Pride and Prejudice
Author: Kanata Saionji
Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort/Humor
Summary: They were the most compatible couple. But a small problem and the two were separated. Just when you think things can't get any worse it does… and it looks like the two can never be together…
Disclaimer:The characters belong solely to whosoever created them. But "castles in the air" belongs to the author in the general pattern. Thank you.
Author's Note: This is a five-chapter long story so please don't worry. I'll surely finish this one. Hope you like it…
Chapter I
Pride and Prejudice is a breathtaking love story by Jane Austen. It clearly shows how much one's pride and dignity could stand in the way of getting together with the one they desire and love. It is amazing how a story set in the Middle Ages can continue even after so many years, in the modern period.
Though, then it was out of money and power but now, it is simply pride and stubbornness. Everyone must be familiar with some couple, friends or relatives or neighbors, who broke up just out of reasons that will have no meaning whatsoever. But their pride and dignity stands in their way in admitting their true intentions and emotions.
It is always amazing how these people can actually do this. It would seem like they are perfect for each other, made for each other. It would be like they are the perfect couple. But one small mistake, one small twist and everything is changed. They end up not even talking to each other. This is…
'Ms. Kouzuki…?' the intercom on her table buzzed, 'there is a call for you from a Ms. Nanami Tenchi, your roommate, I presume?'
The blonde looked up from her system in which she had been editing an article which is going to be published in the next edition of Tokyo Times.
She clicked on the intercom and spoke clearly, 'yes… pass it through Rei…'
'Yes Ma'am…' came Rei's voice and then after a beep, sounded a different voice—a cheerful and excited voice of the blonde's roommate, Nanami Tenchi.
'Hey Miyu…!' greeted Nanami's voice through the intercom for the blonde didn't pick up the phone seeing as she was continuing with the article.
'What is it Nanami…?' she asked, in a calm voice. She picked up the coffee mug on her table and started sipping in slowly.
'When are you goanna come home…?' asked Nanami.
Miyu looked at her watch. It was half past eight. She frowned as she usually never leaves her office till nine. It was her usual routine. Did Nanami forget or something for she never calls before nine?
'What's wrong…?' asked Miyu curiously, 'it's just half past eight… it's not even nine yet…'
She heard a shrug and as she was about to say she was busy and she'd be home after nine, she heard her speak again.
'C'mon Miyu… we were all planning on going out for dinner…' said Nanami in a pleading voice, 'if you didn't make it, it'll be cancelled for the tenth time…'
Miyu frowned again. Yes, she tends to be a bit carried away with work. But she had specially fixed a reminder for the dinner gathering the group was planning and she was sure it was not today. It was Monday… They were to go out on Wednesday… or so she thought…
'Is that today…?' asked Miyu, her gaze dropping from the computer screen and her coffee back on the table.
'Of course silly,' said Nanami with a small laugh and added, 'come home soon… the others are coming there right away…'
'Okay… I'll see what I can do…' said Miyu.
'Bye…' said Nanami and hung up.
Miyu leaned back on her cushioned revolving chair and closed her eyes. It had been ages since she had given herself a break and this sounded good. And he wouldn't be there for sure…
Miyu returned to her original position and pressed the intercom. Rei's voice sounded through the intercom again, 'what is it Ms. Kouzuki…?'
Miyu thought for a moment and then said, 'is there any editors left in the office…?'
'Well… not much ma'am…' said Rei after a moment, 'there's you, then I think Mr. Takeshi Tsukishiro is still about and I also know for a fact that Mrs. Kumiko Takeda is about here somewhere…'
'Ok… is Kumiko free then…?' asked Miyu.
'I don't know about that Ma'am…' said Rei, 'she was working on an article for the Style Check segment… but I'm sure she'll take whatever you throw at her now seeing how much she hates doing that segment…'
Miyu smiled and said, 'that'd be great… could here ask her to go through the article which was sent to my desk…?'
'Ok… I'll see to it Ms. Kouzuki…' she said.
'Thanks a lot Rei…' said Miyu, breathing a sigh of relief.
'Any time Ms. Kouzuki,' said Rei and before buzzing off added, 'Have a nice evening
Ms. Kouzuki…! You've been locked up in this place for a long time…'
'I know…' said Miyu.
