Love

Love is Worth Everything

Book 2:
Love's a Mistake Worth Making

By: Emily Ishida

"Do you want an ice cream, Mimi?" Mr. Tachikawa asked, standing in front of an ice cream stand at the park that day. Mimi was still unsure about her father, but he was fine...for now. It turned out that Mr. Tachikawa was stressed one night from the work he did, and some guys that he met on his way home suggested a drink...they told him that he'd feel so carefree that no stress would dare come through him. Mr. Tachikawa rejected their suggestion, but after a bit of persuading he agreed. Since he wasn't immune to it, he became harsh and abusive. Now that he was better, he was hoping to make Mimi forgive him.

"Hai," Mimi agreed, looking around. This park was the park that she and Matt fell asleep in. The park that her father raged about. It was all so depressing.

"Chocolate?" Mimi heard. She turned around to see her father holding a chocolate ice cream cone to her.

"ARIGATO!" Mimi squealed. Nothing could make her happier than chocolate.

It had been two months since the incident with Mimi's father, and he had returned to his original kind character. Mimi and him had been spending a lot of time together to make up for the horrible experience that Mimi had to go through. Not too long after Mr. Tachikawa recovered, though, Matt was having his own problems.

Recently Tai had been getting suspicious every time he called Matt's house and Matt was never home. Once when he did contact Matt he was asking tones of questions, now thinking that Mimi and Matt were a thing. He would call late at night and pressure Matt 24:7. That night was the strangest of them all.

RING!

"Ugh, why does the stupid phone have to ring at THIS hour?" Matt grumbled, stumbling out of his bed and finding the phone. On the caller ID it read clearly: Kamiya, Taichi. "Tai?! What the heck is he calling for at 3:00 in the morning?" Picking up the phone Matt answered it tiredly, yawning as he spoke into the receiver. "Moshi moshi, Matt speaking."

"Matt?" Tai's voice felt so much like an electric shock through the chest at that moment. Matt cringed and huffed.

"Tai, it's 3:01! What's wrong?"

"Nothing. But I wanted to ask…"

''Tai! Don't even ask! I know what you're going to ask, and I thought we already talked about this!"

"I know, but I'm just curious."

"Why? Why are you so protective of me?"

"…"

"Tai?"

"..."

"Tai, answer me! Are you there? What's the matter?"

"Gomen...I-I gotta go. Oyasumi nasai!" Click. Matt held the phone to his face puzzled. Huh, wonder what HIS problem is. Matt thought, heading back to his room. But he couldn't sleep after that. Tai had changed. He changed so much that Matt had to think over many of the times they spoke.

Matt remembered that at the play "Snow White" a few months ago, Tai was blushing when Matt was taking off his shirt to put a clean one on. His shirt was sweaty and he wanted to wear something fresh under his costume. Tai had turned away slowly...and when Matt needed help with his crown...the way Tai gingerly examined it while "accidentally" gently running his fingers over Matt's hand felt so...awkward.

Matt sat upright in his bed with a start. Could it be possible? Nah...that couldn't of been Tai. No way. It couldn't be possible...could it? The rest of night had an uncomfortable feeling lurking around the room after that.

Meanwhile, Mimi was facing her own issues with Sora. She didn't just call late at night...she followed Mimi EVERYWHERE. To the mall, to the park…even to the bathroom. Luckily Mimi prevented Sora getting much further than the door.

DING DONG!

"Now what? It's 3:15 in the morning!" Mimi sighed, trudging to the door in irritation. She wasn't too pleased with who she saw at the door, standing in the moonlight.

"Mimi?" Sora squeaked with a weak smile. Mimi backed away to let Sora in, closed the door and headed to the kitchen, all without much interest. "Mimi can I talk to you?"

"Again?" Mimi mumbled.

"Yes, again!" Sora raged. Sora hadn't been very understanding towards Mimi, and so far Mimi had no luck trying to keep the anger inside. "What did I tell you about hanging around Matt? I'm absolutely GAGA over him! You know that too! I think you're just doing this to hurt me!"

"No," Mimi said with irritation, stretching the word to where it sounded longer. "I've been hanging with Matt because he's my friend. And WHY would I hurt you? You're my best friend…yet you're never acting like it now-a-days!"

"Look who's talking!" Sora snapped smartly, crossing her arms and looking at Mimi with self-pride.

"EXCUSE me?" Mimi gasped in exasperation. She was just about fed up with Sora's attitude.

"I said, LOOK WHO'S TALKING! Does THAT ring a bell, you empty-headed baka?" Sora yelled. Mimi was so tempted to slap her across the face, and gave into the temptation, releasing such force into the slap that she left on Sora's cheek that it hurt her wrist. Sora fell back and was too numb to speak.

