Disclaimer: I'm only using FoR and its characters for the fun of it! It doesn't belong to me.
Chapter 9
Tokiya Mikagami was not disappointed. Disappointed would be such a light word for the umbrage he was feeling right now… He was pissed. He was furious. He was angry.
Not at Fuuko Kirisawa, although he also had some reason to, but at himself.
Because he has let his guard down again.
He let her in his life, thinking that she understood.
"You wouldn't have said that if you didn't mean it," he said in a low voice.
Fuuko watched curiously as he seemingly ruminated over his half-finished plate of lasagna. His words sounded like he actually wanted to be berated and scorned, as if he wanted her to tell him that he really was an apathetic jerk with no feelings…
As if he truly had nothing to be proud of in his life…
"Mi-chan," Fuuko, fully knowing well the disturbing sensation that was to come, tentatively reached out her hand to enclose his. "I'm really sorry about what I said."
He retrieved his hand back and glared at her, completely ignoring the fleetingness of the dying embers.
"And I actually thought for a moment back there that you would understand."
"But I do understand, Mi-chan, I just-"
"You just what?" he seethed. "You just thought of this as an opportunity to check out my place, get free food and invade my life?"
Her eyes darkened and she returned his glare with equal contempt. "Yeah, I wanted to invade your life, even if it means barging in your house for free food, because I care. I wanted to know you better. We fought side by side in the UBS, and honestly, it totally sucks to think of you only as a forced acquaintance."
But your pride kept getting in the way, you know," she whispered audibly. "And sometimes I just wish you had nothing to be proud of, so we can at least come up to your level…"
He pointedly ignored her unwavering gaze and stood up from his seat, clutching the now disfigured can of beer in his hands. This, all of this, was all too new for him-- having to cram for an essay when he finishes them on time, having to take considerations from teachers when he got their praise, having to ask help from other people when he managed on his own, having people over for tea and dinner when never in his life had he invited anyone for just a casual visit.
…having someone actually admit that she wanted to know him when everyone else has avoided his presence and admired his entirety from a distance…
What was it that he was feeling now?
He didn't know. He didn't want to know.
He was too afraid to find out.
"Perhaps it's better if you leave, Kirisawa," he said coldly, still not facing her. "I'd like some time for myself now."
Fuuko stood up and cleared her kimono. "Yeah, maybe I should," she said in a tone equal to his.
The sound of her retreating footsteps echoed in his head, and it was when the door shut close did he hear the thundering sound of the rain pouring outside.
~~~
The purple-haired girl quickly made her way through the stately corridors of Mikagami's house. This time, she had no regard whatsoever for the imposing sculpture and paintings that arrayed the residence. Gone was the consternation and awe that was roused from the odd face, ball-metal cherubims.
She was too preoccupied with her feelings of frustration.
Maybe Yanagi would've done better. The healer would probably understand him better, or Tokiya would probably be more open to her because of the sister ties and all…
Why did she even agree anyway?
And what made her think that she can get to know the real Tokiya Mikagami just over a cup of tea?
Fuuko found herself back in the foyer, right before the door that she earlier threatened to destroy. She knew it was time to stop dreaming of what could be and start accepting what really is. Taking a deep breath. After heaving a sigh of resignation, she pulled open the door and readily accepted her defeat.
And it seemed that nature agreed with her too.
The rain poured madly in ceaseless rhythm seemingly dictated by kami-sama himself. The continuous staccato of the raindrops echoed in her ears as it hit the cold dark pavement. And then joining the steady cadence of the cloudburst was the caterwauling lament of the wind, powerful enough to take her by surprise to make her lose her balance a bit as she opened the door. To complete the trio was the mighty strokes of lightning that glare down on the land every once in a while.
'What a perfect ending for a perfect day,' she thought grimly.
How on earth was she supposed to go back in this weather? At least she learned another thing: never trust the crappy weather channel. Expect bright sunshine with little to no rainshowers or thunderstorms her foot. This is definitely not a little rainshower.
The disgruntled girl stood on the front porch, partially protected by the small roofing of the deck, contemplating if she should go back inside to ask for the tiniest bit of consideration and risk herself being weenie roast special ala ensui. The latter she didn't care about, surprisingly. In truth, she was just worried that Mikagami wouldn't take her coming back for any reason at all too well.
