Twenty Chapters already? Wow. That's pretty damn amazing. Last time I wrote a fic almost this long, it got deleted for too much sexual content. Haha. Damn CRITICAL CRITIC – he/she hated me. I wonder why? Maybe it's my beauty and charm. Haha.
Thanks so much for all the great reviews. I'm SO sorry I have not been able to update this as soon as I wanted. I've been sooooo busy with so many tests, exams, and everything. All before March Break. Ugh, but I started my break, so, hopefully, I'll be able to update more. It depends on my Harvest Moon madness. Haha. Btw...do any of you guys (I mean, you people who don't have my newest 'rival' JyouraKoumi as a favourite author) think my chapters are choppy? Just curious.
And about the plot...I've developed it to the best of my ability, and it seems that everybody likes it. I am quite pleased. .
Anyways, let's just get straight to it.
Chapter 20
Resolutions
Despite the number of people in the apartment under 15, the sheer, small size of the living room caused it to feel crowded, full, and quiet boisterous. Laughter spilled from their throats, giggling and shouting silly sentences, quieting only occasionally to be stuffed with food, which ranged from the ever-famous sushi and sashimi, to ozoni soup and kurinton, ending with buttered, steamed vegetables. Each person held a different drink, ranging from simple water to fruit flavoured Chubai (a soft drink), from Cheerio (another soft drink) to Midori, which had grown famous throughout the Americas in the past few years.
Mimi smiled brightly, happily sipping her delectable, sweet, melon-flavoured Midori. Sora stood by her, the engagement ring glittering as brightly as her happy eyes, taking slow sips of melon Cheerio, laughing cheerfully as Mimi told her a story of her life in America.
Matt's eyes kept glancing off towards Mimi, watching as the girl, who had changed into the zebra print skirt but kept the corset on, chatted happily with a girl she had passionately hated less than ten hours beforehand. Turning his attention to Tai, the two chinked their glasses of Black Nikka (whiskey, 37 alcohol), listening as the ice clinking loudly and their sipped their beverage happily.
Jou and Izzy, both of which drank lemon-flavoured Chubai, chatted happily, seated on the couch, laughing about some story or another, relaxing, which was something both rarely did. All the while, Kari and Takeru stood by the kitchen, Kari watching as Takeru constantly placed his drink aside to take a bit of sushi, which gave Kari a chance to sip at his grape Cheerio, mingling the flavour of grape with her own lemon beverage.
Mimi glanced over at Matt, watching him laugh happily. She was glad that the bruise she had given him a week ago had disappeared just before Christmas. However, she had grown so accustomed to seeing it for those two days that she had completely forgotten it. She sighed softly, and sipped her drink, returning to focus all her attention on Sora.
The ringing of the phone was just barely heard above the music and chatter, and Mimi was first to register the sound and react to it. Nearly lunging for it on its last ring, she just managed to answer in time, speaking in a cheerful, chirpy voice.
"Moshi, moshi! This is the Ishida residence."
"I want to speak to Matty."
Anger instantly boiled into her system, fueled by the warmth of her alcoholic drink, and her grip tightened on the receiver, glaring at the wall as though she wished for it to burn up into a pile of ashes. Instead of immediately replying, she turned to flash a furious glare at Matt, before returning to the phone.
"Why do you want to talk to him, Aiko?"
"So that we can get together tonight, obviously." She could almost see the girl attempt to scoff, looking at her poorly manicured nails while talking to the 'lowly, pathetic' Mimi.
"What if he doesn't want to talk to you?"
"Yeah, right, bullshit. I know, for a fact, that he loves talking to me. Jeez, all that dye really messed up your brain."
"At least I have a brain."
"Psh, just give Matty the phone, tell him it's his lover."
"So, tell me, then, if you're his 'lover', then does he like it when you play with his nipples?" She grinned mischievously while asking the question, knowingly fully well what the greasy haired snake would say, especially since the answer was going to most definitely be the opposite of reality.
"What a stupid question! Do you even think I should answer? Well, you know what, I will, just so you can know something you will never get to see in real life." She knew that the pause was not for effect, but in fact used as a moment to consider just what Matt might find arousing and not. "Well, he loves it when I play with his nipples. He, like, gets all excited and practically attacks me! Oh, it gets me all hot thinking about it!"
Sarcastic, crude laughter spilled from Mimi's throat at the response, remembering the time when she was attempting to play with Matt's nipples, and he kept trying to fight her off, shouting out that it was nowhere near arousing. "Sure, okay, yeah, and I'm the Queen of fucking England."
"It's so true!"
