Gawd, I am so sorry for making you readers wait.. ("o)
But look! I've updated this new chap. :)) Finally!
Again, I'm not a grammar freak or something so please bear with my English.
AN: Okay, this note of mine is very important so please read this:
All italics are thoughts.
Thank you for reading
"Passengers of flight 321, please do not leave your things unattended. We are about to land in Narita International Airport.
I repeat, please do not leave your things unattended. We are about to land in Narita International Airport. Thank you"
A flight attendant announced while giving a seductive smile to the passengers.
Once the plane landed safely, every passenger of it went down and inside the large airport. A blunette was making her way through the crowd of people who were busy welcoming their own comrades.
Natsuki breathed out a sigh when she removed herself from the crowd and found her own safe open space. 'and I thought Japan wasn't overpopulated'
All over the Airport were Japanese signings, obviously.
Natsuki has no problems with them. She understood Japanese language as well as its writings. But the difficult one is, that she can't speak Japanese fluently like she used to. Well, living in America for ten years is taking its toll.
'Now, Kanzaki said someone will fetch me at this airport..'
The blunette thought as she then again, took her steps and joined the human flood.
'Aaah! I've been walking for ages here! Where are they?'
Truth be told, Natsuki was walking aimlessly for about an hour now. She felt her feet shrinking in every step she takes. She decided to look for a shed or something when someone bumped at her.
"Oh fuck…" Natsuki muttered softly but cursingly
."Hey! not because I'm Japanese doesn't mean I didn't understand what you just said!" A fiery red-haired girl retorted.
Natsuki looked at the girl who just bumped at her.
"N-Nao?"
"Yeah, fuck you too.." The girl said. And before the blunette could retort back, the red head spoke again
"Wait.. Natsuki?"
"No. the name's Nao. You know? The one who beds every male in town? Nice to meet you." Natsuki said sarcastically while giving a stoic smile.
"Natsuki it is you! Oh my dope of a cousin." Nao said while shaking the blunette by the shoulder.
Nao Yuuki was both Reito and Natsuki's cousin. Nao's mother was the younger sister of Rei Kanzaki. Natsuki met the red head as soon as she met Reito. Since then, the duo became good allies. They were partners in crime. And when I said crime, only in crime.
Whenever the two kids could be seen together, you could detect trouble tailing before them. But what's worse is that when this two has a fight, it would really be hell if you try to stop them from killing each other. Kids are brutal you know. They always try to get on each others throat. But still, this two has a weird bond that makes them the best of friends.
"Look at you! You've…" Nao can't seem to complete her sentence.
"I've what? Matured?" Natsuki helped her cousin in finding her words. The blunette was eager to hear a compliment from her cousin, which is rare.
"No…"
"Grown?"
"No. You've.."
"Gotten taller?"
"No.."
'Oh brother'
"You've…" Nao continued "Aged."
"Uh.. Thank you?" Natsuki said. She didn't know what to respond with that comment. I've aged? You have got to be kidding me..
"Don't mention it mutt." Nao said. "Now lets go look for charming.." the red head trailed as she started to walk ahead with Natsuki following behind.
Not long enough, Nao stopped on her track and faced the blunette behind her.
"And don't think I already forgot what you just said awhile ago.." Natsuki raised her brows in question.
"For hell's sake, I don't bed every male in town Kuga"
And with that, Nao started to walk again. "Wait? Is Fuuka a town?" the red head asked without looking back at her cousin.
Natsuki just smirked while trailing behind her cousin.
"I told you it's not that hard to look for your brother" a red head spoke with a blunette. "Just look for a crowd of squealing innocents with a glowing white light in the middle and tadda! That's you're brother with his knight and shining stupid teeth."
Natsuki looked at a crowd that was encircling her brother.
"You're right Nao.." The blunette concurred. 'I think I don't need a map when Nao's already with me..'
Nao tried to text Reito where they were and it worked. Natsuki and Nao saw Reito emerging from the crowd. His fans tried to look at where his heading and they saw the blunette together with the redhead. The crowd was amazed with the charming-ness of the blunette.
"And I thought I could spot Natsuki first" Reito said smiling at his sister. His smile showed true joy and longingness.
"She accidentally bumped at me" Nao concluded.
But before any of them can speak, Reito's fans interrupted them asking who the blunette was.
"Uhm, guys this is my younger sister, Natsuki. She just arrived from America." Reito answered them politely.
Many were at awe at Natsuki's features. She was wearing a pink polo shirt with black stripes covered with a jacket and a pair of black fitted jeans together with black and white urban air sneakers. And with her handsome face, the crowd just couldn't help but swoon over her. "Ooh. Kanzaki's sure are attractive."
A voice said from the crowd and was agreed by the others.
Natsuki, who was watching the scene from the start, started to feel uncomfortable. 'This is stupid. Crowds are stupid'
Reito, sensing the blunette's annoyance spoke to the crowd. "I'm sorry guys, but we need to go. Hope to see you again." With that, the three left the crowd swooning.
