Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango. Nor do I own the song "The Longest Time" which was written and sung by Billy Joel. But for the purpose of this fanfic, let's just pretend it was the song co-written by T&T, okay?
Chapter 30: For the Longest Time
"Can you believe it? Man, that has got to be one of our best sets ever!" Tsukushi gushed as she and her bandmates plopped down on the chairs at a table near the stage.
"Yeah, they loved us," Rui smiled indulgently before taking a sip of his wine.
"Hello?!" Akira looked around at his bandmates incredulously. "Of course they loved us! Duh?! People love our band, anywhere we go. Why does it seem like such a big surprise?"
"But this is different," Tsukushi defended. "I mean, look around. This isn't exactly the same crowd we play to week after week at Frenzy."
"She's right," Tsukasa piped in. "Honestly, I was pretty nervous up there myself," he admitted, tilting his head up to the now empty stage. "After our first song, I was quite scared we'd bomb."
They were now in the midst of an hour-long break, after performing non-stop for an hour and a half. They had originally planned their first set to be an hour long, but the audience kept clamoring for more. It was pretty scary at first. They started the set off with a light, easy song, but since all of them were a bit nervous, let's just say that it wasn't the best performance of their lives. Understandably, audience response was a bit iffy once they had finished singing. The applause could be described as polite at best, and the din of conversation from the guests was threatening to drown out the first strains of the next song.
But as soon as Tsukushi and Tsukasa heard their three bandmates play the opening notes of that second song, their free hands automatically reached for each other and their gazes locked. Soon, just like countless times before, there was just the two of them and the music. Their voices blended in perfect harmony, soaring melodiously to its conclusion. A stunned silence met them as their voices faded away, followed by thunderous applause and calls for more.
From then on, they held the guests captive with the songs they sang. Most sat in rapt attention whenever Tsukushi and Tsukasa sang one of their love ballads, although some couples ventured out into the dance floor and slow-danced to the music. During the fast songs though, the dance floor was filled to the edges with people swinging, swaying, stomping to the beat.
The early part of the break in between their sets was spent listening to short speeches given by the newlyweds' friends and families, toasting their union. The band took this time to catch their breath. After all the speeches had been made, the orchestra started playing music for the guests to dance to. Shortly after, Rui stood up and offered his hand to Tsukushi. With a small smile playing on his lips, he asked, "May I have this dance?" Tsukushi tilted her head and lifted an eyebrow, unsure as to whether to take him seriously. "Hey," Rui grinned. "I am one of your 'prom dates' for tonight, so I believe that entitles me to at least one dance, right?"
Tsukushi returned his smile and very graciously allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, which was slowly filling up with people. "Still nervous?" Rui asked her as they started to move in time to the music.
"A little," she admitted. "But I'm feeling a lot less uptight than I was earlier."
"Good. Judging from the response we got during our first set, you ought to know by now that there's nothing to worry about. These people love us. And they'll love the new song just as they did every other song we sang tonight."
"You're right. I guess it's best not to think about it anymore, so I wouldn't get more nervous than I already am."
"Yeah, just kick back and relax. Enjoy the night. This is, after all, your prom night, right?" he winked at her. Tsukushi threw back her head and laughed. After a couple more minutes, Rui lifted her hand and very gracefully twirled her into the waiting arms of Soujiro, whom he had seen approaching them and signaling that he was gonna cut in.
"Well, hello there," Jiro suavely greeted her as he took hold of her. "Enjoying your prom night, sweetie?"
"I'm having a blast!" she giggled giddily.
"And you should be. Otherwise Tsukasa's not gonna be so happy," he said. "So, how're things with you and our illustrious bandleader? You guys okay?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"We're fine," Tsukushi answered, careful to keep her voice and facial expression neutral. Not wanting to have another conversation in which she was at the receiving end of another round of endless teasing, she decided to turn the tables on him this time. "Um, so... have you heard from Yuki lately?"
She felt Jiro stiffen in her arms abruptly, and the once confident grin on his face faltered. "N-no... not really. Um, how is she?"
"Oh, she's doing great. She's terribly homesick, but other than that, she seems to be adjusting well to life in Canada."
Jiro kept silent, and by this time his eyes were looking anywhere and everywhere except at her. All of a sudden, Tsukushi had a feeling he couldn't wait to get out of there.
After another minute of awkward silence, Tsukushi spoke again. "Yeah, she seems to be having a lot of fun with this biker dude she hooked up with..."
"She WHAT?!" Jiro's head snapped back to look at her, his eyes wide. Tsukushi could swear she could see him literally turn green with jealousy.
