Chapter 7: Falling for You

These past few days had been Oshitari's happiest days. Not only did he ask Kyoko out, but they even got closer through phone calls. After their date last Friday, she asked her out for lunch.

He had to admit that she's not the most attractive woman he had met, but she has this beauty that will make you appreciate it more when you take a closer look at her. They even jogged together Sunday afternoon. She usually jogs when she has the time. That's how she maintains her slender but healthy body. When they don't see each other they just talk on the phone.


Kyoko was on duty and then she took her lunch break and ate with her colleague, Yuri.

While eating, she checks her cell phone from time to time to see if there are any calls. Yuri seems to notice it.

"Wow, looks like my friend is starting to feel better," Yuri started the conversation. "It seems like he's making a move on you and he seems to have a chance."

"What are you saying," asked Kyoko. "We're just friends."

"But that's how a good relationship starts, when you start as friends." insisted Yuri. "And don't try to act naïve. It doesn't look good on you at all. I know that you find it obvious but you're just denial."

"Oh come on," answered Kyoko.

"You don't have to deny it. By the way, is your plan really final?"

"Yes it is."

"Is there no way for you to change your mind?"

"It's really final. I've spent most of my time here and in my work. I realized that it's time for me to spend my time with my family. I really missed them and they've been worrying about me lately."

"Oh, if that's how it is then I'm really gonna miss you. But promise me that we will communicate with each other through email and do visit us here from time to time."

"Of course I will. Please let's not talk about that, coz thinking that I'll be leaving Japan sooner makes me sentimental. I have lots of memories here. Some were good and some were bad. Some were happy and some were sad, but I guess that's just how life goes. "

While saying those words, Kyoko's face became emotional. Yuri patted her at the back for comfort.


It was already Friday and Oshitari took Kyoko to a tennis court. He introduced her to some of his teammates before. Among these were Mukahi, Shishido and Ootori. They played against each other. Because Oshitari was the genius of their team, he often outsmarts his teammates so he wins.

Because Kyoko was amazed at how Oshitari plays, she started to have interest in learning how to play tennis. She asked Oshitari to teach him. He agreed and was impressed with Kyoko because she learns fast but she still has a long way to go before becoming an excellent player. Kyoko knows she still needs more practice to be a good player but her interest was just for fun and nothing more. When the day was over they went to their respected homes and decided to go out again on Sunday.


Sunday came and Oshitari picked Kyoko. Kyoko entered Oshitari's car and they went straight to their destination.

Kyoko was surprised that it was a lake and there were boats in the lake. She felt a chill down her spine.

"Yushi, why are we here,?" asked Kyoko.

"We'll go boating," answered Oshitari.

Kyoko did not answer. She just gaped while looking at the water. She feels she is starting to have goosebumps. Oshitari is preparing the boat that they are going to ride. Oshitari called her and let her ride on the boat. Kyoko walked slowly on the boat. She was hesitant to ride the boat but she did it.

While on the boat Oshitari was the one who was paddling the boat. He started the conversation.

"Isn't this wonderful?" asked Oshitari. "It feels so relaxing here, right?"

Kyoko did not answer. She just looked at the water with fear and her hands were trembling. Oshitari noticed it.

"Hey, are you alright?" aked Oshitari but Kyoko did not respond.

The wind blew towards their direction and it swayed the boat. Kyoko noticed the boat's motion and gasped. Because of the wind, Oshitari's paddling was also affected causing some water to splash on Kyoko. Kyoko tried to avoid the splash of the water but unfortunately, she fell on the water.

"Help!" cried Kyoko. "I don't know how to swim!"

Kyoko was drowning.

"Hang on! I'll be there!" shouted Oshitari and jumped on the water to save Kyoko.

Oshitari saved Kyoko and put her on the boat. She was still conscious and coughed hard to remove the water that almost went inside her mouth. Oshitari paddled the boat as fast as he could to reach the coastline. They left the boat and sat on the sand for a while.

"Are you okay?" asked Oshitari. "Are you?"

"Hydrophobic?" cried Kyoko. "Yes I am. I have fear of water and I hate boating."

"But why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't understand either. My body just decided to walk towards the boat on its own."

There has been a long silence between the two. Oshitari decided to break the silence.

"I'm sorry," apologize Oshitari.

"It's alright," answered Kyoko. "It's not you fault. I should've told you earlier."

The two smiled at each other and laughed hard. While Oshitari was still laughing, he did not notice that Kyoko stopped and stared at him with a confused look

Oshitari asked Kyoko if something was wrong but Kyoko just shook her head.

The sun was still up so the two decided to take a walk around the shore. The two had a nice conversation with regards to different facts about themselves.

