Tilli’s Second Chance – Chapter 14

A soft knock on my door rouses me from a deep, dark sleep. I always sleep like a log after crying, especially if I’ve barely slept for weeks due to work. A weight on my hip tells me Ivan returned, but I was already out before we could talk.

Mom’s head pokes in the door, her face a mask of concern. “Hey, Till. Uh, there’s a handsome young man here to see you.”

I blink sleep from my eyes, slowly processing her words. A handsome young man…?

Oh. Ha. This must be Kaito. Mom loves it when the young men come calling, but I’m not having this right now. My chest tightens at the thought, yesterday’s turmoil rushing back in a dizzying flood.

I roll over and Ivan repositions himself on my other hip. “Tell him I can’t come out.”

Mom doesn’t leave. “I know you were upset last night. But he seems genuine and brought you coffee. I thought you might at least want to hear him out.”

“Everybody pipe down!” Ivan grumbles. “This cat is not a morning cat. Shhh.”

I chuckle a little. “Sorry to disturb you, Your Highness.”

“Come on, Tilli,” Mom coaxes. “It sounds like you could use a little cheering up.”

She’s right, of course. Avoiding the issue won’t make it go away.

I sigh, resigned, and push the covers back. “Tell him I’ll be out in a minute.”

After changing into fresh clothes, I walk down the hallway with leaden feet. I want to turn around and go back to bed, but that’s not an option now.

I need to deal with Kaito.

Kaito stands on the front porch, two coffees in hand and a hesitant smile on his face. He looks ready to run, as if I’m going to throw a punch. Considering he saw me toss water in Riku’s face, I don’t blame him. I accept the offered cup with a murmur of thanks, taking a scalding sip of the dark brew before meeting his anxious gaze.

He looks tired. Well, more tired than usual. Dark circles hang under his eyes and his usually bright features are muted. His eyes carry a deep exhaustion, and his skin is pale and drawn tight across his face.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d even see me.” He runs a hand through his already tousled hair. “I owe you an apology. A huge one.”

“I accused you of a lot of stuff I have no evidence of. I’m the one who’s sorry.” I lean against the porch railing, holding the warm cup close. The sharp scent of coffee fills my nose, grounding me. “I’m just… I’m having a hard time coming to terms with everything that’s happened. And I never expected that you were the one who turned me in eight years ago.” I sniff up as a tear rolls down my cheek. “Stupid of me, really. Of course, another student was involved. I should have known.”

His face falls, and for once, he seems at a loss for words. We stand in tense silence before he clears his throat, brows furrowed. I can forgive the one time easily. But the cumulation of events is hard to ignore.

“You’re right. I was thoughtless and foolish when we were younger, quick to make assumptions instead of considering the facts. And now…” He sighs heavily. “I don’t know what happened. I swear it wasn’t me. I would never turn you in. I think you’re brilliant and beautiful and dedicated. And I…” He stops for a moment. “I’m gutted that this happened. I care about you and I can’t stand knowing you’d believe I would do something like this. I suspect Riku is at the center of the problem. After that amazing day,” he says, clearing his throat, “I ran into him in the hall. I told him you’d had a huge breakthrough, and I was blown away by it. It’s possible he found some way to steal the idea, though I don’t know how. We kept the door locked when we weren’t in there.”

“Why would you say anything to him? At all?” I sigh. “Honestly, you’ve seen the way he treats me.”

“You’re right. I’m done with him. I don’t care if he thinks he holds my job in his hands. I will go around him from now on.”

These are just words, Tilli.

Do I really believe him?

“You stood by while Professor Nishimura called me a cheater,” I remind him.

He drops his head. “I’m so sorry. I was in shock. I couldn’t believe the accusations coming out of her mouth. I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

He takes a step towards me. Frustration wars with regret in his eyes. “I never seem to think straight around you. It’s always been my greatest flaw where you’re concerned.”

My fingers tighten on the coffee cup, betraying the trembling I fight to hide. The past clings close still, a wall between us I wish wasn’t there.

Yet looking up into those familiar eyes, filled with caring and sincerity, I realize the only one still clinging to yesterday’s ruins… may be me. I’m the one who always cuts people off, burns bridges. I need to put the matches away.

I sink onto the porch edge and Kaito sits beside me. Leaning into his side, I let out a weary sigh. He hesitates only a moment before slipping an arm around me, pulling me close as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. Perhaps it is — or could be again — if I find the courage to try.

