Thanks again for all the reviews! I'm such an attention junkie that
here I am punting my studies once again to bring you chapter 9
On the balcony above, Rui and Akira sat and nursed their drinks, while Soujiro and Tsukushi danced on the floor below. Talking about nothing much in particular, they avoided mention of the events that had brought them here tonight. Still, neither could help but notice the sudden wave of fury that erupted across the floor below as the song came to its conclusion. Tipping their chairs over in their haste to see what was occurring, The two boys rushed to the balcony.
"Oh shit, is that who I think it is?" Akira asked.
Rui nodded, "looks like Tsukasa. I better go down there."
"Wait," Akira ordered, putting his hand on the other boy's arm to restrain him, "Makino can handle herself - let them work it out."
"But. . . " Rui protested weakly. He knew Akira had a point, but the urge to protect Tsukushi was so strong.
"Besides, she's already got Soujiro with her," Akira added. Neither he nor Rui had seen the kiss below, and had no idea that it might be Soujiro's presence which had sparked Doumyouji's fury. After a few seconds of inspired thought, Akira turned to Rui, "You love her don't you?"
Rui just nodded.
"You know it's hopeless?" Akira continued.
Again, Rui nodded.
"Then enjoy her while you can," Akira advised, "The fights that couples have never last. Take what pleasure while you can, while they fight, but don't get involved in the disagreement itself." Being the lover of married women that he was, Akira spoke from experience. Of course, he had the advantage of not ever being in love with the women he played with. But, still, he figured it was sound advice for anyone.
Rui allowed himself to be restrained, though he longed to be with Tsukushi. There was bound to be a confrontation between Doumyouji and himself eventually, he knew. However, perhaps tonight was not the night for it.
Quiet again, the two boys leaned over the balcony railing to watch the events below.
Tsukushi didn't notice the commotion headed towards herself and Soujiro, in the already noisy and crowded room, until Doumyouji was almost upon them. She and Soujiro had almost gained the foot of the stairs when the idling crowd of late night clubbers burst apart and an enraged Doumyouji suddenly stood fuming in front of her. Tsukushi's eyes widened in shock at the apparition of the curly-haired demon with the flaming eyes. She had not seen Tsukasa look this angry or dangerous in years.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Doumyouji's voice emerged dangerously smooth. It cut through the mingled noises of the club to reach Tsukushi's ears as if nothing in the world could stop it. The words were, however, meant for Soujiro, and not her. "How dare you Touch her.. You, one of my oldest and best friends! . . . I'll kill you, I swear it, if you touch her again."
Soujiro paled and took a step back. He opened his mouth as if to protest. But before he could say anything, Tsukushi stepped in front of him. She was so angry she could hardly breathe, much less speak, yet the words rose to her throat before she could stop them.
"How dare you! You have no right to dictate to him how to act! What makes you think you can waltz in here and interfere in my life now! If you so much as lay a finger on Soujiro, I'll hunt you down and tear your eyes out! Just leave us alone!" Somewhere deep inside, however, a little spark lit in her heart, at this evidence that Doumyouji still really did care for her. "Oh why, after all we've been through together, can we still not ever be honest with each other," she lamented silently, "You'd think by now, we could talk like rational people. Why must things always be so complicated?" The words she longed to say, "I love you, come back to me," or even, "we need to talk" remained unsaid, nevertheless; she could not bring herself to speak them through her anger.
All Doumyouji heard of her brief speech, however, was that she'd called Soujiro by his first name, and not Nishikado, as she'd always done before. As he heard her heated words, he felt himself grow colder, as his own anger drained out through his feet. His furious figure seemed to crumple in on itself, as he slumped in despair. The cold fury in his eyes washed out as he fought to keep tears from rising up. "She doesn't want me around; doesn't want to be with me," he thought, "See how she clings to Soujiro-has he charmed her so already? I couldn't bear it if she chose him over me."
Meanwhile, Tsukushi had turned away, taking Soujiro by the arm again, and starting up the stairs.
"Tsukushi," Tsukasa whispered hoarsely after her retreating back.
Despite the distance, and the pounding bass of the pulsing club beat, Tsukushi heard him. She turned around slowly, her fingers gripping Soujiro's arm tightly.
"Yes?" She queried reluctantly at last.
"Do you love him?" Even Tsukasa himself wasn't sure if he meant Rui, Soujiro, or even some other unknown man.
