Hey guys! :) It's been a while, not too long this time haha.
Thanks for all the reviews for the previous chapter, there were so many 'poor Misaki's' :P BUT DO NOT DESPAIR! This chapter, I'm sure, will make you all feel better :D
Again, thanks for keeping with my long breaks between updates, please ENJOY THIS ONE :D
and also, please do READ AND REVIEW, it really is motivating to see people enjoying my story, or even criticisms, I will accept those :)
Previous Chapter:
"Are you or are you not replacing Takahiro with this kid?"
Usagi-san's expression hardened. "What do you mean?" Isaka-san sighed in frustration.
"I mean, whether or not your trying to salvage your hopeless love for Takahiro by keeping this kid as his substitute!"
Chapter 6: Revelations
Usagi's POV:
I stared at Isaka-san for a moment, my mind reeling with his sudden question. Was I really substituting Misaki as Takahiro's substitute? I remained, silent, desperately trying to find a witty reply. Isaka-san stayed silent for a moment, before sighing, pushing himself off the wall.
"Akihiko, I have a meeting I have to go to." His voice returned to its nonchalant tone. "Stay the night here, the press conference starts tomorrow at one, Aikawa will be by tomorrow morning to hand you and the kid your suits." He looked up, glaring. "Don't you dare skip out on this." I watched as he turned and walked swiftly away, his steps as confident and arrogant as ever. I watched him for a few seconds, before letting out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding, and running my hand through my hair in frustration.
I couldn't help contemplating Isaka's question. If you truly compare the two, Misaki wasn't that similar Takahiro. Naturally, there were some physical attributes that are similar, but in terms of personality and habits, the two couldn't be more different. Takahiro was calm, collected, intelligent but naive, one of the many traits I was attracted to. Misaki, on the other hand, is short-tempered, nowhere near as smart, but cute, sweet, adorable...I stopped in the midst of my comparison, confused. Why was I praising him? Shaking my head to clear any unwanted thoughts, I headed back into the room, starting when I caught sight of the shining neon lights shining through the panorama glass windows. Have I been pondering for so long? I was pulled out of my thoughts by a soft shuffle on my right. I swirled around, still feeling a little tense, but was immediately weakened by the sight of the curled up boy with his back against the wall, once again, asleep. I chuckled softly, bending down and staring fondly at the sleeping face. He was always so defenseless, I thought, frowning slightly at my observation. Too defenseless. I carefully pushed my arms under him, pausing as he fidgeted for a moment, before slowly and cautiously lifting him up, relishing in the familiar warmth of his body held so closely to my arms. Walking as steadily as I could, I approached the bed and placed him down into the soft covers. His breathing was steady, slow. I watched him for a moment, before I noticed tear stains on his cheeks. I leaned in slowly, trying not to get distracted by the feel of his breath on my face. There really were clear tear stains, slowly making its path down his cheek. I thought for a moment, before realizing the obvious truth. Why he was leaning against the wall, so close to the slightly open door. Why tear stains were on his cheek. He heard us. I was drawn back into another past memory, with Takahiro's many monologues about his brother.
-Flashback-
"Nee, Usagi-san."
"Hmm?" I tore myself away from the blinking screen, trying to focus on the conversation.
"Am I a good brother?" I immediately gave him my complete attention, confused by this question.
"Of course you are. I've never seen a more doting sibling." I couldn't help thinking of my relationship with my brother. Not exactly the friendliest of relationships. "Why are you asking?"
"It's just..." He hesitated, then let out a long sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if Misaki would've grown up better with my Aunt and Uncle." I threw him a questioning glance. "Misaki wasn't always the most obedient child, but after the accident, he's become so quiet, always learning how to do the chores, doing so much more than I expect him to." He let out another sigh. "I know what people say about him, that he's a burden to me, but he really isn't. After all, he is my only little brother." He gave a soft smile at this, so sweet that it made my heart ache.
-Flashback Ends-
I shuffled through my thoughts for a moment. Was that it? Did he think he was a burden to me? I pondered my own question. Was he? My eyes were drawn back to the sleeping boy as he rolled around slightly, stretching himself leisurely across the bed. The corners of my mouth turned up, and I knew my answer.
No. Even if Takahiro was alive today, if I had gotten to know him as well as I have by now, I would still treasure him. I patted him gently on the head, running my fingers through his soft, brown hair. Although there were still many uncertainties, there is one thing I know for sure. Now, even if he wanted to leave, I wouldn't be able to let him go.
I relished in the new sense of possessiveness that I never felt before, not even for Takahiro, and gently brushed off the hair that kept falling onto his face. Takahiro was always like a Romantica rose in full bloom, sweet, beautiful, but superior, out-of-reach. Misaki was something much closer.
My cute Misaki.
My Baby Romantica.
