Chapter Three
(Note) :Nioh will make an appearance in this chapter and I have portrayed him after Kyoh-sama's "Lu:na" dream novel from the Gackt theme. I loved the bad boy Nioh in that dream and I thank her for allowing me to use the personality she created for him. You can access the dream novel "Lu:na" by going to Minus Zero.
~*~*~
The color Black.
"Black."
It's ironic how one word could be assorted with so many negative feelings to me.
Remorse
Agony
Sadness
Bitterness
And finally, death(1). However, I grew up in a western country with that notion, but here the representative of death was white(2). I felt a bit weird seeing a lot of white around me, but this was the culture here and I respected that.
I stood there without sensation. So did a lot of people around me. I couldn’t look up and I could not look to my side. However, my hand was clutching tightly to a tiny hand and I was trying so hard not to break down and cry in front of that little one because I knew she needed me to be strong for her. As we watched the body of Oshitari Yui lay to rest, I felt that my knees were going to give away. I felt my sensations wanting to let go of me, a tiny body woke them up as it huddled close to my leg. I looked down at Oshitari and felt my heart yank. I bent down and patted her head gently. "Let's go back." I told her softly and she nodded sadly.
When Yuushi had called me that night, he had told me that Yui had left the house after a heated argument with him and ended up in a car accident because of her reckless driving. Sadly, neither she nor the driver of the car that collided with her made it out alive.
I helped into the car and sat there quietly with her. She still held dearly to my hand refusing to let go. She is too young to see her mother go, I thought as I held her in my arms. I closed my eyes, for I was exhausted. I had helped Yuushi in the last two days with the arrangements(3). Plus, it had been exhausting, for Yuushi had wanted a traditional Japanese funeral, but Yui's parents were against it since her father was not of a Japanese descendant. Her father had agreed to everything except when it came to the crematorium(4).
In the long run, Yuushi had consented for he knew no matter how he buried his wife, she was not coming back. I let out a sigh and waited in the car as I watched everyone go. I left the car door open to get some fresh air when I saw Keigo walk past our car and to my surprise he stopped and retraced his steps towards us when he noticed me. "How is she?" He asked referring to who was sleeping on my lap.
I looked up at him as I moved 's hair off her face. I tried to see what his eyes were saying, but I couldn’t because they were concealed by his sunglasses. "She's not good." I replied quietly as I placed my jacket around 's sleeping figure. "I think she's still in shock."
He leaned down and cupped 's cheek lightly. I knew Keigo had a soft spot for her; he was her godfather after all. " ." He said looking up at me from where he was leaning. "Take back home with you while I handle Yuushi." He ordered softly as he stood up and turned, but I grabbed the sleeves of his jacket. "Keigo, please make sure Yuushi rests. He hasn't slept for two days." I confided in him, "I'll keep with me for a few days."
He nodded and walked off.
I asked the driver to take us home. Once we arrived he offered to carry inside, but I declined politely. I held her lightly and walked into my apartment complex as the security man opened the door for me and then he escorted me to the elevator. As I stepped out of the elevator, I stopped as I saw two people standing there. "Oh…" I said surprised as I recognized them.
" -chan! -chan!" A person yelled hugging me for dear life. He hugged me so tight that I was afraid that would die of suffocation. Before I could kick him, he was already pulled back roughly and he lost his balance. "Jirou!" A female scolded softly yet in a tough tone. "Can't you see that she's carrying ?" She demanded as she looked at the man on the floor.
I looked in awe at Akutagawa Jirou and his wife. An old friend of mine who went by the name of Miyo , but she was Akutagawa now. They made an odd pair. He tended to be hyperactive over everything while she was more laid back. It was more like fire versus ice, but I knew there was love in that relationship. I saw Jirou rub the back of his head in embarrassment and stand up. I watched them and smiled, but found tears in my eyes. I knew why they were here. Even though lived far away, I knew why she was here. Without saying anything, Jirou lifted out of my arms and hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry we didn't come sooner, ." She said softly as she rubbed my back.
