Chapter Eight: Snow
"Hikari," he whispered in my ear, "I need to talk to you."
He led me away from everyone and into an empty room. It was dark; the only source of light came from a window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. I went towards it and saw the view of a lake whose backdrop was the moon and night sky. It was beautiful and glistened like the stars that appeared.
"Hikari," he called, "come here." He was sitting on a bed. I went and sat next to him.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Did you like our time spent together?"
"W-what?"
"Did you like our time as boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"I," I got up and went to the door. "It's stuffy in here and I think Akira and the others are looking for us, so let's go outside."
"You haven't answered any of my questions," he said. He got up from the bed and went behind me. He made me face him, pinning my hands on the door.
"Did you like it?" He raised his face and I saw nothing. It was blank.
"T-Takishima?" I was frightened. I didn't know what to do. He wasn't Takishima.
"Who are you?" I asked. His hands – its hands felt cold. The feeling froze over my body.
"You don't know me?" It smiled and licked its lips. The twisted smile on his face made the hair on the back of my neck stand. My breathing became faster and sweat dripped from my face. "How sad, you've spent the last couple of weeks as my girlfriend, so how can you possibly forget?"
"Y-you're not Takishima! Who are you?!"
It went closer and rested its lips on my neck. I went numb and became paralyzed to where I was. I couldn't scream or do anything. This monster took control of me.
I don't know what's happening, but what happened next was even more frightening. I was falling.
I didn't look back because all around me was a darkness that if you look at it, you will lose yourself. I focused my eyes on the person standing in front of the light above me. He reached out his hand and I kept falling. I tried yelling but no sound came out. I tried reaching back; but he withdrew his hand and continued walking towards the light. He kept walking until he was completely swallowed in the light, and I was left falling.
I yelled his name, but he can't hear me.
It was eleven thirty when I woke up. I felt hot tears from my eyes. I sat up with my knees to my chest. I wrapped myself with my blanket and continued crying with my head bowed down.
I don't know what happened…
I end my diary entry with an uneasy feeling. I don't know why I had the dream. I can't talk to Akira about it, nor can I talk to Takishima about it – not him. Why would I?
This is the first time in years that I wrote in my diary. I recall that I didn't need because I was open with my friends. But things like these should never come out of my lips. I don't want them to worry. With that, I close my lights and go back to sleep. Hoping I never have to wake up crying again.
It is finally Friday. The day of the Winter Ball; Takishima's men dragged me to stores looking for dresses. Akira tagged along in case Takishima wanted something done to me that she didn't like.
"No," Akira said to the saleslady. "That dress is too revealing for my Hikari. She won't look too cute in that."
"But, madam, this is what Mr. Takishima Kei said to fit her in."
Akira twitched. He said that did he? She took out her phone and dialed.
"Hello, this is Akira. Close down the store for the whole day, I'll be coming there with my friend, I don't want any disturbances there. Especially, Dark Overlord." Dark Overlord = Takishima.
Akira grabbed me and we headed for the door. Takishima's men blocked us. Akira's temple vein throbbed and she rolled up her sleeves.
"What-do-you-think-you-IDIOTS-are-doing?!" She asked. They look unaffected by her. "Fine, you won't get out of my way? Then," she did a roundhouse kick and both men fell to the ground. "Don't ever mess with me again," she said, her bangs covering her eyes. "Hikari," she looked at me bangs covering her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see such a side of mine."
"It's okay Akira," I said.
"Good!" She said brightly, "Now let's go to my mother's boutique! I prepared the perfect dress for you there!"
She got my arm and dragged me at full speed to her mother's boutique.
We got there and the windows displayed the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. I go closer to get a better look at them.
The dresses were made with intricate designs, yet it made them look so simple at the same time. I wonder if I can afford these. The dresses were so beautiful; I just had to look at the price –!
"Hikari, what's wrong?" Akira said looking at my face.
My jaw dropped and sweat trickled down my face. My left eye twitched.
