Chapter 13: LOVERS REUNITED!
I know you've all been waiting for this, so here it is! I owe all of you a lot so I'm giving all of you this very special installment of Japan's Next Top Model. Sorry for getting a bit cranky on the last chapter. Though I hate to admit it, I guess the surprises aren't a hit with you readers. Anyways, this story is ending soon, and I would like to thank everyone who supported this. Yeah, I love you all.
Kazuki could not believe what Atobe said to him two weeks ago. Saizou was still alive, and he is helping Akiko with her evil mission. Saizou had turn into a murderer. Saizou was a member of Kazuki's group, Fuuga. He came from a branch of a Fuchoin school and was the successor of the Tofuuins, a clan under the Fuchoins, who also uses strings as a battle weapon. Saizou was a trusted friend, and Kazuki saw him die before his very own eyes.
"Saizou, what happened to you?" He would ask to himself. He told Toshiki about this, and Toshiki was equally surprised. So was Sakura. There was only Jubei left to be told. "How would I tell him? I don't even know if I could see him."
"Kazuki, I can't believe that Saizou would do such an evil thing. Saizou, though mischievous at times, is a good and trustworthy man. He is a very strong warrior. We all trusted him." Toshiki said with equal disbelief. "Up until this moment, I still respect him as a comrade. He did not die a meaningless death. How could he do this?"
"I don't know how to tell Jubei. Those two, they never talked to each other the way we do, the way friends do. But I know deep down that they respected one another, and I don't want that to change. I'm glad that Saizou is alive, but I'm disappointed because he helped Akiko to murder an innocent person."
"I know you'll manage to tell him, Kazuki. He listens to no one other than you. He loves you." Toshiki reached out his hand and held Kazuki's hand. Once we arrive to Germany, I know for sure that you'll let go of my hand. You'll put your arms around him again. I won't feel your hand in mine again once we arrive to Germany. Toshiki held this sad thought heavily. Yes, they'll be going to Germany, and yes, Jubei will see Kazuki once again. And yes, once again, he'll see that his love had always been unrequited. A deep hurt stabbed him. The same hurt stabbed Saizou Tofuuin once, and that hurt stabbed him forever. "If I were a Kakei, if I were your protector, if you saw me first, could you have loved me?"
The question took Kazuki by surprise. But he knew what to answer. "Toshiki, it's not difficult to love you. It's not difficult to fall for you. It's not difficult to care for you. Even if I did not see you first, even if you are not a Kakei, even if you are not my protector, I told you, didn't I, that I love you?"
"What I'm asking is that, could you have loved me that way, the way you love Kakei right now?"
Kazuki did not know what to say, but still answered. "I honestly think Jubei is the only one I could ever love that way. I could love a million people, but I could only give that love to Jubei."
"For what reasons?"
"For more than a million little reasons." Kazuki looked at Toshiki painfully. "I'm so sorry."
Toshiki reached out his arms and hugged Kazuki. "What does Kakei have that I do not have? We both protected you. We both love you. What is it that I don't have? For all my life I've been unrequited, I've been rejected. I thought you were only confused when you told me you love Kakei that way. I was still hoping it would change. I thought you could love me the way I do you. I love you very much. But I guess your love for Kakei would never change. I'll stop hoping from now on, but you'll still remain as my princess from the stars. If he hurts you, remember I'll be here to love you."
"Thank you, Toshiki. I'll remember that."
"Oh, a very sentimental sight to see, isn't it?" A voice said. "Won't the needle wielder be jealous?"
"Akabane-san!"
"Florencias-san told me to tag along as I am supposed to transport the supply of drugs which was confirmed to be present in our destination. I'm hoping I could enjoy a good flight."
Kazuki and Toshiki shook their heads. It will be one long flight.
(Models arrived to Germany.)
"Welcome to our hotel, lovely ladies, and well, their personal assistants. Your rooms are in the third floor. Take a good rest to shake yourselves off from jet lag."
What the manager told them was very true. They were all tired from their flight. Kazuki shared his room with Toshiki and Akabane. They all slept soundly as they were all exhausted from the flight.
The next morning, Kazuki explored the hotel. It was lovely, just like in the movies. "Where are we anyway?"
"We're in Germany," Toshiki answered. "And there's a good chance you'll see Jubei again."
"Really? Is that true? This is so good. I miss him so much." Kazuki smiled at Toshiki. Toshiki smiled back with pain. Kazuki quickly added, "Don't you miss him, Toshiki?"
"I wonder how he's coping with life here in this country. He doesn't speak a word of German, or even English. What in the world could he possibly do to communicate?"
Both of them laughed at the thought of Jubei.
(In the afternoon…)
"We're going to a grand party? I don't have any clue what you're supposed to do on those occasions. I guess I'll just stay in the hotel." Akabane told Kazuki. "It's evident that I'm no social animal, isn't it?"
Kazuki and Toshiki left for the grand party. All the while, Toshiki held Kazuki's hand, knowing that soon enough, he'll have to let go. It hurts to think that that time is coming too soon.
Kazuki, Toshiki, and their other companions went into the venue. It was beautiful, like a palace in the classic movies. Romantic music filled the room as guests danced by pair. Kazuki smiled at the beautiful sight. Toshiki escorted him as they go down the stairs to the dancefloor. Kazuki looked very beautiful. For a while, Kazuki was holding on tight to Toshiki's hand, but eventually, he let go of it.
"Jubei!" Kazuki exclaimed, surprised. "Is that you? You're so handsome."
"Who is this beautiful mademoiselle standing before my eyes?"
"Oh, Jubei! You've turned into a lady killer after such a short while, I'm jealous."
Jubei knelt down before Kazuki. "May I have this dance?"
Kazuki gave Jubei his hand. Toshiki looked on with pain as the happy couple danced. Really, they were born for each other. He tried to reminisce the feeling of Kazuki's soft hand in his. He smiled painfully to himself, not noticing that tears are slowly flowing down on his cheeks.
"I'm so glad to see you again, Kazuki. I've been dying to see you. I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too, Jubei. But I've got some bad news."
"It's Saizou, isn't it? Florencias told me already. I'm going to help with your job."
"I love you. You just care so much for me."
"And so I do. I love you, too, more than anything." Jubei took out a bouquet of flowers and gave them to Kazuki. "I can't find flowers as lovely as you are, I'm sorry; but please accept them anyway."
"You've become even sweeter, Jubei. Thank you, these are lovely."
This is the time. Jubei held the black velvet ring box tightly in his fist.
"Kazuki."
"Yes?"
"Will you marry me?"