Greatly apologizing here I come with the latest chapter of my fic, I hope you enjoy it, there's no much action or interaction between the characters but this little background was necesary for the later chapters to come. Thank you very much for reading and for your reviews!
Rui left the room with a smile, quite satisfied with the final expression of desire he saw in Tsukushi's face, however, he couldn't that he too had missed more time to enjoy the kiss, but did not want to force anything, he already had used the time they had been together in Hawaii, already had obtained a lot from her: kissing, caresses, walks on the beach and ... an amazing night.
Enough... this will have to suffice for now.
—Rui
The aforementioned turned at the mention of his name and found Soujiro and Akira.
—Yo, what's up?
—I think we are the ones who should ask that—said Soujiro
—Come on, don't start fighting now, let's go back to the hotel and there we can talk in peace.
The three young men went to the luxury SUV that was waiting outside the hospital; they went and told the driver where to take them.
—I never thought you knew how to sneak, Rui—Soujiro started.
—Sneak? I never do things like that. Although to be honest, I expected your men to find me earlier, Akira.
—Hey, hey, we have good men; you were the one going to an impossible place.
—It was not my idea, at first I was going to go to the usual hotel, but Tsukushi believes our families control all the satellites of the planet and chose to go somewhere quieter.
—So exaggerated, not all of them... —Soujiro joked.
—Makino is always pending that we don't find her because she knows that we'll torture her as soon as we do, haha—said Akira.
—But Rui, being serious, what's this about you loving her ...?
— ... and that brought her to Hawaii...?
— ... and that you gave her a ring...?
— ... and that now you call her by name...?
—Calm down, one at a time—he stared at them knowing that they wouldn't stay quiet until he could give an explanation ... and well, they were his friends, at least that he owed them that, like Tsukasa, but his case was different, though he was like his brother, he had left Tsukushi abandoned and he wouldn't forgive that so easily—All right, I'll tell you everything...
It took him the rest of the way to the hotel to update his friends with what had happened, both of them were more than surprised to find out Rui's version, Tsukasa but told them he had thrown Tsukushi out of his mansion and there had been its history until the day he saw them at the airport, now they knew first hand that if Rui had not found her on that the bridge, only God knows what could have happened.
— ...and that was it. You came and the rest is history—Rui had told everything that had happened, of course avoiding some details such as kissing and having slept together and ... other things.
As they went up the elevator to the suite of F4, no one said anything, Rui thought maybe they were processing the information as best as possible, after all, something similar had happened at first, when he still looked like a puppy after Shizuka and had returned defeated from Paris and had taken advantage of knowing that she loved him to steal a kiss...
...
No ... Chances are that even before he had wanted her and had not realized this and therefore had left her go, still not knowing how to decipher what he felt.
They all entered the room and the first to speak was Soujiro...
—Well, now the question is to what this will end. Rui, are you willing to go all the way?
—Yes.
—Ahhh... this will be hard ...I really don't want to be in the midst of all this ...
—You don't have to, or you Akira, this is between Tsukasa, Tsukushi and me.
—Yeah, right… that doesn't mean we will not be involved, after all, we are the F4 ... And let's face it, even Tsukushi is part of the F4—Akira said—Ha, little brat, who say it would be a girl like her the one to infiltrate the head of the members of F4
—A working-class virgin!
—Exactly! That is something that even now I wonder, Soujiro, it seems incredible that she and Tsukasa have not done anything yet...
Rui let them talk about their speculations about the purity of Tsukushi because he couldn't prevent his mind to recall the images of that night and his ears, the sweet moans that came out of her mouth while pronouncing his name...
...Rui…
—I think I need cold water.
—Huh? Well, yes, the weather has been warmer than usual. What about going to the pool? There should not be many people at this time
—Good idea, I need to relax after all the trouble they did today. Let's go, Akira, Rui.
The three young men could not cause more commotion in the pool although there were fewer people than in the morning. High, with well-trained bodies, with oriental features, white skin, both local and tourist women were following the movement of the guys that well deserved the right to be in the group of "The 4 Flowers".
