Ai Yori Aoshi - Koi
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I'm dealing with it, so can you.
It's been a busy day for me. I feel guilty for being at work and doing this, but I'm a multi-tasker. I'll probably submit this and call it a day though. How are you enjoying the story? I'm feeling very proud of it myself and can't wait until I have it all written out.
Chapter 4 – Snow Covered Promises
Kaoru's professor applauded him for such an enviable position.
"The Sakuraba Corporation is well respected in the business community." Professor Itzuki said as she filed the paperwork in Kaoru's records. "You're a very lucky young man. At your age, to be offered a position in one of the biggest corporations in Japan. I'm very proud of you."
"Arigatou, sensei." Kaoru said and bowed.
"All that remains now is the completion of your final class." Professor Itzuki glanced over her paperwork. "I see that you have arranged for your final to be a thesis paper, so no heavy class load. The thesis you have to prepare and present before the semester ends, however, is a rather demanding explanation of everything involved with the corporate business world."
She looked up and smiled. "I have complete confidence in you, Honjo-san."
He smiled as he left the building for his next stop. He really was a lucky man. He had a wonderful fiancée waiting for him at home and a bright future ahead of him. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he wasn't watching his steps. He suddenly found himself falling backwards and focused in at his obstacle.
A dark haired girl looked up in annoyance at him from the ground. Kaoru blinked rapidly at her hazel brown eyes behind thin-framed glasses. She narrowed her eyes, but smiled at him. Kaoru could tell instantly that she wasn't mad.
"Can you watch where you're going?" she said in accented Japanese. He couldn't quite place her but felt as though she was not Japanese, despite her looks. She was petite, slender and obviously not overly endowed.
"Sumimasen, I wasn't paying attention." Kaoru said. "Are you alright?"
"Just fine." the girl answered. She smiled again and Kaoru felt a great sense of relief well up around him.
"Great." he said.
"I'd be better if you'd help me up," the girl said and Kaoru blushed and pulled the girl up. She shook her hair back from her face and winked at him.
"Arigatou." she said as she bent down to collect her fallen books. Kaoru knelt down to assist her.
"Are you new here?" Kaoru asked. "I haven't seen you before."
"You could say that," the girl answered. "I'm on vacation from my job and I wanted to come visit my mother. I was just on my way in to see her."
"Oh, does your Okaasan work here at the college?" Kaoru asked.
"Yes, my mother is Itzuki Miki." the girl responded. "I'm her daughter Raina." Kaoru started and grinned.
"I just came from your Okaasan's office." Kaoru grinned. "She's my supervisor this semester."
"Really?" Raina said and Kaoru noticed her smiled lessened. She seemed to grow thoughtful for a moment before the sunny smile returned.
"You must be Hanabishi Kaoru." Raina said. "My mother mentioned you among a few of the students she was overseeing on their internship."
"How'd you know which one I was?" Kaoru asked. Raina seemed to hesitate, but shrugged.
"You look like a Kaoru." Raina said. Then she grinned. "And your name is on your bag. Attached to that doll?"
Kaoru blinked and looked back. The doll Chika had made him two years ago with his name.
"You're pretty observant." Kaoru said. Raina laughed.
"Not that much." she said. "If I were, I wouldn't have let you knock into me."
Both laughed. The sound of the college clock bell rang out for 3 pm and Kaoru glanced at his watch.
I'm sorry, I have to get going." Kaoru said. "I'm sure I'll run into you again. No pun intended."
Raina laughed. "No pun implied." Kaoru bowed and hurried onto his next stop. Raina watched after him a few moments before collecting her bag. After checking to make sure the police issued handgun had not dislodged, she hurried on her way.
"Are you sure about this Raina?" Professor Miki Itzuki asked. She and Raina had returned to the little house off-campus that Professor Itzuki rented. She looked nervously at her daughter. In many ways, she was more like her father. But she didn't rush into decisions lightly and was careful about all observations. A good detective had to be.
"As sure as I am about anything, Mama." Raina replied. "I just met the guy and I don't want to believe he's capable of something like that."
"I never put the name Hanabishi together with the corporation." Miki said as she poured herself a glass of sherry. "He's such a gentle boy and so kind. Do you really think he could be capable of espionage and political manipulation?"
