Chapter 7: A Big Turn of Events
After Akane apologized to Ranmaru for the thousandth time, the five began eating on the cheesecake. Akane still felt bad so she decided to feed Ranmaru until he is capable of eating by himself. Noi and Sunako were both amazed and displeased at Ranmaru's power over girls, especially young girls who were your best friend's daughter.
Ranmaru looked over to Noi and Sunako to show how cute Akane is, but instead of smiles, he got cold, death glares. "I guess I'm planning my own funeral here, Akane, so I'll go down with dignity," he said and gave Akane a little peck on the forehead. In an instant, Akane fell to the kitchen floor with a giddy, girlish smile.
"Akane-chan," cried Daisuke as he tried to revive his sister. Noi took Ranmaru by the ear and Sunako said to him in an eerie tone, "Do you want another hit on the head?" Ranmaru shook his head and apologized.
"Geez, you guys are acting so weird. If I did this to any other girl, you won't even give your two cents."
"Well, that little girl is under the care of Sunako and me! Plus, she's the innocent daughter of your best friend." Ranmaru grabbed Noi by her hand and pulled her ear closer to him.
"Don't you mean best friends." Noi gave a gasp and Sunako shook his head.
"I guess Taka-kun knows how to get in on. But, I guess he only settled for one girl. Well, congratulations Noi, you just made Taka-kun lose his virgi-…" said Ranmaru before Noi gave him a slap. The slap was neither hard nor soft, just enough to shut Ranmaru up.
"Wow, Ranmaru, I guess your mouth is always on the run," said a familiar, male voice.
"Daddy," said the twins in unison. Both of them ran to give their father a great, big hug.
"My babies, I missed you. Well, Sunako, thank you so much for taking care of them," said Takanega as he lifted up his kids. He gave Noi a nod and a smile, but Noi looked away.
Suddenly, a crackle and boom shook the room. Lighting struck and thunder came after. Outside, the rain was pouring like nobody's business.
"I guess we can't go back today," said Ranmaru with a fake disappointed tone. Sunako offered them a place to stay overnight. As Sunako started dinner, the children and Ranmaru are busy watching some TV. Despite Ranmaru's control over Akane, Daisuke's cute face made Ranmaru cave in to the children's needs. So, Ranmaru is force to watch re-runs of "Doreamon" and "Hello Kitty." Suddenly, he began to gain interest in one show called "Flight of the Angels." The main character, Shizuka, was a bombshell. "Note to self, get this Shizuka's number," said Ranmaru to himself. Once a player, always a player.
In the patio, Takanega and Noi finally had the much needed talk.
"So, how have you been doing Takanega-kun?"
"I've been doing well, nothing different. Business is booming, as usual, and the kids are great."
"How 'bout that wife of yours, Miwako right?"
"Oh, (blushed Takanega) she's doing well."
"C'mon Takanega-kun, let's drop the formalities. Just spit out whatever you want to say."
"Noi, I…"
"Please, don't say anything because I think I know what it is. It will be along the lines of Stay away from me, stay away from my family. Well, you can take them. I don't need them. Besides, I bet you that you never cared when you left me…" rambled Noi until she was stopped by Takanega's lips.
His lips were soft and caring and hers responded well to them. On such a cold night, the kiss warmed their hearts and kept them safe. It was just like before, without the complicated matters, without the idiotic reasons to get away, just perfect. Suddenly, hands started exploring each other's bodies. His hand caressing her face, her hand running through his hair. Lips were exploring too. From a kiss on the lips to kisses on the cheek. Then, it slowly went to the neck. Takanega kissed the slender neck of Noi and went down to her collarbone. Noi grabbed Takanega's head and pulled him upwards, face to face. Again, the cycle repeats and stops just at the collarbone.
"DINNER TIME," yelled Sunako. After 5 minutes of kissing, Takanega and Noi cleaned themselves up and gave each other a reassuring smile. "Don't say anything until the end. Can you trust me on that?" said Takanega. Noi answered back by squeezing his hand.
As they settled down for dinner, a sudden knock appeared. Sunako excused herself to get the door, wondering if it could be her nagging publisher. As she turned the knob, her heart started pounding. Each turn made her heart go faster and faster, but she has no clue why. She opened the door and there stood a drenched Kyohei who is panting like a dog. He looked up and saw Sunako's confused face. Then, he grabbed her and said to her, "Suki," before collapsing on her doorstep.
Apparently, Lily was too tired of the Kobe scene and told Kyohei if they could go back to Japan. As they started packing, Kyohei saw a picture of the entire gang, happy and carefree. When they arrived at the train station, Kyohei began to have second thoughts.
"Kyo-kyo, what's the matter? Is it that girl again?"
"Have you ever regretted anything Lily, regretted it until you feel like you've run away from opportunity?"
"Not really, because I have you my Kyo-kyo. Look, we'll have better memories and she can never give you what I can." Lily bended over to kiss Kyohei, but Kyohei shoved her away.
"You're right, she can't give me what you gave," said Kyohei as he started heading towards the exit. "She gives it better!" shouted Kyohei. Lily was left feeling embarrassed and dumbfounded. Luckily for her, a player seized the opportunity and Lily gained another partner to accompany her in Japan.
"Kyohei, wake up you idiot!" shouted Sunako as she shook him hard. Kyohei opened his eyes and saw the only thing he wanted, a frantic Sunako. Then, he started laughing like a madman.
Everyone looked at Kyohei with disbelief. After being unconscious for a solid 10 minutes, this guy had the nerve to laugh. But that's Kyohei for you.