Author's Notes: This is a multichaptered fic set on Rukawa and Sakuragi's
couplehood. In this era, same sex marriage is already allowable in the
society.
[...] ---Rukawa's thoughts.
Warning: My first attempt on a romantic comedy, gomen.
Disclaimer: Don't own SD. Period.
TRIAL MARRIAGE
............
Chapter 1--- The Idea
............
The beginning of classes was fast approaching. It was not the least strange that students and parents were currently flocking malls, bookstores and other shopping establishments. Ruhana's Bookstore was especially packed and Rukawa Kaede, the owner, was grumpy as ever.
[K'so! Does Japan have a large number of students or what? I could barely move in here!]
This was the first time he's actually managing the bookstore despite the fact that he's the owner. Usually, he just sits back at home where he waits for the cash to flow to his hands. He often leaves the supervision job to his people, but unfortunately for Rukawa, there were two reasons they had to call for him today: One, the store was unbelievably teeming with people. And two, quite a number of his employees were untimely absent, thus, the store lacked workers to assist the large crowd.
[Bloody hell! How dare those three pricks desert the store at this time! I'll make sure those three assholes get fired!!! Wait. If I fire them then who the hell's going to do their work here? I changed my mind.]
He was carrying a pile of notebooks then to place to one shelf. The place was so stuffed so the expected unexpected happened. Somebody bumped into him, causing him to drop the notebooks on the floor.
[What the &%!!!]
"Woah, gomen. I guess we were both not looking on our way," said the unconcerned customer, not having the slightest intention of helping him since the guy was already passing the other way.
[That's it! I've had enough! I'm going to take it out on you, you bloody bastard!]
Rukawa was ready to punch the living daylights out of that person, though quite inappropriately for the owner to do to a customer, when he realized who that someone was.
"Mitsui-sempai..?" he asked, surprised. Obviously, the punching came to a halt as Rukawa was only mildly shocked to see his former basketball teammate again.
"Rukawa! It's you! Man, it's been years!" [Ugh. He was awfully chirpy.] "I can't believe we'd meet again!"
[Uh-uh. But the meeting was quite unfavorable.]
"You own a -gulp- bookstore?! Or is it Sakuragi's? Probably a joint property then? Quite evident in the name?" he interrogated.
[God, could he be more annoying?!]
"The bookstore's mine. I just decided to name it after Hana and I." Rukawa replied nonchalantly.
"Excuse me misters, the store is quite full you see, so we'd really appreciate it if you stop blocking the way," some random voice said, apparently irate with the two's overcrowding.
[Oh yeah. I forgot that we're still in the middle of the bookstore and the notebooks are still scattered on the floor.]
"We'll talk later, sempai. I'm sure you'd love to help me out on these notebooks first." Rukawa told Mitsui, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
[Ha! After all, he helped me drop them.]
"No problem," the latter answered, grinning sheepishly.
............
Three hours later, Mitsui and Rukawa were seated comfortably on cushioned chairs. They had just finished three bowls of soup, six cups of rice (with Rukawa having 2 and Mitsui 4), four pieces of grilled tuna belly, three plates of salmon steak and two platters of seafood carbonara. (They were not really that hungry anyway. )
"Woah, Rukawa, that was some crowd you had in your bookstore. You deal with that everyday?" Mitsui asked quite unbelievingly.
[I guess he doesn't know that I do it my way.]
"No. Actually, it was just today that I got my hand on the bookstore since this day was a special case. I don't come to money sempai, I wait for money." Rukawa told him smugly.
"That's so cool pal," The older guy replied, apparently amazed. "How did you come up with a bookstore anyway? Seriously, Rukawa and a bookstore? That doesn't quite mesh well. Honestly, it was rather unexpected."
[Well what was he expecting me to be? Some silly comic? Alright, I'm quitting with the sarcasm. It's just that I don't know myself why I got to be a bookstore owner.]
"You know, some things happen with no reason at all," Rukawa answered pretty lamely.
