Playing With Ice
Chapter 4: Distant
Tap…
Tap…
Tap…
Betrayal is such a cruel bitch.
16 year old Sara Hanazono thought so as she lied down on the ground, with bruises on her cheeks and a bleeding head.
Hard rain kept on pouring on the streets of London, she was just walking home from work when two burly women started decided to steal her purse (with a little money on it ), but the bitches didn't stop there, they made sure she was wounded before they left her rotting in the alley.
She could get help from her family anytime, the Hanazono clan is a prestigious family and they will no doubt help their princess. But her stubbornness to rely on her family prevents her from doing so, despite the fact that she had thrown her pride away a long time ago, she will never beg help from the man that destroyed her family and her trust.
Her bastard of a father.
She clutched her arms as she gritted her teeth in hatred. The said man just openly admitted to the whole family that he had a freakin' mistress. The moment he said that, rage and bottled up hatred started to overflow in her heart, she felt hurt, and betrayed and wronged, so much that that she decided to go away, throwing everything and turning her back on the happy world that she had known.
She left a letter in her room and emptying the bank account that her mother made for her that night, then she went to England to start a new life.
And in order for the ordinary people to take her seriously, she shaved her head, abandoning her long, black locks and buying the ugliest garbs and tossing the beautiful dresses that she got accustomed to.
She didn't let her family know her whereabouts, she hated her father too much to see him, she even seethed sharing the same blood with him.
And now, she was almost at the verge of death.
She didn't want to believe that they are successful because of her father, she wanted to prove that she has talent as well. The bastard deluded himself that without him, they would never thrive, ha! As if. She will prove to him that she will survive without him.
And yet…
Here she was, at the brink of death.
She wondered if it was the right time to make a move, she can be so brash, making decisions at a fast pace and at the last minute. By the time she realized, she was already halfway, and there's no turning back.
She coughed as she breathed. She needed to stand up and go to the nearest hospital, but she didn't have any health card yet, so she has to pay for the medical expenses.
Bullshit.
She straightened her limbs, then stretched them upwards, she managed to stand, but she staggered and leaned on the wall.
She's starting to get dizzy, and her vision is starting to become red because of the blood flowing from her head. She has to go. She wouldn't die here, not without a fight.
She was about to walk when her knees buckled and she sat back on the ground. She hissed. She won't give up, she won't, even if has to crawl, she'll use every limb that she can use.
She then stretched up her arm, only to be surprised when a warm hand grasp it.
She raised her head to have a better look, he was a teenager, the same as him, with the dark, brown locks and a pair of jade green eyes.
He was looking at her with a worried face, it was the first time that a stranger was kind to her. Most of them treated her like shit and dirt bag.
He took her hand and gave her a boost.
"I'll bring you to the hospital… " He said as he helped her.
She opened her mouth to thank him, but no words of thanks came out, instead, she found herself asking.
"May I know your name? " She asked.
He looked at her in surprise. She couldn't blame him, most of them thought she's a boy with her hideous appearance.
But after a minute, he let out a smile.
"I'm Ritsu Onodera… " He replied.
A name that she made sure never to forget.
Ritsu was walking home, tired from work. He managed to offer again yet another successful proposal, it was hard being the anthology coordinator, but he was happy with the result of his hardwork and that his plans were approved most of the time.
He then decided to go to the convenience store to buy some bento, he picked up the usual box that he usually buys when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around, only to see his fiancée Sara, looking at him in amusement.
"Sara? What are you doing here? " He asked in surprise.
"I'm feeling kind of sweet today, so I decided to buy some macarons. " She replied as she showed him boxes filled with brightly coloured desserts.
"Oh… "
Sara then raised a dark eyebrow at the boxed dinner that he was holding.
"Those things are full of preservatives. " She told him bluntly. "It's fine to eat those take out boxes once in while, but if you eat them everyday, it will be bad for your health."
