Sorry it took so long, I actually had this chapter done but my sis took her
sweet time in revising. Hehe. And without further ado here's the last
chapter!
SAT word of the day: resilient - (adj.) quick to recover, bounce back
Clairvoyant - (adj.) exceptionally insightful
************************************************************************
Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 14: The Last Day
************************************************************************
"Two more days then we're back in Japan," Tsukushi whispered. It was late in the morning but they were still in bed. Tsukushi's head was resting on Tsukasa's shoulder.
Tsukasa squeezed Tsukushi's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Tsukushi shook her head, "Nothing. It's just that time flew by so fast. I remember jumping onto this boat like it was yesterday."
"You don't regret it right?"
"Of course not! I know that if we were still in Japan I couldn't open up to you like this. Here I could be someone different. I could rely on you a little here, because I'm out of my element. But when we go back to Japan I'll have to stand on my own legs."
"Why?! Whether it's here or Japan, nothing's changed. Do you find me so unreliable?"
"I don't want to be protected by someone else! I know it doesn't make me very cute or feminine but I just don't want to be with someone that way."
Tsukasa sighed, "Really, it's not feminine at all. Most girls love to receive things. Why can't I give you gifts? I have more money than I'll ever need in ten lifetimes!"
"But don't you understand? If you spoil me like this all the time, I won't be able to stand on equal footing with you." Tsukushi knew it didn't sound logical to Tsukasa but to her it made perfect sense. When people treated her too nice, it makes her want to rely on them and it weakens her resilient ability.
"Honestly, I don't understand your logic at all." But I suppose that's one of the reasons why I fell in love with you, he thought. It was Tsukushi's need to be independent that attracted him at first. He still remembered the astonishment he felt when Tsukushi had said she was a No- brand woman. He's always been in love with the confident, no nonsense type of girls.
"Tsukushi..."
"Hmmm?"
"Marry me."
"What did you say? I think I heard wrong because you said marry me." Why would Tsukasa say something like that now?
"You didn't hear wrong."
"I just don't understand the way your brain works!! What are you thinking about? I'm only 16!"
"I didn't say we have to get married right away. We could have a long engagement. We don't have to marry until you get out of college, or whenever you want to before then."
"So why bring up the subject now??"
"Because I want something on you that symbolizes that your mine. I want something that has permanence."
It's that possessive side of him, she thought. "Can't you just trust that we won't break up again?"
"No, you're always changing your mind."
Tsukushi stayed silent, deep in thought. Have I made him that unsure of me? She wasn't sure what to do. He's always been so confident that she'll return his feelings one day. And now that she said she loved him, she didn't realize he also worried about not being able to keep her. But isn't this part of a relationship too? Worrying when the next day might be the end.
Tsukushi looked at her left hand, the finger where the engagement ring would be. She could give him this. Not only for him but also for herself, to remind her of what they mean to each other. She knew that when they get back to Japan there'll be a lot of things they'll have to face. The ring would remind her of this trip, of all the good times she had with him.
"Okay."
Tsukasa couldn't believe his ears. She actually agreed. He had been bracing himself for a rejection. It seems Tsukushi was really changing before his very eyes. She was really opening up to him.
"But on one condition. The ring has to be a simple gold band. I don't want anything fancy like diamonds."
Tsukasa winced, "People will think I can't afford to give my fiancée an engagement ring."
The word fiancée gave Tsukushi a jolt. This was it, she thought, they were really serious this time. This road leads to happily ever after. She had to believe in this. She didn't think she could be with him if she thought their relationship wouldn't survive. She didn't think she was courageous enough to walk on an icy road that threatens to collapse with every step she takes.
"I don't care what other people think. I want something simple, showing that our relationship is pure and unadorned."
Tsukasa looked at Tsukushi in surprise. This was the first time Tsukushi talked about their relationship with such ease. He hugged her hard.
If it was any other girl, she would've have complained that he was too strong. But Tsukushi simply hugged him back.
