Rui helped me place my bag into his car boot and I saw that inside laid his
precious violin case next to his own black bag. I smiled as I remembered
all the wonderful tunes he used to play. His music exudes emotions and
personality. Unlike Rui who almost never showed any emotions, his music
did. Sometimes, it made me cry, sometimes it made me laugh. He hasn't
played his violin in a long time, ever since Tsukasa's accident. Even if he
had, I never heard it. Come to think of it, a lot of things happened ever
since Tsukasa's accident. It was as if, life changed after that.
"You had this all planned out didn't you..."I said to him accusingly as I buckled my seatbelt referring to his packed bag in the boot.
Rui shrugged and shot me a lazy grin.
"You're so sneaky! Since when did you turn into Akira?" I exclaimed, hitting him lightly on his arm.
"It's called a surprise Tsukushi...."Rui answered, laughing lightly.
"And I thought you don't handle surprises well..."I grumbled under my breath.
"I don't..."Rui glanced at me and I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at him. "I just like giving them." He added with a smirk.
We fell into comfortable silence and I don't know when I started to doze off. The last thing I remembered was cruising down the highway and trees were whizzing by in a green blur. In a far distant, I felt something soft on my forehead but I don't remember what. Was it Rui's lips? I don't know...I'm not sure. Was I dreaming? I guess I was.
I woke up to see that it was already dark outside. When I sat up, I felt something slid down to my lap and saw it was Rui's jacket. He must've placed it over me when I fell asleep.
"Are we there yet?" I asked, my voice sounded a little scratchy.
Rui glanced at the digital clock on the dash board before answering me. "In about 15 minutes. Do you need anything?" he asked and I shook my head.
"I think my legs has fallen asleep."I told him, trying to massage some feelings back to my numb feet.
"I can stop the car and let you stretch if you want."
"It's okay...I can't wait to see your holiday house..."I gave him a smile and suddenly, his handphone rang.
Looking at the caller ID, he gave a little sigh before answering it. "Akira...what's up?" I leaned closer to him and heard Akira's cheerful voice. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I just can't help it.
"Yo Rui! Where are you? Aren't you going to join us down at VS tonight? The whole gang is going to be here." Akira said.
Rui glanced at me and spoke. "You guys go ahead...something came up."
"What!? Are you ditching your brother's for work?!" I could imagine Akira's looking shocked.
"Something like that." Rui answered coolly and I almost wanted to laugh.
"But...Tsukasa and Shigeru is going to be here..."Akira said, as if that would change Rui's mind.
"Tell them I said Hi then."
"Fine fine.I can't seem to get Tsukushi.are you with her?" Akira asked and Rui looked at me again for a second as if contemplating an answer.
"No...no she isn't try calling her home." Rui said finally and I frowned, wondering why he didn't want to tell them that I was with him.
"Alright...I'll probably drop by later. Bye Bro!"
"Bye..."
Rui ended the call and continued to drive in silence as if that conversation never happened.
"What was that all about?" I demanded, letting my curiosity get the better of me.
"What was what all about?" Rui decided to play dumb with me and he knew I hated that.
"THAT!" I exclaimed pointing to the handphone on his lap.
"This is a handphone.a gadget which you use to communicate with another person."
"HANAZAWA RUI.STOP THAT!" I heard my voice raising.
His handsome face showed no emotion accept for the slight frown on his forehead. "I didn't want to tell them because they will probably jump to conclusions."he explained in his usual calm and soft voice.
"No they won't and you and I both know it. Akira and Soujiro knows how close we are and would never think otherwise...tell me the truth Hanazawa Rui."
I haven't call him by his full name for a long time and I guess he knew I was really angry now.
"Tsukushi...when the time comes...I'll tell you everything alright? Please just trust me..."Rui said softly, looking at me right in the eye.
Darn...here he goes, doing that 'look' thing again, making me feel soft all over and agreeing to whatever he says.
"Have I ever disappointed you Tsukushi?" He asked.
"No Rui...you never had." I answered softly, looking down at my hands.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes Rui...I do trust you..." I sighed softly. I trust him with all my heart, my soul and my being. I trust him with my life. But of course, I didn't tell him that.
