Ah, err. so yeah, the last ch was a bit too angsty; the result of a bad
week. Luckily, punting all my responsibilities over the weekend gave me
inspiration for a few more chapters for this... Yay. (now I just need to
actually have to find time to write them, what with end of term careening
closer and all) However, I have to apologize to yih + anyone else who wants
me to work on 'shift..' because that's not going to happen anytime soon.
One plot is confusing enough to try to keep track of at a time .
Also, does anyone know-does Soujiro's younger brother have a name? How 'bout an age? Please let me know. I'm too lazy to to try and see if that's ever mentioned anywhere. Anyway, on with the story
Tsukushi wearily trudged to work. Today had simply been awful. It had been hard enough to make herself concentrate at work yesterday after she'd stormed off from her encounter with Tsukasa and Rui, but at least then, she'd had anger to fuel her and keep her going. Now, she merely felt tired and drained. Moreover, she had, of course, had to survive another miserable day at school, being picked on by everyone. She hated having to listen to the spiteful whispers behind her back, having to dodge the thrown spitballs and papers. At least, she reflected grimly, the F4 had not shown up. It was a relief not to have to deal with them. Though, in her more honest moments, Tsukushi was willing to admit to herself that they might at least have helped to shut up the more voluble of her detractors by their mere presence. At any rate, she was now tired, frustrated, and depressed. It was not a good combination of feelings, and she just knew her boss would notice her lack of concentration and yell at her, again.
Tsukushi sighed. And, she'd probably have to tell Yuki what was going on. Yuki had noticed Tsukushi's mood yesterday, and had tried to inquire what was wrong, but Tsukushi had brushed off her concern. Yuki was no fool though, and if Tsukushi persisted in moping around, Yuki would make her explain herself. Tsukushi just dreaded her friend's reaction to this comedy of misunderstandings. She knew that Yuki would want her to make up with her friends, and wouldn't see why she refused. Not to mention the fact that Tsukushi wasn't at all sure what her friend's reaction to Soujiro's involvement in all this would be. Tsukushi suspected the other girl was not yet over her infatuation with him at all, for she often caught her friend staring off into space with a wistful look on her face. Still, Tsukushi didn't think the two of them had talked in weeks... It might be ok to give him a passing mention.
Meanwhile, she had work to do. Tsukushi arrived at the Dango shop, and hastily changed into her uniform. The girls from the morning shift were more than happy to see her and Yuki arrive, as there was still a long line of customers to serve.
----
Akira wandered down the street, lost in thought. He was worried about his friends. It felt like the F4 was tearing itself apart. And over what?? A girl! It felt so wrong somehow. The four of them had always been together; always had been a cohesive unit; always had stood together, strong against the world. It was their lot in life to get their way, to not let anything stand in the way of their friendship or their goals. And now this. One commoner girl had slowly caused cracks to form in the glue of their friendship. Akira had been forced to watch as his friends split further and further apart. For a while, he'd thought Tsukasa and Rui had settled their differences over Tsukushi. After all, it had been so obvious which one she preferred, and Rui had been man enough to accept her decision.
But, as soon as she seemed to waver, as soon as Tsukasa made a mistake, Rui jumped back into the game. Akira shook his head. It seemed so unlike the quiet, reclusive boy to take so aggressive a role. But then, on second thought, Rui did have an intense and impulsive nature hidden behind that stony façade.
Akira half-hoped that this time, Tsukushi would stand by her words, and not go back to either of them. That way, the two boys could move on, and get over their jealousy.
Not that Akira had anything against Tsukushi; she was a perfectly nice girl- but no girl was really worth so much trouble!
And what about Soujiro? Akira had no idea what was up with his friend. He hadn't seen him since yesterday, and to tell the truth, Soujiro hadn't looked good then. Akira felt a brief pang of guilt at leaving Soujiro at the bar yesterday, but the bartender Had been totally hot. He hoped Soujiro was ok. After all, there had been plenty of girls there to distract him. But, at any rate, something was wrong with the boy, Akira decided. Soujiro had been quieter recently, he didn't hang out as much, didn't smile or laugh like usual. It was not like him at all, and Akira could not find the cause of it all. Soujiro vehemently denied an interest in Tsukushi, despite the time they'd spent together.
