Just a little something for you to read while you wait for part II to come
out.
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Interlude
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"I met your future daughter-in-law when I was on a business trip. I happened to be on their ship." The other man didn't say anything. He sat behind his desk, his face hidden behind the papers he was holding up. "She's very pretty and caring. She was crying over your son's injury which I heard was very slight, a bullet grazed his arm." The speaker paused to admire the painting on the wall. It was a landscape painting of a single log cabin in the middle of a forest during winter. It conveyed the message of loneliness. "I told her that if she cared for another person too much, in the end she'd be the one hurt." This time the man looked up, revealing his face, an older version of Tsukasa. He put down his papers that he was pretending to read when he heard the bitter tone behind those words.
"Hiragi-"
"I'm fine. Seeing her makes me think back to how I felt when I was her age. I was so young and blind thinking that love was everything. I was such a fool. I should've known a rich girl wouldn't have fallen in love with a nobody like me. I couldn't give her riches or anything she was raised to have, but I foolishly believed she didn't mind. And now that I have everything she's always had and wanted more of, I find it dull."
Doumyouji didn't know what to say. He's known Hiragi for 15 years. They met for the first time when he needed someone to redecorate his home in Chicago. At the time Hiragi wasn't as famous as he is now, but Doumyouji hired him because a friend of his recommended him. Doumyouji didn't take part in the redecorating. He didn't really care how it turned out. Actually he wasn't planning on redecorating until all his friends urged him to because the place looked horrible. He didn't even notice, but he figured if he were going to bring guests over, his place would have to represent his status. If it were just for himself he wouldn't do anything with it since all he does is sleep there. He spends most of his time at the office.
It took less than a week for Hiragi to redecorate because Doumyouji didn't want anything fancy and he wanted it finished quick. When Doumyouji entered his home and looked at it, he was in awe. The coloring was absolutely magnificent. Hiragi used dark colors making the place very classy, yet it wasn't too dark with the use of dim lights placed strategically around the whole apartment.
Doumyouji had wanted to see the man who had such an artistic talent, so he called his friend who had recommended Hiragi, to get the contact number. Doumyouji suggested they meet at a bar because he didn't want the atmosphere to be formal. The main reason Doumyouji called Hiragi out was because he wanted to see what he could do to further Hirgai's career. He knew he wasn't an artist but he had a good eye for art. Hiragi definitely deserved to be on the top.
Doumyouji had never met Hiragi or saw his picture before. Usually he would have all the background info on a person before meeting him/her. He always thought having an edge over the other person was important. This time he didn't do so because it wasn't business, and besides it wouldn't matter to him much if Hiragi rejected his help.
But Doumyouji wasn't prepared for a man of pride and strength like himself. He had expected a scrawny little man, because he thought most artists wouldn't care about their body. The man in front of him was built and confident. He didn't seem at all nervous at being in the presence of a man who had the power to make or break him. Doumyouji liked him on first sight. (AN: no not THAT way.) He originally didn't want a formal atmosphere because he thought it would make Hiragi nervous but now he could see it wouldn't be so. Hiragi didn't seem to be the kind of person who was easily affected by his environment, and even if he were uncomfortable he wouldn't show it, especially in front of a stranger. Doumyouji liked that in a man, it showed strength.
They had hit it off instantly once Doumyouji told Hiragi that he liked the interior design of his home. Hiragi relaxed visibly. He had been worried there was something wrong with the home. Before the night was over they talked like they were best friends.
Doumyouji had helped Hiragi set up his own business, Yume (Dream), and referred his friends to him and they also loved his work, and spread the news of a talented interior designer. Within the year, Hiragi was a multi-millionaire. He personally trained all of his designers and required all newly trained designers to hand in their designs to him before starting the decorations. After a year in the business they were on their own, but of course Hiragi was always available if they wanted to run their design by him first.
Through out the years Hiragi and Doumyouji kept in contact. They would go out for a drink or play a sport when they happened to be in the same city. Hiragi was the first person that Doumyouji could truly call a close friend.
And now Doumyouji could see that Hiragi was remembering the past. Even though it's been close to two decades, the bitterness was still there.
"Maybe you just need to find a woman. You seem like a man that wants a family."
Hiragi laughed, "Me? I'm the last person on earth that wants to get hitched, much less have a family."
