Thunder crashes violently against the black starless sky followed by shimmers of dazzling lightening; I smile fondly listening to the music of rain falling hard against the roof of the black rental car. Water drizzles dance down the lightly tinted windows chasing each other until they vanish. The heat of the car makes my cheeks burn, I press them against the icy glass and close my eyes wishing the droplets could come through the window to kiss my blistering cheeks.
"Are you alright Himori-san?" my driver, Akito, asks loudly over another rumble of thunder.
I give him a sweet smile, "I'm ok just a little hot, and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Ashe?" His face transitions into a disapproving scowl.
"San is the respectful way in which I must address you; it is out of admiration and duty to you and your father. What would he think if he knew I was addressing his only daughter by her first name? He would be outraged, I'd be out of a job and dishonored for life, nobody would ever hire me." He declares in a grave tone.
He used to be in the Japanese military and believes very strongly in being honorable and respectful, one of his many excellent traits. I quickly change the subject, when Akito starts talking about respect and duty there's no stopping his ranting.
"You know Akito-kun I actually enjoy thunderstorms; they are like Love in a way, wild and dangerous but at the same time beautiful and mysterious"
I see his handsome face soften, the soft lines of his forehead smooth out, and a blush comes to his cheeks. His blue eyes sparkle in the blaze of lightening, his short black hair hidden under a much lighter gray cap. I watch him smile in the rearview mirror the sides of his mouth crease with laugh lines; he can't resist being called Akito-kun, he told me once that it melts his heart every time I say it, so I like to do it as often as possible. Akito Miroki has worked for my father as our driver and my personal body guard, for as long as I can remember, he has always been there. He isn't just another one of my father's employees, he is sweet and attentive almost like a father figure, I know in my heart that if it came down to it he would give his life for me, and I for him.
He's like the uncle I never had, always so caring and protective. Both my parents are the only child so I don't have any real aunts or uncles. And I guess that tradition lives on because I too am an only child. I frown deeply, I can't even count how many times I begged my parents for a brother or sister, but my requests fell on deaf ears.
"We have you darling we don't need any more children." My mother would say patting my tiny black curls. My father would nod in agreement every time.
"Yes you are our only child, if we have more we can't give all of our love and attention to you, is that what you want?" my father would ask.
Being a child I was selfish which most children that age are, but now I wish I had begged more, been less selfish. It's very lonely as an only child, if I had a brother or maybe a sister I wouldn't know the intense loneliness that tiptoes up on me sometimes crippling my whole body with its dead hollow eyes.
I've never been able to relay my feelings to my parents, they just don't understand, I can't tell them anything, But I can tell Akito everything; he doesn't judge and he listens to what I have to say, unlike the other employees who run and tell my father every word that leaves my lips.
"They are beautiful aren't they, in their own way?" He murmurs bringing me back from my thoughts.
"You know what I love the most?"
"What's that?" He adjusts the rearview mirror to look at my face.
"I love the rain, the smell, the taste, the feel of it on my face. Father never lets me go outside when it rains, he says I'll get pneumonia, he's mean, and a little rain won't kill me. He doesn't understand that I'm not a little girl anymore. He does it just to make me unhappy." I frown deeply crossing my arms around myself drowning with longing to be out dancing in the rain.
"You know that isn't true Kanashe-san, your father does things like that because he loves you." He says my name slowly as if he's struggling to choke it out of his throat. I grin from ear to ear pleased that he is finally giving in.
"Oh Akito-kun you're so cute!" I hug him tightly from the backseat his whole face, ears, and neck turn beet red. He clumsily pats my hands smiling.
After Akito regains his composure we are quiet for a while, I listen to the rain fall and Akito focuses on driving, a small grin on his face.
"Akito-kun how much longer until we get to Ouran academy?" I ask him sweetly. "It feels like we've been driving for hours now."
"That's because we have been driving for hours, you should try to get some sleep when we get there you won't be able to focus because of exhaustion," he laughs softly. "We have about six hours left." He replies checking the gps.
I nod my head and lean back against the cool window closing my eyes and drift off to the soothing sounds of the storm.
When I open my eyes again we are approaching the vast front gates of Ouran Academy. Gardens of flowers are sprawled out all across the vast grounds, from where we are we can barely see the first half; the rest is a maze of buildings and walkways. Large statues jut from magnificent water fountains and there are rose bushes blooming everywhere. Cherry blossom trees sprout from the ground reaching out to the sky, not yet in bloom. The sun is dazzling against the lucid indigo sky. I rub my green eyes gently trying to get them to adjust to the sudden brightness. I could really go for some coffee. Akito smiles knowingly and tosses back a pair of sunglasses.
"Thanks Akito-kun." I put them on.
