Chapter 4
Midori led Hotaru to his office where he opened the mahogany door and ushered her inside. " Feel free to take a seat , " Midori said following her inside. Midori's office was surprisingly calming and less terrifying than she had expected. Hotaru mentally slapped herself. What had she been expecting to see? A bunch of straight jackets?! She plopped down in one of the visitors chairs that were in front of his rich dark-brown oak desk. Midori proceeded to shrug off his pea-coat and hung it on the coat rack. He took his lab coat and put it on. In his drawer he extracted his signature reading glasses and perched them on his nose. Midori settled down into his black leather office chair and flipped through his patients progress report files. Hotaru's green orbs analyzed the room. The walls were decorated with various paintings of flowers, butterflies, bears and trucks. Hotaru found her hand touching the canvas of the painting of a butterfly. The pink butterfly shimmered with glitter. "Do you like that one? " Midori asked. "Yes. It's cute. There's something about it that draws you in. It's almost other worldly," she said. "Oh? It's good to hear that you appreciate fine art. That piece was a gift from my patient," he said. Hotaru clapped her hands together as she felt a surge of inspiration. "Can she teach me?" she asked. "That might present a big problem. She's autistic so it might take a while for her to open up to you," he explained. "Tachibana understands," she said. The desk phone began to ring. Midori reached out and answered the phone while analyzing the file. " Hello," he said.
" Dr Midori. Your 8 am appointment has arrived. Should I send them up? " the receptionist asked. "Please do," Midori answered. Hotaru who had been captivated with Midori's office caught on the last bit of information. "Tachibana should leave after all she'll only be in Midori-san's way. She'll wait for you at the reception," Hotaru said standing up. Midori's pale blue eyes looked up at her . " Hotaru-chan don't leave. I actually require your assistance. You see I'm a bit short on help with Fujimoto gone and I haven't been able to find a suitable nurse. So I'd appreciate it if you could temporarily fill in that position" Midori explained.
" Eh! You want Tachibana to be a nurse. But I don't know what to do," she cried. Midori couldn't help the small laugh that escaped his lips. He supported himself with the armrest as he stood up. " I'll just tell you what I require and you can extract it from the equipment and supplies cabinet. But you'll be able to conduct things such as taking the patient's temperature right? " he said slinging his stethoscope around his neck. " Yes Midori-san . Tachibana will save lives today. I'll do my best," Hotaru said taking the challenge seriously. She would not let Midori down and tarnish his reputation. Midori patted her head and said," That's all I wanted to hear nurse Minori. You'll find a spare uniform in my second drawer. You can change behind the curtains where the examination table is," he said while extracting a writing pad and a pen.
Ichi couldn't understand why the hospital was buzzing with life today. The nurses were whispering and giggling which only meant one thing. A new rumor had been born. She spotted her colleague Sakura and decided to find out what was going in. "Sakura-chan," Ichi called out. The brown haired woman turned around to focus her attention on Ichi wondering what Ichi wanted. Everyone knew that Ichi always hung out with Dr Midori so naturally they thought that she and Midori were somehow involved in a relationship. But the appearance of this new woman,Minori ,was a game changer. And the way Dr Midori held onto her was too intimate to be professional. One could almost say he was being possessive. Sakura sympathized with Ichi who also faced unrequited love at the hands of the hospital's prince. " Ichi-chan. How are you? " Sakura asked. From the way Ichi was behaving Sakura could tell that she hadn't received the news. " I'm good. Sakura-chan do you know why everyone is so hyperactive today? " Ichi asked. Sakura felt terrible to be the one to tell Ichi ,who without a doubt would be the most affected by this .But someone had to do the dirty deed. "Ichi it's Dr Midori.. He brought his girlfriend to work today and I'm afraid it's not a sham like all those other times. This is the real deal," Sakura said. Ichi's eyes widened at the news. So it was true that Midori had found someone. Ichi ran to the elevator . She had to see what she was competing against no matter what the cost.
