Fan Fiction |
by Sheen and Smile :)
Sudou tried to organize a Christmas dinner for the tennis club, however, from what I knew no one was interested going, so in the end he cancelled it. Zinko, Satomi and I decided to have our own party in the Irie house. Their boyfriends were both unavailable on that day and the entire Irie household will be going to a Christmas party, so we would be able to have the house to ourselves. I must admit that I’m really looking forward to it because it’s been a while since we had the opportunity to cosy up and talk girlish secrets … …
The telephone rang and I quicky rushed to pick up the call. “Hello?”
“Kotoko, Satomi here.”
“Hi, Satomi … …” I had a sinking feeling in my heart as I had a very good idea what was coming next.
“Hey, I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to come over today. My boyfriend planned a surprise for me. That’s why he pretended that he was unavailable. I’m so sorry … …”
“It’s okay, just go and enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks Kotoko! I owe you one.” I heard the ringing tone – apparently she couldn’t wait to hang up. I sighed heavily as I looked at Chibi who was sitting on the floor next to me – the only other living creature in the house. “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight Chibi, Zinko’s also not coming coz her boyfriend also planned something.” He wagged his tail and panted happily. I dragged my feet to the couch and plonked myself down, turning the TV on. Merry Christmas Kotoko, I told myself silently, preparing for the loneliest Christmas in my entire life.
Naoki’s POV
We were waiting at the traffic lights when someone familiar caught my eye. Isn’t that Satomi? I blinked as I stared at the long-hair girl who was clinging onto her companion’s arm. Yes, no doubt about it. What was she doing out here with her boyfriend when she was suppose to be with Kotoko in our house? Then … … Kotoko must be alone because she was telling us that her other friend – the one with the short hair – couldn’t make it because her boyfriend had planned a surprise for her. My forehead furrowed slightly. That’s the thing I hate about surprises, they can completely destroy well-set plans. In my opinion, surprises should be strongly discouraged or even banned … …
Kotoko’s POV
I thought I heard a noise at the door and glanced at the clock. Only nine pm? You’re hearing things Kotoko, I told myself. No one would be returning home so early. I continued staring listlessly at the cartoon that I was watching, ignoring Chibi’s excited barks. That dog sure has a loud voice for his size, and he loves barking at anything and everything.
“Good dog Chibi, at least someone appreciates my presence.” I jumped up as if struck by lightning when I heard Irie Kun’s voice. Spinning around, my eyes widened as I saw Irie Kun patting an excited Chibi who was trying to climb up his legs, licking him whenever he could find a bare patch of skin. I pinched myself – ouch! No, I wasn’t dreaming.
“Irie Kun what are you doing here?” I exclaimed. “Where are the rest?”
“The party was boring and I missed Chibi,” he shrugged. “I was worried that you would forget to feed him so I came back first and bought him some chicken.” He nodded towards the dinning table where a huge box of KFC sat next to a much smaller white box. The aroma of friend chicken made my salivary glands work overtime – I recalled that I had not eaten dinner.
“Is it all for Chibi?” I asked anxiously.
“Surely you’ve eaten?” He lifted an eyebrow coolly in my direction. “Well, he probably can’t finish the whole box anyways. Help yourself.” I happily went to the table and started to tuck into the delicious friend chicken – it was still hot. Irie Kun took some chicken pieces and placed them in Chibi’s bowl. He selected the boneless pieces, explaining to me that the sharp bone bits could injure Chibi if he swallowed them.
“What’s in that white box?” I couldn’t contain my curiosity.
“Open it.” I lifted the lid and saw a few pieces of chrismas cake. “Wow!” My eyes opened in amazement. “Where did you get this from Irie Kun?”
“The party. There was too much cake and the host was pressing us all to take some.”
“Shall I give Chibi some?”
“No, it isn’t good for him.”
