"So all that happened huh"
"Yeah, at this point I'm just really trying to focus on nursing school"
"That's great kotoko, were so happy for you , it's a blessing to finally find what you truly want to do in life" jinko clutched her hands as she gave kotoko a very encouraging look
"Yeah, we're proud of you for moving on from irie-kun, you've matured so much since you moved" satomi praised her friend
"Thanks guys, both of you too. I'm so happy that you're both focusing on your internships, especially you satomi, juggling college and your internship while pregnant must be tough"
Satomi was flattered, she pulled a strand of hair away from her face
"Yeah it's hard, but I'm happy… for once in my life, i feel like everything's falling into place now"
Kotoko was delighted. Besides finally giving up on naoki that night, everything has been going smoothly for her, it's been easier to stop thinking about him since she's surrounded by so many supportive people, her dad, hirosaki, satomi, jinko, even kin-chan whom she visited yesterday, they all have her back. And with this, she finds strength to move on without having to run away.
After she had lunch with satomi and jinko, the 3 parted ways since they had their own errands to run, kotoko however did not have anything else planned, so she decided to head to the culinary department where she knew kin-chan would be. Surprisingly, with the help of her uncle and kotoko's absence, he was granted a full scholarship to study culinary at tonan as well, although it took him 2 tries to get in, now he's properly studying culinary to become a proper chef overseas. she ran into him a while back when she transferred
as she skipped happily outside the university's cafeteria she feels a sudden tap on her shoulder, kotoko smiles as she turns around to face whoever it was.
She was expecting someone she knew but was surprised to see a blonde english looking lady wearing very stylish sunglasses,
In a very raw english accent, the woman surprisingly spoke in japanese
"Um… excuse me"
the girl took the glasses off and greeted her with a welcoming smile.
How pretty kotoko thought to herself
"Could you please tell me where the culinary department is?"
The foreigner sounded as if she was having a hard time speaking,kotoko was thankful for all those english classes that hirosaki signed her up for 6 months, she replied with a slight japanese accent but in english
"Oh! The culinary department! It's straight down to that building, actually… i'm headed there right now, would you like me to take you?"
The woman's eyes grew twice their size and her mouth opened wide, amazed by her perfect english.
"Oh! Okay! Thank you!"
The woman gave her a big hug, she was surprised but figured that this was a normal greeting so she just went with it happily, glad that she was a very friendly person.
After the hug, the woman smoothly transitioned to english
"My name is christine robbins, i came from england, and I'm 18 years old, please call me chris ok?"
"Oh! Okay! Chris"
"I came to tonan university to study culinary, since i love the food and culture here! I came here along with my cousin who is half japanese and half english as 's such a pleasure to meet you!"
They both giggled, it was as if they knew each other already, her aura was cheerful and welcoming, kotoko couldn't help but be in such good vibes
"My name is kotoko aihara, I'm 20 years old"
(AN: yes, my timeline is 1 year behind the actual drama,i'am too tired to do the math. deal with it)
"Kotoko, ok! What a pretty name! Your english is great by the way!"
"Thank you! Yours as well"
The two both hugged again as they giggled , both amazed how they can freely communicate with each other.
(AN:^ yes, she still has her stupid moments, hahahaha)
Kotoko walked with chris to the culinary department as they both talked
But this time , chris insisted that they would speak in japanese, as she was trying to master the language since she would have to use it often. Kotoko was comfortable being with her, she had a feeling that a certain someone would get along with her.
Kotoko gave her a tour around the culinary department, she taught her how to read the campus maps, and eventually they both arrived to the lobby where the culinary students hang out and read recipe books, she spots the person she was looking for and waved her hands happily
Kinnosuke in his all white uniform wore a huge grin at his face and walked towards the two ladies
"Kotoko! You came to visit me ?"
"Yes of course ! i was just with jinko and satomi a while ago and decided to visit you...oh! By the way…. This is chris, she's a new transfer student from england! She's here to study culinary as well.. Don't worry, she speaks japanese" kotoko added
As she finished her introduction , she turned to chris who was staring blankly at kinnosuke
She raised a brow, then turned to kinnosuke, then to chris
Kin-chan bowed respectively "i'm kinnosuke, feel free to call me kin-chan, kotoko and i used to go to the same high school" he beamed charmingly
Kotoko watched the frozen chris
Ohhhh now i see
She finally caught up to what was going on, she had a plan on her head
"Are you busy kin-chan?"
