Love Generation: True Love Never Runs Smooth
Disclaimer: All rights and privileges to Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shuiesha, Sony Music Entertainment, and associated parties. All rights and privileges to Love Generation belong to Fuji TV, Koiwai Hiroyoshi, Nagayama Kouzou, Kimura Tatsuaki; Asano Taeko and Ozaki Masaya; Script translation by CJ Morikai at http: //www. geocities.c om/mor ikai/lovege n/LG0 0.h tml. The characters of this series are used without permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. So don't sue.
Act 2.1: Onigiri and The Question
Friday, 7:30 PM
Kaoru shut down her pc and reached for her bag, swinging her hair and her worries away. Shouldering it, she sang out her cheery farewell, I'm leaving now A sea of heads bent frenziedly over their work greeted her eyes, although a few did manage to drag themselves away to mumble the customary response. Most, though, were rushing work, eager to finish up earlier for family and friends
Kenshin's voice soared over the other office sounds. He was bent over the phone, clutching the receiver tightly. How can they not have done anything? They KNOW the Hokkaido deadline is coming up He began kneading his forehead with his free hand, wincing as if in physical pain. Well, fine. I know what I have to do at least His last words were biting in their bitterness.
Kaoru left the office slowly, lost in thought.
4:50 PM
Kenshin was banging away at his laptop, files and papers strewn haphazardly all over the large table next to Saitou's desk. The large office clock ticked the minutes off audibly, each stroke amplified by the particular emptiness of a deserted office on a Saturday afternoon. He paused to pull at his collar where it chafed. One good thing about working on weekends, he reflected, was the freedom to do whatever you wanted. He grabbed a set of reading and sank backwards in his seat, resting his boots on Saitou's table.
How dare you desecrate office property!!!
Kenshin toppled over with a yelp. Painfully he pulled himself to a standing position, looking to see who had upset him. He let out a groan when he found the source of disturbance. You again!
Hi hi! Kaoru waved cheerily with her free hand. She was dressed in khakis and an oversized grey cable-knit jumper, her suede messenger bag slung across her front, hair caught up from her neck in a French twist. Her other hand was deliberately tucked behind her back.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed. What are you doing here anyway?
She grinned falsely, and made a little snipping motion with her hand.
Don't be an idiot! He couldn't suppress the note of panic in his voice, or the reflexive response to back nervously into the wall. What do you want to cut this time?
The fake grin dissolved and she screwed her nose up at him, tsking, Will you relax? I'm only kidding!
Kenshin didn't sound convinced. There's not much left of my hair to cut you know.
Oh please She stepped up to the table and took out what she had been hiding behind her back – a Hello Kitty lunchbox. Depositing it by his laptop, she announced, This – is to make up for that. She looked up at Kenshin, who still had his back firmly pressed against the wall.
Reluctantly, he detached himself, approaching her warily, You made this? he lifted his chin at the box.
she smiled proudly as she removed the cover with a flourish, You don't know my powers! Look at this
Neat rows of onigiri, tightly packed, wasabi, pickled ginger and even a sprig of parsley for ornamentation. He eased himself back into his chair, eyeing them doubtfully. he allowed.
She hmphed. Looks delicious you mean Handing him a pair of chopsticks, she nodded confidently. Go on – see if I'm wrong. Try one
He took the chopsticks and gingerly eased a well-formed onigiri out of its place. It certain looked impressive – uniquely shaped, exactingly symmetrical. All-in-all prettyfamiliar.
Where have I seen something like this before? Kenshin mused out loud.
The lunchbox cover clattered noisily on to the table, You'll need some tea to go with that won't you? I'll make some while you eat – hurry up, before it .. um spoils or something Kaoru turned hastily away.
I know! Kenshin waved the onigiri for emphasis. This comes from the convenience store two blocks away, doesn't it? The one on the street corner with the ice cream coolers out front
Kaoru spun around slowly to face him, sticking out her lower lip. Found me out huh? Too bad.
Kenshin brought the onigiri to her, and waved it in her face. I can't believe you dared to pull that on me. You know I live alone. Don't you realise I've mapped out every convenience store in the six-mile radius, and that I know what comes from where?
Kaoru rolled her eyes. Okay, fine – so we all agree you have a very sad life. Will you stop complaining already and just eat it?! Kenshin grimaced as he stuffed the onigiri back into its place, - and then get back to work!!