"We're sorry we missed the funeral." Jirou apologized as he walked to my door.
I moved away from and rubbed my tears away. "It's not me you should be apologizing to." I said softly as I pulled out my keys from my purse and headed to where Jirou stood. I turned the lock and opened my door, allowing them in. I met through Jirou since he was one of Keigo's good friends from school. and Jirou have been married for six years now and I admire how strong their love has been. Even with the fact that they can't have children, they're love and adoration for each other just progressed day by day.
"Where do I put her?" Jirou asked.
"Let's put her in the guest room," I answered as I walked towards it. "Follow me." I moved the covers off the bed and fluffed the pillows. Jirou placed quietly on the bed while I covered her with a blanket. We walked out of the room and found in the kitchen making something for us to drink.
"Where are you two staying?"
"We're staying at Keigo's," answered as she poured the juice into glasses. "He wasn't there, but we invited ourselves over." She said proudly as she served us.
"Don't worry, I text-ed him," Jirou assured as he lay on the sofa. "We went to see Yuushi, but he wasn't at home so we came here."
"Last resort?" I asked sarcastically as I sipped the orange juice. I leaned back on the sofa and let out a sigh. "It's weird," I admitted as I looked at my glass. "I'm fine, yet I feel something's missing," I said softly. It was depressing, but I was feeling the same emptiness when Keigo and I divorced. Although by that time it was a mutual decision; it still felt weird when I was no longer married to him.
Jirou out an arm around me and smiled. "We love you," he assured me cheerfully as he gave his wife a loving smile as well. "We're staying for a while to make sure you don't end up babysitting everyone."
I felt like crying again, but I closed my eyes instead and put my head on his shoulder. I decided to rest a bit, but I didn’t realize that I had fallen asleep.
~~~
was watching TV when she heard the doorbell ring. She ignored the two sleeping figures on the sofa and walked to the door. To her surprise, she found Atobe in front of her. "I should've known you two were here," he smirked as he walked in. The minute he walked in, his eyes settled on as she slept on the sofa and Jirou on her lap. "You're okay with that?" he asked.
shrugged. "It's not like that they're doing anything behind my back," she answered as she walked in. "And you're here because?"
"Always straight to the point," he said as he handed her a bag. " 's things," he explained as she looked at the bag curiously. "Yuushi's at home, he'll come see tomorrow."
frowned. " needs her father now."
Atobe watched her carefully. "Not in the state that he's in. It's finally hit him that Yui's gone," he said softly as he placed his hands in his pockets. "I'll bring over tomorrow as well so he can distract a bit."
looked staggered. "You're letting near ?" she asked with her hands on her hips. She knew of 's agony with her son, but she wasn't informed of the latest progress.
He patted her head gently. "It's a long story."
pushed his hand away. "I'm not a pet," she muttered, annoyed. "I hate it when you do that."
He smirked again and watched his ex-wife and Jirou. "Will you two head back to my place tonight?" he asked casually as he turned and walked towards the door. "No," answered as she stood next to him by the door. " needs us more."
He rubbed his jaw. "I wasn't aware that she was a good friend of Yui."
smacked his arm lightly. "You truly are an arrogant ass," she mumbled almost incoherently. "You think she cares what she's going through now? Her main concern is at the moment," she said quietly. "And you of all people should know how painful it is for a child to grow up without a mother."
His eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
rolled her eyes. "You really want me to spell it out for you?" she asked sarcastically. "What you're doing to ……hmph……"
Atobe was surprised as Jirou covered 's mouth with his hand. He had one arm around his wife and the other on her mouth preventing her from continuing her sentence. "We agreed that it was none of our business, ," Jirou told his wife quietly.
moved away from him and ignored them both as she walked away. Jirou gave Atobe an apologetic look. "Sorry."
Atobe glared in the direction where had disappeared to and then looked at his good friend. "She is not your responsibility to apologize for," Atobe told his friend firmly as he turned to leave.
