Chapter 4 – Within An Approaching Hurricane
***
It was late evening in NY when Doumyouji Kaede's personal assistant wheeled into the main entrance of the grand Doumyouji Corporation to the underground parking garage. The young attendant at the booth, after recognizing the driver, quickly threw a salute, before gazing after the polished silver Jaguar with envy as it swerved smoothly into a lot marked: RESERVED, K. Doumyouji. Nishida stepped out of the car with a file in hand and a beep-beep sound was heard before he proceed to the private elevator which would whisk him up to only one level – The 40th floor, the highest level of the corporation where Kaede's office is.
As he emerged from the elevator, he found Kaede sitting comfortably behind her glassy table full of documents as usual, only this time, her back of was facing the front. Nishida strides across the spacious stylish room, but was stopped by Kaede, who unexpectedly turned her wing chair around to greet him.
"You're early." Although it was a casual statement, Nishida couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the imposing tone in Kaede, which he still couldn't get used to it sometimes.
"Good evening, Madam." Nishida bowed before continuing.
"I was early because I had something important to report to you." Kaede arched a questioning brow as she spoke, "What is it?"
"I received news that the Fujiwara sisters are back in Japan." Kaede remained inexpressive as she stands up and strides across her room to get a drink from her mini bar. Nishida thought it was weird of Kaede to behave that way since the topic was on the Fujiwaras.
With a snifter of brandy in hand, Kaede broke the silence, "You call that news?"
"Uh… you already knew it?" Nishida blurts out blatantly. "I'm sorry." He quickly apologizes upon seeing the pair of authoritative eyes poring on him, implying it was rude of him to say that.
Letting go of the matter, Kaede sipped her brandy before asking, "How's Tsukasa?"
"Tsukasa-sama was reported to be fine but..hmm.. He was seen at Makino-san's house last night and…"
"Nani?" Kaede blurts, cutting Nishida off. Tightening her hold on her snifter with a scowl darkening her disposition, Kaede was quite taken aback that her son actually remembers that woman in the end.
"And Sakiyo-sama is there too." Nishida was glad he finished his statement when he saw the look on Kaede's face. Kaede was utterly curious.
"What is she doing there?" Kaede's eyes narrowed as she probed, thinking it was unbelievable. After hearing Nishida's account on what happened last night in Japan, Kaede utters, "Have you found out why they were called back to Japan?"
"Sakumi-sama concealed it very well… I couldn't find the real reason behind their sudden return but according to the information I have gathered, it's because Sakumi-sama wants them to get used to Japan culture since it is their heredity." Kaede smirked, knowing very well that couldn't be the reason behind Sakumi's moves. Sakumi always do things with motives that are of advantage to her and this time is of no exception.
"Which school they are in?"
"They are supposed to be in Eirin High, but I think they changed plans to Eitoku."
"So ka." Kaede strides back to her table. Leaning by the table side, Kaede ponders about something that Nishida couldn't quite make out.
"May I know what were you thinking, Kaede-sama?" Nishida finally asks.
Kaede looks up, voice brimming of certainty as she says, "I'm thinking of a reunion dinner."
~*~*~
The morning sun shone brightly on Eitoku grounds. It was an ordinary sun day with ordinary birds chipping away in the nearby ordinary trees. Clusters of Eitoku students were chatting intensely as they entered the impressive gate of Eitoku High. Suddenly a polished red Volkswagen came into a halt in front of the Eitoku gates, surprising everyone nearby. Fujiwara Sakiyo and Mitsuhara Sanako stepped out from the front seats while Fujiwara Sakuyo and Onasaka Shiori stepped out from the back seats. Along with them came the gossips from the nearby students, who recognized the foursome upon the first glance.
"OHAAaa… yo…" Shiori enthusiastically greets when the foursome was standing at the gates of Eitoku High. But the path in front of her is immediately cleared before she could finish her greeting. With a lollipop in her mouth, Shiori pouts, disappointed for the treatment.
"Why are they dodging me?"
"Dodging us, to be specific." Sanako corrected, swinging one arm over Shiori. The four of them then stood abreast in the front gate of Eitoku High as the students continued to be overwhelmed by them.
Placing her hands on her hips while chewing on her bubble gum conceitedly, Sakiyo commented, "so… this is Eitoku High…" before pulling the rim of her sunglass down to scrutinize the surroundings.
"Can't believe we are back!" Shiori immediately shouts, though it was more to talking to herself.
A big chewy bubble was blown before it was burst by Sakiyo, "We're back indeed."
~*~*~
Why is the school especially noisy today?
"Did you see them? Woah! I couldn't believe they are really back!"
"Onasaka-san is still as cute as ever!!"
