Fan Fiction |
by Sheen and Smile :)
“Thanks so much, but I’m not hungry. Why don’t you both go ahead.” Their faces fell as I gave them each a tight hug and left the table, not wanting to break down in public yet again. I rested my head against the tree trunk, wiping my tears with a handkerchief, letting myself clam down.
“Come on, Kotoko!” I chided myself. “It’s really not like you to suddenly turn into a spineless waterspout! Irie Naoki isn’t the only man in the world! You couldn’t see the forest for the trees! Let’s go out now and get yourself another man!” I squared my shoulders with renewed determination and walked out of the university gates, looking at the pedestrians – make that the male pedestrians to be more accurate. I scanned the faces, trying to find one that could replace Irie Kun. My feet were aching – three hours had probably passed – when I suddenly saw a face that captured my attention. Tall and lean, dark hair with a lock of fringe falling into the dark cool eyes and chiseled features – geez that guy really looked like Irie Kun.
“That one is good … …” I thought to myself, my eyes fixed on his face as he walked nearer. “Ok Kotoko, new target spotted – standby ready to go into action.” I took in a deep breath. When he was just a few feet away (before I could try anything), he turned and the dark eyes met mine. I saw the light of recognition in them and uncontrollably, my heart started racing – it was not an Irie Kun look-alike – it was the man himself. I started panicking as he approached me.
“Yo, it’s been quite a while.” Lord help me, he’s now standing directly in front of me.
“Yes,” there was a pause before I answered awkwardly, trying to look at anywhere but his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Nothing! Everything’s fine!” I blabbed, my voice an octave higher than usual. Fortunately, he didn’t continue his line of enquiry.
“I’m waiting for someone.”
“Oh … …” Realising that I wasn’t exactly being my usual talkative self, I tried to sound more normal, “how’s the house in XXX Lane by the way?”
“That place? Oh it’s really nice. It’s big and roomy.” My heart sank to my boots when his expression didn’t even flicker as he mentioned the place. I felt my fragile heart shatter yet again – in my heart of hearts, I was hoping that he would provide some explanation and convince me that I was mistaken. And he was right – the house I saw was extremely large. Somehow I managed to converse with him casually, hiding the pain in my heart.
“ … … it’s quite a big place to be living alone isn’t it?” Somehow the words came unbidden to my lips.
“You mean XXX Lane? No no, Reiko also stays there – it’s too large for one person.” I couldn’t suppress my tears any longer at his damning words. Why did you have to force him to admit that he was staying with Reiko, you Baka? Who does it hurt but yourself? I scolded myself as I turned my head aside, quickly dabbing at my eyes with my already soaked hanky.
“Irie Sen se!” I suddenly heard another new voice calling Irie Kun teacher (?) and turned to see a beautiful young girl walking up to us. Yet another one? I groaned silently. He smiled and greeted her.
“Kotoko, meet Ayako, Reiko’s sister.” I smiled and shook her hand, thinking sadly that she was just as lovely, if not lovelier than Reiko. They’re really lucky to have such wonderful genes. However, I started to regret my friendly gesture when she looked at me with Reiko’s familiar expression of disdain and started insulting me.
“Oh, you must be the Kotoko who Reiko mentioned failed the English test five times.” I blushed to the roots of my hair. She continued with a superior smile, “Ah did you know that Naoki is my tutor? He has even been coming to my house to teach me … …” She had this gloating expression on her face but I was no longer listening. Her sentence hit me with the force of a blow. Hope filled my entire soul as I instinctively grabbed Irie Kun’s arm.
“It this why you’ve been going home with Reiko? To tutor Ayako and not because you’re living with Reiko?”
Naoki’s POV
I was shocked at the strength in her fingers as she clutched at my arm in the same way a dying man would clutch at a straw. I would not have believed that she was capable of exerting such force, looking at her now pathetically thin figure. The pale gaunt cheeks were now slightly rosy, and hope was sparkling in her large eyes that were lifeless just a few seconds ago. I sighed secretly – isn’t it amazing how resilient human beings are? Pandora, Pandora was it a blessing or a curse when you managed to retain hope in your box?
