Brand New Beginning - Part 3 "A Night to Remember"
By: Matsu
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* Hanami - The annual blossom viewing festival that happens in
April in Japan
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"KIREI!!!" Makino looked at herself in the long mirror
in front of her. Her sapphire blue dress sashayed gracefully
as she did a little twirl.
"You look so adorable!" Yuki's sister exclaimed, "You
can thank me later," she added, giving Makino a wink.
Makino smiled, looking admiringly at her whole attire. Yuki's
sister really did do a good job on them.
"Don't you think I look like an eggplant?" Yuki
commented, as she walked up to stand next to Makino. She looked
at her delicate purple mesh-dress and wrinkled her nose as she
stared into the mirror. Makino glanced at her friend. Yuki looked
really good. Her hair was all crimped nicely and the dress was
simply
beautiful.
"You look great, Yuki." Makino replied genuinely.
"You think? Oh I hope Soujirou-san likes it." Yuki said,
staring into the mirror
worriedly.
Makino gave her friend a reassuring hug, "Trust me - he
definitely will."
Yuki turned and gave Makino a grateful smile, "Thanks,
Tsukushi. You look fantastic too. I bet all the guys will be
asking you to dance."
Makino shook her head. That was very highly unlikely. She knew
that Yuki was just saying it to be nice. Still, even if that were
the case, Makino knew that deep down, all but one will ask.
*************
NEXT SCENE: ANNUAL HANAMI DANCE - Eitoku University Ballroom.
Tomoko looked around the ballroom. It was decorated beautifully
with paper flowers - strung around the walls in all sorts
of different shapes and colours.
The dance committee did a good job, she thought, even though it did consist of Asai and her sidekicks.
She looked across at Doumyouji who, as usual, looked
absolutely gorgeous. He had straightened his hair and
looked so handsome in the black Armani suit. She was glad that he
decided to come. Doumyouji had been reluctant at first but
finally he gave into her charms.
As they descended the grand staircase, Tomoko could feel that all
the girls were eyeing them. Tomoko smiled and held onto
Doumyouji tighter. She thrived on making grand entrances.
Especially with such a cute boyfriend by her side. She
noticed how all the girls were eyeing Doumyouji admiringly and
then looking at Tomoko enviously.
Too bad, Tomoko thought, almost feeling sorry for those
pathetic boyfriend-hunting girls, Might as well make the
most of it.
She looked up at Doumyouji and whispered to him softly, "Let's
dance."
Doumyouji glanced down at her and looked like he was about to say
something - but instead he muttered, "All right."
Tomoko led Doumyouji onto the dance floor and put her arms gently
around his neck. She held him tight - feeling his strong chest
against her.
This is the way it's meant to be, Tomoko thought happily
as she closed her eyes, swaying gently to the
romantic ballad, Just me and Doumyouji. Alone. Together.
**********
Doumyouji felt trapped as he danced with Tomoko. She had
basically latched herself onto him - holding him so close
that he felt like suffocating. Doumyouji wanted to say something
but when he saw how peaceful and calm her
face was leaning against him - he kept his mouth shut.
Doumyouji looked around the dance-floor, seeing the other
couples dancing closely with each other, looking like they
were actually enjoying themselves.
What a joke, he thought exasperatingly. He hated to admit it -
but he knew that deep down he was hoping to see Makino here. It
irritated him immensely how after all that's happened - a part of
him still yearned for Makino Tsukushi. It was
impossible for him to forget her.
But you're with Tomoko, he thought firmly, pressing his cheek
against her hair and catching the flowery-scent of her shampoo,
She wasn't the one that abandoned you. Forget about Makino. Let
it go.But somehow, Doumyouji Tsukasa was finding it
excruciatingly hard to do so.
***********
Makino and James walked down steps of the grand staircase - hand
in hand. She didn't know there would be so much people here
at the dance tonight. Yuki and Soujirou were behind them -
chatting away happily.
"Want to dance?" James asked, leaning in. Makino shook
her head, she didn't feel like dancing yet.
"How about we first find a table and then-.." before
Makino could finished the sentence, Asai, Yamano and Ayuhara
stepped out in front of them at the foot of the stairs, blocking
their way.
"You came!" Yamano exclaimed, smiling at James.
Asai and Ayuhara turned to look at Makino. "Nice dress,
Makino-chan." They commented sweetly, plastering on a
smile.