"Why don't you say ALL OF THEM?!"
"HaaaHAaHaHa"
Tsukushi listened to all these tittle-tattle while she was on her way to class. She was climbing up the stairs when suddenly she felt something wet on her, staining her uniform. It is coffee, she realized. She looked up and saw Sakiyo staring down inexpressively at her, with a cup of upset coffee in her hands.
Sanako then appeared on the railing beside Sakiyo. Upon seeing the wretched look of Tsukushi, all she could say was, "Oops."
Both T & S hold their stares on each other for a few seconds before Sakiyo turned away nonchalantly, attracting more curious stares and gossips from the students when she did that. Tsukushi took a deep breath before storming up the stairs, wanting to confront this exasperating woman.
"Ooo… looks like our Sakiyo-sama is in for some trouble…" Sanako remarked as she gazed after Tsukushi, whose scowl threatens to kill anyone who blocks her way. Sakiyo just lounged her back casually at the railing, deadpan, though the cup in her hand was already been crushed into a little ball.
"Why did you do THAT?!!" Tsukushi stood right in front of Sakiyo, unable to control the anger in her. Sakiyo just remains cool and walks away, shoving Tsukushi by the shoulders as she did that.
"Sakiyo!" Shiori shouts before running after her friend. Sanako just shot Tsukushi a pathetic glance before following suit.
Feeling utterly humiliated and maddening, Tsukushi utters, "Don't push your luck." But Sakiyo ignores her and continue her walk down the corridor way, with Sanako and Shiori looking back surprisingly.
Shiori turned back to Sanako. "Did I hear it wrong? She actually wants Sakiyo to apolo… Itai! Why did you…" While nursing the bump on her forehead, Shiori was about to question Sakiyo for her sudden halt in her tracks when she saw F4 standing in front of them, in their usual stance.
"She's right. Don't push your luck here." Tsukasa was the first to speak. Tsukushi turned upon hearing Tsukasa's voice. The students were immediately aroused.
"What are you? God?" Sakiyo retorted immediately, her face not revealing any expressions of surprise, anger or resentment upon seeing them.
The way Sakiyo replied makes Tsukushi uneasy. It was too calm, unlike yesterday.
"Sakiyo, you should apologize to Makino, whether it was done intentionally or not." Akira interjected with a disturbed frown on him.
Done intentionally… or not?
Sakiyo let out a cynical laugh. "Who are you to judge me? By the way, what's the difference between done intentionally and accidentally? What matters most is I've already done it. And I won't apologize for it."
Rui could see a muscle flex in Tsukasa's jaws and knew he was holding back. Sakiyo also noticed that and immediately tries to provoke him.
"What are you holding back for, Tsukasa? You can jolly well crush me up on the wall like you used to in the past."
"Sakiyo…" Sanako realized something is wrong. Could it be… well she couldn't be sure. Shiori immediately tries to salvage the situation.
"Weelll… it doesn't sound good for cousins to fight the moment they reunite after 8 years. Why don't we sit down together and have a chat?! Haha…"
"I don't see the need to." Sakiyo answers coldly and shifted her stare to Soujirou for a few moments before walking off as though nothing happened.
When Sakiyo and co were a few steps away from the F4, Tsukasa utters, "If you are up against Makino, I swear you end up no good either."
Without turning her back, Sakiyo answers, "We shall see about that."
When the trios were gone, Tsukasa ran to Tsukushi's side, "Are you alright?"
"Hmm… yeah." The bell for class rings.
"I gotta go for class, see you guys later!" and Tsukushi ran off before any of the F4 members could say anything.
"Now I know why you insisted on coming to school today." Akira stared after the diminishing Tsukushi as he turned to Tsukasa.
"When you guys reconciled?" Soujirou interjected but Tsukasa seems to be in deep thoughts. Hearing no response from their buddy, F2 continued to converse.
"What do you think Sakiyo will come up to?" Soujirou questioned. "I don't know… her behavior is always…unexpected" quipped in Akira.
"By the way, did you guys see the way she stared at me just now? Eh? Where's Tsukasa?" Soujirou thought he was behind him a moment ago.
"He just went off." F2 sweat drops and even more sweat drops when Rui continued, "I'm going home to sleep."
"But we just came here!" Soujirou shouts after the already-walking-down-the-stairs Rui.
"What is F4 coming to…?" Akira mutters, slapping his hand on his temple.
~*~*~
Tsukushi decided to skip the first class as not only she doesn't have any mood to attend, she also don't want to face Sakiyo and co, knowing they are her classmates. She just doesn't feel like facing them right now.
~"Things will NEVER work out between the two of you!"~ Sakiyo's words keep floating in her mind.