Midori was sipping a cup of green tea when he heard three knocks on the door. He instantly knew who it was and how terrible things would turn out if he didn't act fast. He had five seconds to decide. Hotaru found herself suddenly being pushed onto Midori's desk. Confusion lit up on her face at his sudden course of action. One minute they were sipping green tea and enjoying castelle and the next she was on top of his desk for God knows what reason. Hotaru tried to get down but Midori wouldn't let her. His hands remained on her waist. "Midori-san. What are you doing? " she asked alarmed. Midori stared into her eyes trying to find a simpler way to explain what he was about to do without facing much opposition. " Minori-chan you have play along with me and don't struggle. There's a slight chance you might end up in jail if you don't, " he added coolly. Hotaru's green eyes widened with fear."But why? What did I do?" she asked. "Trust me Minori-chan and do as I ask," he answered. The same three knocks came again. Hotaru's heart raced. " Do what you need to do, " she gulped. She was visibly fighting with herself because her hands were clutching the desk so tight her knuckles were turning white. "Relax Hotaru , " he whispered. Midori lowered his face to Hotaru's and licked her bottom lip. Then he went on to suck on her bottom lip . Midori's tongue trailed her lips begging for entrance. She opened her mouth in protest when she felt Midori cupping her bottom. Midori seized the opportunity to delve into her mouth. He caressed her mouth with his tongue. Midori gently stroked her tongue with his enjoying the way she tasted . A distant taste of chocolate cream and vanilla. Hotaru couldn't understand why her head suddenly felt so light or why her body was aching. She held onto Midori's neck drawing deeper into her. Hotaru started kissing Midori back stroking his tongue with her own . She explored the inner caverns of his mouth savoring the way he tasted. Hotaru openly moaned into his mouth taking pleasure in the way Midori felt. Midori drew her closer wrapping her legs around him and kissed her more fervently . When they heard a squeaked " Excuse me " and the door closing reality slapped Hotaru in the face. She pulled away from Midori feeling rather embarrassed by the way she had reacted. This was the second time Hotaru had kissed someone. The first time had been at the hot springs when she had to kiss Midori in exchange for his towel. The kiss had been awkward and brief. But this time Hotaru couldn't describe what she felt. But she knew that she would like to experience the same blood rushing emotions again. Hotaru shook her head for having such lewd thoughts. She looked at Midori with suspicious eyes. He had a talent for roping her into these difficult situations. "Midori-san, " she whispered . Midori's pale blue eyes settled on her and her slightly disheveled form. Her pink lips were slightly swollen and her eyes had grown softer. Hotaru's uniform was a bit wrinkled from were it had hiked up as he pushed her onto his desk. "Hmm? " he asked. "Has the danger passed?" she asked. 'The danger?Oh Ichi' he thought. He nodded his head jovially as if he was oblivious to what had just happened. Hotaru jumped down and settled in down into her seat. Why was she feeling disappointed when Midori said nothing else. Obviously there was nothing to it because Midori had only done it to save her.
Midori sat down and began looking through the other patient files. His thoughts wandered to the blue haired nurse. Ichi had a keen eye for detail and would be able to identify Hotaru. Ichi saw Hotaru as competition and knowing her she'd do anything to eliminate the threat. Who knew the extents Ichi would go to when jealous. He didn't want Hotaru to face the embarrassment of being kicked out by security as a result of his careless actions.
At lunch time they went to a patisserie shop called Demel where she finally got the cake ordered to her relief. Midori-san let her go free for the rest of the day.
Haruki was patrolling the Yajima's house searching for any sign of Hotaru. He had dropped by in the morning to check in on Hotaru because she had been unusually quiet for the past two days. When he had asked Kanae about Hotaru's whereabouts she started looking at anything other than him.
"Morning Kanae-chan. Is Hotaru home?" he asked. Kanae looked him dead in the eye and said,"Hotaru who?" Haruki couldn't help his jaw from slacking. Had the Yajima's house been invaded by aliens. "The girl who lives here. The one who also happens to be your best friend. Her! Where is she?" Haruki asked. "Ohhh Hotaru. Silly me. I can be feather brained at times. Speaking of feathers did you know that some people use them to cover their feet when it's cold. That's were the term ch... " "Enough Kanae !Where is Hotaru ?" Haruki said losing his patience. Kanae jumped at his outburst and said," She went out. She'll be back in the afternoon." And then she slammed the door in his face.