Before he said another word, I felt the car roll to a stop and I looked up. At first, I couldn't see anything as it was very dark but I heard Rui click a button and what sounded like a gate started to open. The sight in front of me left me breathless.
Even if it was dark, I could see the beautiful Sakura trees in blossom, pink and white decorated the ground and a beautiful cottage stood magnificently among it. I wanted to jump right out of the car and rush up to the house.
"Oh my goodness....It's beautiful..."I gushed out.
"Come, let's go get settled in." Rui said, before getting down.
He grabbed our bags with one hand and the other carried his violin case. I did offer to carry my own bag but he shook his head. I wonder, under that clothes was he really as lean and muscular..wait a minute, what are you thinking Tsukushi! This is Hanazawa Rui you're talking about..
I shook my head to clear myself off those thoughts as I followed behind him. We crossed over a small man-made bridge and I leaned forwards slightly to see if there were fishes in the pond. Under the moonlight, I saw a few Koi fishes swimming happily around.
'Tsukushi?" Rui called and I hurried over to him. He unlocked the door and we stepped in.
Although it wasn't as big as his mansion back in the city but it was cozy and comfortable. Just as I like it.
"This is your room...mine is right next door...so if there's anything..just holler..."Rui slid open one of the doors and placed my bag on the floor. "Go unpack...and I'll come get you in 15 minutes to show you around the house alright?"
"Okay...thanks Rui..." I said and he left me to unpack.
I was done in less than 10 minutes. And was looking out my window at the starry sky when I heard him knock softly. I quickly slid open the door and I saw he had changed into a pair of jeans and polo shirt, making him look fresh and extremely handsome.
"Are you ready to have a look around?" he asked, offering me his arms.
"Of Course..."I answered, hooking my arms with his and let him led.
He showed me the tea room, kitchen, dinning room, living room and of course, the hot springs behind the house. I was particularly impressed with the small garden which was decorated with colorful flowers of all kind.
"My mom loved gardening..."he explained while I bent over to smell one of the flowers. I looked up at him in surprise because he never mentioned his parents to me before.
"My dad built this house for my mother actually."
"Really? How romantic..." I exclaimed, following him to the swing and sat down next to him.
"Yeah...I guess..."He said softly, suddenly looking sad.
I sat next to him in silence, waiting for him to go on. The only sound heard was made by the crickets and the slow breathing of Rui's and mine.
"I guess you know by now that the day we were born, F4's fate has already been written. From the person who's going to be our wives to the day we inherit from our father's. Mine was slightly different. My dad and mom are very much in love. Even though their marriage was arranged, they didn't mind because the minute they laid eyes on one another, they knew that they were meant for each other." Rui told me his parent's story with a soft smile on his lips and I listened, intrigued.
"During the first few years up to when I was born, they were living in marital bliss. That was until, they found I had a problem. Their only child was autistic. My mom was worried but she never gave up, so did my dad. Every year, my parents would bring me here, in hope that it would bring me out from my shell. Little did they know, it did but I never showed them anything. A few years back, my dad got more and more involved with his work and spent less time with my mom. She missed him very much and would sometimes cry herself to sleep. Then she got sick...."
"She got sick?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah...all the doctors couldn't seem to find what was wrong with her. My father was going out of his mind with concern by then. To see the person you love the most dying is the most difficult thing in the world.then he decided to put everything down and go on a world trip with my mom. She got better, but was still weak. The doctor predicted that she was going to live for another 2 years, but she proved them wrong...she's still fighting to live. For my dad and for me..."
I looked at him and he smiled at me. I was extremely touched that he decided to share such story with me and I never knew his family was one with love. Unlike the Domyouji's where Tsukasa grew up lonely and only had Tsubaki to care and love him.
Rui reached out and touched my cheeks and that was when I realized I had been crying. He wiped my tears away ever so gently.
"Goodnight Tsukushi..."He said softly, standing up and walking back to the house, leaving me to stare after him.
Hanazawa Rui, just as I thought I was getting to know you, you surprise me with something else. I remembered the first time I laid eyes on you. Those eyes, as cold and hard as cold but sparkled like diamonds. The handsome face told me no emotions as he stood at the beach after Shizuka crushed his heard, his hair blowing gently in the breeze. How he cried as I held him close to me and how his lips felt so right on mine.
