Chapter 1
“, please stop with that nonsense.” sighed as she threw her books on the table and plopped on the couch, leaning her head against its back. Why is she still ranting about that? She thought tiredly, closing her eyes.
“Fine, but he was totally checking you out,” said, walking towards the kitchen. “What do you want for dinner ?” She shouted from the kitchen as to be heard while she was looking through the kitchen cupboards.
“Whatever you want, and he wasn't checking me out. He was trying to read the poster behind me.” grinned when she heard ’s off-key version of Bon Jovi’s ‘Always’. always had a soft spot for love songs. That’s why she always bugs me to write love songs, sighed.
moved her head, hearing all sorts of cluttering sounds from the kitchen. “, what are you doing?” she yelled.
’s head popped out of the kitchen door and looked at . “I am trying to decide what to cook,” she said grinning, “Oh! I will make pasta with salad.” She piped up cheerfully and pulled her head back into the kitchen.
After had put the water to boil she walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where was resting. She sprawled herself on the couch next to and placed her feet on ’s lap. tilted her head and looked at .
pointed at the bags that lay on the floor in front of the small table that was resting her feet on. “We should probably move those before we fall over them or you put one of your big feet through something expensive.” giggled.
“Hey!” hit on the arm playfully. “My feet aren’t that big! And there’s nothing that costs more than 3000 Yen1 in any of the bags.” pouted mockingly.
laughed, throwing her head back.
“Well, even so, we have to put those things away. These are our food supplies for next week,” said, pulling a bag of candies out of one of the bags and looking at it wryly. She threw it over to . “I believe that’s yours.”
“Thanks. , I am depressed.” sighed heavily, looking at ceiling.
“You can’t be depressed, . It’s the holiday season, and Christmas is next week. Do you want me to get the Christmas CD out?” got of the couch and went to the CD stand. She rummaged through their CD collection, pulled out a CD and walked back to the couch, grinning cheerfully.
“, I can’t handle one more ‘Last Christmas’. I want to smash the radio whenever I hear that song,” muttered and hugged a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear tightly.
“Someone’s got up on the wrong side of the bed today,” teased as she placed the CD into the CD player and the ‘Little Drummer Boy’ filled the room.
“I know, but for some unknown reason I feel depressed today and I don’t know why.” She sighed tiredly, “Christmas is my favorite time of the year.” She said, tearing the bag of candies handed to her earlier and popping a piece of candy in her mouth.
“Have you heard from your parents yet?” asked, rummaging through the bags of groceries to find something to munch on.
“Umm… Yeah my mom called me three days ago.” smiled briefly. She didn’t want to ask if her parents had called her because she knew they hadn’t, but she had to ask or else would feel vulnerable. ’s parents are a delicate subject. “Your parents?”
chuckled. “Are you kidding me? I haven’t heard from my parents since they called to apologize for forgetting my birthday in March.” So much for parents, huh? thought sarcastically.
“But your birthday is in July,” muttered...
“Exactly!” shook her head with a smile.
“So it really is just the two of us this year.” sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back into the couch. “Do you remember when we were nine, and my parents let you stay over that one Christmas Eve?” She looked at with a warm smile.
“Yeah, I remember! We had our great plan to stay awake to see Santa?” giggled, “We were fast asleep by ten thirty!” She lowered the volume of the music so she would be able to hear better.
“Yeah… I remember you woke me up at dawn and we went downstairs to open our presents.” hugged the Pooh bear even tighter.
“Umm…” nodded, remembering the incident. “And your parents caught us because you were yelling and jumping up and down when you found the piano they bought for you.” rolled her eyes and laughed at ’s pouting face.
“, it was a piano!” exclaimed, looking at her best friend, she will never understand what that piano meant to me, she thought sadly.
It was ’s dream since she was a little girl was to be able to sing one day. She loved music and craved to write her own music. She was never very good at expressing her feelings to others even though she was known to be very carefree and outgoing. Music was her bridge to communicate her feelings to the rest of the world.
’s parents were wealthier than ’s family, so they could afford to spoil their daughter in many ways. That Christmas they had bought her so many gifts that gave half of them to . could never understand why was so happy about the piano. She always she had everything she ever wanted.
“,” said softly. “It has been fifteen years since that time,” she said with a sigh, “A lot of things have changed.”
“That’s true sweetie, but we will always be together.” jumped in ’s arms and hugged her tightly. “We are partners in crime, right?” She pulled back and smiled at her friend lovingly.