"Um… no not really, i was just looking at-"
"Perfect! Sorry chris! I have somewhere i need to be, so i'll leave you to kin-chan"
She turned to him "kin-chan, can you please show her around and introduce her to your friends? You guys will be classmates anyways so it would be great for her to get to know other people, please?"
"Sure !" he was always happy to help kotoko
"Chris, just text me when you need me okay?"
Chris had a slight blush on her cheeks "o-okay, thank you kotoko"
"Bye you two! " she chirped happily as she ran towards the exit doors
As she walked she was grinning to herself, she knew what that look meant, it was the look of love at first sight, she hoped that the two will get along
Kotoko had nothing else planned for the day, so she headed home. Excited to see hirosaki she passed by the grocery store to grab some ingredients for dinner
Meanwhile inside a coffee shop walking distance to pandai
Sahoko sat with her back straight and her legs crossed, she was wearing a grey body-con dress with a matching dark grey blazer, she had white pumps on that made her look taller and her legs looked longer as well. She sat on a table across from hirosaki who was calmly sipping on a cafe latte wearing a white button down shirt and brown khaki's styled with a trendy man belt.
"So" she started , suspicious towards the sudden invitation
Ever since kotoko came into the picture, hirosaki has been cold towards her
This annoyed and aggravated her inner demons, sahoko had always envied kotoko , it only agitated her jealousy when hirosaki would brag about her endlessly
Her relationship with hirosaki was a tricky one, sometimes he was nice to her, yet sometimes he disappears like a ghost, the last time they spoke was when hirosaki got sick that day they were supposed to go to the amusement park
"Why did you want to meet up with me ?"
"Why? I can't meet up with my childhood friend?"
"Ever since you came to tokyo, you seem different, is it because you finally have someone now?"
"Jealous now are we?"
"No, it's just that you act as if we're not friends now" she was putting up an innocent act
"Let's just cut the bullsh*t now, shall we?" he chuckled slightly
"Excuse me ?" she raised a brow
"You know why I'm acting that way towards you" hirosaki then smirks , trying to reveal the true form he knew sahoko was hiding.
"I don't know what you're talking about" she denies, looking away
"Cut the crap sahoko, i know you all too well"
She kissed her teeth in annoyance "i have no idea what you're accusing me of"
Hirosaki took a sip of his cup, he rested his chin on his hand that was on top of the table
"I forgave you with what you did to hanako-chan,however i hope you know that i forgive but i don't forget sahoko" he playfully smiled at her
Sahoko rolled her eyes and tucked her hands away, she finally turned her gaze to him, unafraid of being exposed, she already knew that hirosaki was caught up with everything that's been going on
"naoki-kun is going to be my husband, it's not my fault that some people can't accept that"
Hirosaki let out a laugh "see, there it is! The real sahoko-chan! Ahhhh look at you, i'd rather have this fiery woman than the plastic facade you've been trying to portray to the world, especially in front of naoki"
"That's none of your business"
"Oh honey of course it is my business, i OWN half of pandai, your stupid investments didn't do them sh*t remember? You should be thanking me"
She then transitioned from anger to a forceful smile
"Well then thank you, anything else?"
Hirosaki stood up and took out some bills laying it down the table to pay for his drink
"That's about it, you helped me that one time i was sick , and i saved your fiance's company, now we're even"
Sahoko stayed silent
How can the man she used to love despise her just because of one person? Of course she knew why, this was all because of kotoko.
She clenched her fists gripping her dress tight, she wanted to slap the arrogant man, regretting those years she spent admiring him
"By the way..." he moved closer towards her , leaning into her face
He looked her dead straight in the eye a couple of inches away from her
"I don't care if you and naoki are getting married, just make sure your actions are genuine and your words are true. I know exactly what you're capable of and just know that i won't hold back if you choose to turn back to the b*tch i know you are" his face changed to a smile
"Okay?" he patted her head playfully and left the cafe
Leaving sahoko trembling in anger, she stayed there still gripping onto her dress angrily
AN:
The story is just gonna get crazier from here! I'm glad that some of you are still reading, despite the long and tragic journey, i am happy that there are some readers out there who get where i'm coming from and what i'm trying to do with this fanfic !
Just trust me, i spent a year thinking this through :)
And if you don't wellllll, there are soooo many amazing fanfics out there ! they're all fluffy and happy and cute , even I look forward to reading them !
Anyways, leave your reviews ! i enjoy everything you guys have to say
Hope everyone's having a fantastic day/evening! BTW, some of your comments on the last chapters had me rolling on the floor laughing, i love it!