Chapter 15 - Shigeru & Tomoya
"Sojiro, over here!" called Akira, waving him over to their usual seats in the school café. Sojiro waved weakly and joined him at the table. The two remaining F4 have only one subject together and thus, would usually meet at the café for lunch. "Are you all right?" asked Akira, "You looked like you haven't slept for days." Sojiro shrugged and promptly threw his butt onto the seat. "Have been really restless these few days," he answered, "So, what has been happening with you?"
"The usual," replied Akira, "By the way, have you heard?" Sojiro shook his head. "About what?" he asked. "Tsukasa and Makino, of course," said Akira bemused that Sojiro would be out of touch with happenings, "Oneesan called Shigeru yesterday and said that those two will be fine in Boston as their mother has given the permission."
"That's good news," replied Sojiro, perking up a little, "It's great to see their relationship finally making progress." Akira nodded in agreement. "You think Tsukasa would make it this time," grinned Akira. "Huh?" answered a puzzled Sojiro. "His FIRST time," said Akira, "Why are you so dim-witted today?" Sojiro gave a weak smile and replied, "Maybe...but with Makino, I doubt so." Akira thought a while and nodded in agreement. "Maybe we should go over to Boston and help Tsukasa," he suggested. Sojiro gave the most incredulous look and exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind?" Akira smiled sheepishly and replied, "Just a suggestion."
They were about to begin on lunch when a shrilling voice called from across the café, "Sojiro! Akira!" The two frowned instantly as they knew the voice. Shigeru promptly skipped to their table and gleefully slapped both on their backs, causing them to spit their food out. "I'm so glad to see the both of you," she exclaimed, "Good news! Tsukasa and Tsukushi have gotten the permission!"
"So, we've heard," replied Sojiro annoyingly, "And will you stop being so monkey-like!?" Shigeru took no notice of that comment, pulled a chair and sat in between them. "Should we visit them?" she asked, "I would like to see them again. I bet they're so excited now that they would want to celebrate." Both boys shook their heads. "Why not?" she asked, puzzled, "Don't you want to congratulate them?"
"They are finally able to make some progress in their relationship," replied Akira, "Don't you think we should give them some space to breathe?" Sojiro nodded in agreement. "Then, where can we go this Christmas?" sighed Shigeru, throwing her hands in the air. "What about my holiday home in the Swiss Alps?" replied a male. All three jumped, as they were not expecting a fourth party.
Tomoya grinned as the trio turned around. "Hi," he waved. "Another brainless one who doesn't know what politeness is," whispered Akira to Sojiro. "What are you doing here?" asked Shigeru. "Asking for the return of my lunch partner," he replied. Sojiro and Akira looked confused while Shigeru's face turned red. "Which one of us?" asked a clueless Akira. Sojiro recognised that Shigeru was the one since Tomoya was standing behind her and nudged him. "Oh, I see," muttered Akira softly. "Of course, by all means," replied Sojiro, gesturing.
"Well, then," said Tomoya, "Shall we go?" Shigeru stood up quietly and muttered a soft 'see you' before following behind Tomoya meekly. When they were out of earshot, Akira and Sojiro broke into laughter. "I have to hand it to him," said Akira. "Me, too!" replied Sojiro, "He's damn good at training monkeys!"
************
Tsukushi drew her curtains and took a deep breath of the fresh air. The air smelled different and the approaching winter looked warm. She smiled and gazed at the street below. "This is going to be a really beautiful day," she thought and turned to her bed. She stared at the floor on which Tsukasa had slept for the past few weeks. He had shared the same room with her and yet the mornings never felt like this. Picking up her towel, Tsukushi head for the bathroom to freshen up.
The bathroom door on each side clicked open and both stood at each end of the room, staring at each other. Tsukasa was also up and had headed for the bathroom at the same time as her. Both were not expecting the other and the unexpected entrance had both feeling awkward. "Er..." stammered a red-faced Tsukushi, "Ohayo..." Tsukasa, red-faced, returned the greeting with a nod and make his way to the mirror. Tsukushi made her way there as well. "Here you go," said Tsukasa, passing her the toothbrush with toothpaste on it. He had squeezed it onto her toothbrush first before placing it on his.