"Thi – This! This is the price of that dress?" I scrunch my hair with both hands and shake my head. I should've expected this.
"It's okay Hikari! You'll get whatever you like for free, I mean my mother owns the boutique anyway," Akira said smiling.
"I can't do that, Akira! I mean you have done a lot of things for me already, I couldn't possibly get anymore," I said smiling apologetically.
"Oh Hikari!" She glomped me, "You are so cute when you're being so sweet that way! For that I'll give you two dresses!"
"Akira, I couldn't –"
"Oh! For that, I'll give three!" I guess there's no point in arguing. If my mother finds out I've gotten this much dresses she's going to use every excuse to make me wear them. No WAY!
"Let's go in now!"
Akira pushed open the door, and two rows of butlers, left and right, welcomed us in. I just stared.
"Okay," Akira snapped her fingers, "Now get me the three latest and most fashionable dresses found on the catwalks of Paris, Tokyo and Milan, now! I want the best dresses to be in selection for my precious Hikari."
I stared in amazement how all the butlers moved so fast and gracefully it was as if they were dancing a ballet.
"You must not be amazed by their striking agility and grace my Hikari. These butlers were trained in London to assure the best quality of butlership. I want the best for my Hikari, so nothing else would seem fit but them," Akira said, her arms crossed and observing the butlers.
I guess this is what you get when you're rich. But, I think this might be a little over-the-top.
"Strawberry-dipped chocolate, mademoiselle?" A butler holding a tray filled with slices of kiwis, bananas and strawberries and a dish filled with chocolate said.
"No thank you," I said with an apologetic expression. I mean, I don't want to offend, but this isn't really my thing. Besides, Akira's done so much, I couldn't take anything else without becoming any guiltier.
"Oh, my Hikari would only love to eat my cooking this is why I love her so much," Akira said hugging me tight.
"Now, the three dresses please," Akira clapped her hands twice. Two chairs were placed behind us, the lights dimmed and music started to play.
"Now the first dress is designed by Mitarashi Anko. It is a sakura-inspired outfit as shown in its soft pink color and flower patterns that start from the lower left corner if the dress leading all the way to the upper right section just below the sash that gives the wearer an hourglass figure."
"What do you think Hikari?" Akira said, turning to me.
"It's fine, it's pretty," I replied half-heartedly. Akira seemed to notice my lack of enthusiasm and asked for the first dress."
"The second dress is designed by Tendo Akane. It is a samurai-inspired dress consisting of a black one-shouldered sleeve piece, a gold obi with red ribbons tied around it. It also has a black shawl with red lining. And lastly the fierceness of the samurai cannot be complete without the sword, but for certain reasons, the sword was dropped due to safety measures," Safety measures? What did they try to do? I don't want to know.
"So, what do you think?" Akira said brightly. "This is one my favorites.
"It's fine, the design is pretty simple, but eye-catching," I said. "But," that was the signal for Akira to call in the next dress.
"Okay, Hikari, this is the last dress that I have in store for you. This is from the best designer, and I hope that you like this."
"Now the last dress is designed by Shimizu Raikou. It is a show girl inspired dress that consists of pink feathers and satin. The feathers are strategically placed on the sleeves to give the illusion of a bird taking flight. There is a matching headdress that has feathers in different shades of pink."
I stare at it, my left eye twitching. I refuse to wear something like that. No offense but I will tell Akira that I don't want to wear that.
"Hikari," she said brightly. "Do you want to wear that?"
NO. "Yes." What the heck?
"Really? I'll have it dry cleaned right away."
"I mean, I don't want to wear that. I'm sorry; I don't know why I said yes."
"I think I know why you said," Akira said in a serious tone.
I've never seen her this serious.
"It's not like I don't know what you're trying to do."
Actually, I really don't know. But with what happened last night, I've been saying things I shouldn't. Like this morning.
*Flashback*
"Hikari, do you want some breakfast?" My mother asked.
"No," I said happily. Wait what?"
"You sure?" She checked.
