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The large dining room transformed completely into a modern style ballroom, with hundreds of pinky ribbons and red heart decorations hanging around. It wasn't supposed to be grand, but it looked just right - quirky and cute. The lights were slightly dimmed and large glass doors and windows displayed the night beautifully light up garden. The over all atmosphere was great; a slight bit formal and with a special touch but comfortable and welcoming.
Some western couples danced swaying to the violin tunes played by a quartet. While other guests of all ages sat cherishing their dishes.
Shoutaro sat with his mother and father at the edge of the room, from where they could admire the view of it all. Kyoko has done a truly magnificent job, putting everything at such a short notice. Taking care of everything from food to table arrangements.
-san would never usually agree for this sort of thing to take place. It is a traditional Ryokan for God's sake after all. But his wife insisted, she wanted this event desperately and he just couldn't say no to her. In an uneasy silence he put an arm around into a hug. The three of them were waiting for Kyoko to arrive. She however, was still hanging around the kitchen. Putting her final touches on things. Sho, never did or could stand his father. Their relations were never perfect- but who's is? And the two of them sitting at the same table together was it self a miracle. The Fuwa elder couldn't forgive his son for leaving against his orders. Betraying, ditching his responsibilities and family. Running away from his responsibilities like a coward; a disgrace to the Fuwa family. Loving his wife dearly, he tolerated his presence. Even after Sho attempted apologising to ease their row, his father still choose to treat him at distance.
The elder dressed in a traditional, formal robe outfit held Yaya's hand tightly.
In urge to escape this very uncomfortable and draining silence.
" I'll go and see where Kyoko is Mother. Excuse me,"
His father's cold and penetrating glare not only made him feel like trash. It exposed out all the worst of him onto to the surface to be pitied . It was like a constant reminder of what he's done and how he treated the people that cared for him. How he was too blind , blind to see what truly mattered from behind his massive ego and arrogance.
Most of all he hated that glare because it was righteous and spoke the truth.
Sho was an arse – a pretty damn selfish, arrogant one. Unless he did something to change himself around he is going to end up alone his on surrounded by people who would only stand him for how many albums he sold or the amount of zeros in his bank account. As walking past the coupled dancing away. Without a care in the world because they were with some one who loved, completed, accepted and supported them. He now was missing his special person. Who he hurt and threw away through his blindness and all he could manage to do is repel her even more with his jack arse behaviour. Hoping that she might at least retain him mentally in her head. But he still had a bit hope, in the honesty he was planning to present her. –That which rested in his left suit pocket just above his heart.
Upon entering the kitchen Sho spotted the easily recognisable tint of orangey hair and the flow of determination that was driving her terminator style with passion – in a world of her own. Breaking this trance of her seemed almost heartbreaking; he could not make her happy nor offer anything of value to her yet he still had to break her bubble. As if committing a murder. Trying to be gentle, with the grace and humility he could force onto himself Sho tapped her shoulder and politely enough invited her to join the party with him.
" There's just so much left to do down here though. I cant leave just yet,"
To Sho's relief, she replied pleading with sincerity of a child as oppose to the expected outburst of hell, fire and rage for disturbing the Kyoko chef master. In a way she returned to her old self, the Kyoko who was obedient in carrying out her duty, but in it all she looked lost, soulless and disorientated while focused on the responsibility given to her.
Somehow her body didn't fight his leading touch, as his guitarist's hands resting on her shoulders escorted her through the corridors into the ballroom.
Nom, nom nom nom nom hmmmmmmm…
"Ren, could you stop muttering to yourself. You're behaving like a hormonal teenager who didn't get his seconds on cake. Can we not all just enjoy this. I'll be on my way half way around the globe tomorrow,"
The trio of concealed father and son and the life long friend sat around on of the tables in the ballroom. Attending this was not something in Ren's plans for tonight and then again- none of any this was. The choices stood between going at his own account or by force while a fraction of his conscious hoped while battling with his sanity to see her there tonight.
