Epilogue
Shizuru, Komari, Natsuki and Jaime attended the one-man exhibit called "Human Nature" featuring the works of Natalie Cruz. It was a huge success. Professors from the Fine Arts department mentioned in interviews that Natalie Cruz is one of the young artists to watch for in this generation.
Reito came on the day of Shizuru's graduation. He planned to have dinner with Shizuru after the event so that they could talk about marriage and business. He thought everything was going according to plan when Shizuru told him to wait at the dorm lobby while she fixes her self to get ready for dinner to celebrate her graduation.
Shizuru was surprised to receive a wrapped gift from Natalie Cruz. The gift, which was obviously one of Natalie's works, was inclined by the door with a note.
To my friend Shizuru, Congratulations on your graduation. I told you, I pay my artists handsomely. - Natalie Cruz
Shizuru smiled and she brought the package inside her room. She thought it was her own portrait but to her surprise when she tore the plain wrapper, she saw the portrait of Natsuki. A card also fell with the wrapper on the floor. It was a plain card with a simple watercolor painting of a flying dove clutching a golden bell on its claws. The card's message read:
It's for your wedding, silly. Who cares about graduation? Thank you for inviting me but I couldn't come. I hope you like my wedding gift. I gave your portrait to Natsuki. I hope to see you guys in the future. Maybe one day, I'll go to Japan to promote my art. I hope to see you when that day comes. – Natalie
The note made Shizuru laugh and almost cry. At that moment Komari came inside and asked her if she's ready to carry out the plan. Komari had just talked to her parents and she told them that she'd be going to Canada with Shizuru and other friends to talk about business plans. Shizuru nodded.
Reito was surprised when Shizuru came back at the lobby with Komari. They ate at a nearby restaurant while Shizuru and Komari happily talked about their graduation. Reito couldn't help but feel out of place so he opened up the topic that he wanted to talk about.
"Reito, I'm going to Canada with Komari and other friends to talk about business plans. I already told my parents and they gave me permission," Shizuru coolly explained. Komari nodded in front of Reito.
"That's great. Maybe I could come since it seems to be an important business conference. That way, we could go back together to Japan."
"I'm sorry Reito. I decided that I would work on my own business because I wanted to be independent. Good luck on the family business. You are competent enough to handle that. We have different ideals. Mine is to make a name for myself now that I'm equipped with a diploma. I believe that I can do it. I have already contacted potential business partners. My parents were against it at first because they knew that I couldn't get financial support from grandfather but I didn't need the money of the company anyway."
"It's a small-scale business then?" Reito confidently asked.
"You'll see."
The following day, Reito returned to Japan thinking what foolishness got into Shizuru's head for leaving her family's business. Why did she want to start from scratch when she already had everything prepared for her? Reito reported Shizuru's response to Shizuru's grandfather, Toushiro Fujino, and the old man just listened. He realized that he was wrong. Shizuru wasn't like her mother who was concerned only about reputation. The old man wanted to call his granddaughter at that moment but he had too much pride for that. When Reito left him, the old man murmured, "Good luck Shizuru-chan."
--
At the end of the semester, Natsuki flew with Jaime to Vancouver to prepare everything for the wedding. They decided that they would have a civil wedding. Natsuki told Shizuru that they should have a church wedding too but Shizuru said that they should do it at the right time. Natsuki just mumbled an "Okay". She knew that Shizuru wanted her to finish her education first and she didn't want their wedding to get in the way of Natsuki's last year in the university.
Komari and Shizuru came to Vancouver after their graduation. After a day of rest, the wedding took place in the office of a judge. The documents were signed with Jaime and Komari as witnesses. After having lunch that day with so much love and laughter, Jaime and Komari bid the newlyweds goodbye.
Natsuki spent their days exploring the best restaurants in Vancouver. During the nights, they made love to each other and they talked about their big plan which made them anxious because they both knew it won't be easy especially for Shizuru but it also made them excited because it would be a part of their future together.
"Natsuki, are you sure you would let me handle one of your accounts? What if I run away with all that money," Shizuru teased while they were cuddling in their hotel room after making love. Natsuki just chuckled and then she hugged Shizuru tighter.
"Natsuki?"
