CHAPTER 7
It was a simple ceremony that day when they transferred Tsukasa's ashes to the mausoleum. The Doumyoujis disregarded the traditional burial ceremony and had Tsukasa's remains cremated. There were no press people; the Doumyoujis requested that they may mourn in peace. Only the immediate family and close friends were there.
All of them were wearing white, color of death. Makino's parents were there, with Makino in a wheelchair and an IV line attached to the back of her hand. She was actually too weak to go out of the hospital as she had hemorrhaged but I knew that her spirit willed her body to go.
Tsukasa's picture was propped beside the marble urn containing his ashes. I could see clearly that Tsukushi was looking at Tsukasa's picture as if trying to memorize his features. My heart wrenched painfully as I saw her smile sadly with tears welling up in her expressive eyes.
We all light candles as we silently reminisce those memorable times with Tsukasa.
He was such a 'pighead' as Tsukushi crudely but appropriately termed. Ever since we were kids, Tsukasa had tantrum problems which he did not outgrow. Probably because he was seeking attention with his violent behavior or he knew he could get away with anything because he was aware that he was the Doumyouji heir. Either way, nobody had the guts to oppose him. The only fight that ever happened between us F4 was my stand off with Tsukasa over Tsukushi.
Was it worth it? Fighting one of your bestfriends over a small bit of a girl? Yes, it was. Tsukushi, for me, was a breath of fresh air. She is naive, innocent, and pure; our 'hardworking virgin.' She was something that I am not but hoped to be. I was surprised and amused the first time we met on the roof. She was shouting 'Pighead 4' on top of her lungs. I had to admit, I finally met a girl who, despite her poor circumstances, was brave enough to go against us. We all had hordes of female worshippers, packs of hounds eager for our blood. These girls would throw themselves at our feet, wishing to earn bragging points by sleeping with one of us and being the girl-of-the-moment, which Soujiro and Akira would gladly partake of. Beneath my cool and indifferent exterior, I was very much disgusted by their lack of modesty.
Going back to Tsukushi, I was rude to her the first few times she tried to talk to me. I was suspicious; she would seemingly 'chance' upon me on the rooftop, she would watch me as I play my violin in the music room. Ever since I rescued her from those boys who tried to molest her, I think she acquired what one would term 'hero worship.' Frankly, I was a bit embarrased that she would look at me with those huge eyes of hers as if I were her knight in shining armor. I'm just your average decent guy who is disgusted by men taking advantage of helpless females.
Tsukasa tormented Tsukushi frequently, almost to the point of obsession. He relentlessly badgered her until she would physically succumb to his taunts. I found it humorous that Tsukasa would also be the one to protect her if somebody else were to step in and abuse what he regarded as his private property. In my opinion, Tsukasa's attraction to Tsukushi began when he became curious as to why Tsukushi hated him so much when all the people around him either adored him or feared him. Truthfully speaking, my bestfriend was not, if I may say so, regarded as an intellectual being. Everyone had their personal demons to sort out; I guess in Tsukasa's case, his violent nature and temperament would often be the cause of his troubles.
Looking at his picture, I smiled inwardly. Tsukasa may be a 'madman' to others but to the three of us, he is one loyal and generous brother. Despite his shortcomings, the real Tsukasa was pure and innocent. Amongst the three of us, he was the last to give up his virginal status. I could only surmise that this was partly because, same as yours truly, he never liked sex given to him so freely and so casually as everything else, and partly because Tsubaki kept her eye on him even from Switzerland and would beat him up to a pulp if he crossed the line.
After I had left for my sojourn in New York, Tsukasa would frequently shuttle back and forth between New York and Tokyo. Doumyouji Kaede still refused to acknowledge Tsukushi but she had ultimately turned a blind eye on Tsukasa and Tsukushi's relationship. Tsukasa had enough sense to do his duties and train under the supervision of his mother whenever he was in New York. From what I've heard, he was a natural in the management of their family's chain of boutique hotels. But their corporation was vast and diversified so as time wore on, he became more and more involved in the intricacies of management of boutique hotels and had less and less time for Tsukushi.
On the other hand, Tsukushi resumed her studies after working for a year at the travel agency and saving enough money for her tuition. She is currently taking another course, Tourism. I am just so proud of her.
A couple of months before Tsukasa and Tsukushi took off for their European tour, he proposed to her. Mentally shaking my head, I could imagine the two of them arguing; with Tsukasa 'demanding' Tsukushii get married to him and Tsukushi refusing to because of his lack of consideration for her sensibilities. Anyhow, they were able to sort things out and became engaged. They started their tour in Italy; they visited Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome. They were bound for Spain right after Greece where they planned to visit Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona. Tsukasa and Tsukushi had agreed to wed in secret in Barcelona, in the quaint chapel that I've written to him about before. They never made it to Spain.
This was Tsukasa and Tsukushi's tragedy. Their love, punctuated by numerous difficulties and obstacles, all gone to waste.
