Standard disclaimers apply here.
BIG MACHINE
Chapter Three: Welcome to Madness
Three AM
***
Now your world is way too fast
Nothing's real and nothing lasts…
- Goo Goo Dolls
Tsukushi opened her eyes, stretched her arms and sat up in her bed. It was a real relief that today was Saturday for it meant that she'd be able to stay at home without any noise and disruptions. If her wishes would be heard, her mother might even go out with her friends all day long. And that meant total peace and quiet for Tsukushi.
'Not that I don't love okaasan, but really I just want to have a break from everything,' Tsukushi asked herself.
She sighed, thinking that it would probably be too much to ask.
Her parents had stayed behind at Japan since Tsukushi and her younger brother, Susumu, went to New York to continue their studies. The Makino siblings couldn't persuade their parents to reside in the US as well. Their parents argued that their main business was in their own country, even though they have other branches in other few countries as well.
But after many years, Tsukushi went home and it was at that same day that unfortunately, her father had to go away to Canada. Their Onika M business, which has everything to do with various cars and other machineries, at Canada was slowly falling and the Makinos had to do act fast before it completely crumbled down.
So now, her mother was left in Tokyo and in charge of the main Onika M while Tsukushi continued her schooling in Eitoku. Susumu remained in an exclusive school and dormitories in NY, while her father was also across the other side of the world maintaining their business.
The Makinos were scattered. And Tsukushi knew that her mother gets rather lonely sometimes.
'I shouldn't have thought of that,' Tsukushi scolded herself silently, suddenly feeling guilty to be have wished for her mother to go away for the whole day.
'I should spend time with her,' she thought, starting to smile. 'Maybe I can treat her this morning for a cup of coffee or something – oh, right, she doesn't drink coffee. Tea will be okay, I guess.'
She got out of bed, feeling refreshed and optimistic at the prospect of having a morning out with her mother.
***
"'Morning, okaasan," Tsukushi greeted her mother, once she got down to the private kitchen.
"Ohayo Tsukushi!" her mother greeted her back, too cheerfully in the morning.
"What are you cooking?"
"BAKING, Tsukushi," her mother corrected her. "Your all-time favorite, chocolate stripped cookies with chocolate chips."
Tsukushi smiled at her mother warmly. She may not say it aloud many times but she was proud of her because she could do so many things. Her mother was a very efficient manager for their company, the best baker in town, the most loving mother, and a devoted wife. Tsukushi admired her mother and dreamed to be as perfect as her.
'Yeah right. Wishful thinking Tsukushi,' she said to herself. They may be of the same surname and blood but Tsukushi believed that she was meant to be vastly different from her good parents.
Tsukushi was proud to be a Makino, one of the prominent families who have contributed a lot in Japan's economy through the exports and imports of their business. But truthfully, it was more like that their Onika M was more well-known than their family name. Only a few knew that the Makinos were the brain behind the Onika M.
But being a Makino also has some disadvantages, which Tsukushi wouldn't like to dwell on further more.
"Hey, want to go out and have coff – tea or something?" Tsukushi asked, sitting down behind the small island of her mother's private kitchen. Mrs. Makino loved baking so much that she built a kitchenette just for her and baking alone.
"Honey, I love you and all, but tea is much better than your coffee," her mother said. "No offense."
"None taken." Tsukushi shrugged. "But okaasan, I worship coffee."
"Yes, I know. What a shame, really."
"Okaasan!"
"If you want caffeine, tea has it too you know."
"I know that. There's just something with the blackness of the coffee—"
"Ah, I miss your father," her mother suddenly said with a wistful smile on her face. "He LOVES my special bread toasts, remember?"
Tsukushi faltered her smile. "Er… yeah, of course I remember."
Her mother hummed for a moment while cleaning the utensils and waiting for the cookies to be baked. Then all of a sudden, as if startled to remember something, she turned around to face Tsukushi and asked, "You were saying awhile ago?"
"Uh… Coffee, okaasan," Tsukushi answered. She was quite amused by her mother's quick tendency to divert her attention.
"Oh, right."
"Speaking of which, would you like to go out and have… tea?"
"Yes, sure, Tsukushi," her mother replied. "And I remember I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?"
TING!
"Right on time! Want to have one, dear?" her mother offered, as she was pulling out the tray of cookies out of the oven.
***
Coffee shops, especially Starbucks, never failed to satisfy Tsukushi. But good thing they also have tea.
The Makino women were sitting in a small table near the window, drinking their tea, with a Danish roll and a blueberry cheesecake in front of them.