"She is my wife," was all that Jirou said as Atobe left.
~~~
Oshitari Yuushi was at his home clearing out Yui's things. Although he was a man that lost everything, he wanted to make sure to clear everything out before he brought home in a few days. Although he was trying to clear things out, he was also a broken man. He let out a sigh and tried to clear his thoughts. He was feeling guilty, as he was partially to blame for their argument, and that was something he didn’t want anyone to know.
Especially the reason as to why they fought.
~~~
I knew it was morning the minute I opened my eyes and I was not surprised that I had slept through the whole of yesterday. I stirred and found myself on my own bed. How did I end up here? I wondered. I also found and occupying the bed with me. I sat up as I scratched my hair and yawned slightly. My legs dragged themselves as I made my way to the shower and decided to take a bath and at least prepare a proper breakfast for and Jirou, who was sleeping on the sofa. Even as the water hit me, I felt numb. It was a new day and yet I felt like something was still missing. I wanted to cry, but my tears refused to pour out. What was it that was making me feel like this? Did I want to cry for ? Yuushi? Or myself?
I finally finished showering and dried my hair. I walked out and began preparing breakfast. I still could not absorb anything as I unconsciously prepared things. While I was making juice, I heard the doorbell ring. I walked to it, opening the door and blinked. There stood my ex-husband with my son, but I was still numb. "Come in," I said softly without any feelings. "Do you guys want breakfast?"
"We ate," Atobe answered, as he watched me. He looked at who was watching me oddly and leaned down. " , why don't you go watch TV in the other room?" Atobe told . The little boy hesitated, but nodded as he walked off. Atobe crossed his arms and watched me as I made breakfast absently. " ?"
"Huh?" I looked up suddenly as I poured hot water into the kettle to make some tea. "Ouch!" I whispered as it overflowed and dropped the kettle onto the floor, splashing water everywhere. I was going to move, but Keigo stopped me by holding my arm. "Don't move," he ordered briskly. It was so sudden that it took me a few minutes to register the burning sensation in my right hand. "Oh…" I said softly as I snatched my hand away and realized that I had scalded it.
Another hand held my arm. "That’s bad," Jirou remarked as he looked at my burnt hand.
"It's just a first-degree burn(5)." Atobe explained as he took my hand and ran it under the faucet's cool water. "Jirou, hand me a gauze pad from the first-aid cupboard and one tablet of ibuprofen," Atobe ordered as he kept my hand running under the water.
I winced at the stinging that I was feeling and shivered. I was so stupid. I was so out of it that I didn’t realize what I was doing. I glanced silently at Keigo and let out a sigh.
"At least that woke you up," he remarked. I wanted to snatch my hand away as his comment offended me, but he kept his unyielding grip. "What are you doing here?" I hissed, "How come I have to see you everyday now?"
He ignored that comment. "I brought over for ."
I didn't say anything as Jirou handed him the gauze pad. He applied it gently onto burns and handed me the tablet. "Take it." I knew by his tone not to argue. Without saying anything else, he handed me a bag. "These are 's things. You can keep him over the weekend since Yume's not here and I have a business trip."
I looked at him in shock. He was leaving my son with me? For two whole days? Why now? Why now after all these years? "Wh…" I began as I looked at him. "Don't ask me," he interrupted. "Yuushi's coming with me as well since he is my Financial Advisor. Plus, it'll do him good to take time off."
"He'll see before he leaves?"
"Yes." He nodded. "He'll stop by later. You know Yuushi once his mind is made up. He's at home with helpers and packing everything. He's selling the house," he explained as he leaned on the kitchen table. I placed my hands on my hips and looked at him. "He's your best friend," I said, feeling sad for Yuushi. "Don't you think he's making a rash decision?"
"Don't worry, ," commented walking in with . "This is Yuushi we're talking about. He is the most sane one out of this group," she said, a little too sweetly, making Atobe glare at her while her own husband smiled in embarrassment. Atobe was going to retort when walked out rubbing her eyes. "Daddy?"