“No such thing! It’s your overactive imagination yet again,” I pushed her hand away from my arm with an impatient gesture. “I’ve got to go.” I turned and left with Ayako. As I was walking away, I couldn’t help but glance back once more to see her reaction. That baka was jumping up and down in the middle of the streets, creating quite a scene. Then just as suddenly, she turned and disappeared rapidly back on campus. A small smile flickered on my face for an instance.
Kotoko’s POV
Déjà vu! Once again, here I am in the kitchen, making chocolate for Irie Kun for his Valentine’s Day present. I couldn’t help but think that the year had passed really rapidly. I mean it only seemed like yesterday when I was in the same situation with Mrs Irie cheering me on. Again, she’s by my side, encouraging me and providing me with lots of good advice … … A sharp pain in my stomach disturbed my thoughts. Sweat glistened on my forehead but I bit my lip as I persevered, dreaming of Irie Kun’s surprised and delighted expression when I present him with this box of chocolates. Hey, I know I’m just daydreaming but that’s not illegal ok?
“It’s snowing, Kotoko, wrap up warmly.” I smiled gratefully at Mrs Irie who gave me a “ganbatte” sign as I put on my jacket and headed for Donny’s. I was greeted by a disgruntled Reiko.
“It’s useless waiting for Naoki, he has to go to MY house to tutor Ayako after work.” What a wonderful greeting. I kept quiet as I headed for a table and ordered coffee from her, wrapping my frozen fingers gratefully around the hot cup. As I sipped the coffee, my gastric pains returned with more force than previously, reminding me that I had not eaten that day. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring enough on me to pay for any of the meal sets – I had only planned to pass the chocolates to Irie Kun and was intending to take things from there, expecting that he would probably ask me to go back home. Yes, in spite of my daydreams I’m very practical.
I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly a pot appeared in front of me, and a stream of hot coffee flowed into my half-empty cup. I looked up to see Irie Kun standing in front of me impassively. Suddenly, another sharp pain twisted at my insides and I felt an urge to throw up.
“Excuse me,” I muttered as I slipped off the seat, heading for the ladies. When I reached the corner, yet another sharp pain in my tummy made me bend over, clutching at my stomach. This time, the pain was more intense, burning my insides like a red-hot poker –the room suddenly appeared to be illuminated with a flash of blinding white light. I reached out blindly for the wall, then darkness descended rapidly displacing the white light and I knew no more.
I thought I was dreaming when I opened my eyes and saw Irie Kun leaning over me. Was that a flicker of concern or anxiety that I saw in his dark eyes? Nah, it was probably irritation. I slowly sat up, realizing that I was lying on a booth seat.
“What happened?” My voice was weaker than I expected.
“You fainted.” His voice was quiet.
“Naoki, I think you should send your friend home. She doesn’t look very well.” I realized that we were not alone and turned around, seeing the same middle-age man who had interviewed me previously. I could have hugged him for his wonderful suggestion. He was looking anxiously at me, almost as if he feared that I would have another fainting fit in front of him. Irie Kun was silent the entire time as his manager had my jacket brought to me and walked me to the exit. I smiled my thanks to the gentleman before walking out into the cold. Irie Kun stood for a second, studying the snow that was falling more heavily than before.
“Why don’t we go to my place? It’s nearer. We can then get my mother to pick you up from there. I doubt that you’re fit to walk too far.” I nodded at him gratefully. Geez, I must really look fragile to get such special treatment from Irie Kun. His apartment was only about 5 minutes walk from Donny’s and he was staying on the second floor.
“Have a seat,” I sat down a little nervously in the small little sitting room with the even smaller attached kitchenette. I looked around curiously as Irie Kun poured me a glass of hot tea. The sitting room was sparsely furnished with only the low little table that I was sitting at and four cushions surrounding it. There was another door, probably leading to his bedroom and study.
I thanked him for the tea, “has Reiko been here?” I couldn’t help asking.
“No, you’re my first visitor.”