"Really? But you seem to be discontent with what you have right now."
"Ahh hell, I don't know." He ran a hand through his silky black hair. "Work doesn't seem to be as exciting as it used to be. One project after another, I feel like I'm burned."
"What you need is a vacation."
Hiragi shook his head, "No, I don't think that'll work. I think I need something else to occupy my time with. You know, that future daughter- in-law of yours is pretty interesting."
Doumyouji narrowed his eyes. Hiragi laughed, "Don't worry. I have no designs to compete with your son. She's 16, only a child. I'm almost two decades older than her. But I do think she's someone worth knowing. Besides this is the perfect time to see how she made your darling wife let her and Tsukasa be together."
Kaede, Doumyouji thought. Doumyouji was surprised when one of the investigators he had hired to update him on his children's activities told him that his son's wedding was called off, and that Tsukasa was cruising around the world with a poor girl. He was amazed that Kaede didn't stop their relationship before it got too far. But, he suppose, maybe she did try and didn't succeed. If so, this was definitely a girl he had to meet. A girl who made Kaede admit defeat was no pushover. And it was exactly the kind of girl that his son needed.
"You know Hiragi, you're starting to scare me."
Hiragi looked at Doumyouji in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"
"You're starting to sound like those grandmas who have too much time on their hands, so they decide to meddle in the affairs of the younger generation."
Hiragi's face paled. "That was a horrid comparison. And I'm not meddling, just getting to know your future daughter-in-law."
Hiragi looked at his watch, it was almost noon. "I have a business luncheon that I'm almost late for." He turned to walk out of the office.
"Hiragi," Hiragi turned around to look at Doumyouji, "You're going to tell me about her right?"
Hiragi laughed, "Now who's the grandma?" He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Doumyouji smiled, and looked at the file in front of him. "Makino Tsukushi ka?"
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I hope you liked this interlude! A bit short, but I just wanted to introduce the man that Tsukushi met on the boat. Did you think I wasn't going to talk about him anymore? Nah, he's an important person in part II. I'll talk more about Hiragi's past and Kaede/Doumyouji(dad) past as part II moves along. Hope you liked part I enough to continue reading!
************************************************************************
Interlude
************************************************************************
"I met your future daughter-in-law when I was on a business trip. I happened to be on their ship." The other man didn't say anything. He sat behind his desk, his face hidden behind the papers he was holding up. "She's very pretty and caring. She was crying over your son's injury which I heard was very slight, a bullet grazed his arm." The speaker paused to admire the painting on the wall. It was a landscape painting of a single log cabin in the middle of a forest during winter. It conveyed the message of loneliness. "I told her that if she cared for another person too much, in the end she'd be the one hurt." This time the man looked up, revealing his face, an older version of Tsukasa. He put down his papers that he was pretending to read when he heard the bitter tone behind those words.
"Hiragi-"
"I'm fine. Seeing her makes me think back to how I felt when I was her age. I was so young and blind thinking that love was everything. I was such a fool. I should've known a rich girl wouldn't have fallen in love with a nobody like me. I couldn't give her riches or anything she was raised to have, but I foolishly believed she didn't mind. And now that I have everything she's always had and wanted more of, I find it dull."
Doumyouji didn't know what to say. He's known Hiragi for 15 years. They met for the first time when he needed someone to redecorate his home in Chicago. At the time Hiragi wasn't as famous as he is now, but Doumyouji hired him because a friend of his recommended him. Doumyouji didn't take part in the redecorating. He didn't really care how it turned out. Actually he wasn't planning on redecorating until all his friends urged him to because the place looked horrible. He didn't even notice, but he figured if he were going to bring guests over, his place would have to represent his status. If it were just for himself he wouldn't do anything with it since all he does is sleep there. He spends most of his time at the office.
It took less than a week for Hiragi to redecorate because Doumyouji didn't want anything fancy and he wanted it finished quick. When Doumyouji entered his home and looked at it, he was in awe. The coloring was absolutely magnificent. Hiragi used dark colors making the place very classy, yet it wasn't too dark with the use of dim lights placed strategically around the whole apartment.
