Azuma and the Strawberry Apron
Here he was silently sitting on the couch as he heard his wife packing. He knew this was how it was going to end. He shouldn't have been surprised but somehow he hoped for a different outcome.
During the course of his life he'd followed his family's wishes. Disobedience was never a word that came in his mind until of course he met Kahoko. The first time he disobeyed his grandmother's wishes was when he cancelled his transfer to another country. The second time was when his family decided upon themselves to an arrange marriage.
The fiancée they expected him to marry was bred from a high class family. She was the sole heiress of a billion dollar company not only that but the company itself was known internationally. Truly the marriage would be a great asset to the Yunoki family. The girl herself was considered beautiful. She had many talents and can play five different instruments, speak in four different languages, intelligent beyond belief and most of all carried herself with such refinement that even the queen of England would praise her. Too bad he couldn't stand her. He found everything about her appalling. The way she'd talk, walk and even breathe annoyed him to the core. There were times he thought about strangling her when she'd talk about teas, flowers or how the market was doing for it truly bored Yunoki Azuma to death.
So what was he to do? He couldn't just abandon everything just like that and marry Kahoko. For one thing she wouldn't agree to it or would she?
He remembered the first morning they were married. He woke up beside her. He never thought she'd be more beautiful than the first time he watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful, so serene, so… so… Kahoko.
He remembered the day he proposed to her. It was neither sweet nor romantic. The proposal was simple sign on the dotted line and they'd get married. He knew this decision would cause his family to disown him. He knew this decision would cause his disinheritance. It was a good thing that he was able to save enough money from his twenty years of allowances. The money he had was enough to establish the first of many flower shops they would foster in their three and a half year marriage. So in truth what did he actually lose but than again what did he actually gain?
She was a good wife to him, the way he knew she would be. She'd make him breakfast everyday to which they both ate together. That was also another first for him, to eat a meal with someone routinely. His family was never close and it would be a crime against life itself to be caught eating with the servants so that only meant meals were to be eaten alone. Sure he's eaten a meal with her sister before and on occasion with some of his family but that was only on important banquets. They never talked or even laughed the way he and Kahoko did as they'd eat meals together.
Before he left for either work or school she never forgot to pack his lunch. His packed lunches where the highlight of his time being away from her. Probably the best time of day was when he came home. When he knew he came home to her and would be greeted by her smile. She'd be wearing her strawberry apron. The apron she always wore while preparing their meals. The apron he gave her as a wedding gift. It was a mock gift of course just like their mock marriage.
(flashback: three and a half years ago)
After spending five grueling hours with his "fiancée" he decided he needed to get away from her in fear he might kill himself worse her due to boredom.
As he walked in central town he couldn't help but notice a strawberry apron that was on sale at a kiosk. The middle-age woman was so adamant in selling it along with her other goods she even called to him. Feeling a little embarrassed at the scene he decided to buy the apron just to shut the woman up.
As he proceeded on his way he was bumped by a blue haired man who didn't even stop to help him up, causing Yunoki to fall flatly on the pavement.
As Yunoki Azuma continued to walk home something red caught his eyes. He could see her from the shop's window crying her eyes out. She didn't even notice him when he entered the shop. Her face was filled with so much pain and anguish that she didn't even bother lifting her head when Yunoki called her name.
"Kahoko" Yunoki said once again and once again she seemed to ignore him. He decided to sit beside Kahoko. He wanted to comfort her. He wanted to solve her problems. He wanted her to stop crying. He wanted to give his handkerchief to her like the way the protagonist in a movie would give to the leading lady in a situation like this but alas he forgot it at home.
"Here." He said as he gave Kahoko a folded apron. She was obviously shocked at this action. As she took the apron from his hands she wasn't quite sure what she was going to do with it. She looked back at him with a perplexed expression by this time she finally calmed down and stopped crying. She wiped the remaining tears using the apron from her face and proceeded to chuckle. This was the first time Yunoki heard her laugh or at least chuckle. That chuckle was the beginning of it all and one week later they were married…
(End of flashback of the cake shop event)
He found Kahoko the most enthralling play thing he's ever had. She was unpredictable yet submissive. She was vivacious yet affectionate. She was pushy yet motivating. It was because of her and her belief in him that he established his first flower shop. It was because of her encouragement that he was able to found many more. He was free. He was free to do anything he pleased. He was able to pursue his music although he chose to take a business degree. He majored in music which a few years ago wouldn't have been possible but that wasn't the point. The point was he was able to choose.
