I'm sooooo sorry guys. I know it's been a while since I updated. Since I'm on spring break I think I have time for maybe 2 chapters. MAYBE! I highly doubt it, but I'll try. I didn't edit this chapter so I'm sorry for any mistakes that were made. But here we go, Chapter 8!
Thoughts are in italics.
Chapter 8: The Dinner Table
Haku's POV
We walked all the way to the small square table in the center of the room. We only eat dinner here on very special occasions because this room holds some sentimental value to my mom. We each took our seats on the floor, where there were 4 black cushions ready for us to kneel on. It's a tradition; I just go with it even though it tends to hurt my knees.
My mother clapped her hands and yelled loud enough for everybody three rooms away to hear, "LET THE FEAST BEGIN!"
On cue, servants came out from the kitchen door with several platters of food in each hand. They gently set the dishes in front of each of us, then bowed and exited from the door they entered.
The dishes looked mouthwatering! I remembered Chihiro liked the rice balls that I once gave her, so I made sure she got an extra one. By the way she was eyeing her plate I could tell she couldn't resist the temptation of such good food any longer. Without hesitation Chihiro reached for her fork and knife, proceeding to cut some of her tender chicken.
She closed her eyes and her lips curled upward in a satisfied grin. She looked so . . . hmm I couldn't find the right word. Cute? Adorable? I wouldn't generally use those words, but that's how she looked with her cheeks filled with chicken.
Based on her reaction to the meal, it tempted me even more to try it for myself. I cut my meat into a small piece and took my first bite.
Holy Mother of Water this food is amazing!
I know I've lived here for quite a while, but the chef has yet to fail with the amount of surprises he brings to the table. I'm quite impressed.
We eat in silence for a few minutes until my mother brings up the ball.
"Kohaku, Koroki, I expect you guys to have found dates by the end of this week to bring to the dragon ball of the year." She says eyeing us while taking another bite of her salad.
"Of course mother, I'm taking Yuki. Wait until you see her." Koyoko said smiling.
Now even though we are supposed to find 'the one' Koyoko still has time to mess around with any girl that would be willing to be with him for one night. Then he just forgets about them. He enjoys one night stands. To put it simply Koyoko is a player. A big one at that.
Every week he has a different girl. They're never the same; he has a wide variety of taste. I have a feeling that as long as the person is of the opposite sex Koyoko would be willing to go out with them.
My mother started to shake her head in disapproval. "Koyoko couldn't you just find a decent girl and settle down. Last week it was Luna, the week before that it was Suzi. What is this, the third girl for the month?" she asked.
"Mother calm down. I'm still young, I'll find the one sooner or later." He said while glancing at Chihiro swiftly, then looking at the table.
Why did he stare at Chihiro like that? Eh, it was probably nothing.
"Kohaku, are you planning on asking anybody?" my mother asked, while glancing at Chihiro then staring back at me.
Chihiro hadn't said much during the dinner, but when my mother asked that question her head inclined in my direction waiting for an answer.
I mentally slapped myself on the head.
I almost forgot! How could I be so stupid?!
"Yes, I have one particular person in mind." I said with a frown. I wish it were Chihiro, but there was a complication.
Now even though Koyoko was a player, I should be the last person to talk. I've had my share of girls in the past. I know I wasn't as faithful as Chihiro was and I regret that, but what did she expect me to do, stay single for 13 years?
The girl I am currently with is Akemi. Unlike my other previous . . . girlfriends Akemi is unique in a special way. First off she's beautiful; Chihiro would beat her any day in the beauty department, but that doesn't mean she looks any less attractive. She's very intelligent as well. I would sit down all night and have intellectual conversations with her. There was never a dull moment. I hate to admit it, but most of my previous girlfriends were not so bright. To put it bluntly, they were airheads. I don't know what I saw in them. I didn't have as many as Koyoko, and I sure kept my girlfriends for at least more than a month.
I feel like a horrible person, mainly for trying to start something with Chihiro when I was already seeing somebody. I feel bad for completely forgetting about her.