She edged past him and bent over his laptop, peering critically at the screen. Oh - !!
Now what? Kenshin grumbled.
She turned to him, disbelief etched into all her features. You have to be kidding me right? You're actually thinking of submitting it this way? she gestured at the screen. Kenshin squinted his eyes and shrugged. Of all the idiots she turned back to the laptop, hands flying over the keys furiously. NO ONE puts numbers all out like that you have to use a graph so that even bigger idiots than you can understand what's going on with one look! She dumped herself in his seat and began rearranging his spreadsheet, complaining as she went, What a mess! Absolutely shocking Kenshin looked on mutely as she worked. By the way, she executed a pivot table, You're welcome.
She turned to look up at him over her shoulder. You're saying Thank you in your heart. I heard it, so I'm just responding.
He caught himself in time. I wasn't – ! Of all the dumb things to say –
She raised her eyebrows sceptically, just as his cell phone rang.
He answered it, glad to get away from her knowing look.
Kenshin? It's Aoshi. Look, something urgent just came up. Can you go to the ballet in my place?
Kenshin frowned, I don't know if I can – I'm pretty busy too
Please? I'll meet you both after the ballet, at her place. We re having dinner there – you come too. Aoshi blocked out the speaker as a handcuffed man was escorted into his office. He turned back to the phone after receiving the case file. I'm sorry, I have to go – thanks. He rung off.
"What happened?" Kaoru cocked her head curiously.
Kenshin turned to her abruptly. "Something's come up. Sorry, you don't have to help, I'll do it later...." He reached for his backpack and swung it on, readying himself to leave.
Where are you going? Kaoru asked.
On a date, okay? A date! I'm busy! Kenshin threw the answer over his shoulder as he hurried out of the office.
With Tomoe?
Her question was left hanging in the empty air.
*****
5:15PM
Kenshin ran up the steps leading from the street to the main entrance of the theatre. Arriving at the top, he paused to catch his breath, catching sight of Tomoe as he did.
he puffed, as she stepped up to meet him, Aniki (older brother) called – he's held up at work.
He drew himself up to look her in the face, but her expression was unreadable. are we late?
No, but- she gestured to the signboard that stood just behind the glass double doors.
He gaped. She shrugged.
At some unspoken cue, they both turned and began walking away from the building.
Doesn't it feel like this has happened to us before? Tomoe asked. Her brow was lightly furrowed in recollection.
Has it? Kenshin racked his brains for a similar situation but came up empty. In the time they had gone out together, he was pretty sure she had never been able to persuade him to see the inside of a theatre or a concert hall.
"During the high school trip, she was smiling now, Do you remember? We wanted to sneak off to an inn, but the inn was closed"
He remembered that. "You're right! So we ended up back at the hotel, but we stayed in the lobby, talking the whole night. He laughed at the memory, Thinking about it, I was really well-behaved then!"
"Well-behaved?"
He flushed a little and confessed sheepishly, "Being together with a girl for a whole night & doing nothing but talk – don't think I'd be able to do that now...."
"Oh I don't know that you were such a paragon of virtue Tomoe smiled teasingly, You used to go after so many girls - don't tell me it was just talk you were after"
Kenshin looked up at the narrow patch of sky as they continued slowly down the stairs. On both sides of them, steep concrete walls and iron rails arched over and competed for breathing space.
"I guess it's true about the other girls, he admitted, feeling the tips of his ears turning red, but I always felt different with you somehow... He cast around in his mind for a way to explain, Like my mum's strawberry cake – She laughed in surprise, no, really, its true – it was my favourite. She hardly made it, but when she did, it was heavenly – icing sugar, layers of the best strawberries, I can't even describe it, but it made everything else dull in comparisonSo when I was six, I kept my piece in the fridge for days without touching it – just looking. I was afraid of messing it up, so I had that keep it and not touch it kind of feeling...."
I never knew that, Tomoe was genuinely touched, If I had known then...."
Kenshin shrugged. "When you grow up, you understand a lot more....
They had come to a stop on a landing. He hated to say it, but the words bubbled out anyway.
"You feel more secure going out with my brother than with me, don't you?"
She hesitated.
"Don't tell me I'm wrong?" Kenshin was incredulous.
She lifted a shoulder slightly and continued down the stairs, not looking at him, "Aoshi loves his work, she said softly,.... We don't go out very often, & when we do – more often than not, he has to cut our time short because of it. Tonight, for example – She smiled resignedly.
