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PART 27 I'll Be Waiting Forever
Nusumi Aino sighed as she plopped onto her bed. Finally, she had
a break from work. Of course, she would have to resume to her business.
She was just employed into Six Star Incorporated a few months ago and
all she did was work day and night. Now she was taking a cruise. It
was actually a business cruise. Because of her father's high position
in the company, they let her take the more comfortable way. Actually,
her father was one of the founders of the company so naturally, he
would let her do that. Nusumi still worked her way to her position.
She looked up at the ceiling.
[Kami, what should I do now?] she thought. She looked at her watch.
It was 5:15 PM. Approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes after she boarded
the ship. It was unbelievable. Just when she thought that she would
be rid of business work for at least a while, it just HAD to come
to her. When she boarded that ship, a few business associates came
up to her and they brought her to the meeting room on the ship and went
on with all the boring junk she took the cruise in the first place to
get away from.
She sighed.
[Well,] she thought. [Since there's nothing else to do, I guess I
could get ready for dinner. I heard the dining room was nice.]
Nusumi shifted uncomfortable in her seat. She silently sipped her
wine as she looked at the business people in her table constantly
talking about business. 'If we do this, we can raise our stocks
by 19.4 percent!', 'If we join with them, we gain more advertising and
publicity!'. Business junk.
"Ms. Aino, what do you think?"
"Huh?" Nusumi asked.
"Mr. Chowking proposed that we should join forces with the Lucky
Star company."
"Uh, well, I...I...um... Would you excuse me for a while?"
"Of course."
Nusumi stood up and went to the bar. She sat there, drinking wine
as she watched some people dancing.
"Some water, please."
Nusumi turned her head and saw a man with auburn colored hair
highlighted with dark blue streaks.
"I thought all men liked getting drunk." Nusumi commented. The
man faced her and smiled.
"Oh no. Not me." he replied. "Besides, it would be an embarrassment
if I was up there and drunk."
"Up there?"
"I'm a pianist. I'll be playing in about ten minutes."
"It sure is a nice place to be playing at."
"I know. It's a surprise, though. I haven't really played anywhere
yet."
"So this is your first time on stage?"
"Well, yes."
"You're very lucky."
"I must be. Meeting a nice girl like you certainly is a great
pleasure."
Nusumi blushed a little. "Thank you. I must be lucky, too."
The man smiled, took his water and started to walk away.
"It was nice meeting you!" he said.
"The feeling is mutual." Nusumi replied.
The man gave her a charming smile and left.
Aoi set his water down on top of his piano and breathed in deeply.
He exhaled and started playing. The people listened as he played
Beethoven's "Fur Elise". Two eight, two eight, two eight, two eight,
beat, half note, whole note...
The people clapped after Aoi was done. He prepared to play
Debussy's "Claire de Lune" until he saw her. The light blue haired
girl he had met in the bar. She sighed as she took a sip of
her champagne. She looked bored and if he could read her mind,
she would be probably thinking of how death would be better. He
turned his music to "Odango Atama". It wouldn't fit that good because
it clashed with "Fur Elise" but maybe it would catch her attention.
She WAS kind of attractive... Aoi scolded himself for thinking such
thoughts and began playing.
[Hm?]
Nusumi looked up. There he was, playing the piano. That kind of
music was the one that anyone would least expect to hear right
after the "Fur Elise" so why was he playing it? She listened to
it. It certainly was better than listening to business talk. Then
he looked up and locked eyes with her. He smiled when he saw her.
Nusumi blushed.
[Is this for...me?]
She managed to keep her eyes away from his and looked down at
her glass of wine. She sighed and went out to the deck.
Nusumi stared out at the water illuminated by the light of the moon.
She wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders as a breeze
passed by.
[Why did I ever choose this path?] she pondered in her head.
"Stupid!" she mumbled to herself. "Do I have to listen to my parents
all the time? Kami, why?"
(flashback)
"Nusumi, dear, you should take the job." Mrs. Aino insisted.
"Mother, I told you a thousand times." Nusumi replied. "Yes, I
know you want me to be in Papa's company but I've studied to be in
show business and that's what I'll stick to."
"Nusumi, it is much better being in real business than show
business." Mr. Aino said. "They'll kill you there. You won't survive,
my dear. Trust me."
"But Papa, I--"
"The salary is excellent and since I am your father then there
is no doubt you will be good."
"Papa, I...I...all...right..."
(end flashback)
"Kami, why?"
