High School Sweethearts
Written by:
13ISMYNUMBER
Chapter 31
Love…Right or Wrong
"If until now, they still means so much to you, then maybe you're going the wrong direction. It's not wrong to give your heart to someone the second time around."
Sumire Shouda
For the past four years, Sumire's life has been nothing but blissful. After everything that Koko and she went through just to be together, she could say that fate really wanted them to be together. And she's very much happy to witness the wedding of her cousin, Anna.
It might seem unfair that she found her prince in her best friend, while millions of girls continue searching and more often than not, end up broken hearted. But if she could actually tell them a little piece of advice, it would probably be stop searching for love and let love find you.
Yes, it's a tad bit cliché but truth be told, it worked for her. Never in her wildest dream did she think that she would end up with her best friend but she did and she's happy, really happy.
Koko held her hand tighter as they were walking towards the exit of the airport. She smiled at him. Four years away from home is surely a long time…especially if you live in the Upper East Side of Japan.
"I wonder how Gossip Girl's doing." Sumire said with a chuckle. Koko rolled his eyes and smiled. "What? I somehow missed her and her gossips about us." Sumire defended.
Koko opened the car's door for Sumire and she entered. Once Koko entered too, he said, "That is so High School."
"And falling in love with your best friend is sooooo High School." Sumire teased. Koko intertwined their hands together and brought it to his lips; he kissed it and said, "Not in my book."
Sumire just smiled and he smiled back.
Welcome home, S. Fate finally shows its twenty-first card.
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Misaki opened her eyes. She can't believe she fell asleep by lying on her bed. She felt tired from her flight from Rome. She sat up on her bed and paused a moment to look at the clock. It was just one o'clock in the afternoon. She pushed her covers aside and started heading for the door while tying her hair in a pony.
She descended the stairs quietly. How many mornings did she wake up all alone? How many nights did she spend alone crying, missing the people she left…missing him?
With her last step on the stairs, she abruptly sat down on it and hugged herself tight. She was hurting again.
"It's been four years. I should've forgotten him." Misaki whispered to herself.
There she was again, on her vulnerable phase, where everyone can point a gun at her and she won't hesitate to die and yet all those years she tried to stay on the safe side. She felt so tired, not just from her long flight but also from everything.
You'd think by now she would have found someone else…but every time she gets to meet someone new, she always end up looking for Tsubasa in every single man. So she stopped looking, afraid that she might hurt other people just because she was in pain as well.
"Was love really this complicated?" Misaki asked herself. Was love really this complicated, where you can't be together even if you love him because it seems so wrong?
She stood up, tired of thinking. She fell asleep thinking about this and she ended up waking up and thinking back on it again. She's here for Anna's wedding, and she would stay here for two weeks after that, she's back to Rome where she depended on herself alone.
Because even if she loves Tsubasa, even if they do work out in just two weeks, what makes her think that Tsubasa would leave everything he has here in Japan to go with her in Rome? Tsubasa was a freaking bachelor that everyone wanted. And her? She was Misaki Harada, lost soul.
The doorbell rang and she started moving from where she was standing for a couple of minutes, lost in her own thoughts. She opened the door, only to be greeted by a hand with a white handkerchief.
And the last thing she saw before being blacked out was two men in black suits.
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Anna was busy. Really busy. Her wedding would be this Saturday, and it's already Thursday. She still needed to check up on the flowers, the cake, her dress and the people who would be RSVP-ing in last minute. She hasn't even checked if all her cousins are home here in Japan already.
She sat down on her couch again and hastily placed her phone back to her ear. She needed to check on that Hotel they were going to do the reception. She needed to tell them to add up four more tables just in case.
The person on the other end answered and she was just about to speak when someone took the phone from her hands and said, "She'll call you back later."
She looked up and saw Kitsuname with his playful smirk. Anna rolled her eyes in irritation. She had so much to do and so little time, she doesn't have time to fool around with him.
Kitsuname sat down beside her and placed the phone on the table and said, "I got my secretary here to finish the last minute arrangements you've been worrying about."
Anna pursed her lips and said, "This is my wedding and I want to do it. Not some other woman. I'm fine just stressed but fine."