She just came out of the restroom when she heard a smooth flowing music played by the piano.
"Who could be at the music room at this time of the day?" Tsukushi wonders as she follows the melodic tune. There, she found a familiar back. On a closer look, Tsukushi realized it was Sakiyo. The way her fingers produce such a enthralling tune makes Tsukushi hard to believe she was the same person she saw earlier.
Sakuyo stopped upon acknowledging the intrusion. Looking up, she saw Tsukushi with her blotted uniform.
"Why did you stop?" Tsukushi couldn't help but ask.
"I don't like intrusion." And she closed the piano gently before standing up and walked away.
"Hey." Sakuyo stopped in her tracks.
"You owe me an apology." Sakuyo turned back, a face showing bewilderment but later enlightenment.
Tsukushi was about to say more when Sakuyo bend down to tie her shoelaces. And was totally not prepared to see another person looking exactly like her standing behind her, scowling at her. She was so shocked that she falters a few steps back, missing one step on the ground. But Sakuyo was fast in catching her, holding her by the arms.
"What are you doing here?!" Sakiyo yells, irritated by the fact that Tsukushi seems to be everywhere she goes. But Tsukushi is still bowled over by the fact that there are two persons looking exactly the same standing in front of her, with the only differentiation in the colour of their top. Sakiyo was wearing a red turtleneck while Sakuyo is wearing a white one.
"We're twins." Sakuyo answers finally, seeing the surprised look on Tsukushi's face.
~"By the way, I'm not Sakuyo. I'm Sakiyo. Fujiwara Sakiyo. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu."~
Twins! Why didn't I think of that?!
"Because you are a baka!" Sakiyo snapped, knowing what Tsukushi is thinking.
"Don't worry; you are not the only one." Sanako teased, appearing beside Sakiyo with Shiori.
"Enough!" Sakuyo finally snapped, shutting the four girls up. Sakiyo strides away upon hearing that, shoving Shiori and Sanako by the shoulders as Tsukushi shouts after her, "You still owe me a apology!!!"
"Actually…" Shiori started, wanting to clear up the misunderstanding when Sakiyo was gone.
"Sakiyo was not entirely at fault."
"Yeah." Sanako readily agreed, seeing the solemn expression on Sakuyo.
*Flashback*
Sakiyo lean her arms casually on the railing, with a cup of coffee in her hand and ignoring the stares and gossips around them. Shiori and Sanako were playing in the background, teasing and nudging each other. Suddenly Sakiyo was jerked on her back by Sanako. When both of them looked down, they saw Tsukushi staring up at them, which Sakiyo turned away nonchalantly, making Tsukushi storming up the stairs wanting to confront her.
*End of Flashback*
"So you see, we're not siding Sakiyo, Sakuyo." Shiori finishes, shifting her glance on Tsukushi.
"She didn't even know this girl over here is coming." Sanako interjects, pointing her finger at Tsukushi.
So that's what happened.
"Have we met?" Shiori leans in, examining Tsukushi with her questioning eyes.
"We.. Uh.. Met at the dango…"
"Oh! The dango shop! I remember! That night! When Sakiyo was rac…itai!" Shiori was elbowed in the ribs by Sanako before she could finish.
"Anyway, nice meeting you. I'm Onasaka Shiori."
"Makino Tsukushi." And Tsukushi took the outstretched hand. "Mitsuhara Sanako." Sanako took Tsukushi's hands with a bright smile on her face. As for Shiori, she already looked ready to conserve with Tsukushi as though they were long-time friends.
"As you might have already observed, although Sakiyo and Sakuyo might look as identical as two peas, their personalities are as different as…hmm…"
"A man and a woman." Sanako finishes the sentence, with Shiori bursting out in laughter. "Yeah! I couldn't agree more than that!!"
"And I do want to apologize for Sakiyo though it's not really her fault… well you know what I mean, don't you?" Sanako tilts her head slightly, making Tsukushi unable to resist her 'charm'.
They do seem friendly though
"Yeeahh.. Since it's a misunderstanding then I think no forgiveness is needed."
"Haha.. Great minds think alike!"
~*~*~
Hiding unobtrusively at one corner, three pairs of watchful eyes had saw Sakiyo bolting out from the music room.
"Is that one of the sister?" the stoutly one asked, with a scar on his left cheek. The middle one nodded upon checking with the photos he had in hand.
"I don't understand… why WE ARE doing here?! In this goddamn place… in a school?!! Aren't we supposed to abduct Yoshiko instead of them?" The slimmer one, though looked as evil as the stoutly one interjected.
"Be quiet, baka!! How are we supposed to do that when Fujiwara is always with her?!" the one in the middle finally snapped, hitting hard on the latter's head.
