Summary: To shake off a stubborn fiancé-candidate, Asaka asks Wataru for a favor while Kazuki is in America. Wataru reluctantly agrees, but what's going to happen when Kazuki returns?
Disclaimer: ONLY THE RING FINGER KNOWS does not belong to me. All elements below belong to Kannagi Satoru and its proper copyrights.
Note: These are not, I repeat, these are NOT the actual events of the fourth novel. This is what I guess you could call an alternate storyline. Please do not rely on this fic for information about the fourth novel or on any of the books, although I will be borrowing some scenes and events that took place there.
In the novels, Kannagi-sensei gives a description on how they look. But I also adore Odagiri-sensei's beautiful illustrations, so I'll compromise. Yuichi will still be blonde but not the striking color yellow. Let's say his type of blonde is the type that borders to very light brown. I think it's called honey-blonde? I'll have the eyes be ice blue because I think it suits him.
Wataru's eyes will be black as Kannagi described it to be, and the hair will be of chocolate brown as in Odagiri's illustrations. Asaka's hair will be a reddish brown color because I think it suits his personality, but he still has tan eyes.
"Tell you what," the man added. "You do this favor for me, and I'll give you back this ring. What do you say?"
"Asaka-san, that's blackmail!"
"It is, isn't it?"
Considering his options, Wataru hung his head and sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll do it."
Unknown to Wataru, a figure was looming around, watching and listening in on their conversation…
THE UNTOUCHED RING
Chapter Two: New Conditions
"Fine. I'll do it."
The moment those words left his mouth, Asaka immediately rose from his seat and took hold of Wataru's hand. Dumbfounded, he let the elder man pull him up from his chair and drag him out of the café, but not before paying their bill.
"Asaka-san…?" Wataru called out, raising his brows as he tried to keep up with the man's face—his wrist still being held tightly. "Where… Where are we going?" Asaka peered over his shoulder to look at him, a smile plastered wide on his face. "To prepare, of course. Let's go shopping."
"Shopping?!"
"Of course. We can't have you meet Sayuri looking like that. You need to look your best that she'd be so envious that she didn't look like you."
Wataru blanched. "I doubt that would happen." Since when did a girl ever wish she looked like a boy? "Asaka-san, do we really need to do this now? Can't it wait 'till tomorrow?" "No," Asaka continued to pull his wrist. "Because the omiai is today." "TODAY?!" Wataru yelled at the top of his voice. "Today? ! What the hell—? Talk about last minute… Asaka-san…"
"I know, I'm sorry. But I'm desperate." They stopped at a huge clothes store that made Wataru's eyes bulge out of their sockets. It was unlike any other store he'd been to. He was even more surprised when he was ushered in. Everything seemed so refined that he suddenly felt like his cotton sweater, faded blue jeans and worn-out sneakers were completely out of place. "Um… Asaka-san… We aren't really…" He didn't finish his sentence because he noticed that Asaka wasn't even paying any attention to him. Instead, he was rummaging through the clothes rack, pulling out some outfits that caught his eye.
"Wataru-kun," he called out once his hands were filled with different clothes. "Try these on." Before any protests could be heard, the clothes were thrust into his hands, and he was pushed into the nearest fitting stall. Glancing at the garments dangling from his arms, Wataru stared at them blankly before raising his eyes to the elder man. "You don't seriously expect me to wear something like this, do you?"
Asaka smiled at him brightly. "There's no harm in trying, huh? Or should I call for an attendant to help you dress?" "F—Fine!" the young man snapped, and closed the curtains violently. Turning to his reflection in the huge mirror on the wall, he breathed a heavy sigh and stretched out his hand to touch the cold surface.
Seriously, he mentally berated. What the hell am I doing?
He glanced at his left ring finger, letting the clothes Asaka had passed to him fall on the gleaming marble floor. He never realized how bold and naked his hand looked without the ring. He missed the familiar heavy weight that was usually wrapped around his tiny finger, but without it, his hand felt light. He felt as if his balance was off. He sighed again.
It's only for today so it's not much of a big deal.
