BITTER SWEETS

a JUNJOU ROMANTICA fan-fiction

starring the DYNASTY couple! a.k.a MizukiXKaoruko

ch 4.

STORY OCCURS after Kaoruko and Mizuki leave the airport in Junjou Romantica 3 ep 3…..

Mizuki awoke the next morning with one of the worst hangovers he'd ever had. Generally, no matter his mood, he didn't have time to drink much; so to say he was a lightweight was an understatement.

Even the low buzz of his cell, nearly splits his head in two. Mizuki reaches for the phone and reads his mail.

hôtel en peluche

Status: rm 1089 Confirmed

Departure time: 9:38 am

Reference # 6081174

We Thank you for you continued Patronage and hope you enjoyed your stay with us at hôtel en peluche

Mizuki suddenly felt very aware and alert and while his head ache continued to throb between his temples he suddenly realized the time. It was 10:46am. The email had come to him alerting him of Kaurouko's departure from the hotel he'd booked for her, it had been a little over an hour ago. Mizuki felt miserable. He'd every intention of going by her room with some excuse to see her, assuming she'd stay a few days longer. He wanted to apologize for all the stupid things he'd said to her the night before.

Mizuki: (irritated) "When did you first realize it wasn't gonna work out with Takahashi-kun?"

Kaoruko: (surprised) "-"

Mizuki: (mean) "I mean realistically, if I know… You know right?"

He couldn't believe his own awfulness. He'd really escalated the situation this time.

[HôTEL EN PELUCHE]

Mizuki wasn't sure exactly what he was doing. He knew she wasnt there, but he found himself checking into the same room Kaoruko had occupied the day before.

As Mizuki opened the door to the room he was surprised to find all of the gifts 'Uncle Fuyuhiko' had sent her were still strown throughout the suite.

Mizuki knew he was still a bit buzzed but he knew that surely a posh hotel like this wouldn't have let a guest enter a room that hadn't been cleaned.

Mizuki reached the bed, took a seat a midst the disheveled covers and quickly made a call to the front desk.

Mizuki: (professional) "this is Shiiba in room 1089. It appears the room hasn't been cleaned since the last inhabitant checked out."

Consierge: (apologetic) "Monsieur you have my deepest apolologies. My staff assumed that since the room had been paid for on the same account that you and your wife would prefer her belongings stay in the room."

Mizuki: (professional) "an understandable mistake but unfortunately mrs. Shiiba will not be rejoining me and I'd like to sleep in a clean room tonight.

Consierge: (apologetic) " of corse sir. Shall we have mrs. Shiiba's belongings gathered and mailed to another location?"

Mizuki: (depressed) "no need. Just tell them to bring garbage bags."

Consierge: (apologetic) " yes sir. Right away sir."

It had been a while since Mizuki had felt this desolate.

His darkest times always seemed to be associated with the privileged young lady who once again had left him face first in the dirt. It was sickning the churning in his stomach just thinking about all the days of his life she'd unknowingly ruined most likely without even realizing how her actions so negatively affected him.

Each time she'd move off to another corner of the world, every time she mastered an new skill of earned a new degree, he felt he'd always be playing a demented game of catch up that he hadn't the slightest chance of winning. Here he sat in the wake of another of her departures. Feeling suddenly very tired Mizuki allowed his heavy head to hit the slept on bed sheets. Taking a deep breath had been a mistake. He could smell what he assumed was her perfume, he'd never gotten close enough to know for sure, but it made since that the sophisticated mixing aroma of light floral and something a kin to the domesticity of sugar cookies was what a person like Kaoruko must smell like.

Mizuki's confused and depressed mind grabbed at the sheet of the bed unintentionally pulling what he recognized as the red kimono he'd bought her over his face. As he took in a deep breath he guessed she hadn't even worn it as the smell from the sheet wasn't drenched into the seams on the silk kimono. He didn't know if he should feel hurt of angry. He knew Kaoruko loved this color but Mizuki hated it. It reminded him of strawberries which reminded him of Haruhiko and his engagement to Kaoruko and ultimately the whole reason Kaoruko met Misaki Takahashi in the first place. The color seemed to be just another reminder of another day she'd ruined.

Mizuki couldn't help but feel bitter thinking back on such dark days. How his uncle who he'd always believed to be on his side had so easily betrothed his niece to his eldest son, despite knowing the obvious feeling Mizuki held for her. How quickly she'd run to Akihiko-niisan's side. How she'd fallen for a commoner like Misaki despite all his efforts to become a better man. Thinking back it hadn't been only his emotional well being on the line at the time. When he'd confronted his uncle as to his reasons for the sudden betrothal his uncle had made statements such as "None of your concern.." and "It'd be best to say clear of these affairs…" It had almost seemed like he wouldn't make it out of the situation emotionally or financially unscathed, considering his Uncle's influence and his cousin (Haruhiko') involvement.

Thinking back on his impetuousness, the current Mizuki still wasn't sure how the 22yr old version of himself had kept his job after the confrontation he'd had with Haruhiko in reguards to his feelings about 'Kaoruko's freewill'. Had Haruhiko actually wanted to marry her, Mizuki still to this day believed he'd have been immediately fired and most likely blackballed from most of the prestigious companies in the world, or at least the ones that had any dealings with the Usami group.

Kaoruko's freewill….

Something he deeply respected about her was also something he desperately wanted to take from her.

No point in thinking about it now. She was gone. He'd go about his life, and wait until the next time fate smiled upon him and put her back in his path or the next time he could somehow plant him self in hers.

Lying amidst her used sheets, taking in her smell cleared his head like he never would have thought. Steadying his mind to sit up and re-call the front desk (who'd still not arrived) Mizuki heard a sound from the bathroom. Sitting up he looked to the door which was maybe 20 feet away from him. He noticed for the first time that light was peeking out from under the closed door. The sound he heard might have bee the water in the shower turning off? How could he have missed that it was on in the first place? And who had turned it off?

As he picked up the phone to call security the handle moved. He heard the phone ring. And the door opened. Mizuki dropped the phone in shock just as the concierge picked up.

Kaoruko Usami, wet hair, in nothing but a bit of towel walked directly toward him, bent down and picked up the phone as if she'd been the one to make the call.

Kaoruko:

(shocked/amazed) "Yes. Thank you, yes he's arrived. I do so appreciate your help in surprising Mr. Shiiba."

(firm/annoyed) "NO. That wont be nessicary at all, I'll be packing my belongings straight away so there will be no need for the garbage bags."

Mizuki couldn't imagine the look he must have had on his face at that moment.

Kaoruko:

(shocked/amazed) "Yes. I'll still be enjoying a meal at Mr. Shiba's expense. Please make sure to prepare your finest wine. Before dinner though, um in about an hour, I'd like it if you'd bring up a plate of fresh strawberries in cream please."

Mizuki flinches and makes a bitter face. Reading the atmosphere Kaoruko changes her order.

Kaoruko:

(mischeviously) "No, make that strawberries in dark chocolate."

Kaoruko swifty put the phone back on the reciver. She snatches her kimono from Mizuki's lap.

Kaoruko:

(irritated) "You better not have wrinkled it too badly."

end ch 4.