Another entire month went by already before I could update again. I am so sorry for another late update. It's too terrible of a Christmas/New Year present for all the wonderful readers. I'm sorry. I promise you a better one next time!
Destiny and Fate Ch 23
The day began quite unlike the ones encountered on a normal, daily basis. Without interruption, intrusion, or any disturbance of any kind, the blonde who recently was blessed with a meeting with an angel awoke early in the morning. Waiting for the clock needle to advance, Takeru stared out of the glass panel. The days grew darker yet again. The warm rays of the sun and azure canvas in the sky was absent and tainted once again with clouds that could wail at any given time. Though only experiencing it briefly, he longed for the weather of the past day that granted new sensations and permitted thoughts of different nature. After experiencing the lustful brightness and calming air, he slightly detested the shadowy weather and mood he had grown accustomed to during his time of stay in this city. Realizing that wallowing in thought produced neither purposeful nor beneficial outcome, Takeru decided to start his day and cleansed himself of undesirable elements he contracted from the previous day. He finished in a flash and marched outside to the living room, hoping to find his significant other. However, he found the vast room empty of life.
'I wonder what she's doing?'
Concerned for her well-being, he cautiously walked to her room. Aware of the consequences for abrupt intrusion which will likely be gunfire, he gently knocked on her door and waited for the permission for entry. A pause. No sound or gesture permitting his entry was displayed. A brief moment of contemplation, then, he entered carefully into her domain. He immediately directed his eyes to the bed. She seemed invisible when hidden under the entire blanket due to her small frame. Had not for his exceptional analytical observation, he would have missed Hikari. He walked up to her bed, sat down on the floor, and spoke softly.
"Are you alright, Hikari?"
"…"
No reply came until few moments passed after.
"..Yeah. I'm fine.."
She answered, peeking her head out of the blanket.
"Really?"
He spoke back as he turned to meet her crystalline eyes. She stared back into eyes of his and answered.
"I am…just lot of things on my mind."
"About Taichi?"
"Well…Yeah…"
She, then, diverted her eyes away. Fully aware of Takeru's analytical capability, she attempted her best to hide her truest feeling and thought. A futile effort by her, for he comprehended the reason behind her diversion. Regardless, he spoke as if he had not known to support her thoughts and wish of discretion.
"I don't know what happened between you two, but avoiding won't solve anything."
"…"
She paused to ponder about his words. The more she thought, the more she saw truth in Takeru's words. She faced back to him and heard from him an another sentence.
"I won't force you to go to school if you really don't wish to."
A passage of short second, then, she spoke as she rose up from her bed, still half covered in blanket.
"It's okay. I'll go."
"Okay."
He gave her a light smile with his delivery of a single word. Aided by his reassuring smile, she got off of her bed while moving her silky, medium length hair over her shoulder. Perhaps her unmatched beauty? Or heavenly elegance with which she performed her small morning routine? Her soft, bare skin emphasizing luscious neck line? Regardless, Takeru could not help but to lose his mind and let it be dazed temporarily. Despite everything, by the end of the day, he was but a man. Be it natural instinct or awe from witnessing Hikari's otherworldly grace, Takeru was swallowed by desires to caress her celestial warmth. With the little willpower left remaining in his mind, he snapped out of the mental stun.
"I'll be outside if you need me."
He hurried out the door and patiently waited for Hikari to finish preparing for the day. Thankfully, she utilized enough time for the excited blonde to calm down his rapidly beating heart.
"Let's go."
She spoke as she shut the door behind her.
"Okay."
With a word of concur, both headed towards the floor which the vehicles were stored. Door shuts, ignition, then, tire screeches. The luxurious automobile departed for the widely renowned school, Tokyo University. Vehicle normality was still the eerie silence occasionally saved by seldom small talks. The drive lasted not long and the two quietly walked to the school campus once arrived.
"We're a bit late, but is that okay, Hikari?"
He inquired since time of arrival was past the usual schedule.
"One of our classes got canceled today, so we're fine."
"Lucky break. So we're free for now?"
No word in reply, but she delivered a simple nod.
"Well, if we're free, then, let's go eat something."
"What?"
"We still haven't eaten our breakfast. So why not?"
She exhaled a quick sigh, then, agreed to his suggestion.
"Alright, fine."
Triumphant, Takeru brightly smiled and delivered words of gratitude.
"Thanks, Hikari."
"Sure. Follow me. I know a place nearby."
She led the hungry man to a small on-campus café and began browsing through the menu. Upon reading the menu, Takeru let out a complaint.
"Little too pricey for small sandwiches or bagels."
"Complaining about money in front of me?"
"Oh, right. I forgot who you are for a moment."
"Good memory to forget about a globally famous person."
She spoke with a teasing sarcasm in her tone, lightly mocking her companion for disremembering her identity.
"You got me there. Me and my terrible memory."
Takeru replied with surrendering words and small, playful laughter.
"Work on it."
