I waited till Rui started walking back to his room, before tiptoeing
across.
But little did I know he caught the glimpse of my shadow just as he was about to close the door.
"Makino?" He whispered like tinkling bells of elves. I have always liked the way he called my name. Somehow, he likes to drag the 'no' in a lazy way which makes it sound appealing, like some delicious slice of cake served.
I tried to pretend I didn't hear him and slide into the garden in a swift. It was then I realized it was somewhat like a maze and I do not know the way out. I could only try as much as possible to keep to the sides, which was an advice Amon used to give me when we went for maze hunt during our school days.
"Makino." I stopped in front of a man. I knew there was no way out. I told myself, if I tell Rui the truth, he will definitely help me get away. But then, Rui is very much of a stranger to me too. He is so inapprehensive. He could slouch in the staff room like someone who wouldn't be bothered even if a meteor hits Earth in the next minute. Or he would appear where everyone least expects him to, especially when one is most in need. Many a time, I did want to ask him, what the hell is he?
"Want some coffee or tea?" He offered and then he grinned in a boyish way, "or you can have me too!" Well, that makes him sound more welcoming.
I recalled seeing Rui once relieving a music class when I past by the hall one day. He was then guiding students with the piano and violin. What ran through by mind was that he was faking it out, trying not to make a fool out of himself. But then, it seemed I really don't know him at all.
On the wall of Rui's room, there were different types of musical instruments. I tried to count them one by one, wearing an amused expression. Violin, guitar, saxophone, electric guitar. ehh what's that? I tried to recall those I thrice saw in an instrument shop.
"That's an Italian guitar. The one they used to play folk songs where everyone dance and sing merrily during festive seasons." Rui always managed to guess what's in my thought.
There was a min-drum set and an electric keyboard near his bed too, which makes his room has hardly any walking space.
"How do you manage to move around in the room?" I asked curiously.
"Well, I don't really move around in my room. It's for sleeping, isn't it?" He smiled in a callous way.
"Ohh.." It was the only thing I can say. I knew it was his turn to ask.
" Why aren't you not in bed at this time of the night? And why did you run away when I called your name?" Rui did not like to beat around the bush.
" I thought you were the discipline master, so.. I was afraid to be caught trespassing. I remembered you told me about garden so I came out for a walk.." No, I was trying to run away again, because I don't want Amon to find me in this town. I don't want to see Amon. There were two voices speaking at the same time, one verbally and one spiritually.
The frown in my eyes gave me away. But Rui decided not to expose me. "Why don't you stay here for the night? I could play you some lullaby."
Before I could reject, Rui tucked me into his blanket and handed me a teddy bear. He grinned, "Meet my loner bear. It was given to me by some student few years back. I never touched it before so it's clean (if hygiene worries you). Let it keep you company for tonight."
"Have you been teaching for long?" The way he said 'few years back' made him sound older than I thought he is.
"Not really, just a couple of years. How about you?" Rui laid a sleeping mat onto the narrow space beside the bed and started to play a sad tune.
"Me too. About two years to be exact. Hmm.. How come your lullaby sound so sad? Are you always so cynical about life?" His bed was so comfortable that I could barely keep my eyes opened. I realized he paused and pondered for a while, before he started playing another tune, more soothing and gentle this time round.
"Morning!" I tried to stretch from my sleep.
Then I jumped up. "What time is it now?" Rui sticked his tongue out at me. " Today's Saturday Miss Tsukushi." I fell back into his soft bed. "Oh." and then I seemed to be in dreamland again.
When I woke up again, it was already noon time and Rui was nowhere to be seen. I sat up and tidied my shirt. Could Tsukasa be still watching over my dormitory? What if he would to knock on the door? There were so many possibilities that could have already happened. I was far too lazy to worry about that first. What I was more concern is, what I am going to eat for lunch.
Yesh, my stomach is growling for food.
"Knock Knock... come and join me in the kitchen, piggy!" Rui peek into the room.
I was almost giggling. I couldn't believe what I am hearing. Rui? Is that him? I just couldn't imagine that cool cynical Rui to be someone who can be this domestical. Rui was making eggs and sausages in the kitchen. He smiled a lot today. I have never seen anyone so charming as him before. His smiles shone like the sun in the sky, warming my heart to the maximum. It was a different feeling compared to when I was with Tsukasa.
When I was with Tsukasa, I could hardly breathe. He always gets things ready for me. All I need to do is to follow his instructions. But his commands are always so certain and cold, almost unfeeling, though his caresses are always so gentle as if he would break my limps if he used a bit more strength.
