Ehehe... I think it's been 3 months? Sorry...
Anyway, this is the latest chapter. Hope you guys will enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Not mine.
The Trouble With Love Is...
Chapter 11
If she had not known better, she would have confused Haruka with a lion—her golden mane and her loud voice which sometimes sounded like a roar. One had to wonder why she even became her best friend. Yes, she was her roommate but it didn't mean she had to be her friend.
Nonetheless, it was a choice she made and she was happy with it.
If Haruka was the lion, she was the honey badger. She didn't really care with everything Haruka got into. They were roommates for almost half of semester but she did not even know of Haruka's full name. They had been communicating with each other with 'Oi! Hey!, 'ssup'? and all but their names. Later when she learned of Haruka's middle name, she couldn't help but teasing the older girl and making fun of her.
At first, Haruka had a little difficulty in pronouncing her name. She found herself entitled with a new Postclassical Era kind of name—Kruger.
Though Haruka was half-Japanese, she had been staying overseas for most of her life so talking in Japanese was such a difficult task for her. It took her 4 years to give that blonde a 'Japanese Language for an Extremely Dumb Friend' lesson. Through the time, they regularly conversed in English and sometimes when Haruka felt like she wanted to talk bad about someone in public, she would talk in Japanese.
Miraculously enough, her effort paid off. Haruka could flawlessly speak in fluent Japanese but her writing was such a failure.
Haruka was a great friend. She wouldn't dare to ask for a better friend than her. Though her obsession with Mariah Carey sometimes perturbed her to no end, she had to admit that woman did play a significant role in her life. She didn't think she would ever become who she was right now if it wasn't because of that said lion. Haruka helped her a lot, in so many aspects that she didn't think she could ever repay her.
Daughter of a millionaire, got bank accounts full of money which could make the national reserve jealous. She had everything.
"You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together; justifying what could've, would've happened... Or you can leave the pieces on the floor and move the fuck on!"
Headstrong and brutally honest—seriously, who wouldn't hate this girl?
"I hate you."
"Yeah... tell me something I don't know..."
"I know you got a new best friend..."
"And guess who it might be?"
Natsuki was still focusing on the construction diagram on the laptop screen while Haruka throwing questions at her. Even though she didn't seem like it, she was listening to that blonde talking very attentively.
"You two went out for a dinner together, eating ramen and later had a late coffee at the cafe..."
That definitely caught Natsuki's attention as she quickly tilted her head up, staring at the blonde right across the table,
"Wow... really?"
A single tear rolled down Haruka's cheek, she sobbed, "I'm hurt... Leave me alone! I'm going to listen to Taylor Swift!" She spoke with a trembling voice, placing her hand on her chest dramatically.
"Stop doing that, Armitage... You're creeping me out!" Natsuki put her attention back to the diagram, scowling.
Haruka wiped away her fake tear with a finger, "You should have asked me out last night. I was bored to death. Thank god I have Tina to accompany me throughout the night..."
"Who's Tina?"
"My cat."
"YOU NAMED YOUR CAT TINA!?"
"That's not the problem here!" Haruka smacked the table with a ring file. Natsuki was startled but totally unaffected by it.
"You didn't tell me that you're close with that tea-freak Fujino heiress!"
Natsuki blinked a couple of times, her eyes moving back and forth from Haruka to the ring file on the table, "Uhh, apparently not that close..."
"Definitely not what my eyes saw last night..."
Natsuki instinctively straightened her back as she narrowed her eyes at the blonde.
"Since when you started to stalk me, Armitage?"
"Since last night because I had to have my late dinner alone then I saw you with that brunette, laughing and all. Is she your new girlfriend?"
Natsuki's eyes widened at the ridiculous assumption, "What!? No! She is Reito's girlfriend, for god sake! We were just having a dinner! Nothing more!"
Haruka's violet eyes were narrowing at her, sceptically staring, "I'm not convinced."
Natsuki snorted, shaking her head, "Believe what you want, Armitage. I don't have time to explain details to you anyway..."
"But I saw her was like all over you."
"Don't be ridiculous. She was being nice. That was all."
Haruka scoffed incredulously, "If that was your definition of being nice, you're just as clueless as a pirate wearing two eye patches!"
"What!?"
Haruka rolled her eyes, sighing exasperatingly, "You two were flirting! I was there, watching the whole thing and you were so absorbed flirting with her, you didn't even notice my presence there—"
"—You want me to punch your tongue!?"
Natsuki felt her jaw tightened and her face was burning. She didn't know which one ticked her off more; the fact that Haruka 'stalked' her with Shizuru last night without her knowing or the fact that Haruka was blindly accusing her for something she didn't do.
Or maybe she did?
"What about Tokiha then!?"
Natsuki was stunned. She had forgotten about Mai. Never in her life for the past years had she forgotten about that certain orange-haired woman.
But she just did.
"What about her?"
"What's going on between you and her?"
"Nothing's going on. We're barely moving at all!"
"You need to tell her."
"I did! Like 7 years ago and I'm pretty sure she still knows my feelings for her."
"But then, why didn't you two start dating or something?"
Natsuki closed her laptop, putting it to the sleep mode, "You should ask her yourself. I don't even know the answer."
Silence descended upon them—Haruka couldn't help but to think that every time they were left alone together, the topic which definitely be the main discussion would be about Natsuki and Mai. She was completely baffled with this 'thing' that went on between them. Her thinking was simple—just put away of your past and move the fuck on! If they loved each other, if they wanted to have a future together, just start dating already!
But apparently, things weren't as simple as that. Humans tend to make things complicated. It could've been simple but humans are just morons, Haruka thought. And thank god that I'm a goddess... Haruka mentally smirked.
Natsuki's heavy sigh drew her attention back to that blunette.
"I don't know what I feel about her anymore... Yes, I do love her but I don't know. It's like we're so close to each other but yet so distant. Like miles away... It's no longer the same thing that I felt. It feels so different..." Natsuki paused, her face turned solemn, "I wonder why..."
Haruka was a tad surprise at the revelation—her violet orbs widened slightly, "So everything you felt for her is gone? Nothing's ever that simple."
Natsuki curved up a bitter smile, "Maybe not, but I'm learning to deal with it."
Haruka arched one brow at her friend's worried look, "Why deal with it when you can love her and be happy?"
Natsuki remained silent. She kept her gaze at the pen in her hand as she skilfully spun it around her fingers. Haruka watched the pen spinning—she started to feel dizzy and not to mention it was a bit distracting. She knew something was bothering her dear friend and she swore she would not let that bluenette went away without giving her a proper explanation.
"Is there someone else?"
The question was a perfect strike and it gave a painful twinge inside her stomach.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You are lying."
Haruka definitely had scored a bull's-eye when Natsuki instantly looked away as soon as their gaze met. Natsuki had to swallow whatever that was lodged inside her throat when Haruka gave her a piercing stare. She was busted.
Haruka was fully aware that they had been arguing over that matter quite a lot ever since they were in college and truthfully, they never got down to one final solution. These arguments they had needed to end and watching both Natsuki and Mai, she knew none of them would do anything to fix the problem. Either Natsuki was being too stupid or Mai was being overly stubborn. Or maybe, they were both. She felt like smashing their heads together and tossed them into a bonfire made of tampons.
Yes. She was that angry.
But Haruka decided that she had to leave it at that. As much as she wanted to figure out what or who was in Natsuki's mind, there was a limit of how far she was allowed to care. Natsuki was an adult and she believed that her friend knew what she was doing, hopefully.
"Please don't get too attached when you couldn't figure out what it is to you..."
But Natsuki had hesitated before answering.
"I won't. I promise."
...and she feared what it meant.
"A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted by his father, would develop 'entitlement mentality' and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts."
Keisuke involuntarily lowered his newspaper and he found Saeko reading on a magazine.
"Excuse me?"
"When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others." Saeko added up, her stare was unwavering. Keisuke started to feel a tad confused but he decided to keep silent as he watched Saeko continuing to read.
"For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?"
Keisuke's lips quickly tugged into a smile as she finished, "Are you talking about Reito?"
Saeko smiled back, shrugging, "I was just quoting an article..."
"Right." Keisuke's gaze lingered momentarily before he lowered it back to the newspaper.
"He just wants your attention."
Keisuke's eyes snapped back to look at the pair of emerald before him, his brows twitched reluctantly, "I don't understand..."