"The family certainly is." Raina said. "And that's why I'm here. We've got such a crisis in the Middle East right now; we don't need to add any worries of this. But the UN is concerned about powerful corporations supplying weapons and other things. They've already caught the Shimino Corporation doing just that."
"I heard about that." Miki said. "So what are you here to do?"
"I'm here to observe, that's it." Raina said. "I'm only to make a move if I absolutely have to."
Raina joined her mother with a drink. "You say this Kaoru changed his family name?"
"That's right." Miki said.
"He might not be anything to worry about, but certainly there's something suspicious in the Hanabishi house that I have to look into." Raina answered and took a sip. She turned to look out the window.
"No need to mention the other Hanabishi boy just yet." she thought.
Aoi worked tirelessly in the kitchen. Kaoru would be home soon and she wanted tonight's dinner to be extra special. Miyabi had hinted a resolution to the secret and Aoi was anxious enough without having dinner late.
"Aoi-san," Taeko called. "Have you seen Chika?"
"No, Taeko-san," Aoi answered. "At least, not in the past hour."
"Oh, I wanted to make sure she was ready for the swim meet tomorrow." Taeko said.
"I'm sure she's got everything, Tae-chin." Tina said, coming in with a bottle of soy sauce. "Here's that soy sauce you needed, Ooya-san."
"Arigatou, Tina-san." Aoi said. "Just set it over on the counter. Taeko-san, did you get the salmon patties fixed up?"
"Just about." Taeko answered. "Tonight must be pretty exciting for Hanabishi…I mean, Honjo-senpai. You're making all his favorites."
"I'm making everybody's favorite something." Aoi said.
"I'll go in and set the table." Taeko said. "Are we using the good china?"
"Uh, Tae-chin, maybe I should make the table." Tina said. "Why don't you finish up those salmon patties."
"Oh, okay, sure Tina-senpai." Taeko said and got to work. Aoi breathed a sigh or relief. She'd been afraid to let Taeko near the good china. Taeko was less klutzy then normal, but she still had accidents. Taeko had also been keeping to herself more after she was finished with work. Aoi had too much to think about to ask Taeko if she was troubled by something, but made a mental note to ask.
Tina was setting the last place when Chika came hurrying in. She looked wild and wet.
"IT'S SNOWING!" Chika cried out. Aoi and Taeko peeked from the kitchen in surprise.
"Really, Chika?" Tina asked?
"Come see for yourself!" Chika said and pulled Tina out to the yard.
The snow had only just started and wouldn't get very deep, but it was there all the same. Uzume and the cat swatted at the drifting flakes.
"How pretty!" Aoi exclaimed. "I can't remember when it last snowed."
"Taeko, do you see?" Chika asked as Taeko came out to see. Unfortunately, she slipped on the snow that had collected on the wooden porch and promptly toppled over, taking Aoi with her.
"Aoi-san!" Taeko and Tina exclaimed and helped the young woman to her feet. Aoi wiped the snow from her hair and smiled.
"Aoi-chan, are you okay?"
Aoi turned around and saw Kaoru standing in the yard, looking concerned.
"It's my fault, Hanabi…I mean Honjo-senpai." Taeko said. "I had a klutz attack and knocked Aoi-san over."
"I'm quite alright, Taeko-san." Aoi said. She smiled at Kaoru but Kaoru pulled her to her feet.
"You've got a cut on your cheek, Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. "Let's clean it up."
"Oh, but dinner is…," Aoi started to say.
"Don't worry, Aoi-neechan." Chika said. "We can finish things up and get them cooking."
Aoi let herself be led away to Kaoru's room where he kept a first aid kit. Aoi sat down on his futon and sighed heavily.
"Appearing at dinner in such a state," Aoi pouted. "Rather embarrassing."
"I don't think so." Kaoru said with a smile. "I think you'll look cute. And it's not a bad cut, so we'll put a small bandage on it."
"Arigatou, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said. "Did you have a good day?"
"Pretty busy." Kaoru said as he began to clean Aoi's cheek. "I had all my records changed to my new family name. And…I went to see…my mother."
Aoi nodded sadly. "I'm sure she is very proud of you, Kaoru-sama."
Kaoru finished the cleaning and placed a small bandage on Aoi's cheek.
