The Story Of Us

Chapter 5:-

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

"Yui?"

The said person looked back hearing the familiar voice, to see one of her best friends standing. She smiled at the sight of him, "You need something?"

Ryuu chuckled as he took some steps towards her, "Why, can't I call you for any other reason?"

Yui thought for a moment, "No."

Ryuu smiled as he scratched the back of his head. From childhood, Yui was his only friend. Though her father didn't like him, for god knows what reason, she was always there for him when he needed her help. Most people thought that they were romantically involved but their relationship was more than that which was friendship and unbreakable bond. So, even with his eyes closed, he could tell something was bothering her and being the girl she is, she wouldn't even tell anyone what was bothering her.

"Is something bothering you?" He voiced out and the way her eyes enlarged a bit after hearing his question, he hoped that he had hit the right point.

"No, I am fine." She defended.

"You sure?"

She nodded.

"If you ever need to tell anything, you can always tell me."

Yui smiled. If only, he wasn't her friend from childhood, she could've fall in love with him but this was not the case for them. Though he shows indifference to most of the things, she knows how caring he is and is actually a very sweet person, just like his mother.

"I wouldn't think twice."

Ryuu satisfied with the answer smiled at her before he turned and resumed his patrolling.

Yui watched his figure disappearing as he took a turn to the left. Somehow, she wasn't surprised that he had seen right through her. It was expected from him. She turned and resumed where she previously was going; to the rooftop, the only place which can make her calm and think clearly and now, she needed to clear her thoughts.

As she pushed open the door, strong breeze welcomed her by blowing and making her hair messy. She looked up and let out an exasperated sigh as she made her way to the highest spot of the roof. Technically, students weren't allowed there but she loved the scenery from there; the view of whole town. It was like her own television, with no one to bother beside her.

But today she couldn't seem to enjoy the view as she remembered the last conversation she had with her father.

"Dad, you don't mean it, right?" She asked hopeful, but all her hopes were shattered when her father looked up and opened his mouth.

Her father, the infamous businessman in whole Japan name Igarashi Tora, looked at his daughter and said, "No, I absolutely meant it."

"But, I am only sixteen." Yui complained, not believing her father.

"That's the reason I am asking you to engage him, not marry him." Tora said, like it wasn't a serious matter at all.

No words came out of her throat at all. She was utterly speechless.

"Dear, it's for your own good." This time it was her mother who spoke, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"But, why now?" Yui voiced. Hearing her father sighing, she looked at him.

"I will not lie; this engagement will strengthen between the two companies. But not only this, I know this boy. He is smart and handsome and rich too. He will make you happy. You've met him too, so what's the problem?"

"But…I don't love him." She said without thinking and noticed both her parents eyes enlarged a little. It wasn't a good sign…

"Is it…Ryuu?" Her mother asked and before she could reply it is not, Tora looked at his wife sternly, making both girls stop.

"Chiyo!" He exclaimed and then shifted his attention to his one and only daughter who was still surprised by his sudden outburst. So, he had to calm himself before muttering an apology.

"Yui, Ryuu was never an option and he will not be in future." He said calmly but Yui could sense the seriousness behind his words.

"Why dad? He is such a nice guy."

"I don't care if he is nice guy or not. The problem is his father. Ta-"

"Tora!" This time it was Chiyo who exclaimed and when the said person looked at her, she slowly shook her head. Tora, getting the signal, nodded at her before continuing, "I never liked his father and that guy abandoned Misaki. I know that boy is good as you say but he is still his son and have the same genes as him. So, I can't and will never entrust my beloved daughter in his hands."

Yui sighed, "I don't know who his father was and how was he like but I know one thing, Ryuu is not like others BUT I am not in a relationship with him. He is my best friend and I like him a lot." She stopped, not sure what to say next.

