Chapter 15: A Promise Given

At the hospital, sitting on the stairs, Makino was reflecting on the sudden torrent of forgotten memories. Happy.. sad.. precious moments that had define her relationship with Doumyouji. Then, there were many footsteps. The rest of the F4 along with Doumyouji's SPs in tow appeared before her. Rui grabbed Makino's shoulder. " What happen? We heard you were attacked. Are you hurt?"

Makino shook her head. " I am all right. Doumyouji's got a couple of really bad injuries. The doctor is still inside examining him." She looked really worn out. Rui pulled her into his embrace. " I am glad you are okay." Makino weakly smiled.

I'm so sorry, Rui.

Then, there was a commotion. Some of the medical assistants and nurses scrambled out of the examination room. Then, Doumyouji emerged, her face full of cuts but have been attended to. The doctor came running after him.

" Master Doumyouji, I insist you wait a little longer. We need more scans and further test to ensure you are fully allright."
" I am fine. There's nothing wrong with me." Then , he saw Makino and the rest of the F4. He noticed Rui were holding her around the shoulders. His heart pained to see them but he knew that there was nothing left to do. He motioned for the SPs to bring him back home. " I have more things to settle."

Sojirou stopped him, " Are you all right Doumyouji?"
Doumyouji shrugged, " Five men are nothing. You should have seen them begging for my mercy."

Akira grinned, " Yeah, it's our Doumyouji all right. Pity the thugs did not damage his brain bad enough to make him forget of his plans to leave us." Akira patted Doumyouji from the back and hugged him, followed by Sojirou and then Rui. Doumyouji did not let go of Rui just like that. Rui looked at him in the eye. He immediately understood.

Take good care of Makino for me.

Rui nodded. " I would make her happy. On my honor." Doumyouji reluctantly let him go, patting him really hard on the back. " I know you would. If anyone can make Makino happy, you can."
They embraced each other again, as if sealing their promise with a sincere show of friendship.

Makino, watching all this, felt a sharp pain deep inside.

I should be strong. I can't let any of them discover that I have remembered everything. I would not hurt Rui by letting him know that I have remembered my love for Doumyouji.

Although Makino knew that it is unfair for her and Doumyouji but it is the best thing to do. She did not want to complicate matters anymore. It is for the best.

We did not belong to each other even from the start. Perhaps it is better to end this way.

* * * *

Rui brought Makino home. He noted that Makino was very quiet on the way back from hospital.

" Makino, are you ill?"

Makino shook her head. " Listen, I think I can go home by myself."
" What if the thugs came back to harm you?"
" They were after Doumyouji, not me. Besides, we are just a few block from my house. I'll be fine."

Rui nodded in understanding. Suddenly, he pulled Makino towards him and planted a kiss on her forehead. Dumbfounded, Makino looked up to him. Rui looked very grim as if deep in thought. " What was that for?"
" Isn't it normal for a guy to show his affection to his girlfriend?"

Then, Makino burst into laughter, trying to hide her faux pas, she exclaimed, " Oh.. I thought it was something else."
" What else?"
" I mean, you usually not like this."
" But Doumyouji sometimes does, right?" Makino froze. Gathering her wits, she jokingly retorted. " What are you talking about? If that man lay his slimy lips on me even for one time, I'll bite his head off." Then, she giggled.
" Why are you laughing?"
" If I am not mistaken, I believe you are jealous." Rui blushed. Makino waved at him, " I'll see you tomorrow at school." With that she turn and ran the rest of the way.

Rui shouted after her, " Makino!! I sent something for you." Makino did not hear him and continue running. Rui was feeling uneasy. Makino was hiding something, he could feel it.

Was it that she has remembered everything?

At home. Makino barely catches her breath when Mama pounced on her wearing a very pretty silk dress. " Isn't it pretty, Your boyfriend sent it."

Doumyouji??

Makino scrambled to see the card in the box. Then, her expression immediately fell flat when she remembered about the graduation ball.

Of course.. Doumyouji would not be the one who would send a dress. Rui is my boyfriend now. That night, Doumyouji going to leave.. for ever.

Then, she heard a loud rip. Makino turned just in time to see Mama poor stricken face as she looked at the gaping hole her extra 30 pound have made. She started to apologize profusely at Makino, promising that's she'll fix it. Just then, Papa came in with the most unexpected piece of news.

" Tsukushi-chan. I am sorry. But you could not stay in Eitoku any longer." Makino's eyes became as big as saucers. Mama started to wail and exclaim that Papa was a big failure and that Tsukushi's place in Eitoku almost got them the life they can only dream.. the high society life of the likes of F4...

But Papa explain that they could no longer afford sending Makino to Eitoku. Papa's new job salary is just enough to pay the bills and there was not much left for Makino's school fees. While Papa and mama argued it out, Makino was already speechlessly contemplating her future.. without Eitoku.. the F4.. She'll get the normal life she yearned and leave the horrible world called Eitoku.

But, leaving Eitoku will also mean leaving Kazuya.. Rui... Sojirou.. Akira.. and all the traces of her life there... Memories... But this is what she always dreamt. Leaving Eitoku forever.

