Chapter 16: Together.. Finally?

This is a tribute to the last chapters of Hana Yori Dango. And yes, I stayed true to the premise of a fanfic mirroring the manga plotline in the expense of having a predictable ending. ^-^ Oh well.. perhaps I'll do a Rui x Tsukushi fic next time...

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Rui spent the last school days thinking whether he should tell Makino that he knew everything.

She kept it a secret in order to not hurt me. But she was the one hurting. I could not bear that.

Makino told him that she might not make it for the prom. That's she was going to move that night but he already told her that he would wait for her no matter what. After all, he had promised to take her to the prom.Doumyouji will leave right after the prom ends. But he told the others not to send him off. Obviously, he didn't want t make a big deal out of it.

Or perhaps he just could not bear leaving....

* * * * *

That night, Makino was busy helping her parents to load up the moving lorry. Glancing at her watch, it was already 8 pm.

I guess the prom have started.

Just as Papa started the engine, suddenly the lorry skidded forward and straight into a ditch. Mama screamed as Makino and Susumu rushed towards Papa and yanked him out. Thankfully, he was all right.

" How are we going to move this way..?" wailed Mama. Papa on the other hand just sat there looking really dejected.

Suddenly, Makino snapped. " Stop sulking. I thought you are adults!!! Papa, Mama, Susumu.. come on.. we can pull the lorry back out. It was not that big and only the tire has end up in the ditch. the ditch is quite shallow. Just a push and pull.. and we'll be on our way."
" It is no use," said Papa.

Flashes of her Eitoku life..." I have survived studying in Eitoku.. getting bulloed.. totured and a lot more. No ditch can stop me. And it would not stop you."

Susumu stood up, " Ne-chan's right. If we stick together.. we can succeed."

Next shot. The whole Makino family pulling and pushing the lorry out of the ditch.

The good and the bad.. I'll miss Eitoku.. Yeah.. after years of dreaming of leaving it. I realize I don't want to...

With another push.. they managed to pull out the lorry. Makino glanced at the watch. 10 pm.. Would Rui still be waiting for me?

" Ne-chan.. shouldn't you be at the prom?"
" Never mind, I belong here with the family." susumu retorted, " Didn't Hanazawa-kun waiting for you?"

Rui.. I am so sorry.. I am so selfish...

" But.. this is your last night as an Eitoku student. You should go there."
" But.."

Mama and Papa hugged her. " Just go..."

* * * *

At the ball.. Rui, Akira and Sojirou looked so fine in their formal attire. The rest of the Eitoku population were also decked in their finest gowns and tuxedo. Then, a sudden hush fall over them as a girl in tattered, dirty clothes, her face bruised and in her arm, there was a ripped silk dress.

Rui rushed towards the girl. There were whisperings all about. Makino shifted uneasily. She really should not come.

" I only came to return you this. Sorry I ruined it."
" I thought you are my date."
" I did not come properly attired."

Rui just helf his hand towards Makino, bowing down and escorted her to the center of the ballroom. As they waltzed, Makino started to reflect on that time she first danced with Rui. Those were happy times...

" Rui.. do you think I am selfish?"
" Why did you ask?"
" Because all this time I always end up in scrapes and you always come in my aid. Not once you complain and yet I always end up being the one hurting you."

Rui gritted his teeth in response, knowing exactly what Makino implying.

" Makino, someone once told me that to love someone is the greatest gift God given us. To love you is a choice I made."
" But.."
" Shhh... Just dance.."

Back at her home, Susumu told their parents that he decided to take up an extra job and help with Makino's Eitoku schooling. " We just proved that if we work together, we can succeed."
" And Mama will also take up extra babysitting jobs. Papa don't have to work alone." Papa was crying as he said that he'll work hard too. The threesome then hugged each other as they prayed to the sky.. for divine help and that Makino made it as the bride of one of the F4... (me: oooh.. er...)

Back to the ball.. Makino was deep in thought as she continues dancing with the rest of the F4 and not to forget Kazuya.. Not surprisingly, her thoughts was of Doumyouji and how her decision to leave will affect her. And that of her promise to Rui.

Was I happy to leave Eitoku because it was always been my dream to leave? Is it the real reason was that I could not bear staying now that Doumyouji's not there? And that I could not bear staying knowing that I am betraying Rui at the same time?

She glanced towards Rui.

What would he do if he knows? That I loved Doumyouji more and that I am here because I didn't want to hurt him.