Silence filled the room. And it was Chiyo who broke it…

"Yui, you know, I also had an arranged marriage and back then I thought I will never work it out but now I am happy and I love my husband a lot." She said while looking at Tora who smiled at her before pulling her by her waist. "So, love is not a problem dear, you should know him more. Maybe, you will fall in love with him by time."

Yui pondered at her mother's words. What she said was true. Her parents did have an arranged marriage and fell in love later. Now, they were like a couple and nobody would ever suspect that they were once thrown into an arranged marriage.

Yui finally defeated nodded and muttered a small yes. She noticed both her parents eyes lit up and they both smiled at her lovingly.

After watching the smile she couldn't tell them that she believed in true love and was waiting for her knight in shining armor to appear, could she?

For the millionth time that day, she again let out an exasperated sigh crossed her hands on her chest. Now that she thought about it her soon to be fiancée, named Eric who was a half, did seem good when she had met him. Though when she was going to trip accidently, he had saved her but when he did so, her heart didn't beat faster. If she were to marry him and had a possibility to fall in love with him, her heart would've beaten faster. This is how it supposed to be but it didn't, she didn't feel attracted at all.

Yui looked up. There were clouds; floating on their whim, so why couldn't she do thing as her whim?

Suddenly, without realizing, she started humming…

:::

Ryuu walked in the halls. The school hours were going smoothly, no nuisance was going on. Though he was a bit worried about Yui but when she assured him, he felt a little relieved.

He stopped and sighed. Checking everything was right in place he turned, prepared to go back to the student council room, before his eyes fell on something or rather someone in the library.

It was Emi. She was probably trying to reach a book which was kept at the top and all her attempts were in vain.

Ryuu chuckled at her futile attempts before going in to help her.

:::

Emi was annoyed, no she was pissed. Why does this shelf have to be this high? And why the freaking book had to be at the top. She had spent last thirty minutes here and now when she had found the book, she couldn't reach it. What can be more annoying?

Emi pressed his lips together as she made one more attempt. She tiptoed and tried to grab the book but her eyed widened when she realized she was losing her balance and was going to fall on the book shelf. She closed her eyes, preparing for the loud impact to come. But it never came, instead, warmth surrounded her.

She slowly opened her eyes to see two strong arms were hugging her from behind. She slowly looked behind to meet with two concerned amber eyes. She knew those eyes, those innocent, pure amber eyes. They only belonged to one person, Ryuu.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.

Emi nodded, suddenly loss of words. She noticed the position they were in. He was literally hugging her and she was pressed against his broad chest, so close that she could feel his breath. She blushed.

Noticing her blush, Ryuu also realized the position they were in. He let her go and to make the moment less awkward, he reached for the book she was trying to get. "If you want something that bad, you could've asked someone to help you." He said as he reached for it.

Emi noticed him getting the book easily and for the first time, she noticed how long he was, how broad his chest was and how long his arms were.

"Here" Ryuu gave her the book and snapping her out of hr trance of thoughts. She quickly took it from him and made her way to one of the table but he followed her and took the seat opposite to her.

"Japanese History?" he asked as she flipped open the book.

"Yeah." Emi responded.

"Why?" he asked confused and making the girl to look up.

"Mister, I have studied abroad and know nothing about Japanese History not to mention the names so I have to catch up." She informed.

"So, your boyfriend can help you?"

Emi rolled her eyes at him, "Who?"

"Your boyfriend. What was his name? Usui Shinichi?" Ryuu said, like he was having a hard time recalling his name. Suddenly, she couldn't hold it in anymore as she burst into laughter forgetting that they were in library. Good thing, nobody was there.

Ryuu noticed her in astonishment. He had never seen laughing this hard before. Unconsciously, he smiled too.

Emi wiped her tears which came from all the laughing, "Sorry, I….your face was priceless." She said still giggling, "First of all he is not my boyfriend, he's my best friend" Ryuu felt a lot relieved, "Second, he is worse than me."

Ryuu also smiled, "Why did you laugh?"

