Chapter 4: Choice
Sorry guys for the long wait. I have been brainstorming on how I want to develop this story more. Again I really appreciate the comments and suggestions. I always believe that criticism helps me write better, no joke. Thanks for reading.
I do not own Hana Yori Dango and this story is not for profit.
Yuki stared out of the window of the crowded train on her way to meet Ichiro at Shibuya crossing. She had to call him beforehand to let him know that she was going to be really late. Her classes at Keio University didn't end today until 4pm. Unfortunately she couldn't skip classes because she was premed and was preparing for the med school examinations.
But surprisingly Yuki did not care about the examinations right at this moment. She was more confused about her relationship with Ichiro. Although, they remained friends after he left for New York, he never implicated that he still had feelings for her. Yet, the way he smiled, held her hand, and treated her was just like when they were dating still. Although Yuki had forced herself to move on after Ichiro left, seeing Ichiro again brought back a lot of feelings she had stored away in her heart. Yuki guessed that she would always have feelings for her first love, even if she had developed crushes for other men.
She still hadn't truly recovered over her crush for Soujiro. Even seeing him at the dango shop the other day took her breath away. However, she was still attracted to Ichiro. After seeing him for the first time in years after being accosted, she thought she was dreaming. Ichiro was more ruggedly handsome while Soujiro had flawless features. How different the two were. Ichiro made her feel safe, while Soujiro brought a sense of madness into her life. Ichiro was reliable and calm, while Soujiro led a crazy playboy lifestyle. How could she like two very different people?
Yuki sighed as she got off at her stop and walked up to street level. Too her surprise though there was not traffic; in fact there were tons of people surrounding the crossing, but no one was actually using the crosswalks. As Yuki made her way closer to the crossing she saw that Ichiro asked her to meet him at Shibuya crossing because the photo shoot was at the crossing!!! As Yuki started to scan over the people busying equipment and clothing around the photo set she suddenly saw Ichiro wave at her.
"Over here Yuki-chan. Don't worry the security guards have been alerted to know of your presence. Here is a pass so you don't run into any trouble. By the way where is Tsukushi-chan"? As Yuki moved passed the barrier and towards Ichiro, her heart started to beat faster, she was undeniably still attracted to Ichiro. Why was it that even after all these years Ichiro-kun still had this effect on her? Ichiro-kun was dressed in torn designer jeans and a white, blue-stripped shirt unbuttoned halfway with sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"She is busy studying for her Bar exam so she couldn't make it. She was terribly sorry and would like to make it up to you. She wanted me to invite you to her Birthday party this week on Friday. It is at this new club called The Yes Club. " Yuki was actually hoping that Ichiro would come. Yuki hated the bar/club atmosphere, but Yuki would do anything to make Tsukushi happy. Hopefully she wouldn't be too bored. Most likely Tsukushi, Tsusaka, and Rui would be in deep conversation with each other and Akira and Soujiro would be too busy with the ladies to talk with her. If Ichiro came she would have someone to talk to at least.
"I would love to come. But that is too bad that she can't come. Anyways, I am actually wrapping up the shoot, but we are running into some problems. The female model is out sick and we need someone to step in. Would you help us out Yuki-chan." Ichiro gave her a heart-melting smile that made Yuki weak in the knees.
"Umm, I don't know. I have no experience modeling and I am not exactly graceful." Yuki did not want to model. She was incredibly shy and knew she would be most likely in a very exposing outfit in the middle of Shibuya crossing.
The photographer rushed over to Yuki and looked her up and down, which made Yuki extremely uncomfortable.
"You are a natural. You must be in the photo shoot. Ichiro-san you never told me you had a gorgeous friend. I am Matsumoto Hiro, the photographer and I am begging you to help us out of this sticky situation."
"Please Yuki, just this once. I promise it will be easy and if you feel uncomfortable wearing anything just let me know. " Ichiro continued to stare at Yuki with his steady brown eyes and his smile deepened. Yuki thought to herself that he must be aware how devastating that smile was on women.
"I guess just this once will not hurt. Besides what are the chances of me being in an actual photo spread." Just as Yuki agreed to participate the photographer guided her to the people in charge of clothing and the makeup artists who went to work. Before she knew it she was ready for the photo shoot. She was dressed in a kaki miniskirt with a dark blue, racer back silk blouse. On top of the silk blouse she wore a brown corduroy jacket. She also was wearing knee length brown riding style boots. Her hair was straitened and teased up into a high ponytail. Her eyes were rimmed with a dark brown eyeliner and eye shadow. She could hardly recognize herself.
"Yuki-chan you look beautiful. Matsumoto-san is right; you are a natural. Thanks for helping out." Ichiro grabbed Yuki's hand and led her to the set, which was in the middle of Shibuya crossing.
