************************************************************************
Part II: The Morning After
Chapter 5: Just Another Day
************************************************************************
Tsukushi eyes slowly fluttered open. Her first sight was the high ceiling of Tsukasa's bedroom. She was still in Tsukasa's arms. The part she missed most about the vacation was waking up in his arms. There was a sense of comfort knowing that she wasn't alone. Tsukushi gazed at Tsukasa. He looks the sweetest when sleeping. She brushed her right hand through his hair, and then looked at the clock. She had a bit more than an hour to get ready for school. She lifted the covers to get out of bed but Tsukasa stopped her and murmured, "don't leave."
She looked back at Tsukasa thinking he was awake but he was still sleeping soundly. She leaned over him and kissed him. He woke up.
"I thought you were a sound sleeper." Tsukushi was surprised that Tsukasa woke up with a kiss. Reminds me of sleeping beauty she thought.
"That's why I overslept yesterday. No one wakes me up like you do."
Tsukushi blushed and smacked him with the pillow. "Don't get too used to it," she retorted.
Tsukasa shoved the pillow away from his face and asked, "What time is it?"
"6:30."
"That's plenty of time."
"For what?"
Instead of answering he showed her. He pushed her back down to bed. And this time, she didn't struggle.
[Outside their room]
The maids were on the ground level cleaning the living room. They noticed three men in black suits going up to stairs.
"Those guys look very scary, why are they going up?" one of the young maids said.
"You're new here so you don't know that they're waking Doumyouji-sama up for school."
"Ehh?! Three guys are needed to wake him up?"
The older maid nodded, "Doumyouji-sama hates waking up in the morning, and he's very powerful so three guys are needed. On some days they're not even enough."
"Wow." The maid continued sweeping the floor thinking there was something wrong, something about yesterday. Then a light bulb flashed in her mind. "Tsukushi-sama! She slept over last night!" She looked up and saw the three men were already walking towards Doumyouji's sama's room. "WAIT!" she cried out. She ran up the stairs and blocked the door before the men could open it. "You-" she was out of breath, "You can't go in there. Tsukushi-sama's inside."
The three men looked at each other, then the middle one with the jet- black hair spoke, "but we have to wake Doumyouji-sama up for school."
They were spared from debating when Tsukushi and Tsukasa came out moments later.
Tsukushi looked at them, wondering why they were standing outside the room.
"Is something wrong?" Tsukushi asked. They all shook their heads.
Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa in puzzlement. He shrugged, pretending he didn't know why they were there. But in fact he did know. These men were the usual ones who wake him up. He should've talked with them last night and said they didn't need to wake him up when Tsukushi was here. After all, Tsukasa grinned, Tsukushi was much more effective than them. He'll tell them tonight.
They walked down to the dining room where they were served breakfast.
"Tsukasa, how come you don't wear the school uniform?"
"That ugly thing? It's tight and uncomfortable."
"The guys in our school aren't complaining about it."
"I have sensitive skin." He said in an arrogant tone. Tsukushi rolled her eyes. Their breakfast passed by with light bantering, typical of their relationship. They were done with breakfast and there was still half an hour left before they had to leave.
"Lunch!" Tsukushi exclaimed all of a sudden "I forgot to make a lunchbox. Do you want me to make you one too?"
"Geh, you might as well. I'm getting used to eating that slop." Tsukushi kicked him.
"Oww! You should start acting like a girl and stop hitting people." Tsukushi only laughed and ran into the kitchen.
"Makino-sama!" the chef cried, "What are you doing in here?"
"I want to make lunch boxes."
"But guests aren't allowed in here! Tell me what you want to make and I'll make it for you. That's what I'm here for."
Tsukushi shook her head. "It's not the same if you make it for us."
"But-" The chef turned to look at Tsukasa for help, but Tsukasa only shook his head. The chef sighed and relented. Tsukasa took a seat at the counter and watched Tsukushi cook. The chef paused before leaving and looked back at Doumyouji. He froze at the sight of Doumyouji's smiling face. He had been working here for 10 years and he had never once seen Doumyouji smile as innocent and genuine as this. This girl must be the one that caused so much trouble with Kaede-sama. The chef smiled. This house needs some changing. He left the two of them alone.
