Chizuru has concluded one thing: The Ootori pride was truly something to behold.
"What's wrong?" Kyoya looked at Chizuru's aghast expression. Pressing a tissue to his nose while tilting his head upwards. The dry air and admittedly, stress, caused him frequent nosebleeds lately.
"You…" Chizuru sobbed. "You…"
Chizuru couldn't form a coherent sentence. Kyoya leaned against the wall. Massaging the bridge of his nose. He's been working overtime trying to purchase rights to a new food delivery service. They're hoping this investment would push through and hit the Japanese market soon.
"Your shoelace is untied." Kyoya bent down sighing. Tying her shoelaces. At least she promised to wear sneakers when she went on long walks.
Chizuru looked at the state Kyoya was working in. She knew she promised to support him, but this was too much.
It was barely livable.
Mimicking brutalist architecture when it didn't intend to. Sure, it was an office, but no decorations or signs of life? Just a bunch of desks, papers, boxes, and a small couch. Whiteboards and glass walls filled with timelines, proposals, and all sorts of lists. Traces of him sleeping on the couch or floor.
Although Raj was on the team, the rest weren't exactly the team most people expected. A fifteen year old prodigy who dropped out of the MIT, a shady man who used to work for the Sendo Clan for logistics, and a mysterious Japanese correspondent who refused to be seen in public. Communicating only through email and Kyoya was the only one who knew this person's identity.
What was he planning?
Chizuru heard more than enough over the phone with Kaoru. Kyoya helped Hikaru study artificial intelligence in Boston. The elder Hitachiin twin suddenly lost his mind, packed his bags, and transferred halfway across the world. As if Kyoya's financial risks weren't enough.
She watched everyone work in their own respective corners in the office. She clenched the bag in her hands. Not wanting to give him another week's worth of clothes so he'd be forced to go home. She barely saw him because he was busy juggling so many things.
Empty cups of coffee, energy drinks, and instant noodles were piled on his desk. The fact that he didn't even have the time to clean things up only proved how exhausted and busy he was. Growth always entailed discomfort and sacrifice, but did he have to go to this extent?
"I know your father cut you off, but are you this poor?" Chizuru sobbed. Wiping her tears with the sleeve of her coat. She wanted him to succeed, but she didn't want him to struggle too much. "Why are you doing this to yourself? You can't even have a decent meal?"
Frustration. Sadness. Pity. No one wanted to see those they valued suffer.
"What's wrong with you?" Kyoya cleared his throat. Not expecting a hug from her. "I have more than enough. I just don't have enough time."
It was true. He was able to cash in the trust fund his grandparents and uncle left him. Converting it into multiple currencies and assets. He had more than enough to get by, but just wasn't very liquid.
She wanted to say so much. 'Why are you so stubborn? Just swallow your pride and work for your family. It hurts seeing you like this. Why won't you let me help you? It won't make you any less of a person if you don't become head of the Ootori Group.'
The only words that she uttered as she sobbed. Hugging him even tighter. "You're so stupid."
Yoshio Ootori didn't approve of Kyoya's decision to stay overseas for at least a year more. The path laid out for Kyoya was to work for the main branch of the Ootori Group. Not some start up financial investment company.
Any deviation would suggest failure, hence the strict timeline. Study overseas, work for the Ootori Group, get married to a woman that would bring merit to the Ootori name, and work for the purpose of maintaining the family name and prestige until death.
To outright refuse his responsibility within the Ootori Group was to relinquish all the benefits that came with his name. He was literally running his own business while putting supporting himself and his studies.
Kyoya knew his brothers had a head start. Influence already built. To get what he wanted, he needed a detour. He wasn't disowned but was cut off financially. His decision caught everyone off guard. He's been nothing but the obedient and filial son. They didn't know he only chose obedience since it was in line with his plans.
Most assumed he wanted nothing to do with the conglomerate hence this phase, but their assumptions were wrong. Misunderstanding him as usual.
It was because he wanted the conglomerate. It's legacy and everything that came with it.
Chizuru envied those who were sure of who they wanted to be. How do people find out what they want to do for the rest of their life? Was she the only one who didn't have a dream?