"I'm not. Anna, you've been too busy, I miss you." Kitsuname said in a soft tone. Anna looked at him. "Come on, just spend the day with me and I promise you, my secretary will take care of everything else. I want us to actually spend our last days together of being engaged."
Kitsuname looked at her with pleading eyes and she couldn't just say no. Anna sighed in defeat and said, "Alright, I'll just write everything that needed to be done and checked for today and tomorrow. Okay? And you can give it to your secretary."
Kitsuname smiled, as if he was a kid given a new toy. Anna just stared at him. How would life be without him, without him by her side?
When he told her he loved her four years ago, she knew that she was going to be happy every single day she is with him…but when he proposed to her, and when she said yes, all she knew right then and there was he loves her more than anything and she loves him unconditionally.
"What are you staring at?" Kitsuname said, his smile never fading.
Anna smiled at him and said, "The man I'll spend my life with."
Kitsuname brought her closer to him. She could feel his breath on her lips as he spoke, "And this man is happy to spend his life with you." And he kissed her—soft and gentle like the summer nights they had spent together.
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Hotaru waited for the elevator doors to open. It was another day at work in her company and she needed to finish some paperwork before meeting Ruka. Koko and Sumire were back and she wanted to see them both for lunch.
The elevator doors were opened and she walked out. As she walked in the isle of small corner offices, she was greeted every now and then. She gave no mind to them. She has always liked being seen like she was boss who gave no mind to employees. After all, she is their boss but she wont be owning this company except if her brother suddenly dies.
As she was nearing her office, she saw her brother. "Hotaru." He said.
She stopped and raised a brow at him. She never really said so much except when needed to. "Why are you here?"
"I have paperwork to do. Don't worry, I don't plan on taking this company from you, brother. Not unless you suddenly die right in front of me." Hotaru said. She smiled a forced one and continued walked. When she passes Subaru he said, "Father's home."
Hotaru stopped once again but did not look back. She said, "So he's really here for the wedding. Glad to hear." And she continued to walk again, only to hear two women whispering in the corner.
'Coffee break,' she thought. But what they said caught her attention. "The Imai's are quarrelling again. It's like a daily routine here."
"Yeah, and you would think rich people have class now a days." The other one replied. She turned and headed for their direction. She was pissed.
She halted in front of them and they looked down afraid to meet her piercing eyes. "You're here to work, aren't you?" Hotaru said with authority.
The two nodded. She then said, "For whom?"
"For the Imai's, Ma'am." The one who spoke first awhile ago said.
Hotaru smirked and said, "Then is it part of your job to get into our personal lives?" She paused but didn't wait for them to reply and continued saying, "You have no right to say we have no class just because we squabble in our company halls. It is our company. We are Imai's, aren't we?"
The two nodded in fear. Hotaru took their mugs from their hands and handed to someone who was just passing by. She turned to everyone who was listening to them and said, "You don't see us getting into your personal lives. We are all professional here, aren't we?"
Everyone nodded.
Hotaru smirked and rolled his eyes. "No, we're not, because these two aren't. Now, to make sure that we have no one who will just ruin the good name of this company…"
She turned back at the two girls and said, "You're fired. Clean your areas."
She looked at her secretary who too stood up from her place and watched. She said to her, "Make sure they get their separation pay by this afternoon, Ms. Fujioka." She nodded trembling.
She turned to everyone who she saw nothing but fear in their eyes. She smiled and said, "Back to work, everyone. Make sure I don't catch you gossiping, I will fire you…all. No hesitations."
She headed for the elevator and pressed the up button. She knows everyone was still looking at her. So, she turned and said, "You're all lucky to always see our presence or to even work in such a fine company. We feed your family, and give you what you need everyday. I'm sure many people would want to be in your shoes. Consider yourselves lucky, very lucky, okay?"
She entered the elevator. She sighed. She got her phone from her bag and called her secretary. Once she picked up she said, "If anyone's gossiping this afternoon, send them a firing letter and prepare their separation pay; then after everyone I fired; call the HR and tell her to start hiring professional workers into my department." She ended the call with a straight face.
The elevator doors opened and once they did, she was surprised to see the person coming out of her father's office.
