Chapter 3 – Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu
***
"You transferred to Eitoku." Asked a surprised Rui.
"Yeah. We did." Answered Sakuyo.
"Aren't you four supposed to be in Eirin?"
"Since when did you become so inquisitive?"
"You two know each other?" Asked Tsukushi, who was scratching her head in bewilderment.
"She's Tsukasa's cousin." Replied Rui when he saw Sakuyo turned her head front impassively.
"Dou… Doumyouji's cousin…" Tsukushi repeated, unable to believe what Rui had just said.
Doumyouji had a cousin?! Again?!
Tsukushi turned to look at Sakuyo who was still sitting at the balcony, unmoved. The tranquilly emitted from her is indescribable as she sat there, letting the intermittent breeze brush across her face. Rui had a concerned look on his face as his brows moved inward.
"Come down, it is dangerous sitting over there."
Hanazawa Rui…
No response came from Sakuyo as she sat there, not moving an inch. Rui inched forward, his husky voice revealing a sense of solicitude in him.
"Sakuyo…" Sakuyo looked up and all she said was an "Hmm?"
"Come down." Rui's tone was firm at the same time as he stretches his hand to reach for Sakuyo. Tsukushi thought it was untypical of Rui to be this concerned about someone, if not Shizuka…
Sakuyo took his hand and climb down effortlessly with Rui's strong if not gentle support for her petite body.
"Don't do that again." Was all Rui said when Sakuyo was standing on the ground. Sakuyo shot him a fleeting glimpse before walking away, with Rui staring at her silently as she disappeared down the stairway.
*Flashback*
"Rui." A voice of a young girl wearing a cute little Eitoku Uniform was heard. Rui looked up and saw it was Sakuyo, looking down at him. They were at the end of the garden where it connects Eitoku Elementary and Eitoku High. Rui was sitting alone by himself on a bench.
Knowing what Rui is thinking, Sakuyo teased, "Thinking of Shizuka?"
"…" Rui looked down.
Settling herself by his side, Sakuyo continues, "I heard from Sakiyo that you can see Shizuka from there." Sakuyo's little finger then pointed towards the north wing, where Shizuka's class is. But it is blocked by an oak tree. Looking back at Rui, Sakuyo said, "Do you want to see her now?" Rui nodded. Dragging Rui behind him, Sakuyo stopped by the oak tree and looked up.
"You have to climb up. Come." Rui followed suit and climbed the tree as suggested by Sakuyo. They reached a point where they can catch a perfect glimpse of Shizuka's attending her ballet lessons. When Rui saw Shizuka whisking across the classroom elegantly, a guiltless smile was formed. All the while, Sakuyo said nothing. Suddenly Rui felt something on his shoulders. He turned and realized it was Sakuyo, asleep beside him. He didn't care, and continued his peeking on Shizuka. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Shizuka leaving and before he knew it, he heard a thud. When he looked down, he realized Sakuyo had fallen from the tree.
He failed to catch her.
"Hanazawa Rui…" Tsukushi interrupted into his thoughts.
"Hmm?" Rui carelessly replied.
"Sakuyo-san really is Doumyouji's cousin?" A mixture of bewilderment and realization flowed into Tsukushi as she now comprehends the reactions of those people this morning.
Rui just nods and slumped onto the floor.
"Why didn't you guys mention her before?"
"We don't see the need to."
"… So ka…" Tsukushi settled herself beside him, thinking it was strange.
"There's another three of them, who are not here today."
"I know." And Rui said nothing more.
"Is there anything I should know?" Tsukushi bluntly inquired.
"Why don't you ask Tsukasa?"
Tsukushi's eyes widen.
~*~*~
"Hey!"
"Hmm? Are you calling me?" Makino Susumu turned around and saw a bunch of boys standing behind him.
"Who else would I be calling, idiot?! HaahahahHA!!!" the whole bunch of boys burst out in mocking laughter.