Natsuki lifted Shizuru's hand from her waist and then she kissed her ring finger.
Shizuru accompanied Natsuki back to New York and then she went back to Japan.
--
Being a university-trained executive, Shizuru specialized in finance and investment. She was cautious during the first months when she was still investigating company profiles until she stumbled upon what she thought could be just the best place to start.
At first, she became a client of an investment banking firm which has arranged the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Horikawa-Daigo Corporation, a young construction company in Tokyo. Shizuru bought the first issue of stocks. She then made herself visible in business conferences until she was able to catch the attention of people who knew her as the granddaughter of the founder and largest stockholder of the Fujino Corporation. In one of those business conferences, she met Haruka.
Haruka scolded her for not even telling that she's back in Japan and so she explained what she had been doing and what she wants to accomplish within a year. Haruka was surprised on the part when Shizuru lifted her left hand to show her wedding ring and she moved closer to whisper, "I got married to Natsuki." She was also surprised that Shizuru now owns thirty percent of the shares of Horikawa-Daigo.
"Why Horikawa-Daigo? Don't you think you made a risky investment? They are in need of large amounts of capital."
"Exactly, that's because they need additional financing for further business development. It's a public corporation unlike Fujino Corp which is privately held. Horikawa-Daigo would soon issue more stock that I intend to buy. Haruka, voting stock in a young company like that is a good investment. Where's Yukino, by the way?"
"Oh, she's probably at home writing. She's a novelist." Shizuru was waiting for more information but their conversation drifted to a propose reunion with their friends in Fuuka.
"That would be great. I'd tell Natsuki. Tell Yukino then," Shizuru said.
"Of course," Haruka replied.
--
Natsuki and Jaime came back to Japan at the conclusion of their Student Exchange Program. They graduated at Tokyo U with Mai and Nao. By that time, Shizuru had a forty percent stake in the Horikawa-Daigo Corporation and she was doing well establishing her name during stockholder meetings. She had privately met Kisuke Daigo, founder and current president of the company. Daigo once asked Shizuru if she had any intentions of taking over the company since she is now a significant shareholder, a question that Shizuru bluntly answered.
"No, I honestly just want to be affiliated with the company because I just wish to handle an architectural firm."
"But we already have an architecture department in Horikawa-Daigo."
"Yes, but if an affiliate architectural firm is established, this would widen our market. Company statistics show that most clients are interested in Horikawa-Daigo as contractor. They bring their own engineers and architects. We have to change that. If the designs also come from us, Horikawa-Daigo would be better known."
--
After graduation, Natsuki was excited to be back with Shizuru. They shared a condominium unit close to the Horikawa-Daigo Building at the Tokyo Business Center. Jaime and Natsuki attended review classes during the day for their licensure examination while Shizuru was promoted as an executive director. After passing the licensure exams Natsuki was taken in by Horikawa-Daigo while Jaime went to Singapore where he was hired by an engineering firm. Natsuki was surprised at the tight embrace given by Shizuru to Jaime when they accompanied him to the airport.
"Shizuru, we'll see him again. Besides we can e-mail him everyday. Right, Jaime?" Natsuki said while Shizuru embraces Jaime. Jaime just smiled at her. When Jaime pulled away from Shizuru's hug, Natsuki appeared like she wanted to say something.
"I feel like hugging you too Jaime," Natsuki sheepishly said. Jaime threw his gaze at Shizuru and he got her approval. Jaime opened his arms and Natsuki gave him a bear hug."
"Shizuru, Natsuki is so cute, isn't she?" Jaime teased and Natsuki immediately pulled away with a red face and then they parted ways. When Jaime was gone, Shizuru embraced Natsuki and she whispered, "It's okay to cry." Natsuki hugged her tighter and she rested her forehead on Shizuru's shoulder while her tears fell.
--
Daigo soon realized that Shizuru's proposal is feasible. The architectural firm was established and indeed it was able to gather a market of clients. After a year, Natsuki's design was used in the establishment of a new Horikawa-Daigo Tower that solidified their position in the construction industry. Mai was able to open a restaurant at the ground floor of the Horikawa-Daigo Tower.
