Side Story: Cherry Blossom Spring
Several years ago, I met Takishima Kei. Both his father and mine were close friends tied by the common interest if wrestling. I liked wrestling too, my dad thought I was the best. So one day, my dad had me and Takishima meet for a spar. Takishima was short and skinny, his light hair shinning beneath the sunlight. He was no match for me – at least that's what I thought.
I charged at him, filled with confidence that I will win. But, as I tried to land my first punch, he dodged it and punched my stomach. If not for the protective gear, I would have started crying. The impact of his punch was decreased because of the thickness of the gear. But, nevertheless, I felt it.
Kei's father cheered, and my father had this angry comical face on. I stood up and straightened myself. "One more", I said. It was a lucky shot anyway, I can take him. But, the same thing repeated six times.
I tried standing up again but I just couldn't. Takishima went over and held out his hand. He was looking away from me and blushing. It didn't matter to me. I shoved his hand and got up myself – despite the pain.
"Do you like wrestling?" I asked him.
"No, I don't like fighting," he replied.
From that day on, my blood boiled with the resolution of beating him. How can someone be that good at something even if they don't like what they're doing? It's a question that's instilled in my mind up until these times.
After that, I transferred to the same school he was in, so that I can beat him in every move. But, just because he was my rival, doesn't mean that I won't befriend him – its strategy after all.
Each year on his birthday I would take a break from beating him – trying to beat anyway. (Now that I think about it, even little Takishima is better than me now – darn it). I would give him gifts. Though no matter what I give him, his face would light up – even at the slightest bit.
Though I remember, one time when we were twelve, he was different.
The cool spring breeze blew, bringing with it petals of soft pink cherry blossoms. Everybody felt the joy of new life in spring. The thought of death in winter have left their minds, though it was never the same for one boy. All he knew was the thought of death in winter: the loss of people, the death of himself.
The school bell rang signaling the end of the day and everyone in class hurried out of the classroom to play near the cherry blossom trees in the campus.
Takishima Kei stayed in his seat, he didn't want to go out and play, thinking it was only what children would do. Takishima never had the privilege of being a child. All he knew was to work and to be the best ever since early in his childhood.
Hanazono Hikari stood by the door outside the classroom waiting for her rival to come out. She was excited – not to pounce or give him a surprise attack but to give him his present. It was his birthday after all.
"It's just another day," Kei said grudgingly. He fixed his books and got his bag, he stood and went out of the classroom to see Hikari waiting for him.
"You know if a routine attack is your idea of a surprise attack, then I think you need to have your head checked," he said to her monotonously. He turned his back to her and walked.
"You idiot, I know that! I was just waiting for you," she said, slightly pink in the face. Am I that obvious? She thought.
"Why, do you need me for something?" he said his back turned to her still. All his life, people waited for him for only one reason: to get something in return. His servants tolerate his cold attitude because of their pay. Even though he knew that, it never changed how he treated them – that was the reason he treated them as such. His grandfather showered him with the most expensive toys since his birth; he was sent to the finest institutions to study, and met with famous people. But all of that was a debt. His grandfather wanted him to take over his company once he became of age.
"Uhm n-not really," Hikari said in response to his unusually cold manner.
"Then don't waste my time, I'll see you tomorrow," he said, dismissing her with his hand. His back still turned to her.
Hikari stood on her spot as Kei descended. She leaned her arms against the ledge of an open window in the hallway. She looked up at the sky. The cherry blossoms danced on a blue cloudless sky. The atmosphere is so cheerful, how can anyone be this cold after winter? He really surprises me. What's with sudden change? Every year, I give him presents outside the classroom, doesn't he remember that? Or is he too busy? Why can't he just tell me anything? I wish he would, at least even if I only understand little of his life; he won't have to feel so burdened.
Hikari inhaled deep and exhaled the same. I'll make sure he enjoys this day, no matter what. Filled with new resolution, Hikari heads to the Takishima Manor.
"Good afternoon, I am here to see Mr. Takishima," she said, to the guard at the door.
"Which one, we have three of them," the guard said in return.
"Uhm," what was the name of Takishima's dad again? She stroked her chin in deep thought.
"What no answer? Then sorry, I can't let you enter." The guard slammed the door in her face.
"What are you doing?!" a voice from inside the house said. "You can't do that to my future daughter-in-law!"
"Eh?" Hikari said her left eye twitching. We're not betrothed are we?
The doors opened once more, to reveal a man who has the face of a fifteen year old boy, "ah, Hikari-chan, sorry for that. They don't remember you anymore." He pouted and said, "You don't come here as often as before."
