Hello everyone! Yes, I'm alive. I hope everyone had a good holiday break. It feels too short and like it went by too fast, dang it. As a result, my writing had been on the back burner for a while due to all the preparations – both for home and the company I am working for.
So I had finally gotten around to writing this chapter. I cannot believe I am at the last one, to be honest. I started writing this fic by the third quarter of 2020, when I had just finished the second season of Furuba, but hadn't gotten around to continuing it due to having no motivation. Who knew that watching the third season would make me continue, and it was because of Momiji. I felt that he deserved a happy ending himself. Everyone in the Sohma clan had sad stories, but his was something that hurt me the most. That was the whole driving force behind this fic. In order to make sure I would be able to commit to finishing this, I wrote the prologue up until the third chapter before posting it online, but as you can see, I was eventually caught up in work to finish in time.
The music I referenced here, for music lovers, would be Rossini's Overture to William Tell, Sarasate's Carmen Concert Fantasy Op. 25 (I highly recommend this one, do listen to it if you have time) and Mozart's Symphony No. 40.
On to the chapter then. You guys rock!
The Violin Times: The Eastern Prince's final night in New York
By Ryan Dare
Last weekend saw the final performance of Japanese violinist Henry in New York, ending his stint as the guest soloist of the prestigious New York Phil for this season. It can be recalled that after a year of touring Europe, he had returned briefly to Japan for a break and had performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, after which he had received the invitation to join the New York Phil as a guest soloist. He had confessed to me later that he had originally planned to turn down the invitation due to personal reasons, but later (luckily for us) changed his mind after being given the resounding support and the push he had guessed he had needed at the time and eventually accepted the offer.
He bid goodbye to his American audience by opening the program with Rossini's Overture to William Tell, before displaying his technical mastery and skill which had earned him the admiration of many for a young age when he joined the orchestra for Pablo de Sarasate's Carmen Concert Fantasy, Op. 25. True to form, Henry, whose alma mater includes the Conservatoire de Paris, proved once more why he was indeed one of the best violinists of his generation, negotiating fast passages flawlessly and effortlessly, displaying superior technique which the piece demands from the soloist. He returned after the intermission for the final part, accompanying conductor and orchestra to Mozart's Symphony No. 40.
It was clear to all that Henry, the Prince of the Violin and Niccolo Paganini of the East, as many currently calls him, had conversed with us thru his music – and there is no sign of his American audience tiring of him for a long time to come.
Tohru's heart was hammering in her ribcage, as she sat with nervous anticipation and excitement at the back of the limousine she was currently in. She was clutching the bouquet of flowers on her lap, before releasing them with a start when she realized she was clutching at them with a death grip. She mentally apologized to them as she smoothed the flowers out, before noticing the envelope she had placed beside her when she first rode the limousine.
She picked it up with fingers trembling as she read the contents once more.
Come to this place. There is a driver waiting for you out front, he will take you there.
It was simple and very, very mysterious. Tohru didn't want to hope, but who else would send for her? After Ricchan confirmed himself that it wasn't something dangerous by conversing with the driver in low tones, he let her go, smiling at her and wishing her luck, which only made her even more agitated. It seemed Ricchan already had an idea of what was supposed to happen after sending her off.
She wished she knew what would happen. It was kinda unfair that she would be the last one to know.
Feeling her throat to be incredibly dry, she finally decided to grab a bottle of water from the mini bar inside the limo – the only thing she had dared to touch inside – wanting to calm herself down. She needed to be able to collect herself before facing the person who had sent for her, not wanting to make a complete mess of herself in front of whoever it is.
Eventually they entered what looked like a private villa of sorts, the long narrow road lined with oak trees leading to a beautiful all-white mini-palace of sorts. In spite of her nerves, she couldn't help but appreciate its beauty from a distance. It wasn't everyday that she got to see such a beautiful structure in Tokyo… if this is still Tokyo, which she thinks it is.
