Author's Notes:
Hello, all! I've always wanted to find the time to right my very own fanfiction. I've admired the work of so many people on the site and I am so excited to start my very own. Since this is my very first story, please bear with me. Any suggestions or comments would be insanely helpful. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2
Kotoko had no clue where to go. She could go to Tomoko's house but she didn't want to be a bother to her. She had very few options and way too much pride to go back home. She refused to give Irie the satisfaction of knowing that she needed him. So she decided to visit visit the one person she knew would be happy to see her.
"Kotoko! What are you doing here?" Keita was pleasantly surprised to see Kotoko until he saw the expression on her face.
"I really just came for a visit." Kotoko couldn't help but burst into tears right then and there.
"Awe, Kotoko. It's going to be okay. Come inside."
That night, Kotoko felt happier and safer than she had felt in a long time. Keita held her as she cried herself to sleep.
(Back at the Irie's household)
Mrs. Irie was hard at work attempting to locate Kotoko. She had called Tomoko, Marina, and Motoki but none of them had seen her. However, they did recommend contacting a man by the name of Keita. That didn't sound anything like Kotoko. Is it possible that she's run off with another man? It was time to get to the bottom of this.
"Hello?"
"Hello. This is Mrs. Irie. I'm trying to get ahold of Kotoko. Have you seen her?"
"Um… yes actually. She came over about an hour ago. She seemed really upset, so I decided to let her stay the night."
"Oh…" Mrs. Irie was in complete shock. Why would Kotoko need the support of another man? She has worked way too hard to get her grump of a son and sweet Kotoko together. There was no way this Keita boy was going to get in the way of it now.
"Okay. Thank you for your time. Goodbye, then." Mrs. Irie hangs up and marches right to her son's room.
"NAOKI! What is this about Kotoko sleeping over at some young man's house?"
"What?"
"Now you listen here, son. I know you've been in quite a mood recently and I understand it is difficult for you to show your emotions. But you are NOT GOING TO RUIN THIS MARRIAGE I WORKED SO HARD FOR!"
Irie was terrified and beyond confused. Kotoko in some other man's home? He had been doing his best up to this point not to let that Keita guy get to him but he couldn't hide the devastation he was actually feeling inside. All of these strange new feelings were coming way too fast and the truth was he just felt lost.
"With another man?"
Irie's mother knew something wasn't right with her son.
"Um… well yes. A boy named Keita. I had been looking for her everywhere and called his number. He said she came over very upset. Naoki, what exactly is going on?" Irie could see the concerned expression on his mother's face. He's been bottling in these feelings for so long. What's the harm in finally telling the truth?
"Mother, ever since Keita came into Kotoko's life, my mood has continuously gotten worse. You should see just how close they've gotten to each other. He helps her and encourages her through everything at the hospital. And then he has the audacity to berate me for not being a good husband. The other day she fainted during an exercise at the hospital and I caught him trying to kiss her. I can't explain it. Every time I see him, I just want to punch a hole through a wall. And seeing Kotoko only leaves me feeling frustrated."
Mrs. Irie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her cold-hearted son had actually felt true emotion, maybe even for the first time. Still, she understood how painful jealousy and heartbreak could be.
"Naoki, sweetheart. It's just jealousy."
"Jealous? That's ridiculous. I don't get jealous."
"Now you listen here, Naoki. I know this must feel very confusing but jealousy is very normal in a relationship. You're jealous because Keita is fulfilling certain needs for Kotoko that you can't. You hate the fact that Kotoko is growing such a close bond with him because deep down you're afraid that she might leave you."
Irie couldn't believe what he was hearing. Jealousy? What a childish emotion. But everything his mother was saying made sense. Maybe it was time to accept the very real possibility that Kotoko was slipping away from him.
"Mother… maybe you're right. I don't know what to do. I feel so lost. Earlier we had an argument and told me she doesn't love me anymore and asked for a divorce. What am I supposed to do?"
Mrs. Irie sat there in silence watching her son with his head in his hands, going through an emotion she never even thought he was capable of having. He truly did love Kotoko. But what could she really do? She loved her son but couldn't deny who he was. He was cold and logical and capable of being quite cruel. Maybe Kotoko is meant for this other man. If she was, she knew her son would have to let her go.
"Naoki, I know you love her. I don't know how Kotoko is feeling or if she truly meant what she said earlier today but I do know that for five long years she's been waiting for you to show her that you truly love her. Maybe you just need to remind her why she fell in love with you in the first place. Just think it over. You'll feel better in the morning. Goodnight, my son."
