Chapter 9: Leaving

Tsukushi's POV

Ringring ring

Huh? What time is it now?

Ouch… too bright… day must have come. Wait a minute, the phone is ringing

Ringringring

Dammit where's the damn maid. What a way to wake up.

"Good morning Makino-sama, madam's on the line." Said the maid holding the phone out to me.

"Mmm… Coffee please." As I took the phone and gestured for her to leave.

"Immediately miss." Said the maid as she bowed her way out.

"Hello mother." I said walking towards the bathroom.

"Did you just wake up? And is that an accent I hear?"

"Apparently, so to what do I owe the honour of the call?"

"An assignment."

"Excuse me, do you realize how much I have on my hands already? I'm taking charge of your business here, my masters in strings, and my bachelors in pharmaceuticals. What is required of me now?"

"Drop the sarcasm, no need for the CV, but you should be pleased with the new assignment."

"And why is that?"

"Because, you will be based in Japan."

"The catch being?"

"Cynical I see. But let's see, your father believes that you are capable enough to take up the HNH project. And you'll be continuing your degree in Eitoku University."

"And why couldn't he tell me that himself? HNH huh? Aren't you afraid I'd screw it up?"

"I trust your father, and he you. So I suppose that's a yes"

"Frankly I don't have much choice do I? It's been this way all along; I'm just a pawn you throw here and there."

"Many ways of looking at it but if that is your way I have nothing to say."

"So does that mean this conversation is over?"

"Not quite. I need to know when you are returning."

"I need to tie up loose ends here, maybe in a few days, Saturday."

"I've taken the liberty of ordering a Mercedes SLK for you"

"Was that a bribe, or let's just say a welcome home gift."

"Think what you like, and a P.A. will be assigned to you. Any preferences?"

"A female, no attachments, and one with a brain."

"I've heard wind of a future collaboration with the Doumyouji's, care to confirm it?"

"A little late aren't we, it just ended 12 hours ago."

"A pity."

"Hmm… I'm hanging up now."

click

I take a deep breath.

"Makino-sama, your coffee." Said the maid holding the tray in front of me.

"Thank you. You are new aren't you?" I said taking the cuppa off the tray.

She nodded silently.

"I'm not a cannibal you know." I said as I sipped the java.

"But Kana-san said not to talk too much today, that you'd want some quiet."

"Mmm… speaking of which, tell Kana to meet me in 10"

"Yes missy".

I waved her out contemplating the fact that I'd soon be in Japan. Life as I've known it for 15 years was about to change drastically.sigh

Just then my eyes darted over to a certain object, I smiled. I walked over, then tracing it's out lines, the engravings…'HZR', gently I picked it up. Going over the tune that I've committed to memory.

knockknock

"Tsukushi-chan." I saw the lady that has taken care of me all this while standing there with only a cane to support the body.

I went over, knelt in front of her, and put my arms around my rock.

"Silly girl…" she said caressing my hair as I cry silent tears into her frock.

As I sit in the lounge, I thought how the five days have flown by…

/Flashback/

"Kana, we're leaving on Saturday"

"I'll come later. The house needs to be organized before I can leave"

"Okay, I'll see you there then."

"It's going to be alright. You made it here and you will there too." she said and smiled reassuringly at me.

"I'm sure it'd be." I replied lying to myself.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Makino-sama, what are we going to do without you?" asked Makiko my P.A.

"A replacement will be sent. And you'll just carry on as usual." I smiled.

"I suppose… coffee? My treat." She said changing the serious mood.

"Of course.

And together we said," Black without sugar" and laughed.

"God I'm going to miss you" I said hugging Makiko, she wasn't only my P.A. but also my friend above all.

"Me too. Me too."

/End of Flashback/

"All boarding JL 3504H please board now." blared the voice over the intercom

Well, here goes nothing. I hand my passport to the stewardess,

"Have a pleasant flight."

The next thing I knew,

"This is your captain speaking; we'll be landing at Narita international airport in 10 minutes. The temperature outside is 25oC. Thank you for flying with JAL, we hope to see you on board soon"

I'm alone on the first class deck; I could already imagine the gushing tourist of the economy class. Though the air stewardess opens the door for me, I slowly stand picking up my cases not wanting to be caught in the mush of people. I guess she realizes I'm in no rush and follows to check on the pilot.

I walk out of the boieng jet and into NIA, with only my Burberry carry-on and the violin.