All she wanted to do was survive.
Seeing Kyoya so sure of his plans and setting his goals into a well-orchestrated plan was stirring. How despite everything circumstance throws at him, that vision he had for himself was so strong of an anchor. Grounding him to where he planned to go.
She'd never tell him how he managed to pull her out of her darkest days. Just as he rooted for her, it was her turn to make sure he felt her support wherever he was.
She'd make sure of it.
"Hey, Cheezy!" Nadine ran towards her. "You're going to your next class already?"
"Yeah." Chizuru looked at her watch and waved goodbye. She questioned her decisions at times. What came over her and she took a few more business classes this semester?
People already forgot she was a literature major. She took the same classes Kyoya had, but he didn't even have the time to attend all the lectures.
Kyoya was in and out of the campus. Juggling a start-up company, internship, and his classes. Some taking the same program dropped most of their classes or dropped out completely, but he wasn't going to take that risk. He was traditional in that sense. Still needing a piece of paper to validate his accomplishments.
Chizuru went to all his classes, took notes, did the readings. It became second nature for her to go through the motions. Days passed on too quickly as the days blurred. She didn't realize they were almost done with the semester.
"I missed this lecture because of a meeting with the representatives from JT." Kyoya flipped through the rest of the book. "I should have just gone to class. The guy they sent was an idiot."
Chizuru took the book from him with a highlighter in hand. Marking the important texts. She went through the material quickly and efficiently.
"You sure that's everything?" Kyoya looked at her skeptically. He appreciated the gesture, but the speed at which Chizuru went through the material was inhumane.
"Yeah, what do you take me for?" she replied without looking up. Making sure she covered all the material before returning the book.
"This is really all of it?" he confirmed.
Chizuru leaned forward and swabbed the highlighter on Kyoya's cheek. "There, I'm sure I marked everything important."
For all the cheap shots Chizuru did, he was never too by it affected. She always flirted openly with him without any meaning whatsoever. Something about her promising to be single. They realized she liked flirting around more than being in an actual relationship.
Kyoya was now a sacrificial lamb for all the flirtatiousness she had in her system.
Chizuru heard the soft tune of the piano as she walked across towards meadow. The sun cut through the mist. Wrapping a shawl around her tightly as she walked through the meadow. The scent of lavender was intoxicating, and she could feel a certain sense of peace.
From a distance, a familiar silhouette walked towards her general direction. The peace she felt was short lived as her heart started to beat faster. She couldn't hear anything else but the piano playing in the background as her breath stopped.
He was the most handsome man she has ever seen. A dark-haired man broke through the mists wearing a black trench coat with a crisp white dress shirt.
"I couldn't sleep." Chizuru said as she looked down towards her feet.
"Nor I. My father…" Kyoya's gaze was apologetic.
"Yes, he was here."
"How could I make amends for such behavior?" Kyoya asked sincerely.
"After what you have done for my family? It is I who must make amends." Chizuru looked up. Her heart melted as his steel grey eyes exuded a certain warmth she wasn't accustomed to.
"You must know…surely, you must know. It was all for you—" Kyoya sighed before continuing. He gathered whatever courage he had to put his heart on his sleeve.
He recited line after line. Words that sounded familiar to her, but felt foreign since it came from his lips.
"—You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love-I love-I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
Chizuru walked towards him and held his hand. "Well then…" She kissed his hands softly. "…Your hands are cold."
Kyoya briefly pressed his lips against hers. "Chizuru, wake up."
"What do you mean?" she held his face in her hands.
"Wake up. We'll be late for class."
Chizuru opened her eyes. She felt a warm pool of drool on the side of her face. Kyoya stood by door with two cups of coffee in his hands and a look of disenchantment. Her laptop still open.
"Seems like you were extremely busy last night." Kyoya's voice had undertones of cynicism and mockery.
"It's morning already? What am I going to do? I'm going to fail. Oh god, I feel sick." Chizuru frantically looked through all the material she was supposed to cover. Explaining how she was re-reading other books while watching Pride and Prejudice. They were back at the classics for this semester, but there were other books she hasn't fully covered for today's exam.
