Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 20: Friends
I merrily skipped down the street feeling oblivious to the world thinking about what a wonderful day today was. The streets were dark only lit up by a few lights creating small spotlights along the sidewalk. I hopped along the sidewalk playing hopscotch along the boxes of the sidewalk feeling like a little girl again. I continued on my way home lost in my own little world humming a happy little song to myself.
"MMPH!" I screamed feeling my mouth being covered by a hand.
"Don't fight it," a horse voice slurred into my ear.
I was forcefully yanked out of my dreamlike world feeling a sense of extreme terror. My assailant threw me against the wall pinning me down. I could feel the weight of my bag dropping form my shoulder onto the ground. I struggled under him, but his hands gripped my arms down to my side. The darkness shadowed his face concealing his identity from me. He leaned in closer allowing the dim streetlight illuminate his face.
"Doumyouji."
"I'm not here to hurt you."
Silence took over. The cold winter air surrounded us sending chills through my skin. Standing there I looked at him closely observing his fine features. His face was completely lost and blank. His entire body was limp. He had mysteriously lost that proud arrogant exterior he carried himself with. I knew he was for once exposing himself to me. The scared, lost boy inside had found his way out.
"You've got to stop this. You're just hurting yourself."
"No." he coldly spit out. "Let me just say this and I promise you I will leave you alone. I'm sorry. I saw you with that Haru. It's been a long time since I saw you smile like that. I think it may have been the first time I've ever seen you smile like that for anyone. I can see he can make you happier than I could ever do. I wish you happiness with him."
His eyes revealed the pain tearing him apart inside. It wasn't easy for the great Doumyouji Tsukasa to admit defeat, but here he was surrendering his love. The words echoed through the empty streets. I was taken aback by those simple words. It was the last thing I ever expected him to say. The words were alien coming from him, but I could hear the sincerity in them.
"I'll never bother you again." Doumyouji turned around. He lowered his head and dug his hands in to his pockets. I watched his back move farther and farther away. He walked away a broken man with an aura of defeat surrounding him, as if he had lost everything.
"Thank you," I barely managed to get the words out holding back the tears. "Doumyouji.,,"
He stopped and raised his head for a moment.
"I don't want you to stay away. Can't we at least be friends?"
He turned around and looked at me. He let out a weak smile and nodded his head. What else could he have done. Perhaps it was less painful losing my love than to lose me all together. Without another word he walked away down the dim street disappearing into the shadows once more.
I picked up bag and trudged towards my apartment still shaking a little. It was a bitter reality to have to face. Choosing Haru would always be a reminder to me of the people I had to hurt to be where I was right now. I wasn't even sure if Haru and I were really meant to be together, but that was the road I had chosen to walk down.
"I'm home!" I yelled walking through the front door.
"Hey oneesan!" Susumu poked his head out from the kitchen. A long stream of instant ramen was being sucked up from the cup to his lips with a loud slurping sound. He sucked a little too hard and too fast he choked a little. "Aahhhh that hits the spot. How was the trip?"
I sat down on in the living room floor touching the spot where Haru had laid with me the night before. I fell backwards stretching my body out turning my head to the side staring at the spot where I once watched his peaceful sleeping face. "It was good. By the way, thank you."
Susumu's face blushed and he turned away to look away from me in embarrassment. "Aawww. don't make me feel all embarrassed. Were you ok last night when the power went out. I heard pretty much all of Tokyo was blacked out for the entire night."
Memories flashed through my mind. The image of our bodies illuminated by the flicker of the candlelight. I memorized the way his lips curled in his sleep. The lax look in his face. The way his hair fell over his forehead. The gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"Are you still there?" Susumu asked waving a hand in front of my face with a faraway expression.
"Huh? Oh.." My face suddenly turned red.
"Oh yeah, I was meaning to ask you. Whose are these?" He picked up a man's shirt and put it up against his shirt. "I found this hanging up. It looks brand name so it definitely isn't mine, so whose is it?"
I scrambled up and scanned my brain for a good excuse to explain to my brother why there was a man's shirt in the apartment that definitely wasn't his. He liked Haru no more than he liked Doumyouji. I couldn't lie to him forever. Sooner or later he would find out.
