Na says: I updated early! Whohoo. A record for me.
Na disclaims: I don't own any anime`…yet. Hehehe.
Chapter 2: Staying the same
She had missed them so much. They were her friends, and they would always be. She had forgotten that important detail. The countless hours she had spent studying had been for what? A career that she had not even desired to pursue. And along the way she had returned to her old self, the timid and weak-willed Aya that the gang had tried so hard to change.
Her parents had wanted her to become a doctor. She had conceded, after several guilt trips. But Aya had promised to herself that she wouldn't be swayed by anyone else. She would get that degree and be free from the restraints that had her bound. However, as some tales go, that goal was left unfulfilled. Aya had become a physician, but during the years she was in college, she had lost contact with her high school friends.
It had begun slowly. The cancelled outings, missed phone calls and excuses all started to pile up one by one. She was busy, there was a final coming up, she had to study…the list went on. Eventually, Aya had stopped calling them, but the other gals still tried best to keep in touch. Their communication had been severed completely when the overly studious girl had left to go abroad. They were twenty then.
And now she had returned to her native land. At twenty-six, Hoshino Aya began her practice in medicine. She was still a Japanese citizen, despite her prolonged trip to the States. It had been five months since her homecoming, but it was only now that she had realized her mistake. Remorse was certainly one of the worst things a person can experience.
She had followed others blindly for the longest time, and practically lost the only people who liked her for herself. That was exceedingly foolish of her. But she hoped to make amends. To everyone.
~~~
The steaming rice tasted wonderful. It had been a while since Aya had eaten something this edible. Hospital food had paled in comparison. Her attention, though somewhat distracted, was momentarily diverted from the white grains in her mouth to the issue being discussed at the table. It was about some band that she didn't quite recognize.
"Isn't that the group that sang Agehachou? I love that song." Ran grinned mischievously from behind her wine glass. She had mellowed down somewhat, but her hyper-activeness was still present in some ways. She had to be energetic for catching violators was taxing. Yes, she had become a policewoman, and she had chosen it on her own accord. Her parents had had a field day.
Beside Ran sat Tatsukichi, who was busy munching down the last of the roast beef on his plate. He too had matured, but still carried the signature monkey traits. He had stopped running away from his responsibilities and had taken over the business, management-wise. Naoki was the appointed head chef.
"I think that was Porno Graffiti, Ran." Miyu corrected from across the table, smiling benignly. She was still beautiful, despite her many pregnancies. Locks of yellow-gold cascaded over her shoulders and the red at the tips where gone. "Tacky and Tsubasa sang 'One day, one dream'. You know, from Inu-yasha?" Questioning looks were aimed at her, and she answered, "I was bored. Reki was watching."
"Aa." Everyone seemed to understand that. Reki was the oldest of Miyu's children. The younger three were triplets.
"Trust Kotobuki not to know the difference." Mami scoffed from her seat. The heiress gave Yuuya a smile. "Anata, I have no idea what you saw in her." There was no jealousy or malice in her eyes, only plain teasing. Aya let out a breath she had been holding unconsciously.
Yuuya, despite years of growing up, still looked nervous when besieged with topics such as these. "I—ah...you know you're my number one, koishii." He finished with relish. Marriage seemed to have taught him tact. The response was favorable, and Mami gave him a peck on the cheek, which earned whistles from Ran and Tatsukichi. The other table occupants smiled, or in Rei's case, smirked. For Otohata Rei did not smile.
This was not the first time Aya had seen Rei since her return. He had been in the hospital she was working in two weeks ago. It had only been a glimpse, but it had been enough to render her immobile for a second. After regaining her wits and overcoming her initial shyness, she had sought him out, slightly curious and worried. She had found him in the recreational area.
Aya had coughed to gain his attention. It had seemed the better than tapping him on the shoulder. He had turned abruptly, and the startled expression on his face was unmistakable.
"Hoshino-san." The use of her surname and the –san had given her quite a shock, but she had recovered enough to reply.
"Hello, Otohata-san. It's been a while."
"Aa." He would always have that love for monosyllabic answers. Aya had missed those replies, but she would never admit it to him. He hadn't changed much in physical appearance and was still as handsome, if not more. Her schoolgirl crush on him had surfaced again, and she had hidden the blush behind a curtain of her ebony hair. She was not immune to his "charm".
"You're back," Rei had said bluntly, but Aya had heard the disbelief in his voice.
"I am," She had reaffirmed his statement, hoping to make the air around them less tense. Deafening silence soon followed, accompanied by the crickets in the trees. She had remembered telling herself that she shouldn't have looked for him. The situation couldn't have been any worse.
Meeting your ex-boyfriend after years of separation. Tough. It hadn't helped that Aya still harbored feelings for him. However, it didn't change the fact that she had been the one who had given up on him.