“My dad said resentment only poisons you in the end.” I stare down into my coffee, watching clouds drift across the dark surface. “I don’t want to become bitter and jaded, always clinging to the hurts of the past. But this contest meant everything to me. It kills me to know I’ll never have my chance at the I.A. now.”

Another tear rolls down my cheek. I sniff and wipe it away.

I let out a guttural sigh that comes up from my toes. “I can’t believe I’m going to work odd jobs for the rest of my life. What a damned waste. And you? As much as I like you and care for you, you shouldn’t be associated with me. Our relationship will call your integrity into question.”

“No,” Kaito says, squeezing me. “No, no, no. You shouldn’t give up. We’ll go to the judges and plead your case.”

I shake my head. “I’m pretty sure their word is final.”

“It isn’t,” he insists. “I’ll convince them to listen to us.”

“You’re sweet, but how can I prove I wasn’t cheating when Riku stacked the deck against me? This is an impossible task.”

Kaito rests his chin on top of my head, thoughtful. “The judging panel only has Riku’s word so far, right? And whatever manufactured ‘evidence’ he claimed to provide?” At my nod, he continues. “Then we need irrefutable proof of your own to counter it. Design specs, test records, and all of your original drawings. We should go back to our study room and gather everything we can find to use.”

I lift my head to peer up at him. “I have all of that, but do you really think the judges will hear me out? The message I got from Professor Nishimura this morning said they won’t even consider an appeal without new evidence.”

A sly grin tugs at Kaito’s lips. “I’m willing to play dirty. I’ll press them for an appeal, and if they don’t comply, I’ll go public and share your proof online and with the news. I’ll force the I.A. and contest judges to reopen your case to save face.”

My eyes widen as the deviousness of his plan sinks in. Whoa. Kaito can be cut throat. Riku thrives on operating from the shadows, using money and connections to get his way in secret. Dragging everything into the harsh light of public scrutiny is the last thing he would expect or want.

“I like it,” I say, raising my eyebrows twice.

He smiles, pulling me close once more. “I have my moments.” His expression sobers, fingers coming up to trail along my jaw, raising tingles across my skin. “I meant what I said, Tilli. I want to make things right between us, whatever it takes.”

Joy bubbles up inside me, spilling out in a laugh that’s half excitement, half disbelief.

Ivan yowls from inside the open door, irritation clear in his raspy meow. We both turn around to look at him.

“Really, Tilli? You’re going to let this idiot off the hook again?”

“Ivan, now is not the time.”

He sniffs. “It never is, is it? But here he is again, ready with a smile and sweet words to melt your stubborn heart.” Ivan glares at Kaito, who shifts awkwardly under the scrutiny. “You’ll break her heart again sooner or later, fool. And I’ll be left to pick up the pieces, as always.”

“Ivan!” I hiss, mortified by his behavior. Though in a way, his protectiveness is touching. I shake my head at Kaito with an apologetic look. “Sorry, he’s not exactly a morning cat. Or a fan of, well…” I wave a hand between us, lost for words.

Kaito’s lips jerk into a half-smile, though his eyes remain serious. “It’s okay. He’s not wrong to be wary of me.” He runs a hand through his hair again, a familiar gesture of frustration and nerves. “I know I don’t deserve another chance, but I really hope you’ll give me the opportunity to make things right.”

I stare into my coffee, memories of laughter and shared dreams swirling in the dark depths. I need to resist the temptation to run from the past. That’s the old Tilli. Protecting my heart is important, but sheltering myself from joy for fear of pain isn’t living. We can recapture that happiness, but only if I open up and let him back in.

I meet Kaito’s hopeful gaze and offer a small smile of my own. “On two conditions.”

His eyes light up, an irrepressible grin breaking across his face. “Name them.”

“One, you have to promise to start actually using that brain of yours. And two…” I lift my cup in mock salute. “You’re buying Ivan the fancy cat treats to get on his good side. I have to live with him, you know.”

Kaito laughs, and for the first time since this mess began, the future seems a bit brighter. “Deal. On both counts.”

Ivan huffs, but when I glance his way, there’s a gleam of approval in his yellow eyes. Maybe my heart isn’t the only one still hoping for second chances, even if the old grouch would rather lick his paws clean than admit as much out loud.

Maybe this will all work out… Maybe.

“Should we get started now?” I ask, looking up at him.

“As soon as you’re ready to go.”

I stand up and zoom past my mom standing in the front hallway.

“Not a word, Mom!” I yell as I run past.

“My lips are sealed,” she calls back with a laugh.