Chapter 7: So close and yet so far.
Five years ago.
" Tokiya? What are you doing here?" Fuko called out, as she noticed Tokiya leaning against the pillar outside her office building. " I told you that I would be working late today, I'm reporting on the night shift remember?"
" I know, but I just got some good news, and I couldn't wait to tell you." Tokiya replied, as he smiled and took Fuko's hand and tucked it into his coat pocket.
Fuko looked at him and sighed. " Must it be now? I just came out to get dinner. I'm really busy."
" You won't have to go through that anymore. Listen, I just got offered the job of a producer at the DDD television company in America. I've agreed to it."
" Really!" Fuko shrieked and hugged Tokiya as hard as she could. " I'm so happy for you. It's like a dream job. I'm so happy for you. But how is that going to help me right now?"
" I want you to go with me."
" What?"
" You heard what I said, leave with me. You don't have to work long hours as a reporter doing small stories for this crummy station anymore. If you go with me to America, I'll help you to get a better job."
" Tokiya, you know I can't do this. I want to do this by myself. I don't want your help, or anybody's help. No doubt this job is the pits, but I love it."
" You mean you won't go with me?"
Fuko took one step back from Tokiya and said, " No. I can't go with you. I won't be any help to you at all in America."
" So what's this? Is that it? You said no so readily. Are you giving up on me or what?"
" No, of course not. It's just that I have my career here, and you have yours there."
" What are you saying? I don't think that you sound very supportive of what I'm going to do. It's like something is holding you back. Is your job more important than us?"
" Don't you do this now Tokiya. Don't turn that chauvinist attitude onto me. Distance is not going to separate us! Why don't we get engaged then? We won't be separated then."
" No. I don't want to marry you as yet. Come on Fuko, long distance relationships never work out. America is so much better than here anyway. Either you come with me or that's the end."
" Look, don't behave like this. We can still work this out."
" No. The only thing that is stopping you from leaving is your job, and you can't even give it up for me."
" Tokiya, it's not only my job. I've been working on this project with my colleagues. If I leave now, I will be letting them down."
" So it doesn't matter if you let me down."
" Look, this is getting us nowhere. Can we talk about this tomorrow?"
" No. Tell me now."
Fuko sighed and looked at him, " No, I'm not going with you to America and that's it. Go by yourself if you want to. I don't care anymore."
" Fine."
" Fine."
Two days later, Tokiya took the morning flight to America. He and Fuko never spoke after their fight.
*******************
" If you are really hurting so much, why don't you let me try to relief the pain?" Domon said to Fuko, as he wiped away the tears from her eyes.
" What." Fuko stared at Domon, dazed.
******************
" Would you like a drink Tokiya? Some brandy?" Miwa asked as she walked into her apartment.
" I didn't come here to drink tonight." Tokiya replied as Miwa sat down on the sofa and stared invitingly at him
" Come sit down with me." She patted the seat beside her.
" What is it that you want? I'm the one who hurt you, why target Fuko?"
" Well, she's the one responsible for taking you away. Naturally She should suffer. She should realize that I'm the only one who is good for you."
" You're deluded Miwa. This is not you." Tokiya replied
" You know my father won't agree to this. He might even fire her. Give her a bad record, makes sure she can never get a job anywhere else."
" So what is it that you want." Tokiya repeated.
Miwa got off the sofa and walked towards him, until she was right in front of him. She tugged at the lapels of his suit and said. " Simple. Break off with her, and marry me like you promised to."
" But you know that I don't love you."
" I know, but it beats being dumped. At least spare a thought for your reputation, and mine and daddy's. What do you think my friends will think if they found out that I was dumped? And my record company, you know I'm going to cut an album soon, I don't want any bad publicity. I want you to marry me, until the time comes when we can get a quiet divorce. Besides, daddy won't be happy if you decide to break off the engagement. Worst, he might even pull you off the job."
" You're evil. Down right evil."