"Do you believe in Me?" was Tsukushi's despairing reply. With this, she resumed climbing the stairs. She could not say anything else; there were no other words to express what needed to be said.
Tsukasa stared after her, longingly. The sinking feeling in the pit of his soul grew as he realized he'd just screwed up again. Could things between him and Tsukushi possibly get any worse? With every fibre if his being, he hoped not.
As for Tsukushi herself, she couldn't stop trembling. By the time she and Soujiro reached the top step, she was shaking so hard she could hardly walk. She was afraid that if she looked back, Doumyouji might not be there, and if she went forward he would not follow. But she could not, would not look back; she would continue, and if he wanted to return to her then he would. The strain of placing one foot in front of the others as she walked away from him brought tears to her eyes.
Soujiro hesitantly put his arm around her, but he did not know what to do to stop her tears from flowing. He only knew how to deal with light, uncomplicated women and situations. How could he ease her pain, when he'd never been able to conquer his own? Though he was grateful to Tsukushi for staying Doumjouji's hand against him, Soujiro still didn't have a clue how to help her. His usual witticisms and ironic humor seemed vastly inappropriate here, and he was deeply grateful, when, upon reaching their table, Rui stood up and pulled Tsukushi to him.
In response, Tsukushi buried her head in Rui's chest and just let her tears flow, while he held her safe inside his arms.
Behind them, Soujiro seated himself at the table with Akira, and shook his head ruefully.
"I concede," he whispered. "I wish you luck in your attempts to seduce her."
"But why? You seemed to be doing well, I've never seen you give up so easily before," Akira barely managed to keep his astonishment to a matching whisper.
Soujiro simply shrugged and refused to elaborate.
"Fine! It'll make things that much easier for me." Akira suggested optimistically. Soujiro just crossed his arms and looked skeptical.
Tsukushi looked up at last, "I'm sorry for causing a scene," she murmured, "I don't think I feel well. Could one of you take me home, please?"
"God I feel stupid," Tsukushi thought to herself, "I can't believe I couldn't get through one meeting with him without breaking down completely. And in public too! This is so pathetic."
"You're right, you're a mess," Rui teased, as if he could read her thoughts, while he wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks.
"Hey, you shouldn't go home alone!" Akira protested. "You don't know what could happen to you!"
"My brother is home; he's waiting for me." Tsukushi denied weakly, "I'll be fine."
"I don't know how you can sleep in a place that small-and with your brother there too! Why don't we all go back to my house? My parents and sisters are out of town this weekend, and we've got plenty of room for everyone!" Akira persisted.
"Yeah, why not?" Soujiro added his support to this plan, "And there's no way Tsukasa will bother you there."
"You'll sleep better with us watching out for you," Even Rui thought Akira's idea had merit.
Tsukushi was so tired and emotionally drained from her brief interaction with Doumyouji that she lacked the strength to do more than put a up token protest as the boys pressured her. In her daze, she couldn't even see the impropriety that spending the night alone with these three might be.
Led by Rui, Tsukushi quietly followed the boys out of the club, as Akira's limo came round to pick them up. Numbly she squeezed in with them, and they departed for the safe haven of Akira's family estate.
Outside the club, a slow drizzle began to fall on the lonely figure of Doumyouji. He watched as the limo sped off, then slumped to the cold ground and wept. Did he believe in Tsukushi? Was this what it was all really about? Would he have been so easily mislead by Umi, by the whispering doubts chewing at his brainstem if he still believed? He didn't even know how he could think such thoughts; how could he ever have doubted Tsukushi. But if he didn't doubt, then how could he have grown tired of waiting for the one he loved to be ready for him? He just didn't know anymore. . .
Watching from the shadows, Shigeru and Sakurako put their heads together.
"He really is such an idiot," Sakurako commented.
"Indeed," Shigeru agreed, "All he had to do was apologize, and mean it. Instead he threatens his friends, questions Tsukushi-as if her love was in doubt after all this time, and generally makes an ass of himself. What an utter fool."
"I kinda feel bad for him, though," Sakurako sighed, "Even after all the trouble he causes. I suppose it can't be helped that he's so dense."
"Yeah, . . . Shall we go drag him home?"
"We'd better; otherwise god only knows what stupid stunt he'll try next."
With this, the two girls descended on Doumyouji and spirited him away from the lonely street corner.
