Chapter 03 – Happiness
Tsukasa sat staring out the window. The documents laid spread out on the worktable. "Mind if I come in," interrupted a female voice. Tsukasa turned away from the window. "No," he said to his sister, "Come on in." Tsubaki smiled and approached him as he gathered the documents and placed them under a file. "You look troubled," she said, scrutinising her brother. "I'm all right," he replied, avoiding her eyes. Tsukasa had never kept anything from his sister, let alone lie to her. However, he felt that this time, he needed to do so. "Are you sure?" asked Tsubaki, "You know that I'll listen."
Tsukasa nodded. "How's business?" he asked, changing the topic. Tsubaki shrugged. "The usual," she said nonchalantly, "You know it's difficult to implement stuff when Mother holds such a tight rein on things." He understood and gave her a weak smile. "Gosh, sometimes I wished I needn't do this," sighed Tsubaki. "If you don't," replied Tsukasa, "Who else could?" He knew his sister had the business sense and she was definitely better than the executives hired by their mother. "Oh, by the way," she exclaimed, "Next week, there's a company event and Mother would like you to come along."
"Can I not go?" he whined, "It's a waste of time. And I'm really not interested in meeting people." Tsubaki shrugged again. "It's up to you," she replied, "After all, you've always done whatever you wanted." He smiled. His sister knew him too well. Even if he had gone to the event, he would find some way to escape from it. "So, now that you're into your third year," said Tsubaki, "Any interesting news?" Her brother raised an eyebrow. "Interesting news?" he repeated, "I should think not. Why?"
His sister stared in surprise. "Is he dense or what?" she thought. Tsubaki sighed. "I know that studies come first," she said, "But don't you have a social life?…Other than your three friends, of course." Tsukasa frowned. "I'm happy the way things are," he replied defiantly, "I don't need anyone to complicate matters." She took a deep breath and sighed. She knew her brother had no interest in a love life but she believed that there is someone out there who will be that special one for him. "I don't think you would want Mother to arrange a marriage for you, would you?" she retorted.
Tsukasa stared intently at his sister. She was right. If he didn't fix his own love life, his mother would do the honours. In fact, his mother is arranging a marriage meeting for Tsubaki. "What about you?" he asked solemnly, "Are you going to accept what has been arranged for you?" Tsubaki shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "If I were you," he continued, "I would stand up for my own happiness." She clutched her fists. Her brother was right in all essence. Summoning her courage, Tsubaki gave a weak smile. "It's all right with me," she said, holding back her tears, "As long as you have your happiness." Tsukasa's eyes widened.
Tsukushi was glad the day was finally over. "Wait up, Tsukushi," called a voice behind her. She spun around to see her two friends, Yuki and Makiko, hurrying towards her. "Hey, there," she said when the duo caught up, "How's class?"
"I've never been in a more boring session than that," answered Yuki, "What about you? I wished you were with us at Literature." Tsukushi smiled. "I wished so too," she replied. "Where are you heading off to now?" asked Makiko, "Want to come by my place? Yuki and I thought we could hang out together today as a form of welcome party for you." Tsukushi shook her head and apologised. "I'm so sorry," she said, "I would really love to come by your place but I've to work tonight."
"Work?!" exclaimed Yuki, "But why? Don't you have enough homework to do for the night? Where are you going to find the time?" Tsukushi smiled sheepishly. "Don't worry," she replied, "I can cope. Have been doing it for years." Makiko interjected before Yuki could burst out again. "All right then," she said, "We can have it some other time when you're free." Tsukushi nodded while Yuki stood sulking. "Come on, Yuki," pacified Makiko, "I'm sure Tsukushi will make up for it. Won't you, Tsukushi?"
"I promise," said Tsukushi, "I'll make up for it, Yuki." Yuki sighed. "All right," she said, "I'll let you off this time but next time…" Yuki wiggled her index finger. "I promise," said Tsukushi as she grabbed Yuki's hand, "I've got to go now. I'll catch up with the both of you tomorrow." Waving goodbye to her newfound friends, Tsukushi ran happily out of the schoolyard.
"Well, let's go," said Makiko. "Makiko, is there any way we can help Tsukushi?" asked Yuki quietly. Makiko stared at her best friend. "You know what," she said, "This is the best thing I've ever heard today." Yuki beamed and slipped her hand through Makiko's. "We'll help her out, won't we?" she said, to no one in particular. Makiko shook her head. "She won't want our help," she said. "Not if we do it quietly," replied Yuki. "Huh?" exclaimed Makiko, "How?" Yuki winked, "I'll let you know in due course."
