Collide
Chapter Seven: Calling a Truce
Reiko was petrified as Hiro carried her back to the Nishikado Clinic. She could feel his hand under her knees and the other one her back. "You don't have to carry me," she started again as he went up some steps. Sora and Hikaru were right up front just where Reiko had left them. When they had ran up to meet them, Hikaru asked, "What happened, Reiko-chan?"
"I fell and twisted my ankle," muttered Reiko as she gave a resentful look at Hiro who remained calm.
"Is there some place I can put her down to rest?" asked Hiro.
Hikaru quickly nodded, "Yes, come inside. Our father is the doctor here. She's my best friend. Who might you be?"
"Tachibana Hiro."
Hikaru's eyes widened as she looked back and forth between him and Reiko who shifted uncomfortably as she tried to get out of Hiro's arms. "You can put me down now!"
"This way," said Hikaru as she led them inside.
Sora looked at the three children who surrounded him. "What do you want?" he asked after a minute of them staring at him.
"Is your hair supposed to be like that?" asked Erika.
"It looks strange," added Sakura as Ren just stared at him.
"Stupid brats!" shouted Sora in annoyance.
Hikaru led them to one of the exam rooms. "My father will be along as soon as he can," she said. "I'll have to start the paperwork."
"Hikaru, don't leave me alone with him!" exclaimed Reiko as the door slid shut. She glared at Hiro. "Figures, this would happen!"
"Why are you saying it's my fault? You fell on your own. Which is more than what I can say about my contact lens." He took a seat on a chair that was next to the door. "Look, Doumiyouji, I say we just call it a draw or something."
Reiko's hands were clutched into fists. She would have gone after him if it wasn't for her ankle. "You are the most annoying person I have ever met," she said.
"That can't be true," said Hiro. "I'm sure that you know more obnoxious people than me. I mean you have to look at yourself in a mirror everyday don't you?"
"I don't use mirrors," retorted Reiko.
Hiro's eyebrow raised, "You know that makes perfect sense."
Reiko shifted a bit. Her right ankle was starting to swell and hurt. She let a whimper escape from her lips and bit her bottom lip hard to not make another sound. "You should elevate your leg," said Hiro as he got up from the chair. He went to the side of the exam table and cranked up. "Lay back and put your feet up." His voice sounded so sure and firm that Reiko didn't say anything as she laid back put her feet up. Hiro took off her sock. "It's starting to really swell."
Reiko cleared her throat before asking, "So about this truce, what are you terms?"
"Very simple. We don't do anything else to each other until after our fathers' negotiations are complete. Once that's done, then it's open season. I'm not going to hold back anymore after that. You got that, Doumiyouji?"
"I am perfectly capable of being civilized. I'll agree to your terms, you four-eyed cretin," said Reiko with a fake smile.
"Very well," agreed Hiro with a slight nod. He walked around up to her face. "Are you still mad about the kiss?" he asked.
Reiko's face contorted into a scowl. "What makes you think that?"
"I don't see why you'd be so upset. It's just a kiss. I don't see what the big deal is," answered Hiro as he glanced at her, looking her straight in the eye. "Unless that was your first kiss. Was it?"
Reiko turned away from him as he started laughing as the door slid open. He stood at attention in surprise as Nishikado-sensei walked in. He was dressed in a black shirt with black slacks and a white lab coat. He walked in without announcing himself, getting right to business, "Sorry for the wait, Reiko-chan, but I had to finish attending to other patients." Nishikado-sensei acknowledged Hiro for the first time, "Thank you very much for bring her back here. She's like another daughter to me. Who might you be?"
"Tachibana Hiro," he replied even with a bow. Hiro hadn't done that for anyone at the party at the Doumiyouji Mansion.
"You'll have to wait outside," said Nishikado-sensei.
Hiro simply left and closed the door behind him. "Thanks for getting rid of him, Nishikado-sensei," said Reiko sincerely.
"He seems like a nice boy," observed the doctor.
Reiko got all riled up at that statement, "Are you kidding me?! He's a bastard! This is all his fault!"
Nishikado-sensei shook his head and tried not to laugh. "I suppose this is one of those famous Doumiyouji tantrums I've heard of. I remember your aunt mentioning your father's all the time having one of those. But this is the first time I've ever seen you like this. You must really like that boy."
"WHAT?!" shrieked Reiko as she sat up suddenly.
