I am so finally in the mood to continue this story. I guess the hardest chapter was the previous one because there had to be so many different emotions in one chapter. I'm sorry if it was shorter than the usual and the narrative was a bit fast. I mean I wanted to leave the emotion as it was—just hope I succeeded.
Thanks for the review in chapter five XxLadyYuixX and yes, Kaen is Soi. Hope you liked that chapter. I'm sorry you had to hate Kaika in the last chapter. And Tomo's so sweet, no? Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Enjoy reading, everyone! And Happy New Year! :)
Disclaimer: FY is not mine, dream on.
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Another Note in the Piece
By Slavedriver2008
Yui looked at the mirror and gave her kimono one last look. It's a Saturday, as promised, she went home to Kyoto early this morning to meet his grandfather's friend. Everyone wears traditional Japanese clothes in her grandfather's house, that's his first rule. She seldom goes home to Kyoto, it was his grandfather who always visits her in Tokyo. And because this was a special day, she wore her favorite kimono, a yellow one with blue flower designs.
She fingered the creases of the cloth, the designs, the folds. She wanted to look perfect, not that she wanted to please the visitor, she simply wanted to please herself. Last night had been a very emotional one, she was literally in the dumps, broken, hurt. Some women shop when they are depressed, some eat chocolate. Yui dresses up and makes herself beautiful when she's down. She neatly tied her long hair to a ponytail and used a blue ribbon to hold it together.
The image she saw looked perfect, except for one thing: her eyes were still red and a bit sore. She cried last night, was that so bad? Yes. Kaika was not her boyfriend. She had to remember that fact. But she couldn't resist crying, especially when someone was holding her and comforting her. People cry more when they have shoulders to lean on.
Yui reached for the concealer and dabbed some underneath her peepers. She brushed some powder over her face and the bags almost disappeared. Of course it's still there if one looks hard enough, she has to smile more then, so as to divert the attention from her eyes.
Loud knocks came from the wooden panel doors. Who the hell was that? Whoever was outside her room clearly doesn't have any manners. You don't knock in panel doors, it's outrageous. Her grandfather hates it. Yui hastily slid the door open. "You're not supposed to knock—" She halted when she saw the face of the man on her door.
For one, he was tall with shoulder length blond hair and striking blue eyes. He was gorgeous and Yui couldn't help but look through every part of his face, a pointed nose and thin pinkish lips that immediately curved to a smirk. Yui blinked. She had not realized the man was also studying her face. Not bad, he thought, I could get used to her looking that way.
Yui looked away, she suddenly felt ashamed for blatantly staring at him. "Who are you?" she asked, slightly blushing. Look away please, look somewhere else. Yui briefly glanced at his clothes, a light blue long-sleeved checkered polo shirt, unbuttoned probably two or three before the neck, the sleeves folded up his arms, slightly loose but completely showing off his well-toned and muscular body. And faded jeans. Very American, or at least very Western.
"Am I supposed to just head inside your room?" He asked her and Yui looked dumbly. What is he saying? Is that English? The man sniggered. "Your grandfather asked me to call you." He said in a deep stoic voice, in fluent Japanese. He was still studying her and Yui wanted to melt under his gaze. Not because she likes him, he stares in some kind of deep piercing manner.
"Fine." Yui said, it was a stupid response but what else can she say? Annoyed, she hastily went outside her room and gently closed the door. "Where is he?"
"I actually cannot tell." He said plainly. He got lost in the house, obviously. Yui couldn't blame him, it was a big Japanese house. A typical home for a family of good standing. She turned toward her right and walked, with rush but still with poise, down the hallway. He followed her and Yui felt her back prickle. He was still looking at her. Geez, what's with him? And why is he here anyway? Who is he?
"It's your first time to see a girl?" She sniggered and turned her head slightly to him and caught him raise an eyebrow. He was about to say something but she slowly sat down on the path and called out to someone from another room. "Grandmother, it is Yui. Do you know where grandfather is?"
The door slid opened and an older woman appeared and closed the door behind her. Yui stood up to face her. It was not her grandmother, it was their helper. "Yui-sama, your grandmother is asleep. She just drank her medicines."
"I see. My apologies for bothering her." She bowed slightly to her.
She looked at her and the blond man behind her. She smiled. "Your grandfather is in the threshold, you should go and bring him tea."
Yui bowed again. "I will, thank you." She walked away as the woman bowed again for her. They walked forward then turned left, Yui headed toward the kitchen but before she entered, she turned to him. "Just walk through this hallway and then turn left, you'll see the threshold from there. It's the space that overlooks the garden."
He sniggered again. "I'll see you in a while then, Yui-sama." He said before he walked away. Yui couldn't help but blush at what he called her. She sighed. Kaika's face appeared in her thoughts. He had not called her. Not that she's expecting him to call, she just wanted to know he somehow regretted what happened. Stop it, Yui. He wouldn't care. He probably slept with Kaen last night and he's still probably in her house until now. Stop thinking of him. Her phone rang and she answered it. It was Tomo.