Hmm. An idea suddenly hit Akira. Perhaps it was Tsukushi's commoner friend, what was her name. Yuki? -- that Soujiro was depressed about? Was it possible that he'd taken a liking to the girl and she'd rejected him? If so, then it would make sense for him to be consulting with Tsukushi so deeply, After all, Soujiro never had been rejected before and he might take it hard, might have tried to recruit Tsukushi to help change her friend's mind? . Akira smiled. Maybe he'd go find this Yuki chick and see if that was it-perhaps he'd try to persuade her to give Soujiro a try. He thought he'd be more persuasive than Tsukushi when it came to advertising his friend.
Akira had no way of knowing right now, how absolutely and utterly wrong his newfound assumption was. And so, with a light step, he went off to find the dango shop where Tsukushi and Yuki worked. He was confident that soon, at least, he'd be able to cheer his best friend up.
-----
At the dango shop, the crowd of customers had finally abated, leaving Tsukushi and Yuki temporarily alone at last.
"Tsukushi, will you please just tell me what's wrong?" Yuki practically begged her friend, "You've been moping around since yesterday, so don't try to deny it. Did you and Doumyouji have another fight?"
"You could say that," Tsukushi bowed to the inevitable.
"Oh no! What happened?" Yuki's sympathetic eyes went wide.
"Well. Umm. I told him I never wanted to see him again." Tsukushi replied slowly.
"He must have done something really bad this time! I'm surprised that Hanazawa hasn't come by the shop to see you then." Yuki turned to look more closely at Tsukushi, who was now fidgeting uncomfortably, and looking anywhere but at Yuki.
"Ahhh." Tsukushi blushed, "I told him to go away too."
Yuki was really confused now. "But why? Don't tell me there's someone else?"
"Because they're acting like idiots! Stupid like rams butting heads at each other!. And, umm. not exactly.." Tsukushi flared up, but just as abruptly trailed off as she began to answer the second part of Yuki's question. She needed to think of the best way to launch into her explanation of her escapades with Soujiro that had led to this most recent confrontation. And speaking of which, she hoped Soujiro was doing ok. She'd not seen him since yesterday morning either, and she felt bad for the lonely boy. Worse, she knew that the impulsive Doumyouji would still be blaming him, and who knew what that might lead to.
"Not exactly?" Yuki repeated, the question plain in her voice.
"Well, see," Tsukushi explained, "Tsukasa thinks there is. And I just can't take any more of his stupid unprovoked jealousy. It's like I can't even have friends without him getting all paranoid! I'm not his possession! He can't control who I talk to and when!" Once again, Tsukushi's frustration and anger rose to the surface.
"But who is it he suspects? Is it Rui again?" Yuki persisted, dismayed by Tsukushi's abrupt mood swings.
"Oh no," a sudden laugh came from the doorway of the shop. Both girls looked up in surprise to see Akira. How long had he been standing there listening to them?
Akira laughed again at their guilty expressions at being caught discussing personal matters at work, "It was Soujiro."
A silence fell.
"Soujiro." Yuki whispered at last, her normally cheerful face turning pale. She hadn't seen the boy in weeks, though she thought of him frequently. He was her fantasy, a dream she knew she couldn't catch. She knew that he wouldn't ever feel for her the way she felt for him; their worlds were just too far apart, the rules they lived by simply too different. But that didn't stop her from remembering every line of his face; the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled; and the way her treated her with respect, though she was just a commoner. He never teased her or toyed with her like he did his girlfriends. Although she suspected in part that he was so nice to her simply because she was Tsukushi's friend. All this flashed through her head in the space of a few seconds. She'd tried to forget the boy; knew she had to, but that didn't help, when just the sound of his name could bring so much flooding to mind.
Tsukushi noticed her friend's sudden loss of color, and jumped to fill the silence. "No thanks to you Mimasaka! Spreading rumors around like that! Why do you have to be such a gossip?"