Kenshin shrugged his shoulders, "Well, you know it can't be helped. That's just the way his job is."
She nodded in agreement, I think so too – it's not that I mind really. It's just - how do I put it? Her hands tightened on the handles of her bag, Aoshi's different from you – he has a face that doesn't show much. I can't tell what he's feeling.... Sometimes, I get a little uneasy, wondering, Am I intruding on him?, Does he really love me?... There are times I feel that I just don't know. Her voice trailed off on a tone of doubt.
That one subtle note unleashed a sudden rush of hope and elation that flooded through his spirit with a power and immediacy that nearly made him reel. In the next instant, he was clamping down on those feelings with an iron will. Forcing himself to speak, he managed uncomfortably, I don't know if you should be telling me this
They started walking again, Kenshin a few steps ahead of her, eyes trained on the ground. You know, he spoke up gruffly, The next time you feel lonely, you should just tell him. I can't do anything about it.
She breathed in sharply, looking up at him with stricken eyes. You're absolutely right – She bowed her head in embarrassment, That was totally inappropriate, I'm sorry.
He pushed his hands deep into his pockets as they continued on their way, fighting the successive waves of optimism and self-loathing that were still crashing about within him.
*****
7:00 PM
Kaoru took her eyes off the screen and stretched, yawning. Scrubbing her eyes vigorously, she peered at the clock hanging on the office wall.
It's late I guess I should go home Even as she said that, her eyes were drawn to the pile of papers at her side, numbers still waiting to be input to the spreadsheet. Sighing tiredly, she reached for the next page, but wavered as it passed over the uneaten rows of onigiri she had brought for Kenshin. She picked out a piece and took a huge bite, throwing herself back in the chair as she savoured the taste. Well, I was right –she huffed, this is delicious
*****
SAME TIME
Tomoe lived in a quiet cul-de-sac, in a cosy building with flowers at every window box. The lights in her apartment shone warmly through the glass, and she commented, Aoshi must be here already.
Kenshin hesitated at the threshold. He had no idea why he had agreed to come – only, that gentle little note of disquiet, that tiny what if?
I'm back, she called, as she opened the door. Aoshi was halfway there, having heard her keys.
"Jamashimasu", Kenshin stepped out of his shoes.
Great, you're here too, Aoshi gave one of his rare smiles, before returning to what he had been doing before. Kenshin nearly fell over at the sight that met his eyes – his brother in an apron, obediently slicing up carrots for their meal.
Thank you – let me take it from here, Tomoe, Kenshin realised, didn't sound surprised. Go on –
Aoshi surrendered the knife and apron with some relief, then followed Kenshin into Tomoe's sitting room. Kenshin had let his backpack slide to the ground, before taking a seat at her low dining table, and was now looking round the rest of the apartment with curious eyes – neat as a pin, and obviously feminine without being too frilly
His attention was drawn back to the table when Aoshi took a seat next to him, and he had to struggle against the wave of guilt that swelled up almost immediately
The both of you used to go out together – am I right? Kenshin nearly leaped out of his skin at Aoshi's words. Tomoe, coming out of the kitchen, froze as well. Aoshi glanced quickly between the two, his expression calm. If it is true, just say it. Did you think I'd mind?
I'm sorry Tomoe stepped forward, sharing a quick look with Kenshin, We didn't want you to worry
Kenshin spoke up, I mean, we went out, but it was just childhood friendship, you knowgoing to movies, cycling. That's all. Um I think we might have held hands. Well, it might have been true, he reflected wryly, sometime in the 1950s.
Aoshi shrugged. It really doesn't bother me that much. But thanks for explaining.
Kenshin massaged the back of his neck, which was suddenly aching hard. You know, I shouldn't be here. He scrambled to his feet, eager to leave.
Sit down.
He sat. What was it about Aoshi when he got that tone in his voice? He blew out his breath and tried to cover his embarrassment by bundling his backpack into the corner, where Aoshi's briefcase was already sitting neatly.
Hey, what's this? More to break the ice than anything else, he tugged out the fancy, pale blue paper bag that had obviously been hidden, his first guess was chocolate... he read, before balking.
That's – a gift. Aoshi cleared his throat – Kenshin knew from long experience that this meant his brother was sweating in his pants – and gently took the bag into his hands. I was going to give it to you after the ballet, he explained to Tomoe, as he offered it to her.
