Won't you stay with me
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me
Sam Smith, Stay With Me
Recap:
Yoh and Anna attended a fund raising event in Hokkaido. Yoh took her to the rooftop and told her he would wait no matter how long it takes.
"We should get back. It's getting cold here."
"Yeah."
"But before that, I have something for you."
He handed Anna what seemed to be prayer beads.
"I borrowed that from my grandma."
"Okay…?" She replied.
"And this…"
He made her hold out her hand and then placed a handwritten note.
"Read the note when I leave," He paused
"What is up with you? Are you too shy to have me read it out loud? Is this a love letter?"
"Nothing of that sort. But it's really important for you to read everything. Something good will happen, I promise. I will wait for you downstairs when you're done."
"Can I do it at home?"
"Ehhh…?"
"Okay, fine."
"Alright."
Yoh closed the door behind him and heaved a sigh. He got startled when he bumped into Ren.
"You're doing exactly what?" Ren said, his tongari getting stiff from frustration.
"Shit Ren! I almost peed in my pants. What the heck are you doing here?"
"I did not give you that key for you to leave her with her floating ex."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You can't fool me. That's the 1000 beads Kino-obaasan carries with her."
With another defeated sigh, he spoke again.
"I had to."
The chinese businessman shook his head disapprovingly and clicked his tongue.
"You're hopeless."
"I know. Guess we just have to stick together like old times?"
"Hell no! I told you, I got a hot new date. You can stay here and sulk, moron."
"Uhh, okay. Thank you for rubbing that in."
"Anytime." He stopped midway "As the old saying goes, if you love her, set her free. If she comes back to you, then it's meant to be. You have got to stop torturing yourself Yoh. Just my two cents. You never listen to me anyway."
Ren left the vicinity. Yoh later followed suit. There was no need to see or hear the conversation that is taking place at his favorite spot. Why'd he do it anyways? What's the point? Ren was right, he's really hopeless.
Back at the rooftop, Anna opens the note and contemplates whether she'll read it or not.
Whatever.
"I place one for my father. A second for my mother. A third for my brothers back home…"
Is this even a poem? Stop being such a bitch Anna. I'm sure he must've spent a lifetime writing these for you, so.
"Mirror, descend upon my body. If this voice is heard over in the other world, stand up. If the sound of these beads are heard, come out now, Jason Ishimaru….wait…!"
A spirit of someone she knew so well appeared, as confused as she is.
"What-Anna?"
Jason is Taiki's english name. He studied overseas when he was a young boy and was given the monicker "Jason".
"I have no idea what I'm doing here. Did you ask him to…"
"No." She answered promptly.
"Did something happen? Did he hurt you?"
"Quite the opposite actually."
"So why am I here?"
"He made me summon you."
Taiki sighed and then asked her "Such an underhanded trick. He must be desperate. But most importantly, are you okay?"
"What's with that question?"
"I know you know what I mean."
"I...miss you. A lot. It's been hard. But I'm trying."
Taiki smiled weakly as he touched her cheek.
"Anna, if I could turn back the clock, I would. You know that. But it's time for you to move on with your life."
She knew it was difficult for him too, to say those words.
Anna started to well up with tears.
"That guy cares for you a lot. You just have to open up your heart to him like you did to me. Maybe, he's the one who's really meant for you in this lifetime and that maybe, we'll end up together in the next. Live, Anna. And be happy. You deserve it."
Anna looked down, unable to contain her sobs.
"I will always love you. Until we meet again."
Taiki gave her one last glance before he vanished. Anna was left in tears. And here she thought she was over him, but no matter how she deluded herself, she couldn't forget him. For Kami's sake, she was her first love. If it weren't for the damn contract, she wouldn't have left him. Maybe he'd still be alive today.
She found him standing beside his pick-up, headphones on. She instantly gave him a slap the moment she closed in, so hard that he almost fell down, and his headphones got removed in the process.
And there were no words spoken as she walked out on him.
Yoh sighed. He retrieved his headphones on the ground and mentally slapped himself before running after his wife.
"Anna, I'm so sorry. I thought…"
"How dare you play with my feelings like that?"
Great. You screwed up for the umteenth time, whoo! Here's a slow clap for you. Just when you thought things are getting a little bit better, you go right ahead and created a ploy to summon her ex-fiance from the dead, and force her to settle whatever closure or issues they have. Way to go, Yoh. Way. To. Go. Here's another slow clap.
"Here…" He took her hand and motioned for her to hit him again "I don't care. Swing at me as hard as you can. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. I thought maybe if you spoke to him again, you'll feel a little less lonely. I'm sorry, Anna, I really am."
She was going to slap him one more time but she didn't. His cheek was already swollen but he still acted like it doesn't hurt at all.
"Don't do that again."
"I promise. I'll do anything to make it up to you."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"That shouldn't be too hard." She spoke with lust and desire as she once again reached for his lips. ******
"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" Anna nodded and Yoh closed the gap between them.