Ritsu sighed. "I know. But I have no time to cook. "
"Hmm… " She tilted her head to the side and smiled. "Do you want to have dinner at my house? "
Immediately, Ritsu shook his head. "No! No! No! I couldn't – "
He was cut off when Sara took his hand in hers. "Come on. I could never allow my fiancée to each such things! "
"But I – "
Again, Ritsu wasn't able to complain when he felt himself being dragged again by his headstrong fiancée.
Ritsu felt his mouth water as he smelled the food in front of him.
"Here, have some scallops and chestnut rice. " She offered as she handed him a big plate. "I also grilled some salmon. And here's some salad. "
He immediately dove in and started to eat, almost wolfing everything. The food was so warm and so good that he finished his plate in minutes.
When he realized how much of glutton he was, he blushed.
"I'm sorry… I… "
Sara snickered. "It's fine, you just came from work, and you're hungry." She said as she handed him another plate of chestnut rice. "Here have some more. "
As usual, he ate again, but this time, he took his time. He was eating the grilled salmon when she spoke.
"By the way, Shinsue Akibara sensei is coming to Japan this Saturday. "
He stopped eating when she said the name.
"Shinsue Akibara sensei? The greatest author of crime and mystery books? " He choked.
She nodded. "His family will hold a welcoming party for him so it will be an exclusive event. Most rich families and famous authors will be there as well. I'm lucky I got an invite. " She said and showed him an envelope. "I just thought… maybe you wanted to come since you're a former literary editor. "
Ritsu widened his eyes. During his work in Onodera publishing, he was honored to be assigned to the youngest recipient of Naomori award, Akihiko Usami. And it has been his dream to work with as many authors as possible.
But Shinsue Akibara…
Akibara sensei had found his fame and admiration by writing literary works of real life crime and mystery, giving unexpected twists to every chapter as you read. He was a fan of his, he loved reading his books, he even has a collection of his books at his apartment.
Being his fan, he would never let this opportunity pass.
"Sure. " He said eagerly as he drank some water. "I'll make sure to vacate my work schedule this Saturday. "
Sara gave a slow, smile. Her plans are working now.
"Good, do you want me to pick you up? "
He shook his head. "No, I can travel by subway. Where will it be held? "
"Saturday, in Sapphire Palace. It's outside of Tokyo. It should be in Teito Hotel, but the place is hosting another big event. "
He nodded. "Its fine, I can come. " He remembered going to that place before, so he knows the way.
"Good. Then I'll see you on Saturday. " She said as she looked at him.
He smiled. "Yeah I'll come. "
Sara grinned. Oh, Ritsu, you're still as naïve as ever… you didn't even realize that this is a date…
And she will take her gem, no matter what she had to do to get him.
Sara then took him to the nearest train station. He then went home and when he looked at his watch, it was almost 11 in the evening.
Ritsu sighed as he looked at the clouds, no stars are apparent tonight, rainy season is still in the way. But he has an umbrella in his bag, so he's sure he won't have any problem just in case it pours anytime soon.
He lowered his eyelids. Sara sure is a kind person, and it's no doubt that he liked her presence. She was in a way like An. Very understanding and very sensitive. And it won't be a problem accepting her and loving her as a friend.
He bit his lip at the realization.
Just as she promised him, she won't interfere with his other relationships. She's not the type to nag or force herself on him. She's gentle and she's a very nice person.
And he felt guilt crawling in his veins again.
The people around him are so kind to him, so kind that he didn't know if he deserved their kindness knowing that he's treating them selfishly and hurting them internally.
He shook his head. He should break the engagement as soon as possible, she was too good for a person like him. She doesn't deserve him.
He was walking towards his apartment when he saw a tall figure standing at his door.
"Takano san? " He asked in surprise. And the man looked at him, more like glared.
"Where have you been? " He interrogated.
He rolled his eyes as he took out his key. "What business is it yours? "
"It's my business because I'm your boyfriend. " He proclaimed outright.
"Excuse me? Since when did you become my boyfriend? " Ritsu hissed. 'I haven't confessed anything to you yet. "
"Yeah, you haven't confessed, but you allow me to kiss you and fuck you, so that makes you my boyfriend besides, I hate the term fuck buddy. Fuck buddy applies only to those who scorn emotional attachments. I'm not one of those because I keep telling you I love you, didn't I? "
Ritsu blushed ten shades of red. "I'm going to go inside and rest – "
He stopped when he felt his body suddenly being pinned up on the door, and was met harshly by the lips of his neighbor.