The person turned in time to see her get out of the elevator and she said in surprise, "Ruka? What are you doing here?"
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Yoichi opened the car's door for Aoi and offered her a hand. She got out and sighed and said, "What are we doing in your home?"
Yoichi smirked and said, "Why, afraid I'll take advantage of you?"
Aoi rolled her eyes and said, "Haha. Very funny, you do know my brother will kill you if you do that, right?"
Yoichi placed an arm around her shoulder and brought her close to him and said, "I was only joking, Aoi."
Aoi giggled and they proceeded to enter Yoichi's home. Yoichi opened the door for both of them, letting Aoi enter first and he followed. He placed his keys on the table by the door. Aoi was looking around, taking in the view. It wasn't her first time to be here, but still, Yoichi's house was really beautiful. It was filled with enigma.
Yoichi saw Aoi looking around and he intertwined his hands with hers and said, "I'm just here to get some things and we're off to see that movie you've been talking about the whole week, okay?"
Aoi nodded with a smile and Yoichi let goes of her hand as he proceeded to the stairs only to be stopped by a woman's voice, "Yoichi! You're home."
Yoichi looked at where the voice came from and said in utter surprise, "Mom? You're here?"
"Of course! Anna's getting married." Iori walked gracefully towards his son. "And who is this lady?"
Yoichi grabbed hold of Aoi's hand once again and smiled back at his mother and said, "Aoi, this is my mom, Iori. Mom, this is Aoi, my girlfriend."
Iori's eyes widened and then went back to normal. She forced a smile towards Aoi and said, "Girlfriend?"
Yoichi cleared his throat and said to his mother, "Yes, mom." There was a moment of silence until Aoi broke it. "Yoichi, don't you have something to get upstairs?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be right back." Yoichi said as he let go of Aoi and headed for the stairs.
Aoi and Iori were left alone. Iori asked Aoi to sit down for awhile and asked a maid to bring them some tea. Aoi smiled when Iori's eyes laid on her. Iori didn't smile back instead bit back by saying, "You're a Hyuuga."
Aoi's smile faded and she became confused. Usually when people would hear her being a Hyuuga, people would praise and love her. But why does this woman seem to hate her for being a Hyuuga?
"Yes." Aoi murmured.
Iori raised an eyebrow as she said, "And you're my son's girlfriend? Since when?"
Aoi was nervous but tried to answer anyway, "Ever since we graduated from middle school."
"Your together for three to four years now. Hmm. Pretty long time." Iori said with a smirk on her face. The made set down the tea on the table and Iori slowly drank hers. Aoi touched her cup and brought it to her lips, trying to make the tea help her calm down.
Iori giggled once and said, "You seem really nervous. I never thought that I'd live to see a Hyuuga act like this."
Aoi's face suddenly turned irritated. She felt discriminated. What does this woman have against Hyuugas, anyway? "What did my family ever do to you?"
Iori smirked… 'Finally.' She thought. "Oh nothing, your father was my past boyfriend…in High School."
Aoi rolled her eyes and said, "So, what? You still love him? We're a happy family. Don't go around breaking it."
Aoi stood up and was ready to leave when Iori said, "Oh don't worry. I love Yoichi's father. And I'm glad to hear that you're happy with your family. I just wanted to see you snap. Hyuugas always have such a temper."
Aoi turned her back from Iori and proceeded to head for the door. Yoichi came down from the stairs and saw Aoi leaving. "Hey, what happened?" He asked Aoi.
Aoi looked at him and said, "Ask you mom." And her eyes landed on Iori and she glared. She then left.
Yoichi had a hard time deciding who he should go to but later on decided to do what Aoi said. "Mom, what the hell was that?"
"Language, Yoichi." Iori said as she calmly drank her tea.
Yoichi rolled his eyes and said, "What did you say to her? Can't you for once be a little bit nice to the girls I date?"
"So, she's just a fling? For three years?" Iori said as she placed the tea back on the table.
Yoichi was irritated. He said, "Exactly! I've been with her for three close to four years already, and I want to keep being with her! She's not a fling, mom. I like, no, I love this girl. But you just had to come and ruin it for us."
