Brand New Beginning - Part 2 "When Love and Hate Collides"
By: Matsu
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There are a couple of Japanese words that I have used, and I'm sure a lot of you would
know and are familiar the terminology =) - but I have translated it anyway just in case.
* Hai, moshi moshi? - yes, hello?
* Bento - japanese-style lunch in a box (lots of side dishes)
* Sugoi! - wow! fantastic!
* Senpai - this is really hard to explain since we don't really
use it in our
Western culture. It's more like politeness and respect for a
fellow student
who is older than you and in a higher class.
* Kirei! - Beautiful!
* Gaijin - foreigner
* Kakkoi - Cool, good-looking
*Shabu-Shabu - A Japanese 'Hot Pot' or 'Steam Boat'.
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********
Makino Tsukushi felt tired as she and James Morgan stood outside
waiting in the courtyard. She had been hoping that they
would run into some of her old high school friends but they
have already been walking around campus for around an hour
and yet they still haven't met any familiar faces.
"Hey, are you all right?" A husky voice broke Makino's
thoughts. She looked up and saw James glancing down, his
eyes questioning hers.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, giving him a re-assuring
smile.
James gave her a teasing grin in return, "You know what
Makino? " he asked, pulling her into a bear hug, "You
look so cute when you're worried."
Makino made a face and gave him a playful push. "Who says I'm
worried anyway?" she said defensively, her eyes avoiding his.
When James didn't answer, Makino looked up and saw his semi-serious
expression. "Look," she began, her face softening,
"I just miss my friends - I guess more than I thought."
James pulled her closer and nodded, "I know." He
flashed her a bright smile, "How about we go back and check
out the other side of campus? They may be there."
Makino shook her head, "It's lunch time now - so they should
be around here somewhere."
She scanned the courtyard slowly - seeing a blur of unfamiliar faces. In front of her, sat a big table of students who were blocking most of her view.
Makino suddenly felt a wave of uneasiness wash over her. It
was almost if someone was staring at them. She looked around
again and almost like in slow motion - her eyes locked with
someone else from across the courtyard.
There was something familiar about those dark set of eyes. So
utterly familiar. Could it be? Makino thought, feeling her
mouth becoming dry and her head spinning, Is it him?
"Makino, are you sure you're all right?" James gently
placed an arm around her shoulders, "You look like you've
seen a ghost." He looked down at her, this time his
eyes were worried and somewhat skeptical.
Makino nodded, finding it hard to swallow. "Yeah, I'm fine.
Really. I am." Her voice was shaking, betraying her emotions.
She looked back and almost on cue, the big crowd in front
of her slowly parted - giving Makino a full, clear view of
the courtyard. Makino gasped as her eyes confirmed what she had
feared.
Standing ahead, facing her, was Doumyouji Tsukasa.
They stood there, just staring at each other. His eyes
betrayed nothing but Makino could sense that
he was just as surprised as her. Makino could feel everything
around them disappear.
All she could focus on was Doumyouji. It was just him and her.
Alone.
He has changed, Makino thought, feeling tears welling up in his
eyes, He has grown up so much.
Doumyouji had become more handsome and manly since the last time she saw him. Makino was fighting the urge to run into his arms and cry on his shoulder. She never admitted to herself how much she missed him until now. But when Makino looked up at him again - Doumyouji had an unreadable expression in his eyes.
Was it shock? Was it fear? Was it hate?
"TSUKUSHI-CHANNNNNN!!!" A loud childish voice shook
Makino out of her daze.
She looked away from Doumyouji and saw Kazuya and Sakurako
rushing frantically towards her.
"Makino-senpai!" Sakurako greeted warmly, giving her a
hug.
Kazuya looked like he was about to cry. "It's really you! You're really back."
Makino gave them both a big smile. She was so happy to see them.
Sakurako looked at Makino, with a hurt expression washing over
her pretty face, "When did you leave the US?" she asked,
pouting, "You didn't even tell us you were coming back to
Japan."
Makino gave them both an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry
Sakurako-san. It was just meant to be a surprise." She
turned to look at Kazuya, who was now wiping his eyes with his
sleeve. "Are you crying Kazuya-kun?" she asked
tentatively.
Kazuya glanced up, giving her a big goofy grin, "No. I'm
just really happy Tsukushi-chan is back."