"Wow you have everything here," Tsukushi said as she scrummaged around the cabinets. She opened the refrigerator and was amazed. It wasn't a normal fridge. It was a cold room was huge. You can actually walk in. It was the size of her living room! Tsukushi shook her head she shouldn't have been surprised. Rich people liked everything big and spacious. But Tsukushi couldn't help being amazed. "There are spices and ingredients I've never even heard of."
"Of course. Our chefs know how to cook all ethnic foods."
"That's incredible," Tsukushi said as she came out of the fridge. She was holding assorted seafood. "But too bad for you I only know how to cook Japanese food."
Tsukasa mockingly sighed, "It's okay, I didn't expect much from a poor girl."
Tsukushi picked up the apple next to her and threw it at Tsukasa - hard.
"Ow!" There was a big bump on Tsukasa head. "You could have killed me!"
"Your head is too thick to be injured."
Tsukasa paused and thought thick head? Was that an insult? It felt like one. He pondered over it for a few minutes. "Hey! I'm not dumb!"
Tsukushi sighed, but then she smiled. She finished the lunchboxes and left the mansion, where the limo and chauffeur was waiting for them.
"I'm going to walk. It's only a few minutes from here."
"Why would you want to walk when you don't have to? Get in."
"No." She didn't want to tell him that she felt uncomfortable going to school in a limo. He'd just laugh at her.
But Tsukasa wouldn't take no for an answer. He picked her and got in the limo with her. He held her tight on his lap.
Tsukushi screamed. "Let me go!" She struggled to get out of his lap.
"If you keep moving like that we're not going to go school." Tsukushi froze, which only made Tsukasa laugh. Tsukushi relaxed into his arms. Only for a few minutes, she thought.
Since they came back it was rare for Tsukushi to unwind. She was always worrying about something, but he didn't know what. He didn't even understand why she was worrying. Didn't he promise to take care of her? Was it really so hard for her to rely on him?
The car stopped in front of the school. Tsukushi immediately scooted out of Tsukasa's lap. The chauffer opened the door. Tsukushi and Tsukasa stepped out.
"Oh my god the rumors were true!! They're together."
"Why?! She's ugly and poor. What does he see in her?"
Tsukushi froze. Everyone was staring at them. It seems like her relationship with Tsukasa seems to be the hot topic. Tsukushi sighed, why were they always the center of attention? All she wanted was some peace and quiet.
"What are you all looking at?!" Tsukasa kicked the trashcan next to him. "Do you all want red cards?"
Tsukushi shook her head in exasperation. When will he grow up?
********
[After school]
"Do you know anything about music?" Tsukushi shook her head.
Her instructor, Omi Osaka, sighed. He was in his late twenties. Tsukushi supposed some might say he was handsome. He had flowing jet-black hair that reached his shoulders and an angular face. "Then I'll have to teach you from scratch. But it's ok," her teacher's brown eyes became big and round, shining with hope. "I have faith that I'll be able to turn you into the best pianist! Come let's start!"
Tsukushi slowly backed away in fright. She had a feeling piano lessons weren't going to be as fun as she originally thought.
Two hours later her hands, shoulders, and back were aching from playing the piano and sitting on the bench. She hurt too much to move from the piano room. She sat on the chair to rest.
That was how Tsukasa found her 15 minutes later. He moved to pick her up. Tsukushi's eyes fluttered open. "Tsukasa? What time is it?"
"Almost seven." Tsukasa walked out of the room to the dining hall.
Tsukushi heard the maids giggle. When she turned to look at them they blushed and averted their eyes. At first she didn't know why then she realized she was in Tsukasa's arms. "Ahh! Why are you holding me? Why am I in your arms? Let me off!"
"We're almost there." Tsukasa kicked open the door to the dining room and placed Tsukushi on the chair. He walked to the opposite end.
Tsukushi's face was all red. "D-don't do that again."