"It's Haru's," I sheepishly admitted.
"WHAT?! He..he.he was here! What were you thinking?!"
"Well it was raining last night and he couldn't go home. I couldn't just let him sleep in the street. I was the one who invited him over."
"Did he try anything. If he did I'll kill him!" Susumu's overprotective nature took over. He paced the room frantically wondering if that man had taken advantage of his poor innocent sister.
I grabbed his arm to stop his dizzying pacing. "Nothing happened, but I think you should find out this from me rather than someone else. Haru and I are kinda together."
"Huh? When did all this happen. You just came back yesterday."
"It's along story, and I don't think you would want to hear all the details. He makes me happy and that's all that matters. I hope you can learn to like him too."
His eyes softened at my pleas. I gave him that pitiful look that always made him stop being angry at me. I knew I had gotten through to him.
"Fine. Fine. Fine." He patted my head. "But if he ever hurts you I'll take care of him." He cracked his knuckles. He was absorbed with sadistic thoughts of getting his vengeance on the one who had hurt his weed sister.
"What makes you think I can't take care of myself?" I placed my hands on my hips and stood challengingly up to him. I poked my finger into his chest.
He backed away a little and started to laugh. "Ok. Ok. Geez, Sometimes I wonder if you're really a guy stuck in a girl's body!"
I smacked him upside on the back of his head.
"Oowww!" He grabbed his head in pain. "I think Haru should know what a violent person you are!"
"Baka!"
"Oh by the way. Since you're going out with Haru. How about you put in a good word for me with Hana?"
"I knew there was some ulterior motive for you being ok with all this!"
'Well, it's not my fault if his sister is really hot!" Susumu scurried off into his room before I could slap him again for being such an idiot.
"Pervert!"
********
The next morning I showed up at school early hoping to find Haru, but there was someone else I had in mind of seeing. I knew sooner or later I would have to explain to him. I at least owed him an explanation. I walked up to the door and put my hand against it taking in a deep breath hoping and dreading at the same time he would be there. I pushed the door open slowly letting the bright rays of light hit my face blinding my sight.
"Tsukushi."
"Ohayo, Rui" I cheerily said.
He turned back towards the blank space he was previously staring at. His eyes were dead to me. It hurt a little that he would close himself to me. That all too familiar mask he once wore for strangers was shrouded his face. Was he really lost to me?
"So you're with him now," he coldly let the words drip from his lips letting each dagger hit my heart. Not once did he look at me, but kept his gaze fixed firmly on the view in front of him.
I completely lost the courage to face him. Every part of my body was screaming at me to run away, but I forced myself to stay. I couldn't lose him. I was a little surprised by his cool attitude towards me since even Doumyouji could find the courage to be a bigger man.
"Please don't hate me?" I whispered with a trembling voice.
His eyes softened to my cracking voice. His mask shattered. "No. I'm not angry. I guess I was just a little jealous is all."
He stood up and grabbed me into an embrace surprising me. "I guess I lost again," he laughed. He buried his face into my hair. He pulled back and looked into my eyes with that dreamy look he knew could make me melt. "But why him? What does he have that I don't?"
I let out a deep sigh trying to choose the precise words to say what it was. "Being with him is just..normal."
"Silly girl," he laughed. "He bent down lower and out of nowhere laid a gentle kiss on my forehead. "You were never meant for anything normal."
From behind us, a loud moaning creak invaded our whispers. A figure appeared in the doorway watching our intimate exchange. Her hair hung low down her back accentuating the curviness of her womanly body. She was just as beautiful as I remembered her.
"Rui."
"Shizuka!" Rui exclaimed in surprise. He released me from his grip and stood frozen in shock.
"I need you, Rui.
I quietly crept away from Rui sensing the awkwardness in the air. I walked towards Shizuka, the woman who I had long admired. "It's nice to see you Shizuka."
"Tsukshi, it's been awhile since I last saw you. You've grown up quite a bit."
"Yes. I think we all have since you were last here. I'll leave you two alone." I quickly ran past Shizuka who had her eyes dead set on Rui. "I'll talk to you later Rui."
