AN: I'm writing this at 3am. yawns Just finished and its close to 6am. Sorry, it's been a terribly busy week, but I know I definitely owe all my dear readers one! By the way, please don't scroll down to the end of the story to read the comments 1st because there is a build up in the story that will be destroyed if the last part is accidentally read! Enjoy and thanks for your understanding … …
P.S. In my replies, I accidentally missed out Just-a-teen. Sorry! The reviews were cut off and in my sleepiness, I forgot to check the next page. Thanks so much for your encouragement and I do apologise for this chapter being late!
Chapter 6 – Murky Waters
The distinctive smell of strong disinfectant that permeated the hospital corridors brought back the bad memories, the nightmares that she had tried hard to keep at bay. Swallowing a lump in her throat, Tsukushi waited impatiently for the receptionist to provide information about Susumu as the all too familiar sense of dread that came with being in hospitals threatened to overwhelm her. She was extremely relieved when the receptionist finally revealed the relevant ward and room number.
The sight of her little brother lying pale and motionless on the hospital bed greeted Tsukushi when she opened the door of room 4 in Ward 35. Immediately, her mind was assailed by similar images of another pale, worn face that was as faded as the pillows upon which it lay. A small whimper escaped from her constricted throat, catching the attention of the nurse in the room.
"Are you Ms Makino?" The matronly woman asked her kindly as Tsukushi nodded wordlessly. "Please come with me."
"Dr Koreni will be with you shortly," she said as she left Tsukushi waiting outside the latter's office. Time had slowed to a crawl and she was a bundle of nerves by the time another nurse summoned her to office.
"Ms Makino? Please take a seat," a bespectacled man in his early fifties looked up and gestured to the chairs surrounding the front of his desk. There was a kindly look on his lined face.
"How's my brother?" The words were out of her mouth before she even sat down.
"He doesn't have concussion … …" Tsukushi heaved a sigh of relief but her relief was short-lived at his next words. "However, from the testimony from the eye-witnesses including his coach, the tackle should not have brought on the violent vomiting and fainting fit. Your brother did not hit his head and was also protected by the helmet he was wearing. We're currently running some tests on him but for now, we need you to tell us about his medical history and any signs of ill health that he has been displaying recently."
Tsukushi bit her lip as she tried to recall how her brother had been over past few weeks The good doctor's words were reawakening the guilt that was constantly buried just beneath the surface of her consciousness. The secret worry that she was failing in her attempt to be a good surrogate mother to her younger brother.
"Well," she finally said. "He did seem rather tired, but Susumu has always been a sickly child. He gets headaches now and then, and sometimes he gets breathless rather easily. That's why his coach only allows him to play football for one quarter." The doctor nodded as his forehead furrowed but he said nothing.
"Do you think there's something seriously wrong with him?" Tsukushi asked anxiously.
"I'll need the results of the tests. However, in the meantime, it is fine for him to go home. My nurse will give you a call when the results are out and then you can make an appointment to come in with Susumu."
"Okay," Tsukushi thanked him and left the room. She was still feeling rather worried but was glad to see that Susumu had awakened, and that he appeared to be fine other than being rather embarrassed for passing out on the field "like a girl". He was let off rather easily by his sister who simply tugged his hair instead of whacking him hard on his head as she normally would have. After she brought him home and he agreed to rest for the rest of the day, Tsukushi decided to return to work and face the music.
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" 'Send her in the moment she returns' were his exact words, Tsukushi," Yuki said as she waved her hands helplessly in the air. "I guess he knew that you would drop by to update me first."
"Oh dear," there was a sinking sensation in her heart. This did not bode well for her. "So he's mad?"
"I don't know. He didn't say anything else but he certainly didn't look too happy. Hey, good luck, ok?" She called after her despondent friend.
"Come in," Tsukasa barked out, looking up finally with a huge frown on his face, having every intention of intimidating the incompetent and cowardly fool of a girl who was allocated to him in Tsukushi's stead. To his surprise, he saw Tsukushi standing there with a slightly nervous look on her face and his frown deepened.
"So you've finally decided to return to work? How considerate of you," his voice was dripping with sarcasm. "First, you failed to perform your duties and left me at the ball. Then, you decide to take leave as and when you wish even though today was such a busy day. I needed the files for the important meeting scheduled with Air Freight Ltd and your incompetent replacement had no idea where it was. In the end, I had to spend half an hour finding it myself. Are you sick of working here? You could always tell me and … …" His deep baritone was raising to a roar.
"Shut up and let me speak!" Tsukushi yelled back as the stress she had been under finally got to her. Tsukasa froze with his mouth still half opened, stunned by her unexpected display of temper.
"You are an arrogant, selfish and conceited bastard," she shouted as she slammed both hands on his desk and leaned over him. "I completed my job at the ball before I left. I only charged the hours I was there so I saved the company unneeded expenditure. And did you even bother to ask why I had to leave this morning? My younger brother, the only remaining person in my family, was sent to hospital!" She paused and then drew back with a sudden movement as her hand moved automatically to cover her mouth, realising that she had just crossed the line.
