Chapter 10B: Dogs

Aside from being the capital of the country and home to the well-known Imperial Palace, Tokyo has more than historical sites to offer its inhabitants and tourists. The city is divided into districts, each with a unique advantage such as the shopping district of Shibuya or the temple central of Asakusa. Kagami and Hajime weren't going to visit them all because time couldn't allow them. They were going to visit some of them but not all. For Hajime, he wanted to save the best for last—Tokyo Tower. First on his agenda was a Western breakfast at a well-known Western restaurant across the crossing. He had to skip that because Kagami already had breakfast at home. They spent an entire hour or two strolling around some of the open shops in Shibuya. She never had imagined Tokyo being bigger than the ones they showed on television. There were fancy shops with hefty price tags over both local and imported items. She was too shy to request for something even though the Hajime and the Takara families shared their precious wealth amongst themselves. But the items displayed on the store windows were very tempting; as if the items were begging to her to buy them.

"Is this your first time in Tokyo?" Hajime asked.

"Umm…sort of…" Kagami answered shyly.

"Come on, at least you must like something here."

"I would've bought them if I had enough money right now. Plus you never told me that we were going for a lovely stroll around the metropolis."

"It wouldn't be a date if we were going in only one destination, would it?"

"D-Date…? Who said this was a date?"

"Don't worry; I promised Miyuki that you would be in good hands."

Kagami spoke no more. Otherwise she would be ruining her own great day. Then, her eyes were caught by a glimmering sight not far from where she stood. Upon leaning on the glass, the glimmering sight was a diamond necklace dangling on a white dummy neck. Combined with sunlight, it shone bright enough to keep vampires away. Judging from the astounded look in her face, she wanted the piece of jewelry badly. But with little amount of bills and coins in her purse, she could hardly even buy a discounted blouse which was way cheaper than any piece of jewelry. Suddenly, she caught the horrendous sight of the jewel being taken away from display by the store clerk and being sold to a man. Moderately disappointed, she met up with Hajime who just came out of the jewelry store.

"You really admired that necklace for a second there." He said.

"Maybe it's not really for me. After all, I really don't need those things to make me happy." Kagami replied; moderately disappointed.

"Maybe…" Hajime said, opening a red box and showing the diamond necklace. "Maybe not…"

"Oh, this is…! But you didn't need to do that."

"Disappointment is written all over your face. It's a boy's duty to keep a girl acquainted."

"Senpai, I…I don't know what to say."

"Please call me Takashi in public. Honorifics may give respect to a person but I don't need respect to gain a position in society. I gain respect to share it with others who don't gain the respect they need in their life."

"T-Takashi-senpai…you talk as if you're a philosopher."

"I only talk what my mind has formulated. But my decisions are influenced by my heart."

"You must be trying to win my heart. That must be it!"

"That depends…do we speak the same thoughts? If we do, then it must be correct."

Regardless of the looming thought, Hajime put the diamond necklace around Kagami's neck and locked it behind.

"It suits you, Kagami-san." Hajime commented.

"Let's go." Kagami replied, blushing but refused to make it obvious to him.

The diamond necklace was only the first of Hajime's most wonderful gifts for Kagami right after the stuff toy cat. As they walked along the busybody streets of the Shibuya district, she realized that there was more to Tokyo than meets the eye; and there was more to her admirer than meets the eye as well. Resisting temptation of overspending, she walked along lines of apparel stores and digital shops; not to mention restaurants with prices that were heavy on the budget. She could only do nothing but stare at marvelous displays on the windows along with their respective price tags. For Kagami, having such a necklace made out of real diamond was over the budget. She felt very shy and a little bit scared roaming around the metropolis wearing something expensive around her that made her vulnerable to thieves; not with the glimmering sight that could be seen from a few yards away. However for Hajime, the necklace was chicken feed to him; since he was a boy from a rich family and society. Money didn't matter to him as long as there was a compensation of happiness in exchange for a certain payment. He was unique among the wealthy society. He didn't care about fame or power; but more of success in life. He was a man of virtues—respect, love, justice…

Her wrist clock said it was eleven in the morning. It was at that time that they left Shibuya for Asakusa. Since both of them were very fervent at praying, they spent their time longer than in Shibuya. In their prayers they included a sense of gratitude—thanks for this wondrous day after three grueling days of suffering. Sunday was the right day for a break after three tiring days and two restless nights (not to mention a week of downpour). Compared to the temple in Washimiya, the one in Asakusa was bigger and attracted more visitors. At the start of the afternoon, they left the temples for lunch. This time, Kagami insisted that she'd be the one to treat him.

"Don't. Let me do it this time." She said.

"If that's what you desire, then it's okay for me." Hajime accepted her condition.

They went in a traditional Japanese restaurant not far from the temple and the train station. True that she was short on cash but not short enough to afford lunch. A rice bowl would be enough to satisfy their hunger; topped with meat, vegetables, and egg depending on their choice in the menu. Although Hajime wasn't asking for anything in return (as expected of a virtuous man), a simple lunch as this wouldn't be enough to repay him. A diamond necklace was worth a rice bowl for each of the crowd of hundreds. Despite of her statement, Hajime slipped some money bills inside Kagami's pocket silently and swiftly while they were ordering.