"How can I help you?" Susumu innocently replied. But deep down, he knew it was trouble. These boys are known to extort money from whoever they feel like it.
"Give us your money." The one in the middle coldly uttered.
"I don't have money…" Susumu shivered.
Before he expected it, he was punched in the face, landing on the ground with a thud. Nursing the bruise on his face, Susumu wavered.
"Search him!" the middle one commanded. And his sidekicks immediately rushed over to Susumu, tugging him by the collar and pulling him up in an uncouthly manner.
"I told you I don't have any money!!" Susumu protested when the whole bunch of boys were yanking his uniform and searching through his tattered but usable schoolbag.
"You jackass…" the leader hauled Susumu by his collar as he came to a realization that this boy in front of him is indeed penniless.
"Yo! Jackass!" a voice interrupted them. They turned and saw it was a girl with bandages on her hand and ankle, standing not far away from them.
"Who're you calling jackass, missy?" the leader drawled, thinking the girl is asking for trouble.
"Who else would I be calling besides you?" the girl sarcastically retorted, pointing her finger at the leader.
"No, no, no…" the girl waved her hand in a dismissive way when she saw the leader marching towards her, making him stop in his tracks. A cynical smile was displayed across his face when he saw that. Tilting her head with her hand rubbing her chin, she continues, "I mean you are the BIG jackass while they…" she shot the sidekicks a fleeting glance "are the brainless jackasses who do anything as told."
"You!!!" the leader lounged forward, wanting to pin the girl against the lamp pole nearby. But the girl seems undaunted by the actions as he moved swiftly forward. Instead a cynical lopsided curve was formed. His hands were about two inches away from the girl when he felt something or rather, someone jerking him backwards, causing him to land on the ground, hard.
The girl leans forward, checking his condition. When she saw he was crying in pain, she smirked, "Tsk, tsk, tsk…" the leader squirts his eyes and found six men in black surrounding him, with looks setting to kill. His sidekicks are long gone.
"You guys may be dismissed." The girl said coolly as she squats down, looking derisively at the leader while her bodyguards disappeared into their camouflage.
"Just admit you are the biggest jackass in the world and I will let you off… hehe.."
"I… I…"
"Come on, say it. I know you can. Come on." The girl cajoled sarcastically. The leader broke down in tears.
"Tsk, tsk, tsks… fancy a big boy like you breaking down in tears… pathetic…"
"I beg you to stop." Susumu interjects pitifully. The girl looks up and said, "Who are you to say?"
"He knows he's wrong… let him off." "How well do you know him?" the girl immediately rejoinder.
"I don't know him… but I know you should let him off… you are too much."
"NANI?" the girl stands up, though awkwardly, she hobbles towards Susumu, who falters a few steps back.
This girl is scary… he thought.
"Forget it! You poor boys are no fun to play with." And she turned to limp away, with the leader on the ground dodging her and running away when she pass by him.
"Hey!" Susumu shouts behind her. But she didn't respond and continue her limping.
"Thank you!!" she stopped in her tracks. Susumu thought she is finally receptive to him but how come she is stooping down?
"What's wrong with you?" Susumu ran up to her side.
"My ankle… hurts…" and Susumu helped her to the bench nearby.
"Are you alright now?" Susumu asked when she had settled comfortably on the bench.
She didn't respond.
"Miss…"
"U lu sai ne!! Can't you keep quiet for a moment?!!" the girl snaps back, stopping Susumu from saying more.
This girl is not only scary… she's also weird.. but I still have to thank her for helping me.
"Thank you." and he gets a pair of piercing eyes in return.
"Did.. did I say something wrong?" and the pair of piercing eyes lingers on him. Susumu gulps as he turned back front, not daring to look at her.
"Why am I doing here?" Sakiyo asked herself.
"Eh?"
"Eh? Eh? Eh? Is that all you know?!"
"Eh?"
"Argghhh!! OH!" Susumu smiled at her frustrated actions.