"Just checking to see if you were still listening," she grinned cheekily.
"She WHAT?!" Jiro repeated again as if he hadn't heard her, his screech causing some of the dancing couples around them to glance their way.
"Relax, I was just kidding!" she chuckled.
"Oh... yeah... of course. I knew that," he expunged the breath he was unaware he had been holding as he waited for Tsukushi to explain.
"She's too busy with her studies and her part-time job so she doesn't have time to meet guys, much less go out on dates."
"Oh," he said again, hoping he was able to make himself sound sympathetic, but the smug grin that was back on his face told Tsukushi he was quite happy with what he heard. Before she could tease him further, Akira tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"May I cut in?"
Tsukushi thanked Jiro for the dance and watched him walk back to their table as she let Akira take her into his arms.
"What did you say to make Jiro so happy?" Akira asked as he led her across the dance floor. "The guy was smiling like an idiot when he left us, and I could've sworn I heard him humming as he walked away."
"Oh, nothing much really. Just gave him some news about Yuki."
"Ah, now I get it," Akira nodded in understanding.
"So, how are things back at the table? I could see as soon as I left it that you were swarmed by a bevy of beautiful women."
"Oh, don't worry Tsukushi. Tsukasa has eyes for only you," Akira patted her on the back, as if to reassure her.
"I... he... you..." Tsukushi sputtered. "I was just trying to make conversation!" she huffed indignantly, as Akira struggled to contain his laughter at her defensiveness. "I didn't mean anything by asking about those women, as you imply! I'm not jealous or anything!"
"If you say so, hon," Akira said in a patronizing tone, which only made Tsukushi more furious. Before she could decide to stalk off and leave him at the dance floor all by himself, he decided to salvage the situation. "Relax, I was just teasing you. Anyway, if you have to know, some of those women approached us with the purpose of booking our band for their parties."
"Really?" she asked, although she was still not quite appeased.
"Yeah! And when I quoted a rate three times that of what we normally charge, they didn't even bat an eyelash! So now we've got ourselves at least a month's worth of bookings! Not bad huh?"
His excitement was contagious, and Tsukushi couldn't stay mad at him for long. "Not bad at all," she smiled. It was then that Tsukasa tapped Akira lightly on the shoulder.
"I believe it's my turn to dance with the lady?" he asked Akira.
"Hey, she's all yours man," Akira stepped aside and bowed gallantly to Tsukushi before walking back towards their table.
"Hi," Tsukasa smiled as he gathered her into his arms.
"Hi," she smiled back shyly.
"Um, you look really beautiful tonight," he offered as he led her across the dance floor in time to the music.
"Thank you." Once again she felt the warmth creeping up her cheeks as she felt her knees turn to jelly. That familiar bedimpled smile always had such a weakening effect on her.
"That's a lovely dress," he complimented her.
"Thank you... um, it was supposed to be my wedding dress. I bought it that night that Junpei left me," she said in a low voice.
Tsukasa wanted to kick himself in the butt. He could have complimented her on something else, her hair, the necklace, but nooooo... he had to say something about her dress! He cursed himself repeatedly in his mind as he struggled to let out an apology. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bring up something that reminds you of the past, I swear I had no idea."
She raised a hand and gently laid it on his cheek, and looked him squarely in the eye. "Hey," she said softly. "Don't worry. And don't be sorry. Several months ago, I wouldn't have had the courage to lay eyes on this dress, much less wear it. But when I wore it this evening and looked at myself in the mirror, I realized my past doesn't have the power it once had to hurt me anymore. I've moved on. And this," she looked down at the dress she was wearing, "this is just a dress." She looked back up and met his gaze with a sweet smile. "I'm glad I wore it." Then she grinned sheepishly. "Besides, it was either this or the dress from hell."
"Huh?" Tsukasa looked at her uncomprehendingly. She then told him the story of her near disaster because of the borrowed dress. They were laughing about it when Rui approached them.
"Hate to break you lovebirds up but the emcee has just informed us we're back onstage in five minutes."
They walked back to the table where Tsukushi got the four roses she had prepared. As they ascended the stage, she could feel the butterflies come to life in her stomach once more, but this time she was more confident. The new song would be the last they would be singing for the night, so she laid the flowers on top of Akira's keyboards for the meantime.
Just like they did on their first set, they wowed the audience with the songs they sang for their second set. Several more people would book them for gigs before the night would end. Soon it was close to midnight and time for their last song. A hush descended upon the place as Rui, Akira and Soujiro, roses in hand, left their instruments in the background and came to join Tsukasa and Tsukushi in front. Since she wasn't joining them for this song, Tsukushi was tasked to do the introductions.