Closing my eyes, earlier memories I had with him came rushing back to me and I wondered, have I fallen in love with Hanazawa Rui all over again?
"You had this all planned out didn't you..."I said to him accusingly as I buckled my seatbelt referring to his packed bag in the boot.
Rui shrugged and shot me a lazy grin.
"You're so sneaky! Since when did you turn into Akira?" I exclaimed, hitting him lightly on his arm.
"It's called a surprise Tsukushi...."Rui answered, laughing lightly.
"And I thought you don't handle surprises well..."I grumbled under my breath.
"I don't..."Rui glanced at me and I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at him. "I just like giving them." He added with a smirk.
We fell into comfortable silence and I don't know when I started to doze off. The last thing I remembered was cruising down the highway and trees were whizzing by in a green blur. In a far distant, I felt something soft on my forehead but I don't remember what. Was it Rui's lips? I don't know...I'm not sure. Was I dreaming? I guess I was.
I woke up to see that it was already dark outside. When I sat up, I felt something slid down to my lap and saw it was Rui's jacket. He must've placed it over me when I fell asleep.
"Are we there yet?" I asked, my voice sounded a little scratchy.
Rui glanced at the digital clock on the dash board before answering me. "In about 15 minutes. Do you need anything?" he asked and I shook my head.
"I think my legs has fallen asleep."I told him, trying to massage some feelings back to my numb feet.
"I can stop the car and let you stretch if you want."
"It's okay...I can't wait to see your holiday house..."I gave him a smile and suddenly, his handphone rang.
Looking at the caller ID, he gave a little sigh before answering it. "Akira...what's up?" I leaned closer to him and heard Akira's cheerful voice. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I just can't help it.
"Yo Rui! Where are you? Aren't you going to join us down at VS tonight? The whole gang is going to be here." Akira said.
Rui glanced at me and spoke. "You guys go ahead...something came up."
"What!? Are you ditching your brother's for work?!" I could imagine Akira's looking shocked.
"Something like that." Rui answered coolly and I almost wanted to laugh.
"But...Tsukasa and Shigeru is going to be here..."Akira said, as if that would change Rui's mind.
"Tell them I said Hi then."
"Fine fine.I can't seem to get Tsukushi.are you with her?" Akira asked and Rui looked at me again for a second as if contemplating an answer.
"No...no she isn't try calling her home." Rui said finally and I frowned, wondering why he didn't want to tell them that I was with him.
"Alright...I'll probably drop by later. Bye Bro!"
"Bye..."
Rui ended the call and continued to drive in silence as if that conversation never happened.
"What was that all about?" I demanded, letting my curiosity get the better of me.
"What was what all about?" Rui decided to play dumb with me and he knew I hated that.
"THAT!" I exclaimed pointing to the handphone on his lap.
"This is a handphone.a gadget which you use to communicate with another person."
"HANAZAWA RUI.STOP THAT!" I heard my voice raising.
His handsome face showed no emotion accept for the slight frown on his forehead. "I didn't want to tell them because they will probably jump to conclusions."he explained in his usual calm and soft voice.
"No they won't and you and I both know it. Akira and Soujiro knows how close we are and would never think otherwise...tell me the truth Hanazawa Rui."
I haven't call him by his full name for a long time and I guess he knew I was really angry now.
"Tsukushi...when the time comes...I'll tell you everything alright? Please just trust me..."Rui said softly, looking at me right in the eye.
Darn...here he goes, doing that 'look' thing again, making me feel soft all over and agreeing to whatever he says.
"Have I ever disappointed you Tsukushi?" He asked.
"No Rui...you never had." I answered softly, looking down at my hands.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes Rui...I do trust you..." I sighed softly. I trust him with all my heart, my soul and my being. I trust him with my life. But of course, I didn't tell him that.
Before he said another word, I felt the car roll to a stop and I looked up. At first, I couldn't see anything as it was very dark but I heard Rui click a button and what sounded like a gate started to open. The sight in front of me left me breathless.