The rain continued to fall.
To be continued.
On the balcony above, Rui and Akira sat and nursed their drinks, while Soujiro and Tsukushi danced on the floor below. Talking about nothing much in particular, they avoided mention of the events that had brought them here tonight. Still, neither could help but notice the sudden wave of fury that erupted across the floor below as the song came to its conclusion. Tipping their chairs over in their haste to see what was occurring, The two boys rushed to the balcony.
"Oh shit, is that who I think it is?" Akira asked.
Rui nodded, "looks like Tsukasa. I better go down there."
"Wait," Akira ordered, putting his hand on the other boy's arm to restrain him, "Makino can handle herself - let them work it out."
"But. . . " Rui protested weakly. He knew Akira had a point, but the urge to protect Tsukushi was so strong.
"Besides, she's already got Soujiro with her," Akira added. Neither he nor Rui had seen the kiss below, and had no idea that it might be Soujiro's presence which had sparked Doumyouji's fury. After a few seconds of inspired thought, Akira turned to Rui, "You love her don't you?"
Rui just nodded.
"You know it's hopeless?" Akira continued.
Again, Rui nodded.
"Then enjoy her while you can," Akira advised, "The fights that couples have never last. Take what pleasure while you can, while they fight, but don't get involved in the disagreement itself." Being the lover of married women that he was, Akira spoke from experience. Of course, he had the advantage of not ever being in love with the women he played with. But, still, he figured it was sound advice for anyone.
Rui allowed himself to be restrained, though he longed to be with Tsukushi. There was bound to be a confrontation between Doumyouji and himself eventually, he knew. However, perhaps tonight was not the night for it.
Quiet again, the two boys leaned over the balcony railing to watch the events below.
Tsukushi didn't notice the commotion headed towards herself and Soujiro, in the already noisy and crowded room, until Doumyouji was almost upon them. She and Soujiro had almost gained the foot of the stairs when the idling crowd of late night clubbers burst apart and an enraged Doumyouji suddenly stood fuming in front of her. Tsukushi's eyes widened in shock at the apparition of the curly-haired demon with the flaming eyes. She had not seen Tsukasa look this angry or dangerous in years.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Doumyouji's voice emerged dangerously smooth. It cut through the mingled noises of the club to reach Tsukushi's ears as if nothing in the world could stop it. The words were, however, meant for Soujiro, and not her. "How dare you Touch her.. You, one of my oldest and best friends! . . . I'll kill you, I swear it, if you touch her again."
Soujiro paled and took a step back. He opened his mouth as if to protest. But before he could say anything, Tsukushi stepped in front of him. She was so angry she could hardly breathe, much less speak, yet the words rose to her throat before she could stop them.
"How dare you! You have no right to dictate to him how to act! What makes you think you can waltz in here and interfere in my life now! If you so much as lay a finger on Soujiro, I'll hunt you down and tear your eyes out! Just leave us alone!" Somewhere deep inside, however, a little spark lit in her heart, at this evidence that Doumyouji still really did care for her. "Oh why, after all we've been through together, can we still not ever be honest with each other," she lamented silently, "You'd think by now, we could talk like rational people. Why must things always be so complicated?" The words she longed to say, "I love you, come back to me," or even, "we need to talk" remained unsaid, nevertheless; she could not bring herself to speak them through her anger.
All Doumyouji heard of her brief speech, however, was that she'd called Soujiro by his first name, and not Nishikado, as she'd always done before. As he heard her heated words, he felt himself grow colder, as his own anger drained out through his feet. His furious figure seemed to crumple in on itself, as he slumped in despair. The cold fury in his eyes washed out as he fought to keep tears from rising up. "She doesn't want me around; doesn't want to be with me," he thought, "See how she clings to Soujiro-has he charmed her so already? I couldn't bear it if she chose him over me."
Meanwhile, Tsukushi had turned away, taking Soujiro by the arm again, and starting up the stairs.
"Tsukushi," Tsukasa whispered hoarsely after her retreating back.
Despite the distance, and the pounding bass of the pulsing club beat, Tsukushi heard him. She turned around slowly, her fingers gripping Soujiro's arm tightly.
"Yes?" She queried reluctantly at last.
"Do you love him?" Even Tsukasa himself wasn't sure if he meant Rui, Soujiro, or even some other unknown man.