Saeko smiled as she slowly stood up and walked to sit right next to Keisuke. She took his hand and entwined their fingers together, "I couldn't be happier to know that you love and care for Natsuki like your own daughter."
His lips curved up into a proud smile, "I am!"
"And I might be wrong at this but it seems like you've been neglecting Reito all this time..."
Keisuke snorted instantly, "What? He's not twelve! He's an adult man. I don't think he needs my attention that much..."
"You think?" Saeko arched one brow, feeling somewhat amused.
Keisuke shook his head as he folded the newspaper and placed it on the coffee table, "Seriously, what is this all about? What did Reito tell you?"
"He told me that it feels like you've been treating him differently. You're being unfair and you favour Natsuki more than your own son..." Saeko paused, "I'm pretty much quoting what he had told me."
Keisuke pulled back, giving off an incredulous look at Saeko, "Really? He told you that? Wow! Now I know why Shizuru-chan wants to break up with him..." He rubbed his chin and shook his head again, "So, you're asking me why I favour Natsuki more than him? Can't you figure out the answer already?"
"You're being really harsh..." Saeko just chuckled at the obvious frustration displayed on Keisuke's face, "I know that sometimes Reito can be really immature. It's just because he used to get all the attention from you. But when Natsuki came into your life, you neglected him. He even argued over why you agreed to Natsuki's request to study in UK while you rejected his with no further consideration..."
"Natsuki is different. She's very independent and I know she can take care of herself well. Besides, Natsuki didn't even use my money during her study there! She earned herself a scholarship, she worked part-time—she pretty much did everything by herself! Yes, I did transfer some money to her but she didn't even touch it!" Keisuke explained.
"And Reito... all I can say is I know my son. I don't trust him to stay in a foreign land with no one to look after him. Even when he's here in Japan, he brought back 25 different women to this house to be introduced to us! That's why I didn't want him to study abroad..."
"But does Reito aware about that?" Saeko asked.
Keisuke's eyes trained on Saeko resolutely, "I don't find any reason why I have to explain everything to him..."
Saeko was tongue-tied at the piercing stare Keisuke was giving. She quickly smiled and shook her head, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have started this conversation..."
"No... You're just concern. I understand that and I'm very much grateful. But it's not your job to come to me every time Reito has something in his mind. He's an adult. He should come to me personally if he has a problem with me." Keisuke sighed heavily as he scratched his head.
They fell into a short silence before Saeko started with another question again.
"What do you think about him wants to marry Shi-chan...?" Saeko pursed her lips tightly as she took a deep breath.
"If you asked me, I would say it way too early for Reito..." Keisuke answered truthfully, "But if it's with Shizuru-chan, I think she'll handle Reito just fine..."
Saeko seemed to be lost in her own thought as she recalled everything Shizuru told her the other day. Her heart clenched.
"What if she's no longer in love with him...? It isn't something we can force to happen, right?"
Keisuke let out another sigh as he rested his head against the sofa. His gaze lingered at the ceiling.
"Then it's too bad..."
"I'll be going to Kyoto tomorrow..."
It took all the strength she had to keep the fork from slipping off her grasp.
"What?"
Natsuki blinked a couple of times—slightly surprised at the startlingly loud response coming from the other person across the table, "Do you have to be that surprised?"
Quickly putting down the fork, Shizuru reached for a napkin and she wiped her mouth, "Wasn't it supposed to be your other two colleagues?"
Natsuki shrugged while taking a sip of her orange juice, "Well yeah, it was but one of them has to stay because her mother is hospitalized." Natsuki sighed, "So my senior designer has to cover her job. We're kinda short-staffed..."
"Ara, I'm sorry..."
Natsuki chuckled at the apologetic look on Shizuru's face, "Why do you need to be sorry anyway? It's not your fault..."
Shizuru pouted slightly as she sighed, "Yes, I know but..." She just couldn't explain it. She was thrilled with the news of Natsuki would be going to Kyoto with her but at the same time she felt bad for the other two of Natsuki's colleagues.
"Kyoto is your hometown, right?"
Shizuru blinked in surprise and quickly nodded, "Yes. It is my hometown."
Upon hearing that, Natsuki's smile widened, "Once we're done with whatever that is need to be done with your dad, you have to be my tourist guide!"
"Ara, tourist guide? Why is that so?" Shizuru arched one brow, feeling somewhat amused with the cheshire grin on Natsuki's face.
"Because it will be my first time being there! I'm not going to waste it!"
"You've travelled across the continents yet you haven't been in Kyoto?"
"Like I have any reason to go there..." Natsuki made a face as she crossed her arms. Shizuru instantly laughed.
"Well, you do now and you are welcome to come back anytime you want..." Her lips slowly tugged into a charming smile, "And I'll be glad to be your tourist guide again."
Natsuki grinned more, "Just for a reminder though. I'm not going to pay you for that!"
Shizuru laughed again as she just shook her head.
"How's your treatment going?"
"It's good. Just one more treatment need to be done before we leave to France..."
Saeko inadvertently frowned, "France?" she asked, earning a weak nod as an answer to her question from the young boy across the table.
"Why France?"
"Nee-chan got an internship there... 2 years."
Saeko frowned more, "Does Natsuki know about this?" It was the first thing came to her mind when Takumi informed the news. She watched Takumi nodded again and by the look on his face, she knew something was bothering him.
"Is everything okay...?" Saeko paused, reaching for the glass of water, "I mean between Mai-chan and Natsuki..."
Takumi just wasn't sure where or how to start. Was it okay for him to intrude more than what he was allowed to? He knew the matter was rather personal between his sister and Natsuki but he just couldn't sit back and watch—he had to do something. As selfish as it might sound, he wanted the relationship between Mai and Natsuki to work out. He didn't know or hadn't yet to figure out the reason behind their separation, so many questions were left unanswered.
"I don't know..." Takumi admitted. Saeko quietly smiled.
"Me neither..." Saeko said, earning a wide-eyed response from Takumi and she chuckled. She placed the glass back to its previous spot and entwined her fingers together.
"The day when you and Mai left unannounced, I did ask Natsuki about it but she had no clue. I must say that it was quite irresponsible for you and Mai to leave us just like that. I haven't had any chance to ask your sister about it but I guess she must have her own reason."
Takumi sighed quietly, "I'm not sure about that too. It happened way too fast and all I know she said that we had to leave Tokyo because she got an offer from this culinary school she applied to in Hokkaido."
Saeko raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Oh? So it was Hokkaido all these years? Why didn't you contact us back? I thought you two were off somewhere across the world!"
"No, we were not..." Takumi managed a small smile. Saeko just shook her head in amusement.
They sat in silence, watching more customers walking in and out the café. Takumi tilted his head, staring at the woman who Natsuki took resemblance of like they were twins. The only difference one could find was the pair of glasses she wore and her eyes were less daunting compared to Natsuki's and of course her refined and matured look she bore as a woman with prominent stature. She carried more elegance and sophistication compared to Natsuki who was laid back and simple.
"Nee-chan..." Takumi started off again, taking Saeko's attention back to him, "S-she loves Natsuki-san..."
There was only silence. Both of them exchanged look but the response which came after completely baffled him. He expected the reaction would come out as a shock but he received a wide smile instead.
"I figured as much..." Saeko arched one brow, amused as she took a sip from her glass again.
Takumi blinked his eyes a couple of times, feeling somewhat surprised, "You knew about it?"
Saeko smiled wider, "Not exactly but let just say that I'm not that blind when it comes to thing like this..."
"Oh..." That was all Takumi managed to come up with as he scratched at the back of his neck, feeling slightly flustered, "Aren't you supposed to be surprised with that, Saeko-mama? You're awfully calm and you're starting to worry me..."
Saeko instantly laughed, "There's nothing to be worried about, Takumi-kun... Like I said, I'm kind of expecting it."
"And you're okay with it?"
Saeko took a deep breath, fixating her gaze at the questioning look Takumi gave, "Whether it's okay or not, it is not something for me to decide..."
They looked into each other's eyes again and Takumi was the first to lower his eyes and he sighed heavily.
"What am I supposed to do...?"
"Nothing."
Takumi snapped his head up and found Saeko's smile. He was confused but he waited for Saeko's further words.