"All done." he said. Aoi fidgeted slightly with it.
"It's a little scratchy." Aoi said. Kaoru smiled at her. Looking back later, he could never tell what prompted his actions, but he felt moved to. Kaoru leaned forward slowly and kissed Aoi's cheek, letting his warm breath ease the discomfort. Aoi gasped in surprise.
"Aoi-chan." Kaoru whispered and there was a new emotion behind his voice. Desire. Aoi tingled as Kaoru caught her mouth with his own and slowly, he slipped his tongue across her lips. He hadn't planned on it, but Aoi's surprised gasp let his tongue in and he felt her own mouth and tongue mingling with his. They broke away, their faces as red as beets. Aoi gently touched her lips in nervous delight.
"I'm sorry, Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. "I-I didn't mean for that to happen."
"Kaoru-sama." Aoi said. "Don't be sorry. I-I…rather liked it." She glanced nervously up at him. Kaoru's eyes were wide in amazement.
"Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. "May I…May I kiss you again?"
Aoi blushed, nodded and Karou moved toward her with a new boldness. Hesitating only a moment, he deepened the kiss again and wrapped his arms around Aoi, who in turn, embraced him around the neck.
It took all Kaoru had to keep himself from moving further. Pulling away, he gazed dreamily at Aoi's face. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips rosy from his kiss and her eyes looked dreamily back at him.
"Dinner's probably almost ready." Kaoru said softly. "We should probably stop here."
"You're right." Aoi said and moved to stand, but Kaoru enveloped her in a tight embrace.
"But we'll have another chance, I think." Kaoru said. "Like on our wedding night?"
Aoi felt her heart skip a beat and the fluttering in her chest felt amazing.
"Kaoru-sama!" Aoi gave a joyful cry and hugged him tighter.
There was a sudden crash from the house and a wail of Taeko. Aoi sighed against Kaoru's chest.
"We'd better go." Aoi said and the couple exited the room, paying attention to everything but the shadowed figure outside Kaoru's room.
Dinner was cheerful, but oddly quiet at times. Mayu had come for dinner as always, but had seemed oddly quiet most of the evening. There was a closed off look in her eyes that Miyabi was concerned about.
"Attention everyone!" Tina shouted. "I want to make a toast! To Honjo Kaoru! All the best on your final leg of college and good luck in your new job!"
"Campai!" the table resounded. Kaoru smiled and looked around the table. His eyes landed on Mayu, who had not moved at all.
"Here's to Ooya-san." Tina said. "For a great dinner and many more to come, I'll bet. Campai!" Tina shouted and drank deeply from her glass.
"I'd like to make a toast too." Aoi said. She stood and raised her class. "To the family we have made here. Let us forever be together in our hearts for we are tied by Enishi."
Everyone raised his or her glasses, except Mayu. Mayu stood and fixed an evil stare at Aoi.
"I think someone cut my tie, Aoi-san." Mayu said and a chill seemed to fill the room. Kaoru looked nervously at Mayu.
"You might as well tell everybody, Aoi-san." Mayu said, spiting the name out. "Or would you rather wait until your wedding night?"
Aoi's eyes widened. Mayu had seen them kiss, heard their conversation. And had become enraged.
"Hanabishi-sama, I don't blame you." Mayu said, turning to look at Kaoru. "A great and benevolent person like you probably felt sorry for this girl. But don't let her fool you."
Mayu came around the table. Aoi backed up nervously and Karou rose up after her.
"Poor little girl." Mayu sneered. "You couldn't stand to let Kaoru get away after you'd sunk your claws in. When he broke his engagement, you just had to come after him and drag him back. You couldn't even respect you family's wishes by obeying them."
"Mayu-san, I…"Aoi started.
"It's Miyuki-san, you bitch." Mayu spat and struck Aoi across the face.
"And you just had to hide how you felt, letting all of us get sucked into this little game you planned out."
Aoi touched her stinging cheek. Kaoru stepped between them.
"Mayu, that's enough. You're way out of line." Karou said and everyone in the room watched in fear as Kaoru showed the first real anger they'd ever seen.
"Oh, Hanabishi-sama, don't you see?" Mayu said. "You don't have to marry her. You don't owe her anything. She's just some puppet to be passed off to any man so she and her family can get richer and richer."
