The Lonely Widow, Not so Lonely Anymore
(Aoiya Café)
Aoshi picked up his cappuccino having already spooned off the froth and eaten it. His eyes were hidden by his long bangs, but he kept casting them over to Misao, who happens to be humming softly while she stirred her hot chocolate, the marshmallows bobbing up and down with the movement. Aoshi cleared his throat placing down hit hot drink and decided he needed to be the one, again, to start the conversation again.
"How was your meal?" He watched silently as Misao picked up one of the marshmallows with the teaspoon and placed it in her mouth and chewed slowly, savouring the sweetness.
"It was lovely, but rather…lonely when you left. I stared around the restaurant feeling rather awkward because I was the only one there who was by myself. These two other women siting near the window watched as you walked away…and commented, so you have two admirers now."
"Oh?" Aoshi spoke almost intrigued at what they commented on. He'd been to many of the clubs, or should he say, he's been dragged to many clubs and had tipsy woman come up and comment on his good looks and tight ass.
"Good looks an-"
"Tight ass…yeah I thought so…" Aoshi spoke shaking his head as though in disapproval.
"You almost sound like you don't like being told those things. Isn't it like a guy thing…to boast about what woman think of them?" Misao questioned then began eating some of the caramel tart.
"I suppose it is, but when you hear it over and over again…well I get sick of it after a while. Its like that is the only thing that matters to them. I feel like I'm being 'checked out' to see whether or not I'm going to be that nights "dinner" or "dessert" I suppose." Aoshi chuckled lightly as Misao gave an embarrassed blush at the way he spoke so openly about sex. It really wasn't a big deal to him, after all he had turned them down...most of them anyway… Misao said nothing in return and took another bite of the caramel tart, opting to pick it up instead.
"What about you Misao? Do you like people staring at you?" Aoshi watched as Misao shook her head taking another sip of the hot chocolate.
"It makes me feel really uncomfortable. Even when I'm walking with the children I look after, I can feel eyes on my back all the time, it sometimes feels really creepy." Aoshi nodded his head and began eating the mud cake, as well as breaking some off so Misao could taste it for herself.
* * * *
Hours had passed Aoshi and Misao casually talking and laughing away in the booth with empty coffee cups around them and two other empty plates of cake they had ordered.
"Um Misao-san? Father was wandering if you and err…your boyfriend could maybe continue your evening elsewhere. He's not trying to be rude, it's just that, you two are the only ones left and it's passed closing time and all. I'm sorry to have to ask you to leave Misao-san, but father would really appreciate it and he said the next time you and your "fellow" dropped in, it'll be on the house."
"Tai-chan that's alright. Tell your father I'm sorry for making him work back late and if he needs any help during the week to give me a call okay?" Aoshi watched as the young girl, probably about sixteen Aoshi presumed, nodded her head and began clearing away the cups and plates from the table. Aoshi had raised an eyebrow when Misao didn't even tell the girl that they weren't a couple, just friends. Aoshi cast the thought out of his mind not wanting to think of that just yet.
Aoshi stood up when Misao did watching and she spoke a little more to the waitress, grabbed her coat, left a tip for her and headed towards the front door. Aoshi was close behind her and stepped outside after thanking the teenager as well. He noted she had a small blush on her cheeks as she nodded her head, obviously he having an effect on her as well.
"I'm glad you changed your mind Misao, I had a really nice time." Aoshi spoke looking down at Misao, who didn't place her coat back on, as it was still wet from the rain hairs ago. The rain had stopped, which Misao was glad since she didn't have an umbrella. Drops of water from gutters still fell to the wet street.
"Do you need a ride home Misao? We could share a cab?" Aoshi spoke once more, this knocking Misao out of her thoughts, plus the cool breeze that swept through the dead street too.
"Actually, I don't feel like going home just yet, do you want to take a walk with me?" Misao spoke looking up at Aoshi. Even in the streetlights Misao found that his hair shone like silk. Misao wondered whether it felt like that as well but quickly brushed the thought away and began walking, Aoshi too walking beside her, this being his silent agreement.