The first shot was just Yuki and Ichiro standing apart staring at each other as extras passed them by on the crosswalk. The lights off the advertisements projected onto them as the photographer directed them to stare intently at each other. The next shot the photographer directed Ichiro to circle Yuki's waist with one hand and hold her chin with the other. Yuki was supposed to place her hands on Ichiro's barely covered chest and stare up into his eyes. Although Yuki's heart continually fluttered as she felt the heat of Ichiro's body near hers, she felt safe in his arms; just like she always did when they were young.
The last shot was of Ichiro leaning down for a kiss, but barely touching her lips. Ichiro's fingers were gripping Yuki close to him. Yuki had to bury her hands in Ichiro's wavy hair that felt like silk between her fingers. Suddenly memories flooded back to her as she remembered all the other times she kissed Ichiro. Yuki blushed profusely at the memories that came back with being in Ichiro's arms. She was so worried that Ichiro would feel her heart pounding. As Yuki looked up into Ichiro's warm brown eyes, Yuki felt the undeniable pull to kiss Ichiro even if so many people were watching them.
At the end of the shot Yuki quickly disengaged herself from Ichiro and rushed back to the people in charge of clothing and makeup. She had to get away from Ichiro to think for a moment; she could not think with him near her. Her heart was still pounding as she thought about her relationship with Ichiro. It was something she had to settle with him, on what her relationship was with Ichiro. Yet she wasn't sure she had the courage to face him after being in such intimate positions with him. As Yuki moved out of the dressing room, she saw Ichiro nearby waiting for her.
"Ready to go for dinner. The good news is that I have managed to get rid of the bodyguards for today, so they will not be joining us for dinner. We better get going though before the fans get in the way. " Ichiro reached down to grasp Yuki's hand and guided her to the motorcycle.
Mimaska Akira lounged in the back of his chauffeured car, glad to be out of his house away from his childlike mother and his smothering twin sisters. He was going to meet up with Soujiro, who had been bugging him all day to hang out. Although, Soujiro didn't say why he wanted to meet up with him, he knew that Soujiro had a secret motive for wanting to meet up; he wanted the dirt on Takeda Ichiro. Although Soujiro could lie to girls easily, he was terrible at lying to his friends, the F4. Besides Akira had been friends with Soujiro for so long that he could read him like a book; including the fact that Soujiro was unknowingly extremely jealous of Takeda Ichiro over Yuki-chan. Akira sighed to himself in frustration with the fact that he was always having to deal with his friends love problems. As the car slowly moved through traffic, Akira furled his brow at the slow pace.
"Hiro-san, what is up with the traffic right now? I believe that Soujiro might rip my head off if I am late. He has been bugging me all day." Akira really did not want to deal with Soujiro's issues. He had a lot on his mind with the family business and his own recent breakup with his married girlfriend.
"Sorry Mimaska-sama. It seems that traffic is not moving. There must be something going on around Shibuya crossing."
"It is okay Hiro-san. I think I will walk anyway. I need some air." Akira got out of the car and started walking towards the club where he was meeting up with Soujiro in Shibuya. As he breathed in the fresh fall air he moved closer to Shibuya crossing, where a major photo shoot seemed to be taking place. Naturally curious to see if there were any hot models, Akira moved towards the barricades. He did notice that Takeda Ichiro was there posing with a really beautiful model; she had not only beautiful legs, but flawless white skin and full lips that would drive any man crazy. At least he could tell Soujiro that Ichiro was surrounded with gorgeous women and often in uncompromising positions. As Akira moved around the barricade to get a better glimpse at the models face he was suddenly shocked to see that the gorgeous model was actually Yuki-chan!!!!
Akira thought to himself that Soujiro was so dumb; Yuki-chan was becoming a gorgeous woman right before his eyes, but he was about to lose her to someone else. Akira groaned to himself when he realized that Soujiro would not be happy with the turn of events. But surprisingly, Akira thought to himself that Soujiro needed a wake-up call. In fact Akira was not going to tell Soujiro about the model shoot. He was Yuki-chan's friend too and Yuki deserved to be happy too.
Akira walked away from the flashing lights and into the nearby club. As he walked across the dance floor and too the VIP booth, he noticed that Soujiro was up to his usual antics of flirting with women. With his arms wrapped around tow women, Soujiro whispered into their ears as the girls giggled and stroked his hair. But when Soujiro saw Akira he shrugged off the women's attentions and basically had them kicked our of the VIP section. For the first time Akira realized that Soujiro meant business. In all of his years, Akira never saw Soujiro treat women like this. Ichiro's attention of Yuki must be really bugging him.
"Akira, where have you been? I have been trying to get a hold of you all day. I really need to talk to you about this Ichiro guy. I can tell he is a player because he acts just like me. So what do you have on him."? Soujiro got up out of his seat and started to pace in front of Akira.
"Whoa, can I get a drink first? I have been busy all day Soujiro. Some people have what is called work. I am sure you have heard of it." Annoyed at Soujiro, Akira glared at him and furled his brow.
"I am sorry Akira, but I don't want Yuki-chan to get to attached to this player. I don't want to have to put together the pieces again if another guy goes and breaks her heart."