It seemed that it wasn't her destination though, seeing as the limo had continued right past the grand ornate doors which she took to be the main entrance, turning left and continuing down the gravel path. Her breath caught in her throat, as she saw the limo approaching a lit gazebo.
The driver then stopped, informing her that they had already arrived at her destination. Her heart pounded even more in her chest, seeming like it wanted to jump right out of it. The driver opened the door for her, and she got out, nearly tripping over her feet but managing to catch herself just in time. Tohru! This is not the time to be clumsy! She chastised herself, incredibly embarrassed of her actions. She stood, clutching the bouquet and the envelope, at the steps leading to the gazebo, starting to be in awe of the sight which met her eyes. There were flowers everywhere which she noticed to be mainly composed of roses, camellias and tulips, which if she thought about it more she would have already realized were the flowers she had received the past months. She started walking up the steps to the gazebo, looking around her – fairy lights were hung in strings around it, white and red ribbons tied to the posts, which gave the place a certain glow and ethereal feel. A table for two lit with candles sat in the middle, the cutleries reflecting the lights around them.
"It's beautiful." She murmured to herself, wanting to fish out her phone from her purse and take a photo of it. She seldom takes pictures, but she figured that this place is certainly picture-worthy.
"I don't know. The lady standing in front of me is still more beautiful." A voice said behind her, a deep, rich bass. One which she would recognize even if she was asleep, the voice she had been longing to hear beside her during the last nine months.
She whirled around, dropping the bouquet to her feet anyhow as her hands flew to her mouth, tears inevitably forming in her eyes. Behind her stood Momiji, clutching a lone, long-stemmed rose in his hand. She blinked several times, wanting to ensure she wasn't imagining him. He didn't disappear after her several blinks.
"Tohru, Princess," he began, a small smile on his lips. "It is me. I've missed you."
Her feet moved of her own accord, as if unwilling to be apart from him anymore than she has to be now that he was standing in front of her. As she closed the distance between the two of them, Momiji caught her hand which had lifted of its own accord as she reached towards his face, kissing her fingertips one by one before eventually meeting her lips with his as his arms wound around her waist. Their lips moved in unison against each other's, reaffirming the strength of their feelings which had only grown over time that they weren't by each other's side.
"I've missed you." Tohru murmured, still feeling light-headed, tears falling to her cheeks in between kisses with him, as she cradled his face in her hands, still quite unable to believe that he really was in front of her and that he wasn't some beautiful dream that she is having. "I've missed you. Oh kami, I've missed you so much."
The blond let go of her for a bit, looking her into her eyes as he wiped her tears with his fingers, dropping kisses on her hair and her forehead. "I've missed you too. So much. If you only knew, Tohru." He sighed, feeling his own hands trembling, both with nerves and relief. He had enjoyed his time in New York, but without her there, it still felt incomplete, in spite of the move being good for his career. It's just not worth it, in his opinion. "But I'm here now. I'm not going away again. At least, not with you beside me." He promised, smiling, holding the long-stemmed rose for her again. "I know you said you're running out of vases to place this into, so it's just the one this time."
Tohru laughed in spite of her tears as she accepted the flower and kissed him on the lips to convey her thanks. They stayed that way for a bit, lips interlocked once more, relishing the feeling of having each other in each other's arms again.
She eventually opened her eyes to look into his topaz ones, which were shining brilliantly under the warm glow of the lights. "So is this the reason why my flowers stopped coming and you stopped calling me for the past week?" She asked, almost cheeky and playful.
Momiji chuckled. "Well, I wanted to surprise you." So saying, he gestured towards the table. "I'm famished. Let's eat. I've still got some other surprises in store for you, Princess, and I don't want to you to have an empty stomach for it."
She agreed, butterflies stirring inside her stomach once more at the thought of the other surprises, as they both turned and she hurriedly picked up the bouquet she had dropped when she was startled earlier. Just what would be those anyway?
