Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda D'oro and I am not affiliated with any of the names mentioned below.
Chapter 12
...
"Marry Me," He said
Last night was a blur. A million dollar question was asked, marriage in an early age? What will my father say? Will he approve? Questions there are so many of them. Where do I begin? Oh Azuma, what will be our future like?
"Ohayou gozaimasu, did you sleep well?" asks Shima while she opens the curtains in her room.
"Ohayou Shima, yes I slept well thank you." Replied Kahoko
"Just so you know that you're front page for today's news paper circulation." Added Shima
"Na ni?" Kahoko quickly jump out of bed "Where is it? What did they say?" now very paranoid
"Calm down, get ready for breakfast first and your dad is waiting for you." Says Shima
"Hai" while she gets ready the feeling of being nervous is deniable. She then makes her way to the kitchen and sees her father at the head of the table reading the morning paper and she notices the front page with her photo and Azuma on it.
"Good morning father." Says Kahoko
"Ah! Good morning." he says casually to her and this even made her more nervous. Silence-while she helps her self to some food his dad finally ask
"So, where you even going to tell me about your engagement with Azuma?" he asks
"Yes, But I guess you found out before I had a chance to say anything to you and Dad? Just for the record Azuma asked me last night." She said shyly
"I knew it was going to happen anytime soon but to be in the papers is the last thing we want for this family. Gossip can quickly spread and you young lady must avoid any of it. We have businesses and our law firm to take care of. Good reputation is what I thrive for. So, for you and Azuma I'm truly am happy. I need to make arrangements for proper engagement between you two." In a firm voice
"Yes father." She replied
After breakfast she went back to her room and checked her phone. "What is this? Miyabi? As she reads, "I'm so happy to hear the good news my soon to be sister" she smiles at her text then her phone rings. "Hello!" she answers
"Look outside your window." She then looks and sees Azuma holding a bouquet of flowers, this puts a smile on her face. She starts to feel knots in her stomach and excited at the same time. She run to the front gate and lets him in. they hug each other, as if they have not seen each other in a long time. Unaware, her butler then approaches them and said "Ahem, Miss your father would like for you guys to go inside." As they let go of each other Azuma reaches for her hand while they walk towards the house.
"Ohayou Mr. Hayashi." Azuma bows to him
"Yes. Good morning to you Azuma-sama." Mr. Hayashi quickly puts the paper down "Why don't you sit. I have a things to discuss with you."
"Hai" replied Azuma
"Kaho dear you can stay as well." Her dad now standing looking at the both of them "Azuma, can you please explain to me why you two are on the paper?"
"Sir, it's my family to be blame for that. After I asked Kahoko I kind of slipped in front of my sister, and I end up telling my parents last night when I dropped her. I had no Idea that it would spread so quickly. That's the reason why I'm here to apologize."
"I see, I was not thrilled to find out this way but what's done is done. Now, I must arrange for dinner with your family. We need to figure things out."
"Um sir with no disrespect I am a free Yunoki. I declined my position to be a leader in the family. So, formalities do not really apply to me."
"Azuma-sama you are marrying into the Hayashi Clan and my daughter is all I have. Proper arrangements are what I want regardless if you object. Your grandmother will be thrilled. I would suggest that there should not be any unnecessary intimacy for here on out. We are in Japan and people will definitely talk if pregnancy happens before marriage."
"Father, please!" Says Kahoko
"No need to be embarrass my dear. You guys are young and spending nights with each other is-'' Kahoko then cut in
"Okay I get it dad." She is now blushing and she grabs Azuma by his arm "Come on lets go before I hear anymore embarrassing stuff from him. Later dad." They exited his office.
"Are you okay? It's normal for a parent to talk like that." Says Azuma
"Right, so I take it that your parents talk to you about sex?" says Kahoko while they walk towards the living room
"Yes, and I'm not embarrass about it, it's a normal thing that lovers do." He said casually
"Well, I hate to break it you but it makes me very uncomfortable." Kahoko now sitting
"So, what do want to do today?" Azuma quickly change the subject
"I'm thinking about visiting my moms grave. We only have a week left and we will back in San Francisco for school. And I definitely want to enjoy my stay here while I can."
"Alright then I'll escort you." As he smiles at her "Shall I drive us?"
