CHAPTER TWO:
SPLASH! Kisa fell face first into the three feet pond.
"KISA!" Mayuko thought and ran frantically next to the fountain. When she got there, Kisa was already on her feet—her face showed traces of fear. "Onii!" She exclaimed when she saw Mayuko.
Mayuko helped pull her out," What were you thinking Kisa," she tried to sound calm but she sounded more angry. Mayuko was so terrified she can hear her heart drumming in her ears.
"I'm sorry, onii," Kisa burst into tears, "I only wanted to touch it. I'm sorry," she saw Mayuko's disappointed face and cried even harder. Mayuko was speechless, she didn't mean to get Kisa to cry, "I'm sorry," she apologized over and over.
Now Mayuko felt guilty, she blamed herself for showing Kisa this fountain in the first place. She should have known something like this would happen.
Mayuko patted her head trying to console her tears, "it's alright now Kisa. You had me worried, what would have happened if there wasn't an adult around to help you." She didn't want to think about it, she needed to find her parents and tell them what happened.
Kisa said in between hiccups, "uncle will be mad at me."
She patted the little girl's head, "don't worry…Come let's get you out of these damp clothes."
Mayuko took Kisa to her room where she shared with Kaoru. She helped Kisa out of her dress and in exchange gave the girl one of her extra tee shirts to wear.
"I know this is too big but it will have to do for now. Are you feeling alright?"
She nodded, "Onii, are you going to tell my uncle?"
Mayuko thought for a moment. "Don't you want me too?"
"No."
"But don't you think your uncle deserves to know the truth?"
She was thoughtful before she finally answered, "yes, onii," although Kisa didn't seem too satisfied with her reply.
"You know, I understand why you wouldn't want to tell your uncle. But consider this, if you lie to him then you'll have to keep on lying to cover up for your first lie and eventually it would become a habit to lie. It's not good to have a relationship based on lies. You don't want to become a liar, do you?"
"No."
"So you understand, right?"
Mayuko assumed the girl might be lost since she stayed quiet, "how do I explain it for you to understand. Umm…it's sort of like drinking sake, you think the first sip is fine then you take the second sip and third until you become addicted to it. And alcohol is bad for you, so is smoking, right?"
"Really? My uncle smokes—sometimes."
"Oh. But the point is…you shouldn't lie especially to people you care about." Hypocrite.
Mayuko was to blame, and because of that she felt sorry for the girl. It's the ashamed look on Kisa's face that is also deplorable. She almost had second thoughts about letting the girl off this time.
As Mayuko and Kisa made their way into the main louge a tall dark figure appeared in the corner.
"Kisa?" a male voice asked from behind them.
"Uncle!" Kisa responded surprised and bury her face by Mayuko's side. Mayuko turned around confident that she was going to settle this for Kisa but it was Hatori, looking restless and slightly annoyed.
"Mayuko-san?" his eyes went to Kisa and then to Mayuko again, "what happened? And what's that she's wearing?"
He took a few easy steps before he stood in front of them. "Hatori-kun? You're…he's your uncle, Kisa?"
"Hai, onii."
"Well…umm…" is it just she or was it getting hot? "She's wearing my tee shirt because she accidentally fell into the fountain out in the yard," she found herself murmuring.
"What?" Hatori gently pulled Kisa aside, "you fell in the fountain? Are you all right? There weren't any injuries?"
Kisa shook her head slowly. Before Mayuko could continue Kisa took the chance to apologize, "I'm sorry uncle. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
"She really didn't" Mayuko agreed, "It was just an accident."
Hatori glanced at Mayuko then brought his attention back to Kisa, "What did I tell you about going out to the yard."
The girl didn't reply, "I said, 'don't go out there because there's a pond and you might fall in.' Didn't I tell you that?"
Hearing his stern voice made Mayuko feel even worse. She felt obligated to say something—anything to back Kisa up.
"Hatori-kun, it's not her fault. I took her out there; if I haven't asked her to go I'm sure she wouldn't have gone. I'm sorry I acted carelessly. Please don't scold at her."
Kisa shook her head furiously, " It's not onii's fault that I fell in, I thought that I can catch one of the fishes for you."