I walked to her and lifted her. "Good morning, sweetie," I cooed as I moved a few strands of hair off her eyes. "Did you sleep well?" I asked her quietly. She nodded shyly and looked curiously at the three pairs of eyes that were watching her. She looked left and right and then back at me. "Daddy?"
"He's home tidying up some things," Atobe answered as he crossed his arms. "Why don't you change and then watch some cartoons with ?"
" -kun's here?" she asked excitedly forgetting about her father.
I nodded and stood amazed at her excitement. So Keigo knew that was fond of ; sharp observation skills that ex-husband of mine has. "Come on, let me help you take a bath and then I'll give you and some breakfast," I said as I walked with her to towards the bathroom.
" , Jirou and I will go with Atobe to check on Yuushi," announced as she picked up her jacket. I nodded and bid them well while I helped .
Throughout the day I spent it with the children. Although it was a time of sadness for us, I couldn’t help thinking that it was death that brought my son closer to me. I still couldn't believe that Keigo had just walked in and left him here with me. As I stayed with the kids throughout the day, I noticed that there were at times where would go into a quiet spell, but kept making her forget her melancholy and suggest that they do something.
By evening, I could tell that weariness had finally invaded the children's bodies. I had even taken them downstairs across the street to a fast food joint for a light snack and change of environment; and they enjoyed the toys they got with their kids meals. At first, did say something about commoners' food, but I lectured the boy slightly and at the same time wondering exactly what Keigo was putting into his mind.
By the time we went back, we found - " Daddy~" exclaimed running towards her father as he hugged her. "How's my baby girl?" Oshitari asked softly as he kissed her forehead. "Have you been giving -chan trouble?"
She shook her head with a blush as she put her arms around his neck.
I held 's hand as he sleepily walked towards them with me and looked on in awe. Yuushi looked so….normal, I thought. He looked at me. " , thank you,” he said sincerely as he held tenderly. I watched him sadly and let us into my apartment. "Didn't and Jirou come to see you?" I inquired as he placed on his lap as she put her head on his shoulder. took a seat next to her and just closed his eyes.
" 's putting him through hard labor at my house; I want to clear things out."
I stopped when I heard that. I so wanted to lecture him, but I decided to be civil. "I think you're acting too rashly, Yui just passed away two da…."
"I know what I'm doing," he said firmly as he felt stiffen in his arms. He hugged her tightly and smoothed her long hair. "Are you cold, sweetie?" he asked as he found her sniffing. "No…" she sniffled. 'I have something in my eyes,” she whispered trying to cover up her tears. Oshitari ruffled her hair and stood up, "Where does sleep, ? I'll tuck her in."
"In my room, Yuushi." I answered as I helped stand up as well. "I'm not scared," I heard speak out, embarrassed. I smiled at her, "I know you're brave, sweetheart, but I'm not as brave as you are and I need someone with me." I reasoned and to my joy, my reasoning seemed to sink in and she agreed thankfully.
As Yuushi took to my bedroom so she could change, I leaned down and looked at my own son. "And you, young gentleman? Sleepy?" I asked him as I saw him yawning. He nodded shyly as well, but before I helped him into the guestroom he grasped my skirt lightly, "Um, can I speak to daddy before I sleep? I do every night."
This piece of information was new to me. I was learning something new about Keigo each day. It was ironic that it was our son that was teaching me these new things. I couldn’t deny him that right, so I picked up my cordless phone and dialed Keigo's number, I didn’t even talk to him when he picked up, but handed the phone to .
~~~
Once the children were asleep, I spent some time with Yuushi. The façade that he had put in front of his daughter was shattered now and I could see the weariness on his face. I sat next to him on the sofa as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Are you overworking yourself?"
He laid his head on the sofa and watched me as he nestled his glasses on his lap. "You may think I’m crazy…"
"I already do," I said with a smile as I watched him.