He sat her down first, helping her settle on her own seat before proceeding to sit down on his. The waiters started serving food, and they started talking about how the past week went, catching up with all of the activities which had gone down for both of them, even all the while she was wondering what the other surprises were.
"You can still make it to Uo-chan's wedding!" She pointed out happily upon realizing the fact that he had come home a few days before Uo and Kureno's day to tie the knot.
"Oh yes. It means I can escort you by that day." He looked thoughtful. "Kureno is aware that I am coming home, so he's still expecting me to be there."
She nodded, as their conversation flowed to other topics. They laughed, continued sharing stories here and there, and in one particular moment, Momiji thanked her for wearing both necklace and the promise ring he had left for her. She blushed, but was happy to see him pleased that she was wearing it. There just wasn't a day that she hadn't thought of him as she wore them, keeping it in her mind that he was thinking of her just as she thought of him even during the days that he hadn't been in contact with her.
When the dessert was finished (panna cotta, something both of them made it a point to finish, with Tohru immediately noting to herself to get the recipe so that she could make it for Momiji), and the plates were cleared leaving only the flowers, the blond smiled at her, before bending down and seeming to pull something out from under his side of the table. He eventually lifted whatever it was to her line of sight upon which her eyes widened when she realized that it was his violin.
"I promised you a private concert. I am happy to report that tonight is the night that I am performing just for you." He announced to her with relish, and Tohru, misty-eyed with anticipation, clapped as he stood up and bowed to her, making her laugh as he began tuning.
Once he was done, his first song was her favorite of course – When You Wish Upon a Star. No matter how many times she had heard it played by him, the experience is always like she was hearing it for the first time and this time felt extra special since she really is the solo audience, not someone who just had the fortune of catching him practicing in person. She looked on as he played wonderfully, thankful and unbelievably humbled with this experience.
She truly felt that she is the luckiest woman in the world. How many women would have such a caring man as their boyfriend, one who knows how to listen to her and allow her to talk and even support her in whatever she wanted to do? Who cared enough to tell her what was going on and he was planning before making a final decision on things… not to mention, who happened to be a world-class violinist?
Tohru looked on, feeling herself settle on cloud nine which was no doubt due to this gorgeous man who had wanted nothing but her happiness this entire time.
She clapped just as the song ended and she had just snapped a photo of him, and he straightened up, bowing to her, making her giggle.
He raised an index finger to her, signaling to her that he had one more song for her. Curious, she nodded wordlessly, wanting to treat this as a real concert as she straightened up once more in her seat.
He started tuning once more, and when he felt that he was on the right note, he winked at Tohru and started playing.
Her eyes widened when she realized what song it was that he had wanted to play for her. To add to the surprise, he started singing along, which made her heart do a somersault – she had only heard him sing once and that time he had been very young and childish and they were in separate spring baths – but to hear him do so now, smiling but not in the least bit joking, she felt her heart leapt. His bass voice went beautifully well with his violin, and she found herself falling harder for the blond as he continued pouring his heart out to her thru the song.
I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
Tears formed in her eyes. She knew the song well – it was from a movie he had introduced to her once when they had one of their movie nights the night before his departure. She had loved the song the main actor had sang, mentioning that she would prefer it to be their song one day. He had seriously considered it, before he then declared to her that it would be one of their songs – one of their special ones at least.
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed when you've had too much to cook
Oh, I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you
She giggled as she wiped some of her tears. It did not escape her notice that he changed a bit of the words – from drink to cook. Probably because she seldom drinks and she was more into cooking of course, which was definitely the more tiring task of the two. As soon as he had finished, she clapped once more as he bowed to her yet again.
Momiji approached her to her seat, as he placed his violin on the table beside her. She was about to stand up to give him a hug in gratitude, but he stopped her with a question as he walked and stood in front of her again. "Princess, I've been meaning to ask you something."
