To make up for the previous short chapter, I made this a long one :))

Thanks for all the reviews!

Hai, dozo...

Chapter 7

Sei

My head's throbbing in pain when I woke up. The sunlight peeking through the windows didn't help at all. Then my stomach began to rumble so I ran towards the bathroom, feeling nauseated. How much tequila did I had last night? The taste still lingers on my mouth. It is bitter, just like how I felt when Youko told us the past about her and Yukawa-san. I felt betrayed, more like isolated. Maybe Eriko feels the same, or maybe not.

More importantly, who brought me back to my apartment? I walked out of the bathroom to look for the person who is kind enough to bring me all the way here, if he or she is still here. I was about to get out of my bedroom when I caught a glimpse of a girl sleeping on my bed, and she is turned to the side opposite me. I couldn't recognize who she is. Uncovered with the blanket I threw on the floor a while ago, I see that she's only clad in an oversized button-down shirt and a sexy black lace boyshorts. Her legs are long and milky white.

"Gah!" Wait a minute! Why is there a half-naked woman on my bed? What the hell did I do last night?

Oh Shit! I cursed to myself as I fall down on my knees with mouth agape and eyes open wide. She stirred from her position, gets up and turned to face me.

Youko?

"Mmm…You're awake. Good morning." She said, still groggy from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes with her right hand and stretched the other upwards. I'm still gaping at her like an idiot as she walks towards me.

"You drank too much alcohol last night." She stooped her body in a manner that our faces are only inches apart. I gulped hard and looked down to avoid those compassionate gray eyes, but to fall my gaze on her flawless legs, my face flushed.

"I bet you have a bad hangover." She said, and then she touched my cheek, "Don't drink too much when you can't handle it okay?" she straightened up and walks outside my bedroom and towards the kitchen. "Let me prepare breakfast. What do you want, pancake? Tea?"

"Um…Yo-Youko…" my voice is shaking while I call her.

"Yes?" she turned around gracefully.

"Um…Th-that…" I pointed to her legs as she looks down to see what I'm pointing at.

"Oh. I borrowed your shirt. You don't mind, do you?" I shook my head as a reply, "I can't find any shorts in your wardrobe. Good thing your shirt is long enough. By the way, you should rest. Just sit here until I finished preparing." She grabbed my hand and sat me on the sofa. "Don't worry about me." Then she proceeded to what she is doing in the kitchen.

Well, I'm very happy right now, overjoyed actually. This must be my lucky day, seeing Youko wearing nothing but my shirt and her underwear, she looks like a Victoria's Secret model. What? Is she trying to seduce me or something? If that's the case, then she has succeeded.

The smell of freshly cooked pancake and fried bacon made my stomach growl. Good thing I filled my pantry yesterday. Minutes later, she walked out of the kitchen with plates on her hands.

"Let me settle these on the table." I snatched the plates from her hands.

"Thanks. I'll just get the tea."

She set down the coffee mugs on the table and sat in front of me.

"Mmm. This looks good. I'm very lucky that I could eat your cooking." I hummed as I smelled the aroma of freshly made English tea.

"What are you getting excited about? It's just a simple breakfast." She chuckled.

"It's still your cooking." I shrugged. "By the way, thank you for the breakfast you prepared and thank you for taking me home. Itadakimasu!" I started with the perfectly cooked blueberry pancake. I can say that this is the best breakfast I ever had, not just because of the food, but because Youko cooked it and is sharing it with me.

"How is it?"

"It's scrumptious. Guess what. I'll offer you a deal. You can cook for me everyday. In exchange, I'll let you stay here in my apartment for free." I grinned. It was intended as a joke but it was an indirect invitation.

"That's not a good idea. You'll just end up hating me subsequently." She chuckled.

"Why would I hate you? There's no way I would hate you." I retorted. She scoffed and shrugged, and carried on eating her meal. The way she brings her food to her mouth and chews it is very, very sexy. It's almost a sin to watch her. My reverie was cut when she mouthed something I didn't hear.

"Sorry, what?"

"I was just asking if I could borrow some clothes. I need to wear clean clothes before I leave."

