Haou Airen

Chapter Fourteen: Interruption

Love? Still in love with me? Did that make any sense? I couldn't even recall Ikuto ever saying the word 'love' to me. And what about Rima? Weren't they engaged to be married?

I recoiled from his embrace and pushed him away. I wasn't going to fall for his lies again. "I need to get home."

For a brief moment, genuine sadness darkened his eyes, but when he blinked it was gone. As we walked the rest of the way to my house, we were silent. I refused to acknowledge the throbbing in my chest. I didn't even know that 'love' existed in his vocabulary, which was ironic considering how he didn't give a damn about my leaving. He didn't even try to break off his engagement with Rima and treated her like a princess. 'Love', my ass.

Why did he choose to tell me now, a year later? It was already too late. What was said should have been said a year ago. I already promised myself that I would move on, that I wouldn't linger on the past like a ghost. And yet, why was my past still haunting me?

When we arrived at the gate, Ikuto hesitated for a moment. He looked out of place in the rural scenery with his tailored business suit. Like a rose in a field full of weeds, he stood out like a sore thumb. He was a stranger here, unwelcome and unfamiliar. He no longer was the gentle boy who played violin symphonies and mourned his dead sister, but an indifferent man escaping death. I didn't know who this man was or what he did to the boy I once knew.

"I know you think I'm lying, but I'm not," Ikuto whispered helplessly. His eyes were the windows to his shattered soul. It really did seem like he was being sincere.

"It's already too late." I was supposed to sound strong and indifferent, like I couldn't care less about his feelings, but at the last syllable, my voice cracked. I was already on the brink of tears. Afraid that he might snag an opportunity to beguile me, I ran up the porch stairs, into my room, and locked the door. I secretly hoped he would disappear like a bad dream.

"We're having an office party to celebrate the end of the year. Would you like to join us?" Nikaidou-san asked politely. Beneath his gentle demeanor, I could see his real intentions. It was too obvious that he had his sights set on Kairi's older sister, Sanjo-san. This get together was just another excuse for Nikaidou to spend some time with her, especially since she refused to be alone with him. From the rumors, I heard that they had dated back in high school, but he was caught being unfaithful. Since then, Sanjo vowed never to forgive him.

"Of course, Nikaidou-san. Did you invite Sanjo-san yet?"

With my question, his face instantly turned bright red. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. I could care less if she came!" Nikaidou stuttered nervously. He pouted and gave me an is-it-really-that-obvious face before proceeding to invite the rest of the staff.

"He's a persistent fellow. It's already been seven years, but he still hasn't given up on my sister." Kairi laughed from his desk. He was organizing test papers, each marked with different numbers scribbled in red ink. "I admire his chivalry, that's for sure."

I forced a nonchalant laugh, hoping that he wouldn't notice my discomfort. It was still awkward between us, especially after Ikuto's whole surprise arrival fiasco. From Kairi's laid-back behavior, I assumed that the bad feelings already simmered down. "Yeah, he's kind of like a puppy. After ripping up one of his master's favorite pillows, he will do anything to win back his master's love."

Kairi raised a brow. "Puppy and master?" He laughed. "That sounds kind of weird, don't you think?"

I didn't understand what he was hinting at until I realized the underlying sexual innuendo in my simile. I smiled. "You, sir, are a pervert."

"You're the one who said it!"

I felt like a school girl fighting with a playmate. It was an exchange of he-said she-said, as we blamed each other for starting the conversation.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I was immediately greeted with the stench of fried noodles and alcohol. The rooms were teeming with people, mostly middle-aged men, and there was a discordant symphony of laughing and talking. My mouth watered at the sight of Soba noodles and Yakizakana. Our party was seated in the far back corner where we reserved a large table for seventeen. Everyone took their seats on the floor, as the waiters scurried to take orders. After about five minutes, sake was brought to the table in packs of a dozen bottles. After ten minutes, our orders came in on thick, white porcelain plates. Rice was served in a separate bowl. Everyone took their chopsticks and dug into their food like ravenous wolves. All the while, people took occasional sips of their sake and yelled about politics and fashion.

"What is that?" One of the teachers yelled. "Miki, is that a ring I see on your finger?" She pointed blatantly at the precious diamond. Miki blushed in embarrassment. "The left hand, huh? Does that mean you're engaged?" When Miki nodded in approval, she was bombarded with questions and congratulations. It turned out that she was engaged to her childhood friend who worked as a doctor in a hospital in the neighboring town. They were both in love since junior high, but neither acknowledged their feelings until three years ago.

"Congrats, Miki! I'm so jealous!" Sanjo slurred. The alcohol was starting to overcome her senses. "And you're only, what, twenty six? So young! If I was that young I would've snagged a chance at getting married. How unfortunate that I'm already thirty five." The entire table stopped their petty small talk to listen to Sanjo's monologue. Whenever she got drunk, things always got more interesting. "But you know what?" She hiccupped. "To hell with marriage! I'd rather die an old maid than get married to a man. Ugh, men are such bastards." She took another swig of her sake bottle before pointing accusingly at Miki. "Take this as my advice to you. Run while you still can! He'll cheat on you eventually."