"Not always!! We can still strike if we wanted to!" The slimmer one retorted defensively.
"The risk is too big to take! Who knows what will happen to us if we were caught in the act by Fujiwara…" The stoutly one shuddered at the thought of that.
But the slimmer one seems displeased with the information, "But I still don't understand why we are changing our direction to his sisters?! Think about it; JUST think about it, guys! Yoshiko… TAKAHASHI YOSHIKO… hasn't even married Fujiwara yet, already has a pack of his SPs behind her! His sisters! Which is his kin! Do you think they will be left unprotected? Defenseless?"
"Stop your big statement, both of you! Do you guys want the whole world to know what we're up to?!" The middle one rejoinder snappily in a whisper, as he turns to the slimmer one as he continues, "I knew you had designs on Takahashi the last time you saw her, Suzuki… so stop turning everything to your side!!"
"I… I'm not the only one here!! Maeda also thinks the same way!!" Suzuki turned to the stoutly one in defence. "… you bastard!!" Maeda was about to hit Suzuki when he was stopped by the middle one.
"Enough!! You two must remember!! That our ultimate goal is to get our revenge on Fujiwara… and not to satisfy your lust on Takahashi!"
"Besides, I had my reasons for changing our target." The middle one continued in a sneaky way. "The reason why I turn to his sisters instead is because I found out some interesting facts about them"
"Like what?" Suzuki respond scornfully. The middle one shot daggers at him before Maeda butts in, "They don't have SPs?" The middle one smirked. "Not really… I've checked up on them… they did have SPs with them…in fact 24/7… but the girls seems to be a little stubborn to have them around…"
"Which means…?" Suzuki inquired curiously, still not getting the hint.
"Which means our chances are higher in getting them!" Maeda exclaimed, proud of the fact he knows the answer.
"HA! Maybe we could force Fujiwara to exchange Yoshiko with his precious little sisters… One for two…a good barter!" Suzuki immediately suggested.
"Good idea!! I, for one, am excited to know his choice!" Maeda immediately respond back.
The two was about to say more when they saw Sanako and co walking out of the music room.
"So.. You turn out to be our classmate." Shiori was heard saying in the background. The four of them seem oblivious to the 'spies' which is not a few distance away from them.
"Weell… You are the first to be able to make Sakiyo this aggravated." Sanako quipped in.
"Eh?"
"Normally, she wouldn't even give others a glance, not to say capture her attention." Sanako continued, pondering on the reason on why Sakiyo seems so irritated by this girl in front of her though people like Tsukushi usually don't get under Sakiyo's skin.
"So where do we start?" Suzuki inquired quietly, fixing his stare lustily at the girls.
"Let's start with that petite friend of theirs…" The middle one whispered back, his eyes not leaving Tsukushi.
Sakuyo begins to feel uncomfortable. She could sense someone uninvited nearby. Turning her head sideways, she saw no one but the feeling she's getting would not be wrong. There's someone definitely watching them. The two continued their chatter as they walked down the corridor, with Sakuyo lagging behind the three of them.
"You're poor, isn't it?" Shiori suddenly pop out this awkward question to Tsukushi, pointing her finger suspiciously at Tsukushi. Sanako's eyes narrowed.
"Sorry to disappoint you girls but yes, I'm a poor girl indeed." Tsukushi replied as a matter of fact, without a trace of disgrace in her.
"I knew it!!" Shiori jumped up, startling everyone as she continues, "I don't know when it started, but Sakiyo has an unexplainable liking to…"
"Ahem!" Sanako deliberately coughed to throw a cue to Shiori to imply she shouldn't say more than she already has. After all, they had not known Tsukushi for long.
"Eh?" Tsukushi was confused.
What exactly does Shiori-san want to say?
"Shiori-san…" Tsukushi started.
"Dispel with the formalities, I hate that. Call me Shiori, okay? I insist." And she smiled.
Ah… even I can't resist their sunshine smile.. that fellow should smile often, makes me hard to believe they are of best friends
"I'll try to remember that." Tsukushi teased instead.
The three girls laughed, while Sakuyo's disposition darkened.
***
A/N: Hi guys! This is my chapter four. Nothing great about it but I hope you like it. I know the reunion of T&T looks lame and similar to the real story but as I said before, the main character is Akira! So I won't be focusing much on T&T at this moment *Oh! Kill me for that!*
And please let me lay my background of the new characters (more coming up! Reminder: Remember Kiyoshi and Kenichi? Well… hehehe… keep your fingers crossed for them!) before I go on plotting about Akira!
Anyway, please do R&R for me!! I desperately need to know how you guys think about my new storyline! Thanx in advance ^v^