The Art In You.
He was actually going to be done by now, his meeting was for only two hours. He'd managed beautifully like he always does. There wasn't absolutely nothing he couldn't handle. He got a few compliments for his resourceful brain.
RING! RING!
He answer his phone, noticing that it was from his old friend, Hidehito Kijima. He smiled slightly, something he hadn't done in a very long time. He wondered what he was upto, it has been more than a year since he last spoke to him.
"Hello, Hidehito-san. It's been so long," Ren said. He placed his blazer on the armchair as he stood looking through the large window. He stuffed his hand in his pocket as his friend greeted him back and shared the same thought.
"Ren, I'll get straight to the point without wasting any minute," Kijima had gone serious all of a sudden, making Ren frown. He felt something twist in the pit of his stomach. Something like fear.
"Ren...Kyoko..." His heart almost turned to lead hearing her name. He hadn't forgotten her, and certainly not stopped loving her.
"What about her?" He asked calmly, wondering what made his friend so worried to call him out of the blue. Although he was glad that his friend still cared to inform him about her wellbeing, even though it was over a year now.
"She is in rehab. And it looks like she losing the fight to live soon," he said.
That's when Ren felt like the world crumble in front of him. He felt his entire body run cold and his heart stop beating.
"WHAT?!"
*Flashback*
6 February 2019
Kyoko Mogami was supposed to somewhere else right now, not in front of a new apartment ready to unpack.
She was supposed to attend the art classes. But really, she wasn't really interested in art. She'd actually joined to beat the only guy who can annoy the hell out of her, Fuwa Sho. He was her nemesis after all. And not to forget how he always made it a point to remind her how his family picked her from the streets. Quite literally.
If there something she despised so much in her life right now, it would be that stupid guy. She wondered how she had put up with him all those years.
After furnishing the apartment, she nodded in satisfaction. And then, she got her canvas out along with a paintbrush and paint. She to start right away even if she missed her classes today. She ignored her gut, which was begging her not to ignore the art classes because she'd heard that her art teacher was a supposedly strict man who didn't tolerate lousy people.
Oh well, after staring at the empty canvas to get some ideas, she decided to ride in her bicycle to the nearest convenient store. She had to buy groceries and a few necessities. Just when she thought she'd quickly go back to her apartment, a sleek black car drove buy and stopped right in front of her bicycle making it almost impossible to get it.
She glared at the guy, and when that didn't work, she marched at him when he got out of his car.
"Hey you! Remove your car at once so I can drive myself back!" She shrieked. He looked at her through his sunglasses. She had to admit, she was intimidated by his unusually tall height and the expression on his face. He truly looked like Demon Lord a dangerous guy from one of the books she reads.
"Where, is the ride I suppose you have?" He asked, in his deep dangerously low voice. She pointed at her bicycle as he removed his sunglasses and raised an eyebrow at her.
"You can remove that from the other side. It is much easier than pulling it from here," he said, rather calmly than earlier. She frowned, not finding anything easy.
"I can't see any other way I can take my cycle out. Please, move your car to an actual parking place where you won't find any trouble," she replied, stubborn. He almost scowled at her but schooled his expression almost immediately.
"Fine! I'll take my car. But I advice you to listen to someone who tells you an easier way out," he said, getting back into his car. Thankfully, he didn't run her over, and managed to move his car to another empty place free for parking. When he came out of the car, he made it a point to glare at her before he stepped into the convenient store.
As it turned, it would have been easier to fall his advice. She cursed herself before cycling away.
"Look, I know I'm supposed to be early but I'm sor—" she stopped dead in her tracks. Almost the entire class was staring at her as if she'd killed someone. She turned her head and met the gaze of her teacher.
Oh no.
It can't be.
It was the same guy from yesterday, the guy she'd argued with. He was looking at her calmly, as if he expected her all along.