He smirked slightly, but continued. "I sold our house," he said softly, "I don't want to go home and be reminded of Yui, so I'm moving us out and into an apartment."
I thought of that for a second and then frowned. "Won't she object?" I questioned as I remembered something. "That house is full of memories for her," I said, quietly as I crossed my arms. "I spoke to her about it,” he explained as he folded his arms behind his head. "She said she doesn’t want to go back home because she's scared." He sighed. "That's why, , if you don't…"
I knew what he was going to ask. "Yuushi," I interrupted again as I put my hand gently on his knee. "She can stay with me as long as you like." I offered with a smile. I loved his daughter and after all the help he gave me through my relationship with Keigo this was the least that I could do for him. He nodded and stood up, "Well, I'm off,” he said, "I got a plane to catch tomorrow."
"Where is your business meeting?"
"Bangkok," he answered while walking to the door. "Wait.." I said as I held his arm, "You said you already sold your house, did you find a place to stay already?"
He smiled casually, "It was actually Atobe's idea,” he told me softly. "When I come back, we'll be your new neighbor, two floors down," he replied as he pointed downward.
~~~
Finally, I was alone. I felt my energy literally drain out of my body as I fell onto my sofa. I was tired. I was exhausted. After going through all that, I had even forgotten about my burnt hand. However, even with feeling tired like this, I felt alone. The remorse of someone I knew that had passed away was starting to haunt my thoughts. I felt like I had a lot of responsibilities that it was starting to overwhelm me. I was grateful for everyone’s help, but I felt overwhelmed. My eyes fell on my cell phone as it lay on the table; I hesitated but picked it up. I don't now what I was thinking, but I looked through my received calls and dialed a number that had called me a couple of days back.
"I won't say that I'm not surprised," Fuji said on the other end when I said hello. His statement made me speechless. I hesitated again, but decided to be truthful. "I'm sorry," I apologized. "I just… I just wanted to talk to someone without feeling that the whole world's responsibility lies on my shoulders."
"You sound upset."
I closed my eyes. "I'm not upset," I replied with a yawn. "I'm just exhausted," I admitted as I heard shuffling. "Okay… Maybe I'm a bit upset; a friend passed away," I blurted out as I placed my feet on the table.
'My condolences."
"Thank you."
He spoke to me for a while and then out of the blue, "I am invited to an engagement party tomorrow, would you like to accompany me? Maybe a change of atmosphere will help you feel better," he suggested with a concerned voice.
I hesitated. "I'm not sure…" I admitted as I thought that it would be difficult to leave the kids, but then I remembered , "Thank you for your offer, but… oh… aren't you going to go with your boyfriend?" I questioned suddenly. He chuckled softly, " . I told you before that he doesn’t care for these affairs." He repeated casually, "I insist that you join me.' He pushed in a commanding tone. I hesitated again, "I don't know them…" I said reluctantly, "I mean…"
"He's a good friend of mine. He's in my circle of friends of pro tennis." He explained sincerely, "He'll love who I bring with me, plus they know me well enough to know that any lady friend I bring is a good friend of mine."
After a lot of persistence from his side, I finally agreed to his invitation. I wasn’t sure if it was right for me to go, but I think his company would be positive for me during this time. I waited for and Jirou to come back and asked if she could watch the kids while I attended to something tomorrow, and she actually encouraged me to go and said that that was exactly what I needed now. I was still hesitant, as the funeral was just a couple of days ago and now I was….but I shook my thoughts away.
I needed to do this.
~~~
The evening of the next day arrived before I knew it. I had chosen a simple black elegant knee length dress. It was strapless and had a lot of embroidery on it. I matched those with sandals and had blow dried my hair for me since she had knack for it. Surprisingly, I had an enjoyable day. The three of us took and to the beach and it was the first day since Yui's funeral that I saw smile genuinely. I bid everyone a good night, picked up my purse, and walked out. I let out a sigh and waited for Fuji to pick me up. I finally agreed to have him pick me up and he was pleased about that fact because he knew it was a sign of me trusting him more. I waited a bit when I found a limo pull up in front of me; I rolled my eyes, wryly thinking of my ex-husband. "I didn’t know you were attention seeking," I remarked as he helped me into the limo.