"I'll just pack my stuff and go," she said wearily as she turned to go, her shoulders drooping.
Tsukasa cleared his throat and growled out, "did I say you were fired?" Tsukushi spun round and stared at him, disbelief clear in her large eyes. "You aren't exactly quite up to mark yet, but the fool that HR sent is a greater idiot than you. So that qualifies you to remain." He ended with a smug expression on his face.
Tsukushi stood stock still for a second, not quite knowing whether she should laugh or cry. She decided logically that it would be better to do the former. Unfortunately, all she could manage was two shaky laughs. The third somehow got caught in her throat and the strangled gasp that was emitted sounded like something between a laugh and a sob.
She quickly turned around and headed for the door as the first few salty drops started trailing down her cheeks. However, she had not taken more than a few steps when she collided with a hard body. Two hands held her shoulders firmly, steadying her. And then for the first time, she heard her boss sounding extremely frantic as he repeatedly said, "don't cry … … Please don't cry! I never know what to do when girls cry."
Exhausted by the events of the day, Tsukushi gave in to her emotions for a moment as she leant her head against the hard muscular chest and let the tears flow. She felt Tsukasa wrapping his arms around her gingerly. She allowed herself to remain in his embrace for about one minute and then moved back, wiping her eyes with her hand. A silk embossed handkerchief immediately appeared in front of her.
Grabbing it, she quickly wiped her eyes. Too embarrassed to look at Tsukasa, Tsukushi quickly muttered a thank you and ran out of the room, leaving him staring after her with a strangely vulnerable look in his eyes.
Tsukasa rubbed his temples wearily before dropping into his chair. Why did she seem to belong in his arms? Why did he feel so protective about this mite of a girl and so helpless in face of her misery? And what was this strange emotion that he felt when he held her closely? His face darkened when he remembered something else. The entire situation was just so wrong … …
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The silence of the night was shattered by a low moan that was soon followed by many of a similar kind, increasingly heavy breathing, panting gasps and low groans. The pale silvery light of the moon barely lit up the dark room, showing only glimpses of two naked bodies writhing together in abandonment, the movements speeding up as they became increasingly jerky and out of control. The sounds of pleasure that were being emitted by both parties grew in volume with each heated, passing moment.
"Soujirou!"
"I love you!" Both cries rang out almost simultaneously as the bodies spasmed uncontrollably in glorious release.
Chest heaving, Soujirou managed to disengage himself as he fell back onto the bed to catch his breath. When his tired limbs would finally allow movement again, he raised himself on one elbow and bent down to press a light kiss against those luscious lips that were still slightly open and gasping lightly. As he ran his fingers through the longish, silky hair in a soothing movement, the long eyelashes lifted, revealing the dark eyes that he had deemed to be the most beautiful in the world. Both amusement and tenderness were warring for dominance in them. Amusement won.
"Never thought I'd live to see the great Soujirou whipped." The voice was a little breathless.
A self-satisfied smile lifted the corners of Sojirou's lips, "well, I'm not the one losing my touch. I can't believe your stamina is so pathetic seeing that … …" His voice died away when pain flashed briefly in those dark eyes before they became carefully blank and an empty smile curved those lips.
"Really? You are probably my only dissatisfied customer, now my prowess in bed … …"
"Stop." Soujirou physically stemmed the flow of words with his hand. There was now pain in the playboy's eyes as he looked as his lover. "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it that way. Let's stop saying things that will hurt each other." He bent over and proceeded to prove how truly sorry he really was. It was a long while before they could speak again.
"Soujirou?"
"Mmhmm?" Soujirou made a sound of contentment as he cuddled his lover.
"You have to know this can't go on forever."
A dangerous glinted in Soujirou's eyes as he gritted his teeth, "it will."
"I have to sneak out each time – you know I am currently contracted to one customer … …"
"I can easily buy you out," Soujirou interrupted.
"Can you imagine the scandal if word gets out? I can ruin you, you know that. Regardless of how we feel for each other, you are one of the richest and most respected businessmen in Asia, if not worldwide … … And I'm just a person who has to sell my body to eek a living and worse still … …" The words were cut off again by a passionate kiss.
"You talk way too much," Soujirou mumbled against the warm lips.
"And you think too little. You can't change reality by trying to avoid it … …" The words were uttered calmly.
"Hush, I promised you I'd think of something." He could tell himself that his own words lacked conviction, but his partner readily fell silent. Both of them were only too willing to loose themselves in this private world that they created for themselves, not wanting to waste their precious time together by discussing such a depressing subject.
"By the way do you know a guy in your circle called Ray?" Soujirou suddenly recalled his conversation with Tsukasa.