"Now, now. Don't get too worked up," said Nishikado-sensei. "I have to treat you. I can't send you home like this. It would be very negligent of me. I wouldn't be happy with this if I were your father."
Reiko relaxed a bit. Of course, her father would want to know how it happened. She was going to have to come up with a story. Nishikado-sensei went through with his treatment of her ankle. It wasn't anything too serious and he was done in less than fifteen minutes. When she got back outside, into the waiting area, she saw that Hiro and his cousins had left. She had a brace on her leg and refused a wheelchair that Nishikado-sensei had offered her.
"So that was Tachibana?" asked Sora as soon as she met them. "His cousins are annoying brats."
"You think all children are annoying brats," pointed out his twin sister. Hikaru looked at Reiko and asked, "So what happened after I left you guys?"
"You mean after you abandoned me?" corrected Reiko. She told them about Hiro's proposal of a truce.
"Sounds reasonable," said Hikaru. "Although, it will never work with you because right now you're incapable of being reasonable."
"It's too much to be hopeful, but at least it will be interesting," added Sora.
Reiko smacked her forehead as she stared at them. "I'm beginning to wonder if your whole family is like this," she muttered. She sighed as she pulled out her portable videophone and called for her driver to come and get her. "I'm going home where things still make sense," she concluded.
"You're just sore because for the first time in your life you're having problems with someone," said Hikaru. "You can't bribe, charm, or win over Tachibana that easily. He's smart. And I'm sorry to point this out but he's already winning."
"Yeah, and he already got a kiss out of you, too," pointed out Sora.
"Do you have to announce that for the world, Sora?!" demanded Reiko. A car pulled up just as she was talking, catching her by surprise. She jumped at the car as Ryuichi came out of it. "What are you doing here, Oniichan?"
"I came to get you. I was closer," answered her older brother. "And is that anyway to talk to your Oniichan? That's just disgraceful. Where are you manners?" He looked at her and saw that she was trying to balance on one leg. "I'm going to take you home." Without warning, he picked up.
"Stop it!" shouted Reiko. "I'm tired of people carrying me around!"
"Who else was carrying you? Sora-kun doesn't look strong enough to."
Sora exclaimed, "Hey!"
Ignoring him, Ryuichi put his sister in his car and turned his attention to the twins. "Sorry for the trouble. Please tell your father thank you on my family's behalf. Also, forward any bill to my parents. Good afternoon."
As soon as he pulled out of the clinic's driveway, Ryuichi glanced at Reiko who was sulking with her arms over her chest. Ryuichi shook his head at her. "Reiko-chan, what's wrong?" he asked.
"My life has gone horribly wrong," whimpered Reiko. She thought about how she had twisted her ankle and that she needed Tachibana's help. It made her ankle throb at the thought of it. "Damn him."
"Damn who?"
"No one," muttered Reiko. She asked her brother, "When do you think that Papa's going to be done talking with Tachibana-san?"
"Don't know. You know I never ask. Our parents will think that I'm interested in the business," answered Ryuichi as he accelerated.
"Does you leg hurt still, Oniichan?" asked Reiko quietly.
Ryuichi shook his head and grinned, "No, it doesn't." About a year ago, Ryuichi had an accident in New York when he was on a motorcycle. He got cut off by another car and had shattered his right leg in the process. He had to go through rehab to get everything working again, but after that he had decided to try to for Todai and even went as far as moving out of the family mansion.
"Oniichan, how old were you when you had your first kiss?" asked Reiko suddenly. She needed some male perspective on this situation.
Ryuichi had a startled look on his face. He cleared his throat first before answering, "I was in middle school. It was during a party. Reiko-chan, why are you asking me that question? Do have a boy you like? Please don't tell me it's Sora."
"I already told you. I'm not interested in Sora like that," muttered Reiko. "No, there's no boy that I like. Not like that. Not at all."
Ryuichi exhaled hard through his nose. It one of the ways the males in her family showed irritation. "You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Of course, not!" declared Reiko much more forcefully than she had intended. "But I just want to know. Do you treasure your first kiss?"
"I'm a man. Why are you asking me a question like that?" snorted Ryuichi. He gave her a sideling glance. He could tell she was serious. "Of course, I remember my first kiss. It's not something you forget."
"But you don't remember all of the girls you've kissed, do you?"
"No, I don't. No one really expects you to, especially if you've kissed enough girls."
