14 The Tight Spot
People have different interests which define their character.
Natsuki protectively held Shizuru as they walked back to her car. She took out a bottle of mineral water and urged Shizuru to drink. She thanked Hiro and she shelled out some bills to reward the boy. The boy flashed a toothy smile at her and then he happily went home.
Darkness engulfed the surroundings and the sound of cicadas can be heard from the trees in the plantation. Natsuki reclined the passenger seat for Shizuru and then she caressed her cheek. "Are you okay now, Shizuru?"
Shizuru closed her eyes and leaned on the warm palm on her cheek. She then opened her eyes and smiled softly at Natsuki who was so worried about her. "I'm sorry, Natsuki." She grasped the hand on her cheek to slowly bring it back to lap of its owner. She decided to deny herself any physical comfort from Natsuki to protect not only her own feelings but Natsuki's as well.
"I guess I shouldn't leave you again," Natsuki said with a smile but Shizuru looked away. Natsuki was unnerved about Shizuru's behavior and as she replayed the events on her head, she remembered Shizuru saying that her Dad left her. "Shall we go Shizuru?"
"Yes, I'm okay now. I'm sorry for being a brat," Shizuru said with a small smile. Natsuki bid Takeda goodbye and she sped off. When they came back to the inn, the lady at the information counter welcomed them.
"Ma'am there's a vacant room now. Do you want to take it?" Natsuki looked at Shizuru.
"Do you want a separate room Shizuru?" Natsuki asked.
"No, do you want one?" Shizuru replied.
"No, I don't want one either." Natsuki told the personnel that since they're leaving in the morning, they won't need another room.
Natsuki and Shizuru did their toilet routines and immediately retired to bed. Shizuru took off her contact lenses while Natsuki was in the bathroom. When she felt Natsuki slipped under the sheets, she felt the urge to embrace her again just like last night but she cowered. Soon she found warm arms which smoothly wrapped around her. She felt a soft body pressing against her back. Natsuki hung her chin on Shizuru's shoulder. She pulled her closer as she covered Shizuru's hand with her own.
"I won't leave you," Natsuki said for the third time that day and the words pierce Shizuru's heart like pointed daggers. Natsuki lifted her head a bit and she kissed Shizuru on her exposed cheek. Deeply touched by the sweetness, Shizuru's eyes watered. She pulled Natsuki's hand and she embraced it close to her heart mentally scolding herself for not making any move to stay away. Natsuki snuggled closer with a small smile on her face.
The following morning, Shizuru was back to her usual smiling self. The food was brought to their room and they lazily talked about how to go to Shizuru's family house in Kyoto. A few days ago, Shizuru made a call to her mother telling the latter to temporarily hide the picture frames and photo albums. Shizuru felt that there shouldn't be any problems. Besides, she was sure that Natsuki hasn't read the May issue of The Rising Sun where she has written about their family's old flower shop.
Their travel to Kyoto had been peaceful. Although Shizuru insisted that she should drive because she knows the way better, Natsuki didn't let her touch the steering wheel. Knowing that Natsuki's decision is final, Shizuru decided to pass the time by learning more about Natsuki.
"Uhm Natsuki, I don't mean to pry but I'm just curious about your mom," Shizuru started. Natsuki glanced at her before setting back her eyes on the road.
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I haven't told you about her. It's because I don't really know much about her," Natsuki replied calmly.
"Ah," Shizuru replied in response. She thought it's best not to throw a follow-up question although she really wanted to now more about Natsuki, her family and her life.
"She passed away when she gave birth to me," Natsuki continued.
"Oh…I-I'm sorry," Shizuru stammered. She really didn't know what to say. She actually felt selfish, thinking too much about her own lost when the other person who has been comforting her all along has been living all her life without a mother. Come to think of it, had she not been blessed for having ten happy years with her father? It was another way to look at the situation. But then she's 24 now and has totally moved on in a way. There are just situations when her subconscious mind takes over bringing back the crying ten year old girl awaiting the return of her father.
"Don't be. I've been taught since I was young that she's always watching over me. Shizuru, I hope you wouldn't think of me as being pedantic here but I believe that our parents are really watching over us. Your Dad is watching over you and I'm pretty sure he's very proud of you too," Natsuki said with a smile as bright as summer. She watched Shizuru from the corner of her eye and she saw that the latter smiled at the thought. "Ara, I can't believe people are saying that she's a grumpy boss. I wish they could see the smile that I am seeing right now."
"Ookini Natsuki, you're such a wonderful friend. I'm glad that I met you," Shizuru thoughtfully said as she gave Natsuki a wistful smile. The sadness in her eyes didn't go unnoticed to Natsuki when she quickly glanced at her. She saw it only for a moment but behind the smile, she felt that Shizuru is slowly drifting away for some reason that she doesn't know at the moment. Natsuki then remembered her resolve. Hadn't she told herself that she's going to tell Shizuru her feelings before they return to Tokyo?
"That's right. I should tell her because I'm going to burst. I want to tell her that I'm falling for her, that my heart is beating unusually fast right now, that she makes me lose my sanity when she's very close, that I love to hold her in my arms, that I will never leave her, that I want to learn how relationships work only if its with her…" Natsuki's words where echoing inside her head and she smiled.
Shizuru glanced at Natsuki's direction and she was surprised that the latter was smiling to herself. She looked like a little girl with bright, innocent eyes. "Ara, what a sight to behold."
"Natsuki is so cute when she smiles like that," Shizuru said to get Natsuki's attention. She giggled and Natsuki unconsciously glared at her while blushing. "And I must add that you also look cute when you glare like that."
"Gah, Shizuru," Natsuki mentally retaliated and then she sighed feeling the warmth on her face. She was thinking of a good retort but she noticed that Shizuru's head was turned away from her again, blankly watching the scenery quickly changing before her eyes. Soon Natsuki spotted a sign ahead of the road.