*pride and prejudice*
Miyu unlocked her car and getting inside it, sighed. She looked at herself in the rearview mirror and a blonde with enticing emerald green eyes looked back at her. Miyu Kouzuki, the twenty-five year old, was one of the chief editors at the Tokyo Times. And how did she get to this position…?
The fact that she had to give up one important thing in her life to get to this spot was what tortured her every day. Yet, the sacrifice was not intended. It had just happened. When she lost him, every thing in her career fell into place because she had no place in her mind for relationships after their break-up.
It had been nearly two years and she hadn't seen him in more than half a year. He was busy with his work, though she had reason to believe he was taking a vacation and was presently in America visiting a friend of his. She closed her eyes as the brunet's image appeared in her head.
Yes, it had been two years since they had broken up but she couldn't actually get into a relationship with any other guy. The reason was simple. He had been the only guy she had been with all her life—since the first year of high school.
The engine of her car roared to life and the front lights enlightened the entire Parking lot and her memories sprang back into her mind.
Ever since the beginning of middle school, they had been a group of six—herself, Aya Konishi, Nanami Tenchi, Santa Kurosu, Nozomu Hikarigaoka and him, the ever so handsome, the one who dared to steal her heart, Kanata Saionji.
Their years in middle school were filled with fun and of course friendship. It was true that she had had a crush on him but well, almost the entire female population in her class did. But since she was in his group of friends, she daren't admit that she nurtured feelings for him.
But that changed when he asked her to be his girlfriend before the beginning of their first year in High School. That had come as a real shock for her but she accepted nonetheless. They were the most perfect couple among their friends. They were almost perfect for each other.
They graduated University and Miyu and Nanami decided to rent an apartment together when the entire group moved from Heiomachi to Tokyo for their jobs. She was appointed as a junior editor in the "Tokyo Times" when she was twenty-one. Nanami opened a Boutique Shop. Aya worked as an assistant to one of their friends, a manga-comic author, Mikan Yamamura and moved in with her.
Santa and Kanata got a job in the same Robotics Company, the former as a junior engineer but the latter as a Company Secretary. He had been appointed in the campus selection and none was more surprised that Kanata himself for he had tried really hard not to enter that company. Nozomu, whose family owned a few multiplexes in the city, took over the family business.
The group would meet almost every day of the week for Nanami and Miyu's apartment was like their hangout place. Every day after work, they will all troop to the apartment and spend the time together till late at night when the girls will have to force the group out.
Even though Kanata's job was a little massive, he always has time to take Miyu to fancy restaurants for dinner and had a way of showing how much he loved her. Miyu would be really flattered but the fact that she wouldn't be able to afford such dinners on her usual salary almost always bugged her. So, she decided to put all her effort in her work so that she could at least get a little closer to Kanata's status—at the least an inch.
But it turned out all wrong.
She almost always makes it home after the entire group had left the apartment and the number of times she had missed a date with Kanata was countless. She could still remember the last date she had with him, nearly three days before their break-up. As usual, she had been late.
*p&p*
Two Years ago, the Victorian Restaurant…
'I'm so sorry Kanata…' muttered Miyu as she sat down opposite a handsome brunet in the five-star hotel. He was frowning at her and his auburn eyes were as sharp as knives as he glared at her with obvious frustration.
Miyu fidgeted a little and said with a pout, 'I said I'm sorry… I was caught up with a work I had to finish… I was just...' she looked at her watch and gasped, '…half an hour late…?'
'Bulls eye,' he said through clenched teeth, his eyes fuming with fury.
'Kanata, I'm so sorry…' she said, her emerald eyes making the best effort to look guilty, which she really did. But Kanata was not giving her even a glance. He looked angry and furious but for some reason he didn't pick a fight with her as usual.
Instead, he raised his hand lightly and called, 'waiter… we are ready to order…'
'Kanata…' she groaned with guilt and anger that he was not talking to her properly.
'What would you like to order?' came the waiter, with a smile.
'Could you please come back a little later?' asked Miyu, putting on the best smile she could muster.
The waiter looked a little confused but left with a bow nonetheless.
'Kanata, look here…' she muttered.
Kanata had his eyes fixated on the breadsticks on the table.
'Kanata…' she called, now with a command in her voice that he finally looked up.
'Look, honey…' she said, 'I'm really sorry…'
'Forget it…' he said, 'it's not like you've never missed a date is it…?'
