WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
ENDING # 1
Doumyouji Tsukasa and Tsukushi. Together here and thereafter.
"Tell me all about them, Uncle Rui," her melodic voice sifted into his thoughts.
Here was the treasure his two best friends had left him to take care of. When he received the call about the freak accident, he felt his heart shatter, his knees giving away. He didn't want to believe it, but when he saw the news on television, and received calls from his friends, he had no choice but to accept the truth. He took the first flight available and headed straight back to Japan.
She was found whimpering, cuddled under her mother's arms; her father's arms wrapped around them both with his last attempt to protect them at all costs, even at the price of his own life. She looked so fragile, like a delicate piece of China that had a glaring warning to handle with care.
Rui was hesitant. He knew he was selfish, and conceited. He had turned callous over the years by burying his failures at love with work, certainly not the best kind of example for a child to follow. But when she was placed in his arms for the first time, still cooing and whimpering from her bruises, he fell for her. It was love at first sight.
He hasn't been able to let go ever since.
She grew up under his watchful care, studying in the best schools and graduating with honors. While she spends five days of the week buried under mounds of books, she would keep her weekends free to spend with him. They would go to nature trips, sailing, hiking, skiing and even once, bungee jumping.
He was aware of the mistakes the previous generations had and vowed never to take this child for granted. He had succeeded. She was now studying in law school, at the same time, effectively managing their company's accounts, and during her free time, doing pro bono consultation for the less fortunate.
She's also going steady with one of the richest bachelors in Japan, who started from scratch by working hard, investing with the right company and rising to the top.
A father could not have been prouder of his child.
"Machiko, your parents are the best friends anyone could ever find," he started the story the way he told her countless times before. "I was fortunate enough to get to know them both. Your Dad, Tsukasa, was a childhood friend. We have known each other ever since we were little tots. You could say he was the leader of our little group—F4. That's because he was the most bull-headed of us all, which came out through the curliest locks you would have ever seen," he added with a smirk.
"I met your mother, Tsukushi, in highschool." He says with fondness. "She changed all of us... One day, we were all just stupid boys in search of our selfish pursuits. The next, we were faced with a petite girl that rocked our sheltered lives." He chuckled, saying "Your Mother made your Dad rethink his curly hair! When he fell for her, he didn't realize what hit him."
Hanazawa Rui went on sharing about the friendship that he shared with Machiko's parents. He felt his heart ache at the happier memories they shared together. His best friend and his soulmate completed his lack of family. Even though he still had Akira and Soujiro, who never failed to be there for both of them, things were never the same again.
Despite all the obstacles in life, Rui was glad that when his bestfriends left him, they gave him someone in return to keep him company. He often felt as though Machiko was Tsukushi's gift, because though she couldn't love him back with all the love that he deserved, she knew her daughter would be able to love him with all her heart.
Machiko took Rui's hands, folding her own around them and, uttered two simple words that encapsulated all that she and her parents would have wanted him to know.
"Thank you."
Machiko means, "Fortunate."
A/N: Read the second ending and tell me which one you like best! REVIEW please... Thank you!