Aoshi glanced down at Misao watching as she shivered once more at the breeze floating through Tokyo. After about the third time he unbuttoned his black dinner jacket and took it off, his hands stopping Misao from walking as they placed the jacket over her shoulders and then he grabbed her beige one placing it over his left arm.
"Are you sure Aoshi? Won't you get cold?" Misao spoke softly even though she placed her hands into the long sleeves and pushed the sleeves up so she could do up the buttons. Misao almost sighed out loud in contentment at getting Aoshi's warmth but instead bit her bottom lip to conceal it.
"Its no problem Misao, your cold, I'm not and your coat is wet so you can wear mine." Aoshi replied back kindly. Misao gave him a grateful smile and continued walking with Aoshi. They fell silent just content with the company of each other.
After many moments of staring at the dull footpath, Misao looked over at Aoshi noticing his right hand was in his trouser pocket; goosebumps forming on his tanned bare skin but he didn't seem to mind or notice. Misao placed a smile on her lips, as he truly was being a gentleman. Loud music blared from a nightclub Aoshi and Misao passed on the other side of the street. There was a line up people wanting to go inside where it was warmer to drink and dance.
"So where were we headed?" Aoshi spoke glancing down at Misao to see she was smiling up at him. To his horror he felt the heat rise in his own cheeks but thanked the gods it was too dark for Misao to notice it.
"Why not the park, just down another block? It's nice there with the small lake and it's peaceful too."
"Sure…" Aoshi replied absently but stopped in his tracks watching a distant figure running straight towards him and Misao. His senses kicked in, his eyes narrowing trying to get a better view of the mystery person to see whether or not they were of any danger to him and Misao. Aoshi placed his hand on Misao's shoulder to stop her from walking any further and she too finally noticed someone running towards them.
"AOSHI HONEY!" Yelled a very tipsy woman. She was running bare foot, having lost her shoes somewhere along the way. The woman tripped slightly but gained her footing and squealed happily at noticing it was Aoshi and raced straight into his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist and her head craning up to nuzzle her face into his left shoulder and neck area.
"You still smell good…as always…" She mumbled lightly as Aoshi pushed her out of his arms holding her at arm's length looking down into her brown hazy eyes. Her short hair was messy, her cheeks flushed because of the running and drinking too much. One of her dress straps fell off her shoulder showing off the pink bra strap. It had been a couple of months but Aoshi definitely knew who she was.
Aoshi watched as the woman slouched in his grasp but she turned her head to stare over at a silent Misao, who did nothing but blink at them. The woman shrugged out of Aoshi's light grasp and he dropped his arms away from her as she ended up shuffling over to Misao.
"Are you Aoshi-honey's new girlfriend? You are so lucky to have scored him." She slurred softly and Aoshi watched Misao's eyes widen when the 'strange' woman clasped Misao's hands shaking them happily.
"Ah, Misao this is Kyoko, Kyoko this is Misao." Aoshi spoke moving closer and prying Kyoko's hands away from Misao's.
"Misao…such pretty name for beautiful woman." Kyoko spoke looking over at a slightly confused Misao, her head tilted to the side. Kyoko turned her head around to look up at Aoshi and spoke once more.
"A beauty for a gorgeous man like you Aoshi-honey…suits you well…she does…she really does. You see Misao…we weren't officially going out or anything; just a lot of drinks, dancing, well forced dancing on Honey's part here...fantastic fooling around as well…but it was very nice...very sweet… Anyways… Oh when you get the chance to be alone with him ask for a massage! Mmmhmm he's got REALLY strong hands and there so warm and smooth and if you get the chance let him massage your…" Misao watched as Aoshi placed his hand over Kyoko's mouth stopping her ramblings.
"KYOKO-CHAN, ITS TIME TO GO!" A male voice yelled further down the street interrupting Aoshi, Misao and Kyoko, which Aoshi was thankful for. He raced over and stopped in front of Aoshi and Misao, puffing lightly and took Kyoko's hand in his pulling her away from Aoshi. Aoshi gladly let go watching as she slumped against him, out cold. The mysterious man picked her up easily in his arms and spoke.