Aoi bowed as the audience cheered. He gave them a smile and rushed
outside to the deck. There, he found her. She was looking out at the
water with her champagne in her hand. Her light blue hair was blowing
softly in the wind as she used her free hand to tighten her shawl
around her.
He took a deep breath and made his way towards her. He leaned on
the railing and waited for her response. After seeing that she could
not sense his presence, he made the first move.
"It is very beautiful out tonight, is it not?" he said.
She quickly turned her head to face him.
"Oh!" she said in surprise. "I didn't know you were there."
Aoi smiled. "So what are you doing out here by yourself?"
"I'm with you, aren't I?"
Aoi chuckled. "Of course. Let me rephrase that. What WERE you doing
out here by yourself?"
"Just getting some fresh air."
"May I get some with you?"
"Well...I don't know. With you being a stranger and all..."
"A stranger, am I? How long would a guy have to know you before
he gets to have some fresh air with you?"
Nusumi smiled. "Not very long."
Nusumi took a sip of her champagne and looked at the water once
again. A cold breeze came by which caused Nusumi to shiver.
"Um, it's really getting cold out here." Nusumi said. "I will be
going inside now and you can have as much fresh air as you want."
Nusumi bowed politely and started to walk away. Without a word,
Aoi followed. Nusumi went in with Aoi behind her, yet, still not
noticing him. She started towards the bar and sat down on a stool.
"Are you an alcoholic?"
Nusumi looked up from her drink and saw Aoi's smiling face gazing
at her.
Nusumi raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were out getting some
fresh air."
Aoi sighed and looked out at the people dancing. "Aw, I really
didn't need it."
Nusumi took a sip from her drink.
"What's with you and all the drinks?" Aoi chuckled.
"Well, if you must know..." Nusumi sighed. "I am not an alcoholic.
I'm just...*sigh* bored."
"Don't you have anybody to talk to?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
Aoi smiled. "Why yes. Yes, you are."
After a brief moment of silence, Aoi stood up and held out his
hand for Nusumi.
"Would you like to dance with me?" he asked. Nusumi nodded her
head and took Aoi's hand as a slight blush crept up her cheeks. Aoi
led her to the dance floor and they began to dance. Nusumi was
bashful at first but Aoi made her feel more comfortable.
"You're a really good dancer, you know that?" Aoi said.
"Thank you." Nusumi replied. "You're very good, too."
Aoi squeezed Nusumi's hand as he led a waltz.
"Excuse me."
Aoi looked up. "Oh hello, Toru. What is it?"
Aoi put down his glass of water and stood up from his chair. Nusumi
watched and waited for what Aoi's comrade had to say.
"LeCarre and his wife wants you to play something." Toru said. "They
heard you earlier and they really liked how you played. They were
looking for you but couldn't find you and so I offered to help them.
Could you?"
"Um...wait a sec, will you?" Aoi replied. Toru nodded. He bowed
to Nusumi and left.
"Well, I..." Aoi started.
"I don't mind." Nusumi cut in. "Go on and play something for them.
I have to go to sleep anyway."
"Thanks." Aoi said.
Nusumi beamed at him. "I'm glad I met you."
"Me too."
Nusumi shook Aoi's hand and turned to leave.
"Um...would you..."
Nusumi turned around. "Would I...?"
"Would you like to meet me again tomorrow?"
"I'd love to."
"Okay. Well, how about we meet tomorrow night. At dinner time. We
could have some fresh air together."
"Sure. Well, good night."
"Good night..."
(Aoi) Tonight was the best night of my life. I just could not express
how I felt around her. I just don't know. I had actually felt
awkward. It was not like me to feel awkward around any girl. Not
as if I'm proud of it but, I'm usually cool around girls, no,
ESPECIALLY around girls. What's so different about this one? She
makes me feel so...so...something...
"Well, the ship's due to arrive tomorrow." Aoi said with his
head bowed down.
"I...I know." Nusumi replied.
"Guess it's...gonna be goodbye, huh?"
"..."
Aoi looked at Nusumi and forced a smile. "I'm glad we're finally
arriving. It'll be good to be back on land."
Nusumi lowered her head. "Are you sure? Are you really glad this
trip is almost over?"
"Well, I...not really." Aoi sighed and took Nusumi's hands. "I'm
gonna miss you."
Nusumi looked up. "Me too."
"I'll never forget you."
"Me too."
"And, y'know, since we gotta have a head start for tomorrow, we
might not be able to see each other."
"That's true..."
"I wanna tell you that...that...that...that...that I...I..."
"W-what is it?"
"I...l-l-l-lo..."