"Then why did he come home so early Christmas Eve and make love to me? Can you answer that? Can you also answer how he, actually, hates having people play with his nipples? Can you tell me what his tattoo is, on his back? Can you tell me just where on his neck he likes to have sucked? I bet you can't. You know why? Because you're nothing but a lying, piece of shit whore."
"Oh! How … how dare you!" Aiko shrieked the words into the phone, anger and frustration evident in her raised voice. "What a horrible thing to say! Me? Whore? You seriously need to get your brain checked; you're the fucking slut. Pretending to have slept with my Matty!"
"He's not your Matty! And don't even think of calling him that ever again! Got it? Don't call this number, don't touch him, don't go near him, or so help you Kami, I will tear out your greasy hair and pound your face into the ground. Got it? Good. Now, go off and have a nice time alone with your herpes, bitch."
At that, she hung up, satisfaction pouring through her body, a coy, pleased smile plastered to her face. Her blood coursed quickly through her veins at the experience, her body ready for action, adrenaline mingling with her blood, causing her heart rate to increase, her breath to shorten, and her need to double. She needed to find some release for this sudden excitement, and, as her eyes fell on a certain Adonis, she found her prey.
Her lips latched roughly on his, her tongue delving deep into the moist cavern of his mouth, finding his and playing a wild, fast-paced dance, twirling around his muscle, teasing him and taunting him. Her hands grasped his hair aggressively, pulling him closer to her as she pressed her body up against his, reveling in the feel of the hard, muscled planes against her soft, curvy figure. Arousal flared to life, igniting a fire of passion that coursed through her body, causing a tingling sensation to trail from her mouth, down her throat, to latch onto her tightening, enlarging breasts, finally reaching her womb, sending liquid pleasure flowing to soak her delightful comfortable underwear.
His groan only added fuel to her sexual fire, and their kiss deepened, growing rougher with more need, becoming more savage and aggressive. His hands delved into her hair, gripping onto the wavy strands as though his very life depended on it, crushing his lips harder against hers, nearly bruising her.
Just as she thought the passion would reach its peak, would take them in a violent wave that would completely drag them away from reality, she pulled away, her teeth nibbling on his bottom lip, before spinning away to begin a new conversation with Sora by the table.
Matt stood there in awe, eyes wide, breath rapid and short, heart rate spinning wildly out of control, pounding viciously against his ribs. Pleasure coursed through his body, making him hard and ache with need, and he found himself fighting the urge to remove all contents from the table, and take Mimi, right there and then.
It was the sharp whistle that came from beside him that dragged his gaze from the temptress, pulling him back to reality, and to the fact that everybody was gazing at them as though they had, well, really surprised them.
Tai, the whistler, grinned at Matt, nudging him on the side. "Well, that was pretty damn hot."
Jou blushed darkly, looking down at his drink at the notion, while Izzy fingered the collar of his shirt, obviously physically affected by the aggressive display of passion. Takeru was grinning at Kari, who was currently fending him off with a two-pronged fork, waving it around viciously. Sora imitated Tai, grinning at Mimi, who had just resumed her previous stance by Sora's side.
Matt's blush grew darker than Jou's, and he swallowed thickly, clearing his throat loudly, trying to find some way or another to distract the others from what had just occurred.
"Oh, Matt, yeah, I almost forgot to tell you something."
The words from Mimi sounded normal, as though she had not just ravaged his mouth with her own, plundering for pleasurable treasure. He glanced at her, watching as his siren shifted slightly, adjusting her hips so she stood in a tantalizing, erotic pose.
Clearing his throat, he prayed for normality in his voice and responded; "What is it?" He nearly heaved a sigh of relief; he sounded quite the opposite of how he felt.
"Some dumb bitch called, claiming to be your lover, so I set her straight."
Confusion glittered in the eyes of all males in the apartment, and their mouths turned into frowns in unison as they wondered just who Mimi could be talking about. However, Sora jerked at the words, gaping at Mimi.
"Aiko dared to fucking call here? What the fuck did the bitch want?"
Mimi waved a hand aside as though it had barely affected her, but the mischievous, angry glint in her eyes told the room otherwise. "Oh, she just claimed to be dear Matty's lover, fucking bitch. So, I basically set her straight, you know, told her Matt and I made love, told her how he actually hates having his nipples played with, you know, the whole shebang."
Matt's blushed increased furiously, darkening to a deep, burgundy-vermilion, causing him to look very much like a bruised tomato. He fidgeted on the spot; shifting from one foot to the other, before taking a big gulp of his whiskey.