The rest of the staff turned their eyes to Nikaidou, as he squirmed uncomfortably. The tension rose, and everyone's eyes blamed him for making Sanjo into such a pitiful woman. Nikaidou bowed his head in apology, and he whispered that he was working on it.

"And you!" Sanjo pointed at me with a limp finger. "How old are you?"

"I'm twenty two."

She laughed as if I had told the funniest joke in the world. "Twenty two? And you're not engaged yet?"

"No."

"Good! At least I'm not the only one. All these other women have subjected themselves to a life of servitude under the bastards called 'men'. Sure, those animals treat you nicely at first, but then when they finally have you wrapped around their finger, they think they can do whatever the hell they want and that we'll forgive them no matter what. Bullcrap. That is a load of bullcrap. Only desperate women are stupid enough to let those insects come crawling back. Next thing you know, you're a servant in your own house cleaning everything and cooking food for your 'beloved husband'. But you and me, we're different. We're independent. We don't need men. To hell with men!" Sanjo took her bottle and raised it in the air as a toast to independence.

The entire table fell silent, as they all focused their attention on me. I wriggled underneath their gazes but refused to meet any of their eyes. I knew what I would find there: pity.

"Don't you have Kairi?" Miki asked to break the awkward silence. Everyone agreed with her, but Kairi and I kept quiet. Her question just made things more complicated. "Well, aren't you guys together? You said that you guys knew each other from high school right? In the student council? Because it's pretty obvious that you two have a thing for each other. I mean, come on." She pointed out that we were sitting next to each other.

It was only for convenience! Out of everyone present, I knew Kairi better compared to the others. Our friendship was completely platonic, at least on my side. I wasn't really sure about Kairi, but I knew for sure that I didn't harbor any special feelings towards him.

"It's not like that," Kairi protested. "We're just friends, that's all. No need for reading in between the lines."

"Oh come on, Kairi! We all know that you're in love with Amu. It's just too obvious!" Miki retorted. Her claim was backed up by all the others.

I was starting to feel very uncomfortable. These people knew nothing, and yet they meddled in other's affairs. She was giving all these ignorant people the wrong impression and planting false hopes in Kairi's brain. I felt a massive headache come on, and I was certain it wasn't because of the alcohol.

"Hey! Do you guys see that man over there? I've never seen him before. Oh my God, and he's looking this way!" One of the women exclaimed from the end of the table. All at once, everyone's head snapped in the direction she was referring to. For a moment, I had a chance to breathe, no longer suffocated by their gazes. I felt at ease because the attention was shifted from me to some stranger.

Kairi suddenly grabbed my wrist and squeezed tightly. Just when I was about to tell him to stop, I saw that his shoulders were tense and his brows were furrowed in anger. The women across from me were swooning, and I smelled their arousal like a perfume laden with aphrodisiac. The men, like Kairi, were apprehensive and disapproving.

"I wonder why he's looking at her," A woman complained, as she glared at me with jealous eyes.

Looking at me? Why in the world would this stranger be looking at me?

When I turned to follow everyone's passionate stares, I realized what she meant.

Oh. Of course.

When my eyes met violet orbs, he smirked like the devil. He had finally caught my attention. With another designer black suit and his perfect blue hair swept across his face, he looked like a gold-digger's dream. Rich, handsome, and successful. He mouthed "hello there" and gave a small wave. I wanted to kill myself right then and there.

"Does he know you?" Miki asked. My anger probably sparked her curiosity.

"Yes, but just ignore him. He's not right in the mind," I lied through clenched teeth. I wished he would just go away and leave me be. Was that so much to ask for?

"He looks damn fine to me. Maybe we should invite him over for a drink?" The same jealous woman who glared at me offered. All the women agreed without hesitation, while the men remained reluctant and silent. The woman got up from her seat and headed to Ikuto's table while swinging her voluptuous hips. When she arrived, they exchanged a few words, and she gave him a playful wink before grabbing him by the hand and bringing him to our table. "I got him!"

"Hello, I'm Tsukiyomi Ikuto. It's nice to meet you all." He bowed and smiled flirtatiously at the women. They squealed like pigs and reeled with arousal. This man was a weapon. He walked towards me and stopped next to Kairi. "Mind if I sit here? Since I know Hinamori-san."

Hinamori-san. Ugh, disgusting.

"No go right ahead." I could hear the venom seeping out of Kairi's clenched teeth. He still wasn't happy about his little verbal skirmish with Ikuto. Ikuto thanked Kairi, and plopped down next to me. His leg rubbed against mine, and our shoulders were touching. The intense heat felt unpleasant. With my knee, I nudged his leg and gave him a don't-freaking-touch-me look.

"So, what is your relation to our coworker?" Miki questioned with a twisted smile.

Ikuto's smile widened tenfold. "I'm Amu's boyfriend."

Author's Notes: Oh no he didn't! Well anyway, my favorite part of this chapter was Sanjo's drunken, feministic rant. That was fun to write. As always, thanks for your support! Please review, and don't forget to like my page on Facebook (link is in profile)!

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