"Natsuki, turn right pass that marker," Shizuru suddenly instructed. When they reached the area, Natsuki followed Shizuru's instructions and she saw that there were so many trees forming a thick canopy along the sidewalk.
"Wow," Natsuki said in awe of the surroundings.
"I'm glad you like it here. There's our little house near the large greenhouse," Shizuru happily said while pointing ahead on the left side of the country road. Natsuki parked her car in front of a small traditional Japanese house. Shizuru quickly removed the seatbelt hugging her and then she walked briskly to their house and slid the door open to alert her mother of their presence.
"Okaa-san?" Shizuru yelled and hearing no response, she walked out of the house.
"She's not home?" Natsuki asked when she saw Shizuru coming out of the house. Natsuki was leaning against the side of her black Jaguar while enjoying the scent of flowers in the air.
"I'll go check the greenhouse," Shizuru said while walking gracefully to the greenhouse just a few yards away from their house.
Natsuki enjoyed the fresh air while leaning against her car. She inhaled deeply and then she slowly let the air out. She lifted her body by lightly pushing the side of her car with the back of her bent foot. She decided to follow Shizuru to the greenhouse. She heard the sound of faint chuckling and then she peered at the open door of the greenhouse.
It was a very spacious greenhouse with flowering plants kept on pots and black plastic bags everywhere. At the far end of the greenhouse, Natsuki noticed that Shizuru was talking to a young man, two small girls, and a beautiful woman who must be Shizuru's mother. Natsuki had second thoughts about making her presence known so she remained peering by the entrance. As if on cue, Shizuru turned around and saw how Natsuki cutely hid herself like a shy new student in school.
"Wait okaa-san, I'll just get her," Shizuru said. She gracefully walked to Natsuki's direction with a smile on her face. Natsuki watched her moving closer and the next moment, she felt her hand was taken then she was pulled to walk behind Shizuru towards the small group of giggling people.
Back in Tokyo, Nao was in Reito's condominium unit drinking coffee to get off the hangover. She was wearing a dark red teddy and her hair was messy. Reito came out of his room wearing a baby blue bathrobe.
"Envious of your sister?" Nao started while handing a cup of coffee to Reito who sat across her on the tea table.
"No, at least I get to manage the ushers for the program," Reito smirked.
"Yeah, that's what you do while Kuga-san and Mikoto-san take all the credit for playing the major roles in the company's anniversary," Nao provoked. The annoyance immediately reflected on Reito's boyish features. He clenched his fist while looking at Nao fiercely. Nao, on the other hand, was contentedly congratulating herself for being able to control Reito by playing with his ego.
"I don't give a damn about Mikoto being favored by Grandpa. He's my sister after all. Kuga is the one I find insufferable for acting like a know-it-all in the company since she came back from abroad, as if she's the only one who's doing well for the company," Reito snickered.
"I think she deserved the attention from the executives for being a workaholic. She rarely joins us at the Metro Lounge. She must be really busy," Nao said, further fueling Reito's antagonism toward Natsuki. "She's very professional too."
"Don't talk to me about professionalism. Why are you with me now anyway? You need something for sure," Reito sneered. Nao chuckled at the harsh words. To a certain extent, Reito's words hurt her but she has known for a long time that guys like Reito would never see love even if its front of then. Nao smiled.
"No, Reito dear. It's you who needs something from me," Nao knowingly said while calmly sipping her coffee. She lifted a finger across the table and then she playfully pointed it under Reito's chin.
"What is it?" Reito impatiently said. He knows that when Nao speaks this way, she has something up her sleeve that turns out to be really useful. It was Nao's best attribute, the reason why he sticks with her despite all the other girls on the side. Nao is useful and smart when it comes to bitching people.
Nao dropped the bomb to Reito. She recounted her encounter with Shizuru and how the latter seemed so guilty and afraid when she left her after their heated discussion. Reito's mouth hung open. His slow brain began to make connections.
"I found out from my friend Jenny-san, Kuga Hayato's secretary, that Shizuru went to their office to forward her resignation letter after I confronted her. She asked Kuga-sama to give the resignation letter to Natsuki when she's gone from the company."
"Fuck! Oh fuck! I knew it, I saw the name somewhere. So she's a writer for The Rising Sun and she intends to leave soon. Hell, now I'm losing a gorgeous usher for the presidential table," Reito animatedly reacted.
"What? You're unbelievable! That's all you think about now? Losing the bitch as an usher?"
"No, of course not. This is amazing Nao. I'll give you a bonus for this. I'm sure this would be a great distraction to Natsuki. Her old time crush actually toyed with her! And I thought that Shizuru was one sweet girl. This is really rich!" Reito laughed. "She got played! The oh-so-smart-Kuga was tricked by Delilah!"
"What do you mean? Oh, you mean…she's the one from Fuuka? I see. What a bad twist of fate then," Nao commented.
"Wait, how did you find out about Viola-san?" Reito asked all of a sudden.
"Some of my classmates in college are now working at RTL Textile Industries and this came up in one of our get-together meetings at a bar. Last year, the management of RTL agreed with the union that there would be benefits released to the workers. The budget was released but the money was diverted by one executive for an expansion project believing that it's okay to defer giving the bonus allowance of the workers. The executive who did that was actually able to make a deal with the president of the union for a temporary delay because he needs additional funds for his project which he thought would boost his career in the company. He thought he had everything under control until an article came up in The Rising Sun that obviously has too much insider information. In the end, the said executive was demoted and the bonus allowance was immediately given to the workers to avoid the media hype."
"I see. Well, too bad for Natsuki and too good for me. Listen Nao, here's our plan…" Reito explained with a devilish grin plastered on his face.