I could feel the slightest touch of his fingers trying to grasp onto my sleeve, but I freed myself quickly enough before he could stop me. I saw the look of disappointment in his eyes when he finally snapped out of the shock of seeing Shizuka in the flesh before him. As I ran down the stairs I couldn't help, but felt hat little twinge of jealousy gnawing away at me. Who was I to be possessive over Rui? Shouldn't I be happy for him that Shuizuka had come back for him. He had told me it was over between him and Shizuka, but was he only using me as a means to find some peace. I couldn't help, but feel a little bit angry at the thought of being used by him. Had I been only a distraction? I should be happy for him. The woman he has always loved wants him back. I am happy for him.
I kept walking muttering to myself that it was all for the better. It really was. I didn't even realize that I had walked right past four people who were staring at me.
"Tuskushi," a familiar voice said.
"Haru." My face lit up. It was comforting to see that face. There was only love and understanding that existed in him.
"What's wrong? You look a little flustered."
I touched my face feeling a little guilty over my bout resentment towards Rui and Shizuka. "Oh I was just excited over seeing an old friend. She just came back from France." I looked up and saw more pairs of eyes looking suspiciously at me. Ohayo, Hana. Fujio. Jin."
"Ohayo!" they politely greeted me.
"So, Haru told us the good news about you two. I always thought you would be mine," Jin sighed. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders pressing his face closer to mine.
"Hey! Stop groping her already!" Hana yelled yanking him by the collar.
She thrust Jin aside with the slightest flick of her wrist. I watched this little innocent girl standing in front of me with a hand reached out, "I know the first time we met it wasn't on the best terms, but I hope we can be friends?"
I was shocked at her sudden change in attitude. It was so different from that first meeting we had where she warned me to stay away. I couldn't help, but feel a little uneasy by her sudden change in opinion of a relationship between her brother and me. I looked into her wide glowing eyes, so full of life. She had to be honest and sincere to extend an olive branch. I put my hand in hers. "Friends."
Chapter 20: Friends
I merrily skipped down the street feeling oblivious to the world thinking about what a wonderful day today was. The streets were dark only lit up by a few lights creating small spotlights along the sidewalk. I hopped along the sidewalk playing hopscotch along the boxes of the sidewalk feeling like a little girl again. I continued on my way home lost in my own little world humming a happy little song to myself.
"MMPH!" I screamed feeling my mouth being covered by a hand.
"Don't fight it," a horse voice slurred into my ear.
I was forcefully yanked out of my dreamlike world feeling a sense of extreme terror. My assailant threw me against the wall pinning me down. I could feel the weight of my bag dropping form my shoulder onto the ground. I struggled under him, but his hands gripped my arms down to my side. The darkness shadowed his face concealing his identity from me. He leaned in closer allowing the dim streetlight illuminate his face.
"Doumyouji."
"I'm not here to hurt you."
Silence took over. The cold winter air surrounded us sending chills through my skin. Standing there I looked at him closely observing his fine features. His face was completely lost and blank. His entire body was limp. He had mysteriously lost that proud arrogant exterior he carried himself with. I knew he was for once exposing himself to me. The scared, lost boy inside had found his way out.
"You've got to stop this. You're just hurting yourself."
"No." he coldly spit out. "Let me just say this and I promise you I will leave you alone. I'm sorry. I saw you with that Haru. It's been a long time since I saw you smile like that. I think it may have been the first time I've ever seen you smile like that for anyone. I can see he can make you happier than I could ever do. I wish you happiness with him."
His eyes revealed the pain tearing him apart inside. It wasn't easy for the great Doumyouji Tsukasa to admit defeat, but here he was surrendering his love. The words echoed through the empty streets. I was taken aback by those simple words. It was the last thing I ever expected him to say. The words were alien coming from him, but I could hear the sincerity in them.
"I'll never bother you again." Doumyouji turned around. He lowered his head and dug his hands in to his pockets. I watched his back move farther and farther away. He walked away a broken man with an aura of defeat surrounding him, as if he had lost everything.