Haruki was pacing in the Yajima's driveway. What was going on? As he scanned the vicinity again for the fiftieth time he spotted a blonde dressed in black and white walking leisurely down the road. Could that be her? Just to be sure he said "Hotaru-chan!" . The figure in the distance heard him and started going back in the direction that it came from. Hotaru was avoiding him? Was it because he said that he liked her and she didn't feel the same way. Haruki began chasing her down. If he had truly been rejected he'd rather hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Hotaru looked back and saw Haruki running after her. 'Kyaa! Why is Haruki-san after Tachibana. Especially since Tachibana has committed a lot of moral crimes today. Who sent him to bring me to book. He's not catching me. " Haruki couldn't believe his bad luck when Hotaru started sprinting away. "EEH! Hotaru-chan stop!" He said increasing his speed. Was he so terrible. Akemi's voice started echoing in his head. 'They won't stay within a three foot radius'. Damn that Akemi and her loud mouth spooking Hotaru like that. He was silently cursing himself for his poor athleticism. Why did the universe hate him so much? Couldn't he have fallen for someone whose pace was similar to a sloth's and not the Flash's prodigy. Haruki was panting heavily and if he continued to chase after her he would collapse from the exhaustion. Bending down he held onto his knees to catch his breath. By the time he had fully recovered Hotaru was already out of sight. "Shit!" Haruki exclaimed.
Midori couldn't help noticing how pensive Hotaru was being . Was it because of what happened earlier in the morning? She wasn't contemplating leaving him because of that kiss they shared right?
"Midori-san we need to talk," Hotaru said without batting a single eyelash or stammering. "What about ? "he asked. His fist tightened in dread that he wasn't going to be happy about whatever had been chewing away at her. "This afternoon I was on my way to see Kanae but Tachibana saw Haruki-san standing guard at the Yajima's front door .. I ..I fled like a coward. Tachibana didn't know what to say to him. I'm assuming Tachibana has been found out because Haruki-san began chasing Tachibana but I escaped by chance. My phone has been overloaded with calls and mesages from Haruki-san but this deceitful Tachibana has not found the courage to respond his accusations," she said her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Midori chuckled amused by his silly fears and by her ordeal. He still hadn't figured out how one person could affect him so much. Midori massaged his temples . "Hotaru-chan it's about time you went about telling them the truth. How long will you keep running away from them?" he asked. Hotaru reasoned with what Midori had told her. It didn't serve any good if she continued hiding the truth from them. She would tell them tomorrow no matter what.
"Thank you Midori-san for the advice, " she said but the spark was still missing from her eyes. Midori couldn't stand seeing her wallowing in self contempt. He grabbed the apartment keys and stood up from the couch. "Eh? Midori-san is leaving?" Hotaru. "We are going out for ice-cream. I know of a small place nearby that serves tasty frozen treats," Midori said grabbing her by the hand and leading her out with him. Hotaru never having really held Midori's hand in this manner before couldn't help blushing. Midori's hand was big and warm and wrapped around hers perfectly. Her gaze lingered on the man treating her to dessert. Even though Hotaru had dismissed it plenty of times Midori was a male. From his strong profile to his handsome features he was a bona fide proud male. Midori had plenty of women swooning as he was both charming and a well mannered gentleman. But then again Hotaru had never seen Midori openly expressing interest in any woman or maybe he didn't see the subject as worthy of being discussed with her. Midori had felt her eyes on him but he had ignored it. But after it had prolonged for too long to be comfortable he looked at her. Hotaru's face flared up having been caught red handed staring at the doctor. Midori chuckled at the way she reacted to him. Hotaru was still a bit naive but she'd understand soon enough.
The host club had been bustling with business these days and Matsuoka had received more than his fair share of customers. It was no problem for him memorizing their habits or their likes and dislikes. They were just too many. The host club had closed for the day and Matsuoka was ready to leave. He hailed a taxi and Matsuoka was on his way home. The taxi stopped at a red robot as the driver waited for the sign to change. That's when the end of the world unfolded before his eyes. Two familiar faces walking hand in hand. He cleaned the cars window just to be sure. It wasn't an illusion. Matsuoka slapped some money onto the passengers seat and shot out of the car like a bat from hell. The blonde haired man didn't care about anything else. He just wanted to know whether his assumptions were true. Were Midori and Hotaru together? Midori the man who had cruelly kicked Matsuoka out of his team when he couldn't take the constant comparisons. The same man who had given him a reason to live when he had nothing else to live for. Although Matsuoka now knew the real reason why Midori had booted him out it didn't mean that he had gotten over the past. He subconsciously held his chest that Midori had riddled him with bruises from his own gun before. And Hotaru the innocent party he had pulled into his twisted life. Since he was responsible for crossing Midori's and Hotaru's fate he would protect her from the bastard. Hotaru never left him even when he pushed her away . She'd never given up on him and for that he owed her his very life. Matsuoka trailed the two noticing how they were holding hands, the gesture was a far cry from being friendly. From the time that he began to know Midori he rarely showed interest in a woman. No matter the numerous numbers that lay strewn on his path he'd take the other direction. What the hell did he want from Hotaru?