Rui went to the water immediately, thanking the calming effect it had on the thoughts in his head at that time, meanwhile, Akira and Soujiro were already taking appointments and phone numbers of a couple of girls on the other side of the pool . Soujiro was the first to approach him while Akira was arranging a meeting with a woman who was easily along 35.
—Ah, this really is life.
—Mmm ...
—Tonight we'll go out with a couple of girls to dance. Rui, wanna come? Sure they have an extra friend over there.
—I'm fine like this, thanks.
—Oh, you don't know how to have some fun.
—And you don't know how to relax—they both laughed and decided to go to the side of the hot water and wait for Akira there. Upon leaving, Soujiro noticed a mark on Rui's right shoulder, in the beginning he didn't care, but then, seeing it more closely, he gasped.
—Ne, Rui...
—Hmm?
—What happened to your shoulder?
—What?
—You have something there
Rui examined his shoulder and found the mark he had discovered the night before while taking a shower. Being with Tsukushi, she had bitten his shoulder hard to keep from screaming and had left a mark. He was not particularly bothered, however he was surprised to feel some satisfaction in that little red and purple spot ... it was like a constant reminder that what happened was not a dream.
—Oh, this ...
—Rui! That is...is...
—...is...?
Soujiro wanted very much to tell him what he thought and was sure it was: a hickey. But how? Besides, the mark was small and he was talking about Tsukushi, the girl who guarded her virginity as if it were necessary to live. Rui's tranquility was making him hesitate and he didn't want to strike the air by saying something he shouldn't.
—... Come on, don't tell me you don't know. Did you have fun with a girl and still bear the marks of passion in your body?
The question came in a double sense, Rui let out a soft laugh but said nothing more, he didn't want to lie to Soujiro, but neither wanted to tell something that was not of his concern.
—Hey!—Akira had arrived breaking the awkward silence—Tonight don't wait up for me, I have an appointment with a muse of Parnassus itself...
—I'm going to dry myself, I'm a little tired. I'll wait upstairs.
—Sure, sure, hey Soujiro, we will accompany you and that girl until ... Hey ... are you listening?
—What? Ah, yes, we can go together and then we parted at a certain time.
—What is it?
—It's nothing, maybe it's as Rui says and I'm tired.
— You definitely won't cancel at this time!
—Are you crazy? Where do you think my pride Casanova would be if I did?
—Haha, that's my friend
Akira relaxed at his side while Soujiro was thinking about the Rui's response.
He didn't really say anything, but Rui's not one to go and do that sort of thing, unless he is serious about doing it ... Is it possible? Perhaps these two...?
—Oe, Soujiro! Do you really feel good, bro? You seem to be in another world
—Huh? Yes, yes, I'm fine, I think is the hot water, I'm getting dizzy; we better go fix ourselves up.
—Yes, you're right, spending too much time here is not good, come on.
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—Is he ready?
—Yes, President.
—Perfect, I don't want him to escape again; we still have much to do, it's fortunate that there has been no scandal because of this. Where do they say he was?
—In Hawaii, President. He was found at a local clinic...
—Clinic?
—It seems that Ms. Makino was there.
—And what did that lowlife was doing there?
—Well, it seems that after her stay in New York, she and the young Hanazawa went together to Hawaii. For what one man said, it seems that Ms. Makino was yelling something to the young master before they arrived. The rest of F4 was also there, everything indicates that they did not know where to find the lady and used every means possible to find her... ehmm, she didn't sought the young master this time ...
—Silence!
—...
—So now she has caught on to Hanazawa-san. Ja, cheeky girl ... but this could be beneficial, I don't care who her target is as long as Tsukasa is left in peace. Very well ...I'll talk to him...
Doumyouji Kaede was a hardcore woman and as soon as she saw she could turn the table in her favor, she didn't hesitate to put her plan into action. She was in the middle of the passage of her son's room and already from there she could hear the screams.
—... Let me out! Who do you think you are! I'll rip you to pieces as soon as I see you! Open the god damn door!
—Everything in order?
—Oh, President. Good night—four black men dressed formally greeted her—Yes, so far he has not stopped screaming but has not scape. The windows have been reinforced as well.
—Very well. Now which of you is the one who says he heard the girl screaming in the clinic?
