Ruimination
Misspelled title on purpose. This chapter is from Rui's point of view regarding Akai's first birthday. Eventually I will give some of the various paring's explanation in future stories. I realize some of the pairings probably will not please fans, but it's just my pov, enjoy!
The Domyoji mansion patio transformed into a fairy tale setting. Pink and lavender table cloths, covered in a lacy overlay, vases filled with pink and lavender roses. Balloons, streamers, paper lanterns, all in those sickening colors. There were several hanging purple and pink unicorn piñatas hung from the trees, along with real miniature horses penned off ready for small riders. A gigantic white iced cake, again decorated in those girly colors, pink and lavender roses, everywhere. An extremely large table , overflowed with gifts. Rui takes in the scene, is this really a wedding, and not his best friend's daughter's first birthday! He really shouldn't be surprised, this is the Great Tsukasa Domyoji's daughter after all. Rui wonders how Tsukushi feels…
Smiling as Tsukushi comes out the patio doors, she's lovely, in a pale pink skirt, white blouse and sandals. Maybe others, of course with exception of her husband, think of her as plain, but Rui thinks she is beautiful in a simple, pure way. Especially now as a mother, she gazes lovingly, adoringly at her daughter. Observing the little girl, she's a doll, black curly hair, sharp dark eyes and pouty lips. Her father's duplicate. Now, she's pouting up at her mother, clearly unpleased. Rui observes, Tsukushi desperately looking around the patio, smiling as her eyes meet Rui's own. Spotting the person that she is seeking, her face relaxes into a relieved smile, adoration shining in her eyes. Again, Rui is happy, his friend definitely picked a good one. Akai sees him too, pushing, squirming out of her mother's arms. Tsukushi relents, placing her daughter on the ground. Akai loudly squeals "Dada." Tsukasa visiting with Tsubaki and her husband, excitedly turns, watching his daughter toddle forward, crouching, he captures her into his arms, swinging her up into the air, bringing her to rest against his chest. Tsukushi walks over, happy, relieved, stares up at her husband, love shining in her eyes. Tsukasa bends, affectionately kissing the top of her head.
Rui, standing by the bar, sipping his beer, quietly enjoying his surroundings. He sees Kaede, inwardly cringing. She walks up to the parents, Akai squeals, lunging for her grandmother. Happily, Kaede takes Akai from her son, hugging, laughing as the little girl kisses her cheek. Rui choked, nearly spitting out his beer, what the heck, he never, ever, dreamt he would see Tsukasa's mother laugh! He must be in some alternate universe, quickly looking around, no he sees all his friends. He thinks, Kaede is quite an attractive, older woman, very much looking like her daughter. Smirking, glancing at Akira, thinking I wonder if he will flirt with Mrs. Domyoji, now that she acts more human. Shaking his head, so much has changed in a year and nine months. So many changes, since Tsukasa married Tsukushi.
Looking over at the trees with the bright hanging unicorn pinatas, spots two small children swinging plastic bats, as their parents visit. An adorable brown haired boy attempts hitting the pinata, his father, Seinosuke Amakusa, crouches, helping his son. Thinking back to a night, where a young man declared his love, publicly to a full audience, in an upscale hotel. Fists flying, mostly all from Tsukasa, of course. Heaven helps any man giving Tsukushi a second glance. Rui should know, he's felt Tsukasa's punch. Rui rubbed his jaw, glad they moved on from their high school days. Perhaps, if Tsukasa, had not come back from New York to reveal Amakusa's true identity, maybe, he would have stood a chance at winning Tsukushi's heart. But observing Tsukasa's arm wrapped around Tsukushi, fate intervened. Lovely Ayano, belongs with Amakusa, they own the most popular sushi restaurant in Tokyo
Rui remembers Tsukasa's pride, confidence, love for her, when she competed and won a special award in the Teen of Japan contest. Winning over her rival, becoming good friends, that's Tsukushi, she befriends, never holding a grudge. Focusing back on the children, sees a pretty blond-haired little girl, her father, Kazuya Aoike, watched as she swung her bat, as her mother, Sara, visited with Ayano. It seems, the wimpy guy, who worshiped Tsukushi, found and married a beautiful young girl. Rui only knew bits of Sojiro's first love, but this couple were very happy. Poor Kazuya, never really stood a chance with Tsukushi, and when Domyoji came into the picture, forget it.
Rui affectionately stares at his best friends, through all the ups and downs, Tsukasa's devotion, love, never faltered. Their love grew stronger, even now, Rui senses their challenges are faced together. Everyone has gathered to celebrate Akai's first birthday, but in reality, we have all gathered because of our shared love for Tsukushi. She challenged her greatest enemy, who now adoringly wrapped her tightly in his arms. A ribbon runs attaching us all to Tsukushi Makino, err Domyoji. Softly, Rui smiled, too bad he realized his feeling so late, who knows, maybe this could've been his daughter's birthday. Even though, she wanted a quiet life, he sees she's happy, right where she belongs in Tsukasa Domyoji's arms.
Seeing Sakurako and Amon talking under a tree, shakes his head. The imposter Tsukasa with the plastic surgery queen. Again here, because of Tsukushi's big heart, and willingness to forgive others. They made a good pair, Rui contemplated, Sakurako finally got her own Tsukasa, not necessarily better than the original. The group hangout at some nightclub last year, these two hooked up, now they've been dating for a while.