Tsukasa grinned foolishly. "I love your flustered look. Makes me want to ravish you."
Tsukushi immediately changed her facial expression to a defiant look. Tsukasa laughed, "Now you look like a monkey."
The maids came in and placed food on their table. Tsukushi looked down at all the forks and spoons she had. She picked up the outer most fork. She still didn't understand why rich people needed so many utensils. For her one pair of chopsticks was enough.
"So how was class? You had piano lessons today right?"
"The teacher was ruthless. I didn't get a chance to rest. But," she paused, "it was also fun. I've always wanted to learn how to play piano, so even though it's hard I'm still going to give it my best."
Tsukasa was happy she liked her class. Because if she didn't he would've beaten the teacher for being cruel to her. He smiled. If it was any other girl she would be complaining and crying. But not Tsukushi. That's what he liked about her. She was strong even if she didn't think so herself.
"Hey, have you talked to Ryoko?"
Tsukushi looked down. "No. I kept calling her but I just get a message. She's not returning my calls either. It seems like she's avoiding me."
"You could always locate her with the tracking device."
Tsukushi shook her head. "If she doesn't want to talk to me then I think I should just suddenly show up in front of her."
"Why not? If you want to talk to her what's wrong with using the tools you have to find her. It's not like she doesn't know there's a tracking device on her phone."
Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa in exasperation and admiration. He always did whatever he wanted to, regardless of other people's feelings, yet that simple and straightforward approach of his was envious. She didn't think she could ever blindly enter a situation.
"But," Tsukasa shrugged, "if you don't want to do anything that's your choice."
"She left without even saying a word. What else am I suppose to think, except that she doesn't want to be my friend?"
"That's something you'll have to ask her."
Tsukushi looked downcast, thinking about Ryoko.
************************************************************************
Sorry for the long wait. I was done with college apps but then I had finals. I can finally rest now and devote more time to writing. Thank you everyone for urging me to update! I'll try to update at least once every two weeks. The next one will be about Ryoko. I didn't forget about her!
Part II: The Morning After
Chapter 5: Just Another Day
************************************************************************
Tsukushi eyes slowly fluttered open. Her first sight was the high ceiling of Tsukasa's bedroom. She was still in Tsukasa's arms. The part she missed most about the vacation was waking up in his arms. There was a sense of comfort knowing that she wasn't alone. Tsukushi gazed at Tsukasa. He looks the sweetest when sleeping. She brushed her right hand through his hair, and then looked at the clock. She had a bit more than an hour to get ready for school. She lifted the covers to get out of bed but Tsukasa stopped her and murmured, "don't leave."
She looked back at Tsukasa thinking he was awake but he was still sleeping soundly. She leaned over him and kissed him. He woke up.
"I thought you were a sound sleeper." Tsukushi was surprised that Tsukasa woke up with a kiss. Reminds me of sleeping beauty she thought.
"That's why I overslept yesterday. No one wakes me up like you do."
Tsukushi blushed and smacked him with the pillow. "Don't get too used to it," she retorted.
Tsukasa shoved the pillow away from his face and asked, "What time is it?"
"6:30."
"That's plenty of time."
"For what?"
Instead of answering he showed her. He pushed her back down to bed. And this time, she didn't struggle.
[Outside their room]
The maids were on the ground level cleaning the living room. They noticed three men in black suits going up to stairs.
"Those guys look very scary, why are they going up?" one of the young maids said.
"You're new here so you don't know that they're waking Doumyouji-sama up for school."
"Ehh?! Three guys are needed to wake him up?"
The older maid nodded, "Doumyouji-sama hates waking up in the morning, and he's very powerful so three guys are needed. On some days they're not even enough."
"Wow." The maid continued sweeping the floor thinking there was something wrong, something about yesterday. Then a light bulb flashed in her mind. "Tsukushi-sama! She slept over last night!" She looked up and saw the three men were already walking towards Doumyouji's sama's room. "WAIT!" she cried out. She ran up the stairs and blocked the door before the men could open it. "You-" she was out of breath, "You can't go in there. Tsukushi-sama's inside."