“Yup! We are partners in crime.” giggled like a child.
There was never a time in the lives of both girls that they hadn’t been best of friends. From the moment they met in pre-school, through the playful years in elementary and all the way to High school, they had always been there for each other. had kept from growing too wild and had kept from growing too serious. It was a perfectly balanced friendship that had outlasted the hard and innocent school days. This beautiful balance eventually led them to the apartment they both now lived in.
got up from the couch slowly and walked to the kitchen to see if the water was boiling so she would cook the pasta for . After throwing the pasta in the boiling water, she moved to the sink and washed the vegetables for her salad.
walked in the kitchen and sat on a chair resting her head on her hand that was on the table. “Can I do something to help you?” she asked bored.
“Nope. Just keep me company.” grinned and started chopping the vegetables.
“Why are you making salad?”
“You will have the pasta and I will have the salad. Don’t worry I know you don’t like eating salads. I will not try to kill you,” said teasingly. She let the knife down and moved to the pot were she was boiling the pasta. had once told her that the best way to find out if pasta was cooked was to throw a piece against the wall. If it stuck, then it was done. had regretted ever telling that, because it was the only test had ever used.
positioned herself and threw a piece of spaghetti flying across the kitchen, followed by ’s groan. She laughed happily at her friends antics and took the pot out of the stove.
“Do you want me to make some sauce or you will have ketchup?” asked, looking at while she was preparing her salad.
“Just cheese,” replied.
brought the food to the table once she had finished with her salad and she placed each plate in front of them.
“Did we decide on what we will have for Christmas?” asked, munching on her pasta.
looked at her and laughed. “I think I will make risotto,” she said, waiting for ’s reaction.
“Yuck.” stuck out her tongue.
laughed again and lifted her hand to cover her mouth. “I am just joking,” she said quickly after the glare gave her. “So, have you heard from Arisa today?” asked to change the subject and distract from her murderous thoughts. That was close, she giggled.
“Nope. She said she would try and call towards the end of the week.” sighed and sipped from her glass. “I do hope they don’t have anymore problems on their hands.”
nodded.
Arisa had been their friend since middle school. They’d opened their arms to the pretty girl with the talent for drawing and Arisa had become the third link in their chain. She had fallen in love with a teenage father, Oshitari Yuushi, and after graduating high school, the two of them had packed up and left with Yuushi’s daughter Kaede to escape Kaede’s mom, Moriyama Shizuka. Shizuka had been drifting in and out of Yuushi’s and Kaede’s life, trying to prove to Yuushi that she was a trustworthy mom, but Yuushi had found her in too many compromising positions to trust her with Kaede ever again.
and only saw Arisa a handful of times every year, but they spoke at least once or twice a week over the phone, still as close as ever, despite the distance.
“Maybe she’ll tell us she’s coming home for Christmas,” said with a weak smile. She missed having Arisa around; she always made her mood sky-rocket when she was there.
“Yeah, maybe,” said trying to cheer up that had lost her cheerfulness. She misses her the most, she thought sadly.
got up from the table and walked to the sink. She placed her plates down and walked back to the table. She sat on her seat and finished the rest of her drink. “Umm… I will be singing at ‘VOX’ tomorrow. Are you going to come?” asked, batting her eyelashes.
“Of course, . Where else would I be?” teased, faking to be hurt by her question. “Are you going straight from the office?” asked as she got up from the table and walked to the sink.
“Yeah, I won’t finish until late tomorrow. My boss is very strict; he has to finish everything in order to live contently. Do you want me to meet you at the shop?” asked as she walked to the sink to wash the dishes.
“Sure. I will ask Kumiko-san if she would lend us a couple of outfits for tomorrow, so you would make an impression on those music people.” yawned, wiping her hands on a cloth.
“That’s great. Kumiko-san is very nice.” grinned. “I will finish cleaning up the kitchen. You go to bed.” She continued as she was still washing up. “Shooo!”
“Thanks . Goodnight.” walked out of the kitchen and into her room. She plopped on her bed and let her thoughts trail away.
Their apartment wasn’t very big, but was not considered small either. Their kitchen was fairly big and had the same size as their living room. Their bedrooms on the other hand were very spacious and had a bathroom each. Since Junior High, had suggested that they should move in together when they graduate from University and live together away from their parents. never wanted anything from her parents because they simply didn’t care about her. So they had opened an account and put most of her allowance in it. It was an account that she never touched.