Laughter bubbled from the mouths of those witnessing, tears springing to their eyes, leaning on one another for support as they laughed until they could no longer breathe and got stitches in their sides. Sora's face turned a bright, vibrant red, as she blushed, grasping onto Mimi tightly for support, while Jou and Izzy leaned on one another, panting for air. In the midst of it, Jou actually managed to pull out his asthma puffer, and take in a few puffs, before laughing out a white cloud of the medicine.
Mimi grinned from ear to ear, while Matt gave her one of the most devilish, vengeful looks she had ever seen, causing her stomach to drop, and her body to tingle with sudden need. She knew that he was going to get his revenge, and it most probably was not going to be very nice.
"Uh, Matt, you know that I care, right?"
He simply nodded, before taking another swig of his drink. "I know."
Excitement consumed the air, the television on full blast, as they watched the scene going on in central Tokyo, watching the crowd shout and cry with cheer, jump up and down with anticipation as the final minute began.
Tai fingered Sora's ring, smiling down at her as he waited for the final seconds, for the moment when he would be able to kiss his love, and when he would be able to say, for the first time ever in 2010, that he loved her. He wanted the first words she ever heard to be "I love you, Sora," not just a simple "Happy New Year" from him, but something from the heart that would make this New Year memorable for all years to come.
Matt kissed down the side of Mimi's throat, quietly whispering to her what he would do as soon as the others left, what she would experience within the first few hours of the New Year. She leaned her body back against the hard planes of his, reveling in his masculine scent, in the rough, muscular feel of his body.
Jou and Izzy chatted amiably, wondering if they were ever going to get the girls they wanted that year, telling each other that they should set the other one up, and then laughing at one another at such thoughts.
Kari and Takeru held hands, gazing intently at the television with sheer anticipation, waiting for that moment when they could kiss each other, be in one another's arms for the last time in 2009, and the first time 2010.
"TEN SECONDS!"
"Ten!"
Sora inched closer to Tai.
"Nine!"
Matt paused in his ministrations.
"Eight!"
Tai turned to face Sora.
"Seven!"
Kari leaned into Takeru's arms.
"Six!"
Jou and Izzy paused in their laughter to join.
"Five!"
Mimi turned around in Matt's arms.
"Four!"
Takeru held Kari closer.
"Three!"
Tai brushed a strand of hair from Sora's cheek.
"Two!"
Matt cupped Mimi's cheek.
"One!"
"I love you, Matt."
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
They cried the words in unison, Tai whispering his words of love to Sora, before they embraced tenderly in a soft, yet passionate kiss. His hands dug into her short hair, stroking the back of her neck as her lips teased his into a needy arousal.
Jou and Izzy clasped hands, hugging each other and patting one another's backs, laughing and grinning at the New Year.
Kari and Takeru shared an innocent, yet sweet, kiss, his touch tender, her eyes shutting softly to block out all the world and focus entirely on this beautiful, love-filled embrace.
Matt grinned down at Mimi, before brushing his lips against her softly, in a sweet kiss, before slowly increasing the passion, his tongue dancing with hers in a slow tango, his lips remaining soft and smooth against hers, not wanting it to be a bruising kiss but a loving one. His hands tightened their grip in her hair, before slowly sliding down her spine, sending shivery tingles throughout her body.
She leaned into the embrace, her lashes soft and dark against the paleness of her cheeks, her arms twined around his neck, half for support, and half for romanticism. Slowly, she pulled away from the kiss, tenderly nuzzling his throat, almost purring with delight.
"I really do, Matt. I really, honestly do."
"I know." He leaned forward, capturing her lips in another tender embrace.
'I want to save up money so I can marry her.'
'I want to have a child someday, soon.'
'I want to perform my first life-saving, miracle."
'I want to make more time for friends and family.'
'I want to realize my dreams.'
'I want to do what I want in life.'
'I want to tell her I love her.'
'I want to stay with him forever.'
The resolutions went on and on, in a continuous circle, made every year at the shrines as the slips were placed, as they prayed and rang the bell for prosperity and luck in the New Year, before turning to face one another, each clad in a traditional kimono, and walking away, holding hands, or talking cheerfully amongst each other.
He fingered her ring, thinking of his resolution, smiling to himself, knowing that he had already begun the process, having already saved up several thousand yen for the ceremony, hiding them away in a Safety Deposit Box in the bank.
She smiled as his hand touched hers, gazing up at him with bright, shimmering eyes. She wanted so much to be a mother, to be able to hold a child in her arms, to tell the world that this was hers, not someone else's, but hers. A child she worked to have, a child that she gave birth to, a child that was her blood. She wanted to tell him so bad, but feared his reaction. However, she resolved to tell him, and to demand that he aid her in making her dreams a reality.