She was surprised and a little nervous, Can I open it?
Aoshi nodded.
Both men watched as she carefully undid the white ribbon and lifted the lid of the box, drawing out a dark blue velvet case she lifted it open – to reveal a diamond ring.
She gasped, before turning stunned eyes to Aoshi, This is -?
Aoshi had arranged himself into a formal kneeling position, and he bowed his head to her, before speaking, Kenshin can be our witness – Kenshin's eyes were as round as dinner plates. Please marry me. I know I'm often busy with work, and that has caused you some loneliness. But I promise to do my best to make you happy.
It felt like all the breath had been taken from his body. Marry her! Every inch of his earlier optimism vanished away like a mist. To be replaced by a faint feeling of bittersweet release as his feelings of guilt evaporated also. Kenshin finally drew in a long slow breath of air.
Tomoe whispered the word softly, but her face was radiant with joy. Thank you – I'm... there were tears in her eyes, You've made me very happy
They were both lost in each others' gaze and it was fast becoming awkward.
Kenshin stood up from the table abruptly, The witness' job has been beautifully concluded. I'll open the wine.
The two of them were staring at him, obviously not registering a thing he had said.
he repeated, In the kitchen, right? I'll get it – you guys carry on. He beat a hasty retreat to her kitchen, where he busied himself looking for her wineglasses. He only paused when he had them in hand, wine bottle in the other.
What am I doing-? he mumbled to himself.
*****
9:30 PM
Kenshin swung open the office door, and was mildly surprised to see Kaoru working. You're still here? He was so drained, it came out sounding more like a statement.
You're really late She scrunched her face up as she looked at him.
He nodded vaguely, as he lowered himself into his own chair. Yeh. Late. He raked his hair tiredly. Well. Thanks for everything today.
Oh, I'm still not done yet, she said cheerfully, as she picked away at the keyboard, But, nearly just a few more pa
He stood up abruptly. That's enough. Thanks. You can go home now.
She turned on him, upset. What's with that tone of voice? She gestured to the room, I'm just an ordinary salaried worker – I didn't have to do this you know. But I saw how hard you were working so I thought I'd come in to helpthe whole Saturday, and who knows where you've been She began shoving her things into her bag, That's enough she mimicked, Go home – you have to be kidding me! She swung her bag on her shoulder and made to leave.
Why did he feel a need to explain? Perhaps to let her know that her efforts would otherwise have been deeply appreciated. At any rate -
Yukishiro and my brother are engaged, he said softly.
She swung back to him, half-angry still.
Yukishiro Tomoe – is engaged to my brother. It sounded strange and alien coming from his lips.
She was quiet for a moment, her anger melting away to empathy. Stepping up to him, she tried to speak encouragingly. Well – it's not too late you know I mean, if you still love her – you should go after her... Do all you can! Grab her back from your brother! She was getting carried away by her words, all enthused, even making grasping motions with her hands to emphasise her point. Love has to be fought for!
What are you saying? Are you out of your mind?! He cut her off, livid with anger, outraged by her words. Furious that he had had exactly the same thoughts himself. That's impossible! I wouldn't do that to him – or to her! He stormed to the table where she had been working and flung himself back in the seat.
Kaoru had been stunned to silence. She watched him for a few moments, unsure of what to do, before looking down and saying quietly, I'm going home now. Turning briskly away, she slipped quickly out of the office.
He took his anger and frustration out on the keyboard for a few minutes, pounding away heavily until the calm in the empty office began to soothe his ruffled spirit. Heaving a breath, he reached out for an onigiri and took a bite – before coming to a realisation he looked at the rest of it in his hand wonderingly.
*****
Notes: Sorrrrreee!! I took ages to update... but am swamped with work : ( ...
Nigihayami Haruko: Thanks for the compliment : ) - glad you don't agree with hentai Kenshin either .... I do agree re: your comment about Tomoe, that's she's more human than in the series... actually tried really hard in the first three chps to make her more remote, but I kinda forgot/gave up (!) as I went on... I discovered that her warmness is kind of crucial to parts of the story, so... oh well...
Gypsy-chan: Thank you ^_^! I dunno, I never really considered doing a Misao-Aoshi version - actually, I don't even think Misao would be as annoying as Kaoru is here! Yes, it is KxK, so they'll get together... eventually (evil laugh).