CHAPTER THREE:

So why is she so mad at me?

Mayuko drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

It was early in the morning when Hatori and Kisa left back home. He was worried that Kisa might have the morning blues because of yesterday night since she was awfully quiet. It was so unlike her to behave this way nowadays.

"Uncle, why does onii-san not want to teach me?"

Hatori had to think up a reasonable answer for her, "well…"

"She doesn't like me, does she?"

"No," he protested, "I'm sure it's not that, Kisa-san." Hatori didn't want this incident to remind her of her mother. He tried to make it an evanescent memory for her.

"Then why?"

He got it! "Maybe it doesn't fit her schedule. Besides, she doesn't live in the same place as us. It'll be hard for her."

"Oh." Her eyes bore out to the landscape.

"But I want her to come live with us."

"She won't do that, Kisa-san. If she teaches you, that doesn't mean she's going to live with us."

Kisa turns to Hatori and tilts her head to the side, "why not. You don't want her to live with us."

He stuttered a little, "it's…just that her job is to teach you not to watch over you day and night."

"oh," she murmured, "onii is not going to come, is she?"

"We can't be sure, Kisa…We can't be sure."

Kisa turned her attention away and ended their brief conversation.

'How can one night cause Kisa to be so attached to her?'

Personally, Hatori didn't understand it. He hasn't witnessed them together that much. They met in one night and Kisa acted like they've known each other for years. Girls.

Hatori sighed. "Don't worry, Kisa. I think Mayuko will come around." 'because I'm sure she's attached to you too.'

Later the next morning when the two Sohma cousins left, Mayuko bumped into an old friend. Not much about Kana has changed. She probably shrank in size but that's about it. She still has the same sweet bright face, a face that says she's living the peak of her life—the face she had with Hatori.

"Mayuko, I see that you're well and happy. Do I hear any wedding bells?"

"Of course not, Kana. What about you?"

She smiled and nodded nervously, "I'm getting married next year."

"Really?" Mayuko's looked in disbelief, "to who?"

"An old college friend. He was an exchange student from UK."

Mayuko wanted to ask, "What about Hatori?" but she retained her foolish tongue.

"How did you two meet?"

She gave a girly laugh, "in English class. I was about to fail that class until he noticed my frustrations with the language and took me under his tutoring. He can speak Japanese better than I can English, that's how we communicated." She sigh softly, "We were only friends then, though. Then he went back to UK and I haven't seen him for years after that. But two years ago, while on a historical Japan tour I met him again, we had a few drinks and started dating. Now we're getting married."

Somehow, Kana is lucky in finding eligible men—husband material men.

"And you? You are not dating any one?"

"No, I haven't found anyone suitable to fit into my busy schedule."

"Oh that's right. That teaching career of yours."

"Yeah. Not much to say here I guess."

They were silent for a while, each drinking tea in tranquility.

Kana was the first to talk, "I'm…I'm very sorry… about your aunt. I heard that she's not with you anymore, you must have been very miserable. I'm sorry."

"Oh…that's a long time ago. I'm fine now," she tried to hold back the painful memories.

"I know. But it must have been hard for you to cope."

"It was," she admitted, "but what doesn't kill you make you stronger, right?" she chuckled weakly.

"Mayuko…" Kana paused, "I should have been there for you."

Mayuko kept her eyes on her teacup so Kana wouldn't see the unspoken emotions she held for years.

"All I thought about was myself. My own misery blinded me of my surroundings. When your aunt passed away I should have been there by your side. But I wasn't," Kana's voice tightened with anguish, "I thought so many times of the regrettable things I've done and I almost hated myself for it."

Mayuko couldn't deny that she didn't agreed to what Kana had just expressed. Yes, Kana should have held her hand through the darkest moments in her life and directed her back to the light. Yes, life was tough and yes, Mayuko almost hated her for it too. She isn't going to lie and act like she is all fine and dandy but she is not going to dwell on what's already done because honestly she had a few regrets of her own. That's why she couldn't hate Kana. She couldn't bring herself to hate her best friend, the girl who always considered other's happiness before her own. Time has dried her emotions, made it seem as it had evaporated into thin air and all that's left of it is the essence of what it once was. No, she hasn't forgotten but she can't quite remember either. And for that, Kana shouldn't feel sorry even though deep in Mayuko's heart is sorrow-filled.