"My name is Makino Susumu. What's yours?"
"You don't need to know." Sakiyo coldly replied.
"Oh… I see… who the men in black are?" Sakiyo shot him another exasperating look.
"They're my bodyguards." She still replied as a matter of fact.
"EH??!! Bodyguards?!! You have bodyguards?!" Susumu exclaimed.
"You are as annoying as them, do you know that?" Sakiyo retorted annoyingly.
"Oops..Sorry, it's just that I rarely get to see people with bodyguards…mmm… maybe except Doumoyuji-san." Susumu begins to ponder how many bodyguards Doumyouji has with him.
"Doumyouji?" Sakiyo's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Hai. My ne-chan's boyfriend." Susumu replied as a matter of fact.
"Your NE-CHAN'S BOYFRIEND?! Are you sure we're talking about the same person?! I'm talking about Doumyouji Tsukasa, the heir of Doumyouji Corporation."
"Yeah, I know… Doumyouji of Eitoku High… F4." Sakiyo gasped, unable to believe this boy is telling the truth. Standing up, she turned to Susumu, wanting to say something but nothing came out of her mouth.
"Yeah, I know it's unbelievable… even my sister didn't believe that sometimes." Susumu answered like he knows what's going on inside her mind. Slumping back onto the bench, Sakiyo looks flabbergasted. Turning her head sharply at Susumu, she asks, "Are you sure you have no money with you?"
"Yeah."
"I don't believe you!" and her hands began to pore over Susumu, who felt ticklish and laughed.
"I told you I don't have money on me!" "What's your name again?" Sakiyo asks suspiciously.
"Makino Susumu."
"Never heard of it before… your company just got listed?"
"Listed? Nah… my father is… well… out of job now."
"Eh?" was all she can say.
"Stop talking about me… what about you? What's your name? How come you have so many bodyguards with you?" Susumu took the chance to divert her attention.
"You call that many? Wait till you see my house." Susumu listens attentively while she continues, "Those bunch of irritating idiots… always following me wherever I go and just when I needed them most, they're not there."
"What do you mean?"
"My things were stolen this morning and they were not there."
"How come?" Susumu asked with concern in his eyes.
"I.. Hmm.. nothing." Sakiyo stopped herself in mid-sentence, thinking she would be slapping herself by revealing she's the one who took the initiative to shake them off.
"Eh?"
"Can you stop your Eh, eh, eh?!"
"Sorry."
*GRRGgrrhhhh*
"You hungry?" Susumu asks innocently.
*GRrgrRRHHH*
"Pot calling kittle black." Sakiyo retorts, rolling her eyes.
"You mean kettle?" Susumu corrected, trying not to laugh.
"WhatEVER!" And she stood up.
"Do you mind coming over to my house for dinner?" Sakiyo cast him an unbelievable look.
"To thank you for helping me today."
"Not again!" Sakiyo whined.
"Ah! I can introduce my sister to you!" Sakiyo lighted up. "Hmm…" Sakiyo pondered, rubbing her chin.
"Alright."
Susumu smiled.
~*~*~
Tsukushi was walking home.
~ "Why don't you ask Tsukasa?" ~
Rui's words lingered in her mind. Suddenly a figure overshadowed her. She looked up and realized it was Tsukasa, leaning by a pole and staring at her.
Speak of the devil!
"Hi." Tsukasa greets casually.
"Hi." Tsukushi returns back the greeting.
It feels weird to be so polite to him
"Where you're going?"
"Home."
"So ka."
"Ja." And Tsukushi walks past him. But Tsukasa's words stopped her.
"Makino Tsukushi. You really think I'll be able to forget you in this life?"
Tsukushi turned back, astonished but at the same time, with tears in her eyes. Tsukasa strides towards her. Touching her wet cheeks, Tsukasa smiled, "Baka."
"Doumyouji…" and she was in his warm embrace once again.