"Sorry, but I've been busy," Hikari said in reply, smiling apologetically.
"Yes, of course! You have to do your best to beat Kei right?" Though that is virtually impossible Hikari-chan, he thought. "But I admire your delusional determination completely!"
"My what?" Hikari said perplexed.
"That was supposed to stay in my head – oops! So was that, but ignore it! Come in come in!" he said hurriedly, laughing.
Hikari entered the mansion. It was just as she remembered it: the high ceilings and the grand chandelier above staircase. The floors were marble and the doors were of the finest wood – she would know, her father's a carpenter after all.
"I'll go call Kei," he said as he started to ascend the staircase.
"Wait, please," Hikari started, "I need to talk to you about something."
"Eh? What's with the serious tone, Hikari-chan?" He asked.
"I want to know about Takishima," she said.
"Oh, I see," he said in a sigh. "Well then, do you have time? This will be a long talk. Come, I'll lead you to the living room. Tell me, strawberries of kiwis?"
"Strawberries, why?" she said.
"We'll need snacks. And I think that we still have some sampler packs of the new Poke (read: Takishima Corps' version of Pocky). They were thinking of bringing out a new flavor, so most of the other merchandise landed here."
He descended down the stairs and led Hikari to the living room.
"Uhm, what's your name again?" Hikari asked.
"You've forgotten about me already? Well it can't be helped. I am Takishima," the phone rang in the office next to the living room.
"Sorry, can you hold on for a minute? I'll tell the servants to bring you tea and some poke, strawberry right?"
Hikari nodded.
Hikari proceeded to the living room and was served with tea and Poke. There were ten boxes of Poke laid in front of her. Am I supposed to finish all of these? She opened a box and started eating one. It tasted good, so she proceeded to another box and continued. Mr. Takishima is taking long, I'll just eat until he gets back.
She kept on eating and eating; she reached the tenth box. I wonder how many I've eaten already, she thought as she took the last bite of Poke. She looked around and saw wrappers and empty boxes. She pursed her lips and swallowed the bit of Poke. I'm so dead; I didn't leave anything for Mr. Takishima!
"Alright, alright, I'll get to it. Good bye," Hikari heard from the other room. Oh crap! He's coming!
Hikari looked around for a box that was unopened. Did I eat everything? There amidst all the wrappers, she found an unopened box – or so it may seem. Phew, I found one. At least I still left one box for Mr. Takishima, she thought relieved.
"Ah Hikari-chan," he started as he went to the living room. He looked at the empty boxes and wrappers of Poke on the coffee table. "I see, you were hungry," he said knowingly.
"Oh no, I didn't forget to leave you a box," Hikari said, embarrassed.
"That's so kind, Hikari-chan," he got the box from Hikari and opened. He reached inside for a stick and had a weird look on his face.
"What's wrong, Mr. Takishima?" Hikari asked.
"Hikari, are you sure there's still something inside this box?"
"W-what?" Hikari said with a guilt-ridden face.
Mr. Takishima held the box upside-down and started shaking it to remove its contents. Nothing but wrappers came out.
"I see," he said, staring at the box weirdly. "Must be a factory defect," he added and started laughing.
"Right," Hikari laughed along.
"Anyway, what do you want to learn about Kei?" he asked. The atmosphere became serious.
"I just wanted to know the things he does," Hikari said, holding the edge of skirt. "I don't know anything about Takishima and I just wanted to know if he does the same things other kids like me do."
"Well, to start off Hikari-chan, Kei is different from kids like you. There are two types of geniuses in the world: the first one is the natural-born genius – Kei. He was a genius since birth and has continued to be so. And there's the second one, the acquired genius. These are people who strive to become geniuses, they may be like you, but nevertheless, no matter how much they strive, they cannot beat those who are born geniuses. Once Kei's grandfather had realized his gift, he decided to use it for the company's advantage. Someone like him isn't born every day. That's why Kei never got to do the things you did, he was always up in his room reading or studying something. He never really experienced any affection from anyone. I tried though my actions were a fail. His mother tried the most, but the more we tried, the more he pushed us away. He never had any real friends at all."
"Including Akira?" Hikar interjected.
"Though I cannot be too sure of that because they only met through a business meeting between me and her father, but probably, though I've never seen Akira-chan here. Kei is the type that would like to do things all by himself. He doesn't want to burden others. He even does my job, which makes me kind of useless actually," he said chuckling slightly.
"I see, and all of this ever since he was a kid?" Hikari asked.