"Do you believe in Me?" was Tsukushi's despairing reply. With this, she resumed climbing the stairs. She could not say anything else; there were no other words to express what needed to be said.
Tsukasa stared after her, longingly. The sinking feeling in the pit of his soul grew as he realized he'd just screwed up again. Could things between him and Tsukushi possibly get any worse? With every fibre if his being, he hoped not.
As for Tsukushi herself, she couldn't stop trembling. By the time she and Soujiro reached the top step, she was shaking so hard she could hardly walk. She was afraid that if she looked back, Doumyouji might not be there, and if she went forward he would not follow. But she could not, would not look back; she would continue, and if he wanted to return to her then he would. The strain of placing one foot in front of the others as she walked away from him brought tears to her eyes.
Soujiro hesitantly put his arm around her, but he did not know what to do to stop her tears from flowing. He only knew how to deal with light, uncomplicated women and situations. How could he ease her pain, when he'd never been able to conquer his own? Though he was grateful to Tsukushi for staying Doumjouji's hand against him, Soujiro still didn't have a clue how to help her. His usual witticisms and ironic humor seemed vastly inappropriate here, and he was deeply grateful, when, upon reaching their table, Rui stood up and pulled Tsukushi to him.
In response, Tsukushi buried her head in Rui's chest and just let her tears flow, while he held her safe inside his arms.
Behind them, Soujiro seated himself at the table with Akira, and shook his head ruefully.
"I concede," he whispered. "I wish you luck in your attempts to seduce her."
"But why? You seemed to be doing well, I've never seen you give up so easily before," Akira barely managed to keep his astonishment to a matching whisper.
Soujiro simply shrugged and refused to elaborate.
"Fine! It'll make things that much easier for me." Akira suggested optimistically. Soujiro just crossed his arms and looked skeptical.
Tsukushi looked up at last, "I'm sorry for causing a scene," she murmured, "I don't think I feel well. Could one of you take me home, please?"
"God I feel stupid," Tsukushi thought to herself, "I can't believe I couldn't get through one meeting with him without breaking down completely. And in public too! This is so pathetic."
"You're right, you're a mess," Rui teased, as if he could read her thoughts, while he wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks.
"Hey, you shouldn't go home alone!" Akira protested. "You don't know what could happen to you!"
"My brother is home; he's waiting for me." Tsukushi denied weakly, "I'll be fine."
"I don't know how you can sleep in a place that small-and with your brother there too! Why don't we all go back to my house? My parents and sisters are out of town this weekend, and we've got plenty of room for everyone!" Akira persisted.
"Yeah, why not?" Soujiro added his support to this plan, "And there's no way Tsukasa will bother you there."
"You'll sleep better with us watching out for you," Even Rui thought Akira's idea had merit.
Tsukushi was so tired and emotionally drained from her brief interaction with Doumyouji that she lacked the strength to do more than put a up token protest as the boys pressured her. In her daze, she couldn't even see the impropriety that spending the night alone with these three might be.
Led by Rui, Tsukushi quietly followed the boys out of the club, as Akira's limo came round to pick them up. Numbly she squeezed in with them, and they departed for the safe haven of Akira's family estate.
Outside the club, a slow drizzle began to fall on the lonely figure of Doumyouji. He watched as the limo sped off, then slumped to the cold ground and wept. Did he believe in Tsukushi? Was this what it was all really about? Would he have been so easily mislead by Umi, by the whispering doubts chewing at his brainstem if he still believed? He didn't even know how he could think such thoughts; how could he ever have doubted Tsukushi. But if he didn't doubt, then how could he have grown tired of waiting for the one he loved to be ready for him? He just didn't know anymore. . .
Watching from the shadows, Shigeru and Sakurako put their heads together.
"He really is such an idiot," Sakurako commented.
"Indeed," Shigeru agreed, "All he had to do was apologize, and mean it. Instead he threatens his friends, questions Tsukushi-as if her love was in doubt after all this time, and generally makes an ass of himself. What an utter fool."
"I kinda feel bad for him, though," Sakurako sighed, "Even after all the trouble he causes. I suppose it can't be helped that he's so dense."
"Yeah, . . . Shall we go drag him home?"
"We'd better; otherwise god only knows what stupid stunt he'll try next."
With this, the two girls descended on Doumyouji and spirited him away from the lonely street corner.
The rain continued to fall.
To be continued.