Unknown to ordinary workers, Natsuki Kuga owns the NKF Architectural Firm at the third floor of the Horikawa-Daigo Tower because she continued to work as an architect even after the firm absorbed the architecture department of Horikawa-Daigo. Shizuru remained an executive director of Horikawa-Daigo but she also assumed the position of chief executive officer of NKF Architectural Firm. Shizuru and Natsuki owned a residential unit at the 17th floor of the Horikawa-Daigo Tower. Natsuki soon received the prestigious Reigen Architecture Prize presented every three years in Japan.
--
Shizuru and Natsuki bought a property in Kyoto where they constructed a rest house. They normally took short trips to their house in Kyoto to take a break from their work and to visit the last resting place of Natsuki's mother. The reunion was held at their newly-constructed house.
They had a huge carpeted living room with a plasma TV and dark blue leather couches. The reunion was filled with surprises because Midori came with Youko on her old pick-up truck. They brought cases of vodka and gin, the things they couldn't live without. Mai was already at the house when the two came. She was early because she wanted to cook for everyone. Nao came with Aoi and Chie. They were too loud as usual and they had to hit Natsuki in the head when they came in. Mikoto came alone on a black Volvo. Haruka and Yukino soon followed on a yellow Porsche. Alyssa, Miyu, and Shiho just passed by to say hello to everyone but they had to leave early. Shizuru and Natsuki didn't drink any alcoholic beverage the entire time while entertaining their visitors. They had to answer too many questions about how they ended up together.
Mikoto showed video clips that she managed to take during the past few years involving her friends. One showed Mai and Nao reading an e-mail from Natsuki.
"That was when she told us, the two of you are getting married," Nao explained. She was smiling brightly in the video clip and somehow it made her blush.
"Ara, you told them Natsuki?" Shizuru asked while sitting on the couch. Natsuki was lying on her back on the couch with her head on Shizuru's lap. Shizuru was playing with Natsuki's hair. Natsuki turned her face from the TV monitor to Shizuru.
"Yeah, I was shocked you didn't tell Haruka and Yukino sooner." Haruka's gaze darted to Shizuru.
"Kanin na. I just wanted to tell you personally, Haruka-san." Shizuru apologetically smiled and Haruka just waved her hand as if saying "It's okay".
"So Natsuki is now using the Fujino name?" Haruka asked.
"Both of us hyphenated our surnames. I sign documents as Natsuki Kuga-Fujino," Natsuki explained.
"And I sign as Shizuru Fujino-Kuga," Shizuru continued. Midori and Youko raised their wine glasses to her.
Many other recorded videos were showed by Mikoto. The video showing Mai, Nao and Natsuki jumping around Mai's old apartment made everyone laugh.
"Wow, Mikoto! I can't believe you caught that!" Natsuki exclaimed.
"You looked so happy," Shizuru commented. She knew that she was in New York that time.
"That was when we passed the Tokyo U entrance exams," Mai explained.
"Mikoto-san, these videos are all about the three stooges, ne?" Chie joked and Nao immediately threw a pillow at her which was caught by Aoi.
"Sorry, they were always around me so I had no other available subjects," Mikoto said with a smile. Mai glared at her and Mikoto just took a dumpling to her mouth. Soon she showed a video of a bothered Natsuki talking to Shizuru on the phone. Everyone laughed. She looked like a little girl who just had an opportunity to talk to her long time crush. Natsuki attempted to stand up to cover the monitor but Shizuru strongly kept her in place.
"I'm sorry honey. You have to stay here and let us see those wonderful videos." Shizuru said as she wrapped her arm around Natsuki's head on her lap.
"Fine." Natsuki harrumphed.
"Shizuru-san, if I'm not mistaken, those were the times when she hadn't admitted that she liked you as well?" Yukino asked while tasting an apple vodka. "It's an interesting piece for a novel."
"Yes, times when I thought I could only be a friend," Shizuru softly said, loosening her hold of Natsuki. Natsuki was silent and she softly stared the smiling Shizuru.
"I'm afraid you worried too much Shizuru-san," Midori commented. "All her actions show that she feels the same about you. The kid is just too stubborn to acknowledge her own feelings." Natsuki sighed.