"Gossip? Me?" Akira retorted without thinking, "What do you expect? You're the one that slept with him."
At this, Yuki's color went completely white. "Tsukushi?" she stared at her friend, "You slept with Nishikado?" She couldn't believe her best friend would do something like that. It wasn't like her at all. but Akira had never seemed to be the lying type, either.
"Oops," Akira muttered guiltily, as Tsukushi shot him a murderous glare. He remembered her threat to disembowel him if he told about that night. But well, he reminded himself defensively, she Had slept with Soujiro... if maybe not in the sense that everyone thought.
Tsukushi turned to Yuki. This was exactly what she had hoped to avoid having to explain. "Not like that." she began.
"Not like what? You did sleep with him? Why? Tsukushi, how could you?" Yuki could contain her tears no longer, and fled to the back room to cry.
"Asshole!" Tsukushi glared at Akira, before spinning on her heel and marching out after Yuki.
"I'm an idiot." Akira sighed to himself as he glanced around the deserted shop. This was not what he'd come here to do. And, judging by Yuki's behavior just now, his theory regarding her was wrong. He was very confused. Maybe it would be a good idea to take the girls out to coffee or something and try to sort the whole thing out? After all, somebody had to start patching this network of friendships up, and soon! Akira took a seat and waited for the girls to reappear.
In the back room, Tsukushi was having a hard time getting Yuki to listen to her. It was all she could do to keep the girl from breaking into tears again. Tsukushi hadn't thought Yuki was still So into Soujiro as all this. Or maybe, she'd just hoped that her friend would have moved on by now... She'd been so wrong.
Unfortunately, while Tsukushi was trying to explain things to Yuki, their boss came out of her office to find the shop front unmanned, and Akira sitting, waiting impatiently for the girls' return. She hastily apologized to him and began shouting for her employees to stop slacking off! She wondered, not for the first time, how she'd managed to hire two such flakes?
Realizing that he was responsible for the girls getting in trouble, Akira swiftly intervened.
"Ah, ma'am," he ventured, "I was buying the entire stock. they just went to find boxes for them all. So how much do I owe?"
The manager's transformation was instantaneous. Suddenly, her scowl was replaced by a beaming smile, as she rang up the huge purchase. "Hurry up an fetch those boxes girls," She shouted, "before our customer changes his mind!"
"Huh?" Tsukushi had no idea what her boss was talking about. But, leaving Yuki to wipe her eyes and follow, Tsukushi quickly returned to the shop front, boxes in hand. Akira gave her an apologetic shrug as he counted out bills.
"Since your shop's now empty," he suggested, "can the girls have the rest of the day off?"
"I don't see why not." The shopkeeper was pleased. She recognized the boy as one of Tsukushi's friends. And, it was nice-ever since the girl had met these boys, they had developed an amazing habit of buying out their entire selection of confections. It was a wonderful boost to their profits. So no, she didn't mind at all if they took the rest of the day off.
"Makino," Akira continued, "Would you and your friend please join me for a cup of coffee? I'd like to apologize for upsetting her."
Tsukushi looked at him suspiciously. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing! I'm just so bored. Come on! The rest of the F4 is being lame. You two will help make my day much more interesting!"
Tsukushi sighed in resignation. Knowing the persistence of the other F4 members, she suspected that Akira would get his way eventually. It would be easiest to just give in now. "I still have to explain to Yuki.." she muttered," Then I'll see if she's up for it."
"Oh come on!" Akira urged, "Let's get out of here first. You can talk to her along the way." He really just wanted to hear Tsukushi's version of events too.
And, with these words, he impulsively went and collected a still-tearful Yuki from the back of the shop. Tsukushi just shook her head. And to think that she'd thought Akira was more sane than the rest of the F4. Still, she had to smile at his talent for getting his way. And as they left the shop, Yuki began to brighten up, as Akira teased and flirted with her in his gentle, sunny way.
When the three of them had reached a coffee shop and settled in with their lattes and mocha-javas and whatnot, Tsukushi once more launched into her tale of the misunderstandings and accidents that had led to her first ending up in bed with Soujiro, and then to her most recent fight with Tsukasa and Rui.
