Salty Coffee (The original short fic derived from an e-mail story of the same title)
He met her at the party. She looked so ordinary, while he was always that outstanding.
Nobody paid attention to her while he always gotten the attention of the opposite sex.
" Akira, who's that with Makino?" Soujirou asked. It was then Akira shifted his glance to the girl standing close beside Tsukushi.
" Perhaps another one of her commoner friends." Tsukasa added in. He dared not approached Tsukushi because he was still feeling guilty about that incident where he tried to force himself on her after getting so pissed off by the informed fed to him from Asai & Co.
*****
" Tsukushi, I am really so excited, look at all the people here? I can even see many actors and actresses." Yuuki looked around in awe.
" Hey, Makino! You are here..."
" Soujirou-kun, do you know where Shizuka-san is?" Tsukushi asked without even bother to greet back.
" I have no idea." Soujirou replied. " And who is this fine lady beside you?" Soujirou asked and it made Yuuki blushed.
*****
At the end of the party, Yuuki was looking for Tsukushi but she was nowhere to be seen. " Are you alone?" The voice made Yuuki spun around and she was shocked to see who's talking.
" I am looking for Tsukushi." Yuuki replied with her head looking down. Soujirou then invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised but still, she was having second thoughts.
" Yuuki-chan, you must never believe what Nishikado-san tells you. He is a playboy, not those ordinary ones, but an expert one. I don't want you to get hurt." Tsukushi's earlier words suddenly flashed across Yuuki's mind.
" So, how?" Soujirou asked.
" Okay." Yuuki accepted, much to her own surprise.
*****
They sat in a coffee shop, ironically, he found himself too nervous to say anything. I couldn't believe this. Why am I feeling so nervous this time? Soujirou's inner self began crying out. On the other hand, Yuuki felt uncomfortable about the awkward silent between them too.
Maybe he dated me out just to spite Tsukushi for saying those things about him. Perhaps it's better for me to go now just in case the situation turns ugly. Yuuki thought sadly.
Suddenly, Soujirou asked for the waiter. "Would you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee." Everybody including Yuuki stared at Soujirou, so strange! His face turned red, but still he put the salt in his coffee and managed to take a few sips without a shown of disgust on his face.
" Why do you have this strange habit?" Yuuki asked in a bewildered tone. There was a thoughtful pause before Soujirou spoke up.
"When I was a little boy, I stayed near the sea with my grandpa. I liked playing in the sea with my grandpa. When I was there, I could feel the taste of the sea, salty just like the taste of the salty coffee. When my grandpa died years ago, we moved to Tokyo. Now every time I have salty coffee, I will think of my childhood, think of my hometown. I miss my hometown so much and of course, I missed those days when grandpa used to play with me at the seaside when he was still alive."
Saying that, tears filled his eyes and Yuuki was deeply touched. Tsukushi must be having wrong judgment about him. That's his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart. A man who could talk about his homesickness, must be a man who loves home, cares about home, has responsibility at home… Yuuki thought. Then she began to talk, about her childhood, her family and more. They had a really nice conversation, also a beautiful beginning of their story.
Despite Tsukushi's constant warnings, Yuuki continued accepting Soujirou's date in the subsequent days. She actually found Soujirou as a man who had met all her demands. He was tolerant, kindhearted, warm and careful. He was such a good guy, and she almost missed him?
But, thanks to his salty coffee!
*****
Then the story was just like every beautiful love story - the princess married to the prince where they would live happily ever after. And, every time she made coffee for him, she would put some salt in the coffee, as she knew that's the way he liked it.
*****
After forty years, Soujirou passed away and left her a letter which said:
My dearest Yuuki,
Please forgive me, forgive my lie. This was the only lie I said to you --- THE SALTY COFFEE.
Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time that I had actually wanted some sugar, but I said 'SALT'. It was hard for me to change so I just went ahead with a lie. Nevertheless, I never thought that could be the starting of our communication! I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I had promised not to lie to you for anything.
Now I'm dying, I'm afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I DON'T LIKE THE SALTY COFFEE! What a strange bad taste but I have drunk the SALTY COFFEE my whole life since I knew you and I never felt sorry for anything I do for you.
Having you with me is my happiness and no other woman can give it to me. If I can live for the second time, I still want to know and have you as my wife, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again.
Her tears made the letter totally wet.
*****
One day, while Yuuki was having her routine high tea with Tsukushi, someone asked Yuuki what was the taste of salty coffee like? "It is sweet." Yuuki replied with a smile.
THE END