Feeling considerate for his situation (Fuuko Kirisawa was rarely considerate, especially at times like this, but she was ready to believe that he had drugged the tea now), the girl took the first dreadful step from the porch and started to move as fast as she can in her kimono, which wasn't pretty fast, mind you. Getting even more frustrated by this fact, she bent down and tore the precious garment up to mid-thigh so she could move faster. To hell with it all. She'd buy another kimono. Heck, why on earth would she buy another kimono? She'd never wear one again after today. She just wanted to go home and-
"What the?"
Fuuko wondered aloud as the rain suddenly stopped pouring above her. Everything else around her was still taking part in nature's euphonious soliloquy. What about her? She wanted to be part of it to! She wanted to feel the insouciant rain cleanse her mind of the confusion she feels, for the harsh wind to allay her frenzied emotions.
"You should've asked for an umbrella at least," was the impassive reply to her initial surprise.
"Mikagami?"
He didn't answer as he shrugged off his coat and placed it over her shoulders that were trembling in the cold. Fuuko readily accepted the initial warmth given by the garment, as well as the warmth unknowingly offered by him.
It was one of those moments when action most definitely spoke louder than words, although he was unaware of the kind of language he was using. The first thing that occured to him after he made her leave was that it was raining. Hard. And he let her go when nature was in her temperamental mood. Some good host he is. Still vexed as he is from his initial reaction from her response, he couldn't let her go away just like that.
He just wasn't sure if he was trying to get her back into the safety of his house until the storm subsided, or if he wanted her back in his life, storm or no storm.
It was pertinent to realize that Fuuko Kirisawa also didn't understand the strong, unspoken rhetoric being made by Mikagami. All she knew was that she was cold, drenched and pissed off at the man who was now holding an umbrella atop her head for causing this stirring feeling somewhere in the pits of her chest
What was she supposed to make out of this?.
The hell with it. Both of them just wanted to be out of this rain.
...and perhaps back in each others lives?
Then they made their way back to his house.
TBC
A/N: Yokee... That was a pathetic attempt for conflict. Had to rush this chappie. Sorry if I disappointed y'all. I updated earlier 'coz the family's going to China for Christmas. To Anna-san and Jin-san, thank you very much for your information. Appreciate it a lot! And advance happy Christmas to all!
Chapter 9
Tokiya Mikagami was not disappointed. Disappointed would be such a light word for the umbrage he was feeling right now… He was pissed. He was furious. He was angry.
Not at Fuuko Kirisawa, although he also had some reason to, but at himself.
Because he has let his guard down again.
He let her in his life, thinking that she understood.
"You wouldn't have said that if you didn't mean it," he said in a low voice.
Fuuko watched curiously as he seemingly ruminated over his half-finished plate of lasagna. His words sounded like he actually wanted to be berated and scorned, as if he wanted her to tell him that he really was an apathetic jerk with no feelings…
As if he truly had nothing to be proud of in his life…
"Mi-chan," Fuuko, fully knowing well the disturbing sensation that was to come, tentatively reached out her hand to enclose his. "I'm really sorry about what I said."
He retrieved his hand back and glared at her, completely ignoring the fleetingness of the dying embers.
"And I actually thought for a moment back there that you would understand."
"But I do understand, Mi-chan, I just-"
"You just what?" he seethed. "You just thought of this as an opportunity to check out my place, get free food and invade my life?"
Her eyes darkened and she returned his glare with equal contempt. "Yeah, I wanted to invade your life, even if it means barging in your house for free food, because I care. I wanted to know you better. We fought side by side in the UBS, and honestly, it totally sucks to think of you only as a forced acquaintance."
But your pride kept getting in the way, you know," she whispered audibly. "And sometimes I just wish you had nothing to be proud of, so we can at least come up to your level…"
He pointedly ignored her unwavering gaze and stood up from his seat, clutching the now disfigured can of beer in his hands. This, all of this, was all too new for him-- having to cram for an essay when he finishes them on time, having to take considerations from teachers when he got their praise, having to ask help from other people when he managed on his own, having people over for tea and dinner when never in his life had he invited anyone for just a casual visit.
…having someone actually admit that she wanted to know him when everyone else has avoided his presence and admired his entirety from a distance…
What was it that he was feeling now?
He didn't know. He didn't want to know.
He was too afraid to find out.
"Perhaps it's better if you leave, Kirisawa," he said coldly, still not facing her. "I'd like some time for myself now."