Miwa smiled as she put her arms around Tokiya, " I know I am. But I'm doing this because I love you. Now, if you agree, spend the night here with me."
*********************
Fuko pushed Domon away and stepped back," What are you talking about Domon? You look very strange."
" Fuko, I'm serious. You know how I've always been carrying the torch for you. When that bastard left you five years ago, you were so heartbroken. You didn't show it outwardly, but I knew that you were hurting inside. Work home, work home. That's how you kept yourself occupied, trying to forget about him. And when you finally did, he shows up again and breaks your heart again. I can't accept this Fuko. If I were him, I would never treat you like that. Never!"
" But Domon."
" All you do is have to give me a chance."
Domon stepped forward towards Fuko and bent his head towards hers.
*********************
" No." Tokiya replied and took Miwa's arms off him. " I can't do this."
" Not even to save her?"
" I want to help her, but not this way."
" But this is only way."
" I know. But I can't disappoint her. I love her."
Miwa screamed.
" Don't say that word! If you say that word, it hurts me! Don't say that you love her!" Holding her head, she collapsed onto the floor.
" I'm really sorry Miwa." Tokiya said before he left her apartment.
******************
" No! Stop!" Fuko pushed Domon aside and scrambled to a corner. " NO. I can't do this. I can't force myself to do this. I would be hurting the both of us."
" Fuko."
" No. Domon, you're my friend, and will always be. I can never go beyond the line with you."
" Even when he gives you so much pain."
Tears clouded Fuko's eyes again. " Perhaps. Love is blind as they say."
Domon looked at her for a moment, then he sighed and turned around, " Failed again. But I won't give up you know. I'm ready, anytime."
Fuko gave a weak grin, " And you know my fist will always be waiting for you if you try anything funny."
" Yeah, whatever. I'll make a move now. Yanagi will be coming tomorrow to check in. We're taking turns just to let you know, so don't try anything funny."
" I'll keep that in mind." Fuko replied smiling, as she let Domon out of the front door. As she let him out however, Domon turned around at the last minute and said,
" You know Fuko, I have to say this. You and Tokiya are the most stubborn couple that I have ever met. You two obviously like each other. But you keep letting everything get in your way. And I mean everything. Sometimes, you just have to learn to be a bit selfish you know.especially when you care for something very much."
********************
Fuko couldn't sleep. She looked at her watch. It was 1am in the morning, but she was still as bright awake as ever. Tossing the covers aside, she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, and poured a glass of water for herself.
As she sat there, in the kitchen, perched on a stool, she pondered on the words that Domon had said to her before.
She had to admit that She and Tokiya were very stubborn. Why, the reason why they had parted five years ago was because they had refused to let go of their career choices. They had failed to put aside their differences.
Back then, she had expected too much from Tokiya, and maybe he from her too. Both of them expected one another to follow one another. And now, she was still committing the same mistake, expecting too much from Tokiya. Was she letting Tokiya go too easily? Just because her work was affected, did it mean she had to let go of Tokiya again?
Should she be selfish like Domon said?
Claim Tokiya for herself, and refuse to give him up no matter what?
The doorbell rang.
At first Fuko thought that it was just a prank caller. But it rang again and Fuko decided to check it out.
She looked through the peephole and saw him. He was standing outside, still in his day's clothes. However, he looked tired and weary, and in need of warmth.
Fuko opened the door and stood face to face with Tokiya. They stared at each other for a long time, both not saying a word to each other. Then finally Fuko spoke.
" I want to be selfish. Can I do that?"
In answer, Tokiya smiled and opened up his arms.
Fuko smiled back and stepped warmly into his embrace.
Author's note: All right.. Got lots of hate mail for Miwa and Domon. all right guys. hope you're satisfied with this chapter. God knows how long it took for me to write this out. Anyhow, all's not over yet. Can't end without a showdown right. haha. anyhow, thanks for all your support. lots of names to mention. shall mention them later, when I have the time to type them all out.
