Chapter 20:

Year 2-9: The book con

Is it ok?


“Does anyone know why Kiyoko isn´t here?” Riku asked concerned. Since the incident at the Halloween party Kiyoko had been staying with a club member from time to time. Riku was invited to a book convention to do a small signing; Kiyoko had told him she would come so he was starting to get worried. She hadn´t answered any one of his text messages nor picked up the phone when he had tried to call her. Apparently he wasn´t the only one who she wouldn´t answer to. Takumi and Satsuki also had a worried look on their faces.
“I think she mentioned something about her mother coming back to Japan soon.” Yusuke said showing a text message confirming his statement.
“Maybe she´s just spending time with her mom and completely forgot about us.” Nozomi said, she turned to Riku. “Your aunt has her mom’s number, right? We could call her to confirm later.”
Riku was ok with that idea, if Kiyokos mom really came back to Japan he didn´t want to keep her from spending time with her.
“She did arrive yesterday. They´re probably spending time together.” Yuri chimed in.
Riku turned to her. “How would you know?”
Yuri stared him in the face blankly. “I have my sources.”
Riku wanted to say something to her but Satsuki grabbed his arm, pointing at a stall. “I need a signature of that author!” The stall was black with various blood splatters. Riku recognized a few of the books: All crime thrillers that Satsuki had almost forced him to read. They were holding hands while waiting in line. Satsuki couldn´t contain her excitement, Riku couldn´t help but smile. She´s so cute, he thought.

The group was walking through the crammed halls, stopping here and there for signatures and photos. Riku made sure to study how the other authors treated their fans. He didn´t want to come off as standoffish. He bought a few books he had been very excited for and quickly made his way to his publishers stall. He was told where to sit. He was getting nervous, he´d never done a signing before, he wasn´t even sure if his book was that popular. He took a deep breath and put on the biggest nicest smile that he could manage with his heart beating faster by the minute.
“Hello who should I sign this for?” He said as the first person came forward.
“How about the cutest girlfriend in the world?” Riku looked up; Satsuki was standing in front of him smiling. He was dumbfounded and apparently it showed on his face. “You promised me your first signed copy.”
“But I already gave you one.”
“This is different. Now sign it Mr. Author.”

Riku was staring at his phone. He had a ten minute break which he wanted to use to see if Kiyoko had called or texted back. Nothing. He was starting to have a very bad feeling. “We have snacks!” The twins shoved a bag of different foods into his face.
“What about the others?” He asked eating a Yakisoba pan.
Yuri tried to look offended while holding back a smile. “Are we not good enough?”
“They´re still busy.” Yuki said also eating something, melon pan.
Riku talked a bit with the twins. It felt like they never had stopped being friends, Riku was glad he got to be close with them again. He was enjoying himself so much he nearly forgot about the bad gut feeling he had regarding Kiyoko.

After his break he continued with his signing. Everything went smoothly. He even got to take a few pictures with fans. After everyone standing in line had gotten a signature his editor came to him. “Good job. You´re done for today. Have fun with your friends, you still have some time until the con closes.”
So Riku, packed with candy and presents from his fans, made his way through the waves of people. He had thought that with it already being late the masses would let up but no it looked like there were now more people than in the morning, making it extra hard to find his friends. He decided it would be easiest to go outside and call them. It turned out his friends had a similar idea. They were gathered by some benches. Satsuki was on her phone walking in circles.
“What´s with her?” He asked.
“Kiyokos mother called her, she´s trying to call back but so far no luck.” Nozomi said.
Riku sat down next to her. “You think it´s something serious?” His bad gut feeling was now undeniable. He felt nauseous when he saw Satsukis face falling. She looked like someone had just hit her with a truck. She came running to Riku and the others. Completely out of breath and obviously trying to hold back tears she said in a shaking voice: “Kiyoko-chans in the hospital.”