Hotaru and Midori entered a small cozy ice-cream place. Midori selected a booth in the far corner of the shop were he and Hotaru sat down. His hand felt a bit empty having to relinquish his hold on her. Hotaru observed the parlor they where in a began to feel the discomfort . They were surrounded by couples. What was Midori thinking bringing her to an intimate place like this? She had no business here! "Midori-san ,"Hotaru whispered. Midori was too engrossed with the menu to hear her. "Midori-san !" she shouted when she noticed that her words had been falling on deaf ears. All eyes zoomed in on their table . Hotaru shrunk into her seat feeling angry eyes on her for having dispelled some of the magic in the place. As far as she was concerned the place was overloaded with pheromones. Midori smiled at her little outburst. "Hotaru-chan what would you like to have from the assorted range of desserts? " he asked visibly unfazed by the pheromone levels that had tipped the normal scale. Hotaru breathed out before saying,"Order for the two of us Midori-san. I'll have whatever you're order for me " . Midori signaled for the waitress and placed an order for caramel ice cream with chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce. When the waitress was out of earshot Hotaru asked the question that had been on her mind. "Midori-san why did you bring Tachibana to this place?" she asked him earnestly. "Eh? The ice-cream is splendid and its quiet isn't Hotaru-chan ?" he answered confused by the source of the sudden question.
"Right " Hotaru answered and felt stupid for asking him that. When Midori saw Hotaru's crest fallen face he knew that he was the source of her problems so he took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers together. Hotaru was surprised by his sudden actions. Her hand tingled almost as if jolts of electricity were being transferred from him to her." I like you Hotaru-chan so of course I want to treat you to some good quality ice-cream. Let stay like this for a while, okay?" he said looking gently upon her face. Hotaru felt the heat creeping up her neck flowing to her face. How had she ever dismissed that Midori was a man?" Yes Midori-san," she whispered. "This is the first time I've taken anyone to this shop. Normally I'd just come here alone and relax. But tonight I'm sharing my secret haven with you," he said. "A secret Midori-san? " she asked. Midori pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't mention it to anyone else. Let's keep this one between us," he waitress came back with their orders.
Hotaru found this as a perfect opportunity to release her grasp from Midori's hand but he wouldn't budge."Midori-san?" His pale blue eyes had been focused on Hotaru completely enamored by her being. From her sparkling green eyes that seemed to purify even the darkest of souls to those luscious lips he'd give anything to taste again. Her beauty was cherubic almost unearthly but what he liked the most about her was that giant heart of hers that even had room for someone like him. Someone who took joy in other peoples pain. He'd never fully atone for his sins no matter how much he tried. But with her presence in his life that monster within him was pushed to the recesses of his mind. Midori finally got her message and squeezed her hand once before releasing his hold on her.
Hotaru took a spoonful of her strawberry ice-cream and got lost in the wonders of the creamy dessert. Midori-san was right this was the best ice-cream she'd ever had. "Midori-san this is the best ice-cream Tachibana's mouth has ever tasted, "she said gushing with happiness. Midori looked clueless," Eh ? Really? Let me have some of your ice-cream Hotaru-chan. "Midori said. Hotaru took a spoonful and absent mindedly reached out to Midori. Midori held onto her hand and directed the spoon into his mouth and licked the spoon clean. Hotaru's heart threatened to jump out of her chest at the too intimate gesture. Midori went back to eating his ice-cream as if nothing had happened.
