Chapter 09 - Kashiwagi Hiroshi
Shigeru rushed out of her class as soon as the bell rang for the end of the day. "Shigeru," called Sakurako, "Where are you rushing off to?" Shigeru waved her hand in the air and disappeared around the corner. "Sakurako, what are you looking at?" asked Kazuya, coming up behind her. "Nothing," she replied, "Looks like Shigeru won't be able to join us today for tea."
"Oh, well," replied Kazuya nonchalantly, "We'll make it a date for the two of us then." Sakurako frowned and retorted, "What date?! I'm just going out to have tea with you because...because..." She could not find the words to phrase her excuse. "Because..." probed Kazuya, grinning. "Nothing!" she replied, turning on her heels, "I'm going home today. We can call off the tea!" Kazuya stood flabbergasted as Sakurako stomped off.
Shigeru peered into the classroom of Minami Tomoya. "He's not here," she muttered softly and turned to go. "Looking for me?" came a familiar voice behind her. She turned and came face to face with Tomoya. "Er...yes," she replied hesitantly. "What can I do for you?" he asked, giving her a smile. "Er...How's Miki?" she replied nervously as the tall and lanky brown-haired lad stared at her. "I think she's fine," Tomoya replied, "I don't think that's what you want to know, right?" He looked at her thoughtfully.
She was not used to being stared at and her face turned red with awkwardness. "What's wrong with me?" she wondered, "I came to get even with him and...and...here I am..." Tomoya gave her a puzzled look. "Never mind," replied Shigeru as she turned on her heels but he caught hold of her arm. "Hold on," said Tomoya, "Don't leave me hanging. You're come to ask something from me, isn't it?"
"Let go of me," said Shigeru annoyingly, "I've nothing to say to you." Jerking her arm away from his grip, Shigeru make an about turn and walked off, leaving a smirking Tomoya behind. "Interesting," he muttered.
************
Doumyoji Kaede stared out the window at the streets below. The words 'He's my son and he will obey me' echoed in her mind. She sighed and muttered quietly, "I'm becoming my mother-in-law..." Kaede clenched her fists and thumped it on the windowsill. "Are you all right?" asked Seiryo. Kaede spun around to see her husband entering the room. "Has Tsubaki left?" she asked as she took her seat at the table. Seiryo nodded and replied, "Well, I thought we should talk about the merger business since decisions have to be made before the board meeting." Kaede opened her files as a sign that she was ready to discuss the issue. However, at the back of her mind, she wondered why her husband was not probing into Tsukasa's matter.
************
"Welcome back, Ms Doumyoji," greeted the butler as Tsubaki entered the grand halls of her parents' New York residence. "I'll be in the study," she informed and headed for the stairs. As she ascended it, she pondered on the conversation she had with her father. "I never had a chance to know her," muttered Tsubaki quietly, "I'd never known my mother. I'd never thought..." She sighed. Entering the oak wood decorated study, Tsubaki made her way to the couch in front of the fireplace.
"Excuse me, Ms Doumyoji," interrupted the butler. Tsubaki turned. "Mr Kashiwagi is on the line for you," he informed. Tsubaki stood up and walked over to the table as the butler closed the door. "Hello," she said as she picked up the phone. "Tsubaki, it's me," said the voice on the other line, "Got your message last night. When will you be back?" Tsubaki made no reply. "Tsubaki, are you all right?" asked a concerned Kashiwagi. "I'm fine, Hiroshi," she replied quietly, "I'm gonna stay for a few more days."
"All right, then," he replied, "I'll see you when you're home." Kashiwagi Hiroshi, the son of a television magnate, has been in love with Doumyoji Tsubaki ever since they met at a party some 4 years ago. She was then the talk of the town and every guy's dream. What he did not know then was that she would be his wife a year later.
The arranged marriage was against her will and it was then that Hiroshi discovered she was in love with someone else. He wanted very much to meet the love of her life - the guy who had captivated her heart - and to find out what it is that has endeared Tsubaki to him. But alas, he was never given a chance as the marriage took place a week after the engagement was announced.
The wedding was a grand affair and everything went as planned but the bride was not a happy one. Hiroshi did not like the fact that the girl he loved had her heart somewhere else and decided that he would woo her after the marriage. He had promised to wait till she accepts him before they consummated their marriage. And it had been that way for the first year of their marriage. He never pressured her and allowed her freedom. Hiroshi's parents never understood why but they trusted their son's decision.