After they graduated, they had a good amount of money to find an apartment in another city away from their old life. They wanted to start fresh without worries from parents. ’s parents where always there for her and they had helped both girls get an apartment and then left for Sapporo to live over there with ’s older brother who was married and living there for 10 years. Both siblings had 8 years difference so when he moved to go to study in Sapporo, was already in Junior High. ’s parents didn’t care much about her moving to another city, all they did was give her a cheque and then they left for Europe.
They had found jobs very easily. had found a job as an assistant editor at a sports magazine and had found a job at a boutique. Their wages kept them mostly afloat, but some months they managed to spend a little more on themselves.
This Christmas they bought presents for each other and for Arisa, Yuushi and Kaede. They had found a corner to place them because they hadn’t bought a Christmas tree yet. So in order to keep the presents presentable they had pilled them up in a corner in their living room. They weren’t sure if they would be over for the Christmas holidays because they had to lay low in case Kaede’s mom attempted to kidnap her again.
Looking at her watch, smiled as she realized it was only eight thirty. As a teenager, she stayed out until the early hours of the morning, but as a working girl in the city, it was a different story. She relished the days she could get to bed as early as possible. Tiredness was an everyday fatigue in their lives, but they were coping well. They were working for their dreams, as well as living them, and they were doing it themselves, and together.
had spent most of her nights at an evening school, studying to get her business management masters. Her biggest dream was to become a CEO for some high-pitched company. It wasn’t something easy, considering the competition she would have to face and fight, but she was working towards it. Working in a boutique made her happy and her boss was like a big sister to her who is always happy to lend her clothes. She always joked that and were her favorite models, so she had to keep them in fashion. Although never accepted the money, she happily let Kumiko-san lend her beautiful clothes. It was handy for the nights when sang at ‘VOX’. used to sing for the two nights had free, and always sat in the audience, cheering her on.
It’s about time I get ready for bed, she thought, smiling happily. She got off her bed and changed into her pajamas. She brushed her teeth, washed her face and then climbed into bed, closing her eyes. Life had been pretty good to her. It had brought her .
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“Sanada, just drop it?” Niou Masaharu said, placing a file on his desk.
“She was looking at you, Niou,” Sanada Genichirou said, untying his tie.
“And since when do you actually talk about women?” he said jokingly, not even looking at Sanada as he was rummaging through the papers on his desk.
“I don’t talk about women in general! That still doesn't change the fact that she was looking at you,” Sanada replied, annoyed by Niou’s observation.
Sanada sat on his chair, looking at the pile of papers on his desk. He looked over at Niou Masaharu, his friend and co-worker. He actually wondered how on earth he even got stuck with him, let alone open a law-firm office together. However, it happened so quickly that he didn’t have the time to think about it. Not that he was complaining; life with Niou was everything, but boring. It was just that he was too perky as a person for Sanada to be friends with and that was not all, for they also lived together. They had rented a small apartment together so they could cut their expenses in half.
“She was not looking at me. She was looking at her friend that was standing two feet away from me,” Niou said, letting out a sigh. He had another divorce file in front of him and he was getting irritated with everyone who got married and divorced after a year or two.
“You know...” he said dryly. “I have had enough of all these divorce cases. Why do people get married in the first place? And why aren’t you going through this divorce case?” he said, looking at Sanada.
Sanada got up from his desk and just took the file from Niou without saying anything. He sat at his desk and flipped the file open. “No wonder you want me to handle this case,” he muttered under his breath, loud enough for Niou to hear though.
“Well, we do not share the same opinion over justice, so, this is a case you should work on.” Niou grinned at his friend. Leaning backwards in his chair, Niou thought of the days him and Sanada where in High school. He only lived to tease Sanada, not that he ever stopped teasing him even now. He chuckled at the memory of their first day at the new apartment. Sanada had written a list of what he should NOT do, and he had hanged it on the inside of Niou’s bedroom door. Life was surely interesting living with Sanada Genichirou. In his youthful days he used to be very serious and ‘almost’ speechless, but now after living together for five years, he finally relaxed. Well, as possible as Sanada would ever be relaxed. Niou had suggested to Sanada after their graduation from university that they should open a Law-firm, but Sanada just burst out laughing. Well, seeing Sanada laughing his heart out was priceless, but somehow they did manage to build up a small Law-firm office.
“Niou, what are your plans for tonight?” Sanada asked, snapping Niou out of his reverie.
