Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango/Meteor Garden and its characters.
Author: Yan Huo
Translator: blueverry
(I read this story in Chinese two years ago and it touched me so much. Therefore the idea of translating it came into my head. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. The story takes place after MG1. I've used romaji for the characters' names.)
An Angel's Melody
(1)
Sitting alone by the window, the times spent at Eitoku sprang to mind. They seemed to be events from another lifetime. The balcony on the rooftop, was it still his exclusive space? F4, were they still the school's legends? Tsukushi and Tsukasa, did they continue to spend the days fighting and arguing? It's been three years. The winter in Japan exhibited a frostiness that rarely turned up in Taiwan. Though accustomed to such cold weather, he still missed the presence of that drizzling and damp season; still cherished the memory of the days spent flying kites in the rain.
Were these F4's only fates? Taking over Hanazawa Corporation, the business world that he once disdained has become the focus of life for the past three years. It's been some time since he last saw them. A subtle sorrow emerged in his eyes. Closing the contracts at hand, he decided to take a walk outside. He hasn't been to an outdoor café in a long time. Today's sky was overcast and cloudy, but it suited the climate of drinking a cup of coffee.
The telephone suddenly rang. The sound greatly resembled a certain person's temper.
"Tsukasa, it's you. Something wrong?"
Rui wondered if there were again problems with Tsukushi. Phone calls like these were too frequent.
"Tsukushi, that stupid woman! Did she call you?"
As expected. They were about to be married yet it was still like this.
Doumyouji Tsukasa shouted in fury.
"She's gonna kill me, that woman! Rui! Contact me if you get a call from her. And this dumbass corporation! Why did my mother let these idiots into the company? Asking me about everything single thing, what the hell are they here for? They don't know anything! Oh yeah, how've you been?"
"Fine. Same as always."
"You don't plan to come back to Taiwan? Soujiro went to Canada to see Yuki. He'll probably drop on by. Akira's trapped by family business this year. He's been free for too long. Finally his turn to fall into the net. I'll go visit you when I have the time, and if that woman doesn't cause any more trouble!"
Rui gently smiled as he listened to Tsukasa talk about F3's recent developments. Tsukushi, a light concern crept into his heart. Perhaps he'll go back when he finished the businesses at hand.
"Say hi to Soujiro and Akira for me. And Tsukushi."
Tsukasa spoke hesitantly:
"I saw Shizuka the last time I went to France."
"Really? Shizuka….how is she?"
Calm returned after a slight startle.
"She's fine. She now has her own attorney's office and established a reputation among the Asians there. Even though she gave up Toudou Corp, I think she's still the same person that we grew up with. Still so outstanding and elegant, still understands you and cares for you. She said you'll run Hanazawa Corp with your style."
Doumyouji Tsukasa waited for Rui's response.
"She's happy. That's enough."
Rui softly hung up the phone.
(2)
He walked the along the streets full of cherry blossoms. The flowers drifted with the wind, withering in their full bloom. The pale pink was accompanied by a delicate fragrance. This time of year, would it be less lonely if friends were here? Rui extended his hand to hold on to a petal, pausing his step to watch them dance in the wind. His mind grew far away.
His cell phone suddenly sounded, the blue screen flashing a message: Rui, are the flowers beautiful? Why is your expression ruining the scene? I see an embittered man on the streets of Japan! Rui lifted his head and searched in surprise, detecting a pretty and dazzling girl not far away. Her long and shiny hair flowed with the wind; the light yellow shirt reflected her bright sunshine-like smile. Widelia, the tiny yellow flowers that flourished in the open field. The gloomy sky seemed to have been brushed away with her grin.
"Tsukushi!"
"It's me. Happy surprise?"
Tsuksuhi approached with him with a smile, tilting her head and asked in a mischievous tone:
"What? I'm here to see you. Have you missed me?"
"Oh? How about giving me a greeting then?"
Tsukushi was puzzled for a bit and then blushed. (Remembering the incident on how to greet a foreigner).
"Hanazawa Rui!"
She warned in embarrassment but immediately laughed.
Watching the lively girl in front of him full of laughter, Rui was a bit dazzled. He smiled.
"Arguing with Tsukasa again?"
A trace of irritation passed in her eyes.
"Hey! I came to see you! You seem to be doing pretty well. I hear that since you took over Hanazawa Corp, the situation is getting better and better. And you said that you needed my blessing because you had to do something you've never done before. Worrying me over nothing."
"How are you?"
Rui generously changed the subject.
"I heard you're running your own chain store."
Tsukushi smiled proudly and contentedly.
"Yep. The third one now."