Akemi wouldn't get mad at me, nor would she be jealous of Chihiro. That's another thing I like about her. Her confidence; she knows she is exceptionally beautiful and she's not afraid to own it. She's not conceited nor arrogant, she's just confident. That's refreshing compared to the other girls I've been with. She's also always happy. She has a very . . . bubbly personality.
None of my previous relationships have lasted long, maybe 2 weeks to a little over a month. This is the longest relationship I've ever been in. Akemi and I have been going out for 3 months now. She makes me happy and content.
Usually I went out with girls to fill the void my heart had for Chihiro. I know, bad excuse, but it's true. Now that she's here I couldn't be happier! But I'm still with Akemi and she's truly a nice girl. I would be stupid to break up with her. What reason would I give her? 'oh yeah, sorry Akemi we have to break up because the girl that I've liked for a really long time has come back from the human world and now she needs to help me complete this prophecy that you know nothing about.'
I don't see that conversation going to well.
Currently Akemi is visiting her family in another region of the spirit world. She'll be back I time for the ball, but I don't know exactly when.
Now I felt really bad. I have strong feelings for Chihiro. Those feelings never left, but now I have Akemi. She's a terrific person . . . but she's not Chihiro.
I looked at Chihiro and her head was hung down, looking at her empty plate.
"May I be excused for evening? I think I'm a bit uneasy from the flight." She said loud enough for all of us at the table to hear.
Before waiting for an answer from any of us, Chihiro got up, bowed and ran out of the room without a glance at anybody.
I put my head down in shame. I was most likely the reason for her feeling this way. I practically dragged her from her previous life in the human world for her to come and watch me with my new girlfriend.
Way to go Kohaku! You really improved your chances of being with her.
"Kohaku I'm disappointed in you." my mother said shaking her head. "I thought with the knowledge of Chihiro coming back you would end any relationships you had. It was your idea to bring her back and now look what you've down! You've caused that girl pain." My mother sympathized.
Koyoko usually brings his newest girlfriend home to introduce to the family, but I on the other hand kept all my relationships hidden. It's not that I didn't want to introduce them to my mother; I would just rather some privacy in my love life. My mother new I had girls because she would hear us either talking on the phone or in my room, but she never knew who they were or how many.
Koyoko tried to hide a grin that was forming on his face and tried to give me a disappointed look, but it was evident he either wanted to laugh or smile. Whichever one didn't matter, but the look on his face was upsetting me.
He got up from his seat. "I'll go check on her, just to make sure she's okay." Koyoko said heading out the door.
I started to get up, about to protest, but my mother shot me warning glance. "Sit down Kohaku; you've caused her enough trouble for one night." She said.
I sat back down, not wanting to push my mother tonight. I let out a big sigh.
"Who is she?" my mother asked.
"Akemi." I answered her, knowing immediately who she was talking about.
"Is she worth it Kohaku? Are you going to put Chihiro through so much pain for this girl?" she asked looking at me seriously.
I didn't know how to answer this. I'm not a bad person. It may seem like it, but I truthfully did nothing wrong. I never cheated on a girl and I never got with a girl just for the benefits or the looks. I truly cared about the few girlfriends I've had, they've all just proved not to be the one. But Akemi is different. She's not like the rest and I would be criminal if I just broke up with her without a good explanation.
The ball is in 3 days and I have no idea what to do with this whole situation.
I sighed. "I don't know mother." I said to her.
"Well you better figure out what you're doing. Neither of the girls deserves this. Both need an explanation and only you can give it to them. I'm not going to force you to make a decision, but just choose wisely. I'll respect you're decision either way." My mother said.
She got up from her seat, walked over to me and kissed me on my forehead. She then walked out of the room, leaving me alone to my thoughts.
I sighed again, probably for the third time tonight.
Well I'm in more trouble than I thought.
Yes, no, maybe, so? I liked this chapter and again I'm sorry for not updating in a while. To all the readers thank you for your support, also to those who commented to keep writing. It really encouraged me to continue and I needed that. I'm glad you enjoyed it. To my crazy fan, I can't wait to start reading your writing when you get an account. Thanks for the advice and I understand what you're saying about everything. Oh and I like oreos and chocolate chip cookies. If you ate one of those I would be slightly upset. Lol. What's your favorite type of cookie? Until next time, which I hope is soon!