She looked down on the floor while she spoke, "Gomenasai, uncle. Are you not going to take me anywhere anymore? I promise I won't do it again. I promise. Can you not be mad at me?"
Hatori walked up to Kisa and kneel on one knee so he'll be face to face with her, "I'm not mad at you, Kisa. I'm glad you're fine but you know fishes like water as much as you do. You shouldn't try to take what they enjoy so much away from them, okay?"
Kisa nodded, "so you forgive me?"
"Of course, who would not forgive someone as adorable as you," he playfully pinch her on the cheek to show her that he wasn't mad at her and really did forgive her.
Her face lit up, "I promise, uncle."
Suddenly Mayuko felt like an outsider, intruding on other's privacy. She was about to make a quiet exit when Kisa called for her, "Onii!"
Mayuko quickly turned around," Kisa. Since you two are in understanding terms, I should leave you alone with you uncle. I'll see you tomorrow, okay."
"Wait onii, I want you to meet my uncle. Uncle, this is onii, she's my new kamodachii (friend)."
"Yes, Kisa-san I've already met your uncle, I really do have to go now. Be good."
Mayuko tried to avoid Hatori as much as she possibly can despite the proximity. Maybe he's disappointed in her?
"Buh bye, onii," she proudly wave to Mayuko.
When Mayuko turned around the corner and was probably far from earshot, Kisa stared up at Hatori, "Uncle, you know onii-san?"
"Yes, a long time ago. She was a close friend of someone very dear to me."
"Really? Was she your friend too?"
It took Hatori awhile to answer, "I wasn't so sure, Kisa."
Mayuko couldn't explain the feeling that the little girl left inside. Kisa, even though still young, she made her feel warm and special. A huge part of Kisa reminded Mayuko of Kana, a very important friend to her, because she had the smile that could also make others smile. The smaller part, so tiny that one could barely noticed it, was that she had a tint of solitude about her and that reminded her of herself. She hasn't felt this way since her aunt died or since Kana left. If Kisa is whom Hatori wanted Mayuko to teach, she doesn't know she can graciously reject his offer. For whatever reason, the girl is in need of teaching lessons. But on the other hand, she has no desire to revive old memories. She didn't want to be reminded of her naïve youthful days in which she filled with daydreams of…him. Mayuko remembered it all too well like a secret treasure, her secret treasure. Those days are embedded in her brain so stunningly that Mayuko could trace every emotion she felt for the Sohma boy that, sadly, always end in disappointment.
Mayuko, at that time, had no interest in boys like natural adolescent females her age. She was her own boy. She liked independency and quickly assumed that boys would snatch that from her. Mayuko seriously questioned herself for a while. Honestly, it was quite the dark ages for her.
Then came Sohma Hatori. Hatori-kun was not like the other two Sohma boys known for being charming, humorous and sweet which definitely gained them a lot of attention (from girls AND guys. The guys got pretty jealous) He was still equally popular in school but for his contained nature. He had a brief enigmatic smile frequently plastered on his wonderful face that intensified every girl's feelings. The girls who liked him can only like him from afar with eyes that burn in their sockets from crying because of he'll-never-be-mine reasons. (Yes, Mayuko was part of that crew minus the crying, of course)
To this every day Mayuko still couldn't discover what it was about Sohma Hatori that imposed severe alterations on her emotions. She thought it was just a casual crush because it was normal for girls her age to have it but she concluded that it had to be more although the reason was beyond her.
Of course, Mayuko must be frank and admit that she was deadly foolish for him then. But with the nerves she felt today…She was speechless about it. It's impossible that she'll nearly swoon over him after all these years. No, she wasn't those type of girl, the ones that devote herself to one man—was she? Well, to be exact, the ones that devote herself to a man who devotes himself to someone else. Her nervousness for Hatori infuriated her, made her pace back and forth like a caged tigress.
Pushing all thoughts of Hatori aside, Mayuko couldn't let the thought of the little girl slide. Such an innocuous cheery little one, Kisa was. What should she do?
She should tell Kaoru, though she has come to be pretty discreet about her personal affairs. Many times Mayuko bottled things inside because she didn't want to become a burden to Kaoru. She wanted to be a great friend to Kaoru because she felt like she wasn't one 10 years ago.