"I'm guessing something important came up so you couldn't come on time?" He spoke, making everyone to look at him. She gulped, trying to hide the obvious discomfort she felt. Nodding at her head, she prayed to God that he wouldn't kill her or ask her to clean the floor for him.
"Sit down over there. Today's lesson is on the table. I'm sure others would fill you in on it," he said, before stepping out of the class. The class broke out in murmurs. They were people of all age, another girl who looked cheerful to greet her asked her why she couldn't come yesterday. Another guy came near her.
"Hello, I'm Kijima Hidehito. What's your name?"
She smiled at the good looking guy. He was cool and didn't mind a girl who almost embarrassed herself.
"My name is Kyoko Mogami. You guys are so nice," she commented happily shaking his hand. He laughed easily, making her smile wider.
"Ms. Mogami, if you have time to chit chat, I'm sure you are done with your sketching," a voice interrupted them. She lost all traces of smile and looked back at her teacher who was looking at her with fire in his eyes.
"N—no, I will do it right away!" She stammered, returning back to her canvas and for the first time noticed the thing in the table. It was actually a pot, she was supposed to draw a freaking pot. How stupid!
After spending fifteen minutes trying to sketch the pot out, she saw that the teacher took rounds, looking into everyone's canvas.
"Lina, you mustn't drag your pencil. Take it in strokes."
"Kijima-san, you are supposed to sketch the pot Infront of you, not something out of your imagination!"
He passed a few more comments to other people until he happened upon her. He stared at her canvas a little longer than necessary, and she thought he was going to reject her drawing her dismiss her altogether.
"It's actually pretty good, if you'd ignore the hasty curves. If you weren't distracted a while ago, I think you would have done much better. Next time, carry out your conversation outside my studio," he said, humiliating her in front of everyone.
On the good note, at least he said her drawing was good. It just made her satisfied that she hadn't wasted her hard earned money.
However, she just prayed he wouldn't be cruel to her just to take revenge on her.
"Tsuruga-san is really a devil, except if you managed to catch him outside his studio, he is actually a gentleman," Yumiko said. Kyoko made a new friend on her first day, and she was actually curious about her teacher since he was so scary.
"Would he forgive me for the scene today?" She wondered.
"Considering how you covered up with your talent, I'm sure he will forgive you by the next day."
Kyoko just hoped he wouldn't kill her.
However, it had only begun.
"Welcome master," she said sweetly, bowing respectfully. She escorted a man to his table and asked what he would eat. She was a part-time waitress in a really high class cafe and she was glad she got a job here. Or else, she wouldn't have been able to pay her expenses at all. She also had to find a stable job because she was going to get really soon if she was going to spend her entire day working four different jobs.
She was a florist in the morning, a delivery girl in the afternoon, and a student of her ruthless teacher(yeah, that is the toughest job for her unfortunately) and a waitress in the night. Kyoko was really getting exhausted by the time she reached her apartment.
"Do you work so late everyday?"
She snapped her head, staring at the guy she wanted to see the last.
Too bad, he seemed concerned.
"It's none of concern!" She said roughly. Walking away from him. She'd reached the convenient store and found him there again.
Then she realized that he was out late too. She whirled around and looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Are you following me?"
He arched an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Why would I follow you now?"
"I don't know...maybe...maybe you were finding a way to..."
Suddenly realization seemed to cross his eyes and he smirked.
"A way to?" He prompted.
"A—a w—way t-to k-kil—"
She looked at him and gasped. When she glared at him, he finally laughed. She was fuming, she couldn't believe the nerve of that guy!
"How dare you tease me!" Her nostrils flared as she looked at him indignantly. He was so ridiculous!
"Damn you!" She yelled at him before she got on her cycle. He stepped in front of her, amused.
"Are you going to go home like that? What if someone stops you like that and his way?" All traces of mirth gone now that he became serious.
"As you can see, I am on the vehicle that I can afford and not some expensive cars!"