Rui smirks, as Akira and his girlfriend, Azalea, walk over to the bar. Perhaps of all the changes, this is one of the most shocking, Akira is actually dating a girl, who one is younger and two not married. Rui baffles at how this happened, although Azalea is gorgeous, tall, long, straight black hair falling down her back, curvy, completely opposite in looks of his mother and sisters. Yet they have lots in common, both have twin siblings, their mothers are very young. Rui thinks, it looks like Akira is finally in love.
A maid hurriedly takes brightly wrapped gifts from a young couple, who are immediately greeted by the parents. Oto and Haruto, another couple, who by fate met and were befriended by Tsukushi. Rui laughs, Haruto shakes hands with Tsukasa, stammering, " ." What a weirdo, worshiping Tsukasa like some God. They are a cute couple, so young, and in love, their wedding is in two months. Rui groans, another wedding to attend, at least maybe he can nap in the back.
Shigeru, Tsukasa's former faux fiancée arrives, tightly hugging Tsukushi. Turning, she leaps up, kissing Tsukasa's cheek, he pushes her off, glowering, walking away. Mumbling about stupid monkeys. Akira and Rui break out laughing, further annoying Tsukasa as he walks up to them, barking, "Shut up, before I kill you two." Seeing the newest arrivals, strides over to greet them.
Yuki, pretty as always, wearing a pale, peach sundress, carrying her six-month-old son, Kai, followed by her tall, handsome husband, carrying her six-year-old son, Kiro. Rui notices, Akira's frown, this is difficult on him, he knows. Their only missing friend from this party is Sojiro. Circumstances transpired, a huge fight, improper behavior, forced Tsukasa to ban him from his home. Hopefully when Sojiro is ready, they will all reunite. Rui saddened, hopefully amends will be made soon, it felt empty not having all the F4 members together. None of them have heard nor seen him for a year now. Rui knows finding out he is a father, shocked, confused, angered Sojiro. His friend resorted to drinking, and more debauchery.
Tsukasa slapped Tenma Hase on the back, laughing as Kiro dove for him, screaming, "Domo-san!" Rui chuckled, overhearing Tenma's comment, "Tsukasa, you are the favorite father here." Tsukasa heartly laughed, "Yes, I am the Great Domyoji after all." Rui laughed harder as Tsukushi punched him in the shoulder. Hilariously picturing a younger Tsukushi drop kicking that huge idiot to the ground. Rolling her eyes, Tsukushi, says, "Thanks Tenma for feeding that idiot's ego." Yuki handed Kai to her husband, hugging her best friend tightly. They walked over to Tsubaki, who is holding Akai, immediately she wanted her mother. Rui observed Tsukushi's entire face light up, tenderly kissing her daughter, only he noticed, her blouse covered a smallest bump on her middle section.
Rui sauntered over to the ladies, smiling, his quiet presence unnoticed, until Tsukushi turned, meeting his eyes. He nodded towards the trees indicating he wanted to talk privately. She handed Akai to Yuki, where the little girl happily squealed, the two families vested one another, taking turns going between L.A. or Tokyo.
Grinning fondly down at Tsukushi, looking at Tsukasa, says, "Tsukasa is happy. I am glad for him, he has a family now, a wife and daughter he adores." Turning towards her, he gently pokes her nose, her eyes meet his mischief gleam. Smirking, Rui says, "When are you going to tell him?" Glancing up, meeting his marble like eyes, full of mirth, blushes, stammers "I don't know what you are talking about." Rui bent, wrapping her in a tight hug, whispers, congratulations. Rising, gently touches her face, he winks, she blushes. Radar alerting him, Tsukasa turned seeing Rui hugging his wife, bent whispering, and her cheeks are red. Quickly he hands Kiro back to his father, striding over to Rui and Tsukushi, yelling, "Hey Rui, what the hell are you hugging my wife…she's mine…." Tsukushi glares, "TSUKASA Domyoji! I am your wife, but you don't own me, no one owns me, how dare you, do you understand…your stupid idiotic man….I should kill you…how many times do I…." Rui quickly moved, allowing his friend to drown his wife's tirade in a passionate kiss, squelching any argument.
Amused, Rui joined Akira and Azalea at the bar again. Akira laughed heartly, "Man you have some guts, you know how to push his buttons. Did you do that on purpose." Rui laughed, yes, he did, he needed some excitement. Plus, he still gets a kick seeing Tsukasa anger at Rui's attention towards his wife.
Another pair arrive, Rui watches as Shigeru squeals, running, jumping, onto a tall, darkly handsome young man, planting a huge kiss. Tsukasa seeing the display, glares, mumbling, "Stupid monkey. She is so annoying." The petite girl, next to him, searches the group, smiling when eyes meet that person.
Gently smiling, brushing her dark hair aside, gazes up, her soft brown eyes meet his marble like eyes. Bending, not desiring attention, softly kisses her lips, his own Tsukushi Makino. Hugging her tightly, looking over her head, smiles, Kiro gently holds Akai's hand, walking her around the patio. Rui thinks who knows what the future holds….