On the corner connecting main street with a short, dead-end road stood a quaint coffee shop, colored with toffee colors and bordered with old oak, giving it a reclusive and relaxing look. An aroma soothed the visitors, a pleasant smell of caffeine and caramel - It wafted through when someone opened the not-so-secretive glass, double doors.
This early morning, this small cafe was all that allowed customers in just a few hours after the break of dawn; it was the perfect place for Rin Yamamoto - Being a famous violinist and music producer had its perks, yes, but it also had too many downsides for her to count - One of such downsides, were that she could not go out anywhere without someone asking to be scouted, or having people expect her to play them a private concert.
Despite being 42 years of age, she still looked the picture of youth, many have mistaken her for a single, 25-year old - As flattered as she was, she couldn't stand their faces when they found out her real age.
Now, even though the employees here were very polite, level-headed and not to mention, teenagers who wouldn't appreciate violin music, she kept her lemony-yellow, round-top hat closely pulled over her forehead and dark shades, with thick ebony tinting, covered her luminescent verdant eyes. She longingly looked at her caffeine-heavy beverage and stirred it absentmindedly, looking out the burgundy-framed window.
I wonder how Jun and Megumi are - I've been away for 2 years again, I wonder if they missed me. she thought to herself, sighing heavily. She had indeed taken yet another 2 year interval away and it is to her understanding, that her little boy was engaged to the Ushikubo family's daughter - Boy, did she hope he wasn't a fibber.
She took idle sips from her drink and continued staring out the window - She noticed how beautiful the sun looked on the horizon and thought it was a waste to slink around in glasses, which ultimately obscured the spectrum of colors dancing over the early skies of the summer day's eve. She probably didn't even notice the beautiful, curvy woman with pink hair looking through the window with her mouth agape.
The peculiarly-haired lady immediately scurried towards the entrance, going as fast as her 4-inch black heels could carry her and eagerly pushed both of the doors open, they smacked loudly against the wooden framing and was quite the announcement of her arrival, "Riri-chan!" she squealed in happiness, running over to Rin.
Riri-chan? It couldn't be.. Could it? she thought to herself - Curiously though, she turned around swiftly and her emerald orbs widened in surprise, It is.. Rei-chan!
"Rei-chan!" she finally voiced loudly, it echoed off of the walls and she almost cursed her excitement. The waitress that was coming their way stopped in her tracks and looked at them, bewildered. She didn't blame her, what a ruckus!
"Riri-chan!" the newcomer bellowed once again, mirth dancing inside her deep brown eyes, as she rushed over to meet her friend. She quickly wrapped her arms around Rin and couldn't stop from giggling like a school girl, "I missed you so much, Riri-chan," she said softly, knowing she was close to her ear.
Rin was surprised at first, but surrendered to the familiar gesture, kindly wrapping her arms around her friend in return and nodding softly, a warm smile gracing her face, "You're the same as always," she had said, when they finally parted.
"I'm so glad I saw you, Rin-nee," Reiko said with joy, a wide smile dominating her full, red-painted lips. Rin hated to admit it, but she was the older one of the two, but they probably both looked the same age to the unsuspecting public - Reiko was 41 and she was 42.
Rin reached over and ruffled the other's hair to tease her about calling her an older sister - She was rewarded with a childish pout, "You really remind me of my daughter, Rei-chan," she said fondly, quickly sipping her drink.
"Megu-tan, eh? I saw her yesterday, with my Yahiro-kun - She's so kawaii~!" She returned expressively, that determined gleam in her eyes - Rin couldn't help but worry of what she was planning, "Chotto~ They should just get married already," she continued assuredly.
Rin almost spat out her drink; Her little girl.. Married?! "Ne, Rei-chan.." she began nervously, her feet doing an unseen dance under the well-smoothed table, "She hasn't even graduated yet and she's still got her whole life ahead of her.. I don't think-"
"Nonsense, Rin-nee!" the younger of the two almost shouted, cutting the producer off, "Megu-tan loves my Yahiro - I can see it!" she assured her close friend, staring directly into her worried green eyes.
Rin looked serious now - She always was when it came to her children, "My daughter's feelings are only half the concern; how does your son feel about her? I will not condone my little girl entering some loveless sham of a marriage," her hand tightened around the steaming mug infront of her, though its heat was slowly fading as time went by.
Reiko sighed and nodded, "How about.." she began, looking forward ponderously, before perking up, her eyes seeming to radiate hope, "How about we set them up on a date? We won't tell them who it's with, of course - You know, I love a good surprise," she smirked almost deviously.
"How would that help to prove anything to me, Rei-chan?" Rin titled her head in confusion - How would them going on a date together possibly help me see that he's right for her?
"We'll spy on them, of course!" Reiko told her brightly, looking as if she was some sort of world-class genius.
"I don't kn-" the famous violinist was about to reason against her, when she saw the slight tremble of her childhood friend's bottom lip - She sighed in defeat, "Fine - But it's his only chance to win my favor!" she conceded with a certain finality to her voice.
"I love you, Rin-nee~" Reiko sang, causing her friend's right eye to twitch in horror - She couldn't carry a note to save her damn life.