The setting sun turned the room into amber and the boy stirred. He tossed away from the light and tried to slip back into dreamland but to no avail. Sighing, he sat up and stared blankly at the floor. A knock interrupted his daze. "Come in," he said wryly. His servant entered and bowed deeply. "Sorry to disturb you, young master," he apologised, "You have guests – young masters Nishikado-san and Mimasaka-san." Rui nodded and dismissed the servant. "Tell them I'll be down in a minute," he said. The servant nodded and excused himself. Rui got up, picked up his shirt from the edge of his bed, wore it and left the room to meet his buddies.
He was not in the mood for anything tonight but since he had nothing to do, he might as well join the duo. "Yo, Rui," greeted Soujirou as Rui joined them on the couch. "What's up?" asked Rui lazily. "I thought you might want to come with us to Tsukasa's," answered Akira. Rui shrugged. "Isn't his mother in town this week?" he said. Realisation dawned on the two boys. "Sheesh! I forgot about that!" exclaimed Soujiro, "I don't want to be in that house when she's there." Akira nodded in agreement. "So, where do you guys want to go now?" asked Rui, as he yawned and stretched.
"Well…what about…" began Soujirou. "Here?!" interjected Akira. "Ya! Here!" agreed Soujirou, grinning. Rui shrugged again. "Whatever," he replied, lying back to make himself comfortable on the couch. "Say, what is Tsukasa's mother doing back here?" asked Akira, settling himself comfortably. "I've heard it has something to do with his sister," replied Soujirou. "Marriage arrangement," added Rui matter-of-factly. Akira and Soujirou sat up with surprise written over their faces.
"Are you sure?" asked Akira. Rui nodded. "Tsukasa told me about it earlier," replied Rui nonchalantly. "Do you know who's the counterparty?" asked Soujirou. Rui shook his head. "If it's something arranged by their mother," said Akira thoughtfully, "The other party has to be someone that will benefit the Doumyoji Corporation." Silence filled the room as the trio contemplated.
"But given his sister's character," said Soujirou finally, "I don't think she would have agreed to this, don't you think?" Akira nodded in agreement. "There could be a deal between her and her mother," replied Rui without much thought, "It probably has something to do with Tsukasa." Akira and Soujirou stared at Rui in astonishment.
Aimlessly wandering along the streets, Tsukasa thought deeply as his sister's words sank in. "What was she thinking?" he thought, crossing the road to the other pavement. He frowned. His sister had departed from the room before he could say or do anything. She had always been his source of support and encouragement; and yet, there's nothing he could do to help her out of her predicament. He knew his sister. Once her mind's made up, nothing can change it. "I can't just stand by and do nothing," he muttered quietly, "She's sacrificing her happiness…"
"Ouch!" came a small voice beneath him. In deep thoughts, Tsukasa had not noticed the person. "I'm sorry," he apologised, "Are you all right?" The girl rubbed her forehead. "It's all right," she replied, not looking up still, "I should have been more careful." Tsukasa blinked. He could not comprehend. "Huh?" he said. The girl lifted her head and her eyes widen. "Dou…myoji Tsukasa…" she whispered, backing away. "Are you all right?" asked Tsukasa again. He wondered if the bump had been a little too hard for the girl to take. "Are you all right?" he repeated himself.
"I'm…I'm all right," she stammered. Tsukushi's mind had gone completely blank. "You don't need to see the doctor, do you? I can take you to mine," he offered, although wondering if it was necessary. She shook her head. "I'm fine," she replied and smiled, "See, this is my index finger and this is my thumb." Tsukasa stared at her with disbelief. "This girl is weird," he thought. Tsukushi realised the silliness and blushed deeply. "Well, in that case," he said, "I'll take my leave then." She neither nodded nor said anything. He shrugged and moved away.
"Wa…Wait!" called out Tsukushi. Tsukasa stopped and turned around. "Yes?" he questioned, an eyebrow raised. "Er…er," began Tsukushi. Tsukasa waited. "What did I stop him for?" thought Tsukushi with embarrassment. "You need something?" asked Tsukasa. Tsukushi took a deep breath. "He may not remember me from last night," she thought, "But that jacket is his. I have to return it."
"I…I…" stumbled Tsukushi, "Your…Your…" Before Tsukushi could continue, Tsukasa interjected, "You have my jacket and would like to return it to me." She gasped. She had not thought that he remembered her; especially when they met in the morning at school. "It's all right," he said, "You can have it." Turning around, Tsukasa left her, standing on the pavement, staring after him.