She murmured a 'thank you' and took it shyly. Tsukasa gave her a smile, melting her within, and began on his brushing. She stole a glance at him and smiled. "If it's going to be like this every morning," thought Tsukushi, "I don't know if I can take it. But one thing for certain, Doumyoji's never going to disappear from my side nor I, his."
************
Tsubaki arrived at her home in Beverly Hills. "Welcome home, Madam," said the butler. "Where's my husband?" she asked. "He's in the study," answered the butler, "Shall I informed him?" Tsubaki shook her head and dismissed him as she ascended the stairs to the study. Kashiwagi Hiroshi was on the phone when Tsubaki entered the room. Her husband smiled and gestured for her to approach him.
Tsubaki took the seat opposite her husband and waited till he was off the phone. "Well, I'll speak to you later then, Mr Kugh," said Hiroshi. Placing the phone on its receiver, Hiroshi looked at his wife intently. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked, puzzled at his behaviour. "Cos' I haven't seen you for so long," he replied. Tsubaki blushed.
"Anyway, how's Tsukasa?" he asked, going over to her side, "Any problems with the school?" Tsubaki shook her head. "No, no problem with the school and Tsukasa's fine," she replied, "Thanks for making the necessary arrangements." Hiroshi took his wife's hand in his and said, "Anything for my wife." Tsubaki nod as she knew Hiroshi would always support her. "By the way, I've good news for you," informed her husband, "The investments we made have been cashed in with a profit of 6 million dollars."
Tsubaki's eyes widen with surprise. She had not expected her recommendations to make profits of that magnitude. She beamed and hugged her husband. "I'm so glad it did," she exclaimed, "This is my first dabble in real estate and we've made that much! It's so unbelievable!" Hiroshi smiled at his wife's excitement. "Now, can we talk about the kid?" asked Hiroshi innocently. A shy Tsubaki smiled and nodded.
************
"You get along very well with the F4, don't you?" asked Tomoya as the duo sat by the pond in the school garden. Shigeru nodded. "How is that so, given that they are almost the untouchables?" he asked again, giving her a puzzled look. Shigeru struggled internally as to whether she should tell him the truth. "Er..." she began and paused. "Well, if you don't want to, it's all right," shrugged Tomoya.
"Not that I don't want to," interjected Shigeru immediately, "It's just..." She recalled her first trip to the hot springs with Tsukasa, Tsukushi and Rui. That was the trip she had completely given herself to Tsukasa although it wasn't reciprocated. She didn't think it would be a good idea for Tomoya to know. "Maybe I just omit that in my narration," she thought quietly, "Yup! I should do just that."
Shigeru looked at him and took in a deep breath. "Well, Tsukasa and I were supposedly to be engaged," she began, "But I called it off because he did not love me. His heart was with someone else." She paused to see his reaction but all Tomoya did was nod and said nothing. Shigeru guessed she is to continue and thus, related the story of how she met Tsukushi at that time and found out she was Tsukasa's love, how those two had the roughest patch in their relationship, how she had helped with the rest of the F4 etc.
Tomoya listened to it with interest although he kept silent throughout. He did not want to interrupt such a fascinating story and it was entertaining to watch Shigeru with her hand gestures when it came to interesting parts. Tomoya delights in seeing her smile.
When she had finished and had noticed Tomoya staring intently at her with those brown eyes of his, Shigeru turned red. She shifted uncomfortably and looked down. Tomoya moved closer, cupped her face with his hand and brought her eyes to his. Her heart raced, knowing that she was about to be kissed. "I hoped my heart's not thumping too loudly," she thought. Tomoya brought his lips to hers and kissed it gently.
When they parted, Shigeru smiled and looked away quickly as her face glowed in redness. Tomoya was also a little embarrassed and to ease the tension, he asked innocently, "So, how far did you and Tsukasa go?" Shigeru's eyes popped out of its sockets. "Why, you..." she fumed and glared at him. Tomoya looked back at her innocently and asked, "What?" Shigeru stood up immediately and stomped off without replying him. "Why, that jerk!" she muttered angrily, "How could he ask such a question?!"
Tomoya watched as Shigeru disappeared into the school grounds and shrugged. "I was just asking a normal question," he muttered and got up from the ground. In a distance, the school bell had rung for the afternoon session.