Makino frowned angrily. She knew that they didn't mean it at
all. She could even hear the sarcastic tone in their voices.
Yamano placed a hand on James' arm. "Want to dance?"
she asked.
James shrugged and looked at Makino, "Do you mind?" he
asked gently. But before Makino could even answer, Yamano gave
her a quick hug and beamed, "You're just sooo nice to us,
Makino-chan!"
Makino could feel her blood boiling as she watched Asai and Co.
dragging James onto the dance floor. She turned around - to
find that both Yuki and Soujirou were nowhere in sight.
Akira had also disappeared with the University's 26 year-old
new library assistant. Makino felt pathetic as she stood at
the foot of the stairs all by herself. She never felt so
miserable
in her life.or so alone.
************
They were dancing perfectly fine - until Tomoko felt Doumyouji's body suddenly tense up. She opened her eyes and glanced up and him. She followed his gaze and realized who he was staring at.
It was Makino Tsukushi.
Tomoko narrowed her eyes at the girl. Trust her to ruin my perfect moment, She thought, feeling absolutely annoyed.
She noticed that James was dancing nearby with Asai and her
friends. Tomoko glanced over at Makino again. She had walked over
to an empty table and sat down -pretending as if she was
perfectly fine, but Tomoko knew that Makino was trying hard not
to look visibly shaken by the sight of Doumyouji and Tomoko
dancing together.
Tomoko looked up at Doumyouji and pulled him closer as she gave
him a gentle kiss. He didn't respond at first but then
finally gave in and kissed her back. Tomoko smiled to
herself. She wasn't about to let a girl walk in and ruin her
relationship with Doumyouji. She wasn't about to give him up without
a fight.
And besides, Tomoko thought, mentally congratulating herself,
Looks like you've already won before the battle even started.
**************
Makino felt like her heart was being crushed into a million
pieces as she saw Tomoko reaching up and kissing Doumyouji.
She knew that they weren't together anymore but she never
knew how much it would hurt seeing him kiss another girl.
Makino felt the room spinning and that she couldn't breathe properly.
She knew that she couldn't stay here anymore and that she had to
get out of there. Makino stood up and blindly made her way
towards the exit into the courtyard - crashing into some
people who in return gave her puzzled glances. Makino didn't
care. All she knew was that she had to escape from this
horrid nightmare.
**************
Doumyouji saw the pained expression on Makino's face when Tomoko kissed him and it hurt him so much to see her like this. He looked down as Tomoko murmured something to him in between their kisses but he didn't respond. His mind was definitely elsewhere.
When he looked up again, he saw Makino rushing outside.
Doumyouji pulled away from Tomoko suddenly.
The girl looked up with him - with a totally surprised look on
her face. "Doumyouji?! What are you doing?" She
demanded angrily.
"I'll be back," was all Doumyouji said before he rushed
off after Makino - leaving Tomoko standing alone in the middle of
the dance floor.
*************
Makino leaned against the Sakura tree out in the courtyard. She took in some deep breathes.
Finally, I'm out of there, she thought - closing her eyes. The
night was warm - and seemed so peaceful.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. Makino
turned around and saw a silhouette in the darkness. "Who's
there?" She asked, her voice shaky.
The person stepped out of the shadows, revealing their identity.
Makino gasped, "Doumyouji.."
**************
Tomoko had to fight the urge of totally collapsing into tears in
front of everybody. She couldn't believe Doumyouji had just
left her like that. What the heck was up with him?
"Looks like Doumyouji-san left in a hurry." Tomoko
turned to see Asai sauntering up next to her, with a smirk
on her face.
"What do you want?" Tomoko demanded, her eyes narrowing.
The last thing she needed right now was for Asai to give her the
third degree.
"They're right, you know," Asai began, pretending to
look nonchalant, "That your first love is your true love."
The words hit Tomoko like a ton of bricks. Nonetheless, she would
not give Asai the satisfaction of seeing her upset.
"What are you talking about?" Tomoko asked, unable to
keep the fear and wavering out of her voice.
Asai turned and faced Tomoko, smiling smugly - obviously feeling
triumphant to see Tomoko's visibly upset state.
She paused for dramatic effect before she continued, "What I'm saying is, Doumyouji-san left you and rushed after Makino."