'Then why are you so angry about this one…?' she asked gently.
'Shall we order?' he asked, 'I'm starving…'
'At least smile would you…?' she asked crossly, 'I hate it to see you so cross…'
Kanata closed his eyes for a second and opening them, put on a small smile and said, 'I can't do more than this… my heart is ready to forgive you but not my stomach…'
Miyu giggled lightly and said smiling, 'could you inform your stomach that I would never keep it waiting any more…?'
'Yeah… sure…' he said smirking and asked, 'then, when are you going to tell the same thing to me…?'
She smiled and said, 'well… we'll see to it later… shall we order now?'
'Fine…' he said and called up the waiter again.
Nearly two hours later, Kanata's car stopped outside an apartment. It was nearly ten at night and Miyu stepped out of the car, looking at her watch. She bent down to the window and poking her head inside asked the brunet at the driver's seat, 'wanna come up for some coffee…?'
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and then with a small smile said, 'Why not…?'
He parked the car and then locking it the two climbed up the stairs and reached the third floor where Nanami and Miyu's apartment was located. Miyu opened the apartment and it was in total darkness.
'I guess everybody hasn't returned from dinner yet…' observed Miyu as she turned on the lights. She turned but saw that Kanata had stopped at the threshold. She frowned and reaching him asked, 'aren't you gonna come inside?'
Kanata shrugged his shoulders and said, 'no… I think I'd be fine without the coffee… you know how it keeps me up all night…'
Miyu smiled and grabbing the tie he was wearing lightly and pulling him closer to her asked, 'so what was so special about tonight's dinner…?'
Kanata smirked and slipped his arms around her waist said, 'since you missed it tonight, you have to wait till the next date… though, if you are late again, I promise I won't tell you what the surprise is…'
'I promise I won't be late again,' she breathed on his lips.
'Really…?' he asked, pulling her even closer.
'Really…' she acknowledged.
'Great,' he said and pulled away with a smile, 'Friday at eight then…'
Miyu felt a little let down by the way he suddenly pulled away but smiled nonetheless and said leaning on the doorsill, 'ok… I'd get my boss to let me off soon…'
'What are you going to say?' asked Kanata, leaning on the sill too, an inch from her.
'Well, I'd say that my boyfriend will destroy our magazine in his fury if I didn't make it…' she said smirking.
'That might work…' he said smiling.
She smiled and standing straight said, 'alright… I'd better go to bed…'
'Good night,' he said and kissed her.
*p&p*
Miyu could remember the kiss till this day because it had been their last one. It had been the most heated kiss they had ever shared. But it led to nothing as Kanata had a way to break it off before it started. Miyu hadn't been able to sleep that night because the kiss had been so strong in her mind and lips. She could almost hear herself wishing they had taken their relationship to the next level. But it would never have happened seeing how much of a gentleman Kanata was. He would never do anything to her.
Miyu closed her eyes as she stopped her car at a signal. She saw people rushing at the crossing and wished that she had just been a friend to the brunet and never had fallen for him, never had gotten hurt or hurt him in the process…
*p&p*
It was the day of their big date. Friday. Miyu wondered what the surprise was going to be as she changed for office. She brushed her hair and wondered if there would be enough time to come back home to change after work. She wanted there to be. If there was something special in it, then she'd make sure she was special enough for the man she loved.
As she marched out of her bedroom, she saw Nanami sitting at the table having breakfast whilst reading a newspaper. Nanami was still in her pajamas with her short purple hair standing on end for she has to open her shop at any time she preferred. She stopped at the table and pulling out a chair said to her roommate, 'hey Nanami… I really want a good evening dress for tonight…'
'The big date, huh?' asked Nanami looking up from her newspaper.
Miyu frowned and sitting down asked, 'so you know… so, what's this surprise anyway?'
'Wait for it…,' said Nanami indifferently, though Miyu could've sworn she saw a grin pass in her façade, and continued with her breakfast and added, 'come by the shop after seven… I have the best dress for the night… but if you come after eight, you won't be able to get it…'
'Why so?' asked Miyu, piling her plate with toast.
'I'm going out…' said Nanami simply and getting up from the table added, 'and you have to tell me all about tonight's date, ok…?'
'Only if you tell me yours,' said Miyu and starting on her breakfast asked, 'so, who's the guy?'
