Hello readers! ^^ I started this story and it really stuck with me so I finally made the time to post it for people to read. I am all for constructive criticism and will respond to reviews at the beginning of chapters so if you reviewed please for your response and if not you can just skip the top and read on ^^ Please read and review and let me know what you all think. I will greatly appreciate it. Even if you aren't a member all reviews are appreciated!
Chapter 1:
"Oyasumi!" I told my coworker Ms. Tachibana on my way out for the night.
"You be careful on your way home! It's raining pretty bad out there!" She called after me.
"Haaiii!" I answered and stepped out the door and to the side under the awning.
I held my collar close to my neck as I stood under the small shelter preparing myself to rush home. Only a moment after I stepped out a man rushed under the awning with me. He let out an exasperated sigh as he continued to hold his hat to his head. He stood up straight and noticed me next to me and turned and smiled softly with a slight bow. He was a very handsome young adult with long black hair and dark blue eyes. When I realized I was staring I blushed and looked away.
"Some weather we're having, huh?" He commented.
I looked out at the road awkwardly. "Um..yeah…"
He raised an eyebrow still smiling and began to pull out his phone. He dialed a number and put the phone to his ear waiting for an answer. I squirmed as I tried not to eavesdrop on his call.
"Ah, yes." He said and then a pause. "Could you come get me?" He asked the phone. "Oh! Um..." He turned to look at the shop and then looked over to me noticing my uniform.
He smiled politely. "Excuse me young man, would you happen to know the address of this shop?" He asked me.
"Oh! Uh, yes!" I said and reached into my apron as quickly as possible and handed him my business card.
"Thank you." He said softly and then began to read the address off to the person on the phone. When he finished he hung up and slipped the card into his pocket even though we weren't exchanging.
It was quiet under the awning for all but the rain pouring down until he spoke suddenly.
"Kaiyuri…" He breathed.
I blushed and turned to look at him surprised he was calling me by my first name.
He smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, it's just such a beautiful name."
People often mock my name because it sounds like a girl's name. I turned away flustered and slightly annoyed. "M-most people call me Kitagawa..." I mumbled perturbed.
He looked away embarrassed. "Ah.. yes… Sorry." He apologized.
It was quiet again. This man was strange. He looked fairly young, maybe a few years older than me but seemed very mature. I noticed he was dressed well as well; he wore a nice suit- now soaked – with his fedora and a well-made watch on his wrist. He was also very polite.
I began to feel weary that I was so rude to his when he addressed me by my first name. He could be some important big shot after all and make sure I was blacklisted all because I took offense to his informal address.
"Well.." I started and he looked over at me. "Some call me Kai…" I told him nervously.
He smiled softly. "I believe Yuri is better." He told me.
A chill went down my spine as the 'r' rolled off his tongue so smoothly.
"Um, thank you…?" I said scratching my head.
(Is he flirting with me..?)
"Where are my manners?" He said suddenly offering me a hand and bowing slightly. "Tatsumi Ryouma. It's a pleasure to meet you Kitagawa Kaiyuri-san." He introduced himself.
I took his hand hesitantly and bowed slightly. "It's nice to meet you too.."
He looked up shocked. "You don't know me?" He said surprised.
"Have we met before?" I asked confused as I let go of his hand.
He looked at me incredulously for a moment and then chuckled. "No.. I suppose we haven't. " He said thoughtfully.
"Maybe you've just seen me around, do you live in Shibuya?" I offered.
He smiled like he was ready to laugh again. "I'm actually in the next town over but I suppose I come here often. " He told me still smiling strangely.
"Maybe that's it. " I said and smiled back nervously.
He chuckled again then said under his breath "That is just too cruel Yuri-kun."
I looked at him strangely but didn't respond. The lights in the shop finally went out as Ms. Tachibana left for the night out the back door. Now it was totally dark out front the shop save for the street light across the street and I was standing under an awning out in the rain with a strange stranger. Even though it still poured I thought it was time to take my leave.
"Uh, well… It doesn't seem like the rain is letting up. I think I'll just head home now." He turned to me surprised. "It was nice meet-" I started as a foreign looking car pulled up in front of the shop.
"Oh, what timing." He said happily. "Please. Allow me to take you home." He offered.
"Oh no," I said, my hands up apologetically as I back up into the rain. "I couldn't." I refused politely.
"But the rain is so terrible…" He said walking to the car door. "I promise no harm will come to you. It is only a ride." He said reassuringly.
I hesitated but started towards the car. "Well… If you insist.." I said as he opened the car door for me.
He got in after me and asked for my address. I didn't feel comfortable giving it to him so I told him it wasn't far from there and I could just give him a few directions.
"Fair enough.." He said as the car pulled off. "So… Kitagawa-san, are you in school?" He asked me.
"Uh, hai. -A left here." I told the driver.
"What school?" He asked as he took off his fedora and pulled his hair from its ponytail.
I was distracted for a moment as I watched his wet hair fall over his shoulders and back. "Um.." He smiled at me waiting and I snapped out of the trance and answered him. "S-Shutoku!" I told him.
"Ah." He smiled softly at me. "That is a great school. I graduated there." He told me.
(So he is young..)
"Oh really? What year? I am a senior." I asked.
"Ah well, that was actually 6 years ago.." He said bashfully.
(Eeeehhh?! That would make this man 24!)
I couldn't believe it. I stared at him wide eyed in disbelief. My expression must have given away what I was thinking because he chuckled causing me to look away embarrassed by being so surprised.
"There is a fork in the road which way would you like me to go Sir?" The driver asked.
"Oh! Sumimasen! A right please." I told him and blushed, embarrassed.
"You don't have to look so surprised." The man continued.
I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry Mr. Tatsumi,-"
"Ryouma. Please." He corrected me.
"…You don't look more than a couple years older than me." I confessed.
"Why thank you." He smiled. "That means a lot coming from a handsome young man such as yourself." He said flirtatiously flashing his beautiful blue eyes at me fiercely.
My face flushed and I turned away to focus on how close we were to my apartment. I decided that we were close enough and frantically unbuckled my seatbelt.
"Um, right here is fine!" I told the driver.
He looked at me strangely noticing how random the spot was but Tatsumi-san nodded to him so he stopped.
"Um, thank you for the ride Mr. Tatsumi-san!" I said bowing, my hand on the door handle.
He smiled mischievously "Until next time Kitagawa-kun."
I quickly rushed out the car and dashed to my apartment around the corner. Once inside the door I sink to the floor gripping my chest. It pound like crazy.
(What the hell is wrong with me?! That guy was a total pervert!)
But as the image of those piercing blue eyes came into my mind my body would not permit my face to cool nor my heart to steady itself.
Okay guys! So that was the first chapter! Here are some translations if you are unfamiliar with some of the Japanese words I used. Sorry, I just can't help but use some occasionally. I even go back and forth with the same word in English and then Japanese. It's just a habit. Lol, for some reason certain things just sound better in Japanese. But anyway, here are some translations:
Sumimasen: something like pardon me or excuse me but apologetic
Hai: yes
Oyasumi: goodnight
I believe those are the only ones I used. If I use more I will try to remember to post translations at the bottom for you all. I will only translate them once though so my notes at the bottom aren't too long so try to remember what they mean because I'll probably use them again! But alright you guys. Please read and review for me, it would be so greatly appreciated! Goodnight 3