"That's enough!" Karou shouted. "Mayu, I want you to leave. And do all of us the kindness of not coming back."
Mayu's eyes widened in fear and hurt and narrowed toward Aoi.
"I'll get him away from you." Mayu said. "And I'll make sure that you feel exactly the way all of us feel right now."
Mayu stormed from the house and the door slammed hard.
Kaoru looked around at the table. Tina and Chika looked nervously at him. Miyabi had moved to examine Aoi and Taeko stared in shock.
"Taeko-chan." Kaoru said. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you."
Taeko abruptly stood and fled the room. Kaoru looked back at Aoi and saw the tears of shame, guilt and pain coursing down her face. Then, Aoi also ran from the room.
"Kaoru, it's alright." Tina said, trying to comfort her friend. "Taeko's tough, she'll be fine."
"I know. I'm going to talk to her later." Kaoru said. "But I'm worried about Aoi. I'm afraid for her because of Mayu."
"I never did like that girl." Tina said. "But I can't imagine she'd be as vicious as she was acting."
"I don't know." Kaoru said. He looked up at Chika. She watched him nervously.
"Shouldn't you be going to bed?" Kaoru asked. "You've got that swim meet tomorrow."
"Will Aoi-neechan be okay?" Chika asked. "I've never seen her so upset."
"She'll be fine." Kaoru said. "I'm going to go check on her."
"Good night, Kaoru." Tina said and squeezed his hand. Chika gave him a kiss on his cheek. Kaoru headed upstairs to Aoi's room. Miyabi was coming out of the room.
"Kaoru-dono." Miyabi said. "Aoi-sama seems very shaken. I'm going to bring her something tea to help her relax."
"May I go in and see her?" Kaoru asked. Miyabi nodded and walked away. Kaoru entered the room. The lights were dimmed and Aoi was sitting by the window. The window was opened and Aoi ran her fingers through the snow-covered sill.
"Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. He sat down close to her, but Aoi did not respond to his closeness.
"Kaoru-sama." Aoi said softly. "Please forgive me. I know this is causing you such trouble and pain. And Taeko-san. She must feel so hurt."
"Aoi-chan, it'll be alright." Kaoru said. "I promise you that everything will be fine."
"And Mayu-san." Aoi said and swallowed a sob. "She was so cruel."
"She was angry, but she's gone and not coming back." Kaoru said. "I won't let her do anything to you."
Aoi turned and Kaoru winced at the welt on her cheek. He gingerly touched her face. Aoi's last reserve fell and she began to sob deeply against him. Kaoru held her tightly to him and allowed a few tears of his own to fall.
"Aoi-chan, listen a moment." Kaoru said. "I was going to do this at dinner, but things worked out badly. So, I'll do it now."
Kaoru pulled from his pocket a small box. Aoi opened it and saw a beautiful gold band. Inscribed on it was the word "Koi."
"Sakuraba Aoi, I want you to be my wife." Kaoru said. "I know this ring isn't much, but please wear it."
Aoi felt more tears pool in her eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy. She hugged Kaoru tightly and tucked herself under his chin.
"Kaoru-sama, you know the answer already. I want nothing more than to be your wife!"
A winter wind blew softly through the window, carrying snow with it and the wind and snow blew against the couple. When Miyabi came in a few moments later, she found them wrapped in each other's arms, gazing out at the snowy sky. Miyabi left the tea for them and went to bed.
Mayu poured another glass of sake and gave a small hiccup. She was barely aware of someone sitting down beside her in her booth.
"This is a private pity party," Mayu said. "Do you have an invitation?"
"No, but I have some more sake, if you'd like to share."
Mayu tried to focus her bleary vision on the speaker. It was a pale young man with dark hair and eyes.
"Why not." Mayu shrugged. "I suppose this is the best I'll do for a date in my lifetime. My name is Miyuki Mayu."
"I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Hanabishi Kanaye."
To Be Continued.
Well, this concludes chapter 4 and I'm pretty excited about where this is going. How 'bout you? Read and review and let me know. Again, I'm not trying to offend any Mayu lovers out there, but wait until you see what's gonna happen.
Stay cool minna! From here on in, this will be fun!