"No thank you will have Yoshiro drive us, Remember no unnecessary intimacy Azuma." She winks at him then gets up waving at him "I'm going to change be back in a jiffy." All smiles
Azuma could have not been happier seeing Kahoko happy and full of spirit. He knew asking her to marry him is worthed after all she is the girl that made his heart whole again.
After a 30-minute drive, they finally reached the cemetery. While walking they hold each other's hands. They were inseparable even people that are around them notice how happy they look, to be young and in love.
"How long has it been since your last visit?" Asks Yunoki while he put flowers at the tombstone.
"It's been a while. I think before I left for Italy. To this day I still miss her." As she clean the surroundings of the grave. "When she passed away I find myself talking to her photo all the time. I know it sounded really silly but I had no one at that time. And we all know what happened to Len and everything around me crumbled and piece-by-piece I slowly start to loose all those pieces. For a long time I could not figure out what I'm missing. I was lonely, Although Nao and Ryou come to see me all the time but at night I end up alone in my house." Sighing heavily
"I'm sorry to hear that. I know it must have been hard but this I can promise you I will always be with you." Azuma kisses her forehead as they sit close to the headstone.
"Thank you." She said kindly while she looks at him and slowly caresses his long hair. "I wish my mom would have meet you in person. She would have really like you." Kahoko smiles. "But without a doubt she would approve of us getting married." While she hugs Azuma tightly
"Well, I was here at the cemetery the day before I ask you to marry me. I did ask her permission." He then reaches for Kahoko's left hand and slip a ring on her ring finger "I can help you pick up the missing piece you have lost along the way. I love you so much." He then kisses the ring while he holds her hand. Kahoko starts to shed tears.
"Azuma" says Kahoko and for once Kahoko is lost for words, She embraces him snugly and buried her face on his chest.
"Whoa, It's okay! No need to cry my love." Azuma feels love and he know that this is the start of a whole new life with Kahoko by his side. "I can't wait to start a family with you." He said to her gently.
"What are we going to do with school?" she asks him
"I'm two years ahead of you in college, I'll graduate before you and I'm going to be working. You have a choice if you want to finish or not regardless what your decision might be ill be happy to support you." Says Yunoki
"I think I'll do my best in college. I owe it to my self and to my parents and for our future." She smiles at him
"You can do what ever you want." He kisses her gently on her lips. "How about a weekend trip to Jozankei Onsen before we leave for San Francisco? I want you meet to my family." Yunoki added
"Really! That would be nice. I did not really plan on going anywhere but here in Tokyo for the next few days but Jozankei Onsen would be a change." Kahoko smiling at Yunoki
"Alright then, it's set we live tomorrow, I will pick you up." He then got up from where he was sitting and help Kahoko up. "I will be in the car, I'll give you some privacy." He said
"Thank you!" she then let go of his hand, "Mother in heaven, thank you for looking out for me and father. I miss you so much. Azuma is an amazing person; I finally realized that he is the missing piece in my life. I want to be happy mother and I truly believe that Azuma will make that happen." As she blows a kiss to her mother's tombstone "I love you always and I will see in heaven when that time comes for me."
As the sun shines for a new day Kahoko bid goodbye to her father. "Father, I will be leaving in a few minutes, so I guess I will see you there tomorrow?" She then kisses her dad.
"Yes, please tell Azuma to drive safely on your way to the airport. And your rental should be ready for you guys when you get there at Onsen. I'll see guys at the resort." He smiles at her. Oblivious to what his daughter is doing, she then sneak up behind him and give her dad a big hug and telling him "I love you Daddy, and thank you for being the best father in the world." All smiles.
"Thank you for being a good girl. You never seem to give me any headache." He then got up and reaches for an envelope. "Here I want you to read it when you get to Onsen." He handed her the envelope.
"What's is it?" she asks while she shakes the envelope
"No need to shake it." Her dad laugh lightly "It's really nothing just a token of my love for you my dear daughter."