The three men looked at each other, then the middle one with the jet- black hair spoke, "but we have to wake Doumyouji-sama up for school."
They were spared from debating when Tsukushi and Tsukasa came out moments later.
Tsukushi looked at them, wondering why they were standing outside the room.
"Is something wrong?" Tsukushi asked. They all shook their heads.
Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa in puzzlement. He shrugged, pretending he didn't know why they were there. But in fact he did know. These men were the usual ones who wake him up. He should've talked with them last night and said they didn't need to wake him up when Tsukushi was here. After all, Tsukasa grinned, Tsukushi was much more effective than them. He'll tell them tonight.
They walked down to the dining room where they were served breakfast.
"Tsukasa, how come you don't wear the school uniform?"
"That ugly thing? It's tight and uncomfortable."
"The guys in our school aren't complaining about it."
"I have sensitive skin." He said in an arrogant tone. Tsukushi rolled her eyes. Their breakfast passed by with light bantering, typical of their relationship. They were done with breakfast and there was still half an hour left before they had to leave.
"Lunch!" Tsukushi exclaimed all of a sudden "I forgot to make a lunchbox. Do you want me to make you one too?"
"Geh, you might as well. I'm getting used to eating that slop." Tsukushi kicked him.
"Oww! You should start acting like a girl and stop hitting people." Tsukushi only laughed and ran into the kitchen.
"Makino-sama!" the chef cried, "What are you doing in here?"
"I want to make lunch boxes."
"But guests aren't allowed in here! Tell me what you want to make and I'll make it for you. That's what I'm here for."
Tsukushi shook her head. "It's not the same if you make it for us."
"But-" The chef turned to look at Tsukasa for help, but Tsukasa only shook his head. The chef sighed and relented. Tsukasa took a seat at the counter and watched Tsukushi cook. The chef paused before leaving and looked back at Doumyouji. He froze at the sight of Doumyouji's smiling face. He had been working here for 10 years and he had never once seen Doumyouji smile as innocent and genuine as this. This girl must be the one that caused so much trouble with Kaede-sama. The chef smiled. This house needs some changing. He left the two of them alone.
"Wow you have everything here," Tsukushi said as she scrummaged around the cabinets. She opened the refrigerator and was amazed. It wasn't a normal fridge. It was a cold room was huge. You can actually walk in. It was the size of her living room! Tsukushi shook her head she shouldn't have been surprised. Rich people liked everything big and spacious. But Tsukushi couldn't help being amazed. "There are spices and ingredients I've never even heard of."
"Of course. Our chefs know how to cook all ethnic foods."
"That's incredible," Tsukushi said as she came out of the fridge. She was holding assorted seafood. "But too bad for you I only know how to cook Japanese food."
Tsukasa mockingly sighed, "It's okay, I didn't expect much from a poor girl."
Tsukushi picked up the apple next to her and threw it at Tsukasa - hard.
"Ow!" There was a big bump on Tsukasa head. "You could have killed me!"
"Your head is too thick to be injured."
Tsukasa paused and thought thick head? Was that an insult? It felt like one. He pondered over it for a few minutes. "Hey! I'm not dumb!"
Tsukushi sighed, but then she smiled. She finished the lunchboxes and left the mansion, where the limo and chauffeur was waiting for them.
"I'm going to walk. It's only a few minutes from here."
"Why would you want to walk when you don't have to? Get in."
"No." She didn't want to tell him that she felt uncomfortable going to school in a limo. He'd just laugh at her.
But Tsukasa wouldn't take no for an answer. He picked her and got in the limo with her. He held her tight on his lap.
Tsukushi screamed. "Let me go!" She struggled to get out of his lap.
"If you keep moving like that we're not going to go school." Tsukushi froze, which only made Tsukasa laugh. Tsukushi relaxed into his arms. Only for a few minutes, she thought.
Since they came back it was rare for Tsukushi to unwind. She was always worrying about something, but he didn't know what. He didn't even understand why she was worrying. Didn't he promise to take care of her? Was it really so hard for her to rely on him?