"Uh, yeah, I see." Mitsui decided to drop the subject by now...considering Rukawa anyway.
"So, what were you buying in the bookstore awhile ago?" Rukawa asked the former MVP.
"Well, you see, it's Min-kun and I's anniversary in two weeks. I'm sort of planning to give him this novel he's been dying to have forever but he really can't find a copy of. So well, I opted on hopping from bookstore to bookstore to find that particular book. That would make him extremely happy if I get him that one," Mitsui replied dreamily.
"Tell me the title and the author later and I'd ask one of my employees to look it up for you."
[Alright. Switched to kind mode now.]
"Why, that's so nice of you, Rukawa! If you could get me a copy of that book then I don't think I could ever repay you for that," he told Rukawa excitedly, smiling from ear to ear.
[Blech. He looked like an idiot. Be kind, Kaede, be kind.]
"I suppose you and Kogure-sempai are still a couple."
[Nice one, Kaede. Like that was already obvious.]
"Uh, yeah, we're actually living together now."
[He's got a weird look on his face. Wonder why? Did he think I was slow? Oh well, he better not voice it out or I swear...wait. They're living together now?!]
"You're living together now? Literally living together? In one roof? You're married?" Rukawa asked the guy incredulously.
"Uh, yeah, we are." Mitsui stared at the guy across him funnily, as if doubting if he was for real. "Well really, you can't imagine how fulfilling it is to have somebody wait for you at home, take care of you, make love to you anytime you want to... –sigh- It's awesome, man. But I'm not married."
Rukawa knitted his eyebrows.
[Not married? Live- in I presume.]
As if sensing that it was kind of baffling, Mitsui started explicating his statement.
"Ever heard of live-in relationship, Rukawa? You know, trial marriage, wherein you two reside in the same house and live like married couples but not exactly under matrimonial bindings yet?"
[That's it then. Of course I know, dimwit. I'm not a dumbass.]
He merely nodded.
"That's Min-kun and I's relationship," Mitsui said quite proudly.
[Uh, could you say point of pride?]
"Uh, sempai, I hope you won't find me offending but I don't really see the sense of a live- in relationship nowadays. I mean, with the society already tolerating same sex marriage and all, why still bother with a trial one when you can actually get the real thing?" Rukawa questioned him.
[I'm not exactly a meddler but what the hell, I kind of feel strongly about this one.]
"You don't understand, Rukawa. A trial marriage has its advantages and benefits."
"What do you mean?" the younger guy asked.
[I admit I'm a tiny bit perplexed.]
"You see, it's benefiting in a sense that you get to really know your partner first, you know, how he is from the time he wakes up 'til the time he sleeps, before engaging into that serious, crucial matter called legal marriage. At least if you find something wrong with him that would make you not want to be with him for the rest of you're life, then you're free to walk out. It's like testing the waters first before dipping in it. It's that simple. It's rewarding, Rukawa, I tell you."
"Whatever," Rukawa just answered.
[This isn't getting anywhere anyway. I hope he just drops it.]
"Trust me, I'm happy."
[He sounded like it.]
"Wait. You and Sakuragi are not married yet, are you?" Mitsui asked Rukawa.
[D-u-h. We're 25?]
"We're not," the latter replied.
"Try the live-in relationship then. Very beneficial. Come on do it."
[Is it me or is he actually plugging this type of relationship? What can I say; I'm at a loss for words.]
As if on cue, Mitsui's mobile went off.
"Alright I better go now. Min-kun's at home already. That guy, I swear, he cooked again and he won't eat without me. –sigh- This is the book and here's my digits," he said, scribbling on a piece of paper, "Give me a ring when you find the book, 'kay?"
Mitsui was almost out the door when he turned again.
"Rukawa, about the trial marriage? Think about it."
[I won't even.]
[But seriously, it can't be that bad...]
............
Author's Notes:
Ruhana's Bookstore?!? Seriously! Hehe... Gomen. Can't think of a better name for our dear Ice Prince's very own (ehem) 'bookstore'.