"I've read the same paragraph around twenty times because I couldn't concentrate." She groaned.
"Maybe if you stopped fantasizing about Mr. Darcy you would have gotten somewhere." Kyoya rolled his eyes while handing her a cup of coffee. He never understood the character. A social recluse, but manages to have everyone's attention. Then to top things off is a hidden romanticist. An absolute work of fiction.
Chizuru took a sip of the coffee that brought her back to reality. She took one of the sandwiches he brought and had a small bite. Getting ready as quickly as she could
"What's wrong with Mr. Darcy?" she shouted from the bathroom.
"What kind of idiot would say like I love you most ardently?" Kyoya mocked. "Well, besides Tamaki."
Chizuru came back already ready for the day. Taking another bite of her sandwich. "I'm sure there's someone else."
"Of course, how could I forget Benio?" Kyoya replied as he took his car keys and bag.
"Can you stop trash talking Mr. Darcy." Chizuru found herself laughing. "Just accept it that a certain population just likes the idea of a Mr. Darcy."
She didn't know why her brain could even picture Kyoya into a scene just like Pride and Prejudice. She might be going crazy. The longer she spent awake, the more she realized that her dream was more like a nightmare.
"There really isn't a shard of romanticism in you, is there?" Chizuru gave him the side eye as he held the door open.
"Unfortunately, no."
Kyoya's could feel the heat rushing to his cheeks. His mind was fuzzy and he wasn't thinking straight. He could feel his sweat trickle down his forehead. The heat radiating from his fingertips. He tried to move himself, but someone kept him steady.
"Stay still." Chizuru bit her lower lip. Unbuttoning his shirt slowly. Her skin as cool against his.
Kyoya could feel his throat dry up as she removed his shirt. He held her hand and shuddered as the cool air hit his skin.
"Chizuru." His voice raspier than usual. He could barely keep his eyes open now. Then he felt something cold on his forehead.
"You've got a fever." Chizuru sighed as she looked at the thermometer. "It's a good thing Noel was making such a fuss. I had a feeling something was off."
When she got home from class, she was getting ready to sleep in her apartment. She heard Noel meowing relentlessly for about an hour. Apparently, the human slave wasn't able to feed the feline since he was passed out on the couch.
Chizuru changed his shirt which was soaked in sweat. "Sit up."
Kyoya's body felt heavy. Every single joint hurt. He wasn't the type that got sick, but when he did his body just shut down. He feel a damp cloth on his forehead and nape.
"Did you drink any medicine yet?"
He shook his head.
"I heated some soup." Chizuru handed him a bowl of soup. It was store bought miso soup, but it was better than nothing.
The warm broth soothed his senses. He felt so tired when all he did was sleep the moment he got home. "Noel's dinner—."
"—Done." Chizuru handed him some pills.
He didn't even ask what those were and just drank it. "Tomorrow there's—"
"—I told Raj you're sick." She placed those cooling gel pads on his forehead. "The medicine will make you a bit drowsy. Hopefully, you'll be better by tomorrow."
The weight of his lids overpowered him. Falling into a deep dreamless slumber. It was the most restful sleep he's had in a long time. The medications he took were strong, but he felt better the following day. As if he wasn't even sick to begin with. There was a comfortable sense of warmth. Waking up with Noel asleep on his chest.
As if someone doused him in the freezing waters from the Atlantic, he jumped out of bed. Images suddenly came rushing in. Unable to differentiate reality from feverish dreams. Running his hands through his hair in confusion and disbelief.
Did he do really that? Pulling Chizuru into bed and wrapped his arms around her waist before drifting back to sleep?
Chizuru wasn't here. He desperately tried to recall what happened. Going to the kitchen drink some water. Albeit surprised when he saw a commotion. Chizuru was making porridge.
"What's this?" He saw some mackerel with miso, fruits, and persimmon tea already laid out.
"Tamaki sent some food over." Chizuru rubbed her eyes. "I told him you were sick."