Mayuko finally looked at her, "Don't say that, Kana. You did what any person in your position would do. I understand what you did and I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. You lived as you could with what you're given. Don't regret that." That was supposed to be a relieving comment but Kana still looked troubled as ever.

Mayuko walked back to her room and for some reason she felt like a slouch. Meeting Kana again made her question her own happiness and standing in life. Was she the person she imagined herself to be ten years ago? She remembered her dream to become a teacher but did she want to share her dream with a partner? She can't remember too well, because her emptiness now left her wondering what she wanted for herself. She lived a bleak life, a life that follow a schedule that made days pass but is this what she wanted?

She was also curious whether or not Kana still thought about Hatori.

Mayuko shook her head trying to get memories out of her head. There is absolutely no point in thinking about all this because whenever she thought about her past, it's like she is destroying her mental health. For her, remembering is pain.

Hatori had already put Kisa off to sleep, she complained about not being sleepy while yawning ten times a minute. He is at his desk reviewing the records of his current patient. He is a wealthy old man who lives in the mansion that overlooks the entire town. He has no grandchildren and his children all left him because of his greed. Now his health is declining and there is no one but money by his side. Since he refused to go to the hospital, he hired Hatori as a personal doctor. This old man's health doesn't look too good. Hatori predicts that he would have a little less than a year to live. He hates breaking death news to patient but it's part of his job. He wondered how the old man would take it and if his family was still with him, how they would take it.

For some odd reason, he associated this situation with Mayuko's aunt. How did she take the news? He felt bad for the girl, actually. According to what he heard from the townsfolk when he came back, she was like a zombie; living on her own for about a month and a half until they found a very distant uncle of hers. They also said something about her trying to run the bookshop all by herself as if nothing has changed.

For a month and a half, Mayuko had no family, no support in helping her deal with her aunt's death. Not even a doctor, like himself, could relate or have guessed what she went through.

When Hatori returned that summer, he was ready to apologize to Mayuko for the act he put on when he left. The time he spent away allowed him to think things through and he realized how irrational he was. He had guilt biting at his conscience since that day on. At the time rage led him to believe that he was betrayed when it was really Mayuko who was betrayed. She had the unfair life; as an abandoned child at age 8 she lived with her aunt, the only true family she had, until death consumed her. In her state of life as everything was at its worst, all her friends ditched her, neglected to think about her sorrows. It was a melancholy year for all and it was wrong to put his anger on her as a replacement for Kana.

Most of her was as he remembered except there was strong wisdom from a ten-year gap in her eyes. Plus, that boyish look about her increase about ten times which Hatori found completely humorous. She still didn't seem to care about the style of her clothing nor the fashion of her appearance. He really thought that it was a phase and Mayuko would for sure get in touch with her femininity eventually. That didn't happen. But the ironic thing was that she kept her hair long; probably the only feminine trait about her. No, there was something else. Hatori ponder for a while and concluded that it had to be her eyes. Her eyes were definitely feminine. Even though she has a manly aura, those eyes could not be described as masculine. Hatori heaved a sigh, why is he thinking about her?

Mayuko dropped the weights of her luggage. It made a loud thud as it hit the floor. "I'M HOME!"

From out of the corner her cousin appeared, "So? Big deal. You act like you've gone for weeks."

Mayuko ignored him, "where is uncle?"

She walked outside to find her uncle. She has been living under his roof since she was 17 and she loves him dearly. He has always been very kind to her even if she was just a distance niece.

"Uncle?"

"Mayuko-chan," her uncle slowly stood from where he was kneeling behind the bushes, "you've return. Good, good. I need to talk to you, child."

"Sure. What is it?" Mayuko and her uncle seated themselves on the bench in the yard.

"Yesterday evening, a young man paid you a visit."

Mayuko scrunch her eyebrows, confused.

"When he was here, we discussed about the reason he sought after you."

"What was his name?"

"I can't recall quite well, but I think it was Kureno, Sohma Kureno."

"It was about my teaching career, wasn't it?"

Her uncle nodded, "he wanted to know what were the chances of you accepting the offer," he was silent for a moment, looking out into the distance as he spoke. "I really support you accepting it, Mayuko-chan. It is a good opportunity."