In fact, Rui was thinking the exact same thing. What should he do? Should he tell?

Be selfish for once. Why should I keep sacrificing myself for others?

At the Doumyouji mansion. It's already 11 pm. Doumyouji was saying his goodbye to Tama. Tsubaki was with him as to escort him to New York.

I am going to leave Tokyo for the cold, indifferent New York. Tokyo. where I lived most of my life and yet the only years I truly lived was the days I had after I met Makino. Before that my life had been empty. Devoid of warmth and love.

Makino had changed all that. And now he was leaving Tokyo to return to the empty life he knew then.

A sudden tap on his shoulder. He turned. Tsubaki nodded at him, " It is time."

At the ball. Rui tapped Makino's shoulder. Makino turned towards him. " It is time."

Screeching tires. Makino screamed for Rui to slow down. " Where are we going?" Rui turned the steering, the car swerved at the corner. Makino wailed, " Do you really have a driving license!!"
" Makino, do you love me?"
" This is not the time to ask me that.."
" Answer me.."
" Yes...!!" Rui floored the brakes. The car screeched to a halt.

Rui turned towards Makino in the passenger seat. " Then, you would do anything for me? Would you?"
Alarmed, Makino replied," Rui.. What are you talking about?"
" I want you to stay with me forever. Be at my side..."

Rui...

At the airport. Doumyouji was alone in the VIP room. In his hand, there was the old message recorder toy. He pushed a button. The toy replayed the last message. It was Makino's voice.

" You stupid dumb ass. Come back here at once. Do you hear me?!!"

He kept pushing the button. Replaying the message all over again. He did not remember when did she recorded the message but he kept it with him always. And now, he longed to hear the same voice saying the exact same thing.

" You stupid dumb ass.. What are you doing here, you moron?"

Am I hearing things?

" Hey.. Look at me when I am talking to you, baka."

It's real?! Makino's here.

He turned around and sure enough Makino was standing there. Fresh, hot tears spilling down her lovely flushed cheeks.

" You.. I thought you were at the prom."
" How could I go to the prom? My date has ditched me."
" What.. Rui.. ditched you.. Where is he? Let me at him..!!" Makino run towards him and immediately held him in her arms. " Who said that my date was Rui...?"

Then, it dawned on him. " Makino.. You.. When did you remember?"
" When I saw you getting bashed by the thugs.. I remembered everything. I remembered taking that knife for you because I wanted to protect you.. just like the way you have always protected me. But I am scared to tell you.."
" Why.. ?"
" Because I am scared. I did not want to hurt anyone especially Rui. Besides.. I knew that telling you would not change anything. You would still go.."
" How about me? Didn't you think about me?" Doumyouji wrapped his arms around her. " You fool. Yes, even though I have decided that I am going even if you remembered me, that does not mean I care for you any less."

There was a knock at the door. Doumyouji nodded. Grabbing hold of Makino's hands, he asked, " Would you come with me if I ask you to?"
" Doumyouji."
" Now that you are leaving Eitoku, perhaps you can come with me."

As they walk towards the door.. Makino's brain was whirling with possibilities.. Living with Doumyouji in New York? Leaving behind her family.. friends...

Rui watched Makino and Doumyouji hand in hand, both oblivious to their surroundings.

I must be the stupidest person on this Earth.

Flashback of the time Doumyouji about to go to New York. Back then, Makino did not see Doumyouji off. Back then, she was afraid to face her own feelings.

In the car just now...

" Rui.. What are you talking about?"
" I want you to stay with me forever. Be at my side..."

Makino looked away. " What are you asking...?"
" Just answer me." Crying, she nodded.
" Then stop telling me lies... be truthful for once. Tell me exactly. You loved Doumyouji, don't you?" Makino was shocked. She stared at Rui. Finally, she saw what was bothering Rui. He knew...
" Rui... I.."
" Then, what are you doing here.. Go stop him."
" I can't."
" Makino.."
" Rui.. don't you understand. Even if I ask him to stay, he would not. So, what's the point."
" And you are going to let him go without telling him your true feelings. Remember back then when Shizuka left me for Paris. What did you tell me to do?"
" Back then.. it was different."
" No, it's not. Back then, I was about to let go the one person I love just like that. But you told me to go after her. Even though the truth was you are in love with me back then."
Makino looked away. " Rui, it's not like I didn't want to go. But I am scared. Look how you and Shizuka end up... I don't want me and Doumyouji to be like that. And if I leave how about you, Rui. I know I promised you..."
" Forget that promise. If it was for your own happiness.. you can forget that promise."
" Rui.."
" Before I meet you, I was weak.. and I am not brave. But you turn me into someone willing to fight for his love. I really owe you that. If you can change me into someone that fight for himself, how come you are scared to take fate at your own hands. Makino Tsukushi is a weed. She would never be scared." Taking her hand, Rui looked straight at her face and without regrets he said, " Remember who you are. You have done it once, then do it again. This is your fate, your future.. You are strong enough.."