When it was done, Yuki couldn't help but smile. Yeah, that sounded like the story of Tsukushi's life, all right. Nothing was ever simple around her, or her friends. But at least they made life interesting. It still hurt to think of her best friend being privileged to spend so much time so close to the man of her dreams, but she couldn't really blame Tsukushi. It wasn't her fault that she was friends with the F4.
Eager to keep the mood more cheerful, Akira launched into a funny anecdote involving the mishaps of the F4 when they were just little boys. Soon both Yuki and Tsukushi were dissolving in tears of laughter themselves. And then, it was not long before Yuki began, "That reminds me of this one time, when Tsukushi and I were little, and Kazuya." All in all, it was turning into a pleasant evening despite its less than encouraging beginnings. Even Tsukushi showed signs of throwing off her depression, for a little while at least.
However, Akira still had not learned what he'd originally come to find out; that is, what, if anything, was up between Yuki and Soujiro. Obviously, he'd figured out that his initial theory was dead wrong and the girl definitely had feelings for him. So perhaps Soujiro had rejected her? That wasn't much like him either. Yuki was cute, Akira decided, and she seemed smarter than many of the usual girls he and Soujiro played with. She seemed to have a sweet personality too. Akira shrugged, he didn't get it at all. But then again, Soujiro often did seem to prefer ditzes. Akira considered himself to have better taste. There was nothing wrong with a woman with a brain; in fact, a bit more maturity was quite sexy..
When Yuki got up briefly to visit the WC, Akira gave in to his curiosity. Leaning in close to Tsukushi, he asked, "So just what did happen between your friend and Soujiro, anyway?" Tsukushi shot him a startled glance. To her eyes, Akira seemed to be more than just casually interested in Yuki.
"Nothing as far as I know," She replied after a moment's thought. Then, since there was no point in lying to him, "She's had a crush on him since they first met. I don't think he feels the same. I used to think they were at least friends, but these days, I'm not so sure." Tsukushi trailed off, unsure of how much she should say, without compromising her friends' privacy.
Akira simply nodded. "Seems a shame. She have a boyfriend?"
"Akira!" Tsukushi yelped, "Don't you mess with Yuki! She doesn't need to have her heart broken again! And she's too young for you!"
"You wound me, Tsukushi. Would I do a thing like that?"
"That's what he said too." Tsukushi muttered darkly, "but people can't control their hearts." Even she didn't know if she was referring to Yuki or to her own experiences.
"Relax," Akira grinned, "She's too young for me, you're right. Besides, I've got a girl these days, anyway." Or at least he would, if the damned woman could sneak away from her husband more often.. and of course there was that bartender too.
Tsukushi still looked skeptical. She didn't trust this playboy at all around women, especially her friends. But before she could say anything more, Yuki returned. Tsukushi smiled up at her, "I have to go to work now! Got tables to wait! You going to be ok?"
"Yeah," Yuki smiled back, "you?"
"Yeah." They said their goodbyes at last, and Tsukushi slipped away, leaving Yuki to finish her coffee with Akira. I hope Yuki isn't too upset about the whole Soujiro thing, Tsukushi worried - the girl seemed fine, but she often tried to hide it when she was hurt, especially when her pain was due to thoughts of Soujiro. But, Tsukushi knew Akira would be good for Yuki's mood. He was a natural at soothing people. Even if he couldn't be trusted not to hit on anything female.
And it was true. Back at the café, Akira and Yuki were hitting it off just fine. They'd met before several times, at parties the F4 had dragged Tsukushi to (and she in turn, had brought Yuki for moral support). But they'd never had much reason to talk before. Now, the time passed quickly enough and too soon Yuki excused herself to go home before her parents started to wonder why she was so late.
Akira smiled as she left. Tsukushi's friend certainly helped ease the boredom of the day. Truly, he'd hardly missed the company of the rest of the F4 while sitting here. Nevertheless, it was time to head out. For he'd a date to meet. hopefully, this time, Anna would show up. But, he reflected, if she did stand him up again, he still did have the number of that hot little bartender girl.He grinned wickedly; she'd even promised to teach him to mix the hottest new cocktails in town. Whistling jauntily, Akira went out into the night..