—Ahh... ah...That would be me, Madam President.
—Well? What was she saying?
—I didn't hear the whole conversation, madam, but she was yelling something like he did not have the right to tell her what she could and could not do ... Oh, and that she didn't want more pressure from anyone. Young Hanazawa was also in the room. The young masters Nishikado and Mimasaka were out at that time.
—All right, good job. Now open the door
—Hai!
Tsukasa had not stopped screaming all that time and had not heard the voice of his mother out of his room, so he was surprised when he realized that they were beginning to take the locks out of his room. When the door opened he saw the President of the Doumyouji Corporation and felt disgust.
—What do you want!
—Now, Tsukasa, I acknowledge that I have not been flexible in recent days and I am willing to correct my mistake.
This took the boy by surprise. He had never thought to hear those words come from the lips of his mother. She, saying he would do anything for him?
—Talk directly-old witch, what are you planning? You wouldn't do anything for me unless it meant a long-term benefit for you.
—Don't say something like that. I know you went to Hawaii with your friends from F4 and I guess it was because I've been keeping you confined for too long, after all, you fulfill your word in throwing that Makino girl out of the house and have done what I asked you. I'll leave you a little more freedom from today on and, if you want, you can return to school ... But don't do anything that will make me re-lock you up, because I will. That's it.
—Didn't they tell you...?
—Hmm? Tell me what?
—No, nothing. All right. I'll return to school.
It seems that they didn't tell her that Makino was there, after all these guys are new and don't know her ... Good! Being back at school will make recover her easy.
Tsukasa still didn't know that his greatest enemy wasn't going to be his mother, but himself.
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Tsukushi had finished brushing her teeth and was returning to the room when she saw her surgeon, NakoyamaTetsuya.
—Good morning, Tsukushi-chan.
—Good morning, Nakoyama-sensei.
—Ahh, you know you can call me Tetsuya.
Tsukushi blushed slightly.
—So you're leaving today.
—Yes, they should be coming to pick me up soon.
—You don't have your ring today?
She automatically hid her right hand on her back but that didn't prevent Tetsuya to see the obvious.
—Mmm ... no, I put it away to bathe.
—And which of those two pretty guys is your boyfriend?
—Etto ... well ... none really.
—Really? Then I can buy you breakfast before you go.
—I wouldn't feel very comfortable with that, besides, they're coming soon.
—I don't bite... —he said as he approached her.
—But I do—she said seriously. Tetsuya looked at her face for a moment and then started to laugh—what now?
—Ah, Tsukushi-chan, I knew you were not an ordinary girl ... I really like you know? If only you weren't so confused with those two I'll ask you out seriously.
—C-Confused?
—Come on, yesterday there was a heavy and uncomfortable environment over you three, who did not notice it because he is blind—Tsukushi remain silent—Hey, don't worry, everyone at some point have been confused, you just have to think with the head instead of the heart in times like these.
—But it is not easy—she replied in a whisper.
—No, it is not. But it is the best option.
—How do I do it? Really now, I'm a mess, I can't, I just want to be alone ...
—That too is good choice, time for you. Just think about it ... With whom do you feel calm and at ease? With whom can you talk at length or in any case, simply remain silent without it becoming unbearable? There are many questions you can ask yourself and answer honestly without involving your emotions. It's hard, but it is the best solution...
—It's pretty hard ... but still, I appreciate it Nakoya-no. Tetsuya-san.
—Hey, that's why doctors are for, not only to heal the body but also from time to time to heal the soul.
—Tsukushi, you awake? —Rui's voice was heard on the other side of the door.
—Yes, come on in.
—Oh, Nakoyama-sensei. Good morning, thank you again all that you've done for us.
—There's nothing to be thankful I did it gladly. Well Tsukushi, I think this is our farewell—he said, holding out his hand.
—Yes. And again, thank you very much— she shook his hand and made a little bow in gratitude. Rui came in and the Dr. was heading out for the exit, but as Tetsuya was not one to stay with what he thought inside of him, he stopped for a few seconds.
