Notes: I'm back! Nope I'm not done with work yet. Barely started with it, actually. But I am so down tonight so I decided to re-watch Takumi-kun series 5 Ano, Hareta Aozora. While watching, ideas keep popping on my mind so I wrote this now. Yes, this was done in just one sitting (Oh I'm so proud of myself!). It usually takes me 3 days to finish writing a chapter and another couple of days for editing. So if you will find any errors, I deeply apologize. I did not proofread this chapter thoroughly.
This chap is for my very dear friend ukelove
SUMMARY: A new threat is out to destroy the couple's relationship. Now they only have one option: to trust their new ally.
Flames. Fiery. That was the very first thing he saw after opening his eyes. And the flames have a face. With deep blue eyes. He shook his head. No, flames don't have faces nor does it have any eyes. He must be hallucinating. Then one of the eyes closed in gesture of a wink. Eh?
"Takumi!" he was shaken out of shock when a pair of strong arms wrapped around him. He welcomed the all-too familiar warmth and breathes in the all-too familiar scent of "Gii?" He's still kinda dizzy but tried to focus on the other's face. A very worried Gii is hovering on him. "Takumi, thank God you're awake now! How are you feeling? Are you feeling hurt somewhere? Your head? Back? Legs? Tell me." He tried shaking his head but the dizziness grew. "I'm fine, Gii. But your questions are spinning my head off. I'm starting to feel nauseous."
"Sorry, love. Here let me help you up." The blonde propped one of the pillows on the headrest and helped Takumi to sit up and rest his back against the headrest and the wall. Takumi took a deep breath. That felt better. Feeling someone's eyes on him, he blinked and turned his gaze behind Gii. The flames, it's actually Yuki, is smiling on him. "I'm so glad you're fine now, Takumi." She tried to hold his hands but since Gii is on the way and she can't reach him, patted his knees instead. "The doctor said you were so stressed and lacking sleep so your body's resistance grew weak. And after the shock you went through earlier, that must have been the last straw. I just want you to know that I really am sorry for troubling you." She bowed down in apology. "You two need to talk. I'll leave you alone now." She said before Takumi can give her a response and went out, quietly closing the door behind her.
Gii sat beside him and he felt his hand at the back of his head, pulling him closer. He closed his eyes when he felt the other plant a kiss on his forehead. "Takumi, will you let me explain, please?" He opened his eyes and looked up at his lover's face, just inches away from him. Love, hope, uncertainty and fear are clear in those eyes. He nodded. Only that action and all uncertainty and fear disappeared from his eyes. "Thank you, love."
"You heard about our father's arrangement." He started, looking for a reaction from the black-haired boy. When he nodded, he continued "Even though they arranged it doesn't mean Yuki and I also want it. Or if we agree to it." He cupped his lover's face with both hands and looked at him directly in the eyes. "I only want you, Takumi. I only need you. And though I know I keep telling you this but I still will, just to prove my point. I only love you. I will only love you." He waited, wanting his message to be absorbed by the boy in his arms. Just then, tears flowed freely from Takumi's eyes. Yes, message clearly got across.
Still sobbing, Takumi brought both his hands around Gii's neck and pressed their foreheads together "I love you too, Gii. I will only love you too. I want to help. But this is between you and your family. I'm afraid if I step in, I might bring in more trouble for you, for us. So I will help in the only way I can, I will stay beside you no matter what." Gii smiled at him affectionately, "That's all the help I need, love." Softly, gently, their lips met.
oOo
The silence is deafening and downright uncomfortable. Takumi is sitting on the infirmary bed and Yuki is sitting in a chair across him. Gii had to leave earlier because of his responsibilities but promised to come back and accompany Takumi back in his dorm room. Yuki opted to stay behind and keep him company. But now that they're alone, both don't know how to open a conversation.
"Yuki-chan-"
"Takumi-kun-"
That broke the ice. They both laughed. "You first, Yuki-chan. I actually don't know what to say to you." Takumi smiled sheepishly. "Nee Takumi, can I sit beside you?" Yuki gestured towards him, and after a nod of confirmation from the brunette, sat on the bed. "First off, I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. You know, the big hug and kiss thing with Gii. And also for my big mouth carelessly announcing our engagement. I'm really sorry." she can't look at him in the eyes.