"Thank you," I barely managed to get the words out holding back the tears. "Doumyouji.,,"
He stopped and raised his head for a moment.
"I don't want you to stay away. Can't we at least be friends?"
He turned around and looked at me. He let out a weak smile and nodded his head. What else could he have done. Perhaps it was less painful losing my love than to lose me all together. Without another word he walked away down the dim street disappearing into the shadows once more.
I picked up bag and trudged towards my apartment still shaking a little. It was a bitter reality to have to face. Choosing Haru would always be a reminder to me of the people I had to hurt to be where I was right now. I wasn't even sure if Haru and I were really meant to be together, but that was the road I had chosen to walk down.
"I'm home!" I yelled walking through the front door.
"Hey oneesan!" Susumu poked his head out from the kitchen. A long stream of instant ramen was being sucked up from the cup to his lips with a loud slurping sound. He sucked a little too hard and too fast he choked a little. "Aahhhh that hits the spot. How was the trip?"
I sat down on in the living room floor touching the spot where Haru had laid with me the night before. I fell backwards stretching my body out turning my head to the side staring at the spot where I once watched his peaceful sleeping face. "It was good. By the way, thank you."
Susumu's face blushed and he turned away to look away from me in embarrassment. "Aawww. don't make me feel all embarrassed. Were you ok last night when the power went out. I heard pretty much all of Tokyo was blacked out for the entire night."
Memories flashed through my mind. The image of our bodies illuminated by the flicker of the candlelight. I memorized the way his lips curled in his sleep. The lax look in his face. The way his hair fell over his forehead. The gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"Are you still there?" Susumu asked waving a hand in front of my face with a faraway expression.
"Huh? Oh.." My face suddenly turned red.
"Oh yeah, I was meaning to ask you. Whose are these?" He picked up a man's shirt and put it up against his shirt. "I found this hanging up. It looks brand name so it definitely isn't mine, so whose is it?"
I scrambled up and scanned my brain for a good excuse to explain to my brother why there was a man's shirt in the apartment that definitely wasn't his. He liked Haru no more than he liked Doumyouji. I couldn't lie to him forever. Sooner or later he would find out.
"It's Haru's," I sheepishly admitted.
"WHAT?! He..he.he was here! What were you thinking?!"
"Well it was raining last night and he couldn't go home. I couldn't just let him sleep in the street. I was the one who invited him over."
"Did he try anything. If he did I'll kill him!" Susumu's overprotective nature took over. He paced the room frantically wondering if that man had taken advantage of his poor innocent sister.
I grabbed his arm to stop his dizzying pacing. "Nothing happened, but I think you should find out this from me rather than someone else. Haru and I are kinda together."
"Huh? When did all this happen. You just came back yesterday."
"It's along story, and I don't think you would want to hear all the details. He makes me happy and that's all that matters. I hope you can learn to like him too."
His eyes softened at my pleas. I gave him that pitiful look that always made him stop being angry at me. I knew I had gotten through to him.
"Fine. Fine. Fine." He patted my head. "But if he ever hurts you I'll take care of him." He cracked his knuckles. He was absorbed with sadistic thoughts of getting his vengeance on the one who had hurt his weed sister.
"What makes you think I can't take care of myself?" I placed my hands on my hips and stood challengingly up to him. I poked my finger into his chest.
He backed away a little and started to laugh. "Ok. Ok. Geez, Sometimes I wonder if you're really a guy stuck in a girl's body!"
I smacked him upside on the back of his head.
"Oowww!" He grabbed his head in pain. "I think Haru should know what a violent person you are!"
"Baka!"
"Oh by the way. Since you're going out with Haru. How about you put in a good word for me with Hana?"
"I knew there was some ulterior motive for you being ok with all this!"
'Well, it's not my fault if his sister is really hot!" Susumu scurried off into his room before I could slap him again for being such an idiot.
"Pervert!"
********
The next morning I showed up at school early hoping to find Haru, but there was someone else I had in mind of seeing. I knew sooner or later I would have to explain to him. I at least owed him an explanation. I walked up to the door and put my hand against it taking in a deep breath hoping and dreading at the same time he would be there. I pushed the door open slowly letting the bright rays of light hit my face blinding my sight.