Tohru was confused. All the smile he had been sporting earlier was gone, only replaced with seriousness, and the sudden shift of the mood made her nervous. What brought on this change in the atmosphere anyway?
He leaned over to her, taking her left hand. She couldn't keep her eyes off him, something with the way he looked at her at the moment made her feel as if she was hypnotized. She didn't mind, certainly – having to look into his eyes was something she never minded doing in the first place.
"Tohru, I've loved you for a long time." He began, looking nervous but resolute. "And though it was just last year that you and I have been together, I know and I am sure, more than anything else in my life, that you are the only one for me."
So saying, Momiji dropped down onto one knee, and her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped when she finally caught on to what he was about to do.
"Princess, I am hoping that you feel the same way for me." He continued, and she couldn't help but nod silently, lifting a dainty hand to caress his face. He couldn't stop himself from closing his eyes to enjoy her touch, but he wasn't quite finished, after all, and Tohru knew that. "And there will be nothing which would make me happier than to have you wake up beside me every day and be granted the blessing of being your husband.
Honda Tohru… I want to grow old with you. To sit beside you gray-haired as we look off into the sunset surrounded by our children and grandchildren, holding your withered hands into mine is my biggest dream. Will you make my final dream come true by agreeing to marry me?"
So saying, he reached for his jacket pocket and fished out a velvet blue box, after which he opened it and revealed the beautiful ring nestled inside. The diamond sat between two smaller ones and is pink in color, which her mom, Uo-chan and Hana-chan said is really her color and represented her perfectly.
She loved it. It was simple and yet felt elegant at the same time.
She was already deep into tears as she let him finish, feeling incredibly special and over the moon. "Yes," she breathed, nodding, which made him smile and his features relax into relief. "Yes, Momiji. I would love to see the sunset with you as we grow old together, hear our grandchildren play around with us too. Yes, I will marry you."
Momiji took the ring and lifted her left hand, slipping the ring onto her ring finger and kissing it. "Thank you."
She met his lips for a kiss as he straightened up from kneeling and pulled her up against him, glad and feeling incredibly lucky at having her say yes to him. There was no one else in the world for him but her, it was already quite clear when he had left the country the first time to give himself the chance to find happiness – only to be assailed with even more longing for her presence. At that point, he knew he was a goner.
But things did happen… and Momiji knew he was nothing but thankful for all the pain and happiness they both experienced while apart. It made them become the people they are now today, and it just led them to each other. He certainly wouldn't be complaining of having Tohru in his arms tonight. It was a gift he would make a point to never forget and never take for granted.
As they pulled apart, Tohru looked up to him, smiling and chuckling in spite of her tears. He wiped them away. "When you said you have surprises, I had not been expecting this."
"Well, that's why they're surprises." He teased even as she jokingly rolled her eyes, which made him kiss her on the forehead. "I hoped you liked my performance."
"I did. I loved it. Thank you so much for all of this, Momiji. Thank you… for asking me to marry you." She said honestly. "I feel like the luckiest girl tonight."
"That makes me the luckiest man then." He countered, and they both cringed in unison.
They shared a laugh, realizing how incredibly mushy they were both getting. "I think we're going to grow molds soon if we don't stop being too cheesy." Tohru pointed out, sharing another small laugh with him.
"Well, I can't help it. I just got the girl of my dreams say yes to me." He couldn't help but tease, even as Tohru did her best to try to hide another cringe jokingly as he let out another chuckle at her reaction. "You better get used to it, Princess. I did tell you I'm the mushy type of guy. Or probably the biggest sap you'll know." At the last statement, he looked away from her, feeling embarrassed at admitting it.
Tohru merely placed her arms around his waist as she embraced him. "I don't think that's being a sap. I'd rather be with a man who knows how to express his emotions and affection for me rather than someone who just hides it. There's nothing wrong with being expressive. I have always loved that on you." She kissed him on the cheek as she said so.