I've said it in my first fic (which is awfully sappy, mind you) and I will say it again here: Constructive reviews would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Warning: My first attempt on a romantic comedy, gomen.
Disclaimer: Don't own SD. Period.
TRIAL MARRIAGE
............
Chapter 1--- The Idea
............
The beginning of classes was fast approaching. It was not the least strange that students and parents were currently flocking malls, bookstores and other shopping establishments. Ruhana's Bookstore was especially packed and Rukawa Kaede, the owner, was grumpy as ever.
[K'so! Does Japan have a large number of students or what? I could barely move in here!]
This was the first time he's actually managing the bookstore despite the fact that he's the owner. Usually, he just sits back at home where he waits for the cash to flow to his hands. He often leaves the supervision job to his people, but unfortunately for Rukawa, there were two reasons they had to call for him today: One, the store was unbelievably teeming with people. And two, quite a number of his employees were untimely absent, thus, the store lacked workers to assist the large crowd.
[Bloody hell! How dare those three pricks desert the store at this time! I'll make sure those three assholes get fired!!! Wait. If I fire them then who the hell's going to do their work here? I changed my mind.]
He was carrying a pile of notebooks then to place to one shelf. The place was so stuffed so the expected unexpected happened. Somebody bumped into him, causing him to drop the notebooks on the floor.
[What the &%!!!]
"Woah, gomen. I guess we were both not looking on our way," said the unconcerned customer, not having the slightest intention of helping him since the guy was already passing the other way.
[That's it! I've had enough! I'm going to take it out on you, you bloody bastard!]
Rukawa was ready to punch the living daylights out of that person, though quite inappropriately for the owner to do to a customer, when he realized who that someone was.
"Mitsui-sempai..?" he asked, surprised. Obviously, the punching came to a halt as Rukawa was only mildly shocked to see his former basketball teammate again.
"Rukawa! It's you! Man, it's been years!" [Ugh. He was awfully chirpy.] "I can't believe we'd meet again!"
[Uh-uh. But the meeting was quite unfavorable.]
"You own a -gulp- bookstore?! Or is it Sakuragi's? Probably a joint property then? Quite evident in the name?" he interrogated.
[God, could he be more annoying?!]
"The bookstore's mine. I just decided to name it after Hana and I." Rukawa replied nonchalantly.
"Excuse me misters, the store is quite full you see, so we'd really appreciate it if you stop blocking the way," some random voice said, apparently irate with the two's overcrowding.
[Oh yeah. I forgot that we're still in the middle of the bookstore and the notebooks are still scattered on the floor.]
"We'll talk later, sempai. I'm sure you'd love to help me out on these notebooks first." Rukawa told Mitsui, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
[Ha! After all, he helped me drop them.]
"No problem," the latter answered, grinning sheepishly.
............
Three hours later, Mitsui and Rukawa were seated comfortably on cushioned chairs. They had just finished three bowls of soup, six cups of rice (with Rukawa having 2 and Mitsui 4), four pieces of grilled tuna belly, three plates of salmon steak and two platters of seafood carbonara. (They were not really that hungry anyway. )
"Woah, Rukawa, that was some crowd you had in your bookstore. You deal with that everyday?" Mitsui asked quite unbelievingly.
[I guess he doesn't know that I do it my way.]
"No. Actually, it was just today that I got my hand on the bookstore since this day was a special case. I don't come to money sempai, I wait for money." Rukawa told him smugly.
"That's so cool pal," The older guy replied, apparently amazed. "How did you come up with a bookstore anyway? Seriously, Rukawa and a bookstore? That doesn't quite mesh well. Honestly, it was rather unexpected."
[Well what was he expecting me to be? Some silly comic? Alright, I'm quitting with the sarcasm. It's just that I don't know myself why I got to be a bookstore owner.]
"You know, some things happen with no reason at all," Rukawa answered pretty lamely.
"Uh, yeah, I see." Mitsui decided to drop the subject by now...considering Rukawa anyway.
"So, what were you buying in the bookstore awhile ago?" Rukawa asked the former MVP.