Iori stood up and walked closer to his son. She touched both of his hands and said, "I'm sorry. I just can't help it. I guess, I got this from you grandmamma." She giggled right after.
Yoichi took his hands from his mother's hold and proceeded to the door. "God, mom. These are the times that I know why grandmamma is always in favour of you."
And he walked out. Iori heaved a sigh as she watched the door close. She smiled a small smile to herself as she thought, 'My little Yoichi isn't so little anymore.'
Make your move boy, or your mom might do it for you. A new card has been shown—the twenty-second one.
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Ruka smiled as he saw Hotaru step out of the elevator. He stood in front of her and tried to embrace and kiss her but she stopped him. "Nogi, answer the question."
"Last name basis, really?" Ruka said in a joking manner.
Hotaru glared at him and stepped aside so that she can pass him. "Bunny boy, why are you here? In my father's floor, nonetheless!"
Ruka chuckled at the nickname. He turned around and hugged Hotaru from behind and whispered to her ears, "Are we going back to High School, 'cause I don't mind."
Hotaru set herself free from the embrace and turned around to face Ruka. "I told you, not in the office."
"What? The PDA thing? Come on, this is your company." Ruka teased.
Hotaru rolled her eyes and heaved a deep sigh. "Ruka, what are you really doing here?" She said in a pleading manner.
Ruka held her hand and guided her in front of her father's office and said before he left her with a kiss goodbye, "Ask your dad."
And when Hotaru turned around, Ruka was already inside the elevator giving her a small smile of assurance.
Hotaru's father was someone she looked up and feared at the same time. He was not someone who takes anything less than perfect nor does he settle for second best. He was the epitome of a perfect businessman. And the reason why, she and her brother, were so uptight…because ever since they were both born, they knew in their veins that they are an Imai…and Imai's always get ahead of the game.
Hotaru opened the door when she heard her father say, "Come in."
She entered and stood before her father who was reviewing some file. She calmly said, "So, you did come. Grandmamma wanted everybody here for the wedding."
Her dad placed the file down and looked at her. She looked back, trying to swallow her fear of her father. She needed to get the message across—she was not the little girl he thought she was always going to be.
Her dad smiled at her and said, "Take a sit, Hotaru."
Hotaru smiled and then sat down. She then decided to get down to business, "Why was Mr. Nogi here?"
"Why are you so professional in appointing your boyfriend?" Her father teased a bit, still looking at her.
Hotaru didn't waver under her father's gaze. "Because I supposed that it was business that you were talking about and that's the only reason why he is here."
And Hotaru suddenly saw something that made her eye twitch, her father smirked at her. And the next words were something she never thought she would hear from her father, "No, it was about you, actually."
Hotaru swallowed—hard. And said in a calm voice, "What about me?"
Her father picked up the file again and said to her, "It's between men. Hotaru, don't you have somewhere you have to be?"
Hotaru rolled her eyes. Her father was pushing her away; her father was trying to avoid a topic! Epic! Hotaru chuckled under her breath and stood up. Her father looked up at her as she said, "So, I'm guessing Aunt Iori is here as well?"
Her father smiled and nodded.
"All the Uchihas are here. Great. Japan would be in chaos." Hotaru said in a joking manner. She turned around and headed for her father's door. When she touched the handle she whispered but made sure her father heard what she said, "You know, you didn't have to talk to Ruka, he's someone who I assure you, can meet your standards, dad."
And she closed the door behind her, not seeing her father heave a sigh and not hearing the words he said next, "That's what I'm worried about."
The twenty-third card has been shown to all.
High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number
Mikan pushed closed her car's door. She pushed her glasses behind her head. She was in Sumire's home. She receieved a text saying, "Come or die."
Mikan smiled and headed for the door when she heard a car approaching. It halted right behind her car. A chauffer came out and opened the door for someone. And Hotaru was seen.
"A driver? Seriously?" Mikan teased.
Hotaru rolled her eyes and said, "You know how it is with my mom. I'm an Imai she said, and a girl too, its not nice to be seen driving a car."
Mikan laughed and said, "yeah, but its hot!"