"It's alright now, Yuki-chan." Takumi reached out and patted her hands, reassuring. "Gii already explained the situation to me. And I don't dislike you nor hate you. I don't know why but I just can't bring myself to dislike you." With that, she raised her head and looked at him, smiling a bit. "That means you like me? Kyaa! Me too, I like you, too! When I said you're my best friend, I really mean it." "Oh, and just so you know, I don't want to be engaged to Gii. It was just my stupid father's stupid idea in the first place." She added, rolling her eyes.
Takumi thoughtfully burrowed his eyebrows, "Yes, I heard from Gii. And you also asked him to break your engagement." The redhead nodded. "That's right! At least he can talk to his father about it and I know Saki-san will listen to his son. Unlike my father, Saki-san is more of a 'father mind' than a 'businessman mind' if you know what I mean…" When the black-haired boy finally processed what he's been told, he gasped "You mean your father is forcing you into this engagement? Like some business deal?"
"Exactly! All he thinks about is business. If he sees a deal that would benefit him, he will do anything to get it. Even if it means throwing in her daughter as bait for the big fish." Yuki said disgustedly. She doesn't look hurt at all. It's like she's been used to the treatment that it's just normal for her. It was Takumi who felt sad for his new friend. And yes, he feels for her. Because, even though in different circumstances, but both of them shares the same sentiment: lack of parental love. But at least I have Gii. How about her? Does she have someone she can share her burden with?
As though sensing his sympathy for her, Yuki shook her head. "It's not that bad, really. I've grown accustomed to it ever since I was a child. If truth be told, this whole engagement and marriage thing is my first time going against my father." She shot him a rather amused smile. "For the first time, I felt I am actually a living person." Takumi cleared his throat, trying not to distract the girl but he just can't contain his curiosity. When she stopped talking and prodded him, he decided to just go ahead. "Well, ummmm, why did you decide to go against him then?"
"Because it's just bloody ridiculous! I know it is pretty normal in our families to get in arranged marriages. But I don't want the kind of life my parents have. They don't love each other. They don't even like each other. It's an unhealthy and unhappy life." The redhead blurted out. "You know what? Gii is actually the fourth guy my father set me up with." Wide-eyed Takumi gasped, "Eh?" That many? Yuki laughed heartily, "Yes. As I've told you. My father will do anything for his business that he will jump at any opportunity given to him. Lucky for me, I managed to evade the first three. They all declined to marry me."
"What did you do, Yuki-chan?" the brunette is astounded. The girl scooted closer to him and propped her feet on the chair beside the bed (the one Gii sat on earlier). "Well, the first one is an heir to a fashion design business. Pardon me; I don't recall their names now. Not that it matters anyway. Okay, so when I heard he's into fashion I agreed to meet him, I mean like a date. He's not actually good-looking but he sure knows how to dress up. Then when he saw me, he ran out of the hotel. Hahaha!" "Why?" a very confused Takumi asked.
"Because I'm a fashion disaster that night. I wore a puff-sleeved orange blouse and long checkered skirt with a neon green bandana wrapped around the waist and knee-high boots. No, don't imagine it, it's terrible." But she was struggling not to laugh. Takumi, on the other hand, is laughing softly. "Alright, the second one is the son of a shipping magnate. Very, very intellectual, glasses and all. I heard he is a master chess champion. So when we met, I challenged him. I recall he really is a very good player. Unfortunately, it was his confidence that made him lose. So he declined the engagement afterwards. The third one was the hardest. He was very cunning. No doubt really, since they own a big advertising company. I even threatened him just to drop the engagement but he won't deter. So we agreed on the outcome of our challenge. We had to compete in a car race. Mind you, I don't even know how to drive."
The black-haired lad leaned closer to her, full attention. "So how did you win?" Of course she won, right? Because if she lost, she won't be here now and her father won't have arranged her marriage with Gii.
"I cheated." With a tilt of her head, she admitted proudly. Bewildered, Takumi thought he heard her wrong. "What do you mean, you cheated?" Yuki nodded, "Yes I did. I asked help from an acquaintance of mine, who happens to be a cross-country racer. So it was him driving the whole time. I was in the backseat trying to hold on to my stomach's contents. Well, in the end, we won, I mean I won. The agreement is to do what the winner wants. So I asked him to break our engagement and asked for his car as a bonus. That was, of course, given to my helper as a thank-you gift."
