Chapter 7 – The Confrontation (Part II)

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"They left when I was ten." Tsukasa begins to reminisce those days when Sakiyo and gang were still around. "I always thought we might end up together in the future, given our relations and affluence." Tsukushi's eyes widened.

Tsukasa and Tsukushi are at the rooftop of the hospital. Soft breezes caress them as Tsukasa continues with his back facing Tsukushi.

"But that's what I thought before I met you." He then turned to face Tsukushi, who were still silent but Tsukasa could tell she was relieved. "We met in NY once… you know that time… when you came after me." Tsukushi nods. "We talked for a while… and ironically speaking, both of us found each other changed." Tsukasa then placed his hands on Tsukushi's shoulders. "She has her fiancé and I have you." Unhesitatingly, he caresses the part of her face where it was slapped. "Does it still hurt?" Tsukushi shakes her head slightly. "I'll get her for this." Tsukasa added in a whisper.

"Doumyouji…" Tsukushi was, for the first time, speechless. Not because she had nothing to retort, but she was really moved this time.

I can't believe this fellow really cares this much for me… if this was a dream, I hope I'll never wake up.

A childlike smile spread across Tsukasa. "But coming to the main point about that woman…" Tsukushi could sense he was a bit hesitant. "I trust you, Makino but I also know Sakiyo."

Tsukushi looked down in thoughts. "I understand but… she did sent three guys after me, and subsequently, my Papa muttered her name before he blacked out during the fire… that's why… that's why I was misunderstood."

"What did you say? She sent three guys after you?!" Tsukushi nods to conform what she just said. "They said so."

"How did they look like?" Tsukasa's brows wrinkled in consternation.

Tsukushi took a few minutes to recall the henchmen. "One was short and fat, with a noticeable scar on his cheek while the other, though taller is equally loathsome… I can't remember well…"

"Think, Makino, Think." Tsukasa probes anxiously, thinking their misunderstanding might start from there.

"Hmm… Uh… AH! The third one also seems to have a scar… on his neck."

"What kind of scars?"

"It looks something like an 'F'…"

"F…" Tsukasa utters under his breath. "Yeah, like this.." Using her finger, she showed Tsukasa where the scar was located and how it looks like. It was on the right side of the neck.

Subsequently, Tsukasa said nothing. His brows just wrinkled in consternation. Finally…

"Makino…" Tsukushi was always mesmerized when Tsukasa call her name in such a low deep voice.

"Nani?"

"Let's go for a holiday after this is over. Just the two of us."

Tsukushi's eyes widen.

~*~*~

Sanako, Shiori and Sakuyo have been hanging out at the balcony of the Fujiwara Mansion since their return from the hospital.

"Damn, it suckkkkss…" Shiori drawls, her hand cupping her dull face while the other just hung in mid-air.

"Sakuyo…?" Sakuyo looks up from her seat. "Say something before I forget how you sound like…"

No response.

*Sweatdrop* Sanako pouts, letting her tired body slouch onto the glass table. Shiori suddenly spun around at the railing. "Do you girls think we should tell Ni-chan about this? You know… since he's here?"

Fujiwara Kiyoshi had greeted the girls when he arrived home a while earlier, before retreating to his study. None of them brought up the slapping incident until Kiyoshi asks about the whereabouts of Sakiyo. That's when Sakuyo stopped the girls.

"Why did you stop us?" Shiori probes, thinking they should tell.

"I don't want to complicate matters." Was all Sakuyo said.

After weighing the possibilities in her mind, Sanako chimes in, "Sakuyo's right… the most important thing right now is those scumbags. But that doesn't mean we are laying off about that girl. She just has to wait."

Shiori emits a helpless sign. "Why did she slap Sakiyo?" Sanako immediately retorts, "Why, is not important anymore, what's important is that the slap has already been given."

"Damn, it sucks!!" Shiori throw her hands up in helpless dismay. "First, the dirtbags ruined our freedom! We can't go clubbing, nor can we have late nights out! We can't even really go out in the day unless we have personal escorts! All we can do is to stay in that boring school! And now this!"

Sanako leans back to her seat. "Yeah, I agree but I gotta admit what Ni-chan did is for our own good."

Shiori and Sanako then looked at each other concurrently. *sign*

Sakuyo took a sip of her rose tea. "I think they are in Eitoku."

Both looked at Sakuyo with disbelief. "Eh?!"

"If I'm not wrong, we are the ones who caused things to happen this way."

"What way?" Sanako anxiously probes. Sakuyo then gave a summary of what she felt for the slapping incident, including the time when they were walking down the corridor with Tsukushi. "I overheard the conversation between Tsukasa and his girl." Sakuyo finally finishes, leaving the two flabbergasted.