She went on with how last night's events unfolded. Mentioning how he kept talking gibberish. Insisting that he had to write down something for work half the time before suddenly passing out on the bed. Nothing about him doing anything out of the ordinary.
"Nothing else happened?"
"Nope." She placed the warm bowl of porridge in front of him and sat down beside him. "You should eat."
It looked much better than expected. He was used to Fuyumi turning porridge into ash so this was a welcome change.
"I'll go ahead. I have class in an hour. I still have to pass by the library."
Noel jumped to the counter. Curious with the new dish and suddenly hissing. Kyoya sighed and wondered how this cat was so dramatic. Besides, there was no way she could mess this up. It's practically hot water and soup.
Unfortunately, he spoke too soon. He cleared his throat. It was a 'healing' porridge in its own way. Even the paralyzed would walk away from this dish. Salty enough to wake up someone in comatose. Taking another bite before adding half a liter of water to the porridge to make the taste tolerable.
"You guys did such an amazing job." Chizuru's literature professor took her students in a group hug. She's the type of professor that students gravitated to. Always inspiring change.
"We couldn't have done this without Cheezy's help." Donna, one of the sophomores, praised. "To think Cheezy knew a person who'd publish our books and distribute it to all the schools and orphanages in the area."
It was event for all the preschools and the less fortunate. Inviting several authors and publishers. Not only did they publish the books they wrote for class, but they raised money for kids in foster homes and orphanages.
Chizuru tucked her hair back. "It's nothing. I'm sure they would have just wanted to impart knowledge."
No one expected the overwhelming level of reception. The event went by without much problems. Living in Boston was her dream, but reality back home was slowly catching up. Before she left Honey's wedding, several families expressed their interest.
The bidding war for her hand in marriage was slowly beginning.
Her father made it clear that none of those unions should materialize soon, but she had to play along until it was enough polite for their family to refuse the offers. She's never seriously thought about marriage, but she wanted to ask her mother all sorts of questions. How could she? Her mother was dead and she could barely remember her face. It didn't help that she didn't have any photo to remember her by.
Knowing her 'step-mother' and mother closely resembled each other, but they were completely different women. One looked at her with love and the other with disdain. Just vague pieces of distant memories. She remembered asking her mother about love. Her mother rarely talked about these sort of things.
'One day Chizuru, you'll find someone who'll learn your favorite song, book, and flower.'
Several bouquets were on her table. All from those who expressed their interest for a promise of an official meeting between their families. A 60 piece sumptuous bouquet of the finest red roses, apricot colored Juliet roses, purple tulips, peonies, and an awful amount of lilies. Plenty of luxurious bouquets lined up one after another.
"Hey, Chizuru do you need help bringing these flowers home?" One of the event organizers asked.
"Is there any way I can donate these flowers instead?" Chizuru mused. "I have nowhere to put it."
"Mrs. Walters is part of a nearby HOA. I'm sure they'd love to take these stunning bouquets off your hands."
Chizuru continued packing up her things. Mindful enough to take a photo with the flowers and sending a short thank you message all those who sent a bouquet. The rest of her classmates and juniors already had their own things to do. She had no choice but to go back home alone.
"I see several families have expressed their future intentions."
Chizuru smiled. She knew that voice. Kyoya said he couldn't make it because he was coming from New York. He browsed through a copy of Chizuru's book entitled 'Lavender Rose'.
"Congratulations." he handed her a simple arrangement made purely of Gysophilia flowers. Briefly glancing the flowers being cleared behind her. Pushing up his glasses. "What a waste. Even the flower arrangement made by the twin's grandmother?"
"The Hayashi family commissioned the Hitachiin's to curate such a piece. I'd be a fool to not display it out for the world to see." Chizuru rationalized. "It's better out there than in my apartment."
Although Chizuru's stage name was 'Suzuran', her favorite flower have always been baby's breath. They walked in silence. Something smelled oddly familiar. Gysophilia wasn't known for its smell, but this one smelled like autumn. A faint scent of pears and white freesias.
It smelled exactly like her mother.
She never thought she'd receive flowers from Kyoya out of all people. It looks like he got it on his way here. But out of all the bouquets she received, he was the only one who got it right.