'Oh…' said Nanami, washing her plate, 'he's just someone I met at the shop last week…'
'Ok…' said Miyu smirking.
It was nearly half past seven and Miyu had finally finished the article she had been working on. Thank goodness she finished it on time for it had to be presented before the Editor-in-chief, Mr. Seiya Youboshi, before eleven. Now, she could go to the date without a problem.
She transferred the article to one of the editors, Ms. Kumiko Higuchi and dropped by her office to check if she got it. Kumiko Higuchi was a twenty-seven year old editor who was known for her warm attitude towards the trainee and her knack to make friends easily. And of course, she has pure talent.
'Hey Ms. Higuchi, did you get the article?' she asked, poking her head into Kumiko's office.
'Hey Miyu…' said Kumiko cheerfully, 'come on in… I have something to show you…'
'I really…' started Miyu.
'I have a doubt on which one to buy… they all look really good,' said Kumiko, depressed.
'What is it?' asked Miyu walking towards the raven-haired editor.
'A dress for my wedding…' said Kumiko.
'You are going to get married…?' asked Miyu, excitedly.
'Yea…' said Kumiko, turning bright crimson around her cheeks, 'Kazuma asked me last night…'
'Aw… that's so sweet… congratulations…' said Miyu and coming in view with Kumiko's monitor, looked at all the wedding gowns in display. They all looked lovely.
But before Miyu even opened her mouth there was a soft knock on the door and a smart voice called, 'Kumiko…? Are you in here…?'
'Mr. Youboshi!' gasped the two girls and in a sudden rush, Kumiko pressed quite a lot of keys and got to her feet and said, 'yes… come on in…'
Seiya Youboshi is a handsome blonde with twinkling azure blue eyes that shone every time their magazine was published. He was about the same age as Miyu. He is the active owner of the Tokyo Times and was gifted with pure talent for journalism and management.
'Congratulations Kumiko…' he said extending his hand to the raven-haired, 'I hear that you are going to be married…'
Kumiko beamed and said, 'yes… probably in the middle of June…'
'That sounds great,' said Seiya smiling and added with a fake pout, 'it's too bad you never gave me a chance…'
Miyu laughed lightly and Kumiko said smiling, 'I'd have loved to… but Seiya you are much too young…'
'Aw… why do you hurt me so much?' asked Seiya in mock despair and just seeing Miyu asked, 'you are Miyu Kouzuki, right?'
'Ye-yes Mr. Youboshi,' said Miyu standing straight.
'I heard really good things about you Ms. Miyu,' said Seiya and added with a smile, 'but no one told me that you were this beautiful…'
Miyu turned deep crimson and was totally lost for words.
'But…' said Seiya frowning lightly, 'you had applied to leave early tonight… what are you still doing here?'
'Well… yes… I just sent Kumiko my article… I wanted to check if she received it alright…' said Miyu.
'Ok… I presume you would be leaving now…?' asked Seiya.
'Yes…' said Miyu cheerfully.
'Oh my god!' gasped Kumiko.
Both turned.
'What happened?' asked Seiya.
'This can't be good,' said Kumiko, deeply focused in her computer.
'What is it?' asked Miyu.
'There seem to be a virus…' said Kumiko in a whisper as she continued to start her computer again seeing as it turned off.
'What?'
'It is not turning on again,' wailed Kumiko.
'That's ok…' said Seiya, 'we'll have it fixed tomorrow…'
'It's not ok…' cried Kumiko, 'I think all the information was lost…'
'Then, how about my article…?' Miyu asked.
'Don't you have a copy in your system?' asked Seiya.
'No,' said Miyu, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. It had taken her nearly the whole day to finish the article and now it was gone.
'Oh I'm so sorry,' cried Kumiko.
'What do we do…?' asked Miyu, trying to control herself, 'the article must be submitted before ten tonight…'
'You did write it, right?' asked Seiya.
'Of course,' said Miyu.
'Then, maybe you could write it again…' he suggested, 'it would probably still be in your head…'
'Ok…' said Miyu and the entire article rushed into her head though there were still certain parts that she couldn't remember the exact words, 'I'll try… but do we have the time…?'
'Of course,' said Seiya, 'why don't you use the system in my office…? Kumiko, you'd better come too and help Miyu out…'
'Of course,' gasped Kumiko.
