All praises to Yoko Kamio, for she owns Hana Yori Dango... I just own this idea for the story :)
To SarahNThachter : Thanks for the review! Yup, being sick sucks.. You can't help but feel so weak and useless.. The ring should probably come out in the next chapter after this.. :)
whywhylove : Yes, Rui's so understanding.. He's just always there to help Makino.. gushes I hope to find my own Rui too.. Haha!
kamisama89: Thanks for the review! Without you guys believing in my story and you liked it means so much to me.
So, here goes.. The next chapter! Voila!
"What a week!" exclaimed Tsukushi as she plopped down on one of the sofas in a coffee shop where she and Yuki agreed to spend their afternoon together.
"Here's your coffee Tsukushi.." said Yuki as she gently placed another coffee mug in front of her best friend. "Now what are you up to lately? We're still in the middle of the week and yet you look like you've been through so much!"
"Tell me about it.." complained Tsukushi as she took a sip at her coffee. "I mean, I've been rushing a lot of assignments and reports this past three days since the weekend, I have a lot of studying to do for the midterms and Susumu is begging me to come home because he doesn't know how to cook so I have to go to the apartment every night after working at the dango shop to make him dinner and then rush back to Doumyouji.." she stated without breaking for a breath.
"Well I know you're stressed out lately that's why whenever we're at the dango shop I try to do the work as much as I can to let you take a breather.." giggled Yuki. "Anyway, it also looks like you haven't been getting enough sleep since you look like a mini-panda already with all those dark circles around your eyes.."
"I told you, I have a lot of assignments and reports to do.. It's a good thing I'm still staying at the mansion because of Tsubaki because I could use all of the books I need at their own private library.." she explained back. 'Is it really because of Tsubaki?' she thought to herself. Looking back at the nights she spent at the mansion after they did it, it seems that she couldn't sleep anymore without Tsukasa at her side.
"Are you really sure it's just because of Tsubaki and the library Kushi?" Yuki asked playfully.
Tsukushi just bent her head to avoid letting Yuki see the blush that spread on her cheeks.
"Common Kushi, we've been best friends since grade school. I know you a lot more than you think.. You're hiding something from me aren't you?" nudged Yuki.
Tsukushi just continued to avoid her gaze.
"Is it really because of reports and assignments that's why you're not getting enough sleep these past few nights?" taunted Yuki.
"Oh okay! It's not just because of that.. Happy now?" retorted Tsukushi. Of course she could tell Yuki everything, they're like sisters! But she's not really used to talking about that kind of experience with someone in a public place.
"Aahhh… I see.. So something's been happening all along and you didn't even tell me?"
"Yuki, it's not like I don't want to tell.. But you know it's kind of embarrassing to talk about it. Especially since we're in a public place.." reasoned out Tsukushi.
"It's okay, I'm not mad. Anyway, when did it happen?"
"Last Sunday, that's why I didn't attend my classes the following morning because we slept late.."
"How many times did you do it already? And how often?" asked Yuki.
"Is that important?" pleaded Tsukushi. I mean, telling her is quite enough but does she have to know the schedule?
"Yes!" squealed Yuki.
"Hush!" scolded Tsukushi. "Okay, we've been doing it a lot okay? I mean, every night since we started. Happy? End of conversation."
Yuki just smiled and placed her hand over at Tsukushi's. "I hope you're happy Kushi.. I'm really glad for the two of you.."
"Thanks.." murmured Tsukushi. She was about to reach for her phone when suddenly the doors of the coffee shop opened and a familiar girl with short hair came bustling in towards them.
"Tsukushi! Yuki!" squealed the girl as she ran towards them hugging them both.
"Shigeru!!" Tsukushi and Yuki both exclaimed in unison.
"When did you arrive?" said Yuki just as Shigeru removed her embrace and sat down on one of the chairs.
"Yeah! And why didn't you tell us you were arriving? We could have at least picked you up from the airport.." stated Tsukushi. Seeing Shigeru again was like a burst of new life from her week of hell.
"Well, it was not really planned. My parents just wanted me to come here for a special party they're going to have. I don't know but I wish it's not like an arranged marriage again for me.." stated Shigeru as she winked at Tsukushi.
"What are you're plans for the week? Maybe you could hang out with the others sometime!" asked Tsukushi.
"I'll just drop by Eirin tomorrow to visit some people then I'll visit you guys at Eitoku! And I'll also drop by at the dango shop to hang-out with Yuki too!" giggled Shigeru. "Chocolate parfait please!" she continued as she ordered at the waiter.
"Ooh! Wait! I'll just call someone because I know we have a lot of catching up to do!" interrupted Tsukushi. She picked up her phone and dialed Doumyouji's number. It only took a couple of rings before she heard his husky voice.
"Hello Tsukushi? Where are you?" he greeted as soon as he answered her call.
"Listen Doumyouji, I might be a little late. Shigeru just arrived and we need some catching up to do so don't wait for me okay?"
"What do you mean don't wait for you?! Of course I'm going to wait! Anyway where are you guys at? I'll just pick you up later if you're going home at a late hour!" his voice boomed over the receiver.