"Get it together, Sora," Mimi said, still surprised with herself. "I'm sorry it turned out this way. But you've been hounding on me and demanding I stay away from him. We're all friends! We can talk to whoever the hell we want! Got it? Leave me alone, okay?"

Mimi ran upstairs in a flare. Sora watched her, tears stinging her eyes and staining her cheeks. But it wasn't from the slap. It was because Mimi was right. She hadn't considered Mimi's feelings and who her friends were. Turning around, Sora picked up her coat and walked silently out the door. "Gomen...gomen, Mimi," Sora whispered over and over.

Sobbing into her pillow, Mimi felt so guilty for slapping her best friend. It was all so confusing...but she knew Sora deserved it. But did she have to hit her so HARD? She'll hate me now...Mimi sobbed inwardly. I'll loose her and she'll hate me forever.

Soon she heard the phone ring. Hatred began to form again, because she hated it when the phone rang when she didn't want it to. Mimi looked at her caller ID and saw that it was Matt. Ugh...FINALLY someone who'll understand! She sighed.

"Mimi?" Mimi heard on the other line when she answered.

"Yeah Matt?" Mimi asked.

"Hey can I speak to you? At the park? Or is that a good idea?"

"Nah it's fine. Daddy's better, remember?"

"Oh okay."

"I'll just leave a note on my door if he checks on me."

"Good idea. I'll see you in a minute then?"

"Sure, Matt."

"Arigato, Mimi. Sayonara."

"Do itashimashite. Sayonara."

After Mimi hung up she immediately combed her hair and applied some make up. Putting on her jacket she quickly scribbled out a note to her father saying she was going out for a bit and would be back, put it on her door, and then headed out the door towards the park.

Matt, meanwhile, had arrived at the park long before Mimi. He was waiting at the tree he always went to, with a jacket this time. Looking out among the lake, he saw the pale moonlight dance across the water's surface, making it look like stars were trapped under the water. Swans were peacefully floating along, without a care in the world.

Many things ran through Matt's mind while he was waiting. He couldn't think why Tai would turn...that way...on him, it just wasn't right. Sure, if Matt was...that way...he'd like Tai too. But he wasn't, and it was bad enough that he had to hide it from Tai.

As Matt watched, he was unaware that Tai was nearby. Tai had left his house to take a walk, just to get everything out of his system after the phone call. When Tai looked up he saw Matt, and it seemed like Matt was looking for someone. Who could he be looking for at THIS hour? Tai thought. He hid behind a large bush and watched for a bit.

It just so happened that Sora was walking by the park on her way home from Mimi's house, and she just happened to see Tai peeking through a bush. Sora was curious, thinking Tai had lost it, and approached him casually.

"What are you doing T-" Sora couldn't finish because when Tai first heard her, he turned around and covered her mouth before she could say anything more and pulled her behind the bush with him. When Tai let go, Sora was outraged. "Tai, what did you do that for?" she whispered furiously.

"Look," Tai pointed to Matt, who was still nervously looking about for Mimi.

"What's HE doing?" Sora gasped, amazed by his stunning looks.

"I'll give you three guesses..." Tai frowned, pointing to someone running towards Matt. When Sora looked where Tai was pointing, she gasped in horror and began to feel angry, watching the girl run to Matt and stop with a smile.

"Mimi..." Sora hissed, clenching her fist and watching along with Tai from behind the bush.

"Sorry I took so long. My house is farther away from here," Mimi apologized, breathing heavily as she spoke.

"Don't worry about it," Matt assured her. Mimi smiled.

"Boy doesn't this feel familiar?" Mimi grinned, looking around and pretending to be dumb.

"Sure does. Wonder why..." Matt played along, acting stupid. They both giggled, and Matt suddenly became serious. "Mimi I need to tell you something. I've gotten so much grief from Tai...he's called late at night, he's followed me around everywhere...I think it's time we tell him..."

"And Sora," Mimi added. "She's done the same. Not one day have I not heard from her or seen her. I agree...we should tell them. But I feel so guilty..."

"Why, Mimi?" Matt asked with concern, gathering her in his arms.

"I slapped Sora today...she got on my last nerve and I couldn't resist it...I hurt her, and I yelled at her. Not only did I physically hurt her...I just may emotionally hurt her when we tell her because I broke my promise!" Mimi couldn't help but let the tears flow. Luckily she avoided applying mascara before she left.

"Shh...it's going to be okay, wakarimasu ka?" Matt lifted her chin and looked her in the eye. The way her amber eyes shone even when she was upset made him melt.

"Hai, wakarimasu," Mimi whispered. Matt bent down, kissing her with a gentle passion...and Mimi was willingly excepting every moment.