"Oh, yeah sure. Let me finish eating first then I'll get it for you. You can use the shower if you want."

"Thanks. I'll give it back to you once I got it washed."

"Sure. Um, Youko? If you don't mind me asking, you mentioned that you broke up with Yukawa-san because you like someone. I felt betrayed that you didn't told me you dated someone, you know." I pouted playfully as I recalled the incident last night, even though I'm bitter about it.

"Sorry about that. What do you wanna ask?" She suddenly got anxious.

"Um… Who is it? Do I know her?"

"I already told you. She's someone you don't know. But it's an unrequited love, really."

"Do you still like her until now?"

She smiled sadly, looking down on her plate. "Yes, but I have a strong feeling that she doesn't want me by her side."

I looked at her forlornly. Whoever this girl is, she is a big freakin' idiot for not liking Youko back. I made up my mind to tell her how I feel. "Youko, I-"

Riiiing!

Oh great! My confession was cut by her goddamn phone ringing.

"Excuse me, I need to get that." She walks out in front of me and went inside the bedroom. I sighed heavily in frustration. This is my chance to tell her that I love her but was cut off by that stupid phone of hers. I wrinkled my nose then continued eating.

"Sei," she called while getting out of my bedroom, "I need to leave early. My father called and he needs me in his office. Can I use your shower?"

"Yep. You can get in while I get you a towel and clean clothes."

"Thanks."

I opened my wardrobe to get what she needs. I felt embarrassed to what I saw, my wardrobe's almost empty. Thanks to my laziness, I can't get Youko something nice to wear. I settled for the last clean pair of jeans I have, a blue turtleneck and underwear. I blushed deeply at the thought of Youko wearing my undies.

"Ahh!" the shriek is from the bathroom. I was startled, so I rushed to see what's going on.

"What happened? Are you alright in there?" I asked worriedly as I entered the bathroom.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that the water's cold." She replied.

"Turn the knob counterclockwise. You must've turned it the other way." I laughed.

"I've got it now, thanks."

Then I became aware that the only thing separating us is the thin shower curtain. My cheeks heated as I saw her silhouette inside the shower. First, I saw her half naked, and now what?

"I'll just put the towel and clothes here on the counter. I also got you a new toothbrush."

"Thanks, Sei."

"No biggie."

Youko

After I finished putting on the clothes Sei lent me, I got out of the bathroom and saw Sei holding a paper bag and the overloaded clothes bin I once saw last night.

"I'll drive you to your father's office. And I need to get these washed. I put your clothes inside the paper bag."

"Thank you." I put Sei's shirt that I wore inside the paper bag.

"Enough with the thank you. Come on." I followed her to the parking lot where her car is.

"Wait here." She went at the back of the car and opened the compartment to put her things in. Then went back and opened the car door for me. "My, aren't you courteous today. I wonder what I accidentally put in your breakfast for you to act like his." I teased.

"I don't know to you. But as for me, I just feel like servicing you from now on." She blurted out, grinning.

"From now on, huh?" I wondered. "Don't worry. You don't have to do that anymore. I promise I'll stay out of your way so that you can find someone to do these things with. You don't have to force yourself in doing nice things for me just to repay my kindness. We'll just end up hurting each other if you do that." I smiled at her to hide my grief, and she looked at me with a puzzled yet stunned look. "Hey, don't take your eyes off the road."

"Youko, don't say those things." She shook her head.

I can't contain myself anymore. "Just keep your eyes on the road, Sei." I warned her once more. I kept my voice stable and tried not to let out a single sob. My tears welled up and is about to fall. I turned to the window to my left to wipe my tears.

We were silent the whole time. Nonetheless it was an awkward moment, not wanting to say anything to each other. Neither did she ask what the words I said to her means, although I can feel that she wants to talk about it. Its better this way that she won't know how I truly feel about her. I'll just lock those emotions in my heart and let it devour me inside.

She stopped the car in front of my father's office building. I exhaled deeply to find the courage to at least thank her for the ride, "Thanks again, Sei." She nodded slowly, still confounded. I opened the car door, got off and paced inside the entrance of the building, not wanting to see her off.