—Ah, Tsukushi, if at any time you feel alone, do not hesitate to call me, I'll be more than happy to offer consolation—and winking at her, he left the room. Rui and was surprised and even more when he saw Tsukushi rolling her eyes and smiling halfway to that comment.
—How do you feel?
—Much better, thank you.
—Well, the guys are outside, within two hours we leave for Japan. Ready for reality?
—Not one little bit—she said with a smile.
It was good for Tsukushi that none of the young boys made questions about her sudden journey and his unusual companion to it, by contrast, they were mortifying as her usual to hang out, they were even offering makeup to put on the gauze on her face and it was there that she couldn't take the laughter anymore and exploded causing them to be relieved to see her as always, a weed ready to face any kind of adversity, they really couldn't deny it, she was a part of them. However, Soujiro had been attentive to Tsukushi a little more than usual, her face looked the same; maybe a bit more… lighten up? He could not define with certainty ... He knew that a woman changed when losing her virginity: The eyes were not the same, the innocent look they used to have was lost in a small fire in the depths of their souls at the discover of something new in their bodies, but her…she didn't seem to have made that change yet; she looked different, not to the point of having given a 180 ° full turn, even the way of speaking to Rui was just a little more affectionate than usual if he took into account that now both were calling themselves by name.
He decided it was better to observe from afar.
Upon landing in Japan there was no one waiting for them, as Tsukushi had asked the boys as she preferred to address the questions that were about to fall upon her bit by bit. Rui, true to his promise, put her in a car of his family but did not accompany her home, saying goodbye with a "Take care" without even shaking hands or touching her shoulder. After she left in the car, the three men returned to their homes; Rui came to be received by its usual reliable staff and to the astonishment of all, he came giving gifts of small tikis, pens with feathers and pictures with decorative flowers. It wasn't that Rui didn't take presents after a trip, the strange thing was that he himself was distributing to each one of the employees explaining what each particular thing was.
—Well, there's more on missing bag for the ones who are missing, Sanae-san ...
—Yes, young master—a woman old enough to be his grandmother with a kindly face approached Rui.
—Please see that the rest also receive their share.
—Of course, young master.
Rui left the room among the heated whispers of the staff.
—The young master is different, right?
—Yes, definitely. But I don't see him bad, on the contrary, it looks like he is ... happy?
—It's been a long time since I saw him smile ...
—Only when Ms. Shizuka came could you see him smiling like that…
—Well, well—Sanae-san interrupted— enough of gossip. Put away your presents and return to work soon, remember that today we must make a good dinner.
—That's true, Sanae-san. By the way, did you tell young master that his parents have returned from abroad?
—Oh my God! With all the excitement, I forgot!
And it was true, Rui's parents had returned from a long business trip.
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Hanazawa Riku was the current president of the company in charge of shipping issues, customs; Hanazawa Corp. was the market leader in everything that had to do related to exports and imports of inputs. Riku was strict man, hard, cold, due to the strict instruction he received from his birth to be the next successor of the company; however, it was a girl who worked as a secretary in one of the dealerships in his company who had left him deeply impressed from the first moment she greeted him: Hikari Mogami.
Hikari was a girl from a family of normal position, without many or few luxuries she was the kind of person who drew in the rest because of the aura that floating around her and Riku was no exception. It was long before he will be encouraged to talk to her in friendly terms beyond the employer-employee relationship and she took it is such a good way that he was becoming more and more in love with her.
But herein is the problem, Hikari Mogami was a nobody, just another girl seeking to secure her future by offering herself to the president of company, those were the exact words of Riku's mother and forced him away from her, she came to the extreme of moving the girl to another dealership and sending him abroad to take over the family business.
Riku went for almost 2 years working every day to avoid thinking, parties and women did not lack, but still he didn't forget the light that Hikari seemed to give of every time she gave him a "Good morning" in the office ... 2 years and still he could not shake the memory of his head. When he finally returned to Japan to continue with various projects, how great was his surprise to see Hikari beside his mother as her personal assistant.
"Her current assistant is on maternity leave and someone in the office recommended me. I really hope to be of help to your mother, Hanazawa-san. "
Hanazawa Mao, the mother of Riku, very reluctantly had to acknowledge the ability of the young girl to take on the most problematic issues with which she had to deal with every day and could see the sincerity with which she talked and her great maturity. Unwittingly, Hikari won the confidence and affection of the mother of Riku slowly, month by month, since Mao retained his side for an entire year.