"I just don't see a point anymore. Where ever I go…whatever I do. I get caught up in some sort of a masochistic mess. Hmmm…" he began to sight while growling.
"Don't you dare ! Don't you dare reach for that glass," he was scolded with his hand in mid air.
" For sweet kimchii's sake ! You are no longer child. We can not take care of you and pick up the pieces for you all the time. That girl, that girl is more of a man than you are !"
"Speaking of the devil," interrupted Lory with his much contained and deeply considered face. Pushing slightly the zombie cup cake figure along was Sho and they slowly made their way round the edge of the room to the glass wall and the exit door overlooking a slight bigger than a pond yet too small to be a lake water and the garden going into the woods.
Their eyes gazed at them, fixed as they passed in a pause between them. Sharing a glance between one another,
"What exactly is your point. Maybe this is all your fault. At the end of the day you've neglected me choosing your career over family. Did it not occur to you ? You've done this.."
"Watch the way you speak young man …"
cutting in, bashing his fist on the table elegantly enough not to cause an impact among other guests and in a slighter, quieter tone
" … towards your father. You speak so boldly for a man of very little courage,"
Kuu scratched past his itchy wig to begin,
" That girl is so strong, fierce and she needs a friendly face right now. The world doesn't revolve around you and neither is there a sinister man turning events against you. Get over yourself! …"
" The pansy boy; - Fuwa's mother is dying. Yes, he and Kyoko are getting married out of obligation to her. "
For the first time this fine evening Ren's eyes raised in attention, wide in alertness of his courtesy.
"… The ordeal is something I have great respect for therefore I would not advise you intervene. However, if you love her and share concern you do need to pick yourself up and make sure that she despite the raised circumstances is happy. Right now she needs someone to be there for her who she can trust, relate to. You owe her at the very least this much; - even as her senpai."
With recognition and great sympathy, the words sunk in as the table drew into a stillness. His vision caught the silluethe outline of drenched, pink dress covered by a suit jacket he previously recognised on Fuwa. Her features were shivering cold as drip lets of dropping water weaved from the hair locks of her wet hair. From distance she was drenched, hurrying round the side of the dinning room, along with an equal dog wet Sho to the exit.
His brain was dumbstruck, but body urging to reassure himself and comfort her.
" I … I will, go. I'll be back in a second." With concern and a nodding approval for they have also witnessed the passing fishes the remaining at the table two men stared in concern and remained in silence for enough has been spoken for single night.
Left or right, wait go up and along the corridor. Rushing, totting almost jogging. She should be in her room which a kind reception lady pointed to be in the east wing of the Ryokan. Easier said than done when every floor, corridor, door wall or even ceiling looked identical. Ren was going to go berserk. This was the last chance he had to tell her the truth, to find out the truth for himself and resolve this. There was no time spare or but and ifs anymore, only the maybe he would have to face for the rest of his life.
The last corner of a decisive turn right, this was it the third room along the right hand side. Adrenaline, a rush of blood was pumping by every second as he braced himself for the revelations he so longingly needed to let out. The sliding door was opened and taking an entering bold step he invaded the rather miniature in space room. It was empty and very neatly groomed while the any indications of personal little girl memories stayed minimal. Only shelves filled with endless books about maths and science but predominantly cooking, home making; gardening and the traditional arts of Japan.
His face twisted as he exhaled with no what was relief but a grasp of annoyance and disappointment. Taking a step back out the room he pivoted around to turn left and continue the search someplace else where when the blotches, tiny puddles of water leading to the room opposite seduced his sight. Deeper as his eyes followed , led onto the familiar pink fabric of the dress laying on the floor along with the blazer jacket and several towels scattered onto the bed on which he witnessed the improbable. It didn't take a stare, or a look nor even a glance to make out the picture of the soon to be married couple sleeping while she rested in his arms.
With no second look to even disprove the scene which could had been a mirage, Ren sprinted out somewhere. - Somewhere, for he did not know where he was going.