{boom!}
Nusumi pulled away from Aoi and they both went inside to check out
what had happened.
"What's going on?"
"What was that loud noise?"
"Is something wrong?"
People in white uniforms were running around. One of the crewmen
went up to Nusumi and Aoi carrying some life jackets in his arms.
"Miss," he said. "Miss, please put on your warmest clothes and put
this on."
He handed Nusumi a life jacket and then Aoi. He left and gave
other passengers life jackets.
"What's this for?" Nusumi wondered out loud.
"I don't know but I have an uneasy feeling about all of this." Aoi
said.
"Do you think...do you think the ship is sinking?" Nusumi asked,
barely audible.
Aoi clenched the life jacket in his hands. "Maybe."
Nusumi and Aoi ran to their rooms. Nusumi put on her warmest coat
and her most durable shoes. Aoi put on a trench coat over his tuxedo
and got into some boots. They met up outside. People were already being
loaded into the life boats and there was a lot of shoving.
Aoi held Nusumi's hand tightly, in fear of losing her to the
crowd.
"Women and children first!" the crewmen on the life boats called
out.
"You should go now." Aoi said in a solemn voice, looking at the
life boats as if they were Charon's boat, taking Nusumi to hell
and away from him. Nusumi looked up at him.
"I want to go with you." she replied softly. Aoi pulled her over
to a life boat.
"Get on." he said.
"Not without you." Nusumi said.
"Get on."
"I don't want to!"
Aoi faced Nusumi with an angry expression on his face. "Get on now!"
Nusumi pulled away from Aoi's grasp and jumped back in surprise.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Aoi looked away. He couldn't
stand seeing her because it was just too hard to hold the tears
back. He wanted to comfort her but if he did, she might not go. He
had to make her get on the boat and if acting cruelly towards her
was the way, he had to do it.
"Get on now..." he said as angrily as he could. Nusumi wiped
the tears away from her eyes and got on the boat. The boat slowly
went down.
Aoi tried to hold it back but he couldn't. He just couldn't. He
looked down from the railing at Nusumi.
"I'll search for you no matter what!" he called out. "I promise!"
Nusumi looked up and tears started to overflow her eyes again.
She smiled.
"I'll be waiting for you!" she replied. "I'll be waiting! I'll
be waiting forever!"
PART 27 I'll Be Waiting Forever
Nusumi Aino sighed as she plopped onto her bed. Finally, she had
a break from work. Of course, she would have to resume to her business.
She was just employed into Six Star Incorporated a few months ago and
all she did was work day and night. Now she was taking a cruise. It
was actually a business cruise. Because of her father's high position
in the company, they let her take the more comfortable way. Actually,
her father was one of the founders of the company so naturally, he
would let her do that. Nusumi still worked her way to her position.
She looked up at the ceiling.
[Kami, what should I do now?] she thought. She looked at her watch.
It was 5:15 PM. Approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes after she boarded
the ship. It was unbelievable. Just when she thought that she would
be rid of business work for at least a while, it just HAD to come
to her. When she boarded that ship, a few business associates came
up to her and they brought her to the meeting room on the ship and went
on with all the boring junk she took the cruise in the first place to
get away from.
She sighed.
[Well,] she thought. [Since there's nothing else to do, I guess I
could get ready for dinner. I heard the dining room was nice.]
Nusumi shifted uncomfortable in her seat. She silently sipped her
wine as she looked at the business people in her table constantly
talking about business. 'If we do this, we can raise our stocks
by 19.4 percent!', 'If we join with them, we gain more advertising and
publicity!'. Business junk.
"Ms. Aino, what do you think?"
"Huh?" Nusumi asked.
"Mr. Chowking proposed that we should join forces with the Lucky
Star company."
"Uh, well, I...I...um... Would you excuse me for a while?"
"Of course."
Nusumi stood up and went to the bar. She sat there, drinking wine
as she watched some people dancing.
"Some water, please."
Nusumi turned her head and saw a man with auburn colored hair
highlighted with dark blue streaks.
"I thought all men liked getting drunk." Nusumi commented. The
man faced her and smiled.
"Oh no. Not me." he replied. "Besides, it would be an embarrassment
if I was up there and drunk."
"Up there?"
"I'm a pianist. I'll be playing in about ten minutes."
"It sure is a nice place to be playing at."
"I know. It's a surprise, though. I haven't really played anywhere
yet."
"So this is your first time on stage?"
"Well, yes."
"You're very lucky."
"I must be. Meeting a nice girl like you certainly is a great
pleasure."
