Chapter 23 - New York, New York
Tsukushi watched as the henchmen carry Tsukasa up the stairs into the awaiting jet. She herself was gagged and held in place by another two. "I thought this was going to be our year," she thought as tears welled up. "I'm sorry, Makino-san," apologised Nishita Masaki, "I'm under Madam Kaede's instructions." Tsukushi glared at him as she was ushered up the plane. "I'm sorry, Tsukasa-sama," whispered Masaki, climbing up to the jet after Tsukushi, "If I don't use this, I'll not be able to get the both of you on this plane."
"We are ready to take off," informed the co-pilot. Masaki nodded and turned to Tsukushi. "We should be in New York before nine tonight," he said and smiled. Tsukushi ignored him and turned to look at her beloved sitting motionlessly opposite her. She kicked him to awake him but to no avail. "It's no use, Makino-san," said the bodyguard, seated next to an unconscious Tsukasa, "He'll be out for quite some time." Tsukushi stared helplessly as the plane lift off the grounds of Boston and head towards New York.
************
"Shigeru, where are you?" asked Tomoya, as he paced the pavement outside of the café. "I'm sorry," apologised Shigeru, darting around her room with the mobile in toll, "I'm at home now. Something's crop up and I have to leave for New York with the F2. I can't meet up with you today." Her anxiety puzzled Tomoya. And then it dawned on him that it had to be her good friends there. "Has something happened to Doumyoji and Makino?" he asked hesitantly, wondering at the same time whether it was appropriate to probe.
"Yup!" replied Shigeru, throwing her sweaters into the opened suitcase, "Look, I'll call you when I get back." Tomoya was not about to let his fiancée deal with the tyrant - Doumyoji Kaede - alone. "I'll come with you," he said, getting into his car, "I'll pick you up in another 15 minutes."
"Really?" exclaimed an unbelieving Shigeru. "I'll be there to pick you up," replied Tomoya, "I need to pop by my home to get my passport first. See you soon." Igniting the engine, he took to the direction of his home.
Shigeru smiled as she placed her mobile on the bed and continued rummaging her cupboard for clothes to be packed. "Oh! Must not forget my shampoo," she muttered and walked to the bathroom, whistling, just as her mobile rang again. "Coming," she said, turning back out, "I swear, I'll never finish packing with this ringing."
"Shigeru here," she said nonchalantly. "Shigeru, where the hell are you?" yelled Akira on the other line, "We are already on our way to the airport. Sojiro has Yuki with him and we need an additional ticket."
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Shigeru, "I forgot about the tickets!" Akira sighed at the scatterbrain-ness of the would-be Mrs Minami. "Fine," replied Akira, "I'll call the airline and book the tickets. Will you just hurry and meet us there?!"
"I will," she answered, "Tomoya's coming to pick me up. By the way, could you get five tickets? He's coming along." Akira agreed before taking up another line to call the airline.
************
Sojiro looked around the airport for the duo as Yuki walked silently next to him. "They must be late," he mumbled, pulling out his mobile to dial Akira's number. "I'm sorry we have to leave without packing," apologised Sojiro. Yuki shook her head and smiled. Sojiro returned the smile just as Akira picked up his phone. "Akira," said Sojiro, "We are here. Where are you now?"
"At the entrance," replied Akira, "We've got to get tickets at the counter. That scatterbrain forgot to book us a flight. Anyway, I'll meet you at the check-in counter." Agreeing, Sojiro hung up the phone and turned to Yuki. "We'll meet them at the check-in counter," he informed, taking out his passport, "Pass me yours." Yuki nodded and dug into her bag for a fairly new passport.
"Looks like you haven't been travelling much," commented Sojiro as he examined her passport. Yuki nodded. "Well, that will change soon," said Sojiro. "Huh?" replied a dotted-eyed Yuki. Sojiro ignored her, reached out for her hand and held it. "We'd better hurry," he said, smiling at her. Yuki smiled and allowed herself to be held and led by him.