Sakurako leaned in and whispered to Makino. "Senpai, who is
that?" It was obvious Sakurako was indicating to James,
who was standing next to her.
Makino gazed up at him, "That's my friend James. We went to
the same college together in the US. He's only visiting for
a week."
Sakurako's eyes sparkled, "WahhMakino-senpai, he is so
kakkoi!" She gushed, tugging on Makino's arm.
"W-E-L-C-O-M-E T-O J-A-P-A-N." Kazuya drawled, flailing
his arms ridiculously in the air - in an obvious attempt to
convey his message.
James had an amusing smile on his lips, "Arigatou," he
replied, looking from Kazuya to Sakurako, "You must be
Makino's high school friends. I've heard so much about you."
He added politely, not a falter in his Japanese.
Kazuya and Sakurako exchanged surprised glances, their mouths
gaping in obvious shock. "Wow! You know Japanese!!"
Kazuya exclaimed, his eyes widening.
James nodded, "Well, I've lived here for a couple of years
anyway. Due to my dad's job transfer."
As the two boys chatted happily with each other, Makino noticed
that Sakurako was looking around uncomfortably and then
turned to whisper something in Kazuya's ear.
Immediately, Kazuya's eyes lit up and without any warning
grabbed Makino's wrist and pulled her along with him.
"Where are you taking me?!" Makino cried, finding it
hard to keep up with Kazuya's running.
"You'll see! I'm sure this person will be glad to see you!"
He answered happily.
Oh no, Makino begged mentally, Please don't let it be! But before she
could protest, Makino felt her legs give way and she fell flat on
the ground.
"Owwww." She cried out aloud as she made
contact with the grass.
"Tsukushi-chan!" Kazuya rushed towards her, "Are
you all right?" He asked worriedly.
Makino rubbed her elbows, her face contorted with pain.
James and Sakurako had caught up on them and was trying
to help her up. Makino tried hard not to wince. She opened
her eyes and saw someone standing right in front of her.
Makino's eyes raked the length of the person's body until she
reached the face.
"D-Doumyouji," she stammered, her body frozen with
surprise and fear.
He looked at her - his face expressionless.
"Doumyouji.san.." She repeated again awkwardly,
her voice cracking.
Doumyouji-san, Makino thought sadly, I've never called him that before .
The words sounded so foreign to her. It seemed so formal. Sodistant.
As they stood there, staring at each other, silence filled the air.
This is not good, Makino thought, feeling her palms sweat
up. She could almost feel the tension mounting as they faced
each other.
"I'm Tomoko Hideaki," a soft voice finally spoke up.
Makino looked across and saw a petite brunette stepping
out from behind Doumyouji. She was pretty
- in a icy kind of way. The girl had long brown hair, skin as
pale as ivory and a big set of watery-brown eyes. She looked
so little. So fragile.
Tomoko came up next to Doumyouji and put her arm through his.
She rested her head against his chest and looked up at
Makino in the corner of her eye, "And I'm Doumyouji's
girlfriend," she added firmly, shooting Makino such an
intense gaze that Makino was taken aback.
Doumyouji has a girlfriend? Makino thought, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Sure, Makino knew that Doumyouji has always been popular with the girls - but she hadn't expected to come back and find a girl practically hanging off his arm.
But what did you expect? A harsh voice inside her said, That
he would wait for you? That he would still love you after
what you did?
James stepped up as if on cue, "I'm James," he replied,
placing an arm casually around her, "And I'm Makino's
boyfriend." Makino saw that Tomoko had visibly relaxed
a little, but now Doumyouji turned his attention to James -
his eyes practically shooting daggers. Makino glanced nervously around,
feeling helpless and nervous at the same time. This was
definitely
not a Kodak moment.
Again, an awkward silence filled the air.
"Uhhhmaybe we should have some lunch now."
Sakurako suggested, a bit over-enthusiastically. She smiled at
everyone apprehensively- obviously feeling the tension among the
group.
Makino and James sat down. She gave Sakurako a grateful smile.
Doumyouji, however was still standing - his jaw set in
determination. Tomoko looked up and ushered softly for him
to sit down and amazingly he did.
"Uh..Kazuya-kun. Where is everyone else?" Makino asked,
trying to set her mind on something else other than
Doumyouji and his girlfriend.