Knock knock knock knock
"I'm sorry for the intrusion but Master Yunoki is here to pick up Miss Hayashi." Says her butler
"Thank you! I'll be going dad and I will see you tomorrow." She then waves at her father
While Azuma opens her door he notices the envelope she's holding. "Did you get an invitation to a party?" Yunoki asks
"Oh! This is! It's from my dad he told me to read it when we get to Onsen. He said it's nothing I'm sure it's probably a plane ticket or something for a getaway." She smiles at him
"So are we ready to go?" Azuma asks her
"It looks like it, my luggage is in the trunk and I got everything here with me and you are with me," while she leans towards the driver side and caught Azuma's lips against hers and said "I love you!" as she hold his face with her two hands.
"Well what did I do to deserved such kiss from my fiancée?" Azuma teases Kahoko
"So you don't like it? I can be intimate sometimes if given the right moment." She replied
He then pulls away from the driveway "Okay, I'm just saying, it's kind of sexy seeing you initiate such moves." He smiles at her while he drives
Minutes later they arrived at the airport. They directly went to the first class counter for check-in while they hold each other's hands. Azuma notices the missing ring he gave her yesterday. He then asks "Hey! Hun? What happen to the ring?"
"Oh! I have it inside my purse. Sorry it's just a little too big to be wearing. hehehehe" she laughs awkwardly
"Well that's because my love is that much. So please if you can wear it." Says Azuma
"Okay, I want you to see me put it on. Here" she puts the ring on in front of him and smiles "there! Satisfied?"
"Yes, thank you, I really don't expect you to ever take that off." He smiles with a hint of grin on his face
"I got it. Well maybe at night or when I take a shower." She smiles looking at him "How big is this ring by the way?" She asks cheerfully while they walk to the main gate going in to plane.
"It's 20 carat Cartier ring, I went to Los Angeles to pick that up on my way back here in Japan. It's custom made just for you."
"What? How? Why? It's too much, I would have been okay even if it's a silver ring you know," She said smugly
"Well I mind. Stop complaining and let me treat you like a princess." He replied as they sit to their designated seats
After a while Azuma starts to fall asleep. Kahoko turns towards his direction and smiles. She could not believe that this man before her is going to hers forever. Love. To love is to receive the glimpse of heaven as Azuma's face is angelic. She knows her life would have been dull with out him in it. And for these she is content.
She then remembers the envelope from her father earlier that day. She reaches for it inside her purse and opens it. She then unfolds the paper and it's thicker than she thought at the first place. She then reads. Some of the words were not familiar to her. As gets to the bottom of the paper.
"What?" she exclaims loudly and Azuma jumped from where he was seated and said, "What happened?"
"Huh?" Kahoko baffled "I'm sorry I did not mean to do that, here read it your self." She then handed him the papers, as he reads his eyes starts to get bigger and even bigger.
"Is he serious?" said Yunoki
"I think so." She replied "what should I do Azuma?"
"You should talk to him when you see him at the resort. But for the main time try not think of it. You're going to meet my family."
An hour passed they finally landed at Onsen. On their way to the resort Kahoko asks Azuma about the papers from her father again. "Do you think he made a mistake?" she asks him casually. "I don't think so, after all you are the sole heir to the Hayashi's empire. I think he waited for you and marriage is the perfect opportunity for him to give you his last will." He replied as he pulls up to the driveway. "We are here my love. Don't worry your father, he will be here tomorrow. Tonight enjoy your stay with my family." Both got out from the car, both then greeted with a cheerful Miyabi.
"Welcome! How was your flight?" while she hugs Kahoko
"It's was great. Flying is the faster way to get here." She smiles at Miyabi
"I agree" as she lets go of Kahoko and focus on Azuma "Onii-san how are you?" she gives Azuma a kiss on his cheek
"I'm a bit tired can you please show Kohoko to her room please." He said
"Hai" she then leads the way to Kahoko's room. She sees the ring Kahoko is wearing and could not help but admire it so much. "Wow! That's what I called an engagement ring." She said
"Oh! Thank you Miyabi-chan" she holds her left hand close to her heart and feels a little embarrass. She knows that she will get more future compliments. "This ring is extraordinary." She said to herself silently
"Here you are." She opens the double door and reveals the large canopy bed fit for a queen. "I hope you like it. Big brother told me to recreate your bedroom in San Francisco."
"Yes, you did a good job but how did he know that I have a Canopy bed? That's right Shima."