"You are coming with me," he declared firmly. He reached forward and took her arm, not allowing her to say anything.
"Hey!" She protested, but couldn't say anything after he held her eyes with his Demon Lord expression.
"Where do you live?"
She mumbled something under her breathe.
"I'm not actually carrying a mic which I could've given to you gladly. Please, be a little louder."
Before she could open her mouth, her stomach growled pretty loudly, embarrassing her even more than before. He chuckled, meeting her embarrassed gaze. She refused to meet his eyes, and he found it extremely adorable. She was so cute squirming.
"I'm guessing you haven't had dinner," he said, amused even more than before. She managed to give him a glare as the blush stained her cheeks.
"I—I'm on a diet!" She said. No way was she going to admit that she didn't have money to buy food for herself. He shrugged, "I guess. I thought even I would eat something too since I..."
She snapped her head sharply, and he was right in his judgement. She will definitely bend to his wishes.
"You slipped your dinner?! How could you! It is one of the important parts of your life! How could..." And she went on lecturing him making him wish he'd take it back.
"...I'll make dinner for you and that's final!" She finally declared. He was actually waiting for that moment when she would give in. Smiling, he took a left turn and drove to his apartment. She gasped, snapping her head at him. She was so damn shocked now.
"How do you know my address?!" She shrieked.
He looked at her incredulously. "You live in that building?"
She stared at the building beside the small building one which she lived in. She almost wanted to shrink smaller.
"I'm assuming you don't," he said gently, understanding her discomfort.
"Why don't we go to your apartment? We will buy the groceries there," he said, pointing at the extravagant convenient store beside his apartment.
"No, I can't—"
"Of course you can't. I am the person who wants to eat and I really want to pay back."
Without allowing her to argue back at him, he parked the car in front of the shop and went inside the store to buy whatever they needed.
Kyoko felt her eyes were going to come out because of the prices, but Ren didn't seem to mind. Whatever she'd seen or even looked at, he would put it in the tray and then she would defeatedly tell him what they needed. She grudgingly allowed him to pay, silently promising herself to repay his kindness.
And when they went to her apartment, she thought she would be embarrassed and completely uncomfortable.
But Ren didn't mind being there at all. In fact, somehow, he had managed to feel happy about it. He even enjoyed her cooking, asking her to give her a bentou the next time they meet(which she was sure would be in the art class but she hoped he would not be cruel to her).
*Flashback Ends*
"Tsuruga-san? We are in Hokkaido now. Do you want me to get something for you to eat?" He was brought back from his reverie, reminding him that he was on a journey.
"No, Houjou-san. Please carry on with the journey. We are to reach as soon as possible."
The driver nodded, starting the ignition almost immediately. He wondered what would have happened if he hadn't helped her that day. He smiled, remembering how awkward she was when she came to his studio the next day. He noticed how she refused to talk to anyone lest he would point her out again. However, she did manage to adorable give him a cute bentou before she left. He still had it with him, it was in his apartment, his new apartment. He had left his life behind when he left town.
"Tsuruga-san? Can you please allow me an hour?" The driver asked nervously. Ren sighed, realising that his driver needed to rest too. He couldn't rest for a second though. He had to reach as soon as he could.
"Take your leave, Houjou-san. I'll drive from here."
The driver was going to protest, but looking at his determined face, he understood that his master wasn't going to change his decision.
He took his final leave before the car drove before him.
*Flashback*
26 June 2019
"I wasn't talking about the sketch really, you really are looking pretty today, Mogami-san," he whispered huskily, making her whimper. She had almost dropped the brush through her fingers but she managed to look at him. She hadn't expected to receive a complement like that. She hadn't really done anything to her face, honestly. But she had worn a dress for a change and left her hair loose. Usually, she tied her hair into a bun and she wore long shirts with rolled up sleeves and baggy jeans.