Inside the elevator, I stood alone at the back of the lift woman who is operating the elevator. I released the suppressed feelings that I hid awhile ago. I bend down my head and let my tears fall on the floor, being careful not to get the lift woman's attention. The elevator dinged as it reaches the 27th floor. I wiped my tears with my handkerchief and composed myself before hastily getting out of the elevator.

I put on my happy face as I knocked on the glass door of my father's office before entering. "I have arrived, Otou-sama."

"Oh. Youko, sit down." She gestured to a couch in front of his desk.

"What do you wish to talk about, Otou-sama?"

"Aren't you going to ask first how Okaa-sama and I are doing? How inconsiderate, Youko." he complained.

"Sorry. How are you and Okaa-sama?"

"We're fine, thank you. And how's my darling daughter?"

"I'm good, Otou-sama. So, why did you call me here?"

"Why are you in a hurry? I haven't seen you in months."

"Aren't you busy with your work?"

"I kept that aside to have a talk with my favorite daughter."

"I'm your only child. Don't tell me you're keeping another daughter from us."

He laughed, "Of course not. You're my only child and your Okaa-sama is my only wife."

My father is a 40-year-old fine man, yet he doesn't have a mistress and remained faithful to my mother. He was only 20, and Okaa-sama was 18, when they got married. It was an arranged marriage. As I recall their story, there was no love at first, but they learned to love each other when they found out that Okaa-sama is bearing a child. But even if they are successful on their careers, they still spare some time for me once in a while.

"Your birthday is near, Youko. You're turning 20."

"Yes, Otou-sama."

"You know that I married your mother at that age, right?" His face became serious.

I shot him an odd look. "What are you implying, Otou-sama?" My tone of voice increased.

He didn't respond.

"Otou-sama!" I stood up from my sit.

He laughed abruptly. "I'm just saying. You don't need to worry. I'm not planning to ask you to attend an arrange marriage."

"Don't joke like that, Otou-sama. It's not funny."

"Sorry. Anyway, Okaa-sama already invited your high school friends to go on a trip to Osaka on your birthday. Since we have a very important client meeting abroad that day, we can't celebrate it with you."

"But you haven't missed my birthday, not even once."

"Sorry, Youko."

"I understand." I sighed.

"You can stay at our summer house. Feel free to invite other friends. Since its spring break, you wouldn't have to worry about school. Just try to relax and enjoy." He leaned forward to stroke my hair.

"Thank you, Otou-sama."

The door opened as my mother walked in while talking on the phone. She hung up as she saw me, "Youko!"

"Okaa-sama!" I stood up from my seat and embraced her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Otou-sama said you won't be here on my birthday. He even tricked me to an arrange marriage." I informed her and she chuckled.

"Sorry honey."

"That's okay. Thank you for inviting my friends for me."

"Anything for my Youko. Anyhow, the maids informed me that you didn't come home last night. Don't tell me that you're in your apartment because I phoned you and there was no answer. Where were you?"

"Why didn't you call me on my mobile number? I was at Sei's."

"I got busy that I forgot to call your mobile phone. Sei-chan? What were you doing in her apartment?"

"She got drunk last night, so I accompanied her."

"You went out drinking? That's unusual, considering that you have low alcohol tolerance." Otou-sama pointed out and Okaa-sama nodded.

"No, I didn't drink any liquor. Naru just invited us to his club."

"I see. How's Naruki-kun?"

"He's still the same as always."

"Why did you break up with him anyway? He's a good guy." Okaa-sama questioned.

"Okaa-sama, let's not talk about the past, please." I looked at her and she only smiled.

"Daisuke-shachou, I would like to remind you and Nadeshiko-sama that you have an important meeting with the president of Nishizawa Law Firm in ten minutes." The secretary spoke through the speakerphone.

"Yes, thank you for reminding." Otou-sama looked at me apologetically.

"I'll be going then, Otou-sama, Okaa-sama." I bowed to them.

"We'll call you on your birthday, honey." Okaa-sama gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek. Otou-sama did the same.

"Bye. Take care of yourself okay, Youko."

"You too."

Advance Happy New Year everyone!