"Why are you the one giving me flowers when it's your birthday?"
"I'm not the one with a book exhibit." Kyoya looked at his watch. "Besides, I still have about two hours before it's officially my birthday."
They walked by Boston harbor in silence. The city lights reflected on the water. Their shoes crunched against the mixture of gravel until the road became brick. On Fridays, a few bands would play by the harbor with several food stalls nearby.
'Say it's true…there's nothing like me and you.'
They found one of the bench close enough to hear the band playing, but not too close to the crowd. Kyoya wasn't fond of crowded places. All the songs being played were 90s love songs. He had his usual downturned smile of amusement as he watched her.
She held her hand into a fist as a mic of sorts. "I would run away with you, 'cause I have fallen love with you…I'm never gonna stop falling in love with you."
"You're a fan of The Corrs?" Kyoya leaned against his chair. Arms crossed.
Chizuru nodded. She was just about to say something until she gasped. Excitement bubbled in her like a high school kid. She'd know that guitar intro anywhere. Shania Twain was the epitome of 90's love songs.
"You're still the one I run to, the one that I belong to. You're still the one I want for life."
Kyoya shook his head slowly as she sang enthusiastically. Feeling the words of the song to a fault. Pretending he didn't hear her stomach growl. He went to the restaurant nearby to order some Souvlaki. The couple in front of him were taking their time to think about what they wanted. It baffled him how people always asked for substitutions. Unless allergies or food sensitivity was an issue, food should be eaten exactly the way the chef prepared it.
'The line's a bit long. Did you want something else?' he messaged.
'It's fine. I was craving Greek food. Do they still have those stuffed eggplants?' She replied.
By the time Kyoya got back, Chizuru already had a small cake with a candle. Placing a party hat on his head. Chizuru saw that as a chance to run to the nearby bakery for a small cake.
"Happy birthday, Kyoya." She sat across him. Taking a photo of him with his cake. "Go on, make a wish."
He didn't think he'd find truth in Leo Tolstoy's words. Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the company of intelligent women. When a young man with an intelligent woman, he can do everything with her support.
He never understood how and why Chizuru had this effect on him. Dismissing it as a mere physiologic reaction to a somewhat pleasant stimulus. Emotions are nothing but varying concentrations of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. He's read how raised oxytocin levels cause relaxation which explains why he felt calm beside her. Sleep always came easier. His heart would beat a bit faster. He wanted to hear her laugh. He -
'Kyo-chan, It would be nice if you fell in love against your calculations.'
Honey's words rang in his head. No one told him that it came so unexpectedly. No one told him that it just brewed insidiously without any warning. No one also told him how to progress once it's there.
Chizuru tucked a loose strand of hair and showed Kyoya the photos of the book launch. She found an online platform for books and wanted to bring it to Japan. Thinking of how to pitch this idea back home and asking for his opinion.
Nothing has changed, but everything was different.
Omoide Yokocho was an area in Shinjuku lined with several family owned restaurants. It's origins were reminiscent of the Showa-era. Narrow alleyways, smoke from cigarettes and food being grilled, cramped restaurants that could only seat five or six people at a time. Most office workers went here for dinner and drinks after work. A tradition even for someone like Tomomi Ootori. She's been a regular at this third generation yakitori shop with amazing yakisoba.
The place and food has always been the same, but the company today was different.
Tomomi poured herself some sake. Looking up quickly. "Do you drink?" she poured into Chizuru's cup upon seeing the hesitant nod.
"Don't be nervous. I don't bite."
Chizuru smiled politely. Hiding her discomfort. Unsure what to make of this meeting. The last thing she expected was a message from Tachibana on her 4th day of winter vacation. Unfortunately, Kyoya had to stay behind in Boston and will be back just a few days before Christmas.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I invited you for dinner. This matter is of grave importance, I hope you understand."
All sorts of things ran through Chizuru's mind. She wore a water resistant jacket and water proof make up. Was it this kind of meeting? Tomomi Ootori didn't strike her as the confrontational or dramatic type of person. A fine string of pearls on her neck, A-line dress, a fur coat. A picture of the elegant, well-connected, accomplished wife of society.