The car stopped in front of the school. Tsukushi immediately scooted out of Tsukasa's lap. The chauffer opened the door. Tsukushi and Tsukasa stepped out.
"Oh my god the rumors were true!! They're together."
"Why?! She's ugly and poor. What does he see in her?"
Tsukushi froze. Everyone was staring at them. It seems like her relationship with Tsukasa seems to be the hot topic. Tsukushi sighed, why were they always the center of attention? All she wanted was some peace and quiet.
"What are you all looking at?!" Tsukasa kicked the trashcan next to him. "Do you all want red cards?"
Tsukushi shook her head in exasperation. When will he grow up?
********
[After school]
"Do you know anything about music?" Tsukushi shook her head.
Her instructor, Omi Osaka, sighed. He was in his late twenties. Tsukushi supposed some might say he was handsome. He had flowing jet-black hair that reached his shoulders and an angular face. "Then I'll have to teach you from scratch. But it's ok," her teacher's brown eyes became big and round, shining with hope. "I have faith that I'll be able to turn you into the best pianist! Come let's start!"
Tsukushi slowly backed away in fright. She had a feeling piano lessons weren't going to be as fun as she originally thought.
Two hours later her hands, shoulders, and back were aching from playing the piano and sitting on the bench. She hurt too much to move from the piano room. She sat on the chair to rest.
That was how Tsukasa found her 15 minutes later. He moved to pick her up. Tsukushi's eyes fluttered open. "Tsukasa? What time is it?"
"Almost seven." Tsukasa walked out of the room to the dining hall.
Tsukushi heard the maids giggle. When she turned to look at them they blushed and averted their eyes. At first she didn't know why then she realized she was in Tsukasa's arms. "Ahh! Why are you holding me? Why am I in your arms? Let me off!"
"We're almost there." Tsukasa kicked open the door to the dining room and placed Tsukushi on the chair. He walked to the opposite end.
Tsukushi's face was all red. "D-don't do that again."
Tsukasa grinned foolishly. "I love your flustered look. Makes me want to ravish you."
Tsukushi immediately changed her facial expression to a defiant look. Tsukasa laughed, "Now you look like a monkey."
The maids came in and placed food on their table. Tsukushi looked down at all the forks and spoons she had. She picked up the outer most fork. She still didn't understand why rich people needed so many utensils. For her one pair of chopsticks was enough.
"So how was class? You had piano lessons today right?"
"The teacher was ruthless. I didn't get a chance to rest. But," she paused, "it was also fun. I've always wanted to learn how to play piano, so even though it's hard I'm still going to give it my best."
Tsukasa was happy she liked her class. Because if she didn't he would've beaten the teacher for being cruel to her. He smiled. If it was any other girl she would be complaining and crying. But not Tsukushi. That's what he liked about her. She was strong even if she didn't think so herself.
"Hey, have you talked to Ryoko?"
Tsukushi looked down. "No. I kept calling her but I just get a message. She's not returning my calls either. It seems like she's avoiding me."
"You could always locate her with the tracking device."
Tsukushi shook her head. "If she doesn't want to talk to me then I think I should just suddenly show up in front of her."
"Why not? If you want to talk to her what's wrong with using the tools you have to find her. It's not like she doesn't know there's a tracking device on her phone."
Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa in exasperation and admiration. He always did whatever he wanted to, regardless of other people's feelings, yet that simple and straightforward approach of his was envious. She didn't think she could ever blindly enter a situation.
"But," Tsukasa shrugged, "if you don't want to do anything that's your choice."
"She left without even saying a word. What else am I suppose to think, except that she doesn't want to be my friend?"
"That's something you'll have to ask her."
Tsukushi looked downcast, thinking about Ryoko.
************************************************************************
Sorry for the long wait. I was done with college apps but then I had finals. I can finally rest now and devote more time to writing. Thank you everyone for urging me to update! I'll try to update at least once every two weeks. The next one will be about Ryoko. I didn't forget about her!