Doumyouji had wanted to see the man who had such an artistic talent, so he called his friend who had recommended Hiragi, to get the contact number. Doumyouji suggested they meet at a bar because he didn't want the atmosphere to be formal. The main reason Doumyouji called Hiragi out was because he wanted to see what he could do to further Hirgai's career. He knew he wasn't an artist but he had a good eye for art. Hiragi definitely deserved to be on the top.
Doumyouji had never met Hiragi or saw his picture before. Usually he would have all the background info on a person before meeting him/her. He always thought having an edge over the other person was important. This time he didn't do so because it wasn't business, and besides it wouldn't matter to him much if Hiragi rejected his help.
But Doumyouji wasn't prepared for a man of pride and strength like himself. He had expected a scrawny little man, because he thought most artists wouldn't care about their body. The man in front of him was built and confident. He didn't seem at all nervous at being in the presence of a man who had the power to make or break him. Doumyouji liked him on first sight. (AN: no not THAT way.) He originally didn't want a formal atmosphere because he thought it would make Hiragi nervous but now he could see it wouldn't be so. Hiragi didn't seem to be the kind of person who was easily affected by his environment, and even if he were uncomfortable he wouldn't show it, especially in front of a stranger. Doumyouji liked that in a man, it showed strength.
They had hit it off instantly once Doumyouji told Hiragi that he liked the interior design of his home. Hiragi relaxed visibly. He had been worried there was something wrong with the home. Before the night was over they talked like they were best friends.
Doumyouji had helped Hiragi set up his own business, Yume (Dream), and referred his friends to him and they also loved his work, and spread the news of a talented interior designer. Within the year, Hiragi was a multi-millionaire. He personally trained all of his designers and required all newly trained designers to hand in their designs to him before starting the decorations. After a year in the business they were on their own, but of course Hiragi was always available if they wanted to run their design by him first.
Through out the years Hiragi and Doumyouji kept in contact. They would go out for a drink or play a sport when they happened to be in the same city. Hiragi was the first person that Doumyouji could truly call a close friend.
And now Doumyouji could see that Hiragi was remembering the past. Even though it's been close to two decades, the bitterness was still there.
"Maybe you just need to find a woman. You seem like a man that wants a family."
Hiragi laughed, "Me? I'm the last person on earth that wants to get hitched, much less have a family."
"Really? But you seem to be discontent with what you have right now."
"Ahh hell, I don't know." He ran a hand through his silky black hair. "Work doesn't seem to be as exciting as it used to be. One project after another, I feel like I'm burned."
"What you need is a vacation."
Hiragi shook his head, "No, I don't think that'll work. I think I need something else to occupy my time with. You know, that future daughter- in-law of yours is pretty interesting."
Doumyouji narrowed his eyes. Hiragi laughed, "Don't worry. I have no designs to compete with your son. She's 16, only a child. I'm almost two decades older than her. But I do think she's someone worth knowing. Besides this is the perfect time to see how she made your darling wife let her and Tsukasa be together."
Kaede, Doumyouji thought. Doumyouji was surprised when one of the investigators he had hired to update him on his children's activities told him that his son's wedding was called off, and that Tsukasa was cruising around the world with a poor girl. He was amazed that Kaede didn't stop their relationship before it got too far. But, he suppose, maybe she did try and didn't succeed. If so, this was definitely a girl he had to meet. A girl who made Kaede admit defeat was no pushover. And it was exactly the kind of girl that his son needed.
"You know Hiragi, you're starting to scare me."
Hiragi looked at Doumyouji in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"
"You're starting to sound like those grandmas who have too much time on their hands, so they decide to meddle in the affairs of the younger generation."
Hiragi's face paled. "That was a horrid comparison. And I'm not meddling, just getting to know your future daughter-in-law."
Hiragi looked at his watch, it was almost noon. "I have a business luncheon that I'm almost late for." He turned to walk out of the office.
"Hiragi," Hiragi turned around to look at Doumyouji, "You're going to tell me about her right?"
Hiragi laughed, "Now who's the grandma?" He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Doumyouji smiled, and looked at the file in front of him. "Makino Tsukushi ka?"
************************************************************************
I hope you liked this interlude! A bit short, but I just wanted to introduce the man that Tsukushi met on the boat. Did you think I wasn't going to talk about him anymore? Nah, he's an important person in part II. I'll talk more about Hiragi's past and Kaede/Doumyouji(dad) past as part II moves along. Hope you liked part I enough to continue reading!