The Ootori family was known for being extremely selective with their partnerships. Requiring not just pedigree but legitimacy of the bloodline, and individual merit. Their family was traditional and didn't condone scandals of any type. Most especially divorce.
All sorts of dialogues and scenarios replayed in Chizuru's mind. No matter how improbable the entire prospect was. Even things that felt like it came out of a sitcom.
Scenario 1: The 'leave my son alone' and tossing a glass of water to her face.
Chizuru knew she was Kyoya's close friend and maybe his family was misunderstanding their friendship. She was somewhat confused about it as well. She knew she was starting to a crush on him. His snarky humor, obsessiveness with perfection and order. How much he resembles a gremlin when waking up. His disciple and hate for waking up early at a constant war. His unnaturally concentrated expression when he'd work. How his eyes made her stomach go into twists and turns especially when he teased her.
She watched Tomomi hold the glass of water and flinched. When Tomomi started drinking from the glass, it wasn't this. At least she can still be friends with Kyoya. This made her move onto the next thought.
Scenario 2: She's an illegitimate daughter of the Ootori family. She was sent away and now it's time for her to rejoin the family.
If it were the second option, good heavens she'd have an internal crisis. Maybe it's because she wasn't seeing anyone, but she knew she had a little crush on Kyoya. The thought of finding her half-brother attractive…isn't that incest?
"I'd like to thank you for being a good friend to Kyoya. I rarely hear anything from him so the fact that you've popped up into his stories once, means you've left quite an impression. I wish I could also have a daughter like you."
"You're too kind, Ootori-san." Chizuru bowed her head again. Several times. Relieved at the words 'friend of Kyoya' and 'have a daughter like you'. Meaning she wasn't at all related to them.
Besides, being praised by someone like her was as good as getting a trophy of being in her good graces. She wasn't known to be the warmest individuals in society. Well-accomplished and career-driven, but warm and loving weren't her strong suits.
Tomomi chuckled at the young woman seated beside her. It's like having her two friends back. If she closed her eyes, it feels like she's talking to Kiku, but when she opens her eyes she resembles Yukina. Chizuru was her own person though. She'd like to get to know this young woman as well.
Chizuru slowly erased 'Scenario 2' from her mind. It left the last, yet most unlikely scenario.
Scenario 3: Her father arranged a marriage between her and one of the Ootori sons.
"I hope you don't misunderstand this meeting. I only did what I thought was best." Tomomi stated. "Your mother and I were good friends."
Chizuru shook her head. This was the most improbable option. She was technically an illegitimate daughter of her father. That sort of smear automatically removed her from the options of being an Ootori wife.
Their family had a highly rigorous process in selecting future partners. Everyone in society knew Ootoris never married for love. Love for money and power, yes. But actual infatuation and true love? Tokyo would freeze over before that would happen.
Tomomi pull out a small album and a laptop. "I'd like you to have this."
"Thank you so much, Ootori-san." Still unsure what to make of it until she went through one photo after another. Three female doctors attending a symposium, Yukina smiling…and a face she almost forgot.
"Drop the formalities." Tomomi drank some sake and poured her a cup. "Your mother is probably laughing in her grave right now. Kiku and Yukina were my friends."
Suddenly, photos and videos of Chizuru's mother was there. Honestly, Chizuru only knew her mother's English name. She introduced herself as Jennie Tanaka. All her papers, identification were all in that name. For some time, Chizuru thought about finding more about her mother, but what for?
It wouldn't bring back the dead. Just a resentment of the life she could have had.
"Mom's real name is Kiku?" Chizuru's vision blurred as she went through one photo after another. She blinked quickly and tried to go through one photo after another.
"She's a gynecologist. One of the first infertility specialists in the country who subspecialized in minimally invasive surgery. One of the best surgeons during that time." Tomomi was quick to reintroduce the woman Chizuru knew as her mother. It didn't surprise her that Kiku kept her own daughter in the dark, but seeing the extent of it was shocking.