Rui was happy for her and grinned. Seeing his long absent smile, that breathtaking smile, Tsukushi was dazed. The familiar Rui! The quiet and melancholy Rui. Even though she came to Japan because of a fight with Doumyouji, she really missed Rui's presence, missed the feeling of being with him on that balcony, missed the Rui that she hasn't seen in three years but has never forgotten. Hanazawa Rui – was he still that indifferent and aloof?
"Rui."
Tsukushi calmly called him, merely desiring to hear a response.
"Yes?"
He looked back and she shook her head with a smile, enjoying the long absent silent tranquility, a unique atmosphere that belonged only to Rui. Neither of them spoke, only occasionally exchanging a smile when their eyes met. Rui was also taking in the pleasure of being escorted by a friend. He wasn't in a rush to persuade and mediate. Knowing her, she wouldn't listen at this time.
"How is Japan? Why haven't you come back in three years? Everyone misses you. Yuki said last time that she hasn't seen F4 together in a very long time."
Tsukushi watched the handsome figure under the cherry blossom tree. A wind breezed across his light brown hair and blew open his fair-colored jacket. Rui seemed to have gotten thinner. It must be exhausting to operate this sizable company. Recalling that year at the beach, the Rui that once lay vulnerably in her embrace, who now singularly sustained a failing family business, Tsukushi softly sighed.
"If there comes a day when I need to go back, I will."
Rui stated meaningfully with a smile.
"When you're needed? What do you mean?"
Rui relaxingly turned around.
"To our agreement, if one out of the four got married, the other three have to be the best men."
Tsukushi chased him with a red face.
"What are you talking about! Who wants to marry that pig who only has violence in his head!"
Looking into Rui's perceptive eyes when she finished, her complexion became redder.
"Tell Tsukasa, otherwise he'll turn Taiwan upside down."
"I just can't tolerate his bulliness! Why can't he be like you?"
Rui stirred a little and said nothing. Tsukushi went on in frustration.
"I know he wants what's best for me, but I want to run my business my own way. He just can't get it no matter how many times I try to explain! It's wearing to fight with him. Really exhausting. Yet this kind of thing repeats itself over and over again. Rui, I keep thinking whether Doumyouji and I really suit each other?"
Gazing into her doubtful and hopeful eyes, he remained silent. Though separated for several years, her sweet and witty features have not altered much. At least her fiery and direct temper did not change. A girl like this, together with the same straightforward and candid Tsukasa, it's true that getting along must be a little strenuous.
"Cherry blossoms are beautiful, right? But you must accept and endure the mourning that comes with its withering at a time when it's most stunning. You love Tsukasa, therefore you must bear with love's certain consequences, right?"
Observing his easy and serene countenance, Tsukushi's heart soothed like a pond, as if all troubles went away when she looked into his crystal eyes. He was as calm as the deep ocean, yet the pure and transparent eyes remained as they have been.
"Rui, my mood soothes every time I'm with you. It's fantastic, this feeling."
Carefree, Tsukushi swirled around and looked back at him with a beam.
Her being here, it was wonderful. He has gained back that protective sentiment. Tsukushi questioned and inquired curiously with enthusiasm, pulling on Rui's hand and ignoring the crowd's peeking glances as they passed through the busy marketplace.
"Walking with you, it gives a vain satisfaction."
Tsukushi laughed.
"Rui, all the girls want to kill me with their glares!"
She joked.
Rui indulgently followed her random and aimless steps. This resilient girl was also quite gentle. She always had a most tender heart.
The two of them stood quietly on the suspension bridge, observing the continuous swarm of people and flow of cars under them. Noticing that she was a bit cold, he instinctively draped his jacket over her. Tsukushi's heart jumped as she locked herself into his warm and affectionate gaze. Would the tenderness under his eyes one day exist for me? She asked herself, involuntarily becoming agitated. Rui's coat exhibited an untainted elegance that completely differed from Doumyouji. Doumyouji! Spending an entire day with Rui, she never once thought about how anxious Doumyouji must be. She was bewildered by her own emotions. She no longer held love for Rui, right? Why did she feel excited?
"Give Tsukasa a call. Put his mind at rest."
Tsukushi automatically received Rui's extended cell phone and before long heard Doumyouji's livid voice. She quickly told him that she was in Japan and hung up right away. She really didn't want to hear the repetitive suspicions and questioning. She let off a strained smile and glimpsed at Rui. The night's pleasant mood vanished. Rui stood silently in a white sweater. She recalled that night on the ship three years ago, he had also worn a white sweater. It was the first time that she had gazed at him so intimately up close. Hanazawa Rui, this man was once the sole source of all her joy and happiness. To this day, all grief and pain went away when he gently smiled.
"Rui….."
She began but paused.
"Shizuka-san, she……"
"Tsukasa."
Rui interrupted her.
