Behind a Smile: 09: Tenken no Shuppatsu
Author's notes: WAAIII!!!! Ogenki desu ka, minna-san?
I see 'Behind a Smile' coming to an end already…maybe 2-5 chapters more…^^
Anyway, I really thank you all for supporting this ficcie!!! Here's the 9th chapter, and I hope you enjoy!!!!!
**
09::Tenken no Shuppatsu//The Tenken's Departure::09
**
"Mou, Misao-chan!!!"
A set of tiny, sparkling teeth held on to the soft, fluffy towel, supple paws digging themselves on the black-hued carpet. As two hands grasped the other end of the towel, the teen exerted force to make the little puppy let go of the beloved towel.
"Misao-chan, please, leave the towel alone…" Seta Soujiro remarked, sighing exasperatedly as he gave the towel another hard hug. The beagle didn't give in – she stood her ground and pulled harder too.
Wagging her tail, Misao-chan looked up at her owner as she grappled the towel with her front teeth, making Soujiro unable to continue his packing. It was already the second week of August, with the hot weather seeping in the busy streets of Tokyo.
"All right – you love the towel that much, have it." Soujiro laughed out, letting go of the towel to get another set of clothes from his closet. As he started to go back to his luggage full of clothes and books, something tugged at his khaki-colored pant leg.
He looked curiously down at the puppy, her front paws resting on his leg as her tail wagged behind her. She was looking up at him with soulful eyes – looking as if she was begging him not to go.
"Don't give me that look, Misao-chan." The supposed-to-be Tenken said, kneeling down to the dog's eye level as Misao-chan let go of her master's clothing. "I need to go to England. You're going to come with me too, you know."
Persistent as it was, the puppy shook its head and started to chew on the sleeve attached to the black polo that was resting on his arms, tugging tirelessly and barking.
"Misao-chan!!! Let go of my shirt!!!"
Misao-chan only barked once more, growling as she gave the soft material another hard tug.
"Misao-chaaaaan!!!!!"
Growl. Bark. Tug. Repeat.
"Misao-chan, this is my favorite shirt, so pleeaaasseeee let it gooo – oomph!"
From exerting too much effort, the soccer star only landed on his behind on the soft, black carpet.
"Mou, Soujiro! No time for playing around! Your flight leaves in three hours – you can't stay around and play like this!"
Soujiro turned his head to face the elegant Shishio Yumi standing by the doorway, hands on her hips as if angry at the boy for playing 'tug-of-war' with his favorite shirt (with, by the way, new teeth marks on it). She pursed her green-tainted lips and blew out a puff of air, sending her long bangs of maroon fly for a short moment.
"Ah, Yumi-san."
Yumi once again frowned. "Don't 'Ah, Yumi-san' me! You're going to England against OUR wishes and I'm not happy about it!" She looked slowly towards her right, sorrow seeping through her purple eyes. "No one's happy about it…" she added as a whisper.
Soujiro, meanwhile, heard the words. "Gomen ne, Yumi-san…"
"And the bad part about it's I have to go with you too!" She said, as if angry at the boy for choosing a college hundreds of miles away. But she knew it deep in her heart – that leaving Tokyo would be better for the soccer star. For starting a new life in England could mean that he could start over again – and forget about Makimachi Misao.
She wasn't angry at all – of course she wasn't. The maroon-haired lady only felt pity for the heartbroken teen, understanding that everything that he gone through was already enough for him. A part of her wanted to take him away, to forget about the girl and find someone else…while a part of her wanted to make him plant his feet firmly on the ground and face his problems like a man.
But he didn't agree to the second part.
He would rather leave without saying goodbye, thinking that everything will be all right if he disappeared because he thought that the person he loved wouldn't even notice. The thought of making the person he loved most was his priority – and he was intent on making that happen to the point that he's risking everything for it.
Uncomfortable silence passed between the aunt and her nephew, with the puppy looking from each person, wagging her tail.