Masamune was leaning outside the ice cream parlour's wall where he could obtain a clear view of the couple. He lit up a cigarette and slowly dragged it out. He didn't miss anything about their intimate encounter. It seemed as though Hotaru wasn't perfectly aware of what was going on but Midori knew exactly what he was doing. Who would have imagined that Midori was enthralled by Hotaru? Since when did he start taking a liking to the blonde girl? Matsuoka didn't want to ruin Midori's shot at happiness but then again he didn't want Hotaru chained to the devil's side. He'd have to stop this somehow. Matsuoka dropped the remaining stub of the cigarette and crushed it under his foot. Then he went on his way home. He had to nip the flower in the bud before things got out of hand.
Midori let the water stream down his body relaxing his taut muscles. When he was worked up he'd either run a mile or two . The second option was shooting people and since that option hadn't been viable his workout shoes had yet seen another day outside his closet. Squeezing a generous amount of shampoo into his hand before he worked it into his hair. He breathed in the shampoo's fragrance which especially smelt like the sea and sandalwood. Midori washed the suds out and went on to wash the rest of his body. He quickly dried himself off then put on a pair of black joggers and draped a towel around his neck. As usual Hotaru had made his bed and there was some freshly folded laundry on his bed. He put the fabric to his nose and breathed in the soothing peach smell. Hotaru seemed to prefer that fragrance. Midori proceeded to get a cup of coffee in the kitchen. It was the weekend after all and he was never called in at the hospital on a Saturday unless the situation was found to be detrimental .Hotaru sitting at the kitchen counter scribbling away furiously on a piece of paper. "Good morning Hotaru-chan," Midori said taking the coffee jug and pouring himself a cup of the ink like substance. Hotaru flipped the paper upside down and greeted Midori . Midori's eyes narrowed down on the paper Hotaru had been writing on. What was so important about it? Hotaru grew a bit nervous after noting her list draw in Midori's attention. He was never supposed to see it or else she would die of embarrassment.
"Midori-san your hair is still dripping wet. You'll catch a cold then how will your patients cope. Let Tachibana dry your hair," she said tucking the paper in her pocket before walking to him. Hotaru took the towel from his neck and began to softly dry up his hair. The actions were so soothing that he felt relaxed . When was the last time someone had ever dried his hair like this? "I'm done you're dry now ," Hotaru said dropping his towel back around his neck. "Thank you, " he said eyeing her pocket. No details could escape those eyes of his could they. "Midori-san , Tachibana is leaving early today to make preparations for Yukimura-san's party. There's oyakodon in the microwave and yakitori for later. I'll be back towards dusk so supper will be late," she said making her way to her room. Midori drained the cup of coffee thinking about the call he received earlier this morning. The one that made his blood boil. He couldn't understand how his mother stoop so low in order to satisfy her on selfish desires. Even after he outright denied her offer in the first place! He was perfectly capable of finding himself a life partner and he wasn't about to let her control his life.
Hotura arrived at Tsukishiro apartments . Nostalgia washed over her like a big wave. It looked the same as always. She wondered who the new tenant was in her old apartment. Hotaru made her way up the stairs , firstly she'd visit Haruki to clear the air up. Hotaru made three light knocks, who was she kidding Haruki was known to coup himself inside and sleep in. Twisting the door handle it swung open, so he still wasn't big on security. It was really dark inside rendering Hotaru partially blind. She felt the walls for a light switch. "Haruki-san," Hotaru called. Finally finding the light switch she turned the lights on. At least now she could see and stop herself from tripping over invisible objects. Hotaru was impressed that Haruki had been taking better care of himself. In the room to her left the sounds of light snoring could be heard. She knocked on the door, when she heard some ruffling and a brief "Come in." she entered. Haruki had his head under the pillow blocking out the noise. That's when the smell of a fragrance that was distinctly Hotaru's brushed his senses. He was imagining things. She had given him the cold shoulder so there was no way in hell she was here right now. "Haruki- san?" Hotaru called. Haruki shot up straight to give her his legendary death glare. Hotaru shrunk back a little at his response to her. "I'm sorry Haruki-san about yesterday. Tachibana should have told you before and not let you find out that way. Will you forgive me?"Hotaru asked sincerely. Haruki snorted and turned up his nose,"Am I that repulsive Hotaru that you couldn't even tell me to my face? And here I thought we were friends."