"This guy will probably rush over tonight."
He smiled as he spoke, as if he could already see Doumyouji's enraged expression. Tsukushi was bothered and amused. Looking at him, she wondered in silence if certain feelings were really destined to remain forever buried at the bottom of the heart. Somewhat unwilling and worried, the feelings that faded with time gradually came back. Rui did not look at her but knew her sentiments. He didn't want to shatter that wonderful sensation, didn't want to disappoint and sadden Tsusaka. Perhaps some things could only remain like this. Even so, Tsukushi's visit still brought him great delight and gratification.
(3)
When Rui and Tsukushi returned home from their walk, they were greeted by a striding and pacing Doumyouji. The wind and dust could not mask his fury. His thin black coat may have been somewhat insufficient in Japan's cold climate, yet he was still dauntingly handsome and dynamic. Perceiving the two's belated arrival, he impulsively yelled out:
"You dumb woman! You're really asking for it! Making me fly all the way over from Taiwan! To think I don't have enough problems!"
"You're the one who's asking for it! Who asked you to come?"
"What are you, stupid! You think I'd let my woman out of my sight? Especially to disappear for no reason!"
"Your woman! I'm my own person! Why do I have to report to you where I go! What do you mean for no reason! Disappear? I merely came to Japan!"
"Hey, what do you think you're doing? You're suddenly gone and won't pick up the phone. If that's not disappearing, what is it? I almost turned Taipei upside down! And you're the one who fought with me first!"
Doumyouji stared at her in anger.
"If you didn't do those dumb things, why would I argue with you? An idiot is an idiot!"
She glared back at him. Doumyouji was infuriated and turned his head to take in a deep breath.
"I was helping you! Urgh! That dumb woman was gossiping about my girlfriend and stealing business from you! I've put up with her for a long time! It was shou 'jiao' liu qing (generous enough) that I didn't kill her! Why are you mad at ME!"
"It's shou 'xia' liu qing, Tsukasa."
A mild voice reminded him. Tsukushi looked to Hanazawa Rui, who maintained a leisurely expression on his face, and suddenly didn't want to fight with Doumyouji anymore. At least not in front of Rui.
"Aiya, whatever. It's the same. You talk too much, Rui."
Doumyouji complained as he looked at Rui.
"Who can talk as much as you do? Rui only said one sentence, you idiot!"
Tsukushi couldn't help but be mad.
"Argh, this woman! What is this! I was talking to Rui…."
Doumyouji suddenly noticed Rui's jacket on Tsukushi's shoulders.
"I still didn't ask you, why did you go to Japan and not somewhere else?"
He studied her closely.
"It's not because of Rui, is it?"
She instinctively glimpsed at Rui and blushed for no apparent reason. She greeted Doumyouji's piercing eyes and shouted:
"What are you, a pig! What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Do you know what time it is? You think we're at your own house? Screaming and yelling, you want everybody in Japan to wake up and come see how stupid you are? And why am I standing here listening to all of the garbage coming from your mouth! You can make a spectacle by yourself! Get out of the way!"
She shoved aside Doumyouji, who stood in front of the doorway, and dashed into the house. Doumyouji stumbled a bit at her push and looked after her retreating figure, stunned.
Rui slowly walked over and patted him on the shoulders.
"Let's go in."
Darting into the living room, Tsukushi took in a deep breath. What is wrong with me? She asked herself. It wasn't t the first time Doumyouji has said such idiotic things. Why is my reaction so drastic? And Rui was there also. Do you know that you start rambling every time someone catches what you're thinking? This sentence suddenly popped into her head, accompanied by a pair of crystal eyes that seemed to see through everything. Did Rui say it? Tsukushi was extremely perplexed.
Hanazawa Rui and Doumyouji Tsukasa walked in one after the other. She pretended to remain calm as she drank the juice that the steward brought her. She hurried to speak first.
"Rui, I want to rest now. Where is the guestroom?"
"Oh. I'll tell the steward to bring you there."
"No, that's okay. Just tell me where it is."
"On the second floor. Pick whichever one you want."
Rui suddenly smiled.
"Or maybe you want to stay in Tsukasa's room? It's the first one on the right."
Tsukushi was a bit distracted. She gave the angry Doumyouji a glance and turned to walk up the stairs. At the corner, she heard Rui say: "Want to go have a drink?" and the sound of closing door at the two's footsteps.
She let out a sigh of relief and her steps became lighter as she headed to the rooftop in habit. The early winter winds were piercingly cold. In spite of this, she still wanted to take in the cool refreshing air on the balcony. She sighed as she remembered her argument with Doumyouji. Why wasn't there a stop to the constant turmoil? Were they really that dissimilar and apart? She never once backed down when facing his intimidating mother, yet his all encompassing love was suffocating her. When she could no longer endure it, fighting seemed a good way to relieve the tension. Oh forget it. Don't think about it anymore. She waved aside the previous quarrel. It felt nice to be under the wind.
