Are You For REAL?
Chapter 4: When the Dice are Rollin'
Takumi
I was that close to telling the truth. I finally had an opening and I blew it. I really need to get a hold of myself. I must be able to control myself. The moment she turns those eyes on me I turn blank. My mind is a static mess. Keeping up with this role play is as hard as walking on water. To deceive her in the first place is as harsh as I could get. Of all the things, I do not want to keep a lie going for a long time, it's enough that I managed to fool her now I need to break it to her gently. Really gently. With utmost care.
Decided on my resolve I walked my way to the kitchen where I smell something cooking. Literally something.
Now I find myself staring at the back of the woman who had let me into her life without a second glance. She busies herself with cooking, but I found out days ago that she couldn't even cook rice properly. I never complain though, I feel more gratitude than disapproval of her actions. It's not every day after all that someone bothers to cook for me. In a sense, I am happy.
"Takumi, I burnt the eggs again. I'm sorry. I guess I'll just have to buy takeout for you." She said, her eyes cast down, guilty that she couldn't serve her guest proper food.
"It's okay I'll eat them Misa-chan." I say with cheer, hoping I could get her spirits up.
"Fine, don't blame me if you get sick." So she set the eggs on my favorite sparkly plate and placed a pink spoon and fork along with it. I realized now that the egg was supposed to resemble a heart. I think I may be getting a hang of this 'gay' thing. And Pink is definitely my new favorite color as it happens.
Misaki seems down today, I wonder if something happened. If something did, then I was probably on planet Venus at that time.
"Misaki do you need to talk? We could always have a little girl chat." She looks back at me, eyes a little hazy.
"I think I'm okay." She says as she takes a seat.
"You think you are but truly you are not." I say, my brow raised. I took a forkful of the eggs. It took a few seconds to register in my mind that the egg is very sweet. She might have used the sugar instead of salt. Still I swallow it all.
She doesn't respond but simply sigh. What is wrong with my feisty little friend today? She's usually loud in the morning, especially when I don't get my ass working. I miss the loud Misaki.
"You know, I wasn't joking when I said we could have a little girl talk." She ignores me and looks out the window. Her attention is fleeting, she is thinking of something very deep... probably. And so, she was silent the whole time I ate my food and when it was time for me to clean up she still sat there her elbow resting on the table and chin on her palm. I was tempted to shake her off her trance but decided against it. I don't know what she would do.
I simply went on the whole afternoon doing the chores with her without so much as a conversation. I do not seek her attention that bad but the silence is deafening.
"Are you mad at me Misaki?" I asked without hesitation but filled with frustration.
"No." Was her simple reply.
"Do you wish for me to leave?" She paused for a moment then answered "No."
"Then could you please tell me what's wrong?" Turning her back to me, she took a seat and hugged a pillow.
"You've been in a relationship before, right Takumi?" Oh, she is actually going to open up to me. This is quite strange. She really took up my offer for some girl talk. And I am not ready for it.
"No- I mean yeah, you remember the 'guy'." I almost slipped. If I had said the truth of being single my whole life I would have had a catastrophe on my hands.
"Yeah, well let's say that you really like this guy. Like you've built your whole world around him, based your hopes and dreams around him I mean-"
"You're totally obsessed with him?" I say as if to help. She glares at me and I laugh. "Sorry, I just had to say it. Go on." I say with a flourish.
"As I was saying… ugh you get what I was trying to say right?" I nod enthusiastically. I can say that she was totally stuck up on this guy.
"Then there he goes breaking things off so suddenly, without giving you any concrete reasons. He completely blocked you out of his life. Wouldn't that get you upset?" Wow, this love boat is sinking fast. This is quite a conversation now isn't it?
"I would be pissed. Then again, I would think that maybe I would be better off without that jerk because I deserve better?" I hope she gets the message because I know she just told me what really happened and that it might have happened some time ago but she never really got over it. She does deserve someone better. If what she said was truly the case, someone who is not an ass for starters would be nice.
"But what if he was a really nice guy, cool even." I am completely perplexed. Is this the Misa I know? It cannot be, surely it cannot.
"Maybe he was just pretending…" I say, I have seen the guy. He looks like a total player to me. And they say only women have that kind of instincts.
"So you're saying I am stupid?" I have no idea what in the world is going on! Misaki is going to full rampage mode and I have not written my will and testament yet. She's acting like Godzilla here.