Really - How'd you marry a Saiga when you're just a little kid at heart, Rei-chan?
The park was packed that day - There were so many people and it made Megumi so happy to see that. It was early noon, just like it always was when she came here with Yahiro and the Saturday air seemed fresher than any other day's - She eyed the other couples enviously, as they publicly flaunted their affection - He'd never be like that, even though she's been his official girlfriend for months now.
She continued to sprint towards their usual spot; a wooden bench that was a dark shade of mahogany, the trims being grey in color, with intricate designs carved on the outside, it made her smile whenever she saw it - Someone, in some other time, put so much effort into that seat and now it's where Yahiro and I sit, it's where I'm my happiest - Definitely! she always thought merrily.
"Yaaahiro!" she called as she jogged softly towards him, her flowing, white summer dress bellowing behind her in the calm air. She stopped infront of him and he seemed mad for some reason, he lazily turned his head toward her and glared with an icy-cold stare.
"Stop using your voice, idiot," he spat harshly, watching his words scathing her very being, but it always amazed him how her smile only wavered for a split second.
She quickly pulled the eraser board out of her purse, which he had bought her on their first 'date', and scribbled something quickly, / Gome ne - I'm late, again. Please, don't be mad! / she bowed her head soon after she knew he had read it and gave him a luminescent smile upon rising.
"I'm not mad, why would I be? You're only an hour late," He would never admit it, but when she's late and he can't see her - He's always worried. What if that silly girl got herself kidnapped or hit by a car because she was in the middle of a day dream?
She sat herself next to him and looked sadly at him when he not-so-subtly moved to the end of the park bench, / I'm sorry about being late, Yahiro - My mother came home earlier today and I was so excited, I lost track of time.. I'm so sorry! / he gave the board one glance and had finished reading; he's really fast.
"Yeah, whatever. I told you I didn't care already!" he snapped lowly, only she could hear it and it reverberated through her head painfully.
/ Wh-what if I sing for you? Will you be happy then? /
He evidently brightened at the prospect of hearing her beautiful singing again, but there were so many people - Her voice was only used privately for him and no other male should ever hear the angelic melody of her songs, "No." he said simply, coldly even.
She knew he liked her singing - probably more than anyone else, which was one of the many reasons that she cared so deeply for him - Without even considering what he was thinking, or the people that were around, she started to sing and it moved throughout the park freely, "Yozora ni uta wo nosete chiisana mahou wo kakeru zutto hitori de kurushimanai de hoshii no~" she sang soothingly, closing her eyes in a serene expression, not even seeing the faint blush on Yahiro's face.
For a split second, Yahiro was completely mesmerized - She was always at her most beautiful when she sang. There was no doubt that her song carried the honey-blonde locks of her flowing hair towards the sky, reminding him of a clear, constant river - One which he'd never want to stop watching - But he had to, because there was such a crowd around her that he was fuming, furious, outraged - Why. The. Hell. Are those other guys staring at her so intently?!
She opened her eyes and was immediately surprised and flustered to see the crowd of people, / Ne, Yahiro - Where'd these people come from? / she gave a nervous smile to the crowd and Yahiro could practically see the adolescent males fainting.
Without saying anything, he grabbed onto her hand firmly and she looked down with a hot pink blush painting her fair cheeks. He took off as fast as he could, though she lagged behind, practically being dragged along behind him, as if she was some trailer tied to the back of him.
"Yahiro!" she called out to him, though he just growled lowly at the use of her voice. She, frankly, didn't care about how against he was of her using her voice at this moment, because she was tired - Kei and Yahiro were both extremely fit, more athletic than she believed humans should be and she wasn't good at sports in the slightest - She was clumsy, adorable, innocent Megumi Yamamoto.
He took a cautious look over his shoulder and stopped, almost causing Megumi's face to plant firmly into his shoulder, she only managed to break herself by digging her shoes into the well-groomed grass of the park's outer shell. He looked at her and felt his anger building up but before he could release it all in a frenzied rage, her phone rang loudly.
Megumi gave a small smile and scrawled down in messy handwriting: / Gome ne - It's Oka-san.. / she showed him before picking up the phone, "Sorry, Oka-san... Mhm, I'll pick up faster next time.. Eh?!.. A date? When?.. An hour?!.. But Mumma.. Oh, sou ka, Oka-san.. Sayonara - Matane~" she hung up the phone and stashed it away - She turned and gave Yahiro an apologetic look, "Ne, Yahiro-"
"A date, eh?" A dark aura rolled off of his very being and his strange, pink hair shadowed over his dark-brown eyes, hiding the intense anger he felt, "You better hurry and go, or you'll be late," he gritted his teeth.
"Gomenasai!" she apologized pleadingly - She picked up her eraser board and sighed, / I'll tell Oka-san that I can't date other men.. B-because, I'm Yahiro's.. number one Admirer! / she smiled proudly before scurrying away, embarrassed, waving an outstretched hand awkwardly in a backwards motion.
Bye then, Megumi Yamamoto..