Soujiro stood up and placed his last set of clothes on his last suitcase, padlocking it as he finished packing. He grabbed the handle and pulled the suitcase out the door, with the lady sidestepping to give way. The soccer star slung a backpack on his shoulder, placing a set of earphones near his ears.
"Did you get Misao-chan's things…?" he asked, looking at the late afternoon sunlight seeping through the opaque windows near the staircase. He stared at it, fascinated, thinking that it would be the last time he would see a ray of sunlight shine.
Yumi nodded, closing Soujiro's bedroom door and taking the beagle by her leash. "All packed, downstairs."
Seta Soujiro only nodded, proceeding to drag his suitcase down the staircase, an empty smile spread upon his lips.
*
"Ikemashou, ne, Soujiro?"
Soujiro nodded, entering the car as their suitcases were being loaded back in the trunk. Misao-chan happily sat between him and his keeper, wagging her tail as her master adjusted once again the earphones located on his ears. As the trunk was closed with a quick thud, the car sped off towards the direction of the airport.
He leaned his head against the window, the instrumental of 'Her Most Beautiful Smile' ringing in his ears. Tiny droplets of water splashed against the tinted window, speeding by as the car drove down the avenue. He closed his eyes, fingers tinkering with his cell phone as he thought about the things that happened for the past month.
***~~~***
"WHAT THE HELL?! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY 2ND WEEK OF AUGUST?! ARE YOU INSANE?!"
Sagara Sanosuke and Shishio Yumi screamed at the same time, eyes laid on the blue-eyed teen who was smiling about the upsetting matter. The rest of the group had their jaws dropped, absolutely and utterly surprised of his sudden proclamation.
"I passed the entrance exam and they want me to arrive in England by the third week." He explained, smile kept on his face.
"But I thought you…but what about…how can you," stuttered Kamiya Kaoru, eyes turning into watery orbs as Takani Megumi tried to hold back sobs.
Megumi sniffled a few times before bursting out loud. "WHAT ABOUT MISAO?!"
Soujiro smiled once again. "She's happy not knowing."
Himura Kenshin shook his head as Kaoru's tears moved freely down her cheeks. "What?! You're not going to tell her?! Why aren't you going to tell her?! What's she going to say when she finds out you're gone…?!"
He shook his head, short, uneven strands gracing his skin. "She won't care. She's going to be happily married to Shinomori-san – she won't even notice I'm gone."
Kenshin looked seriously at the boy, eyes narrowing into slits. "Soujiro-dono, she's your best friend."
Once again, an empty smile crept upon his face like a mask. "Is she really then…my best friend? Is she acting like a best friend…?" Everyone looked up at him at his remark. "She's Misao-chan, my best friend, but it seems I'm already nothing to her now. Besides…it's her happiness I strive for – if she's happy, then I'm happy too. No worries about that."
Shishio Yumi struck her fist down the table. "NO SOUJIRO!" She screamed as the boy started to walk away. "WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! You're…hurting yourself too much! Stop this already!"
Soujiro only stopped and smiled, turning once again towards the doorway.
"YOU HEAR US, SOUJIRO?! WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! LOOK…" Sanosuke's voice faded out. "Look at yourself! You're driving yourself insane!"
"This isn't good for you, Soujiro-dono." Kenshin captured the soccer star's attention. "You're destroying yourself by doing this…saying that everything's alright. Take a good look at yourself and tell us once again, looking into our eyes, that everything's all right, and I am going to believe you."
Kamiya Kaoru broke down to tears, absolutely depressed about what was occurring. "Sou-kun…" she sobbed out, unable to take the fact that Soujiro was driving himself crazy. "Don't do this! This is too much! You've been suffering enough!"
"Maybe I am…" Soujiro commented, still smiling. "If I am, then it is time to stop my suffering."