"I thought we were assuming I was the one who got dumped? I never said anything about you." And at that Misaki calmed down and took a seat at the sofa. Yet again her back was to me, then suddenly I see her shoulders shaking and I hear a quiet sob.
I sat down beside her and slowly wrapped an arm around her and rested her head on my chest. I gently pat her head, I do not know what to do. I have never comforted a crying girl before, let alone a brokenhearted one. So I let the soft glow of the sunset soothe her and maybe somehow she secretly opened her eyes and saw how beautiful it was.
Misaki
Memories are one of the hardest things to forget because the feeling will always stay with you. I hated that part of life, I just wanted to wish it all away and live my life like I had never been hurt before. I have had a lot of struggles but this by far may be the most painful one I have had. You don't throw away five freaking years of laughter, happiness and love. You just don't. It is so wrong but then it happened anyway and now I'm left alone.
Takumi is probably wondering why I am in such a mess right now. I should apologize later for blowing up on him like that. My life was actually starting to fall back into place. Before Takumi came, I locked myself up in my home for a month and when I finally agreed to that disastrous blind date, I met him. I owe him one for a lot of things.
I woke up and found myself lying on the couch with a blanket over me. It was dark but I can see with the moonlight shining through just enough to help me see a little. The apartment was eerily quiet. Too quiet. Last time I remembered Takumi was…holding me?
"Takumi?" I stood up and walked around. I searched in the rooms but found no one. He is definitely not in the Kitchen. Why is it so dark here anyway? I slowly made my way to the bathroom.
"Crap, who left this here?" There's a box of soap on the floor and I almost slipped. This must be Takumi's doing. Where in the world is he? I went back to the living room and groped for the light switch. I hear the clicking sound but the lights didn't come on. Oh no. I try again but to no avail. I'm pretty sure I paid my bills. Just then I hear something and it's coming closer!
"Ah grab something Misaki!" I mutter to myself. Groping in the dark I come across something cold and hard, something metal. This is perfect. I ready myself and wait for the uninvited guest when something grabbed me by the shoulders. "Shit!" I swung hard and hit something. Then I hear a groan it sounded like-
"Misaki?" Oh no I hit Takumi!
"Oh my I'm sorry Takumi you scared me back there. Don't sneak up on me like that." I say helping him up.
"You're a nervous wreck Misaki. But wow, with a swing like that you'd be great in baseball." I still can't see clearly but I think his head is bleeding. Ah what have I done? I rush to the light switch but it still won't turn on.
"Why won't it work damn it."
"There was a power outage. I went outside to check, it looks like the whole district is on a black out."
"How am I supposed to treat your wound then?" I see him smile. "It is absolutely fine Misaki. I won't die just yet."
"Idiot you're bleeding." Takumi made a face "I wasn't the one who swung."
"Well you shouldn't have snuck up on me! I thought you were some burglar." He laughed at me, the nerve of this guy.
"Where in the word would you see a burglar dressed up in neon colors?" Now that I look at it he's wearing some Neon pink sweatshirt and a glow in the dark headband. I guess he doesn't keep up the refined look when at home.
"Oh shut up." Just as I was about to go call the electric company the power suddenly came back on. I had a full view of Takumi and his bleeding head.
"Takumi, I really need to get that wound treated right now. You're losing a lot of blood!"
"I'll be fine Misa-chan." He slowly fell on the sofa and closed his eyes.
"Idiot, I'm getting the first aid kit. Stay there."
I went inside my room and grabbed the first aid kit where I found barely enough supplies to treat his wound.
"Misa-chan, is this what it feels like to have menstruation?" He says as I get back to him. What the hell?
"Idiot! That's not how it works."
"But look at all the blood Misa-chan, it's gushing." Ugh, he's back to being annoying.
"The blood doesn't come out from your head stupid."
"But it still comes out anyway." He says with a smirk. I hit his arm. "Pervert."
"Oh come on Misa-chan, we're both girls here."
"Screw that, you're technically a guy." He feigns hurt and wipes a non-existent tear form his eye.
"That's so cruel Misa-chan, after I stayed with you a while ago. You won't even let me live out my dream of being a woman. But of course, I'll be prettier and better dressed than Misaki if I decide to fully become a woman."
For some reason that totally hit a nerve. Prettier? Seriously, Takumi prettier than me?