"Takashi, you're unusually close to me." Kagami remarked but didn't see the trick.

"Am I? Sorry." Hajime apologized and moved a little farther.

"Are you sure you're not winning my heart?"

"That depends on how you think of my actions."

Kagami wanted to know more about her admirer. So she asked some questions concerning his blood relation with her best friend Miyuki…since curiosity needed to be spoon-fed.

"So how are you related to Miyuki?"

"We're cousins. Our family equally share wealth with her family to promote general welfare and close family ties."

"I see. Then how do you share wealth?"

"Mostly through financial aid…when one of us is nearing bankruptcy. Sometimes it happens in holidays where we exchange gifts. Its amazing how two families benefit by sacrificing a part of their wealth for the common good."

"Miyuki is from a rich family so formalities are not unusual to her. Besides, she gives that cool atmosphere that makes me and my friends very relaxed."

All that talking about Miyuki made her sneeze all of a sudden in front of her mother while watching a travel program on TV.

"Are you catching a cold, Miyuki?" Her mother asked.

"It's nothing. Maybe someone's talking about me."

"That's nonsense. It's just some urban myth."

"Perhaps…"

0

"This time, I want to know more about you." Hajime concluded; putting his chopsticks on top of the empty rice bowl.

"Well, I have a twin sister but I act as the older twin." Kagami started. "I also have two older sisters, a father, and a mother. We take turns in making meals; although I'm not that good at housework."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of if you're not good at something important. That's why practice makes perfect."

"I'm pretty much embarrassed right now."

"Don't worry; that will wear off eventually. We still have lots to see. Shall we get going then?"

"Okay but this time, I'll pay for our lunch."

She zipped her purse open, only to notice that she only had pure coins that weren't enough for the lunch bill. She hoped that prospecting for bills inside her skirt pocket would spare the both of them from washing dishes. Unexpectedly, she felt something papery inside—bill denominations upon drawing out. They were worth more than what she imagined.

"Wait a minute; I don't recall having paper bills inside my pocket." She suspected, looking at her admirer who was whistling randomly.

"Don't look at me. I'm just waiting here patiently." Hajime replied.

Nevertheless, she paid the exact amount with the bills that mysteriously appeared out of her pocket prospecting; still suspecting Hajime as the one who secretly slipped a few bills inside her pocket. Shortly afterwards, both left Asakusa for Tokyo Tower—their last destination; before Hajime's surprise to Kagami that was awaiting their return to the Takara residence. The tower stood high above any skyscraper in the metropolis not to mention the Shinjuku district. It wasn't only a tourist attraction but also served as a medium for radio and TV broadcasting. Its popular portion was the view deck where tourists were granted a full 360 vision of the entire metropolis. The lovely couple arrived at the view deck where the buildings below were as tiny as ants and the people walking about as microscopic as bacteria. The only thing big to them was the sunny sky; the sunlight penetrating through the shockproof glass. It was the perfect spot for them not to see the entirety of the capital of their homeland but to discuss the matter that had been kept waiting for so long.

"I'm glad that you still remember me back from our childhood days." Hajime started. "Most of the time, I would follow you from school to home."

"I still don't know you back then. Since you were a grade higher than me…" Kagami replied.

"My confession was supposed to be during that time. But I was too afraid to take the plunge."

"So you built up your confidence and blurted everything to me three days ago."

"Do you already have an answer? Or do you need more time?"

Today is the day Kagami will make the life-changing decision. However, being troubled by the pointers she got from mother-daughter Izumi, she needed more time to think about it. Of course, she can't make him wait any longer. Three ideas warred with each other in her mind: the determined yes, the determined no, and the undetermined. Aside from yes or no, a third faction tells her to think about her yes or no decision, taking into consideration the advantages and the consequences or fatalities that will determine the next set of good or bad events. In the event of affirmation, both will become lovebirds and will be one step closer in swearing eternal vows. It also offers consequences like Konata's forceful demonstration. Otherwise, their relationship won't surpass the friendship level; with the fatality of the possibility that both will suffer a terrible feeling in their hearts—regret. If neutral, both will be given more time to think; with the disadvantage that it may be too late when they already have an answer. Every direction in her journey held good and bad points. These three roads lead to one highway but she can only choose one that, to her, is the most ideal route to take.

"Takashi…"

"Yes?"

"I…"

Kagami was to make the ultimate decision when all of a sudden…

"HAJIME!!!"

Another boy of his age approached him and gave him a good punch in the face that sent him crashing down.

"Takashi…!" Kagami tried to help him but two more boys, particularly of her age, grappled both her arms and prevented her from moving. "What? Let me go! Let me go! Who are you people?!"

"Sano, what are you doing?" Hajime said; trembling.

"Taking what was rightfully mine for the taking three days ago: Hiiragi Kagami!"

TO BE CONTINUED