But with Rui, it was different. Rui may seem cold and cynical on the outside, but somehow there seemed to be a quiet fire burning deep inside him. When he speaks, he scatters kindness all around him. I had seen him not once but several times with his students. He always seem so delightful and indulged in whatever they are sharing with him, and nodding assuringly every now and then, making them feel good about what they are saying. Yes, it is very comforting talking to Rui as he always watches everyone purposefully with his observant glances.
"Will you like your eggs half cooked or fully cooked?" Rui grinned. "Half cooked please." I stood next to him watching him. He skillfully lifted up an egg in the pan with its golden yolk still in liquid form and landed it onto the plate I was holding.
"My mother used to say, if I want to get full marks for my exams." Rui wink, and we chorus, "You have to eat two half cooked eggs with a sausage!" Then we broke out into a laugh. It was really fun and I haven't had so much fun for quite a while. I tried to imagine Tsukasa in apron and frying pan. It was too much. I held onto my stomach and had the best laugh I ever had for the last few months.
"Your eggs are marvelous! I would like to eat more of them some other day!" I patted Rui on his shoulders.
He stood up and gave a bow to me. I laughed. How could I never imagine that Rui could be so fun-loving?
When I looked at him, I realized he has stitched his eyebrows together. I knew something was wrong and looked in the direction which his eyes caught a shadow.
"Tsukasa!" I cried uncontrollably.
Tsukasa did not take another look. He turned and headed towards the back gate. It was too much for him. He had waited a night worrying about his beloved Makino's safety and there she is, flirting with another man! The feeling of betrayal bleed like a deep cut in his heart. However, he only managed a few steps before he stopped. No, he would not walk off this way. If he does, it will only mean, Makino will no longer be his. With this in his thoughts, he headed back to the kitchen, where Rui and I were still thinking of what ought to be the next step to be done.
I was taken aback when I see Tsukasa at the door again. I stood up uncontrollably. No, it's no way I will get Rui into trouble. I just couldn't just let it happened. I walked over to Tsukasa and held his hands. "I was feeling bored when I woke up. And, it didn't want to disturb you, so, I came over to say hi." I did not let my eyes meet Tsukasa's when I spoke.
Tsukasa knew very well that I was lying, because he was up whole night, except that fifteen minutes which most likely, gave me the chance to sneak out from my room to Rui's. But he appreciated that I actually bothered to lie to him, which means I do care about how he feels.
He took my hands and as gentle as he could, tugged at them and pulled me to his back. I peek at Rui from his back. I could see that Rui wasn't going to let Tsukasa get his way that easily. I blinked my eyes in desperately urging him not to be impulsive, after all, I was claimed to be Tsukasa.
Tsukasa gave Rui the triumph-look and took off with my hands held tightly and tugged 'safely' in his pocket. Yesh, she wants to be mine, thought Tsukasa.
After that incident, I never dare let myself be alone with Rui again. I couldn't let Tsukasa find any excuses to hurt Rui.
I decided that I will follow Tsukasa's way from now on, since he is the only man who can keep Amon away from me.
Little did I know, just as I was thinking of this as I walked down the corridor of the school back to the staff room, Rui had caught sight of me just as he stepped out from his class.
I have to go. I thought to myself. There was no way I will give Rui this chance to talk to me and Tsukasa's spies had us caught 'redhanded' together.
I braked not far from him and started off in the opposite direction. No, I will not go back to the staff room. I will head for my dormitory straight.
I heard Rui running after me and I quickened my pace, so that it wasn't obvious that I was running away from him. But Rui will not let this chance go away. He had to speak to her.
"Makino!" I felt my legs go soft as I heard his call. He stopped in front of me. "Why did you run away whenever you see me?" Rui panted. I shook my head and forced the lie out of my throat, "I did not run away from you. It so happened that I remembered I left something in the classroom."
"Let me walk you there." He is indeed a sharp man. Tsukasa would have accepted my answer right away.
"It's alright, I can do it myself. Beside, I am in a rush." I started to walk away from Rui.
"You have a date with Tsukasa?" Rui, in his callous slang.
"Yes, and if will excuse me." I darted off past him before he could response.
Why doesn't she has as much faith in me? This is all that worried Rui. It seemed that Tsukasa's threats meant nothing to him. He was only concerned about why Makino has to give in to Tsukasa. The only possible answer lies in Makino's attempt to run away the other night. There must be something which Makino thinks only Tsukasa can provide for her, that will keep herself from running away again.