"Sojiro, over here!" called Akira, waving him over to their usual seats in the school café. Sojiro waved weakly and joined him at the table. The two remaining F4 have only one subject together and thus, would usually meet at the café for lunch. "Are you all right?" asked Akira, "You looked like you haven't slept for days." Sojiro shrugged and promptly threw his butt onto the seat. "Have been really restless these few days," he answered, "So, what has been happening with you?"
"The usual," replied Akira, "By the way, have you heard?" Sojiro shook his head. "About what?" he asked. "Tsukasa and Makino, of course," said Akira bemused that Sojiro would be out of touch with happenings, "Oneesan called Shigeru yesterday and said that those two will be fine in Boston as their mother has given the permission."
"That's good news," replied Sojiro, perking up a little, "It's great to see their relationship finally making progress." Akira nodded in agreement. "You think Tsukasa would make it this time," grinned Akira. "Huh?" answered a puzzled Sojiro. "His FIRST time," said Akira, "Why are you so dim-witted today?" Sojiro gave a weak smile and replied, "Maybe...but with Makino, I doubt so." Akira thought a while and nodded in agreement. "Maybe we should go over to Boston and help Tsukasa," he suggested. Sojiro gave the most incredulous look and exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind?" Akira smiled sheepishly and replied, "Just a suggestion."
They were about to begin on lunch when a shrilling voice called from across the café, "Sojiro! Akira!" The two frowned instantly as they knew the voice. Shigeru promptly skipped to their table and gleefully slapped both on their backs, causing them to spit their food out. "I'm so glad to see the both of you," she exclaimed, "Good news! Tsukasa and Tsukushi have gotten the permission!"
"So, we've heard," replied Sojiro annoyingly, "And will you stop being so monkey-like!?" Shigeru took no notice of that comment, pulled a chair and sat in between them. "Should we visit them?" she asked, "I would like to see them again. I bet they're so excited now that they would want to celebrate." Both boys shook their heads. "Why not?" she asked, puzzled, "Don't you want to congratulate them?"
"They are finally able to make some progress in their relationship," replied Akira, "Don't you think we should give them some space to breathe?" Sojiro nodded in agreement. "Then, where can we go this Christmas?" sighed Shigeru, throwing her hands in the air. "What about my holiday home in the Swiss Alps?" replied a male. All three jumped, as they were not expecting a fourth party.
Tomoya grinned as the trio turned around. "Hi," he waved. "Another brainless one who doesn't know what politeness is," whispered Akira to Sojiro. "What are you doing here?" asked Shigeru. "Asking for the return of my lunch partner," he replied. Sojiro and Akira looked confused while Shigeru's face turned red. "Which one of us?" asked a clueless Akira. Sojiro recognised that Shigeru was the one since Tomoya was standing behind her and nudged him. "Oh, I see," muttered Akira softly. "Of course, by all means," replied Sojiro, gesturing.
"Well, then," said Tomoya, "Shall we go?" Shigeru stood up quietly and muttered a soft 'see you' before following behind Tomoya meekly. When they were out of earshot, Akira and Sojiro broke into laughter. "I have to hand it to him," said Akira. "Me, too!" replied Sojiro, "He's damn good at training monkeys!"
************
Tsukushi drew her curtains and took a deep breath of the fresh air. The air smelled different and the approaching winter looked warm. She smiled and gazed at the street below. "This is going to be a really beautiful day," she thought and turned to her bed. She stared at the floor on which Tsukasa had slept for the past few weeks. He had shared the same room with her and yet the mornings never felt like this. Picking up her towel, Tsukushi head for the bathroom to freshen up.
The bathroom door on each side clicked open and both stood at each end of the room, staring at each other. Tsukasa was also up and had headed for the bathroom at the same time as her. Both were not expecting the other and the unexpected entrance had both feeling awkward. "Er..." stammered a red-faced Tsukushi, "Ohayo..." Tsukasa, red-faced, returned the greeting with a nod and make his way to the mirror. Tsukushi made her way there as well. "Here you go," said Tsukasa, passing her the toothbrush with toothpaste on it. He had squeezed it onto her toothbrush first before placing it on his.