It was nearly half past eight when Miyu received the first call. She hadn't even finished a paragraph of the two paged article. She couldn't remember the starting of a particular line and it was bugging her entirely.
Since she was too concentrated in her work, Kumiko picked up Miyu's mobile which was placed beside the system on the table of Seiya's massive office. Seiya was bending over Miyu reading every line she was writing and helping her out.
'Hello… who's this?' asked Kumiko as she picked up the phone.
Miyu was still having a bad time trying to get the line right.
'Miyu is busy at the moment…' Kumiko was saying.
'I think I'm going to explode!' cried Miyu, bending and her hands covering her head in despair.
'I'll go get you some coffee…' said Seiya and left the room.
'Miyu, it's Kanata…' started Kumiko when Miyu exclaimed, 'I got it! Of course! How could I have forgotten that line…?'
And she went on a writing frenzy and was only half conscious to what Kumiko was saying in the phone.
'I don't think she can come to the phone right now…' said Kumiko, 'could you call back a little later…? Thank you…'
It was nearing ten and Miyu finally finished her article. Kumiko had left Miyu's mobile at chair at the end of the room and had accidentally switched it to silent mode. So, unknown to the blonde, she had received thirteen missed calls from the same person.
'I did it!' exclaimed Miyu. It was nearly half past ten and she had finally finished the article. Kumiko, whose head was dropping on the cushion chair, woke up suddenly and Seiya smiled at Miyu.
The entire office was deserted and they were the only three left in the office.
'Well… well…' said Seiya smiling whilst reading Miyu's article for the umpteenth time, 'I definitely know now who I want to promote to chief editor this year… I can't find one single mistake….'
'That's probably cause you were supervising,' pointed out Miyu beaming.
'I try to be modest… but no… none would let me…' said Seiya.
The two girls giggled at his gesture.
'So, do I have the courtesy to take you two girls out for some real food…?' he asked and the two girls, having had nothing but coffee all through the evening easily agreed.
In five minutes, they were making their way down towards the Parking Lot. Miyu suddenly stopped in her tracks and gasped.
'I forgot my mobile back in your office,' said Miyu.
'I'll go get it,' said Seiya and tossing Kumiko the keys to his car said, 'you two wait in my car… I'd be back soon…'
So, the two girls made their way to the Parking lot.
'So, I guess you'd be promoted the next editor…' said Kumiko beaming, 'that would be great…'
'I'm so happy,' said Miyu, 'I've been trying to get there all through the year…'
'You should be… you get your own cabin… like mine…' said Kumiko, smirking, 'and if you work your way through, you might even get your own car…'
'I hope so…' said Miyu with a laugh, 'its tough getting a cab every time I'm in a hurry…'
It was nearly half past ten and the two girls were seated inside Seiya's BMW. They hadn't been waiting long when Seiya got in the front seat and turning around gave Miyu her mobile.
'Thanks,' said Miyu smiling.
'Any time,' said Seiya as he drove out of the Parking lot asking, 'so, where shall we go…?'
'Let's just get something simple,' said Kumiko yawning, 'I want to go home… it's getting really late…'
In a few minutes, Seiya pulled over at the Parking area of the nearest Burger shop. The three had just ordered when Seiya remembered something.
'I totally forgot to tell you,' he said to Miyu, 'when I got your mobile, someone called…'
Miyu looked up from her burger.
'He asked me where you were,' said Seiya munching into his burger, 'I told him that you were going for dinner with me and a friend… then, he hung up…'
'Who was it?' asked Miyu, her heart beating fast as she remembered where she had to be that night.
'I don't know…' said Seiya thoughtfully, 'I didn't look at the name neither did I ask him… but it must be in your callers list…'
Miyu was already looking through the list in her mobile and what she saw didn't make her feel any better. There were fourteen missed calls and every one of them from Kanata. Only two of his calls had been attended and neither was by her.
'Oh my god!' she gasped and got to her feet at once, 'Sorry about this… but I have to be somewhere else…'
'Miyu…' started Kumiko but the blonde had already left the place in a sprint.
Miyu caught a cab as soon as she got out of the Burger Shop and asking the driver to hurry over to the Hotel that Kanata had asked her to come to, tried calling him.
'Come on… pick up,' she chanted as the ring went on and on in his mobile. But none picked up his mobile.