He grinned from ear to ear, tugging his kimono into a more comfortable placement, thinking of his life. He had helped others, he had eased their pain, slowed down their process of agony and deterioration, but he hadn't done the one thing he wished to do. He hadn't saved them. He knew that he had come close, but now, he planned on doing it, on acting upon it and becoming a saviour to them.
Running a hand through his short-cropped hair, he smiled, glad to finally be able to relax for the next few days, knowing fully well that he intended on achieving his dream and making his resolution a reality. He had friends, he had a family, and he wanted to be able to enjoy as many moments with them as possible.
She felt his warm fingers twine with hers, and she let out a soft, quiet sigh as images and reveries filled her mind. She wanted to teach, she wanted to marry, and she wanted to be a mother one day. She had so many dreams to realize, and she wanted to make sure that all of them would come true, one day or another, so long as it was before she died.
He gripped her hand tightly; glancing at her relaxed face, smiling down at a person he passionately loved and cared about. It had gradually grown harder to make his own decisions, to move away from what others wanted him to do, to him achieving his own goals. But this year, it would be different, he would stand up and fight, and he would be able to tell the world that he was able to live his own life the way he wanted to.
His arm twined around her waist, keeping her as close to him as possible, his eyes traveling constantly from the sidewalk to her face, watching the wind blow in her hair, gazing at her beautiful, pensive expression. He had never felt this way about someone; he desperately feared to lose her, and constantly ached to be by her side. He wanted to please her, to ease her pains, and he wanted to tell her his most deep, yet brightest, secret. He wanted to answer her confession with one of his own.
She was sick of being away, sick of being far; she wanted to stay here, to be in his arms forever. Ever since he first touched her, she felt a passionate love like no other, and had resolved, then and there, to show and tell him just how she felt. She feared that he did not feel the same way, but she knew, just knew, that he did. She dreamed of him, one day in the future, falling down to one knee, opening that velvet box and showing her the most beautiful ring ever. She wanted to be his, and only his, for the rest of eternity.
"Matt, I need to talk to you about something."
Rolling over onto his side, secure and warm under the comforter, his held his head up with his hand, gazing down intently at the petite woman lying beside him. Apprehension filled her eyes, and her teeth gnawed at her lower lip. Instantly, his stomach lurched at the sight of her eyes, fear beginning to course through his veins, as anxiety was unleashed into his system.
"What is it, Meems?" He attempted to remain calm, to keep his voice from wavering with fear, and, fortunately, he managed to succeed.
Glancing down at the blanket, she sighed heavily, her heart aching with a sudden pain, her stomach twisting into knots as anxiety filled her, following by a cement coating of depression. Her hands shook involuntarily as she forced herself to sit up, tugging the blanket up to cover her naked body. Running her digits through her hair, she took in a slow, deep breath, attempting to calm herself to the best of her ability.
"I … I need a ride to the airport in two days."
The knotted stomach feel past his knees, tumbling viciously all the way to his toes, followed by a furious, woeful shiver that consumed his entire being. All functions in his brain ceased, and his heart pummeled against his chest, causing his breath to shorten as his dreams came crashing violently down.
"W … what?"
"Matt … I need to go back to America." It hurt, so much, to say it, to tell him that she would be leaving, to tell him that they had to be separated. She was still confused why, but something inside her told her, whispered to her, that it was because she loved him. "I … I have a life there. I have a job, I have friends … my family is back there. I can't just drop everything, sell my stuff, and stay here forever." She looked down, playing with the blanket, tears burning her eyes, her stomach twisted violently, her vision blurring into grays, all emotion sweeping away except for guilt, hurt, and regret. "I'm sorry … it would just be … impossible for me to stay here right away."
He felt sick, felt the sheer pain of the situation rise within his body, consuming his every being, numbing all his senses until all he could feel was absolute despair. She was leaving him … after all they had been through … she was just going to get up and leave, like that.
"And I guess I have no choice in the matter?" His voice was strained, making it quite obvious that he fought back the emotions surging through him, that he did not want to appear hurt or weakened by her words, by her actions.
She choked back her sobs, turning her head further away from him, hiding in shame and self-hate. "I'm sorry …"
So, what did you guys think? I'm so sorry it took so long. I was almost done this chapter, like, a week ago, and then all the schoolwork just hit! Like a huge sledgehammer to the face or something, haha.
But yeah, I hope you all enjoyed it. Please remember by three-review rule. Thanks.
Ciao.