"Yes, it got even worse this year. Last December, his grandfather has given him more jobs – jobs of his former CEOs. That's why Kei has been absent for more than a few days each month because of all the business meetings. He's been pretty tired each day he comes back from school. If it weren't for the law his grandfather would have had him take over the company as soon as he turned ten."
"I never knew Takishima had it that bad," Hikari said. "I wish there was something I could do for him."
"So do I, Hikari-chan. Even if I tell him I'll do my job, he just tells me that I might ruin things. So he takes all the responsibility. I've got to say I admire him for this. Even I, as an adult can't take too much; but looking at Kei, makes me wish I'd done better things so that he could at least look up to me instead of him looking down on me."
"I may not know Takishima that well, but I know he never looks down on you," Hikari said.
"I'd like to think so, but his situation just says it all," he said.
"I want to do something for Takishima," Hikari started, "tomorrow, can you –"
Just then the doors opened and Takishima Kei came in looking at Hikari and his father with cold indifference. "What are you doing here?" he said to Hikari.
"Um, nothing just talking to your dad," she replied, smiling apologetically.
Kei turned to his father with a murderous aura circling about him. "And you?"he said pointing his finger at his father.
"Nothing Kei, I'm just having a talk with Hikari-chan," he said, fear crashing down on him. He quivered at the sight of his own son, standing infornt of him with the intent of murder.
"I think it's time for Hikari to go home," Kei said looking down.
He grabbed Hikari's arm and brought her to the door. "Goodnight Hanazono-san, I'll see you at schoo." He closed the door.
"Kei! What are you doing to Hikari-chan?" his father asked.
"I'll deal with you later," he hissed at his father.
There was a knock on the door. "Oh, right," Kei said, getting a school bag from the couch Hikari sat in. "Here," he tossed the school bag to her.
"Thank you, but that's not why I knocked. Mr. Takishima, what's your name again?"
"Eh, you still don't know my name?" Kei's father asked from behind his son.
"You'll never know," Kei said. The aura about him was dark and dangerous. Hikari fell down in fear, wide-eyed. "Now, goodnight, Hanazono-san." The door was slammed in her face.
Hikari stood on the pathway between the gate and the door, her head bowed. Why'd you have to do that? I was just trying to help. Tears were pushing themselves from her eyes. She tried holding back but, they fell. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and started running out of the gates. I hate you Takishima.
Kei looked through one of the windows in the living room as Hikari disappeared into the night. I'm sorry. I don't want you, of all people, to get involved.
"Kei, tell me, why did you do that?" His father asked.
"I just don't want any of my friends to know what I'm doing. I want to do this by myself. They'll only get in my way anyway," Kei replied his head bowed down, a shadow cast over his eyes. "I don't want Hikari to be involved the most."
His father smiled and messed up his hair. "You may not need us now, but when you do, we'll be there. Take into consideration what others may feel about you. Hikari-chan was just trying to make you feel normal."
Kei still looked down. "So I'm not normal," he suddenly said.
"N-no, that's not what I meant! Kei you're normal in every way," his father said hastily.
Kei smiled faintly, "I know what you mean." With that, Kei ascended to his room.
As soon as Kei was out of view, his father took his phone out of the pocket and called Hikari.
"Father, who are you calling?" Kei yelled from his room.
"No one!" His father yelled in fearful reply. That child is something.
The next morning, Kei woke up to an unusual silence that fell upon their mansion. What's this, is anybody here? Where's dad? He looked in all the rooms on the second floor. But could not find any trace of any other being besides himself.
He went down stairs to hear the books drop on the floor, and the whining of a fax machine printing. What on earth? No way –!
Kei proceeded to the office next to the living room. What's going on in here, there are papers everywhere. "Dad?"
A mountain of papers stood on the seat behind the desk, Kei went over to check if anybody was there.
"I CANNOT ACCEPT THAT! KIWI IS SUCH A HORRIBLE FLAVOR!" A voice said from beneath the papers on the seat.
Kei fell down in horror upon seeing his father's murderous face. It's just kiwi.
"Ah, Kei, good morning," his father said now smiling. "Go have your breakfast; I'll take care of the paper work today. You go play at the park okay?"
"But," Kei objected.
"No buts. Please let me have some dignity and assert as myself as a parent and as a CEO. You've done enough okay?" his father said patting his head.
Kei did as he was told and headed to the park. He sat on a swing and waited. She should be here, he thought.
"Ah, Takishima!" Somebody called from behind him. "What brings you here?"
He turned to see Hikari running towards him waving at him.
"It's funny meeting you at a place like this," Hikari played coyly.