"Oh alright! We're at the coffee shop in front of Ginza mall.. I'll just call you again to pick me up okay?"
"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye."
"Bye." she said as she hung up the phone.
"So you and Tsukasa are now good eh?" asked Shigeru as she was now halfway done at her parfait.
"Well, you could say that.." humbly replied Tsukushi.
"It's nice though, at least I know I gave up on Tsukasa for a relationship I knew could stand the test of time.." muttered Shigeru as she was now scooping the last spoonfuls of her parfait. "What about you Yuki-chan? What's new with you?"
"Well.. I'm going out with someone now.."
"Who??" Shigeru asked curiously.
"Nishikado Soujiro.."
"Whaaat??!!! The great playboy Nishikado Soujiro committed himself to a girl??!!" squealed Shigeru.
"Yup, you better believe it Shigeru. Yuki has a deadly charm that drove Nishikado out of his playboy ways.." explained Tsukushi.
"This calls for a celebration!! My two close friends in the whole world are now happy with their love lives!" exclaimed Shigeru. "Three chocolate parfaits please! My treat!" she continued as she gestured to the waiter their order.
As soon as their orders arrived, they started to chomp down their parfaits as they chatted and shared all the memories they have missed together. It was almost closing time and they realized that they were the only ones left in the café signaling that its time for them to go home.
"Yuki, I'll just drop you home okay? I know Tsukasa needs a private time with Tsukushi.." stated Shigeru as she winked at Tsukushi.
Yuki just stared at Tsukushi and smiled. 'If only Shigeru knew..' Yuki thought. "Sure Shigeru, thanks.."
They exited the café and noticed a limo was parked in front of them, suddenly the door opened and Doumyouji came out to walk towards the three.
"How long have you been waiting there?" asked Tsukushi.
"Ever since you called.." growled Tsukasa. "Ei monkey girl, you haven't changed one bit.." he said eyeing Shigeru.
Tsukushi slapped Tsukasa's arm and said "I told you not to call Shigeru that you octopus!"
"Hey! Is that the way you treat someone who waited for you huh?!!"
"Did I tell you to wait?? I told you I'll call you when you'll pick me up!!"
"But did you call me huh??! You guys are leaving already and you still haven't called! It's a good thing I came here in advance!"
"Then who told you to wait outside??! You could join us in the café instead of moping around in the limo!" blasted Tsukushi.
"Well, some things never change do they?" muttered Shigeru to Yuki.
Yuki just nodded her head in approval.
"Hey you guys! Yuki and I are going now! Be safe okay!" shouted Shigeru at the bickering couple as she and Yuki hopped into Shigeru's car.
The couple was left alone in the street when Tsukasa retorted to Tsukushi's argument. "Listen, I would never intrude your bonding moment with your friends. I know you missed Shigeru, that's why I opted to stay in the limo than join you inside. Now could we please go home now?"
"I'm sorry Doumyouji.." she said as she embraced him touched by his affection and love for her. She knew that sometimes words were said between the two of them just because of the anger they felt for each other without even thinking what the other person's reason was.
"It's okay. Let's go, Tama's waiting with a delayed dinner." he said as he led her into the limo to go home.
They arrived at the mansion with Tama and some servants waiting for them. They were ushered right into the dining hall and was surprised that Tsubaki wasn't there to eat with them.
"Tama, where's Onee-chan?" asked Tsukasa as he took his seat.
"Tsubaki-san attended a dinner party this evening, honestly I don't know why she would attend those parties when we both know that she hates them.." stated Tama as she was supervising the maids to bring the young couple their dinner.
"Have you eaten dinner Tama? You could eat with us.." asked Tsukushi as she was now starting her appetizer.
"Iie young miss.. It's okay. I already ate.. Anyway I'll go ahead, its getting late and I have to retire to bed." replied Tama. She knew that the young miss and the young master needed some private time knowing how Tsukasa threw a fit when he learned that Tsukushi was going home late this evening. She patted Tsukushi's shoulder and left.
"So how's monkey girl?" said Tsukasa breaking the silence that followed when Tama left.
"I told you not to call her monkey girl! Anyway, she said that her parents was going to hold a party soon for her and she wished it's not just another arranged marriage for her.."
"Well, I doubt it. So what's your agenda for tonight?" asked Tsukasa as he winked at Tsukushi.
"What do you mean 'agenda' huh??" retorted Tsukushi, looking at her vegetables to hide the blush that formed on her cheeks. 'Dammit! Why am I still blushing? We've already done it a lot of times and yet I still act and feel like this!'
"You know what I mean.." Tsukasa said as he stopped eating his meal and was now looking at Tsukushi intently.
"I don't know what you're talking about.." dismissed Tsukushi, absent mindedly forking through her vegetables. Suddenly she lost her appetite and was now looking forward to.. to do IT?
"Your room or MY room.." asked Tsukasa a playful smile spreading on his lips.
"You really are a pervert aren't you?" she said as she immediately sat up from her chair and began to walk towards the stairs to go to her room.