Fuuko stood up and cleared her kimono. "Yeah, maybe I should," she said in a tone equal to his.
The sound of her retreating footsteps echoed in his head, and it was when the door shut close did he hear the thundering sound of the rain pouring outside.
~~~
The purple-haired girl quickly made her way through the stately corridors of Mikagami's house. This time, she had no regard whatsoever for the imposing sculpture and paintings that arrayed the residence. Gone was the consternation and awe that was roused from the odd face, ball-metal cherubims.
She was too preoccupied with her feelings of frustration.
Maybe Yanagi would've done better. The healer would probably understand him better, or Tokiya would probably be more open to her because of the sister ties and all…
Why did she even agree anyway?
And what made her think that she can get to know the real Tokiya Mikagami just over a cup of tea?
Fuuko found herself back in the foyer, right before the door that she earlier threatened to destroy. She knew it was time to stop dreaming of what could be and start accepting what really is. Taking a deep breath. After heaving a sigh of resignation, she pulled open the door and readily accepted her defeat.
And it seemed that nature agreed with her too.
The rain poured madly in ceaseless rhythm seemingly dictated by kami-sama himself. The continuous staccato of the raindrops echoed in her ears as it hit the cold dark pavement. And then joining the steady cadence of the cloudburst was the caterwauling lament of the wind, powerful enough to take her by surprise to make her lose her balance a bit as she opened the door. To complete the trio was the mighty strokes of lightning that glare down on the land every once in a while.
'What a perfect ending for a perfect day,' she thought grimly.
How on earth was she supposed to go back in this weather? At least she learned another thing: never trust the crappy weather channel. Expect bright sunshine with little to no rainshowers or thunderstorms her foot. This is definitely not a little rainshower.
The disgruntled girl stood on the front porch, partially protected by the small roofing of the deck, contemplating if she should go back inside to ask for the tiniest bit of consideration and risk herself being weenie roast special ala ensui. The latter she didn't care about, surprisingly. In truth, she was just worried that Mikagami wouldn't take her coming back for any reason at all too well.
Feeling considerate for his situation (Fuuko Kirisawa was rarely considerate, especially at times like this, but she was ready to believe that he had drugged the tea now), the girl took the first dreadful step from the porch and started to move as fast as she can in her kimono, which wasn't pretty fast, mind you. Getting even more frustrated by this fact, she bent down and tore the precious garment up to mid-thigh so she could move faster. To hell with it all. She'd buy another kimono. Heck, why on earth would she buy another kimono? She'd never wear one again after today. She just wanted to go home and-
"What the?"
Fuuko wondered aloud as the rain suddenly stopped pouring above her. Everything else around her was still taking part in nature's euphonious soliloquy. What about her? She wanted to be part of it to! She wanted to feel the insouciant rain cleanse her mind of the confusion she feels, for the harsh wind to allay her frenzied emotions.
"You should've asked for an umbrella at least," was the impassive reply to her initial surprise.
"Mikagami?"
He didn't answer as he shrugged off his coat and placed it over her shoulders that were trembling in the cold. Fuuko readily accepted the initial warmth given by the garment, as well as the warmth unknowingly offered by him.
It was one of those moments when action most definitely spoke louder than words, although he was unaware of the kind of language he was using. The first thing that occured to him after he made her leave was that it was raining. Hard. And he let her go when nature was in her temperamental mood. Some good host he is. Still vexed as he is from his initial reaction from her response, he couldn't let her go away just like that.
He just wasn't sure if he was trying to get her back into the safety of his house until the storm subsided, or if he wanted her back in his life, storm or no storm.
It was pertinent to realize that Fuuko Kirisawa also didn't understand the strong, unspoken rhetoric being made by Mikagami. All she knew was that she was cold, drenched and pissed off at the man who was now holding an umbrella atop her head for causing this stirring feeling somewhere in the pits of her chest
What was she supposed to make out of this?.
The hell with it. Both of them just wanted to be out of this rain.
...and perhaps back in each others lives?
Then they made their way back to his house.
TBC
A/N: Yokee... That was a pathetic attempt for conflict. Had to rush this chappie. Sorry if I disappointed y'all. I updated earlier 'coz the family's going to China for Christmas. To Anna-san and Jin-san, thank you very much for your information. Appreciate it a lot! And advance happy Christmas to all!