"Omigod." Kaoru gaped at her, "Are you kidding me?"
"I know. The world doesn't get any smaller."
"The girl, the little Kisa girl you met earlier is his niece."
"Yes! I was so surprised." Mayuko came out of the bathroom and dropped herself next to her friend.
"Oh my. Do you think this is fate? I mean he did come looking for you but the fact that you met his niece even before introduction…Fate, isn't it? Dramatic!" Kaoru deeply sigh, "So? What are you going to do now, Ms. Prickly Picky sensei?"
She picked up the magazine from the nightstand, "Fate, you say? I don't think …"
Mayuko was interrupted by an audible knock. Kaoru opened the door and she was confronted by a child's face.
"Konichiwa! Is this Mayuko-onii-san's room?"
"Yes, yes it is." Kaoru answered.
"Kisa-chan! What are you doing here?" Mayuko looked very amused.
Kisa smiled shyly," Would you…I mean, I would like to invite you to dine with me and my uncle, onii."
Mayuko is simply touched, she looked at Kaoru and she gave an approving nod, "I would like nothing more."
"Really! I'll see you then!"
"Hai."
Mayuko walked down the stairs to the main dining hall. From where she stood, she guessed it was a full house tonight. Out of nowhere she heard her name.
"Mayuko-onii-san"
She spotted Kisa and waved.
"Onii, over here."
Hatori stood next to Kisa, she saw that her evening wear paled compared to theirs. Hatori properly wore a creamy colored dress shirt covered by a brown vest; interestingly enough his style spoke a great deal of his mood. Tonight, he didn't feel like impressing anyone; he wore what made in comfortable not what he felt he had to. Kisa looked perfect to be his niece, her hair is clipped in a red bow a little to one side and her dress, the color of smoldering amber, brought out her eyes.
"Good evening Kisa-san, Hatori-kun."
Mayuko notice the table was set for five, "Kisa-san, I love your dress. It suits you very well."
"Thank you," she beam meekly, "my uncle—not this uncle—my other uncle picked it out for me. He's very good with fashion. He's going to be eating with us."
Just as Kisa finished her sentence Ayame appeared with the girl Mayuko saw him with earlier.
"Kisa! You look like a princess! Oh! But look at your hair, don't tell me you asked Haa-san to do your hair again," Ayame commented negligently.
"No. I'm a big girl now, uncle. I do my own hair."
"Of course. Look at you, growing so fast," he naturally brushed her cheeks. "Now that I have arrived, we must eat."
During the meal, Mine and Mayuko were formally introduced. Mayuko was not shocked to learn that Mine's actual personality was what she had thought. She was indeed a well-mannered girl with a delicate voice and nice remarks. She is the type of girl that is no one's enemy.
"Mine is such a great designer assistant," Ayame boasted, "I don't know what I would do without her."
Mayuko noticed Mine's flushed face, "I'm sure she is."
"Oh, you should see her at work, Mayuko. She works without end. I simply adore her."
By this time Mine has became mute, "Ayame, quit your bickering. Can't you see your making Mine uncomfortable." Mayuko poke him on the elbow.
"Excuse us, Mine. We're just old acquaintances chatting away."
Ayame simply brushed off her statement and changed the topic "So Mayuko, I've heard that you're quiet up there nowadays; chasing after your dream."
Mayuko sigh, "You can say so. I just receive an award last season and made it in the news and all. If you asked me, it's not that big of a deal."
"Not that big of a deal, ho ho. You mustn't say that. With your success, you'll be standing by me pretty soon. Wouldn't you agree, Haa-san?" Hatori ignored Ayame's effort to bring him into the conversation.
"I don't know…" Mayuko knew that each of the Sohma boys had their own success story to tell regardless of their high school standing.
"How about you, Ayame. Kisa told me you're in the fashion field."
"Oh of course. I, Ayame Sohma, own the famous store Ayame selling the remotest updated fashion with my own old-fashioned twist. With Mine by my side, I will flourish to international," Ayame bragged on as usual.
"Ayame's has the best embroidery in Japan," Mine commented.
Ayame grin in triumph "yes, there is nothing I cannot do."