"Tachibana didn't mean to hurt Haruki-san but she didn't want to be confronted about Midori-san," Hotaru said gazing upon him. Midori? "What about Midori?" Haruki asked clearly having not an ounce of a clue about what Hotaru had been talking about. She inwardly exhaled a breath of relief. So he hadn't found out. "Nothing , Tachibana thought you knew what I was talking about," she said sitting beside him.
So Hotaru was evading him because of that bastard Nagamasa! Then again that meant Hotaru still hadn't figured out what he meant earlier when he told her he liked her. Haruki folded his legs and patted the bed indicating for her to scoot closer. "Hotaru when I said that I liked you a lot did you understand what I meant?" he said."Haruki-san I..." Hotaru and Haruki jumped as the door was banged open. "Ohhhhhhh so this is what Tachibana-chan and Haruharuki-kun are up to when nobody is watching. Getting some alone time,"Yukki said rubbing his shoulders suggestively. Haruki threw his pillow at Yukki sending him crashing to the ground. "Haruharuki-kun is so mean. I'm telling Mattsun," he said helping himself up. Haruki could feel his face burning. Hotaru was blushing too at what Yukki thought had been going on between her and Haruki. She shook her head off the seeds that Yuki had planted in her mind. Haruki probably felt embarrassed as her. She stood to her feet she too began to exit Haruki's room. Haruki threw himself face down onto his bed. He screamed frustradely in his pillow. Yukimura had hell to pay for barging into his room at the particular moment he was about to get his answer.
At room 203 Hotaru knocked on the door. When the door was unanswered she decided to go about her business of setting up the makeshift survival game field. "Are you looking for me Hotaru-chan?" a voice asked from behind her. Immediately she threw herself at the blonde man and gave him a giant bear hug. Matsuoka couldn't help smiling at her warm reception of him. But the scene at the ice-cream parlor replayed itself again in his mind. His smile faded at the very thought. "Matsuoka-san. Tachibana hasn't seen you in ages!" she exclaimed releasing him as she talked to him face to face. Hotaru felt her heart drop when she saw his somewhat troubled face. "Matsuoka-san are you alright?" she asked. "Eh? What makes you think that I'm not doing well? I'm superb" he said plastering a fake smile to dispel her worries. Hotaru wasn't convinced. Hotaru and Matsuoka helped each other move the plastic tanks around . They formed barricades with a few wooden boards they found in the area.
"In this game we are using regular survival game techniques. That means no hand to hand combat and no knives. Yukki and Hotaru will be on one team while Haruki and I will be on the other. Hotaru and Yukki will be going in first. Starting now!" Matsuoka said. The pair entered the makeshift field and found a good place to hide. Yukki faced Hotaru and said,"Ever since Tachibana-chan left we only played survival games for fun and longer participated in TGC. After all you led us to victory two years ago and Mattsun was finally able to break away from the past. How can I say this? Starting yesterday when Matsuoka arrived from his job he was restless even screaming in his sleep. It was almost as if he was reliving a nightmare from his past. Do you happen to know why Tachibana-chan because he also mentioned your name in his sleep too. Not that he yelled it in a fantasy as I would have preferred but rather during his nightmare. When I woke him up his face was contorted in a twist of pain . The bed was drenched in his sweat. Do you have any idea why he was having such terrible dreams?"
"I do not know why Yukimura-san. Matsuoka-san wasn't happy to see Tachibana this morning and she also wants to know why. He was himself for a moment then the next he seemed like a different person altogether" she said tightening her grip on her Goemon-san. Bullets started flying from the air stinging them like tiny stones were being pelted at them. "Hit!" they said simultaneously. "Haruharuki-kun wasn't being fair. He only wanted to get back at me for telling Mattsun about what I saw" Yukki whined. Matsuoka laughed heartily. "Shut up Tooru. I just couldn't stand hearing anymore of your incessant whining about Mattsun. Mattsun this. Mattsun that. Give it a rest already. In the end I had to do the honors didn't I?"
