Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own musing.
1 year
It has been 1 year since he had left. The thoughts of him played on her mind less frequently. Instead, she was consumed by studying for her exams for university, and when possible enjoying the nearly care free life of a senior in high school. A momentary image of her idol Todou Shizuka fleetingly rushed her mind and strengthened her resolve. In her relationship with Domyouji, it was always in the back of her mind that she would never become dependent on someone.
She walked through the door and marched down the stairs of the stairwell. She placed her book of English vocabulary on the wall overlooking the surrounding area of Eitoku Academy. She leaned over the metal railing, her hands keeping her balance. She deeply inhaled.
"Makino," a voice floated up to here making her jump. And then there was him, Hazawa Rui. She should really start checking the area for other people before letting down her guard.
"Hanazawa Rui!" she said with slight shock marring her voice. He smiled at her and she in turn tilted her head. His smile was gentle. The silence grew as he stood there, smiling at her, eyes searching her face as she stared back without guile.
"Have you talked to Tsukasa?" at that moment, her mind had been far away from that person. Tsukushi tilted her head, eyes moving away from the distraction as her mind searched for the answer.
"Ano…" she fidgeted with her hands. "Ano… No. He must be really busy in New York. I tried calling him, but I always seem to miss him. Every time. I mean maybe his phone is broken. Or stolen?" She was rambling. Tsukushi peered up at Rui through her bangs to see Rui's bemused smile.
"He must be busy if he won't return both of our calls," Rui stated as he shoved his hands into his pocket and leaned again the wall. He leaned his head back and stared up into the sky.
Tsukushi looked at Rui and smiled softly. Hanazaw Rui was always there for her. Unlike Domyouji. She could not believe that it had already been a year.
She knew what she had to do.
.
The ringing sound of the telephone trying to connect her to Domyouji reverberated in her ear. It was strangely comforting. The calm before the storm.
"Hello?" a strange English accent answered. It sounded strange to her. It was another manifestation of the Domyouji she did not know.
"Domyouji," she breathed. Tsukushi appreciated the irony that he had answered the phone too late.
"Makino," he said reluctantly. Was there guilt there? Guilt for neglecting? She shook her head and steeled herself for the words that were about to come.
"Domyouji," she paused, flashes of happier times scrolling across her minds eye. "Domyouji." She could hear rustling in the background and a huff of impatience.
"What?"
"Domyouji, I… I no longer have feelings for you." She scrunched her eyes shut, bracing for the outburst. Instead there was silence, a pause of eternity. And then…
"Is that so?" a rueful laugh. "Makino," he continues, "Arigatou."
"Eh?" her eyes pop open.
"You saved me the trouble. Jya."
"Jya," she softly whispered, but the line the was already dead. She held the gold cell phone one last time, before placing it into a small drawer.
.
Miles away from Tsukushi in a tall building made of glass and steel, a cellular phone smashes into a wall. The cross key chain is still intact.
.
I can't seem to get enough of the character Hanazawa Rui.
Ashdesmond