With that thought in mind, he tugged the edges of his sweater and pulled it over his head. Afterwards, he fiddled with his zipper and let his pants fall to the ground. He grabbed the first outfit that Asaka picked out and proceeded to drape it all over his body.
After a minute or so, Wataru pulled back the curtains to reveal himself wearing a white button-up polo shirt with some floral designs on the right half of the shirt, and a pair of navy-blue jeans that clung on to him a bit too tightly. "Not too bad," Asaka whistled, making Wataru turn a dark shade of red. "Yeah, I like the way those jeans show the figure of your legs." Wataru turned his head in annoyance. "Asaka-san! I am not a girl who needs to flaunt her legs." "True," came the simply reply. "Maybe this outfit is a bit too much for an omiai. Try the next one." Wataru complied and closed the curtains again.
The next one he tried was a gray long-sleeved polo with thin black and white stripes imprinted on them, along with a pair of rather baggy (not too baggy) white slacks. Although he was thankful to be out of the skinny jeans earlier, he certainly wasn't fond of stripes. Asaka seemed to share the same sentiment and motioned for the next outfit.
After a few outfits later, most of which earned pleasing nods and reactions from Asaka, Wataru was tired and exasperated. "Asaka-san, I don't think all theses clothes are necessary," he said. The elder man scoffed, "Nonsense! When in an omiai, one has to look their best." "That's not it," urged Wataru. "Aren't these clothes… expensive…?" He had taken note that absolutely all the outfits he had tried on were designer labeled, and of extremely fine material. Could the guy really afford all this?
"Don't worry about it, Wataru-kun," spoke Asaka. He approached Wataru and leaned down until they were practically nose to nose. "Let me have my fun okay?" he could even feel the elder man's hot breath ghosting his lips. "Right now while Kazuki-kun is away, let me spoil you to my heart's content." He smiled brightly and pulled the curtains to a close, leaving Wataru alone in the dressing stall again.
Wataru sighed in defeat. He still had outfits to try on, and the man was more than willing to pay for all the expenses, so why not accept the offer? It was certainly a change from his usual trips to the thrift shop or surplus store. He'd never actually worn or even owned designer clothes before. He wondered for a moment if Asaka was prepping him up for the omiai, or is it because he indeed wanted to spoil him so badly? If it was the latter, then this was definitely turning out to be a date.
Now that he though about it, the moment Asaka had asked him to spend the day with him, they had gone to the cinema, went to an arcade, even sung in a karaoke bar. Although lunch was only at a local diner, he still managed to enjoy himself. And here he was now, shopping for clothes with him. Doesn't that only happen when men date women? Come to think of it, he'd never spend the day with Kazuki like this before. Arcade and karaoke didn't seem to fit Kazuki's profile. And he most certainly hadn't gone shopping with the guy either. Shaking off other thoughts, he grabbed the next outfit and tried it on.
When he pulled open the curtain a few minutes later, he was surprised to find Asaka gone, and standing in his place was an attendant carrying a few boxes. "Um…" Wataru wanted to ask, but was immediately interrupted by the sound of her voice. "Your friend said he had something to take care of and that he'd be back soon," she said upon noticing his questioning gaze. "He asked me if I could assist you."
"Oh, I see…" he stammered bashfully, not really keen in having the woman see him like this. As expected, she scrutinized him from head to toe, her eyes glazing over his black long-sleeved sweater that clung tightly on his skin, and his forest-green slacks. "Is there an occasion?" she inquired with a knowing look. He blushed and scratched his head. "An omiai," he answered.
"Omiai? Well, normally a kimono is worn on an omiai, but I guess we're living in the modern age now, aren't we?"
"Post-modern," Wataru corrected.
"Ah, of course. Well, I must say your outfit right now does, um… suit an omiai—if you intend on seducing the other party, that is. Although I must admit black does look good on you, but perhaps some bright colors to compliment your eyes?"
"Thanks, but I…"
"I know. Don't worry. I think I have the suitable attire for you."