"Oh don't worry Misa-chan. I'll give you a makeover. Let's have a slumber party!" I raise my hand in opposition.
"Hey, don't just decide things on your own. This is my house." He sticks out his tongue to me.
"Boohoo, have some fun Misaki. Come on girl, let's invite Sakura." I guess there's no arguing with him on this one.
"Fine, but I'm not fixing the food."
"I gladly volunteer. Just leave it all up to me."
Takumi
"Tell me again why I'm here?" Sakura asked as I opened the door for her.
"It's a little cheer up party for Misaki." She hesitated before coming in
"You didn't force her into doing this did you?"
"Nope. I persuaded her to do this. Big difference" I say waving away her concern. It would be queer to have just myself and Misaki for a slumber party.
"Ah Sakura is that you?" We hear Misaki calling out from the kitchen. I volunteered to do the cooking but she said she needed to do something first.
Sakura and I took our seats on the couch when Misaki emerged from the kitchen with a big bowl of caramel popcorn and what looks a like a bottle of vodka.
"Misaki why do you have that with you?" Sakura points at the bottle, a horrified expression on her face, as if remembering an unwanted memory.
"Don't worry, it won't happen again." Misaki says nonchalantly. She placed the popcorn and Vodka on the table and turned on the television. I turned at Sakura who was still looking suspiciously at Misaki. Misaki flashes her a smile and a thumbs up. What the hell is going on?
"Are we going to watch a movie Misaki?" I asked, breaking the tension.
"Well there was this movie that I wanted to watch with you guys. It's on in 10 minutes." Apparently the television says otherwise. There was nothing on but static. Sakura reached for the remote and turned it off.
"So much for the movie." Misaki sighs and grabs a handful of popcorn. "Let's just play a game…-Sakura was eyeing her carefully now- of Monopoly."
"Seriously, you still play that game?" I asked laughing at her.
"Why? Didn't you have a childhood?" She retorted. Ouch, that actually hit a spot. Because frankly I didn't have a proper one.
"I bet you I could beat your sorry ass hands down." I can see the fire burning in her eyes. Misaki was never the girl to back down from a challenge.
"I bet your sorry ass you couldn't." I give her a smirk.
"Sorry Misa-chan but my sorry ass isn't up for stakes. How about that bottle of Vodka over there?" She glances at it nervously. I can feel Sakura glaring at me.
"What about it?" Hmmm what is a good term for that Vodka?
"Take a shot for every hotel I build and if you lose, gulp it down till the last drop." That's when Sakura went on full rage.
"No, absolutely not! Misaki do you even remember what you did last time you were drunk?" Misaki turns beet red and mutters something to herself.
"We can't hear you Misaki." I say. I am curious what this whole fiasco is about.
"I remember and I won't do it again. I promise. And besides Takumi's been teasing me all day, it's like he's asking for trouble. There's no way I'm going to let him beat me at a child's game." She scoffs. Ah Misaki's pride is standing so high, you have to admire it sometimes.
"Well then, that settles it. A shot per hotel built, loser gets drunk and hopefully reveals an awesome and stupid secret." Sakura grit her teeth and stared at me hard.
"What you can join too Sakura-chan!" I say giving her the top hat.
"If Misaki does anything stupid it will be your fault."
"I shall take full responsibility for Misaki's future misdeeds." Misaki eyes me this time but I ignore her completely. It's game time. I take the dog and place it on the board. Misaki chooses the car.
"Alright then, I'm going to sweep the floor with you gals."
I roll the dice.
Misaki
"I see ponies everywhere teehee *hiccup*" Okay I am officially drunk. Drunk, drunk, drunk. And it's all stupid Takumi's fault. How can he be this good at Monopoly? He has practically monopolized the whole game (which I know is the point but is still annoying). I only have three measly properties and Sakura two. Come on now this is bull.
"Misaki, you're looking a little red." Takumi chimes. Screw him.
"Wh-who's red eh? Santa Cwaus is it? Hohohohohoho. I sound like him." I'd probably forget all about this stupid crap going on right now, and my dignity along with it.
"You're so cute Misa-chan. Ready to drink another shot?" Takumi rolls the dice and lands a double six. Damn him he can upgrade to another hotel.
"Yaaay more for me. Shots, shots, shots!" Somebody please kill me now. I am not good when intoxicated. Nonetheless, drunk me took the shot and gulped it down pretty easily. I can hear Sakura saying something about me being too drunk but I don't care right now.