Reiko snorted in angry, so that was the reason why Tachibana Hiro dismissed her so easily. "Boys are stupid," she concluded. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"Good," said Ryuichi as he laughed. "Just keep that idea up a bit longer and Papa will be happy. He can't image his little girl going off with anyone."
"Don't you mean imagine?" asked Reiko as she shook her head. "You and Tetsuya barely learned how to speak properly."
"You know what I'm trying to say!"
"Idiot."
"You were so cool, Hiro-kun!" proclaimed Erika as she spun around. "Just like a prince sweeping a princess off her feet."
"She was pretty, too," sighed Sakura.
Hiro rubbed his temples as he held Ren's hand. "Will you two shut up?" he asked. "I was just carrying her because you three were there. If it wasn't for that, I would have left her right where we found her."
"I have her shoe," said Ren as he pulled it out of his extra-large sweatshirt. "I forgot to give it back to her."
Hiro rolled his eyes and made grab for the shoe, but Erika intercepted it, "It's like Cinderella! You can give back her shoe, Hiro-kun, and live happily ever after."
"That's only a fairy tale," snorted Hiro. "Besides, Cinderella's supposed to be poor. That girl's the daughter of Doumiyouji. Our fathers are in the middle of some deal."
"So, she's really like a princess?" gasped Erika. "She didn't dress like one though. Not like those other rich girls from America. I like her."
"Me, too," piped up Sakura.
"Pretty," voiced Ren.
Erika was off again, "We can help you. You're not bad looking after. You just need to smile more and try to be nicer. You were so mean even though you were helping her."
"Mean," said Sakura.
Hiro said, "You girls really need to stop reading so much manga. It's really starting to affect all of you, even you, Ren-kun. What is your mother doing to you anyway?"
The rest of the walk back to the apartment was a noisy one for Hiro. When they got there, the kids managed to work off most of their energy. He wanted them to leave before they could mention anything about Reiko to his parents, especially his father.
It was too much to hopeful as they entered the penthouse apartment. Erika went off telling everyone about the whole incident with Sakura adding to it. Hiro slumped into a chair in despair as his parents gave each other glances. His aunt was really in awe of it and his uncle was clearly amused by the whole story.
"She left this behind," said Erika brandishing the shoe. She looked at it more closely. "It's a Gucci! Wow."
"Erika-chan, give me the shoe, please," said Hatsumi as she got up. "We'll have to return it to Doumiyouji-san. I suppose your uncle could give it to one of her father's assistants when they meet this coming Tuesday."
"I'll do that," said Ryoki. He looked at his son. "You did good, son. Not that it was unexpected. Just keep surprising me like that, and I'll be happy." He smirked at bit at him. Hiro stared at his father. That was not what he expected at all. His father rarely expressed his pride so easily. It was a bit embarrassing for him.
"That's not how it's supposed to work!" exclaimed Erika. "The prince is supposed to find the princess and put the shoe on her foot! That's how it's suppose to end."
This time her mother scolded her, "Erika-chan, you're getting too worked up over this. Not everything is out of a fairy tale or a story. You're also embarrassing your cousin. Now, I think it's time we should go home." Akane got up.
"Yeah, we should go back and get some rest for tomorrow," said Subaru.
"Try not to do any work at home," ordered Ryoki. "You have racked up the most overtime in my company, Subaru."
"I'll try, boss," joked Subaru. Ryoki gave him an annoyed look. He didn't like to be called boss by Subaru. They were friends first, then relatives through the women they married. They were boss and employee last.
"Aw," whined the children in unison as they went up to Hiro and gave him a hug. He was still sitting down, but Ren whispered to him, "She's very pretty." With that, they were gone. Ryoki and Hatsumi got up and started cleaning up. Hiro slowly got to his feet and joined them.
"Hiro-kun," said his mother. All of the anger and irritation was gone from Hatsumi's voice. She walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. She didn't say anything as she smiled at him.
Out of sheer frustration, Hiro left his parents alone to do the rest of the cleaning and shut his door closed with an audible snap. He didn't quite understand what they were so happy about. Instead, he went to his computer to go get some studying done online. It was best to keep his mind occupied.
Ryoki put his arms around his wife's waist as soon as they were done cleaning up. "I told you there was hope for him, didn't I?" he whispered softly to her.
"Yes," replied Hatsumi as she stroked Ryoki's cheek. "We should keep an eye on things just the same."