Frankly, Ren found her beautiful in everything she wore, but today she was actually very radiant. He wondered if she was asked out by someone. Thankfully, all the people had left. For quite sometime now, Kyoko spent her time in his studio after class was over and enjoy every minute of it. Sometimes he would teach her more art and she would enjoy it.
"Thank you, Tsuruga-san," she replied clumsily, accidently stroking in the wrong direction.
He was standing extra close to her, making her extra aware of his presence and the feel of his chest rising and falling behind her. She was damn sure that he could hear her fast heart beat. Just when she thought she would faint from their proximity, he gently held the brush over her fingers, sending electric sparks through her body.
"I don't know why you chose to paint today, but you must learn to stroke perfectly. Art is something you express from inside. From your heart," he said, trying very hard not to turn her around and kiss her very hard until she begged him. He wanted to take her on the splattered canvas, both of them—
"I—I guess I'm just an amateur that's why," she stuttered weakly. He stopped moving their fingers together on the white sheet and left the brush he was holding. He turned her around sharply.
"Don't call yourself that. You aren't an amateur. You, Kyoko, have a talent. I know for sure that you can go deeper into your soul and create something from your heart. Bring out the feelings that make you who you are," he stated sternly. She gulped, nodding her head. He let her go, figuring that this was enough toture on her fragile soul. If he crossed the border line, he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself.
As he left the studio, she tried to regain her senses.
And just for a second, for just a moment when his eyes had flitted to her lips, she thought he would kiss her. However, when he left, she felt utterly disappointed.
She got a job! After four months of trying, she finally could go and work in a stable company. She could quit working as a waitress in the night and try doing it in the morning after she left her florist job and the delivery girl job. She was so ecstatic. As she came into the studio that day, she had distributed chocolates to everyone, except Ren.
Although he was a little disappointed, he didn't show it. She had first asked his permission to distribute chocolates to everyone since she got into a really good company.
He kept glancing at her when she stared only at her canvas, not even sparing him a glance. He sighed exasperatedly. Now when she finally had a job, did it mean she was not going to talk to him? He clenched his fist, and may have behaved a little harshly with the people in his studio.
By the end of the class, he was cleaning up, trying to get his mind off a certain young talented beau—
"Tsuruga-san?"
He almost knocked his head off, as he stood straight with a smile on his face. He was a fool, really. The love sick fool and he was proud of it.
"I, uh, I made some thing for you. I thank you so much for giving me those rides to my house, I'm truly grateful," she said, pulling a small box out of her bag. She shyly gave it to him, making him curious about its contents.
"Please," she pleaded with him as he was about to pull the ribbons open. He gave her a smirk, "Why, are you scared I would wear it around me in front of your friends?"
She blushed deep red, "Of course not, but I don't think you'd like it."
He understood her insecurity. He got a little closer to her although her scent was hitting his senses screaming at him to let them free. There was no way he would allow her to harbour such feelings about him. He pulled her chin with his long fingers, smiling at her lovingly.
"I'd love anything you'd give me. Even if you gave me a small piece of paper with just a word, I'd treasure it with all my heart," he said earnestly. He truly would keep it close to his heart. She flushed even more if that was possible. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. Looking at her, he allowed himself to be a little selfish, just a little bit.
Closing his eyes, he leaned closer towards her face and kissed her cheek. She was stunned, more like her mind had fled from the window behind them.
"Thank you, Kyoko."
The sound of the soft click of the door made her realize what he'd done. She gasped, glaring at the door. "Playboy!"
Taking her purse and the bag of leftover chocolates, she left fuming. Although she would never admit she loved the feeling of his lips on cheek, she was livid that he would do that to a pure maiden.
On the other hand, Ren chuckled at her antiques as he watched her walk out of his studio. He had to get home quickly. He couldn't wait to see what his beloved had gotten for him.