She murmured a 'thank you' and took it shyly. Tsukasa gave her a smile, melting her within, and began on his brushing. She stole a glance at him and smiled. "If it's going to be like this every morning," thought Tsukushi, "I don't know if I can take it. But one thing for certain, Doumyoji's never going to disappear from my side nor I, his."
************
Tsubaki arrived at her home in Beverly Hills. "Welcome home, Madam," said the butler. "Where's my husband?" she asked. "He's in the study," answered the butler, "Shall I informed him?" Tsubaki shook her head and dismissed him as she ascended the stairs to the study. Kashiwagi Hiroshi was on the phone when Tsubaki entered the room. Her husband smiled and gestured for her to approach him.
Tsubaki took the seat opposite her husband and waited till he was off the phone. "Well, I'll speak to you later then, Mr Kugh," said Hiroshi. Placing the phone on its receiver, Hiroshi looked at his wife intently. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked, puzzled at his behaviour. "Cos' I haven't seen you for so long," he replied. Tsubaki blushed.
"Anyway, how's Tsukasa?" he asked, going over to her side, "Any problems with the school?" Tsubaki shook her head. "No, no problem with the school and Tsukasa's fine," she replied, "Thanks for making the necessary arrangements." Hiroshi took his wife's hand in his and said, "Anything for my wife." Tsubaki nod as she knew Hiroshi would always support her. "By the way, I've good news for you," informed her husband, "The investments we made have been cashed in with a profit of 6 million dollars."
Tsubaki's eyes widen with surprise. She had not expected her recommendations to make profits of that magnitude. She beamed and hugged her husband. "I'm so glad it did," she exclaimed, "This is my first dabble in real estate and we've made that much! It's so unbelievable!" Hiroshi smiled at his wife's excitement. "Now, can we talk about the kid?" asked Hiroshi innocently. A shy Tsubaki smiled and nodded.
************
"You get along very well with the F4, don't you?" asked Tomoya as the duo sat by the pond in the school garden. Shigeru nodded. "How is that so, given that they are almost the untouchables?" he asked again, giving her a puzzled look. Shigeru struggled internally as to whether she should tell him the truth. "Er..." she began and paused. "Well, if you don't want to, it's all right," shrugged Tomoya.
"Not that I don't want to," interjected Shigeru immediately, "It's just..." She recalled her first trip to the hot springs with Tsukasa, Tsukushi and Rui. That was the trip she had completely given herself to Tsukasa although it wasn't reciprocated. She didn't think it would be a good idea for Tomoya to know. "Maybe I just omit that in my narration," she thought quietly, "Yup! I should do just that."
Shigeru looked at him and took in a deep breath. "Well, Tsukasa and I were supposedly to be engaged," she began, "But I called it off because he did not love me. His heart was with someone else." She paused to see his reaction but all Tomoya did was nod and said nothing. Shigeru guessed she is to continue and thus, related the story of how she met Tsukushi at that time and found out she was Tsukasa's love, how those two had the roughest patch in their relationship, how she had helped with the rest of the F4 etc.
Tomoya listened to it with interest although he kept silent throughout. He did not want to interrupt such a fascinating story and it was entertaining to watch Shigeru with her hand gestures when it came to interesting parts. Tomoya delights in seeing her smile.
When she had finished and had noticed Tomoya staring intently at her with those brown eyes of his, Shigeru turned red. She shifted uncomfortably and looked down. Tomoya moved closer, cupped her face with his hand and brought her eyes to his. Her heart raced, knowing that she was about to be kissed. "I hoped my heart's not thumping too loudly," she thought. Tomoya brought his lips to hers and kissed it gently.
When they parted, Shigeru smiled and looked away quickly as her face glowed in redness. Tomoya was also a little embarrassed and to ease the tension, he asked innocently, "So, how far did you and Tsukasa go?" Shigeru's eyes popped out of its sockets. "Why, you..." she fumed and glared at him. Tomoya looked back at her innocently and asked, "What?" Shigeru stood up immediately and stomped off without replying him. "Why, that jerk!" she muttered angrily, "How could he ask such a question?!"
Tomoya watched as Shigeru disappeared into the school grounds and shrugged. "I was just asking a normal question," he muttered and got up from the ground. In a distance, the school bell had rung for the afternoon session.