Shortly after the meal, Ayame looked at his watch, "My, look at the time. I must really be off now, Mine and I are planning to return early tomorrow."
"Uncle, can't you stay just a little longer."
"Oh, princess I would love to…but no-can-do I am training to follow a strict schedule and my schedule starts with a flight at 6 am in the morning."
Kisa mumbled, "When will I see you again then."
"When…umm Mine, when's my next vacation be?"
"I will have to check on that Ayame-kun."
Ayame sigh, "Never mind." Ayame stood up, "Haa-san remember you promise to swing by sometimes."
"Good night, uncle, Mine"
"Sweet dreams, Kisa. Haa-san. Mayuko, hope to see you around so we can catch up," he smiled flirtatiously at her.
She can only nod at this.
"I must get going also. It was very nice to see you again, Hatori-kun. Good night Kisa-san."
Kisa grabbed on to Mayuko shirt, "Are you really going to be my teacher, onii?"
Mayuko's glanced at Hatori, "umm..Well…I haven't really—" she couldn't continue as Kisa's hopeful smile started to disappeared.
"oh…I see."
"I'm sorry, Kisa. I haven't put much thought into my decision yet."
She stared blankly at her empty plate, "I understand onii."
"okay, so…I'll see you tomorrow before you leave then." Mayuko wished to explain herself but she couldn't bring herself to around Hatori.
Kisa's only response was a mere nod.
That night as Mayuko was lying on her bed, Kisa's disappointed face flashed constantly before her. It occurred to her that Kisa might assume that she didn't like her. Don't little kids do that all the time? They get all sensitive in "I-don't-like-you" situations.
The loud phone ringing startled Mayuko, "Yes," she groan tiredly into the receiver.
"Is this Mayuko-san?" She recognized the deep male voice instantly.
"Yes. Who is this?" she asked even though she knew.
"Sohma Hatori."
"Can't this wait 'till morning?" she tried to sound annoyed.
"No. I have to depart early. I just wanted to confirm with you that my offer is valid for two weeks. Get back to me before then."
"I…" she paused, "I don't know who to contact."
"I will give you my secretary's number, he will be easier to reach."
After Mayuko hung up, she stared at the number next to the phone. 'Ask for Kureno.'
She can still hear Hatori's voice, "I can't quite recall his office number so I'll give you the main office number just ask for Kureno. He knows all about your situation and will answer any of questions."
In her memory, this wasn't the Hatori-kun she knew, the one she grew to admire so profoundly.
He was so tense in his conversation that even made her edgy.
So he wasn't here to befriend her or unite their recollections, this was firmly professional.
Mayuko can tolerate that, she hoped. She was so used to being his friend although they were never really 'friends' their relationship was of mutual respect. This was the kind of relationship that she had with all the Sohma boys except for Shigure who she dated for awhile.
Mayuko can't really recall those days or maybe it was because she didn't want to either way she had no intention of refreshing the biggest mistake of her life. To her, it was a mistake because neither she nor Shigure had any feelings for each other. After their relationship, Mayuko vow to herself that she will never again settle for less; she learned that in the end she would only regret it.
"Shigure, let's not do this anymore," Mayuko whispered.
Yes, there were days when Shigure made her smile, brought her so much laughter that her loneliness sank into the back of her mind. But one thing was for sure; this wouldn't last forever. Mayuko knew that she lived in a world of lies, a world where she built walls to block away reality.
"Let's face it, we're not into each other. We're in this because we are in need of someone. Am I right?"
Shigure stared at Mayuko as if he can see pass her truth, "Yes, you're in need of Haa-san. Am I right?"
Mayuko's eyes widen is alarm, "So I am right," Shigure said, "See, Mayuko that's just the thing about you…your face seems to have all the answer. There is no doubt in your expression."
She had to look away, "I don't know what you're talking about, Shigure. I came to this decision because I understand it's mutual."
"Did you now? So you're implying that my assumption is incorrect."
Mayuko didn't give an immediate response, "I'm implying that it's none of your business." She had this query feeling inside from Shigure's discovery. It's a natural instinct of hers to be discreet about her feelings especially to a Sohma.