Even if it was dark, I could see the beautiful Sakura trees in blossom, pink and white decorated the ground and a beautiful cottage stood magnificently among it. I wanted to jump right out of the car and rush up to the house.
"Oh my goodness....It's beautiful..."I gushed out.
"Come, let's go get settled in." Rui said, before getting down.
He grabbed our bags with one hand and the other carried his violin case. I did offer to carry my own bag but he shook his head. I wonder, under that clothes was he really as lean and muscular..wait a minute, what are you thinking Tsukushi! This is Hanazawa Rui you're talking about..
I shook my head to clear myself off those thoughts as I followed behind him. We crossed over a small man-made bridge and I leaned forwards slightly to see if there were fishes in the pond. Under the moonlight, I saw a few Koi fishes swimming happily around.
'Tsukushi?" Rui called and I hurried over to him. He unlocked the door and we stepped in.
Although it wasn't as big as his mansion back in the city but it was cozy and comfortable. Just as I like it.
"This is your room...mine is right next door...so if there's anything..just holler..."Rui slid open one of the doors and placed my bag on the floor. "Go unpack...and I'll come get you in 15 minutes to show you around the house alright?"
"Okay...thanks Rui..." I said and he left me to unpack.
I was done in less than 10 minutes. And was looking out my window at the starry sky when I heard him knock softly. I quickly slid open the door and I saw he had changed into a pair of jeans and polo shirt, making him look fresh and extremely handsome.
"Are you ready to have a look around?" he asked, offering me his arms.
"Of Course..."I answered, hooking my arms with his and let him led.
He showed me the tea room, kitchen, dinning room, living room and of course, the hot springs behind the house. I was particularly impressed with the small garden which was decorated with colorful flowers of all kind.
"My mom loved gardening..."he explained while I bent over to smell one of the flowers. I looked up at him in surprise because he never mentioned his parents to me before.
"My dad built this house for my mother actually."
"Really? How romantic..." I exclaimed, following him to the swing and sat down next to him.
"Yeah...I guess..."He said softly, suddenly looking sad.
I sat next to him in silence, waiting for him to go on. The only sound heard was made by the crickets and the slow breathing of Rui's and mine.
"I guess you know by now that the day we were born, F4's fate has already been written. From the person who's going to be our wives to the day we inherit from our father's. Mine was slightly different. My dad and mom are very much in love. Even though their marriage was arranged, they didn't mind because the minute they laid eyes on one another, they knew that they were meant for each other." Rui told me his parent's story with a soft smile on his lips and I listened, intrigued.
"During the first few years up to when I was born, they were living in marital bliss. That was until, they found I had a problem. Their only child was autistic. My mom was worried but she never gave up, so did my dad. Every year, my parents would bring me here, in hope that it would bring me out from my shell. Little did they know, it did but I never showed them anything. A few years back, my dad got more and more involved with his work and spent less time with my mom. She missed him very much and would sometimes cry herself to sleep. Then she got sick...."
"She got sick?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah...all the doctors couldn't seem to find what was wrong with her. My father was going out of his mind with concern by then. To see the person you love the most dying is the most difficult thing in the world.then he decided to put everything down and go on a world trip with my mom. She got better, but was still weak. The doctor predicted that she was going to live for another 2 years, but she proved them wrong...she's still fighting to live. For my dad and for me..."
I looked at him and he smiled at me. I was extremely touched that he decided to share such story with me and I never knew his family was one with love. Unlike the Domyouji's where Tsukasa grew up lonely and only had Tsubaki to care and love him.
Rui reached out and touched my cheeks and that was when I realized I had been crying. He wiped my tears away ever so gently.
"Goodnight Tsukushi..."He said softly, standing up and walking back to the house, leaving me to stare after him.
Hanazawa Rui, just as I thought I was getting to know you, you surprise me with something else. I remembered the first time I laid eyes on you. Those eyes, as cold and hard as cold but sparkled like diamonds. The handsome face told me no emotions as he stood at the beach after Shizuka crushed his heard, his hair blowing gently in the breeze. How he cried as I held him close to me and how his lips felt so right on mine.
Closing my eyes, earlier memories I had with him came rushing back to me and I wondered, have I fallen in love with Hanazawa Rui all over again?