********
They went to a jewelry shop that was on the ship to get a simple wedding band. Tsukushi didn't notice it but they were in one of the best jewelry stores in the world.
Tsukushi went in to get her ring size so that they could customize it for her. Tsukushi went around to look at the other jewelries on display while Tsukasa talked to the man behind the counter. Tsukushi was mesmerized by the way the jewels winked at her. They were all so pretty! It was a pity she couldn't afford it. It didn't once cross her mind to ask Tsukasa for it. She simply didn't see him as a bank, unlike most of the people that approached him.
They left an hour later.
"How much was it?"
"Don't worry about it."
"I just want to know."
"I don't want to tell you."
Tsukushi paled, "It was expensive wasn't it?"
"For a wedding band? It was one of the cheapest jewelry I have ever bought for someone. It feels wrong."
Tsukushi sighed in relief. So that was why Tsukasa was pissed. The price was too cheap. She should've known.
Actually their interpretations of cheap and expensive were very different. Tsukushi would've been appalled if she knew that her wedding band cost 10,000 dollars, meaning 1,000,000 yen. She had expected a half a million yen at most, and even then it was too expensive. Tsukasa on the other hand, expected to spend at least a quarter of a million dollars on a ring. That was about how much he spent for the Saturn necklace.
********
They went back to the store an hour later to get their rings. Even though it was plain Tsukushi thought it was beautiful. It positively shined. Tsukasa took the ring out of the velvet box and put it on for Tsukushi. Tsukushi did the same for Tsukasa. Such a simple act felt so monumental to Tsukushi.
When the ring was on her finger, she stared at it. She could hardly believe she was actually engaged. She knew this day would come since she learned about marriages but she never in a million years would've expected to be engaged to one of the wealthiest man in the world. And she never thought she would be engaged when she was only in high school.
********
Tsukushi wanted to be the first to tell Ryoko the good news so she went to her room, leaving Tsukasa to take care of himself.
When he was alone he took off his ring to look inside. He wanted their rings to be special, since Tsukushi requested it be a simple gold band. There was an inscription inside of two Ts, the initials of their first names. The Ts were inside the infinity symbol. (AN: Can you picture it? The infinity symbol a sideways 8, the Ts are inside the loops.) Tsukasa smiled, this was exactly the way he wanted it. He didn't tell Tsukushi. He thought it would be a nice surprise.
*******
Tsukushi was still dazed at the fact that she was engaged. She knocked absent-mindedly. When Ryoko opened the door, Tsukushi didn't say anything. She simply lifted up her left hand. Ryoko looked and saw the gold band.
Her eyes widened, "You're engaged!!!!! That's wonderful! Congratulations!" Ryoko ushered Tsukushi in.
"Thank you, I still can't believe it. He asked me just this morning. It hasn't sunk in yet."
"I know what you're saying. This is really big news. Did you tell anyone else yet?"
"No, we're going back to Japan soon. So I think I'd rather tell them in person."
"I'm sure everyone will be happy for you two."
Tsukushi smiled for the first time since she got the ring. She was thinking back to the how she came onto the boat. She remembered seeing Shigeru and all her friends waving to her and realizing that she had been tricked to get onto the boat. They would be really happy to know she and Tsukasa were engaged.
All of a sudden she couldn't wait to tell them. She wasn't dreading their arrival back to Japan as much as she had in the morning. Did Tsukasa know this? That she was afraid of going back to Japan? Tsukushi doubted it. He wasn't clairvoyant. But all the same she was thankful. She was unsure of what would happen to them once they go back to Japan and even though she knew being engaged didn't mean they were going to be with each other indefinitely, it still gave her strength to face the problems she knew were to come.
********
[The Next Day]
Ryoko, Tsukushi and Tsukasa were outside on the sundeck early in the morning. They were looking at Japan.
"Tadaima." Ryoko said in an ominous tone.
************************************************************************
YAY! Part I is finished!! Seems like Ryoko will be with Rui. He's leading over Soujiro by one. But it's not too late to voice your opinion.
