Present Day, Present Time
I head out into the main room again, and all the girls are sitting down waiting for me to return. I look over each of them as I walk out in front of them.
Sora has on a red, buttoned shirt that has the top 2 buttons open and a pair of jeans: simple as always, but pretty nonetheless. That's always been her style. Mimi wears a short, white t-shirt that exposes her belly and a pink mini-skirt: mighty appealing if I do say so myself. Miyako has on a tight, light purple t-shirt and dark blue pants, along with the red beret she wears from time to time. Like I said, she really can look pretty when she tries. Hikari has on a yellow blouse and a white pair of shorts. Man, she's pretty no matter what she wears.
I step in front of all of them, as they're all seated on the couch, and I spread my arms wide.
"Okay, girls. Let me have it."
"TK, listen...I think you might be misunderstanding something." Says Sora, who leans forward a bit.
"I think I understand perfectly well, Sora-san. I mean, I lied to you all, I strung you all along, and I've been doing nothing but trying to save my behind since Monday happened. You all are well within your rights to never want to speak to me again, and I'm ready for whatever kind of punishment you're planning on dishing out."
"Um, TK?" Miyako said as she bites her lower lip, looking back and forth between the other girls.
"Just give me one more minute, Miyako-san. There's one last thing I want to get off my chest."
Miyako just nods and folds her hands on her lap. Everyone is listening intently, so it's time for me to speak my mind once and for all.
"I never intended for anything like this to happen. All I ever wanted was to be a good friend and a nice person to all of you. That's why I did the things for you all that I've done. That's why I listen to your problems and worries, Sora-san. That's why I treat you like an equal, Mimi-san. That's why I'll spend time with you when no one else will, Miyako-san. And that's why I've always strived to be the best friend I could to you, Hikari- san.
"Do I want something more than just friendship? Yes, of course I do. But please believe me, everything I did before was in no means an attempt to set something like this up. I guess I thought...well, no. I didn't think. If I had, this wouldn't have happened. In the end, though, I've learned my lesson. Nice guys do finish last."
There, I said what was in my heart. Whether they believe me or not is beyond the point. I just had to get that out, even though I know I'm about to lose four of my best friends, and probably more after word of this gets out. Having said my speech, I hang my head a bit and let my arms fall to my sides.
"I'm done. Do what you came here for."
"TK, listen to us." Hikari says as she stands up and approaches me. "We're not here to crucify you."
"What?" I lift my head and look at her strangely. There's no way I heard that right...
"TK, we know everything you said just now was true. When we figured everything out, we all sat down and talked about it and came to the same conclusion. You really are a nice guy, and we know you never meant to hurt anyone." Says Mimi, who smiles at me.
What's going on? Why aren't they yelling at me or ripping me to shreds yet?
"I tried to tell you before you went back to your room, but well, you were still in a bit of a mood." Miyako adds with a chuckle.
"So wait...you're not mad at me?" I'm hesitant to ask that question, but my growing confusion and curiosity can't be contained.
"Well, you did keep a big secret from us, and we don't appreciate being held out on." Sora says as she also gets up from the couch. "But no, we're not mad at you. What you did was actually very sweet all things considering. There aren't many other guys who, if in your situation, would've done the same thing."
I don't get this at all! Are they just playing with my feelings, or.could it be that they really aren't angry with me? Argh, this makes no sense at all!
"Yeah, a lot of guys would just take the opportunity to be a player. You know, string the other girls along and date all of them at once. I've seen it happen before in America, and it's not pretty when it falls apart." Mimi adds.
"Umm...if you all don't mind, there's kind of a big question on my mind right now, and it's begging to be asked." I say as my mind races with utter confusion.
"And what question is that?" Miyako asks. I can tell she's trying to contain her laughter. I knew they were up to something, I just wish I had a clue what it was.
"If you're not here to maul me for what happened, then...why the heck are you here?"
"Well, for that, I think we need to explain something ourselves TK. Have a seat." Sora says as she leads me over to the only open chair. I sit down and look over at all four of the girls again. Sora sits back down on the corner of the couch nearest to me. I figure I'd better just shut up and listen before I get myself in even deeper trouble.
