Salty Coffee
Chapter 10 – Insisted Love
*Flash back*
It was a gathering of a clan of strangers. It was an awkward meeting. They were alien to one another, and the only thing they had in common was Soujirou. He was their son and he was her boyfriend.
Yuuki was uncomfortable. She was awed by the splendor of the huge house and the number of servants Soujirou had in their household. She never had any friends who were as rich as the F4 before, and it made her wonder if she was still in an awaken dream. Under the table, she took Soujirou's hand, to make sure that he was still beside her.
" Kaasan, this is Yuuki." Soujirou began with his introduction, ignoring his father, as always. There were only polite exchanges of nodding between the ladies. They sat opposite each other, uncomfortably studying one another, until Mr. Nishikado broke the silent with a harsh question.
" What is the reason for this meeting?"
Once again, they started staring at one another, frozen.
" I want to marry Yuuki." Soujirou solemnly declared, making Yuuki gasping a little. Yuuki then stared at Soujirou for a moment, her eyes fixed curiously on his as though telling him What-Are-You-Talking-About?
" I am not joking." Soujirou assured her in a hushed voice.
" Young man, I am a busy man and I certainly have no time to entertain any of your defiance acts." Mr. Nishikado reminded Soujirou sharply. Not even once had he laid his eyes on Yuuki.
" Busy man? Ha!" Soujirou laughed, almost mockingly. "Busy seducing those women outside?" Soujirou cried out.
Yuuki's pounding heart nearly took her breath away, and for a moment she could do was speak in loud whisper.
" Jirou, calm down." Yuuki said. Soujirou glanced at Yuuki, who looked absolutely stunned before turning back to his parents.
" Agree or not agree, I am planning to marry Yuuki. I am only being courteous enough to tell you this just for the sake of Yuuki."
" Imprudent son!" Mr. Nishikado finally exploded, causing a great impact on the poor table as he slammed it really hard with his palm.
Mrs. Nishikado was upset by the whole thing and started getting worried for her son, especially when her husband had recently promised a marriage bonding between the Yamadas -- another infamous character in the sadoh arena. In fact, they were planning to tell Soujirou only after he had graduated from University since the girl was still doing her high school education during that time.
" You really want to marry this girl?" The realization intrigued Mrs. Nishikado.
" Yes, Kaasan. I do. I really do." Soujirou said firmly and took Yuuki's hand as both of them stood up.
Just before they headed for the door, "Stop right there!" Mr. Nishikado commanded and then in the next few seconds, he practically leaped Soujirou's arms. Yuuki gasped helplessly as Mr. Nishikado drew Soujirou closer.
" What are you trying to prove?" He demanded, as he glared and not even blinking. Mrs. Nishikado had seen the fire in those black eyes before, especially after he had had too much to drink, and every time they had made her heart shudder. In spite of that, she noticed how calm her son had been when he was in fact staring into them.
" To prove," Soujirou said calmly, " I am not like you." He added, astounding his father.
Mr. Nishikado finally released his grip and shook his head. With all his other sons wanting to pursue their own careers, he had been hoping to depend on Soujirou and really let him take over his sadoh business when Soujirou graduated from University. Soujirou was his last and only hope, however his ego just wouldn't relent, especially when there was an outsider in the room.
" If you dare to step out of this house now," He warned, in a hoarse voice, " don't ever come back."
" NO! I don't approve of this!" Mrs. Nishikado screamed out, her voice crumbling.
" Jirou!" Mrs. Nishikado quickly turned toward Soujirou and pleaded, " Apologize to your father, quick! Tell him you are sorry…"
Yuuki stood trembling, uncertain, wondering what to do which wouldn't make her seem a foolish prude in the judgment of her boyfriend's disapproving parents. Time seemed to stand still as she was waiting for Soujirou's answer to his mother' plead and his father's threat.
*****
Christmas Eve. It had already been five months since Soujirou left his house during that fateful night. Not once had he been thinking in going back to them and tell them that he was sorry, because he wasn't. And during the past five months, Soujirou had resided in Akira's house, and he had even insisted on paying him a significant amount of rent for his stay despite Akira's constant protest.
" Care for a cup of coffee before you go?" Akira asked when he entered the room with a tray in his hand. Soujirou was getting himself ready because he would be going out with Yuuki for their Christmas dinner. In fact, he had just gotten back from his work only a few hours ago since the court session had ended much later than he had expected.
" Why not?" Soujirou chuckled out, " I really need one to freshen my head."
" Just admit you are wrong and you wouldn't have to suffer in that miserable law firm. For goodness sake, your hands are meant for sadoh, not writing reports." Akira quipped, rolling his eyes.
" And give up Yuuki?" Soujirou threw a disgusted glare at Akira, who quickly gave a shrug, " Joking."
" It is not funny." Soujirou snapped as he settled himself on a seat opposite Akira.
" Okay, okay. I can see that you are really serious this time." Akira said and then he started smiling to himself upon one sudden thought.
" What now?" Soujirou asked, getting a little irritated.
" Oh, nothing. I could just imagine Makino's reaction if she were to know what you have given up just to be with her best friend." Akira finally spoke out his thoughts.
" Yeah, you bet." Soujirou's expression softened a little.
" Another three months more before they are back from their one-year long honeymoon." Akira paused and then after a deep breath, he said, " That is one hell of a long honeymoon!"
Soujirou's face grew serious; his eyes smaller and darker as he wondered if he would be able to bring Yuuki to a round-the-world honeymoon trip with the miserable pay he had gotten as a lawyer's assistant. He had stopped receiving his university education when he decided to move out from his house because he did not plan to use any of his father's money for his own interest.
" Yoz, since when did you have the habit of adding salt into your coffee?" Akira asked as he watched Soujirou adding a teaspoon of salt into his coffee and drank it as though it was the most delicious beverage in the world. In fact, Akira had been wanting to ask him about this new-found habit since the day Soujirou moved in, but never got a chance to do so.
" Huh?" Soujirou finally pulled himself away from his dazed stated.
" Salt? Coffee?" Akira pointed at the cup that was still in Soujirou's hand.
" Oh this?" Soujirou laughed.
" Yes. Does it really tasted that good?" Akira asked again.
" Taste good?" Soujirou's smile disappeared and was quickly replaced by a disgusted expression. " It tasted awful!"
" Then why do you keep adding salt in your coffee. We do have sugar here, you know." Akira said and looked at Soujirou skeptically. Soujirou slowly put his cup back to the tray and took a quick glance at his watch.
" It's about time…" Soujirou quipped.
" Hey, you haven't clear my doubt yet." Akira quickly protested.
" Hmm…" Soujirou paused, looking down. His cheeks turned crimson for a moment and then he took on a mature and confident look that Akira had never seen before.
" Because Yuuki always adds it into my coffee." Soujirou finally spoke out with a smile before heading towards the doorway, leaving a confused Akira behind to figure out his reply.
…To be continued
NN: Thank you for liking this fic and I am really surprised to find someone had actually added salt into coffee in order to know how it tasted like. In fact, I am more than surprised; I am touched in learning this. Last but not least, gomen for this slow update and I hope minnasan would continue to R&R this fic. Thank you!