"It's none of our business anyway. You're not supposed to do anything, Takumi. They are adults. They know what they are doing." Saeko paused for a deep breath before continuing, "And in all honesty, we're far from understanding the whole matter between them. Natsuki never said anything to me and judging from what you've told me earlier, I'm sure Mai-chan hasn't really opened up to you exactly what her relationship with Natsuki is..."
Takumi inadvertently shook his head, "Yes, she hasn't..."
Saeko smiled softly, "Mai-chan may still love Natsuki. She probably does. She probably still thinks about her all the time."
Takumi quickly nodded, "Yes, she does..."
"But that isn't what matters. What matters is what she's doing about it, and what she's doing about it is nothing."
Saeko's words hit him hard—Takumi had to agree. His sister was always being vague with her actions. They didn't tally with what she always told him. He wondered what had been holding his sister back. It was obvious to the world that Natsuki was still in love with her. He just couldn't understand with everything that was going back and forth between them.
Saeko's soft sigh brought Takumi's attention back to their conversation and he found Saeko's smile again.
"Please don't take what I said like I'm being biased to my own daughter. I love Mai-chan dearly and you two are not any less like my own children. I want the two of you to be happy, more than anything in this world I've ever wished for." Saeko reached out, patting Takumi's head, "And of course, I want to see Natsuki's smile too... I know you want the same thing for your sister but this is beyond our reach..."
Takumi decided to keep silence as he knew that he just couldn't argue more with Saeko—she was right and it was immature of him to think that he could find any possible way to keep the relationship between Mai and Natsuki.
Saeko curved up a comforting smile, "We should just leave them dealing with each other by themselves."
She gaped slightly at the sight of a tall, well-groomed man, who she assumed was in his mid-forties. His perfectly ironed uniform was somewhat distracting and she flinched slightly when that man outstretched his hand to her.
"Hello! You must be Kuga Natsuki!"
"And you must be kidding!"
Natsuki shook the hand nonetheless, turning around and scowling at the brunette haired woman behind her, "You didn't tell me that we're going to Kyoto with a private jet!"
Shizuru lifted one eyebrow, feeling amused at Natsuki's scowl, "Ara? I didn't? Well, you know now..." she grinned as she walked away.
Natsuki grunted at Shizuru's nonchalant response as they made their way into the jet, only to have her jaw dropped again when she saw the interior. It had LCD TV, sofa and a small area which looked like a kitchen—not to mention there was a very hot flight attendant, greeting her and brought her to the respective seat provided. This ain't normal plane! It's like a freaking palace!
Shizuru barely restrained a smile as she watched Natsuki looking around the plane like a kid in a toy store, "You have never been in one?"
"Nope! This is the first time—oh, thank you!" Natsuki gave an awkward bow to the attendant as she took the offered glass of juice, "Wow! Even normal orange juice tastes expensive when you have it here!"
Shizuru laughed almost instantly at the remark, "What? You're being ridiculous, Natsuki..."
"I'm just kidding..." Natsuki just grinned, "Anyway, what's the plan for today?"
"Oh yes! I forgot about that..." Shizuru quickly put away her drinks and moved for her planner. She flipped a few pages, a finger tracing along the paper surface and it stopped as she read on the details, "We're free during the day but we have to meet my father for a dinner..."
"Really? Nice!"
"But I have planned something for you. I want to take you for a tour around the resort, if you're okay with it..."
Natsuki quickly nodded, "Sure! I would love to!"
She narrowed her eyes at the LCD screen, "Wow... talking about being clueless... He drove all the way from his town for 10 hours just to see you, dammit! Doesn't that spell love to you!?" Natsuki practically yelled at the poor TV, more like to the fictional character of a Korean drama series she was currently watching.
Shizuru chuckled at Natsuki's frustrated look, "Natsuki... you're being overly agitated over a drama series."
"Of course I am! She's being ridiculously stupid to not realizing that the guy is in love with her!" Natsuki scowled, her back rested against the seat again when the scene was less dramatic.
Shizuru smiled at the comment. She silently placed a bookmark at the seam of her book and she put it aside, "Well, I can't blame her for not noticing..."
"And why is that?"
"Because sometimes, when you're too preoccupied looking at a certain someone, you wouldn't notice that there is another person who is looking at you exactly the same way..."
Natsuki blinked at the smile Shizuru was giving—she found herself couldn't tear her eyes away from staring at those glossy ruby lips.
She admitted Shizuru was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. But somehow, she started to notice more—wavy sandy brown tresses, so lustrous they moved like ocean; glazed crimson eyes, alluring and sensual, with a touch of mischief. Her eyebrows were shaped into a deceivingly perfect arch that followed the slight curve of her eye; her straight, pointy nose and back to her perfectly shaped lips.
Natsuki never was an observant type—she often seeing things as a whole but with Shizuru, she just had to stop and stare; her features, her behaviour. How those brows would knot together into a soft frown whenever she talked about something serious; tilting her head up slightly whenever she was doing a little thinking as if she could get some inspiration up at the ceiling or from the sky. Her laughs, her sighs—she took notice of everything.
And now she started to wonder why.
"Natsuki?"
She blinked again, somewhat confused when she saw Shizuru moving in closer. She bumbled for words when Shizuru placed a palm against her forehead—the warmth was absurdly comforting and she almost slipped a groan when Shizuru pulled her hand away.
"Are you starting to feel sick?" Shizuru quickly grabbed at the pack of Cheetos in Natsuki's hand, "Seriously... you need to eat more healthily, Natsuki..."
Shizuru walked away to the kitchen section as she mumbled something about throwing all the junk food out the plane. She came back to sit right next to the stunned blunette and handed over a glass of juice she took from the fridge. Shizuru would've call the attendant but she was in the cockpit, serving some snacks for the pilot.
"Drink it... You'll feel better." Shizuru smiled when she saw Natsuki chugged the glass like a thirsty traveler, "You didn't tell me that you have air sickness..."
Finally managed to form a few words, "I don't have air sickness!" Natsuki responded, sounding like an irritated child.
Shizuru was about to retort when her flight attendant walked out the cockpit, "We're going to land in 15 minutes. Please buckle your seat belt," she said with a smile and strutted towards the blunette who was struggling with the belt.
"Need a help?"
"Yea, but no thank you. I'll manage—" her words stalled when hands wrapped around hers, guiding the movement to buckle the belt. That brunette flight attendant quirked up an eyebrow at Natsuki's startled look when she heard the sharp intake of breath, her lips curved up into a sultry smile. Natsuki involuntarily back away at the proximity, her back sunk deeper into the seat.
"Did anyone ever tell you how pretty your eyes is, Kuga-san?"
"Um, nope. You're the first one." Natsuki smiled awkwardly, quickly looked away and she caught Shizuru's eyes glued at the flight attendant—it was menacing and Natsuki had never seen Shizuru looking that way to anyone.
"Shizuru?"
Like after a magician snapped his fingers and everything quickly went back to normal—Shizuru beamed a wide smile.
"Ara? Yes, Natsuki?"
Natsuki blinked a couple of times; trying to register the look she saw earlier and was about to ask Shizuru about it but the flight attendant was distracting her again—the scent of her hair wafted into her sense, flowery and a touch of citrusy—it was nice.
"And you're safely buckled now."
"T-Thank you very much!"
"You're so cute, Kuga-san... Mind to give me your number?"
"Ehhh!?" In a speed of light, Natsuki's face heated up and blushed brilliantly to the incessant flirtation. She could feel the tingling sensation all over her face, "Wh-why would you want my number for!?"
The attendant smiled again, leaning in closer, "For an obvious reason—"
"—Ara? Aren't you supposed to get back to your seat, Megumi-san? The plane is going to land now..."
Though it sounded so sweet and polite to other people, Natsuki could taste the venom inside that clearly forced cheery voice—the tone was dropped to a threatening level and each word was like a loaded gun.
Megumi just smiled at Shizuru's words and as she gave a short bow to Natsuki, she slipped a small paper into Natsuki's hand, "Just in case..." she whispered and walked to her seat.
Natsuki inhaled a deep breath, as if Megumi had took it away moment earlier. She felt her palm itched, the small piece of paper was crumpled slightly, poking at her skin.
"Don't even think about it..."
Natsuki snapped her head around, watching Shizuru arched one brow at her, "What? It's not like I'm going to call her or something!"
"But I can see that you have no intention to throw it away either. She's my staff. Please be professional."