"Did you sleep well these past few nights?" Tsukasa uttered, with a sense of deep solicitude in him. Before Tsukushi could answer, Tsukasa whispers into her ears, "I've been worrying about you these past few weeks, thinking I'm not there for you when you're in trouble..."
"Baka.. What trouble will I encounter?" Tsukushi wavered, thinking Tsukasa finally remembers her!
"I miss you… I keep thinking about you when I was alone." Tsukasa bluntly admitted while wiping her tears with his thumb.
"Me… me too." and they cuddled again.
"Let's go home." Tsukasa finally said.
"Home?"
"Yeah.. Didn't you say you wanna go home? I'll send you."
"I prefer to walk." Tsukushi grins.
"Whatever pleases you." Tsukasa grins back.
Holding her hand tightly within his, Tsukasa and Tsukushi strolled down the slope, with satisfied smiles plastered on their faces.
~*~*~
"This is your house?" Sakiyo grimaced at the sight in front of her. She had been hesitant when Susumu led her into a shabby street and now this?
"Yup! Mama! Papa! I'm home!" Susumu yells.
"Why don't they just demolish this dilapidated house? Or the whole street for the matter…?" Sakiyo muttered, looking at the row of similar rundown houses down the street.
"What did you say?" Susumu asks while stepping inside the porch.
"Nothi…"
"SUSUMU!!" Sakiyo was cut off by an outburst of a loud vivacious female voice.
"What took you so long.. AH!! You're injured!!!" The woman began to touch Susumu all over.
"Stop touching me, Mama!! It hurts!" Susumu exclaimed.
"I'm checking on your injuries! What will your sis say when she seeeeesss… who is this girl, Susumu?" Makino Mama finally caught sight of a girl standing beside her son.
"Nice meeting you, obasan. I'm Fujiwara Sakiyo." Sakiyo introduced herself, displaying the best manners she ever has. Susumu is surprised that she actually bows to someone.
"Fuji… FUJIWARA!!! Are you the daughter of the land estate magnate, Fujiwara?!!"
"Ha… hai." Sakiyo was bowled over by the sudden enthusiasm in Makino Mama. Although she met a lot of suckers who tried all means to suck up to her, this one is novel to her.
"COME ON IN!!" and she was dragged inside the house before she knew it.
The house was in quite a mess when they went inside. "Sorry for the mess! SUSUMU! Entertain her while I clear up!" Makino Mama shouts over to Susumu who is standing behind them.
"Sorry for my Mama's behaviour… she's always like that." Susumu embarrassingly explained.
"She's kind of cute. At least my mother would not behave that way." Sakiyo replied carelessly.
"What?" Sakiyo asks when she realized Susumu was staring at her.
"Nothing.. OH! Papa! You're awake!" Susumu stumped over Makino Papa.
"Ohayo!!" Makino Papa dreamily greets.
"Heheh… this is my father." Sakiyo bows again. "Good evening, ojisan."
"Is that your girlfriend, Susumu?" Makino Papa dreamily asks. And he got a knock on his head by his wife in return.
"ITAI!! What was that for?"
"Don't utter nonsense! This lady here is the daughter of the Fujiwara Corporation. How can our son be worthy of her?!" Makino Mama gave a face of seriousness. Sakiyo thought that was sensible of her to say that but she thought otherwise when she heard Makino Mama's whisper to Makino Papa. "At least not now! Hahaha!!"
*Sweatdrop*
"Please take a seat while I prepare tea for you, Fujiwara-san!!" Makino Mama continues her enthusiastic chatter.
"You've got an interesting family here, Susumu." Sakiyo commented when she settled down onto the floor.
Meanwhile at the kitchen area… "Look, husband! She's calling our son by his name!! Looks like it won't be long before HOHhoohohoo…" They laughed before they can finish what they're saying.
