Bittersweet Life
Chapter Nineteen
“You’re in love with Sanada?”
Both Atobe and jerked their heads at the faint sound of ’s voice. froze but looked away when she saw walking towards her.
Atobe frowned.
“Are you in love with Sanada?” demanded, standing at the back of the couch looking down at .
still refused to look at .
“Damn it, ! Look at me and answer me,” snapped, glaring at her friend’s back.
bit her lower lip trying to find a suitable answer but nothing came to her mind at the moment. She stood up and looked at . “Yes,” she finally answered. “I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.”
froze momentarily; she never expected that would confess to her. Deep down, she still believed that her friend would deny it. She regained her composure after a few minutes, “How can you not share this with me?” she whispered, feeling as if the whole world crumbled at her feet. “You share this with him, but not tell me? Me?!” she pointed her finger at Atobe.
looked at with sadness in her eyes. “I am sorry. I didn’t ask to fall in love with him,” she defended herself, “It just happened,” she whispered and looked away as she hugged herself tightly. I am truly sorry.
“You should have come to me !” shouted, disappointment turning to irritation. “Has anything happened between the two of you?” she demanded enraged.
“How could I tell you ?” shouted back in annoyance. “And… No! Nothing happened between us,” she said looking away once more with a hint of pink coloring her cheeks.
“Then why the hell are you blushing?”
narrowed her eyes and glared at her friend. “Because nothing happened!” almost… “You should know me better than that!” I would never allow for something to happen when he’s dating you; almost nothing…
“No!” shouted. “Apparently I don’t! Is this the reason why you broke up with Haru?” she asked running her hands through her hair. “It is, isn’t it?”
inhaled a large breath of air. “I broke up with Niou because all we did was fight!” she crossed her hands in fury because she was tempted in using them to put some sense into .
“Yeah right! He loves you for goodness sake. You where leading him on. How could you? I can’t believe you would turn out to be like this,” yelled with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
“How dare you insinuate that I am a slut?” moved towards dangerously.
Atobe got up from the armchair he was sitting when he noticed ’s intentions. He moved closer to the girls that where glaring at each other dangerously. What on Earth is going on? This is definitely deeper than just what it looks like.
“You were the one who said it , not me.” wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her pajama. “Which means you are fully aware of what your true nature is,” she said bitterly.
pulled by the pajama shirt she was wearing and held her in front of her, face to face. “Repeat what you just said,” she hissed in fury.
Atobe jumped in the middle and caught ’s hands pulling her away from .
She glared at him and he returned it with one of his own. “Do not do something you will surely regret,” he whispered for ’s ears alone. He left her and walked over to hug . He pulled her with him out of the living room and into the hallway while he tried to make her stop crying.
“What you said was unnecessary, . You don’t even believe it yourself,” he said softly as he patted her head. “You knew they were having problems. Whether liked it or not, she does miss Niou, but she didn’t think it was fair to him because she was in love with someone else.”
“But…”
“Don’t ‘but’ me, . You both made a mistake in there and you will have to resolve it. She does love your boyfriend, but at the same time you called her a slut.” Atobe reasoned. “If you’re still angry then I suggest you cool off, I will tell her the same thing.”
looked at him wiping her tears away. “Does he love her?”
“I’m in no position to answer that,” he said. I am the wrong person to be telling you this… He lifted his hand wiping a few drops from her eyes. “Why don’t you go to your room and wash your face.”
nodded but instead of going back to her room she took her jacket from the stand and wore it. She put on her shoes, picked up her bag and opened the door.
“Where are you going?” Atobe demanded.
“I need to clear my head and get some answers,” she said squeezing out a helpless smile.
When the door closed, Atobe placed his hands in his pockets and walked back to the living room. He stood under the door frame and looked at who was pacing up and down the room frantically. “Well done, ,” he said wryly. “At least check if she is at home next time.”
“Do not make fun of me Atobe. I will rip your head off,” she hissed narrowing her eyes as she looked at him. “Damn it,” she yelled frustrated. She stopped pacing and turned to look at him, “Where is she?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the couch.
“You don’t know? What do you mean you don’t know?” She exclaimed hysterically.
“I don’t know! She said she needed answers and left.”
“Oh god,” whispered, holding her head. “Please tell me she will not go to him?” she said, looking around for her phone. She found it immediately and picked it up, dialing Sanada’s number, but Atobe snatched the phone from her.