The new setting was one of expensive decor and extravagance - Megumi could just feel the fancy vibe coming off of every single person in the room. She giggled to herself, thinking about how snooty they probably are - Compared to Yahiro, these people seemed so boring to her - She wondered if her date would be like them.
She sat there nervously, her eraser board infront of her and nervousness creeping into her mind; Will he be nice, or will he be really mean? I hope he's nice, because if he's mean, then he'll be mad at me when I tell him about Yahiro.. she bit her lip.
Someone who was sighing exasperatedly took the seat across from her and she looked at him, shocked - The man was clad in a designer suit, black suit jacket and slacks with a crisp, white shirt tucked underneath, a magenta tie without creases snugly fitted between the two and under the collar. His most prominent feature, however, was his strange.. pink.. hair.
/ YAHIRO?! / she held up and when he finally opened his eyes from his uninterested state, he looked just as shocked as she did.
"Megumi.. Yamamoto..?" he articulated ever so slowly, gruesomely slowly, if you asked his date.
/ What are you doing here?! / she wrote out quickly, her eyes gleamed with curiosity, / Oka-san told me I didn't know the person I was going on a date with, but she knows that I know Yahiro. / she continued on.
"Yes.. My mother.." he began, his jaw clenching, ".. Told me the same thing," he slowly clicked. That sneaky woman, I bet she's even watching us. I wonder how she got Megumi's mother into this - She's so conniving! he thought angrily - Though, to say he was disappointed would be a lie. He was rather relieved that he was the one who ended up on this date, because usually when rich families set up dates with strangers, it's called the beginning of an arranged marriage - Wait.. Marriage? Do I want to marry Megumi Yamamoto?
/ Yahiro, are you okay? Why are you staring at me like that? Are you still mad? / she wrote down hastily, jumping to many conclusions at once. Her face betrayed her feelings of guilt and worry, but he simply shook his head.
"I'm fine, Megumi - But you don't look too good. Are you planning to eat every course tonight? It looks like you neglected to go on that diet again," He smirked devilishly as she shifted indignantly, "..Tubby," the killing blow! He knew that would get her.
/ Ne, Yahiro! How dare you say that?! You big jerk! / She wrote down furiously, pouting childishly at the insult on her waistline - She hasn't gained any weight since they first met, but I suppose, he still called her tubby, even back then.
"Oh, Megumi - You're scaring me~" he teased further, reveling in the childish antics that his words elicited from her.
/ You big meanie! You're always picking on me! / she pouted even more, she puffed her cheeks out and glared at him with mock anger.
"Is that any way to talk to the man of your dreams, Megumi-chan?" he was really pushing it tonight, but he was smiling wider than he had in a very long time, but everytime he did smile, Megumi was there to see it - To cause it, even.
Two figures could faintly hear them bickering, though they had no idea what Megumi was replying to the taunts and teases coming from Yahiro Saiga - They both had knowing smiles on their faces.
"So, was I right, or was I right?" the pink-haired beauty gloated, smiling deviously. Watching the couple with quiet satisfaction and folding her arms infront of her well-endowed chest.
"You were definitely right, Rei-chan.." Rin said with some chagrin, "Maybe.. My little girl.." she started tearing up and Reiko quickly put her slender arm over her friend's shoulder, "Maybe, it's time I let her get married.." she finally choked out.
"I wish I knew how you felt, Riri-chan.." Reiko said with obvious envy, "I only have sons, so I have no idea how hard it is to let your daughter go like this, but you're doing the right thing," It was one of the few times that Reiko said something wise and rational, and those moments always amazed Rin to no end.
"You're actually all grown up, Rei-chan - Even that's hard to accept," Rin gave a sad smile, wiping her tears with a delicately-soft hand, "I'll trust your judgement, but for some reason, I can see them having some issues," she admitted finally.
"You're right.." Reiko smiled reassuringly, "All of the Saiga men are the same in their stubbornness, they'll stand by their beliefs quite often, but when I say they're stubborn in everything, even love is something they can't give up easily - Yahiro has already experienced that conflict of being a Saiga," she said contemplatively, "I think, it's time we tell them.."
The two women sat next to each other closely, one with a gleeful expression and the other's grim - They looked at each other and gave a final nod before turning to their children, who weren't so much children anymore.
"We've decided that.." Rin began firstly, though her voice somewhat broke and she paused, trying to keep her tears from flowing once again, ".. That.." she broke out into uncontrollable sobs and her honey-blonde bangs shadowed over her eyes, tears leaking past the barrier of hair continuously.
/ Oka-san? Are you alright? / Megumi held up for them to see - Her expression was very worried and she couldn't help but be saddened to see her Mother in such a broken state - How serious was this? And why was Yahiro here, too?
"We've decided that it would be best if you two.." Now they were really worried, they both listened to the head female of the Saiga house intently, ".. Should get married, for the interest of yourselves and us," she gestured towards herself and Rin.
"EHHHH?!" Megumi shrieked in surprise, Yahiro simply stared blankly and couldn't seem to bring forth any words - What the hell was that?!
MARRIED?!
End of Chapter~