*Multiple Sweatdrop*
"I'm home!!" another female voice interrupted Makino Papa and Mama's enthusiastic chatter. Sakiyo turned and saw a girl with big brown eyes and short brown hair. She's not the attractive kind but there's a kind of cuteness in her. Sakiyo reckon this must be the sister.. Or rather Doumyouji Tsukasa's girlfriend. Tsukushi didn't take notice of her until she was well inside the house.
"Eh?!" was her response when she saw Sakiyo sitting in her house, looking at her with a curious look.
Let the fun begin!! Hehehe Sakiyo thought as she opened her mouth to introduce herself. She was stopped by a tall figure standing behind Tsukushi.
"Sa..!" Tsukasa opened his mouth to speak, "Sakuyo-san!" but was cut off by Tsukushi.
"Sakuyo?!" Both Sakiyo and Tsukasa replied in unison, bewildered.
What's wrong with these guys? Tsukushi thought as she shifted her eyes from Tsukasa to Sakiyo.
So… she thought I am Sakuyo… Sakiyo thought while looking at Tsukushi.
Since when she got the idea she's Sakuyo! That's two different girls!! Tsukasa thought while scowling at Sakiyo.
"Haha.. Hi!" Sakiyo awkwardly greets. But her bandages caught Tsukushi's attention.
"Since when you are injured, Sakuyo-san? You were fine this afternoon."
"You met Sa…?" Tsukasa butt in. "Ehh? These? AH! I tripped!" but was interjected by Sakiyo.
"So..Ka.."
"DOUMYOUJI-SAN!! YOU ARE HERE TOO!! WELCOME! WELCOME!! HAVE A SEAT!!" And Tsukushi was pushed over by Makino Mama while Tsukasa is being dragged to sit beside Sakiyo. Both had the piercing kind of look in their eyes when they were looking at each other. Tsukushi thought that was weird for people who knew each other, especially they are relatives.
"YOUR TEA!" Makino Mama places the humble tea set before them. Both Sakiyo and Tsukasa coincidentally took the same cup. The worst thing is, both refused to let go of the cup in their grasp.
"The tea is meant for me, stupid!" Sakiyo whispered, though it was loud to hear.
"Did anyone specify that?!" Tsukasa retorted, pushing the tea cup towards him.
"You better know your limits!" Sakiyo snatches the cup back.
"Look who's talking!" And Tsukasa was about to snatch the cup when Tsukushi intervenes. She thought the tea is going to topple if the fight continues.
"Give her the tea, Doumyouji!" And Tsukushi snatch the tea cup out of both their hands and hand it to Sakiyo apologetically. Sakiyo shot him a I-won look when she sip the tea which made Tsukasa red with fury.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Why can't I be here?" Sakiyo answered innocently.
"You..!"
"Yo, Makino, he's bullying me…" Sakiyo turned to Tsukushi pitifully.
"Doumyouji!! Don't you dare bully Sakuyo-san! She's your cousin!" With that, she gave a knock on his head.
"Itai!"
Sakiyo then leans over to Tsukasa and whispers into his ears.
"Hohoho… the great Doumyouji Tsukasa actually fears his girl!! Haha!"
"I'm going to smack you!!"
"Bleh!" and her tongue were stuck out to make Tsukasa… well even more irritated. While they were 'wrestling' with each other, Makino Mama and co were looking at them, "Look, Papa.. The scene in front of us is just sooo cute… cousins playing with each other… especially when they are RICH cousins!! Hahaha!!" Makino Mama remarked, standing a few steps away from Tsukushi with Makino Papa and Susumu.
"They're cousins?" Susumu inquired.
"Don't you know, Susumu? Their wealth combined could well last us for millions or even billions of years!!" Makino Mama replied as a matter of fact.
"No wonder she looked so startled when I mentioned Doumyouji-san…"
Tsukushi was looking at the two all the while when Makino mama pats her shoulder and whispers into her ears.
"Tsukushi, make sure you grab these two golden eggs."
"MAMA!!!"
Tsukushi's outrage stopped the two, who were in a midst of tug-of-war.