"I can't believe it!" Takumi exclaimed, "You're- I don't know- I mean, you're so clever. To think of all those plans- you're a genius!" The comment earned a playful chuckle from the redhead. "Not really. It's just a matter of strategic planning. Anyway, enough of me." She turned to him. "I am more curious as to how your relationship with Gii started." Her teasing tone made Takumi flushed. "Err… I don't know…"
Now she pats the boy's hands reassuringly, "Come on, you don't have to be shy with me. Besides, you don't have to be ashamed of your love. Even though I'm a girl, but I'm not against it. And I'm open-minded with these things." With that, the brunette slowly and awkwardly started to recount their love story. By the time he finished, Yuki is sniffing rather loud and a little unladylike, her handkerchief alternately pressing beneath her eyes and the bridge of her nose. "That was so lovely! I've never seen or heard such a sweet and pure love as what you have. You guys are just so perfect for each other."
Takumi smiled, "I feel the same way too."
oOo
The week had passed by calmly. It's been three days since Yamamoto Miyuki came to Shidou to observe and learn how the school is being managed (this is the alibi she gave the Head Teacher) and by now, she quickly became a normal sight in the school grounds. She can always be seen with Gii or Akaike and sometimes she's seen joining the guy's group of friends; namely, Gii, Takumi, Akaike, Misu and Shingyouji. Never did anyone notice how her keen eyes would wander and meticulously search every spot in the school buildings and grounds. And how she assesses everyone. They only think of her as a weird but pleasantly nice Director's daughter. Fragile. Totally harmless.
"TAKUMI!" The said boy turned to see who was calling him rather loud, when he suddenly felt heavy. A body was strewn against him, almost tackling his lithe form to the ground. Uh, he doesn't need to guess. "Yuki-chan, ohayo gozaimasu." He managed to mumble a greeting. "Ohayo, Takumi." The always-cheery redhead replied. "Where are you going? Can I come with you? I don't have anything particular to do anyway."
Takumi turned his head towards his destination. "Sure, I'm going to the greenhouse over there." Side by side, they walked to the greenhouse. When they got there, they sat on a bench. "So Takumi, how is everything with you and Gii?" Yuki asked. The brunette looked at her first before responding, "We're good. Gii had requested to go home for two days. He said he will talk to his father about… your arrangement." He sighed. "…I'm going to miss him."
"I know." Yuki felt sad for him. "I'm sorry, Takumi. But after this, everything will be alright and back to how it was. So can you keep up until all of this is finished?" Takumi nodded in affirmative. "He will be leaving tomorrow, Saturday. He'll be back on Monday."
"I see." By this time, 'he' already knew about it. No doubt he will strike when Gii is not around. "Yuki-chan, can I ask you something?" the boy asked after a moment's hesitation. "What is it?"
Takumi seemed to ponder his question in his mind for a bit, carefully picking the right word to use. "I know I already asked why you went against your father's idea of setting you up with anyone he likes and you said that you don't want to live a life like what your parents have." "Yes, that's right."
That was his cue to continue. "I also recall you saying that your parents don't love each other. And they don't even like each other." A nod from the redhead was his answer. "This is a little bit personal and I may be out of line, but am I safe to assume that the real reason you don't want an arranged marriage for you is because you don't want to marry someone you don't love?" The girl nodded. "You're right, Takumi. I told Gii the same thing. I won't marry him because I don't love him. And second, he already has you."
"Yuki-chan, have you been in love?"
Taken aback by surprise with the question and the straightforward way Takumi asked it, Yuki sat speechless, for a minute or so, then slowly a mysterious bitter smile formed in her lips. "I am."
My 'writer' self: I'm sorry if there are no developments in this chapter. I mean the kind of development that you're looking for. But I need to establish Takumi and Yuki's closeness. This will all work out in the end, I promise, everything I wrote here has a reason for being here. So I hope you will bear with me a little bit longer. Please? To make it up to you, I will tell you something. Next chapter will unravel the 'mysterious guy's scheme against Takumi and his identity will be revealed. I just would like to know if you want to see a glimpse of Yuki's love life and interest? Maybe I'll put it in the last chapter. So let me know. Thank you!
By the way, I just noticed that my anonymous reviews are disabled, I enabled it now. So yeah, anonymous reviews are very much welcome.