To be continued.
Also, does anyone know-does Soujiro's younger brother have a name? How 'bout an age? Please let me know. I'm too lazy to to try and see if that's ever mentioned anywhere. Anyway, on with the story
Tsukushi wearily trudged to work. Today had simply been awful. It had been hard enough to make herself concentrate at work yesterday after she'd stormed off from her encounter with Tsukasa and Rui, but at least then, she'd had anger to fuel her and keep her going. Now, she merely felt tired and drained. Moreover, she had, of course, had to survive another miserable day at school, being picked on by everyone. She hated having to listen to the spiteful whispers behind her back, having to dodge the thrown spitballs and papers. At least, she reflected grimly, the F4 had not shown up. It was a relief not to have to deal with them. Though, in her more honest moments, Tsukushi was willing to admit to herself that they might at least have helped to shut up the more voluble of her detractors by their mere presence. At any rate, she was now tired, frustrated, and depressed. It was not a good combination of feelings, and she just knew her boss would notice her lack of concentration and yell at her, again.
Tsukushi sighed. And, she'd probably have to tell Yuki what was going on. Yuki had noticed Tsukushi's mood yesterday, and had tried to inquire what was wrong, but Tsukushi had brushed off her concern. Yuki was no fool though, and if Tsukushi persisted in moping around, Yuki would make her explain herself. Tsukushi just dreaded her friend's reaction to this comedy of misunderstandings. She knew that Yuki would want her to make up with her friends, and wouldn't see why she refused. Not to mention the fact that Tsukushi wasn't at all sure what her friend's reaction to Soujiro's involvement in all this would be. Tsukushi suspected the other girl was not yet over her infatuation with him at all, for she often caught her friend staring off into space with a wistful look on her face. Still, Tsukushi didn't think the two of them had talked in weeks... It might be ok to give him a passing mention.
Meanwhile, she had work to do. Tsukushi arrived at the Dango shop, and hastily changed into her uniform. The girls from the morning shift were more than happy to see her and Yuki arrive, as there was still a long line of customers to serve.
----
Akira wandered down the street, lost in thought. He was worried about his friends. It felt like the F4 was tearing itself apart. And over what?? A girl! It felt so wrong somehow. The four of them had always been together; always had been a cohesive unit; always had stood together, strong against the world. It was their lot in life to get their way, to not let anything stand in the way of their friendship or their goals. And now this. One commoner girl had slowly caused cracks to form in the glue of their friendship. Akira had been forced to watch as his friends split further and further apart. For a while, he'd thought Tsukasa and Rui had settled their differences over Tsukushi. After all, it had been so obvious which one she preferred, and Rui had been man enough to accept her decision.
But, as soon as she seemed to waver, as soon as Tsukasa made a mistake, Rui jumped back into the game. Akira shook his head. It seemed so unlike the quiet, reclusive boy to take so aggressive a role. But then, on second thought, Rui did have an intense and impulsive nature hidden behind that stony façade.
Akira half-hoped that this time, Tsukushi would stand by her words, and not go back to either of them. That way, the two boys could move on, and get over their jealousy.
Not that Akira had anything against Tsukushi; she was a perfectly nice girl- but no girl was really worth so much trouble!
And what about Soujiro? Akira had no idea what was up with his friend. He hadn't seen him since yesterday, and to tell the truth, Soujiro hadn't looked good then. Akira felt a brief pang of guilt at leaving Soujiro at the bar yesterday, but the bartender Had been totally hot. He hoped Soujiro was ok. After all, there had been plenty of girls there to distract him. But, at any rate, something was wrong with the boy, Akira decided. Soujiro had been quieter recently, he didn't hang out as much, didn't smile or laugh like usual. It was not like him at all, and Akira could not find the cause of it all. Soujiro vehemently denied an interest in Tsukushi, despite the time they'd spent together.