"Power…" Sakiyo commented, releasing the grip on Tsukasa's collar.
"That's her…" Tsukasa followed suit, releasing his grip on Sakiyo's throat. Both sat quietly, not uttering a word.
"AH! Fujiwara-san and Doumoyuji-san, do you guys want a bath?" Susumu suddenly butt in.
"EH?" was both replies.
"We can all go baths together, like last time!!"
"Bath together?!" She shot a scanning look at Tsukasa "No way!!"
"That is public bath, dim head! Boys and girls are separated!" Tsukasa replied as a matter of fact.
"Oh, so I assume you bath here often…" Sakiyo retorted, not looking at him.
But Before Tsukasa can say anything; they were hushed out of the house by the Makino parents.
~*~*~
"You're not expecting me to enter this shabby hole, are you…?" Sakiyo looked at the scene in front of her when they reached the public bath.
"Shut up! You heavy cow!" Tsukasa snapped, piggybacking her.
"I shall tear your hair off!!" and she pulled on his hair hard.
"ITAI!! Stop it! You idiot!" Tsukasa jumped, shaking Sakiyo off his back. They stopped when they realized the Makino siblings looking at them, dotted-eyed.
She seems… outspoken…
Tsukushi thought when they were in the ladies bath area.
"Hey… Makino… what's your name?" Sakiyo asked, while taking off her clothes. "Oh! This is lowering oneself…" Sakiyo muttered with a disgusted frown on her when she saw the bath in front of her.
"Sakuyo-san…"
"Nani?"
"Where did we stop this afternoon?" Tsukushi asked with narrowed eyes.
She's beginning to suspect me
"Did we ever start?" Sakiyo cleverly answered, knowing her twin's temperament. Tsukushi seems satisfied with her answer.
She's right, but what can explain the difference in behaviour? Tsukushi contemplated. Knowing what Tsukushi is thinking, Sakiyo attempts to divert her attention.
"What do you see in Doumyouji? Or rather… what did Doumyouji see in you? Does his mother know about it?" Sakiyo bluntly inquired while lying casually on the bathtub, with her two arms and her one leg hanging on the tub.
"I don't know… And his mother…" Tsukushi stopped herself to swim close to Sakiyo. "Knows about us." And finishes her sentences when she is beside Sakiyo.
Since when she became inquisitive?
"How much he did he offer? One million yen per night?" Tsukushi gasped. "Huh? Three million?!! Unbelievable…" Sakiyo exclaimed, oblivious of Tsukushi's feelings.
"He offers me nothing and I WON'T TAKE IT EVEN IF HE OFFERS TO PAY!" Tsukushi exploded, splashing water on Sakiyo's face as she stood up, naked.
"Hey!!" Sakiyo wiped off the beads of water on her face; feeling annoyed "I'm speaking the fact!" Standing up awkwardly, she continues, "You are ridiculous!"
~*~*~
"Doumyouji-san, what are you doing?" Tsukasa was half naked, together with Susumu in the gent's bath area. His ears were planted close to the walls.
"Shhh!!!" Tsukasa hush, "Damn it! She's asking for trouble!" Tsukasa muttered when he heard something from the other side.
"It's not right to eavesdrop on them, Doumyouji-san…" Susumu replied as a matter of fact. Tsukasa turned back, thinking Susumu is right. But how can he be at ease when Sakiyo is with his Tsukushi?
Tsukasa signed in defeat. "Alright."
"Come; let me scrub your back!" Susumu suggested and starting his scrubbing on Doumoyuji's back when he sat down.
"Doumyouji-san?"
"Nani?"
"Fujiwara-san… may I know whether her name is Sakiyo or Sakuyo?" Susumu asked, while continuing his scrub.
Raising his brow, Tsukasa answers, "Why do you ask?"
"Because I heard Fujiwara-san calling herself Sakiyo but Ne-chan calls her Sakuyo."