She went off and pulled out a few clothes from the clothes rack and returned, handing them over to Wataru. She smiled at him and presented to him also the boxes she had carried earlier. "What're those?" he asked out of curiosity. "Shoes," she answered. "Your friend requested them. Good clothes need good shoes, you know." "Right…" he commented and closed the curtains again. When he flipped open the boxes, he discovered a wide array of different footwear, ranging from leather to newly tailored sneakers—all designer label.
Doesn't this store sell something that isn't designer-labeled? Wataru mentally snapped. But seriously, can he really afford all of this? Man, that guy's richer than I thought. Now I'm really beginning to feel pampered.
He shook off those thoughts again and proceeded to change. A few moments later, he emerged donning a classy black blazer with a silky orange button-up shirt tucked in underneath, and black slacks that weren't too tight or too baggy, and a pair of high-class leather shoes that were surprisingly comfortable. A leather belt with a shining silver buckle put the entire outfit together.
"H—How do I look?" he stammered, a bit embarrassed. The salesclerk clapped her hands merrily, a wide smile gracing her lips. "Perfect! You are absolutely dreamy!" He blushed even more at her words. "Ah! Wataru-kun!" came the familiar voice calling him. He turned around to see Asaka hurrying to him, still bearing the casual smile on his face. "Asaka-san," he said. "Where have you been?"
"Sorry," the elder man apologized. "I had to pick up my car from the repair shop. I got it tuned up earlier today. But I must say, you look far better than I had ever imagined."
He eyed Wataru from head to toe causing the latter to cringe in embarrassment. "I'm not used to wearing clothes like these," he admitted. Asaka raised his brows. "Really? You should dress like that more. Kazuki-kun has no idea what he's missing." He turned to the salesclerk and, with a wave of his hand, said, "He'll be wearing this out. You can pack his clothes instead." She bowed her head and went off to do as told, leaving the two boys alone.
For some reason, Wataru began to feel hot. Was it because of the heater? Or is it because of the clothes he was wearing? No, it's probably out of embarrassment and nervousness. He's never been to an omiai before. He didn't even know that there were still those who practiced it. He wondered if he'd be successful in convincing this woman about he and Asaka's relationship.
Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't notice Asaka coming closer to him, hold up his left hand and slip something on his ring finger. When the coolness of the hard metal made contact with his skin, only then did he realize.
"Wha—What's this?! Asaka-san!" he retorted.
"What do you think it is, Wataru-kun?" Asaka asked plainly, but Wataru turned red all over. "I know what it is," the younger man continued. "What I want to know is what is it for?!" He held out his hand to show off the golden metal band carved with intricate designs reminiscent of baroque fashion. "Why is this ring on my finger?!"
"Isn't it only natural?"
"Pardon?"
"I told you that girl won't back down unless it's definite I have someone else. Introducing you to her won't just make her give up. We'll both have to play the part." He raised his own left hand to show him the matching ring he wore. "These rings will make her take us seriously."
"But still…"
Wataru frowned, obviously upset. All this time, the only thing that his finger wore was Kazuki's ring. That and that alone. Then suddenly a new ring takes its place. It didn't feel right. It really felt like he's betraying Kazuki. "I… I don't want to…"
"Then we could just call it off and you can explain to Kazuki-kun why I have his ring."
When those words sunk in, Wataru shook his head slightly then said, "All right. I'll go along. But, it's only for today, right?"
"Only for today."
"Sorry I took so long," the salesclerk returned, bearing Wataru's clothes in a small bag. "Here's your bill."
Asaka walked off to the counter to pay for the outfit, while Wataru gazed uneasily at the new ring on his finger. Moments later, the two of them walked out of the shop and proceed to Asaka's family home.
To be continued...
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Next chapter: Wataru meets Asaka's grandmother and determined fiancé, and certain challenges arise.
Japanese terms used:
Omiai – It is when two people officially meet, set up by their parents or guardians, with the intention of marrying. You could call it another form of arranged marriage
Kimono – There are women's kimono and men's kimono. It is traditional clothing often worn during festivities like a tea ceremonies and omiai's, and was worn in the past by nobles and rich people.
Note: The honorifics I'm using for this story are the honorifics I heard them using in the Drama CD. If you find any errors, feel free to correct me.