What she asked him to do, is beyond her. Maybe this way, she'd figure out if they have the slightest spark to start something. Leave it to Anna to resort to getting intimate with Yoh.
He can't seem to focus on the breakfast she prepared. What happened last night - was incredible. Yet it seemed wrong.
"What, you don't like pancakes?" She asked.
"It's not that Anna...I-I'm sorry!" He bowed down.
"Why are you apologizing to me?"
"I just...I got carried away and," He stammered while he kept his head down. "I didn't mean to…"
"Sit down, Yoh."
Yoh complied but still avoided her gaze.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you." She commanded.
"What happened to us last night," She paused and blushed a bit "...and this morning, doesn't mean anything. So, stop thinking about it."
In truth, she couldn't stop thinking about it either. He's just the nicest guy. On the other hand, Yoh couldn't believe what she just said.
"Oh." Was all he could muster.
"What I mean is…"
"You don't have to explain. I-uh have something to settle in the office. Will you be okay by yourself today?"
She nodded.
"Okay, good. I better get going. Thank you for the food."
Lamest excuse ever.
She didn't see that he's clenching his fist until it turned white. He wanted to burst in anger. Instead, he gritted his teeth and walked away. He asked for this. He has to put up with this.
***At a club***
"I'm renting this place for the day. No one else can come in, you understand?"
The owner nodded.
"What the fuck, Yoh. It's too early to get drunk."
"Hey buddy, how was your date?"
"We really shouldn't kiss and tell, you know. Did you get some?"
"Fuck off."
"Ah, you did. Who's the lucky girl?"
"My wife."
"Ooh! Good for you, man. Why so glum then? What, she didn't like it?"
"What the hell…" He gave Ren a disgusted look.
"Is there something wrong with her? Or is there something wrong with you? Don't tell me… No, no." Ren snickered. "It can't be…"
Yoh is quiet as hell. The Tao heir was slackjawed.
"It...it can't be your first time, right?"
Yoh looked away.
"No, that can't be." Ren laughed hysterically after mocking his bestfriend. "Was it her first time?"
"Shut up!"
"But, really?"
"Of course not."
"I'm confused now."
"She said it doesn't mean anything to her. But it meant everything to me, because I love her, you know that. I love her so much, I'm about to lose my mind."
Ren shook his head once again.
"I don't know what to tell you."
"You seem like a person who always know what to say."
"I can tell you what you want to hear, Yoh. Something like, 'she'll come around and you'll live happily ever after' shit. But I'm your friend, so I'm not gonna lie to you."
"Sometimes, I wish you would."
"And miss out on making you feel miserable? Never in a million years."
"Hmmph. You're such a great friend, Ren."
"Indeed. I don't understand why you're so desperate to keep her-oh! You love her, don't remind me." He grabbed the bottle from Yoh's hands and drank.
"Tsk."
"Look, man. Screw the contract. Give her what she needs and go on your separate ways."
"She wanted to honor the deal."
"It can't always be about what she wants, Yoh. I'm starting to hate this woman."
"She saved my life-"
"And you saved hers too. I could not think of any other compelling reasons why you're - how do I phrase this - being a complete idiot?"
"Leave me alone."
"Love to, but it's fun seeing you this way. For one woman. Geez."
"If and when you find the one for you, I'm sure you'll do anything too."
"Pfft. Nonsense."
Anna opened the door and found Yoh and Ren standing in the front porch. Yoh was limping beside his bestfriend but still managed to fake a smile.
"Oh, heeeyyy Anna. Sorry, therewas a huge partyatthe office. Couldn't help myself" He slurred.
"Nah, he's drunk." Ren countered.
"Yeah, I can see that." She said sarcastically as she draped Yoh's other hand on her shoulders.
They helped him get onto bed. There was no use talking to him. He was totally out of it.
"I got this. You can leave first."
"Just so you're aware, he did that because of you."
"What?"
"Whatever." He waved his hand dismissively. "Get him to sober up. I'll drop by tomorrow to check on him. Good night Mrs. Asakura."
Anna removed his shoes and tie. She was finally able to put on fresh clothes on him after struggling to take everything off. Yoh would occasionally smile at her and tried to move on his own, but he was too dizzy to do anything right.
"You know I love you right?" He blurted out.
"Yes I know." She answered, annoyed.
"But you don't love me...right? Yeah, don't answer that. Sorry. I know the answer. I knew all along. I still love you though. Couldn't help it." He's still smiling at this point, like an idiot he is. "Stay with me, okay? I won't ask for anything else. I just want you stay with me. Please?"
"Okay."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Yoh snickered. "Thank you."
Anna didn't know what to do with him exactly. She knows he loves her dearly, and he knows she's yet to love him back. Will everything really work out in the end?
A/N: Ugh..this one was sitting in my drafts for some time now...just the first half. I hope this is okay. I'm piled up with work so... Anyway, thank you for the new follows and/or the reviews. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to read my stories. Stay tuned for the next chapter in...I don't know. Hahaha. I'll update soon.