"And so are you with that dress on."
I rolled my eyes again and leaned back. "Thanks," I murmured softly as he offered me a drink. "I really needed this." I accepted the glass from him. He nodded in agreement. "You did not sound like the woman in control that I knew over the phone," he added as he twirled his glass lightly. "However, I won't judge, you haven't opened up to me completely yet."
"And I won't at this stage." I said, straightforwardly. "I'm sorry,” I apologized just as we reached. He didn’t comment as we left the limo. He tucked my arm under his and walked towards the entrance. As we walked in, I realized that we were walking into a hotel. "Oh, it's here?"
"Yes, a small gathering in one of the smaller ball rooms."
Suddenly I stopped and he looked me oddly, "What is it?"
I looked at him, discomfited, "I didn't bring any engagement gift with me," I said meekly as he studied me. My statement made him smile. "You worry too much,” he said as he pulled me towards the door of the party. I noticed a sign by the side of the door and it said:
~*~Engagement party of Yukimura Seiichi and Mizuki Kaho~*~
I read it again trying to register the names or at least think if I knew the couple but I didn't. As Fuji walked in with me I noticed that there weren’t really a lot of people. The room was only filled with around fifty or so members, it really was a private engagement party. Fuji greeted a few people here and there. He walked me towards a gentleman that stood in the centre.
"Seiichi," Fuji greeted him warmly as he shook his hand. I watched mesmerized at the man's face. He looked so beautiful that I almost mistook him for a girl, but his manly personality and the confidence that he possessed made you immediately change your mind and think of him as all man. The man eyed me, intrigued. "And you are ?" he asked knowingly.
I nodded and was going to congratulate him when I heard a murmur, " ? ?" the voice questioned making me, Fuji, and Yukimura turn. A tall man stood rubbing his jaw. He had his eyes closed and one arm crossed across his chest as his face was at me. "Are you not the who was Ato…" he began, but I panicked. I immediately walked up to him and covered his mouth. My gesture surprised the other two men standing next to me. I gave a nervous laugh and looked at the intruder, "That is not public information I wish to share with anyone…"
"So you are Atobe Keigo's ex-wife?" Yukimura Seiichi remarked making me groan. I let out a sigh and moved my hand away from his mouth. "Damage is done," I muttered softly looking down. "Interesting." Yukimura said, as he saw my expression, "Do you know that most of the people in here were actually acquainted with him during school?"
"Great," I mumbled sarcastically as I crossed my arms. Fuji put an arm around my shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry about it. We won't spread the fact that his ex-wife is here, for we know how many people might try and kill you just to get to him," he joked casually as he looked around. I smiled weakly and looked at the informer. "I'm sorry…" I apologized to him for my earlier action.
"I am Yanagi Renji," he introduced himself with a light bow. "Everyone calls me Renji, please do so as well, -san."
I acknowledged him with a bow of my own and found Fuji looking at Yukimura. "Where is your lovely fiancée?" he asked curiously. "I don't see her."
"She is lecturing Masaharu on the balcony,” he answered simply as he put his hands in his pockets. "Apparently he was a cause of some screams earlier," he said with a shrug. "I have to go mingle with the other guests now. Thanks for coming,” he said, leaving us. I stood there with Fuji and the new man called Renji. I was going to start a light conversation when Fuji started. "Isn’t Nioh older now for pranks?" he asked Renji in an inquiring tone. Renji actually smiled at that statement. "Masaharu is Masaharu, and he will never change."
"He's got somewhat of a bad boy reputation in his industry."
Renji rubbed his jaw as he thought for a minute. "True, but we make sure to keep him at bay."