"Well, Akira and Soujirou-kun are not here. They hardly are
anyway. And as for Yuki-chan and Makiko-chan. I have no idea,"
Kazuya took a big bite out of his sandwich and smiled up at
Makino, "Oh did you know Yuki-chan and Soujirou-kun are
going out?"
Makino shook her head slowly. She always knew her good friend
Yuki had a crush on Soujirou but she was surprised they were
actually going out now. She turned to Sakurako, who was eating
her bento quietly, "Where is Shigeru these days? I haven't
seen her in ages." Makino asked.
Sakurako looked up, "Shigeru-san was so inspired by you
study abroad that she decided to go to France to study. I think
she is staying with Rui and Shizuka-san."
Makino gave Sakurako a smile, but felt uneasy. She knew that
Doumyouji still had his eyes on her.
"DOUMYOUJI-SAN!! TOMOKO SENPAI!!"
Everyone on the table turned to see Asai, Yamano and
Ayuhara rushing towards them.
"Did you hear about the annual Hanami dance?" Yamano
asked, her trademark high-pitched voice ringing throughout the
courtyard.
"You have to come, Doumyouji-san! You too, Tomoko-senpai."
Asai added, totally ignoring everyone else on the table.
Makino rolled her eyes. It was nice to see Asai and her friends
haven't changed a bit since high school.
Ayuhara turned and saw James. "Wah! Kakkoi gaijin boy!"
she exclaimed, pulling Asai and Yamano next to her.
"So, what's this Hanami dance?" James asked, smiling up
at them.
"Sugoi! You know Japanese too! That's soo cool!" They
gushed. Asai handed him a poster, "It's in two days time.
Promise us you'll come!" She gave him a flirty
smile.
James nodded, "Yeah. But I have to see whether my girlfriend
wants to go first."
The smiles on the girls faces immediately disappeared. They
looked behind James and saw Makino sitting next to him.
"You!?!" Ayuhara hissed, narrowing her eyes. "Makino
Tsukushi?!!" Asai cried, her voice full of disbelief. James
glanced up and gave them a weird look.
"Of course Makino-chan has to come," Asai recovered
quickly, saving face, "We didn't know you came back."
She shot Makino a saccharine smile - through clenched teeth.
Sakurako leaned across the table and whispered to Makino, "Those
boyfriend hunters!" she wrinkled her nose distastefully
and Makino laughed out aloud.
But as she looked up, she saw the Doumyouji was still staring at
her. His face showed no emotion what-so-ever but Makino
could tell he couldn't stand being here any longer.
Doumyouji stood up.
Tomoko looked up surprised and asked him, "What are
you doing Doumyouji?" She rested a hand on his arm -
but he shook it away.
"Why do you ask so many questions?" He snapped at her.
Everyone around the table stopped talking and all looked at Doumyouji. Tomoko sat there, looking like she had just been slapped.
"Why don't all of you just mind your own business and leave me alone."
With that, Doumyouji shot once last glance at Makino before
walking away angrily. Makino saw that Tomoko was visibly shaken
by Doumyouji's abrupt outburst. But all Makino could do was stare
at Doumyouji's back as he walked away into the building.
What have I done? Makino thought, feeling like a needle had just
pierced through her heart, It's all my fault.
**************
When Makino went back to her apartment that afternoon, the
phone rang.
"Hai, moshi moshi?"
"Tsukushi!" The bright familiar voice greeted her.
"Ehh?! Yuki!" Makino felt her lips curve up into a big
smile.
"So it's true! You're back!"
"Hai. I just came back this morning!"
Yuki tsk-ed tsk-ed, "You are so cheeky Tsukushi! I had to
hear from Kazuya that you came back! You didn't even tell us!"
"Gomen, Yuki. It was meant to be a surprise."
"OhI see." There was a short pause, "I also
heard that you have a really cute boyfriend."
"Don't tell me Kazuya-kun told you that as well?"
Makino asked, feeling kind of annoyed at Kazuya.
Yuki laughed, "No. Sakurako-san told me."
"Oh."
Yuki hesitated before she spoke, "So I guessyou saw
Doumyouji right?"
Makino could feel her heart jump when she heard his name, "Hai."