Chizuru saw old films of her mother out singing karaoke with her friends and colleagues. Photos of the three girls. Tomomi went on with their stories as friends. How three girls of different backgrounds, ages, and specialties came together.
"We became each other's support. You can imagine the prejudice we faced. There were less than 10 female physicians in our hospital." Tomomi's gaze softened at the memory. Even if she was Yoshio's wife, it didn't make this preconceived notions any less. They just never said it to her face. "They made work bearable."
Tomomi told Chizuru about her mother's contribution to the medical field. How she and Tomomi worked on subdermal implants as contraception. Fighting for the approval of hormonal contraceptive pill usage in Japan since it was illegal regardless of the purpose. Yukina was their youngest. Still a second year resident in general surgery who was aiming for cardiothoracic surgery.
How unimaginable it was for a lady as prim and proper as Yukina. Always wearing dresses and frills. In a sense, she held plenty of people's hearts in her hands in a literal and figurative sense.
"Yukina was an absolute darling. Quiet and shy." Tomomi traced the lid of her cup. "That attitude of hers shielded her from the brashness surgeons. She had at least two confessions a week."
She listened to how Yukina was constantly saved by her mother from unwanted attention. She was just too polite to refuse any conversation and wasn't good with confrontation. Kiku on the other hand was strong, direct, confrontational, and loud.
"Men only had two reactions to your mother." Tomomi bit her lip. She could still hear Kiku's voice and antics. "They'd want to date her for being strong independent woman or cower in fear for the same reason."
"We were called the Three Musketeers." Tomomi continued with her stories of their misadventures. How her mother always had several flings at the same time. A reckless flirt who had an liking for morally grey men. She had extremely high standards for work. Often sleeping or never leaving the hospital. The mother Chizuru knew and Kiku were two different people. Her mother was soft spoken, easy going, wise, and understanding.
"When your mother was pregnant with you, she was ready to terminate the pregnancy." Tomomi expounded. "One day she just passed her resignation letter and left."
She explained how Kiku kept in touch with just her. Occasionally sending letters. They both got caught up in their own lives. How she tried to find more about Kiku's accident, but that's what it was. An unfortunate accident. No hidden agendas.
"When I found out your mother passed away, I flew all the way to California. I knew she had a daughter. I was ready to adopt you as my own." Tomomi discreetly wiped the corner of her eyes. "By the time I got there, you've already left for Tokyo."
Closure. Shock. Grief.
Tomomi took several pieces of tissue and handed it to her. It was a lot to take, but these were the answers Chizuru wanted.
Knowing that someone else out there knew her mother and treasured her memory was more than enough. She's always had this guilt that she was the only one who fondly remembered her mother, but she could barely remember her mother's face. Just hazy images and she couldn't even tell if it was real or her imagination. To have someone else who valued her mom was more than enough. It was proof that she wasn't imagining things. How her experiences as a child were true and it wasn't a dream.
"Can you tell me more about them?" Chizuru instantly composed herself. She couldn't act as such in public.
"I'd love to." Tomomi poured another cup of sake for the both of them. "Where do you want me to begin?"
Thank you again for your support! Shoutout again to those who'd personally message me on , comment, or even message me on tumblr! You guys know who you are.
My inspiration for this chapter was this word: Ontogenesis- the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level.
I hope this chapter was able to capture this definition I was aiming for. I apologize for the amount of time this chapter took. I had a major life event that literally will change the trajectory of my career. Life certainly has a way of surprising us. Personally, this chapter was so enjoyable to write.
It's not just about the changes between Kyoya and Chizuru now. They're handling lots of stuff own their own and they're growing from it. Also just wanted to do a pride and prejudice scene just for laughs. Can you imagine Kyoya doing something like that? How out of character.
I know I have a few fandom blind readers here so this suspense is for those who've watched the anime and manga. You'll be seeing a familiar character soon. This mysterious Japanese correspondent will surely throw off everyone. I'm already excited for this reveal.
Next, I'm in the process of writing a bonus chapter that focuses on the past of Yukina, Tomomi, and Kiku just because. Not totally relevant to the story. Hopefully I'm able to post this soon.