"Because I think you two are so much alike."

Ryuu frowned, disliking the fact, "Why?"

Emi leaned in, "Because, when he said your name remembering hardly, he had the same priceless expression like yours."

Suddenly, his jaw tightened, "I see."

"What you don't like him too."

"How did you know?"

"Because he said the same thing."

Ryuu sighed, not liking the topic, so he had to change the topic, "So, what are you going to do about the study."

He noticed her face paled as she face palmed.

"I can tutor you." He proposed, without thinking.

Emi looked up, "I can't give you the fee."

Ryuu chuckled, "I am not asking for money for teaching a…" he stopped, not knowing he right word to describe her, so he went with the safest one, "…you."

Emi noticed how he changed the word and could help but asking, "Why? Why are doing this?"

It was not like she haven't thought of this before. The way he always appeared whenever she was trouble, the way he always helped her, The way he talked with her, the way he always smiled at her making her also smile back was something she couldn't understand. Confused, could be the right word to describe the mental condition. She is I this school for nearly one month, and he's been helping her ever since.

Ryuu looked at her like he was asking the same question to himself. Finally after a minute or so which seemed an hour to her, he gave an answer,

"Because I think I like you."

:::

Wikipedia was in class and Emi was in library searching for what? A book. Shinichi couldn't understand why people even need to search for a book. And he was again left alone, with no one to talk to.

Though he had a class, he planned to bunk it since bunking was healthy for him, like yoga. He was suffering from bookophobia, that's what he was calling it. Every time he opens a book, he feels dizzy and thinks like he will puke soon. Library was one of the places he hated the most since he couldn't stand that many book. That's why he named this disease as bookophobia.

So, now he was heading to the rooftop, the place he liked the most. That place seemed to make him calm his mind. He was climbing the stairs when he heard something or rather someone.

I'll give away my life

Whatever the cost,

I'll love you…

He stopped. He knew this voice. How could he ever forget this voice?

I've broken my limits

Now, you're the reason, for my living

Shinichi literally ran towards the roof, desperate to hear her singing, to see her singing. With three long strides, he was standing at the rooftop, but there was no one there.

Without asking, I got too much,

My desires have gone, met yours

You've become my last prayer.

He looked up. The voice was coming from there. Soon, he found something which looked like stairs and without wasting another moment he climbed up and found her.

She was standing there with her back towards him, lost in her singing and humming, making him lost too. But something was off, was it the sadness in her voice? She should be happy while signing this sone but she clearly wasn't. Why?

Yes, you are my smile

Yes, you are my tears,

Yes, you are my sky

Yes, you are my Earth.

She finished the song, oblivious to the fact that someone was hearing. But to her, it didn't sound right, she was too sad to sing this song. From childhood, since she had heard this song, she has always wanted to sing this for someone special, but looks like it wasn't going to happen anyways. So why not singing today?

She sighed and turned to go one but her eyes met with deep emerald eyes which were looking at her with so many emotion she could tell.

"Why were you so sad?" Shinichi said as he came closer.

"Huh?"

"The song…" he stopped in front of her, "..It wasn't a sad song. So why?"

Yui looked at him, bewildered. How did he know? Was she that easy to read? She remembered this guy from the audition and also noticed that he was always watching her but first time talking with her.

"What are you doing here? Students aren't allowed here." She said with voice of authority, ignoring his first question.

"I thought you were a student too." Shinichi said, amused. "And don't ignore my question."

Yui took a long breath, "Look, you don't even know me. You can't tell if I am sad or not."

"Oh yes, I can tell. Though you never come to practice, though we've never talked before, I still always watch you." He admitted, "Since the time I came here, I am always watching you but since the last two day, you seem absent minded. You seem worried about something."

Yui stared at him, party amused, partly annoyed. Who was he to ask her if she was okay or not?

"It's not your concern." She said and walked past him only to stop dead on her tracks. The same humming, the same song, and he was humming it.

