I am back with another offering.
Now bear with me, guys. This is where we need to tread slowly. Forgive me if you'll think the pace is going to be slow, but think about it – this is going to be between two people who's had feelings for each other for so long; leading different lives for as far as they know. They'll take some time to get there, but they will get there. As long as I had a say in it. *wink wink*
Anyway, again thank you for showing support in this little corner of mine. I'd love to know what you guys were thinking.
Alright, I'll shut up. Read on and I hope you enjoy, people.
"Congratulations, Uo-chan!"
"Congratulations, Arisa."
Tohru and Hanajima Saki, wave girl extraordinaire, enveloped their blond-haired friend into a group, if a little too tearful, embrace. The three of them were crying unashamedly, in spite of being in the middle of a crowded café.
It had been an ordinary Wednesday afternoon, another of those days that she meets up with Uo-chan and Hana-chan in a week just to catch up like old times. They do this ritual twice every month, aside from the occasional chats and emails, to be better able to share stories of what was going on in their lives and how any of them were actually doing. Tohru found this little get-together calming, especially back when she had just broken up with Kyo. Slowly, through their occasional meet-ups and the never-ending love and support from Uo and Hana, she was able to slowly but surely go back to a bit of her old self, even if not completely. They know that she is still Honda Tohru, albeit a bit more mature and much wiser now as compared to her younger, more immature and a bit naïve, self.
The day before, Uo had messaged the two of them, confirming their date today and that she had an important news for the two of them, exciting her and Hana as they speculated what it was, much to Uo's laughter.
When the taller girl had arrived a few minutes later than her and Hana, who had already taken their usual table, she took a deep breath, then lifted her left hand up.
On it was a pure silver, simple diamond ring.
Tohru wiped her tears a little and smiled as the three of them finally decided to let go of each other, all three of them bearing the same expressions on their faces – tearful happiness. They laughed a little, choosing to ignore the stares they were getting from around them, as they all finally sat down.
"Well. It seems one of us is finally getting married now." Hana joked, making Uo tear up again as they held each other's hands across the table. Just like old times.
"I really haven't expected Kureno to surprise me like that." Uo glowed, as she launched into the detail of how Kureno had proceeded to pop the question to her.
Tohru smiled, loving the happy look on her best friend's face. It was just about time. She and Kureno had been together for quite some time now, and witnessing them go together through the ups and downs of a relationship was nothing but an honor to her. She was just glad she had been there to see it, even when during the early years of their relationship it had been difficult for her to be there for her friend as much since she did live in a different prefecture with Kyo. In a way, being able to reconnect with her two best girlfriends had been the silver lining of her and Kyo separating ways.
"Of course, you are both invited, you're my maids of honor! I mean I'm allowed to have more than one maid of honor right? It obviously cannot just be one of you. " Uo asked, suddenly unsure as she started thinking of the details of her wedding, which will happen in a few months' time.
"Nowadays, the bride is allowed to do whatever she wants, as opposed to keeping to the more traditional aspects of a wedding. We live in modern times." Hana said in her usual no-nonsense tone. "And it would be a great honor for me, Arisa."
"As for me too, Uo-chan." She agreed, smiling tenderly at Uo, whose smile grew fond as well as she gazed at the two of them.
"I want you both there, okay? You cannot miss it. I honestly don't need much else, just the two of you being there will be enough to get me through that day." And then she frowned, as she thought of what else she may need to consider. "I'm not sure if I should start thinking about the guest list now, but I can probably invite a few of my friends from work, I'm sure Kureno would as well. As for family… well I guess we have to invite everyone from the Sohmas?"
Tohru tried not to flinch. At the mention of Sohmas, only one Sohma came into mind, one she found herself missing dearly.
"Possibly. It wouldn't hurt to invite his cousins, although I'm a little unsure about Akito…" Tohru admitted. The curse had broken and everyone is trying to heal, yes, but there was no denying the reality that some of the effects of her abuse were lasting, and that she was the only one to blame for that.
"I would still invite her. The decision to attend would be up to her. I don't want to take that choice away from her hands." Uo said, quite seriously, and Tohru smiled. Uo is a tough girl and may have a sharp tongue but she had always been kind, understanding to people. Tohru just wasn't sure how much Kureno had told her, though she was guessing that Uo may have caught on to what had happened years ago even without the elder Sohma not telling her anything – well, aside from the knife-stabbing incident. "That reminds me, I heard the blondie is back in Japan now. Let's see… Momiji? Heard he's a big shot in the classical music world now."