"First off, we all have to admit that your plan was just about perfect TK. You hooked all of us up with other guys in the course of just four days, and without any of us figuring out about your plan. At least until last night." Sora says. She looks over at Miyako and nods at her.
"Oh! My turn. See, we only figured it out last night. Here's what happened: after Hikari-chan met with Daisuke-kun last night, she called me up and told me about it as well as how she was supposed to meet you instead. I then told her about the library, and that's where the suspicion started. We both went to Mimi-san, wanting to talk to a third party about it, and that's when we found out about the park. Then we all went to Sora- san and...heh, well you get the point." Miyako adds. Hikari stifles a giggle as she sees the growing panicked look on my face.
"We sorted everything out then and there and figured out most of what had happened, with the exception of the part where we all came onto you on the same day. Then we decided to come see you and set everything straight, and let you know everything was cool." Hikari says.
"But during the course of all our talking last night, something did come up that we didn't expect. See, like Sora-san said, your plan was almost perfect. There was one tiny oversight you made." Mimi says, smirking at me.
"Oversight? I don't follow you...no offense, but I had everything covered, and even with all the close calls I had, nobody was any the wiser. So what oversight are you talking about?"
"You never considered what might happen if one or more of your attempts at hooking one of us up failed." Sora tells me.
"Oh no..." My eyes are practically popping out of my head at this point. She's right! I automatically assumed everything would work out once I got them all together! And for that matter, I never followed up with anyone to see if things had gelled at all! I swallow hard and audibly as I look at all of them again.
"Please don't tell me..." I say, my voice laced with dread.
"Relax, TK. Only one of your attempts failed. If they had all failed, we really would be here to maim you." Miyako says with a smile and a wink. "But here's the thing: that one of us that you failed to pair up with someone is willing to give you a second chance. Provided you don't have anything else you're hiding, of course."
"I...I don't get it..." I stammer. Reality is beginning to sink in for me now, I guess. Even if this reality is just about too good to be true. I can't help but wonder if this how things were supposed to happen all along. Of course, if this is all for real then the question becomes just who is it?
"Nice guys don't finish last, Takeru-kun." Mimi says, smiling softly at me. "We all came to like you because of who you are and how you treated us. You really made us all feel special, and you still do in a way. Especially for one of us in particular."
"So who? Who is it?" I ask anxiously. I'm going crazy at this point. I have to know!
"Oh no. You don't get off that easily." Hikari says playfully. "We get to have a little bit of fun with you first. Consider this our way of getting back at you in a way. Sora-san, if you will."
Sora nods to Hikari and produces a long piece of black cloth from her pocket. She steps over beside me and ties it around my eyes, blindfolding me completely.
"Hey, I can't see a thing!" I say in protest.
"That's why they call it a blindfold, TK." I hear Sora say. "Here's the deal. The girl who wants to give you another chance will stay here while the rest of us leave. What happens between you two after that is up to you. Think you can deal with that?"
"I don't know that I really deserve another chance."
"We all do, TK." I hear Mimi say.
"Okay, then."
I try and listen carefully to see if anybody says anything on their way out, but everyone is dead silent. The door opens, I hear three sets of footsteps leave, and then the door closes.
My heart is up in my throat as I wait nervously for whatever is coming next. It's completely silent in the room, and I can't see anything at all. I have no idea who I'm alone in here with, but she must be something else if she wants to give me a second chance.
Whoa! Suddenly I'm pulled up to my feet by the front of my shirt by someone! Talk about forceful! I reach up for the blindfold, but I feel her hands grab mine and pull them back down. I feel her fingers entwine with mine, and I can feel her warmth as she leans closer to me. What's coming next? I...she's kissing me! I don't know who it is, but I feel like a shock just went through me. I kiss back a little, and I feel her hands squeeze mine as she kisses me even harder. This feels so exhilarating, but it's eating me up inside! Who is it?! Who is kissing me!