"Oh, my...come on Tai!" Sora demanded quietly, grabbing Tai's arm forcefully. (Remember she is unaware that Tai likes Matt too.)

"Where are we going?" Tai asked, puzzled by her actions and numb from the pain of watching Matt give his heart to someone else.

"To prepare for Matt and Mimi's visit. Isogu!" Sora answered, and both of them left Mimi and Matt to their kiss.

After a bit of talking, Matt offered to walk Mimi home. They walked with Mimi on Matt's left side and Matt on Mimi's right. Their walk was strangely pleasant...even when they knew they'd be in trouble with Sora and Tai. Matt grasped Mimi's right hand with his right hand, and with the other he slid it around her waist. Mimi showed appreciation by resting her head on his shoulder.

When they reached Mimi's house, Sora and Tai were waiting behind another bush. They somehow knew Matt would walk Mimi home.

"san...ni...ichi!" Sora counted down, pulling Tai out of the bush and catching Mimi and Matt in the middle of another kiss. "Caught you!" Sora yelled.

"T-Tai!" Matt stammered, pulling away from Mimi. "W-What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing," Tai snapped. Sora, though, was not as gentle.

"MIMI HOW COULD YOU? You PROMISED that you wouldn't do this...NOW I know why you wanted me out so soon!" Sora flared, confronting Mimi with burning eyes.

"I guess now is best as any...Sora...I'm sorry, but Matt and I are in love," Mimi said. Matt told Tai, too.

"W-what?" Tai stammered. Matt now knew his theory earlier that morning was right just by the way Tai looked so horrified when he said that. Tai was gay...that or he was bi.

"So desu ka? Well Mimi, you certainly have blown it this time. Gomen, but I can't forgive you for this," Sora snapped. Mimi was more than angry. Her anger nearly reached its end, and her mind told her to not kill Sora...but her body was saying otherwise.

"On the contrary, Sora. I can't forgive YOU!" Mimi hissed through her teeth, clenching her fists till they were white.

"Mo ichi-do itte kudasai!" Sora demanded, walking up to Mimi where they were face-to-face. Mimi, though, stood without fear.

"I can't forgive you. You have demanded that I stay away from Yamato. Gomen, but if I can't have the freedom that I was granted when I was born because of some 'friend,' then I can't forgive you. Many apologies, Sora but you shall suffer from the choice you have made."

With that, Mimi took Matt's hand, and lead him away. Tai and Sora stood dumbstruck, unable to move. It was Tai that recovered first. He ran to Matt, attacking him with all the force he could to get him on the ground. Matt didn't know what had hit him, but his natural instincts told him to fight back.

"What the HELL are you doing, Taichi?" Matt raged, throwing Tai to the ground, lifting himself on his feet then advancing on the furious boy below.

"I guess I have to tell you now," Tai muttered, gritting his teeth in both anger and pain. "Yamato...the reason why I was so protective of you...so jealous...was because...well...Matt, I love you."

Matt still looked down on him, but with a softer glance. He didn't looked horrified or surprised at all. Instead, he just looked on. "I know."

"How'd you know, though?" Tai asked, dumbfounded by what Matt had said. Matt still looked undisturbed.

"I guessed after you called. It was sort of easy," Matt answered.

"You don't like me like that, do you?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Oh..."

"The truth is, Taichi, I like you a lot. You're really cool. But I'm not gay...OR bi. I'm in love, Tai...with Mimi Tachikawa."

Tai's eyes filled with tears. he understood...but he didn't want to. He couldn't face the fact that Matt wasn't in love with him...and instead, he loved Mimi.

Matt felt so guilty, watching Tai actually cry. He knew that he was the only one Tai actually cared about, and it hurt him to do this. But it was true. It was true that he loved Mimi.

Matt leaned down to a crying Tai, and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. "Gomen, Taichi. Gomen," Matt whispered. Tai sobbed continuously, unable to swallow all this. It was hard for Matt to see Tai so miserable. Burying himself in Matt's arms, he cried until he was asleep. Sora was watching, now feeling more guilty. The sun was peering into the sky, leaving very little light and scattering it across the now damp lawn of Mimi's home.

"Sora, will you get Taichi home? My car's at the park. I was going to drive home, but I decided to walk Mimi home first. Here are the keys," Matt offered, throwing the keys to Sora, who still had a tear-stained face.

"Hai," Sora answered. Sora had to guide Tai to the park, which was not too far...but holding him up was harder.

"I feel so guilty, Mimi," Matt said, holding back the tears that threatened to flow. "He loved me, and I couldn't except him. He's a guy. I don't know what to do now!" Matt's eyes were watering, but now he was raging at himself.

"No, Yama! It's not your fault! No! You did the right thing, honest," Mimi assured him. But Matt didn't except it.