“Umm, I have nothing planned. Why do you ask?” He looked over at Sanada smirking. “Any ideas? Do they include female company too?” He said with tease in his tone of voice.
Sanada coughed. “No, Niou. I was merely thinking that you might want to join me at the meeting I will have with our client,” he said dryly.
Standing from his chair with his usual smirk plastered on his face “Umm… I think I will pass. That’s why I handed you the file in the first place. Besides I have to meet Hiroshi for dinner. See you later.” Before disappearing through the door he added “Oh! Sanada, tomorrow, do not make any plans, for we are going to ‘VOX’ so we can check out some upcoming singers!” He winked and closed the door behind him, leaving Sanada with a mountain of paperwork.
Sanada sighed and knew that he would definitely survive the paperwork and the meeting with their client, but he wasn’t very sure if he would survive another outing with Niou. Every time he would go out with Niou he would end up with all sorts of weird women. If he gets me another weirdo I will definitely strangle him; He got up from his desk, packed some of the paperwork in his bag and left for the meeting he had with his client.
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At the meeting
“Matsuda-san, of course we will fight for the custody of your children. I read your file and from what I can see is that our chances are high. I also know that the judge overlooking the case is a just man who does not tolerate abusive parents. We are very lucky to have him on our case.” Sanada reasoned with the woman in front of him.
The woman was in her 40s and her husband was an alcoholic who abused her and their two daughters. He was from a first class high society family and could buy off anyone he wanted.
What has this world come to, he though irritated. He was never good at talking to people, but because of his profession, he had become more fluent. He liked to keep his thoughts to himself and express as little as possible, but that was a long time ago, for he had changed. He was 25 years old and had a good future ahead of him. He wondered what his life would have been like if he never followed Niou’s idea as crazy as it sounded back then. He looked at the woman in front of him and felt sorry for her. Yes, he had a good life, even living and working with his perky old friend Niou Masaharu. At least he was lucky to have him by his side.
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At another part of Tokyo
“So, I guess you left poor Sanada to do all the work, again?” Yagyuu said with a half smile.
“Umm… I guess so!” Niou answered, smirking. “I am full. This is a very nice restaurant, Hiroshi,” he said, looking around the luxurious room.
“Well, my uncle owns it and I come often here, the food is quite good,” Yagyuu said with a small tone of pride in his voice. “Masaharu…” He looked at his former doubles partner, “I am getting married and I would like you to be my best man,” he finally said with a smile.
“Hiroshi. I am impressed. Of course I would be your best man. I could help your wife get through all those lonely nights when you are away at your golf tournaments… Ouch…” He felt a growing pain in his foot, for Yagyuu had kicked him out of reflex when he heard Niou’s teasing.
“I was only kidding Hiroshi. Congratulations!” he added with a grin.
“Thank you Masaharu. Please don’t tell Sanada yet, I will announce it at the dinner party that I will have next week,” Yagyuu said quietly. He looked at Niou and saw him grinning like a small kid. It was amazing that he could look so innocent, knowing that the wheels in Niou’s head never seized to stop working, it was a scary feeling.
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Later on… at the boy’s apartment
“Sanada… I see you have been busy,” Niou said dryly as he plopped himself on the beige couch that looked so out of place in their small light mustard living room.
“How was your lunch with Yagyuu?” Sanada said, not looking at Niou, but was busying himself with paperwork that he had brought with him from work. Leaving his pen and leaning backwards on his chair he looked at Niou’s figure that was slouched on the couch. “You know, we should change the color of the walls. It’s too depressing,” he muttered. “I am tired,” he whispered to no one in particular.
“Want to play a set?” Niou said looking to his side to meet Sanada’s eyes that were fixed on him. Looking at Sanada he realized that his friend was very stressed. Sanada was a loner, and he would never express his feelings to anyone. He would live with all his problems, frustrations and emotions building up inside him. That’s why he looks so... untouchable! Yes, that was the word that described Sanada as a person.
He remembered that a couple of years ago Sanada was dating a woman that he fell in love with. They were still in University were they met. They had a great relationship, but at the end she threw him out her life, just like that for no reason what so ever. That hurt Sanada very much, and Niou had never seen his friend so devastated before. Sanada had promised never to let another woman get so close to his heart ever again, that’s why Niou could never fix him up with any of the women he knew. Sanada did not want to evolve himself in a relationship, at least not so soon, that’s why he had turned into an addictive workaholic.