Hmm. An idea suddenly hit Akira. Perhaps it was Tsukushi's commoner friend, what was her name. Yuki? -- that Soujiro was depressed about? Was it possible that he'd taken a liking to the girl and she'd rejected him? If so, then it would make sense for him to be consulting with Tsukushi so deeply, After all, Soujiro never had been rejected before and he might take it hard, might have tried to recruit Tsukushi to help change her friend's mind? . Akira smiled. Maybe he'd go find this Yuki chick and see if that was it-perhaps he'd try to persuade her to give Soujiro a try. He thought he'd be more persuasive than Tsukushi when it came to advertising his friend.
Akira had no way of knowing right now, how absolutely and utterly wrong his newfound assumption was. And so, with a light step, he went off to find the dango shop where Tsukushi and Yuki worked. He was confident that soon, at least, he'd be able to cheer his best friend up.
-----
At the dango shop, the crowd of customers had finally abated, leaving Tsukushi and Yuki temporarily alone at last.
"Tsukushi, will you please just tell me what's wrong?" Yuki practically begged her friend, "You've been moping around since yesterday, so don't try to deny it. Did you and Doumyouji have another fight?"
"You could say that," Tsukushi bowed to the inevitable.
"Oh no! What happened?" Yuki's sympathetic eyes went wide.
"Well. Umm. I told him I never wanted to see him again." Tsukushi replied slowly.
"He must have done something really bad this time! I'm surprised that Hanazawa hasn't come by the shop to see you then." Yuki turned to look more closely at Tsukushi, who was now fidgeting uncomfortably, and looking anywhere but at Yuki.
"Ahhh." Tsukushi blushed, "I told him to go away too."
Yuki was really confused now. "But why? Don't tell me there's someone else?"
"Because they're acting like idiots! Stupid like rams butting heads at each other!. And, umm. not exactly.." Tsukushi flared up, but just as abruptly trailed off as she began to answer the second part of Yuki's question. She needed to think of the best way to launch into her explanation of her escapades with Soujiro that had led to this most recent confrontation. And speaking of which, she hoped Soujiro was doing ok. She'd not seen him since yesterday morning either, and she felt bad for the lonely boy. Worse, she knew that the impulsive Doumyouji would still be blaming him, and who knew what that might lead to.
"Not exactly?" Yuki repeated, the question plain in her voice.
"Well, see," Tsukushi explained, "Tsukasa thinks there is. And I just can't take any more of his stupid unprovoked jealousy. It's like I can't even have friends without him getting all paranoid! I'm not his possession! He can't control who I talk to and when!" Once again, Tsukushi's frustration and anger rose to the surface.
"But who is it he suspects? Is it Rui again?" Yuki persisted, dismayed by Tsukushi's abrupt mood swings.
"Oh no," a sudden laugh came from the doorway of the shop. Both girls looked up in surprise to see Akira. How long had he been standing there listening to them?
Akira laughed again at their guilty expressions at being caught discussing personal matters at work, "It was Soujiro."
A silence fell.
"Soujiro." Yuki whispered at last, her normally cheerful face turning pale. She hadn't seen the boy in weeks, though she thought of him frequently. He was her fantasy, a dream she knew she couldn't catch. She knew that he wouldn't ever feel for her the way she felt for him; their worlds were just too far apart, the rules they lived by simply too different. But that didn't stop her from remembering every line of his face; the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled; and the way her treated her with respect, though she was just a commoner. He never teased her or toyed with her like he did his girlfriends. Although she suspected in part that he was so nice to her simply because she was Tsukushi's friend. All this flashed through her head in the space of a few seconds. She'd tried to forget the boy; knew she had to, but that didn't help, when just the sound of his name could bring so much flooding to mind.
Tsukushi noticed her friend's sudden loss of color, and jumped to fill the silence. "No thanks to you Mimasaka! Spreading rumors around like that! Why do you have to be such a gossip?"
"Gossip? Me?" Akira retorted without thinking, "What do you expect? You're the one that slept with him."