It was a simple ceremony that day when they transferred Tsukasa's ashes to the mausoleum. The Doumyoujis disregarded the traditional burial ceremony and had Tsukasa's remains cremated. There were no press people; the Doumyoujis requested that they may mourn in peace. Only the immediate family and close friends were there.
All of them were wearing white, color of death. Makino's parents were there, with Makino in a wheelchair and an IV line attached to the back of her hand. She was actually too weak to go out of the hospital as she had hemorrhaged but I knew that her spirit willed her body to go.
Tsukasa's picture was propped beside the marble urn containing his ashes. I could see clearly that Tsukushi was looking at Tsukasa's picture as if trying to memorize his features. My heart wrenched painfully as I saw her smile sadly with tears welling up in her expressive eyes.
We all light candles as we silently reminisce those memorable times with Tsukasa.
He was such a 'pighead' as Tsukushi crudely but appropriately termed. Ever since we were kids, Tsukasa had tantrum problems which he did not outgrow. Probably because he was seeking attention with his violent behavior or he knew he could get away with anything because he was aware that he was the Doumyouji heir. Either way, nobody had the guts to oppose him. The only fight that ever happened between us F4 was my stand off with Tsukasa over Tsukushi.
Was it worth it? Fighting one of your bestfriends over a small bit of a girl? Yes, it was. Tsukushi, for me, was a breath of fresh air. She is naive, innocent, and pure; our 'hardworking virgin.' She was something that I am not but hoped to be. I was surprised and amused the first time we met on the roof. She was shouting 'Pighead 4' on top of her lungs. I had to admit, I finally met a girl who, despite her poor circumstances, was brave enough to go against us. We all had hordes of female worshippers, packs of hounds eager for our blood. These girls would throw themselves at our feet, wishing to earn bragging points by sleeping with one of us and being the girl-of-the-moment, which Soujiro and Akira would gladly partake of. Beneath my cool and indifferent exterior, I was very much disgusted by their lack of modesty.
Going back to Tsukushi, I was rude to her the first few times she tried to talk to me. I was suspicious; she would seemingly 'chance' upon me on the rooftop, she would watch me as I play my violin in the music room. Ever since I rescued her from those boys who tried to molest her, I think she acquired what one would term 'hero worship.' Frankly, I was a bit embarrased that she would look at me with those huge eyes of hers as if I were her knight in shining armor. I'm just your average decent guy who is disgusted by men taking advantage of helpless females.
Tsukasa tormented Tsukushi frequently, almost to the point of obsession. He relentlessly badgered her until she would physically succumb to his taunts. I found it humorous that Tsukasa would also be the one to protect her if somebody else were to step in and abuse what he regarded as his private property. In my opinion, Tsukasa's attraction to Tsukushi began when he became curious as to why Tsukushi hated him so much when all the people around him either adored him or feared him. Truthfully speaking, my bestfriend was not, if I may say so, regarded as an intellectual being. Everyone had their personal demons to sort out; I guess in Tsukasa's case, his violent nature and temperament would often be the cause of his troubles.
Looking at his picture, I smiled inwardly. Tsukasa may be a 'madman' to others but to the three of us, he is one loyal and generous brother. Despite his shortcomings, the real Tsukasa was pure and innocent. Amongst the three of us, he was the last to give up his virginal status. I could only surmise that this was partly because, same as yours truly, he never liked sex given to him so freely and so casually as everything else, and partly because Tsubaki kept her eye on him even from Switzerland and would beat him up to a pulp if he crossed the line.
After I had left for my sojourn in New York, Tsukasa would frequently shuttle back and forth between New York and Tokyo. Doumyouji Kaede still refused to acknowledge Tsukushi but she had ultimately turned a blind eye on Tsukasa and Tsukushi's relationship. Tsukasa had enough sense to do his duties and train under the supervision of his mother whenever he was in New York. From what I've heard, he was a natural in the management of their family's chain of boutique hotels. But their corporation was vast and diversified so as time wore on, he became more and more involved in the intricacies of management of boutique hotels and had less and less time for Tsukushi.
On the other hand, Tsukushi resumed her studies after working for a year at the travel agency and saving enough money for her tuition. She is currently taking another course, Tourism. I am just so proud of her.
A couple of months before Tsukasa and Tsukushi took off for their European tour, he proposed to her. Mentally shaking my head, I could imagine the two of them arguing; with Tsukasa 'demanding' Tsukushii get married to him and Tsukushi refusing to because of his lack of consideration for her sensibilities. Anyhow, they were able to sort things out and became engaged. They started their tour in Italy; they visited Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome. They were bound for Spain right after Greece where they planned to visit Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona. Tsukasa and Tsukushi had agreed to wed in secret in Barcelona, in the quaint chapel that I've written to him about before. They never made it to Spain.
This was Tsukasa and Tsukushi's tragedy. Their love, punctuated by numerous difficulties and obstacles, all gone to waste.