“Let them resolve it, this is none of your business.”
“Of course it is my business,” she snapped and tried to get her phone back. “Give me back my phone Atobe, I am not joking.”
Atobe looked at seriously. “What happened between the two of you?”
froze. She didn’t expect that question. “What… What do you… mean?” she stuttered feeling his intense gaze on her.
“Did you to two sleep together?”
Sleep? Together? “No… No… No… We… We… Never slept together,” she defended herself shaking her head in denial. What the hell am I doing? She thought as she left her body fall on the floor. She lowered her head. “We kissed,” she whispered, “He… he said he… loves me.” The two last words where inaudible, but Atobe heard them loud and clear.
“What did you just say?” he asked shocked with the revelation.
“He always tells me that he loves me, but I always push him away,” she admitted. “As long as he is ’s boyfriend then I’m not going to do anything,” she said quietly. “I know he’s not playing… He really cares and he’s always watching me.”
“Sanada’s not the type to cheat so I do believe you.”
“No, he’s not,” agreed, “But… I insist that he stays with her.”
Atobe narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. “Were you ever intimate?”
“Eh?”
“By intimate, I don’t mean sleeping together.” He watched her closely. “Kisses, hugs, sharing a bed, did you ever? Has he seen you naked?”
’s eyes widened. “Those are personal questions?!” she snapped.
“Answer me, ,” he sighed and run his hand through his hair. “I am the closest person you can call ‘friend’ at the moment.” He patted her hair softly. “I need to know how to help you out of this situation.”
looked at him and a small smile made its appearance on her lips. “I will just tell you that we kissed. Not once or twice,” she said feeling her cheeks redden. She moved her hands and covered her face. “I am so embarrassed and ashamed.”
Atobe moved closer and hugged her. “You should be embarrassed for having such a fight with your best friend, but never say you are ashamed of the way you feel.”
didn’t say anything as he held her.
They stayed like that for some time until she looked at him. “I wasn’t going to do anything about it,” she said quietly.
“I know, but at the end of the day, you’re a human being with feelings,” he told her. “You can’t keep pretending that it doesn’t bother you when they’re together.”
looked at him sadly. “Why are my relationships never normal?” she said sadly. “I’m really pathetic.”
“It’s called life.”
She chuckled softly as he held her in his arms and smiled at her. They talked for a long time when the doorbell interrupted them. “I’ll get it,” he said, but she stopped him.
“I want to,” said, standing up. “I need to speak to .”
“Okay.”
walked to the door, moving her hair behind her ear. She took a deep breath, ready to face , but froze when she saw Sanada Genichirou in her face. “Oh,” she whispered, covering her mouth with both hands. Oh… I don’t think he knows why I am surprised. Just act cheerfully… “Hi,” she said happily.
Sanada narrowed his eyes and he had the most serious look on his face. “ came to me, demanding to know if I love you.”
’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She lifted her hand covering her mouth while tears spilled from her eyes. “I can’t believe she came to you,” she said in muffled voice.
“What the hell happened?” he asked as calm as possible standing rooted outside the door.
“I… I was… She heard me talk to someone about my feelings for you,” she said lowering her head. “Please come in.” She gestured for him to enter.
Sanada walked in the hall and took of his shoes before going to the living room. He froze when he saw Atobe there. “Atobe?” he said in a low voice.
Atobe got up from the couch he sat and greeted him with a small nod. “Sanada.” He walked towards and hugged her. “I will see you later. Call me if you need anything.” He kissed her cheek and left biding them goodbye.
“What was he doing here?” Sanada asked once he heard the door close.
“He is my boss and a good friend,” she answered and moved to pick up the soda cans from the table. “He was here when and I fought.”
“Why did you two fight? I couldn’t understand a word was saying,” Sanada sighed heavily as he followed into the kitchen.
“I told you she heard me talk about you.” turned to look at him and leaned her body to sit on the counter.
“It makes no sense .”
“I told Atobe that I love you Genichirou. That’s what she heard,” said feeling her irritation increase again. “I didn’t know she was here.” crossed her hands. “She was supposed to be with Niou for dinner.”
“That’s beside the point.” Sanada scratched his head. “She asked me if we were ever intimate,” he said putting his hands in his pocket.
looked at him alarmed.
“I didn’t lie,” he said with a sad expression on his face. “I couldn’t lie to her anymore.”
grabbed his shirt. “But, we never did!” she exclaimed, shaking him. “We never did!”