Momiji grinned at her, hearing her response as he returned her embrace. "Just putting it out there. But then again, since you said yes, I'm assuming you're well aware of how I really am."
"Of course." Tohru quipped, with a very rare, almost sassy-like attitude, before smiling gently. "Thank you for coming home to me, Momiji." She whispered, leaning on his chest.
His response was to tighten his arms around her. "You know I would always come home to you, Princess."
She looked up to him then. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd really like to enjoy the fact that I am engaged and am wearing this ring." Her sudden switch to that rare sass came back, even as she grinned at him widely as she said so.
Momiji's eyebrow raised, before he laughed again – a full, hearty one this time. "My apologies, schöne."
She lifted her hand to admire the second ring now adoring her left finger, as he leaned over and kissed her temple, both enjoying the fact that they would soon call each other husband and wife.
Uo and Kureno's wedding was beautiful, no doubt about it, and very inspiring. From the bride's walk up until she had reached her groom and the officiant had been enough to make everyone swoon, she and Hana-chan included.
The couple had decided to have a garden wedding, and had a small number of guests. The Sohma cousins were there excepting Akito, and some of the closest work colleagues of the bride and the groom including Uo's father. It was a very intimate affair, something that the bride and groom had wished it to be.
She and Hana-chan shared teary-eyed smiles as the two exchanged vows, eventually sealing them with the ever-important kiss. The crowd erupted into applause and even playful teasing calling for more, which the newly-wedded couple granted, albeit shyly for both of them making Uo slap Kureno on the arm afterwards due to her embarrassment and everyone laugh at the display. It showed how comfortable and happy she was with her groom, and Tohru is happy for her in that regard.
The reception that night is in full swing, and Momiji sat watching Tohru fondly, who was cradling Shigure and Akito's ten-month old son, Shiki, in her arms, the latter already asleep peacefully. In keeping with Akito's atonement to the family, Shigure was the only one who attended for both of them, bringing Shiki along, but they will not be able to stay until late into the night, according to the ex-dog. Tohru had immediately taken to the youngest Sohma and requested if she could hold him, which the master manipulator had no trouble granting.
"Thinking of having kids, Momicchi?" Shigure broke the silence, as they watched Tohru hum to the baby. They saw Hana and the bride approach, both smiling and cooing silently to the sleeping angel. The three women were conversing in soft tones, oblivious of the two men who were observing them on the side.
"Sure, when the time is right." Without missing a beat, he responded, looking at Shigure. "I love kids."
Shigure nodded at him approvingly. "Good to know you're confident." His dark eyes lowered to the simple silver band Momiji was now wearing on his left ring finger, and he smiled to himself.
Momiji chuckled, nodding. "I'm confident of my feelings for her. I would never second-guess her after all." He had never told Shigure nor did Shigure ask for confirmation, but it wasn't something he needed to announce – his actions towards the subject of their conversation in question spoke louder than any words necessary.
"You haven't told anyone yet that you two are already engaged, have you?"
The virtuoso shook his head. "It's Kureno's and Uo-san's week. There will be plenty of time for that later." Tohru was making it a point not to wear the ring in plain sight so as not to attract any unnecessary attention in respect of their friends.
Shigure wanted to give a teasing comeback, but he stopped himself in time. Even someone like him recognizes that there were times when one should be serious, and he simply was not in the mood to tease Momiji. There will be plenty of time for that later, if the Princess does become pregnant.
Probably. Now that they were engaged, it wouldn't probably take too long before they would be attending another Sohma wedding.
"I'm looking forward to another wedding." A new voice joined their conversation.
They both looked at the newcomer, only to see Sohma Kyo standing in front of them. Shigure raised an eyebrow, while Momiji looked more curious than surprised. The reason for that was due to the band-aid Carrot Head was sporting over what was obviously a split lip, and there were some blackened, burn-like spots on his white inner shirt, and his hair was standing on end in different directions.