Wait...what's that? That scent? It must be her perfume! I think I recognize it, but I can't place the scent...what is it? It smells like...like...
...Vanilla! But then that means it's...!
She breaks off the kiss and pulls the blindfold from my eyes, and I see that my memory didn't fail me.
It was Hikari.
She smiles and giggles at me as I look at her in utter amazement.
"Kari? But what about Daisuke?"
"We did go to the movie, but afterwards we talked for a long time." She tells me as she takes my hands in hers again. "I told him that I appreciated the fact that he feels so strongly about me, and I also told him that I did like him a lot. But I told him that there was someone else that I felt even stronger about, and I didn't want to hurt him by pretending to return his feelings. He was a bit heartbroken about it, but I think he understood. He wanted to know who it was, and I told him that too.
"It was you, TK. You're the one who's been in my heart all along. You've always been very special and dear to me, ever since we were little. I know I haven't been very forthcoming about my feelings in the past, and I even toyed with you for a while there, but believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you or anyone else. I just didn't know how to deal with my feelings then. Now, however, I do.
"You know, it almost broke my heart to hear you say that you didn't think you deserved another chance. Don't ever say or even think something like that again, TK! As far as I'm concerned, you're the best of all of us, and I...I love you for it. I love you for all that you are, and all I know you will be one day."
"This feels like a dream. I've wanted to hear that from you for so long, Kari...you're sure you want me back?" I ask. I'm completely entranced by her eyes, and hearing all that she just said...everything just feels completely surreal. She giggles at me again and steps up to me, putting her arms around me and pulling me close to her.
"Is the Pope Catholic?" she asks with a smile. Heh, I should've known she'd say something like that.
She kisses me again, and I feel like I'm in heaven. As I kiss her back, putting my arms around her, I hear the door creak open again, and all three of the other girls come back inside, cheering and applauding us. Odds are they want to invite us along for a group outing or something.
As far as I'm concerned, they can wait a couple of minutes until we're done. After all, I'm kissing my girlfriend!
I head out into the main room again, and all the girls are sitting down waiting for me to return. I look over each of them as I walk out in front of them.
Sora has on a red, buttoned shirt that has the top 2 buttons open and a pair of jeans: simple as always, but pretty nonetheless. That's always been her style. Mimi wears a short, white t-shirt that exposes her belly and a pink mini-skirt: mighty appealing if I do say so myself. Miyako has on a tight, light purple t-shirt and dark blue pants, along with the red beret she wears from time to time. Like I said, she really can look pretty when she tries. Hikari has on a yellow blouse and a white pair of shorts. Man, she's pretty no matter what she wears.
I step in front of all of them, as they're all seated on the couch, and I spread my arms wide.
"Okay, girls. Let me have it."
"TK, listen...I think you might be misunderstanding something." Says Sora, who leans forward a bit.
"I think I understand perfectly well, Sora-san. I mean, I lied to you all, I strung you all along, and I've been doing nothing but trying to save my behind since Monday happened. You all are well within your rights to never want to speak to me again, and I'm ready for whatever kind of punishment you're planning on dishing out."
"Um, TK?" Miyako said as she bites her lower lip, looking back and forth between the other girls.
"Just give me one more minute, Miyako-san. There's one last thing I want to get off my chest."
Miyako just nods and folds her hands on her lap. Everyone is listening intently, so it's time for me to speak my mind once and for all.
"I never intended for anything like this to happen. All I ever wanted was to be a good friend and a nice person to all of you. That's why I did the things for you all that I've done. That's why I listen to your problems and worries, Sora-san. That's why I treat you like an equal, Mimi-san. That's why I'll spend time with you when no one else will, Miyako-san. And that's why I've always strived to be the best friend I could to you, Hikari- san.
"Do I want something more than just friendship? Yes, of course I do. But please believe me, everything I did before was in no means an attempt to set something like this up. I guess I thought...well, no. I didn't think. If I had, this wouldn't have happened. In the end, though, I've learned my lesson. Nice guys do finish last."