"I apologise about my sister. She's been drinking too much and started pinning over some bloke called 'Honey'. Don't worry she usually gets like that when she's drunk too much, so I apologise." He turned around walking away and Aoshi looked over at Misao hearing her giggling.
"Oh kami-sama that was funny! I haven't laughed this much in a long time. Thank you Aoshi; tonight has been most entertaining and enjoyable. I haven't had this much fun in quite a long time." Misao spoke through giggles and placed her hand over her lips trying to conceal them inside.
"I'm glad my total embarrassment and humiliation pleases you Misao." Aoshi spoke dryly watching as Misao gasped in surprise, her head bowing in apology for laughing at the scene that occurred moments ago.
"Its okay Misao, I'm glad to see you smiling. Come on, let's keep going before we run into someone else, I or you know."
"Hai!" Misao chirped happily and began walking down the dark street with Aoshi once more. T
* * * *
They finally came to the park, the grass glistening from the rain as the streetlights, situated around the park, shone brightly. Misao closed in on a wet bench seat and balanced herself as she lifted up her leg taking of her shoe. Misao's foot came in contact with the cold pavement and she shrieked lightly but took her other show off any way.
"You might fall over in your stockings Misao." Aoshi tried reasoning with her but Misao shoed him, gesturing for him to turn his back on her for just a moment. Aoshi complied with her wishes and waited…
"Okay you can look now." Aoshi half turned around to see Misao holding her stockings in her left hand and then she shoved them into one of the pockets in his jacket. Aoshi watched Misao step back onto the wet grass and she began walking around once more, Aoshi slowly trailing behind, not minding the view he got at all.
"My feet hurt like hell. I haven't worn those shoes since…" Aoshi listened to Misao die off as she stared off into space, her eyes frowning in sadness, as though remembering many moments with her former partner. Aoshi cleared his throat his hand tugging Misao's left arm asking her to follow him as he headed towards the lake.
"I wander if there are any ducks swimming around at this time of night." Misao walked behind Aoshi following him silently. He still carried her beige coat and had taken her shoes as well. His long bangs swayed in the breeze, as did the small wisps brushing against the back of his neck and the collar of his silk shirt.
That woman, Kyoko, someone Aoshi had a small…could Misao say fling with? Kyoko had said Aoshi was gorgeous and Misao couldn't really fault her either. He was beautiful…in every sense of the word. He was a true gentleman, maybe more so then usual as though not wanting to scare her off. He opened car doors, spoke freely, smiled, laughed and carried her things for her. He was kind, gentle and didn't seem to mind that she never opened up to him as much as he did to her. The looks were a bonus, as was the tight butt Misao noted as well, a small blush crossing her cheeks as her eyes moved down to have a quick look. The person Misao could see within him, if he ever shed away his small barriers would be beautiful…that's all Misao could put it down too…purely beautiful.
Misao walked up beside him and leaned against the small bridge over the lake looking at the rippling water. Aoshi was rather quiet as though contemplating over something. He had placed Misao's shoes on the ground and the coat hung over the railing as he stared endlessly into the water.
"Thank you Aoshi…for not forcing me to open up." Misao spoke just above a whisper. Her eyes travelled upwards, to see deep green-blue ones looking down at her, a small smile tugging the corner of Aoshi's lips.
"Its okay…but you will tell me one day…" Misao opened her mouth ready to comment on his reply but was unable to as Aoshi placed his index finger over her soft lips and 'shhhhhhed' her pointing into the lake.
"You'll scare them away." Misao stared into the water to see a mother dark paddling under the bridge with three baby ducks paddling behind her and a fourth one further away but scurrying along trying to keep up with his or hers family.
"Oh, so kawaii!" Misao whispered and bent over the bridge to watch them go under. Misao lifted herself back up; brushing loose parts of her hair away and quickly walked over to the other side to watch the small family paddle on through to reach their destination of wherever home was. Aoshi watched as Misao crouched down, the end of her dress pooling around her as she clasped the metal bars on the bridge and spoke softly to the small duck falling behind.