"Yes, I'm sure," I reply happily again. What? No!
"Okay," she said, "I'll give it to the neighbor's cat then.
What's wrong with me?
"Why aren't you eating Hikari?" My father asked.
"I know why," Atsushi said.
"Why?" My father asked. Does Atsushi know about my dream? Did he read my diary again?!
"Because today is that ball in Hikari's school and I heard she was going to go dress-shopping with Akira-chan. So since it's so, she's not eating so she can look thin in her dress and look good for Kei-kun. Ne, Hikari?"
"Yes!" I said. What the – no! Not again!
"See," Atsushi said spooning himself porridge. "Hikari, you know Kei loves – I mean, likes you for who you are. You don't have to do that."
I just shrug everything off and lie on the floor my arms spread out. I want to skip this day before I say anything else stupid.
"Hikari is that true?" My mother said coming into the room.
Okay, Hikari process. The answer is NO. So just say it. No. No. N-O. NO!
"Yes!" I ended up screaming the answer – and it was the wrong one.
"You didn't have to get worked up about it," Atsushi said drinking tea.
*Back to the Present*
"Hikari, go look around the store and see if you like anything okay?" Akira said.
I look through the racks – and price tags. I don't want Akira to give my anything for free. She's always been nice to me so I just don't want her to receive nothing. I want to give her something in return no matter how small it is.
I look through the sales bin. Even this I can't afford. Are these things really on sale?
I look some more and finally gave up. I sat on the chair I was in during the fashion show.
"Hikari," Akira said, "come here for a second."
"Why don't you look at this rack again, you might've missed something Hanazono-san," the sales lady said.
"Okay," I go over and look. I see the same dresses I saw earlier. Wait, hold on. I haven't seen this one. I take it out of the hanger and place it over myself. I look into the mirror that's next to the rack. Perfect – wait not yet. The price tag...Yes! It's affordable.
"I'll take it," I said bringing out my wallet. Somehow I think Akira and the sales lady had something to do with this. They looked at each other knowingly when I found the dress. Nevertheless, I let it slide. I guess Akira knows how I feel. I'm glad of that.
"Next stop, Tokyo Estate Salon," Akira said.
We rode in her car. All the while I look at her as she smiles to herself.
"Akira," I started. I hugged her, "thank you."
"You don't have to say that, Hikari," she said hugging back. "It's the least I can do ever since you saved me when we were kids."
We reached the salon. We were greeted by the head stylist.
"Hello ladies and welcome to the Tokyo Estate Salon, now officially part of the Takishima Corp."
Eh? Akira and I were staring at each other.
"When did this happen?" I asked.
"Oh, this morning," the head stylist said. "A young man with light colored hair came in saying he was a representative from the corporation and bought us. I believe he was no more than seventeen. What a handsome you man."
"Damn that Kei," Akira said, clenching her fists.
"Now I shall lead you to your respective seats," the stylist said.
My seat was next to Akira. So I guess it felt safe. Considering that this was a newly bought Takishima Corp place, I don't have a good feeling about it.
"Now," the head stylist said, "call me Hikaru-san, okay?"
"Okay," I smiled.
"Well then, you will be the first to try a new make-up technique developed this morning in the Takishima Corp labs. It is called Stamp-on Make-up."
Hikaru-san brought out a stamp that was as big as my face. The stamp pad that rested on the table next to me was filled with different colors. She pressed the stamp on the pad and said, "Get ready."
I want to know what kind of rotten trick Takishima is playing at.
Suddenly Akira stood from her chair and grabbed my arm. We dashed out of the salon and rode in the car.
"That Kei is so dead," Akira said her eyes aflame. "I'll do your make-up, don't worry. Now let's change into our dresses."
Akira pressed a button and a divider appeared between us.
"With this you wouldn't have to be shy in changing. Plus the tinted windows, nothing to worry about so change, we'll reach the Dance Hall in an hour."
"Where is the dance?" I ask.
"It's in a Takishima Corp hotel (sadly)," Akira replied.