Matsuoka emerged from behind a tank."That was fast,"he commented."In the next round we're switching sides. Tachibana and I will be on the same team. Yukki and Haruki get a chance to patch up their friendship," Matsuoka announced. Haruki and Yukimura exchanged deadly glances . Hotaru skin formed goose bumps as she watched the deathly glares. "Matsouka-san and I are on the same team. Tachibana hasn't experienced the thrill of working with the captain for some time now. I'm honored to be finally rewarded with a chance. Let's crush them Matsuoka-san," she said with the flames of excitement lighting up her eyes. Matsuoka couldn't help but smile seeing her so invigorated.
"We'll be taking a break for the next fifteen minutes. But be warned the next match has a twist. The losing team will entertain us tonight by singing karaoke ... in bunny costumes, " Matsuoka said snickering failing to contain his laughter. Yukki and Haruki glanced at each other and nodded. 'Kyaa I don't like the look in their eyes. It's as if they are plotting something to destroy Tachibana and Matsuoka-san,' Hotaru thought.
"Mattsun gave me the encouragement I needed. I'd do anything to see Mattsun in that adorable bunny costume!" Yukimura said bringing out his trusty camera from his pocket and hugging it."We're going to have such lovely memories tonight."
Matsuoka visibly turned a bit pale. He wasn't about to risk his male pride by singing in a bunny the thought of it made him want to pass out. "I wouldn't risk letting Mune and Hotaru win. My manliness is my top priority and I'm not going to put it at stake," Haruki proclaimed proudly. "Manliness? Haruki-san enjoys cu...," Haruki closed Hotaru's mouth before she disclosed his secret. Who would take him seriously if they discovered that he cuddled a teddy bear?Hotaru looked at him questioningly when he remembered that his hand was still on her mouth. "Eh , sorry, " he said tilting his head to the side. "Haruki-san . I think that fever of yours has returned ,"Hotaru said pressing the back of her hand to Haruki's forehead. "Hotaru I'm fine. Leave me alone, " he said. Just as he was about to make his grand escape Yukki grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him towards Hotaru. "Tachibana-chan. I've heard that the lips are more sensitive to temperature changes. You just have to press your lips to his forehead to get a better read,neh? I would have done it myself but Haruki-san would have been so mean to me. Haruki would punch me no doubts. So Tachibana-chan has to do it for all of us,"Yukji begged. Haruki contemplated strangling Yukki there and then but Matsuoka would restrain him. Hotaru put what Yukki had said into mind. She couldn't drink a cup of scalding hot tea because she could easily sense the heat being emitted. Maybe it was the same after all.
"Tachibana will help Haruki-san," she said slamming her fist into the palm of her hand. "You got to be kidding me. Hotaru how can you believe anything that the pervert Tooru says?"Haruki complained seeing Hotaru close in the distance. "Yukimura-san made a lot of sense. And Haruki-san is just as stubborn as a donkey. So Haruki-san's opinion is not considered," she concluded. Haruki's jaw dropped at the mild insult. He was not in any way to be compared to a donkey. Yukimura forced Haruki to his knees and passed Hotaru a friendly smile. "Tachibana-chan. Check him up really good. Maybe it might be serious," he encouraged. Matsuoka who was taking a break sitting on the ground shook with laughter. Haruki had to be in a fix having the girl he liked kiss him. But then again if Hotaru was Midori's girlfriend he didn't want to be in his shoes when Midori found out. 'Midori.' Matsuoka thought. Hotaru held Haruki's face and planted her lips on his forehead. 'Hmm. Haruki-san seems warm enough... Eeeh! His temperature just shot up, 'Hotaru observed. She released Haruki and looked at his face. He was tomato red. "Haruki-san ... " she started. Haruki tore himself from Yukki's grasp and sent him a deathly glare. "Forget about the truce we made earlier . I'm taking you down Tooru!"he yelled. "Mattsun ,"Yuki whined. Matsuoka put his hands up high in surrender."You brought this upon yourself Yukki," Matsuoka said.
Haruki and Yukki perfomed the final song , a duet, together. Yukki didn't take his prized photo's and Haruki lost his male pride but it was worth it. With Yukki and Haruki both perfoming this gave Matsuoka a chance to get his answers from Hotaru without those two listening in.