“Why not! The loser gets cleaning duties for the weekend,” Sanada said as he got up from his chair and walked to his room to change into jeans and a light sweater. One of the reasons they had chosen the small apartment, refusing to get a bigger one was because there was a tennis court right across the street opposite it.
Walking towards the courts silently they warmed up lightly and started playing a set. Nothing had changed in their tennis skills as they were as sharp as ever. Neither Niou nor Sanada ever wanted to pursue a career in tennis, such as Yukimura and some other acquaintances had. They always wanted to do something to be able to help the people around them. They always wanted to help their community, society, and the city they lived in.
“6 games to 5. Sanada, it’s your turn to serve,” Niou yelled while taking deep breaths to ease his puffing.
Sanada served an ace with his invisible swing. “This game wins the match,” he said breathing hard after all the effort he had put in this game.
They continued to rally for another half hour until... ”6 games all.” Niou called out and they both went to the bench to rest.
“So, who won?” Sanada asked while he was drying himself up from the sweat.
“Don’t know. I guess we both get to do the cleaning this weekend,” Niou replied with a grin.
“I see,” said Sanada, “Lets go, we have an early morning tomorrow.” Saying that, he took his things and walked out of the court with only two things on his mind… I need to shower and sleep.
“I’m going to bed,” Sanada said as he entered his room.
“Goodnight,” Niou said, while entering his own room.
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whirled in her bed. She had been awake for almost an hour, but decided to be lazy. She didn’t need to be at work early today. It was Saturday and she had to work the afternoon shift and then go with to ‘VOX’ where her friend would perform. had started to sing at ‘VOX’ the last couple of months and she really enjoyed listening to her friend sing. She was not talented as , but she was devoted to her goals. That’s why she took night classes for her major in Business Management. She sighed the minute she thought of the profession she wanted to follow. There was serious competition in that circle of jobs, but she would make it, for she was not a quitter and she was strong enough to make it to the top.
With that thought in mind, she got off of bed and went to have a shower to wake up.
“Good morning sleepy-head!” said when she saw ’s head peek out of the corner.
“Morning babe,” answered in her usual brisk tone. “What are you doing?” she inquired, sitting at the table, knowing that had just made breakfast. How could she not know, for it smelled from miles away? Although was never a breakfast person, but she did enjoy the humble breakfast her friend made.
“Well, here you go. Scrambled eggs!” gave a plate. “It’s better than nothing,” she muttered seeing ’s expression. She sat opposite and munched on her breakfast. I wonder why she doesn’t like breakfast, thought curiously, for that was one thing she didn’t really know about .
“So, what time should I come by the store to pick you up? You are still coming, right?” asked, looking at as she ate.
“Of course I am coming. You know I would never miss your performances at ‘VOX’, right?” she answered cheerfully “I wonder what I should wear tonight? By the way you should wear something other than jeans and a tank-top,” said to in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.
“Umm, you know I was thinking the same thing. However, you know me, at the end I will still wear my comfy jeans." giggled.
let out a sigh at her friend for not having the best dressing sense in the world. She would cling on to those jeans as if she had no other clothes to wear.
“Whatever! I really can not deal with you when it comes to dressing up,” said, picking the dishes up. “What time does the show start?”
“At 8 pm, but I am at slot No.7. What time do you finish?” walked to the door of her room and stopped. “Is it ok if we change at the store?”
“Yeah, it will be ok. Besides I will ask Kumiko-san to lend us some clothes for tonight,” said, drying her hands with a cloth. “I will make sure you look good tonight. It’s time to get you a boyfriend,” she said with a wink at a bewildered .
“I don’t need you to find me a boyfriend. Surely I don’t need to dress up to sing either,” said blushing furiously and feeling embarrassed.
“Whatever.” That was all said and entered her room leaving still looking at her. They both had been hurt by boyfriends in the past, that’s why they didn’t like meeting guys.
remembered the time when was dumped by her boyfriend, well dumped isn’t the best word but it was close. He wasn’t a bad guy. But he had promised to love her forever and that only lasted seven months. ‘Forever’, she thought, it was only a word that people would use in a moment of joy or despair to hold on to something, but at the end it was just a word. Her experience with men wasn’t fruitful either. Her last boyfriend of three years ago had been cheating on her for quite a while. , he was the most gorgeous creature she had ever seen and she had fallen in love with him instantly. They had met after a couple of weeks at a friend’s dinner party and clicked right away. They were together for almost a year and one day she walked in on him making love to his best friend. She couldn’t believe the scene in front of her eyes. She run out of the building and went straight to . She remembered she had cried for a long time and had never left her side.