He felt his arm crawl to hold his left hand, he interlaced their fingers as he deepened his kiss.
Ritsu felt his heart pound loudly as Takano started to coax him to respond to him, it wasn't hard, and soon, he was having a tongue fight with him.
After a few moments of making out, Takano released him.
"Is something bothering you? " He asked as he cupped his lover's cheek. "Because Onodera… you seemed…distant lately. "
He looked away. How could he tell him that he's getting involved with another woman who is not An? How would he explain that his father engaged him to another one? How could he tell him that he rejected the said lady many times and still won't give up?
He bit his lip. He didn't want to trouble anyone with his problems. His engagement is his personal business, and he couldn't let Takano get troubled by it.
"Onodera? " He asked gently.
He never wanted to lose his composure, but when his feelings pour out, he couldn't hold them as much as he wants to.
Ritsu clenched his fists in frustration and before he knew it, he put his arms on Takano and hugged him tight, which surprised the latter.
"Onodera? "
Ritsu felt his tears pour as he put his head on his chest.
"Why? " He croaked as he clutched his jacket. "Why do you love me? Why are you all so kind to me? Why are you staying with me no matter how I push you away? " He asked as he cried. "Why? Why? Why? "
He felt Takano's huge hands held his head closer. "You said the answer yourself. We love you, I love you. That's why I care and look out for you all the time. "
He sniffed as he buried his head on his chest even more.
"What's the matter Onodera? Tell me. " Takano asked tenderly.
But Ritsu doesn't have the heart to spit it out. True, he loved this man, he couldn't bear to look at his pained expression. No,, he should solve this by himself first.
"I'm sorry… " He said softly.
Takano held his first love tightly. He knew he could never make Ritsu speak about whatever dilemma he has involved himself in. He knew it wasn't work, because everything work related, he will know, he was sure that it's about his family. He knows it was a burden to be the only child of a rich family, he had assumptions that it might be family problems that puts a weight on his first love's shoulders right now.
But something in his heart tells him otherwise. Yes, his Ritsu is responding to him, yes, he knew he loved him, and yes, he was coming back to him.
And yet why does he feel threatened all of a sudden? When he said Ritsu was being distant, he meant it, some days, he comes home late even though he goes out of the office early, he also visits his family very frequently nowadays.
He understood family matters and he was willing to let Ritsu solve problems on his own, but…
How come? Why did he feel that something or someone will take away his precious first love from him?
Takano held Ritsu tighter, almost crushing him to his chest. No, he will never allow him to slip in his fingers again, not the second time, never again…
He was about to comfort him when he heard the elevator suddenly close.
He furrowed his eyebrows. No one passed the hallway just now, so he was sure no one was riding in their floor. Hmm, whoever it was that was riding the elevator, probably hit the wrong button.
"Let's go in my apartment Onodera… " He said as he helped him walk. Tonight, he will make sure that his lover is comforted and be ready for tomorrow. Afterall, it is his responsibility as a lover to make sure he provides support to the one that he loves the most.
"Did you find Onodera sana's apartment, ma'am? "
Sara forced a sweet smile. "Yes I did. Thank you very much, sir. " She said to the security guard while clutching the wrapped bentos in her hand.
He grinned at her. "Good night and please be careful, beautiful ladies such as yourself should be wary of the streets of Tokyo, especially at night. "
She stopped walking and smirked. "Believe me, I have been through a lot… "
"Excuse me? "
She shook her head and smiled at him. "It's nothing, thank you very much for your help again. " She said as she walked quickly towards the parking lot.
She then went to her car and opened it, threw the bentos on the carseat beside her, then gunned the engine.
She then drove, and then looked at the wrapped bentos sitting beside her.
She wanted to bring her fiancée some food. She forgot to give it to him when he left, so she thought she can go give it to him on his apartment.