Five years ago.
" Tokiya? What are you doing here?" Fuko called out, as she noticed Tokiya leaning against the pillar outside her office building. " I told you that I would be working late today, I'm reporting on the night shift remember?"
" I know, but I just got some good news, and I couldn't wait to tell you." Tokiya replied, as he smiled and took Fuko's hand and tucked it into his coat pocket.
Fuko looked at him and sighed. " Must it be now? I just came out to get dinner. I'm really busy."
" You won't have to go through that anymore. Listen, I just got offered the job of a producer at the DDD television company in America. I've agreed to it."
" Really!" Fuko shrieked and hugged Tokiya as hard as she could. " I'm so happy for you. It's like a dream job. I'm so happy for you. But how is that going to help me right now?"
" I want you to go with me."
" What?"
" You heard what I said, leave with me. You don't have to work long hours as a reporter doing small stories for this crummy station anymore. If you go with me to America, I'll help you to get a better job."
" Tokiya, you know I can't do this. I want to do this by myself. I don't want your help, or anybody's help. No doubt this job is the pits, but I love it."
" You mean you won't go with me?"
Fuko took one step back from Tokiya and said, " No. I can't go with you. I won't be any help to you at all in America."
" So what's this? Is that it? You said no so readily. Are you giving up on me or what?"
" No, of course not. It's just that I have my career here, and you have yours there."
" What are you saying? I don't think that you sound very supportive of what I'm going to do. It's like something is holding you back. Is your job more important than us?"
" Don't you do this now Tokiya. Don't turn that chauvinist attitude onto me. Distance is not going to separate us! Why don't we get engaged then? We won't be separated then."
" No. I don't want to marry you as yet. Come on Fuko, long distance relationships never work out. America is so much better than here anyway. Either you come with me or that's the end."
" Look, don't behave like this. We can still work this out."
" No. The only thing that is stopping you from leaving is your job, and you can't even give it up for me."
" Tokiya, it's not only my job. I've been working on this project with my colleagues. If I leave now, I will be letting them down."
" So it doesn't matter if you let me down."
" Look, this is getting us nowhere. Can we talk about this tomorrow?"
" No. Tell me now."
Fuko sighed and looked at him, " No, I'm not going with you to America and that's it. Go by yourself if you want to. I don't care anymore."
" Fine."
" Fine."
Two days later, Tokiya took the morning flight to America. He and Fuko never spoke after their fight.
*******************
" If you are really hurting so much, why don't you let me try to relief the pain?" Domon said to Fuko, as he wiped away the tears from her eyes.
" What." Fuko stared at Domon, dazed.
******************
" Would you like a drink Tokiya? Some brandy?" Miwa asked as she walked into her apartment.
" I didn't come here to drink tonight." Tokiya replied as Miwa sat down on the sofa and stared invitingly at him
" Come sit down with me." She patted the seat beside her.
" What is it that you want? I'm the one who hurt you, why target Fuko?"
" Well, she's the one responsible for taking you away. Naturally She should suffer. She should realize that I'm the only one who is good for you."
" You're deluded Miwa. This is not you." Tokiya replied
" You know my father won't agree to this. He might even fire her. Give her a bad record, makes sure she can never get a job anywhere else."
" So what is it that you want." Tokiya repeated.
Miwa got off the sofa and walked towards him, until she was right in front of him. She tugged at the lapels of his suit and said. " Simple. Break off with her, and marry me like you promised to."
" But you know that I don't love you."
" I know, but it beats being dumped. At least spare a thought for your reputation, and mine and daddy's. What do you think my friends will think if they found out that I was dumped? And my record company, you know I'm going to cut an album soon, I don't want any bad publicity. I want you to marry me, until the time comes when we can get a quiet divorce. Besides, daddy won't be happy if you decide to break off the engagement. Worst, he might even pull you off the job."
" You're evil. Down right evil."
