Title: Changing Fates
by dytia

chapter 5: I remember..

I have changed the last part of chapter 4. If you read it before, you could always read it back. Added more T x T stuff in Chapter 4. In this Chapter 5, it is Rui's turn to shine. Makino saw a vision of her past memories. But was it the wrong one? Hihi...

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After hanging around at Eitoku, Sojirou decided that I should go back home. Although I had told him that I was okay, he insisted.

" I think it is enough for today. Tomorrow, after school, we can go again." Yuki interrupted him.
" Ano.. I am sorry but I cannot join you. But I have to work."
" Oh, that's all right, Yuki. We all here to take care of Makino."

" You guys.. You don't have to trouble yourself, " said Makino.
" No.. no.. it's no trouble at all."
" But I think it is better if I go on my own. I think I should go back to my everyday life as soon as possible."

" But how would you go about alone."
" Who said I am alone? I have my brother with me at home. And I already know where is the school. And Yuki already said that she'd walk with from Eitoku to the dango shop with me. I have been absent from work so many days. I should not waste anymore time. After all, if I don't start work soon, we'll starve. Just the other day, Susumu said my bank account is almost zero."

" That's my hard working virgin talking.." Makino stared at Sojirou..

Hard working virgin??

" So, this mean we'll see you at school tomorrow, then." She nodded to Akira.
" Rui, we're leaving her safety to you. "
" You can count on me."

In the car... Rui did not say anything to Makino. He was too preoccupied with his own thought. Makino could just look at him and wonder what was it he's thinking about.

Rui glanced at her. He caught her eye. Raising his right eyebrow, he asked, " Do you have something to say?" She shook her head.

" I was wondering what you were thinking about." He laughed.
" What is it?" Makino looked very confused.
" I was thinking what was it you were thinking just now." Both of them burst laughing.
" Oh.. we've arrived."
" Let me walk you to the door." Makino nodded smiling.

At the door, she was reluctant to let go of Rui.

" I had a nice day today. Thank you for staying with me. I don't think I could make it without your support."
" It's my pleasure.. Good bye..."
" Bye.."

Just as he walked away.. " Rui!!"

He looked up. " Yes.. what is it?"

Why did you cared for me? What am I to you?

She yearned to know the answer. But the words never came out from her mouth. She was afraid to hear the answer.

" Nandemonai yo. Ja mata ashita ne." He nodded and entered his car. As he drove off, Makino wanted to kick herself for being such an idiot.

Why? Why? Why?

" Onee-san!!" Huh..
" Oh it's you, Susumu. I thought you're not home."
" I was waiting for you to make me dinner."
" How come you can't make it yourself? I just came out of the hospital. How can you expect me to remember how to cook dinner?"
"Aaa... But it always you and mama who'll make dinner. Mama made today's breakfast but she and Papa already went back to the fishing village this afternoon."
" Already.. So if both mama and I were not around, who cooked?"
" I'll just eat whatever I can find. Oneesan.. hurry up.. I am hungry."
" Okay.. but if it's not good, don't blame me."

* * * *

Standing in front of Eitoku's entrance, Makino hesitated a bit. " You have to be strong, Makino. You can do this."

As she walked through the corridor she could feel everybody's eyes were on her.

Do they want to attack me? Why do I feel hostility radiating from all sides of the school?

" Makino!!" She turned around. " Nishikado-kun. Mimasaka-kun."
" We thought you did not come or got lost in the way. We went to your house but no one's home."
" My brother and I went out early. Is it all right?"
" No.. yes.. it's all right."
" Ano.. Nishikado-kun, why is it everybody is watching me just now? Did I do anything wrong?"
" You did not know...??"
" Everybody heard the news of your accident. I guessed they were curious to see if you are all right."

How come I don't feel it was because of curiosity?

" Where's Rui?"
" Oh.. he's late as usual."

" Tsukushi-chan..." " Kazuya-kun.."
" Classes are starting any minute from now. Let me carry your books."
" Aoike.. could you just leave Makino alone for a while."
" What's wrong with me staying with her? It was not like Doumyouji's here or anything?"

Her heart skipped a beat. I thought I might see him today. " I thought you said you all went to Eitoku."
" Oh.. Doumyouji stopped a few months ago. When he went to New York."

New York...

" Tsukushi-chan.. Let's go.."

* * * *

It was the same even in the class. She could feel that all eyes were on her. Each time she looked around, she saw everyone looking the opposite way. She could see that they were pretending.

Why am I being so paranoid? Perhaps Nishikado were right. I am being overly sensitive...

During recess, she was looking for a place to eat. She knew Kazuya told her to wait for him by the pond but she did not feel she wanted to be with him. She wanted to see Rui.

Where should I go? I have looked everywhere. Where was he? Was he absent today?

She was walking pass some stairs when she heard someone playing the violin. It sounded so familiar. Her heart beat faster and faster and she run towards the source. She came to a big, ash wood door. The music came from right behind this door.

As she slowly opened the door, she could see Rui so engrossed playing his violin. He seemed as if he was lost in a world of his own. Her heart felt lighter as she watched Rui. After what seemed to be eternity, Rui finally stopped and looked towards Makino.