'For what?' Mayuko wanted to ask but didn't. She hardly questioned her uncle's judgment. He understood her in ways that no one has since her aunt, which she found strange.

"He informed me that you would have to move so you would be closer to the Sohma residence. And believe me, I know it's going to be difficult adjusting to the living arrangement but…you're not a little girl anymore."

Mayuko suddenly recalled the time when she had to move out of her hometown after her aunt died. She had a serious breakdown. She felt like she was being stripped of everything that was dear to her, everything of utter importance in her life was slipping from her reality. She was lost and had no one to turn too. At the time, her uncle and cousin were complete strangers to her, which made it even harder for her to cope. She was so lonely.

"I don't want to make you go through the same experience twice." He paused, stared deeply into her face for any sign of emotion then continued, "but you're not 17 anymore. You've grown to be an intelligent, sensible young lady and the world needs you."

Mayuko wished her uncle would stop. Her throat was aching from trying to hold in her emotions. She felt a secluded sadness overwhelm her body; she can't even explain this odd emotion. It was like holding on to a dying lover, knowing that death would soon take over but wishing for a couple more minutes… without any regrets in mind at all.

This was the kind of relationship she had with her uncle, a silent love that she can only feel and complicated to explain.

"Uncle…" Mayuko wanted to hug his fragile body, something she rarely do, but avoided the urge.

"Mayuko, don't feel like I'm kicking you out of the house that is not my intention. My reason is: you have to experience what the world has to offer. You can't lock yourself in this town anymore than I deny the fact that you're not 17 now.

The emotion was getting heavier and heavier that she couldn't even look at her uncle. She kept her glaze down on the bush next to him, "Uncle…I promise I'll consider it."

Mayuko lay on her bed that night, just thinking about her life. She has learned many valuable lessons from her uncle—lessons she won't have if it wasn't for him. She highly respected him, like she would her grandfather.

In many ways, her uncle was right; she can't make this town her life. It would eventually wear down her self-confidence and make her lose her potential.

"You have so many opportunity going for you. Put yourself in the right crowd and you will shine the brightest. Remember Mayuko, you can be the brightest shiniest star there ever can be—that is…if you want it."

Mayuko got up from her bed, grab the phone receiver and dial the number. She realized that it was way pass normal time to call people but this needed to be done.

"Hello."

"Uhh…what?" the exhausted voice yawned loudly into her ear, " Can't I have one night of peace, Tori-san?!"

"No, my name is Shiraki Mayuko. I am sorry to call you at such an indecent hour. I am the teacher that Hatori wanted to hire."

"Oh…" she heard groans and ruffling noises on the other end, "yeah…Hatori told me about you. How can I help you?

"It's nothing, really. I only wanted to set up a date to met you in person, if that's alright."

"Oh…well that's going to be tough because I can't travel now…my schedule it absolutely full. I you don't mind flying here, then maybe I can do next Friday for 30 minutes."

Mayuko's jaw nearly dropped. All the trouble she must go through for 30 crappy minutes.

"I'm sorry mister, but that just won't do. I have no business flying just anywhere for 30 measly minutes."

"Well…then, what would you like me to do?" he sounded a little annoyed.

"I don't know…when is your free day?"

"That will be months from now, lady."

Mayuko groaned, 'How exactly is this going to work?'

He answered her thoughts, "I can send Tori-san over. As I remember he doesn't have a lot appointments new week. He can—"

"No," she interrupted, "That won't do either, see…I have full volunteering booked for next week," she lied.

"Okkaaaaay…" his words were starting to slur with irritation and exhaustion, "then…I don't know what to do. I guess you'll have to do it over the phone or…just refuse."

"Fine. Next week will do, with anyone," she answered immediately.

"Fine…alright, I'll go." He hangs up the receiver.

He doesn't understand why Kureno couldn't handle it without involving him. He swore under his breath, he didn't want to travel in such rainy season. If water weren't the source of life he would demolish the water cycle. He knew that he would have to meet her some time or another if she agrees but does it have to be now?

"Uncle where are you going? Can I come to?" Apparently, Kisa have been eavesdropping on the conversation.

"No you may not. While I'm away you'll have to go stay with Shigure-kun."

"But I—"

"Aahh-ahh. This decision is final. No compliants."