She said with a strengthened voice, victorious over the witty man. Following her sentence, her lips moved faintly, making visible of a tint of light smile on her heavenly complexion. Though not complete and nearly imperceptible to even call such a little change of facial muscle as a smile, fragment of radiance Takeru witnessed the previous day warmly embraced him. Perhaps unbeknownst to the owner herself, but her fortunate and observant companion beheld it. He was dazed just as the first time he was blessed with her entire radiance. Hikari shattered his stun by inquiring reason behind his visual focus.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Huh? Oh… Sorry about that."
Waitress approached him after the apology and Takeru placed his breakfast order. Hikari, too, ordered her food and spoke to Takeru once the waitress left them.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Oh, about me looking at you?"
"Yeah."
"I was just thinking about your beautiful smile."
He spoke with a charming voice and expression. Upon looking at him and thinking about the smile she gave, she was robbed of her stable mind and mentality. Not wanting to sound affected, she remained silent.
"…"
"You really were so pretty when you smiled at me."
Though still light and warm, his voice received an addendum of seriousness.
"I wish I could keep making you smile."
"…I…that was…"
Afraid to speak her mind and reveal him the factor that helped her regain her smile, she discontinued her sentence. Realizing she ended her sentence, Takeru went on.
"Why did you smile?"
"…I…"
A long pause shrouded the two. This silent interval lasted rather long that their breakfast order had arrived. Takeru's patience was finally rewarded after a long delay. However, it was rather a harsh reward.
"I…don't know… It was…an accident."
Simultaneously, she diverted her attention away from her male accompaniment. Another extensive moment of silence received invitation. Cautiously, in softer voice, Takeru broke the silence.
"Are you sure?"
"…"
She remained diverted from him. Takeru, on the contrary, centralized his focus on her. His concentration alerted him that there was a mysterious sorrow on her face. Concerned, he stood up and approached her.
"…Are you okay?"
When he stepped closer, Hikari also rose from her chair and spoke.
"Sorry…could you leave me alone for a bit…?"
"Is there something…"
"Please."
She interrupted him and stared into his eyes with a mournful gaze. Perplexed and concerned, he contemplated on respecting her request for solitude. He wished to stay with her and comfort her. However, she seemed too fragile to be approached and decided to respect her wish.
"Okay…"
With that, she exited the building and left Takeru by himself. She walked towards the class of her upcoming schedule and proceeded with her academic life with absence of her partner. She attended the classes with troubled mentality and the time progressed quickly due to her absent mind. Hours later at the end of her last class, Hikari's mind nearly broke down when she read the cell phone message from Takeru. On the message box, it read:
"Even it was a mistake, I was still happy."
Trampled by regret and guilt, she swiftly packed her belongings in order to search for her faithful partner. Unfortunately, her search was delayed by a greeting from her first love.
"Hi, Hikari."
"Hi…"
"Are you busy right now?"
"…I…"
Before she could finish, Taichi continued on.
"Because I got something important to talk to you about."
"…What is it?"
"About the thing we talked about on the day of the company party. I arranged the date to the end of November. Is that day okay for you?"
"…Oh…I think so.."
After her reply, Taichi held Hikari's hand delicately and spoke.
"After that, our marriage is just a matter of time."
"…Yeah…"
Upon seeing such an unexpectedly half-hearted reaction, Taichi worried about her well-being and questioned her of it.
"Hikari? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine… I just got a lot of stuff to do right now…"
"Are you sure?"
She concealed her inner feelings and spoke unbothered as if all was normal.
"I'm okay. Don't worry. Thanks for telling me about the date."
"No problem. If you need anything, call me."
"Thanks. I'll see you later."
"Alright. Bye."
After their talk of marriage, Hikari dashed out to resume her search for Takeru. Her mind contained numerous subjects she desired to discuss with him. Her feelings for him, feelings for Taichi, and the situation regarding her marriage with Taichi. She finally discovered the courage and will to reveal her everything to the blonde man who gave back her smile. However, she could not tell him for Takeru was nowhere to be found. Her search took her to the café of the morning, the entire campus, and the parking lot which they parked their car. Hoping to find him, she dialed his cell phone number as a last resort. Sadly, instead of the deep, calming voice of Takeru, a monotonous, robotic voice was heard, telling Hikari that the call has failed.
Much more conflicts on this chapter. Sorry for all the confusions. You know they will be resolved later~.
StarrRyder: I do intend on introducing more characters. Thank you for the support~
Natsumefruit: I will not abandon the story. Don't worry.
Hannah: Glad to be back and thank you for waiting. I only wish I was good enough to actually become a writer though. I'm very happy that you love my story!
The Crash Twins: Delighted to be back! Thank you for your patience.
For those of you who did not get mentioned here, I replied to your reviews instead. Hope you don't mind. I wanted to do that with everyone, but I couldn't reply to everyone sadly :(
Huge thanks to everyone who wished me good health and patiently waited. It's finally winter break for me and I will try my best to update more and more this month! I feel so humbled and fortunate by all of your supports~! Thank you~! Merry (late) Christmas and Happy New Year~~!