He held her wrists tight. “Maybe not to the extreme, but we did share kisses.”
“Damn it, Genichirou! I didn’t want her to think I did something behind her back,” she cried letting go of his shirt. “We never did anything wrong!’
“Do you seriously think what happen between you and I at the ski resort wasn’t wrong?” he asked.
froze and looked down sadly.
“She knows,” he said quietly, placing his hands on her shoulders.
slapped his hands away. “No! I refuse to believe that,” she yelled, glaring at him. “Nothing will ever happen between us, nothing! You don’t belong to me.”
Sanada moved to hold again but she stepped away from him. “ it is better that she knows my feelings. I hated every single time I had to pretend with her,” he sighed heavily. “She is such a nice person and deserves to be treated better.”
“Get out Genichirou, just leave,” said as she hugged herself tightly. “Go. We are not meant to be.” She ran to her room and locked the door.
Sanada followed her but didn’t reach her in time. He stood in front of the door to her room. He lifted his hand and touched the cold surface of the wood. “… I love you… I will be patient until you can accept me,” he whispered and walked out of the apartment.
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was standing outside Sanada’s apartment. He doesn’t love her; he is not that kind of guy. Her thoughts where all over the place, so were her emotions; she lifted her hand and hit the doorbell hesitantly.
The door opened and Niou smiled brightly when he saw in front of him. “Hey sweetie, did you miss me more than you wanted?” he said with a wave of his hand but stopped when he heard a sobbing sound coming from . He looked at her and realized that she was crying. Her eyes were red and tears where running down her cheeks. He immediately hugged her and pulled her in the apartment. “What’s wrong ? Why are you crying?” he whispered softly as he rubbed her back gently. What on earth is she wearing? He thought looking at her attire.
“Whe… Where… is… Where is Sanada?” she stuttered with a hoarse voice. She was hugging Niou tightly while crying wildly in his arms.
“Sanada?” he asked surprised not understanding what he had to do with her crying. “He is inside…” he was cut off when pushed him away and stomped to the living room. What the hell is going on? He shrugged and placed his hands in his pockets before following to the living room.
“How long?!” snapped angrily, when she saw Sanada. “How long were you going to pretend with me?”
Sanada looked up from his book and frowned. “?”
She lifted her hands and covered her face wiping her tears away. “Do you love her?!” she demanded, glaring at him. “If you loved her, why didn’t you tell me anything? You think I’m that type of idiot who wouldn’t want her best friend to be happy?”
Sanada stood up to face her. “?”
“Did you kiss her? Sleep with her?”
Sanada held her shoulders. “Don’t be stupid,” he told her quietly. “I do love her, but we would never betray you like that.”
“But you just betrayed me when you told me that you love her!” she cried, clenching her fists.
“, I am sorry,” Sanada said as he held her close. He lifted his eyes and looked towards the door. He saw Niou looking at him with no expression on his face. He had his arms crossed and was leaning against the door.
“Why? Why? All you had to do was be honest with me.” muttered still crying in Sanada’s arms. “Now I understand why you always were so distant.” She pulled away from him and looked up in his eyes. “I hate you both for what you did.” She walked away and went to the bathroom leaving the two young men alone.
Sanada sighed and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Well done Genichirou,” Niou said sarcastically clapping his hands. “You managed to break her heart.”
“Be quiet…” Sanada retorted annoyed. “I wonder what the hell happened.”
“Whatever happened, you two managed to break her heart. And that is the fact. How could you of all people do something like that?” Niou questioned Sanada.
“It’s complicated Masaharu. Let’s not go through that discussion again.” Sanada sighed again. “I will go and see how is. Take care of for me.” He left the room in haste.
“ should be your priority right now, not !” Niou snapped.
Sanada didn’t say anything; he just walked out of the apartment.
Niou swore out loud and went to where had locked herself in. He opened the door and barged in. He found her on the floor, crying. “…”
“Did you know?” she asked him hiccupping through tears as she got up from where she was sitting.
He let out a sigh. “Not really,” he said ruffling his hair frustrated. “What I mean is… I was a bit suspicious about ’s feelings, but not Sanada’s.”
pushed Niou away when she heard his answer. She looked at him with fury and sadness. “I thought… that… you… You could at least tell me the truth.” She walked pasted him and into the living room. “I can’t believe this.” She stopped in her tracks.