After a few minutes, we've finished changing and the divider disappeared. Akira brought out a kit and started doing my make-up. It felt odd. I never did this with anyone before. I was always too involved in the challenges with Takishima that I never noticed that I was missing out on so many things.
"Hikari, what's wrong?" Akira asked. She let me look at myself in the mirror. I saw that the mascara and the blush were smeared by a path from my eye to my chin – a tear had fallen without me noticing it.
"Nothing, I think my eyelashes got stuck in my eye," I laughed off. Akira looked worried.
"If there's anything you want to talk about, you know you can always go to me," she said.
"I know that," I smiled.
"Okay then," Akira smiled in turn. She started fixing my make-up. Within a few minutes it was finished. She did her make-up fast. She must be an expert at this.
"Akira," I started, "one afternoon, why don't we go shopping?"
She smiled, "Sure, anytime, any day." She peered out her window, I saw lights and decorations. "We're here," she said.
We both stepped out of the car. Tadashi came running up to Akira.
"You look beautiful," he said. Akira blushed.
"You don't look too shabby too when you're cleaned up," she said, still blushing.
"Well, anything for my lady," Tadashi bowed.
Akira looked at me, I just looked back. Even I was taking back. Akira bowed as well.
Just as Tadashi was about to straighten himself, something fell out of his pocket. Akira took a look at it and pinched Tadashi's cheek.
She picked it up, still pinching Tadashi's cheek. "What are these?" she asked.
"A lollipop and a gamedude micro*," Tadashi said caressing his cheek after Akira had let go of it.
"Don't tell me you're planning to eat and play these two all evening?" Akira said, a temple vein throbbing.
"You know, I don't think I've told you that your flaming eyes look beautiful beneath this light," Tadashi said smiling apologetically.
Akira pinched Tadashi's ear and dragged him into the Dance Hall.
"You're a young man, you idiot! Act your age!" Akira yelled.
"I'm sorry bear lady!"
Akira stopped and looked at Tadashi with flaming eyes and a twisted grin. She got the lollipop and the gamedude micro from Tadashi and placed them in her purse.
"You're going to act like a gentleman tonight, am I clear Tadashi?!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
I looked as Akira finally let go of Tadashi and they went in arm in arm.
"May I have your hand?" I look to my left to find Takishima bowing to me, offering his hand. I placed mine on top of his and he straightened himself. He gripped mine tight.
"I see you've found a nice dress," he said. "It looks nice. I like it."
"I like it too," I smile at him.
The dress was white, powder snow-white, with gold satin wrapped around the waist. Its ruffles aren't too much nor are they too little; they are just the right amount to put some volume in the dress. The whiteness of the dress matched the deep black color of the hair. The make-up is absolutely fantastic, a subtle mix of bold and soft colors, just like my Hikari, right?
Right! Wait! This narration isn't coming from inside my head! I look around for the source. Takishima noticed and pointed behind me.
"Akira?" I said as she came out from behind a pillar. "I thought you went in?"
"I did, but I just couldn't resist going in without describing your dress first," she said. "Now let's go in together," she grabbed my arm and started to pull me. I stayed stationary. My hand was being gripped tight by Takishima that nothing could make me move.
He glared at her, she glared back. In the end, Akira let go of my arm. "Right, I forgot. You're his date. Anyway, enjoy MY Hikari. Feel free to go to me anytime you want to leave Kei."
"Don't worry, I don't think MY girlfriend would want to leave my side," Takishima interjected.
Akira turned and dismissed him with a flick of the wrist. "Tadashi! Don't hog the buffet table!" She ran to her date and dragged him to their table.
We entered the Dance Hall. It was brightly lit with a grand chandelier at the center of the ceiling. The music started playing.
We went to our table – it was a table for two.
"What's the meaning of this?" I said, looking at him with angry eyes.
"It must be a special night for the two of us you know," he said brightly. He pulled my seat and pushed it once I was comfortable.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Yeah."