When he finally opened the box, he couldn't believe she'd given him a small piece of art. He was so proud of her, she really outdid herself. It was a small necklace, with only a small piece of wood in the middle. She'd managed to get a small photo of them together carved out in the middle. It was actually a tricked photo, since she never agreed to things he requested straight forward. So he usually would trick her into it. And when she would find out about it, she couldn't do anything about it cause it would be too late.
Holding it delicately, he wore it on his neck, promising that he would never remove it from him. He sighed, thinking about his schedule. He had never thought his mundane life would include a bright sunny side too, only after she came. Until then, he was not actually alive, just breathing to say that he was present in this world doing something.
He was going to get ready to pick her up from her last job when he got a notification. It was from Kyoko.
-Hello, Tsuruga-san. Thank you for being there for me everyday. I think you don't need to burden yourself because me. I am going to work in the evenings right after our art class. So you wouldn't have to feel obliged.
-Hi, Mogami-san. It was not a burden, and I would be there for you whenever you need me. :-)
-Thank you, :-)
Ren smiled at her message. He just wished she would accept him. He wished she would love him the way he did. It really wasn't for him to decide, but he wished she would allow him in.
Kyoko didn't wait up in the studio for him, which he understood perfectly. One day, she came very late. He resisted the urge to shout at her when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. He was worried sick for her, since it was very unusual for her to turn up really late.
He also noticed that her eyes were red and puffy from crying. He dismissed the class hastily in an hour, announcing that he had to be somewhere else and it was urgent for him to attend it. Everyone left, and she was going to leave the last when he caught hold of her wrist.
"Please, Tsuruga-san. Let me go," she mumbled weakly, twisting her wrist in his hand. He shook his head, "Never! And not until you tell me what's wrong."
She sighed tiredly, and just for a moment he felt bad for forcing her to talk.
"Fuwa Sho. He'd come to my apartment last night."
Ren's jaw clenched tightly. They spoke of Kyoko's childhood once, and she mentioned the actual reason for her joining the art class. It was to take revenge on that guy. But then she confessed that she liked doing it, so Ren didn't really mind.
"He told me to move out and stop doing this...He...He..." Suddenly tears ran out of her eyes, and she started sobbing horribly. Ren felt his heart twist painfully at the hurt of his love.
"Shh, don't cry, Kyoko. Whatever he told you is not true. You aren't anything li—"
"He said that...that I was seducing you to get a painting for me so I can become famous," she whispered painfully. His entire being was consumed with rage, and he almost shook but he controlled his emotions when he saw that she was in no state to be left alone.
"I...I have to go," she said. She pulled away from his embrace after a very long time. He didn't want to let her go he wanted to keep her there.
"Mogami-san, don't go back. He may come back, and say a few more lies to hurt you," he argued. She shook her head, smiling weakly.
"I'm fine, I need to go back. I have another job to attend to," she said, looking at the clock on the wall. He too, looked at it and became completely disappointed.
"You don't need to work two different jobs. I can recommend my bo—"
"Tsuruga-san!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands on his cheeks, "I cannot do that. I cannot accept it no matter how many ways you try me to, I'm just...please, don't force me," her voice broke. His heart broke looking at her dishevelled state. She looked at him very hesitantly. Then she closed her eyes and kissed his cheek. Very carefully, afraid that he may pull away.
And then she was gone.
*Flashback Ends*
"Kijima-san, can you send me the location of the rehabilitation centre? I'm going to reach in another hour or so," Ren spoke calmly into his phone. He wasn't exactly call though. He was scared, nervous, worried, almost dead from working himself till he dropped on his desk.
"Seriously?! Wait wait, it will take at least ten minutes, just hold on," He replied hurriedly cutting the phone. Ren wondered how he got the information in the first place.
*Flashback*
5 August 2019
"Mogami-san, what are you saying?!" Ren asked, his heart stopping completely.
"It is exactly what I'm saying it is. I am not going to attend art classes from tomorrow. I'm pretty good now, and I think you now it already. Thank you for taking care of me," she bowed low, her eyes downcast.