"Hey Tsukushi! Wait up! I didn't mean to.. I just thought.. You know!!" exclaimed Tsukasa as he ran to catch up to Tsukushi.
Tsukushi continued to walk towards her door and not paying any attention to Tsukasa's pleads. Suddenly she stopped at her door, opened it, faced Tsukasa and said "My room.." and she grabbed Tsukasa by his shirt into her room.
The next morning, the F4 together with Tsukushi are hanging out at the F4 lounge in Eitoku high. Tsukushi's class after her lunch break was moved so she has another free hour to hang-out with the guys.
"Hey guys, Tsukushi has a surprise for you.." interrupted Tsukasa as Rui awoke and the playboys looked at him from their private conversation.
"What is it?" asked Akira earnestly.
"Not what, but who.." smiled Tsukushi.
Soujiro was about to open his mouth to ask Tsukushi who is it when a high pitch female voice was heard at the cafeteria.
"Hi guys!!" screamed Shigeru as she ran up the stairs to the F4's private spot.
"Shigeru?!!" Akira and Soujiro said in unison, after throwing Tsukushi a pleading look to tell them if it was just a dream they're having.
"Welcome back.." said Rui as he plopped down on the sofa again to resume his interrupted sleep.
"Hai!!" yelled Shigeru. "Oii!! Rui!! Why are you sleeping again?? I just arrived!" she continued as she was now shaking Rui's shoulders to wake him up but to no avail.
"Shigeru, you know how Rui is.." mused Tsukushi. She was now arranging some of Tsukasa's files on his briefcase. Something she does when she gets a hold of his stuff.
"Anyway do you guys have any plans today??" Shigeru asked looking excitedly at her friends.
"I have work at the office." spat Tsukasa.
"I still have classes.. Sorry.." apologized Tsukushi.
"I have a date with Yuki.." replied Soujiro.
"I have a current fling.." lied Akira. Even though he doesn't have one at the moment; his statement made Soujiro look at him puzzled.
"Well that leaves sleepy head to me!!" smiled Shigeru. "Hey Rui! We're going shopping today, and to a new ice cream parlor that just opened downtown!" she continued as she shook Rui so hard he fell on the floor.
"Fine." sighed Rui as he finally woke up when he fell. He doesn't have anything to do anyway.
"Oh! Before we leave you guys, here are the invitations for the party my parents are having; it's going to be at the Maple hotel next Wednesday evening." Shigeru stated as she began to hand out invitations to the group. "I'll see you there okay? Let's go Rui!!" she continued as she dragged Rui out of the lounge.
"I hope Rui could hold against Shigeru's energy.." muttered Soujiro.
"I think they would compliment well though.. They would just cancel each other out.." agreed Akira.
"Anyway Doumyouji, could you accompany me to the library? I need to get something there.." Tsukushi turned to Tsukasa who was busy playing with Akira's PSP.
"Whaat? Couldn't you get it yourself? I'm trying to beat Akira's high score here.." repelled Tsukasa.
"Okay fine, you could stay here if you want to.." Tsukushi spat as she waved goodbye to the playboys before heading off to the library on her own.
"Darn that woman! Don't play this game if you know what's good for you.." declared Tsukasa as he dropped the PSP and went off to follow Tsukushi to the library.
Tsukasa arrived at the library and found Tsukushi on one of the book shelves reaching for a book. He quickly walked over to her side much to his dismay because all of the other students in the library (even the librarian) were never taking their eyes off of him.
"Hey! What are you guys looking at?! Is this the first time you've seen me huh??!" bellowed Tsukasa at the students making them jump out of their seats and quickly leaving the library.
Tsukushi just rolled out her eyes and whacked Tsukasa's head with a book. "Shut up you baka! It's because it's the first time you went here that's why!"
"Oow! Be careful where you're placing those heavy books Makino!!"
"I dropped it on your head in purpose! Now look what you did! How am I going to get these books checked out when even the librarian left because of you!!"
Tsukasa just smirked and sat on one of the chairs. "Anyway, why do you need to check out those books? The library at the mansion has a much more complete collection compared to here.."
Tsukushi came out of the bookshelves carrying ten books and placed them on the table where Tsukasa was occupying. "I know Doumyouji.. But Onee-chan is going to leave soon and I have to go back to the apartment.."
Tsukasa soon realized that the reason Tsukushi was staying with him at the mansion was because Tsubaki asked her to stay there while she's staying at Japan. "Oh.. I see.." was all he could mutter.
Before placing the books at the counter, Tsukushi glanced back at Tsukasa and saw the frown on his face. "Hey, why do you look so sad? It's not like I'll be gone forever.." she said as she listed the books she need in a note she addressed to the librarian.
"But it will not be like the same anymore.." scowled Tsukasa as he picked up half of the books and went out of the library.
Tsukushi just glanced back at the other books and sighed "I know Tsukasa.. I know.." with that she picked them up and left.
Tsukushi followed Tsukasa and she saw him boarding his limo. The driver took the other books from her and said he will be the one who's responsible to take them home. She bade the driver a quick thanks and bid goodbye as they sped off.
My Favorite line.. Tsukasa: "Your room or My room?" Wheee:)