She then tried his home. But only his answering machine picked it up.
'Hey there!' the recorded voice said, 'You've reached Kanata Saionji… I'm probably not at home, so please leave a message…'
'Great,' sighed Miyu and didn't bother to leave a message. The cab stopped outside the said Restaurant. Miyu had second thoughts as she was sure Kanata wouldn't have enough patience to wait for her for two hours. But nonetheless, she asked the cab to wait and went into the restaurant.
As soon as she entered, she looked around but couldn't spot him. She stopped at the counter and asked the brunette standing at the table, 'um… there was a reservation for Mr. Kanata Saionji…?'
The brunette said with a smile, 'one minute ma'am…' and after looking through her massive book said, 'yes… there was a reservation for two…'
'Well, I don't see him…' muttered Miyu under her breath.
'I'm sorry ma'am but Mr. Saionji left only ten minutes ago,' said the brunette good-naturedly.
Miyu got into the cab again, depressed. She directed the cab to her apartment. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes as she tried desperately to think where Kanata might be. She wished that she had remembered the date. She doubted whether she would've abandoned her job for the date. She just didn't know.
She paid the taxi fare and walked up the stairs to her apartment, her mind brimming with thoughts. Her mind was in a fix. She didn't know what to do now. Kanata would obviously be furious and he said there was something special about the date that night and she had missed it.
She opened the door to her apartment, her stomach growling, her head throbbing, her hands stinging and her heart aching. The light from the apartment flowed out. She entered it and saw that the couch in the hall was occupied by someone.
The apartment was a medium sized one with two bedrooms, a balcony and kitchen to the left of the entrance door and a hall. Miyu currently stood at the entrance and the one sitting on the couch didn't move a muscle at her entrance.
'Kanata…?' she gasped.
He didn't move.
'Kanata… I'm so sorry,' she apologized at once, dropping her bag and her coat near the door and walking over to the couch. She stood before the brunet who had his head bent and his eyebrows frowned.
'I… Kanata, there was a situation and I couldn't make it… my article… it…' she stopped, tears forming around the edges of her emerald eyes. Still, Kanata didn't look at her.
Kanata finally got to his feet and walking a little away from her turned his back to her. He was obviously battling inside his head; of what Miyu had no idea. She was already feeling really guilty for making him wait for more than two hours.
'Kanata… please…' she sobbed, 'my article was lost… I had to write it again… please understand, Kanata…'
'Understand?' he finally asked in a slow voice but his controlled anger was evident in his tone.
'What do you mean understand?' asked Kanata, his back still turned to her, 'I've been doing that for the past few months…'
'Kanata…' she started.
Kanata slammed his fist hard on the wall and jerked his head in frustration. Miyu couldn't understand why he was taking it this hard. It would usually end with her apologizing and him forgiving and then, they'd usually head for something to eat. But tonight, something was different… something was not right…
'Kanata…' she said again, taking a cautious step towards the brunet, 'there was an accident and my article completely disappeared…'
'Oh… an accident…?' he asked, turning around to face her. He had an odd expression in his façade and Miyu didn't like it one bit.
'Yeah… a virus… it…' she fidgeted.
'Ok…' he said in a hushed whisper, looking away. And then asked suddenly, 'so when did this accident actually take place?'
'Um…' Miyu looked up at him and then thought back. Then, she said in a low voice, 'I think around seven thirty…'
'Oh…' he said, his eyes flaring up, 'so what's the time now?'
Miyu shook a little out of fear as she had never seen Kanata this angry before, 'ten…ten thirty…'
'Three hours!' he shouted, 'three hours Miyu!!! It's been three hours!'
'Kanata…' she squeaked.
'You had half-an-hour before the date,' he said, getting closer and his eyes sharpening in rage, 'if you had called and told me then, I'd have understood… But now… but now, Miyu I don't understand!'
'Kanata, I was tensed… I…' she started.
'Yes… tensed… then, how would I be if I didn't receive any messages from you after three hours of waiting and nearly fourteen calls?!?!?' he asked.
'Kanata I'm sorry…' she cried, tears streaming down her cheek.
'What do you actually take me for…?' he asked furiously and turned away from her in anger.
Miyu's temper started rising. It's one thing to be angry at her but even after she apologized so many times he was still making it really hard for her. She couldn't take it any longer.