"My turn *hiccup* hehehe." Hmmm I surprised I managed to grab hold of the dice but tossing it is another thing. I accidentally threw it at Sakura who didn't looked too happy about it.
"Misaki you're drunk already! Just stop this already. You tell her Takumi!"
"No we're not shtopping. We go wooo!" Ugh if only I could stop myself right? This is beyond embarrassing.
"Misa-chan I think we should stop. I didn't know you'd get this drunk just after a few shots."
"That's what I've been telling you!" Sakura retorted.
"Right, so I win okay Misaki? Let's stop now." Takumi proceeded to pack away the game board but I held his hand and stopped him midway.
"Why?" Drunk me doesn't want to stop playing, how cute.
"Because you need to rest."
"But that's so boring."
"We will play when you're sober."
"Yay free sorbet!"
"Look at what you did to her Takumi." Sakura says with a sigh. "Come on Misaki, let's get to sleep."
"But we haven't done each other's manicures yet. Come on, Takumiiiii help me."
"Uh-uh sorry Misa-chan. We girls need our beauty rest and alcohol isn't good for our complexion."
"Screw beauty rest. I don't want to sleep yet."
Sakura leads me to my bedroom with Takumi trailing behind us. I hear that squeaking sound again and I instinctively go to Takumi.
"Scary." Takumi pats my head. "Everything's fine Misaki." He led me to the bed and made me sit on it.
"Sakuraaaaaa let's trash Tora's house again." Oh crap no, no, no. Why brain, why have you betrayed me?
"Not a good idea Misaki. Come on." Sakura tries hard to push me on the bed but couldn't, I kept resisting just as hard.
"I saw the tiger at the maaaaaall teehee." Sakura just looked at me.
"He had another girl with him. She was so ugly hahaha."
"Misaki that's not a nice thing to say." Takumi chimed in.
"But she was! Fake boobs, fake butt all faaaaaake." May you rest in peace, my dignity.
Sakura said nothing. I think I saw her glare at Takumi.
"I hate him so much right now. He even sent me an invitation to their dinner party with his new lady friend, the asshole. I hate him." So I break down now huh? Hot tears are streaming down my face and I still continue to cuss. I feel Takumi gently lay me down on the bed and pull the covers over me. I can feel sleep slowly pulling me in a dream. Just one lastthing though; drunk or not, I think Tora should just rot in a sewer and never be found.
Takumi
After Misaki's breakdown, Sakura and I decided to have a little meeting in the kitchen.
"I just can't believe that guy. What did Misaki ever do to him?" Sakura asks almost in tears.
Right now, I would love to drive to his house and set it alight. He could burn along with it for all I care.
"Why did Misaki say again? Did this happen before?"
"That's why I don't like getting Misaki drunk. Last time, she called him on the phone and begged him to stay. When he hung up, she went to his house and beat up his car and smashed the windows to Tora's house."
Wow Misaki is scary as an ex-girlfriend.
"What happens now? I didn't think that a man like him would have so much impact on Misaki." I suddenly acquired this resolve to avenge my new found friend who is hurting yet took me in her wing regardless.
"We can set Misaki up on as much blind dates as we want but it won't change the fact that he wound her deeply. A problem like this couldn't be resolved with just having fun and being flirty."
"It's almost as if you're saying Misaki needs to get into a real, serious relationship."
Sakura scrunches her face. "I might be saying that but there's no suitable guys around here. I mean, we have to build up a solid bond first. It can't be just some stranger."
"Well then you should know someone. You've been with her for a long time now I presume?"
"Yes, we've been together since high school."
"So, anyone in mind?"
She gives out a sigh. "There is someone we know…"
Author's Random Ramble:
Greetings! Before you throw me off a river, I would like to apologize for the long update. So it turns out that college is more hectic than what I thought it would be. I feel like I've aged 20 years and I'm just on my first semester. I am so glad though that I found myself some Otaku friends. It makes college a little more bearable. I can't believe Christmas is just barely a month away. I really can't feel the festive cheer here, just dreadful agony (okay so maybe I'm exaggerating a little). So much for that, tell me what you guys think because honestly I don' know what to think anymore. Just know that you're reviews really keep me going. Love you guys. :)
Ja Mata! ^ _ ^v