Reito and the other two then went somewhere where they can seat since Natsuki has been complaining about her restless feet.
"Chair! At last I found you. I would never leave without you again. Especially at airports" Natsuki hugged the object and quickly sat comfortably at it with a contented sigh.
"Dope" mumbled Nao at her cousin's actions.
Reito just chuckled. "I'm sorry if we made you wait there Nat"
"Nah. No big deal" replied the blunette
Reito chuckled again "Really? But your feet tells it otherwise."
Natsuki was about to reply but another voice spoke
"Quit with the chitchat. My pet's already grumbling here.." Nao pointed at her growling stomach
"Nao's right. Let's go eat, it's almost Lunchtime" Reito concurred as he then started walking ahead out to the parking lot with the two following behind.
"Good thing you called for lunch Nao, my other pet's also grumbling me." Natsuki said as they were walking.
"Other pet?" asked the redhead
"Yeah. He's called jetlag"
"Oh. Well then, jetlag, meet hunger"
The duo laughed at their own pun while Reito watched them happily.
It was already 12 noon when they reached a pizza restaurant with Reito's Black SUV. They started eating and talked about Natsuki's arrival. The three enjoyed their time. When it was already time to leave, they bought another pack of boxed pizzas and some other food for their dinner when they arrive, it will be a very long ride from the airport to Fuuka.
Natsuki slept all through out the ride, Nao texting, and Reito driving. It was already 7pm when they arrived at Reito's house.
The house wasn't small and wasn't that big as their mansion at America. It was a house that simply says 'My residers are rich'
"Hey sleepyhead! Open those goddamn eyes" Nao waked up her cousin. "Are we already here?" Natsuki asked sleepily.
"No, were already there" Nao sarcastically said. "Of course were here."
Natsuki went out of the car and followed the red head inside the house. It's living room was elegant. All the furniture were neatly-designed. Natsuki was greeted by the house's three maids. She then sat herself at one of the chairs while Nao was sprawled at the long sofa.
"7:15pm?" Natsuki asked when she recognized the grandfather clock situated in the living room. "How long was the ride?"
"About 5 hours. I already got my butt numb. Imagine, sitting upright at the front seat for 5 straight hours? I can't even stretch my legs." Nao informed her cousin with hand gestures.
"You got your rear numb? Really now. Shall we kick it to see how numb it is?" Natsuki smirked tauntingly.
"Hah! You're just confident with your words cause you were sleeping oh so comfortably at the wide spaced back seat"
"Well it's not my fault that you chose the front seat when you can sprawl and lay your whole body at the car's roof" the blunette sarcastically taunted.
"Ha-ha. Very funny." Nao rolled her eyes..
"What did I miss?" Reito just came from the kitchen telling the maids to prepare dinner when he saw the two at the living room.
"You missed your car still parked in the middle of the road with its trunk and doors still open. And mind you, the key's still there." Nao just finished off her laughing.
"Shit! I forgot." Reito scurried quick outside for his car.
"Reito being forgetful? I didn't know that side of him." Natsuki spoke.
Payback time. Nao thought at Natsuki's remark.
"Well technically, he isn't forgetful. He's just excited cause his oh so adorable baby sister is finally at arm's reach." Nao taunted.
Natsuki scoffed. "If anyone is a baby hear, it's you Nao. Look at your face!" Nao just smirked more seeing that the blunette was already annoyed. "Ooh. Someone's being a grumpy-wumpy tonight"
Nao added more effects on her face. She looks like someone who's talking to a 2-year-old kid. "I told you to wipe that expression of yours before I do it for you" Natsuki was pissed.
"Okay, okay. Sheesh. You don't have to be grumpy and all" Nao said with a triumphant smile plastered on her face. Revenge is sweet.
There was a moment of silence.
And 3, 2, 1…
The redhead and the blunette burst out laughing.
"What a comeback!" Nao commented while laughing.
"I missed this" Natsuki laughed as well.
They both missed this. Their arguments, their teasings, their getting-on-each-other's-throat moments and everything. This was enough as a welcome for Natsuki
"Okay.. So what did I miss this time?" Reito said between breaths. He just went inside when he saw the two laughing merrily.
"Oh nothing." Natsuki said when she finished off her laugh. You just missed a rare moment.
"Ugh.. I think I've just developed pizza-phobia just now.." Natsuki said as she caressed her pizza-filled tummy..
The three had just finished their dinner. Natsuki and Nao ravaged every pizza they grab while Reito, being Reito ate his with manners. Through dinner, they discussed about Natsuki's arrival and her first day of school tomorrow. The blunette was shocked when she knew that she was already enrolled. Especially in the middle of the school year.
"pizza-phobia?" Nao snickered but soon regretted it when her own tummy started to turn because of her snicker. "Shit. Pizza can be time bombs. I could feel my stomach exploding anytime now."