"Tsukushi," Yuki began, her voice soft, "I guess
you must be pretty angry at me and Makiko for not telling
you he had a girlfriend right?"
Makino shook her head, even though she knew Yuki could not see
the gesture,"No. Of course not Yuki!" She replied
sincerely.Sure, Makino was surprised when she had first
found out, but she wasn't angry at her friends for not
telling her.
"Makiko-chan and I wanted to tell you at first. We did.
Really. It's just that from your letters, you sounded so
happy there. Like you were finally getting on with your life.
We didn't want to ruin that for you." Yuki's sniffled,
her voice full of emotion.
Makino felt touched at both of her friends consideration. They
cared so much about her that they didn't want to hurt her at
all.
"It's all right, Yuki. You guys are my friends. Nothing is
ever going to change that."
"Listen, Tsukushi. If you ever want to talk about any
problems, I will always be here for you okay?"
Makino smiled, feeling so caught up in the moment, "Of
course. Arigatou."
There was a short pause before Yuki spoke up again, "Hey,
Tsukushi."
There was a hint of a mischievous tone in Yuki's voice.
"Hai?"
"Can you open your front door for a sec?"
Makino looked at the door, a skeptical look crossing her face.
"Why?" she asked Yuki slowly.
"Just do it. Trust me."
Makino stood up and walked towards the door. She took a deep
breath before swinging the door open.
"SURPRISE!"
Makino jumped a couple of steps back. In front of her, stood Akira,
Soujirou, Sakurako, Kazuya, Makiko and Yuki.
"We decided to come over," Yuki said, lifting up the
bag of groceries in her hands. She returned the cell phone back
to Soujirou, "Nothing more like a Shabu-Shabu welcome back
dinner."
Makino broke into a big grin. Everyone was here!
Akira and Soujirou both pulled on Makino's pigtails. "You
could at least invite us in you know." Akira said,
pulling a face.
Makino laughed and stepped back, "Gomen. Everyone come in."
As Soujirou walked in, he picked up a picture frame of James and
Makino on the nearby table.
"Wah! Kawaii!" He gushed, with a high pitched voice.
Makino shook her head, "No..I look really distorted there."
She replied.
Soujirou looked at Makino with his hands pressed together and his
eye-lashes battering dreamily, "I wasn't talking about
you, silly. I was talking about the guy."
Makino scowled.
Akira and Soujirou exchanged glances and bursted out laughing.
Makino picked up a cushion from nearby and threw it at the two
boys. She stuck her tongue out at them - but deep inside she was
happy to be back. She had really missed those two.
As everyone began preparing for dinner, Yuki walked up to Makino
- who was setting the bowls out onto the table. "Hey,
are you going to the Hanami dance?" Yuki asked her.
Makino shrugged. "James wants to go. But I don't know."
Yuki smiled, "Come on. It'll be fun!"
Makino looked across at Yuki, "Who are you taking
anyway?" She asked innocently.
"Well, Soujirou-san kind of asked me to go." Yuki
looked away and began to blush.
Makino gave her friend a teasing smile, "I didn't know you
guys were going out."
Yuki shook her head quickly, "We're not. Well..not really."
Makino looked at her friend - unable to keep the amused expression off her face. It was very rare to see Yuki this shy and embarrassed.
Yuki coughed, "Anyway, everyone else will be going."
She replied softly, trying to change the subject.
Everyone, Makino thought, feeling her heart race as the word
reverberated through her head, That means Doumyouji will be
there also. Makino couldn't tell whether what she was
feeling now was anticipation or fear.
"Besides," Yuki began, placing napkins on the table,
"My sister volunteered to give us a make over. And she
said you can borrow her dresses if you'd like, since she's
got heaps of them lying around."
Makino turned around, hoping Yuki didn't see her wince. She liked
Yuki's sister and all - but her makeovers were usually too
outrageous. Makino felt uncomfortable walking around in
those skimpy outfits Yuki's sister usually picked out for
them.
"She promised me she will tone down on everything,"
Yuki added, almost like she read Makino's thoughts, "Besides,
she knows its a ball."
Makino turned around.
Yuki looked across at her, raising an eyebrow,
"So how about it Tsukushi?" She asked.
Makino thought for a moment before breaking into a smile, "Count
me in," she replied.
(TO BE CONTINUED)