“That was a long time ago,” she said to herself and started cleaning her room.
After the end of that relationship, she had gone totally wild for the next 12 months until had argued with her and she finally made a promise to herself never to let a guy get so close to her. At that moment her phone rang, snapping her out of her reverie.
“Where the hell have you been?” she said, picking up the phone, she had checked the caller ID and knew it was Arisa.
“Well, hello to you too girlfriend,” Arisa said cheerfully, “You seem to be in a grumpy mood today. Its Saturday, how come you are in such a bad mood so early in the morning,” she said laughing.
“You got me in this mood. Its one week before Christmas and you said you would call a week earlier to let us know if you guys were coming.” complained, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“I am sorry about that love, but we were busy with some stuff. We found a Law-firm that would look into Yuushi’s case. And we will come back on Wednesday to meet with them and spend the Christmas holidays with you guys,” Arisa said in one breath, not losing her cheerful tone. “We will be staying at a hotel near your apartment so we can spend as much time as possible together. I have missed you guys so much!”
“We have missed you too!” giggled. She was happy to know that they wouldn’t be spending Christmas alone. “Why don’t you guys stay with us? I know our apartment is small, but you could stay in my room and I could stay with . I know she wouldn’t mind as long as we have you guys here.”
“Umm, I will talk to Yuushi about it and get back to you on that. How is ?” Arisa asked. She and were on bad terms most of the time, but they loved each other. They had to or else would go ballistic on them.
“She is great. Tonight she will be singing at ‘VOX’. I hope she performs when you guys visit, maybe you can see her then. She is really doing well,” said proudly.
“I am glad to hear that. I tried to call her before I called you, but her phone was switched off. Give her my love and best of luck for tonight. So… , any new love interest?” Arisa asked briskly. She was in the mood for gossip and she knew that wouldn’t let her down. It was true that hated to gossip, but she would indulge Arisa because she was one of her two best friends.
“Umm, no. I haven’t found anyone that would peak my interest, but I heard that Saeki got married a couple of weeks ago.” She laughed at her friends squeal, “That’s all I have heard on the gossip of Chiba! At the moment I am more preoccupied with finding a job at a company so I could get into the fight for the top.” She laughed again at her friends groan. It was true that Arisa would never think of following a career like that. She wanted to be a freelancer.
“Well, Yuushi has some good news for you, but I will let him tell you when we see you next week. As for the love situation, you should look around. Guys don’t fall from the sky and into your arms you know!”
“I know Piglet!”
“Stop calling me that, we are not in High school anymore!” Arisa exclaimed annoyed. She never liked her nickname from their youthful days, but had to go along with it, for she couldn’t stand ’s mood swings.
“Oh, come on! You never did like that nickname did you?” laughed and looked at the time on the clock hanging from the opposite wall. “Piglet, I have to go. I need to get ready for work. Please give my love to Yuushi and lots of kisses to Kaede. You take care, ok?” got up from the bed where she was sitting for the past 45 minutes talking to Arisa. She didn’t want to be late for work.
“Ok! Have fun tonight! See you guys next week. Bye!” Arisa sighed and closed the phone. I’m going to kill for making stick to that nickname.
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Somewhere in Tokyo, in another apartment
Sanada was knocking on Niou’s door, but wouldn’t get an answer.
“Masaharu, get up already!” he yelled again and left for the kitchen. He was tired and in no mood to do anything at the moment. He made some tea and walked to the living room to sit on their weird colored couch. He flipped the TV on and run through the channels to find something interesting. He left it on the sports channel and leaned his back into the couch. Although the color was weird and didn’t match the room, it was still very comfortable. He tilted his head backwards and rested it on the back of the couch so he would be able to look at the ceiling.
These last few weeks was all he could do to keep his thoughts focused. He was aware of how much he had changed in the past 5 years. He was so serious and strict, he wouldn’t say much, he was always a loner and never would let his emotions or feelings get to him. He never liked to be or feel weak either. However, that was another Sanada Genichirou. He was someone that lived a different life than his. It was true what his family had told him that people change. Now he couldn’t recognize himself, he was different, for he would talk more, let his emotions flow through him and finally the feeling of loneliness was starting to get to him. He didn’t like that feeling, it made him weak. He sighed and wondered when he started to change so much that he didn’t know himself anymore.