Hotaru walked closer to her and hugged Mikan. "How have you been?" Mikan said.
"Never been better." Hotaru answered. She pulled away from the hug and looked at Mikan in the eyes as she said, "How was the talk with Hyuuga?"
Mikan looked away from her. "We talked, but I chose to end it." Mikan whispered.
Hotaru saw tears in her eyes. Mikan swallowed hard and then looked at Hotaru as she forced a smile. Hotaru didn't buy it.
"You're hiding something from me." Hotaru whispered as her brows came together.
"What are you hiding?" Sumire said as she popped out of nowhere with Nonoko right behind her. "A driver, seriously? What is this a new trend? Even Nonoko has it!"
Nonoko and Hotaru rolled their eyes at the same time. Sumire just laughed. "Where's Misaki and Anna?"
"Anna's on a date with her husband-to-be, Kits. And Misaki…MIA." Sumire said as she headed back to her house. Mikan, Nonoko and Hotaru followed.
"What do you mean MIA?" Hotaru asked as they headed for the stairs to Sumire's bedroom.
"We can't contact her. She's not answering her phone or our texts." Nonoko answered.
"That's weird." Mikan said as she caught up with them in the hallway.
"Tell me about it." Sumire said with a roll of her eyes. She pushed open her bedroom door. And preceded on sitting on her couch, the others found their comfy spot.
Mikan sat down and said, "So, what's with the meeting?"
Sumire smirked and leaned closer to Mikan and said, "I heard you talked to Natsume. What happened?"
"That's what we were talking about before you interrupted us." Hotaru said with a glare in Sumire's way.
"So she's hiding something from us? How come?" Nonoko said as she joined the conversation.
"She said she ended it once and for all with Hyuuga. But she has this look in her eyes. She's hiding something…and it's not the fact that she's still in love with him and him with her." Hotaru said in a nonchalant tone.
Mikan looked down on her lap. And everyone waited in silence for her to speak up. "I'm not hiding anything. I'm just stopping my feelings."
"Wow. I now know the new trend—pair up with Nonoko." Sumire said in a joking tone. Hotaru raised a brow at her. "You know, because you both have a driver and Mikan and Nonoko are both stopping their feelings."
Mikan looked at Nonoko and said, "You met with Yuu? When?"
"When I was still in New York, just like you, I pushed him away." Nonoko said in a soft tone, looking down.
Sumire heaved a sigh and said, "What is wrong with falling in love with them? Or actually letting your guards down? It's not like they would want to hurt you."
"They already did, Sumire." Mikan said as she pushed herself back on the couch.
Hotaru rolled her eyes and glared at Nonoko and Mikan who tried to avoid it. "If you love them and they love you, what's there to figure out?" Hotaru said with her eyebrow raised at them.
And both were silent…because they both know that somehow, Sumire and Hotaru were making sense.
Nonoko spoke up first, "Maybe the fact that they lied, and pretended to be somebody their not while making us fall for them."
"But they didn't let you fall and hit the ground! They caught you!" Sumire quarrelled.
Nonoko stood up in annoyance and said, "But that doesn't change the fact that from the very beginning they did something that they know could hurt us!"
Sumire clenched her hands into a fist and she tried not to answer back. Mikan pulled Nonoko back to sit down and Hotaru placed a hand on Sumire's fist.
"Don't get so worked up about this, Nonoko. Especially when you know you're right…or are you finally seeing our point?" Hotaru said in a nonchalant tone once again. Nonoko's eyes change its emotions from anger to shame.
Hotaru smirked.
Mikan sighed and said, "You won't get it. You're happy in love."
Hotaru's smirked widened and she said, "Then explain, Ms. Sakura."
Mikan rolled her eyes and she said, "We love them, yes. But sometimes, we just run out of reasons to fight for what we feel. We've learned our lessons. And yes, we are afraid to get hurt again. Yes, we can't let our guard down when we're around them because we're afraid that the consequences will bite us in the butt.
"Is it wrong to try and protect ourselves—our hearts? And if you're really right, if we're really meant to be, if it was really that simple, then why don't we feel that way too? Is it because that we're over thinking it or that we're stopping ourselves? Or maybe, we just lost trust in them, and we lost trust in ourselves when we're with them?"
