LOVE, TRUE, FAITH

11. Painful Realizations

The moment Sakurako saw Tsukushi turning her head and gazing in her direction with an unreadable expression on her face, Sakurako knew positively what the duo was talking about – her.

It was real, Rui would never be hers, but she had not intention in giving up. It would be so un-Sakurako of her to do so and she would not allow herself to give in so easily, not when her rivalry happened to be only a normal-looking girl.

Minutes later, after Tsukushi returned her attention back to Rui, Sakurako straightened her back and sat there frozen, trying her best to salvage some dignity from this situation as she watched the display of affections between the two friends.

Sakurako noticed Rui's smiling face, an expression that could only be seen whenever he was with Tsukushi -- during the morning lessons, afternoon lessons and even now. She could still remember the gloomy expression on Rui's face when he was sitting all alone at this very table, without Tsukushi. 

It took her minutes before she finally found a voice to speak, and such a strange and husky voice for a pretty lady, " I don't care whoever you are, and would you mind, I prefer to be alone."  Sakurako demanded coldly.

What a pity, I am just right in front of her and there she is, pestering a guy who doesn't even give a damn about her, what a bitch!  Junpei thought as he clenched his fists in frustration.

" As you wish." Junpei gave a shrug before getting up from his seat and walking away. He shall wait for another chance and he knew he would get it, by hook or by crook

*****

" Sakurako-chan, shall we go home together?" Tsukushi asked and looking concerned when she spotted Sakurako still sitting alone at the same table. In fact, Tsukushi was half-blaming herself for giving Sakurako false hopes during lunch for she knew that Sakurako was really interested in Rui. However, Tsukushi was totally helpless when Rui would not even befriend this girl, and she wondered why.

" Huh?" Sakurako finally came out from her dazed state and looked up. What she saw was a face that tore her heart and made her ache worse than any pain she had yet experienced.

" No thanks, my chauffeur is picking me up later." Sakurako managed a polite rejection but immediately regretted it when she noticed Rui waiting for Tsukushi at the exit.

Oh, I feel so stupid today. Never in my life have I felt so humiliated before. What has the world come to?  Sakurako thought dejectedly, almost smiling mockingly at herself for being such an impulsive and tactless player in this game of love.

******

Standing on the patio, Sakurako painfully watched Tsukushi getting into Rui's limousine. As soon as the black vehicle had wheeled out of the compound, Sakurako ran off and into the Rose garden, and there, she beat her fists upon an old oak tree. She beat her fists until they ached and blood began to come down from the many small cuts; then she flung herself down on the grass and cried – cried oceans of tears, for Rui, under normal circumstance, ought to fall for her instead.

And when Sakurako's tears were over, and her eyes swollen and red, and hurt from the rubbing, she heard soft footsteps coming to her. He sat down on the grass beside her and wanted to take her hand in his, but Sakurako did not allow that.

" Why are you here?" Sakurako flared, not feeling comfortable allowing a guy to see her in such a miserable state. 

" Oh? I thought perhaps you need some consoling…" Junpei offered for he would not want to miss out any opportunity to get closer to Sakurako.

" No thanks." Sakurako vehemently rejected Junpei's kindness, got up on her feet and staggered off. 

That bitch! She will pay for it someday. No one ever dare to reject Junpei, the great Casanova before. Junpei almost snapped; his tightly clenched fists had been filled with grasses that he uprooted them from the ground when Sakurako had rejected him, again.

" Junpei-kun, not going home yet?" Two female schoolmates stopped beside Junpei. He looked up and flashed them a crooked and yet charming smile, " Of course not… the night is still young. What are your plans for the night?"

…To be continued.