Miwa smiled as she put her arms around Tokiya, " I know I am. But I'm doing this because I love you. Now, if you agree, spend the night here with me."
*********************
Fuko pushed Domon away and stepped back," What are you talking about Domon? You look very strange."
" Fuko, I'm serious. You know how I've always been carrying the torch for you. When that bastard left you five years ago, you were so heartbroken. You didn't show it outwardly, but I knew that you were hurting inside. Work home, work home. That's how you kept yourself occupied, trying to forget about him. And when you finally did, he shows up again and breaks your heart again. I can't accept this Fuko. If I were him, I would never treat you like that. Never!"
" But Domon."
" All you do is have to give me a chance."
Domon stepped forward towards Fuko and bent his head towards hers.
*********************
" No." Tokiya replied and took Miwa's arms off him. " I can't do this."
" Not even to save her?"
" I want to help her, but not this way."
" But this is only way."
" I know. But I can't disappoint her. I love her."
Miwa screamed.
" Don't say that word! If you say that word, it hurts me! Don't say that you love her!" Holding her head, she collapsed onto the floor.
" I'm really sorry Miwa." Tokiya said before he left her apartment.
******************
" No! Stop!" Fuko pushed Domon aside and scrambled to a corner. " NO. I can't do this. I can't force myself to do this. I would be hurting the both of us."
" Fuko."
" No. Domon, you're my friend, and will always be. I can never go beyond the line with you."
" Even when he gives you so much pain."
Tears clouded Fuko's eyes again. " Perhaps. Love is blind as they say."
Domon looked at her for a moment, then he sighed and turned around, " Failed again. But I won't give up you know. I'm ready, anytime."
Fuko gave a weak grin, " And you know my fist will always be waiting for you if you try anything funny."
" Yeah, whatever. I'll make a move now. Yanagi will be coming tomorrow to check in. We're taking turns just to let you know, so don't try anything funny."
" I'll keep that in mind." Fuko replied smiling, as she let Domon out of the front door. As she let him out however, Domon turned around at the last minute and said,
" You know Fuko, I have to say this. You and Tokiya are the most stubborn couple that I have ever met. You two obviously like each other. But you keep letting everything get in your way. And I mean everything. Sometimes, you just have to learn to be a bit selfish you know.especially when you care for something very much."
********************
Fuko couldn't sleep. She looked at her watch. It was 1am in the morning, but she was still as bright awake as ever. Tossing the covers aside, she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, and poured a glass of water for herself.
As she sat there, in the kitchen, perched on a stool, she pondered on the words that Domon had said to her before.
She had to admit that She and Tokiya were very stubborn. Why, the reason why they had parted five years ago was because they had refused to let go of their career choices. They had failed to put aside their differences.
Back then, she had expected too much from Tokiya, and maybe he from her too. Both of them expected one another to follow one another. And now, she was still committing the same mistake, expecting too much from Tokiya. Was she letting Tokiya go too easily? Just because her work was affected, did it mean she had to let go of Tokiya again?
Should she be selfish like Domon said?
Claim Tokiya for herself, and refuse to give him up no matter what?
The doorbell rang.
At first Fuko thought that it was just a prank caller. But it rang again and Fuko decided to check it out.
She looked through the peephole and saw him. He was standing outside, still in his day's clothes. However, he looked tired and weary, and in need of warmth.
Fuko opened the door and stood face to face with Tokiya. They stared at each other for a long time, both not saying a word to each other. Then finally Fuko spoke.
" I want to be selfish. Can I do that?"
In answer, Tokiya smiled and opened up his arms.
Fuko smiled back and stepped warmly into his embrace.
Author's note: All right.. Got lots of hate mail for Miwa and Domon. all right guys. hope you're satisfied with this chapter. God knows how long it took for me to write this out. Anyhow, all's not over yet. Can't end without a showdown right. haha. anyhow, thanks for all your support. lots of names to mention. shall mention them later, when I have the time to type them all out.