Shigure snorted, but otherwise made no comment on the younger Sohma's slightly disheveled appearance. "I'm going to get another drink."
So saying, the two younger men were left as the ex-dog stood and left the table. Kyo plopped down on the other empty seat beside the blond, his eyes also on the three women now happily conversing as Tohru continued cuddling young Shiki.
"You're gonna have to put ice over that if you don't want it swelling." He told him, sipping a bit of the beer he was holding in one hand.
"I know. I'll deal with this later." Kyo half-grumbled his response, though they both knew it wasn't directed towards him and was just his normal way of talking.
Silence passed between the two of them, only broken by the chatter of the people enjoying themselves all around them.
"Aren't you… Well, don't you feel like punching me too?" Kyo asked, tone more curious than his usual gruffness.
The blond shrugged. "I don't know. Do you want me to?" he finally turned to look at the cousin he had once considered a rival, who was holding the cold glass of beer he was nursing on top of his band-aid-covered split lip. He didn't need to ask what or who, in fact, did those to him, only wondering idly when the bride and the bridesmaid found the time to corner him.
What was almost amazing was that he hasn't heard a single fuss made about it. He had to hand it to those two to be discreet at this point.
"Well, I would like to, since you did hurt the girl." Momiji answered his own question, eyes suddenly ablaze with anger, anger that looked alien on his features. It was the first time Kyo had seen it, but it was gone so quickly he wasn't really sure he had seen it at all. Momiji had always been the happy-go-lucky annoying brat in his eyes that he wasn't really sure if it was anger he had even seen. It certainly didn't fit with his cousin's good looks.
"So why didn't you?" He sounded as if he was picking a fight. Why…. Well he didn't know either, but he was really just curious as to what was stopping Momiji from laying one on him.
"Because there's no point." The ex-rabbit said bluntly and matter-of-factly, averting his gaze once more to Tohru's, whose eyes had widened upon seeing who he was talking to. She looked sort of frozen where she stood, with her friends following her line of sight and looking interested once they saw the two of them. He gave her a small nod and smiled, waving, telling her non-verbally that everything was alright. "I knew her friends would make you pay at one point. I don't see any reason to add to the ones who had wanted to collect payment from you. Not to mention, Tohru wouldn't like it if I did punch you."
"I don't see you telling her that."
"I would. She did tell me you've gone to see her. We're not really into keeping things from each other."
Kyo stared at him. The annoying kid had grown up, indeed. "Momiji – "
He held up a hand, cutting him off. "Don't. What's done is done. For what it's worth, you did what you could for Tohru, I understand that much. It just wasn't enough. Just know that she's happy now and has moved on from all that pain." He gave him a small, unexpected smile. "Try to forgive yourself, Kyo. You can be happy too."
Kyo returned the smile, before snorting, surprising him at the pain which accompanied it due to his split lip that he winced. "I know. I don't need to hear that from you, brat."
Momiji raised an eyebrow, but chuckled afterwards. "Careful, Carrot Head. I might just change my mind and decide to swing one on you right now, Tohru watching be damned."
Kyo gave another snort. "As if you would. You're far too refined to pick a fight yourself. Not to mention, I have my training."
Realizing the way their conversation was starting to sound, they both gave a quiet chuckle. They weren't friends, but they were still cousins once bound by one curse. There is an understanding forged between the two of them.
"I told Tohru this, and I mean it. I wish you both happiness." The ex-cat said seriously, and Momiji nodded.
"Thank you. I wish you the same happiness, Kyo."
From afar, Tohru merely watched fondly as she rocked baby Shiki gently. While it had felt awkward at first, she was glad that the two Sohmas seemed to have reached some kind of understanding, as evidenced by a toast they had just shared.
And she smiled.
Now just the epilogue. That one is yet to be written, but it'll probably be short. At least I think it will be.
I won't say goodbye for now. See you!
Love lots,
Michiko