Tsubaki was grateful to Hiroshi for his magnanimous heart and she worked hard at forgetting her love. It wasn't easy for the pain was deeply pierced into her heart by her mother. She never did forgive her for what she did. It was Hiroshi who had helped eased the pain by being the patient and loving person he was. If Hiroshi had forced himself on her, it would have been worse and she would never have forgiven her mother for what she had done.
Placing the receiver back on the cradle, Tsubaki stared out the window and wondered if she had been too rash in judging her mother. "I think I should give them a call first," muttered Tsubaki, "That brother of mine might do something rash before they even have a chance." With that thought, she picked up the phone and dialled the dormitory's number.
************
"Doumyoji, what are you doing in there?" yelled Tsukushi as she pounded the bathroom door, "I want to use the bathroom. You've been hogging it for the past hour." Tsukasa frowned and yelled, "It's my private time so go away." Tsukushi was about to reply when she heard a knock on the door. "Coming," she said and grumbled as she went on her way to open the door, "I can't believe he would hog the bathroom for so long. Whatever business he's doing should be done by now!"
"Hi," greeted the young man at the door, "Are you Sukoshi?" She nodded. "There's a phone call for you," he said, pointing down the corridor, "It's a lady by the name of Dou...Dou something." Tsukushi smiled and thanked him before hurrying down the corridor to the phone.
"Tsubaki-Oneesan," came Tsukushi's greeting on the phone, "How are you?" Tsubaki was relieved to hear her voice, as it was an indication that her brother had not yet done anything silly. "Tsukushi, I'm glad you're still in the dormitory," said Tsubaki. "I'm glad to get your call," replied Tsukushi, gripping the phone tightly. Never before had Tsukushi felt so nervous, but this phone call was important - it determined her future. "Tsukushi, listen up," said Tsubaki firmly, "I want the both of you to remain in Boston no matter what happens. Stay together. Everything will be fine. Trust me..."
************
Tsukasa sat in the shower wondering if tonight was going to be a night of peaceful sleep or a night of frenzy escapement. Sighing aloud, he reached for his bathrobe and got out of the shower. Unlocking the door on her side, Tsukasa entered her room. "Yo, you can use the bathroom now," he said, looking up. When he realised that she was not in the room and the main door was ajar, fear seized him. It was a fear much worse than when she had gone off with Junpei and it paralysed him.
Wild thoughts ran through his mind and he looked frantically out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of some men with a struggling girl but he saw none. Just as he was about to dash out the main door, Tsukushi appeared. Tsukasa regained his composure before anger sets in. "Where the hell did you go?!" he yelled, "You should have informed me or left a note! And why was the door ajar?!" Tsukushi could not comprehend what had happened and wondered why she was being screamed at. Anger got the better of her as well and she rebutted, "How am I supposed to inform you when the bathroom door is locked?! And why can't I leave the door open?!"
The duo stared at each other - both red with anger. "I can't believe that I'm in love with this girl," thought Tsukasa, "Who does not even realised what she had done. How stupid can she get?!" Tsukushi glared at Tsukasa, clenching her fists. Neither made a move. "Why did he lose his temper for?" thought Tsukushi angrily, "I was out along the corridors and I don't see a need..." It then dawned on Tsukushi as she placed the pieces together - Tsukasa in his bathrobe, door ajar, no note, Tsubaki's New York trip, their conversation earlier - that Tsukasa thought she had been kidnapped and hence, the outburst.
"It wasn't anger," thought Tsukushi, "It was worry that had him bursting with anger." She stared carefully into his eyes and saw that worry. The anger in her faded away as she released the tension in her hand. "Doumyoji," she said softly, "I'm sorry. I'll inform you the next time." Tsukasa looked at the girl in front of him speechless. "She read my mind again," thought Tsukasa and without a word, he walked up and pulled her into his arms.
"Doumyoji, I'm sorry," she mumbled. "Don't apologise, you silly girl," replied Tsukasa softly, tightening his embrace, "I should be the one." Tsukushi's heart melted at those words - the great Doumyoji Tsukasa would never apologise to anyone except her. "Er... Doumyoji," she said as Tsukasa released her, "Your sister called."