Misaki's POV
I woke to the soft, distant sound of the shower. The light of the morning sun shone through the wide windows. I blinked, wincing as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. My thoughts were muddled, my brain heavy from sleep. I recollected my thought, trying to make sense of my memories of the previous night. Kidnapping. Door. Conversation. My stomach fell as I remembered my revelation, then fell further from the shame of shedding tears for such a measly response. I always knew that Usagi-san only took me in because of my brother, I tried to erase my own pain, furious at my response. However, as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I realized that, despite having fallen asleep against the wall next to the door last night, I have mysteriously woken on the bed. My eyes were drawn to the bathroom door, where the sounds of the shower originated. My heart gave a painful thump, and I was again disorientated by the various emotions. I slipped off the bed and padded over to the window, trying to distract myself. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't even notice Usagi-san until I felt his familiar, warm hand tousle my hair, making it even messier than the state it was in earlier. I cried out in surprise.
"Morning." I heard his deep voice behind me. Trying to calm myself, I turned around, glaring at him as I usually do.
"Usagi-san, can you stop doing that? I feel like a pet sometimes."
"Well, to a certain extent, you are." His chuckled when he caught sight of my expression. I struggled to control the heat the flooded up to my face. Somehow, it felt like his eyes were shimmering today, brighter that than the usual dull silver riddled with grief. I let out a 'humph', turning around and pretending to ignore him. He let out another quiet laugh. "Okay, I apologize, you're not a pet. Now hurry up and get ready, let's got get some breakfast." I swirled back around so quickly that I nearly lost my balance again.
"Don't you have your press conference?" He looked away, one of the telltale signs of him lying.
"It's not till tonight." I raised one eyebrow in doubt, weighing my various options.
"...Fine, let's go down to breakfast." I strode over to the bathroom. If we eat quickly, there is no way that we could miss the conference.
So I naively thought.
1 Hour Later
"Usagi-san, hurry up!" I ran around the room, trying to prepare myself and the twenty-eight year old at the same time. My panic was laced with frustration. We had gone down to breakfast, eaten at a reasonably swift rate, but what Usagi-san had failed to mention, was that the press conference not only lasts the whole day, but also requires extremely formal attire, as the latter part of the conference is, in fact, a party of sorts to celebrate Usagi-san's return to the literary world.
So after exactly 30 minutes of breakfast, which would have lasted much longer if I hadn't kept pushing Usagi-san to eat quickly, we returned to our room, where we found Aikawa-san practically tearing the room door down, with two, neat suits in hand. She promptly sent us the death glare, grabbed us both the collars, and threw us unceremoniously into the room, swearing that if we were not out within 30 minutes, she would lock us up and never let us see the light of day again.
I believed her.
And so, after half an hour of furious yelling, running, and showering on my part, we were almost ready, with Aikawa-san knocking ominously on the door. I let out a sigh of relief when I exited the bathroom, and saw a dressed Usagi-san, sitting in the couch and smoking the cigarette leisurely. I shot him an infuriated glare. If only he didn't become more serious with his work, I may lose my entire youth within a week. Jumping at the sound of another loud, increasingly frequent knock from Aikawa-san, I quickly grabbed my tie and tried to tie it correctly, only to make a messy knot that I could not untie.
"Haven't you ever worn a tie before?" I frowned at the sound of his slightly exasperated and always condescending tone.
"I have!" I said indignantly.
"Then why can't you do it properly?" I ignored him, unable to find a proper answer. I jumped as his large hands wrapped over mine. "Here, I'll teach you how. You have to learn how to do this." He sounded oddly determined, fond. I felt heat rush to face again, and I lowered my head, trying to stare only at the tie as his skillful hands led my clumsy ones. I could hear the speedy race of my heart through my ears.
"There." I started when I realized he had finished. He gave me a rare smile, ruffling my hair again, disregarding my complaints. "All right, let's go. We're late."
"And whose fault is that?" I cried out huffily. He chuckled, walking over to the door and opening it swiftly, exposing the red-faced Aikawa-san. I watched as they talked for a moment, unable to disperse the heat in my cheeks, and the tingling feeling on my hand. I stood there, dazed for a moment.
No. I shook my head. I couldn't be misled again. But even as I tried to convince myself, I began to realize, that what I tried so hard to ignore, can no longer be hidden.
I knew why Isaka-san's question had hurt so much the night before. Why I cried after catching sight Usagi-san's expression.
I was in love with Usagi-san.
YES
HAHAHA
This chapter was so fun to write :)
I'm sorry if some of you find the chapter too...depressing/cliche/ too sugary sweet. Also apologize for the repeat of the 'sleeping face+fond expression' thing, but I really couldn't imagine a better time for reflection for Usagi-san :)
AGAIN (very repetitive, I know), PLEASE DO R&R/READ AND REVIEW, feel free to give criticisms, opinions, ask questions, all that jazz.
Hopefully, I'll be able to update soon, but if I don't update before the end of this month, I won't be able to update until end of May, unfortunately, because my graduating exams are coming up.
Anyways!
Lots of love,
~CherryDecaf