Hope you liked Around the World enough to continue to Part II: The Morning After which will be coming soon!
SAT word of the day: resilient - (adj.) quick to recover, bounce back
Clairvoyant - (adj.) exceptionally insightful
************************************************************************
Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 14: The Last Day
************************************************************************
"Two more days then we're back in Japan," Tsukushi whispered. It was late in the morning but they were still in bed. Tsukushi's head was resting on Tsukasa's shoulder.
Tsukasa squeezed Tsukushi's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Tsukushi shook her head, "Nothing. It's just that time flew by so fast. I remember jumping onto this boat like it was yesterday."
"You don't regret it right?"
"Of course not! I know that if we were still in Japan I couldn't open up to you like this. Here I could be someone different. I could rely on you a little here, because I'm out of my element. But when we go back to Japan I'll have to stand on my own legs."
"Why?! Whether it's here or Japan, nothing's changed. Do you find me so unreliable?"
"I don't want to be protected by someone else! I know it doesn't make me very cute or feminine but I just don't want to be with someone that way."
Tsukasa sighed, "Really, it's not feminine at all. Most girls love to receive things. Why can't I give you gifts? I have more money than I'll ever need in ten lifetimes!"
"But don't you understand? If you spoil me like this all the time, I won't be able to stand on equal footing with you." Tsukushi knew it didn't sound logical to Tsukasa but to her it made perfect sense. When people treated her too nice, it makes her want to rely on them and it weakens her resilient ability.
"Honestly, I don't understand your logic at all." But I suppose that's one of the reasons why I fell in love with you, he thought. It was Tsukushi's need to be independent that attracted him at first. He still remembered the astonishment he felt when Tsukushi had said she was a No- brand woman. He's always been in love with the confident, no nonsense type of girls.
"Tsukushi..."
"Hmmm?"
"Marry me."
"What did you say? I think I heard wrong because you said marry me." Why would Tsukasa say something like that now?
"You didn't hear wrong."
"I just don't understand the way your brain works!! What are you thinking about? I'm only 16!"
"I didn't say we have to get married right away. We could have a long engagement. We don't have to marry until you get out of college, or whenever you want to before then."
"So why bring up the subject now??"
"Because I want something on you that symbolizes that your mine. I want something that has permanence."
It's that possessive side of him, she thought. "Can't you just trust that we won't break up again?"
"No, you're always changing your mind."
Tsukushi stayed silent, deep in thought. Have I made him that unsure of me? She wasn't sure what to do. He's always been so confident that she'll return his feelings one day. And now that she said she loved him, she didn't realize he also worried about not being able to keep her. But isn't this part of a relationship too? Worrying when the next day might be the end.
Tsukushi looked at her left hand, the finger where the engagement ring would be. She could give him this. Not only for him but also for herself, to remind her of what they mean to each other. She knew that when they get back to Japan there'll be a lot of things they'll have to face. The ring would remind her of this trip, of all the good times she had with him.
"Okay."
Tsukasa couldn't believe his ears. She actually agreed. He had been bracing himself for a rejection. It seems Tsukushi was really changing before his very eyes. She was really opening up to him.
"But on one condition. The ring has to be a simple gold band. I don't want anything fancy like diamonds."
Tsukasa winced, "People will think I can't afford to give my fiancée an engagement ring."
The word fiancée gave Tsukushi a jolt. This was it, she thought, they were really serious this time. This road leads to happily ever after. She had to believe in this. She didn't think she could be with him if she thought their relationship wouldn't survive. She didn't think she was courageous enough to walk on an icy road that threatens to collapse with every step she takes.
"I don't care what other people think. I want something simple, showing that our relationship is pure and unadorned."
Tsukasa looked at Tsukushi in surprise. This was the first time Tsukushi talked about their relationship with such ease. He hugged her hard.
If it was any other girl, she would've have complained that he was too strong. But Tsukushi simply hugged him back.
********
They went to a jewelry shop that was on the ship to get a simple wedding band. Tsukushi didn't notice it but they were in one of the best jewelry stores in the world.
