Salty Coffee

Chapter 8 - Confessions

Tsukushi-chan would blow her top off if she learns about this… Yuuki sighed and yet, feeling a tinkle of sweetness within her, as she slipped into the new dress that she had bought recently, and meant to be worn on this special day.

"Yuuki-chan, you look so pretty today!" Tsukushi exclaimed when she stepped into the locker room.

Yuuki blushed all over and felt perspirations under her arms, and a funny pounding began in her pulse. She felt like a child caught with her hand in a cookie jar, guilty of some petty crime, and terribly afraid of being severely punished for almost nothing.

" Err…thanks." Yuuki muttered out softly.

" I am going now…or else I will be late for my family gathering." Yuuki said when she reached for the door and had it open.

" Yuuki-chan!"  Yuuki froze.

" Hai?"

" Have you gotten that teddy bear yet?" Tsukushi asked, raising her eyebrows.

" Err…I gave up. It is just too expensive." Yuuki answered, a choke in her voice. " Why did you ask?"

" Oh…nothing really." Tsukushi quipped.

" Fujima-san asked me if I want to work overtime tonight, so I was thinking if you would want to…"

Yuuki was heaving sighs of relief and started laughing, kind of hard and bitterly. She then told Tsukushi that it was okay for her to have those extra working hours and Tsukushi was grateful for that.

 " Tsukushi-chan." Yuuki murmured, feeling unreal, "I am a big girl now, don't worry about me, okay?"

" Good gosh!" Tsukushi exclaimed, sighing, like she'd rather not, " So, he did approach you during that night huh?" 

Tsukushi's expression was unreadable.  Yuuki appeared dumbfounded. Was I a windowpane, so easy to read? Yuuki tried to smile, to prove to her how adult she was, but unfortunately, the play of mixed emotions upon her face made her eyes look confused, bewildered, dazed and sort of helpless. Somehow, Yuuki knew what she had to do, it's a path she had chosen and now, it should be her own responsibility to walk the path.

" I'm afraid so…" Yuuki finally admitted.

Tsukushi moved closer to her and spoke out in a questioning tone, " He is THE Nishikado Soujirou, you know."

" Yes, I know." Yuuki looked at her and forced out a smile, " Dai jo bu! Everything is fine. I will call you tomorrow and tell you each and every detail of our first date! Jaa!"

First date? Tsukushi stood there, numbed by what she was hearing as the opened door closes behind Yuuki. By the time Tsukushi had regained her composure, she wanted to stop Yuuki from going but she was already too late.  Yuuki had already gotten into a limousine stopped at the opposite of the dango shop.

*****

On their first date, Soujirou took her to some posh restaurant, which she had difficulty in pronouncing its name because the words were in French, and they had a delicious dinner. In spite of herself, Yuuki was having a great time, and she had no valid reason to deny her current feeling.

He was charming and amusing, and incredibly attractive. He seemed genuinely interested in knowing everything about her and he really seemed to mean the compliments he paid her. Never in her dreams Yuuki would dream of this day, when she could have the man, a lady-killer, all to herself.

Tsukushi was found waiting anxiously outside Yuuki's apartment when Soujirou's limousine pulled over at the pathway in front of her and it was already near midnight.

 " Tsukushi-chan?" Yuuki looked astonished for a moment as she stepped out of the limousine, followed by Soujirou. How foolish Tsukushi must appear standing by herself, with her arms folded, waiting for her best friend to provide her with some good explanation about this so called first date she was having with the infamous flirtatious playboy of Eitoku High even when it was really none of her concern who Yuuki was dating. But for the sake of Yuuki's happiness, Tsukushi didn't have much choice left.

" I am so glad to see you BACK." Tsukushi said, trying to sound as causal as possible and quickly pulled Yuuki behind while she shot an almost murderous glare at Soujirou. Tsukushi then turned back to Yuuki, " I bet you must be tired, better go in now and EXPLAIN everything to me tomorrow. Oyasumi."  Yuuki reluctantly nodded and managed to steal a glance at Soujirou before she stepped into the house.

" It's late, do you want me to send you home?" Soujirou asked and Tsukushi did not reject. When the limousine was some distance away from Yuuki's apartment, Tsukushi began her confrontation.

" What do you think you are doing?" Tsukushi demanded.

Soujirou smiled.

" I am dating Yuuki."

" I am not blind!" Tsukushi finally exploded and one of her hands had Soujirou's silk collar tugged before she went on, " What is your reason for doing so?"

" Reason?" Soujirou wanted to laugh, but he didn't.  " Is it really necessary to have a reason?"

" You bet it is NECESSARY!" Tsukushi glared as her grip tightened.

" Cool down." Soujirou decided to plead mercy because he knew how violent Tsukushi could get, if she wanted.

" Not unless you give me a valid reason." Tsukushi demanded.

" I love her." Soujirou muttered.

Tsukushi's eyes widened as she finally loosened her grip, " What?"

" Come one, give me some credit. I can fall in love too." Soujirou rejoined when Tsukushi had sounded almost so mockingly.

" Impossible." There was a small silence, " Impossible." 

Soujirou was frowning, " What are you saying?"  Tsukushi said, slowly, " Seriously, Nishikado Soujirou, is falling in love?"

Soujirou sat there, frustrated. There was nothing more he could say. I cannot blame Makino for not believing in me. He thought philosophically. I will prove to her that I, too, can love, like how Tsukasa and Rui have loved, or even better.

…To be continued