"Tsukushi, how's your school?"
Tsukushi just glanced momentarily at her mother before going back to her coffee. "Fine."
"Hmm…" Her mother took a sip of her tea before continuing, "I seldom met your friends from school. I'm now beginning to think that my daughter is socially reclusive."
Tsukushi grimaced inwardly. "I do have friends, okaasan."
'Though not more than three,' she added silently.
"That's nice to know. How about your art classes? I know you particularly like it."
At this, Tsukushi offered a real smile. Now that was something she passionately love.
"Kazumi-sensei is really kind and very helpful. She doesn't only teach me in painting and stuffs but she also let me stay after class hours in the art room," she said, quite eagerly.
Her mother noticed this and smiled too. "I'm really happy that you have something you love. You know Tsukushi, your father and I are not really expecting you to follow our steps. We're freely allowing you to pursue your own dreams."
"Really, okaasan?" Tsukushi asked, quite unbelievingly. She knew it was conventional for wealthy families to be keeping the business within their own circle.
"Of course!" Her mother looked at her intently. "We want you to be contented in your own future, not because we choose it for you, but rather you choose it for yourself. We trust you enough for that."
And Tsukushi just stared at her mother, embarrassedly overwhelmed by those simple words she uttered.
"Well… I… Thanks."
Her mother laughed good-heartedly. "Not expecting it?"
"Uh… No, not really," she replied apologetically.
"I understand that, don't worry. Most families expect too much from their children." Her mother gave her a knowing look. "But we're not most families. I thought you knew better by now."
Tsukushi chuckled. "I'm sorry, okaasan. I forgot. But who will continue the business then? Susumu?" she asked, before taking a bite from her cake.
"Maybe," her mother answered. "Your father has been visiting your brother whenever he can. He told me that Susumu is showing great interest in computers. He'll do well if he's going to take computer studies when he goes to college."
"Right. I forgot again. Susumu is the famous techie in our family."
Her mother smiled, even though not understanding the unfamiliar term Tsukushi used. Then all of a sudden, she announced, "Anyway Tsukushi, I need to go away."
Tsukushi blinked. "Go away?"
"Out of the country."
"Why?"
"You know that we have several new branches in Germany that just opened a few months ago. Your father insisted that I watch over them even for only some months."
"Oh, alright."
Then her mother laughed again. "But your father doesn't know that I'm going to Canada first to see him. I miss that old man."
Tsukushi laughed along with her good-humored mother.
"Tsukushi, do you remember my best friend, Ami?"
At the sound of that name, Tsukushi instantly straightened up in her seat and almost lost her smile.
Her mother continued, "You know, Nishikado Ami? I recall that her eldest son used to be your playmate."
"Soujirou," Tsukushi automatically said. 'How could I forget? I just bumped into him a couple of days ago.'
"Yes! That kid," her mother nodded. "I remember now. The two of you were almost inseparable back then…"
Tsukushi took a long drink from her coffee, wondering where her mother was going with her statement.
"Wouldn't it be grand if you're to stay at the Nishikados while I'm away?"
And Tsukushi chocked. She coughed several times before staring back again at her mother incredulously.
Then, she almost shouted, "What?!"
"I don't want you to be all alone in the mansion. I'm just thinking of your safety Tsukushi," her mother explained.
"But okaasan, have you forgotten that I lived alone and survived New York by myself?"
"That's not entirely true. You were living with the Matsuokas," her mother said.
"But Yuki and I were on our own renting an apartment by the time we got in junior high," Tsukushi protested.
"See? You're still with a Matsuoka."
"But I can take care of myself!"
"I trust you, Tsukushi. But I don't trust the strangers."
"Okaasan—"
"Don't be ignorant on this Tsukushi. You know too well that this place isn't totally safe, especially for people like us. Your father and I won't be placated if we know you're not in good hands," her mother said firmly. "Now do you really want us worrying to no end?"
"Then I can stay in another friend's—"
"I already talked to Ami and she agreed." Her mother took another sip from her cup.
"Why didn't you consult this matter to me first?" Tsukushi asked, agitated at the thought of her staying over the Nishikados. It wasn't like she held a grudge against them but she knew she won't be comfortable in the least. Not after she spent her years in Eitoku avoiding the heir to Nishikado Corporations.
Her mother looked at her apologetically. "I'm truly sorry about that, but your father called just this morning. And I considered myself lucky that Ami was up so early in the first light when I called her," her mother explained.