After many conversations and discussions, Mao gave his blessing to his son to marry the girl of brown eyes. There was no happiest couple in the world at that time, the wedding was great, the honeymoon, spectacular, no one could deny the love that was in the air around those two, but happiness cannot always be present, since this world seems to require an equal balance of sadness and it came to bill Hikari the day when she became pregnant for the first time.
Riku had to endure seeing his wife fall slowly into depression over the years, her body was weak and each pregnancy she had resulted in abortion, even with the best of cares, taking the most expensive pills and visiting the most famous doctors the result was always was the same: a large pool of blood.
Hikari was shattered; all the love she wanted to pour into her belly seemed to pass through a mortal strainer. Seven times she had to suffer the same result in order to give up.
"Maybe this is not my fate, Riku. I am so sorry, I have failed you as a wife, I can't give you an heir"
Riku cared little for the heir at that time and decided it was time to stop, to rest, to just pull Hikari's head out of all the sadness that she had been building and he took her a trip around the world to achieve his goal. They visited France, Italy, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and finally the United States, they never imagined that on a visit to a family of Indian descent, they would find the answer they'd been looking for. After a lovely evening, an elderly woman who had not spoken all afternoon approached Hikari and said something that either of them ever forgot.
"Your body is resentful with you, you've beaten it so much with that so called 'modern medicine' that it doesn't to hear you anymore. Reconcile with it if you want to load a fruit within you, go to the creek that is on the edge of the forest in the next full moon and bathe naked and ask forgiveness…It will listen to you if you do it with your heart. "
That said, she closed the door leaving them speechless. Riku said were lies, idle talk of the old, but Hikari thought differently. Could it be true everything that old woman had told her? The next full moon would come in just 4 days and she found a way to convince her husband to stay another week, then, one early morning when Riku was fast asleep after a party filled with alcohol, Hikari sneaked out to the mentioned stream and taking off her clothes, she soaked in it.
"I am sorry for not listening to you! I promise not to mistreat you again: alcohol is not swimming in my veins, there is no nicotine stuck in my lungs, my goal is to take care of me to conceive the child I so much desire. Moon, hear my plea! "
Hikari had been raised believer in the power of the universe and the nature over humans so being there, soaking wet and surrounded by trees, wildflowers and the starry sky made her go back to what she had dear so many years ago and there she promised, whether she had or not the son she craved for, to never forget it again.
Riku got up and found his wife sleeping peacefully beside him, her face relaxed, not even suspecting that a few hours earlier she had not been lying at his side, and seeing her waking up he again felt very fortunate to have her at his side, because she wasn't bitch who only wanted him for their money and position, and saying that he loved her he passionately kissed her and held her as so many times before, knowing that he would never get tired of it.
The surprise came two weeks after when they arrived to Japan, they were off the plane, had taken two steps to get away from the ladder and Hikari fainted. Riku was afraid, for he tried to make her react, but she didn't. She was taken to the doctor and they had her stayed overnight for observation. When he finally saw her, he was surprised to find her radiant, with a big smile on her face and very happy, obviously he didn't understand. Upon entering the doctor told him his wife was pregnant and the world came over Riku. He didn't know what to do, he couldn't let Hikari pass again for the same pain that had taken her so long to leave behind, but she took his face and staring intently at his eyes she said:
"—Everything is fine, this baby will be fine, I'll be fine.
—But Hikari ...
—You'll see, you'll see that this time will be different"
His wife spoke with such conviction that he didn't dare to ask her to operate before losing it, but it was good that he didn't, since with the passing months, for the first time, he could admire the beautiful half round formation on his wife's body. But it wasn't easy, Hikari had to get plenty of rest because sometimes high fevers attacked her, plus, she declined to take any pills and waited like that the almost 9 months of gestation that took her son to come into the world with a loud and clear cry.
Everyone celebrated the birth of the successor of the company: Hanazawa Rui was born...
... but, at a high price.