"Iie! If I did the right thing, why do I feel like such a baka? I'm SUCH a BAKA!" Matt raged, pounding his fist to the door of Mimi's house. Mimi didn't care about the door...she cared about Matt. She watched as he yelled and cursed himself, then sitting harshly on the doorstep, and burying his face in his hands crying.

"No, Yama. It wasn't you, believe me...dozo, Yama. Believe me." Mimi's words calmed Matt down, yet it didn't stop the guilt. Not too long after, Mr. Tachikawa came out with a surprised look on his face.

"Mimi? What's going on?" Mr. Tachikawa asked.

"Nothing, daddy. Did you get my note?" Mimi asked, changing the subject.

"Your mother did. You should have woken us up."

"It was sort of urgent."

"So desu ka?"

"Hai."

"Okay, then. What's wrong, Yamato?"

Matt quickly wiped his tears, and stood upright in front of Mr. Tachikawa. "It was nothing, sir. Don't worry about it."

"It must of been urgent. Dozo, tell me."

Matt explained everything...even Tai being in love with him. It was hard, but Mr. Tachikawa understood it perfectly, listening and nodding to every word.

"It was horrible, Mr. Tachikawa. I don't know what to do now," Matt finished.

"Well...to my knowledge, I think personally that what you did was amazing. I never thought I'd see such loyalty in someone. You're willing to take the risk for Mimi...and you need to take risks for love." Mr. Tachikawa's words felt very familiar.

Matt decided to finish Mr. Tachikawa's words. "Because love's a risk worth taking," Matt said, smiling to Mimi as she smiled back.

"Exactly," Mr. Tachikawa said with amazement. "How'd you come up with that?"

"Personal experience, daddy," Mimi answered.

Mr. Tachikawa smiled, then turned to Matt. "Why don't you join us for breakfast? There's plenty."

"Domo arigato," Matt answered, following Mimi's father inside.

Mrs. Tachikawa was happy to see Matt, and greeted him with joy. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Yamato!" she greeted.

"Konnichi wa, Mrs. Tachikawa. Ogenki desu ka?"

"Hai, genki desu. Arigato," Mrs. Tachikawa answered. "Have some breakfast. It's just about ready!"

"In a minute, mamma," Mimi said. She pulled Matt upstairs real quick, leading him to her bedroom.

"What is it, Mimi?" Matt asked.

"I just want to say that I'm here, Yama. If you still feel guilty I'm here."

"Arigato, Mimi. Aishiteru."

"Aishiteru, Yamato."

After their words, Mimi brought Matt's neck down, kissing him lightly. Matt responded by kissing back, with equal force and desire. They weren't aware that Mr. and Mrs. Tachikawa were watching from the doorway.

"How kawaii," Mrs. Tachikawa whispered. "Let's leave them alone, dear."

"Hai," Mr. Tachikawa agreed, but still a little worried.

When Matt and Mimi were finished, they were both smiling. "Let's go down for food, okay?"

"Okay," Mimi agreed.

They headed downstairs for breakfast, still a little dazed from their kiss. Love really IS a risk...but it's a risk I'm willing to take. If love's a mistake, then it's definitely worth making! Mimi thought while she followed Matt into the kitchen, smiling her biggest smile. She knew she was in love, and Matt knew he was in love too. Everything they went through was worth it.

*~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~*

Well? How'd ya like it? I'm going to make a Chapter 3 but I have little ideas for it. I'll rely on some of your reviews to help me out. Or if you have ideas you can e-mail me at: ButterflyBaby12345@hotmail.com for requests or suggestions. But PLEASE R+R! Domo arigato! ^_^

Ja ne!

Click here to go back to Chapter 1
Click here to read Chapter 3

Translations:

  1. Hai = Yes

  2. Arigato = Thank you

  3. Moshi moshi = Hello (on telephone)

  4. Gomen = I'm sorry

  5. Oyasumi nasai = Good night

  6. Do itashimashite = You're welcome

  7. Sayonara = Good bye

  8. Wakarimasu ka = Do you understand?

  9. Hai, wakarimasu = Yes, I understand

  10. Isogu = Hurry!

  11. San...ni...ichi = 3...2...1!

  12. So desu ka = Is that so?

  13. Mo ichi-do itte kudasai = Please say that once more

  14. Iie = No

  15. Baka = Idiot/fool

  16. Dozo = Please

  17. Domo arigato = Thanks a lot

  18. Ohayo gozaimasu = Good morning

  19. Konnichi wa = Hello

  20. Ogenki desu ka = How are you?

  21. Hai genki desu = I'm fine, thank you

  22. Aishiteru = "I love you"

  23. Kawaii = Cute/sweet

  24. Ja ne = Another term for "good bye"