Sae snapped her cellphone shut as she made her way up to the high-rise apartment building just up the street. She was sweating bullets in the late spring heat and was dying to get inside and raid the kitchen for frozen snacks. Eagerly she tapped her manicured nails on the sides of the elevator.
"Can't you move any faster?" She growled at the red LED that silently counted the floors. On the sixth floor she hopped out and all but ran to apartment #623. Punching the key code into the keypad, Sae let herself in, giggling happily as she dashed to the kitchen, shedding shoes, backpack, shopping bags, and her uniform tie in the process.
Two scoops of strawberry-mango sorbet later, Sae let her spoon clink into the empty bowl with satisfaction. Nothing like fat-free, extra-fruity, chilled-to-perfection fruit sorbet to quench the heat bug. She sighed and tucked her hands behind her head. With both parents working most of the day, she had the apartment all to herself.
Coming home to a quiet place was routine for the Kashiwagis, as each of them came and went as they pleased, hardly seeing each other except during the evenings, unless business took Sae's parents longer into the night. She didn't really care anyway. She liked to consider herself an independent little miss, and hung out with friends or went shopping whenever she liked. Which reminded her…
Sae squealed as she remembered her purchases from earlier in the day. Picking up the scattered clothes, shoes, and bags, she hurried to her room and slammed the door.
"For the Kashiwagi summer fashion line, the brilliant Sae comes out wearing a breezy fine-spun chiffon dress, with Grecian-inspired patterns around the hem and neckline," Sae broadcasted in her deepest voice as she strutted out in front of her mirror and struck a pose. "Isn't she gorgeous, ladies and gentlemen?" She batted her eyelashes at her reflection and gave a fluttery laugh. "Oh please, you're too kind."
This went on for another half hour until Sae had modeled to her heart's content. She flopped down on her bed in boredom. As she stared out her window at Tokyo's skyline, blazing bright from the late afternoon sun, her thoughts wandered over the day's events. Not a day passed when she wasn't grateful for Momo's forgiveness and willingness to give her a second try. All the other girls in their classroom stuck their noses up at her and talked loudly behind her back. She deserved it though, and she knew it. Momo Adachi was truly a sweet soul. Not only had the girl stood up for her on several occasions when the teasing had become slightly vicious, but she still invited Sae to hang out with her and Kairi. As the months had passed, Sae had begun to change, much to the delight and mild shock of everyone around her. Momo especially noticed it and didn't hesitate to tell her. Though Sae took offense at the way her reputation was being molded, she secretly enjoyed the attention the change brought her, reveling in the purity of living in such a kindhearted and other-centered lifestyle. She still had her faults, such as twisting little white lies together to her parents or passionately hating that bitch of a nurse Misao, but in the long run, Sae knew that she was changing.
The petite girl huffed gently as she grabbed a pillow to tuck underneath her chin, sprawled on her stomach as she thought. I suppose I have come a ways from the little brat I used to be, though I can still be a brat if I want to, Sae mused. I've learned so much about friendships, about honesty, about happiness…
About love, her brain helpfully supplied. Sae laughed shortly, bitterly. What kind of love had she experienced? Her thoughts jumped from Jigoro to Toji to Ryo. All of the guys she supposedly loved… She shook her head. She was so messed up. There probably wasn't a single guy in the world who would want to be with her if she was the last girl on earth. She was a hopeless case. Oh, she was sure she could find a person to have a fun fling with, but in the end, she wanted someone to be there for her always. Someone to love her no matter what her faults—
Sae shook her head. Ryo? "You can't be serious, girl," Sae laughed to herself. "Using the words you told him right back at yourself? You're pathetic!" After a giggle, she sobered up, hugging her pillow tighter.
They had parted mutually. Ryo was glad that there was no baby in the first place, and Sae was more than ready to cut all ties with the callous, unfeeling man. There were too many reasons for things not to work out between them, this they both knew. And yet…
He had been her first love. There was no denying the fact. He had attracted her attention with his competitive streak against his brother. The way he pushed away everyone else to protect himself was exactly the way Sae herself was, and to find someone who had the same line of thought was exhilarating. Not only that, but his physical appearance was easy on the eyes as well. Sae closed her eyes, picturing him. His golden-brown hair was always ruffled in a shaggy haircut, his hazel eyes were usually framed by furrowed eyebrows as he concentrated on a computer screen, a well-trained hand clicking furiously or typing out commands for the next gaming program of his company's choosing. She remembered the way his angular face slanted down, leaning towards her as he gave her her first kiss. The firmness of his lips leading the lover's gesture could never be forgotten. Sae shivered, imagining his strong arms surrounding her, pulling her into his embrace. The slight scent of cigarette smoke clung to his clothes, but his cologne overpowered all smells. She loved to bury her face into his chest and breathe deeply.
A frown crossed her face. She should've known the power within those arms. She should've known that he was just stringing her along, that he wasn't the least bit interested in her except for the occasional night out. The first time he pushed her away from him, she had been confused and thought he was playing. And then he hit her. Hard. She had fallen backwards, gaping up at him with wide, fear-filled eyes. The look he tossed her could have frozen the hottest fire. And from then on, their little cycle began. She would drape herself all over him, pleading for this or that, wanting his attention, and he would indulge her for a little while. He would entertain himself with her, letting her have her way until he grew tired of his charade. Then he would shove her aside and get back to his beloved job. If she pursued him, he would get violent. She would then leave him alone for a couple days, only to come back and ask for 'just an hour' with him. And the cycle would continue in never-ending monotony and pain. How could she have been so stupid? Was she really that dumb?
Sae got up from her bed and took off her newly-bought outfit, changing into a comfortable pair of shorts and a lacy tank top. Her parents would be back for supper that evening. She should probably go heat something up so that they wouldn't yell at her for wasting her time. Although lately, after her time in the hospital, they had lessened the instances where they would get angry with her or ignore her. She smirked. The ordeal must have scared them into acknowledging her presence; that she was still a part of their lives no matter how much they tried to run from it, living their lives at the office or attending after-meetings with elite socialites. Sae shrugged. As long as they stayed out of her business for the most part, she could live with their avoidance. And with that, the dark-haired teen bounded down the hallway to start supper.
Author's Note: I know, the end of the first chapter didn't really make sense. Ryo's motives are messed up, right? Don't worry, I know where I'm going with this! Please read and review!