As she was about to walk out the door carrying her suitcase in one hand and her violin in the other she looked at him and he looked back at her. In that brief instant he wanted to tell her to "stay." He wanted to stop her but he wouldn't he couldn't.
The scene kept repeating in his head as he watched her leave. "YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT I"VE LEARNED IN THE THREE YEARS WE WERE TOGETHER! She yelled. "Freedom is never free. I'm glad you have yours but having your freedom meant imprisoning me in the process.
He remained seated on the couch, unmoving, unflinching. He wanted more than anything to leave the living room. It reminded him of Kahoko leaving him. He didn't want to go upstairs in his empty bed. He didn't want to go to the kitchen which reminded him of her cooking and thus of her. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to remain in the house but what he didn't want most of all is seeing that "picture"
It was a picture of Kahoko, himself their "son" and "uncle's Godfather." Happily together having a picnic at a near by park. "His son" Those words left a bitter taste in his mouth for he knew he wasn't his…
Yunoki never hated the child more like he was jealous of him. He envied the child's father who was able to be with Kahoko the way he never could which resulted in "a proof of love". After all this was a contract marriage. In exchange for the baby to have a name and not be called illegitimate he had her marry him. That of course led to Yunoki Azuma's freedom and Yunoki Kahoko's cage. They were simply married by name and all his illusions of love were simply a fiction of his imagination. But was it really all a lie?
He remembered sitting in the same spot one week ago with "his son" while watching a youth oriented show. He wanted so badly to switch the channel especially since the bunny-puppet annoyed him. The stupid puppet kept asking its viewers futile questions. It's not as if the bunny could hear the audience response but a normal three year-old didn't know that…. The bunny was giving a moral lesson about love but all Yunoki could hear was "blah blah blah…. Mommy…. Blah….. loves…..Blah…. daddy….." "Nani (What?)." Yunoki surprisingly asked the child. "An example" he replied. "example?" Yunoki questioningly said. "Just like mommy loves daddy." The boy answered him gleefully. "What makes you say that?" Yunoki asked as he thought about how stupid his question was. He was asking after all a child with the comprehension of a three year old how in the world will a kid be able to give him a noteworthy answer. His thoughts were cut off when the child simply said…. "Every morning mommy sips your coffee before giving it to you to make sure you won't burn your tongue." (A/N: Oh!! Kawaaii Yunoki how could you be so heartless)
Yes, ultimately the child was his downfall being unable to love him as his own probably was the final nail in his coffin. But who could blame him hadn't Tsukimori walked out on her for the same reason. His own father couldn't accept him so why should he?
And now all that's left is a letter Kahoko left, her final act as his wife before leaving her. It took all the courage he had to read it which said….
Author's Note:
So during their three and a half year marriage the two practiced Celibacy! Do you know what Celibacy means hahaha! Poor Yunoki! Poor Kahoko! Hahaha They shared the same bed and nothing more! So REMOVE ALL EVIL THOUGHTS Yunoki is mine! hahaha
Time Line
In case you're confused
After Len "dumped" Kahoko, Yunoki came to the rescue: Kahoko & Len both have graduated in high school hence Len is going to college
A week later they were married. Ages:19 -Kahoko & 20 - Azuma
Three and a half years later they're getting a divorce age: 22 and 23
Why did I make Kahoko marry Yunoki because I can! Hahaha Actually he's my most favorite character I like his dual personality. Almost everyone is against a KahokoxAzuma pairing including me. (I said he's my most favorite character I never said anything that I like Kahoko and Azuma) He's mine joke joke joke…. So who's the baby's daddy it's obviously not Yunoki's
And don't presume it's Len's baby maybe it is maybe it isn't
I wonder what Kahoko said to Len on his proposal? Hehehe….
Just to clarify Yunoki thinks that's the reason Len dumped Kahoko hehehe….
Thank you to the four people who took the time to review my fanfic kae1523mae. The Last Vampire 1982, aviane 13 and shocksimpretty.
I leave you with this final message: The more reviewers the sooner I upload hahahaha