Hatori knew that Kisa wasn't about to complain about staying with Shigure, she enjoys that he put no restrictions on her.

"Is Shigure-san going to have girls over?"

"I don't know. That's up to him."

She pouted, "I don't like them. Can you tell him to not have them over when I'm there."

"Maybe, if you behave."

"But I took every medicine without whining."

Hatori picked up the phone; "I'm going to call Shigure-kun about the plans. Go pack your things, I'll have to drop you off tomorrow morning."

Kisa slugged into her room, "Remember to tell Shigure, no girls," and as she disappeared, "except me."

Mayuko was getting more nervous by the second. She can feel the anticipation tingling throughout her whole body. She also noticed that the café was getting very chilly.

She tapped her fingers around her teacup, and when she realized her nervous habit she stopped only to start tapping her lap.

'I'm a complete nervous wreck! What is wrong with me.' She inhaled sharply so her anxiety would evaporate, she even straighten her posture. Mayuko felt like she has waited for half an hour but that was because she came so early. She didn't want to be late and leave a bad impression on her soon-to-be-employer.

She practically leaped out of her chair when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

It was a waiter, "Excuse me, miss. Are you Shiraki Mayuko?"

Mayuko nodded, her face entirely baffled. "There is a man here waiting for you. He's been here a while now."

She gasped softly, "Where is he?"

The kind waiter help direct her to where Hatori was sitting. No wonder she didn't see him, when she or he came in. They had tables on opposite ends. She seated herself by the windows so she can see the large raindrops tapping vigorously on rooftops and people under umbrellas rushing for dryness. Hatori, on the other side, was at a dark corner illuminated by a few hanging lamps.

As she approached his table, she felt like she walked into the uncomfortable zone.

"You're late," was the first thing that came out of his mouth.

Mayuko build up her confidence, "No, actually I'm not. I've been here before our meeting time, we just didn't' see each other."

If he was taken aback by her confrontation, he didn't show it. He simply ignored her statement.

"So what made you call me all the way up here."

"Technically, I didn't call you or request that you meet me here." She tried her very best to not be intimidated by his firm stare. "I just wanted to discuss the specifics of this job and your secretary suggested that you came."

"It shouldn't be so complex that you had to think twice about considering. Kisa needs a teacher, basically. But she also needs someone who is there for her, as I can't be, to be her emotional and mental support. You are required to teach her language, math, science and history—the basics and at my request maybe even art."

"It won't be all those classes in one day, will it?"

"Of course not. Kisa will start with two extended class, each class every other day and studying on Saturday."

"And exactly how long will I be her teacher?"

"When she is ready to attend the public schools is when your job is over."

For some reason, the statement made her fee like she will be needed only until she is no longer of relevant use. Is that the feeling she should get before accepting such offers? If she feels this now, what will it be like later on?

"Before I make my final decision, is there anything that I need to know about Kisa, any health issues?"

At that, Hatori looked directly into her eyes, a look that can almost be described as cold but not quite. He didn't say anything except stare infinitely at her, which brought her tension.

"Yes," he finally said, "she has one condition. She has multiple personality but it only happens when she is experiencing severe emotional stress; it causes her to have animated flashbacks. Her personality would then, change to accommodate to the memory whether that be an aggressive rebellious personality or mute and lonely. This would go on for two to three days."

Mayuko didn't know what to say, didn't know what she felt. Does this make her think differently of the little girl?

"I hope this small detail doesn't influence your decision making. It's not something that you'll likely see, I assure you."

Mayuko couldn't stop herself from asking, "Is that why she lives with you?"

He waited as if he didn't know what was the best reply, "Part of it is. Her multiple personality wore out her body so much that her health was declining. She would have headaches, colds, fevers or minor pains, much too many for a normal growing kid to have, so at the elder's request she had to live with me—for the sake of her health and mental being. But most of it had to do with her family."

Mayuko didn't know how to consume all this information. She was sympathetic of her, really. Mayuko drove to Kaoru's place. She really needed to talk out the situation with somebody.

Kaoru greeted her with a warm cheerful smile as usual, "Mayuko! I was wondering when I'll hear from you."

Kaoru had always been Mayuko's retreat and Mayuko was her reality. When they met again in college again, they reunited their friendship to the next level. They were like sisters. They filled in the other's flaws.