*Flashback*

After being denied by Sakiyo at the door, the girls suggested going to the washroom for some powdering up while the boys went to pick their cars. Sakuyo was the last to step into the washroom when she saw the exit door ahead slightly ajar, indicting somebody had just went through the door. Letting her curiosity to get ahead of her, Sakuyo decided to check it out and found Tsukasa and Tsukushi alone, at the rooftop. She was about to leave when she heard Tsukushi talking about the three guys. Then she lurked back to the restroom, leaving T & T in private when she found Shiori and Sanako greeting her at the doorway of the restroom.

*End of Flashback*

Sanako arched a questioning brow. "So that's what you're up to just now…" Sanako teases but within a sec, she turned serious. "So you think they wanted to use Tsukushi against us?"

Sakuyo nods.

Shiori cups Sakuyo's face. "You are indeed a genius, Sakuyo! Fancy you fitting a puzzle like that in that brain of yours! You really deserved to be the elder twin!"

"Hey, look who's that with Sakiyo?" Sanako prompts the two to look at the portico with a gesture of her finger.

Sakiyo and Kenichi had just stepped out of his BMW convertible and were walking hand-in-hand into the Mansion when they were caught by the trio at the balcony, which gives a direct view over the vast area upfront.

Sanako's lips curved. "He was fast."

"Iko!" Shiori already headed for the door.

~*~*~

"Welcome home, Sakiyo-sama. And am I pleased to see you, Kenichi-sama." The Butler smiled when he saw the two walking in hand-in-hand.

Sakiyo's eyes darted aimlessly, a sign to imply she's uneasy. "I, Hmm.. going up for a wash up." Kenichi was surprised when she gave a light peck on his cheek before she released the hold on his hand. Kenichi's stare never left her until she disappeared around the corner.

"She's a gift, don't you agree, Kenichi-sama?" The Butler teases when he saw Kenichi staring into space.

Kenichi gave off a guiltless smile. "Yeah. And I am the owner of it."

The two men laughed as they made their way down the lounge.

"I can see she's changed… of course the credit should go to you, Kenichi-sama."

Ken gave it a thought. "There's no need for such formalities when we are alone. Call me Ken."

"That doesn't sound good. Kenichi-sama would be fine." The Butler insists with a fatherly smile. Ken just shakes his head to show his admiration for the Butler's stubbornness.

"By the way, how is Sakiyo-sama's injuries? That child just gets me worried all the time. She just got injured not too long ago at her ankle and wrist."

"Hmm??" No wonder he thought Sakiyo was limping though slightly just now.

"Didn't she tell you? Ah! I guess she doesn't want you to worry. Her bandages are just removed a few days ago. My heart nearly stopped when she called to say she's in a hospital because of a fire."

Ken remains silent for a while. "The doc says she suffered minor cuts and bruises here and there with no serious danger. Just a few days of recuperating would be fine."

The Butler then stopped in his tracks and gave a pat on Ken's shoulders. "That lass sure need more love to cheer her up. Stay longer if you can."

Ken nods his head without a second thought but then the image of the guy lying on the hospital bed popped up. "By the way, do you happen to know of anyone by the name of Mimasaka Akira?"

The Butler lights up in surprise. "May I know why do you ask?" Ken just waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it."

Knowing Ken is in doubts, the Butler gave off an assuring smile. "He's a close friend of Sakiyo-sama's cousin, Tsukasa-sama."

Ken arched a curious brow. "Doumyouji?"

"Yes. Sakiyo-sama plus the other three missies used to hang out together with them… when they were young."

Ken lowered his eyes in an unconvincing way. "So ka."

The Butler quickly adds, "I believe they are just friends, if that's what you're worried about." The Butler gave an assuring pat on Ken's shoulders, making him smile in embarrassment.

The Butler suddenly gave a slap on his own temple. "I nearly forgot. Kiyoshi-sama is back."

Now, it's Ken's turn to light up. "Really? Where is he? I go find him now."

"I think better not. He's not in a good mood. I call on him later for you. He'll understand."

Just then, Ken was covered in his eyes by a pair of delicate hands. Knowing who it is, Ken shoots, "It's kinda boring if you used the same tricks twice, Shiori." The hands immediately released its hold. Turning around, he saw Shiori pouting at him. "Can't you act stupid for a while?"

"I thought we just talked at two different continents a few hours ago." Sanako quips, coming up with Sakuyo.

"Actually, I was in Korea for a conference. The Washington one has been cancelled" Ken blurts as a matter of fact. 

"Woah…" Ken could see Shiori is up to her teasing again. This time, she hummed the song 'Just when I needed you most'.

Ken laughed out loud.

~*~*~

Alone, Ken was lounging against the corner of the window of a grandly decorated guest room with a cigarette propped in between his fingers.