Her heart had suddenly begun beating erratically. She had to get away. Now. "I—I'm sorry," She had managed pathetically, before bowing politely to him. And almost as pathetically, "I have to go back to work." He had nodded in understanding. As she had walked back to the main building, a small voice in her head had whispered that he hadn't understood at all; for she hadn't been apologizing for her sudden leave. It was something else entirely.
~~~
It was time to leave, as the guests began filing out of the room. Ran and Tatsukichi had left an hour earlier, Tatsukichi carrying a half-drunk Ran. Apparently, wine had more alcohol than beer. The other people left in the room were Miyu, Mami, Yuuya, Rei and Aya. The sound of a car horn honking signaled that Yamato was here to pick up Miyu. Yuuya escorted her to the door. That left the three.
"How are you going home, Aya-san?" Mami queried, trying to make conversation. She had certainly realized that the other woman was anxious to get home. Why, she could not fathom.
"Aa…I was going to ask Yuuya-kun for directions to the nearest bus stop."
"You're taking a bus at this hour?" Mami didn't like the sound of that. "That's not a very good idea." It was dangerous for a lady to be wandering around at this time of the night. She was sure Yuuya would have none of this too. So she offered to let Aya stay in the guest bedroom. Much to her chagrin, Aya declined.
"Thank you for the offer, Mami-san…demo, I have an early appointment."
Mami would have protested further but Rei spoke from his leaning position on the wall, "I'll bring her home." This came as a surprise, but Mami nodded. It was a better idea. But it was common knowledge among the group that Rei and Aya used to be an item. She didn't know the details, except that it hadn't worked out. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all.
Aya seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Are you sure, Otohata-san?" She sounded doubtful.
"Positive." He wasn't.
"Then it's settled. Take care, you two." Mami was relieved when Rei had confirmed his statement, but she had noticed that Aya had gone a shade paler. Well, that girl had always been too timid for her own good.
Rei stood up to leave, followed by a reluctant Aya. Yuuya met them at the door. He too, was shocked. "Didn't you want to talk to me about something, Rei?" The other man shook his head.
"It can wait."
~~~
He had come the earliest, and had been the last to leave. Yet, he hadn't been able to speak to Yuuya. In private. Not in front of Mami and the others. They would pry, he was sure. They often did. Rei hated it when they pried.
So what if he was fired? He never liked working there anyway. He'd join another firm. He had enough credentials to back him up. On the bright side, now he could guest deejay at the club a friend of his owned. The man had been begging him for days. He could pay his bills without having to go to a courtroom.
He missed the music. Without it, he would have become a working stiff. He often listened to it when he was thinking about angles to a case or whatnot. It helped. But it had been two weeks since had last sought its comfort. After that incident, he had been a bit off. His co-workers had commented that he had been distracted. They were right.
Kunio, his client, had been in the hospital and Rei, being his appointed lawyer, had visited. There was nothing new to it. He hadn't expected her to be there.
Hoshino Aya had been standing in front of him in the midst of the garden, which was supposedly the recreational area. She seemed flushed and her hair was slightly disheveled, but there was no mistaking her. Rei had been shocked and faintly angry at seeing her. She resembled an angel, sans the wings and halo. He greeted her formally, almost mechanically. She had replied with something similar. However, when he had gotten his thoughts set, she had left.
Now, she was sitting a mere inches from him willingly. He could almost smell her perfume. That wasn't good. He had sworn off her years ago. He would only get hurt again.
Their relationship may have been rocky, but Aya had stuck to him through everything. He had been stupid to think she would stay with him forever. He had taken her for granted. A week before she reached nineteen, she had broken up with him. Her reasons were petty when he had heard them, but to her they were important. He let her go, thinking he would have been better off without her. He was wrong. And for the first time in his life, Rei felt lost.
"Otohata-san, you missed my street." Her voice jolted him from his thoughts. She was frowning, and the creases marred her beautiful features. He looked away and concentrated on making a u-turn. She was such a distraction.
Aya asked him to stop in front of an apartment building. He had surmised earlier that she'd still be living with her parents. Oh well. Things had changed. He unlocked the doors of his Vios, and she alighted. But not before she thanked him and gave that smile she used to reserve for him.
At least some things stayed the same.
Tbc
Na says: Boring chapter. Mostly explanations. Sigh. There'll be more action in the next chapter, I hope. To everyone who was confused with the first chapter, I hope this one answered most of your questions.
Na explains: Their ages are twenty six; Miyu has four children, one six, and three two-year olds. I have watched the past episodes, and I know Aya and Rei are improving but the next episode's going to be somewhat of a shock. Okay, no more spoilers.