There, I said what was in my heart. Whether they believe me or not is beyond the point. I just had to get that out, even though I know I'm about to lose four of my best friends, and probably more after word of this gets out. Having said my speech, I hang my head a bit and let my arms fall to my sides.
"I'm done. Do what you came here for."
"TK, listen to us." Hikari says as she stands up and approaches me. "We're not here to crucify you."
"What?" I lift my head and look at her strangely. There's no way I heard that right...
"TK, we know everything you said just now was true. When we figured everything out, we all sat down and talked about it and came to the same conclusion. You really are a nice guy, and we know you never meant to hurt anyone." Says Mimi, who smiles at me.
What's going on? Why aren't they yelling at me or ripping me to shreds yet?
"I tried to tell you before you went back to your room, but well, you were still in a bit of a mood." Miyako adds with a chuckle.
"So wait...you're not mad at me?" I'm hesitant to ask that question, but my growing confusion and curiosity can't be contained.
"Well, you did keep a big secret from us, and we don't appreciate being held out on." Sora says as she also gets up from the couch. "But no, we're not mad at you. What you did was actually very sweet all things considering. There aren't many other guys who, if in your situation, would've done the same thing."
I don't get this at all! Are they just playing with my feelings, or.could it be that they really aren't angry with me? Argh, this makes no sense at all!
"Yeah, a lot of guys would just take the opportunity to be a player. You know, string the other girls along and date all of them at once. I've seen it happen before in America, and it's not pretty when it falls apart." Mimi adds.
"Umm...if you all don't mind, there's kind of a big question on my mind right now, and it's begging to be asked." I say as my mind races with utter confusion.
"And what question is that?" Miyako asks. I can tell she's trying to contain her laughter. I knew they were up to something, I just wish I had a clue what it was.
"If you're not here to maul me for what happened, then...why the heck are you here?"
"Well, for that, I think we need to explain something ourselves TK. Have a seat." Sora says as she leads me over to the only open chair. I sit down and look over at all four of the girls again. Sora sits back down on the corner of the couch nearest to me. I figure I'd better just shut up and listen before I get myself in even deeper trouble.
"First off, we all have to admit that your plan was just about perfect TK. You hooked all of us up with other guys in the course of just four days, and without any of us figuring out about your plan. At least until last night." Sora says. She looks over at Miyako and nods at her.
"Oh! My turn. See, we only figured it out last night. Here's what happened: after Hikari-chan met with Daisuke-kun last night, she called me up and told me about it as well as how she was supposed to meet you instead. I then told her about the library, and that's where the suspicion started. We both went to Mimi-san, wanting to talk to a third party about it, and that's when we found out about the park. Then we all went to Sora- san and...heh, well you get the point." Miyako adds. Hikari stifles a giggle as she sees the growing panicked look on my face.
"We sorted everything out then and there and figured out most of what had happened, with the exception of the part where we all came onto you on the same day. Then we decided to come see you and set everything straight, and let you know everything was cool." Hikari says.
"But during the course of all our talking last night, something did come up that we didn't expect. See, like Sora-san said, your plan was almost perfect. There was one tiny oversight you made." Mimi says, smirking at me.
"Oversight? I don't follow you...no offense, but I had everything covered, and even with all the close calls I had, nobody was any the wiser. So what oversight are you talking about?"
"You never considered what might happen if one or more of your attempts at hooking one of us up failed." Sora tells me.
"Oh no..." My eyes are practically popping out of my head at this point. She's right! I automatically assumed everything would work out once I got them all together! And for that matter, I never followed up with anyone to see if things had gelled at all! I swallow hard and audibly as I look at all of them again.
"Please don't tell me..." I say, my voice laced with dread.
"Relax, TK. Only one of your attempts failed. If they had all failed, we really would be here to maim you." Miyako says with a smile and a wink. "But here's the thing: that one of us that you failed to pair up with someone is willing to give you a second chance. Provided you don't have anything else you're hiding, of course."