"Beeeeep!" Nao loudly mimicked the sound of a buzzer. "Mai, do you remember this?" Nao took out her old phone and she played a recorded sound clip. Voices of Nao and Mai were heard giving Natsuki a good long sermon and then Mikoto asked her something to which Natsuki replied – "Of course I love her. I love her in the same way that she loves me." Upon hearing the sound, Natsuki curled like a fetus to cover her face from everyone out of embarrassment.
"Awwww, that was so sweet. She just needed time then," Aoi remarked while intertwining her fingers with Chie's. Midori was already tipsy that time so she assaulted Youko's lips. The sound of someone expressing her love made most of them feel hot. Even Haruka unconsciously held Yukino's arm. Natsuki abruptly stood up to stop Midori and Youko from making out in the couch.
"We have spare rooms. Go there." Natsuki grumpily said while pulling the two off the couch. She pushed them inside the guest room and then she locked the door.
"What the hell did you do that for? We should have had a free show here." Chie joked.
"I'm glad Alyssa had left earlier. I don't want those two poisoning her mind with perverted acts," Natsuki declared.
"So Mikoto isn't considered a minor now?" Haruka slyly said. Mikoto downed a shot of vodka and then she smiled.
"Why don't you ask Mai" Mikoto said and then she used a husky tone, "—if she still thinks I'm a minor."
"Mikoto-chan!" Mai complained and they all laughed. The evening passed with exchanges of bantering and laughter until they got intoxicated. Natsuki and Shizuru went up to their room leaving their friends in the living room that looked like a group of dead-tired people.
Natsuki turned off the lights and she lay beside Shizuru on their queen-size bed. The moonlight gave a soft glow inside their room through the huge sliding glass wall with elegant curtains on the side. Shizuru cuddled Natsuki and she heard her purr. Natsuki liked resting her face on Shizuru's ample chest. They were silent for a while until Shizuru spoke.
"Natsuki,"
"Uhmm?"
"Mom would be coming to visit us,"
"That's okay," Natsuki lazily replied. "I'll talk to her about our business so she won't have the chance to get mad." Shizuru chuckled at Natsuki's plan and then she pushed her lightly to see her face.
"She's coming to visit us, as a couple."
"Oh, you already told your family? When? How come no one is coming after us to snatch you away from me?" came Natsuki's string of questions. Shizuru just smiled and she placed a hand on her lover's cheek.
"I received a call from mom. She was congratulating me for being a member of the Board of Directors of Horikawa-Daigo. She said dad is proud of me. She also said I should talk to my grandfather. I'm not sure but she seems to imply that grandpa wants me to take over the company. Until now, Reito is designated as an acting CEO."
"Whoa, so what did you say?"
"I said thank you for letting me study in a good school and I said they are always welcome in my house. I told them I was busy and since my name is always in the business section of the daily broadsheets, I didn't feel like I needed to update them from time-to-time."
"That's all?"
"She called again when the Horikawa-Daigo Tower was erected. Remember the media hype that time?"
"Yeah, I hated those interviewers shoving their cameras on my face."
"Mom had a good memory and she knew that you were a friend of mine from high school and she asked me why I didn't tell her that I was working with my rich and beautiful friend," Shizuru smiled.
"Ara," Natsuki blurted out and Shizuru's eyes widened. "Your influence." Natsuki reasoned.
"I told her that you own the NKF Architectural Firm, a business affiliate of Horikawa-Daigo. And then I told her that I am the CEO of your company. And then I told her that I am married to you," Shizuru recounted with a huge grin. Natsuki chuckled at her story.
"You must have shocked her! Did she get mad anyway?"
"No. She was the one who shocked me," Shizuru replied.
"Huh?"
"She said it's quite difficult to resist a smart, pretty, and rich chic."
"Holy! She said that?"
"In the past week, I sent her our wedding pictures and other pictures from New York and at the office. She was happy to see them. She said dad got mad at first but he was soon impressed when you received the Reigen in Japan. Mom said sorry too for dragging me too much during my school years."
"Oh, so no one is really coming after us?" Natsuki said while slowly playing with a strand of Shizuru's hair.
"Yep. I bet grandpa already knows about my marriage but what else could he do about it?"
"I told you, it's the best solution," Natsuki said huskily. Shizuru placed her hands under Natsuki's shirt.