“I thought you realized at the ski resort the bond they shared.” Niou said following . “It was obvious that something wasn’t right.”
“Then why did you continue going out with ? Why let her break your heart?” said as she turned around to face him.
“He’s not the only one that loves her, ,” he said softly as he pushed his hands in his pockets and lowered his head. “I tried hard to get her attention or even get her to like me but it just didn’t work out – we were both too hot tempered.” he sighed and lifted his head to look at . “In a way I was trying to protect you from getting hurt.”
laughed at his statement. “You are no different from them. You should have warned me,” she said taking a few steps backwards, “I hate you too Haru!” she yelled, walking out of the apartment.
Niou stood in the middle of the room looking down at the floor blankly trying to organize his thoughts. “What the hell is going on?” he questioned out loud. Why? Why would this have to happen this way? He sighed and lifted his head closing his eyes. Damn it, what am I supposed to do now? I hate the fact that my suspicious were true…
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ran as fast as she could out the boys apartment building. It had started to rain a long time ago but she kept running; she hated the rain but didn’t mind it at the moment. She was confused, hurt and alone. She stopped breathless in the middle of a park. She looked around and sat on a bench. What should I do now? She thought sitting in the rain feeling lost. I can’t go back; I can’t faced her, them. I have to go somewhere; but where?
She got up from the bench and walked to the subway station. I can always go back home, she thought as she waited for the train to come. I can always depend on him.
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“Why did you leave?” asked over the phone.
Atobe sighed. “I didn’t,” he admitted. “I am waiting downstairs,” he said. “I was waiting for you to call.” And trying to shake off the big argument I just had with my mother… he thought exasperated.
chuckled, feeling tears in her eyes. “I pushed him away,” she said softly.
“I’m coming upstairs, give me a few seconds,” he said, hanging up as he walked to the elevator. He sighed, waiting for it to ascend and closed his eyes. Why is it a big deal to everyone for me getting married? He thought, and then he sighed again. Focus on the distraught woman now…
He walked to ’s apartment as she opened the door. “What’s the verdict?” he asked wryly.
“Everyone knows,” she muttered, walking in and sitting on the couch. She chuckled sadly, holding her head. “I threw him out,” she admitted.
“Really?” he laughed. “You are such a drama queen.”
looked at him blankly, but started to laugh when she understood his comment. “I should be angry at you for your comment but I must say it fits the whole situation.” hugged her knees.
“What a day…” Atobe muttered loosening his tie. “I am so tired physically and emotionally,” he sighed.
“Want to drink something?” stood up. “Then you can tell me what’s troubling you.”
“I would like some whisky.” He responded softly. “My life is boring , there is nothing to talk about.”
returned with a glass of whisky in one hand and a glass of juice in the other. She placed both drinks on the table and sat beside Atobe on the couch. “Babe, you are the great and untouchable Atobe Keigo, so there is much to talk about. Your life is far from being boring.” She laughed.
“I would gladly trade my life with someone else right now,” he muttered under his breath. “I thought that there was liquor in this house.”
heard him and looked at him puzzled. “What’s the matter Keigo?”
Atobe leaned back into the couch and rested his head on the back of the couch. “Why is it important that I get married?” he asked tiredly. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t know or like.”
“I can understand your feelings,” said with a small smile adorning her lips. “Maybe they want you to get married because you are not seeing anyone seriously.” She reasoned.
Atobe turned his head and looked at her. “That’s because all the women I meet want me for my money and connections. I want to find someone that would want me for Me.” The only woman I want… is already married, he thought sarcastically.
“I know the feeling. That’s why I moved away from my parent’s house. I moved away from my hometown,” she said and picked up her juice. “I needed a clean start. Relationships where a lot easier here than back home.”
“Maybe you are right. I should get out of my parents house and live on my own,” he laughed. “Aren’t you worried about ? She is not back yet.”
’s expression changed immediately. “She is probably with Yuushi and Arisa. She will stay away from me until we cool off,” she said in a low voice looking blankly at her hands on her lap. “We never fought like this before.”
A tear made its way down her cheek and Atobe moved his hand to wipe it. He moved closer to and whispered slowly. “Let’s forget what happened. No more tears for tonight. Okay?” he moved his head from her ear to her cheek and placed a kiss on it.
turned her head and their lips touched. Atobe stood still looking in her eyes. She looked into his and a second later she closed them slowly moving closer to him to deepen the kiss.