It was after he had met her, the woman he had fallen in love with in his University years. She had been great and it was the first time he had felt complete, but one day, she just gave him the cold shoulder and ran off to marry some big shot. That had hurt him, it was the first time he noticed how lonely he was after all those years.
“Thinking about how wonderful life is?” Niou peeked from behind him, smirking as usual.
“Masaharu, do not do that again. I might hit you next time,” Sanada said dryly to his friend that sat in a chair on his right, drinking his coffee.
Coffee was the only thing that Niou was addicted to. He had picked up smoking in their senior year of High school, but since they started living together he had quit. He was forced to quit, it was on Sanada’s NOT to do list.
“I couldn’t help it. So… What were you thinking?” Niou said cheerfully as if nothing had happened.
“Oh! Nothing. Just some stuff!”
“As much as you have changed, you are still a stone when it comes to proper communication!” Niou said dryly, sipping his coffee.
Sanada didn’t answer. He just looked at Niou from the corner of his eye.
“I hope you didn’t forget that we are going out tonight, right?” Niou said as he started flipping the channels to find some anime to watch.
“I didn’t forget, but I don’t want you to bring any weird women to meet us.” Sanada sat up and drank his tea. It had gotten cold, but he didn’t mind. He got up and headed for the kitchen.
Niou didn’t follow him; he just sat there waiting for Sanada to come back.
“I am meeting Seiichi for lunch. What are you going to do Masaharu?” Sanada asked as he made his way back to the living room.
“I think I will do some work,” he said indifferently.
“Work?” Sanada asked, raising his eyebrow a bit surprised. “You hardly work during the week, now you’re telling me that you want to work today? On a Saturday??”
“Yup. I got an excellent case that I need to look at. Besides, it’s of an old acquaintance,” Niou replied, watching Naruto on the TV.
“Acquaintance?” Sanada repeated thoughtfully. He wondered who from his circle of friends might have a problem that needed a lawyer’s help. “Who?” was his simple question.
“Oshitari Yuushi.”
“Oshitari Yuushi?” he asked again, thinking he heard wrong.
“Yes. Apparently he had an affair back in High school and ended up with a baby. His girlfriend at that time just left him with the baby and took off. Now she is back claiming her daughter,” Niou answered, switching off the TV.
“He can afford some high class lawyer, why did he come to us? And why did you accept?” Sanada asked dryly, looking at the file that Niou gave him. Oshitari was a teenage father? He would have never thought it to be possible.
“Well, no one wants to take his case because the judge will probably give the girl back to its mother.”
“That doesn’t answer my question on why you took this case.” Sanada eyed Niou carefully.
“You know me. I like getting back at the system. Besides he is in a circle of High Class society that could benefit us if we win this case,” Niou said pleasantly.
“Did it ever cross your mind that we might not win the case?” Sanada said irritated.
“Oh, come on Sanada. We have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain from this case. We need and will win this case,” Niou said, taking the file from Sanada to start working on the case.
Getting up from the couch, Sanada headed for his room. “Ok, Masaharu! I will concede to this. I will go and get dressed to meet Seiichi.” He stood at the door of his room, “What time should we go to ‘VOX’ tonight?”
“The show starts at 8 pm; it would be good to be there at around 9 pm. The good singers come out around that time,” Niou answered, reading the case file. When Oshitari had called his office and asked if he would be able to help him, Niou didn’t want to get involved with him. However, after Oshitari explained his problem, he changed his mind. He thought that he should try and help him, not for his sake, but for his little daughter. To Niou it always seemed that justice was not blind but was blinded by men because of their greedy intentions. So, he decided to follow a career in Law only to try and make some things right. He had changed. He had matured. Although he kept his usual perky and tricky character around people, he knew he had changed. He was more serious in his job, even when Sanada complained that he didn’t work much. Sanada complaining, he thought still reading the file. It was true, Sanada had changed too, and he could see it and he could feel it.
“Whatever,” he muttered to himself, snapping out of his thoughts and concentrating on the case in his hand.
“I am leaving. See you later,” Sanada said, leaving the apartment.
“Yeah! Say hi to buchou for me,” Niou called out so that Sanada would hear him, he must have spaced out in his thoughts for a while.
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Downtown Tokyo, at “Kenza” store
“Kumiko-san, thank you so much for these clothes. You are the greatest,” said cheerfully, holding two pairs of hangers for each girl.