************
As fatigue eats into her, Tsukushi could no longer keep her eyes open. Tsukasa was out cold from the electric shock; there was nothing she could do to help. "Everything was fine," she thought, tears welling up again, "How could we lose it all just like that?! Heaven must be blind...Are you blind..." Her thoughts soon engulfed her into a deep sleep. The clouds outside the window bask in colours of red, yellow, brown and gold as the sun sets and night consume the light.
Nishita Masaki watched as the young lady next to him drifted off into slumber. He signalled for the attendant. "Get a pillow and a blanket for her," he instructed, "Do the same for Tsukasa-sama." The attendant nodded and disappeared to the back. She returned shortly with the blankets and pillows and handed it over to Masaki.
Maksaki threw the extra over to his subordinate before placing the blanket over Tsukushi and the pillow behind her head. He smiled at the innocence of the two and their struggle to be together. "It'll be over soon," he whispered before closing his eyes to catch a cat's nap.
************
"Yo," greeted Sojiro as the duo joined Akira at the counter, "Where's Shigeru?" Akira shrugged. "She should be here soon, I guess," he replied before turning to the attendant, "I would like five first-class tickets to New York." Yuki's eyes opened wide with surprise. "First...first class..." she stammered, "I...I can't afford that!"
Sojiro looked at her with amusement. "Were you expecting me to let you pay for that ticket?" he asked. Yuki remained speechless. "For your information, we weren't taught to allow girls to pay for anything," interjected Akira, "Don't worry about it."
"But..." hesitated Yuki. "It's all right," assured Sojiro, "Take it as a Christmas present." Akira looked at the both of them with suspicion and wondered if the duo had already done it. His thoughts were broken with Shigeru's greetings. "Hey, there!" she exclaimed. "Yo," greeted Tomoya. The trio returned their greetings. "What took you so long?" asked Akira annoyingly. "Got to pack," replied Shigeru. "Packed?!" exclaimed the F2. "None of us brought anything with us," said Sojiro. "And you've packed?!" continued Akira. They were facing an emergency here and the F2 were appalled that she could find the time to bring things along.
"Why not?" commented Shigeru nonchalantly, "You can't expect a girl to bring nothing for travelling." Akira and Sojiro stared at Tomoya and wondered what he sees in her. Tomoya shrugged. Akira slapped his palm to his forehead and shook his head. "I give up," sighed Akira. "I'm glad you're not her," whispered Sojiro to Yuki.
"Excuse me, Mimasaka-san," interrupted the attendant at the counter, "Any luggage to check-in?" Before Akira could utter a word, Shigeru popped in front of the attendant and held out her bag, "Mine!" The attendant smiled and checked the luggage in while the other four looked on with aghast at her cheerfulness despite the seriousness of the situation.
************
"I want you to go along with me in this," said Kaede to her daughter. Tsubaki's facial expression betrayed her surprise. "But, Mother..." she began. "No buts," said Kaede firmly, "It's for their good. I've got a meeting to go to now. They should arrive any time soon." Tsubaki watched speechlessly as her mother picked up her coat and walked out the door with her briefcase. "By the way," said her mother, "Your father thinks it's a great idea and he's all for it."
Tsubaki looked horrified. How was she to account to her brother and Tsukushi? As she pondered, a knock on the door broke her thoughts. "Hi, there!" greeted Hiroshi. Tsubaki smiled and got up to meet her husband. "Am so glad you're here," she said, hugging him. "I hope everything's fine," replied Hiroshi. Tsubaki nodded, feeling safe in his arms. With Hiroshi around, Tsubaki knew everything was going to be all right.
************
Tsukushi awoke to the sound of dying engine. She knew they had landed but she could not see anything in the darkness of the night. Tsukasa remained motionless opposite her. Kaede's right-hand man who was seated next to her was not around and so was the bodyguard next to Tsukasa. "This might be our only chance," she thought, kicking Tsukasa hard, "Wake up, Doumyoji! Wake up!" It was all in vain. The tool used was much more powerful than the one Shigeru had used on him the last time round.