"So…what's going on with you and Hatori?" She gave Mayuko a nudged on the arm.

"What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with Hatori and I. It's about his niece Kisa."

"Her again. When did she become the center of your attention?" she asked in a joking tone.

"Stop it, Kaoru. It's not like that. The poor girl is in a situation that I would never have imagined."

That's when her face changed; Kaoru is the most sensitive person when it comes to health. Mayuko don't know why she didn't enter the health field.

"What's wrong with her?"

"She has multiple personality. I was told that she doesn't get it often, only when she's emotionally depressed which is usually when she have flashback of her family. Hatori didn't say but I guess she had a bad childhood."

"So what next? You're just going to refuse?"

"I…I really don't know, Kaoru-chan. You know what I'm like with people like that."

"But Mayuko-chan, this kid needs you. You two seem to bond well together. Do you remember her face when you agreed to dine with her? She was so happy. I know you'll never be able to let go of that."

"But what if…if I see that side of her and I totally blank out that I just lose it."

"You won't because you're stronger than that. You just need to test your limits." It alleviated her anxiousness but somewhere in her conscience was swirling with doubts.

Doubtful. This situation that she is getting herself into is making her very doubtful and nervous. She's stuck in between, unsure of the risks that accompany the opportunity. Mayuko is more than confident that her love for Hatori has long departed her body. Then why does she always this burning sensation in her cheeks and jingles in her nerves? How would she explain that?

Will the proximity with Hatori rekindle her love—one so old that the possibility is almost impossible?

But is it? Mayuko can hear Kaoru say. Kaoru is always one to test the possibilities. For her, nothing is guarantee.

"You know Mayuko, you must expect the unexpected," she remembered Kaoru telling her, "Which I don't expect from you."

Mayuko is a rational person. Her family background influenced her rationale. Her father abandoned her when she was only eight. Since then Mayuko lived with her mother, who cared more about alcohol than she did her. A year later, she moved in with her aunt because the government found her mother an unsuitable parent. When she was old enough to understand her family history, she starting believing in reason—that there must be a reason for everything. To this very day, she still wonders why her father left her mother, or why her mother didn't care enough about her. Her life wasn't the greatest but she didn't conclude it to be disappointing. It could be worst. Much worst.

There was a phone call for Mayuko. A phone call that gave her more reason to take on Hatori's offer.

It was a sales agent back from her hometown, the town that Hatori lives in now.

"Shiraki-san, I receive word that you are the beneficiary of the old Shiraki bookshop and it is now up for sale, in case you are interested. Unfortunately, being that it no longer belongs to your family you must buy it from me to regain ownership."

Mayuko knew that the bookshop was the only real thing that her aunt meant to leave for her. Her aunt cherished the old place and had always wanted to renovate it. When she was seventeen, the shop was tidy but nothing sort of new, now Mayuko imagine it must be a ramshackle.

"How much do you want for the place?"

She stated her price.

"Is that including renovations?" Mayuko looked at the photo the saleswomen faxed her. "It's quite a bargain for such an old thing, don't you think?"

"Well, sure. It's your family legacy, shouldn't it be worth that much?"

Mayuko was starting to like the woman less and less. She never did like business people—those self-interested self-centered people. All they think about is money.

"If you want, I will give you time to think about. Don't worry; there isn't a line of interested buyers around the corner. It's been on the market for some time now. It's—"

"No," Mayuko interrupted, "I'll take it."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" she cheered on the other end, "I'll fax you some papers to sign and as soon as you send me the check, it'll be yours. It's a easy process, no trouble at all, I assure you." She sounded like a bulldozer was lifted off her shoulders—relieved.

"That won't be necessary at all. The process is going to be done personally."

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A/N: sigh Finally, chapter three, done and over with!!! Sorry it took me so long to update. I was tied with ropes of schoolwork. Damn teachers. :( Well, what are your thoughts on this chapter? I'm trying to make it to the interesting parts as fast as I can. And for those looking for romance, it will be coming although I'm not a good romance writer. I'll try my best.

I won't be updating until next year, so don't expect any until then.

Have a safe, happy new year, everyone!

My New Year resolution: Update quicker and finish this story!

Adream3r--don't forget to leave me a review.