Shigeru rushed out of her class as soon as the bell rang for the end of the day. "Shigeru," called Sakurako, "Where are you rushing off to?" Shigeru waved her hand in the air and disappeared around the corner. "Sakurako, what are you looking at?" asked Kazuya, coming up behind her. "Nothing," she replied, "Looks like Shigeru won't be able to join us today for tea."
"Oh, well," replied Kazuya nonchalantly, "We'll make it a date for the two of us then." Sakurako frowned and retorted, "What date?! I'm just going out to have tea with you because...because..." She could not find the words to phrase her excuse. "Because..." probed Kazuya, grinning. "Nothing!" she replied, turning on her heels, "I'm going home today. We can call off the tea!" Kazuya stood flabbergasted as Sakurako stomped off.
Shigeru peered into the classroom of Minami Tomoya. "He's not here," she muttered softly and turned to go. "Looking for me?" came a familiar voice behind her. She turned and came face to face with Tomoya. "Er...yes," she replied hesitantly. "What can I do for you?" he asked, giving her a smile. "Er...How's Miki?" she replied nervously as the tall and lanky brown-haired lad stared at her. "I think she's fine," Tomoya replied, "I don't think that's what you want to know, right?" He looked at her thoughtfully.
She was not used to being stared at and her face turned red with awkwardness. "What's wrong with me?" she wondered, "I came to get even with him and...and...here I am..." Tomoya gave her a puzzled look. "Never mind," replied Shigeru as she turned on her heels but he caught hold of her arm. "Hold on," said Tomoya, "Don't leave me hanging. You're come to ask something from me, isn't it?"
"Let go of me," said Shigeru annoyingly, "I've nothing to say to you." Jerking her arm away from his grip, Shigeru make an about turn and walked off, leaving a smirking Tomoya behind. "Interesting," he muttered.
************
Doumyoji Kaede stared out the window at the streets below. The words 'He's my son and he will obey me' echoed in her mind. She sighed and muttered quietly, "I'm becoming my mother-in-law..." Kaede clenched her fists and thumped it on the windowsill. "Are you all right?" asked Seiryo. Kaede spun around to see her husband entering the room. "Has Tsubaki left?" she asked as she took her seat at the table. Seiryo nodded and replied, "Well, I thought we should talk about the merger business since decisions have to be made before the board meeting." Kaede opened her files as a sign that she was ready to discuss the issue. However, at the back of her mind, she wondered why her husband was not probing into Tsukasa's matter.
************
"Welcome back, Ms Doumyoji," greeted the butler as Tsubaki entered the grand halls of her parents' New York residence. "I'll be in the study," she informed and headed for the stairs. As she ascended it, she pondered on the conversation she had with her father. "I never had a chance to know her," muttered Tsubaki quietly, "I'd never known my mother. I'd never thought..." She sighed. Entering the oak wood decorated study, Tsubaki made her way to the couch in front of the fireplace.
"Excuse me, Ms Doumyoji," interrupted the butler. Tsubaki turned. "Mr Kashiwagi is on the line for you," he informed. Tsubaki stood up and walked over to the table as the butler closed the door. "Hello," she said as she picked up the phone. "Tsubaki, it's me," said the voice on the other line, "Got your message last night. When will you be back?" Tsubaki made no reply. "Tsubaki, are you all right?" asked a concerned Kashiwagi. "I'm fine, Hiroshi," she replied quietly, "I'm gonna stay for a few more days."
"All right, then," he replied, "I'll see you when you're home." Kashiwagi Hiroshi, the son of a television magnate, has been in love with Doumyoji Tsubaki ever since they met at a party some 4 years ago. She was then the talk of the town and every guy's dream. What he did not know then was that she would be his wife a year later.
The arranged marriage was against her will and it was then that Hiroshi discovered she was in love with someone else. He wanted very much to meet the love of her life - the guy who had captivated her heart - and to find out what it is that has endeared Tsubaki to him. But alas, he was never given a chance as the marriage took place a week after the engagement was announced.
The wedding was a grand affair and everything went as planned but the bride was not a happy one. Hiroshi did not like the fact that the girl he loved had her heart somewhere else and decided that he would woo her after the marriage. He had promised to wait till she accepts him before they consummated their marriage. And it had been that way for the first year of their marriage. He never pressured her and allowed her freedom. Hiroshi's parents never understood why but they trusted their son's decision.