Nusumi blushed a little. "Thank you. I must be lucky, too."
The man smiled, took his water and started to walk away.
"It was nice meeting you!" he said.
"The feeling is mutual." Nusumi replied.
The man gave her a charming smile and left.
Aoi set his water down on top of his piano and breathed in deeply.
He exhaled and started playing. The people listened as he played
Beethoven's "Fur Elise". Two eight, two eight, two eight, two eight,
beat, half note, whole note...
The people clapped after Aoi was done. He prepared to play
Debussy's "Claire de Lune" until he saw her. The light blue haired
girl he had met in the bar. She sighed as she took a sip of
her champagne. She looked bored and if he could read her mind,
she would be probably thinking of how death would be better. He
turned his music to "Odango Atama". It wouldn't fit that good because
it clashed with "Fur Elise" but maybe it would catch her attention.
She WAS kind of attractive... Aoi scolded himself for thinking such
thoughts and began playing.
[Hm?]
Nusumi looked up. There he was, playing the piano. That kind of
music was the one that anyone would least expect to hear right
after the "Fur Elise" so why was he playing it? She listened to
it. It certainly was better than listening to business talk. Then
he looked up and locked eyes with her. He smiled when he saw her.
Nusumi blushed.
[Is this for...me?]
She managed to keep her eyes away from his and looked down at
her glass of wine. She sighed and went out to the deck.
Nusumi stared out at the water illuminated by the light of the moon.
She wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders as a breeze
passed by.
[Why did I ever choose this path?] she pondered in her head.
"Stupid!" she mumbled to herself. "Do I have to listen to my parents
all the time? Kami, why?"
(flashback)
"Nusumi, dear, you should take the job." Mrs. Aino insisted.
"Mother, I told you a thousand times." Nusumi replied. "Yes, I
know you want me to be in Papa's company but I've studied to be in
show business and that's what I'll stick to."
"Nusumi, it is much better being in real business than show
business." Mr. Aino said. "They'll kill you there. You won't survive,
my dear. Trust me."
"But Papa, I--"
"The salary is excellent and since I am your father then there
is no doubt you will be good."
"Papa, I...I...all...right..."
(end flashback)
"Kami, why?"
Aoi bowed as the audience cheered. He gave them a smile and rushed
outside to the deck. There, he found her. She was looking out at the
water with her champagne in her hand. Her light blue hair was blowing
softly in the wind as she used her free hand to tighten her shawl
around her.
He took a deep breath and made his way towards her. He leaned on
the railing and waited for her response. After seeing that she could
not sense his presence, he made the first move.
"It is very beautiful out tonight, is it not?" he said.
She quickly turned her head to face him.
"Oh!" she said in surprise. "I didn't know you were there."
Aoi smiled. "So what are you doing out here by yourself?"
"I'm with you, aren't I?"
Aoi chuckled. "Of course. Let me rephrase that. What WERE you doing
out here by yourself?"
"Just getting some fresh air."
"May I get some with you?"
"Well...I don't know. With you being a stranger and all..."
"A stranger, am I? How long would a guy have to know you before
he gets to have some fresh air with you?"
Nusumi smiled. "Not very long."
Nusumi took a sip of her champagne and looked at the water once
again. A cold breeze came by which caused Nusumi to shiver.
"Um, it's really getting cold out here." Nusumi said. "I will be
going inside now and you can have as much fresh air as you want."
Nusumi bowed politely and started to walk away. Without a word,
Aoi followed. Nusumi went in with Aoi behind her, yet, still not
noticing him. She started towards the bar and sat down on a stool.
"Are you an alcoholic?"
Nusumi looked up from her drink and saw Aoi's smiling face gazing
at her.
Nusumi raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were out getting some
fresh air."
Aoi sighed and looked out at the people dancing. "Aw, I really
didn't need it."
Nusumi took a sip from her drink.
"What's with you and all the drinks?" Aoi chuckled.
"Well, if you must know..." Nusumi sighed. "I am not an alcoholic.
I'm just...*sigh* bored."
"Don't you have anybody to talk to?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
Aoi smiled. "Why yes. Yes, you are."
After a brief moment of silence, Aoi stood up and held out his
hand for Nusumi.
"Would you like to dance with me?" he asked. Nusumi nodded her
head and took Aoi's hand as a slight blush crept up her cheeks. Aoi
led her to the dance floor and they began to dance. Nusumi was
bashful at first but Aoi made her feel more comfortable.
"You're a really good dancer, you know that?" Aoi said.
"Thank you." Nusumi replied. "You're very good, too."