"Tsukushi."
"Ohayo, Rui" I cheerily said.
He turned back towards the blank space he was previously staring at. His eyes were dead to me. It hurt a little that he would close himself to me. That all too familiar mask he once wore for strangers was shrouded his face. Was he really lost to me?
"So you're with him now," he coldly let the words drip from his lips letting each dagger hit my heart. Not once did he look at me, but kept his gaze fixed firmly on the view in front of him.
I completely lost the courage to face him. Every part of my body was screaming at me to run away, but I forced myself to stay. I couldn't lose him. I was a little surprised by his cool attitude towards me since even Doumyouji could find the courage to be a bigger man.
"Please don't hate me?" I whispered with a trembling voice.
His eyes softened to my cracking voice. His mask shattered. "No. I'm not angry. I guess I was just a little jealous is all."
He stood up and grabbed me into an embrace surprising me. "I guess I lost again," he laughed. He buried his face into my hair. He pulled back and looked into my eyes with that dreamy look he knew could make me melt. "But why him? What does he have that I don't?"
I let out a deep sigh trying to choose the precise words to say what it was. "Being with him is just..normal."
"Silly girl," he laughed. "He bent down lower and out of nowhere laid a gentle kiss on my forehead. "You were never meant for anything normal."
From behind us, a loud moaning creak invaded our whispers. A figure appeared in the doorway watching our intimate exchange. Her hair hung low down her back accentuating the curviness of her womanly body. She was just as beautiful as I remembered her.
"Rui."
"Shizuka!" Rui exclaimed in surprise. He released me from his grip and stood frozen in shock.
"I need you, Rui.
I quietly crept away from Rui sensing the awkwardness in the air. I walked towards Shizuka, the woman who I had long admired. "It's nice to see you Shizuka."
"Tsukshi, it's been awhile since I last saw you. You've grown up quite a bit."
"Yes. I think we all have since you were last here. I'll leave you two alone." I quickly ran past Shizuka who had her eyes dead set on Rui. "I'll talk to you later Rui."
I could feel the slightest touch of his fingers trying to grasp onto my sleeve, but I freed myself quickly enough before he could stop me. I saw the look of disappointment in his eyes when he finally snapped out of the shock of seeing Shizuka in the flesh before him. As I ran down the stairs I couldn't help, but felt hat little twinge of jealousy gnawing away at me. Who was I to be possessive over Rui? Shouldn't I be happy for him that Shuizuka had come back for him. He had told me it was over between him and Shizuka, but was he only using me as a means to find some peace. I couldn't help, but feel a little bit angry at the thought of being used by him. Had I been only a distraction? I should be happy for him. The woman he has always loved wants him back. I am happy for him.
I kept walking muttering to myself that it was all for the better. It really was. I didn't even realize that I had walked right past four people who were staring at me.
"Tuskushi," a familiar voice said.
"Haru." My face lit up. It was comforting to see that face. There was only love and understanding that existed in him.
"What's wrong? You look a little flustered."
I touched my face feeling a little guilty over my bout resentment towards Rui and Shizuka. "Oh I was just excited over seeing an old friend. She just came back from France." I looked up and saw more pairs of eyes looking suspiciously at me. Ohayo, Hana. Fujio. Jin."
"Ohayo!" they politely greeted me.
"So, Haru told us the good news about you two. I always thought you would be mine," Jin sighed. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders pressing his face closer to mine.
"Hey! Stop groping her already!" Hana yelled yanking him by the collar.
She thrust Jin aside with the slightest flick of her wrist. I watched this little innocent girl standing in front of me with a hand reached out, "I know the first time we met it wasn't on the best terms, but I hope we can be friends?"
I was shocked at her sudden change in attitude. It was so different from that first meeting we had where she warned me to stay away. I couldn't help, but feel a little uneasy by her sudden change in opinion of a relationship between her brother and me. I looked into her wide glowing eyes, so full of life. She had to be honest and sincere to extend an olive branch. I put my hand in hers. "Friends."