Atobe lifted his hands to cup her cheeks and moved his lips sensually over hers.
They pulled away to breath air; they looked in each other’s eyes and locked their lips once again, this time with more passion than before. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he moved his hands to ’s waist and pushed her softly to lie on the couch placing his body on top of hers. “You need to tell me to stop,” he whispered between kisses.
She responded to his kisses and shook her head slightly at his comment. “Don’t stop,” she whispered tilting her head to give him more access to her neck and collarbone as he moved there.
They lay still hours later in each other’s arms. could hear Atobe’s steady heartbeat as he held her against his chest. She moved closer to him and caressed his jaw lightly. “Are you regretting it?” she asked.
He took her hand and kissed it. “No strings attached – this is comfort sex.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “We needed this.”
“We were just overwhelmed, .” He got more comfortable and held her against him. He raised his hand and caressed her head.
“I don’t normally sleep aro…”
“I know,” he muttered, his eyes closed.
“I love Sanada.”
“I know.”
hugged his waist. “Between us, ok?”
He chuckled. “The last thing I’d want to announce is that I slept with my Marketing Manager,” he said softly.
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was standing in front of a bright yellow building. She looked at her watch, it’s 2 am I hope he is home; she thought tiredly and walked slowly towards the entrance of the building.
She walked up the stairs to the first floor slowly and came to halt in front of a black door; she hesitated but rang the doorbell. She waited patiently, but there was no answer; he is not here, she thought as she left her body lean against the wall and slid to sit on the floor.
I hope he comes soon, I am feeling cold. hugged her knees and rested her head on them. She closed her eyes and fell asleep instantly.
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“Sae, don’t tease me like that.”
“Oh come on Yuuta. Don’t be such a baby.” Saeki Kojirou teased the young man that accompanied him.
They stepped out of the elevator and walked to their apartment door. But they stopped when they saw a figure on the floor leaning its body on their door. Saeki moved a couple of steps forward.
“?” he said suddenly. He ran towards the person and kneeled. “?” he shook her lightly, but as soon as he touched the jacket she was wearing he felt it was soaked. “Oh my gosh. Yuuta come help me,” Saeki shouted. “Open the door so I can take her inside.”
Fuji Yuuta did as he was told. He held the door open for Saeki to enter with the girl in his arms. He looked at her and felt sorry for her for some reason. When Saeki entered the apartment he immediately made his way to the bathroom and prepared a hot bath for the girl.
Not caring at all, he stripped her off her clothes and placed her gently in the bath. “Stupid woman,” he muttered, watching her.
opened her eyes groggily and smiled sadly. “Sorry, Sae… I could only think of you.”
He rubbed her hair and smiled. “Relax in the bath, babe… Warm up and then we’ll talk.”
nodded.
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Next day
stirred in her sleep feeling comfortable. She opened her eyes slowly; she tried to focus her vision on the brown thing in front of her. Where am I? She thought realizing she was hugging something soft.
“It’s a good thing Yuuta doesn’t like women or else I would be very jealous.”
pulled away abruptly and nearly fell off the bed. “Whaaa…” she screamed making the person next to her jolt.
“What happened?” Yuuta shouted worriedly as he turned around to look at the person who screamed.
Saeki was laughing his head off holding ’s upper body in his arms. “Nothing’s wrong… was just surprised that’s all,” he said with a smile.
“Sae… you IDIOT!” hissed trying to sit on the bed properly. “Is that a way to wake a guest?” she asked him glaring at him.
Yuuta got up from the bed yawning; he scratched his head and walked to the bathroom. was looking at him embarrassed. She turned and looked at Sae with a blush spreading over her cheeks. “Why did I sleep in your bed?” she asked irate feeling her embarrassment growing.
Saeki chuckled. “I would never let you sleep on the couch!” he got up and walked towards the door. “I have made hot chocolate, come and tell me what happened,” he said with a wink.
I want to hit him; she thought jumping off the bed. Umm… no slippers? She sighed and looked around the room for something to wear.
Yuuta walked out of the bathroom while was looking under the bed for slippers. “Umm… Can I help you with something?” he asked looking at .
jerked her head up. “Oh… Umm… I… I was just looking for a pair of slippers,” she smiled embarrassed.
Yuuta blushed and looked away; he walked out of the room and came back with a pair of slippers in his hands. “Here, wear these,” he said and gave them to .