"Why do you ask?" He could feel his lover tensing.
"Tsukasa was met someone called Ray whom he thought was the autistic guy in flower four. You remember that quiet kid?"
"Yeah … … And by the way, you know I can't reveal anything about our circle. Even we have our code of honour." Soujirou nodded in resignation. "I wonder how long it will be before Tsukasa suddenly remembers and asks about me."
"I could always lie," Soujirou replied coolly with an impish wink. "Your departure from Eitoku was in no way strange or sudden. In fact, we lost touch in the normal way when you went overseas."
Then the teasing light in his eyes went out as he gazed at his lover, "I couldn't believe my eyes when I bumped into you those months ago. I thought I was dreaming before I realized that I was given a second change to tell you that I love you." He paused as he pressed a kiss to those sensual lips.
"I love you too. I always regretted not saying anything. Yet I was too scared to destroy our friendship and I thought you would be repulsed. Then it didn't seem to matter because I had to leave anyway."
"I know," another kiss. "I felt exactly the same way about you. I though it was a crazy one-sided thing on my part." Soujirou sighed, "I turned to so many girls to try to forget you and I even tried sleeping with a couple of men to see if I turned that way. But it was always physical gratification with those girls and I wasn't even turned on by those men."
"I'm glad." Soujirou suddenly found himself playfully wrestled to the bed as he was given a deep and arousing kiss. A low groan was torn out of his throat and he was breathing hard again when his lips were finally released. "I love you, Soujirou."
Soujirou was glad to hear that the words were gasped and that his lover's breathing was just as uneven as his. "Ditto, Akira, ditto." He reached up and pulled Akira down for another spine-tingling, toe-curling kiss.
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Surprised?
Drina: Hi! It's been while!! Thanks so much for stopping by to read my new story!! I hope that it'll be just as intriguing as the others. Yes, you are right about the F4 tag here is give to the boys via voting. However, Tsukasa, Soujirou and Akira know each other, and Soujirou and Akira were especially "good friends" at Eitoku. Will stop here b4 I reveal too much ;)!
Lian: Hi hi! Thanks for reading and your support as always !!! I hope this further explanation about Susumu is enough for the moment … … :)
.:: Stacey ::. ): Hi there! Thanks for the long comment – really had great fun reading it and thanks so much for your kind comments! I'm so glad you found R&T hilarious – that was what I was aiming for !! Oh, by the way I'm not going to elabourate in the story with regard to what happened to Tsukushi between the default chapt and now, so I will write it here. Basically when her parents died, Tsukushi had already finished year 12 and would have been going to university. However, she decided to put aside her own education and get a job to make sure that Susumu successfully finishes college before continuing with her own. So that brings her up to the current timeline!
twilightstarz : hi hi! I think I remember you from façade! Welcome !! I hope that this helps to clarify some of your questions. I think up until this chapter, it has been revealed (regarding F4) that the boys were voted into F4. Rui joined the latest and he was a transferee who mysteriously disappeared after 3 months. During the short time together, Tsukasa was the closest of the 3 to Rui because Soujirou and Akira were already good friends that hangout and carried out their playboy pursuits together! Thanks so much for your kind comments, I hope you'll enjoy this very different chapter!
Nancy: Hi hi!! I'm so glad you liked the R&T interaction and found it hilarious too! Sorry that this update has taken quite long – have been given impossible deadlines. However, thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Nunofurfukingbus: A new reader! Welcome! And oops … … sorrie … … I didn't mean to imply that anyone not knowing what a top escort is, is naïve! It's just well-known in my story world so as to make Tsukushi appear exceedingly naïve ;). Thanks for your kind comments !!!
frozenyogurt : Hi hi! Actually I have never read the manga but I have flipped through some website translations before – they probably helped me to get a better grasp of the characters ?!? Thanks so much for the weblink. I hope you will enjoy this chapter and thanks for commenting !!!
kensingtonkid : Wow! Thanks so much for your painstakingly long and carefully written out comments! I really can't believe you would spend so much time and effort on analyzing my story – thank you thank you thank you! The only questions that this chapter answers are probably (i) what does soujirou know that Tsukasa doesn't? and (ii) revealing Tsukasa's reaction about Tsukushi 'ditching' work! Really hope you enjoy your camp and thanks again for always leaving such encouraging and motivating comments !!!
just a reader: Hi hi! Yes, our dear Tsukushi is definitely ignorant of the real nature of Rui's work. I'm glad you find this story line interesting and I hope the rest of the story will continue to hold your interest! Thanks for your kind comments!!!
Chi5: Hi! So sorry, yes, I mean to update this once a week, but I realize that in the end it seems that I am updating either once a week or in 1.5 weeks. Fortunately, I rarely take 2 weeks to update. I hope that's regular enough for you! Thanks so much for your comments!
Pure Innocence: Thanks for the link and your kind comments !! I will go and take a look at it soon. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!