Tsukushi went in to get her ring size so that they could customize it for her. Tsukushi went around to look at the other jewelries on display while Tsukasa talked to the man behind the counter. Tsukushi was mesmerized by the way the jewels winked at her. They were all so pretty! It was a pity she couldn't afford it. It didn't once cross her mind to ask Tsukasa for it. She simply didn't see him as a bank, unlike most of the people that approached him.
They left an hour later.
"How much was it?"
"Don't worry about it."
"I just want to know."
"I don't want to tell you."
Tsukushi paled, "It was expensive wasn't it?"
"For a wedding band? It was one of the cheapest jewelry I have ever bought for someone. It feels wrong."
Tsukushi sighed in relief. So that was why Tsukasa was pissed. The price was too cheap. She should've known.
Actually their interpretations of cheap and expensive were very different. Tsukushi would've been appalled if she knew that her wedding band cost 10,000 dollars, meaning 1,000,000 yen. She had expected a half a million yen at most, and even then it was too expensive. Tsukasa on the other hand, expected to spend at least a quarter of a million dollars on a ring. That was about how much he spent for the Saturn necklace.
********
They went back to the store an hour later to get their rings. Even though it was plain Tsukushi thought it was beautiful. It positively shined. Tsukasa took the ring out of the velvet box and put it on for Tsukushi. Tsukushi did the same for Tsukasa. Such a simple act felt so monumental to Tsukushi.
When the ring was on her finger, she stared at it. She could hardly believe she was actually engaged. She knew this day would come since she learned about marriages but she never in a million years would've expected to be engaged to one of the wealthiest man in the world. And she never thought she would be engaged when she was only in high school.
********
Tsukushi wanted to be the first to tell Ryoko the good news so she went to her room, leaving Tsukasa to take care of himself.
When he was alone he took off his ring to look inside. He wanted their rings to be special, since Tsukushi requested it be a simple gold band. There was an inscription inside of two Ts, the initials of their first names. The Ts were inside the infinity symbol. (AN: Can you picture it? The infinity symbol a sideways 8, the Ts are inside the loops.) Tsukasa smiled, this was exactly the way he wanted it. He didn't tell Tsukushi. He thought it would be a nice surprise.
*******
Tsukushi was still dazed at the fact that she was engaged. She knocked absent-mindedly. When Ryoko opened the door, Tsukushi didn't say anything. She simply lifted up her left hand. Ryoko looked and saw the gold band.
Her eyes widened, "You're engaged!!!!! That's wonderful! Congratulations!" Ryoko ushered Tsukushi in.
"Thank you, I still can't believe it. He asked me just this morning. It hasn't sunk in yet."
"I know what you're saying. This is really big news. Did you tell anyone else yet?"
"No, we're going back to Japan soon. So I think I'd rather tell them in person."
"I'm sure everyone will be happy for you two."
Tsukushi smiled for the first time since she got the ring. She was thinking back to the how she came onto the boat. She remembered seeing Shigeru and all her friends waving to her and realizing that she had been tricked to get onto the boat. They would be really happy to know she and Tsukasa were engaged.
All of a sudden she couldn't wait to tell them. She wasn't dreading their arrival back to Japan as much as she had in the morning. Did Tsukasa know this? That she was afraid of going back to Japan? Tsukushi doubted it. He wasn't clairvoyant. But all the same she was thankful. She was unsure of what would happen to them once they go back to Japan and even though she knew being engaged didn't mean they were going to be with each other indefinitely, it still gave her strength to face the problems she knew were to come.
********
[The Next Day]
Ryoko, Tsukushi and Tsukasa were outside on the sundeck early in the morning. They were looking at Japan.
"Tadaima." Ryoko said in an ominous tone.
************************************************************************
YAY! Part I is finished!! Seems like Ryoko will be with Rui. He's leading over Soujiro by one. But it's not too late to voice your opinion.
Hope you liked Around the World enough to continue to Part II: The Morning After which will be coming soon!