--
Mikoto slowly opened the door and pressed "Record" on her video camera. She saw Shizuru hover above Natsuki on their queen-size bed. Nao was behind Mikoto watching closely. Shizuru dipped her head on Natsuki's neck and Natsuki began making cute sounds. A few seconds later, Natsuki's shirt was thrown to the side. Nao cupped her mouth to muffle her giggles and then they heard someone was walking up the stairs. Shizuru heard the sound but she ignored it and continued attacking Natsuki's creamy neck while running her hands up and down Natsuki's sides.
"Mikoto, what are you--" Mai said loudly when she caught Mikoto and Nao by the door of the Masters' bedroom. Natsuki heard Mai's high-pitched voice and she leaped from their bed. She was wearing a navy blue bra and boxer shorts. She saw Nao by the door and then her gaze turned to Mikoto's video cam. The two froze but soon began running down the stairs when Shizuru turned in their direction with burning crimson eyes. Shizuru walked passed Natsuki to follow Mikoto and Nao. Shizuru pressed a security button and all the lights were turned on and the doors automatically locked. She caught Nao and Mikoto trying to escape by the door.
"Ara, where do you think you're going?" Shizuru said with a deep cold voice that sent a shiver down Nao's spine.
"R-r-remember Shizuru-san, you taught me about the thank-you-kiss and since then I knew you were an expert. I just wanted to learn a few more tricks from you. For Mai, you know?" Mikoto tried to reason out. Mai blushed and Natsuki quickly walked down the stairs to see what's happening. When Natsuki saw that Shizuru is handling everything properly, she just stood beside Mai and teased her.
"So you had been playing bed games?" Natsuki teased.
"Shut up Natsuki. Make sure Shizuru won't kill them," Mai said.
"Don't worry. Shizuru will punish them properly."
"You should just ask me Mikoto-san and not do this sneaky trick," Shizuru replied. She moved closer to Mikoto and she strongly held her video camera like she was going to break it into pieces. Mikoto snapped.
"Alright! I'll admit it. It's Nao's idea!" Mikoto admitted loudly.
"Ara…You're forgiven Mikoto-chan. Just give me the tape and I'll let you off. Nao growled at Mikoto who removed the tape and quickly handed it to Shizuru. Mikoto then ran to Mai and hugged her. It was good the ruckus didn't wake up the others who were sleeping at the living room. Shizuru moved closer to Nao and she trapped her by the door. Nao called out to Natsuki who was happily watching.
"Hey Natsuki—" Shizuru hooked her finger on the last button of Nao's vest. "—I-ll clean up your house tomorrow. Just make her go—" Shizuru clipped Nao's wrists tightly with one hand against the door.
"Seems like a good offer Shizuru," Natsuki said but Shizuru quickly pulled her finger removing a button from Nao's expensive vest.
"No fair, S-Shizuru! It's-it's expensive. I promise I wouldn't mess with you guys again, ever!" Nao pleaded as she felt Shizuru's finger attempting to pull another button. "Natsuki, last offer, hear me out! A-year-round-supply-of-free-mayo-from-my-grocery-store!"
Nao felt Shizuru slowly detached her finger from her vest. She pulled away and showed her usual smile to Nao.
"Natsuki, I guess that's a nice offer plus the cleaning of our house of course," Shizuru said. She walked back to the smiling Natsuki and led her upstairs. "Mai, you can use any room." Mai nodded. Natsuki locked their door and they heard people running downstairs.
"Mikoto! I'll tickle you to death!" Nao threathened.
"Mai, help!" Mikoto pleaded and then a door was shut.
"It's difficult to concentrate when they're too noisy downstairs," Shizuru said as she pulled Natsuki back to their bed.
"Yeah," Natsuki replied and she settled back to cuddling. A few moments later Shizuru was kissing her neck again despite the noise downstairs.
"I-I-thought it's difficult to concentrate?" Natsuki asked while throwing her head to the side.
"Difficult…but not impossible." Shizuru replied. This would be one noisy evening, Shizuru thought.
The End
--
A/N: Thank you for reading "One Step at a Time". To all the reviewers – thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you continue to support my writing projects.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns all the characters of Mai-Hime mentioned in this fan fiction.