"I'm really sorry for today," said Oshitari. "But can you please tell me what happened to you that made you hydrophobic?"

"It happened when I was six," answered Kyoko. "My older brother, older sister and I was in Bahamas at that time. We were riding in a yacht. I was running around the yacht but I tripped myself and apparently, I fell on the water. I almost drown but my father rescued me."

"I see," responded Oshitari. "Well then next time I won't suggest boating when we go out. It just so happens that I love boating."

"You do?" said Kyoko frowning. "Why?"

"I just thought it as relaxing, plus it really looks romantic when used on dates."

"I see," said Kyoko and looked on the sand, wondering on how she should react.

"Do you really like tennis?" asked Kyoko.

"Like? I love tennis!" answered Oshitari with enthusiasm. "I had been playing tennis in tournaments since junior high."

"So you must be a member of a team? What school did you attend when you were in junior high?" asked Kyoko.

"I attended Hyotei Academy from junior high to high school."

"Really! I started attending Hyotei when I was in high school. I was an exchange student from China"

"But how come I never saw you when I was in Hyotei?"

"I don't know. How old are you any way?"

"I'm already 28 years old," answered Oshitari.

"Oh. That makes you four years older than me," replied Kyoko. "I'm just 24 you know."

"I must've graduated when you attended Hyotei."

"Right."

"Now I remember!" shouted Kyoko. "You were a member of the famous tennis club. "

"Yeah," said a confused Oshitari.

"I always hear your name being mentioned by some seniors together with the other four guys we had a game with last time. They act more violent when they mentioned this, who was that again, uhhhhmmm, oh yeah! Atobe Keigo. Who is he anyway?"

"Well, he's our captain and majority of the girls in the campus worship him. The four guys from last time were my former teammates."

"Wow he must've been really hot to have a very large fan base as that. Let's just hope that it didn't turn him into an egoistic brat."

Upon hearing those words, Oshitari laughed. He knows exactly that even before Atobe had a very large fanbase as that, he is already egoistic. They spent the whole afternoon talking about themselves and other things that's under the sun. They had a wonderful conversation. When the day is about to end, Oshitari decided to drive Kyoko home. Their clothes were already dried up.

When they reached the apartment complex, Oshitari accompanied Kyoko up to the door of her apartment. There was silence when they reached the door of the apartment.

"Thank you for making my day wonderful, I had fun," said Kyoko.

"Thanks," I had fun too," said Oshitari.

"Bye."

Before separating, Oshitari kissed Kyoko on the forehead and it shocked her, then he left. Kyoko entered her apartment. Both had a wonderful day and were very tired so they decided to get some rest.


It was another week for both Oshitari and Kyoko. For Oshitari, another week can either be a stressor because of his demanding job or another unforgettable week when he spends his time with Kyoko. He wanted to ask Kyoko for dinner this coming Friday evening but he has a meeting, so he decided to do it on Sunday.

Kyoko was busy writing her resignation letter. Her phone rang so she answered it. It was no other than Oshitari.

"Hello Yushi."

"Hey, I just called to ask you for dinner this coming Sunday evening. That is if you are not busy."

"Sure I'd love to go on a dinner with you."

"Okay, I'll pick you up on Sunday at seven."

"Yes."

Oshitari was happy to be able to ask for dinner. This is going to be their first dinner date. Ever since he met Kyoko everything just feels so right for him. His life has more color compared before when he dates and plays with feelings of different women and his mind was suffering from information overload and stress because of his high profile job. When Kyoko came into his life everything was different. He admits to himself that he is already falling for her so he decided to propose to her on their dinner date.

After finishing her resignation letter, she decided to have a stroll at the park. These past few days, she seems to be forgetting the emptiness that she had been feeling before. She is not sure whether it is a good thing for her though. It's weird because when there is nothing left for her to think, thoughts of Oshitari just pops out of her mind for no reason at all. What's funny is that Oshitari knows how to make her smile and laugh. The way Oshitari fills up the emptiness in her heart freaks her out as well. She knows the reason but it's hard for her to explain. It confuses her. She really wanted to avoid him but at the same time, she can't seem to do it, she has no strength at all.

Kyoko went to the coffee shop. She gave her order and went to her favorite spot to sit. She looked for the paper that she taped under the table. She was surprised to find out that the paper wasn't there. She looked for it but it wasn't there.

"Does this mean that he is not interested anymore," she thought.

After finishing her coffee she left the coffee shop to go home.


This is chapter 7. To the readers, do you think Kyoko is a confusing character? There is a story behind the way she acts. Wanna guess. I already formulated the idea. It's not really a shocking twist. It's actually common in dramas or novels. By these hints you may or may not figure it out. It's up to you.