Tsubaki was grateful to Hiroshi for his magnanimous heart and she worked hard at forgetting her love. It wasn't easy for the pain was deeply pierced into her heart by her mother. She never did forgive her for what she did. It was Hiroshi who had helped eased the pain by being the patient and loving person he was. If Hiroshi had forced himself on her, it would have been worse and she would never have forgiven her mother for what she had done.
Placing the receiver back on the cradle, Tsubaki stared out the window and wondered if she had been too rash in judging her mother. "I think I should give them a call first," muttered Tsubaki, "That brother of mine might do something rash before they even have a chance." With that thought, she picked up the phone and dialled the dormitory's number.
************
"Doumyoji, what are you doing in there?" yelled Tsukushi as she pounded the bathroom door, "I want to use the bathroom. You've been hogging it for the past hour." Tsukasa frowned and yelled, "It's my private time so go away." Tsukushi was about to reply when she heard a knock on the door. "Coming," she said and grumbled as she went on her way to open the door, "I can't believe he would hog the bathroom for so long. Whatever business he's doing should be done by now!"
"Hi," greeted the young man at the door, "Are you Sukoshi?" She nodded. "There's a phone call for you," he said, pointing down the corridor, "It's a lady by the name of Dou...Dou something." Tsukushi smiled and thanked him before hurrying down the corridor to the phone.
"Tsubaki-Oneesan," came Tsukushi's greeting on the phone, "How are you?" Tsubaki was relieved to hear her voice, as it was an indication that her brother had not yet done anything silly. "Tsukushi, I'm glad you're still in the dormitory," said Tsubaki. "I'm glad to get your call," replied Tsukushi, gripping the phone tightly. Never before had Tsukushi felt so nervous, but this phone call was important - it determined her future. "Tsukushi, listen up," said Tsubaki firmly, "I want the both of you to remain in Boston no matter what happens. Stay together. Everything will be fine. Trust me..."
************
Tsukasa sat in the shower wondering if tonight was going to be a night of peaceful sleep or a night of frenzy escapement. Sighing aloud, he reached for his bathrobe and got out of the shower. Unlocking the door on her side, Tsukasa entered her room. "Yo, you can use the bathroom now," he said, looking up. When he realised that she was not in the room and the main door was ajar, fear seized him. It was a fear much worse than when she had gone off with Junpei and it paralysed him.
Wild thoughts ran through his mind and he looked frantically out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of some men with a struggling girl but he saw none. Just as he was about to dash out the main door, Tsukushi appeared. Tsukasa regained his composure before anger sets in. "Where the hell did you go?!" he yelled, "You should have informed me or left a note! And why was the door ajar?!" Tsukushi could not comprehend what had happened and wondered why she was being screamed at. Anger got the better of her as well and she rebutted, "How am I supposed to inform you when the bathroom door is locked?! And why can't I leave the door open?!"
The duo stared at each other - both red with anger. "I can't believe that I'm in love with this girl," thought Tsukasa, "Who does not even realised what she had done. How stupid can she get?!" Tsukushi glared at Tsukasa, clenching her fists. Neither made a move. "Why did he lose his temper for?" thought Tsukushi angrily, "I was out along the corridors and I don't see a need..." It then dawned on Tsukushi as she placed the pieces together - Tsukasa in his bathrobe, door ajar, no note, Tsubaki's New York trip, their conversation earlier - that Tsukasa thought she had been kidnapped and hence, the outburst.
"It wasn't anger," thought Tsukushi, "It was worry that had him bursting with anger." She stared carefully into his eyes and saw that worry. The anger in her faded away as she released the tension in her hand. "Doumyoji," she said softly, "I'm sorry. I'll inform you the next time." Tsukasa looked at the girl in front of him speechless. "She read my mind again," thought Tsukasa and without a word, he walked up and pulled her into his arms.
"Doumyoji, I'm sorry," she mumbled. "Don't apologise, you silly girl," replied Tsukasa softly, tightening his embrace, "I should be the one." Tsukushi's heart melted at those words - the great Doumyoji Tsukasa would never apologise to anyone except her. "Er... Doumyoji," she said as Tsukasa released her, "Your sister called."