Yes, you are my smile

Yes, you are my tears,

Yes, you are my sky

Yes, you are my Earth.

Unwittingly, she turned, eyes wide. He turned too.

Yes, I started changing

I've started falling

Since I've know you

I am walking towards you.

She started at him. There was too much softness in his voice, like he was singing with very care, like he was singing it for that someone special. But his eyes were on hers.

Everywhere I go, I see you.

People don't recognize me, now

They search for you in my eyes.

I've broken all my limits

Now, you are reason for my living.

He started walking towards her while singing. First slowly, afraid she will run off but she didn't. He stopped in front of her with only some inches difference in between them.

Yes, you are my smile

Yes, you are my tears,

Yes, you are my sky

Yes, you are my Earth.

"That's how you sing this song." He said after completing the song. "Not with sadness, but with love, only for your love not alone."

Yui looked at him for a moment, "What if I can't find this person?"

Shinichi looked at her with sincere eyes, "What if that person is in front of you?"

:::

Misaki flipped through the channals. Nothing was going on. Today, was her off day and now she had nothing to do. That's why, she hated off days.

Suddenly, something caught her interest or like someone; someone with blond hair and emerald eyes, someone she had once loved dearly.

"So, Mr. Walker, how is everything going?" the reporter asked.

"Fine, more or less."

"We heard that, your son is going to marry Mr. Ueda's daughter soon. Is that true?" She asked.

"No, we just talked. It's the kid's decision. If they want to, of course we will say yes."

"So where is he? I believe he is good looking like you."

Takumi chuckled, "I believe he is better looking than me and now he is in France, studying."

"What about your wife? Did she came with you to Germany?"

A smile could be seen at his face, "She goes to everywhere with me. She is always with me."

The reporter laughed, commenting how lucky his wife was to have a husband like him and he laughed too.

Misaki turned off the TV and went to the bathroom to wash her face which was currently, strained with tears.

So, he had really moved on…

:::

Takumi watched the his interview on TV and a smile was again on his face.

He never regretted saying those things.

After all, his wife does go with him everywhere and she is always with him, in his heart.

Suddenly, a knock could be heard, "Come in." He said.

A middle aged man came in. Seeing him Takumi stood up and shook their hands, "Hello, Dr. James."

The doctor smiled.

"So, what brings you here?" he asked.

"Nothing. I just came to see you. Are you okay? I heard Shinichi is in France."

"Yes, he is I sent him." He said as both of them sat down.

"He has gotten big." The doctor commented and smiled, "He is like you."

"He is like his mother." Takumi said.

"I…Takumi….I am sorry. I couldn't save her."

"It's okay, at least you saved my son and gave me a reason to continue living."

The doctor looked at him, pitifully. If only he knew the truth, if only he could tell the truth. But I can't tell him, at least not yet. "Takumi I am going to Japan." He announced and the said person looked up.

"To attend a assembly. I thought I should let you know. Do you have someone to give any information or ask-"

"I don't doctor."

"Okay. As you say." That being said, the doctor left him alone, lost in his thoughts.

:::

"Don't you think we shouldn't do this?"

Tora looked up hearing his wife, "What?" he ask.

"If she love Ryuu, then…"

"Don't." He sad sharply.

"I thought I made myself clear."

"But he is not like Takumi."

"Who said? He is just like him. The way he talks, the way he walks is same as him!"

"But he thinks like Misaki."

"Chiyo, I've seen her. When he left her, I've seen her, so weak. I don't want my daughter to end up like her."

"But-"

"No buts, I will NEVER entrust my daughter to HIS son's hand."

So, what do you think? Ryuu said he likes Emi while Shinichi made it clear thathe likes Yui. Tora is saying he will never entrust his dauther to Takumi's son and the doctor who delivered Shinichi is coming to Japan. Who knows what will happen now?

Thanks for the past reviews and do leave an review for this chap to let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for dropping by!