But little did I know he caught the glimpse of my shadow just as he was about to close the door.
"Makino?" He whispered like tinkling bells of elves. I have always liked the way he called my name. Somehow, he likes to drag the 'no' in a lazy way which makes it sound appealing, like some delicious slice of cake served.
I tried to pretend I didn't hear him and slide into the garden in a swift. It was then I realized it was somewhat like a maze and I do not know the way out. I could only try as much as possible to keep to the sides, which was an advice Amon used to give me when we went for maze hunt during our school days.
"Makino." I stopped in front of a man. I knew there was no way out. I told myself, if I tell Rui the truth, he will definitely help me get away. But then, Rui is very much of a stranger to me too. He is so inapprehensive. He could slouch in the staff room like someone who wouldn't be bothered even if a meteor hits Earth in the next minute. Or he would appear where everyone least expects him to, especially when one is most in need. Many a time, I did want to ask him, what the hell is he?
"Want some coffee or tea?" He offered and then he grinned in a boyish way, "or you can have me too!" Well, that makes him sound more welcoming.
I recalled seeing Rui once relieving a music class when I past by the hall one day. He was then guiding students with the piano and violin. What ran through by mind was that he was faking it out, trying not to make a fool out of himself. But then, it seemed I really don't know him at all.
On the wall of Rui's room, there were different types of musical instruments. I tried to count them one by one, wearing an amused expression. Violin, guitar, saxophone, electric guitar. ehh what's that? I tried to recall those I thrice saw in an instrument shop.
"That's an Italian guitar. The one they used to play folk songs where everyone dance and sing merrily during festive seasons." Rui always managed to guess what's in my thought.
There was a min-drum set and an electric keyboard near his bed too, which makes his room has hardly any walking space.
"How do you manage to move around in the room?" I asked curiously.
"Well, I don't really move around in my room. It's for sleeping, isn't it?" He smiled in a callous way.
"Ohh.." It was the only thing I can say. I knew it was his turn to ask.
" Why aren't you not in bed at this time of the night? And why did you run away when I called your name?" Rui did not like to beat around the bush.
" I thought you were the discipline master, so.. I was afraid to be caught trespassing. I remembered you told me about garden so I came out for a walk.." No, I was trying to run away again, because I don't want Amon to find me in this town. I don't want to see Amon. There were two voices speaking at the same time, one verbally and one spiritually.
The frown in my eyes gave me away. But Rui decided not to expose me. "Why don't you stay here for the night? I could play you some lullaby."
Before I could reject, Rui tucked me into his blanket and handed me a teddy bear. He grinned, "Meet my loner bear. It was given to me by some student few years back. I never touched it before so it's clean (if hygiene worries you). Let it keep you company for tonight."
"Have you been teaching for long?" The way he said 'few years back' made him sound older than I thought he is.
"Not really, just a couple of years. How about you?" Rui laid a sleeping mat onto the narrow space beside the bed and started to play a sad tune.
"Me too. About two years to be exact. Hmm.. How come your lullaby sound so sad? Are you always so cynical about life?" His bed was so comfortable that I could barely keep my eyes opened. I realized he paused and pondered for a while, before he started playing another tune, more soothing and gentle this time round.
"Morning!" I tried to stretch from my sleep.
Then I jumped up. "What time is it now?" Rui sticked his tongue out at me. " Today's Saturday Miss Tsukushi." I fell back into his soft bed. "Oh." and then I seemed to be in dreamland again.
When I woke up again, it was already noon time and Rui was nowhere to be seen. I sat up and tidied my shirt. Could Tsukasa be still watching over my dormitory? What if he would to knock on the door? There were so many possibilities that could have already happened. I was far too lazy to worry about that first. What I was more concern is, what I am going to eat for lunch.
Yesh, my stomach is growling for food.
"Knock Knock... come and join me in the kitchen, piggy!" Rui peek into the room.
I was almost giggling. I couldn't believe what I am hearing. Rui? Is that him? I just couldn't imagine that cool cynical Rui to be someone who can be this domestical. Rui was making eggs and sausages in the kitchen. He smiled a lot today. I have never seen anyone so charming as him before. His smiles shone like the sun in the sky, warming my heart to the maximum. It was a different feeling compared to when I was with Tsukasa.
When I was with Tsukasa, I could hardly breathe. He always gets things ready for me. All I need to do is to follow his instructions. But his commands are always so certain and cold, almost unfeeling, though his caresses are always so gentle as if he would break my limps if he used a bit more strength.