"I...I don't get it..." I stammer. Reality is beginning to sink in for me now, I guess. Even if this reality is just about too good to be true. I can't help but wonder if this how things were supposed to happen all along. Of course, if this is all for real then the question becomes just who is it?
"Nice guys don't finish last, Takeru-kun." Mimi says, smiling softly at me. "We all came to like you because of who you are and how you treated us. You really made us all feel special, and you still do in a way. Especially for one of us in particular."
"So who? Who is it?" I ask anxiously. I'm going crazy at this point. I have to know!
"Oh no. You don't get off that easily." Hikari says playfully. "We get to have a little bit of fun with you first. Consider this our way of getting back at you in a way. Sora-san, if you will."
Sora nods to Hikari and produces a long piece of black cloth from her pocket. She steps over beside me and ties it around my eyes, blindfolding me completely.
"Hey, I can't see a thing!" I say in protest.
"That's why they call it a blindfold, TK." I hear Sora say. "Here's the deal. The girl who wants to give you another chance will stay here while the rest of us leave. What happens between you two after that is up to you. Think you can deal with that?"
"I don't know that I really deserve another chance."
"We all do, TK." I hear Mimi say.
"Okay, then."
I try and listen carefully to see if anybody says anything on their way out, but everyone is dead silent. The door opens, I hear three sets of footsteps leave, and then the door closes.
My heart is up in my throat as I wait nervously for whatever is coming next. It's completely silent in the room, and I can't see anything at all. I have no idea who I'm alone in here with, but she must be something else if she wants to give me a second chance.
Whoa! Suddenly I'm pulled up to my feet by the front of my shirt by someone! Talk about forceful! I reach up for the blindfold, but I feel her hands grab mine and pull them back down. I feel her fingers entwine with mine, and I can feel her warmth as she leans closer to me. What's coming next? I...she's kissing me! I don't know who it is, but I feel like a shock just went through me. I kiss back a little, and I feel her hands squeeze mine as she kisses me even harder. This feels so exhilarating, but it's eating me up inside! Who is it?! Who is kissing me!
Wait...what's that? That scent? It must be her perfume! I think I recognize it, but I can't place the scent...what is it? It smells like...like...
...Vanilla! But then that means it's...!
She breaks off the kiss and pulls the blindfold from my eyes, and I see that my memory didn't fail me.
It was Hikari.
She smiles and giggles at me as I look at her in utter amazement.
"Kari? But what about Daisuke?"
"We did go to the movie, but afterwards we talked for a long time." She tells me as she takes my hands in hers again. "I told him that I appreciated the fact that he feels so strongly about me, and I also told him that I did like him a lot. But I told him that there was someone else that I felt even stronger about, and I didn't want to hurt him by pretending to return his feelings. He was a bit heartbroken about it, but I think he understood. He wanted to know who it was, and I told him that too.
"It was you, TK. You're the one who's been in my heart all along. You've always been very special and dear to me, ever since we were little. I know I haven't been very forthcoming about my feelings in the past, and I even toyed with you for a while there, but believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you or anyone else. I just didn't know how to deal with my feelings then. Now, however, I do.
"You know, it almost broke my heart to hear you say that you didn't think you deserved another chance. Don't ever say or even think something like that again, TK! As far as I'm concerned, you're the best of all of us, and I...I love you for it. I love you for all that you are, and all I know you will be one day."
"This feels like a dream. I've wanted to hear that from you for so long, Kari...you're sure you want me back?" I ask. I'm completely entranced by her eyes, and hearing all that she just said...everything just feels completely surreal. She giggles at me again and steps up to me, putting her arms around me and pulling me close to her.
"Is the Pope Catholic?" she asks with a smile. Heh, I should've known she'd say something like that.
She kisses me again, and I feel like I'm in heaven. As I kiss her back, putting my arms around her, I hear the door creak open again, and all three of the other girls come back inside, cheering and applauding us. Odds are they want to invite us along for a group outing or something.
As far as I'm concerned, they can wait a couple of minutes until we're done. After all, I'm kissing my girlfriend!