"Before we sing our last song for tonight, we would like to thank all of you for your warm reception of our band. We hope you had as much fun as we did. This next song is a brand new song, one I've co-written with Tsukasa over here. We'll be performing it for the first time tonight, and we hope you like it. This is dedicated to the newlyweds, Hiro and Akemi."
Having said that, Tsukushi turned to the four guys standing behind her and mouthed "Good luck!" before walking down the stage and sitting at their table.
Akira, Rui and Soujiro waited for the applause to die down before singing the opening words of "The Longest Time" a capella.
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Tsukasa, who was in the center, started singing the melody in a clear, firm voice.
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time
His eyes moved across the room and came to rest on Tsukushi, who was smiling proudly as she watched them sing.
Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time
He stepped back and joined the others in chorus, their voices blending perfectly with each other's, making the song more powerful despite the lack of instrumental accompaniment.
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest...
Akira moved to centerstage as he got ready to sing his part.
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time
As he sang, he went down the steps of the stage and made a beeline for the gorgeous model he'd been flirting with all evening, and offered her the rose in his hand. Amidst expressions of "Aww, how sweet!" from the people nearby, the girl blushed prettily and giggled as she accepted the rose. Akira then went back up to the stage to join the others as Jiro made his way down, singing his part.
Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for
The girl he approached and offered his rose to held an uncanny resemblance to Yuki. He kissed his rose first before giving it to her, earning him a sweet smile from the petite girl, whose jealous boyfriend immediately put an arm around her shoulders so Jiro would know she was taken. As Jiro went up, Rui came down from the stage.
Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time
Being the sweet soul that he is, Rui approached the matriarch of the Kuroda clan, an old yet dignified lady in a wheelchair. He knelt by her side and gave her his rose, which she accepted graciously as she ruffled his hair. He went up the stage just as Tsukasa had moved to the center again to sing his part.
I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for
Once again, his gaze came to rest on Tsukushi. She was looking at him expectantly, making small motions with her head, signalling him to come down and give his rose to someone in the audience.
Here goes nothing, he thought to himself as he started to walk towards the steps at the side. Tsukushi may not approve of what he was about to do, but he knew he couldn't back out now. Nor did he want to. He wanted everyone in this room to know just who exactly had been his inspiration for writing the melody and the words of the song they were listening to now. His steps were sure as he went down the stage and made his way to where Tsukushi was seated. Her eyes grew wide once she realized his intentions, and she tried to slink deeper into her chair, making herself as small as possible, hoping he would pass her by. But he stopped once he was standing in front of her, and when she looked up he had the most incredible smile on his face. All at once, she understood just how deeply he felt for her when she saw the love -- yes, LOVE -- shining in his eyes.
And as she drowned in his gaze, scenes from the not so distant past played like a slow-motion movie in her head. She saw the night they first met each other, when he had saved her from Junpei's lecherous clutches. And then, his seeming hatred for her when she first joined the band. Then she saw the concern he showed when she first told him the story of her past when they were locked inside Akira's basement. And the sweet, yet fleeting kiss they shared that night out on the beach. And finally, she saw the two of them dancing on the night of her birthday, when he had first made his intentions known and had told her he was willing to wait.
Here was a man in love. And he was in love with HER.
I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time
Tsukasa held his rose out to her as he finished singing his part, and their three bandmates on stage sang the last chorus.
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time...
As their voices faded away, Tsukushi allowed Tsukasa to pull her up to her feet, amidst the roaring applause that followed. The emcee went up the stage. "Thank you very much, F4, for that wonderful performance!" More applause followed, along with calls of "Bravo!" Then the emcee spoke again. "And now, to cap the night off, may I invite everyone to step outside to the garden so we can all witness the fabulous fireworks display we have prepared in celebration of the union of Hiro and Akemi!"
Tsukushi and Tsukasa, along with Rui, Akira, and Soujiro, were all swept along with the throng of guests making their way out the ballroom's french doors, into the garden. The scent of jasmine hung in the air, and soon the dark evening sky was filled with a burst of colors.
Amidst the "ooh's" and "ahh's" of the crowd as they witnessed the spectacular display of colors in the sky, Tsukushi turned to Tsukasa. "I'd like to have a word with you, alone, if you don't mind."
Before Tsukasa could even answer, she was already pulling him by the wrist to a fairly secluded area at one corner of the garden. From this vantage point, they could still view the fireworks display, although they were hidden from the rest of the crowd by a tall cypress tree.