I am a weed. I am not scared.

Makino nodded.

I have fought all the bullies in Eitoku. I have fought the most powerful woman in Japan. But I am scared of my own feelings... my own future...

As Rui started the engine and make a complete turn towards the airport. He thought to himself.

At the end.. I cannot be selfish. Because that was not me.

At the door.. Tsubaki and the rest of their friends were already waiting. Doumyouji turned towards Makino.

" I'm going..."

Doumyouji...

Makino could not give an answer. As if understanding her confusion, Doumyouji said, " You don't have to come with me now. Give me the answer as soon as you can. I'll wait for you."

As he walk through the door, Makino was struck be the fact that Doumyouji seemed taller, older and much more mature. With sure and confident strides, he walked away from her. Secured in knowing that Makino loves him, he was more assured of his decision and vowed to himself..

Makino watched Doumyouji stopped all of a sudden.. a few seconds later he yelled for her, " Makino...!!" and threw something towards her. Cleanly catching it with both hands, she realised that she was in fact holding her old messenger toy. She could not remember giving it to Doumyouji. Tentatively, she pushed one of the buttons. Doumyouji's voice rang out loud and clear.

" Even if you are not coming, I'll come back for you."

Looking up, their eyes met and lingered for what seemed ages.. He mouthed the words.. " Four years.."

At that time, Makino did not understand. A few days later, at a press conference in New York, Doumyouji unabashedly made a spectacle out of himself with his obvious ignorance to business and awful English.. but as they all (the rest of F4 gang, Makino, Kazuya, Yuki and Shigeru) watched the news in Rui's room.. they could not miss Doumyouji's words.. " I will make Doumyouji corporation double their returns in 4 years.. and after I do that, I'll bring back the headquarters to Tokyo."

A reporter asked why Tokyo?

" Because there are important people there , you moron."

Shigeru buried his face onto her palm, " How can he use that kind of language in front of reporters."
Akira shrugged, " Doumyouji is Doumyouji. Hey.. Makino.. where are you going?"

Makino walked out of Rui's room and leaned against the balcony, overlooking a wide field filled with wildflowers and wholesome green grasses. His words kept replaying in her mind.

" Four years.."

Rui came from behind and put his arms around her. " Are you happy?"
Leaning against his shoulder, Makino whispered, " Rui... thank you."

Rui just quietly smile and stared at the open field. The sky is clear and the birds are singing. He felt so calm.

Back in New York. Doumyouji received an express package from Tokyo. Inside, it was the Saturn necklace and the old messenger toy. Smiling to himself, he did not even bother to see the sender's name. Switching the toy on, the recorded message was played. A sudden ear-splitting shouting was heard.

"You stupid, octopus head!! How dare you leave me like that!? To punish you.. I want you to keep the necklace and I want you to return it. And if you don't come back and return it to me in four years time, I'll come to New York and get it back from you myself! Understand??!!!"

Doumyouji chuckled.

That's just like the old Makino I knew. The Makino Tsukushi I loved.

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Pheww.. It finished.. so happy. This story is my first attempt at HYD fanfiction and to finally finish it.. it felt really good. I would like to thank all of you guys who read this piece of fic and kindly contributed by submitting your reviews. In fact, your reviews help shape the whole story and without your numerous feedback, it would not have become what it is right now. You guys have encouraged me a lot to go on.

And my utmost gratitude, to my sister, azzie for her comments and of course, the great mangaka, Yoko Kamio whose manga, Hana Yori Dango inspired me to no end.

BTW.. if you guys give me lots of nice reviews.. I'd write an epilogue to this story... just a little omake chapter.

Disclaimer: All rights to the characters and obvious references to the various manga plotline is owned by the mangaka, Ms. Yoko Kamio, Margaret, her publishers and the anime company who produced HYD: anime. Do not sue me.