Having piled up her emotions for three years, she thought she'd have a lot to say when she saw Rui again. Yet setting her eyes on him once more, she discovered that all she really wanted to do was to look at him, to wander with him on the streets of a foreign land and mark out his long absent smiles. That was all. Facing the unfathomable night sky, she softly grinned. She really was rather exhausted. Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow will be a bright and sunny day because tonight the sky was dotted with shining stars.
Approaching the first door to the right on the second floor, she rashly passed it by and walked straight on to the room that was farthest away. Under the pale light, this room……it was so peculiar. The entire room was spotless. The large and comfortable bed was placed in the most conspicuous position, as if the whole room was only reserved for this bed. The huge space contained few furniture, not even a sofa, and exuded a barren and desolate air. She slowly walked into the room. Other than the bed, the most prominent features in the room were the Sony television and stereo on the opposite side, in addition to the variety of CDs neatly arranged on the floor. The walls were purely white; the window to the balcony tightly closed; the ocean blue curtains quietly draped; everywhere in the room emanated a poise and serenity that was in striking contrast with the splendor of the magnificent living room.
Tsukushi inquisitively surveyed the room, resting her eyes on the instrument that quietly rested on the sophisticated violin-stand by the window. Next to it lay a half-open score book. This is…..Hanazawa Rui's room. She was a bit stumped, and then laughed at herself. Of course it was Rui. From the moment she walked in she felt that vague and adrift air that only Rui possessed. Besides, only his room did not have a couch. Compared with Doumyouji's room, Rui's was infinitely simpler and unadorned. Wasn't it lonesome in this vacant room? Oh that's right, he has to sleep over fifteen hours everyday. An asleep Rui no longer thought about loneliness, right? Tsukushi silently sighed and walked to the CDs rack. They were all classical music. She picked a random one to listen.
Standing before the window and gazing into the night sky, the harmonious melody resonated in her ears. How familiar that sound was! That scene in the music room suddenly flashed before her eyes. Rui's engrossed expression by the music became clear in mind. The same tune, why did Rui's version exhibit such sorrow and loneliness? Tsukushi frowned and glided open the glass door to get some fresh air. A winter chill invaded the room. At the half open door, Tsukushi's long hair was blown apart and the music scores fell one by one on the navy carpet. She quickly closed the window and gathered the scattered sheets, frustrated that she didn't know the page numbers.
Her eyes unintentionally caught glimpse of a page behind her. She paused slightly and picked it up. It wasn't a score sheet but appeared to be a drawing. Clear and brilliant eyes, a gentle smile at the lips' corner, soft and silky hair floating before the forehead, a partial lean on the tree stalk and peacefully playing the violent, a perfect of blend of artist and instrument, like a heavenly fallen star – this is Hanazawa Rui's portrait!
Tsukushi was greatly surprised. Though lacking technical knowledge, it was evident that the simple strokes have depicted the quiet and hidden happiness of the person in the painting. She's never seen such a smile and expression from Rui, an affectionate one that was completely captivated by the music and contained no grief. Looking down at the corner, there was a line of small and exquisite penmanship: Angelic Rhyme. A sketch of Rui practicing. The signature that followed, however, was written in large and unrestrained letters: Shizuka.
It turned out that this was drawn by Shizuka-san. No wonder Rui still seemed a bit childish then. She could almost picture such a scene: A clear and sunny day, Rui played the violin under the tree and Shizuka-san sat by his side, listening in smiles. She'd casually pick up the pencil, gaze at Rui's complexion, and lightly sketch. Without any need to speak, the relaxing and lovely tune flowed between them. The refreshing breeze, the bright sunshine, the verdant lawn, a dream-like perfection…….
Tsukushi gazed at Rui's smile in the picture as her heart unexpectedly ached. Rui has never forgotten about Shizuka-san. Like this picture, he's hidden her in a place that no one else knew of – the music sheets that only he himself flipped through. Tsukushi felt her heart suddenly being gripped. Three years, he still wasn't happy? His music echoed in her ears. The room was full of his despair. She unintentionally broke in here, just like that afternoon on the balcony, and hasn't been able to brush away her concern since then. Suddenly she became a little scared, afraid that she was being excessively bothered. An uneasy forecast came into her head. She quickly waved aside such thoughts and organized the scores.
Looking about the room, she couldn't mask the sorrow and stimulus in her heart. She was well aware that ever since she walked in here, a pain has fallen into that 'score' which wasn't really a score. She gently turned off the stereo, quietly exited the room, and softly closed the door……