"And you're going to do this by GOING AWAY?!" Megumi screamed, turning at the soccer star with bloodshot eyes. "This isn't stopping your suffering – this is called making it worse! You're just running away from it all!"
"If my running away…" he started, taking the doorknob by hand and twisting it, warm blue eyes shadowed by uneven bangs. "If my departure would make everything better for Misao-chan, then I'd be more than willing to do so."
***~~~***
A warm hand cupped the eighteen-year-old's cheek, gently nudging him to wake up.
"Soujiro?" Yumi whispered. "We're here."
***
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN HE LEFT?!" Sagara Sanosuke burst out loud, screaming at the maid out of rage.
"Seems that we have to tell Misao-chan ourselves."
It was already seven o' clock in the evening, with the stars popping out the sky like popcorn shooting out of a popcorn maker.
"Where is Shinomori going to propose, anyway?"
"I don't really know…maybe at her house?"
"No, I think it's in his house…"
"Minna-san, I think Shinomori-dono invited Misao-chan over. I heard Misao-chan rant all about it yesterday."
The four, consisting of Kamiya Kaoru, Himura Kenshin, Takani Megumi and Sagara Sanosuke, conversed inside Kenshin's car.
"We have to hurry though. Soujiro-kun's flight leaves in an hour." Kaoru exclaimed, praying silently that they arrive there in time.
**
The petite figure of an eighteen-year-old twirled around the huge ballroom, the skirt of a beautiful evening gown following her every move. The chiffon-like cloth hugged her body just right, with her long locks of ebony tied up in ornamental chopsticks. Her bright green eyes contrasted the dark-blue hue of the gown, while the shimmer of the silver necklace around her neck accompanied the light glimmer of silver on her cherry lips.
"How pretty!" Makimachi Misao said girlishly, which was very unlikely of her. "I still can't believe you sent this to the house for me!"
Shinomori Aoshi only smiled a small smile, standing up from his chair and straightening his tuxedo. "Because this will be a memorable night for us, Misao-chan."
Emerald eyes widened as the girl stopped twirling, utterly confused at what the man was doing. One knee reached down to the peach-colored carpet, a hand taking out a velvet jewelry box from the black jacket that Aoshi donned that evening. He slowly opened the box to reveal a platinum ring, embedded with a diamond in its center, glimmering like a chandelier under the light.
"Oh my god…"
"Makimachi Misao…" He started, looking lovingly up to the girl. "…will you marry me?"
***
"Calling all passengers to Japan Air flight JP1320 to London, England, please report to Gate 24 for boarding."
Yumi shot her head up as she stopped in front of the gate, looking at the number.
"Calling all first class passengers of Japan Air flight JP1320 to London, England, please report to Gate 24 for boarding."
"Soujiro, we're boarding." Yumi said, turning towards the teen beside her.
"Really? Wait a minute – I'll say goodbye to them first…"
Soujiro punched in Megumi's cell phone number, taking of his earphones as he neared the cell phone to his ear.
***
"STOP!!!! WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE!"
Misao and Aoshi turned to the group of four, standing by the doorway panting as hard as they could.
"What the hell…?" Aoshi asked, standing up.
"DON'T TALK!" Sano screamed, holding a finger up towards the college student.
Kaoru and Megumi took a huge intake of breath.
"MisaoyoustupididiotSoujiro'sinlovewithyouforthewholeyearandyoudidn'tevennoticeitandnowhe'sattheaiportreadytoleavetoEngland!!"
The girl shook her head and asked the two to repeat what they said.
Kenshin, meanwhile, explained all in 9 simple words.
"Misao-dono, Soujiro-dono's at the airport to go to England."
"WHAT?!" Misao screamed, pure shock running through her veins. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Soujiro was leaving to go to England without even telling her? "No, that's impossible! That's absolutely—
Megumi's cell phone interrupted the little rant, making her grab it from her pocket.
"Hello?"