"Yui-chan, how are you now? Are you already in Kyoto?" His voice was a little husky, he probably didn't sleep well last night. His face must have hurt from Kaika punching him.
"Tomo-chan, yes, I'm already in Kyoto. How's the wound?" The side of his mouth bled. Even after they went to her apartment and she applied ice and medicine in it, it still looked swollen.
"It's okay. I'll be okay, don't worry." He said defensively. Men tend to do that, don't they? Pretend wounds didn't hurt then telling you not to worry. She smiled. Yui suddenly wanted to see him, Tomo, who was almost like a brother to her.
"I'll be back tomorrow morning in Tokyo. Do you—"
"Want to go out for lunch?" He cut off.
I laughed. "Miaka's getting married a little before lunch tomorrow. You can come with me if you like…"
He smiled and made a sound. A pleased sound. "Yes, of course. But is it okay to go there with my face looking like this?"
Yui used her free hand to place the cups in the tray. "Of course. Who'd look?"
"We'll see. I won't say yes yet. I have to meet Maestro Francois today. He might, I don't know, ask me to go to the doctor if he sees this. I just called to check if you're safe." He said, he sounded livelier now. And his voice was somehow back to normal.
"Don't worry, I'm here in my grandfather's house and I'm about to serve him tea. Just keep me posted." I blushed. "And take care of yourself." They said their goodbyes and Yui placed her phone somewhere inside her kimono.
"Boyfriend?" Yui was caught with surprised and she immediately turned around. He was there again, sniggering at her reaction. "Does your grandfather know—"
"He's not my boyfriend." Yui corrected. "Why do you always suddenly appear out of nowhere?" She suddenly realized something. "You were eavesdropping—"
"Why should I waste my time doing that?" He looked sharply at her. "Apparently, your grandfather wanted his early afternoon tea and asked me to look for you. Don't get mad at me for catching you flirting with some boy over the phone." He teased and Yui turned crimson.
"I was not flirting!" She hissed, angry because he somewhat invaded her privacy. Annoyed, Yui curled her hand and closed her eyes for a while. She breathed out gently then picked up the tray of tea. She walked past him and headed toward the threshold, where her grandfather sat looking at the garden.
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"What do you think of him?" her grandfather asked Yui when Gi went to the washroom. They had spent an hour or so talking about medicine and the profession, he almost forgot to introduce him to her. Yui was at some point out of the conversation. She was still not a doctor. She still has to study.
Turns out, this snotty but gorgeous guy who had been at her heels for the last few minutes was the guy her grandfather wanted for her. Gi Ayuru Stevens. Half-Japanese, half-British, who was born in America. He seemed to have no knowledge of Japanese customs and the likes but she has to agree that the blond knew what he was talking about. He was quite smart.
"He seemed passionate with his profession," was all Yui could say. What was there to say? He was intriguing? Smart? Gorgeous? She'd love to fall in love with him. But she can't. She already gave her heart to someone else.
His grandfather laughed, he seldom does and Yui's heart lightened at the sound of it. "He said he plans to stay longer in Japan, in Tokyo most of the time." Yui didn't say anything.
"What could he be doing in Tokyo? In Japan for that matter?" Yui asked in a monotonous voice.
"They are planning to branch out to Japan, that's why. Haven't I told you his family owns one of the leading drugstores in America?" He asked her.
"It must have slipped from my memory, grandfather."
"Slipped, hmp. You were simply not paying attention when I told you." Her grandfather said.
"Grandfather, it's not like that. I…I have been thinking of too many things lately." She reasoned out. She took her cup and began to drink the remaining tea to calm herself. God, he's starting to get touchy again.
He didn't say anything. "I told him you live alone and I asked him to stay with you while he's here."
Yui choked. "But grandfather—"
"It's the only thing I can do to make sure that nothing bad happens to you. I have told you countless times I don't like you to live alone, not in a place like Tokyo." Her grandfather said sternly, in that voice Yui couldn't go against.
"But he's a guy. Grandfather, what would people say?" she hissed, trying to not say everything too loud. He might be on his way back, he might hear. Oh God, he might hear them!
"None of them knows Gi is staying in your house and none of them will surely go to lengths just to check on you." He looked at her intently. "I want to make sure you are safe and I trust Gi will do that."
Yui didn't say anything else. What was there to say? Gi goes home with her whether she argues or not. Deep inside she knew why her grandfather was doing this. He knew she was going to do a concert, a violin concert. It was his way of telling her who was in control and who should follow. Gi will be his eyes. God, why is this happening to me?
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"Nice place." Gi said after they arrived at her apartment that evening. He was sitting on the couch, eyes looking around. She rolled her eyes. "You don't like me, don't you." He said to her and she turned to him.