In the midst of labor, Hikari suffered a very large hemorrhage and the doctors had to cauterize a fallopian tube, making it impossible for her to have children again in the future. Hikari felt sad, but decided that it was fine, that having that perfect, healthy baby in her arms sucking milk out of her chest had been worthwhile.
However, though her greatest desire was to be with her child in these so important early years, she couldn't. The acquisition of two companies for Hanazawa Corp. was imminent, and all hands would be needed to do it, Mao told her that her son would be in good hands, that she would hire the best tutors for him and would not have to worry about him. Rui was just four years old when this happened. The constant lack of his parents and the strict life he carried with different tutors made him an introverted child, quiet, almost autistic.
The few times that Hikari had managed to return home, her soul would break upon seeing her child didn't jump and run to her arms and not fill her with kisses, Riku also suffered a lot, because though he was a hard and rigid man, he loved her son and hated to see he had become so because of their business, which is why he hired several specialists and psychologists to help him open up a bit more, but instead of helping, this made it worse.
The only thing that had reassured them it was that their friends from other families have made their children join with Rui and thus, unwittingly, those children became best friends: Nishikado Soujiro, Akira Mimasaka and Doumyouji Tsukasa, the latter was like a brother to Rui from the beginning and, of course, the arrival of the Toudo heiress, Shizuka, had returned to Rui the life that seemed lost somewhere inside of him.
Hikari find peace in knowing that her son had friends with whom he could talk to about things he never told her, at home Rui never misbehaved, never came late and never asked for more money than they monthly gave him ... While that was the dream of most women who have teenagers, Hikari was almost asking for trouble to be able to help Rui, to fulfill the role of a mother who put him aside in his most tender years.
So now, after almost five months away from home she had decided not to work anymore, she had talked with Riku about it and he thought it was pretty good, even after much discussion with his mother he got a half approval and Hikari would be allowed to do work that could keep her at home.
Happy with the good news, Hikari had finished taking a long bath and went out to see how dinner was. How great was her surprise when she turned to one of the halls of her home and came face to face with the person she wanted to see the most...
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—Rui ... son ...
—Mother?
The woman came quickly to him and gave him a big hug.
—I really missed you!
—It's good to have mother back home.
—Let me see you...
Hikari was surprised at the sight before her: although he was somewhat more grown up than last time, this was not what caught her attention, if not his eyes, something in them was more…living? She didn't know how to define it exactly, but even a small smile seemed to wander on his lips.
—You've changed...
—Do you think so?
—Yes, I'm not sure what it is, but ... I have a feeling it makes you well, whatever it may be...
Whoever it may be—Rui thought.
—I'm fine, mother, I was out for a few days, I traveled to Hawaii with a ... some friends, with the F4. —It was not that Rui didn't want to talk to his mother about Tsukushi, but now he couldn't afford to introduce her, not when the last thing she had requested was time to be alone.
—I'm so happy for you, son. Your father is in the studio, we hope to dinner together today. In fact, businesses are going pretty well ... it seems that we won't have to travel as much as usual ... at least I will not go out and travel, I will work from home and help your father and grandmother as much as I can. I want to be here more...
—It's good to hear that, mother. I will go change to...—Suddenly, a soft melody rang, it was Rui's cell and Hikari was surprised again to the joy that lay behind the long lashes of her child and the tenderness of his voice to answer.
—You arrived soon—he said with a smile.
—Um... I'm putting things in order. Just wanted to call to tell you that I got well and ... that I really appreciate all the time in Hawaii, Rui.
—I told you did not have to thank me, but I think my threat to bring you back to Japan must not have much effect now.
—I think not ... haha.
—Rest now.
—Actually, I first have thought to go see Yuuki. I have not yet met with Shigeru and ... I hope to do it tomorrow at school.
—Yes, that may be best. I'll maybe see you tomorrow then.
—Of course. See you.
—Take care ... —and smiling again, he closed the phone.
—Son? ...
—Oh, I'm sorry mother, I wanted to ensure that a person had arrived safely. I will go change now, with your permission—and saying this, he went to his room to change clothes.
A mother is a mother, and although she had not been much time next to his only son, Hikari knew something had changed, Rui wasn't like this, and it wasn't that this change was not bothering her, but it aroused great curiosity.