Natsuki's brows drew together into a tight frown. She was about to voice out to her defense but Shizuru had looked away, casting her sight out the oval glass window.
Natsuki harrumphed, turning away and staring down at the paper in her right hand—a series of numbers was scribbled in a neat handwriting. Natsuki folded it up and put it away into her jacket. True to Shizuru's words, she wasn't going to throw it away. That would be very rude of her to someone who was being nice or maybe she was just being friendly.
Yes, flirtation, she knew exactly what it was and there was no possible way she could help herself from being the target. It happened ever since she was in high school and it didn't seem to stop anytime soon. She was used to it, though she couldn't really control her reaction which could cause more unwanted attention. She was getting a lot of it; she couldn't even differentiate who was being sincere and who was the fake one. At the end, she decided to ignore everyone who came to her way.
It wasn't like she was not being grateful for her undeniably attractive look. Sometimes, being that also had its downside.
She sighed again. Her thought started to wander. Shizuru had been acting weirdly ever since Megumi helped her with the seat belt. Though she seemed to be oblivious to most of things that related to romance, she didn't need a better reference to point out what exactly had caused such behaviour from Shizuru.
Natsuki quietly closed her eyes as she let her thoughts wandered.
Was it jealousy?
"Someone ordered you to bring out a bottle of mayonnaise? What the hell?"
Her ears immediately perked up at the sudden outburst—her hands stopped at the chopping.
"Yeah... She even said that the chef is really stingy with the mayo dressing." The waiter paused, craning her neck to look at the young chef, "YOU are stingy, Mai-chan!" she giggled as she watched Mai's jaw dropped slightly at the ridiculous accusation.
"Excuse me!? I'm not stingy! I did exactly just how the recipe is! That customer must be one hell of a crazy—"
She stopped. Something was tugging at the back of her mind. A sudden rush of chill running through her veins and she couldn't stop the increasing rate of her heart beat.
"Mai-chan? Are you okay—"
"I'll take this to her!"
She just wasn't sure when or how but the next thing she knew, she was standing right outside the kitchen door with one medium sized bottle of mayonnaise in her hands—looking for what she wanted to see the most. She wasn't being told which table but as if she was being guided, her legs brought her to one table which was occupied by two women. She would care less about the blonde—her sight was somehow came out blurry and only focused on that certain navy haired woman.
Again, something was tugging at the back of her mind. Her advance slowed and eventually came into a stop. They were separated a few feet apart and the sight of the other woman's smile stung hard at her chest then soon followed by the pumping of blood through her own ears—it was deafening.
She didn't like the memories because tears could come easily. But once again, she broke the promise she made to herself for that day.
It was a constant battle. A war between remembering and forgetting...
"—but eating mayo to such extent is still considered unhealthy, you know?"
And she knew too damn well that she had lost.
She didn't realize she had fallen asleep throughout the limo ride to the hotel until she felt a soft tugged at her shoulder. She tried to pry the offending hand away—soft giggles chimed and she had to force her eyes open. Shizuru was grinning at her.
"Wake up, sleepy head."
"Where are we? Are we there yet?"
A vast view of golf course could be seen from afar; she guessed it probably would take another 10-20 minutes to get there.
"We'll be there soon. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, a little."
"Okay. Let's stop at the hotel's cafe as soon as we get there..."
A short nod and a smile, Natsuki slowly drifted off into sleep again.
"Where is Natsuki?"
Saeko lowered the magazine in her hands, watching Reito looked around the house as if he was searching for something.
"Your sister left to Kyoto earlier this morning for a business meeting."
"Kyoto?"
Saeko nodded twice in affirmation to her words, "Why are you looking for her?"
Reito smiled and shook his head, "Nothing. I was thinking to take her out for a lunch together..."
"Lunch?"
"Yup."
"You haven't done that like million years ago."
Saeko's quick remark made his face burning in embarrassment—Saeko instantly laughed.
"Come, let's go out together then! Your father is out with his friend for a couple of golf match, he probably will have his lunch together with them."
Reito happily obliged and they walked to the front porch, locking the door before they left to the garage. Once they settled in their respective seat, Reito started the engine.
"Is there any reason you want to see Natsuki?"
Reito smiled again at Saeko's perceptiveness, that woman truly deserved an award.
"Often times, I went to look for Shizuru at her office and I always missed her. I asked some of the staffs, they said Shizuru always went out together with someone."
"And that someone is Natsuki?"
Reito nodded and smiled, "Which is a good thing because I'm hoping to hear what Shizuru said to Natsuki about me. Maybe with thing that is going on between us lately, I think Shizuru needs someone she can talk to. I'm glad she chose Natsuki."
Saeko was silent, picking at her fingers in her lap as she threw her sight outside the window. The conversation she had with Takumi earlier that morning somehow made her think a lot.
Possibilities, consequences, cause and effect. Everything.
"Why didn't you go and make some time with Shizuru to figure things out between you and her? Why you need Natsuki to do that for you?"
"Because I decided to give Shizuru some time for herself."
Saeko quickly inhaled.
"Yes, you can have all the time you want... What if during that time, she would fall out of love and find someone new? What are you going to do about that?"
Reito quickly silenced at the thought. He took a short glimpse of Saeko who was still staring out the window and back to focus on his driving, "I've never really thought of that..."
They went into a quick silence before Saeko started to talk again, patting at his shoulder,
"Never take your relationship for granted. There's always someone out there who is willing to take your place."
"And here I thought you're with Haruka..."
Both Natsuki and Shizuru quickly turned at the unmistakably male voice. A tall, spiky haired man flashed a bright smile at them, but with the long scar at his left cheek, it sure didn't make him any less intimidating.
Natsuki just chuckled at the unexpected guest at their table and she stood up, pulling at the man's right arm, "Shizuru... this is Takeda. He's a good friend of mine."
Takeda spun to look at Natsuki with a hurt look as he flung his arm around Natsuki's shoulder,
"Honey... How long are you going to keep our relationship like this? Would it kill you to at least call me your boyfriend—Arrrhh! Not the hair! Not the HAIR!" Takeda wailed in pain when Natsuki suddenly pulled at his hair.
Shizuru giggled at Takeda's suffering as she just watched them in amusement.
"Don't mind him, Shizuru... He's crazy. And what the hell are you doing here!? Are you spying on me!?"
"Oh please... Like you're some kind of celebrity for me to stalk? Girl, I got a case to deal here in Kyoto. This stupid ass conman is about to get prosecuted. So, no, I'm not stalking you and instead of watching your cute, little ass, I would rather—" Takeda couldn't even finish his words and quickly took a few steps back, cowering when Natsuki threatened to throw a plate at him. They shared laugh as Natsuki pulled out one chair for Takeda.
"Join us?" Natsuki arched one eyebrow, smiling playfully. Takeda just laughed and nodded.
"I thought you would never ask..." Takeda took a seat and he grinned at Shizuru,
"Anyway, pardon me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Takeda Masashi," Takeda snuck his hand into his suit, pulling out his card and handed it over to Shizuru, "I'm Natsuki's soul mate and her personal lawyer—" Takeda choked on his saliva when he saw Natsuki shot a sharp glare and he quickly chuckled.
Shizuru gave a short bow and smiled, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Takeda-san. My name is Fujino Shizuru..."
Wait... Isn't she Reito's girlfriend? What is she doing here with Natsuki? Takeda's eyes squinted slightly as he heard the name and he gave a quick glance at Natsuki through the corner of his eyes. Natsuki caught the glance and her lips curved up into a knowing smile. Takeda quickly lowered his head, giving a short bow to Shizuru—at the same time trying to hide his upcoming grin.
Oohh... you got plenty to explain later, Natsuki...
Takeda who was the unnoticeable third wheel on that table couldn't help but to sense something. His eyes went back and forth; from Natsuki to Shizuru as they talked to each other. From how they ended up sleeping together in Natsuki's room, going out for a movie and other stuff they did—which sounded to him like they were really enjoying each others' company. Though they did include him in their little conversation bubbles, Takeda just couldn't help but to feel like an outcast at that table. It wasn't like he was unhappy about it, he found the whole interaction between Natsuki and Shizuru was somewhat amusing and he just couldn't wait to interrogate his raven-haired friend when Shizuru excused herself to the washroom.
As the sight of Shizuru disappeared behind the washroom door, Takeda instantly leaned forward, whispering to Natsuki.
"Guuurl, what the hell is going on with you and that brunette?"
"What? What the hell is going on?"
"I saw it just now."
"You saw what?"
Takeda just couldn't suppress his grin, "Ooooh, you're playing dumb? Even a blind man could see that! You two were flirting with each other!"
"Haha! That was so not flirting!" Natsuki chuckled, somehow it sounded a bit awkward.
Takeda arched one brow, unimpressed with Natsuki's feeble attempt to hide her real emotion,
"Ahhh? So what do you call that then? Her giggles, your stares... Oh, and I know that stare so well! And nobody knows except me and Haruka about your holy lingerie collection. She must be one hell of special snowflake to get to know about that. You're into her, aren't you? Lez-bi-onest!"
"What? About my collection, it was an emergency so I gave her a pair. I was just being nice and it was a right thing to do. Besides, my family knows about that collection too. And what stare? We're just talking, for god sake!"
Takeda noticed Natsuki's jaw tightened and her eyes were looking at everywhere except his face—a sign that Natsuki was actually lying and hiding something from him. Oh, how he loved that very moment and silently prayed that he could somehow dig something out from his dear friend. Who wouldn't like a scandal, right? Something like this was even better than overrated drama series he had been watching every Friday night.
"Don't get me fucking start on my gay analysis and I'm doing it for free. For a starter, all I can say that girlfriend of your brother is so into you..." Takeda grinned more, pointing an accusatory finger at Natsuki's face.
Natsuki slipped the fork off her grasp—it gave a loud clanking sound as it hit the plate.
"Oh my god! Shut up, seriously~! You and Haruka should get married soon! You and your big mouth while Haruka and her loud voice! A perfect match made in heaven!"
"Who is the perfect match in heaven?"
Both Natsuki and Takeda instantly went into silence when they heard that heavily accented voice interrupted their conversation. They didn't notice Shizuru had returned to the table while they were talking earlier and Natsuki started to feel like she wanted to jump off the cliff right at that moment. She found herself stumbled for words as she tried to make up some excuses. Multiple thoughts were running through her mind—did Shizuru heard the whole conversation? That was the last thing she wanted to happen and she definitely didn't want to make Shizuru uncomfortable with her.
"We meant that, um, you! You and Reito are a perfect match made in heaven. Yeah, we just said that! Right, Takeda?"
Takeda only chuckled at Natsuki's flustering attempt to cover up her blunder, "Aaaaaabsolutely!"
Though it was only in a matter of second, Natsuki could notice the slight twinkle in Shizuru's eyes as the latter just gave off a smile before she collected all her belongings and was ready to leave.
"I wish I could say the same. Anyway, I have to go now—"
Natsuki jolted up from her chair, it almost fell backwards, "Wait! What? You haven't finished your lunch..."
Shizuru smiled and shook her head, "Well, I got a little headache... You can collect you room key from the receptionist at the lobby. You should take a rest too. I'll talk to you later."
Without further delay, Shizuru collected her purse and she walked out the cafe, leaving Natsuki and Takeda alone at the table. Natsuki was tongue-tied as she watched Shizuru left. She turned to look at Takeda; he just grinned widely as he wiggled his eyebrows. Natsuki's hand moved by reflex when she saw that grin and it hit at the back of Takeda's head.
"Ouch! What the hell, man!?"
"You're so fucked, you know that?"
She fiddled with the documents in her hands—another sigh escaped from her lips.
"'Nee-chan?"
Mai quickly snapped her head up, finding a pair of soft violet eyes staring worriedly at her. Ah, I did it again, didn't I?
"What is it, Takumi?"
Takumi remained silent for a few second as he kept staring at Mai's face as if he was searching for more answers for his impending questions. Finally averting his gaze away, it was his turn to sigh.
"Hey~! What's with the long face?" Mai outstretched her hand and grabbed at Takumi's arm, pulling him to sit right next to her, "We're going to France, aren't we? Cheer up!" she patted Takumi's head as she giggled.
"Does Natsuki-san know when we're leaving?" Takumi's face contorted into a scowl.
Mai was left speechless at the question and she sighed, "Not now, Takumi..." She left the couch and walked into the kitchen, helping herself with a glass of cold water.
Takumi frowned at the response, quickly got onto his feet and followed the older woman, "Why not?"
"Why does everything need to be revolved around her?" Even though she knew exactly where this conversation might lead, it didn't stop her from being nervous and in fact, it was starting to annoy her.
"Because it does!" Takumi yelled, "It does! And you know that!"
Mai shook her head, chuckling bitterly, "Yes. I do. And that's why I'm trying to put an end to it." She carefully placed the glass against the counter, staring at Takumi's face with unwavering eyes.
"We're leaving this Sunday and that's that!"
"You must be Kuga Natsuki?"
"Yep. I am."
The receptionist beamed brightly, flipping through the small register book on her counter as she held up a key card, "You room is at the 8th floor, number 817."
Natsuki took the key with a smile and pivoted her feet, ready to walk to the elevator before she turned around again, "I'm sorry. May I ask which room is Fujino Shizuru staying?"
"It is against our policy to disclose the information, ma'am. I'm so sorry, I can't help you."
Tapping the key card against the counter top, Natsuki bit her lower lips and gave a quick bow to the young receptionist, "It's okay. I understand. Sorry to bother you..."
Natsuki walked to the elevator together with her duffel bag and she pressed her index finger at the 'UP' button. The luxurious interior was somewhat making her dizzy. She tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the elevator to arrive and when it did, she quickly straightened her back, facing the door only to be surprised when she saw who was inside it.
"Shizuru?"
Shizuru's crimson eyes brightened at the sight of that raven haired beauty, "Ara, Natsuki? Are you going up to your room?"
Natsuki quickly slammed her hand at the door, holding it from closing, at the same time blocking Shizuru's only way out,
"Natsuki—?"
"I'm sorry!"
Shizuru blinked a couple times, confused, "About what?"
Natsuki's eyes went back and forth, staring at the lips and back to the pair of crimson eyes again, "About earlier with Takeda... I didn't mean to say what I said. It just came out of nowhere... I should've known better about you and Reito. I didn't mean to bring it up again..."
A soft sigh escaped from Shizuru's lips as she smiled, "Well, Natsuki should figure something a lot better than that to apologize to me..."
"What do you want me to do—"
A loud ring alarmed them and they quickly stepped out the elevator so it could start to move again.
"How about a little golf game?" Shizuru suggested with a smile as her eyes followed Natsuki's movement. That blunette was fidgeting on her feet—it was endearing.
Natsuki arched one brow, surprised and a little bit of relief when she saw that smile. At least she knew that Shizuru wasn't as angry as she was before, "Golf?"
Shizuru nodded cutely and Natsuki just couldn't hold a chuckle,
"Yeah, sure. But I got to leave my bag in my room. Could you wait for a moment?"
"No!" Shizuru demanded as she reached for Natsuki's arm and dragged her to the reception counter, "You can leave it to them. They will take care of it." she said as she signaled the young bellboy. He obliged with a smile as he took the bag and started to walk to the elevator.
Natsuki just watched in awe and turned to look at the grinning face beside her, "Seriously?"
"Yep, seriously!"
Another swing and she missed the tiny white ball. It was sitting there on the green carpet and she could feel as if the ball was jeering at her for missing her hit. It was her seventh attempt—her pride was shattered in pieces. For the first time in her life, she was extremely pissed off over an inanimate object like a golf ball. She could just kick the ball or break the golf club in two so she could go back to her room and get some sleep.
But she wouldn't do that.
"Ara? I assume that you have never played this game before?"
"If this isn't giving you the whole picture of how suck I am, yes, I have never played golf in my life."
Shizuru giggled at the obviously annoyed reply, "So, what kind of game that Natsuki usually prefers?"
Natsuki hunched her back, side-stepping slightly, trying to get a good stance as she pulled back the club and brought it close to the ball a couple of times, aiming for the right target.
"I don't play sports that much but I do enjoy cycling and basketball. I did play it a few times during college—damn it!" Natsuki cussed under her breath when she missed the ball again, "Besides, golfing is for lazy people. I don't do lazy games." Natsuki tossed away the ball which she assumed brought a bad luck to her and grabbed a new ball, placing it on top the golf tee as she ready herself for another swing.
"It is because Natsuki doesn't know how to play."
"It's stupid."
"It's therapeutic."
"What!?"
Shizuru giggled again as she stood up from her chair and walked to Natsuki, "Here. Let me teach you how to play..." and without any warning, she tentatively placed a palm at the small of Natsuki's back, feeling the younger woman flinched slightly at the contact. Her lips curved up a smile almost immediately.
"Turn your back at me," Shizuru put a little pressure at Natsuki's back, motioning her to face away instead of facing her.
Natsuki obliged with a low grunt. Now she had her back facing the brunette, Natsuki started to feel a little anxious. She didn't know why but she felt a bit uneasy, as if she could feel someone was staring at her intently.
Well indeed, there was someone. Shizuru bit her lower lips, trying so hard to endure the urge to run her fingers along that dark, silky hair, feeling its smoothness against her own skin.
Daring up a little, Shizuru raised her hand, "Your hair shouldn't be in your way..." she gently brushed the dark strands, revealing pale, smooth skin underneath it—slender neck and painfully enticing. Her heart was thundering inside her rib cage, pounding so hard, threatening to escape. She moved her hands downwards, cautiously grazing along Natsuki's toned arms as she reached down for the golf club in Natsuki's hands. She wrapped her hands around Natsuki's, feeling a slight tremble under her grasps. Her smile widened more.
"You have to raise it like this..." She whispered hotly at Natsuki's right ear. Natsuki could feel her entire body burning. Her grip around the iron rod involuntarily tightened.
"You have to turn your waist slightly like this..." Shizuru whispered again as her hands switched places from Natsuki's hands to her waist. It surprised her of how bold she had become. It surprised her even more when she found herself enjoying every second of it. She stared at her hands placement. They fitted perfectly on Natsuki's slim waist and one had to wonder why.
"Hey."
Shizuru blinked a couple of times. Ara... Almost get caught... "Yes, Natsuki?"
Natsuki gulped when she felt another rush of hot breath against her skin, tickling her down to her spine. "My waist... Which way do I need to turn?"
"Like this and then you have to swing. Strong."
Shizuru smiled inwardly and she put a little pressure on Natsuki's waist. Natsuki did exactly and the club hit the golf ball. It flew far across the plain. Natsuki grinned at her accomplishment.
"Nice!"
Shizuru arched her brows as she smiled, "Not bad at all. You want to try again?"
Natsuki felt a slow rush of warmth slowly filling in her entire body as the prior scene replayed inside her brain, "Um, no. I'll watch." She swallowed nervously as she quickly handed over the golf club to Shizuru and went back to sit at the chair provided. Shizuru could no longer hold her smile when she saw those blushing cheeks.
For a moment they locked eyes and Natsuki gave her a shy smile, running a hand through her hair, looking away before saying, "I'll go get us some drinks. I think it's getting a little hot in here..." and she quickly walked out the golf training area.
Shizuru could feel her blood rushed to her face and ears, her heart was thumping crazily, breaking every record with its speed.
I choose to love you in silence for in silence I receive no rejection.
I choose to love you in loneliness for in loneliness no one owns you but me.
I choose to hold you in my dreams for in my dreams you have no end...
Until then, goodbye.
She was fidgeting on her chair. She nervously looked around, biting her lower lips as she quietly waiting. Shizuru was late. She was asked to wait there in the restaurant while Shizuru went to get her father for a dinner together—but she was 5 minutes late.
Waiting for the extra 5 minutes felt like she had been glued to the chair for 5 hours long. She was getting much more anxious as every minute passed—she could feel her throat started to get tighter. She assumed it was because of the heat coming from the hot plate in front of her. She quickly reached for the water bottle.
"Natsuki!"
Her lips were still attached to the bottle as she spun around—she choked, almost spurting the water out of her mouth.
"Sh-Shizuru!"
"My goodness. Are you okay?"
"Yeah-yeah! I was just surprised!"
Kimono. Shizuru was in a freaking pair of green kimono, looking absolutely nothing but beautiful and Natsuki had to take a moment of silence to process with the view right before her.
Shizuru's sandy tresses were pulled into a loose bun—few strands of hair framing her face and Natsuki almost slapped herself for staring way too much than she intended to.
One way or another, she knew Shizuru was smiling—or more likely smirking. Somehow, Shizuru's smile was like giving off a kind of vibe which she could quickly feel, even though she wasn't even looking.
"Did you wait long?"
"No. Not really. Where's your father?"
"He's at that table, meeting with his friends." Shizuru pointed a finger at the table near the entrance door. Natsuki could see a tall, middle aged man in his hakama, standing there talking with a few other men. Her throat was starting to dry—she reached for the water bottle again.
"You sure are drinking a lot of water tonight..."
"Yeah, it's kinda hot..."
"Of course it is."
Another smirk coming from Shizuru, Natsuki's brain immediately made a mental flashback of what happened earlier at the golf training area. She wondered if Shizuru purposely emphasized her words just to get her reaction because it sure did successful—her face was burning hotly.
"Okay. My father's coming." Shizuru suddenly tugged at the hem of Natsuki's Monsters University sweatshirt, "And don't bring up anything about work. My father definitely hates it."
Natsuki's jaw dropped slightly in surprise, "Ha? So what's the purpose of this dinner anyway?"
Shizuru smiled sweetly, arching one brow in mischievous manner, "I just want you to meet my father."
"You're kidding?"
"No, I'm not—Hello father!" Shizuru quickly waved at the man as he strutted his way towards them, cutting off their prior conversation. Natsuki instantly straightened her back and gave a bow to the older man as he stood right before her.
"So... You're Kuga Natsuki?"
Natsuki swallowed nervously at the deep and guttural voice. The eyes, obviously the same color Shizuru inherited but the one she was looking at right now could simply make her pissed in her pants in any minute.
"Y-yes sir."
Why did she have to stutter?
He walked past her and towards the chair, "I heard that you own a Ducati... What model is it?"
Natsuki instantly turned to face Shizuru—the brunette was grinning. Natsuki managed to mouth out a silent 'What the hell?' at Shizuru's grinning face before answering the older man's question. Luckily he had his back at them, he was unaware of a certain silent conversation between his daughter and her blunette friend.
"It's an old model, sir. DRIII. I got it from my uncle."
Shizuru's father smiled as he waved for the chef to start cooking. He reached for his cup and the waitress quickly poured him sake as if it was her routine. Natsuki took a seat right next the older man while Shizuru at the other. They were all facing the chef as he worked on cutting the ingredients, skilfully tossing them here and there on that huge hot plate, pouring sake and it combusted into a quick flame.
Natsuki watched in awe as he performed his skill, "Awesome!"
"Jun! A plate for this lady."
"Yes, sir!" The chef placed a few pieces of meat he had cooked onto the plate and he outstretched his hand to Natsuki, smiling, "Have a taste, miss."
Natsuki was grinning from ear to ear as she took the plate, thanking the chef with another smile.
"Shizuru rarely took her friends back home. I guess you are one of her very few friends she got back in Tokyo other than Yukino?"
Natsuki hesitated before answering, "I guess I am." And again, she could feel Shizuru's eyes intently fixated at her.
"Hideaki-sama! Here's your plate!"
Hideaki took the plate and picked up the tea cup before he turned to look at Natsuki in the eye intently, "Thank you for being there for my daughter. She has been really secretive with her life, I've been wondering if she even has any friend other than Yukino!" He raised his sake cup at Natsuki, "I'm grateful you're her friend. People who ride Ducati are the best in the world."
Natsuki stunned, her cup froze in her hands as she watched Hideaki in disbelieve. She wondered if Shizuru's father was drunk to come out with such sentiment.
"I wonder if you're implying to yourself, father?"
Natsuki heard Shizuru's voice and she quickly leaned back to look at the brunette; Shizuru was smiling widely.
Hideaki chuckled as he took a bite of his dinner, "Yes! Am I wrong, Natsuki?"
"No-no-no-no! You're absolutely right, sir! People who ride Ducati really are the best people in the world!"
"Ara? Tag-teaming already?"
Both Natsuki and Hideaki burst into laughs. They moved on to their dinner and small talks before Hideaki turned to look at Shizuru and popped the question she had dreaded to hear.
"When will I ever hear about your boyfriend? You've never take him to meet me. Or do you even have one? You rarely talk about this... Your mother is worried about you..."
Her eyes caught the sudden change in Shizuru's eyes but it was too quick, she almost missed it.
