Chapter 3: Beginings
I look at myself in the mirror and I can't help but smile. I am looking forward to tonight. The F4 is finally going to get together at Tsukasa's house. It is a birthday party for Makino. It will be like old times.
I arrive at the party and am greeted by Makino. She looks great. Granted, she might be of plain looks, but there is an energy about her that just touches you, that's her charm.
"Happy Birthday Makino."
"Thank you Mimasaka-san. I told him that I did not want him to go overboard with the celebration and look at what he did. That stupid man!"
"As the fiance to the Donjouyi heir, appearances must be kept. "
"I know. But that doesn't mean I can't bug him about it." She answered with a smile. "As long as my friends are here, then everything else does not matter. Let's go meet the others."
She smiled and led me to Tsukasa's private study. I see Rui leaning on the couch watching Tsukasa and Makino start to argue. He looks at me as he says: "They don't change, do they?"
"Let's hope not!" I answer with a smile. We talk about our lives, business as usual. He is surprised that I was not seeing anyone. I am a bit surprised as well. Things tend to change sometimes without us realizing it. I've been so busy with school and handling the family's business that I haven't had a chance to even think of returning to my womanizing ways.
I hear the door open and a shy Yuki walks into the room. The squeal from Makino is excited and happy. I see them hug and talk over each other.
"Long time no see Yuki-san." I break into their conversation.
"Oh, hello. Mimasaka-san. Hanazawa-san. It's been a while. "
Makino pulls her towards the door, "Come with me Yuki, I want to show you something." They leave the room and I see the forlorn look on Tsukasa's face and can't help but laugh.
"Man you are so whipped!!"
"Shut up!" he yells at me, glaring.
"Hey guys! You miss me?" Sujiroh's happy voice made us turn to the door.
"Of course not! "
"Hey Sujiroh, Yuki-san will be very glad to see you." I said, as I walked to the mini bar to get a drink.
"Damn, I forgot that she was going to be here. I hope she doesn't cling to me like in the past and that she has finally understood that I am never going to be with her. She is just not the type of girl I go for. Don't get me wrong, she is sweet, but she does not have the elegance or beauty that the girls I date have. You'd think she would get the idea by now." His voice sounded bored with the topic.
From the mini bar I had plain view of the door; I noticed a small movement by it. Yuki had the door ajar about to enter; she stood there silently listening to Sujiroh's speech. Yuki's eye glittered with unshed tears. One hand gripping the door handle tightly and her other hand balled into a fist. I pretended not to see her. I knew she had been hurt by his words and yet there was nothing that I could do.
"Sujiroh, aren't you being a little too harsh?" Tsukasa asked him.
"Why should I pretend that I am interested in her when I am not? It would not be fair to her. She is a great girl but not the kind for me."
I see her take a deep breath and straightened up. She opens the door and walks into the room.
"Domyouji-san, Makino asked me to get you, she says that it is time for the cake."
"Thanks Yuki." Tsukasa said as he stood to walk out the door, "Let's go everyone, time to party!"
"Hello Yuki-san. " I saw her stiffen slightly, but the smile did not falter. Good for her!
"Hello Nishikado-san. It is good to see you. I trust you are doing well." Her voice polite and with no trace of her sadness in it.
"Yes, it is nice to be back, even if it is only for a little bit. It is also good to see you, you are looking lovely tonight." I was surprised at his comment and I took a closer look at her and couldn't help but agree.
"Thank you for the compliment, you are too kind."
"Do you know what kind of cake Makino is talking about?" I asked, giving her the reprieve she needed.
"I have no idea what it is, but I am sure that chocolate is involved." Her relieved eyes turned to me and she answered with a smile.
We walked out of the study in silence, and joined the party. Between mingling with the guests, some of which were people my family has done business with, and teasing the rest of the F4, I had little time to think about Yuki. As I walked out of one of the balconies overlooking the garden, I found her there, leaning against the rail enjoying the sight and in serious thought.
"Are you ok?" I asked
She seemed surprised by my presence, "Yes. Why would you ask that?" she never turned to look at me.
"You said you understood that he could never love you."
She turned to me then, surprised that I knew she had heard Sujiroh's words.
"Mimasaka-san, have you ever been in love?"
"No."
"You can't just stop loving someone overnight. My mind knows that he can never love me, but my heart still loves him. It will be a while before I can stop feeling this pain. Tonight will help me heal, it hurts a little now, but eventually it will be better." She turned her face from me and I couldn't help but admire her strength.
"How come you and I never talk?" I found myself asking
"What do you mean? We do talk."
"I don't mean just polite conversations. We know of each other but we are not really friends. Why is that?"
"I don't know Mimasaka-san. I guess we just never had anything to say to each other."
"I would like for us to be friends Yuki-san."
She turned to me with a soft smile and answered, "We already are."
The rest of the night was filled with laughter and light banter with the rest of the F4 and Makino. Her smile never faltered and she treated Sujiroh no different. Bur her eyes betrayed the disillusionment. It seemed that I was the only one that saw it, and that was ok. We were friends now and friends look out for each other.