But with Rui, it was different. Rui may seem cold and cynical on the outside, but somehow there seemed to be a quiet fire burning deep inside him. When he speaks, he scatters kindness all around him. I had seen him not once but several times with his students. He always seem so delightful and indulged in whatever they are sharing with him, and nodding assuringly every now and then, making them feel good about what they are saying. Yes, it is very comforting talking to Rui as he always watches everyone purposefully with his observant glances.
"Will you like your eggs half cooked or fully cooked?" Rui grinned. "Half cooked please." I stood next to him watching him. He skillfully lifted up an egg in the pan with its golden yolk still in liquid form and landed it onto the plate I was holding.
"My mother used to say, if I want to get full marks for my exams." Rui wink, and we chorus, "You have to eat two half cooked eggs with a sausage!" Then we broke out into a laugh. It was really fun and I haven't had so much fun for quite a while. I tried to imagine Tsukasa in apron and frying pan. It was too much. I held onto my stomach and had the best laugh I ever had for the last few months.
"Your eggs are marvelous! I would like to eat more of them some other day!" I patted Rui on his shoulders.
He stood up and gave a bow to me. I laughed. How could I never imagine that Rui could be so fun-loving?
When I looked at him, I realized he has stitched his eyebrows together. I knew something was wrong and looked in the direction which his eyes caught a shadow.
"Tsukasa!" I cried uncontrollably.
Tsukasa did not take another look. He turned and headed towards the back gate. It was too much for him. He had waited a night worrying about his beloved Makino's safety and there she is, flirting with another man! The feeling of betrayal bleed like a deep cut in his heart. However, he only managed a few steps before he stopped. No, he would not walk off this way. If he does, it will only mean, Makino will no longer be his. With this in his thoughts, he headed back to the kitchen, where Rui and I were still thinking of what ought to be the next step to be done.
I was taken aback when I see Tsukasa at the door again. I stood up uncontrollably. No, it's no way I will get Rui into trouble. I just couldn't just let it happened. I walked over to Tsukasa and held his hands. "I was feeling bored when I woke up. And, it didn't want to disturb you, so, I came over to say hi." I did not let my eyes meet Tsukasa's when I spoke.
Tsukasa knew very well that I was lying, because he was up whole night, except that fifteen minutes which most likely, gave me the chance to sneak out from my room to Rui's. But he appreciated that I actually bothered to lie to him, which means I do care about how he feels.
He took my hands and as gentle as he could, tugged at them and pulled me to his back. I peek at Rui from his back. I could see that Rui wasn't going to let Tsukasa get his way that easily. I blinked my eyes in desperately urging him not to be impulsive, after all, I was claimed to be Tsukasa.
Tsukasa gave Rui the triumph-look and took off with my hands held tightly and tugged 'safely' in his pocket. Yesh, she wants to be mine, thought Tsukasa.
After that incident, I never dare let myself be alone with Rui again. I couldn't let Tsukasa find any excuses to hurt Rui.
I decided that I will follow Tsukasa's way from now on, since he is the only man who can keep Amon away from me.
Little did I know, just as I was thinking of this as I walked down the corridor of the school back to the staff room, Rui had caught sight of me just as he stepped out from his class.
I have to go. I thought to myself. There was no way I will give Rui this chance to talk to me and Tsukasa's spies had us caught 'redhanded' together.
I braked not far from him and started off in the opposite direction. No, I will not go back to the staff room. I will head for my dormitory straight.
I heard Rui running after me and I quickened my pace, so that it wasn't obvious that I was running away from him. But Rui will not let this chance go away. He had to speak to her.
"Makino!" I felt my legs go soft as I heard his call. He stopped in front of me. "Why did you run away whenever you see me?" Rui panted. I shook my head and forced the lie out of my throat, "I did not run away from you. It so happened that I remembered I left something in the classroom."
"Let me walk you there." He is indeed a sharp man. Tsukasa would have accepted my answer right away.
"It's alright, I can do it myself. Beside, I am in a rush." I started to walk away from Rui.
"You have a date with Tsukasa?" Rui, in his callous slang.
"Yes, and if will excuse me." I darted off past him before he could response.
Why doesn't she has as much faith in me? This is all that worried Rui. It seemed that Tsukasa's threats meant nothing to him. He was only concerned about why Makino has to give in to Tsukasa. The only possible answer lies in Makino's attempt to run away the other night. There must be something which Makino thinks only Tsukasa can provide for her, that will keep herself from running away again.