"Shut up, I know you were going here. I wire-tapped my father's phone last night, I knew he was going to call," Kei said, a devilish grin on his face. This kid is scary, Hikari thought.
"So," Hikari started.
"So what?" Kei said unenthusiastically.
"Are you ready for a day of fun?" Hikari said brightly punching her fist in the air.
"Whatever as long as we hurry – I can't leave my dad with the paper work you know."
"He can handle it," Hikari said.
"So what now?" Kei asked.
"The monkey bars! C'mon!"
Hikari grabbed onto the first bar and continued to the end. Kei grabbed hold of one bar and just stayed immobile.
"This is fun?" he said with a bored face.
"The point is to get across by swinging from bar to bar, genius." Hikari's temple vein started throbbing.
"And what happens when you get across?" Kei asked.
"Well, nothing really. I guess a feeling of accomplishment?" Hikari smiled unsurely.
"Okay," Kei continued across. He got down once on the last bar. He looked at his hands.
"What is it?" Hikari asked.
"I don't feel any different."
"Okay then, next are the swings!" Hikari said pushing the previous subject aside.
"Okay you push me first!" Hikari said.
"Fine," Kei said uninterested.
Hikari got on the swing and Kei started pushing – well, Kei just pressed his hands on Hikari's back without any force.
"Takishima what are you doing?" Hiakri asked.
"Pushing like you said."
"That's not how you do it! Let's switch places, I'll show you how," Hikari said getting off the swing set.
Kei got on and Hikari started pushing. "See," she said pointedly.
Kei felt the wind sweep his hair and blow on his face. It was refreshing – serene. Hikari noticed that he was enjoying himself.
"Now yell, 'BWAHH!'" Hikari said.
"What's the point?" Kei said; the feeling of serenity gone from him instantly.
"Well, it's just to express fun," Hikari shrugged.
"Well, I'd rather express my fun silently," Kei said, monotonously.
Hikari's temple vein grew bigger.
The day went on and Hikari got Kei to try the different play-sets at the park; though when they were on the see-saw, Hikari had to force herself to go down to get the reluctant Kei off the ground. The pay passed and the sun began to set. Both tired, Kei and Hikari took rest beneath a cherry blossom tree.
"So how was your day?" Hikari asked.
"Meh," Kei replied. Hikari's temple vein began to throb.
"Was it fun?"
"I don't know," Kei answered. Hikari's vein throbbed even more.
"Did you really even try at all?" Hikari said standing up. She held up Takishima by his collar. He seemed composed about all this.
"To be honest, no," Kei said flatly.
"So it was meaningless for me to have tried then," Hikari said in defeat as she released Kei.
"Actually, no it wasn't," Kei started. Hikari looked at him with small hope.
"It made me realize how much time I would've wasted if I'd be doing the same things you were doing," he said coldly.
Hikari's eyes began to tear up. She clenched her fists and bowed her head, her hair casting a shadow over her eyes.
"Anyway," Kei continued, straightening himself, "I'll go now, it's almost night time. I don't have time to waste like you do." With that, he started walking past her.
Hikari could not and will not take such an insult from a spoiled rich brat. "Takishima," she said quietly. She sent a punch towards Kei – he easily dodged it.
"You think an amateur hit like that could hit me?" he said. "It's things like that that separate people like you from me. I was born with skill that you aren't. That's why this skill must not be wasted with trivial things such as playing at the park. I'd rather do things that require my skill. That's why none of you will ever understand."
"Well, have you tried telling anyone?" Hikari said heatedly.
"It would be pointless," Kei said clenching his fists. "You don't and will never understand the burden of being born with such talent that people will go out of their way just to use you." He turned to her, his eyes covered by the shadow of his hair. "My own family uses me! My own grandfather! I feel exhausted each day I come home. Not from school, but from the work load I'm given! You don't understand because you have this carefree life free of any adult burden! You have the life of a child your age; I have the life of an adult! That's why you'll never understand how it feels until you get there. And by the time you get there, it will be too late for you to understand."
"But, why do you have to do all of these things?" Hikari said, "Why not just say 'no'?"
"Don't you get it? What am I asking – of course you don't! Being born this talented means that you have to achieve expectations!"
"Who said that," Hikari said a serious look on her face.
Kei looked at her. It was the first time Hikari ever saw Takishima Kei cry in front of her. He is just a kid like me after all; he just has the burdens of someone beyond him. She placed her hand on his face.
"Don't touch me!" Kei said slapping her hand off his face. Hikari fell down and Kei was wide-eyed. What have I done? I shouldn't have come here, maybe this wouldn't have happened. He turned and was about to run, but Hikari grabbed his shirt.