* * * * *

Kazuya was wailing like a baby when she told him.
" Does the F4 knew?"
" I only plan to tell Rui. The rest will know it after I left for good."
" Tsukushi-chan.. I always knew I am much more important to you than those guys. " said Kazuya. ' I know, tonight we are going to have a party for Doumyouji. After all, we have to give him a proper sending off. Tsubaki-ne chan are coming just for it. She told me to invite you."

Makino reluctantly nodded. She didn't really want to tell Doumyouji about her leaving.

After I leave Eitoku, I'll cut all ties that held me to Doumyouji.

She was not sure how he might respond. Rui and the others would be understanding. But Doumyouji would go on about her poor status and said that she was better off leaving Eitoku years ago.

Now that I am no longer his girlfriend, I bet he also look forward to severing all ties to me.

And that now familiar ache in her heart returned, torturing her to bits.

* * * * *

That night, at Doumyouji mansion, Rui, Makino, Kazuya, Sojirou, Akira, Shigeru and Tsubaki was together drinking champagne and sharing funny anecdotes about Makino's life in Eitoku, reliving each moment as they went. Doumyouji could not come, it seem that he had a formal function to attend.

" I would not have thought a dumb ass like him know hoe to conduct himself in a formal function."
" I remembered he can behave when he wants too.. Remember his birthday.. he was all proper except when she ran off with Makino.." said Akira.
" Remember that night when Makino threw up all over his Armani suit.. Doumyouji was so mad that night he almost wanted to stange Makino to bits.."
Makino giggled. " I really did that. Wow.. quiet amazing."
Tsubaki then said, " That night after you and Rui got locked up in the room her were also pretty funny.."
Akira exclaimed, " It was all Ne-chan's fault..."
" No, it's not.."
" Its your idea!!"

As the rest of them argue with each other, Makino remained very distracted. Then, she excuses herself to go to the toilet. Rui stared after her. After she got out of the dining hall, Makino immediately turn left not towards the toilet but to the stairs and straight towards Doumyouji's bedroom. As she entered the room, her mind was flooded by the memories they shared in that room. The time, she was battered by Doumyouji's thugs and he came back to save her. In this room, they almost kiss..

Makino laid down a package by the bed table. Then, she was startled to hear a man's voice.

" Doumyouji.. I thought you were not home."
" I just got back. Did not want to disturb your party."
" Err.. you should join us.. I mean.. This is your party too.."
" I guess my leaving is a cause for celebration to you." Makino did not answer.

He stumbled as he made out for the bed. Makino stepped forward to help him but he pushed her away. " Doumyouji, you are drunk."
" I am not." He was about to fall forward. Makino grabbed him. Both losing their footing, tripped and fell onto the be with Makino on top of Doumyouji in a very awkward position. Makino's heart skipped a beat. She was about to get up when Doumyouji yanked her back into his arms. " Just stay a while longer."

And there she was, nestled on top of Doumyouji's chest. She could hear Doumyouji's heart thumping so close to her ears. His warmth enveloping her as it has so many times before. Doumyouji rolled her onto her back. Still in his embrace, Makino look up to him quizzically, searching for an answer. Doumyouji tenderly pushed her hair away from her face and bend down to kiss her lips. A very soft, tender kiss that made her yearn for more. Makino kissed back much to Doumyouji's surprise. Makino silenced him, " Just forget for once that I am Rui's. Imagine that I am your old Makino that you loved. Kiss me as you did her then.. Please.."
" Why?"
" I didn't want for to leave without something to remember your old love by."
" But Rui.. "
" Shhh..." Makino hand slipped around his neck and made him bend down again and this time, he kissed her with all the passion in him. Just like he always kissed me before...

Makino could feel Doumyouji's hand slipping underneath her blouse. His touch thrilling her body making her unable to protest against him. Drown in pleasure, Doumyouji pushed all his thoughts aside. In his mind, before him was his Makino who always loved him. His only his...

No.. she is Rui's

Doumyouji stopped and hurriedly got up. That thought snapped him back to reality. Makino asked him why did he stop.

" I was wrong to do this. Rui's a friend and I.. Go back to them."
" Doumyouji.."
" Leave..!!" Makino got up reluctantly. She nodded, " Yeah.. It was a mistake. I'm sorry."

A mistake.. Kissing him was a mistake?

Doumyouji got near the table and picked up the package. It was the Saturn necklace. " I gave it to you, it is yours to keep."
" I am not worthy to keep it."
" If you don't want it, just throw it away." Doumyouji thrusted the package into her hands. " Leave. I need my sleep."

Makino did as she was told. After she closed the door, she crumpled to the floor. There were no tears but the pain in her heart was so great, she could not move from the spot. Clutching the Saturn necklace, she kept telling herself to be strong. To let Doumyouji go without letting him know that she still loves him, that was the most painful decision she have made.

Inside, Doumyouji was standing on the other side of the door. Caressing the door as if he wanted it to open yet he was too coward to do so. Courage, my boy.. You are all grown up. You can do this. Let go of her.

From the end of the corridor, a solitary figure watched Makino from afar. Finally, the truth finally dawned on Rui.

Makino remembers Doumyouji... and she has remembered loving him...

And where does it puts me?

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I know.. I know.. I said one last chapter.. but I realised that this one was long enough as a chapter on its own.. so have to stop now.. and leave you guys suffering so a little bit longer...

Next chapter: The prom.. the going away.. Will Rui tell Makino to tell Doumyouji that she loved him? Or would he be selfish enough to remain silent?