“What about yourself? Have you eaten any yet?” I asked Irie Kun as he shook his head. I quickly went to some clean plates and forks. My cup of happiness was filled as we both sat at the table, eating the Christmas cake. I had expected to spend a lonely Christmas instead here I am, spending Christmas together with my beloved Irie Kun. Yes, I know that he returned to feed Chibi. However, I have every intention to make the best of things. After dinner, I washed the plates and gave him his present – it was this watch that I had saved up to buy for him. Although he didn’t give me anything, his presence was the best present I could have. We ended up watching TV together, waiting for the rest of the family to return. Thank you Irie Kun, ironically this is the best Christmas in my life … …
“Look Naoki, I think it’s time that you start learning the ropes to take over my business.” Mrs Irie, Yuki and I were hiding behind the kitchen door, eavesdropping on the conversation between Mr Irie and Irie Kun. We couldn’t contain our curiosity when Mr Irie requested to speak to Irie Kun alone after dinner.
“Why are you and mama always deciding my future for me? Surely I deserve a say in my own future?” I was rather taken aback at Irie Kun’s retort. Rarely have I seen such a display of temper. Things rapidly got downhill as Mrs Irie immediately ran into the living room to join in the foray.
“How can you address your father in such a disrespectful tone, Naoki? Everything he does is for your own good.”
“Noriko, calm down … …” Mr Irie began.
“Mama, papa isn’t the only one who’s always forcing me to do things that I don’t want to. You are guilty of the same thing. You never care about my feelings at all! All you are concerned about is Kotoko’s! I don’t have any rights at all! I’m not allowed to decide on my own career path, I am not allowed to choose any girl that I like. I’m not even allowed to date! You’re both so selfish! Why did you think I moved out? I don’t want to stay here and be manipulated like a puppet!” Before our horrified eyes, Mrs Irie slapped Irie Kun hard in his face. For a moment, we all froze. The blood had drained from Irie Kun’s face, his pallor highlighting the red marks left by Mrs Irie’s palm. Then without a word, he turned and ran out of the door.
My heart twisted in pain, but I didn’t have time to think. I was only aware of the fact that it was freezing outside and that Irie Kun had left without his coat. I quickly grabbed his coat from the hook and ran after him.
“Irie Kun,” I yelled as I saw him walking off very fast in the distance. I quickly picked up speed and caught up with him. “Irie Kun, your coat.”
“I’m not cold,” he seemed to be avoiding me, but I forced the coat into his hands. I sensed that he wasn’t ready to listen, so I simply walked by his side for a while, letting him calm down. I never saw him so agitated before and practically had to jog to keep up with his long strides.
After a while, I finally mustered enough courage to say in a rush, “Irie Kun, your parents love you and want the best for you. You know that. It’s just that you always keep things to yourself and you never tell them what you want. So they don’t know that you have plans of your own, that’s why they try to make plans on your behalf. It’s because they love you very much.” He didn’t reply but he didn’t tell me to shut up either. Encouraged by his silence, I took in a deep breath and spoke up again, “I mean I can understand why you’re so mad. I totally understand and agree with your view about having a right to choose the person you love, the job that you want and basically your future. Because after all, it’s your own future.” Tears sprung unbidden to my eyes as I suddenly recalled Irie Kun’s words.
“… … I am not allowed to choose any girl that I like. I’m not even allowed to date! You’re both so selfish! Why did you think I moved out? … …” No Kotoko, this is not the time to cry. Irie Kun needs your support this moment, so what if he doesn’t love you. Please, you knew that a long time ago. I took in a deep breath and quickly blinked my tears away, forcing myself to think of something else. I can’t cry. Not here. Not now.
“I really want to be a doctor, that’s why I don’t want to continue my father’s business.” I forgot about my tears when Irie Kun suddenly spoke up. I listened quietly, almost holding my breath. “You all see me as someone who has it easy, who hasn’t a single worry in the world, but you’re all wrong. I have my own troubles as well. I’m worried that I’m not suitable to be a doctor. I know I’ll need to work extra hard because I don’t have a biology background and I need to transfer from my current course. I worry about not making it. And to top it off, the timing’s all wrong … …” He sighed.
“Why are you telling me all this Irie Kun?” I asked in a small voice. I had never heard him talk so much in my entire life.
He suddenly stopped walking for a moment and turned to me with an enigmatic smile on his face, “because I haven’t told anyone else yet.” I froze, totally stunned. Yet at the same time, I felt warm all over. Gathering my scattered wits about me, I quickly caught up with him and simply walked silently by his side. I would be contented if I could only walk by his side like this for the rest of our lives … …