Hana and Uo saw Tohru flush, and they looked at each other, both eyebrows raised. The only ever time they saw her react like this at the mention of a boy's name was when she had first started dating Kyo. To think that this phenomenon would be happening with a different boy… and at the mention of another Sohma nonetheless.
Curious… very curious. Hana thought to herself, now observing her friend a bit more than she intended. While she and Arisa had been downright furious and had wanted to hunt Kyo down when they first learned of the two's separation, Tohru's clear admittance that it was a mutual decision did give them pause. Her explanation may not have been as detailed as they had wanted it to be, but they did let Tohru know that anytime she needed to talk about it, they would be there to listen, and that they trusted her enough to be honest with them. Still, Carrot head deserves a taste of electricity and a punch from her and Arisa, something they both firmly believed that Sohma Kyo should experience, one way or another.
"Yes, Momiji-kun is back. He had returned two weeks ago, I was there when they picked him up from the airport and even had the welcome home party." She responded, then hurriedly picked up her cup of tea to drink.
"Kid's grown to a fine man." Uo commented, drinking a bit of her tea. "He could definitely give the prince and Carrot head a run for their money." She noted Tohru's minute reaction to her comment, smiling a little to herself inwardly.
"Indeed." Hana agreed, looking over to Tohru once more, noting the lovely flush on her cheeks. Interesting… "From the news it seems he had adopted a new name. Henry, isn't it? As far as stage names go, that one suits him rather well."
Tohru looked at her two friends, wondering if they had actually caught on to how she has been feeling at the moment. It was such a rare thing for them to express interest in the males surrounding Tohru, and only if they think that one of them were a bit too close to her. It actually wouldn't surprise her if they did – Uo and Hana seemed to have the uncanny ability of what people call foreshadowing, being the first ones to suggest that she may end up in a relationship with either Yuki or Kyo, even suggesting she marry one of them. She did date Kyo a year afterwards, though unfortunately, it didn't end in marriage.
"It is. Like the name of a prince." She agreed quietly, staring at the swirling surface of the remaining tea in her cup.
It had been two weeks since she had last seen him. And two weeks since being rattled with the realization that she had been harboring feelings for the blond violinist all this time. She just couldn't believe how slow she had been.
The morning she had seen and listened to him playing the violin – luckily… or not, she surmised, it's like the universe had actually conspired for her to be there – she had indeed, broken down to tears.
Tohru had seldom thought that she was an idiot, but for now she confirmed that she was one. She had to be, if this is the only time she was realizing that she have had feelings for another of the Sohmas and for whom she had always seen as her best friend. She was unsure of when it had started exactly. Or maybe all this time, she had actually loved him, never realizing it due to her immense, almost desperate love for Kyo.
That sounded a bit worse, in all actuality.
She had tried to quieten her sobs, but eventually, Momiji's practice – slash – performance had to end. He had turned around, saw her and immediately rushed over, asking her if she was alright, pulling her to a hug without even hearing her answer. She couldn't refuse him and the amazing feeling of being held by him, but she didn't have the strength to respond and tell him the reason for her tears (which she was beginning to be frustrated with herself for. How many times had she cried? And all within the span of the last twenty four hours, no less!)
How was she supposed to tell him that she was actually in love with him and that her feelings changing and her growing distance from Kyo back then may have been her subconscious trying to make her realize the truth?
There was also another question she had to answer. What should she do now? Does she tell him? Keep her feelings from him? She knew that keeping it and not saying anything about it would be tantamount to lying – an offense that both she and Momiji do not tolerate. But would he accept her feelings?
She had the courage to tell Kyo of her feelings back then. Why should it be any different this time around?
You're scared he might reject you, her mind said to her, matter-of-factly. Momiji-kun may not look at you the same way after all.
She instinctively flinched inwardly. Even though it wasn't real and was done initially to protect her, Kyo's initial rejection of her still felt uncomfortable. This time is different – she knew, definitely, that she is head over heels in love with Momiji, and the man doesn't have anything to hold him back now. If he rejects her, it was because he really didn't feel anything for her and just saw her as his best friend.
Tohru, you haven't even decided to tell him. Stop creating scenarios in your head, this is such a bad habit that you need to change. She mentally scolded herself.
"Earth to Tohru." Uo called her out, looking worried. "You okay? You were spacing out…"
Hana was looking at her as well. "Is there anything you'd like to tell us, Tohru-kun?"
She took a deep breath, mentally shaking her head and looked her best friends directly in the eye. "I do. I hope that's okay, Uo-chan." When Uo nodded for her to go on, she squared her shoulders. "I want to take a crash course for cooking. Then probably find a job related to it, or open my own food cart."