Who was it at the other side of the line?
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—Tsukushi!
—Yuuki...
The two friends embraced in the middle of the Dango store while a few tears scaped from Yuuki's eyes.
—But what happened to your face! You had an accident! Where have you been all this time! Not a single call! Not a single message!
—Sorry, I really am sorry, Yuuki, so many things happened, the truth is I needed to get away from everything. Forgive me.
—Fool, you're a fool! Did you also had to leave me out?
—Sorry, Yuuki...
Both girls kept their hug a little longer and then the store owner came out to greet, she also slightly scolded Tsukushi for leaving without notice for so long, but welcomed her as ever to continue working if she still wanted.
—But of course I want to, thank you for being so kind to me.
—Don't worry, I guess you have some compelling reason, but now you definitely have a better face, you look... well; out of this huge gauze on your face, obviously.
—Haha, I know ... I also feel good...
—But tell me, Tsukushi— Yuuki said said once the owner was out to the back of the store—What has happened all this time?
Tsukushi took a deep breath and began to tell her the whole story. Yuuki was her best friend and she didn't want to hide anything, but even so, it was somewhat difficult to tell what had happened: She started telling her arrival to New York, how Tsukasa threw her out from his mansion, meeting with Rui... when she said he had confessed, Yuuki was very surprised, but Tsukushi asked her not to interrupt, to please let her finish to tell all...
After 20 minutes of talking, Yuuki was speechless.
— ... and after calling him I came here. That's it.
—...
—... Yuuki?
—You and Hanazawa-san ... almost did it?
—Well ... yes.
—And he gave you a ring?
—Yes ...
—And he told you he loves you?
—Yes ...
—And went there to save you after Doumyouji-san left you alone?
—Yes ...
—Wow ... girl, it's really complicated. I mean, you love Doumyouji, I know, but ... what now?
—I don't know, Yuuki, that's why I asked them both to leave me alone for a while, I cannot decide because Doumyouji has put me through a lot, good and bad, but this last one, for me it's the straw that broke the glass, but by no means I can throw into oblivion all that we struggle to be together; and Rui...
—... now you call him by name ...
—... Yes, it was something that also changed the days we were in Hawaii. The truth is that Rui is my first love, I thought that any feeling of that kind had been transformed into caring and friendship, but I was wrong, I like him, a lot ...Yuuki... what do I do?
—I don't know, Tsukushi, the truth is that I don't usually have much luck with the guys, after what happened with Nishikado-san, I'm not sure if it's so easy to give my heart to someone else ...
—Is that why you've cut your hair?
—Oh, well, actually a friend from school told me that the best thing after a heartbreak was a new look and ... there you go. Does it look bad?
—No, on the contrary, I think you look good—she said with a smile—then ...about Nishikado…
—After that day on the roof I have not seen him and now I know that these past few days he was with you, but it's fine, really it's all good, Tsukushi, not seeing him helped me to heal.
—Good for you, you know if you need anything, you just have to tell me, I'm sorry that I was not here when you needed me the most.
—No problem, you went to find what you wanted and that's always been you.
—Good afternoon!—A voice came from the door. Tsukushi and Yuuki turned to see none other than Soujiro followed by Akira.
—Oh, Makino, you arrived earlier that I thought.
—What?
—We thought maybe you'd be too tired to go out and we came to tell Yuuki you were already in Japan and we were going to offer her a ride to your home. What's up, Yuuki-chan? —Akira asked.
—Very well, thank you.
—Hello—greeted Soujiro.
—Time has passed, Nishikado-san.
—Yes, definitely. Do you have a second?
—Of course.
Soujiro took her to the side of the cashier, somewhat away from the table where Tsukushi and Akira were talking.
—I have not seen you since that day on the roof, and truth is it was not long after I started thinking about how many buildings you've had to visit. There must have been too many.
—No, they weren't that many...
—Thank you, Yuuki. Thanks to you I close a chapter not very nice in my life. Just saying thank you seems inadequate; if there is anything I can do for you in return, just tell me.
—Etto…I'm fine like this. Thank you.