'Kanata… I have missed other dates with you…' she reasoned, 'why are you making such a big deal out for this one…?'
He remained silent for a minute. Miyu regretted what she had said at once. Miyu was afraid whether she had hurt him again for he had said something about that date being special for some reason. Even Nanami knew…
'Yeah… why…?' he asked suddenly in mock-curiosity, 'why would I have to make it a big deal…? After all, you have missed quite a lot of dates with me…'
'Kanata… I didn't…' started Miyu.
'Yeah… After all, Miyu… you care more about your work than anyone else, don't you?' he asked.
'Kanata… stop it…' she said, hurt.
'When I have to miss out meetings just so that I could be with you, you find it more important to write a stupid article for a silly newspaper which I'm dead sure that none reads!' he declared.
'Shut up!' said Miyu in a low voice.
'…'
'I've been trying very hard just so that I could reach you and this is what you make of me?' she asked in a shrill voice.
Kanata just raised his eyebrows. The anger had not faded from his eyes.
'Reach me…?' he asked incredulously, 'where do you think you are right now?'
'How do you think I feel every time you take me to a restaurant for a dinner I could never afford with my income?' she asked, not hearing him.
'What…?'
'All I wanted was to be at least a little closer to your status…' she said, angrily, her eyes teary.
Kanata looked at her furiously and said, 'is that all that's important to you…? And you planned to accomplish getting closer to my status by bringing me down…?'
'What are you saying Kanata?'
'Well… let's see…' he said in mock-thoughtfulness, 'you stood me up… for not one but three whole hours in a first-class restaurant that cost a fortune to reserve for…'
'Kanata…' she said forcefully but he wasn't listening.
'All I tried to do was to be with you but it looks like something is stopping you from being with me…' he acknowledged.
'Kanata…'
'Fine Miyu…' he said finally, 'take it easier from now on…'
'What…?'
Kanata turned towards the door. He stood still and muttered, 'cause you can never reach me anymore… be it in status or for real…'
Miyu's heart almost stopped. What was he saying?
'I don't care anymore…' he was saying, 'I was in love with a Miyu who loved me, not her job… that Miyu seems not to be here anymore… for you think only about yourself…'
'How could you say that?' she gasped.
'It's all about you!' he said grimly, 'then, you enjoy it with yourself… I don't think it can work out between us anymore Miyu…'
Miyu heart tightened. She forcibly controlled her tears and turning away from his back and with clenched teeth said, 'that was what I was thinking…'
There was silence. Miyu could sense that Kanata was still in the room. She couldn't take it. She wanted to break down and cry but she didn't want to do it in front of him. She couldn't stand being with him. She knew that the Kanata she was in love with would understand her. This person standing in her hall was not the Kanata she loved.
'Please leave…' she said in a broken voice.
She heard slight movement behind her but she daren't turn. Her emotions were battling inside of her and before she knew it she had shouted, 'are you going to leave or do you want me to kick you out? Get out of my life Saionji!'
She broke down crying. She could vaguely hear him opening the door. Then she heard him.
'I know my way out…' he muttered, 'for both this apartment and your life…'
With that he left with the door slamming hard against the threshold. Miyu broke down on the couch crying. She couldn't remember when she fell asleep but when she woke up the next morning she was in her bedroom, her face wet from the night's tears.
*p&p*
Miyu rubbed a tear which had escaped her eyes as she walked up her to her apartment. She looked at her watch. It was ten minutes to eight. She wondered whether all the others would have arrived already for the dinner they were to have together.
She stopped before the apartment door and taking a huge breath and wiped her face with her handkerchief. The memories of her past were still hurting her to no end. Sighing, she extended her hand and opened the door.
'Yes, Akira and I are getting married'.
Miyu's eyes widened. So did the brunet's as he saw the blonde enter the apartment. Their friends who were seated at the couch gasped.
'Kanata,' whispered Miyu under her breath as she saw the brunet turn his face away from hers.
There was an awkward silence.
'Congratulations!' cried Santa suddenly and hugged Kanata.
'Yeah…' said the other three awkwardly and got to their feet to thug the brunet as well whilst the blonde was rooted to her spot, as though lightning had struck her head.
'Yes, Akira and I are getting married'
End Chapter I
A/N: How was it? Hope it was a good start… Please review…