Part II: The Morning After
Chapter XIII: Rui's troubles
Rui walked around the streets aimlessly. Normally he would've stayed home, sleeping or watching TV but today he felt restless. He wanted to call his friends but he didn't want the not so discreet looks that were tossed his way when they thought he wasn't looking. He didn't want to talk about it, not yet.
He came across a store that Tsukushi used to work in. He thought nostalgically of the old times as he walked past it. He thought of the girl that was too innocent and naïve for her own good. He missed her, missed the times they spent together on the staircase. Even back then he knew that she belonged to Tsukasa and he never wanted her for himself. She was more like a sister to him than a girlfriend. He wanted to call her but he didn't want to see the concern and worry written all over her face. She was never good at hiding her emotions.
Rui walked into the park and sat down on the bench. He was so tired. They all had their ways of coping with the feeling that they can't control their destiny. Akira and Soujiro lost themselves in women, in carnal pleasures. Tsukasa used to beat up people. Out of all four of them he was the one that resented being "the heir" the most. From what he heard Tsukasa was learning the ropes of his empire now. Tsukushi was really good for him. As for him, he just liked to sleep and watch TV. That way he never had to think, never had time to think and get depressed. Being with Shizuka soothed and comforted him. God, it still hurt to think of her.
Ayaka had a really bad day at work. She had to go in on Saturday because they were already behind schedule. Some people were such idiots. In the two scenes she was in today, there was always something wrong. At first she wasn't bothered by the water that somebody spilled over her head. It was easy enough to get dry. She started getting angry when somebody ruined her costume. It was a really pretty dress for the ballroom scene and she was looking forward to wearing it. It would take a few days to get another dress so they couldn't do the scene. She didn't mind not wearing the dress, she was angrier that these people didn't care about the movie. By doing petty things like this they were delaying the production. The worst part of it was that she knew there were going to be more problems in the future. She knew why she was being bullied. She was young and she knew a lot of people didn't think she should've gotten the role. That's not all people were saying, they thought she got the role because her family was old money. She didn't care what they thought; she worked hard to get to where she was. She stopped depending on them when her mom died.
So instead of going back to an empty apartment she decided to go to the Tokyo Tower. She didn't know why but there was something about the strong wind there that soothed her. Normally she liked to take the long way, today she decided to take a shortcut through the park. She saw Rui the moment she stepped into the park. It had been a week since she last saw him. She never expected to see him again. She walked over and gave him a hand.
Rui looked up and saw Ayaka. He looked into her eyes then looked down at the hand she offered. "Come." She didn't elaborate.
He took her hand and let her pull him up. Their hands were still linked. Rui didn't want to let her go and it didn't seem like Ayaka minded. He was bothered by that. Was she like this with all guys?
He was so focused on analyzing her that he didn't realize she forcibly pulled him back. Rui looked up and saw that he almost walked into the door. He was embarrassed, he thought she would laugh at him instead she opened the door and walked in. "Tokyo Tower," Rui thought as he looked around their surroundings.
"This is my favorite place to be when I'm happy, sad, angry, just about every emotion I feel." He thought she was walking to the elevator but she headed toward the stairs. "You up for it?"
"If you are." He didn't consider himself chauvinistic; however; if she could do it he should be able to too. He wasn't a slacker. He doesn't go to the gym everyday but he was in good shape. Ayaka simply smiled widely. He could tell that she thought he wouldn't be able to do it.
They walked up the stairs for almost an hour, with no breaks. His muscles were singing with pain. He looked over to her, she was barely sweating. They weren't holding hands anymore. Rui needed both of them to pull him up the stairs. They walked for another few minutes before she stopped. He looked at her questioningly.
"Right here we can take an elevator the rest of the way up." Ayaka saw his hesitation. "There's no shame in it. I don't think anybody without intense training can walk all the way up in their first time. It took me everyday for almost two months before I was able to." She opened the door to go inside for the elevator. She turned back and extended her hand.
Rui placed his hand in hers. "Alright, but let's do this everyday until I can walk up without resting."
"Okay," Ayaka said without thought. She was looking for excuses to keep seeing him and here he was giving her a reason.
Rui frowned. Why did he say that? He didn't want to be with her, that's what he said after their first meeting, that's why he didn't ask for her number, but he knew he was lying to himself. From the start he knew she would change his life around. He was already changing. He would never have wanted to walk up Tokyo Tower. It was insane, and he secretly loved it.