Mikan's tears suddenly flowed down her cheeks and she wiped them with force. Hotaru's smirk was gone but was changed into a nonchalant expression. Sumire looked down at her lap and Nonoko did the same too.
Hotaru cleared her throat and she said, "If it still hurts, you still care. If you still care, you still love them."
Mikan swallowed the lump on her throat."I do…but I…Natsuke." Was all Mikan could say.
Hotaru's eyes came into slits and her head snapped at Mikan's words. "You're guilty." Hotaru whispered in utter disbelief.
Mikan looked at her with fear in her eyes as Hotaru stood up and said, "You think you're betraying Natsuke for loving Natsume more than him."
Sumire's face lit up and she smiled at Hotaru and then at Mikan. Mikan just forced herself to look away. "But why feel guilty? Isn't Natsuke the one who told Natsume to take care of you? And you were young! What were you five back then?" Sumire said.
Hotaru sat down and smirked at Mikan, "You're just making an excuse to stop loving Natsume because you don't want to get hurt."
Sumire nodded. "Yep, that's the one sentence that sums it all up!" Sumire said in agreement.
Mikan looked at them and said, "Maybe I am. It doesn't matter. I pushed him away anyway." Hotaru sat down beside Mikan and tried to comfort her.
Sumire sat down beside Nonoko and place a hand on her and said, "You think, you're getting away that easily, Ms. Hot head?"
Nonoko glared at her for the nickname. "You already know it. Do I need to explain myself?"
"Correction—to make an excuse for yourself." Sumire teased.
Nonoko continued to glare at her. "Please! It would never work out anyway."
"How come? You're both in the business world. And I'm sure Grandmamma could already see him as a nice suitor. The only one stopping you guys from being together is…you, Nonoko." Hotaru pointed out.
Mikan looked at Nonoko and said, "Yeah, why don't you want Yuu to be with you anyway?"
Nonoko heaved a sigh and looked away from all of them. "I thought after four years, I would have already forgotten the pain and time would have erased all the hatred, but the moment I saw him, it all came back.
"I was asking myself that why did he have to come back now? Why didn't he chase me back then? Where was he all these years? Did he ever think of me like I thought of him for the past years? Or was I the only idiot who did that between us? And then…all those were answered when he showed that somehow, he still loves me."
"And we're back at this point—if he loves you, and you love him, what's there to figure out?" Sumire pointed out in her teasing tone once more.
Nonoko rolled her eyes and said, "I don't know. I guess, Mikan and I are the same, we're just making excuses 'cause we're afraid that we'll end up hurt just like four years ago. I mean, if they broke our hearts before, what makes us think they can't do it again?"
Hotaru just looked at Nonoko then at Mikan. Sumire sighed. And then there was silence. They all had their points. But when it really comes down to it, when everything is said and done, the same question still arises, when can you say that love is wrong…or right even?
Sumire stood up from her seat. And proceeded to stand in front of her window, she looked at the sky and thought of how far they've all come. She also thought of how much they have all changed in those four years. She heaved a sigh and turned around to look at her cousins who are waiting for her to say something.
She forced a smiled. She looked at all of them in the eyes and thought, 'Whenever you look at how far you've come, you also have to look at how far you still have to go. Especially when you're in pain and you're feeling all alone…but time stops for no one with a broken heart.'
"What are you thinking, S?" Mikan said to her.
Her smile faded and the look in her eyes turned into pity. She whispered, "Did you ever thought otherwise?"
Nonoko and Mikan showed a confused look.
Sumire looked at both Nonoko and Mikan, then pity in her eyes waver and was turned into sadness—so deep that looking into them felt like drowning in the ocean. She swallowed—hard. As she tried to utter the words she hoped would change her cousins' minds, "If until now, they still means so much to you, then maybe you're going the wrong direction. It's not wrong to give your heart to someone the second time around."
Thank you for reading. Sorry I only updated now. I've been busy since school is coming up. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter anyway. School starts tomorrow! Goodluck to me!:)) HAHAHA.
Anyway, please do...REVIEW!
Stay safe.
Love,
13ismynumber