He nods with a smile and maneuvers the bulky car down the long path to the main building. The structure is breathtaking; a high clock tower rises above the main entrance, tall windows sprout from floor to ceiling. Students rush about the courtyards waiting for school to start. I glance down at Akito's watch, 5:00, wow we got here early and apparently everyone else did too.
The girls all wear matching poufy yellow gowns, and the boys all have purplish blue suits with black pants and ties. I look down at my own outfit and feel a bit self-conscious; my purple dress is strapless sweetheart style and goes down a bit too low, showing more cleavage than is probably allowed. White lace lines the top and bottom of the satin dress coming up the front with a criss-cross corset leading all the way up to my heart and tying off in a white bow. The skirt of the dress is short, but flows out stopping mid-thigh. My matching stiletto shoes make me at least three inches taller but I am still only 5" 4'. Hm I'll have to invest in a uniform.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach as Akito parks the vehicle and walks around to open my door. I hesitate for a moment; staring at my hands, Akito extends his hand and gives me a handsome reassuring smile.
"Akito-kun, what if they aren't like I remember? What if they don't like me?" I ask nervously taking his hand and stepping from the car. He places my black book bag into my shaking hands.
"Don't worry; you've only been in America for a year now it hasn't been that long since you've seen them, Besides haven't you been writing them?" He puts his arm around my shoulder. "You'll be just fine, call me if you need anything and take care of yourself." He pats my head gently and slowly walks back towards the car.
Nerves work their way through my veins, my heart slams against my chest making it hard to breathe, Akito is almost to the car, my heart stops as I rush towards him as fast as I can in stilettos and jump into his strong familiar arms. He's taken aback by my forward gesture but holds me tightly. I bury my face in his chest breathing in his familiar scent, memorizing it.
I feel like a child again on my first day of school, Akito brought me and I was so nervous I wouldn't let go of him. I sobbed so hard he had to walk me in and stay with me the whole day holding my hand. Akito practically raised me. My father has always been back and forth between Japan and America so he missed pretty much everything, But Akito was there, for my first day of school, and to make sure I did my homework and ate all my dinner. He played with me when I was lonely, stayed beside my bed listened to me cry every night for two months after we got to New York. I've never been away from him longer than a few hours in my entire life. He's been a guardian angel always there for me no matter what but this time Akito can't stay with me; he won't be back after school waiting for me with sushi or a cup of steaming hot coffee from my favorite cafe. He will be driving to the nearest airport to go back to America until my father decides he can return to me, I'll be alone.
"Thank you for always being there for me Akito-kun you're the best." I fight back the tears brimming along my eyelids, missing Akito already. "I love you, don't be away too long, come back as soon as you can." I murmur into his hard chest.
"You know I will Kanashe-san, I always do." He replies gently setting me down, it might just be a glisten or a play of sunlight, but I swear tears are forming around his striking sapphire eyes. "It's time to go, I'll be back before you even notice, call me anytime day or night I'll let you know when your father is sending me back." I give him my best smile trying to be strong, taking in my last look at Akito for who knows how long; he releases me and watches as I walk slowly back towards the huge oak doors of the school.
The first thing I need to do is hunt down the admissions office to get my schedule, I walk around aimlessly reading hundreds of signs, and needless to say I am lost after 10 minutes. I frown looking for a map or something. Everything pretty much looks the same, huge windows showcase the beautiful gardens, lush with brilliant colors and flowers I've never even seen, around the school. Stunning old painting cover the vast walls going back as far as the late 1800's, very expensive, diamond studded chandeliers dangle from the ceiling sparkling like stars. Bright red carpet covers the staircases twisting in every direction. Hm maybe I should call, no that would be silly they're all in class by now the bell rang a while ago. Wow I'm back in Japan for 16 hours and I'm late, I'm more than late I am totally lost. Where's Akito when I need him. Sadness constricts my chest, a lump forming in the back of my throat, burning like hot coal.
Akito is driving back to the airport to go back to America where my family currently resides. My father, Kato Himori, is head of a major stock market firm in America and decided a year ago that he should be closer to his investment, permanently; therefore making me and my mother move across the world to New York City and be completely miserable. I was miserable at least, my mother is always happy with a credit card in her hands. It took a lot of arguments and begging to get my father to agree on me coming back to Japan, there were of course conditions and now that I'm here I feel lonely. Anger flares up inside me at my stupidity; I should be happy and excited! I take a few deep breaths calming myself and plaster a huge smile on my face. Today will be a great day!
Alright let's see this sign says south wing, hm maybe I should try upstairs? The halls are all empty as I wonder aimlessly up stairs and down stairs, I've seen about four libraries already and two music rooms. Hm here's another one maybe I should peek my head in and ask for directions. My hands rest on the solid gold door handle for a moment, then I pull them, the doors fly open and I am immediately assaulted by red rose pedals.