At this, Yuki's color went completely white. "Tsukushi?" she stared at her friend, "You slept with Nishikado?" She couldn't believe her best friend would do something like that. It wasn't like her at all. but Akira had never seemed to be the lying type, either.
"Oops," Akira muttered guiltily, as Tsukushi shot him a murderous glare. He remembered her threat to disembowel him if he told about that night. But well, he reminded himself defensively, she Had slept with Soujiro... if maybe not in the sense that everyone thought.
Tsukushi turned to Yuki. This was exactly what she had hoped to avoid having to explain. "Not like that." she began.
"Not like what? You did sleep with him? Why? Tsukushi, how could you?" Yuki could contain her tears no longer, and fled to the back room to cry.
"Asshole!" Tsukushi glared at Akira, before spinning on her heel and marching out after Yuki.
"I'm an idiot." Akira sighed to himself as he glanced around the deserted shop. This was not what he'd come here to do. And, judging by Yuki's behavior just now, his theory regarding her was wrong. He was very confused. Maybe it would be a good idea to take the girls out to coffee or something and try to sort the whole thing out? After all, somebody had to start patching this network of friendships up, and soon! Akira took a seat and waited for the girls to reappear.
In the back room, Tsukushi was having a hard time getting Yuki to listen to her. It was all she could do to keep the girl from breaking into tears again. Tsukushi hadn't thought Yuki was still So into Soujiro as all this. Or maybe, she'd just hoped that her friend would have moved on by now... She'd been so wrong.
Unfortunately, while Tsukushi was trying to explain things to Yuki, their boss came out of her office to find the shop front unmanned, and Akira sitting, waiting impatiently for the girls' return. She hastily apologized to him and began shouting for her employees to stop slacking off! She wondered, not for the first time, how she'd managed to hire two such flakes?
Realizing that he was responsible for the girls getting in trouble, Akira swiftly intervened.
"Ah, ma'am," he ventured, "I was buying the entire stock. they just went to find boxes for them all. So how much do I owe?"
The manager's transformation was instantaneous. Suddenly, her scowl was replaced by a beaming smile, as she rang up the huge purchase. "Hurry up an fetch those boxes girls," She shouted, "before our customer changes his mind!"
"Huh?" Tsukushi had no idea what her boss was talking about. But, leaving Yuki to wipe her eyes and follow, Tsukushi quickly returned to the shop front, boxes in hand. Akira gave her an apologetic shrug as he counted out bills.
"Since your shop's now empty," he suggested, "can the girls have the rest of the day off?"
"I don't see why not." The shopkeeper was pleased. She recognized the boy as one of Tsukushi's friends. And, it was nice-ever since the girl had met these boys, they had developed an amazing habit of buying out their entire selection of confections. It was a wonderful boost to their profits. So no, she didn't mind at all if they took the rest of the day off.
"Makino," Akira continued, "Would you and your friend please join me for a cup of coffee? I'd like to apologize for upsetting her."
Tsukushi looked at him suspiciously. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing! I'm just so bored. Come on! The rest of the F4 is being lame. You two will help make my day much more interesting!"
Tsukushi sighed in resignation. Knowing the persistence of the other F4 members, she suspected that Akira would get his way eventually. It would be easiest to just give in now. "I still have to explain to Yuki.." she muttered," Then I'll see if she's up for it."
"Oh come on!" Akira urged, "Let's get out of here first. You can talk to her along the way." He really just wanted to hear Tsukushi's version of events too.
And, with these words, he impulsively went and collected a still-tearful Yuki from the back of the shop. Tsukushi just shook her head. And to think that she'd thought Akira was more sane than the rest of the F4. Still, she had to smile at his talent for getting his way. And as they left the shop, Yuki began to brighten up, as Akira teased and flirted with her in his gentle, sunny way.
When the three of them had reached a coffee shop and settled in with their lattes and mocha-javas and whatnot, Tsukushi once more launched into her tale of the misunderstandings and accidents that had led to her first ending up in bed with Soujiro, and then to her most recent fight with Tsukasa and Rui.