"Yes, Madam," came a familiar voice from behind Tsukushi, "They're here...Yes...I'll bring them back to the mansion...Yes, Madam." She closed her eyes quickly and pretended to be still in slumber when Nishita Masaki returned. "She's still asleep," he muttered and signalled his subordinates over. "Take them to the mansion," he instructed, "Try not to wake the girl."
Tsukushi remained as motionless as she can while the henchman lifted her off the seat. She took a quick glance at Tsukasa who was being carried by another two. "Doumyoji," thought Tsukushi quietly, "Please wake up soon..."
************
Yuki stared out the window as the plane backed from the docking bay. This is the second time that she's on a plane. The last time was with Tsukushi to Canada for a holiday. This time, she's going to New York to save Tsukushi. How ironic! Tsukushi was always the one looking out for her; making sure that she would be unharmed. Yuki remembered the time when Tsukushi had gone out into the blizzard to search for her, thinking that she's out there snowboarding. Yuki cried when she realised that her friend may not make it out alive and how relieved she was when Tsukushi came back the next morning.
"Are you all right?" interrupted Sojiro into her thoughts. Yuki turned around, smiled weakly and nodded. "Makino's going to be fine," he assured, reading into her thoughts. "I know," replied Yuki, "She's Tsukushi." Sojiro smiled and placed his hand on hers. "Want a sweet?" popped Shigeru, with a tube, from behind the duo who stared at it dotted-eyed.
"Minami-san, can you please tame this animal of yours?!" commented Akira, seated on the other side of the plane. "I would if I could," replied Tomoya nonchalantly, "Besides, I like her the way she is." Shigeru turned red with embarrassment. "We're supposed to be on a mission trip, not a holiday," said Akira annoyingly. "Well, it didn't say we can't enjoy ourselves at the same time," retorted Tomoya. Shigeru, still red in the face, with dotted eyes, watched the two exchanged remarks with annoyance, as they spoke like she was invisible. "Somehow, this is going to be a really interesting trip," whispered Sojiro to an amused Yuki.
************
"Put her down gently," a female voice instructed. Although Tsukushi had her eyes closed, she found the voice familiar. "How long has she been asleep?" asked the female voice again. "Since we took off from Boston, Tsubaki-sama," replied a male. Tsukushi wanted very much to open her eyes immediately and question Tsubaki but she thought it would be better when the bodyguards had cleared. "All right, then," said Tsubaki, "You may all go now. Let her have her sleep."
Tsukushi opened her eyes when the bodyguards had cleared and the door closed. She adjusted her eyes to the darkness and watched as a feminine figure came close to the bed. "Tsubaki-oneesan," called Tsukushi softly. Tsubaki froze. "Tsukushi," said Tsubaki finally, "You're awake?" Tsukushi sat up as Tsubaki neared her. "What's going on, Tsubaki-oneesan?" she asked, "Why are we here? I thought you said that we'll be fine..." Her voice trailed off as tears choked her. Tsubaki hugged her as a big sister would to calm the little sister and assure her that things were all right.
Tsukushi welcomed the warmth and assurance but she wanted to know what's going on. "What's going on?" she asked again, "Where's Doumyoji?" Tsubaki made no reply. She wanted very much to tell Tsukushi but she was sworn to secrecy. "Tsukasa's in his room and he's fine but I can't tell you anything now," replied Tsubaki, "You'll know in time. Be patient."
Tsukushi could not believe her ears. "What's Tsubaki-oneesan saying?" thought Tsukushi as she frowned. "Trust me," said Tsubaki, "You'll have to be patient. You'll know when Christmas Eve comes." Tsukushi's mind twirled and spun. "Why Christmas Eve?" she thought as fear ceased her, "What's actually going on?...And Christmas Eve is a week away...Many things can happen..."