Tsukushi could hardly believe all these. A few hours earlier, she was smiling to the prospect of spending the day out with her mother. Now she was already regretting it. 'As if it would change everything now,' Tsukushi thought, looking very miserable.
"Really, Tsukushi. You look as if someone died."
'Yeah. My hope.'
"It wouldn't be too bad to be living away from our home. I know Ami since we're three years olds. She'll take good care of you."
'Oh joy.'
"Besides, you'll get to be with your old best friend, Soujirou, everyday. I heard he's studying in Eitoku too. Isn't that wonderful?"
'Yeah right.'
As her mother continued to ramble about the advantages and delight in staying at the Nishikados, Tsukushi started to think of a way to get out of the trouble.
'Maybe I can escape and stay over at someplace with a friend before okaasan will send me away," Tsukushi thought. 'Yes, I can do that.'
"So when are you leaving?" Tsukushi asked her mother, quite regaining her composure now that she has thought of a way to run away from this mess.
"Tonight," her mother answered nonchalantly.
"WHAT?!" Tsukushi exploded, staring at her mother with a stricken face. It was right then and there that all of her faith had gone right out of the window.
"You don't have to go with me to the airport. You have to prepare and pack your things tonight. Then later, a chauffeur of Ami's will fetch you from the house – oh, and look who's here now, Tsukushi!"
Her mother then looked up and lit up her face with a genuine wide smile, looking at the woman who has just entered the café.
"Ami!"
But Tsukushi didn't turn around. She was frozen in her place, way too shocked at how the events turned so fast. If tonight was her mother's departure, then there was little chance that she could run away. Thinking about it, her mother might not even let Tsukushi out of her sight today, wanting to spend more time with her daughter as much as possible before she leaves.
'Could you be any more cruel?' Tsukushi snapped silently at her fate.
A tall beautiful woman in a smart casual suit was walking towards their table. She immediately hugged Tsukushi's mother with a small laugh.
"Haruko! It's so good to see you again after such a long time!" the woman said, as she looked and smiled at her friend at an arms length.
"The same with you Ami," Tsukushi's mother said. "It's been… What? Five or seven years?"
"More or less, I think."
"Oh, do sit down Ami. We have so much to catch up on." Mrs. Makino gestured her friend towards the seat beside Tsukushi. And catching a look at her daughter, who was staring outside the window numbly, she said, "And Ami, this is my daughter, Tsukushi."
Mrs. Nishikado gasped in surprise and remembrance. "This is Tsukushi? Oh my god, I didn't recognize you."
At hearing her name, Tsukushi blinked out of her trance and glanced up. She immediately took a deep breath before standing up and started to bow politely to her mother's best friend.
But Tsukushi was very much astounded when Mrs. Nishikado hugged her instead. "You've grown up to be such a very pretty lady." She turned to Tskushi's mother and said, "Haruko, you must be really proud of your eldest."
"Yes I am," she agreed with a motherly smile to her daughter.
But Tsukushi forced out a smile for all of their sakes, hoping it would hide well her anxiety. "It's good to meet you again, Mrs. Nishikado."
"Please call me Aunt Ami. Mrs. Nishikado makes me feel so old." The older women laughed at this. Then they turned to each other and conversed with much enthusiasm to make up for their lost time together.
Tsukushi retreated to her coffee, her trusted friend whenever she got depressed. She drank in it greedily, basking on its glorious bittersweet taste, wanting to have as much coffee as she could. She gripped her cup tightly, unconsciously turning to its warmth and darkness for very much needed comfort now that it seemed she was falling spirally downwards again.
***
Author's Notes:
Finally! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner and faster. I've been really busy with school, my overdue website, new livejournal and other stuffs. Gomen ne!
Anyway, I know you're all probably wondering what Tsukushi might be hiding. Feel free to ask questions and though I might not give you direct answers, I MIGHT give you some hints instead. ^_~ Also, I'm sorry that this chapter isn't so exciting, with no F4 around. But don't worry, the next chapter would ignite all the fun. ^_^
Thank you so much for the reviews! Much thanks to Sailor Angie, jestina, XxSwtDrearmerxX1, peridotpearl, aoringo-chan!
Piglet – like your name. It reminds me of someone. ^^
Vic~vic~vic – Yeah, Tsukushi and Soujirou practically grew up together, being the best of friends, that is, before she left.
Kousagi-chan – Soujiro/Tsukushi? We'll see. ^_~
REVIEW please! It always makes me happy.
~3am