Tsukushi felt horribly giddy. Her head weighed a ton. The brain seemed to be malfunctioning.
'Okay.' She thought dizzily.
'Who am I? Oh… yeah. Makino Tsukushi. And why do I feel so horrible?'
She felt like she was having a hangover.
Then she remembered. Yes, Doumyouji Kaede's designed hell for the past few days. She came yesterday… and offered money… Mom chased her away. Yes… and then… suddenly, everything rushed back.
Matsumoto Ryu.
Her heart suddenly pumped faster and her eyes shot open. She breathed heavily. Her mother and father's worried faces appeared.
"Tsukushi!" they cried in unison.
"Are you alright? You scared the wits out of us. We thought you were so shocked about… that. And fainted." Tsukushi was on her bed, breathing heavily, beads of perspiration formed on her brow.
She shook her head.
"No… no. I don't think it's exactly because of that piece of news. I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days. But, certainly, I was quite shocked too."
Her parents nodded. Her father suddenly stood up awkwardly.
" Erm. I'll go get a drink of water for our daughter. Dear, talk… talk to her." he nodded absently to himself and went out.
"Tsukushi, I know we scared you quite a bit. We're sorry that we couldn't provide you something better all these years." Her mother gestured to the room.
"No mom. Thank you for your love all these years. No matter what, you and dad are still my parents. Matsumoto Ryu or not."
"Tsukushi, you don't understand. We know you like or even love Doumyouji-sama…' Tsukushi felt herself turning scarlet.
" But that horrible woman is standing in the way. However, with Matsumoto-San behind you, you could be with him. Isn't that what you'd like?" her mother seemed to make a little sense.
"But He doesn't deserve to be with my father if he could just abandon me like that." Her mother gently patted her hand.
"Matsumoto-San has his own difficulties and reasons, I'm sure. But he wants to see you. He has to. Will you go see him?"
Tsukushi hesitated. Did she want to see him? The man, allegedly her real father. The man, who abandoned her. The man, who had almost US$ 2 billion to his fortune?
Her conscience versus her curiosity versus… as what her mother said, 'love' for Tsukasa? She bit her lip, thought for a moment, then nodded reluctantly.
"I'll meet Matsumoto Ryu."
"Great!" her mother whooped and skipped to dad who was standing at the doorway holding a glass of water in hand.
"She agreed to meet Matsumoto-San. Wonder if we'll gain any money from it!"
"Really? Tsukushi will meet him? Yay! Now that woman can't pick on her anymore!" The pair bounced together happily like old times. Tsukushi sweatdropped. She felt like fainting again. Those two are always like that.
As they left the room, mom said, " We may love money and can't provide any riches for you, but we promise, we'll always be here for you." She smiled and left the room.
Tsukushi was surprised and touched by those words. Tears welled up. She tried to quell it, but to no avail. The tears fell. She buried her face into the pillow.
A/N: hellooo minna! Thanks all for reading this little fanfic of mine! I'm glad everyone likes it, it was just a funny story I conceptualized one day. Thanks all reviewers, this authoress loves you. Sorry I haven't updated, in like what, a few months? I had my exams and graduation, was busy with adapting in a new college. Also, my work. But finally, it is holiday, and I'm finally off my hiatus. Decided to devote more energy to this fic since there are darlings out there who actually review it. Thank you. Enjoy, review, and I'll certainly update. Deal ?