Shigure slipped his arms around her shoulders, "loosen up some, Mayuko. I'll let this be just between you and me," there was a mocking undertone about his word that gave Mayuko doubts.
He gave her the slightest kiss on the cheek and walked away.
Mayuko frown, she never knew what lay behind Shigure-chan's smile. It's quite aggravating because she never knows when not to trust him. With Shigure, Mayuko always had to be defensive. But She couldn't help but acknowledge Shigure's personality because even though he presents himself as some big joke or bad boy she some times see a good boy trying to surface every now and then. 'Arigato, Shigure-chan"'
Being true to his word Shigure dispose of the incident and they came into friendly terms though they did have frequent arguments. When they were still a couple Kaoru once said, "you know Mayuko, it's scary whenever you and Shigure gets lovey-dovey. You guys fight so damn much."
Mayuko gruffly replied, "I can't help it that he loves to find fault in me. 'Mayuko, you sound like a man,' 'even pigs won't grub on your cooking,' 'you look like a zombie in the morning,'" she mimicked Shigure's casual sayings.
Kaoru giggled at this, "I didn't know that you find rudeness entertaining now," Mayuko said dryly.
"If this be your case, why are you dating him?"
Her answer was apparent on her face as she frown, 'I ask myself the same question.'
Mayuko tried to push her thoughts aside. She didn't have time to ponder on her past; she yawned but she was widely awake.
Questions swirl into her conscience, 'can I forget and just let the 10 years slip away. Can I let the past pass?'
Her heart squeezed in a thousand knots, "how can you do this is me, Mayuko? I thought you were my friend."
Kana was on her knees, crying and repeating her frustration over and over again, "why Mayuko? Why are you being like this?"
"No, Kana—why are you being like this? I don't understand," she asked through her confusion.
"Don't try to play innocent!"
"What? What are you talking about," it hurts her so much to see her friend cry and not be able to be of any comfort. To explain, she felt like daggers striking into her alive. It was mental and emotion destruction.
"Listen, Kana. Don't accuse me of anything I didn't do."
"Lair! How can you lie like that? Don't you know who much I love Haa-san? Don't you!" She practically screamed out. "No, you wouldn't. You wouldn't know what it was like to be in love."
Now that had a different effect. She felt emotionless and somewhat betrayed. The cruelness of her words stung Mayuko profoundly; caused a wound without a cure—the scar from a friend.
Honestly, Mayuko was astounded she has never seen Kana like this—ever. Everyone had a dark side this was Kana's.
Mayuko presume that the reason behind Kana's breaking point had something to do with Hatori. No one can inflict damages as brutal as those you love and this isn't only about Kana but Mayuko as well.
That night, Mayuko went to her aunt to release her distress and was in tears before she knew it.
"What did I do wrong?"
"Mayu-san, sometimes it's not always what you did but rather how you did it."
"Then…how could I have done something to hurt Kana so badly? I don't understand, aunt."
"That is something you have to let Kana answer."
"She won't even look at me now," Mayuko felt sad and she didn't even know why.
Mayuko is quite positive that her anger had to do with Hatori. Her sadness made a sudden turn into fear. 'Oh no. Maybe she knows I love Hatori-kun.' She shook her head furiously in attempt to ease her fears. That couldn't be, she was precautious about her feelings for Hatori. No one knew about it, no one. So why is she mad?
Mayuko drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
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A/N: I combined chapter two and three that's why it's so long and because I, as a reader of other fanfiction, dislike short chapters. It drives me nuts. I don't get it why an author would even bother to write a chapter about two pages long (no offensive to short chapter writers) I mean your keeping readers in anxiety here. I swear, it's craziness for me. So I keep my chapters long, I combine if it's not. Sry, if any of you dislike long chapters; I hope you'll keep reading regardless of my not-so-great-nor-fast-pacing-chapter-combining-xtra-long chapters. Stay with me and see what happens next…I feel like the beginning is a little dragging but I have to set the stage, right?
Plus, I'm sorry for any writing grammar or spelling errors in the text, this is purely self-edited. Oh yeah, and I get my sister to do it too whenever she have time…I give her credit!
Remember to leave me a review. Thanx to those of u who already left me reviews! (u know who u r smiles)
Adream3r (my smiling face here)
