staring at Emu who had fallen silent earlier unable to speak. Emu was surprised by the recklessness of Date expressing his feelings in public like this.
"But we don't know each other very well yet, Date-san!" Emu said with a reddened face holding back the embarrassment of being seen by many people.
"Emu-chan doesn't have to answer now! I'll wait for you until you're ready to answer!" Date grabbed Emu's hand and put on her a silver bracelet that looked sweet in Emu's hand.
Emu thought for a moment, then he looked at Poppy who looked moved with the brave attitude that Date showed in front of many people. Then he turned his gaze towards Date who was smiling gently at him. Emu thought maybe Date was the answer to the prayers he had been leading to God all along. He just wants to be loved properly by someone, wants to be cared for well too. Emu did not dismiss if Date paid more attention during this time, Emu also felt that her heart wound was slowly closing. For Emu, Hiiro is indeed an irreplaceable love. Until now, his feelings are still the same for the genius doctor. But what's wrong with opening your heart to someone else who loves you sincerely. Maybe this will bring him the happiness he wants. There's no harm in trying, right?
"Alright Date-san. I accept!" Emu answered with a red face followed by the cheers of the people in the Cafeteria who were waiting for Emu to answer Date's invitation.
Poppy cried and hugged Emu with haru. She is happy now that her best friend has had someone take care of her and love her sincerely. Now he doesn't have to worry anymore.
"Ne Date-san! Take good care of Emu! Otherwise I'll beat you up myself!" poppy said to Date, who did not stop smiling when she realized Emu had accepted her.
"of course! I won't let anyone touch Emu! Because now he's just mine!" Say Date firmly while grabbing Emu into the hug . The surprised Emu could only smile. She could feel the warmth of Date's body making her comfortable.
They do not realize if anyone is watching them from afar and smile wryly seeing Emu has become someone else's.
"May you be happy, Emu!" The man's words passed and disappeared from the hustle of those who congratulated Date and Emu.
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***If there's one thing in this world that I know it's true
It's the love that I feel when I'm thinking of you
No ocean or mountain can keep us apart
Coz no one can take away someone who lives in your heart.
all 4 One - Someone Who Lives in Your Heart**