"When did you start to smoke?" Sakiyo interrupted his thoughts by grabbing the cigarette in his hand. She studies the small roll of finely cut tobacco a little before throwing it onto the floor to stub it out.

Dressed casually in an oversized navy sweater, Ken thought she looked cute. "Since the day I said I promise."

*Flashback*

Ken and Sakiyo, each in own thoughts, were seated side by side on his majestic bed of the Hayashida Mansion in NY. Ken was naked to the waist while Sakiyo was unkempt.

"Sakiyo…" Ken started with a look of seriousness. "I shall give you a period of six months to get over him. During this period, I will not force you on any matters regarding the two of us, nor will I try to take you in any way. But after the time is up, the only guy you can think and care about will be me… me and me only. Is that a deal? "

Sakiyo starts to fidget. "I do have a father…" She turned to look at Ken, whose face revealed nothing like the usual him. "And a brother…" She quickly turned back front with a nervous gulp. Ken closed his eyes to keep his temper in check. "You know what I mean." He said finally. The way Ken enunciated his every word makes Sakiyo feel he is irate. She then turned to him in a whisper, "Is that a promise?"

"I promise."

*End of Flashback*

Sakiyo seeks to avoid what Ken is trying to say. "Smoking is bad for you. Especially since you have a tight schedule." She then caresses his hair with soft strokes of her hand. Ken responds by hugging her at the waist.

"Only the one who starts it can end it."

!! He seems persistent about it!

"The time's not up yet." Sakiyo said instead.

"It will be… in two weeks time."

Argh! He kept track of it!

Sakiyo flashed him a naughty smile. "Then we shall talk about it in two weeks time." She released her hold on his neck and tries to make her escape but Ken's steadfast hold on her seems too hard to overcome. Looking up, she saw Kenichi staring down at her in concern.

"I want you to be happy." Sakiyo remains silent, staring at him with those big almond-shaped eyes of hers. "I want us to be happy." Sakiyo still remains silent. Ken emits a helpless sign. "Is there anything you should tell me?" Sakiyo ponders the question for a moment. "Nope."

Ken then took her left hand and gave it a slight twist. Sakiyo immediately squeaks, "What was that for?!" But she got enlightened when Ken shot her a knowing look. She turned away from Ken, thinking hard of what to say.

"I…uh… had a fall."

What a lame excuse you came up with, Fujiwara Sakiyo!! Eh? Why is there no response?

She spun around to catch Ken arching an unimpressive brow at her. Sakiyo took a deep breath. "Okaayy… I was injuredd…" Sakiyo starts to stutter. That's when Ken eyed her suspiciously. "Because of…?"

"Because of.. hmm.. because of…"

I'm so damned!

"Racing." Sakiyo quickly closes her eyes in dismay at the same time she enunciates the forbidden word.

Ken's reaction was just as she expected. "You WHAT?!!"

Sakiyo immediately interjects, pointing her finger accusingly at Ken, "That's PRECISELY the reason why I kept it from you!"

Ken slaps his temple. "Don't you know how dangerous that can be?!! You are a girl, for God's sake!! Can't you act like a normal girl for just a while?!! And… and YOU are only SEVENTEEN!!"

Sakiyo rolled her eyes upon seeing the wretched look in front of her. "I don't want to start a fight." She said instead. Ken slumped onto the nearby settee, exasperated. Sakiyo was about to confute when Sanako interferes, sauntering into the room together with Shiori. "Knock it off, guys! We could hear you at the other end of the hallway!"

"What's the matter? What's wrong?" Shiori inquires, with her hands on her hips.

"Ask him!" And Sakiyo stomps off, leaving the two clueless. When both turned to look at Kenichi for an answer, he looks away in an obviously upset mood.

Shiori mouthed the words 'What is going on' at Sanako whose lips curved down with a helpless shrug.

~*~*~

Makino Tsukushi stood in front of a stately mansion, gaping.

Together with her were Shigeru, Sakurako and Yuuki, who came to visit her right after they heard of the fire accident. Though Tsukushi had prepared herself in advance that she would see something like this before her, she still can't stop the widening of her mouth when they arrived at Fujiwara Mansion. The mansion, with its nicely mowed gardens and ornate fountains at the sides, looked as majestic as the Doumyoujis', if not better. Its grandeur is all the more impressive with the sun setting in the background.

~*~*~

At the hospital…

"Tsukushi! Are you alright?!" Shigeru came bursting into her ward, followed by Sakurako and Yuuki.

Tsukushi gave off a wan smile. "I'm okay."

"Where's Doumyouji senpai?" Sakurako asks, looking around. "He just went to the registrar to help me to check out."

Yuuki gave a light squeeze on Tsukushi's shoulders. "It must have been awful." Tsukushi shakes her head slightly with a wan smile.