But what happened next shook her to the bone.
She just saw her fiancée making out with his lover, his alley cat the moment she reached the floor to his apartment.
She never liked what she saw, and she was almost halfway on making their bodies dismantle from each other, but she held herself back.
She wasn't the same brash kid before, who will dive in a situation without thinking, if she wants to end up in triumph, she should plan her moves slowly, patience is a virtue and she shouldn't strike back if she wants to win, at least not yet.
She endured watching a gut wrenching scene, she wondered where she got the courage to stay still and watch while her fiancée make out with another man, but she just stood there, and kept looking at them as if what they're aren't crushing her emotions.
After hearing enough and seeing enough, she raised her chin and gracefully walked away. She wouldn't let herself be defeated. She will fight back and win, just as she had been doing for the past 10 years of her life.
She then drove faster, until she reached a park. She then glared at the bentos that she prepared, then without knowing, she stopped the car on the side, took the boxed foods and threw it harshly on the ground.
Her knees buckled as she slumped on the ground, her turquoise eyes settled on the spilled food and then laughed bitterly.
"Ahahahahahahahahahaha! " She burst out. "This is crazy, this is stupid, this is madness! " She snapped as she looked at the spilled food again, she felt that her feelings were the same, spilled and dejected.
"Why am I so kind to you, Ritsu? Why you ask?" She asked in the air. "Because just like your alley cat, I AM MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU! " She screamed as she clenched her fists and bent her head.
She felt heavy drops from above, the tiny drops suddenly became more, and heavier, in a few minutes, the hard rain started to pour from the sky, and Sara felt her confidence and strength weakening.
"I love you… I love you… I love you Ritsu… " She said over and over again. "I love you… " She whispered as she raised her head and her face became drenched with the clear water. "I love you so much… that releasing you is unbearable…" She cried softly.
Sara stayed there, feeling the rain on her body, feeling rejected and hurt…
Just as Ritsu told her all along.
But the question is, how far can she endure all the pain that she's seeing and feeling? Will she have enough time to sustain all the rage and jealousy until she wins this love war?
"Excuse me, Takano san? "
Takano then shifted his form, only to see Shima, their cleaning lady smile at him.
"This was given to me by a delivery man. " She said as she handed him a small vase of dark, pink flowers.
"Are you sure it's for me? " He asked as he stared at the small, white vase.
"Yes. The delivery man says it so. " She replied as she looked at the note hanging on one of the stems. The pulled it to show it to him. "Here. It says to Takano Masamune of Marukawa Publishing, Editor in chief Emerald Editing Department. "
Takano cautiously took the vase and smiled at their maintenance lady. "Thank you, Shima san. "
"You're welcome, Takano san. " She said as she turned her back on him to do her job.
When Takano reached his desk, Mino noticed the flower that he was holding.
"Oh, a Rhododdendron flower. " He noticed with a constant smile on his face.
"Yes, some fool decided to give me a flower. "
"Maybe you have another fan, Takano san! " Kisa said excitedly.
Takano rolled his eyes as he put the vase on his desk. "It was probably an accidental present, I don't recall sending anything to anyone. Where's Onodera? " He asked.
"Oh, he went to the photocopying room. " Mino answered as he looked at the rhododendron flowers. "I don't think it's a fan that sent you flowers, Takano san. "
"Huh? "
"Rhododendron flowers meant beware and caution. " Hatori spoke as he fixed the papers on his desk. "Did you by any chance offend somebody? "
"Not that I can think of. " Takano replied as he stared at the flower, there were tiny five petal blossom, clustered on each other and forming a round shape.
But who will send this to him?
He felt his heart clamour. For some reason, he had a bad omen about this. A very very bad omen.
Outside the doors, Shima watched as the Editor in Chief observed the flower that she sent him.
"Hopefully you'll understand the situation now. " She said as she took out her muddy brown lenses, showing a pair of turquoise eyes. "You want war, and you waged it. Now, we'll see how you will fare. " She said and smiled. "You're going down, Takano Masamune, I'll make sure that I will win this war. "
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