—Really? It might even give you that complete course you once asked me.
—WHAAAT!
—Haha, just kidding ...
-Nishikado-san, you don't change...
—By the way, that cut suits you very well.
—Ah, well, thank you very much—she said with a slight blush on the cheeks. While Soujiro still made her heart skip a beat, she now felt more relaxed, not like before ... Perhaps, she had managed to grow a little.
—Excuse me! Ah, Yuuki-chan...
—Narumiya-kun!
A guy of Yuuki's age had entered the store, tall, handsome and with very beautiful blue eyes. Yuuki walked away from Soujiro to go to say hello.
—How are you today?
—Happy, very happy—she replied with a smile.
—I see that... And to what is due your happiness?
—You remember I talked to you about my best friend? Today she has returned…Let me introduce her to you...Tsukushi!
—Yes?
—He is Narumiya Ryunosuke, he has been transferred to my school this month and lives near here. He has become a regular customer of the store.
—Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you.
—Me too, my name is Makino Tsukushi.
—I know, Yuuki-chan always talks a lot about you, it is good to see you are together again.
—Oh, and they are Mimasaka-san and Nishikado-san—Yuuki him when she saw Soujiro had come to the table to see who was the stranger who had entered—they go to the Eitoku with Tsukushi.
—Nishikado and Mimasaka! You guys are part of F4?
—Exactly, I'm Mimasaka Akira, a pleasure.
—Same here, same here.
And this guy over here is Nishikado Soujiro—Akira said nudging his friend who didn't seem very happy.
Ryunosuke held out his hand but Soujiro took a couple of seconds longer than normal to answer the greeting and did it very quickly. There was an awkward silence floating in the air.
—Came to buy something, Narumiya-kun?
—Ah, yes. My mom wants of those desserts that you gave me last weekend, it looks like an aunt comes and she wants to surprise her with something sweet.
—Of course, here I have one of those. Come with me.
Both youngsters went away talking pleasantly with each other, occasionally Tsukushi could see that Yuuki blushed slightly to a comment from Ryunosuke and that he looked at her with an expression quite affectionate. After Yuuki wrapped candy for him, he came to say goodbye.
—It was a pleasure to have met you all. Makino-san, I hope you recover soon.
—Yes, thank you.
—Well, Yuuki-chan. I have to go, but before I forget, I wanted to ask, have you ever seen the tea ceremony?
All were silent at the sudden question he made to Yuuki, especially because he had done in front of everyone.
—Etto...well—Yuuki gave a quick glance to where Soujiro was but didn't make eye contact with him—yes, I know someone who is very good preparing tea.
—Ah then, well, this weekend my mother says there will be a kind of show in which many recognized people of the tea ceremony and flower arranging world will attend. If you have nothing to do, would you like to come?
—Huh...?
—Actually I was thinking of inviting you since before because every time you talked about your friend…you became sad.
—Ah, yes... well, that's true.
—First see if you have something to do that day and if you're free, I'd like you to accompany me. See you, Yuuki-chan—and saying that, the young man gave a final nod to the rest of them and went out into the street.
—Yes, of course ... until then.
—Wow, Yuuki-chan, I didn't know you had a boyfriend—Akira began to tease her.
—He is not my boyfriend!
—But he was very interested in dating you. Right, Makino?
—Well, what I can tell you, the way that guy looks at you...
—Tsukushi! You too?
—Haha, sorry, sorry ... Although you can't deny he has very striking eyes. Where is he from?
—His mother is American descent and her father is Japanese ...
—Well, he does have interesting eyes Right, Soujiro? —Akira asked, but the boy made no comment about it.
—Well, I came to take you to see Makino but seeing that she is here I think my visit was useless. See you later.
And with that, he left
—What happened to him? —Akira asked.
—No idea, how strange for Nishikado to behave like that—said Tsukushi.
—You're right. Maybe he has something to do and did not have much time—ended Yuuki.
—But it was his idea to come for you, I don't understand.
None of those present paid much importance to this last fact and eating some dumplings they talked about everything and nothing going on pleasantly in the evening, no one suspected that at the time a small thorn was constantly bothering the inside the young heir of the Nishikado family.