They walked out of the elevator and went outside. Rui was amazed at the sight before him. The sun was shining brightly. It was huge, bigger than he had ever seen before. The sky was in all the colors of the rainbow. It wasn't his first time seeing the sunset but this was just amazing.
"It's beautiful right?" Ayaka asked as she walked closer to the railing. From his viewpoint it looked like she was walking toward the sun, as if she was offering herself as a sacrifice.
"Yeah it is." You're beautiful. He walked over and leaned on the railing. They stayed that way in silence, admiring the sunset as it disappeared.
"I'm hungry. Are you up for dinner?"
Rui smiled at her for the first time and nodded. "You choose the restaurant."
Ayaka grinned. "Okay, but don't regret it." She took him to a small ramen shop. He paused briefly at the entrance. Ayaka was disappointed. She didn't want him to be a snob.
Rui didn't hesitate because he thought the place was unsanitary or too low class, but rather he didn't expect she would go here. She was dressed in designer clothes, and she knew he had money. Surely she knew he was going to pay for their meal. Maybe that's why she chose this place. She didn't know if he was going to pay. Satisfied with his reasoning, he walked through the door.
"Ayaka-chan!" an old lady came to hug Ayaka. "It's been a while since you came. We were starting to get worried."
Ayaka grinned heartily and returned the hug. "I'm sorry. I've been swamped with work."
"Bah, with you it's always work, work, work. I'm sure that'll change soon enough." She smiled at Rui.
Ayaka grinned at the teasing, but didn't answer. It was always like that when she came in. The landlady was always on her case about getting a boyfriend and working too much.
"So, what will you young ones have tonight? The usual?"
"Yes, for both of us." Ayaka answered.
They seated themselves in a corner table. "I hope you don't mind me ordering for you."
"No, I wouldn't know what to get here."
"Not really your usual place to eat, huh?" Ayaka said as she looked around at their surroundings. The ramen shop was small and brightly lit. There were only three tables that might fit four people if they sit tightly and there was a small bar area for those who eat solo or want to watch the cooking.
"No. Although, you could've chosen a better restaurant, I would've paid for it."
Ayaka stiffened noticeably. She was about to yell at him for such a snobbish comment when her landlady came with the food. She held in her temper, knowing that she shouldn't let it get the best of her.
Rui noticed her tense and was sorry for causing it. What did he say wrong?
"I chose this place because as you can see the food comes really fast. It's good and filling. Yeah it's also cheap, that doesn't matter. I find that expensive restaurants are just that, expensive. There's barely any food on the plate and they charge an arm and a leg for it. It's really ridiculous."
"You get exemplary service. There's good ambience and the food is made from the freshest and rarest ingredients. It's not something that everyone can eat."
Ayaka shrugged. "There are so many other good restaurants that meet those requirements without it being so expensive. Take this place for example. Try the food."
Rui looked down at the bowl before him. There was a bunch of who knows what in there. He saw vegetables and meat. He took his pair of chopsticks and dug around. He saw ramen buried underneath. He took a taste. His eyes opened in surprise, it was really good.
Ayaka grinned. There's hope for him yet, she thought. "So what do you like to do for fun?" They spent an hour after they finished eating talking about their interests and hobbies. Who would've known they had so much in common. They liked the same TV programs and they both loved watching movies.
Ayaka glanced at the clock, "It's getting late. I have to go home."
"I'll walk you."
"It's okay; it's just down the block."
"I'll walk you," Rui repeated. Ayaka sighed; she knew he wasn't going to give in, so she relented. They exchanged cell numbers along the way.
They stopped by her door. She opened it then turned around, about to say good night to Rui.
"This is a mistake." He leaned down and kissed her. She was too stunned to respond. She didn't think he was this bold. He was about to move back but she hooked her hand behind his head. "If this is going to be a mistake, let's make it count." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. Rui wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. They couldn't get enough of each other. Rui picked her up, her legs hooking around his waist. He brought her into the living room and she fell on the sofa.
Rui looked down at her, "Are you this easy with all the guys you don't know?" The fire she felt turned to ash.
"Get out." She said coldly. "Get out. I won't be with a man who thinks I'm a whore." She pushed him off of her. Rui allowed her to push him out the door. He was still stunned at how cruel his words were.
He was outside before he realized it. Damn it, he thought. He should've explained when he was with her. Now he doubted she would speak to him. Damn it, he thought again. He walked home aroused and angry.
Sorry this chapter took sooooo long to write. I've just been lazy, so to compensate I'll have another chapter out soon. I have it written already, just need to add a bit more here and there. There'll be more TxT in the next ones. Thanks for being patient with me. Review!