Fuji looked around. "I don't see Sanada either,” he remarked as he redirected his gaze to Renji. "I am sure a 100% that he is with Kaho to make sure that she doesn't kill Masaharu,” said Renji confidently as he walked away. As soon as Renji left, Fuji turned to me. "Interesting, ," he murmured. "Standing in front of me is Atobe Keigo's ex-wife."
"Believe me that title is not as high and mighty as it sounds."
"I can imagine since you're his ex-wife now."
I let out a sigh and grimaced as well. "Let's…let's not talk about him anymore," I said quietly, as he witnessed my discomfort. Keigo wasn't exactly on my list of pleasant things to talk about at the moment. I just couldn’t believe that I was with his school circle. Life was indeed ironic. We spent some time mingling when I suddenly found myself alone. "Where is Fuji?" I whispered as I walked along the crowd. I frowned when I couldn't find him so I found myself going towards the balcony and decided to get some fresh air, but as I walked out I stopped.
"Nioh, I am still disappointed in you," I heard a feminine voice scold in a very disapproving tone. "You promised you wouldn’t do anything tonight."
I was on the balcony and there were three people on it, but they had not acknowledged my presence yet. A beautiful woman stood between two men. One was tall and handsome with dark hair and a serious face while the other with long silver hair was leaning on the banister without a care. My observation concluded that the woman was scolding the silver haired one who wore a suit, but it was very untidy attire. His shirt was untucked, his tie was loose, and in one hand he had a small glass of a drink, and a cigarette in the other. "Che… being engaged to my friend doesn’t make you my mother."
She was going to slap him when someone caught her arm. "Kaho, no," the other man said quietly. "Let's go back inside," he ordered as he pulled her away from Nioh. They were about to turn when Kaho snatched the glass from Nioh. "At least make sure you don't get drunk. I know for a fact that you can’t handle more than two glasses."
I was going to move since I could see them turning to leave, but a hand was placed firmly on my shoulder. "I'd like to introduce you," Yukimura Seiichi said rooting me in my place. I turned to him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry; I know you weren't here on purpose,” he said kindly as Kaho walked towards us with the other man. Kaho's eyes looked furious, but the minute they settled on us, or more so her fiancé, they softened. "Seiichi…"
"Don't worry, Kaho," Yukimura said softly as he put an arm around her. "This is your special day."
"Our special day," she corrected sweetly as she held his jaw lightly. Yukimura smiled and looked at me. " , this is my one and only Mizuki Kaho," he introduced as I shook her hand and congratulated her. "And this is Sanada Genichirou."
"His other one and only." Kaho winked mischievously. She looked at me me. "Who did you come here with?” she asked curiously. "Fuji Syuusuke," I answered. Kaho blinked at my answer, "Oh, but…"
"I know." I said quietly. "We're just friends."
Kaho and I exchanged some conversation and then she excused herself with Yukimura. I stood there alone with Sanada. "I just came out to get some fresh air," I explained, "I didn't mean to listen to your conversation earlier."
He nodded. "It is alright.” I realized he wasn't a man that spoke a lot. In a while, he bowed and left as well. I found myself on the balcony, but not alone. The other man was still there, but he wasn't one that looked like he gave a damn, so I walked further and relaxed as a cool gush of wind hit me. It was relaxing. I tried to ignore the other man, but my curiosity made me glance his way. He had still not acknowledged me and I don't think he was planning to. I walked closer to the railing…
"I wouldn’t if I were you."
I stopped when I heard him speak. I looked at him, but his eyes weren’t even on me. I pursed my lips as I thought what he meant by that. I ignored and I walked closer, but he spoke again. "Come closer to me and I might contaminate you."
"I'm not even walking towards you." I retorted annoyed by his lame comments, I leaned by the railing and in a minute I lost my grip at the sudden loose railing that I had failed to notice, "Shit…" I whispered, but he caught my arm and pulled me roughly towards him. I tripped forward and ended up in his arms. "The railing is loose." He said, blandly.
I pushed him away and glared at him. "You could've told me that you know."