Shigeru took the space beside Tsukushi on the bed. "Where are you and your family gonna stay now that your house is practically gone?"

"My family still needs to be under observation.. as for me.. I don't know.. but Doumyouji did offer us to stay with him but.."

"But what?" Sakurako interjects, looking ready to tell off. "He's your boyfriend. He's right in wanting to take this responsibility. If I were you, I would have already said yes."

Tsukushi smirked. "Precisely. I'm not you." Sakurako rolled her eyes. "Fine."

For a moment, none of them spoke.

"Ah!" Sakurako slapped her mouth, "How could I forget?"

"What?" Tsukushi's brows wrinkled in bewilderment. Sakurako leans in to Tsukushi. "We heard about it."

Tsukushi still don't get the picture. "Heard about what?"

"That you gave Fujiwara Sakiyo a slap!" Then Sakurako clapped her hands to show her admiration at Tsukushi. "You are truly my idol, Makino senpai! Other people would be busy sucking up to her and yet, here you are… woo hoo~~ way to go, Makino senpai!"

Bad news sure spread fast!!

Shigeru leans forward with obvious curiosity. "What's her reaction?"

"Weell… she gave a slap back."

"Ouch!" T3 exclaimed in unison. Shigeru then stood up abruptly with hand on her chin. "I heard she's cousins with Tsukasa and her temperament is said to be as volatile as Tsukasa." She then shoots Tsukushi a glance. "Well, the past Tsukasa, to be specific."

Yuuki then butt into the conversation. "What exactly happened?"

"Long story." Tsukushi then tells the whole picture to T3, from how they met to the slap incident. Sakurako gave a fretful gasp when Tsukushi told them what Sanako said.

"She… she really said that?" Tsukushi could see Sakurako's face had turned pale. Tsukushi nods furtively, her burden added with Sakurako's reaction.

Shigeru gave a light nudge on Sakurako's shoulders. "What's with the look?" Sakurako ignored Shigeru's earlier probing and turned to Tsukushi. "Isn't there any way to salvage the situation? What did Doumyouji senpai say about this?"

An uneasy feeling welled up in Tsukushi. "He said he will settle it."

"How?" Sakurako's immediate rejoinder made everyone at present uncomfortable. "You're scaring us, Sakurako-chan.." Shigeru finally exclaimed to show her uneasiness.

"I'm not! If things get worse or being handled improperly, I think not even Doumyouji senpai can save the day."

"Why?" T3 asked in unison.

"Long story. I'll tell you girls later but anyway, the F4 girls are not as innocent as they appear to be."

"F4…?" Shigeru thought it was weird.

~"For that slap, you are now the enemy of F4. Face your worst nightmare, Makino Tsukushi."~

Realization flowed into Tsukushi like hot water.

Sanako-san did mentioned the word 'F4'

Sakurako frowned. "I'm not too sure about that. But that's what they claimed they are too. Anyway, we gotta resolve this thing fast."

Tsukushi was stumped. "Eh?"

"Huh?! You still don't get the picture?" Sakurako exclaimed exasperatedly at Tsukushi. "I can vouch for my life that Mitsuhara meant what she said."

"What are we gonna do now?" Yuuki said instead.

There were sparkles in Shigeru's eyes as she said, "There's only one thing we can do now."

Doumyouji was shoved out of the way when he came back from the registrar to pick Tsukushi up. He thought it was strange to see Tsukushi being dragged away by Shigeru. He muttered some swearing under his breath before he sets out to run after them when Tsukushi turned back, "I'll call you!" That's when Tsukasa inhibits his steps.

"That monkey girl…"

~*~*~

Thirty minutes later, the four of them stood abreast in front of their destination with a cab pulling away from them.

Shigeru studied the place a little. "Here we are."

"Now let's ring the bell." Sakurako nervously reached for the bell button. A few minutes later, a servant came by, shooting them a look that neither of them can make out.

"The four of you must be the part-time housemaids recommended by Miyo-chan!" The servant assumed.

"EH?!" T4 exclaimed in unison.

Out of the four, Sakurako seems to be the most affected as she starts to protest, "Obasan…!" But the servant seems to be oblivious about it as she opened the small gates to let them in while continuing her chatter, "Just when I need help with my work. Come!"

"Obasan…!! We… ouch!" Shigeru gave a pinch on Sakurako's shoulders. She quickly pulled T3 close to her. "We shall move as the wind takes us."

I can feel trouble coming… again

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Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your reviews! I really appreciate it!

So how you guys find this chapter?

I know in my earlier chapter [Confrontation Pt I], I mentioned that Tsukushi would have some scenes with the twins' brother in this chapter but if I really include it in this chapter, it would be too long so I decided to keep it for my next chapter… so do keep your fingers crossed still!!