“Thank you,” smiled wearing the slippers and then bounced out of the room. That was weird; she smiled making her way to the kitchen.
“Took you long enough,” Saeki teased as he sat on the table holding a cup in his hand.
rolled her eyes and sat on the table next to Saeki. “I was looking for slippers.” She glared at him but he only smiled.
“Maybe now it’s the time for you to tell me why you were outside my door,” Saeki said, totally ignoring her.
SILENCE.
“…”
She shifted in her seat looking at her cup silently. “I had a fight with ,” she said softly still gazing at the half filled cup.
Saeki tilted his head and looked at her carefully. “You two always fight,” he said crossing his hands, “She’s black, you’re white!”
“We argue Sae, not fight. This time it was a fight,” she sighed tiredly. “She and Genichirou love each other and they never told me about it!” she confessed.
“Am I interrupting?”
Both and Saeki turned their attention to the young man that stood next to them. He smiled sheepishly holding a cup in his hand.
“Yes…” Saeki said and made a gesture with his head for him to leave.
“No…”
Saeki looked at a bit surprised. “Are you sure you don’t mind Yuuta listening on our conversation?”
nodded. “Of course I don’t mind, I slept with the guy didn’t I?” she said pushing her tongue out.
“Touché Sae,” laughed Yuuta sitting at the table. “I like you,” he said to with a smile.
Saeki ignored both of them and returned to the topic of their discussion. “What do you mean love each other?”
“What do you think it means Sae? He loves her and she loves him. What don’t you understand?” she said annoyed. “Gawd… I wanted to hit her when I heard her tell Atobe.”
“You heard?”
sighed again. “I… happened to eavesdrop on her conversation with Atobe,” she said playing with the empty by now cup. “I didn’t mean too, it just happened. She told him flatly that she was in love with my boyfriend.” She paused for a minute still playing with the cup. “I lost it… I barged in on them and we fought!”
“I understand that she loves him but how did you come to the conclusion that he loves her,” Saeki asked taking the cup away from her hands, “And I do not approve of you eavesdropping on other people.”
glared at him. “I went and asked Genichirou in person and he didn’t deny it!” she slouched on the chair. I hate her…
Saeki remained silent for a moment; he was about to speak when Yuuta said something and distracted him.
“I don’t think you should blame them,” Yuuta said looking at Kaede. “I know I can’t say anything because I have no idea who these people are, but either way you shouldn’t be angry at them.” He sat up straight on the chair. “From what I heard so far, I can understand that they didn’t tell you about their feelings and just continued their lives.”
nodded.
“It must hurt to be with someone who doesn’t like you, but I wouldn’t know anything about that. The question you should be asking yourself before blaming them is if you truly loved that man.” Yuuta said with an understanding smile. “If your feelings for him are strong then you have every right to get angry and hate them, but if their not strong then all you can do is help them get together and be happy for them!”
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Later
“Do you mind if she stays with us for a while?”
Yuuta looked at him and smiled through his stern façade look. “She’s important to you, I don’t see why you’re even asking me,” he muttered, walking to the kitchen.
Saeki laughed. Of course I would ask you, you’re my other half, he thought with a grin. It’s funny that he still acts like that sometimes; we’ve just been married for six months only.
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Next Day
“Not here?”
Oshitari looked surprised at ’s exclaimed remark.
held his shirt and pulled him towards her, “What do you mean she’s not here? She’s supposed to have come here to you and Arisa?” said irritated, shaking him.
He held her wrist so he would stop her shaking him. After she stopped, he straightened his eyeglasses that went askew from her shaking and turned to look at her seriously. “Is everything okay?”
“No!” she snapped, moving away. Damn it! Damn it! I really thought she was here, thought rubbing her head, then where is she?
“?”
She looked at him and sighed, “Not now, Yuushi,” she said, picking up her bag. “I’ll talk to you later. I really have to find .” She rushed out of his apartment.
That was weird… Oshitari thought, but he couldn’t help think that something was really wrong.
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“Can I help you?”
turned around at the bitter and sarcastic voice, she wanted to glare at Niou, but stopped because all that mattered to her at the moment was finding . “, is she staying with you?”
Niou looked at her taken aback, “?”
was almost in panic. “Yes, , please tell me she’s with you…” she pleaded, standing in front of him.
Niou took a step back because of their proximity. He didn’t like how scared looked at the moment and couldn’t help wonder how serious did they take their argument. He cursed himself inwardly for being more scared than angry; after all, the woman in front of him loved his own roommate and dumped him because of his roommate. “No, she’s not.”