" Just like old times.. Don't you remember here?" She shook her head. Both if them sat down. Rui leaned against the wall, holding his violin close to his chest. " We spent a lot of time here talking. The first time you came here, you called us F4 arrogant pig headed asshole." She almost choked on hearing that. " Hontou?? Gomennasai..."
" No.. it's nothing to be sorry about. In fact that was what made me know you. At that time, no one dared to stand up against us but you did. You had impressed me very much." her cheeks flushed deep red in embarrassment.
" Am I really that great?" He did not reply. He just stared the opposite way. She felt happy even though Rui did not answer her question. It felt good just the two of them here in the emergency staircase. A place of their own.

* * * *

Ring.. ring... Doumyouji answered the phone.

" Doumyouji residence.."
" Doumyouji Tsukasa..!!!!!!!! Where the hell are you?!!" Shigeru shouted at the phone.
" At home, you monkey."
" Why are you not at school? Nishikado asked for you."
" Didn't you remember I dropped out of Eitoku? And besides.. what's the use of going? There's nothing that could interest me."
" I thought you wanted Makino to start remember. How can she remember you if you just left her with Rui?"
" Shut up!!! You don't know anything...!!" Shigeru was beyond words. " Tsukasa.."
" Rui's my best friend. I trusted him enough to make her happy."
" How about you? Are you happy?"

He did not answer. " I hated to think that I gave you up to Makino for nothing. I hated the fact that you can confront your own mother but still afraid to confront the person you love. Tsukasa.. You are such a stupid coward!!" She slammed down the phone.

Doumyouji put down the phone. Tsubaki entered the room.

" Tsukasa.."

" I don't want to hear another woman's lecture.. I had enough for one day."
" I just want to tell I am going back to LA. My plane is in one hour. But I am not sure you'll be all right? Take care of yourself will you?" He shrugged.

After she was gone, Doumyouji got up and poured himself a glass of wine. Unknown to him, Tama was watching him from upstairs. She felt sorry for the young master but she herself don't know what else she can do to help?

It is all in God's power right now...

At the dango shop. Makino easily fit in with her old job. She had lots of fun arranging the cakes and greeting the customers. " You were as good as the way you're before!" Yuki exclaimed.

They managed to sell a lot of cakes that afternoon. " If this keep up, we might even get a raise." Makino nodded in agreement.

Just before they wanted to close shop, two young man in office attire came in and asked if they can buy something. " But sir.. we are closing..."

" Please.. I just have to buy one. It won't take long. " Reluctantly, Yuki and Makino agreed.

" Which one do you want, sir?"
" That cream puff please.. That one.. " He pointed. Makino took it.
" I thought you said you did not like sweet stuff." The one who was buying just smiled. " It's cute is so I am buying it." Makino was struck by his physical resemblance to Rui. In fact, his mannerism also reminded her of Rui.
" Your cream puff, sir."
" Keep the change." As the man put his 200 yen in Makino's palm, her head suddenly began to throb. " Tsukushi!!" Her hands gripped both sides of her head as she tried to brace against the loud banging in her head. The cake and the money crashed onto the floor.

Flash back...: Visions of Rui buying cake from her.. Rui smiling.. Giving her flowers...
" The first thing I bought with my own hard work.. This flowers.. I bought it for you..."
The kiss by the beach... The surprise first kiss.. " Do you know what time is it in France?"
The time they had on the yacht.. Her tearful confession..

" Tsukushi.. are you all right? Tsukushi..."

As the pain subsided, Makino slowly got up. " Miss, are you okay?" The man offered his hand but she pushed it away. " Yuki... I remembered... I can remember."
" What..?" Makino shook her head. " I must tell him.. I must tell him..." she mumbled to herself as she quickly dashed outside.

" Hey.. how about my cake?!!" the customer yelled. Yuki stared after Makino as she disappeared into the night. Tsukushi-chan... Could it be she finally remembered Doumyouji?

As she run and run with all her might.. the visions flashed across her mind... Rui and her.. She have remembered.

At the Hanazawa residence. Rui just got out from the shower and was about to retire to his bed when he heard commotion from the front door. He walked out in curiosity. The servants were at the door. Just as she opened it, Makino charged against her causing her to fall to the floor. " Makino-san!!"

" Makino?!"

She threw her arms around Rui. With her hands holding him tight, Rui was too shocked to say anything.

" Makino.. What are you doing? Why you come so late tonight?"

Makino remained silent. She was afraid even one word could break this magical moment. This magical moment with Rui.

I remembered you, Rui. The first memory I can remember... I can see it all so clear now...

I loved you.. Hanazawa Rui

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Doumyouji: You baka onna!! Give Makino back to me!!!!!

dytia: Hihi.. poor Tsukasa... I am evil!!

Okay.. I am sorry if the dialogues during the dango shop were different from the actual one with Rui. I cannot remember exactly the dialogue so I just put in the parts I remember.

preview chapter 6: What will Rui do now that Makino thinks that he was her boyfriend? How will Doumyouji react? Umi tried to comfort Doumyouji now that Makino is out of the picture. Makino went mad with jealousy seeing Doumyouji with Umi. It made her question her feelings towards Doumyouji.