He continued smoking and just leaned on his side. He finally looked at me and his eyes studied me carefully. He actually had the audacity to just look intently at me from head to toe and making me feel like I was being undressed. I reflexively hugged myself and looked away. "Pervert," I whispered feeling self-conscious.
"You don’t even know me,” he said, flatly, as he resumed to his smoking. It's true that I didn’t know him, but that fact that he looked at me that way made my skin feel prickly. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, "No, I don't," I agreed. "And let's keep it that way." I turned to go away, but I found myself being pulled back. "This is very remarkable," he whispered in my ears. "You've got an attitude that I can live with, lady."
I let out a sigh. Why do I always find myself in this position when I meet someone new? I wondered. I put my hand on the arm around me, ready to dig my nails into it. "Do…you…mind?"
He let go of me as I moved away from him breathing hard. He was hitting my nerves way more than I wanted him to. Why is it that I always attracted the pushy ones? I thought wryly as I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I turned to leave, but his statement made me stop. " , you will dance with me tonight, will you not?" he asked from where he stood. I didn’t even glance at him, but just continued walking off.
When I walked in, I found Fuji. "Hey,” he said casually taking my hand. "I thought you bailed." He took me to the refreshment table. We nibbled on some light snacks and conversed for a while. Although my encounter with that obnoxious man annoyed me I was starting to feel really good now. "You have good friends," I remarked. "But I am interested in how you know them so well."
He sipped his drink and looked at me. "I know Yukimura from school," He answered my curiosity. "However, we didn’t know each other that well because he was rather ill and he spent most of his time in the hospital when he was younger and could not participate in lot of tennis tournaments. He decided to go pro to make up for all the time he wasted."
"You seemed to know his fiancée well too." I remarked from my previous observation. He smiled at that comment. "Kaho's agency represents me," he replied, "She owns it."
"Interesting."
"Did you know that she is affiliated with your ex-husband as well?" he asked casually watching me. "Atobe's company is diversified into many things and her industry is one of them as well. Plus, I know for a fact they dated for a while…"
His last comment made me sputter my drink. I coughed a bit and looked at him grimly. 'I did not need to know that piece of information," I said sarcastically as he watched me innocently. "Good for her though, she has a wonderful fiancé now while I'm stuck looking at my ex-husband almost everyday."
Fuji rubbed his jaw as he continued smiling, then he looked at me with his eyes open. 'I remember that he had a son, are you…"
"Oh! They're playing my favorite song!" I interrupted as I grabbed his hand. "Let's dance." I ordered as I dragged him to the dance floor. I could see that Yukimura and his fiancée were already in their own little world as they danced. Fuji took control as he put a hand on my waist and held my other hand. "Didn't you say that you loathed dancing once?"
I shrugged as I danced with him. I didn’t want to go into details of my son with anyone. It was bad enough that they knew I was married to Keigo, but I just didn’t want anyone to know. I might be making a big deal out of it, but what if Fuji asked me that he wanted to see ? What am I supposed to tell him? My own son doesn’t know that I'm his mother? I thought wryly. Whatever he was going to ask he didn't. I knew that he knew I was trying to avoid the question and I admired him for not pushing it. We danced quietly to the music. He was a good dancer and made me like dancing. He was right about me hating dancing, but it felt fun tonight. I was so into that I did not realize someone was standing next to us till Fuji stopped. "May I cut in?"
Piercing blue eyes looked at me treacherously. I turned to Fuji and saw that he was not happy at being interrupted, but he was more of a gentleman and did not want to cause a scene. "I'm not sure I should hand this lady over to you, Nioh," he said calmly. Nioh crossed his arms and didn’t look fazed one bit. "Why don't we let the lady make a decision?"
I looked from Fuji to Nioh. Something told me that if I didn’t go with Nioh then something bad would happen. I already felt like an intruder so I didn’t want to be the cause of an uproar at someone else's engagement. "Fuji…" I said softly hating myself for saying the next words. "I'll give Nioh-san this dance."