’s eyes widened, “not with you?”
“What’s going on? Why is their so much commotion in the recept… ?”
turned to look at Sanada and rushed towards him. She stood right in front of him, “do you know where is?”
Sanada looked at her in surprise.
nodded hurriedly, waiting for him to tell her that she was safe and sound with him.
“No.”
actually looked shocked… “Oh…” she whispered, looking down. “I’ll… I’m going to…” she didn’t finish her sentence as she started to leave.
Sanada stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, “wait…” he ordered, keeping her in place.
Niou looked taken aback at the situation. He felt something hit his chest at the way Sanada held . He had had one arm around her waist and holding her hand with the other while stayed quiet. She’s obviously distraught and she looks like she hasn’t slept at all.
Sanada glanced at Niou and then walked out of the office, dragging with him.
Niou clenched his jaw trying not to think too much about it.
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“Wasn’t she at your place when you came over?” asked trying to think of places where could be.
“I left her there but when I got back she wasn’t there!” Sanada said letting go of . “I thought that she came back home after spending sometime with Masaharu.”
leaned again a wall sighing deeply. “What is she thinking making me worry like this?” she muttered. “I have to go look for her…”
“Sanada-san, there is a phone call for you,” the young secretary said from the door. “They said it’s urgent.”
Sanada looked at . “Please excuse me.” He walked into the reception and picked up the phone at the desk.
I can’t believe I’m here after throwing him out like that yesterday, she thought looking at him talking on the phone. I want him… She looked away when she releasing he was coming towards her.
“, I think you should go home and rest,” he said as he exited from the office. “I’m sure is fine. She might have gone to see her parents or a relative.”
“Her parents live in Sapporo. Anyway, I will go home and wait until she comes back,” said straightening herself. “Bye Sanada.” She left without giving him a chance to say anything.
Sanada watched her walk away and sighed deeply before entering in the office. He went straight to his own office and closed the door behind him. He was starting to feel anger rise inside him and wanted to vent out the frustration that was choking him but he wasn’t a man to cause a scene in front of strangers.
He sat on his chair and stared at the files that he was reading before had come. Damn it! I can’t concentrate; he thought still looking at the file without touching it. Why is this happening now? Isn’t this what we wanted? Bye… just a simple bye? He leaned in his chair and loosened his tie. At least I know is with Saeki so she will be fine.
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“Masaharu, we have been seeing each other everyday since you broke up with , but today you look as grim as ever.” Yagyuu commented as he wiped his mouth.
Niou scowled. “Everything is a mess Hiroshi. Not only did I break up with but found out about the way they feel for each other.”
Yagyuu leaned back into his chair. “The way they feel about each other?” he asked and continued before his friend could answer. “I thought that was in love with Sanada but you never told me about Sanada sharing the same feelings.”
“I didn’t know either. Not until yesterday that is.” He replied grimly and drank his wine.
“I don’t think that Sanada would…”
“I know he wouldn’t and frankly I don’t care if they love each other or not. If they want to be together they are free to do so,” he sighed and rubbed his jaw tiredly. “All I care about is , they managed to break her heart and for that I can’t forgive them.”
Yagyuu took of his eyeglasses and cleaned them with a napkin. “I see,” he said as his mind processed everything he heard. “Did you love ?” he asked wearing his glasses again.
“I don’t know how to answer that question.”
“Isn’t it weird that you can’t answer such a simple question? You said that she was special!” Yagyuu poured some water in his glass and sipped. “How is your current relationship?”
Niou looked at his friend staggered. “How does my current relationship, affect my inability to answer you on whether I like or not?” he asked loosening his tie.
“You said like not love.”
“Sometimes I really don’t get you Hiroshi!” Niou sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Yagyuu looked at his friend with a small smirk forming on his lips. “It’s easy Masaharu, you didn’t love ; you just liked her. She was a beautiful woman that made your blood boil that’s it.”
“Whatever Hiroshi, you sound like Renji when you turn philosophical on me!” Niou rolled his eyes.
“You’re worse than a kid Masaharu. You’re going to go wild with that woman you call girlfriend instead of looking at a mirror and see into your heart to see who you really should be chasing after,” Yagyuu said crossing his legs, “and I do pray that you prove me wrong!”
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A.C. & DeVeliCious
Edited by Marishka