"Don't worry little guy, you'll be big and strong in no time." Aoshi placed a smile on his lips as Misao giggled happily watching the smaller duck pick up speed and literally race after its family, water splashing everywhere.
Aoshi sat on the ground, the bridge concrete only cold but not wet and leaned his back against the metal bars. His legs where up drawn and he rested his forearms against his knees looking silently over at Misao. Aoshi guessed something terrible happened in Misao's previous relationship as he always noticed the fear that leapt into her eyes for a split second.
After many pointless thoughts, Aoshi didn't wish to do any more thinking and instead stared at Misao's form. She was very sweet and elegant, Kyoko being correct in saying Misao was a beauty. As Aoshi stared over at Misao her face glowed a silver-blue from the moonlight showing that although there was beauty on the outside, more lay hidden inside of her, as though it lay dormant, waiting to be awoken again.
"Did you see that?" Misao spoke happily and turned around to see Aoshi staring silently at her. Aoshi tilted his head slightly watching as Misao's cheeks darkened in colour and the thought of 'how long has he been staring at me for?' probably rolled around in her mind. Aoshi arched an eyebrow as Misao crawled towards him on all fours and sat on her legs in front of him.
"What's going on in that brain of yours?" Misao spoke her arms rested folded under her breasts, each hand moving into the opposite sleeve to gain more warmth.
"Sit beside me Misao, I'll be your wind breaker." Aoshi spoke and watched as Misao did exactly that, her back leaning against the metal bars and wrapping her arms around her up drawn legs pulling them closer to her chest. Minutes passed Misao and Aoshi falling silent once more.
"It's a full moon." Aoshi spoke softly and turned his head down to look at Misao when he felt a small pressure against his shoulder. In those couple minutes of silence Misao had become so relaxed in warmth that she had fallen asleep resting her head against his shoulder, one of her arms actually snaking under his to hold it in comfort. As Aoshi stared at her peaceful slumbering face he couldn't help but lift his right hand and brush his fingers down Misao's chilled cheek and place some strips of hair behind her ear. His fingers stopped when Misao moved slightly, her eyes fluttering around for a moment but slumping even further into him, most of her weight, which was hardly nothing to Aoshi, rested against his left arm as she fell back to sleep.
* * * *
"What to do…" Aoshi mumbled to himself and peered down at his watch to read the time. It was past two in the morning and Misao began to shiver, as the night grew colder, snuggling dangerously close to Aoshi.
After much contemplation of whether to wake Misao or not, Aoshi decided on the 'not' and moved stealthy, Misao not even realising she now rested in his arms and against his chest as he walked off and out of the park. Misao's beige coat lay crumpled in her lap and her shoes occupied Aoshi's front trouser pockets, as they were big enough to carry them there. Aoshi finally found a cab and gave the driver the address to go to.
* * * *
Aoshi now stood at Misao's front door and crouched down so he could let go of Misao's legs for a moment to search her pockets for a key. Successfully finding it, unlocking the door and walking inside, Aoshi opted to place Misao on her couch and turn on her gas heater for warmth. He was already betraying her trust as he entered her home without her permission and didn't want to venture further inside, as this was her private life. He heard Misao's content sigh as she turned over facing the back of the couch, her dress parting open to show off her right lower and upper leg as the material pooled on the carpet.
"Its clearly time to go…" Aoshi muttered to himself moving over towards Misao to pick up the material and cover her leg once more.
"Sweet dreams Misao." Aoshi mumbled his fingertips lingering on her cheek for a mere second and then he was gone, the door locking behind him as though he had never been in her house in the first place.
Tomorrow afternoon was going to be a very interesting moment for him when Misao showed up at his store to get the samples from him. Aoshi walked down the quiet street his hands going into his pockets but stopped as he pulled out Misao's shoes forgetting all about them. He turned to face her house, rushing back to place them on her doorstep and then walked out the front gate once more heading down the street. Yep, tomorrow was certainly going to be a fascinating day.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *