Hello all, been going through some stuff and managed to find some time so I wrote this rather angry chapter of my fic to exorcise my demons. I hope this works! By the way, I am actually eating frozen blueberries as I write this.
Chapter 12: Frozen Blueberries
"I-Ichirou? Why are – Are you crying?" He shook his head, stuffing a packet of papers into his pocket, wiping his face.
"You weren't supposed to be here, Uru."
"I came to meet Sou. Why did I see you with Shindou-san earlier? Ichirou, what's going on?"
"I'm sorry Uru. I had to. You weren't supposed to see, or know." I stomped my foot and turned red with anger.
"Ichirou if you don't explain to me what's going on right now-" Ichirou kissed me. Hard and fast, I went weak in the knees and almost fell over when Ichirou released me before silently walking out the door. I licked my lips and they were cold, tasting faintly of blueberries.
"Uru? What? Why did Ichirou just run out of here?" Sou walked up behind me, flustered.
"Onee-chan, there's something on your lips!" Sakura-chan pointed at my mouth and I wiped to find a trace of dark blue.
"You haven't had anything to eat, so…THAT PERVERT!" Sou ran back out the doors before I could make a move to stop him, dropping the groceries on the floor.
"Onee-chan, did Ichirou-niisan kiss you? Is that why Sou-nii is upset?" Sakura struggled to lift a bag of the groceries as she walked over to me. I picked them up for her and set them on the nearest table, using the motion to calm my inner turmoil. Just what was going on?
"Sakura-chan, I'm not sure what's going on. Why don't we just take these groceries to your dad?"
"Okays!" We brought the groceries to the back, where Abekawa-san was arguing with his elder son.
"Ya know it'll break the poor girl's heart if she knows that Nishikawa-san-"
"Otou-san, I'm home!" Sakura-chan was immediately scooped up and fought over by her father and brother; it was a few minutes before I was finally noticed.
"Ah, Uru-chan! So glad to see you-" Abekawa the elder smacked his son on the head before he could touch me.
"No more shenanigans, now. Didja happen to run inta yer friend Nishikawa when you got here?" He started putting away some of the groceries, avoiding my face.
"I did. Do you know anything about what happened?"
"Not a thing. He came in here, yelled at that Shindou-san, then passed out. I fed him some blueberry mochi to wake 'im up long enough for him to leave!" I ran my tongue along my list, the faint taste of blueberries haunting me.
"Thank you."
"Why d'ya ask? I'm sure the boy'll tell ya himself if ya ask."
"Well I tried. But he…um…well…" I started to flush and couldn't bring myself to say what happened.
"Ichirou-niisan kissed Uru-nee!" Sakura happily smiled from where she was helping before intently putting all the ingredients in their proper place.
"So he finally put the moves on ya?" Abekawa-san covered his son's mouth whit his free hand as the other was preventing him from getting close to me. "Just remember, Uru-chan. I'm on Sou's side." He released his son and pushed him towards the exit, telling him to get back to work selling pastries. Confused, I helped Sakura-chan in silence, responding to her chatter with nods of my head. I had too much to think about to really talk. Like just what Ichirou was thinking.
I kissed her. I'm an idiot. She tasted so good. What have I done? So many thoughts ran through my head as I ran from the Abekawa bakery to my other home, Café Bonheur. Manager-san was surprised at my outburst, and I faltered when I noticed that Marie-san was there as well, calmly seated at the counter.
"Ichirou-kun? Is everything okay?" Manager-san put down the check he was writing and walked around the counter to me.
"I-I've screwed up, Manager-san. I-Here." I handed him the letter I was told to pass on, and watched as Manager-san's eyes shimmered before he gripped it tightly and forced a smile.
"Marie-san! I'm so happy you and Satsuki have decided to move back to France after the wedding!" I couldn't believe it. What was going on? Why had they bothered to show up in Japan at all? Why would Shindou-san hurt everyone so much? Marie-san suddenly spoke.
"-san. Why would Satsuki say that? I never knew we were returning to France. I don't understand. What has happened to our plan? Why has he not told me of his decision?" Marie-san started to tear up, and my rage and stress suddenly burst out. I punched the wall, leaving a large hole.
"He has a lot to answer for." I left the store, leaving behind a shocked Manager and Marie-san as I went to find Shindou, murder in my heart.
I opened the door to my apartment, exhausted. Sou came back angrily ranting about Ichirou, but was unable to find him. I left soon after that, and hadn't heard from Ichirou or Hana or anyone. I settled in for the night to finish my paper due next week. It was lonely, a lonely feeling, sitting here by myself, confused and lost. A knock sounded at my door before my tears could fall. I opened it a crack, and was shocked to find a weeping Marie-san standing there.
"Can we talk?"
I'm so sorry for this update's lateness. So, so, so sorry. I went to Mexico for part of the summer and had family issues and it was just crazy. I apologize for the lateness and I'm going to be better about updating now that life has achieved some form of stability. Thank you for everyone who's reviewed and liked my story, you have no idea how much your support has encouraged me!