He couldn't believe it. She was a part of his life, he never thought even once that this might end.
"B—but you can't!"
She gave him a bright smile, "It was a great experience, I really thank you for your hospitality. I'm glad I had a teacher like you, Tsuruga-san," she said, turning to leave.
He caught her wrist and forced her to turn and look at him. He pulled her towards him, staring deep into her amber eyes. His chocolate brown eyes were furrowed with worry and concern. She didn't want him to burden himself more than he did.
"Tell me the real reason why you are leaving. Then maybe I'd dismiss you if it is plausible enough," he murmured. She didn't meet his eyes for a few seconds, trying her best to get her hand out of his hold.
"Tell me. Does this...does this have to do anything with Fuwa?" He asked, his heart slowly dropping. She closed her eyes, a lone year rolling down her eye.
"Leave my hand, Tsuruga-san. I must go before I get late," she said. He pulled her even closer, only a breathe away.
"Did he threaten you? Tell me and I will—"
"NO! He did no such thing. In fact, he has been really nice to me," she said, looking at him hard. He couldn't believe his ears.
"What?!" His hold on her wrist loosened and she jerked her hand away. She massaged her hand, and he happened to notice the ring on her finger.
Looking at his line of sight, she turned away from him towards the door.
"I am engaged to Sho. And I need to spend time with him. We are leaving Tokyo tomorrow, which is why I must pack."
Ren never felt so helpless and broken in his life. He could hear his heart breaking in a million pieces already.
He wanted to confess to her right now, beg her to deny it all and just kiss him. Not ten days ago, she'd almost given him hope that maybe she liked him.
"Mogami-san... congratulations," he said, feeling like he was drowning. She nodded her head then took her leave without waiting for him to reply.
He fell on the floor and felt completely shattered. In his entire life, he never felt so helpless.
*Flashback Ends*
27 August 2020
He stepped of his car, staring at the girl in front of him. She was sitting on the door porch staring at the flowers growing on the sides.
She looking nothing like what she was a year ago. Her face was sunken, her skin clung to her bones as if she hadn't eaten properly for months. She had deep bags under her eyes, and she lost the spirit burning in her eyes.
Ren to her, watching her look at him uncertainly. She stood up slowly, watching him uncertainly as if she was not sure if this was a dream or not. When he stood in front of her, breathing deep, only then did she allow herself to touch him.
"Ren..." She breathed, and his breath hitched. This was the first time she'd said that. He hugged her, wanting to pull out all the demons in her head. She moved her hand up and down very uncertainly. He wanted to kiss her right now, but he knew she would only get worse.
He caught her when she was about to fall and brought her inside the house. He took her nurse's permission and took her out after she'd changed.
She'd become silent too, her eyes distant and her soul hidden under those eyelashes.
"How are you, Mogami-san?" He asked gently. She nodded, blinking at the road in front of them.
His eyes fell on her hand, noticing that there was no ring. She seemed to sense his stare, because she rubbed her finger slowly. He reached out and caught her hand. She looked at him, blank. He offered her a gentle smile, "I'm here for you, okay?"
She nodded again, resuming her staring out. He started his car and drove to the best restaurant and helped her out of the car. As far as he knew, she hadn't eaten. And he knew perfectly what to give her. He held her hand, making her look at their joined hands. Just for a second, she squeezed his hand, which made him smile.
They sat down, getting the menus from the waitress who was flustered. "What would you like to eat, Mogami-san?"
She seemed to come out of whatever she was thinking. She shook her head, "I'm not hungry," she said. Her voice was hoarse, probably from not speaking for so long. He sighed, "1 hamburger with egg on top. And 1 frog legs. Please hurry up," Ren said.
The waitress nodded a little too enthusiastically and left them alone, only to come back after five minutes.