When it was done, Yuki couldn't help but smile. Yeah, that sounded like the story of Tsukushi's life, all right. Nothing was ever simple around her, or her friends. But at least they made life interesting. It still hurt to think of her best friend being privileged to spend so much time so close to the man of her dreams, but she couldn't really blame Tsukushi. It wasn't her fault that she was friends with the F4.
Eager to keep the mood more cheerful, Akira launched into a funny anecdote involving the mishaps of the F4 when they were just little boys. Soon both Yuki and Tsukushi were dissolving in tears of laughter themselves. And then, it was not long before Yuki began, "That reminds me of this one time, when Tsukushi and I were little, and Kazuya." All in all, it was turning into a pleasant evening despite its less than encouraging beginnings. Even Tsukushi showed signs of throwing off her depression, for a little while at least.
However, Akira still had not learned what he'd originally come to find out; that is, what, if anything, was up between Yuki and Soujiro. Obviously, he'd figured out that his initial theory was dead wrong and the girl definitely had feelings for him. So perhaps Soujiro had rejected her? That wasn't much like him either. Yuki was cute, Akira decided, and she seemed smarter than many of the usual girls he and Soujiro played with. She seemed to have a sweet personality too. Akira shrugged, he didn't get it at all. But then again, Soujiro often did seem to prefer ditzes. Akira considered himself to have better taste. There was nothing wrong with a woman with a brain; in fact, a bit more maturity was quite sexy..
When Yuki got up briefly to visit the WC, Akira gave in to his curiosity. Leaning in close to Tsukushi, he asked, "So just what did happen between your friend and Soujiro, anyway?" Tsukushi shot him a startled glance. To her eyes, Akira seemed to be more than just casually interested in Yuki.
"Nothing as far as I know," She replied after a moment's thought. Then, since there was no point in lying to him, "She's had a crush on him since they first met. I don't think he feels the same. I used to think they were at least friends, but these days, I'm not so sure." Tsukushi trailed off, unsure of how much she should say, without compromising her friends' privacy.
Akira simply nodded. "Seems a shame. She have a boyfriend?"
"Akira!" Tsukushi yelped, "Don't you mess with Yuki! She doesn't need to have her heart broken again! And she's too young for you!"
"You wound me, Tsukushi. Would I do a thing like that?"
"That's what he said too." Tsukushi muttered darkly, "but people can't control their hearts." Even she didn't know if she was referring to Yuki or to her own experiences.
"Relax," Akira grinned, "She's too young for me, you're right. Besides, I've got a girl these days, anyway." Or at least he would, if the damned woman could sneak away from her husband more often.. and of course there was that bartender too.
Tsukushi still looked skeptical. She didn't trust this playboy at all around women, especially her friends. But before she could say anything more, Yuki returned. Tsukushi smiled up at her, "I have to go to work now! Got tables to wait! You going to be ok?"
"Yeah," Yuki smiled back, "you?"
"Yeah." They said their goodbyes at last, and Tsukushi slipped away, leaving Yuki to finish her coffee with Akira. I hope Yuki isn't too upset about the whole Soujiro thing, Tsukushi worried - the girl seemed fine, but she often tried to hide it when she was hurt, especially when her pain was due to thoughts of Soujiro. But, Tsukushi knew Akira would be good for Yuki's mood. He was a natural at soothing people. Even if he couldn't be trusted not to hit on anything female.
And it was true. Back at the café, Akira and Yuki were hitting it off just fine. They'd met before several times, at parties the F4 had dragged Tsukushi to (and she in turn, had brought Yuki for moral support). But they'd never had much reason to talk before. Now, the time passed quickly enough and too soon Yuki excused herself to go home before her parents started to wonder why she was so late.
Akira smiled as she left. Tsukushi's friend certainly helped ease the boredom of the day. Truly, he'd hardly missed the company of the rest of the F4 while sitting here. Nevertheless, it was time to head out. For he'd a date to meet. hopefully, this time, Anna would show up. But, he reflected, if she did stand him up again, he still did have the number of that hot little bartender girl.He grinned wickedly; she'd even promised to teach him to mix the hottest new cocktails in town. Whistling jauntily, Akira went out into the night..
To be continued.