"Young love is a beautiful thing isn't it Hotaru," Matsuoka said. "Ehh?Yes Matsuoka-san. Tachibana thinks so too," she replied rather more interested in the karaoke than their conversation. "Have you ever been in love?" he asked. Hotaru cringed when she realised were the captain was going. She chose to listen to the perfomance instead. Noticing that this was going nowhere Matsuoka decided to hit the nail on the head before lives were ruined. "I saw you with Midori the other day when I was coming from work. What is the relationship you share with him Hotaru? " he asked. A few beads of sweat formed on her brow. She looked down. "Matsuoka-san stop asking Tachibana weird things," she mumbled. Matsuoka paled as he reached a conclusion."So you are indeed dating Midori. If that's the case then stay on your toes with that guy. He might end up hurting you to satisfy his wicked desires.I'm not saying don't date Midori but be on your guard. And don't tell the others about this. If it had been them who found out who knows what would happen. I understand that you are young and in love but there are plenty of other guys like Haruki who wouldn't dream of hurting you. Guys like Midori thrive on the pain they cause others including those who care the most about them." At first Hotaru was scared that Matsuoka had found out her secret before she had informed them. After she found out that Matsuoka had the wrong idea she felt relieved. But when Matsuoka began putting Midori down Hotaru felt annoyed. Midori had been nothing but kind to her even allowing her to stay in his house free of charge. Sure Midori had a few issues but who didn't. "Matsuoka-san enough. Midori-san has never wronged Tachibana and he's not as horrible as you think. He's always concerned about Tachibana and he calls me to make sure that I'm fine. Stop saying bad things about Midori-san. I know that he has his flaws but who is perfect. Noone. So I would appreciate it if you don't mention his name that way again,"she fumed visibly angry. Matsuoka knew that Midori and Hotaru were dating but he didn't know how deep they were. And Hotaru's defense of Midori was a sign that he was to late to sway her. The cards had already been dealt.
"I'm sorry Hotaru ,"Matsuoka stated. "It's fine Matsuoka-san. I understand that you were only concerned but that doesn't give you the right to slander his name. Don't say that about Midori-san again,"she said the last part more coldly. "Of course . Forgive me for that, "Matsuoka said returning to watching Haruki and Yukki finishing off their act. Hotaru covered her face with her hands. If he was reacting in this manner because they were supposedly 'dating' how would he react when he found out that they were in fact living together. No she couldn't tell them the truth.
Yukki opened the cake box and squealed. His eyes watered down with tears of joy. " My glasses are getting foggy. Give me a moment," he said wiping his eyes. Hotaru peeked at the cake that she had been asked to order using secret service instructions. Even she hadn't been allowed to peek a the custom order. And now after the first glance she wanted to purge her eyeballs. At least she understood why the store owner had been giving her dirty glances when she collected the cake. He probably saw her as Midori's dirty friend. "I always wanted a big tits lolli for a cake. You made me so happy." Hotaru's face paled as she said,"I'm passing the cake. I think I have a stomach bug of some sort." "But Tachibana-chan I really wanted to share this treat with you," he begged. Hotaru profusely shook her head no.
Midori stood up from couch were he had been enjoying some butter flavoured pop corn and a classic Dracula movie. He removed the latch from the door and twisted the knob. As soon a he did a blonde threw herself at him and sniffed into his chest. Midori felt some of her tears soak into his red hanley. He gently stroked her head as he got her inside and closed off the door. "What's the matter? Didn't you have a great time?"he asked. Midori could feel his heart clench as silent sobs wrecked her body. Why wasn't he able to stop her tears? He had never seen her cry like this before. Was that the reason why he wanted to kill the very person who made her shed tears. "Tachibana wanted to tell them but they were against Tachibana being with Midori-san to begin with. So Tachibana wasn't able to achieve anything. Instead she kept quiet like a coward and a liar, "she cried. Noone was going to tell Midori how to live his life and neither were they going to rule Hotaru's life. "Shhh . Hotaru-chan their opinion doesn't matter as long as you are happy, "he said pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Hotaru's heart fluttered at the small action . Midori-san had been kind to her and she wasn't about to up and leave because of what her teammates thought. She wouldn't abandon Midori-san. "Thank you Midori-san ,"she said before releasing him and going to her room. Midori watched her go feeling emotionaly distraught and confused. He had never felt another's pain or wanted to comfort someone that badly. So why did she make him do things that were alien to him. He chuckled menacingly. He had plenty of time to truly figure out whether his desire for her was purely carnal or maybe something longlasting.
end of chapter 4*