"So that's what you're going to do, run?" Hikari said. "If you just keep running you'll lose sight of why you started in the first place. Tell me, why are you doing all these things for the company?"
Kei, stared at her. He was speechless.
"See, that's what I mean. You've lost sight on why you're doing these things for the company. Do you even remember why this started?"
"Because I wanted to prove myself to my grandfather as the capable heir I am."
"Don't you think that your grandfather knows that? Why do you think he chose you as his successor? If you keep doing all this running you'll forget who you are and become an aimless robot working for something he's forgotten – a purposeless life."
Kei stared at her with fear. I've never seen her this way before.
"Yes, I don't understand, but when I do, expect me to be the one to carry your burdens with you. Right now, your father wants you to enjoy your childhood. He'd gladly do your work for you. He's there to carry your burdens. But even if you just tell me what's troubling you, maybe, little by little, I could start to understand."
"Hikari…" Takishima said his cheeks tainted pink.
"Even if I have to be your personal punching bag," Hikari said laughing slightly. "I'll always be there no matter what. You're my friend."
The night had fallen and it was cold. Hikari started to shiver.
"Takishima," Hikari started, "no matter what you do to me, you'll always be special to me I'll always be by your side."
Kei stared at her. Her eyes looked bright and her cheeks tinted with the slightest pink. He walked to her and helped her up. Her hands provided warmth for his frosty fingers.
"Oh!" Hikari said. She reached into her pocket.
"What is it?" Kei asked.
"You gift," she said brightly.
"No you don't have to. I don't deserve it after all the things I said," Kei said looking down.
"Everybody deserves a gift on their birthday idiot. I couldn't give it yesterday, sorry."
"You don't have to be."
Hikari handed over a pen with a rabbit head on its end. And as it was every year, Hikari would look as Kei looked at it brightly.
"Thank you Hikari," Kei said.
"No problem –"
Kei hugged Hikari. "Thank you so much."
"Anytime," Hikari said hugging back tight.
I remember why I like you so much, Hikari.
"Remember," Hikari said, breaking from him, "this doesn't mean our rivalry is over. Come school on Monday, we're enemies again."
"I know that," Kei said. "Miss Numbuh Two!" He added emphasizing on 'Numbuh Two'.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Hikari grabbed hold of Kei's hand and lead him to the fountain.
"Here," she handed him a coin. "I'm sure you're aware of how to make a wish right?"
"I'm not that indigenous to these things," Kei said straight-faced.
Together they closed their eyes and wished. Hikari threw her coin in first.
Kei was thinking hard. I wish that things could stay this way. He threw his coin into the fountain.
"What did you wish for?" Kei said making their way back to their houses.
"I wished that no matter what happens, we could stay friends despite the rivalry," Hikari said brightly as she looked up at the sky. "You?"
"Why would I tell you?" Kei said, teasingly. "That would spoil my wish." He had a sly grin on his face.
"What?! No fair! Now my wish will never come true!" Hikari whined.
Just then a star shot across the sky.
"Wah! A shooting star Takishima!" Hikari said as she traced the path the star took. "Quick make a wish."
Hikari closed her eyes once more and wished.
I don't need another wish, one is enough for me. You get this one, you deserve all the wishes in the world. With you by my side, there's nothing else I'd like to wish for.
"So what did you wish for?" Kei said smiling slyly again.
"Like I'm telling you," Hikari said punching his arm.
The cherry blossoms swirled about them, their scent filled the air. The petals were rested on the road. Their placement suggests some kind of path. But wherever that path may lead they don't know. They'll have to get there to find out.
"Ne, Takishima," Hikari started.
"What is it?"
"What's your dad's name again?" Hikari asked
"Oh, its –"
A car passed by blowing its horn loudly.
"What?" Hikari said.
"It's not my fault if you didn't hear it the first time you know," Kei said placing his hands behind his head.
I'm never gonna know, am I, Hikari thought glumly.
The fork in the road came and it was time to part ways for that day.
"Anyway, good night Takishima," Hikari said, waving at him.
"Good night," Kei waved back.
Thank you, Hikari.
A/N:
GOME NE MINNA!
Truly sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Anyway, sorry for delaying chapter eight, this just popped into my mind one evening and I wanted to post it before chapter eight.
Anyway, thanks again for supporting my fanfic, I really appreciate it.
Anyway, since it's summer here where I am, I hope it won't take me that long to write a chapter ever again.
So, just enjoy yourselves okay?
~randomnessonhigh