Aoi squeezed Nusumi's hand as he led a waltz.
"Excuse me."
Aoi looked up. "Oh hello, Toru. What is it?"
Aoi put down his glass of water and stood up from his chair. Nusumi
watched and waited for what Aoi's comrade had to say.
"LeCarre and his wife wants you to play something." Toru said. "They
heard you earlier and they really liked how you played. They were
looking for you but couldn't find you and so I offered to help them.
Could you?"
"Um...wait a sec, will you?" Aoi replied. Toru nodded. He bowed
to Nusumi and left.
"Well, I..." Aoi started.
"I don't mind." Nusumi cut in. "Go on and play something for them.
I have to go to sleep anyway."
"Thanks." Aoi said.
Nusumi beamed at him. "I'm glad I met you."
"Me too."
Nusumi shook Aoi's hand and turned to leave.
"Um...would you..."
Nusumi turned around. "Would I...?"
"Would you like to meet me again tomorrow?"
"I'd love to."
"Okay. Well, how about we meet tomorrow night. At dinner time. We
could have some fresh air together."
"Sure. Well, good night."
"Good night..."
(Aoi) Tonight was the best night of my life. I just could not express
how I felt around her. I just don't know. I had actually felt
awkward. It was not like me to feel awkward around any girl. Not
as if I'm proud of it but, I'm usually cool around girls, no,
ESPECIALLY around girls. What's so different about this one? She
makes me feel so...so...something...
"Well, the ship's due to arrive tomorrow." Aoi said with his
head bowed down.
"I...I know." Nusumi replied.
"Guess it's...gonna be goodbye, huh?"
"..."
Aoi looked at Nusumi and forced a smile. "I'm glad we're finally
arriving. It'll be good to be back on land."
Nusumi lowered her head. "Are you sure? Are you really glad this
trip is almost over?"
"Well, I...not really." Aoi sighed and took Nusumi's hands. "I'm
gonna miss you."
Nusumi looked up. "Me too."
"I'll never forget you."
"Me too."
"And, y'know, since we gotta have a head start for tomorrow, we
might not be able to see each other."
"That's true..."
"I wanna tell you that...that...that...that...that I...I..."
"W-what is it?"
"I...l-l-l-lo..."
{boom!}
Nusumi pulled away from Aoi and they both went inside to check out
what had happened.
"What's going on?"
"What was that loud noise?"
"Is something wrong?"
People in white uniforms were running around. One of the crewmen
went up to Nusumi and Aoi carrying some life jackets in his arms.
"Miss," he said. "Miss, please put on your warmest clothes and put
this on."
He handed Nusumi a life jacket and then Aoi. He left and gave
other passengers life jackets.
"What's this for?" Nusumi wondered out loud.
"I don't know but I have an uneasy feeling about all of this." Aoi
said.
"Do you think...do you think the ship is sinking?" Nusumi asked,
barely audible.
Aoi clenched the life jacket in his hands. "Maybe."
Nusumi and Aoi ran to their rooms. Nusumi put on her warmest coat
and her most durable shoes. Aoi put on a trench coat over his tuxedo
and got into some boots. They met up outside. People were already being
loaded into the life boats and there was a lot of shoving.
Aoi held Nusumi's hand tightly, in fear of losing her to the
crowd.
"Women and children first!" the crewmen on the life boats called
out.
"You should go now." Aoi said in a solemn voice, looking at the
life boats as if they were Charon's boat, taking Nusumi to hell
and away from him. Nusumi looked up at him.
"I want to go with you." she replied softly. Aoi pulled her over
to a life boat.
"Get on." he said.
"Not without you." Nusumi said.
"Get on."
"I don't want to!"
Aoi faced Nusumi with an angry expression on his face. "Get on now!"
Nusumi pulled away from Aoi's grasp and jumped back in surprise.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Aoi looked away. He couldn't
stand seeing her because it was just too hard to hold the tears
back. He wanted to comfort her but if he did, she might not go. He
had to make her get on the boat and if acting cruelly towards her
was the way, he had to do it.
"Get on now..." he said as angrily as he could. Nusumi wiped
the tears away from her eyes and got on the boat. The boat slowly
went down.
Aoi tried to hold it back but he couldn't. He just couldn't. He
looked down from the railing at Nusumi.
"I'll search for you no matter what!" he called out. "I promise!"
Nusumi looked up and tears started to overflow her eyes again.
She smiled.
"I'll be waiting for you!" she replied. "I'll be waiting! I'll
be waiting forever!"