"Well, there is not much to say. The guy is as perfect as it gets. He is rich, smart, and handsome. His father made a fortune in the media industry right around the time the family moved to New York. Before that Takeda Ichiro grew up in a middle class neighborhood near Yuki-chan's neighborhood. Yuki-chan and Takeda Ichiro went to the same middle and high school and were involved with each other for about three years. After moving to New York, Ichiro was involved in a couple of relationships with other models, but they never lasted long. He just transferred to Meji University's Graduate School of Global Business from Columbia Business School. Takeda Ichiro also is a major actor and model. The guy is clean Soujiro. I still need to do a little digging around. Maybe I can get some stuff on the family. He does have two younger brothers. In fact I think one of them is separated from the family. I am not quite sure what his name is though."
"F###, so the guy is perfect. Now what? The guy must have some ghosts in his closet. I am sorry to bug you Akira, but I need to get something on the guy to get rid of him. " Soujiro frowned and swallowed his drink in one gulp.
"Have you thought that you might be a bit jealous now that someone is taking first place in Yuki-chan's heart." Akira laughed at how jealous Soujiro was.
"You know I think of Yuk-chan as like a little sister. I am just protective. Besides I have no problem with Yuki-chan dating other guys, just not players." Soujiro didn't want to admit to Akira, that he was a little jealous with the lack of Yuki-chan's attention, but that didn't mean he like her in that way.
Besides she was way to innocent for his tastes. Personally Soujiro did not want to think about Yuki-chan in that way. The girls he fooled around with and slept with he usually forgot by the next day and couldn't recall their names, but with Yuki-chan he would always be friends with and would never forget her. The girls he dated didn't even deserve to belong in the same category as Yuki-chan. She was his friend for life and always felt comfortable around her. Akira would be jealous if he knew that Soujiro considered Yuki-chan one of his best friends. He could tell her stuff that he did not feel comfortable telling the rest of the F4. He was more afraid of losing her friendship if a guy as perfect as Ichiro came to steal her away.
"Hey lets get out of here Akira. The scene is lame and there are no cute girls around." Soujiro started to move towards the VIP exit.
"NO, no not yet! Umm, lets stick around, besides you need to help me with my girl problems now that I broke up with my girl. Also check out all those girls that entered the club. I am sure there is one to meet your standards." Akira desperately was trying to keep Soujiro from going to the photo shoot that was going on steps away from entrance to the club. He knew that Soujiro would lose his temper and most likely make a fool of himself if he saw Yuki-chan was with Takeda Ichiro. He was in no mood to hold back a raging Soujiro from getting into a fight.
As Soujiro looked over the crowed in the club below searching for the hot women Akira was talking about, he could not help noticing that Akira was acting strange. As Soujiro sighed to himself he realized he was not really in the mood to flirt with girls. Well, he might as well hear Akira's love woes. Besides he needed another drink and to think about what to do about Takeda Ichiro.
Yuki squirmed in her seat across from Ichiro at the restaurant. They had already finished dinner and she needed to still talk to him about their relationship, but she really did not have the guts to talk to him about him. As she gazed at Ichiro she could only feel butterflies building in her stomach as he smiled at her. How did he have this effect on her still?
"Yuk-chan are you okay? You are awfully pale and quiet. Do you want me take you home?"
"I am okay Ichiro-kun. I am just tired from school and stuff. You didn't tell me how draining modeling could be." She weakly smiled at Ichiro and hoped that he wouldn't ask any more questions.
"Yuki-chan I know something is bugging you. You can't fool me after all these years. Just spit it out. You can trust me." Yuki looked at Ichiro's trustworthy face and decided she might as well just tell him and get it over with.
"Umm, well, I need to tell you something Ichiro-kun"
"I have something to tell you too, Yuki-chan. In fact I almost told you during the photo shoot, but you rushed off to get cleaned up. What is it Yuki-chan?"
"Actually you go first Soujiro-kun." Yuki needed time still to organize her thoughts. What was wrong with herself? She could do numerous science experiments, but she could barely tell Ichiro what she was feeling."
"Well, Yuki-chan I really think that you haven't really changed, only in the fact that you are more beautiful. But, well, what I am trying to say is that I still have feelings for you. I never truly got over you after leaving for New York. I know it might be to late for me to be with you, but I think you should know how I feel. Oh god I hope I haven't scared you away. If you don't like me in that way anymore, then I will back off and never mention it again. You don't have to answer right away. In fact lets talk about it later, I need to get you home." Ichiro abruptly got up from his seat as he gazed at Yuki. Although he didn't say anything, Yuki could feel his eyes bearing down at her with desire.
As Yuki got up from her seat and started to walk out the door with Ichiro, she smiled with relief, as she no longer had to breach the topic. But she was also stuck in contemplation. She was at the crossroads. She had a choice in front of her. She could move forward with Ichiro or she could foolishly chase after Soujiro. Yuki's heart felt a stab with the choice she was about to make. While walking out the door of the restaurant with Ichiro she reached for his hand and looked up at him.
" I have made my decision Ichiro-kun. I choose…."