"Well, you both deserve it. You two ate like you were on a pizza-eating contest." Reito chuckled.
"We deserve it? As far as I can remember, it was you who bought pizza in the first place"
Nao countered.
"Yeah, you're also the one who forced us to eat in the pizza cab back at lunch." Natsuki butted in.
"Me? Guys, we all know it's not about who. It's about how. About how to eat a pizza" Reito defended.
"Whatever" the two girls taunted at the same time.
Reito laughed at the two girls merrily, knowing his conclusion was a winner.
Then, there were a few moments of silence. Well, everyone wanted to relax. The three just enjoyed the serene aura around the room.
It was about fifteen minutes when the peaceful atmosphere was broken when a manly voice began to speak.
"Natsuki." Reito looked at his sister in the eye.
"Yeah?" the blunette answered lazily still not recovering from the pizza-phobia.
"We need to talk." Reito said seriously. But before Natsuki could reply, he continued. "And when I said 'we', I meant the three of us. Including you Nao."
Nao was busy with her cellphone when she heard Reito say her name. "o-oh yes. The three of us. Me, you and her." The redhead said nervously since she heard Reito spoke seriously and with authority. She knew this subject was sensitive for Reito. For the three of them.
"Good." Reito muttered and turned to face Natsuki eye to eye.
"Like I said, we need to discuss something to you Nat"
"Go on." the blunette replied. Why do I feel that something or whatever will be revealed tonight?
Reito first gave out a sigh before continuing. "Mom told us everything… and everything means the break-up thing."
"Oh" was all the blunette could say. Revealed.
"Natsuki, I know this is hard for you but please listen." Reito concurred. "I just want you to enjoy your stay here… Nat, forget about what happened back at America. Don't push yourself…"
Natsuki was just seating there, motionless. Her face was neutral. This was sure too sensitive for her. She thought she would never have a confrontation like this since she was happy at her arrival. She wasn't expecting this. But now the subject is already opened, she doesn't want to continue this any further. This topic is very confidential in her side. "It's nothing." Was all she could say.
"This isn't nothing Natsuki." Reito countered. "I know that this is a big deal to you… but like you said, I want you to treat this as nothing from now on… forget her… forget everything that happened back at America. Natsuki, she doesn't deserve you… You're a great person Nat. there's so much you could experience… all you just need to do is…" Reito paused and held the blunette by the shoulder, looking at her eye to eye. "Give yourself a chance…"
There was a short time of silence until Natsuki tilted her bowed head up and removed Reito's grip on her shoulder. "I'm tired. I need to rest." Was all she said and stood up to go to her room but once again stopped.
"Natsuki." Nao began with a serious tone. Natsuki didn't move.
"I know you're a rebel or something that's why you don't open up with us… but… at least don't close us out from you." Nao continued "This may sound corny but, Fuuka is a new beginning don't you think? It won't hurt if you try to start again…" the redhead finished.
*silence*
"I'm going to my room now." The blunette got on her heels and went up to her designated room leaving a quiet and concerned Reito and Nao.
Natsuki has been trying to sleep for about an hour now but she just couldn't get herself to doze off. Her thoughts kept drifting to the previous talk they had. Okay Natsuki. Maybe it really is time to reflect. The blunette remembered her brother's last words to her 'Give yourself a chance…' She tried to bear in mind what Reito told her.
She was lying in bed with her right arm under her head and her left arm laid on her toned tummy. Natsuki was trying to reflect. Maybe her brother was right. Maybe this time, it won't be bad. Maybe it's just right to… give herself a chance.
There was a long moment of contemplating until Natsuki made a decision. She sat up from her position and stared directionless. She has made a decision. All right Natsuki. Let's start again.
She thought with a smile and fumbled back to bed. Then, Nao's words drifted on her head. 'Fuuka is a new beginning…'
"I think I already like Fuuka…" was the last thing Natsuki said as she wafted off to doze with a simple smile plastered on her face.
Amidst her silent decision-making, she hadn't realized that the clock beside her told '12:45' She does have school tomorrow. Right?
-x-
Like I said, I am so sorry for the wait. I was just busy preparing for the opening of classes this June 8. I'm on my senior year now. Woohoo! Just one last fucking school year and I'll be getting flying colors. So now, I will present to you an Omake. You know, a payback for making you wait for this chap.
Omake
Natsuki was suffocating because of all the pizzas she ate.
Natsuki: *panting* Nao! Nao come here! I think I'm dying…
Nao: What? You can't die! *starts to sob*
Natsuki: *breathless* you're… you're right. I won't die. C-call me a doctor Nao..
Nao: R-right…
Natsuki: Hurry Nao!
Nao: O-okay! Natsuki… You're a doctor! You are a doctor! Natsuki Kuga's a certified doctor!
Natsuki: X.x
-Sorry for the lame omake.
Next Chap, our favorite Kaichou and Natsuki finally meets.
-vahn