"Look, Tsukushi," Tsukasa started, hoping to the heavens she would hear him out first before she decided to slap him or something. "I know you're probably mad at me because I gave you the rose. But how could I give it to anyone else, when you were all I can see, all I can think of as I was singing? I hope you don't think I gave you the rose so I could pressure you. That's the last thing in the world I want to do. I've told you before and I'll tell you again... I'm willing to wait for you. And I will wait for you, even if it takes forever. But I just wanted you, and everyone to know..." he took a deep breath before speaking again, "... I love you."
Tsukushi was looking down at the ground as he spoke, and she remained looking down silently as he finished speaking. She looked up several tortuous seconds later, and when she did, Tsukasa was surprised to see that she was smiling.
"You... you're not mad?" Tsukasa asked, and for the first time, a flicker of hope lit up in his chest. She was smiling!
"No..." she shook her head slowly as she continued to smile. "I'm not mad. And I just wanted to say... you don't have to wait forever."
"You... you mean...? Are you saying you're giving me a chance?"
She nodded wordlessly, at which Tsukasa gave a loud whoop of delight and pumped his fist in the air. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" he exclaimed. Then he looked at her again and asked, "Are you sure? 'Cause if you're not, I already told you, I'm willing to wait for --"
But before he could say anything further, Tsukushi had already cut him off by reaching up and placing her lips on his.
When she pulled away, he could only stare at her and say, "Wow." Tsukushi, meanwhile, was blushing furiously, and her heart was beating wildly against her ribcage.
Tsukasa still could not believe it. She kissed him! He must have done something very, very good in the past, because it seemed like all the gods were smiling at him now. "Wow," he said again. Her kiss had evidently robbed him of all coherent thought, and now his vocabulary was reduced to a single word. He gave himself a mental kick and struggled to say something else. "Thank you. I promise, I won't make you regret this. I will show you that love is not all about being hurt. I will do everything in my power to --"
"Oh, just shut up and kiss me," Tsukushi cut in. Tsukasa smiled sheepishly before taking her into his arms.
This is right, she thought to herself as she basked in the warmth of his embrace. When she gazed up into his eyes, she finally realized what Rui told her before, about finding that someone who would make you feel complete. Tsukasa looked at her lovingly before he finally lowered his head to claim her lips.
And there, behind a cypress tree and with a rainbow of colors bursting in the night sky, they kissed. And unlike their first kiss at the beach, this time Tsukushi had no doubt about it, because never in her life had she been so thoroughly, lovingly, tenderly kissed.
They pulled away only when the need for oxygen became absolute, and even then, they stayed in each other's arms as they watched the sky above. As the last of the fireworks danced across the night, Tsukushi offered up a silent prayer of thanks. Because once again she was whole. It felt like coming home after a long, tiring journey. And she hadn't felt this happy, this fulfilled, this complete, for the longest time.
A/N: "The Longest Time" is one of my favorite songs from the '80s. It wasn't really sung a capella (if you listen to it, you'll hear piano accompaniment), but I still think it would be great if sung a capella. I hope this chapter will tide you over 'til the next update, which, honestly, might be a long time coming. I have no idea where to go from here, now that they're finally together. So please be patient. As always, please let me know what you think of the chapter by leaving me some comments/reviews at the reviews page.
Chi5: Hi! Welcome back! I'm glad to know you're back to reading this fic again. I hope you're still liking the story so far. How'd you like this update?
Shopps: Thank you for reading! Here's a nice long chapter with lots of TxT fluff for you! I hope you enjoyed reading it.
cherub girl: Oh, you poor thing! I hope your leg is better now. I'm glad you like the way I've written Tsukasa in this story, even if he is way OOC. Did you like the TxT romance in this update? I hope I didn't disappoint you!
Invisible Rain: Hey there! Glad you liked the last chapter. I hope you enjoyed this one too, and I've sufficiently explained why Tsukasa seemed reluctant about the whole rose thing.
piglet: Yup, you guessed it right! But I hope I still managed to surprise you with how the chapter turned out in the end.
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Thank you for your continued support of this fic. I hope I live up to your expectations and come up with chapters to sustain your interest.
len: Welcome aboard, newbie! Thanks for giving this fic a chance. I'm glad you like what you've read so far. Hope you liked this update too.
Bee Bop: Here you go, Tsukasa did give his rose to Tsukushi. Hope you liked this chapter.
Xyjah: Oh, you flatter me. I'm glad you like my writing. Thanks for reading and good luck with your fic as well!
otaku-chan: Ooh, another new reader! Welcome aboard. Happy to hear you like the story so far. Hope you liked this update.