*************
Doumyouji gave Makino a wary smile, "Yo." He greeted,
in his usual, laid-back way.
"What are you doing here?" Makino demanded, her voice
shaky. Doumyouji shrugged - the moonlight illuminating his
perfect facial structures. "I saw you run out." He
simply replied.
Makino turned away, trying to avoid his gaze, "I wasn't
feeling very well. I needed fresh air." She replied lamely.
Doumyouji stepped up slowly towards Makino until he stood right
behind her - almost touching.
"What are you doing?" Makino asked, feeling sweat
beads form on her forehead.
"Do you love him?" He asked suddenly.
Makino widened her eyes - in obvious shock.
"Don't do this Doumyouji," she pleaded, trying to keep
her voice calm. There was a short pause.
"Can you honestly tell me that you are in love him, Makino?
That you don't have any feelings left for me?" Doumyouji
voice sounded angry and strained.
"Look, we both have different lives now. I have a boyfriend
and you have a girlfriend who you obviously love very much."
Makino was shocked to hear the bitterness in her own voice.
But before she can continue, Doumyouji suddenly
pulled her into an embrace. His arms encircled her tightly.
"I care for you Makino. I really do. I never stopped loving
you." Makino felt her eyes welling up with tears. She
had dreamt of this moment for so long, wrapped in Doumyouji's
arms and hearing him admit to her that she still meant something
to him.
Makino closed her eyes and leaned against Doumyouji's strong
chest - savoring the smell of his after-shave and the touch
of his fingertips running through her hair.
Just like old times, Makino thought sadly, a tear trickling down
her cheek.
"Just tell me that you still love me Makino, and everything
will be the way it used to beI promise"
Doumyouji said gently, his cheek resting upon her hair.
Everything will be the way it used to be.Makino repeated
slowly in her mind.
Suddenly the words hit her hard and Makino pulled back suddenly
into reality.
Doumyouji looked up - his eyes a mixture of hurt and anger.
"I can't. We can't." Makino said, looking up
to meet Doumyouji's eyes. "Nothing can ever be the way it
used to be. I'm so sorry Doumyouji," Makino broke free from
his embrace and turned around making her way down the path. She
knew she had to leave.
"Why didn't you show up that night!" Doumyouji shouted
after her, his voice pained, "You at least owe me that
much!" The strength of his words made Makino stop dead in
her tracks.
She had remembered that night last year so vividly. It had
haunted her for so long.
She took a deep breath, trying to muster all the courage she had left in her before she spoke, "I wanted to go that night," Makino began, her voice almost breaking, "But your mother came just before I was about to go out."
There was a long pause.
"She told me that she wanted me to go ahead with the study-abroad
plan." Makino could feel her whole body weaken but she
pressed herself to go on, "She said I was ruining your
life. That if I stayed here I was demolishing your future and
the whole Doumyouji empire."
Doumyouji remained silent and Makino took it as a sign to
continue.
"She had threatened that if I didn't leave - she would
disinherit you, but worst of all - she would disown you as her
son." Makino, could feel her heart burning so hard inside of
her that she felt like she couldn't take it longer - but
nevertheless she made herself turn around and meet Doumyouji's
eyes.
"Don't you see? I couldn't let you throw away everything.
You have such a prosperous and promising future - your whole life
in front of you. I couldn't bear to let you lose all of that
because of me. So I didn't go - no matter how desperately I
wanted to." Makino tried to smiled bravely up at him - but
Doumyouji could tell she was just breaking down inside.She was
trying hard to keep herself together for the benefit of him.
Doumyouji could feel his heart ache with such pain, that he had
never
experienced before.
All this time, I blamed her, he thought sadly, And it wasn't even
her fault.
Doumyouji looked helplessly up at Makino, hoping that she would
run into his arms and tell her that she'll be with him
forever - that everything would be fine. But he knew deep
down, that wasn't going to be the case.
Makino gave him one last glance - a crest-fallen smile touching
her lips. "Sayonara, Doumyouji Tsukasa," was
all she said before she turned and walked away from himand
their past.
Doumyouji leaned against the Sakura tree - feeling his whole
world collapse right in front of his eyes.
Slowly around him, the Sakura blossoms began to fall..
For the second time that year, Doumyouji was waiting under that
same tree - feeling totally and utterly alone..
(TO BE CONTINUED)