"Well, you see, it's Min-kun and I's anniversary in two weeks. I'm sort of planning to give him this novel he's been dying to have forever but he really can't find a copy of. So well, I opted on hopping from bookstore to bookstore to find that particular book. That would make him extremely happy if I get him that one," Mitsui replied dreamily.
"Tell me the title and the author later and I'd ask one of my employees to look it up for you."
[Alright. Switched to kind mode now.]
"Why, that's so nice of you, Rukawa! If you could get me a copy of that book then I don't think I could ever repay you for that," he told Rukawa excitedly, smiling from ear to ear.
[Blech. He looked like an idiot. Be kind, Kaede, be kind.]
"I suppose you and Kogure-sempai are still a couple."
[Nice one, Kaede. Like that was already obvious.]
"Uh, yeah, we're actually living together now."
[He's got a weird look on his face. Wonder why? Did he think I was slow? Oh well, he better not voice it out or I swear...wait. They're living together now?!]
"You're living together now? Literally living together? In one roof? You're married?" Rukawa asked the guy incredulously.
"Uh, yeah, we are." Mitsui stared at the guy across him funnily, as if doubting if he was for real. "Well really, you can't imagine how fulfilling it is to have somebody wait for you at home, take care of you, make love to you anytime you want to... –sigh- It's awesome, man. But I'm not married."
Rukawa knitted his eyebrows.
[Not married? Live- in I presume.]
As if sensing that it was kind of baffling, Mitsui started explicating his statement.
"Ever heard of live-in relationship, Rukawa? You know, trial marriage, wherein you two reside in the same house and live like married couples but not exactly under matrimonial bindings yet?"
[That's it then. Of course I know, dimwit. I'm not a dumbass.]
He merely nodded.
"That's Min-kun and I's relationship," Mitsui said quite proudly.
[Uh, could you say point of pride?]
"Uh, sempai, I hope you won't find me offending but I don't really see the sense of a live- in relationship nowadays. I mean, with the society already tolerating same sex marriage and all, why still bother with a trial one when you can actually get the real thing?" Rukawa questioned him.
[I'm not exactly a meddler but what the hell, I kind of feel strongly about this one.]
"You don't understand, Rukawa. A trial marriage has its advantages and benefits."
"What do you mean?" the younger guy asked.
[I admit I'm a tiny bit perplexed.]
"You see, it's benefiting in a sense that you get to really know your partner first, you know, how he is from the time he wakes up 'til the time he sleeps, before engaging into that serious, crucial matter called legal marriage. At least if you find something wrong with him that would make you not want to be with him for the rest of you're life, then you're free to walk out. It's like testing the waters first before dipping in it. It's that simple. It's rewarding, Rukawa, I tell you."
"Whatever," Rukawa just answered.
[This isn't getting anywhere anyway. I hope he just drops it.]
"Trust me, I'm happy."
[He sounded like it.]
"Wait. You and Sakuragi are not married yet, are you?" Mitsui asked Rukawa.
[D-u-h. We're 25?]
"We're not," the latter replied.
"Try the live-in relationship then. Very beneficial. Come on do it."
[Is it me or is he actually plugging this type of relationship? What can I say; I'm at a loss for words.]
As if on cue, Mitsui's mobile went off.
"Alright I better go now. Min-kun's at home already. That guy, I swear, he cooked again and he won't eat without me. –sigh- This is the book and here's my digits," he said, scribbling on a piece of paper, "Give me a ring when you find the book, 'kay?"
Mitsui was almost out the door when he turned again.
"Rukawa, about the trial marriage? Think about it."
[I won't even.]
[But seriously, it can't be that bad...]
............
Author's Notes:
Ruhana's Bookstore?!? Seriously! Hehe... Gomen. Can't think of a better name for our dear Ice Prince's very own (ehem) 'bookstore'.
I've said it in my first fic (which is awfully sappy, mind you) and I will say it again here: Constructive reviews would be very much appreciated. Thank you!