"Megumi-san?"
The familiar voice of Seta Soujiro rang through Megumi's ears, making her eyes widen in surprise. She took the phone away from her ear and switched it into speakerphone mode. "Soujiro-kun…"
A light-hearted chuckle erupted from the other end. "Megumi-san! I'm so sorry…I felt bad about leaving and not telling you guys…"
Megumi sniffled before answering. "You'd better be."
"Anyway…I just called to say that you guys have been great…helping me through my problem and all…"
"That was…no problem." Megumi replied, a few tears rolling down her cheeks at the sound of Soujiro. The mere fact that Soujiro was trying to cover everything up with a cheerful tone and a smile made Megumi and Kaoru's heart melt – they felt so sorry for Soujiro for he had gone so many hardships…just for someone he loved and didn't love him back.
"Oh c'mon, Megumi-san…" Soujiro's voice chuckled again. "Megumi-san, Kaoru-san, don't cry. I'll visit if I can."
Sano butted in. "That's not enough."
"Ah, Sanosuke-san! Seems that you have put me in speakerphone." Soujiro remarked, laughing once again. "I presume Kenshin-san's there too?"
Kenshin made himself known. "Hai."
"And Misao-chan…?"
Kaoru answered for the group, forbidding the girl from answering. "Far away, enjoying dinner with Shinomori-san."
"Sou desu ka…" His tone changed. "I'd like to say thank you to you guys…all of you…and I'm going to miss you all…"
Kenshin queried the boy, a serious tone etched in his voice. "Aren't you even going to tell Misao-chan that you're leaving…? Not even what you feel…?"
Tears sprung from her eyes, awaiting the answer that was about to come. Aoshi, meanwhile, only stood there, listening.
"I'm afraid not…She's happier not knowing, so I'd let her stay happy. Besides, she's going to be a member of the Shinomori clan…she doesn't need someone like me to follow her around. She doesn't need to know what I feel, since my feelings doesn't matter."
A short pause filled the uncomfortable silence.
"Since she's the only one that matters to me."
Silence once again filled the huge ballroom.
"I have to go. I'll just see you all around some time…"Tears filled her eyes, flowing freely down her flushed cheeks as she held back sobs.
"Sayonara, minna-san."
Author's notes: There! I hope the formatting got through nicely! I've been listening to Rurouni Kenshin: The Original Vocal Album Songs 2 the whole time I was writing this. I hope you have enjoyed! Now is it time for Misao to suffer…?
The Special notes for Special people portion…RETURNED!!
White Witch-san: Sorry kung masyadong mabilis – I couldn't make Soujiro suddenly decide when it was still January, right? ^^ Alam ko yung sinasabi mo, although I'm at school from 7:00 – 4:00. If there's practice, up to 5:30. ^^ Anyway, thank you!
Lord Cirenmas: How come that's the only thing you seem to say…? *curious* Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing!
LunaAngel-san: It symbolizes Sou-chan? O.O Why…? Anyway, thank you!
Aino Saori-san: yes, yes…*nods* Soujiro deserves SOOO much more. Misao's just too blind to see it. Now who's going to suffer…? *evil laugh*…Okay…Anyway, thank you!
sophomoric genius-san: Ah yes…they are so young…but it's just a fan fic…and it's better that Misao's already entering college. ^^ I will make it worthwhile! ^^; Please don't shoot me…if you do, no one will continue this!
???-san: =.= I would really like to know your name to thank you better! Thank you very much for your ideas…maybe I'll put them, but I would never kill someone from RK! ^^; Gomen ne, but I'm still thinking about the suicide thing…
Anyway, thank you sooooooo much for your comments! And have it published…? As in a BOOK…?
Chaos-Chan-san: ARIGATOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your comments made my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And don't worry – I'll finish this story my this month…I guess. ^^ Thank you so much!
A. Pikachu
P.S: Please, don't forget to review!!!!!!!