Ren asked her to pack it up and took it with Kyoko, so they could go in some park and have their lunch together. Kyoko frowned as she saw him get lunch for her too.
"Don't get anything for me, I will not eat it," she remarked. He noticed that her voice was beginning to clear. If she still had the spirit to talk, then she might heal better.
"I'm not sure that can happen," he replied, helping her get into the car. She kept frowning, making him smile because she was actually reacting to him. They drove to a quiet place where no one could disturb them. He pulled her out of the car, getting her to sit on him.
She flushed a deep red. He smiled wider, as she glared at him. "I don't want to sit like this. Let me go," she argued. He shook his head and kissed her forehead, making her stunned.
He pulled her lunch out, taking the first bite and feeding her. She kept staring at him, like she was afraid he might disappear. After she was done, he gave her a bottle of water he bought in the restaurant. She drank water looking at him. Ren held her in his arms till she fell asleep. He called her rehab centre and asked them to release her as he was willing to take care of her.
By the time she woke up, they were on their way to Tokyo which was a day away. She rubbed her eyes and then stared at him, shocked.
"You are really here," she whispered, making him smile. "Of course. I did promise you that I would be there for you, right?"
She looked away, staring at the houses passing by. When they stopped for dinner, Ren got parcels and forced her to eat in their car. She wasn't too happy to eat, feeling like it was killing her.
They reached Tokyo the next day almost midday. Throughout the journey, Kyoko would either stare at him or the road. He first stopped in their neighborhood, before he moved away. He got out of the car, then helped her out.
As soon as she saw her apartment, her legs gave out. She recalled the terrible night. The night Sho almost raped her. He had threatened her to leave Ren. She couldn't believe it, she'd somehow managed to fool Ren, by using her mother's ring. It all came crashing on her.
"NO! Please don't!" She shrieked holding her head with her hands. Ren took her in his arms, rubbing her back soothingly. He took her back into the car and drove her to his new apartment.
She calmed down a bit as he helped her into his apartment and hugged her. She had clung to him like a little child, afraid that he'd run away. They sat down in his living room,
"Please, don't leave me. Please Ren. I'll die if you do, don't force me leave you, please," she begged him. Her begging broke his heart, he cupped her face with his hands and made her look into his eyes. He felt he could peer into her soul now. And all he saw was pain and terror.
"I'll never leave you, I promise," he declared, hugging her again. She closed her eyes, letting her tears freely fall after eleven months of horror.
"I love you, Ren. Please, don't leave me."
His heart broke at her vulnerable state. He was ecstatic that she returned his feelings, but he didn't want to hear it like that. He pulled back, capturing her lips in a chaste kiss.
She kissed him back, afraid that he might pull away and leave her alone. She was afraid that she might wake up and find herself in a room of white walls and not a single soul around to talk to her.
His hands held her close to him as she clung to the lapels of his over coat. He pulled away, allowing their foreheads to touch each other. "I will marry you, Kyoko. I will forever be there for you. I love you," he whispered with his eyes closed.
Tears welled in her throat and she nodded, even though he hadn't exactly asked her. He gently pulled away from her and searched for the ring he had bought for her a year ago.
When he got it, he rushed to her side and delicately held her finger. When she saw the ring, she gasped.
"I had been wanting to give it to you since a very long time. I guess today is the moment I should," he said, sliding the ring on her finger.
She hugged him, crying tears of joy. He laughed, holding her arms.
Right now, they were the happiest couple alive.
"Congratulations, Tsuruga-san," he turned, still holding Kyoko in his arms. She went still when she saw him.
A blonde guy with blue eyes smiled at them weakly. From the way he was dressed, he looked completely different from his normal self.
Normally, he would dress up as a punk. But today—On Kyoko and Ren's wedding—he was dressed into something human. In white dress shirt and black trousers. He didn't look good though. His eyes were dull, lifeless. But he smiled like he wasn't.