“You are more than welcomed . You don’t need to give them back to me. Take them as gift from me,” Kumiko said smiling full-heartedly to the young girl in front her. She loved the girls very much. She had lived her life mostly alone, for she was not married and had no kids. When walked in to the store and asked for a job, no, the right word would be ‘demanded’ a job, she had fallen for the briskly girl and her quiet friend. The two together made a perfect pair, two totally opposite people that fitted so well together. That’s why she decided to be like an elder sister to both girls.
“You know, I doubt that would wear that beautiful skirt. She is such a tomboy.” giggled, fixing some clothes on a hanger.
“Well, that’s why I gave you a jean skirt. She might feel comfortable if its jeans. Besides, once she falls in love, she will change into a woman.” Kumiko reasoned, playing with her pen while looking at a new employees CV.
“Umm, if I recall correctly, it was falling in love that turned her into a tomboy in the first place.” laughed. She walked to another counter to fix some tops and check if they needed some more of those items displayed.
“Really? She must have been heart-broken then,” Kumiko replied, looking at carefully. “And you my dear, have you ever been heart-broken?” she asked softly.
stopped what she was doing and thought for a minute before she answered, “It was a long time ago. I have moved on.” She turned and faced Kumiko with a bright smile. “I am sure that my lady luck will send someone nice and charming into my arms.”
Kumiko had to smile hearing that declaration, “I am happy to see that you are over that. That’s why I chose that dress for you. I know how much you love to look nice on outings,” Kumiko said returning to do her previous job.
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At a restaurant in Kanagawa
“How is life with your Masaharu?” Yukimura smiled, eyeing his friend carefully. “You look tired. Is he causing you trouble?” he said softly.
“No. Masharu is just being himself. It’s true though, I am tired,” Sanada said solemnly, folding his hands in front of him.
“And the reason is?” Yukimura asked, still looking at Sanada carefully.
Sanada sighed. He couldn’t lie to Yukimura; they were best friends since Junior High. “I am just emotionally stressed. That’s all.” He pushed his plate away and sipped his wine, not looking at Yukimura.
“Genichirou,” Yukimura said softly, “You need to get out of that shell you have clamped yourself in and live life to the fullest. Forget your loneliness, and don’t let Masaharu find women for you, the man has absolutely no taste in women.” Yukimura sat back in his chair and rested his hands on his thighs, never averting his eyes from Sanada.
“Seiichi, I have not clamped myself in any shell,” Sanada said seriously.
Yukimura laughed. “Is that all you heard from what I said Genichirou?” he sipped his wine never breaking his eye contact. “Seriously, in some ways you are still the same,” he said laughing.
“I don’t see were the fun is Seiichi. You first insult me and then laugh at me,” Sanada said annoyed at his friend’s teasing. He knew Yukimura was only teasing him but, as Seiichi said, in some ways he was still the same.
Still laughing at his friend’s antics, Yukimura continue talking. “Should I repeat what I said so that you would stop being such a grouch?”
“Seiichi!” Sanada narrowed his eyes at Yukimura.
“Do you know what you need Genichirou? A woman!” Yukimura said cheerfully. Sanada just stopped functioning once his friend mentioned that.
“It’s obvious that you are feeling lonely Genichirou. You have a good job, a crazy roommate and a bright future. I know that and you know that. However, we both also know that you are so emotionally stressed because you are letting that loneliness get to you. Do something about it. There is no way that you will find a woman by doing nothing. The Heavens won’t open up and drop a woman in your arms, Genichirou. You have to fight for your happiness and get rid of that loneliness in your heart,” Yukimura said smiling, but something in that smile made Sanada think twice about complaining to Yukimura again.
“I will consider your advice Seiichi,” he responded slowly “I will be alright. It’s the holiday season I guess. Christmas is only a week away.”
“How will you spend your Christmas holiday Genichirou?” Yukimura inquired softly.
“With my family!” was Sanada’s answer.
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At “Kenza” store
was in front of the glass door of the store with her hands crossed looking not very happy!
“You are late,” said irritated.
“I am so sorry , but I got held up at work. Please open the door! It’s cold!” pouted, her hands on the glass door. She didn’t mean to be late, but a meeting was decided just as she was walking out of her work building, so she had to turn back and attend the meeting.
“I will forgive you, but only because you are singing tonight,” said, opening the door to let in. “You could have called you know. I was worried. It’s late and it’s not safe to wond…” stopped suddenly because hugged her tightly.
“Thank you for worrying about me sweetie,” whispered softly in