"Is there anything to like?" He laughed out loud, their eyes met and they looked at each other eye to eye.
"I know you're mad because you can't bring your boyfriend while I'm here." He remarked, still keen on that boyfriend thing.
Tired, Yui just sighed. "For the hundredth time, I don't have a boyfriend. And even if I have, what made you think I couldn't bring him here? As far as I remember, this is my apartment and you're just…" Yui saw him raise an eyebrow. "…lodging for a few days."
"You shouldn't have agreed to let me live here if you don't want to." He said seriously.
"I don't remember agreeing about you staying here." She clarified. "Stop mocking me, okay?" Yui touched her head, it was starting to hurt. "You can use the spare room and basically do whatever you want. Just don't bring any whores or whatever."
"You're tired." He stated instead.
She just spent a day going back and forth to Kyoto without proper sleep from last night's events. Of course she's tired. But was she obvious? "We're you listening to what I just said?" Yui asked him, her head was buzzing now.
The phone rang and she lazily snatched it from the cradle. "Hello?"
"Yui? I'm so glad you're finally home!" A jumpy happy voice greeted her on the other end, Yui had to wince. Miaka was screaming like a madman, as always.
"Yes I'm home. What's wrong? Did something come up? Stop screaming, Miaka. My head's already throbbing you know."
"Why didn't you call me last night?! What happened at the party?!" She was not listening, her voice was still high-pitched and irritating.
"Oh God. I'm sorry, I was so tired last night…and I still had to go to Kyoto earlier…"
"Shut up and spill! What happened?" Miaka urged. Memories of last night raced through Yui's thoughts. How was she supposed to tell Miaka what happen? Which part first? She ran a finger on the sides of her head. The pain was more pronounced now. "YUI?! Are you still there?!"
"Yes, I'm still here. Look, I'm not in the mood. Can I just tell you the details tomorrow? You know, after the ceremony…What time is it again? And where?"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU FORGOT!"
"Oh God, Miaka. Don't shout! I did not forget, okay. That's why I'm asking you the details…" Irritation was crawling up Yui's spine. Why can't patience cme when you needed it? And why does friends have this habit of annoying you?
"You're my bestfriend! You're supposed to be excited for me!" Miaka whined.
"I am excited for you, I'm just…I don't know…too tired to feel anything…"
"Whatever Yui! You are so annoying!" She hang up. Yui placed the received back in the cradle.
"It's not my wedding, am I supposed to remember what's not mine every fucking minute?" She couldn't help but say it out. The phone rang again. She hastily answered it. "Hello? Miaka?" Her friend said the details and she reached out for a pen and paper to scribble everything down. "Right. Got it." She hang up again. "Oh God, I don't have a gift." She frowned.
Gi stood up and pulled her toward her room. She had almost forgotten he was there. Yui's eyes widened at what he did or was about to do and pulled back. "What are you doing?" Her heart beat faster. Oh no. He's taking advantage of me! And he didn't even wait for a few days! "Let go!"
Gi pushed her to the bed and had her lie down. He then leaned down to her and placed his hands on her head, massaging her throbbing temple. She let out a sound of satisfaction and she saw him smirk. "Oh my God, what are you doing?" She couldn't push him away. She was too tired.
"It hurts doesn't it? You've been very stressed lately. If this continues, you'll have migraine. You should stop thinking too much. Relax." He said in his cold stoic voice.
Yui closed her eyes, she could imagine his face, leaning down to hers, his piercing eyes looking through every part of her face. Yui can smell his perfume, it relaxed her for some reason. "Mmm…you're quite good at this. So you're a therapist now?"
"It is actually one of my talents." He said, or breathe out. He was too close to her that Yui could smell him there. She smiled but didn't open her eyes. People get tempted when they look eye to eye. She has no intention of sharing anything intimate with him. She doesn't even like him! "This friend of yours, does she always bug you at night."
Yui laughed. "Yeah, she's my bestfriend since fifth grade."
"And she's getting married?" She nodded, his fingers continuing to massage her temple.
"And I haven't bought her anything. What do you give to a couple during the wedding?"
Gi smirked, or at least Yui imagined him smirking. "I don't know, women think about that. Men just go." He whispered to her. "Maybe you can ask your boyfriend to help you choose what to give tomorrow, before the ceremony."
The boyfriend thing again. "You never get tired of that, don't you?"
"No. Never will. You never get tired of denying it." Gi stated.
"You know what, I think you're simply here to annoy me." Yui sleepily said.
"Am I annoying you now?"
Yui smiled. "No. For once, I actually enjoy talking to you." Gi made a sound or said something, but Yui couldn't make it out. She fell asleep.
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Author's Notes: Gi is Nakago, obviously. I've decided to make him a little nicer here. And yes, he'll be part of the story from now on. Please don't forget to leave a review! Please also read my other fic, Serendipity. It's rated M, by the way.