Because Kyoko had asked Ren not to take revenge on him, Ren had settled at belittling his only source of income and his greatest ego and talent:art.
And because of that, the people who used to appreciate his art, didn't give another glance at him. It ruined him completely and he realized just how bad he had been to Kyoko. Not all men turn bitter, some really learn their lesson.
"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I don't ask you to forgive me, I know what I did is unforgivable. But I hope you know that I would never do that to you again. You really do have a talent in painting."
He bowed politely and left, forcing himself to not glance back. He desperately wanted her to forgive him. The guilt was eating him alive. He was—
"Sho!" He turned and found her running towards him. She didn't hug him as he thought she would. Instead, she kissed his cheek and smiled at him through her tears.
"I forgive you," she had whispered before Ren escorted her to their car.
Sho touched the place where she had pressed her lips on. He wished he hadn't let her go. He wished he had loved her.
He wished he hadn't insulted the only thing that mattered to her the most.
Ren locked his lips with hers as soon as they reached his apartment. Apart from his parents and a few relatives, his students had for the wedding too. She was glad to have them, because she had missed them immensely.
"I love you so much Kyoko, that I can be your canvas as you paint me," he said breathily. Kyoko giggled, "Aren't you getting too artistic?"
He shook his head. "Kyoko, why don't you start again? I know you still have the talent."
Kyoko hesitated, her smile dropping. Ren pulled her towards his studio which was now inside his house and showed the decorated room. She gasped, completed awed. He encouraged her to move inside, allowing her to absorb it. On one end, it was completely filled with all types of paints. On another wall, she saw glass plates, canvases. The studio was filled with all things she could use to create.
But the best part was the window, which was glass painted. Ren had painted the photo in the necklace she'd given him.
She was so overwhelmed, she couldn't help the tears that fell down.
"Did you like it?" He asked her gently. She nodded, her hands covering her mouth. Her eyes were shining, and he just knew that he got his Kyoko back.
She hugged him tightly, as he laughed and hugged her back.
"I'm so happy! I can't believe you would do this for me!" She exclaimed in joy. He kissed her soundly which she happily responded back.
"You are the only one I would give it."
A few months later, Kyoko Tsuruga became extremely popular for her sketches, paints and the kind of art she indulged herself in.
And in the month of June, she would open an Art Gallery, the date she had met Ren for the first time. Sho didn't bother them too much, but he would make sure to keep himself up to date about Kyoko's work. He was attending the opening and he hoped she wouldn't turn him out.
"Good evening, Tsuruga-san, how was the opening?" He asked the couple polite approaching them from behind.
When Kyoko turned, he saw the glow he had never seen before. And the hand on her stomach shocked him.
"You're pregnant?!" He asked bewildered. Kyoko laughed, holding Ren's hand. Ren smiled at her adoringly.
"I'm in my sixth month now," she answered his unasked question. Ren kissed her forehead. "And that's why I am asking you to take rest. You know how bad it would be for the baby's health," he said.
She rolled her eyes, then looked back at Sho and gave him a charming smile that struck an arrow in his heart.
"If you'll excuse me, Sho. I must take my leave. Please take a look around," she'd said politely.
And then she left, leaving a trail of her scent behind. Sho kept staring at the spot she'd stood so confidently. When he saw her today, he finally understood that she had moved on. And now, he was another stranger to her.
The gallery was a big hit, it came in the newspapers.
But Kyoko didn't care about all those. She only cared about her child husband who whined more than ten times a day and the new family member who would come into this world after three months.
That, is the art of love.
Author's Note:
Hello guys! I'm so glad I could pen this down. Really. It took so long to complete, i felt like I almost lost my touch at writing stories.
I'd appreciate if you would leave a comment, because it lightens my day! Thank you forever for reading my stories and I love you all too much.
Stay safe and happy, during this crisis. I'm sure we all will get through it.
Thank you!
Goodbye!