"Another thing, if you open that walk in closet you will find the collections of Kimono my family own. Pick one and I will help you get ready. You will be meeting Oba-sama and she likes all lady Yunoki's to be in Kimono and that goes for you since you will be the future Kahoko Yunoki." She said to Kahoko. "I'll leave you to settle in. buzz in my bedroom across the hall when you're ready."
"Thank you." She then closes the door and went straight to take a shower. Her thoughts are full and she has so many unanswered questions. She starts to feel nervous as well meeting Azuma's family. Scared what kind of questions they might ask her. Minutes after shower she blows dry her hair. She slips into a lilac silk robe and went out for Miyabi. She opens her door and just a few doors from her room she reaches Miyabi's door. She then knocks.
"Hi! I'm actually ready when you are." She smiles at her
"Of course, lets get going and Saiki (Miyabi's Assistant) will help us well." All three walk towards Kahoko's room. "So did you pick one yet?" asks Miyabi
"No not yet. I don't know what kind of print I should pick so maybe you can help me with that since you're the expert." Says Kahoko
"Of course I would love to pick one for you." She then looks in to the collection and found a perfect Kimono for Kahoko "Here, this will look good on you." Miyabi and her assistant starts to put layers on Kahoko then comes the main layer. The Kimono is a champagne color with small sakura flowers prints in pink and mixed lightly with red. Her Obi is in silk red. Miyabi then added a charm showing the Yunoki's family crest. Kahoko's hair is on a traditional up do. Miyabi then put the final touch on her hair. A crystal Sakura flower and with a light make-up on with a hint of pink lip gloss Kahoko is now ready.
"Thank you Miyabi-chan!" Kahoko bows slowly to her soon to be sister
After getting ready. Kahoko was then guided to the gardens while she waits for Miyabi. As she looks at the flowers and the smell of their scents, they are so intoxicating. She was then interrupted.
"You look as lovely as these flowers." She smiled as soon as she hears his voice. She turns slowly and sees Azuma. Azuma's eyes were fixed on her. For once his lost for words. Kahoko looks so beautiful on her Kimono. He then sees the crest on her Obi. "I see that my sister put the crest on." As he stands next to Kahoko. "This is my first time seeing you in a Kimono it suits you." He smiles at her as he holds her hand
"I'm glad you like it. Your sister picked it out for me. She really seems to know what you like."
"Yeah! She knows me well." He then hears footsteps from behind them.
"Kohoko-san and Onii-san we must go." Says Miyabi while smiling at them.
"Miyabi-chan you look so pretty. That color suits well." Says Kahoko
"Thank you!" as she walks hand in hand with Kahoko and Azuma follows from behind.
The main dining room is ready. Every one is waiting for their arrival. The butler then open the double door as Azuma, Miyabi and Kahoko walk in. Kahoko is then greeted with many Hello's and then she is introduce to Azuma's parents.
"Konnichiwa, how are you this evening." Kahoko bow gently
"Were doing good. It's good to finally meet you." Says Azuma's mom as she smiles and sees her ring. "Well my son did a great job on that ring that you're wearing," she said casually
"Yes, he did. Thank you." Kahoko then look at Azuma's way and smiles nervously at him. Just a few more introductions Azuma finally catch up to her. He then told her that the head of the house is coming and as soon as he said that the door open again and there she is the mother of all Yunoki. Elegant as always. As soon as she enters the room every one bows to her presence. She then sits at the head of the table. Everyone then follow according to their title in the Yunoki Clan. Grandma Yunoki then notices Azuma and summoned him before her.
"Good evening Grandma!" he bows to her
"So, am I going to get a proper introduction to Miss Hayashi?" she said firmly
"Of course," he then get Kahoko "Grandmother may I introduce to you Kahoko Hayashi." Kahoko then bows to her as graceful as she can possibly can. As she looks up slowly she can see his grandmother face with a peculiar expression. She then said "Miss Hayashi have we met before?"
...
What will happen next? Stay tune for the next chapter and I'm sorry if it's a little long. I'm going to be out of town for a while. That means no updates for 8 days. I hope this one is to your liking. Aren't we all happy that she finally realizes that Azuma is The Missing Piece? Yes I know it took a while to get to this but I thrive for romance and drama.
~Currently listening to Olivia Lufkin's "A little Pain~