"You are much cleverer than your Ne-chan." Tsukasa smirked. Suddenly there was a loud thud on the wall separating the bath areas.
"What's going on?" inquired a curious Susumu.
Tsukasa was already on his way to the other side.
~*~*~
In Fujiwara Mansion…
"What?! Sakiyo is out?!" Sanako thought it was strange for Sakiyo to go out since she was injured. Who will, in their correct minds go out with bandages all over?
"Sakiyo-sama keeps complaining she's bored at home, though we have tried our best to persuade her not to."
"Where's Sakuyo then?" Shiori inquired suspiciously. Judging from the looks of Shiori, Sanako reckon she must be thinking about the thoughts.
"Sakuyo-sama is asleep in her bedroom." The servant replied humbly.
"Let's go find her." Sanako turned to Shiori when the servant was dismissed.
Climbing up the spiral staircase, they reached the second floor. On the second floor led a long corridor with dimly lights. They walked down the aisle filled with rooms. As soon as they reached the second last room, they found Sakuyo soundly asleep in her bed of her huge bedroom.
"There she is… our sleeping beauty…" Shiori remarked when she saw her friend.
"Now where could the other one be?" Sanako pondered while punching Sakiyo's numbers.
*The number you just dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later or press 0 for voice messages.*
Ending the call, Sanako signs in defeat, "It's the operator again."
"Wakey wakey!!" Shiori climbed onto Sakuyo's bed, waking her with her touches.
"Hmm… Shiori… what are you doing here?"
"Sakiyo is missing." Sanako answered annoyingly while cuddling on a couch near the bed.
"Yeah. Aren't you two together?" Shiori then snuggles herself beside Sakuyo.
"She was asleep when I was awake…"
"And…?" Sanako probes, lifting her head from the couch.
"She's not at home when I came home."
"Where did you go?" Shiori interjects, her curious eyes questioning hers.
"I went to school." Sakuyo replied in point of fact.
"EH?!" Both Shiori and Sanako jumped up, unable to believe the truth.
"So how was it?" Shiori questioned, with sudden enthusiasm in her. Sanako came snuggling beside them.
"I met Rui."
"Koitsu." Both whispered in union.
"Did you see Tsukasa?" Sanako questioned and Shiori interjects, "Last time Sakiyo met him in NY and she said he changed quite a lot…"
"I haven't seen him."
~*~*~
"Maki…!" Tsukasa was greeted with a pair of intense pair of eyes at the doorstep.
"Get the hell out of my way." Sakiyo coldly ordered, with her clothes in quite a mess. It is evident she picked up her clothes in quite a rush.
"What did you do to Makino?" Tsukasa pulled Sakiyo close, his voice signaling danger.
Slapping off his grip, Sakiyo retorts, "Shut up!" and she hobbles away.
Tsukasa was hesitant on whether to step inside the ladies bath room. Just as he decided to walk in, Tsukushi walked out, with her clothes carelessly worn. She had the kind of distant look in her. Tsukasa grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Makino, did she hurt you?"
Makino didn't budge.
"Makino, answer me!!" Tsukasa then scanned her from head to toe for bruises or anything that signals she is hurt but nothing was found.
"I'm alright. Where's Susumu?" Tsukushi finally spoke, making Tsukasa sign in relief.
"I'm here, sis! Where's Fujiwara-san?" Susumu appeared behind them.
"She left already; she had something to attend to." Tsukasa answers, not wanting to involve Susumu.
Tsukasa then sway his arms over Tsukushi's shoulders, "Let's go home."
~"Things will NEVER work out between the two of you!"~
Sakiyo's words lingered in Tsukushi's mind when they were on their way home. But the one thing that puzzles Tsukushi is when Sakiyo is in the midst of walking out the bath area, she turned back to say, "By the way, I'm not Sakuyo. I'm Sakiyo. Fujiwara Sakiyo. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu."
And the pair of deep eyes surfaced.