"Don't worry father, I will bring him home when the time comes..." Shizuru's voice turned sullen, Natsuki could notice in a heartbeat. She seriously thought Shizuru had introduced Reito to her family since Reito did it before but much to her surprise, Shizuru never did. Her father even seemed oblivious to the fact that Shizuru had dated Reito back then. It might not be a surprise to her that Shizuru probably wanted to wait for the right time to bring Reito home, but why she had to keep it a secret?
And now they were broke up, Natsuki wondered what Shizuru would say to her parents.
"Are you married, Natsuki?"
When the question suddenly turned its course towards her, it definitely took her off guard—her face instantly turned into a full-blown redness.
"No-no! I'm not, sir!"
Hideaki nodded a few times—his speech slurred and his eyes were glazed—Natsuki was sure that old man was already drunk. Maybe he had a few shots at his friends' table earlier. She slowly turned to look at Shizuru; she smiled and nodded her head as if she understood what was in her mind.
"Father, you seem tired. You want me to take you back to your room? You have to catch your flight tomorrow."
But Hideaki instantly waved his hand, dismissing his daughter's offer, "I'm fine! I want to have another drink with Natsuki-chan!"
Natsuki curved up a smile. Shizuru's father sure reminded her a lot of her own father, "I would love too, sir, but I can't handle alcohol so well."
It was a lie. She remembered she had a beer pong game with her classmates and she had to drink 8 cups of beer because her skill sucked big time. Even after 8 cups of beer and another 3 cups for the second game, she was still sober for the rest of the night.
Hideaki puffed out a sigh and half-heartedly obliged to Shizuru's request, "Okay, I'll go take a rest. Bye-bye, Natsuki-chan..." he waved at the blunette sloppily with an ear-splitting grin as Shizuru called his assistant to take Hideaki back to his room.
As they watched them leaving the restaurant, Shizuru turned to look at Natsuki who replied her stare with a quirk of her brows.
"What?"
"I think my father likes you."
Natsuki instantly chuckled at the statement. She slowly went back to her chair and continued with her dinner. Though she was a bit full but the food was too good that she just couldn't resist the temptation for another serving.
"Why did you laugh?" Shizuru took the seat next to Natsuki which was her father's earlier.
"Well, he's drunk. Everybody will like everyone if they're drunk." Natsuki laughed, "He will forget about me the next morning."
Shizuru placed her arms atop the counter and smiled widely, "Ara? Are you sure about that? My father is different though. He has this ability to remember anything even when he's drunk. Trust me when I said that he likes you."
Natsuki arched her brows skeptically at Shizuru's words, "Is it supposed to be a good thing?"
"Very." Shizuru giggled again as she watched Natsuki ate her dinner, "Anyway, when you said that you can't handle alcohol well, was it true?"
"No. I lied." Natsuki tried to suppress her smirk.
"I knew it."
"Your father is really funny though. And where the hell did he get 'People who ride Ducati really are the best people in the world!' thing?"
Shizuru shrugged, "I'm sure he referred to himself. He rides one though."
That definitely sparked Natsuki's interest, "Oh, really? What model?"
Shizuru placed a finger under her chin as she pondered, "I can't really remember but I have the picture." she said as she took out her phone, "I took a picture when he first bought it earlier this year. Here. That's the bike."
Natsuki leaned closer to the brunette and took a peek, "Oh! That 2014 Ducati Diavel! Awesome!" but then she noticed that Shizuru was the one who straddling the bike in a full body suit. But what surprised her more, Shizuru in the picture was wearing a full-face helmet but she could recognize her in a second.
"Is that you?"
Shizuru was surprised, "Ah, how did you know?"
With body like that in a full leather biker suit, who wouldn't? "I was just guessing." Natsuki said quickly took a sip of cold water as she felt a sudden rush of warmth all over her face. Since when she started to look at Shizuru that way? Natsuki swore she could hear something so loud, resonating inside her chest as if someone was beating a gong.
"So actually this whole meeting with your father is rather pointless, isn't it? What am I supposed to report to Haruka?"
Shizuru just smiled at Natsuki's concerned look, "My father has agreed with your proposal and Yukino already faxed all the details required for the renovation. They are probably at your office by now and yes, this whole meeting with my father actually is pointless."
Natsuki snorted, shaking her head in disbelieve, "Then, why did I have to come all the way here if things are already settled? It is kinda waste of time, don't you think?"
Shizuru was all smiling and Natsuki's curiosity multiplied.
"A break."
"What?"
Shizuru raised a finger, signalling the young waiter. He nodded and brought along a small bottle of expensive sake and handed it over to that brunette. Shizuru locked her eyes momentarily at Natsuki's inquiring stare and smiled while pouring a small cup for Natsuki.
"You need it."
Natsuki frowned more—Shizuru really was taunting with her patience which had slowly thinning with each elusive replies. Her eyes went down to look at the clear liquid which rippled inside that china cup. She really had no interest to get drunk that night.
"It has been difficult for you these past few days..." Crimson orbs found the confused emeralds again, "Right?"
Natsuki was tongue-tied, Shizuru was smiling again. Natsuki wondered how it was even possible for a smile to completely soothe your aching chest but Shizuru's smile did that to her. She did admit how beautiful Shizuru was and her feature was something exceptional even at their very first encounter. In all honesty, she hadn't met anyone like Shizuru who effortlessly made her brain jumbled up with her conscience and it had her thinking—a lot.
"So I figured you could use a little holiday. Yes, the actual plan was to have you to meet my father but I think you need a break from work, away from your office..." Shizuru paused as her gaze fixated at Natsuki, "Away from eveything."
Yes, she did. She really needed it but she hadn't realized until Shizuru mentioned it to her. She hadn't have any break since she started working months ago.
Away from work, away from home. Away from Mai.
"Am I wrong?"
Natsuki quickly shook her head, her fingers reached for the cup and trailed its outline gently as if it would break if she didn't careful, "No. You're not..." Natsuki brought up the cup closer to her mouth, her lips slowly curved up into a smile as she stared into the depth of crimson which was looking at hers expectantly.
"You are totally right..."
He fiddled with the phone in his hand as he stared at the floor. So many things continuously popped inside his mind, making him think so much to the point he started to feel his head throbbing painfully. His chest started to ache.
Doubts and fears flooded his thought—he needed some sort of security; an assurance, a word of guarantee.
Or a better word; a promise—but he hadn't received any.
And it scared the hell out of him.
She blinked a couple of times at the soft ringing sound, looping countless times as much as she could remember. Her hands patted the mattress, trying to find the small gadget which blaring off the annoying ringtone to the point of interrupting her slumber. Grunting softly, she tossed around and found the said item laid under the jumble of pillows and comforter.
She had to squint her eyes at the bright light emanated from the screen and it took her a few seconds for her eyes to get used to the light. The room she occupied was dim since the curtains were drawn and she knew that she had overslept when she looked at the digital clock on her phone screen; 12.05 in the afternoon.
But her eyes instantly widened at the sight of 32 notifications—her hearts started to beat erratically. They were all missed calls from this one least expected person, or someone she had never even thought would make so many calls to her.
And there was a text message.
[We're leaving today at 7.00 pm.]
It was from Takumi.
Shizuru walked along the corridor with a box of pastries she got from the bakery close to the hotel. It was one of the best in town and she wanted Natsuki to have a taste of it with a cup of coffee she bought earlier. It might be a little late to be called as having a breakfast and a little too early for lunch, so she decided to have a brunch. Maybe they could have other meal for lunch later on because they had the rest of the day to spent touring around the city.
Shizuru couldn't suppress a smile as she mulled silently at the thought of taking Natsuki out for a little sight-seeing. As she reached at Natsuki's hotel room, she held all the items in one hand and brought up her other hand to knock at the door, waiting as she listened to the hasty footsteps.
"Good morning, Natsuki—"
Her greet choked up when Natsuki instantly walked away as soon as she got the door open. It surprised her when she saw Natsuki already dressed up in her jeans and white shirt as if she was ready to go somewhere. The look on Natsuki's face worried her even more—the girl looked panic and she was moving back and forth, collecting her belongings to stuff them into her bag.
"I have to go."
She didn't even have to ask, Natsuki already answered her impending question.
"What? Why?"
"I need to see her..."
Again, it didn't need a genius to figure out who Natsuki was referring to. Shizuru felt her heart was like being pulled and this unknown mass started to grow between her throat and her chest—it was painful.