Uo and Hana looked at each other, both surprised at first, then eventually, huge smiles broke from their lips. "Well, that was unexpected – but I like that idea – I mean what spurred this on?" Uo sounded shocked, confused and proud at the same time – which she probably is at the moment.
Hana clasped both of her hands. "Indeed. Any idea which came from you is excellent, Tohru-kun. But may we know why?"
Tohru blushed, but she wasn't surprised that her friends were confused. She hadn't shown any particular inclination to wanting to do something for herself, a dream, as people may call it. She had only really wanted to work right after graduating high school. "Well... I want to do something I loved. Something for myself." She looked down to her hands still clasped in Hana-chan's grip. "It's one of the things I realized when I followed Kyo to a different prefecture. One of the reasons he was able to let go of his past and move forward was because he was doing something for himself. And while I had been prepared to leave everything just to be with him, when I watched him being happy for what he's achieved… I also wanted that."
Uo and Hana shared a glance once more on either side of her. They haven't really heard Tohru talk much about her time with Kyo, and to be hearing some of it now allowed them to have an idea of what had really happened. "I hope you didn't think that was a bad thing." Hana said seriously, but she was quick to shake her head.
"I used to feel so guilty, Hana-chan. I used to think it was selfish, that my place is to really just be there for Kyo." Then she smiled, almost wistfully. "A friend told me it isn't wrong to want anything for myself."
"It isn't wrong to be selfish. You're allowed to be once in a while." His voice resounded in her memory.
Uo smiled approvingly. "Whoever that friend is, they sure did a great job of reminding you that. Keep that in mind, Tohru." She then reached out to ruffle her hair. "As for your idea of studying and a food cart eventually, if ever, that was a good one. I don't know much about business, but I think for first time entrepreneurs, food cart is a good place to start, if you do want to be in business."
Hana was excited. "Wonderful idea as always. I remember your onigiri stand back in our high school festival – that was such a long time ago – were you planning another one like that? It may be a good idea to really go with a food cart."
"Or a takoyaki one! That was good."
"One selling yakiniku would be great too."
"That's good, but something easier for a food cart is better…"
"I'll help her out of course, I mean that was the goal in our Cinderella-ish play, remember?"
"You don't have a prince backing the shop though."
"She could probably open a little bake shop too."
"Oh, I'd love to have some cakes…. Then coffee!"
As Uo and Hana continued throwing ideas for her food cart what-if plan, Tohru looked up to the ceiling, closing her eyes as she listened to the two laugh, reminisce and joke around with each other.
Thank the heavens for her two best girlfriends.
Tohru had just bid goodbye to Hana and Uo by late afternoon that day when her mobile phone rang. (She had finally decided to buy one, recognizing the necessity when they decided to meet up every month). As she stood outside the café, she fished it out of her bag, nearly dropping it when she saw the caller ID.
W-Why is he calling me? Oh but I am nervous.
Stopping herself short from hyperventilating, she swiped the green phone icon and lifted it to her ear. "Moshi-moshi?"
"Guten nachmittag, susse." Momiji's bright, bass voice came through the receiver, and Tohru was thankful they were talking through a phone or else he would be seeing her flushing uncontrollably. "Where are you?"
Huh? "Um, I'm out at the moment. I just met up with Hana-chan and Uo-chan."
"Can I come pick you up? I have a favor to ask you and something to give you, as well."
Well, that actually made her nervous even more, but she knew she couldn't deny him. It has been some time since she had last seen him, and coupled with the fact that she had realized what she had always felt for him it seemed, she had been longing to see him once more. "Sure, if that's okay with you?"
"Of course it is. What's the area and name of the place?"
She gave him the name of the café and the district.
"That's near to where I am. I'll probably be there fifteen minutes, tops. See you in a bit, susse." His tone had changed from bright, almost hyperactive to something calm, gentle… and warm. Something that, now that she thought about it, seemed to have only been reserved for her.
Or maybe she was just putting too much into it. Still, she couldn't help but hope nonetheless.
"See you, Momiji-kun." She promised, butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
The call ended. She couldn't wait to see him again.
Unbeknownst to her, her friends were in deep thought as they decided to take a walk towards the train station, which is easily within walking distance from the café they had met up in.
"Hanajima, earlier…" Uo began, sounding hesitant.
"Our Tohru-kun has developed feelings for someone else." Hana finished, confirming both their suspicions, before lifting a hand to her cheek and dramatically sighing. "I'm afraid we would have to give her away again, Arisa. Oh, my Tohru-kun."