Tsukushi watched as the henchmen carry Tsukasa up the stairs into the awaiting jet. She herself was gagged and held in place by another two. "I thought this was going to be our year," she thought as tears welled up. "I'm sorry, Makino-san," apologised Nishita Masaki, "I'm under Madam Kaede's instructions." Tsukushi glared at him as she was ushered up the plane. "I'm sorry, Tsukasa-sama," whispered Masaki, climbing up to the jet after Tsukushi, "If I don't use this, I'll not be able to get the both of you on this plane."
"We are ready to take off," informed the co-pilot. Masaki nodded and turned to Tsukushi. "We should be in New York before nine tonight," he said and smiled. Tsukushi ignored him and turned to look at her beloved sitting motionlessly opposite her. She kicked him to awake him but to no avail. "It's no use, Makino-san," said the bodyguard, seated next to an unconscious Tsukasa, "He'll be out for quite some time." Tsukushi stared helplessly as the plane lift off the grounds of Boston and head towards New York.
************
"Shigeru, where are you?" asked Tomoya, as he paced the pavement outside of the café. "I'm sorry," apologised Shigeru, darting around her room with the mobile in toll, "I'm at home now. Something's crop up and I have to leave for New York with the F2. I can't meet up with you today." Her anxiety puzzled Tomoya. And then it dawned on him that it had to be her good friends there. "Has something happened to Doumyoji and Makino?" he asked hesitantly, wondering at the same time whether it was appropriate to probe.
"Yup!" replied Shigeru, throwing her sweaters into the opened suitcase, "Look, I'll call you when I get back." Tomoya was not about to let his fiancée deal with the tyrant - Doumyoji Kaede - alone. "I'll come with you," he said, getting into his car, "I'll pick you up in another 15 minutes."
"Really?" exclaimed an unbelieving Shigeru. "I'll be there to pick you up," replied Tomoya, "I need to pop by my home to get my passport first. See you soon." Igniting the engine, he took to the direction of his home.
Shigeru smiled as she placed her mobile on the bed and continued rummaging her cupboard for clothes to be packed. "Oh! Must not forget my shampoo," she muttered and walked to the bathroom, whistling, just as her mobile rang again. "Coming," she said, turning back out, "I swear, I'll never finish packing with this ringing."
"Shigeru here," she said nonchalantly. "Shigeru, where the hell are you?" yelled Akira on the other line, "We are already on our way to the airport. Sojiro has Yuki with him and we need an additional ticket."
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Shigeru, "I forgot about the tickets!" Akira sighed at the scatterbrain-ness of the would-be Mrs Minami. "Fine," replied Akira, "I'll call the airline and book the tickets. Will you just hurry and meet us there?!"
"I will," she answered, "Tomoya's coming to pick me up. By the way, could you get five tickets? He's coming along." Akira agreed before taking up another line to call the airline.
************
Sojiro looked around the airport for the duo as Yuki walked silently next to him. "They must be late," he mumbled, pulling out his mobile to dial Akira's number. "I'm sorry we have to leave without packing," apologised Sojiro. Yuki shook her head and smiled. Sojiro returned the smile just as Akira picked up his phone. "Akira," said Sojiro, "We are here. Where are you now?"
"At the entrance," replied Akira, "We've got to get tickets at the counter. That scatterbrain forgot to book us a flight. Anyway, I'll meet you at the check-in counter." Agreeing, Sojiro hung up the phone and turned to Yuki. "We'll meet them at the check-in counter," he informed, taking out his passport, "Pass me yours." Yuki nodded and dug into her bag for a fairly new passport.
"Looks like you haven't been travelling much," commented Sojiro as he examined her passport. Yuki nodded. "Well, that will change soon," said Sojiro. "Huh?" replied a dotted-eyed Yuki. Sojiro ignored her, reached out for her hand and held it. "We'd better hurry," he said, smiling at her. Yuki smiled and allowed herself to be held and led by him.