He snapped his fingers and butlers with trays of food came to his disposal.
"What do you want to eat then?" He said smiling.
"I think I'll pass for now."
The music was beautiful. I started tapping my foot to the beat. Takishima noticed it.
"Care to dance?"
He took my hand and led me under the light of the chandelier. He took my waist and I rested my hands around his shoulders. Together, we swayed to the melody that played throughout the room. His eyes glistened beneath the light emitted above. I locked my eyes in his.
The rest of the world melted away and I found myself with him – only him. Reality departed and I was in some kind of fantasy where everything around us just shined.
He spun me outwards, and spun me into his arms. He dipped me and bent down to my ear.
"Hikari I need to talk to you."
He brought me up and led me to a room behind our table.
It was dark and oddly familiar. There was a window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling with a view of the moonlit lake. I couldn't put my finger on it, but this is familiar.
There was a bed and Takishima sat on it. I went and sat next to him.
"This is the manager's office," he said. "The bed disappears into the wall and a desk appears in its place with just a click of a button."
"Interesting," I said.
Dead silence came upon us.
"Hikari," he started, "I want to ask you something."
My body moved without my consent and headed for the door.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know," I replied, "my body just moved." This is really familiar.
"Anyway," he went over to me. He was close to, just a few inches apart. He held my hands and intertwined them with his. "Hikari," he was looking down. I can feel the heat from his body.
"Do you have a fever, Takishima?" I asked.
"No, it's fine. It's just that…"
Takishima Kei remembered his meeting with Yahiro earlier in the morning. They were both fitting their suits.
"Kei-kun," Yahiro started, "word on the street is Hikari is your girlfriend now, right?"
"What of it?" Kei said.
"Well, you are only her boyfriend because of a challenge right?" Yahiro said.
"And?"
"What if she doesn't really like you at all and is just forced to be with you because of this challenge?"
Kei looked at Yahiro with disgust. How were they friends again?
"I know Hikari likes me. But she's just not sure about it yet," Kei replied, slightly unsure.
"Hmm," Yahiro said with a cattish smile, "maybe. You never know until you ask her, now would you?"
"The fittings are finished Mr. Saiga. Please come back again," the seamstress said.
Yahiro took his suit and said, "What do you think Kei?" With that he left.
Kei looked in the mirror in front of him. He was unsure for once in his life. Does Hikari really like me?
"Your fittings are done Mr. Takishima, please come again," the seamstress said.
Kei's senses returned to the present.
"Takishima, are you sure you're not sick?" I'm starting to worry.
"Hikari," he looked at me. His face was slightly red. "Answer me this: do you like being me girlfriend?"
The question caught me off guard. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. "Ah…" I tried to speak.
"Do you like spending time with me?"
I looked away from his face. He held my face and directed it to his. I looked into his eyes and got locked. His eyes worried me though. They were searching for answers – and I don't have them.
"Do you," he brought himself closer to me, "like me?"
I felt myself heat up. My mouth was slightly opened. I don't know. Yes, I like him, that's what I want to say. But my heart's telling me this is a different kind of liking – something deeper. Do I?
"Please, I need your answer," this is the first time I've ever seen Takishima like this. He was vulnerable. I wanted to touch his face. I reached for it, but I withdrew my hand.
"Hikari?"
"Do you like me or no?"
I like you a lot. And I want to say it, but something is holding me back. I'm unsure.
Aoi's words popped into my mind: "You are too dense to notice anything around you. Open your eyes to reality."
I do like him. My answer is:
"No."
"No?"
A/N:
Hello guys, I know it's taken a long time for me to finish this chapter. I was stuck in some parts. Anyway, hope you enjoy this, and thanks again for all the reviews, faves and alerts. :D
*gamedude: I know it's lame but I just don't want to meddle in any kind of copy right case. So bear with me on this one. It's similar to Poke (read: Takishima Corps' version of Pocky) in my previous chapter, hehe.
Anyway, I shall update soon. I won't leave you guys hanging.
~randomnessonhigh