"But, I thought you—"
"What?"
Natsuki's quick response made Shizuru instantly swallowed her next words. What? What did you think about, Shizuru? She tilted her head up, finding Natsuki's eyes on hers, inquiring and somewhat confused. Everything was like stopped at that very second as soon as their eyes met. She didn't know why it felt like the stare was starting to choke her. The air around her grew heavier with each breath, it was stifling. What were you thinking...?
"No-nothing... I thought you said you want to stay until tomorrow..." A good answer and one smile sure could take away one's curiosity.
Natsuki quickly shook her head, "I guess not." She said it curtly. She moved to her bag again, packing the remaining of her belongings hurriedly, unaware of the longing gaze coming from the other person across the room.
"It will be impossible to get a flight ticket right now..."
Natsuki halted at zipping up her bag, "Oh? Really? So how am I going to get back to Tokyo?"
"Train." Shizuru said, unaware of the tone of her voice which had gotten deeper and deeper with each words.
"How long does it takes?"
"6 hours..."
Shizuru watched Natsuki mumbling out something inaudible, maybe she was doing a calculation for the exact time she had and she was right. Another smile appeared on Natsuki's face and she just knew it. It never failed to amaze her on how good she was on reading Natsuki's expression. That blunette was so transparent with her feelings and her face was often an obvious giveaway. Sometimes she wished she could be like that, freely expressing what she had bottled up inside.
"Could you please take me to the train station then?"
No.
"Sure!"
She's going to take 6 hours train from Kyoto to Tokyo just to see her.
Shizuru clutched the box in her grasp desperately.
Doesn't that spell 'love' to you?
"I'll call you as soon as I get there!"
"Sure."
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Shizuru. You helped me a lot..."
"It's okay... You're welcome! And take this with you. You haven't had anything for breakfast." Shizuru handed over the box of pastries she bought earlier—the one was meant to be eaten together.
"I'll see you back in Tokyo?"
"Of course..."
Natsuki wanted to say more but the bell rang loudly, cutting off her words. She turned to look at Shizuru; she just smiled and nodded.
"Have a safe journey—" Shizuru's words were interrupted when Natsuki suddenly pulled her and hugged her tightly. She found her arms froze at the sudden contact. As she was about to wrap her arms around Natsuki, the latter pulled away and to her utmost surprise, Natsuki's face was flushing red brilliantly.
"Natsuki...?"
RANG!
It was the second bell, alarming the passengers to get ready for boarding. Natsuki didn't slip a chance for Shizuru to ask. Her impending question was pretty much written on her face. It would be utterly embarrassing to let that brunette teasing her more with the blushing on her face.
"I'll be going!" Natsuki quickly hopped into the train and the door closed at the very last second—Shizuru almost screamed in panic. Natsuki was grinning behind the window glass and there was nothing Shizuru could do to scold that playful blunette. Shizuru just shook her head, chuckling when Natsuki waved at her excitedly.
The train started to move—Shizuru watched it getting further and further and soon it disappeared from her sight. The warmth of Natsuki's arms around her earlier was still lingered. She hadn't realized that her heart was pounding so hard until now. So many things came rushing in to her mind, it made her feel dizzy. Her brain was like having its own Q & A session.
So many questions yet so little answers.
For the umpteenth times that day, another sigh escaped her lips. She tilted her head up, staring at the ceiling of the airport structure. Later, she slowly closed her eyes as she listened to the voices of the airport receptions. Takumi had left to buy some magazines before they check-in. He had gone for almost 10 minutes—she wasn't that worried because she had another 20 minutes before checking-in.
"Mai!"
She thought she was hearing things. Even though her seat was a bit far from other people, the airport was still busy with the announcements so she concluded that she probably had misheard it.
"Mai!"
Now she was sure as hell she wasn't mishearing things as she saw one raven haired woman running towards her direction and slowly came into a halt as soon as she was within earshot.
"Natsuki? But I thought you're in Kyoto?"
"I was. I just got here minutes ago..." It sure did explain her ragged breaths and slightly tousled hair.
"What—? Why?"
Mai knew by heart that she wasn't prepared for this. She wasn't expecting this but it would be an utter lie if she didn't wish for Natsuki would come to see her. Seeing that girl catching for breath like she had ran for miles, something was ticking inside her chest, trying to convince her and replaying words 'Stay. Stay. Stay.'
"What am I to you?"
"Natsuki?"
"What am I to you!?"
Mai swallowed whatever that lodged inside her throat as she tried to find Natsuki's eyes, "Y-you're my friend!"
"No! We're not just friends..." Natsuki's voice was grim, shaking her head as she took a step forward, "Friends don't talk to each other like the way we talk to each other..."
"Friends don't treat each other like how we treat each other..." Another step and she was standing right in front Mai, staring into the depth of her lavender eyes—unblinking and utterly resolved. Mai couldn't find the strength to tear her gaze away. She felt like it was locked at place.
For the first time in her life, she was really scared being under Natsuki's stare like that.
"Why are you lying to yourself like this? You're just putting off the inevitable!" Her brows drawn close together into a soft frown. Her lips tugged into a sad smile, "Sooner or later, someone's going to get hurt and that someone is definitely going to be you..."
Natsuki paused briefly for a breath, her jaw tightened, her eyes were glistened with tears, "Because I know I already am..." Natsuki shrugged and put her palms out like she was making herself an open target.
Mai finally looked away—her own tears were threatened to fall anytime soon. She just didn't want Natsuki to see it, "Natsuki... please..."
"You knew that I would come back, chasing. You knew I would! For years I tried to convince myself you were a mistake and I failed, because I always had an explanation to why I could leave you but there was nothing that could tell me why I kept coming back."
Mai was completely speechless at the revelation—her eyes quickly searched for Natsuki's and when it did, she felt like as if her legs were turning into jelly. She clutched at the seat tightly to avoid herself from falling to her feet.
"I love you... I'm pretty sure you're still aware about my feelings for you but you decided to not doing anything about it. You left then you came back... And now you're leaving again... I just... I just don't know what you're trying to do or what you're looking for! We've been friends for years but it seem like you don't know me at all."
Natsuki's voice was trembling, she was at the verge of tears and Mai had sworn before that she would kill anyone who had cause the tears.
But she did realize that it was her who caused it—would she kill herself for causing it?
"I won't leave you. And we both know that I never did. You, you're a part of me that I will never let go." Natsuki told Mai and later, when Mai would think back to this moment, she'll wish she would have stopped Natsuki there or just walked away—anything to keep herself from hearing what Natsuki said next.
"But I just want you to know that I'm done waiting."
Like a huge boulder lifted off her shoulders, Natsuki breathed out a heavy sigh. She could feel something deep inside her growing; the hollow was getting bigger with every breath she took. Now it had her thinking, being with Mai or even just thinking about her, it felt as if she was breathing underwater. It had been years that she felt like her lungs were being confined, it was stifling and the air was never enough.
She wondered why now she could finally breathe easy.
"You are the girl who can't leave, and I'm the girl who can't say goodbye..."
"Eh—?"
Mai went to hug Natsuki and as she held her close, she murmured, "Please, just stay like this for a bit longer..."
They stayed in each others' arms for the next few minutes, inhaling each others' scent like the air they breathed—can never get too much, while without it, you will die. She whispered words to her ears, Natsuki's eyes widened at the soft breath against the outer shell of her ear. Her body went rigid; her arms were frozen.
"I love you."
The words repeated itself in her mind as she felt a soft pressure against her lips—Natsuki felt like her entire being was in overdrive. She turned to look at Mai when the latter released her hold. Mai just curved up a smile.
"So please, wait for me... just a little longer. That's all I asked..."
Natsuki watched as Mai walked further away from her towards the international departure exit. She saw her waved before disappearing from her sight.
Her heart sunk deeper. She should be happy but why did it feel like something was gnawing at her heart? She felt the muscles along her jaw tensed and something was stinging her eyes. She could feel the upcoming tears, threatening to fall. Natsuki quickly tilted her head up, staring at the ceiling. Her sight was getting blurry.
Sometimes, you wait so long for something that when it finally arrives...
"You're late..." Natsuki screwed her eyes shut, desperately trying to stop the tears from falling, "It's too late..."
...you no longer need it.
So? What do you guys think? Pardon my grammars.