"But to another Sohma?" Uo said, sounding skeptical and incredibly worried. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy that she seems happier and cheerier this time… I am just worried about this. Falling in love again is a good thing for her, but to a cousin of Carrots…"
Hana smiled, almost a little sadly. "Seems it really is Tohru-kun's fate to be a Sohma, one way or another. It's just something that was supposed to happen, at all costs."
Uo looked at her friend, seeing the smile on her lips resembling one of resignation. "You sound sure about this. I mean we both suspected she would end up either with the prince or Carrots, and she did eventually choose one, but even they broke up."
Hana shook her head. "I am not sure, but I do not doubt Sohma Momiji's feelings and maturity."
Uo stopped in her tracks, looking at her so quickly she became worried her friend would accidentally give herself a whiplash. "Hold up. You're telling me blondie has always had feelings for Tohru? That kid?" To say that she was surprised was an understatement. "How did I not notice that?"
Hana smiled again, this time a little more mischievously. "Well, for one, I did have my wave-sensing ability. For another…" She looked off into the distance, almost wistful. Uo seldom saw this look on Hana, mostly because of her living up to her reputation as the 'Ice Queen' that only Tohru and a certain Shishou would be excused from. "It seemed to me that he has held back and kept it to himself by not thinking about it. Most probably to give way to Sohma Kyo. If you ask me, he was more of a man than just a kid who was only a year younger than us."
"That's high praise, coming from you." Uo observed, crossing her arms. "Would you trust him with Tohru?"
"Anybody who has backed off because he had wanted her happiness all along would deserve some form of credit." Hana looked up to the quickly darkening sky, looking more serious than usual. "If I may say so, Sohma Momiji has pleasant waves. Lighter than that of Shigure, Kyo and Yuki Sohma's even. Dark waves seemed to be a normal characteristic of that family. His has also some form of darkness in it, but more than once, I had felt him fighting it. He has won, every single time I sensed it from him."
Uo was quiet at first, trying to digest this information her wave expert friend had just fed her, before eventually sighing and rubbing her head. "I can understand you not telling Tohru, but you didn't tell me either. Sometimes I really think you enjoy your power a little too much."
Hana shrugged. "I had been planning to. I guess with us busy as the graduating batch that year, I kind of forgot."
Uo glared at her, then eventually gave up, throwing her hands up in the air. "And it probably wouldn't have made a difference even if you did. We'll just both be burdened by the knowledge that someone gave up on his feelings to allow her to be happy. I have to say, blondie's mental and emotional strength is amazing; given Tohru wasn't exactly aware of the people around her back then."
"Indeed she wasn't." Hana agreed, a fond smile lingering on her lips. "She has grown up now though. She's learned to want to do something for herself and not just focus being there for the people around her. I wager the friend who reminded her it would be okay to be selfish once in a while would be none other than Momiji-kun."
"You think they've talked?"
"Most probably. When she came to see us today she's glowed more than she ever has the past years. Only an honest, good talk with a person you trust can do that."
Uo was disappointed, if a little. "We're her friends too though."
Hana reached out and patted Uo's back. "Of course. But it just shows she needed someone other than us to remind her of what was really best for her. You and I are just too overprotective of her, and we do tend to be very subjective."
Uo had to agree, admitting to herself that even when she did not know the complete story behind Tohru and Carrots' failed relationship, she had still sided with Tohru a hundred percent. She was going to have to learn how to be more objective. Both she and Hana, for that matter.
"So… now what? We do nothing?"
"Why, yes. We sit back and watch." Hana was looking forward to seeing the development between the two in the coming days. She had a feeling it wouldn't take them long to wait.
"Tohru is slow though." Uo hedged, which made Hana grin – almost scarily – that she found herself almost nervous for Tohru.
"She can be slow. But if I know Sohma Momiji, he is not a coward. He will act, maybe even sooner than you think. Like tonight."
Uo's eyes widened in surprise. "Sometimes I think you deserve a career as a soothsayer. The way you talk just gives people the idea that you can see the future."
Hana merely smiled, before proceeding to walk once more.
But if there was anything Uo had learned over the past years, it would be that Hanajima Saki was never wrong. If it will happen, it will happen. Yep, she stands by her opinion – her friend should just make a career out of being a psychic.
Thank you for reading. I really hope I get to know more of what you lovely people think. Who knows, I may upload another chapter within the next few days. *wink wink*
See you next chapter!
Love,
Michiko