************
As fatigue eats into her, Tsukushi could no longer keep her eyes open. Tsukasa was out cold from the electric shock; there was nothing she could do to help. "Everything was fine," she thought, tears welling up again, "How could we lose it all just like that?! Heaven must be blind...Are you blind..." Her thoughts soon engulfed her into a deep sleep. The clouds outside the window bask in colours of red, yellow, brown and gold as the sun sets and night consume the light.
Nishita Masaki watched as the young lady next to him drifted off into slumber. He signalled for the attendant. "Get a pillow and a blanket for her," he instructed, "Do the same for Tsukasa-sama." The attendant nodded and disappeared to the back. She returned shortly with the blankets and pillows and handed it over to Masaki.
Maksaki threw the extra over to his subordinate before placing the blanket over Tsukushi and the pillow behind her head. He smiled at the innocence of the two and their struggle to be together. "It'll be over soon," he whispered before closing his eyes to catch a cat's nap.
************
"Yo," greeted Sojiro as the duo joined Akira at the counter, "Where's Shigeru?" Akira shrugged. "She should be here soon, I guess," he replied before turning to the attendant, "I would like five first-class tickets to New York." Yuki's eyes opened wide with surprise. "First...first class..." she stammered, "I...I can't afford that!"
Sojiro looked at her with amusement. "Were you expecting me to let you pay for that ticket?" he asked. Yuki remained speechless. "For your information, we weren't taught to allow girls to pay for anything," interjected Akira, "Don't worry about it."
"But..." hesitated Yuki. "It's all right," assured Sojiro, "Take it as a Christmas present." Akira looked at the both of them with suspicion and wondered if the duo had already done it. His thoughts were broken with Shigeru's greetings. "Hey, there!" she exclaimed. "Yo," greeted Tomoya. The trio returned their greetings. "What took you so long?" asked Akira annoyingly. "Got to pack," replied Shigeru. "Packed?!" exclaimed the F2. "None of us brought anything with us," said Sojiro. "And you've packed?!" continued Akira. They were facing an emergency here and the F2 were appalled that she could find the time to bring things along.
"Why not?" commented Shigeru nonchalantly, "You can't expect a girl to bring nothing for travelling." Akira and Sojiro stared at Tomoya and wondered what he sees in her. Tomoya shrugged. Akira slapped his palm to his forehead and shook his head. "I give up," sighed Akira. "I'm glad you're not her," whispered Sojiro to Yuki.
"Excuse me, Mimasaka-san," interrupted the attendant at the counter, "Any luggage to check-in?" Before Akira could utter a word, Shigeru popped in front of the attendant and held out her bag, "Mine!" The attendant smiled and checked the luggage in while the other four looked on with aghast at her cheerfulness despite the seriousness of the situation.
************
"I want you to go along with me in this," said Kaede to her daughter. Tsubaki's facial expression betrayed her surprise. "But, Mother..." she began. "No buts," said Kaede firmly, "It's for their good. I've got a meeting to go to now. They should arrive any time soon." Tsubaki watched speechlessly as her mother picked up her coat and walked out the door with her briefcase. "By the way," said her mother, "Your father thinks it's a great idea and he's all for it."
Tsubaki looked horrified. How was she to account to her brother and Tsukushi? As she pondered, a knock on the door broke her thoughts. "Hi, there!" greeted Hiroshi. Tsubaki smiled and got up to meet her husband. "Am so glad you're here," she said, hugging him. "I hope everything's fine," replied Hiroshi. Tsubaki nodded, feeling safe in his arms. With Hiroshi around, Tsubaki knew everything was going to be all right.
************
Tsukushi awoke to the sound of dying engine. She knew they had landed but she could not see anything in the darkness of the night. Tsukasa remained motionless opposite her. Kaede's right-hand man who was seated next to her was not around and so was the bodyguard next to Tsukasa. "This might be our only chance," she thought, kicking Tsukasa hard, "Wake up, Doumyoji! Wake up!" It was all in vain. The tool used was much more powerful than the one Shigeru had used on him the last time round.