"Of course," agreed Ryoki as he held on tighter to his wife.
When Ryuichi drove into the driveway, much to Reiko's astonishment Tetsuya and their parents were waiting for them. "How did they find out so fast?" squeaked Reiko.
"I told them. Well, I told them Mama, then she told Papa and Tetsuya," shrugged Ryiuchi as he turned off the engine.
Reiko saw her father opening the passenger side door. She immediately said, "I'm okay, Papa." Without saying a word, Tsukasa lifted her in his arms. "I can walk. No really, I can."
"Did you carry her, too, Ryu?" asked Tsukushi.
Ryuichi replied, "Just to the car. I'm fine, Mama. It's Reiko who twisted her ankle."
"How did you do it?" asked Tsukasa.
"I turned too fast and tripped," answered Reiko.
"Hmm," said her father. "Let's get you inside."
Ryuichi asked, "What are you still doing here, Oniisan?"
"You brat, I can stay here as long as I want. I'm going by private jet, so I don't have to leave that soon," replied Tetsuya, smacking Ryuichi's shoulder.
Tsukasa and Tsukushi walked into the house as their sons followed. "Nishikado-sensei treated you?' asked Tsukushi.
"Yes," answered Reiko. "But I've also lost my shoe." Her father set her down on the sofa. "I wonder where it went."
"Nishikado-sensei?" inquired Tsukasa.
Tsukushi nodded, "I thought you knew, Tsukasa. Hikaru is Soujirou's niece, the daughter of his older brother. He owns his own clinic and practices general medicine."
Tsukasa demanded, "Why didn't I know this?"
Reiko rolled her eyes. "I thought you knew, Papa. I've been friend with Hikaru-chan and Sora-kun since I was four."
"Really?" Tsukushi along with her children nodded. "I see. In that case we should really do something to repay the Nishikado's kindness," concluded Tsukasa.
Reiko shook her head. "No, Nishikado-sensei wouldn't accept it. He won't even let the twins come here to visit. That's why I go to see them instead."
Tsukushi also pointed out, "He hasn't been in contact with his family in since he left home over twenty years ago."
"That's terrible," said Ryuichi immediately. "Why?"
"Think about it," sighed Tetsuya. "The Nishikado are tea ceremony masters and have been for generations. Nishikado-sensei is a modern doctor, and that goes completely against what the family stands for."
Tsukasa knew the other reason, too, so did Tsukushi. They glanced at each other. Silently they communicated to each other. It took years and three children to get to that point. "So inviting them over to thank them properly isn't a good idea," said Ryuichi. "I've never really talked to Nishikado-sensei. I've seen him, but he's always busy. Hikaru-chan and Sora-kun are kind of annoying."
"Hikki-chan says your stupid," said Reiko smugly.
Ryuichi narrowed his eyes at her. "Thanks for letting me know." Tetsuya snickered.
"Anyway," said Ryuichi as he nodded at his father. "I told the evil twins to have their father forward the bill to you and Mama."
Reiko sighed, "I miss my shoe."
"You have a lot of shoes, Reiko-chan," said her father as he affectionately ruffled her hair, "and most of it you don't even wear."
"I know, Papa," said Reiko. "But I'll have to break in another pair."
Reiko like her brothers had an allowance. She barely used hers on herself. When she went out with friends, she would happily pay for things, but the twins would let her get away with it so much. Reiko didn't even really go shopping. Things would show up in her closet. The clothes she bought on her own were not expensive by the standards of the students in Eitoku.
She much preferred to spend time with her friends and had acquired a taste for what was labeled commoners' food along with a taste for vending machine coffee. Her friends kept her grounded and didn't make her feel bad for not being like them. "Mama, what are we having for lunch?"
"I'm not sure," answered Tsukushi thoughtfully. "I gave the chef the day off. I wasn't expecting all of us to be home like this."
"We shouldn't go out because of Reiko-chan's ankle," said Tsukasa.
Tsukushi said, "Then, I'll make something."
Tetsuya and Ryuichi glanced at each other before cheering, "Yay!" Reiko couldn't help, but smile.
AN: You have to figure that Tsukushi wouldn't be at home cooking all the time, but the kids love her cooking. It's a treat for them.
Also I would like to say thanks to everyone who's reviewed the story far. Thanks for the encouragement.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango or Hot Gimmick. Please use this story with my permission.