"Yes, Madam," came a familiar voice from behind Tsukushi, "They're here...Yes...I'll bring them back to the mansion...Yes, Madam." She closed her eyes quickly and pretended to be still in slumber when Nishita Masaki returned. "She's still asleep," he muttered and signalled his subordinates over. "Take them to the mansion," he instructed, "Try not to wake the girl."
Tsukushi remained as motionless as she can while the henchman lifted her off the seat. She took a quick glance at Tsukasa who was being carried by another two. "Doumyoji," thought Tsukushi quietly, "Please wake up soon..."
************
Yuki stared out the window as the plane backed from the docking bay. This is the second time that she's on a plane. The last time was with Tsukushi to Canada for a holiday. This time, she's going to New York to save Tsukushi. How ironic! Tsukushi was always the one looking out for her; making sure that she would be unharmed. Yuki remembered the time when Tsukushi had gone out into the blizzard to search for her, thinking that she's out there snowboarding. Yuki cried when she realised that her friend may not make it out alive and how relieved she was when Tsukushi came back the next morning.
"Are you all right?" interrupted Sojiro into her thoughts. Yuki turned around, smiled weakly and nodded. "Makino's going to be fine," he assured, reading into her thoughts. "I know," replied Yuki, "She's Tsukushi." Sojiro smiled and placed his hand on hers. "Want a sweet?" popped Shigeru, with a tube, from behind the duo who stared at it dotted-eyed.
"Minami-san, can you please tame this animal of yours?!" commented Akira, seated on the other side of the plane. "I would if I could," replied Tomoya nonchalantly, "Besides, I like her the way she is." Shigeru turned red with embarrassment. "We're supposed to be on a mission trip, not a holiday," said Akira annoyingly. "Well, it didn't say we can't enjoy ourselves at the same time," retorted Tomoya. Shigeru, still red in the face, with dotted eyes, watched the two exchanged remarks with annoyance, as they spoke like she was invisible. "Somehow, this is going to be a really interesting trip," whispered Sojiro to an amused Yuki.
************
"Put her down gently," a female voice instructed. Although Tsukushi had her eyes closed, she found the voice familiar. "How long has she been asleep?" asked the female voice again. "Since we took off from Boston, Tsubaki-sama," replied a male. Tsukushi wanted very much to open her eyes immediately and question Tsubaki but she thought it would be better when the bodyguards had cleared. "All right, then," said Tsubaki, "You may all go now. Let her have her sleep."
Tsukushi opened her eyes when the bodyguards had cleared and the door closed. She adjusted her eyes to the darkness and watched as a feminine figure came close to the bed. "Tsubaki-oneesan," called Tsukushi softly. Tsubaki froze. "Tsukushi," said Tsubaki finally, "You're awake?" Tsukushi sat up as Tsubaki neared her. "What's going on, Tsubaki-oneesan?" she asked, "Why are we here? I thought you said that we'll be fine..." Her voice trailed off as tears choked her. Tsubaki hugged her as a big sister would to calm the little sister and assure her that things were all right.
Tsukushi welcomed the warmth and assurance but she wanted to know what's going on. "What's going on?" she asked again, "Where's Doumyoji?" Tsubaki made no reply. She wanted very much to tell Tsukushi but she was sworn to secrecy. "Tsukasa's in his room and he's fine but I can't tell you anything now," replied Tsubaki, "You'll know in time. Be patient."
Tsukushi could not believe her ears. "What's Tsubaki-oneesan saying?" thought Tsukushi as she frowned. "Trust me," said Tsubaki, "You'll have to be patient. You'll know when Christmas Eve comes." Tsukushi's mind twirled and spun. "Why Christmas Eve?" she thought as fear ceased her, "What's actually going on?...And Christmas Eve is a week away...Many things can happen..."